How it all started...
The beginnings of Ebenezer Baptist Church take place in August 1837, 19 years after the formation of Perry County. S.D. Alton, John Carfman, William Holmes, Louis Madden, and Henson Marlow established the church and began to meet in their log homes for prayer and worship services...
Preachers would come sometimes to preach for them. The church unites with the Scioto Baptist Association the following year. In August 1838, a council met to prepare the articles of faith. These articles were adopted after the pattern of the Regular Baptists of Jesus Christ. They voted to call the church “Ebenezer” which means “stone of help”. In 1 Samuel chapter 7, Samuel set a memorial stone to commemorate God’s divine assistance to Israel in their battle against the Philistines. That same month, on August 18, 1838 a log church building was completed. This log church would serve the congregation until a new church was built in 1867. The church would serve generations of church members until 2008 when a new church is built. The 1867 church is now the Heritage Center and is used for Sunday school classes, youth meetings, and Bible studies.
The first few years of Ebenezer saw great growth. The pastorate of John W. Miller was blessed with revivals and many conversions. By the beginning of the1860’s, under the pastorate of S.C. Tussing, the church had grown to more than 60 members. At the time, population for Monday Creek Township in which the church is located, was approximately 1,000.
As the 20th century began, the church continued to experience growth. On March 24, 1903, a committee including William Davis and H.A. Wilson, was appointed to solicit funds for building a belfry and purchasing a church bell. The total cost of the project is approximately $300. Today, the cost would be $8,000. The church bell was moved to the new church in 2008 and still rings each Sunday.
Our church hosted the Scioto Baptist Association meeting in August 1907. Those attending the meeting were greeted by members of the church at the railroad station in Webb Summit on State Route 93 North. Ebenezer Baptist is admitted to the Columbus Baptist Association after the Scioto Baptist Association disbanded in 1916. By the close of the first 100 years, the church was meeting twice a month for worship services, led by Pastor N.B. Clibourne. The church had a Sunday school and an active youth group.
Preachers would come sometimes to preach for them. The church unites with the Scioto Baptist Association the following year. In August 1838, a council met to prepare the articles of faith. These articles were adopted after the pattern of the Regular Baptists of Jesus Christ. They voted to call the church “Ebenezer” which means “stone of help”. In 1 Samuel chapter 7, Samuel set a memorial stone to commemorate God’s divine assistance to Israel in their battle against the Philistines. That same month, on August 18, 1838 a log church building was completed. This log church would serve the congregation until a new church was built in 1867. The church would serve generations of church members until 2008 when a new church is built. The 1867 church is now the Heritage Center and is used for Sunday school classes, youth meetings, and Bible studies.
The first few years of Ebenezer saw great growth. The pastorate of John W. Miller was blessed with revivals and many conversions. By the beginning of the1860’s, under the pastorate of S.C. Tussing, the church had grown to more than 60 members. At the time, population for Monday Creek Township in which the church is located, was approximately 1,000.
As the 20th century began, the church continued to experience growth. On March 24, 1903, a committee including William Davis and H.A. Wilson, was appointed to solicit funds for building a belfry and purchasing a church bell. The total cost of the project is approximately $300. Today, the cost would be $8,000. The church bell was moved to the new church in 2008 and still rings each Sunday.
Our church hosted the Scioto Baptist Association meeting in August 1907. Those attending the meeting were greeted by members of the church at the railroad station in Webb Summit on State Route 93 North. Ebenezer Baptist is admitted to the Columbus Baptist Association after the Scioto Baptist Association disbanded in 1916. By the close of the first 100 years, the church was meeting twice a month for worship services, led by Pastor N.B. Clibourne. The church had a Sunday school and an active youth group.
Continually serving...
A group of ladies met with Ruth Mather, president of the Columbus Baptist Association, to form a women’s missionary society in January 1935. Among the first women in the WMS were Mrs. Mary Griggs, Mrs. Lucy Howdyshell, Miss Ethel Howdyshell, and Mrs. Berndetta Smith. Now known as the Women’s Missionary Union (WMU), the group is still active in home and foreign missions projects.
Ebenezer Baptist Church celebrated its Centennial in 1937. Over 500 people were in attendance for the special Sunday service.
Several improvements were made to the church during the pastorate of Rev. Lawrence Sprankle. Improvements included the digging of a full basement in 1949 which provided space for Sunday school rooms. During the pastorate of Rev. Wilburn Martin in the early 1950’s, new flooring and carpeting were installed. The first electric organ for the church was purchased in 1954. Miss Amanda Wilson, church pianist and organist at the time, would serve in that capacity for more than 50 years beginning in 1921. The 1950’s also saw the first wedding performed at the church. Neva Coomer and Jerry Dupler were married on September 22, 1957 with Rev. Don Scribner officiating. In November 1957 property was purchased in Maxville for a parsonage. That parsonage was used until the current parsonage was built near the church in 1968 for about $24,000 on land donated by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wahl.
Rev. Charles Spier became the first full-time pastor in September 1958 and served until 1963. He served a second pastorate from 1976 to his retirement in 1999. Our other full-time pastors are: Rev. Ernest Hulsey (1963-1966); Rev. John McDanel (1967-1970); Rev. Wilburn Martin (1971-1975); Rev. Steve Hubbard (2002- present).
Ebenezer Baptist Church celebrated its Centennial in 1937. Over 500 people were in attendance for the special Sunday service.
Several improvements were made to the church during the pastorate of Rev. Lawrence Sprankle. Improvements included the digging of a full basement in 1949 which provided space for Sunday school rooms. During the pastorate of Rev. Wilburn Martin in the early 1950’s, new flooring and carpeting were installed. The first electric organ for the church was purchased in 1954. Miss Amanda Wilson, church pianist and organist at the time, would serve in that capacity for more than 50 years beginning in 1921. The 1950’s also saw the first wedding performed at the church. Neva Coomer and Jerry Dupler were married on September 22, 1957 with Rev. Don Scribner officiating. In November 1957 property was purchased in Maxville for a parsonage. That parsonage was used until the current parsonage was built near the church in 1968 for about $24,000 on land donated by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wahl.
Rev. Charles Spier became the first full-time pastor in September 1958 and served until 1963. He served a second pastorate from 1976 to his retirement in 1999. Our other full-time pastors are: Rev. Ernest Hulsey (1963-1966); Rev. John McDanel (1967-1970); Rev. Wilburn Martin (1971-1975); Rev. Steve Hubbard (2002- present).
Expansion...
New beginnings...
