 The Churchboat Old sternwheeler brought religion to ports along the Ohio Steamboat Church By Richard A. Briggs It was just about the most unusual church the Ohio Valley has ever seen. It was a steamboat church, featuring preaching at every port. The steamboat had living quarters for the preacher and many of his followers, in addition to a large room where services were held in river towns. It plied the Ohio for 10 years back in the early 1900's. The pastor was the Rev. L.L. Nichols, a bearded, astute man. During his youth he closely examined many religions, but found none to his liking. He finally founded a sect of his own, and it was known as the Megiddos. At first, Mr. Nichols journeyed from village to village throughout the Midwest, preaching the gospel as he saw it, and gathering a small flock of followers. Many of them were homeless. They welcomed the opportunity to join Mr. Nichols, who preached the second advent of Christ before the year 1941, and promised salvation, to all who joined him. About 1900, Mr. Nichols brought a sternwheel steamboat, then on the ways at the Lyons, Iowa, shipyards. As soon as the boat was completed, he had an auditorium equipped to seat more than 200 persons. The rest of the boat was converted into living quarters for his converts. The craft was named "Megiddo Mission Ship," and between the tall smokestacks was a sign, "united We Stand." On the bow was still another sign reading, "in God we Trust," arched over an open Bible. The craft was painted spick-and-span white. At many landings, Mr. Nichols might preach in competition with one of the numerous showboats then operating on the river. When the collections were exceedingly good, it was always convenient for the boat to lay over for an additional day. A news item in The West Point Beacon, on September 23, 1901, noted that the Megiddo was tied up at the wharf with some 95 followers living on board. It was a few days after this that the Megiddo paid its first call to Louisville, and services were held on the Fourth Street wharf. But the Megiddo remained mostly a mission for the smaller river towns. The sternwheeler plied the Ohio's tributaries, too, and it is remembered to this day by many as the steamboat church. Finally, when Mr. Nichols was too old to carry on his missionary work, the boat was sold and converted into an ordinary passenger craft at Paducah. 
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