The
Georgetown Baptist Church dates
back as far as 1807, at which time services were held in this community
as often as once a month by a prominent Baptist from Philadelphia, who
had been recently stationed at Sharon, Elder Thomas G. Jones. The
little flock, to which he preached for the modest sum of $1.50 per
month, consisted of James and Isaac Hazen and wives. Joseph Mattox and
wife, Thomas Philips and wife and Joseph Nelson and
wife.
In 1820 these were constituted a branch of the Sharon charge, under the
ministry of Elder Adamson Bentley. Rev. Jesse Brown, of Carmel,
preached for the new branch for a period
of two years.During the years 1826 and 1827 Rev. Henry Frazier
conducted monthly services, the sermons being frequently two hours in
length. In 1830 the meetings of the branch were held for the first time
in the village school-house, the services previous to that time having
been conducted either in private houses or in the woods. The regular
church organization was effected in August, 1831, by Rev. Samuel
Churchill, of Erie County, assisted by Rev. Isaac Davis, of Crawford
County. The original members were Joseph Nelson and wife, Thomas
Philips and wife, Mrs. Mary Limber, Mrs. Turner, Mrs. Freeland, Isaac
Hazen and wife, Asher Williams, William and Mary Lackey, James Wood and
wife, Mrs. Jesse Hofford and Stephen Rowland and wife. Rev.
Churchill was the first pastor of the new congregation.During his
ministry, in January, 1833, the congregation decided to erect a
suitable house of worship. This was accomplished, and a new structure
dedicated four years later, at a cost of $800. In September, 1841, Rev.
Franklin Kidder was employed as pastor, but resigned two years later.
Provisional services were then bold for a period, until Rev. J. Hicks
became pastor in 1845. He was succeeded by Rev. J. H. Hazen in 1848,
under whose ministry, which closed in 1853, the membership of the
congregation was built up to 177. During his stay a parsonage and eight
acres of land were purchased by theaccepted a call. He was succeeded
seven years later by Rev. D. L. Clouse, who remained but a few months,
and gave place in September, 1863, to Rev. Ephraim Mills. The latter
remained a year only. He was followed in the ministry by Rev. J. Winter
and Elder John Moses, each of whom remained but a short time. Rev. Ross
Ward was called to the charge of the congregation December, 1806,
remaining five years. Since then the following have been pastors: Rev.
Norman Thomas, 1872-77; Rev. John T. Griffith, 1878-80; Rev. J. T.
Bradford, 1881-82; Rev. O. M. Herrick, 1882-84; Rev. G. M. Evans,
1884-86, and the present [1888] pastor, Rev. J. T. Davis, whose labors
began in 1880.
History of Mercer County, 1888,
page 477
|
Early
Members of the Georgetown Baptist Church
James
Hazen
Isaac
Hazen
Joseph
Mattox
Thomas
Philips
Joseph
Nelson |
|
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