Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/439

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��HISTOKY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

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��organization, employing the Hev. Francis J. Ruth as Pastor part of the time. This gentle- man 3^et lives in Gal ion and is yet preaching, though now quite advanced in years. The early meetings were held in private houses and the schoolhouse, but, in 1832, a log church was erected in the northern part of the township, (Section 10), which was called the " Loudon Church," from the fagt of its proximity to the village of Loudon, in Cass Township. The original members of this organization were Leonard May and wife, John and Anthony Hershiser and their wives, a Mr. Gump and wife, and Mrs. Samuel Mowery. They worshiped in the old log church until 1842 or 1843, when they erected their present frame building. The church is now fairly attended though not strong. Rev. Summers of Shelby is the present minis- ter. A Sunday school has been generall}' sus- tained since the church was established.

Mount Bethel Church is located on Section 23. This is more generally known by the name of " Sheriff's Church " from the fact that it oc- cupies land which was donated to the church by a Mr. Sheriff. In an earl}' day, two religious organizations had an existence in this part of the township, a German Reformed and a Luth-

��eran. In 1833, they agreed to unite and erect a church which should be equally free to both denominations. The church was a log one, and was erected by united and voluntary labor.

Rev. Mr. Shuh was first preacher for the Ger- man Reformed society, and Rev. Francis J. Ruth for the Lutherans. Before the church was erected, the German Reformed society held their meetings at the house of Daniel Stahl, where the society was first organized by Mr. Shuh. Among the first worshipers in the church were William Stine, Daniel Stahl, Adam flyers, Ja- cob Shadle, John Hippart, Daniel Livensparger, Jacob Freighner, John Stock, John Hall and Daniel Huffman.

After a time, the German Reformed organiza- tion disbanded, and the Lutherans only now occupy the church. In 1878, they erected a new frame church, costing about $1,000. It is 32x38 feet in size. Mr. Ruth still preaches to these people. The church is not strong, having a membership of ten or twelve. The Sunday school, however, is in a flourishing condition, with fortv or fifty pupils enrolled. Its organi- zation dates back to the time of the establish- ment of the church.

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