History of Madison County
Deer Creek Township Churches
As civilization and Christianity go hand in hand in their onward march, and as the venerable old pioneers penetrated the wilds of the western domain, carrying with them the inventive genius of the arts and sciences, producing mills, machinery and the implements of agriculture, so necessary to the thrift and comfort of this new country; so, in their hearts, brought they the spirit of Christianity, so necessary to the healthy development of their spiritual natures, and to the foundations of salutary laws, and the cultivation of true morals to make a people great, prosperous and happy. Hence, we find in the early settlement of Deer Creek Township no exception to this general law; and, as soon as a sufficient number of settlers had located within a neighborhood, an effort was made to convene them together for the purpose of worship and hearing the Word of God. And amid all the trials and dangers surrounding them in this wilderness, filled with Indians and wild beasts; and amid the miasmas and malarious diseases with which the atmosphere of this country was then filled, how strengthening and supporting to the spiritual nature, when the physical was worn down by toil, dangers and disease, were these social gatherings for worship, and the recognition of a dependence upon the Supreme Ruler of the universe! they had no fine churches, and no means to build them; neither would they have been in accord with the surrounding circumstances. But they did the best they could. For several years the more devoted opened their houses to the preaching of the Word of God, adn, whenever a preacher could be obtained, the notice would be given, and the settlers would gather from miles around, and the little log house would resound with songs of praise and words of grace.
It is probable that the first church organized in the present limits of Deer Creek Township was that at the Upper Glade, known as the McDonald Church. Further below, on the Glade, was a settlement of Methodists, of whom the Melvin family were numerous and active, and a class was early established and a church organized. But it was too far distant for the people of the Upper Glade to attend; so, about 1812, a class was organized at the Upper Glade, with the following members: John Mcdonald, Jacob Sidener, Samuel and John Ewing, Daniel Wright and John Adair, with their wives. Their meetings were first held at the houses of the settlers; and one where they convened most often, and whose "latch string" was ever out to the itinerant preacher, was the house of John McDonald; and from him and others of the McDonald family has the church received a strong support from that day to the present. After the building of the log schoolhouse on Mr. McDonald's land, as spoken of under the article of schools, their meetings were held there; where they were continued, and where they had preaching as often as possilbe, till, about 1836, the members contributed of their means and erected a frame building, on the site of their present brick house. In this house they worshiped until the building became so dilapidated that it was unsuitable to be longer occupied, when they again resorted to the schoolhouse. finally the members and people rallied, and contributed freely of their means, and, in the fall and winter of 1873, the present neat and comfortable brick church was erected. When ready for dedication, in March, 1874, it was clear of debt, acking $40, and George G. McDonald came forth with two $20 bills, cleared all indebtedness, and the church was dedicated free from all incumbrance.
During almost three-fourths of a century since the organization of this church by the above mentioned venerable pioneers of about a dozen souls, many precious and stirring revivals have been had, and many a soul made to rejoice in the glad tidings of salvation. The church prospered and increased in membership, till at her greatest prosperity itprobably numbered seventy or seventy-five members. Although at the present time the church is greatly decreased in numbers, and a kind of spiritual dearth seems to prevail, yet it is to be hoped that the good and pious examples of these worthy ancestors may not be in vain, and that the good seed by them sown, may yet, by Divine Grace, in due time spring forth and bear fruit in the hearts of their descendants and followers till it shall produce a rich and abundant harvest.
Among the early settlers along Deer Creek, we do not learn of any regularly organized and established church till after the laying out of the town of La Fayette. About 1843, a few Methodists met togehter, and under the leadership of Rev. Silas B. Chase of Mechaincsburg, organized a class as follows: Reason Lotspeich and wife, James Wright, john Shryack, J. H. Badley, Rachel Badley and Sarah Warner – seven in all – with Reason Lotspeich as leader. Their first meetings were held in the schoolhouse. They were received into the Jefferson circuit of the Chillicothe District, and from that time they had preaching quite regularly. About 1849, they erected the frame church, which still stands in the village. this house was dedicated in June, 1849, in presence of David Kemper, Presiding Elder. Their first minister was Alanson Fleming; he was succeeded as follows: In 1850, by John W. Locke and James T. Bail; 1851, by William Sutton and Thomas L. Loyd; 1852, by William Sutton and John C. Fulton; 1853-54, by Samuel T. Middleton and William Z. ross; 1855-56, by Archibald Fleming and Henry H. Ferris, 1857, by William Sutton and Samuel P. Tippet; 1858, by William Sutton and James Finch; 1859, by John W. Young and James finch; 1860, by John W. Young and William P. Grantham; 1861, by Levi Hall and William P. Grantham; 1862, by Levi Hall and Jacob S. Adams; 1863, by F. F. Lewis and Jacob S. Adams. After this date, we find the church has been served by the following ministers in the order in which they are mentioned: Rev. Charles Lewis, Mr. Middleton, Mr. Burns, Mr. McLaughlin, Mr. Anderson, William Lewis, I. B. Brodrick, S. D. Hutsenpillar, C. A. Naylor, C. W. Bostwick and F. F. Lewis; the latter is the present minister in service. This church is not large in her membership, and for several years has lacked that vitality and spiritual growth which the Christian cause should have in this part of God's heritage. But it is to be hoped that days of refreshing grace will come and the dormant energies of her people be aroused, so that she may yet stand forth as a tower of spiritual strength to wield her powers against evil and spiritual darkness.
Dun Lawn Church. – The last church built, and the only one not mentioned that now exists in this township, is the "Dun Lawn Church," in the extreme north part of the township on the Urbana, Mechanicsburg & Jefferson Pike. This is a neat frmae building, erected in 1858. the lot upon which it is located was given or leased by Mrs. Mary A. Thurman for the purpose of a church which should be open and free for all denominations in which to worship. It was deeded in trust to d. W. C. Sawyer, Walter A. Dun and Robert G. Dun. The lease to be perpetual, so long as the church remains in use for the above specified purpose. The church was erected by the following persons: John G. Dun, James Dun, R. G. Dun, D. W. C. Sawyer, W. A. dun, Mrs. Mary A. Thurman and Mrs. nathaniel Sawyer. The first minister who preached here was Rev. Finley, of London.
Christian Church. – About 1843, the following persons, under the leadership of Rev. Jesse B. Ferguson, a son-in-law of James Marks, met and organized into a body politic, as a Christian or Disciple Church, viz: T. J. Schryack, Ann Minter, now Mrs. Rogers, Joseph Rafferty and wife, William Rafferty and wife, William Foos and wife, and Nancy Marks, nine persons in all. During that year, many additions were made, and ere its close the church consisted of forty-three members. Meetings were held and preaching dispensed in the schoolhouse until 1849, when a frame house was erected which served them many years. This church was quite prosperous for some time, and reached a membership of probably eighty or more persons. The lot for the church was given for the purpose by William Minter. The first minister was Rev. Jesse B. Ferguson, who was succeeded by James Henry, and he by Rolla Henry, after which there was no regular minister, and soon the vitality of the church was lost. She decreased in membership, the organization was disbanded, and the church building sold about 1877, since which they have had very little preaching, and at present have no regular organization as a church.
In the settling up of Deer Creek Township, as has been the conditions in all new and unimproved coutries, we find the first pioneers followed the streams and located on the higher and drier portions of the country first; in fact, it was a necessity, as many of the more flat and more level portions of the country were so wet and unhealthy in their primitive condition that it was unsafe and inexpedient to locate upon them. Hence we would expect to find the first burial places for the dead in the regions of these first settlements. Many of the first places to receive the dead of the early settlers were private family burying-grounds; some of these we will mention. On the Gwynne estate, we learn, were one or two such burial places, where rest the remains of several of the early pioneers; buy now, not a vestige remains to mark the hallowed spot, or to tell the passer-by that there underneath the sod rests all that was mortal of many a noble sire. The confines are now all obliterated, and stock roams at will over their graves and feed upon the green grass that grows above their sleeping forms. Another of these burial places is found further down Deer Creek, near Mr. Headley's, which was known as the Davidson Burying-Ground,a s it was located on his farm. It is now all in the open woods pasture and is nearly obliterated; although we are informed that the dead of the Davidson family have been removed to other and a permanent cemetery, yet a few graves remain whose headstones tell the following: Joseph McCray, died May 28, 1848, aged sixty-two years, nine months and five days. John W. Mcdonald, died December 3, 1850, aged twenty-six years; and Mary Jane, wife of John W. McDonald, died March 2, 1852, aged twenty-five years. Further still down the creek on the farm of J. B. Garrett is the Garrett family burying-ground, which principally contains the dead of the ancestors of that family. This is still inclosed and tolerably well preserved; but we are informed that the family premeditate removing them to a more permanent place.
One of the earliest and still well-preserved burial places is the Upper Glade, or McDonald Cemetery. This was on the farm of John Mcdonald, and contains the remains of most of the early settlers of the neighborhood. This lot was dedicated by the reception of the body of John McDonald, Sr., who died March, 1811, aged seventy years. Of other early pioneers who are buried here, we mention: Charles Ewing, died May 24, 1848, aged ninety-three years; Barbara, wife of Charles Ewing, died December 4, 1854, aged eighty-five years; John Plimell, Sr., died August 3, 1849, aged eighty-four years; John Plimell died may 13, 1877, aged seventy-six years; Samuel Ewing died November 13, 1852, aged sixty-two years, and John McDonald died January 17, 1852, aged seventy-four years. Further up the Glade Run, a little south of the National road is located the Wright Cemetery. this has always been a family burying place and contains the remains of the ancestors of the Wright family, and a few deceased persons of the immediate neighborhood.
The only cemetery in Deer Creek Township, which is the public property of the township, owned and under the care of its trustees, is the La Fayette Cemetery, located on the National road just west of Deer Creek. The land upon which this is located was formerly owned by Stanley Watson, and the lot first dedicated to this purpose by the reception of the body of Rachel, wife of J. Shryack, who died July 12, 1838. the second person buried here was Sarah, wife of Andrew Anderson, who died December 6, 1838; the third was Stanis Miles, died December, 1838. Some other early settlers who were prominently known, whose remains are here interred, are the following: Effa, wife of Stanley Watson, who died November 12, 1839, aged twenty-eight years; John Moore, died November 10, 1839, aged seventy-seven years; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Bell, died October 2, 1843, aged thirty-seven years; Franklin Clark, died October 1, 1844, aged sixty-six years; and Stanley Watson, died October 8, 1847, aged forty-nine years. This tract of land upon which the burying-ground is situated, was subsequently purchased by James Wilson, who set apart for burial purposes the lot embracing between one and two acres, which was continued as a receptical of the dead, and to make it more permanent, and that it might have the care and protection that such a place should have, in 1874, Mr. Wilson deeded it to the Trustees of the township, who in 1878 purchased sufficient ground of Mr. wilson to make it embrace five and three-eights acres, for which they now have a deed. They have nicely improved and fitted up the same, with good gravel roads and walks, and ornamented it with evergreens and shrubbery, and it is now one among the prettiest of rural cemeteries, and speaks well for the township in which it is located.