PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF JOHNSTOWN

          In Johnstown, as in surrounding areas, religion and education were the springboards for development and on September3, 1835, the Presbyterian Church of Johnstown was organized and convened in the home of a member. Pursuant to the Presbytery order, Rev. William Wylie of Newark and Rev. Jacob Little of Granville presided.

            Charter members who had requested from Lancaster Presbytery permission to start the church were Joseph Mathews, Henry LaDue, Mary LaDue, Lucy LaDue, John Follett, Abram Whitehead, Mary Whitehead, Hannah Beecher and Eliza Mathews.

            Mr. Wylie of the Old First Presbyterian Church in Newark moderated the first meeting the Ruling Elders: Joseph Mathews, who is credited with organizing the church, Abram Whitehead and Henry LaDue. Mathews was duly appointed Clerk of Session. In March 1837, this Session resolved that each Elder and each family of the church have a copy of the Confession of Faith. Their first church home was built that year for $1000.

            By 1850, the church membership was nearly one hundred and by 1863 reached 125 with more that 50 other members lost by death or removal. Civil War times brought a marked decline and in 1870, only 25 names remained on the roll. No explanation exists of the 88 removed assumed lost by death or dismissal.

            Between 1870 and 1885, the old church building was even stripped of pews. In the basement of cobbler’s shop flourished. At later dates a polling booth, pelt storeroom, warehouse and tin ship occupied the premises. However, in 1880 Rev. Edward Garland was Pastor for a membership of 12.

            A complete renovation of the 1837 frame structure was done in 1885 Redecorated walls, new chairs, lights and an organ brightened the service June 14, 1885. Worship was held on Sunday afternoons every two weeks by Pastors from Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Centerburg. With the Westminster Book of Confession as a discipline guide, families earning membership were expected to live exemplary lives. They had their own pre-emptive right to a particular pew for the entire family on Sunday.

            In William A. Ashbrook’s diary on August 29, 1888, he noted there was more police news in the Independent than in a city paper and that Johnstown was a tough place due to 5 saloons. He had attended a concert given by the Presbyterian Church in the Opera House and not many were there.

            The first meeting in the new brick church, finished in 1912. The Rev. J.W. Boyer, who had assumed the pastorate in 1908, presided. Fred Neely was Superintendent of Sunday School and Elmer French was Assistant Superintendent for 38 members.

            The church and manse on W. Coshocton were paid for and a Jubilee meeting was held January 13, 1927 with Parker Tippett burning the note as members sang the doxology.

            In 1943, our church merged with the Johnstown Baptist and had a dedicated Christian Fellowship until late 1961 when the Baptist/Presbyterian Federation consummated dissolution. During the 18 years, fourteen were under the Baptist ministers.

            A well-equipped kitchen was constructed in the church basement in 1965. While Rev. James Kees piloted our church, plans were formulated for a Christian Education Addition and in October 1972, ground was broken for the 5,020 square foot addition to the existing building which included a new kitchen upstairs and a fellowship hall. It was finished for approximately $94,000 and dedicated on November 18, 1973.

            A Schulmerich Carillon originally donated to the Temple of Goodwill in the Chittenden Hotel came into our possession in 1972 primarily through the generosity of the Dr. Sophie Rogers Foundation. Financially the Presbyterian Church of Johnstown could not compete with other seeders of the bells, but since Ms. Rogers was from Lithopolis and had an affinity for small communities and the trustees of the foundation saw fit to allow us to purchase the bells for donated monies of eleven hundred dollars.   The Westminster Chimes touch and enhance the every day life of Johnstown and give us a niche of notoriety as the church with the Bells.   Our church became known as “The Church of the Bells.”

            In 1973, Miss Ardis Lieby purchased handbells for the church in memory of her mother. The handbells regulary ring out by youth handbell choirs.  We are blessed to have so many talented musicians in our congregation—those who direct and those who perform—whether it be handbells or choir.   

            A non-sectarian Pre-school opened in 1973 in the Christian Education rooms mentored by Mrs. Ruth Pelkey and Mrs. Hazel Almendinger.  Mrs. Marie Brown, Mrs. Jean Weaver and Mrs. Barbara Luft taught forty-two students.

            A flagstone step from a rear door to the sanctuary has been mounted as a corner stone proclaiming, “Faith is our Stepping Stone”.