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The purpose of this article is to provide basic information about churches that have existed in Switzerland County, but not to write a history of each. I have concentrated on providing locations, date of formation, date of construction of buildings when property was conveyed, and original members.

I have not searched as thoroughly for deeds in the central and eastern part of the county, as I have in Pleasant and Craig Township, so more information in those parts of the county are derived from published history, not original records. Any additions and corrections are welcome, especially in cases where I have been confused by differing names for the same body.

This compilation would not have been possible without all the information sent to me by Wilma Washmuth Lohide, which included histories she had written and sketches on a number of churches from other sources.

I have merely listed churches founded after 1950 as I have seen them in directories as this work’s focus is largely before World War I.

Abbreviations Book or Document
All official document references are listed by book type, (probate etc.) Book designation (by letter, such as A, B, etc. or number, 1, 2, 3, etc) and page.

SE Conference: Minutes of the Southeastern Indiana Conference. Those available to me are 1852 and 1868.

DB Deed Book

Pioneer History. A Pioneer History of Methodist Churches. This list of sketches, each a paragraph long, was part of the History of Ebenezer Methodist Church. Some, but clearly not all, of its information was copied from the History of Switzerland County.

History of Switzerland County. Published originally in 1885 as the History of Dearborn, Ohio, and Switzerland Counties, the Switzerland County portion was reprinted by the Switzerland County Historical Society. Much of the information on churches in Vevay in this book was copied verbatim from the newspaper articles by Perret Dufour that have been printed in a single volume as the History of the Swiss Settlement.

UGRR. Southeastern Indiana's Underground Railroad Routes and Operations, Diane
Perrine Coon, April 1, 2001.

Allensville Methodist. (Cotton Twp.) According to the Pioneer History, classes were held in 1814 and the church was organized in 1817. Early members were Frederick Waldo, Mrs. Polly Protsman, William Northcutt, Lucien Rous, William Shaw, and John J. Dumont. The History of Switzerland County lists the following early members: Lawson and Sallie Richmond, Joseph and Sallie Kulp, Edward Walker, D.K. Harris and wife Lucretia, William Osten, John and Ann Richmond, Rachel Richmond, John Walker, Phoebe Walker, Robert Walker, Polly Walker, and Samuel Watkins. A log schoolhouse was used for worship until 1840 when a church building was constructed. An article in the Feb. 14, 1878 issue of the Vevay Reveille, describing Allensville in 1837, said there was a partially finished church at that time. Another was erected during the Civil War. The 1868 SE Conference minutes show contributions from S. Gary, George Mendle, and Charles Butz. In 1902, it had 110 members, according to the Indiana Methodist Conference minutes. The church building burned in October 1922. The new building was erected in 1923, according to a newspaper article about its 175th anniversary. The Allensville church closed around 2000.

Allensville Presbyterian. (Cotton Twp.) The History of Switzerland County has a brief reference to this body have been organized by William Fisher, but it was defunct by 1885 when the book was written and the church building had been torn down. A History of the Churches and Ministers, and of Franklin Association in Massachusetts, published in 1854, reported that Fisher arrived in Allensville in 1835, organized the church there and reorganized another nine miles away. He died of consumption on April, 19, 1840, in his 65th year. G.W. Hawe’s Indiana State Gazetteer and Business Directory for 1858 and 1859 reported that Alexander Parker was a Presbyterian minister in the area served by the Allensville post office. This Presbyterian General Assembly minutes said it was a New School church that reported 13 communicants in 1843. The number reached 88 in 1852, but moved down from there and had dropped to 40 as reported in the 1861 minutes. In 1843, Levi Booth was minister at both Unity and Zoar Presbyterian.

Antioch Methodist Church (Posey Twp.) The Pioneer History says this church was organized about 1820. A log church was built sometime later, with a frame church constructed in 1853. Early members included the Sampsons, Butlers, Davises, and Powells. Worship occurred at homes until a building was constructed in 1853. The 1868 SE Conference minutes shows contributions from the following Antioch members: W. Cunningham, E. Cunningham, P. Cunningham, W. Cunningham, H. Cunningham, M. Cunningham, M. Powell, C.R. Powell, J. Cunningham, and S.G. Powell. The Antioch Cemetery is located on the southwest side of Antioch Road, about two miles east of Quercus Grove, in Section 4 Twp. 3N Range 1W. In 1902, it had 86 members, according to the Indiana Methodist Conference minutes.

Bennington United Brethren Church. (Pleasant Twp.) The History of Switzerland County lists this church as being in Bennington and as having been organized between 1835 and 1840. Another account says that John G. Eckels organized the church near Bennington in 1833. An election of trustees was in December 1843 for a United Brethren Church states that the church was located in "the northeastern corner of Pleasant Township." Trustees elected were John H. Chittenden, William Richards and Samuel Fallis (Deed Book J p. 480.) Two separate entries on July 24, 1847 give more details. (Deed Book M p. 207) In one, trustees William Moore, Joseph Byrd and Jacob M. Henry mention they are providing a lot to build a meetinghouse. In the other, John Chittenden, Jacob Schull and Joseph Cole are listed as a committee to provide a house and lot for a parsonage.

The 1850 census shows Jacob Shull, age 35, occupation United Brethren minister, living adjacent to Joseph Cole, a physician, presumably the same man who donated the church site. The history also refers to a second United Brethren Church in Pleasant Township, but does not give its location or dates. The U.B. history says that the Bennington Church moved to Aaron, and then to a point near Aaron, but does not give dates. The 1850 census does show a second United Brethren minister, Jesse Scott, born in Tennessee, who may have lived further east in the township and who could have been associated with this congregation.

About 1855/56, it joined with the Bennington Methodist Church in building a frame building which both congregations used until 1872. A Dr. Cole and Jacob Sholl are cited as members. No other information is provided directly about church history. The sketch of Moses Osborn states he was a member as was his second wife, Elizabeth Pierce. y.

Bennington United Methodist. (Pleasant Twp.) The Bennington Methodist Episcopal Church was founded 1834/1840, according to the History of Switzerland County. From 1855 56 worshiped in the same building as the United Brethren Society. Early members were listed as Zenis Sissons, Jordan Wainscott, Philip Etherington, William Pierce, Levi Orem Sr., Simeon Slawson, and others. A new church building was dedicated on Nov. 1, 1877, according to a church history written in 1952 by Ben V. Welch. He also quoted from a deed from Thomas B. and Dora McGregor who sold the church lot in fractional Section 6 Twp. 3N Range 3W to the trustees on Jan. 19, 1877 for $50. Trustees at the time of the sale were C.M. Newkirk, D.C. Valentine, J.M. Smith, Jordan Wainscott, and C.M. Johnson. The building was constructed on a site donated by Dr. Cole. The 1902 Indiana Conference minutes show it had 102 members.

Bethel Baptist Church. (Craig Twp.) This church existed from the late 1820s. On the third Saturday of October 1829, Brushy Fork church minutes show an agreement to seek help from sister churches including Bethel regarding a dispute among Brushy Fork members. John and Rachel Buchanan deeded a half acre in the NW1/4 Section 29 Range 2N Twp. 3W to the church trustees for fifty cents on Dec. 8, 1832 (DB E p. 528) On the same day, Henry and Ellen Banta also deeded a half acre to the trustees for fifty cents. The deeds identify the trustees as Gabriel Phillips, Benit (sic) Courvoisier and Edward Violet. Benoit Courvoisier was probably not a trustee long by the end of the month he was a founding member of the Switzerland Baptist Church. Land for the cemetery was deeded by Henry and Elinor Buchanan to the graveyard trustees, John Buchanan, John Anderson, and Gabriel Phillips on Aug. 17, 1837, but which was not recorded until Feb. 8, 1844, (DB J p. 507) in the SE 1/4 Section 30 Twp. 2N Range 3W. It is not known when the Bethel Church ceased operation. On the third Saturday of July 1841, there was a request for Brushy Fork to reconsider its acceptance in "receiving excluded Members from Bethel Church without first Making satisfaction to Bethel Church." However, John Buchanan's son, John Buchanan, was among the founding trustees of Spring Branch Church in 1853.

Bethel Methodist Church. (Jefferson Twp.) Possibly founded in 1848, the 1852 SE Conference minutes show Aaron Miller as collector of contributions for this church. Is this the Bethel Chapel on the north side of Bethel Ridge Road per the 1978 county road map? The 1902 Indiana Methodist Conference minutes showed it had 82 members. It is located on Bethel Ridge Road in Section 27. Twp 3N Range 2W.

Bible Fellowship Church. (Vevay) 512 W. Main, Vevay

Black Baptist Church. (Vevay.) The Vevay Reveille April 5, 1875 states that, “Last Sabbath, Rev. T. Warn Beagle baptized nine colored persons in the river, who had joined the Colored Church during the preaching of Elder Prince, who is preaching for the Church once a month.

Braytown Christian Church. (Craig Twp.) The Braytown Christian Church was organized in the 1830/40s by Rev. R.B. Roberts of Kentucky, according to the History of Switzerland County. The church was apparently known as the Republican Meeting House for on Feb. 20, 1841, John Anderson Sr. and wife Jane sold land to the church trustees, Nathan Lee, Benjamin Lamson, William Haskell, and William Morgan. The deed does not contain a legal land description, but notes the property is on the north side of the road from Port William to Versailles. (DB I p. 472) In another deed on Oct. 18, 1893, Henry J. Barber and wife, Sarah, deeded part of the SW1/4 Section 19 Twp. 2N Range 2W to the church. (DB 15 p. 499)

The Switzerland County history gives the first members as David and Hannah Trowbridge, William H. and Eliza Ann Roberts, Eveline Harvey, Mrs. Abba Lamson, Mary Lamson, Abigail Lamson, Clarissa Golay, Lucy Haskell, Rachel Buchanan, Phoebe Banta, Elizabeth Cotton, and others. In some ways, the Manville Christian Church in Jefferson County was a parent to Braytown. Among the first members listed for Braytown, Rachel Buchanan, Abigail Lamson (listed as Lampton), Phoebe Banta, and Eveline Harvey, were all members at Manville before Braytown was organized. Among the ministers, Lanham joined the Manville church in 1836 and Movity (listed as Henry Mavity, probably the more usual spelling) joined the Manville congregation about 1839. The original Braytown membership probably dates from shortly after December 1838 when the Buchanans purchased land in Craig Township on the Versailles Vevay Road.

Bridgeway Baptist.

Bryants Creek Baptist Church. (Posey Twp.) The original Bryants Creek church was organized in 1817 or 1818 at the residence of the Widow Jones, according to the History of Switzerland County. There were 31 members at the time and the church was a member of the Laughery Association on July 24, 1818, when it reported the following as messengers: J. Moredock, William Winn, and William McIeroy. Other early members were Hester Wade, Isaac Robins and wife, Elizabeth Woods, Daniel Moredock and wife, Margaret Bows, William Johnson and his wife Eunice. A hewed, log building was erected in 1819, but it was not completed. The church admitted 11 members by experience on Dec. 24, 1841, according to the Baptist Memorial and Monthly Chronicle of April 1842.

Bryants Creek joined the Long Run Association in 1851 with a membership of 16, but in 1852 and 1853, it sent no report or messengers. It is not listed after 1853. Bryants Creek joined as a church in 1875, a new congregation that used the same name. An application from the church was sent to the Long Run Association, dated the first Saturday in September 1875. It notes the council constituted the church on July 4, 1875 with ten members. The messengers were Samuel Hess, Joseph Herbert, and Elksbery Sever. The meeting place was called Briants Creek, Independence. The Rev. J.H. Arnold was moderator and Sam. Hess, Clerk.

Brushy Fork Baptist. (Shelby Twp./Pleasant Twp.) Located on the Jefferson/Switzerland County line, Brushy Fork was founded in 1818 by Joseph McIntosh, Stephen Ellis Sr. and Rebecca Ellis, William [probably an error in the original minutes, more likely this is Wilson Benefiel, William's brother] and Elizabeth Benefield, Henry and Nancy Banta, and Polly Green. Stephen and Rebecca Ellis sold land on the Switzerland Jefferson Co. border to trustees, Henry Banta, John Gillan [sic, Gilliland] and David Lentz for $1 on Aug. 10, 1825 (DB D p. 251.) The first church, completed that year, was made from hewn logs measuring 24 by 30 feet, and was in Jefferson County. The next building, constructed in what is now the graveyard in 1845, was also in Jefferson County. This building was sold in 1865 to a businessman at Vevay who moved it. A brick building was built in 1866. The church joined the Silver Creek Baptist Association in August 1818. It later joined the Laughery Association and then the Madison Association in 1844. Brushy Fork became a member of the Long Run Association in 1851 with 104 members. The modern church building is in Switzerland County. The county line runs through the cemetery.

Bryants Creek Free Will Baptist. (York Twp.) Diane Coons records show this was the same as the Randall’s church. It was reportedly founded in 1820 in York Township near Rising Sun by Marcus Kilburn. The church appears as Randalls in the 1870 records of the Switzerland Quarterly Meeting and Bryants Creek in the 1871 through 1873 records with 24 members reported in each year.

Center Methodist Church. (Pleasant Twp.) This appears to be either an alternate name for the Bennington Church or a short-lived congregation in the same area. Contributors listed for Centre in the 1868 SE Conference minutes were S. Wainscott, P. Ethington (sic) and family, B.F. Rogers, and William Foulk. Phillip Etherington and Jordan Wainscott were associated with the Bennington church. Bennington, not Centre, is listed in the 1852 minutes. Centre, but not Bennington, was listed in 1868, both in the Mt. Sterling Circuit.

Center Square Church of Christ. (Jefferson Twp.)

Center Square Baptist. (Jefferson Twp.) Center Square was the name adopted by the Indian Creek church after it relocated first to Mount Sterling, and later to Center Square. Members mentioned by the History of Switzerland County were Brother Chamberlain and his family, Judge Newton, H. Tapp, and George Markland. A brief sketch, published in the 1863 minutes of the Long Run Baptist Association, say that “Elder Vawter was the first pastor. He commenced his labors in 1813.” That was probably Jesse Vawter of Jefferson County. The address is 1726 S.R. 56, Vevay.

Center Square Free Will Baptist. (Jefferson Twp.) The records of the Switzerland Quarterly Meeting of the Free Will Baptists shown this church had 18 members in 1870. The 1871 and subsequent reports do not show this church. Diane Coons reported in was founded in 1849 by George S. Walker.

Center Square Universalist. (Jefferson Twp.) The Universalist Register shows this group formed in 1858. In the Vevay Reveille of Feb. 26, 1863, there was a brief advertisement that three trustees of the Center Square Universalist Church would be elected on March 4. It had 26 members in 1874, according to that year’s Register. A Universalist Church was to be dedicated at Center Square on November 5, 1863, according to the Indiana Reveille of November 5. Annual denomination records do not mention Center Square as having a meeting house until 1868, but this was probably simply an error. However, the congregation was listed as dormant in the statistics report by the Register for 1877.

Church of the Nazarene.

Concord Presbyterian. (Posey Twp.) A 1979 map of Switzerland County says this church, located in the Egypt Bottom area, dates from 1884. This church became the Concord Community Church after 1968. The 1995 tour history says that the Rev. H.F. Olmstead from Rising Sun held the services in a schoolhouse on June 5, 1881. The Concord church grew out of these services and was organized on Jan. 1, 1882. A frame church building was erected in 1884 on land owned by Mrs. Lucinda Newbold. The church was dedicated on June 28, 1885 after weather delays. The Vevay Reveille of Nov 27, 1884 said that the Concord Presbyterian Church was just completing “a neat frame building” in the Egypt Bottom. The dedication was slated for Nov. 30.

Concord Community Church. (Posey Twp.) The 1978 Switzerland County road map shows the Concord Church on the East side of Sand Run Road in the west half of Section 36 Twp. 2N Range 1W. As mentioned, this was formerly a Presbyterian congregation.

East Enterprise Methodist Church. (Cotton Twp.) Organized in 1834, the first church was called “Green Grove.” A frame church was erected in 1844. The Pioneer History says early members were Horace Littlefield, Benjamin, Anne, and Elizabeth Potter, Charles Heath, Hezekiah Seymour, David Milligan, Thomas, and S. Bascom. The History of Switzerland County says it was a branch of the old Allensville Church. Meetings were held for two or three years at Benjamin Potter's House. This account also says that Horace Littlefield was the first class leader and built the old building known as the Green Grove Church. This account gives Benjamin and Anne Potter, Elizabeth Potter, Horace Littlefield, Charles and Sarah Heath, Hezekiah and Mary Seymour, Cynthia Potter, David Milligan and wife, Thomas and Rheuma Cole, Schuyler Bascom, Elizabeth, John and Miriam Richmond "and a few others." A frame church was built in 1834 and a new one in 1864. It was relocated to East Enterprise at that time. In 1902, it had 117 members, according to the Indiana Methodist Conference minutes. The church was remodeled in 1904.

East Enterprise Wesleyan or Holiness. (Cotton Twp.) The 1978 county road map shows this church in the NW1/4 NE1/4 Section 4 Twp. 3N Range 2W. The current address (2009) is 1256 Hwy 250, Vevay, IN 47043

Ebenezer Holiness. (Pleasant Twp.) The Ebenezer Holiness Church is a modern congregation that meets in the building that formerly housed the Ebenezer Methodist Church.

Ebenezer Methodist Church. (Pleasant Twp.) The former Ebenezer Methodist Church grew out of camp meetings on Indian Creek, according to a centennial history of the church. These are reported as beginning in 1802 (when population would have been very light). However, because these early meetings include members of other denominations, it was not recognized as a Methodist church. The Ebenezer Society was organized in 1816 and was named in honor of Ebenezer Gray for his services as an exhorter and his part in organizing the society.

James Alfrey and wife Nancy deeded one and a half acres to the trustees, Samuel Bellamy, Ebenezer Gray, Edward Kern, John Protsman and James Adams, on Feb. 19, 1831 (DB E p. 391.) The first preacher assigned to the church after its completion was Allen Wiley. The History of Switzerland County (p. 1161) lists the first members as Jacob Kern and family, James Alfrey and wife, Joseph Gray and wife, Thomas Evans, wife and family, Ebenezer Gray and wife and John Protsman and wife. Other early members recorded in the church history include Evans, C. Brown, Joseph Gray and son Ebenezer, Uly G. Gray, Will Shaw, Alfrey, Jacob Kern, son Edward Kern and John Protsman. The first church building was completed in 1831. The second building, a frame structure, was completed in 1842 while the third church building was erected in 1901, according to the church history. On Aug. 23, 1847, Stillwell and Frances Graham sold land in Moorefield to James Armstrong, William Protsman and Jesse Todd, trustees for parsonage (DB M. pp. 234 235) and the first parsonage was built that year. The church appointed the same three trustees to receive the deed for the lot on 16 Nov. 1847. (DB M p. 248) In 1902, it had 133 members, according to the Indiana Methodist Conference minutes. A second parsonage was purchased in 1918, burned in 1920 and was rebuilt in 1921.

Fairview Methodist. (Cotton Twp.) Although the History of Switzerland County does not mention this church, it was listed in the 1852 SE Conference minutes which reported Miss M. Pickett and S. Wiley as collectors, Charles Gary, Miss M. Pickett, and Sybyl Wiley as life members of the conference's missionary society. In 1868, contributors listed were Mrs. David Lee, Mrs. Asa Newton, S.R. Tinker, John Morrison, S.H. Heath, Asa Newton, McCauley, W. Morrison, Alzo Murphy, A. Campbell, J. Flynn and wife, Wm Brown, Charles Bushman, F. Damond, J.H. Murphy, F.M. Rouse, C.L. Wyley, N. Smeed, Charles Lee, and Mrs. John Morrison. The 1978 county road map shows the church in the NW corner of Section 2 Twp. 3N Range 3W on the east side of Fairview Road, just south of S.R. 250. An account printed with the 1995 tour of Switzerland County churches says the first society was organized in 1816 by Allen Wiley and Russell Bigelow (who organized many Southeastern Indiana Churches.) The first class met in the Macedonia log schoolhouse and later moved to a log building in Sugar Branch. First members included David and Jane Lee, William Brown, John W. Morrison and wife, Charles Gary, Asa Newton and wife, Ransom Tinker and wife, and Charles Gary and wife. David and Jane Lee conveyed land for the church in 1869 to the trustees, Stephen A. Tinker, John W. Morrison, Charles Gary, Asa Newton, William Brown, John Tague, and James Gilbert. A new building was completed in May 1870 and a vestibule in 1905. In 1902, it had 125 members, according to the Indiana Methodist Conference minutes.

Florence Baptist. (York Twp.) Florence was received as a member of the Long Run Baptist Association in 1851, but was reported as dissolved in 1852.

Florence Christian Church. (York Twp.) This church was organized in September 1879 by Elder H.B. Sherman. Other founding members were John Taber, Albert Robinson, Lemuel Bledsoe, and their wives. Also early members were Mrs. Ann Kelso, Louisa Packenham, and Mrs. J. McCorkhill. The congregation used the Methodist Church and St. John's Reformed Church buildings until it acquired a local schoolhouse, which was converted into a church. A new building was erected in the fall of 1908 with the first service in January 1909.

Florence Lutheran. (York Twp.) The Vevay Reveille of May 31, 1877 reported the
Germans Lutherans of Florence was raising a subscription to erect a church. The Reveille of Sept. 6, 1877 says that “the new German Reformed Church of Florence will be dedicated next Sunday.”This was the building apparently constructed on 2.5 acres deed by Gustav and Elizabeth Schrumpf on Aug. 24, 1877. Shwady mentioned as a member in 1885. Its formal name was the St. John Reformed Lutheran.

Florence Methodist. (York Twp.) The History of Switzerland County says only that this congregation was organized at an early day and that it once had 150 members, but the number dropped to forty and that regular services were suspended because of an inability to pay the pastor. The building was erected about 1860. There is no reference to it in the 1852 SE Conference minutes, but the 1868 minutes show contributions from the following in the name of this congregation: J.A. Cunningham, Andrew Given, Milton Gullion, Eli Reyl, Rhoda Wiley, L. Bledsoe, S. Brown C. Stodgill, J. Fothergill, Mary Fothergill, and Sallie Jackson. In 1902, it had 51 members, according to the Indiana Methodist Conference minutes.

Fredonia Baptist Church. (Jefferson Twp.) The 1863 minutes of the Long Run Baptist Association say that Fredonia was organized in 1842 with 20 members. An article in the Baptist Memorial and Chronicle in April 1842 gave the date as Jan. 25 and also gives 20 members in the founding group. In 1849, when the church was one of four founding members of the Long Run Association, its messengers were Justice Gleason, J. Smith, P.W. Aldrich, and J.F. Tapp. The History of Switzerland County says only that it is located in Section 33. But its modern location is the neighboring NE1/4 section 32 Twp. 3N Range 2W. According to a 1994 history by Mrs. George Johns, the first building burned by 1855. A stone church was erected by Christopher Noll, although no date is given. Alfonso Markland donated a half-acre of ground for the cemetery in 1900. A Sunday School building was mentioned in July 1902.

Free Will Baptist Church. (Pleasant Twp.) On June 21, 1856, Alexander McCullough sold land in the SE1/4 Section 10 Twp. 5N Range 12E to the trustees of a Free Will Baptist Church, Robert Ricketts, Garret Ricketts, and Nicholas Vineyard. The property was in Moorefield and neighbored William Roger's lot. No formal name was mentioned. The church was not listed in the History of Switzerland County. Minutes of the December meeting of 1855 of the Brushy Fork Church noted that “Bro. Thos. H. Stewart, a preacher of the Free Will Baptist Church, joined by relation. He also presented a church letter which showing his good standing with the Free Wills.” (Punctuation added.) He later became a regular Baptist minister. The Free Will Baptists were strongly anti-slavery. The Indiana Reveille of Dec. 12, 1858 reported a Free Will Church was being constructed at Moorefield. The Sept. 7, 1859 edition (Wednesday) noted that the dedication was held on the Sabbath with the Rev. A. Adkinson having delivered an interesting discourse. The building cost $1,500.This may have been the Pleasant Free Will Baptist Church, shown in the 1870 reports of the Switzerland Quarterly Meeting, as having 21 members. There was no report from this church in the 1871 or subsequent reports. This may have been the congregation known officially as the Turner Free Will Baptist Church.

German Protestant Church. (York Twp.) This church was organized on Dec. 12, 1869 in Florence by the Rev. G. Miller, according to the History of Switzerland County. Among the charter members were Robert Kline, G.H. Scrump, Ferdinand Luck, Henry Moehrhoff, and Jacob Kohler. The building was erected in the fall of 1877.

Gilead Separate Baptist Church. The History of the Separate Baptist Church said Gilead in Switzerland County was received by the Sand Creek Separate Baptist Association in 1846. No other information was provided the church does not appear again in the history.

Harmony Free Will Baptist Church. Diane Coons reported this was in Posey Township, but might have been in Ohio County. It was listed as founded by Cheney Munger and Robert Ricketts in 1842. The Ricketts were involved with the Free Will Church in Moorefield, but since Robert Ricketts Jr. had come there from Ohio County, it seems likely this church was not in Switzerland County.

Harrison School House.(Pleasant Twp.) Although perhaps not organized as a formal church, it appears that perhaps a mission functioned here for several years. Harrison was part of the Mt. Sterling circuit in both 1852 and 1868. The 1852 SE Conference minutes show William Davis as a collector of contributions, but no other members are listed. The 1868 SE Conference minutes list the following contributors: D.C. Gardner and wife, Isaac M. Smith, Moses Osbern, Mary Fisk, J. Pierce, William Pierce, L. Fish, J.R. Andress, J.M. Pierce, S. Newkirk, Mrs. Demaree, F. Riley, J.M. Smith. The Jan. 16, 1875 Vevay Reveille places the Harrison School in Pleasant Township.

Hebron Methodist. Was this a church or mission in Switzerland County? The 1868 SE Conference minutes show a $4.00 collection from Hebron, but lists no names of contributors. It was in the Mt. Sterling Circuit. Hebron is not listed in the 1852 minutes.

Hopewell Baptist Church. (Pleasant Twp.) Organized Sept. 1878 at Orem's Grove near Pleasant, Hopewell joined the Long Run Baptist Association in 1879. The church was dropped from the association membership in 1886.

Hopewell United Brethren. (Craig or Pleasant Twp.) The 1926 U.B. history says that Hopewell was located between Bee Camp and Union Chapel and that it was organized by the Rev. J.J. Goodner. No church building was constructed and the congregation did not survive long. No other details were provided by this account. The Vevay Reveille of April 15, 1871 refers to a series of revival meetings that had been conducted in Craig Township. It says 51 people joined at the church at Runnell’s School House.

Independence Methodist Church.(Posey Twp.) The Vevay Reveille of May 6, 1886 reported a probationer was to be admitted to this church. In 1902, it had 91 members, according to the Indiana Methodist Conference minutes.

Indian Creek Baptist. (Jefferson Twp.) This church, known today as the Switzerland Baptist, was founded in 1810 at the mouth of Pendleton Run on a site donated by George Craig the elder, according to the History of Switzerland County. Early members included Paul Froman, ? Hennis, John Hawkins, Christina Cotton wife of Judge Cotton (Not noted by this account was the fact she was Froman's daughter) and Hannah Street. In 1822, it relocated to Mt. Sterling.

Laughery Separate Baptist Church. The History of the Separate Baptist Church said Gilead was received by the Sand Creek Separate Baptist Association in 1881, but it was dropped in 1886. No location was given.

Log Lick Baptist Church. (Posey Twp.) The Ghent Baptist Church history reports that in July 1818 it sent three representatives to the home of Brother McCruaig in Indiana to help constitute a church at the request of Baptists at Log Lick Creek, which enters the Ohio River at Markland. Dufour mentions Daniel Walker “formerly a ruling elder at the church at Log Lick,” who was elected as an elder at the formation of the Presbyterian Church in Vevay. But Dufour did not specify the denomination of this church.

Long Run Baptist Church. (Craig Twp.) The History of Switzerland County (p. 1151) reports Long Run was organized in April 1818 by William J. and Catherine Griffith, Nathaniel and Susan Gerard, Thomas and Nancy Wright, William and Nancy Wright, William and Nancy Lock, Joel and Ellen Higgins. However, the same source claims in the sketch of John Wright that Pendleton Run was organized in 1818 and that it became Long Run in 1820. Other accounts indicate Pendleton Run became the Center Square Church. Whatever the story, Long Run became a member of the Laughery Association in 1819. William and Catherine Griffith sold one acre to trustees, Nathaniel Gerard, William Lock and Thomas Wright, for two dollars on Aug. 3, 1822 (D B C p. 317.) This land was in the northwest corner of Section 6 Twp. 2N Range 3W, the site of the modern cemetery. The church is located opposite on the East side of State Route 129. The modern address is 633 S.R. 129

In March 1834 or 1835, a large number received letters of dismissal and formed Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Pleasant Township. Despite this, Long Run became one of the bigger churches in the townships which comprised the Indian Kentuck basin during the 19th century. It also contributed two of the hardest working ministers in the area, Joshua D. Griffith and John Graham, the latter probably moving to Mt. Pleasant when that body formed. Griffith was a life long member although he preached at many other churches. Graham was probably ordained shortly after the third Saturday in September 1824 when minutes of the Brushy Fork Baptist Church show a request for aid from Long Run regarding Graham's ordination. Griffith was probably ordained shortly after the third Saturday in March 1846 when Brushy Fork appointed a committee to aid Long Run in ordaining him. Long Run was one of five founding members of the Long Run Association on Oct. 13, 1849. According to the church history printed in the minutes of the Long Run Baptist Association in 1873, the first building, a hewn log house, 24 by 26 feet, was built about 1824 after two years of work. In 1844, a brick church 32 by 45 feet was built on property donated by J.F. Cotton.

Long Run Holiness. (Craig Twp.)

Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. (Pleasant Twp.) A sketch of the Long Run Church in the minutes of the Long Run Association says that Mt. Pleasant existed from March 1834/35 when a number of Long Run members received letters to join the new church, and that it became extinct in 1847. However, it seems likely the church was founded two or three years earlier. On the third Saturday in August 1832, minutes of Brushy Fork Baptist Church report J. Copher and an Easton asked for aid in forming a congregation. Joel Copher purchased land in Section 30 Twp. 3N Range 3W on Nov. 4, 1834. William and Celia Hannis sold land in the SE1/4 Section 19 Twp. 3N Range 3W to William Melton, Joseph Graham and James Stewart, trustees of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church on Oct. 4, 1833. The deed description places the tract near Indian Creek (DB E p. 353) in the center of the southern half of Pleasant Township. Section 19 is immediately north of Section 30.

The Graham family was prominent in its organization and the Rev. John Graham was in all likelihood one of its ministers although Absalom Pavy is also known to have preached there. In 1842, Mt. Pleasant sent Elder J. Grayham, William J. Graham, Frederick Green, and Smith Turner as messengers to Macedonia Baptist Church, presumably upon the latter's formation. When Mt. Zion Baptist Church was organized at Bennington on Dec. 1, 1841, Mount Pleasant sent the Elder John Graham, William Grayham, Elijah Grayham and Smith Turner On Dec. 14, 1844, the church elected Phillip Harmon, Thomas Morris, and Henry Gerard as trustees (DBL p. 406.) The church may have lost much of its membership when the Grahams purchased lots in the newly formed town of Bennington in 1847 as the Grahams soon appeared as members of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church at Bennington. Mt. Pleasant Trustees, Elijah Graham, Joseph Spears, and John Lock, sold the church property in the S1/2 SE1/4 Section 19 Twp. 3N Range 3W to Joseph Graham on Jan. 22, 1848. (DB N p. 128) This more complete property description would have placed the church along Indian Creek near Brown Road, an unimproved road.

Mount Sterling Baptist. (Jefferson Twp.) A biographical sketch of the Rev. William Gleason in the History of Switzerland County, says that he resigned as minister at Grants Creek to found Mt. Sterling. Gleason was ordained in 1861, but there is no information regarding when he moved to Mt. Sterling. This body was originally the Indian Creek Church and later moved to Center Square. An article in the Baptist Observer of Oct. 26, 1933, noted that a new building was dedicated on October 15.
But the Mt. Sterling Regular Baptist Church was not formed until Dec. 26, 1867.

Mount Sterling Free Will Baptist. (Jefferson Twp.) An article in the Vevay Reveille of Oct. 29, 1992, about the 150th anniversary of Mount Sterling Baptist, states that a Free Will Baptist church preceded the Regular Baptist Church there. “The new church built in 1842 on this present site was brick and known as the Free Will Baptist Church.” The deed was recorded two years later and the lot 44 was deeded to the church by two different men Nathan Walden and Henry Cotton. A notice of the organization of the Mount Sterling Regular Baptist Church dated Dec. 26, 1867 noted that Regular Baptists met at the Free Will Meeting House. The records of the Switzerland Quarterly Meeting of the Free Will Baptists shown this church had 40 members in 1870. The 1871 and subsequent reports do not show this church.

Mount Sterling Methodist. (Jefferson Twp.) This church was not listed in the History of Switzerland County, but contributors reported in the 1868 SE Conference minutes were E. Hagerman, George Hagerman, William Brandon, J. Waldon, J. Dyer, George W. Nash, Henry Waldon, W. McHenry, P. Hagerman, Rouse & Waldon, Marion Cotton, and Mary Rouse. In 1902, it had 60 members, according to the Indiana Methodist Conference minutes.

Mt. Zion Baptist. (Pleasant Twp.) Mt. Zion Church was organized in 1842 (History of Switzerland Co. p. 1162) with fourteen members. John Graham was the first minister, serving until 1846. Minutes of Brushy Fork Baptist Church show that on the third Saturday in November 1842 Philip Harman and wife and daughter; Gabriel Johnston; Arthur Twineham; Ann Pavy; Thomas Morris and wife; Elmira Courtney; Henry Garard, and Irean Lewis were dismissed to form a church. Mt. Zion benefitted after the Grahams from Indian Creek where they were members of the Mt. Pleasant Church and moved to Bennington in 1847. Church minutes show that the congregation was organized on Dec. 1, 1842. Members from Mount Pleasant who aided, and who mostly joined, were Elder John Grayham, William Grayham, Elijah Grayham, and Smith Turner. The initial members received were Henry Wilson and wife Rebecca by relation, Sarah Covert, by experience. On December 2, John L. Olmsted and was received by relation and his wife Nancy by letter. Joseph Mitchell was received by relation. Philip Harmon was chosen as deacon and Olmsted, Thomas Morris and Gerard as trustees. Johnston donated the half acre of his land on the south side of the state road for the church and an adjoining one acre for a burial ground. Mt. Zion was one of the five founding churches of the Long Run Baptist Association on Oct. 13, 1849. The messengers were John Graham, P. Harmon, T. Morris, Jackson Graham, and Elijah Graham. The church reported thirty two members at that time. The formation is reflected on the 3rd Saturday (20th) in October 1842 when the Brushy Fork church minutes note that church “has granted Liberty for a dore to be opened in the neighborhood of brother Phillips Harmans when brother Smith is with them and sufficient number of our members present and they think it expedient.”
Mt. Zion probably also suffered when much of the Graham family moved to Delaware County, Ind., about 1853. Membership in 1863 was thirty six and the church does not seem to have grown as Long Run Association minutes show Mt. Zion was dropped as a member church in 1884. A committee was appointed on Aug. 16, 1884 to sell the building to the highest bidder. The church appears to have been located on the Versailles and Vevay Road (Bennington Road below State Road 250 and Pleasant Grove Road North of it) near the Indian Boundary as shown by a deed in which Stillwell and Frances Graham sold 26 acres to Tilghman Graham on May 10, 1850. The church cemetery survives in Section 6 Twp. 3N Range 3W on the border of the Indian Treaty Boundary.

Mt. Zion Church of the Nazarene. (Craig Twp) This modern congregation occupies the building formerly housed by Mt. Zion Methodist.

Mt. Zion Methodist (Craig Twp) The History of Switzerland Co. (p. 1151) reports this church was organized about 1836, after having "had a sort of drifting existence from 1816." The Rev. James Jones organized the church assisted by James Watson. A 1949 account by Effie Danner reported the congregation was organized in 1816, but that there was no building until a building committee was named in 1838 and a log building was constructed. A stone building was erected in 1878. John H. Bellamy and wife deeded land for the church to the trustees on May 14, 1841. A log church was erected. The county history listed the original members as Smith Garner, Narcissa Garner, Samuel and Elizabeth Bellamy, William and Sarah Heath, Benjamin Thrasher Jr., Rebecca Thrasher, later Jesse Bellamy and wife, James G. Bellamy and wife, William and Melinda Wallace. Samuel Bellamy was shown as a Methodist minister in Craig Township in 1850 and probably preached at this church. The church building is located in Section 34 Twp. 4N Range 12E. It had 100 members in 1902, according to the Indiana Methodist Conference minutes. But because two churches in this district had rounded numbers, they might have been estimates. The congregation is extinct and the building used by a congregation of the Church of the Nazarene.

Markland New Life Fellowship. (York Twp.)

Markland United Brethren. (York Twp.) The United Brethren began operations near Markland in 1858, when Rev. Samuel Coblentz organized a society in the vicinity of Markland. In 1872 the Rev. J. D. Current began operating in the town of Markland, and about this time they secured a church property in the town.

Markland Baptist. (York Twp.) The Markland Baptist Church organized on Feb. 16, 1888, as reported by the Vevay Reveille of Thursday, Feb. 23, 1888, which reported the church had been organized the prior Thursday. Eight members were received by letter and four others were taken under the care of the church until they received their letters.
It then joined the Long Run Baptist Association According to a centennial history by Ginny Reeves reported that charter members were John J. and Sarah O'Neal, Rowland E. and Elnorra Bliss, T. Gideon and Lizzie Reeves, Mrs. Rhoda Markland, Mrs. Edna Benedict, George W. and Elizabeth Turner, and Mr. and Mrs. H.K. Rector. A majority of the members, apparently the eight with letters, came from Fredonia. Rev. G.W. Perryman was moderator and W.H. Morillian, clerk. The first trustees were George Turner, Frank Davis, and Charles Markland. For the first two years, the members met in a saw mill owned by Hugh and Joseph McClanahan and in the United Brethren Church in Markland. Charles and Rhoda Markland deeded land to the trustees on Aug. 12, 1890. It was completed by Nov. 14, 1890 when the first service was held.

Markland Christian (York Twp.) The Vevay Reveille of July 1, 1880 has reports from two Markland correspondents about the organization of a Christian Church. The most detailed said the church was organized on Sept. 17 and had 62 members. The congregation anticipated building a church house in the near future.

Moorefield Methodist. (Pleasant Twp.) An alternate name for Ebenezer Methodist.

New Harmony Sabbath School. The Sept. 1, 1853 edition of the Vevay Reveille said this school was “above East Enterprise.”

New Hope Methodist Church. (Cotton Twp?) This church was listed in the 1852 and 1868 SE Conference minutes as part of the Mt. Sterling circuit. The 1852 minutes refer to the New Hope Meeting House, listing the following contributors: Nathan Vanosdol and D. Kittle, collector. The following became life members of the conference, Margaret Gibson, Jane Gibson, Miss Vanosdol, and Mrs. Hill. The 1868 SE Conference minutes list the following contributors: N. Vanosdoll, S. Giffin, P. Richmond, H. Withers, John Vanosdoll, J.W. Vanosdoll, John Cutter, J.C. Sutton, B. Dennis, F.G. Sedam, George Collins, T. Lewis, William Ake, and T. Work. The 1902 Indiana Methodist conference minutes showed it with 85 members.

New Liberty Free Will Baptist. (Cotton Twp.) The New Liberty church has been part of three different Baptist denominations. A Free Will Baptist church was organized at the home of Joseph and Elizabeth McHenry on Grants Creek, according to a history by Mollie Sedam. The history suggests that this was shortly after the McHenrys arrived in 1818. The congregation erected a site about two miles northeast of the present Liberty Church building in October 1841. Mrs. Sedam quoted the council as meeting at the home of Joseph McHenry Sr. The elders were Richard Kelly, Abraham Adkinson, and Chauncey Monger. Charter members were Joseph McHenry Sr., Abram Sedam, Nicholas Sedam, Samuel Adkinson, and Sarah Sedam. Other members listed by Mrs. Sedam were Eleanor Long, Eliza Stone, James McHenry, Catherine Connor, William Meldick, Lydia Myers, Rachel Truitt, Daniel Connor, Hugh Adkinson, Jane Hanna, Margaret Ricketts, Stephen Ricketts, John Truit, Susan Connor, Margaret Long, Emma Myers, and Martha Serber. The building was destroyed by fire in 1853. It was nearly disbanded by 1870. The Free Will and Separate Baptists decided to unite and they moved to the present site of New Liberty Baptist Church. A new building was constructed in 1871. The denominations alternated the use of the building on Sundays.

New Liberty Missionary (Cotton Twp.) The New Liberty reorganized as the New Liberty Missionary Baptist Church in 1902, and became a member of the Long Run Association. Extensions were made to both ends of existing building that year, according to the history by Wilma Lohide.

New Liberty Separate Baptist. (Cotton Twp.) The Liberty Separate Baptist Church (a denomination that still exists, but not in Switzerland County) was originally organized by Alexander Sebastian, according to the History of Switzerland County. The Separate Baptist History reports that when the Sand Creek Separate Baptist Association was organized in 1830, Sebastian represented the Liberty Church of Switzerland County. Confusingly, Liberty was received in 1853, although it may have been part of another association or this may reflect the complex relationship with the Free Wills. The Sedam family deeded the property to the church on May 18, 1854 to the church trustees, Davenport W. Oak, William Chandler, and Michael E. Sedam. Meetings were held in houses and then in a frame church that was destroyed by fire in 1853. Another building was built in 1870-71. This account lists the following members at the 1853 reorganization: Michael Sedam, Cornelius Sedam, Sarah Moore, Elizabeth Byram, Nancy Andrews, Sarah Heath, Mary J. Sedam, Martha Bovard, Louis Bocock, and Sarah Oak. The church was organized as Missionary Baptist Church in March 1902 and became a member of the Long Run Baptist Association. The building was remodeled and dedicated on the third Sunday in November 1907. The biography of E.G. Seymour, published in 1901 as a history of the Separate Baptists noted he began as a Methodist but switched to become a Separate Baptist minister. He reported, "New Liberty Church I can remember over fifty years back, and it is a strong church, numbering 150 members. I have solemnized 172 marriages, and preached 266 funerals." At the time of the sketch, he had been the minister for almost 20 years.

New Lisbon Baptist. (Posey Twp.) Alternate name for New Salem or an error? See New Salem.

New Salem Baptist Church. (Posey Twp.) New Salem was admitted to the Long Run Baptist Association in 1850. It is also called New Lisbon in the minutes. It was last listed in the association minutes in 1857. The 1852 Long Run Minutes show three messengers, J.H. Gibbs, W.J. Gibbs, and G. Gibbs, and a membership of 23. By 1854, the membership was 41, with the same three messengers. In 1857, William and James Gibbs were listed as messengers with membership listed as 33 persons.

Our Sorrowful Mother of God. (Vevay) A history in the Switzerland County Historical Societies tour of county churches reported that in August 1856, Scott Carter, his wife and three small children became members with the first Mass soon celebrated. That same year, Frank Dufour, offered a corner room with an entrance at Market and Main Cross Streets for a Chapel and he and his wife and six children joined in 1857. The Vevay Reveille of Sept. 18, 1875 (Saturday) reported the town’s Catholics had laid the cornerstone for their new building the previous Sunday. The June 21, 1877 Reveille (Thursday) said the new church had been dedicated on Sunday.

Palmetto Baptist Church. (Posey Twp.) Palmetto Baptist Church, which was meeting at the Palmetto Schoolhouse, Palmetto Bottom, joined the Long Run Baptist Association in 1876. It was reported as abandoned in 1882. A handwritten church history says it was constituted on March 6, 1876 under evangelist James M. Arnold, acting for the Home mission of the Long Run Association. The organization occurred at the Palmetto schoolhouse. The church formed with 21 members and added three by baptism. The association delegates were Jackson A. Keffer, William Sheets, Peter Sheets, and A.L. Warwick. The Vevay Reveille of May 25, 1882 that Rev. F.J. Crisp had visited the church in November “to see if there were any hopes of restoring harmony, but in vain.” The members voted on May 6 to disband. Crisp and Elder S.D. Ward assisted in organizing a new church at Patriot.

Palmetto Separate Baptist Church. (Posey Twp.) The History of the Separate Baptist Church said Palmetto was received by the Sand Creek Separate Baptist Association in 1881. No other information was provided.

Palmetto Presbyterian. (Posey Twp.) The biographical sketch of James Merit in the History of Switzerland County says that his family was associated with the Presbyterian Church organized in 1854 in Palmetto Bottom. Merit, along with Osamor Green, organized the Palmetto Sunday School. in 1854 and 1855. Presbyterian General Assembly minutes show it was a New School church. It had 15 communicants in 1861. The 1878 minutes of the United Presbyterian Church general assembly showed Palmetto with 9 members. The Rising Sun Recorder of Aug. 30, 1890 reported the Palmetto Presbyterian Church had recently been erected in Mexico Bottom and would be dedicated on August 31. It reported the church building was a frame structure, 60 x 40 feet, which could seat 400 people. This is obviously a replacement structure designed for an existing congregation. The Reveille of Jan. 29, 1891 reported a revival at the church had already produced 78 new members.

Patriot Baptist. (Posey Twp.) Patriot joined the Long Run Baptist Association in 1883.
It grew out of the decision of the Palmetto Baptist Church to disband on May 6, 1882. According to the Vevay Reveille of May 8, 1882, 12 constituent members took the Lord's supper. Elder S.D. Ward and the Rev. F.J. Crisp, who tried to revive Palmetto, were the organizers of Patriot. A Reveille article in the Feb. 19, 1891 referred to the new Baptist church building. An article from the Vevay Reveille of Sept. 20, 1990, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the erection of the church building, reported an addition was constructed in the back of the sanctuary in the summer of 1952

Patriot Chapel. (Posey Twp.) 1909

Patriot Methodist Episcopal. (Posey Twp.) An article by Bela Herrick, published in the Reveille of Feb. 26, 1876 (and reprinted in the History of Switzerland County) says that body was organized in 1838 with a church built in 1843. No other information was provided. The 1868 minutes of the Southeastern Indiana Methodist Conference show contributions from the following: R. Berry, T.J. Milner, W.M. Green, W. Morse, John Love, Alfred Wade, H. Dickman, C. S. Horton, Jane Boyle, Harriett Olcott, J. Van Dorin, and Ann Kelso This church was discontinued in 1873-74 and gave furnishings to the Quercus Grove Church. A history in the 1995 tour of churches says the addition of a new sanctuary in 1889 tripled the size of the old church. An item in the Reveille of Feb. 191, 1891 referred to the new church as a well proportioned building and that the trustees at the time of the construction were Ed North, Al North, J.W. Love, William Green and John Vawter. In 1902, it had 150 members, according to the Indiana Methodist Conference minutes.

Pendleton Run Baptist Church. (Craig Twp.) This body was predecessor to Long Run Baptist. Brushy Fork minutes note that on September 20, 1818 member heard a request from the members at the head of Pendletons Run and Long Run for aid on the 7th day of October. The biographical sketch of John W. Wright says he was one of the first members of Pendleton Run and that the group met at his house. Long Run was built in 1820. The available Long Run histories do not mention the early church as having a different name, and list a number of Wrights, but not John W. An article in the Oct. 29, 1992 Vevay Reveille, about the 150th anniversary of Mount Sterling Baptist Church, which succeeded the Indian Creek Church seems to suggest Pendleton Run was its predecessor. But Indian Creek was organized in 1810.

Pleasant Free Will Baptist (Pleasant Twp.) Diane Coons reported this church was founded in 1839. No other information.

Pleasant Grove Methodist. (Pleasant Twp.) According to the History of Switzerland Co., the Pleasant Grove Methodist Church began about 1832 and became a part of the Vevay Circuit (p. 1163.) This history gives early members as John Kerr, Dicy Demaree, Mr. Eblon, John and Elizabeth Jackson, Abraham and Lydia Metcalf, Mrs. Skeen, Abbie Van Osdol, Abraham and Rachel Banta, Theodore and Rachel Van Osdol, Luther M. and Sarah Hotchkiss, Nelson and Ann Harris, Hugh Montgomery and wife, and James Hukle and wife.

On Jan. 21, 1837, trustees John G. Stout, Abraham Banta, and David Eblen agreed to accept a donation of 1 acre in the SE1/4 Section 9 Twp. 5N Range 12E. (DB G p. 286.) The agreement does not cite the donor, but says the men have been elected trustees of a Methodist Episcopal Church and that they "shall build a meeting house." This may be the hewed log church which the Switzerland County history reports was used until 1852 when a frame structure was erected. At the time of this account, membership was sixty five with an attendance of fifty at Sabbath School and Rev. Kinnear was minister. In 1902, it had 30 members, according to the Indiana Methodist Conference minutes. The congregation disbanded and the building was sold for private use in the late 1990s.

Pleasant Presbyterian Church. (Pleasant Twp.) According to the History of Switzerland Co. (p. 1159), the first church at the Dutch Settlement at Pleasant was erected in 1823. However, the Pleasant Township Presbyterian Church dates from Oct. 3, 1829 when several members of Jefferson Church petitioned to organize. Wilson's Fork on the Indian Kentuck was set as the boundary between the Jefferson Church and Pleasant congregations. Original members were Samuel Gregg (a minister, although not identified as such by this account), Charles Dawson, Mary Dawson, Richard Carnine, Dennis Carnine, John Bandy, Christopher Bergen, Isaac Vannice, Cornelius R. Voris, Henry P. Banta, Daniel H. Demaree, John Blunk, John D. List, Cornelius A. Voris. Joining the church immediately after the division were Agnes Vannice, Polly Bandy, Nancy List, Mary Carnine, Mary Banta, Tiney Carnine, Mary Voris, Cynthia Demaree, Rachel Blunk and Susan Blunk. Although the Low Dutch formed the nucleus of the early church, it also drew upon the Scottish settlement which abutted it. While nearby Caledonia Presbyterian Church was formed in 1828, it was not particularly active until 1834 and some Scottish families, such as the Stevensons and Dalgleishes remained members at Pleasant, which was closer to their homes.

Land for the church and cemetery was deeded in two sections. The first came on July 20, 1825 when Daniel and Cynthia Demaree sold an undescribed amount of land in the NW1/4 Section 22 Twp. 5N Range 12E to trustees Alexander Allen, Daniel Demaree, Andrew Morton, Isaac Vannice and Cornelius Voris (DB C p. 541.) George and Mary List sold a one acre tract to the same trustees on June 12, 1828 in the SW1/4 Section 15 (DB C p. 512.) A log church was used until 1849 when a frame building was erected. A parsonage was first erected in 1847. A new church building was dedicated on Jan. 8, 1893. The church disbanded in 1928.

Plum Creek Baptist. Plum Creek was organized in 1924 and admitted to the Long Run Baptist Association that same year.

Quercus Grove Methodist Church. (Posey Twp.) This church was organized at the home of the Rev. John Green in 1823 or 1824, according to the History of Switzerland County. Among the first members were Reuben Pocock and wife, Solomon Tarbox and wife, Levi Maples and wife, Jacob Harris and wife, Ira Fish and wife, John Green and family, and Mrs. Scott. No dates were given for the construction of a church building.
The 1868 minutes of the Southeastern Indiana Methodist Conference show contributions by the following members: Salem Pocock, C. Shafer, Mary Stewart, Ira Fish, Sybil Fish, E. Stewart, C. Burman, Fanny Pocock, and Hester Pocock. A history in the 1995 tour of churches says it was organized in Green's log cabin home in 1818. Members are given as Reuben Pocock, Solomon Tarbox, Levi Maples, Robert Harris, Ira Fish, Alexander Scott, John Green, and Joel Davis. Jacob R. Harris agreed to sell them land on Dec. 10, 1840. A brick church was built, but a new one had to be constructed following storm damage in the late 1860s or early 1870s. A frame building was then built with a vestibule added in 1906 or 1907. In 1902, it had 102 members, according to the Indiana Methodist Conference minutes.

Republican Meeting House. See Braytown Christian Church

Riverview Baptist Church. (Jefferson Twp.) 3 Spring Branch Road, Vevay

Ruter Chapel. (Vevay) The formal name for the Vevay Methodist Church, it was named after Calvin Ruter. Dates regarding the church's organization conflict. The History of Switzerland County states there was no organized Methodist body in Vevay until 1823 or 1825, and then continues that a brick church was built in 1837 on the lot on which Ruter Chapel stood at the writing of the history. The group met at the courthouse, schoolhouse, and Presbyterian Church in the interim. However, the history also quotes an account that has pioneering minister Allen Wiley as having organized a Methodist Church in Vevay in 1816. The original lot was enlarged and a new church was constructed on the same spot, and was completed in 1860. The Vevay Reveille of Feb. 29, 1860 reported that the new church building had been enclosed.

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran. (Pleasant Twp.) St. Paul’s was founded in Sept. 13, 1846 by Rev. Oscar Hunger, according to the History of Switzerland County. This account gives the names of the first members as Frederick Pottebaum, Heinrich Schrieber, Ernst Schreiber, Ernst Aring, Christian Dettmar, Heinrich Finningsmeier, Ernst Aifdenkanyre, Friedrich Eisberg, Ernst Hennebath, Friedrich Hennebath, Friedrich Hoffmeier, Friedrich Kuhlmeier and Johann Sprecth. The first log church was built in September 1846 and another building in 1864.

Salem Methodist Church. (Jefferson Twp.) The Pioneer History called it a flourishing Society, but had no information about the early history. The History of Switzerland County located it in Section 22, but gave no more details. The 1852 SE Conference minutes listed Salem as part of the Mt. Sterling Circuit and named Samuel Motts as collector for contributions, and John Miller and Barbara Miller as life members of the conference. It was the site of a temperance meeting on Feb. 8, 1854, led by a Rev. H. Wason. It is not listed in the 1868 SE Conference Minutes. A notice in a Vevay newspaper noted that a revival was held at the Salem Methodist Church on Tapps Ridge with 23 joining. The minister was Isaac Turner. In 1902, it was shown in the Sugar Branch District. It had 37 members, according to the Indiana Methodist Conference minutes.

Seventh-Day Baptist. (Craig Twp.) Dufour referred to a group of Seventh-Day Baptists who came from Scotland and lived in Long Run from about 1815 on. But there is no clear reference to a particular congregation or building. The families included the McCullums and Cowans.

Spring Branch Baptist Church. (Craig Twp.) The History of Switzerland County gives the formation date of Spring Branch as 1853 with twenty nine original members. Among these were William Anderson and wife, John and Eliza Brown, John Buchanan and wife, John Anderson and wife. Spring Branch probably grew out of the Bethel congregation. The John Buchanan mentioned here was son of the John Buchanan who sold the land for the Bethel church. This older Buchanan and John Anderson were trustees of the Old Bethel burying ground. On the third Saturday in February 1854, Brushy Fork minutes report that its minister Robert Stevenson was “absent at the constitution of a new church at Bethel...”, probably Spring Branch. Spring Branch joined the Long Run Baptist Association in 1854. Its messengers were J. Hall, R. Leclerc, L. Roberts and John Buchanan. The church had thirty members that year.

James G. Buchanan (son of John) and wife, Julia, sold 1/4 acre in the NW1/4 Sec. 21 Twp. 2N Range 3W to the church trustees, John Clendennin, Thomas Anderson and John Buchanan (Switzerland Co. Deed Book S p. 190) “for the purpose of building and maintaining” a church building. Perhaps this was the first site of the church as on Feb. 3, 1858, William Anderson and wife, Mary, sold land in the W1/2 SW1/4 Sec. 20 to trustees, John H. Brown, James G. Buchanan, Amos Gilbert and Archibald Ogle. The first church building, erected about 1856, burned in 1858, and was immediately replaced with the structure standing at the writing of that history (1885.)

Switzerland Baptist Church. (Jefferson Twp.) The 1863 minutes of the Long Run Association say this church was organized in 1832 with 11 members. John Graham was the first minister, serving one year. The History of Switzerland County gives the precise date as Dec. 29, 1832 and says the organizational meeting occurred at the Regular Church of Christ. Charter members were John R. Cotton, Benoit Courvoisier, Thomas Morris, Augustine Courvoisier, Frederick L. Thiebaud, Henrietta Thiebaud, Caroline E. Thiebaud, Lucy Dalmazzo, Lydia Kirtley, William Price and Mordecai McKenzie. This account says Rev. John Wilson was the first minister. John Francis Dufour gave the southeast half of Lot 71 on the original plat for a building site. The congregation occupied a brick building on this site until 1873, then the church moved to the corner of Main Cross and Pike. It is located at 307 Main Cross, Vevay

Switzerland Baptist Temple.

Switzerland County Community . (Vevay) 409 Ferry St. Vevay.

Sycamore Church. (Posey Twp.) The 1979 map shows this church as being located south of Grant’s Creek in the SW1/4 Section 28 Twp. 3N Range 1W.

Taterbug Church. (Craig Twp.) Nickname for the Zion United Brethren /Church

Temple Baptist. (Posey Twp.) 319 Main St., Patriot

Truth Apostolic. (Vevay) 696 Highway 56 Vevay,

Turner Free Will Baptist Chuch. (Pleasant Twp.) Listed by Coons as founded in 1854, this must have been the formal name of the Free Will Church in Moorefield. She reported it was founded by George S. Walker.

Union Baptist Church. (Craig Twp.) Located in Lamb, this church organized in 1841 according to the History of Switzerland County. The original 19 members included Samuel McKay and wife, Henry Peters and wife, Shadrach Laman (sic Lanham), and wife, John and Sallie Miles, John Stratford, James McKay and wife, Edward Combes and wife, Raleigh McKay and wife. The first meetings were held by Elders Archie Smith and William Wallace, with fifty admitted. Rev. John Graham was chosen as the first pastor and served two years. The church was a member of the Madison Association in 1842 with 116 members, according to association minutes. The messengers were J. Miles and H. Peters. The earliest recorded election of trustees came on April 15, 1843 with the election of John Stratford, Samuel Bray, Thomas Miller, David Cain and Meshack Lanham (DB I p. 317.) George Ash deeded land to the church trustees (not listed by name) on June 11, 1844 (DB J p. 619.) The church switched to the Long Run Association on the 3rd Saturday Sept. 1852 reporting, eighty five members. The church building standing at the time of the Switzerland County History was built 1845/46 and was once used as a school house. At the time of the history, (1885) membership was 100. The Madison Baptist Association minutes of 1860 noted that Union reported it was building a house of worship.

Union Chapel United Brethren. (Pleasant Twp.) See also Bennington United Brethren. The United Brethren account in 1926 suggests that Union Chapel grew out of the church after it relocated from Bennington to Aaron, a post office in the north eastern part of Pleasant Township. According to this account, “In later years when Union Chapel was established, we find that Rev. J.J. Goodner was a product of this church. Union Chapel built their church house in about 1868.”

Union Free Will Baptist. (Cotton Twp.) Diane Coons reported this church was the same as old Liberty and was founded in 1834 by Abraham Adkinson, a Sedam and a McHenry

Unity Presbyterian. (Cotton Twp.) This was probably the real name of the Presbyterian Church at Allensville.

Universalist Society of Patriot (Posey Twp.) The History of Switzerland County says this body was organized on Dec. 27, 1835 by George Rogers. Signing the church constitution at the time were John Hicks, Joshua Hicks, Bela Herrick, David Budd, Aribert Gazley, John Mellon, Reuben Coffin, S.A. Buck, Daniel A. Howe, Hagarman Tripp, Roderick Moore, James A. Thrainer, Elizabeth Hicks, Clarissa Hicks, Amy K. Budd, Elizabeth Gazley, Polly Coffin, Harriet Dibble, Eliza Hicks, Sarissa Smith, Vienna Herrick, Luna Moore, Vienna Herrick 2d, Nancy Beckwith, James Buck, Urania H. Buck, Phoebe Mellon, and Catherine Traine. Rogers’ autobiography said the core were two New York England families who had moved to Patriot from Cincinnati. The brick church building was erected in 1838. The body was apparently inactive from 1844 to 1860 and it was reorganized on Dec. 30, 1860 with a call for reorganization signed by 18 members. An 1871 description of Patriot, printed in the Vevay Reveille, noted “The Universalists have an interesting Sunday School. They have recently purchased a fine organ and are organizing a choir.” It was also noted that the church did not have a regular minister. The Universalist Register showed that in 1874 the Patriot congregation had 20 families, 55 members and 65 in Sabbath school. The 1879 Register reported the society was dormant. It in 1881 it had occasional preaching. By 1886, it had preached one quarter of the time and membership was reported at 15 families and 34 members with 74 in Sunday school. It was soon back to occasional preaching in the late 1890s was down to 10 families and 14 members reported from 1895 through 1897, which probably meant the yearly reports were repeated.

Universalist Society of Vevay. (Vevay) The Universalist Society of Vevay was organized on Jan. 1, 1852, according to the History of Switzerland County. J.D. Banta was moderator, Jacob Keefer, treasurer, J.W. Banta, Clark, and Thomas Sim, Luther T. Gravner, and Henry Banta, trustees. The Vevay Reveille of Feb. 29, 1860 reported the congregation had “just reorganized under very favorable circumstances” and had arranged for regular preaching the fourth Sabbath of each month. A Sunday School had just been organized as reported in the Reveille of Wednesday, May 7, 1860, with 49 in attendance.The society met in the court house until 1862, when it built a church building adjacent the Odd Fellows Hall. At the time of the county history, there were 60 members and the officers were J.W. Banta, moderator, J. K. Pleasants, clerk, I.C. Smith, treasurer, and J.K. Pleasants, J.W. Banta, and Luther T. Gravner, trustees. The building was named after Joshua Smithson, who bequeathed the congregation $1,500 for its construction. The Reveille of March 12, 1863 contained a notice for those who had subscribed to erect the building to pay. The building was sold to the Christian Church in 1916.In 1874, the congregation had 19 families and 53 members, according to the Universalist Register with preaching one-quarter of the time (presumably meaning one Sunday a month.) The annual reports show that by 1881 Vevay had only occasional preaching. In the late 1890s, the yearly reports show 10 families and 24 members for several years, probably indicating no fresh reports had been submitted. The building was sold to the Vevay Church of Christ in 1916.

Vevay Assembly 721 East Main St., Vevay

Vevay Christian Church. The Church of Christ was organized in 1842 with the first members given as Thomas J. Wright and wife, John W. Wright and wife, S.B. Miller and wife, and William Tilly and wife, according to the History of Switzerland County. The Reveille of Thursday, Aug. 31, 1882, reported the new church building would be dedicated the next Sunday. The first meetings were held at the courthouse and the December 31, 2002 ??

Vevay Church of the Bible Covenant. 510 Ferry St., Vevay

Vevay Church of Christ.

Vevay Mt. Zion Church of the Nazarene 310 Ohio St. Vevay

Vevay Presbyterian Church. (Jefferson Twp.) A Presbyterian Church was organized on Jan. 28, 1828, according to the History of Switzerland County. Present were Edward Patton, clerk, and Israel N. Whitehead and James G. French to receive and count votes. Elders elected were William French, Morgan Patton, and David Walker. The church met in a building on a lot donated by Daniel Vincent Dufour. However, this brick building became dilapidated and the church essentially dissolved in 1837 or 1838. In 1842, Rev. L.R. Booth of Allensville held services at the Vevay Baptist Church and the body was reorganized. Members received by certificate were Horatio Waldo, Ann Waldo, William Norisez, Mary Norisez, and Alexander Edgar. Received on evidence of their regular standing as church members were Martha B. Mendenhall, Amity, McMIllen, Nancy Gilbert, and Elizabeth Hamilton. Received on examination were Lewis Munson, Rebecca Munson, Mehetabel Waldo, Hannah Davis, and Mary Ann Gray. On Aug. 20, 1842, the congregation voted that the church belonged to the New School branch of Presbyterianism.

Vevay United Brethren The Feb. 6, 1875issue of the Vevay Reveille reported that the brethren had rented the old Baptist Church in Vevay. The Feb. 20 issue said 25 persons had united with the church.

Wesleyan Holiness Church.

York Free Will Baptist. (York Twp.) Diane Coons reported that Cheney Munger founded this church in 1834. No other information, but her information appears to have been drawn from denominational records not available to me.

Zion Chapel United Brethren. (Pleasant or Craig Twp.) The 1926 history says this church was several miles southwest of Vevay and was organized in 1843 by Rev. Benjamin Abbott. A stone church was erected in 1849 and Rev. Jesse Scott was in charge of the congregation at the time of construction. The Jan. 13, 1872 issue of the Reveille reported “The United Brethren are building a neat church near Rumrill’s School House in Craig Township.” An account in the Vevay Reveille of Nov. 1, 1945 places the building on a hill overlooking Indian Creek. Philip Romerill donated the land for the church and the nearby Taterbug School. Services were still being held in 1945. An article in a 1945 edition of the Vevay Reveille by Mrs. Effie Danner gave the origin of the name Taterbug Church and Taterbug School.

Zoar Presbyterian Church. (York Twp.) According to the History of Switzerland County, the church was organized in 1835 by Rev. Booth and Henry Little. The church building was erected in 1850 by Joseph Bonnell and William Cunningham. At the time of the history, the congregation was almost defunct. No list of original members was given, but members at the time of the writing were P.L. Davis and wife, Supply Walker and wife, and Dr. Cheever and wife. In minutes of the Presbyterian General Assembly, the church’s address was given as Patriot. Minutes of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. show that it was a new school church. The 1843 minutes reported it had 16 communicants. It 1852 it had eight; in 1866 18. In a Patriot new section, the June 6, 1880 issue of the Reveille reported, “The Old Zoar church seems to have returned to usefulness after being idle for many years.