USA > Ohio > Columbiana County > Salem in Columbiana County > History of Salem and the immediate vicinity : Columbiana County, Ohio > Part 5
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After this came as pastors, Elders Davis, Brown, Rigdon, Rogers, Freeman, Williams, Blake, Phillips, Wm. Stone, and Jacob Morris, whose times with the church were from a few months to three years. Rev. William Stone was a plain, old fashioned man, with considerable common sense and good judgment in church matters, and very unassuming manners. He preached for both the First and Second churches with much acceptance, and died in Salem in 1852.
Rev. Jacob Morris had successful pastorates in both the First and Second churches. He was a native of Wales, and was an able and fluent preacher. Up to his time no one had a better pastorate here than his. After leaving this place he had several terms of pas- torship with certain churches in Pennsylvania, and died at West Greenville, in that state.
In 1836 the large frame house that still stands (but much changed) was built. Jonathan Hutchinson was the principal carpenter. After this the small brick house was not much used. In 1853, or thereabouts, it was sold and removed.
In 1840 a large number of the members withdrew
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
and formed the Second church. This, in the end, proved a bad thing for the Baptist interest in Salem. The Second church was constituted on the 8th of November, 1840. The old Methodist meeting house on Green street was purchased for its use, and Rev. J. Morris was called to the pastorship. He remained with the church between one and two years. That church had a short but remarkable career.
The division in the churches occurred about the time of the presidential election that gave Wm. H. Harrison such a large majority. It was said of him, in derision, that he lived in a "Log cabin;" and this became one of the watch-words of the party that elected him; and "White House" is the common designation of the president's residence in Washing- ton. The Second church having bought the old log meeting house from the Methodists, while the orig- inal church had the white frame house on Depot street; hence by some waggish people the terms "Log cabin " and "White House" churches were often bandied about the town.
After Elder Morris, Elder Samuel R. Willard was called to the pastorship of the Second church. He was with the church about a year During this time occurred a great revival under the preaching of Rev. C. A. Clark. In five weeks seventy-two persons were received and baptized. The next minister was Rev. F. Green. His pastorate was an unlucky one, and he left under a cloud.
In February 1844 Rev. Wm. G. Johnston, who had just come from Vermont, visited this church, made a good impression and gained many friends. He felt much drawn towards this church, and would have accepted a call, but the members were too slow in
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THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
giving it; wherefore they forfeited what would have been a most excellent pastorate.
Among the converts in the great revival of 1843 was Abner G. Kirk. He was raised in the Society of Friends. He had manifested great zeal in the anti-slavery work, and, up to the time of his conver- sion, manifested indifference about religion; but now he became an active church member. Some time in the next year he began to preach. About the same time Daniel McCurdy was also licensed. Elder Kirk's ordination was on the 14th of December, 1845. Forth- with he was called to the pastorship of Salem and Mt. Union churches. For these he labored with great zeal, but he felt disappointed and discouraged because he could not see such results as were mani- fested in the great revival in which he professed religion.
In January, 1845, he went to New Castle. Pa. There he had a very successful pastorate. He was equally successful in other churches in Beaver Asso- ciation, and Nixon street, Allegheny city. He was more than forty years in the ministry.
After the departure of Elder Kirk, Rev. Wm. Stone was engaged as a supply, but the infirmities of old age soon obliged him to relinquish preaching. Not- withstanding its tribulations, this church had a good Sunday-school record. D. McCurdy, Richard H. Garrigues, Lewis T. Park, Margaret Walton and Julia A. Stone were the most active workers. In 1846 it was at the zenith of its prosperity. In that year a new house was erected. Several of the mem- bers being carpenters and all of them working men, much expenditure of money was avoided. After a few years the members began to see what a disad-
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
vantage it was to have two churches, both of the same profession. Wherefore some efforts were made to effect a reunion of the two, but these were unsuc- cessful. Some members became lukewarm, and others withdrew and soon meetings were discontinued.
The church, as first constituted in 1823, was first a part of Mahoning Association. It 1829 it was transferred to Beaver Association, and continued with it till 1843, when it (the First), by request, was transferred to the Wooster, and continued with it till its dissolution. In December, 1840, Rev. W. R. McGowan was called to the first church. He con- tinued in that relation about four years. After him came Rev. Jehu Brown, and Rev. T. W. Greer. The latter was a good speaker, and both he and his wife were good singers; and they were active in the Sun- day school. In this, David Gaskill, though the oldest member, was as active as anyone, and the church was much revived. The next pastors were Elders Wm. Leet, Gideon Seymour and D. J. Phil- lips, a native of Wales. He was advanced in years, but had had much experience in ministerial service. At this time Thomas Scattergood, a Philadelphian, resided in Salem; and rendered the church some good service in the Sabbath school. The next pastor was Rev. T. E. Inman. During his pastorate Rev. John Owens was ordained for the ministry; and became the next pastor and remained till 1858. He was a young man, with very affable manners and had the advantage of instruction from his father who was, for many years, pastor of a Welch church in Pitts- burgh.
Rev. L. Frescoln was pastor for a few years, and then one Justus Ask was engaged. He was promised
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THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
a large salary that was not paid; wherefore he com- menced a legal process to get what he claimed, and the meeting house was sold by the sheriff. A soci- ety known as the "Broad-Gauge " bought it. By this unfortunate affair Baptist interest was here com- pletely prostrated. After a few years the house was bought by the Pelzer Brothers. By them the inter- ior was changed, additions made, and it was turned into a manufactory of artistic furniture for dwell- ings, statuary and ornaments for churches, etc.
Rev. T. P. Childs made one or two visits to Salem on a mission for the freedmen. This was soon after the war, when much concern for the freed slaves was felt. Such a mission was calculated to excite much interest here. When about taking his depart- ure, he was persuaded to return and labor for the Baptist cause.
He came in January, 1867, and collected the mem- bers of both churches and commenced preaching to them. An interest was soon awakened, and a desire manifested to unite all of the Baptists in this com- munity into one church. This was accomplished by sixty persons (from members of both churches) agree- ing to an organization to be called the Baptist church, of Salem. On the 25th of September, in the same year, a council was held to recognize this as a "church of true faith and gospel order."
Elder Childs labored with great zeal. He soon set about the work of procuring a lot and building a house for worship, the fruit of which is to be seen in the house now occupied, with its improvements since first used. The church was much blessed under his labors. On the 6th of October, 1869, he gave his resignation. On his departure a handsome tribute
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
was paid to him by the church in acknowledgement of his services, and the esteem in which he was held by the congregation. He now resides at Troy, Miami county, O.
Subsequent pastors were Revs. B. F. Bowen, T. G. Lamb, John Hawker, P. J. Ward, A. S. Moore, C. H. Pendleton, and G. W. Rigler. During the pastorate of Rev. T. G. Lamb the church was received into the Trumbull Association. It was afterwards transferred to the Wooster. In the same pastorate the house now occupied was dedicated. Rev. W. W. Everts, of Chicago, preached the sermon. This was on the 18th of February, 1872.
On the 12th of December, 1875, Rev. P. J. Ward commenced pastoral labors under favorable circum- stances. He was a native of London, and was one of Spurgeon's students. He closed his labors here in July, 1878. He was succeeded by some of the afore- said persons. Rev. R. K. Eccles commenced preach- ing and pastoral labor in February, 1886, and remained with the church ten years as pastor. He continued in the place about a year and a-half longer. During which time he preached at Alliance and some other places; he also taught Greek and some other branches in the High school. In the summer of 1897 he received and accepted a call to the church of Bowling Green, O.
Rev. Charles W. Fletcher made his first appearance on the 15th of March, 1897. He accepted a call and commenced preaching on the 14th of June following. His pastorate extended a little over one year.
The Sabbath school record of this church is highly interesting and creditable to all concerned in it. W. H. Clark, J. B. Strawn, H. G. Baldwin. H. Young,
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THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Alice Stewart, Clara J. Pyfer and the last pastor have rendered good service as superintendents. And there have been some intelligent and active teachers in the Bible school.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Thomas Kelly and his family were the first Meth- odists in Salem. His house was on the alley, where Lease's bakery now is. He came from the state of Delaware, and the date of his arrival is not known. Some time in the winter of 1819 and 1820, John Flit- craft came to this place. He was a native of New Jersey, and was a devout Methodist. He then went on to Lexington, Stark county, O., where he got into employment, and resided several years. But he felt drawn towards Salem; wherefore he sent word that he, Edmund Rinear and Thomas Wood (a class- leader) would be in Salem and hold a prayer meeting in Mr. Kelly's house. At the appointed evening, Rev. McClennin, a local minister, providentially hap- pened to be in Salem. He attended and gave a short sermon. This was in February, 1820, and may be regarded as the beginning of Methodism here, and, from it, has grown as strong an interest and influence as is possessed by any denomination in the city.
At some previous time, Lorenzo Dow, an itinerant evangelist, visited Salem and held a meeting in the Friends' house. He was noted for his quaint speeches and eccentric habits; but he adhered strictly to Meth- odist doctrines. At one time he was a regular Meth- odist preacher, but did not like to be confined to a circuit. Latterly, when he wished to take a charge, the conference refused him an appointment in conse- quence of his oddities, but this did not "silence"
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
him. His preaching is supposed to have done some- thing for the introduction of Methodism.
At this time there was a small church composed of black people on land now owned by Lovern B. Webb. This was then, one of the preaching places in Colum- biana circuit; and another was at the house of a Mr. Adgate, about three miles east, and near the road to Columbiana.
In 1821 there was a great camp meeting near Laughlin's mill on the Mahoning. Among the con- verts at this were Thomas Webb, his wife and several residents of Salem. In the summer of that year a class was formed in Salem, consisting of nine persons and Thomas Kelly was appointed leader. Salem was then made a preaching place in Columbiana circuit, of which Rev. William Tipton was then the minister in charge. Associated with him was Rev. Charles Trescott, a young man.
Through want of a meeting house the first meet- ings were held in shops and dwelling houses. When the Baptists built their first house for worship, the Methodists rendered some help, and were, in return, sometimes allowed the use of their house for preach- ing. In 1824 a lot on West-Green street, now vacant, was purchased, and, on it, a hewed log house was erected. Thomas Webb furnished the timber. The Baptists then repaid the help that they had received in building their house by furnishing nails, glass and other building materials from David Gaskill's store. Money was scarce in those days; wherefore much bus- iness was done in trade, especially store orders, work, and farm produce.
That house had a history. In it, old fashioned Methodism flourished with full vigor. Some grand
JOHN FLITCRAFT.
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THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
and glorious revivals there occurred. Only a few people are now living who witnessed or partook in the soul-stirring scenes of those days. There the gospel. was preached with all the power and enthu- siasm that characterized the pulpit style of old fashioned Methodism.
This house was sold to the Second Baptist church in 1840, and, in it, they had the greatest revival that their church ever had in this place. In 1836 a frame house was built on Ellsworth street, where the Disci- ple church now stands. Wm. Kidd and John Flitcraft were the head workmen. This house, too, was the scene of some lively times, comparable with those of the other. After a few years it became necessary to make an addition to it. This house was occupied till 1859, when the brick edifice now occupied was finished and dedicated. It was dedicated on the 12th of June, 1859. Bishop Simpson preached from Isaiah II: 2-3. Sermons were also delivered by Revs. Mitch- ell, the minister in charge, Burkett, of Canton, and Pershing, of Mckeesport, Pa.
Columbiana circuit, at first, was most likely a part of Baltimore conference. Pittsburgh conference was formed in 1825, and Salem was included in it till 1876. Then East Ohio conference was formed, and Salem became a part of it. Columbiana circuit extended westward by additions of new charges. Then Han- over circuit was formed and Salem included in it. Afterwards Salem circuit was formed, and thus it continued till 1852, when Salem was made a station. And now it has the largest membership of any church in the city. Among the members are many active and influential business men. No church in the city has larger congregations.
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
About the year 1830 occurred the secession from the M. E. church that formed the Methodist Protest- ant church. Only a few left the Salem church for this purpose. They sometimes had preaching in a school house north of the town, on the Canfield road. But it is not known whether they ever had a district organization. When the Wesleyan connection was organized, that enterprise found some sympathizers in Salem, because there were many abolitionists in the place. Opposition to American slavery was a prominent item in the constitution of that church. While most of the Salem Methodists were straight- out anti-slavery people, very few entered heartily into the Wesleyan movement.
This church has been very lucky in keeping clear of such schisms and commotions as have often dis- turbed the peace and harmony of religious bodies. On the questions of temperance, slavery, and other moral reforms, this church has taken a progressive and rational position.
In June, 1856, Pittsburgh conference was held here. Bishop Ames presided. At it, resolutions were adopted, approving and encouraging of Sunday schools, and recommending all laudable means to promote the cause of temperance, and "deprecating the action of our state legislature upon the question, and that we will be satisfied with nothing less than an efficient prohibitory law."
This conference was again held in Salem in 1873. Bishop Harris then presided. At the general confer- ence in 1875, East Ohio conference was formed, and, in 1888, it was held here.
This church has been the means of making more converts than any other in the place. Though many
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THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
of them became backsliders and apostates, a larger number of them proved faithful. A great number of them have emigrated to the west, and now they doubtless remember, with much interest, their first religious experience in Salem. At times the member- bership has been reduced by removals, and again increased by new conversions.
Revs. Tipton and Trescott were the first ministers on the circuit which included Salem. The former is related to have been a faithful laborer in Pittsburgh conference till he died. The latter had only a short career. Rev.S. R. Brockunier was the next minister: and he was a modern Boanerges, who seldom preached over forty minutes at once, and always direct and forcible. The next ministers on this circuit were Revs. B. O. Plimpton, J. Crawford, Wm. Swayze, Ira Eddy, W. C. Henderson, and Isaac Winans.
In the winter of 1837 and 1838 there was a great revival under the preaching of Revs. T. McGrath and J. P. Kent. The former had a short but bril- liant career. He died at Martinsville, O., at the age of twenty-seven. Rev. John P. Kent was eminently a good man-plain in dress and meek in manners. He was one who could both please and preach.
These worthy men were followed by M. L. Weekly, H. Miller, J. M. Bray, H. McCall, J. Montgomery, H. Minor, G. D. Kinnear, J. H. White and some others. Several of these were men of marked char- acter. Mr. Weekly was a man of strong constitution and a powerful voice. He rendered good service to this church and some others in the circuit. He died in the ninety-fourth year of his age. Rev. James H. White had a notable career in Salem. He was an eloquent speaker, and was very intelligent, and, in
-
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
social and conversational powers, but few surpassed him. When attacks were made by enemies of the church, he was skillful in parrying them. He subse- quently moved to Iowa.
When Salem was made a station Rev. J. F. Nessley was the first minister in charge. After him came S. Crouse, A. H. Thomas, C. H. Jackson, I. N. Baird, D. P. Mitchell, W. D. Stevens, J. A. Sweeney, T. N. Boyle, J. Grant, W. Lynch, J. Brown, W. A. David- son, E. Hingeley, E. A. Simons, W. H. Haskell, B. F. Youmens, and C. B. Henthorne.
Sunday schools were first established about the year 1834. Jacob Beam and Wm. Read were the most active workers in them. In this department the church has a good record. Isaac Snyder, E. E. Wright, C. C. Snyder, and A. H. Garry have ren- dered good service as superintendents. Among the most active teachers were Wm. Kidd, Jr., James Bellman, J. K. Rukenbrod, Samuel Bard, Sarah Bard, Miss A. R. Griffith, Mrs. S. E. Webb, Mrs. Filler, and Prof. Godfrey. Some of the most prominent class-leaders were Christian Harmon, John Gunder, Samuel Webb, Reuben Smith, Samuel Wright, John Hudson, James Bellman, John P. Chisholm, and James Woodruff. An Epworth league was organized during the pastorate of Rev. E. Hingely. Lewis Hole, Wm. Horne, H. Garry, and Mrs. R. Townsend have been presidents.
The pioneer members of this church were men of such character, and the manner in which they labored for it well deserve an honorable record. Some of them lived in times when great effort and much self- denial were necessary to keep up the church and support the ministers whom the conference sent to
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THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
labor for them. This responsibility was cheerfully met by many whose toils and generosity were highly commendable. Methodist ministers in those days dressed very plain. Their coats were like those of the Quakers; so that they were sometimes mistaken for persons of that denomination. Many of the lay- members, too, avoided what were then deemed super- fluities, but are now very common and fashionable because easily obtained.
CHAPTER VIII.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY CONTINUED .- THE DISCIPLE OR CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
+ 1 HE following account of this church has been furnished to the author, and, by one of the prominent members, pronounced correct :
" Alex. Campbell, of Pennsylvania, Walter Scott, of Ohio, and John Smith, of Kentucky, each began, in their respective states, religious movements very similar to each other, and which, in a few years, when they became acquainted with each other, in the first quarter of this century, and had compared their reli- gious views; these were found to be so very similar that they became the leaders in a short time of a very important religious movement, which, at the present time, enrolls on its lists a membership of not less than one million persons."
"Walter Scott was a graduate of the university, of Edinburgh, in Scotland. In 1828 he was a mem- ber of the Mahoning Baptist Association, and by that body was sent out as an evangelist. His views soon took on some changes, and he began independent work. In that year he came from New Lisbon and began preaching in the old Baptist church, that then stood near the crossing of Depot and Race streets."
"He was an orator of great power; and drew immense audiences; and he made a large number of new converts in Salem to these views. Among them were Robert P. Phillips and his two sons-in-law- Arthur Hayden and Abraham J. Shinn, and their families, and Mrs. Mary Bailor. Soon William
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THE DISCIPLE OR CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
Schooley became a convert, and, for many years, preached the new faith. A few were gathered into a congregation and a church was organized and met in a log building on the Lisbon road about a mile and a-half out from Salem. Subsequently a new church was built on the site of the present Phillips church, on the Lisbon road."
"Occasionally the ministers preached in Salem, but no church was there organized till March 15th, 1859. Among those who occasionally preached here prior to this period were William Schooley, Joseph Gaston, Amos Allerton, Ephraim Hubbard, John Flick, John Henry, John Fink, John Applegate, Ben- jamin Pirkey, J. J. Moss, Alexander Hall, T. J. New- comb, and George Pow. In Salem they usually held their services in Liberty hall (mentioned elsewhere), and, on the above date, the Disciples were organized into a church of Christ; with Theobald Miller, as pastor; Samuel Hardman, elder; L. B. Webb, Edwin Smith, Joseph Pyle, and Simeon Stratton, deacons; and Dr. B. W. Spear, S. Hardman, E. Smith, and Wmn. Pidgeon, trustees. There were then about eighty members."
"The M. E. church that stood back of the present Christian chapel was then becoming inadequate for the congregations of that order, wherefore it was sold to the Disciples. For a year or two this church was very prosperous; but dissensions arose and it became much divided, until 1866, when William Bax- ter, of Lisbon, held a meeting in Salem and greatly revived the church. Since which time it has had a steady growth."
"The erection of the present building was begun in 1869. The basement was dedicated by Wm. Bax-
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
ter, on the first of January, 1881, and, the auditorium, on the 17th of September, in the same year, by Isaac
. Errett, editor of the Christian Standard. This building was much due to the religious energy of Alexander Pow, Abraham Ball, and Thomas Bonsall. It cost about $13,000, and, in 1893, it was improved, enlarged and remodelled at a cost of nearly $7000 more."
A LIST OF PASTORS.
1859 to 1861-Theobald Miller, three years. 1862-Sterling McBride, one year. 1863-S. B. Teegarden, one year. 1864 to 1868-J. W. Lamphear, four years. 1868 to 1871-E. B. Cake, four years.
1872-J. H. Jones, six months. 1882 to 1877-W. H. Spindler, five years. 1877-H. Cogswell, six months. 1877 to 1884-T. J. Lyle, seven years. 1884 to 1887-J. L. Darsie, three years. 1887-J. A. Hopkins, three months. 1887 to 1890-T. E. Cramblet, three years. 1891 to 1898-M. J. Grable, seven years. 1898-R. C. Sargent.
"This church has grown to a membership of over six hundred, and has become very widely and favor- ably known among the Disciple brotherhood. The Sunday school has proportionately grown so that the whole number of pupils enrolled during the past year was nearly one thousand, with an average of five hundred, and a corps of over fifty officers and teach- ers. The Christian Endeavor, junior and senior, societies are very largely attended, and, are power- ful auxiliaries of the church."
The following are the present officers of the church: Ralph C. Sargent, pastor.
DISCIPLE, OR CHRISTIAN CHURCH, ELLSWORTH STREET.
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THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
ELDERS.
H. R. Kale, L. B. Webb, J. T. Smith, A. S. Hay- den, and John Pow.
DEACONS.
D. Garwood, M. S. Schwartz, Frank Stewart, M. E. Farr, W. A. Leatherberry, Harmon' Nease, J. K. Burt, Geo. Woodward, Geo. Harris, E. Zeig- ler, Chas. Mullen, Spencer Jewell, J. S. Blackburn, Chas. Edney, W. A. Coy, Geo. Mounts, Chas. Farmer, and Chas. Filler.
Organist-Erminie Tucker.
In former times Miss Maggie Umstead, Walter F. Schwartz, and others, have rendered good service as Sunday school superintendents.
THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The first service of the Episcopal church in Salem was held on the 19th of April, 1817, in a log school house that stood a few rods east of the place where the city hall now stands. It was conducted by Rev. Philander Chase, afterwards the first bishop of the diocese of Ohio. He was uncle to Salmon P. Chase, ex-governor of Ohio, senator from the same, and a member of President Lincoln's cabinet. Mr. Chase had come on horseback from Ashtabula, and was, perhaps, on his way to Gambier, Knox county, Ohio, the place of much of his work afterwards.
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