USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > History of Perry County, Pennsylvania, including descriptions of Indians and pioneer life from the time of earliest settlement, sketches of its noted men and women and many professional men > Part 32
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of the congregation at Bloomfield-also a part of his charge-knew the necessity of introducing the English language and urged him to have an associate pastor who could preach in English. This he refused to do, with the result that an English Lutheran church was organized in June, 1844, and held its meetings in the school- house, and later in the Presbyterian Church. This condition ex- isted until 1850, after the death of Rev. Heim, which occurred the previous year, when the two Lutheran churches were again put under one pastorate. But, as late as 1853 there was a requirement that one-third of the preaching should be in German.
In the early years of settlement it was a common thing to travel long distances to church, over bridle paths and roads hardly worthy of the name. George and Alexander Johnston, of Toboyne Town- ship, the latter the father of Dr. A. R. Johnston, of New Bloom- field, were members of the United Presbyterian Church at Con- cord, Franklin County. They were born in 1802 and 1805, and died in 1872 and 1864, respectively, so that even to almost the middle of last century, it appears, it was not uncommon to travel a long way to divine worship. George W. Gehr, long a newspaper correspondent, tells of Elliottsburg citizens walking to New Bloom- field, before the building of the schoolhouse at Elliottsburg, in which the first services were held; telling how the young ladies tripped along barefooted until they came to the gristmill site west of the county seat, where they put on shoes and hose and pro- ceeded to church. This was a custom in various parts of the county. H. E. Sheibley, editor of the Advocate, at New Bloom- field, recalls the time when his people attended the United Pres- byterian Church at Duncannon, making the ten-mile trip by car- riage. Ann West Gibson, the mother of the celebrated Chief Jus- tice Gibson, went from the Gibson mill, at the Spring-Carroll line, to Carlisle to attend the services of the Church of England (Episcopalian). In fact, many of the first pioneers crossed the Kittatinny to Carlisle to church before they had churches in their communities.
There seems to be a diminishing of the number of the little country churches which once dotted the wayside, as population seeks the great centres and since labor-saving machinery has made less labor requirements upon the farms ; and in many cases when one enters those that remain the attendance seems to be consid- erably less than in the years gone by. Of course families are also smaller, and the introduction of motor cars has also had its ef- fect, but the passing of these churches is indeed to be regretted. They were a leading factor in the breaking down of sectarianism, they fostered the best in life and were to newcomers in the com- munity a refuge from homesickness and loneliness. They were, along with being houses of worship, also, to the country just what
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the community centres are to the great cities. Men and women, boys and girls were better for having gone there, even if they were not members. By referring to the chapters in this book re- lating to the various townships it will be seen that here and there a church that once existed has gone. In several of the smaller towns there seems to have been too many denominations with the natural result that the population was insufficient to support them.
Some strange facts stand out in the history of these earlier churches of Perry County. The Dick's Gap Church was supposed
REV. JACOB GRUBER. (An early Circuit Rider.)
Mr. Gruber was born in 1778 and died in 1850. On February 22, 1838, he was married to Rachel (Gillespie) Martin, widow of Capt. Joseph Martin, whose bust appears elsewhere as "The Bride of a Century Ago."
to be central from the northern boundary to the southern county line, as were also Blain (Upper Church) and Centre. Dick's Gap had tree stumps for seats. The Millerstown Presbyterian Church was organized in a bar room and often had services there. During "the twenties," the county's early days, a pastor of that churcli said "there was little or no vital Godliness." Middle Ridge Church was practically torn down and carried away by vandals. The church at the mouth of the Juniata ( Presbyterian) was blown down by a windstorm. With large emigration westward, espe- cially by the Scotch-Irish element, the Presbyterian churches have traveled hard lines in the smaller communities, but seven out of
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thirteen now holding worship. Groves, homes, schoolhouses, and even barns were used for early meetings. Few churches have burned. Some have passed away through the loss of population in their respective settlements. Several have been removed and built elsewhere. Some have been flooded by high waters during river floods.
The clergymen of Perry County are, as a rule, a zealous and in- dustrious body, and Sunday school work and the opposition to the liquor traffic has had their almost united enthusiastic support. Many of them have gone to larger and broader fields. For decades ministerial associations have been in existence in Newport and Duncannon, and in 1920 the Ministerial Association of Western Perry County was organized at Loysville with Rev. G. R. Heim, of Blain, as president, and Rev. F. H. Daubenspeck, of Ickesburg, as secretary. Rev. A. R. Longanecker, of Loysville, and Rev. E. V. Strasbaugh, of Blain, were much interested in its organization.
The old-time prayer meeting will be remembered by many of the readers of this book, and through the years they will see a vision of one and recall the kindly voice of a devout worshiper whose presence is no longer felt, but whose example in the com- munity is remembered to this day. Many years ago, Jacob Crist. one of the good and substantial citizens of New Bloomfield, wrote for the Perry Freeman a poem which is here reproduced in part, not for any especial literary value, but as a pen picture of an old- time prayer meeting :
PRAYER MEETING OF THE PAST. BY JACOB CRIST. Only the aged ones can know Of prayer meetings, long ago, How Christian men, and women too, Did worship God, sincere and true.
Most happy and sincere they felt, When side by side in prayer they knelt; Then rise and sing while one would lead, "Alas! and did my Saviour Bleed."
Then one would lead in prayer again, Would read a chapter and explain, Then sing about that Crimson Flood,
"There is a Fountain filled with Blood."
And "Come Thou Fount" they all would sing And, "Children of the Heavenly King" And ofttimes sing that hymn of praise, "Awake my soul in joyful lays."
Then kneeling down without delay In happy mood they all would pray, Then sing some brother's favorite choice With cheering sound, and strengthened voice.
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And Cennick's hymn, in highest tone, "Jesus, my all to heaven is gone"; Then too, well nigh beyond control, Sing "Jesus, lover of my soul."
Then for the mourners all would pray, That Christ would wash their sins away; Then rise and make their voices ring, "O for a thousand tongues to sing."
The "mourners' bench" was always there, Where penitents would kneel for prayer, And Christians would with talk sincere, Encourage them to persevere.
And Jones' invitation hymn, Which is pathetic and sublime ; "Come, humble sinner, in whose breast" Was sung and anxious souls were blest.
One custom then, seems no more so, Then men and women both would go; Now women mostly do attend. While men their evening elsewhere spend.
Schoolhouses then were Bethels true, And men did not object thereto; The fuel too was not refused, But during winter, freely used.
Lit candles hung around the wall, Would dimly shine within the hall, And ofttimes when they shone too dim, Some brother would with snuffers trim.
Oft when the meeting knelt to pray, Bad boys would laugh, and talk and play, And then the leader would complain About their want of sense and brain.
Sometimes his strictures were severe, And sometimes earnest and sincere ; But boys are boys, as they are yet, And good advice would soon forget.
Near ten, the leader would propose To bring the meeting to a close ; Then rise and sing -- ere they would go- "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow."
Outside the girls would find their beaux Where they would stand each side in rows, And when some one would get the "fling," Then .cheers and laughs and whoops would ring.
Soon would the people homeward go, Some better, others so and so, And thus repeat it o'er and o'er Or find excuse to go no more,
19
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HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Centre Presbyterian Church. This is the oldest church site still in regular use in Perry County. It was the first church organiza- tion in the territory, but the old Dick's Gap Church, shrouded more or less in mystery, is supposed to have been erected first, al- though in an uncompleted state as late as 1798. On September 9, 1766, Thomas Ross, John Byers, Edward Allet, John Hamilton,
PIONEER COMMUNION SERVICE.
This was the first Communion Service of "the Church at the Mouth of the Juniata," now the Duncannon Presbyterian Church, the history of which ap- pears in the chapter relating to Duncannon. Official records of this church appear as early as 1804.
and Hugh Alexander, in trust for the congregation at Tyrone, in Tyrone Township, took up the lands upon which the church stands. They were surveyed April 17. 1767. The incorporating charter is signed by Governor William Findley, March 24, 1819. The grounds originally contained over seven acres, set with a fine stand of majestic oaks, many of which still stand. The old Centre school stood on the tract as does a parsonage and a home for the
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sexton. In the graveyard, with an extant of several acres, are tomb- stones bearing dates as early as 1766. It is the last resting place of heroic and prominent people. The church is in the midst of the most historic section of Perry County, in itself being the most historic of the religious organizations. About the old church building there stood on guard two members of the flock with guns while the rest worshiped, as protection against the stealthy en- croachment of Indians. Worshipers came carrying their guns, ready for any attack.
The trustees of Centre Church in 1819, when it was chartered, were John Linn, John Creigh, Thomas Purdy, William McClure, Charles Elliott, Samuel McCord, David Coyle, Robert Elliott, and Samuel A. Anderson.
In 1767 the first church was erected of logs, with dovetailed corners. There were no arrangements for fire, even in severe weather. Two services were held on Sunday and lunches were brought along by the attendants who remained for the second sery- ice. As early as 1760 there had been requests for a preacher to the Donegal Presbytery, but the churches were not organized. However, preachers were sent. In '1766 the Presbyterian churches of Sherman's Valley asked for organization, and the Missionary Board of the Presbyterian Church sent Rev. Charles Beatty to visit the frontier settlements. (See previous pages.)
In 1793 a stone church was erected in place of the log structure. It is said that some of the logs of this first church still are a part of the barn on the old Wormley farm, below Waggoner's. The third church was built in 1850, to which has since been added the Sunday school section. The entire church has also been remodeled several times.
After some investigation three churches were organized, as fol- lows: the old Dick's Gap Church, Centre Church, and Blain, then called the Upper Church. April 14. 1767, Presbytery approved it. The "Limestone Church" (Samuel Fisher's), near Green Park, had already been partly erected, but Presbytery refused to organ- ize it on account of it being too near Centre Church. In 1772. however, the request was granted and it, with Centre and Upper (also sometimes called Toboyne) united in a call to Rev. William Thom, but he declined. No pastor was secured until 1778, when Rev. John Linn was installed and remained until his death in 1820. In the meantime the "Limestone" Church was abandoned and in 1823 the congregation at Landisburg was organized. A Rev. Gray filled in as a supply for several years. From 1826 to 1831 Rev. James M. Olmstead was pastor of the Upper churches. From 1831 to 1836 Rev. Lindley C. Rutter served, followed by Rev. Nelson until 1842. Rev. George D. Porter followed in 1844 and remained until 1851, also preaching for the Millerstown church.
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HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Rev. George S. Ray, a supply, filled in until 1854, when Landis- burg joined in with Centre and Blain. Then came Lewis Wil- liams, who was pastor until he died in 1857. Rev. John H. Clark served 1857-62, and Rev. J. II. Ramsey 1863-67.
Blain then united with Ickesburg. Centre and Landisburg called Rev. Robert McPherson, who remained until 1881. It was sup- plied until 1883, when Rev. John H. Cooper filled the place until 1885, first as stated supply, then as pastor.
From 1867 until the present time-a period covering more than a half-century-Centre Church has had but six ministers, the sixth being the present pastor, as follows :
1868-81 -Rev. R. M. McPherson. 1883-85 -Rev. John H. Cooper. 1887-1910-Rev. Wmn. M. Burchfield. 1910-14 -Rev. George H. Miksch. 1915-17 -Rev. Hugh R. Magill, M.D. 1919 -Rev. Carl G. H. Ettlich.
During the pastorate of Rev. Burchfield, in 1895, Landisburg, Blain (or Upper Church), and Buffalo (near Ickesburg) were detached from Centre Church.
Of the "old stone church," built in 1793, Rev. William A. West, who wrote the History of the Presbytery of Carlisle, said: "The writer remembers well its appearance in his boyhood days, when he enjoyed the annual treat of a visit at his maternal grandfather's, close hy. In style, in appearance, and in arrangement it was like nearly all the stone churches of that day." Rev. D. H. Focht, in his "Churches Between the Mountains," says that "the old church building was not erected until 1793," but fails to state that that was the second church to be erected there.
Blain Presbyterian Church. The question of locating the first Presbyterian churches in the territory which now comprises Perry County came up at Donegal Presbytery's meeting April 24, 1766, and the committee sent to "reconnoitre" reported that there ought to be a church at Alexander Morrow's or James Blaine's ( where there was already a graveyard) for the upper end of the valley, and one at George Robinson's for the centre." The people of the upper end erected their church near James Blaine's, near where the "Upper Church" still stands, and adjoining the graveyard spoken of. This James Blaine was the father of Ephraim Blaine, the Perry Countian who was Commissary General during the Revolutionary War, and from him descended that great statesman, James G. Blaine, younger generations adding an "e" to the name. See chapter in this book entitled The Blaine Family.
'The early records of this church are missing, but according to the annals of Presbytery and early historical records there was an organized congregation where Blain now stands as early as 1767,
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in which year it united in a call with the churches at Centre and Dick's Gap to Presbytery for recognition and the services of a pastor. There is no evidence of the erection of a church then and the meetings, as they were known, were likely held in the homes. September 8, 1772, it united with Centre and "Sam Fisher's Church" ("Limestone" Church, near Green Park) in extending a call to Rev. William Thom to become pastor, but he did not accept. They probably had a building by this time. In 1777 they called Rev. John Linn, and from then to 1868 its pastors were the same as those of Centre Church. (See preceding pages.) In that year the Blain and Ickesburg churches united to form a charge. Rev. J. J. Hamilton, residing in Saville Township, was pastor from 1869-75: Rev. Robt. McPherson, stated supply, 1877-81. and Rev. J. H. Cooper, residing in Blain, in 1884-85. Following Rev. Cooper, Rev. Wm. Burchfield was pastor of this church, Buffalo (near Ickesburg), Centre, and Landisburg, from 1887 to 1895, when Centre became a separate charge, Rev. Burchfield con- tinuing until 1910. It then became known as the Landisburg charge. The minister resided in that town. The pastors were:
1896-97 -Rev. Hugh G. Moody, stated supply. 1898-1902-Rev. A. F. Lott. 1904- -Rev. Will H. Dyer.
Following that period the regular pastors of Centre Church were again in charge, as follows:
1910-14-Rev. George H. Miksch. 1915-17-Rev. Hugh R. Magill.
During 1920-21 Rev. Carl G. H. Ettlich, pastor of Centre Church, was the stated supply pastor. In 1921 the Church Hill Cemetery Association was chartered and took over all the prop- erty of the church, which, as an organization, will cease to exist. Through removals and deaths the membership of the Upper (Blain) Church had become very weak and the Presbytery had proposed selling the same, which resulted in the incorporation of this cemetery association, the incorporators being James A. Noel, H. M. Hall, Dr. A. R. Johnston, and others. The church will be kept in repair for occasional meetings. This is a step in the right direction. These old landmarks should be preserved, as nearly as possible, in their original state.
'The first church was a long, low, log building near the school- house on "Church Hill." The present church, built long ago, stands adjoining a small grove. While there is no evidence ob- tainable yet, one is inclined to believe that this lot was given for church purposes by James Blain, who warranted the tract in 1765 on which it is located, as the application for recognition by the Presbytery is dated early the next year, April 14, 1766.
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"Limestone Church." There was an early Presbyterian church located at Green Park, being located on the site of the old burying ground on the John Garlin farm. It was known as the "Lime- stone" or "Lower Church," and sometimes as "Sam Fisher's Church," and its people formed the first organization in 1766, but the Presbytery declined to give it regular standing on account of its nearness to Centre Church. The meetinghouse lot contained thirty-six acres, and it was surveyed in 1768. A log church was erected and after continuous appeals Presbytery consented June 24, 1772, and this church, Centre Church, and the Upper churches called Rev. William Thom, but he declined. Supply ministers then filled in until 1777, when a call was tendered Rev. John Linn, who was installed in June, 1778. He was in charge until his death in 1820. This church had been abandoned, however, before his death, and its place was filled by the organization of the Landis- burg church a few years later. It is known in some records as "Same Fisher's Church," as it was located upon a thirty-six-acre plot which he took up for church purposes. It is about six miles below Centre Church. In this old cemetery sleep the Fulwilers, Fosters, Neilsons, McClures, and other noted families.
Dick's Gap. According to all records and to tradition the old Dick's Gap Church, in Miller Township, Perry County, was one of the first churches to be erected within the borders of what is now Perry County, if it could be called a church. It was built of logs, but for over thirty years was not filled between the logs with mortar. It is said to have had an old-fashioned clapboard roof and no floor, the attendants sitting on stumps and logs.
Rev. John Edgar, who wrote a history of the Presbyterian churches of Perry County, made a careful search of all records, and considerable information is drawn from his research.
The pioneer settlers of Sherman's Valley, which includes prac- tically all of the county lying west of the Juniata River, asked Donegal Presbytery for ministerial instruction in 1760. Six years later they again appealed to the same source for church organiza- tion. Both appeals were answered. After visits by several pio- neer preachers three churches were organized, as follows: Dick's Gap, which was located four miles east of New Bloomfield and three miles west of Bailey's Station, on the present line of the Pennsylvania Railroad; Centre Church, the present site of the same organization, and the Upper Church, at Blain. Presbytery approved this arrangement on April 14, 1767, and these churches remained under the supervision of Donegal Presbytery until the organization of the Carlisle Presbytery, October 17, 1786.
Dick's Gap was contemporary with the two upper churches named above and joined the Sherman's Creek Church in call- ing a pastor at the same time as the upper churches called the
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Rev. John Linn. The Dick's Gap Church called Rev. Hugh Magill in 1777, and the Sherman's Creek Church called him in 1778. He refused to preach during 1777-78-79, and Presbytery all the while sent supplies to these two churches. Among these supplies were Rev. John Hoge, Rev. Waugh, Rev. William Linn, Rev. John Linn, Rev. Cooper, Rev. Henderson, Rev. Johnson, Rev. Mc- Mordie, Rev. Caldwell, Rev. Wilson, Rev. Speer, and Rev. Mc- Lane. Near the beginning of the last century Dick's Gap Church was abandoned and Middle Ridge Church took its place.
The church was 18x20 in size, and its exact site is to-day a mat- ter of question. It is described shortly after the half of the last century had fled as being in "an unenclosed graveyard, in which trees of great age are growing near to and even upon graves, and many graves are covered with boulders, seemingly to prevent rav- ages of wolves."
Mrs. Jane Black, mother of the late Isaac G. Black, of Dun- cannon, remembered this old church in 1797, when still in an tin- finished state; built of pine logs, the spaces between the logs were not filled, but she also recollected that in 1798 a coat of mud plaster remedied that. It was, she says, roofless-wherein she differs from other accounts-and she remembers that her grandfather, John Graham, and Robert Johnson, were two of the elders, having heard that they dated back to about 1773, and they were still liv- ing in her time. Mrs. Black was born June 3, 1790, and was a daughter of John Stewart, who resided near "the Loop" of Sherman's Creek. She died May 1, 1881, in Philadelphia, at the home of her son, Isaac G. Black. To her memory posterity is in- debted for many of the few facts relating to this early church. She became a church member in 1805, but her memory dated back to when she was about seven, when she went with her mother and her grandfather, John Graham, who was an elder, to communion services in the old church. This must have been about 1797. Within the church, which was without floor, the stumps of trees had been allowed to remain, and on these were placed split logs for seats. This church was a regularly organized one, but the only pastor ever called did not accept. The History of Presbytery shows it had very little nucleus and no growth.
According to Mrs. Black she went to church on horseback, rid- ing behind her mother, while her grandfather would lead her horse by the bridle, passing through "Dick's Gap Trail." She recalled being told by her people that in earlier years guards were stationed outside the church to be on the lookout for Indians. Long lines of people came on horseback, often two on a horse.
The consensus of opinion is that the old church stood to the east or left of the present Church of God, and somewhat nearer the ridge which runs in the rear of the church. The mother of George
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Barrick, of Newport, who lived to a ripe old age, and who died almost a half century ago, remembered when the church still stood, and gave its location as being near where the present Church of God stands. There is a gap in the ridge known as Dick's Hill, which probably accounts for the name Dick's Gap. It has long since ceased to be known by that name, and is now called Pine Grove, an unfortunate change in the eyes of those historically in- clined. On account of a man by the name of Stingle warranting land near by and building a sawmill, it had been known as Stingle's Gap
As early as 1793 the church on Sherman's Creek was one of three churches-the other two being Dick's Gap and the one at the mouth of the Juniata-which were supplied pastors by Presbytery. 'T'he Sherman's Creek Church was so close that it drew support from the one at Dick's Gap. In the meantime almost all of the communicants lived long distances to the north, and they built Middle Ridge Church in 1804, having organized the previous year. Thus abandoned Dick's Gap day of usefulness passed with the ending of 1803. It stood for some years, an abandoned pile of logs.
It is said that Marcus Hulings, the pioneer, and his wife, lie buried in the surrounding graveyard. According to tradition an old Indian trail led by this church, which is probably true, as these pioneers seemed to follow the trails of the departing race. Tra- dition says also that there are graves of both traders and Indians there. There is no way of proving the latter statement and it is left to the reader to conjecture.
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