USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Uniontown > A history of Uniontown : the county seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania > Part 66
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Resolved, That common honesty, to say nothing of Chris- tian sincerity, requires that those who do not believe the Con- fession of Faith in the plain, obvious and common sense construction of its doctrines, should at once candidly declare their opinions and withdraw from the communion of the Pres- byterian church."
Up to the year 1830, only those who had tokens were ad- mitted to the communion table, but in that year the custom was abolished. These "tokens " were small leaden pieces the size of a small coin, and were distributed by the minister or elders to members whom they deemed worthy of partaking of the communion.
The first church edifice erected by the Presbyterians of Uniontown was on the lot donated by Jacob Beeson, the founder of the western part of the town, to the inhabitants of Jacob's Second Addition, to be devoted to any public useful pur- pose they might elect. This building was most probably begun in the spring of 1819, as the following notice was given, Sep- tember 9, of that year, "Joshua Hart gives notice that the new
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Presbyterian meeting house is so far progressed that three- fourths of the subscription fund are now due, and payment is re- quested." Mr. Hart gives further notice, "That subscribers to the Presbyterian meeting house are requested to pay on or before July 15, 1820, or their subscriptions will be placed in the hands of Thomas Hadden, Esq., for collection." This building has been described as a plain, neat, one-story brick, about 30 x 50 feet in size, without steeple or ornament, standing back from and the gable fronting toward Morgantown street. It would appear that the arrangement of this house was not satisfactory, as on December 27, 1825, proposals were advertised for to be received by February 1, 1826, for taking off the roof of the Presby- terian church; of reducing it to one story of sixteen feet; doing the necessary repairs to the brick work, and putting on a new roof. Or, for taking off the roof; taking down and rebuilding so much of the brick work as deemed necessary to its present height and putting on a new roof. Or, for the residue of the whole work completing the building to two stories. Or, for enclosing the building after it is roofed at one or two stories, and for laying the floor or floors. Much dissension arose as to this use of the public grounds, and one gentleman was prose- cuted and held under bond for tearing down the fence that sur- rounded the church. This church was completed and dedicated in January, 1827, and cost about $3,000. A new site was pur- chased from Isaac Wood, on Church street and the construction of the second church edifice was begun in 1836, and completed in 1838, upon which the first building was removed from the public grounds. This second church was 50 x 75 feet in size, and stood back from the street; it had an open vestibule in which were stairways leading to the auditorium; tall windows furnished light to both basement and auditorium and the build- ing was surmounted by a belfry, this building cost about $5,500.
Mr. Stoneroad began his pastorate in the first building and was the first pastor in this new one. He resigned this charge April 14, 1842, and subsequently spent twenty-eight years as pastor at Laurel Hill, and was in the ministry altogether nearly fifty years.
Mr. Stoneroad was succeeded here by Rev. Andrew Ferrier, D. D., a Scotchman, who came as a supply, and on November 29, 1842, he was installed as pastor. He was said to be ortho-
GEN. EPHRAIM DOUGLASS.
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dox as to the Westminster confession of faith, but his brogue made him hard to understand. He resigned August 6, 1844.
Rev. Griffith Owen, a Welshman was installed as pastor June 26, 1845. He is said to have been good " when he applied himself." He resigned November 11, 1847, and went to Balti- more, and died January 4, 1870. Rev. Moses Allen Williams was installed November 20, 1849, having labored as stated sup- ply since February ; this was technically his first and last pas- torial charge, as he resigned in 1852, and went to South Amer- ica. Rev. James H. Callen was installed April 27, 1853, and resigned April 10, 1855. He is said to have been a very pleasant Irishman; that his sermons were brief, finished in bright style and well read. He accepted a call to a church in the East.
Rev. William Ferguson Hamilton, having served as supply from October, 1855, was installed as pastor May 13, 1856. Dur- ing Mr. Hamilton's pastorate the church building was damaged by fire in April, 1857, to such an extent that it was deemed ad- visable to erect a new and larger one, proposals for the building of which were received until April 2, 1858, and the erection of a new church soon commenced. This was of brick, two stories, 47 x 75 feet in size and semi-gothic in style and cost about $10,000. This church was dedicated April 10, 1860. Mr. Hamilton was an able scholar, a fearless preacher and a Christian gentleman. His wife was the daughter of Isaac Bee- son, then the leading merchant of the town. He resigned May 31, 1866, after a pastorate of ten years. He subsequently filled the chair of intellectual philosophy and ethics in Washington and Jefferson college. He dedicated two sons to the ministry, and ended his useful career March 2, 1899, aged 75 years.
Rev. Walter W. Ralston was called to succeed Mr. Hamil- ton and was installed as pastor April 28, 1867, at a salary of $1,200 and parsonage free. He occupied the residence next east of the church. He resigned October 1, 1873, and went to Xenia, Ohio. Rev. Samuel S. Gilson was installed as pastor May 1, 1874, coming here from Bowling Green, Ky. During Mr. Gil- son's pastorate a brick parsonage was erected on North Gal- latin avenue into which Mr. Gilson moved. Work on this parsonage was begun in September, 1875, and the building was completed the following year, at a cost of $4,200. It soon be- came apparent that the parsonage was inconveniently located, and in 1879, it was sold and is now the home of the Misses
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Richie. Mr. Gilson resigned this charge in June, 1879, and be- came connected with the Pittsburgh Banner.
Rev. Alexander S. Milholland came from Brownsville and began his services as pastor here May 9, 1880, and was installed the 15th of June following. During Dr. Milholland's pastorate the fourth church edifice was erected. A lot on the southwest corner of West Fayette and Morgantown streets was purchased from Hon. Samuel E. Ewing, fronting 94 feet on Morgantown street and running back 150 feet, for $13,500. In September, 1893, the old church property was sold for $14,000, the congre- gation still holding possession until September 2, 1894, at which time the last service was held in the old church, after which time joint meetings were held in the Methodist Episcopal church until the lecture room of the new edifice was ready for occupancy, January 27, 1895, and here services were held until March 1, 1896.
Work was begun on the new structure in January, 1894, the first foundation stone was laid April 22, and the corner- stone was laid with appropriate ceremony June 16th, by Rev. Dr. Thomas N. Boyle of the Methodist Episcopal church, who made the address on account of the inability of Dr. W. W. Ralston, a former pastor, to be present. The dedicatorial sermon was delivered by Rev. D. C. Marquis, D. D., LL. D. of McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, assisted by Rev. J. M. Maxwell, D. D., of Monongahela, March 8, 1896. This fine structure was built of hard-burnt brick veneered with Cleveland sandstone and in structure and style is not supposed to be surpassed in Western Pennsylvania. The pinnacle extends 150 feet above the sidewalk, and the whole structure is finished in the most approved manner. The chapel will seat 500 and the auditorium 600. The magnificent pipe organ is a donation from Hon. Nathaniel Ewing. The cost of this new structure alone was $150,000.
In 1886, the congregation purchased a lot on the east side of Morgantown street and thereon erected a brick parsonage at a cost of $6,000 into which Dr. Milholland moved upon its completion. Dr. Milholland tendered his resignation on May 28, 1905; but it was not accepted until at a meeting held on September following, when his resignation was accepted and at the same meeting he was elected pastor emeritus at a salary of $1,200 and parsonage free. This was the same amount of his
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salary on which he was called here, but in 1896, his salary was increased to $2,500 and parsonage free. Up to this time Dr. Milholland had served this congregation most faithfully and ably for more than a quarter of a century. He died suddenly of heart failure at the parsonage October 10, 1906, and after service in the church, his remains, accompanied by several friends, were deposited by the side of those of his wife at Bucyrus, Ohio.
Rev. William Hamilton Spence, D. D., Litt. D., came from Galesburg, Ill., in response to a call from this congregation, and was installed as pastor August 12, 1906.
In 1907 a new manse was begun on the southern part of the lot, and in 1908 it was ready for occupancy. This building was constructed of buff brick, the floors laid upon re-enforced con- crete, and the whole structure is finished in the most substantial manner.
CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN OR SECOND PRESBYTERIAN.
This congregation was organized September 14, 1893, with fifty-six members who had withdrawn from the First Presby- terian church. Rev. Seth R. Gordon was called as their first pastor, who took charge January 7, 1894. The congregation worshiped in the Commercial building on Church street until September 9, 1894. The old First Presbyterian church prop- erty on Church street was bought and many repairs were added, but about the time the repairs were completed, the building took fire on Monday night, November 12, 1894, and completely de- stroyed. The congregation repaired to the Grand Opera house and there held their services during the erection of the present house of worship, a part of which was ready for occupancy November 3, 1895. The tenth anniversary of the organization of the congregation, and also of the pastorate of Dr. Gordon were celebrated at the same time as the dedication of the new church edifice, Sunday October 25, 1903. After a faithful pastorate of twelve years Dr. Gordon resigned his charge, Sun- day, May 7, 1906, accepting a call from a church at Okmulgee, Indian Territory.
Dr. Gordon had been granted a year's vacation before his resignation and Rev. Edgar W. Day was engaged to supply the pulpit during Dr. Gordon's absence. Rev. Day closed his year
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here July 29th, his term of one year expiring September 1st, he was granted one month's vacation.
Rev. W. Scott Bowman accepted a call from this congrega- tion and was installed as its pastor January 3, 1907. Dr. Bow- man came from Brownsville where he had served his first pas- torate for fourteen years.
At a meeting of this congregation held September 20, 1903, the name was changed from that of the Central Presbyterian to that of the Second Presbyterian church, which action was ratified at the following meeting of Redstone presbytery.
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
In the beginning of the nineteenth century a great and glorious revival of religion originated in the states of Kentucky and Tennessee under the pious labors of Rev. James McGready and other Presbyterian ministers. The labors were great and the laborers were few, and the Macedonian cry went forth, " come over and help us." Some three or four young men of piety and talent offered their services to the Master and were set apart to prepare discourses and present them to Transyl- vania Presbytery, in which the revival occurred. These young men were licensed in October, 1802, after warm opposition from some members of the presbytery, on account of their not having a classical education. This action on the part of some members of the presbytery was thought to be justifiable on account of the exigency of the case. The matter was carried up to Synod which body condemned the action of presbytery, and the case was carried to the general assembly, which body sustained the action of Synod, and those who had been licensed and those who had been ordained along with those who had participated in this innovation, were silenced from the ministry. This griev- ance was carried on until 1810, when Revs. Samuel McDow, Finnis Ewing and Samuel King constituted themselves into a presbytery under the name of Cumberland presbytery, but not with the original design of forming a new denomination. The bulk of the Westminster confession of faith was retained, and the same form of government was adopted, recanting, however, the doctrine of fatality as they believed to be taught under the doctrine of predestination. The doctrines adopted by this presbytery were: 1st, That there are no eternal reprobates. 2nd, That Christ died not for a part only, but for all mankind.
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3rd, That all infants, dying in infancy, are saved through Christ and the sanctification of the Spirit. 4th, That the Spirit of God operates on the world, or as coextensive as Christ has made the atonement, in such a manner as to leave all men inexcusable.
Here was a departure in two important things: 1st, The induction into the ministry of individuals who had not a classical education. 2nd, The renunciation of the doctrine of a limited atonement as set forth in the tenth chapter of the Westminster confession of faith.
Cumberland presbytery, with all its candidates and licen- tiates, was cited to appear before a commission, and to surrender all the men whom it licensed and ordained for re-examination, with which demand they refused to comply and severed their connection with the general assembly. In 1813, a synod, com- prising three presbyteries, was formed out of Cumberland pres- bytery; and the Westminster confession of faith, with certain modifications, as before recited, was adopted as the confession of faith of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. A general as- sembly was formed and met for the first time in Princeton, Ky., in the year 1829, at which time there were churches of this de- nomination in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Illi- nois and Missouri.
In response to an urgent invitation from some prominent individuals, three ministers of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination rode from Tennessee on horseback to Washing- ton county, in 1830, where their labors were crowned with suc- cess. In December of 1831, a series of meetings was held in the court house in Uniontown by Revs. A. M. Bryan and Milton Bird, which were continued in January and February, follow- ing, and closed auspiciously.
In the year 1832, a church of this denomination was estab- lished and regularly organized. The names of the organizers, unfortunately, have been omitted from the records; but the first names that appear with dates of admission are Sabina Campbell, Dr. Lewis Marchand, Sarah Marchand and Anna Mariah McCall, who were admitted on the 23rd of December, 1832. The first pastor to serve the church was Rev. Milton Bird, who acted as supply until 1834. The first report to presbytery, in April, 1833, gave the membership as 216.
On Tuesday, August 6, 1833, the corner-stone of a new church edifice was laid on a lot on Church street.
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This building was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies, September 13, 1834, by Rev. John Morgan, who had succeeded Rev. Bird, as regular pastor, and who served this congregation most ably and devoutly for seven years. Too much cannot be said in praise of Rev. Morgan, as he was held in the highest veneration, not only by the members of his own church, but by the community at large. He was known to con- duct service with a fly blister across his brow and his head bandaged for the relief of pain. He was compelled to resign his charge on account of failing health, and he died at his home at the east end of town, where the residence of Harold L. Robinson, Esq., now stands, October 15, 1841, and was interred in the church yard in the rear of the church, and when the building was remodeled in 1908, the remains were inclosed in a cement block and buried in front of the church. Rev. Isaac Shook was called to succeed Rev. Morgan and assumed charge January 1, 1843, but resigned soon after. In March, 1843, a call was extended to Rev. John Thomas Alexander Henderson, who accepted and became pastor May 15, 1843, and remained as such until 1847, after which Rev. Milton Bird again served as supply until Rev. L. H. Lowry became pastor on the second Sabbath of April, 1847, and who continued until the spring of 1849 from which time Rev. A. D. Bryce occupied the pulpit as supply until the first of July, 1849, when Rev. Hiram A. Hunter became pastor and remained until November 1, 1852. Rev. S. E. Hudson became pastor April 1, 1853, and served just one year, when he was succeeded, without intermission, by Rev. John Cary who preached until January 17, 1857. On August 30, 1858, a call was extended to Rev. Isaac Newton Biddle, who became pastor in November of that year and remained until August 1, 1866, when he resigned. He was immediately suc- ceeded by Rev. Alexander D. Hail who served until May 26, 1869. A year later, in the spring of 1870, Rev. George A. Flower accepted the pastorate, and resigned in May, 1872, after which Rev. J. H. Coulter filled the pulpit as supply until Rev. Henry Melville was called as pastor and who began his services November 29, 1872, and who after serving for six years, re- signed April 1, 1879. He was succeeded by Rev. Walter H. Baugh as supply, under whose incumbency, 1881, the old church was torn away and the second structure erected. Rev. W. S. Danley was called in April, 1883, and resigned in 1886. He
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was succeeded by Rev. H. C. Bird, the son of Rev. Milton Bird, a former pastor, who served as pastor from October, 1886, to November 2, 1902.
Rev. J. D. Gold, D. D., was called to the pastorate of this church in 1904, and through whose efforts and under whose ad- ministration Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Semans generously donated $25,000 toward the remodeling of the church building. Through failing health, Dr. Gold was compelled to resign his charge here and seek his health.
Rev. T. M. Thompson, D. D., received a call to succeed Dr. Gold and assumed his duties as pastor April 1, 1910, and was installed in May, following. .
A congregational meeting was held in the church on Wed- nesday evening, March 29, 1911, at which it was decided to change the name of the congregation from that of the Cumber- land Presbyterian to that of the Third Presbyterian. The union of the Cumberland Presbyterian church with that of the mother church was effected in May, 1906.
METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.
About the year 1824, the subject of mutual rights and lay delegation began to agitate the minds of members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. At the Baltimore annual conference in Winchester and at the general conference at Baltimore the subject was warmly discussed, and a spirit of unrest became apparent. Several of the ministers espoused what they termed the reform movement and organized a new conference at Cin- cinnati in October, 1829.
In the fall of 1830, several members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Uniontown withdrew from its communion, and at a meeting held in the court house, were organized into a class of the Methodist Protestant denomination by Rev. Zachariah Ragan. The class was composed of the following named members: John Phillips, Polly Phillips, Joseph Phil- lips, Rebecca Phillips, Mary Ann Phillips, Mary Lewis, Wil- liam Ebert, Walter Ebert, Howell Phillips, and Eliza Phillips. In 1840, a lot was purchased of John Phillips on the corner of now South Beeson avenue and Church street, and soon there- after a small brick meeting house was erected thereon. This building was plastered and finished by the members of the Episcopal church, and seats constructed from planks in which
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the spokes of old stage-coach wheels were inserted, and the two denominations worshipped here until the St. Peter's church edifice was built.
A congregation was organized in 1832, with Moses Scott as first pastor and was supplied by itinerant preachers until it became a station with Rev. John Scott as first pastor, and since which the congregation has been served by able and earnest ministers. In 1894 this congregation erected a neat and modern house of worship under the pastorate of Rev. William H. Gladden.
This congregation erected a nine-roomed frame parsonage on Pennsylvania avenue in 1913, and Rev. Ivan Wilson, their pastor, was the first tenant.
This congregation have in contemplation the erection of a new and larger church edifice.
ST. PETER'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Near the close of the year 1837, Rev. I. I. Kerr, deacon, held an Episcopal service in the Presbyterian church in this town, and in July, following, a meeting was held for the estab- lishment of an Episcopal church here, and a number of citizens were chosen to act as vestrymen. The first regular service was held in the court house, and subsequently in the unfinished meeting house built by the Methodist Protestant congregation. Rev. J. J. McIlhenny was called to the rectorate and served for a time when he was succeeded by Rev. W. W. Arnett, dur- in whose incumbency the congregation worshipped in the Methodist Protestant building.
In 1842, a church building was erected on a lot of ground procured from Mr. L. W. Stockton, on Morgantown street, under the directions of the following vestrymen: L. W. Stock- ton, Daniel Smith, Daniel Huston, Dr. A. H. Campbell, William P. Wells, John Sowers and R. P. Flenniken, the two last as wardens. This first structure was an inexpensive brick build- ing and plastered on the outside, and was consecrated under the name of Saint Peter, by Bishop Onderdonk. A communion set was donated to the congregation by friends in Philadelphia.
Rev. Arnett resigned in 1844, and was immediately suc- ceeded by Rev. S. W. Crampton, who, in turn, resigned in May, 1845, after which James McIlvaine, a vestryman, held service as lay reader for nearly a year, until March 1, 1846, when Rev.
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Norris M. Jones took charge of the parish until October, 1848, and in November of the same year he was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Lawson, during whose incumbency the administrator of L. W. Stockton demanded a settlement of the deferred pay- ments on the lot on which the church was built, and for moneys advanced. This was a severe blow on the congregation, and came like thunder from a clear sky. The lot, it had been under- stood by many of the congregation, was the generous gift of Mr. Stockton, who had been so liberal and active in the affairs of the church; but had they examined the deed as recorded in Deed Book No. 11, page 134, their minds would have been dis- abused as to the matter. The vestry and the administrator of Mr. Stockton's estate agreed upon a settlement, January 19, 1858, and the debt of $1,200 was, with much difficulty, finally paid.
Rev. Lawson resigned the rectorate in 1849, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. Dr. Rawson who had charge of the parish until 1851, when he was succeeded by Rev. Theodore S. Romney, who resigned the charge in 1855, and was succeeded by Rev. Hanson T. Wilcoxson, who resigned in November, 1856.
In July, 1857, Rev. Faber Byllesby, then a deacon, took charge of the parish until August, 1859, after which Revs. John Leithead, Jubal Hodges and others conducted service until early in April, 1862, at which time Rev. Richard S. Smith was called and took charge of the parish. He had also under his charge Trinity church at New Haven, St. Paul's at Mount Braddock, and Grace church in Menallen township. He was subsequently relieved of Trinity and St. Paul's, but for twelve years he gave service at Grace church in the afternoon of each Lord's day until 1874, from which time until 1881, that church was sup- plied by other ministers, when Rector Smith again resumed charge of both congregations, the duties of which he most ably and acceptably discharged until his sudden and unexpected death, May 13, 1892.
During the rectorate of Rev. R. S. Smith St. Peter's congre- gation purchased a brick parsonage on Morgantown street which was occupied as such until the death of Rector Smith, after which it was sold at public sale to Mrs. Jennie G. Thorndell.
Rector Smith was succeeded by Rev. John R. Wightman who took charge November 1, 1892, and after a faithful and ac- ceptable service, resigned March 20, 1898, and was succeeded
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by Rev. J. S. Lightburn who was called April 1, 1898, and as- sumed charge in November following. He resigned December 1, 1902, and was succeeded by Rev. Dr. Frederick E. J. Lloyd who was called March 26, 1893, and assumed charge in June following. A fine new rectory was built in 1905, during Dr. Lloyd's rectorate on a lot donated by the heirs of Honorable Samuel A. Gilmore, on Ben Lomond street, at a cost of $12,000. Dr. Lloyd offered his resignation December 31, 1906, to take effect February 1, 1907, which was accepted. Rev. Frederick W. Beekman was called to succeed Dr. Lloyd and preached the introductory sermon of his rectorate October 6, 1907. Rev. Beekman resigned his rectorate here to accept a call as dean of the Cathedral of the Nativity at South Bethlehem. He held his last service here May 11, 1913. The vestry of St. Peters, on May 20th, extended a call to Rev. Albert Neilson Slayton to fill the rectorship made vacant by the resignation of Rev. Beekman. He took formal charge of this parish September 28, 1913.
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