CHURCHES OF XENIA OHIO
UNITED
Presbyterian: In 1811, Rev. Adam Rankin and Rev. William Baldridge were appointed to preach in Xenia. In 1813, a petition was presented, for the moderation of a call, which was the first call for a pastor. It was made out for the Rev. James McCord, but never presented. Rev. McCord connected himself with the Presbyterian Church, and the call was returned to the congregation. During the year 1914, Revs. Rankin and Craig frequently preached at Xenia, and on the second Sabbath of that year dispensed the Lord's Supper, which is the first account on record of the observance of that holy ordinance in this congregation. In 1815-16, Revs. Risque, McFarland, and Steel were frequently appointed to fill the vacancy at Xenia. In 1817, a call was made out for Rev. John Steel, which he accepted, removed to Xenia in 1817, and took charge of the congregation, with which he continued to labor until 1836, a period of nineteen years. He was the means of converting many souls to God. On account of his infirmities, and a desire to educate his sons for the ministry, he resigned in 1836, and on January 11, 1837, was called to the great congregation in heaven.
As illustrative of pioneer life, we give an extract from Mr. Steel's
journal: "On the 17th day of April, 1808, we set out from a point near
Maysville, Kentucky. After crossing the Ohio, we lay out in the woods all night and
reached Chillicothe on the evening of the 20th Preached at Chillicothe from
Romans 10 : 4 ; also, Romans 14 : 17 ; probably the first preaching to the
Associate Reformed congregation in Chillicothe." In October 1845, Rev. Robert D. Harper visited the congregation, accepted their call the next year, and was ordained and installed. In 1870 he was succeeded by Dr. Morehead, who served until 1875, when Dr. Thomas H. Hanna was called, who in turn gave place; in 1880 to Wright, present pastor. The Second United Presbyterian congregation, of Xenia, is the old associate congregation, continued under this as its name since the union of the Associate and Associate Reformed churches in the year 1858. It has been claimed, and we suppose correctly, that, though the Associate church had organized congregations in Greene County before the Associate Reformed, still the latter had its organized congregation in Xenia before the former. Hence; since the union of these churches, the Associate Reformed has been known as the First United Presbyterian congregation of Xenia, and the Associate as the second Organization. The immigration into Greene County of Associate Presbyterians, especially from Kentucky, which began near the close of the last century increased rapidly, and two congregations were soon organized, called, in the minutes of the Presbytery of Kentucky, sometimes the Greene County congregations, sometimes the congregations of Massie's Creek and Sugar Creek soon thereafter, from Massie's Creek, arid Sugar Creek congregations, praying for the moderation of a call, which was unanimously granted." Again in the minutes of that presbytery for April, 21, 1812, we find this record, namely: "A call from Greene County congregation for Rev. Wm. Hume, accompanied with two petitions, was presented and read."
Church Buildings - During the first two or three years of its existence, this congregation ordinarily met for divine worship in the courthouse of that day. In the year 1814 its first house of worship was built. It was a stone structure, perhaps 50x85 feet, and stood on the lot immediately west of the lot on which. the present church building stands. In that house the congregation worshiped twenty-six years. In 1840 the present house of worship; 75x57 feet, was erected. In 1857 an was made upon it by the addition of six feet to its height two pilasters, standing one at each front corner; and two towers, standing at proper distances between the pilasters. In 1877 the present lecture room, 40x26 feet, was built. Boundary
Lines - When
this congregation was organized, the
principle of elective affinity as regulating congregational connection was not
regarded with favor. It was a time of congregational, boundary lines.
Accordingly, the first thing in order to organization was, as we have already
seen, the establishing of a dividing line between Massie's Creek congregation on
the one hand, and Xenia and Sugar Creek on the other. This line ran nearly north
and south, and about one and a half or two miles east of Xenia at its nearest
point. There was no clearly defined line between Xenia and Sugar Creek
congregations until January 14, 1822. Though the session was a joint session;
having the supervision of both congregations, and all the members of the two
congregations took part in the election of members of the session, still it was
the understanding that they should have each about the same number of elders and
deacons. Again the congregation of Massie's Creek, in 1827, removed the place of worship from its old site to the present location, on the farm of the late Mr. William Collins. In consequence of this removal, a number of families of that congregation were nearer to Xenia than to Massie's Creek new church, and therefore petitioned presbytery to be disjoined from Massie's Creek and annexed to Xenia. This petition was granted. The result was the removal of the dividing line from one and a half to two miles further east, and the annexation of some fourteen families of Massie's Creek to Xenia congregation. Further, the congregation of Sugar Creek, in 1833, removed their place of worship from the old log church north of Bellbrook, and located it on the farm of Mr. Samuel Holmes. This movement removed the place of worship so far from those families of the congregation residing between the Little Miami River and the western boundary of Xenia congregation, that the result ultimately was the transference, by presbytery of these Families to the latter congregation, thus virtually establishing the above named river as a New boundary line between the two congregations, and it so continues to this day. Ruling
Elders
- The ruling elders residing within the limits of the two congregation, and
constituted by act of presbytery, October 21, 1811, at the first session were
William Turnbull, John Torrence, James Bain, and Hugh Hamill. Pastors-As many will feel an interest in knowing, not only those who became actual pastors, but also those who were called but declined accepting, we will give both classes. Rev. William Hume, brother-in-law of Rev. R. Armstrong, and at that time pastor of the associate congregation of Nashville, Tennessee. The call on him was moderated in 1811, or early in 1812. On October 18, 1812, Mr. Hume, having referred the disposal of this call to the presbytery, that court, after much deliberation and with great hesitancy, decided against transferring. The call on Mr. Francis Pringle was moderated by appointment of Chartiers Presbytery, most probably in 1813. Sustained by that presbytery, April 13, 1814, accepted July 19, 1814. Mr. Pringle was ordained by that presbytery, at Mt. Pleasant, Washington County, Pennsylvania, November 29, 1814, and, in pursuance of the appointment of that presbytery, installed by Rev. Robert Armstrong, on the second Wednesday of January, 1815. From this pastoral relation he was released by death, on March 15, 1818. The minutes of session give neither .the names nor number of those received into membership during Mr. Pringle's pastorate. The uniform oral testimony, however, was that the congregations greatly prospered under his ministry. He was greatly beloved by his people. They regarded him as an able minister, and yet not so eminent for his talents as for his piety and faithfulness. In 1817, in consequence of failing health, he went to North Carolina, to visit his brother, Rev. James Pringle, pastor of the associate congregation o! Steel Creek, of that state, and died of consumption at the time above indicated. His brother James died of fever the following October. It is sufficiently remarkable to be noted as one has said, that these two brothers died in the same house, in the same room, and in the same bed they. were laid in the same grave, and the same monument records their excellence and end. It appears that a sermon was shortly after preached in Xenia congregation by Rev. R. Armstrong, having special reference to Mr. Pringle's death. From the defect in the minutes of session already referred to, in neglecting to give either the names or number of persons admitted to membership, the are unable to give the number of accessions from the close of Mr. Pringle's pastorate to the commencement of the next -- a period of two years and six months. Mr. Robert Douglass. Called May 5,1819. The Balled declined. Dr. Thomas Beveridge, having been requested by the session of this congregation to give a sketch of his pastorate in Xenia and Sugar Creek congregations, gave the following " Having been licensed by the Associate Presbytery of Chartiers in August, 1819, my appointments led me, among other places, to Xenia and Sugar Creek, which congregations I reached the 1st of November 1819. I preached alternately in the two congregations during that month; and the last, two Sabbaths of the succeeding January: The two congregations united in a call to me February 28, 1820. The salary promised was $500, considered at that time very liberal. The Presbytery of Kentucky, as it was then called (afterward Miami), consisted of only three ministerial members Messrs. Armstrong, Hume, and Kennedy and these at great distance from each other. In consequence of this, the call was sent to the Presbytery of Cambridge, New York, to be presented. It was accepted August 2, 1820, That presbytery also received and sustained my trials for ordination. I arrived at Xenia October 4th, but was not ordained till the 9th of the next January. . Mr. Hume came all the way from Nashville, to assist Mr. Armstrong in that service. At this time there was great trouble in Massie's Creek congregation, in consequence of which Mr. Armstrong resigned his charge." Mr. David Goodwillie, called October 22, 1824. Call declined. Mr. Joseph Clokey was called February 20, 1827, but declined. The foregoing call on Mr. Clokey and all the preceding ones, were made by the congregation of Xenia in connection with Sugar Creek as one pastoral charge. This connection was dissolved by the Presbytery of Miami on the 10th of November 1828. The calls following, were made by the congregation of Xenia alone.
Rev. Abraham Anderson Called January 26, 1829. Call declined. Mr. Samuel Wilson Called May 3, 1830. This call was accepted on September 20, 1830. Mr. Wilson was ordained and installed April 21, 1831. Rev. N. Ingles preached and presided in the ordination, and Rev. Dr. Carson; of Tennessee, gave the charges to the pastor and congregation. This congregation had been vacant from April 5,1824, until September 20, 1830, a period of six years and five months, but received from presbytery all the supply of ordinances and pastoral care in its power to give to Rev. James Adams, especially who had been installed as pastor of Massie's Creek congregation a short time before Mr. Beveridge's resignation. Xenia owed the congregation a lasting debt of gratitude for his prompt and very acceptable ministerial services whenever needed, and in his power to render. During this period of vacancy thirty-six members were added, thirty on profession, and six on certificate. On the 20th of September, 1830, commenced the pastorate of Mr. Wilson, and it continued for a period of twenty-five years and six months. In May 1856, he was elected to the professorship of Theology and Hebrew in the Xenia Associate Theological Seminary. Finding his labors in the seminary and congregation rather too burdensome, especially because the synod had indicated it as rather their wish that he would give his undivided attention to the seminary, he tendered to the Presbytery of Miami his resignation of the pastoral care of the congregation, which was accepted March 18,1856. Mr. S. B. Reed. Called December 1, 1856. Call declined. Mr. R. B. Ewing. Call sustained September 21, 1858. Ordination and
installation, January 20, 1859. Dr. Clokey preached on the occasion, Rev. J. P.
Wright presided in the ordination and installation, Rev. R. E. Stewart delivered
the charge to the pastor, and Dr. Beveridge to the people. The pastorate of Mr. Ewing continued about nine years, during which time there were received into membership on profession, one hundred and two; on certificate, one hundred arid fifteen, in all, two hundred and seventeen; and dismissed, twenty-two. Throughout his pastorate he continued, as his predecessors had done, to preach twice on the Sabbath, except in the three winter months of a few years, when, at the request of the congregation, he preached but once, that the Sabbath-school might .meet in the afternoon. At the beginning of his pastorate he, like his predecessors, had his alternate years of district catechetical instruction and ministerial family visitation, but after some time ceased from them altogether. At his own request, he was released from his charge, January 14, 1868. The pastorate remained vacant two years, during which time there were
received into membership on profession, twelve; on certificate, fifteen-in
all, twenty-seven; dismissed, forty-one.
This reduced the membership of the congregation to about one hundred and
eighty-five members, which however, in the first fifteen months was again
increased to its previous number of two hundred and thirty. During the first
year, also, notwithstanding its diminished
strength, the congregation undertook and accomplished the entire refitting and
furnishing of the interior of the church, at an expense of over $3,000, the
whole of which amount was subscribed and paid by the time the work was
completed.
First Baptist Church: This church was first formed in Xenia by nine persons, who had taken letters from the Cedarville, and Caesar's Creek Baptist Churches for that purpose. They were Rev. T. P. Childs, Sister A. E. Childs, Rev. Wm. McDonald, Sister Lucinda McDonald, Thomas McDonald, John and Elizabeth Birth, Ebenezer and Melinda Hatch; five brethren, and four sisters, representing only four families. The church was organized November 2, 1844. Rev. T. P. Childs acting as moderator, and John Birth as clerk. After due deliberation, articles of faith, and a church covenant were adopted. On the 30th of the same month, Rev. Childs, who had labored so earnestly, and efficiently in organizing the church, was called to the pastorate. At the same meeting Sister Susanna Parcell and her two daughters, Catharine and Martha, presented letters of dismission from another church, and were received; being the first accessions after the organization. On the Thursday before the last Sunday in December, 1844, the church dedicated its new house of worship. On Sunday, June 8, 1845, Joshua Jones was baptized, the first recorded. The first celebration of the Lord's Supper recorded, took place August 10, 1845. During this year, the church united with the Mad River association. This year, also, for the first time the church held thanksgiving services. January 10, 1846, delegates were appointed to meet with others at Caesar's Creek, for the purpose of forming the Caesar's Creek association. July 11, 1846, Rev. T. P. Childs resigned his pastorate, after a service of nineteen and a half months, during which time five persons had been received by baptism, and fifteen by letter. September 12., 1846, letters of dismission were granted to Rev. T. P. Childs, and Sister A. E. Childs, the first dismissions on record. December, 1846, Rev. S. Marshall was called to the pastorate, served regularly for one year, and half the time, three subsequent months. June, 1848, Rev. J. R. Downer was Invited, and accepting, was subsequently ordained, aid served the church until 1850. At the church meeting, March 30; 1850, a call was extended to Rev. G. D: Simmons, at a salary of four hundred dollars. In November and December, 1850, the first revival of note was enjoyed, the pastor being assisted by Rev. S. Gorman, in which thirty-six were received twenty-four by baptism, and twelve by letter. In May; 1851, Rev. G. D. Simmons, closed his labors as pastor, on account of inadequate support with the regrets of the church. Brother Simmons' pastorate was marked by the admission of many members, who in after years became shining lights in the church. The church was without a pastor until October of the same year, when 0. B. Stone accepted an invitation, and was ordained March, 1852. The first expulsions are found in the records of August 9, 1852. October 8, 1853, Rev. Stone resigned, and December 10, 1853, a call for three months was extended to Rev. Parmalee; March 11, 1854, a regular call was given him, and he was ordained March 23, 1854, a. special invitation being given to Rev. M. Stone, of Cincinnati, Ohio, to preach the ordination sermon. The spring of 1854 was a fruitful year for the church. November, 1855, Mr. Parmalee resigned. January 12, 1856, Rev. J. W. Weatherby was called to take his place. The first summary of membership is given in the minutes of September 5, 1857, showing eighty-seven members in good standing, the church having in thirteen years increased from nine to eighty-seven. Early in 1858. a protracted meeting was held, Rev. Webster assisting. Many were converted and added to the church. The old house of worship having been previously disposed of, the new building was dedicated July 22, 1858, Rev. T. L. Breckenridge, of Kentucky officiating. Total cost of new building, with lot, $10,000. The report to the association for 1858, shows eight baptisms, five additions by letter, one excluded, and eight dismissed by letter. March 13, 1859, Rev. Weatherby resigned his charge, having served three years and two months. Until December 1, 1859, the church was without a pastor, when Rev. A. Guy took charge, and in June, 1866, closed his labors, leaving the church again without a pastor. During the summer the church was supplied by Bros. Charles Morris and G. M. Peters, then pursuing their studies in college. In December, 1865, Rev. I. Childs entered upon the pastorate, and continued until March 1, 1867; during his pastorate the church was repaired at a cost of $744.00. In November, 1867, Rev. A. . B. White began his labors as a supply, closing them March 25, 1868. On June 13, 1868, a call was extended to Rev. B. Bedell, who accepted, and supplied the church one-half the time from July 1st to October 1st, when he entered upon the full discharge of his duties. In 1870 there was a membership of eighty-three, four less then in 1857. During the year 1878 the church building was repaired at a cost of $978.00. The year 1853 witnessed the greatest revival it had ever known, thirty-six having been baptized, three admitted by experience, and five by letter; and in June, J. W. King and Thornton Lucas made the church a present of a good parsonage. In 1877, eleven were received, and the report showed a membership of one hundred and nine. October 8, 1878, Rev. Bedell closed his labors, after a pastorate of ten years, the longest in the church, having baptized sixty-six. November 6, 1878, a call was extended to Rev. C. W. Currier, accepted, and he was ordained January 16, 1879, and is the present incumbent.
Methodist Church: The exact date at which a Methodist church was organized in Xenia, can not now be ascertained. According to an old record Xenia appears on the list of appointments for Mad River Circuit, June 19, 1808. It is probable the organization took place about this time; John Sale, presiding elder, and Thomas Milligan and James Davidson, circuit preachers. A quarterly meeting was held January 30, 1819, at Rehoboth meetinghouse, Rev. Moses Crume presiding, at which the building of a place of worship was discussed, resulting in favor of erecting a house at Xenia, and Frederick Bonner, Chappel Bonner, Richard Conwell, Peter Pelham, and Thomas Perkins, were appointed trustees. It is recorded that a quarterly meeting was also held at .the house of Philip Good, July 24, 1819. In 1828 this church was transferred to the Union Circuit, and at a quarterly meeting, at Rehoboth, it was resolved to build a parsonage at Xenia. In 1835 the church at Xenia was considered strong enough to assume the responsibilities of a station. Rev. Anza Brown was appointed to the charge. The first quarterly meeting at this station was held November 21st and 22nd, 1835, Rev. W. H. Raper presiding. September 19, 1863, it was resolved to build a second church, and Alfred Trader, Charles R. Merrick, and William Seveney, were appointed a committee to circulate a subscription to procure a building lot. The enterprise was favorably considered by the public, and subscriptions were freely made. Two of the oldest members of the church, Michael Nunemaker and Silas Roberts, though not identified with the new charge, each gave one thousand dollars. November 14, 1863, William I. Fee, pastor of the church in Xenia, and a warm friend of the movement, appointed a board of trustees for the new church, consisting of Alfred Trader, William Sweeney, Alfred Thirkield, Moses D. Gatch, Charles R. Merrick, William F. Pelham, Samuel Newton, John L. Conable, and Henry Barnes. J. M. Blackburn, architect, submitted plans and specifications, March, 1864. The contract was let to Drees and Patterson for $18,000.00 ; the subscriptions then amounting to $15,000.00. May 14, 1864, the first stone was laid, and the work progressed steadily until its completion. May 21st a resolution was passed, asking the bishop to form a separate charge in Xenia, under the name of Trinity Church; which was accordingly done, and Rev. Geo. C. Crum was appointed pastor. The first services were held September 25,1864, in the chapel of the Xenia Female College, to a congregation of about one hundred. A Sunday-school was organized, with William Sweeney and Alfred Thirkield superintendents. November 30th, of this same year, services were held by J. L. Grover, of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, in the lecture room of the new church. October 1, 1865, the church was dedicated by Dr. Wiley. In the fall of 1867, Rev. John W. Fowler officiated as pastor, remaining until August 30, 1869. He was succeeded by M. Dustin; who in 1871 was followed by J. W. Cassatt; who in turn was succeeded by D. J. Starr, in 1873. In 1875, George C. Crum became pastor, remaining two years, when W. M. Brodbeck assumed the pastorate, giving place, in 1880, to Sylvester Wells, the present pastor.
Lutheran Church: In 1843, Rev. J. Lehman preached to a little flock of Lutherans in the German Reformed Church, the present African Methodist Episcopal Church, on the corner of Monroe and Church streets. The same year he organized this little band into a congregation, and served them until 1847. He then resigned, and Rev. Solomon Ritz took charge. The following year a house of worship was built on West Main Street, which is still occupied by them. Rev. Ritz resigned in 1852; and was immediately succeeded by Rev. A. Bartholomew, who served until 1854, After which it was supplied by Rev. G. Peters for some months, and then by Rev. J. Borns for a short time. Rev. J. Geiger took charge in 1856, and served until 1859. From this time until August 25, 1861, the congregation was without a pastor, when Rev. J. F. Shaffer took charge, and is still with them, now in the twentieth year of his pastorate. The church has about one hundred members. It has suffered much from removals, twenty-two letters having been granted in one year. But it is a well organized and vigorous congregation, always meeting the requirements of the synod in benevolent contributions. Though not strong in numbers, it is earnest in purpose, and will not be delinquent in the obligations laid upon it. There were but nineteen members when the present pastor took charge in 1861. Since then the growth has been gradual and healthy. |
| FROM "HISTORY of GREENE COUNT, "CLEANED FROM EARLY AUTHORS, OLD MAPS AND MANUSCRIPTS, PRIVATE AND OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE, AND ALL OTHER AUTHENTIC SOURCES." Written by "R. S. DILLS, Published by Odell and Mayer, Dayton, Ohio, 1881. Grammar and spelling remains as originally printed |