The Presbyterian Church in Union Township

The first church in Union County, Ohio was the Upper Liberty Presbyterian Church. It was founded in Samuel Reed's house in 1807 as a part of the Washington County, Kentucky Presbytery. Founding members included David and Martha Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Mitchell 2nd, David and Elizabeth Carey, Robert and Jane Snodgress, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Reed 1st, and William and Catherine Gabriel, David and Margaret Reed. The first pastor was Reverend Samuel Woods. This church was located at the site of the Woods-Reed Cemetery on Orchard Road. Land for this church and subsequent cemetery was donated by both the Woods and Reed families.

In 1809 the congregation built a log church. Between 1822 and 1823 an addition was built onto the original church. By 1834, the congregation decided to erect its next house of worship in nearby Milford Center. A brick church was erected in town adjacent to the Milford Center Cemetery. In 1835, the congregation joined the Marion Presbytery. On April 8, 1838 the name of the church was changed from Upper Liberty Presbyterian Church to Milford Center Presbyterian Church. By 1869 the brick edifice had become unusable. So, the congregation used the Milford Center Methodist Episcopal Church until 1871. On March 26 1871, the congregation dedicated a new building. By 1881, the congregation found itself remodeling its church once again.