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The History of |
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The History of |
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Baptism
Records,
Death
Records, Members List,
Marriage
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Ministers,
Upon the site of the village of Lawrenceville, a store was built in
the woods by Elias Over about 1836, he having cleared out a patch upon which
his building erected. And a few years later three Germans names Rice, Dipple
& Rice built and operated a pottery at the same point, employing a number
of hands in the manufacturing of crockery ware of all kinds. The present
town was laid out by Emanuel Circle, and placed upon record in 1849. He called
it Noblesville after a town in Indiana, which he fancied, and the original
number of lots were fifteen. The post office was established in 1875, and
the name was then changed to Lawrenceville, there being another Noblesville
in the State. The first Postmaster and present incumbent is Alexander Michael.
The high school heretofore mentioned, and also the Reformed Church, Mount
Pisgah, are located here. The new church building was erected in 1852. There
is one store, a shoe-shop, and one blacksmith-shop and a wagon factory in
the village.
In the back of the Church Register dated "Beginning to 1970" someone wrote
a Historical Sketch of the church. I have transcribed this to the best
of my ability.
Historical Sketch of the Mt. Pisgah Church at Lawrenceville, Ohio
(transcribed as written)
Author Unknown
I have first a few lines of acknowledgement. It has become my very interesting and pleasant privilege to prepare this brief Historical Sketch. Especially so as I find myself closely connected with this congregation, by ties of kinship, by Christian Fellowship, and (being a Lutheran) by Church Affiliation.
It has been a very great pleasure to me to hear from the lips of our oldest citizens (James V. Ballentine, George Ramsay, John Xanders, Edward Swartzbaugh, and from some not so old, J. Homes, Hartman and others) Their nominations and descriptions of things pertaining to the very early history of this congregation and community:- things that occurred 60, 70, 80 or nearly one hundred years ago. Things that are not written in books, but are engraved in the memories of our aged brethan. Thus how wonderfully have these things been presented to us, even in minuted detail. The memories and faculties of these aged brethen are still ken and bright at the age of 80 or 90 years:- Mr. James V. Ballentine being the oldest nearly 91 yrs. and to him I am most largely indebted for detailed accounts of early history. But to all the above mentioned persons, and to every one else who aided or contributed anything to this account. I hereby give due acknowledgement with sincere thanks.
The history of this congregation dates from far back in the past - nearly one hundred years to the Pioneer Days, when the land was for the most part covered with forests. When roads were such in name only and paths were often marked by the trees, and where houses and farms must be literally hewed from the virgin forests. About 1839 says one who came here about that time, the log church and store are about the only buildings here. The proprietor of the store was Elias Over, a brother of David Over. Emmanuel Circle (grand-father to our "Andy" or A. J. Circle) came and bought a track of land, built houses for his sons, (or sons - in - laws), and thus the town grew. It was then called Noblesville and up until about 1876. It is so called also in the Church Book.
Many of these early settlers were men and women of Christian Character, they brought their Christian Character and worship with them into the new country. As nearly as can be learned the first and original church in this community was begun (and perhaps a building was soon completed) in about 1812 or 1814. This is the opinion of Mr. J. V. Ballentine who came here with his parents in 1832. The date of any legal record, such as transfer of land, may be several years later than 1814, perhaps about 1821.
The first church building was a log house. It stood several rods to the east of the present building, in what is not the Cemetery. The first School-House was near the church, to the north, just across the old road. The Old Road ran north of the Church, on westward to the north of the present church building., on up the creek toward the west and north. The old school house did not continue long having burned down.
For the first church and building two acres of land were donated by Mathias Rust and Mary Rust for two dollars (2.00). Matthias Rust owned 160 acres of land north of the church. He had a big house (for his large family) north of the creek on the side of the hill.
In the old church there was our place for the men and another for the women. The men’s entrance was toward the south and their abode was in the gallery which was built on there sides - north, east and south. The women’s entrance was toward the east,, they sat below. It is said that the men upon entering the church would stop inside the door with un - covered heads, would offer silent prayer. The pulpit was on the west side. It was one of those high models, a sort of octagonal box 6 or 8 feet above the floor and was reached by - a winding stair. The "Crow’s Nest" was a common appellate given to it.
Mr. Isaac Griest when called for remarks on Home Coming Day, Aug 9, 14 related a reminiscence of our attending this church when the preaching was in German. Tho the minister waxed earnest and eloquent the boys were at a loss to understand it. Thoroughly outclassed Mr. Griest said to his friend "Do you think God Almighty understands such stuff as that. If he does, He can do more than I"
The following names (given by George Ramsey) are some of those who were active in organizing and establishing the church. Clinst Overholser, Moses Overholser, Mr. Ballmer, Mr. Bowers, Mr. Brussunau, John Metz and wife, Jacob Miller ad wife, Jacob Baker, Samuel Baker, John Baker, Rueben Friermood, Emmanuel Circle, David Whitman, Squire Bowman, Abe Rust, Michael Lutz, David Jones (who was township trustee for many years.)
Rev. David Winters, of Dayton, Ohio a Reformed Pastor was the organizer and founder of the first organized church and congregation. The exact date cannot be given. His brother, Thomas Winters was later one of the Reformed Ministers. A Rev. William Klopp was one of the early Lutheran pastors. So also was Rev. Ezra Keller, who was the founder of Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio. In addition to preaching these early ministers ___. John Xanders and George Ramsey are among those ___ by the latter.
A favorite stopping place for the preachers was at the old Berry place, which later became the home of Daniel Kiblinger. Here was a large farm house , and hospitality - and here much, much ___ was done. Sometimes for a week proceeding communion the pastor would be there at work, then on communion Sunday all the ___ led by the pastor would march down the old road to the Church then to be confirmed and receive communion.
Rev. John Pence, commonly called "Old Johnny Pence" was (perhaps?) the first pastor of the Reformed Church after the separation from the Lutheran. His house was over on the creek (Chapman’s) where Mr. Penton now lives. Doubtless many here have known him or known of him and heard him preach. Many have entertained him in their homes. In his day they paid preachers "whatever they could" not stipulating any certain sum. Antedates are told of how "Old Johnny Pence" would take his long "3 be sack?" and get it filled when on his circuits. On one occasion he visited John and D. L. Snyder, so well known as the donor of Snyder Park, Springfield, Ohio. Who were good friends of "Old Johnny" believing him to be a "good, honest, upright man." These men frequently filled his sack and on one occasion fitted him out into a nice new overcoat. These Snyder brothers though not regular church attendants or members sometimes attended church here to hear "Old Johnny" preach.
The old log church was a Union Church; two congregations, Lutheran and Reformed had services and worship in turn. This continued up until about 1848; there some differences arose and they decided to separate. Rev. Jesse Steiner came as the Reformed pastor in 1852 and erected a church building on the present site. It was then called the "German" Reformed Church.
The old original log church was sold at auction to Mr. David Dibert (after the new one was built) . The congregation bought 1/4 acre of ground for a church site. David Jones and Peter Hartman (my grandfather) were the trustees. The date of the recording of the deed is given as 1853 in the Public County Records.
The building committee for the new church was John Xanders, John Jenkins and Samuel Baker. John Rust (father-in-law of John Xanders) was the Builder. The cost of the church was to be $650.00 but by the time the building was finished it was found $50.00 more was needed making the total cost $700.00. Among those who subscribed most liberally were Samuel Baker (father of Silas Baker), Peter Hartman, John Rust, John Jenkins, and John Xanders. Some of them are said to have given $100.00 each which was a large sum in those days.
I have seen the church book with records as far back as 1855. A list of members is given for that date, very likely the charter members, - some sixty in numbers. A few of them are still living. The following names make up the list - almost entirely: Bakers, Rusts, Xanders, Circles, Hartman’s, Swartzbaugh, Michaels, Pence’s, Rollers, Overholsers, Kizers, Reckuers,
From that early date the church has grown and progressed intensively and extensively. It has had it’s "up and downs" of course, it’s trials and it’s tribulations such experiences as are common to most every Christian Congregation.
The church building was remodeled and improved in 1887 by adding the pulpit and choir extensions, at a cost of over $1,000.00. Rev. ______ was at that time pastor. Again in 1904, when the Rev. J. C. Paul was pastor additions and improvements were made viz. The building of vestibule and basement at the cost of about $800.00. The house now was used as parsonage was bought of Silas Baker heirs for $1,400.00 and immediately remodeled and improved at an expense of $600.00.
The following young men have gone out of this congregation into the ministry. Rev. P, A, Hartman, Rev. Clyde Xander and Omis Haulman. There have been others gone out into worthy professions, many have been teachers.
List of Pastors
Rev. John Pence
Rev. Jesse W. Steiner - 4 years 1852 - 1856 (Reference to newspaper article giving account of death and biographical sketch) He has a son Jesse Steiner Jr. who is now a Missionary of the Reformed Church in Seudai, Japan. At present on a furlough taking graduate work at Chicago University.
Rev. Jesse Richards
Rev. Samuel Shaw
Rev. J. I. Swander, still living at Tiffin, Ohio. He was said to be while here a fine teacher and scholar.
Rev. D. R. Taylor - 14 years (now living at N. Hampton, Ohio)
Rev. Hiram Shaull
Rev. J. J. Excell
Rev. D. K. Fulcason 1 year 1894 - 1895 - Deceased
Rev. S, L, Runkel 2 years 7 mos. May 1, 1895 to Dec. 1, 1897 - still in active ministry
J. W. Bechtel 2 years 10 mos. - June 1848 - Mar 1901 Now at Farmer Kansas. He send a very beautiful letter to be red at the Home Coming.
Rev. Edward F. Lauffer 2 years. May 1901 - May 1903
Rev. J. C. Paul 6 yrs. Aug 1903 - 1909 Now pastor at Kenton, Ohio
Rev. L. A Sigrist 2 yrs, 3 mos Nov. 1090 - Feb 1912 Now at Germantown, Ohio
Rev. W. A. Yeisley
Rev. A. A. Hartman began work on May 1, 1913
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