USA > Pennsylvania > Indiana County > Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I > Part 52
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153
Pastors and Stated Supplies .- Rev. Joseph Henderson was supply from 1806 to 1809. Rev. James Galbreath, a son-in-law of Mr. Henderson, was the first pastor, serving from 1809 to 1816. Rev. David Barkley and others then supplied the church during a vacancy of ten years. Rev. J. H. Kirkpatrick, of Armstrong county, became the second pastor, from 1826 to 1856. Rev. John Rice, a lively The trustees are A. J. Stewart, J. M. Gib- son, J. L. Bence. Scotchman, of the Reformed Church, was third pastor, from 1867 to 1870, for half time. Mr. E. E. Hadden is the superintendent Rev. B. Shields Sloan, from 1872 to 1882, be- of the Sabbath school, which is kept open the came stated supply the first two years and a entire year, with an enrollment of 175.
half, and then was installed the pastor. After that time occasional supplies were ap- pointed by Presbytery. In addition to these Mr. William T. Garroway was stated supply for six months and Rev. F. Orr for three months. Rev. J. MePherrin supplied from March, 1884, to May, 1885. In 1886 Rev. W. W. Woodend, D. D., supplied for six months. Rev. Mr. Woodend was followed by Revs. Lewis E. Keith, Henry Webb, Laird R. Wylie, and William J. Sproull, the present pastor, who gives one half of his time to this congre- gation, which numbers 122.
NEBO CHURCH (formerly BETHESDA)
Bethesda Church was situated about sixteen miles east of Indiana. This church was an offshoot of Harmony Church. It was organ- ized Dec. 5, 1857, by a committee of the Presbytery of Saltsburg (now Kittanning), consisting of Rev. J. H. Kirkpatrick, Rev. John Caruthers, and Elder E. B. Camp. Mr. Caruthers preached a sermon after which the church was organized with twenty-two mem- bers. Some of the original members were Alexander Long and wife, John and David Martin, Alexander Stephens, Lewis Coy, James Ellwood, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Williams, Mr. Roberts, Thomas McDowell and wife, Mrs. Nancy McDowell, James Kelly and wife, Andrew Kelly, William Long and wife, Wil-
This was the mother church of this region and from her many other churches have sprung up. Her membership never was very large. The following will serve as an exhibit of alternate growth and decline : In 1806 there were 10 members; in 1809, 20; in 1833, 106; in 1848, 87; in 1856, 86; in 1864, 123; in liam Dunwiddie and wife, and James Dun-
259
HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
widdie and wife. This church was located where the Bethesda cemetery now is. The lot on which the church stood was given as long as used for church purposes and when de- serted was to fall back to the original owner.
The Marion Presbyterian Church was organized June 15, 1860. A petition signed by thirty-six members from Gilgal Church The first church was built in 1850 by the was presented to the Saltsburg Presbytery, Congregationalists and Presbyterians. It was frame, 25 by 35 feet, costing four or five hundred dollars. The building was burnt down by a forest fire in 1883, but had been vacated prior to that time. The congregation made arrangements with the Welsh Calvin- istic Methodists to worship in their house, about two miles from the old ground. The Welsh Methodists, who had invited the Pres- byterians to worship with them, finally joined the Presbyterian Church by certificate. When the Presbyterian Church was organ- ized at Nebo it was joined by a number of the members of the Cherrytree Presbyterian Church. asking for an organization. The Presbytery appointed a committee consisting of Revs. G. W. Mechlin and J. P. Kennedy and Elder Joseph Diven to complete an organization. A meeting was held in the barn of Mr. James Richey, when a sermon was preached by Rev. J. P. Kennedy, from the text, "He that win- neth souls is wise," Prov. xi. 30. After the sermon an organization was effected consist- ing of forty-eight members, two being received upon profession of their faith in Christ, the rest by letter. The following day four more were received, making in all a membership of fifty-two. Following is a list of the original members: William Anthony, M. D., Jane Anthony, Maria G. Armor, Mary B. Brady, Pastors and Supplies .- Rev. J. H. Kirk- patrick was stated supply from 1857 to 1860, and Rev. J. P. Kennedy from 1860 to 1868. Rev. S. S. Wylie supplied the summers of 1869 and 1870, and Rev. Thomas Parry the summer of 1871. Rev. B. Shields Sloan be- Hugh M. Canon, Mary B. Canon, Jane S. Canon, Samuel Craig, Jane Craig, James Hunter, Susan Hunter, Milton Lowman, Wil- liam Midkirk, Rebecca Midkirk, Elijah Moore, James McGinity, Elizabeth McGinity, Keziah McClusky, David McClusky, Nancy McClusky, came stated supply for one-fourth time from Sarah McClusky, Mary Park, Robert Park, 1872 to 1882. Rev. Julius Spencer was stated supply from 1882 to 1885. Since that time the church has been supplied by Revs. L. E. Keith, Harvey Shaw, Henry Webb, Laird R. Wylie, W. H. Robinson, R. J. Rob- erts, Hugh H. Shaw, James Waite.
Elders .- At the time of the organization the elders ordained and installed were Alex- ander Stephens, Lewis Coy, James Dunwid- die and John Martin, the last of whom died in 1885. On September 9, 1883, Richard D. Williams, Robert M. Williams and John D. years and during this time never missed a Martin were added to the session. The pres- communion service. ent elders are: Robert F. Templeton, clerk ; A. S. Elliott, John J. Williams, George M. Joiner, C. S. Gibson. William Williams, who died in January, 1913, was a member of the session.
In 1857 there were 22 members; in 1876, 62 members; in 1886, 76 members; in 1888, 66 members, and in 1913, the membership is 67.
Richard R. Williams is the superintendent of the Sabbath school, which has an enroll- ment of 65. This church has not had a rapid growth, yet it has helped onward the cause of the Master.
MARION CENTER CHURCH
Sr., Mary Park, W. N. Prothero, Harriet Prothero, Eliza Rochester, William G. Stew- art, Andrew J. Stumpf, Mary J. Stumpf, Jane Sutor, Agnes Sutor, John Sutor, Sr., Jane Thompson, Hiram Thomas, Ann Thomas, Mary J. Thomas, James T. Van Horn, Ellen Van Horn, Rebecca Work, Harriet Work, Sophia Work, Rebecca M. Work, Hezekiah Wood, Jane E. Wood, Robert Wyn- coop, Margaret Wyncoop. Mrs. Mary Park was a member of this church for fifty-two
Although this organization was not form- ally completed until June of 1860, yet there had been preaching in this neighborhood since 1839. Rev. John Caruthers began preaching at that time, holding his first serv- ice in the residence of Mr. John Park, on the present site of Marion. Until 1871 the congregation worshipped in private houses, barns and schoolhouses, and at times in the M. E. Church, in which they had a large financial interest. In 1862 the lot of ground upon which the present church building stands was purchased of James Richey for $50, and in 1865 a lot adjoining this, contain-
260
HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ing a quarter of an acre, was given to the ods of church work were organized and car- congregation by Mr. McClanahan. The pres- ried on very successfully, and the heavy debt ent church building was begun in 1868, and under which the church was laboring was completed in 1871, at a cost of $6,000. It is considerably reduced. A former historian a plain frame building with steeple. It has speaking of this pastorate says: "One error inaugurated during this pastorate still leaves its mark upon the congregation. A system of giving anything or nothing was proposed by the pastor and accepted by the people, the effect of which was to cultivate the habit of 'withholding more than is meet,' which some have not overcome as yet." The above ar- rangement held as to the pastor's salary only.
a lecture room, study and session room in the basement. The main audience room is 48 by 60 by 22 feet, and will seat from 350 to 400 people. In the summer of 1885, during the pastorate of Rev. A. H. Jolly, the building was remodeled in a thorough manner, the pulpit changed and the pews rearranged so that the seating capacity was greatly in- creased.
The third pastor, Rev. A. H. Jolly, was Clarion Presbytery .. He was ordained and installed August 5th of the same year. Mr. Jolly served the church until July 26, 1885, when the pastoral relation was dissolved. His work was greatly blessed. The debt on the church was cancelled, and the church building was remodeled at a cost of $850. Mr. Caruthers was born iu Westmoreland About one hundred were received into the church during this pastorate.
Pastors and Supplies .- The first pastor of called June 8, 1880, being then a licentiate of this church was Rev. John Caruthers. He was installed July 10, 1861, preaching one fourth of his time here, at a salary of $200 per annum. From 1868 he preached one half of his time here, and his salary was increased to $400. He served the church from this time until October, 1872, when he was released. county, Pennsylvania, May 5, 1807. He graduated at Washington College, 1836, and
After Mr. Jolly left Mr. John C. Mechlin, at Western Theological Seminary, 1839; an undergraduate of the Western Seminary licensed by Washington Presbytery, April, and a licentiate of Kittanning Presbytery, 1839; ordained June, 1840, by Blairsville served the church as supply for one year, from May, 1886, until May, 1887. Presbytery. He served as pastor at Gilgal from 1840 to 1872; Perry, 1840 to 1854; Rock- The fourth pastor was Rev. John C. Am- brose. He was a licentiate of Kittanning Presbytery ; was ordained June 28, 1887; re- ceived the call from the church October 11, 1887, and was installed November 9th, follow- ing, Rev. D. Hall, D. D., presiding, Rev. A. T. Bell charging the pastor, and Rev. N. B. Kelly, the people. Rev. Mr. Ambrose was followed by Rev. James Caldwell in 1890. Rev. J. M. Knox served as pastor during 1892. Rev. E. P. Foresman was installed pastor in October, 1893, and remained until 1905. Rev. A. C. Powell, the next pastor, was installed in February, 1907, and served until October, 1910. The church was then without a pastor until October, 1911, when Rev. R. J. Roberts, the present pastor, was installed. The present menbership of the church is 250. bridge, 1869 to 1872. The time of his serv- ice at old Gilgal marked the brightest period. He was the organizer of Mount Pleasant,' Rockbridge and Marion. During his pastor- ate at Marion, 146 were added to the original membership of the church, eighty-six by cer- tificate and sixty by profession, and at the close of his ministry the membership was 132. Father Caruthers was married twice, March 24, 1840, to Miss Sophia Huston, and January 1, 1867, to Miss Mary Kirkpatrick. After leaving Marion he never was able to preach much. He spent his last days at Washington, Pennsylvania, where, after a lingering ill- ness, he passed away November 27, 1880, aged seventy-three. He fought a good fight, he finished his course, and he kept the faith.
Rev. J. Logan Sample was the second Ruling Elders .- The elders elected when the pastor. He began preaching here in the church was organized were Robert Park, who spring of 1873, and was installed September was elder at Gilgal, J. T. Van Horn, William Prothero and William Anthony, M. D. Mr. Park was excused from the active duties of office in 1885, on account of infirmity and age. He was a faithful and active worker, honored and respected by all who knew him. Dr. Anthony was dismissed in April, 1865, and went to Linn county, Kans. Mr. Prothero 16th of the same year. He served the church until April 28, 1880, when the pastoral rela- tion was dissolved. Later he labored as a missionary in Dakota. Under Mr. Sample's ministry the church was greatly prospered. Forty-five members were added by certificate and sixty-four on examination, making a total increase in membership of 109. New meth- became an elder in the Presbyterian Church
261
HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
at DuBois. About 1865 Mr. James C. Mc- Keziah Fulton, Silas Fulton, Annie Fulton, Ginity was ordained and installed. He con- Sarah J. Fulton, John McAdoo, John Elwood, tinued in office, an humble, faithful and ex- Margaret Elwood, William Crookshanks, emplary man, until March 21, 1882, when he David Blakely, Sarah Blakely, Mary Stuchell, was called away by death. In September, Samuel Gamble, Ellen Gamble, Catharine MeGough, Thomas McGongh, Mary A. Mont- gomery, John McLane. Julia McLane, Baptist Scott, John W. Smith, Jane Smith, John Shannon, Mary Shannon, Nancy Lowry, Joseph Crusan, Isabella Crusan, Martha Crookshanks, Pauline Miller, Dr. John Edgar, Elizabeth Silvas, Jane Stewart, Elizabeth Cochran, Joseph Collins, Rebekah Collins. Of these Joseph Harbison, Esq., Silas Fulton, Matthew Harbison and John Elwood were chosen as elders. The first was installed and the rest ordained and installed. 1867, Mr. James S. Martin, who had formerly been an elder at East Union, was elected, and continued to be an active member of the ses- sion. G. J. MeHenry, M. D., William T. Mc- Call and Robert Thompson were elected in January, 1872. Mr. Thompson served until February 17, 1882, when God called him to his reward. He is said to have been full of the Holy Ghost, firm, faithful, pure. He had been an elder at Gilgal before elected here, and was respected by all. Mr. McCall served until October 28, 1886, when God called him also to go up higher. Mr. Adam Campbell and Mr. Samuel M. Work were elected Sep- tember 11, 1882, and ordained October 8th of the same year. Mr. Work was dismissed to Indiana Presbyterian Church April 3, 1886. The present elders are : Messrs. John Martin, George MeHenry, Robert Thompson, Norman Loughry, S. S. McCreery, Rufus Sutor.
Grounds .- An acre of ground was given by Joseph Harbison, Esq. On it a low brick building. 50 by 55 feet, with vaulted ceiling, was erected in the fall of 1852 at a cost of about $1.400. but was never formally ded- icated. It was in use till May 10, 1878, when it gave place to a neat two-story frame struc- ture, 65 by 44 feet, on nearly the same ground. The following is a list of the Sunday school superintendents in the order in which they served: J. T. Van Horn, J. C. MeGinity, J. S. Martin, C. P. McGara, G. J. MeHenry, It was neatly frescoed, had stained windows, and without debt was dedicated December 19, 1878, Rev. J. J. Francis preaching the sermon and the pastor offering the prayer. John Rev. J. L. Sample, G. J. Mellenry, J. M. Oliver, Esq., was the contractor for this also. Lytle, G. J. MeHenry. Norman Loughry is During the erection the congregation wor- the present Sabbath school superintendent. shipped in the Baptist Church.
WEST LEBANON CHURCH
Pastors .- By unanimous agreement Rev. A. Donaldson, who had been the pastor at Eld- ers Ridge, was called to that office here for one third of his time and at one third of the old
In the winter of 1853 the Presbytery of Blairsville appointed the Rev. Messrs. S. P. $500 salary, and was duly installed May 16, Bollman and A. Donaldson, with Elders 1853. Rev. David Harbison preached the Joseph Diven and Joseph McGeary, to divide sermon, Rev. Samuel Swan charged the
Elders Ridge congregation and organize about pastor, and Rev. A. McElwain the people. Corresponding changes were afterwards made simultaneously with those at Elders Ridge. The pastoral relation continued unbroken until April, 1888, when Dr. Donaldson offered his resignation to the congregation, but the congregation at a meeting held April 11, 1888, declined to accept it and the relation con- tinued. The present pastor is Rev. David E. Hepler, and the membership is 115. one third of it into a separate one in the vil- lage of West Lebanon and by its name. This was done March 10. 1853, and the following sixty-six members were enrolled: Joseph Harbison, Esq., Rebekah Harbison, Jane Harbison, Margaret Harbison, Francis S. Harbison, Parmela Harbison, Matthew Harb- ison, Mary Harbison, Martha A. Harbison, Sarah Harbison, Thomas Cunningham, Mary Ruling Elders .- Of the original number Esq. Harbison died December 15, 1867. Matthew Harbison, who was clerk of session while he lived, died May 2, 1858. Silas Fulton died January 31, 1884. John Elwood held the clerk's office from 1863 till 1874, when he was dismissed to Blairsville. John Wherry, from Elders Ridge, was installed September Cunningham, Nancy Cunningham, Catharine Cunningham, William Cunningham, Olivia Cunningham, Robert Cunningham, Roxanna Cunningham, David Mears, Margaret Mears, Robert Mears, William B. Taylor, Elizabeth M. Taylor, John Reed, Sr., John Reed, Jr., Jane Reed, Jr., Mary J. Reed, Jesse Reed, Sarah Reed, Alex Fulton, Catharine Fulton, 29, 1856, was clerk of session till 1863, and
262
HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
again from 1874 to 1877. He represented his ogy. Generally, however, the elders and Presbytery in the General Assembly at Pitts- burg. He died March 10, 1880. James Arm- strong, from Cross Roads, Presbytery of Blairsville, was installed April 12, 1867, and
members of the church carried it on by them- selves, the leader of each meeting appointing his successor. It was rarely interrupted and only for brief periods, and the attendance of died September 20, 1877. Joseph Collins and all classes was as numerous as is usually seen Thomas Sharp, Esq., were ordained and in- where no minister leads and lectures. More- stalled April 6, 1860. Mr. Collins was dis- over, it is believed that in few congregations missed to East Union in the fall of 1867. of the same size so many members are will- Esquire Sharp, with consent of session, ceased ing to take a leading part in prayer and in to act May 20, 1876. Alex. Hazlett, from conducting the exercises. Clarksburg, was installed May 6, 1864, and
Other Pastoral Work .- After fifty favored died September 18, 1867. George W. Collins, years of ministerial labors, the summary in. W. T. N. Wallace and Robert T. Anderson, 1888 of Dr. Donaldson's work was this: "He from Clarksburg, were inducted into office has conducted sixty-four district examina- June 14, 1874, the last by installation and the others by ordination and installation. Mr. Wallace was elected clerk of session in 1877. The elders at present are: George W. Col- lins, clerk; W. W. Couch, W. A. Dible, Robert H. Harbison.
Deacons .- Originally this congregation, like that of Elders Ridge, had no deacons, but on March 4, 1860, by vote of the congrega- tion, Francis S. Harbison, John S. Ewing, Thomas McGough, John Fulton and Robert Cunningham were chosen, ordained and in- stalled in that office. Robert Cunningham was dismissed to Unity, Presbytery of Blairs- ville, in April, 1865, John Fulton to Indiana in the fall of 1873. Mr. Ewing died. Alex. Ham. Fulton and Robert S. Townsend were ordained and installed April 12, 1867. Mr. MeGough soon after, by toleration of the board, ceased to act. In April, 1887, Mr. Townsend was dismissed to Kansas City, Mo., and William Couch was ordained and in- stalled.
Sabbath School and Superintendents .- A Sabbath school with about forty scholars and five teachers had been held here before the church was organized. Later it increased to about 125 pupils and fourteen teachers, being attended by old and young of both sexes. No connected record has been kept, yet the fol- lowing persons are remembered as holding the office of superintendent, but not their terms of service: Joseph Harbison, Esq., Matthew Harbison, John McLane, John Wherry, John Elwood, Alex. Hazlett, Francis S. Harbison, James Armstrong, and W. T. N. Wallace, who filled the office for over nineteen years. The present membership of the Sabbath school is eighty-four.
Prayer Meeting .- This was commenced early after the organization, and aid was given to it by John M. Barnett, John M. Mc- Elroy and John C. Thom, students of theol-
tions, 585 family visitations with catechizing and prayer, 401 communions ; admitted to the church on profession of their faith, 1,704; sermons preached, 6,756; prayer meetings held, 2,537; other addresses, 313; visits to the afflicted, 2,508; officiated at funerals, 425; baptisms-adults, 112, infants, 1,108; mar- riages performed, 321. May God's blessing crown it all !"
TUNNELTON CHURCH
To the Presbytery of Kittanning in session April 24, 1878, a petition signed by a number of persons, twenty-four of whom were church members, was presented asking for the organ- ization of a church at or near Kelly Station, Indiana county, and a committee consisting of Revs. F. Orr and P. Baker and Elder S. J. Craighead was appointed to visit the place and make report. The report of the com- mittee being favorable, Presbytery granted the organization July 10, 1878, and appointed Revs. F. Orr and John Gourley and Elder W. T. N. Wallace to effect the organization, which was accomplished August 9, 1878, the church taking the name of Tunnelton.
The church was organized with nineteen members. The names of these so far as re- ported are as follows: Joseph Critzer, Martha Critzer, Joseph Elliott, Elizabeth C. Elliott, Isabella Crusan, Letitia C. Dunlap, W. W. Spence, E. J. Spence, Margaret Jones, Catharine Johnston, Margaret Mclaughlin, Martha Crusan, E. J. Patton, B. J. Patton, Mary McLaughlin.
The congregation owns a lot of ground which was purchased of Samuel Waddle. On this was erected a frame house of worship, in size 50 by 52 feet, well furnished, and valued at one thousand dollars.
263
HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
This church never had a regularly installed center of one side where there was a recess in pastor up to 1888. From the organization the wall. A corresponding recess was also until 1885 Rev. Franklin Orr served the made in the opposite side and facing the pul- church as a stated supply. During 1886 and pit. In this latter recess was a front door 1887 it was regularly supplied by Rev. T. R. Ewing, D. D., of the Presbytery of Blairs- ville, and later by Rev. A. A. Hough, of the same Presbytery.
At the time of organization Joseph Elliott and Joseph Critzer were ordained and in- stalled as ruling elders. Nathaniel Nesbit was added to the session April 23, 1881, Samuel M. Nesbit October 18, 1884, and John E. Gill after the last date. The present eld- ers are : S. M. Nesbit, clerk ; J. E. Gill, Samuel Duncan.
The membership as reported for 1888 was fifty-one; the present membership is seventy- two. The number in the Sabbath school is sixty-two.
BETHEL CHURCH
As nearly as can be ascertained this church was organized in the year 1790. The "His- tory of Old Redstone" says: "George Hill, grandfather of Rev. George Hill, of Blairs- ville, was licensed December 22, 1791, at the church of Bethel, Indiana county, where the Rev. J. W. Henderson was afterwards set- tled." The minutes of Redstone Presbytery show that at its meeting at Pigeon Creek, October 16, 1792, a call was presented from the churches of Bethel and Ebenezer for the ministerial services of Mr. Marquis. This call supplies until the year 1798, when Rev. Joseph W. Henderson became its first pastor, the church at Ebenezer being connected with it.
The territory included within the bounds of Bethel was settled largely by Scotch-Irish Presbyterians who, whilst they hewed their homes out of the wilderness, made provision likewise for the preaching of the gospel. It is handed down from father to sou that the early supplies preached in a barn belonging to Major McCombs, within one mile of the present site. Here a tent was at first erected for the minister, around which the congre- gation gathered, some seated on the ground and others standing, as circumstances deter- mined.
entrance. A door at each end also opened into the church. Seats were arranged facing the center of the building. At the first, how- ever, the inclosure was without either seats, floor or stoves, and eyewitnesses have testified to those still remaining that the minister fre- quently preached in overcoat and mittens, the hearers making themselves as comfortable as they could, stamping the ground and swinging their arms around their bodies. In the year 1842 a frame building was erected in size 50 feet by 60. This house fronted to the south, as did the former log building, and was furnished after the nanner of its time with smooth flooring, pews and stoves.
Membership .- The original boundary was very extensive and yet the membership never became very great, owing to the many other churches that in time . sprung up and still remain. These drew so largely in all direc- tions from this mother church that dissolu- tion was apprehended. But she still lives and flourishes like the tree planted by the rivers of waters, and is bringing forth abundant fruit. In the year 1834, there were enrolled 136 members; in 1836 they numbered 160; by 1842 they were reduced to 142; since that time the membership has ranged from 160 to 106; the present membership is 106. The membership of the Sabbath school is 110.
Elders .- There have been ruling elders in was declined. Bethel continued on the roll of Bethel as follows: Gen. Michael Campbell, Gen. James McCombs, John Allison, Mr. Sample, John Lewis, Maj. James Laughery, William Hamilton, John Robinson, William Anthony. Thomas Hamilton, Evans Lewis, Joseph Henderson, James Hunter, Alexander McMullin, James McKee, William Carson, N. P. Turner. William Johnson, James Reed, Robert Mccluskey, J. L. Robinson, Thomas Hamilton, Daniel Wilson, S. W. Johnson, Jeremiah Lomison, John Shields, James W. George, Harrison Kauffman, and Robert O. Allison. The present elders are: R. O. Alli- son, clerk; B. F. Lydick, J. Harvey George, Ira Gibson.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.