Delaware County, Ohio - Chapter 13: Religious or Chvrch History of Delaware Covnty, 1908 (part 3 of 3)

The first class was' composed of the following named persons: James Maize and wife, Henry C. Fleming, Ann Evans and James Fleming. The church is in a prosperous condition. Since the new building has been in use the following clergymen have filled the pastoral charge . Caleb Hill, A. D. Mathers. William Lance, Frank B. Olds, Henry Pilcher, John Hills, Benjamin Powell, and others.

Fulton's Creek M. E. Church is in the western part of the township, near the creek from which it is named. Their present meeting-house was built in 1868, and cost $1,100. It is a frame structure, conveniently located for the accommodation of the people, and well adapted for its purpose. The original trustees were Thomas Armstrong, John KennecK, Thomas Love, John G. Curry, Lewis Wolfley and Henry Perry. It was dedicated by the Rev. Mr. Henderson. The organization existed some years before the present church building was erected, the information in relation to time and its early condition not being accessible.

The New Disciple or Campbellite denomination have a comfortable frame church, situated in the north central part of the township, which was built in 1853, and dedicated the same year. The organization existed as such previous to that date. The society has now ceased to exist, but the church building still stands on what is known as the Bill Decker farm.

The first church society organized in Trenton, we believe, was that of the Presbyterians about 1836, by Rev. Calvin N. Ransom, with twenty members. The first elders were Silas Ogden, A. P. Condit, and Robert Lewis. This church until the reunion was connected with the Franklin Presbyterian, New School. Among the original members were Simeon Condit, Silas Ogden, A. P. Condit, Robert Lewis, Squire Wheaton, Elizabeth Condit. Elizabeth Leak, Magdalene Van Dorn, Maria Condit, Mercy Wheaton, Mary Condit. Jane Os:den and .Andrew Herrons and wife. The facts leading to the organization of this church were something as follows: After holding a meeting in June, 1835, with reference to the formation of a society, Messrs. A. P. and J. S. Condit were sent to Alexandria to confer with the minister of that place, but receiving no encouragement from him, they next visited the Presbyterian Church in Genoa Township. From Mr. Ransom, the pastor of that church, they received but little more encouragement than at Alexandria. He prevailed on them, however, to unite with the Genoa Church. In the September following these visits, a gloom was cast over the community by the death of J. S. Condit. Mr. Ransom being called upon to preach his funeral sermon, took occasion to refer to the visit of Mr. Condit and the object of his mission to him some time before. He said upon further reflection, he had come to the conclusion that he had done wrong in discouraging their project, and believed the time had come for them to organize a church in their neighborhood. Accordingly, a meeting was called at the Ogden School house to consider the propriety of at once organizing a society. At that meeting, A. P. Condit was appointed to present the matter to the presbytery, which body decided in favor of the movement, and Rev. Mr. Ransom was directed to establish a church. He was the first pastor and preached to them for one year, for which he received the sum of $18.50, all that could be raised by the members. The second preacher was Rev. Mr. Allen for one year; the third. Rev. Ezra G. Johnson ; the fourth. Rev. Ahab Jinks. "But," adds our informant, "he being a farmer, and judge of the Court of Common Pleas, only a part of his time could be given to the church."

At a meeting held February 21, 1837. the practicability of building a church edifice was discussed, and finally a resolution was passed to proceed at once with the undertaking. Soon after, their first building was put up, which served them as temple of worship until 1855. The following is a transcript of the proceeding of a meeting held February 5, 1875 : "At a meeting of the members of the First Presbyterian Church, of Trenton Township, Dela- ware County, a motion was adopted that a committee be appointed to circulate a subscription paper for the purpose of building a new meeting house, and if a sufficient amount for the purpose is secured, they are authorized to act as a building committee, and to select a site and build the house." A. P. Condit, John E. Ketcham and E. M. Condit were appointed the committee, and the further duty imposed upon them of selling the old church building. This they accomplished April 1, 1875, selling it for the sum of $100, to the United Brethren Church for a house of worship. Air. Miles and Mr. Skinner gave their obligations for the payment of the amount, and also agreed to either move the house or secure the lot upon which it stood for the benefit of their society. The new building of the Presbyterians cost $1,000 and was dedicated by Revs. Warren Jenkins and John W. Thompson. This building was erected about one-half mile west of where the new building now stands, and was sold to Mr. L. A. Pierson, who now uses it for a barn. It served the congregation until 1879, when a new church was erected at a cost of $3,000, and was dedicated May 25th, by Rev. Nathan S. Smith, of Delaware, assisted by Rev. Carson, of Westerville. Five years ago a Sunday school room was added, and with changes made in the audience room, it cost as much as the main room. It is now the best country church in Marion Presbytery. The church is in a flourishing condition, and has exercised a wide-spread influence in the entire community. The following ministers have served the church since Rev. Ransom:

The Methodist Episcopal Church dates back almost to the organization of the Presbyterian Church. Sometime between 1835 and 1840. a society of this denomination was formed in a school house, embracing in its original membership many of the early settlers of the township. The first minister who preached to the congregation in the little school house was Rev. Curtis Godhard. Another of the pioneer preachers of this society was Rev. Mr. McDowell. The present church was built in 1855, and was dedicated by Rev. Samuel Lynch. Its early ministers were : Revs. John Mitchell, William Morrow, Alexander Blamfield, D. R. Moore, and others. The church cost originally about $700. It has been repaired and is prosperous. A Sunday school is maintained most of the time. This church has been productive of much good in the neighborhood, and many souls, through its influence, have been brought home to Christ.

The Old School Presbyterians organized a society and built a church in this township, but did not exist any great length of time. In 1850 thep built their church, but became lukewarm and sold out to the Methodists. This society moved over into Porter Township, and established what is known there as the Mount Pleasant Methodist Episcopal Church. It is more fully noticed, however, in the historv of that township.

The United Brethren had an organized society in the township and a church building was erected, but the society has gone down, and the church has not been used for five years.

Trenton Christian Union Church. This church was organized on the first Saturday of July, 1849, by Rev. William H. Ashley. Their church building was erected in 1863, and was dedicated by Rev. Mills Harrod, November 9, 1863, the sermon being preached by Rev. James Marion. The church is located near the road leading from Sunbury to Trenton village. Rev. Miles Harrod served the church twenty-one years. The present pastor is Rev. A. D. Mann. Jacob Fisher has been clerk from the beginning, [849, to 1892, since which time his son. R. W. Fisher, has taken his place. The present membership is seventy-nine. The principles of this church are: First. The word of God as our only rule of faith and practice; second. Christian character and spirit as the only test of fellowship ; third. Christian as the only name by which the church shall be known. This church is the only one of this kind in Delaware County, and is connected with the Ohio Central Christian Conference.

About the year 1806 a tornado passed over a portion of Delaware County, which, on account of its strength and destruction was designated as "the Great Windfall." Many of the early settlers remember windfalls which did considerable damage, but this was the most devastating of which they have any recollections. It struck Scioto and Thompson Townships, and with a curve swept across the northwest corner of Delaware Township into Troy. Here, in some cases for a mile wide, the great trees were prostrated, and it seemed as if a mighty scythe had cut a swath through the forest. For many years after the path could be discerned by means of the smaller timber and the decaying logs.

The first church built in this township, and around which clusters the most historic interest, is the old Marlborough Baptist Church. The records from which we take the accompanying sketch are very full and complete, and appear to have been made a short time previous to July 14. 1810, and show the causes of organization. They run as follows : "It pleased God in His good providence to remove a number of His people to this part of the world, and we were from different parts of the country and strangers to each other. We became acquainted in the love of Jesus Christ and the profession of our faith in God, and brother Joseph Cole gave them permission for meetings to be held at his bouse, and also did a number of other people open doors likewise, and it pleased God to cause Elder Brun-

The first meeting of the Baptist Church at Marlborough took place the Saturday before the third Lord's Day, July 14, 1810, and the following are the minutes of the first meeting:

"The church voted to give Elder William Brundige a call to the pastoral chair of the church, and the clerk was instructed to write a letter to Liberty Baptist Church, requesting a dismission for him from that church, and to lay the letter before the church for inspection at our next church meeting, which is to be held at the cabin of brother Joseph Cole."

August 19, 1 8 10. The church met at brother Joseph Cole's cabin on Saturday before the third Lord's Day in August. Elder Wyatt was chosen moderator. The church proceeded to renew covenant and found a union. The following is a copy of the letter sent to William Brundige from the church in Liberty :

Elder William Brundige, living a member in full communion with us, now living in the bounds of a sister church of the same faith and order, and being desirous of a letter of dismission from us so that he may join them, and applying now by the mouth of Elder Wyatt for a letter, we now give him a letter as a minister of the Gospel and recommend him as such, and being in good standing with us at this time, and as soon as he is joined to another church of the same faith and order, he will be considered as fully dismissed from us. This letter is given at Delaware town by order of the Baptist Church of Liberty. (Signed) Joseph Eaton, clerk.

Elder William Brundige came forward to join the church, and gave in his letter of dismissal from the pastoral charge of Liberty Church, and was appointed to the pastoral chair of the church.

The meeting on the Saturday before the third Lord's Day in April. 1811, was interrupted by the male members of the church being called to military training.

In March. 1814. Pierce Main came forward, and, after confessing his fault, was readmitted into the church. The following is a copy of the letter of dismissal of Nathaniel Wyett, the first settler in this section of the county, from the Liberty Church.

The Baptist Church, called Liberty Church, in Delaware County, State of Ohio, holding the doctrine of unconditional election, justification by Jesus Christ, justification by the spirit of grace; the resurrection of dead, both of the just and the unjust, etc. TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: That our Elder Nathaniel Wyatt has requested a letter of dismissal from this church as his local situation, and the helps we are blessed with in the church justify his request. We do now dismiss him as being in full fellowship with us, and as such we recommend him to the other churches of the same faith and order.

It was not until about [819 that the society built their first church. It was constructed of hewn logs, from Joseph Cole's land. The situation was the same as now occupied by the new church, which overlooks the river in the extreme northern and eastern part of the township.

In 1836 they tore down the old log church. Joseph Cole bought it and moved it to his farm and placed it opposite his house. It is now used as a hay barn. A frame one was then built, which they occupied until 1873, when it was replaced .with a new one. The present church is an elegant structure, large and commodious, and is built of brick and freestone, at a cost of $3,300. The first minister that preached to the society was William Brundige.

The first Methodist organization in Troy Township was the Windfall Class. It took its name from the fact that it worshipped in a small school house on the southwest corner of Hiram Welch's farm, which was situated in the path taken by the "Great Windfall," of 1806. This organization had an existence as early as 1 834, and continued for a number of years, but had no church building.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, situated just above Judge Norris' farm, first came out as an organization and at first worshipped in the school house situated near where the present structure stands. The first frame structure was built upon the site of the present brick church, and was a very cheap affair. Soon after it was put up, they were joined by the "Windfall Class," and worship was continued for some time. At last their building becoming so poor and dilapidated as to seriously inconvenience those worshiping in it, the services were discontinued, and in 1867. finding all efforts to rebuild it unavailing, it was sold to J. B. Jackson for $25 and moved by him to his farm near by, where it can still be seen. It was not until 1872 that the organization again showed signs of life and activity. In that year, the congregation built a fine brick structure, at a cost of $2,200, which was dedicated the same year, by D. D. Mather. J. F. Richardson is the present pastor.

The Baptist Church, which is situated in the eastern part of the township, near the "Horse Shoe," owes its origin to the revolt of elder Briggs and other members, in 1856, from the old Marlborough Baptist Church. The church is a frame structure, in good condition and the society maintains occasional services. Maple Hil'l M. E. Church. About 1885 John Hoorley, a young local preacher of the M. E. Church, came from Columbiana County to this neighborhood. He was full of zeal for his work and held meetings in the lower

Horse Shoe school house, which resulted in about twenty conversions. These at first united with the surrounding churches. It was decided to organize a Sunday school, hut when the parties interested met to do so they found that the school directors had locked the doors of the school house against them. Air. Reed, a Presbyterian who lived near by, invited them to come to his house, in which place the school was held.

Soon after it was decided to organize a church, and about fifteen persons, belonging to different denominations, went into the new organization. As nearly as can be ascertained the original membership was composed of the following families : Frank Sherman and family ; Frank Ashville and family ; Henry Reed and family ; Samuel Tayler and wife, and a Air. Smith. A frame church was soon erected by voluntary subscriptions and named the Maple Hill Church.

The congregation was supplied for several years by students from the Ohio Wesleyan University. The society is not, at this date, maintained, but ministers of various denominations preach occasionally in the church and a Sunday school is maintained during a part of the year.

The Young Men's Christian Association in Delaware is one of the city's latest organizations and one with a remarkable career for the brief time that it has been in existence. The influences that led to its organization are to be found in a spontaneous movement among a number of the city's young men. who had become familiar with its needs and who had been impressed with the fact that there was great need among the young men for some central place where clubs and gymnastic features, around which had been thrown the influence of a Christian home, could be secured. From this movement followed quickly other movements that gave Delaware an Association that is rapidly assuming a prominent place in the city's life. and also a prominent place among the associations of the State.

It was in the Spring of 1905 that a number of young men became interested in the propi isal of a Young Men's Christian Association for the city of Delaware. A number of conferences among themselves, led these men to draw up papers which they personally circulated among the men of the city asking that every man who would be glad to see the establishment of such an organization should sign. The result was a remarkable one. The signers embraced the leading business men of the city, many of the professors of Ohio Wesleyan University, as well as many of a younger class. The move, thus accelerated, at once assumed a definite shape. Rev. F. I. Johnson, at that time the pastor of the Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church. Air. W. A. Morrison, the president of the Delaware Underwear Factory and a leading business man. and Air. Weyland Alichener, became the leaders of an effort to at once secure a building and place the organization on its feet.

On the first day of August, with six weeks left to secure the option on the old Blee Hotel building at the corner of East Winter and Union Streets, a building removed far enough from the business center to insure the necessary quiet, and at the same time furnish a most convenient meeting place for the men coming from all parts of the city, began the contest for the Association. A saloon that then occupied the building and the Association made the race for the building's control, and the Young Alen's Christian Association won. After one of the hardest fought financial campaigns in the history of Delaware, the needed $20,000 was secured and the building which is the home of the Association formally purchased. A mass meeting of the citizens that followed chose fifteen incorporators, who were. Messrs. W. A. Morrison, C. D. Young, E. D. Pollock, E. F. Young. V. T. Hills, L. L. Denison. N. F. Overturf. Jas. Ovsey, E. AI. Hall. Stephen Potter, J. F. Denison. Robert P. Benton. J. L. Anderson. R. J. Pumphrey and Jas. Wilson. Captain V. T. Hills was chosen as the first president of the Association.

tary of the Association, anil Mr. W. A. Morrison succeeded Mr. Hills as president. During this year repairs on the building were begun, and a wonderful transformation made in its appearance and arrangement. Probably no greater transformation of a building has ever taken place within the city. A gymnasium was arranged, club rooms prepared, and plans formed for general Association work carried into effect.

Xew Year's day, 1907, brought the Association into complete possession of the building, and Mr. Oscar M. .Miller, who had been employed as assistant secretary of the Toledo Association, became the general secretary. The formal opening of the building followed about the last of March, a big celebration marking the real beginning of the Association's work in the city.

Nine months of the work were completed on the first clay of January, 1908. It is counted a difficult matter to organize any institution or commercial company having a single line of work and give it more than a start in such a length of time. The Y. M. C. A., while it has as its single aim the building of strong mental, physical and moral men - has many kinds of work included within its scope, so that the problem of conducting very diverse interests becomes a difficult one.

of Association work. The building on the corner has become the social center for over four hundred members, more than one-third of whom are boys and another third business men. Its four walls include a gymnasium, with special classes in physical training for boys, young men and business men ; athletic sport provided by inter-class basket ball and volley-ball contests ; social recreation and clean fun, centering in a bowling league of three dozen members ; bath-tubs, sponge and shower, for the members to use as frequently as they wish ; a Boy's Club ; the Commercial Club's headquarters ; a glee club of twenty male voices; a Boy's Orchestra; a pleasant residence for thirty men ; a night school, providing instruction in a number of hues of work; a Sunday afternoon Bible Discussion Class; and a training class for the men Sunday school teachers of the city. Besides all this, there have been many social evenings for the men and boys of the city, and a number of addresses and big Sunday meetings for men. The plans for a greater enlargement of the work and the more effective carrying out of the plans already under way is the work of the future. Step by step the officers of the Association are doing their best to bring it into a greater and more intimate touch with the needs of the city, and there is every indication that it is to become one of the most vital factors in the religious, social, and moral life of the people of Delaware.