USA > Maryland > Allegany County > Cumberland > History of Cumberland, (Maryland) from the time of the Indian town, Caiuctucuc, in 1728, up to the present day : embracing an account of Washington's first campaign, and battle of Fort Necessity, together with a history of Braddock's expedition > Part 32
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
and force of character manifested by this active committeeman.
Under the ministry of Rev. Weddel considerable improvement was made in the church building, the front being materially changed, and the steeple erected within that period.
During the war between the States the church lecture room, which had fallen into disuse, was temporarily converted into a storehouse for army supplies, but under the ministry of Rev. Holloway this room was put in thorough repair, and fitted for congregational and Sunday school purposes. The English Lutheran church of Cumberland now num- bers about 260 communicants.
The Evangelical Lutheran Synod, of Maryland, met in its annual convention in this church, for the third time, in October, 1878.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
There was, perhaps, a considerable Presbyterian element among the early settlers of Cumberland, but there is no record or tradition of a congregation of this church until within the first decade of the present century. About the year 1810 or '11 Rev. Mr. Porter, who was principal of the old Allegany county Academy, which stood upon Jones's lot, on Fayette street, preached occasionally as a minister of the Presbyterian faith, in the log church owned by the Lutherans, then located on the corner of what is now known as Baltimore and Centre streets. Rev. Mr. Porter left here during the war with Great Britain, 1812-15.
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
The next who succeeded him, so far as we are able to ascertain, was Rev. Mr. Hayes, who was also principal of the Academy, in 1815, and who had · formerly been President of the Carlisle College, Pa., and who removed to this point on account of his health, which was very feeble. He remained in this field of labor only a little more than a year, when he was called away by death. Mr. Hayes's successor was Rev. Robert Kennedy, who also became principal of the Academy, as well as pastor to the flock. His pastorate began in the year 1817, and ended in the spring of 1825.
Up to the ministry of Mr. Hayes the Presbyterians had worshipped in the Lutheran church, on alternate Sundays with that body; this arrangement was con- tinued during Mr. Kennedy's ministry, but in 1817 an effort was made by subscription to build a church in Cumberland "for the joint use of the Presbyterian and Episcopalian churches of the town." For this purpose $2,122 in money was subscribed, besides the donation of Thomas J. Perry's "lot No. 68, in the fort," . then valued at $100, on which the present Emmanuel Episcopal church stands. The list of names of those who subscribed to this purpose embraces members of all the Protestant churches, several Roman Catholics, and one Israelite. Among those names are the following, many of whose descendants are now living in our midst: William McMahon, Samuel Thomas, Henry McKinley, Roger Perry, James Scott John Hoye, David Lynn, Thomas J. Perry, George Thistle, Rev. Robert Kennedy, Thomas Beall, John Hayes, Walter Slicer,
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
J. Wm. Hoblitzell, Samuel Smith, Robert McCleary, John Shryer, Peter Lowdermilk, Hanson Briscoe, C. Tilghman, Martin Rizer, John Hoblitzell, Henry Korns, Elnathan Russell, John McHenry, William Hilleary, Jacob Hoffman, George Blocher, Robert Swann, George McCulloh, Jacob Seass, John Gep- hart, Valentine Hoffman, John Hoffman, Geo. Shuck, John M. Read, Henry Wineow, and Wm. Magruder.
The erection of this church was begun in 1817, but owing to some legal and financial troubles was not completed until some time after Mr. Kennedy left Cumberland. (Some account of this church is given in the history of the Episcopalians.) The building afterwards passed into the hands and control of the Episcpalians.
We now lose the thread of our narrative, until the year 1832, when the Domestic Mission Board of the Presbyterian church sent Rev. Mr. Raymond to Cumberland. For a while during his labors the church on Fort Hill was jointly used by the Presby- terians and Episcopalians.
Mr. Raymond remained here about two years, and was succeeded in 1834 by Rev. S. H. McDonald, who was also commissioned by the Domestic Board of Missions. During the ministry of Rev. McDonald, December 9, 1837, the congregational organization was perfected. At a meeting held for the purpose of organization we find that Rev. H. R. Wilson, of Carlisle Presbytery, was appointed moderator, T. I. McKaig secretary, and the following were elected and duly appointed trustees of the Presbyterian congregation of Allegany county : Wm. McMahon, 58
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
James Moore of Geo., James M. Smith, John G. Hoffman, Thomas I. Mckaig, Joseph B. Hayes, Alex. King, John J. Hoffman, John Boward, John A. Mitchell, William Harness, Jeremiah Berry, Jr., and Charles Heck.
It was now resolved by the congregation to build a house of worship, and the trustees were authorized to appoint a building committee, consisting of five persons. The committee thus selected consisted of the following gentlemen : J. J. Hoffman, James M. Smith, John G. Hoffman, Thomas I. McKaig and James Moore. The committee went actively to work, and soon raised a sufficient amount of money by subscription to justify them in building their house of worship; a lot had been bequeathed the church as a location by Richard Beall, a wealthy citizen, in 1836. This piece of ground was on the west side of Will's Creek, fronting on what is now known as Washington street, and is part of the same lot on which the present handsome Presbyterian church stands. For various reasons the committee did not think proper to build thereon, and the ground was sold. and another lot purchased on Liberty street, north, where the present German Reformed church stands. In fact that identical building was erected by the Presbyterians in 1840, though only about two- thirds the size of the present Liberty street building. Rev. McDonald labored here until 1843, when he was removed to another mission, and was succeeded by Rev. B. Wall, the same year, who was installed first pastor of the church. Mr. Wall remained two years, and was succeeded, in 1845, by Rev. John H.
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Symmes, who officiated as minister for over seventeen years. Rev. Symmes resigned his charge in 1862, and from the 6th of November of that year until early in 1867 no congregational services were held in the building, which was used a part of the time as a hospital for Union soldiers.
In March, 1866, Rev. James D. Fitzgerald was temporarily called to this ministry, and the services were held in the Baptist church edifice, on Bedford street, and worship was continued there throughout the year. In February, 1867, the repairs on the old church on Liberty street were completed, and Rev. Fitzgerald was regularly called as pastor, in October, 1868.
In May, 1871, a provisional sale of the church property on Liberty street was made to the German Reformed congregation for the sum of $5,500, and a full transfer was made in June, 1872. This sale was made with the design of erecting a new house of worship, the trustees having purchased the Devec- mon lot, on Washington street, in August, 1870. The laying of the corner stone of the new church took place on the 4th of July, 1872, with impressive ceremonies, in which the Masonic lodges took an important part.
Rev. Fitzgerald tendered his resignation as pastor in April, 1873, and on the 14th of July, the same year, Rev. E. B. Raffensperger was unanimously elected to the charge. The lecture room of the new church was completed and dedicated in August, 1873, and the entire church edifice was fitted for services in June, 1875.
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
The church edifice is built of white Narrows sand- stone, and is semi-Gothic in style; it is eighty-seven feet long and forty-five feet wide. The cost of the edifice was about $48,000.
Rev. Raffensperger resigned his pastorate on the Ist of October, 1877, and was succeeded February 10, 1878, by Rev. J. E. Moffatt, the present min- ister. The number of communicants in this church is 235.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
In the year 1803, the first steps were taken to establish an Episcopal church in Cumberland. On the 16th of October, in that year, the holy. com- munion was administered to members of that profession of faith, here, for the first time. During the same year steps were taken to effect the legal organization of the parish, and among the first names in the parish records of the Protestant Episcopal church are those of Lynn, Bruce, Perry, Lamar, Hil- leary, Beall, Thistle, Briscoe, Cresap and Burbridge. A provisional vestry was chosen after divine service, on Easter Monday, of the year 1803, and this vestry selected Mr. John Kewley as a delegate to the con- vention, and recommended him for holy orders. Mr. Kewley was ordained deacon in June, of that year, and about a year following was ordained priest. The convention was petitioned to constitute Allegany county into a parish with territorial bounds, which was claimed as a right inherited by this diocese from the Church of England. The convention replied that they had no power to set them off as a parish, and
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PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
recommended that they organize under a new act of assembly as a congregation, without regard to terri- torial limits; this was done, and on the 1st of August, following, the same vestrymen were again elected. In 1853, just half a century after the petition of this church, the convention set off Allegany county as "Emmanuel Parish." The first vestry of the parish consisted of the following persons: Patrick Murdock, Hanson Briscoe, David Lynn, Upton Bruce, Robert Tivis, George Hebb, John B. Beall, and Mr. Hilleary. They appointed Rev. John Kewley minister of the parish, at a salary of £100, Maryland money, equal to about $266.66 United States currency. Previous to his entrance upon the ministry, the presumption is, that Rev. Kewley had been acting as lay reader in the parish. After his ordination he officiated steadily, not only in Cumberland, but at Cresaptown, Murley's Branch, Oldtown, and occa- sionally in Pennsylvania, and in other counties of this State, besides Allegany. His rectorship ended in 1804, at which time he removed from the State. After his withdrawal the parish was without a pastor for more than twenty-four years, and had only such service as was afforded by passing clergymen, or those sent on special occasions. In 1834 Rev. Leonard H. Johns became rector of the parish. Up to this time the vestry had not owned a house of worship.
In 1816, or early in 1817, a subscription was opened to build the brick church which occupied the site on Fort Hill, upon which the present beautiful structure stands. The joint efforts of Episcopalians
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
and Presbyterians succeeded in raising upwards of $2,000, and the work of erecting a house of worship for the two sects was begun, but in 1818, before its completion, the lot was sold to satisfy a judgment, and it remained unoccupied for religious purposes, and in an unfinished condition until 1829, when, during the rectorship of Rev. L. H. Johns, "for a considerable sum," Colonel Lamar and Captain Lynn made a deed of the property to Emmanuel Parish.
Up to this time the Episcopalians had worshipped in the old Lutheran church, (elsewhere noted) when not occupied by other congregations. The church now built by the joint efforts of Episcopalians and Presbyterians was consecrated, and used for the first time in 1830. Rev. Johns resigned his charge in 1834, after a ministration of nearly five years. The church was again without a pastor for more than a year, when Rev. Thaddeus M. Leavenworth was called to the rectorship; he remained one year; another vacancy then occurred, of nearly a year, and Rev. Matthias Harris succeeded Rev. T. M. Leavenworth, remaining in charge four and a half years. In October, 1841, Rev. Harris resigned, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. Samuel Buell, who remained until September, 1847, and was succeeded by his brother, Rev. D. H. Buell, during whose ministry the present beautiful structure was reared; the corner stone being laid in May, 1849, and the building consecrated with solemn services just eighteen months thereafter.
This building is of yellow sandstone, of Gothic architecture, built in the form of a cross; and ivy- clad as it is, with its symetrical proportions, stands
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FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
upon Fort Hill one of the prettiest structures in the country.
Rev. D. H. Buell resigned his charge in June, 1854, and was succeeded by Rev. Henry Edwards, who remained until October, 1856, and was followed by Dr. William Wiley Arnett, who was rector until 1859, when he was removed by death. Dr. William Wallace Spear succeeded Dr. Arnett, and remained from July 4, 1859, to October, 1861. Rev. Orlando Perinchief was rector from May, 1862, to February, 1864. He was succeeded by Rev. E. Owen Simpson, who served from July, 1864, to July, 1865, and was followed by Rev. John B. Henry, who died here February, 1868. The church was without a rector, from February, 1868, until the following August, when Dr. Chauncy Colton took charge, and served until July, 1872. Another vacancy occurred in this ministry until February, 1873, when Dr. Stephen Chipman Thrall became rector, and is still in charge.
From the reorganization of the Parish, December, 1853, to 1878, Emmanuel Episcopal church has had but one register, Hopewell Hebb, Esq., the present incumbent.
The present number of communicants in this church is one hundred and fifty .*
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
The precise date at which the Baptists made their advent in Allegany county, like that of the Method-
*The present generation will be surprised to note the great revolution that society has under- gone with regard to lotteries since the year 1812, when we cite the fact that a lottery scheme was proposed at that date to raise money wherewith to erect a church in this place.
By an act of the Legislature of the State of Maryland, bearing date December 17th, 1812, it was ordered, "Tliat David Lynn. Wm. McMahon, Upton Bruce, George Hebb. Patrick Murdock Roger Perry and James Searight be authorized to prepare a scheme of lottery, and sell, and dispose of tickets therein, for raising a sum of money not to exceed $6,000, to be appropriated to the building of a church in the town of Cumberland."
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
ists, is very uncertain. Rev. John J. Jacob, of the latter church, says in a letter that treats of early Methodism, that he think the Baptists were here at a date earlier than 1782, but that they subsequently disbanded, and had no organization until a much later date. To use the exact language of Rev. Jacob : "Our Baptist brethren were, I think, a little earlier in the work in this section of the country than we (Methodists) were. They made some prose- lytes, but gradually declined, and removed away; so that but few remain at this day," (1831). Thus it will be seen that we have no record of this church, even at a comparatively late period, although the society existed anterior to the year 1782.
Our first reliable record of this church as an organization dates back only as far as 1847 or '48, when seven or eight members banded together and met in the hall above the old Pioneer engine house, on North Centre street. The building in which they met is now occupied by Mr. Charles Keyser, as a green grocery. Rev. Benjamin Griffith, D. D., now secretary of the Baptist Publication Society of Philadelphia, was the first missionary to this little flock, and was also their first pastor. The church dedicated their present house of worship, in Novem- ber, 1849. The building is a brick structure, with a seating capacity for a number largely in excess of the present membership; has a lecture room, baptis- mal tank, and pastor's study; it stands on Bedford, between Front and Columbia streets, and has been recently repainted, and put in thorough repair, making it a neat and comfortable house of worship.
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FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
The original trustees of this church were Rev. Dr. R. Fuller, Rev. F. Wilson, Rev. B. Griffith, Joseph H. Tucker, and A. F. Roberts. The building was consecrated on Sunday, November 4, 1849, at which time the sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Fuller.
Rev. Benjamin Griffith remained in this charge about three and a half years. From this time we find it impossible to give the succinct order of the pastors, and the duration of their ministry here. Even the full names are unattainable. The cause of this was the removal of the records of the church to Baltimore, some years ago, for historic purposes, since which they have never been recovered.
The Rev. B. Griffith was succeeded by Rev. Price, who remained a short time, and he was succeeded by Rev. John Bray. Mr. Bray was followed by Rev. Brown, who remained only about six months. The next pastor was Rev. J. B. T. Patterson, who was succeeded by Rev. T. P. Warren, and during the ministration of Mr. Warren it was agreed, in a council of the church, to disband it as an organization.
In the year 1871, Rev. H. J. Chandler was sent to Cumberland as a missionary. Arriving here in January, of that year, he found eighteen members; he subsequently baptized five more, increasing the number to twenty-three, with which the church was re-organized. Rev. Chandler was installed pastor in the same year, 1871.
Owing to a defect in the title to the lot upon which the present church stands, the congregation have had to pay twice for their property. The communicants now number seventy, although the church book 59
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
shows an enrollment of over one hundred names. A number of these have moved away, and taken letters of admission to other churches. At this time, Rev. H. J. Chandler is pastor of the church.
It was from this church Mr. and Mrs. James Landrum Holmes were sent as missionaries to China, where Mr. Holmes was murdered during an outbreak among the inhabitants of that country. His widow has near relatives in this city.
In November, 1878, Rev. Chandler tendered his resignation as pastor of Bedford street Baptist church, but it was declined by an overwhelming vote of the church.
ST. PATRICK'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The early history of this church has not been preserved with a satisfactory degree of accuracy, and there are none now living whose memories carry them back to the days of the first missionary work done in this county, by the priests who made frequent visits from the lower counties. It is certain that this missionary work was done as early as 1790, and the belief is general that the first church erected under the care of these priests was built about 1794 or 1795. The oldest of our citizens in their early lives knew the building as an old church, and it was destroyed in 1850, to make room for Carroll Hall. From the foundation of the church here, it was called "St. Mary's Church," but upon the erection of the new brick edifice, in Father Obermyer's time, this title was changed to "St. Patrick's."
In 1833 the church was in charge of Rev. Francis
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ST. PATRICK'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
X. Marshall as pastor, who also ministered to the spir- itual wants of the few scattered Catholics at Arnold's Settlement, (now Mt. Savage) and at Blooming Rose, now in Garrett county. He continued in the same mission until 1837, when he was succeeded by Rev. Henry Myers, who, in 1839, had Rev. B. S. Piot as assistant in these missions until 1840, when the latter gentleman was transferred to Ellicott's Mills, leaving Rev. Henry Myers in sole charge, until 1842; when Rev. Leonard Obermyer became pastor of St. Mary's, and so continued until 1853, at which time Rev. John B. Byrne was appointed his assistant, and in 1854 became the successor of Rev. L. Obermyer, who was transferred to St. Vincent's Church, Balti- more. The spacious church now known as St. Patrick's was erected by the Rev. L. Obermyer, on the site of the former one, St. Mary's.
After the departure of Rev. John B. Byrne, in the year 1854, the Rev. P. B. Lenaghan was appointed pastor of St. Patrick's, and was succeeded in 1856 by Rev. James Carney, who was, at a later date, suc- ceeded by Rev. Michael O'Reilley.
In 1859, St. Patrick's was in charge of Rev. George Flaut, as pastor, and Rev. Edward Brennan, as assist- ant; and after the departure of Rev. G. Flaut, Rev. E. Brennan became pastor, and has so continued to the present time. Revs. Edmund Didier, Father Barry, James Carey, Charles Damer, and F. S. Ryan became successively assistant pastors of St. Patrick's, the last-named reverend gentleman filling that posi- tion at the present time.
In the year 1850, "Carroll Hall," now used as a
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
parochial school building, was erected, and at that time a literary society, called "Carroll Institute," was established.
In 1866, St. Edward's Academy, a large and com- modious brick structure, was built, and placed under the government of the Sisters of Mercy. It is devoted solely to the education of young ladies, many of whom, of various Protestant denominations, as well as Catholic, have been educated within its walls.
In 1875 the present handsome parochial residence in rear of Carroll Hall was built.
St. Patrick's church edifice stands upon North Centre street, and is of the Ionic style of architec- ture, built of brick, 140 feet long, exclusive of portico and sacristy, and 60 feet wide, with an interior height from floor to ceiling of 40 feet. The interior is handsomely frescoed and ornamented, and has a fine organ. The building has a seating capacity, exclusive of the choir gallery, of about 1,000.
SS. PETER AND PAUL'S GERMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The earliest history we. have of the German Catholic church, in this city, dates back to the year 1847. There were at that time only a few German Catholic families residing in the city limits.
In the spring of 1847, meetings, composed of the German Catholic families, of the city and vicinity, were held in the basement of St. Patrick's Catholic church, which occupied the site of the present struc- ture, on north Centre street. These meetings were held twice a month during the summer, at which time about $300 was raised by subscription, for the purpose of erecting a house of worship.
SS. PETER AND PAUL'S GERMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. 469
In the meantime, the members had been looking around them for a suitable place on which to locate their building. After several sites had been suggested they finally determined upon the lot upon which their present imposing edifice is erected.
During the previous worship of this people a priest came from Baltimore every three months, and offi- ciated at the altar.
While the question of church location was yet pending, Father Neuman, afterwards Bishop of Phila- delphia, arrived in Cumberland, and approved the site that was finally selected.
The lot was purchased of King's heirs, through their agent, Mr. McCulloh, for the sum of $350. Some time elapsed, however, before a title was obtained, owing to the fact that the heirs from whom the property was purchased, were scattered in various parts of the country. This delayed the building of the house until the following spring. The deed was, finally executed in the name of Samuel Eccleston, Archbishop of Baltimore, and his successors, in their corporate capacity, in trust for the German Catholics of Cumberland and vicinity.
Early in the spring, of 1848, the work of digging, and constructing the foundation was begun, and on the 4th of June, the same year, the corner stone was laid with imposing ceremonies, conducted by Right Reverend Archbishop Eccleston, assisted by Father Obermyer and Father Helenbrecht, the latter one of the priests of the Redemptorist order in Baltimore.
The building of the church progressed rapidly, under the supervision of the architect, Mr. Joseph
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Noll, and the labor of the builders, Messrs. Francis Haley & Bro., and was put under roof in the fall of 1848.
In the spring, of 1849, a Redemptorist priest, named Father Urbauzick, was sent from the diocese of Baltimore, and during his administration the church was completed (September, 1849).
The dedicatory services took place the same month, at which time a second priest, Father Kronenberger, of the Redemptorists, was sent to this point, who remained in charge.
The church edifice was originally ninety feet in length, exclusive of the altar recess, and fifty feet in breadth; it was subsequently lengthened twenty-four feet, the addition being made in 1872.
The society rapidly increased, and in the year 1852 a seminary for the education of priests of the Redemptorist order was erected on a part of the lot belonging to the church, and contiguous thereto, and in the year 1855 or 1856, it was found necessary to increase the size of the seminary building. With this view a lot was purchased by the priests, and the building augmented to its present size, being now one hundred feet in length by forty in breadth, and six stories in height, built of brick, in a very sub- stantial manner. It stands upon an eminence, on the west side of Will's Creek, from whence is obtained one of the finest views of Cumberland and her girdle of mountains.
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