150 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. building still to be made a part of the new edifice, will make it one of the largest and finest churches in the city. The present membership of this society is two hundred and eighty-four. The corner stone of the new edifice has this for its inscription, on the Gay street side of the building : "Erected to the glory of God and the honor of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. John III-16." This was done at the suggestion of one of the members of the church. W. P. Bogardus. MARTINSBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The Martinsburg Presbyterian church was the first to be established in Clay township in 1808, by Rev. John Wright. At an early day this was the banner township for this sect in all Ohio. The Old-School Presbyterians were the original pioneers in this township. Their first meetings were held at private houses and nearly every settler was of this faith. At a very early day this church society was formed at Martinsburg. Rev. John Wright was the first pastor and remained until about 1827, when he resigned and was succeeded by Rev. John McKinney and he in turn by Rev. James Campbell. Henry Hervey was installed in 1830, when the church had about one hundred members and at one time, before he left, the church numbered almost three hundred membership, a very large society. The present membership is about fifty. A brick church was built in 185o. Since the above named the pastors have been : Revs. N. C. Helfudge, J. D. Walkinshaw, John Foy; C. W. Hempstead, G. H. L. Beeman, J. C. Fields, 0. C. Gregg and Ozro R. Newcomb. OTHER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES. In Jackson township a Presbyterian church was organized in 1846. as the outgrowth of the Martinsburg church. Rev. Henry Hervey, pastor of the church at Martinsburg, preached a sermon on the "evils of war," denouncing the war then going on with Mexico, and this gave offense to a large number of his members, who seceded and organized the church at Bladensburg, where a building was soon erected. The first pastor was Rev. James Anderson. The early Presbyterians in the vicinity of Waterford, Middlebury township, had for their preachers Revs. James Scott and James Cunningham, but no organization of a church was had until in 1849, when Rev. J. M. Faris became pastor and built a neat church. It was in the west end of the little hamlet and was forty by fifty feet in size. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 151 About 1834 Rev. Pitkin, a Presbyterian minister, commenced to preach at Brandon, Miller township. In 1852, under leadership of Drs. Ramsey, Wheaton and Levi Beach, a meeting house was erected at Brandon, dedicated by Rev. Swift, but it does not appear that a church was organized in the township at that date. In Morris township, the Rev. James Scott was the earliest Presbyterian preacher in the neighborhood of Clinton. There being no church in the locality, services were frequently held at the house of James Loveridge, but really usually held in his new barn, until a house of worship could be erected—hence the structure became known far and near as "God's Barn," the use sanctifying the place. In 1814, the society built a commodious church at Clinton. It was never completed, however, but later removed to the orchard of Mr. Loveridge and turned into a cider manufactory, the first in Knox county. Pleasant Hill Presbyterian church was the direct result of the preaching of Rev. Henry Hervey, who preached the Word several years in the southern part of Pleasant township. The organization dates from about 1845. In 185o a good frame church building was erected, which stood on the Martinsburg road a mile from the south line of the township. The Fredericktown Presbyterian church was the first organized there, it being effected as early as 1808, by Rev. Wright. Their meetings were held in the old block-house, after its erection, and prior to this in the cabin homes of its devoted members. They failed to pay for their church building, on account of hard times coming, and it passed into private hands. The congregation was then associated with those at Martinsburg and Mt. Vernon until 1827, under charge of Rev. Scott. The first real pastor they engaged was probably Rev. John McKinney, of Pennsylvania. In 1840 the society erected a neat church, near the old block-house. It was built and paid for under Rev. Simeon Brown's pastorate and while this man of God was an inferior looking person, he made a strong pastor for the early day pioneers. The Presbyterian church at Centerburg was begun as a Cumberland Presbyterian church, near Rich Hill, two miles north of Centerburg, in the early part of the nineteenth century. It was continued there in a good frame house until in the seventies, when it was moved to Centerburg. In the reunion of 1907 this body withdrew from the Cumberland church,. Rev. J. W. Boyer, the present pastor, began his labors December 20, 1908. The church now has a membership of eighty. Recently improvements have been made on the church, including a new set of oak pews, a new piano, 152 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. pulpit and Bible. The building was re-roofed with metal. It is the oldest church in Centerburg, both as a society and as a church edifice. UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The United Presbyterian church in this county at one time had an extensive membership, and was under the pastoral charge of Rev. J. H. Peacock. A church edifice was constructed on the northwest corner of Main and Sugar streets, in Mt. Vernon, now used for public library purposes. This building was finished in 1852. The last preacher in charge was Rev. Peacock, who suddenly died while on his way home from evening service during the late seventies. The site of the old church was originally purchased for school purposes at the time the city adopted the Akron system. Part of the material was on the ground when the city discarded that system and the church bought the lot. The building is now used for the public library of the city. FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The Free Presbyterians organized a church society in Clay township, at Martinsburg, sometime during the period of the great anti-slavery excitement which swept over the entire North. They were seceders from the Old-School Presbyterian church at Martinsburg. A number of the most radical and bitter members along this line of thinking opposed slavery, eft the church and organized under the name of Free Presbyterian church. They flourished for a time, but finally, ceased to exist, the most of its membership returning to their former societies. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. Methodism was first planted on Ohio soil between 1788 and 1792, near Cincinnati. Francis McCormick came over the river from Kentucky, located at Millville, Ohio, about 1794 and probably had the honor of founding the first Methodist society in the Northwest Territory. William McKendree, afterward bishop, was sent to the west in 18o1 to take supervision of the societies in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia and a part of Illinois. In Mt Vernon, Ohio. Methodism was introduced in 1812 by Enoch Ellis, who preached at times in the court house and in the log cabins round about. A frame church was built by this society in 1831, and stood on the KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 153 hill where later stood the high school building. Perhaps no other church in the county had a more interesting history between the years of 1812 and 1831 than this church, but unfortunately the record was either illy kept or not preserved, for it cannot now be discovered. This much is known, that in 185o the old Mulberry church edifice becoming too small for the growing and large congregation, the members agreed that it was best to form two charges, to be known as the east and west charges. Sometime before that date Anthony Banning had left the Methodist Episcopal church and cast his lot with the Protestant Methodist church, and he, with others aiding, erected what was styled "Banning Chapel." Desiring to return to his first love, the Methodist Episcopal, he deeded the chapel to the last named society. This, then, became the home of the western charge in the town and the first pastor of whom anyone remembers was Rev. James Wilson. In 1852 the old chapel was torn down and on its site a new building erected, later known as the Lutheran church. The members who attached themselves to the eastern charge purchased lots on the southeast corner of Gay and Chestnut streets and in 1852 built a good edifice. This charge was under Rev. Joseph Kennedy when the church was being planned and erected. After the Civil war and in 1865 the two charges were united and the Banning Chapel property was sold to members of the Lutheran faith. After the uniting of the two charges, the first pastor was Rev. Bush and Rev. Samuel Lynch was for -several years the presiding elder. In 188o the united church had a membership of about three hundred. A Sabbath school was established in 1830 by 'William Burgess, George Cables and William Sanderson, Sr., and has continued until the present. Since 1880 the following has been this church's history : In 1883 the present church edifice was erected and, with some changes, has served until today. Its present value is estimated at thirty thousand dollars. The parsonage property was recently sold at three thousand five hundred dollars and the pastor now occupies leased rooms in the center of the city. The 1910 conference minutes placed the membership at eight hundred and sixty in good standing. The number in Sunday school, including "cradle roll," was six hundred and twenty-five. The following have served as pastors of the Methodist Episcopal church of Mt. Vernon : 1810—Robert Cloud. 1811—James B. Finley 1812—Elisha W. Bowman. 1813—Michael Ellis. 154 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. 1814—William Knox. 1815—Samuel West. 1816 - John Solomon. 1816 - John McMahon. 1817—Shadrack Ruark. 1818 - Henry Baker. 1818 - Philip Green. 1819—Thomas Carr. 1819—Lemuel Lane. 1820—Carr and Lane. 1821—Joseph Carper. 1822—Shadrack Ruark. 1823—Daniel Limerick. 1823—John Pardo. 1824—Abner Goff. 1824—James C. Taylor. 1825—John Crawford. 1826—Jacob Hooper. 1826—Thomas Beachman. 1827—Jacob Dixon. 1827—John C. Havens. 1828—Solomon Manear. 1828—Jesse Roe. 1829—Curtis Goddard. 1829—Jesse Roe. 1830—Abner Goff. 1830—Henry E. Pilcher. 1831—James McMahon. 1832—James McMahon. 1833—A. M. Lorane. 1833—W. W. Westlake. 1834—A. M. Lorane. 1834—C. R. Lovell. 1835—W. S. Herr. 1835—G. Blue. 1835—G. B. McMahon. 1836 - James McMahon. 1837—George Elliott. 1838—George Elliott. 1839—Thomas Barkdull. 1840—Edward McClure. 1841—John T. Kellam. 1842—G. W. Howe. 1843—E. R. Jewitt. 1844—L. G. Gurley. 1845—L. G. Gurley. 1845—T. Dunn. 1846—G. W. Breckenridge. 1847—R. H. Chubb. 1848—M. French 1849—S. Mower. 1850—S. Mower. 1851—J. Kennedy ( First church) . 1851—Thomas H. Wilson (Second church). 1852—J. Kennedy, T. H. Wilson. 1853—Lorenzo Warner. 1853—Alexander Harmount. 1854—Henry E. Pilcher. 1854—David Rutledge. 1855—M. H. Nickerson. 1855—Banning D. Rutledge. 1856—Nickerson and Rutledge. 1857—Nathan Barker. 1857—Joseph Wolfe. 1858—Nathan Barker. 1858—W. N. Conant. 1859—Thompson Hildreth 1859—James Wheeler. 1860—T: F. Hildreth. 1860—Banning J. Whitworth. 1861—Uri Richards. 1861—John Mitchell. 1862—Richards and Mitchell. 1863—Richards, Mitchell. 1864—E. H. Bush. 1865—Henry Whiteman. 1866—F. M. Searles. 1867—F. M. Searles. 1868—John Graham. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 155 1869—W. D. Goodman. 1870—George Mather. 1871—Geoige Mather. 1872-1875—Lorenzo Warner. 1875-1878—George W. Pepper. 1878-1880--P. B. Stroup. 1880-1883—E. Persons. 1883-1885—J. S. Broadwell. 1885-1888—J. S. Reager. 1888-1893—A. D. Knapp. 1893-1898—W. C. Endley. 1898-1900—L. K. Warner. 1900-1901—J. Frank Smith. 1902-1908—Charles Gilmore. 1908—Glezen A. Reeder, Jr. 1909—Glezen A. Reeder, Jr. 1910 to present—E. D. Barnett. The various changes in conference lines and the names of presiding elders (now district superintendents) have been as follows : First Mt. Vernon was in the Western conference ; in 1813 changed to the Ohio conference ; 1835 to the Michigan conference; in 1840 to the North Ohio conference. The various districts in which this church has been located are these : Muskingum. Tuscarawas, Lancaster, Portland, Lancaster, Wooster, Norwalk. Mt. Vernon. The presiding elders (now called district superintendents) have been as follows : James Quinn, David Young, Jacob Young, Charles Waddle, Jacob Young, Charles Waddle, Jacob Young, William Swaze, James McMahon, David Young, Leroy Swormsted, W. B. Christie, A. Poe, John H. Power, Elmore Yocum. John H. Power, J. Quigley, S. Lynch, Wesley Brock, Henry Whiteman G. W. Breckenridge, Thomas Barull, Lorenzo Warner, D. D., T. Mattison. J. A. Kellam, B. P. Stroup, George W. Ball, James Torbet, C. F. Johnson, J. F. Smith, Friend I. Johnson. METHODIST SUBDIVISIONS. The last minutes show that in Knox county the church work was divided and sub-divided as follows : Centerburg, with Mt. Liberty, one pastor ; Danville, Brookhaven and Wesley Chapel, with one pastor ; Democracy, North Liberty, Pike and Union Chapel, one minister ; Fredericktown and Berlin, one minister ; Gambier and Hopewell, one minister ; Howard, alone; Batemantown, served from Levering. At Howard there are sixty-two members ; in Sunday school fifty. The church property is valued at five thousand dollars. At Lock there are sixty-three members and pupils in Sunday school twenty-five. The value of the church building is placed at four thousand five hundred dollars. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. On Mt. Vernon circuit the membership is one hundred and twenty ; in Sunday school, seventy-five; the building is valued at two thousand dollars. THE CENTERBURG CHURCH. The Methodist Episcopal church at Centerburg was organized in 1834. Centerburg was at that time connected with the Chesterville circuit. This society was organized at the home of John Rinehart, on the farm where George Rinehart now lives. The following were the charter members: John and Harriet Rinehart, Samuel and Julia Degood, Ferdinand and Mary McLain, William and Margaret Borden, David and Elizabeth Chadwick. They held their meetings in different homes, shops and vacant rooms until 1843, when a small church was built which stood near the place where Mr. Higgins' livery barn now stands. In 1871 the trustees met and decided to build a new church. They estimated the cost at two thousand dollars, and immediately went to work to raise the money. George Reardon, who is still living and an active member of the church today, was the secretary of the board of trustees at this time. The church was not completed until 1873. After the frame work was up nothing more was done for one whole year. This building served until the present elegant structure, which was dedicated August 27, 1911, by Bishops Bristol and Hamilton, who saw that every dollar of the twenty-three thousand was pledged. This ,beautiful church, said to be among the finest in the conference, stands in a central location. It is of the gothic style and is made from roman yellow brick. Its interior is finished in golden oak and every part of the large edifice is furnished with strictly modern furniture and appliances. The building that stood on the church grounds has been converted into a commodious' parsonage. The present membership of this church is two hundred and eighty-five. The pastors on the Bloomfield circuit, of which this is a station, have been : Revs. A. H. Tilton, 1867; E. B. Morrison, 1868-70 ; B. A. Disney, 1870-72 ; J. H. McConnell. 1872-74 ; Jesse Williams, 1874-76 ; S. R. Clark, 1876-78 ; J. J. Phi fer 1878-80; J. McK. Barnes, 1880-83; Joshua Crawford, 1883-86; C. C. Ball. 1886-90 ; C. I. Russell, 189-92 ; F. H. Huntsberger, 1892-94 ; E. L. Smith, 1894-96 ; W. J. Hyde, 1896-1900 ; D. L. Edwards, 1900-03 ; W. H. Eglin, 1903-10; Charles F. Mott, 1910 and present pastor. METHODISTS AT MARTINSBURG. At Martinsburg, Clay township, the Methodist church was organized in the summer of 1808, one hundred and three years ago. The earlier records KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 157 have been destroyed or lost accidentally, so no history can be given farther back than 1837, more than to state that a brick building was built, which later was torn down and a frame house erected in its stead. The original church was near the last one, the frame just mentioned which still serves. In 1906 repairs were made on the building to the amount of two thousand two hundred dollars. At that time the Young People's Society purchased and installed a new organ. The membership now is placed by the records at one hundred. It may be of interest to look back over the years and note who have served as pastors of this devoted people, who have kept up their work for more than a century in Knox county. Beginning with the record of 1837, they have been : Revs. Sanford Parker, John Scoles, Wesley Clark, Henry Whiteman, Jacob Brown, Phillip Wareham, Austin Coleman, James Wheeler, 1846, S. D. Seymore, W. H. Nickeson, Hiram Shaffer, Stephen Shaffer, John McNabb, A. Foster, William Spafford, Allen Moffit, F. S. Wolfe, 1857, James Wheeler, Daniel Lambert, A. J. Lyon, George W. Ball, John Whitworth, J. McBarnes, Jesse Williams, James A. Kellam, B. D. Jones, T. Roberts, E. Moore, E. L. Warner, Joseph Long, J. D. Lea, C. I. Russell, Robert McCaskey, 1892, S. E. Idleman, Joseph Long (second time), J. D. Lea (second time), M. E. Rife, resigned and place was filled by Rev. Sehnert, W. S. Chapman, for six years, R. C. Beechley, two years, J. W. H. Brown, present pastor, 1911. [The author is indebted to Mrs. E. E. Kerr for the notes on this church.] THE BRANDON CHURCH. The Brandon Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1850, through the zeal of Mrs. Catherine Rouse, who got together fourteen members of this faith, and Rev. James ("Uncle Jimmie") Wheeler organized the church. Mrs. Catherine Rouse is the only surviving member. The others were Erastus and Catherine Rouse, I. Montgomery and wife, S. F. Vorse and wife, Stephen Lockwood and wife, N. Dunn and wife. Mother Rouse is now ninety years old. The ground on which the old brick church stood was donated by Daniel Rowley. The church was blown down in that terrible storm known as the "Brandon storm." An old store building was then used. In 1863 a frame building was provided on the old site, and there the church still worships. In 1891 the church was repaired and a belfry added and a bell purchased. The furnace and all improvements amounted to two thousand three hundred dollars. "Little Gem" it was called and in this a happy church of about ninety members meet for weekly worship. The present pastor is Rev. D. S. Carpenter. 158 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. The pastors' list has been furnished by Mr. Sligar as follows : Revs. James Wheeler, Benj. F. Heskitt, Samuel Mower, John Whitworth, C. Craven, 1859; John Blampfield. 1859; S. A. Moffatt, 1860 ; John Mitchell and Joseph McK. Barnes, 1861; S. R. Squires, 1866-67; James H. Johnson, 186869 ; James A. Kellam, 1870-71; J. R. Reasoner, 1872-73; S. Z. Kauffman, 1874:75; W. L. Phillips, 1877-78; C. Craven, 1879-80; M. L. Wilson, 1881-82 ; Jesse Williams, 1883-84; W. B. Taggert, 1886-87-88-89 ; C. F. Irish, 1890 to 1895, when he died; W. B. Maughiman, 1893; Martin Weaver, 1894-96; J. F. Hastings, 1897-99 ; W. B. Maughiman, 1900-1902; J. F. Strete, 1903; F. W. Hass, 1904-5; R. F. Whitehurst, 1906-07; C. M. Wallace, 1908-09; D. S. Carpenter, 1910-11. THE BRINK HAVEN CHURCH. When the Methodists began preaching in Brink Haven we have no means of finding out, but the church was organized in 1848 by Rev. Omar Lawrance. For many years the society had no church building of its own, but worshiped in the homes of the members. In 1863 a building was erected in the main part of the town on a lot given to the church by James Hibbitts. The lumber was given by Jacob Gann, Sr., and sawed after night by a Mr. Greer, he being too busy to do the work at any other time. The work was donated principally by Mr. Hibbitts. This building was substituted in 1911 by a large cement structure of modern style and equipment, equal for its beauty, size, and durability to any of the churches in Knox county. The society has a membership of one hundred and thirty, with a Sunday school near the hundred mark. It has enjoyed a steady growth. The ministers having served this church are Lawrence, Jacobs, Wheeler, Buckman, Barnes, Markman, Huston, Harris, Ayers, Lea, Walker, Long, Russell, Hunsberger, Ashbaugh, Snyder, Beechley and H. A. Shook, the present pastor and builder of the new church. James and Henry Hibbitts, Henry and Anna Black and Elizabeth Titus were among the charter members. Myrtila Gann, Martha Hibbitts and J. N. House, still living, were members when the first building was erected. THE GAMBIER METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The Gambier Methodist Episcopal church history has been written especially for this work, by Miss Hattie Ridgeley Sherwood, who is a member KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 159 of the same, and has compiled many other items of value concerning this denomination, hence can be relied upon as accurate, unbiased and true. Her abridged account of this church reads as follows : As early as 1832 the Methodists began holding services in their homes, in Gambier. At about that time a society was organized at Danville, Ohio, and the circuit rider from that place aided and encouraged the brethren as far as possible. It was the intention of the founders of Kenyon College, who owned the township at that time, to keep control of all the land and not permit any other denomination but the Protestant Episcopal to gain a foothold. For this reason the Methodist people, who did not, nor could not, own a foot of land, held their meetings as privately as possible. Their prayer and praise meetings were well attended and soon began to attract the attention of others outside their own number, drawn to them through curiosity. Among these was a young man, then at Kenyon. College, who by the power of God became the noted Dr. William Nast, the founder of German Methodism in the United States. (The present church edifice, which he substantially aided, bears witness by a memorial window to his conversion here. In 1837 Gambier became a regular appointment, but the preaching services were at long intervals, and many of the people attended the public worship at Brown's meeting house on Schenck's creek, near Pleasant Valley. At this time their number was increased by the arrival of a number of families from Pennsylvania. On account of the distance to travel and the uncomfortable modes of conveyance, the people were unable to attend services at points where communion services were held, so Brother Thomas arranged with Rev George Eliott, then pastor of the Mt. Vernon station, to hold a communion service at Gambier. It was held in a grove near the village. It is related that Brother Eliott preached an impressive sermon to a large and appreciative audience, and afterward administered the holy sacrament according to the form of the Methodist Episcopal church. This was the first service of the kind in Gambier. Much comment was made, but the Methodists, undisturbed, went shouting and singing "Hallelujah" just the same. This period of history is noted on account of the many who were called of God to special service in his vineyard. Among these appear the names of Rev. Rezin Sapp, Rev. Enoch Sapp and Rev. John Walker, men who became strong advocates of the Gospel. At this time the circuit of which Gambier was one appointment, included the following : Danville, Millwood, Brown's meeting house, Wesley chapel, Brownsville, Frizzels, Davis meeting house (since North Liberty), Scholes' Corners, Amity, Pike, Beck's school house, and Gambier. 160 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. In 1841 the adherents to Methodism were so numerous that their little log cabin would no longer accommodate their audiences and they took tacit possession of the school house which stood near the site of their present church. During this year Rev. William Harris came to the appointment as the circuit rider. In later years we knew him as the efficient Bishop Harris. In 1843 the church membership numbered fifty. Monthly concerts for missions were established, the collections were good and the missionary spirit abounded in spite of the people's poverty. The time had now arrived when it was no longer advisable for the college to hold all of its land ; accordingly farms and town lots were surveyed and sold and the people bought the land upon which they had built their houses. The church, if the society might so be called, began to spy out the land and to make preparation to enter it. Accordingly, Rev. E. Raymond, the pastor. appointed D. L. Fobes, G. W. Pearce, Francis Penhorwood, J. T. L. Jacobs, Fred Clippenyer, A. K. Fobes, and Thomas Colwill trustees, and these men formed the first executive official board of the church. After making several selections, they finally settled on the present site of the church, and no one can doubt their foresight and wisdom. The next move was to erect a church, and in the summer of 1855 a neat frame building on the corner was dedicated to the worship of God by the Rev. Thomas H. Wilson. The pastors following William Harris were Leonard Parker, Oliver Burgess, Raymond. Plummer, Heskett, Lambert, James Wheeler, Webster, Haldeman, John Wesley Burton, Joseph McK. Barnes, William Huestis, Oman Lawrence. Philip McKillips, J. H. Johnson, Stephen Fant and Vincent Lawrence. During the pastorate of Vincent Lawrence, 188o, the church added to its property by the erection of a parsonage at a cost of sixteen hundred dollars. Following the death of Rev. Lawrence, Rev. James P. Mills took the charge to the close of the year 1881. In 1881 Rev. Fred A. Gould began his pastorate here, which was wonderfully blessed. Next Rev. L. H. Baker, then Rev. Joseph Long, afterward Rev. F. G. McCauley. Upon Rev. McCauley's coming among us plans were laid to build our present church edifice. On the last Sunday in March, 1888, the Methodists held their last service in the old church which would no longer comfortably accommodate the people. On Thanksgiving day, 189o, a new brick and stone edifice, which had been built at a cost of ten thousand dollars, was formally dedicated by Bishop J. H. Bashford. The Bishop preached an eloquent sermon from Psa. 8:4, 5. The building committee, comprised of the following persons, Alfred Fish, H. C. Ayers, D. B. Kerr, William T. Hart, A. K. Fobes, and Hattie R. Sherwood, presented, by the pastor, Rev. William Chase, the church for dedication and was formally accepted by the trustees of the church. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 161 Rev. William Chase served the church until 1894. From that time to the present the following pastors have filled the appointment : Rev. L. A. Edward, Rev. William Eglin, Rev. B. F. Rhoades, Rev. Thomas Hambly, Rev. Albert Corfman, and the present pastor, Rev. D. A. Morris. During all these years the church has sustained a good record. Her Epworth League, her Sunday school, her Home and Foreign Missionary societies and her Ladies Aid have all done their part to promote the gospel work at home and abroad. The present (1911) membership is one hundred and seventy. God has blessed the little vine planted so many years ago on this hillside. Storms have beaten it, prejudice has pruned it, but the sunshine of God's love has shone upon it and it still yields a harvest. FREDERICKTOWN METHODIST CHURCH. The Methodist Episcopal church at Fredericktown, located on Sandusky street, near the public square originally, was organized about 1818, the first subscribers being Catherine Haldeman, Mr. and Mrs. Aker, Mr. Fiddler and wife, Hannah Benedict, S. Doty and a few more. Its first meetings were held in the old block-house, and later in Mr. Haldeman's shop, until the erection of the first church in 1840. Pioneer Haldeman was not a member of any church, at that time, but being a clever old Pennsylvanian he swept out his shop every Saturday evening and placed temporary seats for the audience to use the next day. The church, when erected, was a frame structure on Sandusky street and it served well its purpose until in 1856, when a fine brick church was constructed by the society and neighboring friends of the congregation. A Sunday school was also organized in the shop referred to, in 1828. In 1907 the old brick church was repaired and made almost as good as a new edifice and it is now valued at twelve thousand dollars and the parsonage at two thousand dollars. The present membership of this church is three hundred and sixty-three. The pastors within the memory of the present generation, those who have served since 1884, are as follows : Revs. W. T. Lewis, J. S. Broadwell, James Torbet, C. C. Ball, B. Hushour, L. M. Snyder, A. C. Coffman, Thomas Hambly, J. B. Jones, present pastor. OTHER METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES. The Methodist Episcopal church in Berlin township was organized and located near the south line of the township about 1830. However, many \ (11) 162 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. years before that date preaching was had by traveling circuit riders and Methodist missionaries, who held services at log cabins and at the homes of the settlers who professed the Methodist faith. Also at log school houses in the forests here and there throughout the township. Among the original members may now be recalled these : John Durbin and wife, Stephen Cole and wife, and others. The Coles were prominent and donated land upon which the church was finally built. This first edifice was erected in 1834 and used twenty or more years when another, neat frame structure was provided. A second Methodist Episcopal church was organized at Palmyra, about 1840, but later went down. This was formed through the energies of Robert Sites and Joseph Palmer. A few years the congregation worshiped in the school house, and later purchased the cooper shop and remodeled it for church purposes. The first church organized in Brown township was the Methodist Episcopal, about 1850, and a frame edifice was erected that year. A new and more up-to-date building was erected in 1881. This is known as the Jelloway church, being located in the village by this name. The society is still among the active churches of this county. The Methodist people were the first to organize a society and erect a church building in Harrison township, Knox county. The first building was a rough log structure raised in 1823 or 1824. This stood in the northeastern part of the township and was called Mt. Tabor. Owing to many changes and the work of other denominations, the church was abandoned after a few years and the work given over to other hands. In Howard township the Methodists were the pioneers in religious work and organization. At a very early day Rev. James B. Finley and Rev. Anthony Banning, with Absalom Waddle, men of more than ordinary religious note, preached to these pioneers in Howard township. Anthony Banning was a good preacher, a zealous worker and withal a good business man and held much property in Knox county. He was a radical Whig in politics and president of the first Whig meeting held in Knox county. He supported Henry Clay for President. He began to preach at the age of sixteen years in Virginia. and was thus well intended for good work in the wilds of Ohio later in life. The Methodists built the first church in Howard township in 1830. It stood two and a half miles east of Gambier. Among the early pastors the name of Rev. Shafer, a great evangelist and noted singer, is recalled on the church records. A graveyard was attached to the church property and therein were laid to rest many of the old pioneers of the township. When the time KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 163 arrived to erect a better church, it was deemed wise to locate it a mile south of Monroe Mills, in Monroe township. The spot where stood the old log church and cemetery can hardly be located at present, with the changes of so many years. In Hilliar township the Methodist preacher, mounted on his trusty steed, his saddle-bags, with Bible and hymn book within, and a change of linen (usually early midst the scenes of the early settlements in Ohio, and such was the case in this township), might have been seen wending his way through the timbered lands of this section of Knox county where he raised high the standard of the Cross. No class was organized here, however, until about 1834, when Rev. Morrow formed one near Rich Hill in a little log school house. The original members were John Rinehart, Harriet Rinehart, Samuel Degood, Julia Degood, Ferdinand McLain and wife, William Borden and wife, and Daniel Chadwick and wife. Ferdinand McLain was class leader. Services were held in the school house one year, after that in the house of John Rinehart for several years; or until 1840, when the meeting place was changed to Centerburg. There in 1841, east of the public square, a frame church was erected thirty by forty feet in size. After three years a new church was erected which was forty by fifty feet and cost two thousand seven hundred dollars. In 1881 the membership of this church was placed by the conference books as ninety-five. In 1910 the minutes placed the membership at three hundred and eighty-seven and Sunday school at two hundred and seventy-three. A beautiful brick church was dedicated recently which will stand many decades a monument to the liberality of Centerburg people. In Jefferson township the first church organized was the Methodist Episcopal in 1832, at the house of Rev. Burriss, who was the first class leader of the society. Meetings were at first held at private houses and in school houses near by. Some years later a log church was provided which served the place of a house of worship until 1866 when a frame edifice was erected at a cost of about eleven hundred dollars. Wesley Chapel cemetery was located at this church and there were buried many of the hardy pioneers of this township. In Liberty township, the pioneer preacher of the Methodist denomination was Rev. Thomas Carr, who filled regular appointments in 1814. No regular Methodist class was formed until 1837. Father Conant preached in the old log school house on land where later stood the Mt. Liberty school house. The class was composed of Charles and Joanna. Wright,. John Zent, Martha Spellman, Allen Spellman and wife, Eliza Robertson, John Wilson, son and daughter. From this beginning was formed later the Mt. Liberty 164 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. Methodist church. The early meetings were held in the school house just mentioned, then in the chapel at Mt. Liberty (open to all denominations). In 1845, under the charge of Rev. Berry, a neat frame church building was provided, the same being thirty-six by forty-five feet in dimension. This was in Mt_ Liberty. In 1881 this church had a membership enrolled of fifty-four. The present membership is eighty. At Batemantown the original class was organized at the house of Mrs. Sarah Murphy, a mile to the north of the present village, in 1831. Leonidas Hamlin formed the first class, which met at Mrs. Murphy's until 1832, when a frame church was built on the main road a quarter of a mile southeast of Batemantown. In 1844 the congregation was divided, part going to Waterford Where a society had been formed, and in 1856 the Bateman society erected a new frame church building, thirty by forty feet in size. The present membership is ninety-six. The first Methodist class formed in Waterford was previous to 1844, by Rev. Sanford Parker and in the same year a regular Methodist Episcopal church was organized at that place. Joseph Mann and Samuel Galliher and Alfred Walters were the class leaders. The frame church erected in 1844 was forty by sixty feet. This church is among the present active societies of this denomination in Knox county. In Milford township, the Methodist Episcopal church was formed in the south part of the township in 1835, by Rev. Saxby and seventeen charter members. In 1836 a church was erected called the Dowell meeting house, and in 1845 a new church was built in Lock. In 1835 another Methodist church was formed near the Five Corners, by Rev. Lynch. In 1838 a small log house was raised for a place of worship; it stood on the present cemetery grounds, where meetings were kept up until 1848, then held in the school house until 1869, when the society disbanded, a part going to Brandon and the balance to Lock. The first Methodist preaching in Pike township was held in private houses by Rev. Goff. Services were wont to be held at Messrs. McBride's, Wilson's, Bixby's and Vernon's. The first class leader was Aaron Wilson. The first quarterly meeting was held in Aaron Bixby's barn. A great revival sprang up at this barn meeting and many were added to the new church and caused the society to wonderfully prosper, accordingly it was decided to build a church building in which to worship. A small plot of land was secured from Hugh Hardesty, on the southwest quarter of section 24 and in 1827 Hugh and John Cochran built a log church which was in use until 1850, when a new and better building was erected. It was a frame house, forty by fifty KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 165 feet in size, and the lumber from which it was made was hauled from Waterford. The building committee were Richard Scoles, Joseph Hollis and Reuben Kettle. This church is of very lasting woods and is still in good condition. The pastors' list includes the following : Daniel Lambert, Ben Wolfe, Allen Moffitt B. F. Heskett, Bradberry, J. McK. Barnes, William Kepler, J. W. Thompson, Rev. Wilson, F. C. McCauley, F. C. Hunkberger, M. B. Mead, C. L. Lewis, W. S. Chapman, J. S. Harvey, E. B. Shoemaker, J. D. Lea, C. F. Goodwin. Thomas Gee, J. F. Hastings, present pastor. The present membership is about eighty. North Liberty Methodist Episcopal church is an off-shoot of old Pike Methodist society. A frame church was erected about 1840, in the village of North Liberty. During 1861, when the Civil war commenced, the spirit of discord arose over the slave question and the church was disrupted and the building stood idle until that terrible conflict was ended, when meetings were again maintained. Early class leaders were William Penrose and Lockhart Arnold. Rev. J. W. Thompson was pastor in 1881 and following him came these : Revs. Frank Owens, F. G. McCauley, M. L. Wilson, M. B. Meade, F. H. Huntsberger, C. L. Lewis, W. S. Chapman, J. S. Harvey, E. B. Shoemaker, J. D. Lea, C. S. Goodwin, Thomas Gee and Fletcher Hastings, the present pastor. During the pastorate of Rev. Lewis a new church building was erected upon a new site in the village. The date was 1899 and it cost about four thousand dollars. The old church is still standing, doing service as a barn. The new church was dedicated by him who is now Bishop Bash ford. This church is on the Democracy circuit. The present number of members is eighty. The trustees of North Liberty church are A. M. Dunmire, C. Keller, Charles McGinley, J. Cutnaw, B. L. and C. J. Griffith. Salem Methodist Episcopal church was established in Wayne township, in the northwestern part of the territory. The Jacksons, Lyons and Beers were among the important factors in the founding of this limb of Methodism in Knox county. It was certainly organized as early, if not sooner than, 1830. At first meetings were held in school houses, but about 1831 or 1832 the church was built, a two story structure with a gallery. It was about thirty-two by forty-five feet in size. Present membership, fifty. In Miller township the Methodist church was formed in 1834, at the house of James Nolan, in the northwest part of the township. Among the leading members were, James Nolan, John Conway, Joseph Hare, Andrew McNutt and William Allison. In a few years this church was abandoned. 166 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. In 1841 the Methodists organized a church at the school house in district No. 6, south of Brandon, on the Granville road. Among the early members there were S. F. Vorse, John Osborn, William Beadle and Alphea Beadle. In 1843 the Methodists organized at the school house in the southwestern part of the township, where early members were, John Buxton, John Conaway and Charles Conaway. In 1851 a church was formed by this denomination at Brandon. Miner Hildreth and Erastus Rouse were leading spirits in the formation of this class. The above three churches struggled along until 1863, when they were consolidated into one church at :Brandon, where a neat edifice was erected. In the records it is discovered that in 1880-81 the membership was about sixty. At present it is ninety-one. In 1853 in the eastern part of this township another society sprung up and a house of worship was built at Hunt's Station. This was named Asbury, after old Bishop Asbury of Methodist fame. Later it was abandoned. At Danville the Methodist church was formed between 1816 and 1820. The Welkers and Waddles were early settlers and early in this church organization. Services were held in a log cabin church, which stood on what is now the Harry Conkle property. A frame church was erected about 1832 on the rear of the present church lot. It is still a good building. In 1848, the congregation being too large, a new church was built and, with repairs and additions, still serves. The membership is now two hundred and thirty. The present pastor is Rev. H. A. Shook. Hopewell Methodist Episcopal church, situated on the East Union road, one mile west of the line of Pleasant township, is unfortunate in not having a record of its early history. It is only known that in 1855 a frame structure thirty-six by forty feet was erected under Rev. Allen Moffatt and that in 1880 the membership of the society was forty-three. It now has a membership of sixty. There are cemeteries connected with the last named three churches in this township. In 1845 another Methodist church was built on the southwest quarter of section 10, Liberty township, and an organization fully perfected some years before that time. David Guthrie donated the land and most all the timber for the pioneer church edifice, which was constructed of hewed logs. The first members were John Cochran and wife, Eli Dickerson and wife, John Ruby and M. Truckle. Revs. Scoles, McNabb, and Absalom Waddle were early pastors. This organization was dissolved in 1856, the members generally uniting at either North Liberty or Amity churches. Amity Methodist Episcopal church, in Pike township, was formed in 1834, the first in the village of Amity. A frame church was erected about KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 167 1840, costing fifteen hundred dollars. He wha later became bishop of his church, W. L. Harris, was one of the first to preach here. In one of his revivals almost one hundred and fifty were converted and united with his church at Amity. In 1871 a new church was built, costing same as the former one, and also a parsonage added three years later, worth a thousand dollars. METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCHES. The Methodist Protestant church at Mt. Vernon was instituted by the union of the Wesleyan Methodists, organized in 1816, and which had erected a church on North Mulberry street in 1852, and a Methodist Protestant church organized about 1832, which had erected a church building on South Mechanic street, between High and Vine streets, about 1838. During the early part of 1865 these two bodies of Methodism in the northern part of the United States were waiting and longing for a chance whereby they might be merged into one body. Hence, in February, 1865, at a meeting held in the Wesleyan Methodist church, a committee wrote a set of resolutions and a preamble of great length. This was finally adopted, which action made the two one church. Rev. J. H. Hamilton, of Fredericktown, was selected pastor over the more than one hundred and fifty members of the newly formed church at Mt. Vernon. The old Congregational church edifice was soon purchased by the new Methodist society, and after the various conferences, North and South, representing the various Wesleyan and non-Episcopal Methodist branches of the church, had become agreed touching the union of their conferences and general church interests, the name was changed to that of the "Methodist Church of Mount Vernon." It was then placed in the Muskingum conference. Again in May, 1877, a convention assembled in Baltimore, at which a union was effected between the Methodist and Methodist Protestant churches, South, in which the last name was taken by the whole body, so that the name was changed here in Mt. Vernon again, being known as "The Methodist Protestant Church of Mt. Vernon." During the winter of 1867-8 a series of revival meetings were held from December till March, at which one hundred and fifty-five persons were added to the church. Pastor Hamilton baptized, on one Sunday in April, 1868, fifty-four persons, twenty-three by sprinkling and thirty-one by immersion in the race near Norton's Mills. In April, 1905, a beautiful cement block edifice was dedicated ; it stands where stood the old "Abolition Congregational church" frame house later 168 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. owned by the Methodist Protestants. Its cost has been about fifteen thousand five hundred dollars. The society is in a prosperous and spiritual condition with a large membership. The following is a list of pastors since that of Rev. Hamilton; who left in 1891: Revs. C. R. Blades, 1893 ; E. W. Bradley, 1895-6; W. W. Gadd, in 1897-8-9; W. L. Wells in 1900; J. A. Selby, 1901 to 1906 ; C. 0. Harvey, 1907 to November 30, 1908, followed by the present pastor, Rev. J. T. Black, who commenced his labors December 1, 1908. This denomination has the following churches in the county outside of Mt. Vernon : One at Bangs, known as Beulah; one at a country point known as Friendship; one at Liberty Chapel and one known as Ebenezer, all being under the supervision of Rev. J. M. Wells, who lives at Mt. Vernon and has charge of these points. Beulah Methodist Protestant church, located at Bangs, in Liberty township, was formed in the autumn of 1847 and meetings held in the Bird school house up to 1860 when the present frame church edifice was erected, and it is still in good repair notwithstanding the many winters and summers that have passed over it with destroying elements. Robert Miller donated the ground upon which it stands. The present membership is about one hundred. In 1898 some repairs were made on the church, which is now good for many more years. The following have served at this point as pastors and possibly a few more for short periods : Revs. Clancy, Marshal, Woodward, Sampson, J. H. Hamilton, J. B. McCormick, John Cooper, G. W. Hissey, T. J. Wirt, N. Coburn, S. T. Allen, C. H. Beck, J. W. Rice, S. Rosenberger, C. 0. Harvey, 0. V. Sharrock, H. M. Peebles, J. M. Wells. This church belongs in the Mt. Vernon circuit of the Muskingum conference. Friendship Methodist Protestant church in Liberty township was organized in March, 1834, in a log house owned by Thomas Higgins, by Rev. Franklin L. Flowers. Preaching was usually on a week day. In 1841 the place of meeting was changed to near the center of the township. In 1843 what was many years known as the Old Friendship meeting-house was erected. The New Friendship church stands on the opposite side of the road from Old church and was erected in 1870, at a cost of sixteen hundred dollars. This society is still doing excellent work, under Rev. J. M. Wells. Liberty chapel was organized in February, 1847, at Bedell's school house, in Liberty township, by Rev. John Lamb. Ebenezer Methodist Protestant church, in Monroe township, was formed in August, 1842, by Rev. John Lamb, at the school house on the Wooster road, near Four-Mile hotel. The early meetings were held in the school house just named. The first house of worship was erected in 1844, the second one KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 169 in 1872. The latter is a neat frame house built of lumber and stands on the Wooster road a half mile northeast of the Four-Mile house. Here the work still progresses and is now under Rev. J. M. Wells. At Fredericktown this denomination organized a church about 1830, but after a number of years went down. THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS. The Wesleyan Methodists at Greenville, Jefferson township, were organized into a church in 1854, by Rev. George W. Bainum. The society worshiped in the school house until 1861, when a neat frame church was erected at a cost of one thousand two hundred dollars. For an account of the Wesleyan church at Mt. Vernon, see history of the Methodist Episcopal church of that city. FREE METHODISTS. The Free Methodists of Howard township were formed into a church in 1873 and was the only one in the county at that date. There had been a church of this denomination on Brush Run, Butler township. In February, 1872, they held a series of meetings and formed a class of seven members. The Howard church held a meeting of the camp-meeting style, in August, 1875, in Moses Smith's grove, and another in 1876, both of which were attended by thousands of people. In 1877 a church was erected in the village of Howard. The Free Methodists are bitterly opposed to secret societies and the wearing of jewelry. Both their annual and quarterly conferences are composed equally of laymen and ministers. They have never grown in numbers and strength in hardly any portion of this country. AFRICAN METHODISTS. The African Methodist Episcopal church commenced its work in Mt. Vernon about 1870, under James A. Ralls and wife, he being a local preacher who came here from Virginia about 1865. A society was formed and meetings held in private residences and in basement rooms of the Christian and Presbyterian churches. In 1873-4 building operations took on form, but the edifice was not completed until 1876, when many. of the white citizens helped them raise funds for the finishing of the work they had so faithfully begun in 1874. Here they still worship and have a membership of about eighty. 170 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. THE BAPTIST CHURCHES. The First Baptist church of Mount Vernon was organized December 15, 1835, but the first licensed preacher of this faith (according to historian Howe) was William Thrift. who was from Loudoun county, Virginia, and came to Knox county in 1807, preaching in the cabins of the settlers. The first pastor of the church at Mt. Vernon was Rev. Henry Cosner. The first services were held in the Methodist Episcopal church on Mulberry street, then in various school buildings, finally settled down to one place of meeting, the ward school building, until they built their first meeting house on Vine street. In 1841 a commodious church was erected and the membership was then sixty persons. The original church subscription papers show that eighteen names were on the same and that the amount subscribed was one thousand eight hundred and eighteen dollars, of which four hundred and ninety-seven dollars was in cash and the remainder in work or materials. In the next sixteen years the church prospered wonderfully and at the end of that time it had a membership of three hundred and sixty-six. In 1848 an addition was made to the building, sixteen feet at the north end. As will be seen by words from another hitorian, the old church was in ways odd in style : Conspicuous for its shape, height and size was a huge wooden structure called the pulpit, which concealed the minister, except head and shoulders while in a standing position; and completely hid him from view when he sat down. In November, 1872, plans were laid to purchase lots and build. A piece of land opposite the court house, fronting High street, was purchased for three thousand five hundred dollars, all paid for but about seven hundred dollars, which caused the society to have to sell, in 1877, a part of the land bought. It was the panic of 1873 which swept the country that caused delay in payment and the erection of the proposed new church edifice. In October, 1879, operations again were started and in 1881 the foundation for the new church was laid. Upon that was reared the present church structure. The present membership of the church is four hundred and eighty-two. The following is a list of the pastors serving in Mt. Vernon Baptist church : Henry Cosner, three years ; James Seymour, six months ; Elder Beckwith, one year; Ezra Goings, six months ; Elder Smednear, two years; David E. Thomas, two years ; E. T. Brown, five years ; J. B. Sackett, four years ; George E. Leonard, three years ; L. Raymond, six months ; J. L. Raymond, four years 1860-64, no pastor ; J. W. Icenbarger, six years ; A. J. Wiant, five years ; F. M. Jams, three years ; F. C. Wright came in 1879 and served nine months ; D. D. Read came in 188o, served one year and three months ; H. F. Adams, 1883, KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 171 serving two years ; G. C. Williams, 1885, serving two years and seven months ; R. E. Neighbor, 1889, served three years ; C. J. Rose, 1893, serving ten years and six months ; F. E. Brininstool, 1894, served seven years and six months. The pulpit is vacant at this time and is filled by supplies, no regular pastor having yet been called. More recently it was found that more room must be provided, especially for the Bible school equipment and hence twenty-seven feet sold from the original lot was purchased, including the splendid office building upon it, making an ideal annex to the primary department. A handsome parsonage property at No. 405 East Vine street, acquired by the will of Mrs. Mattie Parker, gives the pastor a comfortable home. In passing, it should be added that about two thousand persons have been identified, one time and another, with this Baptist church. The largest membership was five hundred and forty-seven a few years since, but on account of death, removals and withdrawals it has been reduced to four hundred and eighty-two. Twenty-two pastors have served this church and many stated supplies. But four pastors have served five years or more, with three years and a half as the average pastorate. The churches of the Baptist denomination in Knox county aside from Mt. Vernon city, are the following : Amity, D. M. Pressley, pastor, thirty members. Brandon church, membership not given in report. Fredericktown, D. M. Pressley, pastor, one hundred and seventy-two members. Hopewell, D. M. Pressley, pastor, eighty-two members. Owl Creek church, C. F. Ransbottom, pastor, one hundred and seventy members. FREDERICKTOWN BAPTIST CHURCH. The Baptist church at Fredericktown has a membership of one hundred and seventy. Its history, as compiled a few years since, is as follows : "The Fredericktown Baptist church was organized March 17, 1838, by Elder John Thomas and was known then as the Old School, but in 1842 it changed to the New School or Regular Missionary Baptist. At the time of its organization its membership numbered only five : Jacob Mitchell, Asa Col-grove, Mary H. Struble, Mary B. Wright and Miriam B. Corbin. Meetings were then held in the old Methodist house of worship every Saturday. During the pastorate of Elder David E. Thomas in 1839 and 1840, a great many others joined the little band who had organized the work here. In 1841 Elder H. B. Fuller took up the work and it was at this time that the need of a church of their own was felt. This need, however, was not satisfied until 1848, the first meeting being held in the new building on the third Saturday and Sunday in October of that year. The lot on which the 172 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. new church was erected was purchased for the sum of one hundred dollars, which amount was willed to the church by H. H. Struble. The church moved steadily forward until after the war, when, under the pastorate of W. B. Watson from 1866 to 1871, it was greatly revived and blessed. During his stay here the church building was remodeled and the chu-rch was in splendid condition for effective work. It continued to prosper and became the largest and most influential church in the town. This season of prosperity was unfortunately interrupted by serious troubles which arose in the church, the evil effect of which was felt for a long time." About 1891 a new building was needed and operation set on foot for the building of one in which the society worships now. The old church was sold for one thousand two hundred dollars and the new one placed on the same lot as was the old one. The new church cost eight thousand dollars, of which there were some one thousand and some eight hundred dollar subscriptions. A parsonage worth two thousand dollars was also provided. In 1907 there had been twenty-six pastors at Fredericktown Baptist church, including John Thomas, David E. Thomas, H. B. Fuller, A. M. Mather, J. D. Miller, E. D. Thomas, Amos Pratt, A. J. Buell, J. B. Sacket, Dr. J. Hall, Benjamin Tulloss, J. W. Miller, W. B. Watson, D. B. Simons, B. Y. Siegfried, A. E. Anderson, J. T. Lewis, J. M. Lockhart, I. C. Tuttle, J. A. Kirkpatrick, H. A. Nixon, C. F. Ralston, C. A. Cutler, B. G. Bowman, J. W. James, H. F. Cheeney. The present pastor is Rev. D. M. Pressley. The Baptist church in Butler township was the first organization there. It was formed in April, 1841, by Elder L. Gilbert. A neat frame chapel was erected in the southeastern part of the township and in 1880 the society was composed of twenty-six communicants. Riley chapel (Baptist) was erected in 1875, in the northeastern part of the township. In Clay township the Baptist people organized a church May 14, 1846, with a membership of twelve. Rev. D. D. Walden was the first pastor. In Miller township, in the fall of 1856, Elder Raymond, of the Baptist denomination, held a series of meetings at Brandon and then organized a church in January, 1857. Among the members were Emor B. Harris, Isaac Stull, Phillip Stull, J. H. Davis, H. C. Welch, A. M. Welch, and Rodham Tulloss. In the spring of 1857 the society purchased the church formerly owned by the Presbyterians. The Owl Creek Baptist church, of Morgan township, was organized in 1809, by Rev. Amos Mix. Up to 1842 the society worshiped in a log church, after which a good frame building was built at the cost of six hundred dollars. February 4, 1866, a brick edifice was constructed at the expense of four thousand two hundred dollars. For many years this Baptist society was KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 173 looked upon as the strongest in membership and wealth of any in the county of Knox. It was organized with twelve members and by 1880 had on its rolls in good standing, one hundred and ninety-six names. Many revival seasons have been held in this church and from forty to sixty added at different times as a result. A parsonage was built in 1858. The present membership is one hundred and seventy. Wayne Baptist church, of Wayne township, was organized in 1810, hence is among the oldest societies in Knox county. It was originally known as the "Old School" church, and it was located on Owl creek in the Jersey settlement. The Lewis family and a few more were instrumental in perfecting this pioneer organization. A Mr. Ackerman, an old Revolutionary soldier, was among the charter members. A rude church was erected in 1815. It was made from native lumber sawed in a near-by saw mill. This building was never fully completed, however. The seats always remained puncheon, as was the floor. It served until 1837, when a better church was provided. One peculiarity of that church society seemed to be that they did not believe much in Sabbath schools. Amity Baptist church, of Pike township, was organized June 21, 1847, by Rev. James Seymour. The first organizing members were the Wrights, Hardins, Odors, Damudes, Hicks and Daniels. This church is located at the village of Amity, where Elders Stoors and David Thomas, of Mt. Vernon, frequently preached as early as 1845. Daniel Thomas was the first stated pastor. For a number of years the society prospered, but on account of removals to the far west .and by reason of death, the membership dwindled down until they could not support a minister and were without one several years. In 1880 Rey. J. A. Davis took charge as pastor. Its membership is now thirty. THE COLORED BAPTIST CHURCH. The colored people have only one Baptist society in Knox county ; this is the Baptist church at Mt. Vernon, where about three hundred of this race reside. The Methodist is the older and much largest church, but in about 1907 a Baptist church was organized and now has a membership of about fifteen faithful souls. They have purchased ground and a building and propose to erect a building soon as times will permit of it. They hold property valued at two thousand five hundred dollars. FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH. The Free-will Baptist church of Centerburg was the result of the labors of Rev. George W. Baker, who finally organized a regular church near the 174 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. village in 1839, at the house of Absalom Debolt, less than a mile out toward the southeast. At first meetings were held in barns, private houses, log school houses, until 1842, when a frame building, thirty by forty feet, was erected a half mile east of town. Rev. George W. Baker was pastor from 1839 to 1860, when he was followed by Kendall Higgins and later by others. In 1880 the church had a membership of ninety communicants. UNITED BRETHREN CHURCHES. The United Brethren at Millwood organized a church in 1864. Among the first members may be recalled Stephen Day, William. Black, Charles Hibbitts, L Stevens and their wives, Isaac Hiatt and Edward Day. The society ,was never strong and finally, after a few years, sold its chapel to the Catholic people and abandoned the work of their church. GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCHES. This church was organized in Brown township in 1850 and the same year a log church was built a mile and a half southwest of Jelloway. Its members belonged in Knox, Richland and Ashland counties. In 1881 it comprised one hundred and forty members. In 1857 the log church gave way to a more desirable church, costing one thousand eight hundred dollars. LUTHERAN CHURCHES. Rev. William Gilbreath preached in the vicinity of North Liberty in 1846 and formed a Lutheran church society or class, whose members included Henry Boven and wife. Jacob Gower and wife, William Worley and wife and Adam Stump and wife. In 1860 the society had need of a good church building and a neat brick edifice was erected, thirty-six by forty-six feet square, the same standing in the village of North Liberty. Messiah Evangelical church (Lutheran), of Butler township, was erected in 1874. Dr. Thomas Drake was the first pastor. This was never a strong congregation, the Lutherans not being very numerous in this part of the country. Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran church was organized in Harrison township in 1835, by Rev. H. W. Lauer. A building was erected by the society in 1837, a frame structure large enough to hold the congregations which there assembled. In 1854 a new and larger church was finished. From the start, this society was strong and had financial hacking from the wealthy farmers of