Formation, The Pioneer Days - Prior to 1836

Early in the 19th century the land that now is Trenton Township was a vast forest broken only by a network of primitive roadways connecting the various settlements. This was a land of deer, bear, cougar, monstrous trees, wild turkey and flocks of passenger pigeons that could fill the sky. It had rich soil and plentiful streams, making it a land of promise. The time was right and people in the east were eager to come here, tame the rugged land and build new lives.
William Perfect was the  first settler in this section, buying land to the north. Soon came Gilbert Van Dorn, buying 1,000 acres to the south along the Sunbury-to-Newark stage coach road, today known as St. Rt. 37. In 1817, Mr. Van Dorn built a brick tavern on the north side of St. Rt. 37, just east of St. Rt. 605. It is still used today as a residence.
About this time, a group of people, primarily Presbyterians from Trenton, New Jersey came into this area. They bought land, cleared the timbers and built homes, including a log school house called the Ogden School House. They began to settle this area known as Van's Valley.
These people were rugged and daring to survive this adventure. Many stories, no doubt, could be told concerning their lives. Edgar Condit came here from New Jersey in an ox cart with his new bride on their honeymoon. Ira Pierson, a Presbyterian Elder with Edgar Condit, drove here in a wagon with his family of 10 children.
Orginally, the whole of eastern Delaware County and part of Morrow County was one township. Mr. Van Dorn, Mr. Leake and Mr. Condit decided to ask the County Commissioners to create a separate township of the surrounding area. The Commissioners gave their approval and Trenton Township was created.
Years passed, more settlers came from the east. They decided there should be a Presbyterian Church in Trenton Township. During 1835, a meeting was held in Van Dorn's Tavern. A committee consisting of Alvin P. Condit and J.S. Condit were asked to secure a preacher and arrange for the organization. Finally, after some delay, on October 15, 1836, a meeting was called at the Ogden School House. Twenty charter members signed. Silas Odgen, Robert Lewis and Andrew Herron were elected ruling elders and the organization was completed. The church was named The First Trenton Presbyterian Church. The Rev. C.N. Ransome was appointed by the Presbytery to effect the organization and served as pastor for one year for the munificent salary of $18.50.

The Early Church - The Move - The 1850's

  The First Trenton Presbyterian Church, now known as Condit, was officially organized on October 15, 1836 with 20 charter members and so began the history of this church.  For the first year, services were held either in Van Dorn's Tavern or the Ogden School House located on opposite sides of the Delaware to Newark stage coach road (State Route 37) at the intersection with Center Village Road (State Route 605) in an area known as Van's Valley.  This arrangement worked well for the first year, but the goal was to have a building of their own.  At a meeting held February 21, 1837, the erection of a building was discussed and it was resolved to acquire a site and proceed at once with construction.  This building was completed and for a number of years, the church continued its ministry to the people.
  Little is know of these early days since records were not kept until 1851; but as the church grew, an unusual situation became apparent.  The majority of the members were not located in the Van's Valley area but rather several miles farther north.  Traveling in those days was strenuous at best.  After prayerful consideration, it was decided to move the church farther north in closer relationship with the majority of its members.  A new site was acquired in South Condit along the north side of Hartford Rd, just west of 605.  A new church building was constructed at a cost of $500 and dedicated for use on October 4, 1856.  So began services at this location we know today.  The original building was sold to the United Brethren Church in 1858 for $100 and remained standing until the 1950's, being used in its later years as a machine-shed and barn.
  No doubt there were concerns by some members over moving the church, but it soon became apparent it has been a wise decision.  The church was blessed by a remarkable revival under the leadership of Reverend Warren Jenkins.  It prospered and continued its ministry to a growing community.

Today's Building - Phase 1 - 1879

After moving from Van's Valley to a newly constructed building at South Condit in 1856, the church prospered and grew finding itself needing more room. After prayerful consideration, it was decided to erect a new building on a new site. Elder Edgar Condit donated land across Hartford Road from the existing church and construction began. The new building was completed at a cost of $2,888.96 with dedication on May 25, 1879. The donor of the land, Elder Edgar Condit, was the same person that as a young man had brought his new bride into this land by ox-cart. At this time, they fondly knew them as Uncle Edgar and Aunt Jane.
The building of 1879 was a good example of Gothic Revival Architecture, with its high-pitched roof, vaulted interior ceiling, narrow lancet windows, exterior wall buttresses and beautiful bell-tower. The building was essentially one large room serving as the sanctuary, which is the same sanctuary we worship in today. The entrance was in the northeast corner of the building with the bell-tower directly overhead. The chancel was in a recessed alcove at the west end of the room where the large historic quilt now hangs. The seating was arranged crosswise to the room facing the chancel and putting a three window combination in the east wall behind the congregation. The windows were in place, but the beautiful stained glass we enjoy today, including the scene of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, was not a part of the building yet. This building then served its congregation well and the church continued to grow.
One of the more popular pastors that served the church at this period was Reverend Robert Wylie. He came here from Lane Seminary with his wife, Dee, on July 1, 1876. He was to be employed for three months - but stayed for 20 years. No other person in the community had such a marked influence on the standards of morality or so strong an impression on the lives of the people as Robert Wylie.

The Early Church - Major Additions (Turn of the Century)

With the completion of the new building in 1879, the church continued in its ministry to the congregation and community.  The late nineteenth century began a period of increase in the church's service to its people.  More social events were being held in the church.  There was a need for more Sunday School space.  The establishment of the young people's Christian Endeavor Society organized in 1888 by the Reverend Sharpless was welcomed by some and criticized by others as not being necessary for the youth.  But growth continued.  During the pastorate of Reverend John Glenn, a revival conducted by Reverend E. F. Walker of Indiana brought 86 new members to the church.
  So the church grew in numbers and purpose and began to have growing pains again.  Decisions were prayerfully made and some not so prayerful.  Major changes were undertaken.  An extension was added to the west side for the Sunday School Primary Department as well as a place for the extra events of the church.  The old bell tower was replaced with a new tower and relocated with a new entrance vestibule more in the center of the north wall to create a better relationship with the Sunday School extension.  The addition on the west side necessitated relocating the chancel area into an alcove built in the middle of the south wall.  The seating arrangement was then altered to face the new chancel with the new entrance coming in behind the seating.  Memorial stained glass was installed in the existing windows and the three-large-window combination in the east wall was replaced by the large, beautiful stained-glass scene of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.  A new slate roof was installed and a small basement was dug to provide room for a heating furnace.  The additions were completed and dedicated September 11, 1904.  After years of discussion, a new manse was built in 1911 just west of the church.  The old manse across the road was sold.
  So in a relatively short period of time, the church building went from a one-room structure, to an arrangement of many rooms which almost doubled its size.  It was a major change, but the First Trenton Presbyterian Church, as it was still called, was now better able to serve its people.

The Church in Our Time (1946 - Today)

  After the major remodeling to the building was completed in 1904, the church continued in its ministry to the community.  Many generations of families were guided by its influence.  One significant change took place sometime during the mid to late 1920's.  The First Trenton Presbyterian Church changed its name to the First Presbyterian Church of Condit.  Later it was simplified to The Condit Presbyterian Church.
  After World War II, service people were returning home, many new families were forming and once again the church needed more room.
  In 1946, the men of the church dug a basement under the church using picks, shovels, slip scoops on tractors, elevators and lots of manual labor.  This provided a space for more class rooms, social events and youth activities.  A kitchen was added with The Friendly Club  providing funds for its equipment.  Restrooms and a furnace room were added to make a complete basement addition.
  Other improvements were made in 1961.  The west wing was expanded; partitioning was installed to create more classroom space and a pastor's study.  An improved basement stairway was installed; a combination coat room and study was added on the east side of the entrance vestibule.
  Since then, the sanctuary has been remodeled, improvements made in the basement, new exterior siding installed and the manse remodeled inside and out.
  The church continues to make improvements and repairs as needed.  In 1986, a memorial ball park was build just west of the manse.  Other additions have been the Allen Organ for the sanctuary and protective storms for the stained-glass windows.  In 2004-2006, the stained-glass windows were removed, repaired, re-leaded and replaced.

The Church of the Past and the Future

Condit Presbyterian Church today is a monument to the past and stands on the threshold of the future.  From a room in a tavern or a log schoolhouse to the present complex, the church has served the community of Condit, Trenton Township and beyond, for 170 years.  Through all the name changes (from First Trenton Presbyterian Church through First Presbyterian Church of Condit, Condit Presbyterian Church, Condit United Presbyterian Church and now again Condit Presbyterian Church), it has remained the same - the center of the community.  Membership started at 20 but soon grew to 40.  At the turn of the century it was 175 members, in 1961 it numbered 239 and today stands again over 200.  The building has gone through many changes, but today stands as a charming and inspirational house of worship with a following more fortunate than most of its sister congregations from those early days.  Beginning in 1818 with Kingston (Old Blue) Church, 15 Presbyterian Churches have existed in different parts of eastern Delware County, with the last one formed in Sunbury in 1878.  Today, all but three are gone.  Those three being South Berlin - 1829, Condit - 1836, and West Berlin - 1876.
  Descendants of William Perfect, the Condits, the Jacobuses, the Piersons and the Millers, can still be found on the church roster, but none carries the name Condit.  Nevertheless, the name Condit certainly has an historic place in the church as well as the community.
  But what of the future?  Condit Presbyterian Church has always been a part of a rural community, a major attraction for many, but that may change.  Exploding development and population increases are affecting many parts of Delaware County and are on the horizon for Trenton Township, if indeed not here already.  New roads being built, residential housing everywhere, commercial and shopping centers, new businesses, fully populated schools and overloaded utilities are becoming a new way of life.  These trends dictate change for the community, no doubt some change for Condit Presbyterian Church.
  As history shows, this church has often found itself at a cross-roads.  But decisions were made and the church moved forward to serve God.  No one knows what the future holds for Condit Presbyterian Church.  But with prayerful consideration and faith in God's guiding hand, decisions will be made and the church will move forward.