Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1939-03-23

summer Of 1885, with Rev. James
Moore the first preacher. Through
the courtesy of the w. G. Hender
son family, we have had access 10
the records, which have been kept In
a very creditable manner. Billie
as We, and neighbors know him. is
one Of the elders Of the sessions,
and clerk of the sessions, succeeding
his father, the late John Hendef-
son. (Let us stop here to tell you
we believe John Henderson was one
ot the best, if not the best Chris
tian men we have ever knoWn) anu
the charter membership of theI
church was made up Of folks who
had been members of that denom-
nation in Pennsylvania, and was asl
follows: Thomas and Hester Alex
ander, George and Mary Henderson,
John and Jane Miller, Hugh and
Sarah Scott, Mary Moore, Allie and |
! Jane Henderson, Abigail Coleman.
This name was spelled goldman"
at that time, March 5, 1886. George
Henderson and John Miller were or
dained ruling elders. In November
of that year the Sacrament was ad
lninistered for the first time by Rev.
Vim. Wallace.
The records of installed pastors,
We are not sure about the first ones,
but will give the names OF these:
Revs. Jas. Moore, VIM. Wallace,
John c. Arthur, Jas. c. Sharon,
Penj. J. Lowe, Thos Smith and Jno.
p. Caldwell, during whose pastorate
the church prospered and increased
in membership until it was felt
new building was necessary, which
was erected in 1853. Rev. Caldwell
was succeeded by Rev. w. NJ
Crimes, Rev. Durcan, then Rev.
Grimes returned, followed by c. W..
Ccurtright, N. Helfrich, w. NJ.
Grimes, C. B. Taylor, J. A. Bald
ridge, E. w. Fisher, R. M. Steven
son, C. B Taylor, V E. Taylor, Park
W. Taylor, Quillen l.. Young, w. J..
Mills, W. w. Carhart, Simpson Nc
Cracken, c.. A. Beacham, VIM. Nc
Kay, George Van Artsdalen, T. E.
Leonard, with Rev. Chas. j. Caller,
the present pastor.
The present building was dedicat-
ed Dec. /. 1912. The first Sunday
lschool was organized with 20 mem
hers, with George Henderson, super
intendent. This church owns some
five acres of land, adjoining the
church, on which is a grove where
many picnics and social gatherings
are held. The membership and Off
cial roster has contained the name
Of Henderson through all these
years. AS it has no doubt Scott
and many more. but we trace the OF
flee of elder through three genera
tions of the Hendersons. We believe
there have been more funeral SER
vices held in the Bristol church
houses, than ary other in the town.
shin. In fact there have been about
as many as in all the other churches
in the township combined.
Some years ego. fund was sub
: scribed. the interest Of which IN
, connection with some money wllled
tc the fund, is used to keep the
grounds in order. We believe we
are correct when we say there is no
more beautiful, or nicely kept GENE
terry, in the county.
Lebanon M. f..
The church was organized about
1880. The society worshiped in pri-
yate homes Until 1897, when the
first church was built In 1886, j.
K. Miller and L. Archibold, held n
meeting that gave great strength to
the church There were about ~
or 80 members in the first class
The present church was built IN
1862 or '63, at a cost of 500. Some
40 years ago quite bit Of remodel
ing was done. We believe we are
correct in saying no one beside the
late John King and wife, knew what
it cost-as they paid the balance
after other members had contribut-
ed what they could. There were 40
accessions to the church in 1S44-J.
a part Of the membership of that
church transferred to Lebanon.
Mt. Zion M. f.
Mt. Zion organized at the uWeiiihS
of John Hammond, in 182O~21. This
was on the farm owned by +. /.
Lawrence, where he and his daugh-
ter Miss AIDA reside. A hewed log
house was built in 1882, by the
community, the work being largely
donated. The second building, a
frame structure, 36x46, was built in
1850, at a cost Of $1,000. This
house has been repaired and is still
a good building. Referring to
writing dated 1895, we read: Jas.
Richardson has been class leader ~
wears. At that time w. d. Mercer
was Sunday school uperintendent.
At present, Martin Fair, student
pastor has charge of this work with
Lebanon in Bristol township, Fletch-
er and McKendree in Meigsville, and
Wesley Chapel in Morgan township.
We remember hearing our father
tell Of church services being held in
the old square school. This build
ing still stands on the Ferguson.
former Samuel Gilliland farm, cn
Meigs creek, below Otho, on state
route rs. We also remember of him
telling of services being held in the
Robinson school house, which was