Allen County, Ohio - Chapter 11: Churches, 1885

TN this chapter a synopsis of the history of the ohnrches of Allen -^ Couniy is given, to render complete the general history of the county. In dealing with the history of the various settlements, towns and townships, a full effort has been made to deal fully and accurately with the churches and schools, these two golden tablets of our civilization; so that here a mere reference to the dates of foundation or establishment only is considered necessary.

The establishment of the various divisions of the Christian Church throughout the county was begun about the year 1833. Previous to that year, however, ministers of the Christian religion, as well as Mormon Elders, visited the Hog Creek settlements, aod preached to the people. In 1833, Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church was founded, by Rev. Mr. Ourley. The same year, Reva Thomas Clark and James Cunningham organized the Presbyterian Society, and a year later. Rev. William Chaffee established the Baptist Church at Lima. In 1855, Rev. P. G. Stierwalt founded Zion*s Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Catholics of the district were visited at intervals by missionary fathers from 1830 up to 1860-70, when Rev. A. R. Sedley was appointed priest of the inission of St Rose. In 1862 the African Methodist Episcopal Church Society was formed by Rev. Grafton Graham; about this time also, Rev. P. Greding organized the German Evangelical Lutheran Society. Li 1869 David S. Cross and others organized the Church of Christ. In 1872 the Protestant Episcopal Society was organized by Rev. Mr. Hall, and still more recently, Grace Methodist Episcopal Church was organized; the Second Presbyterian Church was founded; the Reformed English Church was established, the Reformed Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Second Baptist, Colored Church Society was instituted. In the matter of Christian progress, to which religious organization and church building must be considered an index, Lima City has marked above all other divisions of the county.

Bobert Finlej organized a Methodist class at St Mary's in 1829 previous to the arrival of Bevs. John Wood and Abram Miller, who came as missionaries that year. In 1830, Bev. James B. Austin came into this part of Ohio, and was followed in 1831 by Bev. John Hill. In 1832 Bev. Jesse Prior and Elder W. H. Baper came, and established the mission at St Mary's, with Elida, the eastern limit. Bev. James W. Finley and John Alexander came in 1833, and in October of this year the first quarterly conference was held at Lima, with Eider Baper presiding.

In 1834 Bev, Pere Baden visited St. Mary's and the country along the Ottawa. Four years previous to this time, however, in 1830, Bev. Father Stallo a missionary priest from Cincinnati, the same who estab* lished Stallotown, now known as Minster, in Mercer County, visited the Catholics of Allen County.

In 1842 George Spangler organized the German Beformed Church Society of Bichland Township. John Flint founded the Mennonite Society here in 1848, and in 1849 the Presbyterian Church was founded by Bevs. Mr. Uolliday and McKinney.

In Sugar Creek Township the Methodists had a class as early as 1833, but the honor of erecting a church building was left to the Welshmen, who constructed a log-house for worship in 1838, the same which continued in use down to 1873, when their substantial house of worship was erected.

The Methodist Society of German Township dates back to the days of Bev. Messrs. Eellum and Sullivan. In 1831 a Methodist Episcopal Society was organized at Elida. In 1837 Bev. A. Doner founded Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, and in 1867 the United Brethren were organized by Bev. S. T. Mahan.

Bev. George Swigart formed a Methodist class in Bath Township, and had a log-house built on Section 4, in 1836. The German Baptists of Sugar Creek organized under Abram Miller in 1833, and in later years Bev. William Wilson founded the Church of the Disciples.

The first religious services in Shawnee may be said to have been conducted by Bev. James B. Finlay, a Methodist circuit preacher. The first house of worship, however, was erected on Section 27, by the

In Jackson Township there were neither schools nor church buildings until long after the pioneer age of the county, although religious services were held and schools taught almost from the date of its settlement.

In Amanda Township the Baptists organized a society about 1829-30, but their house of worship was not erected until 1840-41. Bevs. Joseph Hill and Oharles Waddle were the first preachers.

To-day the Christian Church is represented by buildings and pastors and people in every village and settlement within the county. Where, in 1834, a few hundred might be calculated us the church-going population of Allen County, tens of thousands may now be counted identified directly with the workings and progress of denominational thought and aspirations.