Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 47

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 930

USA > Pennsylvania > Indiana County > Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I > Part 47

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In the bounds of this Presbytery, previous McClung being chosen as its first moderator to 1800, there were two churches, Bethel and and Rev. William W. Woodend as its stated Ebenezer, in Indiana county, about ten miles clerk. At the time of its organization the apart, each dating from about 1790. The Presbytery of Saltsburg contained seventeen

records of the Presbytery of Redstone show that on October 15, 1799, the "congregations of Union and Fairfield" (now Slate Lick) "in Allegheny county" (now Armstrong) "asked for supplies, and at the same meeting" of Presbytery presented a call to Mr. Andrew Gwin, a licentiate of the Presbytery, which call he returned to Presbytery on December 25th of the same year in order to accept another. Thus there were before the close of the eighteenth century four established con- gregations in the territory now occupied by this Presbytery.

ORGANIZATION OF PRESBYTERY

In view of the extent of the territory included in the Presbytery of Blairsville and the necessary labor involved in attending meetings of the body and performing other Presbyterial work, it began to be felt, as churches and ministers increased in numbers, that convenience would be promoted and the cause of religion better subserved by dividing the Presbytery. Accordingly, in Presbytery at Saltsburg, October 8, 1856, the following action was taken:

"Resolved, That the Synod of Pittsburg be requested to detach from this Presbytery the ministers and churches north of a line com- mencing on the Allegheny river, at the Penn township line; along said line to the Warren grade; thence to the Kiskiminetas river; along and six churches.

P. M.''

The Presbytery as thus defined included in its bounds parts of three counties: The northwestern part of Westmoreland, about one tenth; the eastern part of Armstrong, about two thirds, and the northern part of Indiana, about nine tenths. Its first meeting was held, according to appointment, at Indiana, January 6, 1857, Rev. Joseph Painter preaching a sermon on "The Min- istry" from Ephesians iv. 12, Rev. Samuel M.

ministers and had under its care thirty-three churches.

After the reunion of the two branches of the Presbyterian Church, consummated amid general rejoicing in the city of Pittsburg by a joint convention of the two assemblies held Friday, November 12, 1869, great changes in ecclesiastical boundaries were made. In accordance with action taken by the first reunited assembly which met in Philadelphia the third Tuesday of May, 1870, Synodical and Presbyterial boundaries were made to cor- respond, as far as practicable, with State and county lines.

Accordingly in reconstructing the Presby- teries under its care in accordance with the general principles prescribed by the General Assembly, the Synod of Erie which met at Erie, July 7, 1870, defined this Presbytery to consist of the ministers and churches in the county of Armstrong and so much of Indiana county as lies north and west of Blacklick creek, and this Presbytery shall be the legal successor of the Presbytery of Saltsburg.

At the time of organization the Presbytery of Kittanning had under its care twenty-four ministers and forty-four churches. By the transformation of the Presbytery from Salts- burg into Kittanning there was a loss of two ministers and three churches. On the other hand, there was a gain of three ministers and nine churches, a net gain of one minister

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

By way of accounting for the deviation and Mrs. L. Barrett, Mrs. Sarah Y. Lannum, from the boundary line of Indiana county in Lysander and Mrs. Elizabeth Barrett, Mrs. Rachael McCormick, James and Mrs. Mar- garet Y. Gourley, Miss Louisa B. Gourley, John and Nancy and Mrs. Elizabeth McClel- land, Mrs. Sarah Jane Barrett and William and Mrs. Jane Travis. the formation of this Presbytery at the recon- struction, it may be remarked that that por- tion of the county lying south and east of Blacklick creek contained the town from which the Presbytery of Blairsville was named, and as the brethren of that Presbytery expressed a great attachment to their name as well as to the portion of territory whence the name was derived, Synod was prevailed upon to make an exception to general rules in this case and to accede to their wishes.

SMICKSBURG CHURCH

The desire for a Presbyterian Church in this village, situated in the northwest corner of Indiana county, was indicated in a subscrip- tion paper drawn December 20, 1852, for the purpose of erecting a building. This paper was signed by over one hundred people, many of them members of other denominations, with sums promised varying from one hundred dol- lars to one dollar: Joseph Robinson, $100 in material, J. H. McComb and Robert Jordan each $25. Smaller sums are shown with other names. The donations totaled about $540.

Early in the next year Joseph Robinson, R. Jordan, J. T. Kerr, J. H. McComb, J. A. McCormick, and Lysander Barrett were selected as a building committee, who pur- chased two lots of J. Y. Brady and James Work, and proceeded to build a frame church, 40 by 45 feet, one story, according to a draft prepared by William M. Findley. The con- tract was let to George Condron August 19, 1854, for $350. He appears to have only completed the building as far as the walls, roofing and floor. It was afterwards finished by Jacob H. Jamison, and painted by John McCormick. The cost was from $1,300 to $1,400, which was raised by various subscrip- tions, extending beyond the congregation. The church was organized June 9, 1854, by a committee appointed by the Presbytery of Blairsville, consisting of Rev. C. Forbes, Rev. John Caruthers and William Kirkpatrick, elder. The following appear to have been the members enrolled at the organization : Thomas M. Travis, Mrs. Jane Y. Travis, Mrs. Revs. W. F. Morgan, C. C. B. Duncan and James Caldwell were stated supplies each for a time, dates not known. Margaret Hill, Mrs. Margaret Adams, Mrs. Margaret and Miss Sarah Richey, Mrs. Cath- arine Irwin, Mrs. Elizabeth Robinson, John The following students preached during their vacations while taking their seminary course, about five months each : L. Mechlin, C. Alcorn, Mrs. Susan Alcorn. Andrew L. Mccluskey, Mrs. Eva Mccluskey, David and Mrs. Nancy Warner, Marcus and Mrs. Nancy 1875 ; H. T. McClelland, 1876; J. C. McCrack-

Elders .- John McClelland, Joseph W. Mar- shall and David Warner were elected and ordained elders. The last soon removed West, and our knowledge of his history ceased. J. W. Marshall afterwards united with Plum- ville Church, and, therefore, ceased to be an elder in this church. Mr. McClelland, aged and infirm, was very devoted to the work of the church to the last. Robert Jordan and William G. Travis were ordained in Septem- ber, 1866. Mr. Jordan died a member of the church of Gilgal. Mr. Travis died June 5, 1886. For twenty years he was devoted to the sustaining of this church by his prayers, time and means. His loss was greatly felt. He had been clerk of the session for many years. William H. Crawford, Cyrus E. Bar- rett and Robert Marshall were ordained and installed by Rev. G. W. Mechlin in 1879. Mr. Marshall died in August, 1885. His death was another very serious loss to the congre- gation. Liberal with his means, respected by all who knew him and sincerely devoted to the spiritual and temporal prosperity of the church, his removal left a void in the flock hard to fill.

Pastors and Supplies .- Rev. C. Forbes sup- plied this church with preaching occasionally while he remained at Glade Run. Rev. J. H. Kirkpatrick, G. W. Mechlin and others preached as supplies from time to time, until Rev. J. M. Jones began his labors in 1862. He was installed September 29th. Rev. J. Caruthers preached the sermon, Rev. D. D. Christy gave the charge to the pastor, and Rev. G. W. Mechlin to the people. He was released June 23, 1868. Rev. Carl Moore was installed August 31, 1869. Rev. W. F. Mor- gan preached, Rev. J. Caruthers presided and charged the pastor, Rev. J. Logan Sample, the people. He was released June 23, 1873. These are the pastors who have served this church. Each was installed for one-fourth time.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

en, 1877; John S. Helm, 1879-81; A. J. Her- interest to the United Presbyterian congrega- ries, 1882.

Occasional supplies were appointed by the Presbytery until the fall of 1884, when the Presbytery of Kittanning requested the church of Glade Run to allow its pastor to give Smicksburg Church some portion of his time for afternoon service. Glade Run acceded to this request at their annual meeting, January 3, 1885, granting "Rev. G. W. Mechlin, D. D., their pastor, liberty to supply Smicksburg Church once or twice each month in the after- noon and two Sabbaths of each year to hold Communion." In 1888 the membership roll contained 126 names, of whom only about twenty remained, and some were quite old and feeble. The others died or moved. Several of the largest families emigrated to the West. Those still remaining held on in hopes of greater strength in days to come. They were united and harmonious. The inhabitants of the vicinity were nearly all allied to churches of other denominations. The Lutheran Church kindly opened its building to the use of the Presbyterians for years, until their house of worship was ready for occupancy, and in other ways has shown kindness to its younger sister.

A charter of incorporation, which legally secures the property of the church, was ob- tained from the courts of Indiana county about 1885.

MECHANICSBURG CHURCH

This church is located in the village whose name it bears, and was the first organization in the place. It was organized by the Presby- tery of Blairsville May 12, 1851, the committee being Rev. Samuel Swan, Rev. John H. Kirk- patrick and Elder William G. Stewart, M. D.

The original members were twenty in number, as follows: George Robertson, Margaret Robertson, Mary McDonald, James Dick, Mary Dick, Elizabeth Stewart, Nancy Wilkins, Eleanor Wilkins, Sr., Eleanor Wil- kins, Jr., Robert Ray, Abraham Flickinger, James McMullen, Margaret McMullen, James G. Stewart, Rebecca Stewart, James Stewart, Margaret Stewart, Susan Robertson, Andrew J. Wilkins, Mary Wilkins, Susannah Flick- inger.

tion. In that year the present house of wor- ship was erected at a cost of about $1,900. It is a frame structure, 32 by 48 feet, and will seat about two hundred persons. This con- gregation is now under the supervision of the Homer City Presbyterian Church, on account of the decrease in membership. The church is now occupied by the United Presbyterian congregation.

In one respect the history of this church is peculiar. During thirty-seven years of its existence it never had an installed pastor. It had, however, a pretty regular succession of stated supplies, and enjoyed the services of many able and faithful ministers. The first of these was Rev. Samuel Swan, who preached here as early as 1849, and continued until 1855. The others were as follows: Rev. John Rice, from 1856 to 1864; Rev. A. S. Foster, 1866-67 ; Rev. J. Logan Sample, 1867-68 ; Rev. B. Shields Sloan, 1872-74; Rev. D. L. Dickey, 1875-76 ; Rev. J. S. Axtell, 1876-78 ; Rev. T. R. Ewing, 1879-80; Rev. F. Orr, 1886. During the intervals between the terms of service above indicated, occasional supplies were sent from Presbytery. The congregation has been served since Rev. Mr. Orr's time by Rev. Mr. McPherran, Rev. Mr. Webb and Rev. Mr. Sproull.

At the time of the organization Abraham Flickinger, James G. Stewart and James Mc- Mullen were chosen elders. Mr. Stewart con- tinued in service until 1863 and Mr. Flickin- ger and George W. Robertson were added to the session. In 1860 William M. Findley and William P. Gregg were inducted into office, both serving until 1864. In 1883 Nicholas Paige and William G. Hovis were chosen. James McMullen was chosen clerk of session.

The following persons have served for longer or shorter periods as superintendent of the Sabbath school: James McMullen, William P. Gregg, John A. McFeaters, John C. McCracken, George W. Robertson.

The membership of the church, as reported for 1887, was fifty-seven.

BLACKLICK CHURCH

This church is located on the creek, and in the village whose name it bears, in the southern part of Indiana county. It was organized by the Presbytery of Blairsville October 31, 1867, with twenty-four members. For a time it was statedly supplied by Rev. James Davis. It was also supplied for a time by Rev. James

The first house of worship was erected by the Presbyterians and Associate Reformed Presbyterians, aided by members of other churches, in 1851, and was jointly occupied by them. It was a frame structure and cost about $950. This partnership lasted till 1881, when the Presbyterian congregation sold its R. Hughes while he was principal of the

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Blairsville Ladies' Seminary. Mr. D. G. Rob- inson became its pastor by ordination and installation February 2. 1871; he served also as a supply to the new organization at Homer City. The church of Blacklick being in the Presbytery of Blairsville, steps were being taken to have the Homer Church set over ecclesiastically to that Presbytery, but "be- fore the Assembly met, pulmonary disease run- ning a rapid race had brought to an early end his promising labors and life April 3, 1873." Further notice of him may be found in con- nection with the church of Homer.

constitution of a pastoral charge, it was ac- cordingly enrolled, and a call from it was presented for the services of Rev. John Gour- ley, then pastor at Bethel, where he was or- dained and installed June 6, 1878. This call he accepted, and his installation at Blacklick took place September 5, 1878, Dr. Donaldson presiding and preaching the sermon, Rev. F. Orr giving the charge to the pastor, and Dr. Woodend to the people. Mr. Gourley was re- leased from this part of his charge with a view of accepting a call from Homer, June 30,

1880. He left the Presbytery October 15, 1883. He later had charges at South Lyon, Mich., and at Lewistown, Pa. On the release of Mr. Gourley from this church, in 1880, it fell back to the Presbytery of Blairsville by the rule of the Assembly. It was reported in 1887 with forty-eight members and Rev. W. B. Carr as a stated supply. The present pastor is Rev. W. C. Wallace. The membership is 151. The Sabbath school numbers 180.

The church of Blacklick belongs geographi- cally to Blairsville Presbytery, its connections with Kittanning being only incidental and temporary. On April 7, 1874, the church of Homer presented to the Presbytery a call for the service of Mr. J. S. Axtell, then a licentiate of Wooster Presbytery, who was granted leave to prosecute said call in the latter Presbytery. Mr. Axtell, however, was dismissed by the Presbytery of Wooster to the Presbytery of Elders .- The elders chosen at the organiza- tion of this church were John Wright, James H. Fair and F. M. Kinter. The ruling elders at present (1913) are: John R. Geary, clerk ; James A. Hayes. M. W. Diviney, William Hodden, Samuel M. Fails, J. W. Clark. Blairsville, which ordained him and installed him pastor of both Blacklick and Homer, July 28, 1874. To this action the Presbytery of Kittanning took exception so far as it related to the church of Homer. Correspondence be- tween the two Presbyteries ensued. The Kit- tanning Presbytery, joined by Clarion and Blairsville, overtured the Assembly of 1874 BLAIRSVILLE CHURCH for a rule for the formation of pastoral charges In 1821 Rev. Thomas Davis came into the region near the forks of the Conemaugh and began preaching to the few early "settlers" who had taken up their homes there. The first service was held under the protecting limbs of a large oak tree. The text of that memorable sermon is still on record: "Watchman, what of the night ? Watchman, what of the night ? The watchman said, The morning cometh and also the night, if ye will enquire, enquire ye; return, come." Mr. Davis continued to preach occasionally from his pulpit under the oak tree. The congregation sat in moss-cov- ered log or stone pews while some of the younger people reclined on the green sward. In the fall a log building was erected and be- fore the roof was finished and without stoves, the congregation worshiped in it. The car- in such cases, and the following was adopted : "When two churches in different Presbyteries or Synods are so situated as to make it ap- parent to the Presbyteries to which they belong that they should be united in one pastoral charge, the pastoral relation may be consti- tuted, and both churches shall, for the time being, be under the care of that Presbytery of which the pastor is a member, and this Presby- terial relation shall continue only so long as they retain the same pastor." Mr. Axtell having his residence at Homer, and this cir- cumstance determining his proper connection to be with the Presbytery of Kittanning, he was at length, July 13, 1876. received and enrolled by this Presbytery. Mr. Axtell had in the meantime been released by the Presby- tery of Blairsville from Blacklick. His pas- penter's bench served for the pulpit for years and the congregation now exchanged their log and stone pews for roughly hewn wooden benches.

torate at Homer continued until October 17. 1877, when he was released at his own request. He later had charges at Clyde and at Celina, Ohio.

On the 10th of July, 1878, the Presbytery of Blairsville having signified its willingness that the church of Blacklick should be trans- ferred to this Presbytery with a view to the Herron, to his aid. Mr. Herron was a young

Rev. Mr. Davis was at this time a licentiate of Redstone Presbytery, and so when he wished to have his church regularly organized he summoned an ordained man, Rev. Francis

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

man at this date and a fast friend to Mr. which had been previously entertained and ex- Davis. He became afterwards the venerable pressed in reference to the practical working Dr. Herron, of Pittsburg. On September 21, of such a relation were, by the result of ex- 1822, Mr. Herron organized the church under periment, proven to be groundless. Nothing whatever occurred during these more than six years to interrupt the harmony or destroy the mutual confidence of those who sustained this relation." the name of West Union. There were thirty- three constituents, sixteen males and seven- teen females. This church was not located in the town of Blairsville, as that place had not grown to even a hamlet. It was located about a mile and a half northeast of town, on a lot now attached to the Elizabeth McCrea farm. On October 11, 1822, a call was presented to Redstone Presbytery by the newly organized church, in connection with the old Salem con- gregation, for the ministerial services of Rev. Thomas Davis, and in November of the same year he was installed over these two congre- gations, one half of his time being given to each.

Rev. George Hill now took full charge of the field and continued as pastor of both churches till October, 1849, when Presbytery dissolved the pastoral relation existing between himself and the old Salem congregation, and this ter- minated the union which had existed between these two churches since the organization of West Union. Mr. Hill from this time until his death was the pastor of the Blairsville Church. As the church had prospered under Mr. Davis it continued to prosper under Dr. Hill. In 1881 the old brick church was torn down and the present fine Gothic cathedral-like edifice was erected and dedicated free of debt. By the year 1888 the congregation had grown so large and the work so arduous that Dr. Hill felt that he was too aged and feeble to carry the burden alone, and the congregation called Mr. J. W. Criswell from the senior class of the Western Theological Seminary to the co-pas-

As the town grew in size and the members of the church increased in it, the keen eye of the pastor saw in it the strategie place for the location of the church. He accordingly began preaching in the village on the even- ings of the Sabbaths he preached at West Union. In 1828 measures were taken to build a church in town, but much opposition arose on the part of the country contingency. To solve the problem, Mr. Davis purchased the torate. Like the former co-pastorate, this one old West Union Church building, moved it to was also harmonious and fruitful of much good. It terminated with the death of Rev. George Hill, D. D., August 22, 1895. Perhaps very few ministeries have been so abundantly blessed as that of Dr. Hill. He has left an im- press on the Blairsville community which the lapse of years cannot efface. town, and converted it into a dwelling' house. This house still stands on Spring street and is occupied by Mr. Joseph Moorhead, the oldest living member of the church. In the year 1831 a commodious brick church was built in Blairsville and services were transferred to it. The next year, at the request of the congre- gation, the Presbytery changed the name of the church from West Union to the First Presbyterian Church of Blairsville.

In December, 1839, Mr. Davis, being sixty- seven years and feeling that traveling four- teen miles and preaching three sermons each Sabbath, besides looking after a large parish scattered over a wide territory, was too much for his failing strength, requested the sessions of the two churches to procure a co-pastor. The sessions complied with this request, and in May, 1840, Mr. George Hill was called from the graduating class of the Western Theolog- ical Seminary. In December, 1842, he was ordained and installed as co-pastor with Rev. Mr. Davis over the churches of Salem and Blairsville. This co-pastorate continued until the death of Mr. Davis, which occurred in May of 1848. Speaking in after years of this co- pastorate, Dr. Hill said : "It is with pleasure and gratitude I record the fact that the fears

A man he was to all the country dear, And passing rich with forty pounds a year; Remote from towns, he ran his godly race, Nor e'er had changed, nor wished to change, his place.

On the thirtieth anniversary of his pastor- ate the congregation and friends assembled at the house of the pastor and Thomas D. Davis, M. D., grandson of the former pastor, in be- half of their many friends, presented an ele- gant silver table service of nine pieces in- scrihed as follows :

PRESENTED TO REV. DR. AND MRS. G. H. HILL, by the LADIES OF THE BLAIRSVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,

With their affectionate regards, on the 30th anni- versary of his pastorate, June 21st, 1871.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Rev. Adam Torrence, the only living rep- resentative of the Presbytery then a member of it, that belonged to it when Blairsville Church was organized, presented a silver ice pitcher, goblets, bowl and salver bearing in- seription which explains itself :

TO REV. GEO. HILL, D. D., AND WIFE, FROM HIS MINISTERIAL BRETHREN OF THE PRESBY- TERY OF BLAIRSVILLE,

On the 30th anniversary of his pastorate, June 21st, 1871.

The younger man, Rev. J. W. Criswell, now carried the work on alone. He was a worthy successor to a worthy ministerial ancestry. Mr. Criswell was noted for his scholarship in and out of the pulpit and genial ways with his people. Under his wise direction the church reached a high point of efficiency. Mr. Criswell was compelled through failing health to give up 'his labors in February of 1904. He retired to his home in Vandergrift, Pa., where the next year, amidst the flowers which he loved so well, he yielded up the pure lily of his consecrated life to adorn the mansion of his Master. He was loved and honored by his people in life, and in death they mourned for him many days.

For the first time in its history the pulpit of the Blairsville Church became vacant. Rev. S. B. Linhart, president of Blairsville College, supplied the pulpit for more than a year. In October, 1904, the congregation called to the pastorate Rev. W. L. Barrett. He accepted the call and was installed pastor on January 19, 1905. Mr. Barrett, like his predecessors, was highly successful in build- ing up the church, spiritually, numerically and financially. He also organized the church into a strong working foree. Much to the sorrow and regret of his people, Mr. Barrett resigned his charge December 31, 1910, to accept a call from the First Presbyterian Church, Bellefontaine, Ohio. The following Saturday, January 7, 1911, the congregation called to the pastorate Rev. M. M. MeDivitt. He accepted the call and was installed pastor over the church, Tuesday, April 25, 1911.

a fellowship which gave him a year of post- graduate study in Scotland. Mr. MeDivitt's first pastorate was at the Center Church of Canonsburg, Pa. From this place he was called to the First Presbyterian Church of Blairsville.

What a remarkable history has this church had! In all these ninety years she has really called only two pastors, Rev. Messrs. Barrett and MeDivitt. The church has been wonder- fully blessed in its eldership and other officers. They have all been faithful workers in the Master's vineyard. And so it was with a great deal of gratitude and thanksgiving that the members of the church came together to eele- brate the ninetieth anniversary, in 1912.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 47

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 930

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 930