Revivals of religion, wide spread and thorough, were enjoyed by the churches for a few years beginning with 1840.These were years of the right hand of the Most High, and memorable in Zion. God's people were roused by a divine impulse to earnest prayer and effort and to holy living. His ministers were bold and aggressive in preaching the Word and busy in gathering the spiritual harvest.
During the years 1841 and 1842, Wm. T. Boynton, then pastor of the Baptist Church in Middletowri, came often to Franklin to preach and as an earnest and practical preacher drew the people to him and to his ministrations. The Presbyterian Church was open to him for a time and was filled with attentive hearers and devout worshippers. School-rooms and other rooms were also occupied.
After the flight of more than 40 years, some of the brethren and sisters who remain to this day, refer to these meetings as seasons of special grace and power, and hold them in precious remembrance.
Bro. Boynton's piety, zeal and personal attraction were the means, under the blessing of God. of gathering the church in Franklin.
On the 29th June 1843 the church was regularly organized with 42 members, as the "First Regular Baptist Church of Franklin, Ohio." W. T. Boynton as pastor. 38 presented letters from the Middletown church, 2 from 9th St. church, Cincinnati, 1 from Dayton and 1 from Lyons Farms, N. J. A Council to recognize the new church was held the same day, made up of delegates from Dayton, Muddy Creek, Lockland and Middletown. S. S. Parr was Moderator and J. T. Roberts, Clerk. S. S. Parr, of Dayton, preached the sermon, D. Bryant, of Lockland, gave the hand of fellowship and J. T. Roberts, of Lebanon, the charge to the church. Prayer by Lewis Osborn, of Reading, and benediction by W. T. Boynton. All of these have finished their course and gone to their reward, except Bro. Osborn; and 34 of the 42 first members have joined their company.
July 8th, 1843, the first church meeting for business was held. A. Death was elected Clerk and Peter Dubois Treas. The first Deacons were Peter Dubois and Henry W. Meeker.
In Sept., 1843, the church was received into the Miami Baptist Association.
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Years before a plain brick building 40 x 50 feet had been put up by geneneral subscription on the lot, corner of 4th and Center streets, for the joint use of religious societies in Franklin. This ground had been donated by Gen. Wm. C. Schenck, the founder of the town, strictly for religious uses, and, if applied to other uses, it was to revert to his heirs. In time all the organized churches of the place secured their own houses of worship, who then left this union building to be occupied by carpenters, broom-makers, butchers' stalls and the appliances of a primitive fire department; and, finally with doors off their hinges, broken floor and desolation all about, there was the freest welcome to all the strolling animals of the town. A wide departure from the original intent!In the summer of 1843 the Trustees of the church, J. N. C. Schenck, Derrick Barkalow, Washington Coleman and A. Death obtained first, a quit-claim deed for the lot from the heirs of Gen. W. C. Schenck; then a release of all rights from the chief subscribers to the building. The house was fitted up at once and dedicated anew to the service of God in December 1843.
Bro. Boynton kept the relation of pastor until the time of his death in Jan. 1846.
In March '46, Lewis Osborn settled with the Church as pastor and continued until Sept. '51. He was a plain and earnest preacher, blameless in life and free from all ambition, except to build up his Master's cause. He still lives, at the age of 82, with his daughter, in Brown County, Illinois; his work almost done and patiently awaiting the summons from heaven.
The letter to the Assoc'n this year,'46, says: - "We have opened a Sunday School under encouraging auspices. We maintain a weekly Bible-class and prayer meeting, the Monthly Concert of Prayer for Foreign Missions and the Quarterly Concert for Domestic Missions."
During Bro. Osborn's ministry several revival seasons were enjoyed and 29 were baptized to unite with the church. Valuable aid was rendered in these special meetings by beloved brethren from Dayton - F. Snyder, S. Gorman and S. W. Foljambe.
In Jan'y, '52, J. C. Armstrong was ordained pastor and served until March '54 with a fair measure of success - 5 were baptized. He gave himself to the work with the vigor and hopefulness of youth.
In 1851, the side room 20 x 30 feet, always called the Vestry, was built at a cost of about $400, and in 1854, the main house was rebuilt at a cost of $1,700 - the walls raised, new and higher windows put in and an entirely new roof with its framework.
J. G. Bowen, of Middletown, acted as pulpit supply for a few months.
In Jan'y, 1855, M. W. Homes, then a student in Fairmount Theological Seminary, began to preach to the church and continued until April '56. He was a useful and laborious pastor. 13 were baptized and the church strengthened.
In March, 1857, John Blodgett was called to the pastorate. He served with great acceptance to his people until Aug. '58 when, on account of infirmity, he retired.
John L. Moore was supply one year from Oct. '58. 6 were baptized
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in this time. He was an aggressive worker, a strong preacher and showed in his prayers a wonderful reach and grasp of faith. Who that heard them can ever forget them!J. R. Powell was ordained pastor Nov., 1859. He remained until Sept., 1863 - 27 were added to the church - 6 of them by baptism. He was zealous and laboripus, attending strictly to the duties of his sacred office.
In Feb'y. 1864, Father Blodgett was called a second time to the pastoral care of this flock, so dear to him, his health in the meantime having been partially restored. He labored on as strength allowed until June 71, when he quit the field with a feeble body, but his spirit undaunted. He went to the home of his daughter in Troy, Ohio, where he died July 24th, '76 aged 83. From choice he kept his membership with us to the last. He was a man of simple piety, deeply imbued with the spirit of love to God and man, of singular yet serviceable gifts, earnest and fervent in prayer, his preaching full of comfort to the believer and full of persuasive appeal to the unbeliever: he was especially helpful to the poor and sick, going from house to house, taking the streets in order, calling on everybody and always on a religious errand, the town's pastor and friend, noted as a peacemaker, full of wisdom and native shrewdness - such were some of the leading features in the character of this eminent servant of God. Our records show that 21 were baptized into the fellowship of the church during his two terms of service, but this is no measure of the value or extent of his labors. Other records outside this church and outside this world must show their full measure.
In July, 1864, through the generosity of J. N. C. Schenck, the church came into possession of the brick building just North of the River bndge which served as a parsonage during Father Blodgett's time - the corner room of which, of ample size, furnished a convenient place for social meetings. Here the aged patriarch in the years' Wintry season and his Wintry season, would stand and dispense his holy stores to his spiritual household. In the days of Bro. Osborn the room above this was the "upper room" in which the prayer circle gathered and the Sunday School organized and held.
John E. Morris was supply from June '71 to April '73. His manner was very cordial and attractive and in his preaching he magnified the Word of the Lord, presenting clearly and strongly its foundation, doctrines. The congregation was increased, 9 were added by baptism and the membership girded up with new strength.
In Oct. 1873, A. L. Lockert came to the church, fresh from the college and seminary, and was ordained as pastor the Dec. following; which office he held until May '82. His pastorate was the longest of any in our history and attended with great benefits to this people. He was a ceaseless worker, orderly in his methods, free from domestic care and thus freer to serve his church, which he did with true devotion. Yet his sympathies and labors embraced the whole community. 92 were added to the church - 50 of them by baptism. The church was put on a sound financial basis, all her activities were increased, the Sunday School was enlarged, made self-sustaining and a contributor also to other funds; and a strong missionary spirit was developed which led three of
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our sisters then, or since, to enter the Home Miss'y work - Sarah T. Butler, Margaret McAroy and Anna Morgan.In this period the house was frescoed, a gas machine and chandeliers put in, and a furnace - the pastor working for days with pick, shovel and wheelbarrow in making the needful excavation.
In Oct. '82, F. J. Cather, the present pastor, assumed charge of the church. He has proved himself to be an experienced and successful laborer in the gospel. 21 have been baptized since his coming. The last two years especially, the church has suffered considerable decrease from the emigration of its members to new homes; chiefly in the West.
In March '83, the old brick parsonage was exchanged for the newly built property of John S. Van Horne on the West bank of the river; the church paying a difference of $1,900. The same year a stable was added to the parsonage lot and a baptistery to the meeting house; with a well to fill it and a heater to warm it.
The Sunday School was organized in 1846. Charles Butler was the first Sup't, who is still a faithful attendant either as scholar or teacher. He was followed in office by R. F. Ireland, W. A. Boynton, S.A Burrowes and C. Eldridge, who now holds the position. At first the session was held at 9 o'clock, but for the last twelve years at 2 1/2 o'clock, greatly to the advantage of the school. In March 1861 this item is recorded: "The church by a vote took the Sunday School under its more immediate care in the election of its officers, etc." The school has prospered from that day. It has been brought to a good degree of efficiency and is being employed by the church as one of the chief means of her enlargement.
The Woman's Foreign Mission Circle was formed in Nov. '74 with 33 members. S. T. Boynton was the first Pres't and Margaret McAroy the efficient Sec'y. Rachel B. Johnson is now Pres. - 15 members.
The Woman's Home Mission Circle was formed in 1878 with Rachel B. Johnson as Pres: S. T. Butler now Pres. - 17 members.
The Home and Foreign Mission Band was formed for both girls and boys in Apr. '78 with 37 members. Annie Byers first Pres. Mary E. Burrows now Pres. - 28 members.
None of these organizations have been left to perish, but have been constant in their work of study and instruction.
The Sewing Society of the Church, in its later and more efficient form, was started in 1878 under the name of the Ladies' Sewing and Social Circle. Lydia Reeder has been the faithful and untiring Pres. from the beginning. They have been great helpers in time of the church's need, in paying debts and making improvements - the new carpet just spread under our feet being the latest product of their labors.
The sisters have been especially active for ten years past in every form of church work, and the present standing of this body is largely due to their piety and personal effort.
This review of 41 years compels a devout recognition of the guiding and shielding hand of our God. He has sent us good pastors, men of sincerity and faith, and real devotion to their calling. No errors in doctrine have crept in to rend and destroy. For many years harmony has prevailed.
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"How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" The Good Shepherd has kept His flock - the Lord has blessed His inheritance.
SUMMARY Organized in June, 1843, with 42 members. W. T. Boynton, Pastor from June 1843 to January 1846. L.Osborn, Pastor from March 1846 to September 1851. J. C. Armstrong, Pastor from January 1852 to March 1854. J. G. Bowen, Supply. M. W. Homes Pastor from January 1855 to April 1856. John Blodgett, Pastor from March 1857 to August 1858. J. L. Moore, Supply from October 1858 to October 1859. J. R. Powell, Pastor from November 1859 to September 1863. John Blodgett, Pastor from February 1864 to June 1871. John E. Morris, Supply from June 1871 to April 1873. A. L. Lockert, Pastor from October 1873 to May 1882. F. J. Cather, Pastor from October 1882.
Present Officers. - Deacons - H. B. Meeker and C. Eldridge. Clerk - A. S. Reeder. Treasurer - J. S. Van Home. Trustees - W. Coleman, H. B. Meeker and W. A. Van Home. Total number received by baptism - 158 " " " " letter - 101 " " " " experience - 17 " " restored - 8 Total - 284
Total number dismissed - 115 " " excluded and dropped - 29 " " deceased - 47 In all - 191 Leaving a gain of - 93 Original Membership - 42 Present Membership - 135 The Miami Assoc'n was entertained by this people in Sept. or Oct. of the years 1847, '52, '61, '70, '78 and '84.
============== [From the Miami Baptist Association Minutes, 1884, pp. 11-15. Document from the Miami Baptist Association Office, Cincinnati. - Transcribed and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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