USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume I > Part 60
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
PARADISE M. E. CHURCH
In 1835 a preaching point was established in the Paradise settlement by the preacher of the Brookville circuit. The pioneer members of the society were Joseph Syphert, Mary Syphert, John Strouse, Jane Strouse and
313
JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Jacob Shaffer. Rev. R. M. Felt, who was on the Emerickville circuit, was in charge.
RINGGOLD M. E. CHURCII
In 1816 two brothers named Hancock, who were traveling as missionaries, passed through what is now Ringgold township, and preached at the house of David Milliron. There was occasional preaching after this by local preach- ers until 1852, when regular services were commenced by Rev. G. F. Reeser, who organ- ized a class. In 1853 a joint church was built by the Methodists and Evangelical Associa- tion.
Pastors: Revs. W. J. Barton, 1886; Levi Beers, 1887-88; John Frampton, 1889-90; Anthony Graves, 1891-95; Ira Scott, 1896-98; R. A. McIntyre, 1899; L. H. Shindledecker, 1900-03; J. R. Burrows, 1903-05: W. J. Small, 1905-07; Henry Smallenberger, 1907-08; J. K. Adams, 1908-10: J. C. Wharton, 1910-12; H. A. Silvis, 1912-14 ; A. L. Richards, 1914-16.
CORSICA M. E. CHURCH
The Corsica M. E. Church was organized about the year 1854. Rev. James Gillfillan was the pastor. J. W. Monks was the pioneer class leader. Rev. Mr. Gillfillan was followed by Revs. Edwin Hull, Thomas Benn, George W. Moore and others. The society first met for worship in a private house, next in the "old Corsica schoolhouse," then in a hall.
The pioneer edifice was erected in 1871, during the pastorate of Rev. W. M. Taylor, at a cost of three thousand, five hundred dol- lars. The parsonage was built during Mr. Taylor's administration. Since 1864 the charge has been served by the following pas- tors: Revs. P. W. Scofield : E. C. McElhat- ten : F. Fair ; W. M. Taylor : J. W. Martin ; J. C. Rhodes; O. H. Sibley ; J. H. Laverty ; A. M. Lockwood; W. S. Shepard; P. J. Slattery ; C. H. Frampton ; J. M. Edwards ; Alvah Wil- der; J. C. Wharton, 1886-87: E. R. Knapp, 1888; C. W. Darrow, 1889, part of the year, followed by A. L. Brand, who resigned the charge July, 1890, and was succeeded by J. G. Harsha, 1890-91; Otis II. Sibley, 1892; J. J. Ginader, 1893, part of the year, the balance. C. H. Frampton ; J. E. Brown, 1894-95; W. H. Zellers, 1896; J. W. Wakefield, 1897: F. H. Frampton, 1898; C. . 1. Whippo, 1899- 1901 ; J. E. Allgood. 1901-05: S. L. Richards, 1905-08: J. L. Duff, 1908-09; D. J. Blaisdell. 1909-10; Roy Welker, 1910-12; W. S. Gear- hart, 1912-13 ; F. C. Timmis, 1913-16.
MEADE CHAPEL
About the year 1847 pastors of the Brook- ville circuit established preaching points at Knox Dale, and also one in a log house two miles from Knox Dale. Afterwards the ap- pointment was moved to the Davidson school- house, in Knox township. In 1872 the two societies were merged into one and the Meade Chapel was built. Meade Chapel was a part of the Emerickville circuit. The McAninch congregation was also a part of the Emerick- ville circuit. The Port Barnett congregation was organized in 1870 by Rev. Mr. Peete, in the Emerickville charge.
BEECHTREE M. E. CHURCH
Beechtree in 1886 to 1889 was in the Brock- wayville charge; in 1889 to 1893 a separate charge under Rev. D. A. Platt ; D. S. Stead- man, 1894-96; J. G. Harsha, 1897-99; Joel Smith, 1900-03: J. D. Clemmons, 1903-05; R. F. Howe, 1905-12 : Q. G. Koomce, 1912-16.
FALLS CREEK M. E. CHURCH
Falls Creek was made an appointment in 1800, with Rev. Orley H. Sibley, appointee ; Thomas Pollard, 1892; J. P. Hicks, 1893-94 : IV. R. Buzza, 1895-96; Otis H. Sibley, 1897- 98; C. H. Frampton, 1899-1903; W. S. Gear- hart, 1903-04; F. M. Redinger, 1904-1I ; C. J. Zetler, 1911-16.
SYKESVILLE M. E. CHURCHI
First charge. \. 1 .. Brand, 1886; O. H. Nichols, 1887-88; L. G. Merrill, 1889-92 ; Thomas Pollard. 1893-94; J. P. Hicks, 1895- 98: Ira Scott. 1899-1902; S. L. Richards. 1902-04 ; D. J. Frum. 1904-05 ; R. C. McMinn, 1905-07; W. E. Frampton, 1907-10; L. H. Shindledecker, October, 1910, to December : from December, 1910, to October, 1911, G. W. Fuller : 1911-15, M. B. Riley ; E. M. Fra- denburgh, 1915-16.
BIG RUN M. E. CHURCHI
Big Run was made a charge in 1888; F. S. Neigh, 1892; J. R. Miller, 1892-93; J. H. Vance, 1894-95; J. K. Adams, 1896-97; Anth- ony Groves, 1898-1903; C. C. Rumberger, 1903-06; Albert Sydon, 1906-08; J. E. All- good, 1908-10; C. J. Zetler, 1910-1I ; W. P. Lowthian, 1911-12; E. T. English, 1912-16
314
JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
GRACE M. L. CHURCH-PUNXSUTAWNEY
The Grace M. E. Church, with twenty-five members, was organized in 1897 by Rev. T. W. Douglas. The church was erected the same vear. Rev. C. Zetler was pastor in 1898-99; W. O. Calhoun, 1900-04; T. W. English, 1904- 05: L. E. Rexrode, 1905-06; Anthony Groves, 1906-08; J. P. Hicks, 1908-10; W. V. MeLean, 1010-13: S. 11. Barlett, 1913-14; C. E. Mc- Kinley, 1914-16.
METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCHI
The Methodist Protestant Church seceded from the Methodist Episcopal Church and was organized in the city of Baltimore, Md .. November 2d. 1830, where and when a con- stitution and book of discipline was framed and adopted. Rev. Francis Waters, D. D., of Baltimore, was the presiding officer. From the formation of Methodism there were those in the church who opposed the Episcopate, the placing of all authority in the church in the hands of the itinerant preachers, to the ex- clusion of local exhorters and lay members. In 1824 a meeting of reformers was held in Baltimore, Md .. who formed a "Union So- ciety" to agitate a change of government in the church. and these societies were formed in various parts of the United States. The General Conference of 1828 turned down the petitions of these societies for a change of the church government, whereupon about eighty- three ministers and five thousand members seceded from the parent church. The only difference between the two bodies was and is in church government. The Methodist Pro- testant General Conference meets once in seven years, and is composed of an equal num- her of ministers and laymen. Each annual and quarterly conference elected its own offi- cers, who are superintendents, circuit riders. local preachers, class leaders and stewards.
When Jefferson circuit, of the Pittsburgh district, was formed, 1 do not know, but Brookville circuit. of Pittsburgh ( Pa. ) dis- triet, was formed by the division of the Jeffer- son circuit in the fall of 1854, and composed the eastern portion of what was Pittsburgh- Jefferson cirenit. The first quarterly con- ference of Brookville circuit was
held in Moore's schoolhouse, Warsaw town- ship. December 9, 1854. Rev. John Flegal was called to the chair and John F. Hoffman was appointed secretary. Min- isters present were Revs. William McCul- longh, John Flegal, George Senior, Ira
Brownson. Preacher, John Alford. The stewards at that time were David Hoffman, Washington Britton and Jonathan Milliron. It was agreed that John Alford's license to preach be renewed. It required four weeks to cover the circuit, each point of preaching having a service once in four weeks. The second quarterly conference was held in Rey- noldsville May 21, 1855; the third conference in rad Pearsall's barn, in Warsaw town- ship.
In 1856 Rev. J. K. Coxson and Rev. Risdon Deford were members of the conference. The salary of the superintendent in 1856 was three hundred, ninety-two dollars and twenty- five cents. On August 29, 1857, John K. Cox- son was dismissed from the conference for noncompliance with rules.
The first service where Bethel church now stands was held in the Geer schoolhouse in 1860.
Bethel Church, Pinecreek township, was built about 1872, Greenbrier about 1878.
On September ist. 1859, the Brookville cir- cuit was divided on the Jefferson county line, making Jefferson county a mission designated as Brookville mission.
In July, 1858, Ira Brownson presented some strong resolutions against slavery, which were adopted.
In 1860 Brookville mission was designated as Brookville and Clarion mission.
PART OF SUSQUEHANNA CIRCUIT
Chestnut Grove M. P. Church. Gaskill township, was organized in 1868. All services were held in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, situated on Mr. George Rhode's farm, for two successive years. In 1870 a church buikling was erected on the same farm. The presiding minister was C. K. Stillwagon. Prominent male members were as follows: S. T. IToover, David Williams, William Wil- liams, John Williams, Henry Smith.
The work has been carried on successfully ever since its organization and a good, flourish- ing society is still in possession.
FREE METHODISTS
The Free Methodist Church was organized at Pekin, in western New York, in 1860.
The Free Methodist Church of Brockway- ville was organized in 1804. with Rev. A. Smith as pastor. In 1898 a site was purchased and a building erected. The pastorate of Rev. Mr. Smith extended over two years, when he
315
JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
was succeeded by Rev. H. A. Baldwin, who took charge of the church in 1896. He was succeeded in 1898 by Rev. Charles Copeland, who served as pastor for two years, after which Rev. S. O. Yelvington assumed the charge of that pastorate in 1900. This church owns its own house of worship and parson- age.
The pioncer Free Methodist Church in Brookville was erected on Church street and dedicated December 25, 1896; Rev. Mr. Zan- nizer, pastor.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL DENOMINATION
The pioneer Episcopalian to locate in the county was Col. Alexander McKnight, in 1832. The pioneers to organize a church were at Sugar Hill in 1850, in Snyder township, viz .: John Robinson and family, Thomas Brian and family. In June, 1865, Joseph Bar- ber, a lay reader, settled there. On July 10, 1870, a church was organized, and a church building was erected in 1871. In 1887 mis- sions were established in Brookville and Rey- noldsville. Brookville built a nice brick church at a cost of four thousand dollars. Services have been held only occasionally in all these churches.
REFORMED CHURCH
The Reformed Church of Punxsutawney, St. Peter's, was founded in 1838 by Rev. John Althouse. The incoming emigrants from eastern counties, together with Reformed and Lutheran emigrants from Germany, gave rise to the organization of a congregation near the "village of Punxsutawney," which was effected by Rev. Mr. Althouse, the pioneer minister of the Reformed Church, who lived in the vicinity of Punxsutawney from 1826 to 1845. The field of this missionary extended over parts of Jefferson, Clearfield, Armstrong and Indiana counties. St. Peter's was incor- porated in 1846 and a charter granted to the German Lutheran and Reformed Churches, the original congregation having been a union of Reformed and Lutheran settlers. It was not until 1848 that a permanent building was erected, on the site of the present church, an acre of ground having been purchased from Dr. John W. Jenks for ten dollars. The men- bers of the congregation performed the work of clearing the tract for the building and cemetery and of erecting the log church. con- siderably smaller than the present one, the building and furnishing of which was accom-
plished at a total cost of four hundred dollars. Prominent among the early families were the Smiths, Haags, Hochs, Webers, Wingersts, Spindlers, and Sprows.
The pulpit was set high up, the pastor mounting to it by means of stairs, One aisle ran through the center of the room, with the pews on both sides fastened against the walls. An interesting custom in vogue was the use of a long pole with a cloth bag suspended for receiving the "collection." Beneath the bag was a small bell, which was rung when a member slept or failed to contribute. The offerings were sinall, and the pastors were supported mainly by grants of food and horse feed.
Burials were made here as early as 1852.
Prior to 1853 the old Lutheran and Re- formed branches of the church worshiped to- gether in harmony, agreeing to disagree on the doctrinal points which distinguished them. But in that year came Rev. Mr. Brandt, a strict disciplinarian, who insisted upon exact conformity with the Lutheran creed. This caused a disjunction, the Lutherans withdraw- ing and building a church of their own, begun in 1853 and completed in 1854, on the pres- ent site of the new German Lutheran Church. In 1872 the old log church was weather- boarded, and stood until 1888, when the pres- ent building was erected. In 1907 a parson- age was built, which is well adapted for its purpose. A Sunday school was organized by Rev. Mr. Metzgar,
The fortunes of the Reformed congrega- tion since then have been varied, at times flourishing and again at a standstill.
The records of the Reformed Church do not contain the names of the different pastors who have served that congregation, but by diligent inquiry among the pioncer members Rev. U. O. H. Kerschner ( pastor until 1915) was able to get at least the last names of all of them, with the years in which they served, as follows: Rev. John Althouse, 1838-42; Rev. William Englebach, 1843-52; Rev. C. C. Brandt, 1853-54; Rev. Mr. Bayer, 1854-57 ; Rev. Mr. Lemberg, 1857-62; Rev. Mr. Bele- feldt, 1862-64; Rev. Mr. Christ, 1865-66; Rev. Mr. Waklt, 1866-67; Rev. Mr. Hoffniver. 1867-72; Rev. Mr. Walbach, 1872-81 ; Rev. Mr. Dietz, 1884-91 ; Rev. Mr. Metzgar, 1891- 03: Rev. J. F. Wiant, 1893-95: Rev. Lewis Reiter, 1901-04; Rev. U. O. H. Kerschner. 1905-15 ; Rev. E. M. Dietrich, February, 1916.
At the close of Rev. J. F. Wiant's pastorate the congregation was without a pastor until 1901. The mission board took charge of the
316
JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
work under Rev. Lewis Reiter in 1901-04, but it failed to make material progress. With the coming of Mr. Kerschner new life was instilled and the membership increased from thirty to two hundred and twenty. The con- gregation is self-supporting now, and numbers two hundred and five, the Sunday school two hundred and thirty.
PIONEER AND EARLY CAMPMEETINGS
The pioneer campmeeting in the United States was held between 1800 and 1801 at Cane Ridge, in Kentucky.
Exactly when the pioneer campmeeting was held in Jefferson county is unknown to me. Darius Carrier advertised one in the Jef- fersonian as early as 1836, to be held near Summerville. The first one I remember was near Brookville, on the North Fork. Others were held near Roseville and in Perry town- ship and kindred points. The rowdy element attended these gatherings and there was usually a great deal of disturbance from whis- ky and fights, which, of course, greatly an- noyed the church people. The first "Dutch campmeeting" in the county was held in what is now Ringgold township. In fact. these German meetings were only abandoned a few years ago. 1 reproduce a "Dutch campmeet- ing hymn":
Satan and I, we can't agree, Halleo, hallelujah ! For I hate him and he hates me, Halleo, hallelujah !
I do believe without a doubt, Halleo, halleolujah ! The Christian has a right to shout, Halleo, hallelujah !
We'll whip the devil round the stump. Hallco, hallelujah ! And hit him a kick at every jump, Halleo, hatleolujah !
The mode of conducting our wood meetings was patterned after the original in Kentucky. The manner of worship and conversions were the same, and while a great deal of harsh criticism has been made against this mode of religious worship, there is one thing that must be admitted-many bad, wicked persons were changed into good, religious people. Pitchpine fagots were burned at night to light the grounds.
BAPTISTS
The first Baptist Church in the United States was established at Providence, R. I.,
by Roger Williams, whose stern Puritanism drove him out of the English Episcopal Church.
The pioneer Baptist preaching in Pennsyl- vania took place at Cold Spring. Bucks county, in 1684. Rev. Thomas Dungan preaching. This church died in 1702.
In 1822 Rev. Jonathan Nichols settled on Brandy Camp, in the Little Toby valley. He was a regularly ordained Baptist minister and an educated physician. His labors extended all over this county. He was the pioneer Bap- tist. llis was "the voice of one crying in the . wilderness : Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make llis paths straight." As a physician his labors were extended, and his ministry was well received by the scattered people of all beliefs. For a while he adhered to the close communion, but owing to the different be- liefs adhered to by his hearers, he after a few years invited all Christian people who attended his services to the "Lord's table." His daughter told me his heart would not let him do otherwise. One who knew him well wrote of him: "lle was a generous, kind- hearted gentleman, genial and urbane in his manners, with a helping hand ready to assist the needy, and had kind words to comfort the sorrowing." Winter's snow never deterred him from pastoral work or visits to the sick. ( See Chapter XIV, "Jefferson County Prac- titioners.") After Nichols came Rev. Samuel Miles, of Clearfield county.
The first regular Baptist Church was or- ganized in what is now Washington township. in June. 1834. with thirteen members, in Henry Keys' barn, by Rev. Mr. Brown. Henry Keys and James McConnell were elected deacons. The members of this pioneer church were James McConnell. Henry Keys and wife, Miss Bettie Keys, Mrs. Eliza Ilaney, Mary Ann McConnell, Mrs. Catherine Keys, Mar- garet McConnell. Mrs. Nancy MeGhee. Mrs. McClelland, Miss Hall and Robert McIntosh and wife. The pioneer church in the county was erected on the Keys farm in 1841-42. It was a frame building. James McConnell was the carpenter. The immersions took place in Mill creek, now Allen's Mills. Before organ- izing their own church the men and women of the MeIntosh, Keys and McConnell families would start early, at one o'clock, on Sunday morning and walk to Zion Church, in Clarion county, thirty miles, returning home the same day.
317
JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
BROOKVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH MISSION- ORGANIZED MAY, 1837
The second' pioneer minister to do mission labor was Rev. Samuel Miles. He appeared on this field in 1833. Rev. Samuel Dexter Morris was here in 1837-38.
Another minister to perform missionary work was Rev. Thomas E. Thomas, called "Father" Thomas. He came here from 1839 to 1843. Also a pioneer missionary in Brook- ville was Rev. Thomas Wilson. He preached in Brookville in 1844. He pioneered in the county as early as 1840.
The pastors since 1850 have been Samuel Miles, Thomas Wilson, Thomas E. Thomas and John B. Hunt, followed by Professor Lane; J. S. Wrightnour ; Theodore Hender- son. November, 1876, to 1891: January 7, 1895. to 1896, Horace R. Goodchild; E. M. Lightfoot; F. B. Williams; E. S. Kilpatrick; L. B. Underwood ; I. N. Earle; T. W. Evans ; F. B. Irving : II. S. Tillis ; and Robert T. Ket- cham, the present pastor (July 18, 1915). In 1883. under the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Henderson, the present handsome church edi- fice, costing about six thousand dollars, was erected. The ground upon which it is built, valued at not less than one thousand dollars, was donated by Mrs. D. E. Taylor. The loca- tion is on the corner of Main and Mill streets.
The pioneer Baptist communicant to locate in Brookville was James Craig, in 1834. The pioneer convert in the borough was Miss Jane Craig. She was "immersed" near the covered bridge by Rev. Samuel Miles in 1838.
The carly Baptists in this mission were Thomas Humphrey and wife. John Bullers and wife, Michael Troy and wife, William Humphrey and wife, Mrs. John Baum, Wil- liam Russell and wife, Samuel C. Espy and wife.
The pioneer and early "immersion" points were at the covered bridge at the junction of Sandy Lick and North Fork creeks-at or in the tailrace and in the sluice-the milldam of R. P. Barr.
The Brookville church was extinct for a period, but a reorganization of the Brookville Baptist Church was effected in the spring of 1854. During the winter of 1854, Rev. Sam- tel Miles conducted services in the courthouse. Within a few months after these services a number of Baptist believers in the vicinity organized themselves into the Brookville Bap- tist Church, to wit: William Kirkman and Catherine, his wife; Thomas Kirkman and Mary, his wife ; Almond Sartwell and Annie,
his wife; John Bullers; George Loughlin and his wife; Mrs. Col. Hugh Brady; Mrs. Ful- lerton ; Mrs. Thomas Hastings ; William Rus- sell and his wife; William Woods; Mrs. John Baum; James Suffolk and Susan, his wife- not one of whom is now living. The deacons chosen were Thomas Kirkman and George Loughlin ; clerk, Almond Sartwell ; trustees, James Suffolk, Almond Sartwell and John Bullers.
In the fall of 1854 a council of Baptist churches was called to recognize this organiza- tion. At this council the following pastors were present : Rev. Thomas Wilson, Rev. John Solida, Rev. Samuel Miles and Rev. John B. Hunt.
Rev. John B. Hunt preached the sermon and was called as pastor for one-half time, and was the first pastor of this organization, serv- ing for a period of seven years. The pioneer convert immersed under this organization was Louisa Hamilton.
Under Rev. Mr. Hunt's pastorate the church increased to sixty members.
PIONEER ORGANIZATION OF THE CLARION BAP-
TIST ASSOCIATION HIELD AT BROOKVILLE, P.A., JUNE 1 AND 2, 1838
On Friday, June 1. 1838, pursuant to ad- journment, the association convened in Brook- ville, Jefferson Co., Pa. Rev. Thomas Wilson preached the introductory sermon from Job, thirty-third chapter and twenty-fourth verse. The moderator and clerk of the preparatory meeting of 1837 took their seats, and, after prayer by Rev. Samuel D. Morris, of Brook- ville, the letters from churches were read, and the names of the ministers and messengers present were enrolled. Each church was en- titled to four messengers.
The following churches were represented : Zion Church, Armstrong county, constituted June 21, 1821, by Rev. Thomas E. Thomas and Rev. S. Messenger, ordained ministers ; messengers, or lay delegates, Amos Williams, William Corbet and William Frampton ; post office, Strattanville, Pa. Red Bank Church, Armstrong county, constituted May, 1837, by Rev. Thomas Wilson, ordained min- ister ; messengers. I. Moorhead, T. Buzard, J. Putney ; post office, Red Bank, Pa. Mahoning Church, Indiana county, constituted April, 1830, by Rev. Thomas Wilson, ordained min- ister ; messengers, Jacob Keel. Thompson Hayes ; post office. Smicksburg, Pa. Brook- ville Church, Jefferson county, constituted May, 1837, by Rev. Samuel D. Morris, licensed
318
JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
minister ; messengers, Michael Troy. James M. Craig. William Humphrey ; post office, Brook- ville, Pa. Gethsemane Church, now Allen's Mills, Jefferson county, constituted June, 1834, by Rev. Samuel Miles, ordained minis- ter : messenger, G. Wilson ; post office, Brook- ville, Pa. Curwensville Church, Clearfield county, constituted August, 1836, by no min- ister; messenger, N. Lawhead; post office, Curwensville, Pennsylvania.
Brother Amos Williams was then chosen moderator, and Samuel D. Morris, of Brook- ville, clerk. Brothers Miles, Wilson, Williams and Morris were appointed a committee to arrange the business and preaching for this session.
The association was called Clarion, I 'sup- pose because "Clarion" means "a trumpet of a clear, shrill tone." Clarion county was not formed until March 11, 1839. A constitution for the association was adopted, articles of faith announced and promulgated, and rules of decorum for the association adopted, "and to be read at the opening of every session and left on the table for the perusal of the mem- bers."
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP BAPTIST CHURCHI -- BEECHWOODS CHURCH
The society was organized in 1835, under the direction of Rev. Mr. Stoughton. The first members were Henry Keys and wife. Eliza Keys, Joseph Keys, James McConnell and two sisters, Mrs. Osborne, and several others whose names are forgotten. The first elders were Henry Keys and James McCon- nell. The first stated pastor was Rev. Sam- uel Miles, of Milesburg, Center Co., Pa. The first Baptist in the county was Eliza Keys, a sister of Henry and daughter of Joseph Keys. She was a woman of unusual energy, whose qualities of mind and heart were eminently designed for the duties of a missionary, as she was in deed if not in name. From 1824 to the organization of the church in the county they went to Clarion county and worshiped in the old "Zion" church and in the houses of Messrs. Lewis, Frampton and Williams, and latterly in a little frame church near Corbett's Mills. The distance traveled by the members of the congregation was from twenty-eight to forty miles, and many of the good people traversed the country on foot, nothing but sickness pre- venting them from regular attendance on divine services. Rev. Thomas E. Thomas, whose services are also mentioned in the sketch of the Punxsutawney Baptist Church,
was one of the leading preachers in the Clar- ion region, and by his efforts built up the cause in western Pennsylvania. In 1825 the only Baptist Churches in western Pennsylvania were Pittsburgh, one ; Huntingdon, one ; Miles- burg, one, and Freeport, one. In 1826 a Bap- tist Church was erected near Corbett's Mills, Clarion county, and thither the people of that faith were accustomed to congregate till the erection of a little church in Beechwoods, the date being 1837. This in time was succeeded by the present edifice at Allen's Mills.
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.