USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Washington > History of the Presbytery of Washington : including a brief account of the planting of the Presbyterian church in Western Pennsylvania and parts adjacent, with sketches of pioneer ministers and ruling elders ; also sketches of later ministers and ruling elders > Part 28
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A Woman's Foreign Missionary Society was organized Sep- tember, 1877, with twenty-one members. It has been kept up with very few changes in the membership until the present time. In the first years of its existence the amount raised annually for the work was about forty dollars. For several years past the contributions have reached an average of double that sum. The society is now organized for both home and foreign missionary work, and is gaining in interest and usefulness.
The first house of worship was a log building, and was occu- pied jointly by the Lutherans and Presbyterians. The second was of brick, built by the Presbyterians about 1836. The third house, also of brick, was erected in 1880, and dedicated March 27, 1881.
Rev. John C. Ely, of Xenia, Ohio, Rev. Robert W. Ely, of Neosho, Missouri, and Licentiate Edwin S Brownlee, are sons of this church.
CLAYSVILLE .*
The Claysville Church was organized September 20, 1820, by Rev. Thomas Hoge. The two original elders were Joseph Donahey, Sr., and Archibald Brownlee. The original members were Barnett Bonar and his wife Jane, Joseph Henderson and his wife Mary, Widow McGuffin, Thomas Stewart and his wife Mary, Catherine Gemmell, Martha Morrow, Martha Gamble, Margaret Miller, Andrew Bell and his wife Mary Ann, Samuel Gilmore and his wife Anne.
The pastors and stated supplies have been as follows : Thomas Hoge, stated supply, 1820-22; pastor, 1822-26; stated supply, 1826-28; Appointments by Presbytery, 1828-30; Thos. Hoge, pastor, 1830-35 ; Peter Hassinger, pastor, 1836-39; John Knox, stated supply, 1840-41; Wm. Wright, stated supply, 1841-42; David McConaughy, D.D., stated supply, Joseph Gordon, stated supply, John Miller, stated supply, 1842-46; Alexander McCar-
* By REV. FRANK FISH.
-
HUGH CHAT
ALEX.
GEORGE M'CO
ARE
PH
RULING ELDERS, CLAYSVILLE.
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rell, D.D., stated supply, 1846-52 ; pastor, 1852-81; Jas. L. Lee- per, pastor, 1882-86; Frank Fish, pastor, 1886 --.
RULING ELDERS .-- Joseph Donahey, Sr., September 20, 1820; Archibald Brownlee, September 20, 1820; Thomas Stewart, November 26, 1820; Barnett Bonar, November 26, 1820-35, withdrew from the church; Dr. John Hair, November 28, 1824, died April 15, 1841. (All these above, except Mr. Bonar, were active in 1835, when there is a break in the record, and were all gone in 1845, when the record begins again.) Wm. McLain, February 5, 1832 to March 2, 1872, deceased; George McCona- hey, ordained, 1841 to January 19, 1866, deceased; Robert Woods, ordained, 1841 to December 26, 1857, dismissed ; Hugh Craig, March 17, 1850 to November 18, 1854, deceased; Nicho- las Bearly, March 17, 1850 to 1862, withdrew 1862; John Hoon, March 17, 1850 to April, 23, 1864, dismissed; Alex. K. Craig, April 19, 1857, still serving (1889) : Joseph Donahey, Jr., June 21, 1857 to March 28, 1859, deceased; John McLain, June I, 1863, still serving ; Thomas S. Irwin, June 1, 1863 to July 13, 1888, deceased; John Sawhill, June 27, 1869 to August 30, 1887, deceased; Thomas Henderson, June 27, 1869 to November 21, 1883, deceased; Franklin P. Scott, M.D , June 27, 1869 to De- cember 4, 1873, dismissed ; Hugh McClelland, June 27, 1869 to January 5, 1885, deceased; Thomas Ritezel, December 23, 1883, still serving ; John A. Dickey, December 23, 1883, still serving; Jos. R. McLain, December 23, 1883, still serving; Dr. George Inglis, December 23, 1883, still serving; Andrew W. Hender- son, December 23, 1883, still serving; James McKee, Decem- ber 23, 1883, still serving.
The first place of preaching was a wooden tent erected in the summer of 1820, in which the gospel was preached to congrega- tions of one hundred and fifty, two hundred and fifty, and some- times many more.
The first building was a frame church on the site of the present school-house. The next building was the one still used, which was built in 1830, at a cost of two thousand dollars, one-third of which was raised by Rev. Thomas Hoge, the pastor. This building was repaired in 1876. The present and only parsonage was built in 1882, at a cost of twenty-five hundred dollars.
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The most prominent revivals, judging from the number of accessions, were those of 1830, when fifteen were received into the Church at one time, on profession of faith, and eight by let- ter; 1856, when twenty were received on profession, and two by letter; 1867, when thirty were received on profession, and one by letter; 1883, when eighteen were received at one time on profession, and one by letter, and 1889, with about a score of accessions. In two years, between February, 1876, and February, 1878, forty-five were received on profession, and six by letter. In the one year of 1883 forty-four were received on profession, and five by letter.
The missionary spirit, at least within the last ten years, has been considerable. There are now in active and fruitful opera- tion a Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, a Woman's Home Missionary Society, a Young Ladies' Foreign Missionary So- ciety, and a Girls' Home Missionary Society.
The Claysville Church has given eight of her sons to the ministry, namely, Rev. Hugh K. Craig, whose ideas on baptism led him to join the Baptist Church, which he served in several congregations, and also as president of the Baptist Monongahela College of Jefferson, Greene county, Pa,, where he did his last work, as he died March 23, 1884; Rev. George W. Birch, D.D., now pastor of Bethany Church, New York; Rev. John M. Mealy, D.D., now pastor of the Neshannock Church, New Wil- mington, Pa .; Rev. William A. McCarrell, now pastor of the church of Shippensburg, Pa .; Rev. Jos. Jas. McCarrell, now pastor of the church of Mckeesport, Pa .; Rev. Thomas C. McCarrell, now pastor of the church of Waynesboro, Pa, ; Rev. Anthony A. Mealy, now pastor of the Central Church, Pitts- burgh, Pa .; and Rev. Eldon O. Sawhill, now pastor of the church of Enon, Pa.
Four of the daughters of the Claysville Church have married ministers, namely, Mrs. Alex. McCarrell, nee Miss Martha Mc- Lain, daughter of elder William McLain and sister of John and Jos. R. McLain, at present active elders of this church, and the devoted and helpful wife of Rev. Alex. McCarrell, D.D., for thirty- five years the faithful pastor of this church ; she died June, 1880. Mrs. Jos. Jas. McCarrell, nce Miss Elizabeth Birch, daughter of
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Hon. John Birch, and wife of Rev. Jos. Jas. McCarrell, of Mc- Keesport, Pa .; Mrs. O. T. Langfit, nee Miss Ella V. King, daugh- ter of W. C. King, Esq., and wife of Rev. O. T. Langfit, of West Liberty, Iowa; and Mrs. Wm. H. Lester, nee Miss Sarah M. Anderson, daughter of W. C. Anderson, Esq., and wife of Rev. Wm. H. Lester, missionary to Chili, S. A., where she died July 30, 1884.
Another daughter of the Claysville Church, Miss Kate G. Patterson, has just gone forth (January, 1889,) as a teacher in the Nuyaka School for Indians, in Indian Territory.
The Sabbath-school was organized at an early date in the history of the church, though for many years as a union school, under the superintendency of 'Squire James Noble. The later superintendents have been as follows : Alex. K. Craig, 1862-76; Thaddeus C. Noble, 1877-82; Hon. Jos. R. McLain, 1883-84; George Y. Holmes, 1885-87; William A. Irwin, 1888 -.
Number of officers in 1888, 6; teachers, 13 ; scholars, 167 .- Total enrollment in school, 186.
The membership in 1820 was 17; in 1833, 133; in 1846, 62 ; in 1881, 250; in 1884, 228, and in 1888, 242.
The contributions were, in 188.4, missionary $608, and congre- gational $1756; in 1888, missionary $852, and congregational $1376.
The salary paid Rev. Alex. McCarrell, D.D., was small at first, but gradually advanced to $800, as the congregation increased in strength.
The salary offered Rev. James L. Leeper, in his call, 1882, was twelve hundred dollars, payable monthly, with the use of the parsonage. 1
The same salary was given to Rev. Frank Fish, in his call, 1886.
BIOGRAPHICAL .--- John McLain, a son of William McLain, was born December 21, 1806. Has been an elder for twenty-six years.
Alex. K. Craig, a son of Hugh Craig, and son-in-law of Wm. McLain, was born February, 1828. Has been an elder thirty- two years. For forty years has been leader of the choir. Was superintendent of Sabbath-school fifteen years-1862-77.
2I
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THE PRESBYTERY OF WASHINGTON.
MOUNT PROSPECT.
This church, having its house of worship in Washington County, Pa., ten miles north of the town of Washington, was organized about the year 1825. It originated in the desire of the people living in that neighborhood to have a church nearer their homes. Some of the leading families that were interested in the new enterprise were those of William Hughes, John Cowen, William Simpson, Robert Marshall, Robert Wallace, Saml. Moore, Chas. Campbell, David McGugin, Simeon Haynes, Archy Stewart, Hugh McConaughey, David Lyle, George Campbell, John White and Samuel Jewell, all of whom were long distances from the already established churches of Upper Buffalo, Cross Creek, Raccoon and Miller's Run. These persons, whose names are given above, and their families, along with others no doubt, of whom no certain knowledge can be obtained now, constituted the first membership of the church, More than three years elapsed before the congregation saw its way clear to call a pastor, but in the fall of 1828 it called Rev. David Hervey, who was installed December 3, 1828, and was the first pastor of the congregation. His pastorate in that church continued a little more than six years, and was dissolved by presbytery April 23, 1835. The next pastoral settlement was that of Rev. John Moore, beginning April 1, 1837, and con- tinuing till the third Wednesday of April, 1845, a little more than eight years. His successor in the pastoral office was one of the church's own sons, Rev. David R. Campbell, who was installed soon after the fall meeting of presbytery, in 1849, and released about November 1, 1855. The next pastor was Rev. W. B. Keeling, who was installed in December, 1858, and re- leased in September, 1863. Then followed Rev. J. C. Caldwell, in a pastorate of one month less than four years, commencing September, 1864, and ending August 1, 1868. In December, 1868, Rev. R. T. Price became pastor. He was released from the charge in January, 1873, and succeeded in the same year by the present pastor, Rev. T. R. Alexander, who was elected
* By REV. T. R. ALEXANDER.
ILLIAMI
ANDREW
HUGH
M'COSAC:
1
1. V. MCCON
H. WILLEN
1:
RULING ELDERS, MT PROSPECT
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by the congregation in April, took pastoral charge June Ist and was installed October 10, 1873.
It will be noticed that there were a number of long vacancies in the congregation. During these vacancies the pulpit was filled by such ministers as could be secured for one or a few days, but not by stated supply, except in one instance, when Prof. Snyder, of the college at Cannonsburg, supplied the church for more than a year. In the list of supplies before the settle- ment of the first pastor, we find the names of Revs. Mccluskey, Mercer, Anderson, Elisha McCurdy, Nesbit, William Smith, John Hamilton, Vincent, Hoge, Stockton, Hervey, to which, no doubt, others should be added whose names have been lost. During the vacancy between 1835 and 1837 occur the names of Revs. Knox, Sloan, Weed, Elliot, McCartney, Boggs, Kennedy, Moore and Stockton. From 1845 till 1849 were Newell, Miller, Moore, Hastings, Nesbitt, Hare, Todd and Snyder, whose term as stated supply occurred in this vacancy. From 1855 till 1858 occur the names of Revs. Stockton, J. P. Fulton, J. S. Pomeroy, Alexander McCarrell, Loyal Young, James Fleming, Todd and Dr. R. Campbell. From 1863 till 1864 occur the names of Stockton, McCaig and Eagleson. In 1868 mention is made only of Frederick Wotring and D. M. Miller. In 1873 there were only two supplies, Revs. R. L. Stewart and T. R. Alexander.
ELDERSHIP .- At the organization of the church three elders were chosen, all of whom had been acting elders in the churches from which they came. These were William Simpson, from Miller's Run, and William Hughes and John Cowen from Up- per Buffalo. All these men continued to be ruling elders in this church till their death. William Hughes died April 17, 1831, John Cowen died August 11, 1833 and Wm. Simpson died March 20, 1848. In 1828 the session was increased, by the election of Charles Campbell, Hugh McConaughey and Andrew Farrar. Chas. Campbell died June 4, 1832, and Andrew Far- rar November 5th of the same year. Hugh McConaughey died November 14, 1874, after having faithfully served as a rul- ing elder in his church for forty-six years. In 1834 Robert Lyle, who had been an elder at Cross Creek, was elected, and
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served till his death, in 1843. Probably at the same time with Mr. Lyle, Samuel Moore was made an elder, and served till his death, in 1848. In the fall of 1848 Wm. M. Campbell and Saml. Cowen were added to the session, and in February, 1851, James Lee, who had been an elder in the church of Cross Creek. Saml. Cowen resigned 1857. James Lee died June 12, 1867, James Hughes became an elder in 1842, and died March 12, 1872. March 9, 1859, James Rankin, James F. Hill and James McElroy were added to the session. Mr. McElroy and Wm. M. Campbell removed in 1861. January 25, 1867, An- drew Donaldson and A. V. McGugin were installed. Jas. F. Hill removed from the congregation in January, 1869, and re- turned, and was re-elected to the eldership in 1877. On the 17th of December, 1869, J. R. Lyle, A. E. Walker and Wm. M. Campbell, who had returned to the congregation, were added to the session. The next and last addition up till this time was John H. Miller, November 6, 1875. Andrew Donald- son died July 12, 1880. A. E. Walker removed from the con- gregation in 1876, and James Rankin in 1883, leaving the ses- sion to consist at present of WVm. M. Campbell, A. V. McGu- gin, J. R. Lyle, Jas. F. Hill and John H. Miller.
The congregation has had three houses of worship. The first was a frame building, erected immediately after the organi- zation of the church, in 1825. The value of the building, as we would estimate it now, was about $2000, though its actual cost was much less than that, owing to the large amount of ma- terial given and voluntary work performed. The house was built by two members of the congregation; and when the Building Committee settled with Hugh McConaughy, who was one of the two workmen, his bill was $13.08. That building, with some additions, served the congregation till 1861. In 1861 the second building, a brick one, was erected, at a cost of about $8000. On the 23d of March, 1871, it was destroyed by fire, and the third or present house built, at a cost of about $10,000. A parsonage was built about 1866, at a cost of about $1600, to which additions have since been made, costing about $700.
The church has never been blessed with any very great re- vivals, and yet it has been much blessed by God's reviving
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grace. Often there have been special quickenings among God's people that were marked, and on a few occasions fairly large accessions have followed as a result of such revival. But more to be noted than all such occasions is the almost con- tinuous evidence of the Spirit's presence in the church and blessing upon its life and work, Reviving grace has been given to the church, not only a few times, but nearly all the time. Many years of its history are marked by its presence.
The congregation has always taken an interest in the cause of missions, and has contributed to it. No special missionary work has been done, except such as has been done in the last ten years, by the Women's Society. A notable part of their special work has been to double the contributions of the church to the cause of missions.
Six ministers have gone from the congregation, viz .--- D. R. Campbell, James Allison, Wm. Fulton, Wm. R. Vincent, David Hughes and McNary Forsyth.
SABBATH-SCHOOL .-- Organized in the spring of 1829. First superintendent James Hughes. Membership the first year 109. Present membership 218 scholars and fifteen teachers. Superintendent, E. G. Emery.
There have been about 1000 persons received into the mem- bership of the church. Present membership 225. Salary of the first pastor was $350 per annum. It has been worked up, through a long succession of steps, to $1000, the present salary. Has paid in salaries to settled pastors about $35,000. Contributions cannot be reported, because no record has been kept, except as it is kept in the Minutes of General Assembly, to which we do not have access. Such are the leading facts in the history of Mount Prospect Church.
BIOGRAPHICAL .--- Wm. Mason Campbell, son of Charles Camp- bell, a former elder, was born 1816. Married, January 3, 1856, to A. E. Mcllvain. Ordained an elder 1848.
A. V. McGugin, son of David McGugin, one of the pioneer members of the church, was born March 29, 1823. Married Esther Donaldson, September 25, 1866. Ordained an elder January 25, 1867.
J. R. Lyle was born November 20, 1833. Married Sarah
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Hartford, June 12, 1862. Ordained an elder December 17, 1869.
John H. Miller was born April 13, 1838. Married Elizabeth J. McCalment, May 18, 1865. Ordained an elder November 6, 1875.
WHEELING FIRST .*
So far as can be ascertained, the first regular preaching by any Christian denomination in Wheeling, then a small village, was commenced by the Rev. James Hervey, a Presbyterian minister about the close of the year 1812. In that year he was licensed to preach the Gospel, and soon afterward began to labor in the Forks of Wheeling Church, and in the town of Wheeling six miles distant.
It is said, that when he began preaching in Wheeling, there were but three members of the Presbyterian Church in the place. He continued to preach for a number of years, on alternate Sab- baths, in these two places. Having no house of worship in the village, a small house on the corner of Market alley, and some. times the Court House, was occupied as the place of meeting, But in the meanwhile the population of the town was increasing. and then first the Methodists, and next the Episcopalians began to arrive, and each to provide for services according to their own order. In this state of things it became apparent to the Presbyterians that they ought not to remain satisfied without a more complete organization, for thus far they had preaching only every alternate Sabbath.
The Rev. William Wylie, then preaching at West Liberty, was engaged to supply them the other half of the time in con- nection with the Rev. James Hervey. This arrangement seemed for the time being to meet the wants of the people, but in the end, it brought trouble ; for, as in the Church at Corinth, one began to say, " I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos." So here, one said, "I am of Hervey," and another, "I am of Wylic."
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH .- In the old Session book is the following record :
" The Presbyterian Congregation in the town of Wheeling was first organized at a
* By Kiv. D. A. CUNNINGHAM, D.D.
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public meeting held on Thursday evening, September 4, 1823; Col. Archibald Woods, chairman, and James H. Forsyth, secretary. The meeting was opened and closed with prayer by the Rev. James Hervey."
"Original trustees, Charles D. Knott, Alexander Caldwell, D. B. Bayless, John Laughlin, James H. Forsyth; Thomas Woods, treasurer; Redick MeKee, secretary."
The congregation was thus organized under a Board of Trus- tees, but it was nearly three years afterwards before ruling elders were elected ; for the next record we have is this, ---
" The Presbyterian Church in the town of Wheeling, under the pastoral care of the Rev. James Hervey and the Rev. William Wylie, was first organized by the Rev. Elisha McCurdy, agreeably to an order of Presbytery, on Friday, the 26th day of May, 1826."
" Elders elected-Andrew Woods, senior, l'eter W. Gale, Redick McKee."
NAMES OF THE MEMBERS AT THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH .- Mrs. Mary Ralston, Mrs. Margaret Tod, Mrs. Mary McLure, John Gilchrist, Mrs. Sarah Gilchrist, James Gilchrist, Daniel Gilchrist, Mrs. Jane Latimore, Mrs. Ann Mathers, Mrs. Eleanor Clemens, Mrs. Jane Reed, Mrs. Mary Woods, Samuel McClellan, Mrs. Louisa Mcclellan, Mrs. Catharine Robinson, Mrs. Catharine Clemens, Mrs. Elizabeth Isett, George Calder, Mrs. H. Calder, Mrs. Gregory, John Grimes, Mrs. Jane Grimes, William J. D. Gear, William Mathers, Mrs. Elizabeth Irwin, Mrs. Sockman, Miss E. J. Reed, Joseph Mathers, Mrs. Eliza Mathers, Miss Sarah Ann Evans, Mrs. Sally A. Chapline, Mrs. Hilyard, Mrs. Elizabeth Paull, Mrs. Mary Moore, Mrs. Margaret For- sythe, Peter W. Gale, Redick McKee, Mrs. Eliza McKee, Wil- liam Templeton, Mrs. Templeton, Andrew Woods, Sr., Mrs. N. Steenrod, Miss Kitty S. Wylie, William Robinson. The origi- nal number of members was forty-four, and at this date have all passed away.
The first account we have of the administration of the Lord's Supper was on September 17, 1826, by the two ministers, who supplied the church alternately, Rev. James Hervey and the Rev. William Wylie.
On April 15, 1829, a call was made by the congregation for the pastoral services of Rev. James Hervey, and is thus officially certified :--
" I do hereby certify, that the above call, in all respects, was prepared in a consti- tutional manner; that the vote was entirely unanimous, the congregation being gen-
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erally present, and that the persons who signed the call were appointed to do so by a public vote of the congregation.
" JOHN MCCLUSKEY, Moderator of Meeting."
But evidently the call was not accepted, for the following record appears the next year, in the old Session book :
" Saturday, May 15, 1830, at 3 P. M.
" This day the Rev. William Wylie was installed pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, by Rev. Messrs. E. McCurdy and Thomas Hoge, a Committee of Presbytery. Mr. Hoge preached the sermon, and Mr. McCurdy delivered the charges."
This pastorate, however, did not continue long for manifestly there was want of harmony and unity of action among the Pres- byterians of the town. They were evidently divided, for the next record that appears is in this language :
" A meeting, composed of the First and Second Presbyterian congregations of the town of Wheeling, was held at the Presbyterian meeting-house, on Monday evening, 26th of September, A. D., 1831, agreeably to the recommendation of the joint com- mittee of the aforesaid congregations."
There is no record to be found as to the time or by whom this second congregation was organized. But at this joint meet- ing of the two congregations action was taken requesting pres- bytery to dissolve the two congregations, and reorganize a new one. Hence the following action of presbytery is recorded :
" The Washington Presbytery met and held its session in the Presbyterian meeting- house, in the town of Wheeling, Va., on the 5th day of October, A.D. 1831. Samuel Atkinson, Redick McKee and Archibald S. Todd, a committee of the First, and John Laughlin, Thomas Woods and James W. Clemens, a committee in behalf of the Second Presbyterian congregation, presented a joint memorial to Presbytery (agree- ably to the instructions of the bodies deputing them), asking the Presbytery to dissolve the two congregations which now exist in this town, and to erect one de novo, to be styled the Presbyterian congregation of Wheeling. The Presbytery did. on the day of holding its session aforesaid, formally dissolve the aforesaid congregations, and in their stead formally erect a new congregation, with the style and denomination of the Presbyterian congregation of Wheeling."
The new Board of Trustees elected was composed of the following gentlemen : Thomas Woods, treasurer; James W. Clemens, secretary ; Samuel McClellan, James McConnell, H. French, Archibald S. Todd, Redick McKee and John Richie, and on February 4, 1832, John C. Bayless, Nathaniel Pep- pard and Redick Mckee were elected and installed ruling ·elders. These, however, resigned or withdrew soon after, and
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in their places were chosen and installed, on the 11th of April, 1832, N. W. Smith, John Laughlin and Sturley Cuthbert. On the 26th of January, 1834, John C. Bayless and N. Peppard were installed elders.
On the 16th of November, 1832, Rev. Henry R. Weed, of the Presbytery of Albany, New York, who had been the pastor, for a time, of the First Church in the city of Albany, became the supply of the First Church of Wheeling. On February 5, 1833, at a meeting of the congregation, he was unanimously elected to be the pastor. For reasons which were satisfactory to himself he did not at once accept the call, but continued as stated sup- ply of the church for more than two years. He was installed by the presbytery as pastor of the church on June 16, 1835. The membership of the church numbered ninety-five when Dr. Weed commenced his work. Under his ministry the church soon began to take on new life, for he was eminently a spiritual, vigorous, scriptural preacher ; he was fearless in his declarations of the truth ; he proclaimed the whole counsel of God, whether men heeded or not. On January 10th, 1860, on account of the infirmities of age, Dr. Weed asked the session to take steps for securing a co-pastor. The result is set forth in the following extract from the Sessional records :
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