Olive Branch Christian Church 2004
Contributed By: Gina Richardson
Olive Branch Christian Church
Union City Times-Gazette, June 16, 1942
Olive Branch Church History Given
The following history of the Olive Branch church was written by Mrs.
Alva Stephens, a great-granddaughter of two of the charter members,
William and Mary Doty. She was assisted by Mrs. Garnet Wood, a
granddaughter of Rev. John Wetzel and Della Wetzel, also charter members.
The story of the origin of our church has been handed down to us by the
records made by those who were battling for God and right about 82 years
ago. The paper it is written on is yellow with age but the good work
begun is still going on.
In the year 1859 a group of our forefathers living in the community
where the Olive Branch Christian church is now located, felt a longing
in their hearts for a place where they could meet together with their
children, their neighbors and their neighbors’ children, and worship
God. There was at this time no church closer than Shilo (two miles north
of Farmland), the people having no way to travel but by foot, wagons,
horseback or bobsled, they felt a very urgent need for a place to
worship God.
With the spirit of worship in their hearts, they found enough people of
the same mind to organize a church.
Together with Rev. A. W. Holliway, in a little old log schoolhouse on
the corner where the church now stands, they organized a church and
called it Olive Branch.
The charter members, as best the records give us, are Thomas Addington,
Martha Addington, John Wetzel, Delilia Wetzel, Rebecca Stanley,
Selatheal Dodd, Jane Dodd, Elizabeth Engle, Andrew Martin, Mary Martin,
David Lewis, Millie Lewis, John Knox, Mary Knox, Eliza McKee Williams,
William Doty and Mary Doty.
Soon after the organization it began to grow and bring forth fruits. God
blessed it and many were soon added to the roll. Ministers heard the
Massidonian call and came to fill the pulpit and preach Christ to the
people.
There were the Rev. Larkin Mullen, Rev. Samuel McNees, Rev. N.
Summerbell, Joseph Coons, Able Hollaway, Wesley Ross, Thomas Puckett and
possibly others of whom we have no record.
The first ordained elder we have any record of was Rev. John Wetzel. In
1893 Walter Stephens joined the church and was later ordained elder.
The first ordained deacons were David Lewis and Andrew Martin; later
Henry Miller was ordained to take the place of the former. In 1864,
during the pastorate of Rev. Larkin Mullen, two of its faithful members,
David and Millie Louis, moved to Iowa, Mrs. Millie Louis living to be
the oldest charter member.
At the age of 88 she wrote a letter of admonition to the children of her
brothers and sisters in Christ. As time went on a vision of a new church
was seen and in 1872 a new frame building was erected across the road on
the north. This was dedicated by the Rev. John Burket, better known to
those who were living as blind Burket for he was blind.
Following are the names of the ministers of God who ministered unto the
church during the next 25 years:
Rev. George Johnson, Rev. David Buckle, Rev. John Wetzel, Rev. Alfred
Addington, Rev. John Cortner, Rev. William Terrel, Rev. Levi Capron.
It was sometime during this space of time that Thomas Addington, a
charter member was called to the ministry and served as pastor for 17
years. In the year 1903, Rev. John Robbins was called as pastor. He was
just a plain railroader as he called himself, for he was just a man who
worked on the railroad. He was converted and God called him to preach.
Our church, being at a very low ebb during that point of history, let
brother Robbins come and fill out pulpit. He had no education, but he
had salvation and God wonderfully blessed his efforts. He was pastor
four years during which time many found Christ.
The Rev. N. H. Thornburg then came as our pastor and the church
continued flourishing and as the inner man was renewed it became
necessary to renew the church building and in 1908, under the pastorate
of brother Thornburg, the church was rededicated by the Rev. J. F.
Burnett of Dayton, Ohio, delivering the dedication sermon.
The Rev. Lonnie Mullen follows as pastor then the Rev. Zelma Johnson
Mills, Rev. Decalb Judy, Rev. H. L. Lott and it was during his pastorate
that we who then were in the field of battle for the church, and who had
been of the past, felt in our hearts inspired by the good shepherds that
we should “give of our best for the Master,” and we set to work with
both heart and hand to erect a building that would be more efficient and
in 1912 the same building our forefathers built in 1872 was moved across
the road where it now stands so we could have a parking space and the
building was re-built and re-dedicated again by the Rev. J. F. Burnett.
Thus we have this present building.
In honor of our dear brother Lott, I want to repeat the words of sister
Wetzel in praise to him for his untiring efforts and sweet, Christ-like
spirit. She said it went together without the sound of a hammer. Such
unity of spirit seldom found was ours. At the close of the conference
year, just before the dedication, Rev. N. H. Thornburg was again called
for service as pastor after having served the church four previous
years. He served this time two years.
In January 1916, Rev. John Wetzel passed away, having been permitted to
live in the community of the church since its organization. His wife
survived him a short time.
His death left the church with only one elder and Alva Stephens was
ordained to fill the vacancy. The deacons having passed away at this
time, Bessie Stephens and Zella Bosworth were ordained deaconesses.
The church clerks serving on and before this time were Washington
Cortner serving in 1890, later W. C. Bosworth and Walter Stephens. The
following pastors were Rev. Gerusle Stephens Harter, Rev. Max Shaffer
and Rev. Ruby Orren.
The Rev. N. H. Thornburg was again called as pastor during which time
the church enjoyed the greatest revival in its history with people
seeking Christ all over the house and a score were really saved and the
church built up.
The following pastors were Rev. A. E. Gilmore, Rev. Opal Gilmore, Rev.
A. E. Helm, Rev. R. L. Kensler and Rev. R. W. Jones. Rev. Ruby Orren
next called served the church six years in succession, having served two
previous years.
Beginning this pastorate the church was down in the valley but God does
not turn a deaf ear to the cries of the righteous and by His power and
the help of the Reverends Lamoin and Gay Wright, church and pastor, many
were brought to the Master and added to the church. These have given her
new life to carry the good work on.
In 1928 Walter Stephens passed away and Dorance West was ordained elder
to fill the vacancy. Lula Williams after serving several years as clerk
resigned and Edna Taylor is now clerk. Our present pastor is Denver
Medsker beginning September, 1941.
Still living today are these sons of the charter members: Ollie Painter
of near Winchester, son of Martha Addington; Daniel Williams, near
farmland, son of Eliza McKee Williams; and Eli Stanley, son of Rebecca
Stanley living in the community.
From the small vine planted here in 1859, workers have been scattered
to the north, south, east and west to carry the gospel and while they
rest from their labors, their works do follow them; and today we who are
on the field of action today to truly say “Faith of our fathers living
still, we will be true to thee till death.”
Above Article Contributed By: Billy J. Baker
Tucker History Page 143.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH---" NEW LIGHTS."
Olive Branch. -The society was organized about 1858 or 1860 by Rev. Larkin Mullen, and re-organized about 1866. The church was built in 1870. Some of the members have been and are John Wenzel and wife, Washington Cortner and wife, David Lewis and wife, Mrs. Engle and her son, William Engle, Jacob B. Jones and wife, Mrs. Stanley, etc. Preachers, Messrs. Mullen, Holloway, Puckett, Ross, Addington, Johnson, Cortner. Preaching is monthly, three sermons at a time. Sunday school not very large. The society numbers 100 to 150 members. The present pastor is Elder Thomas Addington, resident on Bear Creek, northwest of New Dayton.
Past & Present of Randolph County, Indiana 1914. Page 679.
Olive Branch
This church is in Franklin township and was organized in 1858 by Rev. Larkin Mullin.
The church was reorganized in 1866 and a new building erected in 1870.
The church has been very prosperous. A new church was erected in 1913.
Page 722.
Franklin Township, Sunday Schools
Denomination - Superintendent, Address - Enrollment
Olive Branch, Christian, Benjamin Flood, Farmland, 100;