HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 383.
CHAPTER XI.
CHURCHES.
IN this chapter a synopsis of the history of the churches of Allen County is given, to render complete the general history of the county. In dealing with the history of the various settlements, towns and townships, a full effort has been made to deal fully and accurately with the churches and schools, these two golden tablets of our civilization; so that here a mere reference to the dates of foundation or establishment only is considered necessary.
The establishment of the various divisions of the Christian Church throughout the county was begun about the year 1833. Previous to that year, however, ministers of the Christian religion, as well as Mormon Elders, visited the Hog Creek settlements, and preached to the people. In 1833, Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church was founded, by Rev. Mr. Gurley. The same year, Revs. Thomas Clark and James Cunningham organized the Presbyterian Society, and a year later, Rev. William Chaffee established the Baptist Church at Lima. In 1855, Rev. P. G. Stierwalt founded Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Catholics of the district were visited at intervals by missionary fathers from 1830 up to 1869-70, when Rev. A. R. Sedley was appointed priest of the mission of St. Rose. In 1862 the African Methodist Episcopal Church Society was formed by Rev. Grafton Graham; about this time also, Rev. P. Greding organized the German Evangelical Lutheran Society. In 1869 David S. Cross and others organized the Church of Christ. In 1872 the Protestant Episcopal Society was organized by Rev. Mr. Hall, and still more recently, Grace Methodist Episcopal Church was organized; the Second Presbyterian Church was founded; the Reformed English Church was established, the Reformed Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Second Baptist, Colored Church Society was instituted. In the matter of Christian progress, to which religious organization and church building must be considered an index, Lima City has marked above all other divisions of the county.
384 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY.
Robert Finley organized a Methodist class at St. Mary's in 1829 previous to the arrival of Revs. John Wood and Abram Miller, who came as missionaries that year. In 1830, Rev. James B. Austin came into this part of Ohio, and was followed in 1831 by Rev. John Hill. In 1832 Rev. Jesse Prior and Elder W. H. Raper came, and estahlished the mission at St. Mary's, with Elida, the eastern limit. Rev. James W. Finley and John Alexander came in 1833, and in October of this year the first quarterly conference was held at Lima, with Elder Raper presiding.
In 1834 Rev. Pere Baden visited St. Mary's and the country along the Ottawa. Four years previous to this time, however, in 1830, Rev. Father Stallo a missionary' priest from Cincinnati, the same who established Stallotown, now known as Minster, in Mercer County, visited the Catholics of Allen County.
In 1842 George Spangler organized the German Reformed Church Society of Richland Township. John Flint founded the Mennonite Society here in 1848, and in 1849 the Presbyterian Church was founded by Revs. Mr. Holliday and McKinney.
In Sugar Creek Township the Methodists had a class as early as 1833, but the honor of erecting a church building was left to the Welshmen, who constructed a log-house for worship in 18318, the same which continued in use down to 1873, when their substantial house of worship was erected.
In 1834 Rev. W. J. Wells preached to the Methodists of Monroe, but not until 1853 was their church building erected.
The Methodist Society of German Township dates back to the days of Rev. Messrs. Kellum and Sullivan. In 1831 a Methodist Episcopal Society was organized at Elida. In 1837 Rev. A. Doner founded Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, and in 1867 the United Brethren were organized by Rev. S. T. Mahan.
Rev. George Swigart formed a Methodist class in Bath Township, and had a log-house built on Section 4, in 1836. The German Baptists of Sugar Creek organized under Abram Miller in 1833, and in later years Rev. William Wilson founded the Church of the Disciples.
The first religious services in Shawnee may be said to have been conducted by Rev. James B. Finlay, a Methodist circuit preacher. The first house of worship, however, was erected on Section 27, by the
385 - BLANK
386 - PICTURE OF J. T. JACOBS
387 - PICTURE OF MRS. ELIZABETH JACOBS
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HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY - 389
Lutherans. Thomas Hicknell, a Winebrennerian, was one of the first preachers. In 1840 a church building was erected at Allentown.
Rev. Joseph Hill, the first missionary, and others preached at Joseph Stevenson's, in Auglaize Township, until 1834.
In Jackson Township there were neither schools nor church buildings until long after the pioneer age of the county, although religious services were held and schools taught almost from the date of its settlement.
In Amanda Township the Baptists organized a society about 1829-30, but their house of worship was not erected until 1840-41. Revs. Joseph Hill and Charles Waddle were the first preachers.
To-day the Christian Church is represented by buildings and pastors and people in every village and settlement within the county. Where, in 1834, a few hundred might be calculated as the church-going population of Allen County, tens of thousands may now be counted identified directly with the workings and progress of denominational thought and aspirations.