Worthington Memory http://www.worthingtonmemory.org Contributor: Worthington Presbyterian Church -------------------------------------------------------------------- Historical sketch of Worthginton pres. Church [handwritten notation added to document] Preface This sketch was drawn up after much research - some of the items were de- rived from the memories of old mem- bers of the church, and former ministers - some from papers on file in the hands of the Clerk of Congregation - and partly from congregational & sessional records This was the first rough sketch from which a historical sermon was pre- pared - which was preached to the congregation Oct 1860 Silas Johnson Worthington - Oct. 20th/61- Historical Sketch of the Presbyterian Church of Worthington Worthington was first settled in 1803 by a colony composed of some 40 families from Massachusetts and Connecticut. They purchased 8000 acres of land in a body which was divided into farm lots. In 1804 the Town of Worthington was laid out by Col. Jas. Kilbourne who acted as agent for the colony. It would seem that a large pro- portion of the original colonists were Episcopalians, or at least in- clined that way. Col. Kilbourne the moving spirit in the colony, was an Episcopal minister, and frequently officiated here - though for years before his death his whole influence was against all true religion. Bishop Chase resided here both before and after he was consecrated 2 the First Bishop of Ohio - and continued to exert a powerful influence here in favour of his church until he removed to Gambier to take charge of Kenyan College. The ground was so completely occupied that no one thought of starting any other church enterprise for a number of years. Still there were a few who sighed to throw aside the rigid formality of Episcopacy, and to enjoy the sweet and simple services of their own presbyterian church. Thu it went on until June 18th 1816, at which time a meeting was held in the house of Mr. Peter Presbyterian Barker, and the ^ Church of Worthington was organized, consisting of eleven members. Among those who joined at the first organization or within a very short time, were the following viz. John Smith and wife, Mrs Stanely, Mrs Cook, Job. W. Case & wife, Dan. Case & Wife and daughter - Samuel Baldwin 3 and wife. Dr. Kilbourn & wife, Benj. Chapman and wife, E. Tuller, and peter Barker. Among other prominent presbyteri- an families, some of whom became members early and others more recently the following may be mentioned - Capt. R. Comstock, John Abbott Dr. Upson, ^ E. Mallery, N. Car- penter - The Youel's, park's, Wilson, Fullers, Bickets &c The first Ruling Elders were - Samuel Baldwin, Job. W. Case, and Benj. Chapman. During 1818 John Youel and Saml Abbot were added to the Session - A few years later John Smith was elected Elder. But most of these have long since passed away to their last home, and all of them are gone from this session [following text crossed out from Nathan to Elder] Nathan Carpenter removed within the bounds of this church during the year 1838, and was soon chosen to act as Elder During the year 1844 Mr. Nathan Carpetnter was ordained to the office of ruling elder 4 Wm Youel (son of fomer Elder) was Elected and ordained about the year 1850 - And in 1856 Benj. Noble was set apart to that office - The session is now, and for a number of years has been composed of Nathan Carpenter, Wm. Youel, and Benj Noble. The little church for some time had no house of worship - Its organiza- tion and many of its meetings were in private houses - The little Band might have been seen coming together on the Holy Sabbath to sing and pray or hear a sermon read, or sometimes to hear the words of life from some minister For a while they worshiped in the upper- room of the Academy. Then in a small Brick School house, where Dr. Goble's carriage house now stands - then Beers' Hall - and then a room on the Factory ground - and thus they wandered here and there, like Israel of old, wherever they could find a place - until Jan. 1st 1822 when the Trustees of the church rented the Masonic Hall for the term of six years 5 and a half - It was fitted up in a tasteful stile and was a very comfortable and pleasant place of meeting. On the 12th of May 1828 the first pre- liminary steps were taken towards the erection of a House of worship - Rev. H. Hulbert (then the pastor of the church) was appointed agent to solicit donations for the purpose (probably from abroad) On the 12th of Jan. 1829 it was resol- ved to make an effort to build, and peter Barker, J. W. Case, Ed. Mallory, Dr. C. H. Wetmore & Dr. R. Ray were ap= pointed a committee to solicit sub- scriptions for the purpose - At an adjourned meeting Capt. R. Comstock was added to that committee. In two weeks they completed this work at which time .R Comstock, Job. W. Case Peter Barker, Dr. Ray & E. Mallery were apointed a building committtee. This committee peasecuted [?] their work with promptness and vigor, and fin- ished the house in little more than a year, so that the pews were ready to let on the 17th April 1830. 6 This same house is still used by the congregation though it was some years since remodeled and there was added to it a neat vestabule, gallery and Belfry. This church has had a large number of ministers, though most of them have re- mained here only for a short time. Rev. Ebmeyer Washburn was probably the first stated supply. He labored here of one half ^ his time from Feb. 1817 until the next Nov. On the 14th of Sept 1819 the congregation presented the ministerial services of Rev. John B. Whittlessey for two thirds of his time at a salary of $334 per. an. Rev. Alex Cowan was stated supply very short time for the church for a [crossed out (^year or so)] commencing with May 29th 1822. Rev Stephen Lindley preached here statedly in 1824. Rev. Hiland Hulbert was the first pastor of this church. He commenced his labors here in July 23d 1826 - on the 2d of April 1827 a regular call was made out and he was soon after installed - The relation between him and the church was dis. during 1830. 7 The Rev. Messrs Jas. & Henry Wells preached for this church during a part of 1831 & 1832. Rev. Jas. Laborer supplied the church during 1833 - And Rev. Mr. Higbe a short time during 1834. April 11th 1835 a call was presented to the Rev Wm. Burton, but not accepted by him. Rev. Simeon Woodruff, the 2d pastor of this church, was [crossed out] entered upon his labors during the summer of 1835 - and was installed Jan. 20th 1836. and was released from the church in April 1837. On Jan. 15th 1838 the church took measures to procure the ministerial services of Rev. Alex. Cowan; but he remained only a short time. April 1st 1839 the church made out a call for the pastoral labors of Rev. Timothy Stearns - and on July 2d 1839 he was ordained by the presbytery of Columbus and installed pastor of this church - He was the 3d pastor. On the 10th of Feb. 1842 he was released from the pastoral charge at his own request. The Rev. John Donaldson commenced his labors in this church sometime towards the close of the year 1842 - and continued 8 his labaors until sometime in 1846 After he left the church was supplied for six months or a year by Rev. S. K. Hughes. During 1849 Rev. Thomas Woodrow D.D. com- menced his labors in this church. Sept 20th 1852 a regular call was made out which being accepted by him, he was installed the pastor of this church until the year 1857 - During the summer of 1857 after Dr. Woodrow left the pulpit was supplied by the venerable Dr. Hope. On the 20th of October 1857 the Rev. Silas Johnson the present pastor commence- ed his labors in this church; and a call having been made out he was in- stalled the pastor of the church by the pres. of Columbus. As to the membership - The church was organized with 11 prior to the time when Rev. Mr. Hulbert commenced his labors - from 1816 to 1826 there were received into the church -- 30 During Mr. Hulberts 4 years of labors there were added - - 37 From 1830 - to 1835 we have no means of knowing the number of additions - 9 During Mr. Woodruffs pastorate - viz - from 1835 to 1837 there were added - 16 During the labours of Mr. Stearns from 1839 to 1842 there were added - 28 During the labors of Mr. Donaldson from 1842 to 1846 there were added 39 During the labors of Dr. Woodrow from 1849 to 1857 there were added 35 During the labors of Mr. Johnson the present pastor from 1857 to the present time there have been added - 53 So that the total number received, as far as we have the means of knowing is - 249 This church has enjoyed some precious seasons of refreshing from on high - A very precious one was enjoyed during the pastoral labors of Mr. Hulbert - Also one in the time of Mr. Johnson - There were also seasons of more than ordin- ary interest under the labors of Mr. Donaldson, Dr. Woodrow and others. Then to sum up - This church was organized in 1816 It has enjoyed the ministerial [crossed out] services of 7 stated ministers - and has had 5 regularly installed pastor - 10 9[crossed out] It has received into its communion 249 members - And at this time the church stands as follows - present number of members Pastor Rev. Silas Johnson 91 Nathan Carpenter Elders Wm Youel Benjamin Noble Capt. R. Comstock Trustees Jas M. Huson Wm S. Park Treasurer - Dr. A. Kilbourn