Growing Up in Williamsport, Ohio

Williamsport’s Churches
 
Williamsport has always had three wonderful churches, the Methodist, the Christian and Pilgrim Holiness (all three with different names today).
 
Though I went to the Christian Church, many of my school friends attended the Methodist Church. Consequently, I was often invited to their events. I went to Vacation Bible School (VBS) there when I was a teenager and later taught there for VBS. I liked the diversity of things. I learned the hymn, “There is a Green Hill” and loved it and do to this day. Over the years, they invited me to various activities. I was invited to speak at the World Day of Prayer when I was in college and years later was asked to present our missionary program.
 
The Pilgrim Holiness (I don’t know their present name) hosted us for a sumptuous meal after my mother was buried in Springlawn Cemetery in 2005.
 
If you want these small churches to stay open, it would be to yours, and the town’s advantage to attend one of them.
 
The first photo is of Rev. Donald Humble and Sylvia Wilkey. It was taken before the church was renovated around 1960. Note the Warm Morning Stove and theater seats.
 
The second photo is of a painting by Rev. Kiplinger after he conducted a fruitful revival in the late 1950s
 
I found a Brief History of the Christian Church/Church of Christ in Christian Union, 213 South Water Street, Williamsport, Ohio 43164 in my mother’s papers. The information was provided by Sylvia Wilkey and compiled by Rev. Norval and Shirley Shepard for the Golden Anniversary Observance of the church building which was dedicated on September 2, 1923 and celebrated in September 1973. I had never seen it before but because the church played such an important role in my life, I want to record it here. If you have an interest, please continue reading.
 
 
A Brief History of the Christian/Church of Christ in Christian Union
 
“The Christian Church Society is one of the oldest in the State, having been organized almost 12 years before the village of Williamsport was platted.
 
In the year 1803, according to a former writer of local history, Capt. W. B. Davis, Elder Barton, W. Stone arrived here. He had assisted in a great revival in another state and upon his arrival here began holding classes & meetings at the George Alkire residence. His following became so large that an organization was formed in 1804. It was not until 1810, that a building was erected where the society could meet. This was a small log house and was built where the Tipton residence now stands. The organization outgrew this building and another one was built in the northern part of the Christian cemetery just north of the first building.
 
Still another building was necessary to accommodate the increasing membership and in 1848, a frame structure, 30 x 50 feet was built and was dedicated by Elder Isaac N. Walter. At this time, this church building was considered the finest in the community.  At times, the seating capacity in this larger structure was insufficient for the great numbers, so large logs were placed in rows and on them were laid boards for seats; here the people would sit in the open air before the church. To protect them from the sun, a shelter of boughs was erected. Across the forked ends of poles dug in the ground other long poles were laid and over the framework were replaced cedar boughs.
 
In 1869, there was need for more expansion, and the building was erected on land donated by E. S. Davis and located on the site of the present church in what was then the southern part of town. The church was dedicated in April 1870, by Elder N. Summerbell of Cincinnati, Ohio.
 
On January 4, 1920, the church was destroyed by fire of an unknown origin.  Three years later on Sept. 2, 1923, the present church was dedicated by Dr. J. F. Burnett of Dayton, Ohio, Rev. Henry Crampton of Mt. Sterling and Harvey Alkire of Mt. Sterling. Rev. W. L. Lundy of Anderson, Ind., former pastor, was present. Erection of the new building was due largely to the efforts of Mr. Asa Tharp, a Civil War veteran.
 
On September 30, 1932, the church withdrew from the conference when the Congregational and Christian Churches merged and this remained the Christian Church.
 
In 1962, the membership of the church voted to become “Church of Christ in Christian Union”, which has its headquarters in Circleville, Ohio. It was accepted in the Council August 15, under the pastorate of Rev. Donald Humble.”

©Marilyn Francis Ferguson 2021
Photography/graphics by Michele Ferguson Schuck