USA > Ohio > Jefferson County > Steubenville > Brief history, constitution, rules, and catalogue of members of the First Presbyterian Church of Steubenville, O > Part 1
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977.102 St46p
Gc 977.102 St46p 1239407
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02280 0079
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BRIEF HISTORY,
CONSTITUTION, RULES,
AND
CATALOGUE OF MEMBERS,
OF THE
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
OF
STEUBENVILLE, Ohio
PRINTED FOR THE USE OF THE MEMBERS.
STEUBENVILLE: PRINTED AT CONN'S BOOK AND JOB OFFICE. 1858.
401101112509 fficers of the Church.
PASTOR : HENRY G. COMINGO.
RULING ELDERS :
ALEXANDER J. McDOWELL, DANIEL POTTER,
WILLIAM MCLAUGHLIN, ALEXANDER CONN, WILLIAM C. McCAUSLIN, ROBERT A. SHERRARD, Sr.
DEACONS : ALEXANDER MEIKLE, JUSTIN G. MORRIS, BENJAMIN DRENNEN, ARNOLD H. DORHMAN.
TREASURER : ALEXANDER MEIKLE.
T
1239407
HISTORY.
The Town of Steubenville was laid out in Feb. 1797, and soon after began to be occupied by a few inhabitants. Early in the year ensuing, the Rev. Smiley Hughes preached to the settlers, by the appointment of the Presbytery of Ohio, and by a similar appoint- ment, Mr. James Snodgrass preached in the place and neighbor- hood, in the month of June, 1799. The Presbytery continued to send occasional supplies, and, in the spring of 1800, the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered by the Rev. Thomas Mar- quis, who had the assistance of ruling elders from the opposite side of the Ohio river. At this time, a congregation seems to have been formed, a union arranged between it and Island Creek for the support of a Minister, and Mr. Snodgrass invited to preach regularly among them. In accordance with this invitation, Mr. Snodgrass returned in the summer of 1800; a call was made out for him in October, by Steubenville and Island Creek, and in November, he was ordained and installed as their pastor. He continued to preach statedly, for the first year or two, for two-fifths of his time at Steubenville, and afterwards for the one-half .- About 1810, Rev. Wm. M' Millan came to the town to preside over the Academy, and was engaged as a stated supply to the con- gregation, for that half of the time when Mr. S. did not preach. This arrangement caused some disagreeable feelings and divisions. In the fall of 1816, application was made by some of the congre- gation, to have Mr. S. dismissed from the charge of the Steuben- ville church, and he, not objecting, was accordingly dismissed in January, 1817. At the same time, Mr. M'Millan ceased to act as stated supply.
Early in the Spring of 1817, a call was made out for the Rev. Obadiah Jennings, and he was ordained and installed as pastor, for the whole of his time. He continued as pastor until March 25th, 1823, when, at his own request, the connexion was dissol- ved. On the' 2d of June, a call was authorized for the Rev.
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Charles C. Beatty, which he accepted, and, entering upon his duties the same summer, was installed over the congregation, Oct. 21st, 1823. He continued to labor in his pastoral office, until the spring of 1835, when owing to his infirm health, he made known his intention to resign his charge. At the request of the congre- gation, he consented to retain his office, until an arrangement could be made to supply his place; and the connexion was not for- mally dissolved, till April, 1837. In July, of the year, 1855, the congregation united in a call for the services of the Rev. Ephraim T. M'Lean, as pastor; he accepted the call, and in November following, entered upon his ministerial duties. Before the close of the winter, he was visited with a severe pulmonary attack, which, in the opinion of his physician, rendered it danger- ous for him to labor in this climate; and in May, 1836, without having been installed over the congregation, he removed to the south. During the spring and summer of the last named year, Mr. Beatty preached occasionally, as the state of his health would permit; and other supplies having been obtained, the public ser- vices in the church were continued, with few intermissions. In the fall of 1836, the services of Henry G. Comingo, a licentiate of the New Brunswick Presbytery, were obtained, as a stated sup- ply, until the congregation should unite in the call of a pastor .- On the 13th of February, 1837, Mr. Comingo was duly elected as pastor; a call was presented to him in April, which he accepted; and in the following May, he was ordained and installed.
In the summer of 1801, the church of Steubenville was first regularly organized, by the election and setting apart of Thomas Vincent, John Milligan, and Samuel Hunter, as Ruling Elders. In addition to these, in 1803, John Rickey and Samuel Meek were chosen and ordained. Dr. Vincent removed in 18-, and Mr. Rickey soon after ceased, from infirmities, to act as an elder. James G. Hening, David Hoge and Stephen Riggs, were elected Ruling Elders, September 1st, 1817, and soon after ordained to their office. Mr. Meek removed in 1821, and Mr. Hunter in 1822. John C. Bayless, and Alexander J. M' Dowell, were elected to the eldership, Aug. 5th, 1822, and soon after set apart to that office. Mr. Rickey died in April, 1825, and in April, 1829, Messrs. Riggs and Bayless both removed. Jeremiah H. Hallock, Daniel
-
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Potter, and William M'Laughlin, were elected Elders, and on December 26th, 1830, ordained to their office. Mr. Milligan died December 2d, 1832. On the 14th of August, 1837, Humphrey H. Leavitt, and Alexander Conn, were elected as Ruling Elders, and on the 8th day of October following, were ordained to that office.
The first place of preaching was the grove, near Wolcott's fac- tory. This continued to be used in summer, and the court house in winter, until a small brick building was erected upon the pres ent site, which was first occupied in the winter of 1803-4. The congregation increasing, and the times being flourishing, it was thought proper to erect a larger building; and one was commen- ced in 1816. The erection and finishing of this house, proved more than the congregation could perform, so that, at the end of seven years, it was still unfinished, with a considerable debt for the work already done; which was connected with other heavy embarrassments of the society. As the church was not satisfactory to some of the congregation, it was then only so far finished as to render it comfortable. In the spring of 1828, it was taken down, and the present church erected in its place. It is a building, ex- tending back 88 feet, with a front of 47 on the street, which, in 1832, was surmounted by a cupalo, containing a bell for the use of the congregation.
In the fall of 1835, the Rev. Mr. Beatty, anxious that a suita- ble house should be provided for the residence of the pastor, offered to donate, as a proper site for such a building, the lot north of, and adjoining, the church, on the condition, that the congre- gation, with the aid of $100, which he engaged to contribute for the purpose, would provide the sum necessary to complete a par- sonage. And at the same time, and on the same condition, Mrs. Susan F. Beatty, and Mrs. H. E. Beatty, as a further induce- ment to the congregation to engage in this undertaking, proposed to erect, at their own expense, south of the church, a building suitable for a session house, and a sabbath school. The necessary sum having been subscribed by the congregation, the parsonage was erected, during the next season; and the Mrs. Beattys, in con- formity with their liberal proposal, erected the building south of the church, for the purpose stated.
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The congregation was first incorporated Feb. 4th, 1819, under a general law of the State of Ohio. In the fall of 1833, the mem- bers petitioned the legislature of the State, for a special act of in- corporation, which was granted. Under this act, the corporation have formed a constitution and regulations, which are to govern it. On the 13th of July, 1834, Hans Wilson, John Abraham, William B. Copeland, and Alexander Conn, having been pre- viously elected, were ordained to the office of Deacon. And on the 10th of Nov., 1839, James Patterson, and Thompson Smith were elected, and shortly after, ordained to the same office.
In the year 1851, the church edifice was enlarged and improved by the addition of sixteen feet to the west end, increasing the pews on the first floor to about one hundred. This was done at an ex- pense of about one thousand dollars. The building was other- wise greatly improved in comfort and convenience, by the intro- duction of basement heaters and gas lights. Since 1840 great changes have taken place in the Session. James G. Hening re- moved to Missouri and died there. David Hoge having removed to Mercer, Pa., for several years, was disconnected with this church, subsequently he returned and was by the congregation urged to re- sume his place in the Session, which he did. He died in Steuben- ville, September 14th, 1847. Jeremiah Hallock died Nov. 29th, 1847. At an election of elders and deacons, held November 10, 1851, William McCauslin, Joseph Sheets, Robert Sherrard, Sr., were elected elders, and they were ordained on the 3d Sabbath of December following. At the same election, J. G. Morris, Benj. Drennen, A. H. Dohrman, and Alex. Meikle were chosen deacons. Isaac McDonald had been elected at a previous date. All the deacons in office in 1841 have passed away. John Abrahams died in Steubenville. James Patterson removed to Mansfield and died. Wm. B. Copeland removed to Pittsburgh, and is now a ru- ling elder in the 2d Presbyterian Church in that city. Thompson Smith removed to Pittsburgh and thence to Iowa. I. McDonald removed to Mo. in 1858. In '55, Dr. Sheets removed to Frederick, O. and Judge Leavitt to Cin., where he is an elder in the 7th. P. C.
In the Spring of 1857, the congregation with great spirit and liberality, handsomely refitted and decorated the church within, and improved it without so as to render it attractive and comfortable.
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI.
From an imperfect record of church members, it would appear that, April 1st, 1817, there were 72-added in the next six years, by certificate 34, on examination 54; dismissed 51, died 14, sus- pended 8; leaving in membership 87.
The whole number (including the seventy-two enrolled in 1817,) added since the organization of the church is twelve hundred and fifty members. The whole number since the beginning of the pastorate of the Rev. Henry G. Comingo is 748 members, of whom 483 were on examination and 265 on certificate. About one hundred and fifty families are in connection with the congre- gation. and between 800 and 1000 souls are under the care of this church, or in some measure identified with it at the present time.
During the winter of 1858, after long declension and much dis- couragement, the church was visited with a remarkable outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The membership of the church were much refreshed, and at the February communion 47 members were ad- ded, of whom 43 were on examination; the following May, 1858, 38 were admitted to the church, 26 of whom were on examination; affording in the history of the church another striking and long to be remembered proof of God's faithfulness to his covenant, and loudly calling upon the church in all future time to trust in the Lord, take courage and go forward.
The present pastor has labored in this, his first and only charge, for nearly 22 years. We see that two-thirds of a generation of believers and unbelievers have passed to their final account, and as the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, the day is at hand when the living and the dead, the pastor and people shall all meet once more and finally, to hear the welcome of the approving Saviour and Judge, or the appaling sentence of banishment from his pres- ence, and from the glory of his power forever,-as a church, there- fore, we are solemnly admonished by the past to "work while it is called to day, for the night cometh when no man can work."
The congregation, on several occasions, has been visited by the special outpourings of the Spirit of God. As the result of a re- vival which took place in the year 1831, seventy-nine members were added to the church on examination and profession of their faith. In the year 1834, the church was greatly blessed, and fifty-three members were admitted on examination at one commu-
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
nion. In the year 1838, there was an addition of fifty-fine mem- bers at one time; in 1839, forty-nine were added; and in 1840, the admissions on examination were fifty-five. At the May commu- nion in 1855, twenty were added on examination. In Feb., 1858, forty-three were added on examination, and at the following May communion twenty-six, making in all during the first half of the year 1858, sixty-nine, on the profession of their faith.
From the annexed list, it will appear that in 1834, the whole number of members was 263; added since by certificate, 123; on examination, 230; total-616; removed by death and otherwise, 248; leaving at the publication of the last catalogue, April, 1841, the whole number, 368; added since on certificate, 188; on exam- ination, 320; total-876; removed by death and otherwise, 502; leaving the present membership in the catalogue, 364.
May 1, 1858.
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Act of Incorporation.
AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF STEUBENVILLE.
SEC. 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That Hans Wilson, David Moodey, John D. Slack and their associates, being seat holders in the Presbyterian Church in Steubenville, and such others as may hereafter be associated with them, be, and they are hereby created a body politic and corpor- ate, by the name of the Presbyterian Church of Steubenville; and as such shall have perpetual succession, and be capable in their corporate capacity, of contracting and being contracted with, of suing and being sued, pleading and being impleaded, answering and being answered, defending and being defended, in all courts of law and equity; may have a common seal, which they may break, alter or renew at pleasure; shall be capable of receiving, acquiring, and holding, either by purchase, gift, devise or other- wise, any estate, real, personal or mixed, and may lease, mortgage, sell and convey the same in any manner or for any purpose not in- consistent with the conditions of the grantors, donors, or devisors; shall have power to adopt such a constitution, by-laws, rules and regulations for the reception and continuance of members of the corporation, and the management of the secular concerns of the aforesaid church, as they may deem expedient; prescribe the num- ber and title of the corporation officers, and their respective pow- ers and duties ; Provided, the same be not repugnant to the laws and constitution of the United States and of the State of Ohio; And, provided, that the annual income of all such estate shall not exceed five thousand dollars ; And, provided, also, that all such property shall be considered as held in trust, under the manage- ment, and at the disposal of said corporation, for the purpose of promoting the interests of said church, defraying the expenses in- cident to their mode of worship, and maintaining any institutions of charity or education that may be therewith connected; Provi- ded, moreover, that where money or any other property shall be given or granted, bequeathed, or devised to said society for any particular use or purpose, it shall be faithfully applied to such use or purpose.
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
SEC. 2. That all estate, real or personal, now held or possessed by the Presbyterian Church of Steubenville, or the First Presby- terian Church of Steubenville, or in trust for either of them, be, and the same is hereby declared vested in the corporation hereby created under the limitations and restrictions of the first section of this act; and the aforesaid corporation officers are hereby au- thorized and empowered to sell, lease, or otherwise invest any prop- erty held by the corporation for the use and benefit of the said incorporation: Provided, that they shall never purchase or sell any real estate without the concurrence of a majority of the members of the corporation; and it shall be their duty, annually, at such time as the corporation may direct, to make out and exhibit a full and fair account of the receipts and disbursements of the preced- ing year.
SEC. 3. That extra meetings of the corporation may be called by the above officers, they giving at least ten day's public notice previously, such notice to be given at the usual time and place of worship for the congregation-and this shall be done whenever they receive a written request to that purpose from any five mem- bers of the corporation.
SEC. 4. That the three persons named in the first section of this act, be the corporation officers of said church, to be called trustees, who shall severally hold their offices and have the man- agement of the affairs of said corporation until others shall be chosen in their places, agreeably to the rules of said corporation, to be made as herein before provided.
SEC. 5. That the General Assembly shall have power to alter, amend or modify this act; but any such alteration, amendment or modification, shall not divert any property or funds of the said corporation from the purposes expressed in this act.
JOHN H. KEITH,
Speaker of the House of Representatives. DAVID T. DISNEY, Speaker of the Senate.
February 25, 1834.
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3 1833 02280 0079
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Regulations
OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF STEUBENVILLE.
1. The Pastor of the Church, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the corporation, and these shall be opened and closed by prayer; in the absence of the Pastor, a chairman pro. tem. shall be chosen.
2. In case of the Church becoming vacant of a Pastor, it shall be the duty of the Elders and Deacons to have the pulpits regu- larly supplied upon the Sabbath, until such time as the way may be opened for the settlement of a Pastor; and whenever they, or a inajority of them, shall judge that the way is prepared, or when- ever they are requested in writing, to do so, by any five of its mem- bers, they shall call the congregation together to decide on this question, inviting the presence of some neighboring Presbyterian ininister to moderate the meeting. In all elections for a Pastor, if there be only one person in nomination, the votes shall be taken by yeas and nays; when there are more persons than one in nom- ination, the votes shall be by ballot. The yeas and nays shall be taken, if required by any five members of the congregation, and, in all cases, a majority of all the qualified voters present, shall be necessary to a choice.
3. The members of the corporation, and none others, shall be entitled to vote in elections for Pastors and Deacons; but in addi- tion to the baptised members of the corporation, all members of this church in full communion, over the age of eighteen years, may vote in elections for Ruling Elders. It shall be the duty of the Deacons always to keep, and to cause to be laid before the corporation at every meeting, a list of those who may at that time be members of the corporation and entitled to vote according to the 2d article of our Constitution .*
4. At elections for Pastor, the near relatives or connexions of absent corporators may be entitled to vote, upon presenting vouch- ers that they liave been fully authorized to do so; provided that no individual shall be entitled to two votes at any election.
* At a meeting the of congregation, held Novomber 9th, 1835, the Constitution and Regulations of the Church were so modified, as that all male members of tho Church in full communion, above the age of 18 years, and all others, who are members of the corpo- ration, under the second articlo of the constitution, are entitled to vote at all congrega- tional elections.
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
5. In all elections for Ruling Elders or Deacons, (which shall always be by ballot) the Pastor, being the moderator of the meet- ing, shall receive the votes as they are given in, while the secre- tary takes down the names of those who vote: and the existing Elders and Deacons, shall, in either case, respectively, be ex-officio, judges of the election. But no person shall be considered as elected to either office, unless he receive a majority of the whole number of the votes given in.
6. At any annual meeting of the corporation, it may be deter- mined, by a majority of the qualified voters present that any Ru- ling Elder or Deacon, as the case may be, is unacceptable in his official character, provided, that due notice be given, in writing to the Elders and Deacons, ten days previous to the meeting, by at least three qualified voters, that such question will be proposed.
7. The Deacons may form such by-laws, for their own regula- tion, and make such rules for the management of the secular con- cerns of the corporation, (not inconsistent with its constitution or regulations) as they may deem advisable; and they shall cause a record to be made of all their proceedings and resolutions, to be laid before the annual meeting. All applications for pews shall be made in writing, signed by the party, stating distinctly, the number of the pew, and the sum agreed to be paid ; and shall be regularly entered by the Secretary in a Register, and filed with the Treasurer.
8. The Treasurer shall attend at such time and place as may be convenient, on the 1st days of April and October, (unless the same fall on the Sabbath, and then on the next ensuing days) to receive the semi-annual payments of the pew owners, renters, sub- scribers, &c., of which attendance he shall cause public notice to be given on the sabbath immediately preceding. If the several amounts due be not paid on the day above mentioned, or within five days thereafter, it shall be the duty of the Treasurer, to pre- sent accounts forthwith, to those who may be delinquent, and take their due bills or notes for the same, payable on demand, with in- terest: and at the end of every year he shall close all accounts, and collect all notes and dues as soon as possible ; and on all sums so received and accounted for by him, shall be allowed at the rate of five per cent.
9. The Treasurer shall, in a book provided for the purpose, keep separate and distinct accounts of the monies collected for various purposes, to be open for inspection at the annual meeting: of these, there shall be the five following, viz: 1st. The pew rents and sub- scriptions shall be for the Pastor's support; and no moneys shall be transferred from this account to any other, in any six months, un- til after the whole amount due to the Pastor, for that half year, shall have been discharged. But this shall not prevent the ten
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
per cent. charged for incidental expenses from being, at any time, transferred to the General Expense account, and applied to such incidental expenses. 2d. The General Expense Account shall consist of the ten per cent. charged on pew rents, together with such sums as may be given or collected specially for this purpose, together with the excess of pew rents and subscriptions, beyond the annual support of the Pastor, which, at the close of every half year, shall be transferred to this account. 3d. The collections on the first Sabbath of each month, shall be kept in account separate and distinct, for Missionary Funds, to be from time to time appro- priated, together with other contributions, as the donor may pre- scribe, or the session or deacons determine. 4th. The collections on Sacramental Sabbaths, shall be kept in an account, separate and distinct, as the Charitable Fund, to be appropriated to defray the expenses on such occasions, or relieve the poor of the church, or for other charitable purposes. 5th. All other incidental collec- tions and contributions, shall be kept in account together, as Occa- sional Collections, and be paid by the Treasurer to the special ob- jects for which they were designed.
10. It shall be the duty of the corporation officers, to invest as speedily and as advantageously as possible, all monies given or be- queathed as a fund for any special purpose: and in no case shall they infringe upon the principal, but appropriate the proceeds faithfully, according to the will of the donor or devisor.
11. The Deacons may appoint a Chorister and a Janitor or Sex- ton, and allow them such compensations as they judge proper, to be paid out of the General Expense Fund.
12. The Deacons may, at any time, employ such monies as they may hold, belonging to the corporation, and not otherwise appro- priated, for repairs and improvements to the real property, or may, by voluntary contributions, collect what they deem necessary for these purposes; but they shall, in no case, involve the corporation in any debt, beyond their present funds, except by a vote of a majority of its members; and all expenses shall be made matter of annual report to the corporation.
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