The history of the Wyoming Baptist church, one of the younger churches of the Association, has all been made within the last generation.It was on the 15th day of May, 1883, that a small band of twenty-one Baptists, namely: J. H. Tangeman, Mrs. E. J. Tangeman, Fannie P. Tangeman, John Rychen, Mrs. F. G. Rychen, Hattie C. Rychen, F. Corinne Rychen, Truman Paddock, Mary Rychen Paddock, J. P. Mace, Mrs. M. L. Mace, Mrs. O. S. Harmon, Robert Keith, Mrs. C. R. Keith, Katie M. Keith, Alice R. Keith, Geo. P. Tangeman, Mrs. M. A. Brown, Mrs. A. L. Morris, Jas. D. Randal], Mrs. Mary E. Randall (nineteen of the above had been members of the Lockland Baptist church), met and organized the Wyoming Baptist church. This meeting was presided over by John H. Tangeman, and all the necessary steps taken towards church organization and the building of a house of worship.
On August 3,1883, the church clerk issued an invitation to the churches of the Miami Association asking them to send representatives to meet in council "for the purpose of recognizing said company of believers as a regular and independent Baptist church."
Accordingly, duly accredited delegates of the several churches met in the Wyoming Baptist church on August 21, perfected a regular organization, and proceeded to formally recognize the church as a "regular Baptist church."
After this action, recognition services were held, the sermon being preached by Rev. E. P. Roberts.
The Journal and Messenger of August 29, 1883, contained an interesting article describing these services.
On September 9, the dedicatory services were held, and the church dedicated free of debt.
The morning sermon was preached by Rev. B. F. Harmon, known as the "veteran of the Miami Association," and the evening sermon by Rev. A. S. Hobart of Mt. Auburn church.
The record published in the Journal and Messenger of September 12, 1883 states that the services, in which the other churches of Wyoming united, were very interesting.
The cost of the building and its appointments was about twenty thousand dollars ($20,000), and the establishment of the church and payment of the indebtedness was largely due to Bros. John H. Tangeman and John Rychen and their families, who contributed to the work in a very large degree. The records show that all branches of the work, including Sunday-school and Ladies' Societies, were promptly taken up and prosecuted with vigor.
The first pastor was the Rev. J. R. Henderson, who served from November, 1883, to March, 1885. After an interim of ten months the Rev. W. L. Farnum assumed the pastorate, serving from January 24, 1886, to May 2, 1888. In August, 1888, the Rev. A..H. Beaver took up the work, and continued his labors until April 6, 1891. After several months of supplies, the pulpit was again filled by
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the Rev. P. J. Ward, who began his pastorate on October 18, 1891, and closed same May 24, 1893.During these pastorates the work of the church moved slowly but steadily, and a gradual increase of numbers was perceptible. On November 1, 1893, the Rev. W. D. Holt accepted a call, and commenced his work, serving until November 1, 1898. During this pastorate an extension was made to the church building, the Sabbath-school room add the ladies' parlor being extended to more than twice their former pioportions. The cost of this extension was about $1,750, which amount was raised among the membership.
At the close of Rev. Holt's pastorate, which was the longest in the history of the church, another interim of "supplies" was observed.
The Rev. Herman Burns assumed the pastorate on April 1, 1899, and continued his labors until June 30, 1901. After still another interval of six months the church extended a call to the Rev. E. T. Stevens, who accepted and commenced his labors on December 1, 1901, and is our present pastor.
During the last few years the church has made considerable progress. Improvements in the way of new furnishings have been added. A large pipe-organ costing $1,500, a new baptistry have been provided for and various other improvements contemplated, the funds for which have all been pledged.
The church record says, that in the early days of the church's history "the people had a mind to work." The principle seems to have been inculcated in the "new blood," as history seems to be repeating itself. It may be interesting to note that but seven of the constituent members of the church are still with us.
============== [From the Miami Baptist Association Minutes, 1902, p. 27. Document from the Miami Baptist Association Office, Cincinnati. Transcribed and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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