On Thursday, November 9, 1899, Miss Lottie Swarts decided to hold a Baptist Sunday-school at her brother's home on Enright Avenue. There were three scholars present at the first meeting, then the following Sunday there were seven children present; two weeks later there were sixteen present.Then she realized that she must have larger quarters, and she asked Miss Etta Lauber to help her in the work. Miss Lauber advised with Dr. Robbins, of Lincoln Park Baptist Church. Soon after the members of the Plymouth Congregational Church opened their doors for the afternoon services in their building.
At the first Sunday-school meeting, December 10,1899, a number of workers of the Lincoln Park Church, together with the workers of the school, organized their school, appointed Dr. J. R. Spencer as Superintendent; Mr. N. J. Chapin, Assistant Superintendent; Miss Belville, Secretary; Miss Lauber Treasurer, and Miss Clara Harwood, Organist.
On January 28, 1900, Dr. W. H. Doane was present and, seeing the need of the school made them a present of seventy-five hymn books.
On Sunday, March 10, a communication from the Plymouth Congregational Church was read asking them to vacate, as they had need of the chapel for their own school, and a committee was appointed to secure other quarters. An old carpenter shop on Beech Avenue was secured. Two hundred chairs were obtained by contributions, and an organ was donated by Miss Belville. Special evaugelistical services were held soon after by Rev. Robbins, assisted by Rev. J. F. Heacock and there were a number of conversions.
At this time Mr. Farrant came to the city, and Dr. Robbins persuaded him to take charge of the preaching services.
Thursday, June 6, 1901, a business meeting was called and Dr. Spencer presented the matter of the purchase of the present lot. It was decided to purchase this lot for the sum of $1,500, the money for which was contributed largely by friends on the hill. The lot was consecrated Sunday, July 14, 1901, under a tent. As the winter approached the school was moved to a more comfortable building on Warsaw, near Sturm street. The average attendance of the school was eighty; at preaching service fifty, there being seventeen conversions up to this time, and they were obliged to go to the Lincoln Park Church for the baptism.
On Thursday, October 2, 1902, this body of people was organized into the Price Hill Baptist Church, seventeen members from Price Hill, eight from the Lincoln Park Church and three from the Ninth Street Baptist Church, making a total of twenty-eight charter members.
Through the kindness of Dr. Doane a building was erected on the lot that had been paid for by subscriptions of friends, the church furnishings being raised by the Ladies' Aid Society and the Memorial Window subscribed from the Cradle Roll.
The church was duly dedicated Sunday, June 7, 1903. Brother Farrant faithfully labored and sacrificed in this work till October 11, 1903, when he resigned. On December 24, 1903, following, a call was given to Albert N. Bond as pastor of the church, who remained with us till March 12, 1905. About June 15, 1905, Brother J. W. Craig was given a call as pastor, and he continued his faithful services with us until May 1, 1907.
During the last months of Brother Craig's pastorate we had also the faithful services of Miss Lulu Mears as missionary, who assisted the pastor canvassing the hill.
On May 1, 1907, the call was given to Rev. H. C. Lyman, who remained with us till October 1, 1907. We sincerely regret his short stay with us. At the present time we have a membership of forty-four.
Miss Phoebe Hotchkiss, Mrs. W. Harwood, Edwin Chambers. ============= [From Miami Baptist Association Minutes, 1907, p. 29. Document from the Miami Baptist Association Office, Cincinnati. Transcribed and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
More Ohio Baptist History
Baptist History Homepage