A Brief History
It was on the 11th of August 1831 that a group of men and women came together for the purpose of organizing a church and on the following day they adopted a Confession of Faith and a Covenant.
The population of the village then numbered 400. Meetings were held in a school house on West Jefferson Street until, The Brick Meeting House as the first church was known, was erected in 1835. (Another source says they met in the Courthouse.) The church was officially incorporated by the State of Ohio in 1833 as a Congregational -Presbyterian Church.
Among the charter members were Quintus F. Atkins, the first Sheriff of Ashtabula County and his wife Sarah, Congressman Joshua R. Giddings and his wife Laura, Lynds Jones, and associate judge of the court of common please, and James Hoyt, a soldier of the War of 1812 and a shoemaker by trade, with his wife Polly. Samuel Hendry, the first clerk of courts of the county, was another of the founding member and was also the first Superintendent of Sunday School. Another was Dr. Almon Hawley, a graduate of Yale, who began his practice in Jefferson in 1829.
The original plot of the town by Gideon Granger, the first Postmaster General of the United States, designated certain areas be reserved for the use of churches, schools, and public parks. So ground was given to the Congregation-Presbyterian Church, and to make it true to it's kind back east the building was placed at the rear so there would be a green in front of it.
The population of the village then numbered 400. Meetings were held in a school house on West Jefferson Street until, The Brick Meeting House as the first church was known, was erected in 1835. (Another source says they met in the Courthouse.) The church was officially incorporated by the State of Ohio in 1833 as a Congregational -Presbyterian Church.
Among the charter members were Quintus F. Atkins, the first Sheriff of Ashtabula County and his wife Sarah, Congressman Joshua R. Giddings and his wife Laura, Lynds Jones, and associate judge of the court of common please, and James Hoyt, a soldier of the War of 1812 and a shoemaker by trade, with his wife Polly. Samuel Hendry, the first clerk of courts of the county, was another of the founding member and was also the first Superintendent of Sunday School. Another was Dr. Almon Hawley, a graduate of Yale, who began his practice in Jefferson in 1829.
The original plot of the town by Gideon Granger, the first Postmaster General of the United States, designated certain areas be reserved for the use of churches, schools, and public parks. So ground was given to the Congregation-Presbyterian Church, and to make it true to it's kind back east the building was placed at the rear so there would be a green in front of it.
Notable Members
Senator Joshua R Giddings (1795-1864). Was a charter member and was an avid abolitionist. His law office still stands at Giddings Park in Jefferson Ohio. He is buried at Oakdale Cemetery
Elbert L Lampson (1852 - 1930). Lampson was the 21st Lieutenant Governor of Ohio and former State Senator. He is buried at Oakdale Cemetery
Senator Robert J Boggs. Senator Boggs, actively pursued reforms for people living with disabilities, people living with mental illness and education reform. Senator Boggs is still advocating for many people today in Northeast Ohio and beyond.
Fun Facts
Neal Armstrong was baptized as an infant here! Yes, that Neal Armstrong!"
Senator Joshua R Giddings (1795-1864). Was a charter member and was an avid abolitionist. His law office still stands at Giddings Park in Jefferson Ohio. He is buried at Oakdale Cemetery
Elbert L Lampson (1852 - 1930). Lampson was the 21st Lieutenant Governor of Ohio and former State Senator. He is buried at Oakdale Cemetery
Senator Robert J Boggs. Senator Boggs, actively pursued reforms for people living with disabilities, people living with mental illness and education reform. Senator Boggs is still advocating for many people today in Northeast Ohio and beyond.
Fun Facts
Neal Armstrong was baptized as an infant here! Yes, that Neal Armstrong!"
