We attended an enjoyable docent meeting this past Saturday. The refreshments were very good and the meeting was conducted in a very fashionable way.

I did see the change in exhibits. Now we have an exhibit on churches. There are many pictures and information on these churches. Such as:

Rock Camp where there were 217 churches on or near State Route 141.

Sheridan churches and Sybene and Charley Creek churches are pictured.

Old Macedonia Church acted as an anchor for other Baptist startups. The church was started by descendants of slaves.

Chesapeake and Bradrick Churches are pictured. Spencer Chapel was one of the first churches. It was built in 1851.

Churches on or near Lower 243 and Athalia and Miller churches 1873 and South Point churches — 1823 Baptist Church of Ohio Baptist on Old Route 63.

Ironton North and Green Valley features Sedgwick United Methodist dated 1887.

John’s Creek and Cannon’s Creek Church —- 1853 Palestine Mission Baptist Church (Myrtle Tree Baptist) are seen.

Central Christian Church —- 1867 and Coal Grove churches started in 1843.

Rome and Proctorville churches were in 1897 —- Finley Methodist Church.

Congregational Church United Brethren is now Gateway Baptist Church.

These are some of the early churches you will see the pictures of.

We remember Ohio Baptist Church at Haverhill is one of the oldest in the county. When you come to view the exhibit, look for your church.

Many pictures are displayed. Maybe yours isn’t pictured and you can leave a picture of it for the exhibit.

Summer is passing by quickly and the Historical Cemetery Walk will conduct a program of the members of the walk.

We will talk about that a little later. Be prepared to be in the crowd that visits the exciting walk.

Be watching for programs that will be planned for the rest of the summer.

Historical Fact:

Lawrence County has been blessed with dedicated doctors, who in the early days traveled by horse and buggy to remote areas to care for the sick.

Many children were born in their own homes.

Several of the children were named for these doctors, as a way of honoring and thanking them.

In populated areas, doctors’ offices became like clinics where many medical procedures were performed.

In Ironton the Keller Hospital (later named Marting Hospital) was the earliest recorded health facility.

At the turn of the century, the Deaconness Hospital was organized as a community hospital and in the mid 1930s, Lawrence County General Hospital was built. (Information from the Pictorial History of Lawrence County.)