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 16
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In 1834 the General Assembly was controlled by that portion of the church afterwards known as "The New School." The minority, after the adjournment of that body, adopted a certain paper entitled "The Act and Testimony," which recited that certain teachings throughout the limits of the church were contrary to the doctrines of the Confession of Faith and Catechism, and sent it down to the Presbyteries for their consideration. The Huntingdon Presbytery adopted it by a considerable majority, and Mr. Galbraith voted to approve the declarations contained
II
162
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
in the paper. This not only indicated his own loyalty to the standards of the church, but the Presbytery also thus early exhibited a conserva- tism which has since been consistently maintained.
Mr. Galbraith was in 1834 succeeded by John A. Dunlap, a licentiate commissioned by the Board of Domestic Missions. Being in feeble health he was not ordained, but served the congregation for a period of three years. In 1837 he went to Cincinnati, and associated himself in the editorial management of the Western Presbyterian with Rev. W. D. Smith. We have not been able to trace his subsequent career.
In 1838 Rev. William J. Gibson was called from Philadelphia to the pastorate of the church. This relation was dissolved in 1841, and Dr. Gibson removed to a number of other churches, and finally became the pastor at Duncansville, which was his last charge. He retired from his clerical duties in 1880, and the act was made the occasion of the churches in the Presbytery manifesting their affection for him and appreciation of his services by a visitation at his home in November, 1880, and the pre- sentation of a purse containing over fifteen hundred dollars. He died at Duncansville in October, 1883.
He was in his day a typical Presbyterian minister. He was known for his orthodoxy, was sound in his faith and teachings, and tolerated no shortcomings in the candidates subjected to Presbyterial examinations. To many of them he was a source of terror, but this unnecessary alarm fortunately proved an incentive to greater effort and more scrupulous accuracy. His massive form was for many years a familiar sight on the Presbyterial floor. His labors, usefulness, and learning will long be remembered.
Rev. David Mckinney was called in 1841, and he served the church until 1852, when he laid down his charge to assume the editorial man- agement of the Presbyterian Banner, since become a highly-successful publication. Dr. Mckinney's name was eminent in the church. He was studious, industrious, and erudite. His sermons were models of composition, and in their teaching of the gospel were analytic, clear, and strong. We recall no effort at embellishment, but his presentation of the truth of his text left little to be said and nothing to be misunder- stood. He died at Sewickley, Pennsylvania, in the year 1879. His son, Rev. I. N. Mckinney, became a professor of Latin in Jefferson College, where he remained for one year, and died about three years afterwards at Sewickley. Rev. William W. Mckinney, D.D., one of the editors of the Presbyterian, is also a son.
163
OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
Rev. David X. Junkin, D.D., succeeded Dr. Mckinney in 1853, having been installed in that year. He was a brother of the well-known Dr. George Junkin, received a collegiate education, and was first ordained a minister of the gospel in the year 1835. He then became the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich, New Jersey, where he served for seventeen years. For two years and a half after that he labored as pastor of the "F" Street Church of Washington, D. C. Thence he was called to this church, and remained until December, 1860, when at his own request the relation was dissolved. Subsequently, he acted as a chaplain in the United States navy for a season, during the War of the Rebellion, and afterwards removed to New Castle, Pennsyl- vania. He died in the year 1880 at Martinsburg, West Virginia.
He was a highly-educated and cultured man. In his preaching he was incisive and eloquent. The resources of his reading and study ap- peared upon every page of his carefully-prepared sermons, and his in- tellectual strength gave a vigor to his thought and language possessed by few ministers of his day. He was quick to discern any encroachment upon his rights, and the rights and teachings of his church, of which he was a zealous defender, but he was genial and sunny, and the warmth of his manner and the graces of his conversation won him deserved admiration from all who met him.
After the departure of Dr. Junkin the pulpit was supplied by Rev. David Sterrett, of Carlisle, until August, 1861, when Rev. David H. Barron, of the Mount Pleasant Church, in the Redstone Presbytery, was elected pastor. Though his ministry began in September he was not installed until November, 1861. He is still the pastor of this church. He is one of the oldest members of the Presbytery in point of residence, and no one is better known in the annual meetings of that body. His faithful devotion to duty, his scrupulous adherence to the preaching of the gospel only, and his scholarly attainments, directed by his great ability, have made him widely known, and have procured him great success as a spiritual teacher, and given him a long career unbroken by the slightest discord in his pastoral relation. He is the only living one of this church's pastors. We forbear to speak further of him at this time. Dr. Barron received the honorary degree of D.D. from Wash- ington and Jefferson College in 1885.
The Church of Hollidaysburg is the alma mater of churches. The first of her offspring was the Duncansville Church, which went off in 1845. Again, in 1850 and subsequent years, many of her members went
164
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
to make the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Altoona, and the expansion of that church has led to the organization and ex- istence at this time of the Second and Third Presbyterian Churches of Altoona, and to them may, perhaps, be added the Broad Street and Juniata Churches.
To the ministry this church has contributed Rev. Samuel T. Wilson, D.D., Rev. I. N. Mckinney, Rev. James Smith, Rev. William W. Mc- Kinney, D.D., Rev. Paul D. Gardner, and Rev. John W. Simpson.
The church edifice, including the chapel, with sexton's residence, stands upon a square of ground at Penn and Walnut Streets, and cost about sixty thousand dollars. The parsonage, a large and commodious house on the opposite corner, is valued at eight thousand dollars.
The Hollidaysburg Male and Female Seminary, founded by members of this congregation in 1866, occupies the square immediately opposite the church, and is a highly prosperous institution. Rev. Joseph Waugh and Dr. R. S. Hitchcock, Presbyterian ministers, conducted the school during nearly all the period of its existence.
It is manifest from this review of this church's history that it has been a potent agent in the civilization of this region. It began when the settler's axe and rifle attacked the forest and the savage which op- posed the white man's advance. Religion and courage came hand in hand with these Presbyterian settlers, and to-day, amid this teeming population and these surrounding evidences of commerce, industry, and wealth, that same faith permeates the mind that directs this mighty ad- vance, and largely dominates the actors of the day.
Many men of usefulness, intelligence, and eminence have gone out from this church to fill positions of duty and honor, and it is known that the preaching of the gospel of Christ from the pulpit of this church, during this century, has borne a fruitage that not only attests the piety and devotion of its servants, but gave at least some glory to the name of Him of whom they were the honored heralds.
ELDERS OF HOLLIDAYSBURG CHURCH.
Thomas McCune
Ordained 1788.
James Smith
Ordained 1788.
Alexander Fulton
Ordained 1800.
Alexander Waugh
Ordained 1800.
John Blair .
. Ordained 1816.
James Robison
. Ordained 1816. . .
James Smith, Jr.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
·
.
. Ordained 1816.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
·
HOUTZDALE.
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OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
Isaac Rosebaugh
Ordained 1816.
Joseph Patton
Ordained 1816.
Alexander Knox
Thomas B. Moore
Record lost.
John G. McKee
John Lytte
Ordained 1841.
Jonathan Hamilton
Ordained 1842.
John McCartney
Ordained 1842.
Joseph Smith .
Ordained 1842.
Charles Wilson
Ordained 1842.
William C. McCormick
Ordained 1842.
Samuel Moore
Ordained 1842.
James D. Rea
Ordained 1854.
William R. Finley, M.D.
Ordained 1854.
Joseph Dysart
Ordained 1854.
Thomas Smith
Ordained 1855.
Robert R. Hamilton
Ordained 1855.
Hon. Samuel S. Blair
Ordained 1868.
Crawford Irvin, M.D.
Ordained 1868.
Hon. Augustus S. Landis
Ordained 1868.
Robert Riddle
Ordained 1868.
Professor James A. Stewart
Ordained 1891.
John T. Akers
Ordained 1891.
John Cree
Ordained 1891.
Robert W. Smith
Ordained 1891.
AUGUSTUS S. LANDIS.
HOUTZDALE.
PRESBYTERIAN services were first held in Houtzdale, in 1870 and 1871, by Rev. William Prideaux, then serving the Beulah Church. In 1873 occasional services were held at Houtzdale by Rev. William Gemmill, pastor of Beulah Church. In 1874 regular services were held every two weeks, meeting in what was called the "Union Church," under the care of the Methodist Episcopal brethren.
Upon request made to the Presbytery of Huntingdon, a committee was appointed April 13, 1875, to organize a Presbyterian church at Houtzdale, if the way be clear. The Revs. W. Gemmill and N. A. Mil- ler, and Elder George W. McCully, were that committee. They met at Houtzdale, July 17, 1875, in the " Union Church," and organized a church to be known as the " First Presbyterian Church of Houtzdale, Pennsyl- vania." Nineteen members united in the organization, of whom all but
John B. Riddle
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THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
two were received by letter. Peter Cameron, James Blades, and William Watchman, all being elders from the Arnot Church, Presbytery of Wells- boro', were elected elders. A goodly number of the members were from Arnot also.
W. Gemmill served the church as stated supply until 1878, when the congregation having erected and dedicated a new house of worship, the present one, they called him as pastor for one-half of his time, thus joining with Beulah in his support. Rev. W. Gemmill continued to serve the church as pastor until July, 1887. During his pastorate one hundred and ninety-six members were added to the church.
Rev. A. A. Bird was engaged as stated supply for half his time in July of the same year. On September 25, 1887, the church separated from Beulah and engaged Mr. Bird as pastor, who continued to serve the church until October, 1891. During this time one hundred and fifty- seven members were added to the church, and there was a corresponding increase also in the Sabbath-school.
Rev. D. V. Mays was elected pastor April 26, 1892, and remained until November 11, 1894. During Mr. May's pastorate one hundred and four members were added to the church.
On January 12, Rev. J. A. McDonald began work as pastor-elect, and was installed as pastor May 7. The increase of membership in his time, up to the present, is twenty-two. The church has had in the twenty-two years of its history four pastors and a total membership of nearly six hundred. The removals, however, especially during the last few years, have been very numerous, so that at no time has the roll of members in good standing numbered more than two hundred.
Two of the three elders originally elected still serve the church,- viz., Peter Cameron and James Blades. Mr. Cameron has also served the Sabbath-school as superintendent from its very infancy, twenty-two years ago, up to the present time.
The Session is composed of Peter Cameron, James Blades, J. H. Hahn (installed 1892), and George Ganoe, William Pollock, William R. Cam- eron, John Eaton, and Alex. Caldwell. The latter five were installed into office June 9, 1895. The elders of the church are all teachers in the Sabbath-school with the exception of Mr. Hahn, who has recently retired from the work on account of age.
The Sabbath-school has an average attendance of about two hundred and twenty, with about two hundred and seventy on the roll. The membership of the church is two hundred and twenty. The Senior
-----
REVVIM GEMIL
KVJAMSDONALD
-
HOUTZDALE. PASTORS.
167
OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor has over forty active members and twenty associate.
The Junior Endeavor has one hundred members. There is a branch Sabbath-school at Whiteside Run, about two miles southeast of Houtz- dale, which meets every Sabbath afternoon in a school-house, with about eighty members. Services are also held there every Sabbath evening by the elders, who take turns in conducting it, and once a month by the pastor, who also conducts service at Amesville, about three miles west, every second Sabbath afternoon, where about thirty members of the church reside. A union Sabbath-school is held in the school-house there every Sabbath morning, conducted mainly by the members of the church; this school has upwards of one hundred members.
The trustees of the church are Mr. Leonard, Mr. R. Cameron, Jos. Barr, Thomas Gillies, James Steele, Robert Shaw.
About one hundred and fifty-five dollars have been raised since last spring towards the boards of the church, including seventy-six dollars towards the Million Dollar Fund.
The services of the church are as follows : Service, Sabbath morning, 10.30 A.M .; evening, 7 P.M. Sabbath-school, 11.45 A.M. Junior Chris- tian Endeavor, 3.30 P.M. Young People's Society of Christian En- deavor, 6.30 P.M. Cottage prayer-meeting, Monday, 7.30 P.M. Church prayer-meeting, Wednesday, 7.30 P.M. Prayer-meeting, Amesville, Tues- day, 7.30 P.M. Preaching service, every second Sabbath, 2.30 P.M. Prayer-meeting, Sabbath evening, 7 P.M. Prayer-meeting, Whiteside, Thursday, 7 P.M. Sabbath-school, Sabbath, 2.30 P.M. Preaching ser- vice, Sabbath, 7 P.M.
Houtzdale being a mining town, the population is of a transient character, which accounts for the great discrepancy between the number added to the roll of membership and the number in good standing.
J. A. MACDONALD.
HUBLERSBURG.
THIS church was organized in 1840 as a New-School Church, and, with Spring Mills, also New-School, till 1870 was served by the same pastors. Had a large congregation and large building, but only nine members now, and no elders and no preaching lately. Has had some supplies for many years past.
R. F. WILSON.
I68
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
HUNTINGDON.
THE records of the Session of this church from the date of its organi- zation up to 1825-a period of thirty-six years-have unfortunately been lost. Dr. Gibson, in his history of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, says, "The first records of the congregation were burned up with the court- house before 1795." But the statement is doubtless an error. More probably the records were consumed at the time the dwelling of Mr. Jacob Miller was burned,-about the year 1824. Mr. Miller was an elder and was clerk of the Session, and the records made by him after- wards, from 1825 to 1838, are written with almost the accuracy and beauty of an engraving.
ORGANIZATION.
The church was organized in all probability at a meeting of the congregation held on the 6th of July, 1789. At the same meeting, or soon after, a call was made for the pastoral services of the Rev. John Johnston, who was at the time pastor of the churches of Hart's Log and Shaver's Creek, and who, we assume, took part in the organization of this church. October 7, 1789, the Presbytery of Carlisle released Mr. Johnston from the pastorate of the Shaver's Creek Church to accept a call from the Huntingdon congregation to become pastor of this church in union with the church at Hart's Log, in the valley near Alexandria, and Mr. Johnston accepted the call at the next meeting of the Presby- tery, April 13, 1790. The original subscription made for the support of Mr. Johnston is still in possession of the Hon. J. Simpson Africa.
We insert a copy as a matter of history :
" HUNTINGDON CONGREGATION SUBSCRIPTION.
" We whose names are hereunto annexed do agree to pay the several sums prefixed to our names, yearly, and every year unto the hands of Benjamin Elliott, Esq., who is empowered to sue and recover said sums, if failure in payment, for the one-half of the Rev. John Johns- ton's ministerial labors to be performed at the town of Huntingdon.
" July 6, 1789.
" List of Subscribers.
£ s. d.
€ s. d.
Benjamin Elliott,
I IO O
Alexander Dean, I 5 0
Andrew Henderson,
I IO O
John Fee, 15 0
James Hamilton,
I IO O
John Patton,
1 5 0
Samuel Riddle,
I IO O
Caleb Armitage,
18 0
Charles Smith,
I IO O
John Reed, 15 0
Robert Galbraith,
I IO O Alex. McConnell,
1 50
REV. A. N. HOLLIFIELD, D.D. REV. GEO. W. ZAHNISER.
REV. LOWMAN P. HAWES. REV. JOHN JOHNSTON. REV. D. K. FREEMAN, D.D.
REV. O. O. McCLEAN, D.D. REV. JOHN PEEBLES.
PASTORS HUNTINGDON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
169
OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
List of Subscribers-Continued.
£ s. d.
& s. d.
Archibald Ramsey,
0 0
Patrick Leonard,
1 00
Robert Riddle,
I
Peter Vandevander,
15 0
John Dean,
I
5 0 John Simpson,
15 0
Michael Humbert,
IO 0 John Light,
5 0
Peter Stevens,
John George,
7 6
George Martin,
0
Robert Simpson,
10 0
John Griffith,
10 0
James Elliott,
10 0
Henry McCarthy,
15 0
Robert Patton,
7 6
Isaac Armitage,
0 0
George Guthrie,
10 0
Peter Swoope,
7 6
John Weston,
15 0
Moses Donaldson,
O o
George Buchanan,
10 0
Jesse Head,
IO 0
John Ashbaugh,
7 6
Matthew Simpson,
I 0 0
Hugh Tanner,
15 0
William Simpson,
IO 0
John Fee, Jr.,
7 6
Samuel McKenny,
15 O John Shaver,
7 6
William Moore,
15 0
John Covanhovan,
7 6
Abraham Haines,
Ie 0
David McMurtrie,
Jacob Laird,
17 6
William McIlvain,
IO 0
Abraham Dearduff,
7 6
John Cadwallader,
I IO O"
Joshua Lewis,
5 0
The Presbyterian is the oldest church organization in Huntingdon. Dr. William Smith, provost of the University of Pennsylvania,-who laid out the town and named it in honor of the Countess of Hunting- don,-during his visits to the place no doubt conducted religious services according to the rites of the Episcopal Church, but did not organize a church. The Lutherans came in 1791, the Methodists in 1797. A German Reformed minister came in 1806. But the Presbyterians pushed their way up the Juniata to Standing Stone early in the century and organized a church July 6, 1789.
ELDERS.
The eldership-that efficient and scriptural form of church govern- ment-has been no exception in this congregation. The pastors have always enjoyed the co-operation of intelligent and faithful elders. Jacob Miller, Samuel Steele, and John Ker were ruling elders in 1825, the date at which our records begin. Mr. Miller served as elder for a period of thirty-eight years, and died in the faith of Christ in 1863 at the ripe age of seventy-six. Mr. Ker served his church for more than thirty years, and entered into his rest October 30, 1855. Dr. Gibson says of him, "The name of Judge John Ker is still savory in all this region, and will
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THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
be held in lasting remembrance by the congregation and people of Hunt- ingdon."
Mr. Charles H. Miller served the church as elder the long period of thirty-seven years and as clerk for thirty years. His brethren say, "The Session of this church desire to bear their testimony to the uniform fidelity with which he discharged the duties of his office,-his humble, consistent Christian life and his faithful attendance upon all the ordi- nances of God's house."
Hon. John Scott served the church faithfully as elder during twenty- two years and as Sabbath-school superintendent for a number of years. He now resides in Philadelphia.
Mr. Henry Glazier was an elder for thirty-three years, and died Jan- uary 22, 1888. The Session testify to his beautiful Christian character : " He ever sustained the reputation of a God-fearing man. He attended faithfully to all the duties he sustained to the church. His end was peace, and he came to his grave in full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season."
Mr. G. Barton Armitage, having served as elder and clerk for seven years, removed from Huntingdon. At this date the ruling elders of the church are Messrs. William P. Orbison, Samuel T. Brown, William Dorris, J. Randolph Simpson, C. R. McCarthy, George M. McAlevy, and William B. McCarthy. It is evident that this church has been favored from its organization with an efficient and faithful eldership. It has been the right arm of the church. The prosperity of this congre- gation has been due in a large degree to the wisdom and fidelity of the elders, supported as they have always been by the confidence and liber- ality of the members. To their honor let it be recorded that never in the history of this church for a century has there arisen strife or discord between pastor and Session. And after nearly fourteen years' experience we bear cheerful testimony to the Christian confidence and harmony which have always prevailed in our meetings.
DEACONS.
May 24, 1876, Messrs. Charles Kershaw, R. A. Orbison, and B. F. Isenberg were elected to the office of deacon, whose duty it has been to minister to the wants of the poor of the church. To this object the offerings of communion Sabbaths are sacredly devoted.
Mr. Isenberg is also treasurer of the church, and cheerfully performs whatever duties pertain to his office.
HUNTINGDON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
GEO. M. McALEVY.
W. B. MCCARTHY. F SAM'L T. BROWN.
WM. P. ORBISON.
WILLIAM DORRIS.
C. R. MCCARTHY.
J. R. SIMPSON.
ELDERS HUNTINGDON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
I7I
OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
TRUSTEES.
The temporal affairs of the church are administered by a board of trustees elected by the congregation from year to year. It is to the honor of this congregation that members have been ready to accept this office and to discharge the somewhat burdensome duties at the call of the people. And it is a pleasure to record that the business affairs of the church have always been wisely and efficiently managed.
INCORPORATION.
On the petition of David Blair, Esq., and other members of the con- gregation, to the Court of Common Pleas, a decree was made incorpo- rating "THE HUNTINGDON PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION" on the fifteenth day of April, 1843.
PASTORS.
The church has had only six pastors during the century of its history, -the present pastor being the seventh. This is a remarkable record : only seven pastors in one hundred and six years, and the last pastorate yet unfinished. Elder W. P. Orbison has seen and remembers every pastor of the church.
The Rev. John Johnston was pastor from 1790 to 1823, over thirty- three years. He resigned in July and died December 16, 1823. He was most probably present at the organization of the church, and pre- vious to that was appointed by the Presbytery of Carlisle to supply the congregation at Standing Stone. He was a preacher of marked ability, -a man of culture and scholarship. He organized and taught for many years a classical school in Huntingdon. One of his pupils was the author of Smart's Horace. He was stated clerk of the Presbytery of Huntingdon for many years, and never, it is said, were the minutes more accurately kept. A work by him, entitled "A Vindication of the Doc- trines of the Reformation," evinces decided ability. Dr. Gibson, refer- ring to some of his sermons still extant, says, "These are very learned and interesting discourses."
The Rev. John Peebles becames pastor in 1825. He closed his long and useful pastorate in 1850. Mr. Peebles was remarkable for the gen- tleness of his disposition, the purity of his life, and the exalted type of his Christian character, which shone forth before this community clear as the sun. He was greatly gifted in prayer. One who remembers him said to me, "I never heard any one more able in prayer." Says Dr. Gibson, " The loveliness of his private character and the conscientious
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THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
performance of all the duties of life were the winning charms which so greatly endeared him to his pastoral charge."
The Rev. Lowman P. Hawes was pastor from 1850 to 1854. He was a retiring, scholarly man, and prepared his sermons with much care. But failing health soon compelled him to relinquish his charge.
The Rev. O. O. McClean, D.D., was pastor from 1854 to 1859. He was an able and vigorous preacher,-often brilliant and eloquent. He was a kind-hearted and affectionate pastor.
The Rev. George W. Zahniser was pastor from 1859 to 1875, a pas- torate of sixteen years. He was a profound and instructive preacher. Under no preacher has this people been more thoroughly indoctrinated in the standards of our church and the teachings of the word of God. He was a sympathetic and conscientious pastor, an able, modest, good man. He died June 12, 1889.
The Rev. A. N. Hollifield, D.D., was pastor from 1876 to 1882. He was an earnest preacher and a faithful and affectionate pastor.
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