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 19
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Rev. Joel Stoneroad, now deceased; Rev. John E. Alexander, D.D., living at Greenville, Tennessee; Rev. Hugh Alexander, living at Cul- peper, Virginia ; Rev. William C. Alexander, D.D., living at Georgetown, District of Columbia ; Rev. John C. Barr, living at Tyrone, Pennsylvania ; Rev. J. Edmund Kearns, now deceased; Rev. J. Vernon Bell, living at Dubois, Pennsylvania ; and Rev. D. A. K. Preston, of Bellevue, Iowa.
R. M. WALLACE.
LOGAN'S VALLEY (BELLWOOD).
AT an early day occasional services under the auspices of the Pres- byterian Church were held in Logan's Valley. A few members of that communion had found their way into this secluded region, and for their convenience the pastors of the churches in adjacent valleys preached at intervals. The inhabitants in the eastern part of the valley were depend- ent upon the ministrations of the pastor of the church of Sinking Valley, whilst those of the Presbyterian communion in the western part, in the vicinity of the present city of Altoona, were under the care of the church of Hollidaysburg. As early as 1835 the Rev. Samuel Hill, at that time pastor of the church of Sinking Valley, preached one-sixth of his time within the limits of this valley, thereby bringing the ordinances within the reach of families attached to his congregation on the west side of Brush Mountain. The central point of this Presbyterian population was in the vicinity of McCamant's Forge, and here in 1837 a church was organized with twenty-three members. John Campbell and James Hunter were elected and ordained as ruling elders. The former continued to serve the congregation in this capacity with great acceptance for nearly fifty years, but the latter after a few years laid aside the active duties of the office.
In 1845 a church building was erected near the present village of Tipton on a piece of ground donated by Graham McCamant, Esq., who
13
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THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
was an active and devoted friend of the enterprise. For a time the church increased in numbers, but their inability to maintain the stated means of grace made them dependent upon occasional supplies appointed by Presbytery, and to that extent the growth of the newly-organized church was impeded.
The names of Revs. Samuel Hill, Dr. W. J. Gibson, John White, John Mckinney, Dr. David Mckinney, David Sterrett, and others appear as supplies sent by Presbytery to look after the scattered flock and admin- ister at long intervals the sacraments of the church. During this time the church was more frequently supplied by Dr. W. J. Gibson, and his ministry is a pleasant memory among the people to this day. A con- troversy on the subject of baptism with Rev. Dr. Adie K. Bell gained him reputation as a disputant, and helped to settle the vexed doctrinal question in the religious circles of the valley.
In 1856 the Rev. J. J. Hamilton became stated supply, and for three years the church, enjoying a stated ministry, was considerably strength- ened. In the following year, after his surrender of the charge, the church was grouped with that of Birmingham and the newly-organized church of Tyrone, under the pastoral care of Rev. J. H. Barnard. This ar- rangement after a short time was interrupted by the resignation of Mr. Barnard, and his transfer to Bellefonte as co-pastor with Dr. Linn. In 1861 Rev. Orr Lawson became pastor of the churches of Sinking Valley and Logan's Valley. Under this arrangement the church entered upon a new career of prosperity. The ordinances were regularly maintained, and a healthy growth was the consequence. This pastoral relation con- tinued until 1867, when Mr. Lawson resigned the care of this church, but retained his connection with Sinking Valley. During the balance of that year and a part of the following the Rev. R. F. Wilson, the present stated clerk of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, preached for the congregation. In May, 1868, the Rev. J. H. Mathers began his work as pastor, and was shortly thereafter installed. This relation has remained unchanged until the present time, extending over a period of more than twenty-seven years. At the beginning of this pastorate the number of communicants was sixty; at present it is about two hundred, many of whom reside in the village of Bellwood and vicinity.
When this church was organized it was the only Presbyterian con- gregation within the limits of Logan's Valley, and now there are six others occupying the same territory, and among them several of the strongest churches of the Presbytery. The selection of this valley as
LOGAN'S VALLEY (BELLEWOOD).
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OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
the route of the great Pennsylvania Railroad attracted a large popula- tion to its borders. The cities of Altoona in the western extremity and of Tyrone on the eastern border contain a large Presbyterian population and form a hopeful field for Christian work.
In 1865 a church building was erected near Bell's Mills, which for years had been an outpost of the congregation, where services were held for the convenience of the members residing in the vicinity. The sub- sequent growth of Bell's Mills (now Bellwood) made it necessary to abandon this structure and erect another nearer the centre of population, and accordingly the brick building in which the congregation now wor- ships in the borough of Bellwood was erected and occupied in 1883. A convenient and comfortable manse was built upon the church property in the autumn of 1887.
The following persons have been connected with the Session of the church during these years, viz. :
Name.
Year.
John Campbell .
1837-1884.
James Hunter 1837-1843.
D. G. Hunter 1843-1863.
John Kratzer 1843-1857.
B. F. Bell . 1856-1877.
Thomas McCauley
1856-1863.
James K. Henry
1863-1865.
S. G. Wilson
1874-1888.
Rowan Clarke, M.D. 1874-1881.
D. L. Wray 1874.
William Geesey
1878-188I.
F. W. Shaffer
1883-1895.
Thomas Fleck 1 883.
W. H. Morrow, M.D.
1889.
William Fuoss
1889.
L. W. Irwin
889.
The persons at present constituting the Session are D. L. Wray, Thomas Fleck, L. W. Irwin, William Fuoss, and W. H. Morrow, M.D. A short time after the centennial exercises of the Presbytery F. W. Shaffer, for years an efficient member of this body, passed to the rest of heaven, after vainly seeking relief from suffering through the agency of the surgeon's knife. It would not be amiss to refer to the invaluable services of John Campbell, Esq., who for nearly fifty years served the congregation in this capacity with great acceptance. His sturdy char- acter, his conscientiousness and personal integrity mingled respect and
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THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
honor with his service. For many years B. F. Bell acceptably performed the functions of this office. His liberality and solicitude for the welfare of the church commanded the admiration of those who were interested in the prosperity of the organization. His counsel and sympathy and means were always generously used in advancing the interests of the church which he loved so well. He escaped from the deep sorrows of this mortal life more than half a score of years ago. For fourteen years S. G. Wilson, of Tipton, with great fidelity served the congregation as a ruling elder. His faith was far-reaching and childlike, and his love for the church of God was a passion. He died in a good old age, and his end partook of the glory of a translation. His eye seemed to rest upon the person of the One Invisible, and his eagerness to depart and be with Christ was Pauline.
The church is well equipped for Christian work. A.board of deacons, consisting of four members, Wm. A. Lytle, A. R. Irwin, F. M. Glasgow, and Albert McFarland, looks faithfully after the interests intrusted to its care. And under an act of incorporation the following trustees hold the church property in their custody,-viz .: Wm. Bush, Alex. M. Corn- messer, Hudson Irwin, Emory Wilson, and C. F. Kenote.
The organization which was effected with many misgivings nearly sixty years ago has become a compact and earnest congregation. Its past history is to many of those connected with it an inspiration and a joy. May its usefulness increase and its influence extend as the years so rapidly vanish away.
J. H. MATHERS.
LOST CREEK (MCALISTERVILLE).
FROM the year 1759 we may date the rise of this Presbyterian con- gregation, known originally as " Cedar Spring," situated half a mile from Cedar Spring, on the right-hand side of the road leading towards Mexico.
About 1760 measures were taken to secure a public ministry. To secure the right of land for erecting a "meeting-house" and burial- ground from the government, James Patterson and James Purdy were sent to Philadelphia; they secured a grant for two hundred acres. The people then began to erect a " meeting-house," each member furnishing some logs. The house was raised to about one story, when they were compelled to abandon it and flee for their lives, because of the uprising of the Indians. The building was, however, completed three years later
-
LOGAN'S VALLEY (TIPTON). ERECTED 1845.
197
OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
on the return of the settlers. The erection of this first house of wor- ship was wholly the work of the laity. It is supposed they were first visited by the ordained minister in 1766, when Rev. Charles Beatty and Rev. George Duffield, who, being on their way as missionaries to the frontier in Ohio, stopped a few days and preached for them.
Rev. J. Kennedy, a Presbyterian minister from the north of Ireland, began his labors in this church about 1771, which lasted for about four years. His relation to the congregation appears to have been merely a " stated supply."
Rev. Hugh Magill, the first regular pastor, ordained in Ireland, was installed over Cedar Spring and Tuscarora congregations in 1779. His pastoral relation with this (the Cedar Spring) congregation con- tinued for twenty years. During the next three years the church was without a pastor, but the laity were none the less active. It was during this time (about 1800) that the "meeting-house" at Cedar Spring was abandoned and two other churches were erected instead, one at Mifflin- town and the other near McAlisterville. The McAlisterville portion of the congregation built a small log church in an oak grove about half a mile from town. In 1840 this was replaced by a brick building. This edifice was occupied till March 28, 1887, when it was decided, as the old structure was no longer safe and was too far out of town, to build a new church in the town of McAlisterville. The church, being finished, was dedicated May 6, 1888. Rev. R. M. Wallace, D.D., and Rev. R. F. Wilson conducted the service. It was found after the collection of the evening service that there was sufficient money to pay for the erection of the new building.
For about seventy-five years the Mifflintown and McAlisterville branch had but one organization. The one bench of elders served for both branches of the church.
Rev. Matthew Brown preached in this church in the fall of 1801, but was not ordained and installed until the spring of 1802. His pastoral relation to the church lasted for three years.
Mr. John Hutchison, who supplied the church during the summer of 1805, was ordained and installed over both branches of the church at a meeting of Presbytery in the church at Lost Creek April 15, 1806. This was his only charge, which he faithfully served for thirty-eight years and six months. God alone saw fit to sever the relation between this people and much-beloved pastor November 11, 1844.
Rev. Matthew Allison came from Philadelphia that same week and
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occupied the pulpit the following Sabbath. . After preaching he was asked to supply the church till spring. He received a call March 26, 1845, and was installed the following month. After serving this church as pastor for twenty-seven years, he departed from this world July 8, 1872.
Rev. T. J. Sherrard began his labors as co-pastor with Rev. Matthew Allison the first Sabbath in 1872. He was ordained and installed June II, 1872. But the following month Rev. Allison died, leaving him sole pastor. He resigned his pastoral relation April 8, 1875. His desire was to effect a division of the two branches of the church. This was accom- plished at a meeting of Presbytery at Port Royal, April 13, 1875, at which time the congregation at the Mifflintown end of the church was granted a separate church organization.
During the years previous to 1872 the arrangement between the two ends of the congregation was for Mifflintown to have three Sabbaths' preaching out of five, while Lost Creek received the services of the other two and paid two-fifths of the pastor's salary. At the beginning of 1872, Rev. Allison having a co-pastor, Rev. Sherrard, it was arranged that Lost Creek should have preaching every alternate Sabbath and pay half the pastor's salary. This arrangement continued until the division of the two branches of the church, April 13, 1875.
For the next thirteen years Lost Creek was without a regular pastor. The laity, however, proved its loyalty to the church by erecting a new house of worship in the town of McAlisterville and tearing down the old structure.
Emil Lewy received a call to the church, and was installed November 13, 1888. He served the church until December 4, 1892; by his own request he was released. The church was again vacant for nearly two years.
Rev. H. S. Welty was called April 28, 1894; he supplied the church from July 1, 1894, till October 30 of the same year, when he was in- stalled as pastor.
The present officers are :
Pastor .- Rev. H. S. Welty.
Elders .- Edmund S. Jamison, served from August 13, 1858.
Mr. William Harrison McAlister, who is in his eightieth year, with his maiden sister Sarah, the only survivors of that interesting and de- voted family of Presbyterians to which this church owes much of its success, was ordained March 21, 1886.
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OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
Mr. Michael Coldren was ordained March 21, 1886.
Trustees .- The church has six trustees, two of which are elected each year to serve three years: J. Banks Wilson, Reuben Caveny, W. H. Moore, Milton Baer, George Martin, Steven Lloyd McAlister.
H. S. WELTY.
LOWER SPRUCE CREEK.
THE Lower Spruce Creek Presbyterian Church was organized April 29, 1871, by a committee of Presbytery consisting of Rev. R. M. Wal- lace, Rev. J. J. Coale, and Elder Samuel McCamant.
Previous to this date, during the pastorate of Rev. Coale at Sinking Valley, which began in the early part of 1870 (and even before this by other denominations), there had been regular preaching service held in the hall above the Spruce Creek school-house, which came to be known as the Union Church.
Early in 1871 Rev. Coale conducted a series of evangelistic services here, with very marked results, and the time seemed ripe for the organi- zation of a church. With the recent converts, and with a large number of members from the Sinking Valley Church living in and about Spruce Creek, the organization was effected, consisting of fifty-one members, with Rev. J. J. Coale as pastor and Messrs. Sidney Thompson, M.D., Samuel C. Tussey, and Osborne Laird as elders.
The congregation continued to worship in the Union Church until 1872, when they erected a neat and comfortable brick edifice for their own use.
The elders who have served the congregation thus far are the three above named, General Stuart, and the two now in service, Messrs. Thomas Davis and W. D. Isett.
The pastorate of Rev. Coale terminated in the month of May, 1892, and at a congregational meeting held the 27th of December of the same year the present pastor, S. W. Young, then a licentiate and student in the Western Theological Seminary of Alleghany, was called for one-half his time at a salary of five hundred dollars. His installation took place on the 28th of May, 1893. From that time to July, 1895, there have been thirty-four persons added to the church, twenty-seven of this number being received on profession of faith. The present membership numbers seventy-five.
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THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
While the spiritual prosperity of this church has been marked and the attendance upon divine worship very greatly increased, its financial growth has been no less so, and already many of her members are look- ing forward to the time when she can be an independent church, main- taining a pastor for the whole of his time.
S. W. YOUNG.
LOWER TUSCARORA.
THIS church, the oldest in the Huntingdon Presbytery, may be not less than one hundred and forty-five years old. The first settlers, who were Presbyterians, came into this Tuscarora Valley in 1749, and would not be long without a place and mode of worship. The first rude log building is reported to have been erected before the first missionary came to preach to them. It having been destroyed, and the inhabitants having fled from the country on account of the Indians, and having returned, they met again to worship in private houses.
In 1766 Rev. Charles Beatty and Rev. John Duffield came and preached above and at Academia.
In 1773 twenty acres of ground in Milford Township, now in part Beale Township, were given for the use of a Presbyterian society or congregation. On this land and about this date the second log church was built. In 1790 the third log church, hewn as to its timbers and with thirty-six sawn boards as to its seats, was erected.
In 1816 the stone church, now standing and plastered externally, was the fourth building erected, and is shown in part in the accompa- nying engraving, though altered internally, and as to its height and windows, for school purposes, it being the present Tuscarora Academy building.
The fifth and present church edifice, shown in full in the accom- panying engraving, was constructed in 1849, and dedicated to God's service the following year, and has been greatly owned and blessed of God with revival upon revival scenes.
The first called pastor to this church, in union with the Cedar Spring (now McAlisterville) Church, was Rev. Mr. Rhea. He was called in 1771, but never installed. The first installed pastor was the Rev. Hugh Magill. In connection with Cedar Spring Church this first pastorate began in November, 1779, and continued until April, 1796.
20I
OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
A little confusion exists as to the number and names of all the elders up to this date, or the year 1800, when the next pastor appears on the ground. William Bell, Esq., and John Williams are asserted to have been the first elders, but the records of Presbytery show the names of the following persons as attendant upon its Sessions : John Boggs, John Armstrong, William Waddle, Jonathan McCoy, William Graham, and William Sterrett, in addition to the two named above.
In December, 1799, Rev. John Coulter appeared on the field and preached Sabbath, January I, 18co. He was installed August 11, 1801, and on August 14, 1801, also over Middle Tuscarora Church, some eight miles farther up the valley. His united pastorate over these two churches continued for thirty-three years, until his death, June 22, 1834. He built up both churches greatly, both in number and in power. He advocated temperance when the still-house abounded. He started the first Sunday-school hereabout.
The following elders were installed during his ministry: Thomas Gilson (Rev. R. F. W. gives in an account William as the Christian name), John Patterson, Esq., Hugh Alexander, John Kelly, Esq. (Rev. R. F. W. omits the last and gives William Irvin).
The third regular pastor was Rev. McKnight Williamson, who preached November, 1834, and was installed early in 1835 and continued ten years, until April 14, 1845. He organized the Tuscarora Academy, in 1836, at Academia. He also built the first portion of the parsonage at that place. The picture of the parsonage as it has been twice en- larged is given in the accompanying engraving. It was about one-third that size at first.
March 22, 1837, were elected and April 2 installed the following elders : David Alexander (omitted by R. F. W.), James Hughes, Esq. (given as David Joseph by R. F. W.), William Sterrett.
In 1842 one hundred and eight were added to the church.
February 16, 1844, were elected and March 10, 1844, were installed the following elders : James Patterson, John Jacobs, James McLaughlin, John Koons, and Joseph Kelly, M.D.
The fourth pastor was Rev. Benjamin H. Campbell, who was in- stalled April, 1846, and continued a few months in 1846. He died December 31, 1848, in York, Pennsylvania.
The fifth pastor was Rev. George W. Thompson, D.D. He was installed April 20, 1847, and continued until his death, January 28, 1864. He preached also at Church Hill until 1852, when the present Port
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THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
Royal Church building (then called Perryville) was erected and occu- pied as a part of the Lower Tuscarora charge. The Tuscarora Acad- emy and Female Seminary at Academia and the Airy View Academy at Perryville flourished in those days, and very many young men and women united with the church, and entered eminent walks of usefulness in the church and the world as the result of these intellectual and Christian influences. The memory of this minister remains precious to this day.
The following elders were elected December 21, 1855, and installed January, 1856: Elias Gruver, John Mclaughlin, John Williams, Daniel E. Flickinger, W. Boyd Gilson, John P. Kelly, George W. Strouse, James Patterson, and James Patton.
December 5, 1856, Joseph Pomeroy was elected and installed elder.
The sixth pastor was Rev. S. J. Milliken, who was installed in 1866 and resigned April, 1870. During this ministry William Gruver and D. D. Stone were elected and installed elders.
The seventh pastor was Rev. L. B. W. Shryock, who was installed in 187I and resigned 1875. During his ministry Samuel Mclaughlin and L. J. Barton were elected and installed elders.
The eighth pastor was Rev. J. C. Oliver, who was installed in 1875 and resigned 1884.
The ninth pastor was Rev. C. S. Dewing, who was installed in 1884 and resigned 1886.
The tenth pastor was Rev. J. S. Woodburn, who was installed in 1886 and resigned in 1888.
The eleventh pastor was Rev. S. A. Davenport, who was called March, 1890, began preaching in April, and was installed June 4, 1890. He was also pastor, installed June 5, 1890, over Middle Tuscarora Church in connection with this church, and still continues pastor over these two fields. Just before entering on this pastorate the church had adopted the rotary eldership. The old board consisted of Samuel Mclaughlin, Wilson Laird, W. Boyd Gilson, John P. Kelly, and Josiah L. Barton. All these except Mr. McLaughlin, who was very infirm, have been re- tained in office, and as death has necessitated or the system required, in addition Nathaniel Moyer, Samuel A. Graham, and Stiles K. Boden have been elected and installed into office.
In 1894 the interior of this church building was beautifully renovated, and a gracious revival resulted in the addition of some fifty members to
PRESENT CHURCH
AT
ACADEMIA
OLD STONE CHURCH
NOW TUSCARORA ACADEMY
AND PRESENT MANSE
203
OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
the church, heads of families and young people bringing entire families in some cases into the church.
The following persons have gone out of this church into the gospel ministry in addition to many others who were students in Tuscarora Academy :
Rev. Joseph Patterson, Rev. Joseph C. Kelly, Rev. W. A. Patton, Rev. Joseph H. Barnard, Rev. J. Henry Beale, Rev. J. Harry Stewart.
The present membership of the church, 1895, is two hundred.
McVEYTOWN.
THE history of the Presbyterian congregation of McVeytown may be divided into three periods : First, from its founding to the year 1814; second, from 1814 to 1871 ; third, from 1871 to the present time, 1895.
First Period .- So far as known all the congregational records of this period have been lost. The minutes of the Presbyteries of Donegal and Carlisle, the grandmother and mother of Huntingdon Presbytery, contain nothing concerning the organization of a Presbyterian church in the vicinity of McVeytown. It is probable that, as in the case of so many of the churches founded in the frontier settlements of Pennsylvania more than a century ago, there was no formal organization of this church by authority of Presbytery. It is impossible, therefore, to assign an exact date to the beginning of this period.
From the journal of the Rev. Charles Beattie, who, with the Rev. George Duffield, was appointed missionary to the frontiers in 1766 by the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, it is known that he preached in this vicinity on August 26 of that year. Of this service he writes, " By twelve o'clock a considerable number of people were collected at a place in the woods where a mill was building, near to which a house for worship is intended to be built as being most essential to the inhabitants in those parts. While the people were convening it began to rain, and the rain continuing obliged as many of us as could to crowd into a small house." He likewise informs us, " That was the first preaching in these parts." Whether it was a saw-mill or a grist-mill that " was building" cannot be determined. The first grist-mill built within the present limits of Mifflin County was at McVeytown, then known as Holliday, erected about this time. It appears upon the first assessment roll, 1768. There
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