USA > Ohio > Knox County > Past and present of Knox County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 16
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Methodist church. The early meetings were held in the school house just mentioned. then in the chapel at Mt. Liberty (open to all denominations). In 1845, under the charge of Rev. Berry, a neat frame church building was pro- vided, the same being thirty-six by forty-five feet in dimension. This was in Mt. Liberty. In 1881 this church had a membership enrolled of fifty-four. The present membership is eighty.
At Batemantown the original class was organized at the house of Mrs. Sarah Murphy, a mile to the north of the present village, in 1831. Leonidas Hamlin formed the first class, which met at Mrs. Murphy's until 1832, when a frame church was built on the main road a quarter of a mile southeast of Batemantown. In 1844 the congregation was divided, part going to Water- ford where a society had been formed, and in 1856 the Bateman society erected a new frame church building. thirty by forty feet in size. The present membership is ninety-six.
The first Methodist class formed in Waterford was previous to 1844, by Rev. Sanford Parker and in the same year a regular Methodist Episcopal church was organized at that place. Joseph Mann and Samuel Galliher and Alfred Walters were the class leaders. The frame church erected in 1844 was forty by sixty feet. This church is among the present active societies of this denomination in Knox county.
In Milford township, the Methodist Episcopal church was formed in the south part of the township in 1835, by Rev. Saxby and seventeen charter members. In 1836 a church was erected called the Dowell meeting house, and in 1845 a new church was built in Lock.
In 1835 another Methodist church was formed near the Five Corners, by Rev. Lynch. In 1838 a small log house was raised for a place of worship; it stood on the present cemetery grounds, where meetings were kept up until 1848, then held in the school house until 1869, when the society disbanded, a part going to Brandon and the balance to Lock.
The first Methodist preaching in Pike township was held in private houses by Rev. Goff. Services were wont to be held at Messrs. McBride's, Wilson's, Bixby's and Vernon's. The first class leader was Aaron Wilson. The first quarterly meeting was held in Aaron Bixby's barn. A great revival sprang up at this barn meeting and many were added to the new church and caused the society to wonderfully prosper, accordingly it was decided to build a church building in which to worship. A small plot of land was secured from Hugh Hardesty, on the southwest quarter of section 24 and in 1827 Hugh and John Cochran built a log church which was in use until 1850, when a new and better building was erected. It was a frame house, forty by fifty
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feet in size, and the lumber from which it was made was hauled from Water- ford. The building committee were Richard Scoles, Joseph Hollis and Reuben Kettle. This church is of very lasting woods and is still in good con- dition. The pastors' list includes the following : Daniel Lambert, Ben Wolfe, Allen Moffit, B. F. Heskett, Bradberry, J. McK. Barnes, William Kepler, J. W. Thompson, Rev. Wilson. F. C. McCauley, F. C. Hunkberger, M. B. Mead, C. L. Lewis, W. S. Chapman, J. S. Harvey, E. B. Shoemaker, J. D. Lea, C. F. Goodwin. Thomas Gee, J. F. Hastings, present pastor. The present mem- bership is about eighty.
North Liberty Methodist Episcopal church is an off-shoot of old Pike Methodist society. A frame church was erected about 1840, in the village of North Liberty. During 1861, when the Civil war commenced, the spirit of discord arose over the slave question and the church was disrupted and the building stood idle until that terrible conflict was ended, when meetings were again maintained. Early class leaders were William Penrose and Lockhart Arnold.
Rev. J. W. Thompson was pastor in 1881 and following him came these : Revs. Frank Owens, F. G. McCauley, M. L. Wilson, M. B. Meade, F. H. Huntsberger, C. L. Lewis, W. S. Chapman, J. S. Harvey, E. B. Shoemaker, J. D. Lea, C. S. Goodwin, Thomas Gee and Fletcher Hastings, the present pastor.
During the pastorate of Rev. Lewis a new church building was erected upon a new site in the village. The date was 1899 and it cost about four thousand dollars. The old church is still standing, doing service as a barn. The new church was dedicated by him who is now Bishop Bashford.
This church is on the Democracy circuit. The present number of mem- bers is eighty. The trustees of North Liberty church are A. M. Dunmire, C. Keller, Charles McGinley, J. Cutnaw, B. L. and C. J. Griffith.
Salem Methodist Episcopal church was established in Wayne township, in the northwestern part of the territory. The Jacksons, Lyons and Beers were among the important factors in the founding of this limb of Methodism in Knox county. It was certainly organized as early, if not sooner than, 1830. At first meetings were held in school houses, but about 1831 or 1832 the church was built, a two story structure with a gallery. It was about thirty-two by forty-five feet in size. Present membership, fifty.
In Miller township the Methodist church was formed in 1834, at the house of James Nolan, in the northwest part of the township. Among the leading members were, James Nolan, John Conway, Joseph Hare, Andrew. McNutt and William Allison. In a few years this church was abandoned.
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In 1841 the Methodists organized a church at the school house in district No. 6, south of Brandon, on the Granville road. Among the early members there were S. F. Vorse, John Osborn, William Beadle and Alphea Beadle.
In 1843 the Methodists organized at the school house in the southwestern part of the township, where early members were, John Buxton, John Conaway and Charles Conaway.
In 1851 a church was formed by this denomination at Brandon. Miner Hildreth and Erastus Rouse were leading spirits in the formation of this class. The above three churches struggled along until 1863, when they were con- solidated into one church at Brandon, where a neat edifice was erected. In the records it is discovered that in 1880-81 the membership was about sixty. At present it is ninety-one.
In 1853 in the eastern part of this township another society sprung up and a house of worship was built at Hunt's Station. This was named Asbury, after old Bishop Asbury of Methodist fame. Later it was abandoned.
At Danville the Methodist church was formed between 1816 and 1820. The Welkers and Waddles were early settlers and early in this church organ- ization. Services were held in a log cabin church, which stood on what is now the Harry Conkle property. A frame church was erected about 1832 on the rear of the present church lot. It is still a good building. In 1848, the congregation being too large, a new church was built and, with repairs and additions, still serves. The membership is now two hundred and thirty. The present pastor is Rev. H. A. Shook.
Hopewell Methodist Episcopal church, situated on the East Union road, one mile west of the line of Pleasant township, is unfortunate in not having a record of its early history. It is only known that in 1855 a frame structure thirty-six by forty feet was erected under Rev. Allen Moffatt and that in 1880 the membership of the society was forty-three. It now has a membership of sixty. There are cemeteries connected with the last named three churches in this township.
In 1845 another Methodist church was built on the southwest quarter of section 10, Liberty township, and an organization fully perfected some years before that time. David Guthrie donated the land and most all the timber for the pioneer church edifice, which was constructed of hewed logs. The first members were John Cochran and wife, Eli Dickerson and wife, John Ruby and M. Truckle. Revs. Scoles, McNabb, and Absalom Waddle were early pastors. This organization was dissolved in 1856, the members generally uniting at either North Liberty or Amity churches.
Amity Methodist Episcopal church, in Pike township, was formed in 1834, the first in the village of Amity. A frame church was erected about
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1840, costing fifteen hundred dollars. He who later became bishop of his church, W. L. Harris, was one of the first to preach here. In one of his revivals almost one hundred and fifty were converted and united with his church at Amity. In 1871 a new church was built, costing same as the former one, and also a parsonage added three years later, worth a thousand dollars.
METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCHES.
The Methodist Protestant church at Mt. Vernon was instituted by the union of the Wesleyan Methodists, organized in 1816, and which had erected a church on North Mulberry street in 1852, and a Methodist Protestant church organized about 1832, which had erected a church building on South Mechanic street, between High and Vine streets, about 1838. During the early part of 1865 these two bodies of Methodism in the northern part of the United States were waiting and longing for a chance whereby they might be merged into one body. Hence, in February, 1865, at a meeting held in the Wesleyan Methodist church, a committee wrote a set of resolutions and a preamble of great length. This was finally adopted, which action made the two one church. Rev. J. H. Hamilton, of Fredericktown, was selected pas- tor over the more than one hundred and fifty members of the newly formed church at Mt. Vernon.
The old Congregational church edifice was soon purchased by the new Methodist society, and after the various conferences, North and South, repre- senting the various Wesleyan and non-Episcopal Methodist branches of the church, had become agreed touching the union of their conferences and gen- eral church interests, the name was changed to that of the "Methodist Church of Mount Vernon." It was then placed in the Muskingum conference. Again in May, 1877, a convention assembled in Baltimore, at which a union was effected between the Methodist and Methodist Protestant churches, South, in which the last name was taken by the whole body, so that the name was changed here in Mt. Vernon again, being known as "The Methodist Protestant Church of Mt. Vernon."
During the winter of 1867-8 a series of revival meetings were held from December till March, at which one hundred and fifty-five persons were added to the church. Pastor Hamilton baptized, on one Sunday in April, 1868, fifty-four persons, twenty-three by sprinkling and thirty-one by immersion in the race near Norton's Mills.
In April, 1905, a beautiful cement block edifice was dedicated; it stands where stood the old "Abolition Congregational church" frame house later
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owned by the Methodist Protestants. Its cost has been about fifteen thousand five hundred dollars. The society is in a prosperous and spiritual condition with a large membership. The following is a list of pastors since that of Rev. Hamilton, who left in 1891 : Revs. C. R. Blades, 1893; E. W. Bradley, 1895-6; W. W. Gadd, in 1897-8-9; W. L. Wells in 1900; J. A. Selby, 1901 to 1906; C. O. Harvey, 1907 to November 30, 1908, followed by the present pastor, Rev. J. T. Black, who commenced his labors December 1, 1908.
This denomination has the following churches in the county outside of Mt. Vernon : One at Bangs, known as Beulah; one at a country point known as Friendship; one at Liberty Chapel and one known as Ebenezer, all being under the supervision of Rev. J. M. Wells, who lives at Mt. Vernon and has charge of these points.
Beulah Methodist Protestant church, located at Bangs, in Liberty town- ship, was formed in the autumn of 1847 and meetings held in the Bird school house up to 1860 when the present frame church edifice was erected, and it is still in good repair notwithstanding the many winters and summers that have passed over it with destroying elements. Robert Miller donated the ground upon which it stands. The present membership is about one hun- dred. In 1898 some repairs were made on the church, which is now good for many more years. The following have served at this point as pastors and possibly a few more for short periods: Revs. Clancy, Marshal, Wood- ward, Sampson, J. H. Hamilton, J. B. McCormick, John Cooper, G. W. Hissey, T. J. Wirt, N. Coburn, S. T. Allen, C. H. Beck, J. W. Rice, S. Rosen- berger, C. O. Harvey, O. V. Sharrock, H. M. Peebles, J. M. Wells. This church belongs in the Mt. Vernon circuit of the Muskingum conference.
Friendship Methodist Protestant church in Liberty township was or- ganized in March, 1834, in a log house owned by Thomas Higgins, by Rev. Franklin L. Flowers. Preaching was usually on a week day. In 1841 the place of meeting was changed to near the center of the township. In 1843 what was many years known as the Old Friendship meeting-house was erect- ed. The New Friendship church stands on the opposite side of the road from Old church and was erected in 1870, at a cost of sixteen hundred dol- lars. This society is still doing excellent work, under Rev. J. M. Wells.
Liberty chapel was organized in February, 1847, at Bedell's school house, in Liberty township, by Rev. John Lamb.
Ebenezer Methodist Protestant church, in Monroe township, was formed in August, 1842, by Rev. John Lamb, at the school house on the Wooster road, near Four-Mile hotel. The early meetings were held in the school house just named. The first house of worship was erected in 1844, the second one
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in 1872. The latter is a neat frame house built of lumber and stands on the Wooster road a half mile northeast of the Four-Mile house. Here the work still progresses and is now under Rev. J. M. Wells.
At Fredericktown this denomination organized a church about 1830, but after a number of years went down.
THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS.
The Wesleyan Methodists at Greenville, Jefferson township, were or- ganized into a church in 1854, by Rev. George W. Bainum. The, society wor- shiped in the school house until 1861, when a neat frame church was erected at a cost of one thousand two hundred dollars.
For an account of the Wesleyan church at Mt. Vernon, see history of the Methodist Episcopal church of that city.
FREE METHODISTS.
The Free Methodists of Howard township were formed into a church in 1873 and was the only one in the county at that date. There had been a church of this denomination on Brush Run, Butler township. In February, 1872, they held a series of meetings and formed a class of seven members. The Howard church held a meeting of the camp-meeting style, in August, 1875, in Moses Smith's grove, and another in 1876, both of which were at- tended by thousands of people. In 1877 a church was erected in the village of Howard.
The Free Methodists are bitterly opposed to secret societies and the wear- ing of jewelry. Both their annual and quarterly conferences are composed equally of laymen and ministers. They have never grown in numbers and strength in hardly any portion of this country.
AFRICAN METHODISTS.
The African Methodist Episcopal church commenced its work in Mt. Vernon about 1870, under James A. Ralls and wife, he being a local preacher who came here from Virginia about 1865. A society was formed and meetings held in private residences and in basement rooms of the Christian and Pres- byterian churches. In 1873-4 building operations took on form, but the edifice was not completed until 1876, when many of the white citizens helped them raise funds for the finishing of the work they had so faithfully begun in 1874. Here they still worship and have a membership of about eighty.
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THE BAPTIST CHURCHES.
The First Baptist church of Mount Vernon was organized December 15, 1835. but the first licensed preacher of this faith (according to historian Howe) was William Thrift, who was from Loudoun county, Virginia, and came to Knox county in 1807, preaching in the cabins of the settlers.
The first pastor of the church at Mt. Vernon was Rev. Henry Cosner. The first services were held in the Methodist Episcopal church on Mulberry street, then in various school buildings, finally settled down to one place of meeting. the ward school building, until they built their first meeting house on Vine street. In 1841 a commodious church was erected and the membership was then sixty persons. The original church subscription papers show that eighteen names were on the same and that the amount subscribed was one thousand eight hundred and eighteen dollars, of which four hundred and ninety-seven dollars was in cash and the remainder in work or materials. In the next sixteen years the church prospered wonderfully and at the end of that time it had a membership of three hundred and sixty-six. In 1848 an addition was made to the building, sixteen feet at the north end. As will be seen by words from another historian, the old church was in ways odd in style: Conspicuous for its shape, height and size was a huge wooden structure called the pulpit, which concealed the minister, except head and shoulders while in a standing position, and completely hid him from view when he sat down.
In November, 1872, plans were laid to purchase lots and build. A piece of land opposite the court house, fronting High street, was purchased for three thousand five hundred dollars, all paid for but about seven hundred dollars, which caused the society to have to sell, in 1877, a part of the land bought. It was the panic of 1873 which swept the country that caused delay in payment and the erection of the proposed new church edifice. In October, 1879, opera- tions again were,started and in 1881 the foundation for the new church was laid. Upon that was reared the present church structure.
The present membership of the church is four hundred and eighty-two. The following is a list of the pastors serving in Mt. Vernon Baptist church : Henry Cosner, three years ; James Seymour, six months ; Elder Beckwith, one year ; Ezra Goings, six months ; Elder Smednear, two years ; David E. Thomas, two years : E. T. Brown, five years; J. B. Sackett, four years; George E. Leonard, three years ; L. Raymond, six months; J. L. Raymond, four years ; 1860-64, no pastor ; J. W. Icenbarger. six years ; A. J. Wiant, five years; F. M. Iams, three years ; F. C. Wright came in 1879 and served nine months ; D. D. Read came in 1880, served one year and three months; H. F. Adams, 1883,
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serving two years ; G. C. Williams, 1885, serving two years and seven months ; R. E. Neighbor, 1889, served three years ; C. J. Rose, 1893, serving ten years and six months ; F. E. Brininstool, 1894, served seven years and six months. The pulpit is vacant at this time and is filled by supplies, no regular pastor having yet been called.
More recently it was found that more room must be provided, especially for the Bible school equipment and hence twenty-seven feet sold from the original lot was purchased, including the splendid office building upon it. making an ideal annex to the primary department. A handsome parsonage property at No. 405 East Vine street, acquired by the will of Mrs. Mattie Parker, gives the pastor a comfortable home.
In passing, it should be added that about two thousand persons have been identified, one time and another, with this Baptist church. The largest mem- bership was five hundred and forty-seven a few years since, but on account of death, removals and withdrawals it has been reduced to four hundred and eighty-two. Twenty-two pastors have served this church and many stated supplies. But four pastors have served five years or more, with three years and a half as the average pastorate.
The churches of the Baptist denomination in Knox county aside from Mt. Vernon city, are the following: Amity, D. M. Pressley, pastor, thirty mem- bers. Brandon church, membership not given in report. Fredericktown, D. M. Pressley, pastor, one hundred and seventy-two members. Hopewell, D. M. Pressley, pastor, eighty-two members. Owl Creek church, C. F. Ransbottom, pastor, one hundred and seventy members.
FREDERICKTOWN BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Baptist church at Fredericktown has a membership of one hundred and seventy. Its history, as compiled a few years since, is as follows :
"The Fredericktown Baptist church was organized March 17, 1838, by Elder John Thomas and was known then as the Old School, but in 1842 it changed to the New School or Regular Missionary Baptist. At the time of its organization its membership numbered only five: Jacob Mitchell, Asa Col- grove, Mary H. Struble, Mary B. Wright and Miriam B. Corbin. Meetings were then held in the old Methodist house of worship every Saturday. During the pastorate of Elder David E. Thomas in 1839 and 1840, a great many others joined the little band who had organized the work here.
In 1841 Elder H. B. Fuller took up the work and it was at this time that the need of a church of their own was felt. This need, however, was not satisfied until 1848, the first meeting being held in the new building on the third Saturday and Sunday in October of that year. The lot on which the
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new church was erected was purchased for the sum of one hundred dollars, which amount was willed to the church by H. H. Struble.
The church moved steadily forward until after the war, when, under the pastorate of W. B. Watson from 1866 to 1871, it was greatly revived and blessed. During his stay here the church building was remodeled and the church was in splendid condition for effective work. It continued to prosper and became the largest and most influential church in the town. This season of prosperity was unfortunately interrupted by serious troubles which arose in the church, the evil effect of which was felt for a long time."
About 1891 a new building was needed and operation set on foot for the building of one in which the society worships now. The old church was sold for one thousand two hundred dollars and the new one placed on the same lot as was the old one. The new church cost eight thousand dollars, of which there were some one thousand and some eight hundred dollar subscriptions. A parsonage worth two thousand dollars was also provided. In 1907 there had been twenty-six pastors at Fredericktown Baptist church, including John Thomas, David E. Thomas, H. B. Fuller, A. M. Mather; J. D. Miller, E. D. Thomas, Amos Pratt, A. J. Buell, J. B. Sacket, Dr. J. Hall, Benjamin Tulloss, J. W. Miller, W. B. Watson, D. B. Simons, B. Y. Siegfried, A. E. Anderson, J. T. Lewis, J. M. Lockhart, I. C. Tuttle, J. A. Kirkpatrick, H. A. Nixon, C. F. Ralston, C. A. Cutler, B. G. Bowman, J. W. James, H. F. Cheeney. The present pastor is Rev. D. M. Pressley.
The Baptist church in Butler township was the first organization there. It was formed in April, 1841, by Elder L. Gilbert. A neat frame chapel was erected in the southeastern part of the township and in 1880 the society was composed of twenty-six communicants.
Riley chapel (Baptist) was erected in 1875, in the northeastern part of the township.
In Clay township the Baptist people organized a church May 14, 1846, with a membership of twelve. Rev. D. D. Walden was the first pastor.
In Miller township, in the fall of 1856, Elder Raymond, of the Baptist denomination, held a series of meetings at Brandon and then organized a church in January, 1857. Among the members were Emor B. Harris, Isaac Stull, Phillip Stull, J. H. Davis, H. C. Welch, A. M. Welch, and Rodham Tulloss. In the spring of 1857 the society purchased the church formerly owned by the Presbyterians.
The Owl Creek Baptist church, of Morgan township, was organized in 1809, by Rev. Amos Mix. Up to 1842 the society worshiped in a log church, after which a good frame building was built at the cost of six hundred dol- lars. February 4, 1866, a brick edifice was constructed at the expense of four thousand two hundred dollars. For many years this Baptist society was
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looked upon as the strongest in membership and wealth of any in the county of Knox. It was organized with twelve members and by 1880 had on its rolls in good standing, one hundred and ninety-six names. Many revival seasons have been held in this church and from forty to sixty added at different times as a result. A parsonage was built in 1858. The present membership is one hundred and seventy.
Wayne Baptist church, of Wayne township, was organized in 1810, hence is among the oldest societies in Knox county. It was originally known as the "Old School" church, and it was located on Owl creek in the Jersey set- tlement. The Lewis family and a few more were instrumental in perfecting this pioneer organization. A Mr. Ackerman, an old Revolutionary soldier, was among the charter members. A rude church was erected in 1815. It was made from native lumber sawed in a near-by saw mill. This building was never fully completed, however. The seats always remained puncheon, as was the floor. It served until 1837, when a better church was provided. One peculiarity of that church society seemed to be that they did not believe much in Sabbath schools.
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