History of Chapel Hill Christian Church

R.D. 2, Wellsburg, WV

The first official records of Chapel Hill Christian Church shows a group of Disciples forming a Union Sunday School with the Methodist at Kadesh Chapel in 1885. Before that year, we think it is safe to assume that the group must have met elsewhere, perhaps in a schoolhouse or in homes of Disciples. In 1885 and the two succeeding years they helped repaid Kadesh Chapel Church, held Sunday School and church services there with ministers from the two denominations preaching to both groups on alternate Sundays. The Disciples took the name of Kadesh Chapel Christian Association. In 1895 the Union Sunday School was dissolved due to dissatisfaction by the Methodists to Rev. Monday's preaching on baptism. The Disciples then were requested to leave and they met at Hammond School, a one-room structure located on the land now owned by William Pilchard.

At Hammond School in 1896 the following served as preachers: Rev. William Monday, L.G. Willet, Charles Morell Watson, Delmar Ray Bebout, John F. Williams and a Mr. McDermitt. In November 1896, T.J. White came to serve and he with Mr. Bebout remained with the congregation until the present church was completed.

The church clerk has the original copy of a document dated February 3, 1897 drawn up at Hammond School in which plans were formulated to attempt to purchase Kadesh Chapel Meeting House from the Methodists for a Disciples Church. The paper was signed by Philip C. Oram, H.C. Wells, Robert Miller and Robert M. Wells Jr. officers of the Kadesh Chapel Christian Association.

Evidently the property could not be acquired for next we find a deed dated July 14, 1897 granted to Robert Miller and Henry Wells, trustees for the Kadesh Hill Christian Church by Samuel George and his wife Lucy F. George for the land of the present church.

The architect was Millard Wells of Wellsburg. No records are available of building costs. On May 15, 1898 Kadesh Hill Christian Church (note name) was dedicated with Prof. J.C. Keith of Bethany College officiating. T.J. White and J.E. Martin were the first ministers serving the new church with an occasional sermon by O.G. White. These were followed by Rev. Charles Cowgill who was the husband of Cora Hukill, a sister of the late James Hukill of Bethany, well known in this community. In 1907 the name Chapel Hill Christian Church was adopted.

Much credit is due the early women janitors who struggled with primitive heating methods, tending of oil lamps, baking unleavened bread for weekly communion and performing extra tasks during the protracted meetings. Miss Lila Oram, sister of Hugh Oram and Mrs. Mary Way, mother of Frank and Arch Way were janitors at the Hammond School meetings and the latter served in the newly built church until April 10, 1910 when Mrs. Eliza Smith, grandmother of Lee Harms, became the church custodian. We find many records of Mrs. Way and Miss Oram donating their services during the period the congregation met at Hammond School.

In October 1911, Mr. I.N. Whipkey was hired to repair the church. Since then numerous improvements have been made. An addition to the read of the church started in 1953 and completed in 1957, provided much needed space for Sunday School class rooms, kitchen and rest rooms. The architect was W.L. Garvin. In 1959 the church sanctuary was refloored and used church pews were purchased from Wellsburg Christian Church refinished. The men of the church in recent years have repaired, painted, paneled, plumbed and labored in many ways to keep the church physically attractive and convenient. In 1954 the water well drilling was donated by Glen Shreve and the plumbing material secured by him at wholesale price.

Other recent workers have been David Stewart, Lee Harms, John Ferry, James Ice, Arch Gadd, Lawrence Hoffman, Luther Grizzle, Charles Agnew and Kenton Adams. Future improvements plans include an outdoor storage room.

Shortly after the building was completed in 1898 several members of Stott's Run congregation brought their membership to our church. Among those were two sisters of James E. Wallace. Stott's Run members had been meeting in a one-room school off Route 88, between Bethany and West Liberty.

Besides the four early officers previously mentioned in connection with the 1897 document (Oram, Miller and two Wells), we find the familiar family names of Bonar, Hukill, Baxter, Britt, Degarmo, Deuly Way, Owens, Bowman, list of active members. A few years later we see the family names of Wellman, Hartley, Whipkey, Ledger. After 1907 are McGinnis, McDaniel, Smith, Miller, Fair, Manning, Wohnhas, Bane, Tyers, Reeves, Pilchard and Clark.

A study of the church Treasurer's records for the year 1898 and the two years following reveal that collections at church were made for state work, foreign missions, home missions, church extension and Children's Day. In addition to regular collections taken on Sundays, money was raised to meet expenses by subscription and by three or four socials held each year at the homes of members. In 1900, a money donation was sent to the Brethern at Galveston,Texas who had suffered losses due to the tidal wave there.

We are indeed fortunate to be located less than five miles from Bethany College founded by Alexander Campbell, who with his father formed a Christian Association which became the source of our present Christian Churches. Almost all of Chapel Hill's ministers have been able students from Bethany College. Although the salaries paid them have never been large, the money aided in financing their schooling and they gained valuable training and experience in the chosen fields. An early treasurer's record shows some of the first student ministers received $1.33 per sermon, later the salary was increased to $21 per month.

Lynn Barnes, Chapel Hill's Timothy, was graduated from Bethany College in June 1965. Lynn was reared in Hammond Community and is a member of Chapel Hill Christian Church. Lynn at the present time if living with his wife (Carolyn Harms) and child at Athens, Ohio where he is taking graduate work at Ohio University.

During the early 40's, the church was closed but was re-opened in 1946 with a Mr. Lyle preaching. Due to the efforts of Mr and Mrs. C.E. Reeves, Rev. Earle Biddle of Beech Bottom Christian Church was secured as minister. He conducted afternoon services from the fall of 1946 until the church was closed for the winter January 2, 1949. J.W. McGinnis, a staunch supporter of Chapel Hill, who as deacon in the trying times of the 40's kept alive the spark of hope among the congregation of better times to come. His contributions were not of the spirit alone, but also consisted of generous financial gifts.