Washington Township, Pickaway County, OH

Church History & Records

Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church.--The first church organized in the township was a German Reformed and Lutheran society called Zion's Church, being formed in 1808 or 1809 by a preacher named Foster. Previous to this date religious meetings had been held in the township for several years. At a later date this church became a Lutheran society. Mr. Foster continued to preach for some time and was followed by Rev. Jacob Leist, who officiated as minister of this church for about 50 years, being followed by Revs. Gast, Martin, Hering and Schuman. Since 1882 the church has had the following pastors : Revs. J. E. Wesner, W: H. Fishburn, G. W. Hudson, James F. Beattes, W. L. Hunton and J.. M. Wenrich, who is also pastor of St. Jacob's Evangelical Lutheran Church at Tarlton and of a church at Stoutsville, besides supplying the pulpit at the Ashville Evangelical Lutheran Church. The church has a membership of 42. The first meeting-house, a two-story log structure, was built soon after the church was organized; it was afterwards torn down and re-built as a one-story building. The church property is valued at $800.

St. Paul's Church of the Evangelical Association was organized about 183o. Meetings were held in private dwellings until the erection of the church building, in 1849 or 1850. It was a frame structure and stood a little south of the present church, which was erected in 1870 at a cost of $3,100. Revs. Charles Hammer and Joseph Long were among the earliest pas-tors of the church. Edward Dreisbach is superintendent of the Sunday-school.

The Pontious U. B. Church was organized about the year 1830 at the house of Daniel .Pontious, where the meetings were held for a number of years. The church building was erected in 1848, on land donated by Mr. Pontious. The first class leader was Peter Johnson. This is a class of the Pickaway Circuit, and is in charge of Rev. O. M. Martin, who succeeded Rev. D. W. Lambert in September, 1906. The membership of the church is 99. W. A. Beougher is. superintendent of the Sunday-school, which has a membership of about 50.

The Morris U. B. Church, which is located in the southern part of Washington township near Thatcher, was organized about 1842 with 75 members. This organization was the result of an extensive revival held in the church just before its completion, during the labors of Rev. William Fisher, who was then on the circuit. Soon after this a class of about a dozen members, called the Arnhart class, which met' in another portion of the township, united with it. The church now has a membership of 85. The Sunday-school superintendent has been W. F. Rudisill for a number of years past and the membership of the Sunday-school is 89. The Morris class is a class of the Pickaway Circuit, of which Rev. O. M. Martin is now in charge, having succeeded Rev. D. W. Lambert in September, 1906.

Bethany U. B. Church was first formed in 1838 or 1839 at the house of John May, Rev. William McCabe officiating in its organization. The meetings of the church were first held at Mr. May's residence and subsequently at the Evangelical Church on the southern line of Walnut township until the Bethany Church building was erected in the winter of 1874, at a cost of $1,400. The church was dedicated by Bishop Weaver. The class belongs to the Bethany Circuit, of which Rev. E. Gwartney is pastor.


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