USA > Ohio > Licking County > Granville > The history of Granville, Licking County, Ohio > Part 16
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In 1846, the church in its internal polity so far departed from Congregationalism pure and simple, as to appoint a standing committee of five, to attend to cases of discipline and aid the pastor in examining candidates for admission to the church, and to do such other business as the church might commit to them.
In 1851, the innovation of sitting in time of prayer began to show itself. The number of families represented in the · church at this time was one hundred and seventy-five.
In 1855, the church gave to benevolent objects, $2,464.00.
The anniversary sermons of 1858-9 are both largely taken up with the endeavor to influence the people to retain their position, as a Plan of Union Church, rather than change for either polity in its purity.
Having been for a year or two considering what change to make in their house of worship, as the frame of the old church hardly warranted repairs, in 1858 they resolved to build as soon as slips in the new structure could be sold to
215
THE BRICK CHURCH.
the amount of $6,500. The contract for the new house, to be built on the ground so long occupied by the old one, was signed May 19th, 1859. Mr. Wm. Werden, long a prominent builder in the place, was the contractor. The old house began to be demolished March 12th, 1860. The new house cost $10,800. The $4000 above the sale of slips was provided for by sixteen men, who furnished the money in shares of $200, trusting to the subsequent sale of slips to reimburse them. It was dedicated, December 25th, 1861, Dr. A. Kings- bury, of Putnam, preaching the sermon from Jude 3rd, : "Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." The first place of worship for the church was out of doors, beside the prostrate tree. The second was the hastily constructed cabin of Judge Rose. The third was the log school house. The fourth was the small frame built in 1810. The fifth was the large frame built in 1816, which, in 1836 was so far remodeled in seats, pulpit, and steeple as to pass for the sixth. The seventh is the spacious brick now spoken of.
The last of Dr. Little's New Year's sermons was preached in 1864. From it we cull the following facts. There had been dismissed to other churches, six hundred and eighty- five members in fifty-eight years, and two hundred had died. The church had received by letter, four hundred and forty- two members; and by profession, eight hundred and twenty; in all one thousand two hundred and sixty-two. Except in 1862, the church had not for thirty years numbered less than three hundred members. The church had given to the world nineteen ministers, thirty-two ministers' wives, and forty-seven elders or deacons. There were twenty-three members of the church over seventy years of age.
The history now comes within the memory of even the comparatively young. The succeeding pastors are yet amid the activities of middle life, and will be content to have their labors chronicled in after years.
Rev. Edward A. Beech was pastor from 1865 to 1870.
216
CHURCH BECOMES PRESBYTERIAN.
Failing health compelled. him to abandon the ministerial life. He was soon tendered a professorship in Marietta College, which position he accepted, and in which he is still serving.
In 1869, new chandeliers and a communion set were added to the church furniture.
In 1870, the congregation united in giving Rev. A. S. Dudley, of Logansport, Indiana, a call, which he accepted. While pastor elect, he addressed a letter to the church, through Deacon E. Abbott, on the subject of a change in the polity of the church, suggesting that the present would be a favorable time for them to change to a thoroughly Presbyterian organization. The letter was read at a meeting held August 17th, 1870, and on August 31st, a vote was passed, sixty-three to eleven, taking such action.
Eight elders were elected on the rotary system, the full terin of office being eight years; the two oldest elected were to serve two years, and be subject to re-election; the next two in age, for four years, and so on. The first incumbents were as follows in the order of age: Deacons G. P. Bancroft and T. M. Rose; Deacons Elizur Abbott and Edwin C. Wright; Messrs. Wmn. S. Wright and Wm Nichol; Deacon Timothy Rose and Hon. W. P. Kerr. The following gentlemen have succeeded to the office at the several elections since held. Geo. B. Magoon, Henry L. Bancroft, C. P. Grimsley, T. J Robinson, John H. Sample, John D. Evans, Chas. Wynkoop.
April 25th, 1875, Mr. Dudley preached his farewell serinon, having been called to the pastorate of Lane Seminary church.
September 29th of the same year, Rev. Dwight B. Hervey, formerly of Mt. Vernon, having accepted a call, was installed pastor of the church, and still remains its faithful minister.
217
THE GRANVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Until 1819 "The First Regular Baptist Church of Gran- ville," located on the Welsh Hills, continued to be the only one of the Baptist denomination in the township. There were some members in the south and west parts of the town- ship who found it inconvenient to go so far; they, moreover, used the English language only, while their Welsh breth- ren inclined to their native tongue. Meanwhile, other Bap- tists had come into St. Albans, the township adjoining on the west. These being on contiguous territory with the English speaking part of the other congregation, the two circles had begun to meet together for religious services in inore con- venient places.
On Wednesday, the 19th of May, 1819, they mnet to con- sider the propriety of a church organization. Elder George Evans, recently from Massachusetts, was with them. As a basis for an organization they adopted their articles of faith and covenant, and appointed another meeting for definitive action.
Sunday, June 6th, they mnet again, and with them Elders Jacob Drake, of Delaware, and John Mott, of Millar town- ship. A council was organized, in connection with pro- tracted religious services, all three ministers preaching in succession, a church was formed, and the Lord's supper was administered. It was at the house of Jonathan Atwood, Esq., in St. Albans township, and the church was styled, "The Baptist Church of Christ in Granville and St. Albans." The members uniting in covenant. were Levi Nichols, James Hair, Abraham Chandler, Sandford Castle, Timothy Spel- man, Jr., Thomas Green, David Adams, Salome Squire, Mary Atwood, Philenda Jewett, Sarah Craw, Mary Drake, Rhoda Burnet, Anna Chandler, Jerusha Baker, Sarah Kelley, Betsy Case, Louisa Woods, Polly Phelps. Total 19.
24
218
ORIGINAL MEMBERS.
In September of the same year, this church was received into fellowship by the Columbus Association.
For three years Elder Evans continued to minister to them occasionally, but declined to settle with them.
For the next three years, from October 22d, 1822, Elder John Hanover preached to them every fourth Sabbath. At first the place of meeting alternated between Granville and St. Albans townships, but afterwards, for the preachers' con- venience, they always met in St. Albans. "In the latter part of his pastorate, the church secured a further partial supply. For some months Elder DeBolt preached once a month, so that there was Divine service every second Sabbath."
At this time a two-thirds majority of the church seems to have been living on the Granville side of the line. In 1826, the church desiring to choose another minister, it so happened that the Granville part preferred Elder Azariah Hanks, while the St. Albans part preferred a minister recently from New London, Connecticut, Elder Daniel Wildman, who being a rel- ative of one of the proprietors of the clock factory, was tarrying among them. It was finally arranged that both men should be employed; that Mr. Hanks should preach two-thirds of the time to the Granville people, and Mr. Wildman one-third of the time to the St. Albans people, the two parties still uniting in the rotating assemblies, once in St. Albans and twice in Granville.
This arrangement naturally, or providentially, led to the realization that they were trying to occupy with one church a field that was large enough and diverse enough for two, and it was not long until two distinct organizations were brought about in the regular way ; and thus began the Gran- ville Baptist Church.
The first pastor of this church was Elder James Berry, a man of plain but pleasant manners, a sincere Christian and a · devoted minister. He took charge of the church April 26th, 1828, preaching to them one-half the time. His earnest
219
ELDER HENRY CARR.
labors were blessed, a revival followed and the church was trebled in membership. Their place of meeting at this time was the brick academy at the head of Main Street. He soon moved for a house of worship, and the second year of his labors saw the house rising on the northeast corner of Broad and Cherry Streets, which continued the home of the church for twenty years, though not fully completed until 1833. [See Annals, 1829.] It was some time before the house was finished, there being a temporary floor of planks, temporary seats, and the walls being unplastered, but in due time it was complete, with a large bell and all needed furnishings.
From this time the church began to feel the benefits of having the "Literary and Theological Institution " located among them. Prof. Pratt was on the ground, often preach- ing for them on the vacant Sabbaths. The pious young men attending the college added much to the strength of the church and the interest of their meetings.
January 25th, 1832, "The First Baptist Society " was incorporated, Daniel Shepardson, Alanson Sinnett and Daniel Dusenbury being named in the Act as Trustees.
After four years' service, Elder Berry began to preach to the Welsh Hills Baptist Church and was succeeded in the pastorate of the Granville church by Elder Henry Carr, July 27th, 1833. During a brief interim the church was served for longer or shorter periods by Elders Nathan Wildman, Allen Darrow and Hiram Gear. Mr. Gear came to Ohio in 1832, as a Home Missionary Agent, and made Granville his headquarters. Mr. Carr had been engaged to come but was not ready, and Mr. Gear preached for six months. Mr. Carr was tall and well proportioned in person, and was a very earnest speaker. He was born near Ostrander, Ohio. His ministry was greatly blessed. With the exception of two years, the fourth and fifth after his arrival, Elder Carr con- tinued the acceptable pastor of the church until the fall of 1842. Those two years (1836-8) the pulpit was filled by Rev.
220
REVS. TURNEY, BAILEY, HALL.
Samuel B. Swain, Dr. Jonathan Going and Revs. - Clark and Ezra Going.
Mr. Carr was succeeded by Rev. Edmund Turney, of Con- necticut, October 29th, 1842. During the five years of his pastorate, unworthy members were cut off by discipline, a revival added some forty members, and, though the total membership was somewhat diminished, " the efficient work- ing capacity of the church " was increased.
About 1845, the galleries of the house were lowered, and a new floor was put in, as the whole understructure was im- paired for want of ventilation.
In 1846, Rev. Silas Bailey, D. D., was called to the Presi- dency of the College, and the year following, upon the resig- nation of Elder Turney, Dr. Bailey supplied the pulpit for a year, and Professor Pratt followed him for another year, both generously giving their services toward the erection of a new meeting house. The need of a larger and better house for worship had become imperative, and the congregation pro- ceeded to build upon the southwest corner of the public square. [See Annals.]
President Bailey again supplied the pulpit nearly a year in 1851.
Under the labors of Professor Pratt and Dr. Bailey the church was blessed with two powerful revivals, the latter particularly resulting in great increase of strength to the church. Dr. Bailey was a man of large physique, and a trained orator. His preaching was greatly blessed, and sev- eral prominent men in middle life were added to the church. All the churches of the place participated in the revival, and a marked and permanent impression for good was made upon the community.
September 14th, 1851, Rev. Jeremiah Hall was called to the pastorate, and served the church acceptably for a year and a half, when, having become connected with the College, he resigned the pastorate.
221
REVS. BURTON, FERNALD, RHOADES.
Prof. Marsh, of the College, then supplied the pulpit for somne months.
May 21st, 1854, Rev. N. S. Burton began to occupy the pulpit, proving himself an excellent and acceptable preacher and pastor. His labors were blessed with a powerful revival that added eighty members to the church. He continued to fill the pulpit until the fall of 1862.
"For three years after the close of his labors, the pulpit was supplied for the most part by Dr. Stone and President Talbot." Both these men were of unusual mental power.
April Ist, 1866, Rev. J. D. King took charge of the church, but continued in the office only a little more than a year.
President Talbot again ministered to the church for a time, and he was succeeded by Rev. D. A. Randall, of Columbus, who simply preached to the congregation, not residing among them and performing no pastoral labor.
This brings the history of the church up to 1871. At this time there had been received to the church a total of 1143 members, of whom 663 were by baptismn. There had been `dismissed to other churches 669, and the membership at the time was 251. In 1858, eighty-four members were received ; and as the result of the revival of 1839-40, Elder Carr being pastor, ninety members were added.
The next pastor of the church was Rev. J. C. Fernald. He was a young man of peculiarly se sitive nature and very warmly attached to his friends. He lost his wife to whom lie had been married but a short time, and his nervous system suffered much under the severity of the stroke. He con- tinued the pastor of the church only about three years.
In 1873, the present pastor, Rev. W. C. P. Rhoades, suc- ceeded him. Bringing with him the invaluable experience of a city missionary in one of our eastern cities, he has proved a vigilant and untiring pastor. His labors are greatly blessed. in enlarging the influence of the church, and the value of his counsels is also seen in the management of the University.
222
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
In the summer of 1810, Rev. Elisha Buttles preached the first Methodist sermon in the place, under a walnut tree very near the center of town. The same year, according to the church .records, (or the following, as the date of Mr. Finley's appointment would indicate, November being too late in the season for camnp-meetings), Rev. James B. Finley preached and formed a class. The circuit was called "Knox," James Quinn being presiding elder, and Elisha W. Bowman circuit preacher. The class was formed at the house of Wm. Gavit, Esq., who was one of the prominent members. Mr. Gavit had just been converted during the preceding summer. There was held near Zanesville a camp-meeting, which several from Granville attended. Having a ward who, he feared, was going to the bad, he took him to the meeting with the hope that he might be savingly benefited. While there, he concluded that the religion which was good for the ward was good for the guardian also. He was hopefully converted and became a leading Methodist in Granville.
Other prominent families in the church in the early years of its history, were Samuel Everit, Sen., the Thralls, Peter Thurston, Francis Elliot, Samuel Chadwick, Elisha Bigelow, and Mrs. Stanley, who was mother of. the wife of Esq. Gilman. Mr. Chadwick, at whose house many of the meet- ings were held, and who lived southeast of the town near the elbow in the road that led to Phelps saw mill, kept a supply of benches which on preaching occasions were arranged in the house, and at other times were piled out of doors. In case of two or three weeks continued meetings they were piled in the house against one side when the room was wanted for meals or at night.
The succession of Presiding Elders previous to 1820, was David Young, three years, and Charles Waddle, two years.
223
PREACHERS AND PLACES OF MEETING.
The Preachers in charge succeeding Mr. Bowinan were, Michael Ellis, David Knox, Samuel West, John Solomon, Shadwick Ruark, Henry Baker, and Thomas Carr. The Junior Preachers were John McMahon, Philip Green, Lemuel Lane, and John Solomon. Meetings were held at Mr. Wmn. Gavit's and Francis Elliot's in town, Deacon Thurston's on the Mt. Vernon road, Mr. Everit's west, and Mr. Chadwick's southeast of town. The attendance was regular and large for a new community.
In1 1820, the circuit was set off as Granville Circuit. When the academy was built at the head of Main Street, in 1820, the meetings were held there and until 1826. In 1824, Jacob Young being Presiding Elder and Samuel Hamilton Preacher in charge, a subscription was raised and a contract made with James Hays to erect a frame meeting-house on the northeast quarter of the town square. For some reason the contract was annulled, and six days later another was signed by the same parties, $1260 having been raised, and the con- tract calling for a larger house. On the part of the church the contract was made by Wm. Gavit, Peter Thurston, and Oliver A. Thrall. The house was to be done by the 25th of December, 1824, under forfeiture of $2430, but the release was not signed until May 8th, 1826. At that time the church took possession of the house, though it was several years before it could be finished. It was used for meetings in the summer, but in winter the congregation still met in private houses. The audience room was thirty-four by forty-six feet with galleries on three sides. There were two small class rooms, one in each front corner of the gallery. According to the contract there were to be twenty-six windows, each of twelve lights, eight by ten glass. The stairways started from each front door and met half way up, where they united, turned into the audience room and ascended to the gallery floors.
At this time Rev. Curtis Goddard was preacher in charge. A revival began at the Gaffield meeting house, which reached
224
SUCCESSION OF PREACHERS.
this place and made many additions to the church. Jacob Hooper, Abner Goff and James Gilruth were the successive preachers following Mr. Goddard. With Mr. Hooper was a young man by the name of Havens as junior preacher, who married Nancy Clark, a niece of General Munson's. Mr. Gilruth was an effective revival preacher. He was promi- nent at the camp-meetings held in the vicinity. He was a inan of powerful muscle, and rowdies met with poor fare at his hands. His strong arm would put them in their places, even at the expense of their clothing if need be.
Henry S. Fernandes and C. Lybrand followed Gilruth. Then came L. L. Hamline in 1832, afterward editor of the Western Christian Advocate and Ladies' Repository, and elected Bishop in 1844. He impressed many of his congre- gation even at that early day as a superior man. In 1842, the membership was 181, but three years later it was only 72.
In 1855, S. M. Merrill was preacher, Granville being a sta- tion. This was the present Bishop Merrill. He was an earnest student, had held a public discussion on the doctrines of Universalism, and published a book on the same subject.
J. W. White, a convert while Dr. Beecher was here in 1831, was Presiding Elder for four years.
In 1833, Levi Hayes, chiefly at his own expense, bought and refitted the house built the year before by F. Elliot, just west of the brick Academy, and it became the parsonage.
About 1843, J. Belt raised the ceiling of the church, arch- ing it into the roof, and lowered the galleries.
From 1830, the succession of Presiding Elders is as follows : Leroy Swormstedt, 30-33; A. Eddy, 33-34; Jacob Young, 35-39 ; Robert O. Spencer, 39-43 ; J. B. Finley, 43-46; James M. Jamieson, 46-49; Jacob Young, 49-51; Z. Connell, 51 ; James M. Trimble, 52-54; Z. Connell, 54 ; J. L. Grover and John Stewart, 56; D. D. Martin, 56-58; J. W. White, 60-63.
From 1830 to 1840, the preachers were James Gilruth, Jacob Hooper, Henry S. Fernandes (2), C. Lybrand, L. L. Hamline, S. Holland, Abner Goff, T. A. G. Philips, Joseph
225
HOUSE REFITTED.
Casper (2), T. Courtney, W. Heath, Samuel Hamilton, P. Nation, David Lewis, J. T. Donohue, E. S. Gavit, Jacob Martin, A. Murphy, B. F. Myers, James Hooper (2).
From 1840 to 1850, they were William T. Hand (2), James Hooper, David Lewis, Joseph A. Bruner, M. P. Kellogg, James Hood, J. W. Fowler, T. A. G. Philips, James Gilruth (3), Richard Doughty (2), Benjamin Ellis, John Fitch, Sam- uel Harvey (2), C. C. Lybrand, A. M. Alexander (2), S. M. Bright, B. N. Spahr.
From 1851 to 1856, Granville being a station, E. V. Bing (2), Thomas Lee, Addison Nichols, S. M. Merrill. In 1856, Granville was thrown into the Granville and Etna Circuit, and the succession was, Abraham Cartlick (2), Charles Bel- hauser, James Hooper, W. C. Filler, Isaac King, William M. Mullinix (2), Andrew Carroll.
From 1861 to 1870, Lovett Taft, J. W. Young, E. P. Hall, William Z. Ross (2), B. Crook, J. S. Brown, G. Hirst, Sam- uel Porter, J. H. Acton (2), J. F. Williams (2), A. H. Windsor (2).
In 1871, Granville and Alexandria Circuit, Levi Hall (2). 1872 and onward, Granville being a station, O. J. Nave, James D. Fry, William M. Fellows, D. Y. Murdoch, J. M. Jamieson (2), D. S. Porter, S. C. Frampton.
In 1851, Mr. Bing being preacher, the pulpit was lowered and the audience room was newly seated. While this was being done, the audience met in the gallery, and Mr. Bing while preaching stood in the northeast end of the gallery.
In 1861, the church was refitted, the galleries being re- moved, the windows changed and the whole style modern- ized at a cost of $1800. The work was done by Leroy Ban- croft. It became necessary to sell the parsonage at $1000, to help meet the expense.
At this time there is talk of replacing the whole with an entirely new structure, inore commodious, to cost $10,000.
The church now (1880) numbers 185 members, with a flourishing Sabbath School.
226
ST. LUKE'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
The origin of this church has been narrated in the annals. As early as 1819, Bishop Chase had visited the place and hield Episcopal services. In 1826, the state of things in the Con- gregational Church was such that " many were ready to sustain Episcopal services." Rev. Amos G. Baldwin came toward the close of that year, and held occasional services; and Mr. Jinks also led the congregation that assembled, in worship according to the ritual of that church.
After certain preliminary meetings, on Wednesday, May 9th, the church was organized. In 1834, the church for a time enjoyed the labors of Rev. George Denison.
Previous to the coming of Mr. Bronson in 1836, the church was not very strong. Just preceding, Rev. William Sparrow gave them every fourth Sabbath. At that time they were encouraged to plan for the building of a new church. The Methodist and Presbyterian brethren had lent the use of their churches with much cheerfulness, and helped to render the congregations large.
From 1836, the history cannot be better told than in the words of Dr. Bronson himself.
" Rev. S. A. Bronson after completing his service in the min- istry as a missionary at Lancaster & Somerset, Dec. 3rd, 1836, left that city the next day, not knowing where his next field of labor would be. On reaching Newark that afternoon, he found a letter inviting him to take charge of the parishes of Granville & Utica. This part of a day was the only time he has been without a charge up to the present time, Dec. Ist, 1885. For the winter of 1836-37, with his wife & an infant, he boarded with Gen. C. K. Warner, of Utica, & went to Granville on alternate Sundays. In the spring of 1837 he fixed his residence in Granville in the same house with Elias Gilman, Esq., for which he paid a rental of $30 per annum, out of a salary of $400 a year. Services were held at first in what was called the Old Academy, a brick building on the side hill above the town.
227
ADVENT OF DR. BRONSON.
In the spring a small building was fitted up for services on the flat a little west of the Presbyterian Church. [Should probably be north, in the large room on the corner, second floor, where the academy had been accommodated under Mess. Fowler, Gar- land & Martin.]
" A bequest of $2000. had been made by Mr. Sherlock Mower which was applied to the building of an Episcopal Church; & a very neat building was erected near the S. E. corner of the public square, & was so far completed that the basement was occupied for services in September [1837], when Mr. B. resigned his charge at Utica, & devoted his whole time to Granville, & so continued till the fall of 1845, when he became President of Kenyon College. (For a view of this house, see " Additional Record.")
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