Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/609

 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

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��succeeded l\y Rev. J. M. Bowers and Rev. J. G. Aikman. In January, 1876, Rev. L. R. Royce became Pastor, and still serves in that capacity. The membership of the church in 1879, was eighty-two, and the contributions for the current year .$812.22.

The United Presbyterians were among the earliest in this field. Soon after the organization of the township, they held services in dwell- ings, schoolhouses and other rude buildings. The first sermon was preached in the shed of a still-house, by Rev. John Graham, at Troy, a mile and a half northwest of Lexington. The first house of worship — a log cabin — was erected at Troy, which served them for many years. In 1851, preparations were made to l^uild a frame house ; the lumber was secured and stored in the log house, but, before the foundation was complete, the log house caught fire and was consumed with all its contents. The frame was subsequently erected and long used as a sanc- tuary ; part of it is still in use as a barn. This house was frequently used b}- other denomina- tions also for divine services. The church va- cated this point and bought the seminary build- ing in Lexington, in 1867, of Rev. Galley, who continued his school in the lower stor}', while the upper story was finished and furnished for a church, and is still used as a place of wor- ship. Rev. James Johnson was the first Pastor and served until 1844, when Rev. Samuel Fin- ley succeeded to the office. Some of the mem- bers at the time of organization were Isaac Miller, John McClung, James Larimer, N. Cook, John Gass and William Nelson. In 1849, Rev. R. Galley began his ministrations as Pastor, and continued in this relation until his death, which occurred in April, 1875. Until lately. Rev. T. P. D^'sart has been Pastor of the church. The present membership is fort3'-five, and the annual contri1)utions about $500.

The United Brethren organized quite early, and bought the house sold Ij}' the Presliyterians in 1836. It was torn down, enlarged, remodeled

��and furnished, affording a neat and pleasant house. Their earl}' ministers were Rev. Jacob George, John Dorcas, (jreorge Hiskey, John Fry and others. The later ones were Samuel Long, Rev. Creighton, Rev. Kese}' and Rev. Barlow. The numerical strength of this church varied much at ditt'erent periods, now advancing, then ^receding. It has exceeded one hundred in the past, but is now quite small.

The Universalists were also pioneers in this vicinity. They built a church in an earl}- day on the lot now occupied by Mrs. Spaulding's residence, and it has l^een only a few years since it disappeared. This denomination was at one time quite strong, and threatened the extinction of the other denominations, but a long, protracted debate or controversy took place between one of their prominent ministers. Rev. Biddlecome, and a Methodist minister, Rev. Powers, lasting more than a week, which seemed to check their progress, and they soon began to abate their ardor, so that in a few 3'ears no services were maintained. At the present, the}' have neither house, society, nor name.

The Methodist Episcopal Church is not the least, although last, to receive attention. It was organized in the early history of the village and well sustained for many years. It w^as at one period the leading church, having a large and influential membership, and some very able and talented ministers ; some of whom have risen to the highest position in the church. The names of Russell Bigelow, Adam Poe, Harris, Leonard Gurley, John Powers and many younger men are familiar among Metho- dists and many others in this section. The house of worship is a plain, modest frame, about thirty-six feet wide by fifty feet long. It has l)een built some forty years and, excepting some repairs, remains in its original form. This society has been gradually declining in num- bers and influence for several years, so that a mere handful compose its membership at

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