The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-10-13
Mrs. Ina Champion Recounts
History From Pioneer Days

Thomas Shipman. eXnorter. and
Richard Hewens. local preacher.
that Rufus Crane was licensed TO
preach and recommended TO travel.
Mr.. Crane was the first preacher
sent from this church. Two others
Barney Beadle and John Hartley
were recommended in later years.
perhaps around 1850. As far as
know these three are the only
preachers recommended from Sto-
ny Creek Church.
In 1859 We find Moorefills add
ed to the circuit and find no men
ton OF Jacksonville after 1861.
Payment Small
How the minister used to get
along in those days is more than
| know, for the first quarter in
1852 he received the magnificent
sum OF s24. don't think the preach
er used to visit much around Milan
way for | notice they usually came
across with about $40 financial
support. BY way OF contrast. al
though many years have inter
vened, may say that for the fiscal
year ending June so. 1943, this
church alone raised $1,000. AS long
as We have made such contrast
and skipped over such long period
OF years, another question so often
asked might here be answered:
How many charter members were
there? | can only estimate that, of
course. but | think probably 20 or
% would be a conservative esti-
mate. We are still small country
church but our membership is now
1872.
First Death
The first mention OF death | find
is an entry made along the side OF
the page and tells of the death OF
Melanthon Sanderson on Noyem Der
6. 1865. Also Brother Melvin Col
Inns. killed in battle at Franklin,
Tennessee, Nov. 80, 1865. This
brings to our thought the troubled
times of the Civil War. Stony
Creek gave it's share. The two men
toned also a Robert Durkee who
was killed, John Hewens died in
camp, the three Engle boys, George
Hartman, and also some OF the Stark
boys, though | did not learn how
many. were in service.
In World War No. !, Stony Greek
gave its Quota-nine OF the young
men OF our Sunday School going to
camp and two going overseas. In
the present global war, twenty are
already in service.-overseas or in
camps. Different committees from
the Woman's Society OF Christian
Service and an affiliating group
composed of younger women,
formed in 1871, assume the respon-
sibility OF seeing that each boy is
sent a box for his birthday, for
Christmas, and for Easter, and
judging from letters in reply they
greatly appreciate them. A Tesla
ment is also given to all who may
not have one. The prayers OF all
Christian people are not only with
these boys, but for all soldiers ev-
erywhere and all are praying and
looking For the Lights to Go On
Again All Over The World"
Duet sung by Betty Stewart and
Evelyn Austin. accompanied at
piano by Norma kirk.
"And now TO return to the long
ago-in 1867 Milan was transferred
to the Oakville charge.
Parsonage Built
Some time during the pastorate
OF Rev. Rodney Gage which COM
menced in September 1865 and
closed in 1868, the parsonage was
built. An acre OF land was pur-
! chased from a Mr.. Woodland and,
we are told. this Mr. Gage was a
hustler" and donning overalls and
jacket, or maybe they called it a
! wampus in those days. helped haul
stone. or do any kind OF work until
it was completed. | wasn't able to
find the cost OF it in any record.
but | recall 1t was fixed over and
refixed in my time and then 1t
was as cold as a barn so | con-
clude II didn't cost as much as 1t
should at the time OF building. Dur
ing the pastorate OF Mr.. Triggs,
who followed Mr.. Gage, mention is
made OF organizing an infant class
in Sunday School, also note, 325
volumes in Sunday School library.
We also find the church had re-
ceived new roof and other repairs
were made and paid for by the La