USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Uniontown > Exercises commemorating the 125th anniversary of the Great Bethel Baptist Church, Uniontown, Pa., November 9th and 10th, 1895 > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6
William Brownfield inherited his pious pugnacity honestly, as his ancestor, George Brownfield, fought with Cromwell and the Round- heads. His father, Thomas Brownfield, espoused the cause of the King against the rebellious American colonists, and became known as "Tory Tom." His brothers, Robert and Benjamin, sympathized with the colo- nists and when "Tory Tom" was arrested by the colonial patriots his
21
GREAT BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH.
two brothers interceded and saved him from harm. One of these broth- ers, Robert, was the grandfather of the late Basil Brownfield.
William Brownfield was largely self-made ; was a diligent student, a fine linguist, and became well versed in polemics and church history. He mastered Greek and Hebrew though he never was inside a college. Thus equipped he soon found himself face to face with that great relig- ious teacher, Alexander Campbell, in a controversy destined to become memorable because it resulted in Campbell's leaving the Baptist denom- iration and founding a new sect. This may seem foreign to the subject of this paper, yet it is a matter in which Great Bethel, through its pas- tor, played so prominent a part that no history of this church is com- plete without at least a reference to it.
In the same year in which William Brownfield became pastor of this church (1812) Redstone Association held its annual meeting in Union- town, and Alexander Campbell preached a sermon. Thomas and Alex- ander Campbell, father and son, had been Presbyterian seceders in Ire- land, but had revolted from that faith and coming to America settled in Washington county, where they organized the Independent church of Brush Run, baptizing its members in Buffalo creek July 4, 1811. In the following year Thomas and Alexander Campbell and their wives were baptized in the same creek by Rev. Matthias Luce, a Baptist minister of the Redstone Association. In 1815 the Brush Run church made applica- tion and was received into the fellowship of the Redstone Association. But it soon became evident that the Campbells were drifting from the Baptists as they had drifted from the Presbyterians. In 1816 Alexander Campbell preached before the Association his famous "Sermon on the Law" from Paul's words, "For what the Law could not do, " etc At the same meeting Thomas Campbell prepared the Circular Letter, which set forth his peculiar views as to the essential derivation and inferiority of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Leading pastors of the Association took issue with the doctrines of the Campbells, and the controversy ran through nearly ten years, always in the thickest of it being William Brownfield. The climax was reached at the Associational meeting with the old Redstone church near Smock station in Franklin township in 1826. There are yet living in Uniontown at least two men who were present at that meeting and can recall the scenes that so vividly im- pressed themselves on their minds, though they were but boys at the time. I refer to Ex-Sheriff Eli Cope and Mr. Joseph Hayden. There was a crowd both inside and outside the church. Within, the contro- versy was raging, with Elders Fry, Whitlatch, Brownfield, Campbell and others by turns, the principal disputants being Brownfield and Campbell. Finally Alexander Campbell picked up.his hat and walking out of the church announced that he was going to preach outside. He went down a little way, mounted a stump and began to preach. He soon had a great crowd around him, and he proclaimed his views without in- terruption, and soon after ceased his connection with the Baptists. Dr.
22
THE 125th ANNIVERSARY
James Estep, a venerable father in the Redstone Association, writing his recollections of it in 1856, said : "From the idea I had of Mr. Camp- bell, if he had been approached in kindness and christian affection, he would have been induced to modify, if not to abandon, that sentiment, but he was treated by some of the leading members of the Association in a most impulsive and forbidding manner. Hence the legend in almost every old Baptist family in Western Pennsylvania : 'If Alexander Campbell had been treated kindly he never would have been separated from the Baptists.'" Dr. Estep here plainly refers to William Brown- field, with whom he himself had had many a tilt ; but probably the best defence that could be made for Brother Brownfield, at this day, in answer to Dr. Estep's indictment, is that he had no patience with what he regarded as heresy.
Following close upon the controversy with the Campbells came an- other agitation, the outcome of which powerfully affected the influence and work of the Baptists west of the mountains.
In about 1832 there arose a serious contention as to missions and the general benevolent tendency of the denomination. The home and for- eign missionary societies were endeavoring to push their organization to all parts of the state. Mr. Brownfield opposed this movement as un- seriptural and un-Baptistic. He declared that if the Lord wanted the heathen saved He would save them in His own way. Revs. John Thomas, James Estep, Wm. Penny, Benoni Allen, Wm. Shadrach, Wm. Wood and Levi Griffith, honored names in the religious history of Western Pennsylvania, had been invited to preach occasionally, but Mr. Brown- field objected to their preaching any longer in his pulpit, because they belonged to the new school or mission Baptists. Finally Rev. Joho Thomas preferred a charge of perversion of testimony against Brown- field. The church decided in favor of Brownfield at the April meeting, 1835, and Wm. Vance, Samuel Hatfield and others withdrew from the church. At the same meeting Rev. Milton Sutton was asked to continue another year as assistant pastor.
On Oct. 3 Brownfield was asked to withdraw because he would not let other preachers fellowship. This motion was made by Dea- con John Troutman, seconded by Harry Gilbert, father of the hon- ored Prof. C. A. Gilbert, long a member of this Association, now a teacher at Hall Institute, Sharon, Pa. This motion was declared carried, but Moses Nixon, Jane Nixon, Barbara Chick, Hannah Sut- ton, Samuel McCoy and Catherine Jackaway recorded their protest and asked for a hearing at the next meeting. At the next meeting, Oct. 30, the Brownfield party had rallied and the action dismissing him as pastor was rescinded, and on motion of Isaac Hutchinson, seconded by Moses Nixon, Elder Brownfield was continued as pastor. Troutman and Gilbert then asked to have their names stricken off the church roll, and the Brownfield adherents promptly granted the request. In January following, 1836, Brownfield presented a petition to the legislature asking
23
GREAT BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH.
that body to pass an act vesting the title to the church property in the Regular or Old School Baptists. Milton Sutton read a protest against the petition. Finally the trouble reached a head. Both sides wanted to use the meeting house and the appointments of Sutton conflicted with those of Brownfield, and the Brownfield party took summary action, ex- cluding a number of the leading anti-Brownfield members. The matter was referred to the Redstone Association and that body decided in favor of the Brownfield party as the Regular Great Bethel church. (See Red. Asso. 1836.) Thus fortified, they closed the doors against the anti- Brownfieldites, but the latter opened the door and held their services. Moses Nixon was then appointed to notify them to cease making ap- pointments in the house and opening the doors. This not being heed- ed, in February, 1837, M. Nixon and I. Hutchinson were appointed to put the house again in a state of safety. The doors and windows were fast- ened with iron bars and a notice posted on the door warning trespassers to keep away or a suit would follow. Still the doors were opened and Milton Sutton and others preached to the new school party. The threat- ened suit followed, and the case was tried at a special term of court be- fore Judge Greer in 1843, when a verdict was rendered in favor of the New School or Mission party as the true Great Bethel Baptist church and the rightful owner of the property. Judge Greer said that the Baptist church was the most democratic body in the world and that a minority could not turn out a majority, the Baptists at large being unquestiona- bly in favor of missions. Mr. Brownfield, however, was permitted the use of the house and continued to preach to the Old School Baptists at such times as did not conflict with the appointments of the other con- gregation. Hamilton Abraham was the Old School church clerk, and the record of the business meetings grows briefer and finally ends with this melancholy minute :
"Oct. 31, 1846. Some members present. Read a portion of Scrip- ture. Prayer. Adjourned."
Mr. Brownfield lived to a ripe old age at his residence just south of town where Brother Porter Craig now lives, and died January 18, 1859, aged 86 years, his wife, Sarah West Brownfield, having died three years before, aged 83. They left no children. These words are inscribed on his monument in the old Baptist grave yard on the hill: "A sound and able divine, a fearless advocate of truth ; after serving his Master in the work of the ministry for 65 years, he passed to his reward."
It must be admitted that in the decision of the court recognizing the Mission Baptists, whose spokesman and main witness was Dr. Estep, who came from Peter's Creek church to testify as to Baptist principles and doctrines, there was opened up a new and wider field for the mission and work of the denomination in spreading the Gospel among men, at home and abroad. The whole trend of modern associated Baptist effort is toward carrying out the Great Commission and evangelizing the world.
24
THE 125th ANNIVERSARY
In July, 1835, there was ordained a young man who subsequently as pastor and supply preached on and off for about 50 years. This was the venerated Isaac Wynn, who united by baptism in Dec., 1831. His name is long and honorably associated with the church's history.
The records of the Mission Baptists, who compose the Great Bethel church after 1836, are in the handwriting of William Bryson for 17 ears, from 1836 to 1853. He was the father of our sister Dorcas Van Swearingen, and the uncle of our senior deacon, Andrew B. Bryson, whose faithful connection with this church began in 1840. The succes- sion of pastors now for a few years was rapid. After numerous supplies, Rev. Wm. Wood was called in 1839, for one year. He was followed for brief terms by David Evans, Elder S. Siegfried, Isaac Wynn, J. B. Tis- dale, and in Feb., 1841, Rev. E. M. Miles of Freeport was called. He served until 1842 and is one of the four ex-pastors of this church who yet survive. He resides at Lake City, Iowa, full of years and honor, and sends christian greeting on this anniversary occasion, which will be read to you at this evening's services. He is a brother of that other venerable father in Israel, Rev. J. Green Miles, whose visits to Union- town are remembered by our older members, and who is still a member of the Northumberland Association in this state.
In 1845, Dr. Wm. Penny was called and served until 1847. Mr. Wynn again had charge until 1851, when Rev. S. H. Ruple was called for one year. He is the second of the four surviving ex-pastors, and also sends from Gladstone, Ills., a message of love, which will be read this evening. Rev. Milton Sutton was called from Mt. Pleasant and served until 1853, when Mr. Wynn again took charge. In 1845, William Wood came, and assisted by Rev. Israel D. King of Smithfield, conducted a wonderful revival, more than one hundred converts being baptized, among them R. H. Austin and J. M. Collins, both of whom were licensed to the ministry by this church. In 1856, Rev. I. D. King was called, and served until March 1, 1860. In the first year of Mr. King's pastorate, 1856, the messengers to the Pittsburg Association, I. D. King, Benja- min Brownfield and R. H. Austin, were instructed to ask for a letter of dismission from that body that the church might unite with the Monon- gahela Association. They reported back that the letter was granted with great reluctance on account of the affectionate relations that had existed betwen the church and the Association. In Sept. of the same year, the church united with the Monongahela Association, its messen- gers being I. D. King, Tobias Sutton and Samuel Hatfield. The church entertained the Association in 1857, and has since entertained it in the years 1863, 1874, 1881 and 1889. The church now had the largest mem- bership in its history up to this time, 230. In December, 1860, Rev. B. P. Ferguson was called and served until Sept. 1863, when ill health com- pelled him to resign. He died soon after and is buried in the old ceme- tery on the hill.
March 21, 1864, the church called Rev. Dr. John Boyd, and here
25
GREAT BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH.
comes the period of darkest gloom and division. Many persons yet liv- ing were actors in the scenes attending the troubles and final split under the pastorate of Dr. Boyd, and this chapter, therefore, will be treated here by a brief and formal statement of the record. Toward the close of 1866 differences began to arise between Dr. Boyd and some of his members. These troubles increased until on March 2, 1867, Dr. Boyd was discharged as pastor. His friends, however, stood by him and he continued to preach in the old church on the hill. The opposition held services elsewhere, for a time in the court house, then in the town hall. May 25, 1867, it was resolved to build a new meeting house for the Reg- ular Baptist church, and Isaac Wynn was appointed to collect funds. Samuel Clement, Uriah Carter, Porter Craig, Franklin Gray, A. B. Bryson and Presley Swan were appointed a committee to select a site. The site on which this building stands was finally selected.
This meeting house was built under the pastorate of Rev. C. E. Barto, who was called January 19, 1868, and continued to April 1, 1872. In May of 1872, the church called Rev. W. W. Hickman, the venerable and respected brother, who is the third of the four ex-pastors of the church yet living. He was licensed by the Mt. Moriah church, Nov. 11, 1843, 52 years ago tomorrow. Except until recently when the infirmi- ties of age have borne down heavily upon him, he has preached the Gos- pel steadily and faithfully for this round half a century, and with this record to his credit, he calmly waits for the summons to join the blood washed throng that have gone before. We all deeply regret that by reason of these infirmities he is unable to be present with us today. Brother Hickman served as pastor until April 1, 1878, and from that time the church was without a pastor, though not without preaching, until June 6,1879, when Rev. F. B. LaBarrer of Baltimore was called. He serv- ed with great fidelity and acceptance until November 30, 1884, when he resigned to accept a call to the Hampden church, Baltimore, in which city he is still serving with marked success. He is the fourth surviving ex-pastor, and we are honored with his presence today, he having come all the way from Baltimore to accept the call of the com- mittee to participate in the exercises of this rare occasion. He will find a hearty greeting in Uniontown, and will preach for us this evening on "The Mission of the Church to the World."
In the winter and spring of 1885, Rev. J. O. Critchlow of Philadel- phia held a revival which added scores to the membership of the church, and later he accepted a call to become pastor, continuing until May 1, 1888, when declining health compelled him to resign. He never regained his health, but died in April of the following year, widely and sincerely lamented as an able and fearless preacher of the Gospel, who has many souls for his hire.
Sept. 1, 1888, Rev. H. F. King of Hollidaysburg accepted the unani- mous call of the church and continues the popular and efficient pastor.
Dr. Boyd continued to preach to his adherents for several years in
26
THE 125th ANNIVERSARY
the old meeting house on the hill, until finally the congregation dwin- dled away, and services were discontinued.
In Feb. 1883, a suit was tried in court before Judge Willson for the possession of the church property. It resulted in a verdict against Dr. Boyd and restored to the congregation of the Great Bethel church, the property on the hill of which Dr. Boyd had continued to hold possession.
BRANCHES-Reference has already been made to the branch churches which were planted by this Great Bethel, the mother of Bap- tist churches in Western Pennsylvania. The oldest of these is Muddy Creek in Greene county, constituted March 19, 1773. The next oldest is Forks of Cheat, constituted Sept. 21, 1775.
Noy. 15, 1778, the Glades church was organized, later known as the Big Crossings, near the Maryland line. At the same meeting a constitu- tion was granted to the Redstone church down Redstone creek, and those living convenient were granted separation. Isaac Sutton was ap- pointed "to constitute them."
Permission was given to those living beyond the Yough to organize Sept. 20, 1783, but the records of that church are not in existence. It may have been merged into the Connellsville Baptist church, which was organized in 1796.
October 16, 1784, the Georges Creek or Mt. Moriah church was con- stituted, and the history of this church Brother Hays has related in his very interesting paper last evening.
In 1830 a church was organized of the members living at and near McClellandtown, convenient to the Parshalls and others, but it has since become extinct.
ASSOCIATIONS-This church has belonged to three Associations. It was one of the six churches which met with the Goshen church on Big Whitely creek in Greene county on Oct. 7, 1776, and organized the first Association of Baptists west of the Allegheny mountains. Great Bethel sent as messengers Isaac and James Sutton and Philip Jenkins. The other five churches were Goshen, Turkeyfoot, Yough, Ten Mile and Pike Run. For about 20 years it was known as the "Annual Association of Baptists west of the Laurel Hill Mountains," after which it took the name of the "Redstone Baptist Association," which the "Old School" Baptists still retain in their records. In 1800 and for some years later this Association comprised the territory of Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and Western Virginia. I have been unable to find any- where a file of its minutes, and there is probably not a complete file in existence. It is recorded in this old minute book, however, that "Owing to the difficulty of the times" it did not suit to hold the Association at Muddy Creek in 1777, as intended, and it there- fore met at the house of Isaac Sutton, the Saturday before the second Lord's day in October. It is not known in what other years Redstone Association met with Great Bethel, though it certainly did meet here in
27
GREAT BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH.
1812, 1827 and 1836. This church continued a member of the Redstone Association until 1836, when it united with the Pittsburg Association and continued its connection there until 1856, when it joined the Mononga- hela Association. The branch that clung to Rev. Wm. Brownfield re- mained with the Redstone Association to the end, the last record of which is in the minutes of 1846, when William Brownfield, Isaac Hutch- inson and S. Davis went as messengers to the meeting, which was held that year at Indian Creek.
LICENTIATES-In addition to the large number of churches which the Great Bethel has planted, it has licensed the following ministers to preach the Gospel :
Isaac Sutton, Nov. 8, 1770.
Joseph Barnett, Mar. 19, 1773.
Isaac Morris, May 21, 1775.
John Wade Loveberry, Sept. 20, 1783.
John Hopwood, Aug. 20, 1791.
- Sreve, Nov. 19, 1792. Wm. Brownfield, April 6, 1799. Milton Sutton, July 6, 1833.
Isaac Wynn, July 6, 1833. Richard H. Austin, June 28, 1856.
Joseph M. Collins, Feb. 26, 1859.
John Bat, Jan. 19, 1868. John M. Moore, Sept. 19, 1894.
Rev. A. H. Sembower, now the successful pastor of the church at Salem, N. J., while not a licentiate of Great Bethel, was baptized into her fellowship on March 16, 1857, by Rev. I. D. King. In August of the same year he took his letter to Johnstown and was licensed to preach by that church in the following December. He has spent an active life of nearly 40 years in the ministry, having served the churches at Johns- town, Altoona, Curwensville, Clearfield, Pottsville, Reading and Salem.
CHURCH CLERKS-Those who have served the church as clerk :
Isaac Morris, appointed July 15, 1775. Until that time the minutes seem to have been kept by the first pastor, Rev. Isaac Sutton.
Philip Jenkins, Nov. 19, 1776. Moses Sutton, Oct. 16, 1784. Isaac Sutton, Jr., Sept. 15, 1787.
John Hopwood, Feb. 19, 1791. Anthony Swain, Oct. 18, 1794. John Ayres, Sept. 8, 1804. Simeon Gard, Aug. 12, 1809. Charles King, Mar. 28, 1812. Samuel Little, Aug. 1, 1818.
William Bryson, May 30, 1830.
Hamilton Abraham, (O. S.) Jan. 2, 1836.
28
THE 125th ANNIVERSARY
George A. Shallenberger, May 21, 1853. F. L. Hatfield, Mar. 22, 1856. Isaac W. Bryson, Aug. 22, 1856.
Samuel Hatfield, Jr., Sept. 26, 1857. C. G. Turner, Jan. 22, 1859.
R. Porter Craig, Dec. 8, 1860.
Joseph Hayden, Dec. 24, 1865. Amos S. Bowlby, Jan. 25, 1873. S. W. Carter, May 24, 1873.
D. M. Hertzog, Sept. 27, 1879, to the present time.
DEACONS-The names of the first deacons who served the church have not been preserved. Elijah Barclay was elected June 8, 1776, on trial, but was not ordained until May 19, 1781.
Philip Pierce, elected May 17, 1779, on trial ; ordained May 19, 1781. William Wells, Jan. 20, 1782.
Thomas Gaddis, Feb. 14, 1784.
Robert Jackaway, Jan. 15, 1791. Moses Carr, Jan. 19, 1791. John Carr, Oct. 18, 1794. David Conger, April 5, 1800. John Gaddis, Mar. 9, 1805. Simeon Gard, Mar. 9, 1805. Isaac Minor, May 1, 1812. William Vance, Nov. 4, 1815. Moses Nixon, May 4, 1822. William Bryson, July 6, 1833. Isaac Hutchinson, Apr. 1, 1837. Squire Ayers, Dec. 24, 1842.
Andrew B. Bryson, Mar. 29, 1851.
Elijah Jennings, Mar. 29, 1851. Geo. A. Shallenberger, Jan. 27, 1855. Tobias Sutton, June 28, 1856. Benjamin Brownfield, June 28, 1856.
Thos. B. Sturgis, Feb. 27, 1858. Ellmore Brownfield, Feb. 27, 1858. Josiah Wymer, Feb. 27, 1858. Henry Smith, Aug. 21, 1858. Samuel Hatfield, Jr., Apr. 21, 1866. William Ritenour, Apr. 21, 1866. George W. Foulk, Jan. 19, 1868. Crawford Vance, Aug. 22, 1868. William S. Van Swearingen, -, 1868.
R. Porter Craig, - 1871. ยง No minutes between Mar.) John Collins, - 1873. 26, '70, and Jan. 25, '73. 5 James Nabors, April 24, 1875.
29
GREAT BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH.
H. C. Diffenderffer, Feb. 22, 1879.
Robert Bryner, Feb. 22, 1879. N. P. Cooper, July 21, 1882. Wm. E. Brown, Dec. 2, 1883. Samuel Hatfield, Mar. 23, 1892.
J. S. Douglas, Mar. 23, 1892.
SUNDAY SCHOOL-The Sunday school of the church was organ- ized in 1850. Supt. Hertzog will tell us of its history this afternoon.
In conclusion: The subject is too vast, the sweep of time too great, for the limits of this paper. One hundred and twenty-five years of such history cannot be treated in 30 minutes. A church which was here be- fore the Declaration of Independence was made; whose members fought in the struggles of the Revolution, and mingled in the hardships of the Whisky Insurrection; whose position has had a dominating influence on the great religious movements for which Western Pennsylvania has been famous for a.century, would require a large volume to record ade- quately its history. The Lord early raised this Bethel and hath grac- iously preserved and multiplied it. There have been darkness and shad- ows, and at times some of its members have seemed to follow Paul and others Apollos, but over and above it all we can clearly trace the leadings of God's providence. As we survey the long roll of membership and re- count the labors of the faithful dead, we are summoned to prove our- selves worthy of the glorious heritage they have left us. May the years that are to come to Great Bethel witness yet greater things than have gone before. May peace be within her walls, and prosperity within' her palaces. To God be all the praise !
NOTES.
Owing to some lost minutes in later years it has been difficult to get a correct list of the deacons, with the dates of their election. The deacons holding office on June 30, 1856, were: Samuel Hatfield, Wm. Bryson, Tobias Sutton and Benjamin Brownfield.
Deacons ordained Aug. 29, 1859, Rev. Isaac Bevan and pastor, I. D., King, officiating: Wm. Bryson, who soon removed west; Josiah Wymer, excluded Aug. 25, 1860; Thos. B. Sturgis, Ellmore Brownfield, Henry Smith.
Geo. W. Foulk resigned as deacon Apr. 24, 1875, Jas Nabors being elected in his stead. Robert Bryner resigned Feb. 22, 1874.
Elijah Jennings granted letter Apr. 22, 1854.
No minutes for Dec., 1866, Jan. and Feb., 1867, July, September, October, November' and December, 1867, and January, 1868; nor for June, 1869, and October, 1869, and for Sep- tember and October, 1875.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.