In the early 1870’s or 1880’s, there was a church on
Kemper Road, then known as Poke Creek Road. It burned down and there was no
church for people to attend. Georgia Thompson, her mother and father, lived in
the brick house at the end of the bridge on Symmes side of the Little Miami
River. At the time there was a B&O depot just across the B&O tracks across from
the Thompson’s house. They had the old fashioned hitching posts around the
depot. On Sunday afternoons, the men and boys would gather around them. Mrs.
Thompson said they ought to have some place where they could worship. They got
in touch with the B&O Railroad Company and got permission to use the depot. They
placed chairs and then put boards from one chair to another for people to sit
on. They secured Minister’s from Cincinnati to preach for them. Miss Georgia
Thompson had an old fashioned organ which her father and the other men would
carry over every Sunday. After services were over, they returned the organ. Miss
Georgia Thompson played the organ. The depot would be full of people every
Sunday night. Out of this group the Ladies Aid Society was organized. When they
earned $200.00 by lawn fetes and suppers they purchased the lots where the
church and parsonage are located at the present time. Each lot measures 50x100
feet. The building of the church then began. The contractor was George Groves
from Remington and he was a cousin of Nettie (Carr) Clendening’s father. Part of
the work was donated. Miss Georgia Thompson and her parents moved to Loveland
before the church was completed.
The following is the article from the 1888 Enquirer:
Dedication of Branch Hill United Methodist
Church
Dedication of a beautiful new M.E. church at Branch Hill. The pleasant village
of Branch Hill, our on the Little Miami River, is the home of many
Cincinnatians. The place is one of the prettiest on the river, and its people
were never happier than yesterday, the date of the dedication of their beautiful
new M.E. church. One of the earliest churches of the Miami Valley was built
across the river from Branch Hill, but years ago was destroyed and never
rebuilt. Last winter the noble women of Branch Hill resolved that a church
should be built, and one rainy Sunday night at the conclusion of services in the
little depot at the B&O Railroad, it was resolved to commence at once. A Ladies
Aid Society was formed and in six months $200.00 was saved from socials and
subscriptions of $1100.00 were raised. The work of building was begun and the
church completed. The church is a neat frame building with a pretty tower. The
pretty interior is lighted through clear glass windows with colored borders. The
alter and pulpit, as well as the furniture is beautiful, and a splendid new
organ is in place. The cost of the church as $2200.00. The dedication services
took place at 11 o’clock. The services were prefaced by the singing of the solo
“Ruth and Naomi” by Mrs. Fischer of Cincinnati, most charmingly rendered. The
sermon was preached by Rev. J.H. Bayless D.D. of Cincinnati, and the church was
dedicated according to the Ritual of the Methodist Church. Mr. Lemon of the
Cincinnati Camp Grounds sang the beautiful solo “The Psalms”. The collection
amounting to $300.00 was taken. The pretty house of worship, the outcome of
woman’s labor of love, was consecrated to worship with Rev. O.D. Becker as its
pastor. A Sunday school was organized with John A. Davis as Superintendent. The
following officers were appointed and installed.
Trustees:
Stewards:
Building Committee:
John W. Baen Jr. John W. Baen
Jr. John A. Davis
Mrs. C.J. Hanners John A. Davis
John W. Baen
John D. Gallagher
John W.
Shawhan
John W. Shawhan
John D.
Gallagher
John A. Davis E.V. Brookfield
In February 1902 the bell was installed. It weighed 500lbs and cost $130.00. In 1913 the Social Room was built at the rear of the church. Mr. Otis James made the railing around the Alter. In 1914, the sidewalks were put in. In 1915 the church was painted for $50.00. In 1925 the cistern was dug. In 1926 the kitchen was added to the Social Room.
On October 26, 1929, Mrs. Charlinda J. Hanners donated the sum of $45.00 for the building of the Parsonage on the church lot of the Branch Hill Methodist Episcopal Church. A Ladies Aid was organized and they gave suppers and lawn fetes and served meals on Election Day to make money. Every Wednesday the ladies quilted quilts. Mrs. (John) Eva Turney would cook dinner while the rest of the ladies quilted. Some of the quilters were: Mary Thompson, Mattie Taylor, Nettie Clendening, Edna Spears, Mrs. John Bettis, Bessie Courtney, Mrs. Culter, Mrs. Wm. Koerkel, Mrs. Idlett, Edna Idlett, Nell Shunk, Mrs. Osborne, Mayme Greenwald, Mrs. Starzman, Dorothy Roat, Josie Brown, Mrs. Messinger, Mabel Johnston, Mrs. Hanners and sister," Toots" and Burke Gudger. Mrs. Hanners gave money to build the parsonage. She also donated the gravel for the cellar and walks. It was her wish that the following men be named as trustees of this fund: Henry Greenwald - Chairman; W.J. Thompson, Fred Culter, George Reece, Charles J. Starzman, H.C. Messenger, Rev. Fred Geis - the pastor, Burke Gudger and A.L. Thomas. Mr. Henry Greenwald was selected as Contractor. Burke Gudger donated $500.00 to pay for the construction of the garage. On June 8, 1930, the parsonage was dedicated. the parsonage is a lovely 2 story frame house. It has a big living room, dining room, and kitchen on the first floor and 3 bedrooms and bath on the second floor with a full basement.
In 1938, the 50th anniversary was celebrated with a homecoming.
In 1940, the Ladies Aid was changed to Women's Society of Christian Service. They continued to help with the church expenses by having rummage sales and suppers. They made lap robes and baby quilts for Emmanuel Center in Cincinnati. One of the big events that everyone looked forward to was the Christmas parties. Women came from near and far to be there for the fun, games and fellowship.
Two of our most devoted members were Nettie Clendening and Edna Spear. They held every office in the church. Nettie always unlocked the church, rang the bell, fired the stoves and furnace, was in charge of all the children's entertainment, played the piano for all functions and was Sunday School teacher for at least 50 years.
Mrs. Edna Spears (Baetz) was president of the Ladies Aid and W.S.C.S.,Treasurer of the church, Lay Leader to the church conference at Lakeside, and a generous contributor. Many times when there wasn't enough money to pay the bills, she would see that they were paid.
In 1941 a new roof was put on the kitchen. In 1942, Darold Greenwald painted the social room. A new roof was put on the social room and also the floor of the pulpit was extended to the wall, at the left. The sanctuary was painted and floors refinished. In 1943 new rug runners were purchased. The Honor Roll Board for boys serving in the Armed Forces from Branch Hill was dedicated in 1943. Dr. Frank English was given permission to plant a tree in the church yard to commemorate boys overseas. The tree came from Mrs. Baetz yard. Mr. Charles Starzman constructed a bulletin board in 1944. In 1948 new gutters were put on the parsonage. In 1949 a new roof was put on the parsonage.
In 1953 an oil heater was purchased for the social room. In 1954 new windows were installed in the sanctuary, they are amber glass with 3 inch purple glass around the window. In 1955 the church purchased a record player and public address system, dishes, stainless steel steam table,sink,cabinet,tableware, and laid linoleum in the social room and kitchen. In 1956 the church purchased hanging lights for the social room, had altar furniture refinished and reupholstered and the sanctuary repainted. The walls were a tan with the pulpit end stippled. The lower walls are brown with a rainbow of colors blended in.
In December 1956, the church purchased a $3000.00 organ. Juanita Latimer played each Sunday. Many donated money as a memorial to the boys serving in the Armed Forces. Charlene Adkins started taking lessons as her gift towards the organ. At that time three young people were taking lessons: Charlene Adkins, Jim Williams and Joyce McHenry. In 1957 the church purchased an electric stove and refrigerator for the parsonage. In 1958 the church was painted inside and out. The Church pledged $241.25 to the theological school to be built South of Delaware, Ohio. In 1959 new wiring and indirect light fixtures were put in the sanctuary.
In 1955, during the time of Rev. Walter E. Miller was serving as our Pastor, his greatest desire was to have an altar built in our church, so the Bible Fellowship Group decided to have that as their project. After 3 years of saving and with the help of some of our good members (Herb Schuman and Randy Stein) the altar was built and the velvet dorsal drape ordered. On Dec. 6,1958 the first service was held with altar and drape in place and a large gold cross in the center of the drape. At this service it was mentioned how nice it would look if they had gold candlesticks for the altar, and at the close of the service, enough donations had been received to buy them. The W.S.C.S. donated 2 candlesticks and snuffers, 2 brass collection plates and a baptismal bowl. The next project of the church was to purchase choir robes. A donation enabled the church to purchase lovely front steps.
On May 10, 1959, the 70th Anniversary Celebration of the Branch Hill Methodist Church was held. There was a dedication of the newly decorated sanctuary, the Baldwin organ and the new alter. There was an organ concert by the organist, Miss Charlene Adkins and guest organists. The girls choir sang and the history of the church presented. Services for the 70th were as follows:
9:30 am to 10:30 am - Morning Worship - Rev. James R. Hipkins
10:40 am to 11:40 a.m. - Church School
2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Dedication and Anniversary Celebration
4:30 p.m. - Smorgasbord
In 1962 " The Methodist Men" were organized. They gave monthly Fish Fry's, Spaghetti and Pancake Suppers. Bill Clendening and Herb Schuman were the head cooks. They raised money to have a well dug and they piped it into the Church and Parsonage. The men painted the outside of the church and put in new sidewalks and steps. They also sponsored a softball team, with Elmer Bockelman as coach. Anyone playing on the team had to attend Sunday School and Church one Sunday each month. In 1962, new oil furnaces were installed in the Church and Parsonage.
Open House was held in the Branch Hill Methodist Church, commemorating the 75th Anniversary, Sunday, September 15, 1963 and was well attended. Mrs. Mary Louise McHenry was chairman for a fine program as follows. A quartet by Mrs. McHenry, two daughters, and Ralph Innis. An organ solo by Jack Williams. Letters of Congratulations from former pastors, Rev. Whiteneck and Rev. Williams. A solo by Mrs. Nancy Hodges who sang " His Eye is on the Sparrow. Former Residents attending were: Mrs. Robert Rice ( Effie McFee) from Miami, Fla. Mrs. Bessie Reece. Five Ministers were present to give their blessings, Rev. Walter Miller, Rev. Spangller, Rev. Hanna, Rev. Hodges and the present pastor Rev. Doug Mullins. Cake and punch were served. Mr. Kenny Taylor was soloist Sunday the 15th at the Sycamore Church.
In 1967 the church purchased the Bradley property in back of the church and had the house burned so that it could be used as a parking lot. In 1968 the Methodist Church merged with the E.U.B Churches( Evangelical United Brethren) becoming " The United Methodist Church." The church left the Cincinnati District and went into the Wilmington District. In 1969 the church was having a very difficult time making ends meet, and even considered closing the church. Then a good friend, Marion Snyder, from Lebanon, Ohio, said he would be willing to come down and preach each Sunday, until the church could get back on its feet again. He stayed five years, and from that time on, the church has been out of debt.
In 1972 Johnie and Bob Armstrong and Bill McHenry put in rest rooms and remodeled the kitchen. Due to so many women working, the women decided to disband the W.S.C.S and what money was in the treasury was put toward the purchase of Formica topped tables and 24 folding chairs. In 1973, Bill Henry cut a door in the rear of the parsonage and poured porch and steps, as it had only a front and side door. Aluminum siding was put on the church and parsonage, and new carpeting in the sanctuary. In 1974 a new roof was put on the church and three large Sycamore trees were removed that hung over the roof.
IN 1975 a new roof was put on the parsonage, the trim on the church was painted and a sign put on the front of the church with the pastor's name (Raymond Mozena, Pastor). In 1977 the ceiling was lowered in the sanctuary and six inches of insulation put above. Bill McHenry wire and put in new ceiling lights. Mary Louise and Bill McHenry donated 16 upholstered cushions for the church pews. The entire interior of the parsonage was painted by Bill and Frances Bodley, Dick and Jean Charlton and Ray and Hilda Myers, and the bathtub in the parsonage was reglazed. Storm windows and screens were put in all fourteen windows of the church.
Updated:04/20/07
TO BE CONTINUED...