Church and Family History Research
Assistance
for Morrow County, Ohio
CHURCHES:
OWL CREEK HARMONY (CHESTERVILLE)
Owl Creek Harmony Church, about five miles north of Chesterville, was organized (according to the history of the county) in about 1812, by Elders John Cook, Henry George, and William Thrift. The charter members numbered about twenty, among whom were Samuel Hoofmire, Zebulon Ashley, Benjamin Hart, John Ackerman, Henry Sams, Andrew Sams, Henry Sams Jr. and their wives, and Elizabeth Blair. Elder Cook preached for several years in the cabins of the settlers. In 1815, a log meeting house was put up on two acres of land given by Elder Cook for the church and cemetery. It was a round-log structure, with a single window place, no doors and the logs were never chinked. During the winter the church used the log schoolhouse nearby.
SURNAMES OF MEMBERS:
Ackerman, Addison, Addlesperger, Ashley, Baldridge, Blair, Boyd, Brewster, Burkepile, Compton, Counts, Denman, Durbin, Edwards, Fitzpatrick, Fuller, Green, Griffith, Hamon, Hankins, Harris, Hart, Hetrick, Hite, Hoofmire, Huddle, Johnson, Kearney, Lilly, Malott, McCluckion, Myers, Owen, Owens, Peck, Pruett, Rosenburger, Rush, Sams, Scheff, Shelton, Sipe, Sipes, Sutherland, Vanbuskirk, Vandorn, Wojtseck (very incomplete list due to lack of records).
WESTFIELD (WESTFIELD)
Westfield Church was organized in 1816, and was the first church in the township. The first meeting house was a log structure, which stood about a half mile south of the village of Westfield. There were twenty-two charter members, including John F. Place and wife, Simeon Smith and wife, Elisha Bishop and wife, Elijah Smith and wife, Adin Windsor, and Hannah Goodhue. The first ministers were Elders Simeon Smith and Benjamin Martin. In 1844 a frame structure was erected on two acres of ground, a mile north of the village, where there was also a cemetery. In 1826 the pastor was Elder Nehemiah Martin. In 1844 the pastor was Elder Peter Powell.
SURNAMES OF MEMBERS:
Bishop, Curren, Foust, Goodhue, Place, Smith, Williams, Wilson, Windsor (very incomplete list due to lack of records).
CHESTER (CHESTERVILLE)
The Chester Church was organized on March 19, 1819, with twenty charter members, viz., Evan Holt, Charity Holt, Elder Henry George, Mary Beven George, William George, Elias George, James Irwin, Susanah Irwin, Henry George Jr., Joseph Howard, Mary Howard, Richard George, William Evans, William W. Evans, David Rees, Thomas McCreary, Margaret Holt, Margaret Rees, Sarah Evans, and Lacy Holt. Elders John Mott and Henry George were influential in the constitution of this church.
The first meeting house was a log structure, with greased paper windows, log seats, a large fireplace at one end, and a dirt floor. A frame building was erected in 1831. The church divided in late 1841, over the introduction of a Sunday School and other similar revivalistic measures. About 25 members withdrew and organized Mt. Pisgah Church, and the remainder went into the modern mission system.
BRYN ZION
Bryn Zion Church was organized in about 1824. Among the original members, it is believed, were William Peterson and wife, Brother James and wife, and one or two daughters, and Allen Kelley and wife. The church divided when the split occurred in this region, over the introduction of the modern mission system.
EBENEZER
Ebenezer Church was organized at an early date by Elder Kaufman. The early members included Elder Peter Powell, Tunis Ashbrook, Joseph Ullery, Charles McCracken and wife, James James and wife, and Benjamin McCrary and wife. A meeting house was erected at a cost of about $500 or $600.
MT. PISGAH (MARENGO)
Mt. Pisgah Church was organized April 30, 1842, by 24 members of the Chester Church, who were grieved with the departure of that church from the original faith and practice of the Regular Baptists. In July 1843 the church voted to unite with the Owl Creek Harmony Association.
In December 1842 the church agreed to build a meeting house on land given by a Mr. Shoewalter, with dimensions of 30' by 36'. In April 1873 the church voted to purchase 1 1/4 acres of land from William Lloyd, and the present meeting house was constructed there.
Elder John D. Thomas was chosen moderator (pastor) in October 1842, and served until his death. He was followed by Elder Zachariah Thomas, his son, who was ordained by this church, and also served as pastor for many years.
SURNAMES OF MEMBERS:
Addison, Ashley, Bennett, Blankenship, Bockoven, Boyd, Brown, Bruce, Burton, Cox, Davis, Denman, Evans, Fisher, Gardner, Gordon, Gorsuch, Grey, Griffith, Harrod, Herrod, Jefts, Jones, Keen, Keene, Krinn, Lyons, Markley, McCurdy, McNay, Mead, Morrow, Mutter, Owen, Phillips, Porter, Poter, Potts, Pruett, Ray, Salyer, Sayre, Shackleford, Slauson, Slawson, Struble, Taylor, Thomas, Ulrey, Ward, Watson, Wonder, Wood (incomplete list due to lack of records).
PERU (PERU)
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