Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-01-28
CENTENNIAL SERMON !
History Of the Presbyterian Church
Of Perrysburge
nv nEv. Q. a. ADAMS.

facts proved the doctrines, no that the
doctrines stood for nothing, II the facts
were not believed. There are facts in ey-
cry history which some believe and some
do not. propose to myself to set forth
the facts connected with the history Of this
church, which we believe to be facts. The
facts must tell their own story--ours is the
simple duty Of setting them in order.
The time seems especially fitting for this
work. II is the Centennial year, and our
General Assembly hssrequested all pastors
to preach one historical discourse duringt he
year, 90 us to have the facts Of each
church's history within reach. And, more
over, the year is likely to be memorable in
the history Of this society, as the year Of
the restoring OF our house Of worship. The
old church was burned October IL, 1876,
passing away with the century. The new
one, we trust, will be for use in the first
year Of the new century. II possible, we
must make il Centennial churcl--if some
Of us have to stay away from Philadel-
phia in order to do 1t.
The first effort, of which we have nm au-
thentic account, towards preaching the Cos
pei in this valley, was made under the au-
spices Of the Connecticut Missionary Soci-
ETY., by Rev. David Bacon, who visited the
Indians and attempted to introduce chris
tinnity among them in lS02.-Kndpps His.
In the same history of the Maumce val
ley, find iuil account, written by Mrs.
| Lucia Il. Van Tnssei, OF the effort made by
the Western Missionary Society Of Pitts
burg, in 1922, to establish mission on this
River. The Rev. Samuel Tate, of Mercer,
Pa, was appointed superintendent, who re-
mained six months mud was followed by
Rev. Ludoyicus Robbins, who remained
about two years, and was succeeded in 1926
by Rev Isaac Van Tassel, Mt which time
| the mission was transferred to the Ameri-
can Board Of Commission of Foreign Mis-
srons and Mr.. Van Tassel continued in
charge until the mission was abandoned
| in 1884 The mission family consisted of
| Rev. Samuel Tate, wife and son Rev. Al
van Cor and wife; Isaac Van Tassel and
wife Lcandcr Sacket aud wife; John Me
! Phcrrin Mr.. Straight; Miss Labina Ste
| vens, and Hannah Riggs. The missionary
buildings were sufficiently near Perrysburg
| 10 allow the workers in them to visit the
village AMI to preach and look OCCASIONALLY
| after the whites.
From Mrs. Jonathan Perrin, learn that
the missionaries from the station, nine
miles uii the river, were in the habit Of
holding aa 'rnmcntal meetings at tho house
of Jacnh wilkinson, coming down for this
| purpose in pirogue.
Messrs Ailin and McElrath started the
rat Sabbath school, which they kept up
until they moved away, somewhere about
1929.
just before the organization Of the church
prDtrncted meeting was carried on by
members Of Huron Presbytcry, ono of whom
was from Norwalk, and the other from Mi
| Ian. At this meeting Mrs. Perrin was con
vertcd The meetings were held in the old
| brick school house, which stood on Walnut
/ street.
The organization of the Presbyterian
church in this place was made November
! l3, 1891, by Huron Prcsbytcry, which then
| took all the Northwest of the State under
its Jurisdiction. On that occasion II per-
itons presented letters from other churches
and we're examined and received on pro-
fcssion of faith. The names of the IL arc
Abner Brown, J. ". Smith, VIM Williams
J. A. Scott, j. Il. Mcbride, Mary Williams
Mary Fowler, Jane Wood, Mary Loper
Elizabeth Smith. Eliza Ann Nye, and Cath.
crime Spafford; Mrs. Hannah Dustin and
Margaret Sloan had not been connected
with other churche. elsewhere. This lit
tie organization adopted profession o
faith, covenant and strong resolution
on the subject of temperance, and elected
Mr.. Williams and Brown. Elders and ap
pointed ]. W. Smith, Clerk.
OF these original members two remaiI
with us, Mrs. Mary Ioper Hatch and Mrs
Dustin; Bro. Brown has resided for many
years at Carlinvillle, Ill. Of the other
lave no knowledge.
In 1885 the little church received quit
an accession from Pennsylvania. The Nc
Beths, now of Springfield. o., Mr.. JOIN
Zeigler and wife, Jas. Kelly, Elizabetl
Kelly, Susan Kelly, and John III. Kelly
John Bates, Eliza Bates; and Mrs. Eliz,
Brown, from Seneca Falls, n. Y.
During this year there had been som,
{ controversy about the form of Government
! This was settled by the church resolving t
continue to be Presbyterian church, anc
that the church will choose and have reg
uIarly ordained board OF three or NOR,
t officers, who shall constitute church scs
sion and discharge all the duties usual,
devolving upon ruling elders, one OF whom
commencing in the order in which the,
were chosen, shall vacate his seat ever,
year, which shall be filled by the election
Of the same or some other person. Tha
> all judicial business shall be transacted h.
the church session, according to the rule
of the Presbyterian church, but all othe
business of general nature, except til
common, unimportant, routine, by til
brethren of the church in their collectiv
; cap city,
March 2, 1910, Abner Brown was electe
$ Elder for 3 years, Tobias Rudesil for
Q years, and Geo. w. Crops for year.
I October, 1913, Geo. w. Creps was electe
for 3 years and Jos. NJ. Hall for year
u In November of the same year Mr.. CreI
I sent in his resignation and Abner Brow
4 Geo. Powers, and David Beach were cleo
ed Elders. The records of this period al
silent on matters which evidently were di,
turbing the congregation. The namcr {
pastors can only he retraced through meme
c nv. Mr.. Brmlstreet was followed by Rev
+ NJ Eels, of Oberlin, who was drowned i
Z attempting to cross the Manmce on the ic,
and was buried in the old cemetery. TIL
= Rev. j. H. Francis followed Mr. Eel
C Mr.. Poor succeeded him, and Mr.. Peck 70
II lowed Mr.. Poor. These things are no,
mere matters of tradition, not a single re'
> ord being made, either of the death {
: Eels, or Of the condition OF the church, i
It respect to its ministerial supplies.
h On the 10Th of June, ls49-Geo. Powe
: being cle:k-a full record is made Of Il
: call given to Rev. J. III. Newton. In Jul
u a regular meeting Of the congregation ",
j. held and Rev j. II. Newton was electc
pastor on salary Of $780, Mr. NewtC
accepted the call and was regularly install
- cd on the 10th of July, ls49, the Re
". NJ. Wells, of Mnunee City, preachil
y the sermon the Revs. J. McCuicheon, L.
e Emmerson, and n. T. Fay, aiding in I'll
"A service.
=. From this date begins new era in the Ii
>. of the church. II was still feeble, needir
II and receiving tho aid Of the Home Mission
T. AIRY Society but with Mr.. Newton il begp
l. TO grow. sewing society was organize
Il in December. iS47, among tho ladies, wi
worked with their own hands in orler