USA > Ohio > The Church of the Brethren in northeastern Ohio > Part 3
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Early in the nineteenth century (1800-1825) Brethren families from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and a few from Maryland settled in Ashland County. Later they were joined by a number of families from Columbiana and Stark counties in eastern Ohio. Among the pioneers these family names loom large: Hess, Witmer, Kilhefner, Plank, Foss, Burkholder, Dickey, Roop, Stone, Clark, Baum, Brubaker, Myers, Deshong, Willis, Peck, Showalter, Workman, Moher- man, McQuate, Hershey, Thomas, Hiller, Scott, Zimmerman, Weaver, Weidler, Gault, Harper, Hoke, Parker, Schmucker, Tracey, and Garver.
At first, as was characteristic of the Brethren in other sections of the country, members of the church met in homes for preaching services and the observance of the love feast. Since the latter service then lasted all day, lunch was served by the family in whose home the service was held. This
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arrangement met a social as well as a spiritual need. The preaching in those days was done by spiritual men who gave of their time, talent, and means to further the Lord's work. They traveled to their appointments on horseback; often several days were required to make a trip. Their efforts were fruitful, for in a comparatively short time three mission points were established. These points were named for the communi- ties in which they were located, namely Loudonville (Plum Run), Ashland (Dickey), and Maple Grove. Because of the increased number of appointments and the difficulty of traveling from one point to another, it was deemed wise to divide the countywide membership into three congregations. These congregations were given their original names. Loudonville (Plum Run) was organized in 1856. The Ashland Dickey and Maple Grove churches were organized in the spring of 1860.
The history of the Ashland Dickey church as a separate, organized congregation dates from the spring of 1860. Elias Dickey was chosen as the first presiding elder. Other elders living in the congregation at the time of organization were Jacob Garver, Joseph Rittenhouse, and Morgan Workman. Ministers living in the congregation at the time of organiza- ton, who no doubt assisted in the work, were Joseph Showalter, Isaac Kilhefner, George Hoke, David Witmer, Henry Kilhefner, Moses Weaver, Elias Dickey, I. D. Parker, James Tracey, Isaac Schmucker, D. N. Workman, and Daniel Peck.
Seven years before the congregation was organized, the first church house was built in the summer of 1853. According to the court record the property was deeded to three deacons of the German Baptist Church on June 20, 1856, by Elias Dickey and his wife for the sum of fifty dollars. The building now in use, located four miles southeast of Ashland, was built in 1877. On Sunday, October 21, 1945, a rededication and homecoming service was held, President V. F. Schwalm of Manchester College preaching the sermon. In the afternoon, W. H. Miley, the pastor of the church, spoke on Rededication of Ashland Dickey Church of the Brethren. This all-day meeting was a great occasion in the life of the Ashland Dickey church.
Resident ministers who served the church in the free
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ministry were Elias Dickey, Joseph Showalter, Moses Weaver, David Witmer, George Hoke, Henry Kilhefner, I. D. Parker, Isaac Kilhefner, D. N. Workman, W. F. England, T. S. Moherman, Isaac Schmucker, and Daniel Peck. The following were elected to the ministry by the church: W. F. England, October 1886; T. S. Moherman, October 1886; David Weidler, October 1897; Martin Helm. Brethren England and Moherman were advanced in 1894 and ordained in 1904.
The roll of deacons elected shows the following names: A. A. Moherman, Leander Thomas, A. E. Zimmerman, W. C. Sample, Ira Witmer, H. F. Woods, Howard Hess, Frank McNaull, Ralph Thomas, Clarence Thomas, and J. M. Smith.
Until 1907, when T. S. Moherman became pastor, the congregation was served by a free ministry. He was followed in 1908 by S. U. Snavely, who served until 1910. W. D. Keller became pastor in 1911, and was followed by W. L. Desenberg in 1918. In 1921, Ora DeLauter began a twelve-year term of service. From 1933 to 1943, Charles Helm was our pastor. He was followed by Fels Lam in 1943. W. H. Miley was called to this parish in 1944.
The first Sunday school was organized in 1873. There was a little opposition at first, but this was soon overcome as the spiritual value of the project became evident. D. N. Workman and I. D. Parker were the first superintendents. In those days there were no denominational or interdenominational helps available. Brother Parker worked out a course of lessons to be used, which, no doubt, were very helpful to those who were teachers.
The first revival meeting was held in the church in 1878, the winter following the building of the present church house. Jesse Calvert, of Warsaw, Indiana, was the evangelist. As a result of his forceful preaching of the Word, sixty-five souls were born into the Kingdom and the church. Evangelism was now established in the church at Ashland Dickey. Among the many evangelists who held revivals in the church are the following: Isaiah Rarick, Aaron Heestand, C. O. Beery, G. A. Snider, George Flory, J. J. Anglemyer, H. C. Early, W. D. Keller, D. R. McFadden, Quincy Leckrone, and Ora DeLauter. The church has been blessed because of these and other ministers who preached the gospel with spiritual power.
The following organizations are found among the activities
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of the church: Christian workers, 1911; B.Y.P.D., 1925; men's work, 1935; women's work, 1940.
It is apparent that missions have not been neglected in this congregation. In 1916, Goldie Swartz went to India to teach the gospel; in 1955 she retired after nearly forty years of work there. Nigeria was the field which was selected by Clara Harper in 1926; she retired in 1960.
For an account of a very significant event which took place in the Ashland Dickey church, we quote from an article by Grace Hess.
Just 99 years ago (1854) the Annual Conference was held at the beautiful farm home of Elder Elias Dickey and wife, located about a mile south of the church.
Traveling in those days was done largely by horse and buggy or wagon, so the attendance was not so large as in more recent years. Nevertheless much planning was required on the part of all who were in charge of the various committees: food, cooking equipment, lodging, transportation, feed for horses, etc. I remember distinctly of hearing how at least part of the matter of feed for the horses was handled. Brother Dickey invited all who cared to do so to turn their horses into a large clover field just south of the barn - so they too received a large share of his generous hospitality.
The churches of the district helped by bringing their own table service, cooking utensils, and last, but not least, plenty of food. It must have been a gigantic task, but so far as we know, all went smoothly and in true "Brethren style."
The 1914 history of Northeastern Ohio states that the attendance at this meeting was twenty thousand people.
On October 4, 1953, the Ashland Dickey church observed in a special service a church house centennial.
Since Brother Miley terminated his pastorate in 1953, the following have been with us as pastors: Claudius Pyles, 1954- 1956; Orlin Frey, 1956-1958; A. B. Pierson, 1958-1961. Durward Hays, the present pastor, came to us in 1961.
In the fall of 1956 we sponsored a German refugee family, Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Kohn and their three sons. We provided them food, furniture, and a place to live until they were able to find employment. They come back to visit us occasionally and to worship with us; on one of their visits they furnished us special music, which we deeply appreciated.
In the spring of 1958 we started a building project. Our
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new facilities provide classrooms, an assembly room, two restrooms, and a modern kitchen.
One of our members recently donated the material for new hardwood floors in the sanctuary and in the adjoining room to the rear.
Several years ago the children of one of our former leading members gave, as a memorial to their parents, a sum of money to be used toward a new baptistry which will be installed in the near future. Other gifts of money have been received.
The Ashland Dickey Church
Some have been specified to be used for certain purposes, while others have simply been designated for use where most needed. We are greatly appreciative of these gifts and all other expressions of goodwill and feel that God will continue to bless all our efforts so long as they are in accordance with His will.
It has been our custom for a number of years to observe what we call family night on the second Tuesday of each quarter. The purpose of these meetings is to promote a deeper spirit of fellowship, and we are happy that the result has been most gratifying. On these occasions each family brings a
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well-filled basket and all gather around the table and enjoy the meal together, satisfying the need for both food and fellowship.
Plans are being made for the dedication of our recently purchased organ. The music committee has arranged for special music and we are looking forward to an evening of real spiritual refreshment. William Sample of the Ashland City church is invited to be the guest organist for the occasion.
THE ASHLAND FIRST CHURCH
S. Z. Sharp became a pathfinder of our church when, on May 22, 1879, he helped a group that met in the Ashland Col- lege chapel become an organized congregation. Forty-three members were recruited from the Maple Grove and Dickey churches. A year earlier a Sunday school had been organized with one hundred enrolled. A juvenile weekly called Our Sunday was published, reaching a circulation of six thousand. Everything went along smoothly until the division within the Brotherhood in 1882 when the Progressive Brethren broke away, taking the college with them. The church had to disband, with the membership returning to the mother churches.
There is a strength in the flame of man's spirit. There is a love that never fails. After several unsuccessful attempts, the candle of faith was again lighted on January 9, 1914, when sixty persons met in the home of Brother and Sister Cassel, who were living at 908 Orange Street. The Evangelicals having built a new church and their old church property being for sale, this meeting was called to consider the purchase of that property. Walter D. Keller and W. L. Desenberg presided over the meeting, with C. E. Copeland acting as secretary. After considerable discussion, a motion was passed to purchase the property and a committee was selected to solicit funds. Maple Grove and Dickey approved of the action, giving their sanction on April 8 and 11 respectively. Soon four thousand dollars was raised and, on April 25, 1914, the committee purchased the property, paying three thousand dollars.
Christianity may have some placid times, but it is a flame. There is power in it. In a called meeting, August 26, 1914, an
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organization was effected, with T. S. Moherman as chairman and P. A. Bailey as secretary. Byron Wolf was elected treasurer and G. A. Cassel Sunday-school superintendent, with a Sunday-school board composed of M. L. Dilgard, O. C. Roberts, and James Simanton. One hundred copies of Kingdom Songs were ordered. The first service was held in September 1914, with Walter D. Keller preaching to the one hundred persons present. Again the membership was recruited from members of the Maple Grove and Dickey churches then living in the city. Kate Shidler gave the church its first piano.
A building committee reported in July 1915, with no action being taken. On August 16, 1915, the church asked to be made a separate congregation. It selected the name, First Church of the Brethren, and requested recognition by the district, sending P. A. Bailey and G. A. Cassel as delegates to the district con- ference.
Following the district meeting, A. I. Heestand came to the church on August 27, 1915, to help organize the newly recog- nized congregation. T. S. Moherman and W. L. Desenberg were chosen to be the presiding officers, and P. A. Bailey the church clerk. Trustees were John Clark, Sr., Harry Aten, and E. H. Roberts. Other officers selected were Montis L. Dilgard, financial clerk, M. B. Wolf, treasurer, O. C. Roberts, Harvey Kyle, and James Simanton, the Sunday-school board; and six ushers, Jay Roberts being designated as the head usher.
On May 3, 1916, the First church was recognized as an in- dependent congregation by the district. For a while, local ministers and nearby elders supplied the pulpit. More room being needed soon, on September 17, 1916, a house east of the church was purchased at a cost of $2,550.00, primarily for Sun- day-school purposes. Quincy Leckrone became the first pastor on November 1, 1916, with an annual salary of five hundred dollars plus house rent. He continued with the congregation for three years.
On August 25, 1925, J. Perry Prather, who had just been graduated from the Yale Divinity School, assumed the pas- torate. During his more than eight years here, two hundred forty members were added to the church. He organized one of the first young married people's classes in the state, was the adult adviser of the district C.B.Y.F., and was elected vice- president of the Ohio Council of Religious Education. The
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dissensions of many years' standing were healed. During the depression of 1933, a large two-story house west of the church was purchased and readied for the children's department; it was dedicated on November 12, 1933. During that year one hun- dred five persons were received into the church by baptism and by letter. D. R. McFadden held a two-week meeting in January 1933, with seventy additions resulting. There were thirteen different baptismal services during that year. Brother Prather moved to the pastorate of the First church, Dayton, on No- vember 13.
C. H. Deardorff was our pastor from 1934 to 1940. Under his supervision, a new sanctuary, church-school rooms, and a modern basement were added to the old edifice at a cost of $21,685.00. That figure did not include thousands of dollars in labor donated by the membership. Mowry & Sons were the contractors. Mrs. Helen Norris was the artist and donor of the baptistry scene, and Mr. Spiro the artist and donor of the chancel painting, Christ in the Garden. The building was dedicated on November 19, 1939. This occasion was followed by a two-week revival meeting with J. Perry Prather preach- ing; forty-one people united with the church.
On August 1, 1952, Bernard King, a graduate of Bethany Biblical Seminary, became our pastor. During his pastorate of five years, considerable groundwork was done toward develop- ing plans for a proposed new church-school annex. The parsonage was modernized at a cost of five thousand dollars.
On December 6, 1957, J. Perry Prather became the pastor of the Ashland church for a second time, after a lapse of nearly twenty-five years. On January 19, 1958, a definite movement was launched to secure funds for the new building project. Twenty-four thousand dollars was pledged by thirty families present at a meeting called to consider finances. The building committee, composed of Harold Leiter (chairman), Ethel Jack- son (secretary), and Lorena Newman, Robert Mowry, Merle Griner, Ray Fackler, and Devon Higgins, who had previously conferred with Arthur Dean, our Brotherhood church building counselor, called in Lawrence Russell, a local architect. A recommendation for action was prepared and presented to the council on April 17, 1958. The building committee was author- ized to make a contract with Mr. Russell and proceed to draw up plans for consideration by the congregation.
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On January 15, 1959, the council approved the plans pre- sented. The architect then let them out for bids, which were returned by March 5. The bids of the Wheeler Construction Company, the Scott Plumbing and Heating Company, and the J. G. Moyer & Sons Electrical Company, totaling $97,688.31, were accepted. The building committee, in conference with the finance board and the trustees, submitted to the congregation,
The Ashland First Church
on Sunday, March 15, 1959, a proposition to sign contracts and begin building; it was accepted by a ninety-three percent vote of the church.
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on April 5, 1959, following the morning worship. A turning plow, to which a rope was attached, was used, with fifty people from the various departments taking hold to pull it. Construction progressed rapidly. The kitchen was modernized and the auditorium and the adjoining church-school rooms were completely redecorat- ed. The total cost of the project was one hundred fifteen thousand dollars with memorial gifts of more than ten thousand dollars in value added.
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On Sunday, February 7, 1960, dedication services were held with William M. Beahm, dean of Bethany Biblical Seminary, preaching the sermon and Pastor Prather in charge of the services. That evening seven were baptized.
The seven pastors who have served the congregation during the past fifty years are Quincy Leckrone, November 1, 1916, to 1920; S. G. Greyer, September 1, 1922, to June 1, 1925; J. Perry Prather, August 25, 1925, to November 12, 1933; C. H. Deardorff, 1934 to 1940; J. C. Inman, 1941 to 1951; George Sheets (interim), 1951 to August 1, 1952; Bernard King, August 1, 1952, to August 1, 1957; George Sheets (interim), August 1 to December 1, 1957; J. Perry Prather, December 6, 1957, to the present.
The presiding elders have been S. Z. Sharp, 1878 to 1882; W. L. Desenberg and T. S. Moherman, 1914 to 1917; district committees, 1917 to 1924; G. A. Snider, 1925 to 1930; C. H. Deardorff, 1930 to 1940; S. P. Early, 1940 to 1945; F. Blake Million, 1946 to date. Serving as church clerks have been C. E. Copeland; P. A. Bailey (for many years); Leo Witmer; Hazel Fike; Roger Hiller; Leola Emmens, 1938 to 1962; Marjorie Karth, 1962 to date.
Following are some things worthy of mention: Three native sons have been called to the ministry: George Sheets, 1942; Donald Leiter, 1952; Richard Reinke, 1958. Three daughters of the congregation have gone to the mission fields: Goldie Swartz, in India for almost forty years; Clara Harper, in Nigeria for thirty-four years - supported by our church for many years; and June Heestand Wolfe (Mrs. Claude), in Ecuador from 1948 to 1951 and at this date in Bolivia with her husband and family under the Peace Corps of the United States government.
Others of our members have rendered these services, which have added to the Kingdom's outreach: Robert Carter, civilian public service; Philson Carter, 1-W; Charles Reinke, 1-W; Paul Fackler, work camp and cattleboat to Greece; Robert Kreider, work camp and cattleboat to Greece; Evelyn Shafer, Brethren volunteer service at Falfurrias, Texas; William Sample, Breth- ren volunteer service work camp at Mills Mountain, Virginia; Richard Reinke, summer work camp in Puerto Rico; and, at this time, Geraldine Martin, a nurse, on a two-year mission as a Brethren volunteer worker in Nigeria. Two German exchange students lived with families in our parish during the 1950's. In 1956, a German refugee family consisting of five children and
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their mother was sponsored by our congregation; all the mem- bers of this family have united with the church.
From the beginning, women have played a vital part in the life of the First church. First as the ladies' aid society, later as women's work, and today as the women's fellowship, they are organized into three circles known as the Cora Bailey Circle, the Clara Cassel Circle, and the Anna Desenberg Circle - named for three charter members of the church. During the recent building project, the women's fellowship directed the modernizing of the kitchen and paid for the same at a cost of more than four thousand dollars. The men's fellowship, also, has rendered untold services in both building projects men- tioned above.
The church school has always had a vital place in our church life. Superintendents serving during the fifty years have been G. A. Cassel, O. C. Roberts, Leo Witmer, U. S. Kreider, Clifford Friend, Perry Heestand, Russell Bollinger, Merle Griner, and Harold Leiter, who has worked in this capacity for more than twenty years.
The department of music is of recent development. The first senior choir was led by William Heisey in 1935, and the first girls' choir was directed by Hazel Fike in 1938. The organ was installed as a memorial to Clara and G. A. Cassel in 1951. In 1961, memorial chimes were given by relatives of the Heestands, the Griners, and the Desenbergs in memory of loved ones.
The church has always been conscious of her youth. The first Sunday evening meetings were held during Brother Prather's earlier pastorate. An active B.Y.P.D., as youth work was then known, was organized about 1935 by Nellie Desenberg. With the construction of the new church-school annex, a fellowship hall and other facilities were provided for young people and their friends - a room they could call their own, furnished to their own taste and paid for by their departments. A strong spiritual and recreational program was brought to a high point by Eileen and Devon Higgins. Our aim is to help youth find "the Way" in Christ.
In October 1958, we were incorporated as a church with Henry Tinker as chairman and Ethel Jackson as secretary.
Finally, we feel that we have been richly blest of God, and that the First church is in a very prosperous condition,
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both spiritually and financially. We pay high tribute to our present minister and his wife for their leadership extending over more than fourteen years. Although only a few of the high points of the past fifty years could be mentioned and few persons have been named, all others who have worked in any capacity merit our sincere thanks for their faithful service to Christ and His church.
THE BALTIC CHURCH
The Baltic church had its beginning sometime near 1805. It was organized by pioneer Brethren, most of whom came from Westmoreland, Fayette, and Somerset counties in Pennsylvania. Being without a church in which to worship, they held services in their homes in rotation. Many of these services lasted almost all day. Love feasts were also held in the homes. Among these early Brethren, according to the 1914 district history, were "Frederick Domer, Joseph Cherryhomes, George Mizer, George Harshinan, Michael Domer, George Domer, John Burger, Gabriel Neff, John Sheidler, Abe Hixon, Jacob Domer, John Penrod, George Garver, Barney Miller, Daniel Liub, Jacob Burger, George Long, John Frantz, Peter Neff and Amos Hixson."
Originally this church was called Sugarcreek. The name was changed to Baltic on May 24, 1918, in order to avoid confusing this congregation with another of the same name in Northwestern Ohio.
Some of the early experiences of the Baltic church are described in the 1914 history.
Later services were held in a Mennonite church north of Shanesville. Also in the Union church at the south end of Rowsville (Baltic), which was built about 1858.
In 1871 the brethren felt the need of having a church home in which to worship. Brethren John Burger, Michael G. Domer and Peter Neff were appointed a committee on building. Bro. Domer acted as foreman. Through their earnest efforts they secured ground and built a neat little church about one and one-half miles north of Rowsville (Baltic), on what is known as the Christian Fisher farm.
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Love feasts were again alternated, being held in barns (those of Jacob Burger, Michael G. Domer and John Burger). Those were feasts of spiritual things, joyous occasions long to be treasured in memory.
The Union Hill church was built in 1878. Here the United Brethren, the Amish, the Mennonites, the Winebrennerians, and the Brethren worshiped. The Bunker Hill church was built in 1884. In 1898 the present church was built. Quincy Leckrone preached the dedicatory sermon.
Services were also held in the union church at Sugarcreek, beginning in 1904. On August 8, 1955, the Mennonite church paid fifteen thousand dollars for the Brethren's equity in the union house.
At the district meeting of Northeastern Ohio, assembled
The Baltic Church
at Camp Zion, August 30 to September 1, 1955, the members of the Baltic congregation worshiping at Sugarcreek petitioned for and received permission to organize as a congregation separate from Baltic. The group met in the last council meeting with Baltic at the Baltic house on September 2, 1955. That same night the members worshiping at Sugarcreek approved the building plans for a new church house.
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