USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > Downingtown > History of Downingtown, Chester County, Pa > Part 9
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The fourteen Stations of the Cross which adorn the interior walls of the church were donated by various members of the congregation.
The missions now attached to St. Joseph's are St. Mary's, at Lancaster pike and Ship road, and St. Thomas' Church, at Reilly's Banks. These churches are now attended from Down- ingtown every Sunday and Holyday.
The following are the names of the rectors who have had charge of St. Joseph's Parish since its formation :
Rev. John Prendergast, Rev. Nicholas A. Bowden, Rev. James F. Maginn, Rev. Thomas Toner, Rev. John J. McAnany, Rev. James O'Reilly.
Father O'Reilly, the present rector, was appointed July 25, 1894.
The following priests have at various times assisted and officiated in St. Joseph's Church :
Rev. J. Bridgeman, Rev. J. P. Moroney, Rev. J. J. Mooney, Rev. J. Fetigan, O. S. A. ; Rev. M. T. Lawler, Rev. M. M. O'Far- rell, Rev. M. McEvoy, O. S. A .; Rev. E. J. Vandergrift, Rev. John Loughran, Rev. Peter Ryan, Rev. W. A. Carr, O. S. A .; Rev. M. J. Crane, Rev. R. F. Harris, O. S. A .; Rev. James B. Leonard, O. S. A .; Rev. Joseph A. Kelly, Rev. J. P. Leahy, Rev.
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D. I. McGettigan, Rev. John E. Bradley, Rev. Joseph L. Wolfe, Rev. N. J. Vasey, O. S. A .; Rev. Joseph F. Nagle, Rev. Joseph L. O'Conner. Rev. Henry S. Hasson, Rev. Francis Ward, Rev. Joseph Campbell, Rev. R. P. Tobin, Rev. James A. McHugh, Rev. Thomas M. Carey, Rev. M. J. Gorman, Rev. Francis X. Wastl, Rev. M. M. Doyle, Rev. William Grace, Rev. Thomas F. Tobin, Rev. William V. McLoughlin, Rev. P. F. Fleming. R.v. D. A. Corbett, Rev. Joseph M. McShain, Rev. James J. Dean, O. S. A. : Rev. J. J. Bowles, O. S. A. ; Rev. John Donovan. Rev. J. A. Burgess, Rev. John Martin, the present assistant.
In 1842 ground was purchased in West Bradford township for a new cemetery, to which nearly all the bodies interred in the old cemetery near the church have since been removed. In 1882 the present rectory was built and the old parochial residence, which stood on the south side of the lot, was torn down.
In 1896 Father O'Reilly improved the new cemetery ; he had the ground resurveyed and laid out new drives and avenues, along which shade trees were planted. A new iron fence was also erected, the gift of the late Henry Marron. These improve- ments were much needed, and the cemetery is now considered a very pretty place.
On November 3, 1897, the bodies of Fathers Bowden and Toner were removed from the old cemetery adjoining the church and now rest in the new cemetery. After Solemn High Mass for the repose of their souls, the remains of the two priests were conveyed to their new resting place, there to await the final call to judgment. Many priests and a great crowd of people attend- ed the solemn services of reinterment.
Since the formation of St. Joseph's Parish, 1937 persons have been baptized and 237 marriages performed in the church. The population of the parish and missions is about 1200 souls. The people of the parish are fairly prosperous and are thoroughly united; the clergy and people have always worked together in harmony, and in this way have done much good, and God has blessed their work.
Almost all of the first members of this parish have been called to their eternal reward ; they were a grand and noble race, faithful to their faith and its teachings.
Mention may be here made of a few of the pioneer members of St. Joseph's: John McGraw and wife, Michael McFadden and wife, Francis O'Neill and wife, Dennis Lyons and wife, John Shields and wife, Lawrence Foy and wife, Michael Shechy and wife, Patrick McPike and. wife, Timothy Denny and wife, William Ryan and wife, Miss Fannie McFadden and Miss Rachael Hyatt.
The only persons now living who were members of the con-
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gregation at the time the parish was formed are Mrs. John Mc- Graw. Mrs. Francis O'Neill. Dennis Lyons, Miss Fannie Mc- Fadden and Miss Rachael Hyatt.
Many and various events occur during a half century of time.
Central Presbyterian Church. The beginnings of Presby- terianism in Downingtown reveal the fact that at one time there was a division of the Presbyterian Church into two rival bodies, known as the Old School and the New School Churches. This breach occurred in 183;, owing to certain differences as to doc- trine and the administration of benevolences. and was happily healed by the Reunion in 1869. The New School Presbyterians vere the first to labor in Downingtown. In 1843 the Rev. D. H.
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Emerson, then pastor of the East Whiteland Church (Frazer), on the invitation of Thomas Hutchinson, a ruling elder in his church and a merchant of Downingtown, owning and occupying the store and dwelling now known as the McCaughey property, began occasional preaching in Downingtown. There were serv- ices in Mr. Emerson's vard in summer and also at the public school house, then located on the corner of Stuart and Pennsyl- vania avenues. How long these services continued is not known.
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In 1885-6 the Rev William E. Moore, D. D., pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, West Chester, preached here once a month in favorable weather. He was succeeded by the Rev. W. S. Drysdale in 1856-9, and under him the First Presbyterian Church of Downingtown was organized, June 9, 1859. In the spring of 1860 the church bought a lot of Thomas Ingram, on Lancaster avenue, and there built a church. A few years later, owing to a spirit of dissension. the congregation was dissolved and their house of worship was sold. For many years it was known as Central Hall, and is now restored to its original use as the church of the Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church of Downingtown. The two most active spirits in this early Presbyterian Church were Gustav Heins and John Baugh.
The Central Presbyterian Church had its origin in a prayer meeting held at the house of Mrs. Ann Walker, on Lancaster avenue, in the fall of 1858, and afterwards in other houses. It was at first a union prayer meeting, but later became a gather- ing of Old School Presbyterians. At a meeting of the Presby- tery of New Castle, held at Head of Christiana, October 2, 1860, Mr. Yerkes made a plea for preaching services, and supplies were granted gratuitously for six months. "Mullin's Hall," on the site of the store of Mr. I. J. Dietz, on Lancaster avenue, was rented and services held there regularly. At the meeting of the Presbytery of New Castle, April 10, 1861, a petition was present- ed, signed by thirty residents of Downingtown and vicinity, ask- ing that a committee be appointed to visit and, if the way should be clear, organize a church in Downingtown. The request was granted, and the Rev. Messrs. Latta, J. N. C. Greer and Morri- son, and Elder William Wilson were appointed. As the result of their visit the Central Presbyterian Church was duly organ- ized July 24, 1861, Messrs. David Shelmire, Silas D. Yerkes and Augustus J. Dowlin being ordained and installed ruling elders, and John F. Vanleer, previously ordained, installed.
The fifteen charter members of the church were the follow- ing: David Shelmire, Mrs. Annie Elizabeth Shelmire, Mrs. Mar- garet Colten, Silas D. Yerkes and Rachel S. Yerkes, received from the Presbyterian Church of Coatesville, Pa. ; John L. With- row, from the Presbyterian Church of Penningtonville (Atglen), Pa .; Miss Sarah Ann Walker, from St. James' Episcopal Church, Downingtown ; John F. Vanleer, Mrs. Jane C. Vanleer and Joseph W. Vanleer, from Middletown Presbyterian Church (Elwyn), Pa., and Augustus J. Dowlin, from the Forks of the Brandywine Presbyterian Church. Those received on examination were Alexander McClintock, Mrs. Eliza McClintock, William Thomp- son and Mrs. Ann Eliza Davis. The last survivor of the original membership in the communion of the church was Mrs. Shelmire,
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who died January 15, 1907. Of those who removed from Down- ingtown, the Rev. John Lindsay Withrow, D. D., is still living a retired minister in Boston, Mass.
The credit of laying the foundations of the church belongs to Mr. John L. Withrow, a Coatesville boy and student in the Princeton Theological Seminary, who preached in Downingtown four months, beginning about May 1, 1861, and during whose period of service the church was organized. When he returned to his studies he recommended Mr. Matthew Newkirk, Jr., a licentiate of the Central Presbytery of Philadelphia. ] His first service here was on the first Sunday of September, 1861, and after being heard acceptably a second Sabbath he was en- gaged as stated supply for six months. On March 6, 1862, he received a unanimous call to the pastorate at a salary of $400, and was duly ordained and installed the first pastor on April 24, 1862. The Methodist Episcopal Church, now the public school build- ing, on East Lancaster avenue, was courteously granted for this service.
The church was incorporated in the first year of Mr. New- kirk's pastorate, under the title of "The Central Presbyterian Church of Downingtown," he having been a member of the Cen- tral Church of Philadelphia. The charter was granted by the Court of Chester County, October 27, 1862, and the incorpora- tors were Augustus J. Dowlin, John F. Vanleer, David Shelmire, Silas D. Yerkes, Alexander McClintock, Sr., John Walker, Wil- liam Miller, George March and S. Stanhope Pinkerton. They met and organized November 21, 1862, with David Shelmire, president ; J. F. Vanleer, vice president ; S. S. Pinkerton, secre- tary, and S. D. Yerkes, treasurer. At their first meeting the Board of Trustees took measures for the erection of a house of worship. Mr. Jacob E. Parke gave a lot 50 feet front, on Lan- caster avenue, with a depth of about 160 feet, and Mr. Silas D. Yerkes gave a piece of ground adjoining, 20 feet front and about 160 feet deep, and Mr. Newkirk added a lot adjoining on the south. In 1871 the Trustees purchased a piece of ground, by which the church property was extended to Washington avenue.
The contract for the church was given to Thomas H. Doan, a stone building 40 by 60 feet with basement. Ground was brok- en in June, but the work was suddenly suspended by the enlist- ing of the workmen to repel the invasion of the State by the Southern army. The corner-stone was laid September 1, 1863, and the completed structure dedicated September 1, 1864, al- though the basement had been in use certainly as early as May. The church cost about $7000.
After a successful pastorate of nearly seven years, Mr. New- kirk resigned to accept a call to the North Tenth Street Presby-
terian Church, Philadelphia, and he was released from the Down- ingtown charge on December 8, 1868. During his pastorate 123 persons were added to the membership of whom 60 were received on examination.
About two months after Mr. Newkirk's departure the con- gregation gave a call to the Rev. John Rea, of Pittsburgh, and he, Raving signified his acceptance, was ordained and installed as pastor May 6, 1869. After a faithful service of three years he was relieved at his own request April 8, 1812, in order that he might undertake missionary work in Washington Territory. During his pastorate ten substantial horse sheds were built at a cost of $445. Fifty persons were added to the membership, twenty-three being on examination.
The pulpit had been vacant but a brief period when a call was extended to the Rev. Francis T. Collier. He held the call for a considerable period during which he frequently supplied the pulpit, and having decided to accept the call, was formally in- stalled by the Presbytery of Chester, October 9, 1812.
The Church, which had been connected with the Old School Presbytery of New Castle, became a member of the Presbytery of Ch ster in the readjustment of Presbyteries and Synods con- sequent to the Reunion of 1869.
Including the period during which Dr. Collier was the stated supply of the pulpit, his ministry here exceeded sixteen years, or more than one-third of the life of the church to the present day. Among the most valuable assets of his faithful ministry was the erection in 1879 of the parsonage on Washington avenue. The lot was donated by Mr. A. P. Tutton and the money for the erection of the building ($2300) was subscribed chiefly through the efforts of Mr. William B. Torbert. Miss Clara Downing gave one thousand dollars.
During the years 1874-76 the church felt the influence of die remarkable religious awakening which was general through- wot Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, and during these years the membership was greatly strengthened by the addition of ninety-three members on examination and twenty-six Bas certificate.
In the year 1867 the congregation decided upon extensive alterations and improvements on both the interior and exterior of the church edifice. Circular pews were introduced and elec- tric lights. Memorial windows to Mary E. Miller and Emily Downing were placed in the front of the church, the pulpit plat- form and choir gallery were lowered and new furnishings pro- vided throughout. A legacy of $950 from Miss Mary E. Miller was appropriated to this work and there were numerous gifts The cost of the improvements and furnishings was $3700 and
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the entire amount having been subscribed the Church was re- dedicated on February 16, 1888.
At a congregational meeting held April 6, 1888, Dr. Collins presented a request for a dissolution of his pastoral relation to the Church. The affection of the people and their devotion to their pastor were strongly marked by the vote which showed a majority of only one to accede to the request of Dr. Collier .. Action was delayed, but the pastoral relation was finally dissoly- ed at his request by the Presbytery of Chester in session at Ken- nett Square, September 16, 1888. There was no growth in Down- ingtown during this pastorate and the losses by removal and death were large, but Dr. Collier left the church in a healthy con- dition and with attractive church and parsonage properties. Dar- ing his pastorate of sixteen years there were added 229 members of whom 143 were added on examination and 86 were received on certificate from other churches.
The pastorate was not long vacant. On December 12, 1888 .. a unanimous call was extended to the Rev. Charles E. Craven, of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, and the call having been ac- cepted, he was duly installed as pastor by the Presbytery of Ches- ter, January 17, 1889. His resignation was presented to a con- gregational meeting held on September 10, 1894, and the pastoral relations dissolved December 12, 1894. During this pastorate the present pipe organ was purchased and installed ; at an expense of about $1300, largely contributed by Mr. and Mrs. James Ham- ilton. . During this period also the peace and prosperity of the church were seriously disturbed by dissensions which arose at. first concerning the place of the organ in the auditorium, but extended to conflicting views as to the relative duties and powers of the session and board of trustees, resulting in the resignation of a number of officials and the withdrawal of a number from the communion of the church. Notwithstanding these unfortunate circumstances the additions to the church membership were con- siderable, numbering in all, for the seven years of pastorate, eighty of which fifty-two were on examination and twenty-eight by certificate.
After the interim of nearly a year, during which the con- gregation extended a call to the Rev. U. F. Smiley which was declined, at a congregation meeting held June 18, 1895, a unani- mous call was extended to the Rev. John S. Helm, and having been accepted, he was duly installed as the fifth pastor in Sep- tember of the same year. His pastorate extended less than a year, during which ten persons were received into the membership of the church. The resignation was presented at a congregational meeting held July 29, 1896.
On December 14, 1896, the congregation extended a unani-
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mous call to the Rev. William P. Patterson and the same being accepted, he was duly installed the sixth pastor on February 11, 1892. After a faithful pastorate of four years Mr. Patterson died February 23. 1901, after a lingering illness. His pastorate was marked by numerous improvements to the church properties, in- cluding the installation of a water motor for the organ, repairing sheds, and the pavement on the Washington avenue side of the church property. The additions to the church membership were thirty-four, of whom twenty-one were on examination.
Again the church was vacant for a year. A call for the pas- toral services of one minister having been declined and the con- gregation having failed to unite on any one candidate at a sec- ond congregational meeting, it was decided December 2, 1901, to invite the Rev. Lewis W. Mudge, D. D., of Princeton, New Jersey, to supply the pulpit for a series of Sabbaths. In January he was requested to permit his name to be presented for the pas- torate, but declined as he had not been a candidate for the pulpit. Finally he consented and at a congregational meeting held April 12, 1902. he was unanimously elected pastor and was installed by the Presbytery of Chester April 28, 1902.
The present pastorate has therefore passed its seventh an- niversary at this writing. During these years the old floating debt has been removed, extensive improvements have been made in the church building, an addition has been built to the parson- age and over two thousand dollars is at interest, the nucleus of a fund for a new church edifice. The number of additions to the church have been two hundred and seventy-six, of which eighty- six have been on certificate from other churches and one hundred and ninety on examination.
The present membership of the church is two hundred and ninety-seven exclusive of the absent list and the reserved roll.
The Sunday-school enrolls two hundred and two with an average attendance for the year of sixty-four per cent. There are ninety-six in the Home Department and fourteen on the Cradle Roll. The present board of elders consists of Isaac Y. Ash, clerk; Eben Garrett, James Porter, Charles W. Robinson, William B. Stauffer and Josiah Swank. Deacons: Herbert Ash and Charles B. Gantt. Church organist: Miss Mary B. Garrett ; Choir Master, Frederick B. Mudge; Assistant Organist, Mrs. William H. Carey
The Board of Trustees is constituted of Judson Armor, pres- ident ; William McClure, Jr., vice-president ; James Porter, sec- retary : Joseph T. Miller, treasurer ; John Dennis, Thomas Each- us, Arthur T. Hess, J. Harry Reed and Charles W. Wilson.
The officers of the Sunday-school are: James Porter, super- intendent ; William B. Stauffer, assistant superintendent ; Joseph
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T. Miller, secretary-treasurer ; Joseph T. Miller, Jr., assistant secretary ; Miss Phebe D. Whelen, primary superintendent ; Mrs. William P. Patterson, superintendent of the Home Depart- ment : Mrs. James Porter, superintendent of the Cradle Roll ; Mr. Frederick P. Mudge, music conductor ; Miss Eva Allen, pianist. The officers of the Christian Endeavor Society are: S. Earl Stauffer, president; Carl Greth, vice-president ; Miss Mary B. Garrett, corresponding secretary ; Miss Adelaide McCaughey, re- cording secretary, and Miss Eva Allen, treasurer. There are sixty-six members. Miss Phebe D. Whelen is in charge of the Junior Christian Endeavor with sixty-five members.
MIrs. William R. Patterson is president of the Ladies' Mis- sionary Society. Mrs. Frank P. Miller and Mrs. Joseph T. Miller vice-presidents ; Miss Mary H. Mudge, secretary and Mrs. Wil- liam Mittell, treasurer. Of the Mite Society, Mrs. William B. Stauffer is president, Mrs. J. Harry Reed, secretary, and Miss Mary B. Garrett, treasurer. The Young Woman's Club has as officers : Mrs. Frank T. Weaver, president ; Mrs. J. Harry Reed, vice-presidents ; Mrs. Frank Parke, secretary, and Miss Maude Dixon, treasurer. Brotherhood: Evans Miller, president ; Fred- erick P. Mudge, vice-president ; James Porter, secretary ; S. Earl Stauffer, treasurer.
First Baptist Church. Rev. E. C. Romine, Missionary of the Central Union Association held services in Central Hall, Sun- day, February 4, 1883. A Sunday-school began February 11. A church was organized March 4 with six members. A number of baptisms took place. Among the first members were : S. C. Bare- ford, Martin Bair, Wn. Baldwin, Lizzie B. Glisson, J. T. Irwin and wife, Rebecca J. Irwin, Hannah M. Lewis, Henrietta K. Roberts, E. C. Romine and wife, Thura J. Temple, Temple Ram- bo, James Shunk and wife, Sarah M. Temple, Lizzie Walley, and Amor Wilkinson.
A council from seventeen churches met April 13, 1883, and recognized the church. Sermon by Rev. N. C. Naylor ; hand of fellowship, Rev. Wm. Barrows; charge to the church, Rev. T. M. Guthrie; charge to the pastor, Rev. N. B. Randall. Rev. C. H. Thomas preached in the morning.
In May, 1883, the church united with the Central Union As- sociation reporting twenty members. Mr. Romine also was sup- plying the Brandywine Church, and held some grove meetings at Oakland, also published a monthly paper called "The Shower."
In one year's time the Sunday School had an average attend- ance of over a hundred. The superintend was Rev. E. C. Ro- mine ; teachers, Anna C. Ball, Annie Brown (now Downey), S. C.
Bareford. Rebecca J. Irwin, Jos. H. Johnson, Laura A. Johnson, Laura Mercer, Mary T. Romine, Henrietta K. Roberts, James Shunk, Salinda Shunk, Wm. H. Slanter, Sallie D. Stringfellow, John L. Weldin and Lizzie Walley.
On October 26, 1884, Brother Romine resigned his pastorate, which was a source of great disappointment to the little flock.
By great effort the pulpit was kept supplied for some months, but the church was not financially able to call a pastor, and under these discouraging circumstances a council was called, which re- sulted in the union of the East Brandywine and Downingtown churches under pastor A. B. McCurdy, of Saltillo, Pa., who en- tered upon his duties on April 1, 1885, the C. U. B. Association assisting with the finances.
The first Board of Trustees was elected on February 26, 1886, and the members of the Board were Samuel C. Bareford, John L. Weldin, Thomas J. Irwin, Joseph H. Johnson and Wil- liam Morgan (the last two named not being members of the church), and an application was made to the Court of Chester County for a charter, which was granted. A plot of ground on the corner of Viaduct and Lancaster avenues (where Philips' mill is now located), was purchased for a building site, the Berean
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Church at West Chester having disbanded contributed $385.50, and the Phoenixville Church $38.50 towards paying for the same, and gradually the debt was worked off. This lot was afterwards sold and the present site procured, as being better suited to the purposes of the church.
February 5, 1887, Rev. A. B. McCurdy resigned his pastor- ate, to take effect March 1. Supplies were again secured, and the church maintained regular preaching services, and on June 5, of the same year, again united with East Brandywine Church in calling Rev. Walter L. Mayo, of Hermitage, New York. In the summer of the following year the East Brandywine Church sev- ered its connection with the Downingtown Church, and about the same time the pastor was taken seriously ill with typhoid fever, and the illness extending to his family, his eldest son, a promising lad, died. The pastor did not recover his usual health until the following summer. During his long and tedious illness the pulpit was supplied by the kindness of neighboring pastors, not only of the Baptist, but other denominations.
In April, 1889, his health still continuing poor, he severed his connection with the church. These were times of trial and matter of disbanding was serionsly considered, but the posses- sion of the lot kept the little band together, and with forty mem bers, a determination was made to build a house of worship, and the faithful few, mostly women, undertook the work. The ser- vices of Clarence Larkin then pastor of the Baptist Church at Kennett Square, were engaged as architect, and the contract was given to G. T. Guthrie, of Downingtown. The corner-stone was laid October 9, 1890, with appropriate services. Rev. A. R. Wil- son, of Redbank, N. J., who served the church for a short time, was pastor at this time.
On November 3, 1890, a unanimous call was given to Rev. T. C. Brewster, of West Chester, to become our pastor, which was accepted, and he entered upon his new field of labor, and on the 18th of December was ordained as a Baptist minister. On April 26, 1891, the church was dedicated, Rev. Jas. W. Putman, of Philadelphia, making the address. The cost of the building, with land and other improvements was reported as about $8400. Subscriptions were taken at the corner-stone laying, dedication, and other occasions which reduced the indebtedness to an amount that could be readily carried, and so faithfulness, energy and per- severance won finally. In the fall of 1891 revival services were held in which Pastor Brewster was ably assisted by Evangelist George Williams, and the church received a great flood-tide of blessing, many souls being added.
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