History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 78

Author: Hill, N. N. (Norman Newell), comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A.A. & Co., Mt. Vernon, Ohio
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Mt. Vernon, Ohio : A. A. Graham & Co.
Number of Pages: 1096

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Benjamin S. Brown, an influential member died in 1830. The Rev. William Halsey succeeded Mr. Hurd, but resigned May 12, 1841. At a meeting of the vestry held June 5, 1841, a call was extended

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to the Rev. Joseph Muenscher, then a professor in the theological seminary at Gambier, and accepted, and on the fourth day of July, same year, he en- tered upon the public duties of the parish. During the year 1842, mainly through the efforts of Dr. Muenscher, an organ, costing six hundred dollars, was placed in the church, and continued in use for twenty-four years. During the year 1853 a schism occurred in the church. Several members with- drew and formed themselves into a new organiza- tion under the name of Christ church. Subse- quently the schism was healed and the recusants received back into the fold.

Rev. Dr. Muenscher resigned his charge of the parish February 13, 1855. During the rectorship of Dr. Muenscher the parish suffered a severe loss by the death of some of its most prominent mem- bers, among whom were John Sherman, 1841; John Ridgely, M. D., 1843; Mrs. Mary P. Buck- ingham, 1844; Timothy W. Rogers, 1845; Re- becca Thomas, 1851, whose name stands first on the communion list of the parish; Marcus W. Stamp, M. D., 1852, of whom the record says "a communicant of the church of great moral worth;" Hon. Jesse B. Thomas, 1853, one of the active members of the parish, who "was at a former pe- riod of his life distinguished as a judge, and as a member of the United States Senate."

After the resignation of Dr. Muenscher, the Rev. J. Rice Taylor was called to the parish, and continued in charge up to August 30, 1859, when he was succeeded by the Rev. J. H. Bonte. It was during Mr. Taylor's ministry that such an impetus was given to the Sunday-school work of the parish by the active and earnest cooperation of the lay- men of the church. This work became more and more prosperous until St. Paul's Sunday-school un- der its superintendent, Columbus Delano, stood in the front rank of those west of the mountains.

August 29, 1859, a proposition was received from Columbus Delano, offering to present to the parish the present rectory, providing the debt due James E. Woodbridge, being the balance due on the new church, was provided for. Henry B. Cur- tis also proposed to deed the parish twenty-five feet of ground adjoining the land mentioned by Mr. Delano, and Mr. M. L. King proposed to deed fifteen feet of ground upon the same condi-

tion. James E. Woodbridge offered to relinquish all claims against the church, now amounting to one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven dol- lars and ninety-two cents, provided the sum of one thousand dollars should be secured to him payable in three installments, in six, twelve, and eighteen months, with interest and the privilege granted him to bid thirty dollars on a pew at the annual meeting without charge for the same. These pro- positions were accepted, and December 17, 1859, the sum required was paid, and a release of all claims obtained from Mr. Woodbridge.

The Rev. Mr. Bonte having been appointed chaplain of the Forty-third regiment Ohio volun- teer infantry, resigned the rectorship January 26, 1862. During this year James Huntsberry died, the church lost "a consistent and devoted mem- ber," and the city "an exemplary and upright citizen." August, 1862, the Rev. George B. Reece accepted a call to the parish. On the death of Milo Abernethy, an early and attached member of the church, he left in his will a legacy of five hun- dred dollars for its use. This money was used in enlarging and improving the rectory. Mr. Reece resigned October 23, 1865. Although without a rector, the year 1866 witnessed some great changes. The organ was taken down, and a melodeon sub- stituted. The four stoves were taken down and out, and a heating apparatus placed in the basement.

January, 1867, Rev. Robert B. Peet became the rector of the parish. During that year the melo- deon lost favor and was replaced by a new organ costing eighteen hundred dollars. In 1868 the stained glass windows were added at a cost of over six hundred dollars. Mr. Peet resigned the rector- ship February 20, 1871. In this year Eliza Rus- sell died. From the earliest history of the parish she had been an active and consistent member of it. She possessed a broad and Christian spirit, de- lighted in goodness, and zealous in all good works.

The present rector, the Rev. William Thompson, entered upon the discharge of his duties in 1872. From that time to the present the parish has stead- ily advanced in numbers and in strength.

February 12, 1874, death removed from their midst Judge Rollin C. Hurd. The vestery, as an expression of respect for his memory, passed the following resolution :

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

That we shall cherish the memory of his pure, upright and useful life, his consistent and beautiful Christian character, his cheerful readiness to respond with liberal hand to every worthy cause of benevolence and charity, his genuine and large-hearted sympathy with those in trouble and affliction, and his uniform kindness and charity toward all with whom he came in contact.

Mrs. Sarah B. Norton died the same year. She was one of the oldest members of the church, and one of the active members in every active work. During the year 1878 the parish sustained another great loss in the death of Elizabeth Curtis. "She became a communicant in 1834, and through a period of forty-four years, her membership in the church, her attachment to its services, her interest in its welfare, her cooperation in the work remained unimpaired and unbroken." The window in the south side of the church building, placed there as a memorial by her children, in its beauty fitly rep- resents her life, and in the motto, "Gentleness," truely sets forth her character. The beautiful sil- ver communion set used by the church was one of her benefactions. The beautiful font was the gift of Mrs. R. C. Hurd.

In April, 1875, a movement to repair the church building was referred to a committee, who reported what repairs were needed and estimated their cost at three thousand dollars. The necessary sum was raised, and the work of repairing began in May, 1875. The repairs, or rather additions, were a chancel, a vestment and vestry room, placing the organ and choir under the eye of the congregation, painting the church inside, etc. As usual, the committee brought the church in debt some thir- teen or fourteen hundred dollars.

The beginning of the year 1879 found the church with a debt of one thousand three hundred and sixty dollars. Miss Emma P. Bridge, to express her love for the church, offered to cancel the entire debt upon the condition that the vestry should paint the exterior of the church and build a sub- stantial fence around the churchyard. These im- provements have been made, and to-day the parish is free from debt.

Hardly had these improvements been begun be- fore Columbus Delano requested the vestry to per- mit him, as a mark of his affection for the church, to place in the west tower the sweet toned bell which now calls the congregation together.

The church numbers two hundred communi-

cants, and contains one of the best organized Sun- day-schools in the eity, numbering one hundred and eighty scholars. The school is under the su- perintendency of Rev. William Thompson, the pres- ent rector.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL'S (CATHOLIC) CHURCH.

Among the first Catholic families who settled in and around Mount Vernon were the -brother's, Timothy and William Colopy, (1814), John P. McArdle, David Morton, William Brophy, Charles Colerick, and at a later date the families of Mich- ael Boyle, (1835), Thomas McMullen, (1840), and many others. Probably the earliest Catholics in this section of the State were those who settled at or near Napoleon, Holmes county, the settlement being known in early times as the "French Settle- ment;" and those who settled around what is now known as Danville in Union township. These people were at first supplied by missionaries, whose circuit embraced a large territory, including Zanes- ville and Mansfield, and their visits were made as regularly as circumstances would permit. The first church organization in the county was effected at Danville, to which place the communicants from Mount Vernon and the "French Settlement" repaired at stated times to worship.

Clergymen from the Dominican order at Somer- set, Perry county, were the most regular in their attendance upon the scattered communicants, among whom may be mentioned the Reverend Fathers Fenwick, (afterwards Bishop), Young, Martin, Howe, O'Leary, Collins, McAleer, and in 1839 came Father Lamy, (now Archbishop of Sante Fe, New Mexico), who severed the people eight years, and in 1847, Father Bulgar, four years. In 1851 Father Brent took charge of the parish, and remained in charge until his death in 1880. Father Thomas J. Lane, after that sad event, took charge of the parish.

The early meetings in Mount Vernon were held in private residences, as owing to prejudice the other church edifices, and the court house, used by church organizations having no church build- ings, were closed to them. The residences thus used were those of David Morton, William Brophy, Timothy Colopy, Frederick J. Zimmerman, and the houses of other members large enough for the purpose.

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

As the worshippers increased by immigration from older States, the necessity of a house of wor- ship became apparent. The large and spacious grounds, still owned by them, on the northeast corner of High and Mckenzie streets, running north to Chestnut street, were purchased, and in 1839 a small brick edifice was erected, roofed and plastered, and in that unfinished condition was used as a chapel; but only for a brief period, as early in 1840, the house was destroyed by fire, necessitating the congregation to return to private residences for places of worship, until the church could be re-built and finished, which was ac- complished with as little delay as possible.

From time to time additions were made to the structure, required by the rapid increase of mem- bership, until the present large and commodious edifice was completed. A few years since a chime of three bells was placed in the tower on the south end of the building. About 1855 a fine brick par- sonage, two stories high, was erected on the north, or Chestnut street front of the lot.

The church building was set back in the lot far enough for the erection of a much larger building in front, to be built when the other building be- came too small to accommodate the congregation. In fact, nearly all arrangements were made in 1873 to erect a magnificent building on the open space in front, but for some reason the plan was laid aside for a more convenient season. The time seems not far distant when a larger and more commodious church edifice will be a necessity.

The first pastoral visit of Archbishop Purcell, of Cincinnati, was made just after the destruction of the first church by fire, and the resident mem- bers were compelled to look around for a room large enough to accommodate the expected con- gregation from all parts of the county, and from the French settlement in Holmes county. The Banning chapel, on North Sandusky street, was en- closed, but not finished. Mr. Banning tendered the use of his chapel to Mr. Morton, which was by him thankfully accepted. The large house now owned and occupied by Hon. Joseph C. Devin, then owned by Hon. Henry B. Curtis, was in an unfinished state. Mr. Curtis tendered it to Mr. Morton for the occasion, but as he had just ac- cepted the offer of Mr. Banning, the offer of Mr.

Curtis was declined with the sincere thanks of the resident members.

As stated before the members were few in num- ber and scattered over the county, mostly in the eastern portions of it, the first Catholic church be- ing erected in Danville, where the resident clergy- men resided. In the early days of the county the Catholics were compelled to resort to Danville, when no services were held in Mt. Vernon at pri- vate residences. The first church edifice at Dan- ville was a neat frame building. A few years since a large brick edifice was erected there. Service was held at Danville and-Mt. Vernon on alternate Sundays. In 1874 the two stations were separa- ted, and each given a resident priest. The com- municants in Mt. Vernon number about four hun- dred, embracing those who reside in and around Gambier, as well as in other parts of the county, west, south, and north of Mt. Vernon.

In 1875, under the superintendence of Father Brent, a neat two story frame school-house was erected on the southeast end of the church lot. In this building a parochial school was established, and the charge of it given to Sisters Johns and Theresa, of the order of Saint Francis, and under the supervision of Father Brent. The Sisters were diligent and faithful to the trust reposed in them, and the school was soon in a flourishing condition. It has now on its roll one hundred and thirty schol- ars, with a daily attendance of over one hundred.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

was organized July 26, 1834, under the name of "The Free Presbyterian church." This organiza- tion was an off-shoot of the Presbyterian church of this city, (a large majority of its founders having been members of that church), who were joined by a few Congregationalists. They were all more or less in sympathy with what afterwards becaine the New School division of the Presbyterian church.

The first session consisted of Stephen Conkling, Allen Scott, John Trimble, James McGibeny, and James Trimble. The church had no ecclesiastic connections until August 1, 1836, when, by its delegates, it united with the Western Reserve Con- gregational association. About four months after · its organization, Rev. Benjamin Higbee became its first pastor. His laborious and successful ministry

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continued about three and a half years, during which time a house of worship (the house now owned and occupied by the Mulberry Street Metho- dist Protestant church) was begun and completed. On his own recommendation, the Rev. Mr. Higbee was succeeded in his pastorate by Rev. Edward Weeds, who remained four years. He was suc- ceeded by the Rev. M. E. Strieby.

During Mr. Strieby's pastorate a strong desire was felt to change the organization to the Congre- gational form. Steps were at length taken, and the change consummated on the thirtieth of April, 1849. After due deliberation, a new constitution, together with the former brief summary of faith, and a series of standing resolutions were adopted, which breathed strong anti-slavery and temperance sentiments.

The house of worship was freely thrown open for conventions, whose object was to purge the State and National politics from the overshadow- ing crimes of liquor traffic and slavery. In 1852, a prohibition convention was held in their house of worship, which nominated Joseph W. Vance, of Mt. Vernon, for State senator, and A. Greenlee, of Fredericktown, for representative, pledged in favor of the Maine law. Abolition conventions were heartily welcomed, and for this reason it acquired the name of "Nigger church," and its members were loaded with opprobrium without stint, and sometimes maltreated. An incident occurred in this connection which may be worth preservation.

A man by the name of Allen was to lecture on slavery at the church on a given evening. When the time came, his arguments were met by the pun- gent logic of rotten eggs, and the meeting broken up. Next morning preparations were made to give Allen a free ride out of town on a rail, clad with a garment of tar and feathers, but while the crowd was being collected together by martial music under a banner bearing the appropriate motto, "No free discussion," Allen fled. Being hotly pursued, he passed in at the back door of David H. Drake's dwelling, one-half mile north of town, and instead of tarrying, took to the woods from the front door, shielded from view by the house. The crowd soon came up and surrounded the house, demanding the fugitive. Mr. Drake said to them: "Gentlemen, you have the privilege

of the house; go right in and take him." After a diligent search, Mr. Drake urging them to make it thorough, they gave it up; and Mr. Drake showed his usual hospitality by bringing a bountiful supply of bread and butter out into the dooryard, and inviting his visitors to take a lunch with him. That over, all returned as cheerful and as happy as a company of marauders returning from a raid upon a deserted hen-roost.

Mr. Strieby, after serving the church as pastor a number of years, was succeeded by the Rev. S. C. Leonard, and after him came the Rev. T. E. Mon- roe, whose pastorate lasted twelve years. During Mr. Monroe's time it was found that the church edifice on Mulberry street had been outgrown by the society, and a new one was accordingly under- taken on the corner of Main and Sugar streets, and pushed to completion at a cost of about thirty- two thousand dollars, and was dedicated Decem- ber 13, 1868, Revs. M. E. Strieby and C. S. Leon- ard officiating. The pastorate was then succes- sively filled by the Rev. I. C. Billman and the Rev. E. B. Burrows till 1879, when the Rev .. R. T. Hall was called, and entered upon his labors on the first Sunday of September, of that year. The church now numbers three hundred and fifty mem- bers.

Rev. Russell T. Hall was born in Richmond, Vermont, October 6, 1844. He was educated at Oberlin college, Ohio, and at the Union Theo- logical seminary, New York. He was ordained September 8, 1870, as pastor of the Congregational church at Pittsford, Vermont, where he remained until September, 1879, when he came to Mt. Ver- non and took charge of the First Congregational church. He married Miss Mary A. Tyler, of Brooklyn, Ohio, September 2, 1869, by whom he had two children, only one of whom is now living. He was a member of company H, of the Forty- third Ohio volunteer infantry, for a short time dur- ing the war of 1861.

THE DISCIPLES CHURCH.

The following history of the Disciple or Christian church is chiefly gathered from the records of this Christian organization kept by the late Rev. R. R. Sloan.

Subsequent to a number of discourses, at sundry times during the winter of 1849 and 1850, by Elder

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Jonas Hartzel, on the Elementary Principles of the Gospel-the first of said discourses being delivered in the court house, the second in the Baptist church, and several in the Methodist Protestant chapel - on Friday evening, the twenty-fifth of January, 1850, Elder J. H. Jones, of Wooster, Ohio, commenced a series of discourses on the Ele- ments of the Kingdom, continuing one week.

During the day sessions the subject of church organization was freely discussed by many present, who, having hitherto made the "good confes- sion, clave to the one Lord, one faith, one bap- tism, and one hope." During this Christian in- terview-a number having expressed a desire to unite on "the Bible alone," as their only and all- sufficient rule of faith and practice in things relig- lous, and their only creed or book of church gov- ernment-Elder J. H. Jones, acting as an evangelist of the congregation of Disciples, meeting in Woos- ter, Ohio, proceeded to organize the congregation, of which he made the following memorandum :

"The thirty-first of January, 1850, the Disciples' congregation was organized in Mt. Vernon, and Brother Robert R. Sloan ordained overseer, and Brother Samuel B. Doty, deacon, by the prayers of the brethren, and the laying on of the hands of J. H. Jones, evangelist."

"Whereupon, in behalf of the congregation, the right hand of fellowship was extended by Rev. J. H. Jones, to the following persons: Robert R. Sloan, Samuel Rinehart, Elizabeth Rinehart, Eli Miller, Samuel B. Doty, Margaret Doty, John Boyd, Harriet T. Holmes, William Babcock, Melinda Richmond."

From this small beginning (ten members) the church membership increased slowly from time to time, so that on the thirtieth of December, 1850, the church contained twenty-two members. The meetings during the year were held in the Protest- ant Methodist chapel.

The first death among the members of the church was that of Rebecca B. Riggs, which occurred on the thirty-first of October, 1851, at the residence of Dr. Hayes. The next death noticed is that of Robert A. Boyd, March 11, 1860.

A note, by the clerk, of the transactions of the year 1865, is worthy of notice: "During the year there were one hundred and thirty-seven discourses

preached, one hundred and five of them by the regular pastor. There were fifty-four names added to the register."

Pursuant to previous notice, the members of the congregation met in the Protestant Methodist chapel, at 7 o'clock P. M., March 5, 1851; R. R. Sloan being called to the chair, it was unanimously resolved that Mr. Sloan be authorized to purchase in trust for the congregation, a certain lot of ground (on the north side of his residence lot), of Robert Irvine, for the sum of three hundred dollars, and to hold the same for the benefit of the congregation.

This purchase was accordingly made on the sixth of March, 1851.

At a meeting held January 15, 1853, Samuel Rinehart, Eli Miller and John Boyd were elected trustees, and R. R. Sloan, clerk.

It was during the administration of these officers that the present neat church edifice was erected, on the south side of East Vine street. It cost four thousand three hundred and forty-one dollars and seventy-one cents.

The following ministers and elders preached to this congregation between the winter of 1849-50 and 1872: Jonas Hartzell, J. H. Jones, R. R. Sloan, Isaiah Jones, Isaac Errett, D. S. Burnett, S. R. Norton, J. Dowling, Rufus Conrad, D. J. Matthews, R. L. Howe, E. Goodwin, A. M. Atkin- son, Bush, Wheeler, D. R. Whitcomb, Ebenezer McElroy, Samuel Matthews, F. King, R. Moffett, W. H. Taylor, Barker, W. H. Delano, John Encill, Serles, Kissinger, W. L. Speer, Abbott, Hissey, S. F. Pearre, Thomas K. Davis, Millholland, A. B. Green, E. B. Cake, E. J. Chase, John G. Fee, L. F. Bittle.

The regular pastors were A. R. Sloan, W. H. Taylor, L. R. Norton, D. J. Matthews, R. Moffett, L. F. Bittle, J. H. Gavin, J. E. Harris, L. South- mayd, M. D. Adams.

The Sunday-school organized with a class of . twenty-five under the superintendency of R. R. Sloan. The subsequent superintendents have been Henry Errett, D. R. Whitcomb, Isaac Strickle, W. S. Errett, E. J. Chase, Colonel A. Cassil, D. W. Chase.

The present enrollment is one hundred and twenty-one, and the present membership of the church is about one hundred and fifty.

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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

THE LUTHERAN CHURCH.

The Evangelical Lutheran church, of Mt. Ver- non, is almost a thing of the past. Its membership never was numerous, but was composed of some of the best citizens of the town and surrounding country. Of the early history of the Lutherans in the country but little is known, as it dates far back in the past. The most numerous body of Luther- ans is attached to St. John's church, located in Pleasant township, and the church in the city was mainly organized by members from that church, among whom may be mentioned Frederick Keifer and wife, Henry Beckley and wife, and others, who were joined by the few members living in the city, Peter Hoke and wife being of the number. In 1864 a few of these united and purchased the church building erected by the membership of the western charge of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1852, under the superintendency of the Rev. Mr. Wilson. When the eastern and western charges united in 1864, Mr. Kiefer, Mr. Hoke and other Lutherans purchased the church edifice on North Sandusky street, for two thousand four hundred dollars. For a few years the church maintained · regular pastors, kept up regular preaching and maintained a Sunday school. Death, migration, and members attaching themselves to other church organizations soon left the remaining membership too small to retain a regular pastor. Its pulpit has been vacated since 1876, except when occassionally occupied by some itinerant, The Revs. Pringle and Cochel were the last regular pastors. The remaining members are now negotiating for the sale of the church edifice.

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The United Presbyterians at one time had an extensive church membership in the county, and were under the pastoral charge of the Rev. J. H. Peacock, who for some years faithfully ministered to their spiritual wants. Under his superinten- dency the church edifice, northwest corner of Main and Sugar streets, was erected. This was in 1852. The last preacher in charge was the Rev. Pollock, whose sudden death while on his way home from evening service a few years since is fresh in the memory of all. The church is occasionally used by missionaries of that persuasion, travelling through

the country. The site of this church edifice was originally purchased for school purposes, at the time the city adopted the Akron school system, and a part of the building material had been placed upon the ground. When the city discarded that system the site was purchased by the church members and friends, and the present building erected.

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History of Knox County, Ohio, its past and present, Part 78

Author: Hill, N. N. (Norman Newell), comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A.A. & Co., Mt. Vernon, Ohio Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Mt. Vernon, Ohio : A. A. Graham & Co. Number of Pages: 1096

Author: Hill, N. N. (Norman Newell), comp; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-; Graham, A.A. & Co., Mt. Vernon, Ohio
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Mt. Vernon, Ohio : A. A. Graham & Co.
Number of Pages: 1096