The Bellbrook United Presbyterian Church at 72 West Franklin Street was known as the First Presbyterian Church of Bellbrook to distinguish it from the United Presbyterian Church on the northeast corner of Main and Walnut Streets. This branch of the Presbyterian faith was known as the "Old School Presbyterian" during the past century. The Church was organized in 1828 by the Reverends William Gray and Adrien Aten.

The first building was built in 1829 on the hill west of the village at 3544 State Route 725. The Bellbrook members who walked, crossed Little Sugar Creek on a log footbridge to get there. The first elders were Josiah Lamme, John Cooper and William Russell. The congregation worshipped there until 1858, when they bought a church that stood on the present site from the Universalists.

This frame building had a steeple that housed a bell which had a lovely tone and could be heard for miles. It was the only church in town to have a bell and was known as the "Bell Church". It is possible that the bell now in use is the original. This building was used until the present brick structure was built in 1890. It was lit by a large chandelier in the center of the ceiling, weighted by a barrel of rocks, and lowered to be lit. Sometime later it was removed and in the late 1970’s it was found and restored and used as original with kerosene until the fire laws restricted its use. Then it was wired for electric and is now used all the time.

Interesting items found in the Bellbrook Moon, a newspaper published here in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s:

March 24, 1897—Uncle Matt and Aunt Anjalina Berryhill were married 66 years last Sunday , March 21. That is a long time for a man and wife to live together. It is a great deal longer than a great many of these old bachelors will live with a woman, and very likely it is longer by many years than a good woman would want to live with some of these old bachelors. Later in December this item appeared—Last Sunday Uncle Matthew Berryhill was taken into the Presbyterian Church of this place. He was baptized by Rev. Hillman. For several years Mr. and Mrs. Berryhill have been the largest contributors to the Presbyterian Church and Mr. Berryhill paid one half, if not more of the total cost of the beautiful little sanctuary. They both have always been regular attendants.

In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s what we now call revival meetings were called Protracted Meetings and were held combining all the churches in the community.

January 4, 1902 "Bellbrook Moon" In 1897 the item reads: The union meetings closed last Sunday night after a very interesting and profitable service. There were fifty conversions, twenty joined the Presbyterian and thirty joined the Methodist Protestant Church. The congregations are amply paid for their services.

During these years the baccalaureate and commencement exercises were held in the church and admission was charged.

On May 24, 1926 the house next to the church was purchased for $3000 to be used as a manse.

Other items from the "Moon" advertised the church women’s socials: Easter, Christmas and Thanksgiving that were held in the Town Hall. Later these events were held in what is now the Sugarcreek Elementary School Home Economics room on S. East St. For many years the Methodist and Presbyterian churches alternated having these three suppers for the public. These were money making Projects as well as serving good food. We also used the school for Advent workshops to make wreaths and other pieces for our homes as well as the Church.

In October 1904 Carrie Nation was in Bellbrook and Rev. Sands of the Presbyterian Church introduced her to the audience at the Town Hall where she spoke.

At one time all the sanctuary floor was covered with carpeting.

An old custom that has been dropped, when someone passed away the church bell was tolled. The last time that is remembered was September 1924 when Sunday School Superintendent Thomas A. Edgington passed away.

Another job for the women- they used to serve lunch at peoples public sales. Sometimes this was done under very trying conditions, such as cold weather, unheated space, cramped quarters and lack of water.

In June 1927 West Carrollton Presbyterian Church and Bellbrook Church went together to share minister and pay his salary. West Carrollton paid half the salary and Bellbrook provided the manse. This arrangement was voted to be dissolved in 1944.

Christmas wouldn’t have seemed right if we had not gotten a box (little, like the animal cracker box) of mostly hard candy, a few chocolate drops and an orange.

Homemade ice cream and cake socials were popular and were held between the church and the manse for a long time.

The pews used to have loose pad cushions and they became so soiled they were sold to the rag man in 1948. About then the Steady Gleaners Sunday School class had the seats covered with a deep wine-red corduroy, which is now in use.

d For many years the young boys class presented each mother a carnation during worship on Mother’s Day and the young girls class gave the fathers a carnation on Father’s Day.

From 1964-1983 the Women’s Association along with others in the church prepared, transported and served dinners for the Homemakers group in Dayton. A delicious meal was served two or three times a year. A program was enjoyed by all. Many of our women drove and picked up these people (some had seeing eye dogs) and after the visiting returned them to their homes. Any food left over was sent home with those who were thought to need it. It was a tiring, long but rewarding day, because they all appreciated it so much.