In March, 1881, arrangements were made by which the Rev. George Rogers, a graduate of Bealey Hall Theological Seminary, Gambier, Ohio, and a presbyter of the diocese of Kentucky, took charge of the mission.

With the passing years this church has not succeeded as have others, and at present the membership of communicants is small. They do not worship in a building of their own, but have frequent services.

CHURCH OF CHRIST (IN CHRISTIAN UNION).

This church was formed at Washington C. H., about 1904, by O. T. Terguson. It now has a membership of about one hundred. It owns a church building valued at from one thousand eight hundred dollars to two thousand dollars. The pastors who have had charge of the work since organization was perfected are Revs. O. T. Terguson, J. H. McKibban and H. C. Leeth.

There are also churches of this denomination in Fayette county, as follows: On the Fayette county side of the village of New Holland is found a handsome church property. There the work was organized by J. H. McKibban, in 1902. At Pancoastburg, Reverend McKibban also formed a church in 1902. The work was also organized at Jeffersonville, this county.

OLDEST CHURCH BUILDING IN COUNTY.

The oldest church building in Fayette county was destroyed by a severe wind storm in February, 1912. It stood on land owned by William S. Parker, five miles north of Bloomingburg, and was erected by the Baptist denomination about 1813 to 1815. It was a frame structure and for many years has been used as a machine shed by the owner of the farm where it stood. It was on the side of the Bloomingburg and Sedalia pike. The storm demolished this old landmark and threw its ancient roof across the highway into a field.

CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Catholic worship in Washington C. H. was begun, and for some time maintained, under very trying circumstances. Father Blake first celebrated mass in 1852 in a shanty occupied by Michael Flynn, while engaged in constructing the Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley railroad. The attendants were principally railroad men, most of whom left when the road was completed. The following, however, remained and became the pillars of the

present flourishing society: John Coghland and his brother, Thomas, Michael O'Garrath, Martin Brannan, John Saunders, Patrick Burke and mother, Mr. Grady and Michael Flynn. Father Blake continued to preach occasionally until the road was finished, after which Father Duffey, who was stationed at Circleville, came once a month, bringing with him a choir from that place. He first celebrated mass at Flynn's house, but shortly afterward Ely's hall, then just completed, was engaged, and Father Duffey continued to come until his death, which occurred at Circleville about one year after his first services at Washington.

After Father Duffey's death, Father Reagan, stationed at Lancaster, came occasionally during one summer and ministered to the flock. After him, Father Everett, of Lancaster, paid it one visit; and he was followed by Father Fitzgerald, of Columbus, who celebrated mass once. Father Pindar, who was stationed at Circleville, then came once a month for about one year, and mass was celebrated at Ely's hall and confessional held at John Sander's house.

Near the close of Father Pindar's services, the Catholic church on Main street, now owned and occupied by the Colored Methodist church, was completed, and was dedicated by the Rev. Archbishop Purcell, of Cincinnati. Father Pindar and Father J. B. O'Donohue were present at the dedication. Pindar remained with this charge about one year, when he apostatized, married, and became an Episcopal minister. Archbishop Purcell appointed Father J. B. O'Donohue, stationed at Morrow, to take charge of the congregation.

About six months after Father O'Donohue's appointment, he proposed to the congregation the erection of a more commodious place of worship, in a part of the town more suitable for a cemetery. Accordingly the church property on Main street was sold to the Colored Methodist church for the sum of two thousand dollars and three acres of land were purchased of Judge D. McLain at one hundred dollars per acre, east of town, just outside of the present corporation limits, on which a substantial two-story brick church, forty by sixty-two feet, was erected.

In the fall of 1879 Father Felton, by nativity a German, succeeded Father O'Donohue. During his pastorate a fair was held, which was attended largely by Protestants, and one thousand, seven hundred dollars was cleared to the congregation, which was to be appropriated toward purchasing a residence for the priest. In August, 1880, Father Felton was transferred,

and Father Michael O'Donohue was sent from Hillsboro, Ohio, to supply

his place.

This is not a strong Catholic county, hence the work is about all limited to that found in Washington C. H. A good brick church edifice was erected in 1885, and is still standing, and is capacious enough for the present congregation. The data for further history concerning this congregation was sought at the parsonage, but there seemed to be no records extant that would throw light on the work in Fayette county for the past twenty years, but suffice to say that the present organization is sufficient to care for the spiritual needs of this people.

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

The only attempt at forming a Young Men's Christian Association in Fayette county was the one at Washington C. H., in 1910, which proved a great success from its first year's history. It is steadily growing into a wonderful power for furthering the Christian and moral standards in the community where it was so wisely and thoughtfully established. The aim and objects of this association are now so well and generally understood that not even a mention of it need here be made. It may be briefly stated that the Young Men's Christian Association stands for all that is noble and good and is radically opposed to all that is evil or even questionable.

To have been the author of some noted book, or to have painted some famous picture, or cut in marble some beautiful work of art, has always given men a place in history, more lasting than any other memorial. Even so in the case of the philanthropic spirit of such men as Andrew Carnegie, the great library founder. So is it in the case of the modest, earnest little mar who suggested and worked hard to effect the organization of a Young Men's Christian Association in Washington C. H. Reference is made to J. T. Tuttle, still an honored business man of the city, but who at that date was superintendent of the city public schools. He it was who caused a mass meeting to be held February 22, 1910, at Grace Methodist Episcopal church. It took several plucky attempts to effect sufficient public interest to really perfect an organization, but Mr. Tuttle knew no such word as fail, and finally won the community over to his suggestion and the beautiful and costly group of buildings held by the association now are monument enough for the man. who first conceived the notion and worked intelligently for the maturing of his plans.

But someone must needs be found possessing financial ability and a spirit

of benevolence and true philanthropy sufficient to raise and bequeath to the society means with which it might secure a home of its own. Fortunately, for the present and future generations of young men in this city, such a person was found in Mrs. Morris Sharp-Davies, who was the largest single contributor, and in reality the woman who made the enterprise a possibility. She esteemed it not only a duty but a pleasure, as well, to be able to aid so worthy an institution. So the Sharp Memorial building will ever remain a monument to this good woman's offering, to be used and enjoyed with the flight of years. Two other persons should not be omitted from the list of those who have worked for the upbuilding and maintainance of this institution—the careful, painstaking treasurer, George Jackson, who was instrumental in securing the funds with which Stimpson building, of the handsome group of modern structures facing Main street, belonging now to this association was built. His name should always be connected with that of Mr. Stimpson, of California (formerly of this city), the beneficent donor. Much of the present financial standing and future success of the association must be credited to William Worthington, whose whole energy is now being expended in the work entrusted to his care.

The statistical record made by the association so far may be briefly summed up as follows: Date of organization, February 27, 1910; first meetings held at Grace Methodist Episcopal church; offices maintained in the court house for a time. The first meeting was called by J. T. Tuttle. The first board of trustees was as follows: Henry Brownell, president; T. H. Craig, vice-president; O. J. Mobley, secretary; George Jackson, treasurer; A. F. Hopkins, Dr. Carey Persinger and R. C. Peddicord.

Present officers of association (September, 1914): President, Henry Brownell, who has served ever since the association was organized in 1910; vice-president, R. C. Peddicord; A. H. Ballard, secretary; J. M. McClung, physical director; treasurer, J. Earl McLean; general secretary, Walter Patton. Former secretaries have been Ray F. Zaner, of York, Pennsylvania, and since August 1, 1914, Walter Patton, of Springfield, Ohio.

The work of the association is divided into the religious, social, educational, physical and boys' departments, with membership fees as follows: Juniors (eleven to fifteen years old), four dollars; intermediates (from fifteen to eighteen years old), five dollars; seniors (from eighteen and upward), six dollars. Sustaining members, ten dollars.

From June 2 to 12, 1914, a fund-raising campaign was conducted in which twenty-five thousand dollars was pledged and every pledge was good

as gold. This was conducted by William Worthington, aided by a hundred men and boys. It is believed that there is no other record in the world where this amount was raised in so short a time in a city of the size of Washington C. H.

The building dates, etc., are as follows: The Sharp Memorial Building was deeded to the association by Mrs. M. B. Sharp, October 10, 1910. The Y. M. C. A. structure, proper, was opened June 15, 1912. Its architect was Frank Packard; its contractor was Benjamin F. Bolin, Columbus. The cost of this building was thirty thousand dollars, with ten thousand dollars additional to complete and furnish. The Stimpson building was the gift of Charles M. Stimpson, of Los Angeles, California; it was built in 1913-14, at a cost of seven thousand dollars. The present membership is about four hundred and fifty, with steady additions.