history

Myrtle Church was organized in 1880 by Rev. Houck, a Baptist minister from Gallia County. Church services were held in Myrtle schoolhouse, about one-half mile below Andis, on the Bald Knob - Deering road. This building was of log construction with wood clapboard roof. The members purchased a plot of ground near the site of the schoolhouse to build a church on, but these plans were never materialized. Because of the large number of members residing east of Myrtle Ridge toward the Symmes Creek area, it was decided to build a Church near the center of the membership. Consequently, the present Church site was purchased from the Fosdick company, who owned a large part of the surrounding land. This company later sold the remaining land to the Peter's family.

As near as can be determined, the present building was constructed in 1883. Most of the timber was furnished by Jacob Hopkins and Henry Dillon used his steam powered sawmill to cut the lumber. Both these men were charter members of the church...The large square sills and floor joists of virgin oak are as solid today as they were when installed. The original siding was of yellow poplar weatherboarding. The first roof was sawed shingles with two metal roofs being installed prior to the present asphalt shingles. In 1896, the belfrey was constructed and the bell that is still in use was purchased at Goldcamp Hardware for $87.00. This bell was hauled from Ironton to Myrtle Church using horses and wagon by George Humphrey and Joe Willis. The bell was first tolled for Nancy Humphrey. In 1909 the back door was installed and for the next forty years the church building was kept in good repair with normal maintenance, such as painting,roofs,steps,etc. In 1948 a new hardwood floor was laid over the original one. During the years of 1950 and 1952 extensive remodeling was done on the inside. New wainscoating,walkboard and new ceilings were installed. When this was completed, new hardwood seats were installed. In 1952 a basement was dug and a coal furnace installed. This served for heat until 1966, when a fuel oil furnace was installed. In 1966 the old belfrey was removed, the bell moved back on the main church and a new entrance was built, complete with new steps and a tile floor. In 1970 four rooms were added on to the back of the church and the choir was enlarged to accommodate an extra row of seats. All the new rooms were carpeted, including the front of the church and the aisle. Future plans include new siding (which has been done) on the old main building and new windows. The addition of air conditioning in 1973 makes the church comfortable the year round.

The first recorded minutes available of Myrtle Ridge Church are dated April 27, 1890. Events from 1880 to 1890 are reconstructed from the memory of our older members. Contrary to todays thinking in reguards to the population before the turn of the century, it is surprising to learn that in the 1890 letter to the association, the church had 78 members.
During the early days, the church kept a close watch on their members. If a member failed to attend regularly, charges were brought against them, a committee was appointed to go talk to the erring member and report back at the next business meeting. If the member did not come to the next meeting and make his or her acknowledgement, a motion would be made to call in their letter. In most instances, the member would return to the church, make acknowledgement and the right hand of fellowship was again extended or restored. Some charges indicated in the minutes were such things as intoxication or lewd conduct. These charges had to be cleared up before the church would accept the member in full fellowship.
In the beginning of the church, money was scarce. In June of 1891, the Church planned a supper at the Rock Camp Hall to raise money for the church. At times the church would appoint an assessor to assess each member according to their ability to pay. In 1892, it was recorded in a motion to buy Pastor J. C. Dillon a six dollar horse for transportation to and from church. From 1890 to 1900, the average salary collected for the Pastor was from three dollars to six dollars per month. In 1904 the church was first insured for $600.00 at a premium of $9.20. A collection was taken to pay the premium and the names and amount given were recorded. Twenty names were listed, making a donation of $9.15. Donations ranged from 10 cents to one dollar. Compare this with today's insurance policy of twenty-eight thousand dollars, costing ninety-five dollars per year.

Throughout the years the membership has always strived to do the will of God and uphold the Church as the means of spreading the gospel.

In 1897, Sunday School and Prayer meeting was moved to be establishe. This was not done until around 1900. Evidently prior to this, the Church did not have these services. In 1894 the church moved to have the church covenant read every three months. In 1893 it was voted to stop tabacco chewing in church. All through the early minutes it is indicated the church did not fail to deal immediately with problems as soon as they came up and by so doing, many problems were avoided later on. In 1902, for example, charges were brought against a brother in the church for, quote:"Treating the pastor and the church with contempt, and continually disturbing the peace of the church and other unbecoming conduct, such as association with gamblers and saloon keepers to collect money for church purposes."