History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 44

Author: Chester E. Bryan
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1207

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UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF LONDON.

By Bertha Coover.

Not having access to any of the church records, most of which were unfortunately destroyed by fire, and since nearly all the older members of the Universalist church of London have passed away, the best account of the organization of this church that can now be obtained is to be found in the "History of Madison County," published in 1883. It is given as follows:

"On the 12th of July, 1858, the following persons assembled for the purpose of organizing themselves into a Universalist church society : William Jones, J. F. Willis, Lathrop Willis, B. F. Montgomery, J. W. Curd, W. S. Shepherd, J. W. Low, J. Peetry, Jedyer Willis, Josephine Jones, Louise Shepherd, M. J. Curd, Mary Low, C. Chandler, Frances Curtis, Minerva Acton, Josephine McCormack, Lorain Byers, Minerva Sothoron, Hannah Powell, Josephine Powell, Adelaide McCormack, Margaret Mcclintock . and Edward MeClimans.

"On the 12th day of the following month another meeting was held, presided over by Jedyer Willis, at which the organization of the society was completed. Jedyer Willis, J. F. Willis, J. W. Curd, William Jones and Jacob Peetry were appointed trus- tees of the church. Jedyer Willis was made treasurer and Jacob Peetry, clerk.

"It should have been stated, however, that prior to the regular organization of the church as given above occasional preaching was had by this class at London by min- isters supplying neighboring pulpits, one of whom was Rev. H. R. Nye, pastor of the Universalist society of Columbus. Rev. Nye was active in the interests of the church

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and the organization here was in a measure due to his efforts. He continued in the pastorate of the church at Columbus until the spring of 1859 and served the London congregation regularly during that time.

"Previous to 1864 the services of this denomination were held in the court house and for a period in the Presbyterian church. In 1864 a brick house for worship was erected by the society on Second street, between Main and Union, which was completed and dedicated on September 27, 1866, sermon by Rev. George Messenger. In 1875 the church building was enlarged and improved. It was reopened and dedicated on Sab- bath-June 20th of that year-the dedicatory sermon being preached by Reverend McCalister, president of Buchtel College. There were present on this occasion Doctor Manly, of Auburn, New York, Reverend Tomlinson and Rev. T. P. Abell.

"Going back to the Reverend Nye's pastorate, we find that he was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Gorman, who had charge of the Columbus church and preached regularly at London until 1861. From 1865 until 1868 various ministers filled the pulpit, among them being Rev. G. L. Demorest, of Cincinnati, and A. L. Bruce and Dr. E. L. Rexford, of Columbus. The first resident pastor of the society was Rev. R. F. Polk, whose ministry began in 1867 and continued until 1869. Doctor Abell was chosen as resident pastor in 1875 and continued for some years. He was followed in 1880 by Rev. J. W. and Rev. Lotta D. Crosley, who preached on alternate Sundays for several years."

Others who occupied the pulpit in more recent years were Dr. J. W. Henley, Rev. R. N. John, Rev. S. G. Dunham, Rev. U. S. Milburn and for many years past Dr. E. L. Rexford. of Columbus, who discontinued preaching in the London church a little more than a year ago.

The Universalist church of London can point to a not inglorious past in educational endeavor and spiritual uplift. Its ministers have without exception been people of ability, energy and mental force. Many of the progressive movements, lectures, etc., were fostered and encouraged by their efforts and assisted by this congregation.

The Universalists started the first Sunday school ever held in London. This was founded when they were holding services in the court house. During much of the time of later years, Sunday school was conducted, inspiring the young people with good ideals and a rational philosophy of life. Among the other various activities carried on was the woman's missionary alliance. For a time a class for Bible study was con- ducted. The church was the scene of many pleasing entertainments, sociala, etc. For thirty-eight years the ladies of the church served dinner on "sale day" as a financial aid to the church.

All through the half century of its existence the church exercised a most liberal policy in allowing the audience room and basement used for various helpful purposes. For instance, many will remember the "Evening With Dickens," which was so suc- cessful, given for the benefit of the library. The church donated its audience room to the Ohio Woman Suffrage Association for the state convention held in London in 1904. Many delightful musical and literary entertainments were held here. The church has left a pleasing picture in the annual chrysanthemum show that was held for a number of years, when it was transformed into a bower of beauty. It is endeared to many in Its kindly friendships and a thousand sweet and happy associations.

Just at present no regular services are being held, but in looking over the past all will unite in agreeing that this pretty, quaint building has filled a most useful and beneficent place in the social life of London and vicinity. Without doubt the doctrine expounded, that we should do right for the love of right, rather than through fear of future punishment for endless time, was a needed message to the wailing world. While Universalism as a separate creed may not in some localities have increased as rapidly as other denominations, the central thoughts of universalism have modified the

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unqualified acceptance of the severer creeds of most other denominations. If a census of the believers in universalism in other churches could be taken it would be found that Universalists have increased in very great proportion as time goes by.

The writer can remember well what a popular question for country debates was that of everlasting punishment in that awful hot place that some believers in it had ever ready for other people but not for themselves or their families. Indeed, the person at that time who thought a finite being could not commit an infinite sin was to some extent ostracized, a real martyr to his religion and certainly needed all his faith in a God of love and mercy to endure the opposition, one might almost say persecution. One of my earliest recollections is of attending one of these debates on the subject of eternal torment in which my father was one of the debaters for the Universalist side and I was. wonderfully impressed by it. We no longer hear much of this question as a topic for a debate. The people have simply grown nearer together, it seems to me.

Truly can the advocates of the hopeful, gentler philosophy say with Markham, the poet of the twentieth century :

"He drew a circle to shut me out- Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout; But love and I had the wit to win, We drew a circle that took him in."

PLAIN CITY UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.

The history of the Universalist church of Plain City in reality dates as far back as the year 1832, when arrangements were made with the Rev. Chandler Rogers, then residing in the town of Worthington, Ohio, to come to Plain City occasionally and preach. He agreed to come and preach once a month, his compensation being only what he would derive from the penny collections. This was in 1832 and the reverend gentleman came near losing: his life that summer while returning home from his June appointment. The number of persons interested in the cause of Universalism became gradually stronger and in 1835, Reverend Jolly, of Jersey, Licking county, Ohio, was chos- en.pastor. He was the first minister regularly employed and was engaged to preach once a month. Reverend Jolly was an uncle to Zenas Rice, residing in town, and also of Joseph Rice, residing on the plains. He preached in an old school house which then stood about two and a half miles west of town. At the close of his pastorate Rev. William Y. Emmett was employed as the regular minister. He also preached in the school house mentioned above for a short time, or until Dr. D. K. Bigelow erected a barn on the farm later owned by Daniel Boyd, after which this barn was used for holding church services The barn was filled to its utmost capacity every time services were held, persons sitting on the cross beams and large timbers overhead. Seeing the congregation growing in numbers and interest Reverend Emmett took advantage of the situation and proceeded to effect an organization. The organization was finally effected in 1842, and Dr. D. K. Bigelow, Elihu Knapp and E. C. Smith, Sr., were chosen trustees. The articles of church government were written by Zenas Martin, a brother-in-law to Reverend Jolly, a former pastor. In the organization twenty-five persons united with the church, of whom the following is a complete list : D. K. Bigelow, Liddle Bigelow, Zenas Martin, Elmira Martin, E. C. Smith, Sr., Irena Smith, Asaph Allen, Aaron S. Curry, Hiram Dodge, Lucinda Baxter, Fannie Harrington, Elisha Cutler, D. C. Ellis, Mary L. Ellis, William Dougherty, Mary Dougherty, William Orr, Elihu Knapp, M. E. Curry, Abram Baxter, Clarinda Dodge, Emeline Stevens, Solon Harrington, Emma Cutler and Farmery Hemingway.

Just previous to this organization, however, the spirit of Universalism was being aroused all over this section of the country as the natural result of the co-operation

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and active labors of a few zealous workers. These were Rev. Truman Strong, Reverend Jolly and Timothy Bigelow. They are known by the Universalists as the "pioneer ministers" of Ohio, and on horseback they traveled from place to place organizing societies and associations. An association was simply a district affair and was made up of representatives from the several churches in the district. The one to which the Plain City church belonged was known as the Winchester association. These men went still further in their work and finally succeeded in organizing a supreme head for the church throughout the state, and this organization was termed the state convention, which name is still retained. The state convention consisted of representatives from the association, but in later years the associations were abandoned and the delegates are now sent direct from the several churches. The last meeting of the association for this district was held at Springfield, Ohio, and the representatives from Plain City were J. K. Holycross, E. C. Smith and Russell B. Converse.

Rev. William B. Linell assumed the pastorate of the church here after the depar- ture of Reverend Emmett, and occupied the position for three years. During his administration services were held in an old school house on the lot later owned . and occupied by Mrs. Holleran, back of the present school building.

The next minister to be called was Rev. Cyrus Filmore Wait. He arrived in Plain City in 1846 or 1847, and remained until after the opening of the Civil War. Soon after assuming the pastorate he showed a desire for the congregation to possess a church building of its own, and at once started a movement among the members which finally resulted in the erection of the building on South Chillicothe street, which was torn down in September, 1889, to make room for the present building. Finally agreeing to build a church, a building committee, consisting of Dr. D. K. Bigelow, Capt. E. C. Smith and Squire Elihu Knapp, was appointed and soon afterward the congregation purchased the ground for the building from the widow of Zenas Martin for the sum of seventy-five dollars. John McCloud, later a lawyer and the man who, in 1853, taught the first public school in Plain City, together with Maturin Harris, opened a brickyard and proceeded to manufacture brick for the proposed church. Everything was got in readiness as soon as possible and William Allen, later a grocer in Plain City, but then following his trade as a mason, went to work and put up the walls. There is no official record showing exactly when the building was commenced, but the memory of several fix the time as some time during the summer of 1848, while others say it was a year later. But be that as it may, the building was not completed and dedicated until in June, 1850. It was, however, the first regular church erected in the town of Plain City. Soon after the completion of the building the society was reorganized and the former building committee was made a board of trustees, and Curtis McCloud was raised to the office of deacon. Two other deacons were elected at the same time, but their names are unknown at this late date. I. E. Bigelow was chosen clerk and treasurer, which office he held until during the Civil War. Reverend Wait was still pastor of the church and was well liked until he made an unwise expression in 1864. The excitement of the war might have had something to do with it, but nothing was officially done until some time afterward, when the reverend gentleman announced that "since the death of Dr. D. K. Bigelow and E. C. Smith, Sr., there was nobody about Pleasant Valley worth saving." The society thought different and Reverend Wait was deposed, and for a time the congregation was without a minister. During the interim, or in the year 1864, Rev. J. W. Henley, who in after years served as pastor, arrived in Plain City and established a Sunday school, this auxiliary to the church starting off under the supervision and the superintendence of I. E. Bigelow and Mrs. Daniel Norton.

The society needing a pastor and Rev. W. W. Norton thinking there were still

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people in that vicinity who needed the benefits of the gospel, notwithstanding Reverend Wait's remark to the contrary, that gentleman assumed the pastorate of the church in 1865 and remained there until 1870, after which, and during Reverend Norton's admin- istration, the affairs of the church moved along smoothly and harmoniously. Later ministers followed in the order named: 1870-71, Rev. S. P. Carlton; 1872-73, Rev. J. D. Laur; 1874-75, Rev. F. N. Glover; 1875-76, Rev. J. D. Laur; 1876-79, Rev. N. A. Saxton; 1880-81, Reverend Crossley and wife, both ministers, and both of whom were employed, occupying the pulpit on alternate Sundays; 1882-83, Rev. T. P. Abell; 1883-84, Rev. F. K. Beem; 1885-88, Rev. J. W. Henley. The erection of a new church was con- aidered for some time, but under the impetus given by a series of meetings held in March, 1889, in which Rev. N. Crary and Doctor Mclaughlin, of Westville, rendered valuable assistance to the pastor, the work was determined upon and subscriptions were circulated and liberal responses made, the largest being given by the late Elihu Knapp, who gave something over seven hundred dollars. The work looking practical, a building committee, consisting of R. H. Andrews, S. Holycross and J. H. Scott, was appointed, and after considering several plans, that presented by C. A. Stribling & Company, of Columbus, was adopted and work was begun about the first of September following. The favorable weather during the fall and winter favored the steady progress of the work. The vestry, or Sunday school, room was completed about the holidays, and services were held therein until the main room was completed.

The church stands on the east side of South Chillicothe street, between the public school building on the north and the corporation building on the south, and is cen- trally located. It is semi-Gothic in style, fronts fifty feet on the street and has a depth of forty feet. The vestibules at the corners are each twelve by twelve feet, and each affords an entrance to the auditorium. That in the southwest corner is a tower in which hangs the bell that for so many years called the members together in the old church. In the rear is a vestry, twenty-six by forty feet, that is connected with the auditorium with folding doors, so as to be available on important and special occa- sions. The windows are arched and of stained glass. The internal arrangements of the church are of the most convenient and desirable character. The pulpit is placed at the west and above that is a large window of stained glass with the motto: "God is Love." The floor rises gently from the pulpit, having an inclination of twenty-two inches toward the vestry. The walls have a wainscoting four feet high, and the ceiling is of iron with steel finish, extending to the roof, the main trusses showing, the church being the first building in the town to be provided with an iron ceiling. The floors are carpeted throughout. The pews are of a neat and comfortable pattern in oak, and are arranged in a semi-circle, thus bringing all in an easy relation to the pulpit. The choir is to the left of the pulpit and is supported by an excellent organ, the gift of Mrs. Ada Bradley. The cost of the church was seven thousand dollars.

ALDER CHAPEL UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.

Alder Chapel Universalist church' was organized as a society in the spring of 1860, und was known as the First Universalist church of Jefferson township, though there had been occasional visits of Universalist ministers for years, directed to the interest of that vicinity. In the year the society was organized, Thomas Timmons deeded a half acre of ground in consideration of fifty dollars, on which to erect a church build- ing, and the same year a comfortable, plain, but neat structure, twenty-eight by forty feet, was erected, at a cost of about one thousand dollars, including the bell. It is quite probable that the doctrine of the "glad tidings which shall be for all people" was pro- claimed to some of the first settlers years before. Certain it is that meetings were held by them in the school house in Jefferson as early as 1837. Before 1860 the scat-

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tering friends of this faith, through the kindness of the Methodists, held meetings in an old hewed-log building-the original Foster Chapel-then standing a few feet northeast of the Chauncey Beach monument. It was the understanding that the Universalists were to have certain times for holding their meetings. It seems probable that the doctrines were becoming distasteful to some of the Methodists and in mistaken zeal they undertook to destroy the Universalist worship. Certain it is that once when a Universalist preacher came from a distance to preach, he and his congregation found a Methodist congregation on the inside; and so he preached just on the outside. In justice, let it be said that the majority of the Methodists did not approve of the policy of some of their leaders, nor did their pastor, who scored them severely when he came to learn the true state of affairs. But it was too late, for a subscription paper had been passed around and about one thousand dollars pledged for building a Universalist church. This above information is given to answer the question why there are two churches side by side, and why not but one and that one a settlement house. But the modern critic does not understand the church spirit of that age.

The same year this society was organized they erected a plain but neat church edifice twenty-eight by forty feet on one-half acre of land deeded to them by Thomas Timmons. When the building was completed the society lacked about two hundred dollars with which to pay for same, and in order to obtain the key, Thomas Timmons and the three trustees, Henry Francis, George Folmer and James Huggett stood good for the amount and finally paid it. The church held occasional and sometimes regular services until March 15, 1870, when it was reorganized by Reverend Moore, at which time and name of Alder Chapel Universalist church was given to it. quite a number of that honorable name having just joined.

This church has had quite a large membership in the past, but nearly all are dead or have moved away; has held many grove meetings, in addition to other meetings; has con- tributed much to charitable enterprises; has helped to build Buchtill College and has been served by quite a number of the best preachers. Though now somewhat dormant, like other rural churches, yet the flame of God's Holy Spirit has not ceased to burn upon its sacred altar. Its small Sunday school has this year (1915) sent out scientific temperance literature for twenty-five families. This church stands against the saloon. Its present officers are Finis High, trustee; H. D. Folmer, trustee and deacon; Ruth Stuckey, trustee, and D. J. Cutler, clerk. The late H. C. Alder was treasurer.

ST. JOHN'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF LONDON. By E. R. Ebner.

In the early seventies there were quite a number of residents of London who had formerly belonged to the Lutheran church, the grand old church of the Reformation, and who still clung to its teachings and cherished its doctrines.

About the year 1875, they arranged to have the preaching of the Word, rented a room upstairs in the Buff block and secured the services, at regular intervals, of stu- dents from the Capitol University at Columbus, which was under the auspices of the joint synod of Ohio. Among those who were interested in the effort were Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Strauss, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Brobst and family, Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Ebner and family, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Placier and family, Mrs. Mary Weber, Mrs. John Speasmaker and Mrs. Jacob Bescher, now Mrs. Henrietta Endress.

In the summer of 1877, dissatisfied with their efforts under the direction of the joint synod of Ohio, the congregation decided to change to the general council branch of the church. After conversing with Rev. G. W. Mechling, of Lancaster, Ohio, who was then president of the district synod of Ohio, the latter referred the. matter to Rev. H. Peters, pastor of the First English Lutheran church of Columbus, Ohio, who soon

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came to London, and finding conditions favorable, arranged to hold regular preaching services, and that autumn the congregation was formally organized as the St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church, with Rev. Mr. Peters as the first pastor.

A hall was rented in the second story of Stroup Brothers' grocery-store building. where the Spitler dry-goods store now stands. This was nicely furnished with a pulpit, pulpit chairs, a melodion, loaned by Mrs. Brobst, and a suitable number of chairs to seat a congregation. Hymn books were purchased for the church and Sunday school and other literature of various kinds provided for the different branches of church activities.

During the winter of 1880-81, this building burned with all its contents. This was a sad blow to the young congregation, as they carried no insurance on anything they had. They were without a pastor, as Rev. Mr. Peters had been called to serve in another field some months previous; but, nothing daunted, they rented a room in the Cartzdafner building across the street and started anew. They realized more than ever the need of their own church building, and, with faith in God and determined effort, pressed toward this end. They had purchased a lot on the corner of Second and Wal- nut streets some years before, so with the added urging of their misfortune they now hastened to make this dream a reality.

On August 7, 1881, the corner stone of the new structure was laid with appropriate exercises, and the following year, 1882, on June 11, the edifice was dedicated. In the meantime, Rev. W. H. Brown had become pastor and during his residence in London the parsonage was built. Succeeding Reverend Brown, the pastors who served this congregation were the following in the order named : Revs. J. Snyder, J. Weber, A. H. Kennard, C. E. Schweikert, A. J. Holl and Paul Siebert. During two years Rev. M. L. Wagner, of Dayton, conducted services at regular intervals, and at present Rev. S. P. Stupp, of Springfield, is serving in this capacity.

During the year 1888 the ladies of the church organized a society which they called the Dorcas society. The first meeting was held on the 15th of February, that year, at the church, with fifteen energetic ladies in attendance and twenty-one names on the membership roll. The following officers were elected at that meeting : President, Mrs. Rev. John Snyder; vice-president, Miss Mary Mitchell, now Mrs. John Hanson; secretary, Miss Anna Ebner; treasurer, Miss Lizzie Mitchell. The purpose of this organization was to unite in performing good work for their church and for the advance- ment of the cause of Christ. The earnest co-operation of all was required. as they proposed to begin by giving their assistance in first paying off the debt arising from the construction of their new edifice, which they succeeded in doing within a very short period of time.

Several of the charter members of the Dorcas society have passed away. They are : Mrs. Christopher Strauss, Mrs. John Speasmaker, Mrs. E. R. Ebner and Mrs. Fred Placier. Mrs. Mary Weber has withdrawn on account of old age. This society has been so successful in all its undertakings that it has become necessary to the church in its work and without it the congregation feels that it would be entirely wanting.

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History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 44

Author: Chester E. Bryan Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1207

Author: Chester E. Bryan
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1207