USA > Pennsylvania > A pioneer outline history of northwestern Pennsylvania > Part 42
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BUTLER COUNTY
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Butler in 1813. Middlesex, in 1802, by Rev. Abraham Boyd. West Minister, in 1835, by Rev. Abraham Boyd. Buffalo, in 1843, by Rev. Abra- ham Boyd. North Butler, in 1846, by Rev. Coulter. Bear Creek, in 1800, by Rev. William Morehead. Concord, in 1804, by Rev. John McPherrin. Harrisville, in 1807. Martinsburg, in 1822. Muddy Creek, in 1799, by Rev. John McPherrin. Pleasant Valley, in 1844, by Rev. Joseph Moore. New Salem, in 1847. Scrubgrass, in 1802, by Rev. Robert Johnston.
Rev. John McPherrin was the pioneer Presbyterian preacher in Butler County in 1805.
M. E. CHURCH
Butler, in 1825, by Rev. John Chandler. Lancaster, in 1841. Harmony, in 1842. Forward, in 1827. Knox, in 1823. Prospect, in 1844, by Rev. Samuel Crouse. Centreville Borough, in 1831. Harrisville Borough, in 1833. Martinsburg, in 1834, by Rev. Gilmer. Washington, in 1842.
LUTHERAN CHURCH
St. Mark's, in 1827. Grace, in 1843, by Rev. Bassler. Zion, in 1840, by Rev. Schweitzerbarth. St. Paul's, in 1831, by Rev. Schweitzerbarth. Pros- pect, in 1842, by Rev. Bassler.
ECONOMITE CHURCH
In 1804, by Rev. John Rapp.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Evansburg, in 1837, by Rev. Isaiah Niblock. Mt. Pleasant, in 1847, by Rev. Guthrie. Glade Run, in 1817, by Rev. Bruce. Prospect, in 1825, by Rev. Greer. Slippery Rock, in 1807, by Rev. John Anderson. Harmony, in 1800. Venango, in 1800, by Rev. Thomas McClintock. Centreville Borough. in 1848, by Rev. Findley, D.D.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHI
Butler, in 1822, by Rev. Charles Perry, St. Mary's, in 1841. St. Pat- rick's, Millerstown, in 1801, Father Lanigan.
BAPTIST CHURCH
Zion, in 1841, by Rev. Daniel Daniels.
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HISTORY OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
CRAWFORD COUNTY
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Cochranton, in 1848. Fairfield, in 1810, by Rev. Robert Johnston. Rome Township, in 1815, by Rev. Amos Chase. Evansburg, in 1811, by Rev. Robert Johnston. Spartansburg, in 1844, by Rev. Hampson. Conneautville, in 1835, by Rev. Hassinger. Harmonsburg, in 1829, by Rev. David Mckinney. Titusville, in 1815, by Rev. Amos Chase.
The Rev. Elisha McCurdy and Rev. Joseph Stockton were the first ordained ministers who preached within the bounds of what is now Crawford County,-to wit, in 1799.
Rev. Stockton was the first stated preacher in Meadville in the year 1800. The Second Presbyterian Church of Meadville was organized in 1839.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Centreville, in 1841, by Rev. Lucius Parker, Meadville, in 1825, by Rev. John M. Merrick. Richmond, organized and maintained by John Brown, of Ossawatomie fame.
LUTHERAN CHURCH
The pioneer Lutheran preacher in Crawford County was Rev. S. Muck- enhaupt. He preached at Meadville, Conneaut Lake, and Venango from 1803 to 1808.
Saegertown, in 1826. Meadville, in 1815, by Charles W. Colson. Free- will Baptist, Greenwood Township, in 1832, by Rev. George Collins.
EPISCOPAL
Meadville, in 1825, by Rev. J. H. Hopkins.
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN
Meadville, in 1834.
UNIVERSALIST Titusville, in 1844.
M. E. CHURCH
Beaver Centre, in 1839. Bloomfield, in 1840. Cambridge Borough, in 1832. Freys, in 1818. Cochranton, in 1839, by Rev. Patterson. Geneva, in 1820. Hayfield, in 1826, by Rev. Tackett. Coons Corner, in 1844. Mead, in 1812, by Rev. J. Graham. Espyville, in 1831. Centre Chapel, in 1825, by Rev. Thomas Carr. Hydetown, in 1847. Guys Mills, in 1822. Richmond, in 1822, by Rev. Hatton. Hartstown, in 1840. Saegertown, in 1839. State Line, in 1819, by Rev. E. Morse. Gravel Run, in 1810, by Rev. Joshua Monroe. Meadville, in 1825, by Rev. Robert C. Hatton. North Richmond, in 1840. Centreville, in 1831. Evansburg, in 1840. North Bank, in 1824, by Rev. Charles Thorn. Spartansburg, in 1827, by Rev. I. H. Tackett.
424
HISTORY OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
Spring Borough, in 1828, by Rev. Daniel Richie. Steuben, in 1845. Dick- sonburg, in 1801, by Rev. James Quinn. Harmonsburg, in 1840. Union, in 1826, by Rev. John Leach. Skelton in 1843, by Rev. Schofield. Venango, in 1842, by Rev. Kellar. Vernon, in 1843.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Hartstown, in 1830, by Rev. S. F. Smith. Evansburg, in 1815. She- nango, in 1801, by Rev. Daniel McLain. Cochranton, in 1827, by Rev. Samuel Smith. Fairfield, in 1834, by Rev. Snodgrass. North Shenango, in 1849.
BAPTIST CHURCH
Cambridge Borough, in 1812. Carmel, Cussewago Township, in 1805; by Rev. Thomas G. Jones. Mead, in 1838, by Rev. Enos Stewart. Guys Mills, in 1820. Bloomfield, in 1820, by Rev. James Williams. Spring Town- ship, in 1837, by Elder Keith. Spring Borough, in 1833. Townville, in 1836. Meadville, in 1831, by Rev. Adrian Foote.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Crossingville, in 1833. Frenchtown, in 1837.
CLARION COUNTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI
New Rehoboth, in 1802. Licking, in 1802. Concord, in 1807. Rich- land, in 1823. Bethesda, May 19, 1836. Callensburg, in 1838. Clarion, May 15, 1841. Greenwood, June 3, 1841. Leatherwood, May 14, 1842. Mill Creek, April 22, 1844.
LUTHERAN CHURCH
The pioneer preacher was a travelling missionary named Rev. Peter Rupert, in the year 1814. The pioneer resident minister was Rev. Henry Koch.
St. John's, about 1811. Mt. Zion, in 1823, by Rev. Gabriel Reichart. St. John's, Fryeburg, in 1825, by Rev. Reichart. Salem, in 1830, by Rev. H. D. Keyl. Emanuel, in 1839, by Rev. George F. Ehrenfield. Mt. Zion, Licking. in 1846, by Rev. Ehrenfield. St. John's, Smithland, in 1846. by Rev. William Uhl.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
A mission existed at Fryeburg in 1820. St. Nicholas Church was or- ganized between 1827 and 1833. The log-church was erected in 1833. A congregation was formed in Clarion in 1841.
The pioneer church erected in the county was of logs (Rehoboth) in 1808. The Methodists were in the saddle before 1812, the pioneer preacher being Francis Asbury Montjar.
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HISTORY OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
PIONEER UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES
In 1802 Rev. John Dickey preached in cabins and barns.
In 1808, a congregation was organized at Rimersburg, called Cherry Run, by Rev. John Dickey.
In 1849, the United Presbyterian Presbytery of Clarion was organized by four ministers,-to wit. Rev. John Todd, Rev. John Hindman, Rev. John McAuley, and Rev. John Telford.
ELK COUNTY
METHODIST CHURCH
Ridgway, in 1833, Mission, by Revs. Benjamin F. Sedwick and Abner Jackson.
Pioneer Sunday-school in Ridgway, April 14, 1850, by Rev. R. L. Blackmar.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
St. Mary's, in 1842, by Father Alexander, and in 1843 by Father Burgess. St. Boniface (now Kersey), before St. Mary's. Father Smith, first resident priest.
PIONEER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Rev. John Wray was the first Presbyterian minister in 1851 to regularly " cry aloud" to the people of Ridgway, " Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Come buy wine and milk without money and without price." During my two years' stay he preached regularly once in four or six weeks. He may have had a few female members in his church, but to my observation the people generally preferred the " world, the flesh, and the devil," whiskey and New England rum.
In 1855 the pioneer Protestant church building was commenced in Elk County. I was then living in Ridgway and working in the Advocate office.
All I know about that is this : One day a large, fine-looking, well-dressed man came into the printing-office and requested Mr. Powell to subscribe some- thing for a church. Mr. Powell was poor, and demurred. The man per- sisted, but Mr. Powell further objected, whereupon the stranger became indignant, and vehemently declared, " It is a G-d d-n shame there isn't a Protestant church in the county, and I'll be G-d d-d if I stop till there is one !" At the end of this Christian exhortation Mr. Powell subscribed five dollars. The scene was so dramatic and ridiculous that I inquired who the stranger was, and Mr. Powell told me he was Alfred Pearsall, from Jay Township. I understood afterwards Mr. Pearsall succeeded and erected his church, called Mount Zion Methodist Church.
426
HISTORY OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
JEFFERSON COUNTY
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The pioneer Presbyterian minister to preach in what is now. Jefferson County, was a Rev. Greer, a friend of Joseph Barnett. He came in 1801, remaining two weeks, and preached several times. He returned to Port Barnett in 1802, and again preached. Joseph Barnett was an ultra Presby- terian. Preaching seems to have been in the settlement in June, 1809. At that time a communion service was held in the house of Peter Jones, on the farm recently occupied by John McCullough, a mile east of Brookville. Robert McGarrah administered the Lord's Supper there. He was then pastor of Licking and New Rehoboth, now in Clarion County. He had come to the Clarion region as a licentiate of the Presbytery of Redstone, in the fall of 1803. Whether he visited Port Barnett settlement at that time cannot now be ascertained. At all events, when he returned from Fayette County with his family, June, 1804, and was ordained pastor of Licking and New Reho- both churches, November 12, 1807, he seems to have taken the Port Barnett settlement under his care. When he "held the communion," June, 1809, certain persons were received into the church in such a way that he baptized their children. This much is plain from the memory and Bible record of Mrs. Sarah Graham, daughter of Joseph Barnett.
Rev. McGarrah was highly educated, and able in prayer, yet, like Moses, slow of speech, often taking two and three hours to deliver a sermon. He preached without notes, and with great earnestness pleaded with his hearers to forsake their sins and the errors of their way and turn to the Lord. So earnest would he become at times that great tears would roll from his eyes to the floor. It was often said that he preached more eloquently by his tears than by the power of his voice. He lived poor and died poor, and preached in the clothes in which he worked.
How long Robert McGarrah continued to preach in the house of Peter Jones remains uncertain. In 1823 religious services were held in the house of Samuel Jones, west of Brookville, on the farm now owned by W. H. McAninch. The church was fully organized in a school-house, near the pres- ent site of the Jefferson United Presbyterian church, on the Andrews farm. now in Clover Township. That seems to have been in 1824. The Allegheny Presbytery reported to the Synod of Pittsburg twenty-three churches in 1823. In 1824 the Presbytery reported twenty-five churches, and among them Bethel and Zelienople, so that the record of the Synod establishes conclusively the fact that in the year 1824 Bethel for the first time was recognized as a separate congregation. The next record is in the minutes of the Allegheny Presby- tery, April, 1825. It there appears as vacant, and, shortly afterwards, as con- nected with Red Bank, both having sixty-eight members.
Bethel church, or Brookville, as organized in the Jefferson school-house,
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HISTORY OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
was removed in the fall of 1824, to a farm on the pike from Brookville to Clarion. The farm was east of and adjoining the farm now owned by Peter B. Cowan, in Union Township, and distant from Brookville three miles. There they built a church, and dedicated it " The Bethel" of Jefferson County. The church was built of logs, small and closely notched together. It stood to the right of the road as one goes toward Clarion, near the pike, and on a line between it and the " Old Graveyard." The latter is still in existence, but all traces of the old meeting-house are gone. The floor was genuine mother- earth, and the seats slabs or boards on logs. A board on two posts constituted the pulpit stand, and a seat was made out of a slab or block of wood. The first stated preacher in that log-church was Rev. William Kennedy. His name appears as a stated supply, October 13, 1825; also April, 1827. Bethel was then connected with Red Bank. He ceased to be a member of the Allegheny Presbytery after April, 1827. He was dismised to Salem Presbytery, Indiana Synod. He became a member of Clarion Presbytery January 17, 1843, and died November 2, 1850, aged sixty-seven years and four months. The last year of his life was devoted to the congregations of Mount Tabor and Mill Creek. He lived and died a mile north of Roseville, Jefferson County, Penn- sylvania.
Rev. William Kennedy was born July 4, 1783, in Chester County, Penn- sylvania, and educated at -. He was a Latin and Greek scholar. His father was born in Ireland, and his mother, Susan Kennedy, née Doak, was from Scotland. His pioneer ministerial career appears to have been in the Huntingdon Presbytery at Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. He married Mary McClure, who died May 31, 1861.
He was installed and ordained over two churches in 1810,-viz., Lewis- town and West Kishacoquillas, in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. He preached at these two points for twelve years, at a salary of four hundred dollars per year. He was released from the Huntingdon Presbytery in October, 1823, and joined the Presbytery of Erie or Allegheny that same year. Under his ministrations Bethel had eighty-six members. His pioneer elders were Thomas Lucas and James Shields. His church-building was burned down about 1832.
Pisgah, Corsica, in 1833, by John Shoap. Beechwoods, Washington Township, in 1832, by Cyrus Riggs. Perry, Perry Township, in 1836, by John Reed. Mount Tabor, Eldred Township, in 1840, by David Polk.
A regular Presbyterian Church had been formed in Punxsutawney in 1826, and in about 1833 they built a brick church in the Public Square, but the feeble organization was not permanent.
METHODIST CHURCH
Punxsutawney or Clayville, in 1821, by Rev. Elijah Coleman (local). Brookville, in 1829, by Rev. John Johnson. Summerville, in 1830, by Rev.
428
HISTORY OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
Jonathan Ayers. Crenshaw, in 1845, by Rev. J. K. Coxson. Mead Chapel, in 1847, by Rev. J. R. Lyon. Hopewell, in 1839, by Rev. R. Peck. Barton, in 1839, by Rev. John Monks. Zion, in 1849, by Rev. Dean C. Wright. Pioneer missionaries in Ringgold, in 1816. Missionary service in Summer- ville, in 1822. Missionary service at Crenshaw, in 1829, by Rev. Oliver Ega.
The pioneer circuit riders at Punxsutawney were Rev. Ezra Booth and Rev. William Wesley.
In 1822 there were forty-two appointments on this circuit.
The pioneer Methodist church-building in the county was at Punxsu- tawney, in 1834. A frame building was erected and cost one thousand three hundred and fifty dollars. Methodist services were held in what is now Warsaw Township, in 1842, near the Temple graveyard, by the Rev. John Graham.
The history of Episcopal Methodism in what is now Washington Town- ship is quite obscure. It is known that Rev. Abner Jackson in 1833 preached occasionally in the old log school-house on Waite's farm, but with what suc- cess is unknown. Next it is known that Rev. John Graham, the "Boy Preacher," made the old log (Smith) school-house a point in 1843. Graham was then on the Luthersburg charge. Daniel Groves was probably the pioneer resident Episcopal Methodist. He migrated to the settlement in 1841 and connected himself and wife with the Luthersburg church by letters, that being the nearest class and in the Meadville district, Rev. John Bain being the presiding elder. Rev. Elisha Coleman, a county local, ministered in the Smith school-house at intervals. Daniel Groves was the father of Methodism in the township.
LUTHERAN CHURCHIES
Zion, in 1836, by Rev. J. G. Young. St. John's, in 1838, by Rev. J. G. Young. Mt. Zion, in 1849, by Rev. John B. Breckenridge.
The pioneer Lutheran services held in the county were by Rev. N. G. Scharetts, in 1826. Missionaries who held services in the county in 1829 were Rev. Henry D. Keyl and Rev. G. Schultze.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES
The pioneer Roman Catholic services were by Father John O'Neil. in 1832.
The pioncer priest stationed in Brookville was Father Dean. in 1847.
MERCER COUNTY
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Young Presbyterian ministers as missionaries visited every community in the county before the close of 1800. It is impossible to determine which was the pioneer church. Fairfield was organized September. 1709. Neshannock
429
HISTORY OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
was organized about 1800, Rev. William Wick, pastor. Hopewell, about the same time by the same pastor. Coolspring was organized in 1800; Rev. Samuel Tait was pastor. Lower Neshannock, now New Castle, was organized in 1803, Rev. Alexander Cook, pastor. Plain Grove was organized in 1800, Rev. William Wood, pastor. Centre was organized in 1801, Rev. William Wood, pastor. First Presbyterian, of Mercer, was organized in 1804, Rev. Samuel Tait, pastor. Rocky Springs was organized in 1801, Rev. Robert Lee, pastor. Amity was organized in 1825. Upper Sandy, now George- town, was organized in 1799. Moorfield was organized in 1802, Rev. James Satterfield, pastor. Sandy Lake was organized in 1835. Greenville was organized in 1825, Rev. James Alexander, pastor. Big Ben was organ- ized in 1825, Rev. James Alexander, pastor. The United Presbyterian Church of Greenville is the old Seceder organization of 1802, Rev. Daniel McLain, pastor. Unity Church of Greenfield was organized in 1832. Orange- ville was organized in 1825. Shenango Township Beulah Church was organ- ized in the fall of 1839.
METHODIST CHURCH
The pioneer preacher in the county was Rev. R. R. Roberts, afterwards Bishop Roberts, in the spring of 1801. At this date the whole region was in the Baltimore Conference. This was the beginning of Methodism in Mercer County. The M. E. Church of Mercer Borough was organized about 1820. Sharon M. E. Church was organized in 1805. Greenville M. E. Church was organized in 1828. Sharpsville M. E. Church was organized in 1836. Sheak- leyville M. E. Church was organized in 1830. Clarksville M. E. Church was organized in 1820. Millbrook M. E. Church was organized in 1816. Hen- derson M. E. Church was organized in 1833. Salem M. E. Church was organized in 1807. New Vernon was organized in 1840. Springfield Naza- reth Church was organized in 1822.
BAPTIST CHURCH
Sharon was organized in 1802, Rev. David Phillips, pastor. Greenville was organized in 1847, Rev. Jeremiah Hazen, pastor. Georgetown Church was organized in 1807, Thomas G. Jones, pastor. West Salem Baptist Church was organized in 1807, Rev. Thomas Jones, pastor.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Mercer was organized in 1801, Rev. Thomas McClintock, pastor. Second United Presbyterian Church, Mercer, was organized about 1805. Greenville was organized about 1802. Sheakleyville United Presbyterian Church was organized in 1818. Middlesex United Presbyterian Church was organized in 1829. Clarksville United Presbyterian Church was organized in 1848.
430
HISTORY OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
MISCELLANEOUS CHURCHES
Mercer, Grace Episcopal, was organized in 1827. Lutheran was organ- ized in 1840. Congregational was organized on March 27, 1847. Sharon, Christian Church was organized on June 28, 1828. Protestant Methodist Church was organized in 1836. Sacred Heart Catholic was organized in I845. Greenville Congregational Church was organized in 1840. St. Michael's Catholic Church was organized in 1838. Delaware Township, St. John's Lutheran Church was organized in 1837. Methodist Church was or- ganized in 1820. Jackson Township, umberland Presbyterian was organ- ized about 1841. Jefferson Township, All Saints' Catholic Church was organized about 1838. West Salem Township, Good Hope Lutheran Church was organized in 1805.
REVOLUTIONARY PATRIOTS WHO SETTLED IN MERCER COUNTY
Godfrey Carmes, in 1801; Captain James Duncan, William Simonton, David Hayes, Captain Abraham DeForest; Benjamin Kaster, in 1802; Cap- tain William Findley, in 1799; Jacob Junkin, in 1806; Benjamin Stokely, John Carmichael; Peter Wilson, in 1797; William Gill; Daniel Harper, in 1797; William Egdert, in 1800; Joshua Cook, James Young, Mr. Dumars, Christopher Irwin, Samuel Waldron, John Perry, William Dougherty, Cap- tain Cyrus Beckwith, Archibald Titus, Garrett Cronk, William Nickle, Cap- tain John Elliott; Captain Samuel Quinby, in 1808; John Morford, William McCalimans.
POTTER COUNTY METHODIST CHURCH
Coudersport, in 1823. The first Methodist circuit riders in this county, in 1823, covered the following territory: Coudersport to Canoe Place (now Port Allegheny), eighteen miles; thence ten miles to dividing ridge; thence fourteen miles to Portage; thence down Sinnemahoning twenty-four miles ; thence three miles to North Creek; thence two miles to West Creek; thence seven miles to Big Run; thence twenty-three miles to Kersey; thence twelve miles to Brockway's; thence twenty-three miles to Bennett's Branch and Driftwood Branch; thence sixteen miles to the mouth of Sinnemahoning : thence fifteen miles to Youngwoman's Town (North Point) ; returning via Potato Creek and Smethport to Coudersport, a distance of two hundred and forty-nine miles.
These circuit riders always travelled on horseback. The horse was usu- ally " bobbed," and you could see that he had a most excellent skeleton. These itinerants all wore leggings, and carried on the saddle a large pair of saddle- bags, which contained a clean shirt, a Bible, and a hymn-book. The sermon was on a cylinder in the head of the preacher, and was ready to be grapho- phoned at any point or time.
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HISTORY OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
The Baptist (regular) and the Seventh Day both held services in the county as early as 1833.
Coudersport Catholic Church, in the forties.
Genesee Township Roman Catholic Church in 1844, by Bishop O'Connor, Fathers Smith and Gallagher.
VENANGO COUNTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
As early as 1801 systematic efforts by the Presbyterian synod of Penn- sylvania to send ministers into Venango County had occurred. The records of the Presbytery of Erie, of 1802, speak of supplies preaching at Franklin, Pithole, McGurls, Oil Creek, and Scrubgrass.
Rev. James Satterfield preached in 1801. To hear these ministers people came five, ten, and twenty miles.
Later, churches were erected of rough logs and with no arrangements for fire in the winter.
First Presbyterian Church in the county, now Utica, in 1800, by Rev. William Wylie. Scrubgrass, 1802-03, by Rev. Robert Johnson. Presbyterian, Franklin, in 1801, pioneer sermon. Amity Presbyterian, Irwin Township, in 1800, by Rev. Robert Lee. Concord Presbyterian, Allegheny Township, in 1826, by Rev. Thomas Anderson. Scrubgrass Presbyterian, Scrubgrass Township, in 1800, by Rev. William Moorehead. Academia, Richland Town- ship. in 1823, by Rev. Robert McGarrough. Cherrytree, Cherrytree Town- ship. in 1837, by Rev. G. W. Hampson. Sunville, Plum Township, in 1839, by Rev. Thomas Anderson. Rockland, Rockland Township, in 1822, by Rev. Robert McGarrough. Sugar Creek, Jackson Township, in 1814. Pleasant- ville, Oil Creek Township, in 1844, by Rev. Hogg.
METHODIST
Peters, Irwin Township, in 1845. Asbury, Allegheny Township, in 1804, by Rev. Andrew Hemphill. Big Bend, Scrubgrass Township, in 1835, by Rev. J. H. Jackson. Nicklin Chapel, French Creek Township, in 1833. Rey- nolds, French Creek Township, 1840 or 1845. Fairview, Cherrytree Town- ship, in 1836, by Rev. Reuben Peck. Sunville, Plum Township, in 1844, by Rev. John Abbott. Rockland, Rockland Township, in 1830, by Rev. J. C. Ayers. Luther Chapel, Canal Township, in 1830. Sandy Creek, Sandy Creek Township, old church, by Rev. Ira Eddy.
Early Methodist service in Oakland, in 1806, by Rev. Wiley. Methodist Church, Clintonville, in 1828. Methodist services, Pleasantville, in 1804, by Rev. Andrew Hemphill. Centre Methodist Church, Mineral Township, in 1844. Pleasantville Methodist Church, Irwin Township, about 1840. Salem, Cranberry Township, 1845-50, by Rev. Richard Caruthers.
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HISTORY OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
The Methodist circuit rider was an early visitor in Venango County. The pioneer Methodist service in Franklin was in 1804.
In 1804 the Baltimore conference appointed Thornton Fleming presiding elder and Andrew Hemphill preacher of the Monongahela District, which included Mercer, Crawford, Erie, Venango, and Butler Counties .. This old circuit, called the Erie, was in existence as late as 1820. It was four hun- dred miles round and had forty-four apointments to fill every four weeks.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES
St. Catharine's, in 1834. St. Patrick's, Franklin, in 1749, by Father Bonecamp.
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Scrubgrass, in 1835, by Rev. S. Murphy. Pine Grove, in 1842, by Rev. Hatten. Irwin, in 1843, by Rev. J. Murphy. Church of God, Irwin, in 1839. by Rev. Thomas. Pine Grove, in 1842, by Rev. Werts.
BAPTIST CHURCH
Cherry Tree Baptist, in 1835, by Rev. Samuel Miles. Canal, Freewill Baptist, in 1827, by Rev. J. H. Lamchier.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
St. John's, Franklin, in 1825, by Rev. Charles Smith.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI Plumer, in 1828, by Rev. Daniel McLain.
WARREN COUNTY METHODIST CHURCH
Warren, in 1830, by Rev. James Gilmore. Brokenstraw, in 1809. Pine Grove, in 1830. Deerfield, in 1826. Kinzua, in 1830. Eldred, in 1840. Sugar Grove, in 1840.
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