History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 47

Author: edited by John F. Meginness
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1650

USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania > Part 47

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Ripples, an illustrated weekly journal of humor, sports, society, and current events, was first published June 28, 1890, by L. R. Kantner and E. F. Whitmer. In November of the same year it was sold to the junior partner, and by him sold to T. C. Foster, December 16, 1890, who is the present publisher. There are eighteen pages to each number.

The Church Chronicle, published monthly, by pastors of St. Mark's congrega- tion, came into existence several years ago, and is still continued. The present editor is Rev. George G. Kunkle.

Industrial Union was the title of a handsome weekly quarto, with six columns to the page, issued April 23, 1891, W. B. Thompson, manager. It was "published under the auspices of the Farmers' Alliance in the interest of the industrial classes." Three numbers ended its career.

Vade Mecum, "a monthly journal of practical knowledge," made its bow to the public, June 6, 1891. It contained eight pages with two columns to the page, and was edited and published by P. M. Coup. Two thousand copies of each issue were printed and distributed. It existed three months.

The Union, a monthly folio, three columns to the page, under the management of WV. B. Thompson, appeared in September, 1891. It is "devoted to the interests of the various labor unions and their members."

388

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

The Band World, a fourteen-page monthly publication, devoted to music and the interests of the Distin Musical Instrument Manufactory, made its appearance in December, 1891. Brua C. Keefer, manager. -

The Mirror, a sixteen-page quarterly, devoted to men's wear, made its appear- ance in March, 1892. Published by Silverman Brothers & Company; editor, Joseph E. Austrian; associate, Fred. C. Ruffhead; 1; business manager, Charles R. Harris. Handsomely illustrated.

The Otzinachson, a monthly magazine, devoted to literature in general, was started in April, 1892, by M. L. Fisher and H. B. Mingle. It contains fourteen pages to each number.

The Index, a monthly publication in the interest of the Prohibition party, was commenced in April, 1892. The names of H. T. Ames, chairman, and C. W. Huntington, secretary, appear as the responsible publishers.

Children of the Brave, a monthly magazine of sixteen pages, devoted to the interests of sons and daughters of veteran soldiers, sailors, and marines, was founded in May 1892, by J. Ward Diehl.

CHAPTER XXIII.

WILLIAMSPORT (CONTINUED).

RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS-PRESBYTERIAN-METHODIST EPISCOPAL-REFORMED-LUTHERAN -PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL-EVANGELICAL-ROMAN CATHOLIC-BAPTIST-OTHER DENOMI- NATIONS-CITY MISSION-FIRST SUNDAY SCHOOL-YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIA- TION.

T THE Newberry Presbyterian church is one of the oldest in the West Branch valley, but the exact date of its origin can not be stated. Rev. David Brainard was probably at Lycoming creek as early as 1746, for we have his statement that on the 25th of July of that year he met and preached to the Indians at the point where the Sheshequin path crossed the trail leading up the river, about two miles east of Williamsport. And in the summer of 1775, Rev. Philip Fithian, another Presbyterian missionary, traveled up the river preaching at various places.

That there was a society of Presbyterians here as early as 1786, there is little doubt, for in that year it was transferred from the boundary of Donegal to the con- trol of the presbytery of Carlisle. The minutes of the latter body show that Rev. Isaac Grier was sent as a missionary to the West Branch in 1792 by the presbytery of Carlisle. On the 22d of June of that year he arrived at the house of Judge Hep- burn, and on the 24th he preached there. Two days afterwards he proceeded to Pine creek, and on the 28th he preached there. On the 19th of June, 1793, a call was put in his hands by the presbytery of Carlisle, from the united congregations of Lycoming, Pine Creek, and Great Island, which he took under consideration; and on the 2d of October he accepted, and was ordained to the full office of the

389

WILLIAMSPORT.

Gospel ministry in April, 1794, at Carlisle. At the same time he was installed over these charges; a commissioner, authorized to act for the churches, was present. He officiated at these three charges until 1806, when he was relieved. A vacancy of eight years followed. In 1814 John H. Grier came to the valley, and in the summer of 1815 was installed over the Pine Creek and Great Island churches, but occasionally officiated at Newberry.

Among the early members of the Newberry (Lycoming) congregation were Judge Hepburn, William and Andrew Culbertson, James Cummings, and John McMeen. The first church was a log building, but the date of its erection is unknown. It was a quaint structure; stood on the bank of the run; had galleries in each end, which were reached by flights of rough stairs outside. The pulpit was of the English type, or wine-glass order, with a sounding board in front. The door opened on the south side in front of the pulpit. This old building was destroyed by fire in 1816.

Rev. Samuel Henderson succeeded Mr. 'Grier in 1815; in 1817 charges were preferred against him, but after a four days' trial he was acquitted. Presbytery, however, felt warranted in suspending him. The church was afterward served by Revs. John Bryson, Thomas Hood, and John B. Patterson.

A stone church followed the old log building in 1817. It was a large edifice for the time, beiug 66x60 feet. The pulpit was elevated, with stairs on each side, and the pews were of the high, straight-backed order, and very uncomfortable.

After the suspension of Henderson the pulpit was vacant until 1820, when N. R. Snowden was installed as pastor at a salary of $550. He remained until 1823, when he was succeeded by Joseph Painter, who served until 1831. A long line of ministers has followed Mr. Painter.

In the spring of 1850 money was raised to improve the church, but upon consul- tation it was deemed best to remove the stone walls and erect a brick building. In June, 1850, the old church was dismantled and a new edifice soon rose on its ruins. Lindsay Mahaffey, the nearest resident member of the building committee, made prompt payments, in many instances anticipating the payment of subscriptions, to facilitate the work, and the year 1851 saw the building nearly completed. This church, costing $6,500 with its spire, was regarded as a fine edifice, and it served the congregation until 1891, when it was removed and a larger and much more ele- gant building erected on the old site at a cost of $14,000. Memberships, 300; Sabbath school scholars, 250; superintendent, A. W. King; assistant, William J. Dale. Pastor, J. W. Boal. The entire church property is valued at $25,000.

The First Presbyterian church of Williamsport, corner of Third and Mulberry streets, was organized, February 23, 1833. Previous to this time there was no church of this denomination in Williamsport, the members being compelled to attend service at Newberry, except when they could secure a minister to preach to them in the court house. By the assistance of Rev. D. M. Barber the church was started with an enrollment of thirty-eight members, most of whom were from the Lycoming church. The following elders were chosen: Alexander Sloan, Andrew D. Hepburn, John Torbert, and John B. Hall. The services of ordination were held in an old church on Third street, where the Reformed church now stands, owned by the German Lutherans and the Reformed, which the Presbyteriaus had helped to com- plete on the condition that they should have the privilege of meeting there when

390

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

the owners did not need the use of it. From 1833 to 1837 the Revs. D. M. Barber, P. B. Marr, and G. G. Shedden supplied the pulpit, and in the fall of 1837 Rev. J. P. Hudson was called to be its pastor, who served three years.

In 1841 the congregation erected a building on Market street. It was destroyed

by fire in April, 1849; rebuilt and again burned in 1859. After this second disaster it was immediately rebuilt and occupied in the ensuing October by the synod of Philadelphia. The pastors of this church to the present time have been the Revs. J. P. Hudson, E. B. Bradbury, Alexander Heberton, William Simonton, George F. Cain, S. E. Webster, and Julius A. Herold. The latter was installed in 1890.

Owing to the increase of membership, it was found necessary to build a larger church. A lot, therefore, was purchased, and in May, 1884, the congregation com- pleted and dedicated a magnificent stone edifice, with a tall spire on the corner of Third and Mulberry streets, at a cost of $65,000. The old building was sold and is now used for commercial purposes. The membership is 429; children in two Sabbath schools, 350; volumes in library, 1,000. John G. Reading is the superin- tendent.

The Second Presbyterian church was organized, December 12, 1840. The organ- ization took place in the same old stone church where the first church was formed. The membership comprised fifteen persons, most of them emigrants from western New York, who were in sympathy with the New School branch, and who had no church in Williamsport. They first worshiped in the court house. The first elders were John B. Hall, Nathaniel D. Eaton, and Benjamin C. Moore. On the 15th of Febru- ary, 1841, Rev. James W. Phillips was called as pastor. He accepted and was installed in 1841. The congregation worshiped in the court house nearly three years, but began to build a church of their own as early as 1841, a lot for that purpose having been secured on the corner of Fourth and Market streets. The building was dedicated in October, 1843, by Rev. William Stirling, but a debt hung over it. Mr. Stirling succeeded Mr. Phillips as pastor, September 27, 1846, and the debt was soon wiped out. In 1864 it was resolved to repair the building, but the flood of 1865 so damaged the foundation that it was found necessary to tear down the building and the present stone edifice was erected. While the work of building was going on the congregation again worshiped in the court house. The

new building was dedicated, January 23, 1867. The whole cost of the structure, with the furniture and organ, was $66, 500, but it was all wiped out by February, 1876. Mr. Stirling resigned in 1871, and Rev. Horatio W.'Brown succeeded him. The latter served seventeen years, when, owing to ill health, he resigned, much to the regret of his congregation. Rev. David Winters came next, in 1884, but after three years' service he resigned and was succeeded by Rev. James Carter. The membership is 425; Sabbath school scholars, 305; John B. Otto, superintendent. The library comprises 1,000 volumes.

The Third Presbyterian church was formed as a mission church, under the auspices of the Second church, and was organized May 3, 1869, with an enrollment of sixteen members. The Second church dismissed twelve of its members to form it and contributed largely to the erection of its edifice. Hiram Mudge and P. W. Bentley were the first elders. A church building was erected in 1869 on the corner of Third and Maynard streets and dedicated July 4th of that year. The lot and

391

WILLIAMSPORT.

building cost $14,580. The Rev. A. D. Hawn became the first pastor, December 29, 1869. In the summer of 1870 a lot adjoining the church was purchased and a parsonage built at a cost of $4,600. For pastors the church has had, in addition to Hawn, Revs. John Burrows and Adolos Allen. The latter resigned early in 1892, and was succeeded the latter part of May by Rev. Elliot C. Armstrong, who was unanimously called. The church property and lots are now valued at $30,000; number of members, 160; Sabbath school scholars, 120; superintendent, P. W. Bentley.

The First Presbyterian Finley Sunday school was founded in 1861. It is located on Anthony street. The Sabbath school numbers 300 scholars; H. R. Laird, super- intendent.

Bethany Presbyterian, at the corner of High and Green streets, was built at a cost of $2,500. Membership, 50; Sunday school scholars, 125; pastor, L. C. Rutter; superintendent of Sabbath school, John A. Stadden.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL.

Next to the Lycoming Presbyterian church in age, if not coeval with it, comes the Pine Street Methodist Episcopal church. Methodism was introduced here in 1791. In the pioneer cabin of Amariah Sutton, which stood near the present barn of Hon. R. J. C. Walker, West Fourth street, the first society in the county was formed in the autumn of 1791. May 6th of this year the circuit of Northumberland was formed and Richard Parriott and Lewis Browning appointed preachers in charge. During a portion of this year there was no preaching place between North- umberland and Sutton's, at Lycoming creek. The members of the first class were as follows: James Bailey, leader, Rhoda Bailey, Amariah Sutton, Martha Sutton, John Sutton, Dorothy Sutton, Harman Updegraff, Eve Updegraff, Hannah Sutton, Rebecca Smith, Ebenezer Still, Lois Still, and Letitia Williams. At this time Arad Sutton, a son of Amariah, seems to have had charge of affairs. Long before this, (1776,) as has been shown, Amariah Sutton conveyed an acre and a quarter of ground for a cemetery, church, and school house, a short distance east of his cabin, which shows that the nucleus of what afterwards became the Methodist society existed at a much earlier date than is generally supposed. At an early period, the date of which has not been discovered, a frame church was built on the cemetery lot on Fourth street, in accordance with the provisions of Sutton's deed conveying the land, where the infant congregation worshiped for some years. It is related that Lorenzo Dow once appeared at the Sutton house and preached, after which he mounted his horse and disappeared.

From an old record of this church, which belonged to the late Judge John Smith, and is now in possession of his daughter, Mrs. Susan T. Knapp, it is learned that on March 22, 1823, the trustees "met and examined the subscriptions for building a meeting house in the borough of Williamsport, and they agreed that a house thirty- five feet in length and breadth be built of frame," and Jeremiah Tallman was requested to "make inquiry of a carpenter relative to the price." The meeting adjourned to meet on the 5th of April next. The next entry is dated February 21, 1824, and reads: "In consequence of various disappointments the above regulations were not gone into. And now, the trustees having met, resolved to build a meeting

392

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

house 30x40 feet, frame, and Brother Tallman was appointed to make contracts and superintend the work."

The subsequent meeting did not take place until October 27, 1825, when "a majority of the trustees agreed to appoint two more trustees. Daniel Strebeigh and John Smith were appointed." The meeting adjourned to meet November 3d at the office of J. Tallman. From the minutes it appears that Jeremiah Tallman, Alexander Smith, George Roberts, William Wilson, Henry Lenhart, Daniel Strebeigh, and John Smith composed the board of trustees. The next meeting recorded is under date of July 30, 1827, when, John Smith having declined to serve, Joseph S. Williams was appointed in his place. Nothing more appears to have been done until October 20, 1828, when a meeting was held and Charles Low and John Laverty were appointed additional "trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church in Williamsport." The board now consisted of Jeremiah Tallman, H. Lenhart, Daniel Strebeigh, Joseph S. Williams, William Wilson, and the two names just added.

The building project still languished. . The next meeting was held, August 29, 1832, when Laverty and Lenhart resigned. Little more was done. In the mean- time a small brick church seems to have been built, for at a meeting held January 6, 1836, Rev. James Sanks was elected president and Jasper Bennett secretary, when John Smith and James Elliott were elected new trustees to fill up the board; and it was unanimously voted "that a parsonage house be built on the back part of the lot on which the Methodist meeting house stands in the borough of Williams- port; provided that the old Lycoming meeting house shall be given to aid in such building, and that a sufficient subscription to defray the balance of the expense be obtained." At this meeting William Wilson, Daniel Strebeigh, and James Elliott were appointed a committee to "wait on the trustees of the old Lycoming meeting house for the purpose of obtaining their consent that their building should go to aid in the erection of a parsonage house in Williamsport." At a subsequent meeting the committee reported that they had obtained the unanimous consent of the trus- tees that "the old church should go to aid in building the parsonage in Williams- port." The parsonage was built largely out of the material of the old church, which was torn down and removed to Pine street. It was frame, 20x30 feet in size, and served as a residence for many of the early ministers.

In course of years the quaint little one-story brick church became too small and the question of building a larger one was started. It appears from the minutes that Apollos Woodward offered a lot, in 1842, on which to build a new church, but the trustees declined his proposition. Some time in January, 1843, the lot on which the original church was erected was conveyed by Pompey and Elizabeth Friday to John Smith, Daniel Strebeigh, George Slate, and Joseph S. Williams, trustees, in consideration of $550, and the following year the old brick church was taken down and the present one erected. Since that time it has been enlarged and greatly im- proved, and a brick parsonage adjoining it on the north added. In 1843 a charter incorporating the church was obtained by George Slate and John Smith, who were appointed a committee for that purpose.

Since the first church was built in 1825 many changes have taken place in Pine street, although it did not become a station until 1852. In 1825 John Thomas and Thomas McGhee appear to have been the preachers, each one giving a portion of

I. a. Beeler

WILLIAMSPORT.

his time to the congregation. Since 1791 there have been many ministers in charge of the Lycoming and Pine Street congregations. The church is free of debt and has a membership of nearly 600. Superintendent of Sabbath school, John R. Hazelet; num- ber of scholars, 600. The library is large. Pastor, Rer. Samuel Creighton. Previous to 1828 this denomination had been identified with the Union Sunday school, but in this year was organized in the old brick church the first Methodist Sunday school, with E. E. Allen as superintendent and Maj. Charles Low, secretary.

After the Lycoming and Pine Street congregations, the next church in age is the Newberry Methodist. It was erected in 1854, and enlarged and improved in 186S. The church seats about 700, and the membership is about 265; Sabbath school scholars, 300; superintendent, J. E. Williams. The library contains nearly 1,000 volumes. Rev. E. A. Deavor, pastor.

Up to 1860 the only Methodist Episcopal church within the limits of the borough of Williamsport was Pine Street. During this year a movement was started in Pine to establish another church. In October, 1860, a number of the members of Pine favorable to the new project, together with the professors and students of Dickinson Seminary, met in the seminary chapel for public worship. This consti- tuted the first congregational service of what was then and for some time after- wards known as the Second Methodist Episcopal church of Williamsport. In the spring of 1861 the new charge was supplied with a pastor, and in April of this year a lot was purchased on Mulberry street, and the work of building a new church was commenced. It was incorporated under the title of the Mulberry Street Methodist Episcopal church. The corner stone was laid, Angust 6, 1862, and January S. 1863, the basement was dedicated. Rev. Richard Hinkle, the first pastor, was succeeded by Rev. Thomas D. Gotwalt. Before the church was completed an attempt was made to burn it, but the fire was discovered and extinguished before much damage was done. The church and tower were completed and the dedication took place, February 18, 1864, Bishop Simpson officiating. The cost of the building, lot, and furniture was about $16,500, including a fine bell which was placed in the tower in the early part of 1866, and bore the inscription, "Thomas Bowman." He was the first president of Dickinson Seminary, and is now a bishop of the Methodist Epis- copal church. Sunday morning, August 23, 1868, the church was burned. Steps were taken to rebuild at once on the old site, and November 21, 1869, the basement was dedicated. The new building was finished in August, 1871, and a fine bell weighing 1,300 pounds had been hoisted into the belfry to be placed in position, but it never was rung. Sunday night, August 20, 1871, the church was again destroyed by the great conflagration which devastated that portion of the city. Un- dismayed by their misfortunes, the congregation again determined to rebuild, and on the 23d of May, 1871, the corner stone was laid for the third time, and the church was completed and dedicated, December 1, 1872, Bishop Bowman, assisted by Rev. Dr. McCauley, officiating. The cost of the structure was $33,000. No further disaster overtook the church until June 2, 1876, when a violent wind storm bore down upon it from the north and demolished the beautiful spire. The fine bell tumbled through into the basement. After this mishap the spire was not rebuilt. At the present time the membership is 600; Sunday school scholars, 375; volumes in the library, 900. Rev. B. C. Conner, pastor. Value of property, $40,000.

396

HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

The East Third Street church was built in 1868 at a cost of $4,000; rebuilt in 1885 at a cost of $9,000. The membership is about 275; Sabbath school scholars, 325; volumes in the library, 500. The church property is valued at $12,000. Rev. Evans, pastor.

Grace Methodist Episcopal church, corner of Campbell and Grace streets, was built in 1880. It will seat about 600. The charge was organized in March, 1867. Membership at the present time, 430; Sunday school scholars, 370; volumes in library, 550. The church property, which is finely situated, is valued at $35,000. Pastor, J. Ellis Bell.

The High Street Methodist Episcopal church was erected in 1886. Member- ship, 96; Sunday school scholars, 180; superintendent, J. T. Davis; library, 60 volumes. Pastor, Rev. George W. Faus. The church property is valued at $5,000.

In 1890 a church was built on the ground donated for a graveyard, church, and school house in March, 1776, by Amariah Sutton, and called the Fourth Street Meth- odist Episcopal church. The ground on which this building stands was consecrated by the blood of the slain in the massacre of June 10, 1778. Although Sutton's deed (see Deed Book E, page 385) specifically states for what purpose he gave the ground, there had been no church there for nearly forty years; and since its erection many graves have been obliterated, and others will soon disappear, although its donor, whose ashes also rest there, emphatically stated it should remain a burial ground "forever." The membership is 160; number of Sunday school scholars, 180. Value of the property, $11,000.

Market Street Methodist Episcopal chapel, near the old fair ground, was erected in 1891. The Sunday school scholars number 100. Revs. Samuel Creighton and John Dougherty have charge of the chapel. Valuation of property, about $2,500.

REFORMED.

Before the year 1827 there was no Reformed church in Williamsport and the court house was generally occupied for services. The first house of worship was known as the "Old Stone Church," and was built in 1827, on West Third street, near the jail. It was built conjointly by the Lutheran and Reformed denomina- tions. This old building was often occupied by the other denominations. The windows were very small and the altar and pulpit constructed after the fashion of the rude architecture of that day. The edifice was strougly built and in 1866 when the walls were torn down for the erection of the present structure they were found to be very solid. Rev. Gutelius assisted in the dedication of 1827. About the year 1860 the German Lutheran denomination sold their interest in the church to the Reformed for $800. In 1867 Rev. Evans became pastor, under whose administra- tion the church greatly prospered. It is known as Immanuel's Reformed church and has a membership of 250. The Sunday school numbers 175, and there are 300 volumes in the library. Rev. Adam Boley is pastor.

St. John's Reformed church was organized April 30, 1882, and forty-one mem- bers enrolled their names. Two elders, two deacons, and three trustees were elected. The Rev. J. S. Wagner was elected the first pastor, November 5, 1882; a lot was purchased for a church site at the corner of Ross and Packer streets for $1,200, in 1883. Rev. Wagner retired in 1884, and was succeeded by Rev. D. H. Leader.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 47

Author: edited by John F. Meginness Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk Number of Pages: 1650

Author: edited by John F. Meginness
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1650