Construction of Original Church Building Details
The article recounts the original church on East Washington Street built 1872 to 1876 at about $11,600 with materials from local sources. It notes lot ownership by Webster W. Poston, a potential sale to Alfred H. Carnes, the costly sandstone foundation, and a fatal accident during construction. It cites brickwork by James Brown, lumber by Freer brothers, and Indianapolis pew sourcing with then prices for wages, bricks, and flooring.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kesnet
Parse Roberts
Charles F. Nelson
James Brown
Longstreth
Nelsonville
Planing
Freer Brothers
Indianapolis
Shurch Officers and Builders Named for Historic Structure
The article lists church officers and officers of the board including Charles Weltzheimer clerk and trustees P C Morris and E B Acomb. It credits contractors Seth Nichols and John Hill plus several artisans for the church spire and interior work. Descriptions note Hill’s long Columbus era career and Nichols as a premier Marietta builder associated with the 120 foot spire.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pete Hoch
Seth Nichols
Marietta
Ife
Columbus
Frank Wells
Jim Lang
George Sommers
Wesley Sidman
John Hill
Church Treasurership And Finances In Early Years
The building committee included Charles A. Cable and John F. Welch. The treasurership was shared by Cable and Toln W. Scott. From 1876 to 1916 no major expense was recorded on church property except for rare repairs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charles A. Cable
John F. Welch
Mr. Cable
Toln W. Scott
Church Plans Renovation After 1916 Building Committee
In 1916 a church formed a building committee led by Rev. Leon Arpee to overhaul a single-room structure. George Johnson, Charles C. Sharp, and John Scott joined to fund new flooring windows and basement social and Sunday school rooms at an estimated cost of about 2500 dollars.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Leon Arpee
George Johnson
Charles C. Sharp
John Scott
Church Annex Construction Through 1917 Timeline
The record traces excavation starts by Joseph Edwards and Willam Anderson on a church cellar, a January interior project led by Clarence Backus, a $4000 pledge drive, and a July 1916 Sunday school annex foundation by William Coakley. Brickwork by Will Bland, roof by Vern Vorhes, interior decorating by John Scott, and opening on April 8 1917 after war began. In June 1916 the Carnes property was acquired from Charles C Sharp, used as a manse. A pipe organ was donated in 1913 by Baird Brothers Nelsonville and the Carnegie Corporation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Joseph Edwards
Willam Anderson
Clarence Backus
William Coakley
Will Bland
Vern Vorhes
John Scott
Germany
Carnes
Charles C. Sharp
Baird Brothers
Nelsonville
Carnegie Corporation
Choir Re pews and Lighting Added in Church Remodeling
The church completed remodeling with choir pews for 42, pulpit and furniture costing about 1500, bronze lighting fixtures around 1000, four lantern fixtures on the ceiling, Gothic entrance lights, a hot air heating system, a furnace for the manse, a large bulletin board, and revised hymnals. Total estimated remodeling cost about 910 600.
First Presbyterian Nel sonville Re dedicates Modernized Church
The First Presbyterian church of Nelsonville re dedicates a largely renovated temple. The exterior and interior have been remodeled over six months preserving Gothic architecture while adding stucco over strengthened brick walls originally from Longstreth yards.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
H. Bartlett Messenger
Stair
First Presbyterian Church of
Nelsonville
Longstreth
Nelsomville
Refined Beauty Restores Church Exterior and Interiors
Buff and white pebbles are set in the plastic surface resulting in refined beauty. All metal work on the roof and steeple is renewed. The annex side entrance is enlarged with a Gothic vestibule. The main entrance rebuilt in limestone features a Gothic arch and gray tile flooring. Limestone caps for buttresses supplied. A new concrete drive widens access. Sidewalks laid, walls cleaned, ceilings painted, floor varnished, woodwork restored.
Renovations Complete At Local Church Interior Redecorated
The front vestibule received two new steel ceilings and fresh paint. Scripture verses appear above entrance doors and arches with plaster reliefs decorate the main auditorium. Organ pipes are tinted grayish blue with gold leaf. Sunday school rooms floors varnished. New front and interior doors. An enlarged oak platform and a Gothic pulpit with a Sedalia chair complete the upgrades.
Cooperation Between Nelsonville Churches Evident in Shared Past
The article notes strong ties between Nelsonville Presbyterian and Methodist churches through history. It cites Rev. Downey’s 1869 visit, Rev. Minton’s interim support, and joint services during a repair period, with mutual appreciation from both congregations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Methodist Church
Presbyterian Church
Presbytery Admits Church Members and Honors History
The Nelsonville Presbyterian Church recalls its 50 year anniversary delayed by the 1917 influenza quarantine. Eber G. Mathena, William D. Sidman and Howard Alfusser are noted as ministers, with Dr. Charles B. Taylor ordained in 1809 and participating in today’s rededication ceremony. The article mentions historical fixtures including the bell, pulpit Bible, and early organizational minutes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
HE Presbyterian Church of
Nelsonville
Eber G. Mathena
William D. Sidman
Howard Alfusser
Charles B. Taylor
McArthur
Sr. Taylor
Nelsonville First Presbyterian Church Founder Remembered
Congregation records recount the founding of the First Presbyterian Church of Nelsonville by Rev. Thomas J. Downey, a former United Brethren minister. Downey preached in 1868, the church formed November 1 with 38 charter members, and he died in 1869 at age 40. The group notes Downey’s burial near Fort Street in Nelsonville.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Nelsonville
Thomas J. Downey
United Brethren
Scioto
Columbus
Washington Street
First Presbyterian
Elizabeth Howe
Jacob C. Frost
John G. Miers
Samuel N. Poston
Charles A. Crble
Wison EL Burrell
John T. Gray
J. Horam EL Howe
Jacob F. Brodi
John W. Scott
William Comstock
John C. Barron
William G. Power
Jacob F. Brode
Downey
Maria Sheppard
Thomas J. Daveney
Thomas
Minton
Masons ‘Io
Hille
Old Cemetery
Fort Street
Thomes Downey
First Presbyterian’ Church
Aun
Long Beach
W. Va
Elizabeth Reese
Woggster
Reese
Asheville
N.C
Pease House
Presbyterian Board of National Missions
William Reese
William Carter
Thomas Johnson
South
Rev Leon Arpee Longest Serving Pastor In Nelsonville History
Biographical sketch notes Rev Leon Arpee’s 14 year tenure as focal pastor of the Nelsonville Presbyterian church the longest in its history. It recounts his birth in 1899 education at Scott Wooster and Ohio State universities and his service under Athens Presbytery before 1923.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Leon Arpee
Mr. Evans
Scott
Haviland High School
Ohio State University
College of Wooster
Wooster
Presbyterian Church of
Nelsonville
Thomas L. Minton
Thomas J. Downey
W. L. Clark
James Stickel
Cincinnati
Julius Steaun
Arpee
Focal
John Lloyd Evans
Focal Church
Princeton University
The
Theological Seminary
Princeton
Henry van Dyke
J. Duncan Spaeth
John J. Davis
Festival Held Finances Rent carpet Bible Furnishings
Proceeds from a festival on October 7, 1868 covered the building rent and purchases including a carpet for the platform a Bible and other furnishings as recorded in the melon book.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Nelsonville Church
Webster Postons
Charles Weltzheimer
Lawrence R. Kelch
Clarence W. Backus
Walter T Hudson
John H. Saltz
Dlacons
George E. Johnson
Nathan Hil
Homer D. Krieg
Silas B. Dean
Fred Johnson
John Hoodlett
P.C Morris
E. B. Acomb
Edward BE. Sharp
R. Baird Stuart
Benson Preston
W. D. Wolfe
Leland Krieg
Nichols
Marion Connor
Jim McFall
Charles Sharp
Sun Jday
Presbyterian
Methodist Episcopal
Rally Service
Rabel Heffner
Laurae Shafer
Edith Stiers
Presbyterian Orchestra
C. B. Taylor
Lloyd Evans
J. Harry Cotton
J. Sheldon Scott
Steubenville
First Congregational Church of
Oreste Ravanetto
Edward MacDowell
C. A. Stebbins
Ch. Marie Vidtor
Ernest H. Sheppard
Mr. Scott
Land
Mra. J. BM. Boyd
Christian Endeavor Societies
Charles Taylor
Silas Cooks
Pennsylvania
Cooke
Fhve
Minutes
H. Bartlett
Young Presbyterian
Hock-Hocking Lodge
Jacob F. Brodt
Albert Potter
Ma Unda Potter
Caroeline Winchel
Eliza A. Poston
Harriett Mahon
Saphronia Winehel
Sarah Craig
Martha Smith
Martha Comstock
Armeda Roberts
Phillis Wilkinson
Sophia McDivitt
Jacob C. Frosti
Lucy A. Frost
Eliza Gray
Rachel A. Downey
el Ha Edwards
Isabelle Edwards
Hannah Lytle
J. Lloyd Evans
Methodist
Hugh Ivan Evans
D. Dbd
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Dayton
Lester [x Evans
Cambridge
Lester £. Boyce
Park Presbyterian Church
James Evans
Evans
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