Historical Sketch of the Church, 1927 The High Street Church of Christ was formerly known as the First Church of Christ. A few years ago the name was changed to make the location more definite in directing visitors and present to the other church bodies a term more in keeping with unity and Christian democracy.  The story of the founding, struggles, growth and development of the High Street Church of Christ forms an interesting chapter in history of the Disciples of Christ.  The beginning of the organization goes back beyond the Civil War. The early Reformers, who were pushing the doctrines and practices of the Campbells (Thomas and Alexander) into Ohio, early turned their attention toward Hamilton. In the summer of 1856 Benjamin Franklin, one of our leading evangelists of that period, held meetings in the Court House where the first organization was effected. In December of that year the place of meeting was transferred to Skinner's Hall, northeast corner of Third and High, where they remained until 1862.

High Street Church of Christ, 1896

Services were discontinued until 1866 on account of the Civil War. These were resumed in the old Baptist Church on North Third, between Market and Dayton. In 1869 Knowles Shaw held a great meeting in a United Brethren Church on South C street, now known as the Colonial Flats. Rev. Shaw was a famous evangelist and song writer, and was pastor at Harrison at that time. The congregation remained here until it removed to its present site, corner High and Center, between Fifth and Sixth. This was in the year 1884;  the present building was begun in 1883.

During the Shaw meetings, Asa Shuler was one of the converts. He was a prominent man in business, a partner in the Shuler-Benninghofen firm, and at one time president of the First National Bank. He was faithful as a member, not only on attendance and counsel, but gave most freely of his means.  The new church and parsonage both represent in a large measure his generosity. Others of course, shared financial burdens with him, but he was outstanding in his large donations. The Missionary Boards were alike recipients of generous sums. He passed to his reward in 1895.

The first period of the church's history perhaps closed with the coming of Rev. Gaff in 1878. Before this there were possibly only two full-time pastors. J. S. Hughes remained about four years and A. D. Flagg about two years. Among the visiting preachers were: J. M. Henry, D. S. Burnett, James Challen, George Campbell, and D. H. Gary, whose funeral services Mr. C. R. Sine conducted in 1910, with interment in Greenwood. The records of these earlier days are but fragmentary. However, in the minutes of May 13, 1860, there appears this statement: "At 2:00 o'clock p.m. in the church assembled and Brethren Grosch, Miller and Nash were ordained by fasting and prayer, and laying on of hands." The minutes of June 3, 1860, show that Charles A. Cook was employed as pastor for one-half time. While these were days of obscurity, nevertheless there was heroic service rendered by a number of noble men and women who held firm to first principles.

The era of real progress dates to the pastorate of Rev. Gaff, the second in length of service in the history of the church. He began his ministry the first of March, 1878. After a revision of the roll there remained sixty-five names in the active membership. This was a time when our people had little influence in the city as a religious body. But by earnest effort and right living a place was carved out for the Disciples of Christ. The organization continued on the West Side until 1884, when the new building on the present site was dedicated, August 24th. The building had been begun in 1883. At the dedication Isaac Errett was master of ceremonies. When Rev. Gaff closed his pastorate in September, 1886, there were two hundred and thirty-two names on the active list.

A number of faithful men have served the church since that day as pastors: R.S. Groves from March, 1887 to May, 1891; L. E. Brown from December, 1891 to February, 1897; G. 0. Black from May, 1897 to March, 1904; A. M. Growden from May, 1904, to February, 1906; J. Wesley Hatcher from May, 1905 to September, 1908.

Under these brethren the work steadily advanced until the membership reached over 400. In 1902 a group of the High Street Church organized the Lindenwald Church of Christ. Every charter member was from the High Street Church; seven in all. From this small nucleus a strong church has developed. In its earlier days High Street Church stood by the mission, giving it aid and means and teachers while the mission rendered for a time regular reports to of these earlier days are but fragmentary.

Later a Bible School was started in Coke Otto, now known as New Miami. This grew and in 1913 a building was erected and the Coke Otto Church of Christ was organized. On February 4, 1924, the building was sold to the local congregation and the church became independent of High Street.

C. R. Sine, whose pastorate was the longest in the history of the organization, began his ministry October 11, 1908, which ended in 1921. His pastorate was marked by a large number of additions and a remarkable growth of influence in the city.

In 1916, Mrs. Blanche Davis Harnar went to India as a "Living Link" from the High Street Church of which she was a member. There she served faithfully until her health failed and in December, 1927, our whole congregation was saddened by the news of her death. Thus was cut off a very definite connection with a larger work which had proved very stimulating to the local congregation. She left four children who are still with their father in India. So her work lives on.

The awful disaster of March 25-26, 1913, when life and property were swept away in the flood -- -two hundred families in the flood area with the loss of ten lives -- was a testing time. The property loss amounted to one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. On February 1, 1914, the rededication of the building and congregation took place, with Rev. A. M. Harvout preaching two able sermons. The influenza epidemic of 1918-1919 has been a severe trial to this church, as to every church almost in the land -- we might say, world. Among our noblest contributions of the last few years is the splendid showing of our brave soldier boys in France and the home camps. We are proud of these noble young men, and shall ever hold them in our heart's abiding memories. And all honor to the courageous women who entered the ranks of nurses, and gave a willing ministry of healing. Among the list of these patriots are names of those who paid the supreme sacrifice.

Mr. John Brogden began his pastorate in September, 1921. His pastorate was accompanied by an intellectual awakening of the membership and was marked by the formation of study groups which the Pastor was well prepared to lead. His preaching, though not acceptable to the whole membership, always furnished much food for thought.

In 1922 a small portion of the membership saw fit to form a separate organization which is now known as the Central Church of Christ.

It was during Mr. Brogden’s pastorate that the church entered into a program to remodel the church building. This was begun in the early part of 1923 and the work completed in June, 1925, when a dedicatory service was held at which pledges were taken to finance the program. Many of these pledges have now been paid and many are looking forward to the completion of the building program by the erection of the front unit.
Mr. G. Webster Moore, the present pastor, began his ministry in September, 1926. His work among us has been marked by a steady growth in spirit and strength which has kept us our place among the outstanding churches of the city. During the past year High Street has been  joining with other churches of Hamilton in the evening services. Thus a stronger feeling of fellowship has been promoted.

 © 2000 by the Butler County Historical Society