USA > New York > History of the Presbytery of Redstone : organized by the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, Sept. 10, 1781, and under its care till 1788 : a part of the Synod of Virginia, 1788-1802 : of the Synod of Pittsburg, 1802-1881 : and now of the Synod of Pennsylvania, 1881-1889 > Part 13
USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > History of the Presbytery of Redstone : organized by the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, Sept. 10, 1781, and under its care till 1788 : a part of the Synod of Virginia, 1788-1802 : of the Synod of Pittsburg, 1802-1881 : and now of the Synod of Pennsylvania, 1881-1889 > Part 13
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The names of the "four elders" referred to in the above re- port are William Brookens, Francis McConaughey, M. P. Smith and Thomas Robertson. The first trustees of the church were Geo. Plumer, David Markle and Nimrod Gregg, and the first treasurer was M. P. Smith.
Rev. Watson Hughes had been the pastor of the mother church before the separation, but having resigned his former charge he now became pastor of the new organization and la- bored successfully and happily in that position until the spring of 1855, at which time he resigned his office and removed from our bounds.
In the autumn of the same year the congregation called the Rev. Daniel Williams, who served the church until the spring of 1857.
The next fall a unanimous call was made out for the pastoral services of the Rev. A. O. Patterson, D. D., who many years be- fore had served, with great acceptability, the Sewickley Church. The call was accepted and a most happy pastoral relation con- tinued until April, 1863. After the resignation of Dr. Patterson the pulpit was vacant for more than a year.
In the autumn of 1864, Rev. O. H. Miller became pastor and served the church until the fall of 1869.
In the spring of 1870, Rev. Henry Fulton was installed pastor, discharging the duties of his office until June, 1874. During the pastorate of Mr. Fulton the congregation built a sub- stantial frame parsonage, containing seven rooms, which is still
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held for the use of the pastor. The cost of this property was $2,500.
On the Ist day of November, 1874, the present pastor, Rev. J. C. Meloy, began his labors. Soon after the installation of Mr. Meloy, steps were taken for the erection of a new house of wor- ship. A more desirable location was secured on Main street ; various subscriptions were taken and the old building sold. The present Gothic brick house was erected, and on the 12th day of May, 1879, was dedicated, free of debt. The entire cost of the building and grounds was about $22,000. It has a seating ca- pacity of about 450; has a delightful auditorium and basement, and is justly considered an ornament to the town. The remem- brance of our struggles, our hopes and fears, during the erection of this church-a time of financial trouble in the country-lin- gers in the memory of our people. The Building Committee were Geo. Plumer, chairman, J. Q. Robinson, M. D., H. D. Smith, John Markle and Andrew Robertson. The congregation is largely indebted to this committee, especially to its chairman for the beautiful building we now occupy.
A complete list of Ruling Elders who have served the con- gregation are the following, viz .: William Brookens, Francis McConaughey, M. P. Smith, Thomas Robertson, Robert Guffey, J. C. Plumer, Paul Hough, H. D. Smith, John McKenery, R. W. Hunter, William Plumer, Alexander Rankin, R. D. Humes and David A. Hunter.
The following are our Board of Trustees, viz .: Geo. Plu- mer, F. V. Jeffries, Robt. Taylor, A. N. Franklin and Benjamin Sampson.
It would prolong our history too much to speak of the faith- ful services performed by many of our members, not only in the eldership, but also among those who have occupied humbler places. We have from the beginning of our organization en- joyed uninterrupted peace among ourselves, together with a good degree of prosperity, both temporal and spiritual.
The Session reported to the last meeting of Presbytery the following statistics for the year ending, April Ist, 1887, viz .: El- ders, six; Deacons, none; added on examination, four; certificate,
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eighteen; total, 205 ; Sabbath School membership, 150; adults baptized, two ; infants baptized, five; contributions to Home Mis- sions, $129; Foreign Missions, $169; Education, $22; Publica- tion, $30; Church Erection, $17; Relief Fund, $15; Freedmen, $ 169; Sustentation, $10; Aid for Colleges, $10; General Assem- bly, $17.55 ; Congregational, $2,031 ; Miscellaneous, $5.
Our Sabbath School, although small (150), is a very pleas- ant one. We have a good Library and faithful officers and teach- ers. We have also an interesting prayer meeting, which is held every Wednesday evening in the basement. For what God has done for us in His Providence and by His grace, we trust we are truly thankful. As we approach our thirty-seventh mile-stone, we desire to erect our Ebenezer, saying: "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."
PLEASANT UNITY.
BY REV. ROBERT F. SMITH.
It was in the year 1831 the good people of Pleasant Unity built a neat brick church almost opposite the present house of worship. The old house stood for about fifty years, when it was taken down and much of the old material used in the new build- ing. The church was a preaching point only and was supplied principally by the pastors of the Mt. Pleasant church. All the Presbyterians in and about Pleasant Unity were members of the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church. It was a matter of convenience to have preaching occasionally in their midst.
For several years after the church was built Rev. Andrew O. Patterson, the second pastor of Mt. Pleasant church, (the first was
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Dr. Power), preached occasionally for the people of Pleasant Uni- ty. Dr. Patterson served the Mt. Pleasant church fourteen years, resigning in 1834. He was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Mont- gomery whose pastorate covered ten years, from 1835 to 1845. He, like his predecessor, preached occasionally in the brick church at Pleasant Unity. A few years after the division into Old and New School, Mr. Montgomery, with about two-thirds of his peo- ple, united with the New School branch. The Old School side called a pastor and both parties used the same houses of worship, occupying them on alternate days.
The details of the history of this period belong properly to the records of Mt. Pleasant church and will be given in its history. Pleasant Unity Church was organized in 1854 and her history properly begins from that date. Previous to that time it was, as has been stated, a preaching point only, within the boundaries of Mt. Pleasant church. Before the division we have seen that Rev. A. O. Patterson and his successor, Rev. Mr. Montgomery, preach- ed frequently on this side. The Old School party never organ- ized a church in Pleasant Unity. After the division and up until the reunion in 1869 the Old and New School pastors of Mt. Pleasant church preached regularly in Pleasant Unity, using the church on alternate days. It will only be necessary to name these pastors in the order of their succession. On the Old School side there were Revs. Brownson, McLean, Barron and Barnett. The New School pastors of Mt. Pleasant church up to the time of the organization of the Pleasant Unity church, were Revs. Montgomery and Porter. Rev. Mr. Porter's successor was Rev. James Cochran. He assisted in organizing a New School Pres- byterian Church at Pleasant Unity and as the new church was attached to Mt. Pleasant church under one pastor, Rev. James Cochran thus became the first pastor of Pleasant Unity Presby- terian Church.
The following is the first record of the "Minutes of the Pres- byterian Church of Pleasant Unity :"
PLEASANT UNITY, March 25th, 1854.
The Rev. S. M. Sparks and Rev. James Cochran, a committee appointed by the Presbytery of Pittsburgh to organize a church
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in Pleasant Unity, met according to appointment and did organ- ize a Presbyterian Church according to the form laid down in our standards. After the organization, Mr. George Chambers and Mr. James Jamison were elected and installed elders of the church. Immediately after the organization Session met and was opened with prayer by Moderator. Members present, Rev. James Coch- ran and George Chambers; absent, Mr. James Jamison. Mr. George Love and Mrs. Momeyer appeared before Session and, after a satisfactory examination as to their Christian experience and knowledge of the Scriptures, they were received as members of the church. Closed with prayer.
JAMES COCHRAN, Clerk.
Unfortunately a number of pages are lost out of the first Ses- sional Record Book. The original roll of members at the time of organization cannot be found, but the number of members is supposed to have been about one hundred.
Rev. James Cochran continued as pastor until 1860, when he was succeeded by Rev. S. M. Sparks. Mr. Sparks was suc- ceeded in 1869 by Rev. Henry Cooper, who was Stated Supply for a short time. Early in April (probably the 11th), 1870, Rev. John McMillan entered upon his labors as pastor of Mt. Pleasant and Pleasant Unity churches. He was the first pastor after the reunion of the Old and New School branches. He remained but one year. In April, 1871, he resigned Pleasant Unity and accept- ed a call for his entire time at Mt. Pleasant, preaching, however, each Sabbath evening in the village of Mt. Pleasant. Pleasant Unity was thus cut off from the mother church and became inde- pendent.
In June, 1871, Rev. Augustus Cone became pastor of Pleas- ant Unity church, giving it his whole time. He was succeeded by Rev. A. F. Boyd, who was installed June 26th, 1874. During his pastorate a good, substantial and commodious parsonage was built, directly across the street from the old brick church. Mr. Boyd resigned in the Spring of 1877 and was succeeded by Rev. Robert White, who acted as Stated Supply until the winter of '80-'81. Rev. A. A. Hough was installed as pastor October I Ith, 1881. He resigned this charge in the fall of 1886, and was re-
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leased by Presbytery on the 28th of September, 1886. Rev. Robert F. Smith, the present pastor, succeeded Mr. Hough in the spring of 1887. He was ordained by the Presbytery of Redstone, May 26th, 1887, and installed as pastor of Pleasant Unity church on the IIth day of June, 1887.
The Session at the organization consisted of George Chambers and James Jamison. From 1854 to 1870 the following persons were added: James McGuire, Wm. Sloan, Ruling Elders in Unity Presbyterian Church, were received on certificate, August 14th, 1854, and at the same time elected elders of Pleasant Unity church. Henry Welty, an elder in Greensburg Presbyterian Church, was elected and installed in Pleasant Unity church, June 15th, 1856; Thomas Latta ordained and installed in the year 1862; W. L. Chambers in the year 1867; since 1870, Joseph Jamison, formerly an elder in Mt. Pleasant church, installed at Pleasant Unity, March 5th, 1871; Andrew Giffen and S. J. Ham- ill, M. D., ordained and installed September 9th, 1871; William Giffen, formerly elder at Mt. Pleasant church, installed at Pleasant Unity, September 2Ist, 1878; Henry Bair, ordained and installed, September 21st, 1878.
George Chambers, one of the two original elders, was dis- missed, January 7th, 1871, to unite with the Presbyterian Church at Greensburg, Pa. Returning again to Pleasant Unity, he was received by letter January 13th, 1878, but was never re-elected as elder. James Jamison carried his letter to Greensburg and after a few years returned to Pleasant Unity. He was not again elected elder. Thomas Latta died, December 15th, 1865, aged sixty-nine years. James McGuire died, December 27th, 1865, aged seventy-two years. Wm. Sloan died a number of years ago ; date of his death unknown. Henry Welty died at Pleasant Unity in the year 1859. Henry Bair was dismissed, March 23d, 1879, to unite with the Presbyterian church at Holton, Kansas. Doctor Hamill was dismissed at his own request, to unite with some other Presbyterian church; now dead; date of death not known. The Session as now constituted, consists of Rev. Robert J. Smith, Moderator, W. L. Chambers, Joseph Jamison,
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Andrew Giffen and Wm. Giffen. (Mr. Giffen has since removed to Ohio.
The old brick church having stood the storms of more than fifty winters began to show signs of decay and it was considered by many people as unsafe. It was proposed to build a new church across the street and in 1883 the work was begun. The new house of worship was dedicated in the fall of 1884. It is a handsome building, beautifully located and well planned. It is brick, one-story, with lecture room at the rear. The audience room of the main building is 50x38, and has a seating capacity of 325. Seventy-five more can be accommodated in the aisles on chairs. Windows, lecture-room also, of cathedral glass; floor covered with a handsome carpet. The lecture room is 45x18. The entire building cost, complete about $8,000.
The total membership of Pleasant Unity Church is 104. Besides the public services on the Sabbath, there are Wednesday evening prayer meeting, Sabbath School, Women's Foreign Mis- sionary Society, Young People's Home Mission Circle and a Band.
The Sabbath School has enrolled sixty-eight members. El- der W. L. Chambers, is Superintendent, with five teachers.
The Women's Foreign Missionary Society has fourteen members. The officers are, Mrs. Agnes Walters, president; Mrs. Dr. J. H. Kelly, vice-president ; Mrs. W. L. Chambers, recording secretary ; Mrs. Preston Chambers, treasurer; Mrs. R. F. Smith, corresponding secretary.
The Young People's Home Mission Circle has thirty mem- bers. Mrs. R. F. Smith, president; Mr. F. G. Kelley, vice-presi- ยท dent; Miss Mattie Giffen, recording secretary; Miss Belle Gal- lagher, corresponding secretary ; Mr. Burk Walter, treasurer.
Fifteen children are enrolled in the Band; name, "Trusting Band." It is in charge of Mrs. Wm. Giffen.
Here ends the record of Pleasant Unity Church to the pres- ent time. The Gospel has been preached here in this communi- ty for more than a half a century. The history is a very plain one, but much good has been done. In all these years "a great number believed and turned unto the Lord."
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PRESBYTERY OF REDSTONE.
MT. VERNON.
BY REV. C. P. CHEESEMAN.
Mt. Vernon church is situate about one mile from the Yough- iogheny river, four miles from Mckeesport, five miles from Round Hill and eight miles from Long Run Church. In this neighborhood lived a goodly number of Presbyterian families, who found it difficult to attend church at any of the established places of public worship, and under the leadership of Col. Wm. Douglass, the Presbyterian element of this section united in a pe- tition to Presbytery to organize a new church to be known as the Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church. This petition was presented to Presbytery, at a meeting held at Mckeesport, September 18th and 19th, 1866.
Presbytery entertained the proposition and appointed a com- mittee to look over the field, and if wise, in their judgment, to organize a church. Accordingly, the committee, consisting of Rev. O. H. Miller, Rev. Robt. F. Wilson and Elder John Mc- Kenery met on the 28th day of January, 1867, and organized this church with a membership of forty.
The church began its work under very favorable circum- stances. The outlook from that standpoint was bright. The people interested in the success of this church worked in har- mony. Indeed, this has been the praiseworthy characteristic of this church from the beginning of its history to the present time. The necessity of erecting a church building was urged by the friends of this new enterprise and was pushed rapidly to comple- tion, and in the year 1868, the Mt. Vernon Church was dedi- cated, free of debt, to the worship of the one only living and true God.
The membership at present is about eighty. To any one unacquainted with the facts, it may seem a little strange, that a church with as good prospects in the beginning, has not made more progress in twenty years. But when we remember the changes incident to twenty years and particularly of this com- munity, we see in this church much good accomplished. About this time, or shortly after the establishment of the Mt. Vernon
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Church, a number of Presbyterian families moved into the bounds of other congregations, and as is often the case, their places were not taken in the church by those coming into the neighborhood, and in the early history, the founder of the church, Mr. Doug- lass, died. So, from causes over which man has not control, the little church was weakened, yet it kept on in the work of the Lord, maintaining public worship quite regularly. We think it worthy of mention, that for almost eighteen years, this church was unable to employ a pastor and could not be united with any other church, trusting entirely to supplies, and yet kept up a fair report to Presbytery and grew a little in real strength.
Rev. A. Bronson, D. D., supplied this church for several years. We have not a list of those who at different times preach- ed to this people. Supplies were obtained, for the greater part, from the Seminary in Allegheny.
Rev. J. D. Shanks was supply several months; also, Rev. Mr. Hair, then pastor of the Mckeesport Presbyterian Church.
In the spring of 1881, the present pastor, C. P. Cheeseman, began his work among the people of Mt. Vernon, and as Stated Supply, preached to them till July, 1885, when he was in- stalled over this church as pastor, and thus, under one pastorate, the Mt. Vernon and Long Run Churches were united.
The following is a list of the elders of the church who have served from time to time: Messrs. Wm. Douglass, Philip Ho- dill, Alex. Rankin, Jas. Love, Sam'l C. Rankin, Matthew Young, Jno. M. Shaner, Samuel Culbert, Harvey Thompson and David Rankin.
FAIRCHANCE.
BY REV. M. C. BAILEY, PH. D.
Fairchance was a preaching point for Presbyterian ministers for thirty years before a church was organized. History does not inform us just when Mr. Fairchild began to preach here, making it an out-post of the Tent congregation. It is well
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known that he preached both in public and private houses before a church building was erected.
In 1845 a meeting-house was built, chiefly through the lib- erality of Mr. F. H. Oliphant, an elder of the Tent Church. In the absence of Mr. Oliphant, Col. Jas. Robinson superintended the entire work. Dr. Fairchild continued to preach here till the event of his death in June, 1864. During all these years and un- til the organization of the church, Fairchance was treated as an outpost of the Tent, sharing in the experiences of that church. Its pastors and supplies were the pastors and supplies of this point.
After the death of Dr. Fairchild, the Rev. J. C. Hench be- came the pastor of the Tent, being installed, November 6th, 1866. Another fruit of Mr. Oliphant's liberality, was the gift of a house and lot to Mr. Hench, for a parsonage. This property stands midway between the cross-roads, on the way commonly traveled between the two churches. The pastoral relation with Mr. Hench was dissolved in April, 1869. About this time the Tent was supplied one-half of the time by Rev. Wycoff.
On May 3d, 1871, an organization was granted to Fairchance congregation. It was organized under the name of Fairchance Presbyterian Church. The committee appointed by Redstone Presbytery for this purpose were the Revs. W. W. Ralston and Joel Stoneroad, and Elder J. K. Ewing. The first two members of the committee were present. The church was organized with eighteen members, the most of whom came from the Tent. The following is a list of their names :
F. H. Oliphant, H. Humphreys, J. P. Carothers, Mary Dun- can, Mrs. F. H. Oliphant, Mrs. H. Humphreys, Wm. Mason, Mrs. Mary Mason, Mrs. Catharine Core, Mrs. A. L. Osborne, Miss Dessa Woods, Miss Nannie Woods, Mrs. John Stirling, Wm. Pastoris, Mrs. Mary Pastoris, Sallie Pastoris, Mrs. Elizabeth Goldsboro and Julia Pastoris.
F. H. Oliphant, H. Humphreys and Wm. Pastoris were elected and installed elders, and Mr. Oliphant, Esquire Hum- phreys and Mr. J. P. Carothers were elected trustees.
For some time the church was served by supplies, among
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whom were Revs. Perkins, Martin and others. Dr. Martin was Stated Supply in 1873.
In December, 1874, the Rev. D. B. Rogers was Stated Sup- ply of Tent and Fairchance for a few months. In April, 1875, he became the pastor of these churches; in 1877, Rev. Dickey ; in 1878, Rev. S. S. Bergen; in 1881, Rev. C. B. Wakefield. The pastorates of all these brethren were brief.
In May, 1882, the Rev. M. C. Bailey, a member of the Pres- bytery of Carlisle, received a call to this church, in connection with the churches of Tent and McClellandtown. The installa- tion services were held in October, of the same year, but Mr. Bailey began his work in the previous June.
In the beginning of the year 1881, a remarkable work was begun by private members of the church, which resulted in the addition of about seventy persons to the church. Some of this number are valuable and faithful members of the church, but it is a sad fact that three-fourths of them have either become wholly indifferent or dishonor the profession they once made.
September 20th, 1882, J. P. Carothers, Thomas Hart, Henry McEntire and John Stirling were elected elders.
In 1881, a few ladies, with characteristic energy, formed a Parsonage Association and set about to build. A lot was do- nated by the Fairchance furnace company and a neat and com- fortable house erected, which, in a very short time, was entirely free from debt, owing to the energy and perseverance of these de- voted women. The cost of the parsonage was $1,300.
This field must, from the nature of the case, require great pa- tience. A handful of faithful and enterprising women must be relied on to do the most important work of the church.
The church has from time to time suffered from the loss of the men who occasionally rise up to be the leaders in its work. It is a singular fact, that in the midst of these discouragements and in spite of them, the Lord carries on his work. A thriving Sab- bath School has always existed. The seed has been sown. It is in most cases hidden from our view. But He, who declares that no word shall return unto Him void, watches it and will in the end use it for His glory.
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FAYETTE CITY.
Fayette City is a village of several hundred inhabitants, sit- uated on the east side of the Monongahela river. This church, which takes its name from the place, is one of our newer church- es, having been organized in 1872. The idea of forming a church in that place, originated with certain members of the Rehoboth Presbyterian Church, who were living in that locality. They were prompted to take this step, in view of certain overtures made to them by the Little Redstone people, to join them in one pastoral charge. There were difficulties in the way; the mem- bers of the church there belonged to Rehoboth, and the building was held by the trustees of that congregation. These hindrances, however, were quickly and generously removed by the Session of the Rehoboth Church, who, without waiting to be asked, held a meeting and resolved to throw no obstructions in the way of the proposed organization, beyond the giving of an official no- tice to the leaders in the movement, that the church property in Fayette City, belonged to Rehoboth.
The church was formally organized about the Ist of Novem- ber, 1872, and Wm. Bank, M. Sloterbeck and C. V. Powers, were installed as elders. Twenty-four of the original members were received by letter from the Rehoboth Church.
Rev. R. R. Gailey, who was at that time pastor of Little Redstone, was immediately installed over the new organization, his time to be divided between the two congregations. After two years, Mr. Gailey resigned his charge and removed to an- other field of labor.
He was followed by Rev. C. C. B. Duncan, who remained in the field only one year.
The next pastor was Rev. J. T. Crumrine, who served the church for two years, at the end of which, he removed from the Presbytery and took charge of another congregation.
Inasmuch as the Little Redstone Church, to which we natur- ally look to join us in supporting a pastor, has not felt herself prepared, since the removal of Mr. Crumrine, to call a pastor,
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this church has been compelled to depend on such supplies as could be readily procured.
Revs. P. Baker, Wm. G. Nevin and Dr. S. F. Farmer have supplied us, so that we have had preaching, on an average, every two weeks. The church has not grown much since its organiza- tion, as we only number at present about thirty members, but if the town should grow, as it is believed it will, we have, at least, the nucleus of a church, and are prepared to accept any advan- tages which may be offered us.
SCOTTDALE.
Scottdale is a beautiful and very flourishing town on the southern border of Westmoreland county. It is one of the newer towns in this part of the State, having grown up largely, as a result of the wonderful coke and iron industries by which it is surrounded. Already it is one of the leading places in the county, and it certainly is not a wild prediction, that the time is not far distant, when it will be the leading place. Its importance as a preaching point was very soon observed by the lamented Dr. John McMillan, of the Mt. Pleasant Church, who supplied the people there with preaching as he had opportunity, public wor- ship being held in the school-house, or in the Reformed Church, as it appeared to be most convenient. It was not long until the feeling began to prevail that we ought to have an organization here. A petition was prepared, numerously signed and forward- ed to the Presbytery of Redstone, asking that the matter be taken into consideration and, if, in the judgment of the brethren, it ought to be done, to send a committee and effect an organiza- tion, at as early a day as possible. The Presbytery granted this petition at its April meeting and appointed Revs. John McMil-
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