I will try at this late date (September 6) to give a brief history of the East Baptist Church of Lebanon.In the year 1797, several members were dismissed from the Columbia Church, who settled at Clear Creek, organized a church there and built a house about one mile north of Ridgeville and about eight miles northeast of Lebanon. This was the fourth church in the northwestern territory. Elder Sutton was its pastor and he was followed by Elder Daniel Clark, under whose pastorate (in 1798), a branch was organized at Turtle Creek. The church was built about one mile east of Lebanon. The Clear Creek Church is said to have lost its identity about the time of the division of the churches on the missionary question in 1836. The East Baptist Church, of which I write a partial history, is of this vine.
The Turtle Creek Church became an independent body in 1802, Elder Clark being the first pastor and continued in that capacity until 1824, retaining his membership until his death, which was in 1830, having reached the age of ninety years. He is said to have been the first pastor ordained within the limits of Ohio. In 1824, Wilson Thompson was called to the pastorate and remained until 1834.
During its early history, this church was very prosperous, conversions being of frequent occurrence. The members dwelt together in love; the discipline of the church was most tender, yet extremely rigorous. Up to 1811, they continued to worship in the house one mile east of Lebanon, but during that year they moved into town and built a substantial brick house at the west edge of the town, and in 1811 the name was changed from Turtle Creek to the Baptist Church of Lebanon.
Up to 1805, there was no mention of money in the minutes, but in October of that year, there is this in the minutes: "The deacons shall pursue such measures as they shall think proper for collecting money to discharge the necessary expenses of the church." There was no stated salary in those days, the pastor accepting in money and produce whatever individuals pleased to give. It was not until October, 1827, that salary is mentioned, when Wilson Thompson's salary is fixed at $500.
In 1827, the church had a gracious revival, which continued through the year, not a month passing without the waters were visited, and seventy-two were added to the church by baptism, and about a score by letter.
But just after this, there were dark days. Just what their nature was is not stated, but by the help of God they were soon rejoicing again.
There was a Sunday School organized in 1827 or 1828 and continued until about the division of the churches in 1836. In this year, the
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church divided by mutual consent and on friendly terms about two-thirds of the membership remaining with the Anti-Mission or West and the other with the East or Mission branch.In the division of property, the West Church or Anti-Mission branch retained the house of worship. The East Church or Mission branch proceeded to build a place of worship on the southeast corner of Broadway and Warren streets, one half square west of the present building and facing on Broadway. There was a basement, not connected with the audience room, in which a school was held for a number of years. Two front doors to the audience room were reached by broad wooden steps. In those days and up through Dr. Stone's and Dr. Leonard's pastorate, congregations were large, almost every seat being occupied.
Today, the West Church is almost extinct, having services once a month, while the East or Mission branch has regular services with a considerable membership.
John Blodget, the pastor at the time of the division, went with, the East Church, supplied for a time and afterwards became the regular pastor, continuing in that capacity until January, 1841.
The pastorate of Brother Blodget was a very successful one; peace reigned in the church and the brethren dwelt together in love. Two precious revivals were had during this pastorate, one in 1836, when thirty additions were made, and another in 1840, when fifty-five were added by baptism.
After Blodget's resignation, Elder Thompson was called, whose pastorate was of short duration. Then followed Jos. T. Robert. Brother Robert remained about five years. Next came Rev. John Flnley, who remained about three years. Then for two or three years. the church was without a regular pastor but was supplied a part of the time by different ministers. In 1851, the Rev. H. S. Dale was called and accepted the pastorate. In 1853, during Dale's pastorate, several were added to the church.
In May, 1856, Marcena Stone became pastor. Brother Stone was warmly welcomed and entered upon his work with vigor. His pastorate of about ten years was a very successful one and he left the church in excellent condition, spiritually and financially. During this pastorate, the present church building was erected, being dedicated in 1859.
Dr. L. G. Leonard succeeded Dr. Stone, accepting the call in April, 1863. In the interim between the pastorates, the church was supplied part of the time by Rev. Wm. Ashmore, Missionary to China. A call was extended to Dr. Ashmore, which he declined in favor of his work in the foreign field. The church prospered and was in excellent condition under the pastorate of Marcena Stone and L. G. Leonard.
In the latter part of 1871, Rev. F. A. Douglas was called and accepted the pastorate, remaining with us two years. About this time, by deaths, removals and some other unfortunate circumstances, we lost heavily and have not retrieved our former position to the present time.
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In 1874, Rev. J. B. Stone was called to the pastorate. Brother Stone was a very promising young man and, through him, the church hoped for much, but death claimed him after about six months' pastorate. This was a severe blow to the church.Next was the pastorate of Rev. Geo. W. Baptiste, commencing in May, 1875, and ending in June, 1878. After being pastorless six months, Dr. Marcena Stone was recalled for a second service, which continued about three years.
Charles H. Salesman was ordained in November, 1881, and elected pastor, his pastorate being very short. He was stricken with that fatal disease, consumption, and on December 23, 1883, he offered his resignation, but his payment of salary continued until the next March, the time of his death.
In July, 1883, Rev. H. A. Sumrell came to us as pastor, and remained about four years. His labors were blessed by the gathering in of many souls, and when he left the church was in better condition than when he became its pastor.
About this time, 1883, the church had as supply Rev. Lyman J. Fisher for some months, and a call to the pastorate was extended to him, but it was declined.
Then A. H. Beaver, J. P. Curran, J. E. Reed, L. W. Riley and E. P. Lipscomb were our pastors in the order as named. During the pastorate of A. H. Beaver, in a series of meetings conducted by himself, seconded by the church, and by the help of God, we had a most precious revival, when many substantial members were added, and many souls were saved.
Then again in Riley's pastorate, with Rev. H. Wise Jones, as evangelist, we had another precious revival with many conversions and additions.
During Lipscomb's pastorate, several were added at a union service of the churches.
And now at the close of this history, 1909, with our church edifice repaired, remodeled and beautified, and with our present pastor, Rev. Arthur Cooper, whom we all love and respect (I think not one dissenter) we feel hopeful, that God will bless him and the church and that prosperity may be with us, and we may be instrumental in the saving of many.
This short history is hastily written with only the most prominent happenings brought forward, and probably many of them overlooked.
============== [From the 100th Anniversary Edition of the Miami Baptist Association Minutes, 1909, pp. 29-31. Document from the Miami Baptist Association Office, Cincinnati. - Transcribed and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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