Jefferson County Chapter

Presbyterianism in the Upper Ohio Valley

(Author, Andrew G. Slade, published 1976) – Title page - An authorized publication of the Presbytery of the Upper Ohio Valley in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the United States of American in 1976.

Two Ridges Presbyterian Church – Winterville, Ohio – The first record of the church is found under the date of October 19, 1802. There is no list of any charter members in existence.* For many years it met in the cabin homes of its members. In 1820 the first building was erected. The first installed pastor was William McMillan who was pastor at Yellow Creek Churches as well. He 1810 he resigned the Yellow Creek Church and took on the principle position of the Steubenville Institute Seminary. He resigned at Two Ridges in 1812. On May 21, 1819 the Rev. Thomas Hunt was installed at Two Ridges and Bacon Ridge**, the new name for Yellow Creek. He served as pastor until 1836. Rev. Eaton became pastor in 1844 followed by Rev. George Fraser in 1863, following by Rev. John L. Dickey in 1866. A large membership including a revival took place during Rev. Dickey’s ministry. He was followed by Rev. J. M. Laubach, then Rev. Israel Price until 1882. Rev. John C. McCracken served in 1879 to 1882. Rev. Patterson served then Rev. Homer Sheely, which the present church was built… (*Records do exist for the Two Ridges Church and are available at the Schiappa Library. **We believe this statement to be in error. Bacon Ridge was not a new name but another church all together and not a replacement for the Yellow Creek Church. Note - both churches date back early.)

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Category: Ohio physical, cultural and historic features; Feature Name: Two Ridges Cemetery, Type: Cultural, Class: Cemetery, County: Jefferson, FID: 1047252, Coordinates: Latitude 40.3945117 and Longitude -80.7325796.

Two Ridge Pioneer Church Cemetery
Island Creek Township
Restoration - Boy Scout, Shane Gamble
Working on his Eagle Scout Project/Badge

Click here to see a photo gallery of Shane's project. Notice the little pieces that Tammy Hosenfeld meticuluosly put together.....wow. See how we chalk the stones to read what is written on them. - Enjoy

Boy Scout Troop 87 from Wintersville, Ohio is chartered by Two Ridges Presbyterian Church. They meet every Monday night from September through June at 7:00 P.M. in the church basement. As of August 2009, Shane Gamble is currently a Life Scout. The troop Scoutmaster is Dan Gamble

Shane Gamble met with Flora L. VerStraten in the spring of 2009 to begin an assessment of the condition of the cemetery. It was decided at that point that Shane would restore half of the Pioneer Section of the cemetery and our chapter would adopt the other half. We then met with Gene Poole, at the cemetery who is a Church Board Member. He offered to give a donation and help in anyway needed.

Cleanup/Restoration dates thus far as follows:

June 2, 2009
June13, 2009
June 27, 2009
They have repaired/reset/epoxy approximately 45 tombstones as of the end of July.
Please check back for updates on their progress.

Above Photo - Front Row L to R: Dan Gamble and Roger Hilty, - Back Row L to R: is Terry Hosenfeld and Boy Scout, Shane Gamble.
Two Ridges Cemetery, Island Creek Cemetery - Taken by Linda Hilty during Shane Gamble's Eagle Scout project, spring/summer 2009