USA > Ohio > Summit County > Twinsburg > Twinsburg, Ohio, 1817-1917, Part I History, Part II Genealogies > Part 7
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Other elders connected with the church history are: Caleb Green, Brewster, Barnes, Dodge, and Lester Fergu- son, evangelist.
This was the first regular Baptist church in the section. Like the leaven that leavens all it reaches, its members assisted in establishing churches in all the townships adjoin- ing, besides many others near. The minutes record frequent calls and response for help in conference and organization.
Following a great revival season, 1838 shows an addi- tion to the church membership of thirty-two, making a total of fifty-four, the largest ever enrolled.
The ordinance of baptism was always observed at Tinker's Creek, sometimes when it was necessary to cut away the ice.
The first recorded meeting of Baptists was held at the home of David Beach, the second in the Methodist meeting house, then on the northwest corner of the square, the third at the Academy where the organization was completed. They were dependent upon others for a place to worship for nine years. In 1841 their first church building was erected. It was located on the north side of the square, where today it serves as hardware store for E. B. Crouse.
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THE BAPTIST CHURCH
In 1842 the church petitioned the legislature and so the following year was incorporated.
The church was not forgetful of the benevolent objects of the day. Burmah was one of the early fields of interest and help. In 1834 the Association recommended raising twenty-five cents from each member, and Twinsburg reported five dollars, increasing to fifty-four dollars in 1842 and varying in amounts during other years. Deacon North was early appointed on the Executive Board of the Associa- tion Missionary Society, where he served many years.
Deacon White was another whose life was spent in the Twinsburg Baptist church. He was its first and only deacon. Following in the line of generations of Baptist deacons the allegiance he gave to the representative principles of the denomination could not have been altered by time or trial. In his heart this church and its interests held first place.
After occupying their church building on the north side of the square for eighteen years they moved to the church vacated by the Free-will Baptists and located on the west side of the square. "A more commodious place of worship" states the church report of 1859.
This church membership was never large. The average was twenty-eight and a half. During the' lean years of the Civil War only nineteen were enrolled. A pastor wrote, "Not large in numbers but large in heart."
The periods of ten pastors and five clerks are shown in the table appended.
The State Convention for aiding the churches helped in sending P. P. Kennedy as pastor in 1856. From the minutes we learn, "Still their motto is onward and upward, striving to maintain the worship of God in the faith of the Gospel."
The Portage Association met with the church in 1866 and again aided in filling the pulpit. Elder Crandall gave new vigor to the church. At that time it was customary to hold three consecutive sessions on Sunday. The morning service being followed by Sunday School. Then a short recess when the well-filled lunch baskets were emptied and neighborhood news exchanged. After which came the afternoon service with the regular sermon when the small children were allowed to sleep. Usually friends attended the last service.
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The weekly prayer-meetings were held on Thursday afternoon except the last week in the month when the Covenant meeting came on Saturday. Communion service was bi-monthly.
Again the church felt impelled to move, this time be- cause of the blacksmith and wagon shop which was so close that its Sunday activities resounded above the voices of worship. The most desirable location that could be ob- tained was where the town hall now stands on Cleveland Road. To this place, in 1867, the church building was moved, some repairs were added and sheds built on the rear of the lot.
1869 was a year of sorrow, because of the death of the church clerk, Calvin T. Reed, who had faithfully filled that office for twenty-six years. Other responsible and honorable duties in church and Association had been consistently discharged during his years of faithful service. The Associa- tion bears witness, "His life was salt, was light."
The Portage Association was organized to cherish and serve the small churches of which it was composed. In 1870 the time came when in its best judgment it could better serve by turning the current into the larger stream. So they recommended to their component churches that each unite with other adjoining associations. The Cleveland Associa- tion was nearest Twinsburg so they entered that in 1877.
The church maintained its regular appointments "thankful to Him who gives a heart for the work and ability to bear burdens." The attendance decreased and after the death of Elder Turner in 1888 there was no regular com- munion service. Elder Tolhurst of Bedford visited among the members who now numbered fifteen.
In 1877 there was a great revival in Twinsburg. Baptist minutes read: "Considerate to God's will, a few members were permitted to meet in Covenant meeting for the first time in two and one-half years." Two new members by their faithful adherence to conviction inspired the church to feel they ought still to stand for the principles taught by their denomination." In response they organized, filled the vacant offices, repaired the church at a cost of $450.00, and called as pastor Rev. J. R. Thompson of Chester X Roads, Ohio.
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THE BAPTIST CHURCH
The following year the church registered thirty members a Sunday School of forty-six, with good equipment of books and periodicals. The offering to missions was fifty-six dollars. Devotional meetings were introduced bringing to the church two days of revival conducted by Association leaders. The prayer-meeting was sustained with interest. The Sunday evening service was shared alternately with Congregational and Methodist churches. The Woman's Society was organized to help meet the church expenses. Mrs. A. J. Brown was president. Everyone helped, often those outside, and they raised $200 a year. Their regular meetings were once in three weeks at homes where they were invited. The church was blessed with Divine favor. The pastor characterized it as earnest, faithful and loving.
So for six years during two pastorates, the church nurtured those given to its care. Often not knowing which way to turn next thru the difficulties, learning by trials that, "Man's extremity is God's opportunity."
In 1885 the last pastor resigned and the aged deacon died. Left with only three male members, and not seeing any plain path, the church waited to be assured it had ful- filled its mission.
Nine years later the last church meeting was called with Bedford Baptist pastor moderator. The trustees of Twinsburg Baptist church transferred the property to the trustees of Bedford Baptist church and as many of the members as wished received letters to that church. The church building was sold and remodeled and has since served as town hall.
This church is like many others in its history of faith and struggle. The Truth which was made stronger by their lived of consecration and service is still to be maintained and bequeathed by God's children. May all like them merit the commendation, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
TWINSBURG BAPTIST CHURCH
Pastors
Clerks
Chas. A. Turner
Wm. Carter
1834-1888
1832-1835
Deacon and Trustees Deacon Junia North 1832-1885
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TWINSBURG HISTORY
Francis Green 1838-1840
Theodore S. Powell 1835-1840 Early Trustees
R. Philipps 1843-1844
Samuel C. Nelson 1840-1842
Junia North
Charles West
Seth Hanchett, Sr. Carlton Hanchett Apollos White
Elder Hawley 1846-1849
Wm. H. Earl 1852-1855
P. P. Kennedy 1856-1861
Elder Crandall 1866-1868
J. R. Thompson 1877-1883
S. R. Hanchett 1877-1894
Later Trustees
Sidney Beany N. H. Reed
S. R. Hanchett
H. C. Beardsley Mrs. Miranda Brown
Mrs. Cornelia Hanchett
J. R. Hall 1883-1885
FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH
A "Free-will Baptist church was formed April 24, 1843. Their meeting house was built in 1847 and burnt in 1851, and rebuilt the same year. In 1859 it was sold to O. Riley who exchanged houses with the Baptists."
It is regrettable that no other reliable information can be obtained regarding this organization.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH BY REV. R. T. CROSS
For the first five years, 1817 to 1822, religious services were held in private houses and in the upper part of the grist mill. Lewis Alling, Sen., usually led whent here was no preaching, alternating some of the time with Asa Upson.
A. S. Jones 1844-1845
Calvin T. Reed 1842-1869
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THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
About 1821-2 Rev. John Seward, pastor at Aurora 1812 to 1845, preached once in four weeks. Rev. William Hanford, a general missionary from New England, preached one- fourth of the time for several years. He was pastor at Hudson 1815 to 1836. Other ministers preached occa- sionally. Most of the first settlers were Congregationalists from Killingworth, Conn.
ORGANIZATION. August 23, 1822, Rev. John Seward and Rev. William Hanford organized the church in the school house built that year on the public square. Mr. Hanford preached the sermon. The articles of faith, covenant and rules of practice were those recommended by the Portage Presbytery. There were thirteen charter members, as follows: Lewis Alling, then 44 years old, Belizur Beech and his wife Rachel F., Robert Hurd, about 35, and his wife Mary, James H. Kelsey, 21, and his wife Fanny, 21, Luman Lane, 26, Mrs. Comfort Nichols (wife of Noah P. who was 29), Irena Thomas, 18 (later the wife of Luman Lane), John A. Wells, Hanford White, 25, Mrs. Julia Ann White, 55, (wife of William White). More than half were under 30. Luman Lane, Hanford White, John A. Wells (who died in 1824) and Irena Thomas united on con- fession. Seven brought letters from Killingworth, Conn., as did twenty-three more later on. Lewis Alling and Comfort Nichols brought letters from the Hudson church.
ECCLESIASTICAL CONNECTION. It was a Congregational church, as plainly appears from the records, but, under the Plan of Union between Presbyterians and Congregation- alists which then prevailed in the west, it was from the beginning associated with Presbytery, and hence was often spoken of as a Presbyterian church. July 28, 1836, the church voted "that we sustain the church government that we have always sustained (Congregational) and still hold our relation to Portage Presbytery." February 19, 1835, a "council" was called for advice, which was a Congregational way of getting it. October 15, 1838, the church voted unanimously to ask Presbytery to dissolve the relation existing between them and that body, but nothing seems to have come of that vote. On November 18, 1841, the church sent a delegate to help form a Congregational Association at Hudson and on December 15 approved the constitution
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presented there. Yet the relation with Presbytery con- tinued. On November 20, 1860, a Congregational council installed Rev. Sidney Bryant. On April 19, 1861, the dual ecclesiastical relation came to an end when the church, with only three dissenting votes, withdrew from Presbytery and joined the Puritan conference, with which it is still con- nected.
PASTORATES. The Bissell Era, 1828 to 1843. For nearly six years the church had no regular pastor. Among those who preached for it were Revs. John Seward, William Han- ford and Samuel Hale. When there was no preaching Luman Lane, Philo Mills and Robert Hurd were asked to lead the Sabbath meetings. In the winter of 1827-8 the influence of meetings in Hudson reached Twinsburg. For a time meetings were held every evening. At the end of eight weeks a committee went to Aurora to get the school teacher there to come and preach for them. He was Samuel Bissell, then thirty years old, a graduate of Yale (see sketches of his life). He was called at a salary of $150 besides what missionary help they could get. The first year he received but half of the $150. In 1834 it was raised to $300. On January I of that year thirty-five had joined the church. He was to preach not less than two-thirds of the Sabbaths each year.
He began January 13, 1828, preaching seven Sabbaths on trial, for which they paid him a good log house worth $28.00. He was then called, and was ordained and installed April 30, 1828, and remained pastor seven and one-half years. In that time he received 141 members. He also started Twinsburg Institute. See its history in another chapter. In 1835 he went to Edinburg and remained a year and a half, preaching and teaching, returning in 1837. October 7, 1836, the church had asked him to return, an action which the church a year later declared irregular. March 30, 1837, the church asked Presbytery to install him again, which was not done.
DIVISION-SECOND CHURCH. December 3, 1834, about twenty members signed a paper in which they refused to consider themselves as any longer under the control of Presbytery, and claimed for themselves the name of the First Calvinistic Congregational Church of Twinsburg.
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THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
They claimed that the ministers had too much power in Presbytery. They could not, without much expense and trouble, discipline their members. They wanted the privi- lege of forming their own rules and regulations and of dis- ciplining their own members, subject only to the exalted Redeemer, and not to the Portage Presbytery. They were evidently simon pure Congregationalists. They did not succeed in starting another church, and nearly all at different times came before the church, made explanation, and had their names restored. They were Dan Parmelee, Elisha Lane, Alanson Mills, Jedediah Clark, Abel Ingraham, Leander H. Ingraham, Chauncey Hull, Samuel H. Hull, Robert Hurd, Lewis Alling, Salmon A. Taylor, Alexander Nicol, William Scott, Ebenezer H. Wilcox, Josiah Redfield, William W. Southworth, Andrew Kirkwood, Gideon H. Mills, Martin Wilcox, Joel W. Thompson and Sylvanus G. Redfield, a rather substantial list of good men. As a sort of test case Robert Hurd was tried in February, 1835, and suspended for signing the paper, a council sustaining the action.
But more trouble was to come. June 8, 1837, after Mr. Bissell's return, the church bewailed the discord and aliena- tion that had existed for two years and voted that all who wished to withdraw and form a new church might do so if they would give notice within two weeks, in which case they would cease to be members of the church. On the next Sunday afternoon, a new church of fifty members was organized, over which Mr. Bissell was installed by Presby- tery, May 2, 1838, and remained pastor until the churches re-united in May, 1843. At the organization Mr. Bissell read a paper, which is still extant, in which he laid the blame on those who had opposed the temperance cause. Yet six days later the old church passed a strong temperance resolution. The difficulty was probably one of method.
During the six or more years of separation several ministers preached for the old church, which was left with a membership of 80 or 90. Among them were Rev. Samuel Hair for one or two years from October 26, 1835, Rev. Joseph Treat one year, Rev. Ebenezer Ward one year, Rev. Chester Chapin two or three years. See sketches of these and other ministers in genealogical section.
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TWINSBURG HISTORY
Very full articles of faith, covenant, etc., were adopted by the second church. In the six years of its history there were 55 members, and 41 when the churches reunited. No one ever joined it on confession. Nathaniel Wilcox and Jared Atwater were the deacons. The records in a book by themselves are preserved by the present church. Most of them are in the neat hand of Mr. Bissell, though Eli Lee was chosen clerk in 1838 and Joel R. Parmelee in 1841. The latter was also treasurer the last three years.
The old church naturally did not take kindly to the new organization. Charges were brought against Mr. Bissell. He was unsuccessfully labored with and then complained of to Presbytery for "irregular and disorderly conduct." Those who had left them were voted "guilty of a high mis- demeanor and were proper subjects of discipline." Fellow- ship was withdrawn from them and letters to the new church refused. The old church received back some of the members without letters, for which the new church com- plained to Presbytery and was sustained.
In March, 1842, the new church said in substance, "You all come and join us." The old church laid the overture on the table. Nine days later the old church said in substance, "You all come and join us and we will support Mr. Bissell's school." The new church said no, and gave their reasons. In April, 1843, the old church sent word that on candid reflection they felt that the spirit of most if not all of them had not been the spirit of Christ, which they sincerely regretted. The next day the new church responded favor- ably and three days later still voted for union on condition that there be unfeigned cordiality towards Mr. Bissell, that they sustain the doctrines of the gospel as expressed in their articles of faith, and that there be an express understanding that they remain the uncompromising adherents of the order of our churches as expressed in I Cor. 14, 34, 25 (in which Paul forbids women to speak in the church). The old church accepted these conditions. On May 30, 1843, Pres- bytery met here and united the two churches, and they have been one ever since. Mr. Bissell, no longer pastor, lived on, useful in church and school, for fifty-two years longer, until 1895. At the fiftieth anniversary of the church in 1872 he
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THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
read an interesting paper, reviewing his connection with the church.
BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR, 1843-1860. July 31, 1843, Rev. Robert C. Learned was called as pastor of the reunited church at a salary of $400 and four weeks vacation. He was installed September 27, 1843, and dismissed April 8, 1846. In his resignation he stated that they had reduced the salary one-eighth and had not paid half of what even then was due. He thought they were starving him out, as Parliament starved Charles I by withholding supplies. Different min- isters supplied the pulpit in the next two years. Mr. Learned's son, Rev. Dwight W. Learned, is a very prominent missionary to Japan and has been highly honored by the Emperor for his services.
Rev. Horace W. Palmer was ordained and installed April 5, 1848, at a salary of $350. He was dismissed April 5, 1852, resigning on account of poor health, declining the church's generous offer of funds for taking a five months' vacation. The church parted with him reluctantly. He was so tall that the boys called him the high priest. The congregation filled the church.
January 1, 1853, Rev. Joseph H. Scott was called at a salary of $500. He accepted the next October, was ordained and installed in November, preached his farewell sermon November 14, 1858, but was not dismissed by Presbytery until April 5, 1859. In August, 1857, he suggested that the morning service be closed with Congregational singing. This caused trouble and in the interest of peace he withdrew the suggestion but resigned. The church unanimously refused to accept his resignation. He regretted only five hopeful conversions in five and a half years, and spoke of a "divided church," of "worldliness and schism," of downward progress under his and the two preceding pastorates, for fifteen years, and implied that covenant breaking was tolerated and the church ruled by an oligarchy. During most of the next two years Pres. George E. Pierce and Prof. Henry B. Hosford, both of the college at Hudson, supplied the pulpit.
PASTORATES DURING AND AFTER THE WAR. Rev. Sidney Bryant was called August 21, 1860, at a salary of $500, and installed by council November 21. He remained
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TWINSBURG HISTORY
until October 7, 1867, when he left, chiefly for lack of financial support.
Rev. Andrew Sharp was pastor from January, 1869, to May, 1872, at a salary of $700 and parsonage. Following him Dr. Hitchcock supplied for two Sabbaths and Rev. A. N. Chapin for eleven.
The fiftieth anniversary was observed August 23, 1872. Among the speakers were Luman Lane, a charter member, Rev. Samuel Bissell, the first pastor, Dea. Joel R. Parmelee, Rev. Sidney Bryant, and Charles Lane, who gave a history of the church.
Rev. Aurelian H. Post was pastor from October 1, 1872, until April 2, 1882, at a salary of $800 and parsonage. It was the longest pastorate in the history of the church thus far. April 1, 1877, thirty-six joined on confession and five by letter, the largest number that ever joined at one time. The tradition of the excellence of his preaching still lingers in the church.
Rev. Charles M. McNulty was pastor from October I, 1882, to September 28, 1884.
Rev. William Haynes was pastor from October 12, 1884, to October 1, 1889.
Rev. Charles H. Lemmon, coming from the United Brethren Church, was called October 28, 1889, at a salary of $700 and moving expenses. He began work March I, 1890, and remained until February 24, 1895. During his pastorate, after June 1891, he preached Sunday afternoons at Macedonia, where thirty-seven persons petitioned for a branch church. The Twinsburg church called a council and the branch church was organized August 5, 1891. L. R. Foster and A. R. Munn were the deacons. It was organized with nineteen members. In 1897 it had thirty-four. It is now extinct. Since leaving Twinsburg Mr. Lemmon has had twenty years of excellent work in Cleveland, and is now pastor at New London.
Rev. A. Wilmer Swengel was pastor from April, 1895, until October 30, 1898. He is now in business in Harris- burg, Pa.
Rev. Joseph Wolfe began his pastorate January 1, 1899, and closed it April 20, 1902. His son, Jesse Benjamin Wolf, is a missionary in China.
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THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Rev. Arthur T. Reed, who had been state evangelist a number of years, was called July 21, 1902, at a salary of $1000, he to secure $200 of it in evangelistic work, for which he was allowed to be absent ten weeks each year. He closed his work April 9, 1905. He died in Cleveland March 24, 1910. In December, 1904, Mr. and Mrs. Shafer assisted him for a week in special meetings.
Rev. Walter R. Blackmer began work June 4, 1905, and closed it November 30, 1911, after a pastorate of six and a half years. He is now pastor at Arcade, N. Y.
Rev. Roselle Theodore Cross was called July 29, 1912, at a salary of $900 and parsonage and four weeks vacation. He began his work September 1, 1912, and closed it August 31, 1916, at the age of seventy-two. The church asked him to remain after that as pastor emeritus. In the fall of 1916 he was to supply until a new pastor should be secured.
For further information about pastors and other church officers see their names in the genealogical part of this book.
DEACONS. Those marked D. died in office: Lewis Alling, D., William Parmelee, D., Nathaniel Wilcox, D., Joel W. Thompson, Josiah Redfield, Andrew Conant, Dan Parmelee, Jared Atwater, Luman Lane, William Wilcox, George Stanley, Orville C. Clark, Joel R. Parmelee, Edward Crouse, Sen., Gideon H. Mills, Charles Lane, Harrison Dunshee, Wallace W. Chamberlin, Chauncey B. Lane, Oscar O. Kelsey, Hosmer C. Lane, Peter P. Evans.
CLERKS: Luman Lane, Rev. Samuel Bissell, Josiah Redfield, Hector Taylor, John W. Dodge, Zeno Parmelee, Rev. Robert C. Learned, Joel R. Parmelee, John M. Hart, George Stanley, Rev. Samuel Bryant, Rev. Andrew Sharp, Oscar O. Kelsey, Henry W. Cannon, Charles E. Riley, Hosmer C. Lane.
TREASURERS (of the Church): Elisha Lane, John Dodge, Dan Parmelee, Nathaniel Wilcox, Jared Atwater, Lewis Alling, Daniel W. Richardson, Joel Parmelee, Edward Crouse, Sen., Nelson C. Dodge, Hosmer C. Lane, W. B. Parmelee, Charles Lane, Oscar O. Kelsey, Helen Dodge.
DISCIPLINE. The discipline of members was much more frequent and thorough in the early days than it is at present. The records of several church trials are found in the minutes. The most common offenses were falsehood, swearing, Sab-
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TWINSBURG HISTORY
bath breaking, dishonesty, heretical views, and especially covenant breaking by absenting oneself from church ser- vices and ordinances. In a number of cases the offending member confessed his wrong and continued in membership.
MORAL REFORMS. Resolutions were occasionally passed against the great evils of the day, as slavery, intemperance, etc. The first was on June 17, 1833, when it was unani- mously voted that the church views the making, vending and using of ardent spirits as a rank moral evil. November 5, 1834, a motion not to receive members unless they would pledge themselves to total abstinence, etc., was lost by one vote. Four weeks later the same in substance, only stronger, was passed and it was voted to put it in the articles of faith and practice. Two months later it was rescinded, not because it was wrong, but because it was too radical for the present. On June 14, 1837, just after the radical temperance people had left and formed a new church, the old church resolved that they would not admit members who refused to promise that they would not make, use or provide for others ardent spirits as a beverage, and that has been sub- stantially their attitude ever since. In 1844 the deacons were instructed to get raisins for communion purposes, and in 1857, and again in 1874, it was resolved to use the pure juice of the grape. In 1858 resolutions were passed against going to the post office or making cheese on Sunday, and against slavery. Dea. William Wilcox profitably ran a non- Sabbath breaking cheese factory for years.
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