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 28
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1 This church connected itself with the Associate Reformed Church about 1820.
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tained the pastoral relation to this church, besides the present incumbent, one only survives - Dr. Van Liew.
From the installation of Dr. Reynolds in 1839, the session remained unbroken for twenty-five years, with- out increase or diminution. At the division of the church in 1838, the Meadville church was divided, forming a second church, of the other branch. Of this church, Rev. Richard Craighead has long been the pastor.
AMITY.
Tis church is in Venango and Mercer Counties, and was organized probably about 1800. The first pastor was Rev. Robert Lee (5) ; ordained and installed, June 26, 1801, in connection with Rocky Spring.1 Ile was released from his pastoral charge, July 14, 1807. After this, Rev. John Boyd (11) supplied Amity for a short time, and the second regular pastor was Rev. Ira Con- dit (24). Ilis pastorate extended from the close of 1825 to April 22, 1829, when he was released. His salary was at the rate of three hundred dollars a year. Hle served this church for the one third of his time. After this, Rev. Hezekiah May supplied the church for one year ; after him, Rev. Nathaniel R. Snowden for a year.
The next regular pastor was Rev. Robert Glenn (44). Ile was ordained and installed as pastor of Amity and Mill Creek, one third of his time at each, on the 12th day of September, 1832. He was released from the charge of Amity, April 3, 1850, after a pastorate of eighteen years.
The next pastor was Rev. Meade Satterfield, son of
1 This church connected itself, at an early day, with the Associate, or Associate Reformed Church.
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CHURCHES.
Rev. James Satterfield (6), one of the original men- bers of the Presbytery of Erie. Ile was ordained and installed about the year 1850, in commection with Harris- ville. Hle preached at Amity about six years, when he was called to his rest above. The next pastor was Rev. John F. Boyd. ITe was installed about the year 1856, and continued pastor ten years, being released June 26, 1866. The present pastor is Rev. W. D. Patton, commencing his labors about the close of the year 1866.
This church has had an exciting history. Always in advance on the subject of slavery, they hesitated not to enter their protest against the acts of Presbytery and General Assembly, when not sufficiently awake to the subject.
This congregation worshipped at first in the green wood, with a simple tent for the minister. They would sit in the beating rain and even snow, during the time of service and not become impatient. On one oc- casion during communion services, a rain-storm com- menced that bid defiance to umbrellas, and literally flooded the ground until the water was several inehes deep. The first house of worship was of round logs, about twenty-two feet square, and built in a day. The next was of hewn logs, thirty feet square. This house burned down. It was the work of an ineendiary. The present house is a frame forty-five by fifty-five feet, built at a cost of $1,300.
This church has been blessed with numerous revivals. In the early days they had the "falling exercise," when the people could hardly be persuaded to leave the church or go to their homes. Within the past few years it has been greatly blessed. Amity is now under the care of the Presbytery of Alleghany.
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PRESBYTERY OF ERIE.
NESHANNOCK.
TIIs congregation is in Mercer and Lawrence coun- ties, Pa. It was organized about the year 1800. The first pastor was Rev. William Wick (2), ordained Sep- tember 3, 1800, in connection with Hopewell. He was released from his charge June 30, 1801. The next pastor was Rev. James Satterfield (6), an original member of Erie Presbytery. Hle was ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Ohio, on the 3d of March, 1802, and installed as pastor of this congre- gation in connection with that of Moorfield. The first elders were William Jackson, Thomas Scott and Robert Stevenson. Mr. Satterfield was the pastor until the beginning of the year 1813. In July of that year, Rev. William Matthews took charge of the church and continued to serve it until 1815. Hle was succeeded by Rev. William Wood (10). Mr. Wood commenced his labors March 11, 1816. He labored at Hopewell in connection with Neshannock, until July 1, 1828, when he give all his time to the lat- ter. Ile was released January 1, 1837, after a pastor- ate of twenty-one years.
The next pastor was Rev. Absalom McCready (36). He was installed October 14, 1839, and released from his charge in 1857. The next pastor was Rev. Robert Dickson, installed 1858, released from his charge 1867. The present pastor is Rev. John M. Mealy.
The first house of worship was of round logs, thirty feet square, with a hole in the centre of the roof through which the smoke ascended. The next building was of hewn logs, thirty feet by seventy. In 1839, the present fine frame building was erected. Many revivals have blessed this church, the most important in the winter of 1866-67.
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CHURCHES.
FAIRFIELD.
Tms congregation is in Mercer County, Pa., and is one of the oldest in the Presbytery. It was organized in September, 1799, by Elisha Macurdy and Joseph Stockton. The first elders were Daniel Axtell, David Condit, and Ithiel Dodd. These men came from Wash- ington County, Pa., and arrived with their families at the place of their destination on Saturday evening. They camped out, and on the Sabbath morning held the first prayer-meeting, read a sermon, and catechized the chil- dren. That prayer-meeting has been kept up to the present day, and is blessing that congregation still. The. first pastor was Rev. William Wylie (7). He was or- dained by the Presbytery of Ohio, April 13, 1802. IIe was released from his pastoral charge, December 5, 1804. He had preached at Upper and Lower Sandy,1 in connection with Fairfield. In 1801, the number of communicants was twenty-six. The next pastor was Rev. Cyrus Riggs (18). Ile was ordained and installed pastor of Fairfield and Mill Creek, October 21, 1807. He was released from this charge April 8, 1812.
The next pastor was Rev. Ira Condit (24). He was ordained and installed, November 8, 1814, in con- nection with Big Sugar Creek. Ile was released by death, October 24, 1836, after a pastorate of twenty-two years.
The next pastor was Rev. David Waggoner (54). He was ordained and installed, July 11, 1838, in con- nection with Georgetown. He was released from his charge, May 4, 1853. The next pastor was Rev. James M. Shields (88), ordained August 9, 1855. Ile was
1 Now Georgetown and Mill Creek. 27
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released February 23, 1864. Rev. John Rice (110) is at present stated supply.
The " falling exercise " was experienced in the early days of this church. Many revivals of religion were enjoyed. On one occasion at a singing-school, the singing was abandoned, Mr. Condit sent for, and the whole night spent in prayer. A church of the other branch was at one time organized from this con- gregation and that of Georgetown.
UPPER SANDY, now GEORGETOWN.
Tms church is also in Mercer County, Pa. It was organized by Elisha Macurdy and Joseph Stockton in 1799. The first elders were William Byers and Alexander McCracken. The first pastor was Rev. William Wylie, settled April 13, 1802, released Decem- ber 5, 1804. After this Mr. Stockton, pastor at Mead- ville, supplied them one third of the time for one year ; Mr. Johnston also supplied them for one year. The elders removing about this time, the organization be- came extinct. About the year 1814, it was reorganized under the name of Georgetown, when Mr. Condit be- came their pastor, ordained and installed, in connection with Fairfield, November 8, 1814. Mr. Condit was re- leased by the Master, and entered into rest, October 24, 1836. Mr. Waggoner was the next pastor. He was installed July 11, 1838 ; released from his charge, May 4, 1853. The next pastor was Rev. James M. Shields, ordained and installed, August 9, 1855 ; released from his charge, February 28, 1864. In May, 1864, Mr. Wag- goner returned, and was installed again as pastor, for two thirds of his time, Greenfield taking the remaining third.
1 -
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CHURCHES.
In Mr. Condit's time this church was blessed with an interesting revival of religion. At a later day there was a revival in 1811, another in 1843, and a much more extensive one in 1848. During the last year there were added to the church about fifty persons.
LOWER SANDY, now MILL CREEK.
TIIs congregation is in Venango County, Pa. It was organized about the same time with Upper Sandy and Fairfield, namely, about 1800. Mr. Wylie was the first pastor : ordained and installed, April 13, 1802; released from his charge of the united congregations of Upper and Lower Sandy and Fairfield, December 5, 1804. At the first organization of the churches, the same session was appointed for both, but on the 11th of March, 1802, it was resolved to have a separate ses- sion for each.
Mr. Riggs was the second pastor: ordained and in- stalled pastor of Mill Creek (Lower Sandy) and Fair- field, October 21, 1807; released from his charge, April 8, 1812. About the beginning of his pastorate the name of the congregation was changed to Mill Creek, the present name. In 1810, there were nine- teen members.
There is a chasm in the history of this church, that cannot be filled up. It seems to have become disor- ganized, the members probably worshipping at Fair- field and Sugar Creek. The late Rev. Robert Glenn records, that " The church of Mill Creek was organized in the fall of 1827, by Rev. Ira Condit and Ezekiel Con- dit,1 Elder, at the house of John Gorden, there being as yet no meeting-house. By a vote of the congrega-
1 Brother of the former.
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tion, the two oldest members were chosen elders, namely, John Gorden and James Adams. In a short time after, the congregation feeling the necessity of having a house to worship in, and not being able to hire a workman to build one, resolved to build a house with their own hands, there being several of them ac- quainted with the use of tools." The work was aecom- plished with little expense save their own labor.
Under its reorganization, Robert Glenn (44) was the first pastor. He was ordained September 12, 1832, in connection with Amity and Sandy Lake, giving one third of his time to each. He served Mill Creek for one third of his time until September, 1850, and one half his time during the remainder of his life. IIe died September 6, 1857, after a pastorate of twenty-five years.
The next pastor was John Dagg Howey (91). He was ordained and installed as pastor in connection with Sugar Creek, September 21, 1859; released from his charge April 26, 1865.
SLATE LICK.
THIS congregation is in Armstrong County, Pa. When it was organized is now uncertain. Its first pastor was Rev. John Boyd (8). He was ordained and installed as pastor, in connection with Union, on the 26th day of June, 1802; released from his charge, April 17, 1810. For nearly five years, the church was dependent on supplies. The second pastor was Rev. Jolm Redick (26). He was ordained and installed over the same charge as his predecessor, September 28, 1815, and labored in the same field until the close of the year 1848, when he resigned on account of old age. He
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CHURCHES.
died July 11, 1850, after a pastorate of thirty-three years in Slate Lick and Union. He was succeeded in Slate Lick by Rev. William F. Kean, who was ordained and installed as pastor of Slate Lick and Freeport, in the spring of 1849. He was released from the charge of Slate Lick in June, 1864. The present pastor, Rev. Thomas C. Anderson, was ordained and installed Octo- ber 17, 1865.
UNION (Armstrong County).
THE history of this church is almost identical with that of Slate Lick. Probably organized about the same time, it continued to enjoy the labors of the same pas- tor, until the close of Father Redick's ministry. About the year 1857, Rev. David Hall became the pastor in connection with Brady's Bend. He was released from his charge in 1867.
PYMATUNING, BEULA, AND TRUMBULL.
THESE congregations constituted the original charge of Rev. Benjamin Boyd, and all seem to have become extinct. They were situated near the boundary line of Ohio and Pennsylvania. Mr. Boyd was installed over them November 12, 1806, and was dismissed in 1809. These churches seem to have declined soon after. The names of Beula and Trumbull do not appear on the roll after the year 1810 ; and Pymatuning is not mentioned after 1813. The membership was probably drawn to churches springing up in more favorable lo- calities in the neighborhood.
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PRESBYTERY OF ERIE.
BULL CREEK.
Tmis congregation was a portion of the original charge of Rev. Abraham Boyd (9), who was its first pastor. There is a tradition amongst the old members of the church, that it was organized as early as 1793 or 1794. Mr. Boyd himself believed it to be the oldest church west of the Alleghany River. It is located in the neighborhood of Tarentum, Pa. Mr. Boyd was ordained and installed as pastor of this church, in con- nection with Middlesex, on the 17th of June, 1802. Dr. MeMillan was present, and preached the sermon on the occasion. Mr. Boyd continued to be the pastor until the spring of 1833, preaching his farewell sermon June 30 of that year. This congregation has furnished four ministers of the gospel.
The next pastor was Rev. Sammel Caldwell, installed October, 1831. The next minister was Rev. J. Watson Johnston, who was stated supply for one year. In the fall of 1840, Rev. Thomas W. Kerr was installed as pastor. He was released by death, October 29, 1847. The next pastor was Rev. James M. Smith. The next was Rev. William G. Taylor, installed January 19, 1857 ; released from his charge, May 1, 1861.
Rev. G. W. Jackson was the next pastor, ordained and installed June 23, 1863. Mr. Jackson was pastor but a short time. The present pastor, Rev. John Ful- ton Boyd, a relative of the first pastor, was installed November 19, 1866, for two thirds of his time. This congregation worshipped for several of the first years of its existence in a grove. The first house of worship was erected in 1801.
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CHURCHES.
MIDDLESEX.
THIs too is one of the early churches in the history of the Erie Presbytery. Abraham Boyd was installed as its first pastor June 17, 1802; released from his charge in 1817. The next pastor was Rev. Reid Bracken (19), installed September 28, 1820; released from his charge in 1832. Rev. J. W. Johnston was pas- tor three or four years. Rev. Thomas W. Kerr was pastor until his death, October 29, 1847, after a pastor- ate of seven years. Rev. Ephraim Ogden, the present pastor, was installed in 1848 or 1849.
MOUNT NEBO.
THE name of this church first appears on the min- utes in 1805. The first pastor was Rev. Reid Brack- en (19). He was ordained and installed by the Presby- tery of Erie, April 20, 1808. He continued to minister to this charge until 1844, nearly thirty-seven years, and only resigned through infirmity. Rev. Lemuel F. Leake was pastor in 1847 and 1848. Rev. Alexander Cunning- ham (65) was pastor from 1853 to 1861. The present pastor, Rev. William P. Harvison, commenced his la- bors in 1864. The church is now under the care of the Presbytery of Alleghany.
PLAIN.
Tins church was long connected with Mount Nebo, in the support of a pastor. The first pastor was Rev. Reid Bracken (19) : ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Erie, April 20, 1808; released from his charge, November 7, 1819. The next pastor was Rev.
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John Moore, installed in 1828 ; released from his charge, April 5, 1831. Rev. L. R. MeAboy was pastor until 1859. The last pastor, Rev. John W. Potter, was or- dained and installed in 1864; died, 1866. The church is now under the care of the Presbytery of Alleghany City.
POLAND, OHIO.
Tms church is in Mahoning County, Ohio, and under the care of the Presbytery of New Lisbon. Synod of Wheeling. It is said to have been organized May 21, 1802, by Rev. Wm. Wick, by direction of the Presbytery of Erie. The first pastor was Rev. Nicholas Pittinger (15), ordained, October 24, 1824, and installed as pas- tor, in connection with Westfield, Pa., one half his time in each congregation. He was released from his charge, March 20, 1810.
The next pastor was Rev. James Wright, ordained and installed, June 26, 1816, in connection with West- field. Ile was released from his pastoral charge, Jan- uary 10, 1832. The next pastor was Rev. John W. Scott,1 ordained and installed, April 3, 1834, by the Presbytery of Beaver ; released from his charge, April 13, 1836. The next pastor was Rev. Edwin II. Nevin, installed, June 25, 1839 ; released, April 20, 1841. The next pastor was Rev. Joseph Kerr, installed November 27, 1843 ; released, 1854. The present pastor, Rev. Algernon Sydney MacMaster, D. D., was installed No- vember, 1854.
The people worshipped first in the grove, then in a log-house, then in a frame. In 1857, a fine brick edi- fice was erected. The church has had its troubles, yet can say, " Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."
1 Rev. J. W. Scott, D. D., lato President of Washington College, Pa.
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CHURCHES.
WESTFIELD.
Tins church is in Lawrence County, Pa., and at pres- ent under the care of the Presbytery of Beaver. It was organized in the former part of the year 1803,1 by Rev. Thomas E. Hughes, by direction of the Presbytery of Erie. The first elders were George Baird, John Hunter, and John Clark. The first communion service was held in 1803, by Mr. Hughes and Mr. Wick (2). The first pastor was Rev. Nicholas Pittinger (15). He first began to preach in this congregation in the autumn of 1803, and brought his family out the following spring. IIe was ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Erie on the 24th day of October, 1804, in connection with Poland, Ohio, one half his time in each. Difficul- ties having arisen in the congregation, he was released from his charge, September 13, 1809. The church was then vacant for nearly six years. The next pastor was Rev. James Wright, ordained and installed June 26, 1816, in connection with Poland. This connection con- tinued until 1831, when Westfield called Mr. Wright the whole of his time. He served Westfield until Jan- uary 12, 1842, when, on account of infirmity, he re- signed his charge. On the 30th of March, 1843, he entered into his rest, and was interred near the church where he had preached the Word for so many years.
The next pastor was Rev. Algernon Sydney MacMas- ter, D. D). He was installed, April 12, 1843, for the whole of his time. At his own request, he was released from his pastoral charge, November 9, 185 1.
The next pastor was Rev. Thomas G. Scott. He was ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Beaver,
1 Dr. Dilworth.
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PRESBYTERY OF ERIE.
September 8, 1857 ; released from his charge, June 19, 1860.
The present pastor, Rev. William M. Taylor, was raised in the bounds of the congregation, and was or- dained and installed June 12, 1861.
At the time of its organization, there were but twenty- two members ; there were, in 1867, two hundred and thirty-six. Numerous revivals have been enjoyed. The " falling exercise" was noticed to some extent. The first place of preaching was the grove. Walter and George Clark gave each an acre of ground for church purposes. Here a log-house was erected. Afterwards a frame building was erected, that served un til 1830, when a substantial brick edifice was erected. This gave place recently to the fine structure in which the people now worship. To this people the lines have fallen in pleasant places. It was under the care of the Presbytery of Erie until 1808, when the Presbytery of Beaver was erected.
PLAINGROVE.
TILIs congregation is in Mercer County, Pa., and was probably organized between 1796 and 1800. The first elders were William McNeel and Joseph Campbell.
The first pastor was Rev. William Wood (10). Hle was ordained and installed as pastor of Plaingrove and Center, November 3, 1802, by the Presbytery of Erie. Dr. McMillan was present, and by invitation, delivered the charges to the pastor and people. Hle was released from the pastoral charge of Plaingrove, October 7, 1816. During his pastorate, there were cases of the " falling exercise."
The next pastor was Rev. John Munson (28). He was ordained and installed as pastor, February 28,
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CHURCHES.
1818. He was released February 5, 1818. The pres- ent pastor, Rev. Robert B. Walker, D. D,, was ordained and installed April 2, 1839. The church had at that time a membership of one hundred and seventy-six. This church has been blessed with many revivals. It is now under the care of the Presbytery of Alleghany.
CENTER.
Tms church has much the same history as Plain- grove. First pastor, Rev. Wm. Wood ; installed, Novem- ber 3, 1802 ; released from his charge, August 24, 1808.
The second pastor was Rev. John Munson, ordained and installed February 25, 1818; released, June 28, 1859, after a pastorate of forty-one years. Ile was suc- ceeded by Rev. W. W. Mckinney, who was installed in 1861 ; pastoral relation dissolved in June, 1865. The present pastor is Rev. S. A. Hughes, installed on Tues- day preceding the first Sabbath of November, 1866. It is also under the care of the Presbytery of Alleghany.
UPPER GREENFIELD, afterwards MIDDLEBROOK.
Tins was one of the earliest churches organized in Erie County, Pa., and had the first church edifice erected in the county.1 It was organized in the year 1801, by Elisha Macurdy and Joseph Stockton. The first pastor was Rev. Robert Patterson (13). He was ordained and installed pastor, in connection with Lower Greenfield, or North East, by the Presbytery of Erie, on the Ist September, 1803. The pastoral relation was dissolved April 22, 1807. The next year it appears on the minutes as Middlebrook.
1 Miss Sanford's History, 171.
1
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For the next twenty years, this congregation appears to have been dependent on supplies sent by the Pres- bytery. The next pastor was Rev. Absalom MeCready (36), who was ordained and installed on the 14th of September, 1826, serving this church in connection with Union and Beaverdam. He was released from the charge of Middlebrook, September 11, 1833.
In the mean time, the village of Wattsburg had sprung up in the neighborhood, and in the year 1833 a church was organized there from the membership of Middlebrook, and from that time it began to decline. From 1846 to 1848, Rev. Pierce Chamberlain (38) frequently preached there ; but it continued to decline, until April 30, 1859, when a committee of Presbytery of the other branch dissolved the church and attached its members to Wattsburg. It was the second church organized in Erie County, and the first to erect a church edifice. An account of this edifice is given in another place. It was standing a few years ago, but in the last stages of dilapidation. The church organization and the old building decayed together, and soon the very place where the people worshipped God for sixty years, will have been forgotten. Thus the rushing hosts of the present trample over the sacred memorials of the past.
IIILANDS.
Tins church, in the neighborhood of Pittsburgh, once owed allegiance to the Presbytery of Erie. At the beginning of the present century, Rev. John An- drews, editor of the " Pittsburgh Recorder," and Rev. N. R. Snowden, preached there. It was probably or- ganized in 1800. Rev. Robert Patterson (13) acted as stated supply from 1807 to 1833. The first regular
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CHURCHES.
pastor was Rev. Joseph Reed, who was installed in 1834; released in 1839. In 1840, Rev. J. Watson Johnston was installed as pastor; released in 1849. Rev. James R. Smith was installed as pastor in October, 1851; released in 1854. The present pastor, Rev. M. L. Wortman, was ordained and installed as pastor in January, 1859, in connection with the church of Long Island. At the present time, the whole of Mr. Wort- man's time is given to the Hilands church. The name is derived from Robert Hilands, one of the prominent elders of the church, now gone to rest. It is now under the care of the Presbytery of Alleghany City.
LOWER GREENFIELD, now NORTH EAST.
THIS congregation is on the Lake Shore, in Erie County, Pa. It was organized by Elisha Maeurdy and Joseph Stockton, in 1801. The church was organized in the woods, and this continued to be the place of wor- ship for some time. The first pastor was Robert Pat- terson (13), ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Erie, September 1, 1803, for one third of his tine ; released from his pastoral charge, April 22, 1807. There was a long period succeeding this without a pas- tor. Rev. John MePherrin (16) supplied them for six months in 1812. Then Rev. Johnston Eaton (20) sup- plied them one fourth of his time in 1815-16. In 1818, Rev. Phineas Camp (29) supplied for a time; then Judah Ely, a licentiate, for a time.
The next pastor was Rev. Giles Doolittle (33). ITe was ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Erie, April 14, 1825 ; released from his charge September 14, 1832. The next pastor was Rev. W. A. Adair (46). Hle was ordained November 7, 1863; released from his
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