Perry Township, Pickaway County, OH

Church History & Records

The Methodists, who were the first to hold religious services in Perry township, have established six churches in all, of which three are still active.

The Cedar Grove M. E. Church was established at a very early date. A log meeting house was built in 1814, previous to which date the class meetings were held in the homes of the settlers. The original class was composed of these members : William Bailey and wife, John Bennett and wife, John and Peter Cook and their wives, George Graham and wife, Isaac Jones and wife, William Loveland and wife and Jonathan Motter and wife. A frame church, built near the site of the log one, was dedicated in 1849. The church belonged to the New Holland Circuit. The membership in 189 was 79. Services have since been discontinued.

A Methodist Episcopal Church was founded on Hay Run about 1835, but the organization no longer exists. A church costing nearly $700 was built in 1852 to replace the log meeting house previously used. The church membership in 1879 was 45. The church was included in the New Holland Circuit.

Locust Grove M. E. Church.--This class was organized in 1841 at the home of Noble Porter, who became its leader and most enthusiastic worker. The church building was erected in 1842 on land donated by him. In 189 there were 73 members in regular connection and 90 on probation. Since then the church, has ceased to be a regular charge. From its formation it was attached to the New Holland Circuit. The Cedar Grove, Hay Run and Locust Grove churches all had Sunday schools.

New Holland M. E. Church.--Although all early records of this church have been lost, it is known that it was organized before 1825, as a class of about 12 members, with Samuel Hosselton as class leader. Prior to 1825 services were held by Rev. Francis A. Wilson at the houses of George Bohrer awl others, and then in a little log building in the village. About 1827 a small frame church edifice was constructed; this was replaced on the same site by the present church, which was built in 1867, at a cost of $2,500. Six years ago a parsonage was built at a cost of over $3,000. The ministers of the New Holland church for the period prior to 1866 were the same that had charge of the church at Williamsport. In that year New Holland Circuit was set off as a separate circuit. From 1866 to 1906 the ministers of the New Holland church have been : Revs. J. Y. Rusk, W. W. Martin, N. L. Jones, A. C. Kelley, George W. Burns, John W. Wakefield, F: S. Davis, A. B. Sniff, J. B. Bradley, Ralph Watson, J. L. Durrant; F. M. Evans, L. W. Miller, George Aten, H. E. Wright and T. L. Haas, the present incumbent. The present combined membership of this church and the Atlanta M. E. Church is 355. The New Holland church has a flourishing Sunday-school, with an average attendance of 81, of which Seymour Thomas is superintendent;

Dublin Hill M. E. Church.--A class of Protestant Methodists was formed at this point in 1858, but after a few years the church was discontinued. Sixteen years later, Rev. John L. Reeder, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, founded a class, which has flourished to the present time. In 1878, the present brick church edifice located in the northeastern part of the township, was built at a cost of $1,600, being dedicated on January 15, 189, by Rev. F. King, of Columbus. The church has a membership of 35. The Sunday-school, which was formed at the establishment of the church, has a membership of 50. Elmer Shaeffer is superintendent. The present pastor of this charge is Rev. W. B. Rose, of New Holland.

The Atlanta M. E. Church is the most recently organized church of this denomination in Perry township. It is a charge of the New Holland Circuit. A frame church building was erected in 1896 at a cost of $3,500. Jesse Riggin is superintendent of the Sunday-school, which has an average attendance of 75.

The New Holland Disciples' Church was organized in the spring of 1857, the charter members being 22 in number. Evangelists of this denomination had preached here for some three years previous.. After the organization, services were held in the home of T. Hess for a time and then in a church built about 50 years ago, which continued to serve until a new brick church was built in 1901, which is valued at $5,000. The church is large and flourishing, having a membership of 150. The Sunday-school, of which Mrs. Sadie Crabb is superintendent, has an average attendance of 90.

Following are the church officers: Elders -- J. B. Parker and G. H. Matson ; deacons C. Vlerebome, O. Lauderman, Thompson, E. Anderson and Frank Gooley. The present pastor is Rev. W. W. Harris. Other pastors who have served this church are the following: Revs. Samuel Matthews, John C. Ervin, George Van Pelt, E. B. Lewis, J. P. Ewin, Wesley Hatcher and H. L. Veach.

New Holland Presbyterian Church.--This church, which passed out of existence some time ago, was founded in 1863. Four years later the old Methodist Episcopal Church building was purchased, removed to another site, donated by John Boggs, and refitted. Rev. Samuel Cruthers was the first pastor; he was followed by Rev. S. S. Miller and he by Rev. W. H. Guthrie. The last named remained some four years and left a membership of 30. After his departure only occasional preaching was had and interest finally died out.

Source: HISTORY OF PICKAWAY COUNTY, OHIO AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS, EDITED AND COMPILED BY HON. AARON R. VAN CLEAF.  CIRCLEVILLE, OHIO