Whispering stories of faith from centuries past, her weathered walls stand as a timeless sentinel of love, devotion, and worship…

The Jersey Reformed Presbyterian Church was first established as a congregation on July 28, 1820, under the leadership of Reverends Timothy Harris and Matthew Taylor. The building pictured was later constructed in the 1840s under the leadership of Reverend Putman.

According to the 2000 Preservation book, published by the West Licking Historical Publication Committee, during the tumultuous period leading up to the Civil War, the church adopted the following stance against slavery:

The session, having considered the subject of slavery, believed that all who persist in claiming the right to hold their fellowman as property, all who buy and sell them, all who obstruct their acquisition of knowledge, all who are in any way guilty of oppression, are unworthy of the fellowship of the church.

It’s not surprising that a central Ohio church took a strong stand against slavery. As a free state with close proximity to Canada, Ohio had a powerful abolitionist movement and a rich history of participation in the Underground Railroad, helping escaped slaves move northward to freedom.

I’ve been eager to capture a photo of this beautiful building in the perfect light. However, after the recent Arctic blast in January, it looks absolutely stunning against the winter landscape.