Methodist History -- Lucasville and Ohio

The first Methodist preaching in Ohio occurred in September 1787 in the eastern part of the state at Carpenter's Station, near Warrenton, Jefferson County. Rev. George Callahan, a Methodist preacher traveling the Ohio Circuit (lying in Virginia between Wheeling and Pittsburgh), was probably the first man to have the honor of preaching the first Methodist sermon.

According to historian Samuel Wesley Williams, there was a blockhouse at the station to protect the frontier settlements and …

“Fifteen or twenty hardy backwoodsmen armed with rifles, tomahawks, and scalping-knives, stood on the outside of the assembly as protectors against an alarm. After the sermon was ended, a pressing invitation was given the preacher to visit Carpenter's Fort again, and he cheerfully acceded to the request.”

(John Marshall Barker. History of Ohio Methodism. Chapter 3. 1898.)

The long history of the Methodist Church in Ohio is replete with stories of its many significant congregations. Thanks to the dedicated preservation of these accounts by the church, the chronicles remain a valuable resource for local historians.

United Methodist Historical Society of Ohio

In 1839, at a time when the Methodist Episcopal Church in Ohio was only three decades old and still struggling on a frontier, a group of ministers from Ohio organized the Western Methodist Historical Society in Cincinnati for the sole purpose of preserving the records, manuscripts, memorabilia and books relating to Methodism in Ohio, an area bounded by the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. This group eventually became known as the United Methodist Historical Society of Ohio.

In 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University was founded by the Ohio and North Ohio Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Delaware, Ohio. In the year 1858, following years of Society inactivity, Samuel Williams sent a letter to the Faculty and Trustees of Ohio Wesleyan University suggesting that the materials of the Society be housed at the University. Williams’ recommendation was adopted, and the collection was moved to the University in 1859.

On January 20th, 1911, incorporation papers for the Ohio Methodist Historical Society were drawn up and approved by the State of Ohio. In 1929, a rebirth of the Historical Society was seen under the dynamic leadership of Rev. Austin M. Courtenay and Dr. Russell B. Miller, Librarian at the Ohio Wesleyan University.

Today, original materials and many more comprise the collections of the East and West Ohio Conferences of The United Methodist Church, housed at the Archives of Ohio United Methodism at Ohio Wesleyan University. Members of the Society include church historians, as well as others who have a common interest in preserving the history of United Methodism in Ohio.

Every year an award is given to the outstanding East and West Ohio Conference Historian (currently on hold). Certificates are also given to honor significant church anniversaries (currently on hold). The Historian's Newsletter is published by the Society twice a year and there is an Annual Meeting and Historical Convocation held in April or May of the year.

Previous meeting themes have included United Methodism and Ohio's Bicentennial (2003), Celebrating the 300th Anniversary of the Birth of Charles Wesley (2007), So You're the Church Historian (2013), Early Methodist Circuit Riders in Southwestern Ohio (2015), Celebrating Your Church Anniversary (2016), Celebrating Women of Courage, Character, and Commitment in the UMC (2017), and Crossroads of Ohio United Methodism (2018).

In addition to topical workshops, there are practical workshops for local church historians such as "Preservation 101,” "Creating an Archive for your Church,” "Making History Come Alive in the Local Church,” "Caring for Your Church's Photographs,” and "Oral History Basics."

The major benefit of membership is the opportunity to meet and work with others who are preserving and writing about UMC history in the state of Ohio. Membership is especially valuable to UMC local church historians as they work to preserve their own church records in local church archives around the state. However, anyone interested in the history of The United Methodist Church in the state of Ohio is welcome to join the Society. You do not need to be your church's historian to be a member.

The Archives is located in the Special Collections department of Beeghly Library, on the campus of Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio. Hours are 8:30-12 Noon and 1-5 PM, Monday-Thursday. During the summer months, it opens at 9 AM.

Emmanuel United Methodist Church

Emmanuel United Methodist in Lucasville, Ohio, has played an important part in the development of Southern Ohio. Its long history goes back to the early settlement of the Ohio frontier.

In 1848, the heirs of John Lucas, founder of Lucasville, decided to settle his estate and sold all the lots in Lucasville. The current church lot was purchased by Sarah A. Belknap (1787-1849), who came to Lucasville via the Ohio-Erie Canal from Vermont.

In April 1849, Belknap sold the property to the church, and a building was erected the same year. The bricks used to build the church were “fired” in the Lucasville vicinity. It was her daughter, Mary L. Belknap Moulton (1814-1896), who started a subscription paper and used the money to cover the cost for the building. 

​In the spring of 1849, the Methodist Episcopal Church of Lucasville was organized under the leadership of Rev. Sheldon Parker and Rev. L.A. Atkinson. The Rev. John Stewart was the presiding Elder. The new church became a part of the Piketon Circuit, First District.

In 1850, the first Sunday School was organized. Again, Mary L. Belknap Moulton secured funds for the first library and also became the first Superintendent. In the early 1920's, plans were initiated to build a new church with more room for social activities. The current church building was dedicated on July 1, 1928. For many years, the church remained a part of a circuit, but later (1950) it became a separate charge.

On April 23, 1968, Methodists united when The Evangelical United Brethren Church and The Methodist Church joined together to form The United Methodist Church. The Lucasville Emmanuel United Methodist Church is a member of The West Ohio Conference and Shawnee Valley District.

​Descendants of Dr. Daniel and Sarah Ainsworth Belknap and their daughter, Mary Belknap Moulton, continue to worship at EUMC, volunteer in the community, and dedicate their lives to spreading the Word of God.

Interesting Historical Note – In 1999, the Ohio Methodist Historical Society's Historian of the Year Award Winner was Marilyn Lyles of the Emmanuel UMC in Lucasville.

Lyles (August 27, 1929-March 11, 2015) was the daughter of the late Esto and Winifred Massie Davis. She was a retired nursing instructor, teaching at the Lima Memorial School of Nursing and Kellogg Community College for 30 years. Marilyn was a 1947 Valley High School graduate who later received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Ohio State University and her Master's in Nursing from Western Michigan. She also served as the Choir Director and Historian at Emmanuel UMC.

"Holy Club." "Bible Moths." "Enthusiasts" 

These are just a few of the names people called Charles and John Wesley and those gathered around them before anyone called their group a movement, let alone a church. Charles and John Wesley are considered founders of the Methodist Movement that led to what is now The United Methodist Church.