USA > Ohio > History of the Central Ohio conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, 1856-1913 > Part 15
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R. B. Hayes, David June, E. A. Bristol, T. F. Siegfried, and John Steerwalt comprised the Building Committee. The Rev. John W. Hamilton, D. D., now bishop, dedicated the church in 1883. and rededicated the one built in 1888-89.
John M. Mills was the pastor when the church was rededicated, succeeded by J. L. Albritton, W. G. Waters, with L. A. Belt, pre- siding elder; then T. L. Wiltsee, and J. L. Albritton, presiding elder; then J. W. Holland, pastor, and W. W. Lance, presiding elder; then D. H. Bailey, pastor, and E. D. Whitlock, district superintendent; then E. D. Whitlock, pastor, and James H. Fitz- water, district superintendent, and then M. E. Ketcham, pastor.
The present membership embraces about seven hundred persons. The present pastor is Rev. J. F. Harshbarger, D. D., with Rev. E. O. Crist, D. D., as district superintendent, since Fremont was transferred to the Toledo District at the first session of the West Ohio Conference, in Urbana, September, 1913.
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FOREST CHURCH.
Forest society was organized in 1859 as a part of Wyandot Mission, with Robert Stevenson and Elijah White, class leaders, and William Swearingen, steward. Lorenzo D. Rogers was pastor from 1859 to 1861. In 1860 Forest was made the head of a circuit. with Bainbridge. Swartz. Coes. Parlette, and Hollingshead, in Ken- ton District. Forest remained as the head of a circuit until 1896.
FOREST CHURCH.
when it was made a station. In 1884 it was placed in Findlay District, and in 1889 in Delaware District. The appointments in the circuit have varied during the years from two to nine in number.
L. D. Rogers was the first minister of any denomination to reside in Forest. A church was begun by him. but never com- pleted. The first church was built under the pastorate of Jas. G. DeLisle, in 1864.
During the pastorate of C. C. Kennedy a new church was erected at a cost of about $8,400, and dedicated May 11, 1902.
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On June 26th of the same year the church was burned to the ground. The insurance of $5,000 was paid, and the Church heroically under- took to build another and even much better structure. The cost was about $10,000. This was dedicated May 31, 1903.
During the pastorate of D. G. Hall, the old parsonage was sold, removed, and a new one with all modern conveniences erected in its stead, at a cost of about $4,000.
During recent pastorates Forest has been making rapid strides along all lines of Church work, until it has become one of the most enthusiastic, aggressive stations in the Central Ohio Conference.
Rev. G. B. Wiltsie is the present pastor.
FORT RECOVERY CHARGE.
It is impossible to give a correct account of the beginning of Methodism in this place, as all early records were lost in an ex- plosion some years ago. The people who could give reliable in- formation are either dead or have moved away. It can be said, however. that Methodism came with the early pioneers and took deep root. The names of McDaniel and Roop will be ever asso- ciated with these early days.
A permanent structure was built in 1875, but in 1893 it was partially destroyed by lightning. The present commodious brick building was then erected, under the pastorate of Rev. B. W. Day. - Though in late years there has been an exodus of some of the best families, Methodism still holds up its head and in the religious life of the town "needeth not to be ashamed."
ERASTUS.
This is a small hamlet about ten miles northeast of Fort Re- covery. In 1909, under the pastorate of Rev. J. H. Butler, efforts were made to get a permanent home. Mrs. Tom Scott gave a large tract of land, and there is now a fine brick building, one of the finest country churches for miles around.
WASHINGTON CHAPEL.
This is the name given to a church nine miles directly north of Fort Recovery. In later years, through the generosity of Mr. John Betz, the church was erected, when Rev. W. S. Philpott was the pastor.
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GIBSONBURG CHURCH.
The Gibsonburg society dates back to 1873, in which year Rev. C. W. Wolff was appointed to preach here regularly. There are evidences that some infrequent services were held prior to this date.
Following Rev. C. W. Wolff came Rev. J. L. Scott, who, after a gracious revival, organized the first class.
The early society was attached to a circuit composed of Wood- ville, Burgoon, and Washington Chapel.
In 1875 Rev. Daniel Carter was appointed to the work as supply, and the services were conducted in an old log church, called the Basswood Church.
In 1876, under the pastorate of Rev. John Houghtby, a frame schoolhouse was purchased and moved to the present site, and for a long time was known as "The Little Brown Jug." It still adjoins the Sunday school room of the church.
The ministers serving the charge since 1878 were as follows: Andrew J. Frisbie, Charles Hoag, C. W. Collinge, Joseph Good, W. R. Shultz, G. A. Criger, Henry Boyers, James W. Shultz, Robert Olive, John A. Lucy, E. G. Brumbaugh, Daniel Stecker, F. E. Higbie, N. S. Brackney, H. J. Jewett, C. J. Yiesley, John F. Strete, C. W. Collinge, and Ralph Wright.
During the pastorate of James W. Shultz a new church was built, at an estimated cost of $2,000, and was dedicated December 21, 1889, by W. H. Gibson.
During the pastorate of E. G. Brumbaugh, from 1893-1895, improvements were made upon the parsonage costing $125, and also a small addition was added to the Church at a cost of $275.
Brother John F. Strete passed to his reward during his pas- torate on this charge, and the work was served by C. W. Collinge, who came to serve for the second time on this charge. During the pastorate of Revs. John F. Strete and Charles W. Collinge, extensive improvements were made both in the church and parson- age at a cost of about $3,000, a fine basement having been added.
The present pastor, Rev. Ralph Wright, took the work in the fall of 1912, by regular appointment, and is now in the second year of his pastorate. During this year it became necessary to re- cement the basement on account of leakage. This improvement cost $150.
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The Church is in a thriving condition, without any indebtedness and with a young and vigorous membership, having a Sunday school with an average attendance of 175.
GILBOA CHURCH.
The Methodist Church in Gilboa was organized in 1833, with Samuel Hall and wife, Moses Williams and wife, Sarah Crafus, Louisa Gensinger, G. W. Mont- gomery, and Samuel McDon- gal as charter members.
At first it was connected with McComb Circuit, later with Leipsic Circuit, and after- wards it became the head of Gilboa Circuit, which em- braced at first Pleasant Chapel, Shawtown, and Pandora.
In 1911 Gilboa was made a station, with the Rev. E. H. Snow as pastor.
The ministers who have served the Church are: Eli Myers, S. R. Colgan, J. W. Shultz, Wm. J. Green, E. S. Keeler, J. B. Gottschall, J. H. Cater, Samuel Given, L. B. Smith, M. J. Nash, J. W. Miller, E. H. Snow, and C. E. Rowley, the present pastor.
REV. CHARLES E. ROWLEY. PASTOR.
GRAND RAPIDS CHURCH, GRAND RAPIDS, OHIO.
The Grand Rapids society in its earlier history was associated with the Waterville Circuit for some years.
In 1876 it became the head of the Grand Rapids Circuit. Through the years many changes have come. Nearly all the Churches in the surrounding territory have at one time or another been associated with Grand Rapids.
At present the Grand Rapids Charge consists of Grand Rapids, Damascus, Tontogany, and Providence Chapel.
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The Grand Rapids church building is a brick structure, well built, presenting a neat appearance and quite well adapted to the needs of the society.
A good, comfortable parsonage is located at Grand Rapids. The Rev. B. F. Gordon, the present pastor, is in his third year of successful service on this charge.
HUNTSVILLE CHURCH.
In the summer of 1823 a series of meetings was held by the Methodists at the home of Mr. Sam'l Richards, one-half mile south- west of Cherokee, where the first Methodist class was formed, prob- ably by the Rev. Robert Casebolt, a zealous local preacher.
REV. SHERIDAN T. WALKER, PASTOR.
The class or society organized at that time was the nucleus of the present Church which now occupies the com- inodious brick building in Huntsville.
The first class was almost wholly formed of the families of Sam'l and John Richards, John Russell, Pender- grass, Lease, Benjamin Winters and wife, Calvin Pratt and wife, and others joining soon afterwards. None of the original members are left, but several of their children-Mrs. Sarah Work- man, of Huntsville, and Mrs. Nancy Fisher, of Urbana, still survive.
In 1841 a camp-meeting was held on the farm of Sam'l Rich- ards, at which there were many conversions. A man by the name of Wilson had charge of the meeting.
The early meetings of the class were held in the cabins of the settlers and in a log schoolhouse, until the time of the camp-meeting. and probably longer. Then a plot of ground was secured on the public road southwest of Cherokee, near the residence of Peter E. Lemory, and on it a plain frame building was erected.
This church was probably built in the year 1843 or 1844. Here the society continued to worship until the year 1866, when it re- moved to Huntsville, and a larger and better frame church was built in the village.
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In 1892, under the pastorate of the Rev. Manoah D. Scott, the present beautiful church edifice was erected at a cost of about $8,000. Bishop James W. Bashford, D. D., at that time president of the Ohio Wesleyan University, dedicated the church.
The list of pastors serving the society since 1818 is as follows: Cravens. Caples, Gudman, Kalb. Powers, Paul Guiberson. Samuel Lynch, R. D. Oldfield, D. G. Strong, A. Berry. Webster. P. A. Drown. Stubbs, J. A. Wright, D. D. S. Reagh, J .. M. Longfellow. Philip Lemasters, Chas. Farnsworth, T. I. Jagger, S. H. Alderman. Benj. Herbert, Samuel Boggs, J. C. Miller, M. D. Scott, J. M. Deweese, Mortimer Gascoigne, R. N. Boardman, C. G. Smith. J. C. Crider, E. T. Dailey, G. H. Walcott, H. Baumgardner. Sheridan T. Walker.
Huntsville was for a number of years a station. but recently it has been connected with the Pleasant Grove Church.
FIRST CHURCH, KENTON.
Methodism in Kenton, Ohio, was first organized by the Rev. Thomas Thompson, a Methodist missionary stationed on the Wyan- dot Indian Reservation at Upper Sandusky, in 1832. The organiza- tion took place at the cabin of George H. Houser, in what is now the east part of town. The society as formed was composed of eight members: Geo. H. Houser and wife, Jacob H. Houser and wife, and Samuel and Wm. Wilmoth and their wives. Geo. H. Houser was made first class leader. Circuit riders once in two or three weeks came this way and preached. In 1833 the accessions of Mrs. Christina Furney, REV. WM. MCK. BRACKNEY, D. D. Joseph Nichols and wife, and Martin PASTOR. Badley and wife occurred. Emigration in 1834 brought more Meth- odists, and then appear the names of Samuel Badley, wife, and daughter, Ellen; John C. Dille, Alexander Hitchinson and wife. Samuel Campbell and wife, Jonas Combs and wife, Mrs. David Goodin, and Mrs. Hugh Letson, up to the year 1839.
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The names of the regular preachers up to 1843 were: 1832 to 1835, Revs. Kinnear and Camp; 1835, the Rev. Mr. Fleming; then carne Revs. Brakefield. Philip Wareham, Martin Welsh, and S. P. Shaw, while Rev. Elnathan C. Gavitt was often here during these years.
A log schoolhouse was used as a place of worship until 1830,
FIRST CHURCH. KENTON, O.
when a frame structure, 35 x 40 feet, was built on the corner of Wayne and Ohio Streets. In a few years this structure was en- larged to twice its length, so that it was 35 x 80 feet, when it was "dubbed" the "steamboat church." This structure was superseded by a brick structure on North Main Street in 1851. which in 1886 was enlarged by a twin-towered front. In 1890 this building was destroyed by fire and the present beautiful church was built.
From 1843 the pastors, in the order of their appointment, have been: W. W. Nickerson. C. Thomas, N. H. Barker. H. P. Ward,
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J. Bunker and A. Rumfield, John Blaenfied and T. J. Gard, W. G. Ward and W. W. Mimer, John S. Kalb, J. M. Holmes, G. W. Collier, T. J. Monnett, Chas. W. Ketcham, Chas. G. Ferris, Alex- ander Nelson, Joseph Ayers, Alexander Harmount, Chas. Reynolds, W. W. Winter, Ambrose Hollington, Isaac Newton, Samuel L. Roberts, Park S. Donalson, T. H. Wilson, D. D. Mather, Jos. A. Ferguson, Oliver Kennedy, I. R. Henderson, W. J. Hodges, E. D. Whitlock, T. H. Campbell, J. H. Fitzwater, Jos: H .. Bethards, R. D. Hollington, E. E. McCammon, P. A. Crow, and Wm. McK. Brackney.
The presiding elders and district superintendents from the time Kenton became a station, in their order, are: Samuel Lynch, J. A. Kelam, W. J. Wells, J. M. Holmes, Elnathan C. Gavitt, S. H. Alderman, Wm. S. Pane, Joseph Ayers, David Rutledge, Gershom Lease, L. A. Belt, E. D. Whitlock, Andrew J. Fish, T. H. Camp- bell, C. R. Havighurst, David H. Bailey, and B. F. Reading.
The church edifice is one of the most beautiful houses of worship in the Conference, and the parsonage, located some three blocks north, is a large and pleasant home.
The Sunday school has a large enrollment, and the Church membership numbers 1,040.
LIMA METHODISM-TRINITY CHURCH, LIMA.
Methodist services were first held in the vicinity of Lima in 1820. The Rev. Robert Finley was the first missionary in this part of Ohio.
In 1830 the Rev. James Austin was missionary in this section, and Lima was an appointment on the St. Marys Mission, in the Maumee District, which included the counties of Allen, Auglaize, Mercer, Putnam, and Van Wert.
The first Methodist services in Lima were held in 1833, in the little log courthouse on South Main Street, and the first quarterly meeting was held in that place in the same year, with the Rev. W. H. Raper as presiding elder and the Rev. John Alexander as minister.
Mrs. Lydia Holland, a resident of Lima, was present at the communion service on that occasion, eighty years ago.
From an account of early Methodism in Lima and vicinity by
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Mrs. Geo. Vickery, of Lima. we insert the following interesting incident :
"I was quite a favorite friend of the Rev. John Alexander and often, though only twelve years of age, accompanied him to near by services. The settlers were all eager for the Master's news, and an announcement that a meeting would be held in a certain cabin was sufficient to summon everybody for miles around.
"On this particular occasion. one Sunday morning. Mr. Alex- ander rode up to my father's cabin and asked him to allow me to accompany him to Brother Anthony's, some two or three miles
Trinity M. E. Church, W. Market street. Lima, Ohio.
TRINITY CHURCH, LIMA, O.
from our home. Consent was readily given, and I climbed on the horse, behind Mr. Alexander. and we were on our way. It led through the fastnesses of unbroken forests south and west of where the Children's Home now is.
"It was in the spring of the year, and the whole country was practically under water; and it seemed sometimes that our horse would swamp. At length we arrived at the cabin, which consisted of one room, and in it were gathered about a dozen persons.
"The scene has never faded from my memory. On the roaring fire in the fireplace, which practically occupied one end of the room, a chicken-'the conventional meal for preachers and their escort'-was stewing in an iron pot, swung from a crane. in prepara- tion for dinner : cornbread was baking in a covered skillet. buried
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in the coals and ashes on the hearth. [My! this brings up savory memories !- EDITOR. ]
"Mr. Alexander conducted regular services and preached a pow- erful sermon. Following the close of the services, class meeting was held.
"Services over, a dinner of chicken, cornbread, butter, and coffee was served, and after singing and prayer, the gathering dispersed."
In 1835 the first church in Lima was built. At that time the entire tax valuation of Lima was about $6,100.
This little, unpretentious structure stood on the west side of North Union Street, between Market and Spring Streets, and filled the demands of society and town for a number of years. Mrs. McHaffey, of Lafayette, attended Church and school in the one- room building. Here she was converted and united with the Church. The Rev. John Beiler, father of the Rev. Samuel Beiler. D. D., known throughout the Church, led the singing, lining the hymns and using a tuning-fork to get the right pitch.
In 1852 Lima was growing rapidly, and in that year a two- story church was built on the lot owned and occupied by the old Church, the southwest corner of East Market and Union Streets.
For many years the Methodist congregation from a little hand- ful grew and flourished. The first story of this second and new church was of red brick, and the second was of frame, with a steeple and a bell.
As in the old church, so in this, the first story or basement was used for school purposes, the rental of which aided in meeting the expenditures of the society.
"Of the founders of the church built in 1835, but one name would be recalled by the present generation-that of Hudson Watt, father-in-law of Mrs. W. L. Watt.
"Hudson Watt was a man of strong personality, powerful in prayer, and with a voice so strong that Mother Halter says that, sitting in her home- two blocks away, his prayers could be dis- tinctly heard."
Sometime in the early seventies a new church project was launched, and "Old Trinity". was soon under way, $4,000 being paid for the site on the northwest corner of West Market and Elizabeth Streets.
For three or four years services were held in the basement of
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the building, the structure not being completed until in 1876, when the church was dedicated by Bishop Randolph S. Foster, D. D.
The text from which he preached a great and memorable sermon was, "For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead."
The following names appear in the list of subscribers on the day of dedication: Daniel Angel, Henry Parham, H. S. Prophet, Dr. Foltz, Dr. Geo. Hall, Geo. Keve, Samuel Keve, S. K. Krans, I. M. Monk, D. R. Reynolds, John Black, Jas. Black, Henry Bolton, Jonathan Custart, W. K. Boone, Geo. Faurot, Mrs. Wm. Bell, Mrs. S. A. Baxter, Mrs. Boose, Mrs. Fountaine, Mrs. John L. Hughes, Mrs. C. M. Hughes, Mrs. Hardesty, Mrs. D. E. Kip- linger, Mrs. J. S. Karns, Mrs. Fredericks, Mrs. S. A. Smith, Mrs. Polser, Mrs. Wycoff, Mrs. H. A. Moore, Mrs. W. L. Watt, Jos. Mckinney, Mrs. Ashton, Mrs. Treat.
During the pastorate of the Rev. Thos. H. Campbell the old church property, known as "Old Trinity," was sold, and a site on West Market Street, on the corner of Market and West Streets, was purchased, and on it a fine stone edifice costing about $125,000 was erected.
This magnificent church edifice contains forty-two rooms, and is one of the most complete churches in Northwestern Ohio. In order to realize this splendid achievement in church architecture and in providing the growing city of Lima with a church building adapted to all the needs and purposes of an institutional Church, the Ladies' Aid Society has contributed the sum of $20,000. The church was dedicated March 17, 1912, by Bishop Wm. F. Mc- Dowell, D. D., assisted by the Rev. William D. Parr, S. T. D .; the Rev. T. H. Campbell, Ph. D .; the Rev. M. B. C. Fuller, D. D., pastor at present and at the time of the dedication, and the Rev. M. M. Figley, D. D., the district superintendent of Lima District.
Trinity has a membership of 1,450, and has greatly assisted in the founding of Grace, with a membership of 1,150; Epworth, with 465 members, and Second Street, having 300.
Simeon H. Alderman, Jas. M. Morrow, Hiram Shaffer, Wm. W. Winters, T. H. Wilson, Oliver Kennedy, Franklin Marriott, I. R. Henderson, L. C. Webster, E. A. Berry, Isaac Newton, Park S. Donelson, J. Francis Davies, Richard Wallace, Andrew J. Fish.
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T. L. Wiltsee, J. H. Bethards, W. G. Waters, J. M. Mills, E. D. Whitlock, M. M. Figley, J. M. Avann, T. H. Campbell, and M. B. C. Fuller have served as pastors; and Franklin Marriott, S. L. Roberts, Arkinson Berry, Alexander Harmount, L. M. Albright, J. M. Mills, J. H. Fitzwater, W. G. Waters, and M. M. Figley as presiding elders or district superintendents.
We are greatly indebted to Mrs. Geo. M. Vickery for data and facts in the history of Trinity .- EDITOR.
GRACE CHURCH, LIMA.
Grace Church was organized in 1880, with Jacob Busie and wife, Joseph Ballard and wife, Robert Snodgrass and wife, and W. P. Wetherill and wife as charter members.
The society was first called "Eureka," and from the time of its organization to 1889 it belonged to the Shawnee Circuit. Grace Church became a station in 1889.
The Rev. W. G. Littell was pastor, and the Rev. Arkinson Berry, presiding elder. The following ministers have served the charge: Frank Maltbie, W. G. Littell, Jos. Weber, J. L. Albritton, Alexander Harmount, Josiah F. Crooks, Shultz, Dwight R. Cook, Peter Biggs, Stewart Baumgardner, L. M. Albright, W. H. Leather- man, W. J. Hagerman, T. L. Wiltsee, C. C. Kennedy, Parker P. Pope, J. H. Bethards, Hibbard J. Jewett, and W. J. Dunham.
EPWORTH CHURCH, LIMA.
In the year 1894 the Quarterly Conference of Trinity Methodist Church, Lima, appointed a committee, consisting of E. Charity, Dr. T. H. Foltz, and Henry Parham, to secure a site in East Lima for the erection of a church.
A lot was soon purchased and a frame structure erected on it.
The church was dedicated in July, 1895, by the Rev. David H. Moore, D. D., editor of the Western Christian Advocate.
The society was organized with fifty-one members by the Rev. J. F. Olive, the first pastor, and at the close of the year Epworth and Junior Epworth Leagues were organized and the membership of the Church considerably increased. The Rev. E. T. Daily was appointed to the charge in the fall of 1895, but on account of throat trouble he was compelled to give up the work before the
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year had ended. and the Rev. B. F. McCoy was secured to fill out the appointment.
In the year 1896 the Rev. F. A. Zimmerman became pastor.
In 1897 the Rev. Dwight R. Cook was appointed to the work, remaining two years. There were one hundred and sixty-five members at the close of Bro. Cook's pastorate.
REV. M. C. HOWEY, A. M., PASTOR.
In 1899 the Rev. George Wood Anderson became pas- tor. In the early part of that year the church was de- stroved by fire, and the con- gregation was compelled to hold services at first in a tombstone shop, and after- wards in the city opera house. while a new church edifice was in course of erection. During Dr. Anderson's pas- torate the membership had large growth and won atten- tion and gained prestige in the city.
In August, 1902. the present church building, costing $17,000, was dedicated by the Rev. L. A. Belt, D. D., president at that time of the Ohio Northern University. After four years of zealous and faithful service, increasing the membership to more than three hundred, Dr. Anderson was transferred to Troy, N. Y.
The next pastor was the Rev. C. C. Kennedy, who by faithful effort succeeded in reducing to some extent the debt on the building.
Brother Kennedy was succeeded by the Rev. B. F. Reading, whose pastorate built up the Sunday school, enlarged the Epworth League, and put hope into the congregation.
The Rev. A. H. Weaver became the next pastor, and for four years he labored diligently to increase the membership and to liquidate the indebtedness. His stay in the charge did much to strengthen and popularize the Church.
The Rev. Daniel Stecker then came to the Church, and after a year of conscientious labor, was succeeded in 1912 by the Rev.
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M. C. Howey, the present pastor, who, on June 7, 1914. conducted a successful campaign to pay up all the old indebtedness of thirteen years' standing. The amount of the indebtedness was $5.100. and
EPWORTH CHURCH, LIMA, O.
$5,700 was raised. which places the Church on good financial standing now.
Epworth Church is located in a growing section of the city of Lima, and bids fair to become one of the strong Churches of the Conference.
LEIPSIC CHURCH.
The Leipsic Methodist Episcopal Church. one of the strong and aggressive Churches in the old Central Ohio Conference. was organized about the year 1870, most of the members of the newly organized class coming from the Methodist Church in West Leipsic.
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