WAYNE COUNTY OHIO 
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File Contributed for use in the Wayne County Biographies Project by
Name: John and Cordelia Hall
Email: johnh2all@earthlink.net
Date: January 2004
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"The History of Wayne County, Ohio" published in 1910 by B. E. Bowen & Co.


Methodist Episcopal church at Orrville
   A Methodist Episcopal church was formed in the district in which Orrville was 
situated as early as 1853 by Joseph Hayes, and services were held in a school 
house in the western part of the little village.  Among its first members were 
David Huston, leader; Mrs. Joanna Hayes, Daniel Hoover and wife, Mrs. Mary Van 
Buskirk, Father Wilford, a local preacher, and Mr. and Mrs. Skelton.  They 
completed their church edifice in 1868-69 and it was dedicated by Rev. Alfred 
Wheeler.  Pastors who served this church in the order here given are (since 
1869):  Revs. Clinton Craven, N. J. Close, A. E. Thomas, Philip Kelser, J. L. 
Sanford, J. T. McCartney, W. Reese, J. F. Brant, Freshwater, Ashbaugh, F. S. 
Wolfe, Boothe, Dunbar, Slutz, Barnett, Hyde, Meyer and Fleming.
   The present membership is two hundred and fifty.  The cornerstone of the 
church has this dating, "1866-1905," meaning the date of old and new edifices.  
The new building is perhaps the finest in Wayne county.  Its cost was eighteen 
thousand dollars.  It stands on Church street, and was dedicated by Dr. Mitchell 
of Cleveland, now of Chicago.