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In the year of 1900, a man by the name of Charles Gilkey learned of a
preacher named Mahalin Huber who believed in the truth of the Bible, and
he sent for her.
Sister Huber held a six week revival in the Schooley Chapel. Afterwards
the church began to hold meetings from house to house. Prior to the
erection of the first building, the church met in another building about
¼ mile from the present site. This building was owned by another church
and when the truth began being preached in its fullness, the Church God
people were no longer allowed to the use the building. Mrs. Jerry
(Annabelle) White opened her home to the church and thus began holding
services in her home. Several revivals
were held in her home and many were won to the Lord.
The land on which the present church stands was donated by George Speirs
in 1914 with the stipulation that it belong to the church so long as the
church continued to hold regular services. If no services were held for
a period of a year, the land automatically went back to its former
owner, namely George Speirs and his heirs. No deed or legal agreement
was written to this effect.
In 1915 a one room frame building was erected by men of the community.
Jerry White, Riley Moats, Barney Gatten, Boyd White and Braekey Speirs
being the main workers. Other workers also helped including Lewis
Stevens. This building was used until approximately 1936.
In 1936 a second building was erected and it continued to serve the
congregation as the main sanctuary until approximately 1996 when the
third building was erected. The second building was then converted to
the fellowship hall.
A precise list of names and dates of Pastors is unknown; however the
following are known to have pastored the sheep throughout the years:
Goldie (Mammy) White
, Herman Hollis
, Virginia Matney
, Darrell Hatfield
, Woodrow Wilson
, Jay Watts
, Brad Lambert
, Mark Reese, Jeremy Hatfield
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Goshen Run Church in the 1920's |
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Goshen Run Church in the 1920's
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Wilson Run
Church of Christ in Christian Union
Soon after Mary Snyder, who lived in a little log house across the road from
Clements Lane, between Wilson Run Road and the creek, deeded the property, part
of her homestead, to the Churches of Christ in Christian Union September 28,
1907, construction of the first church, a log church, began. Church was hells
for two to three years when a fire destroyed all of the church except two
outside walls (which remain in the present church). For the next several years,
the little church that still sits by the wayside had been quiet and vacant. No
organ peals, nor beautiful hymns were hear ringing out thru the valleys of
Wilson Run. No happy faces of both young and old were seen entering the little
forsaken church by the way and no prayers for the burdened and wondering ere
hears breaking into the Heavens.
The second church which remains today was built out of a redwood lumber
connected onto the two existing log walls and painted white. Thus, the nickname
"The White Church" began.
In December of 1921, it dawned upon anxious minds to reorganize the little
church and begin the services that had been silenced. A little group was
gathered and with just a few members the church was reorganized.
The story that was written and read at the 1933 Labor Day service by Violet
Snyder Christy: The first night's service was announced, but from that little
group of members, only three entered the little church that night. These three
were brothers, Vause, Lee, and Herald Snyder (Sons of August Snyder-Brother of
Mary Snyder). They patiently, anxiously listened for the sound of footsteps of
someone finding their way to the little church, but no one came. The church hour
rolled around and the service began with only these three brothers. One led the
song service, one read the scripture lesson and as the invitation was given, the
third brother, who at the time was unsaved, knelt at the alter, In sweet
communion the brothers lifted their voices in prayer for a lost community. Thus,
with this little humble prayer service the foundation was laid for the little
church which remains today. The little church has sent out missionaries,
ministers, teachers, and singers into the world to rescue a dying world from
sin.
One of the original brothers. D. Harold Snyder became First Elder of the little
church and dedicated his life to it. His love, dedication, faithfulness, and
determination to keep the little church open was obvious to everyone whom he
met, Harold remained First Elder until he left this would to be with his
Heavenly Father. Harold's son, Gerald, accepted the mantle of leadership and
possesses the same love, faithfulness, and determination to see the church
prosper. Gerald faithfully serves the little church as the First Elder at
present time (2006)
In the late 50's - early 60's the need to enlarge the church became obvious.
Local carpenters, Chester Osborn and Orlando Hatfield built the north side
addition that remains today.
The present day shelter was built in the early 50's. Previously , everyone had
sat on boards nailed across logs. Post for the shelter were cut from nearby
forest and pulled by horses to the present location. The beams and main
structure were take from an old railroad bridge, People today all ask the same
question, "Why was the shelter house built around a large tree?" No
One remembers.
The church's present Sunday School was organized in April of 1922 by the
American Sunday School Union with an enrollment of 48 members. The Good Cheer
Class in Chillicothe promised their ongoing support to the Sunday School, and to
show appreciation of this kindness, the Sunday School was named "Good
Cheer" Union Sunday School which remains today.
In 1999, the church realized the need for additional classrooms, a fellowship
area, and for the first time it have inside restrooms, Amamas Construction was
contacted to build the addition. On September 15, 2002 the church hall the
dedication service for the new completed addition. Dr. Dan Tipton. General
Superintendent for the Churches of Christ in Christian Union, brought the
dedication message, and Rev. Don Spurgeon, South Central Superintended,
conducted the act of dedication and led in pastoral prayer during the worship
service.
In January of 2005, the members of the little church had a vision to remodel the
church sanctuary. The Lord's blessing was certainly upon the project. The Ross
Correctional Institution's Community Inmate Work Program (a works program where
a drew of inmates do volunteer work in the local community for non-profit
organization teaching the inmates a vocation and giving back to the community)
was contacted and they were available to do the labor. February of 2005 the
project started. A local cabinet maker, William "Bill" Farley was
contacted to rebuild the alter and do the finishing jobs.
Today as you enter that same little church, that was started in 1907, sitting
beside the road, you will see a lot of changes that have been made over the
years, but the vision remains. To spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, the only
remedy to rescue a dying world from sin.
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Antonias Christian
Church started 1911
located on Wilson Run, Ross Co., Ohio
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Does any one have any church history on this church that
they would like to add?
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