My Genealogy Hound

TRINITY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Xenia. On September 19, 1863, at a quarterly conference of the Xenia Methodist Episcopal Church, it was resolved “That it is the duty of this charge to erect a second church in Xenia.” The matter had been discussed some years before, and on November 14, 1863, the Rev. William I. Fee appointed as a Board of Trustees for the new church, Alfred Trader, William Sweeney, Alfred Thirkield, M. D. Gatch, Charles R. Merrick, William F. Pelham, Samuel Newton, John L. Connable, and Henry Barnes. The subscriptions having reached $15,000, a beautiful lot on the northwest corner of Main and Monroe Streets, was secured, and the contract let to Messrs. Tobias Drees (See sketch) and Patterson. The cornerstone of the new building was laid May 14, 1864, with appropriate ceremonies.

The first pastor to what was now called Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, was the Rev. George C. Crum, who organized a society of one hundred and twenty -three members, one hundred and nineteen by transfer from the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and four by letter. The first religious service was held in the college chapel, September 18, 1864, the sermon being from II. Thessalonians, ii. and iii. chapters, beginning with the words “Now the Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God, even our Father,” and concluding “Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified.” The Sunday-school was organized in the spring, with William Sweeney as Superintendent; and A. Thirkield, Assistant Superintendent. The lecture room of the new church edifice was completed November 30, 1864, and the first sermon preached therein by the Rev. J. L. Grover, pastor of the First Church. On October 1, 1865, the completed building was dedicated by Dr. Wiley, of Cincinnati, whose text on that occasion was Luke, 7th chapter and 5th verse. Pastor Crum asked for $10,000 with which to meet their liabilities, and his request being responded to by $12,000, the church was dedicated free from debt. An elegant parsonage was built in the summer of 1878, adjoining the church, under the leadership of the Rev. W. N. Brodbeck, now of Boston. During the pastorate of the Rev. D. W. Clark, in 1885, the lecture room was altered and improved, and in 1888, under the pastorate of the Rev. A. N. Spahr, the audience room was thoroughly reconstructed, making it a beautiful room indeed. The present membership of the society is two hundred and twenty.