Randolph  County,  Indiana  Family  History
Franklin  Township

Churches


Olive  Branch  Christian




Contributed by Gina Richardson, 2004


Union City Times-Gazette
June 16, 1942
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Olive Branch Church History Given
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          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.”
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;

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