Coshocton County Ohio Church

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WARSAW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

By C.D. Laughlin

A petition was presented to the Presbytery of Zanesville, in session at Columbus, on October 18, 1882, by Rev. Wm. E. Hunt, of Coshocton, asking for a grant to organize a Presbyterian church at Warsaw, signed by the following: David E. Laughlin, Mary A. Laughlin, Cyrus Elder, Mrs. Mary A. Elder, Miss Marilla Kratz, Mrs. Elizabeth Gamble, Mrs. Temperance Van Liew, Eugene Laughlin, D. F. Laughlin, Mrs. Frances Laughlin, Mrs. Mary A. Darling, Mrs. Julia Vanhorn, E. Waite Elder, Miss Letitia McKee, J. J. Laughlin, Mrs. Mary Laughlin, Mrs. Elizabeth Bantum.

Action was deferred until April 1883, meeting at Coshocton, at which time Jefferson Presbyterian church was asked to hold services in Warsaw. Failing to do so, Rev. Cross was secured and preached regularly in the M. E. church at Warsaw.

At Presbytery at Outville, September 12, 1883, the delegates from Warsaw, D. E. Laughlin and Cyrus Elder, stated that a suitable place would be provided, as steps had been taken to erect a church building.

The Home Mission Board then resolved, �That the petition for a church organization at Warsaw be granted and that the proceedings necessary to this organization be arranged by the Home Mission Committee.�

In the fall of 1883 friends of the Warsaw Presbyterian church met and designated the following building committee: Cyrus Elder, D. E. Laughlin, George R. Gamble, Dr. David Lawson and C. Kaser.

A Subscription of about $1500 was at once obtained and two lots, where the church now stands, which had been previously purchased by D. E. Laughlin, Cyrus Elder and George R. Gamble, was turned over to the committee.

At the meeting of Presbytery at Newark, April 9, 1884, information was given that the building was about ready to be dedicated, and the Home Mission Committee was instructed to organize a Presbyterian Church at Warsaw, Ohio.

On the 24th of May, 1884, Rev. R. R. Sutherland, D. D., of Newark, Ohio, and Elder Andrew Lyons, of High Hill, Muskingum county, Ohio, being members of said committee of Missions, visited Warsaw and with consent and aid of Rev. Wm. E. Hunt and Elder W. H. Robinson, of Coshocton, and Rev. Robt. Kerr, late pastor of West Carlisle church, organized the Warsaw Presbyterian church.

The church organization elected D. E. Laughlin and Cyrus Elder as their first elders.

At this meeting eight persons were accepted and added to the list of members making a total of twenty-five.

On Sabbath, the 25th of May, 1884, the house of worship was dedicated.

The building was completed, all bills paid, and with the exception of $25 from the Home Mission Board, pulpit from Coshocton, and Bible from friends of West Carlisle Church, the money was raised locally.

The building was built by Contractor James Hicks, with the assistance of his father, Edmond Hicks.

The foundation was built by John Kissner.

The building complete costing $3500.

On the 25th of May, 1884, in the afternoon Sabbath School was organized with Cyrus Elder superintendent, J. J. Laughlin assistant superintendent, George R. Gamble secretary, C. Kaser treasurer, Mrs. Frances Laughlin organist.

The following were appointed teachers: E. Z. Hays, D. E. Laughlin, George R. Gamble, Mrs. Elizabeth Gamble, E. Hicks. J. J. Laughlin and Cyrus Elder.

Preaching services for the first few years were supplied by Wm. E. Hunt, Coshocton; A. W. Knowlton, Hanover church; Robt. A. Watson, Delaware, Ohio; D. A. Ewing.

On Feb. 2, 1889, D. R. Laughlin was elected third member of elders.

In the summer of 1889 John Proctor Davis was secured as a regular minister, preaching at Warsaw and Keene.

On September 25, 1889, John Proctor Davis was regularly installed as pastor.

Rev. Davis preached here a number of years and was later transferred to the Keene-Clark charge.

Then the pulpit was supplied by Robt. E. Pew.

In 1898 Rev. W. H. Wyatt was secured as pastor and remained until 1902 when he secured another charge.

In 1902 Rev. Dobson preached and in 1903 Rev. L. E. Keith was called as supply.

On August 18, 1909, Jefferson, New Castle and Warsaw were placed in one charge and a few months later D. Geo. Davidson was secured and installed May 24, 1910.

At this time the congregation felt it advisable to secure a parsonage so they purchased the building which is still held for a parsonage.

In 1910 and 1911 the membership of Jefferson Presbyterian church was transferred to Warsaw.

On September 17, 1912, Rev. D. Geo. Davidson resigned and in the spring of 1913, on April 13, Rev. Edward B. Shaw was called and installed June 16, 1913. He remained until the spring of 1919, when he accepted a call to Belle Center, Ohio.

In 1920 Rev. K. E. MacLeod supplied the pulpit.

In 1922 Rev. David Green came as pastor, resigning April 15, 1923.

On March 2, 1924, Rev. Roy J. Werner accepted a call and remained until April 7, 1927, when he accepted a call to Utica, Ohio.

Next came Rev. Walter R. Clyde on November 23, 1927, and remained until March 10, 1929.

In 1929 Rev. D. Geo. Davidson was secured to serve as pastor and is with us at the present time.

Thus through our fifty years of service as a church we have had our joys and our sorrows.

Two fires are on record. The first in the roof, and the second in the basement, caused by flue defects.

The records show that the best of fellowship has always existed with sister demonimations.

Joint prayer meetings and joint preaching services with the M. E. Church of Warsaw.

Transcribed by:
Gloria Goltiani

Contributed by:
Sheila Helser