Sunday, November 24, 2019

The Dixon’s and Religion



I’m sure you can read too much into a very small historical newspaper article. In researching the Dixon’s in their Albion era, I have looked at many articles related to the 3 or 4 big churches in Albion and never found a mention of the Dixon family. 

There are even a few mentions of activities, both religious and civic, at the Ridge Church where all of the founding American Dixon ancestors are buried. 

On May 26, 1887 I found this report of a Sunday School Convention at the “Ridge Meeting House”. I’m not sure that this reference to what is normally called in the newspaper “the Ridge Church” is important, but it seems unusual. I also note that the Secretary, Mr. Batson, seems to go out of his way to say that the meeting was “... characterized by a lack, or rather an absence of ministerial help.”

I recall my mom and dad, Jerry and Mary Alice Dixon, going from “very involved” to “never going back”, which they attributed to the Methodist hierarchy not letting their minister stay in his post at the Madison Avenue Methodist Church (later renamed St. Mathews after combining with another church... another sore point!). The church seemed to have a policy of moving ministers on a schedule.

And sure enough, “J. Dixon” is listed as one of the speakers on the programme (English spelling!).

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