USA > Pennsylvania > Huntingdon County > Huntingdon > The Historical memorial of the centennial anniversary of the Presbytery of Huntingdon : held in Huntingdon, Pa., April 9, 1895 : 1795-1895 > Part 12
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
The following persons were elected ruling elders : Robert Stewart, J. D. Irvin, J. M. Hennaman, and A. L. Feltwell, M.D. All of these are yet in service, except Robert Stewart, who was removed by death June 29, 1892. Since then two others have been added to the Session, Gabriel T. Hamilton and Frank G. Fowler, who were elected September 14, 1892, and still continue in office.
The following persons were elected deacons at the time of organiza- tion : Wesley Reed, John H. Keefer, and Harry S. McFarlin. Wesley Reed served until January, 1893, when he was granted a certificate of dismissal to the Church of Juniata; the others have served until now. Gabriel T. Hamilton and Frank G. Fowler were elected deacons Febru- ary 18, 1891, and served until their election as elders. J. S. Dougherty also was elected deacon February 18, 1891, and has continued to serve until now. J. S. McCune and W. R. Guilliford were elected deacons No- vember 23, 1892, and both have served until the present time.
The Board of Trustees elected at the time of the organization of the
118
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
church has continued unchanged, and is as follows : George F. Jackson, S. M. Griffith, and J. W. Ickes.
The superintendents of the Sabbath-school in their order and time of service are as follows : J. D. Irvin, from 1888 until 1891; Silas M. Moyer, from 1891 until 1892; John H. Keefer, from 1892 until 1894; J. S. McCune, from 1894 until the present time.
During the first few months of its infant life the church was supplied with preaching by various ministers of this and other Presbyteries. In February, 1889, special services were conducted by Rev. N. H. Miller, D.D., of Osceola Mills, and a number were added to the church.
At a congregational meeting held September II, 1889, a call was extended to Rev. James E. Irvine, of Fredonia, Pennsylvania, to become pastor of the church. He entered upon the work November 3, was received into the Presbytery at a meeting held in the Third Church November 19, when the call was formally placed in his hands and ac- cepted. The installation took place the evening of the same day, the following persons taking part: Rev. John W. Bain preached the ser- mon; Rev. J. H. Mathers charged the pastor; Rev. A. W. Spooner charged the people.
This pastorate continues until the present time. Various auxiliary societies have been organized to assist in carrying on the work of the church. The Ladies' Aid Society had its beginning as early as February, 7, 1889. Through the faithful efforts of this organization several hun- dred dollars have been gathered for the purposes of the local church.
The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor came into exist- ence February 2, 1890. This society has been instrumental in evoking the powers of the young people for larger service and in attracting others to Christ.
The Arbutus Mission Band was formed in February, 1890. This band, which has since changed its name to the Young Ladies' Missionary Society, has awakened a lively interest in the subject of missions, not only on the part of its own inembers, but on the part of others who have been provoked to good works.
The Junior Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, which has had a name and healthy life since September, 1892, has done a most praiseworthy work in sowing seed in the good soil of the teachable hearts of the little ones.
Last of all, the Auxiliary of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society was organized in September, 1894. The members of this
REV. HOWARDN.CAMPBELL of the BROAD AVE. CHURCH
REVEMIL LEWEY of the JUNIATA CHURCH
REV J. E.IRVINE ofthe THIRD CHURCH
ALTOONA. PASTORS.
119
OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
society are in earnest, and already have contributed a handsome sum to the work of foreign missions.
The building in which the church was organized was erected at an expense of two thousand one hundred dollars, and the lot involved an additional expenditure of one thousand dollars. During the autumn of 1890, to meet the demands of a growing congregation, the church building was enlarged to almost double its former capacity at an expense of two thousand two hundred and fifty dollars. This was promptly paid, and the building was dedicated February 22, 1891. Early in 1893 the lot adjacent to the one on which the church building stands was pur- chased by the trustees for the sum of twelve hundred and fifty dollars, nearly all of which sum has been paid.
Under the goodness of God the growth of this church has been constant, and, after the usual proportion of losses by dismissal and death, the membership is at present two hundred and ninety. A fair proportion of this number have come from the world, but many had been faithful and efficient forces in other churches. Among the latter are several who have served as ruling elders elsewhere, whose names are as follows :
Silas M. Moyer, William Ashburn, G. B. Hotchkin, M.D., W. S. Livingston, and Wesley Reed.
The Sabbath-school which had so small a beginning now reports a membership of two hundred and fifty, with a corresponding increase in the number of officers and teachers. The people of this church ought to say, reverently, "Surely the Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad."
J. E. IRVINE.
ALTOONA, BROAD AVENUE.
AT a meeting of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, held at Bellwood, a committee, consisting of Revs. Dr. Mathers, Freeman, Hamill, Russel, and Bain, with laymen G. L. Myers, Daniel Laughman, and John A. Canan, of the First Church, George F. Jackson, G. F. Armstrong, and S. M. Ross, M.D., of the Second Church, was appointed to take charge of the mission work of the city of Altoona.
This committee purchased from T. H. Wigton, Dr. Baker's heirs, and Mrs. James H. Dysart a lot fronting on Broad Avenue between Twenty- fourth and Twenty-fifth Streets for the nominal sum of one hundred
I20
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
dollars. At this time work which resulted in the organization of the Third Church being considered more pressing, nothing further was done towards the establishment of mission work on Broad Avenue until the spring of 1892, when a sub-committee, consisting of John Lloyd, John A. Canan, and S. T. Knox, was appointed by the committee in charge, for the purpose of determining a location, collecting funds, and arranging for the organization of a church.
This committee recommended the purchase of a lot on the corner of Twenty-fourth Street and Broad Avenue from J. D. Bowman, for the sum of two thousand five hundred dollars, and the erection of a chapel immediately which would answer for the present needs of a church. This was sanctioned by the original committee, and a chapel built at a cost of six hundred dollars. Preaching services had been held previous to the completion of the chapel in the house of Mr. Alexander Knox. The first sermon was preached in the chapel by the Rev. J. R. Sampson, June 5, 1892. From this time services were regularly held in connec- tion with the Juniata congregation in the extreme opposite end of the city until the 23d day of October, when the Juniata Church called a pastor for all his time.
A Sunday-school was organized June 12, 1892, with Mr. John A. Canan, superintendent, J. W. Smiley, assistant, Elmer Thomas, secretary, H. P. Davis, treasurer, John Martin, Jr., librarian, Mrs. J. W. Smiley, organist, and Miss Jeannette Martin, assistant. The attendance was fifty-seven. At the close of the first midweek prayer-meeting, July 6, it was voted unanimously to ask Presbytery for the organization of a
. church as soon as the way might be clear. Arrangements were made with Rev. John Gourley to act as stated supply until the organization. On September 15, 1892, the committee appointed by the Huntingdon Presbytery, in session at Orbisonia, July 12, and consisting of Rev. J. H. Mathers, D.D., Rev. J. W. Bain, Rev. J. E. Irvin, Rev. A. W. Spooner, Rev. John Gourley, and Elder John M. Heneman, met in the chapel and effected the organization by the reception of the following persons : Mr. John Martin, Sr., and Mrs. Mary Martin, Mr. Alexander Knox and Miss May E. Knox, Mr. Robert Smiley, Mrs. Ann Smiley, and Miss Agnes Smiley, Mr. James Smiley and Mrs. Maggie L. Smiley, Mrs. Mary Richards, Mrs. Clara R. Moyer, Mr. H. P. Davis and Mrs. Mary H. Davis, Mr. Thomas L. McNamara and Mrs. Maggie McNamara, Mr. B. F. Henderson and Mrs. Julia Henderson, Mrs. C. E. Jones, Mr. James Shoanfelt, all from the Second Presbyterian Church of Altoona.
I2I
OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
Mr. John A. Canan and Mrs. Lizzie M. Canan, Mrs. N. C. Morrow, Mrs. Kate Haines, Mr. Elmer M. Thomas and Mrs. M. Maud Thomas, from the First Presbyterian Church. Mr. S. H. Haffley and Mrs. Ella Haffley from the Presbyterian Church, Olean, New York. S. T. Knox, a ruling elder from Duncansville Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Annie Harrison, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Milleville. The following re- ceived by examination, Mr. Charles Harrison, Mr. J. B. Kepperly, Mrs. H. S. Kepperly, and Miss Anna Belle Kepperly. John M. Hileman and Mrs. John M. Hileman, Mrs. Florence Stoke.
A formal covenant was entered into, after which the church was named the Broad Avenue Presbyterian Church of Altoona, Pennsylvania.
It was decided to elect three elders and three deacons and that it be done by ballot. S. T. Knox, J. W. Smiley, and John A. Canan were nominated and the clerk instructed to cast the ballot. These persons were elected and declared elders.
J. W. Martin, J. W. Shoenfelt, and S. H. Haffley were elected deacons. These persons were then regularly and solemnly ordained and installed. The Presbytery of Huntingdon was requested to enroll the church.
Regular services were conducted by supplies until January, 1893, when a call was made to Rev. Joseph Brown Turner, of Glenshaw, Presbytery of Alleghany, who came as pastor on the third Sabbath of January, and was installed the 9th day of February, 1893, who was the regular pastor until September 23, 1894, at which time he accepted a call to the Presbyterian Church of Dover, Delaware. Under the very earnest and efficient pastorate of Rev. Turner the church increased in membership from forty-three to one hundred and eight, and was pro- gressing in every way, having a large and increasing Sabbath-school, an active Christian Endeavor Society, so much that the chapel was too small for the accommodation of all, and plans for a new and larger church building were made and adopted, but owing to the general financial de- pression and financial weakness of the membership, and the need at their own home churches of all their help there, it was deemed pru- dent to delay the erection until a little later, as the location and sur- roundings demanded a better church building than the congregation were at this time able to erect.
After Rev. Turner left for his new field of labor, regular church services were conducted by supplies until January 2, 1895, at which time a call was extended to Rev. Howard N. Campbell, of Martin's Ferry, Ohio, who entered upon the work the first Sabbath of February, and
122
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
was installed May 9. Under the pastorate of Rev. Campbell up to Au- gust I twenty-four members were added; in all nineteen members were dismissed and one called to the church above, leaving our membership one hundred and twelve.
The church is in a prosperous condition, having started the erection of the new church to cost about twenty thousand dollars. It will be built of Cleveland white stone, and will be suitable for many years to come .*
In addition to the officers at the organization, A. L. Hench was made a ruling elder, having been a ruling elder in the church at Schells- burg, and the following Board of Trustees: John M. Hileman, H. P. Davis, Joseph Stoke, John A. Canan, and S. T. Knox. Church treas- urer, J. W. Smiley.
The Sabbath-school has increased from fifty-seven to two hundred. J. W. Smiley, superintendent; S. H. Haffley, president Christian En- deavor Society; Miss E. May Knox, superintendent Junior Christian Endeavor Society. A Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society, Boy's Brigade, and Young Ladies' Missionary Society.
We hope with the blessing of God and presence of the Spirit to do large things for the Master in this part of his kingdom.
S. T. KNOX.
BALD EAGLE.
THE Bald Eagle Presbyterian Church was organized at Martha Furnace, August 30, 1859, by a committee of the Presbytery, consisting of Rev. Dr. William J. Gibson and Rev. Robert Hamill, and ruling elders Moses Thompson and Hugh Lourimore. The organization numbered twenty-eight members from the churches of Spring Creek and Bellefonte. Out of this number John I. Thompson, Robert Camp- bell, Samuel Mckean, and William Kline were chosen ruling elders, and, accepting the office, were ordained and installed accordingly.
The territory covered by the congregation includes that part of Bald Eagle Valley located between Port Matilda and Unionville. Ser- vices are held at these two points, with an occasional service at Martha Furnace. The church has been favored by a succession of faithful pastors and stated supplies, under whose ministrations it has shared a good de- gree of prosperity. It numbers on its roll at present fifty-two members.
* This church has since been erected.
123
OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
CHURCH BUILDINGS.
The congregation, owing to its peculiar conformation, found it neces- sary to have two church buildings ; they accordingly built one at Union- ville at a cost of two thousand five hundred dollars, and another at Port Matilda, which cost sixteen hundred dollars, both of which are neat and comfortable churches, sufficiently large to accommodate the congregations, and are free from debt.
PASTORS.
A few months after the organization of the church the Rev. S. M. Moore was called to become the pastor, which call accepting, he was installed at Unionville, January 15, 1860. He remained in the pastorate two years, until December, 1862.
The church was then served by supplies appointed by Presbytery for a short time, when Rev. William B. McKee was chosen, and, accepting the call, was installed as pastor June 17, 1893. He was, at his own request, dismissed in December, 1867, after having served the church for four and a half years.
After being for a time served by temporary supplies appointed by the Presbytery, the Rev. James P. Hughes served the church as stated supply for four years, from March, 1869, to February, 1873. In August, 1873, Rev. J. V. R. Hughes became pastor, and served the church for five years, until October, 1878. He was succeeded by the Rev. William Prideaux, who served the church as stated supply for four years, from October, 1882, to October, 1886.
On January 18, 1887, Rev. George Elliott, having been previously called and having accepted the call, was installed as pastor .. He served the church until April, 1895, over eight years, when he was removed by death. While each of these brethren in their turn, with their varied gifts, did good work for the Master, and the retirement of each was felt by the people, the loss of no one was more severely felt than that of their late pastor, Rev. George Elliott, who from the midst of his faithful and successful labors, in an unexpected hour, was suddenly severed from them by the hand of death, to the great sorrow of a devoted people.
RULING ELDERS.
The congregation, owing to the extent of its territory, found it neces- sary to have a greater number of elders than if it had been more com- pact; hence at the organization four elders were chosen,-John I.
124
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
Thompson, Robert Campbell, Samuel McKean, and William Kline, each located in a different part of the field.
In 1864, James Sommerville was added to their number. In 1865, George Taylor. In 1869, William Calhoun, Elias Turner, and Martin Adams were chosen. In 1870, George Fleck. In 1873, James M. Blair, M.D., John Alexander, and Thomas Davis. In 1879, John A. Hunter and Jacob Cronomiller ; and in 1891, Jacob Woodring, Budd Thompson, and George Alexander.
Not personally acquainted with all of the above named, the writer may say, that if those he has not been privileged to know were as worthy as those of his acquaintance, the Bald Eagle Church has been favored with a succession of worthy men to fill the sacred and honorable office of ruler in the house of God.
ROBERT HAMILL.
BEDFORD.
THE first religious service in Bedford was held in 1763, by Rev. John Steel, a member of the Presbytery of Donegal.
A church was organized and had occasional supplies until 1786, when a call was extended to the Rev. David Bard and accepted.
The line of pastors in this church is as follows :
Name. Year.
Rev. David Bard . 1786-1789.
Rev. Alexander Boyd .
1808-1817.
Rev. Jeremiah Chamberlain, D.D. 1819-1822.
Rev. Daniel Mckinley, D.D. 1827-1831.
Rev. Boynard R. Hall, D.D. . 1833-1838.
Rev. Elbridge Bradbury .
1839-1841.
Rev. Alexander Heberton 1843-1844.
Rev. W. M. Hall
1844-1847.
Rev. W. L. McCalla
1848-1849.
Rev. T. K. Davis
1850-1855.
Rev. R. F. Sample
1856-1866.
Rev. A. V. C. Schenck
1866-1868.
Rev. Robert F. Wilson 1868-1878.
Rev. John R. Henderson 1878-1880.
Rev. Herbert C. Cone 1881-1883.
Rev. John K. Andrews 1884-1891.
Rev. John M. Barnett . 1891-1892. .
Rev. William H. Wolverton .
892-1895.
Rev. George S. Bell .
1895-
GEORGE S. BELL.
REV. W. J. WILEY
REV. JOS.H. BARNARD
REV. WM. LAURIE. D.D
REV. JAMES LINN. D.D.
BELLEFONTE. PASTORS.
125
OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
BELLEFONTE.
THE Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte has no authentic history prior to the organization of Centre County in the year 1800. Tradition says that prior to that time supplies were occasionally furnished under the direction of the Presbytery, but the records of the Presbytery them- selves make no mention of them. There is no record in the minutes of the Presbytery of the organization of the church, but in a note on the fly-leaf of the minutes of the Session of the church, made by Rev. James Linn in 1837, it is stated as a fact that the congregations of Belle- fonte and Lick Run were organized about the year 1800. Other well- known facts point to this date as probably conclusive of the fact of organization.
The first call for the services of a pastor was presented to Mr. Henry R. Wilson, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Carlisle, on the 6th of Octo- ber, 1802, at which time he was received under the care of the Presby- tery of Huntingdon, and, in accordance with the action then taken, was installed pastor of the united congregations of Bellefonte and Lick Run on the 20th of April, 1803, at which time the Presbytery met in Belle- fonte. He served these churches with acceptance and success until the fall of 1809, having been at that time appointed to a professorship in Dickinson College. Upon his first application for a dissolution of the pastoral relation, both of his congregations opposed it, and it was for a time denied by the Presbytery. Persisting in his desire for a return to the Presbytery of Carlisle, however, his wishes were finally acquiesced in by the Presbytery, and the pastoral relation was dissolved.
Rev. James Linn, the son of a Presbyterian clergyman, who had been licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Carlisle in the fall of 1808, having been invited to visit the congregations of Spruce Creek and Sink- ing Valley, was incidentally advised that the people of Bellefonte were anxious to have him preach for them. Without a single acquaintance in the town, and with no special invitation addressed to him directly, he visited the congregations of Bellefonte and Lick Run, was most cordially received by the people, and was in a short time called to the pastorate of both churches with practical unanimity. The salary of his predecessor had been four hundred dollars. The churches offered Mr. Linn five hundred dollars, two hundred and eighty dollars of which was to be paid by Bellefonte and two hundred and twenty dollars by Lick Run, his time
.
I26
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
to be divided in proportion to the salary paid. On the 10th of April, 1810, Mr. Linn was duly ordained and installed the pastor of both churches. This relation continued without interruption until November I, 1839, when the connection of Lick Run and Bellefonte in the support of a pastor was dissolved, and Mr. Linn, by a unanimous call from the Church of Bellefonte, became its pastor.
On the 5th of October, 1859, the Presbytery of Huntingdon met at Bellefonte, and, in connection with its meeting, a special service com- memorative of the semi-centennial of the pastorate of Dr. Linn was held. At that service Dr. Linn presented a narrative of fifty years in the min- istry, covering the period of his pastorate of the Church of Bellefonte. Rev. D. X. Junkin, D.D., of Hollidaysburg, preached from the text, " Ebenezer, hitherto hath the Lord helped us." Dr. Junkin was also the author of a Jubilee Hymn sung to the tune " Zion" upon the occasion.
HYMN OF JUBILEE.
Come, thou gracious King of glory, In this hour of jubilee : Whilst we tell the grateful story Of deliv'rance wrought by thee, Be thou present, Bid us now thy glory see !
Bow thine ear, God of our fathers, To our glowing songs of praise, Warming still, as mem'ry gathers Grateful themes from other days : Lord, we praise thee, For thy grace in by-gone days.
Thanks we give for ceaseless favors Following us these fifty years ! Thine is love that never wavers, Beaming on, through smiles and tears ! Jubilate, Praise the grace of fifty years !
.Thanks we give, that thou hast planted On this mount a chosen vine ; Gracious rain and sunshine granted, Hedged it round, and called it thine, Gathering from it Clustering grapes and generous wine !
BELLEFONTE.
I27
OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
Thanks we give that no disaster Has laid waste thy heritage ; That our venerated pastor, As in youth, so now in age, Tells of Jesus And the heavenly heritage !
May his life, O Lord, be precious ; Spare him to this trusting flock. May his teachings long refresh us,- Lead us to the sheltering Rock. Saviour, bless him, Who so long has fed this flock !
And when, all his labors ended, Life's last ebbing sands are told, May the flock he so long tended Meet him in the heavenly fold ; There to praise thee, Whilst eternal years are rolled !
Dr. Linn continued to serve the church as pastor, although repeatedly warned by advancing years and the failure of his physical strength that the demands of the pastorate were too great. As a consequence, Rev. Joseph H. Barnard, then pastor of the churches of Tyrone, Birmingham, and Logan's Valley, was called as co-pastor in October, 1860; and, on the 2d of January, 1861, was duly installed as Dr. Linn's assistant. He served in that capacity with great acceptance and usefulness, Dr. Linn occasionally preaching, until the 21st of June, 1866, when, at his request, the relation between himself as co-pastor and the Church of Bellefonte was dissolved. In the fall of the same year Rev. Alfred Yeomans, then pastor of a church at Rochester, New York, was called as co-pastor, and was installed by Presbytery, January 3, 1867.
On the 23d of February, 1868, Dr. Linn died, in the eighty-fifth year of his age, having been pastor of this church for fifty-eight years, and having never had any other pastoral charge, except as he served the Church of Lick Run in connection with Bellefonte,-a pastoral connec- tion which is unique in the history of the Presbytery.
9 On the 22d of December, 1868, upon the death of Dr. Linn, Mr. Yeomans became pastor of the church; and, on the 22d of December, 1868, resigned in order to accept the pastorate of the Central Church at Orange, New Jersey, made vacant by the untimely death of his elder brother, Dr. Edward Yeomans.
128
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
In the fall of the year 1869 a call was extended to Rev. W. T. Wylie, who had been licensed and ordained by the Presbytery of Philadelphia of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in 1853, and was at the time pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church at New Castle, Pennsylvania. This call remained in the hands of the Presbytery until December following, when it was accepted by Mr. Wylie, and in the following June, upon the completion of the present church building and immediately prior to the meeting for organization of the Synod of Harrisburg, he was installed pastor of the church. This relation continued until 1876, when it was dissolved at the request of Mr. Wylie, in order to enable him to accept the presidency of Wilson College.
In the fall of 1876, Rev. William Laurie, who had been licensed and ordained by the Presbytery of Philadelphia and was then supplying the Presbyterian Church at Penn Yan, New York, was called to the pastorate of the church ; and, on the 26th of December, he was duly installed. Dr. Laurie's pastorate, which still continues, has been fruitful of good works. The membership of the church has steadily increased, a con- venient and commodious stone chapel has been built, the parsonage has been enlarged, and recently the main auditorium of the church has been remodelled and beautified, one of the additions being a fine pipe organ purchased in large part by the ladies of the congregation.
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.