250 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY The Rev. William C. Clark followed Mr. Purinton. He was installed in 1848 and served until 1853. He was a popular man and gave up work because of ill health. He died in Detroit in 187O. Four men served the church from 1863 to 1884, Henry Richard Hoisington, Benjamin St. John Page, Nathaniel P. Bailey, and Alexander Jackson. Mr. Hoisington served four years, was acceptable to his people and during this time more than a hundred persons united with the church. At one time, under his supervision, noon-day prayer meetings were held, conducted chiefly. by young men. Rev. Benjamin St. J. Page, who followed Mr. Hoisington was one of the most eccentric and sensational preachers the church has ever had. He drew outsiders to his meetings by giving out peculiar subjects, one of them being, the "Devil's Fence." He and the Episcopal rector held spirited discussions on dancing. Most of the members added during his administration were by letter. Rev. Nathaniel P. Bailey served the church about ten years. He was greatly respected, a man of fine presence, and ability. His wife, a daughter of Mr. Comstock, who wrote "Comstock's Philosophy," was a woman of education and refinement. She and her children entered into the life of the town and were of great assistance to Mr. Bailey in his work. The membership of the church during his administration was 329; the Sunday school had about 350 members, and was in a flourishing condition. Mr. Edward S. Kneeland was the superintendent. It was during Mr. Bailey's time that the new church was built and the Ladies' Aid Society earned $10,000, which was used in the building and furnishing. It was during his administration also that the first Woman's Missionary Society was organized. There were but six people present at. the first meeting. Mrs. Olive Howard was made president. Only one of the charter members now survives, Mrs. Polly Stratton Reid. Rev. Alexander Jackson came to the church in 1879 and severed his connection in 1884. He was educated in the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, finishing his divinity course in this country. He was active in service, forceful in preaching, but dictatorial in manner and methods. Although the people of Old Trumbull County were largely English and Scotch-Irish, they do not take kindly to the spirit of these countries, and in Warren churches where ministers from these English countries have had HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 251 charge their ways have not been satisfactory to the people they serve. Mr. Jackson was no exception. During his pastorate the church did not grow, but this might have been the case under any minister because there is apt to be reaction after church building. Mr. Jackson was succeeded by the Rev. James D. Williamson, who served three years and who was greatly honored and loved by his congregation. He was cultured, refined, sympathetic and tactful. His congregation regretted very much his removal to Cleveland in 4888. He was educated at the Western Reserve University (then Hudson College) and upon his removal recommended a college friend, the Rev. W. L. Swan, to the church. Mr. Swan served ten years. He was greatly respected, and did good work in all directions. Rev. Samuel W. McFadden followed Mr. Swan. He was a young man and interested young people in church work. He was engaged because of his ability as a preacher. In this respect he was a disappointment, not that he did not preach well, but his sermons had nothing unusual about them. Since leaving Warren he has grown in his profession and now has a fine church in Seattle, Washington. In 1904 Rev. Franklin P. Reinhold, of Windsor Locks, Connecticut, became pastor of the church. He has been the most successful minister the church has ever had. He believes that religion to be effective must be practical ; he believes in institutional churches; he believes that orthodoxy needs reforming; he is exceedingly liberal in his beliefs, going back to the simple teachings of Christ, trying to follow those teachings himself, and to show others how to follow. He is interested in the civic life of the community, and raises his voice in behalf of all good works. He is industrious, zealous, magnetic and has the power of conveying these attributes to the members of his congregation. He is respected by all other pastors and congregations. The present edifice was erected in 1876, and was dedicated in 1878 on the seventy-fifth anniversary of the organization of the church society. Dr. Evans, of Youngstown, preached the sermon ; Rev. Hoisington assisted in the service. The elders at that time were : Edward Spear, William Woodrow, Samuel Dickey, Hezekiah Peck, Julius King, and Spencer Parish. Hezekiah Peck is the only one of these men now living in Warren ; Julius King, the only other living member, resides in New York. The church, a handsome building, cost $52,000. There are three memorial windows, the first 252 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY erected by the church in memory of Mary Bishop Perkins, the second presented by the sons of Edward Spear in memory of their father, and the third, Miss Estabrook's, purchased by church organization and friends. Miss Estabrook conducted for many years a large Sunday school class in this church. She was one of the best Bible scholars of this vicinity and although a teacher in our schools, a member and officer in most of the important organizations of the city, her first thought was given to and her best work was done for her church. Her death in 19O7 deprived the Presbyterian Association of a most valued worker. Mrs. Lucia A. D. Park was one of the later members of the church who gave her thought and time to the welfare of the organization. She was particularly interested in the missionary work of the church, and her death, which occurred just before Miss Estabrook's, was greatly regretted by her fellow workers. The church has had twelve regularly installed ministers, and six ministers who have served as pulpit supplies for periods of from six to eighteen months each : 1803-  Rev. Joseph Badger, Organizer. 1803-05 Rev. Thomas Robbins, Supply. 1805-08 Rev. Jonathan Leslie, Supply. 1808-13 Rev. James Boyd. 1813-16 Rev. James Duncan, Supply. 1817-31 Rev. Joseph W. Curtis. 1831-32 Rev. George W. Hulin, Supply. 1832-34 Rev. J. A. Woodruff, Supply. 1834-39 Rev. Josiah Towne. 1839-48 Rev. Nathan B. Purinton. 1848-63 Rev. William C. Clark. 1863-67 Rev. Henry R. Hoisington. 1867-68 Rev. Benj. St. John Page, Supply. 1869-79 Rev. Nathaniel P. Bailey, D. D. 1879-84 Rev. Alexander Jackson, Ph. D. 1885-88 Rev. James D. Williamson, D. D. 1888-98 Rev. William L. Swan. 1899-03 Rev. Samuel W. McFadden, D. D. 1904-  Rev. Franklin P. Rheinhold. In the early churches the question of selling pews was one which called forth much discussion. Church-goers always felt and still feel that it is hardly right to own pews and yet it is HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 253 trying for people who are really interested in church work not to have a seat on the very occasions, unusual services, when it is most wanted. The Chronicle of 1844 contains the following: "Notice is hereby given to all who may wish to attend divine services at the Presbyterian church in Warren, having no seats of their own, that they are invited and requested to take seats wherever they may find one vacant, and it is hoped that those who have been detained from the House of God by the aforementioned cause, will banish those feelings and accept the invitation so cordially given. "By request of the stockholders at their yearly meeting, January 1, 1844." In the Whip & Transcript under date December 29, 1853, we read "The pews of the Presbyterian church were offered for sale to the highest bidders." The following item shows humor on the part of an editor : A baby was found on the Presbyterian church steps the 1st of December, 1861, and the editor of the Chronicle says "whoever lost such an article can call at the County Infirmary and prove the property." Samuel Dickey's family, his parents, his children, his grandchildren have all been ardent Presbyterians. Nancy Dickey, the mother of Samuel, in a letter to her friends in New Hampshire tells all about their life in their home, both the new one and the old, about their neighbors, and especially about their grandchild, of their neighbors she says : "Rev. DuBois (Episcopal) is an excellent man and one of the very best of neighbors. ' There have been donation parties this winter. Mr. Clark (Presbyterian) had about $120 worth carried in. The Methodists and Baptists each had about the same. Mr. DuBois is rich. He carries in, or sends in, to the rest." Mr. Bailey was the first of the Presbyterian ministers who did not depend somewhat upon being paid by gifts of hams, potatoes, wood, etc. Under the date of June 14, 1850, she says : "Our church has been thoroughly repaired, painted, and carpeted, shade trees set out around it and is now being enclosed with a pretty board fence. All of the churches here, except two, now have bells." Then the grandmother's tenderness shows itself in the following, "Edward (Samuel 's son) is now two years and eight months old; cannot 254 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY talk very plain. He learned his a, b, c's in a week and is now reading words of three letters." In November, 1908, the Presbyterian church celebrated the 105th anniversary of the organization of the church in Warren, and the thirtieth anniversary of the dedication of the present church building. Letters were read from people formerly identified with the church, and, as the names of the ministers who had served the church were called, the people who joined under that administration arose. After this roll call, communion was served to the largest number of communicants within the history of the church. One of the workers of twenty-five years ago in the Presbyterian church was .Julius King. His mother, lovingly known as "Auntie King," was a devoted church woman. She was a daughter of Jesse Halliday, the pioneer. Mr. King was not only active in the church but in the Sunday school. He and his wife were important factors in the church work. During his time the different churches in Warren took turns holding services in the district schoolhouses nearby the city. On one occasion Mr. King was conducting a service in the Howland schoolhouse, near the Reeves and Ewalt farms. He had chosen for the lesson the chapter containing the statement about the rich man and the Kingdom of Heaven. He had read this verse, and was explaining that it did not mean exactly what it said, namely that no rich man, could enter into the Kingdom of Heaven since no camel could go through the eye of a needle, but that there was in the wall of Jerusalem a passage-way, or gate, known as the Needle's Eye, and that a loaded camel could get through that opening by having its burdens removed, by kneeling down, and by having someone pull and someone push. This seemed to be satisfactory to most of the persons present, but a gentleman named French, clearing his throat, spake as follows : "Well, Brother King, it seems to me even with your explanation, that it takes a deal of pushin' and a deal of pullin' to get a rich man into the Kingdom of Heaven." The author, who had been interested in these rural meetings, having assisted in some of the services of her own church, and having come to this meeting to see how other denominations conducted theirs, laughed out loud and slid out the door near which she happened to be sitting. What the rest of the discussion was is not known, but sure it is that Mr. King, from good business management and honest HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 255 effort, has since accumulated enough of the worldly goods to make him nervous about this verse, if he still believes as he did then, and sure it is, no matter how he believes, his life has been such as to make him stand a better chance for entering than many of his fellow men. Some of the earlier records of the church were destroyed in the fire of 1860 which swept the lower section of our city. The partial records show that 1,365 persons have joined the church on confession and 1,175 by latter ; 378 adults have been baptized and 542 infants. The present membership of the church is 673 together with 72 additional persons whose names are on the reserved roll, making a total of 745. The oldest living member of the church today is Mr. Whittlesey Adams. He joined on Sunday, November 13, 1841, in connection with 76 other persons during the pastorate of the Rev. Nathan B. Purinton. Since 1853 the church has raised for benevolent purposes $89,764; since 1865 it has raised $17O,453 for congregational expenses. The earliest record of the Warren church which appears in the minutes of the general assembly is one made in 1823, a contribution of two dollars toward the commissioners' fund. At that time the church was a member of the Grand River Presbytery, which was a part of the Synod of Pittsburg. The fifth anniversary of the pastorate of Mr. Reinhold occurred June 1, 1909. During his ministry the organization has had a steady growth in its membership, over three hundred persons having been received into the church by him. The church is now the second largest in Ma-honing Presbytery and its Bible school with a membership of 620 also occupies the second place among the Bible schools of the Mahoning Presbytery. Its Westminster Men's Club, organized September 22, 1905, was the first church men's club in Warren, and its contributions to the enlarging life of the church and the city easily constitute it one of the strongest church organizations in this part of Ohio. Another of the unique features of this church's life is the sewing school for girls which has just completed its fifth year of work. A well defined course of study is followed, covering a period of three years and modeled after the course in the Pratt Institute of Brooklyn. The school is under the direction of Mrs. Reinhold as superintendent and a corps of eight teachers, and thus far fifteen girls have completed the work of the school and have been graduated. The other departments of the church having to do 256 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY with organizations for women and organizations for young people are thoroughly equipped and in excellent condition. The present officers of the church are : THE SESSION. James E. Beebe Franklyn H. Cannon James A. Estabrook. John C. Gorton Fred C. March, Clerk. George W. Kneeland. Willis J. Munson. George M. Smith. Homer E. Stewart. Charles F. Walker. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. H. Samuel Pew. Edward S. Kneeland. William Wallace. THE PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEE. Charles F. Walker. Frank A. Millikan. John B. Estabrook. Christ Church (Episcopal) The first service held by the Episcopalians in Warren was in 1813. The Rev. Mr. Serle conducted it and preached the sermon in the court house. Bishop Chase also held service in the court house at a little later date. At that time there were two communicants in Warren, Mrs. Lavinia Rowe, and her daughter Mrs. Charlotte Smith. Mr. Justus Smith came to Warren in 1812 with his family, and Mrs. Rowe accompanied them. She lived in a small house back of the present residence of Dr. Sherwood. Her father was an Episcopal minister and was lost at sea when going to England to be ordained. At that time the Anglican church had no bishop in America. Mrs. Rowe, in pleasant weather, often rode her horse to Canfield, fifteen miles distance, to attend services. The early bishops and clergymen who visited Warren were entertained in the homes of Mrs. Rowe and Mrs. Smith. Mrs. Rowe was the grandmother of Henry W. and Charles Smith. Her grandchildren were brought up in the faith and were affiliated with her church, assisting in its support both in Youngstown, where her granddaughter, Maria Tod, lived, and in Warren. Charles Smith was a vestryman of Christ church for many years. Her great-grandchildren, with one or two exceptions, were communicants, and part of them very active as workers today, while one great-great-granddaughter, Sally Tod Smith, has been the organist and soloist at Christ church for several years. Mr. Edward A. Smith, writing in the Union Church News, in 1891, says : HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 257 The parish was organized by the Rev. Mr. Harrison, in 1836, under its present name, (Christ church,) and was incorporated by an act of the legislature in 1842, by petition presented by the Hon. John Crowell. An original paper still in existence, drawn up for the purpose of effecting an organization of the parish, undated, supposedly 1836, reads as follows : We, whose names are hereunto affixed, deeply impressed with the importance of the Christian religion, and earnestly wishing to promote its holy influence in the hearts and lives of ourselves, our families and our neighbors, do hereby associate ourselves together under the name, style and title of the parish of Christ church, in the township of Warren, County of Trumbull, and state of Ohio, and by so doing do adopt the Constitution and Canons of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of Ohio, in communion with the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States of America, Warren. Signed:—John Crowell, Jacob H. Baldwin, wardens; Edward E. Hoyt, Wm. S. Knight., John Supple, Lyman Potter, Henry Curtiss, vestry; Charles Wolcot. Hiram Baldwin, John Veon, M. B. Tayler, Oliver H. Patch, James Hoyt, John B. Canfield, Thos. H. Best, John L. Frazier, Henry W. Smith, Addison Weatherbee, Wm. Johnson, Samuel Chesney, Edwin Leffingwell, R. P. Ranney. Mr. Harrison was rector of the parishes in Canfield and in :Boardman, then in Trumbull County, and gave to the church here some oversight and an occasional service. A subscription of a small sum of money was obtained for him in acknowledgment of his efforts, in April, 1837. It was signed by the following persons :—Jacob H. Baldwin, John Crowell, J. D. Taylor, Lyman Potter, Wm. S. Knight, Thos. H. Best, James M. Scott, John Veon, Chas. Smith, Jonathan Ingersoll, Henry W. Smith, Wrn. Pew, John Supple, Addison Weatherbee and M. B. Tayler. After this time there seems to have been no activity in the parish until the summer of 1841, when it was reorganized under the Rev. C. C. Townsend, who remained in charge for two years, in connection with that of St. Mark's church, Newton Falls. The names of the vestry at about this time so far as can be learned were, S. D. Harris and C. J. Van Gorder, wardens John Crowell, Geo. Parsons, Jr., U. B. White and Herman Canfield, vestrymen. Services were held in the old court house, and on one Christmas its gloomy interior was adorned with evergreens. In the Whig & Transcript for April 5, 1842, we read, "The wardens and vestry of Christ church will hold their first meeting under their charter of incorporation at the court house on Sat- Vol. I-17 258 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY urday, April 16, 1842, at 2:00 P. M. By the Order of the Vestry. Cyrus J. VanGorder, secretary." Between the administration of Rev. C. C. Townsend and Rev. DuBois, lay services were held in Colonel Harris' paint shop, which stood across the river near the end of the old bridge, and later in Mr. Darley's school room, the King Block. The first record we have of an Easter Monday election is that of 1846, when the parish register tells us that S. D. Harris, U. B. White were elected wardens, Wm. H. Weeks, C. J. VanGorder, George Parsons, Jr., John Crowell and William G. Darley, vestrymen. From that time there has been no year when such elections were not held. In 1846 a lot at the corner of Liberty street and Franklin alley was purchased of Dr. Blatchley. In September the cornerstone of the church was laid without any formal ceremonies. This is to be regretted because within the last few years this building was razed and if the usual papers had been put in the cornerstone we might have had some valuable data preserved for us. In the summer of 1848 the first services were held in this church, and in the fall of 1849 it was consecrated by Bishop McIlvaine. At the top of the steeple was a gilt cross, and of this the bishop did not approve. It is said, as he was reviewing the church, he remarked, "Gentlemen, you better remove that," but his advice was not taken and this emblem remained in its place as long as the steeple stood. Shortly after the consecration the Rev. Mr. DuBois entered upon his duties as pastor. His wife was the daughter of Bishop Mcllvaine and both he and she were cultured, refined people. Possibly he was the most popular pastor the church has ever had. He lived on the west side where his neighbors greatly respected him. He had a boat in which he used to cross the river to attend to his church duties and other business. His home was the center of society as far as church people were concerned. Older members of the parish have related to younger members the delightful times the early Episcopalians had at the DuBois home. He organized the Sunday school, a ladies' aid society and called together people of the parish to discuss matters pertaining to the parish. Through the generosity of his friends in the east he obtained a library for the Sunday school. The service of the Episcopal church is usually attractive to folks outside and the first Christmas eve service (it is doubtful if the other Protestant churches at this time considered it reli- HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 259 gious to celebrate Christmas) during Mr. DuBois' administration the church was beautifully trimmed with evergreens and the music was remarkable. Judge Hoffman and George Seeley played the violins, Milton Palm the bass viol, Zeb. Wentworth the trombone, Dr. James VanGorder the French horn, and Ed. Reeves the flute. Of these musicians, two are now living, Judge Hoffman of California, aged 97, and Ed. Reeves, who resides at Mount Clemens, Michigan. In 1853 Mr. DuBois resigned, moving to Zanesville, Ohio. As a rule the Episcopal church does not exist in rural districts in Ohio. Towns, especially county seats, are largely recruited from the country. Consequently the Episcopal church does not gain members as do other churches from rural districts. In the case of Christ church parish a large percent of its membership has drifted into the cities, and although large classes are confirmed each year they make up little more than the number lost by removals and deaths. In character this parish is one of the strongest in the state, but its parishioners are not regular attendants at its services and its congregations are small. Bishop McIlvaine was one of the strongest characters the church has had in its history. He was tall, straight, magnificent in appearance, possessed of great intellect, and oratorical powers. He could not do aught but impress people with his personality. In addition he had great executive ability, loved justice and was fearless when it came to his duty. Bishop Bedell was greatly beloved by Ohio Episcopalians, was an exceedingly spiritual man, his presence being almost like a benediction. He was scholarly, interesting, and devoted. He performed his duties well as a bishop, unless he erred a little in discipline. When there were factional quarrels in local churches, as there used to be in most local churches of most denominations, particularly when they were small and struggling, he refused to take a hand or to issue any order in regard to it. Shaking his head he would say, "You must settle your difficulties yourself." After the Rev. Mr. DuBois' departure, in 1853, Christ church had no rector for two years. Rev. Joseph E. Ryan then took charge and served three years. Rev. Cornelius S. Abbott was very popular and successful. In 1860 the congregation had so increased under his management that measures were taken to enlarge the building. However, the great fire changed the plans and when the matter of enlarge- 260 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY meat was again taken up, in the summer of 1862, it was decided to build a new church instead of remodeling, so a lot on High street was purchased from Mr. J. F. Asper. Mr. J. H. Blackburn of Cleveland was the architect, and on Ascension day, 1863, the cornerstone was laid by Bishop Bedell, assistant bishop of the diocese, aiding the rector. Bishop Bedell also consecrated the building in April, 1865. When the building committee made its report of monies collected and bills paid, they found they had $82.09 left, which was turned over to the church treasury. This is such an unusual condition that it is worthy of record. One hundred and twenty-two persons contributed to the building of the church, and of the amounts pledged, less than fifty dollars was found not to be collected. This too was a remarkable fact. Rev. Cornelius Abbott was rector of the church from 1858 to 1867. In 1864 the church on Park avenue was sold to the Romanists. On Easter Sunday, 1864, the last Sunday services were, held in the old church, and Tuesday evening, of that same week, was the last mid-week service. For a few months before the new church was entirely finished, services were held in the room over Andrews & Weeks' store. The Rev. Charles T. Steck succeeded Mr. Abbott, serving eleven months. For a little time thereafter the parish was without a rector, and in March, 1869, Rev. Henry L. Badger took charge. He was a man of scholarly attainments and gentle manners, and the people of the parish were very much disappointed when the bishop of Nevada urged him to take up the missionary work in that territory. He stayed west several years, but the climate was not at all agreeable to him or his family, and later he had a parish in Portsmouth, Ohio. Rev. Thomas J. Taylor was the rector from October, 1871, to April, 1873. During his time the church did not grow or even hold its own. Rev. A. R. Kieffer was the next minister and he served the longest of any one connected with the parish. He was energetic, able and practical. Under his administration the church grew greatly. Partly because of ill health he resigned to take a parish at Colorado Springs, Colorado. During his charge a rectory was purchased, which now stands on the corner of Franklin and Vine streets, and the parish rooms were built. He was rector at Bradford, Pa., for many years and furnished the author some facts for this chapter. He died before the book was issued. HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 261 Rev. James A. Mathews, of Arkansas, took up the work in 1883 and continued it a year and a half. From Warren he went to Illinois, and later to Missouri, where he died. He was succeeded by the Rev. H. L. Gamble, who served about a year. Mr. Gamble was probably the least popular of any minister Christ church has had. He went to Europe for a vacation, and while he was gone members of the church made some needed repairs. The walls were decorated, new carpets put down, the tablets at the back of the church upon which the commandments and the Lord's Prayer were inscribed, were removed, and a beautiful stained-glass window, presented.' " by the children of Hon. Frederick Kinsman, was put in. Apparently Mr. Gamble believed the minister to be the head of the church and felt affronted that repairs were made in his absence, for we find in the parish books a record of this work done. ending with "The undersigned is in no way responsible for these changes which were effected during his absence. H. Lansdowne Gamble." About 1892 a new rectory was built on High street. Generous donations were made by the aunts of the Misses Hall, Mrs. Boardman and Mrs. Wade, of New Haven, Connecticut. who have done much for the church. Some years since a chapel which was not consecrated and which is used for Sunday school and all sorts of meetings, social as well as religious, was added to the church building on the west side. Very recently the ladies of the church built a substantial brick house for the janitor in the rear of the church, which adds considerably to the church property. In the church proper are three memorial windows, one to Mr. and Mrs. Orlando Morgan, the former having been vestryman of the church for many years and the latter a devoted church woman during all the years of her married life. One to Lizzie B. Hunt, a successful teacher in the primary department of the Sunday school, and long connected with the church, having come over from the Lutheran. Probably more young children were brought into the Sunday school and later became church members, through Mrs. Hunt's influence and teaching, than through any other one member of the church. The sons of Frederick Kinsman, as above stated, placed in the chancel a large beautiful window, in memory of the mother and father who were among the most faithful supports of and workers in the church for years. Mr. Kinsman was vestryman and officer in the 262 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY church, gave a great deal of time and thought and much money to the parish, while Mrs. Kinsman was one of the best church workers that any parish ever had. Both of these people were not only beloved in the church but in the community. At the time of the presentation of this window, Rev. Frederick Kinsman, their grandson, preached the sermon. Lately he has been made bishop of Delaware. Too much credit cannot be given the early vestrymen for the condition of the parish of Christ church. They were men of good education, possessed of business ability, conscientious church men, and exceedingly generous financially. At the end of each fiscal year always they made up a goodly amount from their own pockets. Among these were John L. Weeks, who was lay-reader, superintendent of the Sunday school and always present at all services; Mr. John H. McCombs, one of the wardens, who was always at his place on Sunday and who assumed much responsibility; Judge George F. Brown, who at the close of the war moved to Mississippi; Mr. Charles Smith, who from the very beginning was connected with the church, as his mother and grandmother had been before him; Dr. John R. Woods, who acted as lay-reader; Mr. Orlando Morgan, who, although not a communicant, was always present at vestry meetings and at church ; Lewis J. Iddings, whose daughter Miss Mary has been a communicant and consistent member since early womanhood, and whose son, Samuel, is now junior warden. Thomas J. McLain, who for many years was lay reader and superintendent of the Sunday school as well, and also one of the wardens, was a practical Christian, devoid of any small o) narrow traits of character, of sunny temperament, and full of kindness. When he left the city to enter the consular service of the United States, the parishioners greatly missed him. None of these men are now living. Edward A. Smith is the oldest communicant connected with the Episcopal church. He came to Warren in 1846, attended the early services which were conducted by Mr. Harris, and has been identified with the church ever since. He is now senior warden, having been elected in the place of John L. Weeks, in 1875; he has therefore been serving in that capacity for thirty-four years. Mr. Smith's oldest son, named for his relative, Frederick Kinsman. is one of the vestrymen, and Mrs. Smith, all through her early womanhood, worked in the several societies, while the HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 263 daughters have been connected with both church and Sunday school work for years. Among the names on the parish register which are familiar to Trumbull County people were the names of Smith, McCombs, Kinsman, Freeman, Hunt, Baldwin, Morgan, Porter, McNutt, Taylor, Hucke, Ratliff, Packard, Fitch, Bierce, Woods, Heaton, Vautrot, Wings, Wise, McConnell. The following is a list of the rectors since Christ church was organized : Rev. J. L. Harrison, Rev. C. C. Towne, Rev. Geo. W. Dubois, Rev. Joseph E. Ryan, Rev. C. S. Abbott, Rev. Chas. T. Speck, Rev. Henry L. Badger, Rev. Thos. J. Taylor, Rev. A. R. Keifer, Rev. J. A. Mathews, Rev. C. W. Hollister, Rev. Herbert D. Cone, Rev. A. A. Abbott, at present arch-deacon of the diocese, and Rev. Henry E. Cooke, who has recently resigned his position to devote his time to the raising of the William A. Leonard Bishop's fund. Rev. James S. Sherin has at this writing just begun his work as pastor. The present bishop of this diocese is William A. Leonard, who was so long rector of St. John's church in Washington, at which more presidents of the United States have worshiped than in any other church in Washington. Under the supervision of. Bishop Leonard, the diocese has grown greatly. The present offrcers of the church are as follows : Senior warden, Edward A. Smith ; junior warden, S. C. Iddings ; members of the vestry, Thomas Kinsman, Frederick K. Smith, E. R. Wise, C. W. Tyler, George D. Kirkham, W. George Lane, S. R. Russell, H. A. Sherwood. Central Christian Church. Thomas Campbell was born in Ireland in 1763. His father was a strict member of the Church of England and Thomas early showed interest in religious things. The formalities of the English church did not satisfy him and he soon began to associate with a branch of the Presbyterian church which had seceded from the "Kirk of Scotland." In 1787 he married Jane Corneigle, a French Huguenot, whose ancestors had been driven from France by Louis XIV. She was gifted with a strong mental and moral character, and was of great value to her husband, Thomas, in his life work. They had eight children. He not only preached, but taught school, and the extra labor impaired his 264 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY health so a sea voyage was prescribed for him. He landed at Philadelphia, but, like other people with reform natures, he could not keep quiet and began preaching in Pennsylvania. Through his efforts there 'came into being at Washington, Pennsylvania, the "Christian Association." He had left his school in the hands of his only son Alexander, but in the fall his family joined him. In later years he visited the Western Reserve many times, especially when discord or misunderstanding arose among the early churches. He has been in Warren, as this church was one of the very early ones, strong from the beginning. His son Alexander was born in Ireland in 1788. Ile, however, had a mixture of Irish-Scotch and French blood. He completed his course at the University of Glasgow. Having been reared in the strictest schools of the Presbyterians, he had a profound reverence for the word of God. He fitted into the life in western Pennsylvania where his father settled as though he had been born in this country. It is a beautiful thing to see how the minds of Alexander and his father, Thomas Campbell, ran together ; how they eschewed creeds and taught what to them seemed the simple teaching of Jesus. For forty years he published a paper which at first was known as "The Christian Baptist" and later "The Millenial Harbinger." These contained editorial essays. The debates between his father and John Walker, in 182O, and between his father and W. L. McCalla in 1823, were published in this magazine and did a great deal in converting people to what was known then as "the simpler faith." Unlike most students, reformers, and preachers, he was a good business man. Although he traveled and preached at his own expense, entertained in his own home hundreds and hundreds of people who came to see him in different capacities, yet he accumulated a great deal of wealth. He established the college at Bethany which secured for itself a national reputation, and he became identified with the people of West Virginia, where his home was. He was a member of the state legislature in 1829, acting on the judiciary committee, and was on intimate terms with Chief Justice Marshall, ex-President Madison, and had many contentions with John Randolph. He had a most wonderful personal influence over people who came under him, but he never seemed to care for title or position. The doctrine which he and his father taught was easily espoused by the liberally inclined settlers. By outsiders they were known as "Campbellites." The belief of the Christian church began and spread from the Ohio valley into HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 265 Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky. Alexander Campbell held no office higher than elder in his own congregation. He has been in Warren often and his grandson (W. C. Pendleton), his great-grandson (Austin Pendleton) and his great-great-grandchildren live here, also. Theology has never wholly satisfied practical people. Religion has. Each sect that arises and lives does so because its teachings are simpler. The earnest Baptist people who founded the first church in Warren had an unusual man as a leader, Adamson Bentley. It seenis that he did what hundreds of ministers are doing today —studied into new ideas and gave those same ideas to his congregation without name, until they believed largely as he believed. He had occasion, after he had read the discussions of Alexander Campbell with some early divines, Walker, McCalla, etc., to go into Kentucky on business. He either made an excuse or accidentally stopped at the West Virginia home of Alexander Campbell on his return and there imbibed more of the thought which seemed rational to him, and this in turn he gave his people. In the days of Mr. Bentley people could not afford to pay a minister a suffrcient sum for his support and so ministers engaged in other occupations often. Mr. Bentley was a merchant. Although Thomas and Alexander Campbell were devoted Christians and gave a liberal interpretation of the Scriptures to the world, it was not due to them alone that the church grew. The Western Reserve was the place, and the beginning of the nineteenth century was the time, for the planting of such a church. The men who gathered on the Western Reserve were from all parts of the then civilized country. They had all shades of beliefs and the discussions which arose led to investigations so that the " Campbellites" found many people not associated with any church, as well as people dissatisfied with their own creed. These they proceeded to enlighten as to gospel and gathered them into the fold. Walter Scott was born in Scotland, his father was a professor of music and cultured withal, his mother a person of most pure and religious life. His sister was a lace maker and taught that art in Warren at one time. He came to New York after his parents' death to be with his uncle, George Innes. He had drifted away from his Presbyterian church through the influence of a Mr. Forrester, who prepared young men for the ministry. Forrester immersed him. He at first opened a classical 266 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY school and later met Mr. Campbell in Pittsburg. He assisted Mr. Campbell in editing "The Christian Baptist." In fact, it was he who proposed the word "Baptist," Mr. Campbell intending to call the publication "The Christian." He was long associated with both Thomas (the father) and Alexander Campbell (the son). He was also associated with Sidney Rigdon, a Baptist minister of Pittsburg, who is ranked second to Bentley among the early Baptist ministers, and who is remembered by people of Trumbull County, more especially because of his advocacy of early Mormonism. A. S. Hayden, in the "Early History of the Disciples," is authority for the statement that in January, 1828, "the town (Warren) lay in spiritual lethargy, profoundly ignorant of the tempest of spiritual excitement about to sweep over the place. Bentley had preached well and lived well, but he held not the key to the heart, nor was he skilled to awaken the music of the soul." At this time Brother Scott and Brother Mitchell came to Warren. It was their intention to bring about a revival and they did. Their meetings, at first held in the court house, were not well attended at all, and Mr. Mitchell was quite disgusted at the way Mr. Scott conducted them. When he remonstrated with him, the older man told Mitchell that they would have to do something out of the ordinary in order to claim attention. The first audience was composed of a few elderly people and a group of boys. He made the boys laugh, and then talked a little seriousness to them. The two. men stayed at the house of Jeremiah Brooks. Through the Rev. Mr. Bentley's permission, the Baptist church was secured and this was crowded the first evening. From this time on conversions were made, immersions were had and the entire village was excited over the doctrine advanced by these men. When the evangelists went from their evening meetings, people would follow them to talk about their salvation. Sometimes the two men would be awakened in the night either by persons who wished to have their doubts cleared or by others wishing to be immersed. When the meetings were at an end Mr. Scott and his assistant had not only brought to the church people outside the Baptist church, but with a very few exceptions all the people 'inside the church, and the minister, Mr. Bentley, as well. R. J. Smith used to say that sinners at that time were baptized and Baptists capsized. The congregation continued to occupy the house built by the Baptists, and on this lot the present Christian church stands. Probably there never was, any- HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 267 where, a case before, or since, where a congregation as old, as large, and as influential went over to another denomination, taking elders, deacons, ministers, and meeting-house as well. The Rev. Adamson Bentley was born in 1785 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He came, when quite young, with his father to Brookfield. He became an ardent Baptist early in life and was a devoted student. He began to preach when nineteen years, holding to the teachings of Calvin. In 181O he settled in Warren and in May of that year was ordained. One year later he became the pastor of the church and served for twenty-one years. The writer of his biography says : "It is our fortune to be acquainted with few persons in a lifetime who wield a personal influence so supreme. Tall, manly, graceful, with a countenance radiant with good nature, affable and dignified, he would stand among dignitaries as his equals and condescend to the lowly with a gentleness which won the attachment of every heart." After the coming of Scott Mr. Bentley preached with fresh power and zeal. The next year he was chosen with Scott, Hayden and Bosworth to travel about in the interests of the church, and in 1831 he removed to Chagrin. Falls, where he died. He was one of the original trustees of Bethany College. Among the early strong men of the Christian church was Cyrus Bosworth. He served in several official capacities, was sheriff of the county for two terms, and is said to have carried the news of Perry's victory to Pittsburg as express messenger. His first wife was an eastern woman, very helpful to him in his work. and his second wife was Sarah C. Case, a sister of Leonard Case. The Christian church in Bazetta was organized in 1848 ; in Brookfield in 1828; in Fowler in 1832; in Hartford, 183O; Howland, 1828 ; North Jackson, 1852; Niles, 1842 ; Southington, 1828; and other churches in Trumbull County were organized and were numerous, which fact strengthened the Warren church, because as farmers moved into town to educate their children, or to engage in business, they naturally allied themselves with their own denomination. Among the people connected with the early church we read the names : Austin, Lamphear, Medbury, Sampson, Briscoe, Hutchins, King, Bosworth; Ratliff, Williams, Camp, Pond, Dally, Soule. Burnett, Brett, Ernst, Dunlap, Folsom, Scott. 268 - HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY No history of the Christian church should be written without special mention being made of Harmon and Mrs. Austin, who devoted much of their time during the years of their strength, much of their thought, and their money, to the building up and maintaining of the Christian church. Knowing of the interest of Harmon and Minerva in the church, their children gave a sum of money to be applied toward the building of a parsonage. His father Benajah was identified with the early church and the early history of the town and when he first came here owned the Murburger farm, afterwards in 1812 buying the place on the Leavittsburg road, on which his son, his granddaughter, his great-grandson and his great-great-grandchildren now live. Mrs. Austin was Minerva Sackett of Canfield. Her father helped to organize the Christian church of Canfield, and she, her family and her sisters devoted themselves to the Warren church. Nellie Austin, marrying a grandson of Alexander Campbell, united two strong Christian families. Plans for erecting a church edifice were considered in 1820, but it was June 8, 1823, before the first services were held within these walls, and even then the structure was not completed. Robert Gordon did the brick work, and Isaac Ladd, the father of Irwin Ladd, had the contract for the woodwork. The latter says that this was the first building in Warren where the seats were paneled, and the ends had turned knobs and ornamental pieces. Benajah Austin was one of the members of the building committee. The church was a square building, without towers or ornaments. There was a gallery which was very high, and seats on the lower floor and in the gallery were on a level, so it was hard for those in the back part to see. Fourteen steps led up into a high pulpit box. In this box the minister could not be seen when sitting. Pews were held by pew-holders, the doors being locked. The backs of the pews were rather high, as were the pews in most of the early churches. The object of this in the beginning was to keep the auditors from seeing their neighbors and to compel attention to the services, but the truth was that in many of the early churches the tired parishioners rested their heads on the back of these high pews and went to sleep. With high pews and sleeping parents the children who were so inclined to pinch and kick each other unseen had a splendid chance. In fact, some of the early Episcopal churches in Virginia had a woman with a switch whose duty it was to walk up and down the HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY - 269 aisles slowly, tapping the children over the head who were not thinking about the articles of faith or possessed of proper decorum. Here is a list of subscribers to this first Christian church: We, the subscribers, severally agree to pay to Jeremiah Brooks, Leicester King and Adamson Bentley, or their successors, trustees of the Baptist church in Warren, the sums set to our names for the purposes above specified, payable as follows : One-fourth when the cellar walls are completed; one-fourth when the walls are built and one-fourth when the house is enclosed; the remainder, when the amount of funds raised are expended. Warren, February 15, 1820.