USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 31
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MEAD CHAPEL.
About the year 1847 pastors of the Paradise and Brookville circuit estab- lished a preaching place at Knoxdale village, and also one in a log house two miles from Knoxdale. Then the appointment was moved to the Davidson school-house in the same neighborhood. In the year 1872 the two societies were merged into one, and Mead Chapel was built. A great revival of religion followed the dedication of the chapel. The Cavenor family and S. R. Ander- son and wife coming into the church gave strength and encouragement to the society. Daniel Sylvis and wife, Elijah Chittester, Nelson Allen and wife were among the first members. The interior of the church has been greatly beau- tified, and is one of the prettiest audience rooms in that section of the county. The Sabbath-school is under the leadership of S. R. Anderson, who is ably sustained by Messrs. Swineford, Davis, C. Chittester, and others. The reli- gious services are conducted on the Sabbath by the pastor from Emerickville. Mead Chapel is a part of the Emerickville circuit.
MCANINCH CONGREGATION.
In the year of our Lord 1863 Rev. E. Coons came into the neighborhood of Mr. Rice's, in Knoxdale township, and organized a class according to the usages of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with Sylvester McAninch as leader. The first members were Sarah H. Hunter, Rose McAninch, Margery Rice, J. Don-
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THE CHURCHES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.
nelly, William Thompson and wife. The regularly appointed pastors of the Brookville M. E. Church preached regularly for years-once in two weeks, Sabbath afternoons-until it was attached to the Emerickville circuit, under the pastorate of Rev. J. H. Laverty. The society has kept up Sabbath-schools during the summer seasons, and have been of helpful benefit to the community in which, for so many years, religious services have been held.
About the year 1867 a gracious revival was realized, and some twenty-five accessions were made to the church. The appointment is now known as the McAninch school-house. The McAninch appointment is a part of the Emer - ickville circuit.
PORT BARNETT CONGREGATION.
The Methodist Episcopal Class at Port Barnett was organized by Rev. Peete, about the year 1870. They have always worshiped in the school- house in that place. The society had great prosperity under the labors of Mr. Peete, the membership reaching as high as sixty-two. It has labored under great embarrassment since its organization, for want of a house of worship. The congregations are large, the Sabbath-school numbering over one hundred. A gracious revival of religion was realized during the year 1887-the mem- bership of the society brought up to nearly the highest number. It has been regularly supplied by the pastors from Emerickville.
Among the honored names of faithful workers in the church were, and are, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Pliler, Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Lyle, Miss Eva Andrews, and others. The society, in this year of grace, numbers about sixty persons.
RINGGOLD CHARGE OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.1
In 1816 there were two brothers named Hancock, who were traveling as missionaries, passed through what is now Ringgold township, and preached at the house of David Milliron. There was, after this, preaching occasionally by local preachers until 1852, when regular services were conducted by Rev. G. F. Reeser, who organized a class. In 1853 a church was built by the Metho- dists and Evangelical Association. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Ring- gold has been marked with a good measure of success, and is at present in a fairly prosperous condition.
HOPEWELL CHURCH.
Hopewell congregation on the Ringgold charge was organized in 1839 by Revs. R. Peck, and M. Heinebaugh. The class consisted of Daniel Swisher, Elijah Swisher, Lizzie Swisher, Adam Dehaven, C. Dehaven, Joseph Elder, Elizabeth Martin, Henry Palmer, and Barbara Palmer. Daniel Swisher was the first class-leader. The first church was built in 1840, and was a commodi-
1 Prepared by the pastor.
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
ous log structure, 32 by 28, and in 1870 the present church was erected during the pastorate of Rev. McVey Troy, and while Rev. O. L. Mead was presid- ing elder. This church is now being remodeled with modern improvements. It has a seating capacity of about three hundred and fifty. The present out- look for this church is promising.
WESLEY, NOW BARTON CHAPEL.
This society, which is also on the Ringgold charge, was organized in 1839, by Rev. John Monks, and Wesley Chapel was built in 1854. In 1886 a new and beautiful structure took the place of the old church. It is now called Bar- ton Chapel, in recognition of the persistent efforts of the pastor to secure suc- cess in the enterprise. This church has been somewhat weak hitherto, but is now giving promise of considerable success. Rev. W. J. Barton is the preacher of Ringgold charge.
SIGEL CHARGE OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.1
In the year 1850 Rev. G. F. Reeser organized what is known as the Kahle- town class. Prior to that there were four Methodists, Jacob Kahle and Nathan Smith with their wives, who had no place to worship. In this year there had been three of the Kahles converted at a place called Hominy Ridge, some six miles distant. The first class was organized at the red school-house, near where the church now stands, with these seven members. About this time James Buzzard and his wife came to what is now Eldred township, and rein- forced the small congregation. Mr. Buzzard was an official member until his death a few years ago. Mother Buzzard is the only member of the first class now living. Jacob Kahle was the first leader appointed, and he was also a local preacher for many years.
In 1853 the church was built, Nathan Smith, James Buzzard and the Kahles taking the greater part of the work upon themselves. The class now numbers sixty, and is prospering finely. This charge is located on the Strattanville road, about three miles from Sigel.
EBENEZER CHURCH.
Near the place where the Ebenezer Church now stands, there stood in 1854 what was known as the Wallace school-house, and in the spring of that year Rev. James Gilfillan began to hold service. He had tivo members, Washing- ton Kahle and his wife, who are still members of this church. Mr. Gilfillan held a meeting in the fall of that year, and organized a class of nine members, appointing Brother Kahle leader, which position he has held nearly all the time since. This appointment belonged to what was then known as the Cor- sica charge; but soon after it was transferred to the Washington charge. In
1 Prepared by the pastor.
..
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THE CHURCHES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.
1863 Rev. George Moore was pastor, and under his administration the Ebe- nezer Church was built. At that time there were twenty-eight members. Now the membership is fifty with a few of the first members still living. The church is too small for the growing congregation, but preparations are being made to build a more commodious edifice.
What is known as the Zion class was organized in 1853, Moses Hill being the presiding elder, and John T. Boyle preacher in charge. There were twenty-five members, and they first worshiped in a log school-house where the Steele school-house now stands. This house was burned down, and the congregation then built a small house on David Steele's farm, which was used for their meetings until 1860, when the Zion Church was built. David Steele was leader at the time the class was organized, and retained that position for seventeen years, when he entered the ministry, and was appointed to the Clar- ington charge. Rev. Steele is now a member of the United Brethren denom- ination, and has held the office of presiding elder.
The Zion Church is situated on the Brookville and Clarington road, three miles north of Brookville. The class of this church is very small, only num- bering about twenty. Rev. D. A. Platte is the preacher of the Sigel charge.
CORSICA METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Corsica M. E. Church was organized about the year 1854. Rev. James Gilfillin was the pastor. J. W. Monks was the first class leader. Rev. Gilfillin was followed by Revs. Edwin Hull, Thomas Benn, George Moore and others. The society first met for worship in a private house (burned in 1873), then in the "old Corsica school-house," then in a hall. For some time they worshiped in the Presbyterian Church. The present church edifice was erected in 1871, during the pastorate of Rev. W. M. Taylor. Cost $3,500. The parsonage was built during Mr. Taylor's administration.
Since 1864 the charge has been served by the following pastors : P. W. Scofield, E. C. McElhatten, F. Fair, W. M. Taylor, J. W. Martin, J. C. Rhodes, O. H. Sibley, J. H. Laverty, A. M. Lockwood, W. S. Shepard, P. J. Slattery, C. H. Frampton, J. M. Edwards and Alvah Wilder. Present pastor, J. C. Wharton. The Corsica society at present numbers fifty-seven members and probationers.
Pine Grove M. E. Church is situated about three miles north of Corsica and belongs to the Corsica charge. This society was organized in February, 1876, during the pastorate of Rev. O. H. Sibley, pastor of Corsica charge. The church at Pine Grove was built during the autumn of 1876 at a cost of $700. It was connected with Corsica charge in November of the same year.
REYNOLDSVILLE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.1
The Reynoldsville charge of the Methodist Episcopal Church has but one
1 Prepared by the pastor.
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
regular appointment located in Reynoldsville. This charge, which was form- erly a part of the Emerickville circuit, was made a separate charge in 1875, and Rev. W. M. Martin appointed pastor. At the end of two years it was re- verted back to the Emerickville circuit and was continued in that relation until 1878, when it was for the second time made a separate charge, with Rev. D. E. Planett, pastor, under whose supervision a good, substantial frame church and parsonage were erected, at a cost of about six thousand dollars, all of which was liquidated under the administration of Mr. Planett. At the expiration of his pastorate Rev. J. C. McDonald was appointed his successor, who after three years of successful labor, was in turn succeeded by Rev. C. Peters, under whose ministry there was conducted a revival of great interest in which three hundred souls were led to inquire the way of salvation, and two hundred and fifty-two united with the M. E. Church on probation. This large increase of membership necessitated the enlargement of the church building, which was speedily brought about at a cost of twenty-two hundred dollars, all of which was provided for on the day of reopening. The church and parsonage are conveniently located, and the church is in a prosperous condition. The Sun- day-school has an average attendance of more than two hundred persons.
RICHARDSVILLE CHARGE, METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.1
Richardsville charge is composed of three societies numbering two hundred members, and contains three church buildings valued at four thousand dollars. This charge was formerly known as the Warsaw charge. It was organized in 1857, when the services were held in private houses. In 1855 the first church was erected at Mayville, in East Warsaw. Rev. Josiah Flowers was then pre- siding elder ; Rev. Thomas Graham preached the dedication sermon. Among the first members of the church at Mayville were Philo Bowdish and wife, G. Frederick and wife, Eli Irwin and wife, P. Crossley and wife, Jacob Raught and wife, and Peter Chamberlain and wife.
The parsonage of the charge is located at Mayville, and cost eight hundred dollars. The church was repaired in 1877.
The second church built on this charge is the Zion church, erected at Shoff- ner's Corners in Polk township, in 1863, and repaired in 1886. When Zion congregation was first organized, in 1848 or 1849, there were only these seven members : Philip Hetrick, Jacob McFadden and John Dixon, with their wives, and Mother Black. The first sermon preached in Polk township was by Rev. Boyle, in what is now the kitchen of Mr. John Dixon's house, May, 1847.
In those days the prayer meetings were held from house to house, until a log school-house was built. After the class was organized the next additions to the membership were Amos T. Reigle and wife, O. Davis and wife, and Fulton and John Schoffner. The first quarterly meeting was held on the 13th
1 From facts furnished by Rev. O. Sibley and Mr. John Dixon.
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THE CHURCHES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.
of December, 1857, by Josiah Flowers, presiding elder, at the house of Philip Hetrick, who was the first class leader. He was succeeded by A. T. Reigle, and then Fulton Schoffner was leader for a number of years, who was followed by John Schoffner, who has held the office for about seventeen years. Rev. I. C. T. McClelland was the first preacher. The church, which was built during the trying days of the war, is located on the farm of Shannon McFadden, then the property of his father Jacob McFadden. It was built by Thomas Craven, each member of the congregation paying all that his means would allow toward its erection. The Zion class now numbers fifty members.
The church at Richardsville was built in West Warsaw in 1872, while J. M. Zeile was preacher in charge. Nelson Riggs, A. Bartlett, Isaac Carrier, Lyman J. Boyington with their wives, and Mrs. Corbin, were among the first members at Richardsville.
Among the first preachers who have served this charge were Reverends McClelland, Reeser, Moore, Dunmire, Starrett, McElhatten, Bashline, followed by Clover, Taylor, Groves, Zeile, Peete, Jones, Neff, Barton and Sibley.
THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Cumberland Presbyterians were among the first to locate in Jefferson, and their first society was organized in a log school-house February 1, 1836, and called the Jefferson Congregation. At the time of the organization there were seventeen communicants and two elders-Alexander Jordan and Dr. John W. Jenks. Their first pastor was Rev. Charles Barclay. Among those of later years have been Rev. D. H. King and Rev. D. A. Cooper. The present pastor is Rev. J. S. Gibson, who has been located there for the past five years. The membership of the church is now one hundred and sev- enty, with a Sunday-school of one hundred and fifty scholars. The present superintendent of this school is George D. Jenks. The commodious brick church is valued at five thousand dollars.
There are also four other congregations of this denomination in the county. The Mount Pleasant Society was organized in the Bowers school-house in Gas- kill township in 1848. They have a good house of worship, and about one hundred members. In 1878 Rev. J. I. Means was their pastor, but the church is now supplied by Rev. Howells, having no settled pastor.
In the year 1852 about forty members of the Jefferson Congregation, resid- ing in the neighborhood of Whitesville, formed themselves into a separate or- ganization called the Sharon Church, and elected Edward Means and John McHenry, sr., elders, and called Rev. J. C. Wagaman to be their pastor. The church building is located in Perrysville. Rev. D. A. Cooper succeeded Mr. Wagaman.
There is also a strong society in Oliver township, known as the Olive Church, which has now no settled pastor.
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
The Zion Church in McCalmont township was organized by Rev. Jacob F. Wall, who was their first pastor. Rev. J. S. Gibson, pastor of Jefferson Church, now supplies Zion.
The Cumberland Presbyterians is one of the largest denominations in the south side of the county. They have no organizations north of Little Sandy.
CHAPTER XXI.
THE CHURCHES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY-Continued.
The Baptist Churches-Dr. Nichols the Pioneer Baptist- The Evangelical Association next Proclaim the Word of God in the County-The Lutheran Churches at Brookville-St. Johns and St. Michaels-The Episcopal Church of the Intercessor-The United Brethren in Christ-M. E. Steiner the Founder of the Church in Jefferson County-The Early and Present Pastors of these Denominations-Struggles and Efforts to Establish the Different Churches-Membership -Statistics.
THE REGULAR BAPTIST CHURCH OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.1
T HE constant efforts put forth by the sturdy pioneer Baptist preachers of this region of country to plant the church, and the many prayers offered for the success of the preached word, have had their influence and are felt to- day by all the Baptist Churches in Jefferson county, as well as in the neigh- boring counties of Clearfield, Clarion and Indiana. The privations of pioneer life and the sparsely settled communities, together with the dangers from wild beasts, and the absence of good roads, and very frequently the fording of streams in winter, or swimming the currents in summer time, to say nothing of the non-receipt of pay for their labors, conspired to make the visits of these devoted men of God few and far between. Laying their all upon the altar of God, they were ready for either sacrifice or service, and went forth to do and to dare for the cause of truth, feeling "that all things shall work together for good to them that love God." Winters snows and summers rains never de- terred them from their regular visits, when at all possible to go to the scattered settlements of our region.
In 1818 Rev. Jonathan Nichols settled on the Brandy Camp. He was the first clergyman who settled in the county, and spent his life in the service of the people. He was also the first physician, and his visits extended over a large extent of country. His ministry was well received by the people of all
1 The history of the Baptist Churches in Jefferson county was prepared by Rev. T. Henderson, with the exception of that portion relating to the Richardsville Church, which was collected by Mr. S. M. Humphrey.
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THE CHURCHES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.
religious beliefs, who all attended his meetings. His is the first record of any minister, who was a pioneer preacher, holding views at all approximating to those held by the regular Baptist Church. After him came Rev. Samuel Miles, who preached in Brookville in 1833, and again a half century later, at the dedication of the Baptist Church in 1883. He is still living at Ansonville, Clearfield county, enjoying the " Indian summer " of his life, among a people who love him for his past relation to them. His memory is precious in the Baptist brotherhood of Jefferson county, and also of all the old settlers, who venerate the name of this man of God.
Revs. Stoughton, Kiel, Thomas E. and B. H. Thomas-father and son- Harding, Todd, Dobbs, Telford, McFarland and Wilson were among those who worked early and late to call the people to a knowledge of God and his truth. The first Baptist organization was effected in June, 1834, with thirteen members in the Beechwoods now Washington township. Henry Keys and James McConnell were elected deacons, Rev. Samuel Miles in September, 1834, their first pastor. Since that time he has been succeeded by Revs. Thomas Wilson, Jacob Kiel, John Sallade, James Johnston, H. B. Fish, J. A. Metz, S. P. Barr, and J. E. Dean.
Mrs. Eliza Haney, of Clearfield county, was among the first Baptists to locate in the county. She, with Mrs. Wier, of Centre county, who also located in this county, Robert McIntosh, sr., and Betty Keys started the first Sunday- school in the Beechwoods in 1828. This school was held from house to house until 1832, when the first school-house near the old Beechwoods graveyard was built, in which it then held its sessions. Robert McIntosh was the first superintendent, Mathew Keys assistant superintendent, and James Smith treas- urer. Betty Keys and Fannie McConnell were among the teachers. The names McConnell and Keys are still to be found in the membership of the ' Gethsemane Baptist Church, which stands just back of the old church building. Near the present Beechwoods graveyard is the grave of Betty Keys. For some time prior to her death she was a confined invalid, and during this bed- ridden period of her existence she collected enough money from visitors and friends to put the church in good repair. She was a Christian woman of royal stamp.
During the early history of the Baptist cause in this region, Henry Keys, Robert McIntosh, and others would leave their homes in the Beechwoods be- fore daylight on Sunday morning, and go to church at old Zion meeting-house in Clarion county, making a distance of about thirty miles. These men would walk there and back the same day. Rev. Mr. Stoughton of Butler county preached occasionally for the Baptists of the Beechwoods in 1833. In June, 1834, the Baptist Church was organized by Rev. Mr. Brown, in Henry Keys's barn, with the following members : Mrs. Eliza Haney, Miss Betty Keys, Henry Keys and his wife, Mrs. Catharine Keys, Mary Ann McConnell, afterwards 32
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HISTORY FO JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Mrs. McClelland, Margaret McConnell, and Mrs. Nancy McGhee, Mrs. Mc- Clelland, and Miss Hall.' The society met in Keys's barn.
The second organization was held in Brookville in 1836. The pastors since then have been Samuel Miles, Thomas Wilson, Thomas E. Thomas, and John Hunt followed by Professor Lane, J. S. Wrightnour, and Theodore Hen- derson the present pastor. In 1883 under the pastorate of Rev. T. Henderson, the present handsome church edifice costing about six thousand dollars, was erected. The ground upon which it is built, valued at not less than one thou- sand dollars, was donated by Mrs. D. E. Taylor. The location is on the corner of Main and Mill streets.
Third in the order of organization came that of the Punxsutawney Church in 1840, under the pastorate of of Rev. Thomas Wilson. They have now a good comfortable brick meeting-house. Rev. D. W. C. Hervey and S. L. Par- cell were the devoted pastors of later years. Rev. H. H. Leamy is the present pastor.
About the same time, as the result of the labors of Rev. Thomas Wilson at Corsica, the Mount Pleasant Church was organized. Many of the members of this church live in Clarion county. The church fence at the front is the line between Jefferson and Clarion. Revs. S. P. Barr, D. W. Swigert, A. J. King, R. Dunlap, and W. B. Purdy have been among the successive pastors.
Rev. R. Dunlap, one of the grandest and best friends of Jesus and his truth, was found dead in his buggy while entering Corsica, March 21, 1885. He was going to fill his appointment Kind hearts and willing hands did everything that possibly could be done to show veneration for the memory of this beloved man of God.
This church owns a good frame house which stands on the site of the one destroyed by fire some years ago.
Next came the Warsaw Church at Richardsville, which was at first com- posed of members dismissed by letter from the Gethsemane and Brookville Churches.
This church was constituted April 22, 1865, with six constituent members, viz .: William Humphreys, Peter Rickard, Margaret Rickard, Andrew Rickard, Galbraith Wilson, Nancy Wilson ; two of whom still survive. Since the organ- ization the church has been served by the following pastors : Thomas Wilson, John Sallade, R. S. Hunt, W. M. Thompson, Daniel Webster, D. W. Swigart, Howell Jeffries, H. W. Boyer, T. J. Collins, R. Dunlap, S. P. Barr, and W. B. Purdy. William Humphreys was ordained deacon at the organization, Joshua Long the following September ; at a later date John Chamberlain and J. F. Sny- der ; E. A. Bartlett and Thomas Brownell, June 8, 1885. The four last named still serve the church in that capacity, the two former being dead. Three min- isters have been ordained : John Sallade, Thomas Evans, and T. P. Collins, (Thomas Evans being licensed by the church). Two of the pastors have died
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THE CHURCHES IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.
and are buried in the cemetery, viz .: W. M. Thompson and R. Dunlap. The present membership is one hundred and forty-four.
Shortly after the organization the congregation made an effort to build a meeting-house about one mile north of Hazen, using round logs ; but they did not succeed in getting it under roof. They continued to worship in school- houses, private houses, and barns, when the weather would permit until 1859. About 1856 the congregation secured from Mr. N. Carrier, sr., for twenty-five dollars, the beautiful location near Richardsville which is now occupied by the church buildings and cemetery. Mr. Carrier donated seven dollars of the twenty-five. During the winter of 1857-58 they commenced preparations in earnest for the erection of a meeting-house. Messrs. A. S. Rhines, R. Bedell, and H. R. Moore, were the building committee. During 1858 the present church was completed and dedicated in May, 1859. The building will seat about four hundred, is well preserved, and will not suffer in comparison with many buildings of more recent construction. In 1882, the congregation built a neat parsonage of eight rooms and cellar, on the lot near the church. The property at present is worth about $4,000. After the erection of the meeting- house a Sabbath-school was organized which for the last fifteen years has been an " evergreen " school.
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