USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > East Liberty Presbyterian Church : with historical setting & a narrative of the centennial celebration, April 12-20, 1919 > Part 11
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At the beginning of the nineteenth century there were but thirteen colleges in the United States. Four of these were founded by Presbyterians and four by Congregationalists. To their honor it may be truthfully said that these two Christian bodies gave the first impulse to higher education on this continent.
But even Princeton, the oldest of Presbyterian colleges, from 1808 to 1813 had but one full professor, besides the president; and from 1813 to 1827, but two. Up to 1812 we had no theo- logical seminary. Then Princeton Seminary opened with one professor and three students. This explains why, when a min- ister came to the little flock in East Liberty, after they had waited for nine years, he was a man from overseas. There were many groups of believers throughout this frontier coun- try waiting for a shepherd as East Liberty was waiting for the Irish missionary, John Joyce.
The only way men could prepare for the ministry before 1812 was to study under some pastor, as young men seeking the law attached themselves to some successful lawyer.
After the great revival spread into this section, many men past school age sought to enter the ministry. These largely got their preparation in service, such as dealing with inquirers and leading small meetings for prayer. This is the way such useful men as Joseph Patterson and Thomas Davis came into the ministry. They proved their call by the souls they led to Christ. Thomas Davis is said to have been the first layman west of the Allegheny mountains to pray in public. He was
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the grandfather of our Dr. Thomas D. Davis, who served as Elder of this church thirty-seven years, and is still held in blessed memory.
There was a general breaking up after the war of 1812. This awakening was in commerce as well as in religion; and before the first quarter of the century closed it was at high tide.
The farmers of the East who had been affected by the wars, started for the rich lands of the west in great numbers. Into the states of Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, as well as western Pennsylvania this tide flowed. Some of these states doubled and even trebled their population in a decade. Pittsburgh, of course, greatly profited by this movement. Her population in ten years increased more than seventy-three per cent. The gov- ernment bought Arsenal Park, and expended some three hun- dred thousand dollars in its improvement. The first rolling mill was built here in 1819. President Monroe visited the city in 1817. This western tide gave a new impulse to improve transportation. Trails were made into roads; bridges were erected. In 1816 the Pittsburgh and Greensburg Pike was laid out. The Monongahela bridge was erected in 1818; and the Allegheny bridge in 1820. This also was the era of canal building. In 1816 the Union Canal was started, leading from Reading to Middletown, and soon after its completion the state began the construction of the water route from Pitts- burgh to Philadelphia. The Erie Canal came about the same time. The building of the steamboat "New Orleans" came also in this period ; and in 1821 gas was found on Little Char- tiers Creek.
The spiritual awakening already begun was only augmented by this new spirit in business and the improved means of travel. Academies suddenly became colleges. In 1802 McMillan's Log Cabin Academy suddenly became Jefferson College, and in 1806 Washington College was incorporated. Later theo- logical seminaries sprang up here and there. Our Western Seminary opened for work in Allegheny in 1827.
The General Assembly of 1816 constituted the Board of
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Home Missions. A committee up to this time directed all such work in the church; but now the spirit of expansion had out- grown the committee.
In 1806 was the famous haystack prayer meeting held by students of Williams College, which gave birth to the Amer- ican Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions, in the work of which the Presbyterian Church was a participant for years. This participation continued until 1831, when the Western Missionary Society was organized by the Synod of Pittsburgh, which later became our present Board of Foreign Missions.
Remember when the church was seeing visions and launch- ing these large schemes, she was still in her swaddling clothes. According to the report of 1817 there were in the whole Pres- byterian Church but five hundred thirty-six ministers, five hun- dred fifty-six churches, with forty-seven thousand five hundred sixty-eight members. It was this same spirit that animated the founders of this East Liberty Church, you can easily see, when you judge them in the light of their environment.
Take this broad avenue upon which this church faces, the spacious lot upon which this church stands, and compare these with many others of much later date, and you will get my point. Think what it would mean to this city today if all the property owners along this line of Penn avenue had laid off the broad thoroughfare that runs through East Liberty.
In 1828 the church was organized by the Rev. John Joyce, a man evidently of missionary spirit, with twenty-two members coming from five different churches, and yet perfect harmony seemed to prevail from the first.
Jacob Negley died March 18, 1827, which explains why his name does not appear in the list of charter members. On Sabbath, October 5, 1828, the young church held its first com- munion service. Eleven new members were added, nine of whom were on confession of faith. October 12, 1828, the Rev. John Joyce baptized the first child, Rebecca Roup Negley. At the second communion twenty-one new members were added ; at the third, eleven, making sixty-three in all, thus trebling its membership in the first year.
In those early sessional records we find frequent references like this: "The session met for conference and prayer." A
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praying session has much to do with making a praying church. This spirit of growth and progress seems to have followed the church throughout its career. With reasonable accuracy, the following figures have been compiled :
Added on Confession.
Added by Letter.
Total.
From 1828 to 1865
365
332
688
From 1865 to 1878
285
342
627
From 1878 to 1884
117
172
289
From 1884 to 1901
760
846
1,606
From 1901 to 1919
869
872
1,741
2,387
2,564
4,951
A COLONIZING CHURCH
The missionary spirit of the church early manifested itself in the effort to care for other sections needing Gospel minis- trations, and so she has become a mother of churches. We do not claim to have started, or founded, the Sixth United Pres- byterian Church. We would be proud to do so if we could. Yet the facts show that its beginnings bear to East Liberty Church a unique relation. After examining our own records, reading the published history of the Sixth United Presbyterian Church, and consulting with several members of the family of Mr. David Kuhn, the following is made plain: in 1856 Mr. Kuhn was a member and trustee of East Liberty Church. On the twenty-fourth day of March of this year, a melodeon was brought into the church, which for that time was a radical innovation. Mr. Kuhn resigned as trustee, and he and his family withdrew from East Liberty Church, with others who evidently sympathized with his position. In the autumn of the same year, in the home of Mr. Kuhn were taken steps which brought into existence what was first known as the Associate Presbyterian Church. But we only mention this to clear up a bit of history which heretofore has been rather hazy.
But glories enough were left to us without claiming what does not belong to us. The following is authentic, and but recently unearthed by one of the older members of this church in an old Sabbath school record book: "This is to certify that
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SERMONS AND ADDRESSES
Sabbath, the tenth day of June, 1860, a school was organized, named the Squirrel Hill Presbyterian Sabbath School, in Peeb- les township, in Forward schoolhouse. Seven dollars have been expended for books and 'Visitor' for the use of said school, and twelve dollars more collected for the same purpose. Superin- tendent, Wm. N. Burchfield ; average attendance, seven teachers and thirty-five scholars." This school we find was fostered for years by East Liberty Church.
In the Sabbath school records of 1860 by Wm. N. Burch- field, we find under "Remarks," references like this: "In the afternoon we visited in the company with George A. Berry and Lemuel Spahr the mission school on Squirrel Hill." From this school later came the Mt. Olive Church, which consoli- dated with the Sixth Church when the latter moved to Squirrel Hill a few years ago.
In 1852 the Pennsylvania Central Railroad was opened, and suburban life became more popular. By the early sixties a number of families had their homes in what is now called the Shady Side section. Thomas Aiken, an elder in East Liberty Church, with Addison Burchfield, Charles Warmcastle, and other members of this church, opened a Sunday school in a lit- tle one-story schoolhouse in this new and growing community.
Out of this Sunday school, a few years later, came the Shady Side Presbyterian Church. The church was organized July 8, 1867. Certificates were granted to eleven members of East Liberty Church to aid in the organization, among them one elder. Later other families were dismissed, among these the family of George A. Berry, who was also an elder in East Liberty Church.
June 28, 1869, certificates were granted by the session of East Liberty Church to sixteen more members who went out to assist in starting the Westminster Church. This enterprise was also financially assisted by the mother church. For some reason this work ceased to prosper, and in 1880 the church was dissolved by the Presbytery. East Liberty, undaunted by this seeming failure, entered the same field again, and April 28, 1881, the Park Avenue Church was organized. This church has had in some respects a remarkable history. Dr. George W. Chalfant, its pastor for many years, gave three
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CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
sons to the ministry, two of whom went to China, and his daughter married the Rev. Joseph Greves, now pastor at New Alexandria, Pa. It is sometimes stated that Park avenue has given to the church more ministers and missionaries than any other church of equal size and age in the Presbytery.
Next comes Point Breeze Church, organized in 1887. It took form quickly, so its history is brief. The Point Breeze section was in the early eighties filling up with prosperous families; and Mr. Charles Arbuthnot, with thirty-nine other members dismissed by East Liberty Church, became the nucleus which formed the new church. In a little while this hive also swarmed, and the result was the Tabernacle Church.
While all this was going on, the foundation of another church was being laid. December 5, 1885, the session of East Liberty Church decided to open a work in the North Highland section. January 17, 1886, a Sunday school was started. By December of the same year, a lot had been purchased and a building erected. In the fall of 1892 the Highland Presby- terian Church was organized with 48 members. The Rev. Charles P. Cheeseman became their first pastor, and has con- tinued to lead his flock for 27 years. In a conversation with him a few days ago he spoke gratefully of the assistance given him in his work by Mr. James I. Buchanan, Mr. John H. McKelvy, Mrs. McKelvy and Mrs. Charles Curry ; the two latter were for years leaders of the Kumler Mission Band.
The Italian Church on Larimer avenue owes its beginning to a group of good women of East Liberty Church. I have been unable to get full information, but this much is clear : Miss Maggie Forsythe called the attention of Miss Margaret Buchanan (who afterwards married Dr. Ribetti), Miss Jane Rea, and others to the fact that nothing was being done for the Italians in this city. Miss Jane Buchanan, who speaks Italian, joined them, and an industrial school was started; later a Sunday school; and finally, April 3, 1894, a church was or- ganized by a committee, composed of Dr. Kumler, Dr. H. T. McClelland and Mr. James B. Lyon. The latter was for forty-four years an elder in East Liberty Church. For the success of this movement much credit must be given these good women, and those associated with them. Mr. E. H. Riggs is
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SERMONS AND ADDRESSES
now superintendent of the Sunday school, in which capacity he has served faithfully for more than twelve years. From East Liberty Church has been drawn from the first most of the helpers in this Italian work. Later this Italian church, having lost its session, was placed again under the East Liberty session.
The Jacob Negley Mission was conducted by Mr. J. M. Pardee; in Negley's Run, a most needy section, for many years, and was only given up by him a short time before his death because it overtaxed his strength. The origin of this work I have been unable to learn.
The Valley View Church, the last of this large family of happy children to leave the paternal roof, also grew out of a Sunday school, started in November, 1894, by the Young Peo- ple's Association and workers from East Liberty Sabbath school, among whom were Mr. Wm. H. Smith, Mr. J. W. Robin- son and Mr. R. B. McIntosh. Later, preaching services were begun and the Rev. George M. Ryall, a son of East Liberty, then a student in the Western Theological Seminary, supplied for them during the summer vacation. In 1902 Mr. O. H. Allerton generously gave a lot at the head of Black street, a chapel was built at a cost of about $15,000. May 6, 1914, it was organized into a church by the Presbytery. The mother church dismissed one hundred thirteen members to the new organization, and still aids the work financially. Three elders of East Liberty Church, Mr. M. D. Shields, Mr. George S. Graham and Mr. S. E. Gill, were pioneer helpers in this enter- prise.
And this is not all; but this mother of churches has given freely her children to the Lord's work, at home and in distant lands.
Theodore S. Negley, a grandson of Jacob and Barbara Anna Negley, was ordained to the Gospel ministry, April, 1876, and preached the Gospel to the saving of many souls for over thirty-five years. William Addison Burchfield prepared for the ministry, and was ordained, but had to give up the work for health reasons. Albert M. West prepared in Western Theological Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary, and in Scotland, and was ordained by the Presbytery of Council Bluffs, in 1887. He served mostly in the West, where he now
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CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
resides. George M. Ryall, after graduating from Western Theological Seminary, in 1898, settled first at West Elizabeth, but a few months later went to Saltsburg, where he has done a successful work for nearly twenty years. George E. Gilles- pie, a son of a former pastor of this church, brought up in the Sabbath school, and for this reason claimed as a son of this church, is a Princeton man, and has for many years been the successful pastor at Coatesville, Pa. William Fulton, another son of the church, graduated from Western Theological Semi- nary and died a few months later. Roy F. Miller, a student in Western Theological Seminary, who, when he entered the war, offered his services to his country, reached the rank of captain, was honorably discharged after the armistice was signed, and is now supplying the church at Cairo, W. Va.
Besides, the following missionaries have gone out: Miss Nel- lie Cuthbert, now Mrs. Arthur Bryan, went to Japan, where for years she did a great work. Miss Maggie Forsythe, known to all East Liberty people, was for years a city missionary, working among the poor here in the East End. Mrs. Harry Boyd, who, with her husband, has served twenty years in China, is now in Los Angeles, recovering from a serious breakdown in health. Miss Hadessa J. McCay, who labored for years among the mountain whites, is now a missionary visitor for this church. Miss Mary Moore in 1903 went to China; was later married to Myron Peck, who, in the great war reached the rank of captain and fell in action in France. Miss A. Katharine St. Clair and Miss Nancy E. McFarland, both went to Egypt, Miss St. Clair under the Board of the United Presbyterian Church, and Miss McFarland under our own Board. Miss St. Clair is still upon the field. Miss Mc- Farland was called back and is now Secretary for the Young Women's Christian Association, New York. Miss Louise M. Browne for several years worked in our Valley View mission, and is now identified with the work of the Society for the Improvement of the Poor. Miss Jean Hanna has for several years been in city mission work, and Mrs. Wm. T. Larimer is the Woman's Secretary of our Freedmen's Board. The last to go was Miss Elizabeth Pardee, who took up her work about
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JAMES I. BUCHANAN Elder; First President Young People's Association; Leader Class 29.
SERMONS AND ADDRESSES
a year ago. She is teaching in Mary Allen Seminary, Crocker, Texas -- a school under the Freedmen's Board.
If time would permit I would like to speak at length of the various agencies and activities of this church. There is seldom a day passes that does not see from one to half a dozen meet- ings held here. All of this will be dwelt upon in the history soon to be published. My reference, for lack of time, will be largely to the new features added during the present pastorate.
Next we turn to our Sabbath school, which traces its begin- nings back to 1819, and which has always taken a place of leadership. Dr. Worden once said in an open meeting, in my presence, that he regarded it as one of the best, if not the best, in the United States, and that meant in the world. Our school was one of the first to adopt the graded system; and class 29 is one of the oldest known organized adult classes, and has been ably led for more than thirty-six years by its present teacher, Mr. James I. Buchanan. The success of this class is due in a large measure to its faithful leader and its loyalty to the word of God. Its governing principle, "Thus saith the Lord," ends all controversy.
The present enrollment of the school is 804. The school now has many departments, among which might be mentioned also the Brotherhood Bible Class, the Home Department, and the Chinese Department, several members of which have re- turned to China to do missionary work among their own people.
Since the organization of the church in 1828, the school has had twenty superintendents. Among these are found names held in blessed memory by all who knew them. To Wm. N. Burchfield we must give the honor for the longest service as superintendent. For twenty-one and a half years he filled this important place; and next to him comes the present superin- tendent, Mr. S. E. Gill, who has over twenty years to his credit.
We will next speak of the Young People's Society, which is and long has been a factor in the church life. Through Mr. James Boyle we have been able to trace it back to small gath- erings of young men and women for prayer in separate groups. Later they united in one meeting. The first constitution was
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CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
written by Mr. Boyle, Miss Kumler, Miss Alice McFarland and Mr. Robert Buchanan. Mr. Jas. I. Buchanan was the first president.
The Young People's Society was one of the active agencies in starting the Park Avenue Church, the Highland Presby- terian Church, and the Valley View Church. It was changed into a Christian Endeavor Society in 1906. The society has for years conducted religious services monthly in the Old Couples' Home, in Wilkinsburg; and during the summer, open air meetings on the church lawn. A Junior Christian En- deavor was organized in 1916, under the joint superintendency of Mrs. S. H. Augustine and Miss Rebecca Crawford, with a charter membership of seven, and is now flourishing under the leadership of Mrs. Augustine.
East Liberty Church has from the first been known for its splendid men. It has had among its officers many men promi- nent in the business, political and religious life of the city, state and nation.
Two former pastors became secretaries of Church boards, and if you will scan the list of its elders, deacons and trustees, you will find bank presidents, leading merchants, and manufac- turers, prominent physicians, lawyers and judges of our courts. An unusually large percentage of the Sabbath school workers and teachers of this church are and always have been men. It has often been remarked that a larger number of the officers of the church are active in the Sabbath school than in most churches. So, then, to speak of the church's work is to speak of the men's work.
Of recent years there has been a growing tendency to form men and women into separate organizations for church work. The introduction of this plan in East Liberty Church as ap- plied to the men dates back to April 24, 1891. At this time a Men's Christian League was formed, with twenty-one mem- bers. In 1894 the membership had increased to sixty men. The avowed objects of the league were: to promote acquaint- ance, to inspire a closer study of the word of God, and to advance Christian work at home and abroad. A chapter of the Brotherhood of Andrew and Philip was organized May 20, 1901. This organization declared its intention to be "to spread
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SERMONS AND ADDRESSES
Christ's kingdom among the men of this community," and to bring them within the hearing of the Gospel, by inducing them to come to church. This was later succeeded by the Men's Brotherhood, which still is active in the church.
The Men's Brotherhood has a dual function also. First it tries to promote sociability among the men of the congregation and second to train men in Bible study. The Brotherhood Bible Class is really the successor of the Men's Bible Class started and taught by Elder George S. Graham, which some time after his death was divided into two classes, one of which was taught by Elder Harry E. Thompson and the other by Dr. A. S. Hunter.
The Boy Scout movement is a late and interesting phase of men's work. About three years ago a troop was organized in the church and is now vigorous and flourishing. These Scouts rendered most valuable services during the war in many ways, not the least of which was selling Liberty Bonds.
The business office was opened in the church in 1904, and has proven a great convenience to the congregation and help to the church. Those who have served in this office are: Mr. R. R. M. Thorne, Miss Bertha Griffith and Mr. A. W. Peterson.
The patriotic spirit of the church when we entered the great war quickly manifested itself. The flag pole was erected on the church lawn, with appropriate services, May 5, 1917, and thousands gathered in the streets to witness it.
The East Liberty Red Cross Branch was organized March 27, 1917, of which we are all justly proud. A Thursday morning prayer meeting was started and maintained, the fruit of which can not be measured. One hundred twenty members of the congregation entered the service and wore the uniform, besides a number of others who served in a voluntary capacity.
What shall we say of our women's work? A volume could be written on this subject. East Liberty Church would not be what it is today but for its noble women. The older societies have been mentioned in former historical sermons and in the comprehensive historical address by Elder W. G. Johnston. I must be content to mention the new societies which have been organized during the present pastorate. The regular women's
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CENTENNIAL EAST LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
missionary societies have long been a factor in this church and known for their great work throughout the Presbytery and Synod. First, we will mention the Ladies' Aid Society, which was organized November 13, 1909, at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Schultz. Mrs. Charles S. Curry was elected president with the following vice-presidents: Mrs. Wm. S. Flower, Mrs. Simon Cameron Long, and Miss Sallie M. Neg- ley, Miss Annye Wilson (Mrs. W. F. Schleiter) was elected treasurer and Miss Virginia Schultz secretary. Mrs. Curry served only until the next meeting, January 10th, when, at her request, she was made vice-president. Mrs. W. N. Frew was made president, and Mrs. Alexander King, Honorary Presi- dent. Mrs. Frew has been kept in the presidency ever since, and under her leadership the society has become a real factor in the life and work of the church. It has charge of all socials and decorations in the church. Since its organization the society has expended $4,804.82 in its work for the church. It has at present ninety-five members.
The Westminster Guild is a new missionary society, which was organized at the home of Mrs. Wm. M. McKelvy, in the autumn of 1914. This is a national organization, and each local society is a chapter. Mrs. George Arthur Frantz was the first president and under her spiritual leadership the society started well and so continues. Miss Ruth Satterfield is now president.
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