Randolph County Enterprise, October, 1953.
By Mrs. Alva Stephens.
Photograph By Cousins Shannon Hinshaw & Greg Hinshaw.
The following history of the Olive Branch Congregational Christian Church, located five miles west of Five Points on the Stone Station Road, was written and read at the homecoming service, which was observed August 30, 1953, by Mrs. Alva Stephens, great-granddaughter of two of the charter members.
The history of the origin of our church has been handed down to us by the records made by those who were battling for God and right some 95 years ago. Some records are written on paper, yellowed with age, some were printed in the Herald of Gospel Liberty, printed years ago and kept as treasures in the home of one of it's faithful members. Thus printed history, and the Rev. John Wetzel and wife who were left with the church longer than other charter members and gave us much news personally.
In the year 1858 a group of our fore-fathers living in the community where the Olive Branch Christian church is now located, felt a longing in their hearts for a place where they could meet together with their children and their neighbors to worship God.
There was at this time no church nearer than the Shiloh Christian church, which was then located two miles north of Farmland. The people having no way to travel but by walking, wagons, horseback or bobsled, they felt a great need for a place to worship in their community.
With this spirit of worshipping God in their hearts, they gathered together a small band who were of the same mind and met and worshipped in a little log schoolhouse where the church now stands.
It was here in 1858 that this little band of workers organized a church and called it Olive Branch. The charter members were Thomas Addington, Martha Addington, John Wetzel, Delilah Wetzel, Selathial Dod, Jane Dod, Andrew Martin, Mary Martin, David Louis, Millie Louis, John Knox, Mary Knox, William Doty, Mary Doty, Ester Stanley, Rebecca Stanley, Eliza McKee Williams, Elizabeth Engle.
Soon after its organization it began to grow and bring forth fruits. God's blessing was upon them and many were added to the church. Ministers heard the Macidonian call and came to preach Christ to the people. We have record of some of them who are as follows: Rev. Larkin Mullen, Rev. Samuel McNees, Rev. N.B. Summerbell, Rev. Joseph Coons, Rev. Able Holloway, Rev. Wesley Ross, Rev. Thomas Puckett.
The first ordained elders were John Wetzel and Selathial Dod, (deacons). The first ordained deacons were David Louis and Andrew Martin. Later Henry Miller was ordained to take the place of David Louis, who with his wife moved to Iowa. She living to be the oldest charter member and at the age of 88 she wrote a letter of admonition to the "church of her choice," Olive Branch.
As time went on they caught a vision of a new church building and it was erected in 1872 after worshipping 14 years in the log schoolhouse. The dedication was conducted by Rev. John Burket, better known to the people of that day as "Blind Burket" for he was blind.
John Wetzel was called to the ministry and was ordained and served the church as pastor. He being a very strong and faithful worker was privileged to spend most of his long and useful life in the community of his church, working willingly, with heart and hand to supply the spiritual need of everyone and by his deeds of mercy his true greatness was made visible.
Thomas Addington, another charter member, was called to the ministry and served as pastor seventeen years. His son, Alfred Addington, later on was ordained to the ministry and served as pastor. Others who had served were Rev. David Gunkle, Rev. George Johnson, Rev. William Terrel, Rev. Levi Capron and Rev. John Cortner.
Somewhere near this time in the closing years of the eighteenth century the church's first organ was bought. Miss Lora Brinkley of near Hopewell Church was the organist and John Stanley and W.C. Bosworth were the song leaders.
In 1898, the church seemed to be very low, and because of being "down in the valley" Rev. John Robbins was permitted to come and fill the pulpit.
He had no education, but he had salvation. He was a railroad worker but God saved him and called him to preach the gospel. God wonderfully blessed his labor as pastor and during the next four years many found Christ under his pastorate.
In the year 1902, Rev. N.H. Thornburg was engaged as the pastor, it being one among his first charges. The church continued to flourish and as the inner man is renewed day by day, it became necessary to renew the inside of the church building. In 1903, under the pastorate of Rev. Thornburg, the church was rededicated, Rev. J.F. Burnett of Dayton, Ohio, delivering the dedication sermon.
During the next few years the following served the church as pastors; Rev. Lonnie Mullen, Rev. Zelma (Johnson) Mills, Rev. Decalb Judy and Rev. H.L. Lott.
It was during the two years of Rev. Lott's pastorage that we who were in the fight for God and the right, inspired by his leadership, we as a church felt the need to "give of our best to the Master," and in 1912, the same building that our fore-fathers built in 1872, was moved across the road. A basement made and class rooms built because the people had a mind to work, everyone doing what they could. Thus the present building was finished and rededicated in the fall of 1912.
The Rev. N.H. Thornburg was called as pastor in September 1912 during which time the church enjoyed the greatest revival in it's history with people seeking Christ all over the house, while the alter was filled and many were added to the church.
In 1923 Rev. Ruby Oren was called again after serving two previous years and this time served six years followed by Rev. Denver Medsker, Rev. Thurman Oren, Rev. Wayne Janney and others.
Many have served God within the walls of our Olive Branch Church of which we have no record and many are serving yet today of which time will not allow us to make mention in such ways as trustees, Sunday school superintendents, teachers, singers, musicians and laymen. Each have had their part in this great work. Nothing has been unnoticed. God is keeping a record; each will be rewarded.
From the little vine planted here in 1858, workers have been scattered to the east, west, north and south to carry the gospel and while many are resting from their labors, their works do follow them, and we who are here today do truly say-"Faith Of Our Fathers Living Still," we will be true to thee till death.
Soon after its organization it began to grow and bring forth fruits. God's blessing was upon them and many were added to the church. Ministers heard the Macidonian call and came to preach Christ to the people. We have record of some of them who are as follows: Rev. Larkin Mullen, Rev. Samuel McNees, Rev. N.B. Summerbell, Rev. Joseph Coons, Rev. Able Holloway, Rev. Wesley Ross, Rev. Thomas Puckett.
The first ordained elders were John Wetzel and Selathial Dod, (deacons). The first ordained deacons were David Louis and Andrew Martin. Later Henry Miller was ordained to take the place of David Louis, who with his wife moved to Iowa. She living to be the oldest charter member and at the age of 88 she wrote a letter of admonition to the "church of her choice," Olive Branch.
As time went on they caught a vision of a new church building and it was erected in 1872 after worshipping 14 years in the log schoolhouse. The dedication was conducted by Rev. John Burket, better known to the people of that day as "Blind Burket" for he was blind.
John Wetzel was called to the ministry and was ordained and served the church as pastor. He being a very strong and faithful worker was privileged to spend most of his long and useful life in the community of his church, working willingly, with heart and hand to supply the spiritual need of everyone and by his deeds of mercy his true greatness was made visible.
Thomas Addington, another charter member, was called to the ministry and served as pastor seventeen years. His son, Alfred Addington, later on was ordained to the ministry and served as pastor. Others who had served were Rev. David Gunkle, Rev. George Johnson, Rev. William Terrel, Rev. Levi Capron and Rev. John Cortner.
Somewhere near this time in the closing years of the eighteenth century the church's first organ was bought. Miss Lora Brinkley of near Hopewell Church was the organist and John Stanley and W.C. Bosworth were the song leaders.
In 1898, the church seemed to be very low, and because of being "down in the valley" Rev. John Robbins was permitted to come and fill the pulpit.
He had no education, but he had salvation. He was a railroad worker but God saved him and called him to preach the gospel. God wonderfully blessed his labor as pastor and during the next four years many found Christ under his pastorate.
In the year 1902, Rev. N.H. Thornburg was engaged as the pastor, it being one among his first charges. The church continued to flourish and as the inner man is renewed day by day, it became necessary to renew the inside of the church building. In 1903, under the pastorate of Rev. Thornburg, the church was rededicated, Rev. J.F. Burnett of Dayton, Ohio, delivering the dedication sermon.
During the next few years the following served the church as pastors; Rev. Lonnie Mullen, Rev. Zelma (Johnson) Mills, Rev. Decalb Judy and Rev. H.L. Lott.
It was during the two years of Rev. Lott's pastorage that we who were in the fight for God and the right, inspired by his leadership, we as a church felt the need to "give of our best to the Master," and in 1912, the same building that our fore-fathers built in 1872, was moved across the road. A basement made and class rooms built because the people had a mind to work, everyone doing what they could. Thus the present building was finished and rededicated in the fall of 1912.
The Rev. N.H. Thornburg was called as pastor in September 1912 during which time the church enjoyed the greatest revival in it's history with people seeking Christ all over the house, while the alter was filled and many were added to the church.
In 1923 Rev. Ruby Oren was called again after serving two previous years and this time served six years followed by Rev. Denver Medsker, Rev. Thurman Oren, Rev. Wayne Janney and others.
Many have served God within the walls of our Olive Branch Church of which we have no record and many are serving yet today of which time will not allow us to make mention in such ways as trustees, Sunday school superintendents, teachers, singers, musicians and laymen. Each have had their part in this great work. Nothing has been unnoticed. God is keeping a record; each will be rewarded.
From the little vine planted here in 1858, workers have been scattered to the east, west, north and south to carry the gospel and while many are resting from their labors, their works do follow them, and we who are here today do truly say-"Faith Of Our Fathers Living Still," we will be true to thee till death.
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