USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > East Liberty Presbyterian Church : with historical setting & a narrative of the centennial celebration, April 12-20, 1919 > Part 16
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This was to be followed by a reception in the lecture room and a visit to the curio or relic room in the chapel. In the evening an Old Folks' Concert was planned to conclude the day's celebration.
All our friends and former members were invited to be our guests for the day and evening. The pictures were imper- sonated by our young people-the children and the women in general. The First Missionary Meeting was unique in the fact that all those taking part were either charter members of the society or became members in very early days. Mrs. John Gil- lespie conducted the meeting, Miss McConnell was the secre- tary, while Miss Spahr, Mrs. J. M. Pardee, Mrs. Will Mc- Connell, Mrs. Harris Crawford, Mrs. Samuel Dickey, Miss McCombs and Mrs. R. H. Negley were in the pictures. They were all attired in costumes of 1870 and seemed to enjoy the bringing back of those days as much as the forty little children did in the first picture of the afternoon, when in quaint dress of the children of 1819 they assembled for school. The older children of this group were afterward the wee waiters at our Colonial Tea, in the lecture room. Each tableau was a true picture of the costume of the period it represented and many treasures were brought forward to make them complete. Our spinning wheel, the quilting frames loaned by Mrs. Jenkins, and containing a partially quilted comfort, were genuine in- deed. In the picture of war work of 1861, honored veterans of our church passed by in review.
The historical paper by Mrs. H. P. Pears which follows will explain the nine illustrations of the various periods given in the tableaux. First, School Children of 1819; second, The
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Quilting Bee; third, The Spinner; fourth, Work During the War of 1861; sixth, The First Missionary Meeting; seventh, Our Buds of Promise; eighth, The Spirit of Religion; ninth, War Work of Today.
HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION OF TABLEAUX MRS. VALERIA M. J. PEARS.
Every important work has been founded because some one, some time, has had a vision. The church in this instance is the visible result. Long back of the organized work, springs of interest unrecorded loom up today.
But before I begin my story we must glance backward a century, and give a brief sketch of East Liberty as it then appeared. Your imagination will be duly taxed in recalling the Greensburg Pike, now Penn avenue, with a few old log and frame houses of two or three rooms. Corner of what is now Penn and Collins avenue was a frame steam mill. Upon the site of McMurray's drugstore was a dilapidated old tavern with extensive stablings. In the rear of this a frame house of very small dimensions. Where the railroad now crosses Penn avenue another small frame house. Back of what is now known as the Liberty Block an old log tavern, originally Thompson's, afterwards Beitler's.
On Black Horse Hill another of the same called Black Horse Tavern, and the old Negley mansion, corner of what is now Negley and Stanton avenues. Then dot the valley here and there with a few log houses and you have East Liberty as it was in 1819.
The real action of the tale begins in the center of the above picture, where a small frame schoolhouse, 16x20, built by Mr. Jacob Negley, situated near the site of the present church, where children of East Liberty valley gathered daily and learned " "Tis education forms the common mind; just as the twig is bent the tree inclines."
The early settlers enjoyed few religious privileges. Occa- sional services were held by ministers of various evangelical denominations in this small schoolhouse just described. In these early days-for Pittsburgh was in its infancy, having been chartered only three years before-women were not en-
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gaged in regular church work, but led very busy lives in their homes, looking after large families with wool to spin, stockings to knit, and all sewing done by hand, as machines had not then come into use. There is ample evidence obtainable not only of the great antiquity but also of the wide, almost uni- versal, diffusion of the art of spinning antedating weaving, which was also the occupation of the women in their homes, that the homespun clothing might be provided for the families, that known as linsey-woolsey being in general use.
After the laborious domestic duties enumerated, it might well be thought that there was little time for any sociability among the families of East Liberty valley; but on the con- trary, many were the occasions through the year that the women gathered together to make merry and to assist each other at the husking bees, butchering, apple butter making and quilting. These were festive occasions, particularly the latter, when great preparations were made, for the Sunday gown must be donned and an early start after midday made to meet at one of the homes to participate in the quilting of a marvelous patchwork quilt, where both fingers and tongues were busy until early candle light, when the work was laid aside to wel- come the men of the families, who came to partake of the good cheer of a bountiful supper, and ending often in the young peo- ple attending a spelling bee or a singing school with a sleigh ride home, and when the snow fell during the winter the merry music of the sleigh bells and happy young voices could be heard over the hills and valleys of East Liberty.
After the Civil War broke out patriotism ran high. Already the news of the assault on Fort Sumter had resounded through the land and President Lincoln's proclamation had been issued with a call for troops. Pennsylvania men were among the first to respond, and on April 15th, 1861, 20,175 brave men, almost double the quota, joined the militia.
The Arsenal on Penn avenue, not far from this historic spot, was the scene of great excitement and increasing activity, great quantities of firearms and munitions were collected for imme- diate use, and while precaution was taken to guard night and day, an accident occurred that some may remember today. The rumbling noise heard at night for quite a time in the
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vicinity of the Arsenal aroused the curiosity of the neighbors, and they set out to investigate and found that the sound pro- ceeded from the moving of firearms and munitions to a place of shipment by a traitor named Floyd, who was about to send it to the Confederate army.
Troops of soldiers were passing through Pittsburgh by thou- sands with the same disease of hunger that canteen workers now have to deal with, and the loyal women came to their relief by giving edibles, emptying their cupboards of all pro- visions until they were as bare as the traditional cupboard of Old Mother Hubbard. But this was inadequate to meet the demands, and the women of this church formed with others all over the city to carry on a scheme of great proportions to raise money to provide for the increasing war needs. A large tem- porary building was erected on a plot of ground that is now a park opposite the Allegheny market house on Federal street and called it the Sanitary Fair. Every amusement and interest was introduced to attract the populace. People, regardless of creed and sect, engaged in making it a success. Distinguished and notable people from all over the state became patrons, and the name of President of the United States, Abraham Lin- coln, headed the list. It was a wonderful success and lasted some weeks. Afterwards old City Hall was used as a place to feed all soldiers passing through the city.
The women of this church threw open the doors to all who would come to aid the war work, which consisted in making hospital garments, bandages, slips of pasteboard covered with calico and muslin, and scraped lint from muslin and linen which was used for sores and wounds in the army. Probably the precaution for sanitation was not so strictly enforced as it was in this world's war-for microbes had not been discovered, and "where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise."
When the battle fields grew closer great was the alarm over the cry "The Rebels are coming." With women, to be fore- warned is to be forearmed; they gathered their valuables and buried them in some unsuspected spot, often using the old silver water pitchers as the receptacle in which they hid their treas- ures.
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From the beginning women were a part of the Sunday school, which antedates the church by several years, although history tells us when organized at its first session Luke Loomis and Isaac Harris and nine children composed the school. But it was not long before the good women among the Baileys, Barrs and other families had a part in the work, although silent are the records. But it is ever so where women are con- cerned, for St. Paul bade them to be modest, therefore their efforts remain unrecorded.
Long years before organized work began for Home Mis- sions, women met together to sew for the poor and for mission- ary families in the far West, to whom boxes were sent to sup- plement their meagre salaries, and many letters are in evidence bearing testimony of the joy and comfort they gave. About 1866 the regular organized work began with Mrs. Wm. B. McIlvaine, the pastor's wife, as president. They met weekly, but soon found that all-day sewings were necessary, as the workers in the South for Freedmen claimed their aid, and finally added the work for supplying the city hospitals. In 1885 the society became an auxiliary of the Pittsburgh and Allegheny Presbyterial Society.
Oh, were there time to mention the names of these faithful women whose memory we so fondly treasure! But there are some present today who will recall, like the writer, the friendly social group of women who composed the Sewing Society, as it was then called, and from which the entertaining items of news that were gathered during the afternoon were related by the mother on her return home.
It was not until 1884 that the women organized for foreign missionary work. Mrs. Kumler came as the pastor's wife, with her vigorous, bright, active mind, and advanced ideas on mis- sions, quietly viewed the possibilities. She met with the society to sew one afternoon. When the right time came she simply said: "We have met today for Home Missions. Next Friday we will meet for Foreign, for they are all one." The women came and the cause of Home Missions never suffered, but rather increased in interest, as is shown by the report for that year,
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A GROUP OF "OLD FOLKS"
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box work amounting to $823.04, collection in cash, $1,114.17, a total of $1,937.21. But we have anticipated and must now turn backward a few years.
The Philadelphia Board, which celebrates its fiftieth anni- versary next year, endeavored to have the East. Liberty Pres- byterian Church begin work for Foreign Missions, and Dr. Gillespie laid the matter before the women, but they were so busily engaged in Home Mission work that they were unwill- ing to attempt any new work. So he appealed to the young ladies of the congregation, and one afternoon, with Miss Annie Graham, Miss Amelia Spahr, Miss Lide McConnell and Mrs. Springer Harbaugh in charge, the following young ladies met at the church: Miss Tillie Paulson, Miss Annie Imhof, Miss Rebecca Stotler, who became the treasurer. Meetings were held from house to house each Friday afternoon from October to April to make fancy articles, and in the spring gave a fair. The result of the work was $150, which was given to the general fund for Foreign Missions. Mrs. Edward Negley was the second president. By subscription and a fair $200 was raised. The next year the society pledged this amount each year towards support of a missionary. A treasurer's receipt dated Feb. 21st, 1874, is in existence for money given in sup- port of Mrs. M. L. Barker, Rat-Nagiri, India, whose husband first established that mission station. In 1877 this society be- came responsible for the support of Mrs. Armanda B. McGuin- nis, now Mrs. Goheen, of India. This sentence in one of the minutes leads us to believe that an organization existed in 1870: "It is suggested that our treasurer get a new book as the old one is worn out, having been in use since 1870." We feel happy that almost all of the original members remain to greet you today.
There have been a large number of bands and auxiliaries formed since 1870, with a history quite as important and effec- tive as any organization in the church, with good consecrated leaders, who have been an inspiration to the members. But with the limited time given to me it would be impossible to do justice to the subject, especially as changes took place from time to time, merging and consolidating, with changes in leaders
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and names of bands. Among the last to be formed was the Ladies' Aid Society. It is just ten years old. They look after the interests of the church and do the box work for hospitals that was formerly done by the Home Missionary Society.
But the oldest band is the Buds of Promise, organized in 1877 by Mrs. Daniel Wallace, Mrs. Thomas Patterson and Mrs. Jos. Torrens. After the death of Mrs. Wallace, Miss Lehmer and Miss Amelia Spahr continued it. Then followed Mrs. Jno. Gillespie, Mrs. A. M. Thorne, Miss West McCay (now Mrs. Pardee), Miss Lizzie Johnston (now Mrs. R. W. Patterson), Mrs. Kumler, and in 1893 Mrs. Robert Patterson again became the leader. For over twenty years Mrs. Jno. H. McKelvy has been its faithful leader and hundreds of children have had the missionary spirit implanted in them as the result of her teaching. Never can the fruits of this band be estimated as only a partial record exists, but there has been something like $4,700 in collections.
THE CROSS
The first thing one looks for in a picture is the principal object or the painter's point of view. Everything else is of secondary interest. Our point of view, the culminating point, which all these past activities lead us to, is the Cross of Christ at which all points meet. "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."
"See heathen nations bending Before the God we love, And thousand hearts ascending In gratitude above; While sinners, now confessing, The gospel call obey, And seek the Saviour's blessing, A nation in a day."
VICTORY
We have arrived at the last decade of the church's history and the most momentous in the history of the world. Never before in any country or any age has there been anything to compare with the situation that has existed for nearly five years. Out of this vortex of savagery, frightfulness, and cruelty of the world war arose the beneficent ministration of the American
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THE BUDS OF PROMISE-MRS. JOHN H. MeKELVY, LEADER
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Red Cross, the most potent balm for the relief of the sick, wounded and dying men on the battlefields. That uplifted banner with the emblem of the merciful cross waving over the stricken nations of Europe bringing hope, cheer and comfort to the distressed and suffering that no words can convey. American women enlisted enthusiastically under this banner, none more so than the large number from this church, spurred onward by that service flag with its 120 stars-three of them golden, "The Eternal Jewels of the Short-Lived Night." Under the efficient leadership of Mrs. W. N. Frew, over two hundred women met daily, working with energy and ability that could scarcely be equalled. The heads of each department showed the greatest efficiency and faithfulness. Women who were engaged during the day worked evenings. Every call and demand for service was met. Sewing, surgical bandages, nurses, ambulance drivers, and canteen workers. The vastness of the undertaking may be gathered from the following report: 115,163 surgical dressings, 25,404 hospital garments, 6,781 knitted articles and in collections $106,000.11. With this record it is fair to assume that women had a large share in winning the war, and today stand shoulder to shoulder, in loyalty to their country and to their flag, that shall never be lowered for any other, that waves in its spotless beauty and untarnished glory. We have room but for one flag. It has symbolized but one emotion: "My country, my whole country, and nothing but my country."
2II
OLD FOLKS' CONCERT
NOTHER capacity audience filled the church on Wednesday evening, and were more than delighted with "Ye Olde Folkes' Greate Concerte, by Father Burchfield's Singin Skewl, at Early Candle Light."
As the name indicates, it was a real old-time performance, every detail planned with an eye to avoiding anachronisms, even the unique program printed on brown paper announcing "Ye Lyste of Hymns and Worldlie Songs to be Sung at East Lib- erty Presbyterian Meeting House."
The concert was ably conducted by Prof. Robert J. Mc- Dowell, who for many years has been the efficient director of music in the prayer meeting and Sunday school. Miss Josephine Babst, prayer meeting pianist, was the capable chairman of this committee.
Director McDowell was arrayed in the garb of a mediaeval musician and the performers, numbering more than sixty, were arrayed in costumes of a century past, while a quaint little melodeon, more than a hundred years old, belonging to Mrs. R. Heberton Negley, graced the platform.
The audience was first entertained with an overture on the organ, rendered by Mrs. Huseman.
When the opening hour for the concert arrived, electric lights were turned out and with them withdrew the atmosphere of the present era, and the waiting audience was once more transported in fancy to the East Liberty of 1819.
All eyes were turned toward the rear of the auditorium, where twinkling little lights seemed to fall into procession.
Slowly and gracefully the singers, in their quaint and beau- tiful costumes of the long ago, marched up the aisles of the darkened auditorium to the platform, each bearing a lighted candle, and singing "Love's Old Sweet Song" in harmonious unison.
The note of patriotism was struck when the audience joined in singing "The Star-Spangled Banner." As the various num-
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bers on the program were rendered with artistic skill by chorus and soloists, one round of genuine applause was only succeeded by another as the melody was caught of these songs so old, and yet ever able to strike the chord of a fresh response.
To many in the audience, sweet memories clustered around the old, familiar melodies, memories perhaps of days gone by, when in childhood's care-free hours, these same songs were sung by a fond mother's loving voice.
The second part of the program opened with the "Soldiers Chorus," a special feature of the evening. With the opening chords of the song, returned soldiers, members of the congrega- tion, led by Uncle Sam, in the person of Mr. William Cotton, of Bellevue, six feet six inches tall, marched through the church, while the audience stood at attention.
This number was followed by the sweet strains of "Silver Threads Among the Gold," with "Sister Betsye Cheerful Prentys" at the old-time melodeon, from which she succeeded in extracting melody out of all proportion to the size of the instrument, which blended harmoniously with the rich voices of the singers.
After singing the "Marseillaise" and "Home, Sweet Home," the audience dispersed, feeling as though they had really en- joyed the simplicity of a nineteenth century concert carried out with talent worthy of twentieth century development.
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HOME-COMING DAY APRIL 17, 1919
HE great celebration would have been decidedly incomplete had there not been a special occasion provided for the home-coming of the absent mem- bers of the church family. The return to the parental roof of former individual members to receive a hearty welcome from the personnel of the present, afforded a happy occasion, when old friendships were revived, old scenes reviewed, and a general hour of good fellowship enjoyed.
In addition to the reception of individual members, East Liberty Church in her ecclesiastic capacity received her children to the third generation.
The chapel and church parlors were tastefully decorated with flowers and exotics, with our own dear Old Glory and flags of the Allies and the newly adopted church flag; drawing room lamps with their bright-hued shades and mellow light adding to the effectiveness of the very homelike scene.
In front of a background of towering exotics stood the receiv- ing party, Dr. and Mrs. Sneed, the Rev. Mr. Gearhart and Mrs. Gearhart, Mr. and Mrs. John Updegraff, Mr. and Mrs. M. D. Shields, and Mr. Samuel E. Gill, representing the elders, Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Merrill and Mr. and Mrs. George B. Roessing, representing the board of deacons, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Hicks and Mr and Mrs. Charles H. West representing the board of trustees.
A letter of congratulation and felicitation from the His- torical Society of Western Pennsylvania was read by Mr. Wm. M. Robinson, in the absence of President Wm. H. Stevenson, who was unable to be present, followed by letters from some of our missionaries.
Dr. Sneed was chairman of the evening, and in a happy and humorous vein introduced the pastors of the various churches which have gone out from the parental roof of East Liberty Church to build up a church of their own.
The first church to go out was Mt. Olive, which later united
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with the Sixth Presbyterian Church, and was represented by the pastor, the Rev. B. F. Farber, D.D., who responded in an appropriate speech of congratulation.
Dr. Hugh T. Kerr, with a witty speech, brought greetings from Shady Side Presbyterian Church, the next child to leave the parental roof. He testified to the gratitude of himself and his congregation for the efforts made by twenty-two people, of whom eleven came from East Liberty Church, five of whom he said were Aikens and two Negleys, in organizing this im- portant church.
Park Avenue Church being without a pastor at the present time, the Rev. Charles Chalfant, D.D., son of the late Rev. George M. Chalfant, D.D., for many years the beloved pastor of Park Avenue Church, expressed cordial greetings in a humor- ous vein.
The Rev. John Alison, D.D., followed with a cheery greeting from Point Breeze Church, which went out in 1887, when forty members, including Elder Charles Arbuthnot, organized another center of worship and influence.
Highland Avenue Presbyterian Church responded in the person of Dr. C. P. Cheeseman, their first and only minister, whose long pastorate has borne abundant fruit. In Dr. Cheese- man's response he paid a gracious compliment, when he said "Our Mother, although a century old, still has the bloom of youth upon her cheek."
Valley View Presbyterian Church responded through Mr. George O. Reemsnyder, a senior at the Western Theological Seminary, who is supplying the pulpit, and in a pleasing manner expressed congratulations and good wishes.
The Italian Church was represented by the pastor, the Rev. Giacomo Maugeri, who brought a grateful message of congratu- lation from his flock, which has always been under the fostering care of East Liberty Church.
The Rev. Thomas Watters, D.D., pastor of the Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, responded with cordial felicitations ex- pressed in a happy vein from the first grandchild, which con- solidated in 1906 with the First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh.
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The Rev. Paul Sappie, pastor of the Lemington Avenue Church, with which another grandchild, the Apple Avenue Church, united, also brought congratulations.
The Rev. P. W. Snyder, D.D., pastor of the Homewood Presbyterian Church, another grandchild, was unable to be present.
Dr. Francis W. Crowe responded for the worthy great- grandchild, Blackadore Avenue Church, and expressed cordial good wishes for the future prosperity of East Liberty Church.
Another interesting feature was the address of greeting from the Rev. John D. McBride, pastor of Beulah Church, who no longer feels that we are trespassing on her ecclesiastic boun- daries.
The eldest communicant in the church, Mr. Henry P. Krebs, for many years a member of the board of trustees, was remembered on this occasion. It was a matter of regret that Mr. Krebs was unable to be present, but his daughter, Mrs. Harry W. Fulton, accepted on his behalf the tribute of a beau- tiful American Beauty rose which Dr. Sneed presented in the name of the congregation with fitting words of appreciation of our senior member.
The relic rooms, with their cordial guides, were an attractive resort for all, and later delicious refreshments were served in the church dining room, Mrs. Kate Edna Negley Gerst and her assistants proving themselves efficient entertainers along this line.
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THE RELICS MARGUERITE M. ELDER
N interesting feature of Centennial week was the exhibit of relics in the beautiful rooms on the sec- ond floor of the Kumler Memorial Chapel. The committee in charge of this exhibit consisted of more than fifty members, several of whom were lifelong resi- dents of the East Liberty valley and have been identified with East Liberty Church from childhood. This committee was organized into groups and for several weeks a diligent search was made for interesting relics. Old trunks were opened, precious treasures unpacked and many sacred memories thus awakened. The members of the congregation contributed so generously that the collection of rare historic treasures was not only a great surprise, but a real delight to the visitors.
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