[Picture courtesy of Cincinnativiews]The Columbia Regular Baptist Church
Cincinnati, Ohio
By G. H. Denham, 1896When the Columbia Regular Baptist Church of Cincinnati, Ohio, was founded, it was thought by its organizers to be a continuation, or, at least, a revival, of the old Columbia Church, founded in 1790.
A large number of the originators of the new Columbia Church were direct descendants of constituent members of the old Church, three of them - Samuel M. Ferris, John Ferris, and William Ferris - being great grandsons of Isaac Ferris, the first Baptist deacon in the state; while Charles F. Stites may boast of a lineage quite as historic, in his descent from the redoubtable Major Benj. Stites, who won fame as a warrior, and with abundant faith in our state and neighborhood, made extensive investments here. Hence it was but natural, that inasmuch as they were reestablishing a name that had disappeared, "and upon the very spot of its origin," that they were reconstituting a church founded by their ancestors seventy-five years before.
From this there arose quite a controversy, which, fortunately, was of but short duration. For it was soon conceded that the history of the venerated pioneer institution is continued in our sister church at Mt. Lookout, formerly known as the "Old Duck Creek Church."
Many people contributed liberally in various ways to the full and complete establishing of our church, but without the help of these four worthy descendants of noble ancestors who dared lift up their voices to proclaim the name of their God in these deep forests of the West, wherein crept prowling beast and savage man, it would have been impossible to meet the necessary expense of building a house of worship, and of maintaining services therein.
Not only members of the church contributed liberally, but many who were outside were interested in having a Baptist Church to occupy the territory of the old pioneer, and, contributed of their means to that end.
The original grounds not being easily accessible, a more eligible site, the present location, was secured. And time has demonstrated the wisdom of the choice.
Wednesday afternoon, December 28, 1864, a little company of Baptists met at the residence of Bro. Charles F. Stites on Eastern Avenue. The Rev. B. F. Harmon was called to the chair, and C. F. Stites was made clerk. The question under discussion was the formation of a new church. The records show but one person opposed to proceeding with immediate organization. And that one person seems only to have opposed a hasty action, apparently fearing that the undertaking would too much weaken the Duck Creek Church.
However, the initial step was taken, and at a subsequent meeting, January 4, 1865, the following resolution was adopted:
Resolved; That we call a council of the following churches to meet in the town hall, at ten o'clock, on the second Wednesday in February next, to consider the propriety of recognizing us as a Regular Baptist Church.
Here follows a list of eleven sister churches, of which six responded through their delegates. But owing to uncharitable difficulties, the council did not convene till Wednesday, March 1, 1865, when at ten o'clock the meeting was called to order by Pastor Harmon, and the clerk was instructed to call the roll of churches.
The council was organized; the church recognized.
Thirty-one eventful years have passed since that date, when practically a new field was occupied, new difficulties were undertaken, new responsibilities were assumed. But it was done by a people unaccustomed to failure, and strangers to despair.
[p. 25]
The list of delegates to the council is a grand one - a genuine roll of honor. Among them were men of national repute; and under the direction of that grand chairman and incomparable leader, H. Thane Miller, the day was such as stirred all hearts.The organization had now become a fully constituted and regularly organized church of twenty-four members, with Bro. Harmon as pastor.
The following is the list of constituent members in their order as recorded by the clerk:
1. Dr. Earl T. Tibbitts. 13. Annie Jessot. 2. David Amann. 14. Anna Arthurs. 3. Charles F. Stites. 15. Mary J. Bassett Hawkins. 4. George W. Johnston. 16. Mary Z. Ferris. 5. John M. Ferris. 17. Harriet L. Ferris Smith. 6. William Ferris. 18. Anna M. Ferris DeArmond. 7. Samuel M. Ferris. 19. Elizabeth Amann. 8. Joseph Amann. 20. Mary Amann. 9. Mrs. Nancy Tibbitts. 21. Naomi Amann. 10. Martha Robinson. 22. Martha Nash Langdon. 11. Emily McClow. 23. Sarah Nash. 12. Marie McClow. 24. Abagail Wright. Of these, S. M. Ferris and Dr. Tibbitts were chosen deacons; Geo. W. Johnston, clerk; and Chas. F. Stites, treasurer. There remained but one more step to complete affiliation with the denomination, or great Baptist body. That was accomplished in the following autumn, by a warm and hearty reception of the church into the Miami Association.
For two years they held services in the town hall, when they were able to move into a house of their own.
Perhaps it would prove unprofitable to attempt to describe the labors and discouragements of the faithful and true who persevered to the end and finished a building, which for twenty-seven years served the purpose of the church.
Sunday, September 29, 1867, the new house was dedicated. The Rev. Wayland Hoyt preached the dedicatory sermon at eleven o'clock, and in the afternoon a general service was held, led by H. Thane Miller and Geo. F. Davis. In the evening the Rev. Pope Yeaman, of Covington, Ky., preached a very able sermon.
In these services subscriptions were taken amounting to $6,300. But the pledges were not all paid, so that, at the expiration of some three years, there still remained a debt of $2,200, most of which was assumed by a few who had already given generously, while the remainder was paid by small subscriptions.
The building was erected when labor and materials were higher than ever before or since. In 1870, the treasurer reported that there had been expended for all purposes $23,000, fully one half of which was paid by four persons.
Since its organization the church has had the following pastors:
The Rev. B. F. Harmon until the close of 1868, when he gave his whole time to Mt. Washington. February 1, 1869, the church called Bro. M. H. Worrall, who was ordained April 14, following, and continued with them until June 1, 1871, when he resigned to accept a call from Troy, O[hio]. Bro. Worrall's departure was a loss to the church, for he was very popular, and it was quite a while before they could get together again and agree upon another call. However, on November 2, Bro. W. W. Sawyer was called to the pastorate, and remained with them till April, 1873. From that time to March 11, 1874, the church had no regular pastor, but seems to have depended upon their Supply Committee," who provided for them as best they could. Then Bro. Harmon was called to give one-half his time for one year, he still having charge of the church at Mt. Washington. At the same time a contract was 'made with Dr. J. R. Baumes to occupy the pulpit on the alternating Sabbaths. But in October Bro. Harmon asked to be released. His request was granted. Two months later a call was
[p. 26]
extended to Bro. Powell, who found it impossible to accept. Thus spring came upon them again before the church was provided with a pastor.In March, 1875, the Rev. H. M. Carr came to take pastoral charge, but must have remained only about six months ; for after August 25 of that year his name does not appear in the minutes, save that letters were given him and his wife on October 8.
In December, correspondence was had with Bro. W. E. Stevens in regard to a short pulpit supply, with a view to a permanent pastorate. This ended in a call for six months, which in about six weeks was changed to a permanent call, by the unanimous vote of the church. In March, an ordination council was convened, and Bro. Stevens was officially set apart to the ministry. With singular tenacity of purpose and earnestness of spirit, he has pursued his course. He has striven against adverse circumstances, and surmounted difficulties, steadfastly keeping in view the upbuilding and prosperity of the Columbia Church. What more eloquent tribute can we pay than that his pastorate continues to this day, and his influence has not waned?
In 1875, many of the most influential members of our church, and largest contributors were residents of Linwood and Mt. Lookout. And there was no little discussion at that time upon the advisability of selling the Columbia property and establishing churches in those localities. Among the members living near the church, a few were deeply tainted with the doctrine of the Soul-Sleepers. These extreme adventists finally became quite aggressive and created some divisions among us.
In the early part of 1877, most of the members residing at Mt. Lookout withdrew to unite with the remnant of the Duck Creek Church, who had obtained possession of the building erected for a Union Chapel at that place, thus forming the Mt. Lookout Baptist Church. But in that year the Lord gave an outpouring of His Spirit that made our church stronger, both in members and in courage.
In 1878, there were added to the church three young men and one young woman, who have indeed proved to be pillars in Zion. Yet the doctrinal differences previously spoken of were coming more and more to the front. Indeed so persistent had its advocates become that the pastor could not mention anything that trenched in the least upon their ideas and theories without immediately awakening controversy. So far did they go that even written criticism was brought into the Wednesday evening prayer-meeting. Finally, the pastor preached a series of sermons on the subject, presenting the Baptist view, and maintained that while we did not feel called upon to disturb any member who, in his study of the Bible, might for a while be impressed with unbaptist views, yet when such an one became so thoroughly imbued with such doctrine that he felt himself called upon to teach it, in season and out, we were bound to take cognizance of it, and to take such action as the church might deem most wise. Upon this, four influential and otherwise excellent members withdrew. Their withdrawal, together with a half-heartedness on the part of quite a good many who were influenced by them, left the church in a very discouraged condition. However, the next year there came a revival of interest, which continued with little abatement into 1882, and lifted the church to a higher plane spiritually and temporally. In this period an addition was made to the church-building, at a cost of some $1,300, and a movement was made towards work at Linwood, which in 1883 resulted in the withdrawal of forty-two of our number to form the Linwood Baptist Church.
By the floods of 1883 and 1884, many of our members suffered very greatly. But the work which both pastor and people did for the homeless ones, not only of our own household but for others, had much to do with the awakening interest that followed, whereby a number of useful members were added to our roll.
Then came a dearth of interest and of sore trial, owing to the conduct of two or three who were not disposed to walk properly and peacefully among us. But when in February, 1886, the church took a decided stand, rebuked some and cut off one, there came almost immediately a shower of blessings, and we felt every religious and benevolent enterprise in the city and State.
[p. 27]
No year saw the church without some evidence of God's favor in the ingathering of souls; but the years 1888 and 1892 were especially remarkable in that line.
In 1890, the condition of our house was such that very radical changes and improvement were absolutely necessary. Two important questions were now confronting us - what? and how? If we rebuild or remodel, what shall the finished product be? Will it be a new house or will it be an old one rehabilitated? If we do either, how shall we obtain the wherewithal to meet our obligations? After weeks and months of discussion, it was finally decided to build. In the summer and autumn of 1894 a new house was erected; and on the thirteenth day of January, 1895, it was dedicated. The dedication of our new house was immediately followed by a great outpouring of God's grace, resulting in a great revival of interest among the membership, and many additions thereto.
The tearing away of the old house and the erection of the new was not accomplished without friction and anxiety. Yes, it has cost great labor, and severe self-denial and self-sacrifice. But we trust in the Lord that we may yet see our house of worship without incumbrance, and realize in our hearts the fulfillment of His promise: "Trust in the Lord and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed."
G. H. Denham. Cincinnati, O., September, 1896.
SUMMARY OF PASTORATES B. F. Harmon - Jan. 1865 to Jan. 1, 1869. M. H. Worrall - Feb. 1, 1869 to June 1, 1871. W. W. Sawyer - Nov. 2, 1871 to April 9, 1873. B. F. Harmon - Mar. 11, 1874 to Oct. 7, 1874. H. M. Carr - Mar. 1875 to Nov. 1, 1875. W. E. Stevens - Jan. 5, 1876 - Incumbent. ========= [From the Miami Baptist Association Minutes, 1896, pp. 24-27. Document from the Miami Baptist Association Office, Cincinnati. Transcribed and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
More Ohio Baptist History
Baptist History Homepage