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 31
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This school has nine officers and teachers and fifty-nine scholars, with average attendance of forty-four.
The last two named schools are in coal regions and have a fluctuating membership.
The Sabbath-school of the Osceola Presbyterian Church was first organized as a union school, and it continued such until in the year 1871,
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when the Methodist Church was completed, and they organized a school of their own.
Then it became strictly Presbyterian, and since that time it has had the following superintendents,-viz., J. R. Cameron, A. H. Greenwalt, Hugh Campbell, H. W. Brown, and G. W. Boone. The last named is now superintendent.
While since the year 1871 four other schools have been organized in the borough of Osceola, the growth of this school has been encouraging, and its present condition is a healthful one. It has an enrolled member- ship of one hundred and eighty, and an average attendance of one hun- dred and twenty-one.
The Sabbath-school of the Spring Creek Church was organized on May 21, 1866, in the old Branch Church. The pastor, Rev. Robert Hamill, was chosen superintendent, General John Fraser assistant super- intendent, Moses Thompson treasurer, and William Thompson secre- tary. The first teachers were General John Fraser, Miss Sarah Allen, Mrs. E. W. Thompson, Miss Lizzie Boal, John Hamilton, John Moore, William Thompson, Miss Rebecca Lyon, and Mrs. Margaret McFarlane. At the end of the first year General John Fraser was chosen superin- tendent, and a few years later William Thompson was elected to this office, which he still continues to hold, although the duties of the office have been performed for some time past by John J. Thompson, Jr., who is now in fact the acting superintendent. The sessions of this Sabbath- school have continued without intermission since its organization.
The Sabbath-school of the Lower Spruce Creek Church was organ- ized in the year 1872 with a membership of forty, under the pastorate of Rev. J. J. Coale. It is not known who was the first superintendent. The only record we have at hand is that E. B. Isett filled the office in the years 1891 and 1892, and that Asbel Welch was elected in 1893 and served until the summer of 1895, when he removed to Philadelphia. W. B. Isett is now the acting superintendent. Among those who have had charge of the primary class are Miss Sallie Thompson and Miss Elanor Isett.
Since early in 1893 to the present time it has been under the efficient care of Mrs. L. K. Thompson. The school has an enrolled membership of thirteen officers and teachers and seventy scholars, and an average attendance of fifty-five. In 1894 it contributed thirty dollars to the mission boards of the church and seventy-eight dollars for its own support. It is in an encouraging condition, and has a number of good workers.
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The Sabbath-school of the Bradford Presbyterian Church had its origin in a union school in the old church, which in 1872, when the new church building in Bigler was completed, was taken into it. The first year there it was a union school, and Angus M. Gill was its superin- tendent. Then it became a Presbyterian school. Some years after Mr. Angus M. Gill was succeeded by Lowry Gill. He was in turn followed by John L Pearce, the only elder now in that church, who, with the exception of one year by Samuel H. Gill, has faithfully filled the office up to the present time. This school had an enrolment of sixty in its beginning, while at the present time it does not have more than fifty members, and these are irregular in their attendance. Death and re- movals have done much to deplete their roll. There are but two in the school now who were members at its organization. These are Miss Lizzie Pearce, who teaches a young ladies' class, and the superintendent. Mr. Pearce has been a faithful officer and teacher in this school for many years. He writes of it, saying, " Sometimes I think we will have to close the school, but the good Lord always opens the way to go on." They have always had a few active workers, and these have kept up the school. Miss Cora Fulton has been in charge of the primary class.
The Sabbath-school of the Buffalo Run Presbyterian Church was organized April 9, 18 , with seventy-six members. Joseph M. Wilson was chosen superintendent. William F. Thompson became superin- tendent in 1872, and continued in office until 1882, when he was suc- ceeded by B. F. Thompson. Other superintendents have been William McClelland, George Musser, G. Dorsey Green, and J. W. Marshall, who is now in office. The school at present has a membership of seventy, and is in a fairly flourishing condition.
The Orbisonia Sabbath-school was organized in October, 1874, during the ministry of Rev. William Prideaux. The first superintendent was R. J. Coons. It was a mixed school for some years, and had various denominations represented in its teaching corps, and met in the afternoon. Other superintendents have been J. M. Rankin, Solomon Coons, John R. Wilson, Professor S. G. Rudy, and Johnston Archey. The present superintendent is R. J. Coons. Mr. Edgar Shaver has served as a teacher and active worker in this school for years. While the church was with- out a settled pastor the school held its own steadily, and was the life of the church. The present enrolled membership is eighty.
The Sabbath-school of the Petersburg Presbyterian Church appears to have been organized on the 22d of April, 1877, with forty-one mem-
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bers. Samuel K. Wharton was the first superintendent. David Sheasley succeeded him in the following year, and served until 1888. During these years the school about maintained its own. Then John Porter served for three years. The school gained both in numbers and interest during these years. Hon. George M. Cresswell was elected in 1891, and at present continues to fill the office. The school has had an encouraging growth, and has now an enrolled membership of one hundred and forty- nine, with an average attendance of eighty. Its contributions for last year amounted to eighty-five dollars and eighty-eight cents. Mrs. S. K. Wharton has charge of the primary class.
The Sabbath-school of Robertsdale was organized in June, 1883, with about twenty-five members, and Dr. J. A. Crewett was chosen superin- tendent. He having removed from the community the following year, Mr. H. R. Shearer was chosen to succeed him, and still fills the office. Very few of the scholars of the school belong to the families of the church. They come mostly from other Protestant families. It is largely a mission school. It is now, and has been for years, mainly supported by the super- intendent, his wife, and three daughters. It is somewhat fluctuating in its attendance. Rev. N. A. McDonald, D.D., is the stated supply of this church, preaching once a month.
The Sabbath-school of Irvona was organized in the waiting-room of the Bell's Gap Railroad, now the Pennsylvania and Northwestern Railroad ticket-office, with eight persons present, on the 17th day of May, 1885, and C. B. Mckean was chosen superintendent, with David Cline assistant. It was established in a lumber and coal com- munity, where there is also a large tannery, and has done an excellent work in that community. The average attendance for the first year was twenty-six, and for 1894 it was ninety-six, showing an encouraging growth. Rev. F. T. Wheeler, who was five years pastor of this church, did much to promote this school. C. B. McKean did efficient service in this school during the first four years. It has had as superintendents Herman Haupt, J. C. McGaughey, H. D. Pearce, and T. W. Bailey, who at present is its superintendent. Mrs. James Haley, Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Callie Dotts, James Haley, Mrs. Bailey, and Mrs. Heims have been active workers in this school. Its present membership consists of nineteen officers and teachers and one hundred and thirty-five scholars.
It is with regret that we are compelled to note the fact that more than twenty of our churches have failed to send any facts relating to the
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history and working of their Sabbath-schools. We give a few facts we know about them.
The Bellefonte Church has a most prosperous school, with an enrolled membership of twenty-five officers and teachers and two hundred and fifty scholars, and an average attendance of one hundred and sixty. J. W. Kephart is the superintendent, and J. C. Weaver is assistant, and Mrs. Mary Gray has charge of the primary department. General James A. Beaver, a judge of the Superior Court, was for years a successful superintendent of this school, and is still an active worker in it. It con- tributed last year three hundred and thirty-seven dollars to the boards of the church, sixty-eight dollars to other benevolent objects, and fifty- eight dollars for its own support. Rev. J. H. Orbison, M.D., of India, was a member of this school.
The Spruce Creek Church is another of the old churches, and has an honorable history. It has an interesting unwritten Sabbath-school history. It has three schools within its bounds. The one at the main church at Graysville is the oldest. Its sessions have not been held throughout the year. The families of Olivers, Reynolds, McWilliams, and Wigtons have been active workers in this school. Andrew Oliver is superintendent. Revs. J. C. Oliver and J. M. Goheen were members of this school. Another school has been held in the chapel at Bailley- ville since it was built. This school continues throughout the year. The present superintendent is William Gardner. A. G. Ewing acted in this capacity for years prior to his death. A. E. Clemson is teacher of the adult class. The Goheens, Baileys, Lyons, and Porters have been active in this school.
The third school is held in the chapel at Colerain, and is continued throughout the year. The school has been in charge of Miss C. E. Stewart, who has been assisted by her sister, Miss Margaret, and others. These schools have a membership of two hundred and twenty-five, and an average attendance of one hundred and eighty. They contributed last year to missions forty-three dollars and eighty dollars to self-support.
The West Kishacoquillas Church has four schools within its bounds. Two of these, Airy Dale and Shiloh, are union schools, and do not con- tinue all the year. The school at Belleville is in charge of J. R. Fleming, and continues all the year. Oliver Campbell was for many years the superintendent of this school. The one at Allensville has also had con- tinuous sessions, and is in charge of William Huey. The membership of these schools is one hundred and sixty-eight, and the average attendance
21
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is one hundred and thirty-seven. They contributed eighty-four dollars to missions, fourteen dollars to other benevolent objects, and thirty-eight dollars for self-support last year. Their condition is encouraging.
The school of the East Kishacoquillas Church dates back at least fifty years in its history. The sessions were for many years held in the brick church located about one mile from Reedsville, and did not con- tinue all the year. Since the church has been built in the town the school has been removed to it, where its sessions are held all the year, and its membership has been largely increased. This has also added to the comfort and efficiency of the school. The superintendent is Robert Reed, and Dr. S. H. Rothrock is assistant ; Mrs. Emma Foster has charge of the primary class. Mrs. J. E. Henry and Miss Anna Kyle have also had charge of this class. Albert Foster has also served as superin- tendent. It numbers twenty-four officers and teachers and one hundred and fifty-one scholars. It contributed last year fourteen dollars to Sab- bath-school missions and seventy-five dollars to self-support.
The history of the school of the McVeytown (formerly Waynesburg) Church goes back among the oldest of the Presbytery.
In the year 1856 Waynesburg and Newton Hamilton Churches reported eighty children in Sabbath-school. This has for years been an active and flourishing school. The superintendent, Jacob R. Wirt, has filled this position for years, and James Macklin is assistant superin- tendent. Misses Beckie Patterson and Mary E. Mateer are infant-class teachers. Mrs. Laura Macklin and Miss Laura Leffard have also had charge of this class. It has a membership of thirteen officers and teachers and one hundred and sixty scholars, and an average attendance of one hundred and twenty. It contributed eighty-four dollars last year.
The school of the Duncansville Presbyterian Church dates its history from the organization of the church in 1846. For many years a Sabbath- school has been held in this church. The present superintendent is D. M. Thompson, and the primary class teachers are Miss Sue Thompson, Miss Kate Walker, and Miss Edith Merriman. It has a membership of ninety-two, and an average attendance of sixty-five. It contributed sixty dollars last year.
The Sabbath-school of Bedford is in charge of Professor C. J. Potts. He has filled this position since 1892. His predecessor was J. C. Rus- sell. Mrs. A. B. Riddle, Miss Laura Armstrong, and Miss Eleanor Hall are teachers in the primary department. W. P. Schell is assistant super- intendent. It numbers fifteen officers and teachers and ninety scholars,
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and has an average attendance of seventy-five. This is one of the oldest schools.
The Sabbath-school of the Lost Creek Church at McAlisterville is contemporary with the Sabbath-school of Westminster of Mifflin. Its history will date back with that. The superintendent is E. L. Jamison, who has served for a number of years. His assistants are William Van- ormer and P. M. Shirk. Dena Moore has charge of the primary class, and Maggie Wilson is assistant.
The school numbers one hundred and thirty, and has an average attendance of ninety-eight. Last year it contributed eighteen dollars to missions and thirty-four dollars for its own use.
The history of the Sabbath-school of Curwensville and that of the church are one, and date from about 1850. This school has been in operation for years. Colonel E. A. Irvin, Henry Kerns, J. A. Read, Miss Alice Irvin, and Lizzie and Hal Crouch have done much to promote it. It has fifteen officers and teachers and one hundred and fifty-five scholars, and an average attendance of ninety-eight. Last year it contributed one hundred and thirteen dollars for its own use.
The Sabbath-school of the Middle Tuscarora Church goes back beyond 1850. It has two Sabbath-schools, one at Mccullough's Mills, with Professor J. H. Landis superintendent, and A. S. Raffensperger assistant, and Mrs. Ludwig and Mrs. Milliken in charge of the primary class; and the other at East Waterford, with C. N. Ramsey superin- tendent, and J. T. Shirk assistant. Effie Robison and Lottie Loudon are in charge of the primary classes.
The membership of the Mccullough's Mills school is one hundred and twenty, and that of East Waterford is fifty-nine, and they contributed twenty-three dollars last year. They continue all the year and are prosperous.
The Sabbath-school history of the Bald Eagle Church began with that of the church in 1859. It has for years had within its bounds two Sabbath-schools. The one at Port Matilda is the larger, and the present superintendent is Jacob Woodring, and Candace Woodring has charge of the primary class. This school has twelve officers and teachers and ninety-eight scholars, and an average attendance of seventy-five, and con- tributed last year twenty-six dollars. The one at Unionville, Fleming Post-Office, is in charge of Mrs. Margaret Holtzworth, and has seven officers and teachers and sixty-eight scholars, with an average attendance of sixty. It contributed thirty-three dollars last year.
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These schools report an encouraging condition. They are at present without a pastor's care. The Thompsons and Campbells have been active promoters of the Sabbath-school work in this congregation. The late pastor was Rev. George Elliott, who did much for this cause. These schools continue throughout the year.
The history of the Sabbath-school of Fruit Hill Church probably dates from the organization of the church in 1839. In the earlier years of it, it was not open all the year. It has had all-year sessions at least since 1874. The Sabbath-school membership at the beginning of the pastorate of Rev. D. H. Campbell in 1875 was about one hundred, while in 1884 it was increased to three hundred in two schools, one in the church and the other at Glen Hope. Among its superintendents have been John Thomson, Joseph McNeal, R. M. Johnston, Reuben Cald- well, John G. Wilson, Taylor McNeal, and Joseph Patterson. The present one is Newell Witherow. It contributed last year thirty-eight dollars to the mission work and thirty dollars for its own use. It has for years contributed to the mission boards. It has a membership of one hundred and forty.
This is the main school. Another school is held in the chapel at Berwinsdale. Hezekiah Patterson is superintendent. This is a school of a short history. It has a membership of sixty-six, and an average attendance of twenty-eight, and contributed twenty-six dollars last year.
The Sabbath-school of the Philipsburg Presbyterian Church dates its history at least to the organization of the church in 1857. For years it did not have an encouraging growth. In 1878 it had a membership of sixty-five. Rev. Thomas Thompson was in charge at that time. He also labored at Morrisdale Mines, where there was a Sabbath-school of two hundred members, it being a mining district, and by the year 1886 it was extinct. The Philipsburg school has especially made rapid growth since Rev. W. W. Woodend, D.D., began his labor there about 1881. The present superintendent of this school is G. H. Lichtenthaler, and other recent superintendents have been W. W. Wikel, C. E. Murray, and G. W. Ganoe. Mrs. William Burchfield and J. H. Dysart have had charge of the primary class. It is now in charge of Miss Helen Forshey. The membership of the school consists of twenty-seven officers and teachers and two hundred and fifty scholars, and it has an average at- tendance of one hundred and eighty. It contributed last year sixty- eight dollars to the mission boards of the church and one hundred and fourteen dollars for self-support. This church has a mission school
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named Pleasant Hill that has a membership of eleven officers and teachers and ninety-one scholars. It has an average attendance of sixty-one, and is open all the year.
The history of the Sabbath-school of Houtzdale dates from about the year 1874 or 1875. The church was organized in 1875. The first report of the school to Presbytery was in 1878, when it reported a mem- bership of sixty. Mr. Peter Cameron and his wife and family have had much to do in organizing and in helping to carry on this school. It was organized under the ministry of Rev. William Gemmill. It was first held in private houses. Peter Cameron was most probably the first superintendent, and has served in that capacity for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Watchman and James Blades were among the organizers of it. Miss Christine Cameron has rendered. most efficient service in the primary department. The superintendent is Peter Cameron, who prob- ably has filled this office since the organization of the school. It has a membership of fifteen officers and teachers and one hundred and seventy- one scholars, and an average attendance of one hundred and fifty-one, and it contributed last year twenty dollars to the boards of the church and ninety-seven dollars for self-support.
The Amesville Mission School (union) is maintained by this church. It has a membership of eighty-six, and is open all the year.
The Sabbath-school of State College dates its history from the time its chapel was erected and dedicated in March, 1888. There were some efforts to start a school there prior to this, but they were not successful. It began with a membership of fifty-six. It was in connection with the Spring Creek Church. Professor John Hamilton was chosen superin- tendent, and has continued as such to date. The church was organized in 1892. It has a membership of seventeen officers and teachers and ninety-two scholars, and an average attendance of seventy-five. Mrs. Josephine Pearce has charge of the primary class. George C. Butts is assistant superintendent. It contributed in 1894 twenty-four dollars to Sabbath-school missions and fifty-seven dollars for its own use. It is one of our young and vigorous schools.
The history of the Sabbath-school of the church of Everett probably goes beyond the organization of the church in 1874. This school has just about maintained itself. In the year 1877 it reported a membership of forty. In 1895 it reported a membership of thirty-five, with an average attendance of twenty-eight. This, although a smaller number, judging from the average attendance, is a stronger school than it was a few years
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ago. Thomas A. Davis was for years superintendent. The present one is Rev. George P. Weaverling. It contributed last year thirteen dollars to missions and nineteen dollars for self-support.
The history of the Sabbath-school of Schellsburg most probably begins some years after the organization of the church in 1833. Within the last twenty years this school has about held its own. The reported membership in 1881 was the same as that reported in 1895, which is forty-five. Its average attendance is thirty-five. It contributed last year seven dollars to the boards and twelve dollars for its own use. Isaiah Conley is superintendent. R. M. Taylor preceded him. Mrs. Sue Taylor and Mrs. Anna Wright are primary teachers.
The Sabbath-schools of the Upper Tuscarora and Peru Churches have not been maintained throughout the year. Their sessions have been held during the pleasanter months of the year, and close late in the fall. The superintendent of the former is James H. Speer. This position was filled for many years by J. B. Morrow. The Blairs have been active promoters of this school. J. M. Blair is now assistant superintendent. Miss M. J. Morrow had charge of the primary class for years prior to her marriage. The superintendent of the Peru Mills Sabbath-school is R. H. Patterson, an elder, who has been in this position for years past. He has been assisted by his wife and sister. The membership of the Upper Tuscarora school is seventy, and it contributed in 1894 twenty dollars to the boards of the church and seventeen for self-support. Mrs. J. F. Deiner and family are active workers in this school. The average attendance is fifty, and the membership is sixty.
The Sabbath-school of the Sinking Creek Presbyterian Church goes back to an early date. But we have no facts about its origin. This school has been on the stand-still for years. Yet the work has gone on. In the year 1877, when Rev. T. A. Robinson was pastor, it reported a membership of forty. Its present membership is forty-one, and its average attendance is thirty. It is without a pastor. The pastors have been W. K. Foster, J. H. Kerr, and H. C. Baskerville. The present superintendent is Dr. William A. McGeehon, and Mrs. Sadie Bushman is the primary class teacher. G. O. Benner preceded Dr. McGeehon, and Mrs. John Dauberman has had charge of the primary class. It con- tributed twenty-seven dollars last year for self-support.
The Sabbath-school of the Shaver's Creek Presbyterian Church has an interesting history, but the facts have not been given. Under the ministry of Rev. J. C. Wilhelm, in the year 1877, it reported a member-
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ship of sixty, while in 1895 it reported forty, and an average attendance of twenty-five. James Smith, the superintendent, and Hugh Jackson and their families, with the Mitchells and others, have maintained this school. It is not open all the year. It contributed eight dollars for self-support last year.
The Kylertown Church and Sabbath-school seem to be without any dates of beginning. In 1878 the Sabbath-school reported a membership of fifty. Its present membership is eighty-two, and it has an average attendance of fifty. Jackson Hoover, an elder, is superintendent, and has served since 1891, and probably for years prior to that. Miss Minta Hoover has had charge of the primary class. Mrs. Merron and Miss Blam are now the teachers of this class. It contributed last year eight dollars to Sabbath-school mission and seventy dollars for self-support.
The Winburne Presbyterian Sabbath-school, which is an outgrowth of the work of the Kylertown Church, dates its history before the organi- zation of the church, which was in 1891. In that year the Kylertown Church reported a Sabbath-school membership of two hundred and five, while in the next year it reported one hundred and five, just one hun- dred less.
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