History of the First Congregational Church of Vermilion, Ohio
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The story about how the Pilgrim Fathers left their homes in Scrooby, England, crossed the ocean and landed on the rocky shore at Plymouth, Massachusetts, is well known to every school boy and girl, but the histories do not usually tell that it was the beginning of the Congregational church in the United States.
As the years passed by, their children and children's children desiring more room pushed out into the far west, making homes for themselves in the forests and beside the lakes and streams.
It is recorded that one day some time in 1808 there appeared at the mouth of the Vermilion River a man by the name of William Haddy who built the first house in this place. Where he came from and who were his descendants we do not know.
The following year William Austin, George and John Sherarts, Enoch Smith and Horatio Perry located here. In 1810 the little colony welcomed the coming of Almon Ruggles, Solomon Parsons, Benjamin Brooks, Barlow Sturgis, Deacon Beardsley and James Cuddeback, followed by Peter Cuddeback and others in 1811. Some of these old settlers are still represented in the town and church by the. fourth and fifth generations.
The first religious service held in the place was at the home of William Austin, doubtless conducted by missionaries sent out by the Connecticut Home Missionary Society.
Twenty-five years later in a sermon, referring to these early days, Rev. Goodell said, "These visitations were bright spots in the history of the church during the first eight years of her destitution of the ordinances of the gospel, and we would here take occasion to render thanksgiving to God for imbuing the hearts of His children in that day with so large a spirit of benevolence and leading them to care for the feeble settlements in this wilderness world and to send us the bread of life. But for the assistance thus rendered, to all human appearance, our light must have gone out almost as soon as it was kindled. Nor would we forget the self denial and earnestness of those missionaries who cheerfully forsook the comforts and privileges of New England and endured the hardships and privations incident to a new country to carry the bread of life to the perishing. Among this number we would record the names of Coe, Seward, Hanford and Treat. “
There was no organization however until February 20, 1818, when a little band of Christians gathered at the home of Major Eli Barnum in Florence and organized what is now known as the First Congregational Church of Vermilion, Ohio.
There were six members, Alfred and Sally Betts, Samuel and Esther Husted, Electa Pearse and Abigail Harris, all of whom were settlers from Connecticut.
Two ministers were present, Rev. Alvin Coe and Rev. Amasa Loomis, the former becoming pastor for the first year.
Out of the two hundred forty-nine Congregational churches in the state of Ohio, but twenty-one have a longer history than this one. Faithful work was done that same year and seven more churches. were organized in the state. The church at Marietta is undoubtedly the oldest in the state, holding a continuous record since 1796.
The early fathers were guided to build better than they realized and the results have been lasting.
Ten years passed and the little band had increased to forty-two members. Still they had no meeting house, but met at some home for services. In 1828 they gathered courage to rise up and build a house of squared logs 35x30 ft. as good and perhaps better than many of their homes.
It is thought that this was the first public building in the county, which at that time included what are now Huron and Erie Counties. This building was located about two miles from the lake at the center of the township in a clearing in what now is known as Mr. Will's woods. Here the people came from all directions. Some walked and carried their shoes and stockings until within sight of the church, as a matter of economy. Pen pictures show the Pilgrim Fathers carrying their guns over their shoulders as a, protection against the Indians, and here there was need of a sharp lookout for packs of hungry wolves lurking all through the country, and also the Indians, when perchance they had, tasted the white man's fire water, were not always friendly. and must be guarded against. Some of the people who had long distances to go rode on horseback and some times the trusty beast carried the entire family, if not too large. What a difference when contrasted with the modern conveniences of today.
Those were days of little foot stoves filled with coals from the home fireplace for the old ladies and seats made of split logs without backs, yet the people hungered and thirsted for the heavenly manna and the water of life, and were willing to sit and listen to two long sermons with a short intermission for lunch.
The records are not as incomplete as could be desired with reference to the history of those early days, but it is written that May 10, 1828 an invitation was given to Mr. Hervey Lyon to become the pastor and May 22,1828 he was ordained to preach, installed over the church, and the building was dedicated to the worship of God. The sermon was preached by Rev. W. Lathrop from the text, "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom," fitting words of encouragement for those who listened.
March 1, 1835, the House of Representatives granted the church Articles of Incorporation, to be known as the First Congregational Church of Vermilion, Huron County, Ohio. The following year it was decided to move the church building to a spot on the. first ridge a little west of the State Road known as the Furnace, because more people were located there. So the logs were taken down and it was rebuilt there.
The years that followed were furl of changes relative to pastors and people. At one time seven were granted letters of dismission to the Congregational church in Birmingham, organized about that time, while others helped to strengthen the church at Florence.
Meanwhile new arrivals settled by the lake at what was called the mouth of the river. These people wanted services' near home, while others were loathe to have the .church removed. So great a difference of opinion arose that the decision was left to a disinterested committee, who, after considering all sides of the question, decided the wisest thing to.do would be to locate at the mouth of the river.
April 20, 1838 the trustees, Isaac Fowler, Philo Clark, James Prentice, Jacob Sherarts and Perry Darby, decided to build the new church on the present site.
A few weeks later specifications for a brick building 60x45 ft. and 27 ft. in height were given to S. Atkinson, said building to be completed by October 1st. Records of a year later show that only the foundation was laid, then an effort was made to raise funds by the sale of seats. The plan of the church with the names of the seat owners and prices paid is still in existence. The prices varied from $10.00 to $86.00, some buying several seats. We do not know when the church was completed, but it was dedicated December 20, 1843, and the sermon was preached by Rev. J. W. Goodell soon after he became pastor.
An old subscription paper circulated at that time reads thus: “We, the undersigned subscribers, wishing to support the preaching of the gospel in the First Congregational church and society in this place, pledge ourselves the several amounts affixed to our names to the treasurer of said Society for the support of J. W. Goodell as pastor of said church and society. The several sums are to be applied for the support of Mr. Goodell for the term of one year and to be paid as his wants may require". Then there follows a list of pledges varying from $1.00 to $25.00 per [sic] yer. Some of the pledges seem small, but considering the times they were more liberal givers than many of the present day who have much greater privileges. It was agreed to give him $300.00 and ask for an additional $100.00 missionary aid.
December 1843 the members voted to make an offering for Home missions in January and to Foreign missions in July, by so doing they began early to give to others the help they had so recently received themselves.
About 1853, as near as can be determined, a society was formed called the Bell Society, whose object was to purchase a bell, each one earning the money in some special way. An incident has been told by one lady herself, that she persuaded her father to get her some fine cloth from which she cut and made several shirts and sold them to friends. One of those was purchased by her lover for his wedding shirt. The bell this society wanted to buy had hung in the belfry of the church that once stood on the site of the Old Stone Church in Cleveland. Engraved on the bell is the name of "Revere". Tradition gives the story that Paul Revere was a maker of bells and it is supposed that his hands shaped and finished it.
The pipe organ which was used for many years in the brick church was purchased about 1858 or 1859. Before that time various musical instruments were used. First the tuning fork, then the bass viol played by Deacon Sherart, later Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Morgan came with their little melodeon held upon the lap, one keeping the bellows filled and playing the bass, while the other played the soprano, held the hymn book and the baby. The purchase of the pipe organ was a great event. At first a man from Elyria was organist, then Miss Ermina Sherart and Mr. Henry Wagner. Then there came a time when the seat was vacant and the minister went to a mother in the' congregation to ask if her young son of twelve years could not at least give the key to start hymns. With a trembling heart she gave her consent, he played the hymns and became the regular organist from that time to the present, with the Exception of short periods when away from home.
Many of the churches of this denomination when organized were placed under the care of a Presbytery to be looked after until strong enough to care for themselves. This church, with many others applied for membership in the Conference of Congregational churches in Ohio, application being made in February, 1867.
There is no accurate record when the Sunday School was first started, but there is one reference to the Sunday School meeting between the morning and afternoon services sometime between 1860 and 1867. The names of all superintendents since are preserved in the Sunday School roster.
Churches, like individuals, experience times of testing and discouragements; times when brave hearts almost give up in despair because the forces of evil are' so strong; but they renew their strength and go forward to battle with fresh courage, About the time of the Civil War, when high prices, general unrest and anxiety made it hard to carry on the work of the church, some of the time there was no pastor, but in 1866 Rev. N. D. Porter came for two years, followed by Rev. M. K. Pasco during whose one year of service seventeen were received into membership. To Rev. Sydney Bryant belongs the honor of drawing up plans for the present parsonage which was built while he was pastor here from 1870 to 1875.
It was during the pastorate of Rev. O. C. Clark, 1876 to 1880, that the Sunday School reached its high water mark, when there were over two hundred in attendance during the winter. At this time various lines of church activities such as cottage prayer meetings in the country homes were started, when the unseen presence of the Holy Spirit was deeply felt and the people were prepared to sign cards whereby they. pledged themselves to do some form of service for the Master. He was a beloved pastor and his labors bore much fruit. He was followed by Rev. John Mitchell who had charge of the church two years, after which Rev. Humphrey preached here for one year while studying in Oberlin.
With the coming of Rev. A. Streimer in the fall of 1885 a new era of Christian work began. A paper in the interest of the church appeared. A few months later the young people of the church were interested to form a Christian Endeavor Society of over twenty charter members, little thinking that at the One Hundredth Anniversary of the church it would celebrate its thirty-second birthday on the 22nd of February. We are proud to have the honor of being recognized as one of the oldest Christian Endeavor Societies in the state, having a continuous record. It has been the right hand helper of the church and its meetings have been an inspiration to every pastor. May its influence be felt with increasing power in the coming years.
Almost before the society was fairly started a meeting was called to plan for the building of a new church as the brick walls in the brick church were cracking and seemed in a dangerous condition.
Some time in February 1886 a large committee was appointed to solicit funds to build a new church. During June the walls were pulled down, the. bricks cleaned and ready for use. August 19, 1886 the corner stone was laid with appropriate services. Through the courtesy of the Reformed church; preaching and Sunday School were held there until such time as the new building was ready so that the Sunday School room could be used for services. The entire church however, was not finished and furnished ready for the dedication until January 15, 1888, when all bills were paid through a loan of the last $500, from the Church Building Society. The entire cost was $7,000. The following was the program for the dedication:
Organ Voluntary
Doxology
Invocation
Anthem
Scripture Responsive Reading Solo and Quartettee
Offering
Hymn
Poem written by Mrs. C: B. Summers, read by Mrs. Wells Announcements
Sermon by Prof. Currier of Oberlin
Solo and Duet
Financial Statement
Delivery of the Keys
Dedicatory Prayer
Hymn
Benediction
Then the people went to their homes with joyful hearts because the Lord's House for which they had given so freely and watched the building thereof with so much interest was completed, from the basement with its kitchen, dining room and parlor to the steeple with the old bell. calling to worship.
Almost immediately after this, Rev. Streimer closed his work.
During his stay twenty-nine were received into the church, nineteen at one time. After his departure Prof. Chamberlain of Oberlin supplied until Rev. C. L. Hamlen accepted a call September 1, 1888. He was a faithful pastor, full of thoughtful deeds for the church, a deeply spiritual man, who sought to lead his people to a higher plane of Christian living. While preaching here he found his second wife in the person of Mrs. Ella Sherod. His successor was Rev. L. H. Royce. During his two years pastorate seventeen were received into the church.
June 1, 1895 Rev. J. A. Kaley came, to whom belongs the distinction of having the longest pastorate in the history of the church, being with us eight and a half years church. During this period several important events took place. Children's Day, June 14, 1896 was a day long to be remembered by reason of the offer made by Mr. J. C. Gilchrist of Cleveland, a former member of the church. The old pipe organ had outlived its usefulness and had been taken down and a cabinet organ put in its place. At the close of the program, Mr. Gilchrist arose and said he would like to present the church with an organ costing not less than $1,000 or more than $1,500 in memory of his daughter Daisy, and in appreciation of the faithful services of the organist. He further said he would give $100 toward a new piano for the Sunday School room if sufficient sum could be raised to purchase a good one. This came as a genuine surprise and' the audience sprang to its feet and sang with a Will "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." An order was speedily given to A. B. Filgemaker, Erie, Pennsylvania, for an organ costing $1,250, to be built for the place it was to fill. It was received and set up late in December. January 1, 1897 a test recital was given by Prof. George Andrews of Oberlin Conservatory. The next evening a public reception was tendered Mr. and Mrs. Gilchrist. Sunday, January 3rd, the organ was publicly dedicated to the worship of Almighty God with the following order of service:
Voluntary on the Cabinet Organ
Hymn
Invocation
Reading of the Scripture
Presentation speech and keys delivered by Mr. Gilchrist to pastor and organist.
Response by organist and acceptance in behalf Of the church by
the pastor
Anthem
Sermon and closing exercises
A few months later a committee was appointed to solicit funds to purchase the piano.
February 3, 1898 the church adopted resolutions of sympathy for the family of Mr. J.O. Versoy in their bereavement. A testimonial of appreciation of his devoted service to the church during his twelve years of residence here, serving as Sunday School Superintendent, Trustee, Clerk, even acting as pastor on several occasions, he was indeed a tower of strength to his fellow companions.
February 20, 1898, the eightieth anniversary of the church was observed with appropriate exercises. At the morning service the pastor, Rev. J.A. Kaley, gave-a review of the history of past years, showing how God's hand had fed His people to the present time. In the evening letters were read from former pastors then living: Rev. Palmer Litts, Rev. M.K.Pasco,Rev. W. C. Rodgers, Rev. O. C. Clark, Rev. R. Humphrey, Rev. A. Streimer, Prof W. B .Chamberlain, Rev. C. S. Hamlen and Rev. L. H. Royce, This was followed by reminiscences of early days by Mrs. Elizabeth Sherod read by her daughter, Mrs. Hattie Pelton; Mrs. Maria Goodell, by her daughter, Lottie and Mrs. Laura Harris, by a granddaughter; Miss Ollie Lawless. Following this Mr. E. L. Coen read a paper on the "Future of the Church from a Financial Point of View," and Mr. J. W. Boss read a paper on "The Future of the Church from a Spiritual PoInt of View". This closed a delightful day, though a very stormy one.
Early in the year of 1903 a gift of $500 was received from Mr. Gilchrist toward a repair fund if the' church could raise an equal sum. The offer was accepted and repairs were made on the parsonage and church, new seats, new carpet and fresh wall decorations. Shortly after this Rev. Kaley resigned to accept a call to Little Valley, N. Y.
January 14, 1904, Rev. G. E. Merrill accepted the pastorate here. One of the notable events in the beginning of the year was the Men’s Supper February Twenty-second at which time the net receipts were one hundred and six dollars.
the Men's Supper February Twenty-second at which time the net receipts were one hundred and six dollars.
At the Communion Service in April the individual cups were used for the first time.
July 15, 1906 a letter was read which was prepared to be sent to Mrs. Laura Harris in honor of the seventy-fifth anniversary of her membership in the church. It was as follows:
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Mrs. Laura Harris,
Marshalltown, Iowa
Dear Sister in Christ:
Seldom is one a church member for seventy-five years. A consecutive membership in the same local church for seventy-five years is a remarkable rarity. A diamond membership is achieved by you this day.
Seventy-five years ago you were one of forty to receive the right hand of fellowship from Rev. Stephen Bradstreet, pastor of the church from May 1st, 1830 to July 1st 1833. Though you were only a young girl you doubtless have a vivid recollection of the day, a Pentecost in the church's history that increased the membership from thirty-seven to seventy-seven.
The old log meeting house built in 1828 has gone. The brick church built in 1843 has fulfilled its mission, and we now have this beautiful temple of worship erected in 1886 and a devoted band of workers. We rejoice in the church's eighty-eight years of existence and recognize your loyal and loving part in it. As members of the First Congregational Church of Vermilion, Ohio, we send you greetings and pray for the rich benediction of Heaven to rest upon you. We extend our warm congratulations over the long life granted you and earnestly hope the All Father will vouchsafe to you many more years of life here below.
We also felicitate you over the eternal life you consciously entered upon so long ago and which no temporal changes can interfere with.
"The Lord watch between me and thee when we are absent one from another.
Seventy-six autograph signatures of those who knew her were affixed to this letter.
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Shortly after, Rev. Merrill resigned to go to Burton, Ohio.
He was succeeded by Rev. R. C. Swisher who came June 1, 1909. During his pastorate of the three years there were additions to the church at nearly every communion season. While he was here the church was wired for electric lighting, the seats revarnished and the walls freshly decorated. A. gift of one hundred dollars from the estate of Mrs. Wigam received at this time was applied toward these improvements.
September 9, 1910 friends of the church gave a reception to Mr. F. C. Morgan in honor of his fifty years of service as organist. A program consisting of readings and music was given followed by the presentation of a huge bouquet of fifty white asters, and then the pastor with a few well chosen words presented a gift of fifty dollars in gold, a golden dollar for each year. Several were present who were former members of the choir.
January 7, 1910, death claimed our oldest member, Mrs. Laura Harris, who had now been connected with the church over eighty years. A few weeks later another one who had been a member fifty-three years, Mrs. Catherine Brooks, received the summons to go up higher.
May 31, 1912. a farewell was given to Rev. and Mrs. Swisher and in less than six weeks time Rev. W. K. Williams had accepted the pastorate and was on the field ready for work .
During his ministry of a little over two years he organized three -companies of Boy Scouts, Camp Fire Girls and the Junior Choir. On Easter Sunday, 1913 twenty-one children were organized into a Junior Congregation, with the view of entering the church in full membership when they became sixteen years of age.
September 1, 1914 accepted a call from the church and while here sixteen were received as members, ten coming from the Sunday School one Easter Sunday.
February, 1916 a gift of five hundred dollars was received from the estate of Mrs. Harriet Edson to be applied on church improvements. This was used to lay a new floor and ceiling in the basement, Rev. Mummey resigned his charge November 15, 1917. Since his departure Rev. Alfred Ray Atwood has supplied the pulpit and has given inspiration to the plans for this Centennial Celebration.
Taking a backward glance once more, we find that the first baptismal service recorded dates back to the very beginning of the church, being that of the thirteenth child of M. Leonard and the fourteenth child of S. Stimpson. In a sermon preached by Rev. J. B. Goodell at the dedication of the brick church, he said, "During these twenty-five years one hundred and two children of believing parents have received the sign and seal of the everlasting covenant and here I would not fail to record a fact connected with the history of the church to the glory of God’s grace as well as the encouragement of believing parents, that of the ninety-nine individuals converted and received into the church, all but twenty have been solemnly dedicated to God in infancy.”
No official record has been kept of the weddings solemnized in our several church buildings during the century, but it would seem that church weddings have not been popular with the young people since the present building was dedicated in 1888, only one having been solemnized, that of Miss Olive Lawless and Mr. J. Lawrence Hamill on June 12, 1906.
Again we turn the pages and find that one has entered the ministry and four received the rites of ordination after beginning their work here, the latter being Hervey Lyon, Almon G. Martyn, M. K. Pascoe and O. C. Clark.
The office of Deacon seemed to have been held for life as Deacon Jacob Sherod served for forty years, Deacon F. W. Morgan twenty-five years, Deacons Allen Pelton and P. Crosier served for many years, and Deacon F. Danzy died while in service.
Seven men have held the office of clerk: Uriah Hawley, Philo Clark, Isaac Fowler, F. W. Morgan, J. D. Devin, J. O. Versoy and the present incumbent, F.C. Morgan.
There have been twenty-eight ministers during these .one hundred years serving for a period of from one to eight and a half years, while seven more have, supplied for a few months only. The names follow in the order they come on the. record: Alvin Coe, Hervey Lyon, Steven- Bradstreet, David Griffiths, Eldad Barber, George Lane, J. J. Griffin, Xanophon Betts.: J. W.· Goodell, J. B. Parlin, J. Cochran, .Almon Martyn, J. B. Parlin, James Spellman, D. C. White, Amizi Lyon, Palmer Litts, Rev. Baldwin, Rev. Shafer, Nelson Porter, M. K. Pasco, Sydney Bryant, W. C. Rodgers, O. C. Clark, John Mitchell, Robert Humphry, A. Streimer, Prof. Chamberlain,C. L. Hamlen, L.K Royce, 'J. A. Kaley, George E. Merrill, R. C. Swisher, W. K, Williams, and C, E. Mummey. One name [sic] occurrs twice, which shows that, such mutual love .. and confidence existed between pastor and people that he came back after two years' :absence
for another two years.
We find that church discipline was more rigid in the early days, for we read that one man was called to answer for his absence from church four Sundays in succession. Others were called account for various misdemeanors.
The church in its early history-received aid. from the Ohio Home Missionary Society, but for the Iast thirty-five or forty yeas, has been self-supporting and in appreciation for this aid has made a yearly contribution to this society. In 1907, Rev. G. E. Merrill originated a system whereby, through the Use of the red mission envelopes, each member and friend of the church could give systematically every month. This is still in operation in charge of the Christian Endeavor Society. The Sunday School and Ladies Missionary Society are other channels through which the benevolences of the church flow into the Home and Foreign Missionary Boards of the, Congregational Society. Records show a gradual increase in interest and gifts to missions, having reached our apportionment on several occasions and each year sees the church aiding lines of work not denominational.
We find in these later days a tendency to look with disdain upon the value of revival services, but records show that among the forty who gave their allegiance to their Lord and Master on that July morning in the wilderness church, were a number who hold the distinction of being our oldest members. Again, when Rev. Streimer was here, among the twenty-two who united at one time have come many of the active workers of today, while as the result of the Evangelist Rowland's services in Rev. Kaley's time, came the. addition of many young enthusiastic lives to carryon the work as older ones lay it down.
We would pay all honor to the memory of the fathers and mothers who served the church so devotedly for many years. Mrs. Rachel Cuddeback was a member for seventy years; Mrs. Sophia Andrews, sixty-five years; Mrs. Elizabeth Sherod and Mr. William Andrews, fifty-two years; Deacon Allen Pelton, fifty-one years; Mrs. Fanny Pelton and Mrs. Mary Anderson, fifty years; Mrs. Mary Crosier, forty-five years; Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Morgan and Mrs. Ann Cuddeback, forty-four years; Mrs. Sarah Jones, forty-three years; Deacon Jacob Sherod, forty-one years and Mrs. Caroline Harris, forty years.
At present the oldest living member is Mrs. Helen Johnson, now of Toledo, who united with the church sixty years ago.
Our thoughts turn fondly to the many faithful ones who for a shorter time served their day and generation. Would there were time and space to mention them all by name, but their deeds are kept in remembrance in the Lamb's Book of Life.
We would also make mention of the interest manifested in the temporal welfare of the church by Captains James Stone, James Lawless, Thomas Jones, Albert Myers and others. Lewis Wells served as one of the trustees for many years, always feeling himself responsible in a measure for its continuance in the place.
Fellow workers in this church, eternity alone will reveal the results of efforts put forth in the Master's name in the one hundred years just ended, and a goodly heritage has been left to .our care, this Faith of our Fathers. Now we stand on the threshold of another century. We know not what awaits us for we may not part the curtains that hide the coming years, but "Here we raise our Ebenezer." Hitherto the Lord hath led us, He hath done great things for us and we will trust Him for the future. Will you? Will I? do our part so earnestly that at last we may hear the glad words, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
