Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/484

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��HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

��A Sabbath school has been connected with the church since its organization, and is now strong in numbers, with an efficient and active corps of teachers. H. L. Reed is Superin- tendent.

The Associate Churcli was called the Associ- ate Congregation of Mansfield, and was organized in 1826 by the Rev. John Walker, of Harrison County, Ohio. The Finneys were prominent and influential in the organization. Before the erection of the church, meetings were held in the upper story of the old court house, as was the case with other early religious socie- ties. Rev. Samuel Hindman was installed Pastor at the organization, and continued until 1841. when he resigned. During his pastorate, a pleasant lot was purchased on West jNIarket street and the frame church erected, which is yet standing. It was built in about 1834. The early members were John, James and William Finney. Samuel Craig and Mathew Morrow — the latter doing the carpen- ter-work.

In 1843. Rev. J. L. McLean was settled Pas- tor, and continued until 1853. In 1854, Rev. D. W. Collins was installed, and continued until the union of this church with the Asso- ciate Reformed, in 1858, at which date the num- l»er of memliers was fifty-two.

The union left a few members in this church, who would not go into the union. The}- re- mained as a church, but have not been al)le to support a regular Pastor. Services are still held, however, about once a month. There is no Sabbath school connected with the church.

The Associate Reformed Church is almost as old as the city, a few persons having met to consult about its organization as early as February 2. 1818. At this preliminary meet- ing, Andrew Ritchie was Cliairman : John Stewart, Secretary, and Richard Hoy. Corre- sponding Secretary. The latter was instructed t(^ write to the Associate Reformed Presbytery of Kentucky regarding the organization. A

��committee was also appointed to ascertain the number of persons willing to enter the organ- ization. The petition for an organization was granted b}' the Associate Reformed Presl\ytery of Monongahela. and the Rev. William Taggart appointed to officiate. This was in June, 1820. Twenty-seven persons connected themselves with the organization ; of these, Richard Hoy, Robert Finney and James Larimer were chosen Ruling Elders. Mrs. Margaret Stewart only remains of this original congregation. Like other earh- religious societies, their first meet- ings were held in the old court house, and aftenvard in the old Methodist Church on Water street, between Third and Fourth ; also, part of the time in a building on South Main street. Their first minister was Rev. James Johnson, who entered upon his duties in Novem- ber, 1821. He was called by this congregation and the one on Clear Fork, afterward Troy, and divided his time between these and a church at Utica, Ohio. In the same year (1821), measures were taken to erect a building. Money was scarce, and the congregation generally helped b}- giving materials, time and labor. The brick for this church was made on the east part of the lot on which it stands, b}^ a Mr. Ridgeway, who came from Pennsylvania for that purpose. Services were held as soon as the outside walls, floor and roof were in place, the building being warmed by iron kettles, filled with charcoal ; the windows, being open, per- mitted the escape of gas.

When this church was finished, it was the finest and most substantial building in the town. It is yet standing on West Third street, plain, solid and comfortable. The church seems to have prospered under Mr. Johnson's preaching, and many members were added from time to time. His pastorate extended over a period of moi*e than thirt}' 3-ears. He retired in 1850, but his pastoral relation was not dissolved until 1852. He was rather a remarkable man, being of fine presence, address, and very

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