Lord, Make me an Instrument of Thy Peace

Quakers migrated to this area in South Central Ohio in the early 1800’s from Belmont County and established the village of Chesterhill in 1834.  The first meetinghouse was built in that year.  The current meetinghouse was built in 1839 following a major migration of Quakers into the area. This was a result of the National Road going through Belmont County causing a rise in land prices. An acre of land in Belmont County could purchase 10 acres in Morgan County. Meeting for Worship has been held continuously since that time in the 1839 meetinghouse. The village was originally called Chesterfield, but when they wanted to establish a post office, they learned that there was already a Chesterfield in Ohio. So, the village renamed itself Chesterhill. Quakers decided to keep Chesterfield as the Meetings name.

  The sign was attached to a shed owned by Richard Wetzel, a member of Chesterfield Monthly Meeting and 40 yearlong mayor of Chesterhill.  When he passed in 2023, the Meeting wondered what would happen to the sign when the property sold to a local long-standing Chesterhill businessman.  When questioned about his plan, he shared that he always appreciated the words on the sign and intended to keep it as long as he owned the property.  He painted the shed, replaced the roof, and added lights so that the sign would be illuminated at night so it could be seen.  We are grateful that this message will continue to welcome travelers to Chesterhill and note the presence of Quakers in the community.