By: Mary E. Mortimer
The Huntsville Presbyterian Church will be celebrating its 200th anniversary in September 2024.
Cherokee, located near Huntsville, was at one time a bustling little village and a stop on the stagecoach route. Two Presbyterian churches were organized in the village. The Cherokee Run Presbyterian Church was organized on September 23, 1824, in the home of Thomas Scott by Rev. Robert B. Dobbins with 14 members. The congregation built a log meeting house the next year which served them until a new brick church was built in 1842.
A second Presbyterian Church was also located in the village of Cherokee. The Cherokee Associate Presbyterian Church was organized on October 13, 1831, in the home of John Coulter by Rev. Wilson. They built a new church in 1854 on a hill in Huntsville behind the current location of the Huntsville Presbyterian Church. In 1858, following a national merger of Presbyterian churches, they changed their name to the Huntsville United Presbyterian Church. They also helped establish a Presbyterian Church in Bellefontaine.
When the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad bypassed Cherokee for Huntsville in the 1840s many people and businesses relocated to Huntsville, including both Presbyterian Churches. In 1854, the Associate Presbyterian Church moved to Huntsville and built a new church. The Cherokee Run Presbyterian Church purchased lots 26 and 27 in Huntsville and constructed a new brick church in 1866. The name was changed to the Huntsville Presbyterian Church and the Cherokee property was sold.
Fire destroyed the Huntsville United Presbyterian Church in February 1928. The church bell, although cracked from a fall during the fire, was repaired and installed in the tower of the new church. The church was dedicated on July 21, 1929, with over 350 people at the morning service.
Both Huntsville Presbyterian Churches merged in September of 1945 and the name changed to the Federated Presbyterian Church of Huntsville. In terms of the merger, the Huntsville Presbyterian Church building was used for church purposes. Items that were moved to the current church include a clock, a cupboard, a communion table, and three ornate chairs that still sit on the sanctuary platform.
Members of the Huntsville Presbyterian Church have always worked together to find ways to support the church and the community. Around 1950, the church rented farmland from McArthur Township farmer, Ornell Hughes, for one year to generate money for the church. Church members planted and harvested the crops.
In 1958, a national merger took place between the Presbyterian Church and the United Presbyterian Church. The congregation completed its unification and became the Huntsville United Presbyterian Church of North America. The Gordon Annex was built for new Christian Education classes in May 1960. The Gordon Annex was named in honor of Rev. J.H.T. Gordon and his wife Anne. Rev Gordon served as pastor from 1902 through 1920.
In the mid-1970s, the church began an annual Election Day Bazaar that included a wide variety of crafts, home-baked and home-cooked items. The highlight of the event was homemade apple butter made by church members. The apple butter was made in three copper kettles using 12 bushels of apples and 100 pounds of sugar. It took nearly eight hours of constant stirring and cooking to make around 300-pint jars. They also sold quarts of homemade mincemeat, made with real meat. The church also served Election Day lunches and suppers. This tradition continued for about 17 years.
In February 1984, the church voted to change its name from the Huntsville United Presbyterian Church of North America to the Huntsville Presbyterian Church.
Several years ago, the front entrance of the church was remodeled with a new enclosed entrance. This has been beneficial for events such as weddings. Before the new addition, the bride and her party had to go outside to enter the church from the lower-level dressing room, many times in inclement weather.
At one time, the Huntsville Presbyterian Church and the Huntsville Methodist Church took turns having Thanksgiving services. Members of the Huntsville Presbyterian Church continue to help the community by serving food at Daily Bread of Indian Lake, working at the United Christian food pantry, and supporting the Chippewa Outreach Center. They also have a “Blessing Box” at the Church with personal and household items that have been donated for anyone in need.
The Huntsville Presbyterian Church will be celebrating its 200th anniversary with an open house on September 21st from 2:00 – 8:00 pm and a special Sunday service from 8:30 am – 12:00 pm on September 22nd. The public is welcome to attend.
A special thank you to Huntsville Presbyterian Church members Betsy Forsythe Shoffstall, Todd and Joyce Gordon, Betty Davis, and Jerry Fry for sharing their church history and photos. Their families have been members of the Huntsville Presbyterian Church for several generations. We would also like to thank Matt Zarnosky, Chairman of the Huntsville Presbyterian Church 200th Anniversary Committee, for his hard work and dedication.
Visit the Logan County History Center at 521 E. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311, to learn more interesting aspects of Logan County History.
The History Center is open for tours Wednesday – Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
