Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 69

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 69

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In February, 1880, the church had a mem- bership of 350, and a Sabbath school of 150. The boards were composed of the following persons : Trustees-J. B. Campbell, D. El- lis, T. M. Coleman, George Rink, J. McFar- land, Thomas Lonman, J. A. Bell; stewards -J. McFarland, W. R. Black, A. S. Cun- ningham, J. B. Marshall, A. C. Boyle, C. A. McHenry, John Truby, D. MeLaughlin, Henry Hall.

In 1888, during the pastorate of Rev. E. J. Knox, the congregation acquired a fine parsonage property at No. 956 Church street.

In 1912, during the pastorate of J. W. Cary, the interior of the church was remod- eled at a cost of about $5,000. During the same pastorate more than 450 names have been added to the list of members.

The pastors since 1880 have been: 1880-82, J. F. Jones; 1883, J. A. Miller; 1885, M. M. Sweeney: 1885-87, S. M. Bell; 1887-89, E. J. Knox; 1890-91, N. G. Miller; 1892-96, M. M. Sweeney; 1897-1902, G. T. Reynolds ; 1903-06, G. S. Holmes; 1907, J. W. Cary, the present pastor.

The present officials of the church: Trus- tees, David Ellis, James McGregor, J. D. Dickey, J. N. Stewart, J. H. Pierce, W. D. Gates, J. Elder Peelor; stewards, E. Walker Smith, A. S. Cunningham, Dr. C. E. Rink, Hon. J. N. Langham, Maj. D. W. Simpson, A. B. King. G. W. Earl, S. H. Kline, Dr. W. E. Dodson, W. C. McFeeters, A. P. Lowry, S. G. Coon, Dr. C. E. Rink, Frank E. Sloan, Prof. J. C. Smith.

The present membership is 25.

The Sabbath school has an enrollment of 600. D. W. Simpson, the present superin- tendent, succeeded (in 1913) A. S. Cunning- ham, who had served in that capacity for thirty-seven years.

Rev. Walter T. Rink, now a member of the Des Moines Conference, went out from this church.

MARION CENTER CHURCH

Pioneer preachers of the Methodist Epis- copal Church were the first ministers of the gospel, of which we have any note, holding services in this early settlement. Years be- fore the town was laid out ministers of this denomination found their way here, and as early as 1830 preached in the old gristmill owned by John Park, and in the barns and homes of the early settlers. In 1837 a so- ciety was organized known as the "Compton Appointment," having but nine members. From this time on they had preaching at stated times.

The first house of worship was erected in 1844. It was a one-story structure, and is vet standing, having been remodeled and con- verted into a dwelling, now occupied by N. G. Kelly and family. The present handsome and commodious edifice was erected in 1870- 71, at a cost of between seven and eight thou- sand dollars. It is 45 by 75 feet, two stories high, with a lofty tower. The large audi- torium occupies the upper story, while the lecture room, pastor's study and reading room are on the first floor. The windows are of stained glass of handsome pattern, and the furnishings are good. In 1887 the interior of the church was remodeled, a handsome arched hardwood ceiling being one of the important changes. The woodwork was refinished in ar- tistie style, the furnishings renewed, and many other improvements made.

Rev. James Day is credited with being the first minister to preach here, and was fol- lowed by Revs. John Summerville, William Butt, C. Foster, H. McCall, Joseph Wray (who organized the first society.), Augustus Lowman, James Henderson, Elijah Coleman, John Coyle, David Gordon, Rankin Hill, M. J. Montgomery, John and Joseph McCartney and S. H. Nesbit. Of these there are no au- thentic dates. In 1855 Andrew J. Lane and Mr. Blackburn were the pastors; 1856-57, Richard Cartright; 1858-59, William Johnson and Mr. Yarnell ; 1860, J. Neigh ; 1861-62, J. S. Lemon and J. S. Smith; 1863, M. W. Dallas and J. C. Heigh : 1864-65, N. G. Miller; 1866, A. P. Leonard; 1867-68-69, J. B. Gray; 1870- 71, M. J. Sleppy, during whose pastorate the new church was built; 1872-74, J. A. Danks; 1875, W. K. Brown; 1876, F. W. Vertican; 1877, J. J. Moffitt; 1878-80, Nelson Davis; 1881-82. Samuel G. Miller; 1883-85, S. Keeb- ler; 1886, J. J. Hickman; 1887, T. W. Rob- bins; 1888-89, W. H. Camp; 1890-92, H. J. Altsman ; 1893-9-, Rev. G. H. Huffman; J.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

M. Cogley, six years; E. Fryckland, two ing 1,400 pounds was presented by Mr. F. years; M. R. Hackman, one year; G. A. C. Betts, of Homer City. The structure was dedicated on August 30, 1908.

Sheets, two years ; John Hall, two years; and J. J. Buell, the present pastor, who has been serving the church since October, 1911. /

The membership numbers about two hun- dred.

The presiding elders who appear to have preached more than the amount included in regular duties were : D. L. Dempsey, 1856-60; W. Lynch, 1860-64; T. MeCleary, 1864-68.

The first officers were: Robert Craig, stew- ard; John Compton, class leader; trustees, William Meanor, Sr., Robert Craig, William Brady, James L. Park.

The present officers are: Ira Ellis, S. S. Wetzel, J. T. Park, J. W. Botsford, George Botsford, C. C. Griffith, W. C. Griffith, Frank Wells, William Wissinger.

Noble Wetzel is the Sabbath school superin- tendent.

HOMER CITY CHURCH

In 1825 Rev. Mr. Conley, a local preacher, visited the neighborhood now known as Homer City, and preached in the home of William Bracken, ultimately organizing a so- ciety. William Bracken became the class leader and continued to hold that office un- til his death, some time in the same year. Services were then held in the homes in the neighborhood, but principally in the home of Mrs. Mary Bonner on the Mechanicsburg road, east of Homer City. Later services were held in the schoolhouse near by now known as the Upper Homer schoolhouse. Prayer and class meetings were sometimes held from house to house. The "log meet- ing house," the congregation's first home, was the first church in Homer City. It was built and dedicated in the year 1840, on what is now Church street, and still stands, but in a dilapidated condition. A brick church was commenced in 1855 and finished in 1856, the contract price of which was $1,000 (William Wilson, contractor), upon a lot where the present edifice stands. This was demolished in the fall of 1907 and a fine edifice in Roman- esque style built at a cost of $17,500. It con- tains an audience room with a seating capac- ity of 300, a lecture room seating 200, a social room in the basement, with a well equipped On April 20, 1908, this church was incor- porated under the corporate name of "The Methodist Episcopal Church of Homer City, Pa.," with the following persons chosen as kitchen, two classrooms and a pastor's study. Fine art glass windows were presented by the Ladies' Aid Society of the church, Class No. 6 of the Sunday school (Mrs. J. B. Grover, trustees for the first year: J. L. Nix, B. teacher), and by the daughters of the late B. McConnaughey, Harry Flickinger, J. M. John and Mary Risinger. A fine bell weigh- Carson, J. D. George, D. L. Snyder, B. F.

When organized the society was associated with the Somerset charge. Later, in 1829, it became part of the Indiana circuit. From 1830 to 1833 it was part of the Blairsville cir- cuit, and in the latter year again became part of the Indiana circuit, but later became part of Blairsville circuit again in 1836, continu- ing in that relation until 1843, when it was again transferred to the Indiana circuit. In 1878 the Homer City and Blacklick Churches were taken from the Indiana and Blairsville circuits and made a charge to be served by one pastor. This relation continues to the present. The three churches have been served by the following pastors: 1830-31, C. Thorn; 1832, J. G. Sansom and J. Martin; 1833, N. Callender ; 1834, T. Thompson; 1835, E. W. Worthington; 1836, G. D. Cinnear and H. Bradshaw; 1837, S. Elliot and J. M. Me- Closkey; 1838, J. Coil and D. Gordon; 1839, J. Coil and J. L. Ray; 1840, J. L. Williams and J. Graham; 1841, J. L. Williams and Joseph Shaw; 1842, C. Foster and D. S. Willing; 1843, A. C. Gallahue and R. J. White; 1844, R. J. White and R. W. Barnes; 1845, J. White and G. W. Cranage; 1846, J. White and E. B. Griffin; 1847, M. L. Weekly and D. L. Haines; 1848, M. L. Weekly, J. Woodroff and D. B. D. Campbell ; 1849-50, Joseph Shaw; 1851, D. B. D. Camp- bell and J. R. Means; 1852, D. B. D. Camp- bell; 1853, Joseph Horner; 1854-55, T. J. Higgins; 1856, J. L. Chapman; 1857-58, James Bracken: 1859-60, S. Burt; 1861, J. C. High ; 1862-63, R. Morrow ; 1864-65, M. W. Dallis; 1867-68, J. B. Uber; 1869-70, J. S. Wakefield; 1871-72, Richard Jordan; 1873- 74, T. J. Kurtz; 1875-76, A. C. Johnson ; 1877- 78, C. W. Miller; 1879-81, Solomon Keebler ; 1882-84, W. A. Stuart; 1885, W. Johnson; 1886-87, J. B. Uber; 1888-92, J. N. Pershing ; 1893, H. J. Altsman; 1894, A. P. Leonard; 1895, J. E. Kidney ; 1896-97, H. J. Hickman; 1899-1900, G. H. Hiffman ; 1901-03, J. E. Ins- keep; 1904-06, S. B. Laverty; 1907, L. W. LePage; 1908-10, F. A. Richards, the pastor under whose pastorate the present building was erected; 1911-13, J. C. Burnworth.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Wineman, George M. Bell. The present years; Joseph Shane, two years; S. Howe, two board of trustees is as follows: J. L. Nix, years; John Wakefield, two years; Appleton, B. B. McConnaughey, Harry Flickinger, J. two years; J. Leonard, two years; Joseph M. Carson, J. D. George, B. F. Wineman, J. Pershing, two years; D. Kurtz, two years; B. Grover, D. E. Risinger, H. C. English. George W. Cook, two years; T. J. Hatfield, two years; Edward J. Knox; and Rev. H. C. Critchlow, the present pastor. The present class leaders are John S. Evans and S. H. Drenning. The present Sunday school superintendent is J. L. Nix.

Rev. W. C. Weaver and Rev. J. N. Bracken were members of the Homer City M. E. Church before entering the ministry.

The first or original members of the Meth- odist persuasion in Homer City were as fol- lows: " William Bracken and wife; Mary Bonar and her daughters Elizabeth and Jen- nie; Robert Montgomery and wife, his two sisters Jane and Margaret; John Mullen and wife and his sister Jennie; William McKes- son and wife; William Dickie and wife; Rob- ert MeKesson and his sister Sarah; Michael Risinger and wife; Benona Williams and wife; and William McKee and wife- in all twenty-four.

DECKER'S POINT CHURCH

This church is under the care of the Marion Center M. E. Church, and is supplied by Rev. J. J. Buell.

The present officers are: Washington Best, Salem Sheesly, Charles Peiffer, Conrad Rice.

Washington Best is Sunday school superin- tendent.

JACKSONVILLE CHURCH

This church was organized at the dwelling house of Robert Hunter, Sr., in the village of Jacksonville, in the year 1839. and the con- gregation met in the public schoolhouse from 1841 to 1859. This schoolhouse was erected for school and church purposes. The original members were: Daniel Welsh (leader), Mrs. Welsh, James Hunter, Jane Hunter, Martha Hunter, Nancy MeLaughlin, Ellen MeIntire, Robert Hunter, Sr., and wife, and Mary Hunter.

The first pastors were: Revs. John Coil. Joseph Ray, Samuel Nesbit, James Beacom, James Dean, L. M. Weekly, Thomas Higgins, James Borbridge, Richard Jordan, Robert Cunningham.

In 1859 a new church was built which was dedicated in November of that year by Rev. Mr. Williams, the presiding elder. John Bruce was the contractor for the building. It cost $1,500, and is in size 45 by 54 feet.

The present trustees are: S. C. Kennedy, Samuel Dixon, J. M. Ferguson, T. P. Claw- son, Simon Anthony. Simon Anthony is the superintendent of the Sabbath school, which has an enrollment of 30.

The present membership is 36.

STRONGSTOWN CHURCH

This church was built in 1882, at a cost of about $2,500, while Rev. Nelson Davis was pastor. Rev. A. J. Esch was pastor from 1879 to 1881. Since the building of the church the following pastors have served the congrega- tion : Rev. S. B. Laverty, 1883-86; G. H. Huff- man. 1886-88; T. W. Robbins, 1888-89; C. C. Emerson, 1889-92; A. H. Acken, 1892-93: T. S. Peterson, 1893-95; J. M. Cogley, 1895-98 ; Joel Hunt, 1898-1903: J. M. Bracken. 1903-06; T. J. Chilcote, 1906-08; W. H. Nevin, 1908- 09; R. P. Andrews, 1910; J. J. Broadhead, 1910-11 ; M. R. Hackman, 1911-12. Rev. P. O. Wagner is the present minister and preaches regularly twice a month, giving one fourth of his time preaching at this place, and one third in special meetings and pastoral labors.

The trustees are: Messrs. Abram Bennett, Daniel Orner, William Bennett, Henderson Bracken, Grant Orner, Nicholas Altimus, A. A. Bennett. The stewards are : Messrs. Abram Bennett, Nicholas Altimus, Grant Orner. William Bracken. Class leader, Abram Bennett.

There are sixty-five members and nine of a class of probationers.

Mrs. Jane Schreckengost is the superintend- ent of the Sabbath school, which has an enroll- ment of thirty, and is kept open the entire year.

SALTSBURG CHURCH

The first church was built in 1841 and the present church in 1890. It is a brick struc- ture and cost $7,000. The pastors since 1880 have been : Revs. E. J. Knox, J. C. Gourley, E. G. Loughry, H. S. Free. W. I. Moore, G. H. Huffman, J. I. Hays, C C. Emerson, A. H. Acker, E. W. Marlett, R. B. Carroll, H.

The following ministers have served this Household. I. V. Wright, George Sheets, H. church : Revs. Robert Cunningham, two Ferris, I. F. Dyener, I. F. Inskeep and S. B.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Laverty, who is the present pastor and gives of this congregation, is now a minister at three fourths of his time to this congregation, Johnstown, Pennsylvania. which has a membership of 198.

The trustees are: W. F. King, G. E. Mc- Creery, Edward Franklin, I. W. Serene, H. M. Householder, I. A. Waddell, I. J. Ward, Y. T. Pitman.

The stewards are: William Hart, G. T. Mc- Cormick, I. M. McPhilimy, J. W. Roof, Mrs. W. F. King, Mrs. I. V. Wilcox, Miss Mary Serene.

Mr. G. T. McCormick is the superintendent of the Sabbath school, which is kept open the entire year and has an enrollment of 152.

Two young men of this congregation became to contribute for the purpose of building a ministers: W. T. Braden, who died March 5, Methodist Church on the farm of John M. 1905, and J. W. Langdale, who was transferred to Cincinnati Conference in October, 1912.

NOWRYTOWN CHURCH

This church has an enrollment of sixty-three summer of 1840 to James Ebbs, a contractor

members and the Sabbath school numbers sev- enty. The pastor at present is Rev. S. B. fall of the same year. The edifice was a one- Laverty, who preaches every two weeks.

MECHANICSBURG CHURCH

This church was incorporated in 1851 and the frame church building was erected in 1852 at a cost of about $3,000. Rev. Joseph Shaw was pastor at this time.

The pastors since 1880 have been as follows : A. J. Esch, 1879-81; Nelson Davis, 1881-83; S. B. Laverty, 1883-86; G W. Huffman, 1886- 88; T. W. Robbins, 1888-90; C. C. Emerson, part of the summer of 1871 the trustees re- 1890-92; A. H. Aeken, 1892-93; L. S. Peter- son, 1893-95; J. M. Cogley, 1895-98; Joel Hunt, 1898-1903; J. N. Bracken, 1903-08; T. F. Chilcote, 1908-10; J. J. Broadhead, 1910- 11; M. R. Hackman, 1911-12. Rev. P. O. Wag- ner is the present pastor. His time is divided between three churches, but half the regular preaching is given to the Mechanicsburg Church.

The trustees are: Messrs. B. F. Evans, M. S. Altimus, W. H. Herlinger, R. N. Altimus, B. F. Stake, Albert Evans, Cicero Grow, W. F. Snyder, C. M. Thompson. Stewards: Messrs. John Altimus, C. M. Thompson, George W. ication to free the church from all encum- George, Samuel Mock. Class leaders: Messrs. M. S. Altimus and T. M. Thompson.

The enrollment consists of 150 in full mem- bership and fifteen of a class of probationers.

Mr. John Altimus is superintendent of the Sabbath school, which has an enrollment of 176 and is kept open the entire year.

Oscar B. Emerson, whose father was pastor

NINEVEH CHURCH, EAST WHEATFIELD TOWNSHIP

The Methodists had a congregation at this place as early as 1836. They then held their meetings in the brick house, the residence of John M. Barber, up to 1840. This is the old- est house of the kind in this section of the county, and was built by Isaac Rodgers in the year 1816. A subscription paper was gotten up by John Barber and Daniel Pershing, dated September 28, 1840, asking the people

Barber. This paper was numerously signed, each one having the privilege of paying his subscription in labor or material for building purposes. In this way $250 was raised towards the building. The house was let during the and builder, and was completed during the

story building with the ceiling arched at the highest point about twenty feet from the floor, and 28 by 35 feet, having a capacity to seat comfortably about two hundred and fifty per- sons. This church was dedicated by Rev. Mr. Williams, a very popular Methodist minister. assisted, it is said, by a colored minister. The membership numbered then about twenty per- sons.

The Methodists continued to worship in this house until the fall of 1871. During the early solved to make an effort to erect a new build- ing, and subscription papers for this purpose were put into the hands of the pastor, Rev. J. N. Pershing, and John R. Grow, now in Paris, Mo. They succeeded in getting about two thousand dollars subscribed, when the building was let to John Dodson and Frank Herlinger, contractors and builders, at $1,400. The structure was completed during the fall of 1871 and dedicated by the Rev. I. C. Persh- ing, of the Pittsburg Female College, on the first Sabbath of November, 1871. There was a sufficient amount subscribed on the day of ded- brance. The entire cost reached a few dollars over $1,900. The building (frame) is 32 by 44 in dimensions, 16 feet high on the inside, and has stained glass windows and two doors. The membership at the time the new church was built numbered twelve persons, and in 1880 there were over one hundred members. The church is now dissolved.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

BLAIRSVILLE CHURCH

This church was organized about 1824 or 1825. Prior to this time there had been occa- sional preaching by Rev. J. Wakefield, a pio- neer local preacher, and missionaries. Among the original members, which are said to have numbered twelve, were: Jonathan and Eliza- beth Kuntz, Stewart and Elizabeth Davis, John M. and Evaline Barber, Henry Keely and Mrs. Dr. Simmons. Other old members were : Washington Geer, John Devinney, John Bruce, Father Kurtz, John Graff, John and George Stouffer.

The first church was erected at the south end of Liberty street in 1828. The second was built on the adjoining lot in 1847, and the third was constructed partly out of the ma- terial of the second and using a portion of its foundation, at an expense of $5,000. The first church cost $700 and the second $1,700. In 1888 a fourth church was erected at a cost of $40,000.

The ministers having charge of the circuit and station have been as follows (not includ- ing colleagues) : Connellsville circuit-Robert Boyd, John Connelly, David Sharp, Charles Thorn; Blairsville station-Charles Thorn; Blairsville circuit-James G. Sansom, Gideon D. Kinear, Simon Elliott, John Coil, John L. Williams. Caleb Foster, David S. Welling, Charles Best, William F. Lauck, Abram L. Rich, Samuel H. Nesbit, James Beacom, James Deens, Thomas I. Higgins, Robert Cun- ningham, John W. Shirer; Blairsville station -Thomas MeCleary, Samuel Y. Kennedy, Alexander Scott, Henry C. Beacom, John Grant, William F. Lauck, Franklin Core, S. P. Wolf, Joseph Miller, Homer J. Smith, J. N. Bracken, D. H. Woodring, Givler. A. C. Jolinston, J. B. Taylor, B. F. Beazell, Thomas F. Pershing, J. T. Pender, and Harry E. Johnston, the present pastor.

The membership of the church at present is over 700.

The first trustees were: John Harrold, Daniel Steffey, John M. Barber, Stewart Davis, Henry Keely, Isaac Pierce, Jonathan Doty. Jonathan Kurtz was the first class leader, and it is said the church was organized at his house; the second leader was Samuel Sharer. The first steward was Stewart Davis. The present official board consists of: Trus- tees, Cyrus Stouffer, president, Charles Rugg, secretary, Dr. L. S. Clagett, W. P. Graff, Harry McKee, G. W. Davis, James Nesbit, S. D. Stiffey ; stewards, George W. Davis, presi- dent. Thomas R. Wilson, H. P. Rhoads, secre- 23

tary, D. C. Lyons, Frank Stiffey, W. H. Stitt, D. C. McAbee, W. P. Graff, John Loughry, J. H. Rugg, William Devinney, C. F. Mc- Garvey, S. E. Ferguson; class leaders, J. T. Frey, J. T. Tyson.

James Nesbit is superintendent of the Sab- bath school, which has an enrollment of over 500. From 1900 to 1913 Cyrus Stouffer was the Sunday school superintendent. Mr. Stouffer was preceded by Paul Graff, who held that office many years.

The following from this congregation have entered the ministry: N. G. Miller, D. D., Blairsville, Pa., pastor emeritus; Lucius Chapman, Uniontown, Pa .; Alvin Chapman, deceased; Joseph Morrison, Pittsburg, Pa .; Nathan Shurick, in the West; T. M. Boyle, deceased, a former presiding elder of Pitts- burg Conference; Lyman Walker, deceased, missionary to Africa under Bishop Taylor.

BLACKLICK CHURCH

About seventy-five years ago a camp meet- ing was held at Blacklick by the members of the Blairsville Methodist Episcopal Church, but it was not until the spring of the year 1859 that Methodism obtained a foothold in the community. At that time the minister in charge of the Blairsville Church, Rev. R. Cunningham, held a series of revival meet- ings in the Bell's Mills schoolhouse, which re- sulted in a number of conversions. Twenty- four of these converts were organized into a class with G. S. Jamison, of Bairdstown, near Blairsville, as leader. This good brother walked from his home to Blacklick each Sun- day and conducted Sunday school and led the class for seven years. At the end of this time Mr. James Dixon, who is still a member of the Blacklick Church, was appointed class leader and for many years held the office. Of the twenty-four charter members he is the only one who resides in the community and of the other twenty-three only five survive.

At first services were held in the school- house at Bell's Mills, but in September, 1859, a series of tent meetings was held and a number of people united with the little band. This seemed to stir up denominational preju- dices and on Sunday, November 6, 1859, the members found the schoolhouse closed against them. Nothing daunted, they held their ser- vices that day in the open air. The follow- ing Sunday, owing to the inclement weather, no service was held. By the next Sunday, however, they had borrowed a tent from the Methodists of Blairsville and erected it in

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Blacklick, and held services as usual. They were the trustees: Dr. Robert Tomb, Wilson then gave their thought and energy to erect- Bowen, Finley Bracken. ing a church building. Ground was leased The following ministers have served the church since organization: John J. Hayes, Joseph N. Pershing, John W. McIntyre, Alex- ander Scott, Thomas H. Woodring, Xenas M. Silbaugh, J. W. Jennings, Norman B. Tanne- hill, Andrew N. Kendall, Andrew S. Hunter, W. S. Cummins, A. M. Doak, H. H. House- hold, W. B. Bergen, G. M. Allshouse, H. H. Household, M. R. Hackman, J. A. Hamilton, U. S. Drake, J. S. Potts, W. S. Carroll and Samuel Hill, the present minister. from the railroad company and the members with their pastor worked in erecting a build- ing that served them seventeen years. Dur- ing the pastorate of Rev. A. C. Johnson, in 1875-76, the present church was built. Mr. James Gardner of Blacklick sold to the trus- tees for a nominal sum the lot on which the church stands. During the pastorate of Rev. L. W. LePage in 1908 nearly $1,000 was spent in improving the church. These, with the improvements made this year, make it a very comfortable and handsome building.

The church has a membership of 140 at the present time and a Sunday school with an en- rollment of 135.

The present church officers are: Trustees, ment of seventy.

Jacob F. Gearhart, Charles Graff, Sumner Graff, John Campbell, Samuel McFeaters, Harry Graff, George Rager; stewards, Ja- cob F. Gearhart, Charles Graff, Sumner Graff, C. W. C. Nippes, Herman Wiley. James Dixon and Henry Graff were trustees and stewards for many years.

ARMAGH CHURCH

The first Methodist preaching in Armagh occurred probably early in the forties. Just who was the first Methodist preacher we can- not tell. There was a class formed as early as 1845. The church building was erected in 1866 at a cost of $2,200.

At present there are sixty-five members, and the trustees are : Samuel Killen, Harry Mack, Harry Elliott, Solomon Plowman, James Tomb. Harry Elliott is the superintendent of the Sabbath school, which has an enroll-

The following were reared in this congrega- tion : Rev. James Bracken, deceased ; Rev. Watson Bracken, of Dravo, Pa .; and James Ballentine, deceased. Rev. Lester Smith, of Detroit, Mich., was licensed in this church.

HOPEWELL CHURCH, BLACKLICK TOWNSHIP

From 1859 to 1868 the church was served by the ministers of the Blairsville Church and This church was organized more than one hundred years ago. There have been three church buildings. The first was a log church and was located a short distance below where the present building stands. The pulpit was very high and the minister went up a winding stairway to get into it, and if he was tall his head would touch the ceiling. The people sat below on seats made of split logs, with no backs except in the amen corners. All was woods around the old church. James Dixon, who is now ninety-one years old, remembers in that period the following pastors served the congregation : 1859, R. Cunningham; 1860- 61, J. W. Shirer; 1862-63, T. MeCleary ; 1864- 65, T. Y. Kennedy ; 1866-67, A. Scott; 1868, H. C. Beacom. From 1869 to the present time the church has been combined with the Homer City Church and served by the fol- lowing pastors: 1869-70, J. S. Wakefield; 1871-72, R. Jordon; 1873-74, T. J. Kurtz; 1875-76, A. C. Johnson; 1877, C. W. Miller; 1878, C. L. E. Cartwright; 1879-81, Solomon Keebler; 1882-84, W. A. Stuart; 1885, W. seeing William Davis and family going to this Johnson; 1886-87, J. B. Uber; 1888-92, J. church on horseback, the children riding be- N. Pershing; 1893, H. J. Altsman; 1894, A. hind their parents. Others who attended this P. Leonard; 1895, J. E. Kidney ; 1896-97, H. old church were Venus Sutton, Ellen and J. Hickman; 1898-1900, G. H. Huffman; 1901-93, J. E. Inskeep; 1904-06, S. B. La- verty; 1907, L. W. LePage; 1908 to present, F. A. Richards.

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 69

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