Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/447

Rh Dolittle. The constitution used by the first society was not recorded as the rules of the church required, and, in 1854, a few members drafted a new constitution, and had it recorded, unknown to the majority of the old members. This annulled their right of membership, and only a few ever subscribed to the new constitution, which greatly impaired the prosperity of the church. The present membership is about eighty. The Sabbath school was organized in 1846, by Rev. Smead; Samuel Cutting was its Superintendent.

At a meeting of the Presbytery, at Fredericktown, Ohio, April 18, 1838, application was made by citizens of Bellville, to form a Presbyterian Church, and James Rowland was appointed to exercise authority, at discretion. A church was organized, in the month of May, 1838. Those known to be among the original members were Enoch French, Matthew Geary, John Lafferty, Andrew Linn, Philip Traxler and their companions. Messrs. French and Geary were ordained Ruling Elders, and Rev. Robinson was their minister. The church flourished several years, and from 1842 till 1844, Thomas Smith preached regularly. About this time, several of the leading members passed away, and other ones moved away, which weakened the flock so much that it passed under a cloud in 1845; its name disappeared from the roll-book, and a blank was made in its history. In 1851, the matter came before the Presbytery, at Mount Vernon, and from that date appeared to have new life. In 1853–54, a house of worship was built, which has been occupied since. Rev. W. W. Anderson assumed the duties of the charge, January 7, 1877, and is still the Pastor. The membership, February, 1880, was 110; contributions for home purposes, $800; missionary, $50; membership of the Sabbath school, 125; contributions, $45.

In 1866, Elders Van Horn and Laurence, of the Seventh-Day Adventists, pitched a tent on the public square, in Bellville, and commenced to preach the views of this denomination. The tent was taken away in August, and further meetings were held in the Universalist Church and in private houses. An organization was effected December 20, 1866. A house of worship was built in 1867, and the first services were held in it January 29, 1868. There were fifteen persons in the first society. Membership, February, 1880, was thirty-three. A Sabbath school was organized when the church was, and its number of pupils, at this time, is forty-five.

The Salem Lutheran Church is located two and a half miles west of Bellville. The first preaching in the locality that was fruitful toward establishing a church was done in private houses, by Solomon Ritz. Adam Shafer, a wealthy farmer of the locality, and earnest in spiritual matters, formed a sort of standard, around which the nucleus of the present church gathered. Rev. Ritz organized the first society, and in 1838, a house of worship was built, near where the present one stands. A few of the original members were Adam Shafer, Joseph Border, Jacob Beckley, Samuel Hoff, Christian Craymer, Jacob Shafer, Christian Russel, James Selby and their wives. Revs. Lane and G. Liter held the first protracted meeting in the new house, which resulted in a large number of accessions. The German Reformed Society assisted in building the house, and also worshiped in it. Some trouble developed between the two parties, in regard to the use of the house, and in 1860 the Lutherans built a brick structure, on ground outside of the lot donated for church purposes. Rev. G. M. Heindel was Pastor, in 1879–80. The membership, March, 1880, was eighty; contributions, for all purposes, $450. The Sabbath school was organized in May, 1846.

The Pleasant Hill United Brethren Church is located on the southeast corner of Section 18. This church was organized by Jacob George in 1843 or 1844. James Niman, a