Thirteen African American familes settled in Pebble Township of Pike County, Ohio in the early 1820's. The settlers, former slaves and freemen, were a multi-talented group of people. They used these talents to build a community. In addition to talents, they brought a good measure of wealth with them. They built a school, meeting hall and organized a church. The church met for several years in the homes of the settlers, but in 1824 a log structure was built on land donated by one of the settlers, Minor Muntz.

The church became the center of activity in the settlement. Through the church, families associated with persons in other nearby settlements. They attended a convention in Brown County in 1847, and to a Baptist Association of churches in 1848. Attendees to the convention were from churches in Columbus, Xenia, Cincinnati, and Chilllicothe. These religious gatherings allowed an exchange of ideas, as well as spiritual guidance. The returning delegates to the Pee Pee Settlement (as it was called) brought news from other places. Several of the members, as a result, became active in the Underground Railroad.

Members of the settlement were harassed and some of the homes were burned, the church, however, continued to prosper.

The church membership grew after the Civil War because of the migration north of scores of African American families to Southern Ohio. The church continued to be the center of activity. Festivals, picinics, holiday dramas, concerts homecomings services, and basket dinners,were enjoyed at the church in addition to the worship services held every Sunday morning. Worhippers came from every direction summoned by the ringing of the bell.

Great orators brought the "Word" to the Sunday services. During weekday evening, however, classes were taught to help educate the unlearned.

The church still stands today and continues to provide spiritual guidance to its congregation. Recently a historical maker was placed at the church to commerate the PP settlement and the Eden Baptist Church for their efforts during the Underground Railroad movement.

The Union Baptist Church of BlackFork was organized in 1819. The congregation built a log church building on the Wicky Jones farm. The first minister was Rev. K. L. Carter of Franklin Valley. As the church grew, it relocated to the farm of John Keels. The timbers used to construct the new church were recycled from the Saunders Church. Many members of the church were involved in the work of the Underground Railroad.

Established in 1821 by Rev. Peter James, the congregation withdrew from the white methodist church. Peter James and others were dissatisfied with the treatment of the Black members who were forced to sit in a gallery area of the church and take communion after the white members finished.

The new congregation put themselves under the ledership of Rev. Richard Allen of Philladelphia in 1823. Among the founding members were Adam Brown, Thomas and Jemima Woodson, Fanny Demint, Burwell and Amelia Kurtland (Burwell was the half-brother of Peter James)and others.

The church helped to educate many People of Color in Chillicothe. In the 1840's, they secured land on which a school was to be built. Unfortunately, the money promised by subscribers was not forthcoming, therefore the school was never built.

Known today as the First Baptist Church, it was organized by David Nickens in 1824. David was the first recorded ordained Baptist minister in the state of Ohio. They were assisted in organizing by The Revs. Cory of Frankfort and Speers of Chillicothe.

In 1830 the congregation offically became known as the First Anti-slavery Baptist Church of Chillicothe. Rev. Willam Mitchell, the Chancellor family several others were active in the Underground Railroad.

Members of the Church assisted in educating People of Color in Chillicothe. They maintained an excellent choral group that came to known for its musical talents throughout southern Ohio.