The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-04-20

OnlNersdllSU OHul
the church was organized. Rev. George
Messenger began to preach once or twice
month and was instrumental in Undue
ing the mem bers to erect the first
church building, which was occupied
for half century. 1t was large and
we'll proportional brick edifce and at
first had gallery on two sides and one
end.
About twenty years ago, the galleries
were taken out and the pulpit broughta
little nearer the earth. 1t seemed to be
a very easy task to obtain the necessary
amount. A meeting was held at the
residence of BENZ. D. Sibley, father of
Bro. W. D. Sibley) and paper was
drawn up, on which was placed the
amounts it was believed each would be
willing to contribute; and we are told
that it is believed not one refused to pay
the amount assessed. The persons at
that meeting were: Rev. George Mess
enger, John Mcdonald, Eliphas Burn
ham, BENZ. D. Sibley, Sylvanus Smith
and James Miller. The building was
completed and it is believed that it was
dedicated during the ninteenth annual
session of 1.-THE Ohio State Convention of
Universalists' las the State Convention
was then nameD which was held at
Woodstock in June, 1874
The first records have been lost; but
some of the members say that Rev. John
A. Gurley delivered the dedication SER
mon. The ministers who served the
church in succeeding years were Cyrus
F. Wait. DR.. r. Biddlecome, J. G. Pitrat,
Henry Clifford, w. B. Linell, Elihu
Moore. James A. Gooch. VIM. Ebbert
N. Doolittle and Alpheus Sweet and
perhaps others whose names we have
not obtained.
Prior to 1868 no regular services had
been held for long time, but on the
evening of January 6, of that year Rev.
J. w. Henley. then pastor at Mount
Gilead, held service He had arranged
to preach one Sunday a month at Irwin
Station, but being encouraged by the at
tendance that stormy evening. he
arranged to divide the day with Irwin
and Woodstock. But little encourage
ment was offered until at the service in
June, eleven young ladies united with
the church, and new era began. Dur
ing the year several other persons united
with the church, and a reorganization
was effected just before the year ex-
PRED, Rsys. J.W. Henley and Cyrus F.
Wait were elected joint pastors, but Bro.
Henley, having an urgent call to Spring
boro, resigned and Rev. George H. Vib-
bert was employed short time. Bro.
Wait continued until his death in Sep.
TENDER, 1865. About that time Rev. A.
M. Sowle, pastor of the Christian New
Light church was converted to Univer-
salism. and was employed by our
church as pastor. Rev. S. P. Carlton
was pastor for about four years. during
which time quite number OF additions
were had. Following him came T. N.
Glover. C. HI. Dutton, Mrs. Lolita D. Cros-
ley, w. J. Crosley and A. Day.
In the Spring of 1864 DIR. Henley was
invited to resume the pastorate, which
relation continued for six years, when he
resigned to give more attention to his
work as Secretary of the Ohio Univer-
salist Convention, During this term
about forty members were received into
the church. Rev. A. X. BEEN was pas
tor nearly two years, when he resigned
to accept call from Usage, Iowa.
Several attempts had been made to
erect new church, or to remodel the
old one; but it was not till early in 1898,
that the movement was initiated by Rev.
John r. Carpenter, which resulted in the
demolition of the old church and the
erection of the new and beautiful house
of worship which occupies the same lot
on the northwest corner OF West Main
and Chapel streets.
THE DEDICATION LAST SUNDAY.
The Woodstock church, which we en-.
grave above, was dedicated to the wor.
ship of God, Easter Sunday, April IA.
The occasion was one Of great interest
and rejoicing among the people. Meet.
ings began on Thursday evening by
sermon from Rev. Mrs. L. d. Crosley. of |
GAINESVILLE, former pastor. Mrs. Cros-
ley also preached on Friday evening.