SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY - 125 the florist. While the grain products rob the soil unless fed to livestock on the farm, the soil for growing roses must be changed and while out-of-door conditions are maintained under glass in some of the departments, the fuel bill enters into the cost of production. The Innesfallen greenhouses use 1,000 tons of coal a season, and some war-time coal—high price and poor quality—was being used along with a better grade. The installation and upkeep are figured in and while some of the timber was used in construction forty years ago, building material must be provided frequently. There are repairs necessary every day, and Springfield florists are abreast of the times. Because of them Springfield is known to the world as the center of rose production. CHAPTER XV THE HOUSE OF THE LORD IN CLARK COUNTY In the Bible is this personal experience related, "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the House of the Lord." The zealots may supply the missing word in the parody : "For now abideth these three, the church, the school and the press, but the greatest of these is the _____." This educational triumvirate is within the reach of all. The report is current that Springfield has sixty-two churches with thirty different denominations, and it is understood there are no denominations in Clark County not represented in Springfield. In the beginning there were only about half a dozen denominations. While only about seventy ministers are enrolled in the Clark County Ministerial Association, it is understood there are more than 100 ministers eligible to membership in it. The church announcements for Sunday, October 16, 1921, as carried in the daily newspapers, including both Springfield and outside churches, shows the following : Lutheran, Christian Science, Brethren, Church of Christ, Universalist, Methodist, Congregational, Baptist, Presbyterian, Christian, United Presbyterian, Reformed, United Brethren, International Bible Students Association, Episcopalian, Christian (Summerbell Memorial), Mennonite Brethren, Evangelical, and some are duplicated among the colored people in Springfield. Catholics and Spiritualists hold regular services, and there is frequent news mention of denominations who do not use space in the regular church calendar in the newspapers. In some of the denominations there are many churches, and there are many missions that seem to be of community nature—undenominational in character. It is said the majority of people belong to a particular church for convenience, and because of environment—not because of the polity at all —they had certain training and never give further thought to the matter. They do not read church literature, and are very narrow in their conception of theology, many cannot define Christianity. They know nothing of Mohammedism or Buddhism, and are Christians because they live in a Christian community. They are amateurs in theology, and intolerant in many things. The foregoing is an old criticism ; churchmen are not quite such sticklers today. There was a time when predestination was a war cry, but seldom the word is heard today. There is a note of evangelism in theology, and in orthodox circles little is said about total depravity. Once upon a time even the ignorant who never had studied theology were inspired to discourse, and then much difference of opinion prevailed, however, when the unpardonable sin and sanctification were the threadbare topics in the pulpit, the people used to gather in throngs to hear those sermons of great orthodoxy, and there were wonderful conversions among them. The theology of Springfield and Clark County of the present day seems to have been influenced by contact with the late Dr. D. H. Bauslin, clean of Hamma Divinity School in Wittenberg College. The Ministerial Association credited him with being a thinker, and took many suggestions from him. - 126 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY - 127 Doctor Bauslin said from the pulpit that when God's house is cared for other houses are not neglected, and while students under him will remember his admonitions to the wives of ministers—dust their clothes and remind them of the missionary announcements, and then provide good dinners for them—they felt that he had the grasp on truth. He interpreted the prayers of the righteous as including body, soul and mind or spirit, and while his life went out suddenly his influence will be of long duration. When he discussed the second coming of Christ before the Ministerial Association none took exception. While it is said that ministers are called of God, Wittenberg College recently sponsored the greatest movement known in the history of Clark County—that of stimulating a desire on the part of young men to enter the ministry. PLANTING THE CHURCH Wherever the emigrant pitched his tent or opened his temporary camp, traveling preachers were soon on his trail. There is an old saying : "Where the Lord erects a house of prayer, The devil always has his chapel there," and those unfamiliar with frontier life have little conception of the hardships of the settlers. It is known that both James B. Finley and Lorenzo Dow, who were wilderness spell-binders, visited Clark County early. They were both at New Carlisle, and when Lorenzo Dow was in Springfield, some of the citizens climbed into the trees to hear and see him. The question always will be raised as to whether religion is taught or caught, and as long as actions speak louder than words people will arrive at their own conclusions. Like Zaccheus of old, the citizens in the trees were invited to come down, and the name of that eccentric traveling evangelist will be emblazoned on the pages of history throughout futurity. When a community survives a visit from Billy Sunday and his organized body of Christian workers there is hope for it. In 1911 his tabernacle was constructed on South Limestone Street on the site now occupied by the Southern Apartments. The Sunday campaign attracted many visitors to Springfield. While many indorsed his methods, others were more conservative and said that ulterior motives influenced him. While some came long distances, and at considerable sacrifice to hear him, others remained indifferent to him. There have been many community efforts, but the Sunday visit is remembered by all. In every community have been settlers who donated land for churches and schools and the Clark County church budget for 1921 is said to have reached more than $250,000, and still there are unchurched as well as over-churched communities. It was said of one pioneer minister that he began well, but "petered out—did not leave a squirrel track," and such may be said of many movements. However, one of the psychologists who visited Springfield offering suggestions to its citizens said from a pulpit that the reason prayers are not answered is because of lack of faith and concentration, too many pray with their lips while their minds are busy with other problems. In a message to the churches in November, 1921, President Warren G. Harding said : "The world never before was in such need of right 128 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY morals, right ideals, right relations among men and nations, right spirit for meeting unparalleled conditions, and sound religion in personal, social and public life ; the churches must not fail. Whoever halts the churches must march forward more swiftly than they have done," and the forward swing is evident in Clark County. Some of the local ministers attended a religious convention in Columbus, and the appeal was for a modern interpretation, a modification of ideals and methods. This generation of religious teachers cannot go along in the old-fashioned methods. There are developments in the scientific, intellectual and moral world, and Wittenberg College has recently added the department of religious education. A newspaper comments says : "We may not reasonably expect to avail overselves of the telegraph, the telephone, the automobile and the flying machine in the material progress of the race, and yet think to be septuagenarians and semi-centenarians in religion and education. The world outlook is immeasurably broader than it was to our grandparents. * * * It is certain that the appeals of earlier periods fail to impress the majority of the thinking young persons of today. What was true in the old ideas will remain ; it cannot be destroyed, but the young person looks through new eyes at new facts brought forth and impressed by study, observation and experience. "Particularly pertinent was the proposition advanced by many of the speakers at the conference in Columbus, that the rising generation will have and must have its own conception of truth and conduct—in a word it will not and cannot be made to live entirely on the social and religious conceptions of previous generations. It will have to blaze its own way through the great forest of human life. * * * Even in what is usually called the field of religious evangelism the rising generation will be compelled to evolve methods and appeals of its own, -which will not always exactly coincide with those of the passing generation. * * * The people simply lived in a different atmosphere, in a different age, and in a different period of human ideals ; it is a great problem bef ore the church to direct and minister to its people. In some particulars the old methods fall flat, and do not seem to reach the hearts of a new and different generation." The metropolitan papers carried the following story apropos the religious situation : "People seem to go to church these days to gossip about their neighbors, and to discuss the newest dances, the latest styles and the best movies or the most sensational novels rather than to discuss religion and worship God," but it is an individual matter and some will not accept the criticism. However, "once in grace always in grace," does not hold in the theology of today. It is admitted that religion flourishes more in strenuous times, "whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth," and likewise the population increases more rapidly under such conditions. KNOB PRAIRIE CHRISTIAN CHURCH "The groves were God's first temples," and the missionary and circuit rider had their day. There is a tradition that the mound in Mad River Township was one of the many altars erected by that mysterious race known as the Moundbuilders who were sun worshippers, and while the American Indians had an awe of the Great Spirit—their idea of the hereafter being the Happy Hunting Grounds, a vague form of religion, it seems unique that the white settlers should organize the first church in SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY - 129 the vicinity of this altar—Knob Prairie Christian Church, now located in Enon. It was organized in the log cabin home of Jonathan Baker in 1806, by Barton W. Stone and William Kinkade of Kentucky. They had been through revival meetings at Cambridge and Concord, where there were unusual spiritual manifestations—jerking and falling down, the converts having New Light hitherto unknown to them. They called themselves Christians, and were designated as New Lights. Some one said of the church, "Its lack of distinctive name operates against it," but because of the "new light" it drew from all denominations. In the reminiscent notes of S. S. Miller is this information : "Before me is a church book yellow with age," and after some further description, he copied, "Done at Mad River in the County of Greene, and State of Ohio, on the third day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and six (1806), to which were signed the names of four Cozads, one Taylor, two Jennings and three Smiths, perhaps the first church record in what is now Clark County. While the copy said Greene, the county records show that the area was then in Champaign County. Another account mentions Jonathan Baker and wife ; Griffith Foos and wife; Daniel Miller and wife, and Judge Layton and his wife as charter members. The meetings were held in private homes until a log church was built on land given by Judge Layton near the mound, and thus Knob Prairie is suggestive—Knob Prairie Christian Church. In 1807 there were twenty-six members, seven of them f rom the Rev. Peter Smith's family. He was an early Clark County itinerant who had lived in many localities, and who used a pack horse in transporting his family and household effects. The story goes that he brought twins into the community, carrying them on either side of the horse—the one balancing the other. The family increased until there were twelve children. Peter Smith was a doctor as well as a minister. His name will go down to posterity in connection with a work of Materia Medica, the first publication by any Miami Valley writer. While Stone and Kinkade, as visiting ministers, organized Knob Prairie Christian Church, Francis Monfort was the first resident minister. Reuben Daily and Thomas Kyle were early ministers, and when camp meetings were held, people came from forty miles away to attend them. LOCAL MINISTERS M. D. Baker and J. G. Reeder were local citizens who became New Light Christian ministers, and numbered among the members were many early families : Reeders, Arthurs, Ahteys, Millers, Bakers, Shellabargers, Hagans, Lowrys, Minnichs, Wilsons, Crains, Keifers and Huffmans. David Lowry, who was among the first settlers on Mad River and who attained to old age in the community, was deaf and he sat with the preacher in the pulpit so he could hear, and John and Newton Miller, who led the singing, stood together in front of the pulpit. The seats, pulpit and door in this original Clark County "meeting house" were of puncheons, as was the floor, and there were greased paper windows—very primitive in its construction. While it was a rural church, families from Springfield attended it, among them the first landlord—Griffith Foos. The location of Knob Prairie Christian Chruch was explained by J. D. Baker. The rough, stony site was in proximity to a spring, and it Vol. I-9 130 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY was along the old Indian trail crossing Mad River at the Broad Ford a crossing much used before there were bridges across the stream. This sect was given to religious enthusiasm, and near-by was a grove for the camp meetings. The church was described by Joel Ebersole who first saw it in 1831, as an old looking house. The logs had rough bark, and those at the bottom were large, grading smaller toward the top of the walls ; some of the logs used in the building were the size of telegraph poles. The chimney of stone and mud was built seven feet high, and there was no sawed timber used in the construction. The puncheon doors were about three inches thick, and the clapboards were rived about the same thickness. It was built to protect the worshippers from the Indians. It would be an odd structure alongside the church bearing that time-honored name today. SUCCESSION OF DEACONS Unique in the history of the Baker family is the fact that Jonathan Baker was elected a deacon at the time Knob Prairie Christian Church was organized, and he served until 1840, when a son, Moses Baker, was chosen. He did not miss a communion service until 1878, when he was succeeded by a son, Jonathan D. Baker, who is still incumbent, the office of deacon having been in the Baker family through three generations, and extending over a period of 116 years. When Knob Prairie celebrated its centennial in 1906 it had an unparalleled record—three generations having served as deacon from the beginning, and that was sixteen years ago. Knob Prairie Christian Church has Antioch College to draw from, and it is seldom without a minister. Horace Mann, who was the first president of Antioch College, used to sometimes fill the pulpit in Knob Prairie Christian Church, and whenever the pulpit is vacant a supply minister comes from the college. CHURCH IN SPRINGFIELD "Where two or three are gathered together" constitutes a religious service, and in 1803, the first religious service in Springfield was held in the Foos log tavern, and since Griffith Foos and his wife became charter members at Knob Prairie three years later, it may have been a Christian Church gathering, the New Light faction having sprung up in 1801 in Kentucky. Almost simultaneously, the Methodists began worshipping in the Pinkered School, and in 1808 the Baptists held service there. It is said that Reverend Thomas, who conducted the first service in the Foos tavern, was a Baptist, but denominationalism was not emphasized at this meeting. Saile and Cobler were other ministers who conducted service in the Foos tavern. It is conceded that the Methodists had the first organization within Springfield proper, and that they continued to use the Pinkered log school house until 1810, when the New Light Christians built a church on the bank of Mill Run. It was a log structure, and since they were tolerant—a creedless church, it was open to all denominations. It was built by popular subscriptions, and while one man gave the ground it is known that Griffith Foos gave a young horse valued at $10, towards hewing the logs and preparing the shingles. It was a community center, and the day of the raising forty men were there before breakfast. They had come a distance of from seven to ten miles. While they did not have silver and SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY - 131 gold, they had an abiding faith, and they realized what such a center would mean in the community. The Presbyterians were among those who entered the mission field early, and in 1808 they were holding services at intervals in Springfield, It is said that in reconciling some truths, it is better to leave arithmetic out of the question, and since the first shall be last, the thing that concerns Springfield and Clark Couny churches today is the vineyard. Who can formulate an almanac or stipulate the church of the future when the world is in such chaotic condition? The architecture of the modern church is changed, and while spires still point heavenward on many Springfield churches, the pipe organ has become the characteristic—the newer churches minus the spires but furnished with the organs. The enriched church service renders the organ a necessity. While the members once had turns in caring for the church, the janitor is now as much in the routine as the minister himself. Once the members had turns snuffing the candles, carrying the wood, sweeping and building the fires, and then the janitor came along and relieved them of such duties. Since the days of "Daddy" Fitch as janitor of a Catawba Church, the membership has know better than to come late to a service. The faithful had held a prayer service, and late arrivals were told as the janitor locked the church, "Why bless you, meeting is out and the Lord is gone," and they had no alternative—they went home again. The janitor is less inclined to tolerate late comers than the minister. The Knob Prairie Christian Church had puncheon benches, but tradition has it that worshipers once sat on three-legged stools. Pews were introduced for the use of Norman nobles, but the idea was copied and many families now rent their pews regularly, although free pews prevail in Springfield. VISION OF PETER SMITH While Peter Smith is mentioned as a member of Knob Prairie Christian Church, he was later a Baptist. In 1809 while preaching in Mad River Baptist Church he had a vision. He heard a voice and the light shone on his face brighter than the noonday sun. While delivering his usual sermon, the voice exclaimed : "Go tell the world around ye, what the Lord has done for thee," the words being repeated three times, and in 1810 he was called to the pastorate of Mad River Baptist Church. While Baptist services had been held in Springfield two years earlier, the activities were continued on Mad River, and while no church was built, in 1826 the Mad River Baptist Church had 140 members. They were scattered and the meetings were held in the homes, of ten in the home of Samuel Smith, a son of Peter Smith where, after his death in 1816, his widow continued her residence. In 1811, Peter Smith, who had come to Mad River in 1804, went on a missionary journey into Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. It was an extensive journey for that day, and he was perhaps the first to go out on such a mission. It is said the song of the circuit rider in Clark County was : "No house or land do I possess, No cottage in the wilderness, A poor way-faring man am I," but mention has been made of Peter Smith in his cabin while Indians still lurked in the forest. While the Mad River Baptist Church was 132 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY in existence, dissensions arose—there were diverse views on free will and predestination. There were frequent church trials for other causes than doctrinal heresy, which brought on disintegration and final dissolution. While the church record closed October 10, 1829,. the free will faction continued to meet and hold regular services in the early '30s, under the, ministerial leadership of Reverends Judson, Wallingford and Dunlap. In a few years they abandoned the field, and the Springfield Baptist Church is another story. SIMON KENTON AND THE MISSIONARY It was in 1788 that Simon Kenton, the wilderness scout, first met James B. Finley, the wilderness missionary, and thirty years later they met again at the camp meeting on Mad River—it must have been at Knob Prairie. It seems that Mr. Kenton attended the Sunday service, and on Monday morning he asked Mr. Finley to retire with him to the woods. Having gone beyond. the sound of the worshipers, Kenton said : "Mr. Finley, I am going to communicate to you some things which I want you to promise me you will never divulge," and the cautious evangelist replied : "If it will affect none but ourselves, then I promise to keep it forever." Sitting on a log by the side of the missionary, the general commenced to tell the story of his heart and to disclose its wretchedness, what a great sinner he had been, and how merciful God had been in preserving him, amid all the conflicts. and dangers of the wilderness. While he thus unburdened his heart, and told of the anguish of his sin-stricken spirit, his lips quivered and tears of repentance fell from his eyes. They both fell on the earth, and cried aloud to God for mercy and salvation. The penitent was pointed to Jesus by Mr. Finley as the Almighty Savior, and after a long and agonized struggle he entered the gate of eternal life—so much for a wilderness conversion along Mad River. It has been duplicated in many communities. The account says that Simon Kenton sprang to his feet, and made the forest ring with shouts of praise to God, in the gladness of his soul. He outran Mr. Finley to the encampment, and his appearance startled the whole company. By the time the evangelist reached the encampment, an immense crowd had gathered around General Kenton, who was declaring the goodness of God and his power to save. It was no longer a secret. When Mr. Finley said : "General, I thought we were to' keep this matter a secret." Kenton replied : "0, it is too glorious for that. If I had all the people of the world here I would tell of the goodness and mercy of God." The life and death of General Kenton are elsewhere detailed in this history. HIS BUSINESS METHOD A new item dated April 21, 1819, states that the subscriptions for the ministerial labors of Rev. Archibald Steele for the years 1817 and 1818 are left with him for collection. He can be paid in merchandise, but the item fails to disclose the particular church he served, although it was very early—the beginning of organized history in Clark County. While it antedates the pound party, twentieth century ministers still press the matter of payment. Rev. Archibald Steele simply established a prece- SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY - 133 dent, and succeeding generations. have all been in touch with the financial question. As late as 1839 the Ohio Gazetteer and Travelers' Guide says of Springfield : One Presbyterian Church, one large Methodist meeting house, one Methodist Reform meeting house, and one Seceder meeting house, all of which are well attended," showing that some of the earlier denominations were not then active, and -contemporary accounts show about as much church activity in New Carlisle and South Charleston as in Springfield. Rhodes, Gatch and Williams were early ministers at South Charleston, and in 1847 Nat Moss, who "wagoned" to Cincinnati, unloaded the first church bell there—presumably the first in Clark County, and for many years it pealed forth its messages of joy and sorrow, its tones closely associated with the lives of South Charleston citizens. Time was when church bells were tolled, and hand bills with lines indicating mourning were distributed, both half-forgotten customs. The bell indicated the number of years, and the bills—obituary notices—left at all the homes, were funeral invitations. CLARK COUNTY TRAVELERS' While Rev. Peter Smith was the first missionary to leave Clark County in the spread of the Gospel, going on an eastern journey in 1811, he died December 31,. 1816, and lies" buried at Donnelsville. It was in 1825 that Isaac Newton Walters was converted in camp meeting at South Charleston, and in 1826 he held meetings in Springfield and at Knob Prairie, and while there are globe trotters galore nowadays, he became the greatest traveler in the early history of Clark. County. When Reverend Walters was fifty years old he had crossed the Alleghanies five times, and had traveled enough miles to girdle the earth five time. He knew nothing about sleeping car accommodations, but went on horseback about the country. In the way of statistical information, Reverend Walters registered 3,396 conversions to his credit, and he performed 1,052 marriages, saying nothing of funerals. Rev. I. N. Waters was a New Light Christian, and in 1840 he began publishing The Herald of Gospel Liberty in New Carlisle. It was soon recognized as the denominational organ, and is still published in Dayton. Reverend Walters possessed a remarkable ability for speaking out-of-doors, and large audiences heard him. In 1853, he officiated at the inauguration of Dr. Horace Mann as president of Antioch College. On July 1, 1856, Reverend Walters left Springfield on a missionary journey to New York and Boston. Stopping a few days in Columbus, he was stricken with hemorrhage and died there.. While Springfield churches now maintain missionaries in foreign countries, Peter Smith and Isaac Newton Walters.were the pioneer missionaries from Clark County. However, Peter Smith died while it was still Champaign County. INNOVATIONS IN WORSHIP While Peter. Smith and Isaac Newton Walters thought of Christianity as a world religion, and bent their efforts toward extending it, the wireless telephone sermon direct from the pulpit to the home was many years in the future; the simple life confronted them, and they need not discuss it. Their audiences were in front of them, and they had no diffi- 134 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY culties taking up the collections. They had no thought of the churchman of the future sitting at home in his lounging robe and slippers, and having the radio service installed so as to hear the sermon. While the need of invalids was the instigation, the radio service allows others to enjoy the service without the formality of attending it. The center of gravity in religious education has shifted, and psychology now enters into it. The pioneer looked upon the child as a miniature adult, and "feed my lambs" meant just the same as "feed my sheep," but today special attention is given to the religious education. Facts of interest to the gray haired theologian do not have an appeal to the child, and it is no longer expected to accept predigested mental stimuli without thinking about it. The child did not need to understand a doctrine its business was to commit the fact, leaving the thinking process to others. The teaching was from without, while in modern religious education the growth is from within the child. It grows like a flower by assimilation rather than like a building—one brick of knowledge upon another. Development rather than instruction is the modern idea of religious education. DEMAND FOR MINISTERS The press has taken up the slogan, "More men for the ministry," and Wittenberg College has become aggressive in arousing such interest. For some years there has been a decline in the number of candidates, and financial reasons enter into it. The church has not encouraged the ministry by offering financial inducements, and those with heart inclinations toward it have entered other lines of human activity. Soul-winning has not been regarded as a money-making proposition, and the salaries of ordinary men do not attract geniuses to the ranks—so say those who study the question. "The Lord will provide," but the sagacious young man understands his own requirements. Securing, paying and keeping ministers—three elements enter into it, and the business world is in competition with the church when it comes to offering unlimited opportunities. The Sabbath day and its proper observance still concerns Clark County and the rest of the Christian world. While not all the churches observe the Lenten period by donning sackcloth and ashes, there is a wholesome regard for the Sabbath. The diversions are of modified character through Lent, and society folk subscribe to some functions not practiced by church adherents. Wittenberg officials along with many churches that do not abstain from social activities, are inclined to observe holy week, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with the Easter service. "Remember the Sabbath" is still in the Clark County code—the Ten Commandments unchanged, and "Go to church Sunday," "Children's Day," and "Mother's Day" all emphasize the teaching of the Easter religious observance. CHAPTER XVI IN 1921—STATUS OF RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMENT In the Union Thanksgiving service conducted in the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Springfield, the Rev. Harry Trust of the First Congregational Church, who was the latest acquisition to the Clark County Ministerial Association and automatically became the speaker, asserted that America was climbing to spiritual heights by leading the world in the disarmament conference—that America was being lifted up in the spirit of sacrifice and was not wholly governed by materialistic ideas. While Kaiser Wilhelm had imperialistic dreams of world empire, America was steering clear of that rock of stumbling. While America for Americans is the national spirit, America aids other nations —is the big brother in .the world. As a Christian nation, America wants not the guidance of the politician but the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the comradeship of all the earth. It was the tercentenary of the first Thanksgiving when a little band of Pilgrim fathers bowed their heads in humble gratitude for their little harvest, and if Thanksgiving means anything it is a day of recollection for the people of the whole United States. The president and the different state governors imitate the action of Governor Bradford of Plymouth by calling upon the people of the nation and the commonwealths to join in reverent manner, in thanking an all-wise and an all-seeing God for the manif estations of His favor. With Governor Bradford the perils of the land had been greater than the perils of the sea. Crops had failed, sickness abounded and death had been in their midst, but the custom established has now become a recognized holiday of rejoicing and home-coming in the whole country. There were different Thanksgiving groups of religious service, the Lutherans observing the day in their own churches and special masses were observed in the Catholic churches. Hundreds of unfortunates were remembered with well-filled baskets from the churches, Sunday schools, public schools and the Salvation Army, the Social Service Bureau furnishing the names of worthy families to the individuals and the organizations engaged in spreading Thanksgiving cheer, the spirit of giving being almost as pronounced as at Christmastide. INTERCHURCH WORLD SURVEY The Clark County Interchurch World Survey was conducted by the Rev. George I. Kain who, in 1920, was a citizen of Catawba. While county boundaries are established by law, they are not necessarily community boundaries, and neighborhoods shape themselves regardless of political surveys. Parish boundaries are governed by affinities and do not conform to any other arrangement. They overlap and come into economic conflict and the purpose of the Interchurch World Movement was to correct such evils. However, prejudices are not easily removed and many communities that would support one church without difficulty still contribute to a number of churches. It is said that denominationalism may keep some out of heaven, and thus over- - 135 - 136 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY churched and under-churched communities still exist, the great economic movement failing in its purpose. The map made by the Reverend Kain shows that many families travel long distances to church, while churches near them languish for need of their support, and the same thing holds in town as in the country. While the report of the local survey is not available, since the majority of Clark County farmers own the land, the decadence of the rural church is not so apparent, although here and there are abandoned churches. It is sclap-boardedin general that the, clap-hoarded, weather-scarred rural church has joined the one-room rural school, and is relegated to past history. Before there were automobiles and smooth roads, there was better rural church attendance. The lack of leadership is the difficulty in some communities. The survey made by the Ohio Federation of Churches indicates the passing of the rural church, and attributes it to the changing economic and social conditions—better roads and ownership of automobiles. The town church is adjured to take its rural members into consideration. While Clark is not a representative county f rom the standpoint of abandoned churches, the secretary of the Ohio Federation reports that in fifty counties the average is twelve abandoned churches. "The future should see Ohio dotted with strong, active churches at .community centers, reaching out as far as necessary into surrounding rural territory, to fill the place once occupied by country churches ministering to comparatively small neighborhood groups." Every township has its religious centers, delegates coming from them to local conventions. An item recently published says : "The Mill Creek School will be sold at auction in the near future by the Springfield township school board and those in charge of the community sale hope to raise sufficient funds with which to bid in the building. It will then be used as a church and public meeting place for persons residing in that vicinity. Many farmers have agreed to put up certain articles and animals for sale, and will donate a certain percent of the sale price to the fund," and that is just one of many instances, community centers being formed without denominational control or leadership. While it is a "sign of the times" that the rural church is to be abandoned, a squib reads : "But our grandfathers and grandmothers and for some of us our fathers and mothers still remember the time-honored building with the bell in the tower that used to ring out of a Sabbath morning, calling the countryside to worship. Old Dobbin used to draw the phaeton with the whole family tucked away inside of it. Today the automobile has become so much a part of the community life that the whole family attends church in town with more ease than it used to reach the rural center, and headway along one line means backward movement along others. The automobile explains the decline of the village and rural ministry" and the "circuit-rider" presents a different picture today. The parson's wife one time gave away their secret : "Where the pot boils the strongest Is where we always stay the longest," but that was in the time when the minister's horse knew all the best corn cribs in Clark County. SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY - 137 METHODISM IN SPRINGFIELD What Arthur L. Slager writes about one particular denomination seems applicable to others : "In the search for reliable data as to the genesis of Methodism in Springfield, it was found that the records of the early societies of the church, if any had existed, were lost," but to Mrs. Walter Smallwood is accorded the honor of being the first active Methodist woman in Springfield. Her husband was a blacksmith who located in the town in 1804 and while he was not active in church affairs, she was a woman of superior intelligence. She was the mother of six children and she "brought the mountain to Mohamet" by instituting religious service in her home. One writer speaks of Mrs. Smallwood as a morning star in the opening of the religious day. She was a woman singularly gifted in prayer and for a time her home was the religious center of Springfield. The Ohio Conference, including southern Michigan and northern Kentucky, had no stationed ministers, although as early as 1805 the Rev. John Thompson was in charge in Springfield. While the groves were the temples, and the songsters were the birds of the air, the voice of the minister was seldom heard, but after a time there was preaching every three or f our weeks by ministers of the Miami M. E. Circuit established in 1800 and reaching from Cincinnati "as far back as there were inhabitants," and thus Springfield was taken care of, and in the f all of 1806 a church was organized with "twelve to eighteen members." Prior to the time of organization, the Methodists had frequently held services in the Pinkered School and not until 1814 did they build a church—just ten years from the coming of Mrs. Smallwood. Succeeding the Rev. John Thompson in 1807 was the Rev. A. McGuire, who served through 1808, and then the list of names is not given, but when the church was built on Market and North streets the town lots were not enclosed, and people did not follow the streets. The ground was covered with scrub oak, hazel and plum bushes, and since there were foot paths people went across lots with torches whenever there were services in the evening, the paths leading from all directions to the church. It was the second house of worship built in Springfield. At a later period, when "Father Harrison" was the incumbent minister, it is related that he talked so loud and thumped the Bible so vigorously that hero-worshiper boys were uncertain whether they wanted to become Gospel ministers or stage drivers. In the church announcements October 15, 1921, were listed High Street M. E., St. Paul M. E. Grace M. E., Central M. E., Clifton Avenue M. E., Story-Hypes Memorial M. E., of Springfield, besides Fletcher Chapel and Brighton, and there are Methodist churches in South Charleston, New Carlisle, South Vienna and Catawba, and in writing of the church in New Carlisle, W. H. Sterrett says the first meeting house was' built in 1820, although a class had been organized three years earlier. The poverty of the members is assigned for the reason of delay in building. "So little money was in circulation that payment for labor was made without passing the coin" and the description of this church will serve for others. It was frame twenty by thirty, and the roof was of clapboards held in place by trunks of trees six or eight inches in diameter, and reaching the whole length of the building; they were weight poles. There were 138 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY eave-bearer logs which supported the clapboard roof and no nails were used in it. What few nails were used at all were made by the local blacksmith out of scraps of iron furnished by the members. The house was weather-boarded up and down with poplar boards about 16 inches wide and strips were nailed over the cracks. It was all unseasoned timber and warped in the course of time. There was a batten door hung with strap hinges and opened with a thumb latch, both hinges and latch hammered out by the blacksmith. There were two windows on each side, with f our panes of glass 8 by 10 inches, and the shutters were of solid boards. Mr. Sterritt was uncertain how this church was heated, but suggested the fireplace, while some conjectured that warming pans filled with charcoal served the purpose. It was lighted by tallow candles held by sheet iron holders hung against the wall. When the tallow melted and the candlewick bent over, the caretaker snuffed the candles. The candle snuffers, made of iron with short prongs with a box to hold the burnt accumulation, were indispensable articles. Boards were used for seats with pins for legs that elevated them two feet from the floor. The child was uncomfortable because it had to swing its feet, and when a man and his wife entered they parted company at the door. There were no family pews in the churches of that period. When young men accompanied young women they separated at the door and lined up outside after the service. Had they sat together there would have been no asking for the pleasure of company on the outside. The seats had no backs except those in the "Amen corner," designed for the members alone. The pulpit, which was a box with doors, was built on a platform, and when the preacher entered he closed the doors. They were hung on strap hinges. There was a small bench and when the minister was seated only his head was visible. Both Finley and Dow occupied this pulpit. One time a minister had overlooked bringing his spectacles to the service, and when he explained "Mine eyes are dim, I cannot see, I've left my specks at home," the congregation sang the words. Because of the lack of hymn books they were used to the minister lining the hymns, and they sang, perhaps, "without the spirit and understanding," and while the New Carlisle booklet says the minister changed the order by offering prayer, the stock story relates that he next said : "I did not mean it for a hymn, I only said mine eyes are dim," and again the congregation sang the words. Because he was without his spectacles, the New Carlisle minister announced his text "Endure as a good soldier," assuring the congregation that it was to be found "somewhere between the lids of the Bible." In 1834 the congregation had a new church and seats with backs, and it was heated with stoves, some of the older members objecting to the method of heating, but "when the wind blows it implants the roots of faith that much deeper," and the story is parallel to the one about the deacon who objected to a chandelier, saying no one could play on it. SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY - 139 In a review of Methodism Dr. Isaac Kay included the name of Rev. Saul Henkle in a list with the Revs. T. Milligan, J. Davidson, W. Mitchell, Hezekiah Shaw and William Young, although other accounts identify him with different denominations. He was an unusual character. He walked when coming into the community, his wif e with a two-months' old child riding the horse. Dr. Kay writes: "Rev. Saul Henkle was the first settled minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Springfield. He lived in the Archibald Lowry log tavern until 1825, and he was most active in community affairs." His ministerial life covered a period of twenty-eight years, during which time he preached almost constantly and was present at almost every marriage -and funeral. In 1827 he edited and published a religious paper called "The Gospel Trumpet," performing the labor himself at his residence. One account says that when the itinerant Methodist preacher started on his rounds, it took him four weeks to fill all his appointments. His mode of travel was horseback and his dress and equipment most primitive. In his saddle bags he carried a change of raiment, Bible, hymn book and discipline, his mission being to preach and organize new classes, but Henkle did not conform to such a list of requirements. He was a fixture in Springfield. A news item says : "There are about 425,000 members in the 2,500 Methodist Episcopal churches of Ohio, served by 1,160 pastors. Ohio has more Methodists and contributed more money to Methodist funds than any other equal territory in the world," the Centenary meeting held in Columbus in 1919 emphasizing that f act. Like other denominations, the Springfield and Clark County Methodists are adapting themselves to the changed methods, giving church night dinners and attracting people to the services. Since cornerstones are milestones, Central M. E. Church seems to represent the original church, its cornerstone bearing four dates-1805, 1834, 1862 and 1912—although the first building was erected in 1814 and is not enumerated in this chronology. Central and High Street churches are of modern architecture and each community has excellent church property. In some instances community houses are provided in addition to the church property. NEW LIGHT CHRISTIANS While this denomination had the first house of worship in Clark County at Knob Prairie, and it had the first church building in Springfield in 1810, it only functioned about fifteen years, being abandoned in 1825 and out of existence till 1881, when a series of meetings was held in Black's Opera House, and some of the foremost ministers of the denomination have filled its pulpit. It is known as Summerbell Memorial Church and is creedless in contradistinction to other churches bearing the name Christian. Knob Prairie and Summerbell Memorial are in line with the theology of Antioch College. PRESBYTERIANISM IN SPRINGFIELD In 1856, when a settler en route to Clark County was following the National Road through Columbus, some one asked what church he affiliated with, and he said he was a Presbyterian. The Columbus man then assured him: "You are all right ; they are all Presbyterians in 140 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY Springfield." One account says the Presbyterian Church was organized in 1808 and that in 1860 "it swarmed" and from that time there were First and Second Presbyterian churches, and in 1920 they combined again, abandoning the numerical names and becoming known as the Covenant Presbyterian Church, some of the members of Second going to Oakland, Northminster and to the mission now sustained by Covenant Presbyterian Church, and with the building epoch now confronting Covenant Church, landmarks of Presbyterianism will be changed in Springfield. One account says : "The First Presbyterian Church of Springfield was organized July 17, 1819, with a membership of twenty-seven," and it seems that the building to be razed on West Main Street has stood there since 1848, when it was erected at a cost of $12,000, and some of the foremost ministers of the country served the congregation. While it was an unprecedented thing in 1848, the Springfield town council purchased a clock and installed it in the spire of this church. In the beginning, Revs. Archibald Steele and Andrew W. Poage were ministers who came once a month, but on June 11, 1827, Rev. Franklin Putnam was ordained as the regular minister. It seems that Rev. Saul Henkle sometimes preached for Springfield Presbyterians, and being an editor of a religious publication, he was interested in the religious and moral advancement. A pen picture of Reverend Henkle shows him to be stoop-shouldered, slender and of ordinary height. He had a pleasant face, his manner denoting his pious calling. While he was slow of delivery he was an extempore speaker, using choice words and being both entertaining and instructive without being tedious. He died in 1837, aged fifty-five years, and coupled with his ability were as many eccentricities as are of ten found in one minister. Some of the Springfield ministers of today do not betray their calling in dress or manner—would pass muster in almost any line of activities. UNITED PRESBYTERIANS The Associate Reform Presbyterian Church, now designated as United Presbyterian, began local activities in 1817, and for nineteen years it was a branch of the Xenia church, the first minister, Rev. John Steele, coming from Kentucky and serving both the Xenia and Springfield churches, drawing .the princely salary of $500 for the combined service. When he preached in Springfield he would come on horseback from Xenia, stopping at a farm house six miles out for breakfast. He would deliver two sermons and return to Xenia for the night. In nineteen years he only failed twice to conduct the service—once his own sickness and once because of the illness of his wife. A half dozen ministers intervened before the coming of the Rev. R. H. Hume, who, since June 1, 1882, has been the incumbent minister. Mr. Hume has served this church as long as the Children of Israel wandered in the wilderness, and he holds the record for length of service in Clark County. In the early history, this church held forth in a distillery, but it is said the spirits above did not mingle with those below, the church occupying an upper hall, but in 1819. it had its own property. It built again in 1839, and its edifice was erected in 1886 that still shelters this congregation on South Limestone Street. The Presbyterians are represented in other towns, and, like other evangelistic churches, they utilize the modern methods, employing the SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY - 141 mission as an instructive means, and saying little about some of the things once emphasized. It affiliates fully with other Protestant churches. CHRIST CHURCH, EPISCOPALIAN Until 1842 Christ Church was known as All Souls Parish, having been organized as a Protestant Episcopal Church in 1834 with seventy members. A year later a building lot was purchased at the corner of High and Limestone streets, where a church was built in 1844, that served the congregation thirty years, when on May 5, 1874, its present edifice was consecrated as a place of worship. The organ in Christ Church was given to the congregation by Mrs. Asa S. Bushnell, who was a life communicant in it. The Church of the Heavenly Rest is the second Protestant Episcopal Church in Springfield, and it stands as a monument to William Foss and his wife, who donated the lot and furnished the money for the building, and contributed much toward furnishing the church. It was dedicated December 2, 1888, and serves the membership in another part of the City of Springfield. BAPTISTS IN SPRINGFIELD While there were Baptist services held in Springfield early, and a church flourished for many years on Mad River, it was not until January 29, 1836, that an organization was effected in Springfield. On May 7, that year, a Sabbath school was organized in connection with it, and on July 12 a call was extended to Rev. E. D. Owen, who became its pastor, and on August 23 it was admitted into the Mad River Baptist Association. Three Baptist churches are represented in the announcement column, aside from a Baptist church for colored people, new churches being organized in communities remote from the original church, and the denomination belongs to the early history. UNIVERSALIST CHURCH In 1833 the doctrine of Universalism was preached in Springfield by Rev. M. Fisk, and there was occasional preaching in school houses and in homes until 1837, when organization was effected and a building campaign was launched, a lot being donated on West Washington Street. Rev. George Messenger was chosen pastor, and preached the dedicatory sermon and the services are regularly held in Springfield. THE LUTHERAN CHURCH While it ranks foremost numerically with a dozen churches in Springfield and half that many rural churches in Clark County, not until May 1, 1841, was there a Lutheran church in Springfield. It was organized by Rev. John Lehman with about forty members, but when he left the community it became inoperative until 1845, when Dr. Ezra Keller came to Springfield. He was a Lutheran missionary and called a meeting in the home of Jacob Schuman, and the first communion was observed January 11, 1846, the service being held in the Clark County courthouse. A lot had been secured on West High 142 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY Street, and June 14, 1845, the cornerstone was laid for what is still Lutheran property—the First Lutheran Church—Dr. Keller being the speaker. In 1869, it was remodeled and still serves the community. A Sabbath school was organized in November, 1845, and has been in continual existence. As this church "waxed strong," branches were established until it serves all parts of the city and county—twelve Springfield churches, and rural churches at Donnelsville, Bethel and Sugar Grove, and all are missionary churches contributing of their numbers and wealth when others come into existence. The Second Lutheran Church was organized January 13, 1884, almost forty years after the first communion in First Church, but since then the missionary spirit has become more active, Second Church contributing to others as it had drawn forty-five charter members from First Lutheran Church, among them some of the most active Lutherans in Springfield. Since December 15, 1893, Rev. E. H. Dornblaser has served the Second Lutheran Church, he being the senior Lutheran minister in Springfield. He also holds the record in Wittenberg synod for a continuous pastorate, and Second Lutheran is a missionary church, having furnished forty-four ministers, wives of ministers and missionaries, f our of its members now in the foreign field. The Third and Fourth Lutheran churches were both established in the same year1887—and the Fifth in 1891, but since that time the numerical idea has not prevailed and St. Luke's and Cavalry were departures. COMING OF THE LUTHERANS An old account says that among the early settlers of Clark County came Lutherans from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina, and scarcely had their labors amid the forest scenes begun when the faithful ministers arrived to hunt up the scattered people and remind them that the claims of religion were as strong and necessary in their new surroundings as they had been back in the homes they had left. As early in 1805 there were Lutherans in Ohio, and in the '40s they were in Clark County with the church and Wittenberg College. In an early date Croft's Lutheran Chuch was established in Bethel Township and enrolled as members were the families, Croft, Snyder, Fross, Shuman, Wildason and Layton. In reminiscent way S. S. Miller wrote: "Croft's Church was built in the corner of a field. It had a vestibule ornamented by two large columns. It had a modern platform, pulpit and pews and there was a belfry. The ringing of the bell was quite a novelty to us country boys, who after hitching our horses to the rail fence, waited outside until the second ringing that would bring the minister and the Croft family from the mansion," the aforesaid mansion now being utilized as the Clark County Home and sheltering those who are unable to take care of themselves. After Wittenberg College was established it furnished student ministers for Croft's church and Mr. Miller pays tribute to Dr. Ezra Keller, who founded Wittenberg College. He started it with little means and but a small church in Springfield to support it. Sometimes Dr. Keller filled this rural pulpit himself, and it was a privilege enjoyed by all to hear a man with scholarship sufficient to found a college deliver a sermon. However, he did not live many years. SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY - 143 UNITED BRETHREN It was in March, 1843, that the Rev. Benjamin B. Wheat organized the Lagonda United Brethren Church with a membership numbering seventy, at Newcomer Chapel. In 1870 the church erected a building in Lagonda, Bishop J. J. Glossbrenner preaching the dedication sermon and while other United Brethren churches have not been organized, a number of ministers have been sent out from this church. The City of Dayton is an Ohio center for this denomination. CONGREGATIONALISM While the Congregational Church in America traces its direct lineage to the passengers in the Mayflower, who landed at Plymouth Rock, December 21, 1620, this denomination had its beginning in Springfield when some interested persons began meeting together in 1849, effecting the local organization April 28, 1850, at a meeting in the City Hall. On February 28, 1850, a group of people met in the home of Henry E. Smith and resolved to effect an organization naming it the First Orthodox Congregational Church of Springfield. They secured the services of 'Rev. J. C. White, and on April 27, an ecclesiastical council was called and they formally organized the church the following day, Reverend White remaining until October, 1854, as the minister. A building lot was given the newly organized church by W. M. Spencer, and a church was dedicated there April 28, 1853, the sermon by Rev. Nathaniel Boynton of Cincinnati, who was later National Moderator. It has had some of the most eminent men in its pulpit, E. A. Steiner being known as a writer as well as platform speaker. In 1883, a mission Sunday School was organized and Lagonda Avenue Congregational Church resulted from it. In 1886, the first Young Peoples' Society Christian Endeavor in Ohio was organized in the Springfield Congregational Church with E. A. Fay as president, and the Pilgrim Club annually invites him to preside at an anniversary meeting, other societies being their guests. The First Congregational Church recently instituted the monthly dinner in connection with the church night service and it swelled the attendance. While a nominal price is charged, it is only to pay the expense, and other churches soon adopted the same custom, looking after the physical as well as the spiritual need, thereby increasing attendance. This church established a record in connection with the Near East Relief appeal of Rev. Harry Trust at Thanksgiving, 1921, when it gave $1,209.90, the response a surprise, the money given under the impulse of the moment when the minister so graphically described the need in Armenia. GERMAN LUTHERANS In the coterie of early churches was the German Lutheran now represented by St. John's German Evangelical Lutheran and Zion's Lutheran churches, the organization effected in 1845 with seventy-five members. For a time meetings were held in the court house, and in private homes. When they assumed the name St. John's Lutheran Church, they retained Reverend Schladerm as minister. The property was sold to the Salvation Army when the present splendid edifice was built. In 1867, Zion's 144 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY Lutheran Church went out from St. John's with twenty-three families, and both have served their respective communities through many years. JEWISH WORSHIP Since November 25, 1865, when Ohev Zedukah was organized, Springfield Jews have maintained regular worship, and Temple Ohev Zedukah, built in 1917, is strictly modern. It was built by the Reform Jews. While they conform to the "spirit of the law," the Orthodox Jews observe the letter, worshiping in Temple Chessel Shad Ames. While Paul, the Apostle, was a Hebrew of the Hebrews, he did not stand on forms and ceremonies, but rather observed the spirit of the law, and the Reformed Jews have him as their pattern. Friday evening is their regular time of worship, and they observe all Jewish feast days. Both congregations maintain rabbis, and with 125 Jewish families they split fifty-fifty in their church allegiance. SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS In August, 1878, this sect had it beginning in Springfield when a series of tent meetings were held, and a number of persons formed a society- to continue regular meetings. CHRISTADELPHIAN This society was organized in 1868 in Springfield with a membership numbering thirty. They still meet in private homes, although at times they have used public halls. For many years Dr. William H. Reeves was their leader. They do not engage ministers, but all are free to have part in the service. DISCIPLES OF CHRIST On September 5, 1886, the Disciples' Church of Christ was organized in Springfield, under the leadership of Rev. Alexander Campbell of Cincinnati. While the congregation was a long time completing its house of worship, the church was dedicated in 1894, Governor Ira B. Chase of Indiana preaching the sermon. SOCIETY OF FRIENDS While both Orthodox and Hicksite Friends are located in Clark County, their churches are at Selma. The Orthodox Friend or Quaker Church is in Selma, while the Hicksite Church is between Selma and South Charleston. There were many Quakers attracted to the Northwest Territory because slavery was excluded, and Wilmington Yearly Meeting of Friends is their religious center in western Ohio, there being another Yearly Meeting .in Columbiana County. While Quakers are no longer distinguished by their language or garb, they are a peace-loving people, and in the days of Under Ground Railroad activities, Selma was a station. Because of the Quakers there have been many negroes in the southern part of Clark County. Refugee slave stories are still repeated about Selma and South Charleston. SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY - 145 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE The First Church of Christ, Scientist, was organized in Springfield in 1890, although a charter was not obtained until 1900, when forty persons became charter members. For a time meetings were held in the homes of members, and later Union Hall became the center. While the church numbers eighty members, about 120 persons attend the service. The Scientist Church maintains a reading room where literature is available. A lot has been purchased on East High Street, and a church will be built. A second group of Scientists meeting in Hotel Shawnee has acquired the Black homestead, and it will be remodeled as a church building. This group numbers about eighty persons in its service. The Church of the Living God, Church of the Brethren, Mennonites and Apostolic Faith—many denominations of later period, and the Clark County Ministerial Association is a religious clearing house—a common ground for all Christians. Meetings are held every two weeks in the Springfield Y. M. C. A., and while doctrinal questions are sometimes discussed, the Ministerial Association avoids friction. While the pioneer type of preacher did not concede many things in order that the "Brethren might dwell together in unity," there is some common ground, and the Ministerial Association has regard for all. The spiritual arithmetic—one can put 1,000 to flight, and two can move 10,000—shows the value of united effort, is a plea for organization, and there is a spirit of liberty in the meetings. While ministers "have no continuing city," some have remained many years in Springfield. The annual membership fee is 50 cents payable in October, and there is sufficient variety about the programs to attract friends outside the ministry. THE STRANGER IN THE CHURCH Mention is elsewhere made of the tablets erected in Springfield churches, and the bulletins issued weekly give out the necessary information. When Laura Smith reported her experiences in many churches several years ago in The Ladies' Home Journal a wave of protest swept the country, and were she to attend church in Springfield she would modify her assertions. The church bulletin with the line: "A friendly church invites you," or "This is the church that always invites you to come again," would disarm her, and with the minister in the vestibule, she would have to leave through the window if she escaped attention. Some of the laity second the efforts of the minister, and the stranger does not f eel himself neglected in Springfield. It is said that sermons like women's dresses should cover the subject, and the topics announced October 15, 1921, were as follows : Rev. J. Bradley Markward, "The Coming of the Kingdom" ; Reverend. Dornblaser, "Sin" ; Rev. F. E. Leamer, "Wanted, Men of Vision" ; Rev. L. H. Larimer, "Ways to Have a Happy and a Prosperous Church Home" ; Rev. Eli Miller, "Walking in Love" ; Rev. J. C. Inman, "The Church of the Brethren—Past, Present and Future" ; Rev. Elmo B. Higham, "Contrasts in Christianity and Life" ; Rev. I. W. McLaughlin, "Reception of Members" ; Rev. George W. Osmun, "Has the Church a Creed of Happiness ?"; Rev. C. H. LaRue, "A Working Man's Religion" ; Rev. Hough Houston, "The Double Abiding" ; Rev. Harry Trust, "We Need Optimists—Are You One ?" ; Rev. Robert Bruce Smith, "The Christian Vol. I-10 146 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY Conception of the Holy Spirit"; Rev. Ryan Adams, "First Things First"; Dr. Bruce Birch, "Relation of Young People to the Church"; Rev. R. H. Hume, "The Power of the Invisible" ; Rev. Edgar Puntenney Smith, "Secret Prayer the Royal Road to Spiritual Power' ; Rev. W. C. Nisonger, "The Christian"; and while there were other announcements, subjects were withheld except First Church of Christ, Scientist, whose leader read the "Doctrine of Atonement." The subjects under consideration show a wide range of study in Springfield pulpits ; in another Ohio city an invalid who never attended church read the announced sermon topics in bewilderment, wondering about the drift in theology. In a local newspaper forum .appeared the inquiry as to whether "the modern cults as founded by Martin Luther, Simon Menno, John Calvin, John Knox, John Wesley, John Alexander Dowie, Pastor Russell or Mary Baker Eddy equal or surpass the religion founded by Jesus Christ 2000 years ago," showing that the laity is inclined to delve into some of the knotty questions. In an -address recently on "The Humorous Side of the Ministry," a Springfield preacher emphasized the fact that ministers of the Gospel are human, and that they possess the sense of humor. One source of amusement to the minister is the laity who assume piety in his presence, a thing that seldom escapes his attention. One Springfield minister regretted the fact that ministers as a rule do not remain long enough in one community to build their own home or to become enrolled among the citizens in the county history, and under the spell of the moment he wrote his name on an order—and here's hoping he may sometime build the house for himself. While tithing is the Bible plan of giving, and the idea still prevails that when thieves rob the missionary box, the money goes to the heathen, it is urged that church members of today give but little more than their grandfathers gave toward the advancement of the interests of church, despite the fact that the aggregate wealth is much greater than in generations past.. "A man still may be a respectable member of a fashionable city church, ride in an $8,000 automobile, and pay 25 cents a week for his religion ; the Christian people of America have been treating their Creator with less consideration than that which they accord the waiter in a restaurant." The churches in Springfield and Clark County have adopted the budget system, and the finance is arranged at the annual meeting; the every member canvass divides the responsibility, and drives—there are drives for everything. Church members are used to giving, and community efforts always rest on the shoulders, of those trained in church financing; the church has recognition from all sources, although not all who live in the community ally themselves with it. The Grand Old Man of England, William E. Gladstone, once said : "I go to church on the Sabbath day not because I believe in religion, but because I love England," and others have found it difficult to establish the line of demarcation between religion and patriotism, the love of God not always predominating the love of country. CHAPTER XVII CATHOLICS IN CLARK COUNTY The data used in this chapter was assembled by Judge G. W. Tehan, who says no authentic record of the first Catholics to settle in Clark County is available ; no parish record was kept until August, 1849, the time of the creation of St. Raphael Parish. The first pastor was Rev. Father James Kearney ; ground had been purchased in 1848, and the first church of St. Raphael was erected largely through the generosity of Michael P. Cassilly. Prior to this time the Catholics in and about Springfield were ministered to by missionary priests. The early Catholics were always forerunners of transportation, and about 1835 and during the succeeding ten years a number of Catholic families located in and about Springfield. Those who came early were mostly Irish, among them Patrick Rockett, Timothy Riordan, William Griblenhoff, Nicholas Spanenberger, Wendelin Pappert, L. Cuymus, Joseph Bauer, John and Francis Creighton, John Doyle, M. Barneat, Michael Kelly, Adam Hyle,. Patrick and John Tehan, Henry Quinn, John Schutte, David Clancy, Francis Shrimp, John Connors, Joseph Lebold, Michael O'Brien, Michael Kennedy, and a few others whose names are unknown. From 1845 to 1850 there was a great influx of Catholics into Clark County, among them Patrick and James Hennessy, Peter and Thomas Lynch, Francis McConnell, Simon Quill, Matthew Green, Michael Condron, Matthew Bolan, Sylvester Digan, Anthony Cavanaugh, James Quinn, Patrick Clark, William Burns, Hugh Farney, Patrick Casey, Patrick Meehan, Jeremiah Foley, Bartholomew Doyle, James O'Brien, Mrs. Bridget Henry, Patrick McDonald, Patrick and Daniel Doyle, James Owen, Thomas O'Brien, Patrick and Charles Biggins, Henry and Martin Gibbons, John Flanagan, Matthew and Patrick Carlos, Peter, Luke, Patrick and John Cox, John Douglas, Andrew Meehan, Patrick Shinners, Thomas McLane, Lawrence Hays, Michael Murphy, John Bellow, Thomas Carroll, Michael Dillon, John Sullivan, Hugh Sweeney, John Kenney, Michael Ging, Dennis and John Shea, Dennis Clancey, Patrick Dillon, Eugene McCune, Thomas Conway and Michael Hart. A little later came Anthony Hines, Thomas O'Brien, B. Enright, Thomas, Andrew and Michael Gallagher, John Maddigan, Peter Seward, M. Werngartner, James Fitzgerald, M. Monaghan, Patrick O'Brien, Michael, Patrick and John Bolan, William Regan, Richard Burns, Dennis Hagan, Owen Gallagher, Michael Condron, Michael Rule, John McGarr, Francis Daugherty, James Burke, Jeremiah Vronin, Hugh Hart, Peter and Michael Madden, Christopher Kelly, Joseph Gunder, Andrew Haas, John Carr, John Milan, Patrick and James North, Michael Dargen, John and Michael Hughes, Martin Quaid, Daniel Tehan, Thomas Shaw,. William Ford, Richard Walsh, Anthony Ray, and others. As far as can be ascertained, the first priest to visit Springfield was Rev. Henry Damien Junker of Dayton, who celebrated Mass in the residence of William Griblenhoffer ; from 1844 to 1857 he was pastor of Emmanuel Church in Dayton. The exact dates of his Springfield visits are unknown ; it was a separate mission until 1849, and it is - 147 - 148 - SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY assumed that he had charge from 1844 till that time, when the parish was created. Father Junker was born in 1809 in France ; in early manhood he came to America and was his ecclesiastical studies in w the old Seminary in Cincinnati ; he as ordained on Passion Sunday in 1834, being the first to receive ordination at the hands of Cincinnati's first archbishop. His first charge was in Cincinnati, becoming pastor of Holy Trinity Church, in 1837 he went to Canton, thence to Chillicothe, attending as missions Circleville; Piketown, Delaware, Columbus and Portsmouth. In 1844 he was transferred to Dayton ; from this center he attended. Belief ontaine, West Liberty, Xenia, Lebanon, and Springfield. On April 26, 1857, Reverend Junker was consecrated Bishop of Alton, Illinois, and October 2, 1868, he died there. Beside Bishop Junker there were two other priests who attended Springfield up to 1849 ; they were brothers—Revs. J. J. O'Mealy and Patrick O'Mealy. Rev. J. J. O'Mealy was born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1809; he made his studies in Rome, France and Cincinnati. Soon after ordination he was made Rector of the Diocesan Seminary, then situated in Brown County; he died in Springfield,- October 20, '1856, and was buried in Dayton. ST. RAPHAEL, 1849 From the. year 1849 St. Raphael Parish may date its history as a distinct congregation, attended by its own pastor. This position was first filled by Rev. James Kearney ; in August, 1849, he began the first parish register. In 1850 Reverend Kearney was succeeded by Rev. Maurice Howard, who presided over the destinies of the parish until 1863, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. D. Cogan ; he only had the parish a few months, and in January 1864, Rev. J. N. Thisse became pastor. In 1865-66 St. Raphael was remodeled by adding to its length, and otherwise beautifying its appointments; .in 1867 it was dedicated by Bishop Rosencrans. Uuntil 1865 the pastoral residence was in the rear of the church; at this time Father Thisse purchased a separate residence. CATHOLIC SCHOOL The first Catholic school was taught in, the. basement of the church in the pastorate of Father Howard ; afterward a small frame building was purchased by Father Thisse. It stood on the site of the present grammar school building, and served its purpose well for several years. Up to the year 1868, one priest was able to take care of the people of St. Raphael and the missions, South Charleston and Yellow Springs ; in that year the numbers had increased to such an extent that it was necessary to have an assistant pastor. There are now four congregations in Springfield, and one at South Charleston, making five parishes in Clark County. St. Raphael parish is presided over by Monseigneur Daniel A. Buckley and Rev. Fathers Edward J. Quinn and Leo M. Walsh. St. Joseph congregation is in charge of Rev. M. J. Loney, assisted by Rev. Charles E. Spence ; at St. Bernard Catholic Church, Rev. J. H. Metzdorf is pastor, and Rev. Urban Koehl, assistant pastor. St. Mary's Catholic Church is a new congregation just recently established in the western part of Springfield, its pastor is Rev. John McGlinchy. SPRINGFIELD AND CLARK COUNTY - 149 After the death of Father Thisse in May, 1873, he was succeeded by Rev. Father William H. Sidley, whose stately and dignified demeanor and patriotic, civic and charitable activities endeared him to all classes and creeds ; he is affectionately remembered by large numbers of the citizens of Springfield. He died in 1903, and was succeeded by the present pastor, Monseigneur Buckley. St. Raphael Parish has made great strides under the very able leadership of Monseigneur Buckley ; the church erected under the pastorate of Father Sidley has been greatly improved in the way of plumbing, heating and lighting; it has marble altars, railings and wainscoting and tile floors. Today it is the finest church edifice in Springfield. Aside from his religious zeal, Monseigneur Buckley has shown great constructive and business ability ; he has added materially to the real estate holdings of the congregation, until it now owns the entire frontage on the south side of East High Street from Spring to Gallagher, except the Miller property. HIGH SCHOOL PROPERTY A strictly modern and commodious high school building has been erected on the corner of High and Gallagher streets, and just recently a large addition has been added to same, so that now the high school building is complete in every detail, with study rooms, recitation rooms and lecture halls, chemics and physics laboratory, gymnasium and everything that is found in any first class high school building; at the time of its dedication, a very handsome American flag was presented to the school by the Hon. Judson Harmon, then Governor of Ohio. The G. A. R. State Convention was being held in Springfield, and it was a most inspiring and patriotic sight when Governor Harmon surrounded by his military staff, and the State Grand Army officials assembled on the platform erected in front of the school for the flag presentation ceremonies. All of the Catholic schools in the city are taught by the Sisters of Charity ; all stand high in the matter of educational requirements. In 1861 the German members of St. Raphael anxious to hear the word of God in their own language, organized a separate congregation known as St. Bernard ; this congregation has grown and prospered, and today it has a new school and high school building, and is erecting a new residence for its pastor on Lagonda Avenue, adjoining the church. Beginning with the year 1877, Springfield grew rapidly in population and business interests ; as the population increased the Catholic portion kept pace with it, and as the two churches and schools became too small, it was evident that a new church and school were necessary. On account of the erection of the East Street shops, this increase was apparent in the southeastern part of Springfield. In 1881 three lots were purchased on the corner of Kenton Street and Central Avenue; in 1882 the erection of a large three-story school house was begun, the first story providing a commodious room suitable for church service. In October, 1883, the school was opened and services were regularly held in the church ; it was called St. Joseph, and Rev. C. M. Berding was the first pastor, while the Rev. J. M. Loney is the present pastor ; he has made numerous additions and improvements, notably the erection of a commodious personage on the corner opposite the church.