Residence of Hiram Griggs
Residence of Hiram Griggs
Mrs. O.T. Wyman - Rev. O.T. Wyman
Residence of J.P. Reig
Christian Church
[163]
The Congregational church of Conneaut was organized April 14, 1849, at the house of Robert Montgomery. The services were conducted by Revs. Joseph Badger, Giles H. Cowles, and Ephraim T. Woodruff. The first members were Ebenezer Buck, Ada Buck, Robert Montgomery, Stephen Webb, Luther Jones, Mary Jones, Sarah Sanford, Mrs. Montgomery, Mrs. Julia Kennedy, and Miss Laura Buck.
The church was organized on the union plan of government, -- Congregational and Presbyterian. It was a Congregational church joined to a presbytery. It was changed into a Presbyterian church in 1835, and remained such until December 30, 1847, when it was unanimously voted to make its government purely Congregational.
The first church edifice -- the old brick church on Liberty street -- was commenced in 1826, seven years after the church was organized. Religious services prior to this time were held in school-houses and private dwellings. The members were intensely interested in the project of building the church, and most of them made great sacrifices in order to accomplish it. The labor was interrupted for a time in consequence of lack of means, but a fund necessary to complete it was after a little realized from a sale of the seats. Services were held in the church before it was finished. The year 1828 witnessed its completion, and the year 1829 its dedication. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. Luther Humphrey.
The new brick edifice, situated on the corner of. Main and Buffalo streets, was erected in 1873, and finished in 1876. Sixteen hundred dollars were paid for the lot, and the building cost about eighteen thousand dollars. It was dedicated in the spring of 1877, Rev. Mr. Wolcott, of Cleveland, preaching the dedication sermon.
From 1829 to 1836 the following gentlemen officiated as pastors and ministers: Revs. Luther Humphrey, Olds, John Pettit, Maltbee (Methodist), Jesse Viets (Methodist), Kelsey, J. J. Bliss, John Keep, Wheeler, and William Whittley. Since 1836 the pastors have been Revs. William Fuller, two years; Norris Day, one year; John Hovey, three years; E. F. Dickenson, ten years; William Scales, four years; J. A. Woodruff, two years; Alvin Nash, three years; A. Bartlett, four years; and R. M. Keyes, the present pastor, nearly thirteen years.
The present membership of the church numbers two hundred and sixteen.
The Baptist church was organized in the old school-house on the south ridge, October 18, 1831, with twenty-three members, as follows: Rev. Isaac Jacobs and wife, Isaac Crittenden and wife, Electa Crittenden, Phebe Crittenden, David Taylor, Mary Sawtelle, Albert Hebbard, Deborah Benton, Ira Benton, Elmira Benton, Alfred Crittenden, Sarah Crittenden, Lydia Crittenden, Sarah Ann Jacobs, Sally C. Williams, Lydia Williams, Mary Ann Williams, Louisa Williams, Thirza Wright, Elvira Clark, and Abner Clark. Of these, the first twelve had letters from other churches; the rest had been recently baptized by Elder Jacobs.
There were present at the constitution of the church Rev. Asa Jacobs, pastor elect, Rev. Jacob Bailey, of Kingsville, and Rev. Churchill, of Springfield, Pennsylvania.
The church continued to meet at the school-house on south ridge till the spring of 1837, when it moved to Conneaut village, under the pastoral care of Rev. Judah L. Richmond, in which place it has since continued to meet and worship.
In 1842 the present house of worship on State street was commenced, and dedicated February, 1844.
There have been in all twelve settled pastors, as follows: Rev. Asa Jacobs, from October, 1831, to the spring of 1837; Rev. J. L. Richmond, 1837 to 1840; 1840, no pastor; Rev. Hascall supplied six months; Rev. A. W. Baker, 1841 to 1844; Rev. S. Taylor, 1844 to 1846; Rev. J. Weatherby, 1846 to 1852; Rev. P. W. Mills, 1852 to 1860; Rev. J. Du Bois, September, 1860, to May 4, 1861; Rev. Cyrus Richmond supplied, 1861 to 1862; Rev. L. F. Ames, 1863 to 1866; Rev. A. Lull, 1866 to 1869; Rev. J. S. Van Alstine, 1869 to 1870, Rev. I. Child, 1871 to 1878; Rev. Judson Martin, 1878.
The longest pastorate was that of Rev. P. W. Mills, from 1852 to 1860; the shortest, that of Rev. J. Du Bois, from September, 1860, to May 4, 1861, when he was expelled from the church. The greatest number of additions were made during the pastorate of Rev. J. W. Weatherby, who baptized fifty-two in six years, during which time, in 1850, the church reached its highest membership, one hundred and twenty-nine. The present membership is about eighty-five.
A Methodist class was formed in Conneaut village about the year 1827 or 1828. One had previously been organized in the east part of the township, and one at Amboy in the year 1823, by Rev. Jese Viets. We have been unable, after repeated efforts, to gather any further information in relation to the early history of this church. The present pastor is Rev. W. J. Wilson, and the membership numbers about one hundred and fifty-six.
was organized about the year 1861, by Rev. John Tracy. Rev. ______ Conway is the present pastor. Services are held once a month. Church located on Chestnut street.
More to be added....