History of Cornerstone Faith of west liberty
Take a journey with us as we go through our 200 year history
Our history begins over 200 years ago as a Presbyterian church. We remained with Presbytery through much of our history until just recently when in the fall of 2023, we began a process to separate from the denomination. Through the years we have had many other changes, including a fire and complete rebuild, and an addition in 1952. Please come back and visit as this section will be getting updated over the next few months. ENJOY OUR HISTORY!!!
Early History
Origins
The first settlements made in Logan County were in the southern portion of the County and the first regular Presbyterian ministry was also in the West Liberty area. According to one accounting, a Colonel Smith moved from the State of Virginia to Ohio in 1811 and settled at or near where the Mack-O-Cheek Castle was later located. Colonel Smith built a home for his family, a water powered grist mill and a Presbyterian Church. Regular services were held at this location as early as 1813 & 1814. The first regular meetings in the Village of West Liberty were probably begun in 1826 under arrangements made with the Presbytery. It is interesting to note that both the Bellefontaine and Urbana Churches trace at least some of their roots, as do we, to this little log cabin church that was located a couple of miles east of West Liberty and was known by the Indian name "Mack-O-Cheek".
Beginning Leadership
The Rev. Joseph Stevenson was the first pastor and we shared his services with both the Stoney Creek (Springhills) and Bellefontaine Churches. However, it was through the efforts of Robert W. Hollyday, that the church was finally organized. John M. Glover and Marquis Wood were the church's first ruling elders. Having no regular place to worship, the new congregation accepted the invitation of the Methodist Church to use their building to worship, but in 1842 the use of the "old stone distillery" was secured.
Early History
Origins
The first settlements made in Logan County were in the southern portion of the County and the first regular Presbyterian ministry was also in the West Liberty area. According to one accounting, a Colonel Smith moved from the State of Virginia to Ohio in 1811 and settled at or near where the Mack-O-Cheek Castle was later located. Colonel Smith built a home for his family, a water powered grist mill and a Presbyterian Church. Regular services were held at this location as early as 1813 & 1814. The first regular meetings in the Village of West Liberty were probably begun in 1826 under arrangements made with the Presbytery. The first organized minutes date back to September 11,1841 with twenty-seven members, first meeting in the Methodist Church and later in the "'old stone distillery" which was located on the sight of the present post office. It is interesting to note that both the Bellefontaine and Urbana Churches trace at least some of their roots, as do we, to this little log cabin church that was located a couple of miles east of West Liberty and was known by the Indian name "Mack-O-Cheek".
A new church, a fire and rebuild
In November of 1845 a church building was erected and ready for use. The church continued to grow, but on January 20, 1890, while Sunday School was in session, a fire in the belfry was discovered. Despite heroic efforts to extinguish the blaze, the building was a total loss except for the brick and stone later utilized in the new building. The richly colored stain glass windows, church furniture, organ, library and other valuables were also saved. Once again, other churches offered the use of their buildings to us. This time we accepted the Lutheran invitation. Within two weeks of the loss of the church building, the congregation met and put into effect a plan toward erecting a new church building. On Nov. 30th of that same year, the building was dedicated. The cost of the project being $6,000.00.
The 1952 Addition
An addition to this building was dedicated in 1952, at a cost of around $23,000.00, under the pastorate of the Rev. Calvin Stratton. We have been privileged to have had Spiritual leadership from Thirty-six pastors with Lewis Drake's pastorate being the longest, from November 30, 1855 until May 10, 1885. We continue to grow in steadfast faith and devotion to serve our Lord, Jesus Christ' in love and humility under the guidance and care of the Rev. Bob Brown and Keith Landis
A new direction built on the Cornerstone of our Faith
The congregation at the West Liberty Presbyterian church began going in a different direction than the denomination for quite a few years. On July 19, 2023 at a meeting of session members, we took a vote to begin a process of gracious dismissal from Presbytery USA. This would begin to help us redefine who we are as a congregation and we began to write up a new constitution. We also met with a group from the Presbytery of the Miami Valley for a few months, and after all meetings, on January 22, 2024, both sides came to an agreement on a gracious dismissal. On April 14, 2024 the congregation, by a majority vote agreed , and on May 14, 2024 the Presbytery of the Miami Valley voted unanimously to finalize the dismissal.
A first step for our new independent church, was to give it a name. In keeping our name vertical toward Christ, on April 10, 2024 a vote was held to call ourselves “Cornerstone Faith of West Liberty”.
YOU ARE ALL WELCOME!!!!`