USA > Ohio > Clark County > The history of Clark County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, V. 1 > Part 57
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During this year a portion of the church colonized into what is now known as High Street Church, the two charges being supplied by the Rev. Charles Elliott and Rev. Solomon Howard, who was then President of the Ohio Confer- ence High School, located at Springfield. In 1549, Re. Maxwell P. Gaddis was Pastor of the old charge, which received the name of Columbia Street Meth- odist Episcopal Church. At the close of this conference year. notwithstanding the division made the previous year, there was a membership of 446. In 1850. Rev. Maxwell P. Gaddis was continued Pastor. Rev. JJames L. Grover closed a four years' term as Presiding Elder. In 1851. Rev. Granville Moody was Pastor. Rev. Michael Marley, Presiding Elder. In 1852, Rev. Granville MIco- dy: in 1853, Rev. James F. Chalfant: in 1954, Rev. James F. Chalfant: in 1955, Rey. Joseph Newson: in 1856. Rev. Joseph Newson: in 1557. Rev. W. J. Ellsworth; in 1858, Rev. W. J. Ellsworth. This year Rev. James F. Chalfant closed a four years' term as Presiding Elder. In 1859, Rev. M. Dustin was Pastor. In 1860-61, Rev. Charles Ferguson was Pastor. During the confer. ence year. in the summer of 1562, the church having sold the building at the corner of Columbia and Market streets, commenced the erection of another church edifice at the northwest corner of Center and High streets, to which was given the name of Central Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1562, Rev. J. F. Convey was Pastor. This year closed a four years term of Rev. John T. Mitch- ell. as Presiding Elder of what was now called Springfield instead of Urbana District. In 1863-64 and 1565. Rev. S. L. Yourtee was Pastor. In 1566, Rev. J. W. Cassatt became Pastor. Rev. Michael Marley, who had been Presiding Elder of Springfield District for the past three years, died this year of cholera,
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
during the session of conference at Ripley, and the Rev. William Simmons was appointed as Presiding Elder during this conference year. In 1867, Rev. J. W. Cassatt was appointed again to this charge, and the Rev. Asbury Lowry became Presiding Elder. In ISGS, the Rev. J. W. Cassatt was re-appointed to this station. In 1869-70-71, Rev. S. A. Brewster was Pastor: in 1872, Rev. C. W. Ketchum; in 1873. Rev. C. W. Ketchum; in 1874, Rev. C. W. Ketchum. On the 1st of January, this year, the pews were declared free to all. J. W. Cassatt was Presiding Elder. In 1875-76, Rev. E. T. Wells was Pastor. July 3. this year, the old singing books of the Sabbath school were sent to the col- ored school of Knoxville. Tenn. In 1877, Rev. E. T. Wells; in 1878, Rev. W. A. Robinson. The church was this year frescoed, painted and otherwise greatly improved. In 1879, W. A. Robinson, Pastor; S. A. Brewster, Presiding Elder. In 1850, Rev. W. A. Robinson. Pastor.
The present buikling, the one built in 1862, is a large two-story brick of rather imposing appearance, with a tall belfry and large bell. It was valued at $22,000 On the first floor there is a Sunday school and prayer meeting room, and four class rooms. The second story comprises the auditorium, with a seat- ing capacity of about five hundred persons. The room is nicely frescoed. the seats comfortably cushioned, and the church on the whole wears a very comfort- able, if not an elegant appearance. It is heated by steam and lighted by gas throughout. The parsonage is four doors west on High street. It is a very tine two-story brick house, with pretty grounds and in a very aristocratic neigh- borhood. It is valued at $9,000. The lot on which it stands was donated by P. P. Mast.
In the fall of 1548, Rev. Charles Elliott, D. D., became Pastor of Colum- bia Street Methodist Episcopal Church, situated on the southeast corner of Columbia and Market streets, Springfield, Ohio. Seeing the crowded condition of the church. Dr. Elliott proposed the formation of a new charge, and, on the Ist day of April, 1819. he called on his congregation for volunteers, and about eighty members responded and formed a colony to be known as the "High Street Methodist Episcopal Church." The next day the Pastor appointed a Board of Trustees for the new charge as follows: Levi Rinehart, Edmund Ogden, Christopher Thompson, L. H. Olds, Rev. John M. Young, S. G. Moler and S. S. Henkle, and the same was organized by the election of Levi Rinehart, President, and S. S. Henkle, Secretary. The basement of the high school (now the seminary) was occupied for public worship, for the time being, as well as by the Sunday school. The colonists, as heads of families as near as can be aspertained were as follows: The Trustees above named, and David Hayward, M. W. Fisher, Reuben Miller, Mrs. Clarinda Henkle, Sr., George Clarke. W. N. Schaeffer, William Porter. Charles Hotsenpillar, Henry Hedrick. Milton Harrison. Mrs. Smallwood and E. G. Dial. On the 1st of January. 1850, the lot was purchased by the Trustees, which is now occupied by this church. Rev. Isaac Dillon was the first Pastor from September 1, 1849. Rev. John Inskip succeeded Dillon in the fall of 1850. The Pastor, in a few weeks, presented a plan for the new church building which was adopted, and the work was prose- ented vigorously to completion, and the dedication sermon was preached on the 27th of July, 1851, by Rev. John Miley, now Professor in Drew Theological Seminary, New York. The Pastors of this charge successively up to 1868 were Rev. John W. Weekley, appointed September 1. 1851: Rev. W. H. Sutherland. IS53: Rev. M. Dustin. 1554: Rev. J. N. Marlay, 1556: Rev. W. J. Fee. 1855; Rev. Allen T. Thompson, 1560; Rev. George C. Crum. 1562: Rev. A. B. Wam baugh, 1864: Rev. G. W. Dart. 1565: and Rev. Thomas Collett, ISGS. During the pastorate of the last named. the work of remodeling the church building was commenced and completed at an expense, all told, of $18,000. The successive
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CITY OF SPRINGFIELD.
Pastors after him, up to this time, were Rev. Lucien Clark, 1871 to 1874; Rev. W. L. Hypes, 1874; Rev. S. B. Smith, 1875; Rev. F. G. Mitchell, 1876; and Rev. Thomas J. Harris, 1879. During the pastorate of Rev. Lucien Clark, the property adjoining the church on the west was purchased by the Trustees for the purpose of a parsonage, at a cost of over $8,000. The membership of this charge is between three hundred and four hundred.
Grace Chapel was built by the Central Methodist Episcopal Church for missionary purposes. The ground on which it stands was donated by P. P. Mast. Esq. It is a one-story frame, with no bell or belfry, and comprises one large Sunday school or church room and two class rooms. It was built in 1872. and cost about $1,800. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Charles Ferguson, Sunday, August 12. 1873. A successful mission school is being car- ried on there now.
The Methodist Protestant Church, of Springfield, is located at No. 39 West Washington street. This church was organized in January, 1829, with twenty- six members. The Rev. Saul Henkle, Sr., was a leading member, and took an active part in the organization, as did his brother, Rev. Moses M. Henkle. The first named was a prominent citizen of Springfield, and at that time Clerk of the Courts, which office he filled for twenty-one consecutive years until his death in 1837. The Rev. William Steele, now residing at Bloomington, Ill., is probably the only member of the original society now surviving. For a number of years this church was embraced in a circuit, having ministers appointed by the Ohio Conference, which was organized in November of the same year. The late Rev. Adjet McGuire was the first Pastor, with Rev. Jonathan Flood for the colleague. A house of worship was shortly after erected, being the small, brick church on North street. since sold to the African Methodist Episcopal society. There were but three other churches in Springfield, viz., the Presbyterian on Main street, Methodist Episcopal on Columbia street, and the Seceders, now United Presbyterian, on Limestone street. The Springfield Methodist Primitive Church was detached from the circuit and made a station in 1837. The first Pastor, under this arrangement, was A. H. Bassett, who subsequently, for many years, conducted the Methodist Recorder now issued at Pittsburgh, Penn. The succeeding Pastors and their dates, as nearly as can be ascertained, were as fol- lows: A. C. Barnes, 1838-39; David Croll, 1840; Robert Dobbins, 1841-42; O. P. Stephens, 1813: James Pelan, 1844-45; O. P. Stephens, 1846: Reuben Rose, 1847-18; W. G. Fowler, 1849; R. M. Dalbe;, 1850: C. H. Williams, 1851-52; N. S. Smith. 1853; and, subsequently, dates not definitely ascertained. by .T. B. Graham. T. Heard, S. S. Bartlet, J. E. Snowden, J. B. Walker, J. Mc- Farland, J. W. Ellis, J. W. Spring, W. E. Marsh, J. M. Flood, W. R. Parsous and others.
The present house of worship was built in 1851-52, under the pastorate of Rev. C. H. Williams, but only the basement completed until IS5S, while Rev. J. B. Waller was Pastor, the subscription was raised, the church finished, and duly dedicated on the 29th of July of that year. Rev. James Baker is the pres- ent Pastor, and, with a membership of about one hundred: the society is on a good basis and in prosperous condition. Rev. C. H. Williams, still a resident of Springfield, is Corresponding Secretary of the Board of Missions of the Meth - odist Episcopal Church, and editor and publisher of the Methodist Protestant Missionary.
The St. Paul Methodist Episcopal Church was made up by a colony from the First or Central Methodist Episcopal Church, which separated itself from the parent church February 10, ISSO. There were over one hundred and fifty members. A lot was procured on South Yellow Springs street, at a cost of $7,000, and the erection of a church building began in June, ISSO. The build-
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
ing is to be of brick. one story high. of rather peculiar design and so con structed that it can be used as church room, praver meeting room and class rooms, or thrown into one vast audience room capable of seating not less than one thousand five hundred people-with the galleries. When completed it will have a cost from $20.000 to $23,000. The corner stone was laid with impres- sive services on the 31st of July, 1850, in the presence of a large concourse of people.
On the otb of May. 1867. at the house of Frank Galespy's, nine members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church resolved to withdraw from the church and form a separate organization. They were organized by Rev. P. Fulman. May 28 in the same year. A lot was purchased on South Center street. between Clark and Fair streets. on the 6th of June, 1867, for $300, and a one- story frame church built thereon called Asbery Chapel. The Rev. Scott Ward served as minister from October 30, 1867, to March, 186S. Rev. S. Dodridge, from March 20, 186S, to March, 1870; Rev. H. Butler, March. 1870, to Septen- ber, 1870: Rev. G. Dowener, October, 1870. to March, 1872: Rev. William Eckels, March 20, 1572. to February, 173: Rev. H. W. Johnson, February IS, 1873. to July. 1873: Rev. A. H. Price, from July 14, 1573, to 1874: Rev. A. W. Hargrave, from February 14, 1874. to March, 1874: Rev. Scott Ward. from 1574 to 1878: Rev. M. McCoomer, from 1878 to 1879: Rev. Thomas Tompkins. from 1870 to 1880.
Rev. C. Jones, the present minister, was called in April, ISSO. On the 24th of July, ISSO. the church closed a very successful camp-meeting held at the fair ground. having realized some $600 or $700, which is to be devoted to the building of a nice brick church.
The early history of the North Street African Methodist Episcopal Church society cannot be accurately ascertained. as it dates from a period as far back as 1824-25, and no reliable data can be secured beyond the mere recollections of a few aged members. About that time, however, a nucleus consisting of a few earnest Christian negroes, many or all of whom were once slaves, were accus- tomed to gather in their primitive cabins or even in barns, and hold religious services. Their first church was probably in a small frame house, on High street, a schoolhouse, which stood on the hill on the spot now occupied by the residence of Mrs. Bacon. Later they purchased a little stone church on Lime- stone street near the creek. As the society gradully increased in numbers and strength, they purchased a small brick edifice known as the St. John Lutheran Church. which was located on North street, where the present church of the society now stands, paying for the same about SS00. In 1874. the society hav- ing prospered. was. on September 28 of that year. duly incorporated, and prep- arations made for the building of the present large brick church, which was completed about 1876, at a cost near $12,000. Among the earliest preachers of this society, and perhaps the first. was Thomas Lawrence. Rev. Fayette Davis and Rev. Klingman were also early preachers. The church has prospered greatly, and stands now one of the representative societies of this popular denomination.
The First Presbyetrian Church was organized July 17, 1819, with a mem- bership of twenty-seven. For three or four years previous to its organization. the Rev. Archibald Steele acted as stated supply, preaching once in four weeks in schoolhouses. the court house or the oldl stone Associate Reforin Church. that stood on Limestone street and was afterward used as an African church. The first Ruling Elders were John Humphreys and Melon Baker. The Rev. Steele continued his services as stated supply till June. 1823. He was succeeded by Rev. Andrew W. Ponge, who gave his services once a month until in 1825. On the 20th of June, 1825, Rev. Franklin Putnam became the first regular Pastor
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CITY OF SPRINGFIELD.
of the church. During his pastorate, which ceased March 21, 1828, sixteen were added to the membership. Rev. William J. Frazer then succeeded as sup- ply, in which capacity he served from December 21, 1828. to February 27, 1830. During his tern of service, in 1828, the first church was built at cost of $6,000, on ground that had been sold under execution and bought by John Ambler for $800. He had purchasd it for church purposes and sold it to the church for what he had given for it. The building was a small and very plain one-story brick house, without any cupola or other embellishment. It was built by piece-meal as the congregation could afford. The act incorporating the first Presbyterian society was also passed during Rev. Frazier's term of service, by the General Assembly of the State February 11, 1829. The Rev. William Gray supplied the pulpit from 1830 to February 24, 1832. During all this time there was a steady advance in the church's numerical strength. In 1832. the church became self-sustaining, and Rev. John S. Galloway was invited to become the stated supply for three or four months. at the end of which time. October 4, 1832, he was installed and ordained Pastor. In this relationship he continued to serve the church with marked success until April 16, 1850, when he resigned and entered the service of the American Bible Society. Two years before his departure. in 1848, the old church was torn down and a new one built at a cost of $12,000 on the same ground. It was also a brick, but with two stories and a cheap wooden cupola. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Phineas Girley. Rev. N. C. Burt was called as Pastor September 2. 1850; he served until June 19, 1855, when he resigned to take a church in Bal- timore. He was succeeded by Rev. William F. Findley in 1855: he left in 1S5S. The church was then without a regular Pastor until Sylvester F. Scovil was called in 1860, and served until 1866. Rev. T. A. Fullerton filled the pulpit from 1867 to 1871, during which time $3.200 was used on the church in building au addition, cupola. etc. Rev. Fullerton was followed by Rev. George F. Cain, from 1871 to 1872. He was succeeded by Rev. W. J. McKnight, who served from 1872 to 1879, since which time the church has been without a regular Pas- tor, but the pulpit has been supplied by Rev. Dr. Helwig, of Wittenberg Col- lege, this city. Dr. Falconer, of St. Louis, is the present Pastor. The church building, as it now stands, is an imposing structure indeed, with its towering cupola 175 feet high. its stained glass windows and stone borders. It is as handsome within as without. being beautifully frescoed and well furnished. It is lighted by gas and heated by hot-air furnaces. On the first floor are the church parlor, lecture room. Sunday school room and infant school room. The up-stairs comprises the vestibules and the main auditorium, which has a capacity of seating comfortably 800 people. The church is valued at $50,000.
The Sunday school of this church was first held in different places wherever and whenever there was preaching. It was first held in the court house with Judge Torbett as Superintendent three years before the church was organized. They began holding it in the church about 1830, with about fifty scholars, and superintended by W. M. Spencer: he was immediately followed by James S. Christie, who served for nine years. After him various men had charge of the school until now W. M. Weir is the Superintendent. It is in a flourish - ing condition. having at present 300 scholars, and is furnished with a very large library, which is well kept up.
The North Side Mission Chapel was built by the First and Second Presby- terian Churches, in the fall of ITS, for mission Sabbath school purposes. The ground on which it stands was donated by Dr. Robert Rodgers for Presbyterian Church purposes. It is on Mason street near Sherman avenue. The chapel is a one-story frame building, containing an infant school room and the main Sun-
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dav school room. There is a flourishing school carried on there now, and from time to time preaching is held.
The Second Presbyterian Church was a colony from the First Presbyterian Church. It was formed in 1860, with a membership of 106. In 1862, 81,000 was paid for a lot on South Limestone street, and a church built thereon, cost- ing $18,000. The dedication services were held September 3, 1863. The fol lowing is a list of the Pastors with the dates of service: Rev. E. R. Bower, from May, 1861, to July, 1867; Rev. P. H. Mowery, from November, IS68, to September, 1873; Rev. W. H. Webb, the present Pastor, came in June, 1874. There are at present 312 members. The church is a two-story brick, with the usual Sunday school and prayer meeting rooms on the first floor, in rear, and the auditorium in front.
With their usual modesty, and desire to avoid anything which seemed to call for the praise of men, the fathers of the United Presbyterian Congrega- tion were not careful to preserve a record of their doings, but suffered them to go in the past as though there was little in them of interest to generations fol- lowing, so that he who would study their plans and labors is often wholly in the dark as to when and how they did many things. This is a sufficient cause for regret, but, to add to our misfortune, the only account which was left of their transactions, was destroyed by fire forty years ago, and the "traditions of the elders" do not cover a period much anterior to that time.
No definite date of the organization of the society, presently known as the United Presbyterian Congregation of Springfield, can be obtained. The per- sons who formed the nucleus of the congregation emigrated from Bourbon County, Ky., in the early part of this century, and brought their religion with: them.
Before the erection of a church building, they met for worship in the sec- ond story of William McIntire's distillery-rather a strange place in which to worship -- but they could do no better. The first church building was erected on Lot No. 1. Demint's Plat, on the east side of Limestone street, near Buck Creek. No date can be found of the erection of the house. The deed of the lot is dated March 27, 1819. The main part of the building now occupied was built in 1839. The society was first organized as a congregation of the Asso- ciate Reformed Church, and, with a sister congregation vof Xenia, Ohio, extended a call to Rev. John Steele, of Bourbon County, Ky., who accepted the united charge, and was brought. with all his earthly possessions, from his former home to Xenia by members of his new charge in their wagons.
They were resolved that they would have a Pastor at any cost. This was in the year 1817.
Mr. Steele resigned his pastorate in the latter part of the year 1836, having served here for nineteen years.
A call was made by the Springfield congregation in 1837, for the services of Rev. James F. Sawyer, for the whole of his time, and he was installed as Pastor in 1838. Mr. Sawyer resigned his charge in May, 1848, after a service of ten years.
Rev. Robert Henry was the next Pastor. taking charge of the congregation December 17, 1850, and continuing his labors as Pastor until the middle of the year 1853.
Rev. Joseph Clokey, D. D., began his ministry in the congregation March 1, 1555, and retired March 1, 1875, having been Pastor twenty years. During his pastorate in the year 1958, the two ecclesiastical bodies known as the Asso- ciate and the Associate Reformed Churches, united and formed the United Presbyterian Church, and soon after the congregation took the name by which it is at the present time known. The present Pastor is Rev. Joseph Kyle, who
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Lewis Shillings
(DECEASED) SPRINGFIELD TP.
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CITY OF SPRINGFIELD.
began his labors in this field January, 1877. The congregation reported to the last general assembly of the church 174 members.
The First Baptist Church of Springfield was constituted on the 29th day of January, 1836, with the following named persons as members: Edward J. Nugent, William T. Young, John Young, William J. Card, Thomas H. Howard, Mary Hill, Jane Mareness, Mary Steinbach, Sarah Ann. Downing. Lydia Card, Rachel Young, Mary Ann Nugent and Sarah Howard. The Gospel union of the Mad River Association met with the church, and the ministers and brethren in attendance assisted in the organization. On the 7th day of May, in the same year, steps were taken for the establishment of a Sabbath school in connection with the church. On the 23d day of May, a call was extended to Rev. D. A. Nichols, which was not accepted. Rev. E. D. Owen accepted a call to the pas- torate July 12, 1836, and, on the 11th of August following, the church was admitted to membership of the Mad River Baptist Association. The following year arrangements were made looking toward the purchase of a lot for church erection purposes. On January 17, 1838, Rev. James Elliott, of New York, was called to labor one-half his time as Pastor. May 26, 1810, Rev. H. D. Mason became Pastor, during whose term of seven months' service a branch consisting of seven members in Clifton was added to the church. March 29, Rev. Enos French was called to the pastorate, at a salary of $400. On the 26th day of June, A. D. 1841, Messrs. Gallagher, Young, Halsey Cotes and Mareness were appointed a committee to secure a site for a church building. The first election of Deacons was held Oc- tober 25, 1841, and J. M. Gallagher, E. J. Nugent and J. S. Halsey were elected. The church was organized under an act of incorporation June 15, 1843, and Messrs. Nugent, Cotes and Halsey were elected Trustees. On the Sth day of September, 1843, Rev. Mr. French resigned the pastoral office to take effect at the close of that year. The lot on the northeast corner of High and Limestone streets was purchased on the 4th day of March, 1844, for church purposes. Rev. Mr. Syms was chosen Pastor April 8, 1854, and continued as such for three years and three months. The church building was commenced during his pas- torate, but no part of it was ready for occupation until September of 1847, when services were held in the lecture room. The entire building was ready for use and was formally dedicated February 12, 1852.
The following Pastors have had charge of this church: Rev. John S. Moore, from October 9, 1848, until April. 1850; Rev. Joseph Brown, from November 5, 1850, to June 5, 1860; Rev. William Allington, until March 15, 1862: Rev. Samuel Williams, from June 2, 1862, to July 1, 1864; Rev. J. R. Baumes, from November 24, 1864, to March 10, 1868; Rev. R. S. Colwell, from August 11, 1868, to July 1, 1873; Rev. A. L. Wilkinson, from December 8, 1873, until August 1, 1877; Rev. J. B. Tuttle, until August 1, 1880.
On the 6th day of April, 1868, fifty-two members withdrew from this church by letter, in order to form a new society, which they accordingly did under the name of the Trinity Baptist Church of Springfield.
This society in April, 1881, sold the church building and lot for $25,000 to Ross Mitchell. They propose to build a handsome edifice elsewhere.
In the vestry of the First Baptist Church of Springfield, on the night of March 28, 1868, a small number of Baptists met to organize a new church. They realized that with the rapid growth of population and wealth came a ne- cessity for a division of labor.
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