Springboro’s German Reformed Church,
now the United Church of Christ
Springboro’s German Reformed Church,
now the United Church of Christ
In early 1802, founding pastor Rev. Jacob Christman, an ordained minister of the German Reformed Church arrived from Rowan County, NC in what was then the Clearcreek Settlement.
According to an 1977, church history compiled by David Miller, Christman baptized George King on February 1, 1802, and preached his first sermon at the home of Augustine Preiz (Price) on February 4, thus beginning the first German Reformed Church in Ohio which later became the United Church of Christ, at Mill St & South Main St.
Additional historical notes on Rev. Jacob Christman:
With the leaving of Rev. Jacob Christman, there was no resident pastor in Davidson County until 1827. So it was that these faithful church people availed themselves of the services of almost any minister who would come and preach for them. Rev. Boger and Rev. Loretz came as often as possible. They probably did not visit the churches more than once every three months. After the death of Rev. Loretz, the Synod of Pennsylvania sent missionaries to the south from time to time. Among these were Wm. Weinel, H. B. Dieffenbach, Jacob SchoU (sic), John S. Ebaugh, George Leidy, John Rudy and others.
(Left: Jacob Christman memorial in Springboro Cemetery.)
Sources:
First Church Davidson County, A History of Pilgrim Evangelical and Reformed
Church (United Church of Christ) - Lexington, Davidson Co., NC (link)
Frank W. Snyder, Editor
Published by Pilgrim Evangelical and Reformed Church, 1957
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