A HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT CIRCLEVILLE, OHIO

 

Founding and Early Years

The Presbyterian Church of Circleville, Ohio, was established in 1822 and quickly became the principal Presbyterian congregation in Pickaway County. The first church building, known as the Meeting House, was constructed in 1826 on the site where the present church stands, making it the first church structure in Circleville. Over the years, three different church buildings have occupied this historic East Mound Street location.
 

The Evolution of Church Buildings

Dr. James E. Rowland served as pastor of First Presbyterian from 1843 until his death in 1854. During his pastorate, efforts were made to construct a new church on the original site. Though the building was unfinished at the time of his passing, Dr. Rowland was the first to be buried in front of the church, and later under the tower. When the present edifice was built in 1899, his remains were moved beneath the current bell tower, where they remain today.

The current church building was designed by Charles A. Stribling and constructed between 1899 and 1901 under the leadership of Rev. F.L. Bullard (1897-1902). The tower was added in 1910. The church’s interior follows the Akron Plan, featuring pews arranged in a semi-circle and three aisles instead of one central aisle.

Three stunning stained-glass windows, designed by Marion Darst, were installed when the building was constructed. The Ascension Window, facing Mound Street, depicts Jesus Christ ascending into heaven. The Resurrection Angel Window on the west side of the sanctuary features a beautiful angel. The third window, the Cross and Doves Window, is located above the chancel and displays a white cross surrounded by lilies and six doves. Above the chancel, a Descending Dove, cast in plaster, was donated by longtime church member Theodore Steele.

To accommodate the growing congregation, the church built its first Christian Education wing in 1965. Before this, Sunday School classes were held in various parts of the church, including the furnace room and balconies. By the early 2000s, the church again recognized the need for greater accessibility and updated facilities. After much prayer and discussion, a major renovation project began in 2004. The original Christian Education wing was demolished and replaced with a new Fellowship Hall, expanded offices, an elevator, refurbished classrooms, and improved accessibility. Completed in under a year, the addition was dedicated in 2005. The old Social Room, renamed Carla’s Corner, remains a gathering place for the congregation and community organizations. Following Rev. Campbell’s retirement, the new Fellowship Hall was renamed Campbell Hall in his honor.

The Old School-New School Controversy and Reunification

The church’s first pastor, William Burton, was called to serve in 1822, resigned in 1835, and was succeeded by Franklin Putman. During his tenure, a national theological schism caused the Presbyterian Church to split into Old School and New School factions. In Circleville, the majority aligned with the New School movement and retained control of the original church building. In 1838, an Old School “Central Church” formed and existed separately from First Presbyterian for more than 40 years.

During the last years of the separation, Central Church was served by Rev. William MacMillan and Rev. John H. Pratt, while First Presbyterian Church was led by Rev. Samuel H. McMullin and Rev. S.P. Dunlap. Non-Presbyterians confused them, and they often got one another’s mail. In 1882, under the leadership of Dr. James P. Stratton, the two congregations reunited. Dr. Stratton served as pastor for 14 years and oversaw a period of renewed growth and unity within the church.

The Church in the 20th Century

The early 20th century was a period of revival, but the First World War caused many to desert religion as not pertinent to their lives. At the same time, many mainline religions, including Presbyterianism, were divided by the controversy between fundamentalists and modernists. The Circleville Church, like others, suffered from this division.

In 1937, an energetic young pastor, Robert Kelsey, was called and began to rebuild the church’s youth program. This emphasis on youth continued under the pastorates of Carl Kennedy (1934-46) and Donald Mitchel (1947-61).

A significant moment occurred in 1959 with the uniting of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. with the United Presbyterians. The previous emphasis on youth began to erode, leading to a decline that continued for a generation. Despite efforts by Rev. Henry Walters (1961-77) to encourage Christian education, the congregation aged, and membership remained relatively static.

At the beginning of the 1980s, the Northern and Southern Presbyterian denominations united, leading to some challenges due to the Southern Church’s historically more conservative stance. Between 1977 and 2008, pastors Ed Clydesdale and Bill Campbell worked to appeal to young families. Although much was accomplished, the church’s overall membership has changed little since the 1940s. Nonetheless, the congregation has continued to endure and often thrive through both prosperous and difficult times.
 

The Church in the 21st Century

Rev. William M. Campbell’s retirement in 2008 marked the end of an era for the church. Rev. Troy S. Braswell served as pastor from 2011 to 2015, followed by Rev. Joel A. Esala from 2017 to 2020. In July 2022, the congregation welcomed back Rev. Dr. Nancy Jo Dederer, who had previously served as Director of Christian Education at the church. A lifelong Presbyterian, Rev. Dederer brings extensive experience in pastoral leadership and a passion for revitalizing congregations.

Music and Worship

Music has always played a central role in the church’s worship. The Chancel Choir, directed by Rita Painter since 1993, provides vocal music, while the handbell choir, currently led by Erin Spring, has been a church fixture since the late 1970s. The church’s pipe organ, originally installed in 1929 as a gift from the Page Organ Company of Lima, Ohio, has been extensively rebuilt by the Bunn-Minnick Pipe Organ Company. With 28 ranks of pipes, full chimes, and a harp, it is considered one of the finest pipe organs in central Ohio. Organists Jack Mader and Pat Beathard currently alternate Sundays playing the organ. They are the sixth and seventh people, respectively, to hold the organist position in the church’s 200-year history.

Community Engagement

The church regularly supports the community through a variety of outreach efforts. Most notably, for the past 30 years, the church has hosted a Community Kitchen that provides evening meals three times a week. Supported by the congregation and other local churches and organizations, the kitchen continues to serve those in need.

The church is also home to Hope House, the local men’s shelter. Hope House is an emergency shelter open from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. seven days a week. Guests are provided meals, have access to laundry facilities, and can take a hot shower on site.
 
Our congregation is in the process of building “Faith House”, an affordable housing initiative. We broke ground in 2024 and hope to complete construction in the spring of 2025. Once complete, this affordable housing option will benefit a local family.
 
In addition to the outreach programs listed above, the church provides community support, financial support, and collection efforts for a variety of local and global initiatives.
 
For over two centuries, the Circleville Presbyterian Church has been a beacon of faith and service in the community. Through wars, theological divisions, and societal changes, the church has remained steadfast in its mission to serve Christ. With God’s guidance, it will continue to be a place of worship, fellowship, and service for generations to come.
 
A special thanks to Wallace W. Higgins and Jack Mader for providing this history.