The Church in Bloomfield was organized in March, 1818, a congregation of the Associate Presbyterian (Seceder) Church from Scotland. The first sermon was preached in the area on the 10th of January, 1818, by the Rev. Robert Douglas in the home of David Duff. In March, the congregation was organized under the direction of the Rev. John Walker. The first communion service was in September at a spring on the property of David Rankin. In later years the property was owned or occupied by Rev. J.P. Lytle, Ralph Atchison and Charles St. Clair. From a small beginning with only 10 families, the church began to grow and soon there were sixteen more families added. The congregation was composed at first of the families of David Duff, Joseph K. McCune, Esq., William Simpson, Thomas Ramsey, David and John Atchison. Other early families connected with the church include Mr. Black, Robert Wilson, James Moorehead, John Weylie, Mr. Damagh, Mrs. Forsythe, Alex Wilson, David Morrow and Alexander Duff.

The first place of worship was a tent which was set up near the site of our present building. In the early nineteenth century, ecclesiastical usage of the word "tent" meant a rude platform with slab siding and a roof to protect the minister and the Bible from the elements. The congregation stood or sat in the open air.

The second place of worship was another tent which was erected about a mile north.

In about 1823, the first permanent building, made of hewn logs, 24 feet square was built in the present cemetery area. In 1831, the second log structure was built near where the present church stands. It was 25 by 40 feet with two ten by ten foot wings. The third, a frame house, was built in 1847 for $1300. It was 50 by 60 feet. In 1879, the present church was built with a manse just east on Route 209 being built in 1898.

The first pastor was the Rev. Daniel McLane serving from 1824-1854. In those days, the Psalms of the Bible were sung exclusively and there was no instrumental music. Close communion was practiced which meant only members were allowed to come to the Communion Table. Members of Bloomfield were not permitted to attend other churches at all. They also had a testimony against Secret Societies of every sort. There was no Sabbath School because they believed that their "Covenant Children" should be taught in the home. Services were quite long. They opened with the singing of a Psalm which was then quoted and explained at length by the pastor. This required more time than a sermon does today. Then a "singing clerk" would sing the song line by line to acquaint the congregation who had no books. No repeating tunes were allowed. Samuel Scott and John Bell were song conductors. After the singing, a prayer, often 60 minutes long, (given while the people stood) was offered. Men often turned their backs to the preacher and leaned on the back of the pew in front of their own while waiting for the Amen. After prayer came the sermon. Excessively long by today's standards. During an intermission of about three quarters of an hour, lunch would be enjoyed in the church yard or nearby homes. The afternoon service was conducted in the same style

as the morning. Nearly a whole day was spent in church leaving Just enough of the Sabbath for the daily "chores". Those who came from a distance (A family by the name of Hastings northwest of Adamsville was one) came only for the Communions. They arrived on Friday and stayed with other members until services were over on the following Monday. Communion was also different. Four days were devoted to the observance. Friday was a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer. On Saturday, after the sermon, the tokens were distributed. Members of session would stand in a row in front of the pulpit facing the congregation. The Pastor would stand in front of them and the people would come forward to receive their tokens. It was a small round piece of lead or pewter about the size of a dime but many times thicker and not very neatly finished. On the Sabbath a sermon would be preached in the forenoon and after intermission, the Pastor would "debar" any and all who had violated the Ten Commandments. The Communion table ran the whole length of the aisle. It was covered with clean linen and on each side were lower benches for seating. During the singing of a Psalm, the people would arise and go to the end of the table where two elders would receive their tokens. They would then be seated. The wine would be passed in a large silver cup and all would take a sip from it. The bread was broken by each person from a large loaf passed from hand to hand. On Monday, the congregation would reassemble. One sermon would be preached and the service would be ended.

In 1844, the congregation numbered 191 members plus all of the children who were known as "Baptized Members". It was the tenth largest congregation in the Associate Synod, the official name of the Seceder Denomination.
During the pastorate of Dr. J. P. Lytle, 1855-1891, a merger took place between the Associate Presbyterians and the Associate Reformed Presbyterians to form the United Presbyterian Church of North America. A small number of the Bloomfield Seceders refused to Join the new denomination. They continued as an Associate Presbyterian Church. After a bitter court case in which they failed to obtain the church property, the Seceders built their own church, emphasizing a long standing division in the town during which many families refused to speak to members of the rival congregations. The Seceders also founded their own high school with Reverend William Ballantine as principal, and in 1872 erected McCorkle College, in a location chosen to block from sight the UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The Seceders limped along, with membership never exceeded sixty seven, and in 1891, the college closed and its building was sold to the township which was used first as a high school, then an elementary school. The church building was used as a high school basketball court until it burned in 1938. While all this was taking place in one part of the town, the United Presbyterian s were flourishing. In 1887, the great Revival took place. The meetings began about the middle of March, the season usually of storm and changeable weather but that year, it was remarkably warm and pleasant. Two things were specially emphasized in all the meetings- prayer and the study of the Word. This was followed by a sermon with the pastor being assisted by neighboring ministers. After the sermon, an invitation was given. At the end of three week revival, 85 people had come forth. The spirit moved them to continue for 2 more weeks with the final number of new members being 104. The effect on the congregation was evident, both inside the church and out according to a story written by Mrs. W. B. Kelly for the 100th anniversary celebration in 1918.

Soon after the turn of the century, the interior was enhanced with 80 yards of carpet at $48 --- 19 1/2 yards of cocoa matting at $8.78 - pulpit carpet at $12 and 3 chairs costing a total of $33.50.

The centennial celebration was August 23-25, 1918. It was a great occasion with former pastors and members gathering. On Sabbath morning, about 320 partook of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

In 1948, the Church celebrated 130 years with a three day program of services, dinners and music. Some activities took place in "The Sanctuary Among the Oaks".

One hundred and fifty years found the Bloomfield Congregation with about 70 families involved in a variety of activities including active youth and adult groups. The 1968 celebration was shorter in length but very meaningful to relatives and friends who gathered for the day long program.

As we observe 175 years, we find descendants of the founders on the membership roll. Through the years, these families have welcomed others who appreciate the conservative, but loving standards of our Church. The legacy of a church UNITED provides the spiritual food we need to accept the changing world. We find the same sense of dedication to serving is evident. But the younger generation goes about their work in a much broader way than their ancestors. Their arms not only reach upward but outward as our church supports missionary work in China and Haiti. Laura Bates, Editor

(Note: Historical information for this booklet came from the Muskingum County History on Townships and Churches. Other facts and figures from church papers, bulletins, letters and previous anniversary materials which were edited by Edgar Simms, Alice Ruth McCormick, Leanna Atchison and Rev. Thomas Wilson.)