The Detroit times., 1915-11-27
Startlin g Conditions
Shown in Ohio
Survey
ONE OF EVERY
NINE ABANDONED
wo-Thirds Are Either
Dying Or Hanging
in Balance

COLUMBUS, O.. Nov. 27.-one
out OF every nine country churches
have been abandoned in recen,
years. Only one-third are increasing
In membership and two-thirds have
either ceased growing or are dying
Eighty-three per cent have less
than 100 members: 81 per cent have
less than %: q per cent have be-
tween rs and so: and "a per cent
have between 90 and 100. Only six
per cent have individual preachers,
while 20 per cent snare ministers
with another church. % per cent
have oDe-third the time OF a minis
ter; "a per cent have one-fourth; Ii
per cent have one-hfth time; FIVE
percent have one-siKth time. A large
proportion OF preachers receive
about the same pay as a day labor.
er. Less than 40 Per cent OF the
rural population are church mem
bers.
These facts. shown in an extensive
rural survey OF Ohio. whose results
were announced today, are appli-
cable TO most states, according TO
officers of the commission on church
and country life.
The Ohio survey is considered the
most thorough ever undertaken but
the campaign not only for surveys,
but also for speedy reforms to make
churches community centers as well
as houses Of religious worship, Is TO
be carried into every part OF the
country within the next year.
Here are the causes which the
country church OF the near future
must promote In order TO save itself
according TO a much-discussed re-
port by President Kenyon l.. Butter
field, OF Massachusetts, Agricultural
college ready for presentation TO the
commission: Good roads, better
farming. encouragement OF agricul-
tural college extension courses, com
munity Identification, public health
and recreation. temperance, better
schools, Saturday half holiday for
agricultural laborers, community
athletics. observance Of religious and
patriotic holidays and home coming
weeks, community planning and con-
tentment with farm life.
The church must become the social
center for the community. with it's
minister leading in a variety OF In
terest, and religion thereby will be
come a stronger appeal, says the But
terheld report. Naturally this pro-
gram is expected eventually 10 dim
UNCONVENTIONAL lines.
Concrete means OF promoting the
community church movement are
disclosed In another report which
the commission is expected to adopt
as working plans President Wilson
who WI | make an address at the
convention, Dec 10, is reported par
ticularly interested In these plans.
They are summarized thus: First,
rural ministers and church leaders
during the next year will receive
publications issued by the commits
sion on church and country life de-
voted TO the problems OF rural church
declarations and combinations. This
will prepare the way for discussion
OF the church cooperation. Then In
each township or natural community,
churches viii be urged TO form q fed
grafton, with delegates and ministers
from each church forming q super
visory committee 10 coordinate COM
munity activities. Ultimately this
federation might employ a common
minister and pay him a salary ade-
quate 10 allow him 20 undertake
wider social work. In many cases
these churches could merge. De
nominational connection with a Ger.
tain church organization could be
maintained. but within the commun-
Ity sectarian differences would be
largely ignored.
II lie big program. but officers OF
the commission believe they can
make great Roadway within the year.
The movement; will be directed nv
Clifford Pinchot. chairman. and Rev
Charles o. Gil. secretary OF the
commission.