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 24
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2. Patrick Fitzsimmons, Robert Marshall, and James Crouthers.
3. John Appleby, Gilbert Kennedy.
4. George Wilson, Robert Harper.
5. William Swan.
6. Thomas Cluggage, Widow Cluggage, John Bell.
7. Rev. Alexander McElwain.
8. Jeremiah Robinson, James Spear, Hugh Dougherty. .
9. James Marshall, William Marshall, Hugh Arters, Patrick Fitz- simmons, James Fleming.
IO. Matthew Taylor, King Fitzsimmons.
II. James and John Berry.
12. James McKee, William Morrow.
13. James Fleming.
14. John Wilson.
15. James Clements, Samuel Caldwell.
16. Alexander Blair.
17. Dennis Hanlon, Joseph Campbell.
18. William Steel.
19. Gaven Cluggage, Hugh Glenn.
MILINWOOD ACADEMY BUILDINGS= SHADE GAP -PA-
cymch imes
BERE
247
OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
20. George Hudson.
21. William Waters.
22. John Hudson.
23. John Carolus.
24. James Crouthers, Samuel Crouthers.
25. John Davis.
26. James McKee, John Gilliland.
William Gifford, William Crocker, Leonard Gooshorn, Archey McGlauchlin, Archey Paterson, John Eagleton, William Vaun, Simon Bolinger, and Conrad Johnston appear as "Subscribers not placed in seats December, 1800."
On April 18, 1848, a contract was entered into by the building com- mittee, George Wilson, Thomas Montague, and Atchison B. Hudson, with William A. Hudson for the delivery on the site of the new church, before August I, of eighty thousand bricks, for which he was to be paid three hundred dollars. The church must have been completed the same summer, for we find in the fall of 1848 that the old church was used for school purposes, a "classical school" having been started in the old building immediately after the dedication of the new brick church. This was the germ of Old Milnwood. Rev. McGinnes was the founder, and Henry Beers was the first student, or " nest-egg," as the boys called him, and he with George T. Hudson constituted the entire class for the first two or three weeks, but before the end of the session there were twenty- two students, nine of whom were boarders. In the second term there were forty, among whom were the following: N. A. McDonald, late missionary to Siam ; David M. Gregg, late Auditor-General of the State ; Horatio G. Fisher, late Congressman and State Senator ; John M. Buoy, J. Shippen Burd, Denton D. Culbertson, Dunlap Dickson, James S. Rob- inson, Henry R. Shearer, Henry Beers, John Foote, Amos Foote, William A. Gray, and David H. Barren. In the third term there were fifty stu- dents, and soon after the school attendance increased to eighty, when Mr. McGinnes, who had thrown his whole soul into the enterprise, secured the erection, through a stock company, in 1849, of the large stone building which was soon used entirely for boarders. In September of this year their first exhibition was held in this building, and in after- years this semi-annual entertainment was one of the most attractive features of the institution. The school continued to grow in favor, and soon Rev. McGinnes found he would have, as he said, " to enlarge the borders of his tent," and in 1850 erected the Academy Hall, fifty by
248
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
thirty-six, for recitation purposes. The old church having been torn down, they worked the logs into the frame of the Hall. The next improvement was the construction of frame sleeping apartments in 1851.
The following persons taught in Milnwood after the death of Rev. McGinnes : John Henry Wilson McGinnes, D. Mckinney, Samuel Campbell, R. H. Morrow, William H. Woods, W. M. Williamson, Rev. G. Van Artsdalen, William A. Hunter, L. H. Beers, R. S. Kuhn, Rev. William C. Kuhn, J. R. Baker, and Rev. George Scott. Rev. Scott made the last earnest effort to revive the old school, but failed. R. S. Kuhn has owned the property since 1868. A list of the students of old Milnwood would fill a book. The course of study under the old pro- fessors was extensive, the instruction very thorough, the discipline first- class, and the reputation of the school was well sustained for many years, and we cannot but think that the superficial instruction of to-day which obtains in many of our so-called colleges is scarcely up to that given at Old Milnwood when she was in her prime.
S. D. CALDWELL.
SHAVER'S CREEK.
THIS church was organized some years before the Presbytery was, perhaps in 1783 or 1785. Among its pastors Matthew Stephens was called October 4, 1797, installed June, 1798, and released April 18, 1810. There were probably other pastors up to 1834, but during many of these years it only had occasional supplies.
David Sterrett became pastor May 30, 1834. Revs. Drs. Jas. S. Woods and Samuel Wilson installed him. He was released April II, 1848, and died June 21, 1871. Richard Curran was installed May 25, 1849, by S. H. McDonald, D. Sterrett, and D. L. Hughes, D.D .; re- leased April 12, 1859.
This church had its main building at Manor Hill, which, lately re-roofed, still stands, but is unused. The present building is near McAlevy's Fort.
The church has forty-eight members and two elders, Hugh A. Jack- son and James Smith. It has for many years had a pastor, in connec- tion with Petersburg and Bethel, for a short time, but for the most part only occasional supplies.
R. F. WILSON.
249
OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
SHIRLEYSBURG.
THIS church was organized early in the present century. T. McGehon, M.D., of Franklin County, Rev. John Johnston, of Hunting- don, Rev. Samuel Woods, D.D., of Lewistown, Rev. Gray, of Shade Gap, Rev. John Peebles, of Huntingdon, and Rev. Carroll, of Newton Hamilton, all preached here previous to 1839.
The list of pastors and stated supplies, beginning with 1839, is as follows :
Name. Year.
Rev. Britton E. Collins, stated supply 1839-1854.
Rev. G. W. Shaeffer, pastor 1855-1866.
Rev. Cochrane Forbes, stated supply 1867-1870.
Rev. Samuel C. Alexander, pastor 1871-1873.
Rev. William Prideaux, pastor . 1874-1875.
Rev. R. A. Watson, stated supply 1877-1878.
Rev. Stephen Pomeroy, pastor
1878-1884.
Rev. D. H. Campbell, pastor
1884-1892.
Rev. W. G. Finney, pastor .
.
. 1892.
The following is a list of the ruling elders, with date of entering upon office :
Name. Year.
Samuel Carothers and Randall Alexander 1828.
Henry Brewster .
1844.
John Douglass and A. O. Brown 1845.
J. C. Bollinger and R. W. Dorter
1852.
Samuel Wilson and Jacob Rothrock
John Brewster and Samuel R. Douglass
:855
Robert Bigham
1855.
Daniel Montague and Dr. M. J. McKennaw
1 860.
J. J. Postlewaite
Henry R. Hudson and Charles R. McCarthy 1867.
Jonathan Montague 1867.
John Alexander and Robert Kerr 1868.
Daniel Brandt and Jesse Peterson
1872.
John Nelson and John Douglass
1892.
The present elders are Henry Hudson, Daniel Brandt, John Nelson, and John Douglass.
The present church was built in 1830. The interior has been repaired and much changed. The exterior is preserved the same, with its brick- paved porch and four pillars in front. It is a white frame building.
Shirleysburg is a mother church. The Presbyterians of Mount Union and Orbisonia were formerly identified with Shirleysburg in membership,
250
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
though each had its own place of worship. Mount Union, in 1867, and Orbisonia, in 1873, formed distinct congregations. In 1839 there were one hundred and thirty members, which included Orbisonia and Mount Union. This year, 1895, there are eighty-six members.
Two ministers have gone out from this congregation, Rev. William Alexander, D.D., now of San Anselmo, California, and Rev. Samuel C. Alexander, now of Millerstown, Pennsylvania, both sons of Randall Alexander, whose name appears second on the list of ruling elders. The younger brother, Samuel, was pastor at Shirleysburg from 1871 to 1873. WILLIAM G. FINNEY.
SINKING CREEK AND SPRING CREEK.
THE history of the rise and progress of the Sinking Creek and the Spring Creek Churches has been, from their origin to within a short time, so blended that it seems proper, if not necessary, that this sketch should include both, and the writer proposes so to give it. The sources from which to gather the early history of these churches are so limited -there being no sessional records until 1834, and then up to 1841 being very brief-that the writer has been compelled to draw his supplies from brief Presbyterial allusions to the churches and from reliable statements received from the aged pastor, Rev. William Stuart, and the aged members of the congregations found among the living at the time of his entrance upon the field fifty years ago.
Soon after the settlement of Penn's Valley by the Scotch-Irish, of which element its first settlers were largely composed, we find the people,-about the year 1775,-after having provided homes for them- selves, considering their spiritual interests and aiming to provide for religious privileges. In pursuance of this object they sent a commission to the then far-away town of Carlisle, to a meeting of the Presbytery of Donegal, asking for supplies. The Presbytery regarded favorably their prayer and resolved to send them occasional supplies, to meet the people at different points, to preach, to administer the ordinances, and to catechise the children.
We find upon the old Presbyterial records Warrior's Mark, Half Moon, East and West Penn's Valley, and Brush Valley named as " stations" where services were held. Subsequently Penn's Creek, Cedar Creek, and later Sinking Creek and Spring Creek are named.
REV. JOHN C. BARR
REV. WILLIAM PRIDEAUX
REV. ROBERT HAMILL D.D.
REV. W. O. WRIGHT
MINISTERS.
25I
OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
Some time after this East and West Penn's Valley were fixed as permanent places for services and informally resolved themselves into organizations as churches. East Penn's Valley was located near the head of Penn's Creek, and West Penn's Valley near the head of Cedar Creek. The lower end of Penn's Valley becoming largely populated by Germans, and the Scotch-Irish settlers multiplying farther up the valley, a preaching place was located at Centre Hill and denominated the Sinking Creek Church, and the West Penn's Valley people advanced their preaching place from Cedar Creek to the Slab-Cabin Branch of Spring Creek, and located a preaching place there called Spring Creek. Thus Sinking Creek and Spring Creek resolved themselves into organizations about 1780, and about this time appear on the records of the Presbytery, recognized as organized churches, while there is no record of their formal organization. These churches, thus coming into existence after having been served for some time by supplies, formed a united charge under successive pastors for eighty-six years, from 1789 to 1875, having had during this period six pastors, the combined pastor- ates of two of whom extended over sixty-two years, or nearly three- fourths of the time.
Up to this time, 1875, these churches as a united charge grew and strengthened until they numbered over two hundred families and over four hundred members, under the pastorate of the last incumbent of the united charge. They have both met with heavy losses by death and removal, and by colonies going into new organizations around them, until at the present time half their numerical strength has gone. Sink- ing Creek especially has suffered very serious depletion. Spring Creek has suffered largely from new organizations springing up on territory formerly included in her bounds. Pine Grove, Bald Eagle, Buffalo Run, and State College Churches are all children of the Spring Creek Church, each being located in territory chiefly, if not altogether, covered by the Spring Creek Church in its original organization. While the mother has felt the loss, she rejoices in the healthful growth and prosperity of her children. Each of the churches of Sinking Creek and Spring Creek has been a rich blessing to the beautiful valley in which they have been located. A multitude of redeemed ones who on earth were privileged to share the means of grace within their bounds will have reason throughout eternity to bless the day that these churches were located near by their earthly homes.
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THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
THE BUILDINGS.
The first church building in Penn's Valley, the site of the Sinking Creek and Spring Creek Churches, was erected in the year 1785 by the East Penn's Valley congregation. It was near the head of Penn's Creek, about two miles from Spring Mills, and was denominated the East Penn's Valley Church. It was a plain log structure, with seating capacity for about two hundred. Its construction doubtless taxed the liberality of the people more than some of its more costly successors.
This church was followed by a building of the same style, but some- what larger and more costly, erected at Centre Hill by the Sinking Creek congregation in 1793. This, after having been remodelled, served the congregation until 1842, when it was superseded by a handsome brick building, at a cost of some eight thousand dollars, which was entered in 1843. This edifice, after being occupied for seventeen years, was thoroughly repaired; being remodelled, repainted, papered, cush- ioned, and carpeted, at a cost of about two thousand dollars, and thus remains until this day. While in former years this building was at times too strait for the congregation, there being more people than there were pews to accommodate them, now, with the congregation diminished by death and by emigration, the size of the building is beyond the present demand. The village of Centre Hall springing up in these latter years in the bounds of the congregation, a very neat church edifice was erected there in 1888, at a cost of four thousand dollars, for the accommodation of the families residing in that vicinity. Both of these buildings reflect great credit upon the people who supplied them.
The Spring Creek congregation first decided to build at the head of Cedar Creek, where they had been accustomed to worship in a log school-house, and where they had located a graveyard. But after gathering the materials for building they changed their mind as to locality (in view, we judge, of the proximity of the new Sinking Creek Church at Centre Hill), and resolved to build farther west on the Slab- Cabin Branch of Spring Creek. Here, on their newly-chosen site, they erected a log building in the year 1794. In this building, unfinished, without pews, pulpit, floor, ceiling, or windows, they worshipped for some time, apparently unable to complete the work. Subsequently, however, inspired by the accession of a new pastor in the person of Rev. Wm. Stuart, with new energy, they resolved to finish the building, and accordingly contracted with Wm. Neal "to provide the mate-
CENTRE
HALL
SINKING CREEK
SINKING CREEK.
253
OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
rials and finish the house, in consideration of the full sum of three hundred and fifty dollars, to be duly paid upon its completion." This work, commenced July 2, 1801, was completed in April, 1802. In this building they worshipped for thirty years, until 1832, when they re- paired and enlarged the building, and in it thus remodelled they con- tinued to worship until the 18th of April, 1847, when, on Sabbath night after service, it was destroyed by fire a year after the entrance of their pastor, Mr. Hamill, upon his work.
When the congregation came together to consult about the erection of a new church, the question as to a change of location was agitated, and .so bitter was the controversy on this point that a year transpired before the parties could come to terms, and then the difficulty was only settled by an agreement to build two churches, one at Boalsburg and the other at the old site. Those in favor of the old site immediately se- cured a subscription and built a plain frame structure at a cost of some two thousand dollars ; the other party, failing in their project, returned to the parent church, and harmony was successfully restored.
In this house the congregation worshipped for twenty-five years, when it was resolved to build a new church more worthy of the congre- gation and a truer index to the taste and refinement of the people. At this juncture the question of a change of location again came up, and after an exciting controversy it was finally decided to place the new church at Lemont, where the present chaste and substantial structure was erected, at a cost of some fifteen thousand dollars, and was entered free from debt January 7, 1872. In this beautiful edifice the congregation now worship,-an edifice that will stand for generations to come as a worthy monument of the Christian liberality of those who erected it.
That part of the Spring Creek congregation in and around the village of State College, feeling the need of a place for religious service and for Sabbath-school and Bible-class purposes, resolved to build a chapel of ease at State College, which purpose resulted in the erection of a beautiful edifice, costing about five thousand dollars, at that point, which was dedicated as a house of worship March 18, 1888. Another neat chapel was built, at a cost of some two thousand dollars, at Boals- burg, in 1892, for the convenience of the members of this church re- siding there. These different edifices are worthy of those who partici- pated in securing their construction, and are proper indices to the liberality, good taste, and Christian spirit of those who are or have been identified with the venerable Spring Creek Presbyterian Church.
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THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
THE PASTORS.
For some fifteen years after the people of Penn's Valley first appear upon the records of the Presbyteries of Donegal and Carlisle they were compelled to depend upon occasional supplies appointed to preach at intervals of two and three months. This was owing, we suppose, first, to the scarcity of ministers, and, second, to the unsettled condi- tion of the country and the frequent murderous depredations of the Indian tribes. Tradition tells us that it was not unfrequently necessary for the minister and the people to assemble on the Sabbath for worship armed with rifles, to protect themselves from assaults by the Indians who now and then traversed and sojourned among our mountains and valleys.
After depending for years upon these occasional supplies, the Rev. James Martin, pastor of Pine Creek Church, visited this region, and, as the result, on the 15th of April, 1789, a call was presented at a meeting of the Presbytery at Carlisle for his pastoral services from the churches of East Penn's Valley, West Penn's Valley, Warrior's Mark, and Half Moon, each agreeing to give him thirty-two and a half pounds in specie for one-fourth of his time. These calls Mr. Martin accepted and was installed accordingly. He continued pastor of these four churches for some two years, when Warrior's Mark and Half Moon were given up, and his labors were confined to East and West Penn's Valley. In April, 1793, Sinking Creek Church having assumed an organized form, Mr. Martin ceased to supply West Penn's Valley,-now Spring Creek,-and devoted his whole time to East Penn's Valley and Sinking Creek. A year later he gave up Sinking Creek Church and continued to preach at East Penn's Valley Church until the time of his death, which oc- curred June 20, 1795. He was buried in the graveyard of the East Penn's Valley Church, where his remains lie beneath a slate or limestone slab, on which is found the following inscription :
" Here lies the body of the Rev. James Martin, pastor of the Pres- byterian Congregation in Penn's Valley, who died June 20, A.D. 1795, aged about sixty-five years.
" Deep was the wound, O death ! and vastly wide, When he resigned his useful breath and died. Ye sacred tribes, with pious sorrow mourn, And drop a tear at your dear pastor's urn.
PR
JAMI VANTUES
JOHN SHANNON
LOPHART
T POTER
SINKING CREEK. ELDERS.
255
OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
Concealed a moment from our longing eyes Beneath this stone his mortal body lies. Happy the spirit lives, and will, we trust, In bliss associate with his precious dust."
Mr. Martin's reputation, as tradition gives it, was that of a godly man, a sound divine, an earnest and instructive preacher, and a success- ful pastor. Of the statistical results of his pastorate we, unfortunately, have no record.
Mr. Martin was succeeded by Mr. David Wiley, a licentiate of the Presbytery of New Castle, who was first called by Cedar Creek and Spring Creek Churches in April, 1793, which call he accepted, and was ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Carlisle, in the town of Carlisle, April 9, 1794, commissioners being present from these churches. After Mr. Martin's death Mr. Wiley was called for half his time to the Sinking Creek Church. This call he accepted, and sustained the rela- tion of pastor to this church for one year, when, in October, 1797, he resigned the charge of Sinking Creek, but retained the charge of Spring Creek for two years longer. June 12, 1799, he resigned the charge of Spring Creek, at a meeting of Presbytery held in Spring Creek Church.
From all we can gather in regard to Mr. Wiley, he seems to have been recognized as a faithful and instructive minister, an efficient pres- byter, and was held in favorable esteem by the people of his charge. No statistics as to the results of his pastorate are to be found.
After Mr. Wiley retired from the charge of these churches, they were visited by Mr. William Stuart, a licentiate of the Presbytery of New Castle, who was called March 8, 1801, to the pastorate of the Sinking Creek and Spring Creek and East Penn's Valley Churches, each asking one-third of his time. The calls were presented and accepted at a meeting of the Presbytery held in Huntingdon April 7, 1801, and Mr. Stuart was ordained and installed October 7, 1801, at a meeting of Presbytery held in Sinking Creek Church. He continued pastor of this united charge until 1805, when the pastoral relation with the East Penn's Valley Church was dissolved, and the churches of Sinking Creek and Spring Creek agreed each to take one-half of his time. The East Penn's Valley Church soon after this was absorbed by the Sinking Creek Church. In this relation Mr. Stuart continued for thirty-three years, when, from physical disability, induced by the fracture of a limb caused by the kick of a horse, received as he was returning from the Spring Creek Church on the Sabbath, he was compelled to resign his charge.
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THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
The relation which had so long and so pleasantly existed was dissolved April 1, 1834, in the town of Huntingdon, in the same church in which he had assumed this relation thirty-three years before. Mr. Stuart lived fourteen years after retiring from his work, in the bounds of his former charge, until March 30, 1848, when, after a brief illness, he passed peacefully away, having attained the remarkable age of eighty-nine years. His remains lie entombed in the cemetery of the Sinking Creek Church.
Mr. Stuart was a faithful pastor, a sound and instructive preacher, and was honored and beloved by his flock through his long pastoral career. There were received into the communion of the church under his ministry five hundred and thirty-four members. He administered eleven hundred and forty-five baptisms, and solemnized the nuptials of three hundred and sixty-four couples.
A few months after Mr. Stuart's resignation, a call was presented, October 6, 1834, for the pastoral services of Rev. David Mckinney. He, accepting the call, was installed December 20, 1834. He continued pastor until June 9, 1841, when he was released, against the wishes of his people, in order to accept a call from the church of Hollidaysburg. Of the results of Dr. Mckinney's pastorate we have few statistics. He was an energetic pastor, an attractive preacher, an efficient presbyter, and a man greatly beloved by his flock.
In April, 1842, ten months after Dr. Mckinney's retirement, Rev. William Adams was called from the First Church of Chambersburg to become the pastor of these united churches. Accepting the calls, he was installed in May, 1842, and continued pastor until October, 1845,- three and one-half years,-when, on account of ill-health, he was com- pelled to resign his charge. Mr. Adams was a man of marked ability. His sermons were always finished productions, but his feeble health prevented his activity as a pastor, and his usefulness, from no fault of his, was not so apparent as that of his predecessors.
After Mr. Adams resigned, Mr. Robert Hamill, a licentiate of the Presbytery of New York, on invitation, visited the Sinking Creek and Spring Creek Churches in November, 1845, and a month after was unanimously called to become their pastor. Accepting these calls, he was received by the Presbytery of Huntingdon, and was ordained and installed as pastor in the Spring Creek Church on the 6th of May, 1846, and was installed as pastor of Sinking Creek Church on the 5th of June following. This relation he sustained for twenty-nine years,-until April,
SPRING CREEK (LEMONT).
257
OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON.
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