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 8
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 8
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bounds was preached. It is presumed, however, that at least three years before the Declaration of American Independence was made there was Presbyterian preaching in the neighborhood ; for the lot of ground on which Mt. Moriah Church is erected was conveyed to the Presbyterians by Joseph Caldwell in the year 1773. The same year a small log church was commenced and this is known to have been the first house of worship built by any denomination within the limits of what is now Fayette coun- ty, Pa. The house and location were called Mt. Moriah, but the people worshiping in it were called the congregation of George's Creek. After standing about half a century it was so far decay- ed as to be no longer fit for occupancy ; it was removed and near its site a school house was built which long served as a place for regular preaching. Finally, in the year 1858, the school house becoming unsuitable for the size and convenience of the congre- gation worshiping there, the third and present house, on the same ground, was built at an expense of $1,100, and on the 3d of March following, it was free from debt, dedicated to the worship of the triune God. About ten years after the first preaching at Mt. Moriah, the members of Presbyterian families on the north side of the creek had so far increased that Presbytery granted them as many supplies as were granted to Mt. Moriah, and this part of the congregation was called Lower George's Creek and the old place Upper George's Creek. Mr. Power re- turned east of the mountains in the fall of 1774, and having re- ceived ordination from his Presbytery, finally, in 1776, removed with his family to this county and took up his residence on De- lap's Creek, now called Dunlap's Creek. Here he remained about two years and extended his labors over the greater part of the territory now embraced in the counties of Westmoreland and Fayette. At this time the principal Presbyterian families on George's Creek were the following, viz .: Henry Robison, Jo- seph Caldwell, David Frame, Robt. Ritchie, Wm. Hill, Robt. McClain, Theophilus Phillips, Sr., Philip Dils, Sr., John Hill, John Pollock, James Barclay, Thos. Ramsay, Enoch Abraham,
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Paul Laish, Jas. Cross, Henry Jennings, John Wilson and George Wilson, from whom George's Creek and George's township re- ceive their names. In 1778 Mr. Power removed to Mt. Pleasant, but continued to supply occasionally at George's Creek, as did also the Rev. James Dunlap, afterward settled at Laurel Hill.
In 1781 the Presbytery of Redstone was constituted by the Synod of New York and Philadelphia and held its first meeting at Pigeon Creek in the fall of that year. From that time the congregation received occasional supplies from the Presbytery. The church was not regularly supplied until the year 1788, when the Rev. James Finley, by appointment of Presbytery, ordained to the eldership, Henry Robison, Jas. Caldwell, David Frame, Robt. Ritchie, Wm. Hill and Robt. McClain. The number of communicants was now about fifty. Among the supplies which at that period were sent them by Presbytery we notice the names of Thaddeus Dodd and John Brice.
In 1789 the people of Lower George's Creek purchased a lot of ground of Richard Brown and erected a log building about twenty feet square, which they occupied as a place of worship in the winter. In the summer, in pleasant weather, they held their services in the grove. In the following winter they united with Dunlap's Creek in presenting a call to Rev. Samuel Porter, which he declined in favor of one from Polk Run and Congruity.
In the fall and winter of 1790-'91 they were regularly sup- plied by the ministrations of the Rev. Robt. M. Finley, who had recently come from South Carolina. He introduced Watts' ver- sion of the Psalms, in consequence of which, some of the con- gregation, among whom were 'Squire Ross, Thos. Ramsay and James Cross, withdrew and connected themselves with the Asso- ciate Reformed Church. Mr. Finley soon afterwards removed to Kentucky, where having been suspended from the ministry for intemperance, he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In 1791 the congregation north of the creek enlarged their church lot by a purchase from Isaac Phillips, Sr., and set about erecting a frame meeting house 48x36. This was not finished for a long time after; standing so long the people called it the "Old Frame." From this time the congregation enjoyed the
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visits of more frequent supplies, among whom were Wm. Swan, Geo. Hill, Thos. Marquis, Boyd Mercer, Jacob Jennings, Thos. Moore and David Smith. In the year 1816, this building, which had become quite untenantable, was thoroughly repaired and partly renewed at an expense of near $1,000. About this time Alex. McClelland attempted to alienate the property from the congregation, but was defeated by A. Oliphant, Philip Dils and J. W. Nicholson, who succeeded in perfecting the title to the Pres- byterian church. Again, in 1836, the house was repaired at a cost of about $600. The pulpit was at this time changed from the west side to the north end, closing the door at the north end and still leaving the doors at the south end and east side. Finally, in 1865, this house was again repaired, at a cost of $I,- 100. The house was now for the first time plastered, the pulpit was lowered and the door in the east side closed up, leaving the double door in the south end and making the house more comfor- table than at any period of the seventy-four years of its existence ; and this arrangement remains to this day, July, 1887. The early supplies were Dr. J. Power, Dr. John McMillan, Thaddeus Dodd, John Brice, James Hughes, Joseph Patterson, Jas. Dunlap, Jos. Smith, John McPherrin, Sam'l Porter, Boyd Mercer, Robt. Mar- shall and Wm. Swan, who probably preached the first sermon at Mt. Moriah, or at least, in the neighborhood, George Hill, Thos. Marquis, Jacob Jennings, Thos. Moore, James Finley, &c.
The first pastor was David Smith. Presbytery met at George's Creek, August 20th, 1794, and ordained him pastor of George's Creek and Tent (the Tent at that time including Union- town.) This relation was dissolved in the fall of 1797.
James Adams was the second pastor. He was ordained and installed at George's Creek, October 16th, 1799. His pastoral charge included New Providence and Tent, or as then called, Muddy Creek and Union. In 1808 he resigned George's Creek.
Ashbel Green Fairchild was the third pastor. In the fall of 1817, Mr. Fairchild, then twenty-two years of age, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Jersey, began preaching in this region, under the direction of the Western Missionary Society. In the follow- ing spring he was appointed supply, for one-half his time, and
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in July, was ordained as an evangelist. For the first three years he supplemented his salary by teaching. When he came, the church numbered ten members, one of whom, Henry Jennings, was an elder. In 1822 Dr. Fairchild was installed pastor of the churches of George's Creek, Morgantown and Greensboro, with a salary of $333.33. In 1827, he resigned Morgantown and Greensboro, and was installed over Tent one half his time at a salary of $200. In 1829 there was a great revival in the George's Creek Church. Within one year eighty persons united with the church. On account of an attack of a disease of the lungs, Dr. Fairchild spent the winter of 1833 and '34 in the South and his pulpits were supplied by Rev. James McDougall, his brother-in- law. In 1836 his salary was raised to $500, in consequence of a call he received to Pigeon Creek. In April, 1854, Dr. Fairchild resigned his charge of this church, having served it as supply and pastor for thirty-six and a half years. Dr. Fairchild remain- ed pastor of the Tent church until his death, June 30th, 1864. On July 2d the four elders of Tent church deposited his body be- side kindred dust in the cemetery, at Old Frame, Pa. On this solemn occasion a large assembly listened to a sermon by Rev. H. O. Rosborough and to an eloquent oration on the character of the deceased, by his old and much attached friend, Rev. Sam'l Wilson, D. D. Nine years after, Dr. F's. devoted wife was buried by his side. No man ever lived in this neighborhood who let his light shine more widely or more brightly. He was a pro- found classical scholar, a sound theologian, an impressive preach- er, a dignified and influential Presbyter and a model Christian gentleman.
Hugh O. Rosborough, the fourth pastor, a licentiate of Washington Presbytery and twenty-seven years of age, com- menced preaching in this church the last Sabbath of July, 1854. On the 5th of June, 1855, he was ordained and installed by Red- stone Presbytery, with a salary of $500. On this occasion Rev. Mr. Wallace preached, Rev. John McClintock charged the pastor and Rev. Joel Stoneroad the people. During the last twenty- seven years Mr. Rosborough preached one-fourth of his time in adjacent churches, viz .: Four years at Mt. Washington, twelve
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years at Springhill Furnace and eleven years at Greensboro. In September, 1872, the salary at George's Creek Church alone was increased to $600. Old Frame, on north side of creek, was built in 1791. Mt. Moriah Church, five miles distant and on south side of the creek, also a frame, was built in 1859. Rosborough Chapel, in Smithfield, a brick building, was built in 1885, the house and ground costing about $2,700. Also George's Creek Church has a part interest in the stone church at New Geneva and a part interest in the Frame church at Woodbridge town. A frame house, with seventeen acres of land attached was bought, March 31st, 1866, of L. S. Hough, Esq., executor of the estate of A. G. Fairchild, D. D., the same being the house of Dr. F. and the home of his widow, until it was sold for the sum of $2, 188. Members, who have become ministers, are the following: Revs. George Hill, John Crozier, John Wray, Jacob Pentzer, Valentine Pentzer, Wm. Hanna and Geo. L. Diffenbaugh. During Dr. Fair- child's pastorate 417 members were received. After deaths, dis- missions, suspensions, &c., 118 members remained when he re- signed. Upwards of 200 had been dismissed to other churches. During Mr. Rosborough's pastorate to date, July, 1887, 313 members have been received. About 175 are now living within the bounds of the congregation. On account of an attack of of vertigo, March 14th, 1886, Mr. Rosborough was not able to preach for a year. He is now preaching occasionally, as health permits.
[And at this date, November, 1888, regularly, and with health almost, if not entirely restored .- EDS.]
LITTLE REDSTONE.
BY REV. B. M. KERR.
This church was organized by the Rev. Jacob Jennings in a log cabin that stood close to where the Township Hall now stands. The year of its organization is uncertain. The author
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of "Old Redstone," Rev. Dr. Joseph Smith, fixes its date in the year 1785. There is no evidence that this was the case. The year of its organization is supposed to have been 1797, although the loss of the early church records renders positive evidence upon that point unobtainable. For the same reason the names of the constituent members of the organization cannot be given. The first ruling elders chosen were Joseph Lyon, ordained about 1799, John Blythe and John Wells, 1805. Among those who served as elders in the early history of the church may also be mentioned William Steele, John Johnston, John Hazlip and Da- vid Hough, ordained, 1815; then John McKennan and Peter Umrickhouse, 1820; John Gormley and Wm. Forsythe, 1832; John Steele, Nicholas Baker and Jesse H. Duncan, 1836; Henry Barkman, 1853; William Hough, Joseph Wells and James Cum- mings, January 23d, 1858; Joshua V. Gibbons and Wm. Parkhill, April 9th, 1859; S. R. Nutt, Wm. F. Hough, John Reed and Henry Cook, July 5th, 1873, and Sam'l Wakefield, 1884.
Little Redstone Church was supplied with preaching by the pastors of Dunlap's Creek Church, and when Mr. Jennings ended his pastorate, Rev. Wm. Johnston took charge. During his term of service the organization of Little Redstone was discon- tinued and its members transferred to the Brownsville Presby- terian Church. In 1844 Little Redstone was reorganized by the election of William Steele, John Steele, John Blythe and John Wells, as ruling elders. A brick church was built in 1845, about a half mile north of the old location, William Elliott, William Forsythe and William G. Patterson being the building commit- tee, and a burying ground laid out.
The Rev. Thomas Martin assumed the pastorate and re- mained until April 13th, 1852, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Robert M. Wallace, January 28th, 1853, and ordained and installed, June 15th, 1853. This relation continued until Febru- ary, 17th, 1864.
The Rev. Joseph H. Stevenson followed, May 4th, 1864, and was ordained and installed, October 14th, 1864. On the 24th of April, 1866, Mr. Stevenson presented to the Presbytery a request from the two churches to be recognized as separate and
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distinct organizations. The Presbytery acceded to the request, and constituted the elders residing in the bounds of Little Red- stone Church, together with the pastor, as the Session of the Lit- tle Redstone Church.
After a pastorate of nearly four years, Mr. Stevenson re- signed and was released by the Presbytery, April 29th, 1868. His successors to the present time have been, Revs. George Scott, Stated Supply, 1868; Robert R. Gailey, ordained and in- stalled, June 11th, 1872; C. C. B. Duncan, installed, May 20th, 1880; J. T. Crumrine, installed, May, 1883, and B. M. Kerr, Sta- ted Supply, April 17th, 1887. The present membership is about eighty-seven. The Sabbath School, under the efficient Superin- tendent, Mr. Wm. F. Hough, is kept open only during the sum- mer season and is quite flourishing.
SOMERSET.
BY REV. J. C. MELOY.
Somerset, the county seat of Somerset county, is one of the most beautiful towns in Western Pennsylvania. It is delight- fully situated on a sandy knoll looking out to the east upon a fertile scope of country and a mile away to the west, upon the foot-hills of the Allegheny mountains. It is a very pleasant summer resort and is visited by a goodly number of people who desire a quiet resting place during "the heated term." The church here, was doubtless organized, near the close of the last century, probably in the year 1796, but by whom, or under what circumstances, is unknown at the present time, all the earlier records of the church having been lost in a disastrous fire which occurred in 1872. The name of Somerset appears for the first time in the minutes of Redstone Presbytery, in a list of churches asking for supplies, at a meeting held on the 18th of October,
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1796. We infer from this record that the church was organized a short time before that, the Presbytery having failed to make any note of the fact. The congregation, probably, depended upon supplies, on up to the year 1817, as there is no evidence that a pastor had ever been settled among them before that time. The first record of a settlement is dated, October 21st, 1817, and reads as follows: "It was resolved to hold a meeting at Somer- set, on the first Wednesday of December, at 12 o'clock, for the purpose of ordaining and installing Mr. Ross in his charge." At the October meeting "Mr. John Ross was examined on his ex- perimental acquaintance with religion, theology, the learned lan- guages and church history," and Presbytery sustained his an- swers as parts of trial for ordination. The meeting at Somerset was held on the 3d of December, with three ministers present, viz .: Revs. Francis Herron, James Graham and Thomas Hunt. After the propounding of the constitutional questions, Mr. Ross was ordained and installed. Mr. Graham preached the sermon and Mr Hunt presided and gave the charge. This relation con- tinued a little less than two years and in October, 1819, Presby- tery granted the request of Mr. Ross to be released. After this there was a protracted vacancy, during which time the church resorted to its long accustomed plan of asking Presbytery to send supplies. An old member of the church affirms, that about the year 1827, Rev. Stephen Frontis, a Frenchman, was pastor for about twelve months, a fact not referred to in the minutes of the Presbytery. It is recorded, that at a meeting of Presbytery, held in the Congruity Church, on the 15th of June, 1830, "a call was presented to the Presbytery, from the congregation of Som- erset, for one-half of the ministerial labors of Mr. S. Howel Ter- ry, with the exception of every eighth Sabbath, in which they promise him all they can raise by subscription. A like call was presented from the congregation of "Genner," for the other half of Mr. Terry's labors, with a similar exception, in which they prom- ised him $120 per annum, it being understood that the balance of Mr. Terry's support would be furnished by the Board of Mis- sions of the General Assembly." Mr. Terry accepted and was ordained and "installed as the regular pastor of the united con-
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gregations of Somerset and Genner," July 7th, 1830. He con- tinued pastor until the autumn of 1833.
About 1836 Rev. Robert M. Finley became pastor or Stated Supply and served the church for a number of years. In April, 1841, supplies are again appointed by Presbytery and so contin- ued to be for sometime. His successor was Mr. Henry Davis, who took charge of the congregation about the year 1845 and con- tinued one year.
He was followed about the year 1849, by Rev. Peter Has- singer, who was pastor for two years.
After this there appears to have been another long vacancy, ending with the short pastorate of Rev. B. F. Myers, in 1859. And now, once more, the supply system was adopted, and a num- ber of young men, either from the seminary, or but recently graduated, filled the pulpit, among whom the names of Lyon, Agnew, Graham and Kuhn are still held in remembrance. Of these, Rev. Loyal Young Graham afterwards settled and con- tinued to discharge the duties of the pastoral office for a period of five years, commencing with 1861. Mr. Kuhn was here for about one year, but was not installed. Rev. Henry Bain also supplied the church for one summer.
In 1870 Rev. Wm. Edgar became Stated Supply and served the church for a year and a half.
After this there followed three pastorates, viz .: Rev. S. S. Bergen, from 1876 to 1878; Rev. C. B. Wakefield, from 1880 to 1882, and Rev. C. C. B. Duncan, from September, 1882, to May, 1885. Since the release of Mr. Duncan, the church has been vacant, but is now earnestly seeking a pastor who shall go in and out before the people.
The first church building in which the congregation was in- terested was of stone, held jointly by the Reformed and Presby- terians. This arrangement was not satisfactory to either congre- gation and the Presbyterians sold out their interest to their neigh- bor for the sum of $300. On the Ist of April, 1856, the congre- gation, through their trustees, Daniel Stahl and Andrew Stewart, bought a lot on Union street of G. B. Fundenberg, M. D., at a cost of $450, on which a beautiful brick church, 36x52 feet was
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built, at a cost of $1,650, and dedicated, April 15th, 1857. This house was burnt in a disastrous fire, which fairly swept the town, on the 9th of May, 1872. Fortunately the congregation had an insurance of $2,000 on the old building. With this and the lib- eral assistance of many friends, they began to rebuild in 1874, and in the following year had the pleasure of worshiping in a building which had cost them $9,000. It is a beautiful structure, a model of neatness and architectural skill, and a credit alike to the congregation and town. The congregation has always been small but spirited, embracing many of the very best people in the community. Their Board of Elders are the following, viz .: Geo. W. Benford, Wm. Stahl and Geo. H. Love.
We close this imperfect history, secured mainly from the lips of an aged member of the church, whose memory has sup- plied the place of the records lost in the fire, with the last statis- tical report. The only explanation we make of it is, that the ad- ditions in the column "on examination" were received during a delightful season of grace in February, 1888. Elders, three; ad- ded on examination, seven ; by certificate, two ; whole No., thirty- five; adults baptized, three; Sabbath School members, sixty-five; Home Missions, $5 ; Foreign Missions, $5 ; Sabbath School work, $4; Relief Fund, $10; Freedmen, $2; Sustentation, $2; General Assembly, $3; Congregational, $127.
JENNER.
The village of Jenner is a little hamlet on the northern turn- pike in Somerset county, twelve miles north of the town of Som- erset. When the first Presbyterian sermon was preached here, or by whom, is unknown. The records of Redstone Presbytery show that Mr. James Adams, who was licensed to preach at
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Fairfield, April 20th, 1797, was appointed to preach at "Summer- set" on the fourth Sabbath of June following and at Quemahon- ing (afterwards called Jenner) on the fifth Sabbath.
Rev. John Ross was ordained and installed pastor of Som- erset Church, December 3d, 1817. It is claimed that the minis- ters supplying Somerset also preached at Jenner. It is probable, therefore, that after Mr. Adams preached, the church was still dependent on supplies till the pastorate of Mr. Ross. When the organization took place we cannot tell. Mr. Ross' pastorate continued at Somerset, till October, 1819. Then was there at both places, doubtless, dependence on supplies for a long time. A venerable member of the Somerset Church says, that about the year 1827, Rev. Stephen Frontis, a Frenchman, preached for twelve months.
At Saltsburg, April 2d, 1828, Rev. Samuel Swan was ap- pointed to administer the communion at Jenner and Rev. John H. Kirkpatrick to assist, and Rev. John H. Agnew to preach one Sabbath at discretion.
June 15th, 1830, Rev. S. Howell Terry was called to Somerset and Jenner, each place to have one-half the time, except every eighth Sabbath. Mr. Terry was ordained and installed on the the 7th of July, 1830, and continued as pastor till the autumn of 1833.
In 1836, probably, Rev. Robert M. Finley became Stated Supply and continued till 1840, when supplies were appointed. In April, 1837, Somerset and Jenner are reported as having an addition of ten on examination, a membership of 120, six adults being baptized and twenty-seven infants. How many belonged to each church we cannot tell. In 1838 nine were added on ex- amination and one on certificate, and the membership was 127. Fifteen children were baptized.
In October, 1842, the following resolution was adopted by Presbytery: "Resolved, That this Presbytery memorialize the Board of Missions in reference to the declining state of Presby- terianism in the churches in Somerset county and earnestly en- treat said Board to locate in that county some efficient mission-' ary, with a competent support, in hope that the cause of truth
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and sound Presbyterianism may be revived and promoted." What the result of the application was is not shown by the min- utes of Presbytery.
In 1844 the committee on Domestic Missions were instruct- ed to aid Somerset and Jenner to the amount of $150, in sup- porting some one whom they might obtain to serve them. Ap- plication was made for aid several times.
In 1848, April, Mr. Henry Davis a licentiate of the Presby- tery of Hocking, was employed as Stated Supply for one year.
He was followed by Rev. Peter Hassinger, who continued two years or more.
After a long vacancy and dependence on supplies, Rev. B. F. Myers, licentiate, was duly ordained and installed as pastor, June 23d, 1859. This pastorate was brief, ending May 9th, 1860.
Messrs. Lyon, Agnew, Graham and Kuhn supplied for some time.
Rev. Loyal Young Graham became pastor in 1861 and con- tinued for five years. Mr. Bain supplied the church for a season.
In October, 1860, Somerset and Jenner were set over to Blairsville Presbytery and continued in that relation till during the time when Rev. Mr. Edgar was Stated Supply, from 1870 to 1872. Rev. S. S. Bergen was pastor from 1876 to 1878; Rev. C. B. Wakefield, from 1880 to 1882 and Rev. C. C. B. Duncan, from 1882 to 1885.
Since that time this feeble vine has had but little of the cul- tivation so essential to its health and growth.
At one time there was a large Presbyterian community, em- bracing amongst others, the Duncans, Hanlins, Rushabergers, McMullins, Dennisons, Murphys, Howards, Landers, Coopers, Boyds, Griffiths, Barclays, &c. Nearly all these are gone and only a few members are left.
In the early day, a large log building stood about a mile east of Jenner, near the creek, called the "Log House." This was followed by a brick house in town, on the site of the present building. This second house gave place to the third, also of brick, erected and dedicated about 1871, and cost $1,300. .
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