USA > Ohio > Knox County > Past and present of Knox County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 18
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dred scholars, but soon increased to one hundred and fifty. The Franciscan Sisters remained in charge until June, 1882, when Father Lane bought the Major Sapp property and converted the residence into a convent for the Sis- ters. Then came the Sisters of St. Dominic from Columbus, Ohio, remaining two years. Then came the good Sisters of Charity from Nazareth, Ken- tucky, in August, 1884, and still continue in charge.
The old frame building was fast going to decay and in June, 1890, ground was broken for a new school building. December 24, 1890, the con- tractors turned the building over to the pastor in a completed condition. The following month school opened in the new building, which had cost thirteen thousand dollars. By the work of the faithful pastor, Father Mulhane, it soon became a free school, with a course of ten years and later increased to eleven-year course of study. The school grew wonderfully, but it was soon seen that more room must be obtained. In January, 1909, plans were secured and approved by the state for the erection of an addition. The building was dedicated January 1, 1910, which was just nineteen years after the pastor had blessed the original building. The entire building has cost about thirty thou- sand dollars. It is well furnished and has all things modern, including a good library. Here are three departments, primary, grammar and high school, with special departments in music and a course in sewing. This institution is a blessing to the church and to the world as well.
CATHOLIC CEMETERIES.
October 15, 1849, Dr. Louis R. Porter deeded to Bishop Purcell a small tract of land immediately north of the city cemetery, for the use of St. Vin- cent de Paul's congregation. The Doctor was finally buried in this sacred spot, after a long and useful life in Mt. Vernon where he practiced medicine.
The new cemetery of this congregation was imperative, as the old one was well filled with the remains of the departed dead. The new plot is imme- diately to the west of the former grounds. This was purchased April 14, 1894, at one thousand six hundred dollars. This is known as Calvary ceme- tery. The first burial here was the five-year-old son of Robert B. Anawalt, on lot No. 132. This cemetery has been finely improved and cared for. Nothing bespeaks higher sentiment for any community than to note that they care for their departed dead.
ST. LUKE'S PARISH, DANVILLE.
The first Catholic church formed within the limits of Knox county was the Danville church, St. Luke's. The early history of this and of St. Vincent
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de Paul's are closely connected, as for many years the same priest adminis- tered to the spiritual needs of both congregations. The pioneer settlers of the Catholic faith, for the most part, were in Union township, and they included George Sapp, Sr., Elias Arnold, David Logsdon, Samuel Durbin, Sr., Thomas White and wife. Catherine Sapp, Mrs. David Rogue, Benjamin Durbin and wife and Isaac Dial. To this little band history gives the credit and high honor of forming the second Catholic organization in Ohio, the first being St. Joseph's, at Somerset, Ohio. The Catholics at the Sapp settlement in this county were largely from Maryland. Their first church was constructed of logs, and was built in 1822, ninety years ago. George Sapp, Sr., donated the land for the church and cemetery. The first priest to visit the Catholics at this point was Father Fenwick. About 1828 Father O'Leary attended the parish regularly once each month. He was succeeded by Father Alleman, remaining until 1839, when came the first resident priest, Father Lamy. who at once set about building a frame church building, which still stands after the storms of so many decades. It was dedicated November 15, 1840. Father Lamy was followed by Father Brent, who remained twenty- three years, serving Mt. Vernon also part of the time, and in 1874 removed to that place. In 1876 came Father Moitrier and he built a brick edifice, much of the work being performed and superintended by himself. This was dedi- cated in the summer of 1877, and was called by Bishop Rosecrans "The Gem of the Diocese." Father Moitrier resigned in 1888 and for ten months Father Mulhane. of Mt. Vernon, had charge. August 1, 1889, Rev. William Mc- Dermott. the present pastor. was appointed and made many needed improve- ments in and about the church.
March 10, 1895, the church met with a severe blow, for it was then that the fire destroyed the neat church, the same being reduced to ashes. This building was out a mile from Danville, but when the new and present-day church edifice was erected it was built in Danville. It is one of the very finest churches in the state and is indeed an ornament to Knox county. It will, doubtless, stand long years as a monument to the faithful work of Father McDermott.
The present membership of this congregation is five hundred and twenty- five.
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST ( DISCIPLES).
What is now generally known as the Church of Christ, or Christian church, and sometimes Disciples church, was originally the Campbellite church, founded by Alexander Campbell. Nearly a third of a century ago there were fifteen organizations of this denomination within the limits of this county. It
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is a matter of record that the first church of this denomination in Ohio was organized in Jackson township, Knox county, in August, 1828, just before which date Alexander Campbell ( founder), with his co-laborers, had been zealously at work in this and adjoining states. A few copies of his "Millennial Harbinger" were circulated in this township, and carefully read and proved to be as good seed sown in the right kind of soil, for indeed the harvest has been great
This first Ohio Disciples church was formed by Elijah Harris, Wash- ington Houck and John Wheeler with their wives. Rev. Charles Van Voorhes, the first preacher they engaged, was with the society many years.
Another Disciples church was formed and known as the Dennis chapel, in the southwestern part of Jackson township, organized in about 1830. William D. Beatty and George Eley were the first elders there. James Porter was first pastor and continued until 1839, when he was succeeded by Rev. Charles Van Voorhes. The society started with twenty members and in 1881 had reached almost a hundred. Two small church buildings were provided this church before 1880, both small frames. The church is still doing good work in this section of Ohio; the present minister is N. T. Sims.
In Liberty township the Disciples church was organized in 1830, by Rev. Daniel Long. For a number of years they occupied, jointly, a building erected for the use of all denominations. Finally, the Disciples outgrew the other denominations thereabouts and it came to be styled the "Christian church." Long years since this society went down-in the seventies sometime -for various reasons.
In 1830 what was styled then the Christian church was organized by Isaac N. Walter, in Miller township, this county. Among its leading mem- bers then were Simon A. Bagley, Daniel Rowley, Leonard Simons and Enos Barnes. This soon came to be one of the leading institutions within the town- ship. In 1832 a house was erected on the present site of the Brandon Metho- dist Episcopal church. It was destroyed by a terrific tornado in 1854. In 1858 another building was erected a mile and a half west of Brandon and called Sugar Grove church.
In 1833. Harry Ashley, of this denomination, organized a church in the southeast part of Miller township, and meetings were held in school house No. I until 1844, when they built a church, called Fairview. There Rev. J. W. Marvin served as pastor for twenty-seven years. In 1880 it was called the largest society of this denomination in the township, having sixty-three mem- bers.
In Harrison township, in 1832, a small log church was built by the Dis- ciples (then called Campbellites), which building stood on land donated by
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Nathaniel Ross. Ross and Harrod Riggs with a few more organized the church at that place. From this pioneer work finally came the Union Grove church, built in 1841. It was a frame house on section 15 and was for many years used by a !! denominations.
In Milford township, it is claimed by some that the first church in that locality was the Disciples organization, as early as 1824, which is probably in error, 1828 being as early as such churches could have been formed in this county. It is claimed James Smith formed the supposed first church there. In 1833. however, in this township was organized by Henry Ashley a Disciples church at the school house near the Five Corners. The work progressed here . several years. Harris Hawkins and Steven Hawkins with John Stevens were among the members. Since 1839 there has been no such work in the township.
The Disciples church at Jelloway was formed in 1836, by Elders John Dawson and John McElroy. It was on or near the Little Jelloway creek, in the western part of Howard township. At the time of the organization of the church there were but thirteen members. A church building was erected in 1839 and it was used until 1871, when a new one took its place. A cemetery was located near this church building. In about 1879 the society had a mem- bership of about one hundred members. These people now mostly worship at Howard.
In Pike township the second church formed was the Disciples of Christ, in 1840, by Elder John Gordon. Meetings were held at private houses, and supply preachers taught them the way of life. In 1850 a frame church was erected and was used until 1880, when it was torn down. The society was not in good harmony, one with the other, many removed and the work went down.
In Brown township this denomination was early in the field. Revs. James Marvin and James Hughes were the pioneer preachers of the "New Light" faith.
In Clay township the Disciples were not in as early as other sects of religionists, but in 1876 they organized a church. James E. Harris was chosen the first preacher.
The Mount Vernon Christian church was organized January 31, 1850. The charter members were R. R. Sloan, Samuel Rhinehart, Eli Miller, Samuel B. Doty, John Boyd, Harriet T. Holmes, William Babcock, Malinda Richards and Elizabeth Rhinehart. Mr. Sloan, besides being a minister of the gospel, served as president of the Mt. Vernon Ladies' Seminary and through his efforts the first lots were purchased for church purposes for the denomina- tion in the city of Mt. Vernon, this being in 1853. A church was built and dedicated on March 13th of that year. He remained with the church until 1866 and moved to Cleveland. About 1890 the church was repaired and partly
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rebuilt, at an expense of three thousand five hundred dollars and the pipe organ put in place. Rev. Albert B. Williams served as pastor from April, 1893, to April 1, 1900; he passed from earth in the autumn of 1911, greatly beloved by the people of all denominations in Knox county. He preached one thousand thirty-three sermons, added two hundred and eighty members to this church in the city and one hundred and thirty elsewhere, during the period just mentioned above. He paid off most of the debt of the church and married fifty- three couples, besides attending sixty funerals in the county.
The church is now agitating the question of building a new church on Vine street where the present church is located and it has always been desig- nated as the Vine Street church. The pastors have been : R. R. Sloan, from 1850; R. Moffet, from January 22, 1865 ; L. F. Biddle, from September, 1870, to 1872 ; then came J. H. Garvin up to 1875; L. Southmayed from 1875 to 1878; Morton D. Adams, 1879 to 1881 ; George Musson, 1882 to 1888; J. W. Lowe, 1888 to 1891 ; A. B. Williams, 1893 to 1900; then followed, Kent Pen- dleton, W. A. Roush, L. O. Newcom, and the present pastor (rather, a sup- ply), Dr. Francis.
The plea of the Christian church is for a restoration of the New Testa- ment church as founded by Christ and his apostles.
Besides the Mt. Vernon church of this denomination there are today in Knox county the following organizations, all of which, or nearly all, have comfortable church buildings and a large number of members: The Bell church, of Jackson township; the Bladensburg church, in Jackson township; the Centerburg church, in Hilliar township; the Danville church; the Dennis church, near Bladensburg; the Howard church, in Howard township; the Grove church, in Monroe township; the Martinsburg church, in the village of Martinsburg; the Messiah church, in Monroe township; the Millwood churches, First and Second; the Palmyra church, in Berlin township; the Waterford church; the Brinkhaven church.
The First Christian church at Danville, Ohio, was organized April 20, 1834, by Elder James Hays, with four persons as charter members, as fol- lows: Daniel Sapp, William Robinson, Jr., Mrs. Elizabeth Robinson and William Shaw. The membership soon increased to one hundred and fifty-two, and enjoyed a large degree of prosperity, varying at different times, as other churches. At this date it is very prosperous, financially and spiritually. The building is a modern frame structure, well heated and ventilated, and insured to the amount of two thousand dollars. The value of property is estimated at three thousand dollars. Among the pastors who have served may be recalled Revs. James Hays, who served from 1834 to 1836; John McIntire, 1836-7; John Gilmore, 1837-8; James Marvin, 1838-40; James Hays, serving most of
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the time from 1843 to 1847. Others followed and the present is Rev. F. B. Richey, who is doing excellent work.
The Centerburg Christian church was organized at Centerburg, Decem- ber 20, 1872. by Rev. Mills Harrod. The following was written by the present pastor of the church :
This is a part of the larger body known as "The Christian Church," or the "Christians," which had its origin about 1792. It takes simply the name and admits to its fellowship anyone who professes to love the Lord Jesus, and is striving to realize a Christianlike character in himself. It aims at a broad fellowship among the various churches.
The Centerburg organization held its public meetings for the most part in the Free-will Baptist meeting house until 1879, when a neat frame church was erected on lot No. 119, largely through the efforts of John and Rebecca Armstrong, who also donated the lot, and later one hundred and sixty acres of land. The cost of the first building was one thousand seven hundred dol- lars. It was dedicated the second Sabbath in September, 1879, Rev. A. L. McKinney officiating. On September 26, 1909, at 11 :25 A. M., while the pastor was concluding the morning sermon, Master Ford Hicks rushed in at the front door and gave the warning that the church was on fire, the same finally totally destroying the building, and that without insurance. The fire was raging over the heads of the congregation while they were listening to the sermon. Those who were saved from an awful fate will ever vote thanks to the little hero. For nearly two years the Presbyterian people across the street allowed this congregation to worship in their house. January 30, 1911, a magnificent new veneer brick edifice was dedicated. It is fifty-four by fifty- five feet with a basement thirty-two by fifty-five. The church and furnishings are all modern. Its cost was eight thousand five hundred dollars. The dedi- catory sermon was preached by Rev. J. F. Burnett, D. D., of Dayton. The present membership is sixty-three. The pastors serving here have been : Revs. Mills Harrod, A. C. Hanger, W. A. Dobyns, S. A. Hutchinson, G. D. Black, H. J. Duckworth, G. C. Hill, C. E. Luck, F. H. Peters, S. S. Main, R. R. Shoemaker. A. D. Mann. and the present pastor, B. F. Hoagland, who is serving his fourth year.
THE BRETHREN CHURCHES.
What was once improperly styled the Tunkers or Dunkard denomination, but later called rightfully the German Baptist church, is now legally known as the Brethren church. There are three or more such organizations in Knox county, some of which have failed to respond to the historian's call for nec-
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essary data, hence cannot here be given. But at Ankeneytown, that venerable old servant of the Lord, Isaac Leedy, though very aged and almost blind, has sent notes from which the compiler of this chapter has been able to formulate the following about the origin and history of the work in the neighborhood of Ankeneytown.
As to the sometimes misunderstood origin of this denomination, it should be stated that its founder, so far as men are concerned, was a German named Alexander Mock. born in 1679. He was of the Presbyterian faith and a strong Calvinist. By trade he was miller. Being dissatisfied with the faith of his fathers, he with his wife and six more persons were immersed in the river Ader, Germany. They were soon persecuted and found their way to Ger- mantown, Pennsylvania, in 1729, where he died in 1735. Following him came other ministers of the same faith, including Peter Becker and others, who founded churches in the East and some as far west as the Pacific coast. In 1836 the annual conference of this church changed the name to the Ger- man Baptist and this caused much trouble among the sect, as it also carried with it some changes in creed. Division after division arose over this matter and in 1858 such a division arose in the Owl Creek church in Knox county, Ohio, which was located in north Knox and southern Richland coun- ties. Sixteen members, under the leadership of Samuel A. Leedy, were ar- raigned before a committee, because they refused to abide by the new actions of the annual conference.
Isaac Leedy and Samuel Whistler were called to the ministry in 1859 and preached only Christ and him crucified without the use of any creed aside from the Bible usages. Hence the church was in some sections known as Leedyites.
In 1881-2 there was a general division throughout the German Baptist fraternity. The split-off sect took the name of Progressive Brethren, and in 1883 three factions of the church met at Dayton, Ohio, and finally agreed on a consolidation and the name adopted was simply the gospel name "Brethren," which it is today. This modern Brethren church reaffirmed the faith of the ancient Brethren, which neither knows nor believes in any man-made church or creed.
What was then known as the German Baptist church was organized in Berlin township, near Ankeneytown, November 22, 1824, by John Moltz- baugh, elder. About 1842, Henry B. Davey and Abraham Leedy were elected to the ministry. A frame building was erected, forty by sixty feet in size, and was finished in 1858. Later as a result of this work, another church was organized for the accommodation of the people of the community of this faith. This was located at North Liberty, Pike township, where a building
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was erected in 1881. In 1880 they had a membership of one hundred and sixty-seven. It was known as Owl Creek congregation of the German Baptist church. The building cost one thousand two hundred dollars.
The Ankeneytown church was organized in 1883 and one at North Lib- erty at the same date. The building could not accommodate the scattered membership, so in 1885 a church house was erected in Ankeneytown, one thousand dollars being donated by Father Isaac Leedy towards the church and parsonage. the latter being built in 1905. The church and its fixtures have cost five thousand three hundred and twenty dollars and the parsonage, near the church, has cost one thousand eight hundred and twenty dollars. Team sheds have recently been erected at the church valued at four hundred and seventy-five dollars.
The annual conference reports show that this denomination has now two hundred and fourteen congregations ; one hundred and seventy-eight churches ; total membership of men and women in this country-East, West, North and . South-of almost twenty thousand communicants.
At Ankenytown the following have served as pastors: R. H. Holsinger, F. Mallot. J. Allen Miller. C. A. Corer, I. D. Bowman, Jesse Calvert, S. B. Gusso. Prof. Kristner. J. L. Kimmel, J. E. Baker, C. S. Bauman, L. W. Ditch, J. C. Beal. N. W. Jennings, A. L. Thomas.
There are also churches of this denomination at Buckeye City and in Brown township.
The first of this denomination in Union township was organized about 1842. The pastor was Joseph Workman. The present membership is about- one hundred and eight. The first church building was built in 1857; the sec- ond one erected in 1870, both frame buildings. The pastors have been as fol- lows: Revs. Joseph Workman, Lias Workman, John L. Workman, John J. Workman, Isaac Ross, who succeeded Peter Konkle, C. J. Workman, J. T. Workman, C. A. Workman.
ST. PAUL'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
(By Rev. William E. Hull.)
The first clergyman of the Episcopal church to come to Ohio was the Rev. Roger Searle, who arrived in the month of February, 1817, and settled at Ashtabula. The second was the Rev. Philander Chase, who came in March of the same year, and after a short time made Worthington his home. They became missionaries with headquarters at the above centers. Mr. Chase soon discovered that several places in the southeastern part of the state were having Episcopal services under the care of the Rev. Joseph Dodderidge, M. D., of Virginia.
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According to notice, "duly given in the public prints and otherwise," the first convention of the church in Ohio met at the house of Dr. Goodale in Columbus, January 5, 1818. The above clergy and ten laymen from six parishes comprised the roll of the convention. At the next convention, held at Worthington, June 3, 1818, consisting of four clergymen and lay delegates from ten parishes, the Rev. Philander Chase was elected the first bishop of the diocese of Ohio, and on the IIth of February was consecrated to that office in the city of Philadelphia.
Bishop Chase returned to Ohio and with indomitable energy and un- flagging zeal took up the herculean task of establishing the church throughout the state. The few clergy, five beside himself at this time, were little more than itinerants. spending about one-half of their time in their home circuits and the other half on the trail from place to place in their section of the state, and often interlapping each other's territory, holding services at homes, court houses, school houses, if there were any, or under the blue dome of the sky or the protecting branches of some giant tree.
Not until the year 1824 do we officially know that any Episcopal church service was held in Knox county. At the seventh annual convention held at Chillicothe November 3-5: 1824, the Rev. Intrepid Morse, minister of St. Paul's, Steubenville, among other official acts, reported visitations at "New Lisbon, Worcester and Mount Vernon, several times (evenings), and bap- tized four children."
The first official record of Bishop Chase holding service in Knox county is from his convention address at Columbus, June 8, 1826, where, under date of July 7, 1825, he reported, "I preached and performed divine service at the home of Mr. Charles Elliott in Knox county." Under date of July 21, 1825, he reported, "Went to Mt. Vernon, where evening service was performed and a sermon preached and a child baptized. Congregation large and attentive," and again under date of August 8, 1825, "At Mt. Vernon in the evening I preached and performed divine service in the court house." The Rev. Samuel Johnson, of Christ church, Cincinnati, also reported among his official acts, "celebrated divine service twice in Mount Vernon."
At this convention the conditional contract, which had been made by Bishop Chase with William Hogg, of Brownsville, Pennsylvania, for eight thousand acres, as a site for the Theological Seminary and Kenyon College, was ratified. This fact, no doubt, brought the tenth annual convention of the diocese to Mt. Vernon and Gambier, meeting September 5th at the former and on the 6th at the latter place. The Rev. Gideon McMillan, of Piqua, and Rev. C. P. Bronson, of Norwalk, each reported services held at Mount Ver- non.
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The Theological Seminary and Kenyon College were moved from Worthington to Gambier, in June, 1828. Harcourt parish, Gambier, had been previously incorporated.
The Rev. William Sparrow, professor of languages in Kenyon College. at the next convention held at Gambier, October 10-1I, 1828, reported, "That he has preached and performed divine service thirty-seven times, in Worthing- ton, Columbus, Berkshire, Gambier and Mount Vernon."
With the year 1829, the life of the organized parish began. The first entry in the records of the first clerk's book still preserved in the parish, under date of June 10, 1829, says :
"Agreeably to a notice, several of the inhabitants of Mount Vernon met at the office of Benjamin S. Brown, Esq., when the following resolutions were adopted, to-wit :
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