History of the Pleasant Ridge Church of Christ
In the year, 1820, there was no organized church in this community, so a few of the people joined and organized the “Stanton Baptist Church”. Their meetings were held in private homes, at Dixon Schoolhouse and on one occasion in a barn on the Stopher place nearby. About twelve years later the people became divided in opinions and beliefs, and church was divided. One branch formed what has since been known as the Pleasant Ridge Church of Christ.
On the first page of the old register we have this record: “The Regular Baptist Church founded in 1820 in Randolph Township, Dearborn County, Indiana, continued until the year 1832, when a part of the church, becoming dissatisfied with textuary preaching, creeds, confessions of faith and doctrines, and commandments of men, and wishing to take the word of God alone as their faith and practice, and the other part of church wishing to retain their confession of faith and to be known as the regular Baptist church, therefore the church agrees to separate.
Following is a list of the two churches: The Regular Baptist; Francis Craig, John Dixon, Elizabeth Dixon, Hananiah and Martha Rollins. Those refusing the doctrines of men and called the “Church of Christ in Randolph Township; James Walton, Mary Walton, William Higbee, Nathaniel Robinson, David Barnhart, Lucinda Lewis, John Tait, Elizabeth Tait, and Nancy Tait. (Signed) James A. Walton, Clerk, December 3, 1832.
This meeting was held at the home of James A. Walton, now the residence of Joseph Horn, and the Church was organized by Bro. L. H. Jamieson, better known to this congregation as Love Jamieson. He was also the author of a number of our songs and hymns, among them: “The Reign of Christ for a Thousand Years” and “Gathering Home”. Bro. Jamieson was still living when the second building was built sixty years later.
For fourteen years, this new congregation held its meetings regularly in the homes of its members or at the Dixon or Fischer Schoolhouses. Beginning at Brother William Higbee’s they would then meet at the homes of Brothers Levi Scranton, Stephen Hastings, James A. Walton, Henry Palmer, Jacob Fischer, and Martin Stewart. Thus completing the circuit and back to Bro. Higbee’s again.
In the year 1846, a church home was built. But we have very little record of the building except that Brothers Levi Scranton, Stephen Hastings, and Martin Stewart were the building committee. We have no record of the cost of the building, but it was probably built by donated labor. It was a brick building painted gray, size 32 X 36 feet. The front of the building had double doors and the pulpit was located between these doors, which made it unnecessary to turn around to see who came in. The floor sloped upward from the front to back and there were lampposts at intervals along the aisles, to which were attached kerosene lamps. Later these were replaced by modern chandeliers.
The grounds on which the first building stood and now the second building stands and areas surrounding it were acquired in four divisions and deeds for them made out to the trustees of the Church forever. Where the first building stood and the second building now stands was donated by Stephen Hastings and his wife Ruth in December of 1846, after the first building was built. In 1856, the graveyard plot was acquired from the same parties for the consideration of one dollar. In 1866 the point of land between the two roads, connecting with the two other plots was purchased from William A. and Sarah I. Monroe for the consideration of one hundred dollars. The fourth division was purchased to straighten up the property line and add to the property on the Pleasant Ridge Road side of the building on January 22, 1990, from Jeffrey and Mary Jean Feiss. The property on which the new building stands consist of 4.27 acres purchased from Bobby and Mildred Potter June 12, 1998.
Concerning the first building; as time went on the building began to need repairs and in March 1891 the question was brought before the board of whether to repair or rebuild. From minutes of March 23rd, 1891 “Bro. David Hanna then made a motion which was seconded that a vote be taken whether we repair or build new. The motion was voted upon and tied. Bro. Rob Elliott then made a motion that a vote be taken to see how many were willing to help build or repair which was unanimously carried. Bro. Nelson Higbee then called for another vote on the question whether we build or repair, which had a majority of one for rebuilding.” After much prayer, discussion, and planning it was decided on the fourth of August to tear away the old house and build a better and larger building.
Bros. Nelson Higbee, David Hanna, and Joab Monroe were chosen on the building committee. On August 31st, work was started on the new building. Members of the congregation and loyal friends gave of their time and means and the new house grew as if magic. It was complete and the time set for dedication was November 22nd; but because of bad weather and road conditions was postponed until January 3rd, 1892. Bro. L.L. Carpenter of Wabash Indiana preached the dedicatory sermon and the debt of $1100 was pledged (the term used in the old records for pledge was subscriptions). Services were held in the Fischer Schoolhouse while the building was in process.
The first building stood for 45 years before being replaced by the second building. The second building has stood for almost 126 years. The following are some details about construction of the second building found in the minutes of the August 10th, 1891 board meeting. “The first subject discussed was in which directions should the house be extended. It was decided to extend it South and East. It was next decided to dress the top layers of stone on the foundation “Gothic Style” the top layer to be six inches in thickness and the second layer eight inches. The employing of stonemasons was left to the Chairman.
The next decision was that the brick walls be built sixteen feet in height above the foundation. Next that there be three lengths of sleepers used instead of two, that the floor be inclined slightly toward the front. That the pulpit be placed in the back of the house. That there be but one entrance having two doors. That the house have eight windows of Gothic style, two being in front of building with three on each side: Note: (the building has four windows on each side). The building is 34 X 50 feet and the cost was about $2500.From the minutes of December 29,1891 concerning credit for work on the building; “Mr. Palmer then made a motion which was carried that the donated work be counted at $1.00 per day for man, and $2.00 for team.
Sometime in the early 30’s, it was decided to dig a basement under the building. Flooring was removed from between the double doors in the front of the building and teams with slipscoops were used to dig the present basement. In the middle 1940’s, a vestibule was added to the front of the building. Soon after the parsonage was built in 1949. The Sunday school rooms were added on in 1953. Many other improvements were made over the years to the facility such as baptistery, oil furnace, kitchen equipment, etc.
The new building is located at the corner of Salem Ridge Road and Hartford Ridge Road, the sanctuary measures 51 x 75, the fellowship hall 41 x 48, it has 8 classrooms, study, office, nursery, restrooms, and a kitchen. Ground was broke Father’s Day June 20th, 1999. The first service in the building was a Christmas program Sunday evening December 17, 2000. The official Dedication program was held February 4th, 2001. The cost of the new building was approximately $600,000.
Other tidbits from the old records include from May 13, 1892.“ A motion was made and carried to continue Bro. McAdams as janitor for another year at $25.00. From Oct. 4, 1931, “A board meeting was held after Sunday school to decide about hiring a janitor for the church. Bids were received from Clayton Potter bidding?? a Sunday and Mr. Jot Hastings bidding $1.50 a Sunday. Mr. Clayton Potter’s bid being the lowest, he was hired as janitor.
From Other Records of Interest in book #2 “In the months Jan, Feb., and March 1932 when Robt. Elliott was superintendent, a contest was held between the men and women, the men winning. Interest and attendance increased each Sunday. 151 were present the last Sunday of the contest and a picture was taken of the crowd by Lawrence Dodd (Note: picture is still at church). After the feast all joined in singing songs, followed by a reading by Pearl Monroe, then a lively debate “Resolved that Bald Headed men are more intelligent”. Robt. Elliott and Wes Buchanan on the aft and Charles Rice and Walter Potter on the neg. Authur Houze, Ezra Hastings, and Mrs. Grace Hastings were the judges deciding in favor of the affirmative. Contests and speeches were then enjoyed and the meeting was closed by singing “God Be With You Till We Meet Again” and dismissed with prayer. A fine time was enjoyed by all present.
Although the record is incomplete and not in exact order; the following are the names of men who have served as Elders, Deacons, and Ministers since the church began to the present time.
Those who have served as both Elder and Deacon: George Buchanan, William Higbee, Aquilla Carson, Charles Rice, Nathan McCardle, Arthur Houze, Jot Hastings, Lewis Kittle, Hugh Rice, Cecil Rice, Walter Potter, Thomas Phillips, Albert Potter, Theo Hastings, Robert Smith, Fenton Keith, Henry Barricklow, Lucian Koons, Orson Potter, Oscar Potter, Don Roy Monroe, Stewart Hastings, Robert Walton, Earl Bailey, Leroy Williams Jr., Wayne Stahl, Bobby Potter, Don Kittle, Rick Short, Lloyd Stephenson, George Potter, Dean Henry.
Those who have served as Elder only: James Walton, Jacob Fischer, John Craft, James Higbee, Reece Buchanan, Daniel Monroe, Joshua McIntosh, William Buchanan, Ezra Hastings, Nelson Higbee, Robert Elliott, Walter Bailey, Bill Finley, Doug Romans, Steven Koons.
Those who have served as Deacon only: John Hunter, Timothy Newman, John Monroe, Joab Monroe, Jesse Stewart, Nathan Fischer, Scott McIntosh, James Arford, Jesse Monroe, Rufus Corson, Wesley Brooks, Clifford Monroe, Earl McIntosh, William Palmer, Earl Williams, Jesse Elliott, James Monroe, David Anderson, Wesley Buchanan, Charles Hastings, Rolla Weaver, Clinton Peaslee, Rueben McCardle, Charles McIntosh, Lester Kittle, Charles McCardle, Bob Bailey, Harold Johnson, George Elliott, Lloyd Bruce, Ernest Murray, Oliver Gerkin, Edward Murray, Donald Niccum, Raymond Lambert, John Hastings, Larry Hastings, Bob Koons, Paul Walton, Ervin Walton, Robert Adams, Chester Pratt, Malvin Potter, Virgil Reamer, Charles Scott, James Brittian, Leslie Fogle, Jerry Reamer, Jerry Koons, Bob Carter, Ron Potter, Ernest Murray Jr., Tim Hillman, Mike Stahl, Matt Koons, Raymond Kirkpatrick ,Jason Potter ,Aaron Potter, Paul Bruce, Chuck Ross, Travis Griffith, Terry(Butch) Adams, Don Bowman, Brian Earls, Fred More, Randy Scott, Steven Bailey, Nathan Bailey, AJ Phillippe, Nate Sexton.
Ministers (years ministry began listed): O.A. Trinkle – 1917, E.B. Smith – 1920, Bro. Sutterfield – 1922, C.L. Carey – 1927, G.H. Davis – 1928, Ernest Siebethal – 1929, E.E. McConnell – 1931, Harold Ward, Frank Buck, Charles Buck, Roland Lotridge, Ralph Clark – 1941, Russell Casey – 1946, Charles Race – 1947, Albert Holzbauer – 1949, Roscoe Adams – 1951, Harold Fogle – 1954, Robert Emsweller – 1961, Jack Howard – 1963, Cecil Styons – 1965, Marple Fannin – 1969, Walter Gilpin – 1970, Robert Edwards – 1972, John Robinson – 1973, Kermit Figart – 1977, David Boswell – 1978, Don Campbell – 1985, Michael Mullenix – 1992, J. Scott Walsh – 1993, Chris Miller – 1995 ,Beau Vanderbur – 2002 , Don Campbell – 2004, Davon Huss – 2010, Chris Hopper – 2017, Mark Snow – 2021, Josh Fennell – 2022.
Four ministers have been ordained from this congregation; Oscar Potter, David Fogle, Donald Potter, Dean Henry. Others who have gone on to specialized service include Carolyn Barricklow and Bonnie (Truitt) Duckworth.
History originally compiled by Phoebe Rice, revised by her daughter Sue Barricklow, revised by Barbara Koons Sept. 1977, and by Wayne Stahl Dec. 2000,July 2002, May 2006, April 2007, August 2008, Sept. 2010, Sept 14, 2012,Sept10, 2013,Sept 5, 2014,May 2018.