USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > West Chester > History of First Presbyterian Church of West Chester, Pa. > Part 4
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HISTORY OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
The field of labor around the borough had by this time widened, so that the pastor of this church was called upon to preach almost every Sabbath, either at Unionville, Ham- orton, Kennett Square, Dilworthtown, Sager's, Parker- ville, Harmony Hill, or some other point within reach. By this time the church was full and a demand was made for more room.
The trustees took measures to enlarge the church by adding twenty-five feet in length, which would give forty additional pews, making the seating capacity six hundred in addition to the gallery. This was all accomplished, and at the same time the whole was frescoed, painted and fur- nished. The repairs were completed in 1862 at an expense of $1,968.60, and the sermon on the occasion of its re- occupation was preached by Rev. John Crowell.
While these repairs were in progress the Rebellion broke out, and the quiet of the borough was broken by the gathering here of armed men. The harmony of the church, however, was not disturbed; with perfect unanimity its members recognized their obligations to their country.
The following is a list of those immediately connected with the families of this congregation who were in the army in different capacities during the war:
Surgeons-Dr. William S. King, U. S. A .; Dr. William H. Worthington, 93d Regiment, P. V .; Dr. John R. Ever- hart, 97th ; Dr. J. R. Hayes, 8Ist; Dr. William B. Brinton, 4th Reserve; Dr. Howard King, 2Ist Cavalry ; Dr. William Goodell, Hospital.
John G. Parke, Major General; George F. Smith, Col- onel, 6Ist P. V .; Henry M. McIntyre, Ist Reserves, died of wounds received at New Market, Va .: William James, Brigadier General and Quartermaster; E. L. Christman, Captain Ist Reserves; David Jones, Quartermaster, 97th ; D. B. Hannum, Jr., Lieutenant, .... Cavalry ; William Snare, Lieutenant, 124th ; William Whitehead, Lieutenant, 124th ; John Barber, Lieutenant, 97th; P. Mercer, Lieutenant and Quartermaster, Ist Reserves; Paul Whitehead, Captain, 86th ; Thomas John, Sergeant, 97th; Reuben Fithian, Ser-
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geant, 97th, Austin Fithian, 97th; Walter Lackey, 95th ; George Garrett, 97th ; Lee A. Stroud, 97th; John P. Win- terbottom, 97th ; William Hemphill, 97th; Isaac Burns, .... Cavalry ; George Burns, 97th; Joseph Davis, 124th; Ed- ward Jester, 124th; Charles W. Fraley, 124th; S. Naylor, I24th ; Frank P. Gardiner, Ensign, U. S. N., died in service ; Robert T. Cornwell, Captain.
The following responded to the call made by the Gov- ernor for the militia for Antietam and Gettysburg.
William B. Waddell, Major; J. B. Everhart, Major ; William Dallett, Captain; Thomas Reed, Lieutenant ; John A. Leslie, Artillery ; William E. Barber, Lieutenant; Wil- liam McKay, John G. Robinson, C. B. Lee, George Kerr, Theodore Apple, W. W. Woodruff, Theodore Lee, Theo- dore Beaumont, Charles Jacobs, Livingston Hartman, Ar- tillery ; Rev. William E. Moore, Second Lieutenant, Artil- ley ; F. A. Allen, Artillery ; William V. Husted, Artillery ; J. Carpenter Rhoades, Artillery ; E. R. Stevens, Artillery ; R. E. Monaghan, Infantry ; Willie Fithian, Musician.
With very few exceptions these embraced all the men in the congregation capable of bearing arms. The militia of 1863 were mustered into the service of the United States, June 29th, for three months, and were mustered out on the 24th of August. The ladies of the congregation did a noble and untiring work in feeding and caring for the soldiers. Camp Wayne was located here. The 9th and IIth Regi- ments of the three months' men were organized here, as also the 9th and 7th Reserves, and the 97th. The Christian and Sanitary Commissions were largely aided by our people.
During the ten years from 1860 to 1870, the growth of the church was rapid. Two hundred and seventy-one were added to its communion. The years 1865-66 were espec- ially marked by large accessions. Mr. William McCul- lough and Mr. William V. Husted were installed as ruling elders, October 20, 1865.
In November, 1869, the two branches of the Presbyte-
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rian Church were reunited, and by the adjustment of Pres- byterial lines this church, with all the Presbyterian churches of Chester and Delaware counties, were formed into a new Presbytery bearing the name of Chester.
During the years 1871-72 the gallery of the church was enlarged and a new organ bought. The vestibule was laid with tile, the granite steps erected, and other improvements made in heating, lighting, etc., at an expense of about $3700.
On the 22d of February, 1872, a call was extended to the pastor of this church by the Second Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Ohio. After visiting that field he felt it to be his duty to accept, and accordingly was dis- missed by the Presbytery of Chester, April 9, 1872, and preached his farewell sermon, Sabbath, April 14th, closing a pastorate of twenty-one and a half years. During these years there were added to the church 221 by letter, 325 by profession, a total of 546. The number on the roll of the church as reported by the Clerk of the Sessions, May, 1872, was 370.
In April, 1872, the church adopted the "term service" of the eldership. Dr. Worthington, William McCullough and William V. Husted resigned, and were immediately re- - elected to serve for three years. Four additional elders were elected to serve for the same time, viz .: John G. Robinson, William E. Barber, William S. Kirk and Alfred P. Reid. Of the elders, James Crowell had been dismissed March 16, 1854; Henry Fleming, Esq., had died September 29, 1865, aged 82; Lambert Clark died, May 16, 1869, aged 72, and William F. Wyers died June 23, 1871, aged 59.
Henry Fleming, Esq., died September 29, 1865. In the minute adopted by the Session, November 15, there is an extended notice of his relation to this church from its beginning: "Although the church was not formally or- ganized till 1834, it may be said that it had a practical and effective existence since 1831, when Mr. Fleming faithfully aided its first pastor in laying its foundations, and until
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RULING ELDERS
1. Henry Fleming
2. Dr. Wilmer Worthington
3. Lambert Clark
4. William F. Wyers 5. William E. Barber 6. P. Frazer Smith
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Mr. Stevens' death continued one of his able and steady supporters. Mr. Fleming first made a public profession of religion at the organization of the church in January, 1834, and with five others was chosen a ruling elder. Four of these have been dismissed to unite with other churches, and three of them afterwards died. No ruling elder before him has died whilst in connection with this church.
Notwithstanding this church was organized with such vigorous strength and with such promises of continued prosperity as are rarely given to a young church, the dif- ferences and dissensions which arose in the effort to choose a successor to Mr. Stevens, nearly destroyed it. During the many years of its consequent adversity, when strug- gling for existence, Mr. Fleming, often disheartened, never thought of abandoning it. At times, when its very life seemed flickering to go out, his watchfulness and fostering care kept the flame alive. To these, with his prayers, it is in no small degree owing that our candlestick is not re- moved from its place, and that its light now burns with .such strong brightness. For the church he performed the most laborious and, what might be esteemed by some, menial services ; by day, at midnight, and before the dawn; in storm and in calm; for the church lay deep in his heart. ** * Regular in his attendance on all the services of the sanctuary, devout in his attention, he was indeed an example to the flock. From his connection with this church for more than twenty-six consecutive years, he was never absent once from the communion table. The records of the session will testify of his punctuality at our meetings. Practically as well as theoretically he was a thorough, sound Presbyterian. The memory of the small number who starting with him have not fallen from his side in his long pilgrimage, can recall but few prayer meetings, where his clear and sonorous voice was not heard in songs of holy praise."
The fact is recorded that he was the first President of the Chester County Temperance Society, "he also main- tained an unequivocal stand on the side of the slave through
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much contumely and even persecution." "In the War of 1812, he was among the first who went from this community into the military service of the United States. He was absent from home in that service about three years, one half of which was spent in Quebec as a prisoner of war." His long service as Justice of the Peace is referred to until he refused to longer hold that office, fearing "lest his declining health should so affect his mind that he might err in deciding between suitors." "Perhaps his very last intelligible utterance was an expression of his entire reliance on Christ and on His mercy only for his sal- vation."
Mr. Lambert Clark was almost fifteen years an Elder in this church. In the minute in reference to his death, adopted September 15, 1869, we find the following: "Mr. Clark was born August, 1797, near Centreville, Queen Anne's county, on the eastern shore of Maryland. In early manhood he united with the 6th Presbyterian Church, of Philadelphia, in which he bore the office of Deacon until his removal to Tioga county. There he served the church . at Blossburg as a ruling elder with great acceptance. In 1856, having removed to West Chester, he was elected and installed a ruling elder in this church and filled the office with great acceptance and profit to the congregation until" his death, a period of nearly fifteen years.
In all the relations of life Mr. Clark was a man of marked fidelity to duty. He always aimed to know and do what was right. Men instinctively felt that they could trust him, and that trust was never betrayed. Modest and retir- ing, he yet held a large place in the esteem of every com- munity in which he lived. He was a good citizen, a kind neighbor and friend. But it was especially as a Christian that his light shone before men. Always unassuming and even shrinking, he yet bore his Christian profession on the fore front of his whole life. Every one who knew him, knew that he was a follower of Jesus. Men glorified God in him.
As an officer of the church he was always faithful to
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the solemn trust confided to him. The church was the first object of his earthly care. He sought its prosperity as his own. Deeply conscious of the want of that power which education, and wealth, and position give, he was always willing to do what he could. His visits of sympathy and consolation to the sick and the bereaved were highly prized by those to whom he loved to minister. He was always ready to sacrifice his private interests to the call of duty to the church."
The death of Mr. William F. Wyers, after serving this church in the eldership for nearly seventeen years, is noted in the minutes of session for September 13, 1871. "The ses- sion would leave on record their profound sense of bereave- ment in the death of their late colleague, William Frederick Wyers, A. M., Ph. D., who departed to a better life, June 23, 1871, in his 60th year.
Born at Essens, in the Kingdom of Hanover, January 12, 1812, the son of a Lutheran pastor, educated in the best universities of his native land, Mr. Wyers came to America in the year 1842. Soon after he commenced what proved his life-long work, the teaching of an Academy, for which he was eminently qualified.
About the year 1844 he united with the Presbyterian Church, at New London, in this county, on the profession of his faith. On his removal to West Chester, in 1852, he became a member of this church. In 1854 he was elected a ruling elder in the church and ordained and installed July 9th.
A man of the most thorough education and the highest culture, Mr. Wyers gave the warm affection of his heart and the power of his intellect to the service of his Re- deemer. As a Christian he let his light shine everywhere. The office of ruling elder he discharged for a period of sev- enteen years with singular fidelity and acceptance. We thank God for his life, his example and his influence, while we deeply feel and mourn his absence from the prayer meet- ing which he loved, from the public worship of God, and from his place in the session."
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At the close of Dr. Moore's Historical Sermon, deliv- ered in this church in 1876, he referred in tender terms to some of those who had already passed away. His words are as follows: "It was my lot to come to the church when it was just passing out of the clouds which had so long overshadowed it. It has grown to self-support and was at peace within and without. The most of those who had la- bored at the foundations were living to enjoy the fruit of their sacrifices and toils. To-day but five of the names of those who joined in the organization of the church are borne upon the roll: Lucretia Whitehead and Caroline Fleming, daughters of Captain Fleming; Mary Ann Thomp- son and her sister, Anna T. Grier and Mrs. Peninah Long. All its building committee and original trustees sleep be- neath the sod. Of those who labored upon the walls, James Powell alone remains. The original elders are all gone: Bear with me as I call up to your mind and mine some of the men and women who welcomed me here twenty-six years ago and who are now numbered with the dead.
"First of all of the elders, the venerable James Crowell, whose face shone with the peace which reigned within. Henry Fleming, taciturn and stern to the eye, but with a heart as tender as a woman's. Dr. Wilmer Worthington, 'the beloved physician,' whom everybody loved and every- body trusted, the head and centre of a family of noble brothers, every one of whom it was my sad duty to attend to the grave. Of the trustees, Ziba Pyle, Esq., and William Williamson, Esq., who with their wives, large-hearted and noble women, lived side by side on Gay street. William Apple, as upright in his ways as in his form. John Mar- shall, gentle as a woman, but firm as a rock and hating hy- pocrisy with a perfect hatred. To these men as trustees the church owed much. Its interests were always dear to them, and their money was freely given. Of others there were William Everhart, not always appreciated by those whom he served, but who was always ready to stand in the breach ; James Atwood, an earnest, spiritually-minded man, by nature, careful and close; by grace generous and free.
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Mrs. Elizabeth H. Caldwell, advanced in years but young in heart, dispensing her benefactions with liberal hand but wishing always to be unknown. Mrs. Everhart, Mrs. Mary Smith, Mrs. Hannah Hutchison, Cidney John, Sidney Weaver, Mrs. Rutter, Elizabeth Beaumont and Hannah Winterbottom, are of those whose names should be held in remembrance. Mrs. Mary Gardiner, a leader in every good work. Of those who came after I began my ministry here, I would recall Francis Park, the Hinmans, then an un- broken family of whom seven, representing four genera- tions, lie in our cemetery. John Barber and wife, John S. Futhey, Lambert Clark, the godly elder, and William F. Wyers, the genial companion and untiring worker. These are all gone, their memory is precious, 'their works do fol- low them.' "
Mrs. William E. Moore, unable because of age and weakness to attend the Seventy-fifth Anniversary of the organization of the church, was asked to send some remin- iscences of those early days. As nothing could be more in- teresting, we give it entire.
"Asked to give for the Seventy-fifth Anniversary of this church some memories from the days when it and its fourth pastor were young together, I am bewildered among them. They are so many and vivid, so personal, and so linked with many now in the church above.
"Upon the first page of my book of remembrance there is a picture. It is of a bride and groom of one week ap- proaching West Chester by a country road on a golden September afternoon in 1850. It is he who speaks as they catch their first glimpse of the home to which they come, he now the accepted pastor of this church. 'There it is, our home and long looked for field of work. I give myself five years in it. Mr. Crowell did his first work there and for ten years, but he had superior advantages and a better start. But God helping us we will do our best as long as he keeps us there.'
"Six months before, Mr. Moore had been licensed by
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the Presbytery of Wilmington, and had been the principal teacher in a large academy until within two weeks of his coming to West Chester. Hence he had brought to the new life small stock of sermons, or of practical experience, though he had often preached during the summer in churches familiar to his boyhood and youth.
"Beautiful, too, is the companion picture, of the first bright Sunday morning in the church, charming to our eyes in its simple grace and dignity, with its choir and white organ yonder at the front. In that choir most conspicuous is the stalwart form of Elder Henry Fleming with his son- orous bass voice, and his watchful eye and care over many things. The front pew is newly decked in Presbyterian blue, and there are kindly welcomes on every hand.
"A month later came the ordination and installation by the Third Presbytery of Philadelphia, the charge to the pastor being given by the Rev. George Foote to whom Mr. Moore owed much for guidance and cheer in his preparation for the ministry, and to whom he now stood as a son.
"Between that evening and the Sunday the young pas- tor had laid to rest one aged member of the church, and one infant, so beginning the long ministry of sympathy and con- solation for which God seemed specially to endow him.
"It was his duty in 1854, in the very earliest days of Oakland Cemetery to lay there the dead of the church and community, and in six months to consecrate a spot of earth as our very own, with little thought that it should become the Machpelah of four generations as it is to-day ; or how as this ministry went on he should say, 'God seems to keep our hearts tender for others' woes by touching us often, and in tenderest places.'
"Upon the roll of the church in October, 1850, there were 123 names, 96 of whom were present or in active mem- bership. Since the passing away within the last year of Elder William V. Husted, not one of them all remains. Upon the printed roll of 1906, there are two names of the twenty-six added in the next year, and not fifty of those ad-
OLD MANSE ( Where Chapel now Stands)
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mitted in Mr. Moore's ministry of twenty-one and a half years. Few could now be found in any earthly church who rallied round the young pastor-good men and true, and godly women, all helping by works of faith and labors of love. Every well-remembered name is precious, while fa- miliar forms and faces yet seem to fill accustomed pews. Believing in 'the communion of saints,' are we wrong in thinking that close to the veil which hides, but does not divide the heavenly from the earthly church, there throng about the services and the gatherings of these anniversary days a cloud of witnesses from all the years of its history?
"At the opening of Mr. Moore's ministry, the income of the church from pew rents was five hundred and twenty- five dollars. It was three years before the basement lec- ture room and pastor's study were available for social services and Infant Sunday School, to which last, was long remembered responsive singing from the parsonage nur- sery windows near by. Other vivid memories are of sun- rise prayer meetings in that sacred lower room in the spring and summer of the great revival year of 1858, when men and women from nearly every church in town, and from every calling, gathered there for united prayer and received a blessing.
"From the outset of his work Mr. Moore had held that 'the minister of the Gospel is a citizen of the State and bound to promote good morals and sound learning as well as true religion ; that he is Christ's servant and the whole church is his.' Hence care for feeble surrounding churches came almost at once to be assumed, and this church was led to see its duty and privilege to the field about it, in the con- duct of such social services as were made possible. In his farewell sermon here he also said: 'I do not regret the claims which have been made upon me from 'without.' I understand it to be every pastor's duty to hold himself to be the servant of all men for Christ's sake.' Hence by lead- ings not now to be traced doors were opened to needy places. In Kennett Square he preached first on a hot Sun- day afternoon, in August, 1853, paying a dollar for the
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privilege of a room in a public house. At the close of the service, Bayard Taylor, alluding to the fact said, 'Mr. Moore, this must never happen again.' It never did. A hall was provided.
In the same summer was held in Dilworthtown, what the then oldest inhabitant averred to be the first preaching service of which he had known. It was for Mr. Moore the first of one hundred and eighteen such services, from which a little church was nourished into life. To Unionville church, weak and often without a pastor, he went and came in like manner eighty-five times. His faithful record-book carries on its pages names of Hamorton, Parkerville, Charlestown, Downingtown, Marshallton, Chadd's Ford, Sager's, the Poor House, and many other places where the word was preached or Sunday Schools begun. Among those, Harmony Hill has maintained its long enduring work. Goshen Baptist Church is also named in days be- fore Rev. Joseph S. Evans entered on his pastorate of half a century.
"Seed-sowing had its promise fulfilled, in blessing on this Sabbath School, and widened church life. 'By all means to save some,' may well be said to have been the motive of service which had its reflex influence upon the church itself. Revivals came, and increasing additions from within, while from families coming to the town for change of occupation or for education, goodly numbers found their church home here, making further enlargements necessary.
"Just then the war cloud burst upon the country and quiet West Chester was stirred to its depths. Already the thriving academy of Mr. Wyers had become a military school as well, and when Colonel Theodore Hyatt presently opened a second in the buildings of the well-known Bol- mar's School, many of these pews were filled by students from both academies glittering in uniform and boyish pride. This pulpit had been for months giving forth no uncertain sound, and the Thanksgiving sermon of 1859 was solicited for a volume of war sermons issued in Washington in 1865. "Once more from Mr. Moore's farewell sermon we have
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these words: 'I do not regret the part I took when in the hour of our country's peril I lifted up my voice for its de- fence, and girded on my sword for the protection of our homes. I could have done no otherwise if every pew in this church had been vacated on that account.'
"Between the lines of his record of sermons preached, we read the story of weeks of dark foreboding and thrilling anxiety, or encouraged faith or hope deferred. To the pas- tor's joy the harmony of this dear church was in no wise disturbed. Its men and boys were a unit for service.
"The pastor was himself fired with the soldier spirit, which had led him in early youth to serve a campaign in the Seminole war. With him were found elders and mem- bers, teachers and students, lawyers and doctors, the old and the young. As Gray Reserves for home protection, or for final need they trained in our streets, and lifted up their voices for the support and cheer of their country.
"On the Sunday after the surrender of Fort Sumter there were in church the first of its friends, sons and broth- ers, answering the call of President Lincoln for seventy-five thousand men ; and brother spoke to brother from the text, 'Be of good courage, and let us play the men for the cities of our God; and the Lord do that which seemeth to Him good.'
"Camp Wayne was organized as the rallying place for regiments formed and forming, and on May 5, 1861, that sermon was repeated to them, and later, was one from the words, 'Fear not them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul.' One Sunday of that month the Ninth Pennsylvania Regiment was sheltered from a furious storm in the audience room of the church, unfinished and cheerless from the enlargement of the year before, while from every neighboring home was brought coffee and food for the men.
"By the texts of special, or Fast, and Thanksgiving Day sermons, we mark the fluctuations of all those painful months and years. For President Lincoln's first National Fast day, this was the word chosen: 'And God saw that
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