kilbournechurch

Last Updated 9-27-2011

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Dedication to Park and Monument

August 9, 2009.

Thank You! Charles and Betty Sheets, Eldon Wigton and others.

and the Kilbourne Methodist Church

A wonderful turn out represented by many of the families who attended.

Program

A wonderful memento Hand Crafted by Charles Sheets from the wood taken from the church.

Betty and Charles Sheets Aug. 9, 2009.

click to enlarge.

Eldon Wigton.

The Presbyterian Church of Kilbourne was demolished Nov.1, 2008

BROWN PRESBYTERIAN

History of Marion Presbytery: its churches, elders, ministers, missionary ... By Ashahel Clark Crist 1908

BROWN CHURCH.

It is difficult to get the facts concerning the early history of this Church, for no record now exists. The record was taken away by one of the members and was lost or destroyed, in all probability. The history of this church has been closely connected with the Kingston Church, the same ministers usually supplying both congregations. As nearly as can be ascertained, the church was organized in March, 1831, (probably under the name Union but soon changed to Brown), by Rev. Ahab Jinks, with 26 members. The first elders were John Hestwood and William Finley. Ahab Jinks was the supply from 1831-1837. During this time, Hugh Lee, John Watters, Archibald Elliott, Andy Finley, Robert Finley and James McWilliams were added to the eldership. A hewed log house was built about one half mile north of Eden, and was used jointly with the Baptists. This congregation, like many others, divided in 1838, into two factions. New School and Old School. An effort was also made to erect a large frame structure. It was roofed and enclosed, but never completed. A cemetery was established near these churches, in which many of the old settlers are buried. The New School branch was supplied, during the division, by Rev. A. D. Chapman, 1838-1842; by Rev. John Hunt, 1845-1846. After that by Rev. Henry VanDeman to 1848, when this branch was dissolved, and nearly all of the members went into the Old School branch. During the division the Old School branch was supplied by William D. Smith, John Pitkin, Simeon Brown, and William M. Galbreath. Rev. Ahab Jinks became the pastor of the reunited congregation, and continued to 1854, The large frame church, already mentioned was, as only partially completed, torn down, and a new frame building, erected on the old foundation, smaller than the former one. This house was used by the congregation until the new church was erected in the village, and in 1857 was moved a short distance south, turned into a dwelling, and is now occupied by Norton T. Longwell. The names of two ministers appear, on the roll, as having preached a short time, viz., John W. Drake and L. A. Bruner. In 1855, Rev, David McCarter was installed pastor. During the early part of his ministry, the church often proved insufficient to accommodate the congregation. A muslin tent was attached to the rear of the church, and when preaching he stood at the intervening window. During the ministry of Rev. Mr. McCarter, there were the largest number of accessions In the history of the church, and the membership was also the largest.

In 1856, a lot was purchased in the village of Eden, and the present house was erected at a cost of about $3,000. No one was more zealous in the prosecution of this work than the Rev. Mr. McCarter. During the time that Rev. A. C. Crist supplied the church, the building was re-roofed, repainted, carpeted, and the upper part of the cupola taken down, as it was decided to be insecure. It is planned to remodel the building this summer (1908), and make it an up-to-date house of worship. Since the pastorate of Rev. David McCarter, the following ministers have supplied the church:

Robert L. Adams, 1863-1865; David- Coyner, 1865-1866; J. L. Lower, pastor, 1868-1872; A. C. Crist, 1873-1876; Michael M. Lawson, 1876-1877; Henry Shedd, 1878; D. H.Green and Daniel Porter, 1878; Welling B. Thomas, pastor, 1879-1884; Thomas B. Atkins, 188C-1888; E. M. Scott, pastor, 1892 to Nov. 13, 1900; A. C. Crist, during winter of 1901; Samuel Huecker, 1901-1907. Mr. Huffman, a student of O. W. U., has supplied the church since June, 1907.

The register of elders since 1832 is as follows:

1832, John Walters, dismissed June 8, 1861; 1837, George Atkinson; 1837, Samuel Walker, dismissed Aug. 22, 1859; 1837, James Fleming, dismissed April 6, 1851; Oct. 30, 1858, Joseph C. Porter, died March 29, 1894; Oct. 30, 1858, Samuel Finley, dismissed April 6, 1866; Oct. 30, 1858, John Link, dismissed Aug. 20, 1864; May 9, 1868, Samuel M. Walker, died April 29, 1896; May 25, 1868, James Faris, deceased; April 9, 1871, John McCammon, deceased; Oct. 27, 1878, William H. Maxwell, died Oct. 1, 1903; Oct. 27, 1878, John C. Reed; Aug. 10, 1889, Benjamin F. Longwell, moved to Cal., February, 1896, died 1907; Aug. 10, 1889, Samuel Nelson; March 15, 1896, George Duncan, dismissed May 22, 1904; •Oct. 11, 1903, William Reed; Aug. 14, 1904, Henry Sheets; Aug. 14, 1904, William Fegley, (clerk.)

I took these picture on 7-25-2008 PAC