History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 126

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372

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From 1821 to 1823, Rev. George B. Schaffer successfully officiated as rector, and was succeeded by Rev. Charles Wil- liams, from 1823 to 1825, by the Rev. Richi- or whether in that particular spot design- ard D. Hall from 1826 to 1829, and by the edly and with intent upon the life . of the Rev. John V. E. Thorn from 1829 to 1831.

From 1831 until 1834 the parish was for remain open to conjecture, and of which we the most part without a rector, and for a time death and defection greatly decreased vacancy of the rectorship in 1784 a letter the membership. In 1834 the Rev. Benja- min Hutchins took charge of the parish and although he served it gratuitously for a year and a half, he entered into the work with zeal, enlisted the hearty cooperation of his parishioners and added both to the church building and to the rectory certain improve- ments of which they stood in sore need. In 1836 Rev. Walter E. Franklin became rec- tor, who after two years of service was suc- ceeded in 1838 by the Rev. Edward Way- len, an English clergyman temporarily re- siding in this country. From 1841 to 1844 the parish was in charge of the Rev. John H. Marsden, who was followed in office by the Rev. John W. Hoffman, the latter's term of service extending from 1844 to 1849. In 1849 a call was extended to and accepted by the Rev. Charles West Thom- son, whose name is a holy memory to many parishioners now living. Mr. Thomson was a native of Philadelphia and of Quaker parentage. For seventeen years he labored with signal success in a field for which he was admirably fitted, and, within a twelve- month after his entrance on the work, the attendance upon services so greatly in- creased that the church building was en- larged to more than twice its original ca- pacity. During a later period of his ad- ministration, in 1862, another enlargement of the church was found necessary, and two transepts were added, and a recess chancel built. Mr. Thomson achieved an enviable distinction in letters and his poems were widely read and appreciated. In 1866, on account of advancing years, Mr. Thomson resigned his charge, but remained a resident of York until his death in 1879.

From 1866 to 1873 the parish was in charge of Rev. William P. Orrick, D. D., now rector of Christ Church, Reading, Pa. During his administration the parish build- ing was erected on the lot adjoining the

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church, and substantial development of all of the Diocese of Harrisburg when that parochial agencies took place. Dr. Orrick diocese was created in 1904, and he was for was succeeded in 1873 by the Rev. Octa- many years a member of the standing com- mittee of the Diocese of Central Pennsyl- vania, a position for which he possessed unusual qualifications and in which he ren- dered signal service. He was a man of most unusual attainments, and added to native capacity the charm of culture and rare - intellectual force. He died, after a prolonged illness, May 9, 1906, greatly be- loved by his people. Under his ministra- tion the membership of the parish greatly increased. Devoted to books, he enlarged the parish library, broadened its scope, and assisted its development into a collection of some sixteen hundred well selected vol- umes. By his will, after providing for the care of his widowed mother, he gave and bequeathed all his property to the parish he so dearly loved, enriching it by his collec- tion of pictures, rugs, antique furniture and bric-a-brac, the result of many years of dis- criminating purchase. vius P. Perinchief, one of the most gifted orators in the Episcopal pulpit, and a man of marked piety, and untiring zeal. He was succeeded in 1874 by the Rev. Edward L. Stoddard, young, enthusiastic and mag- netic. In 1877 he was in turn followed by the Rev. W. T. Wilson, whose sermons af- forded rare intellectual treats. In Novem- ber, 1878, the Rev. Henry W. Spalding, D. D., assumed charge, and performed the duties of his office to the entire satisfaction of his parishioners, until 1882, when a call was extended the Rev. Arthur Chilton Powell. Mr. Powell through six years of service endeared himself to his people, and by his courtesy of manner, his geniality of disposition, and his loving ministrations to the sick, made friends within this parish who follow his life work with keenest in- terest. Under Mr. Powell's administration the church building was radically altered, enlarged and beautified, and the member- His chief possession, a superb library of nine thousand volumes and a rich and varied collection of prints and engravings, he bequeathed to the parish on condition that it be held intact and that the books be open to the use of the general public as a reference library for the citizens of York. ship roll was so lengthened and increased that St. John's of York became one of the largest and most influential parishes in the diocese. Mr. Powell accepted a call to Grace Church, Baltimore, and was suc- ceeded in 1888 by the Rev. W. G. Ware, who continued in office until October I, 1894, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Charles James Wood.

Mr. Wood's ministry in York covered a period of twelve years, and left a lasting impress upon the parish and the city's civic life. He attracted to the church many not theretofore affiliated with any ecclesiastical denomination. His aim was to uplift the people spiritually, morally and physically. His churchmanship was broad and catholic, his mental attitude tolerant and liberal, his disposition happy and his manners demo- cratic. Men were attracted by his cordi- ality, won by his sympathy and elevated and broadened by his association. In the world of literature he had made for himself an enviable name as author and critic, was widely known and appreciated at his true worth in circles of highest scholarship, and was honored and revered throughout and beyond the diocese in which his life work was performed. His name was prominently mentioned in connection with the bishopric

Mr. Wood's energies were not confined to the parish of St. John's at York, but feel- ing that churchmen living in distant parts of the city and county were entitled to re- ceive the benefit of church communion, he organized four missions, one on Linden Avenue, in the western part of the city of York, called the Chapel of the Incarnation, which, under his fostering care, has grown to be a prominent factor in the ecclesiastical life of the city and has practically become self-supporting. Another, called the Chapel of St. Andrews, in the eastern part of the city, which has done and is doing most ef- fective service, a third, in the borough of Delta, in the southern part of the county, out of which last named mission has grown the Episcopal Church, recently incorpor- ated under the name of the Church of St. Davids at Delta; and, fourth, a mission called St. George, at Hanover, in which a lively interest has recently been reawak- ened.

On October 16, 1906, there was called to

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ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH DURING THE REVOLUTION

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN 1790

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THE CITY OF YORK

the rectorship of the parish the Rev. Arthur its present location on Elm Avenue, near Russell Taylor, for many years the rector of Trinity Memorial Church, at Warren, Pa. Mr. Taylor is in every sense fitted to take up the work which Mr. Wood left un- finished. A gentleman of ripe scholarship, rare culture and marked intellectual force, he adds to these qualities unusual adminis- trative ability and personal magnetism, under the impulse of which the parish has grown, broadened, strengthened and de- veloped during his six months' stay, in a manner and to an extent which is as note- worthy as it is gratifying.

The Chapel of the Incar- Chapel of Incarnation. nation is situated on Linden Avenue and West Street. The work in the west end began with a Sunday School about 1898 in the old school building on Penn Street. Mr. Mat- thew Porman began the work and was as- sisted from time to time by the rector of the parish, Rev. Charles James Wood, and his curate, Rev. Mr. Simpson. The work grew steadily. The present chapel was ready for use March, 1901. This is a comfortable building, seating about 225. The congre- gation grew and became self-supporting in 1907. The members, about 55 in number, met in January, 1907, and organized as an organized mission, the Bishop of the Dio- cese, Rt. Rev. J. H. Darlington, appointing Rev. William Vincent Dawson missionary. The members of the vestry are Alvin Reist, James Rudisill, Edward A. Benson and Harry J. Litchfield. The building was greatly improved during the year 1906, a transept and a tower for the bell being added. A large two manual organ was placed in the transept. Those who have been in charge of the work since the begin- ning are C. L. Thackery, lay reader and dea- con; C. L. Dashiell, lay reader ; Robert F. Gibson, lay reader ; William M. Gamble, lay reader ; W. H. Decker, lay reader and dea- con. In August, 1904, Rev. William Vin- cent Dawson became vicar of the Chapel and curate at large in St. John's Parish.

St. Andrew's Chapel.

Albemarle. The lot was presented by Hon. W. F. Bay Stewart and the building, which had previously been a real estate office, was purchased, placed on the lot and fitted up for church use, a great part of this work being performed by Benjamin Dashiell as a contribution. In 1904, the Rev. William M. Gamble, before his ordination, took charge of the Chapel, Charles Dashiell having re- moved to Philadelphia. He continued the services and Sunday School, with lay assist- ance, until June, 1906. During his incum- bency a guild room was built and a library established. The principal donors of the latter were John C. Jordan and the Misses Bonham. Guilds were organized, a reading room was opened and there is a flourishing chapter of the Girls' Friendly Society, which in 1906 provided communion vessels. Two classes have been confirmed in the Chapel. There are now thirty communicants con- nected with the work. The services and Sunday School are carried on by a licensed lay reader, R. A. G. Ault.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES

Although York was largely a German set- tlement, as early as 1750 there were several Presbyterian families residing in and near the town. It is probable that in 1760 a Presbyterian congregation existed, for the minutes of Donegal Presbytery for that year record applications from York and Shrewsbury (Hopewell) for stated minis- terial supplies. One record states that a Rev. Mr. Hanna, of the Presbytery of Don- egal, ministered to it regularly for some time, worship probably being conducted in the Episcopal Church.

It was of this period that John Adams, writing from York October 25, 1777, during the sessions of Continental Congress here, observes : "There are two German churches, the one Lutheran, the other Cal- vinistical. There is one church here erect- ed by the joint contributions of Episcopa- lians and Presbyterians."

A Sunday School started by In 1785 application was made to First Church. the heirs of William Penn for a grant of land, as a site for a church edifice and for a burying ground. September 29, 1785, John Penn Sr., and John Penn, Jr., granted to George Charles Dashiell, at King and Albemarle Streets, in 1900, was the beginning of St. Andrew's Chapel. After removing to "Norway," near Rouse's Avenue, where it remained for a while, it was transferred to Irwin, Archibald McClean and Colonel Wil-

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liam Scott, in trust, for the use of the Pres- byterian congregation of York, a tract of land, situated on the north side of Market Street and on the east side of Queen Street. This grant included the site of the present church property and extended about 130 feet further east.

In 1789, the year of the meeting of the First General Assembly, the erection of the church building was commenced. It was not completed until after the installation of of the first regular pastor. That structure stood until its demolition in 1860 and with various alterations and improvements fur- nished a place of worship for the congre- gation. It was rectangular in shape, its longer dimensions being from east to west. The entrance was on the southern side, and from it to the pulpit, on the northern side, extended a broad brick aisle. A boardwalk extended from Market Street to the en- trance.

In 1788 the York Church was under the care of the Presbytery of Carlisle, which two years before, had been erected from the Donegal Presbytery. In 1792, a call was tendered to Rev. Robert Cathcart, a native of Ireland and a graduate of Glas- gow University, who had come to America in 1790, and was at this time connected with the Presbytery. This call was signed by the following persons: Ralph Bowie, James Campbell, Andrew Johnston, James Hall, L. Riddle, John Greer, Robert Kennedy, John Smith, Robert Wilson, John Edie, James Smith, George Irwin, William Har- ris, John Forsyth, Archibald Street, James Edie, William McClellan, Jennet Grier, Robert Lawrence, Ephraim Pennington, James Kelly, George Armitage, Jean Mc- Calmond and David Mouson.

Rev. Robert Cathcart accepted the call in March, moved to York the beginning of April, and was installed October 2, 1793. August 29, 1793, an exciting meeting of Car- lisle Presbytery was held in York Church to consider a further division of that Pres- bytery, although it had been only seven years since its erection. Presbytery decided for a division into four presbyteries, but the General Assembly in 1794 only sanctioned its division into two presbyteries. By this division York remained in the Carlisle Presbytery.

The congregation applied to the legisla-

ture for a charter of incorporation, which was granted in the year 1813. The first trustees under the charter were Rev. Robert Cathcart, William Harris, John Forsyth, John Greer, William Barber, James John- son and Penrose Robinson. Dr. Cathcart, who in 1816 received the honorary degree of D. D., from Queens College, later Rut- ger's, New Brunswick, New Jersey, was assiduous in laboring for the erection of a parsonage. Of his earnings, he contributed $150 and collected for the purpose various amounts from friends out of town, at one time having in this way collected $1, 100. In 1817 a comfortable brick parsonage was erected which afforded a home for the va- rious pastors of the congregation until 1886, when the present parsonage replaced it.

In 1835 the church was remodelled. The entrance on the south side was closed and two entrances were made on the east side. A gallery was built on the east side, and the pulpit placed on the west side. In 1835 the Synod of Pennsylvania met in the remod- elled church, and the memorable trial of Rev. Albert Barnes, for alleged heresy in doctrine, was held. The trial terminated in 142 to 16 for suspension. In the following May the General Assembly reversed the de- cision by a vote of 134 to 96, and Mr. Barnes was restored to the ministry.

After forty-four years of faithful service, April 12, 1837, Dr. Cathcart resigned the pastorate. His records show that he bap- tized 320 persons and performed 275 mar- riages during his pastorate. He was an authority on Ecclesiastical law and a power in the church, not only in this community but also in the United States. During the forty-two years he ministered to the Hope- well congregation, fifteen miles distant, he never missed but one Sabbath, and that on account of illness. He is quoted as having said "punctuality, if not a Christian grace, is certainly a great moral virtue," and his life exemplified it. A biography of Dr. Cath- cart appears on page 460.

After his resignation the church was without a pastor until March, 1838, when Rev. Benjamin Wallace, of the Presbytery of Muhlenberg, Kentucky, who was supply- ing the pulpit, received and accepted the call, to become its pastor, and in May, 1839, was installed

In 1838 a Sunday School was organized

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in connection with the church. Previous to 1839, Dr. Cathcart presided, preached the this the Presbyterians had united with sermon and enrolled himself at the head other congregations in sustaining a union Sunday School, which originated in 1817. This school was first held in a building west of the Friends' Meeting House, on Phila- delphia Street, and later in the York County Academy. In 1838 the Presbyterians re- moved to their own church and held the Sunday School in the gallery of the church. In a few years that was outgrown and the body of the church was used until 1848, when a frame building was erected on the site of the present chapel. This with vari- ous additions served for a Sunday School and chapel until 1867 when the present chapel was erected. of its members, although this course threat- ened many of his old friendships. The York Church was identified with this Presbytery from its erection to 1870. In identifying itself with the New School Branch, the church at York was not a unit. There was a minority which adhered to the Presbytery of Carlisle, and which for a short time was supplied by appointment of that Presby- tery. Later Rev. Stephen Boyer served as a stated supply. This little band claimed to be the only Presbyterian congregation in the borough of York, and, as such entitled to the church property under the deeds of the Penns and charter of incorporation, and In 1838 the controversy which had agi- tated the Presbyterian church in the United States for several years culminated in a division of the General Assembly that year, into two bodies, the Old School and the New School branches. The bitter feeling attending this split extended down through all the minor courts of the church and near- ly all the synods and presbyteries were di- vided. brought an action of ejectment to recover the property. January 14. 1841, the case was tried in the York County Courts before Judge Hays, of Lancaster, Messrs. Evans, Mayer and Chapin being counsel for the New School Branch and Messrs. Hambly and Mason for the Old School Branch. Judgment was rendered in favor of the New School Branch, which judgment was affirm- ed by the State Supreme Court in May, 1841.

Dr. Cathcart threw the weight of his in- fluence with the New School branch, as did Rev. Wallace and the majority of the Christ Lutheran Church, then located on church.

In July 1838 the Presbytery of Carlisle passed resolutions declaring its adherence to the Presbyterian Church in the United September 1845. States of America (Old School Branch). As a result of this action, Dr. Cathcart, with two or three other members withdrew from the Presbytery of Carlisle. The York Church also withdrew, January 22, 1839, on account of objections made by the Presby- tery to the reception and installation of Rev. William Wallace.

January 22, 1839, the congregation at York made application to the Third Pres- bytery of Philadelphia to be taken under its one were admitted on certificate and twenty- care, and at a special meeting held Febru- two on confession of faith. ary 19, 1839, its request was granted. Rev. Wallace at the same time united with that Presbytery. May 9, 1849, he was installed, Rev. Albert Barnes preaching the sermon.

In 1839 Dr. Cathcart, Dr. De Witt, Rev. Robert Kennedy, Rev. Mr. Wallace and others overtured the Synod of Pennsylva- nia, for the erection of the Presbytery of Harrisburg. At its organization, October, signed in April, 1859.

For several years the Old School Branch maintained worship in the lecture room of the east side of George Street, next door north of Clark Alley.

Rev. Mr. Wallace resigned the pastorate

In May, 1846, Rev. Daniel H. Emerson was installed as pastor. Rev. Stephen Boy- er had died and some of the most influential members of the Old School Branch had left town. Time had diminished the bitter- ness of feeling and most of the remainder returned to worship with their new school brethren.

In 1855 Rev. Mr. Emerson resigned. He was pastor nine years and in that time forty-

In October, 1855. Rev. Charles J. Hutch- ins, a native of Erie County, was ordained and installed pastor. During his pastorate the great revival of 1857 reached this church and regular meetings were held in Febru- ary and March, 1858. Many conversions resulted, the membership of the church be- ing more than doubled. Rev. Hutchins re-

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In February, 1860, Rev. Thomas Street, his preliminary education, he completed the of Philadelphia, was installed pastor, and in classical course at Queen's College, Gal- way, and was graduated from the Royal University of Ireland, at Dublin. He began his theological studies at New College, under the auspices of the United Free Church at Edinburgh. He came to Amer- ica in 1898 and graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1900. The mem- bership of this congregation in 1907 was 629. The Sunday School had an attend- ance of 700. March the demolition of the church com- menced. The congregation worshipped in the Court House while the present church edifice was being erected. During his min- istry the new church building was complet- ed and occupied, and the church grew and flourished. He resigned in May, 1864, car- rying with him the respect and affection of his church and their regrets at his depart- ure.

A call was extended to Rev. Henry E. Niles, of Albion, New York, and he was ordained as pastor April 16, 1865. The garetta B. Evans.) history of the church from that time until his death in May, 1900, is the record of his best life work. Coming to the field in his intellectual and spiritual attainments, Dr. Niles and his wife identified themselves with all the interests of the church and under their ministrations it enjoyed a pe- riod of uninterrupted growth, influence and prosperity. Dr. Niles held numerous posi- tions of trust and influence in the church at large and his congregation was ever given the benefit of his association with those who stood high in her ecclesiastical coun- cils. The accessories to the church during his pastorate were 985 and the member- ship at its close was 452.

(For the above excellent history of this church the author is indebted to Miss Mar-

REV. HENRY EDWARD NILES, D. D., was born August 15, 1823, at South Hadley, Massachusetts. He came of an old prime, ably assisted by a help-meet of rare New England family, being a descendant in the seventh generation from Captain John Niles, who came to America from Wales in 1630, settling first in Abington, Massachu- setts, and afterward removing to Braintree. William Niles, father of Dr. Niles, married Sophia Goodrich, and Henry, their second child, was about five years old when the family removed to Spencertown, Columbia County, New York. There, in a home which had natural surroundings of unusual beauty, he grew to manhood, and in that locality he had his first work in the minis- try. In 1844, he graduated from Union College, at Schenectady, New York, after which he took a theological course at Princeton Seminary, and was graduated in 1848. October 24, 1848, he was ordained by the Columbia Presbytery and installed as pastor of Valatie (Kinderhook), New York. His pastorate there covered a pe- riod of several years, but in 1855 the condi- tion of his health demanded rest and recre- ation, and he spent about a year in travel. On his recovery, in 1856, he became pastor of the church at Angelica, New York, where he continued until 1859, in which year he was " pastor elect " of the North Church of St. Louis, Missouri. He served as such un- til the outburst of the Civil war, in 1861, re- ceiving a call to Albion, New York, where he had a successful ministry of four years. His last change was from that place to York, where he labored as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church from April 16, 1865, until his death.

It was in 1870 this historic church became identified with the Westminster Presbytery, the legal successor to the ancient Presby- tery of Donegal, antedating the former by more than 100 years. In 1883 Calvary Presbyterian Church, and in 1887 West- minster Presbyterian Church were organ- ized.

After thirty-five years of faithful and ef- fective service and just when an assistant pastor had been secured in the person of Rev. David S. Curry, to help care for the growing congregation, Dr. Niles was, after a brief illness, called to his reward. His active service had continued to the end of his long pastorate and his remains were laid to rest by those who loved him in "God's Acre," in the shadow of the church he served so well.

The Rev. Mr. Curry was made acting pas- tor and November 13, 1900, was installed as regular pastor. He was born in Ireland, of Presbyterian ancestors. After obtaining

Such are the main facts in a busy life

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whose earthly span covered a period of is pastor of a Dutch Reformed Church in seventy-six years, fifty-two of which were Brooklyn, New York. spent in active Gospel ministry. In all of Dr. Niles died at his home in York, May 14, 1900. his charges he met with unusual success. But he was more than the successful pastor of a flourishing church. He was a practical advocate of that practical Christianity which is to-day recognized as the highest aim of pretation of the new commandment.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 126

Author: Prowell, George R. Publication date: 1907 Publisher: J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1372

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372