Ebenezer United Methodist Church
began in the cabin of Jennings Judge William Prather in 1816. The congregation
traces its beginnings to the 1790's when when curcuit riders from the Salt River
Curcuit crossed the Ohio River to "Brother Prather's" cabin in the new Northwest
Territory. This "Brother Prather" was William's brother Bazil. William
followed his father from North Carolina to the frontier then known as Clarks
Grant. In 1816 William moved to Jennings County with his family.
Early members of Ebenezer were Bundy's, Pools, Prathers, Clintons, Carsons,
and several Patrick brothers.
These families lived in the
Cherry Park neighborhood between Otter and Crooked Creeks. A housefire at the
Strock farm desctroyed the church records in 1929, but deed
records say an earlylog church was built at the present site by the 1840's
on land given by James and Ary Prather Hilton. Hilton's and Thomas Francis
donated more land in the 1860's and the present simple frame structure was
built, influenced by Quakers in the congregation. The original carved window
frames, wainscotting, mourners' bench, and built-in pews are still there. A
pulpit and pediestals were handmade by Mr. Sinnett.
Ebenezer produced several ministers: the Reverands Frank and Walter Bundy,
Clarence Vawter and Willard Patrick. Besides the Patricks, Ola Ferris, the
Richardson sisters, Stewart and Fields children grew up at Ebenezer. Their
lasting faith and friendships kept the Church going. Many of these families have
generations of ancestors buried in the Church Cemetery. A trust given by Mary
Silvers Sullivan in the 1980's keeps the church and cemetery well groomed.