Township Historian Geraldine Piekarski tells the history of the Harpersfield Union Church, which would become Harpersfield Township Hall.
The building was demolished this week due to dilapidation. The Harpersfield Township Heritage Society worked for years to save the building.
p
Township Historian Geraldine Piekarski tells the history of the Harpersfield Union Church, which would become Harpersfield Township Hall.
The building was demolished this week due to dilapidation. The Harpersfield Township Heritage Society worked for years to save the building.
HARPERSFIELD TOWNSHIP — The Harpersfield Union Church was built in 1836 on property owned by Joseph B. Rogers and wife with the stipulation that when no longer used as a church, the property would revert to the heirs of the original owners.
Horse sheds were built along the west side of the church. Several denominations used the church as a meeting house. At one time, the Church of the Brethren held services there.
In the 1870’s, J.C. Bishop accepted the ministry in order to jeep the property from reverting to the heirs of the original owners. He preached there for 17 years/
The Harpersfield Farmers Institute also held day-long meetings at the church, with lunch served by the Ladies Aid Society.
The building was heated by two large wood or coal stones, one on each side of the room.
A newspaper clipping dated June 1927 reported that a new roof had been laid on the old church at the center and the Ladies Aid Society “is working hard to raise money for inside repairs that Harpersfield may have a building in which to hold meetings.”
The time eventually came in the early 1970s when the church and property was to revert to the heirs of the original owners. Emery Potter, who was the township clerk at the time and the only known living descendent, did not present a claim to the property.
So as chairman of the trustees, Gerald Bishop bid and bought the land for $200. This had to be in escrow with the state for seven years and the money went to the state.
The trustees then put in $1,000 worth of repairs and the other trustees called it the “white elephant.”
But when the township was divided into two voting precincts, there was no problem as to where the voting would take place.
As a child at Cork Grade School, I remember being asked to the church in Harpersfield for the Spring Operetta and the acoustics were outstanding.
The Harpersfield Township Fire Department held its Christmas parties for the children there, much to their delight.
The Harpersfield Boosters Club started the annual Harpersfield Days with all township organizations participating. This evolved into the Harpersfield Township Fire Department beef roast.
Local News
Harpersfield Township Hall had rich history
- Local News
-
-
Conneaut’s development headquarters takes shape
A small building two blocks from Lake Erie could become Conneaut’s economic development headquarters before the start of summer.
-
Sheriff’s detectives net two active meth labs
Acting on a tip, Ashtabula County Sheriff’s detectives and deputies uncovered an active methamphetamine lab Friday afternoon, according to Lt. Van Robison.
-
Former Ashtabula resident killed in car crash Tuesday
Ashley N. Penwell, 22, formerly of East Fourth St., Ashtabula, was pronounced dead at the scene of a Tuesday car crash on Charleston Pike Road in Chillicothe.
-
Ashtabula County is near top in 2011 bear sightings
Ashtabula County finished second in the number of black bear sightings reported in Ohio last year, according to a report from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife.
-
Break-in results in felony charges
A Conneaut man faces two felony charges stemming from a break-in at a vacant Cleveland Court house earlier this week, according to Conneaut Municipal Court records.
-
Conneaut Middle School’s Goodwill drive big success
Students and staff at Conneaut Middle School responded in a big way to a plea for donations issued late last month by Goodwill Industries of Ashtabula.
-
ACMC teams up with Goodwill on Valentine’s Day
This Valentine’s Day, area residents are encouraged to show their love by cleaning out their closets and heading over to Ashtabula County Medical Center.
-
Presses stopped: Updated with video
It was June 23, 1969.
-
Murder suspect kills self at mother’s grave
Madison Township police officers found the body of a murder suspect in the Alexander Harper Cemetery on Thursday afternoon, ending a day-long, multi-county manhunt.
-
Commissioners pay to get the business
Commissioners on Tuesday approved a $15,000 contract with Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County to provide business service representation on behalf of the county’s One-Stop job training center.
- More Local News Headlines
-
