History of Madison County, Ohio : its people, industries and institution with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families, Part 44

Author: Bryan, Chester Edwin
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : Bowen
Number of Pages: 1150

USA > Ohio > Madison County > History of Madison County, Ohio : its people, industries and institution with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families > Part 44

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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 unti! 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-SS, Rev. J. W. Henley. The erection of a new church was con- sidered 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 CHURCHI.

Alder Chapel Universalist church was organized as a society in the spring of 1860, and 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, milpit 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- unt 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 18SS 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.

ANTIOCH CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

It appears that the first religious society to enter Pleasant township and to organ- izze for church work was the Christian denomination and their first church was what is now known as the Antioch Christian church. On June 30, 1812, a few persons of the Christian faith assembled at the house of Forgus Graham. and entered into a compact as follows: "We, the undersigned Christians, hereby organize ourselves into church fellowship by taking the Bible as our only rule of faith and practice, and Christian character as our only test of fellowship, and Christian as the only name, and to be

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known as the Deer Creek Christian Church." This was signed by the following : Forgus Graham, Betsey Graham, Malinda Graham, Francis Grant, Nancy Grant, James Gra- ham, Polly Graham, Roling Graham, Roling Grant, Betsey Grant, Samuel Powell and Betsey Powell. A few other names were added later. They had no church building but the society had preaching at the house of Forgus Graham for many years; occasion- ally, however, preaching services being held at other homes in the neighborhood. In those times, when the country was sparsely settled, and roads were few and muddy, it was difficult to hold preaching with any regularity; hence the people often became negligent of church duties and the church would have to be reorganized. This was the condition of this church. It was reorganized on February 27, 1825, under the name as given above. And again, March 25, 1832, it was reorganized, under the same name, with Forgus Graham and John Alkire as elders; Patrick Davidson and John Graham, deacons, and John Graham, clerk. The next and final reorganization was effected on February 13, 1854, by Elder Samuel Wilson and Cyrus Gordy, under its old name. In September, 1858, money was raised by subscription and a house was erected for church purposes, which was formally dedicated on November 21, 1858, by Elder Dr. Dawson, at which time it was decided that it should thereafter be known as the "Antioch Chris- tian Church." In 1864, the following persons were elected trustees: John M. Smith, John S. Robison, A. N. Wilson, H. G. C. Alkire and F. O. P. Graham. Rev. M. M. Lohr was the pastor in 1882. The present pastor is Rev. C. C. Ryan. This church is a station of the Mt. Sterling circuit.

MT. STERLING CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

It is believed that soon after the organization of the Antioch Christian church, that congregation received some members from the vicinity of what is now Mt. Sterling, and that they continued to meet with the Antioch brethren, and were identified with them in church relationship until about the year 1825, when the Mt. Sterling Christian church was organized with the following members: George Hornbeck and wife, John R. Robison and wife, John J. Smith, Pleasant Southward and wife, Mary Alkire and George Alkire, with John R. Robison and George Hornbeck, as deacons, and George Hornbeck, clerk. The first pastors who ministered to the church were James Burbridge, Forgus Graham, Daniel Long and George Alkire. For several years services were held in private houses, and among the houses where they most frequently met were those of George Hornbeck, Mary Alkire, John J. Smith, John R. Robison and George Alkire. In 1837, they erected a brick house for church purposes, on the site of the present build- ing. This house served the church for several years, but was from the time of its erection a defective building, and was finally pronounced unsafe and taken down. The membership of the society became greatly reduced by deaths and removals, and finally the organization ceased to have an existence.

' From that time there was occasional preaching by various ministers of the denom- ination, services being held in the Methodist church, but not until February 3, 1870, did the church again have an identity as a religious body. At that date the church was reorganized by Rev. W. N. Overturf, with fifteen members, of whom F. O. P. Graham and D. E. Robison, were made deacons; B. F. Thomas, clerk, and William Heath, John R. Robison and B. F. Thomas, trustees. During the year 1871, a neat and substantial brick church was erected and was furnished at a cost of about four thous- and two hundred dollars, in which house a Sunday school was formed which has con- tinued to flourish to the present time. There services were held regularly every alter- nate Sunday for many years and now are held every Sunday. In 1907, the old brick building was removed and the present beautiful brick structure was erected. The pres- ent pastor is Rev. C. C. Ryan.

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GRASSY POINT CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

The Grassy Point Christian church was organized in 1832, by Rev. Joseph Thomas, better known as the "White Pilgrim," with thirty original members, a part of whom were: Joseph Thomas, Jr., Samuel Hornbeck, Thomas Green, Margaret Green, James HIornbeck. Catharine Messmore, Samuel Messmore, Sarah Thomas, Maria Hornbeck, Polly Carr, John Lohr and Sophronia Carr. Preaching and services were held for sev- eral years at the house of Reverend Thomas. About the year 1845, under the preach- ing of Rev. Joseph Thomas, Jr., a hewed-log house 'was erected for church purposes, in which services were held for a period of about fifteen years. The church grew in number, strength and usefulness, and about 1860 a frame building was erected and dedicated to the service of God in 1861. Rev. Joseph Thomas, the organizer, was the first minister and was followed by Enoch Harvey, James McInturf, Joseph Thomas, Jr., Jolin Greene, Benjamin Seaver, Louis Greene, James Hornbeck, Daniel Griffin, Caleb Morse, W. N. Overturf, Jonatha Pugh, W. B. Fuller and W. N. Overturf. Sinee the organization . of the church, there have been enrolled nearly eight hundred members. The church is situated in a fine country, and in a neighborhood of church-going people.

FAIR PLAIN CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

In 1872, under the auspices of several persons of the Christian faith, a Sunday school was organized at the Finley school house, and from that time commenced to have occasional preaching at the school house by various volunteer preachers, until, on December 13, 1875, under Rev. William Webb, a church organization was effected, con- sisting of the following thirteen members: R. Nagley, J. W. Prugh, W. A. Finley, D. W. Finley, John Armentrout, J. M. Bradley, S. M. Prugh, A. Nagley, R. J. Finley, N. Armentrout, C. E. Prugh, R. Finley and S. Bradley, with J. W. Prugh as deaeon. They had preaching regularly once a month. and during the year 1876 several members were added to the church. From the time of their organization they had a minister employed to preach to them once a month, with the exception of 1880, during which year they had no minister. Rev. S. A. Caris was the pastor in 1883, when the membership had fallen to twenty-one enrolled names. The church was discontinued a few years later.

LAFAYETTE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

A Christian church was organized at Lafayette about 1843, when the following per- sons. under the leadership of Rev. Jesse B. Ferguson, met and organized themselves as a Christian, or Disciple, church : T. J. Shryack, Ann Minter, Joseph Rafferty and wife, William Rafferty and wife, William Foos and wife, and Nacy Marks, nine persons in all. During the year many additions were made and soon the congregation consisted of forty-three persons. Meetings were held and preaching dispensed in the school house until 1849, when a frame house was erected which served for many years. The church was quite prosperous for some time, and reached a membership of about eighty per- sons. The lot for the church was donated by William Minter for that purpose. The first minister was Rev. Jesse B. Ferguson, who was succeeded by James Henry, and he by Rolla Henry, after which there was no regular minister and the church began to lose its vitality. The membership decreased, the organization was abandoned, and the chureh building was sold in 1877, since which time there has been no organization of that denomination in Deer Creek township.

SUMMERFORD CHRISTIAN CHURCHI.

By Mrs. Mary Earsom Dhume.

The Christian church at Summerford was formally organized on May 1, 1847, by Daniel Sommers and John Zimmerman with six members: Daniel and Rachel Sommers,

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John and Martha Zimmerman and John and Judy Bradley. These members adopted the following covenant : "We, the Christian church, take no other name but the name that, was given the disciples at Antioch (Acts XI :26). We take no other discipline for our rule of faith and practice but the word of God, which we do sincerely and firmly believe to be an all-sufficient rule for all Christians to be governed by. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for construction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect and throughly furnished unto all good work."

Although the church was weak for some years after its organization, yet by 1850 they were able to build a house of worship. This continued in use until 1898, when preparations were made for the erection of a new building. This building was dedicated on June 4, 1899, by Rev. D. A. Long. In the summer of 1914 the church was completely remodeled and on Thanksgiving day, 1914, was rededicated with appropriate ceremonies.

Many ministers of unusual ability have served this church during its long career. For the first two years (1847-49) Elders Daniel Sommers and John Zimmerman preached alternately in private homes and added only three members during this time. Samuel Wilson (1849-53) was the first regular pastor and not only built a church, but, what was far more important, added sixty-five members to the church roll. The pastorate of C. A. Morse (1853-56) saw the addition of thirty-five members. Daniel Griffin (1856-64) was a very effective preacher and brought one hundred and twenty-five members into the church. The two years' service (1864-66) of William S. Manville was productive of forty-two new members. The next . pastor, William Overtur (1866-S2), labored faithfully for sixteen years and added an average of twenty members each year, bringing in a total of three hundred and twenty new members into the fold of the church. Since 1882 the following pastors have served the church: C. L. Wingett, 1882-85; A. C. Haner, 1885-88: S. A. Cario, 1888-90; Charles Jones, 1890-91: S. F. Morris, 1891-94; S. D. Bennett, 1894-96 ; Hugh A. Smith, 1896-97; R. H. McDaniel, 1897-99; Mills Harrod, 1899-1900; S. M. Mill- holland, 1900-02; Albert Dunlap, 1902-04; J. B. Hagens, 1904-05; H. J. Duckworth, 1905- 07: J. A. Hagens, 1907-09; A. W. Hook, 1909-10; O. W. Powers, 1910-11; E. C. Klink, 1911- 12; R. G. Mell, 1912-14; S. D. Bennett, 1914-15, and J. E. Spriggs, 1915. Reverend Ben- nett was the pastor the four years prior to February, 1915, and Rev. Spriggs served the church from February to August, 1915.

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History of Madison County, Ohio : its people, industries and institution with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families, Part 44

Author: Bryan, Chester Edwin Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : Bowen Number of Pages: 1150

Author: Bryan, Chester Edwin
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : Bowen
Number of Pages: 1150