On the maps the location of each rural church is indicated by a square and the residence of each minister by a cross. Lines connect each church with the residence of its pastor. Therefore the maps show for each church whether it receives the whole or a part of a minister’s service, and for each minister how many churches he serves and the distances he must go to reach them and the various parts of his parish.
The capital letters adjacent to each square indicate the denomination of the church. The figures in parentheses and next to the square indicate the enrolled membership. The figures not so enclosed indicate the resident membership. The abbreviations, Inc., Sta., and Dec. indicate whether the membership is increasing, stationary, or declining. Increase or decline in membership, however, is only indicated where it was possible to find the membership of ten or five years ago. When the figures for ten years ago are available, these are taken as a basis for comparison with the membership at the present time. Often the records of the churches are so kept as to make it impossible or very difficult to find the membership of either five or ten years ago.
Shaded squares indicate closed churches. These have no minister and hold no regular services.
Abandoned churches are indicated by black squares. It is believed that large numbers of them were not reported.
Churches marked “Not Organized” do not appear in the tabulations.
In the northwest corner of each township is given its name, while underneath are figures indicating its population. The large circles in the township indicate cities or towns of more than 2,500 inhabitants. Figures in parentheses indicate the number of their population, which number is included in the figures for the township. But in each case where they arenot in parentheses the town or city is itself a township. Figures in an oval indicate the number of persons living in the adjacent village or small town.
A key to the maps is here given.
KEY
Adams County, Ohio
Allen County, Ohio
Ashland County, Ohio
Ashtabula County, Ohio
Athens County, Ohio
Auglaize County, Ohio
Belmont County, Ohio
Brown County, Ohio
Butler County, Ohio
Carroll County, Ohio
Champaign County, Ohio
Clark County, Ohio
Clermont County, Ohio
Clinton County, Ohio
Columbiana County, Ohio
Crawford County, Ohio
Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Darke County, Ohio
Defiance County, Ohio
Delaware County, Ohio
Erie County, Ohio
Fairfield County, Ohio
Fayette County, Ohio
Franklin County, Ohio
Fulton County, Ohio
Gallia County, Ohio
Geauga County, Ohio
Greene County, Ohio
Guernsey County, Ohio
Hamilton County, Ohio
Hancock County, Ohio
Hardin County, Ohio
Harrison County, Ohio
Henry County, Ohio
Highland County, Ohio
Hocking County, Ohio
Holmes County, Ohio
Huron County, Ohio
Jackson County, Ohio
Jefferson County, Ohio
Knox County, Ohio
Lake County, Ohio
Lawrence County, Ohio
Licking County, Ohio
Logan County, Ohio
Lorain County, Ohio
Lucas County, Ohio
Madison County, Ohio
Mahoning County, Ohio
Marion County, Ohio
Medina County, Ohio
Meigs County, Ohio
Mercer County, Ohio
Miami County, Ohio
Monroe County, Ohio
Montgomery County, Ohio
Morgan County, Ohio
Morrow County, Ohio
Muskingum County, Ohio
Noble County, Ohio
Ottawa County, Ohio
Paulding County, Ohio
Perry County, Ohio
Pickaway County, Ohio
Pike County, Ohio
Portage County, Ohio
Preble County, Ohio
Putnam County, Ohio
Richland County, Ohio
Ross County, Ohio
Sandusky County, Ohio
Scioto County, Ohio
Seneca County, Ohio
Shelby County, Ohio
Stark County, Ohio
Summit County, Ohio
Trumbull County, Ohio
Tuscarawas County, Ohio
Union County, Ohio
Van Wert County, Ohio
Vinton County, Ohio
Warren County, Ohio
Washington County, Ohio
Wayne County, Ohio
Williams County, Ohio
Wood County, Ohio
Wyandot County, Ohio
On June 14 and 15, 1916, a meeting was held of the Committee on Interchurch Coöperation of the Ohio Rural Life Association at Columbus. This Committee is composed largely of superintendents and representatives of several of the leading denominations of the State. They met for the purpose of making a thorough study of country church conditions and were determined, if possible, to devise a remedy. The following were among those present: Bishop Wm. F. Anderson of the Methodist Episcopal Church; the Rt. Rev. Theodore Irving Reese of the Protestant Episcopal Church; Superintendents, I. J. Cahill, W. J. Grimes, A. W. Jamieson, Robert E. Pugh, E. S. Rothrock and Omer S. Thomas of the Disciples of Christ, the United Presbyterian, the Presbyterian, the Congregational and Christian churches; Dr. Washington Gladden, officially representing the Congregational churches; Rev. C. W. Brugh,representingthe Reformed Church, and Rev. E. L. Averitt, representing Rev. Tileston F. Chambers, Superintendent of the Baptist churches. Superintendent Rev. C. W. Kurtz of the United Brethren, and Superintendent C. S. Beck of the Methodist Protestant Church have also endorsed the action of the meeting.
After a thorough discussion of rural church conditions, the following measures were agreed upon as remedies:
Interchurch coöperation in every locality to create conditions favorable to the development of Christian character, to build a strong, wholesome, attractive community, to hold community religious services and social gatherings and to render all forms of social service needed in the community but not rendered by other institutions.
Where there is now no resident pastor in a township the combining ofall churches so far as possible either in one church or in one circuit or federated church under one pastor who should be held responsible for rendering social and religious service in the township.
To bring this to pass all ministers now visiting and preaching in a community should by their preaching exalt christian unity and the Kingdom of God, and in preaching and personal work try to prepare the people for acceptance of a policy of community service.
To secure coöperation of ministers:
Preparation and sending of bulletins to every pastor, containing program and making clear reasons for adopting it.
Preparation and sending of letters from this Committee to every rural pastor, urging acceptance of higher ideals of service as here set forth.
Preparation and sending to country pastors of frequent bulletins containing information and description of notable examples of good country church work.
Appointment of sub-committees to secure action by denominational bodies approving program of Committee.
The following statements of policy and methods were also adopted:
In a township or community requiring more than one church or pastor there should be a “federation of churches,” that is, a joint committee of pastors and delegates officially appointed by the several churches to learn and meet all needs, religious or social, which require coöperation or concerted action.
In communities whose compactness permits and whose population and resources require there should be only one congregation and pastor, but where two or more churches exist, churches should be united organically in a single denominational church, the denomination to be determined on the give and take plan. If organic union in a denominational church is not feasible, a federated church should be formed.
In a township or community where population and resources are inadequate to support more than one pastor, but where the population is so distributed that more than one place of worship and organized churchare necessary, a federated circuit should be formed and a common pastor employed. The several churches should be officially represented on a joint committee who shall act for the circuit not only in employing the common pastor, but also in learning and meeting all needs, religious and social, which require coöperation and concerted action.
In the forming or re-forming of circuits it should be brought to pass that the various fields served by one pastor should be as close together as possible. To make the minister’s field as compact as possible, interdenominational circuits should be formed.
The rural ministry should, it possible, be so distributed that in each township there shall be a resident pastor.
Measures to prevent the recurrence of over-churched conditions should be taken by every branch of the church. Each should determine not to organize churches where they are not needed or certain to be needed. In a new community needing but one church, an expression of the people should be obtained as to the choice of the church to be established. The desires of the largest number should be followed.
Where several little churches exist in a sparsely settled community and a union or federation is not possible or advisable, consideration should be given to the plan of having all these withdraw, and inviting a branch of the church not represented locally to come in and organize a single church.
In the exchange or withdrawal of churches reciprocity should be at least State-wide in its extent.
Where a denomination is given control or dominance in a community by withdrawal of other denominations, the continuance of that control or dominance should be conditional on the church and minister maintaining in their service a high degree of efficiency—the standard of efficiency to be determined by the denominational leaders who should formulate a few simple principles by which the usefulness of a church can be measured. The denomination holding a field should, for a reasonable length of time, report to those withdrawing as to progress.
Printed in the United States of America
The following pages contain advertisements of a few of the Macmillan books on kindred subjects.RELIGIOUS HAND BOOKS(New and Not Reprints)Each Sixty CentsTHE NEW OPPORTUNITY OF THE CHURCHBy ROBERT E. SPEERThis volume very suitably follows Dr. Speer’sThe Christian Man, the Church, and the War, dealing as it does with the present responsibility of the Church.THE CHURCH FACING THE FUTUREBy WILLIAM ADAMS BROWNDr. Brown discusses four big questions: First, Where the War Found the Church; second, What the Church did for the War; third, What the War did for the Church; and fourth, Where the War Leaves the Church.DEMOCRATIC CHRISTIANITY; SOME PROBLEMS OF THE CHURCH IN THE DAYS JUST AHEADBy FRANCIS J. McCONNELL“We have in mind the tasks of to-day as they confront the Christian Church,” writes Bishop McConnell.GOD’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WARBy EDWARD S. DROWNDr. Drown discusses this very interesting question in terse and vigorous prose.THE TWENTIETH CENTURY CRUSADEBy LYMAN ABBOTTWritten by one who has an exultant faith that never in the history of the past has there been so splendid a demonstration of the extent and power of the Christ spirit as to-day.THE WAY TO LIFEBy HENRY CHURCHILL KINGA discussion of the Sermon on the Mount, similar to that in Dr. King’s former bookThe Ethics of Jesus. Besides rewriting them, he has added material on the war and the teachings of Jesus.THE CHRISTIAN MAN, THE CHURCH AND THE WARBy ROBERT E. SPEERDr. Speer here discusses the essentials of a problem which has exercised Christian men since the beginning of the war. He deals with it sanely and in a manner that will be considered distinctly helpful.NEW HORIZON OF STATE AND CHURCHBy W. H. P. FAUNCE“Broad, profound scholarship, close relationship with progressive sentiment all over the land, and unusual powers of keen analysis and graphic statement are forceful elements inThe New Horizon of State and Church.”—Philadelphia North American.BY THE SAME AUTHORSThe Country Church: The Decline of its Influence and the RemedyBy CHARLES OTIS GILLAnd GIFFORD PINCHOTCloth, 12o, $1.25Is the country church growing in size and power, or declining? Is it doing effectually the work which belongs to it? These are in the main the questions which Charles Otis Gill and Gifford Pinchot consider in their book “The Country Church.” The book is not a collection of opinions, as it was found that there were almost as many who believed thoroughly in the country church and the work which it is doing as there were those who were doubtful of its efficacy. The volume is rather made up of facts brought forward by the personal investigations of the authors, and conclusions based on these facts.“Mr. Gill and Mr. Pinchot, collaboring in this problem of rural life, have given us a book which will at once become an authority in its field.”—Christian Work.“The facts and figures are definite and illumined by a myriad of side-lights.”—Boston Transcript.“Differs from almost all the others because of the thoroughness of the investigation and the soundness of the conclusions.”—San Francisco Chronicle.“Deserves most thoughtful consideration.... Should arouse attention and stimulate effort to restore to the country church the influence that it is losing.”—Christian Endeavor World.FORTHCOMING RELIGIOUS BOOKSProphecy and Authority:A Study in the History of the Doctrine and Interpretation of Scripture.By KEMPER FULLERTONProfessor of Old Testament Language and Literature, Oberlin Graduate School of TheologyCloth, 12mo.The purpose of this volume is two-fold—to discuss the principles and the interpretation of Messianic prophecy in view of the recent revival of Millenialist claims, and to re-open the question of the nature of the Bible as a principle of authority in Protestant theology.The author seeks to trace the way in which the methods of interpretation and the doctrines of Scripture affect each other in the Church’s interpretation of prophecy and to show how the scientific principles of interpretation adopted by the reformers inevitably lead to the abandonment of the Millenialist theory and dogmatic view of Scripture, and that these results are at the same time religiously desirable.Studies in Mark’s GospelBy A. T. ROBERTSON, M.A., D.D., LL.D.Professor of New Testament Interpretation at the Southern Baptist Theological SeminaryCloth, 12mo.This book aims to help the modern man to see Jesus as Mark saw Him in the first glow of enthusiasm under Peter’s preaching. It is readable and yet thoroughly scholarly and makes use of the results of synoptic criticism to show the historical foundation of our knowledge of the life of Christ. It is not commentary, nor yet exposition, but a critical discussion of the chief aspects of this earliest of our Gospels. The work is a real introduction to Mark’s Gospel and will unlock its treasures for all who read it.A NEW VOLUME IN THE BIBLE FOR HOME AND SCHOOL SERIESCommentary on the Epistle of Paul to the RomansBy EDWARD INCREASE BOSWORTHCloth, 12mo.The author of this Commentary has endeavored to help those who use it read Paul’s letter to the Romans with due regard to the pre-suppositions which possessed Paul’s mind and the minds of those to whom it was addressed, no matter to what extent these pre-suppositions have passed out of modern thought. He has tried to do this in such a way as to bring out the essential, vital facts of Christian experience which may persist under many forms of changing pre-suppositions.OTHER VOLUMES INThe Bible for Home and School SeriesSHAILER MATHEWS,General EditorGENESIS, byProfessor H. G. Mitchell$.90DEUTERONOMY, byProfessor W. G. Jordan.75JUDGES, byProfessor Edward L. Curtis.75JOB, byProfessor George A. Barton.90ISAIAH, byProfessor John E. McFadyen.90AMOS, HOSEA, AND MICAH, byProfessor J. M. Powis Smith.75MATTHEW, byProfessor A. T. Robertson.60MARK, byProfessor M. W. Jacobus.75ACTS, byProfessor George H. Gilbert.75GALATIANS, byProfessor B. W. Bacon.50EPHESIANS AND COLOSSIANS, byReverend Gross Alexander.50HEBREWS, byProfessor E. J. Goodspeed.50VOLUMES IN PREPARATIONI SAMUELBy Professor L. W. BattenPSALMSBy Reverend J. P. PetersJOHNBy Professor Shailer MathewsI AND II CORINTHIANSBy Professor J. S. RiggsTHE MACMILLAN COMPANYPublishers64-66 Fifth AvenueNew York
The following pages contain advertisements of a few of the Macmillan books on kindred subjects.
RELIGIOUS HAND BOOKS(New and Not Reprints)Each Sixty Cents
THE NEW OPPORTUNITY OF THE CHURCH
By ROBERT E. SPEER
This volume very suitably follows Dr. Speer’sThe Christian Man, the Church, and the War, dealing as it does with the present responsibility of the Church.
THE CHURCH FACING THE FUTURE
By WILLIAM ADAMS BROWN
Dr. Brown discusses four big questions: First, Where the War Found the Church; second, What the Church did for the War; third, What the War did for the Church; and fourth, Where the War Leaves the Church.
DEMOCRATIC CHRISTIANITY; SOME PROBLEMS OF THE CHURCH IN THE DAYS JUST AHEAD
By FRANCIS J. McCONNELL
“We have in mind the tasks of to-day as they confront the Christian Church,” writes Bishop McConnell.
GOD’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WAR
By EDWARD S. DROWN
Dr. Drown discusses this very interesting question in terse and vigorous prose.
THE TWENTIETH CENTURY CRUSADE
By LYMAN ABBOTT
Written by one who has an exultant faith that never in the history of the past has there been so splendid a demonstration of the extent and power of the Christ spirit as to-day.
THE WAY TO LIFE
By HENRY CHURCHILL KING
A discussion of the Sermon on the Mount, similar to that in Dr. King’s former bookThe Ethics of Jesus. Besides rewriting them, he has added material on the war and the teachings of Jesus.
THE CHRISTIAN MAN, THE CHURCH AND THE WAR
By ROBERT E. SPEER
Dr. Speer here discusses the essentials of a problem which has exercised Christian men since the beginning of the war. He deals with it sanely and in a manner that will be considered distinctly helpful.
NEW HORIZON OF STATE AND CHURCH
By W. H. P. FAUNCE
“Broad, profound scholarship, close relationship with progressive sentiment all over the land, and unusual powers of keen analysis and graphic statement are forceful elements inThe New Horizon of State and Church.”—Philadelphia North American.
BY THE SAME AUTHORS
The Country Church: The Decline of its Influence and the Remedy
By CHARLES OTIS GILLAnd GIFFORD PINCHOT
Cloth, 12o, $1.25
Is the country church growing in size and power, or declining? Is it doing effectually the work which belongs to it? These are in the main the questions which Charles Otis Gill and Gifford Pinchot consider in their book “The Country Church.” The book is not a collection of opinions, as it was found that there were almost as many who believed thoroughly in the country church and the work which it is doing as there were those who were doubtful of its efficacy. The volume is rather made up of facts brought forward by the personal investigations of the authors, and conclusions based on these facts.
“Mr. Gill and Mr. Pinchot, collaboring in this problem of rural life, have given us a book which will at once become an authority in its field.”—Christian Work.
“The facts and figures are definite and illumined by a myriad of side-lights.”—Boston Transcript.
“Differs from almost all the others because of the thoroughness of the investigation and the soundness of the conclusions.”—San Francisco Chronicle.
“Deserves most thoughtful consideration.... Should arouse attention and stimulate effort to restore to the country church the influence that it is losing.”—Christian Endeavor World.
FORTHCOMING RELIGIOUS BOOKS
Prophecy and Authority:A Study in the History of the Doctrine and Interpretation of Scripture.
By KEMPER FULLERTONProfessor of Old Testament Language and Literature, Oberlin Graduate School of Theology
Cloth, 12mo.
The purpose of this volume is two-fold—to discuss the principles and the interpretation of Messianic prophecy in view of the recent revival of Millenialist claims, and to re-open the question of the nature of the Bible as a principle of authority in Protestant theology.
The author seeks to trace the way in which the methods of interpretation and the doctrines of Scripture affect each other in the Church’s interpretation of prophecy and to show how the scientific principles of interpretation adopted by the reformers inevitably lead to the abandonment of the Millenialist theory and dogmatic view of Scripture, and that these results are at the same time religiously desirable.
Studies in Mark’s Gospel
By A. T. ROBERTSON, M.A., D.D., LL.D.Professor of New Testament Interpretation at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Cloth, 12mo.
This book aims to help the modern man to see Jesus as Mark saw Him in the first glow of enthusiasm under Peter’s preaching. It is readable and yet thoroughly scholarly and makes use of the results of synoptic criticism to show the historical foundation of our knowledge of the life of Christ. It is not commentary, nor yet exposition, but a critical discussion of the chief aspects of this earliest of our Gospels. The work is a real introduction to Mark’s Gospel and will unlock its treasures for all who read it.
A NEW VOLUME IN THE BIBLE FOR HOME AND SCHOOL SERIES
Commentary on the Epistle of Paul to the Romans
By EDWARD INCREASE BOSWORTH
Cloth, 12mo.
The author of this Commentary has endeavored to help those who use it read Paul’s letter to the Romans with due regard to the pre-suppositions which possessed Paul’s mind and the minds of those to whom it was addressed, no matter to what extent these pre-suppositions have passed out of modern thought. He has tried to do this in such a way as to bring out the essential, vital facts of Christian experience which may persist under many forms of changing pre-suppositions.
OTHER VOLUMES IN
The Bible for Home and School Series
SHAILER MATHEWS,General Editor
VOLUMES IN PREPARATION
THE MACMILLAN COMPANYPublishers64-66 Fifth AvenueNew York
Transcriber’s Notes:
Punctuation has been corrected without note.
Other than the corrections noted by hover information, inconsistencies in spelling and hyphenation have been retained from the original.