Mount Vernon, Ohio - Continued (part 2 of 2)

The Lutheran Church

The Evangelical Lutheran church, of Mt. Vernon, is almost a thing of the past. Its membership never was numerous, but was composed of some of the best citizens of the town and surrounding country. Of the early history of the Lutherans in the country but little is known, as it dates far back in the past. The most numerous body of Lutherans is attached to St. John's church, located in Pleasant. township, and the church in the city was mainly organized by members from that church, among whom may be mentioned Frederick Keifer and wife, Henry Beckley and wife, and others, who were joined by the few members living in the city, Peter Hoke and wife being of the number. In 1864 a few of these united and purchased the church building erected by the membership of the western charge of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1852, under the superintendency of the Rev. Mr. Wilson. When the eastern and western charges united in 1864, Mr. Kiefer, Mr. Hoke and other Lutherans purchased the church edifice on North Sandusky street, for two thousand four hundred dollars. For a few years the church maintained regular pastors, kept up regular preaching and maintained a Sunday school. Death, migration, and members attaching themselves to other church organizations soon left the remaining membership too small to retain a regular pastor. Its pulpit has been vacated since 1876, except when occassionally occupied by some itinerant, The Revs. Pringle and Cochel were the last regular pastors. The remaining members are now negotiating for the sale of the church edifice.

United Presbyterian Church

The United Presbyterians at one time had an extensive church membership in the county, and were under the pastoral charge of the Rev. J. H. Peacock, who for some years faithfully ministered to their spiritual wants. Under his superintendency the church edifice, northwest corner of Main and Sugar streets, was erected. This was in 1852. The last preacher in charge was the Rev. Pollock, whose sudden death while on his way home from evening service a few years since is fresh in the memory of all. The church is occasionally used by missionaries of that persuasion, travelling through the country. The site of this church edifice was originally purchased for school purposes, at the time the city adopted the Akron school system, and a part of the building material had been placed upon the ground. When the city discarded that system the site was purchased by the church members and friends, and the present building erected.

African Methodist Episcopal Church

The early records of this church organization have been mislaid or lost, consequently an accurate account of its early history cannot be given. The first ascertained Methodist among this people in Mt. Vernon was James A. Ralls, a local preacher, who came here from Virginia in December, 1865.

There were quite a number of colored people here prior to the coming of Mr. Ralls, but they had been connected. with the churches in and around their old homes long before they immigrated to Mt. Vernon, and retained their religious belief until they united and formed this church.

The meeting, preliminary to the organization, was held in the basement room of the East Vine Street Christian church, the Rev. John Beatty, of Zanesville, officiating. The date of this meeting After an appropriate prayer by James A. Ralls, local preacher, the subject of church organization was introduced. A constitution was signed by all present who were willing to aid the organization, among whom were Riley Jenkins and wife, James A. Ralls, Clara Ralls, John W. Ralls and wife, J. W. Hackley and wife, Charles White, Mary Lewis, Titus Hill, Everett Giles, Jonathan P. Simmons, M. W. Balar, Perry Wilson, Milton Newman, Samuel Simmons, and others. From that time to about 1873 weekly meetings were held in private residences, the basement rooms of the Christian and the United Presbyterian churches, and a room in the third story of the Kremlin block. In 1873 or 1874 arrangements were perfected to erect a church building. The ground was purchased, and the walls of the house raised to the square when the funds gave out, and the building was left in that unfinished condition until 1876, when, by the liberality of the citizens, sufficient money was raised to finish the building. ; the following pastors have had charge of this congregation: Reverends Jones, John Gassaway, Jesse Henderson, Thomas, Daniel Mason, Walter Lowry, William Davidson, Charles White, and Jesse Henderson, the present pastor. For a few years the members sustained a resident pastor, having service every Sunday. At present the churches at Newark and Mt. Vernon are one charge under the pastorate of Rev. Henderson, services being held every alternate Sabbath. This church held camp-meetings on the fair grounds in

1879 and 1880, which were largely attended by members from the neighboring cities, the bishop of Baltimore superintending. The church numbers forty members, and the services on the Sabbath are kept up with great regularity and interest.