USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Church of the Brethren in the middle district of Pennsylvania > Part 17
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 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46
Some items of helpfulness :
Parsonage Fund
$1,623.34
Frescoing the church.
235.00
First Church Building.
70.00
Ida Himmelsbaugh
9.15
Forward Movement 30.00
Quinter Memorial Hospital, India.
20.00
Piano Fund 25.00
One share Quinter Memorial Fund at Juniata. 10.00
John B. Brumbaugh Bible Fund.
10.00
Bethany Bible School. 12.50
Mercy Hospital
10.00
American Fund
10.00
China Mission
5.00
Old Folks Home.
5.00
Clothing, flowers, etc.
25.00
241
A History of the Church of the Brethren
On March 22, 1922 the sisters thinking that an Aid Society con- forming fully to the District Organization might prove beneficial, met in the church and organized a regular society. Officers; presi- dent, Mrs. Martha A. Brumbaugh; vice-president, Mrs. Nettie Glass; secretary, Mrs. Minnie Replogle; treasurer, Mrs. Nannie Hite. In addition to gathering clothing and food and distributing to the poor of the city, making quilts and hats for the needy, the society has been able to raise $267.00, part of which is distributed as follows :
Virginia Home $15.00
Old Folks Home. 5.00
Parsonage Fund 125.00
242
CHAPTER VI
Warriors Mark Congregation and Its Growth in Huntingdon and Blair Counties
17,80
1800
1820
1840
1860
1880
19,00
1920
1800
Warriors Mark
1907
Juniata Park
1897.
Bellwood
1894
Tyrone
1883
Glenhope Miss.
WARRIORS MARK
Present Membership, 40.
" This is a congregation of members northeast from Tyrone in the northwestern part of Huntingdon County, so isolated from the other congregations of the District that boundary lines seemed unnecessary. It originally had members in Warriors Mark, Tuckaho, Bald Eagle and Sinking Valleys. Our people owned quite a number of the most fertile farms, especially in Warriors Mark. How early the first members located here cannot be as- certained for records have not been kept. But among others the names Beck, Nearhoof, Autelberger, Grazier, Spanogle, Buck and Grain may be mentioned. The fact that movable partitions are found in some of the older houses where brethren lived, points to the conclusion that services were held in different homes in earlier days. " Tradition insists that John Spanogle and Henry Nearhoof were their first ministers. It is probable that one of these brethren was still living when Jacob Beck
* Aside from quotations, the reader is indebted to Walter E. Cox for inforr ation in this sketch.
243
A History of the Church of the Brethren
was called to the ministry in 1833 because shortly after his election the care of the church fell upon his shoulders and remained until Graybill Myers moved into Tuckaho Valley in 1851. But both brethren Myers and Samuel Cox, the latter called to the ministry October 15, 1856, lived so far from the main body of members that the care of the church was to a great extent neglected.
" From all accounts there never was a formal organiza- tion. The oldest minister was elder and that was all that was needed to direct the flock.
" The members, however, had strong faith in their cause, for Jacob Beck in 1856 deeded to the congregation a plot of ground on the corner of his farm next to the cross roads and the members put up a good house 40 x 40 feet, well preserved and in use to-day.
" There was included in the membership some of the best and most thrifty citizens of the valleys, but they were scattered and the minister was growing old and church matters were not receiving much attention. While the young people were indoctrinated in a general way they were not gathered in.
In 1865 Henry R. Holsinger began the publication of the 'Christian Family Companion' in Tyrone, a city within the bounds of this congregation. The year fol- lowing the church called him to the ministry. James A. Sell worked in this printing office and these two min- isters gave a new lease to the life of the church. The same year the Sunday-school was started. The attend- ance at church service was increased and quite a number of new members were added to the church. In 1868, James A. Sell withdrew from the eitorial staff of the paper and was succeeded by J. W. Beer, which left the ministerial force the same.
" In 1871, Brother Holsinger moved his printing plant to Myersdale, Pennsylvania. Brother Sell had left before this, and their departure reduced the working force of the congregation."-James A. Sell.
Record in the form of minutes for this congregation begins with October 23, 1869, but no name is signed to them until ten years later (Sept. 27, 1897), when a reor- ganization appointed Even Nearhoof treasurer and Solo- mon S. Gray secretary.
244
Tev. U.N. Hoover
Mr& Mrs. Jeremiah Neer hoof Mr &Mrs. ]. S.Cox
Henry Crain
Mary ann Verhoor
Mr& Mrs. Dorsey Chronister
THE WARRIORS MARK CHURCH.
A History of the Church of the Brethren
Joseph W. Wilt held the first revival in June, 1877, when thirty-six were added to the church. Two years later he located as a self-supporting pastor and had the joy of seeing the membership increase from about fifty to one hundred and twenty-five in the five years he was with them. During his administration the church was completely remodeled.
" Complaint had been lodged against " a certain min- ister because he "was delinquent in his ministerial duties " and a committee was appointed (Oct. 2, 1880) to visit him and ask him " to clear himself of the charge before communion meeting." At this same meeting notices not to use tobacco in the house of God were ordered put up. The congregation decided (Aug. 13, 1881) to have only two councils each year instead of quarterly as before. This continued until 1896 when it returned to quarterly councils again.
The "Record of the Faithful "* states that this con- gregation was organized in 1800 with twelve members; that in 1881-1882 it had one house, date of erection not known then, and a membership of 126. Solomon M. Cox was bishop; he had as his co-laborers in the ministry Conrad Imler, Samuel S. Gray and Joseph W. Wilt.
The congregation voted (April 26, 1884) to adopt the single mode of feetwashing. What effect the Progressive movement had on the congregation is not stated, but a request to let them hold meetings in the Cross Roads house was declined (Aug. 20, 1884) "almost unani- mously." Evidently there was a prayer meeting con- ducted for some time, for at the meeting, May 1, 1886, " there was considerable said about prayer meeting and the coldness and delinquency of the Brethren in their duties."
At the spring council (April 14, 1888) the congrega- tion instructed its delegates to District Meeting to favor the church name "Brethren " instead of "Tunker or German Baptist " and to vote in favor of the Old Folks Home. Order at the lovefeasts was a problem with this congregation and it appointed (Oct. 4, 1890) a brother to keep order with instructions "in case of bad conduct
* Published by Howard Miller in 1882.
246
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
that the parties be dealt with according to the laws of the commonwealth."
At a council meeting held April 29, 1893, rules govern- ing the congregation were adopted. The duties of the respective offices of secretary, treasurer, trustees and missionary solicitors are quite complete and then some regulations for members, two of which are unique but very helpful. Fourth, " Members are not allowed to visit on the Sabbath in preference to attending church. See Exodus 16:23; Hebrews 10:25." Fifth, "Gossiping, backbiting and revealing business that has been done at council meeting, 1 Timothy 5: 13, is forbidden."
" About this time a series of unfortunate events mili- tated greatly against the influence of the church and it began to decline. Deaths and removals added to the re- verses to such an extent that the membership was re- duced to a mere handful " (James A. Sell). Under these trying conditions, the problem of being supplied with ministerial help the congregation tried to solve ; but after trying out a plan or two, the congregation decided (April 2, 1898) "to ask the District Mission Board to take entire charge . . . agreeing at the same time that the Board shall not be at any expense thereby."
"Repairing the church, purchasing matting and blinds " was ordered (Feb. 23, 1901), and two years later (Aug. 29, 1903) Young People's Meetings were approved by the majority and the same were organized by electing Walter E. Cox, president and Nancy Chronister, treas- urer. As a last resort they placed themselves under the care of the District Mission Board and preaching was supplied from Tyrone City Church. In 1920, William N. Hoover purchased a farm and began Christian work as well. The outlook at present is very much more hopeful.
Ministers as far as known who labored in this congregation :
John Spanogle. * Joseph W. Beer
Henry Nearhoof. William H. Quinn
Jacob Beck 1833
Jacob Musselman
1876
Samuel S. Gray.
1877
* Graybill Myers
Samuel Cox 1854
* Joseph W. Wilt.
Conrad Imler
* James A. Sell.
John H. Law ..
1885
Henry Holsinger
1866
William N. Hoover
* Elected elsewhere.
247
A History of the Church of the Brethren
Deacons : date not known, Evan Nearhoof, John Buck; 1872, James Cox; 1877, Jeremiah Nearhoof ; 1878, John Eyer; 1902, Ben- jamin F. Nearhoof; 1903, Abraham C. Nearhoof; 1906, William Hitchings, Walter C. Cox, Dorsey Chronister.
SUNDAY-SCHOOL
The first school was organized in 1865, Evan Nearhoof being appointed superintendent. On October 15, 1878, Dr. Myers and Samuel S. Gray represented the school at the Spring Run Conven- tion and reported an average attendance of 60. In 1898 the school reported : average, 34; raised $19.14, of which $1.00 went to mis- sions ; "evergreen." In 1904 it reported average, 33; five teachers; raised $32.45, of which $8.00 went to missions and charity; one conversion.
Superintendents : 1865-'75, Evan Nearhoof; 1875-'77, Jeremiah Nearhoof ; 1878-'84, Samuel S. Gray; 1885-'86, Benjamin F. Near- hoof ; 1887-'89, John Law; 1890-'91, Evan Nearhoof; 1892, William Hitchings ; 1893-'96, Abraham Nearhoof; 1897-'98, George Near- hoof ; 1899-'00, Abraham Nearhoof; 1901-'24, Walter E. Cox.
GLENHOPE*
About 1881 Joseph W. Wilt received a letter from James Quinter stating that John B. Wampler of Blanco (Pa.) had visited Glen Hope, a village about thirty miles northwest from Warriors Mark, and baptized a father and son. Perhaps at the time no members save brother Tick- erhoof and wife lived in the territory. There was no district mission board then, but Brother Quinter was. eager that the spiritual wants of these people be supplied and Brother Wilt, living at the time in the Warriors Mark Congregation, was always ready to do all he could to answer such appeals even when he had an overload at the time. For two years, every four weeks, usually by horse and buggy the trip was made across the mountain -from 60 to 70 miles each time and the Word was preached faithfully and received most heartily. Revivals were held and a number gathered into the fold. On Sep- tember 2, 1883, James Quinter dedicated a good house of worship that cost $1,500.00. There were about forty members living in the territory. The outlook was prom- ising to build up a strong congregation. At the district meeting of 1885 the following petition was granted: "In
* To Joseph W. Wilt the reader is indebted for the information in this sketch.
248
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
consequence of the fact that Glenhope and surroundings are worthy of the consideration of the Brotherhood, the Altoona Church asks the District Meeting to recommend it to the Mission Board."
Glenhope is on the dividing line between Middle and Western Districts of Pennsylvania. Both districts con- tributed to build the house, the former perhaps giving the larger amount. The work apparently was kept up by Middle District for no account is found to the contrary until 1894 when the following was presented: "It was decided by the District Meeting of May 19, 1886, that John S. Holsinger, of the Western District of Pennsyl- vania, should confer with said district as to where Glen- hope belongs, and submit a report to the next District Meeting of Middle Pennsylvania. But no report was submitted. It is now reported that said mission is neg- lected." This petition from the Altoona church was re- ferred to the District Mission Board.
Then, at the District Meeting of 1900, the following is recorded : "The Mission Board reported that as letters addressed to the District Meeting of last year from the Glenhope Church had been referred to them, they report as follows: The Middle District of Pennsylvania has re- linquished their claim on the Glenhope Mission as long as the Mission Board of Western District will care ยท for it."
Evidently it was the wish of the Glenhope members to be attached to the Western District and this was granted. About 1897, the Glenhope house was torn down and rebuilt one-half mile from Five Points and all that was left of the Glenhope Mission was included in what is now called the Chess Creek congregation of Western Pennsylvania.
TYRONE*
Present Membership, 114.
" The city of Tyrone is the birthplace of the brother- hood's first weekly paper, the 'Christian Family Com- panion.' The publication began on May 10, 1864, Henry
* To J. W. Fyock the reader is indebted for most of the information of this sketch.
249
A History of the Church of the Brethren
R. Holsinger editor and proprietor. Later he fitted up a hall for mission and Sunday-school purposes but the project did not prove very successful and it was discon- tinued when he moved his paper to Myersdale, (Pa.) in 1871."
About fifteen years later, Samuel S. Gray held preach- ing services in the home of Harvey N. Stewart, corner of Hamilton Avenue and Thirteenth Street. Then in 1890 the little mission was moved to the second floor of a building known as Goheen's Hall, corner of Columbia Avenue and 21st Street. " Inasmuch as he could not follow up the work as it should be done, he turned it over to John B. Brumbaugh of Huntingdon, who, at his own expense, ministered to the wants of the mission for over two years. Finally at his suggestion the District Mis- sion Board assumed the mission and on June 24, 1894, in the presence of James A. Sell, William J. Swigart, John B. Brumbaugh and Samuel S. Gray, the members were regularly organized into a congregation." James A. Sell.
The District Mission Board assumed the charge in February, 1894. "From the commencement of the work there up to May 1, 1895, there were five received by bap- tism and an organization formed of nineteen members." * The following are charter members, as recorded on their minutes: Albert Garland and wife Annie, Benjamin F. Cox and wife Catherine, Mary Grazier, George B. Laird and wife Elizabeth, Harvey N. Stewart and wife Maggie.
Because under the care of the District Mission Board, no bishop was chosen. By ballot Harvey N. Stewart be- came secretary and Albert B. Garland treasurer.
The Board continued supervision and for $300.00 pur- chased a lot, corner of Adams Avenue and 18th Street, on April 30, 1894. The deed is made to Samuel G. Rupert, president, John B. Brumbaugh, secretary ; Albert O. Dilling, treasurer-Committee Home Missions Ger- man Baptist Church Central Pennsylvania, and their successors in office.t
A good brick church 32 x 47 feet, without basement, was erected during the winter and spring of 1895. The
* Minutes of District Meeting, May 8, 1895 held at New Enterprise.
t Copied from deed in care of John C. Swigart. Deed recorded in Vol. 103, p. 102 of Blair County.
250
Mr. COBeery Parsonage Mis CO Beery
Mr& Mrs. B. J. Cox. Mr.& Mrs.Je Miller
Mr. & Mrs. H.N. Stewart
Rev. J.W. Fyoch Church MisJel Fyock
ABOVE: Tyrone Parsonage. BELOW : The Tyrone Church.
A History of the Church of the Brethren
house, including furnishings and all, cost $1,632.89 and was dedicated May 5, 1895, with a debt of $547.21 .* "The house was crowded with listeners " at 3 p. m. when " Samuel Cox announced the opening hymn." Joseph W. Wilt led in the opening prayer. Martin G. Brumbaugh preached the dedication sermon. Theme, " Joy in Wor- shiping God." Text, Psalm 122. William J. Swigart " made a brief, dignified appeal for funds to help liquidate " the debt and $225.00 was subscribed. " John B. Brumbaugh led in the closing prayer and made the announcements. Levi Stoner assisted in the services."
Ministers from Huntingdon filled the pulpit for the congregation until April 1, 1897, when Walter S. Long and wife, from the Aughwick congregation located and took full pastoral charge.
"A Young People's Meeting to be held on Sunday evening before preaching service " was (Oct. 30, 1897) decided upon.
During the pastorate of Charles O. Beery, 108 were re- ceived into the church by baptism and though still under the partial support of the District Mission Board, the congregation purchased and paid for $3,000.00 parsonage.
Bishops who presided: John B. Brumbaugh, from organization; Harry A. Spanogle, Jan. 1, 1918; Charles O. Beery, April 2, 1922.
Pastors who served and date each began :
Walter S. Long April 1, 1897
Theodore R. Coffman. .Nov. 1, 1900
William Howe April 1, 1904
Charles O. Beery April 1, 1905
David P. Hoover. July 1, 1913
William H. Ulrich. . Jan. 1, 1923
James W. Fyock. since June 10, 1923
Ministers elected :
Sanford J. Weston June 20, 1913
Charles L. Cox. . June 20, 1913
Deacons : elected June 12, 1897, Benjamin F. Cox, James C. Mil- ler, Harvey N. Stewart; 1898, L. E. Conway, Philip P. Ray, Cimious A. Beckwith; 1911, Joseph Swayne; moved in, Henry L. Hershberger, William W. Hitchings.
* Minutes of District Meeting, May 8, 1895, held at New Enterprise.
252
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
SUNDAY-SCHOOL
Sunday-school was started in 1868 and conducted a few years and discontinued. It was begun again in 1894 with the following or- ganization : Harvey N. Stewart, superintendent; Elizabeth Ginter, secretary and Albert Garland, treasurer. At the 1898 convention the school reported : enrollment, 150; average, 90; raised $46.50, of which $3.31 went to missions; two conversions; "evergreen." In 1904 : enrollment, 106; average, 57; seven teachers; raised $118.78, of which $12.00 went to missions and charity; ten conversions ; teachers meetings and home department. April 13, 1904 the follow- ing organization was made: the pastor, William M. Howe, superin- tendent ; James C. Miller, assistant; Mabel Miller, secretary; Edith Howe, treasurer.
Superintendents : 1904-'05, William M. Howe; 1906-'08, Charles O. Beery ; 1909, W. F. Bigler ; 1910, Cimious A. Beckwith; 1911-'12, Mrs. John Stapleton; 1913-'16, Charles L. Cox; 1917, Park Ray; 1918-'21, George V. Fagley ; 1922, Park Ray; 1923, David T. Solley ; 1924, George V. Fagley.
SISTERS AID SOCIETY
While Walter S. Long was pastor his wife Alice organized an Aid Society. She was made president and Jane McClain secretary and treasurer. They quilted, made aprons and sunbonnets and with the proceeds of their labors purchased matting for the isles of the church and helped some poor families. The society was reorgan- ized in 1922 by electing Mrs. Park P. Ray superintendent; Clara Stapleton, president; Mrs. William W. Hitchings, vice-president ; Mrs. George V. Fagley, secretary-treasurer. They have been get- ting results, for they have painted the church, papered the parsonage, carpeted the church, helped pay for the new windows, contributed to the Morrison Cove Home, to Missions, given $100 towards the new furnace; helped to support the pastor and buy the piano, pur- chased a sewing machine for their own use and donated to the Vir- ginia Industrial School. For the most of the time the pastor's wife served as president of the organization, until 1922.
BELLWOOD*
Present Membership, 138.
The territory now included in the Bellwood congrega- tion was originally a part of the Warrior's Mark Church. At irregular intervals as early as the eighties, a few meet- ings were held in the schoolhouse in the vicinity by Gray- bill Myers, Samuel Cox, James A. Sell, Conrad Imler, Samuel S. Gray and others, but no real effort was made
* To Daniel B. Maddocks the reader is indebted for much of the information in this sketch.
253
A History of the Church of the Brethren
to establish the faith until 1894. At this time five mem- bers lived in the vicinity and Joseph W. Wilt of Altoona, whose ears were always open to the call of his brethren,
UPPER : Where the congregation started. BELOW : The Bellwood Church.
rented a first floor storeroom and began preaching on March 25 and opened a Sunday-school April 22, 1894. The school grew rapidly and more room was imperative.
254
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
The adjoining wareroom was secured and the partition removed. But this room became too small and the second floor of the same building was added.
Joseph W. Wilt provided regular preaching. On Jan- uary 23, 1895, he began a revival, the results of which, along with a few received during the year, increased the membership twenty-two.
Both the Sunday-school and the church were greatly in need of more room and this forced the issue of build- ing their own house of worship. A called meeting of the members was held on June 10, 1895, a committee consist- ing of Joseph W. Wilt, Charles L. Douglas and Harry Laird was appointed and told to get to work as building committee, solicitors and general managers of the entire project. The brethren accepted their task in good faith. Joseph W. Wilt gave what time he could spare to raising money. In order to bring the whole project forcibly be- fore the district and the General Mission Board he, being bishop of the Altoona Church, had the following petition endorsed in that congregation and passed on to District Meeting of 1895 :
" The church at Altoona, in special council, considered the necessity of building a church house in Bellwood. We believe the location a suitable one and that success- ful work can be accomplished in the future. This we think is evident from the successful work of the past year through the Mission Board. We therefore recom- mend the consideration of building a house to the Dis- trict Meeting of Middle Pennsylvania trusting that it will be favorably considered, and that the General Mis- sion Board be solicited to aid in the good work."
This request was granted. But the committee of the church had not waited for a favorable reply. In faith they began work on the house even before the petition was sent, and had the building completed at a cost of a little over $2,000.00 and ready for dedication on Decem- ber 29, 1895. William J. Swigart preached the dedicatory sermon, using for text, Revelations 22: 9. The debt that hung over the building on this occasion was removed within a few years.
On April 11, 1897, in the presence of William J. Swigart and Joseph W. Wilt the members organized and
255
-
ABOVE: Thomas B. Maddocks and wife, Joseph W. Wilt and wife.
BELOW: The congregation at the church.
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
took the name " Bellwood Church of the Brethren." Officers: Joseph W. Wilt, bishop; William J. Carothers, secretary ; Charles L. Douglas, treasurer. The member- ship of the new organization was as follows :
Ministers,-none ; Deacons,-none; Lay-members, 63.
In 1899, Joseph W. Wilt, who had so faithfully labored for the establishment of this church gratuitously, who had the joy of seeing the church grow in five short years from five to seventy-five members, tendered his resig- nation and the District Board took charge. It secured the services of Josiah B. Brumbaugh to oversee the church and do the preaching for $200.00 per year, with the understanding he was to provide a living for himself in some kind of business. He entered upon his duties April 1, 1899 and continued eleven years. No record has been kept of his self-sacrificing efforts. He was fol- lowed by John B. Miller who carried on the work till the summer of 1912; then Charles O. Beery divided his time between Tyrone where he lived and Bellwood until May 1, 1913. At this date Daniel B. Maddocks, spend- ing his week days as supervisor in the Altoona Car Shops, gave his Sundays and some evenings to the care of the flock. Two revivals held by David P. Hoover, the one on October, 1914, and the other April, 1915, resulted in eighteen gathered into the fold. This developed a need for more Sunday-school room and the congregation de- cided (Jan. 3, 1915) to remodel. Building committee : Daniel B. Maddocks, Joseph F. Campbell and J. Lawrence Cherry. When the congregation came together in the remodeled house (Oct. 3, 1915), they found three added Sunday-school rooms, baptistry, choir platform, floors recarpeted, new heater, electric lights, redecorated walls, new roof,-all done at a total cost of $1,600.00. Daniel B. Maddocks, assisted by Josiah B. Brumbaugh, led in the rededication a part of which was an offering of cash and pledges covering the entire expenditure. Meetings continued the next week by Josiah B. Brumbaugh and eight were added to the fold. 1919-'20 marked a steady yet rather unusual growth when twenty-one were added to the church without special meetings.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.