History of the Presbytery of Erie : embracing in its ancient boundaries the whole of northwestern Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio : with biographical sketches of all its ministers and historical sketches of its churches, Part 27

Author: Eaton, S. J. M. (Samuel John Mills), 1820-1889. 4n
Publication date: 1868
Publisher: New York : Hurd and Houghton
Number of Pages: 950


USA > Ohio > Erie County > History of the Presbytery of Erie : embracing in its ancient boundaries the whole of northwestern Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio : with biographical sketches of all its ministers and historical sketches of its churches > Part 27


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30



392


PRESBYTERY OF ERIE.


(88.) JAMES M. SHIELDS.


1851 -


MR. SHIELDS was born in Indiana, Pa. ; graduated at Washington College; studied theology at the West- ern Theological Seminary ; licensed by the Presby- tery of Blairsville, April 11, 1854; ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, August 29, 1855, and installed as pastor of the congregations of Georgetown and Fair- field ; released from his charge February 23, 1864, and dismissed to the Presbytery of Alleghany City, where he became pastor of the congregation of Bridgewater.


(88. ) WILLIAM J. ALEXANDER. 1854 -.


MR. ALEXANDER was born in Mercer County, Pa. ; graduated at Jefferson College in 1852. Studied theol- ogy at the Western Theological Seminary ; licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Erie, January 18, 1854 ; ordained by the same Presbytery December 19, 1855 ; and installed as pastor of Concord and Deer- field, in Venango and Warren Counties; released from his charge January 7, 1857 ; on the 13th of April, 1858, dismissed to the Presbytery of Washington, where he became pastor of the congregation of West Union. Mr. Alexander is a nephew of Rev. James Alexander, D. D. (40), a former member of Erie Presbytery. Hle was a delegate of the Christian Commission.


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BIOGRAPHICAL.


(90.) CHARLES A. BEHRENDS.


MR. BEHRENDS is a native of Germany. He was received into the Presbytery August 13, 1856, on papers setting forth that he was in connection with a German Synod. These papers being found defective, his name was stricken from the roll August 12, 1857.


(91.) WILLIAM M. BLACKBURN.


1854


MR. BLACKBURN was born in Carlisle, Indiana ; grad- uated at Ilanover College, Indiana, in 1850 ; studied theology at Princeton ; licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, April, 1854; or- dained by the Presbytery of Lake, in 1855; received by the Presbytery of Erie, January 7, 1857 ; installed as pastor of Park Church, Erie, on the 25th of May following ; released from his charge December 22, 1863, and dismissed to the Presbytery of New Brimswick, where he became pastor of the Fourth Church, Trenton, N. J. Mr. Blackburn is the author of numerous Sab- bath-school books.


(92.) JOIIN ROSS FINDLEY.


1852 -.


MR. FINDLEY was born in Washington, Ohio ; grad- uated at Madison College ; studied theology at Oxford, Ohio ; licensed to preach the gospel by the Associate Re- formed Presbytery of Chilicothe, April 9, 1852; or- dained by the Associate Reformed Presbytery of Springfield, August, 1853 ; received into the Presbytery of Erie, April 29, 1857, from the Presbytery of Sydney ;


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PRESBYTERY OF ERIE.


and installed the same day as pastor of the First church of Mercer. Mr. Findley is son of Rev. Dr. Findley, of the United Presbyterian Church, and has three brothers in the ministry. He was a delegate of the Christian Commission.


(93.) JOIIN R. HAMILTON. 1858


MR. HAMILTON was born in Westmoreland County, Pa. ; graduated at Washington College in 1853 ; studied theology at the Western Theological Seminary; licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Blairsville, April 15, 1858 ; ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, June 15, 1859, and installed as pastor of the congregations of Fairview and Sturgeonville; released from his charge June 15, 1864; September 28, 1865, dismissed to the Presbytery of Washington. He is at present pastor of the congregation of Newark, Del. During the War of the Rebellion, Mr. Hamilton was for a time chaplain of the 145th Regiment Penn. Vols.


(94.) JOHIN DAGG HOWEY.


1858


MR. HOWEY was born at Carrollton, Ohio ; graduated at Jefferson College in 1856; studied theology at the Western Theological Seminary ; licensed by the Pres- bytery of Steubenville, April 14, 1858 ; ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, September 21, 1859, and installed as pastor of the congregations of Mill Creek and Sugar Creek, in Venango County, Pa. ; released from his pas- toral charge April 26, 1865 ; dismissed to the Presby- tery of Columbus, April 25, 1866.


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BIOGRAPHICAL.


395


(95.) IRA MILLER CONDIT.


1858


MR. CONDIT is the son of John and Mary (Zahniser) Condit, and was born at Georgetown, Pa .; graduated at Jefferson College in 1855; studied theology at the Western Theological Seminary ; licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Erie, April 14, 1858; or- dained by the same Presbytery, September 24, 1859, as an evangelist. In the autumn of the same year, he sailed to China, as a missionary of the Presbyterian Board. He is at the present time in this country. HIe is a grandson of Rev. Ira Condit (24), one of the fathers of the Presbytery.


(96.) ANTHONY CANON JUNKIN.


1854 -


MR. JUNKIN was born in Green County, Ohio ; grad- uated at Miami University in 1852 ; studied theology at Oxford, Ohio ; licensed by the First Associate Reformed Presbytery of Ohio, April 5, 1854; ordained by the Associate Reformed Presbytery of Boston, May 7, 1856 ; received into the Presbytery of Erie, April 10, 1860, from the Presbytery of Baltimore ; installed as pastor of the congregation of Greenville, June 10, 1862, and released from his charge May 8, 1867. Hle was a delegate of the Christian Commission.


396


PRESBYTERY OF ERIE.


(97.) HUEY NEWELL. 1848


MR. NEWELL was born in Centre County, Pa .; pursued his studies at Jefferson College, and the West- ern Theological Seminary ; licensed to preach the gos- pel by the Presbytery of Clarion, April, 1848 ; ordained by the same Presbytery in April, 1849. He labored for a time in Clarion County, Pa .; afterwards in Iowa. He was received into the Presbytery of Erie, April 11, 1860, from the Presbytery of Iowa.


(98.) GEORGE SCOTT. 1859 -


MR. Scorr was born in Hancock County, West Vir- ginia ; graduated at Jefferson College in 1856, studied theology at the Western Theological Seminary ; licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Washington, in April, 1859; ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, June 27, 1860, and installed as pastor of the congrega- tions of Greenfield, Evansburg, and Harmonsburg ; released from his charge, June 10, 1862; dismissed to the Presbytery of Steubenville, September 26, 1863.


(99.) JAMES HILLIAR SPELMAN.


1850-


MR. SPELMAN was born at East Granville, Mass. ; graduated at Williams' College; studied theology pri- vately ; licensed to preach the gospel by the Presby- tery of North River, April 17, 1850; ordained by the Presbytery of Franklin, June 2, 1852; received into


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BIOGRAPHICAL.


the Presbytery of Erie, April 8, 1861, from the Pres- bytery of Hudson; dismissed to the Presbytery of Washington, April 13, 1864.


(100.) JOIIN GORDEN CONDIT.


1860


MR. CONDIT is the son of William Condit, and the nephew of Rev. Ira Condit (24), and was born in Mer- cer County, Pa. ; graduated at Jefferson College; studied theology at the Western Theological Seminary ; licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Erie, April 11, 1860 ; ordained by the same Presbytery, June 26, 1861 ; installed pastor at Sandy Lake, and stated supply at Mount Pleasant, 1863; released 1864; dis- missed September 26, 1864, to the Presbytery of Fair- field ; stated supply at Salina, Iowa.


(101.) JOHN HASKELL SARGENT. 1856 -


MR. SARGENT is the son of Winthrop Sargent, of Philadelphia ; born in Gloucester, Mass. ; graduated at Dartmouth in 1852; studied theology at Princeton ; licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Philadelphia, April, 1856 ; ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, June 26, 1861 ; stated supply at Concord and Deerfield ; dismissed to the Presbytery of London- derry, September 23, 1863.


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398


PRESBYTERY OF ERIE.


(103.) NEWELL SAMUEL LOWRIE.


1861 -.


MR. LOWRIE was born in Montour County, Pa. ; studied theology at the Western Theological Seminary ; licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Saltsburg in 1861 ; ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, October 22, 1862, and installed as pastor of the congre- gations of Conneautville and Harmonsburg. He was a delegate of the Christian Commission.


(104.) JAMES HERVEY GRAY. 1861 -


MR. GRAY was born in Ross County, Ohio ; studied theology at the Western Theological Seminary ; licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Alleghany City, April, 1861 ; ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, October 22, 1862; dismissed to the Presbytery of Clarion, April 25, 1866.


(105.) WILLIAM T. HAMILTON, D. D. 1823 -.


DR. HAMILTON is a native of England ; licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Philadelphia, October, 1823 ; ordained by the Presbytery of Jersey July 24, 1824; restored to the ministry by the Presby- tery of Erie, April 15, 1863; name removed from the roll, April 26, 1865. He was for a time pastor of the church of Warren, Pa.


399


BIOGRAPHICAL.


(106.) WILLIAM PORTER MOORE. 1857


MR. MOORE was born at Tarentum, Pa. ; graduated at Jefferson College in 1855 ; studied theology at the Western Theological Seminary ; licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Blairsville, October 8, 1857; ordained by the Presbytery of Clarion ; received into the Presbytery of Erie, from that of Clarion, Sep- tember 26, 1863 ; stated supply at Oil City, Pa. Dur- ing a portion of the War of the Rebellion, Mr. Moore was chaplain of the 142d Regiment, Penn. Volunteers.


(107.) GEORGE FAIRES CAIN. 1861 -.


MR. CAIN is the son of George Faires and Rebecca (MeCaffrey) Cain, and was born in Cumberland Coun- ty, Pa. Ile was a student of Dickinson College, Pa., and for seven years a member of the Carlisle Bar. He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Carlisle, November 9, 1861 ; ordained by the Presby- tery of Newton, and installed as pastor at Stroudsburg, Pa., May 28, 1863 ; received into Erie Presbytery from that of Newton, April 13, 1864; installed as pastor of Park Church, Erie, on the 11th of May following.


(108.) WILLIAM MARSHALL ROBINSON.


MR. ROBINSON, son of John and Jane Scott (Mar- shall) Robinson, was born in Indiana County, Pa .; graduated at Jefferson College in 1811 ; studied theol- ogy at the Western Theological Seminary ; licensed to


400


PRESBYTERY OF ERIE.


preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Blairsville, June 19, 1814; ordained by the Presbytery of Zanesville, January, 1846 ; stated supply for ten years at Hebron and Brownsville, Ohio; pastor at Newark, Ohio, for seven years ; stated supply at Wellsburg, West Virginia ; received into the Presbytery of Erie, from that of Washington, June 14, 1864; installed pastor of the Second Church, Mercer, June 15, 1864. He was a delegate of the Christian Commission.


(109.) LUTHER MARTIN BELDEN.'


1863


MR. BELDEN was born at Sandisfield, Mass. ; gradu- ated at Washington College, in 1861; studied theology at the Western Theological Seminary; licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Redstone, April, 1863 ; ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, December 14, 1864 ; installed pastor of Sturgeonville and West- minster.


(110.) JOIIN RICE.


1849


MR. RICE was born at Paisley, Scotland ; graduated at Glasgow ; studied theology at the Seminary of the Associate Reformed Church, Scotland; licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Paisley, August, 1849; received into the Presbytery of Erie from that of Saltsburg, April 26, 1865 ; stated supply of Fairfield and Sandy Lake.


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401


BIOGRAPHICAL.


(111.) HENRY BRUIN LAMBE. 1860


MR. LAMBE is a native of Ireland ; licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Alleghany City, Sep- tember, 1860 ; ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, July 11, 1866, and installed as pastor of the church of Mil- ledgeville, Pa .; released from his charge May 8, 1867 ; dismissed to the Presbytery of Blairsville, June 26, 1867. Mr. Lambe was a chaplain dining the War of the Rebellion, and suffered imprisonment at the hands of the enemy in Texas.


(112.) JAMES JUNIUS MARKS, D. D. 1835


DR. MARKS is the son of the late General William and Alice Anna (Hanson) Marks, of Alleghany Coun- ty, Pa .; graduated at. Jefferson College in 1831; studied theology at the Western Theological Seminary ; licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Ohio, May, 1835; ordained by the Presbytery of Palmyra, February, 1838; received into the Presbytery of Erie, October 23, 1866, from the Presbytery of Ohio. Dr. Marks was chaplain of the 63d Regiment Pennsylva- nia Volunteers during the War, and was for a time a prisoner of war in the hands of the enemy.


(113.) ROBERT STANSBURY VAN CLEVE.


1865


MR. VAN CLEVE was born at Beaver Meadow, Pa. ; graduated at Princeton College in 1863, and Princeton


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402


PRESBYTERY OF ERIE.


Seminary in 1866 ; licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, April, 1865 ; ordained by the Presbytery of Erie, December 14, 1866; dis- missed to the Presbytery of Buffalo, May 8, 1867 ; pas- tor of the congregation of Westfield, New York.


(114.) JOIIN J. GRIDLEY.


1837


MR. GRIDLEY was born at Chesterfield, N. II. ; grad- uated at the Wesleyan University ; licensed to preach the gospel by the Methodist Episcopal Church, January 14, 1837 ; ordained by the same, June, 1840 ; received into the Presbytery of Erie, May 8, 1867.


(115.) JAMES JONES SMYTII.


1844


MR. SMYTH was born in Londonderry, Ireland. He is the son of William and Jane ( Crawford) Smyth. He was graduated A. B., at Trinity College, Dublin, in 1839, and A. M., at Glasgow University in 1810, and pursued his theological studies at Glasgow and Edin- burgh. Ile was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Winchester, April 21, 1844; ordained by the Pres- bytery of East Hanover, April 15, 1849. He was prin- cipal of Winchester Academy, and of Petersburg In- stitute in Virginia, for many years. Afterwards was pastor at Sussex Court House, Virginia ; stated supply in North Carolina ; also pastor at Greensboro, North Carolina. Afterwards was stated supply at Shelbyville, Indiana ; at the present time stated supply at Pleasant- ville and Concord, Erie Presbytery.


403


BIOGRAPHICAL.


(116.) DAVID PATTON. 1865 -.


MR. PATTON is the son of Archibald and Elizabeth S. Patton, and was born in Mercer County, Pa. He graduated at Jefferson College in 1860, was a student for a time at the Western Theological Seminary, and completed his theological course at the Reformed Sem- inary at Philadelphia. After this he was in the Army of the United States for upwards of three years, when he was licensed to preach the gospel by the Pittsburgh Reformed Presbytery, on the 19th day of May, 1865. On the 27th day of June, 1866, he was ordained by the same Presbytery, and installed as pastor of Cochranton and Shenango congregations. On the 25th day of September, 1867, Mr. Patton, together with his congre- gation, Cochranton, were received under the care of the Presbytery of Erie.


PART III.


HISTORICAL NOTICES OF CHURCHES.


CHURCHES.


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MOUNT PLEASANT.


Tins church is in Beaver County, Pa., near to the present town of Darlington. It was probably organized by Rev. Thomas Edgar Hughes (1), in the year 1798 or 1799. It is, moreover, probably the first church that was organized within the ancient bounds of the Pres- bytery of Eric. Its first pastor was Mr. Hughes, in- stalled August 28, 1799, in connection with New Salen. Hle was released from his charge of Mount Pleasant, November 19, 1840. Ile was succeeded by Rev. Wil- liam D. Smith. The next pastor was Rev. Arthur B. Bradford, who was released from his charge in 1845, or 1846. The next pastor was Rev. R. S. Morton (80), ordained and installed June 14, 1848; released from his charge in 1851. The next pastor was Rev. J. Wat- son Johnston, installed in 1853, released from his charge in 1856 or 1857. He was succeeded by Rev. A. W. Boyd. The present pastor elect is Rev. Albert Dil- worth. It is now under the care of Beaver Presbytery.


NEW SALEM.


This was one of the early churches. Rev. Thomas Edgar Hughes was pastor from 1799 to 1808. After


408


PRESBYTERY OF ERIE.


this, it was long vacant. Rev. Ezekiel Glasgow was in- stalled August 31, 1813 ; died, April 23, 1814. The next pastor was Rev. William Reed, ordained and in- stalled April 11, 1821 ; released in 1860. Rev. D. L. Dickey is now pastor.


YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO.


This is one of the oldest churches within what was anciently the Presbytery of Erie. The early records are lost. It is probable that it was organized about the year 1800. The first pastor was Rev. William Wick (2), who was ordained September 3, 1800. He was installed at Youngstown, Ohio, in the summer of 1801, having been settled for a time at Neshannock. Ile labored at Youngstown, Ohio, and Hopewell, then in Mercer County, Pa. He continued to be pastor of these churches until his death, March 29, 1815. The second pastor was Rev. John Core,1 installed pastor, June 25, 1817, in connection with Brookfield, Ohio. Ile was released, April 10, 1823, after a successful pas- torate of six years, during which over one hundred were added to the church.


After Mr. Core's removal, Rev. Enoch Bouton sup- plied the church until 1826. He was succeeded by Rev. Nathan Ilarned (34), who labored there until 1826. In 1830, Rev. Ward Stafford was installed as pastor. He was released in 1837. Rev. C. A. Board- man succeeded Mr. Stafford, and commenced his labors in 1838 or 1839. Hle terminated his labors in October, 1854. He was succeeded by Rev. Frederick HI. Brown, who supplied the church until 1859, but was not regul-


1 Afterwards in Clarion Presbytery ; born, 1785; licensed, 1816 ; died, May 17, 1854.


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409


CHURCHES.


larly installed. On November 9, 1859, the present pas- tor, Rev. Levi B. Wilson, was installed as pastor. The old people of the church speak of revivals of religion in the years of the past. In later years, 1858, 1862, and 1866, were years of the power of the Most High.


Previous to 1831, the congregation worshipped in a log building. In 1826, or 1827, a brick building was commenced, but never finished. In 1831, a frame building of modest pretensions was completed and oc- cupied. During the year 1866, a large, commodious brick structure was commenced, that will soon be com- pleted. The congregation, at the division of the church, adhered to the branch popularly known as the New School.


HIOPEWELL.


Tins church is in Lawrence County, Pa., and is one of the earliest churches organized in the bounds of the old Presbytery of Erie. The date of its organization is not now known, but it was toward the close of the last century. The first pastor was Rev. William Wick (2), who was ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Ohio, September 3, 1800, in connection with Neshan- nock. Mr. Wick was pastor until his death, March 29, 1815. The next pastor was Rev. William Wood (10), who commenced his pastorate, in connection with Neshannock, March 11, 1816 ; released, June 25, 1829. Hle was succeeded by Rev. William Nesbit, who was ordained and installed, October 7, 1829; re- leased, October 6, 1840. The next pastor was Rev. Henry Webber (63) ; installed, April 11, 1849; re- leased, June 29, 1833. Rev. William Nesbit was again installed in May, 1854; released, April 6, 1858. The present pastor, Rev. James P. Fulton, was installed


410


PRESBYTERY OF ERIE.


May 28, 1867. This church is under the care of the Presbytery of Beaver.


BEAVER.


Tms congregation was under the care of the Pres- bytery of Erie, at a very early day. In 1808, it passed to that of Beaver, and in 1854, to that of Alleghany City. The first pastor was Rev. Ezekiel Glasgow ; 1 or- dained and installed, August 31, 1813 ; died, April 23, 1814. He was succeeded by Rev. William Me Lain, who was installed April . 7, 1824. It has been served successively by Rev. A. B. Quay, Rev. B. C. Critchlow, Rev. W. G. Taylor, and others, as stated supplies. The present pastor is Rev. D. P. Lowary.


COOL SPRING.


Tins church is in Mercer County, Pa., and was or- ganized by Rev. Samuel Tait (3), most probably in the year 1800, as he was ordained its first pastor, November 19, of that year. This was in connection with the church of Salem. Mr. Tait continued to preach a portion of his time at Cool Spring, until 1813, when, by some ar- rangement between that congregation and Mercer, the people of Cool Spring agreed to worship at Mercer. and Cool Spring became practically disbanded. This arrangement continued until 1827, when, on petition of the people of Cool Spring, the church was reorganized.2 On the 24th day of June, 1829, Rev. Ira Condit (21) was installed pastor for the one third of his time. This relation continued until his death, October 24, 1836.


1 Born in Beaver County, 1788; Jefferson College, theology with Dr. McMillan; licensed, October 17, 1810.


2 Min. ii. 227.


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CHURCHES.


Rev. David Waggoner (54) then supplied the church for a short time, giving them one third of his time. The next pastor was Rev. James G. Wilson (49), in- stalled in 1842, in connection with Salem, one half his time at each. This pastorate continued until 1850. The present pastor, Rev. John W. MeCune (82) was ordained and installed June 23, 1852, in commection with Sandy Lake ; one half his time to each. At the present time, he gives two thirds of his time to Cool Spring. The church edifices have manifested a grad- ual improvement in architecture. The account of the first building has been given. The people now oc- cupy the third church edifice, a comfortable and neat structure. This church has been blessed with many revivals.


SALEM.


Tms church is also in Mercer County, Pa., and is first known as Upper Salem. It was organized in 1800. The first sermon in this congregation was preached on the banks of the Shenango, near where Greenville now stands. Mr. Tait preached the first Sabbath, and Mr. Stockton (4) the next. After this, preaching was en- joyed at a tent near the site of the present Salem church. At the organization, J. Stinson, Robert Mann, and Samuel Williamson, were the first ruling elders. Mr. Tait was ordained the first pastor, November 19, 1800, in connection with Cool Spring.


This arrangement continued until the 28th of June, when Mr. Tait was released, giving half his time to Mercer. In June, 1813, Mr. Tait relinquished Cool Spring, and gave a portion of his time to Salem, until the year 1826, when he gave the whole of his time to Mercer. On the 13th of October, 1828, Rev. James


. 412


PRESBYTERY OF ERIE.


Alexander (10) was ordained and installed as pastor of Salem, in connection with Greenville and Big Bend. He was released from this charge, June 25, 1834.


On the 12th of April, 1836, Rev. James G. Wilson (49) was ordained and installed as pastor, in connection with Greenville. He was released in 1851. Rev. James H. Callen (75) supplied the church for a short time, also, Rev. T. P. Johnston, until 1857. In 1858, Rev. James Coulter (62) supplied it, and in 1859, Rev. David Grier (83). It is supplied at the present time by Rev. John W. McCune (82).


MERCER, FIRST.


THE church of Mercer was organized in 1801, with twenty members. Rev. Samuel Tait was the first pas- tor. Ile preached but a portion of his time here, until January, 1826, when he gave Mercer the whole of his time. He continued the pastor until his death, June 2, 18441.


The second pastor was Joseph T. Smith (67). He was born and raised in Mercer, and ordained and in- stalled April 20, 1842. Ile was released, April 18, 1849, after a pastorate of seven years. The third pas- tor was Rev. Robert S. Morton (80). He was installed, September 10, 1851, and released, September 11, 1852. The fourth pastor was Rev. Robert F. Sample (86). Ile was ordained and installed, October 18, 1853 ; re- leased, May 7, 1856. The present pastor, Rev. John Ross Findley (92), was installed April 29, 1857. Many revivals of religion have rendered beautiful the history of this church.


The first place of worship was in a room over the jail. After some time a brick house was erected, but being


413


CHURCHES.


considered unsafe, was abandoned after some years. The present structure was erected in 1830, but has since been remodeled and greatly improved.


MEADVILLE.


Tins church is in Crawford County, and was proba- bly organized in 1800. Elisha Macurdy and Joseph Stockton (4) had preached here the year before. The first elders were John Cotton, Robert Stockton, and a third, whose name has passed away. Mr. Stockton, then in his twenty-first year, was called to be the first pastor. He was ordained by the Presbytery of Ohio, on the 24th of June, 1801, and installed as pastor of the congregations of Meadville and Little Sugar Creek 1 (now Cochranton). One half his time was given to each. He was released from these charges June 27, 1810.


The second pastor was Rev. Robert Johnston (14). Hle was installed, October 15, 1841, as pastor of Mead- ville, Little Sugar Creek, and Conneant (now Evans- burg). This relation was dissolved April 2, 1817. The third pastor was Rev. John Van Liew (30). Ile was ordained and installed August 22, 1821. He gave the whole of his time to Meadville, and was released from his charge, June 21, 1824. The fourth pastor was Rev. Wells Bushnell (35). He was ordained and in- stalled June 22, 1826. The pastoral relation was dis- solved June 26, 1833. The fifth pastor was Nathaniel West (47), installed May 11, 1886; released from his pastoral charge, June 26, 1838. The present pastor is John Van Liew Reynolds, D. D. (56) ; ordained and installed November 13, 1839. Of those who have sus-




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