Kingsley Chapel: A Church of 100 Years’ Contrast
By Melinda Hamilton
31 Oct. 1971, no newspaper listed
Kingsley Chapel United Methodist Church, marking the centennial of its founding today, has borne its 100 years well. The church, which stands quietly in Proctorville near Ohio [Route] 7, is a solid-looking brick building. In it are many contrasts between old and new.
However, the sanctuary floor and new pews were covered recently with deep blue matching fabric. The remodeling, completed for the centennial, included the installation of new wood paneling for a contemporary cross with shadow lights just behind the altar.
The church’s oldest members are Mr. and Virgil Smith, 89 and 85, respectively. Like the church itself, they, too, have borne time well. Mrs. Smith, the grandmother of Salmon Reckard, one of the church’s founders, served as the organist for more than 40 years. When I first began playing for church services, I was just a little girl, Mrs. Smith said. “It used to scare me so then. I guess I didn’t play very well.”
Mr. and Mrs. Smith remember days when the Kingsley Chapel in Proctorville Ohio was the center of activity for Proctorville. “Chautauqua services, “a series of lectures and entertainment programs, and High School graduation was held in the church. For many years all area funerals took place there, too, since a funeral home had not yet been established.
The Smiths remember the 1913 and 1937 floods that washed through the church, leaving congregation members to do major cleanup and repair work. Yet their task was small compared to the original job of building the church.
Truly a community project, the church was constructed of brick at a kiln on Paddy Creek, just east of Proctorville. The lumber was cut and sawed on neighboring farms. Stone was cut from the hills near Proctorville.
The Rev. W. N. Middleton was the first minister to serve Kingsley Chapel in Proctorville, Ohio, in 1871. Over the years, the church grew with the community. In 1942, it was enlarged to include a wing for Sunday School rooms. Today’s celebration is scheduled to begin with an anniversary service at 10 a.m., a son fest at 2:30 p.m., and a revival service at 7:30 p.m.
Dedication in Grant, Lawrence County, Ohio.
Ohio River “And All Along Shore”
Correspondence of “The Cincinnati Gazette”
Cincinnati Daily Gazette, Wednesday, May 29, 1872
At the request of the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Grant (now called Proctorville), Lawrence County, Ohio, we had the pleasure of dedicating and consecrating the new and elegant church edifice in that place, last Sabbath, the 26th inst.
The building is of brick, of ample dimensions, and lofty ceiling, and full equipment of church furniture. Over the entrance are eight large plates of wine-colored stained glass containing the words “Kingsley Chapel,” so named in honor of the late lamented Bishop Kingsley whose mortal remains now lie in Beyroot,[sic] Syra, where he “finished the big course” just as he had closed his exploration of Palestine and was transported thence to the heavenly Canaan, to explore the boundless scenes, behold the enduring glories, and share its perpetuity of bliss.
The church in “Grant” has erected the building as a home memorial of the sainted Bishop whose name is so fragrant in all the land and to whose Memory the General Conference is now in session in Brooklyn so promptly contributed more than enough to raise a monumental pillar in the Orient.
His name is truly one of the few—the immortal names of Those who were not born to die.
Sabbath morning rose as resplendent amid the magnificent scenery of the “Valley of the Ohio” as erst on Paradise, the sun poured its splendor and arrayed all nature in the glory of its reflected rays, prompting the tribute Milton puts upon the lips of Adam, as he represents our progenitor in his devotions saying:
These are Thy glorious works, “Parent of Good.”
Almighty! Thine this universal frame,
Thus, wondrous fair.
Thyself! How wondrous then.
By 10 o’clock, the town’s people and the staid farmers of Lawrence had come together by trooping hundreds. We were compelled to extemporize platform in the side window—having removed the sash above and below—and from that position your correspondent had the addressing two congregations at once, one within the house crowded to its utmost capacity, the other seated on the “shady side” of “Kingsley Chapel;” and a better opportunity to preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” is rarely afforded to those who “know Christ” and burn with holy zeal, to make Him known as the Way, the Truth, the Life.
The church cost some $4,000 and was in debt of $1,500. The amount promptly subscribed at the morning service was $1,578, as if “the Lord loveth cheerful giver,” there were many objects thereof His complacent regards. At 3 p.m., the ordinance of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper was administered, and the church, free of debt, solemnly dedicated to the service of God amid the smiles, tears, and old-fashioned shouts of loving and devoted people. It did seem as if the “Shekinah” shone again in this temple of his Grace. It was a fit glory. The divine baptism poured out in refreshing influences on the assembly of the saints.
In the evening, the house was crowded. Your correspondent preached again from this precious text: “Godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come,” the Lord gave testimony to the word of His Grace. The Rev. Mr. Middleton, the pastor of this work, deserves special commendation, this being the second church he has finished in his Circuit this year.
The Bay Brothers, the Crossley, and the Chesapeake captains donated liberally to the enterprise with the proverbial generosity of steamboat captains and rivermen. How much of Christ’s cause is indebted to kindly disposed of men not members of His Church, but generally allied to it by pious wives, “‘by without the word, they are often won to God.”
We are indebted to Capt. Honshell, of the good steamer Telegraph, for hospitalities of the boat, and it is but truth to say that this “floating palace” is eminently worthy of the large patronage it receives. It is a model boat, commodious, clean, and quiet; gentlemanly officers, polite attendants, a sumptuous table, and a very prince of a steward, in the person of Mr. P. C. Conroy, who moves around so quietly that a stranger would hardly detect his official position.
At the same time, his quick, discerning eye sees every want, and, with a quick nod or significant look, he keeps his subordinates up to time, anticipating every wish of the numerous travelers that crowd the hotel-like tables of the Telegraph. Commend us to the Telegraph for comfort and speed. We note with special interest the efficiency of Mr. George A. Knight, Mr. Watt Shedd, and C. W. Davidson, clerks of the Telegraph.
In the town of Grant, they are still on the lookout for a disciple of the versatile proprietor of Chappaqua. A more enthusiastic set of Republicans I never met. It was Grant first, Grant last, Grant all the time, with the noble Republicans of the town of Grant. They think that “U. S. Grant” means “Unconditional Surrender Grant,” “United States Grant,” and to all opposition, they with Grant at Donelson: “Surrender at discretion, or I will move on your works immediately.” Their township is the banner township in the State, having cast every vole for Grant.
Granville Moody
Ohio River, May 26
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