Add an Article Add an Event Edit

The Ripley Church

4130 Edwards Road
419-752-2914

GOD: The God of grace and glory and goodness exists eternally as Three-In-One--Father, Son and Holy Spirit and is the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer

JESUS CHRIST: The divine Son of God came in human form to provide salvation for sinful man.

On January 18, 1851 a group of residents of Ripley Township, Huron County, in the Firelands Area of Ohio, "with prayer and consultation," organized The Free Congregational Church of Ripley.  They expressed their belief that "the cause of Christ demanded the formation of such church."  The church records of that year list names of the nine members who "were examined on their faith and hope in Christ" and who adopted Articles of Faith and Covenant.  Those nine members were Harvey Hubbard, his wife Frances Hubbard, Sarah W. Brown, Joel Hall and his wife Mary Hall, Clarissa Edwards, Justus Brown, Sarah Hall and Henry E. Brown.  Articles of incorporation were filed in Columbus, Ohio on March 20, 1851.

May 3, 1851 Joseph Edwards and Clarissa Edwards, his wife, deeded to the church one-acre of land "as a site for a meeting house and burying ground."  The Rev. Mr. Joseph Edwards served the church as its first minister.  Mrs. Clarissa Edwards was one of the nine original members who organized the church.

A house of worship was built upon the land given by the Edwards Family.  The building cost $1000.  The New England Congregational Union furnished $300 of that sum, the remainder was provided by subscription.  On February 11, 1854 the new Meeting House was dedicated.  The burying ground continues to be known as Edwards Grove Cemetery.

In 1910 the church building was remodeled, enlarged and refurnished.  There were new stained-glass windows, and a basement with furnace and lighting plant.  A rededication service was held December 18, 1910.

On Sunday, June 24, 1951, the One Hundredth Anniversary of The Ripley Congregational Church was celebrated.


Photos