Lowell, Ohio History

Also known as The Disciples in Christ and Church of Christ. The Christian Church is the oldest institution in Lowell. It was organized in 1831 through the efforts of John Reed and others. A house of worship was built on the river bank on what was then the Walter Hall farm just below town. John Reed, Reuben Davis, John Sargent, Nathan J. Mitchell, George Lucy, and others supplied the pulpit. The Church at the time had a large and influential membership, despite the fierce opposition which it met by some of the other religious beliefs, one good brother remarking that "such teaching should be prohibited by law."

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After a number of years, a movement was started to either repair the church, or move it to town, and on December 26, 1854, a meeting was held in the school at Lowell, and three trustees were elected, John Alexander, Walter Bell, and Lester Stevens. These trustees, together with other members, met on January 2, 1855, and decided to move the Church to Lowell. The west half of Lot No. 9, in Block No. 11 was purchased from P. V. Buell for the sum of $20. The amount given from John Alexander, $5; Walter Hall, $5;  J. S. Williamson, $5;  D. Ross, $2; and J. B. Sprague, $3.  On January 15, 1855, at a meeting of the congregation, a committee consisting of L. Stevens, J. S. Williamson, and J. B. Sprague was appointed to take charge of moving and repairing the building. This building was at the north side of Third Street (below Market Street), and later became a residence between the Leake and Shuman properties. After the moving and repairing of the church, in 1854, a reorganization was effected, the first elders being D. M. Sprague and Daniel Ross; the first deacons were Lester Stevens and J. B. Spargue; the first treasurer was John Alexander.  The first regular minister of the reorganized church, of which there is any record, was S. Devore, who received $40 for his year's service in 1857. D.M. Hughey served as minister in 1858, and he also received $40 for his year's work. Finances were extremely low, there being at one time only $1.49 in the treasury. An audit of the books in 1859 was as follows: amount received from February 1, 1858, to September 17, 1859, was $41.05; expenditures during the year were $39.33; leaving a balance of $1.72.  In 1858 there was a membership of about 100. 

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Desiring a better house of worship, on April 1, 1871, a committee consisting of Lucian Allison,  E.V. Zollars, and O.W. Kile was appointed to solicit subscriptions for the purpose of erecting a new Church building. This being the present building on the north side of Fourth Street. It was built by Lester G. Allison in 1872. At a later date, the building was again in need of repair, especially the foundation and roof. Subscription for this purpose was solicited by Flora C. Rummer and the work was done by C.E. Judd and others. 

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In 1913, during the ministry of E. L. Karstaedt, and largely through his efforts, the building was razed, an addition built, a furnace installed and a baptistry added. Again in 1927, while H. E. Stinson was pastor, another Sunday Schoolroom, a dining room, and a kitchen were built and later still, electric lights put in.

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At various times in the history of the church, a Lord's Day school was organized, and after a time discontinued.  Finally on January 3, 1886, a permanent organization was effected. The first officers were J.W. Brabham, superintendent; Mary L. Mason, assistant superintendent; Effie M. Rummer, secretary; Flora C. Rummer, assistant secretary; Green Hazelrigg, treasurer, Jona Mason, librarian. On the first Lord's Day, 18 were present; the second, seven; the third, 18; the fourth, 23.

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The church had an estimated membership of 150 people in 1950, more than two-thirds of whom lived in Lowell and the others in the surrounding open country. Average attendance at the regular church services held on Sunday morning at nine o'clock ranged between one-third and one-half of the total membership.

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In 1950, almost 140 people were enrolled in the Bible services which convened just following the church service. Attendance here ranged between 55 and 75 people. Active in these services were the Crescent and the Couples classes which shouldered some of the responsibilities. The church had a mixed boys and girls choir of about 12 members. Finally, there was a Ladies' Aid of 25 members which met once per month. The young people of the Church of Christ attended regular meetings of all Christian youth in the area of Ohio and West Virginia of which Lowell was an integral part. They participated in the program of these meetings.

The Lord's Day School was started on January 3, 1886 through the efforts of Mrs. Effie Geddes. The first officers were J.W. Brabham, superintendent; Mary L. Mason, assistant superintendent; Effie M. Rummer, secretary; Flora C. Rummer, assistant secretary; Green Hazelrigg, treasurer, Jona Mason, librarian. On the first Lord's Day, 18 were present; the second, seven; the third, 18; the fourth, 23. At various times in the history of the church, a Lord's Day school was organized, and after a time discontinued. 

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The church building is a medium-size structure consisting of a sanctuary that seats more than 200 people, and other rooms of about one-half of this capacity for Bible school purposes. The church property was valued at $15,000 in 1950.

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The church offers Sunday Services at 9am, Sunday School, and Bible Study on Wednesdays. The Ladies Aid meets the first Wednesday of every month. The church also has a Hands & Feet Ministry that does clothing drives for the community.

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Early ministers of the church include: John Reed, Ruben Davis, John Sargeant, Nathan J. Mitchell, George Lucy, S. Devore, D. M. Hughes, O. W. Kile, E. R. Karstaedt, J. F. Ryan, N. S. Martin, A. H. Wilson, H. E. Stinson, D. G. Holman, C. L. Kendle, Kenneth Reed, Donaldson. Merle Farnsworth served as pastor for many years. Rob Tuttle was pastor until 2023. The current pastor is Mike Snyder.