A History of the Georgetown Church of Christ (Originally appeared in News Democrat, Feb. 1969)

In his autobiography Matthew Gardner writes:  “Concerning the origin of the Georgetown Christian Church, now known as the Georgetown Church of Christ (Christian), about this time (1822 or 1823) I began to preach regularly in Georgetown, Ohio.  The meetings were for some time held in a small brick schoolhouse: but as this would not hold all the people attending, as soon as the courthouse was erected, I preached in it.  This caused controversy and opposition from certain quarters which did not like to see the Christians getting a start in town.  However, this did not prevent the people receiving that religion which has the Bible as it’s only rule of faith and practice, to the exclusion of all sectarian creeds.”

A church was soon organized, grew rapidly and a brick chapel was built.  The church prospered for several years, the membership increasing to almost two hundred.  At length, due to various events, differences among the membership and other grievances, the membership became reduced, regular preaching was suspended, and the old church building was sold.  After this disintegration of the church, a few years elapsed without services, except occasionally in homes of the members. 

Early in 1876, members still living in the Georgetown community secured the ministerial services of J.H. Lockwood, who preached to them in the Georgetown Schoolhouse.  Early in 1877, the congregation wanted to build a new house of worship.  Alonzo G. Quinlan, who was county auditor, owned a large block of land on N. Main Street, on which his own home stood.  He and his family were members of the church and Mr. Quinlan said if the congregation would build a new church, he would donate the land for it.   So a frame structure, surmounted with belfry and bell, was erected on the land so donated, on the site of the present large brick church building.

On November 25, 1877, the new building was dedicated, the services being conducted by Isaac Errett, Cincinnati: Dr. John Shockey and J.H. Lockwood.  On the following day, Lockwood and Irvin West began a series of meetings which resulted in many conversions.  An entire re-organization of the church was effected on December 6, 1877, electing the following officers:  J.W. Laycock, Thomas J. Brown,  and Charles Phillips, trustees;  Conrad Wright and John Haslam, elders;  Thomas J. Brown and Charles Phillips, deacons.

The membership had now increased to eighty-two.  Lockwood remained as minister until 1882 when he was succeeded by J.W. B. Smythe.  A well-conducted Sunday School was organized with an attendance of fifty pupils and Lee Laycock as superintendent.

Since the re-establishment of the Church of Christ in 1876 there have been continuous services there.  At times the membership has dwindled, at others it has exceeded two hundred.  Many able, dedicated ministers have served it.  Some ministers have served it more than one time.  J.H. Lockwood ministered to the church again in the 1890’s; J.D. Houston, father of Judge J.H. Houston, R.H. Dodson, father of Ernest Dodson and John G. Quinlan- who later became Common Pleas Judge of Brown County- also served more than one pastorate.  In 1906, A.F. Hensey, who had been the minister while he was completing his education for the missionary field, went from the Church of Christ (Christian) to the Belgian Congo in Africa where he and Mrs. Hensey served many years as missionaries.  They came to Sardinia where they spent their retirement years.  As long his health permitted, he often preached in various churches of their work in Africa.

The old frame church was no longer large and adequate enough for the increased membership and activities.  About 1912, during the ministry of Sam Crabtree, a building fund for a new and larger house of worship was started.  In the early 1920’s John G. Quinlan, son of A.G. Quinlan, donor of the land on which the frame structure stood, was the minister.  He had served three previous ministries here and frequently preached if the church was without a minister for a short period.  He assisted in drawing the plans and supervised the construction, beginning in 1925, of the large buff brick building that is still the place of worship  of the Church of Christ (Christian), 402 North Main Street, Georgetown, Ohio.

On January 1, 1926, E.U. Dodson began his ministry, which continued until his resignation, due to ill health, on January 1, 1955, a period of twenty-nine years, the longest in the church’s history and one of the longest in Brown County.

On January 1, 1950, one highlight of church events was the dedication of the new Hammond organ.  Mrs. Jane Coburn, the organist, served the church with faithfulness and dedication for more than fifty years.  On December 31, 1950, in recognition of the twenty-fifth anniversary of Mr. Dodson’s ministry, his up building and enrichment of the program and membership, the congregation honored him with special services.

When the new building was dedicated in 1927 there was still an indebtedness of $10,000 but on Sunday, January 2, 1938, at a home-coming and celebration all notes and mortgages were burned, while a faithful, loyal membership rededicated the place of worship, free of all indebtedness.  At this meeting, nine members, who had been members continuously for more than fifty years answered roll call.  These included – John B. Quinlan, James D. Tracy,  Mrs. Lou Jacobs, Henry Markley, Stephen Haslam, Samuel Berry, Edgar A. Quinlan,  Mrs. Mattie Bennett and Miss Elizabeth Tracy.   Mrs. Flora Quinlan Dunn, Sardinia, the oldest living member, was unable to attend.  Reverend Stephenson of the Methodist Church and Reverend Vernon Martin of the Presbyterian Church, with members of their congregations joined in these special services.  The evening message was given by Dr. A.F. Hensey, former minister here who spent thirty years in the mission field at Bolengi, Africa. 

This is still an active, thriving church and is now completing a new addition for more class rooms and other services.  Its membership is more than two hundred, with a completely graded Sunday School for all age groups, a youth program, full-time ministry and the Women’s Christian Council.  The minister is Harold Arthur;  youth minister, Robert Reynolds;  Sunday School Superintendent, Marvin Case;  president of the Christian Women’s Council, Mrs. Barbara Seip.  In cooperation with other churches it participates in helpful services and activities in the community and county.