[Picture courtesy of Cincinnativiews]

History of Walnut Hills Baptist Church
Cincinnati, Ohio, 1899

      The first Baptist organization of any kind on Walnut Hills was formed October 13, 1870. There were then some thirty-four Baptists on the Hills belonging to twenty-one families. Services were held in a hall, corner of Gilbert Avenue and Curtis Street, and various ministers of the city; Rev. Reuben Jefiery, D. D., Rev. S. A. Collins, Rev. B. F. Harmon, J. C. C. Clark, D. D. and Rev. Jos. Emery conducted services in rotation. This hall was occupied until September 1, 1871, when the Baptists rented the old Methodist church on Kemper Lane, where our present building stands. The Methodists had just removed from it to their new house.

      This property was sold at auction in May, 1872, and at the request of Mrs. Lowry, an active member of the hurch, it was bought for the Baptists by Mr. Eggleston for $6,525; one-third cash, balance in one and two years. The Ladies' Society had $300; Rev. S. A. Collins, who was at this time regularly acting as pastor of the church, almost at once raised $1,000 towards the first payment, and by borrowing the remainder was carried.

      At this point the Cincinnati Baptist Church Union, which had been recently organized, took the responsibility of carrying the debt until the property could be paid for. It was, therefore, deeded to this body; and after a church was organized was leased to it in perpetuity.

      The church was organized August 15, 1872, with twenty-nine members, and formally recognized by a Council in February following. Rev. S. A. Collins, of blessed memory, continued to preach for a year every Sabbath, when failing health and other duties made it impossible for him to continue.

      By September, 1875, the debt upon the property was paid and various repairs made, so that it was estimated to be worth $8,000. This result had not been accomplished without aid from members of other churches in the city, notably from Mt. Auburn. A memorial service was held September 26, 1875, to rejoice over the payment of this debt and the establishment of the church on a firm basis. In this service nearly all the pastors of the city, as well as several laymen, had a part. Rev. F. A. Douglass was pastor at this time. He resigned in 1878, and was followed by Rev. A. C. Wheaton, February 1, 1880, who remained with the church one year. During the following year the pulpit was supplied by Rev. G. W. Lasher, D. D., who preached every Sunday morning, the church maintaining no evening service.

      The beginning of a new epoch was marked by the settlement of Rev. L. E. Wheeler, in March, 1883, under whose ministry the present house of worship was erected, and paid for, at a cost of over $17,000. A large part of the credit is due to Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Hewitt, who contributed large sums cheerfully to the building, as well as to current expenses of the church. This house of worship was dedicated, Sunday, July 12, 1885. There are three memorial windows, the larger one in the front dedicated to Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt (who have both gone to their heavenly rest); one the gift of Mrs. Robbins in memory of her father and mother, Edward and Julia Harwood; and one to Mrs. L. E. Wheeler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Hewitt, and wife of Rev. L. E. Wheeler. Although more than half the cost of the house was paid by Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt, the members generally contributed in proportion to their ability, and the building was secured at the cost of many personal sacrifices of members whose names there is not space to mention.

      As long as Bro. Wheeler remained the house was crowded, and his retirement from the pastorate, in 1886, was greatly regretted by the church and people. In March 1886 Bro. Wheeler withdrew his resignation at the request of the church, and was granted a leave of absence for a year, during which time Rev. A. W. Clark was to act as supply. In November of the same year, Bro. Wheeler's resignation was accepted, and afterward Rev. A. W. Clark was regularly elected pastor. Bro. Clark resigned Oct. 1, 1888. During his pastorate of two and a half years over a hundred were added to the church.

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[p. 37]
     Rev. Geo. C. Williams became pastor Jan. 1, 1889, remaining a little over a year. During his pastorate the present organ was purchased, and the pulpit which had formally occupied one corner of the room changed to its present position, the necessary change being made in the seating.

     Rev. W. E. Loucks came to the church as its pastor from Rochester Theological Seminary in June 1890, and remained six years; the longest pastorate in the history of the church. At his resignation the membership numbered three hundred.

      Rev. Geo. C. Varney was called to the pastorate in January 1897, but remained at Rochester Theological Seminary in order to finish his course, until the following May. During the six months preceding the beginning of his pastorate, the pulpit was supplied by Prof. C. L. Williams. Mr. Varney resigned in March, 1898, and the church called Rev. G. W. Cassidy, also of Rochester Theological Seminary, who began services at the expiration of the seminary year, in May, 1898, and who continues as the pastor at the present time.

     The growth of the church has been due in part to the growth of this part of the city, and to reception of members from other cities. Comparatively few members have been received from other churches in Cincinnati fewer than have been dismissed to other churches in the city and suburbs. There have been many conversions during almost every pastorate, and by far the larger part of the present membership has been received by baptism.

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[From the Miami Baptist Association Minutes, 1899, pp. 36-37. Document from the Miami Baptist Association Office, Cincinnati. Transcribed and formatted by Jim Duvall.]

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