Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/489

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��HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY,

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��purchased at a cost of $2,100. This church had been built by the Regular Baptists, and occupied by them about twenty years.

From ISGO to 1862, W. H. Maitin was Pas- tor. He was followed by N. A. Walker, 1865 ; Robert D. Gardner, 1866, and John Darnell. In April, 1867, Rev. A. Moore commenced preaching in the church, and continued irregu- larly until February, 1879, when he resigned. In 1867, the membership w-as 107. Protracted meetings were held at various times — one in 1866, by J. W. Lowe ; one in 1869, by N. A. "Walker ; one in 1870, by A. B. Green and J. H. Jones, and others later, by which many members were added to the church. Hiram Woods was called by the church in 1870, and continued preaching two j'cars. He was fol- lowed by A. C. Read and Henry Cogswell. The present membership of the church is 125. and the present Pastor, Rev. G. W. Kemp. A Sunday school was organized in 1854, by John Neal, who was an active and efficient Superin- tendent for several years. It is still continued under the Superintendency of ^I. W. ^Mason, with a membership of sixt^'-five.

St. John's Church, located on the southeast cor- ner of First and ^lullierry streets, was erected in 1865, and cost about $16,000. This organiza- tion was effected January 1, 1845, Rev. Mr. Hundsch being the first minister. April 3 of the same 3'ear, the corner-stone of the old frame church was laid. This church cost al)out $2,000. and occupied the same ground upon which the present substantial brick building was erected. The old building is still doing duty at the soap-works on Fourth street. At the first organization, George Bauer and Theo- bold Allvater were Elders, and Simon Kauffer and Phillip Piester, Trustees. Some of the original members were Frederick Volkert, Hein- rich El)ler, Peter Sauch, Christian Brimkman, Leonard Balliet, Jacob Heldman and Peter Ptemy. The following were the ministers, in the order named : Rev. ^Messrs. Weiscotten,

��Herr. Theodore Tressel. Albert Schory, Durr. Ferdinand Lenschan, A. Klein, and the pres- ent Pastor. J. B. Judd.

Lenschan occupied the pulpit more than ten years. It was during his pastorate that the present building was erected.

The congregation now numbers 103 fami- lies, and is a member of the Evangelical Synod of North America. The Sunday school was organized aliout the time the old church was erected, and has been in an active and healthy condition since ; it now numbei'S 125 children. Tlie Supei'intendents have lieen L. Wolfart. P. Rissler. William Durr and A. Kallmerton. The library numbers about one hundred and twenty volumes.

The meetings of the Reformed Presbyterian Church are at present held in Philharmonic Hall. northwest corner public square. The church was organized October 10. 1878, by H. P. McClurken. D. D., and Elders J. Ptobinson and R. Johns- ton,- a commission sent for this purpose by the Ohio Presbytery. The names of the orig- inal members are William P. and p]lizabetli Clarke, James Raitt, William Gregg, John Anderson, Sr., Elizabeth Anderson, Johnston McKee. Mrs. Mary McKee, John Anderson. Jr.. W. J. Anderson, Rol)ert B. Adams. Will- iam H. Garrett, James Reynolds, Mrs. Snod- grass, ^liss Walker, Mrs. ^IcKibbon, ^Irs. E. O'Neil, ^Irs. ^lary Thomas. Renwick Thomas and Miss E. Bowden. The first meetings of this organization were held in the Young Men's Christian Association rooms. Sturgis Hall build- ing, corner of ^lain and Thirtl streets. It is the expectation that a church building will be erected during the coming- year (1881).

Rev. S. A. George is Pastor (ordained No- vember 20, 1878), and the present membership is fifty-one.

A Sabbath school was organized January 1. 1878, which has prospered, and noAv numbers forty members. W. P. Clarke is Superintend- ent.

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