Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/656

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��HISTORY OF richla:n^d county.

��Sunday school was organized about the same time, its present membei'ship being about thirty. The church is not a strong one in numbers.

The English Lutheran Church was organized in 1854, by Rev. A. F. Hills ; the members of tlie first organization being David Lichtenwal- ter, A. W. Stine, William Kinsely, David Kep- linger, E. Warner, David McCartel, D. Minieh, Jane McCartel, Hannah Stine, Elizal)etli War- ner and Isaac Miller. Their earl}' meetings were held in the private residences of the mem- bers, though the present frame church was erected about the same year the organization occurred. A. F. Hills was first Pastor, followed by A. B. Kirtland, D. I. Foust, H. K. Fenner and B. F. Crouse, the present minister. The pres- ent membership is about one hundred and seventy. The Sunday school is large, active and healthy, numbering about one hundred and sixty pupils. Henry Erkley is Superintendent.

The German Reformed Church, situated in the northwest part of the town, was organized in 1858, by Rev. M. Stern, of Gralion. A few of the original members were David Bluem, Pliillip and Frederick Eichorn, and Joseph Ben- der. For three or four years, their meetings were held in the English Lutheran Church ; but in 1862 they erected a brick church costing about $1,900. Their first minister after Stern was John Rettig, followed by John Winter. F. W. Marcus is present Pastor, with a membership of 130. The organization of the Sunday school was coeval with that of the church, and now num- bers about one hundred and twent3'-five pupils. William Lampert was first Superintendent.

The St. Joseph Catholic Church is located on North street. The present organization dates back to 1858, though services were held by dif- ferent priests of the church many years before this. The few Catholics who were scattered among the early settlers were frequently visited in this wa}', and meetings called at their resi- dences, some years before they wei'e gathered into a church. The church was organized by

��Father Gallagher, of Cl^eveland, who was Pastor at Mansfield at the same time. The early meetings were held in the houses of Mike Dunn and Laurenz Raindl, who, with Patrick Dunn, Mr. McNamara, .J A. Barrel and Thad- deus Seifert, were the original members. The present frame church was erected in 1861, at a cost of $1,000. The membership numbers about one hundred families, and the Sunday school about two hundred children. There is a day school in connection with the church, with one hundred and seventy pupils in attendance.

The Presbyterian Church of Crestline was organized February 20, 1855, in a small school- house, by Rev. I. N. Shepherd, of Marion, Ohio, and Rev. Silas Johnson, of Bucyrus. Previous to this, however, Rev. Luke Borland had col- lected the Presbyterians of the place, and preached to them at various times and places, for six or eight months. After the organization, meetings were held occasionally in the different churches of the village, already erected. The principal original members were John S. and Jane Smith, Alexander, Margaret and Martha J. Patterson, John and Mary White, Sampson Warden, John S. and Eliza Jane Banbright, B. and Mary Mansfield, and Samuel R. and Isa- bella Graham.

The present church was erected in 1866-67. Rev. J. P. Lloyd was the first minister after the organization was effected, and continued in charge thirteen years. He was succeeded by Rev. James Shields, who remained seven j'ears. The present Pastor, Rev. W. W. Macamber, suc- ceeded Shields, November 18, 1879. The pres- ent membership is 200. A. M. Patterson is Superintendent of the Sunday-school, which is a large, active one, embracing 175 pupils, and was organized August 10, 1862.

The several secret societies at present in ex- istence in the town are the Crestline Chapter, No. 88, R. A. M.; Arcana Lodge, No. 272, F. & A. M.; Crestline Lodge, No. 237, L 0. 0. F.; Crestline Division, No. 8, Conductor's

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