HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO - 157
CHAPTER XII.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
THE SECOND I STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN— MOXAHALA AVENUE METHODIST EPISCOPAL—ST. JAMES. EPISCOPAL LUTHERAN—FIRST BAPTIST—ST. THOMAS' [ROMAN CATHOLIC] — SOUTH STREET AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL—MARKET STREET BAP-
158 - HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
TIST-SEVENTH STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL - ST. NICHOLAS' [ROMAN CATHOLIC-GERMAN] -TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN-SECOND PRESBYTERIAN-ZION BAPTIST [COLORED]- PUTNAM PRESBYTERIAN-THIRD BAPTIST [COLORED]-UNITED BRETHREN 1N CHRIST-K'NESETH ISRAEL-SOUTH STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL-HUNGARIAN BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION -AFRICAN WESLEYAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL- THE WELSH CHURCH [UNION SUNDAY SCHOOL].
The churches of Zanesville have maintained a steady growth, and, notwithstanding the denominational differences, will be found to have the Spirit of the Master pervading them, as any one may observe who becomes even slightly acquainted with their workings. They appear in this chapter in the order of their organization, as follows :
HISTORY OF THE SECOND STREET METHODIST
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Rv JOHN W. KING.
Before the year 1800, there was no preacher here—and we have no means of knowing who were members. In that year, the Western Conference, which included all of the territory west of the Alleghany Mountains, sent John Stoneman to the work on the Muskingum and Hocking rivers. His field of labor was some three hundred miles wide. He was followed, in 1801, by J. P. Chenowort, who was succeeded, in 1802, by N. B. Mills, and he, in 1803, by William Reed.
In 1804, the Ohio District of the Western Conference was formed, with William Burk as Presiding Elder, and George Askins was appointed to the work in this part of the State. [Rev. John Goshen held the first Love-Feast ever held in Zanesville, in 1805 ; among the prominent Methodists of that time, were : "Mother Goff," Samuel Parker and wife, and Mrs. Dr. Hillier —according to E. H. Church.] Mr. Askins was followed by James Quinn and John Meek. They were succeeded, in 1806, by Luther Taylor ; and, in 1807, came that man of wonderful life— Peter Cartwright. In 1808, there is a doubt as to who labored in this field, but it is believed that Isaac Quinn and William Patterson were here. In 1809, the Muskingum District was formed, out of part of the Ohio District, and James Quinn was appointed Presiding Elder, and James Watts and Ralph Lotspeed were appointed to our part of the District. In 1810, William Sale was Presiding Elder, with no change made in the preachers. The following year, came John Stronge and Jacob Mills. In 1812, James B. Finley was appointed, and this was thought a promising field.
Our present Ohio Conference was formed in 183, including the Muskingum District, and in it we first find the name of Zanesville as an appointment, which is as follows :
Year. - Presiding Elders. - Preachers.
1813 - David Young, - John Clingan,
1814 - “ - William Dixon,
1815 - “ - Joseph Kinkead,
1816 - Jacob Young, - William Knox,
1817 - “ - John Waterman, Thomas Carr,
1818 - “ - John Tivis, Samuel Glaze,
1819 - “ - Thomas A. Morris, Charles Elliott,
1820 - Jonathan Stamper - Thomas A. Morris, Sam'l C. Brockemier
1821 - Charles Waddle - James Hooper, Archibald McElroy,
1822 - Jacob Young, - Leroy Swormstead, Moses M. Hinkle.
The next year the Zanesville station and the Zanesville circuit were constituted distinct, separate appointments, in the Lancaster District, with Jacob Young as its Presiding Elder, and John P. Durbin sent to Zanesville as its first Methodist Episcopal preacher, during its first year as a station', fifty-seven years ago. A memorable space of shining years—freighted with "showers of mercy," and spiritual harvests, during which the membership has grown to one thousand eight hundred and twenty-three. How long the roll on this shore, and how many names are written in the Book of Life on the other shore ?
Year. Presiding Elders. Preachers.
1824 - Jacob Young, - L. Swormstead,
1825 - “ - James Quinn,
1826 - “ - David Young,
1827 - David Young, - Joseph Carper,
1828 - “ - W. B. Christie,
1829 - “ - Nathan Emery,
1830 - “ - “
1831 - L. Swormstead - Absalom D. Fox.
The next year, Putnam was first made a, preaching place, and James Gibruth and Abner Goff appointed there. In 1832, L. Swormstead was Presiding Elder, and Zanesville had J. M. Trimble. In 1833, the Zanesville District of the Ohio Conference was first formed, and the appointments were as follows :
Year Presiding Elders. Preachers.
1833 - L. Swormstead, - J. M. Trimble
1834 - “ - Absalom D. Fox
1835 - J. Faree, - David Whitcomb
1836 - D. Young, - David Whitcomb, James Courtney
1837 - “ - William Simmons
1838 - “ - William H. Lawder
1839 - Robert 0. Spencer, - William H. Lawder
1840 - “ - Uriah Heath, John W. Stone
1841 - “ - Uriah Heath, W. R. Davis
1842 - “ - W. J. Ellsworth, J. F. Conway
1843 - J. B. Finley, - W. J. Ellsworth, Jos. A. Waterman
1844 - “ - William Young, J. A. Waterman.
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO - 159
The next year, the society of Seventh Street was formed from the Second Street Church, by geographical lines, and the church whose record we have been tracing was thenceforth known as Second Street Church.
Year. Presiding Elders. Preachers.
1845 - J. B. Finley, George E. Crum.
1846 - J. M. Jamison, “
1847 - “ M. Dustin.
1848 - “ ”
1849 - Jacob Young, Asbury Lowery.
1850 - “ ”
1851 - “ E, M. Boring.
1852 - J. M. Trimble, J. W. White.
1853 - “ ”
1854 - “ J. A. Bruner..
1855 - “ ”
1856 - J. W. White, Ansel Brooks.
1857 - “ ”
1858 - “ J. A. Frazier.
1859 - “ ”
1860 - J. A. Frazier, Benjamin St. J. Fry.
1861 - “ J. A. Creighton.
1862 - “ ”
1863 - “ H. K. Foster.
1864 - D. D. Mather, “
1865 - “ D. H. Moore.
1866 - T. H. Phillips, “
This year the South Street Mission Church was established, with A. H. Windsor, preacher in charge.
Year Presiding Elders. Preachers.
1867 - T. H. Phillips, D. H. Moore.
1868. - William Porter, Thomas R. Taylor.
1869 - “ ”
1870 - “ Isaac Crook
1871 - “ ”
1872 - L. Cunningham, “
1873 - “ J. W. Peters.
1874 - “ ”
1875 - “ ”
1876 - M. T. Harvey O. J. Nave.
1877 - “ ”
1878 - “ James Hill
1879 - “ ”
1880 - James Hill, W. M. Mullenix.
In the beginning they worshiped and held prayer meetings in the Court House. Several buildings have been built upon the church lot, according to the memory of some who can recall the of this "sheepfold," and it is much to be regretted that we have no picture of our first humble church home.
The first church was commenced in 1813. It was a one-story frame, forty by sixty feet, with gable end toward Second street, with two doors in that end, each opening into an aisle. In the center, between the aisles, was a partition ; the men sat on one side, and the women on the other. It had, for a long time, no floor, because the builders, Thomas Moorehead and William Craig, were unable to get seasoned lumber to
* Transferred from the Kentucky Conference, and appointed to this charge, October 9th, by Bishop Peck ; came to his field of labor, November 15th, 1880.
finish it up with. This was borne with patiently, as many hours had been spent happily by our fathers and mothers in log cabins, with earthen floors. The lumber for the floor was ricked up in the west end of the building, to season, and on it a four-legged sewing stand served as a pulpit ; behind it was the preacher's unpainted, but well seasoned, wooden chair. The people sat on the flat upper surface of the sills of the building. There were four large hewed posts in the room, to support the ceiling and roof. Gilbert Blue finished up the inside of the house the next spring, and Jas. Gurley, brother of our much esteemed L. B. Gurley, presented the society with two chandeliers, which were swung on pulleys from the ceiling. The doors were hung by strap hinges, and opened by wrought iron thumb latches. This building continued in use until 1830, when the second house was erected, which was of brick, and stood in front of the old frame. James Millis took an active part in its erection. The church was one-story high, and had a regular old-fashioned meeting-house look. Four windows on the north side, and four on the south, and two in the west end, with the pulpit between ; and, though very plain, was comfortable. From its pulpit, from 1830 to 1860, eloquent, aye, thrilling sermons, were uttered, which so stirred the members that Methodism took a strong hold, and grew rapidly in the city.
The present house (which is the third) was built in 1860. During the time of its erection, the congregation occupied the old church (Radical) on South street, the present A. M. E. Church. The plan was obtained by a committee, appointed for the purpose, in Washington City. It is commodious, and in good taste, a credit to the committee, and a very satisfactory church, with very neat and comfortable sittings, and has now a very fine pipe organ. The following are the title papers by which the property is held : The first record is found February 2d, 1814, Record "D," p. 314, and is as follows :
" JONATHAN ZANE and HANNAH, his wife ;
JOHN MCINTIRE and SARAH, his wife ;
To CHRISTIAN SPANGLER,
SAMUEL FRAZEY,
JESSE MILLER,
JAMES VICKERS,
JOSEPH HAWKINS,
JOHN SPRY,
BARNEY MONROE,
Trustees, and their successors.
"Consideration, $100.00, specie. Lot 8 rods east and west, and 8 rods north and south, and being lot No. 8, in square No. 3, in the present plat of the city of Zanesville."
Date, February 2d, 1814.
The deed contains, among other provisions, the following : Said Trustees shall erect thereon a house of worship, for the use of the members of the M. E. Church, in the United States of America, according to the rules and discipline which from time to time, shall be adopted by the General Conference. Also, the trustees shall
160 - HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
forever permit such ministers and preachers belonging to said church as are autborized by the General Conference and the Annual Conference to preach and expound God's holy word therein. And in further trust that the board shall be kept up to seven members. And further, that if, at any time' any Trustee advances any money on account of said premises, the board is authorized. to mortgage the premises, and to sell them, on giving notice to the preacher in charge, if the money is not repaid in one year from such notice. Should any sale be made under such circumstances, the surplus shall be deposited in the hands of the Stewards of the society, to be disposed of by the next Annual Conference for the best interests of this society. The deed is a general warranty in form, but, while Zane and wife are named in it in every place as grantors, their names are not subscribed, but those of McIntire and wife are, and the presumption is that Zane and wife disposed of their interest in the real estate to John McIntire, between the date of writing and the date of executing said deed. The witnesses were William Craig and Amelia McIntire. Craig was the Justice of the Peace who took the acknowledgment. The following is a provision by Rev. David Young, for erecting a church on this ground. The will bears date October 3d, 1857, and was admitted to probate in Muskingum county, Ohio, November 3, 1858.
He gave his books to the Trustees of this church, to hold in trust for the benefit of the ministers in charge ; he gave $12,000 to the Trustees, to be immediately expended in the erection, (on the ground described in the deed by Zane and wife and McIntire and wife,) of a good, substantial, neat house of worship, having a basement story, entered above ground, for the use and occupancy of the M. E. Church, by the ministers and members, according to the discipline, usages and regulations thereof. The seats in said house of worship to be forever free ; and any departure from this requisition, as to free seats, shall work a forfeiture of the whole of said sum of $12,000. And the trustees in office at the time of the occurrence of any such forfeiture, shall be individually liable to refund to his heirs at law the whole of said $12,000. It was furthermore provided, that if any additional sum over said $12,000 be needed to build said church, that it should be raised,_on bonds, so that no debt should be on the house at its dedication. And further provided, that if Daniel Brush should be alive at the time this church was to be built, that he should design the form and proportions of the house.
He appointed as executors : Daniel Brush, John Dillon, Jr., Natnah Guttrell, John Taylor, Jr., and Austin Berry.
We append some incidents of interest, connected with revivals, prayer meetings, class meetings, and some of the members of the church. The following, relative to the revival during the ministration of Rev. D. H. Moore, is from Rev. Geo. W. Barnes.
The church had some strong and true men and women, who cordially received their young and handsome pastor, and assured him of their hearty co-operation. He was vigorous, ambitious and devoted, full of tact and practical sense. He saw a great work to be done, and felt that under God he must succeed. He entered upon a series of meetings, which at first were small. His watchful eye detected the interest manifested by a young man, and he invited seekers to the altar. Eternal interests hung upon the decisions of that moment. George Burns led the way, and knelt as a seeker. James Baird and John Frazur soon followed, not by pre-arrangement, for they were strangers to each other. That three young men should go forward at the first invitation, was a matter of astonishment that electrified the church. The pastor read the signs, and carried the meeting into the audience room, where no prayer meeting had ever been held, and for three months, day and night, old Second Street never has a more orderly, well sustained, successful revival. John Rogers, the old blacksmith, the Moses of the church, slow in speech and meek, was at the altar to welcome and lead them to the Savior, whom he knew so well. And Samuel Wiles, with his charming voice and mind well stored with scripture, a courtly christian gentleman, whose kindly heart, was overflowing with sympathy, helped many a young man into the kingdom. We recall the names of some who have answered to their names on the other shore : Francis Cassiday, Samuel J. Cox, Daniel Brush, Father Flowers, and Alexander Sullivan,
Nearly 200 souls were converted in this meeting, and many of them are useful members of the church to-day. Two of them are members of the Ohio Conference. A number have died, triumphant in the faith.
The first class meeting was held in a cabin, built on the ground where Jones & Abbot's foundry (on Third street) now stands. This was in 1808, and was led by Father John Goshen. These class meetings were seasons of soul refreshing. Prayer meetings were held in that cabin, and these "means of grace" have been fruitful to the church from that day to this. The present is only a multiplication of participants, however zealous the members ; and the church holds the memory of those pioneer efforts in grateful remembrance.
The following is a list of the members on the 4th day of May, 1823, as recorded by Rev. John P. Durban, the pastor :
Samuel Parker, Betsy Bird, Mary Janes, Polly Miller, Hanna Arley, Lucinda Malsburg, Mary Davis, Nancy McCann, Maria Stone, Mary Lane, Louisa Miller, Alice Mast, Charlotte Spangler, Martha Day, Ann Parker, Catharine Wilson, Margaret Barber, Lyda Harper, Rebecca Riley, Gilbert McFadden, Thomas Lehue, Joseph Wilson, William Luck, John Elbertson, Joseph Storer, William Mackey; Isaac Wilson, John Houck, Joseph Chapman, Michael Dutro, Samuel Storer, Joseph Wilson, Jacob Johnson, George Girty, William Langly, James Millis, Levi Wilson, Alexander Martin, William Cook, George Storer, Nancy Dutro, Rhoda
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO - 161
Bailey, Nancy Parker, Margaret Harvey, Catharine Lehue, Ann Smith, Elizabeth Lander, Barbara Philby, Elizabeth Lander, Patience Skinner, Ann Gibo, Mary Deeble, Rebecca Westbrook, Harriet Burgess, Harriet Johnson, Mary Harvey, Fannie Parker, Christian Olive, Elizabeth Gibo, William Kirk, Hannah Kirk, Jane Cooper, Ann Parker, Sophia McMillen, Betsy Leslie, Sarah Hahn, Ann Chambers, Eliza Mast, Elizabeth Spangler, Lucy Chapman, Elizabeth Twaddle, Martha Blandford, Margaret Langley, Mazey Socknaan, Joanna Smith, Elizabeth Elberson, Judith Brooke, Susan Langley, Elizabeth Millis, Henry Nash, Jeremiah L. Leslie, Nicholas Blandford, Henry McMilland, Luke G. Crossland, John Cannon, Septimus Parker, James Leslie, Rezin Hopper, David Browning, Matthew Ferguson, Moses D. Brooke, William Leslie, Clement Brooke, Elijah Taylor, George Hahn, John A. Willey, W. L. Chapman, Thomas Leslie, Christian Spangler, Nancy Jackson, Hannah Kirk, Elizabeth Stewart, Hannah Barrett, Lois Chapman, Ann Mackay, Mary Cockrell, Elizabeth Langley, Elizabeth Hilton, Nancy Conly, Eliza Dare, Rebecca Taylor, Nancy Willey, Mary McFarland, Eliza Chapman, Catharine Girty, Edith Dillon, Martha Marple, Isaac .W. Tharp, Aaron Kirk, Thomas Miller, Jane Linn, Levi Chapman, Joseph Storer, Henry Olive, Abraham W, Westbrook, Charles. Lander, Joel Chapman, Peter M. Purdy, James' Wheeler, Samuel Frazee, James Taylor, Rees Willis, John Phipps,William Allen, Gilbert Blue, Elizabeth Blue, Sarah M. Young, iachel Moorehead, Nancy Blocksom, Martha Reed, Mary Martin, John Butler, Ann Butler, Jane Dutro, Sarah Spangler, Sarah A. Nash, Elizabeth N. Norris, Mary Ann Hazlett, Eliza Brooke, Mary Smeltzer, Eliza Smith, Minerva Westlake, Thomas Moorehead, Maria Sum, Elizabeth Sum, Sarah Morris, Drusilla Tharp, Sophia Houk, Ann Goff, Hettie Frazey, Martha Goff, Sarah Lesley, Catharine Miller, Mary Ferguson, Ann Spangler, Jane McFadden, Dorcas nson, Mary Reed, Elizabeth Allen, Sue Brush, Ann Randall, Louisa Patrick, Daniel Brush, Mary Young, James S. Fletcher, William Fletcher, Peggy Fletcher, Rachel. Fletcher, Catharine Fletcher, Jane Philly, Isabella Cunningham, Mary Harris, Elenor Killen, Mary Pardy, John A. Willey, Nancy Willey, Mary Willey, John Snow, Elizabeth Snow, Hannah Cox, Hannah Brook, Triffy Younger, Cornelius Woodruff, Peggy Woodruff, Hettie Dwyer, Jonathan Brelsford, Eliza Brelsford, Mary Wilson, John W. Spry, Jane Spry, Minerva Zane, Rachel Luck, Hester Alexander, Elizabeth Sockman, Henry Wilson, Amanda Wilson, Huldah Wilson, Zadoc Hall, Charles Bailey, Phebe Bailey, George Golden, Rebecca Richardson, A. Fleming, Lydia Fleming, Jacob Mittinger, Rachel Young, Ellen Wood, Edward W. Christie, William Armstrong, Ann Armstrong, Elenor W. Quinn, Joseph Winters, Alexander Smith, Elizabeth Smith, Cornelia Howard, Wesley Turner, Sarah Flemming, Richard Hocking, Lucinda Hocking, Jeptha Noah, Elizabeth Willey, Mary Fletcher, Mary Bateman, Nancy Winecoop, William Flemming, Elizabeth Beemon, Elizabeth Vanzant, Mary Beard, Nancy Wilson, Maria Lawrence, Mary Harvey, Rebecca Beck, Olcutt White, Etta White, James Henderson, John Carter, Mary Carter and Catharine McFadden.
The parable of the sower is aptly illustrated in the retrospect of this church :—"Some seeds fell by the way-side," etc ; "some fell upon stony places ;" "some fell among thorns ;" "but others fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit ; some a hundred fold, some sixty fold, and some thirty fold." Pursuing this thought, we gather from tradition, that under Rev. Nathan Emery, in 1829, Rev. J. M. Trimble, in 1833, Rev. M. Dustin, in 1847, Rev. John White, in 1852, Rev. D. H. Moore, in 1867, Rev. Isaac Crook, in 1870, Rev. O. J. Nave, in 1876, and Rev. James Hill, in 1878, large accessions to the church, and great awakening occurred. Much of this seed falling into good ground.
In 1875, this church was incorporated under the State laws of Ohio, and its present Board of Trustees autborized. They are as follows :
John W. King, President ; Dr. W. E. Atwell, Secretary ; G. D. Perkins, Dr. W. H. Lenhart, Lawson Wiles, Jacob Smith, Allen E. Twaddle and W. A. Weller.
The church property, including the parsonage, is valued, according to the minutes, at $23,000.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The inception of this church was resultant from the coalition•of the Congregational and Presbyterian churches. The latter was known as the United Presbyterian Church of Zanesville and Springfield. Dr. Kingsbury, in his resume of the Putnam Presbyterian Church, in which effort he undertook to preserve the unity of the record, informs us that, "unfortunately the record of this church, and also the early record of the Presbyterian Church of Zanesville and Springfield, are lost," and he was compelled to obtain what he could from witriessos still on the stage of action. The present pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, in his septennial sermon, reviewing the history of the church, had the same difficulty to contend with, and, doubtless, some points of interest are lost.
In 1807, or 1808, 'the Rev. John Wright, for many years pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Lancaster, Ohio, passed through this city, and was induced to remain over Sabbath. There being seven Presbyterians here, he assembled them in "Taylor's tavern," (which stood where the Clarendon now stands), and preached to them; also administered the Lord'S Supper, probably the first time this kind of service was held here. These persons, Moses Boggs and wife, James Perry and wife, James Richey and wife, and Robert Culbertson, subsequently became participants in the organization of a church. Mr. Wright narrated this incident to Elder L. P. Bailey, years afterward.
162 - HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
The official statement concerning the organization, in the minutes of the Presbytery of Lancaster, November, 1809, meeting held in Salem, Washington county, Ohio, recites that,
Jones, a licentiate of the Ohio Presbytery, was received. A call for Mr. Jones, from the united congregations of Zanesville and Springfield, being read and put into his hands, he declared his acceptance thereof." The record also shows that he was installed on the 26th of December, following. These services were held on the Putnam side of the river. The sermon was preached by Rev. Samuel P. Robbins, of Marietta, Ohio, from First Corinthians, 2 :12. Rev. Jacob Lindsley, of Athens, presided and delivered the charge. The Elders of the new church were Benjamin Sloan, Moses Boggs and John Thompson. A retrospective digression shows that, in 1807, a Congregational church was organized at the residence of Colonel Benjamin Tupper, in Putnam, and, not being able to support a regular pastor, united with the church on this side of the river, and constituted the "United Presbyterian Church of Zanesville and Springfield." Among the members from Springfield were, Colonel Tupper, Dr. Increase Mathews, and their families, Levi Whipple and Ebenezer Buckingham and wife. General Isaac Van Horne took an active part in the church ; was an active Elder from 1827 until 1834, the time of his death.
August 26th, 1812, the Presbytery was asked to dissolve the pastoral relation, that Mr. Jones might accept a call to Circleville, Ohio. At the same meeting, a call was presented for the pastoral services of Rev. James Culbertson, licensed to preach the year previous by the Presbytery of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and sent west on a missionary tour. Mr. Culbertson accepted the call, and his ordination took place at Zanesville, December 23d, 1812, and he was installed pastor of the United Congregations of Zanesville and Springfield. Mr. John Wright preached the sermon, and James Scott presided, and gave the charge. James Culbertson was born and raised in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, near Chambersburg ; received his 'academic education at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, entering at an early age, and there, during a revival, he received a Christian hope. His theological studies were directed by Rev. Dr. King, of Mercers- burg, and Rev. Dr. Herron, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and he was licensed to preach April I 1811. He performed the duties of pastor in Zanesville until the summer of 1844, when, on account of failing health, he recommended the church to call an assistant, which was done. In August, of that year, they called Rev. Simeon Brown, pastor of the Presbyterian church in Fredericktown, Knox county, Ohio, and he entered upop his work in the same month, but was not installed until the 7th of May, 1845. Mr. Brown recognized, in his Eldership, not an ornamental office, but helpers, shepherds, whose duty it was to_care for the flock, as overseers. With Mr. Brown originated the Board of Deacons, and the following persons were elected Deacons, Aug ust 6th, 1845: Samuel C. Haver, Edwin Burlingame, Robert P. Robinson, Williani Winter and J. B. Allen.
Mr. Brown, in addition to his ministerial duties, gave much attention to writing for newspapers and was also an editor. While pastor of the church in Fredericktown, he published the "Calvanistic Monitor," (this was, at the time, the only "old school" paper published in Ohio), in which the Rev. William Dunlap, of Marion, Ohio, was associate editor. This paper subsequently became "the Presbyterian of the West," published first at Springfield, and then at Cincinnati. After his settlement here, he began to publish "the Colporteur," having withdrawn from the Presbytery. This was continued until January 8th, 1848, when the "Family Quarto" appeared, which he edited until June 28, 1850. In July, of the same year, he resigned his pastorate to take the agency of the Board of Publication of the Northwestern States, but subsequently became pastor of a Congregational church, and has passed "over the river."
Mr. Culbertson preached but one sermon after Mr. Brown became assistant, which he preached in November, 1844, although he was always able to attend public worship. Until within a few weeks of his death he was able to officiate at marriages, baptisms, and the Lord's Supper. He offered the closing prayer of the service the last Sabbath but one previous to his death. He was taken with paralysis, at a neighbor's, and died eight days after, aged sixty-one years and four months. And •ever and anon comes, like a sweet refrain, those beautiful words :
"Thou art gone to the grave, but 'twere wrong to deplore thee,
When God was thy ransom, thy guardian, thy guide;
He gave thee, and took thee, and soon will restore thee,
Where death bath no sting, since the Savior bath died."
At the time Mr. Culbertson became the pastor of this church it had thirty-two members. The roll was kept by Mr. Culbertson from the organization to the 3th of October, 1844, and shows the dates of admission, beginning with Moses Boggs and wife, James Percy and wife, Robert Culbertson and Catharine Mitchell. The first persons received by Mr. Culbertson Were Louis and Mrs. Nye, by examination, and the last name recorded as received by him is Eumelius Cook, which, however, is written in another hand.
The services during the early history of the church were held in private houses, subsequently in " Burnam's Tavern," and the old log jail, and sometimes in a small frame building on Putnam Hill, and during summer in barns and groves. They felt somewhat permanently settled when worshiping in the court house and " the Stone Academy," after they were built. The congregation met alternately at thee two latter places, crossing the river in boats. Once during service in the court house, the building was struck by lightning, and several persons were greatly stunned but not seriously injured.
In 1817, they found a pleasant and commodious
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO - 163
home in a two-story brick church, erected on elevated ground on the northeast corner of South and Fourth streets. This church was built by the sale of pews, a deed being given for the ground occupied by the pew ; thus the pew was private property, and rented or sold as any other real estate. The church was dedicated August 28th, 1817. The exercises were performed by Rev. James Baird, of Newark. The first sermon preached in the new church by the pastor after the dedication was on the 31st of August, from Hebrews IX, 28. President James Monroe and suite being in the city, attended public worship on that day, and at the close of the service the President complimented Mr. Culbertson for his manner of conducting the exercises.
In those days, church music was sustained by stringed instruments, and tradition has it that on a certain Sabbath, Mr. Culbertson being absent, a Scotch covenanter occupied the pulpit, and, on seeing the bass viol, was offended, and expressed his disapprobation by announcing, " We will fiddle and sing the 102d Psalm."
The organ in this church was probably the first used in a Presbyterian church in the United States, and some incidents connected with its introduction may not be uninteresting. It was obtained from L. P. Bailey. He came to Zanesville in 180, and began the manufacture and sale of organs. He was an Elder in the church from 1837 until the organization of the Second Presbyterian church, of which he became a member, and still holds the office of Elder. In 1827, he made the organ in question for a party who failed to take it. Some members of the Putnam church suggested that it be put in the gallery of the church and used to aid the singing. Many on this side, also, were in favor of this, some influential persons who were not members being in sympatby with the movement ; others, however, were in doubt, and could not consent to so rash a movement. The pastor was advised with repeatedly, and said he had no personal objection ; that he was fond of the tones of the organ, especially the lower bass notes, but said if there was any good old woman who objected to its use, it must not be put there ; he expressed great fear on the subject, lest it might be the occasion of pain.
The agitation was kept up. A Mr. Wilson offered to make such changes in the gallery as were necessary to admit the instrument, which was eleven feet high, seven feet front and four feet deep. The changes being made, the organ was set up. On the following Sabbath, there it stood, silent ; many looked in blank astonishment at this intrusion ; little was said, however. On the second Sabbath it was played.during the gathering of the Sunday school children, but immediately closed when the church service proper began. A week or two later, it was heard as the congregation were dispesring after the morning services were ended ; the people stopped, looked, and wondered. The organist had
" Struck one chord of music,
Like the sound of a great Amen ;
It quieted pain and sorrow,
Like love overcoming strife ;
It seemed the harmonious echo,
From our discordant life."
Several weeks went by, however, before its melodious tones were incorporated with the Psalms and Hymns, the people forgetting that in the long-ago they praised Him with stringed instruments and organs."
Rev. James Culbertson remained pastor of this church from the time of his ordination until his death, which occurred February 23, 1847. His first sermon in Zanesville was preached the second Sabbath in August, 1812, from Cor. III, 2; his last, from Matt. XXIV, 3. In those days a singular precaution was thrown around the communion service. At the preparatory service, on the day before and on the morning of communion day, tokens, consisting of a flattened circular piece of lead, about the size of a silver dime, with the letters 'L. C.' stamped on one side, were distributed to those, who expected to take part in the service., These tokens were taken up on Sabbath morning after the communicant was seated at the table. No one could receive the token from the Elders whose conduct did not become a Christian, and no one could receive the communion without having received the token ; yet, large numbers were added to the church on these occasions. From this church was formed that at Newton, in 1829, the Putnam Presbyterian church, in 1834, and the Second Presbyterian church, in 1852. It is, therefore, the mother church of this denomination in this county, and looks with pride on the growth and prosperity of each of them, saying :
" Oh Shepherd, who leadest our souls to thee,
From the desert and rocky steep,
Thy rod and thy staff in the shadow we see,
And thou wilt our little ones keep !"
The walls of the old church had begun to give way, and the town had grown so rapidly to the north and east after the organization of the church on the other side of the river, that it was deemed best to build in a more central part of the town. The Church purchased the lot now occupied by the Second Church building, and this was given in exchange for the lot now oc: cupied by this church. The building was erected at a cost of between $4,0Oo and $15,000. At the time of building, it was agreed that the pews should be free, and except two brief periods—when the pews were rented—the agreement was kept ; they are free now.
The dedication of the church took place on the fourth Sabbath of December, 1841. The pastor was assisted on this occasion by Rev. Mr. Wylie, of Newark, and Rev. Dr. Hoge, of Columbus. The latter preached the sermon.
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The pulpit of this church was vacant for about six months after the resignation of Mr. Brown, when the Rev. Moses A. Hoge was called. He began his work here on the 26th of June, 1851.
Mr. Hoge was the son of the Rev. Dr. Hoge, many years Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Ohio ; was born and raised in Columbus, graduated in the autumn of 1838, from the University of Ohio ; subsequently taught sign language in the institution for the Deaf and Dumb, in Columbus; spent the winter of '44 and '45 at Princeton Theological Seminary ; was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Columbus the year previous ; ordained and installed over the church of Athens, Ohio, June 4, 1846. He continued his pastorate in this church until the organization of the Second Presbyterian Church of this city. The two churches, however, continued to worship together during the following winter. At the request of the new church, and with the consent of the old, Rev. Mr. Hoge was set apart by the Presbytery as the pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church, of Zanesville.
The Rev. James M. Platt was called to the pastorate of this church, and entered upon his work July 24th, 1853. He was ordained by the Presbytery, October 19th, of the same year. The venerable Father Wylie, of Newark, preached the sermon, and made the ordination prayer, and Rev. M. A. Hoge delivered the charge to both pastor and people.
Mr. Platt was born in Athens, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, December 31, 1826; his father was Rev. Isaac Watts Platt. James entered the University of New York in the fall of 1843, and completed his academic studies in 1847. He entered Princeton Theological Seminary in 1850, and completed his theological course in April, 1853, and was licensed by the Presbytery of New York.
The name of Rev. James M. Platt became familiar, not only to every household of his church, but to many not of his communion. His picture hangs on many a wall, and his face, says Rev. W. P. Shrom, "is as familiar as that of a much loved friend." His pastorate continued until April, 1867. He was subsequently called to fill the pulpit in Bath, New York.
The Rev. George H. Webster was called, and came to fill the vacant pulpit October 5th, 1867. During Mr. Webster's pastorate, the old mode of church subscription and the tedious work of collecting was abolished, and the present envelope system introduced, and the first steps taken toward the purchase of a parsonage, which was completed in the spring of 1873. Mr. Webster was thoroughly informed on literary and scientific subjects. He resigned his pastorate to take charge of the Seminary for Ladies, at Granville, Ohio.
Rev. W. P. Shrom, the present pastor, received the unanimous call of the church November 9th 1872,and entered on his work in December following ; he was received by the Presbytery of Zanesville April 8th, 1873, and installed April 14th. The Rev. J. P. Safford, D.D., presided —Rev. George H. Webster, the former pastor, preached the. sermon, from John, chapter XII, verse 32. Rev. Addison Kingsbury, D.D., gave the charge to the pastor, and Dr. Safford to the people. The installation prayer was made by Rev. T. K. Davis, of Wooster, Ohio— all in the presence of a large audience.
Wm. P. Shrom was born November 2d, 1840, in Carlisle, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, When a mere child, his parents removed to Illinois, where they sojourned about a year, and resolved to make their home in Ohio, and settled on a farm a little north of Columbus, in Franklin county. It was here he grew up ; here, busied with the duties of farm-life, like every farmer's son, we hear him preaching his first sermon in soliloquy :
The bubbling brook doth leap when I come by,
Because my feet find measure with its call ;
The birds know when the friend they love is nigh,
For I'm known to them, great and small.
The flower that on the hillside grows,
Expects me there when spring its bloom has given,
And many a tree and bush my wandering knows,
And e'en the clouds and silent stars of heaven ;
For he who with his Maker walks aright
Shall be their lord, as Adam was before;
He'll catch each sound with new delight,
Each object wear the dress it wore ;
And he, as when erect in soul he stood,
Hear from his Father's lips that all is good.
One and twenty years passed before the opportunity presented itself for him to enter upon a classical course of study. Otterbein University, Franklin county, was his Alma Mater, in 1868. The course of study, it will be seen, carried him over the period of the Nation's peril, and in consequence of the Rebellion, his studies were postponed when the cry "we're coming Father Abraham, with a hundred thousand more !" was heard. His first service was with the 5th Indiana Cavalry. The second, as a Lieutenant in Company B, of the 178th Ohio. He was afterwards three years a student at the Theological Seminary, of Allegheny City; Pennsylvania, licensed to preach by the conference of the United Brethren in Christ, in 1870, and ordained a minister by the same conference in 1871. He began to preach in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and ere he had fully entered on the work of the ministry, Lebanon Valley College, Pennsylvania, said to him : "Come over and help us," and he accepted the chair of mental and moral science. Not willing to abandon the ministry, however, he accepted the position but one year, and became a supply to the Presbyterian Church in Ashland during the pastor's absence in Europe.
SUNDAY SCHOOL.—The advent of the Sunday School, marks an era in the life of the Church. Agencies and influences, hitherto unknown and unsuspected, were thereby brought into activity, by which the Church was enabled to reach out
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO - 165
beyond her Christian households, and take by the hand multitudes of people, at their most impressible age, and make them her true and constant friends.
The early methods of the Sunday School, contrasted with those of our day, would no doubt seem crude and unsatisfactory. There was the absence of books and papers ; and we seem to hear a lingering echo of untutored voices, unaided by musical instruments, singing, with a melancholy wail, such hymns as "Broad is the Road that Leads to Death," etc., and we ask ourselves : What was the charm to bring those learners thither, while Nature, with her wonderful resources, beckoned them to game and fish, fruit and flowers, and the songs of birds— in God's first temple? Questioning Philosophy cannot discern it. But it was there, gleaming through sympathetic eyes—the potent charm of a Christian heart. Then, as now, words of tenderness were the magic power.
We said there were no books—there was but one, but they studied it. Perhaps there is no great advantage in the multiplicity of text books and commentaries of our day, as the great book is well-nigh lost sight of.
According to the late E. H. Church, who was one of the first pupils, the first Sunday School in Eastern Ohio was organized in "the old Court House"—at that time used by the Presbyterians, as a place of worship—in the year 186, by Mathew Finley, Joseph Church, F. Moorehead, and Mr. Dale. It was a union of all Protestant denominations. The School was more thoroughly organized in 1817, when some fifteen ladies canvassed the town, for scholars. In 1819, it was removed to the new Presbyterian Church, at the corner of Fourth and South streets, and was, thenceforward, a school of the church.
The present officers and teachers are : J. M. Brunson, Superintendent ; Webster Dumm, Assistant Superintendent ; James R. Peabody, Treasurer ; Charles E. Coffman, Secretary.
The number of teachers 18
The number of scholars. 258
The number of scholars in infant class 50
Total number scholars and teachers............ 326
MOXAHALA AVENUE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.—The records were in the building on the southwest corner of Main street and Putnam avenue, in the custody of Isaac Stires, at the time of the fire that destroyed that building, in the Spring of 1872, and thus the history of the church is largely traditional. We learn that this was one of the oldest churches organized in this section of Ohio—and yet, cannot fix the date of erecting the first building ; however, the lot on which the church was built, was donated by "Levi Whipple and wife, Eliza Whipple," on November 23, 1815, on the one part, "and William H. Moore, John Goshen, James Vickers, John Laffery, John Russell, Barnabas Munroe, and Benjamin Rickets, Trustees, for and in consideration of the love and respect for religion, and a desire to promote religious institutions, believing it an appointed means for the welfare and prosperity of the Christian Church on earth, and with a sincere desire to promote pure piety in every denomination of Christians, have given, granted, aliened, released, confirmed, and conveyed," to the Trustees above named, "for the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the town of Putnam, and vicinity." The size of the lot being twenty-five one-hundredths of an acre, and the north half of lot number sixty-eight. It is presumed that the first church on this lot was erected within a year after the lot was given, as the 'building was a one-story frame, forty by forty feet. Some years afterward, this wooden structure was removed, and a one-story brick church erected in its place. While this house was under construction, the congregation held religious services in the old oil mill, that stood immediately north of the church site. In 1867, the brick building mentioned was superseded by a commodious two-story edifice, forty-five by seventy- three feet. Rev. I. W. Stanley was pastor at this time. As other churches were organized, this congregation diminished, until, by increase of population, it again became the centre of supply—for people are governed by convenience in church-going. The church is again meeting the wants of the community, and the increasing numbers greatly encourage the workers in the vineyard.
The names of the pastors who have served this church, are : Trimble, Spahn, McCabe ("Chaplain"), Gurley, Sours, Fee, Merrill, Stanley, Wakefield, Monroe, Holcomb, Fellows, Porter, Jamison, Dickson, Hickson, S. D. Hutsinpiller, and J. H. Creighton.
The officers of the church are : Trustees : J. R. Thomas, James Curtis, Theodore Thompson, P. P. Wilbur, and I. Leasure ; the Stewards : Stephen E. Stockdale, Benjamin Fenn, John Parshall, and James P. Curtis ; the Treasurer : J. R. Thompson ; Recording Steward, Stephen E. Stockdale ; District Steward, J. P. Curtis.
The first Sunday School, in connection with this church, was organized about 1830, under Jonathan Brelsford, Superintendent ; and, although subjected to some trials, has never suspended. It is now in a flourishing condition. The officers are : Superintendent, Joseph R. Thomas, assisted by James Curtis. Sherman Adamson is Secretary ; Lillie McDonald, Treasurer ; Fred Curtis and Florence Drake, Librarians.
ST. JAMES' PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
—St. James' parish is the oldest Episcopal Church organization in the "Diocese of southeastern Ohio," (which includes the southern half of the State,) and with, perhaps, only a single exception, it is the oldest in the whole State. It was organized "at a meeting held pursuant to public notice, in the Court House, in Zanesville, on the 17th day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and
166 - HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
sixteen." At this meeting, Horace Reed, M. D., presided, and John Gordon, Esq., acted as Secretary. "A vote being taken, it was unan- imously agreed that a church be founded, and that it shall be known as St. James' Church, Zanesville, Ohio." The Rev. Joseph Doddridge, M.D., was thereupon elected Rector of the parish, and the following gentlemen were chosen as• officers for the ensuing year : Wardens- Horace Reed, M.D., and Seth Adams. Vestrymen-Jeffry Price, Moses Moorehead, E. B. Merwin and Calvin Conant. Treasurer, A. Harper ; Lay Reader, Samuel Burnham, M.D.
The parish was incorporated by an act of the Legislature of Ohio, passed the 31st day of January, 1833. The corporators were the wardens and vestry, then in office ; but their names are not given in the records of the parish. The act of incorporation bears the signatures of David T. Disney, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Samuel R. Miller, Speaker of the Senate.
The public religious services of the parish seem to have been held at first in the Court House ; but in the month of June, in 1817, and for some time thereafter, the services were held in the Methodist church, which was kindly loaned for the purpose. It was not till the year 1831, that the congregation were able to worship in a building of their own. On the 17th of July, of that year, the first church edifice was consecrated.' It stood on the southeast corner of South and Sixth streets-the site of the present English Lutheran Church. It was built of brick, and was very small and plain. In 1835, this building having become too small for the congregation, was enlarged to nearly double its origal size ; it was sold in 1841, as a preliminary to the erection of a new edifice.
From 1841 to 1843, the public services were held in the Senate Chamber of the Court House. The present elegant and substantial gothic edifice, built of finished sand stone, was begun in 1841, the corner stone being laid on "St. John Baptist's Day," June 24th. It was finished in a temporary manner, and first used for public worship on Easter Day, 1843. In 1853, both the basement and the audience chamber were comfortably and beautifully completed. The " Instrument of Donation" was executed by James Crosby, Senior Warden, and E. E. Fillmore, Clerk, and was dated August 26, 1854. The church was consecrated on the 7th of September following, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Charles P. McElvaine, D.D.
At the time of the consecration, the church tower was unfinished, and remained so for about twenty-four years, being finished in 1878, at which time a bell (weighing upwards of 2,000 pounds) was placed in the tower ; this fine bell was the gift of Mrs. C. W. Chandler, of Germantown, Pa., and formerly a member of this parish. The stained glass windows were donated a few years before the completion of the tower, by the late James R. Cooper. The organ, now in use, was purchased.in 1851. As nearly as can be ascertained, the total cost of the church was about S0,000.
The handsome and commodious rectory of the parish, on North Fourth street, was purchased in 1863.
The succession of Rectors of the parish, as given in the records, is as follows : Rev. Joseph Doddridge, M.D., who served from the organization, October 17, 186, to 1818 ; Rev. Intrepid Morse, from 1818, to January, 1822 ; Rev. Philander Chase, Jr., from June, 1822, to January, 1823; Rev. Joseph Doddridge, M.D., from November, 1824, to June, 1826 ; (Rev. Mr. Langston officiated during part of the year 1826.) Rev. Amos G. Baldwin, from December, 1826, to some time in 1831 ; Rev. John P. Robinson, from September, 1831, to April, 1832 ; Rev. William Suddards, from February, 1834, to 1835 ; Rev. William A. Smallwood, D.D., from July, 1835, to March, 1853 ; Rev. George W. DuBois, from September; 1853, to January, 1856 ; Rev. J. W. Claxton, assistant minister, from July, 1855, to January, 1856-Rector from January, 1856, to March, 1857 ; Rev. George W. DuBois, ,from March, 1837, to 'May, 1857 ; Rev. Thomas G. Addison, from May, 1857, to October, 1859 ; Rev. William A. Newbold, from November, 1859, to some time in 1863 ; Rev. John M. Leavitt, from 1863 to 1866. The present Rector, Rev. J. Fohl, D.D., took charge of the parish in April, 1866.
At the various times when the rectorship of the parish was vacant, the public services were conducted by Lay Readers. For thirty-one years, (from 1825 to 1856) James Crosby acted as Lay Reader. Mr. Crosby also held the office of Senior Warden from 1832 to the time of his death, in 1858, and his name is held "in grateful remembrance" for his constant interest in the parish, and his unwearied efforts to promote its prosperity.
The parish Sunday School was organized in 1834, and ever since has been carried on without interruption, and generally with much efficiency and success. The number in attendance in February,1880, was about one hundred and forty scholars, and eighteen officers and teachers, There is also a Mission Sunday School connecnected with this parish, numbering about two hundred scholars, and fifteen officers and teachers. The number of communicants connected with the parish when it was organized is not known ; in 1819, the number was twenty-two ; in 1831, the number was thirty ; in 1840, it was ninety ; in 1842, only eighty-seven ; in 1850, it was one hundred and twenty-five ; in 1860, one hundred and ninety-three ; in 1870, it had two huncl,red and forty-five. Death and removals made the number smaller during the next ten years ; the number reported by the Rector in 1869, was two hundred and twenty-eight.
In March, 1817, five months after the organization of the parish, a Parochial Missionary Society was formed, and ever since then the parish has taken an active interest in Mission work.
The contributions to Diocese, Domestic and
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Foreign Missions, have always been large, in proportion to the financial ability of the parish.
On Sunday, February 28, 1819, the Rt. Rev. Philander Chase, D.D., officiated, delivering his first sermon in the Diocese after his consecration as Bishop.
On Saturday, November 24, 1838, the Rt. Rev. Charles P. McElvane, D.D., began his ministry and work as Bishop of Ohio, by officiatng in this parish.
On Sunday, October 28, 1859, the Rt: Rev. G. T. Bedell, D.D., entered upon his work as assistant Bishop of Ohio, by officiating in this parish.
On Thursday, May 3, 1875, the Rt. Rev. Thomas A. Jaggar, D.D., began his work as Bishop of Southern Ohio, by officiating in St. James' Church, Zanesville.
The Apostolic rite of Confirmation was administered for the first time in this parish, May 23d, 1819, by Bishop Chase. The services were held, by request, in the Presbyterian meetinghouse, on the corner of Fourth and South streets. Twenty-five persons were confirmed.
In the year 1825, the Convention of the Diocese met in this parish, for the first time.
In the year 1834, the first ordination service ever held in this parish took place, Mr. Suddards (afterwards Rector) being ordained to the Deacon- ate.
The seal of the parish, chosen by the vestry, January 7th, 1851, was "the head side of a dime." On the 7th of September, 1854, it was changed to "the head side of the American quarter dollar, for 1854," and this order is still in force.
The officers of the parish are as follows : Rector, Rev. J. T. Ohl, D.D. ; Senior Warden, E. E. Fillmore ; Junior Warden, W. R. Hazlett ; Vestrymen, M. M. Granger, George F. Russell, George M. Jewett, F. J. L. Blandy, George W. Hazlett, George C. Townsend, and George D. Gibbons ; Secretary, George M. Jewett ; Treasurer, George F. Russell. Superintendent of Sunday School, G. W. Hazlett ; Superintendent of Mission Sunday School, Robert Fulton. President of Ladies' Missionary Society, Mrs. John Hazlett ; Vice-President, Mrs. C. G. Dillon ; Secretary, Miss Anna Jones ; Treasurer, Mrs. G. F. Russell.
Rev. Dr. J. F. Ohl resigned his pastorate, in order to take a position in Kenyon College ; his resignation took effect the last Sunday in August, 1880. Thereupon, the Parish called the Rev. I. McK. Pittenger, from Cleveland, Ohio, where he had been an assistant at St. Paul's, in charge of St. Luke's apd Grace Church, Newburg. Mr. Pittenger is. a recent accession from the Presbyterians, and comes with the reputation of a successful ministry. He entered on his rectorship at Zanesville, on Christmas Day, 1880.
LUTHERAN CHURCH.—The-inception of this church may be traced back to Nicholas Border and his wife, Elizabeth, who came to Zanesville in 1803. They brought with them the seed of
the faith, which has grown into the present flourishing tree. In the course of human events, the infant daughter they brought with them became the wife of John Bowman, who came in 1817. Following him, came Jacob Reese, Sr., and his wife, George Clapper and wife, Michael Sockman and wife, Solomon Myers and wife, Christopher Spangler, Peter Sockman and wife, and, as their hearts went out in words of Christian love, they met with one accord at each others' houses, for worship. Mrs. Susannah Bowman, the oldest, living, of the company which formed the circle alluded to, remembers attending the first of those "cottage meetings," at the house of a Mr. Schmeltzer, on the corner of Fourth and South streets.
In those days, evangelists traveled over this region, scattering seed-thoughts of faith. Among them were Weiser, Foster, and Andrew Hinkle, whose visits were irregular. The first house of
worship built by this denomination, was a. small, frame structure, erected in 1818, on the northeast corner of Seventh and South streets, and which contained a pipe organ, made by L. P. Bailey, a skilled workman, then, as now, held in high esteem. In 1820, the little flock selected Rev. Samuel Kaemmerer as their pastor, and elected John Alter.and Peter Sockman as Elders, Jacob Bowman and Jacob Brock as Deacons, John Bowman and Jacob Mercer as Trustees, and John Bowman as Treasurer. About this time, Jacob Mercer and wife, Mrs. Hannah Smith, Miss Sarah Border, and Daniel and Solomon Border, were added to the church. The pastor's wife, and daughter (Mrs. Elizabeth Conway), and another daughter (Mrs. Susan Cole), and Charlotte, Charles, and Paul Kaemmerer, and Walter Kelly and wife, were also members of the church.
The services of this church, during eighteen years, were conducted in German and English ; the former in the morning, and the latter in the afternoon. As their numbers increased, the English-speaking portion, preferring to have services in the forenoon as well, determined to reorganize and form a new church.
ST. JOHN'S ENGLISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, the society embracing the English- speaking members; was organized in 1839, with the following officers :
George Clapper, Solomon Deffenbaugh, and John Bowman, Trustees ; Jacob Reese and John Alter, Sr., Elders ; J. J. Brock and Abraham Arter, Wardens ; William Schultz, Secretary and Treasurer.
Members—Nicholas Border and wife, Jacob Reese and wife, John Alter and wife, Peter Sock- man and wife, Isabella Ream, John Bowman and wife, Philip Munch and wife, J. J. Brock and wife, Solomon Deffenbaugh, Edney Manley, Margaret Leutz, Mary Mercer, Solomon Reese, Solomon Culp, Frances J. Mooney, Jacob Livingood, Catharine Ritz, Mary Ann Wright, J. K. Wright, and about twenty-five others.
Rev. A. Bartholomew became the pastor, and
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served until 1843. His successors have been : Rev. Stephen A. Mealy, Rev. W. C. Houar (Rev. A. Bartholomew, recalled in 1848), Rev. A. Bosserman, who was dismissed for his universalism ; Rev. A. J. Weddell ; from 1856 to 1869, no settled pastor ; Rev. M. C. Horine, Rev. W. P. Ruthrauf, and the present incumbent, who began his service in 1876.
This congregation purchased from St. James' Episcopal Church, a building vacated by them, situate on the northwest corner of Sixth and South streets, for three thousand dollars, which they re-dedicated on the 2d of December, 1841, Rev. A. Bartholomew officiating.
In 1878, the congregation erected their present church edifice, on the southeast corner of Sixth and South streets, and subsequently built an addition for Sunday School and other purposes, the entire cost amounting to $7,500. These buildings were erected on the same site as that purchased from St. James' congregation.
The Sunday School was organized at an early day, but no records of special interest are available. There are seven teachers and fifty pupils ; it has a library of 150 Volumes The Superintendent is H. W. Elson, assisted by A. F. Baker. The Treasurer and Secretary is H. Jacob Baker : Librarians, Samuel Elson and Miss Edith Snider.
The Pastor, Rev. F. Richards. Deacons : John Bowman, John H. Brooks, H. J. Baker, Volney Day, J. G. Shalteis, George W. W. Walter, and W. H. Deffenbaugh.
The oldest member of the church is Mrs. John Bowman, nee Border, who is in a good state of preservation, and delights to read her Bible, an old German edition, printed in 1719.
The Lutheran Churches here, and in Ohio, are subject to the English District Synod of Ohio, in connection with the General Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in North America.
The following is the action of the Church Council of the St. John's English Evangelical Lutheran Church on the death of Mr. John Bowman.
WHEREAS, God has taken out of our midst our brother officer, Mr. John Bowman ; therefore, be it
Resolved, That we bow in humble submission to the Divine will, and acknowledge the hand of Him who doeth all things well, in this our bereavement.
Resolved, That we bear our testimony to the worth of our deceased brother, to his generous benevolence in all our church enterprises, to his consistent Christian life, to his regularity in the Divine worship, to his conscientiousness in the discharge of the duties of the office which he has held from the organization of our congregation to the day of his death.
Resolved, That we; as officers, shall endeavor to imitate his example in the interest he has felt in the advancement of the cause of Christ and in the faithfulness he has shown in attendance upon the means of grace.
Resolved, That we, as a Church Council, attend his funeral in a body, that the church edi fice be draped in mourning for the space of thirty days, and that a special memorial service be held on Sunday, the 30th of October.
Resolved, That we extend our deepest sympathies to the aged widowed wife, to his bereaved family and that a copy of these resolutions be submitted to them, and also published in the city papers and that they be entered upon the reccords of the church.
H. J. BAKER, Secretary.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.—In the fall of 1820, Elder George C. Sedwick left Winchester, Virginia, for the purpose of exploring the West. Taking Zanesville in his route, he tarried a few days, during which time he preached the unsearchable riches of Christ. He then visited Kentucky and Indiana, receiving several invitations to settle with strong churches, and the offer of a good salary ; but his mind was fixed upon Zanesville, though there was no Baptist Church there, and only one man known to be a Baptist. So strong were his impressions of duty, that he returned and commenced his labors in the beginning of 1821, The court house and private dwellings afforded places for preaching and church meetings.
On the I ith Of Febuary, 1821, three persons were baptized, viz : Isaiah Miller, Thomas Sheppard and J. Johnson ; these were the first fruits of his ministry in this new field. Baptisms are also mentioned as having occurred in April, May and June ; on the 16th of June, the church was constituted. Elder George C. Sedwick was, on the same day, chosen, pastor, and Joseph Sheppard and Jeremiah Dale were made Deacons, and Thomas Sheppard, Clerk. They agreed at this meeting to unite with the Mus-kingum Association, which met August the 22d, following. At this meeting, they reported thirty seven baptized, and four received by letter, total, forty one. In the second report of the Association, in August, 1822, they returned thirty- nine baptized, twelve received by letter, six dismissed, total 83. In their last report to this Association, in 1825, they stated a total of 104 ; and' that there had been baptized, at that date, 105. Considering that they had no meeting house for the first two or three years, and that other sociementies had so much the start, this was considered a good beginning, and an evidence of the leadings of providence in planting the Gospel standard in this place.
Their house of worship, which had been in process of erection for some time, was ready for use in the fall of 1823, and was dedicated to the service of God, November 15th, of that year, and on the 15th of December, following, the first meeting was held in the new church. This was a neat one story brick building, 4ox60, quite as good as any other in the town.
In May, 1826, the Ohio Baptist State Convention was organized in the new church, and there held its first three annual meetings. The day after the convention closed its. first session, the Meigs Creek Association was.. constituted, with
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO - 169
seven churches and 409 members, at the Brookfield Church, now in Noble county. This church was one of the seven which formed that body. Previous to this, there had been no Association east of the Muskingum river, except a small body called " Still Water," located in the north, part of Guernsey and Belmont counties, which, about this time, was extinct, having been carried away by what was called Campbellism.
The church appears to have had peace within her walls for eight or ten years, during which , time many were added to her members, and about that time another swarm—thirty-one members—withdrew, to form a new hive.
Elder Sedwick occupied a very prominent position among the Baptist Ministers of Ohio, and he is held "in grateful remembrance" by those who knew him. His was truly a missionary spirit ; on this subject he held advanced views, and earnest. As an illustration : Early in the spring of 1832, he proposed to raise Si00 jointly between Zanesville and Granville, for Foreign Missions. Rev. Allen Darrow informs us that this was done, and that he was the bearer of that sum to the "Triennial Convention," which met in New York, in May, of that vear. [The constitution required $100 from each representative.] And when the $ 100 was handed in to the Treasurer, [Deacon H. Lincoln,] he said: "Here is the first sheaf of the harvest from Ohio." He was foremost also in establishing the College in Granville, and among the first Trustees, and continued in that body until death closed his career. He resigned his pastorate in July, 1836, when the church was without an under-shepherd about one year, and then called Elder William Sedwick, who entered upon his labors in July 1837. His connection with the church was gratifying, and a good degree of harmony and prosperity attended their mutual labors.
Just at the close of Elder Wm. Sedwick's second year, and after the church had signified its desire for his continuance, he was called to preach the funeral sermon of Elder Wm. Spencer, of Salem township, who died suddenly. The church in Adamsville, where Elder Spencer had labored for twenty-one years, earnestly requested Elder Sedwick to come to their church, and after several weeks' consideration he resigned the care of the church in Zanesville and accepted the call and moved to Adamsville. Elder S. S. Parr was then called to the church in Zanesville, and commenced his labors in December, 1839. He was an eloquent' man, and might truly be called a "Boanerges." His stay, however, was short, though prosperous, many being added during the eighteen months of his pastorate. After his resignation and removal, in April 1841, Elder John M. Courtney was called. He served faithfully during seven years, and enjoyed the confidence of the church and of the community. The church was greatly 'strengthened and enlarged under his ministry. A few years after his removal from Zanesville, he passed "over the river." All loved Wother Courtney, and succeeded Brother Courtney, and was publicly installed in December, 1849. The exercises were conducted by Elders George C. Sedwick and Abel Johnson. Brother Thomas was a native of Wales, and spoke his native language as fluently as the English. But few were his equal in debate. He served the church up to the close of 1855. Many were added to the church during his ministry, and the present church was erected while he was pastor, although it was not finished for some years after he left. He died at his home, near Piqua, Ohio.
After the resignation of Rev. Thomas, Rev. J. B. Conyers was called. He served about three years, during which time the church experienced serious troubles—which were the outgrowth of difficulties engendered before Brother Conyers became pastor—and finally terminated in the withdrawal of sixty-four members, who organized another church, called the Sixth Street Church. This body subsequently - united with the Market Street Church of Zanesville.
In December, 1859, Rev. D. F. Carnahan became the pastor and served three years. During his ministry the church moved on in harmony. He resigned his office as pastor to become an officer in the Army, of the North against the Southern Rebellion. After his resignation, Elder Smith, of Virginia, supplied the church for a short time, and was succeeded by Brother George W. Young, of Pennsylvania. His mission was also of short duration, but he was called away by death, on the r 2th of November, 1864. This unexpected loss was deeply lamented by the congregation, as well as his family ; all mourned, even as a household, for a good man had fallen. "
After the death of Brother Young, the church called Brother J. B. Sharp, who entered upon his duties as pastor in February, 1865. Quite a large addition of members were received by baptism during his ministry. And again, as if the church was destined to be the mother of churches, seventy-seven members, sixty-five of whom were very largely young people, separated from the flock, and were constituted the Berean Church, but subsequently disbanded, some returning to their mother church, and some to the Market Street Church.
In August, 1866, Rev. W. G. Pratt became the pastor, and while some had felt as though severely tried, and as if enduring a long, dark and fearful night, the morning at last dawned, and they hailed with delight the promise of peace.
During the year that Brother Pratt was with them, they were chiefly engaged in adjusting the unsettled state of affairs that he found to exist. A large number being excluded, the church was pruned that it might bring forth more fruit.
Rev. S. Washington, of Pittsburg, was the successor of Brother Pratt, and took the oversight of the church in April, 1868. Hcwielded a salutary influence in favor of the church, and through him she was lifted up to a higher posi-
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tion of usefulness. A number of useful persons were added to her numbers.
The meeting house was repaired and beautified during this time, at great expense, most of which was subscribed and paid, and the church was well nigh through the wilderness ; her pulse beat more healthily than for years before. But it was with " fear and trembling," for Brother Washington felt it his duty to resign and accept a call from the church at Jacksonville, Illinois. He closed his labors with the church in October, 1869, after a useful pastorate of eighteen months, and they were without an under-shepherd several months. January 1st, 1870, a few of the faithful met and resolved to observe the ensuing week in prayer to Almighty God. At this time, also, there was an unusual spirit of prayer in nearly all of the churches in the city, and revivals, also, in some of them. Night after night, a little band met in the basement of the First Baptist Church and prayed, clinging to the right arm of Jehovah, and believing His word. Light shone suddenly upon them, and God gave heed to their prayers in a way unexpected. The third Sabbath morning in January, the Holy Spirit came, with much power, into the Sunday School, and prevailed among the scholars. The Superintendent noticed a spirit of religious inquiry in the school, and he requested all who wished to be prayed for to arise, and forty stood up for prayer. This unlooked for event caused them to send for Brother E. W. Daniels, of Rockville, to come and help them a few days. He attended to the Macedonian cry, and the church came up nobly to the work with him ; the few days were lengthened into weeks, and there were daily added to the church rejoicing converts ; most of the families in the church were rejoicing over the salvation of some of their members ; whole households were brought into the church, and the only ones of other families, who were out, were brought into the church, and there was great joy in the church and in the city ; near fifty persons professed conversion, and a large number of young men and women were received into the church, many of whom became very efficient members.
The church extended a call to Brother Daniels to become her pastor, and he began his pastoral labors with them the first Sabbath in April, 1870. All her meetings were well attended. The church now looked forward to a promising future. She had seen days of darkness, and seemed almost destroyed. .Thus the " vine brought out of Egypt," planted in Zanesville, in 1821, has taken deep root, and spread its branches eastward and westward, till its songs of praise are sung in China, and echoed back from hills and mountains to the farthest known west, amid the valleys and mountains of the Pacific slope.
Rev. E. W. Daniels resigned his pastorate in the fall of 1872. The church was supplied by Rev. R. S. James during the winter of 1872-73, when Rev. Thomas Powell, of Geneva, Ohio, received and accepted the unanimous call to become the pastor, and entered upon his labors April 1st, 1873, and continued as their pastor un til July ist, 1877. From that date until October following, the church was without a shepherd, although it had numerous supplies. In that month, the church called Rev. Dr. T. R. Palmer, of Columbus, Indiana, and he entered immediately upon his labors. January ist, 1880, Dr. Palmer offered his resignation, to take effect April ist, following. In April, of that year, the church extended a call to Rev. J. B. Ewell, of Warsaw, Western New York, and he began his labors in May, 1880, and is the present pastor. The church is in good spiritual condition. The following ministers have gone out from the church : Samuel Williams, George F. Adams, John Maginnis, Thomas M. Erwin, Jeremiah Dale, Benoni Allen, Seth Wickham, Joseph Sheppard, Thomas Sheppard, Ely Fry, Joseph and William S. Sedwick, Robert Cairnes, Thomas Sheppard, Jr., and William Ashmore.
The following churches have been organized from her : Market Street Third Church (colored), Sixth Street and Berean. Large numbers have removed to the West ; on one occasion forty were dismissed to go West.
In 1832, seventy-six were baptized ; in 1833, sixty-three ; in 1840, seventy-one ;. and in 1848, sixty-five. Very few churches in the State have exerted a wider and more beneficial influence upon the community in which they were located.
The Sunday-School was Organized soon after the church became a fact ; its record, according to tradition, has been very satisfactory. The Superintendent is H. M. Sedgwick, assisted by J. D. Warner ; the Secretary is F. C. Deitz, assisted by E. H. Bauer ; the Librarian and Treasurer is
--, assisted by George Mitchell ; the Chorister is Lambert Parker ; the Organist is Miss Oneida Mitchell. There are nineteen classes. with an enrollment of two hundred and twenty- five, and an average attendance of one hundred and sixty-five. The attendance is forty per cent. greater than it was one year ago, and the officers and teachers are noted for their punctuality.
ST. THOMAS' CHURCH [CATHOLIC]—This church was organized in 180, by Rev. Nicholas, D. Young, O.P. The first members were John S. Dugan and family, and William Colerick and family. The first pastor was Rev. Stephen H. Montgomery, and the services were held in a small brick ware-house, which stood on the northeast corner of Fifth street and Locust alley.
The first church was a one Story building,. thirty-five feet high, seventy feet deep, and forty feet front, built at a cost of about two thousand dollars, and stood on the back part of the lot occupied by the present church. The corner stone was laid in the spring of 1825, and the building was dedicated to the service of Almighty God in the fall of 1827. The ceremony was performed by the Rt. Rev. Edward Tennick, Bishop Of Cincinnati.
The present church, located on the northeast corner of Locust alley and Fifth street, is a magnificent stone structure of one hundred and twenty by sixty feet, and furnished in the most sub-
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stantial and beautiful manner ; the entire cost was about. $40,000. The corner-stone was laid March 17, 1842, by Bishop Miles, of Tennessee.
The late pastor, Rev, P. C. Coll, was assisted by Rev. C. H. Metzger and Rev. J. H. Lynch. Father Coll was ordered to Washington, D. C., and was succeeded by Rev. J. A. Bokel, who came November 8, 1880 ; the assistants remaining.
The membership of the church, which includes children, is about 3,000.
The Sunday School was organized by Rev. B. A. Brady, assisted by Miss Mary Wright, Elizabeth Crowly, Julia Sullivan, and Thomas R. Phelps ; the latter was made Superintendent, and Miss Crowly, assistant. John Taggart, Sectary, and J. C. Sullivan, Treasurer. The Library was well selected, and is ample. Miss Mary Wright, Librarian. This school was subsequently substituted by the Parish school.
CATHOLIC SOCIETIES.
The Altar Society—was organized in 1830. The Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary—was organized in 1848.
The Rosary—an account of which follows these societies, organized in 1848.
The Purgatorial Society—organized in 1877.
The Sacred Heart Society—organized in 1877.
The Holy name of Jesus Society—organized in 1880, having the- following officers : President, E. P. Bloomer ; Secretary, J. C. Sullivan ; Treasurer, Patrick Dugan.
These:"Societies are strictly- devotional in their exercises.
Saint Patrick's Benevolent Society—organized March 17, 1859. The first officers were : President, George D. McMahon ; Secretary, Thomas R, Phelps ; Treasurer, H. J. Dennis. The present officers are : President, E. P. Bloomer ; Secretary, Daniel Sattersal ; Treasurer, John Ryan.
Shortly after the breaking out of the war of the rebellion, and the call for troops was heard in the city of Zanesville, this society, with true Irish generosity and patriotism, gave all it had in its treasury, five hundred dollars, to equip men for the fray. This sum, the accumulation from hard day labor, saved for the purpose of taking care of their sick, burying the dead, and keeping the wolf from the door of the swidow and orphan, had been husbanded with great care by the Hon. John O'Neil, then their President. But when Sumter was fired upon, and the cry, "to arms !" was heard throughout the North, they said with one voice :
Take this sacred fund, though it be,
And many stalwart Irishmen beside ;
Oh, our country, we would save thee,
Or go down in the crimson tide.
The city highly, appreciated the generous offer, yet on account of tbe purpose for which the money had been raised, and the fact that means were not lacking to accomplish the purpose for which this money was offered, and considering it far more than their portion, returned the money to the society with sincere thanks.
St. Thomas', Benevolent and Literary Society —organized May 2, 1871. The first officers were : Henry J. Dennis, President ; J. C. Sullivan, Secretary ; L. H. Dennis, Treasurer. The membership, at this time, was about twenty. The present officers are : Thomas S. McCormack, President ; Thomas Lacey, Secretary ; J. C. Sullivan, Treasurer.
The present membership is about seventy-eight. The society has a library of about six hundred and fifty volumes, embracing standard works on history, poetry, biography, religion, fiction and encyclopaedias.
Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division No. 1. —This is a branch of a time honored association for benevolence, and the care of the widow and the orphan within its folds. The order in Zanesville was organized in Zanesville' August 26, 1876, with the following officers : County Delegate—P. J. Kelly ; President, Michael Hayden ; Vice President, Terrence Farmer ; Financial Secretary, James T. Bradley ; Recording Secretary, Michael Liston ; Treasurer, P. J. Kelly. The present officers 'are : County Delegate, Terrence Farmer ; President, P. J. Kelly ; Vice President, Thomas Farrell ; Financial Secretary, Howard Carroll ; Recording Secretary, C. F. McCue ; Treasurer, Thomas Cosgrove. The membership numbers about seventy-five. The time and place of meeting—the first and third Sunday evening of every month, at St. Thomas' Hall, North Fifth street.
The Rosary was founded by St. Dominic, and instituted, as a solemn form of devotion, in the year 123. The same idea which prompted St. Dominic to establish his order, prompted him to establish the Rosary—one was to be the auxiliary of the other. When passing through France, shortly before the period above mentioned, St. Dominic was shocked and grieved at beholding the ravages which the Albigensian heresy, then in its full growth and vigor, was committing in that portion of the Lord's vineyard. This heresy was one of the most formidable and destructive that ever afflicted the church of God, and it was for its suppression, and to remedy the evils it had caused, that Dominic conceived the thought of founding his order, to be composed of men who should make teaching and preaching the truths of the gospel, to every class of society, the grand object of their lives. The heretics whom St. Dominic and his confreres thus pitted themselves against, are known in history as the Albigenses ; they had their origin, as a sect, about A. D. 1160, at Albigeois, in Languedoc,and at Toulouse ; they opposed the disciples of the church, as we have said. Their errors were not only destructive of true religion and morality, but calculated to sap the foundation of society itself. Like the Manichians of old, they believed in the existence of two great principles of good and evil, continually contending against each other. Like them, also, they taught that marriages were unlawful, and should not be tolerated, while the most scanda-
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lous practices were allowed their followers. The doctrine of the Incarnation was peculiarly distasteful to the Albigenses, and they strained every point to bring it into odium amongst the people ; and, owing to the ignorance and irreligion of a portion of France, at the time, they were very successful. It was to remedy this evil, especially, that St. Dominic established the Rosary. The idea was a happy one, and wisely conceived. Knowing very well that it would be labor in vain to attempt removing the errors that had crept in, by explaining the great mysteries of Christianity, in a scientific or theological manner, therefore, he thought of establishing a form of prayer which would contain in itself an epitome of Christianity, and which, while it enabled those who practiced it to commune with God, and draw down the blessings of Heaven upon them, would afford, also, an opportunity of being instructed in the principles, mysteries and dogmas, of the faith, by making them the subject of their contemplation, while reciting a certain form of prayer. How well it was calculated to insure the end intended, the success in its promulgation and practice fully shows. Reciting the Rosary very soon became a universal custom among the people, and by meditating on the mysteries which it represents, they became deeply imbued with the principles of their faith, and error received its death blow, and disappeared from amongst them. Especially was the mystery of the Incarnation resuscitated and strengthened. A society of the Rosary was formed, which still exists, a branch of which was instituted in St. Thomas' Church, in 1848, and which now numbers five hundred members. To this society the church has granted the most extraordinary favors and indulgences ; it is in universal practice in the church, and is considered one of the most potent and excellent devotions, not only in its simplicity, but grandeur, being suitable for every rank or class ; for the ignorant as well as the instructed, the most limited capacity, or the most learned philosopher. It is a combination of the most beautiful petitions, or prayers, that can be offered to propitiate Heaven. It commences with the Lord's prayer, is followed by that beautiful angelic salutation addressed to the blessed Virgin Mary, " Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee," (and the inspired words of St. Elizabeth,) Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus," (and the addition made by the church), " Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us now and at the hour of our death, amen," repeated one hundred and fifty times, in imitation of the psalter of David. These one hundred and fifty petitions are divided into fifteen parts, or decades, terminating with a special acknowledgment of praise and glory to the Blessed Trinity. While each decade is being recited, it is necessary also to contemplate the great mystery of the Incarnation, the stupendous miracle of God becoming man, and subjecting himself to all the miseries of our nature, for the redemption of man ; and so, also, the other great mysteries—the passion, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ while reciting the other decades ; so that, while the tongue is-employed in praising God in the most beautiful forms of prayer, the mind is engaged in contemplating those miracles of grace and love which He has lavished on man.
Zanesville is in the Diocese of Columbus, of which Rt. Rev. John A. Watterson, D. D., was consecrated Bishop, in St. Joseph's Cathedral, Columbus, August 8th, 1880 ; the ceremony of consecration was conducted by Bishop Elder, of Cincinnati. The following prelates assisted : J. B. Purcell, Archbishop of Cincinnati ; Coadjutor Bishop Elder ; Bishop McClosky, of Louisville, Kentucky ; Bishop Fitzgerald, of Little Rock, Arkansas ; Bishop Twigg, Bishop Chatard, Bishop Toebbe and Bishop Dwenger.
SOUTH STREET A. M. E. CHURCH.—This church was organized by the Rev. Freeman,
in the year 1826, at the house of Ellen Feelin, on Seventh street, between Market and Main streets. Meetings were held at her house about three months, and subsequently in a small building on Market street, east of Seventh street. Henry Adkison was local preacher, and Miss -- Johnson, class leader.
The first members were : Henry Adcrisson, Jared Jenkins, Harriet Jenkins, David Woodlock, Sarah Woodlock, Rachel Ford, Margaret Darnal, Harriet Carter, William Lowery, Barbara Lowery, Peter Stanton, Margaret Henderson, Sarah Robertson, Enos Jones, Charlotte Marlon, Elizabeth Stephens, Solomon Walker, Mary Hill, Clarissa Walker and. Elizabeth Walker.
The first .church edifice erected by the African Methodist Episcopal Church, organized as above, was a small brick building near the river, a little east of Eighth street. From this brick church, they removed to a frame school house, on Putnam Hill. At this place, under the pastorate of the Rev. George W. Coleman, they were blessed with a gracious revival, and a large accession to the church." From " Putnam Hill" they removed back to Zanesville, into a frame church, which they built on Ninth street, near South, While in this church, they experienced another revival, under Rev. Lawrence Newman. Here, also, the Sabbath-School was organized. Henry Newsom was the first Superintendent ; there was one teacher and seven or eight scholars ; the school flourished and was a source of pride.
The congregation remained in the frame church for several years, when they purchased a brick church on South street, between Third and Fourth streets, formerly occupied and owned by the Protestant Methodists. They built a new brick church on the same site, in 1876 ; the length is sixty-three feet, and the width forty-five feet, and cost seven thousand dollars.
The following ministers have served the church—the time of the year not given—beginning with 1856.
Rev. A. R. Greene, served two years ; Rev. David Smith, two years ; Rev. S. H. Thompson, two years ; J. A. Shorter, three years ; Rev. John Tibbs, three years ; Rev. G. W. Clark, one
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO - 173
year ; Rev. J. A. Warren, two years ; Rev. J. W. Eades, one year ; Rev. Lewis Woodson, one year Rev. Jeremiah Lewis, two years ; Rev. M. W. Walker, two years ; Rev. J. W. Riley, six months ; Rev. J. A. Nelson, two years ; Rev. A.A. Whitman, eighteen months ; Rev. G. H. Graham, two years ; Rev. John G. Mitchell—now in charge, beginning September 2d, 1879. In addition, the following are Local Preachers : T. J. Barnett, N. B. King and Amos Grey. The official members are as follows :
Trustees—N. G. Grant, Washington Turner, William Pinn, James Guy, Alfred Dickinson, Rice Barnett, Benjamin Messer, Washington Johnson and Daniel Grayson.
Stewards—T. J. Barnett, N. T. Grant, Conway Tibbs, W. H. Carter, M. Clinton, Samuel Guy, M. M. Simpson, Joseph S. Brown and N. B. King.
Stewardesses—Eva Sawyer, Martha Carter, Eliza Messer, Charlotte Barnett, Melissa Dolman, Cecillia Caliman, Dorcas Tate, Lucy Clinton, Mary Tate.
Class Leaders—Rice Barnett, George W. Turner, Charles Grant, Samuel Guy, T. J. Barnett, Conway Tibbs, Charles Sawyer and A. J. Carter.
Sabbath School Officers — Superintendent, Charles H. Sawyer ; Assistant, Eliza Messer.
Treasurer—Charles S. Harrison ; Secretary, Wm. L. Hardy.
Secretary—Eva Guy ; Librarian, Edward Turner ; Assistant Jennie Guy. Chorister— George Simpson ; Organist, Minnie Barnett.
This church is subject to the Ohio Annual Conference of the A. M. E. Church, which meets according to appointment. The Bishop is A. W. Wayne, D. D., of Baltimore, Maryland.
The congregation numbers two hundred and thirty-four. The Sunday School numbers two hundred, and teachers fifteen.
MARKET STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.—About the year 1832, a little band of devoted Christians met in what was then known as the Market Street Academy, and organized what is known as the Market Street Baptist Church, of Zanesville, Ohio. Their meetings for worship were held in the court house, for a short time, and then in a small building on. South street, not far from Seventh. And such were the difficulties with which they had to contend that "they wept when they remembered Zion." They were more intent, doubtless, on doing what they could to win souls to the Master, than keeping a record of their doings, and so many of those pioneers have passed "over the river"—and the difficulty in consulting the few survivors is so great— indeed fairly impossible, that we have been confined to the traditions of those who have come after them.
Rev. S. W. Hall, an earnest worker, was one of the principal leaders of the enterprise, and rendered efficient aid in the inauguration of the church, and its firm foundation. The records of 1835 give information of a movement toward the erection of a church. The lot was donated by "Father Mills," and was a magnificent donation. The record does not show, however, any details of erecting this church, only that the attempt of this little band of workers was made in great faith—and with immense sacrifice. The building was begun in 1836, and finished about 1839. It was a commodious and somewhat elegant church edifice, for that day, located on the east side of North Sixth street, between Market and North streets.
Removing there, the Church, as a body, determined to retain the name, "Market Street," as one too dear in association, and too closely identified with early struggles, to be given up, and it is known as "the Market Street Baptist Church," to this day. At the dedication of this home, Rev. George I. Miles—of the East—one of a family of five brothers-all ministers—was present, and the lot fell to this able minister to lead in the pastorate of this young church, for a number of years. He was a man of noble aspirations, tender in sympathy, simple in manner, and a fearless preacher of the Gospel. Such was his magnetic influence that he inspired the confidence of all who knew him. Men rallied around him, and he loved the preaching of the word—the hour of prayer—and the singing of the songs of Zion—and the blessed enjoyment of leading souls into the baptismal waters. The writer of these outlines has often heard it stated that George I. Miles was emphatically the inspiring spirit, and the successful founder of the church.
There was scarcely a Sabbath during a good part of his ministry, that he did not welcome some one to the Lord's Supper, as a new convert to the faith he so earnestly contended for. His pastorate was, perhaps, one of the most successful of any in that day, in southeastern Ohio.
The executive work of the church, on the other hand, was noted for extreme slowness. Men did not "rush things" then-they deliberated— they sat together in council for hours, and gave solemn and earnest thought, in debate, to matters which would now be turned off or hurried through in a few moments.
Rev. Mr. Miles was succeeded by the Rev. Daniel Sheppardson, a graduate of Brown University—who came to the field accidentally—but was a workman who had no need to be ashamed —although his pastorate was brief. For several months after his pastorate, the church was without a pastor, yet maintained all its appointments, supplying its pulpit with the best talent at command, and specially observing the business sessions, and the ordinances in which the faith of a Christian body is strengthened ; and just here was seen the fact that much of the success of this church was due, as it has been since, to the very stable character of its lay members. They were men, frequently of radical convictions, executive ability and fine social standing.
One of the greatest problems with which churches of a democratic form of government
174 - HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
have to contend, is the tendency of party feeling and prejudice to show itself in a dominating manner, in business matters ; and in this they were no exception—differences arose, opinions clashed; and party feelings became intense, and even bitter ; but nevertheless, Christian integrity, executive ability, brain culture, and heartfelt piety, were frequently found sufficient in the Church to meet every demand.
Dr. Sheppardson has risen to the foremost rank in the denomination. His work in the Young Ladies' College, at Granville, Ohio, has made him a name and a place of merited distinction ; he is an enthusiastic advocate of the higher education of women, a man of sterling integrity, and a recognized force. The probable cause of his removal from the pastorate of this church, may be found in the fact of his leadership being too radical and fast for the conservatism so prominent in the churches of that day. Dr. Sheppardson "believes in Almighty God, and the Baptist Church."
One of the interesting events of the interval following his pastorate, and one in which the church may have just pride, was the coming out into a new sphere of duty of Rev. Jefferson Chambers, now a member of the church, and an honored minister of the Gospel. A young man of more than ordinary ability, he was in the successful and honorable pursuit of business, when it appeared to him a duty and a privilege to devote his life to the work of the Gospel ministry. He converted his business into available funds, stated his convictions of duty to the church, and soon after left for Granville College, to pursue a course of study. Mr. Chambers was a young man of sterling integrity, good judgment, and earnest piety—and has been one of the best pastors Ohio Baptists have ever had. He has enjoyed long pastorates, and uniformly succeeded in building up and unifying every work he has undertaken. He began his studies in 1845, and has been an ornament to the work of the Lord, and a brother greatly beloved in the church. He is, to-day, once more a member of the Market Street Baptist Church.
Some time in November, 1846, Rev. N. N. Woods, of Vicksburg, Mississippi, was called to the pastorate of the church. During his pastorate, it does not appear that very many accessions were made to the church. Mr. Woods was evidently not an evangelist, but, rather, a man for quiet, symmetrical work. He held the affairs of the church, especially its business matters, with a firm, conservative grasp, and to him, undoubtedly, was due much of the solidity and strength evinced by the church during days of frequent discipline and church trials. At this epoch, appear the names of men like Palmer, Cox, Downer, Bigelow, Rogers, Huey, Sheppard, Potts, and Eastman, all of them laymen of very marked and decided character.
Probably, the influence of such men often saved the church from revolution and disintegration complete, as the strain of discipline, of frequent exclusions, and heated discussions, was enough in itself to test most thoroughly the capacity and strength of any body of men combined under a democratic, or congregational, form of government. It is worthy of note by those who read modern church history in this county, that circus-going, card-playing, neglect of prayer meeting, and ill feeling or resentment toward brethren, were some of the causes in that day, of the most stringent and careful discipline. Pastor Wood's work was signalized by some additions, numerous cases of discipline, and, be it said to his credit, the securing of a larger beneficence on the part of the church towards the various Baptist missionary enterprises of the day.
In 1848, Rev. L. G. Leonard, D.D., one of the ablest, and most earnest, men in the ranks of the Baptist ministry, was called to the pastorate of the church. Mr. Leonard was a man, slow of speech, methodic, practical, but, withal, a tender and true shepherd.
One of the first difficulties confronting Rev. Leonard, was the debt upon the meeting-house, certain needed repairs upon the same, and the necessity of liquidating an obligation still remaining, toward a late pastor. Dr. Leonard went forward, nothing doubting, and soon mastered these difficulties. Similar to the work of Rev. George Miles, was the work of Dr. Leonard, in respect to gathering the people together, and gaining the attention of men to the matter of their spiritual welfare. The baptisms were not in very large numbers at any one time, but occurred one by one, quietly, and here and there, in the history of his pastorate. His work was solid, and conservative ; yet, he was not averse to extra revival efforts. A notable illustration of this fact occurred in the great effort of Elder Jacob Knapp, in connection with Dr. Leonard's pastorate. The revival did not result in many conversions, but was signalized by all the fierce discussion, the reform and confusion caused by the preaching of such men as "turn the world upside down." Jacob Knapp found in the pastor, a co-laborer and friend. rather than a critic. The mention of Dr. Leonard, his quiet influence, his grand and pious character, brings to mind a significant fact in connection with the history of pastorates in this church, namely : that almost all the pastors were those whom the educational institutions of the denomination had honored with degrees. They were "Doctors of Divinity" not only, but were every way worthy of that distinction, having thorough and systematic training in the schools, and having achieved a standing in the world of letters. One of the invariable and oft-repeated remarks heard among the membership to-day, is this : "This church has always had good pastors." Purity, growth, affectionate good will, and spiritual-mindedness, were a part of the rich heritage of this pastorate.
Following Elder Knapp's services, under the pastorate of Dr. Leonard, there were upwards of seventy-five accessions to the church, among
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them many young persons, many of whom are alive and remaining at this day.
A very notable event occurred soon after, in the exclusion of large numbers from the church ; and closely following this, the resignation of their good and efficient pastor, who had served for nearly seven years. Brother Leonard was succeeded by Rev. J. T. Roberts. Dr. Roberts is yet living, and serves the denomination in the capacity of instructor in one of the " Colored Schools " of the south. There is little to indicate that his pastorate was marked by any great degree of success. He is well spoken of, and the records of the Church give no evidence of other than pleasant relations between him aria the people. Extensive repairs were made upon the church during his brief pastorate, extending through a period of seventeen months.
On the 5th of April, 1857, Rev. Alfred Pinney, of the Erie Street Baptist Church, Cleveland, Ohio, was called to the pastorate. The period of his work was one of considerable growth and development, notwithstanding the severe trials of local conflicts and controversies of a political nature, almost equal in bitterness to the red handed contest which was soon to spread over the country.
Rev. Pinney was successful, however, in maintaining good congregations, in paying off debts, and, by the blessing of God, in adding to the church many who have proven noble and earnest workers in the vineyard. Among these, was William H. Stenger, a graduate of Dennison University, of the class of 1869, and of Rochester Theological Seminary, of the class of 1873. He was a faithful pastor, a clear and logical expounder of God's word, and a brilliant Sunday School worker. During his pastorate of nearly three years, there appears. for the first time upon the minutes of the church a record of systematic and large hearted giving to the various denominational benevolent societies. Undoubtedly, giving had been a part of previous church enterprise, but under this pastorate it appears to have been brought out into a new dignity, and given a new character ; the benevolence of the church has generally been increased from year to year.
During Dr. Pinney's pastorate, a schism, which finally went throughout almost all northern churches and homes, arose, and the result was a final dissolution of the relationship.
The great " American Conflict," and the extermination of slavery, which this man prophesied, at length came.
In 1860, April 1st, what was then known as the Sixth Street Baptist Church, formally, and as a body, came into the Market Street Church. It was a fine occasion, and considerably strengthened the old family, which had by. this time been bereft of many children.
The church, as now constituted, called to its parochial office, the Rev. N. A. Reed, of Middletown, New York. Coming, as he did, at a critical period in the history of all affairs, it was a peculiar testing of Dr. Reed's ability, to preside over a church so singularly identified with the interests of the country, as was this one. Many brave mien from among its communicants and congregation were found at the front of. service during the war. Notable among these, was the almost entire male portion of the family of Prof. H. D. Munson. Himself and three or four sons went into the fray, and there did faithful, soldier-like service for God and country, as, at home, this family has done for God and humanity. Quietly, but efficiently, its members have served the Market street Baptist Church, in various important positions, for years, and have, indeed, borne "the labor and the heat of the day." The ministry of Dr. Reed was one of gallant service at home. He was pre-eminently a "war pastor," or a kind of home chaplain. He suffered the depletion of his church, the sacrifice of the people for the cause, the loss of his own son in the strife, held on in faith and prayer, attended the funerals of dead soldier boys who were brought home, made war speeches, preached patriotic sermons, and generally made for himself a place and name in Zanesville, which will long be remembered. He was social, tender in heart, loving as a pastor, and generally beloved. For seven years, amid the depressions, disappointments and struggles incident to the times, be held on, and made his record as a true soldier of the gospel. Some revivals were enjoyed, and, notwithstanding the four years of war, his pastorate was one of growth and efficiency.. Such men as Cox, Palmer, (Addison), Munson, Garry, Rishtine, Conrade, Fisher, Shrigley, Clossman, and others, were active then, and they, with men like Charles Munson, F. J. Shultz, D. B. Garry, Jr., T. F. Spangler, Esq., Thomas Coulton, John Gurley, and Walter Bird, of a later period, have made the pastorates of more men than Dr. Reed, eminently successful in a business point of view.
The Rev. Mr. Vary, an excellent preacher, a man of personal piety and spiritual mindedness, succeeded Pastor Reed. His was only a voice in the wilderness, proclaiming the acceptable year of the Lord for a little time,and then passing away. It was a most trying and mysterious providence which removed him so soon from a place of influence, happiness, and great good. It is not improbable that the stay of Mr. Vary with the church gave rise to a higher and nobler type of piety in the hearts of the membership. His death soon followed, and the tidings of that event came with crusbing effect upon the hearts of the people who had enjoyed his teachings, his prayers, and the sweet benediction of his influence. Near the year 1870, after a protracted supply on the part of Rev. Mr. Beach, a young man of excellent qnalifications, and one who was ordained while acting as pastor, the Rev. R. S. James, now President of Judsonia University, Arkansas, was called to the pastorate. Brother James gave evidence at once of possessing more than average ability, and entered heartily upon his work. At no period, perhaps, of forty years history, was a larger number of young people gathered
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into the church, than at this. Just here, or perhaps with the beginning of Brother Vary's pastorate, the Sabbath School work began to be felt in the church. The nursery began to yield, and some of those who are among the most promising constituency of the church at present, were brought in from the Sabbath School. Previous to this, the baptisms which occurred seemed to be the result of conquest in the open field. The Sabbath School was more neglected in that elder day, but when effort was put forth, those old warriors brought down "large game " From 1870, adult baptisms have been less frequent than formerly, but the Sabbath School, under the efficient care of Prof. H. D. Munson, has been for ten or twelve years, the right arm of the church. Indeed, it would be almost the extermination of the church were its primary teaching, its Bible classes, its giving and singing to be given up. Prof. Munson's well-known abiliity as a chorus leader and director of music, have given him a 'vantage ground in this department possessed by very few Sabbath School leaders. The market street Baptist Sabbath School has a history second only to the church for all that is praiseworthy, beneficent, and grand in Christian enterprise.
Dr. James succeeded admirably in his chosen calling, and, in fact, throughout his pastorate, until the time of his turning aside to another profession.
His pastorate was a brief one, but signalized by great good in many important respects. At this point, however, the church had grown to a standing and influence which enabled it to go forward under almost any Christian leadership. Such men as Caleb D. Coldwell, then President of the Board of Trustees, a man able to recast and frame in the most simple, yet theological dress Baptist articles of faith. with Thomas Durban, Esq., in the Executive Board, H. D. Munson, Superintendent of Sunday School, and Bible class teachers like D. B. Garry, Esq., would make any right minded pastorate a fair success.
Rev. James was succeeded by Rev. R. Andrew Griffin. of Weymouth, England, a student of Spurgeon's in theology, and a graduate of Regent Park College, London. His genius, youth and peculiar methods of sermonizing, his freshness of thought and originality of manner, produced a very general and decided impulse for activity and growth. His labors were blest with a good degree of success, and his pastorate for many months had a tone of genialness that was welcomed by all. But association with liberalizing ministers, the misguided research of a man not properly trained in theology, and the morbidness of an ambitious mind, defeated in some of its cherished dreams, soon wrought a sad change. The fresh and David-like English boy, who came with the simple story of Christian faith and hope upon his lips, changed to a morbid cynic, a philosophizing misanthrope, a demoralized doubter. In 1875, his pastorate (of nearly four years) began to wane in power and efficiency, and seems to have grown worse, until, in March, 1876, when it ended in his own confessed despair, and in almost wrecking the old church, so long a survivor of other, but no greater, perils. Mr. Griffin's subtle and confessed attempt, for one whole year, to indoctrinate the church with heresy, was at once a proof of the thorough work which had been done before, and the intelligence, integrity and faith of the membersbip. The attempt was singularly abortive.
The next pastor, Rev. Henry A. Delano, was born January 7th, 1848, converted in 1863, graduated at Dennison University in 1869, and from Rochester Theological Seminary in the class of 1872. He came to Zanesville in March, 1876, and became pastor of Market Street Baptist Church in May, following. His labors have been crowned with great success, saving the church from disintegrating by the influence of his predecessor, and, by pleading the cause of the Master with eloquence and zeal, the membership has steadily increased. During his ministry, one hundred and fifty-eight have been baptized and received into the church, and eight have been added by letter.
Rev. H. A. Delano's pastoral work was not confined t@ the 'usual pulpit and ministerial duties, but embraced the most pronounced aggression upon the domain of King Alcohol ; indeed, he may be said to have "carried the war into Africa," to save men from the evil of the social glass. His labors, however satisfactory, were brought to a close by his resignation, to accept a pastorate in Norwich, New York, and his connection with Market Street Baptist Church ceased, August 4th, 1881.
THE SEVENTH STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.—In September, A. D. 1840, the Ohio Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church met in Zanesville, and considered the state of the church. The congregation at the Second Street Church had been too large to meet, with comfort, in their house of worship, and the clerical duties were such as to render an additional preacher necessary. Accordingly, it was deemed expedient to divide the congregation, and therefore have two preachers. Uriah Heath and John W. Stone were appointed to the Zanesville station. Whereupon, the President and Directors of the Zanesville Canal and Manufacturing Company permitted the new church to use the upper room in the McIntire Academy as a place of worship. The record of the members who formed this church cannot now be found, but, according to the memory of F. A. Seborn, Esq., they numbered about one hundred..
In the spring of 1841, a lot on Seventh street, sixty-six feet front by one hundred and twenty- eight feet deep, was purchased for one thousand dollars, for which a deed was obtained from John Lee and Margaret Lee, his wife, which was duly recorded June 4th, A. D. 1841, in Book Z, pp. 477-8-9 ; and an addition to this lot, eighteen feet front and the same depth, was purchased from the same parties for four hundred dollars, January 6th, 1843—the two purchases being the site
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of the church known as the Seventh Street M. Church. These deeds were executed to Daniel Brush, Thomas Moorehead, Samuel J. Cox, John Dillon, Levi Chapman, James Milles, James Henderson, Samuel Howard and Horatio J. Cox, as trustees, they being the trustees of the Second street property. Having the lot, it was decided to build a church, and through the efforts of Rev. Uriah Heath, the preacher in charge, a sufficient sum was subscribed to justify the movement, and a contract was made with Daniel Price to build the basement story (of stone), which was done in the fall of the same year. James Milles and Daniel Brush were the building committee, and the following spring a contract was made with Daniel Price and John T. Thorpe for the brick work. James Milles had charge of the carpenter work, and the house was enclosed in the fall of 1842. The trustees resolved to borrow money to liquidate the debt, which amounted to one thousand dollars. The money was advanced by Daniel Brush, and the contracts made for finishing the basement, which was completed in the spring of 1843, and the opening service, Rev. J. N. Moffitt officiating, was held the latter part of June, of that year. Rev. Uriah Heath continued in charge two years, assisted during the second Year by Rev. Wester R. Davis. They were succeeded by Rev's. William Ellsworth and John F. Conrey. Joseph A. Waterman succeeded John F. Conrey, and served two years, and William Young succeeded Ellsworth.
Hitherto, the church at Zanesville was under the care of the same preachers, although worshiping in separate places. The preachers held forth alternately in each house. About this time, it was deemed expedient to divide the stations, and at the succeeding Annual Conference, in September, 1845, John Miley was appointed to the charge of the Seventh Street Station ; in this month, the church was finished and dedicated ; Rev. A. M. Lorain, of Putnam Station, preached the sermon. In the fall of 1847, Rev. D. Warnock was appointed. In the fall of 1849, Rev. Granville Moody was appointed.
February 22d, 1850, at the house of T. Moorehead, the Board of Trustees met ; present : Thomas Moorehead, D. Brush, D. Young, James Milles, S. Howard, S. J. Cox, Francis Cassiday, Horatio J. Cox, and Rev's. Granville Moody and Asbury Lowry. At this meeting, it was decided that each of the two stations in the town of Zanesville should have their separate and distinct Board of Trustees, resident within their own bounds, and it was therefore resolved that so far as we, the above trustees, are concerned, or empowered, each of our meeting houses in Zanesville may have its own Board of Trustees ; whereupon, D. Brush, S. J. Cox, F. Cassiday, D. Young and John Dillon (the said John Dillon by verbal authority given to D. Brush), who all resided within the bounds of Second street charge, resigned their trusts as trustees of the Seventh street meeting house, and the grounds belonging thereto, of the M. E. Church, in the town of Zanesville, and Thomas Moorehead, Samuel Howard, James Milles, and H. J. Cox, all of whom resided in the bounds of the Seventh street charge, resigned their trusts as trustees of the Second street meeting house, and the grounds belonging thereto, and they also resigned their trusteeship of the parsonage, or preacher's house, on the north half of lot No. 7, square ir, in the town of Zanesville. D. BRUSH,
Secretary.
At a meeting of the trustees of Seventh street meeting house, February 22d, 1850, Brother Granville Moody, preacher in charge, nominated G. L. Shinnick, Henry Howalter, Benjamin F. Wilson, James S. Cox, and J. Wilcox, to fill the vacancies occasioned by the resignation of D. Young, Daniel Brush, Francis Cassiday, Samuel Cox, and John. Dillon ; the above nominations were confirmed by the Board of Trustees of the Seventh Street Church, in the town of Zanesville, Ohio. THOMAS MOOREHEAD,
Chairman.
The following persons have served as pastors, succeeding the foregoing recital : Rev. J. M. Trimble, in 1851 ; W. F. Stewart, in 1852 ; Pearl P. Ingalls, in 1853 ; John W. Ross, 1855 ; Wm. Porter, in 1856 ; James F. Given, in 1857 ; Samuel C. Riker, in 1859 ; Uriah Heath in 1861. Mr. Heath died and John E. Sowers was appointed to fill out his time, in 1862 ; Lovett Taft, in the fall of this year ; Daniel Horlocker, in 1864 ; C. D. Battelle, in 1866 ; E. I. Jones, in 1869 ; W. Dillon, in 1872 ; J. F. Williams, in 1875 E. H. Dixon, in 1876 ; James H. Gardner, in 1877 ; A. B. Lee, in 1879 ; J. S. Postle, in 1889. The appointments being made in the fall of the year.
The following have served as Presiding Elder : James B. Finley, in 1845 ; David Young, in 1846 ; J. M. Jameson, in 1847 ; Jacob Young, in 1849; J. M. Trimble, in 1853 ; J. W. White, in 1856, John Frazer, in 1860 ; Daniel D. Mather, in 1864 ; Thomas H. Phillips, in 1866 ; Wm. Porter, in 1868 ; Levi Cunningham, in 1872 ; W. T. Harvey, in 1876 ; and James Hill, in 1880.
The membership is now about three hundred and fifty.
The present pastor is Rev. J. S. Postle. The present officers are :
Stewards.—J. T. Davis, D. Coltrap, H. P. Slack, F. A. Seborn, John Huskins, William Morgan, Mary Gardner, Jenny Allen, Elizabeth Lawson.
Recording Secretary-F. A. Seborn.
Treasurer—J. T. Davis.
Trustees—F. A. Seborn, Dr. J. S. Haldeman, W. K. Watson, John McCaslin, John Winter, L. F. Quigley, Thomas M. Nichols, B. F. Spangler and J. Gardner.
The Sunday School was organized' soon after the church was formed. The following is nearly a complete list of those who have served as Superintendent : Charles W. Chandler, Steven Burwell, Brewster, Dr. J. S. Haldeman, George W. Manypenny, F. A. Seborn, M. V. Mitchell, Hezekiah Jordan, Rev. S. C. Riker, Avery Waller, Rev. S. C. Riker, Rev. L. Taft,
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D. Horlocker, Edgar W. Allen, Rev. E. I. Jones, Robert M. Brown, C. G. Anderson, and B. F. Spaulding. The latter is the present superintendent and is assisted by Lucian P. Slack. The Treasurer is John B. Hunter ; the Secretary, Harry S. Bryan ; the Librarian, Wm. Peairs ; the Assistant Librarian, Harry Stenger.
The number of teachers is twenty-four. The average attendance of pupils and teachers is one hundred and seventy-five.
SAINT NICHOLAS CATHOLIC CHURCH [GERMAN]—The members forming this church were a part of the congregation of St. Thomas' Church, where the services were held in the English language, which, as soon as the German element felt strong enough, induced them to ask permission to organize a church in which the services should be conducted in that language. This was granted in 1841, and in the fall of 1842, the young congregation erected a new church, the handsome sandstone edifice, 45x60 feet, now occupied by them. The new church was dedicated by the Right Rev. Bishop, John B. Purcell, of Cincinnati.
The following Priests have served as pastor :
Rev's. Joseph Gallinger, Otto Borgess, ____ Rensen, _____ Desselars, M. Herzog, W. Deiters,
______ Kremer, T. W. Brummer, A. Berger, T. F. Gotz, 0. Ferger, G. Uhling, A. Hechinger, John Joseph Ronk, T. D. Nordmayer, and now, Rev. Magnus Eppink. Father Eppink is held in high esteem by his congregation, the clergy and the Bishop of his Diocese.
In 1861, an addition of 36x45 feet was added to the church, making a total length of 96 feet and 45 feet in width.
The first Lay officers were as follows : Trustees—Frank Rink, John Gerspach, John Hoff, and William Koos.
The present Lay officers are as follows :
Trustees—Joseph Keller, Theodore Korn, and Paul Emmert.
The church is in the Diocese of Columbus. The Right Rev. Sylvester H. Rosencrans, who died at Columbus, Ohio, October 21st, 1878, was the last Bishop. The Bishopric is now vacant.
TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH—Located on the corner of Seventh and Harvey streets, Zanesville. The following members first signed the constitution, viz. :
John Riehl, Ferd. Timmel, Christian Nillen, Jacob Kratzer, Theobald Stemmler, John Muller; Louis Stoecker, Gottlieb Nodenger, John D. Bonnet, Claus Jockers, Andrew Barth, Philipp Schmidt, Jacob Fickeison, John Balzer, Jacob Riehl, Jacob _Harsch, Wm. Ruth, Daniel Gilger, Friederick Bachmann, Phillip H. Anschnitz, John Ungemach, John M. Bonnet, Peter Riehl, Hartman Werner, David Hahn, Christ F. Hahnlein, George Sommer, Jacob Becker, Gottlieb Stecker, Fried'k Haas, John Penthesins and .Fried'k Erler.
The congregation was organized March 6, 1845. The first pastor was Rev. George Bartels, who began to serve in 1844, and in 1849 was succeeded by Rev. Fr. Zur Muehlen, who served ten years, and was followed by Rev. Herman Keuhn, who, in 1863, was succeeded–by Rev. Peter Eiricb, whose pastorate continued six years, when the Rev. H. G. Craemer became the pastor, and his service extended into 1880, when Rev. E. John was called, and served until April 6th, 1881, when Prof. C. A. Frank, (of Capitol University, Columbus, Ohio,) became the pastor.
The present membership is two hundred and ninety-seven, sixty of whom are voting members. .
I certify that the foregoing is the most complete record that the church has been able to furnish. JOHN M. BONNET, SR.
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.—The Second Presbyterian Church, of Zanesville, Ohio, completed its organization October 9th, 1852. It was formed by an act of the Presbytery of Zanesville, September 7th, 1852, agreeably to the petition of the following persons, members of the Church of Zanesville :
Elder, L. P. Bailey ; Deacons, E. Burlingame, R. P. Robinson and T. H. Patrick. Members— A. McFadden, Mrs. Jane Price, Mrs. Rebecca Griffith, Miss Mary Price, Mrs. Ann Griffith, Miss Anna M. Griffith, Sarah Katharine Griffith, D. B. Cochran, Mrs. Sarah Cochran, Samuel Robinson, Mrs. C. A. Peters, Miss Lucinda Bailey, Mrs. Sophia H. Adams, Mrs. Elizabeth M. Bird, Miss Jane A. McFadden, Robert M. Crow, Mrs. Jane Burlingame, Miss Susan P. Burlingame, Richard Morris, Mrs. Margaret A. Robinson, Peter Black, Robert Little and Mrs. Agnes Little.
The following pefsons were added by certificate, previous to the first communion : Mrs. Susan Stillwell, Mrs. Ellen Wheeler, Miss Elizabeth Wheeler, Mrs. E. M. Hoge, Mrs. Abigail W. Bailey, Mrs. Ann M. Carey, Mrs. D. Sullivan, Mrs. Jane Shaw, Mrs. Susan McGinnis, Mrs. Mary Jane Porter, Miss Belinda McGinnis, Mrs. Margaret Fillmore, John Wilson, John S. Black, John G. Spencer, George A. Retiberg, Mrs. Nancy Hersh, Mrs. Margaret Eddie, Mrs. Eliza P. Crow, Mrs. Elizabeth S. Bell, Mrs. Susan Granger, Miss Rebecca Tidball, and Mrs, Margaret Mapes.
The Rev. M. A. Hoge, who was pastor of the church at Zanesville at the time of this organization, was, by act of Presbytery, October 22d, 1852, set apart as pastor of the new church, having severed his connection with the church of Zanesville, with their consent. The two congregations continued to worship together, however, for some time, but early in 1853, the second church rented Odd Fellows' Hall, and held services there until January, 1854, when the Lutheran Church, situated on the southeast corner of South and Sixth streets, was leased for one year. January 1st, 1855, Odd Fellows' Hall was again secured, and services were held there until the edifice in which the congregation now worships was completed, in August, 1855.
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The question of church erection, having agitated the minds of the congregation, was finally settled, at a meeting held the 2d of January, 1854, when Messrs. Peter Black, W. A. Graham, R. P. Robinson, Tohn A. Adams, Adam Peters, and A. McFadden, were appointed to solicit funds and secure a lot, for church purposes. The committee reported, at a meeting held March 2d, 1854, that they had been successful, whereupon, the following persons were appointed a committee, with power to transact any business pertaining to the erection of a house of worship : E. Burlingame, A. Peters, John A. Adams, L. P. Bailey, John S. Black, and W. A. Graham. They performed their work with alacrity, and well, and the building was handed over to the congregation, August nth, 1'855. The dedication to God was made the following Sabbath. The Rev. F. T. Brown, of Cleveland, Ohio, preached the sermon.
The church is a neat, brick structure, situated on the east side of Fifth street, between Main and Market streets, and cost, including the addition and grounds, about fifteen thousand dollars. Rev. M. A. Hoge, the first pastor,,served the congregation very faithfully and acceptably, nearly ten years ; he resigned his charge in April, 1862, to accept a call from Westminster Church, Cleveland, Ohio, and was succeeded by Rev. E. H. Leavitt, who accepted the call, July 28th, 1862 ; he remained with the congregation nearly three years, preaching most excellent sermons, notwithstanding his ill health, on account of which he severed his connection with the church, in May, 1865. November 27th, of the same year, Rev. William M. Baker was called, and accepting, entered upon his labors in June, 1866, and served the church more than six years. He is remembered as an earnest and efficient Christian worker. He resigned, and removed to Newbury-port, Massachusetts. On the 19th of August, 1872, Rev. A. D. Hawn was called, and accepting, commenced his pastoral work on the iith of October, 1872. He labored diligently, and with good results, for more than six years. At his request, the pastoral relation was dissolved, December 24th, 1878, that he might accept a call from Delaware, Ohio. April 23d, 1879, Rev. Theodore Crowl, the present pastor, was called. He entered upon his church work the first Sunday of the following month, and was regularly installed July 8th, 1879.
One of the charter members, Mr. L. P. Bailey, was an ordained Elder when the separation from the old church took place, and was the only ordained officer of the church—.with the pastor —until the i9th of October, 1853, when T. H. Patrick and E. Burlingame came into the new organization, as Deacons, and were ordained as Elders. Mr. Burlingame was dismissed, to another church, in June, .f870. On the 7th of January, 1860, Mr. John R. Price was ordained, and continued in the Session until. February, 1873, when be ceased to act. Messrs. Joseph Black and Alexander Grant were ordained Elders on the 23d of February, 1868. Mr. Black ceased to act in February, 1873, and was dismissed to Detroit, Michigan, in 1876. Messrs. Samuel Elliott and J. A. Lippincott became members of the Session, October 29th, 1871. In 1874, Mr. Lippincott was dismissed to Newport, Kentucky. On the 5th of June, 1875, Mr. J. K. Caldwell, an Elder, formerly in the church of Washington, Ohio, was installed as an Elder in this church. On the 29th of August, 1875, Dr. W. J. Chandler was ordained an Elder, and became a member of the Session.
About this time, the church adopted what is known as "the rotary system"—as applying to Elders—excepting the venerable gentlemen, T. H. Patrick and L. P. Bailey, who, on account of long and valuable service to the church, were declared members of the Session for life.
October 2d, 1879, Mr. Alexander Grant's term having expired, he ceased to act, and, on the same day, Messrs. George Fox and J. B. Tannehill were elected, and, shortly after, ordained Elders.
A careful examination of the church records, discloses the fact that, during all the years that have elapsed since the organization of the church, no evidence of any division in meetings of the session appear ; it has been wonderfully harmonious. And this harmony is manifest in the regard shown for each other by the members of the congregation, and for the Christian interest manifested to strangers coming within the circle of their influence. The church has a good pipe organ, and choir, under the accomplished organist, Miss S. E. Rollo, who has inspired the congregation with a praiseworthy ambition to excel in music.
The Sabbath School was organized soon after the church was formed. The first Superintendent was Mr. John A. Black—this was when meetings were first held in Odd Fellows' Hall. In 1874, an addition was made to the church, providing excellent rooms for the school. Mr. A. Sampson succeeded Mr. Black. Mr. Montgomery Lewis, Samuel Baird, Dr. W. M. Herriott, Alexander Grant, Colonel M. Churchill, J. A. Lippincott, Dr. W. J. Chandler, and Mr. E. S. Keene, succeeded, in the office of Superintendent, rendering efficient service. The latter gentleman now fills the office, much to the gratification of the school and congregation. The school has an enrollment of one hundred and eighty-seven scholars, and eighteen teachers, a good library, and the most approved helps for teacher and pupil. The most zealous persistence characterizes the officers and teachers, in sowing the seed of Christian doctrine.
The Infant Department meets in a room set apart for it, is conducted by Mrs. Dr. S. T. Edgar and Miss Lizzie Griffith. The venerable Elder, T. H. Patrick, presided over this department for about twenty years, and it was a common regret that this " tender shepherd " had to yield to the infirmities of age ; " the lambs of the flock " knew and loved his voice. They, and " the children of larger growth," the rich fruitage of seed well sown on good ground, as
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well as the school at large, hold him in grateful remembrance. It requires no stretch of the imagination to hear him repeat the exhortation in that beautiful hymn :
" To the work ! to the work ! we are servants of God, Let us follow the path that our Master has trod ; With the balm of his counsel our strength to renew, Let us do with our might what our hands find to do. Toiling on, let us hope, let us watch and labor
Till the Master comes."
THE" OFFICERS OF THE SABBATH SCHOOL.—E. S. Keene, Superintendent ; H. T. Canfield, Assistant Superintendent ; W. C. McBride, Secretary and Treasurer ; Charles B. Hall, Librarian.
THE OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH.—Elders : T. H. Patrick, Dr. W. J. Chandler, Samuel Elliott, J. K. Caldwell, L. P. Bailey, J. B. Tannehill and George R. Fox. Deacons : Dr. H. Culbertson, W. S. Harlan, Robert Thompson, Fenton Bagley, George H. Stewart, and E. S. Keene. Trustees : Colonel M. Churchill, Major W. S. Harlan, Captain Thomas S. Black, F. Wedge, John C. Harris, and H. T. Canfield.
WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSION SOCIETY (AUXILIARY TO THE PARENT BOARD AT PHILADELPHIA.)—The object of this association is the support of Mrs. Mary Cross-elle, a Missionary of North China. December 4th, 1872, the ladies of the Putnam Presbyterian, and the First and Second Presbyterian Churches, met and organized for the purpose stated, each church being pledged to contribute one third of the salary, which was four hundred dollars per annum. In January, 1875, the Second Church withdrew from the society, the Putnam and First Church continuing.
ZION BAPTIST CHURCH [COLORED]—This church was organized and incorporated according to the laws of Ohio, February 4th, 1859, with the following officers : Trustees—Anthony Anderson, Lewis Kellis, and William Reynolds. Clerk : J. McC. Simpson. Deacons—John Hall, Lewis Kellis, and Anthony Anderson.
The first regular business meeting was held in Nevitt's Hall, March 5th, 1859, when twenty-seven members were reported in good and regular standing. In June, 1859, the Trustees purchased a one story frame building, (near Blandy's Foundry,) the property of the True Wesleyan Church, for the sum of three hundred dollars.
The Rev. S. P. Lewis, was pastor. The congregation held its first meeting in their newly acquired home, the 2d of July, 1859. In January, 1863, the congregation vacated this church and moved into a room in Nevitt's building. August loth, 1866, they purchased a lot on Eighth street, between Main and South streets, for the sum of eight hundred dollars, and erected thereon a neat one story frame building. The first meeting held in their new home, was held November 3d, 1866. In a few years, this building was found to be too small, and the question of enlarging, or building a new house, was considered, and the latter course finally adopted. The new church was dedicated and occupied May 5th, 1872. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. E. W. Dannels, of the First -Baptist Church, of Zanesville. The new church was a one stow frame building, twenty-six by forty feet, erected at a cost of near $1,500. , The Rev. J. M. Meek succeeded Mr. Lewis as pastor, and served, about three years ; he was succeeded by Rev. J. McC. Simpson, who served about four years, and was succeeded by Rev. Robert Robinson, who served two years, and was succeeded by Rev. John Powell, who served one year, and was succeeded by Rev. William A. Meredith, the present pastor, formerly of Granville University. He is highly spoken of as a pastor and preacher.
The number of members in good and regular standing is fifty six.
The present officers are : Deacons : William Harris, Louis Kellis, Andrew Henderson and John Hall. Trustees : Gilbert Turner, Lewis Kellis and Samuel Thornton.
The Sabbath School was organized soon after the church,,but no record of its first work is accessible. The present officers are : Andrew Henderson, Superintendent ; Miss Eliza Colston, Secretary ; Mrs. C. Pointer, Treasurer.
The number of teachers is five, and number of pupils forty.
PUTNAM PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.—The historical resume of the Putnam Presbyterian Church, of Zanesville, Ohio, delivered at its forty-second anniversary, January 7th and 21, 1877, by the pastor, Rev. Addison Kingsbury, D.D., bears evidence of painstaking, and was, doubtless, a "labor of love." In it we see the struggles of "the early Christians," and how they triumphed. It was doubtless to show these things for the encouragement of the brethren that Dr. Kingsbury grouped the data embraced in his sketch—as we shall see that the church of which he was pastor was of more recent organization than "the United Church of Zanesville and Springfield." The pastor of the "mother church," out of which was formed the church at Newton, and the Presbyterian Church, of Putnam, Dr. Culbertson, had a great desire to have a Metropolitan Church, and, when these churches were formed, he said to the Presbytery : "When the Newton church was formed, you took away my right arm, (and, on the formation of the Putnam Church) now you propose to divide my body." He consented, however, in the spirit of a true Christian.
It is well to remember that the formation of churches is usually dependent upon the demand for convenience or social relations. These considerations led to the formation of a new church, as will appear in the following :
"So fully had the question of church organization on this side of the river been discussed, and so strongly was such a church desired, that a meeting of the citizens favorable to the object
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO - 181
was convened at the Brick School House, on Fourth street, now Woodlawn avenue, March 6, 1833, when the following persons were present, viz. : Edwin Putnam, Levi Whipple, Dr. Increase Mathews, Mathew Gillespie, Horace Nye, C. P. Buckingham, Alvah Buckingham, J. C. Guthrie, M. B. Cushing, Dr. Robert Safford, J. C. Brown, Hezekiah Sturges, William Silvey, J. P. Burlingame, William Tharp, S. H. Guthrie and A. A. Guthrie."
Dr. Mathews was called to the chair, and A. A. Guthrie appointed Secretary. Mr. Whipple implored the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
After a full discussion, it was resolved, that while deprecating any measure tending to injure the cause of religion, in the prosperity of which a deep interest was expressed, yet, in view of existing circumstances, it was declared to be the unanimous opinion of the meeting that the erection of a house of worship, not only would not injuriously affect any branch of the church, but, with the blessing of God, would greatly advance the cause of Christ in the place.
A committee was accordingly appointed, consisting of J. C. Guthrie, Lev1 Whipple, and A. A. Guthrie, to ascertain whether funds sufficient to erect such a building could be obtained.
This committee was also instructed to adopt a plan of a house, and estimate the cost of different sites that might be offered,- and report at a subsequent meeting.
It was also stipulated that the contemplated church should be under the control of the proposed Presbyterian Church, of Putnam, that its seats should be free, and, with the consent of the Trustees, be open to all denominations of orthodox Christians.
Another similar meeting was called March 6th, when the committee, previously appointed, submitted a plan, proposing that the house be seventy feet long, by fifty feet wide, of one story above the basement, of not less than eighteen, nor more than twenty feet high, with a vestibule ten feet broad, and a gallery above for singers,and over this a cupola for a town clock, provided the subscriptions be sufficient : the audience room to be of brick, and the basement of stone, and in such style as the committee might determine.
A Building Committee was then appointed, consisting of Alvah Buckingham, j. C. Guthrie and Levi Whipple, and the present site selected, on land generously donated by Mr. Whipple, and the committee were instructed so soon as a sufficient sum should be subscribed, to collect material and complete the house at the earliest period practicable.
A subscription paper was immediately prepared, and subscriptions, amounting to $5,190 obtained, mostly in cash, but some in labor and in trade. Of sixty-four names, three subscribed $600 each ; one $450, one $309, two $275, three $255,two $1 10, one $105, and two $ 100 ; the rest was in smaller sums, descending as low as three dollars. Mr. Alvah Buckingham was appointed to superintend the building. In December, 1834, with the concurrence of the pastor, a peti tion was presented to the Presbytery of Lancastor, then sitting in Zanesville, asking that body to set off the members of the church residing in Putnam and vicinity, disposed to unite in the enterprise, and organize them into a distinct church.
The Presbytery granted the request, and appointed William Culbertson to perform this duty. It was rather an ungracious service to require of a man, as he said, "to sever his own body."
The church was formed on what the Presbytery of Philadelphia had denounced as an erroneous and dangerous principle—the principle of "elective affinity." The organization was effected on the first day of January, 1835. On that day, the individuals specially interested, met in the Methodist Church, which had been generously granted for that purpose, and after a sermon and prayer by Mr. Culbertson, thirty-six persons, eight males and twenty-eight females, members of the United Church of Zanesville and Springfield, signified their desire to unite in a new organization, and were accordingly dismissed, and constituted the Presbyterian Church of Putnam.
Their names, as recorded in the sessional records, were as follows : Levi Whipple, Eliza Whipple, Eliza Tucker, Lucy R. Whipple, Sarah Sturges, S. A. Guthrie, George N. Guthrie, Eliza Silvey, Margaret Silvey, Horace Nye, Lucinda Nye, A. A. Guthrie, Amelia Guthrie, Lucy Sturges, Pamelia Guthrie, Edwin Putnam, Patience Leavens, Catharine Leavens, Mary Leavens, Maria A. Sturges, Peleg Mason, Olive Mason, Eliza Stannas, Ann Buckingham, Mary Russell, Betsey Mathews, Sarah Mathews, Susan Mathews, Mary Mathews, Mary Stickney, Eunice Buckingham, Sarah E. Safford, A. G. Allen, Nancy Stickney, Ann D. Brown, Margaret Weaver.
The church, says Dr. Kingsbury, began in 1833, had now been completed, and about the middle of February, 1835, the exact date I have not been able to find, it was dedicated to God, with appropriate services, by the Rev. William H. Beecher, a member of the Presbytery of Cincinnati, who commenced preaching here soon after the organization of the church. The following hymn, written by himself, was sung on the occasion :
Thy presence fills the heavens, Oh Lord,
By countless hosts art thou adored,
Cherubic armies round Thee move,
And bow in ecstacies of love.
Should thy full glory on us rise,
Our life would faint in sweet surprise ;
Nature Thine awful brightness veils,
And sweetly milder beauty tells.
Yet, with compassion like a God,
Thou leavest Thy sublime abode,
The lowly-hearted to approve,
And visit with a Father's love.
To Thee, this Temple, Lord, we raise,
Long may it echo with Thy praise,
Whom highest heaven cannot contain,
Will still in Zion, ever reign,
182 - HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
Thy priests, may righteousness adorn,
Angels rejoice o'er souls new-born ;
Pour from Thy throne the living flood,
And let us feast on angels' food.
And now, arise, 0 Lord, our God,
Thou Father, Spirit, Holy Word,
Enter, with all Thy glorious train,
And with us evermore remain.
After the organization, January 1st, 1835, the congregation proceeded to ballot for three Elders, when Levi Whipple, Edwin Putnam, and A. Austin Guthrie were chosen, and, on the 21st of February, 1835, the Rev. William H. Beecher proceeded to install Messrs. Whipple and Putnam, they having been ruling Elders in the church of Zanesville and Springfield, and to ordain Mr. Guthrie, by prayer and the imposition of hands, giving, at the close, an appropriate address, both to the Elders and the congregation. At a subsequent meeting of the Elders, March loth, Mr. Guthrie was chosen Stated Clerk of Session, which office he held to the close of his life. The last record in his handwriting is dated September 2d, 1873.
March 7th, 1835, the First Presbyterian Church and Congregation of Putnam was duly incorporated by an act of the Legislature, Alvah Buckingharri, Solomon Sturges, Increase Mathews, Harry Safford, William Silvey, Julius C. Guthrie, Albert A. Guthrie, Horace Nye, Mattbew Gillespie, Levi Whipple, Edwin Putnam, Samuel C. Haver, James Thompson, Robert Safford, Samuel Glass, Cyrus Merriam, and Albert G. Allen being the incorporators.
On March 11th, of this year, a congregational meeting was held, of which Mr. Culbertson was Moderator, for the purpose of choosing a pastor, and resulted in extending a call to Mr. Beecher, by a vote of one hundred and forty-eight to two, promising him a salary of not less than five hundred dollars, the minority stating that they were entirely willing to concur with the majority in their selection. The call, which was in the usual form, was signed by the Elders and trustees, in behalf of the congregation. The trustees were : Dr. Increase Mathews, J. C. Guthrie, and Solomon Sturges. This call was presented to the Presbytery, September 30th, 1835, and having been accepted by Mr. Beecher, a committee, consisting of Rev. James Culbertson, and R.,ev. Jacob Little, was appointed to install him. The installation services took place November 25th, following. Mr. Beecher continued to labor with this people till January 18th, 1839, wben the pastoral relation was dissolved. His pastorate was, in many respects, a successful one.
January 1st, 1840, the Rev. Addison Kingsbury, D.D., was installed over this church by the Presbytery of Lancaster. The Rev. Jacob Little, D.D., of Granville, Ohio, preached the sermon, from Jeremiah iii : 15 : "And I will give you pastors, according to my heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." Tbe Rev. Francis Bartlett, of Bethel, presided, and gave the charge to the pastor, and the Rev. Samuel W. Rose, of Burlingame, gave the charge to the people. They have all finished their course, and, having kept the faith, have entered upon their reward.
June 27th, 1854. Samuel Haver and Ebenezer Buckingham (son of Hon. Ebenezer Buckingham), were elected Ruling Elders.
At a meeting of the congregation, held December 15th, 1857, after the election of a new Board of Trustees, it was resolved, " that the trustees be instructed to adopt a more efficient mode of increasing the funds necessary for the support of the church, by renting such a number of pews as they may deem expedient."
The salary of the pastor, which, in 1844, had been reduced to six hundred dollars a year, on account of alleged inability to raise more, was restored to eight hundred dollars, the amount stipulated in the original call.
At a meeting, held November 15th, 1858, two Ruling Elders—Samuel Haver and Ebenezer Buckingham—having declined to serve any longer, and a third—Mr. Gillespie—having moved to the country, it was determined that others should be added to the Session, and accordingly, George P. Guthrie, Frederick Tracey, and Hudson C. Ward, were elected. These brethren, having signified their acceptance, were ordained „and installed on Wednesday evening, December 29th, 1858, at which time the pastor delivered an eloquent and solemn charge to the Elders and congregation, on their respective duties.
In 1866, the church was thoroughly repaired, the gallery removed, a new tower erected, and the building slate-roofed, at a total cost of between seven and eight thousand dollars.
The bell was a gift, by Frank Sturges, of Chicago, whose childhood was spent here. The bell that summons to worship rings a melodious peal :
"Let us kneel ;
God's own voice is in the peal,
And this spot is holy ground.
Lord forgive us ! What are we,
That our eyes this glory sees
That our ears have heard this sound !"
One more consecrated one : December 19th, 1866, Mr. H. G. 0. Cary was elected Ruling Elder, vice, Frederick Tracy, who had removed from the city. Mr. Cary was set apart with the usual solemn ceremonies.
At the annual meeting of the congregation, for the election of trustees and other purposes, held in April, 1868, it was resolved, " that the pastor's salary be raised to at least one thousand dollars."
In the spring of 1871, Mrs. Elizabeth Hardenbaugh presented to the church the beautiful baptismal font, which stands in front of the platform, at the right of the pulpit.
Mr. A. A. Guthrie, the last of the original Elders of this church, died February 3th, 1874, and, it being deemed expedient to fill his place, on the 23d of September, following, a meeting was called, and Thomas E. Richards was elected
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO - 183
to fill the vacancy, and having signified his acceptance, was, on the 27th of that month, ordained and installed.
SABBATH-SCHOOL.—As early as 1818, a Sabbath-School was started in this village, by Mr. Henry Safford, assisted by Mrs. Eliza Whipple, George Warner, and others. The school was held in the Stone Academy. In 180, it was removed to Zanesville. In 1828, the school divided and formed a Union School with the Methodist brethren, who subsequently withdrew, and in 1835 the school connected with this church began to be taught in the basement of this building, and numbered sixty-five scholars. The average attendance, from that time to 1858, was 48, and in 1859, it reached 192.
Mr. A. A. Guthrie was the first Superintendent. He filled that position more than forty years, Messrs. Calhoun, S. Sturges and Guthrie relieving him during two years. In 1860, the present Sabbath School hall was built. The building cost about $2,000, of which sum Mrs. Lucy Sturges contributed $1,000. It was dedicated December 9th, 1860, when the pastor preached an able sermon on “Christian Culture." The school has been a priceless blessing to the children and youth of this community, and an efficient auxiliary to the churA. The average attendance during the seventeen years next preceding January 18th, 1877, was 236. The highest number during any one year, was 300. Not less than 3,500 pupils have enjoyed its advantages. To many it has been " the gate to heaven." Several have become ministers of the Gospel ; one, at least, a foreign missionary. On the death of Mr. Guthrie, Mr. Alfred Barron was chosen Superintendent, and he was subsequently succeeded by Rev. George F. Moore, who now tills that office.
There are twenty-four teachers and two hundred pupils in the school.
At a congregational meeting, held March 15th, 1878, Dr. Addison Kingsbury resigned his charge, and asked the congregation to unite with him in requesting the Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation. At the same meeting, a call was made for the pastoral services of Rev. George F. Moore,' of Bloomingburg, Fayette county, Ohio, who, having accepted it, was installed on the 4th of May, following.
The members of the church number one hundred and seventy-eight. The officers are as follows :
Elders—G. N. Guthrie, H. C. Ward, H. G. O. Cary, and Thomas E. Richards.
Trustees—C. W. Potwin, Thomas E. Richards, and W. N. McCoy.
The benevolent work has been as follows, as reported by Dr. Kingsbury—who says, "only since 1849 can the exact amount be determined, 'though a proximate estimate can be given for the whole period." * * The following figures are below, rather than above the amount contributed by the congregation since organization, viz.,:
For Home Missions For Foreign Missions For Education For Publication For Church Erection For Ministerial Relief For Freedmen For Contingent Fund of the General Assembly For Miscellaneous |
$10,389 00 9,577 00 2,831 00 1,497 00 2,622 00 644 00 192 00 286 36 6,337 00 |
Total for Benevolent Purposes |
$34,375 36 |
Current Expenses of the Congregation |
42,000 00 |
Original cost of the Church 6,000 00 |
|
Charges and repairs on Church 10,000 00 |
16,000 00 |
Grand Total |
$92,375 36 |
THE PARSONAGE.—The foundation of this house was laid in the autumn of 1848. The next summer, the walls were put up and enclosed. The brick. were laid by Benjamin Tuttle and John Randall, and the woodwork was done by Joseph Collins mild John Metcalf. The Buckingham Manse, as it was called, cost about $3,700, of which $1,500 was bequeathed for the purpose by Mrs. Eunice Buckingham, on condition that the congregation raised in cash, $1,500 more, which they did. Mr. Alvah Buckingham superintended its construction and paid the additional expense, above the estimated cost. The erection of this building, besides supplying a want of the church, "transformed a spot, previously a skating pond in winter, and an unsightly waste in summer, into beautiful grounds, with a commodious residence for the pastors of the church, for which the donors will ever be held in grateful remembrance."
THIRD BAPTIST CHURCH, [COLORED.]—This church was organized in the old brick school house, on Moxahala avenue. Putnam, August 29th, 1863, by Rev. Isaac Jones, who was also the first pastor, and served the church very acceptably for ten years. He was succeeded by the Rev. Adam Green, who served during 1874 and 1876. Rev. Isaac Jones was again called to the pastorate in 1878, and served two years., when he was succeeded by C. M. J. Clarke,. the present pastor.
The first Deacons were :—John Cook, B. Ter rill and George Rutes.
The Sabbath School was organized in 1874, with Rev. A. Green as Superintendent. The school has twenty-five pupils and three teachers, the pastor superintending.
The building occupied by this congregation was erected in the early part of 1870. It is a one story frame structure, twenty-four by forty feet, situate on Moxahala avenue, between Harrison and Pierce streets, and cost, with the lot, about $2,500.
The present officers are :—Deacons—John Cook and Henry Ennis. Clerk—F. Palmer.
This church organization is subject to the Eastern Ohio "Anti-Slavery Baptist Associa-
194 - HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO
tion ;" Elder James Poindexter, of Columbus, Ohio, Moderator ; J. M. Meek, of Ripley, Ohio, Secretary.
UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST.--This church was organized at the house of Mr. Frederick Greul, on Eighth street, April 8th, 1865, by the Rev. Casper Streich, of Pomeroy, Ohio, who was sent here by the German Conference of U. B. The following persons constituted the church organized : Fred Greul, Barbara Greul, Christopher Bischoff, Henry Veit Bauer, Gertie Bauer, Julius Bauer, Christian Bischoff, Susan Bischoff and Kate Streich.
The first pastor was Rev. Casper Streich. The first officers were : Class Leader—Christian Bischoff.
Steward—Christopher Bischoff. Secretary—Christian Bischoff. Trustees—Christopher Bischoff, Fred Greul and Henry Veit Bauer.
During the first year, the congregation worshiped from house to house. Their church, a substantial brick building, sixty by twenty-eight feet, was built during 1866, and is located on lot eleven, square eighteen, west side of Seventh, between Main and Market streets, and, with the lot, cost $4,000.
The congregation has been served by the following ministers : Rev. Casper Streich, three years ; Rev. Wm. Orth, three years ; Rev. Jacob Scholler, two years ; Rev. C. Stumpf, one year ; Rev. Busetiecker, 'one year ; Rev. George Schmidt, three years ; and now, by Rev. Edward Lorenz, who is serving his second year.
The present officers are : Class Leaders : Christopher Bischoff and John Heins.
Stewards—Jacob Stemm, Chris Deitz, and Chris Findeiss.
Trustees—Fred Greul, Christopher Bischoff and Henry Haas.
Secretary—Chris Deitz. Treasurer—Christopher Wietzel.
The congregation embraces eighty-five members.
THE SABBATH SCHOOL—was organized about the same time, and has ever been an encouraging arm of the church. The number of pupils now in attendance is sixty, the number of teachers eleven. The Superintendent is Mr. Theodore Fye. The school has a good library, the nucleus of which was made at the time of organization. The present Librarian is Christian Findeiss. The church has no debts, and is prosperous. In matters of religion, they are subject to the ruling of the Ohio U. B. Association.
THE SOUTH STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.—The inception of this church, was a mission, organized in 1865, under the direction of Rev. J. H. Gardner. By the munificence of Rev. David Young, a member of the Ohio Annual Conference, the congregation gathered in the new field of labor were enabled to purchase a lot on the northeast corner of Seventh and South streets—extending to the alley between Seventh and South, with a frontage on Seventh
of about one bundred feet—and to build a. neat, one-story church, which they located on the eastern part of the lot, cornering on the alley. The church was built, and finished, during 1869. By his will, Mr. Young authorized the Trustees of the Second Street Methodist Episcopal Church, whom he made Trustees of "the Young Fund," "to purchase a lot, and build a house of worship thereon, within the city of Zanesville, for the use and occupancy of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the United States of America, by the ministers and members of said church, according to the discipline and regulations thereof ; with free seats therein, forever." And that "the house of worship, when erected, shall be free from debt."
In 1866, Rev. R. B. Bennet was pastor in charge, and, at the end of one year, was succeeded by Rev. A. H. Windsor, who served two years, and was succeeded by Rev. James Mitchell—during whose ministry the church was erected. The lot and church cost about $9,000. Rev. E. H. Hagler was the first pastor to occupy the chapel, and thenceforward the Sunday School was held there. In 1870, Rev. Levi Hall was pastor in charge—and about this time the congregation began to increase. The next pastor was Rev. William Porter, who entered upon his labors in 1872, and served three years. He was followed by Rev. J. E. Sowers, who served two years.
In 1878, Rev. C. D. Battelle was sent to this charge, and served three years, and finding the infirmities of age upon him, asked for the superannuated relation, which was granted, amid expressions of tenderest regard. During the .first year of Mr. Battelle's ministry with South Church, Rev. William Porter died (May 27th, 1879) ; he was greatly beloved by the church and clergy, and about twenty of the ministry attended his funeral—May 29, 1879.
The Trustees of South Street M. E. Church, in 1881, were H. Corbin, J. Mercer, W. Sealover, D. Zimmer, R. Adams, I. Ballenger, G. McCarty, and D. Brookover.
The Stewards for the same yea'r were M. Richmond, E. G. Miller, D. Tharp, J. Williams, A. Sealover, and L. Flowers.
The present pastor is Rev. M. W. Acton.
The membership numbers one hundred and sixty.
In May, 1880, John R. Bowls, one of the most useful members, was removed by death. In that sad hour, he exhibited the triumphs of the faith he had lived. December 10, 1878, J. T. Vest, a worthy member and useful officer, passed away. And the church also mourns the loss of James McBride, Martha Mercer, William Love, and George Best.
The Sunday School was organized in 1865, and has always been the nucleus of the church, in its mission work.
The Superintendent, David Brookover, is assisted by George McCarty. Secretary Sarchett is an efficient officer: Dr. A. Jordan, the Treas-
HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO - 185
Cross and Lizzie Grooms.
HEBREW CONGREGATION [K'NESETH ISRAEL.] —At a meeting held in Nevitt's Hall, September loth, 1868, the following preamble was adopted, and the agreement signed :
WHEREAs, It becomes us, as Israelites, to form a more compact organization as a religious body;
"We, the undersigned, agree to become active, contributing members of a Hebrew congregation, to be organized in the city of Zanesville.
We further agree to pay an initiation fee, of three dollars, and dues at the rate of six dollars per annum ; we further agree that as soon as a suitable place of worship is provided, we will assemble for Divine worship, at least one Sabbath in each month.
[There were some other minor stipulations made at the time].
[Signed.] "Wolf Dryfus, Michael Steinfeld, Marx Cahen, J. L. Dryfus, R. Shoenfeld, Meyer Shoenfeld, Jacob Shoenfeld, Benj. S. Dryfus, Herman Weber, Jacob Wollner, Simon Goodman, J. Kraus, Abe Kohn, Adolphus Hartman, W. Freedman, L. Freedman."
The meeting was then organized, W. Dryfus presiding, and B. S. Dryfus acting as Secretary. M. Steinfeld and B. S. Dryfus were appointed a Committee on Constitution and By-Laws, with instructions to report on the following Sunday.
At the meeting on Sunday, September 27th, 1868, the Committee reported a Constitution and By-Laws, which, after some amendments, were adopted and spread upon the minutes.
The following officers for the ensuing year were then elected :
President, Wolf Dryfus ; Vice-President, M. Steinfeld ; Treasurer, M. Cahen ; Secretary, B. S. Dryfus ; Board of Trustees, W. Freedman,- J. L. Dryfus, and Rudolph Shoenfeld.
The congregation rented a room in Alter's building..
The following committee was appointed to ascertain the most suitable place for a burial ground : M. Steinfeld, W. Freedman, and J. L. Dryfus. February 7th, 1869, Mr. R. Shoenfeld donated a Sephar Thora (scrolls of the law), to the congregation, for which a vote of thanks was passed.
March 14th, 1869, a committee, consisting of Messrs. Cahen and Wollner, was appointed to procure a suitable person as Hazan and teacher. with instructions to confer with Mr. B. Tauber, and request him to-present his credentials, which being complied with, he was elected Hazan and teacher for one year, dating from March 3th, 1869. Whereupon, a voluntary subscription of five hundred and sixty-five dollars was made to defray the expenses incurred. On the 21st of the same month, Mr. Tauber's salary was increased to six hundred dollars per annum, and at the same meeting, the Board of Trustees was instructed to apply to the Legislature, during the same week, for a charter.
August 1st, 1860, it was resolved, that the con act of the General Assembly, entitled " An Act for the creation of incorporated companies in the State of Ohio, passed May 1st, 1852."
The following persons have served as Hazan and teacher, succeeding Mr. B. Tauber : Greenblatt, A. R. Levy, and F. Lowenberg ; the latter is the present incumbent, and also teaches the Sabbath-School class. The following are the officers of the society : R. Shoenfeld, President ; M. Weinberg, ,Vice President ; J. Frank, Secretary ; W. Dryfus, Treasurer.
October 5th, 1873, the congregation joined the Union of American-Hebrew Congregations, concerning which the following extracts, from an address delivered at the convention, are given, illustrative of the genius of Israelites, here and elsewhere, in the United States.
The convention originating the Union of American-Hebrews, met in Cincinnati, July 8th, 1873, Julius Freiberg, President, and Lipman Levy, Secretary.
" Blessed be ye all who come in the name of the Lord. The Shofar has sounded from hill to hill, and from valley to valley ; the fires have been kindled on the mountains of Judea, to call together the faithful, and the heart of Israel is awakened through the .west and south of our glorious new ‘Land of Promise,' the land of religious liberty. We have assembled to form ourselves into a Union of the Jewish. Congregations, for the purpose of diffusing light, knowledge and the spirit of religion among the Jews of this, our adopted country ; we propose to establish a Jewish Theological Seminary, to educate young Jewish preachers, who shall promulgate the religion of our fathers, in the language of our country, and in the spirit of the age in which we live."
" We must have men well versed in Jewish theology,thorough Hebrew scholars and Talmudists, who shall be able to take our part in the religious controversies the age is so pregnant with. The study of the law is paramount to everything."
The Union of American-Hebrew Congregations was instituted in July, 1873. The Jewish Theological Seminary was inaugurated and located in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1874, and is controlled by a Board of Trustees, elected by the Executive Board of the Union.
The Congregational burial ground, comprising two acres, is situated on William Hollingsworth's farm, on the National road, two miles from the court house.
HUNGARIAN BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.—This society is otherwise called the Hebrew Church, and was organized in 1874. The following are among the prominent members : B. Froch, H. Weber, J. Haber, W. Freedman, and S. Newman ; Rabbies—D. Feierlicht, served from the beginning of the organization until 1877, when he was succeeded by Marcus B. Numark, the present incumbent. The present membership is forty ; the place of meeting is in the hall, on the corner of Seventh and Main streets.
186 - HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
AFRICAN WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH.— This organization was formed by sixteen members withdrawing from the African M. E. Church. The new church was organized, July 24th, 5, by authority of the Miami Conference, the President, Thomas Clinton, officiating. The first religious services were held in the Seventh Ward school house, from whence they moved to Best's Hall, on the corner of Main street and Diamond alley. During their sojourn here, the congregation erected a neat frame church, twenty-two feet by thirty, one story high, situate on Tarry street, Seventh Ward, at a cost, including the lot, of
$597.
The first officers were : Trustees—Thomas Writ, Henry Shenon, and Andy Tivis.
Stewards—Randolph Barnett and Henry New- son.
Class-leader—Philip Paden.
Clerk—Amos C. Guy.
Superintendent of Sabbath-School—John Alexander.
The first pastor was Dalton Roberts, of the Miami Conference, highly spoken of for zeal and piety, the fruits of his labor being grace and strength in the church. He served fifteen months, when he was succeeded by William Carr, from the same conference ; his service was brief. The church subsequently secured the services of Joseph Bane, the present pastor, who was installed in August, 7.
The present officers are : Trustees—Henry Newsom, Andy Tivis, and Abraham Anderson.
Steward—Randolph Barnett.
Clerk—Pleasant Henderson.
Class-leader—Philip Paden.
Superintendent of Sabbath-School—Mary Pettengall.
The congregation now numbers thirty-four members, " in good and regular standing,' and is subject to the jurisdiction of " the Central Ohio Conference," Rev. George Richy, President.
THE WELSH CHURCH—Was organized October 24th, 5, at the Sixth Ward Hose House, and at the same meeting the following officers were elected :
Deacons JohnJ. James, Thomas D. Williams, and Thomas D. Davis.
Secretary—William T. Jones.
The congregation numbered twenty-five, and continue to occupy the upper part of the Hose House.
The Deacons, in 1880, were Thomas D. Davis and Robert Evans.
Secretary—David T. Williams. Treasurer—Eph Miles.
The membership, at this time, was thirty.
The church polity is congregational, but not subject to any general authority outside of its own.
A Sabbath School was organized on the same day with the church, and the following officers
elected.
Superintendent—Thomas Williams. Treasurer—Edward Jenkins.
Secretary—W. T. Jones.
UNION SUNDAY SCHOOL.—E. H. Church remembered that the first Sunday School in Zanesville was held in the old court house, in the spring of 186. The pioneers in this movement were Nathan C. Findley, Thomas Moorehead, Jeremiah Dale, and Joseph Church (father of E. H. Church.) A committee of fourteen young ladies was appointed to solicit scholars, of which Miss Sarah Van Home was President, Miss Rebecca Perry, Vice President, and Miss Mary O. Burnham, Secretary. Joseph Shepherd joined the little band soon after, and aided greatly in organizing and supporting the school.
The first female teachers were Mrs. Edith Dillon and Miss Maria Mervin ; other members of the school were Jane Kelly, Emily Cummins, Patience Van Horne, Harriet Conyers, Abigail Burnham, Rosanna and Rebecca Perry, E. H. Church, Dr. Washington Moorehead, W. C. Moorehead, William and Stephen Burwell, and others. The teacher of each class was assisted by a monitor, who wore a card with the word Monitor printed on it, suspended by a blue ribbon around the neck.
There was no " color line," and blacks and whites mingled according to circumstances.
It was a Union School, a true Christian alliance, composed of Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians, and Lutherans. I do not remember who was the Superintendent, but am inclined to the belief that it was the Rev. J. Parmile. Among the teachers, I recollect Harry and Dr. Safford, Nathan E. Findley, Cashier of the Muskingum bank, Elder Whipple, Dr. Mathews, Judge Putnam, Leonard Bailey, and Thomas Moorehead. The only female teacher I can recall was Miss Sarah Waglam. Sunday Schools of that day had no libraries. A Sunday School literature had to be invented.
The only books were the earliest additions of the Bible, printed by the American Bible Society, and the New Testament, Watt's Hymns for youthful minds, and the New England Primer, containing the Shorter Catechism.
SIGNIFICANT INCIDENT.—One Sabbath there came to the school a young man, known to all as the driver of an ox cart. He was a regular specimen of Brother Jonathan, tall, straight as an Indian, dressed in tow linen breeches and shirt, minus a hat, coat and shoes. His hair, which was fiery red, resembled a brush-heap. He was as deficient in education as he was in outward adornment, and particularly gifted in the art of swearing. He was handed over to Deacon Shepherd, who had charge of some of the most refractory boys. Kindly addressing him by name, he pointed to the alphabet in large letters in the primer, and asked him if he knew them; " Gosh, no, I never seed them afore. I don't know nary one." He then pointed to the first letter, and said : '' Is that A ?" '' Good God ! I have often heard tell of it, but never seed it." The good Deacon told him he must not take the Lord's name in vain. " Well, I'll be darned if it don't beat all natur." " Tut, Tut, my good man, you must not swear so."
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The Deacon did not give him up as hopeless, but taught him the alphabet, and finally to read. His manners became improved, and he became a professor of religion, and a valuable and consistent member of the Baptist Church.