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CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES - 99 CHAPTER XII. CHURCHES OF THE COUNTY RELIGIOUS ELEMENT-FIRST CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS - UNITED PRESBYTERIANS- THE PRESBYTERIANS-CHRISTIAN CHURCHES- CATHOLIC CHURCHES-METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES- EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHES-THE REFORMED CHURCH - THE TABERNACLE-OTHER SOCIETIES-A CHURCH SURVEY. At Carrollton the early settlers of this neighborhood were not unmindful of the church and the School, for many years before there was need of a court of law, "the altar and the school appeared, these sacred pillars of our trust, and they shall be perpetuated when we are sleeping in the dust." The first church in Centreville (Carrollton) was a Methodist Episcopal meeting-house built of logs and stood where the two-story brick church was afterwards erected at the west end of Main street. This log structure answered all church purposes until after the formation of Carroll County, and while the brick church was being erected, services were held in the jury room of the old courthouse. Daniel Ward, Huston Duffield, Isaac Jackson, Joseph G. Kennedy, John G. Fisher, and others with their familieS composed the "pillars of the church." Daniel Ward furnished the coal free for the church as well as for the widows of the village while he lived. About the same time the Presbyterians erected a log church near the present site of the Sinclair monument in Grand View cemetery. This was the nucleus for the first and present burial ground, donated by Peter Bohart, the proprietor of the town. The Presbyterians afterwards built a frame church upon the site of the present brick church on Lisbon Street. THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The Carrollton United Presbyterian Church was organized by Rev. William Sorimer in 1840. It now enjoys a membership of 200. The Sunday school has an attendance of 150. Its efficient superintendent is T. E. George. The present church building is a brick Structure valued at $15,000. The parsonage was built in 1912 and cost $4,000. Of the original or charter members of this church let it be said that the following comprise the list: James W. McLaughlin, John McLaughlin, William McLaughlin, Mitchell McLaughlin, Robert McLaughlin, John McLaughlin, Robert McLaughlin, Jr., Margaret McLaughlin, Ann Palmer, Rachel Palmer, William Gallbreath. Mrs. Gallbreath, William Baxter, Mrs. Baxter, Elizabeth Baxter. The following pastors have served this congregation in the order here given : Revs. William Sorimer, James Golden, J. W. Martin, A. J. Allen, N. E. Wade, J. W. Best, J. G. Madge, P. E. Simpson. 100 - CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES and the present pastor, Rev. J. T. Adams, D. D., who came in 1912 and in 1920 is still faith fully serving. During the present pastor'S administration the church has increased in membership from 50 to 200. Other churches of this faith in Carroll County are at Scroggsfield and Glade Run. CARROLLTON CHRISTIAN CHURCH The information blank received by the author failed to note the date of the formation of this church. The charter members, however, are given as follows : J. J. Maffett, William Maffett, Anna Maffett, Katherine Maffett. N. L. Marshall. Elmer Marshall, Jesse Marshall, Katherine Marshall, Etta Marshall, Clayton Marshall, Cecil Marshall, Ralph Blackburn, Ella Blackburn, George Dunn, Elizabeth Dunn, Lola Dunlap. Daniel Mizer, Mary Ann Mizer, W. A. Ray, Mrs. W. A. Ray, S. A. Ray, Alice Ray, Mina Ray, Lloyd Hanna, Mrs. Lloyd Hanna, Lawson Ray, Isaiah Ray, Dora Ray, Robert Roudebush, Junius Roudebush, Margaret Roudebush, Zelma Roudebush, Oscar Roudebush, 011ie Roudebush, Sarah J. Rutledge, Lula Rutledge, Margaret Stewart, Katherine Weir. Jennie Weir, Frank Roudebush. Dora Roudebush, Olive Gregory. The present total membership of this church is 120. The Sunday School superintendent is now V. J. Hopkins and the average attendance is about eighty. The following pastors have served in the order here given : Rev. J. A. Brown, five years : Rev. J. L. Normant, one year Rev. S. P. Moody, two years. Taking the dates just given it would appear that this church was formed about 1913. A brick church edifice was built in 1913 at a cost of $12,000. The society also owns its own brick parsonage. Other churches of this denomination within Carroll County are at Augusta and Malvern. The pastor of the latter church lives at Bethany, West Virginia, while the pastor of Augusta resides at Mount Olivet. MALVERN CHRISTIAN CHURCH This church is an old one—organized about , or a little earlier—and its charter members included these persons : H. E, Oldaker, J. A. Parker, M. L. Normant. The present total membership is 130, with a Sunday School attendance of sixty. In 1871 a frame house of worship was erected at a cost of $4,000. This denomination has churches at Carrollton, Augusta, Mount Olivet and Harrisburg. TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH-CORROLLTON Intimately connected with the history of Carroll County is the early history of the Lutheran church. In the church belonging to the Lutheran and Reformed congregations, known as Jerusalem church, which stood on the site of the beautiful residence afterward built by A. E. Albright on East Main street, a committee of the State Legislature met and laid out Carroll County ; so the congregation antedates CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES - 101 the erection of the county. About the time Centreville was laid out in 1815, the pioneers of Lutheranism began to cluster around a missionary. Rev. J. Stauch, of New Lisbon. In 1813 a church conference met with Pastor Stauch. From these and other facts, it is safe to state the beginning of the congregation dates from 1815. How long it was from this beginning, until a regular organization was effected there is no way of determining, except that it was prior to 1817, when the Lutheran congregation sent a petition to the Conference, meeting at New Philadelphia, asking for a pastor. The Rev. John Reinhart, who commenced his work in Columbiana County, in 1805, was assigned for the field, which embraced two or three counties. He remained until 1822. These five years were of great importance to Lutheranism west of the mountains. After a service of five years Pastor Reinhart was called to another field of labor, and Rev: J. Wagenhals accepted a call extended by the parish, laboring here until 1828. At a meeting of the Synod in 1826 at New Philadelphia, Jacob Stemple was lay delegate. Early in 1829, D. Rothacker, was called as pastor, and July 1, 1829, after his ordination was installed as pastor of the charge, then consisting of eight or ten congregations. Among the lay delegates from this charge appear the following; Jacob Stemple, George Abrahams, Samuel Rothacker and Jacob Helfrich. In 1837 the eastern district-a District Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran church—met for its third annual meeting at Carrollton. Trinity church remained a member of the district until 1853, when it joined the firSt English district—another District Synod of the joint Synod of Ohio. In this district it has been ever since, except for a short time prior to 1863, when the first English district had ceased for a while. Pastor Rothacker and his charge were faithful to the church, giving some substantial evidences of their stalwart professions. In 1841 an agent for the seminary at Columbus worked two months in this territory, collecting $2,160, though money was then scarce. Carrollton did her full share in raising this sum, besides helping in synodical work of missions, education, etc. During this period the present church was erected. A congregational meeting was held February 19, 1847, with Jacob Stemple presiding and John Cline acting secretary, at which it was "resolved to proceed immediately to build a new Evangelical Lutheran Church in Carrollton", and the council gave the lawful notice and "proceed to elect proper officers and incorporate". At a meeting held March 5. 1847, with C. F. Best chairman and Jacob Stemple Secretary, the following officers were elected : Trustees, Jacob Stemple, John Cline and Jacob Helfrich; clerk, D. Rothacker; treasurer, George Abrahams. These officers incorporated the church with the name of "The Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Trinity Church". Being legally organized, the Trinity congregation lost no time in proceeding to build a home of their own. For over forty years they had either no church home or one partly belonging to another body, for the Lutherans and Reformed congregations had built a church jointly. On March 30, 1847, the trustees contracted with Jacob Best for brickwork, Jacob Cable for carpenter work, besides Elias Gates for plaster- 102 - CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES ing. The congregation owned two lots ; one was purchased from Christian and Elizabeth Kintner for $50, the other from William and Hannah ElSon for $75, on which to build their church. The building was dedicated in June, 1848, the total cost amounting to $1,718, the members furnishing material in addition to this. Of the membership, the voting men, those over twenty-one years of age, were about thirty. Pastor Rothacker remained until 1851 and was called to the West, having Served this congregation twenty-two years. In 1851 Rev. W. Albaugh became pastor. Two years later he was succeeded by Rev. George Gaumer, who in 1856, was followed by Rev. H. S. Lazar, who served four years, after which the church was without a pastor for near three years. During this period a Sunday School was organized by John Smeltz, who met death in the Civil war; Andrew Birch and Jacob Helfrich were superintendents a number of years. In 1863, having been held together by the Sunday School and an occasional supply, Rev. E. Cronenwett, a graduate of the seminary at Columbus, was called. Under his paStorate the charge was enlarged by several new stations. Pastor E. Smith was called in 1865, as a co-laborer with Reverend Cronenwett. Two years later the field, continuing to grow, was divided into two charges, Rev. E. Cronenwett removing to Waynesburg, while pastor Smith remained at Carrollton. He served there till the fall of 1870. In 1870 a call was extended to Rev. H. M. Hockman who was the first exclusively English pastor of Trinity congregation. He remained until 1883, when he was succeeded by Rev. G. M. Schmucker, whose pastorate covered five years, which time the charge consisted of four congregations. In 1888 Rev. A. F. Rohr took charge of the parish and continued until 1892. G. F. Mong served until 1895. In 1896 Rev. W. E. Arnholt took charge of Trinity congregation. Later the same summer Emanuel congregation at Kilgore and St. Johns, Perry Township, extended a call and the three congregations now compose the present parish. During the pastorate of Reverend Arnholt the semi- centennial of the building of the present church was celebrated, June 4, and from Mr. Arnholt's address this history of the congregation was gleaned. The Lutheran parsonage on East North street was built by C. M. Birch in 1900 under the pastorate of W. E. Arnholt, who left here in the spring of 1903. He was succeeded by Rev. Fred W. Rohlfing. Sandusky, one of the most able theological scholars and ministers in the church. He came in November, 1903 and under him the church increased in membership attendance and finances. He remained until March, 1906, when he was called to Baltimore. Maryland. Following him came Rev. R. E. Reed, who remained a short time, leaving in November, 1907. W. S. Langhans, a Capital University student. preached after the departure of Reverend Reed and was given a call and he accepted. After his ordination in June, 1908, he was installed pastor, serving CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES- 103 until May, 1910, when he reSigned and went to Jewett. For a few months then the church was supplied by L. F. Myers, Canton. Then Rev. J. H. Lutz accepted a call and became pastor in November, 1910. Under him the church prospered, its membership being about 275. The church has consecrated some of her sons to the preaching of the Gospel, among them being F. E. Harsh, George Umbach, Andrew Birch, George and J. H. Wannamacher, also W. E. Harsh. Reverend Lutz removed to Marion, Indiana, November, 1917, and Rev. C. H. Herrnstein of Sandusky, took charge as pastor September, 1918, and is the present pastor, who also serves the church at Kilgore and St. Johns in Perry township, Carroll County. ST. PAUL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH-MINERVA While a part of this town is within Carroll County. this church which stands on the Stark County side of the county line will here be named. It was organized many years ago. Their parsonage which they came to hold in 1913, stands on Plain street, therefore is within Carroll County. It is valued at $5,000. The church is in a flourishing condition and its worthy pastor is Rev. Charles Upton Larrick. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES The Carrollton Presbyterian Church at Carrollton, Ohio, was organized by Rev. Joshua Beir, a missionary, December 31, 1821. The charter members were as follows: Samuel Dunlap and Margaret his wife; Daniel Van Horn, Jane Peterson, John and Isabella Call, Hannah Stevens, were all received by letter at the date of organization. The following were received upon examination : William Morton, James Peterson, Andrew Clark, and Catherine Clark, his wife, William Dunlap, John Kirkwood, Annie Dunlap and Samuel Dunlap. Samuel Dunlap and Daniel Van Horn were elected to the elder-ship. The present total membership is three hundred and thirty-five. The total of Sunday School attendance is two hundred, with Joseph Kerr and S. F. Deets as superintendents. The present church edifice was erected in 1893-94 at a cost of $10,000, the same being a substantial brick structure. In 1916 a parsonage was erected of wood material at a cost of $4,750. . The following is a list of the pastors who have served this congregation: James Robertson, 1825-32; James Smith, 1832-41; W. T. Adams, 1842-48 ; A. Swaney, 1848-57; William Eaton, 1857-64 ; William Dalzell (S. S.) 1864-65 ; J. K. Andrews, 1866-69; S. Conn (S. S.) 1869-71; M. A. Parkinson, 1871-74; J. D. Shanks, 1876-79; W, S. Kirkwood (S. S.) 1880-81; R. R. Gailey 1882-86 ; J. H. Hawk, 1887-93 ; W. M. Eaton (S. S.), 1894-99 ; J. F. Shepherd, 1899-04; W. S. Kregar, 1904-1910; Eric J. Black, 1911-13 ; Kensey J. Stewart, 1913 and still serving as pastor. This denomination has churches in Carroll County at the following places: Harlem Springs. K. J. Stewart, pastor ; Dell Roy; New Harrisburg, Rev. J. H. Ischey, pastor ; Dell Roy, Ohio ; Still Fork 104 - CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES Church, Augusta ; Corinth Church, Mechanicstown, Rev. M. G. Hanna, pastor ; Bethlehem Church, Malvern, Rev. John McGuinness, Ph. D., pastor. Youngstown, Ohio ; Kilgore Church, Rev. Thomas Younger pastor, Amsterdam. Ohio. AMSTERDAM PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH This church is situated in Carroll County just over the Jefferson County line at the Village of Amsterdam. It was organized November 7. 1834, by Rev. Joseph Smith. of Carrollton, by order of the Presbytery at Steubenville. The charter members were ten in number including William Knox, a ruling elder. The congregation was supplied by licentiates and stated supplies until 1842, when W. T. Adams was ordained pastor. Among those who supplied before 1841 were Samuel Moody and John Knox. There is a good membership today and a Sunday School with an attendance of one hundred ; LeRoy Allen is present superintendent. The pastors have included these: Revs. W. T. Adams, John Watson, Israel Price. 1854-72 ; Robert Kerr, William Eaton, Thomas S. Park, Samuel L. Dickey, 1882-92 ; John D. Owens. Albert McClain. Reverend Finley, R. L. Houston, Glenroie McQueen. D. D.; George W. Applegate, Thomas Younger, present pastor. The first church building was a brick structure which was destroyed by fire ; it was replaced by a wooden building which served until the present edifice was erected in 1910, dedicated February 25. 1911; its cost was $4,000; it is also a frame structure. OTHER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES 1N COUNTY Blanks were sent to other churches of this denomination without reply. These include the work at Harlem Springs, under Rev. K. J. Stewart. Still Fork Church at Augusta, under Rev. M. G. Hanna; Cormth Church, Mechanicstown, under Reverend Hanna ; Bethlehem Church. Malvern, under Rev. John McGuinness, Youngstown, Ohio. CARROLLTON METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH From the "Centennial issue" of the Free Press Standard, of Carrollton, much of the following historical data has been obtained, hence may be relied upon as correct : "One winter's evening, in 1816, about a dozen "Weslevites" as they were pleased to call themselves, met at the home of Alexander Leslie on East Main street, a log house which then occupied the lot now covered by Croxton's garage, and organized themselves into a class of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Centereville, Columbiana County, Ohio. Meetings were held at the homes of the members from time to time, as the itinerant preacher with saddle-bags, Bible and hymn-book could reach his appointments. The congregation was nominally in Steubenville circuit of the Ohio Conference and as this "Circuit" comprised about two hundred miles with only two pastors, services in Centreville were rather uncertain. The early "Circuit Riders" for this circuit in 1816, William Dixon and Burroughs Westlake. In 1817, Samuel Hamilton, William CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES - 105 Knox and Calvin Rutter; in 1818-19, Cornelius Springer ; in 1820. Curtis Goddard and Cornelius Springer. About the year 1820 the Centreville congregation acquired the tract of land on West Main Street on which for more than eighty years their churches have stood, and is now occupied by the residence of F. M. Albright. Upon this lot a two-story log "meeting-house" was built, the upper room being used for church purposes and the lower for a school room. Continuing the pastors on this circuit: In 1821, John Waterman, Josiah Carr and Josiah Foster; in 1822. D. Young. Burroughs Westlake and James McMahon ; in 1823 Henry B. Bacon, William Cunningham; in 1824. William Stephens, Edward Taylor and Ezra Brown. In 1826 the Pittsburg Conference was formed and Steubenville district was transferred to it. In 1827 tbe Leesburg circuit of West Wheeling district was formed and Centreville became a part of this circuit and remained so until 1841, when Carrollton charge, with half a dozen churches to supply, was established and pastor resident supplied. The next ministers in 1826, Ashley Poole and Thomas Taylor; in 1827, William Knox and P. McGowan ; in 1828, no pastors for the Leesburg circuit appear in the minutes, but the membership is stated to be 602 whites and four colored. In 1829 Leesburg circuit was transferred to Canton district, Pittsburg Conference, with William Swazey as presiding elder and William Knox as pastor; in 1830, John Graham and John Maffitt pastors; in 1831, John Graham and Thomas Thompson. pastors ; Joshua Monroe was then presiding elder ; in 1832, John Maffitt and William C. Henderson, pastors. In 1833 the church was again placed in the Steubenville district and still remaining in the Leesburg circuit with Wesley Browning as presiding elder and David C. Merriman as pastor in charge. In 1834, David C. and J. C. Merriman were pastors ; in 1835-6-7. P. Green, James Blake and D. Goddard; in 1838, Joshua Monroe was presiding elder and John W. Minor and Thomas Thompson pastors of the circuit. In 1839, Simon Elliott was presiding elder and Patrick K. McCue and Thomas Thompson pastors. In 1841 the congregation demolished their log church and school house and built a one story brick church and established a parsonage here, the house later used by Probate Judge Maffett, on West Canal Street. This brick building served as a church until 1853, when under the pastorate of Rev. D. P. Mitchell the large old brick church in which the congregation worshiped for more than fifty years was built. Reverend Mitchell designed and was architect of the church. Armstrong Bothwell did the stone work on the building and William and George Woodward made the brick and laid them in the wall. This church was dedicated in 1854 under Rev. Mitchell's pastorate. The interval from 1843 to 1852 is difficult to arrange as to pastors in their order, but the late J. P. Cummings has stated that the pastors were: Reverends Montgomery, McConnell, Rater and Dr. D. L. Dempsey. Reverend Mitchell was succeeded by Reverend Langdon and he by John Hare after whom came Rev. John Grant. Sheridan Baker, D. D., was in charge in 1861 and afterwards became presiding 106 - CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES elder as also did D. L. Dempsey. After him came Rev. T. J. Higgins who was pastor when President Lincoln was assassinated. He preached an appropriate sermon on the occasion. Reverend Higgins was succeeded by Rev. John R. Roller, in 1867-8-9, under whose pastorate in the winter of 1868-9 what is yet known as "the big revival" was held. The pastors following Roller in chronological order as can best be ascertained from the minutes of the conference are Richard Cartright, 1870-71-72; W. L. Dixon, 1873- 4-5 ; Joseph Gledhill. 1876-80. In 1876 the East Ohio Conference was formed from parts of the old Pittsburgh and the Erie Conferences lying within the State of Ohio, and the time of conference changed from Spring to fall. Rev. S. Y. Kennedy followed Rev. Joseph Gledhill in 1879; John D. Vail in 1881-82; Benjamin Excell in 1883-84; John I. Wilson in 1885-87; J. H. Starlett in 1888-90; H. M. Rader 1891-95 ; J. W. Moore in 1896-8 ; A. W. Gruber, 1899-1901 ; during his pastorate the present church was built upon the corner of South Lisbon and Liberty streets and a comfortable parsonage was built upon the adjoining lot, once owned by the late David J. Levy. The next pastors were : Revs. T. I. McRea, 1902-07; G. W. Harshman, 1908-11 ; S. A. Peregoy, 1912; Parren U. Hawkins, 191314; Jason B. Manley, 1915-17; Rev. John H. Butler, 1917, and present pastor. The presiding elders (or district superintendents) Since Reverend Roller's pastorate have been : D. L. Dempsey. 1864-67 ; William Cox, 1868; John Williams, 1869; A. H. Thomas, 1870; William Hunter. 1871-72 (S. H. Nesbit filling part of the year) ; William Cox, 1873-74; S. F. Minor, 1875-78; B. F. Brooke, 1879-80-81-82; W. H. Wilson. 1883-86; J. W. Toland, 1887-92; Earl D. Holtz, 1893-98; G. W. Smith, 1898-1904; J. C. Smith, 1905-10; W. B. Winters, 1911-15. Prior to 1870. the Carrollton circuit embraced the charges at Baxter's Ridge, Pleasant Hill and Greenhill, but Carrollton was made a "station" in 1913 with but one appointment, So that the pastor has but one place to preach. Among the pioneer members of this church were Richard Elson, Charles Fawcett, Norval Brown. Jonathan Long, James McComb. Alexander Leslie (father of Centerville's first postmaster), Fleming Dempster, and others whose names are recorded upon marble slabs in our old cemetery, while others located elsewhere "out west" and are forgotten. The present total membership of this church (in 1921) is 648. THE TABERNACLE The Tabernacle which stands on the east side of Cross Street was erected in the year 1905, as a result of a large tent meeting held that season under direction of "Dick" and "Tillie" Albright, as Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Albright were affectionately called by their associates, in evangelistic work. It is really a Holiness society. but it is claimed to be inter-denominational and any person from churches of any religious faith may here worship and find a home. CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES- 107 THE CARROLLTON REFORMED CHURCH This church is co-extensive with that of the village itself. The brick church which formerly stood upon the A. E. Albright lots on East Main Street, appears to have been jointly owned and occupied by the Lutherans and Reformed congregations. In 1832, a committee from the Ohio Legislature met in this brick church (then called JeruSalem Church) and heard suggestions which eventually ended in the organization of Carroll County. After the formation of this county, Jerusalem Church was rented for $35 per year to the county commissioners for court purposes until the old brick court house was erected. "Circuit Riders" filled the Jerusalem pulpit for several years, among them being Reverend Herbruck. who preached in Canton for fifty-one years and walked to Carrollton to preach for this congregation, as this was many years prior to the advent of the railroads. Rev. John Hillingas, a young preacher, came here and filled the Reformed pulpit until he died. In April, 1844, Rev. A. Stump was called to preach for the Reformed congregation in the Carrollton charge. This was the first regularly called minister of this church. Under the pastorate of Reverend Stump the cornerstone for a new frame church on East Canal Street was laid June 16, 1847, and in June, 1849, the building was dedicated. So popular was the pastor that the building was called "The Stump Church". He was succeeded in 1851 by Rev. N. E. Gilds whose first record of infant baptism was for November 30, 1851, when Nicholas Harsh, L. F. Aller, Hannah L. Harsh and Rebecca Ann Roberts were baptized by the pastor, N. E. Gilds. Rev. C. H. Reiter then took up the work in November, 1854, and remained until 1858, after which Rev. J. M. Lefever was called and filled the appointments from May 21, 1859, until 1865, when Rev. J. H. Winters was called and remained two years. On November 23, 1867, Rev. M. A. Miller supplied this charge with Rev. J. R. Coffman as an occasional assistant. Reverend Miller had the charge from 1870 to 1881 and was followed by his son, Albert Miller, who after March 10, 1883, was followed by Rev. I. S. Hahn. During Reverend Hahn's pastorate the present frame house of worship on East Main Street was erected and was dedicated on July 20, 1890. Reverend Hahn resigned December 13, 1890, to accept a call from Goshen, Indiana, and was followed by Rev. S. Z. Beam, who was pastor until May, 1896, and was succeeded by Rev. G. H. Souder, who remained until October 27, 1900. Rev. Israel Rothenberger accepted a call February 18, 1901, and resigned January 16, 1902 ; Rev. S. V. Rohrbaugh took up the work May 17, 1902, he in turn being followed by Rev. C. R. Hartman and Rev. J. D. Neff. who was the last minister prior to Rev. J. W. Geier who came October 1, 1911, and he was followed October 1, 1918, by Rev. G. H. Souder, present pastor. He also has charge of the church at Hibbetts, one of the oldest churches in Carroll County. The church building was greatly improved under Reverend Geier, in 1913 and re-dedicated October 14th of that year. The membership was at that date 225. The Sunday school has a membership of 256. 108 - CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES CATHOLIC CHURCHES The Catholic Church at Sherrodsville. dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, is located on the Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad in Carroll County. At present about twenty-five families belong to this parish which years ago was a large congregation and in a flourishing condition. Coal miners' strikes and a large fire have been responsible for the gradual decline of the beautiful mining town. Rev. H. B. Dues, pastor of Dover, came to Sherrodsville m 1883, in order to organize a parish. Holy Mass had been said in the house of John Sweeney at Hazelton, a mining camp, and a sewing machine seryed as an altar. Father Dues sent his assistant, Rev. Walter Ross, to take care of the parish and after a short time Father Ross was appointed pastor of Sherrodsville, Bolivar and Marges. Father Ross built the first church, which was blown dlown by a terrific wind storm. Later on it was rebuilt. Father Ross was Succeeded by Father Lane, who in turn was shortly succeeded by Rev. John Meade, who rebuilt the church. Rev. Peter Kemper, O. M. Capuchin and Rev. Bernard Kuhlman, O. M. Capuchin were the next pastors of Sherrodsville. The latter remained in charge about four years, during which time he purchased nine acres of land for a new cemetery. Rev. B. Vogel was pastor from 1904 to 1906. Rev. J. Ph. Vonville, from 1906 to 1907. The latter was in turn succeeded by Rev. B. Vogel (second term), Rev. John Burns and Rev. John A. Mattes. the latter being in charge from 1908 to 1912. At this time the Capuchin Fathers of Dover, Tuscarawas County. were asked to take charge of Sherrodsville. Rev. Alphonse Hillenbrand was pastor from 1912 to August, 1918, and was followed by Rev. Theodore Schillo, who remained pastor until February, 1920. The present pastor is the Rev. Father Severin, O. M..Cap., who like his predecessors since 1904 has also charge of St. Elizabeth's Church. Roswell, Tuscarawas County. The present church committee is: Louis Daverio, Henry Malloy, Thomas Rawley, George Ledger and Henry Brooks. ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CHURCH This is a Catholic Church located at the enterprising village of Malvern, Ohio. It was organized in 1838 by the following families: the Riley, Friedman. Gloefer, Stolz, Auseon, Weisboern, Prendergast, Oakes, Diehl, Ebner, Mayer, Laubacher, Klise, Gang, Locker. The present membership in this congregation is two hundred members and divided up into forty different families. The parochial school has a membership of fifty. Rev. Father A. Dengler in charge. The following is a list of the pastors serving this parish, in about the order given: Rev. Fathers Heimo, Weynans, Goetz, Weisenberger, Fischer, Wiseman, Powers, Fladung, Vogel, Teipe, Trogus, Walsh and Adolph Dengler, present pastor. A beautiful and very substantial edifice was constructed in 1882 and rebuilt in 1884. It is a brick building, costing $20,000. This CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES- 109 church is. under direction of the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, and is an ideal parish—zealous and practical membership. A CHURCH SURVEY In 1919 the various religious denominations in Carroll County made a complete survey of the various church and denominational interests. For such work they secured the services of Rev. K. J. Stewart of Carrollton. From his lengthy report the following facts haye been taken : He found sixty churches within this county. Three were Roman Catholic in their denominational faith ; the others represented nine denominations of Protestant faith—Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal, United Presbyterian, Reformed church, Disciples church, Methodist Protestant, United Brethren, Lutheran and Friends, or "Quakers". Of these churches nineteen are in towns or villages and twenty- five are scattered throughout the rural districts. Ten churches (16 per cent) have either passed away or are in a dying condition today. The entire membership was 6,550. Sixty per cent of the population of the county held no church membership. Six churches of the county have a membership of two hundred or more : nineteen churches had a membership of fifty or more, but less than 100; seven rank below fifty in membership. Fourteen are reported as declining in membership twenty-three per cent. One town of 2,500 has six churches, all increasing in membership, about 400 to the church. One town has 1,000 population and five churches, two of which are decreasing in numbers. Another town of four hundred has three churches on the decline. Only one church in the county is equipped with any modern appliances or efficient for Sunday school work. There are twenty-seven Protestant ministers in the county and three Roman Catholic priests. Of these seventeen reside in the county and thirteen come from outside points. Three pastors have four churches; six pastors serve three churches each ; sixteen have two charges each ; five are pastors of single churches. Of the fourteen townships in Carroll County, six have no resident pastors. Two of the smaller Protestant churches close together are served by two preachers who travel from the same point thirty- five miles outside the county. Another declining church is served by a preacher who travels forty-five or fifty miles to preach to his people. One town of 600 population has five churches—one Catholic and four Protestant—only one resident pastor. Too many different denominations seem to retard the church work. Less creeds and church polity and more concentrated effort is what is here needed at this date. |