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Our History
The Perry congregation of the disciples of Christ was organized by Stephen Cook and William Dowling in the early 1840's. Charter members included the Peter Wirick, Levi Ruhl, Henry McFerren, George Algire and George Koon families. At first they met in the homes of members, but in the fall of 1847, they began construction on their first house of worship. It was a log structure built on land donated by Levi Ruhl. By 1870, growth in the membership necessitated the construction of a larger place of worship. The new church building, constructed of heavy timbers cut from nearby woods, had two entrance doors, one for the men and the other for the women, solid wooden pews built by the members and a large steeple with a bell to announce the beginning of worship services to the community. It was a common practice to toll the bell once for each year of life of a member whose funeral was conducted in the building and buried in the nearby cemetery. In 1853, a Sunday School was added which attracted 60 young people from the Darlington community each Sunday during the summer months.
As America became more urbanized in the late 1800's, many in rural Perry Township moved to the cities to find employment and a better life. Perry church declined in membership, but in August of 1914, a revival led by O.L. Cook of Hiram, Ohio, resulted in 40 baptisms. Improvements in the building followed. The two doors were replaced with one door while the exterior window shutters and two wood burning heating stoves remained.
Perry experienced another period of growth in 1936 after Oliver Johnson conducted a two week revival and several families from the Bethany Church of Christ on Possum Run near Butler had joined with older Perry members. The younger members removed years of paint and use from the floor and pews. The wooden shingles on the roof were replaced, the building was painted, and finally in 1938, the ancient oil lamps gave way to electric lighting. That same year, Perry conducted its first summer Bible School.
In 1974, the one hundred year old church building was moved back from Darlington East Road. Placed over a basement, we now had much needed Sunday School rooms, a central heating and cooling system, and a renovated interior. Leroy Bumpus served the congregation as our minister, a posistion he held from 1953 to 2001.
Some of our families have been members for well over a hundred years.
During its long history, Perry has produced many preachers of the Gospel and has been instrumental in sending missionaries to foreign nations. We have had over 65 summer Vacation Bible School while we have a continual emphasis on training our youth in Christian service, looking forward to a bright future.
As the old bell continues to ring on Sunday mornings, let us remember those who have gone before us and renew
our efforts to proclaim the Gospel of Christ to our generation.
As it was in 1910
Ladies' Bible Class in 1914
Men's Bible Class in 1914
As it was in 1942
