USA > Pennsylvania > Warren County > History of Warren County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers > Part 46
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BOROUGH OF WARREN.
The Great Shepherd, however, has kept watch over the flock, and has filled the vacancies by others. Let us believe in the providence of God."
The following are the names and dates of service of the respective pastors of this church from the beginning to the present :
Church served by missionaries, 1834-42 ; Alfred Handy, Nov., 1842-June, 1845; Rev. W. R. Northrop, supply, March, 1847-Sept., 1848 ; Wm. Everet, Sept., 1848-June, 1852; Wm. Smith, April, 1857-Sept., 1857; B. C. Wil- loughly, Oct., 1857-60; A. J. Hastings, Oct., 1865-Oct., 1866; Thos. Evans, Feb., 1867-Oct., 1867; I. Trowbridge, March, 1870-Aug., 1871 ; J. Harring- ton, Oct., 1875-Jan., 1876; E. F. Crane, April, 1877-Oct., 1878; H. H. Leamy, Jan., 1879-March, 1881; James Rea, April, 1881-May, 1884 ; E. D. Hammond, Sept., 1884-July, 1886; Wm. J. Coulston, Aug., 1886.
The present membership of this church is 144, of which number one-third are male members. During the past year $103.63 was expended for benovo- lent objects. The estimated value of the church property is now $6,000. The present officers are Rev. William J. Coulston, pastor ; A. J. Hazeltine, clerk ; D. L. Gerould, treasurer ; and H. E. Davis, secretary of the board of directors.
St. Joseph's Church ( Roman Catholic) .- There is strong probability that the first religious services conducted by civilized men on the site of Warren boroughi took place more than a hundred and thirty years ago. There is evi- dence that during the progress of the French and Indian War an expedition of French Catholics passed from Canada to Fort Du Quesne and New Or- leans by the way of Lake Erie, Lake Chautauqua, Conewango Creek, and the Allegheny River. From their records it appears that. they were accustomed to land at various places on the route for the purpose of holding religious serv- ices under the guidance of priests who accompanied the expedition (which was military in its nature and object), and that they buried at such places leaden plates inscribed with language revealing that they had thus taken pos- session of the country in the name of France. The records show also that they landed for such worship and formality at the junction of the Conewango Creek and Allegheny River. The plates have been discovered at a number of the places described in their records; but, from vagueness, the spot on which they landed and in which they buried the plate at the mouth of the Cone- wango has never been determined. It has thus become a matter rather of conjecture than sober history, at least until the plate is unearthed and the exact site located.
Among the first Roman Catholic families to settle in Warren county were three brothers named Thomas, Patrick, and Joseph Archbold, who came from Philadelphia in the early part of this century and took up about three hundred acres of wild land each, about two and a half miles below Irvineton. They were there previous to 1830. Other early families in the county were the Mc- Graws, of Triumph, the McGuires, of Tidioute, and William and Sylvester
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
Carlow, brothers, who came from Canada to Warren. The first bishop to visit Warren county was Francis Patrick Kendrick, who came from Philadelphia on horseback between fifty and sixty years ago, and held services at the house of Joseph Archbold. He also held services in the court-house at Warren. From this time the various places in the county were visited two or three times each year by priests from away, generally from Erie. The first Catholic Church edifice in the county was built at Warren about 1850, and has recently been converted into a school-house for that denomination. Rev. Father de la Roque remembers with gratitude the unselfish assistance rendered at that time by Protestants toward completing the house of worship. Orris Hall contrib- uted the lot on which the church now stands, and Mr. Summerton, the mer- chant, gave two hundred dollars, which was increased by other contributions from similar sources. This building has now been used for a school-house about four years. When the first church was building, Warren was attended by Father Deane, of Erie, and also by Father Thomas Smith, of Crawford county, and Father McConnell, of Frenchtown, Crawford county. In 1854 Father John Berbiger, the present assistant rector here, made his first visit to the church at Warren. The first resident priest was Father Thomas Lorna- gen, now rector of the parish at Corry. He was here from about 1858 to 1866. Father Voisar, now in the diocese of Toronto, was rector of this parish in 1867 and 1868. In 1869 the present rector, Rev. M. A. de la Roque, came here from Meadville, Pa., and remained in charge ever since. His assistant, Father Berbiger, settled here in 1880.
The present house of worship was dedicated on the 6th of May, 1880, after a period of building which lasted two years. The cost of the edifice and site was about $20,000. There are now in the neighborhood of 150 families in the parish. The next church in the county was built at Tidioute by Father Lornagen about 1864. There are there at present some forty or fifty families. The church at Irvineton was erected in 1870, and is attended by Father James Lavery, of Tidioute. At this place there are about fifty Catholic families. A chapel was built on Quaker Hill in 1874, where about six families worship. The church edifice at Clarendon was built in 1876, and is attended by Father Berbiger. At this place are about 100 families. The church in Sheffield township was built in 1878, and is occupied by about fifty families, attended by Father de la Roque. In Garland a church has just been completed, which is under the care of the parish of Corry, and is occupied by some fifteen or twenty families. A lot has been purchased for the erection of a church at Kinzua, and this work will undoubtedly be completed in the near future.
The old church edifice at Warren was converted into a school-house in September, 1883, and was divided into two departments. It was soon discovered to be too small, however, and in the summer of 1886 it was sup- plemented by an adjoining structure. The entire average attendance at these
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BOROUGH OF WARREN.
schools at present is about 150. The school is taught by sisters of the Bene- dictine order, five in number, who came from St. Mary's, in Elk county. They are thoroughly efficient, and give lessons in music in addition to the common branches of learning.
Trinity Memorial Church .- The beginnings of the Episcopal Church are faintly indicated by the fact that a church called the Calvary Church, of War- ren, was incorporated by order of the court on the 8th of October, 1860, and that the Trinity Memorial Church was incorporated on the 9th of March, 1867, and was undoubtedly the successor of the Calvary. The circumstances attending the organization of this church, and its subsequent history are given in the following extract from the Warren Mail of October 26, 1886. It is taken from an address written by M. Beecher, of Warren, and delivered upon the occasion of the laying of the corner-stone of the St. Saviour's Church at Youngsville, on the 21st of October, 1886. We reprint only so much as seems to be pertinent in this place.
" An interesting event for Youngsville was the laying of the corner-stone of its new Episcopal Church last Thursday, October 21, under the direction of Dr. A. W. Ryan, of Warren, who was assisted by Rev. Henry Mitchell, the new assistant to Dr. Ryan, Rev. H. L. Yewens, of Franklin, Rev. S. P. Kelly, of Pittsburgh, and by the choir and vestry of the Warren church.
" Among the ceremonies, William Schnur read the following paper prepared by Mr. Beecher, who was unable to be present. It was intended to be a cor- rect history of Trinity Memorial Church, of Warren, and its missions, and is well worthy of being read and preserved.
""'The part which has been assigned to me to-day in the exercises of this in- teresting, and, to the people of Youngsville, memorable occasion, is a very sim- ple and prosaic one. It calls for no flights of fancy, flowers of rhetoric, or well- rounded periods. It will deal simply with the leading events connected with the history of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Warren county, which is in reality but a history of Trinity Memorial Church, Warren ; and may the or- deals through which it has passed stimulate you to encounter and overcome obstacles and difficulties which in the distance may appear unsurmountable, but which grow smaller as you approach, and disappear when grappled with.
"' It is only by earnest, persistent effort in any good work that success is ensured, and that too, oftentimes, in the face of apparent failure. " Be ye there- fore steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord ; foras- much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
" 'Previous to the year 1858 there never had been but one service of the church held in Warren county. But in July of that year Rev. Dr. Egar, now of Rome, N. Y., who married a daughter of the late Judge Merrill, held one or two services in the Presbyterian Church in Warren. In 1860 Bishop Bowman made a visitation, accompanied by Rev. Mr. Abercrombie, of St. Paul's church,
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Erie, and held services in Johnson's Hall. The only ones to read the responses were Mr Struthers, Judge Johnson, Col. Curtis, Archibald Tanner (father of Mrs. Scofield), Geo. A. Cobham and family, Mr. and Mrs. Hoskins, Miss Mer- rill, Mr. and Mrs. M. Beecher.
" 'Although the little band of worshipers there assembled looked somewhat lonesome in that large hall, it was an occasion of deep interest, and when the service was opened with-" The Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him," there was a feeling of solemnity pervading every heart, and that even there might be realized the promise that "where (even) two or three are gathered together in His name He would grant their re- quests."
"'Two years later Bishop Potter, with his son Henry C., now assistant bishop of New York, held services in the Baptist Church. After this Bishop Stevens visited Warren and held services in the Presbyterian Church, and a year later Bishop Lee, of Iowa, in the Methodist Church.
"'On August 3, 1861, about a year after Bishop Bowman's first visitation to Warren, he started from Pittsburgh to visit what was then known as the Oil Regions of Pennsylvania, a region infinitely smaller than what is now embraced in that name. When about twenty miles this side of Pittsburgh a landslide was encountered, which made a walk of about two miles necessary to enable the passengers to take a train awaiting them on the other side. In his then enfeebled condition the bishop was unable to keep up with the rest, and was missed when the train was about ready to start. On going back to look for him he was found dead by the roadside-another example of that mysterious dispensation of divine Providence which passeth man's understanding. So useful a life and so sudden and remarkable a death seemed to demand morc at the hands of a bereaved people and diocese than was customary in ordinary cases to bestow. To that end it was suggested that a memorial church should be erccted in the region he was about to visit when overtaken by death, and that the whole diocese of Pennsylvania should be asked to contribute for that purpose.
"' Accordingly collections were taken up in all the parishes of the State, and the sum of $5,200 was realized. Then the question arose as to where the money should be expended. Bishop Potter, as one of the trustees of the fund, suggested that the site selected should be at some point on the Allegheny River between Kittanning and Warren - probably at the latter point. To this end he offered $4,000 of the fund, providing Warren would raise a like amount. This was deemed at that time as impossible.
"' A delegation of sixteen was sent from Titusville to Philadelphia to repre- sent the church interests there and to pledge a compliance with the conditions imposed. Colonel Curtis was the only champion Warren had to represent her interests, he having business in the Supreme Court, then sitting in Philadelphia.
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He argued the case of his client ably and eloquently, but the odds were too great against him, and Titusville was awarded the $4,000. But as Bishop Bowman died on the banks of the Allegheny, Bishop Potter was anxious that a church should be erected to his memory immediately upon its bank, and to that end the balance of $1,200 was reserved for Warren whenever that amount would be required to complete a church edifice. This fund was invested in Philadelphia city 6 per cent. bonds, which afterward amounted to $1,800.
"'In the spring of 1864 Bishop Potter made a visitation to Corry with the rector of St. Paul's Church, Erie, Rev. John F. Spaulding, now bishop of Col- orado, fully impressed with the importance of at once occupying this region ; and through his solicitations and those of Bishop Stevens the Rev. C. C. Parker, then a deacon, was sent in June, 1864, to this new and then unculti- vated field.
""' It was arranged that he should hold services at Warren and Corry on alternate Sundays, with his home at Warren. The first regular services were held in Warren in the Presbyterian Church, on the afternoon of June 26, 1864. The next service was held in the Baptist Church, which had been secured until the following December. In September of this year a Sunday-school was organized. It opened with five scholars. During the Sundays Mr. Parker was officiating in Corry the school was held in the dining-room of Mr. Beecher's house on Liberty street.
"'When compelled to vacate the Baptist Church, rector and vestry were in a quandary what to do, as they were again thrown upon the charity of a cold world without an abiding place. Finally they decided to apply to Judge Johnson for the use of the east room in Johnson's Exchange. This application was met in a most liberal and Christian-like spirit. The hall, with the requisite number of settees, was at once set apart for the exclusive use and control of the church, free of charge. It was neatly fitted up for church and Sunday- school purposes, and here services were held until the completion of Trinity Memorial Church, in the summer of 1867. Soon after Mr. Parker's coming to Warren much discussion was had relative to the building of a church edifice, thereby enabling it to claim the Bishop Bowman fund reserved for that pur- pose. After many vexatious delays and hindrances a subscription was finally started.
"' During the winter the rector and his estimable wife taught the Sunday- school scholars an oratorio, with the aid of local talent, from which entertain- ment was realized a sufficient amount to purchase a cabinet organ for the church.
"' In the mean time, subscriptions having progressed satisfactorily, the building of a church was decided upon. Matters were pushed as vigorously as possible - some delays occurring as a matter of course-and on the 16th day of July, 1867, the church was finished and furnished complete, at a total cost,
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
including the lot, of $11,375, ready for the first service, which was held that P. M. at five o'clock.
"'The day following, July 17, the time fixed for the consecration of the church, the procession entered, preceded by J. H. Palmer, senior warden ; M. Beecher, junior warden ; C. B. Curtis, L. L. Lowry, John T. McPherson, John Sill, and Lewis F. Watson, and followed by Bishop Kerfoot, Rev. J. F. Spauld- ing, rector of St. Paul's Church, Erie; Rev. Marison Byllesby, of Christ's Church, Meadville ; Rev. Henry Purdon, D. D., of St. James Memorial Church, Titusville; Rev. R. D. Nevius, of Christ's Church, Oil City ; Rev. George C. Rafter, of Emmanuel Church, Emporium; Rev. John T. Protheroe, of Em- manuel Church, Corry, and the rector, Rev. C. C. Parker. The sentence of consecration was read by Rev. Mr. Billesby, and the sermon was preached by the bishop. The services throughout were exceedingly interesting and impressive, and all rejoiced that the labors of years had at last been rewarded with full fruition. Mr. Parker continued his earnest work for nearly a year afterwards, when he resigned his charge and removed to Greenburg, Pa. His resignation took effect Easter Monday, 1868. To his self-sacrificing efforts and untiring zeal, and a faith that though in darkest hours sometimes wavered yet never forsook him, to him more than any one else is Trinity Memorial Church of Warren indebted for its present existence. At this date there were only sixteen names on the list of communicants, of which only three were males ; and of these for a long time the only one present to respond to the invitation " Draw near in faith," was Isaac Ruff, a colored man.
"' The next rector of this parish was the Rev. Henry S. Getz, of Mahonoy City, Pa., now assistant rector of the Church of the Holy Apostles, Philadel- phia. He was a God-fearing, God-loving, faithful Christian worker, who was beloved not only by his own congregation, but by all others with whom he came in contact, for his many noble qualities of head and heart. He was dean of this convocation until it was merged into the Erie deancry. He was also rector of the church at Tidioute, holding week-day services there. His rector- ship covered a period of upwards of thirteen years, when he resigned, his resig- nation taking effect on the Ist of October, 1882.
" 'No special effort was made to secure another rector for several months, although many letters were received on the subject. It was not until the fall of 1883 that matters assumed a definite shape and the Rev. Albert W. Ryan, of Howell, Mich., was secured. Of his work in Warren, Clarendon, Youngs- ville, and other points in the county it would be out of place to dwell upon on this occasion. That he is peculiarly fitted for the work he has undertaken is fully attested by his superior mental endowments, his sound and varied scho- lastic attainments, and a push and vigor which stop at nothing short of success. His present assistant, Rev. Mr. Mitchell, comes to us as a stranger, but with a good record as an efficient and successful co-worker.'"
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BOROUGH OF WARREN.
Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Church .- This church was organized on the 7th of June, 1871, some of the original members being Axel Carlson, George P. Miller, Herman Greenlund, Lars Hanson, Erik Anderson, and Adolf F. Larson. These with others, numbering in all about thirty-five, constituted the first organization. The meetings both before and after this time were held in the building still occupied, though it then belonged to the German Luth- eran Church. In this same year (1871), however, the Scandinavian Church purchased the church building and lot, and now own it. The work of acquir- ing this property should be accredited chiefly to a Miss Sara Carlson (now Mrs. Larson), who distinguished herself by her Christian zeal at this time not only, but later, when she and her husband removed to Rock Island, Ill., they presented $125 to this church, a remarkably unselfish gift, considering that they were and are by no means well to do. The price of the church building was about $800. It has been greatly repaired within and without since the last purchase was completed, and an addition erected in the front, surmounted with a neat steeple.
The first Swedish preacher at this place was J. P. Loving, now living at Chandler's Valley. He was not an ordained minister, but came with good recommendations from the old country, and proved himself to be a man of sound doctrine and profound faith. He remained here between three and four years, preaching once or twice a month. J. Vender (who went from here to Rock Island, Ill., was graduated from the Aug. College and Seminary, was or- dained a minister, and in 1882 died at his post on the Pacific coast), Axel Carlson, Erik Anderson, and others were good members and deacons of the church, who by their unwearied efforts in leading the Sabbath-school and prayer meetings, etc., kept up the interest of the congregation during vacancies in the pulpit. Several ministers of this conference who were stationed in this vicinity gave such time and attention to the welfare of this church during its feeble efforts at learning to walk, as their own congregations would permit. Rev. J. Millander, the first ordained minister who was given charge of this church, began his labors here in July, 1874. He was well liked, and it was a great blow to his flock when about eighteen months later he handed in his resigna- tion. For some time after this the society was under the protection of students from the Aug. College and Seminary of Rock Island, Ill., especially under that of L. G. Abrahamson. In 1879 Rev. M. U. Norbury was called to take charge of the church; eight calls previous to this one had elicited negative answers, but Mr. Norbury accepted. His stay here was but of a year's duration. Thus far this congregation had been obliged to divide the services of their pastors with several other congregations, as Kane, Titusville, Sheffield, etc. On the 14th of September, 1881, the present pastor, Rev. N. G. Johnson, took charge of his labors here. Although he has had the care also of other charges, he has devoted as much time, or more, as could be expected. In the spring of 1882
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he was forced by ill health to visit Sweden During his absence of some five months a Danish minister named P. C. Fronberg, then a recent arrival from Denmark, filled the vacancy. Although he was scholarly and zealous, his ideas did not conform with the preconceived opinions of his congregation, and a division arose in the church, which culminated in the separation from the con- gregation of a number of members.
In 1883 a resolution was adopted that the church should build or buy a new parsonage, and subscriptions soon amounted to about $1, 100, with which the present suitable and neat dwelling was purchased. The congrega- tion, although necessarily small in numbers, has indeed made wonderful prog- ress, considering the adverse circumstances which have conspired to retard their growth. In 1885 the young people bought a fine pipe organ for the church. The pastor has much to do, for besides his pastoral labors in Warren he has charge over congregations, or missions, at North Warren, Glade Run, Stoneham, Clarendon, Irvineton, Tidioute, Triumph, etc. As a rule the Swedes are a religious people, and have a decided penchant for the Lutheran persuasion. The church is an Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Augustana Synod, which synod has a membership of more than 100,000, and an ordained ministry of about 230 members. There are not far from 140 members be- longing to this church in Warren. The present officers are George P. Miller, Martin Nelson, Charles Peterson, J. Seyser, C. P. Anderson, Peter Holmes, and Otto Marker. The church property is valued at about $3,500, while a small indebtedness rests on the church of about $200.
The Evangelical Association, of Warren, was organized in 1833 by Rev. John Seybert. Its original members were H. D. Grunder, Mary E. Grunder, Conrad Gross, Saloma Gross, Adam Knopf, Mary E. Knopf, Jacob Wisc, Sal- oma Wise, Magdalene Martin, Philopena Martin, George Weiler, Barbara Wei- ler, Martin Esher, J. J. Esher, George Esher, D. Gross, sr., D. Gross, jr., Jacob Ott, F. L. Arnett.
In 1852 a brick church edifice was built on Liberty street. In 1883 this structure was extensively remodeled at a cost of $4,000. During the year 1876 a frame church was built at Mack's Corners, in Elk township, costing $1,200.
The pastors of this association, which extends into Conewango, Glade, and Elk townships, have been, in the order of their coming, as follows : John Sey- bert, J. K. Kring, E. Staver, J. Brickley, J. Honecker, J. Boas, J. Yambert, H. Bucks, R. Miller, J. Lutz, H. Heis, J. Long, S. Heis, J. Rank, J. Truby, J. C. Link, J. Edgar, J. Dick, A. Stahle, S. B. Kring, A. Niebel, J. G. Pfeuffer, A. Long, C. Lindaman, B. L. Miller, Jacob Honaker, C. G. Koch, R. Mott, J. J. Barnhart, R. Mott, A. Rearick, B. L. Miller, W. Houpt, T. Bach, and L. M. Boyer ; the latter gentleman, a veteran of the late war and a native of Som- erset county, Pa., still being in charge.
For many years the Warren congregation was exclusively German, and
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religious exercises were conducted in the language of the Fatherland. By degrees, however, English was introduced, and in the spring of 1884 it was wholly adopted.
The present members are two hundred and forty-seven in number, and the church property owned by them (two churches and a parsonage) is valued at $11,000.
We will conclude our remarks on church matters by saying that the first preaching in the county, of which we have authentic data, was rendered by the Rev. Jacob Cram, of Exeter, N. H., a missionary of the Congregational Church. From his journal it appears that in 1805 he journeyed across Ver- mont and New York States to Olean, preaching at many points along the way. From the latter place he proceeded down the river to Warren. He met the Cornplanter, and informs us that the Quakers had a mission near the latter's settlement, which was established by them about 1798. They also operated a small saw and grist-mill located near the mission. Cornplanter was rather cool, and expressed his distrust and dislike of Yankee preachers. He said he had seen and heard them at councils. They would preach and talk very fair to the Indians, but immediately afterwards would be found try- ing to cheat the poor Indians out of their lands. The missionary preached at Kinzua and at the house of Daniel Jackson, on the Conewango. At this place he said the people were very attentive, and he received more money from them for missionary purposes than at any other place in the western country. He also made note of the fact "that Warren had a beautiful situation for a town, though there were but four or five houses in the town plot." From Warren he journeyed northward (stopping to preach at the " Beech Woods Settlement") to Buffalo and into Canada, and thence eastward to his home.
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