Union County, Ohio - Chapter 13: The Churches of the County, 1915 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 13: The Churches of the County

The numerically strong denominations in Union county ha\"e been the Presbyterians and Alethodists. The Presbyterians were first to erect a building for worship. This was in Upper Liberty in 1809, the society having been formed about 1800. The church annals show that about 1799 the presb}tery of Transylvania, Kentucky, was divided into three presbyteries, viz : Transyhania, West Lexington and Washington, the latter including all that portion of Ohio west of the Scioto river. Rev. Archibald Steele, a licentiate of the Washingt(in presb_\ter)- and an uncle of Gen. William B. Irwin, a former well-known citizen of this county, was commissioned as a missionary in southwestern Ohio in the spring of 1799, with authority to visit all new settlements and make out a list of all members of his denomination. Whenever they wanted a church he was to report to the presbytery for proper action. This was carried out and he visited this county and found many of his denomination who wanted a church of their choice formed as soon as practicable. Thus it will be seen that this denomination was first in the field, and hence will be first treated in this chapter.

The Presbyterian Churches

As has already been stated, the Presbyterians erected the pioneer church of this count}' in 1809. Among the churches of this denomination the following should ever have a place in the annals of the county and state of Ohio.

Joshua Ewing and his family, James, his brother, Betsey, his sister, and their aged mother, lived in a new town on the west bank of Big Darby, named North Liberty. This was in the southeast part of what is now Darby township. Here Archibald Steele organized a Presbyterian church in the fall of 1800, calling it Xorth Liberty. Joshua Ewing and Samuel Kirkpatrick were elected elders at the organization of this, the first religious body formed in what now constitutes L'nion county, and one of the pioneer organizations of the stale. Hut very few families had then settled in the neighborhood, and the membership of this church included most of them. The people lived far apart and never had a pastor nor stated supply. Neither was a house of worship erected and in a ^hort time the organization was dissohed hy mutual consent. Out of the materials that belonged to it, however, the churches of Upper and Lower Libert)- were formed, the former being near what is now ^lilfortl Center and organized in the latter part (jf 1S07 or early in 1808. Rev. Samuel Woods was the first pastor, from whose tombstone is taken the following: "Rev. Samuel Woods, first pastor of the Presbyterian church of Lipper and Lower Lil>erty, was installed pastor in this church June 15, 1808, and died April 27, 181 5, in the thirty-si.xth year of his age.'' Mr. \^^oods was born in Cumberland count}', Pennsylvania, January 15. 1770. and was a graduate of Dickinson College, at Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

"The first house of worship erected by a religious society in Cnion county was built In' the Presbyterians of Upper Libertv in i8oc). It stood on the line dividing the farms of Rev. S. \\"cK)ds and Elder Samuel Reed, between the mad and the old grax'evard. It was a plain, priniitixe building of hewr. logs, twenty-four feet square. All the niaterials and mechanical labor were supplied by the membership. It was not necessary to consult an architect and get up plans and specifications and gi\'e out the contract to the lowest responsible bidder, and then, when dedication day came, report a few thousand as a debt to be remo\'ed before the Lord could get the building. But this primiti\'e church edifice was for man\' vears without the means of heating; the peojile, therefore, met during the winter in school houses and pri\'ate dwellings. It was also \er}' plain internally: slabs, with rude legs. were used for seats. Tradition has it that two or three families in process of time became so aristocratic as to construct backs to their pews, thus showing that at a ver\' early day invidious distinctions will intrude themselves upon a church.' An addition of eighteen feet was made to one side of the old church about 1S22-J3, antl the building was used until 1834, when a brick structure was erected at IMilford Center, and the congregation removed there. The old house stood a mile and a half east of the village, on the north side of Darby creek."

The exact date of the organization of Lower Liberty Presln'terian church, as it was named, is luiknown, Init the best information obtainable makes it about 1807. Al)out the same time a similar organization, denominated Upper Liberty Presbvterian church, was formed in I'nion townshi]), and the two societies were serx'ed b\" the same pastors for many \ears. Re\'. Samuel Woods was the first pastor, until 1813.

From that date. Revs. William Dickey. Archibald Steele, James Hodge, D.D., Elder Hughes and others su])plied the church until i8ji. when Re\'. James Robinson was installed pastor. He sen-ed the church seven years.

Rev. Darius C. Allen was stated supply from 1829 to 1831. The year following. Rev. Benjamin Dolbear became the pastor and continued his labors with this charge until about 1838. In 1837, Lower Liberty was rent in twain by the internal dissensions then existing in this denomination. The two factions were nearly eciually divided, but a slight majority favored the Old School branch. Rev. Dolbear continued with this division. His successor, Rev. William H. Galbreath, was installed October 7, 1839, serving until April 18, 1848. Rev. Benjamin Evans was the next and last pastor of this branch. In the New School dixision, Re\'. Henry Shedd was the only settled pastor, but Rev. Kuhn, Re\-. Ulfeld and others supplied it.

Among the earliest prominent members of this church were James Ewing, Joshua Ewing, David Mitchell, Jr., David Chapman and John Taylor. The early services were probably held in private houses ; then in the school house, which stood on the lot where the first meeting house was erected. This primitive church stood on a lot of four acres, donated to the society by Walter Dun, and situated about a mile northwest of Plain City in the forks of the Post pike and the road leading northeast to Big Darby. The building was erected as earlv as 1820, perhaps sooner. It was a large, unfurnished frame structure: weather-boarded, but not plastered; roofed, but without a chimney. The seats were only slal)s supported b}- rough sticks. A broad, center aisle, at each end of which a door was originally designed, but never inserted. The women occupied one side of this room : the men held undisputed possession of the other.

This old building could not be heated and was used only during the summer. In cold weather, the school house on the same lot was brought into requisition, its more limited space proving sufficient to accommodate the few members who attended in that season. In 1836, a large brick structure, forty-six bv fifty-two, was reared on the same site. It was constructed by l)y Mr. Clifford, of Union township. The congregation then numbered about seventy-fi\-e. Scarcely had it taken possession of this new home when the troubles arose which produced the division. Of the four ruling elders then in office, James Ewing. T. 'S\. Ewing and John Taykir adhered to the Old School, and Dax'id Chapman united with the New School branch. WHiile the united congregation was strongly self-supporting, both divisions were too weak to maintain efficient organizations and struggled between life and death for about sixteen years. The Old School division kept possession of the church, but by agreement the other branch had the use of the church each alternate Sabbath. .About 18^3 both societies disorganized. Four years later a reconciliation was effected amone the members and a new organiza- tion entered into, which re-assumed the old name, Lower Liberty. Their church, however, was buih and still stands in Plain City, Aladison county, and its subsequent history by this change of location was passed fruni the domain of Jerome township.

Among the old and jMoniinenl families of this congregation were the Mitchells, Ewings, Robinson, Gills, Curr)', Rickards, Bucks, Aliens, Guys. Taylors and Chapmans. T. Al. Ewing;, James Ewing, Jesse Gill, Stephenson Curry, James Robinson, Jessie Mitchell and Abner Chapman were the ruling elders for many years. A number of their descendants are ncjw prominent members of the Presbyterian church at Plain City.

As was the custom, the men sat on one side of the church and the women on the other side. In 1S3O a large red brick building was erected on the same site, in which services were held until about 1850. The pulpit was in the front of the church, so that upon entering the church one would face the congregation. The platform of the pulpit was about si.x feet high, and onh' the heatl and shoulders of the minister could be seen, as the front wall of the pulpit was so high. The seats all had high Ijoard backs and a door next to the aisle had a button to it, which was turned as soon as the children were all counted in. In those da}'s families all sat in the same seat and the seat of each family was well known. Strangers and transients were seated in the rear part of the church unless invited to sit with some family. Sunday school was in the morning at 9:30, preaching at II :oo, two prayers and a sermon an hour in length. Then came a half hour intermission for the dinner, which had been brought along in baskets. After eating all look their seats in the church for another long sermon.

The music was n(.)t classical, but there were many good \-oices and it \\as a real praise ser\ice. The singing was usuall}' led by two of the elders of the church. As there were not a sufficient number of hymn liooks to go round, the two leaders would stand up in front of the pulpit anil "line out" two lines of the hymn and then lead the singing. Jesse Ciill and James Robinson were the leaders for many years. Later Benjamin Fay. who played the flute and was ([uite a musician, organized a choir of young people. The old red brick church drew great congregations in the summer time and it was often full to overflowing, for the people came from miles around, e\en as far as ^Milford Center and l'"air\iew. in wagons, on horseback and on foot. When the young folks would start home on their prancing horses it would look like a troop of cavalry. The regidar Sunday services usuallv lasted until about two o'clock. After the disorganization of the societv the old church building was also abandoned to the birds and bats, the windows were knocked out. the yartl grew up in weeds and bushes, and so it remained until after the Civil War. In 1870 it was torn down and the brick were hauled to Plain Cit\ and used in the erection of the Presbyterian church. \\'. H. Galbreath. the pastor in 1839. in the old church building, lived to became ministers. Among the number were Dax'id G. Robinson, deceased, and James Curr\-, who preached the faith believed in and lived by their \enerable fathers and mothers. For almost two score years Rev. James Curr\% a son of Stephenson Curry, preached in California, and now has a pastorate at Newark, California.

The Milford Center Presbyterian church was organized, as now constituted, after its removal from the old site, east of the village, on April 8, 1838. before which time it had been known as Upper Liberty church. It had been made a part of the Marion presbytery in 1835. Its present membership is about fiftv. Among the pastors who have faithfully served may be recalled the following: Revs. William M. Galbreath, 1839 to 1848; James, Peian, 1849-52: he went south and on account of his Northern sentiments was cruelly killed by rebels; Chester H. Perkins, 1854 to 1859; Albert .\. Thompson, 1861-65: Rev. William G. Alarch, 1868-1878; W. H. >>lc:>Ieen, 1882-84; James H. Hawk. 1885-87: William T. Wardle, 1890-91: W. O. Toby, 1894; D. L. Myers, summer of 1896; W. M. Pocock, 1896-97, William B. Chancellor, summer of 1897; J. S. Surbeck, June. 1898-SeptemiDcr, 1902; A. i\I. Chapin. 1903-08 ; H. M. Noble, student from Lane Seminary, 1908. In the autumn of 1914 the church was without a pastor. In 1834 a brick church was erected at Milford Center. It was forty- four by tiftv feet and cost one thousand five hundred dollars. It was used until the fall i)f i860, after which, for a year or more, the congregation used the Methodist building. In the meantime the old church was torn down, the grounds cleared of¥. and in March, 1871. a beautiful new edifice was dedicated by Rev. William G. March. This cost four thousand five hundred dollars. The building has been kept in good repair and now has furnace heat and electric lights.

The Jerome Presbyterian church was organized December 16. 1853, the first pastor being Rev. William Brinkerhoff. He decided to remain until the church concluded to become Congregational in its church policy, so. in November, 1S62, he resigned as pastor. In 1867 it was again changed to the New School Presbyterian. Re\'. .\. N. Hamlin was made pastor, followed b\ Revs. Steven.son, Mason, Hill, Crow, Thomas Christ and Henry Schedd. \bi)ut 1898 the Presbyterians and Methodists united and the Pres-

The Providence I'reslnterian church was organized in December, i860, by Rev. Brinkerhoff. .A church editice was built in i860. In the summer of 1861, when the divisinn arose in the church between the Old and Xew School factions, this society became a CongTegatic)nal church and so re- ,mained until 1S77, when it again came into and untlcr the rulings of the presbytery.

In York township the Presliyterian church was located near the northeastern corner of the township, in the Joseph Miller surxx-y. Kev. William D. Smith, then of Alarysville. was the lirst to preach there. The congregation \\as organized in Xo\eniber. 1831). Preaching was not altogether regular, but it may be of historic interest to name a list of the faithful men who have served in this church as jjastors. They include Revs. D. W. Smith, Sephas D. Cook, James Robinson (then in his seventy-seventh year), Rev. James Campbell, James Smith of .Marysville. Henry Hess, John \V. Drake. Evan Evans. Henry Vandeman, Alex S. Thome, Henry Shedd, John W. Thompson, Charles S. Wood, Charles \A'. Torrey, William <;. March, and others whose names are now forgotten. ])ut whose work lives in the hearts of the community. A church building, erected in 1835, was used until i88j. during which year a new and more modern building was provided. Its cost was about two thousand three hundred dollars.

The ministers of later years who have wonderfully aided in carrying on the work are Revs. A. C. Crist, Leon Arpee, Chester H. Perkins and others.

The present membership of this church is about twenty-five. ]\Iore than two hundred have been received into the society since its organization. It has not been aided by the Home Missionary Society since 1855. Of its Civil War record it may be stated that three laid down their lives. Captain lames .\. Cahill, Jonathan McEldary and Robert AToodie.

The Presbyterian church at bJicliwuod was organized in June, 1874. The present church edifice, a handsome brick building, with lot and furniture, cost about six thousand dollars. Of this amount three thousand six hundred dollars was raised by the church and two thousand four hundred dollars was contributed by the Board of Church Extension and friends outside. It was dedicated January 20, i88g. In 1902 the society purchased a fine pipe organ, at an expense of one thousand eight hundred dollars. The pastors have been: Revs. Henry Shedd, 1874: Charles S. Wood, 1873-76;

Concerning the Presbyterian churches at Marysville and its early histur\- we take the liberty of quoting largely from an historic sermon delivered in iS~b by Rev. William G. March, who brought the history down to that year :

"Several families located in Marysville during its earlier years who were members or friends of the Presbyterian church, and they were occasionally \isited by missionaries, who preached to them. One of these was Re\'. W. I. Frazier, who was sent out by the synod of Cincinnati as missionary in the Miami valley. He lived to an advanced age and died in Illinois. Re\". Ebenezer Washburn, in a letter from Worthington, Ohio, dated September 2^, 1829, to the secretary of home missions, reports as follows concerning the work in this section : 'The region where I have been preaching is now wholly occupied, i. e., Mr. Allen, one of your missionaries, is employed in Madison and Union counties. Marion county and the destitute congregations in Delaware and Franklin counties are occupied by the American Home Missionary Society.'

"After Mr. Allen had prospected this field, he held a meeting on the 9th of September, 1829, in the house of Stephen McLain, in Maiysville, for the purpose of examining candidates with reference to the organization of a Presl)yterian church in this place. ;\Ir. Allen was president at this meeting. Two elders of the church of L'pper Filierty (now Milford Center) were present, Samuel Reed and \\'illiam (iabriel. Sr. Thirteen candidates were present, who were secretlv examined without regard to their former church connection, lileven of this number were approved as suitable persons to constitute a church. The articles of faith and covenant were proposed to the candidate and no objection was made to them. In the evening the candidates met in the court house, where Mr. -\llen preached from Acts XX. 2^. After the sermon a public assent were given to the articles of faith and one received the ordinance of baptism. The following constituted the first members of the Presbyterian church of Marysville: From other churches - Eri Strong, Stephen McLain, Xancy McLain. Silas G. Strong, Mana Stmng. ?klrs. Phebe Adamson, !\lrs. Mary Richey : on profession of their faith-' James Richey, William Richey, ]\irs. Sarah Phelps, }vlrs. Catherine januarv. .\t this same meeting Eri Strong and Stephen McLain were elected, ordained and installed ruling elders over this infant church.

thirty-four members into the church. He administered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper for the first time November 15, 1S29. Some of the entries in Mr. .Mien's journal and reports are as follows:

" 'September 9, 1829. In the afternoon went to Marysville to organize a church. Two elders from L'pper Liberty congregation and myself examined thirteen candidates for membership and received eleven. Four of these had not made public profession and seven v\'ere from other churches. At night preached a sermon, baptized one adult, organized a church and ordained two ruling elders. Hie meeting was pretty well attended. May the Lord Ijless and own this little \ine as of Llis own right hand's planting. This is the county seat of Union and it was highly important that a church should ha\e an earl_\- existence here as the village is forming its character. The Methodists have been operating here for some time. Their number is yet small.

" 'September 29. Preached at Marys\'ille at night on the subject of temperance. Pretty good number out. Among them were some intemperate people. May the I-ord favor the cause of temperance. One intemperate man walked about the house with anger. Several persons here had drawn up resolutions in favor of tem])erance and annexed their signature to them. I hope a temperance society will be formed soon. One store has been commenced without any spirits and one merchant has resolved to purchase no more.

" 'February 2;^. 1830. At night attended the meeting of lecture and prayer in Marysville. Pretty good number out, considering the wet. Villagers are poor hands to stand the mud. * * * A few davs ago a whisky drinker in Marysville attempted to raise a log cabin. During the first day he but five hands - of course the work mo\'ed on slo\\l_\-. They raised the walls seven or eight feet. The next day a temperance man advised him to leave his biittle behind and he would ha\e plenty of hands and the cold water men coukl put up his liuilding directly. Having been assured the thing would be done, he swore he would go without the bottle. The men of strength came forward and effected the work in good time and good order.

" 'May 16, 1830. Dr. Ira \\'ood, who had become a member of the church, was ordained and installed as ruling ekler. By special act of the Ohio Legislature, in February, 1831, 'The First Presbyterian Church of Marysville, Ohio,' was incorporated : by this act Dr. Ira ^\'ood, James Richev and Silas G. Strong were appointed trustees to serve until the first

JMonday in the following March, when and annually thereafter the corporation was required to elect three trustees and one clerk. At the first election the above named persons were chosen trustees and Stephen McLain as clerk. The congregation and session frequently met at Mr. McLain's house for business and religious purposes. Public services were held at first in the old wooden court house and also for a time in the subsequent brick court house. February i6, 1832, a meeting was held at Mr. Mcl.ain's house to consider the question of building a house of worship for the society. A subscription at that time was started and signed by seventeen persons, who subscribed a total of four hundred and thirty-five dollars 'for the purpose of erecting a house of public worship in lot No. 43, in the town of Marysville of such form and size and on such a plan as to entitle the First Presbyterian congregation in Marysville to a deed to the east half of said lot from Joshua ^Jathiot. Esq., whose bond, with conditions the trustees of said congregation now hold, we, the undersigned, agree and bind ourselves to pay to James Richey. Ira Wood and Silas G. Strong, as trustees of such congregation or their successors in office, the sum set to our names respectively : One half to be paid on or before the first day of September ne.xt, ensuing the date hereof, and the residue on the first day of September, 1833.'

'"Mr. Strong was empowered to draft a plan of the new building, which was to be of brick, forty ])y fifty feet, and he was also authorized to make a contract for its construction and see that it was carried out. The work went on slowly and the house was not occupied till 1833 or 1836. Mr. Strong invested largely from his own means in the building and, owing to the poverty or mismanagement of the church, he was not reimbursed. The building because his property and subsequently, by execution or transfer, passed into the hands of a New York or Philadelphia merchant, who was a creditor of Mr. Strong. For a time the building was closed to public worship ; the church became separated into Old School and New School and in the spring of 1844 the former obtained an eight-year lease on the Smith academy building, then in the process of erection. This contract was set aside by mutual agreement at the end of six years, and the congregation once more occupied the old building, which had been purchased of its Eastern owners for nine hundred and fifty dollars. The annual congregational meeting in March, 1849, was held in the brick church and the custom was adopted of assessing the pews for the purpose of raising money to support the pastor. This practice was continued for se\eral years.

"T_^pon the walls of many a memory," says Doctor ^^larch, "hangs the ])icture rit this old l)rick church. Tn \i\i(l outline it stands before the mind's eye, 'grand, gloomy and peculiar." On a bright Sabbath morning the crowd of worshippers flock to tiie temple gate, but there are two flights of stairs on the outside to ascend as a good exercise of breath and muscles. This had to be in order to reach the gates. These entered, and a look to one side will show the pulpit and preacher at the entrance way ; and now the momentum of the ascending exercise brings you to another step that lifts you up one or two feet, and then you can find a seat, or moving forward, vou rise higher still until at the greatest distance from the preacher you will find yourself ])erched in the highest seat of the synagogue. Here a good view is obtained of the hapless wights who come in later, and before the stare of glitteringeyes, may stumble over the middle step, and dash forward to the same elevation. There ne\-er was a church building better adapted to gi\e variety and spice to the dull monotony of seating a congregation. More than once have I seen a titter spread over the placid countenance of some roguish boy or girl, as the eyes regaled themselves at the discomforture of a gay lady or swaggering youth who swept up the aisle, but suddenly halted and stoutly resisted the tcndencv to a iKjrizontal posture. Rut the ludicrous was not alwavs present. ]Many a time and to many a soul has this old structure been truly the 'house of (lod and tlie verv gates of Heaven.' 'The Lord is in His temple.' Tears of j(n', siglis of sorrow, the smiles of heavenl}' satisfaction, the up-lifted heart, the songs of praise and the glad tidings of salvation have filled the holy walls and made their impress for time and eternity."

About t866 a movement was made toward the erection of a new church building, and the materials for it were gathered on the ground in the autumn of 1867. The corner-stone was laid July .iL 1868, and the building was dedicated Sunday, March 20. 1870. at which time were present Revs. James Smith, John VV. Drake, A. E. Thompson, former pastor, and W. G. .March, pastor then in charge. The structure was built of brick, forty-five by seventy feet, surmounted 1)\- a tower, and stood near the northwest corner of Center and West streets. The cost of building and fixtures was about twelve thousand dollars.

this is one of the ])ionecr Presbyterian churches in the county, and has been connected with many illustrious characters, both dead and living, it will be of no little interest to give a list of pastors in the order in which thev have served. They are as follows :

United Presbyterianism at one time had quite a following in attendance of the Sunday school is about one hundred and seventy. The present church edifice, one of the iinest in this section, was dedicated in Xovember, 1904, at a cost of forty thousand dollars. It stands on the northwest corner of Fifth and Court streets, in the very center of the city. The contract price was thirt}'-two thousand dollars, and its present value includes the lot and fixtures.

The United Presbyteri.A.N Churches

United Presbyterianism at one time had quite a following in Union county, and still has one organization. The Old Seceder church, as this denomination was styled, organized at New California between 1835 and 1840. It was organized by the McCampbells and Beards, who came in from Rockbridge county, Virginia, in 1835, ^^id were soon followed by the Liggetts. Services were first held at the home of William McCampbell, Sr., and later in a cooper shop belonging to John McCampbell. The church was organized by Rev. James Wallace and the ruling elders were William Bigger and David Beard, with about thirty members. Rev. Robert Forester, of Reynoidsburg, Ohio, supplied the church for two years. The first installed pastor was Rev. I. N. Laughead, who came in April, 1843, continuing until April, J 864. He was pastor of the church at Unionville Center at the same time. His salary at one time was only three hundred dollars a year and never more than four hundred dollars. He was a fanner and looked upon as one of the most successful farmers in the county. He accumulated much property. He also taught school and many of the older men of the county attended his schools. His wife had a l)right, lo\a])le Christian character, and they had an interesting family. The oldest son, William Bradford, died in the Union army during the Ci\'il War. Rev. Laughead and family removed to Washington, Iowa, in 1865, and there both died and are buried.

The first church building erected by this society was of logs and was "raised" in 1841. The ceiling was very low and some of the benches used as seats did not have any backs. When the minister was in the pulpit his head reached almost to the joists, which were heavy enough for a railroad bridge. This house was used to worship in until 1852, when the old frame

Following Rev. Laughead, in 1865, came Re\-. James A. Taylor, who served until 1867. He was followed Ijy Re\s. John Gilmore, D. M. Gordon, Ebenezer E. Cleland, B. E. Dobbins. R. C. Finney and F^. FI. Thompson, who came in 1911. While the church luembership is not as large as at one tiiue, the influence for good in the community, by reason of the right living and due regard for the .Sabbath and holy things, is going on and will ever be a blessing to those thus influenced.

The present pastor is Rev. A. D. Anderson, who came in September, 191,^. The present membership is about one hundred and five. The church is valued at five thousand five hundred dollars, and the parsonage at three thousand dollars. The present frame church building was erected in 1904- This is the only church of the denominatiijn in Union countv.

The Darb\- Seceder church, later styled the I'nited Presbyterian churcli, was formed as early as 1824. The county was thinly settled at that date and the improvements were few and far between. The original membership did not number more than twelve or fifteen, and among this number were Robert Nelson, Samuel Robinson, Thomas Robinson, James P>oles, John Porter and Samuel ^Mitchell, Jr. The first meetings w'ere held in good weather in the sugar grove on the farm of Judge .Mitchell, east of and near his cabin, close to the banks of Big Derby. It was here the first comnumion services were held. The Lord's Supper was once celebrated in a large barn belonging to Samuel Robinson. This congregation was organized by a minister of the Xenia presbytery, and Rev. James \\'allace became the first pastor. Fie was called in 1830. Fiis salary from the three churches which he then served \vas three hundred dollars per year. The first meeting house was a frame building, thirty by forty feet, erected not later than 1835 on a lot donated for that purpose by Judge David ^Mitchell, northwest from L'nionville. In 1856-57 another frame church was erected to take the place of the old one. Its size was thirtv by forty feet and its cost was about one thousand four hundred dollars. In June, 1858. the general union of the L'nited Pre.sbyterian, the Associate Seceders and the .Associate Reform churches took place, and the name United Presbyterian was chosen. The membership of the New California church was drawn largely from this congregation The old Seceder church was very rigid and strict in enforcing its closely drawn creed. As an illustration of this, the old records show that a lucmber was tried for singing a Methodist hymn, and another for kneeling in

Afethochsm was early in the rehgious field in Union county. A class was formed in Pleasant Valley, in the cabin of Andrew Noteman about 1812, and was one of the \ery first in Union county.

The present Plain City church is made up largely from members residing outside this county. I>ut the church building stands over the line in Union, in Jerome township.

The present Watkins Alethodist Episcopal church sprung from what was known in 1818 as the Mill Creek Methodist class, organized that year by Rev. Henderson Crabb, at the house of William Conklin. The members were William Conklin, Sr., Rebecca Conklin, Joseph Conklin, Joel Coleman, John Conklin, Jemina Conklin, William Conklin, Jr., Betsey Bell and two or three more. Mr. Burdick was among the pioneer class leaders and served as such many }-ears. From this elTort sprung the \\'atkins Methodist church. Meetings were held at William Conklin's for sixteen \ears, and then up to 1849 at various members'- houses. That year they erected a frame house, which served its purpose until 1869-70, when a three-thousand-dollar church was erected. Among the earl\- jiastors were Re\s. Smith, George Maley, John Haven'-' and Rev. Simms.

In Libert)- township, in 1819, it is thought, Elder J. B. Finley organized a class at the house of Israel Carter, consisting of men-ibers as follows: Israel and Agnes Carter, Le\-i and Betsey Carter and INIrs. Polly Carter. Tliev fre(|uentlv met as a class and at times had preaching at the private honies of the members. But bad r(jads and small numbers caused the work to linally be abandoned.

About iSj6 Re\-. Simnis \isited the same locality and organized a class in the school house. Meetings were held until about 1833, when the membership erected a hevved-Iog meeting house, which served until 1859, when a frame building was provided. At the raising of this frame structure Daxid Wood had his foot badly crushed b_\- a falling timber, whicli crippled him permanentl}-. The church was dedicated September 30, 1859.

In )8..'o. or possibly earlier, a class was formed at the house of Charles McCii)ud, in Darbx- township, from which si)rung the Unionville Methodist Episcopal churcii, which was erected about 1S56-57. The original class was located in the southern part of the township. Rev. George Maley was one of the pioneer ministers. The McCloud famil_y, the Tinkiianis, Amos Mc- Xier and wife, C. H. Converse and wife, Betsey Cutler, Frederick Sager and wife, jdhn Jolly and wife. David Sager and wife and others were prominent and early members, .\fter the cabin homes had been used for a time, the school house, just east of the site of Unionville, was used as their church house. When the village was started the hall over the John Sager building was used. Bishop S. M. Merrill was pastor when the ser\'ices were held in the Sager store building hall. Other early ministers were Revs. Sharp. James T'inley and James Gilruth.

, In the dense forests of Paris township the older members of the Amrine families had nuich anxiety as to how they should rear their children in the church path. iMiially. in i8_'i, they concluded to erect a church building, or at least to form a Methodist class. They had been members over in Belmont county and were almut all the Methodists there were then residing in this liicrdity. Andrew Amrine w-as the first class leader and steward, serving until his death. John and Jeremiah, his brothers, then took up his duties as class leader. This point was then in the London circuit, and Rev. George Male}' and Aaron Wood, circuit riders. \'isited them. The circuit was then from two to three hundred miles around; The preachers traveled on horse back with the old saddlebags behind them. In their lonely travels they were often soaked by the drenching rain, pelted by the merciless hail, or blinded and frozen by the blinding snows of a s-tvere winter. The hungry wolf often gave them chase, and the growling bear was heard by the way. Often. \ery often, when the preacher was expected, has the good woman of the house sat up till late in the night to ha\'e ready for hiiu a warm suijjier after the weary day's journey.

Soon others came in and united with the class, and a round-log church building was erected a few rods S(juth of where a neat church was later built. This old pole house was also used for school pur]ioses. The log structure was finally burned and a hewed-Iog house toi;>k its place. In 1S53. a mile and a half northwest of ]Mar\'s\ille. a church was built and dedicated bv the great Bishop Merrill. Sabbatli school was formed as early as 1828. In Alien township, soon after the settlers came in to make homes for themselves, projects were set on foot to encourage and establish churches by the Methodist denomination. Buck Run Methodist Episcopal church was the first organized in Allen township. A class was formed as early as 1825 at the home of Daniel Allen, consisting of the following members : Henry \'angordon. Rachel Allen. Philena Mather, Daniel .\llen. Kate \'angordon, Samuel i\llen and possibly a few more whose names ha\c been lost with the llight of years. Samuel .Alien, a local preacher, organized the class. They held services first at private houses, then in the school house until 1833, when a fraiue church was erected and dedicated by Bishop S. M. Merrill. The membership at one date reached o\er seventy souls.

The Methodist Episcopal church at Marysville was formed about 1827. George Snodgrass, in writing of those early days, remarked : "We were in the bounds of London circuit at that time. Two preachers were on the circuit, one named Samuel P. Shaw, preacher in charge, and another named John C. Havens. These men offered to form a class if they could raise seven members, and we set out to raise that number. George Minturn and ladv. Miss Hannah Fo.x (sister of Mr, Minturn, who afterward became my wife), Xewton Hicks and lady, and myself made si.x; members. Silas G. Strong, a Presbvterian, gave us his name, making the seven members. This class was formed at the house of George Minturn, a building, perhaps eighteen bv twentv feet in size. George Minturn was our class leader."

Re\-. Shaw"s home was about six miles east of London, Madison countv, and he was the pioneer preacher of this vicinity. His circuit extended from near Columbus to about forty miles west, taking in an area so large that it required four weeks to make the tour around the circuit. One appointment was at Amrine's, one and a half miles northwest of Alarysville. The first church was erected in 1837, at Fourth and Walnut streets, at a cost of five hundred and ninety dollars.

In 1 8^3 a lot, formerly occupied by Felix G. Wingfield with a cooper shop, was purchased for church purposes and a building erected. It was burned September 25, 1863. being at the time used for a hay-press. It was a frame structure. In 1856 a brick church was dedicated by this society: it stood on l~,ast Center street. In 1882 over two thousand dollars was expended ujion this l)uilding. The site was purchased in 1853. A parsonage was built in 1871 on grounds now included in the court house lots. Another parsonage property was secured in 1880; this was located on South East street. The present memljership is seven hundred and ninety-six. Its Sunday school averages six hundred and fifteen. The auditorium of the present church was dedicated in December, 1S96, by Rev. Gilbert, D. D. In 1900 the completed church was dedicated by Rev. David H. Moore, editor of Western Christian /Idvocatc. now a bishop in the church. The church property is valued at forty thousand dollars. Its location is the southwest corner of Couit and Sixth streets. The pastors, who have been notable characters in the history (jf Methodism, include the following: James Gilruth, (Bishop) S. M. Merrill. L. C. Webster, Henry H. Pilcher, Leonard B. Gurley, X..B. C.

Methodist Episcopal Church. Marvsville

The first Methodist Episcopal church in Jerome was organized in 1834-3, the first services being held in the residence of Henry Beach. Among the early members were the Beaches, Hallecks, Wells and h'rederick families. A very comfortable church was erected in 1842 and it was occupied till a short time before the Civil War. .\])ril 13, i860, a frame church was dedicated by Re^'. Dr. Warner, pastor. Among the pastors who ha\e served here ma\' be recalled the names of Revs. Chase, Hathaway, John F.. Moore, Edward Rudesill, J. Shoop, Thurston, Ferris. Pierman, .\bernathy, J. K. Argo. Pr\-or, Theodore Crayton, A. Holcomb, A. L. Rogers, B. J. Judd, Tiihbs, Thomas Rickets, Thomas Wakefield, J. H. Middling. .\. Plum and John Gordon. In 1914 this church was in a prosperous condition.

The Richwood Alethodist Episcopal church «as organized October 17, rS'33, with William Phillips as class leader. The first to unite in forming the class were William Phillips, Isabelle Phillips, Mortimer Bentley. Nancy Bentlev and Elsie Sirpless. Rev. \\'arren Frazell was the first and organizing pastor, and the presiding elder was William H. Raper. The first meeting was held at the shop of Mr. Phillips, the pastor and class leader being all in attendance. There was no house or ])lace for worshiji among any of the denominations in Claibourne townsliip when tlli^ Methodist class was first formed. The class met in cabins, shops, storerooms and at the small log school house. During 1837 there was erected a log church at Richwood, the first in the township. Jt was twenty-six by thirty-six feet, and finished in the plainest style, though quite comfortable. Its seats were only rude l3cnches without backs, the same as the early schoul rooms. In the center was placed a large stove, by which it was well heated with wood from the nearby forests.

At the general conference, in 1840, a change was made in the bounaaries of the Ohio annual conference, to which Richwood circuit up to that date had belonged, and the North Ohio conference was organized. The early pastors were as follows : Revs. \Vebster, Kimber, Jacob A. Brown. Jesse Prior and George Armstrong. In the latter part of August. 1842, Jess; Prior and William Boggs, as assistant, commenced their lal)ors. The \ear had not far advanced when Re\'. Prior, the senior pastor, began to preach the peculiar doctrine ui Miller, who started the Millerite doctrine in church histor\-. They claimed the world was coming to an end in 1843. This caused a trouble in the church and before the year had closed Prior withdrew and united with the new sect, known as Second-Day Adventists. Boggs remained true to the Alethodist cause and was returned another conference year, b'rom 1856 to 1858 there was a great revival and as a result o\'er a hundred were added to the church. After this they built a good brick church building, at a cost of six thousand dollars.

In K014 there was a meml^ership of five hundred. The value of the church's propert}' is twent\--one thousand dollars. The average Sunday school attendance is two hundred and fifty.

In Jackson township the pioneer religious society was the Methodist class, organized about 1830, at the cabin house of Ebenezer Cheney. Prior to this date two exhorters, Mr. McCorkle, an Irishman, and John Millise, a German, from near Mechanicsbnrg, held meetings here, and this left good seed in the ground of the community, though no con\ersions were made. The class was organize!.! with Thomas Cheney as leader. It included Ebenezer Chene\', Thomas Chene)- and wife, Benjamin Carter and wife, ^lary and Da\'i(l Carr. Jacob Reed and Joseph Cameron and wife. Meetings were at first held once in two weeks, at the houses of Ebenezer Cheney. David Carr and others. Later the school house was used as a meeting house. .\ good church Ijuilding was erected on the Hamilton pike, two miles southwest from Essex, the land being donated by Jonathan W. Hedges. The building cost one thousand six hundred dollars.

Hopewell JNietiiodist Episcopal cliiirch was formed abdut iS;^o, at the hotise of Samuel Alartin. Culwell Williamson and the .Martin faniilv made up the charter membership. A mile and a fourth northeast of I'harislnirg a log church was erected. Later a fraiue structure was pro\ided. A protracted meeting was held in 1S58 i)y Rew Longfellow, which resulted in nian_y adtlitions to the class.

The Somerville class was the first in \ drk township, and was organi;^ed in the winter of 1835 by Rev. E. T. Webster with about twenty-five members. The first class leader was John Johnson. The first services were held in houses of the membership, ])ut later a log Ijuilding was erected. Tliis humble place ser\ed until 1856, when a frame structure was provided at the same place. Still later another more comiuodious building was provided; this was surmounted by a neat belfry and bell. This propert\- cost the society two thousand five hundred dollars. It was erected -under the pastorate of Re\-. Solomon Lindsley. Other Metlmdist churches in ^'ork township are known as the JMcKendree and Betiiel churches.

Three miles to the west of Richwood. in Claibourne township, at an early day there was a small class of Methodists formed in the Wvnergar neighborhood. The\- never built a church, but struggled on for more than thirtv years before disbanding. ^ In Washington township, about 1840, a Methodist Episcopal church was organized in a log school house built in the forest on Rock run near where Southworth Mather lived. The class was small, but all were earnest. This work later had to be abandonefl on account of removals and deaths. In 1872 a Methodist Episcopal class was formed in this township with .\llen Haines as leader. In 1876 a house of worship was Ixiilt about a half mile north of Byhalia. It cost two thousand dullars. The livhalia church was formed and originally included the Mt. Victory circuit, compnsed of four charges. The Darby Methodist Episcopal church in Allen township started from the class organized by Re\'. George Harris in 1850-52. This pioneer class included .Vbraham Holycross and wife. James Kennech- and wife, William Holycross, Sr.. Xancy Cline and William Smith and wife. Al;raham Holycross was leader. y^ In Taylor township, one mile east of Broadway, a Methodist E])iscopal class was formed in 1854, consisting of the following persons: P. Safford, Thomas E. Lockwood and wife, Hiram Dan forth and wife, Mrs. Hannah Temple, Z. C. Pooler and a few others. On account of death and removals the class finally disbanded.

growth of a class formed in 1S43 by Rev. David Davis. The work kept up a few years and then went down. , In the winter of 1865-66, Rev. Thomas ^lathews held a series of meetings in the school house and as a result of a large re\"i\'al a new class was formed. In the summer of 1866 a building was erected.

Mount Herman Methodist Episcopal church, in Do\er township, was the result of a class formed about 1838 by Rev. Owens, at the house of Rev. Ebenezer Mathers, consisting of the following thirteen members: Rev. Ebenezer Mathers, Elizabeth Mathers. .\.nna Allen, D. D. Mathers, Rev. James Ryan, John Ryan. Elizabeth Ryau, Xancy Ryan, Jesse (laipenter, Alcy Carpenter, Lewis Filler, Mary D. Eiller and Anna Williams. Lewis Filler was the first class leader. In the autumn of 1840 the society erected a frame church ])uilding on the east side of the road near the Mount Herman cemeterv. This house served until 1867, when the church concluded to disohe and divide its membership, part going to the village of Dover and others to Grass Run.

Dover Methodist Episcopal church, in Dover township, built its church in the summer of 1867 at the village of Dover, at a cost of one thousand two hundred dollars. The church here was formed by Rev. Isaiah Henderson. The church was dedicated February' 8, 1868. and following that event was a three weeks series of meetings which greatly increased the membership. ,\ union Sabbath school was organized before the Civil War and was kept alive while many of the men were away. The union school was changed to a Methodist school in 1878. In 1914 there was a membership of two hundred and eighty-five. The value of church property is five thousand five hundred dollars.

.\t Milford Center, the Methodist Episcopal church has an interesting history, a portion of which was \vritten by Eli Gabriel on the occasion of the dedication of the present church edifice in 1907. The following summary is taken from his interesting histor}- of the church.

In 1 83 1 Re\-. Thomas Simms organized a few members into a class at the home of the late .^ndrew Keys. .Among the charter members of that pioneer class were Ebenezer Matiier and wife. John Rice and wife, Mrs. Xancy Bowen, Mrs. Mary Rionroe, Mrs. Jane Parkinson and Mrs. Patty Kennedy. Until 1835 they held sei-vices at private houses and at school houses, and then, at a sacrifice, subscril^ed and erected a church building thirty by thirty-.si.x feet; it was a franre building erected by that excellent old pioneer carpenter, Andrew Keys. It had a high ceiling and a galler}'. Within this building were held many lively revivals. The membership contained many illustrious names of men and women who have been felt in tlie great busy world around them. Mrs. Jane Parkinson was the daughter of George Reed, founder of Milford Center. Her daughter, Mary Parivinson, liecame the wife of Charles Ketchan, who left two sons, both Methodist ministers. Mrs. Patty Kennedy was tlu- uKJtiier of Rev. Oliver Kennedv, a presiding elder of Ohio.

The old church buikling was moved to ivailnjad street in iHhj. and the following year a brick Imilding took its place. Its cost was two thousand four hundred dollars. The brick were made by the late Edward Spain. The church was dedicated August 2, iS'G^, Rev. J. Trimble ])reaching the sermon and raising the necessary funds to cancel all debts. This building served until 1906, a period of forty-three years. The present structure is heated by furnace and lighted by electricity. The entire structure is modern in all its appointments, from l)asement kitclien up through the \arious audience, class and Sunday school rooms

The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Da\id H. Moore, of Portland, Oregon, who raised the debt of six thousand dollars in a short time.

Among the well-remembered ministers here are recalled the following : Revs. Thomas Simms, the founder, D. Da\'idson, \\'illiam Morrow, IT. Camp, Riley, Lovett Taft, J. S. Adams, Treseiu-ide, Tippett, David ^Mann, A. Ai. Mann, West, AMiitehead, Ilorton, Longman, Lowe, Slocum, Lewis, W'estervelt, \\'olf, Charrington, ,\bernath_\-, J. S. Adams, William Lewis, Callahan, Nailer, ]Mann, Wakefield, Cramer, Xichols, Laughlin, Stewart, Steel, Andrew Plumb, W. B. Warren, \\'. M. Mitchell and A. L. Rogers, the present pastor who has been returned three times.

The colored people in Marys\ille ijrganized a ?\lethodist Episcopal church in 1S79 ^vith eleven charter members, under Re\". Nathaniel Mitchell of Portsmouth, Ohio, who became pastor and continued until Octolier, 1S82. Cround was bought on Xorth street of Samuel .\mrine, and the present brick edifice was constructed. It was dedicated the following Februan- after the lot was purchased. Bishop ^^'3'man, of Baltimore, was present at the dedication of the building. The church cost one thousand five hundred dollars. Today this society has a fair membership.

Protestant Methodist Churches

What is styled tlie ^Methodist Protestant church in Claibourne township was organized in Ricliwood, September, 1836. John B. Lucas was pastor at that time, and Samuel Graham was its first class leader. Its first place of worship \\,Ts in the little log schoolhouse which stood in the ncjrtheast part of the town. In the winter of 1839-40 - the great winter for revivals - one was held here by Kev. John M. Young. In this meeting were converted men who made their mark in the world, and these included such men as John W. Hamilton, later professor of surgery at the Medical College of Columbus; Joseph 'M. Hamilton, who was a leading minister in this denomination many years ; T. B. Graham, who was a prominent minister in an Ohio conference, and I. N. Hamilton, who became a local preacher of great power in the Methodist Episcopal church and a ph^-sician as well. These revival services were held in the Methodist Episcopal church building at Richwood. As soon as possible after organizing this church, its membership went to work to pro- \ide a church building, and in 1842 they completed a good hewed-log house, thirt\- b}' thirty-five feet. When finished it was known to be the largest audience room in the north half of Union county. When the house was ready for occupancv a serious (juestinn as to how it should be heated came up. There were no stoves for sale in the communitv and no railroads over which one nnght be brought if ordered. The problem was finally solved by the members contributing enough wheat to pay for a stove. Samuel Graham, accompanied by Rev. William Hamilton, hauled the wheat in a wagon to Granville, Licking county, and there exchanged it for a sto\-e. They brought the stove back in their wagon and placed it in the church. The church above referred to outgrew its usefulness in 1858 and in that year they commenced a brick church and the same was dedicated July 17, 1859. Its cost was two thousand dollars, and it would ha\e stood and been ample in size for many long years had it not caught fire and burned in .April, 1875. .\ new church costing five thousand dollars took the place of the one burned. This was remodeled in igii-i9i_^ at a cost of about one thou.sand dollars. The church property is now valued at twelve thousand two hundred dollars. The society has a membership of one hundred and seventy-two. The present pastor is Rev. D. L. Custis.

Bethlehem church was organized about 1848, by Rev. John G. Peats, of the Methodist Protestant denomination, at a point about two and a half miles south of Richwood, in Claibourne township. It was not many months before the society enjoyed a membership of sixty persons. For a time thcv ivorsliiped in a schuolhouse and then erected a commodious frame building near the east bank of Fuhon creek. The two acres of land donated by Rev. j. C. Sidel was used for church lot and Inirying ground. Here a church was erected in 1S55.

In the south part of Claibourne township, near the west line, a church was erected in 1880 under the leadership of Rev. Elliott. This was the outgrowth of what was styled the "Stires Society" of pioneer days.

The Essex IMethodist Protestant church was organized in Jackson township in 1840 by Re\'. Jnhn Hunt, at the house of John Cheney. It was started with only six member.s - the Cheneys, .Aliens and Chapmans. Services were held at the Cheney residence for a number of years, after which a schoolhouse was used. In 1846 a log uieetmg house was used. This was a large hewed log structure, costing the time and labor of the membership. In 1869 a frame church was built, costing one thousand four hundred dollars : in addition the lot cost one hundred di^llars and the l)ell one hundred and twent\--five dollars more.

The Protestant Methodist church at .Mien Center was organized by Rev. Plummer in ^SfiT,. its original members \\ere Lewis C(irl)itt, George Crro\'e and Samuel Poling, \\ith their wi\es and a few other persons. In the autumn of the same year they Iniilt a neat log house, which was tlulv dedicated to the ser\-ice of God. It was used as long as tlie societv existed, which was until 1875.

Davis Methodist Protestant chapel, located in Washington township, on the Essex and Rush Creek road, is in the eastern part of the township. This society was formed in 1848 with ten members. The services were held in a schoolhouse until they erected a imilding (jf their own. Rev. Stephens was the organizing pastor.

Three of the Alethodist Protestant churches in Union count\" belong to the Claibourne circuit, Claibourne. Bethlehem and Pharisl:)urg. Re\-. George b'oltz is pastor oi all three of these churches and resides at Clail)ourne. The Rush Creek circuit includes Grace chapel, five miles from I'lssex, and tlie Essex church at the village of Essex. The ])astor there is Rew R. I. I'rooks. '["he only other church of this tlenomination in Cnion count\' is that at Richwood.

Pionker Methodist Ministers

Concerning early Meth(idism in this county, the reader is invited to review what was said at the conference of the churcli, held at Marvsville in

IQ04, when Rev. S. L. Roberts, D. D., spoke in a reminiscent way as follows : "The circuits were long then and the salaries low. For my two years as a single man in the ministry, I received one hundred and twenty dollars per year and two hundred dollars a year the first two years after I was married, with traveling allowances enough to make three hundred and fiftyseven dollars a }-ear in all. FJabies were welcomed at the parsonages then, for each one added sixteen dollars to the pastor's salary!

"1 have gone to my appointments in all kinds of conveyances - in the palace cars and luml^ering freight cars drawn by a snorting engine; in the canal boat drawn by mules ; in the farm wagon drawn by Percherons ; in carriages drawn by blooded trotters ; in the mudboat drawn by oxen ; over the ice on skates and through the mud on foot, but I made it a rule of my life to be there.

'"b'iftv vears ago it was a common thing to see parents with a half dozen small children and a sweet balje in the motiier's arms, plodding their weary way through the nuid to market and church in a lumber wagon drawn by oxen. It was a sight, really more of promise to the church and state than to see the automobile with fluttering plumes and feathers and a poodle dog in the lap of the wife.

'T have preached in prixate houses, in churches, public halls, schoolhouses, courthouses, and out of doors. I have occupied all sorts of beds, beds on the floor, the dreaded 'spare bed-room' where heat has never entered and where the mercm^y stood below zero, where I shook by the hour, longing for dawn to come, and I have occupied the summer bed with the heavy feather tick under me and nothing over me. But I ha\-e enjoyed thousands of comfortable l)eds and happy homes where sleep was sweet and rest refreshing.

"My presiding elder at the first quarterly meeting I ever attended, gave notice on Saturday afternoon that no one would be admitted to the lovefeast the next day, unless they complied with the rules of the church, one of which was that all must kneel in prayer. Sunday morning when we knelt in prayer, a lad\' in the Ijack part of the room did not kneel and when asked why she tlid not kneel, she replied, 'It's nunc of your business!"

In 1864, what is now known as the Marysville Congregational church was organized f)Ut of the membership of the New School Presbyterian church which had been formed in 1S40. A manual published by the church in 1877

"This church was organized tiiirty-seven years ago as the Xew School J'resbyterian church, but with the utmost harmony it became a Congregational church in j8()4. During all its history it has been active and enterprising. Especially ha\e the womeii of the church been workers f(jr the cause. Efforts to save perishing sinners have been frequent. Protracted meetings have often been held with gratifying results. From the first the Wednesday evening prayer meetings have been sustained by a good attendance. The following pastors have served faithfully and well : Fievs. W. H. Rodgers. three \ears ; Henrv Shielils, three years; E. J. Moore, one vear ; Henry Eushnell, fi\e years: J. P^xerts Weed, two years; \\'alter ^litchell, twehe years; P. G. Buclianan, two years; M. K. Pasco, one and a half vears ; W. E. Lincoln, two years and nine months."

Re\'. W. A. James succeeded Mr. Lincoln as pastor, remaining three years His successors are as follows: I-[omer Thrall, who came in December, 1879: G. James Jones, three }ears : James ]\L Tiffit. one year and nine months; James A. Thorne, two years; ^^^ S. Rugbey, eight _\'ears ; \i. A. King, three }ears ; Harxey C. Colburn, one and a half years; Charles A. Stroup, two vears and seven months; Vernon Emory, until September ii, 1911, when the present pastor, Re\'. J. L. Da\"ies, took charge

A church was erected at the northeast corner of \\'est and South streets in 1871. the corner-stone being laid .\ugust 31. 1871. A lecture room wa> dedicated August 4, 1872, and the building proper was dedicated March 14, 1878. The parsonage in the rear of the church was dedicated in [8S1. In December, 1882, a thousand-pound liell was hung in the church towL-r. The first parsonage, costing about one thousand five hundred dollars, was all paid for bv the sale of the "Buckeye Cook Book." which was compiled b)' a committee of ladies of Marys\-ille.

The present fine parsonage, at the end of West Sixth street, was erected in 1913 and, with the lot, is walued at about four thousand seven hundred dollars. Locust street runs along tlie east front of the property.

The present membership of this church is about four hundred. The Sundav school has an average attendance of about one hundred and eighty. This is now the onlv Congregational church within L'nion county. Howe\-er, there is a church serx'ice and Sunday school known now as Blue's Creek congregation a few miles northeast of Marysville, which is in charge of the minister at Mar\-s\-il!e. (15^

November 2, 1862, by a unanimous vote, it was decided at Jerome to change the old Presbyterian church into a Congregational church society. Soon after this Rev. Brinkerhoof severed his connection with the church. Following him came Rev. Hawn, who was succeeded in 1866 by Rev. C. X. Coulter, who also had charge of the congregation at W'orthington. He continued as pastor until October 2-, 1867, when Rev. A. X. Hamilin was installed and remained fi\e years. The first church building was a frame structure twentv-four by thirty feet, erected about 1856. In 1877 the members of this church wished to be again connected with the Presbyterian denomination and were consequently admitted. Thus the Jerome Congregational church ceased to exist.

United Brethren Churches

]\Iount Zion United Brethren church was located three miles northwest of Marysville. The society was organized about 1843. Its members were largely from the Alethodist church. Rev. Frederick Hendricks first preached at the house of Samuel Elliott. He was followed by others. A frame church was erected on a lot donated by ;\Ir. Elliott. This was the place of worship until 1876, when a new church was built.

The Otterbein United Brethren church of Liberty township was organized in the southwest part of the township, near Flat Branch, in 1849, by Rev. F. B. Hendricks, who formed a class at the schoolhouse. The membership comprised the following: Zachariah McElroy and wife, George Hemminger and wife, Thomas Clark and wife, John Stokes and wife. Littrell Ford and wife and possibly a few others. Until 1857, services were held in the schoolhouse and then a frame church was built which served until 1876. At that time the church had dwindled to only two members.

In .Mien township Darby Chapel was the result of an organization eiTected in 1849 by Rev. F. H. Hendricks, from near Cincinnati. He organized a class in the old log schoolhouse with the following members: D. W. Spain and wife, Sarah Ann: Reuben Moore and wife; Joseph ]\Ioore and possibly a few others. Soon after organizing they proceeded to erect a hewed-log house of worship. It was completed in 1851 and served until 1870. when a good frame structure was provided by the society. It stood on the old site, and its cost was one thousand two hundred dollars.

Mount Pleasant United Brethren church was situated a mile south of York Center, and was formed in about 1850 through the efforts of Rev. Frederick Hendricks, famous for organizing churches in the county. Its first members were largely tlrawn from the Methodist Episco])al church of York Center. The first meetin.i^s were lield in tlie blacksmith shop of Henry Tobey. and later in the school house, hut it was not Ion;.;- Ijefore a hewed-lo_t>- house was constructed for church purposes. It had the primitive seats without backs for the comfort of the worshipers, .-\fter a dozen or more years this log house gave way to ;i more respectable h(.)use of worship. It was at first a part of S()mer\-i]le circuit, .\mong the earlv memliers mav be recalled the names of Henr\' 'ro1)e\', l)a\-id Da\-is, Amos Davis, George Davis, Sr., and their families.

The United Brethren church at Somerx'ille was organized aliout 1830 in the old Hyde schoolhouse. .\ church was commenced in the countrw but later it was decided to erect it in Somerville. The church was at one time strong. Its early members included Closes Horn and wife, George Davis and wife, James Aleadles and wife. F.phraim Yarrington. wife and sons and the Keener families.

The United Brethren church at Peoria was organized January S, 1890, bv Rev. G. W. Carder. It now has a membership of thirty. The church building was erected al)out the date of organization and cost one thousand three hundred dollars. It is now \alued at two thousand dollars. There have been several re\'i\'als in the history of tliis society. The church liuilding has a good bell suniKjunting it. .\mong the faithful pastors who have served here are the following: G. W. Carder. E. Counsellor, Hoag, L. Rice. A. H. Ballinger. E. A. Barnes. G. \\\ \\'olcot, E. A. Alyers, :\felvin Pierce and Ezra Burroughs, the ])resent pastor. l\ev. Wright, of Columbus, also. preached here at one time.

The first German settlers arrixed in l^nion county about 1830. They were from Hessen Darmstadt and hiavaria. They consisted of thirteen families, including George Reipper, George Heer, the Blumenscheins, George Rausch, lohn Rausch, John Ell, Peter Kreitler, G. Hegardaerfer and others. These thirteen German families with three Americans organized this congregation in 1838. Thev built a log church on the east side of the Plain City road, about four miles south of Marysx'ille. The first church was never completely finished and was destroyed by fire. New German settlers arrived and so the Germans built a new church for themselves about a mile from the first building. This building was twenty-six by thirty-two feet and was also built of logs. It was dedicated by Rev. Adam Ernst, who preached his first sermon here June 25, 1843; he also opened a school with seventy-four pupils. The land on which this school building was erected was donated by John Ell. The congregation still has a cemetery at that point. In 1847 Jacob Seidel was called as assistant pastor, and was ordained October, 1847, by Dr. \\'. Sihler. Rev. Seidel succeeded Rev. Adam Ernst as pastor, the latter hax'ing received a call to Marion, Ohio. Rev. Seidel was ordained pastor in Feliruarv, 1848. In 1851 the congregation bought twenty-seven acres of land from Mr. Steinbauer for one hundred and sixty-two dollars, and on this tract of land the congregation built a parsonage twenty-six by thirty-two feet. In 1885 the present two-story brick parsonage was built, costing three thousand dollars. Re\-. Seidel had for his assistant pastor for one vear George Schaefer, after which, on account of illness, the pastor resigned. Rev. Fred Nuelzel was called and ordained pastor, August 23, 18 v- The congregation built its fourth church. It was built where the present new church building stands. It was sixt}- by forty feet and twentyfi\-e high, with a steeple one hundred feet high. The members of the congregation, in and around ]\Iarys\ille, organized and in 1878 called their first pastor, Rev. F. Zagel.

In 1864 the third church building was taken down, and the brick used in the schonl building whicli was erected by the congregation near the church site.

In 1871 Rev. Knief was called as pastor. The Revs. Kneif, F. Zagel and \\'. Lemke were successful in reuniting the churches. Rev. Kneif and Lemke resigned and Rev. J. H. W'erflenian, of Milwaukee. Wisconsin, was called and accepted the pastorate. May 18, 1879, serving faithfully for nineteen vears. resigning on account of declining health October 16, 1898.

Twent\'-six members of St. John's church living south of Darby creek organized St. Paul's church in 1893 and called the present pastor. Rev. H. C. Knust. The successor of Rev. ^Verfleman. the present pastor. Rev. H. C. Kuechle, took charge October it,. 1898, or rather that was when he was called. He arrived in Decemlier of that year.

The i>astors of this congregation taught school also until 1856, when the congregation called the first teachers, the first being Mr. Rolf. He was succeeded In- various persons until the arrival of the present instructor. G. Burger, from Michigan, who arrived in March, 1901, and is now assisted by a lad\' teacher. Clara Fickeme)er. The present school building, a twostorv brick, was erected in t88o at a cost of one thousand five hundred dollars.

The new church edifice was erected in 1 899-1900. It is fifty Iiy one hundred and one feet with a cross section, twenty by sixty feet, and a steeple one hundred and nineteen feet high. It was dedicated Xoveml)er icS, 1900. The total cost was about twenty-h\e thousand dollars. The ]jresent membership of the congregation is six hundred and seventy, with one hundred and fifty-five voting members. The school was attended bv ninety-nine pupils in 1914.

The congregation also has a cha[)el at Alarysville where a number of the membership now reside. This chapel is on South Main street, while the church proper is situated three ami a half miles south of Marysville on the Plain City road.

This church is located in Darby township at L'huckery. It was organized September 15, 1893, ''>' t»venty-four niemlsers of the St. John's church in the German settlement of Paris township. They came under the leadershij) of Rev. H. C. Knust. At first the services were held in the schoolhouse erected by St. John's church at Chuckery, the year before the separation of the society. The new organization also conducted a school and taught the church doctrines to their children, as well as other branches of studv. This school is still in existence and has a very able teacher in the person of Prof. R. F. Lutshou.ser. In 1902 the church congregation erected a comfortable church edifice at a cost of eight thousand dollars. The same pastor who first had charge. Rev. Knust, is still doing good work in the congregation and community. In 1894 the congregation erected a parsonage of the value of two thousand dollars. In 1907 a residence was built for the use of the teacher of the parochial school. The present total value of the church property is about fifteen thousand dollars. Since the opening of the school at this point the teachers have been H. C. Knust (pastor and teacher), C. W. Bunck, K. Cutzler and R. F. Luthauser. The total number in the congregation is two hundred and thirty.

In Alarysville, the denomination of German Lutheran, known as "St. lohn's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Marysville, Ohio," was incorporated December 20, 1875. Ofiicers were elected and the organization was completed at that time. November 9, 1878, "The Evangelical Lutheran German Trinity Church" was incorporated. These two societies were later consolidated and erected a fine brick church edifice, the corner-stone of which was laid August 13, 1882. Before that date the society worshiped in a small brick building on South Main street. The present structure is on the corner of East Sixth and W'ahiut streets and cost twenty thousand dollars. It is a fine brick building, and near by are two parochial school buildings. The new one on South \^'alnut street was built in 1904 at a cost of sixteen thousand dollars. This congregation now numbers eight hundred and sixty-one souls, with fi\e hundred and sixty communicants. The church is supplied with a fine pipe organ and a clear toned bell. The organ cost the church two thousand four hundred dollars. The following have served as pastors here: Revs. G. T. Zagel, J. JNI. Koeppling, J. E. A. Doermann, E. W. C. W'iechers, F. W. Albricht, and the present pastor, Rev. D. P. Ebert.

Baptist Churches

The Free-will Baptist church at Newton (now Raymond), in Liberty township, was organized in March, 1826. by Elder David Dudley, at the house of James Herd. It consisted of five persons, James Herd, Levi Carter. John Sharp, Jeremiah Moore and Israel Carter, who received the right hand of fellowship. James Herd was chosen clerk. On November i, 1834, the church met at Liberty for monthly meetings, at which time Levi Garwood and James Herd were appointed deacons. At a meeting of the church, October I, 1836. at the schoolhouse in Mr. Garwood's settlement, Isaac Newton Dotson was received into the church. At the same time it was moved that a request be sent to the next quarterly meeting to license ]vlr. Dotson to "improve his gift wherever God in his providence might cast his lot." December 16, 1837, at the schoolhouse in Liberty township, after deliberation, the church agreed to di\ide. The church at East Liberty was then called the First church. At the same meeting James Herd was appointed clerk. January 22, 1842, Elder Mead was appointed pastor and in December of that year Elder Harvey was appointed pastor for one year. In January, 1844, Elder Erastus Harvey was again chosen pastor and again in 1845. In December, 1845, a re\'ival was held and Elder George Baker baptized six persons. In December. 1846, and again in 1848, David Dudley was ap- ])ointed pastor; he removed from the township in 1850. Elder Higgins was chosen in 1852 and served till 1855. In 1856, Elder Coyler was chosen pastor, continuing until 1866. In 1867 B. F. Zell was chosen pastor and re- mained till 1877. ^"<J ^^'^s followed by .Abraham H. Whittaker, who remained until i88j. Others have been Revs. Hill, Reed, Willis O'Neal, William Holland and A. R. Trumbull. The first preachers received thirty dollars a year, partly paitl in pro\isions. Between 1852 and 1857 the Baptist and Christian churches united in an effort to erect a church building-, but it was not finished until 1858. The Baptist church today has forty members. The church property is \alucd at one tlmusand seven hundred dollars. The present edifice was erected in 1805. I'efore then services were held in the Christian church building, in which they owned a fourth interest. The greatest re\ival season was in ryo^ when Cindicate Wilson, an evangelist, added many new members to the church.

The Broadway Baptist church in Tavlnr township was organized June 15. 1872. The church building was dedicated by Rev. S. D. Bates, of ^Marion, Ohio. This Ijuildnig was erected in 1870, but not dedicated till the date just given abo\e. Its cost was two thousand two hundred dollars. In 1914 a parsonage was purchased for one thousand five hundred dollars. The present membership is f()rt\-se\en resident and twenty-six non-resident members, making a total of se\enty-three. The pastors here have been as follows: B. F. Zell, 1872-78; A. H. Whittaker, 1878-82; Rev. La,sh supplied six months; Rev. Reeder, 1883-84; William Russell, 1884-85; J. A. Sutton, 1886-87; J. J. Mills, 1887-88; Alvah Crabtree, 1889-90; D. W. Gow, 1891- 92; H- G. Hill. 1893-99; E. X. Long, 1899-1900; E. C. Stewart, 1900-01; R. W. Chamberlain, 1902-03; T. O. Reed, 1904-07; W. H. O'Neal. 1908-09; W. \A'. Conner, supplied five months; William S. Holland, 1912-13; A. R. Turnljull, se\en months. The ])resent pastor, Ixev. M. S. Cunningham, came November i, 1914.

The York township !''ree-\\ ill Bai)tist church was organized at the house of George Coons, Tune 29. 1839. The discourse was delivered by Rev. Da\'id Dudlev and thirteen persons were made members of the church. These per- .sons were George Coons, Aaron Shirk. Thomas S. Coons, Jacob Bollenbaugh, Levi Wright, Kaziah Coons, Roseanna Shirk, Rebecca Coons, Sarah Bollenbaugh, Letitia Wright. Elizabeth Sowthers, Saphrona Scudder and Nancy Thornton. The first meetings were held at the house of George Coons. David Dudley was the first pastor and Thomas S. Coons was clerk. Rev. Dudlev preached once a month ;uid recei\ed thirty dollars a year for his services. He continued as pastor for eleven years. In 1840, in order to meet the church expenses, each able bodied male member was as.sessed one dollar a year and each sister was to pay fifty cents a year. In addition, each member was to pay one-eighth per cent of the \-alue of all their property.

above his liabilities. In April, 1850, Elder Kindall Higgins was elected pastor at twenty-tive dollars per year salary. In 1856 he moved out west. Under his charge the first meeting house was erected in the north part of York township, in survey No. 5,289. The lot was donated by James G. Paxton and others, all residents of Virginia, under a deed dated March 29, 185 1. Elder Collier was elected pastor in 1856, at fifty dollars a year. In 1857 came G. \\". Baker as pastor and two years later came Elder William Cook, who remained three years. -He was followed by Elder J. L. Collier in 1862. About 1865 Elder B. F. Zell was chosen pastor, serving almost fourteen years^

In 1873 the church built a new edifice costing o\'er one thousand dollars. J. H. Baldwin succeeded Zell in 1879, remaining one year, and then came Elder Leander Johnson, J. B. Lash and Kindall Higgins.

The Free-will Baptist church of Broadway was partly organized in 1866, at which time a church was built by subscription. Its cost was about two thousand twcj hundred dollars. Here services were held once each month for some \ears, the minister being from the Xewton church. In 1869 the organization was perfected, B. F. Zell being chosen pastor. In 1882 this church had the largest Sunday school in Union county, but were without a regular pastor.

The Baptist church (colored) in Taylor township was organized 1859- 60, one mile west of Asbury church. The}' erected a log church building and had a membership of sixty. Soon after the Civil War commenced, several enlisted in the cause of the Union and many were finally killed in battle. Others removed from the county and the organization went down. The church pro])erty was sold and the money received was deposited in the bank at Alarysville. helping at some future date to return and build a new church.

The Springdale Regular Baptist church was organized in Du\'er township, November 6, 1868. It \\"as composed of representati\'es from churches at Mill Creek, Milford. Myrtle Tree and Arbonner. A new church was provided for the congregation and the work of the church was felt throughout the community.

The Do\er Regular Baptist church was organized in April 1871, by Rev. Daniel Bryant. Other early ministers here were Revs. B. J. George, E. B. Smith, Daniel \'ance, M. S(|uibb, Z. Ross, J. E. Wenman and N. Y. Matthews.

In Jackson township, a Regular Baptist church was organized in the western ]_)orti<>n of that territory just before the Ci\'il War, by Rev. Jacob Dve and eleven members. The earliest meetings were conducted in an old log schoolhouse, situated oxer in Washington township, after which they met in a frame schoolhouse in the same district. They built a neat church in 1S70 at an expense of one thousand dollars. In the seventies a branch church was taken from this organization and established at Bell's schoolhouse, north of Essex.

On March 24. iS'jS. there was organized at Richwood a Regular Baptist church under the charge of l\e\ . W. R. Thomas. In Sei:)teml)er, 1882, they dedicated a handsome church building. Before that time they had worshiped in various schoolllou'^cs and halls. The church cost two thousand dollars. In the last twenty-ti\e years the pastors have been Re\s. J. W". and T. P. James, L. S. Colburn, E. D. Cross and William Warjon.

A colored Regular Ikqjtist church was organized at Richwood in I'ebruary, 1876, under Rev. E. B. Morse. They had a membership the first few years of nearly forty, and maintained a good Sunday school for se\eral years.

In the southwestern corner of Washington township, the Free-will Baptists organized under Elder Baker and in about 1874 erected a commodious church. This church ne\'er grew to any considerable extent.

The Christian Churches

L'nder this head will appear an account of the Christian, Discijile and New Light denominations, as they ha\e l)een variously styled since the days of Alexander Campbell.

The first Christian church in L'nion county was organized l)y Elder Long on October 13, 1823, at the house of John Price in W'atkins. The principles on which this church was formed were as follows : "To take the Holv Scripture for the only rule of faith and practice, and to fellowship all Christians. In confirmation whereof we have pledged our hearts and joined our hands, this dav and date aljove mentioned." The following nineteen persons are believed to have signed as constituent meml)ers : Joel Coleman William Conklin,' Rebecca Conklin. Xancy Thompson, John Thompson, Elizabeth Thompson, James Thompson, Temperance Thompson, Thomas Graham, John Conklin, John '!"ayli>r, John Keens. Catherine Keens and Xancy Taylor. Eor a time meetings were held at private houses, but after the erection of the [Methodist Episcopal church in ^lill Creek township, they used their church building. In 1861 they built a frame chapel. Elder Daniel Lung was the principal minister for many years. In 1849 the name of the church was changed to "Christian Church at Watkins."

In 1879 the congregation needed a new house of worship, but finally decided to repair their old one, which was accomplished at no little expense. The church now has a memliership of one hundred and fifty-five. The pastors ha\e included the following : Revs. Daniel Long, Fuller, Walley, Hoen, \\'el)b, Jonathan Pugle, Hoen, J. T. Robinson, Dobyns, Williams, Hanger, S. .\. Carism, Harrod, Butler, Caris, Cochrane, Frank Peters, M. A. Smith, Brown, I. C- DeRemer, Tracy Remington and Forscythe. ^

In 19 1 J a fine piano was given to the church by the young ladies. This is one of the oldest churches in L'nion count}- and an early one for the denomination anywhere.

The Christian church of the Elder Long settlement was formed in May. 1832, at the house of Daniel Long with tliirty-five charter members. They held their meetings with Elder Long for a time. When he erected his large barn meetings were held there, including a series of \ery effective revival sen-ices. In the summer of 1S-13 they built a frame church house at an expense of one thousand six hundred dollars. It was located on the Delaware and Plain Citv pike in the east part of Mill Creek township. Among the well remembered ministers serving this church were Elders Riley Fuller. William Webb, Samuel Horn, Lohr, Williams, Alexander Dobbins, Henry Holverstott and William Overtnrf.

The Blue's Creek Christian, or the "Xew Light" church, located on the old Marvs\-ille and Pharisburg pike road, was the home of a small organization formed in 1833-34. About that time, a log meeting-house was built about a half mile south from where later their church proper was erected. Elders Ashle\- and Barber were pioneer ministers here. Another very powerful preacher was Re\'. John Mclnturf. In 1861 the old log church gave w^ay to a new church which was dedicated l)y that noble old minister. Elder Daniel Long and Thomas Lee. The church of this denomination at Pharisburg later drew niany members from the parent church.

The Disciples church on Mill creek, in Liberty tow-nship, was organized bv Rev. 1). H. Hathaway in the winter of 1838, with about a dozen members. Meetings were held in school houses until about 1847, when they erected a hewed-log church building, twenty-four by twenty-eight feet. This served until 1858-9, when, at a cost of one thousand two hundred dollars, a frame structure was erected for them. It was dedicated January 29. i860, 1)V 1 luston Irmuarv.

The Christian L'nioii church was organizwl in Taylor tdwnshi]) about 1840, at a meetin.g held in a .gvoxe near F'eoria. Eight members composed the infant church: James Hamiltdn and wife. Jesse Judv and wife. Nathaniel Stewart. Thendore Creene and Jnhn Judy and wife. Meetings were held in private hdmes and at sclioul houses until 1S50. when thev dedicated a frame church.

The Raymond Christian church was originally styled the Newton Christian church, that being the former name of the town of Raymond. This .society was organized Septemlier 30. 1S50. with eighteen charter members. It now has a membership of eighty-five run! owns ])roperty \alued at one thousand five hundred dollars. The present building was erected by tlie Christians and the Free-will Ba])tists and was dedicated .\pril 10, i8'58. Elder Josiah Knight ]ireached the dedicator\' sermon and Elders Brine\- and Griffin, of the Christian church, ;ind Raker. Heath and Cutlancl, of the Baptist church, assisted in the ser\ice. In 1804 the Christians purchased the Baptist's interests in the property-. In 1913 the old building was remodeled and on December 7. of the same year, was 'rededicated, the sermon being preached bv Rev. J. E. Burnett, secretary of the .American Christian con\-ention.

The present officers of the church are as follows: h'Llizabeth Green, clerk: Airs. Lydia Baughn. treasurer: E. B. Buerd. W. 11. \\'inter, D. F. Williams, AI. K. Baughn and 1". P). Lewis, trustee-^. This church belongs to the Ohio Central Christian conference and its members ha\e held honoralile positi(ins in that bodw The conference has hekl fourteen sessions at Ravmond. The first was liefore the church was plastered: the benches were of rough slabs, a platform made of boards ser\ed as a puljjit and the house was lighted with tallow candles. The facts concerm'ng the Raymond church were furnished by I. \\\ Sanaft.

Tlie Christian Union Society, known as the Beech Gro\e congregation, had its origin in 1863. It was the work of the Alethodist Episcopal and Protestant Alethodists. who were dissatisfied with the i)olitical character of the public services tlien being held in the community. Hence they formed an independent class of sixteen members and met at the Beech Gro\-e school house. Later a Baptist minister was secured to preach for them. When the Christian Union church was formed these people united with tliat organization. Then a union chapel was erected. The Disciple church finally met here and it became a Union church indeed, and much harmony finally prevailed and much good was the result in the community.

The Rush Creek Christian or Disciple church, in Jackson township, was organized June 18, 1865, by Rev. ^Michael Riddle. Meetings were held in school houses until 1875, when a frame church was erected, at a cost of two thousand two hundred dollars. It had a reception room, a gallery and a belfry and bell.

The Mount Olive church, the Christian or "Xew Light" faith, in Darby township, was organized in the eastern part of the township, on the Marv'sville and Plain City road, in survey 5,139. The organization was perfected December 11, 1 869. and it commenced with a large membership. A neat frame church was erected at a cost of one thousand one hundred dollars.

The First Christian church of Milford Center, Ohio, was organized in 1842 on Darby Plains. They now enjoy a membership of two hundred. The principles of this church are: "Christ the only Head. The Holy Bible uur onlv rule of faith and practice. Good fruits the only test of fellowship."

The pastor in 1014 was Rev. H. J. Duckworth, D. D. ; clerk, Mrs. S. E. Coff : trustees. Joseph Snyder, Oscar Goff, Tell Reed, William Shillings and Eli Sheidler. The following have served as ministers at this point : Revs. Ellis, S. A. Hutchinson, C. L. Winget, C. C. Phillips, Chrissman, ]\IcDaniels, Dunlap, Harrod. Shane, C. M. Hagans. J. B. Hagans, Humphries, Knight, T. Warner, .\. 1). Mann, Dyer and H. J. Duckworth, the present pastor.

There are now only six Christian churches in Union county, each having a Sunday school. These churches all belong to the Central Ohio conference, w hich is made up of twenty-six churches. The six in this county are at Raymond. Watkins. Mill Creek, Mt. Pleasant, Mt. Olive and Milford Center.

The count V supports a successful ^'oung Glen's Christian .Association, which was organi7.ed in 191G, with headquarters at Mary.sville. Each township in the cnuntv has an interest in the association, which is doing much good among the \'oung men of the county.

The Universallst Church

The Universalist people hrne never lieen very numerous in tlii.s county. Near Pharishuro-, ahout i8S(). a cliurch of this faith was org-anized. hut only existed for a few years on account of a lack of memhership and financial support. Isaac Zane. Stephen Da\is. .\niasa Rosencrantz and .-Vhijah Gandv were included among the prominent members of this society. Re\s. .\rba, Gass and Waite were the ministers who had charge of the societv during- its brief e.xistence. A church edifice was erected.

At Pharisburg a Universalist church was organized in August, 1879, in the Methodist Protestant church by Rev. Mrs. Letta D. Croslev. The society began with onl\' a few members, but increased to about fortv. Among the earlier members were George W. Gary and wife, William booster and wife. John (landy and wife. Jasper Gary and wife, John Elliott and wife. Lester Webster and wife, George Hill and wife. Othneil Jewett and Andrew Hartman. Services were held once each month at the Methodist Protestant church building.

The Episcopal Church

St. Mary's Episccipal church, at Mar\-s\'ille, was organized September 21. 1809. 'iv Archdeacon .\. A. Al.ihott. of Gleveland, Ohio. It now has a membership of twenty-nine. It has church ]jroperty valued at three thousand dollars. The \arious rectors have been in the order here given : Revs. John H. W. Fortescue Gole. Thomas G. C. McGaila. Sylvester S. Powell. Albion \\'. Ross and John Stuart Banks, the present rector.

Until 1900 the society worshiped in the Masonic hall. In the spring of 1901 a small bmise was rented, fitted and furnished for ])ublic worship. Thomas (]. G. McGalla came as rector in October, 1003, and during his ministry the ])resent church [)ro])ert\- was ]iurchased, -which is now valued at three thousand dollars. F.eautiful memorial gifts ha\e I)een gi\en to the church; a brass cross and lirass \ase'^ from Mrs. Goleman, in memor\- of her husband ; a brass altar desk and prayer-book for the altar, in memory of Mrs. Kendricks, by her children: a cross inlaid with oli\e wo(^cl from the Garden of Gethsemane, was given in memory of Pride Shields, the young son of ^Ir. and Mrs. Gamble Shields.

The Society Of Fkiexds

Jn the northwest c(jrner of W'asliington township, away back in the scYenties, there was a Society of Friends formed, with a membership of only about half a dozen persons. It was known as Rush Creek church, ancit its membership gradually grew. These Friends resided in this county and also in Hardin and Logan counties. .\ log school house was their first meeting house. A few years later, through the efforts of Obediah Williams, Bennett Watkins, Isaac Penoc and a few more, a frame meeting house was erected, and there serYices were held CYcry Sabbath and a Sunday school was maintained for many years.

Before the Year 1834 missionar\' priests attended to the spiritual wants of the Catholics of this vicinity. To assist in mass and to hear the word of God the few scattered members frequently walked to Delaware and Milford Center. Later they were visited from time to time by priests from Columbus. Delaware and Urbana, who held services at private homes, especially the homes of T. Martin and Air. McGraw. Among the first priests who held di\-ine serxices at Marysville were Revs. P. Meagher, resident priest of Columbus; H. W'eis, of Delaware: Casper Borgess, who later became bishop of Detroit ; Rev. D. G. Cogan, of LTrbana, and Rev. J- S. Kearney, of Springfield. To accommodate the residents and furnish greater facilities for the practice of religion it was evident that a change was necessary. In 1867 a lot w'as purchased on Chestnut street, near the high school. Later this was sold and the present location, on Oak street, acquired. In 1868 H. Fehlings, of Delaware, erected a small frame house of worship, which, in the fall of the year 1869, was dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes and blessed by Rt. Rev. Svlvester Rosecrans, brother of General Rosecrans. of Civil War fame. The debt on the church was ])aid by contributions solicited by Alichael Cody, Sr., and Lawrence Martin. Thereafter Marysville was attended as a separate mission by Rev. M. McGrath, from Plain City, and for a short time by Rev. Fngbers, D. 1)., professor at .St. Mary's Seminary, Cincinnati.

In 1872 Rev. II. Keffmyer was a,ppointed pastor and was succeeded by l\e\-. II. I'aul in 1874. He was pastor until April, 1875, when Rev. H. .\Ienke took charge. In 1876 came Rev. P. P. Mazuret, by whom the first jjastoral residence was Ijuilt. He was followed by Rev. M. L. Murphy and

Rev. J. J I. nrumnier, successively. Im-oiii i8<Si to 1889 Rev. Alfred Dexter was pastor and tluring his incumhencv St. John's cemetery was laid out and improved. Rev. John Hiekes was next appointed to the pastorate, remaining until i8yi, when the late Rew John X'enneman took charge. He was an active worker and guarded the tl(jck untiringly for twelve years. The church was remodeled in the year 1900, hy adding to its length and otherwise heauti tying its \arious appointments. In the same year Rev. \'enneman, who looked after the spiritual wants of the Catholics at .Milford Center, purchased a lot in that village and erected the Sacred Heart church. He was succeeded hy Rev. H. Reehtin in 1903. A new parsonage was needed. The memhers of the congregation were ready to do their i)art and responded nohly. The erection of the present large residence was hegun at once. It was ready for occupancy in April, 1905. .Vfter three years of faithful work he went to Hamilton. Ohio, and Rev. John J. Kelley took charge in August.' 1906. The congregation numhers twenty-eight families. Messrs. R. Devine, .M. Cody, Jr., and Joseph Foley .served as a committee to assist the pastor, lliere are two societies formed among the members, which greatly contribute to the successful work of the parish. St. Joseph's Men's Society, with M. Cody, Jr., as vice-president, and the St. Anthony's Aid Society, with Mrs. Charles Liggett as president. Ser\ices are held on the first and third Sundays of each month. To this parish are attached the two missions of IMeclianicsburg and Xorth Lewisburg.

At Milford Center the Cathcilic church was organized in 1893 bv Father \'enneman. A building was erected that year and additions, made in 19 14, bring its present \'alue up to ten thousand dollars. There are twentv-three families in the parish now. The work is in a flourishing condition. The pastors who ha\e ser\-ed this church are Revs. X'enneman, Reehtin, Santen, h'ennig, Priesthoff and G. ¥. Hickey. leather William O'Connor, of Urbana. Ohio, now has charge of the church.