McConnelsville in Morgan County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

First Presbyterian Church

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 2, 2008

1. First Presbyterian Church Marker

Inscription. Many early settlers of Morgan County were of Scot-Irish heritage and brought the Presbyterian faith with them. From this group Reverend John Hunt and twelve charter members organized the first congregation in McConnelsville and Malta in 1824 and third oldest congregation in Morgan County. The congregation built a brick church in 1832 at a cost of $2,361. Known for its excellent acoustics and fine music, the building received the first pump organ in the two villages in 1849. In 1916 the church was stuccoed and added a Sunday school and vestibule. The original bell was sold to the steamboat H.D. Munson in 1865, and the present bell came from the Bristol Presbyterian Church. Because of its large seating capacity, the church was also used for civic functions, including an early court trial. Over the years, members have included General Robert McConnell, founder of McConnelsville, Henry Dawes, uncle of Vice-President Charles Dawes, and Frances Dana Gage, early women's rights leader.

Erected 2004 by First Presbyterian Church and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 16-58.)

Topics and series. This historical

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marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1824.

Location. 39° 38.987′ N, 81° 51.053′ W. Marker is in McConnelsville, Ohio, in Morgan County. It is at the intersection of Liberty Street and 8th Street, on the left when traveling east on Liberty Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: McConnelsville OH 43756, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Purple Heart Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Since 1880 (about 400 feet away);

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 2, 2008

2. First Presbyterian Church Marker

Evelyn True Button House (about 500 feet away); Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients (about 700 feet away); Morgan County (about 700 feet away); Lelia Morris & Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church (about 700 feet away); First McConnelsville Christmas Tree (about 800 feet away); Frances Dana Gage / Mount Airy Mansion (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McConnelsville.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Carlos M. Riecker Complex (was about 300 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

First Presbyterian Church Marker and Bell Tower image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 2, 2008

3. First Presbyterian Church Marker and Bell Tower

Bell Tower Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 2, 2008

4. Bell Tower Marker

First Presbyterian Church Building Construction Date image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 2, 2008

5. First Presbyterian Church Building Construction Date

Bell Tower Dedication Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 2, 2008

6. Bell Tower Dedication Marker

In dedication, memory & honor of the members of the Bristol Presbyterian Church. Bell purchased & installed in 1913 by George Henderson.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,386 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 8, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.