USA > Ohio > Wayne County > History of Wayne County, Ohio, Volume I > Part 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
BAPTIST CHURCH OF MILLBROOK.
The Baptist church of Millbrook was formed by the aid of members of this denomination who lived at Wooster. At first, when they organized, they built what was styled the Dunbar church. In 1854 they erected a church of their own, the same being over the line in Clinton township. The early Bap- tists here were Elijah Pocock, Mrs. Irvine Keys, Mrs. Williams, John Reider and wife and Elizabeth Knox. This church has wrought great good in Plain township since the long-ago pioneer times in Wayne county. The member- ship is small now and it is believed the property will be sold and a church formed at Orrville. Union services are continued at this point yet, however.
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH OF WOOSTER-COLORED.
This church was organized in January, 1892, with thirteen members, by Rev. James Cheetman, Dr. Chestney and Judge Swartz. The organiza- tion was effected at the house of R. L. Morrison. The services at first were held in Engine House No. 5, which was leased by the society. A church building was at once put under construction and dedicated in the autumn of the year 1892, by Reys. Ford and Cheetman. It is a frame structure, lo- cated on East Vine street, and is about forty by eighty feet. Its cost was one thousand eight hundred dollars. The present membership is about thirty- two. The pastors who have been called to preside here are: Revs. Cheet- man, D. S. Orner, Joseph Speers and the present pastor, H. B. Brown.
The church at Moscow, though small, still exists as a society and is now supplied from abroad.
THE REFORMED CHURCH OF WOOSTER.
A number of Reformed families, German and Pennsylvanian, had early settled in and about Wooster. The Rev. Henry Sonnedecker, residing in
246
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
Washington, Pennsylvania, in the summer of 1819 made a missionary tour through the counties of Wayne, Jefferson, Tuscarawas and Richland, in Ohio, and, according to appointment, preached in a brick school house at Wooster on the first day of August. This was the first sermon ever heard in this locality from a minister of the Reformed church. This first service awak- ened a desire and holy enthusiasm. The visiting clergyman was urged to effect an organization and consented to serve it. Though not immediately ac- cording to his wishes, his sympathetic heart was touched. He made a second visit November 21st of the same year. when he again preached, and effected an organization in conjunction with the Lutherans, and accepted a call to be- come their pastor. November 21, 1819, is therefore the date of the birth of this church. January 14, 1820, Rev. Sonnedecker removed his family to Wooster, and on the 23rd of the month preached his introductory sermon in the old school house. For seven years he had the distinction of ministering alike to the Reformed and Lutheran people, when the Lutherans called to their pulpit Rev. G. H. Weygandt.
The first communion of the Reformed church at Wooster was held July 16, 1820, when twenty-five persons communed, of whom ten had been received by confirmation the previous day.
Services continued to be held in the old school house, or in private houses, until the fall of 1820. when a one-story frame house was built con- jointly by the Reformed and Lutherans. This house bore the significant name of "Die Friedens Kirche." Rev. Sonnedecker here continued his services for eleven years, with great acceptance, closing his pastorate April 3. 1831. During this time he baptized two hundred and forty-six children and received into the church fellowship fifty members. The records tell us, "He was beloved by his congregation, and the day on which he preached his fare- well sermon was a solemn and memorable one."
The strippling church, after the resignation of Rev. Sonnedecker, was left without a pastor for nearly two years. He was followed by Rev. Charles Zwisler, who remained seven years, beginning early in 1833 and closing the latter part of 1839. It was during his pastorate that steps were taken to- ward the erection of a new church. The lot (the same as the German Luth- eran church now stands on) was purchased for one hundred and fifty-five dollars and ten cents and contained two and a half acres. September 28, 1833. the graveyard was laid out. December 17, 1833, the union organiza- tion was incorporated. The brick building, forty-six by fifty feet with a gallery on three sides, was begun during the summer of 1836, the corner-
247
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
stone being laid in September. The walls of the building were left unroofed during the winter of 1836-7. Thus exposed, a considerable portion of the west wall was blown down by a severe storm. The church was finally com- pleted in June, 1838, at a total cost of four thousand one hundred and thirty- one dollars. The church was dedicated during the annual meeting of the Ohio synod, on Saturday, June 16, 1838, Rev. Abraham Keller preaching on that occasion.
Rev. A. L. Begman succeeded Rev. Zwisler as pastor, continuing about three years, closing his labors in June, 1843. The Union Sunday school was organized in February, 1843, and Isaac H. Reiter was elected superintendent. The school opened properly April 2, 1843, with a hundred scholars. The next pastor was Rev. J. P. Manshenschmidt, who remained but a year, leav- ing September 29, 1844.
The fifth pastor was Rev. Kaemmerer (afterward D. D.), who began his pastorate under rather adverse circumstances, but soon secured the con- fidence of the entire congregation. May 16, 1853, the Lutherans and Re- formed amicably separated and on that date the Reformed were organized into a separate congregation. Up to this time the church had been served only in German. To supply the growing need of English, in August, 1853, Rev. Hiram Shawl was called to officiate in English, whilst Rev. Kaemmerer still continued to preach in German. Rev. Shawl remained but one year, but Rev. Kaemmerer continued nineteen years, closing his pastorate in April, 1864
Rev. Joshua H. Derr came next, continuing until 1869. Rev. Kaem- merer, who had returned from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, having regained his health, found the church scattered with a positive disposition toward parti- tion and sale of the church property, which sale was finally effected at pub- lic auction in the early part of 1869. The Reformed people realized from said sale only one thousand one hundred and thirty-seven dollars. After three years, Father Kaemmerer could not longer wait, but commenced to gather up his old people and, with courage and abiding faith, called upon and personally invited his old hearers to attend services and hear him preach again. Services were held in the court house. After three powerful ser- mons he succeeded in reorganizing the church and a lot was bought and in a few days two thousand four hundred dollars was raised to pay for the same, its location being on the corner of Buckeye and North streets, where the present church stands.
After leaving the court house, for a time the congregation worshiped
248
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
in France's Hall. This lasted until a billiard hall and gambling club secured quarters in the third story of the building. This drove the congregation into Zimmerman's block, in a room on the third floor, but in the very nature of the case this could only remain as temporary quarters. May 21, 1871, after service, it was, with a sole exception, determined by vote to begin the erection of a building. It was decided to build in the Gothic style a building forty- four by seventy feet, one story high. 'The corner stone was laid August 12, 1871, Rev. J. F. H. Deichman preaching the sermon in German and Rev. J. Voght, of Delaware, Ohio, in English. Services were begun in the Presby- terian church, the remainder of the services being held on the open church lot. The children were marched in a body to the church and lot in order that they might all see the laying of the cornerstone. The work of building was pushed during the summer and fall of 1871, so that all was in readiness for dedication by the end of the year. At the dedication, December 31, 1871, Father P. Herbruck preached in German and A. F. Zartman, a student. preached in English. The church was then in debt six thousand dollars and on one day three thousand dollars was secured. The statement made at date of dedication was as follows: Entire cost of building, $12,221 ; lot, $2,400; total cost of property, $14,621 ; balance yet unpaid, $1,926. The membership was then but one hundred and thirty. Mr. Zartman was called to become pastor, and he preached in English, while Father Kaemmerer preached in German. Mr. Zartman was ordained May 5. 1872. He remained about two years and died soon afterwards of consumption.
The next pastor was Rev. Henry Hilbish, beginning September 1, 1874. and he served until 1876. Next came Rev. Milton H. Groh. It was at this juncture that difficulty arose over the introduction of English in the church. Times had changed and something had to be done. The result was that, after much trouble, the German element, properly speaking, gave up their rights and also their property rights and the English-speaking people carried on the church finances and work alone. The German element, now without a worshiping home, under the leadership of Father Kaemmerer as pastor. secured the old vacated Lutheran church, which stood on the corner of North Market street, and there worshiped in their own manner in the German tongue until the autumn of 1888, when, by reason of the declining years of the devout pastor, the church was allowed to go down.
In 1878 the English Reformed church called Rev. T. J. Bacher to become pastor. He was instrumental in lifting a large debt before he left in 1881. The next pastor was Rev. John S. Stoner, who died in 1882. Rev. R. C.
249
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
Zartman began his pastorate in April, 1883, coming direct from the Theo- logical Seminary at Toledo, Ohio. Improvements, including a slate roof on the church, were made and before he left the large church debt had all been wiped out. He resigned in 1888 and was succeeded by Rev. E. M. Beck in 1889.
In August, 1896, the church had to have a thorough remodeling. Again in 1904 material changes were made, and the two-story Sunday school room was added, making a total expense at that date of about eight thousand six hundred dollars. A parsonage was built in 1892, costing about one thousand six hundred dollars.
The membership in September, 1909, was two hundred and seventy. The pastors since 1878 (the others having already been given) are as fol- lows: Rev. T. J. Bacher, Rev. John S. Stoner, Rev. R. C. Zartman, Rev. E. M. Beck, Rev. S. E. Neikirk, Rev. F. Cromer.
REFORMED CHURCH OF REEDSBURG.
The Reformed church of Reedsburg was founded by Adam Stump, a pioneer minister of the west, who labored here in 1840 and organized the congregation. Rev. J. Schlosser was the second pastor, and he was followed by Rev. Jesse Hines and he by Rev. J. J. Excel, under whose ministrations the church edifice was constructed. In 1878 the church was credited with being in a prosperous condition. At present, 1909, the church has a membership of many faithful Christians. Rev. D. Martz is the present pastor. He also has charge of the churches at or near Blachleyville and one in Chester town- ship.
REFORMED CHURCH OF MARSHALLVILLE.
The Reformed church at Marshallville was organized in 1835 and a joint church building erected with the Lutheran denomination in 1836. This was in the country, but in 1874 the Reformed people built a church of their own in the village at a cost of seven thousand dollars. Rev. F. Strassner was the first pastor, and others were faithful pastors at an early time, including Rev. Sonnedecker, Monosmith and Swissler. The present membership is of good number. The present pastor is Rev. C. F. Brouse.
REFORMED CHURCH OF ORRVILLE.
This church was organized and incorporated January 20, 1869. Serv- ices from the first have been conducted in English and each other Sabbath in
250
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
German. The present membership is large and the congregation occupy a church building erected in 1908, the first one having been erected in 1869. The last one built is a handsome brick costing twenty-six thousand dollars.
The charter members were J. Wert, J. Frey, M. Gruger, P. Krick, A. Wirth, J. Speicher, J. Hurni, G. Yaekley, Benj. Eyman, Z. K. Long, F. Piens and C. Albright.
REFORMED CHURCH OF CANAAN TOWNSHIP.
This church at an early day was associated with the Lutheran denomina- tion, but in 1870, after their separation, they erected their own edifice, which was completed in 1872.
REFORMED CHURCH IN MILTON TOWNSHIP.
The Reformed church was founded in Milton township in 1851 and was situated in the south part of the township. Rev. Vermley was among the pioneer pastors.
REFORMED CHURCH IN EAST UNION TOWNSHIP.
Wooster and neighboring churches of this faith were included in one charge until 1864, with Rev. J. H. Derr as pastor. In that year he began services in Applecreek in Gashat's Hall, but in 1867 laid the cornerstone for a church and it was dedicated in 1870. It was of the Gothic type of church architecture, and at the time it was considered one of the best churches in Wayne county. The first regular pastor was Rev. Philip Becker. In 1878 the church had a membership of ninety members. At present it has the largest membership of any of this denomination in Wayne county. Rev. Flohr is pastor.
ZION'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF WOOSTER.
Zion's Evangelical English Lutheran church, of Wooster, Ohio, was organized September 13, 1840, by Rev. Solomon Ritz, although English Lutheran services were held occasionally for some years prior to this time by Rev. E. Greenwald. of New Philadelphia, Rev. George Leiter, of Mansfield, Rev. Francis Ruth, of Galion. This church was organized with the follow-
25I
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
ing sixteen members : George Reiner, John A. Lawrence, Henry D. Miller, Israel Windel, Abraham Fox, Conrad Giler, Benjamin Lehman, Mary Ann Fox, Sarah Lawrence, Catharine Miller, Frederick Hoke. Fanny Lehman, Mary Johnson and Isaac Notestine.
The succession of ministers was as follows: Rev. Solomon Ritz from 1840 to 1843; Rev. George Leiter from 1843 to 1844; Rev. J. Sloan from 1845 to 1851 ; Rev. W. A. G. Emerson from 1851 to 1852: Rev. Dr. J. B. Baltzly from 1853 to 1868; Rev. Ira C. Billman from 1868 to 1871 ; Rev. Dr. Wiles from 1871 to 1884; Rev. Dr. G. M. Heindel from 1884 to 1891 ; Rev. Dr. W. W. Criley from 1891 to 1898; Rev. G. C. Smith from 1899 to 1905 ; Rev. Frank Heilman from 1905 to date.
The present membership of this church is six hundred. The edifice in which this congregation worships was erected about 1884, and the property is now valued at forty-five thousand dollars. The former building stood on Market street near North street. This church enters heartily into all union Christian services, fellowshiping all orthodox denominations.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHRIST CHURCH.
The first of this church's history began when Rev. D. Henkel, a mission- ary, preached the doctrines of the denomination in Wooster as early as 1815. Rev. John Statick succeeded in 1816 and for the first time administered the Lord's Supper, when Mrs. McIntyre, Mrs. Anspach and Mrs. Ihrig were received into the church by rite of confirmation. In 1820 the Reformed de- nomination united with this body and erected a joint house of worship, a small frame structure, which stood north of school building No. 4. Union churches in early times were very common, not because they agreed in religious faith, but because of nationality, there being many Germans here who desired to speak in their mother tongue, and then in union services the expenses were much lighter than to support two or more building enterprises. This state of worship continued for seven years, when, in 1827, Rev. G. H. Weygandt came from Washington county, Pennsylvania, and became pastor, and a sec- ond joint church was built. Weygandt remained pastor until 1840, preach- ing only in German. Subsequently the purely German element felt slighted at the introduction of English speaking, and withdrew and started a church on Buckeye street. This, however, only lasted two years, when they re- turned and brought with them a pipe organ with four stops. In May, 1853. a distinctive Lutheran constitution was adopted. It was in 1867 when the
252
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
Reformed and Lutherans finally separated. The society adopted a second constitution in 1885. when the word Lutheran. was dropped and simply the word Evangelical was made use of in the name of the denomination. The same church as was jointly used by the Reformed and Lutherans up to 1867 is still in use, with a few modifications and the adding of a one thousand five hundred dollar organ in June, 1907. The upper story of the building is used as a Sunday school room. This old pioneer church building stands on the corner of Henry and Grant streets, and is still in excellent repair; it is a substantial brick building, two stories high. The present church mem- bership is about one hundred and fifty.
The pastors that have served since 1887 are Revs. J. F. Fetzer, J. D. Dieterle, 1888; A. Mallick, 1890; C. Schaeffer, 1893; G. L. Heck, 1897; F. H. Krafft, 1899; F. H. Graeper, 1903; H. J. Brodt, coming in 1907, is the present pastor.
LUTHERANS IN PLAIN TOWNSHIP.
The Lutherans in Plain township first held services in 1836, at the resi- dences of Jacob Smyser, Sr., and M. Starn; also at an old log school house east of the village. Mr. Smyser was the first Lutheran to settle in Plain township.
SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH OF WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
As early as 1827 Rev. G. H. Weygandt preached in this vicinity, and with him as pastor the Lutherans, with a few German Reformed settlers, laid the cornerstone of a church in 1828, on joint ground procured for church and graveyard purposes, from land owned by John Lehman. This union building was dedicated in 1830. The Lutherans erected a new building in 1871.
CANAAN LUTHERAN CHURCHES.
The Canaan or Kopp's meeting house was built in 1830 by the German Reformed and Lutheran denomination, the Lutheran minister being Rev. A. Kuhn. Among the earliest members were the Weygandts, H. H. Hoffman and the Schuhs. In 1870 these congregations dissolved.
THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
The Evangelical Lutheran church of Canaan township was built in 1870 and eight years later had a membership of seventy-one.
253
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
At the present time there are no Evangelical churches in Wayne county outside of the one at Wooster.
LUTHERAN CHURCH, PLAIN TOWNSHIP.
In 1834 the Reformed and Lutheran churches united in building this church, in Plain township. A permanent organization was effected Novem- ber 5, 1843, and ten years later a new building was erected by the Lutherans. In 1878 the membership had reached sixty-two.
ST. PAUL'S REFORMED LUTHERAN CHURCH.
This congregation originally attended the Evangelical Lutheran church. In the summer of 1842 a new church was erected, or rather commenced, but not finished until 1846. In March, 1845, Rev. Robert Kochler became their minister and served one year. The congregation separated into two-the German and French elements, the congregations retaining their common prop- erty, creed and name. This church is located in Paint Creek township. Mt. Eaton being its seat.
ENGLISH LUTHERAN MISSION CHURCH.
This church was organized at Orrville, January 6, 1877. with ten mem- bers, and was incorporated January 31, 1876, with the following trustees : Jesse Good, A. W. Bomberger, Otho Miller, G. G. Wear and A. McGriffin. March 28th A. C. Miller, M. D., of Cleveland, and J. H. Stoll, M. D., and wife, in April, deeded grounds to the trustees, thus securing to the church the entire block lying on the southeast corner of Vine street, for a consideration of one thousand nine hundred dollars. In July, 1876, they began the erection of a church, the cornerstone of which was laid in September. By October the same year the building was ready for occupancy. At present the con- gregation worships in the same church edifice, a good brick structure, and the membership of the church is not large, but in a prosperous spiritual condition.
WEST LEBANON EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
The first church here was erected in 1831, prior to which there was no organization there of this denomination. This building was built by the Reformed and Lutheran societies.
254
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
JACOB'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.
The church of this denomination in Franklin township was built in 1844, on lands donated by Jacob Herman, and was named Jacob's church, by Jacob Snyder. Rev. Kline was the first pastor. Prior to this the Lutheran families of the vicinity had to go to Wooster to worship.
TRINITY ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH.
The church of this congregation in Franklin township was erected in 1861, on lands donated by David Lawrence. Individual members furnished the material, cut the timber and hauled the logs. This church organization was the outgrowth of a dispute that arose between the members of the old Jacob's church, as to whether there should be German or English preaching. The church was organized with eighteen members.
EVANGELICAL CHURCHES.
The original members of the Evangelical church of Plain township were : F. Felger, John Radebaugh, M. Rittenhouse, Philip Kettering and John Welt- mer. They erected a house of worship in 1856 and another was provided in 1876. It is now known as the Grand View church.
EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION.
The first church of this denomination was built in 1848, and was dedi- cated by Bishop Seibert. It had a membership of forty. The new church was erected in 1874.
CHURCH OF CHRIST.
What was styled the Church of Christ was organized in Wooster July 26, 1835. The organizers were William F. Pool, Peter Willis, Frederick Kauke and wife, John Miller and wife, Jacob Watchel and wife, Samuel Zimmerman and Mary his wife, George K. Zimmerman, Griffith L. Jones, Elizabeth Scott, Eleanor Jones, Mary McCurdy and a few others. This organization left no record, but it is known that they kept alive their meetings and "broke the loaf.' In twelve years it had grown to a society of one hundred members. For several years the church had no meeting house. Part of the time it occupied the old court house, in which place it had been
255
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
originally organized. Sometimes it assembled in the school building in the south part of town. At other dates it met at some of the members' houses. For a time it met in a cooper shop, but finally in 1847 a church building was completed by them on the corner of Walnut and South streets. The first regular pastor was J. H. Jones, who began his labors in 1845 and continued until 1857; after him came the following: Errett, Jones, White, Walker, Bauserman, Moffett, Lowe and Carlton. Among the noted evangelists who frequented the place and worked zealously was Alexander Campbell. Up to 1878 there had been connected at one time or another seven hundred different persons, but many removed, died, changed to other churches and were ex- cluded, thus lowering its membership greatly. The present church was erected in 1889. The present pastor, Rev. James K. Shellenberger, came September 7, 1905.
Other Christian churches of this county are at Blachleyville, Orrville and Fredericksburg.
SHREVE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The Disciple or Christian church at Shreve has always been a strong. healthy society and has from an early date been the means of doing much active church work. This church was first established a mile and a half to the north of the present village, on the farm owned by James Moore. Rev. John Chester, Rev. Lewis Comar, Rev. Jewell and Rev. Mitchell were among the pioneer preachers. In 1856 the society moved to Shreve and erected a small frame building in which to worship. This served until 1902, when the present magnificent brick edifice was constructed at a cost of ten thousand dollars. . It overlooks the village from the hill north of the business portion.
Since moving to Shreve, the pastors have been in the following order :
Revs. Harrison Jones, Isaiah Jones ( his brother). J. W. Lowe, Fred Hoffman, Uriah Hoffman, M. L. Moody, D. C. Henselman, O. Q. Oviatt, W. H. Woodard, S. F. Simpson, L. W. Spade. D. W. McConnell. M. L. Decker. The present membership of this church is four hundred, while that of the Sabbath School is four hundred and sixty-two, the same having been presided over for over forty years by one man. R. D. Wells.
THE DISCIPLE CHURCH OF PLAIN TOWNSHIP.
This church was formed at Blachleyville and a church building erected in 1866. Hugh Funk and family. Peter Baker and his father's family, Cas- per Swart and others were among the earliest of this denomination in this part of Wayne county. Rev. Harrison Jones was the first preacher.
256
WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WOOSTER.
It is to be regretted that the very earliest date of Presbyterian organiza- tion in Wooster, and of course in Wayne county, is a very uncertain con- jecture, as the earliest records, if indeed there were such, have long since passed beyond the mind of the present day Presbyterians of the county. It may be remarked, however, that in nearly all of the first settlements of Mary- land, Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio there was an element of Scotch-Irish Presbyterianism, and wherever it located it found a place to worship God. While not largely represented in Wayne county, it still had an opportunity to sow the good seed which in later decades grew and flourished. They had in them the ring of the true metal and blue was their color.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.