USA > Ohio > History of Ohio Methodism : a study in social science > Part 21
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The Mckinley Methodist Episcopal Church, of the Lexington Conference, on South Hawthorn Street, was organized in 1889 by the Rev. J. H. Paine, with thirteen members, who worshiped in a little frame, 40 by 20 feet. During the past year it has built a very neat frame, which will seat three hundred.
W. A. ROBINSON.
METHODISM IN DELAWARE.
The history of church planting in Delaware is a very interesting one. Closely following the organiza- tion of the township in 1808, the Presbyterian Church formed, in 1810, the first Christian community. Later, in 1817, the standard of the Protestant Episcopal Church was planted. Into this goodly soil, already broken, Methodism, in 1819, took root, thus making Methodism in Delaware a growth of about eight decades.
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Rev. Jacob Hooper, of Hockhocking Circuit, Sci- oto District, Ohio Conference, was the instrument chosen by Divine Providence for this important under- taking. From data as reliable as can be found, he organized in this year a class of seventeen members. The first church edifice was dedicated in 1824, under the name of William Street Church, by Jacob Young, presiding elder of Scioto District, Ohio Conference. In 1845, a rapidly increasing membership and the requirements of the newly-established Ohio Wesleyan University, made a larger church structure a necessity. This was built on a lot purchased of Mrs. Rutherford Hayes for the sum of $1,900, and dedicated in 1847 by Bishop Janes. This church was outgrown, and in 1880 a larger structure was projected, and completed in 1888.
But this Church was not only to become the eccle- siastical center of Methodism in Delaware, but the mother of other organizations as well. In 1852, her walls were again crowded to overflowing, and, dividing her surplus, she gave to South Delaware St. Paul's.
In 1860, another overflow from the parent hive, and East Delaware gained Grace Church. North Dela- ware remained yet "to be supplied," and in 1886 As- bury Church was planted in the North End.
Of the three Delaware Churches cradled in Will- iam Street, St. Paul's is the elder and stronger. Or- ganized with a class of about thirty, it now has a mem- bership of five hundred, about one hundred and fifty of whom are students.
In 1870, Rev. Joseph H. Creighton entered on his work as pastor of St. Paul's, and remained three
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years. Under his leadership, active measures were taken for establishing a mission Church in the adjacent territory of South Delaware. For about twenty years a little band of self-sacrificing workers labored for the uplifting of this neglected quarter.
The late beloved Dr. Merrick and wife were con- stant and abounding in good works. At the close of one of the afternoon services, one of the early workers came to Dr. Merrick, and described a prayer-meeting held under a tree by Mrs. Merrick and herself. This was the first landmark of progress. For some years services were held in halls and private houses. At length the conclusion was reached that a church struc- ture was necessary to permanent success. In less than a year after (1891), through the aid, financial and per- sonal, of him who has been styled "the father of the mission work," the building was in readiness for dedi- cation. The people earnestly desired it should be called Merrick Methodist Episcopal Church, in honor of him who had done so much for it; but his life-long modesty brought in a protest, and he, himself, sug- gested the name, Faith Church. The cost of the building and lot was $1,800. The first years were spent in developing the seeds of Christian life, and becoming fully established in the principles of godli- ness. During the past year the Church has been fa- vored with a gracious revival, which has greatly im- proved and strengthened all departments of mission work. Another year may witness the incorporation of Faith Church into one of the Conferences. At pres- ent, it is under the superintendency of the various Methodist Episcopal Churches of the city.
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Grace Church, organized in 1860 by the Rev. Henry E. Pilcher, was originally in the bounds of the Central Ohio Conference. In 1860 the action of the General Conference transferred it to the North Ohio. It has largely a country membership, together with the English-speaking Methodists on the east side of the river. It has never been a wealthy Church, and only of recent years a separate parish. It has, how- ever, enjoyed many fervent revivals, and been the source of helpful influence in its vicinity. It has a church edifice worth $6,000, a new parsonage costing $1,500, a congregation of three hundred, and a Sun- day-school of about two hundred.
Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, organized in 1886, was first a part of the Central Ohio Conference. In 1896, in a readjustment of boundary lines, it was transferred, by action of General Conference, to the North Ohio. Each Ohio Conference, Cincinnati alone excepted, has now in Delaware a representative Church; viz., Central Ohio, William Street; Ohio, St. Paul's; North Ohio, Asbury. After about ten years of existence, this young Church has a membership of three hundred and eighty, and a Sabbath-school of two hundred and fifty, with all departments of Church work in flourishing condition. Its church structure is one of the most tasteful in the city, and a fine organ, costing $3,000, adds much to the beauty of the interior and to the edification of worship.
Our colored brethren have been waging a sore but unwearied struggle against the forces of evil in the South End. Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, under the jurisdiction of our bishops, was organized
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in 1883, and has a membership of thirty, and Sabbath- school of about sixty. It is in good condition, and merits encouragement from those who have means and influence.
There is also an African Methodist Church, en- tirely under African supervision, organized in 1853.
The German Methodist Episcopal Church dates back to 1836. This year, Rev. William Nast, the first German missionary of the Methodist Episcopal Church, traveled through Central Ohio from the river to the lake, preaching to the few from the Fatherland who had settled in this Western country. On one of these mission tours, Dr. Nast passed through Dela- ware, and preached to a few countrymen, who heard him gladly. About 1844, Dr. Barth, of Columbus, held a revival-meeting in Delaware, which was the begin- ning of this little Church. After many struggles, the present brick church was dedicated in 1855, by Bishop Simpson. Since the organization of the German Con- ferences, it has belonged to the Central German Con- ference. The membership of the Church has never exceeded one hundred and fifty members, having been repeatedly drained by migrations to the West. How- ever, the Church has done much good among the German population. It has had about thirty pastors and assistants, many of them men of fine qualifications. The Church now contemplates the sale of its present structure, for the purpose of purchasing a new loca- tion in East Delaware, where the majority of the Ger- man population is to be found.
For this phenomenal denominational growth, giv- ing Methodism a pre-eminence of seven to one, there
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are many causes, chief among which is the existence in our midst of a Methodist college, patronized largely by Methodist families and supported by Methodist in- fluence. A city of ten thousand inhabitants, a quarter of whom are Methodists, presents a unique spectacle. To these we may add another quarter already in the Sunday-school, and soon to become standard-bearers in the Church. There is surely no other city in the State which can boast so large a denominational per- centage, so rapid an ecclesiastical growth, and so wide a circle of influence. LINDA DUVALL.
METHODISM IN EAST LIVERPOOL.
In 1823 there were only a few houses where the present city of East Liverpool, containing fifteen thou- sand people, is now situated, and there was at that time no preaching by any denomination. There was a preaching-place at "Pleasant Heights," just north of the village.
Shortly after this, probably in 1824, Rev. George Brown came here from Wheeling, and stopped with Cleaburn Simms, Sr., with whom he had a personal acquaintance, and organized a Methodist class, com- posed of eight or ten members.
William Phillips built the first Methodist church, paying the most of the cost himself, but soliciting what he could from others. This was done about 1837. This church stood where the present parsonage stands.
For several years previous, preaching was in an unchinked log schoolhouse.
East Liverpool was first a regular preaching-place in 1834, a part of Columbiana Circuit and in Warren
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District, which extended from Ashtabula to the Ohio River. In 1852, the first building being considered un- safe, a new church was built on the lots adjoining where the present church now stands, at the corner of Fifth and Jackson Streets.
After a time this second building was also thought by many to be dangerous, and this opinion was con- firmed one Saturday evening in 1855, when the whole end blew in over the pulpit. Nevertheless, the build- ing was repaired; but there was much complaint until the present church was built in 1872.
In the winter of 1893-4, there was a gracious re- vival of religion, in which eight hundred persons pro- fessed saving grace; probably two hundred of these were already members of some Church. A number joined other Churches, and 441 united with the Meth- odist Church on probation, and 66 by letter. It was then made apparent that there was not sufficient church room. Hundreds were turned away from the meet- ings, though the audience-room was large, being 50 by 80 feet. The experiment of holding services both up and down stairs at the same time was tried. The lecture-room, class-rooms, and vestibule were all crowded, in addition to the large audience-room. Though making all allowance for abatement of inter- est after the revival, it was evident there would not be sufficient room for the congregation. A few favored the building of another church; but at a meeting of the trustees, September 7, 1894, it was resolved to borrow $7,000, mortgaging the Church property, and enlarge. As efforts had been made for many years to secure a new pipe-organ, it was determined to do
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the whole at once, that it might be better harmonized. Galleries were built around the audience-room, an addition of seventeen feet was made to the rear, giv- ing room for the organ and a large class room, and a new entrance leading to all parts of the church from Fifth Street was given to the public. This was at the time of a general strike in the potteries, when very few of the members had work or business, some having been out of employment over a year. Raising money then was not to be thought of. It was heroic on the part of the trustees to mortgage the property, and make provision for the increasing multitude that de- sired to hear the gospel. The improvements cost $3,568 more than had been anticipated; but when they were completed, times and financial conditions had so far improved that $3,800 were raised-enough to pay the amount needed in excess of the mortgage, and several hundred dollars of other indebtedness.
In 1889, by the guiding hand of John Williams, pastor of the First Church, the Second Methodist Episcopal Church was organized. It is located about one mile east of the First Church, in what is called the East End. This appointment makes its initial report in the Minutes of 1889: W. S. Lockhard, pas- tor; support, $300; membership, 64; probationers, 51; paid for building, $2,500; number of Sunday-school scholars, 80; average attendance, 54. In 1897, S. B. Salmon was pastor; salary, $700; members, 165; Sun- day-school scholars, 135; average attendance, 95.
J. M. HUSTON.
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METHODISM IN FINDLAY.
The first sermon that was preached in Findlay was by Adam Poe, D. D., in the year 1829. He was at the time a presiding elder connected with the Wyandot Mission at Upper Sandusky. He reached Fort Findlay, as the place was then called, on Satur- day night, a stranger, with only thirty-seven cents in his pocket. He rode his horse up to the hotel, and gave directions that he should be cared for, and then went to the Duddleson schoolhouse, a log build- ing on East Crawford Street, which served also as court-house, where he made a fire, and drawing two benches together, made them his bed for the night. In the morning he went out, and informed all whom he met that he would preach in the schoolhouse at ten o'clock. Many of the villagers came out to hear him, and at the close of the sermon a kind lady invited him home to dinner. No doubt he did ample justice to the dinner, as he had had neither supper nor breakfast. Dr. Poe was one of the strongest men in the denomi- nation. He gave this account himself some years later to C. A. Croninger. Unfortunately he had forgotten both his text and the name of his hostess.
Fort Findlay was visited by several other mission- aries from Upper Sandusky, among whom were Revs. T. Thompson, E. C. Gavitt, J. Hooper, Jacob Young, and Russel Bigelow. The last two were presiding elders. In November, 1832, a mission was estab- lished, with the Revs. Elam Day and Benjamin Allen missionaries.
In 1850 the society was, at its own request, made
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a station, and the Rev. W. S. Lunt was appointed as pastor. During the year a new church was built on the lot occupied by its present edifice. As early as 1855 the agitation began for a new building. In 1859, during the pastorate of the Rev. Gershom Lease, sub- scriptions for that purpose were received, but the war came on, and the enterprise was postponed. But in 1865 it was found impossible to continue much longer in the old church. Subscriptions were received to the amount of $15,000, which, with the proceeds of the old church, made about $17,500. The corner- stone of the present church was laid in the summer of 1866. The building cost in all about $33,000. It was, for that time, a very fine building; a wonderful change from the old one.
During the administration of Rev. A. J. Fish, 1884 to 1887, the boom which resulted from the dis- covery and use of natural gas struck the place, and in five years Findlay changed from a town of five thou- sand to a city of eighteen thousand. In 1887, the old parsonage just east of the church, which cost the soci- ety $2,000, was sold for $12,000, or, less the commission allowed the agent, $11,700. Of the proceeds, $2,000 was given to aid the Howard Church-as a second society, which was organized about this time, was called-and subsequently, $325 to the Third Church, the one in the Heck addition. The lot on which the parsonage now stands was bought for $4,000.
The Rev. David Gray is entitled to particular notice, because of his long residence in Findlay as a superannuate. He was appointed to Findlay as preacher in 1853. The charge was then called a sta-
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tion, as we have seen, but it had two country ap- pointments attached to it-one at Thomas's school- house, three miles up the River Blanchard, and the other two miles west of Findlay, at Burkhead's schoolhouse. Brother Gray preached at Findlay every Sunday morning and evening, and at each of the country appointments every other Sunday in the afternoon. The membership of the Church was then divided into nine classes, including one at each of the country appointments. The next year he was made the presiding elder of the Maumee District, and moved to Maumee City. Four years later, at the end of his term as presiding elder, he purchased a home in Findlay, where he and his family continued to live. He preached for a number of years in cir- cuits near by till 1864, when he was made super- numerary. In 1870 he took a superannuated rela- tion, which he held until his death, in 1887, in his eighty-eighth year. JOSEPH M. AVANN.
METHODISM IN GALLIPOLIS.
The first Methodist sermon ever preached in Galli- polis, Ohio, was by the Rev. Henry Baker, some time during the year 1817, at the residence of Ahaz S. Morehouse, a log house located at the mouth of Mill Creek. The Methodist itinerant was not then re- ceived with as cordial a welcome as others have been since. After the first two or three services had been held, and it became noised abroad that a Methodist preacher was in the community, the rowdies became so troublesome that the preacher was compelled to announce "that Mr. Morehouse could not have serv-
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ices there longer, and unless some one else would open a house, he would not come again." Calvin Shepard, who may justly be entitled "the father of Gallipolis Methodism," was present, though not then a mem- ber, and cheerfully offered his house as a place of wor- ship, and from that time they continued to hold regular services. Shortly after the events just narrated, Brother Shepard, while on a visit to some friends near Cincinnati, sought and found the Savior at a Meth- odist meeting. He united with the Methodist Church, and for so doing was ostracized by his father's family, who were Presbyterians. From that time to the pres- ent, Calvin Shepard and his posterity have formed an unbroken line of Methodists of a very distinct and positive type.
The first class consisted of about ten members. The circuit, of which Gallipolis was but one appointment, extended from Letart Falls, thirty-six miles up the Ohio River, to Wheelersburg, eighty miles below, embracing large territory on both sides of the river. The first Methodist church was built in Gallipolis in 1821, and stood where the parsonage now stands. Calvin Shepard placed a mortgage upon his private residence to secure the necessary funds to complete the church.
It was a modest structure, but served as a com- fortable meeting-place until 1849, when it was re- placed by a much larger and more expensive house of worship. The society worshiped and prospered in this house for twenty-six years, when it became neces- sary to tear down and build greater. Accordingly, in the year 1875, under the pastorate of the Rev. C. D.
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Battelle, the present beautiful and commodious build- ing was erected, and June 25, 1876, was dedicated by Bishop R. S. Foster. In 1885 a mission chapel, known as "Damron Chapel," was built in the upper end of the city, near the place where the first Meth- odist sermon was preached. Class-meetings, prayer- meetings, and Sunday-school are held here weekly. P. A. BAKER.
METHODISM IN HAMILTON.
In 1819 six persons banded themselves together in Hamilton, Ohio, and formed the nucleus of the First Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. Samuel West was appointed to travel Miami Circuit in the fall of 1818, continuing for one year. When he came to that circuit there was no Methodist preaching in Hamilton, nor was there any organized society of that denomination in the place. But as he traveled around the circuit, he passed through Hamilton occasionally, and having been previously acquainted with Thomas Sinnard, who then lived in Hamilton, Mr. Sinnard invited Mr. West to make an appointment and preach in that town, which he did in the brick house then standing on lot No. 140, at the intersection of Third and Dayton Streets, and continued to preach regularly as he passed around his circuit. At the close of Mr. West's year on the circuit, in the fall of the year 1819, Hamilton and Rossville were made a station, and Mr. West ap- pointed to it. During that year he preached in the brick schoolhouse above mentioned, and in Delorac's warehouse in Rossville, and occasionally at Schooley's. It was in that year that the first Methodist meeting-
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house was built. It was commenced about six months after Mr. West began his stated labors, and was fin- ished under his superintendence before the year closed, and left ready for his successor to enter with a society of over sixty members.
In the month of March, 1833, a report was made to the society, saying that a gentleman had offered to convey them another lot of land west of the old one, on condition that a parsonage should be erected; but as the society was about to build a new house of wor- ship, they saw difficulties in the way. The gift, how- ever, was accepted, and efforts were made to erect a suitable church, in order to accommodate the in- creased number of people. A subscription-paper was put into circulation, and funds were raised sufficient to erect the building.
The second building, which was begun in the year 1833, a neat, substantial structure, was of brick, sixty feet long by forty-five feet wide, with a gallery, and was capable of seating from seven to eight hundred persons. Its cost was about $4,800.
The old building was occupied as a carpenter-shop by Peter Myers until the 5th of March, 1839, when both the new and the old churches were burned. This calamity was most sensibly felt. The Meth- odists had been before the public with subscriptions for building two houses, and besides this had lost some of their best members by removal. But nothing daunted, they resolved to build another place of wor- ship, and by a vigorous effort the house was raised and partly finished, so as to occupy the upper room for Church purposes, leaving the basement and gallery
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unfinished, in the summer of 1840. The debt of the Church at that time was between six and seven thou- sand dollars. In addition to what the building would naturally have cost, there was the expense of rebuild- ing one of the walls, which had been blown down by a gale of wind while the building was in process of erec- tion. After this was paid, the Church went on with its repairs, alterations, and improvements, until it was nearly finished. In June, 1868, the trustees resolved to remodel the walls inside, and six thousand dollars were obtained to begin the work.
The building was of brick, forty feet long by fifty- five feet wide, with a basement story of stone. The entrance was by doors on the north side into a vesti- bule. The pulpit and altar were on the south end. Three aisles run the whole length of the building, and the residue was divided into a number of pews, having a gallery on the north end. The whole was capable of seating comfortably one thousand persons. It had a plain roof, without steeple or cupola; but the whole edifice was in good taste, and presented a handsome appearance. The whole cost was $7,339.77.
The Sunday-school began operations about the time the first church was built, in 1820. The parson- age was built in 1859, and the roof of the church was put on at the same time. The reported cost of the whole work was $2,479.80.
In 1893 it was unanimously decided to dismantle the old church, and erect in its place a more attractive and commodious building. On May 1, 1893, the work of building the new church began, and it was com- pleted and dedicated June 1, 1894. The building is of
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red stone and of the Romanesque style of architecture, with the parsonage attached and under the same roof. The exterior presents to the eye of the beholder a most beautiful picture; while the interior, with its large and attractive auditorium, pulpit and choir arrange- ment, stained-glass allegorical windows, and deco- rated wall, presents the most pleasing appearance; and when the auditorium and Sunday-school rooms are thrown together, they will comfortably seat fourteen hundred persons. The cost of the building was $35,000. The membership of the Church num- bers five hundred, and the Sunday-school six hundred, and, altogether, is a fitting culmination of ninety-nine years of Methodism in Hamilton, Ohio.
HENRY MALLORY.
METHODISM IN HILLSBORO.
The first Methodist sermon in Highland County was preached by James Quinn in 1805, in the log cabin of Robert Fitzpatrick, six miles southeast of Hillsboro. The home of Mrs. James Trimble, mother of Ex-Governor Trimble, about three miles north of Hillsboro, also served as a temple in the wilderness, where the earnest, brave pioneers of northeastern por- tions of Highland County worshiped the God of their fathers, ministered to by James Quinn and others of like holy zeal.
As time developed the spirituality, taste, and cour- age of these early Christians, it came into their hearts to build a house for the Lord, which should represent the Fitzpatrick log-cabin service. It was accordingly built and dedicated-and still retains the zeal and faith
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of early days-and is known as Prospect Methodist Episcopal Church. Later on, "Clear Creek Chapel" was erected and dedicated, thus perpetuating the good seed sown in the consecrated cabin of the widow of Captain James Trimble, of Kentucky.
The first class in Highland County was formed at Mr. Edward Chaney's residence, near Hillsboro, in 1808, he being the leader. In 1810 the first class was organized in Hillsboro, in the home of the leader, Brother Joslin. The honored sheriff of the county, Brother John Ellis, was leader of the sec- ond class, and Brother Jacob Butcher of the third. He, with his wife and three daughters, gave them- selves to the interest of the Church, and with the zeal and devotion of the German character made them- selves felt for good in many departments. The first Methodist church in Highland County was built in Hillsboro in 18II, on a lot then owned by John Hib- ben, the present site of the post-office on Court Street. It was a small frame structure, and belonged to what was called the Scioto Circuit, which embraced the greater part of the territory west of that river and east of the Little Miami. Revs. S. Henkle and S. Tim- mons were the pastors, and Rev. S. Langdon the pre- siding elder. The membership of the Church was fifty-five. The church soon became too small to ac- commodate the increasing congregation, and in 1815 a larger church was erected on the present site of the parsonage on East Walnut Street. It was built of hewed logs, and was 30 by 36 feet. It had an octagon front, and was, no doubt, considered a fine building.
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