USA > Pennsylvania > Armstrong County > Apollo > History of Apollo, Pennsylvania. The year of a hundred years 1816-1916 > Part 8
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T Martha Trimble, Millie Turney, Margaret Teeters, Bertha Truby.
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THE HISTORY OF APOLLO.
W Jennie Warren, Miss Walkinshaw, Miss Shields, Sadie Dumm, Jas. S. Whitworth, Mattie Weaver, Mary Watson, Elsie Wray, Mabel Wallace, W. S. A. Wilson, Eva Wylie, Anna Wylie, Or- ville Walker.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Prior to the erection of a meeting house or even to the settlement of Warren, a small congregation held services in the open in the grove south of town, the hearers sitting upon logs or rude slab seats, while the minister stood on a small raised platform which was roofed to protect him from the rays of the sun. As early as 1814, this little band was regarded as a part of Poke Run Church. James Jackson and James Guthrie were elders for this district. In 1816 when the lots for the new town of Warren were sold it was a condition that two acres should be given for church, school and burying grounds. This plot was surveyed and accepted but no deed was made. Some years after the stone church was built on this ground, the adjoining land was sold to John Andree. This is now the Owens farm. No deed having been made and recorded, John Andree's survey included these two acres in his farm. A protest was made by members of this church and Andree agreed for a consideration of $25 to deed the land to the church. There being nothing to show that the land had ever been donated, this offer was accepted, the money paid and deed executed in favor of David Watson, Samuel Gordon and George Craw- ford, trustees of the Warren Presbyterian Church. Elder Jacob Mc- Cartney mounted his horse the next day and rode to Kittanning and had the deed recorded. A part of this plot which had been open as a "village green" south of the present inclosure was sold to Owens by the church. On this green had been the first schoolhouse in the im- mediate vicinity. The first communion services held by the Presby- terians was in the barn of Samuel McKee who then owned what is known as the Hilty farm, south of town. Samuel McKee had come from Crawford's Mill and was one of the contractors to build the stone church. He was drowned below Cow Bell Riffle while bringing a boat load of salt down the river. He was buried in the old grave- yard. Rev. Laird supplied a Sabbath at Warren, April 16, 1817. Rev. Robert Lee was a supply for six months and two additional elders, James Watson and James Miller were chosen. In 1824, Rev. Joseph Harper accepted the pastorate of Warren and Saltsburg churches. He was the first pastor installed at this place. Mrs. Wm. E. Jones, of North Second Street has the Bible in use at that time. During his ministration the stone church was built. It was rough on the ex- terior as the stones were not dressed. Later it was plastered on the outside. It stood for 40 years almost on the site of the present edi- fice. Rev. Dunlap succeeded Rev. Harper for six months. Rev. Wat- son Hughs was pastor at Warren and Saltsburg from 1830 to 1837.
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'SQUIRE WM. HENRY ENTERING HIS OFFICE AT THE AGE OF NINETY.
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THE HISTORY OF APOLLO.
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He resigned at this time and preaching was by supplies for one year. In 1838, Rev. Alexander Donaldson was supply for six months. He accepted a call to Eldersridge where his work as a minister and as in- structor in the academy which he founded is well known. Rev. Levi Graves was called to Warren in 1840; Rev. Cyrus Bristol in 1848. Robert McMillan, a theological student was called in 1857. He was the first pastor to make his home in Apollo. Rev. John Orr was called in 1865. The second church building was erected under his charge. The old stone building was torn down and the stones used as a foundation for the new brick building of two stories which was erected in 1866. The upper room was not finished until the service of Rev. Hezekiah Magill who was called in 1872. At that time an organ was introduced and Alice Bovard was organist. Rev. Samuel Elliot was installed in 1880 and Rev. J. Q. A. Fullerton in 1885. Rev. R. P. Daubenspeck was installed May 18, 1899. During the period of his services the present fine stone structure was built. It was begun in 1906 and dedicated June 1907. It was built of stone from local quar- ries and by a local contractor, T. M. Willard. It is equipped with a fine pipe organ and has a seating capacity of eight hundred.
Rev. Leon Stewart was called May 2, 1908; the present pastor, Rev. Julius W. Brockway, October 9, 1911.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
About 1838, it is said that the Rev. Haynes began to raise funds to build a church. He succeeded in collecting enough to buy lot No. 15 in the new addition of Warren and to start building. He died be- fore the building was completed. The church was supplied by min- isters on circuit so that no record of their names is obtainable. In April 1844, an act was passed granting the trustees of the church the privilege of selling this property provided the debts of the same were paid and the balance subject to the quarterly conference. D. G. Kinnard was presiding elder; Samuel Jones, the minister in charge. The trustees were Jacob Freetly, Daniel Risher, D. L. Byrer, Samuel Jack, and Hugh Jones.
This church was one story and of frame construction. It stands at the rear of the present structure. It has had other stories added and is now occupied by Sue Rudolf. In 1851 a 40x60 brick building was erected. The church was incorporated in 1856. This brick church was razed in 1899 and another brick building of larger proportions built. This was dedicated February 11, 1900. It has a capacity of 700. Since this time excavations have been made and a commodious basement made for class purposes. The Rev. H. J. Giles was pastor at this time and through his efforts, Andrew Carnegie furnished a pipe organ.
MINISTERS: 1860, J. S. Wakefield; 1861, W. A. Stewart, R. G. Heaton; 1862, W. A. Stewart, I. A. Pierce; 1863-4, J. Shane; 1865, J.
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THE HISTORY OF APOLLO.
Shane, A. P. Leonard; 1866, J. S. Lemon, H. Long; 1867, J. S. Lemon; 1868-9, M. W. Dallas; 1870-2, C. W. Miller; 1873-5, E. D. Holtz; 1876, J. W. Miles, W. C. Weaver; 1877, E. B. Griffin, W. C. Weaver; 1878, Alex Scott, W. C. Weaver; 1878, Alex Scott, W. C. Weaver; 1879-81, C. W. Miller; 1882-4, J. F. Murray; 1884-7, Robert Hamilton; 1887-91, D. J. Davis; 1891-3, J. E. Wright; 1893-8 N, G. Miller; 1898-04, H. J. Giles; 1904-07, J. W. Cary; 1907-9, P. C. Brooks; 1909-11, M. Floyd; 1911-15, H. G.Gregg, H. J. Giles; 1915, W. S. Trosh.
Rev. Shane and Rev. Gregg. died in Apollo.
Samuel Jack was one of the early suporters of the M. E. Church. The writer remembers of having attended Sunday school when Mr. Jack taught a class of small boys. It was the custom to teach the children their letters and to read in those days. Mr. Jack told of one of the ministers, an Irishman who objected to some of the young men's dancing and other enjoyments. He said at the close of a very strong sermon, "and so my young men, you may play cards, drink, and sing and dance all the way to hell, but when you do get there, you will not have even a cock fight to divert your attention."
Rev. Isaac A. Pearce, after two companies had been raised in Apollo, in the summer of 1862 raised fifty men and with a like number in Allegheny City formed a company for the 139th regiment and was made a first lieutenant. He was wounded at Salem Churh. At Get- tysburg he was seen in the front ranks emptying his revolver at the charging enemy. Capt. Sample was killed in that battle and Pearce became captain. He was shortly after made chaplain of the regiment and as such served through his term. He died in Baltimore in 1912.
ZION, A. M. E. CHURCH.
This church was organized March 1895; Rev. L. N. Guinn, pastor. Meetings held in a little church on Apollo Steel Company's ground. Ministers: L. N. Guinn, John Mitchell, Rev. Dorsey, Rev. Saunders, Rev. Mills, J. D. Meade, Rev. Sloan and Rev. R. J. Cobb.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This church was organized by the Associate Church about 1830. The first pastor was the Rev. William Galbraith. He was installed Nov. 23, 1836. He gave one-sixth of his time to this church. He con- tinued serving here for seven years. He died at Cannonsburg, Pa., September 20, 1893, in his 85th year. The second pastor was the Rev. Thos. Gilkerson. He gave one-fourth of his time to this place and served from October 10, 1840 to February 10, 1859. He died Febru- ary 10, 1859. The third pastor was. Rev. Oliver Katz from 1865 to 1873, giving one-third of his time to this charge. The fourth and present pastor, the Rev. R. A. Jamison, then a seminary student, was called in 1878. He preached here one-half his time, giving the other half to Union. Full time has been given Apollo since December 31, 1888.
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J. P. WOOD WITH A GERMAN CARP AND A SPOONFISH CAUGHT NEAR THE BRIDGE.
THE HISTORY OF APOLLO.
For the first 58 years of its existence the congregation had no pastor living within its bounds. Probably the first members of the session were Messrs. Jackson, Barr and Jamison. Jesse Clements and Gilbert Young were elected between the years 1835 and 1842. John Stewart was elected in 1851, John Shirley in 1864, John Black and John Barr in 1873, John Young and E. K. Dentzell in 1881, M. M. Martin, Samuel Martin, T. J. Sarver and W. T. Gilkerson in 1886, A. J. Martin and A. H. Jamison in 1896. The present session consists of John Black, Samuel Martin, T. J. Sarver, M. M. Martin, A. J. Martin. Charles G. Jackson and J. B. Miller. The congregation has produced two useful ministers for our church, Joseph Buffington Jackson, D. D. and Samuel Briggs Stewart. The latter died March 6, 1893. Mixx Fannie Martin has been a missionary in India for about twenty years. In the records of the Presbyterian Church of Kittanning, it is stated that the Seceders having assisted in the erection of the old "Stone Church" were granted regular occupancy and they contributed their quota toward keeping the church in order. The U. P. congregation built its first house of worship in 1868. It was 32x45 feet. Another building took its place in 1885. The parsonage was built in 1891. The church was remodeled about four years ago at an approximate cost of $7,000. The estimated value of their possessions is $20,000. It has no debt.
FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
Martin Luther's influence naturally followed the German settlers in America so that more than a century ago we find Luthers !! " in this locality. Rev. John M. Steck, of Greensburg, as early :x 1796 traveled throughout Armstrong and Westmoreland Counties, preach. ing, baptizing and confirming the scattered followers of Lutherr. Among the early churches organized by this zealous worker was the St. James Church, five miles from Apollo, in 1800. Other churches of this denomination were established at Crooked Creek, Lowlborg. Maysville and Spring Church before the little handful of members in this place brought their claims before the Middle Conference Ich in Butler in 1858. This body appointed Rev. A. C. Ehrenfeld to Visit Apollo and minister unto the congregation until it was thought advis. able to organize at this point. In March 1859, a meeting for organ. ization was called by the members of the church in this vicinity. Twenty-four names were enrolled. Isaac Townsend and Philip Long were the first elders and James Fair and Christian Kepple, deacota. Soon after this Rev. Ehrenfeld received a call to another church. Irv. Lewis Kuhns was called to Apollo and presided from April 1559 unt !! 1860. About this time Apollo and Spring Church were united under one charge and a call extended to the Rev. J. A. Delo. He began his pastorate in April 1860. The Lutherans had no building but het !! services in the M. E. or Presbyterian Church or at times in the
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THE HISTORY OF APOLLO.
schoolhouse. In 1860 the congregation decided to erect a building to cost $1500. Jas. Fair and Christian Kepple were appointed as build- ing committee. In the spring of 1861 ground was broken for the building but through lack of funds it was not completed during that year. It was dedicated April 30, 1863. The board of Church Ex- tension had granted them a loan of $500. The congregation was small and was not incorporated until 1862, when it received its present name, The Union Evangelical Lutheran Church of Apollo. In Jan. 1864, the Rev. Delo enlisted as chaplain in the Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserves.
Rev. John Welfley took over the three churches in this charge in July 1864. The average salary for a Lutheran minister was $300 with fees for baptism, confirmation or marriage. During Mr. Welfley's pastorate in 1867, a division of the General Synod was made and the General Council formed. The members of the Apollo church voted to remain with the General Synod and Rev. Welfley resigned. Rev. M. Colver was called and accepted the charge April 1868. In 1870, the Rev. Colver still presiding, there were but thirty-nine members com- muning. Previous to this year, he had officiated in three churches, but from 1870 to 1872 Maysville was disconnected. From 1872 to 1876, he preached in Apollo alone. From 1876 to 1882 the three churches again came under one charge and the Rev. C. F. Schaffer officiated. Rev. C. B. King was pastor from 1882 to 1890. Spring Church from 1890 to the present time has been served by Rev. T. J. Frederick. Maysville built a church in 1886. The parsonage at Apollo was built in 1873. In 1875 the church was repaired. New windows with ornamental glass were put in and a recessed pulpit made. On June 19, 1882, the church was struck by lightning but slightly dam- aged. The Rev. C. B. King was installed Feb. 5, 1883. The church was again repaired in 1884. In 1887, the church being too small, an addition to the front was made. A tower was added to the building. This with a side entrance, a vestibule and folding partitions completed the improvements for that year. The church was rededicated Sept. 25, 1887. In February 1890, a new Loring & Blake organ was in- stalled.
The Rev. M. L. Culler came in 1890. The parsonage was enlarged in 1892. In 1896, the church was once more improved. The floors were elevated, the folding partitions removed and the audience room made 70 feet long. Seven new windows with leaded glass were placed, new pews were bought and the church repainted.
More than one hundred and fifty members left in 1896 on ac- count of the removal of the mills to Vandergrift. Rev. Culler preached his farewell sermon, August 15, 1896. Rev. Nicholas came November 2, 1897 and remained until December 1, 1902. Rev. M. E. McLinn was pastor from April 1, 1903 until January 3, 1910. Rev. H. E. Berkey from March 1, 1910 to January 5, 1914. On June 2, 1914, the Rev. M. L. Clare assumed charge and is the present pastor.
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THE HISTORY OF APOLLO.
Foreseeing the time when it will again be necessary to build, the , congregation has purchased the Jones property on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and North Third Street.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
Wm. Rogers was a zealous Baptist and through his influence the Rev. A. B. Runyan organized a Baptist Church in 1868. The meetings were held in the schoolhouse. The organizers were Wm. Rogers, Sr. and wife, Hugh Evans, Wm. Foale and wife, George Kerr, Martin Kirkland, Mrs. Lucinda Garvin, Mrs. Wm. Henry, and John Morgan. Preaching and Bible school were held in the schoolhouse until 1873. Until this year Rev. John Winters was pastor assisted by A. J. Bonsall.
In 1873 the firm of Rogers & Burchfield donated a plot of ground to the congregation. This is the site of the present building. A church 30x40 feet was built in the same year. It was of brick and but one story. It was dedicated free of debt. The trustees were Wm. Reese, Thom- as Reese, Hugh Evans, A. M. Hill, Dr. W. B. Ansley and John Morgan.
In the following year Lloyd Morgan became pastor. In 1875 a baptistry and two dressing rooms were added to the building. It was at this time that a panic came to the community through the failure of the firm of Rogers & Burchfield and the church was weakened by the loss of many of its members. In 1878 F. T. Jones was called to the pastorate and succeeded in gathering the flock together. In 1884 F. H. Chapman supplied the church as pastor. From 1885 to 1888 J. J. Parsons served as minister of the struggling congregation and under his efforts much benefit was received to the church life. W. B. Skinner supplied alternate Sabbaths until his resignation in March 1890. J. S. Young served the following three years. Alfred Cauld- well served during the next year. In the month of May 1895, Rev. G. Tabor Thompson was called to the pastorate. During his ministry the congregation increased until the building was too small to accom- modate it. In attempting to enlarge the building one of the walls gave away and a new structure was planned. The plans developed in- to action and the following year, 1896, the present edifice built of brick and with tower and town clock was completed and dedicated.
After the failure of Rogers & Burchfield, the title to the church lot was disputed by the purchasers of the mill. On tearing down the old building the deed for the ground was found in the cornerstone. It had been placed there along with some current newspapers and a stone which had been brought from Russia by Wm. Rogers.
In 1901, R. Rock became pastor. W. Conner followed in 1902, W. P. Pearce in 1903, H. R. Baker in 1904 and W. E. Rush in 1905. The membership at this time was 157. G. W. Tupper served in 1907, W. A. Rupert from 1908 to 1910. W. S. Carson was called in 1911 and served two years. In November 1904 and Rev. Lawrence Ford was called and is now serving. Under his ministry the church life has been quickened and the outlook is hopeful.
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THE HISTORY OR APOLLO. FREE METHODIST CHURCH.
The Apollo Free Methodist Church was organized November 5, 1895 by Rev. L. C. Andre, who at that time was pastor of the Leech- burg Free Methodist Church, with the following charter members: Mrs. Harriet Baxter, deceased; Mrs. Delilah Erb, who is still an active member; Mrs. Amanda Scott, deceased and Harry Miller, deceased.
Rev. W. G. Long was appointed the first pastor and under his ministry the membership soon grew to a degree where it was deemed advisable to erect a church building and accordingly a lot was se- cured on North Sixth Street and the present structure erected in 1896. In 1910 a commodious parsonage was built on the adjoining lot on the corner of North Sixth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. In 1915 ex- tensive improvements were made on the church which included a large addition to be used for Sunday school and mid-week meeting purposes. The present property is valued at approximately $6500.
The membership has continued to have a slow but healthy growth and at the present numbers eighty, including probationers and a Sun- day school with an enrollment of over two hundred.
The ministers who have served the church are: W. G. Long, O. Gornall, A. Wilson, E. S. Zahniser, T. R. Wayne, L. A. Southworth, J. H. Whiteman, C. H. Miller, L. C. Andre, B. Hosbach, N. L. Smith and R. B. Campbell.
SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH.
Rev. J. Franklin Walker in the fall of 1900, with the assistance of the First Baptist Church, organized in the Diamond Hall a mission. Members: Alfred Mason, Martha Mason, W. H. Robinson, Wm. F. James ,Lyda James, Daniel Franklin, Elizabeth Franklin, Walter Coles, Cornelia Coles, Rebecca Fields, Bertie Johnson and Julia Brown. The following spring the Rev. M. C. Smith took charge and the mission prospered numerically, spiritually and financially. They pro- cured the use of the Chapel on Warren Avenue and Eleventh Street and were recognized as a regular church, the Shiloh Baptist, 1903. Rev. Smith was released to the Second Baptist Church, of Butler, after seven years' labor. He was succeeded by Rev. E. L. Jasper for three years. Rev. W. A. Mason, of Pittsburgh, was called. Under his ministration the church took on a new life and the members be- came embued with a desire for a permanent house of worship. This desire was realized when in 1914 their new brick building on Warren Avenue was dedicated. Deacons: Thos. F. Tucker, Wm. Hayden, John Jackson, P. A. Coles, Geo. Roberts. Trustees: Chas. W. Jackson, T. F. Tucker, S. T. Campbell, L. Robinson.
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THE HISTORY OF APOLLO. FIRST REFORMED CHURCH.
The congregation of this church was organized in the Diamond Hall, July 23, 1892, with 40 members. Shortly after their organ- ization the members decided to build. The property of Rev. R. A. Jamison on the corner of Warren Avenue and South Second Street was purchased for $4,000. The corner stone of the present building was laid October 23, 1893. The church was dedicated March 11, 1894. The congregation has had four pastors: Rev. J. N. Naly, now of Tipton, Iowa, from June 1, 1893 until November 1, 1900. Rev. D. E. Masters, now of Huntingdon, Pa., from May 1, 1901 to July 30, 1905. Rev. D. W. Kerr, whose wife died during his ministration here, served from December 22, 1905 until November 6, 1914. The pres- ent pastor, D. J. Wolf took up the work April 1, 1915.
The congregation was enrolled as a mission by the Home Mission Board July, 1893 and continued to receive aid until July 14, 1911, when it was declared self-supporting.
ST. JAMES ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Thomas Shorter, a colored man, was the first Catholic in Apollo to enroll in the church here. He with James Mallon, James Reynolds and others who had come here to work met in James Reynolds' house in 1884, and had Rev. McTighe, of Leechburg say Mass. Thos. Shorter was born a slave, the chattel of Dr. Jenkins. He was a slave until the Emancipation Proclamation. He died in Apollo in 1896, aged 99 years. He was buried in the Catholic Cemetery in Saltsburg. Father Fidelius was the first priest in Apollo. The church was built in North Apollo in 1892. It was a small frame building. Father Constantine was the second pastor. Father Schmitt was the third and last pastor at this place. When the rolling mill was removed to Vandergrift this building was sold to Dominic Kiens who occupies it as a residence. The Catholic Church at Vandergrift is one of the finest structures in the neighborhood.
HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U.
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union, state and national, was organized in 1864, under the leadership of Frances E. Willard. Apollo responded to the forward movement in temperance reforms by various organizations; the W. C. T. U., Temperance Alliance, Sons of Temperance, Band of Hope, etc.
The present W. C. T. U. was organized in 1889 with Mary J. Guthrie as president, which position she occupied until her death in December of 1913.
The W. C. T. U. has led the opposition to the repeal of the Pro- hibitory Act governing Apollo; to the operating of the "Original Package" act at Apollo; and to the repeal efforts to establish a licensed house in Paulton and in West Apollo; and from the first, up
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to the refusal of license in the March Court of 1916, the Union has had a rare experience in reform work in that they have never known defeat.
In 1909 the W. C. T. U. Building on North Second Street was planned and erected under the direction of the president, Mrs. M. J. Guthrie, to be used as headquarters for all W. C. T. U. work and to provide a suitable room for a public library.
The amount expended in this enterprise was $3,660. All of this has been paid except six hundred dollars (1916) which will be met by six payments provided for in the regular work of the society.
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union has held steadily to one leading dominant purpose-a campaign of education.
Slow processes, persistently carried out, which alone could change the sentiment that had been maturing for centuries in the custom and habits of nations, and create a sentiment that would demand and support the final abolition of the liquor traffic. To this end the Apollo W. C. T. U. with every other Union in the United States, has done its part; petitioning, remonstrating, financing.
Some of the largest advances made:
In 1882 the international petitions for a quarterly temperance lesson in the Sunday school were put into circulation.
In the same year, the W. C. T. U. with Mrs. Mary H. Hunt as their speaker first presented the subject of Scientific Temperance In- struction in the public schools to a state convention of county super- intendents of public schools, held in Pittsburgh and later before every legislature; securing Scientific Temperance Instruction laws in every state and territory.
Education against the universal custom of serving an intoxicant in the observance of the Lord's Supper has resulted in the use of unfermented wine at the Lord's table in Protestant churches.
The Apollo Union was represented in Washington during the session of Congress that abolished the Army Canteen; which act sec- retary Daniels so finely supplemented by eliminating intoxicating liquors from the Navy.
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