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144 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
in the township for several years. Deacon R. Falley was the most
prominent member, and OAving to his efforts it Avas kept alive through
those early years. In 1835 a Congregational Church Avas organized by
Rev. Hirain Smith, from Westfield, Alassachusetts, who secured the love
and respect of his parish and remained with them until 1865. The
members of the Baptist Church, having become scattered, and Deacon
Falley's health failing, the members of the Baptist Church still remaining
Avere identified with the HCAV enterprise and became members of the
Congregational Church. TAVO years after the Congregational Church,
in 1850, the Methodists built a frame church at Castalia, which flourished
for a time, but has held no services since 1860. It was aftenvard sold
for other purposes. Castalia Uniyersalist Church was organized by Rev.
George R. Brown, October 12, 1862. , Five years later a $4,000 building
Avas erected on land donated by William Graves. Mr. BI-OAVH continued
pastor until his death.
The Church of Our Redeemer, at Venice, AA'as organized by an election
of Avardens and vestrymen in June, 1866. In July of the same year
Rev. Charles Ogden Avas invited to take charge of the parish, and on the
17th the ground Avas broken for the building. The corner stone was laid
by Rev. Charles Ogden, August 21, 1866. The parish Avas incorporated
on the 13th of October and admitted in the union Avith the Diocese of
Ohio, It Avas consecrated June 3, 1867, by the Right Reverend Bishop
Mcllvane. The church Avas erected by Russell H. Heywood as a memorial
to the departed members of his own family at a cost of $12,000. It was
deeded to the wardens and vestry on the day of its consecration, in connection
with a glebe of fifteen acres. It has had the following clergymen
in charge: Rev. Charles Ogden, from 1866 until 1868; Rev. George S.
Chase, from September, 1867, until November, 1868; Rev. George Bosley,
from October, 1874, until 1876. Services were held, either by clergymen
or lay readers, until 1878. It is noAV under the charge of Grace Church,
Sandusky.
The first marriage in the township was that of Charles Butler and
Clarissa Parker, 1816. The first mail from Sandusky City to Lower
Sandusky was carried on horseback and established in 1825. It Avas
taken once a week. The first postmaster of Margaretta was Samuel B.
Carpenter. In 1810 Cleveland was the nearest postoffice. The first store
was started by Maj. Fred Falley for trading with the Indians. He
afterward Avent into the service of the Government to furnish army
supplies.
The first schoolhouse AA'as built of logs, at the junction of the Venice
and Cold Creek roads, in 1818, by Capt. A. Parker and some neighbors.
The first teacher was Thomas McCullough, Avho received $15 a month,
and the first winter had tAventy-five pupils. The teacher was paid by the
subscription of those Avho patronized the school. After that Rev. Alvin
Coe, who had been teaching Indian children in Greenfield, moved his
school to Venice and taught all the children in the vicinity. A few of
the early district school teachers Avho are considered Avorthy of mention