The subject of organizing a Baptist church in Madisonville had frequently been discussed by the few Baptists living in and about the village, and early in the year 1875 a proposition to that effect was entertained, but, under the circumstances, deemed impracticable.This resulted, however, in a weekly prayer meeting, wherein aid and direction were sought of the Lord.
In the summer, Dr. Duncan, of the Ninth Street Baptist Church, Cincinnati, visited the place, and being favorably impressed, laid the matter before the Cincinnati Church Union as a suitable field for missionary work.
This visit was followed in August of the same year by Mr. J. H. Cheever, a member of the Church Union Board, who assisted in organizing a Sabbath-school.
In October a preliminary church organization was effected, consisting of ten sisters and three brethren, one of whom (H. L. King) had served the Union as its missionary, and who was now called as pastor.
At this meeting a council was called, which convened November 3d, and was composed of delegates from seven of the Cincinnati Baptist churches, which recognized the organization as the First Baptist Church of Madisonville, Ohio. The names of the constituent members were as follows:
Mr. Geo. S. Blaney. Miss Ruth Bramble. Mrs. Mary Jones. Mrs. Margaret Blaney. Mrs. Mary Clephane. Rev. H. L. King. Mrs. Mary Blaney. Mrs. Martha Clephane. Mr. Wm. H. Morten. Mrs. Deborah Bramble. Mrs. Fannie Hulburt. Mrs. Mary A. Morten. Mrs. Mary E. Morten.Of this constituency, five are still members of the church, and five have joined the Church Triumphant.
Soon after the recognition, a lot on which to build was purchased for $1,500, payable in three installments. Mr. Ayres Bramble, not then a member, making the first payment of. $500.
In the summer of 1876 a house was built at a cost of $5,255.27, and was dedicated July 6th, with a debt of $2,500.
Since its formation the church has had nine pastors, namely: H. L. King, J. A. Kirkpatrick, G. W. Lasher, D. D., D. M. Christy, Ira J. Bailey, E. P. Brand, G. M. Shott, H. O. Fry and O. C. Kirkham.
Some of the pastorates have been of short duration, leaving interims that might have retarded the growth of the church sadly, especially in the early period of its existence, had it not been for Dr. Lasher, who was ever ready and willing to fill the gap, and whose work is referred to in the church letter to the Association in 1878, as one "who took hold in our darkest days, when support was uncertain, and who has been faithful and true to the little church, giving of his time and means."
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In these early days the Cincinnati Church Union generously aided the struggling band, paying from $1,400 to $1,600 on the salaries of the first three pastors, and applying the $900 received from the sale of the Welsh church property to the cancellation of the indebtedness on the building, which aid enabled the members to devote themselves to the payment of interest, insurance and assessments, and the reduction of the still large debt hanging over them.From February, 1879, no aid was received from the. Union, the church having at that time assumed its own current expenses, and managing to reduce its indebtedness, until finally, in 1881, it was practically free from the burden, while on its twelfth anniversary, in 1887, the church reported itself in good condition, financially, being free from all indebtedness, with some money in the treasury.
Compared with the toil of years, their time of rest seemed short, for, on Sabbath afternoon, February 24, 1889, the beautiful house, whose foundation and building were laid in so much of sacrifice and self-denial was consumed by fire, the pews, furniture and carpets being saved, though more or less damaged.
The church, however, resolved to rebuild, having $3,319.14 insurance, and some $1,820 raised in the church and community, the result being a house equal to the first one, with larger Sabbath-school accommodations and several needed improvements. This building, costing $5,633.50, was dedicated on the second Sabbath in September, 1889, with a deficit of $500.
To meet this the trustees were instructed to take a share in the Building and Loan Association of Madisonville, and give mortgage for same on church property.
Before recovering from the effects of the disaster of 1889, and while still burdened with the mortgage upon it, on the night of May 7, 1892, the church was rendered a second time by fire houseless and homeless, and as the bell tolled its own requiem ere it fell, the hearts of God's children responded in sadness and tears.
Nothing of value was saved except the pulpit furniture and organs. On the same evening of the fire, a union meeting of the churches in the village was held in the M. E. church, where expressions of sympathy and encouragement were given by the pastors and their people, and some $400 pledged toward rebuilding.
Thus encouraged, and with the $4,000 insurance in hand, the church girded itself for work again, and through toil and sacrifice and many discouragements, a third house has risen in beauty upon the sacred spot.
With the sad experiences already realized, it was deemed wise to build the present house of brick, and it stands, we hope, a more enduring monument to the labors of God's people.
On the first Lord's day in November, 1892, the Sabbath-school room was ready for occupancy, and was used for all services of the church until the last of the following March, although the new house was dedicated December 19,1892.
The cost of this building was $7,105.80, with an indebtedness of $400.
It will readily be seen that with an aggregate building cost of about $19,000, with interest to pay on borrowed money and current expenses to meet, with very little help from without after the first four years, save the $7,319 insurance a church commencing its career with thirteen members, ten of whom were
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women, and never numbering over one hundred and fifteen, with practically no wealth in its membership, has had a heavy financial burden to bear.It would almost seem that there would be no time to devote to the spiritual things of the kingdom, or means to send the gospel to other lands. But the records show that the Cincinnati Church Union, the Ohio Baptist State Convention, Missionary Union, Home Mission Society, Education and Publication Societies have all had their regular contributions, and other benevolent objects received aid as the cause demanded.
A Ladies' Aid was organized in 1876, a W. B. F. M. Circle in 1878, a W. B. H. M. Circle in 1884, a Mission Band in 1885, a Young People's Union in 1892, and a Junior Union in 1893, all of which are in good working order.
The church has always endeavored to sustain a pastor, but there have been intervals where supplies were necessary. The prayer meeting has always been a vital part of the church life, and frequent conversions have occurred in the Sabbath-school.
The additions to the church since its organization are as follows:
By Baptism 110 " Letter 130 " Experience 10 Restored 3 Total 253
Diminutions By Death 24 " Letter 92 " Exclusion 34 Total 150 Present membership, September 1, 1900, 108.
============== [From the Miami Baptist Association Minutes, 1900, pp. 27-29. Document from the Miami Baptist Association Office, Cincinnati. Transcribed and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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