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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 267
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The First Presbyterian Church Avas organized in 1852. During the
first year services Avere held in Campbell's Hall, on Water Street, about
Avhere the Western Union telegraph office noAV stands. Its first minister
was W. S. Kennedy. The present church building AA'as begun in 1853
and the lecture room finished and occupied in 1854, and the Avhole building
finished and dedicated in 1855 at a cost of $33,000, including the
organ and bell. In 1858 the church had about 100 members. Its present
pastor is Rev. C. Argyle Kellar.
BAPTIST CHURCH
The First Baptist Church of Sandusky Avas organized September 22,
1854, in Campbell's Hall (noAV the Register Building), where services
Avert* held for one year. The church began with nineteen members.
Converts were then immersed in Sandusky Bay at the foot of Perry or
Hancock Street or at the old shipyard. On at least one occasion the ice
was cut through for this purpose. After one year in Campbell's Hall
they bought the old stone church erected by the Wesleyan Methodists and
called the Beatty Church on the nortliAvest corner of the Courthouse
Square. The upper story was not then finished. There were steps on
the outside leading up to the second story. The building was used as a
hospital in the cholera years of 1849 and 1852. They paid $2,500 for
the property. The completion of the second story during the pastorate
of Rev. Justin D. Fulton placed the church in debt, and compelled an
exchange Avith Lutheran Church by AA'hich the Baptist body received the
frame building on Hit* East Square erected by the Free Congregationiilists
about 1839 and occupied by the Baptist Church until the sale of the
building to the city. The Free Congregationiilists sold to the Lutherans
August 10, 1858, and they sold to the Baptists in 1862. The church
declined until there Avas little or nothing done from 1868 to 1872. The
Unitarians rented the building for a while about this time. In 1879 the
battle Avith the city over the right to build began which ultimately settled
the rights of all churches on the squares and AA'as won by the Baptists.
After the sale of their imilding the Baptist Church held services in
Temple Hall in the Mahala Block (since destroyed) until the completion
of their present building at the corner of Wayne and Monroe streets.
From its organization this church had taken a A'ery positive position
on the question of slavery and intemperance, and this at a time Avhen it
meant more than it IIOAV does. In its church covenant is included a total
abstinence pledge, and it holds its position firmly on this basis today.
The church is IIOAV healthy and vigorous and hopeful of a successful and
bright future.
ZION BAPTIST CHURCH (COLORED)
The Zion Baptist Church is located' on the AA*est side of Decatur
Street betAveen Washington and Adams streets. In the year 1856 Elder
Norman Canipbell organized this church Avith only seven members.