History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical, Part 87

Author: Egle, William Henry, 1830-1901
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1046


USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical > Part 87
USA > Pennsylvania > Lebanon County > History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical > Part 87


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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332


CITY OF HARRISBURG.


ZWINGLE REFORMED CHURCH .- This congrega- tion was organized in 1870 by a number of the mem- hers of the Second Reformed Church of Iharrisburg, who desired German preaching exclusively. They purchased a property on the corner of North Street and Church Alley, and erected thereon a neat brick church. The pa-tor- who have respectively served the congregation are as follows: Rev. Arnold Zullig. Rev. H. Bielfeld, Rev. Moritz Noll, Rev. Frederick Fox, and Rev. H. A. Friedell. At the present time, June, 1883, the congregation is without a pastor, Rev. Friedell having-deceased in the early part of this year while pastor of the church. Rev. George W. Suyder. pastor of the Second Reformed Church, has been,


a lot on Fourth Street, between Market and Chestnut Streets, and erected thereou a handsome brick church. The building committee to which the erection of this edifice was intrusted was appointed Jan. 26, 1814. and consisted of Christian Kunkel, George Youse, George Ziegler, John Shoch, and Christian Stahl, Plans and specifications having been presented, this committee made a contract on Feb. 14, 1814, with Stephen Hills for the construction of the building. The corner -- tone was laid on June 22, 1814, at which time the follow- ing minister» were present : Rev -. George Schmucker, of Yorktown; George Lochman, of Lebanon ; Hein- drich Danhoif, of Jonestown : W. G. Ernst, of Mari- etta : and J. P. Hecht, of Carli-le. An immense con-


FIRST CHURCH.


>inee the death of Rev. Friedell, preaching to the Zwingle congregation every Sabbath afternoon. The founders of this congregation were John Henry Blu- menstein, Sr., George Blumen-tein, Conrad Blumen- stein, Christopher Nolde, George Rettburg, Ludwig Orth, Stephen Kohler, George Kohler, William Strei- finng, Christian Sturtz, John Nolde, Conrad Nolde, George Bachman, Henry Fuhrer, and Daniel Deckel.


LUTHERAN CHURCHES.


FIRST OR ZION'S CHURCH .- I'D to 1814 the Lu- theran congregation in Harrisburg worshiped with their German Reformed brethren in the church which. a- elsewhere stated, the two congregations had erected for their joint use. In 1814 the Lutherans purchased


course of people was in attendance. After repeated and earnest appeals for assistance to sister congrega- tions, the church was finally dedicated ou Oct. 1, 1815. On the forenoon of that day Rev. G. schmucker preached a German sermon. In the afternoon the Rev. Mr. Armstrong preached an English sermon, and in the evening Rev. Mr. Hendel. a German Re- formed minister, preached in German. On Monday, in the forenoon. Rev. Mr. Vanhoff conducted service- in German, and in the evening Rev. J. P'. Hecht preached in English. The collection, during these services amounted to six hundred dollars. The fol- lowing week it was decided to rent the pews, and the afternoons of October loth and 17th, between the hours of two and five o'clock, were set apart for that


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334


HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.


purpose. In the language of the original record, " to the complete surprise of everybody every pew was taken the first day." Rev. F. C. Schaeffer and Val- entine Ilummel, about a year before, had gone to Litiz and purchased an organ, built by Mr. Bach- man, which was now placed in position in the new chureh.


In 1816 the congregation sold all their interest in the old church property on Third Street to the Re- formed Church for one thon-and dollars, and in 1822 erected a large two-story brick school-house adjoining their church.


Rev. F. D. Schaeffer, from near Carlisle, preached statedly until 1795. when Rev. Henry Moeller be-


May, 1829. "Mr. Holman was requested to pre- pare a plan of a steeple and lay it before the next meeting."


June 22, 1829. " It was further also determined that Mr. Holman superintend the building of the steeple on the Lutheran Church. employ workmen. select the materials, for which he is to receive tifty dollars as a compensation for services."


The building thus remodeled was the place of wor- ship of the congregation until Oct. 21, 1538, when the entire edifice and the adjoining school-house (erected in 18221 were entirely destroyed by fire. On the ful- lowing day, in compliance with a request from the vestry and the pastor, Rev. Samuel Sprecher, the


-


SECOND CHURCH.


eame first stationed pastor. The following are the founders of this church, who in 1795 signed the articles of church government: Benjamin Kurtz, Henry Saylor, George Pfeiffer, Matthias Hutman, George Jauss. George Hartman, Frederick Youse, Johannes Ebert, John Shoch. George Ziegler, Martin Krieger, George Seidel. George Scheile, George Em- erich, Peter Walter. Caspar Shmidt, Stephen Horn- ing, George Buk -. Balthazer Sees. John Fager, Peter Bricker, Christoff Sess, John Mytinger, Bernhard Geiger, Peter Brua.


The original building of 1514 continued in use un- altered until 1$29, when the following record show. steps were taken to erect a steeple :


congregation assembled at the ruins and determined to rebuild the church. A committee consisting of Messrs. Dock, Hummel, and Pool was appointed to prosecute the work of rebuilding. with power to ap- point collectors to solicit sub-cription -. The follow- ing gentlemen were appointed : South Ward-Mes-r -. Valentine Hummel. Brown, and German. East Ward -Je-rs. David Hummel. Dock, and Seiler. Wea! Word-Messrs. Pool, P. Keller, and Fager. North Wand- Messrs. M. Keller, Barnitz, and Buehler.


The work was vigorously prosecuted, and the com- pleted church was dedicated on the With of Novem- ber, 1899. It was sixty-four feet front by eighty-four deep, and had a large lecture room and several Sab-


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.. ..


335


CITY OF HARRISBURG.


bath-school-rooms in the basement. It was built of brick, covered with composition, painted white, and the cupola had two bells. The edifice was remodeled and enlarged in 1866-67, and is now one hundred and four feet deep and sixty-four feet front. In the tower, which is one hundred and seventy-five feet high, is a chime of eleven bells. The pastors have been :


1795-1803, Henry Moeller: 1803-12. J. D. Peter- son ; 1812-15, F. C. Schaeffer; 18I5-26, JJohn George Lochman, D.D .; 1827-36. Augustus H. Lochman ; 1836-40, Samuel Sprecher, D.D .; 1840-49, E. W. Shaeffer ; 1849-65, Charles A. Hay, D.D. ; 1805-75,


and German members. The German portion, after ; several preliminary meetings, organized and founded on Jan. S. 1843, the present German Lutheran St. Michael's Church. At this meeting Rev. G. J. Martz was chosen pastor, and on February 22d a committee was appointed to draft rules for the government of the congregation, which were adopted on the 6th of July following. Services were held at first in the court-house, in the old Methodist Church, and in the Reformed Church and lecture-room. The congrega- tion then purchased of Thomas Eller a lot on Second Street, below Meadow Lane, and appointed a building committee, consisting of John G. Jau -- , Christian


THIRD CHURCH.


G. F. Stelling, D.D .; 1875-81, Joel Swartz, D.D .; 1881, A. H. Studebaker.


Up to 1843 the pastors preached in both German and English, with the exception of the first two, who officiated in the German language alone. In conse- quence of the increase of both the German and English branche- of the church, an amicable separa- tion was effected in 1843, when the German portion organized the German Lutheran St. Michael's Church.


GERMAN LUTHERAN ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH .- In the fall of 1812 difficulties in relation to services in the English and German language- existing in the Evangelical Lutheran Zion's Fir-t; Church led, as heretofore stated, to a separation between its English


Maeyer, Jacob Boger, Jacob Reever, and John Gast- rock, with authority also to collect funds. Rev. Mr. Martz's term having expired, Rev. J. Vogelbach, of Philadelphia, was installed pastor, July 21. 1844. Soon after this the building committee contracted with Jones & Zimmerman for the erection of the church. The corner-stone was laid May 4. 1:44. and on September ISth following the church was dedicated. Owing to some difficulties the edifice would not have been completed but for the liberality of four of its member-, John G. Jau-, Christian Mayer. Jacob Bøger, and Frederick Ranch, who advanced eich one hundred and fifty dollars to carry on the work. The edifice is a handsome brick building thirty-eight by sixty feet with basement, and has a front gallery.


336


HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.


organ, and Gothic windows. The cost, with the lot, was about four thousand dollars. In 1844 the congre- gation was incorporated, the articles providing that services should be in the German language only.


The pastors have been : 1843-44, G. J. Martz; Jan. 1, 1844, to Sept. 22, 1847, J. Vogelbach ; Oet. 1, 1847, to Oct. 1, 1850, L. Gerhardt; Oct. 13, 1850, to April 11, 1852, J. Vogelbach ; April 12, 1552, to March 26, 1855, D. Maier ; 1855 (few months), Il. Vossler ; Oct. 25, 1855, to Oct. 11, 1857, C. M. Jaeger; 1857-58, W. S. Porr; Dec. 1, 1858, to Jan. 12, 1860, J. J. Kucher; 1860-71, H. Lie-mann; 1871-74, C. Schwankousky ; June 10. 1876, George Pfuhl, the present pastor.


THE SECOND LUTHERAN CHURCH originated in the mission Sabbath-school founded Jan. 11, 1858, by the Sunday school Association of Zion'- Lutheran Church at the suggestion of William Parkhill. 1 honse on East State Street was rented, in which the first Sabbath-school meeting was held in a front room below, and on the fourth Sunday two floors of the house were filled. In March following a lot was leased on the northwest corner of State and Fourth Streets, on which a chapel was built. It had a small tower and bell. Rev. C. A. Hay, of the Zion's Church, preached every alternate sunday afternoon during the following winter. On Sept. 13, 1860, the congregation was regularly organized. The first pastor, Rev. E. S. Johnston, began his labors June 24, 1860. The first church officials were: Elders, Jacob Reel, D. A. S. Eyster; Deacons, Charles O-man, E. S. German, George Krichbaum, G. T. Murray. Thechapel, erected on leased ground, was removed to Williams Street, and on its site the Free Baptist congregation erected its church. A lot was then purchased on the corner of Forster and Elder Streets for fifteen hundred dollars, on which the corner -- tone of the present edifice was laid May 29, 1863, Rev. F. W. Conrad, D.D., deliver- ing the discourse. The building wa- dedicated July 14, 1867, having cost eighteen thousand dollars.


The pastors have been : June 24, 1860, to Nov. 4, 1866, E. S. Johnston ; Jan. 19, 1867, to 1870, G. W. Halderman ; September, Is70, to 1373, F. P. Thomp- kins; Nov. 2. 1873, to 1882, L. M. Heilman; 1888, FF. S. Cook.


ZION'S GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH is a one- story frame, located on Elder Street. The congrega- tion was organized and the edifice erected in 1863, and in 1865 its constitution was adopted.


Its pastors have been : 1863-68, E. M. Yeager; 1868-73, Rev. Mr. Badenteld : 1973-78, D. Spangen- berg ; 1978-80, William Strobel; 1881, J. G. Abele.


in 1871. The congregation was formally organized in February, 1872, by Rev. S. Dasher, with thirty- five members. Mr. Dasher also preaches at Shoop's Church, four miles east, on the Jonestown road, and at Churchville, near Steelton.


PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.


MARKET SQUARE CHURCH .- Prior to 1790 the Presbyterians of Harrisburg worshiped at, but were united with, the Paxtang Church, a short distance from the town. After the laying out of Harrisburg, in 1785, the population increased, and the residents invited traveling preachers to officiate for them on several occasions,


In October, 1786, a petition was presented to the Pre-bytery of Carlisle from residents in Harrisburg and the parts adjacent, requesting that they be erected into a congregation, and be allowed to have a place of worship in the town, and to have supplies ap- pointed them for the pulpit services. No action was taken upon these requests at that time, but in April, 1787, the Presbytery met at Carlisle, and the follow- ing account is taken from the records of the meeting :


" A representation and a petition of a number of the inhabitants of Harrisburg and others in the town- ship of Paxtang was laid before the Pre-bytery and read. The said representation sets forth that these people desire to be considered as a Presbyterian con- gregation, and to have supplies appointed to them by the Presbytery, and that in order to promote peace and harmony between them and the Paxtang congre- gation some proposals had been made and considered, though not accepted by that congregation, a copy of which also was laid before Presbytery. Mr. Elder also gave a representation of the case as concerning these people and the Paxtang congregation. The Presbytery, upon consideration of the case, agreed to propose the following articles to the consideration and acceptance of these people, which may have a tendency to preserve peace and unity in that part of the church :


" I. That Harrisburg shall be considered as the seat of a Presbyterian Church, and part of the charge of Rev. John Elder, and in which he is to preach one- third of his time.


"II. That Mr. Elder's salary, promised by the con- gregation of Paxtang, shall be continued and paid by the congregation in common who adhere to these two places of worship, viz., Paxtang and Harrisburg. "III. That the congregation thus united may apply for and obtain supplies as assistant to the labor, of Mr. Elder, to be paid by the congregation in common.


"IV. That when the congregation may judge it proper, they shall have a right to choose and call a minister as a colleague with Mr. Elder, to officiate in relation with him."


LUTHERAN JUBILEE CHAPEL is located on Four- teeu-and-a-half Street, corner of shoop. The con- gregation grew out of a mission Ennday school or- Rev. Dr. Davidson, of Carlisle, president of Diek- inson College, and Rev. John Waugh, pastor of sil- ganized by the Sunday-school Association of the First Lutheran Church, which built the frame chapel | ver's Spring Church, were appointed to attend at the


337


CITY OF HARRISBURG.


church in Lower Paxtang, on the last Tuesday of May, 1787, to moderate and assist in the matter.


At a subsequent meeting of the Presbytery, held in June, 1787, Rev. Dr. Davidson and Mr. Wangh re- ported that they had fulfilled their appointment at Paxtang, and that the following had been agreed to by Mr. Elder, his congregation and Harrisburg :


I. That the congregation shall have two stated places of public worship,-the one where Rev. Mr. Elder now officiates, the other in Harri-burg.


HI. That the Rev. Jolin Elder shall continue to have and receive during his life or incumbency all the salary or stipends that he now enjoys, to be paid by his present subscribers, as he and they may agree, and continue his labors in Derry as usual.


III. That the congregation may, for the present, apply to the Presbytery for supplies, which when obtained, the expenses shall be defrayed by those who do not now belong to Mr. Elder's congregation and such as may think proper to join them; and should such supplie- be applied for when Mr. Elder is to be in Paxtang, then he and the person to supply shall preach in rotation, the one in the country and the other in town ; but should Mr. Elder be in Derry, then the supplies shall officiate in town.


IV. That the congregation when able, or when they think proper, may invite and settle any regular Presbyterian minister they or a majority of them may choose, and can obtain, as co-pastor with Mr. Elder, who shall officiate as to preaching in the manner specified in the third propo-al.


Notwithstanding the permission granted by these artieles, Mr. Elder continued to be sole pastor of the two congregations of Derry and Paxtang, the latter including Harrisburg, until his death, in July, 1792.


In 1793, Rev. Nathaniel R. Snowden, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, was ordained and installed as pastor over the congregations of Derry, Paxtang, and Harrisburg. In 1794 the latter church was regularly organized, with Moses Gillmor, Adam Boyd, and Samuel Weir a> ruling eiders. In April, 1796, Mr. Snowden's pastoral relations had ceased with Derry and Paxtang, and he officiated at Harris- burg alone, but he was afterwards permitted to preach at Middletown. Worship was held in the loft of the old jail until the erection. in 1799, of the court-house. when it was used. As it was the custom in those days to raise money for benevolent purposes by lotterie-, application was made to the Legislature for perinis- sion to raise by lottery a sum not exceeding five thousand dollars to buy a lot and erect a church.


HARRISBURGH ) BY AUTHORITY.


CHURCH LOTTERY. S


No. 0912.


THIS TICKET will eutitle the Possessor to such PRIZE a> Inay be drawn to its Number, if demanded within Tw Ive Months after drawing. Subject to a Deduction of Twenty per Crutun. February 8, 1202.


1


3912.


ADAM BOYD.


On March 16, 1798, a law was passed appointing Robert Harris, George Whitehill, Christian Kunkel, William Graydon, George Brenizer, Adam Boyd, Jacob Bucher, Archibald MeAllister, and Samuel Elder commissioners for that purpose. The Gover- nor approved the scheme, which was completed, and the drawing took place from June I to :, 1803. On June 7. 1804, these commissioners purchased a Jot on the corner of Second Street and Cherry Alley for four hundred pounds, on which the edifice was erected by William Glass, builder. It was opened for worship Feb. 12 and 13, ISOS, when Rev. James Buchanan was installed as pastor, Rev. MIr. Snowden having retired June 25, 1805. This house was built of briek, and was forty-five by sixty feet. In 1816 an addition to the front was built, which was occupied by the Sabbath-school and used as a lecture-room. Mr. Buchanan, who was a licentiate of New Castle Presbytery, served the congregation two-thirds of hi- time, and the Middle Paxtang con- gregation the remainder. He continued as pastor until Sept. 10, 1815, when on his application his cou- neetion was dissolved. In the language of the Rev. Dr. Dewitt. " Mr. Buchanan was much esteemed by his congregation as a man of intelligence, piety, and an excellent preacher: he wrote his sermons with great care, and committed them accurately to mem- ory ; his style was remarkably sententious, and his sermons short. " Under hi- ministry the church was enlarged; it became established in the doctrine- of the gospel. After Mr. Buchanan closed his ministry in Harrisburg he remained for some year- without a charge in consequence of ill health; when sufficiently restored he took charge of a congregation in Green- castle, Franklin Co., Pa .; afterwards be removed to Logansport, Ind., where he ceased from his earthly labors, greatly beloved and respected."


After Mr. Buchanan's resignation, the Harrisburg congregation remained vacant for three years. On the 5th of October. 1818, the Rev. William R. De- witt, a licentiate of the Presbytery of New York, re- ceived a unanimons call to become their pastor; he shortly after signified his intention to accept their call, and removed to Harrisburg in December, IS18, and commenced to preach statedly to the congrega- tion. On the 26th October, 1819, he was ordained to the gospel ministry, and on the 12th of November, 1819, installed as pastor of the congregation.


The congregation received it> legal charter in 1818. In 1838 the division occurred in the general church. . The Presbytery of Ifarri-burg was formed in connec- tion with the New School General Assembly, and this church became a part of that Presbytery. In the winter of 1840-41 the trustees repurchased of the heirs of Robert Sloan a part of the original church lot, which had been sold to him, and on which he had erected a three-story brick house. In the spring of lo4l the old church was torn down, and a new edi- fice built and dedicated Feb. 18, 1842. It was con-


22


338


HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.


structed of brick, and covered with white cement, and its dimensions were sixty-three by eighty-four feet. It was adorned in front with a portico, sup- ported by pillars of the Corinthian order, an exact copy of the front of the celebrated Choragie monu- ment of Lysicrates at Athens. The basement story was above ground, and contained a lecture-room, a Sabbath-school-room, and a studio for the pastor. The pulpit was of fine polished Italian marble. In July, 1854, Rev. Thomas H. Robinson was called to act as a colleague of Rev. Dr. Dewitt, and commenced his labors on the 1st of October following. On the 21st of January, 1875, he was installed as pastor, in which relation he still continues.


On March 31, 1858, the church edifice was entirely destroyed by fire, which was the work of an incendiary. It broke out in a small stable in the rear of the church, and spread with great rapidity to several adjoining frame buildings, from which it was quickly commu- nicated to the church. After its destruction a part of the congre- gation withdrew and formed the present Pine Street Presbyterian Church.


The original congre- gation worshiped in Brant's City Ilall, Mar- ket Street, until its new edifice was com- pleted. The corner- stone of the latter was laid Oct. 26, 1558, and the edifice was dedi- cated March 18, 1860. It was built on the corner of Second Street and Market Square, under the direction of J. C. Hoxie, architect, of Philadelphia. Its style is a rich Ro- mane-que, and its size is one hundred and thirty- · three feet by sixty-six, exclusive of projections. Its front is on Second Street, from which it has three en- trances, with one at the side, leading to the lecture- and Sabbath-school-rooms, which occupy a distinct part of the building in the rear. There are two turrets on the front part of the building. besides the steeple, which is located on the upper corner of the edifice,


and is one hundred and ninety-three feet in height. A number of minarets adorn the sides. The audience- room is seventy-six by fifty-eight feet, and contains one hundred and forty pews a good distance apart. There is no gallery, except a small one for the choir. and the ceiling is ornamented with paneling and stucco-work. The height of the walls at the lower corners of the roof is thirty-two feet, and to the cone of the roof in front fifty-six feet.


The ruling elders of Market Square Presbyterian Church1 since its or- ganization have been : Adam Boyd, Mo-e- Gillmor, Samuel Weir. John Stoner. William Graydon, Robert Sloan, Joseph A. MeJimsey. Samuel Agnew, MI.D .. John . Nielson, Rich- ard T. Leech, John C. Capp, James W. Weir, Alexander Graydon, Alexander Sloan,* Al- fred Armstrong, Sam- uel W. Hays, Wil- liam McClean, William Root, John A. Weir, Mordecai MeKinney. Robert J. Fleming. James Fleming, Wil- liam S. Shaffer," Walter F. Fahnestock, James F. Purvis, Samuel J. M. Mc Carrell," Gilbert M. Mc Caulay,+ Jacob A. Miller,* M.D.


MARKET SQUARE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.


The pastors were : 1793 to June 25, 1805, Nathaniel R. Snow- den; Feb. 12, 1809, to Sept. 10. 1815, James Buchanan; Nov. 12, 1819, to Jan. 21, 1875. William R. Dewitt ; July, 1854, when called as colleague of Rev. Dr. Dewitt, Thos. H. Rob- inson, present pastor. James W. Weir was superintendent of the Sunday- school for nearly fifty years.


THE PINE STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, or " The Presbyterian Church of Harrisbury,"' its legal designation, was founded on the 220 of May, 185. and on that day a committee of the Presbytery of Carlisle consisting of Ress. Messis. Thomas Creigh, of Mercersburg, Isaac N. Hayes, of Shippens-


1 Those marked (*) being the present ones.


F


339


CITY OF HARRISBURG.


burg, and W. W. Eels, of Carlisle, organized a con- gregation of fifty church members. The congregation then proceeded to elect ruling ellers, and Me-srs. Francis Wyeth, II. Murray Graydon, and James Me- Cormick, Jr., were chosen unanimously. On the 23d of May divine service was held in the German Re- formed Church. After the sermon, which was preached by Rev. I. N. Hayes from Exodus xiv. 15. the Rev. Thomas Creigh conducted the service for or- dination of elders. The constitutional questions were proposed to the elders-elect and the members of the church, after which the former were set apart to the office of ruling elder by prayer and the imposition of hands. An address was then made by Mr. Creigh to the elders and to the church. Two weeks after the organization of the church the Sabbath-school was formed, on June 6, 1858. It began with eleven teachers and forty scholars.


On Feb. 1, 1859, the church was incorporated by act of the Legislature under the name of " The Pres- byterian Church of Harrisburg." The charter then granted provides for the election of seven trustees. The original trustees, named in the charter, were Messrs. James McCormick, A. B. Warford, Charles C. Rawn, E. M. Pollock, A. Boyd Hamilton, Joseph Casey, and J. Donald Cameron.


The congregation had occupied for its various meetings four different places,-the lecture-room of the German Reformed Church, the lecture-room of the Baptist Church, the hall of the Senate, and the hall of the House of Representatives. The erection of a church for their own nse was of the first im- portance, and within a year after the organization this work was auspiciously begun. The corner-stone of the church edifice was laid with appropriate cere- monies May 12. 1859. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. R. Watts, of Philadelphia ( now of Belfast, Ire- land), and Rev. S. T. Lowrie, of Alexandria. Mr. H. M. Graydon read an interesting statement of the steps which led to the formation of the church. Rev. A. D.




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