Monroe Township (part 3 of 3)

In the spring of 1837 an arrangement was made ith the county commissioners for the use of a ry-room in the second story of the court house. This was fitted up at an expense of about a mdred dollars, with an unpainted pulpit and unlinted pews, which afterwards did service in the isement of the first building erected. The secid year permission was given to use the same a while longer. From this room the church as summarily ejected ; being granted time barely

- remove their furniture, it having been discoved by the county commissioners that such an xupation of it by a religious society was a perirsion of its original design.

At a meeting held May 29, 1838, a committee as appointed, consisting of James Young, E. S. roods, and Jonas Ward, "to fix a site for a church, id report plans and expense of house built of ick or wood." June 14th, it was determined to oceed at once. The west half of the east half

* in-lot number twenty-five, together with a nar- >w strip running north, had been quietly secured 1 Mr. Young more than a year before, with referlce to this object, and by him was delivered at >st, for the sum of five hundred and twenty-three 3llars. A soliciting committee was appointed, insisting of Messrs J. Young, E. S. Woods,

. Beckwith, B. Sherwood, and A. C. Edgell, who eae enabled o tprocure, on the first subscription, ie amount of two thousand four hundred and xty-one dollars.

Of the fifty-five names, three subscribed three undred dollars each; two, two hundred; four, ie hundred. The rest are smaller, running down > even two dollars. Among the original subscripons was one of an eight day clock, that was sold >r thirty dollars. The gentleman who had charge f it when sold, took it, set it up on the mantel, ound it and set it going. That clock is said to ave celebrated the occasion by striking, not twelve ie first time, but a hundred and forty-four. It ridently did its best oung, Beckwith, Seymour, and Woods; Mr. evmour being appointed treasurer. All questions f detail were left to them, and on August 24th, ley entered into contract with Messrs. Reeder &

Rodgers for a frame building, "thirty-eight feet by fifty-two feet, and twenty feet high, between sills and plates;" the basement to be completed by December 1st.

It was not ready for use until February 17, 1839, when, with glad hearts, the church, who had meantime been worshipping in a large room in the second story of Mr. Beckwith's store, on the south side of the square, took possession for the first time of a church home they could call their own.

A bass-viol that had been presented to the choir by Mr. Buckingham Sherwood, on condition that it should be used, had, unseen, lent its aid to music of that happy day; but on the next Sunday its presence was disclosed to the horror of one of the little original band of worshippers, who at once arose and withdrew, and never set foot again within the desecrated walls. The efforts of her pastor to remove her prejudice were unavailing, she persisting that she would never "sit and see any one pretending to worship God by scraping on the Devil's backbone."

March 15, 1839, the Second Presbyterian church was duly incorporated by an act of the legislature ; Samuel D. King, John Metcalf, Alfred Doolittle, Asa Beckwith, Ezekiel S. Woods and JamesYoung being the corporators.

Divine service continued to be held in the humble room just described, for a little over a year, when the audience-room above was completed, and on April 16, 1840, solemnly dedicated to God. The sermon on that occasion was preached by Rev. Addison Kingsbury, of Putnam, on the text, Exodus 25:8.

The first addition to the membership of the church was on the last Sabbath of May, 1837, when eleven united with it. During that year twenty-three were added, five of them on profession of their faith, making a total of fifty-two. There was a steady growth until 1848, the largest accession being in 1842, during which year the church enjoyed a visit from Rev. Dr. Lindsley, then president of Marietta college. The interest which had for a long time been increasing then culminated, and forty-five members were added, thirty of them on examination.

January n, 1853, Rev. Mr. Duncan resigned his pastoral charge, having been chosen superintendent of the public schools of this city. His resignation was accepted at a meeting of the church and congregation held the next day, though the pastoral relation w^as not formally dissolved until the spring meeting of presbytery; and he continued to supply the pulpit mainly until the spring of 1854.

In February, 1854, a proposition was made by the First church looking to the union of the two churches. The correspondence was friendly, but resulted in nothing; the main point at issue, so far as the resolutions of the respective parties indicate, being that of the ecclesiastical connection of the reunited church. Naturally the First church adhered to the old school presbytery of Zanesville > as naturally the Second church preferred the new school presbytery of Pataskala.

Rev. Simon J. Humphrey, a graduate of Bowdoin college, Maine, in 1848, and of Andover seminary in 1852, preached here six Sabbaths early in the year 1854. A call was extended to him March 8th of that year, which, being accepted, he was ordained to the ministry, and installed pastor the eighth day of the following June; Professor Allen, of Lane seminary, preaching the sermon.

That year the cholera prevailed here, and in the pastor's note-book is preserved this sad record; "Sunday, August 27th. This is the cholera Sabbath. Ten burials to-day."

In the spring of 1856 the church was enlarged by an addition at the rear, giving about a hundred new sittings. At the same time a pipe organ, costing between six and seven hundred dollars, took the place of the cabinet-organ formerly employed. Services were held during this time in the city hall, beginning March 23rd; the enlarged church being occupied for the first time on June 1st.

The trustees of the church in April, 1859, purchased a house and lot adjoining the church for a parsonage, at the price of seventeen hundred dollars, to be paid in three yearly instalments.

The whole number added to the church in Mr. Humphrey's pastorate of just seven years, was eighty-nine, financially the report for this period is about as follows :

In the spring of 1861, Rev. Mr. Humphrey, receiving a call from the First Congregational church of Beloit, Wisconsin, resigned the pastorate of this church.

The pulpit was supplied for a year, to May 1, 1862, by Rev. William Lusk, jr., and on October 14, 1862, a call was extended to, and accepted by, Rev. Rollin A. Sawyer.

Mr. Sawyer is a graduate of Western Reserve college in 1851, and of Union Theological seminary, New York, in 1857. Prior to his settlement here, he had been pastor of the Westminster church, Yonkers, New York, from February 17, 1858. He was installed over this church January 1, 1863, and continued its pastor until January* 16, 1866.

Up to the close of his pastorate here, including the previous interim, when two were added, the whole number of additions to the church was forty-four.

The vacant pulpit was not filled immediately. November 4, 1866, Rev. Daniel Tenney preached his first sermon here. A call was subsequently extended to him, which he accepted January 9, 1867. He was installed pastor of this church May 1, 1867; on which occasion Rev. D. E. Beach, of Granville, preached the sermon from the text, 2 Cor. 2; 15, 16. Rev. Addison Kingsbury, D. D., of Putnam, charged the pastor, and Rev. Charles Putnam, of Jersey, who was present at the organization of the church, thirty years before, charged the people.

In November of that year the very important step was taken to determine upon a new chuich building. On Saturday evening, November 2d, 1 number of prominent gentlemen, connected will this church, called, by invitation, upon the paste* each one somewhat surprised at the presence 4 thers. The matter was discussed, and Mr. Tenny ffered to make up the balance from the rest of le society, if they who were present would do bout what he had in his thoughts assigned them. A] promising not to be offended at his making gures for them, he read the supposed subscripon. But let him describe the scene for himself, s he does in a letter received from him :

"Nobly did they respond with but slight variations from the timates I had made. About twelve thousand dollars were edged that night. It was a solemn and precious hour, and we kneeled and thanked God, every heart was deeply moved, shall never forget that night. God was there. The next day, e Sabbath, November 3d, I preachedjfrom the text: 4 Let us

*e up and build.' On Monday I took the field to make up e balance of the subscription needed, and before night nearly renty thousand dollars were pledged. Never, I think, were bscriptions more generously or more promptly pledged. I >uld like to mention the names of some of those brothers who yfully made their offerings of thousands into the Lords treasy for that object, but it would be invidious. But I must eak of one person who was knowing to my plan, one indi- Jual who had earnestly advised me to move, and to move at ce and heartily in the matter. That person was a woman, ic insisted that it could be done, and that now was the time, le would say to me again and again, go forward, and you 11 succeed. That noble woman was Mother King. God :ss her!"

The parsonage was moved from the corner to e rear of the lot, and made to front on Second reet, and the church, instead of occupying its old >sition, was advantageously placed on the corner, Dnting Church street. Services were held in the eantime in the old building, which was removed * where it now stands, and which has since be- >me the property of the African Methodist Epis- >pal church, and in the city hall.

June 13, 1868, on a beautiful Saturday evening, e corner stone was laid with appropriaie cereonies, when Rev. H. M. Hervey, of the First lurch conducted the devotional exercises, Mr. atthew Newkirk read a historical statement of e church and Sabbath-school, Mr. Tenney derered an address, Waldo Taylor, esq., read a itement respecting the proposed building, and

Thursday, January 28, 18^9, the first services were held in the lecture room, consisting of a Sunday-school festival and dedication. The following Sabbath, January 31st, was rendered memorable by the reception of twenty new members, the celebration of the Lord's supper, a dedication sermon, and the raising of two thousand dollars.

A new bell, weighing twenty-one hundred pounds, was procured largely through the efforts of Miss Martha Scott (now Mrs. Osborn), and was raised to its place May 20, 1870. That bell was rung so joyfully for the next two years that it prematurely cracked, and another was immediately obtained for it in exchange, weighing a little over fifteen hundred pounds.

Rev. Howard Kingsbury, a graduate of Yale college in 1863, and of Union seminary in 1869, was called to this church, May 8, 1871, and installed June 2 2d. Rev. Dr. Kingsbury, of Zanesville, preached from a part of Ephesians 4, 15, "Speaking the truth in love." Rev. A, S. Dudley, of Granville, delivered the charge to the pastor, and Rev. H. M. Robertson, of Westerville, the charge to the people.

November 27, 1872, at the suggestion of the session, who tendered their resignation, the church, after much prayer and calm deliberation, adopted the system of term eldership, the session to be constituted of six elders, the term. of office to be six years, an election of two elders to be held every two years.

At a congregational meeting, March 4, 1873, lt was determined to proceed to finish the church. In due time a subscription paper was circulated, and a building committee appointed, consisting of the following gentlemen: Messrs. Adam Fleek,

On Sunday, April 12, 1874, the long looked for day arrived, when the audience-room should be consecrated to the worship of God. The sermon was preached by Rev. W. E. Moore, D. D., of Columbus, from Psalm 95, 6. The dedicatory prayer was offered by the pastor. Then the sacrament of the Lord's supper was celebrated, Rev. Mr. Tenney conducting the service; and the session of the First church, who had given up their own service to unite with this church on the joyful occasion, joined with this session in the distribution of the elements. Sixteen were received into the church, seven of them on profession of their faith.

In the afternoon a Sunday-school dedication service was held, conducted by Mr. Tenney, and in the evening an historical address by Rev. Mr. Duncan.

A brief description of the church building seems appropriate at this place. It is built of brick, with Ohio sandstone finishings. It is somewhat'Gothic in architecture. Its extreme length is one hundred and six feet, and extreme width sixty-t<vo feet two inches.

The basement, entirely above ground, contains a lecture-room, with a seating capacity of three hundred and fifty; a conference-room, holding a hundred; two smaller rooms, the one the pastor's study, the other a parlor, and a library room ; all, with the exception of the last, connected by sliding-doors.

The audience-room has a seating capacity of five hundred and fifty, with room to spare. Its extreme length is ninety-six feet, eleven feet of which form a vestibule, and fifteen feet a recess back of the pulpit, occupied by the choir and organ ; leaving the regular proportions of the room seventy feet by fifty-five.

The financial report for the present period, - including pledges just secured for a debt of two thousand three hundred dollars still due on the finishing of the church, to be paid within a year, is substantially as follows:

It was through the influence of Mr. James Young that the first prayer-meeting ever held in Newark is due, he soliciting his pastor, Rev. Mr. Baird, although himself at the time not a professor of religion, to introduce such an agency of use fulness into the church. Mr. Baird replied to his solicitation: "Cannot you start one?" He shrank from the responsibility, and thej matter for the ! present dropped. When Mr. Miles became pastor, Mr. Young, having then become a member of the church, addressed an anonymous letter to him upon the same subject, which had the desired effect On the next Sabbath a prayer-meeting was announced, and I suppose not a week has passed since that long-ago time, 1822, when there has not been a prayer-meeting in this city.

The Sabbath-school has always been a prosperous institution, varying from time to time, but on the whole gaining in numbers and interest It was organized in January, 1837, i. e. at the very begin ning of the church, by the Rev. James Hildreth, a young licentiate from the city of New York. The pastors of the church have all been Sundayschool men, and the superintendents and teachers have been active, faithful and zealous. It has grown from an average attendance of about seventy-five to over two hundred According to the annual report of the secretary, Mr. Antone Weber, presented March 26, 1876, the school consisted of six officers and thirty teachers, twenty ladies and ten gentlemen. There are three bible classes, with an enrollment of forty-two, and an average attend ance of eighteen; the main school, with an enroll ment of ninety-six boys and one hundred and twenty-four girls, and an average attendance o fifty-six boys and seventy-five girls; and an infaa class with an enrollment of seventy-three, and m average attendance of forty-five. Total enrollment three hundred and seventy-one ; total average attendance for the year, two hundred and fourteen. The whole amount contributed was two hundred and seventy dollars and thirty cents.

In addition to the home school, the church sustained a mission in l£ast Newark for ten years, from October, 1858, to April, 1868. The highest enrollment was in 1859 - one hundred and twentysix scholars, eleven teachers; Mr. J. D. Parsons, superintendent It grew gradually smaller until it was re-organized in June, 1866, ahd its more than fifty scholars were placed under the care of a single teacher, Miss Clara Knight, whose faithful service, unassisted and often unappreciated, was finally terminated by an attack of sickness, which put an end to the school.

Rev. Howard Kingsbury was succeeded in March, 1878, by Rev. George A. Beattie, who remained until the summer of 1880. The debt of the church was canceled during his pastorate.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Newark. - Unfortunately the larger part of the history of this church has not been preserved. This is more to be regretted as this has generally been the pioneer church. In the advance of civilization the Methodist preachers were generally found on the picket line, and were the first to proclaim the Gospel in the wilderness. This was not always the case, but if not the first, they were, at least, among the first, and for this reason the history of this church becomes a part of the history of the territory contiguous to its location.

Rev. Mr. McDonald, a Presbyterian, was the first preacher in Licking county. This was in 1802. In 1803 the Methodist Episcopal church organized the Hock-Hocking circuit, which embraced the territory, in part, of what now forms the counties of Fairfield, Licking, Muskingum, Coshocton, Knox, Franklin, Pickaway, and Ross. Rev. Asa Shinn was appointed the intinerant to take charge of it, establish preaching places, organize classes, and generally minister to it. He made the cabin of Mr. Benjamin Green, in the valley of Hog run, a regular preaching place, which he visited once in four weeks, and where he instituted, in 1804, the first regular church organization in Licking county. It is probable that Mr. Shinn also preached about that time in the Licking valley, and, perhaps, in Newark, which had been laid out the year before (1802), but no record appears to that effect. The first man to preach in Newark was, probably, Rev. John Wright, a Presbyterian. This was in the summer of 1803. A sketch of Mr. Shinn's life will be found in the history of the Hog Run church, in Licking township.

In the autumn of 1804, Mr. Shinn was transferred to Kentucky, and Revs. James Quinn and John Meeks took his place on the Hock-Hocking circuit. There is no record that they preached anywhere else in the county than in the little church at Hog run, but it is presumable that they occasionally preached in Newark, but if they did they must have held the service under a tree, or in the cabin of some settler, as no building had been erected for church purposes, and was not erected for years afterwards.

Mr. Quinn was continued upon this circuit, being re-appointed in 1805, but he was sent to the Scioto circuit when about one-half of his second year had expired, making his whole service on the circuit, a period of eighteen months, running into the early part of 1806. Before he left the village Newark was attached to it, and his congregation usually numbered "from fifteen to thirty persons," says Mr. Smucker. Here then is the first evidence of the establishment of the first Methodist class in Newark. A small class existed here which Mr. Quinn left in 1806, composed of five or six persons, who met at the cabin of Abraham Wright, esq., an emigrant of 1802, from Washington county, Penn

Rev. James Quinn, who organized this first Methodist class in Newark, was bom in Washington county, Pennsylvania, April i, 1775, and entered the itinerant ministry in May, 1799. He was appointed to Greenfield circuit in western Pennsylvania, but was also a missionary in the Hock- Hocking valley in December, 1799, and January, 1800, going as far as Lancaster. In 1801, he served Erie circuit, the Winchester circuit in Shenandoah valley, Virginia, in 1802, and Redstone circuit, in the Monongahela valley, Pennsylvania, in 1803. The next year he erected a cabin in the woods in Fairfield county, near the present village of Pleasant vi lie, which he made his home. It was the work of twenty-six days to ride around .his circuit, and he was allowed but two days at home. Mr. Quinn was a faithful and efficient minister, and continued his ministerial duties until 1842. He died at his residence in Highland county, Ohio, December 1, 1847, at the age of nearly seventy-three.

Rev. John Meeks, Mr. Quinn's cotemporary, came from Western Virginia, above Wheeling. He remained many years in the itinerancy, but no record of his life and services has been obtained.

In 1805, Rev. Joseph Thrap came into the county, and Rev. Joseph Williams was appointed to the Hock-Hocking circuit. A biographical sketch of Mr. Thrap is given in the history of Hanover township, where he lived and established a church. It is not unlikely that he preached many times to the class in Newark. Mr. Williams also preached here at the same time.

In 1806, quite a number of preachers of different denominations made their appearance in Newark and vicinity. Among them was Rev. John Emmett, a Methodist, who preached a number of sermons under a tree which stood on the public square. Rev. Peter Cartwright also made his appearance on the Hock-Hocking circuit, taking the place of Mr. Meeks, who, by reason of failing health, was unable to keep his appointments. At that date the following names appear as members of the Methodist society here. These were probably the organizers of this church: James Stewart, Mrs. Stewart, Jane Wilson, Mr. Couch, James

Stewart, jr., Martin Lincoln, Aaron Baker, Mrs, Baker and Benjamin Wilcox, a colored youth brought to Ohio from Virginia, by Captain Archi bald Wilson. Three gentlemen from New England, named Curtis, Mallery and Petty, were soon added to the above list, but not long after a schism sprang up in the little church which led to the secession of Aaron Baker and a number of others, Mr. Emmett officiated as chaplain on the Fourth of July, 1807, the first Foarth of July ever celebrated in Licking county. He spent the subsequent years of his life in the Scioto valley, and represented Pickaway county several sessions in the legislature.

Rev. James Axley was assigned to this circuit in 1806, and in 1807 Revs. Joseph Hays, James King and Levi Shinn, brother of Asa, the two former having charge of the Hock-Hocking circuit In 1808 Revs. Ralph Lotspeitch and Isaac Quinn came as regular Methodist itinerants. The former was a minister of note, who performed much pastoral labor among the Methodists in this county during this and succeeding years.

In 1809 Revs. Benjamin Lakin and John Johnson were ministers on the Hock-Hocking circuit and, of course, supplied the Newark congregation. About that time the first court house in this county was erected - a log building - on the public square, and this was thereafter used by all denominations for many years, for religious meetings.

One of the most prominent of the early Methodist ministers was Rev. Noah Fidler, who came to this vicinity, settling a few miles south of Newark in 1 81 1. He entered the Methodist itinerancy in 1801, serving the Frederick, Pittsburgh, Erie, Clarksburgh, 'Botetourt and Staunton circuits, in the order named, until 1808, when he retired from the labors of a circuit preacher, and became a local minister in the Methodist church, continuing in that relation until his death, which took place in Miami county, Ohio, in 1849, at the age of seventy-one.

In 1823 this church was included in what was called Granville circuit; in 1834 in Newark circuit, and in 1840 it was made into a station, and Rev. Cyrus Brooks appointed as pastor.

Rev. Noad Fidler lived near this place after retiring from the regular ministry, and was one of the leading members of the society until 1834. The

Cunningham and Charles Thorne; in 1824-5, Edward Taylor and H. S. Fernandes; in 1825-6, Samuel Hamilton, Z. H. Costen; in 1826-7, Samuel Hamilton, Curtis Goddard; in 1827-8, Jacob Hooper.

On the first page of an old record appears the following subscription form, used for soliciting money for the first Methodist "meeting house" in Newark :

"Methodist Episcopal Meeting House. - A subscription addressed to the generous people of the town of Newark and its vicinity for the sole purpose of obtaining funds and materials for building said house in the town of Newark, on a lot obtained from Thomas Reed, on Fourth street, a few rods north of the old burying-ground - We, the subscribers, from motives of friendship to the cause of religion and morality, and willing to give our aid for the promotion of the town of Newark, do covenant and agree that we will pay the sums we hereunto subscribe to our names Jo the trustees of said house! which said trustees shall be under bonds to make the best use of in building the house in a good, substantial manner, according to the best of their judgment.

Lincoln, fifty dollars; James Bramble, forty-five dollars; William Stanberry, fifty dollars; Hugh Allen, twenty-five dollars. The remainder were from fifteen dollars down to one dollar. Total subscription, seven hundred and seventy-one dollars:

"The following is an abstract of the report of the acting committee of the Methodist Episcopal meeting-house, in the town of Newark, to the trustees of the same, relative to the cost, etc., up to the present date, a copy of which was published in the Newark Advocate and Newark 'Gazette:

"Due James Hays twenty-four dollars and forty-two cents, to be paid in country products by April 1st, at any place of deposit from St. Albans to Irville, on the Zanesville road. "January 8, 1830.

The house was formally received by the trustees and settlement made May 4, 1829. The preacher in charge at this time was Rev. Jacob Hooper. The trustees who began the erection of the meeting-house were James Hays, James Bramble, John Evans, Thomas Taylor, John Channel, Thomas Atherton and Thomas Parker. The lot (the site of the present church) cost fifteen dollars, and the deed was made August 6, 1828.

"To the ladies of Newark and vicinity: - The liberality of the ladies, in matters of public importance and utility, we believe has never been appealed to in vain. In those things that pertain to the convenience and ornament of society, they are ever ready to contribute their proportion, and from none are donations for such purposes more appropriate. It is proposed to purchase a bell for the use of this town generally, to be hung in the cupola of the Methodist church, to be rnng twice every day. The cost of the bell will be about fifty cents per pound; consequently the more there is subscribed, the larger and more useful will be the bell purchased. From the munificence of the ladies in the vicinity, and in the town of Newark, we certainly hope to be able to effect this laudable object. Therefore, we, the subscribers, agree to pay the several sums annexed to our names.*'

In the fall of 1829, Rev. James Gilruth wa£ appointed to Newark circuit, with Jacob Hooper as colleague. Leroy Swormsted was presiding elder. There were at that time sixty-nine members. In 1831 H. S. Fernandes was appointed to the charge, and remained two years and was followed by J. W. Gilbert. The church, up to 1833, seems to have been in an unfinished condition, and another subscription was taken to complete it In 1834-5 bills were granted to the amount of four hundred and fifty-four dollars, which shows the cost of the building to have been, including the bell, one thousand five hundred and eighty-eight dollars. On the first of August, 1835, a property was purchased of Jabez Edwards "on the northwest corner of the town, for a parsonage, for which the sum of four hundred and fifty dollars was paid." The Sundayschool at this time numbered one hundred and five, which is the first report in the hands of the pastor.

No important changes occur during the succeeding years, except the changes of pastors. The following are the names of these after J. W. Gilbert

In 1847 Methodism felt strong enough to sustain two churches. Rev. E. B. Chase was the minister. A frame church and lot located on the north side of Main street, between First and Second streets, was purchased of the Universalists, for which they paid eight hundred dollars, and upon which they bestowed twenty-two hundred dollars in remodeling. It was dedicated to the worship of God in the fall of 1848; the sermon was preached by Bishop Hamline. At the following session of the Ohio conference, which met in Newark in 1848, the church was divided. Rev. William F. Stewart was appointed pastor to the 44 eastern charge," and Rev. E. B. Chase was appointed to the "western charge."

Stewart, one year; John Dillon, one year; George W. Brush, two years; H. T. Magi 11, one year; James Mitchell, two years; J. H. Creighton, two years; W. T. Hand, one year; E. V. Bing, one year.

These two churches remained distinct and separate until i860, when they were consolidated. In 1864 the erection of the present edifice was projected. Rev. L. Taft was the minister. It is situated on the ground occupied by the old church. The old structure was removed, and during the four years succeeding the congregation worshipped in the house used formerly by the Eastern congregation. After four years the basement was ready for use, and was dedicated to the purpose of divine worship. Rev. L. Cunningham was minister. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Bishop D. W. Clark.

A heavy debt was contracted in the erection of the building which greatly embarrassed the society. In 1874 the audience-room was completed and dedicated. Rev. E. I. Jones was the minister.

The debt contracted in the first building of this church still hung upon it as a great incubus, amounting at times to ten thousand dollars. It was not until 1879 that this heavy burden was removed. The threat of a foreclosure of a mortgage held by an insurance company in St. Louis, Missouri, brought the whole church suddenly to its feet. A meeting was called, and it was determined to make a final effort to discharge the debt The thirtieth day of April was set apart as a day of prayer. From nine o'clock in the morning until ten o'clock at night the voice of supplication was heard in the church. One lady said during these services: "At these altars I was dedicated to God in baptism, by my parents, when I was an infant. At the same altars I gave my hand to the minister as a member of the church, and here I took the sacred vows of marriage, and I had hoped that here my funeral rites might be performed, and must it now be forfeited and lost to the church." Before the meeting closed it was apparent that success would follow the efforts. The community was thoroughly in sympathy with the distressed Methodist church. The people, without respect to what church they might belong, said: "No, the Methodist church cannot be sold for debt." Mr. A. B. Clark, editor of the American, when the minister, Rev. Ofville J. Nave, related to him the danger to which the church was exposed said, at the same time bringing his fist down upon the table, "By George! that cannot be done," and the whole city and county said amen, by willing offerings. In ninety-two days the whole amount needed, eight thousand five hundred dollars, was in the hands of the church treasurer and the debts cancelled. Too much cannot be said in praise of the unity of sentiment which prevailed among Christian people, and the liberality of many who were members of no church, in working this society out of its crisis. Much praise has justly been accorded to the minister for the successful termination of this work.

Mr. Isaac S mucker writes as follows regarding the first Sunday-school of this church. It is almost unnecessary to add that it has been kept up since that day and is now in a flourishing condition:

" In the spring of 1831, now almost fifty years ago. there was but one church edifice in Newark, and that was in an twfinshed condition, with its rough brick walls unplastered, and using slab benches instead of pews. This was the Methodist church, which stood upon or near the site of the present one, corner of

Church and Fourth streets. The community generally had contributed to its construction, and it was then being occupied jointly every alternate Sabbath by the Methodist'Episcopal society and by the Protestant Episcopal congregation, then recently organized, whose ministrations were conducted by Rev. C. P. Bronson. Both congregations being so small that neither could well sustain a Sunday-school alone, it was on consultation decided to concentrate the efforts and labors of both, and of such as were not of either congregation, in organizing a union Sunday-school. This was done by the election of Dr. Daniel Marble, of the Episcopal congregation, president of the organization, and Mr. Isaac Smucker treasurer. The names of the vice-president and secretary are not remembered, though it is believed that James Parker was chosen vice-president, and Miss Mary Ann Davis secretary. Mr. Milton Moore was the superintendent. He was of the Methodist church, and was a young man of most exemplary conduct and deportment, much given to active benevolence and good works. All the officers of this early-time union Sunday-school of half a century ago, so far as they are remembered by the only two resident survivors (Mrs. Dr. Marble and the treasurer), were teachers, as were also Miss Amanda Holmes, Mrs. Robert Hazlett and Mrs. Dr. Marble. The class t>f the last named, after her resignation, was taught by her sister, Henrietta Trowbridge, who subsequently became the wife of Mr. Milton Moore, both yet living and enjoying a "green old age" (almost octogenarians) at Racine, Wisconsin. After a successful career of a number of years, this union school came to be the Methodist Sundayschool by the withdrawal of those of Protestant Episcopal proclivities, who organized one in connection with that congregation, which meanwhile had built a church edifice. It may be proper to remark that there was in this school a preponderance of Episcopal sentiment and influence, and hence the adoption and use therein of the Sunday-school ritual and liturgy of that denomination. And it may also appropriately be said that this union Sunday-school, although of "ye olden time," was not the first, but the second established in Newark, the First Presbyterian church having some years before organized one, which was in operation when this one was started, and which held its meetings in the second story of our first market-house, that stood in the middle of West Main street, facing the public square, between the Newkirk and Patton comers, and which still lives, as does also the continuation of the union Sundayschool of 1831."

The Fourth Street Baptist church is now located on the corner of Granville and North Fifth streets. It was organized in 1828, at the corner of Third and Main streets, by Rev. James Beerry.

The first members or this church were Joseph Coffman, John Vance, Peter Coffman, Margaret Coffman, Mrs. Vance, Mr. Kimpton, Mrs. Kimpton, Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong, H. Gregory and wife, Catharine Platto, Daniel Warren and wife, and some others.

This society erected its first church in 1837, on Fifth street, just north of the canal, now occupied by Foos* carriage shop. This answered the purposes of the society until 1874, when the present magnificent brick structure was erected, and which cost twenty-eight thousand dollars.

The pastors besides Mr. Berry, have been Revs. H. Gear, D. E. Thomas, Granger, Benjamin Thomas, Andrews, Lamb, Clouse, Wooster, Abbott, Gates, Miller and Owens. The present membership is about two hundred and eighty.

The organization of the Sunday-school was probably coeval with that of the church, and has always mantained a vigorous existence, numbering at present, about two hundred pupils. Mr. George Blood is superintendent.

Protestant Episcopal The early beginnings of this church in Newark are of sufficiently modern' date to be in the memory of many now living, yet it is difficult to get at anything very tangible before the regular records in the diocesan journals.

There was, however, occasional preaching, at long intervals, from time to time, for years before there was any church building or even organization; the congregation being gathered at private residences, the court room, or the house of another denomination. Of those who thus preached were Bishop Chase, his son, Philander, and the Rev. Doctor Doddridge; and these, perhaps, only when they passed through Newark in their journeys to and from places of more note.

In 1826 this was regarded as a favorable point for the establishment of a church, and one was organized by Bishop Chase. It was represented the next year in the convention by Judge Holmes. It wa s placed under the missionary care of Rev. N. G. Baldwin, in connection with Zanesville and Granville; hence, having but one-third of his time. The next preacher in charge, after a long vacancy, was the Rev. C. P. Bronson ; Rev. R. T. Rogers followed him. The pastorate of these two clergymen, besides being short (only a few months each), was unfortunate, and little or nothing was done till 1833, when the Right Rev. C. P. Mcllvaine, on his way to Gambier from his consecration in the east as bishop, remained in Newark two days, preaching each evening and urging the erection of a church. The record of this visit is as follows:

Newark. I preached once in each and then held a meeting at the house of Mr. Hazlett. The meeting was small but spirited, and one thousand one hundred dollars pledged for building."

The parish being without a rector, no further progress was made until the next year, 1834, when Rev. G. Denison, a professor of Kenyon college, Gam bier, taking charge, immediate steps were taken for building a church. The following are the names of those who subscribed for the erection of the present building: George Baker, Elijah

In 1836, the neat Gothic church on Second street was consecrated. The entire charge and responsibility of its erection had been thrown upon Mr. George Baker. The estimated cost of the buiding to be erected was two thousand six hundred dollars; but Mr. Baker, with changes, additions and improvements ran up the bills to three times that sum. On being expostulated with, his reply was: "What difference does It make; do you doubt my ability or willingness to pay all this additional expense? All t have belongs to the church." Under such protestations the fears of the members subsided, for Mr. Baker was wealthy, without heirs, and a man of his word. But the best of intentions sometimes comes to naught through misfortune. Entering into an unsuccessful business partnership, this good friend of the church became insolvent, and the debt passed into the hands of one who held the vestry responsible - Mr. N. B. Hogg. This gentleman, however, was generous.

In the history of this church, as in that of every other Episcopal church in this part of Ohio, the name of Bishop Chase was closely identified, and his influence all-powerful in its establishment. His history has been written, and will not be referred to here, but the herculean labors of this good man were simply astonishing. His greatness and power; the good he accomplished, and his many virtues are not as well understood and appreciated as they should be; but his name will go down in history among the greatest and best of Ohio's pioneers.

The establishment of the Sabbath-school was probably coeval with that of the church, and has been maintained with a good degree of regularity since. Its membership is at present about one hundred and seventy-five.

The Welsh Calvinistic Methodist church of Sharon valley. - In 1832, William T. Williams, an immigrant direct from Wales, and James Evans and Robert Walker, Welshmen from Oneida county, New York, settled in the "Sharon valley," a few miles from Newark, in the direction of the Welsh Hills settlement At this time there was no regular Welsh preaching in Licking county, and hence the foregoing persons united temporarily with the English Congregational church of Granville.

In the spring of 1833, the settlers in Sharon, with other families direct from Wales, who located in the valley, united with Walter and Nicodemus

Griffiths (immigrants of 1815) in establishing a Welsh Sabbath-school at the old stone schoolhouse, two miles northeast of Granville, on the Utica road. This was the pioneer Welsh Sabbathschool in Licking county, and probably in Ohio. These settlers also sustained a regular weekly Welsh prayer meeting.

In October, 1834, Rev. Edward Jones traveled on foot from his home in Cincinnati, to preach a few sermons to his countrymen in Sharon valley and Granville. This feat of clerical pedestrianism was repeated by him in 1835. During this visit he organized, October 25th, at the before mentioned stone school-house, the pioneer Welsh church of Licking county, in which he had the assistance of Rev. William Morgan, recently from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but living, at this time, at the Mary Ann furnace,

The original members were William T. Williams, Mrs. Williams, James and Mrs. Evans, Alban Albans, Mrs. Albans, John J. and Mrs. Evans, Robert Walter, William Parry, William Lewis, Mrs. Lewis, Jenkin Hughes, Nathaniel Davis, Mrs. Davis, Miss Albans and Miss Jane Davis.

Rev. William Parry was licensed as a minister of the Gospel at this meeting. Rev. William Morgan was employed as settled pastor of the church. Rev. William Parry occasionally supplied the pulpit until after his ordination, in 1838, when he became the settled minister, and remained such until 1853, a period of fifteen years.

In 1836 the society purchased, for a nominal sum, a lot for a church, on which they erected a frame building (the first in the neighborhood), twenty-one by thirty feet, which was finished in 1837, at a cost of three hundred and twenty-one dollars and eighty-nine cents, besides gratuitous labor performed by friends of the enterprise.

This was the first Welsh Calvinistic Methodist church built in Ohio. There are now more than thirty. This church edifice was dedicated June 25, 1837, by Rev. Dr. Rowlands, of New York city, who was reputed to be one of the most eminent divines in his denomination, and whose character is known to all who are familiar with the religious literature of Wales.

The original elders, elected in 1835, were William T. Williams, James Evans and Alban Albans. Those subsequently elected were John J. Evans and Robert Walter in 1842, and David Hughes in 1859. The Sabbath-school has been regularly sustained from its establishment, in 1833, t0 the present time. The services in this church have always been conducted in the Welsh language.

This is properly the pioneer Welsh church in Licking county, because the Baptist church on the Welsh Hills, although organized in 1808, nearly thirty years before this one, is but partially Welsh, its public ministrations having generally been conducted in the English language, and only occasionally in Welsh. It is probable, however, that a majority of its members had been natives of Wales or of Welsh parentage. The original church building is still occupied by this church. The Welsh Calvinistic Methodist churches of Newark and Granville were, to some extent, branches of this church.

The St. John's German Lutheran church was probably organized as early as 1835, by Heinrich Rickcnbach and a few others. Their first meetings were held in a school-house which stood on the rear end of the first Presbyterian church lot. They rented this building for their purposes and held meetings here several years, and although no record appears, the probability is that Mr. Rickenbach preached for them in these eailier years. In 1841 they were strong enough to erect a small brick church on South Fifth street, on the site of the present building.

The first officers of this church were Heinrich Rickenback, president; David Fisher, treasurer; P'ranz Boedel, secretary; and Jacob Grasser, Jacob Paul, Carl Frederick Boettcher and John Ehrgott, elders.

The present brick church was erected in 1870, and is surmounted by a chime of three bells. For the last three years, the church being somewhat in debt, has not felt able to employ a minister, and Mr. F. Kochendorfer has officiated in that capacity free of charge. As their debts are about cancelled they have employed the Rev. L. Hass, who will soon take charge. There are about one hundred members connected with the church at present. A Sunday-school has been maintained since the organization of the church.

The Welsh Calvinistic Methodist church of Newark. - Rev. William Parry, of Granville, preached in Newark in August, 1836, at the house of Mr. Thomas Hughes, which stood on the lot north of the American house, owned by Andrew Smucker. This, it is said, was the first Welsh sermon preached in Newark. Few, if any other Welsh families, then resided in Newark. The text was from Luke xii. 32: "Fear not, little flock."

From this, time until the autumn of 1840, there was Welsh preaching occasionally; a school-house south of the canal being used for that purpose, as well as for the purposes of a Sabbath-school, which was early established.

The Welsh citizens in town and country worshipped together, and in 1840-41, erected a church on Granville street, at a cost of five hundred and fifty-five dollars and eighty-one cents. It was finished in May, 1841, and a church was duly organized May 28, 1841, with twenty-four members. Rev. William Parry ministered to them occasionally, until September of the same year, when Rev. Hugh E. Rees, recently from Llanderfel, Wales, was called as settled pastor.

Thomas Hughes and Morgan Williams were elected deacons, and Thomas Hughes, William Parry, Morgan Williams, Timothy Winston, Richard Watkins, Thomas Dowell and Enos Owens, were elected trustees. During this year, a valuable accession to the church was Deacon Robert Owens, of Montgomeryshire, Wales, and Deacon Edward Brown and family, and a number of other families strengthened the church in 1844.

In January, 1845, a difficulty occurred in the church, and Rev. H. E. Rees and most of the congregation removed to a brick school-house on the east side of Mt. Vernon street, and there, on Sunday, January 12, 1845, established themselves as a church. The minority that remained, consisting of eight or ten members, retained possession of the church.

Those removing to the school-house soon purchased that building, paying for it three hundrtf and eighty dollars. This served their purpose ^ til 1856, when a new church was built on E: street at a cost of a little more than two thousarc three hundred dollars, nearly three hundred doli' of which were contributed by those outside 1 church.

Mr. Rees continued his ministrations 1 zi 1848, when he removed to Cincinnati Ra Hugh Roberts succeeded him, and remained tr~ July, 1852, when Rev. Joseph E. Davies toct charge, and continued his services until the spriip of 1855. He was followed by Rev. E. T. Evas and Rev. Mr. Roberts.

That portion of the congregation which retained the church on Granville street kept up a separate organization some time, perhaps two years, b-i gradually grew weaker until it ceased to exst Many of its members joined the seceding brand which was recognized as the legitimate church.

The Welsh Congregational church of Newari- Rev. James Davis, from the Welsh settlement on Owl creek, preached the first Welsh Congregation! sermon in Newark, about 1837.

Thomas D. Jones and Nicodemus Griffiths who lived a few miles northwest of Newark, and*!* were very decided Congregationalists, were the nr* to move in the matter of organizing this churd Learning that several Welsh families of their fcv had settled here and in the neighborhood, they called upon them, and the interview resulted in tne appointment to meet at the house of David Jos in Lockport to consider the subject.

This meeting was held early in 1841, and ** attended by Rev. Rees Powell, of Delwsa county, and Rev. Seth Howell (a Presbytcnaa minister), who was a sojourner in the neighbor hood at the time, David Jones, T. D. Jones, Thomas Rees, David Lewis and Thomas Robert' with their families; also Mr. Evan W. Evans and Titus and Joshua Davis.

An adjourned meeting was held the next day, at he house of Thomas Rees in Newark, where the Velsh Congregational church was organized. Thomas D. Jones, David Lewis and Thomas Rees vere elected deacons.

They soon after purchased a frame church buildng on Mt. Vernon street, furnished with ordinary vooden seats, and old ten-plate Mary Ann furnace ;toves, for a little less than five hundred dollars. They took possession March 3, 1841, and elected David Jones, Evan W. Evans, Thomas Roberts, Thomas D. Jones, David Lewis, Watkin Watkins md Thomas Rees, trustees.

Sabbath services were conducted by Rev. John Powell, assisted by Rev. Thomas W. Evans after his arrival from Wales, in July of this year. These joint labors were continued until 1843, when Rev. Jenkin Jenkins was chosen the regular pastor; he served, however, but one year, and was followed, in 1846, by Thomas \V. Evans, who remained until 1856, and was succeeded for a few months by Rev. Rees M. Evans. Rev. David R. Jenkins then became pastor, and so continued until his death, which occurred March n, 1861. Rev. David Price was. elected pastor in October, 1862, and remained until March, 1869.

Its early history rests mostly on tradition, but the organization existed as early as 1840. It was probably organized here about or before that time. Prior to its organization the few colored people in Newark attended other churches, and their children the Sunday-schools of the white people. The names of the original members of this organization cannot be ascertained; nor those of the ministers who were influential in bringing it into existence. Some of the early ministers, however, were Revs. George Coleman, Ratliff, Major J. Wilkinson,

William Newman, Turner Roberts and Mr. Peters. Probably one or more of these were influential in the organization and establishment of the church.

It was more than twenty years after the organization was effected, before they had a church they could call their own; meanwhile they rented rooms or buildings in various places. About 1861 or 1862 they purchased a lot for sevehty-five dollars, upon which they erected the small building called the "Colored Chapel," which they occupied two or three years, and sold. They then rented and occupied the Baptist church two or three years, when they purchased the present building and lot. This building had been used as a church by the Second Presbyterians, and had been removed by that society in order to erect upon their lot the present beautiful structure. The lot and old building cost the colored people one thousand six hundred dollars; they repaired it, and as it stands, it has cost them about two thousand five hundred dollars. The society is well established, strong and active, both in church and Sunday-school. The church membership, proper, is about forty, but the congregation is large.

The Sunday-school was organized in 1844, by William Henry and George Roots, two colored men, in a room south of the canal, then used by the society as a place of meeting for worship. This school went down once or twice, and was resuscitated, but has been for many years established on a permanent basis. The membership is about thirty.

St. Frances de Sales church: - The first written records of the Catholic congregation of Newark date back only to 1844, at which time, under the administration of Rev. I. Lamy, now archbishop of San Francisco, the first church edifice was erected, fronting on Granville street.

As early, however, as 1836, Rev. D. Young, of Washington, District of Columbia, visited Newark on horseback, on his way to Somerset and Cincinnati, dispensing the sacraments of the church, and attending the sick calls along the canal, then being built. The same gentleman is also remembered as having about that time given lectures in the old court house on the square.

contributors to the erection of the frame building, now used as a barn, and standing on the rear of the church lot, are found the names of William Stanbery, Bradley Buckingham, E. McCarthy, Jonas Maurath, M. Morath, E. Koos, J. Buckell, Patrick Connelly, and Wilson and McMillen, some of whom are yel living in the city.

From 1844 to 1848, Revs. D. Senez, I. Lamy, A. P. Anderson, W. Schonat, and J. T. Boulger, attended the congregation in succession, until a regular pastor was appointed in the person of Rev. J. Branneman, who remained from 1848 to 1854, and who died at Rockaway, New York, in 1876.

In 1854, Rev. F. Bender was appointed by Archbishop Purcell, to the Newark parish, which comprised the Linnville, Jacksontown, Natchez, Kirkersville, Mattingly, and Jersey settlements.

In time the old church on Granville street became inadequate for the accommodation of the growing congregation, and steps were taken to erect the present substantial structure, the corner stone of which was laid about i860, by Archbishop Purcell.

Soon after the foundation of this church was laid, a heavy rain came on, and the gutters being blocked by building material, the water ran in and undermined one corner, causing it to give way; which circumstance gave rise to considerable feeling against Father Bender, then pastor, and who was superintending the work. As the building was without much architectural beauty the congregation thought it should be, at least, solid; but Father Bender intended the building should answer the purposes of a school-house and church combined, and its long service for these purposes has fully tested its strength and justified the faith of the builder. Rev. Mr. Bender's efficiency being appreciated at headquarters, he was appointed to the task of superintending the erection of St. Edward's church, in Cincinnati, and in retiring from the pastorate of this church, generously relinquished all claims against it for money he had advanced. He was succeeded by Rev. L. Cartuyvels, December 19, 1863.

A school-house had been built by Rev. F. Bender as early as 1858. Rev. Cartuyvels remodelled it, put a large addition to it, and transformed it into a parsonage, having removed the schools to the west side of the church building. He ai>? renovated and added to the comfort and coimr ence of the church by painting, putting pine fkxr* in place of brick, placing furnaces in the ba$emt~ and making various other changes, requiring :* outlay of a considerable amount of money. \ lottery scheme was started by the church, wb* was successful in discharging a portion of tL? indebtedness. Some dissatisfaction, however, c\ isted in the congregation, and this, together vr* the fact that Rev. Cartuyvels, although havia; assistants at various times, among whom was Rn P. T. Daly, was no longer able to attend to duties on account of age, and infirmities, caukt his removal, and ' Rev. N. Pilger was appointed " his place.

During these years the school had been sustain*-: first under private teachers, then under the care i the sisters of charity, who, from their little earning and charity fairs, succeeded in time in buying : lot on the corner of Granville and Pearl strut- This society, leaving Newark to make way for the sisters of St. Dominie, sold this lot to the paster, Rev. N. Pilger.

Mr. Pilger was succeeded in 1874, by Rev. IDeCailly; the present pastor. This gentleman fir* paid the debts of the church, then removed the old buildings to the rear of the lot, and put a nt* floor in the church edifice, making it two storits He then erected the present beautiful brick par sonage, on the corner of Granville and Pear; streets, and both spiritually and financially lir-u the church out of many of its former difficult

The present membership is about sixteen hdred, of whom about one thousand or ekves hundred are communicants. The school attend ance in four rooms averages two hundred and tb scholars, the larger boys being under the chart" of M. F. Kirnes. About three hundred children belong to the Sunday-school.

From past progress, it is expected that & strength of the church will so increase in a tea years that a new church edifice will be needcC and with this view the church has secured ana holds in reserve a beautiful lot, fronting Granviu and Sixth streets.

History Of Licking Countv

cated on Fourth, south of the canal. Its organition dates back' to about the year 1847, and ev. Conrad Gahn was, probably, more influential an any other person in its establishment. The iginal members were Mr. Imhoff and wife, Mr oung and his daughter Caroline, Mrs. Kirsch >hn Reiff and wife, and a little later, Joshua Zartan and wife, and others. Their first meetings sre held in the school-house in that part of town, id continued there uutil 1856, when they erected frame church building, at a cost of one thousand ur hundred and eight dollars, which is yet in use. he first pastor was Rev. Nippart,*who is now in ermany. Conrad Gahn succeeded him. The esent minister is Rev. Trinker. The society is nail at present.

In 1850 a Sunday-school was organized, Joshua utman being the first superintendent. This hool is yet continued, with a membership of renty or more.

The Salem German church, of Newark, was ganized October 4, 1857. The corner-stone of e church building was laid October 9th, of the me year. The church was dedicated March 28, 558. Rev. W. C. Kiesel was the first pastor, he first elders were David Fisher, John Durkis, ugust Auer, and Peter Sacks. The number of embers at the organization was forty-nine, all ales. W. C. Kiesel continued in the pastorate of is church until 1861, and was succeeded by Rev.

. Shide, in the autumn of that year. Mr. Shide as pastor until the spring of 1864. Rev. Phillip oser was pastor from 1864 to 1866, and was folwed by Rev. F. H. W. Bruechert, who was a aduate of the Presbyterian German Theological uninary at Dubuque, Iowa. The present pastor Johannes Kromer, a native of Wurtemberg, Gerany.

The Sabbath-school has been in existence since ie organization of the church. This church longs to the Zanesville presbytery, and is thereie a member of the Presbyterian church of orth America.

valley, was organized in 1864 by Rev. B. Green. There is a large settlement of people of this denomination in this valley, and the church was well attended and sustained from the start. The original members were James M. Tomkins, John Showman, Jacob Showman, Monterville Lucas, A. Lucas, James Elliott, M. N. Odel, and fifty-five others. In the same year the church was built at a cost of one thousand five hundred dollars. The present membership is about twenty-five. A Sundayschool was organized in 1866, Mr. M. N. Odel being the first superintendent. The school numbers, at present, forty scholars and six teachers. C. C. Shaw superintendent.

The Seventh Day Advent church is located on Sixth street, between West Main and church streets. It was organized May 14, 1878, at the residence of Joseph Walton, M. D., on North Fifth street, by Elder J. H. Waggoner. The original members were Joseph Walton, Basil B. Francis, Mary Francis, Lucinda Sayre, Harriet Harrison, Samuel W. Brooke, Maria W. Brooke, Julia A. White, Charles C. Chrisman, Hannah F. Francis, Minnie A. Lumley, Charles C. Cooper, Mary Cooper, Melissa J. Dowell, Rachel A. Fowler, Phyla R. Hutchins, and Mary Lawrence.

The church had its origin in a two weeks' camp meeting, held in August, 1877, in the county fair grounds. The attendance at this meeting was large.

August 31st a tent was pitched on Fifth, near Granville street, and meetings held there until September 23d, when Wilson's hall was rented for their purposes. Meetings were held during the winter of 1877-8, in the various churches and in Dr. Walton's house. The church was erected in the fall of 1878, and dedicated December 29th, of that year, by Elders D. M. Canright and Burrell. The building is a square frame, and cost oqe thousand five hundred dollars. They have no settled pastors. The membership is now twenty-eight The Sabbath-school was organized January 15, 1878, and has a membership of thirty-five.

ganization moved away soon after, and no services were held between the years 1851 and 1857, when the society was reorganized by Rev. J. P. Stuart, with twenty members, as follows: James White,

C. Baldwin, Fannie A. Baldwin, R. E. Jones, Ellen Marvin, Jennie Rees, John Cunningham, Henrietta M. Roney, John O. Jones, Elizabeth Bryant, Julia A. Funk, Caroline Jones, William M. Baldwin, Julia C. Baldwin, and Valeria Arven.

The first lectures on the new church doctrines were delivered in the court house, by Professor Bronson, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio; the early meetings of the organized society being held in the second story of the market-house, corner of Main and Fourth streets. Dr. E. R. Tuller was the leader of worship.

The present church edifice was erected in 1861, and cost, with the lot, eleven hundred and sixtyfive dollars and ninety-three cents. But two settled pastors have been employed; the first being Rev. A. J. Bartels, from 1862 to 1863, one year, and the second Rev. S. H. Spencer, one year, from 1874 to 1875. Worship has been conducted at other times by leaders selected by the society and by visiting ministers. The membership reached forty-three at one time, but by removals and death it has been much decreased.

Plymouth Congregational church, of Newark, was organized May 21, 1879, with sixty-six members, thirty-one by letter and thirty-five on profession.

The organizing council, of which Rev. Samuel Wolcott, D. D., was moderator, and Rev. Henry C. Haskell, scribe, was composed of representatives of the following churches, viz: Euclid Avenue church, of Cleveland; Plymouth church, of Cleveland; the Congregational church of North Amherst; First Congregational church, of Columbus; High Street Congregational church, of Columbus; the Congregational church of North Columbus; the Congregational church of Alexandria; the Congregational church of Lock; the Congregational church of Mansfield; the Congregational church of Mt. Vernon ; the Congregational church of Marietta.

The Rev. E. I. Jones had been preaching toar congregation for seven months before the orpzo ing council wras called, first in the opera hoc* afterward in the Murphy home, then in the err hall.

D. , preaching the sermon, and Rev. D. S. lc^ expressing the fellowship of the churches. Iieds* diately after the organization of the church, the members extended an unanimous call to Rev. EL Jones to become their pastor.

At ten o'clock the next morning, May 2 2d vt council met to examine the pastor-elect on doctns and experience, and decided to proceed with installation, which took place in the presence 0: t very large congregation on the evening of thei same day: Installation sermon by the Rev. FnaJ

Russell, installation prayer by the moderator, chrd to the pastor by the Rev. T. H. Hawks, D. L right hand of fellowship by the Rev. Henry C Haskell, charge to the people by the Rev. R C Hutchens, D. D., closing prayer by the Rev. Jed Jones. The exercises throughout were charaad ized with dignity, ability and much spiritual powd

On the first Sabbath in June, the church eri joyed ifs first communion, when seven were addd to its membership on profession of their faith is Christ.

The original members of this organization wed Mrs. Louisa Adams, Charles Adams, William HJ Ayres, Mrs. Eliza A. Ayres, Mrs. Martha Ayresj Mrs. R. Biddings, Mrs. Julia Bourne, George Mj

The present membership of this church is one hundred and forty-six. They have no church edifice, but occupy the City hall and the churches of other denominations.