Note the uniqueness and charm of the architecture as you turn right and head through town!  Alpha Church, on the east side of Alpha Road, was established in 1872 with our old friend Daniel Overholser, Sr. being a founder and early supporter.

In the past few years, the church has undergone extensive restoration with great attention paid to the tradition of it's founding.

The church is now a campus of the Beavercreek Church of the Nazarene.  We'd like to extend a 'thank you' for their willingness to allow the Alpha Historic Society to maintain their archives in the lower level of the church!

• Alpha Church Restoration 1 Alpha Church Restoration 1
• Alpha Church Restoration 2 Alpha Church Restoration 2
• Alpha Church Restoration 3 Alpha Church Restoration 3
• Vacation Bible School Vacation Bible School
• Vacation Bible School 1922 Vacation Bible School 1922
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Founded in 1817 or 1818 by the Reverend Father Thomas Winters, the Beaver Congregation of the Reformed Church first met in old Father Coy’s barn and subsequently in the Coy’s School House. In 1820, the members tired of worshipping in barns and school houses, circulated subscription papers to construct a proper church. Not being able to agree on a location, they designated three options and whichever community raised the most subscription funds would win the right to choose the location. Ironically, the most central point, the northwest corner of George Long’s land, also garnered the largest subscribed amount

Over the course of many years, associated churches were formed by members of the Beaver Church congregation and ultimately kindred places of worship were constructed in Aley Church, Mt. Zion Church and also churches in Xenia and Byron.

It’s interesting to note that churches of the time were built by community, not denomination. Beaver Church was constructed by both the German Reformed Church and Lutheran congregations, holding their services on either alternate Sundays or at differing times on the same day. As communities and congregations grew, individual houses of worship were built.

We encourage you to walk Beaver Cemetery sometime; it is a veritable who’s who of the history of Beavercreek. Within the swag-chain perimeter are dozens of real-life stories of triumph, heartbreak and history. You’ll find recognize names on markers from this work, the Beavercreek Chronicles and even the roads you drive daily. Your respect is appreciated.

• Beaver Cemetery Beaver Cemetery
• Beaver Church Beaver Church
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At the intersection of North Fairfield and Indian Ripple Roads stands the former Mount Zion church and cemetery as well as the Mt. Zion Park Cemetery.  Mt. Zion was a Reformed Church connected to both Beaver and Hawker churches.  In 1845, 60 members of Beaver Church formed a separate congregation and formed Mt. Zion.  The land for Mt. Zion Park Cemetery was donated to the public by Benjamin Darst as a then free burying ground.

Indian Ripple Road was re-routed in the early 2000’s, removing the jog around the retaining wall that seemed to attract the front ends of many American muscle cars.

• Indian Riffle Road Indian Riffle Road
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Turning right on Grange Hall Road, it’s interesting to note that this was not the original location of the road; the 1874 map shows it was one block east which is now known as LaGrange Road (see image below), while the 1855 map (above) has it angling west toward Aley Church, south of the woods.

The white frame home on the southeast corner dates prior to 1880 and faces west, toward the 1855 road location.  On the west side of Grange Hall at the intersecion of LaGrange Road is the location of the initial Aley School #3.

On the 1855 map above, the initials B.S.S stands for blacksmith shop and S.H. stands for schoolhouse.

• 1896 Map 1896 Map
• Aley School #3 Aley School #3
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