USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Washington > Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. I > Part 95
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First Methodist Episcopal Church of Washington-The records of the Methodist Episcopal denomination do not show at what date the church was established in Wash- ington, but that it was within the memory of the older inhabitants, that itinerant Methodist preachers held serv- ices in the court house and school houses of the town as early as 1798.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Washington was organized prior to 1801. On February 5, 1801, John Hoge and Elizabeth, his wife, conveyed lot No. 194, located on the southwest corner of Chestnut and Frank- lin streets, to Thomas Lackey, Abraham Cazier, Abraham Johnson, Titus Rigby and John Cooper, trustees, for ten dollars, on condition that a house of worship should be erected for the use of the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States of America. The lot was described as fronting sixty feet on Chestnut street and extending back 240 feet along what is now Franklin street. Through some mistake the church build- ing was erected on lot No. 193, which is at the southeast corner of Chestnut and Franklin. In order to correct this blunder, as none of the trustees had power to convey the title, au act of the Legislature was passed on January 5, 1811, authorizing the trustees to make an exchange with Hoge. Accordingly on January 11, 1812, the trustees reconveyed lot No. 194 to Hoge and he con- veyed No. 193 to the trustees, for the use of the said members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Thus a queer tangle was unravelled. A log ehureh had been built on lot 193 soon after it was acquired in 1801. This log building is still standing, though it has been remodeled, weather boarded and converted into a place of amusement. In 1836 the congregation built a brick
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church fronting on Franklin street, which was used until 1848. The brick church is still standing. It has been used for thirty years or more as a carriage factory.
In 1848 a brick ehnreh was built on West Wheeling street and was ocenpied until 1875. In 1876 it was sold to the A. M. E. congregation and it is in this building the members of the present St. Panl's A. M. E. church worship.
The present First M. E. Church was built at the cor- ner of Beau and College streets iu 1875. The site of this church was originally a deep ravine but was filled in largely by dirt from grading in front of the Episcopal Church and public school building.
About the same time as the church was built on the corner of Beau and College streets or a little previous the present parsonage was built on College street on the lot adjoining the church. Rev. Elliott W. White is the pastor of the First M. E. Church at present, and the congregation has 510 members.
Jefferson Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church of Wash- ington-Continued growth of the denomination with the growth of tho town brought about the formation of a uew church body from the membership of the old con- gregation, and the Jefferson Avenne Church went out from the parent organization in 1890, and in the follow- ing year dedicated the chnreh building on the corner of Jefferson and Hall avenues.
Samuel Hazlett was largely instrumental in the or- ganization of the Jefferson Avenne Church and had also largely aided in the building of the First M. E. Church in 1875. The membership of this congregation has in- creased very umch during the pastorate of Rev. B. W. Hutchinson, who serves at present. The congregation uow numbers 415 members.
West Washington Methodist Episcopal Church-The "orchard meeting"' revival in the new and rapidly growing section to the west of the old town led to the organization of the West Washington Church in 1894, and the erection of its building on Fayette street in 1895. This congregation has also growu rapidly and now has 257 members. Rev. J. W. MeIntyre is pastor. The Methodist Protestant Church of Washington was the outgrowth of dissension among the Methodist Epis- copal people of Washington. A Methodist Protestant congregation was organized in the court house in the year 1830. In 1836 a brick church was built on Bean street opposite the present M. P. Church on grounds now occupied by part of the publie square. The church experienced a disastrous fire in 1851. Another building, the present house of worship, was built across the street in 1852 owing to the beneficence of Charles Avery. The congregation deelined and finally scattered. In 1873 the ehnrch was leased for fifteen years to the Second Pres- byterian eougregation. In 1882 Rev. James Robison
gathered a few of the members of the scattered con- gregation together and reorganized the church. Most of the pastorates have been of short duration. Rev. G. C. Sheppherd, however, the present pastor, assumed the charge iu 1895, and has built up a congregation of 345 members.
First Baptist Church of Washington-Organized Bap tist work in Washington began October 14, 1514, when the First Baptist Church was organized with eleven constituent members, viz .: Rebecca Dye, Rachel Wil- son, Euoch Dye, Jr., Mary Dye, Jain Dye, Rebecca Blaine, Margaret Moore, Rev. Charles Wheeler, Charity A. Wheeler, Rachel Collaway, and Phillis Waller. Rev. Charles Wheeler was the first pastor and continued as such for twenty-four years. During all this time he also had charge of the Washington Academy.
The church was received into the Redstone Baptist As- sociation September 2, 1815. On July 4, 1819, the church had the privilege of worshipping iu its own build- ing located at 77 West Wheeling street. An interesting minnte is found under date of July 7, 1821: "A col- lection was taken up for the purpose of paying onr portion of the expense of educating Joseph Asburn, now under the tuition of Alexander Campbell." Mr. Wheeler was a life-long friend of Mr. Campbell and never sym- pathized with the "hardshell" element iu the Redstone Baptist Association which foreed Mr. Campbell out of Baptist fellowship. So incompatible were the views of the ultra-Calvinistie "hardshells" and those of the moderates that in 1826 fourteen of the twenty- six churches under the leadership of Mr. Wheeler and others, withdrew from the Redstone Association and formed a new association. The Washington church continued in this new association nntil 1858, when it united with the Pittsburg Baptist Association with which it is still con- nected.
The largest revival in the history of the church oc- cured in 1841, when as the result of a seven weeks' series of meetings one hundred and seven converts were baptized into the fellowship of the church. After the resignation of Mr. Wheeler in 1838 the pastorates were shorter and the church had very loyal but very few members.
The modern period of growth and expansion began with the reorganization in 1890 with seventy three mem- bers and the decision to change the location and erect a new building on East Wheeling street. The preseut brick, commodious edifice was dedicated April 23, 1593. The name of Stephen Drummond will ever be associated with this ten years of solid growth, which prepared the way for the expansion. Shortly after his death in 1902 the First Church called Charles W. Fletcher, the present pastor. The membership of the congregation at present is 261.
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Broad Street Baptist Church-The growth of the city in West Washington made it necessary to open a Bap- tist Church in this section. On the 21st of February, 1900, a committee was appointed to secure a lot and on September 29 of the same year the West Washington, or Broad Street Baptist, Church was completed at a cost of $2,030.
On the 12th of June, 1901, C. A. MeFall became pas- tor at West Washington and resigned November 13 of the same year. On December 1, 1901, S. L. Parcell became pastor and is still ministering to the congregation.
On the 4th of May, 1902, fifty-six members were dis- missed from the First Baptist Church to form the Broad Street Baptist Church.
During January, 1903, the church had a revival and there were eighty baptisms. In the fall of 1903 and spring of 1904 the congregation built a new church to accomodate the increasing numbers. The present num- ber of members is 197.
Allison Avenue Baptist Church of Washington-Two. lots were purchased and the building of the Allison Avenue Baptist Church paid for by M. C. Treat of the First Church. W. M. Courson, the first pastor, was called December 4, 1901, and the first service in the new building was held on January 2, 1902. The church grew and on February 26, 1902, letters were granted to twen- ty-three members of the First Church to organize the Allison Avenue Baptist Church. Increasing numbers made an enlargement necessary so that in 1904 an addition was made to the building aud a parsonage erected. At present the congregation has 194 members.
First Christian Church of Washington-A's early as 1809 Thomas Campbell and others organized the Wash- ington County Christian Association, an organization made up of members of all the existing religious bodies who shared with Mr. Campbell his views upon the desira- bility of a union of all believers in Christ. This asso- ciation disclaimed any intention other than the promo- tion of evangelical Christianity upon the New Testament plan and teaching, and it did not at first seem to expect the association members to withdraw from membership in other denominations.
Not until Lordsday, May 8, 1831, did the Washington adherents of this effort at Christian union begin to hold meetings looking toward, and finally resulting in, a sep- arate organization. On Thursday, May 12, 1831, an organization was effected at the home of R. B. Chaplin, Sr. The following Lordsday, May 15, they met first as an organization in worship. The charter members were R. B. Chaplin, Sr., Henry Langley, Frederick Huffman, Franklin Dunham, Samuel Marshal, Jane MeDermot, Hannah Acheson, Hannah Marshal and Franklin Nichol.
Leaders and teachers of the scriptures were at first named from among this little band. The Campbells
and their coadjutors preached often in grove meetings and at the congregation's house of worship.
The meetings were first held alternately at the homes of the members and a log school house on the farm of Henry Vankirk, four miles southeast of Washington. A substantial brick house was erected in 1836 in Wil- liamsburg, now Laboratory, on the site of the present residence of the late John Keeney, where the congre- gation worshiped and grew for 30 years.
Iu 1867 the house, afterwards greatly enlarged and repaired, which was lately used by the Salvation Army, was leased and later bought. Here the congregation began its most active work and for the first time had a settled ministry.
The following ministers have served the congregation: J. B. Crane, T. A. Crenshaw, A. B. Challener, W. T. Goodloe, Leander Brown, W. L. Hayden, L. P. Streator, S. W. Brown, R. G. White, A. M. Harvout, J. M. Ker- sey, W. H. Hanna, E. A. Cole, whose pastorate began October 6, 1901, and continues.
Under the pastorate of A. M. Harvout the present house was dedicated February 11, 1894. The church membership now numbers almost 800.
Second Christian Church of Washington-The First Christian Church during the pastorate of Rev. W. H. Hanna secured a lot and during the years of 1902 and '03 the present house of worship of the Second Congre- gation in Tyler Ward was completed and dedicated in March, 1903. This congregation took about 50 of the members from the First. It now has about 150 mem- bers. The first pastor, Rev. W. B. Reed, was succeeded by Revs. O. W. Riley, Hugh S. Darsie, Jr., and G. W. Woodburg, the present pastor.
First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Washington- Among the early settlers who came to the place where Washington now stands, and its vieinity, were descend- ants of the Dutch from York and Cumberland Counties, Pennsylvania and Germans direct from Germany. In religion most of the Dutch were adherents of the Re- form Church (Dutch Presbyterian) ; the Germans were Lutherans. Because their languages were more common and their religious beliefs much the same, the members of these two denominations associated themselves to- gether.
As early as 1798 we find these people gathered at the home of one Jacob Weuler, where they "met for spirit- nal advice and comfort." It appears they had no regu- lar minister for years. In 1801, Rev. Demas Hurtzler, a minister of the Reform Church, made the settlements irregular visits and "preached and baptised in our bomes." The first regular pastor, Rev. Monesmith, be- gan work here in 1811 or 1812.
On May 5, 1812, Peter Snyder and Catherine, his wife, conveyed to Jacob Weirich, Lewis Hewitt, David Sedicker
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and Christian MIornish, trustees, for the use of the Ger- man Lutheran and Presbyterian Congregation, lots Nos. 264 and 265 fronting on Walnut street and extending back along Front street to Spruce alley, for the sum of $50 and a yearly rent of $2, which reut continued to be paid up to 1870.
The trustees in September, 1812, contracted with James Chambers, a carpeuter, to build a "meeting liouso for $170, the trustees to furnish the material." Tho building was not complete until 1816, wheu another sub- scription was taken for that purpose.
The building was of logs aud was built on the south eud of the lots, frouting on what is now Spruce avenue. The interior was finished in oak. The pulpit, which in shape resembled the half of a wine glass, with steps leading up to it, was built high against the north side of the building. A balcony extended along both euds and the opposite side about nine feet above the floor. The seats were oaken benches. To light the building at night tallow dips were used. The semi-circle rail of the pulpit was furnished with holes iu which these dips were placed to furuish light for the minister. (This building is still standing and is now used for a dwelling.)
In 1818 the congregation built a small log house on the southeast coruer of the lot where the Jewish syn- agogue now stands, for a school room and it was so used till 1831, when Jacob Kuffenburger, the church sexton, occupied the building for a dwelling.
Rev. D. Henry Weygand was pastor iu 1818 and re- mained till 1829, when on February 21 of that year Rev. John Brown became pastor. About this time Rev. Abraham Winters, of the United Brethren, began hold- ing services in the church. For a time the pulpit was vacant. In 1834 Rev. Charles Swissler, of the Reform German Church, became pastor. In 1841 Rev. H. B. Miller took eharge.
In 1842 the church was incorporated under the name of the German Evangelical Lutheran and Reform Church of the borough of Washington. They were to elect nine trustees annually, chosen of both denominations. The next year the log church was weather-boarded and other- wise repaired. Rev. Miller was succeeded by Abraham Weills, who continued about four years. He was suc- eeeded by Rev. C. G. Fredericks, a minister of the Luth- eran Church.
On January 1, 1858, John Hardley became the Ger- man Reform pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. Wey- gandt. The church was vacant for years, with services irregularly. About this time the Reform Church ceased to exist and the German Lutheran called Rev. P. Swei- gert in 1867. During the next summer the church was again repaired at a cost of about $1,000. In 1871 Rev. George C. Fredericks took charge.
Prom 1868 to 1870 Rev. Weills preached occasionally. In 1872 Rev. 1. Il. Geabut became the English pastor and from this time on the services in the afternoons were in English, German in the morning. The same year the first organ was purchased and used in the church.
Iu March, 1881, Rev. J. W. Myers became the English pastor. "About this time because of the use of Ger- man and worldly pride many forgot their early vows aud eeased longer to assemblo themselves with our little flock," their number was reduced to about 30 members.
The lots in tho rear of the church were used for a burial ground. The first grave kuowu to be opened here was in 1811. For many years but few graves were dug. A part of the lots were overgrown with witch hazel. Cattle were allowed to feed there.
In 1882 the Rev. G. C. Wenzel became pastor; and from 1884 on the services wero held only in English. July 10, 1884, a new charter was secured, the congre- gation becoming incorporated under the name of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Washington, Pa. A lot was purchased at the corner of Beau and Frank- lin streets and in the early summer of that year a brick building was erected; it was dedieated 1885. The Rev. Wenzel continned as pastor up till September 22, 1895. Rev. C. B. Lindtweid took charge January, 1896, and remained up to 1898. In April, 1900, Rev. C. H. Hem- sath became pastor of the church, which had been vacant since 1898. In 1900 the congregation began the erection of a briek parsouage on the rear of the church lot, front- ing on Bean street. The parsonage was completed Jan- uary, 1901. Rev. Hemsath continued pastor until 1905, when Rev. Paul Z. Strodach succeeded him, November 11, and remained until March 17, 1907. He was followed May 19, 1907, by Rev. Morris Smith, the present pastor. The mombership is 235.
The Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church of Wash- ington-Services according to the ritual of the Prot- estant Episcopal Church were held in Washington as early as 1810. In 1812 the Rev. William David, of Somerset, conducted services and preached occasionally in a schoolhonse. In 1843 the Rev. Enos Woodward, of Brownsville, began holding services on the fourth Sun- day of each month in the college chapel, secured through Prof. R. H. Lee.
The sacrament of the Holy Communion according to the Episcopal rites was administered in Washington the first time, November 12, 1843, the clergymen of- ficiating at the service being the Rev. Mr. Woodward and Rev. Mr. Dyer, of Pittsburg. A meeting of the congre- gation was held April 22, 1844, when a permanent or- ganization was effected and a charter secured in May of the same year under the title of the "Parish of Trinity Church." The Rev. E. Woodward officiated as
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rector of the parish until May, 1845, when he was suc- ceeded by Rev. E. J. Messenger. From 1845 to 1850 Prof. Lee acted as lay rector. In 1850 the congregation purchased a lot on East Beau street, on which the church now stands. The church was built and opened for serv- ices the same year and in September, 1854, the church being free from deht, and was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Alonze Potter. Later the church edifice was found to he defective and during the rectorship of Rev. Dr. Lee, who had been ordained minister, since his lay reading days, a new one, tho present honse of worship of the congregation, was built. It was conse- crated by Bishop Potter in November, 1863.
In February, 1869, the congregation erected a school- house in the rear of the church, hut its nse for school purposes has since heeu abandoned. Rev. Christian M. Young assumed the rectorship in 1896. The present rector is Rev. Thomas E. Swan, who followed Rev. Mr. Young December 1, 1907. The total number of communi- cants at present is 243.
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Washing- ton-In the year 1801 a Rev. Father Lannigan preached probably the first sermon of the Catholic doctrine in Washington. This meeting was held at the court house. Services were held at a later date by Rev. C. McGuire. The next account we have of Catholic preaching in Washington was on February 1, 1824, at the house of Matthew Blake by the Rev. P. Rafferty. In the fall of 1841 a lot was purchased for a chapel, on the National Pike, nearly opposite where the gas works then stood, hut so strong was the opposition to Catholicism at that time, that purchasers of the adjoining lots notified the property holders that they would not huild if the church was established in that part of town. The matter was adjusted by Rev. M. Gallagher waiving the church's in- terest in the lot.
On the 5th of March, 1842, a lot was bought on the east side of "Belle" street, now Wheeling street, 40x60 feet, for $60. A church was commenced in 1843 and finished in 1844, and although preaching services were held in it regularly, the chapel was not completely con- secrated until 1854 when the ceremony was performed hy the Rev. Bishop Wheelin. The present structure is the successor of the first Catholic Church.
The church has heen served by many rectors. Rev. John Faughnan is the present rector and Rev. James Gilmore is assistant.
At the first confirmation held in 1836, there were hut eight families, consisting of 16 persons enrolled in the Catholic congregation of Washington. Most of these were Germans and a few Irish. Father Faughnan's parisli now includes about 400 families or about 2,000 persons at Washington and in the church at Claysville there are abont 13 families or ahout 60 people.
Included in the Washington parish is also a large and prosperous parochial school. The school huilding, which is a modern hrick building, stands at the corner of Franklin and West Chestnut streets. It is conducted hy the Sisters of Mercy, the principal being Sister Pierre Ward, and the sisterhood numbers 12.
Enrolled in the school at present are 425 pupils. Be- side the religious training the course of study runs practically from kindergarten to high school standard of instruction. In addition to the enrolled members of the parish of the Immaculate Conception there are in and ahont Washington a large number of Italians and Poles of the Catholic faith, and although more or less transient, are considered members of the parish and for their henefit an Italian and a Polish priest visit the local church every three months and preach to these people in their native tongues.
In 1872 ground was purchased on the Pittshurg Pike, a mile from Washington, and a Catholic cemetery laid out.
The Salvation Army is a Bihle military organized body raised from the people who have drifted away from the influence of the churches. Meetings were he- gun to he held in Washington on December 16, 1897.
It was opened by young women officers, Capt. Swan, Lieut. Hamilton and Ensign Terril, in the Smith hall, East Beau street. The meetings met with great success, the crowds hecoming so great in attendance that for public safety the door had to he locked in order to save a panic and keep the crowds back. Hundreds of people professed conversion and many joined the different churches; many great drunkards were converted.
But owing to the many changes of officers during so short a period of time and the lack of proper and fit huildings to carry on the work, the work was not as satisfactory as was expected and looked for until Ad- jutant aud Mrs. Black took charge, about two and a half years ago. Adjutant and Mrs. Black secured the building, 67 West Wheeling street. They also started the jail work, visiting the poor and attending to the cry of the needy and supplying their needs. They also organized a brass band and placed the work in a hetter standing than it had been for years.
Its present roll has 60 members on it and 32 are active working members at the present time.
The Christian Science Society of Washington was organized in the spring of 1897 at the home of Mrs. Rachel A. Guinn, in Jefferson avenue, Mrs. Guinn hav- ing been led to investigate the teachings of Christiau Science through the healing and restoration to health of her daughter, Mrs. Florence N. McDonough.
For almost a year the only persons taking an active interest in the Christian Science cause iu Washington were Mrs. Guinn, Mrs. Florence MeDonough, Mr. and
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Mrs. Charles Gninn and Joseph Guinn. Through the earnest efforts of Mrs. Guinu and her children others became interested, and it was found necessary to pro- eure quarters in Burchinal Hall in West Chestnut street, which were used as a meeting place until 1905, when rooms were taken in the Montgomery Building, at 13 North Main street.
The work of the Christian Science Society of Wash- ington is giving out the gospel, healing the sick, com. forting the sorrowing and striving to be known as earnest and sincere workers.
Those who have served as public readers in the Christian Science Society of Washington are Mr. Charles Guinn and Mrs. Florence MeDouough, First and Second Reader, respectively. Mr. Guinn aud Mrs. McDonongh were the readers until Mrs. MeDonough removed to Indiana, where later her brother also located. Sueeced- ing Mr. Guinn and Mrs. MeDonough, Mr. John Pauer was eleeted First Reader and Mrs. Jennie D. Reynolds Second Reader.
In October, 1906, Mr. Paner with his family removed to MeKeesport. Mrs. Jennie B. Groh was chosen to sueceed Mr. Pauer as First Reader and now occupies that position.
St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church of Washiugtou was organized about the year 18IS. The Revs. Samuel Clingman, Thomas Lawrence and William Newman were among the first preachers. This organi- zation owned a creditable church property on North Lin- coln street, near where the Nazareth Baptist Church now stauds. Here the members worshiped for many years aud during that time men of honorable mention- ing served them, some of whom were the Revs. Augustus R. Green, Shuggars T. Jones, Levex Gross, W. H. Brown and W. A. J. Phillips.
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