USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume I > Part 57
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From 1832 all preaching services were held in the courthouse until August, 1842, and Sunday school in the old jail.
On January 18, 1843, the pioneer trustees in Brookville were elected, to wit: J. Hen- dricks, W. A. Sloan and Thomas M. Barr. To raise the preacher's salary the pews were sold annually in the early forties. As these pay- ments for rental were required in advance, notes were frequently given by members, to wit :
1843. Dr.
John Smith, to Pew No. 34. .
Interest from Sept. 6th, 1842. .... .$40 00
The members of the pioneer Presbyterian Church in Brookville in 1843, as I remember them, were: Andrew Barnett and wife, John Latimer and wife, Nathaniel Butler and wife. Joseph Mccullough and wife, Thomas M. Barr and wife, Samuel Jones and wife, Sam- nel Findley and wife, William Wiley and wife, Elijah Clark and wife, Dr. Gara Bishop and wife, Samuel McQuiston and wife. Joseph Carr and wife, Samnel Davidson and wife, John Matthews and wife, Joseph Henderson and wife, Thomas Lucas and wife, Samuel Craig and wife, C. A. Alexander. Philip Tay- lor and wife, Jameson Hendricks and wife, W. . 1. Sloan and wife, Enoch Hall and wife. Samuel Truby and wife, E. M. Graham and wife, John Matson, Sr., and wife, John Lucas, Sr., and wife, Samuel Lucas and wife, Thomas Hall and wife, John Wilson and wife, John Wynkoop and wife, Samuel B. Bishop and wife, Archibald McMurray and wife, Alex- ander McManigle and wife, Isaac Matson and wife, Thomas Witherow and wife, James Cor- bet and wife, John Love and wife, Mrs. Mary McKnight. Mrs. Joseph Henderson is the only one now living. 1915.
In the old days the "token" was given out on Saturday to all those who were adjudged worthy to sit at the Lord's table. These tokens were taken up on the following Sunday while seated at the table. Friday was "fast" or preparation day. We were not allowed to cat anything, or very little, until the sun went down. I can only remember that I used to get hungry and long for night to come.
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The congregation in 1843 was largely com- posed of country people who came to service in wagons, on horseback or afoot. Usually we had two services a day, with an intermis- sion for dinner. In 1900 I was acquainted with one lady who as a young woman walked five or six miles in her bare feet regularly to church, and when the borough line was reached she would drop into the woods and put on her shoes and stockings. This was not an uncommon economical practice in sum- mer. There were no free hide questions in discussion then and no tariff on shoes. Is there any lady that has to do that to-day ?
In my childhood I attended the Presbyterian Sunday school. In summer my clothing was blue drilling pants, a coarse muslin shirt, "list- ing galluses," and straw hat-a stone-bruised barefoot boy. Other boys came dressed the same as I, having also the stone bruises, stubbed toes and hacked feet. Is there any scholar of the school so clad or foot-sore now ?
Church bells were first used in 458. In 1858 our Presbyterians bought the first bell used on a church in the county. This bell weighed eight hundred and seventy-five pounds and cost three hundred and thirty-one dollars. There was no belfry on the old church, so a derrick had to be erected alongside the build- ing in which to suspend the bell. This ad- dition was nicknamed the "Old Saltwell Der- rick." John E. Barr, later chief of police, was the first janitor who rang this bell for church and tolled it for burial services. As I recol- lect, the bell was paid for or mostly so by the women of the congregation through festivals, etc. It is the same bell that now calls the peo- ple together.
On February 16, 1866, by order of court in petition of S. A. Moore, Joseph E. Hall and Gabriel Vasbinder, trustees, the name of the congregation was changed to what it is now, "Brookville Presbyterian Church."
The pastors and supplies of the church have been as follows:
Rev. John Shoap, supply half time, two hundred dollars a year, from October. 1834, to March, 1835, when he died from consump- tion and was buried in the old graveyard and to-day his grave is unknown. On account of his sickness he was never ordained.
Rev. Gara Bishop, supply from June, 1835, to 1840.
Rev. David Polk, supply from June, 1840, until April, 1841, and from the latter date the pastor until December 24, 1845. He was an epileptic.
Rev. C. P. Cummins, pastor for half time from June 15, 1847. to June 10, 1862.
Rev. S. H. Holliday, pastor from June 16, 1863. to February 1I, 1868. In this connection we quote from the Star of March II, 1863, a paragraph headed "Donation": "We are re- quested to state that the citizens of town will have a donation for the benefit of the Rev. Mr. Holliday, of Brookville, at the residence belonging to Miss Mary McCormic, on Jeffer- son street, on next Friday in the afternoon and evening ( March 13, 1863). The reverend gentleman has been called to take charge of the Presbyterian Church in Brookville, and this will be a fitting opportunity to make his ac- quaintance and that of his lady. The invita- tion is to the citizens, generally, to be present with their gifts at the above time. The town has a fame for its liberality, and it will not suffer that fame to be tarnished on the pres- ent occasion. Come one, come all."
Rev. J. J. Marks, D. D., pastor from August, 1868, to April, 1872.
Rev. A. B. Fields, pastor from May, 1874. to April, 1880. He preached during the year 1873 as a supply.
Rev. J. T. Sherrard, pastor from Novem- ber. 1880, to March, 1883.
Rev. J. H. Stewart, pastor from June, 1883, to September, 1886.
Rev. S. J. Glass, pastor from April, 1887, to about 1890.
Rev. James Conway, pastor from April, 1890, to September. 1907. Dr. Conway was in charge of the church two years longer than Rev. Mr. Cummins, and served as pastor longer than any other preacher ever called here. He was in every sense a gentleman, educated and able.
Rev. James B. G. Hill has been pastor from May 1, 1907, down to the present, 1916.
I have known and listened to all these min- isters except Shoap.
I remember distinctly the old church and all connected with it-its high pulpit, its straight-backed and back-breaking pews, the collection poles and sacks; the clerks that pitched the tunes and sang them, and the tun- ing forks they used, the old heating stoves, the candles with their dim light and the snuff- ing of them, and the usual announcement of the preacher of future candlelight services. Yes, I delight to revel in these tales of the long, long ago.
In 1843 we had for night services moon- light, starlight and tin lanterns with holes punched in them, containing candles.
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PISGAH CHURCII
In answer to a petition of a number of Pres- byterians of what was then Rose township, presented June 25, 1833, to the Muddy Creek l'resbytery, Rev. Cyrus Riggs was appointed by that body to preach to and organize for these petitioners a church. To this duty Mr. Riggs attended on the 2d of July, 1833. The congregation assembled at the house of Philip Corbett, about one mile west of where Corsica now is and now in Clarion county. After a sermon the following persons presented cer- tificates of their regular standing as members in full communion in the Presbyterian Church of Bethel, or gave such other evidence of it as was satisfactory :
Samuel Davidson and wife, Samuel Lucas and wife, Philip Corbett and wife, John Wil- son and wife, William Corbett and wife, John Hindman and wife, Robert Barr and wife, James Hindman and wife, William Love and wife. John M. Flemming and wife, David Lamb and wife, Christwell Whitehill and wife. William Douglass-twenty-five, twelve men with their wives and one widower.
The members being seated by themselves the following questions were proposed to them for their assent: "Do you and each of you now agree to walk together in fellowship as a church of Jesus Christ, in the doctrines and order of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America?" To this a unani- mous assent was given by the members rising to their feet.
After a brief exhortation the church and congregation procceded to elect ruling elders. It was agreed that females should have the privilege of voting, and that six elders be elected. After the votes were counted it ap- peared that the following persons, William Corbett. Samuel Lucas, William Douglass, James Hindman, John M. Flemming and Sam- ttel Davidson had the highest number of votes, and they were declared duly elected. On that date the organization was completed in Philip Corbett's barn, then in Armstrong county, one mile west of where Corsica now stands.
Two meetings preliminary to the organiza- tion were held at the house of Robert Barr, Sr., one mile cast of where Corsica now stands, viz., February 22, 1833, and April 13, 1833. respectively. On February 22d it was resolved that the congregational name be Pisgah, and that the edifice for worship be erected on the hill south of MeAnulty's, close to the Olean road. A committee was appointed to pur- chase the land, and a committee was appointed
to present the petition of the church people to Presbytery for an organization. At the April meeting the committee reported the pur- chase of ten acres of ground on the west side of the Olcan road for the sum of fifteen dol- lars and a deed of trust received. It was also resolved that Philip Corbett's barn, in Arm- strong (now Clarion) county, be the place for worship that summer. The pioneer house of worship was built on the hill in 1841 at a cost of one thousand dollars.
l'isgah was first regularly supplied by Rev. John Shoap in connection with Bethel ( Brook- ville) in 1834 and 1835. Rev. Mr. Shoap was a married man, and lived in Brookville: Rev. Gara Bishop was put in for one third time, from May, 1835, to May, 1836. During the next four years Pisgah had only supplies. The first installed minister was Rev. David Polk, one half time, from 1840 to December, 1845, at two hundred dollars a year. I remember Rev. Mr. Polk well, and he visited at our house frequently.
Pisgah Church in 1840 had fifty-nine mem- bers. In that year the church erected its first building, at a cost of one thousand dollars. It was on the ground and near the site of the present edifice. During Mr. Polk's time the church received, on examination, sixty ; on cer- tificate, thirty-one ; ninety-one in all. For sev- eral years before his death ( 1857) he resided in Brookville and taught language in our academy, assisted by the late lamented Prof. . S. W. Smith. He was also a pastor of the Mount Tabor and Richardsville churches. Mount Tabor was formed from Bethel, and originally comprised in the Bethel organiza- tion, to wit: Pisgah in 1833, Mount Tabor in 1840, Richardsville in 1848, and Mount Pleasant in 1857. Up to 1878, eight hundred members had come and gone from Brookville or Bethel Church.
In 1858 the present Pisgah Church build- ing was erected, a frame structure fifty by sixty-five. The contractor was James W. Brady, of Brookville. The building cost five thousand dollars, and was dedicated April 2, 1858, free from debt. The carpenters received for work on that building, one dollar and fifty cents per day.
Rev. C. P. Cummins, M. D., was pastor from June, 1847, for half of his time, the other half being given to Brookville until September, 1862. 1Ie resigned once in that time, on August 5, 1856, but in ten days was recalled, and the next month was reinstalled. The work ac- complished by this brother in his long pastorate in the charge where he was so greatly beloved,
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was without doubt a very great work, and the power for good that he has been to the church and to this county cannot be estimated.
Rev. J. S. Elder was pastor for one half time from December, 1864, to February, 1868, the church of Greenville, in Clarion county, taking the other half of his time.
Rev. J. M. Hamilton was pastor from June, 1869, to April, 1871, his time being equally divided between Pisgah and Greenville.
Rev. Ross Stevenson, D. D., was pastor for two thirds of his time, the one third being given to the church of Troy, from November, 1871, to February, 1876.
Rev. Frank P. Britt, for half time, was ordained and installed August 24, 1877, the other half of his time being divided between the churches of Greenville and New Rehoboth. Ile died February 6, 1907.
Rev. Francis A. Kenen was pastor from October, 1907, to 1914.
Rev. J. K. McDivitt has served from Oc- tober, 1914. to the present.
BEECH WOODS' HISTORY
Rev. Cyrus Riggs was the pioneer preacher here. He visited the settlement in 1826. He was born in New Jersey, was reared in Waslı- ington county, Pa., studied theology under Rev. Dr. McMillen, graduated from Jefferson College in 1803, and was licensed to preach in October, 1805. He died in Illinois in 1849. On Monday, December 3, 1832, the Beech- woods Church was organized in a little cabin occupied and owned by the Henry Keys family. Rev. Cyrus Riggs, accompanied by three rul- ing elders of the Rehoboth (Brookville) Church, Thomas Lucas, Esq., Maj. William Rogers and Master John Wilson, with ten members, organized the body, viz .: Robert McIntosh and wife, William Cooper and wife, William McConnell and wife, David Dennison and wife, Robert Morrison and Susan (Grand- mother) Keys. At this place and day the fol- lowing three gentlemen were elected elders : Robert McIntosh, Robert Morrison and Wil- liam McConnell. A little cabin schoolhouse that was built near the present cemetery was used for church services until May, 1833, when William Cooper's new hewed-log house was used, until 1835. In 1830 Rev. Gara Bishop came from Philipsburg. Center county, to marry James Waite and Mattie McIntosh, and, preacher-like in those days, he brought a jug of whisky in one end of his saddlebags and a stone in the other. The whisky was for the wedding. In 1829 or 1830 Rev. Cyrus
Riggs made a missionary trip through the settlement. He visited in every family and remained long enough to preach on two Sun- days. The only money in the "woods" was a five-dollar bill. This belonged to Matthew Keys. The preacher had to have a little ex- pense money, so each settler of Presbyterian proclivities promised Keys to give him at some future time twenty-five cents, or what would amount to five dollars, if he would give Mr. Riggs the bill. This Keys did, and the set- tlement was then bankrupt. How much could that wealthy congregation raise for Rev. Mr. Riggs to-day if he were to return and preach two Sabbatlıs?
The common school law had been passed in 1834 and in the year of 1835 Pinecreek township accepted its provisions and ordered four schoolhouses erected in the township. One of these houses was built near the Pres- byterian cemetery and was always called the Waite schoolhouse. This structure was of hewed logs, and was occupied jointly for school and preaching purposes until about 1849. I attended church there myself. The pioneer church building was commenced in 1846 and finished in 1850. In 1837 two more elders were elected, John Hunter and Joseph McCurdy.
Joseph McCurdy came to Beechwoods from Indiana county in the year 1834. Ile was ac- companied by his mother, two brothers and three sisters. They settled on and cleared the farm where John J. McCurdy now resides. I lived in his log house about five years, and whatever I am I owe to him. As a man, he was very quiet and unassuming, without show or pretense. He was faithful as a Christian, firm and decided as an elder in maintaining (liscipline in the church, and mild in enforcing the same; a firm believer in the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church as being the truths taught by the Word of God. These truths he unflinchingly maintained and defended through life. He did much for the church, and after his death his mantle fell upon his brother, James, who died October 27, 1902. Joseph McCurdy's gentlemanly manners and social habits greatly endeared him to all his associates and acquaintances. He died February 25, [862, and although February 27th, the day of his burial, was unusually stormy, yet the larg- est concourse of people that ever assembled for a similar purpose in Washington township mnet at his residence to pay their last respects to the mortal remains of this truly good man. By honesty and industry he had accumulated a competence which, by will, he left to charity,
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his wife and his brother James. Joseph Mc- Curdy believed and told me many a time "that gold and gems are not the thing to satisfy the heart," and I certainly testify that around his altar and his hearth he had always pleasant words and loving smiles. He was an every- day Christian. I was the physician during his last illness, and although his sufferings were quite severe not even a murmur escaped his lips. When I look back to his deathbed, I can only say, "How blest the righteous when he dies."
The following ministers have been in charge at the Beechwoods church :
Rev. Gara Bishop, from 1835 to 1845. Rev. Alexander Boyd, from 1846 to 1849.
Rev: John Wray, from May 25. 1850, to April 23, 1871. During the last two years of Mr. Wray's pastorate he was totally blind.
Rev. John Wray was the first Presbyterian and Toby Valley minister to regularly "cry aloud" to the people of Ridgway, "Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Come buy wine and milk without money and without price." During my two years' stay there in Ridgway he preached regularly once in four or six weeks. He may have had a few female members in his church, but to my observation the people generally preferred the "world, the flesh, the devil." whisky and New England
He came to Ridgway as a missionary, in 1850. He had been a missionary in India for seven years. He was a pleasant, earnest, good Irishman, and always stopped with Mr. Lu- ther. He was small of stature, and rode astride his horse and saddlebags as stiff and upright as though he were a keg of nails. He died at Brockwayville August 16, 1883, aged eighty-nine years.
In May, 1871, Rev. W. H. Filson was or- dlained pastor and served from 1871 to 1883.
Rev. Robert A. Hunter was pastor from May, 1884, imtil 1888.
George II. Hill came September 18, 1889, and died December 19, 1912.
Charles C. Cribbs has been pastor since June, 1913.
The second church building was commenced in the spring of 1888 and finished in Decem- ber of that year. It cost five thousand dol- lars.
PERRY CHURCH
The Presbyterian Church of Perry stands tenth in order of age in Clarion Presbytery. The elder churches were organized as follows : New Rehoboth and Licking. 1802; Concord,
1807 : Rockland, 1822 ; Richland, 1823; Brook- ville, 1824; Beechwoods, 1832; Pisgah, at Corsica, 1833; Bethesda, at Rimersburg, 1836.
This church of Perry, so called from the name of the township, was organized Septem- ber 4. 1836, by Revs. John Reed and E. D. Barrett, a committee appointed by the Pres- bytery of Blairsville. It was composed of the following twenty-four members: William Stunkard, Stephen Lewis and Samuel Kelly, elders, and their wives, Ruth Stunkard. Ann Lewis, and Elizabeth Kelly, James and Sarah Chambers, John and Mary Frampton, Thomas and Eleanor Gourley, Elizabeth and Margaret Kelly, David Manners, Margaret Mckinstry and Elizabeth McKee, all of whom were re- ceived by letter, and Robert Gaston and Sarah Wachob, on examination.
The original members brought their letters from churches in Indiana and Armstrong counties. The Gourley family came from Sinking Valley, though John Gourley, a brother of Thomas, was elected an elder in this church in 1841 while residing at Covode, and George Gourley (the first) came here from Smicksburg.
John Perry was precentor. Isaac Lewis, and after him David Harl, lined out the hymns. The precentor and outliner stood in an elevated box, and the pulpit was high over the heads of the people, as is still the case in some instances in modern times.
This church has had the following pastors. For four years after its organization its pul- pit was filled by supplies ( Rev. E. D. Bar- rett being one), during which time thirty-two members were received by letter and nineteen on examination, or fifty-one in all.
The first pastor was Rev. John Carothers, who was ordained and installed June 4. 1840. by the Presbytery of Blairsville, as pastor of the churches of Gilgal and Perry, half time for each. During his pastorate additions to the eldership were received at three different times. On May 8, 1841. Joseph Manners and John Gourley were ordained and installed. and James Chambers installed. On May 13. 1842, John Sprankle; May 6. 1848. William M. Johnston, William Newcomb and Isaac Melleury.
The church was incorporated in 1862, and in 1860 a comfortable parsonage, to which belongs several acres of ground, was provided for the pastor.
Rev. John Carothers was released in June, 1854.
Rev. John MeKean was pastor from Decem- ber, 1856, to September, 1860.
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Rev. H. K. Hennigh was stated supply from the fall of 1861 to the spring of 1864.
Rev. James Caldwell was pastor from Sep- tember, 1869, to April, 1877.
Mr. J. E. Leyda was ordained and installed pastor in November, 1877, and was released in February, 1880.
MOUNT TABOR CHURCH
Mount Tabor Church is located on the (lean road, half a mile from Sigel. The organization was effected late in 1840. The committee of Presbytery consisted of Revs. John. Core and David Polk. It had eleven original members. William McNeil and James Summerville were elected, ordained and installed as elders. For seven years the congregation worshiped in an old log school- house. The pioneer church was built in 1848, but replaced in 1873 by a substantial structure.
Ministers: Rev. David Polk, supply the first two years after the organization ; Rev. William Kennedy, supply from 1844 to No- vember, 1850; Rev. David Polk, supply a sec- ond time, from 1852 to 1856; Rev. William McMichael, supply in 1858 and 1859; Rev. T. S. Leason was installed October 8, 1860; Dr. Leason died July 29, 1891 ; and from May, 1893, to the present ( 1915), J. E. Humbert has served.
RICII ARDSVILLE
Richardsville Church was organized in the fall of 1851, with about twenty members, Revs. David Polk and C. P. Cummins, M. D., being the committee. James Moorhead, Sr., Jolin Wakefield and L. Bartlett were ordained and installed elders, and D. W. Moorhead and John Slack as deacons. The name of the pioneer church was Pine Grove, but it was changed to Richardsville September 5, 1860. A schoolhouse was used as a place of worship until 1858, when a comfortable church build- ing was erected.
Pioneer ministers : Rev. David Polk, supply the first five years; Rev. William McMichael, supply one year. from April, 1859: Rev. T. S. Leason, pastor in 1860; Rev. A. W. Seiple is pastor in 1915.
MOUNT PLEASANT
Mount Pleasant ( Knox Dale post office ) was the seventh Presbyterian organization effected in Jefferson county. The services connected therewith were held by Revs.
C. P. Cummins and John McKean, in the barn of Mr. D. S. Chitister, May 16, 1857. Twelve members constituted the original or- ganization. Considerable difficulty was ex- perienced in providing a suitable sanctuary. In 1862 the lot and little log church belonging to the Evangelical body were purchased, but it was a very inadequate building ; so in 1867 an attempt was made to build a new church, but failed. However, in 1869, the effort was renewed, and through the hard labor and per- sistence of pastor and the little band of people it was successful, and a neat and commodious house of worship was completed, at a cost of two thousand, eight hundred dollars. Rev. John McKean was stated supply until Septem- ber, 1860; Rev. John Wray during parts of 1862 and 1863; Rev. T. S. Leason was stated supply from September, 1864, to April, 1883; Rev. J. S. Helm from November, 1883, to April, 1885.
REYNOLDSVILLE
Reynoldsville Presbyterian Church was organized on the 12th of February, 1851. with fifteen members, by Revs. John Wray and Joseph Mateer. W. H. Reynolds was elected and installed as elder. Rev. L. B. Shryock was installed pastor. In 1871 a church build- ing was erected. In 1875 a new church building was commenced in a more desirable location, and finished in the summer of 1881. Rev. John Wray was stated supply of the church until the spring of 1859. Dr. Marks, of Brookville Church, preached occasionally in 1871 and 1872. Rev. D. W. Cassat was the first pastor for all this time from March, 1874, to April. 1876; G. B. Taylor, from 1876 until 1884; Rev. H. G. Furbay. 1891-1893: Rev. H. R. Johnston after Furbay; Rev. Mr. Reber in 1897; Rev. A. D. Mckay, 1910; Rev. Russell A. Mckinley, 1912; Rev. J. E. Miller, 1913- 1915.
MAYSVILLE
Maysville Church ( Hazen post office) was organized June 14, 1870, with ten members, Revs. John Wray and J. J. Marks, D. D., serv- ing as the committee of Presbytery. J. R. Trimble and M. C. Hoffman were elected, ordained and installed ruling elders. A house of worship was erected in 1871 at a cost of two thousand, six hundred dollars. Rev. W. [T. Filson was the first pastor, serving this church for one-fourth time from September, 1871, to April, 1875. Rev. A. B. Fields was
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