On Dec. 1, 1876, the
Rev. Joseph C. Zimmerman assumed the pastorate. Writing
in 1922 pastor Crowell used the phrase “of sainted memory” in referring to the
Rev. Zimmerman and added: “During the six years of his ministry (he) succeeded
in making such a marked imprint of his own personal and practical Christianity
upon the community that its wholesome influence is still felt altho (sic) nearly
fifty years have passed.” During Pastor Zimmerman’s ministry more than 150
adults were added to the church.
In a farewell message, Pastor Zimmerman said
his labors as head of the Osborn charge (composed of Osborn, Donnelsville and
Brandt) had been “of the most pleasant kind of character. It is severed now
with reluctance. During these years God has not failed to bless earnest and
sincere labor. Our benevolences and acts of kindness and charity has increased
year by year....I leave with sadness to take up the work of our Mission at Brooklyn,
N.Y.”
The financial condition of the church improved markedly. The pastor’s salary
was $850 a year, lus parsonage, which was the most paid in the history of the
church to that time. This amount was increased to $975 a year and parsonage
in 1882. The Osborn congregation paid $500 of that amount while the Brandt
and Donnelsville churches paid the balance.
The Rev. Albert m. Barrett served as pastor from
April 1, 1883, to December 1885. Membership increased to 154 after 23 people were received into the church
during this pastorate. During those years the Women’s Home and Foreign Missionary
Society was organized. The Rev. Samuel E. Greenwalt (some typewritten historical
papers show his name as Greenawalt) served from Jan. 1, 1886, to Jan. 24,
1892. Congregational membership doubled during that period, and a parsonage owned
jointly by the parish was built in Osborn.
At the time of his leaving, pastor Greenwalt wrote: “for six years I have ministered
to these people. Our relation as pastor and people has been of the most pleasant
character. God has granted a measure of prosperity. 345 members have been added
to the three churches, 103 funerals have been conducted, 79 children baptized,
70 marriages solemnized. The parsonage has been secured and Benevolence developed.”
Pastor Greenwalt took up the work of the First Lutheran Church, Findlay, Ohio.
The next pastor of the Osborn charge was the
Rev. Cyrus S. Ernsberger (one
document shows Ernesberger) who served from June 1, 1892, to Nov. 1,
1894. In May 1894 the Brandt congregation, upon the recommendation of the synod, withdrew
from the Osborn, Brandt, Donnelsville charge to unite with the Casstown congregation
to form the Casstown charge.
The Historical Souvenir 1849-1948
printed: “In the records concerning these years there is information which indicated
strict church discipline was practiced as two of the church members were asked
to appear before the council concerning their Christian character.”
Following the ministry of Pastor Ernsberger
came that of the Rev. Clarence e. Gardner, who like a number of his predecessors,
began his ministry in the Osborn charge. He served from Feb. 10, 1895, to
Dec.
2, 1900. During this period council decided to rebuild the church and on May
9, 1898, adopted the plans of Richard Gotwald, a Springfield architect. At the
same meeting Pastor Gardner was granted a leave of absence to serve six months
as chaplain with the 3rd Regiment Ohio volunteer Infantry during
the Spanish-American War. The Rev. Fred G. Gotwald was called to be acting pastor.
In his farewell at the end of his Osborn ministry, Pastor Gardner wrote that
the Osborn and Donnelsville charge had made “commendable progress spiritually
and materially. Two hundred six members have been added to the rolls, 92 funerals
conducted, 42 marriages solemnized and 93 children baptized.” The church was
improved at a cost of $6,000 and on Nov. 27, 1898, was free of debt.
