Historical sketch of the Vandalia, Ohio, United Brethren Church, 1838-1912

Linebaugh

Historical Sketch
of the Vandalia, Ohio,
United Brethren Church
1838-1912

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PRINCETON • NEW JERSEY
PRESENTED BY

Rui'us H. LeFevre
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1330—1912

Historical Sketch of the Vandalia, Ohio,
United Brethren Church

1838—1912

By

Rev. N. L. Unebaugh, B. D.

HISTORY has always been educational. It has shaped the
destinies of nations and individuals. By means of it many
have achieved greatness, and others have been inspired.

Human intellect wants to know things for itself. It reaches
back into the past in order that it may bless the future. We profit by
the mistakes of the past, and build better than our forefathers.

This little historical sketch is sent forth with the hope that it may
inspire the people of our church to do and dare for God, that which our
fathers never dreamed could be done. They builded well. They laid an
abiding foundation. God bless them! But to-day the call comes for more
efficient leaders in all departments of the church. With this call comes
the demand for better equipment of church buildings. Let us pray the
Lord to open our eyes to the needs of this optimistic hour and hasten to
strengthen the walls of Zion.

I want to acknowledge the aid given by Rev. A. W. Drury, D.D., my
esteemed friend, and professor of Bonebrake Theological Seminary, Dayton,
Ohio, for many facts prior to 1859. Also Rev. J. C. Miller, Lebo, Kansas;
Rev. J. L. Swain, Germantown, Ohio; Joseph Wilhelm, Muscatine, Iowa,
(now 97 years of age); Mrs. Elizabeth A. Brandenburg, Los Angeles,
California; Mrs. Maria Taylor, Arcanum, Ohio; C. W. Eby, Corbin,
Kansas; together with those of this community who have given me many
interesting facts. In the compiling of this history the question was not.
What have I to write, but what things are of the greatest importance?

(N.L.L.)

THE history of United Brethrenism in the Miami Valley
had its origin in 1805 when Martin Shuey and Andrew
Zeller came into Montgomery County and located
south of Dayton.

It was on July 22, 1810, that Christian Newcomer came
to Lewis Kemp's home. Bro. Kemp w^as a United Brethren
and lived four miles east of Dayton. He had come into the
Miami Valley to find out the condition of the United Brethren
people. On Aug. 6, 1810, a Conference was held in Mont-
gomery County, in German Township, at Bro. Andrew
Zeller's home. Thirteen preachers and exhorters were present.
Here it was resolved that a circuit be formed, and Thomas
Winter, Henry Evinger and Samuel Man gave themselves
up freely to travel it. This was the first session of the Miami
Annual Conference. In 1811 there was no Conference. But
on Aug. 23, 1814, there were two districts instead of one in
the Conference. Bro. Andrew Zeller was the Presiding Elder
in the Miami District.

From 1812 down to 1829, the year preceding his death.
Christian Newcomer, who had been made a bishop in 1813,
made a tour of the country north of the Ohio River. Out
of nineteen visits, he came every year into the Miami Valley ex-
cept six times. In 1829, his last visit, he came to the home of
Geo. Hoffman, five miles north of Dayton, and preached

5

there. Thus this saint of God must have passed many times
through Butler Township.

"The first church built north of the Ohio River was a log
church erected in 1815, on a farm owned by Bro. Bonebrake,
one half mile east of New Hope. The next church built was
also of logs and erected on Clear Creek, about two miles
from Springboro, prior to 1828. In 1829 the church was built
at Germantown." (Dr. A. W. Drury.) The brick church of
Vandalia, the first of its kind north of the Ohio River, and the
fourth to be built by the United Brethren in the Miami Valley,
was erected in 1839. Thus the Vandalia church is older by
at least six years than any of the Dayton churches. ''The
Miami Chapel Church which is the oldest United Brethren
Church in Dayton was erected in 1846."

Vandalia has been attached to many circuits during its
three quarters of a century of existence. In 1837 the Still-
water Circuit was formed, and the following year the class
was attached to that circuit. "At that time the circuit in-
cluded Fredricksburg, Vandalia, West Milton, Burtner's
(five miles north of Dayton), and other points north of the
Dayton and Eaton Pike, and sometimes Liberty, Johnsville,
Farmersville, and other points south of this pike." In 1841
it had eighteen appointments; in 1842 there were twelve with a
membership of 300; in 1843 it had forty-one with 475 members.

For eighteen years the class was kept on the same circuit.
Then (1856), Vandalia and Wells were detached and added
to Miami Chapel station, and the classes were then called
Miami Circuit. The following year, (1857), the Stillwater
Circuit's name was changed to West Baltimore Circuit, and
Vandalia and Wells were put with this circuit. In 1859

6

Vandalia was placed on Beavertown Circuit. In 1862 a new
Miami Circuit was formed and Vandalia was put on that
circuit. By 1865 the class was commanding enough to be
recognized and from that day to the present time it has been
called Vandalia Circuit.

Two Annual Conferences were held here. The 67th in
August, 1876, with Bishop John Weaver presiding; and the
84th in August, 1893, with Bishop J. S. Mills in the chair.

The first meeting place of the United Brethren in this
locality was held in the barn and house on the farm of Christian
Shupp. This farm is on the Springfield Road. It is east of
the Dayton and Troy Pike about one-fourth mile. The farm
is owned at present (1912) by Christ Helke.

Rev. J. C. Miller says, concerning the beginning of the
class, "It was in the year 1838, that my father built the barn
for Christian Shupp, a local minister. As soon as the barn
was enclosed, in the month of June, Father Shupp said 'We
must now have a meeting,' which resulted in a great revival.
I am of the opinion the revival referred to was the beginning
of the Vandalia United Brethren Church."

Present opinion claims the same fact. Bro. Wm. Wells,
and his sister, Mrs. S. S. Dodson, who lived just a half mile
south of the Shupp farm, and Mrs. H. H. Cassel state that
that ''big meeting" was the beginning of the class. Besides
Mrs. Michael Bennert says, "My parents attended that
meeting and they often spoke of those who were converted
at that time."

Until the church was built the preaching was regularly
held in the homes of Christian Shupp, J no. Beard, M. Coover
and his two brothers, Jacob Steves, Benjamin W^ilhelm, and

7

others. Thus a foundation was being laid which has resulted
in a strong organization.

From all possible information the opinion is that the
first United Brethren Church was erected late in the year 1839
or early in 1840, with a possible preference given the former
date. This building was erected of red brick. A portion of
the rear wall may still be seen in the present building. The
house was forty-three feet long and thirty-five feet wide. The
belfry was of the school house type, and was on the rear of the
church. It held a brass bell that could be heard for several miles.
Sometime before the erection of the new church this bell
was cracked, but it was rung as long as the old church stood.
There were two entrances to the building in the front. Before
each door was a platform eight feet square. The church in-
side had a high pulpit platform, the seats were high-backed,
and a partition was made in the centre row of benches, for in
those days the women sat on one side of the church and the
men on the other.

At first the Methodists were given the privilege to hold
services in the church. But they soon became too few to have
a service, and as Rev. Geo. Hoffman, who for a time held
membership in both the Methodist and United Brethren
denominations, said,' 'Methodists did not grow well in Butler
Township."

The Lutheran people also worshiped in the church for
many years, until a serious question arose. In the Quarterly
Conference of Oct. 22, 18G-4, one can read this, "The question
was then taken up. Shall we at Vandalia Chapel give way
to our Lutheran Brethren to preach in our house every fourth
Sabbath in the fore-noon as heretofore, being it comes in con-

8

flict with our appointment at this place?" The trustees were
left to decide the question. How it was settled can best be
judged by this significant fact that the same year (18()4)
the Lutheran church was built.

For many years our church had a financial struggle.
Dr. A. W. Drury says that in the Conference minutes of 1848-
49 there is a reference made as to whether the Vandalia church
ought not to be sold to pay the debt. And at the same
Conference a subscription was taken to relieve the church
from its embarrassments and perils. In 1850 the minutes
state, "Vandalia meeting house to be settled up." Henry
Kumler, Jr., was made solicitor for the church. In 1851 a
collection was taken at the Miami Conference to help the
church, and the same year L. P. Jones was released from his
agency for Vandalia meeting house. Thus this historic
structure was saved to the denomination.

On Dec. 11, 1842, Benjamin Wilhelm and his wife Sarah,
sold to the United Brethren trustees. Christian Shupp, Joseph
Dunham, and John Shupp, the present lot No. 24 and a
three-fourth acre of ground in the south end of Vandalia for
a cemetery. The price paid was $600. (See Deed Book
Q. 2, page 49, Dayton, Ohio.) A second deed was made Jan.
28, 1850. It says, "being the same premises deeded Dec. 11,
1842 to Christian Shupp, John Shupp, and Joseph Denham,
then trustees of said church, which deed was never recorded
in the records of Montgomery County and was lost or mislaid
and cannot be found. Wherefore this deed was made to the
present trustees and their successors in office." The trustees
were S. H. Coover, Isaac Coover, and Samuel Taylor. (See
Deed Book Q. 2, page 368.)

f

From 1859 down to the present time a Quarterly Con-
ference record has been faithfully kept. In 1859 the charge
had seven appointments and the salary was fixed at $375. They
were Beavertown, Vandalia, Wayne Chapel, Aleys, Mont-
gomery, Alexandersville, and Beardshears. By 1861 the
salary was raised to $650, and $150 worth of provisions.
There were eleven appointments and two preachers. In 1865
Little York was with the circuit.

On Jan. 25, 1868, "the propriety of building a new church
at Vandalia was discussed, and it was then moved, by D. J.
Brandenburg, that there be a meeting in three weeks at
Vandalia to see what could be done." It was nearly three
months later when the trustees met. Three of the board
were present, and some officers of the church. "Rev. J. C
Miller opened the meeting by prayer and then reading several
portions of Scripture relative to church building. D. J.
Brandenburg then spoke of the necessity of a different house
of worship. Bro. R. Sunderlain then spoke in favor of making
an effort. Next Bro. C. Schievets spoke of the necessity of
having the means secured before tearing down the old church,
Bro. Jno. Beardshear then spoke very much in favor of a new
house." A committee of seventeen were appointed to solicit
funds.

The year 1869 witnessed the tearing down of the old
church, except a portion of the rear wall, and the erection of the
new. Rev. J. L. Swain was the aggressive pastor, but Rev.
J. C. Miller, who resided in Vandalia, took the new enterprise
in hand and saw that it was successfully done. The present
church is a little longer than the old building, being fifty-nine
feet long by thirty-five feet wide, and has a vestibule attached.

10

On Nov. 12, 1S70, the treasurer had received $3,011.23
and had paid out $3,065.75.

In ten years the house needed some repairs. The steeple
was built and other improvements made. The trustees,
Bros. A. Brentling, S. S. Dodson, and C. \V. Eby, hoped that
the people would furnish the means to do the work. These
repairs were made at a cost of $265.38 which was paid in
June, 1879.

On Dec. 18, 1886, a very significant thing was done.
The church at Piqua had some serious difnculty with its
officials. The Presiding Elder read a paper before the Quar-
terly Conference ''praying the Vandalia charge to elect a
board of trustees for the Piqua United Brethren Church."
This was accepted and Bros. \Vm. McKee, S. W. Keister,
and C. W. Eby w^ere elected. The result was that our work
in Piqua was saved to the church.

In July, 1895, certain other improvements were made to the
church. An entire new^ floor was put in, a new roof was put
on, the Ladies' Aid Society "carpeted the church and also
provided new pulpit furniture" ; new windows of art glass were
secured ; the walls were repapered ; pews were put in the place
of the uncomfortable benches; and a furnace was installed.
The treasurer, Bro. E. O. Rankin, paid out $1,770.62 for these
improvements.

The bell, which is the second in use in the history of the
church, was cast by Wanduzen and Tiff, Cincinnati, Ohio,
at the Buckeye Bell Foundry in 1879.

The church was incorporated Feb. 4, 1892, as 'The
Vandalia Church of the United Brethren in Christ," and
was recorded July 11, 1892. (See Vol. 2, page 155, Mont-
gomery County, Ohio.)

THE PARSONAGE.

The present parsonage is the result of a meeting held
March 19, 1864, when ''a motion prevailed that the erection of
a parsonage be submitted to a board of trustees." Nothing
more was done until Dec. 2, 1882, when "the following com-
mittee were duly elected to inquire into the practicability of
the following questions:

1. Whether the circuit will build a parsonage?

2. If so, where locate?

3. Buy or build?

4. How pay for same?

F. P. Grimes, H. H. Bond, Wm. Powel, M. Coover, M.
C. Miller" (committeemen).

This committee became active after the Quarterly Con-
ference of Sept. 8, 1883, gave it instructions to procure the
additional means needed as early as possible "and buy a
parsonage in order that the circuit may have their minister
reside among the people." Three months later, Dec. 8, 1883,
the committee "had examined a property in Vandalia owned
by Samuel North and deemed the property cheap for a par-
sonage at the price which he offered it."

But it was not until the circuit was driven into the place
where it was impossible to rent a house for the preacher that
anything definite was done. This condition prevailed early
in 1900, when Rev. A. Dunkelberger was sent to the circuit
by the Conference. On March 31, 1900, a board of parsonage
trustees were elected consisting of Geo. Anderson, E. H.
Eidemiller, Mrs. M. C. Miller, Mrs. Sella Coover, Mrs. E. O.
Rankin, Andrew Parsons, and A. Underwood.

12

On June 14, 1901, the pastor reported a debt of S135 on
the parsonage, and Sept. 20, 1902, the parsonage was reported
free of debt. The house cost SI, 398.21 and including the
barn, walks, etc., the total cost was about $1,650.

On July 8, 1905, the board of parsonage trustees was
dissolved and the church trustees assumed its control.

The lot No. 26, on which the parsonage was built, was
bought of J. W. Wells and wife for the sum of $150. "Provided
said lot be used for the erection of a dwelling for a parsonage."
The deed was recorded Dec. 5, 1901. (See Deed Book 241,
page 304.)

THE HENRIETTA HALL.

It was after the death of Henrietta, the wife of J. W.
Wells that he bought a piece of property, lot No. 5, on the
National Road in Vandalia and remodeled it. To this house
he gave the name of "Henrietta." It was to be a memorial
to his devoted wife. On Sept. 24, 1907, the house was set
apart for the use of certain definite societies in Vandalia.
He made two deeds, one to the Ladies' Aid Society and the
Woman's Missionary Society jointly. The other was to the
Woman's Christian Temperance Union. These deeds were
given on certain conditions which were not well defined.
Fearing that some difficulty might arise in the future as to the
ownership of the property, the church trustees, in 1910, re-
quested these three organizations to deed their shares directly
to the trustees of the United Brethren Church. (See Church
Record for the proceedings.)

Bro. J. W. Wells and his second wife willingly agreed to the
change in ownership. Accordingly, new deeds were drawn

13

up and signed by the proper parties. The property is now in
the possession of the church. These deeds were recorded
Sept. 7, 1910. (See Deed Book 320, pages 548, 549, and 550.)
Thus to-day there is in the name of the church trustees the
following property:

1. The church with its lot.

2. The parsonage with its lot.

3. The Henrietta Hall with its lot.

4. The old cemetery.

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CIRCUITS AND PASTORS

(The dates are for the beginning of the Conference year.)

Stillwater Circuit

1838— Henry Goodridge

1839— A. Hetzler

1840— Wm. Collins

1841 — Wm. Collins and James

Eacles
1842 — James Eacles
1843— James Eacles and J. Hill
1844— A. Hetzler, Jno. Slief,

and J. Hill
1845— A. Hetzler, Jno. Slief
1846 — F. Bonebraice, and one

to be supplied
1847— Wm. Ault
1848— Wm. Ault and A. Hetzler
1849— Wm. J. Cochran
1850— H. Toby
1851— W. W. Coons
1852— G. L. Gilbert
1853— M. Toby
1854— Peter Hetzler
1855 — Peter Hetzler

Miami Circuit

1856— Wm. R. Rinehart
West Baltimore Circuit

1857— P. C. Hetzler, W. Long-
acre, and H. Surface
1858 — Swain Corson

Beavertown Circuit

1859 — Swain Corson

1860— J. M. Marshel and J.

C. Miller
1861— J. C. Miller and G. C.

Warvel

Miami Circuit

1862— J. C. Miller
1863— B. W. Day
1864— B. W. Day

Vandalia Circuit

1865 — J. Kemp
1866— J. C. Miller
1867— J. C. Miller

1868— J. L. Swain
1869— J. L. Swain
1870— E. H. Caylor
1871— S. M. Hippard
1872— J. D. Holsinger
1873— J. D. Holsinger
1874— F. M. Fowler
1875— S. S. Holden
1876— D. N. Howe
1877— J. C. Miller
1878— J. C. Miller
1879— J. L. Swain
1880— J. L. Swain
1881— J. L. Swain
1882— Wm. McKee
1883— H. J. Mulholland
1884— H. J. Mulholland
1885— W. J. Pruner
1886— W. J. Pruner
1887— E. W. Bowers
1888— E. W. Bowers
1889— C. J. Burket
1890— C. J. Burket
1891— J. L. Swain
1892— G. W. Arnold
1893— G. W. Arnold
1894— S. M. Hippard
1895— S. M. Hippard
1896— G. W. Hamilton
1897— G. W. Hamilton
1898— G. W. Hamilton
1899— H. A. Sechrist
1900 — A. Dunkelberger
1901— A. Dunkelberger
1902— A. Dunkelberger
1903— A. Dunkelberger
1904— H. H. Yohe
1905— E. Fowler
1906— E. Fowler and A. D.

Williams
1907— B. P. S. Busey
1908— B. P. S. Busey and A.

W. Denlinger
1909 — N. L. Linebaugh
1910— N. L. Linebaugh
1911 — N. L. Linebaugh

15

THE OTTERBEIN PRESS
DAYTON, OHIO

(§fSitm\B

Bishop— Rev. W. M. Weekley, D.D.

Presiding Elder— Rev. C. W. Kurtz, D.D.

Pastor— Rev. N. L. Linebaugh, B.D.

TRUSTEES.

J no. M. Seabrook, Pres.
Michael Bennert, Sec. Dr. W. H. Riley, Treas.

David Lippman Edward Surrel

FINANCIAL SECRETARY

Ralph Hatton

DISTRICT STEWARDS.

West— H. H. Cassel East— P. E. Smith

SABBATH SCHOOL.

H. H. Cassel, Supt. T. J. North, Ass. Supt.

Ralph Hatton, Sec. Robert Jackson, Treas.

Alice North, Pianist Gilbert Attwood, Choristerl

CRADLE ROLL.

Mrs. Ada Hatton, Pres.
Prof. Jno. E, Smith

P. E. Smith V Executive Committee

Ed. Cotterman

CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETY.

Ralph Wells, Pres.

Mrs. Gilbert Attwood, Vice Pres. Roland Wells, Sec.

Winsor Witmer, Treas. Ester Rankin, PianistI

LADIES' AID SOCIETY

Mrs. Joseph Brandon, Pres.
Mrs. N. L. Linebaugh, Vice Pres. Mrs. E. O. Rankin, Sec]

Mrs. P. E. Smith, Treas.

WOMAN'S MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.

Mrs. Chas. Wells, Pres.

Mrs. E. O. Rankin. Vice Pres. Mrs. J. M. Seabrook, Sec.

Mrs. Geo. Shoup, Treas.

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