First Universalist Church, Blanchester
ca. 1907-14

First Universalist Church

Blanchester, Ohio

Corner N. Main & E. Wright
Demolished 1960s

The church was organized as the First Universalist Society of Toddsfolk/First Universalist Church of Todsfork [sic] in 1835 and incorporated in 1852. In 1836 the Society built a meetinghouse in Edwardsville and a church in Blanchester in 1852. Sometime around 1867 the name Toddsfolk was dropped. As ministers are listed as preaching in Edwardsville until the c1890s, after the building of the Blanchester church, services must have continued simultaneously. Rev. Samuel G. Dunham is recorded as preaching at both in the early 90s. The Society was not incorporated until the building of the Blanchester church. Oddly, Robinson in his Universalist Church in Ohio records the date as being in 1858. I assume he either got confused with the name and location changes or the Ohio Convention records are in error. Which brings us to the First Universalist Church of Blanchester.

As noted, the Blanchester church was built in 1852. It was dedicated, or more than likely, rededicated in 1873. The building, a two-story brick building was designed by the renown Lambert Packard. It featured a high hip roof and a louvered belfry. The sanctuary seating 500 was on the main floor. The basement was divided into four rooms for Sunday School use. For a short while in 1854, the Blanchester Public School utilized the sanctuary as a classroom during week days. By 1960, three of the rooms were being used by the city for village council chambers, a mayor’s office and an “engine house.” One room was used for a short time as an agricultural equipment sales floor.

Although the church was demolished in the 60s, on august 5, 1960, the Wilmington News Journal reports it to be in a “flourishing and prosperous condition with 134 members.” The article also noted that the society had no debt and a constant income from the rentals. On June 19, 1927, the Blanchester Church hosted the 102nd Ohio State Universalist Convention.

[Images: Blanchester Historical Society

Bibliography
"Blanchester, Ohio. First Universalist Society of Blanchester. Records, 1835-1921" Harvard Library Archives
The Christian Leader, September 3, 1927, pp.1136, 1137.
Robinson, Elmo Arnold, 1923, The Universalist Church in Ohio. The Ohio Universalist Convention.
[Posted: 02.17.26]

[Church history may be updated as new information comes to light.]