USA > Pennsylvania > Blair County > Altoona > History of the city of Altoona and Blair County : including sketches of the shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Co. > Part 10
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110
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
REVISED COURSE OF INSTRUCTION.
In 1875, a new gradation of the schools was made, a revised course of instruction was prepared, the sexes were taught together in all the schools, and improvements were made in the plans for heating and ventilation. Eight grades below the high school were made- four constituting the primary, two the intermediate, and two the grammer department. The course for these three divisions included the common school branches, with drawing, simple equations in algo- bra and the clements of physiology. Two courses, an elementary and a scientific, were prepared for the high school. The elementary course includes English grammar, orthography, etymology, reading, composition, rhetoric, Latin, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, physiol- ogy, natural philosophy, history and Constitution of the United States, penmanship, drawing, botany or book-keeping. The seien- tific course includes English literature, composition, rhetoric, Latin, higher algebra, chemistry, general history, geology, trigonometry and surveying, astronomy and mental philosophy. German, French and Greek are voluntary studies. An equivalent amount of language may be substituted for some of the mathematical studies.
TEACHERS' INSTITUTE.
In 1872, a law was passed in regard to annual institutes, "author- izing the city of Altoona to organize a teachers' institute independ- ently of the county of Blair."
DEATH OF THE FIRST CITY SUPERINTENDENT.
Professor John Miller, who was widely known throughout Blair county, died in Altoona, September 3, 1875. He was born in the city of Paris about 1800, and was taught to speak and read French by his mother. When he was about three years of age his father moved to Strasburg. He was sent to school at Leipsic, where he re- mained until he graduated. Leaving Leipsic he came to this country about 1825. After being some time in New York and Philadelphia, he went to the western part of this State, where he commenced teach- ing school. Being a fine scholar his services were soon sought. The most prominent places where he taught are Martinsburg, Williams- burg, Butler, Hollidaysburg, and Altoona. He filled the office of city superintendent until 1874, when he resigned, being so feeble that he was unable to discharge the duties of his office.
Elexis Elder, W. W. Osborne and J. B. Bowles are among the teachers who have taught longest in Altoona. Mr. Elder was ap-
111
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
pointed superintendent of Blair county in 1864, and elected in 1866, serving in all five years.
GROWTH OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
The annexed tabular statement will show the growth of the sys- tem since 1854 :
No. of Male Teachers.
No. of Female Teachers.
No. of Pupils Enrolled.
No. of Months Tanght.
Average Salary of Male
Teachers per month.
Average Salary of Fe-
male Teachers.
No. of mills levied for
No, of mills levied for
Bullding purposes.
Total Amount Levied.
1855.
1
2
158
1
$35 00
$25 00
$1,400 00
1856.
5
250
1
35 00
30 00
2
1
1
3,857 36
1858.
3
550
6
40 00
25 00
1
4
3,969 16
1859
1
603
37 50
27 50
1
2
3,454 31
1860
1
4
692
9
37 50
27 50
6
6
6,358 30
1861
1
1
770
10
37 50
27 50
5
2,744 04
1862.
1
1
769
37 50
27 50
5
2.776 87
1863
4
1
854
9
37 50
27 50
5
2,800 00
1864.
I
1
762
9
39 72
29 72
5
3,112 00
1865
5
1
823
816
48 52
35 39
5
4,445 55
1866
5
1
700
9
54 37
38 64
7
4,414 78
1867
5
6
925
854
55 00
39 33
3
6,310 54
1868
1
7
813
62 50
40 42
10
9,107 85
1869.
13
17,260 00
1870.
5
15
1.640
10
60 00
44 33
10
5
18,000 00
1871.
1,600
10
60 00
45 00
10
10
28,000 00
1872
23
1,795
9
71 43
44 46
11
5
27,228 93
1873
25
1,928
9
67 75
44 70
11
9
43,873 00
1875.
26
2,085
9
61 82
40 96
10
-
29,032 60
1876.
27
2.082
9
57 05
41 98
10
25,377 63
1877 ..
30
2.254
56 69
40 95
10)
2
25,515 53
1878
6
35
2,382
9
55 51
36 15
10
23,199 95
1879.
6
37
2,505
9
54 00
36 87
10
3
25,616 55
1880.
8
39
2.700
9
50 62
35 36
10
3
25,244 30
1
78 33
44 80
11
9
37,994 33
1874.
10
26
1,984
1,560
10
57 50
45 00
2.400 00
1857.
5
6
10 00
30 00
School purposes.
YEARS.
RAPID INCREASE OF SCHOOL POPULATION.
Ever since Altoona was incorporated as a borough it has been difficult to keep pace with the demand for school buildings sufficient to accommodate the number of children attending school. In addi- tion to the other buildings at that time existing, a brick house-one of the most substantial and best arranged of the school buildings in the city-containing four rooms, was erected in the Fifth ward in 1877. It was supplied with first-class furniture. The school direc- tors deserve great credit for the attention and care they gave in its erection. Several years ago a brick building of about the same size was erected in the Fourth ward at a less cost, but on account of the inferior material used, and the careless manner in which it was built,
112
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
MOUNTAIN CITY FLORAL ESTABLISHMENT
Howard Avenue, bet. 9th and 10th Streets, ALTOONA, P.1.
ALLAN S. MYERS, - PROPRIETOR.
Cut Flowers and Designs of all kinds, at all seasons of the year.
GREENHOUSE and BEDDING PLANTS,
BASKET and VASE PLANTS, VEGETABLE PLANTS IN SEASON.
PRICES MODERATE. ORDERS BY MAIL PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO.
AHEAD OF ALL COMPETITION !
I AM DETERMINED TO LEAD. BEST GOODS AT LOWEST PRICES.
GROCERIES, FLOUR, FEED, TEAS, COFFEES, SUGARS, SYRUPS,
Canned Fruits, Dried Fruits, Mackerel in Kits and other packages, Fish, Bacon and Ham. Glass, Wood, Willow and Queensware,
Together with every article which is usually to be found in a well-appointed. well- arranged. first-class Grocery and Provision Store. &Don't mistake the name and the place, as I don't wish others to trade on my capital.
D. R. CHRISTIAN, No. 1018 Chestnut Avenue, Altoona, Pa. (BRICK BUILDING.)
113
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
it was recently condemned, and although the original cost, together with repairs, amounted to, say $7,300, it was sold for the trifling sum of $355.
[$5,700 was the amount originally contracted for the erection of this building. The contractor found the amount too small, when $1,000 additional was added, making $6,700. Afterwards a heater was placed in the building at a cost of about $400; then a new roof and other repairs amounting to about $200-making $7,300.]
In September, 1878, the term commenced with forty-two teachers, and during the month two thousand four hundred and twenty-two pupils were enrolled, with one hundred and twenty-three of them in charge of one of the primary teachers. This crowded condition of the schools made it necessary to establish another school. A church room, which was not at all suitable for a school room, was rented and occupied the remainder of the term. It became evident from the in- crease of the school population that provision must be made for more school rooms. Early in the summer an addition of four rooms to the Sixth ward building was commenced and completed in September. The building, which is of brick, now contains eight rooms, supplied with good furniture.
In September, 1879, the schools opened with forty-five teachers and an enrollment of two thousand six hundred and nine pupils. Before the opening of the schools, it was thought that there would be sufficient school room to accommodate the increase in the number of pupils, but it became necessary again to resort to the renting of rooms. Two additional rooms were secured and two teachers elected, making the total number of teachers forty-seven. The erection of a building containing eight rooms, in the Second ward, is now in pro- gress, and will be quite a relief to the crowded condition of the schools. The building, with furniture and heating apparatus, will cost about $18,000; two lots and a half, upon which to erect the building, were purchased at the cost of about $4,800. When the grounds are suitably improved, the total value of the public school property, in the Second ward, will be about $23,000, and will be more valuable than that in any other ward.
NUMBER OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
To summarize the statistics of public school buildings scattered through preceding pages we state that in the First ward is one build- ing with eight rooms; Second ward, one building with eight rooms; Third ward, one building with three rooms, and two buildings with
114
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
one room cach-total, five rooms; Fourth ward,* two buildings with two rooms cach-total, four rooms; Fifth ward, one building with four rooms; Sixth ward, one building with eight rooms; Seventh ward, one building with two rooms; Eighth ward, one building with four rooms, one with two rooms and two with one room each-total, eight rooms. Grand total, forty-seven rooms.
NAMES OF TEACHERS, GRADE, ENROLLMENT, ETC.
The total number of pupils enrolled in the public schools for 1879-80 was 2,698. The names of teachers, grade, and the enroll- ment and average attendance of pupils of each school for that period are given in the tables annexed :
Names of Teachers. Ward.
Grade.
Certificate.
rolled
age.
1. L. Book ..
First.
High School
Normal Dip .!
70
67
Linday Hooper
.do.
Assistant High school ..
Professional.
A. P. Rupert
.do.
second Grammar.
Permanent ..
51
18
J. B. Bowles
110.
First Grammar.
.do. .
50
Mary E. Foster, dlo.
Ist & 2nd Intermediate.
Provisional.
50
62
Nellie Durborrow .. do.
Third Primary
.do.
57
51
Emma K. Worley . (in)
Second Primary
Permanent
65
57
Mrs. Lottie Wilson
First Primary
Provisional
91
73
Mrs. Ella C. Beagle. . 20 and 3d. Kate Alleman do.
First Grammar
do.
41
Anna C. Bailey
second Intermediate .. .
do.
51
51
Nannie Russell.
First Intermediate.
Permanent ..
59
52
Kato K. Moser
do.
Fourth Primary
Provisional
61
54
Sadie E. Ingram
do.
Third Primary
65
56
Mrs. Emma Poake
do.
Second Primary do.
77
67
Ella Lewis.
do.
First Primary.
do.
55
Mrs. Lizzie Redding.
.do.
First Primary
do.
55
Lonisa O'Neill.
do.
First Primary
do.
55
40
Mrs. Annie E. Moore Third
First Grammar.
47
Mary J. Stouffer do.
Ist & 2nd Intermediate.
do.
53
18
Sadio Reagan do.
2nd and 3d Primary do.
57
53
Alice V. Shew. do.
First Primary. do.
66 46
42
Amelia C. Snyder
do.
First Grammar
do
14
Lillie M. Bowers
do.
Second Intermediate
Professional.
40
Lizzie McCumpsey
First Intermediate
Provisional
51
Jessie Custer ..
do.
Fourth Primary
do.
48
Lizzie A. Cole.
.do.
Third Primary.
do.
61
53
Maggie M. Ross
dlo.
Second Primary
do.
79
67
Maddie Kendig
do.
First Primary
do.
52
37
Charles Geesey.
Filth
Ist & 2nd Intermediate.
do.
57
50
Mattie Neville
do.
Third Primary
61
52
Gretrude Ronshe .. do.
1st & 2nd Primary .do. .
75
W. C. Reem .. Sixth.
Second Grammar Permanent ..
40
35
E. Eller do.
First Grammar (lo.
51
45
Mary Wallace, do
Second Intermediate ... Provisional
48
40
Rachael A. Cowen .. do.
First Intermediate
48
4.2
Mary E. Clarkson .. .do.
Fourth Primary do.
59
52
Sallie H McGlathery .do. Third Primary. do.
67
62
Maggie Parke. do,
Second Primary dlo.
64
53
Jennie Swartz .do.
First Primary .. do
85
76
Rebecca M. Patterson
Seventh ..
Ist & 20 Inter, & 4th Pri. (lo.
46
37
Emma F. Trafford. .do. Ist. 2d & 3d Primary do.
66
51
* Principal building of this ward condemned and sold.
55
w. W. Osborne
Fourth. ...
Second Grammar
Permanent ..
do.
59
Harm. L. Brennecke, do.
First Primary.
Permanent ..
53
46
G. Graham Anderson
Fourth Primary Provisional ..
19
Mrs. sallie J. Steele do.
Advance Second Inter.
clo.
49
Anna M. Johnston . do.
Fourth Primary do.
En
Aver.
Fourth Primary.
4× 60 59
do.
115
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
Names of teachers for 1880-81, with their grade of school and certificato :*
Names of Teachers. Wards.
Grade.
Certificate.
A. P. Rupert.
First
Second Grammar
Permanent. ..
Nannie Russell. (lo.
First Grammar.
Lillie M. Bowers .do.
Second Intermediate ...
Mary E. Foster ..
do.
First Intermediate.
Professional. Provisional. 66
Anna M. Johnston
do.
Fourth Primary
Nellie Durborrow
do.
Dora Kearney.
do.
Mrs. Lettie Wilson
do.
First Primary
Principal High School .. Assistant
Normal Diploma Professional.
Linda Hooper
do.
w. W. Osborne.
do
second Grammar
Permanent.
J. B. Bowles. do.
First Grammar.
First and Second Inter.
Fourth Primary
Emma K. Worley
.. do.
Third Primary
Libbie Herr.
do
Second Primary
Lonisa ('Neill
do.
First Primary.
Mrs. Annie E. Moore Third
First Grannar
Anna C. Bailey do.
First and Second Inter. Fourth Primary
A:
Allie V. Show do.
First Primary.
Lizzie MeCumpsty
Fourth
John B. Harmon
do.
Third Primary
Maggie M. Ross do,
Maddie Kendig
S. G Rupert
Fifth.
Mattie Neville.
do.
A. M. Crosthwaite
do
Ella Kemmerling
do.
First Primary
W. C. Roem .
Sixth
Elexis Elder
do.
Mary Wallace ..
do.
Second Intermediate
Rachel A. Cowen
do.
First Intermediate
Lizzie A. Cole.
do.
Fonith Primary
..
Maggie Park
do.
Third Primary
..
Emma Davis do.
Blanche Miller. do.
First Primary ..
Normal Diploma
Rebecca M. Patterson
Seventh.
Emma F. Trafford.
do Ist. 2d and 3d' Primary .. First Grammar
..
Mrs. Ella C. Beegle
Eighth do.
Mary E. Clarkson
(10.
2d Inter. Advanced ... Second Intermediate. First Intermediate
G. G. Anderson .do.
Kate L. Moser. do.
Fourth Primary
..
Sadie Row .. do.
Second Primary
Harmenia Brennecke do.
First Primary
Lettie D. Johnston. do.
Normal Diploma
*As the schools, for which teachers have been appointed, do not commence un- til September, 1880, we are unable to give the number of pupils and average at- tendance.
VALUE OF PUBLIC SCHOOL PROPERTY.
The value of property used for school purposes amounts to $96,- 500, divided as follows: Grounds, $24,200 ; buildings, $64,800; fur- niture, $7,500. Twenty-five years ago there was but one school house, worth less than $300. [The value of the school property of the entire county is $200,850.]
66
Professional. Provisional.
Mrs. Sallie JJ. Steele. do.
sadie Reagan dlo.
Second and Third Pri ..
Second Primary
First Primary.
First and Second Inter.
.. Permanent. .6
Fourth Primary.
Second and Third Pri ..
Provisional. 66
Second Grammar.
Permanent. ..
First Grammar.
Provisional. 66
Second Primary
Ist & 2d Inter. & 4th Pri. Provisional.
Professional. Provisional.
Mary J. Stouffer
Sadie E. Ingram do.
Third Primary
..
L. L. Book .. Second
Third Primary.
Second Primary
Charles Geesey do.
Provisional. . .
Jessie Custer. dl0.
Fourth Primary
116
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
D. & C. MOORE,
ALWAYS HAVE IN STOCK AN ELEGANT LINE OF
GROCERIES,
WHICH THEY SELL AT THE
LOWEST CASH PRICES.
Canned Goods, Sugars, Coffees, Spices, Syrups,
And an endless variety of Heavy and Fancy Groceries usually found in a well-reg- ulated store. They also receive, in season,
FRESH VEGETABLES
From the East every day, which they sell at a very small margins. They also offer bargains to everybody in
QUEENSWARE AND GLASSWARE. 1
All goods guaranteed to be of the best quality and warranted to give satisfaction in every case. Give them a call and become convinced.
D. & C. MOORE,
Corner 11th Avenue and 15th Street, Altoona.
117
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
OFFICERS OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ETC.
The board of school directors consists of six members, as follows : John P. Levan, A. F. Heess, J. F. Rainey, W. S. Douglass, H. C. Dern, and C. N. Pimlott. Two directors are elected each year, the term of office being three years. At the election of February 17, 1880, J. P. Levan (whose term expired on June 1 following) was re-elected, and A. F. Heess was elected in place of W. E. Craine, whose term ex- pired also on June 1. The terms of J. F. Rainey and W. S. Douglass will expire June 1, 1881, and those of H. C. Dern and C. N. Pimlott on June 1, 1882.
Prof. D. S. Keith, eity superintendent of schools, is elected by the directors and commissioned by the State superintendent. His term expires on June 1, 1881.
The present visiting directors are: First ward, H. C. Dern ; Third ward, J. F. Rainey; Fourth ward, A. F. Hees>; Fifth and Sixth wards, W. S. Douglass; Seventh ward, John P. Levan; Eighth and Second wards, C. N. Pimlott.
Officers of the board: President, John P. Levan ; secretary, W. S. Douglass ; treasurer, T. H. Wigton.
ENGLISH AND GERMAN PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
About 1855 a private school was established with twenty-five pu- pils, by Right Reverend J. Tuigg, and Mary Levi was appointed as teacher. The school grew rapidly in numbers and influence.
The large and imposing structure, adjacent to St. John's church; on Thirteenth avenue, between Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets, is now the residence and school building of the Sisters of Charity at- tached to the church. Its corner-stone was laid by Rt. Rev. Bishop Domenec, under the pastorship of Rev. Father Tuigg, May 12, 1867. On August 19, 1870, the building was ready to receive the Sisters. It was furnished with all the modern improvements. There are eight large and well-ventilated rooms for the children ; a comfortable and handsome oratory, where the Sisters assemble to perform the religious exercises of their order ; large and spacious parlors, and a grand re- ception room; three or four music halls, together with a large dormi- tory divided into cells, where the members of the community sleep. The Sisters, originally only four in number, came from Cincinnati, and under the Superior Mother Aloysia, took possession of the building in 1870, and commenced at once the duties of imparting to the young people of the congregation, and to others who were willing to embrace the opportunity, a sound religious and secular education. The com- 9
118
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
munity rapidly grew and spread, and now from this house alone many others have been established in the diocese-at Johnstown, East Lib- erty, South-Side (Pittsburg), Sharpsburg and Blairsville. The atten- dance at the Convent schools is large, averaging daily between six and seven hundred children. There is an academy or high school at- tached, from which the more advanced pupils graduate with honors. Mother Aloysia superintends the schools, and the whole is under the supervision of the pastor of the church.
The German Catholic schools, conducted by the Sisters of St. Agnes, were started in 1877, and since that time have been very suc- cessful in providing the necessary religious and secular training to up- wards of three hundred German Catholic children.
In September, 1878, the Franciscan Brothers from Loretto, Cam- .. bria county, took charge of the boys' schools, one on the eastern side and one on the western side of the city. The superintendance of the schools is committed to Brother Angelus, who is assisted by Brothers Vincent, Athanasius, and two others. Some time ago they gave a publie entertainment at the Opera House, which was very successful and gave proof of the brothers' efficiency.
Eight or ten years ago a parochial school was established by the German Lutheran church, in order that their children might receive instruction in their own language. Recently these children have come into the public schools, but, during the vacation of the public schools, they receive instructions in reading and writing German. By this method they receive the benefits of a system of graded schools, and advance as rapidly in learning their own language.
A "Kindergarten" school, the central idea of which is to mingle work and play so adroitly that the child's mind unfolds through its play, so that mental and bodily development go hand in hand, was recently established by Miss Joanna Steichele, a young German lady, with prospects of ultimate success.
In the year 1862 an effort was made by Dr. Wm. R. Findley, and several other prominent citizens, to establish an academy at which a higher grade of education might be obtainable than, at that time, the public schools offered. A charter of incorporation was obtained, and although the plan of organization proposed was considered practicable, yet petty sectional jealousy brought the enterprise to a speedy death. Dr. Findley had secured the refusal of a lot of ground adjoining the reservoir, on the east side, for $1,500, with $300 subscribed, and it is to be regretted that the academy was not built at that time.
119
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
CITY CHURCHES.
BAPTIST-FIRST AND SECOND.
The origin of the First church goes back to May, 1842, then or- ganized under the name of "The Pleasant Valley Baptist Church," with seventeen members, in the Union school honse. Up to 1852 the church had no settled pastor, but was regularly supplied with preach- ing by Rev. Wm. B. Bingham, Rev. Mr. Fisher, Rev. J. B. Morris and Rev. J. B. Williams, all of whom did pastoral work. With the laying out of Altoona, lots were secured principally through the kind- ness of Martin Bell, deceased. In 1853 the small brick building, now occupied by the Catholics as a reading room, was built and used by. the congregation until the present edifice, at the corner of Eleventh avenue and Fifteenth street, close to the old building, was erected. Rev. A. J. Hay was pastor of the church from 1852 to 1854. He was followed by Rev. W. B. Harris. In 1859 Rev. A. H. Sembower became pastor and remained with the church until 1865, when Rev. A. F. Shanafelt succeeded him. Rev. Win. Shadrach, D. D., took the partorate in 1868 and remained until 1873. During Dr. Shadrach's pastorate the present church building was completed, he having faith- fully served the church for five years. Rev. Dr. Shadrack leaving, Rev. Wm. Codville became pastor, remaining until April, 1876. During the summer of the latter year the church was without a pastor. In the fall of the same year Rev. A. K. Bell, D. D., assumed the pastoral charge, and has ever since been, more or less, identified with the church. During Dr. Bell's absence at Lewisburg, Rev. C. A. Hare filled the pastor's chair from July, 1878, to October, 1879, when he left to re- sume his studies at Crozer. Dr. Bell filled the pulpit from October, 1879 to January, 1880, when the church again released him in the in- terests of the University at Lewisburg until June, 1880, his place be- ing filled by Rev. J. Green Miles.
N. J. Mervine, W. B. Ketler, Benj. M. Bunker, H. B. Kendig, C. C. Lyon, Stephen Aiken and Samuel Colelesser constitute the pres- ent board of deacons; W. S. Douglass, church clerk, and Dr. S. M. Sellers, treasurer. The board of trustees for 1880-1 consists of Dr. S. M. Sellers, J. H. Oves, H. B. Kendig, J. W. Cherry, N. J. Mer- vine, C. C. Lyon, G. S. Eby, W. S. Elder, and W. S. Douglass.
As a corporate body the church is entirely free from debt, owning
120
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
Alive to the Wants of the People.
We buy at the very lowest figures and are thus enabled to sell at what some would term starvation prices. We mean what we say and say what we mean. Try us and prove us. We carry at all times an ample stock of
DRY GOODS, NOTIONS, GROCERIES, FLOUR, FEED, PROVISIONS, BOOTS AND SHOES,
And other articles of general merchandise too numerous to mention.
"PRIDE OF ALTOONA," The most favorite brand of flour, and can be obtained only of us.
WM. McDOWELL & SON,
Corner 7th Avenue and 13th Street, Altoona.
DR. LINDSEY AGAIN IN THE FIELD.
HIS NEW AND WONDERFUL REMEDY FOR THE BLOOD.
Lindsey's World-Renowned Panacea
Guaranteed to cure all diseases arising from impurities of the blood, of which the following is a part :
Scrofula, Cancer, Salt-Rheum, Fever-Sores, Secondary Syphilis, Tetter, Erysipelas, Itch, Catarrh, Liver Complaint, Scald Head, Pimples and Blotches on the Face,
And at the same time is one of the greatest beantifiers, as it removes all eruptions and sallowness from the skin, and leaves it a clear and natural color. All per- sons in need of a blood purifier are requested to try the Panacea, as it is guar- anteed to cure if taken according to directions. The Panacea is prepared by Dr. J. M. Lindsey in person, at the Laboratory of the sole proprie- tors. Sold by all druggists and dealers everywhere.
LINDSEY & BECKMAN, SOLE PROPRIETORS,
11th Avenue, bet. 14th and 15th Streets, Altoona, (Four Doors East of Baptist Church.)
121
HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
a property worth about $25,000. Membership, 292, with an average Sunday-school attendance of 225; volumes in library, 400.
The Second Baptist church was organized in 1873, under the aus- pices of the First Baptist church. The congregation first worshipped in a building on Eighth avenue, between Twenty-first and Twenty- second streets. The first pastor was Rev. Jacob Robinson, who was succeeded by Revs. Richardson, Rhue and others. In 1876 a new building was erected on Seventeenth street, between Tenth and Elev- enth avenues, at a cost of about $1,000, where the congregation now worship, although for some time they have had no pastor.
CATHOLIC-ENGLISH AND GERMAN.
The present flourishing congregation of St. John's started with a church organization in the year 1852. Rev. John Walsh, deceased, then in charge of St. Mary's church, Hollidaysburg, purchased on the above date two lots, upon which was erected a frame building, suffi- cient to accommodate the congregation, at that time not very large. This frame church was dedicated the following year (1853). The ven- erable Father Bradley, pastor at Newry, attended regularly to the spiritual wants of the people for the greater part of 1853, as yet there being no duly appointed resident pastor. In the following year, Rev. John Tuigg, the present Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburg, was for- mally installed as pastor of St. John's congregation. The member- ship up to this date, and for eight years afterwards, embraced both English and German speaking Catholics; the German portion of the congregation had the ministrations, at regular intervals, of Fathers Clemens, Manus, Wendelin and others. In the year 1860 the German Catholies formed themselves into a separate congregation, having a resident priest. In the same year, under the very able, energetic and efficient pastorate of Rev. J. Tuigg, the present capacious and beauti- ful church building was commenced. The work was pushed through rapidly, and was dedicated on the 24th of June, 1875, the feast of St. John, after whom the church is named, by the Rt. Rev. M. Domenec, the late Catholic Bishop of the Diocese. There was a large gather- ing on the occasion, and the Catholic population must have felt justly proud of the success that crowned their efforts in securing for them- selves such an imposing church edifice. The early members of the church were chiefly composed of those engaged in the building of the Pennsylvania railroad, and belonged to that faith. A large number also came from the neighboring counties, especially from Camhria, where there is a large Catholic population, the fruits of the faithful
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