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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Adjacent to the fire station is the Harshman-Zimmerman Cemetery, burials include one of the area’s first doctors, Dr. George Zimmerman, as well as several members of the Harshman family.  Further east at 3685 Dayton-Xenia Road is a farm of nearly 49 acres that has been in the Durnbaugh family for in excess of 140 years!  Near 3600 Dayton-Xenia Road was the location of the Rest Haven, built in 1924, famous for their live black bears!

Enjoy this diagnosis and treatment attributed to Dr. Zimmerman on March 26, 1801: "...your mother's illness is a catarrh or rhumatic fever and is caused by the stomach and is a stomach cough, although the Zelnkoder may come from the lungs, such as a sickness is not half as dangerous with old people as with younger ones.  I wish wither her medicine your mother would take what I now tell you.

Take ½ gallon hard vinegar, 1 handful yssop, 1 handful fluellin, ½ oz. sea onion, 1 oz. gum amoniac boil it down to half then strain and take the same amount of honey and boil down to 1 pint.  She should take 3 times a day, 1 Tbs. in a teacul of milkshotten...

There is another cure for such a sickness.  Take a fresh laid egg, boil it in the urine of the patient, then 10-15 small holes in the egg, bury it in an anthill and whn the ants have eaten up the egg, the patient will be well."

• Durnbaugh Engagement Durnbaugh Engagement
• Rest Haven Bears Rest Haven Bears
• Rest Haven Sold Rest Haven Sold
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