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��HISTOKY OF RICHLAXD COUNTY,
��was one of the earliest, if not tlie earliest, in the town. Dr. William James, a Meth- odist missionary, settled in Mansfield soon after the town was laid out, probabh' between the years 1810 and 1814. It is a question whether he or Rev. Mr. Van Eman. of the I'resbyterian Church, was the first to preach in the town, Init the fact that the Methodists erected the first church building and that their missionaries, generally", were in advance of the early settle- ments everywhere, may be taken as evidence that Dr. James was the first preacher of any denomination in the town. John Weldon, a well -remembered pioneer, says that William James was the first preacher that settled in Mansfield ; and the historian of the Presbyterian Chui'ch, while conceding this, still claims that Rev. Yan Eman preached the first sermon in the town. This, howe^-er, is not known ; there is no proof of it, and it is reasonable to sup- pose that, as Mr. James came here for the pur- pose of preaching, and was here before the others, he preached the first sermon.
Mr. Weldon says that Rev. James was followed by Charles Waddle and Rev. Mr. Somerville. and that all three were here before 1816. Rev. James built a log house on the corner of Third and Water streets, which would indicate his inten- tion of settling here permanently. He did not live long, being horned 1)y his bull, from the effects of which he died. Henry Newman says the first Methodist church was built about, or before, 1816. It stood on Water street, between Third and Fourth. At that time, other build- ings had been erected around the big spring, and this was one of the most important parts of the new town. This church was frequently used by other denominations during those early 3'ears. Mrs. Smith, who, in 1823, was living on North Main street, where she now resides, remembers picking her way through the hazel- brush to this church. The well-known circuit- rider, Harry 0. Sheldon, was one of the earliest preachers in this church ; it is certain that he
��pi'eached in it as early as 1818, and that, ten years later, he was stationed here. He claims to have formed the first Sal)l)ath school ever held in Mansfield, and while he does not say that it was formed in this church, the probal)il- ities are that such was the case, as it would be natural for a ]Methodist preacher to select a a Methodist church in which to organize a Sal>- bath school, if such a church existed at the time. This is about all the earh^ history that could be gathered of this church.
After using this old church many years, they sold it, in 1837, to the Lutheran and German Reformed organizations, Avho occupied it until 1852, when it was abandoned.
The Methodists built a new frame church, yet standing, on the corner of East ^Market and Water sti-eets. This church must have been erected about the year 1836 or 1837, when the old one was sold. This building they occupied more than thirt}' j-ears, commencing the erec- tion of the present fine, substantial brick edi- fice, on the east side of the square, in 1867. which, however, was not finished until 1870. Dedication services were held on the 3d of July in that year, by Bishop Clark and Rev. Dr. Pershing. The cost of the building Avas $35,- 000. On the day of the dedication, $8,000 of this remained unpaid, but the amount was raised the same day, and the new church started on its career of usefulness free from debt. ReA'. J. A. Mudge, since deceased, was a hard worker in the building of this church.
A large and flourishing Sunda}' school has alwa3^s been connected with the church.
The histor}' of the First Baptist Church of Mansfield dates back to 1818. In Novem- ber of that year, Elder French, a mission- ary, visited jMansfield and held meetings in private houses. Some of these meetings were held in the house of ^lordecai Bartle^', two miles northwest of Mansfield. Mr. Bartley was received for baptism by Revs. French and Matthew Cunen and his mother, who had l)een members
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