Livingston county history
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UTICA BAPTIST CHURCHDuring a meeting held at a school house in Jefferson School District about 2 1/2 miles west of Utica, the Utica Baptist Church was organized on August 27th, 1849. The organization was composed of eighteen charter members as follows: Asa and Mary Kirtley, Ellen Hinkle, Juliet Harper, George and Harriet Kirtley, Thomas Butts, Richard and Elizabeth Deering, Washington and Martha Bromel, John and Lavina Ogle, Agnes Bartlett, Kitty, a colored girl belonging to George A. Stone and Lovey, belonging to Spence Gregory. As the meeting continued the next day, six new members were received into the church. They continued to use this place of worship until the month of October at which time they moved to the school house in Utica. Brother Kemp Scott who conducted the meeting at this time of the organization, was then called as the pastor. At the close of the first year, the membership had increased to thirty-one. Brother Scott served as pastor for seven years. On March 16th, 1850, the first deacon, Brother Richard Deering was elected and was ordained in July. The church observed the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper for the first time in October 1850. In the summer of 1854 the church brought up the subject of building a house of worship. They continued to hold services in the Utica School House until completion of their new house of worship in 1859. A Baptist Sunday School was organized in 1861. Washington Bramel was its first superintendent. The location of the church not being satisfactory, in October 1868 work was begun and a brick church at the cost of $2000.00 was built in 1872 at the site Where the present Baptist Church Recreation Room is located. InA875 the church severed connection with the Missouri Valley Association and united with the Livingston County Baptist Association, of which they have always been members as well as affiliated with the Southern Baptist, Convention. In 1880 the belfry of the church was destroyed by a wind storm and in 1882 the roof was partially destroyed by wind. The effects of the Civil War was felt in 1864 when several Negro members disassociated themselves and consequently were excluded from membership. The church observed its 100th anniversary on August 29th, 1949, with about three hundred in attendance. Sunday School and morning services were held followed by a basket dinner served under the trees on the church lawn. Afternoon services as well as evening services were held. Reverend Thomas Rehorn was pastor at this time. On March 18, 1951, the church held dedication services for a new 30 x 40 tile addition to their church building which was used for Sunday School rooms and a fellowship hall. The construction of this building was done in the past year by volunteer labor except the hiring of one brick layer and the inside plastering. In 1955 a new brick home was built near the church to be used as a parsonage. The first pastor to live in the parsonage was Reverend and Mrs. Harold Garrett. Approximately 160 persons attended the 110th anniversary of the church on August 30th, 1959. Reverend Charles Stigers was pastor at this time. February 4th, 1961, the church purchased the former Utica School by being the highest bidder of three bids. The cost was $7,500.00. The brick school building had been built in 1947 at a cost of $39,000-00 replacing a school destroyed by fire on June 25, 1944. School was terminated in the building following the school term of 1958-59 due to school reorganization of Livingston R-1 School District. The congregation did much redecorating to the school building and held the first church service in the building on July 30th, 1961. The old brick church was torn down leaving only the addition built in 1951 to be used as a recreation room and which is now used as a youth center. In March 1966 the construction of a new 93 by 40 brick sanctuary was begun. The exterior is of rugged face brick to match the existing building and there is a covered walkway to connect the former school building which is used as an educational building. Most work was done by volunteer labor and the cost of the building was $40,000.00 A cornerstone ceremony was held for the new sanctuary on July 17, 1966. Reverend Charles Pitchford was the pastor at this time. The first service was held in the new sanctuary on December 18th, 1966. This sanctuary is a very beautiful place of worship and with the educational building is most adequate for the needs of the congregation. The church observed its 125th anniversary on August 25, 1974, with regular services, a basket dinner and held a note burning ceremony during the afternoon program. The debt of the new sanctuary being paid. Evening services were also held. During the past 131 years there have been 54 pastors serve the church. The present pastor is Reverend Timothy P. Akers. Deacons are James Ragan, Howard,M. Hawkins, William Stamper, Gene Wever, John Stamper and Merrill Nibarger. Sunday School Superintendent is Gene Wever; Church Training Director, John Stamper; Treasurer, Patricia Nibarger; Church Clerk, Madeline Hawkins; W.M.U. Director, Delpha Romeiser; and Brotherhood Director, Robert Talbert. One of the first sermons preached was from 1st Corinthians, Chapter 15, Verse 58 which reads: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Just as these words have been our guiding light the past 131 years, this message still applies today and they can be a light unto our feet and direct the pathway of the members of the Utica Baptist Church in the future. WHEELING CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) On August 3, 1870, 23 Disciples of Christ met and formed an organization for the advancement of the cause of Christ and became known as the Wheeling Christian Church. Rev. H. C. Owen presided at this meeting and became the church’s first minister. Known charter members are: Mr. and Mrs. R. G. Arnold (present descendants are: Mrs. Elmo Guilford (Doris Dimitt), Robert Dimitt, Robert Dimitt Jr., and Lloyd Arnold Guilford), C. K. Warren, Mrs. Eliza Warren, Drury Wilson and Merideth Brown. Preaching services were first held in the Wheeling School House, which was built two years before the church group was organized. Later they met for services in the Methodist Church. Revival meetings played an important part in the program of the church and a- membership increased, they were inspired to build the present church building, costing $2450.00. It was dedicated in 1890. On the same day of dedication the Bible School was organized. The Christian Endeavor Society was organized in the early years of the church and is still functioning but with the name of Christian Women’s Fellowship. For a number of years there was a large, well-trained choir with Jim Ralston as director. Miss Emma Dimmitt, who later married A. D. Botts, was pianist and served in that capacity until her death in 1947. In 1930 by means of contributions from members of the church, the church was raised and a full basement built, housing a well-equipped kitchen and dining room. Later, partitions were put in for Sunday School rooms. The 50th Anniversary of the church was observed July 14, 1940. Invitations were sent to former members living miles away, and some were in attendance; however, only three members were present who had attended the dedicatory services: Miss Dora Hawker, J. E. Littrell, and Mrs. John Walkup. Records show an attendance of 173 on that day. One of the highlights of the afternoon program was the reading of the church history by Mrs. John (Jessie Dimitt) Walkup, which she had written. She also read this history 10 years later when the church observed its 60th anniversary. Recognition suppers have been held honoring members for their church service. The first one held in 1957 honored Mrs. John Walkup, Mrs. Hattie Jones, and Marion (Doc) Butler for 60 years’ service. In 1958, the 35-year dinner recognized Leslie Dimitt, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Braun, Buel Littrell, Ernest Littrell, and Mrs. Chris Glamser. In 1960, the 25-year dinner recognized Mrs. Ollie Biggerstaff and Robert Dimitt. In 1979, Ollie Biggerstaff was honored at a fellowship supper for 20 years of publishing The Beacon (the church bulletin) which was started in October, 1953 and published by the Young Adult class. Also, in 1980 a supper recognized Mr. and Mrs. Buel Littrell and Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Littrell for their years of church service. In 1961, the church board voted to start a Memorial Fund in memory of deceased members. The first donation was by Mrs. Lonnie Beaird of Chillicothe. As the fund grew, it was voted in 1966 to buy a stained glass window for the front of the church. On August 2, 1970, the church observed its 100th anniversary when Rev. M. J. Dick was pastor and over 100 were in attendance. Rev. Phil Aeschilman, whose parents were former members of the church, was the afternoon speaker. The church walls had recently been painted white. New red carpet installed in the sanctuary, and the basement carpet helped accent the day, as well as the stained glass memorial window dedicated in March, 1967; the new floors, pews, baptistery, communion table, chairs, pedestals, pulpit, and offering plates in 1954, and the electric organ in 1953. Present Sunday School officers are: Superintendent, Austin Biggerstaff; Ass’t Superintendent, Melvin Littrell, Secretary-Treasurer, Gerald Littrell. Teachers are: Mrs. Robert (Edna F.) Littrell, David Biggerstaff, William L. Murry. Church officials are: Elders, Buel and Ernest Littrell (Elders Emeritus), David Biggerstaff, Robert S. Littrell, William L. Murry; Deacons, Gerald Littrell, Bob Maberry Henry Morgan, Austin Biggerstaff, Glenn Littrell: Chad Murry, Wiley Meneely, Tom Morgan, David Maberry; Trustees, Melvin Littrell, Ollie Biggerstaff, Robert S. Littrell; Organist, Mrs. William (Marjorie) Murry; Pianist, Mrs. Lenos (Wilma) Meneely. 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