Sunbury Baptist Church and Parsonage at 99 East Cherry Street 

Sketch of the History of the
Sunbury Baptist Church
by Irene Kimball Armstrong

A record of them was undoubtedly kept of them at the time, but it has been lost. From the time that I was five or six years old, I can recall some things in connection with this church, as it was here that I attended S. School.

First- I quote from Rev. D. A. Randall’s "History of the Churches in the Columbus Association", published in 1859. In 1814, David Skeel’s, an ordained Baptist minister from New York, but lately from Pennsylvania, finding some Baptists in this settlement, commenced preaching among them.

The Lord gave him favor in the sight of the people and some attended to the word, believed, and were baptized. Jacob Drake, Elder, of Delaware was also frequently with them, and assisted in the constitution of the church. A brother, Thomas Wigton, a man of good mind and warm heart, labored day and night in the good cause, he was ordained in 1820, and labored with the church for several years. He finally became pastor of the Peru church in Marrow county, which went out of the Columbus Association. ( He afterwards returned and lived with his family between Sunbury and Berkshire, where he died in1879, aged almost 90 years.)

The Sunbury church died out, but about 1830 or 1832, there was constituted some of the remains of it what was called the Walnut Creek Baptist Church.

It’s meeting-house was East of Sunbury near the line of Berkshire and Trenton Townships, and it’s post-office was Galena. A brother, Owens, in the employ of the State Convention, did the church much good, and a brother, Gildersleeve, from Pennsylvania, labored with them awhile.

In 1837, this church had 47 members; in 1839, the place of worship was changed to a school-house which stood on the East side of the public square, and the name of the church changed to Sunbury Baptist Church. The present house of worship was begun in 1839, but was not entirely completed until about 1850.

A scrap of paper came into my possession a few years ago, through the kindness of Mr. I. M. Pierce, who found it among some old papers, in the building where he had his office. It is yellow with age, and evidently a leaf from the Day Book of some business man. There is a Debt and Credit column, "in account with the Baptist Building Committee", the first of the account being dated in 1839.

There is mention of getting out lumber, hauling of timber, buying of nails, flooring, windows, and even stove pipe.

In the Credit column, are found the names of Jesse Mason, S. Carey, James Rose, James Roberts and Robert Walker, among those who contributed in grain, cattle, or cash to the fund for building.

There is a bill for seasoned walnut lumber, and I have been told that the siding of this house is all of black walnut. One scrap of the paper bears the date of 1845 and is evidently in account with the firm of Peck & Hale. Preaching services and Sunday School were held in the basement- who the preachers were I do not know, but on this paper to which I refer, there is mention made of a payment of money to an Elder Sargent.

In 1848 or 9, about the time of the finishing off of the church, I think that Rev. Philander Kelsey was for some time pastor of the church. I remember the completing of the audience room, the black walnut pews, the new carpet, and the high pulpit, about a third as high as the Gallery with the tall brass lamps on the posts at each side of it.

Pews were chosen by a large number of families in the community, my father choosing the one in the East corner, where I still like to sit. There was a choir in the gallery, I do not know who was its leader, but Miss Delia Hale presided at the Melodian, and Mr. John Knox was one of the bass singers, Mr. A. P. Mason was Supt. Of the S. School, and I am sure we valued our Testaments and question books, our library books and Young Reapers, fully as much as many value the S. School helps of today.

The first minister of whom I have any recollection, was Rev. James Goodrich, probably in 1851 and 1852. He lived in the house now belonging to Mrs. Arnold, ( J. R.Van Divort in1923), and came to my father’s well for water. I imagine he was one of those good men who took to heart the apostle’s injunction to "be instant in season, and out of season", for I remember hearing my father say "it was a little tiresome to have him to try to talk to on the subject of religion every time he came for a bucket of water".

In recent years, at some time, I have seen a notice of his death, but cannot give the date. In 1852 or 3, Rev. R. B. Dickie became pastor of the church and remained here for eight years. He was from Nova Scotia and had a wife and three children. He bought a little farm just South of town, where Mr. Harvey Edwards now lives.

He was a sound and eloquent preacher, everybody liked to hear him. His wife was a warm-hearted, noble woman; and the entire family was valued in the community. It was during their stay that the church purchased the plate for our communion service, in 1859.

One tablecloth was presented by Mrs. Dickie, and Mrs. Mary Kimball, who was a member of the church. I learned to listen to preaching under the ministry of Elder Dickie.

(He was Pauline in his theology, a great admirer of the character and the writings of the apostle Paul). I well remember smiling on one occasion when he was relating the happy anticipations of some dying saint, with whom he perfectly agreed, I suppose, he rather poetically, as I thought, exclaimed,

"But said he, more than all,
          I long to see the apostle Paul".

In the spring of 1861 Mr. Dickie removed to Johnstown and Rev. Wyeth became pastor of the church.

This was his second pastorate. He was a lame man, educated at Granville, and Madison, now Colgate University, Hamilton, N.Y.

He lived in the house which now belongs to Mr. Charles Gaylord, (owned by O. W. Whitney in 1923) and afterwards lived in the house now occupied by Mr. Norman Patrick.

Mrs. Wyeth died in 1862 and , soon after, he removed with his two little girls. For quite a number of years his home was in Indiana at Franklin and Indianapolis. He became quite a writer, and in every way a useful man, was one of the editors of our Journal and Messenger for many years. He was the author of several interesting volumes of missionary sketches. He died a little more than a year ago at his home in Faiemont Park, Philadelphia. His third wife and the children whom he took from this place, survive him.

In this same year, or early in ‘63, Rev. R. B. Dickie was recalled to this pastorate. This was during the trying times of the Civil War, but it was at this time that the old parsonage was purchased, from the family of Mr. Moses Decker in 1864. (The subscription paper is drawn up in the handwriting of Mr. Elias Kimball, and reads as follows:)

John Knox
George A. Peck
John Nettleton
J. H. Welshimer
E. Kimball
Alanson Knox
L. J. Van Auken
Dr. E. Carney
Dr. A. S. McMillen
Titas Knox
Robert Walker

Jacob Fisher

Charles Wheaton

Middleton Perfect

I. M. Hoover

Mary Walker

Lyman Abbott

Orrin Knox

$25.00
25.00
12.50
12.50
26.00
25.00
22.00
15.00
15.00
20.00
10.00

10.00

5.00

5.00

5.00

5.00

1.00

1.75

Geo.W. Perfect
Thos. Andrews
Fannie Myers
Rev. J. Martin
N. Dustin
Thos. W. Wigton
W. A. Wigton
L. Carter
B. W. Bell
John Longshore
Smith & Mcallister
Robert Wilson
John Armstrong
L. S. Cook
T. M. Samson
Charles Armstrong
Nathan Marble
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

$5.00
5.00
10.00
5.00
5.00
5.00
2.00
2.00
5.00
2.00
5.00
2.00
5.00
5.00
1.00
5.00
2.00
$300.75

Elder Dickie continued here for nearly six years, and then removed to Cheshire. Several years ago he died at Cardington. His wife and son are dead, his daughters live in Cleveland, Tenn.

The younger, Mrs. Susan M. Griffith, is the writer of several books published by our American Baptist Publication Society. In 1869, Rev. Allen Darrow came to us from Cleveland. He was 66 yrs. old and his ministry in Ohio dated back some forty-five or forty-six years. He was a great friend of Denison University and our State Convention. He was a man whose heart could never grow old.

Sunbury had a large representation in Granville schools during his stay, Mrs. Darrow was his second wife, and twenty years his junior; she had been the widow of his nephew, and she laughingly said she "thought she couldn’t have done better than to marry her Uncle Allen". She was right.

With their nice furnishings, and generous hospitality, they made the old parsonage a center of attraction, not only for the church but for all others. Kind and loving to all, our memories have always had a sunny corner in which to hang the pictures of Mr. and Mrs. Darrow.

George L. Mason was at this time made clerk of the church, and his is the first written record in my possession. At the meeting of the Columbus association in 1870, this church reported 47 members, the same number it had in 1837. What may have been the changes in the membership during all those years, there is nothing to show. Money raised for pastors salary that year $600.00, besides which the church contributed to the Ohio Baptist Convention $20.00; to the Missionary Union $15.00 and made parsonage repairs of $75.00. In 1871, Mr. Mason went to Denison University and Deacon Edwin Potter was elected clerk, which office he held for eleven years.

In 1872 our church organ was bought. We had a strawberry festival which made us $75.00 which with the church Melodian at $50.00 paid for the organ, and as it is an Estey, it makes good music yet.

At the beginning of ‘73, the salary promised to Mr. Darrow was $500.00 and the rent of the basement, which was used by Mr. Cornelius Wilcox as a storage room for his buggies. In March ‘73 two of our present Deacons, Isaac T. Sperry and Solomen R. Walker were baptised.

In March ‘75, the church granted license to preach to Geo. L. Mason. In September ‘75, our sister Orrel Keeler sailed from New York to engage in missionary work in Assam.

It was during the pastorate of Elder Darrow that the Women’s Temperance Crusade swept over the state of Ohio. We formed an energetic and successful league under the leadership of Mrs. Darrow. In November ‘75 Mr. and Mrs. Darrow removed to Cambridge, Guernsey Co., after having been here seven years. Later they returned to their native home near New London,

Conn. where Mr. Darrow died in ‘95 at the age of ninety two. Mrs. Darrow following him, two years later. In May 1876, Rev. T. J. Murphy of Indiana became our pastor. He was an entirely different man from any we had employed before, was a native of Tennessee. He was scriptural and earnest, but very plain in all his ways and manners of living, was a member of the Masonic Fraternity.

Good was accomplished and several were added to the church, at the end of a year he accepted a call to East Tennessee.

In November 1877 came Rev. J. V. K. Seeley, from Clyde, he was invited to become pastor of this church in connection with the Berlin church at Cheshire. He was a pastor who could lead and feed his people, and whose companion and home were an inspiration and joy to us.

How much good they accomplished a higher record than mine will some time reveal. Mrs. Seeley was exceedingly useful in the church and S. School in every way in which a pastors wife could possibly be a helper.

When Brother Seeley preached straight Bible doctrine on Sunday, (and they were excellent sermons) we knew that he would practice it every day in the week.

The ceiling of the church was made new, the room nicely repaired, the basement redeemed from its worldly use, which exceedingly troubled the pastor, and furnished by the Ladies Dime Society, at an expense of $150.00. The Baptistery was built, the parsonage had the best of care, and not a weed was allowed to grow in the Elder’s garden.

In 1880, Mr. and Mrs. George L. Mason, who had been members with us, sailed for China as missionaries. They spent eighteen years in the work and then returned to America, and are now with their three daughters in Zion Home, Chicago, with Dr. John Alexander Dowie.

In March 1882, deacon Potter left us for Kansas, and Henry Peck was elected clerk. In this same year, Mrs. Ray, formerly Miss Lily Johnston a member of our church and S. School, and a graduate of Shepardson College left us with her husband, for Mission work in India. They lived but two years, coming home to die, and leaving one little boy.

In 1883, Brother George A. Peck for many years a faithful deacon of the church was called away at the age of sixty-six years. Mr. Seely resigned his work here in February 1885 and now lives in his own very nice home near Westerville.

In April 1885, Rev. J. H. Hollingsworth became pastor of Sunbury and Berlin churches. Emory J. Smith who had been acting as clerk, resigned and Harry Peck was elected. At the opening of this same month Mr. George Armstrong, who had been Supt. Of the S. Schools for seven years, and was also a deacon in the church, removed with his family to Central Kansas.

Prof. Alonso Knox was elected S. S. Supt. In September of this year. Bro. Will Stith was granted a license to preach. This was a prosperous year for the church, twenty-nine were added to the church membership.

The audience room of the church was very handsomely repaired and repapered at a cost of $160.60. In the summer of ‘86 Mrs. Armstrong, who had returned from the West after the death of Mr. Armstrong, was elected clerk. Mr. Marshall Smith was treasurer. Brother Hollingsworth’s second year was a pleasant one to the church. Mrs. Hollingsworth was a lovely women, a good singer, and good in every line of church work.

In March ‘87, Bro. Will Stith of Denison University was ordained to the ministry by Council called by this church. He is now a Dowie elder in Toledo. Mr. Hollingsworth left us at the end of this year, and went to Grafton W. Va. He spent several years in the East, became a D. D. and at present resides in Mt. Gilead. One of his mottoes was "if the church don’t move I will".

In September ‘87 Rev. T. D. Davis of Gallia County became the new pastor, he was a genial Christian man, whom every one respected. Being a Mason, the fraternity presented him with a handsome bookcase. But he was alone in the parsonage, so he went forth and won from our sister Presbyterian church at Condit a bright and pretty girl to share it with him, she was baptised by him, but they remained only about a year, when they went West, and are at present in Nebraska.

In November of the same year, Rev. J. S Gough entered upon work as our pastor, he was a most excellent preacher, wonderfully gifted in prayer, and a good musician, the association met with us, to which there was a large attendance, his fine executive ability made it to move off in the best of order, he was English and often walked to and from his appointment at Cheshire. He went from here to Wilmington in Feb. ‘91. In the following May, Bro. W. N. Ferris became our pastor. A truer man never lived. He had an interesting family, and they had many friends.

He came here from the Theological Seminary at Louisville, and in July a council was called to ordain him. The text of Dr. Baldwin’s sermon on that occasion was Jonah 3 3,2, "Arise, go to Nineveh that great city, and preach all the preaching that I bid thee", and the spirit of this, Bro. Ferris will always carry out. During his stay the house of worship was repapered and a new roof put on. He is at present, pastor of the Waldron Street church, Harriman City, Tennessee. For some months we were without preaching, but in March ‘95, Bro. G. R. Dye a senior in Denison University became our supply, and after his graduation brought his family, and became our pastor. His work was excellent, he remained one year, and went to Rochester Theological Seminary, and is now pastor at Philippi, West Virginia. Prof. Knox became clerk of the church, which place he filled for more than two years.

Rev. J. S. Ebersole came next, of Denison University, September ‘96, a talented young man, in every way worthy of our respect and confidence.

Having never been ordained, those who received baptism during his ministry received it at the hands of Rev. C. L. Collins of Westerville, and Rev. A Read of Delaware.

Immediately after his graduation, he was married, but did not move here so he was with us but little, except on the sabbath.

After one year he went to the Seminary at Rochester and is now pastor of a church in Coshocton.

Rev. c. L. Collins of Westerville was our supply until April ‘97 when he became our pastor, an eloquent preacher and a fine musician.

He stirred us up to accomplish what many of us already desired, the building of a new parsonage, in October "a New Parsonage Committee" was appointed.

In January ‘99, Mrs. Armstrong was elected clerk, and in the spring the new parsonage began to materialize by subscription and by labor.

The old building was removed to the South side of the church, to be occupied by the janitor, and the new building was pushed forward. Mr. F. J. Burrer and Dr. J. H. Gerhardt with the pastor had charge of the work, Mr. Nathan Marble had charge of the Building.

The entire job, including removal of the old house, building of the new, and coal house, grading the ground, and laying new side walks, was completed at an expense of $1710.84. There is some indebtedness on the parsonage yet, but by a plan of pledges, suggested by Mr. Collins, ample provision has been made for its payment.

Mr. G. J. Burrer has this winter presented it with a furnace costing over $160.00, Pastor Collins moved into the parsonage in Nov. ‘98, held revival services the same fall, assisted by Rev. A. Read of Delaware.

Nineteen were added to the church; eighteen of them by baptism. In September ‘99, Mr. Collins tendered his resignation, and entered the work of the State Convention, at Lorain.

He and his family had made many friends, had dedicated our parsonage beautifully, but we had to let them go.

For a few months we were without a pastor, but with a committee diligently searching for one. May 13, 1900, Rev. Chas. Wayland Lisk of Pittsburg, Pa. came to our relief.

In his veins, certainly flows some of the "blue blood" of the Baptists. His father is a Baptist minister, as were both of his grandfathers. His maternal grandfather was Rev. John Pratt, for many years Professor of Latin in Denison University. His opportunities for study and travel, have been exceptionally good, and Mrs. Lisk is thoroughly in sympathy with his work. He has a rich field for hard work, and we believe that he will be able to teach us in the living truths of the gospel.

He has a large class in Sacred Literature, which is certainly one step in the right direction. (Since 1885, Prof. Knox has been our S. S. Supt. with the exception of a short time when Henry Peck was elected, which office he held at the time of his death, when Prof. Knox was at once elected.) During this time also, Mr. And Mrs. Knox have been our musical leaders, through all the changes of pastors, through storm and sunshine they have never deserted their post.

The office of deacon among us, seems in two instances to have been inherited; that of Deacon John Knox and his son Alonzo, and Deacon Robert Walker and his son Solomon.

Three young men, who were partially raised in this church, are preaching the gospel; Rev. Frank Case, Princeton, Ill. Rev Ira Clemons, somewhere in the West; and Earnest, the son of our former Deacon Potter, in Kansas; besides brethren Geo. D. Mason and Will Stith.

During the last ten years, our currant expenses, including building of parsonage, have been $6081.77, our contributions to benevolent objects, $549.94. Our present membership is 84. We have several members in Galena, and in Berkshire; some in Westerville, one in Columbus, one in Chicago, and one in Washington D. C.

Sometimes the years have been rich with Spiritual Blessings; again, barren and dry.

"Thus far the Lord has led us on,            
Thus far his power prolongs our days;
And every evening shall make known
Some fresh memorial of his grace."    

Could we lift the curtain that veils the past of this church, and behold the faces of the long ago, many of them in the church triumphant, we should feel assured that we belong to a fraternity which sill ever be growing and enlarging; a brotherhood that is immortal.

Prepared, and read, by Mrs. Irene K. Armstrong at the Annual Church Roll Call, on Thursday evening, December 13, 1900. Sunbury, Ohio

Officers of the Sunbury Baptist Church for year 1900

Pastor
Rev. Chas. Wayland Lisk

Deacons
John Knox
Solomon Walker
Isaac T. Sperry
Alonzo Knox

Treasurer
Dr. J. H. Gerhardt

Clerk
Mrs. Irene K. Armstrong

Janitor
Mr. H. O. Kempton

Ladies Aid Society
Pres. Mrs. Amy Burrer
Sec’y. Mrs. Irene K Armstrong
Treas. Mrs. Minnie Letts

S. S. Superintendent
Prof. Alonzo Knox

Trustees
John Knox
Issac T. Sperry
Alonzo Knox
G. Jacob Burrer
Dr. J. H. Gerhardt

Finance Committee
G. Jacob Burrer (Chairman)
Solomon Walker
Isaac T. Sperry
Alonzo Knox
James Barker
Chas. M. Wheaton

Ladies Mission Circle
Pres. Mrs. Irene K Armstrong
Sec’y. Mrs. Fronia Sperry
Treas. Mrs. Etta Walker

While Rev. Lisk was with us his wife died and soon after he resigned.

From Jan. 1902 until Oct. 1902 we were without a pastor. In Oct. 1902 a call was extended to Rev. F. M. Myers. He accepted the call, both he and his wife are well remembered by the most of us, he as a true Christian man, quiet but thoroughly awake to his Masters work

Rev.and Mrs Myers were with us until Nov. 1905, we were without a pastor until Nov. 1905. Then a call was given to Rev. J. W. James, which he accepted, moving his wife and household goods to our midst.

It was during Rev. James time that our new church was built. In February 1907 the old church building was sole and demolished. A new church has been erected upon the same site.

The house is not large but exceedingly pretty, it is built of light grey brick, warmed by furnace, lighted by either electricity or gas; has handsome Art glass windows, which were presented by friends, and has furnishings to correspond. The success of this is largely due to the effort of Rev. J. W. James in securing the requisite amount of subscription, some what over $8,000.00. The house was opened for services without formal dedication May 3, 1908.

Rev. J. W. James resigned in October 1908, on account of poor health. He died April 6, 1909, before they had left the parsonage.

Through the remainder of the year we had no pastor. In Jan. of ‘09 Rev. J. H. Julian of Columbus came and preached for us as a supply, on Feb. 7 he began special meetings, 39 were received into the church.

On Feb. 21, a call was given Rev. Julian to become our regular pastor, for one year on half time. He accepted the call, in March of 1909 the B. Y. P. U. was organized and has always been a great help to our young people. In 1912 Rev. Bennett of Newark assisted Rev. Julian in revival meetings, and much good was done. In May of 1914 we gave Rev. Julian a call for full time preaching, he accepted the call. In March of 1915 Rev. Julian resigned. His resignation taking effect in June.

In August of 1915, a call was extended to Rev. J. M. Huston, he accepted the call and moved his family here from Iowa.

In the winter of 1916 we had special meetings, with Rev. G. A. Beers of Granville to assist Rev. Huston, the meetings lasted four weeks, doing much good for the church, there were 40 conversions.

Rev. Huston’s family added much to the music of the church, he was with us three years resigning in Nov. 1918.

From November until May we had supplys. In May of 1919 a call was extended to Rev. C. F. Schneider, he accepted the call and came to us, after some delay he moved into the parsonage. During Rev. Schneider’s time with us, the New World Movement, came on and our apportionment was $5371.76, there was 81 pledges ranging from 2cts. to $2.40 per week, and the first year, 1921, we paid $1226.41 in 1922, $1054.67 as well as keeping up our church expenses.

In the winter of 1922, we had special meetings, Rev. J. E. Myres of Barberton assisted our pastor, the meetings were of great good, 28 were added to the church.

We have 200 on our church roll at present, two of our own boy’s are preaching and studying for the ministry, Charles Kempton and Henry Davis.

It is our earnest prayer, that we may grow and do more work for the Master.

Officers of the Sunbury Baptist Church for year 1923

Pastor
Rev. C. F. Schneider

Deacons
Solomon Walker
Isaac T. Sperry
G. J. Burrer
Dr. J. H. Gerhardt
K. O. Burrer

Treasurer .
K. O. Burrer

Clerk
Bertha Hudddleston

Janitor
Mrs. Dave Davis

Pianist
Mrs. K. O. Burrer

Ass't Pianists
Miss Schneider

S. S. Superintendent
Frank Hoover

Trustees
J. W. Barker
A.L. Main
Dr. J. H. Gerhardt
G. J. Burrer

Benevolent Treas,
Mrs. Nellie Hoover

Financial Sec'y
Hazel Davidson

Chorister

Additional Notes in the File

We believe these excerpts of church records valuable enough for our present study and instruction:

Aug. 26, 1903–(14 present at regular monthly covenant meeting, Wednesday) Report of committee appointed to consult in regard to repairing or rebuilding house of worship: "Respectfully recommend we sell the old house and build a new one, and that a committee of five be appointed to obtain plans and accept bids. Carried almost unanimously. Appointed G. J. Burrer, C. M. Wheaton, Dr. Gerhardt, Alonzo Knox and I. T. Sperry with Pastor Myers as chairman.

Nov. 29, 1903–Rev. Frank Wells began a protracted meeting of 10 days, but the meeting was a disappointment to both pastor and people. Mr. Wells did not seem well qualified for the work which he attempts to do as an evangelist. It seemed to all that he had done some harm, and no good.

(1904) Pastor Myers has for a number of months preached at Ostrander every other Sabbath. The day he preaches to the Sunbury people he also preaches at Cheshire in the afternoon.

Oct. 22, 1905–Rev. Moore of Prospect began to assist Pastor Meyers in a series of meetings. He preached very earnestly and plainly each week evening to attentive congregations, concluded by the kindest exhortations to accept the gospel by Pastor Meyers. Some interest was manifested, but did not result in conversion. Pastor Meyers preached on Friday evening a sermon fully as plain and earnest as any. At the close of the service greatly to our regret he announced his resignation as pastor (to Pomroy).

Jan. 31, 1906–The subject of repairing or rebuilding the church was taken up and was followed by a somewhat lengthy and decidedly informal discussion of the matter. It was finally voted that the committee of five appointed Aug. 26, 1903 "get a hustle on them."

Feb. 28, 1906–Reported $727.00 subscribed on a new church building.

(1906) In the March Convention Bulletin, we had seen the Sunbury church listed as having been aided by the Convention. As the present membership knew nothing of such aid we asked and received the following reply: "Sunbury was aided by $349 paid to some six pastors from 1840 to 1854. Previous to 1880 the Sunbury church had paid to the Convention $337, so that 25 years ago the account was nearly square. I have not time now to foot up the amount you have paid since 1880, but I know it has been a fair amount for a small church."

Oct. 21, 1906–Rev. J. W. James of Fredericktown, having received and accepted our call, started here.

Feb.27, 1907–Building committee made favorable report of prospects for a new church. After some pleasant and informal conversation in regard to church interests past, present and future, adjourned.

Mar. 16, 1907–At a short special meeting of the church immediately following the preaching service it was announced by Dr. Gerhardt that as the old church building had been sold the day previous to Mr. James Cockrell, the Methodist people had offered the use of their church for our meetings while the new church is being built. Accepted by vote.

May 3, 1908–Services held in new church for first time. The house looked beautiful. Both audience room and prayer-meeting room were filled. The day was fine, and everybody smiled and seemed glad. Sunday school followed the preaching service. Prof. Knox said he never sang in a room where it was more easily done.

July 26, 1908–Resignation of Mr. James accepted.

Oct. 1908–Building committee reported a total of $7,670.48 paid out for new church building.

Feb. 21, 1909–Rev. Julian called as "half-time" Pastor for $400 a year and use of parsonage.

Feb. 28, 1909–Pastor Julian closed three weeks of special meetings. He had preached to good congregations most acceptably, and had called upon every family in the town. A refreshing interest in the preaching of the word seemed to pervade the church and community. As a result, 37 new members were received 26 of them by baptism (including Charles Kempton, later to become a minister).

–all the above by Mrs. Irene K. Armstrong, church clerk

Jan. 12, 1910–After Rev. Julian preached a very interesting sermon subject Baptism James Stockwell, Nettie Stockwell and Pearle Stockwell expressed themselves acknowledged Christ as their Savior and desired to unite with the church by baptism. They were later baptized with others, including Reid Stockwell (later to become a minister.)
                                                                                                     –James Cockrell, church clerk

Jan. 24, 1912–Pastor returned from Johnstown and began revival meeting with Pastor Bennett. Pastor Julian continued the meeting until Feb. 18^th. Excellent sermons were preached and a good attendance at all meetings. A number came out...three united on experience and 28 presented themselves for baptism (later, those baptized included Cora and Bertha Huddlestun, and Clarence Stockwell who later became a minister).

Feb. 1913–Held revival services two weeks the meetings were good and well attended but owing to the lateness of the season they were closed... eight were elected for membership (inc. Ralph Clark). 
                                                                                                –Amy Burrer, church clerk

May 27, 1914–Committee called on Rev. Julian and reported to him that the church had called him for full-time preaching here, at $60 per month: he accepted.

June 1915–Rev. Julian resigned. Aug. 1915–Rev. Huston called as Pastor.
                                                                                                 –A. L. Main, church clerk

Dec. 27,1916–The church was in the midst of a series of cottage payer meetings preparatory to beginning a series of revival meetings which began Dec. 31. Rev. G. A. Beers, one of the district Evangelists of the Ohio Baptist Convention, began the revival services which continued for four weeks and resulted in much good to the church with some 40 conversions (including Carleton Burrer, Virginia Frye (Franklin), Leland Crowl, Cloise Crowl, Bill Whitney and Hoyt Whitney).

As best we can tell, over 50 new members were added in 1917, a record that yet stands. During these years (1903–1917) beside those mentioned in record above, the following were also added to the church: Rudolph Burrer ‘03; Ruby Walker ‘05; Roland Sedgwick ‘10; Basha Crowl ‘13; Lillie Kempton ‘14 and Maude Stockwell (Horlocker) ‘14; Flo Hoover (Fairchild) ‘12; Van Hoover ‘17; Mabel Howard ‘13 and Zella Knoderer ‘12 (two others yet in the church date from the previous century: Laura Walker ‘96 and Lulu Barker ‘98).