USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Connellsville > Centennial history of the borough of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, 1806-1906 > Part 24
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The second pastor was the Rev. Ross Stevenson, who, after supplying the church for some months, was ordained and installed as pastor, June 13th, 1845, by the Presbytery of Redstone, Rev. James Guthrie presiding and addressing the pastor, Rev. Samuel Wilson preaching the sermon, and Rev. Noah H. Gillett addressing the congregation.
Dr. Stevenson was born in Strabane, Tyrone county, Ireland, November 12, 1814. He graduated in 1840 from Franklin College, Ohio, and in 1844, from the Western
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Theological Seminary, Allegheny, Pa. He was licensed to preach by the Ohio Presbytery in June, 1843. He was re- leased from Connellsville, October 6, 1852, after which he was not only a stated supply in several places, but was pastor for five years in Johnston, eleven in Ligonier and Pleasant Grove, Blairsville Presbytery, five in Pisgah and Troy, Clarion Presbytery, five in Florence. Washington Presbytery, and somewhat less than four in Lower Ten Mile church, in the same Presbytery. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Franklin College in 1878. He was a forcible preacher, a faithful pastor and an honored Presbyter. After a brief illness, he died at his home in Washington, Pa., January 10, 1893, in the seventy-ninth year of age.
On a memorial, adopted for record by his Presbytery, it is said of Dr. Stevenson: "For fifty years he was permit- ted to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom, and in all his several pastoral charges lying in western Pennsylvania, his name has become a very familiar and honored one in all this region."
The third pastor was the Rev. James Black, afterward D. D., L.L. D. He was ordained and installed, June 14, 1853, Rev. Henry W. Biggs preaching the sermon, Rev. Samuel Wilson presiding and charging the pastor, and Rev. J. R. Hughes charging the people. Dr. Black was not only a diligent pastor, but conducted a classical school for some years in New Haven. He was a thorough Christian gentleman, a man of ripe scholarship and held in high esteem by all who knew him. He was released from this church in April, 1860, and accepted a professorship in Washington College, Pa., now Washington and Jefferson. Later, he was president of the Western Pennsylvania College for Women, Pittsburgh, and still later, a professor in Wooster University, Ohio. He died in Wooster, Ohio, December 23, 1890, aged 65 years.
The fourth pastor was Rev. Noah H. Gillett Fife, or- dained and installed, April 29. 1863, and released Novem-
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ber 29, 1867. Dr. Fife is at the present time pastor of the Presbyterian church in Clearfield, Pa.
The fifth pastor was Rev. Alexander Ballantyne Fields, born in Allegheny Co., Pa., October 16, 1835, graduated from Jefferson College in 1857, studied in the United Pres- byterian Theological Seminary, Allegheny, was licensed and ordained by the Westmoreland U. P. Presbytery, came into the Presbyterian church, was installed pastor at Con- nellsville, January 29, 1868, and was released June 1, 1869. He died at Brockwayville, Pa., October 17, 1886, aged 51 years. His death was caused by a railway accident.
The sixth pastor was Rev. John M. Barnett, who was installed on the third Monday of May, 1870, and released June 1, 1882. Dr. Barnett is now the senior member of Redstone Presbytery, and for several years has been chap- lain of the Sanatorium at Markleton, Pa.
The seventh pastor, Rev. Albert Z. McGogney, was installed October 25, 1882, and was released September 28, 1886. He is now pastor of the Presbyterian church in Paola, Kansas.
The present pastor, the eighth, is Rev. William A. Edie, who took charge on the first Sabbath of February. 1887, and was installed May 19, 1887.
Among those who supplied the congregation during in- tervals of pastoral vacancy were Revs. James F. Holcomb. William P. Moore and Elijah R. Donehoo. Dr. Holcomb was stated supply from April to September, 1860. He is a native of Connecticut, a graduate of Jefferson College, Canonsburg, and of the Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny, and has been a missionary in India since 1870. under appointment of the Presbyterian board.
Dr. Moore served as a supply for one year from March 24, 1861. In 1862, he became chaplain of the 142d regi- ment, Pennsylvania Infantry, one of whose companies (Co. H.) was recruited in Connellsville by Captain J. M. Du Shane. Later, he was pastor in Fredericksburg, Ohio. where he died, May 3, 1894, aged 64 years.
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Dr. Donehoo served the church from April 1, 1862, until December 27, 1862. He went to Pittsburgh, where he was pastor of the West End church until the summer of 1906. He has for many years been prominently identified with various forms of benevolent and religious work in the city.
The elders of the church have been 31 in number. Alexander Johnston, the first elder, served until his death, September 3, 1864. The following persons were added to the eldership, October 28, 1832, viz: William Lytle, died, December 7, 1845, Isaac Taylor, died, August 29, 1869, and Joseph Paull, February 14, 1880.
The following were added, March 7, 1844: Robert Torrence, Noble C. McCormick and William Cunningham. On January 7, 1850, Wm. McCrea, John Taylor and Jo- seph H. Cunningham were made elders; September 29, 1851, Samuel Russell was added to the list; March 20, 1866, Robert Beatty; February 24, 1868, James Allen ; April 16, 1873, John R. Johnston; second Sabbath, Febru- ary, 1874, Thomas W. Watt; April 5, 1874, A. B. Hosack and H. C. McCormick; November 28, 1875, William Bar- nett and Adam Armstrong; May 6, 1878, Chas. N. Boyd and Jacob May; December 7, 1879, James Calhoun and Hugh M. Kerr; September 4, 1883, James L. Paull and Wm. D. McDowell, (Mr. Paull was ordained and installed, April 16, 1873, but in 1874 was transferred to the Dunbar church, returning to the Connellsville church in 1883). On November 6, 1892, John Adams, Jr., was installed, L. W. Wolfe and Harry S. Spear ordained and installed. On April 10, 1903, Isaiah C. Smutz, Alfred W. Hood and John A. Armstong were ordained and installed as elders.
For somewhat more than seven years after its organ- ization, the congregation held its services chiefly in the Baptist church, then on the corner of Pittsburgh and Apple streets, and occasionally in the Methodist church, then on Prospect street near Main. On April 2, 1836, the ground on which the Presbyterian church now stands was pur-
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chased from Joshua G. Gibson and the minor heirs of Jo- seph Gibson for $450. John Fuller and Isaac Taylor acted as agents for the congregation in making the purchase, and Alexander Johnston and Isaac Taylor were appointed a committee "to receive subscriptions for the erection of a meeting-house." The building was erected after consider- able delay, and was "opened for the occupancy of the con- gregation," January 6, 1839.
The church record states that "the occasion was marked with appropriate religious services." Early on Sabbath morning, March 29, 1863, the building took fire and was par- tially destroyed. The celebration of the Communion had been arranged for and, notwithstanding the fire, the plans were carried out by holding the service in the Baptist church. The walls, however, were left standing, and it was not long until the building was repaired and re-opened. Meanwhile the services were held, for the most part, in the Baptist church, which at the time had service on alternate Sabbaths.
In 1884, the old building was remodeled with new front and new roof, and with a chapel added to it. The church was re-opened Sabbath, December 21, 1884, with a dedica- tory sermon by Rev. W. H. Jeffers, Professor of Old Testa- ment Literature, in the Western Theological Seminary. Allegheny, Pa.
The parsonage, 125 Peach street, was built in the sum- mer of 1871, as a memorial of the reunion of the new school and old school bodies in 1870. It was built at a cost of $3,116, upon two lots donated by John R. Johnston, John Taylor and Thomas W. Watt.
In 1874 members living in and around Dunbar were dismissed to organize themselves into a church at that place. In the early days the Dunbar people had to walk or drive to the church.
When the railroad was built to Dunbar, Elders Joseph Paull and Thomas W. Watt secured from the officials the privilege of running a large hand car on Sabbaths to Con-
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nellsville. This was continued until March, 1870, when the hand car proving too small to accommodate the people, a special car was chartered for the use of church-goers. This arrangement, however, was discontinued in September, 1873. The organization of the Dunbar church, Wednesday, April 29, 1874, was granted by the Presbytery upon the recommendation of the pastor and session of the Connells- ville church and upon a petition signed by 85 residents of the town and township of Dunbar.
A Sabbath school was established soon after the church of Connellsville began its existence and, as the years have passed, seven auxiliary societies have been formed, mission- ary, benevolent and local.
The present session is composed of Rev. William A. Edie, moderator ; Hugh M. Kerr, clerk; L. W. Wolfe, Harry S. Spear, Isaiah C. Smutz, Alfred W. Hood and John A. Armstrong.
The trustees are Dr. G. W. Gallagher, president; Wil- liam S. Yard, secretary; Isaiah C. Smutz, treasurer ; Col. James M. Reid, John M. Herpick and J. Renwick Davidson.
The deacons, to whom is committed the relief of the poor and those in straits, are William L. Robbins, John Hoop, William E. Barnette and Alfred W. Hood.
The fiftieth anniversary of the church's history was ap- propriately celebrated October, 1881.
The seventy-fifth anniversary was celebrated October 7-14, 1906. On Sabbath, the 7th, the pastor preached a historical discourse; Tuesday, the 9th, a reception was held, at which addresses were delivered by Rev. John B. Reed, of Laurel Hill (conveying the congratulations of Presbytery) ; Rev. John M. Barnett, D. D., of Markleton; Rev. Ellis B. Burgess, of Trinity Lutheran church, Connellsville, and Rev. James B. Hill, of Dunbar. Services preparatory to the celebration of the communion were held Thursday and Fri- day evenings, 11th and 12th, when Rev. H. W. Hanna, of the Dawson and Tyrone churches and Rev. Charles G. Fisher, of the Mt. Pleasant (Middle) church, preached. On Sabbath, the 14th, Rev. E. R. Donehoo, D. D., of Pitts- burgh, preached and assisted in the administration of the Lord's Supper.
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THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST).
This congregation was founded in the year 1832. Les- ter L. Norton and J. Newmyer were the first elders, and David Shallenberger was the first deacon. For a long time the homes of Lester L. Norton, Joseph Herbert and William Davidson furnished the meeting places of the congregation. It was customary to have preaching services at irregular intervals, in a meeting continued two or three days. "The Millennial Harbinger," a church paper published by Thomas and Alexander Campbell, was read by the members, and from it they derived much instruction and inspiration.
The congregation emerged from the house to house plan in 1845. In that year, under the pastoral care of Dr. William Poole, a modest, one-storied stone meeting house was erected on a lot donated by Joseph Herbert, situated on South alley, near Mountain alley, now Carnegie avenue. There were between forty and fifty members, who, by giv- ing time, materials and money, completed the house, which is said to have been worth at the time about $600. Less than $125 was given in cash.
This stone church was occupied until 1874, when it was sold to the German Lutherans who have enlarged and remodeled it, and continue to worship in it. A new church was built in 1874 on the east side of Pittsburgh street, on ground now occupied by the Dunn-Paine building. The dedicatory services were held September 13, 1874, the sermon being preached by Prof. C. L. Loos, of Bethany College.
In 1897 the congregation sold the Pittsburgh street church property and proceeded to erect the beautiful and commodious sanctuary which it now occupies, completing it in 1898. It is of buff brick, modern in all its appointments, and stands in a commanding location, on the northwest corner of South Pittsburgh street and Library avenue. It was dedicated Sabbath, June 26, 1898, Rev. F. M. Rains, of Cincinnati, Secretary of the Foreign Missionary Society of
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the Christian church, having charge of the dedicatory ser- vices.
Among those who ministered to the church as pastors and supplies, up to 1880, we may mention the following : Chauncey Ward, Dr. Philip G. Young, Dr. William Poole, Bryson Pyatt, James Darsie, Judson Benedick, Lyman P. Streator, Leroy Norton, Samuel Fowler and Wesley Lari- mer. Not a few of the pioneer preachers of the denomina- tion have preached to the congregation here, and among them, at intervals, both Thomas Campbell and Alexander Campbell have addressed large and appreciative audiences. One of the above named preachers, Judson Benedick, was a lawyer, with a reputed income of $6,000 a year, who, nevertheless, went from place to place and preached for $500. He was a vigorous speaker, a keen debater, aggress- ive in his methods and unsparing in his self-denial. From 1880 to the present time there have been seven pastors. Lewis B. Hyatt was pastor four years, J. F. Sloan four years, John F. McKee two years, Herbert Yeuell one year, Henry J. Seaman two years, William R. Warren six years. Charles M. Watson, the present pastor, took the pastoral charge in the summer of 1903. There were also several stated supplies-Douglas Dowling, R. A. Cutler and Wil- liam D. Cunningham. The church has a membership of almost 400, and is well organized and equipped for work. The officers at the present time are: Elders, J. R. Balsley, W. B. Minor, W. S. Schenck, H. H. Yarnell; deacons, C. D. Schell, J. L. Kurtz, J. L. Gans, J. M. McCormick, J. Robinson, H. Kurtz, W. H. Cottom; trustees, E. T. Nor- ton, Dr. S. S. Stahl, W. S. Schenck, R. Norris; financial secretary, R. Norris; treasurer, G. W. Stauffer; church clerk, H. C. Norton.
The congregation has a comfortable parsonage, 509 Race street.
CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.
The beginning of this church as a separate parish dates from 1869.
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The Catholics of Fayette county had received clerical visits at intervals from an early day. For instance, Rev. Stephen Bodin visited them in 1807, Bishop Egan in 1811, Bishop Kendrick in 1834, and at other times Rev. James Ambrose Stillinger, Rev. Father Gallitzin and others. On the occasion of his visit in 1834, Bishop Kendrick said of the Catholic people of this county that they "are to be pitied, being able only four times a year to enjoy the presence of a priest." In the summer of 1837 Rev. Michael Gallagher was appointed to take charge of the district, then "compris- ing the counties of Fayette, Greene and Washington and part of Somerset and Allegheny counties." He retired in 1848, "followed by a long list of successors." During this period and for some years after, "no mass was said any closer to Connellsville than Uniontown," where sixteen Catholic families and forty-two communicants were re- ported at the Easter communion in 1856.
The first celebration of the mass in Connellsville was held in 1856 by Rev. Malachi Garvey, in whose care Fayette and the eastern part of Greene and Washington counties had recently been placed as a mission. The service was held in the home of John O'Donnell, and the number attend- ing it "did not exceed half a dozen." From this time until the year 1869 the priest visited Connellsville about four times a year, celebrating the mass in private houses, most frequently in the homes of Edward Dean and James Mc- Grath. In the year named, Rev. Robert Waters became resident pastor, and in 1871 the congregation purchased the old one-story stone house, southwest corner of Prospect street and Orchard alley, which had been originally a Meth- odist Episcopal church, but had for many years been used as a foundry. The house was fitted up as a place of wor- ship, and was consecrated by Bishop Domenec, of the dio- cese of Pittsburgh.
Rev. Waters was followed by Rev. Edward Dignam, who, in 1884, began the building of a new church on the southwest corner of Prospect and Apple streets. His suc-
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cessor was Rev. C. A. McDermott, during whose pastorate the new church was completed. It was a large and impos- ing brick structure, Gothic in style, cruciform in shape, 115 feet long by 80 feet wide in the transepts and fifty feet in the main, with a graceful spire and a handsome interior, and costing about $50,000. The dedicatory services were held by Rt. Rev. P. Phelan, Bishop of the diocese of Pitts- burgh, on Sabbath, May 22, 1887. Father McDermott was a devoted worker and a man of scholarly tastes and attain- ments. He was transferred to the cathedral in Pittsburgh, and is at present in charge at Mckeesport.
He was succeeded by Rev. Daniel O'Connell, during whose pastorate the new church was destroyed by fire. Between 11 and 12 o'clock Friday night, January 22, 1892, the church was found to be on fire. In a remarkably short time the whole interior was filled with the flames. Soon the lofty spire crumbled and fell into the street, and within a few hours the beautiful edifice was reduced to a heap of smoking ruins.
The congregation, though deeply grieved, faced the situation with admirable courage. Services were held in the old stone house, which had of late been used as a parochial school, and to which a brick second story was added, and plans were at once formed for the erection of a new church. The ruins were cleared away. The frame building on the northwest corner of Main and Prospect streets, which had been purchased from Capt. Lloyd John- ston a few years before for a convent, was moved to the site of the church that had been burned, and it was decided to erect the new building on the corner vacated by the re- moval.
The excavation was made during Father O'Connell's pastorate, though the building was for a considerable time delayed. Rev. Francis McCourt, on being appointed pas- tor of the church, let the contract, and the erection of the building went forward with energy. The stay of this pas- tor, however, was short. In November, 1896, he was taken
THE FIVE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES OF CONNELLSVILLE AND NEW HAVEN
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ill with typhoid fever and was at once removed to Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh, but before the month of November was gone he breathed his last. He was buried in Scranton, Pa., a few days before Thanksgiving.
A thorough gentleman, a man of genial manners, of refined tastes, of liberal spirit and kind behavior, Father McCourt was deservedly popular, and his death was sin- cerely regretted by the whole community.
Rev. John T. Burns, the present pastor, was trans- ferred from New Brighton, Pa., and took charge of the church here December 22, 1896. His faithful and abund- ant labors have been rewarded with success. The church was completed the following summer, and was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. P. Phelan, D. D., Bishop of the diocese of Pittsburgh, on Sabbath, the 13th of September, 1897. It cost about fifty thousand dollars, and under Father Burns, the entire indebtedness has been removed. The building occupies a commanding situation and presents a stately ap- pearance. It is 129 feet long and 65 feet wide, is of red brick, with stone trimmings, and is beautiful in its furnish- ings. The congregation now numbers not less than 400 families, and has about 1,500 communicants. Its property , occupies the entire block from Main street to Apple, and consists of the church, the parochial school, a rectory and a convent. The present church committee is composed of Joseph Soisson, Sr., James McGrath, John Dixon, Hugh Coll, Joseph Tippman, Joseph Madigan, P. May and P. J. Tormay.
ST. JOHN'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH (GERMAN).
In the spring of 1871 this congregation was organized by Rev. H. J. H. Lemcke, of West Newton. The following persons were prominent in the organization, as supporters of the enterprise, viz: Christian Snyder, Jacob Siller, John Hetzel, Sr., Conrad Otto, Heinrich Meister, John Wilhelm and Jacob Scheibel. The next year the congregation was united with Christ church, West Newton, constituting a
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parish with Rev. Mr. Lemcke as pastor, who conducted services in German and English every other Sabbath.
The services were held at first in the old Odd Fellows' hall, but in 1874 the Disciples' church on South alley, a one-story stone building, was purchased for $3,000, and was fitted up for worship. Rev. Mr. Lemcke was released in February, 1877, going to the Lutheran church of Eliza- beth, Pa., and leaving behind him a membership of 40 com- municants.
Rev. Philip Doerr served the church from May, 1877, to September, 1881. There were now 115 communicants.
Rev. W. A. C. Mueller was called September, 1881, and St. John's was constituted, at that time, a separate parish. During his pastorate, which closed in June, 1884, the communicant membership increased to 229. Rev. C. F. Tiemann, the next pastor, began his work about the first of July, 1884, and during his pastorate St. John's became an exclusively German church. He resigned in September, 1889. He reported a membership of 400. Next came Rev. G. A. Firgau, who remained from September, 1889, to No- vember, 1892. Rev. Ph. Lamerdin took charge March 5, 1893, and continued in charge about a year. He was pas- tor during a time of great industrial depression and labor agitation, and thinking to better the condition of his people, he led a colony of Germans to Wisconsin. The member- ship was reduced to 150. November 1st, 1894, Rev. L. O. Hammer was elected pastor, and was installed November 25th by Rev. Philip Doerr. He was active, faithful and successful in his work, strengthening the church and increasing the membership to 300. He re- signed in March, 1897. Rev. G. L. Lohman took charge in April, 1897, and was installed in June by the Revs. D. M. Kemerer and F. W. E. Peschau, D. D. In the spring of 1901 a new church building was decided upon, and on Sep- tember 4th the cornerstone was laid with appropriate ser- vices, in which the pastor was assisted by Revs. F. W. Kohler, D. M. Kemerer and J. C. Kunzman. The structure
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was completed in the summer of 1902, and was dedicated in August of that year. It stands on the old site, the side stone walls of the old church being retained. An addition of 14 feet in front, and about 10 feet in the rea rwas made. Two corner towers, one of which is surmounted by a spire bearing a large gilt cross, and contains two large bells which were dedicated on Pentecost, 1902. The whole church is 44x60 feet in size, and is built of red and yellow pressed brick. The cost, with furnishing, was about $15,- 000. Rev. Lohman was released in October, 1904.
Rev. George Dietz entered upon his work as pastor of St. John's in February, 1905. He has been faithful and devoted in the discharge of his duties, and the church has been blessed with harmony and growth under his ministry. He is the present pastor.
In Rev. Mueller's time the parsonage, a frame build- ing beside the church, was purchased; in Rev. Hammer's time the debt on the parsonage was removed, and in Rev. Lohman's time the house was enlarged and greatly im- proved. A frame school house, 24 feet square, was built in the rear of the parsonage in 1901.
The congregation has a Sabbath school, a Ladies' Aid Society and other auxiliary organizations. It has a com- municant membership at present of 500, many of whom come for miles in order to attend the services.
THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The United Presbyterian church of Connellsville was organized October, 2, 1876, by commissioners appointed by the Westmoreland Presbytery. Ten persons were received as charter members, viz: A. H. Patterson, M. M. Patter- son, James Parkhill, Kell Long, Nancy Patterson, Louisa Parkhill, Mary Moreland, Jennie Moreland, from the Laurel Hill U. P. church; and John C. Graham and Mary J. Gra- ham from the Buena Vista U. P. church. A. H. Patterson and John C. Graham were elected elders. Their ordination and installation took place October 30, 1876.
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For more than seven years the church services were held in Reisinger's Hall (Main street), the Odd Fellows' Hall, and in the New Haven school house. Rev. Robert B. Taggart served as stated supply until early in 1877, fol- lowed by Revs. Alexander R. Rankin, Thos. P. Patterson, James A. Brandon and others in the same capacity. The first regularly installed pastor was Rev. David F. Mustard, who served from June 9, 1885, until. July 1, 1886. Rev. James A. Brandon was then called. He did not accept the call to the pastorate, but labored as stated supply for about a year.
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