Augusta Cemetery, Augusta, Carroll County, Ohio

The following church history was taken from church records which include a history written by the late J. H. S. Mills in 1915, also records of the late Dr. Patterson, and other sources of information.

In the records of Hartville Presbytery, it is noted that David Hyatt appeared before the Presbytery, requesting that a church called "Still Fork" be organized in Augusta Township.  The request was granted, and the church was organized March 26, 1832, by Rev. James McKean.  The following elders were elected:  John Potter, Andrew Watson, David Hyatt and Robert Gribbens.  June 15, 1832 Andrew Watson and John Potter were ordained, and on the 16th the following nine members were received into the church as charter members:  Andrew Watson, Jane Watson, David Hyatt, Elizabeth Hyatt, John Potter, Henry Potter, Hannah Morledge, Mary Watson and Sarah Vanhorn.  Before the church was organized, Mr. and Mrs. Watson walked to Carrollton to Church, a distance of ten miles, and carried a baby.

Thomas Conley donated the land for the church and cemetery.  The church was erected in 1832 by donations of labor, and was a small log building called the "Meeting House."  It was located on the hill south of Pattersonville and derived its name from the Still Fork Creek.  The cemetery marks the site.

The furnishings of the church were crude, the seats were slabs of unhewn logs with wooden pegs, the pulpit was elevated and reached by a flight of stairs.  One minister was so small that he had to stand on a box behind the pulpit, in order to be seen.  The first communion service was an ordinary cup and plate.  Later a pewter plate and mug were presented by a friend.

During the summer, two sermons were preached each Sabbath, with a brief intermission at noon for a light luncheon.  There were few hymn books.  Two lines of a hymn were read, and all joined in singing, then two more lines and so on to the end of the hymn, this method was called "lining out."  Two men who were called clerks, stood at each end of the pulpit and led the singing.

Sabbath School and prayer meetings were held on Sabbaths when there was no preaching.  The Bible, itself, was used in Sabbath School and whole chapters committed.  The shorter catechism was committed and recited to the minister when he visited the home.

It is noted in the 1840 records that strict discipline was enforced.  One member came voluntarily to the session and confessed that he was sorry he had quarreled with a neighbor and used profane language.  After he was admonished by the minister and a statement read from the pulpit, he was restored to his former church standing.  Absence from communion services and negligence in baptizing children were investigated by the session.

This church building was occupied for 24 years, and 106 members were received into the church during this period.

The second church was built in 1856, between Pattersonville and Augusta.  It was chosen as a central location and the site is marked by a cemetery.  The land was donated by John Cameron, and the church built by Daniel Sheckler.  It was a well built frame building, painted white.

During the 26 years that this church was occupied, gradual changes took place.  Hymn books were supplied and "lining out" discontinued.  An organ was purchased about 1876, and Mrs. Chester Hyatt was the first organist.  Sabbath School, which had been closed during the winter months, was now continued throughout the year.  Lesson quarterlies were introduced.

Mid week prayer meetings were held at the church or home.  Preparatory communion services were held Friday and Saturday afternoons, with a service Sunday morning at which children were baptized.  These meetings were well attended.  The Communion services were made more impressive by a charge to the communicants, aside from the sermon, and an appeal to the unconverted.  The profane and those guilty of unrepented sin were warned not to partake of the sacraments.  There were 158 members received into the church during this period.

Our present church, a brick structure with beautiful stained glass windows, was built in 1882, and located at the west end of Augusta.  The cost was $7,000 and it was dedicated free of debt on Sunday, January 28, 1883.

The Centennial was celebrated on August 25, 1932.  The minister, Rev. Taylor read the scripture from an old Bible owned by Mrs. Sarah Thompson, and printed in the year 1599.  Mrs. Margaret Cameron Brothers, 90, was the oldest member present.  She had attended Sunday School in the old log meeting house, built in 1832.

Women were first elected as elders in 1944.  They were Mrs. Inez McCort and Mrs. Florence Figley.

The ministers who served the church from the time of the Centennial until the 125th Anniversary were:  Rev. Taylor, Prichard, Amis, Allison, Paxton, Snyder, Bacon, and student ministers Paul Fiedler and Douglas Carner.

On May 12, 1957, the 125th Anniversary was celebrated with student minister, Douglas Carner in charge.  Mrs. Lizzie Patterson, 91 was the oldest member at this time.

In January 1959, the church united with the United Presbyterian Church, then later became a member of the Larger Parish, which was the union of a number of smaller local churches.  It was called the Carroll Hills Parish and also included Corinth and Glade Run church.

In June, 1963, we had the pleasure of ordaining into the ministry, one of our very own members James Hanly, who had served as a student minister.  In 1972, Mrs. Helen Senior retired as church treasurer, after serving this office for 30 years.

Since the 125th Anniversary the ministers including student ministers who have served the church up to the present time, 1982, are:  William Burdick, James Hanly, Robert Meyer, Pat Morrison, Rev.'s Johnson, Antram, Hoover, Hofer, Dayne Baker.  Our present minister is Rev. Pamela Flower, who has served the church since 1979.  Rev. Martin served during a leave of absence by Rev. Flower.

At the present time, our church membership is 118.  Mrs. Helen Saltsman is the member with the longest number of years, with continuous membership since 1913.  The elders are E. D. Ossler, Patricia Ossler, Glenn Tucker, Wilma Erb, Margaret Mills and Robert Manfull.  Trustees are Glenn Tucker, Donna Tucker, Deirdre Kinsey, Denton Turnipseed, William Kinsey and Dan Wickersham.  The clerk of session is Lee R. Heston and Fred Wilson is church treasurer.

Concerning the history of the Still Fork Missionary Society, some notes written by the late Mary Caldwell stated that a former Missionary Society was organized about 1877, in the second church.  Our present Society was organized July, 1916, during the pastorate of Rev. Wilson.  Lizzie Patterson was elected president, Mabel Leyda vice-president, Florence Figley secretary and Mary Manfull treasurer.  The first meeting was at the home of Maria Thompson.  The present officers are president Irene Dinger, vice president Mabel Hofer, secretary Christina Ossler and treasurer Luella Heston.