History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 37

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.)
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1340

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The Methodist Episcopal Church, Towanda, was incorporated 1838. Trustees : William Watkins, E. R. Utter, Nelson P. Brown, Silas Noble, William Elwell, John E. Geiger, James P. Bull, Burton Kingsbury, George H. Bull. The church building was erected in 1837. Prior to that time, the few members of the society worshiped in private dwellings, in the court-house or school-house. Present pas- tor is Rev. W. H. S. Hermans. In 1869 the church edifice was rebuilt and enlarged.

Christ Church. - Rev. Samuel T. Lord held occasional services during the autumn of 1833 in Towanda, and in December began to officiate here regularly. Services held for a short time in the court- house, then for a few years in the " fire-proof" where they also held their Sabbath-school, M. C. Mercur, O. D. Bartlett and Miss Mary

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.

Woodruff being the teachers. Mrs. Geo. Wansey, Mrs. Chas. Toucey, Mrs. Noah Spalding and Mrs. Geo. Watson, formed a part of the original class, and Antes Snyder, Wm. B. Foster, Jr., and Abraham Goodwin were prominent members of the church in its early days. In 1888-90 was built the splendid stone church, the finest in the city. It stands immediately south of the old building lot. Old building torn down in 1891. December 20, 1841, the court granted a charter under the name of "Christ's Church," to Wm. B. Foster, Jr., O. D. Bartlett, Abraham Goodwin, John N. Weston, C. L. Ward, M. C. Mercur, David Wilmot, and their successors. In 1842 the church was completed and an organ purchased, and Rev. George Watson became rector, and in 1844 the church was admitted into union with the convention. In 1849 the building was altered and enlarged and a bell purchased. During 1853-54 funds were raised by the congregation and a rectory built. Asa S. Colton, 1845; Robert J. Parvin, 1847; Benj. J. Douglas, 1850 ; Francis D. Hoskins, 1866 ; William McGlathery, 1870; Chas. E. Mc- Ilvaine, 1873. John S. Beers became rector and was succeeded by Rev. E. A. Enos, who severed his connection in the autumn of 1885. Present pastor is Rev. W. E. Daw. The number of communicants is about 175.

Catholic. - The first Catholic service held in this county was at Asylum, during the existence of the French Colony there, continuing about five years, from 1794 to 1799. In 1821 the settle- ment of Irish people holding the Catholic religion was begun at Silver Lake, in Susquehanna county. Rev. Henry Fitzsimmons was appointed to this mission in 1836. He visited Troy, Canton, Ridgebury, Athens, and Towanda, celebrating mass and administering the sacraments to the faithful who began to locate in considerable numbers along the line. Father O'Reilly gathered the followers of the church at Towanda, and held services in various places until 1841, when he and his congre- gation erected a plain wooden church edifice on the site of the present church in Towanda village. When work upon the canal suspended, he advised his parishioners, who had been thrown out of employment, to move back into the township where the land was cheap, purchase farms and become permanent citizens. In accordance with this advice, little settlements of Irish people were formed in various parts of the county and have become quite as prosperous as any about them. Father O'Reilly was relieved from his duties here by his own request and was succeeded by Rev. Basil A. Shorb, who was followed by Rev. Ahearn and he by Father Doherty, who was succeeded by the Fran-

ciscan fathers. After them Rev. Patrick Toner had charge of the field ; during his administration, in 1869, the old wooden church was taken down, and the present elegant brick Gothic structure erected on Third street ; is one of the handsomest church edifices in Towanda, and was finished under the excellent management of Father Kelly, present pastor, and dedicated as "Saints Peter and Paul's," December 14, 1879. In connection with the church is a cemetery in North Towanda, which was consecrated May 24, 1883; and also a school taught by the "Sisters of Mercy." Rev. Charles F. Kelly succeeded

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.

Rev. Mr. Toner as pastor, February 11, 1876. The number of Catho- lies in the parish is about 4,000.

Towanda Baptist Church .- In 1841 Rev. G. M. Spratt commenced labor in Towanda church; after a few months, measures were taken by Isaac Carey and Rev. Spratt to build a house of worship, assisted by James Elliott, then living in Ulster. In February, 1843, twelve persons from Ulster were united with the little band at Towanda-James Elliott and wife being among the number. The two churches, Monroe and Towanda, were known as one, the Towanda being a branch and hold- ing its own covenant or church meetings. The earliest record of the church occupying its new house of worship was March 1st, 1845. In 1845 Rev. G. M. Spratt, D. D., resigned his pastorate, and Jesse B. Sax- ton became pastor of the Monroe and Towanda Church. October, 1846, a council dismissed 30 members for the purpose from the Monroe and Towanda Church as a regular and independent Baptist. On October 31st, 1846, James Elliott and Edwin Huriburt were elected deacons of the new church. Rev. Jesse B. Saxton resigned the pastorate April 1st, 1847, when Rev. G. W. Stone was called to the pastorate, serving about a year and six months. In 1850, Rev. Jacob Kennedy became pastor for one year. The church was without a pastor from April, 1851, till April, 1854, at which time Rev. J. R. Morris became pastor for the space of one year. In June, 1856, Rev. William Sym, D. D., an Eng- lishman, became pastor, serving till the fall of 1858. The church was now without a pastor till July, 1859, when Rev. Increase Child became its pastor, and served until October, 1861. The church at this time numbered 49 members. Rev. S. G. Keim became pastor April, 1863, and served one year. October 1st, 1865, Rev. Robert Dunlap became pastor, remaining till September, 1868. Rev. S. J. Lusk pastor in 1869 to 1874. In 1876 Rev. T. A. Edwards became pastor, and in 1880 Rev. Charles T. Hollowell became pastor of the little church, at this time reduced to thirty members. Their number more than doubled during his pastorate, which closed in 1884. The church was without preaching services for most of the time till November, 1885. Rev. G. H. Trapp became pastor in 1885. Present pastor is S. M. Hendricks.

The Universalists .- Prior to 1866 the Universalists had no regular church organization at Towanda. However, they had regular preach- ing for several years. Among their first ministers may be mentioned G. S. Ames, Mr. Andrews, S. J. Gibson, Wm. M. Delong. In 1866, C. S. Russell, Allen Mckean, G. F. Mason, Dr. E. H. Mason and W. H. Shaw obtained a charter of incorporation of an organization to be styled the " First Universalist Society of Towanda." Church edifice erected on Second street in 1876-77, as the "Church of the Messiah." The erection of the temple of worship was largely due to the efforts of Rev. G. J. Porter, who was succeeded in 1879 by Dr. Wm. Taylor, and he in turn by Dr. H. R. Nye; succeeded by Rev. Anson Titus, resigned in 1891. The church numbers 101 members.

African M. E. Church .- The first colored minister to Towanda was Thomas Jackson (Bethel), of Montrose, who began coming thereto about 1851-52. Their wooden church edifice was built in 1854.

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.

ATHENS CHURCHES.

Episcopalian .- Trinity Church, of Athens, was organized in 1843, and the church was built in 1862. Previous to this they had a wooden church, which was destroyed by fire. Among the rectors of the par- ish have been the Revs. Watson, French, Harding, Nock, Rosemiller, Hooper, Barker and Cross. The present rector is Rev. S. M. Wren.

Methodists .- In 1832 a " class " was organized and circuit-preaching established. Charles M. Harst and Esther Saltmarsh were members of the first "class," Chester Park and his family joining soon after. From the organization of the class until 1842, services were held in the Academy building. The first church was dedicated in 1844 and was located on Chemung street. ' This church was burned in 1851, and in 1852 another church was erected on the same site. In 1884 the brick edifice known as the "Bethel M. E. Church," was built. This they now occupy, and George A. Place is present pastor.

Presbyterian .- This church was organized as a Congressional Church in 1812, with twenty-two members, but changed to Presbyterian in 1823. It was divided in 1858, one part becoming a Reformed Dutch Church, with eighty-one followers. After the reunion of the old and new school churches in 1869, the Athens Church voted to again become Presbyterian, and was received under the care of the Presbytery of Lackawanna in 1871. The first church building was erected in 1827 and was burned in 1861. The second building was of brick and was built in 1863; that also burned, in 1879. The present brick edifice was erected on the site of the other buildings and was dedicated in 1881.

Catholic .- Up to the year 1865 Catholic congregations of Athens and Ridgebury were served from Towanda, small frame buildings having been erected for church purposes. Rev. John O'Mally was in pastoral charge of Athens and Ridgebury until 1865. His successors to 1875 were Rev. E. A. Garvey and Rev. James Loughran. During the pastoral charge of Rev. John Costello, next in succession, the church in Athens was rebuilt and enlarged ; a pastoral residence pur- chased, and a cemetery established mid-way between Athens and Waverly. St. John's church was built in 1876 in South Waverly. The church of the Epiphany of Sayre, was built in 1889. Father Cos- tello resigned the pastoral charge of Athens and Ridgebury, and re- moved to Sayre, where he at present resides. The name of the clergy- man appointed to succeed him in Athens is Rev. James Moffat.

SAYRE CHURCHES.

Baptist .- " The First Baptist Church of Sayre" was organized in 1886, with 35 members. The present pastor is Rev. O. R. McKav.

Episcopal .- "Church of the Redeemer" is the oldest religious or- ganization in Sayre and was established in 1877. The first members were: Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Babcock, Mr. and Mrs. H. N. Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. G. K. Dietrick, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Carey, Mr. R. A. Packer, Mr. Chas. C. Burns, Mrs. L. N. Warren, Mrs. J. Daniels, Mr. J. E. Babcock, Mr. J. N. Bishop, Mr. H. H. Hamilton, Mr. H. G. Spalding and Mr. J. B. McCall. A railroad restaurant was transformed into a church building and enlarged in 1888. The present stone church was consecrated in 1889. Rev. Chas. M. Carr, rector.

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.

Methodist .- The first Methodist Episcopal Church of Sayre, was organized in 1875. R. M. Hovey, W. H. Flory, John Lamont, George Kear were active promoters of its early organization. Stephen Jay is the present pastor.

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church .- This was established in 1890, with 34 members. They rented a building, for church purposes, of the Episcopalians; but the next year they built a building of their own, which they now occupy.

PRESBYTERIANISM.

Wysox Church .- The earliest records now to be found of church matters are dated October 3, 1791. A church was organized in Wysox, consisting of fourteen members. The next church organized was that of Wyalusing, in 1793. The minister presiding was the Rev. Ira Con- dit. This church, it is believed, was the first regularly organized Pres- byterian Church in Northern Pennsylvania. The meeting was held at the mouth of the Wyalusing creek, where now stands the Second Presbyterian Church of Wyalusing. In 1809 it became a Congrega- tional Church ; but in March, 1831, it again took the Presbyterian form, which it has ever since retained.

Smithfield .- The next church organized was that of Smithfield. This was of the Congregational form, organized in Poultney, Vermont, in February, 1801. The first sermon preached to this church was in 1802, by the Rev. James Wood.

Orwell .- The next was the church of Orwell, organized October 10, 1804, by Seth Williston and James Woodward. The Association met in Orwell, January 14th, 1814. Here the name of John Bascom appears on the records, and a committee was appointed to install him over the church of Smithfield, and also to install William Wisner over the church of Athens. February 15, 1816, the church of Pike first . appears on the roll. The members living in Pike had previously belonged to the church of Orwell. Indeed, up to this time, Orwell had been the only church in that section of what is now Bradford county. September 5, 1815, however, a few months before the church of Pike was added to the Association, the Rev. Salmon King and the Rev. John Bascom organized a church in Warren, consisting of 8 members, 3 men and 5 women, and called it the church of Warren and Orwell. By the fall meeting of 1817, Rev. John Bascom had been dismissed from the church of Smithfield, and Mr. Wisner from Athens ; both, as the record states, for want of support.

There does not appear to have been a single church in the so-called Susquehanna Presbytery that had the Presbyterian form ; Wyalusing Church laid aside the Presbyterian form as early as 1809. We find no Presbyterian Church in the body till March 3, 1821, when the Rev. Manasseh Miner York and the Rev. Simeon R. Jones organized one with the Presbyterian form in full, in the township of Wells, Bradford county, Pa. Church meetings were often held in barns, although there seems to have been some sort of house of worship before this in Wysox. Sometimes the people in Wysox met those of Towanda at a half-way

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.

place ; this half-way place was Mr. Means' barn on the Wysox side of the Susquehanna.

In 1821 the following churches were in the county : Wyalusing, Orwell, Warren, Wysox, Braintrim, Windham, Athens, Smithfield, Wells.

HERRICK CHURCHES.

Keen Summit Union Church, of Herrick, was erected in 1883-84. The first board of trustees were : John Frutchey, John A. Keen, John Vought, Mrs. T. S. Limdy and Jacob Schoonover. The first meeting was held October 15, 1884. Rev. N. F. De Witt (Methodist) preached until the spring of 1886. He was succeeded by the Rev. E. P. Eldridge, who remained until 1889, since which time they have had no regular pastor. The first religious services in the township were at Daniel Durand's house, about 1832, by Calvanistic Baptists, then at the old log school-house. The next services were by Episcopal Methodists in the Spring school-house, Rev. Edmund Fairchild officiating. Baptist meetings were held in the old log school-house, which stood on the site of the present Camp District school-house. Among the more prominent members were Isaac L. Camp and wife, Joseph Camp and wife, and Harry Wells and wife. They afterward changed to the Ballibay school- house, where they still hold meetings. It is claimed that this society was organized prior to 1838, and was the first regular Baptist organiza- tion in the township. Among their pastors can be recalled Elder Bixby, Rev. Parker and the Rev. Dr. Baldwin. In 1845 they organized a Presbyterian society in Herrick, with the Rev. Samuel F. Colt as pastor, who also preached in the Merryall church, and from which were taken letters to effect a formation of the Herrick Society. First meetings in the school building which stood on the site of the present Herrick Presbyterian Church which was built in 1858, previous to Mr. Colt's ministry. Rev. Charles Huntington had preached to the Merryall charge, with occasional services at Herrick. After the present church was erected, about 1859, Rev. Darwin Cook took charge, and con- tinued to the present. In 1858 they had a membership of about thirty- five.

The Baptist Church of Christ, at Grover, was organized in 1872 under the supervision of Elder S. H. Durand. The first members were Edward Vermelya, David Scudder, Lewis Garrison, Luther Bellows and wife, Mary E. Knapp, Maria Kelley, Anna Shadock, Lurinda Wright, Meriett Dickerson and Anna Williams. The congre- gation now numbers twenty-two members.

The Catholic Church at Commisky, in Wilmot township, was built and dedicated in 1890.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, on the Payne road in Wilmot township, was built in 1890.

The Presbyterian Church at Ulster was completed in 1890. Rev. E. O. Goodling, pastor.

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Hickory Ridge, in Burlington township, was recently completed.

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Moore's Hill was completed in 1889, served by Rev. E. O. Goodling.

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.

Burlington M. E. Church was organized late in the last century. Among the first settlers on Sugar creek in 1791 were William Dobbins and James McKean.

Le Raysville M. E. Church was the old Pike charge, which had been separated from Wyalusing in 1832, the name having been changed in 1850. The first parsonage in all this territory was built within the bounds of this charge in 1815 or 1816, about half a mile above Stev- ensville. It has societies in Le Raysville, Prattville, and South War- ren, and at each of these places a house of worship.

Rome Methodist Charge was set off in 1853. They have a fine church building, which was erected in 1850. There are societies at Rome, Towner Hill, Myersburg, and Pond. At Myersburg there is a good church building.

Orwell M. E. Church was dedicated March 22, 1839, and was the first built by the Methodists in the territory, and was regarded as a very important enterprise.

Litchfield was made a distinct charge in 1851 and has two churches and a parsonage. It is connected with the Owego district.

Windham was set off in 1856. It reports 280 members, one church building, and one parsonage.

Hornbrook was made a separate field in 1869, and was attached to Owego district until 1872, when it was transferred to Wyalusing. They have a pleasant house of worship at Hornbrook, and another at Ghent. There are societies at both these places, and also at Gillett.

Herrick was erected into a distinct field of labor in 1870, and P. R. Tower was appointed its first pastor. It has societies at Herrick, East Herrick, Camptown, Lime Hill, and Standing Stone. At the lat- ter place is the only church building on the charge. There is a par- sonage at Camptown.

There are in eastern Bradford nineteen church buildings and eight parsonages, and a membership of about 1,800 persons.

Church at Terrytown .- The first Presbyterian Church, of Asylum, now Terry, was organized August 24, 1842, with ten members. In Feb- ruary, 1844, the membership had increased to thirty-two, of whom nearly one-half resided in Herrick. Their Herrick members were con- stituted a church February 26, 1844. There were twelve of them. They maintained a separate existence until 1855, when the remnant of them was received into the Herrick Presbyterian Church. A reorgan- ization took place October 8, 1863, under the supervision of a com- mittee of Susquehanna presbytery, and the church was taken under the care of the presbytery. The Rev. David Craft, who had supplied the church since September, 1861, was installed pastor March 1, 1866. Dr. George F. Horton and William Gamble were elders. The present membership is about fifty.

The Second Presbyterian Church in Wysox grew out of a secession from the old church. The exscinding act ot 1837 afforded a pretext for uniting with the presbytery of Montrose. In 1857-58 they built a snug little church. Rev. H. J. Crane became the pastor in 1860, and con- tinued to be until the presbytery united the two branches.

The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ulster was organized May

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.

18, 1855, with twenty-six members, but, a short time after, twenty-five more were added to the number. The Rev. Robert Stevenson was installed pastor of the church July 11, 1861. Soon after their organi- zation they erected a house of worship, and also a comfortable parsonage.

Ballibay Congregation (Covenanters) .- Organized in 1832.

The Church of Herrick .- In June, 1849, an organization was effected at Herrickville, consisting of eight members, with Abel Bolles and Lyman Bronson ruling elders. In 1858 a comfortable church edifice was erected. Rev. D. Cook.

The Presbyterian Church at Monroeton was organized Nov. 25, 1851, with twenty-five members, all of whom had been members of the Presbyterian Church at Towanda. .

Stevensville Church was dedicated October 3, 1858. February 2, 1860, thirty persons, members of the old Wyalusing Presbyterian Church, were organized into the Presbyterian Church of Stevensville, in which Hiram Stevens, Myron Stevens and Henry A. Ross were chosen the elders, and Rev. D. Cook was installed pastor.

Barclay Church .- Organized December 26, 1866; twenty-four persons were constituted a Church. Messrs. Muir, Huntington and Turner were ordained elders ; William and John Ditchburn and D. Short were chosen deacons.

Rome Church was organized April 17, 1844. The Church thus constituted consisted of ten members, of whom Bazaleel Gates and Solomon Spalding were ordained elders. The Rev. John Ivison was the first stated supply, and Rev. S. H. Hazard succeeded him. A house of worship dedicated February 3, 1846.

Church of Orwell and Warren was organized September 5, 1815, as a Congregational Church, by Rev. John Bascom and Rev. Salmon King, with eight members. At January, 1819, the number had increased to thirty-three, with Levi Frisbie and Parley Coburn as deacons, and Mr. King as pastor ; changed its form of government to the Presbyterian, April 3, 1824, at Orwell, and Anson Collins, Chaun- cy Frisbie, Uri Cook, Milton Humphrey, Amos Coburn, and Nathan Young were chosen elders, and ordained April 15. The church divided December 18, 1827, and the portion of the membership residing in Warren, eighteen in number, were organized into a separate church, with Parley Coburn as both deacon and elder, and Moses Coburn, Nathan Young, and Aaron Corbin ruling elders, and were henceforth known as the Church of Warren.

The Church of Orwell, on the Ridge road, between the hill and Potterville, having become dilapidated, the congregation determined to erect a new house of worship, and the place selected was on the hill. At this a minority of the church took offense, and twenty-three seceded to form the Congregational Church of Potterville. They have a good church building, which is pleasantly situated.

The Church of Wells and Columbia .- February 22, 1832, a com- mittee from the Presbytery of Bath organized the church, which took the name of the Church of Wells and Columbia, with fifteen members. This was the successor of the old church of Wells. They have a house

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.

of worship, erected in 1839, and at the last report there was a member- ship of thirty-six souls.

Orwell Presbyterian Church was organized October 10, 1804, by Seth Williston and James Woodward, and consisted of nine members. This church subsequently became centered at Le Raysville, and is now known as the Congregational Church of Pike.

The first class or society of Methodists in Monroeton was organized in the early part of this century. The leading spirit in this was Father Cole. There are two houses of worship in Monroeton.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, at Ulster was built in 1854. Since then there has been a parsonage built upon the church, and a church at Milan. There are three preaching places on the charge, viz : Ulster, Milan, and Moore's Hill.

East Troy Methodist Episcopal Church .- There is a church here of 108 members, which has two church edifices, one at East Troy and the other in Columbia.

Liberty Corners and Asylum Methodist Episcopal Church is a strong field, and at present in the care of Rev. M. G. Kymer. At Liberty Corners, or Hollon Hill, is a church and parsonage, and at Asylum is a very neat building. The property, altogether, is estimated at $7,800 ; the membership is 153.

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Albany has a membership of 102, and whose two churches are valned at $3,000.

The Methodists have a church at Wilmot, covering the townships of Wilmot and Terry. There are eight or nine appointments on the charge. They have a parsonage at Terrytown. The Springfield charge has 142 members, have two church buildings and parsonage, and at Wells are two houses of worship and a parsonage.

Lutheran Church .- Is near the county south line, organized and church built in 1850, with 30 members, with Mr. Erle as pastor, John George Eberlin, Sr., elder, and Thomas Messersmith and Jacob Eberlin, Sr., deacons. The congregation, though purely Lutheran in form and doctrine, is called a union church, as either a Lutheran or German reformed preacher is allowed to occupy the pulpit, to the exclusion of all others, except in case of funerals. In 1874, a neat framed church, thirty by fifty feet, has superseded the old log edifice. The church building is in this county, and the members of the congre- gation reside in both counties.

Universalists .- Have a nice church in Towanda, at Athens; one in Springfield township; at one time had an edifice in Monroe, one at Standing Stone and Orwell Hill. The only clergyman is in charge of the Athens Church.

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History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 37

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.) Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago, S. B. Nelson Number of Pages: 1340

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.)
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1340