Ripley Church of Christ

Ripley Church or Christ
Ripley Church or Christ
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History
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Established

Centennial program, 1836-1946, Ripley Church of Christ, Sunday, October 6, 1946.

The history of the Ripley Church really began in the year 1834 when George Lucy held a meeting in John B. Brown's cabin which was located near the Wayne-Holmes county line. At this meeting L. D. Critchfield, Mark Berry and wife were baptized. In the same year James Porter held a meeting in the L. D. Critchfield barn. In 1835 A. B. Green preached in James Riddle's cabin on three different occasions. In the same ear George Lucy preached in the Critchfield barn. In 1836 James Porter preached in the Critchfield schoolhouse, located at the crossroads, and organized the Church of Christ of Ripley Township, Holmes County. There were the following 21 charter members. The names are given just as they appear on the records.

Mark Berry and wife, L. D. Critchfield, John Darnell, David Fouch, Letticia, Granny Fouch, John Lightfoot, Mary Lightfoot, James Riddle, Sarah Riddle, Nathaniel Riddle, Matilda Riddle, From Shreve Church-- John B. Brown, mary Brown, Eliza Darnell, Polly Garinger, Samuel Shreve, Betsy Shreve, Moses Wells, Aphia Wells. David Fouch was elected elder.

In 1837 many were added to the membership and the following names are recorded: John and Nancy Cammarn, Mr. and Mrs. John Miley, Mr. and Mrs Christopher Stickel, Mr. and Mrs. Alpha Cornell, Wm. Garrett and wife.

In the year 1841 a house of worship was built on the L.D. Critchfield farm. Some of the well know preachers of that time were: Harrison Jones, Benj. Lockhart, Adam Moore, Isaiah Jones, and James Williams. Elders in 1858 were: David Miley and George Blodgett.

Then came the Civil War with all its political strife and suffering and untold hardships. The church struggled on with no preaching much of the time but every Lord's Day a prayer meeting and communion service were held. The Nashville church disbanded after the war and many of its members united with the Ripley church, bringing the membership up to nearly 200. The leading members with their families were: Wm. Hague, Alex Bruce, John Daily, Jos. Gisinger, Samuel Boner, W. P. Critchfield, J. Shreve, L. D. Shreve, Nancy Rosss, Jacob Lee, David Miley, Cale Fouch, U. F. Wells, Samuel Cammarn, Jos. Lightcap, Levi Miley, James K. Campbell, Wm. McFarland, Martin Williams, George Reynolds.

In 1872 a new house of worship was erected. Harrison Jones preached the dedicatory sermon to an immense crowd. Four years later Fred Hoffman, a German minister and graduate of Bethany College, began preaching. He went out into the "highways and byways" and brought people in by the dozens. He preached in school houses and in homes and wherever he could get a hearing. At last he decided to re-organize the Nashville Church, so the Ripley Church lost what they had gained in numbers, but Ripley helped her pastor in all possible ways and also pledged money to re-build the church at Nashville. Brother Hoffman remained with the churches for seven years and they grew in numbers and in faith in God and the Church. Many who were converted under his preaching became the pillars of the church. Today those who behold the church and realize that it is 100 years old are working and praying that as long as time shall last, the old church will be as "a city on a hill," whose bell shall ring out the call to worship until time is no more.

In 1882 Bro. Hoffman resigned and began work in Lone Pine, Pa., where he passed away in 1885. Since 1882 many preaches have assisted with the work. John Lowe, John Ellis, James Williams, D. C. Hanselman, Medary Gorsuch, N. T. Sims, F. f. Sutton, Clifford Ford, Paul Richardson, Henry Knoell, J. T. Kidwell, L. W. Spayd, W. A. Young, Harold Scott, Bro. Frampton, L. C. Emerick, Ray M. Wolford, Bro. Wadell, Bro. Ray and Bro. Oakes, present pastor.

There are prosperous years and years of depression. Ripley aided in building six churches: vis., Shreve, Wooster, Fredericksburg, Nashville, Loudonville, and Weeping Water, Nebraska. She also gave up her best works to Shreve, Wooster, Akron, Canton, Columbus, and Millersburg. The L. H. Critchfield family moved west in the eighties and organized a church near Weeping Water, Nebraska. History repeats itself as their first meetings were also in a cross roads school house. Ripley also provided funs for two parsonages, Shreve and Nashville.

The following are the names of the leading members in the eighties and nineties: James K. Campbell, Isaac Brown, Hiram Boner, A. J. Reynolds, W. K. Smetzer, Caleb Fouch, Wm. Hague, Jos. Alexander, Milton Mathewson, Alex Brucem W. P. Critchfield, John Daily, John W. Morgan, Nelson Moore, J. Shreve, Walter Smith, J.C. Wachtel, George Ley. These with their fmailies were loyal workers and now their children and grandchildren are carrying on to begin a new century for the Ripley Church.

In 1886 fifty years of service was celebrated and in 1911 the 75th anniversary was celebrated with a three-day meeting. At the fiftieth anniversary only three of the charter members werre living and one was present, James Riddle. The Church was re-modeled in 1923 and sermons were preached on this occasion by P. H. Welshimer and Leo Gregory. At this writing our oldest members are Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Morgan, Mrs. Sarah Homer, A. J. Reynolds, Nelson Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Milton Mathewson.

Probably the finest contribution that the Ripley church has been able to make has been the inspiration that has gone out through her members influencing people to the ends of the earth. J. T. Shreve, a grandson of Samuel and Elizabeth Shreve became a consecrated minister of the Gospel, a man greatly loved and honored throughout the middle west and a man who brought thousands into our brotherhood. Miss Ethel Shreve, a great granddaughter, is one of our most valuable and consecrated missionaries in India. She has been in India 15 years as a Living Link Missionary of the Shreve Church. Through her tireless efforts in teaching and through her Bible women she has led many to Christ. Another minister sent out by the Ripley Church was Brother Hiram Boner, a retired farmer. He was a great help to many of our weaker churches. The fact that he took up the ministry after lviing his life as a farmer speaking of the consecration and influence of the Ripley members. Thus through such leaders a the above Ripley has made her influence felt around the world.