Lithopolis, OH 43136

614.837.2321

A Brief Account of the Early History of Bloom Presbyterian Church Lithopolis, Ohio

Founded in 1827, the original chapel was built in 1829. The year was 1829,reading from the original record: "On the 8th day of Novermber 1829 Rev. Abner Leonard commenced laboring in this church as a stated supply." The church at that time had a record and was said to consist of eleven members. It was during the year 1829 that this building was erected. The first services had been held in a log school house in Middletown. The building, as first constructed had two doors in the rear, with the pulpit between them. One door was used by the Men and the other by the Women, and according to the custom of the time, the Men sat on one side and the Women on the other. Many of whose whose names are recorded in the church records now rest in the Cementery within the sound of this church's bell. Over the years of this Church's history, many ministers have served the congregration, leaving their mark on the church and community. The Rev. Samuel Wilson, who served almost 21 years, saw the mumber of communicants grow to 133. In the year 1859, the Rev. John Woods began a ministry that lasted three years, ending in his death here in Lithopolis, where he is buried. While he was Minister, revival services were held in Greencastle, resulting in the beginnings of a new church there. A century later the two congregations were to merge, with the Greencastle church adding its hundred years of service to the hertitage of the present congregation. The Greencastle church building was erected in 1861. Two bibles, one given to the Lithopolis church and the other to the Greencastle church by E.L. Miner M.D. show the latter to have been in active service in 1863 although it was not organized as a separate congregation until June 11, 1879. The final minutes of the Greencastle Presbyterian Church session and congregation were recorded December 30, 1962. Since that date, the two congregations have served as one. The original building built in 1829, now serves as the sanctuary of the the present day Bloom church. In 1957 a classroom wing was added. In 1971 the sanctuary was remodeled. In 1988 the building was renovated and improved. In 1993 we added a social room. The size of the congregation has remained small throughout the years. There is a desire now to increase the membership to serve the growing community. The church is friendly and retains the informality of a country church.