Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 66

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 66

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Rev. Byron Porter was installed as the first pastor of the congregation on the first Tues- day of July, 1856. Mr. Porter first preached but one third of his time at Shelocta, the re- mainder of his time being given to Elderton and Crete. At the end of the third year of his pastorate he resigned Crete and divided his time equally between Shelocta and Elder- posed the session, having resigned, and all

The following ministers were reared in this congregation : John and Clark Wiggins, Presbyterian ministers in the West, W. T. Anderson, a United Presbyterian missionary in India, and J. A. Keener, a United Presby- terian minister on the Pacific coast.

John B. Beatty, of the original session, died August 16, 1857; John Robinson, Hugh Wig- gins and Samuel Lytle were added to the session April 17, 1858. Mr. Lytle was certi- fied in 1859. John Ramsey and George S. Mitchell were added to the session August 17, 1859, and William Anderson February 4, 1860. Mr. Robinson died August 29, 1865. Mr. Mitchell was certified in 1866. Samuel Lytle returned to the congregation in 1869 and resumed his place in the session.

On January 29, 1871, all the members of the session resigned, and the congregation adopted the rotary system of electing elders. While that system was in force the following named persons were members of the session : John Lytle, Andrew Sharp, A. J. Reed, Charles Barr, J. M. Rankin, James Wiggins, W. Anderson, Albert Dick, Dr. T. J. Marlin. On May 7, 1877, it was decided to abandon the rotary system of choosing elders. On May 9, 1879, A. J. Reed, James Wiggins, Dr. T. J. Marlin and Albert Dick, who then com-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

having been reelected, were, together with Andrew Sharp, installed. The present elders are: R. H. Cunningham, clerk; A. A. Wig- gins, J. R. Wiggins, William Sharp, Thomas Carnahan, Benjamin Johnston.

By the union formed in 1858 between the Associate and Associate Reformed Churches the United Presbyterian Church was formed, and this congregation has since been known as the United Presbyterian congregation of Shelocta.

WEST UNION CHURCH

The first religious services were held in the grove in which the church now stands. The congregation was organized in 1814. Rev. John Jamieson and others supplied with occa- sional preaching. On or about the 27th of May, 1817, this congregation, in connection with Indiana and Conemangh, then in the Presbytery of Chartiers, presented a call for David Blair to become pastor. This was ac- cepted on the condition that he should have the liberty of traveling for one year. Upon his return he was ordained and installed in the congregations named in September, 1818. The elders in the congregation at this time were James Smith, John Patison, Robert Miller, John Black, William Calhoun. Mr. Blair continued his ministrations in this con- gregation every third Sabbath, riding through cold and storm, seldom failing to be present, until 1820, when he was called by Presbytery to preach in the South. On his return, after an absence of five months, he found some charges preferred against him for preaching erroneous doctrine, these charges being made by some members of each congregation. He was tried and sustained by Presbytery. About this time Conemaugh Presbytery was organized, within the limits of which his con- gregations were located. On the 4th of August, 1852, Rev. Samuel Anderson was unanimously called by the congregations of Indiana and West Union and installed as as- sistant pastor. In August, 1858, this union was dissolved at the request of West Union, Indiana taking the whole of Rev. Mr. Blair's time, and this congregation Rev. Mr. Ander- son 's.

resigned. His resignation being accepted by Presbytery, this congregation for the first time since its organization was vacant. In the following month of May Rev. J. C. Tel- ford was called by this congregation in con- nection with Olivet and installed as pastor. Mr. Telford having some time after this re- signed the charge of Olivet, his whole time was taken by this congregation. Since its organization the following persons have been chosen elders: David Hutchinson, Alex. Gil- more, Alex. Henderson, Alex. Patterson, Wil- liam Lytle, - Smith, John Gilmore, Robert Hood, Alex. Graham, William Smith, James Calhoun. John Caldwell, John Oliver, R. T. Hart, John Robertson, D. J. Blakely, John Wachob. S. T. Smith, William Miller, James Kier. The elders at present are : R. M. Miller, J. F. Hood, Thomas Anderson, Alvin Smith. At present there are 130 members, but no pastor.

R. H. Hood and H. L. Hood, brothers of J. F. Hood. and sons of Thomas Hood, who lived near Eldersridge, were reared in this congregation and are now successful United Presbyterian ministers.

This congregation first worshipped in the grove and logs were arranged for seats. The pulpit was about as rude in its construction, being a platform raised 4 feet from the ground resting upon log supports. Its di- mensions were about 5 by 8 feet. In 1815 a log church was built. Its size was 24 by 30 feet. The space between the logs was chinked and daubed. the roof secured with ribs and weightpoles. and the doors fastened with wooden buttons. This being too small to ac- commodate the congregation, they frequently assembled on pleasant days in the grove, which came to be known throughout the neigh- borhood as "the tent."

A few years after this, the church was en- larged to accommodate the increase in num- hers. Forty feet were added to its length, making a house of rather singular dimensions, 24 by 70 feet. It was named by the pastor, David Blair, "The Forty Foot Lane." There was a door at each end and one in the side of the church. The ceiling was 12 or 13 feet high. The pulpit was placed in a recess op- posite the side door. Its height was 5 or 6 feet from the floor, and it was boxed in and overhung with what no doubt appeared, com- pared with the surroundings, an elegant "sounding board." A little lower and di- rectly in front of the pulpit was another box

Being much reduced by the organization of Shelocta and Elderton, and also by many families being thrown into Jacksonville, Crete and Olivet by the union, at the request of Olivet one third of Mr. Anderson's time' was granted to that congregation. He continued to preach and attend all the ordinances in of similar construction for the clerk, one of both congregations until April, 1867, when he whom it is said (like the young man under the

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

preaching of Paul) fell asleep, and resting next pastor, and the following elders were too heavily upon the door the button broke elected in this congregation : R. W. Mack and and he fell into the arms of a good brother C. C. Stewart. The present elders are R. W. Mack and J. M. Barkley. The Sabbath school has an enrollment of 30; J. M. Barkley is the superintendent. whose surprised ejaculation of "God bless you" is said to have interfered with the ser- ious attention of the worshipers and even to have caused a smile to appear upon the face of the minister.

The pews seem to have been in keeping with the surroundings. Some were slabs with backs set in, others of a finer finish, but the aristocrat in that line was an "old chair- maker," who rose to the dignity of a settee with "rungs and paint."

In 1838 a large and commodious brick church was erected on the same site. This was removed in 1877 and the present very substantial and comfortable house was built.

EAST UNION CONGREGATION

The East Union Church was established in 1852. Many of the members who organized the congregation had been members at Pine Grove. It was a long distance to travel on horseback or walk, consequently it was de- cided to establish a church on the Armagh and Strongstown road, and call it East Union. The first members of session in East Union congregations were Joseph McCartney and Maj. James Stewart. The East Union Church was built in 1852 at a cost of about $800. The Mechanicsburg and East Union Churches being established, the old Pine Grove Church was abandoned as a place of worship and sold, and afterwards occupied as a dwelling. The East Union Church is still standing, but has been repaired several times.

After Rev. Mr. McGill had served the con- gregation for five years Rev. J. M. Imbrie filled the pulpit at various times, and still continues to do so.

MAIIONING CONGREGATION

Mahoning congregation was first occupied as a preaching station in 1809, and continued as such about nineteen years. In 1828 it was organized as a congregation, and the first officers elected were William McCreery and Hugh Hamilton. The following members en- tered the new organization: William, Mar- garet, Jane and Margaret McCreery, James McCreery, S. F. McCreery, John Hop- kins, Margaret Hopkins, Rosanna Hopkins, Robert Hopkins, Robert Hamilton, Jane Hamilton, Robert Hamilton, Jr., Rachel Ham- ilton, Hugh Hamilton, Nancy Hamilton, Mir- iam Work, Aaron Work, Mary Work, Miriam Work, James Work, Mary Work, A. S. Work, Margaret Work, John Work, Martha Work, William Work, Nancy Work, Robert Lytle, Catharine Lytle, William Lytle, John Lytle, Elizabeth Lytle, Sarah Lytle, James Mabon, Jane Mabon, Matthew Steel, Sarah Steel, Robert Craig, Agnes Craig, Samuel Simpson, Phoebe Simpson, Andrew Gibson and wife, John Thompson, Jane Thompson, John Coon, Nancy Coon, Nancy Smith, Martha Hopkins, Margaret Hopkins.

Rev. S. M. Coon was pastor of the East The following officers have been elected since the first organization : Robert Lytle, A. S. Work, John Trimble, John Ewing and Aaron Work, James McCreery, Robert Mc- Creery, William Hamill, John Clyde, Abner Briggs. Union congregation until 1854, when he was released. Rev. J. C. Greer took charge in 1856 and remained the pastor until the year 1864, when he was released and went into the Union army in the War of the Rebellion, as captain of a company. The Rev. John Hindman took pastoral charge of the congregation in 1830 and continued until 1849. In January, 1850, Rev. J. C. Tel- ford took charge of the congregation and labored as pastor until April, 1867. Rev. D. M. Thorn became pastor October 16, 1868, and continued as such between one and two years. Rev. D. W. McLane began pastoral labors the first of March, 1871, and remained four years. Rev. D. H. Blair began his labors the first of August, 1877, and served the congre- gation until 1883. In 1887 Rev. W. D. Ewing next pastor, the Rev. Samuel McArthur, took charge in 1869, and served the congrega- tion until 1874, when he was released and moved to New Concord, Ohio. Rev. D. H. Blair took charge in 1876, and was pastor for one year and three months. Rev. T. P. Pat- terson was the next pastor and served the congregation till 1890. After the death of Maj. James Stewart, in 1879, the East Union congregation became a mission station under the care of the session of Mechanicsburg, and Rev. T. P. Patterson preached one sermon each month. Rev. J. A. McGill became the became the pastor and ministered to the con-

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

gregation until 1907. Rev. W. S. Sturgeon house in which to worship God regularly, the has been the pastor since 1910.

petitioners for an organization met on June The first church building was erected in 11, 1875, to make arrangements for the erec- 1833 on the ground now occupied by the tion of a house of worship. Rev. J. C. Greer church. The building cost about $700. The preached and offered up a prayer for the next edifice was erected in 1857 at a cost of Divine blessing on the undertaking, and by about $1,800, and is yet kept in good repair. the good hand of God upon them they erected

The congregation at present consists of a very fine frame building 65 feet long and 30 feet wide, with a spire 95 feet high, beau- forty-eight members. The present officers are : Elders. William Hamill, A. H. McCreery, tifully situated in the Pine Grove on the bank Paul Hopkins, Clark Steel; trustees, Silas W. of Little Mahoning creek. Mr. Josiah Work Work. Clark Steel, A. H. McCreery.

was the contractor. It was dedicated to the Mr. Murray Hopkins is superintendent of the Sabbath school, which has an average en- rollment of thirty-three. worship of God at a meeting of the Brook- ville Presbytery on Friday, December 3, 1875, and on the next Sabbath the Lord's Supper Two young men from this congregation was dispensed, when by the number added have entered the ministry, William H. Mc- at this and a former communion the mem- Creery, of Scotland, Colo., and William C. bers amounted to forty-five. Work.

RICHMOND

The members of this congregation came principally from the congregation of Mahon- ing. and being six miles from that congrega- tion the pastors of Mahoning, Rev. J. C. Tel- ford, Rev. S. Thomas and Rev. D. W. Me- Lane, occasionally preached at Richmond.

At a meeting of the Presbytery of Cone- mangh in Plumville, September 8, 1874, about fifty members and adherents of the United Presbyterian Church petitioned Presbytery to grant them an organization, to which the congregation of Mahoning consented. But as Richmond was within the bounds of Brook- ville Presbytery the petition was referred to it, which at its meeting at Jefferson, in Feb- ruary, 1875, was granted. A commission was appointed to organize a congregation at Rich- mond on the 13th of April, 1875.

On the day the commission met and organ- ized a congregation with twenty-four mem- bers. The following are the names: Susan Hamilton, Euphemy Hamilton, Mary Work, Aaron Work, Elizabeth Work, Aaron Elder, Sarah Work, William Calderwood, Martha Calderwood, James T. Work, Aaron W. Work, Mary H. Work, R. H. Work, Sr., Eliza Work. R. H. Work, Jr., Catherine Work, Josiah Work, Sarah H. Work. William Hindman, William W. Hopkins, Robert Y. Campbell, Samuel Knox, George Piper, Mr. Mitchell.

Three ruling elders were elected, viz: Aaron Work, William W. Hopkins, Aaron W. Work. and on June 25, 1875, they were ordained and installed. The congregation was supplied with preaching from time to time by Presby- tery.

At a meeting of the Brookville Presbytery on April 11, 1876, this congregation presented a call to Rev. James Given of the Presbytery of Westmoreland, for three eighths of his time in connection with a call from the congrega- tions of Oakland and Susquehanna, each for one fourth of his time, which was by him ac- cepted, he having united with the Presbytery of Brookville at that time. Presbytery, re- ceiving some aid from the Home Mission Board for these congregations, appointed him to labor among them the whole of his time. He commenced stated service on the third Sabbath of April, 1876, and was installed their pastor by a commission of Presbytery consisting of Rev. D. K. Duff and Rev. M. S. Telford, on October 16, 1876. Rev. James Given was released from this charge in 1898, having been the pastor for twenty-two years. He was followed by Revs. J. M. Imbrie, T. C. Anderson, J. A. Cosby and Rev. Mr. Copeland, the present minister. The church has a mem- bership of eighty-six.

The elders at present are: A. W. Elder, clerk ; John F. Blakely, Dr. John W. Morrow, John S. Ross, Earl Philippi. Mr. John S. Ross is the. superintendent of the Sabbath school, which has an enrollment of sixty mem- bers.

This congregation has given one minister to the church, Rev. Hugh Fraser Given, son of Rev. James Given, who was ordained in 1894 and has filled pastorates in Providence, R. I .. Chicago, Ill .. New Castle, Pa .; he is now pastor in the United Presbyterian Church of Spokane, Wash. Four missionaries who were children of this congregation have gone to the foreign field, the first two while still in its membership, Miss Annie F. Given,

As no congregation can prosper without a who went to India in 1886 and retired in

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

1896, and Mrs. Jean (Given) Anderson, who went to India in 1891 and died in 1892; Miss Mary Work, who went to Egypt in 1890 and retired as Mrs. Hope Hogg in 1894; and Miss Ruth A. Work, to Egypt in 1894, who is still in active service in the foreign field.

BETHEL CHURCH

is located in Wheatfield township, in the southern part of Indiana county, about three miles north of the Conemaugh river and the line of the Pennsylvania railroad. This is one of the oldestorganizations of the denomination in the county, and like other congregations of its age, the records of the first years of its existence are very imperfect. Hence any his- tory of the earlier years of the congregation's existence which can be given at this date must be only approximately true. It seems that the first meetings for preaching were held at the house of Mr. Liggett near Centerville. Then meetings were held at the house of Mr. Graham, about two miles northwest from Cen- terville, and then at a tent near to the present site of the church. It is thought that the con- gregation was organized about the years 1808 to 1810, by the election and ordination of the following named persons as ruling elders: Allen Graham, David Reed, Robert Sutton, Two young men who were reared in this congregation became ministers, Rev. D. W. McClane, who is a United Presbyterian min- ister in Iowa, and Rev. John Dick, who is a United Presbyterian minister in California. Andrew Fee, Andrew Griffith. It is not known what the names or the number of the persons were who composed the congregation at its organization, but it is probable that their number is quite large, as we learn that The present membership of this congrega- tion is fifty-six. At one time this was a large congregation, but the United Presbyterian Churches of New Florence and Heshbon were formed from it. there were persons who attended church at Bethel from different parts of the territory now included in the townships of East Wheat- field, West Wheatfield, Brushvalley and Buffington. The first house of worship was Mr. C. M. McKelvey is the superintendent of the Sabbath school, which has an enroll- open the entire year. built in the year 1818, was a stone structure, and was put up at a cost of about $1,000. ment of fifty scholars. The school is kept The second house of worship, a frame struct- ure, was built during the summer of 1851, at a cost of about $1,800. This house was burned HOMER CITY CHURCH to the ground on the morning of the 16th of October, 1865, just as the congregation was Homer City congregation was formed by a transfer of Center congregation under the care of the Presbytery of Conemaugh, by di- rection of said Presbytery at a meeting held at Shelocta June 17, 1873. assembling for public worship on Monday of the communion services. It was rebuilt dur- ing the year 1866, at a cost of about $2,400, and is still occupied by the congregation as a place of worship.

The congregation was supplied with preach- ing by Rev. Mr. McConnell and others up to the year 1818, when Rev. Hugh McCrodden was ordained and installed as the first pastor. He served the congregation in this capacity until the year 1830.

The next pastor, Rev. N. C. Weed, took charge of the congregation in the year 1833, and served as its pastor until about the year 1847, when he was released and removed to Illinois, where he took charge of a congrega- tion.

The next pastor, Rev. S. M. Coon, took charge of the congregation in the year 1849, and remained with it in this capacity until the year 1854.

Rev. H. Q. Graham, the next pastor, took charge of the congregation in the year 1856 and remained until 1874, when he was re- leased and took charge of the congregations of Homer and Crete.

The next pastor, Rev. D. H. Blair, assumed charge in the year 1876, and was released in 1877, after having served the congregation as pastor for one year and three months.

Since that time the pastors of the congre- gation have been T. P. Patterson, J. A. Mc- Gill, D. S. Tinker, C. F. Campbell, H. W. Logan. Rev. H. W. Logan is the present pastor and gives one half of his time to this congregation and the other half to the Hesh- bon and Mechanicsburg congregation. The elders are: William Campbell, Robert G. Mack, Hugh Mack. The trustees are: C. M. MeKelvey and John Mabon.

Center congregation was organized Sep- tember 20, 1856, by Rev. M. H. Wilson, and Elders George Lowman and Samuel Wilson (in accordance with action of Associate Re- formed Presbytery of Blairsville). The elders elected in the new congregation were Archibald S. Pattison, William C. MeCrea.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

The number of members forming the new organization was about forty. The first ad- ministration of the Lord's Supper in the con- gregation was by Rev. M. H. Wilson August 24, 1856. Rev. J. C. Greer was called to be the pastor in the spring of 1857, and was ordained and installed in June, 1857. This relation continued till the war broke out, when Mr. Greer resigned and entered the army as a captain in the 206th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. A call was made out for the pastoral services of Rev. D. M. McClelland, which was accepted, and he was ordained and installed pastor September 10, 1867. This pastorate continued for about five years, when at the request of Mr. McClelland it was dissolved.

A petition was presented to Presbytery of Conemaugh in the year 1867, asking for the organization of a mission station at Homer City, and the request was granted. An effort was made to erect a house of worship in Homer City, and a proposition was made to the members of the Presbyterian body that a union church should be built, each contrib- uting half the cost and enjoying half the benefits. This was rejected. The congrega- tion determined to build for themselves, and the building was completed, being dedicated August 1, 1869. The entire cost of building and lot was $2,000. The whole amount was paid within a few months of the completion of the building. At a meeting of the con- gregation, July 24. 1869, the following were elected trustees : For three years, Martin Kier; for two years, Robert Carson; for one year, Peter Kinter.

On account of the growth of the organi- zation, and the increasing weakness of Center, Presbytery resolved unanimously to transfer the organization of Center to Homer City, the congregation to be called henceforward Homer City. A call was made out by the congregation with Crete congregation for the pastoral services of Rev. H. Q. Graham, and he was installed pastor December 8, 1874. Rev. Mr. Graham was succeeded by Rev. S. M. Telford, who was followed by Rev. D. E. Magill, the present pastor, who gives his entire time to this congregation.

The elders at present are: T. C. McCrea, S. M. Miller, J. J. Campbell, E. E. Wineman, J. S. Allison. The trustees are : A. M. Adams, S. L. Byers, Frank Reed, Frank Barckley, J. K. Dick, S. C. Steel. Mr. Frank Barckley is the superintendent of the Sabbath school, which has an enrollment of eighty pupils.

OAKLAND, DECKER'S POINT

Shortly after the union of the Associate and Associate Reformed Churches, before the Associate Reformed Presbytery of Blairsville and the Associate Presbytery of Clarion were united in the Presbytery of Conemaugh, the Presbytery of Blairsville appointed a commis- sion to be held at Decker's Point by Rev. Samuel Brown, with James Hamilton, Robert Pollock, James Johnston and S. H. Thompson, ruling elders, with a view to establish a con- gregation there if practicable. Accordingly on Sabbath, September 19, 1858, the Lord's Supper was dispensed by Rev. S. Brown, assisted by the above named elders. From this time there was occasional preaching by supplies from Presbytery, and the attendance was so encouraging that the Presbytery of Conemaugh, composed of the Associate Pres- bytery of Clarion and the Associate Reformed Presbytery of Blairsville, appointed Rev. Matthew Wilson, with James McCreery, Wil- liam Kinnan and S. H. Thompson, ruling elders, to organize a congregation at Decker's Point, which was done June 10, 1859, with the following members from the Mahoning United Presbyterian Church: J. R. Brown, Margaret Brown, Mrs. Margaret Clyde, John Clyde, Jane Clyde, Margaret Clyde, William Riddle, Eliza Riddle, eleven in all ; from Pine Grove United Presbyterian Church: William Kinnan, Nancy Kinnan, John McCalister, Mrs. McCalister, Margaret Decker, Samuel Barr, Isabel Barr, Samuel Miller, Mary Miller, nine in all ; from Smyrna U. P. Church : Jane Richardson and, by examination, Nancy Kin- nan, a total of twenty-two. William Kinnan and John McCalister were elected ruling elders, and having been formerly ruling elders in Pine Grove they were installed July 1. 1859. The congregation was called Oak- land.

The congregation had supplies of preach- ing from Presbytery until June 2, 1861, when Mr. J. T. Wilson was ordained and installed pastor of Oakland in connection with Green- ville and Taylorsville. He continued his la- bors one year with acceptance, when he re- signed. During his pastorate a church build- ing 50 by 40 feet was erected. In December, 1864, Thomas C. Kerr and John R. Brown were elected ruling elders, ordained and in- stalled. From this time the congregation was supplied with preaching by Presbytery un- til Mr. G. P. Raitt was elected pastor of the same charge, and commenced his labors June 1, 1866. He was ordained and installed July

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 66

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