USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > New Kensington > The history of one hundred years of the Parnassus Presbyterian Church, New Kensington, Pa > Part 2
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The report of 1845- United with the Church Confession of Faith. .19
By Certificate 4
Total Enrollment 47
Adults Baptized 8
Infants Baptized 4
We have no report for the next three years.
JOHN W. LOGAN, First Elder
THE MINISTERS The hurrying footsteps came and went, And the heart beat quick for the great event When the Minister came to tea.
TOMPKINS
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Reverend Samuel M. McClung
Reverend Samuel M. MeClung was born in New York in 1808. Ile spent a good part of his early life in Philadelphia. He attended Princeton College and Seminary. He came to Blairsville Presbytery April 4, 1837, when he was installed over Plum Creek and Cross Roads Churches, giving half his time to each.
April 10, 1850 Reverend MeClung was called for half h's time to Par- nassns. He resigned his work at Cross Roads in June, 1850, and accepted the call to Parnassus. Ile was installed October 10, 1850. On account of poor health he resigned the Parnassus Church in 1857. Hle later was installed at Cross Roads January 21. 1862 and was dismissed on the 3rd of October, 1865. His health fail- ing rapidly he died August 4, 1869. For a number of years his body rested under the trees in the Church yard.
Reverend MeClung was a noble man, of sympathetic kindness, faithful to his trust. Especially beloved by the congregations to whom he ministered.
The Parnassus Church presented a call to Presbytery for the services of Reverend S. M. MeClung on April 10, 1850. The call was referred to a committee who reported at the next meeting in June. "If the Committee could believe that the only, or chief design of this agitation was to promote the convenience of the present pastor they would consider it the duty of the Presbytery to frown upon it. Not to speak, if the uncertainty of the pastoral relation, being continued dur- ing the life of a pastor, human life, is so short and nncertain that, the permanent interests of churches, ought never to be endangered, or changes, affecting their permanent interests or convenience of the present pastor. We cannot, but express onr regret, that whatever may have been the motives of those by whom this move- ment was commenced and carried forward and however honest, the opposition of others to it, a very unhappy excitement has risen ont of it; and our fear that the congregation, which, by this arrangement. will be thrown vacant, may be placed in a very trying and perilons state. But in the present posture of things
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the Committee are of the opinion that nothing better can be done than to place the call from Parnassus in Mr. MeChing's hands, and if he accepts, declare the congregation at Cross Roads vacant, and we, accordingly recommend that course. We further recommend that all the parties concerned be nrged to study the things that make for peace."
Mr. MeClung asked that the relation between him and the Cross Roads Church be dissolved and he accepted the call from the Parnassus Church. Mr. Bristol was appointed to preach the sermon at his installation. Mr. MeElwain to preside, propose the constitutional questions and deliver the charge to the pastor. and Mr. Hastings to deliver the charge to the people. The service to be held at such a time as may suit the parties concerned. Reverend Mr. McClung was in- stalled on October 10, 1850. The Church assumed its work with Reverend S. M. McClung, Moderator ; John W. Logan and Michael Shoop, Elders.
John M. McElwain, Sr., George Hoffman and David Alter, Trustees.
"On the 29th of April, 1853, Mr. David M. Alter and his wife were dis- missed (at their own request ) to connect with some Sister Church in the far west, they being about to remove to the State of Indiana."
Mr. John W. Dugan was elected Elder September 21, 1855. He was or- dained, and set apart to that office, in the usual manner.
Mr. MeClung requested the Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation existing between him and the churches of Plum Creek and Parnassus in 1852. Representatives of the Churches were cited, to appear at the next meeting, and show cause why the request should not be granted. When they appeared they cx- pressed their unwillingness for the dissolution, and Mr. McClung withdrew his request.
In 1856 the boundary lines of the Presbytery were changed and Parnassus and Plum Creek were placed in the Saltsburg (now Kittanning) Presbytery, and so remained until 1870 when the original line was restored and these Churches were again placed in Blairsville Presbytery and have so remained. At the June meeting of Saltsburg Presbytery, 1857, Mr. MeClung, on account of failing health, asked for the dissolution of the pastoral relation. The request was granted and Dr. Morehead declared the pulpit vacant the first Sunday in July.
The report for 1858 is :
Received into membership by examination 8
Contributions :
Received into membership by certificate. 8
Domestic Missions $ 9.00
Total membership 95
Foreign Missions 12.00
Adult Baptisms 1
Presbyterial 12.00
Infant Baptisms
20
Congregational 240.00
Sabbath School 50
Miscellaneous 15.00
$288.00
We may think that during the first fifteen years there was not much to record of the work done. But these men and women were laying the foundation, deep and strong, in the community that was to make possible the hundred years of history the Church has enjoyed; for Pope well said,
"Who builds a Church to God, and not to fame;
Will never mark the marble with his name."
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Reverend David W. Townsend
Reverend David W. Townsend, D.D., was born April 29, 1834, within the bounds of the Poke Run congregation. Ile graduated from Jefferson College in 1855, and from The Western Theological Seminary in 1858. He received his hon- orary degree of D.D., from Washington and Jefferson College in 1890.
On October 6, 1858, Reverend Townsend was ordained and installed pastor of the Parnassus Church. He remained as pastor until June 25. 1867. He removed to Alliance, Ohio and was pastor there 1867 to 1869, when he returned to the Blairsville Presbytery. He was installed pastor of the Unity Church. (Dissolved in 1921). August 31. 1869 and remained there until December, 1901. In releasing him from the Unity charge the Presbytery took the following action. "In dis- solving the pastoral relation between Dr. D. W. Townsend and the Unity Church the Presbytery desires to record its sense of the loss it has sustained, in his ro- tirement from the active duties of the Ministery.
For the third of a century he has been recognized as a leader in all our deliberations, for the greater part of this time, as our Stated Clerk.
In all these years he has enjoyed the unbounded confidence and affection of his Presbyterial associates.
Dr. Townsend died January 1, 1904, in Meadville, Pa., and his body, fit- tingly, lies in the Unity Cemetery.
Dr. Townsend was the first Minister called for full time service. The call. was acted on by Presbytery in April. 1858. He was a licentiate of Blairsville Presbytery, and was dismissed to Saltsburg Presbytery and put himself under their care. He accepted the call, and was ordained and installed pastor in the Parnassus Church October 6, 1858. Reverend Robert McMillan preached the ser- mon and delivered the charge to the people. Dr. Donaldson presided, proposed
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the constitutional questions, made the prayer of ordination, and charged the pastor.
In May of 1858 at a meeting of the Session a member of the Church pre- sented himself. having. as Division Supervisor on the Allegheny Valley Railroad. been (agreeably to the rules of the Company, but not according to the Word of God) engaged in removing a slip on the Sabbath Day, and acknowledged his fault and sorrow for the same. This being satisfactory the Session resolved that this action be read to the congregation. (which was done). and that the member's standing " Be the same as heretofore".
The officers of the Church at the beginning of this pastorate were Dr. Townsend. Moderator of Session : John W. Logan. Michael Shoop and John W. Dugan. Elders: John M. MeElwain. Sr .. George Hoffman, and David Alter. Trustees.
Each year the minutes of the Session are taken to the Presbytery to be approved and are examined by a committee of the Presbytery. If there are any criticisms they are noted in the minnte book and signed by the Moderator of the Presbytery.
This record is interesting with reference to the Parnassus Minutes. "Ap- proved in the Presbytery. at Currie's Run. April. 1862. with the exception, that it is not stated in the minutes who compose the Session. The names onght to be written out. Also the book does not state what session it is, only inferential that it is . Parnassns Session".
ANDREW MCELWAIN. Mod."
and immediately below,
"The Session of Parnassns Church are of the opinion that the Presbytery ought (when they make exceptions) to Record these exceptions in their proper place, and not among baptisms". May 1862.
During all of the first part of Dr. Townsend's pastorate the Presbytery was dealing with matters pertaining to the War. Many of the men were serving on the Christian Commission, and as much as possible in other lines of war service.
A portion of an article taken from the "Kensington Keystone " of April 14. 1898 gives the part played by the men of this community in that war.
Parnassus, at this time, was a little village of about a half dozen honses. a couple of stores, and a church. All the able bodied men who could well leave home had offered their services and gone to fight for the flag. Those who re- mained did so in duty to their families but were willing and ready to go when necessity demanded. This time came in June. 1863. The triumph of the Southern Army at Fredericksburg and still more signal success on the field of Chancellors- ville emboldened that army to plan an invasion of Pennsylvania and the North. On June 27. 1863, Governor Andrew G. Curtin issued a call for sixty thousand troops for ninety days service. The news reached Parnassus late on Saturday evening. The next day the announcement was made from the pulpit by Reverend D. W. Townsend. at that time pastor of the Presbyterian Church. After the reg- ular morning service in the church building, which stood on the site of the pre- sent structure, the men gathered together and decided on plans for raising a com- pany of volunteers.
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Early Monday morning Reverend Townsend started out on horseback to- ward Merwin and North Washington, his birth place. He succeeded in enlisting about fifty men. In the meantime A. B. Copeland was canvassing in the region of Shearsburg and Leechburg and met with equal success. Other patriots were working for the same cause in the immediate vicinity.
They worked night and day and on Wednesday morning the two squads, under Mr. Copeland and Reverend Townsend, met in Parnassus under the old oak tree in the Presbyterian Church yard. Each squad had a band of music and with the sound of national airs, and patriotie speeches, were soon organized into a company of one hundred men, with the following officers :
Captain-Reverend Daniel W. Townsend
First Lieutenant-James C. Hawk
Second Lieutenant-Levi Shaner
First Sergeant-A. B. Copeland
Sergeants - William Parks, Rev. James Given, Pastor Pucketos Church, Will- iam W. Crooks, Thomas M. Bole
Corporals-Adam H. Wylie. David Vantine, Henry C. Beacom, John A. Arm- strong, Moses B. Crooks, Archibald Dodds, Adam Hetrick.
Musician-Samuel Nelson
The Privates were :
John F. Armstrong
James Daugherty
James C. McGeary
Dr. David Alter
James Elder
John G. McLean
Joseph Alter
James Fryer
Hugh MeKeaver
Matthew Aver
Samuel Ferguson
Joseph MeLaughlin
John B. Alexander
William Garrett
James Ross
George Armstrong
Levi Gumbert
William Reed
Andrew Borland
Samuel E. Ilill
Thomas Sprowll
John Beacom
Andrew J. Haukie
Michael Lang
William Beacom
Jacob Hawk
William R. Stewart
James H. Barnett John Best William Brisbin
IIngh Jamison
John R. Walker
Jonathan R. Wilson
Thomas Bain
-Joseph Leslie James A. Logan
John M. Willyard
James D. Bole Thomas Blair Francis M. Ludwick
David HI. Walters
Robert A. Copeland
James M. Mustead
William Duncan
Thomas B. Clements
John C. Muller
Joseph Dugan
Johnston Cuddy
Robert B. Mechesny
John Dougherty
Calvin Clements
James MeGeary Robert MeCrum
Franeis M. Johnston
Thomas S. Irwin
Samuel Stewart
Cyrus Kepple
John S. Welty
Many of these men had already seen service of from one to two years and were familiar with the possible hardships that awaited them. The day after the organization the Company secured transportation over the Allegheny Valley Railroad to Pittsburgh. From there they marched to Camp Howe, near Home- wood, where they were sworn into service, and assigned, as Company K to the
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54th Regiment, under Col. Thomas F. Gallagher. The Company was mustered in the same day.
The next day the Battle of Gettysburg began and for the three days it continued the regiment was under marching orders, with the transportation ready to carry the men to the scene of the conflict. On the afternoon of July 3 orders were received that the regiment go to West Virginia to take the place of Gen Kelley's regiment which had been sent to cut of Lee's retreat. When they had gotten as far as Steubenville there were instructions for them to return to Camp Howe. These instructions were followed a few hours later by a counter order to go to Salineville, Ohio and intercept the guerilla chief, Gen. Morgan, who was plundering and killing all who came in his way. The regiment followed orders and succeeded in eapturing Morgan after a short skirmish. This was when the Parnassus Company gained its laurels, but how the members did it is a mooted question to this day as each man seemed to have a different story. The reports summed themselves up in these two questions, "Well didn't we capture Mor- gan?", and. "Hadn't the whole Union Army been trying to do the same thing for two or three years before we succceded ?"
This was the only real service in which the Parnassus Company was di- rectly interested. They remained in camp and were thoroughly drilled, expecting to be called at any time. They were mustered out of service August 17, 1863.
Almost eighty years have passed since the Parnassus men gathered under the old oak tree in the Presbyterian Church yard. The oak still stands, some of the men lie under the ground in that "God's acre", and the others lie in neigh- boring church yards. None of them were called, to dic on the field of battle, but every one of them expected, and was willing, if nceessary, to give the "last full measure of devotion to his country".
According to a previous notiee an election was held on the 16th of April. 1866 for the election of two additional Elders. The following named persons were clected, to wit : John Alter, and Adam Henderson Wylie, and on Saturday the 23rd of June the persons mentioned above, as being clected Elders, signified their acceptance, and were ordained, by the laying on of the hands, of the former Session to wit : Rev. D. W. Townsend. John W. Logan. Michael Shoop and John W. Dugan, after which Session adjourned with prayer.
On December 1, 1866 the Session divided the congregation into five sec- tions, each one under a member of Session, and the following Resolution was passed. "Resolved that alternate meetings for social prayer be held in the differ- ent districts weekly, supervised in the absence of the Pastor by the Elder of the district, and that in family visitation the Elder of the district visited shall, when practical, accompany the Pastor."
A definite system of contribution for the benevolences of the Church be- ing necessary, the following resolution explains. As of the above date. "Resolved that we adopt the system recommended by the General Assembly in regard to contributions and that we take up such as proposed. Rev. D. W. Townsend asked the Session to join him in asking the Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation existing between him and the Parnassus congregation. A meeting of the congre-
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gation was ealled and after a very general exchange of views it was on motion resolved ; that the congregation acquiesce in Mr. Townsend's request, and that the Presbytery be requested to dissolve the Pastoral relation, which was done. By appointment, Rev. J. D. Morehead declared the pulpit vacant on the second Sab- bath in July, 1867.
Added to the Church
14
Total membership
128
Baptisms
8
Sunday School
100
Benevolenees
$125.00
Congregational
949.00
Original Seating Arrangement
William Bakewell
William Bakewell
John Mc Elwain
Henderson A. Wylie
James McKalip
Pulpit
John G. MeLain
John W. Dagan
Moses Wentz
George B. Armstrong
William Crooks
James Close
Robt. S. Dinsmore
Samuel Y. C'rason
Hugh J. Logan
Robt. M. Me Math
Joseph C. Moody
John R. Daugherty
John M. Campbell
James H. Leslie
David A. Leslie
James M. MeCrady
Thom. MeLaughlin
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MRS. TOWNSEND
MRS. BLACK MRS. HILL
MRS. KENNEDY MRS. GORDON MRS. THOMPSON
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Reverend John Porter Kennedy
Rev. John Porter Kennedy was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsyl- vania, October 25, 1825. He graduated from Jefferson College in 1854, and from the Western Theological Seminary in 1857. He was licensed in 1856 by the Blairs- ville Presbytery. ordained in 1858 by the Saltsburg Presbytery. He was Pastor at Cherry Tree, Pa., 1858 to 1868; Pine Grove 1858 to 1860; stated Supply at Bethesda 1860 to 1868; Parnassus installed December 29. 1868 and served here until 1876. Pastor at Armagh 1876 to 1881; Centerville (now New Florence) 1877 to 1880. Rev. Kennedy did supply work from 1881 to 1895 and died in Par- nassus Jannary 1, 1896.
Rev. Kennedy was a strong preacher. It was said he was a friend and close companion of his successors in the pastorate here, and numbered all the Min- isters of the community as friends. Ilis remains, and those of his wife, are at rest under the shadows of the old oak trees in front of the Church.
Rev. J. P. Kennedy, the third pastor, was chosen at a congregational meet- ing called for that purpose, moderated by Rev. J. E. Carothers. Hle accepted the call and was regularly installed on December 29, 1868.
Rev. J. D. Morehead presided and proponided the Constitutional ques- tions. Rev. W. W. Woodend preached the sermon .Rev. D. J. Irwin charged the pastor and Rev. J. E. Carothers charged the people.
The new pastorate began with a well organized church. Rev. J. P. Ken- nedy. Moderator; John W. Logan. Michael Shoop. A. H. Wylie and John W. Dugan, Elders; John MeElwain, George Hoffman and David M. Alter, Trustees. By the order of the Synod the Presbyterial lines were changed and the Par- nassus Church. and Rev. J. P. Kennedy, were placed again in Blairsville Pres- bytery.
Mr. George L. Lee and Mrs. Rebeccah G. Lee, his wife, were dismissed Feb.
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6. 1871, to unite with a Presbyterian Church about to be organized in the vicinity of IFulton Station. This is the beginning of the Oakmont Presbyterian Church.
Elder John W. Logan, the first Ruling Elder of the Church, and his wife were dismissed to a Presbyterian Church in the City of Pittsburgh, April 21, 1871. The Session's duty is to receive and dismiss persons, into, and out of, the Church. But at times when there was no other business the Session would spend the time of the meeting in discussing the spiritual condition of the church and community. They would then spend an hour in prayer for God's blessing on the Church and its work.
Parnassus was incorporated into a Borough April 9, 1872 and remained such until 1931, when Parnassus and New Kensington united to form a third class city. Eleven members of this Church were dismissed September 14, 1873. one of them Michael Shoop, an Elder, to unite with a church about to be organ- ized at Springdale. This is the origin of the Cheswick Presbyterian Church.
Mr. S. Y. Cruson, and William Bakewell, Esq., having previously been elected as Ruling Elders were, on August 2, 1874, at the close of the service sol- emnly indueted into office; the former by ordination and installation, and the latter by installation (having formerly been a Ruling Elder in the Second Pres- byterian Church of Pittsburgh).
A prayer service was started on Wednesday Evening, and one was started also in the waiting room of the Railroad Station at Arnold for the portion of the congregation in that part of the community.
A record of the Presbytery dated January 21, 1875-" A petition from a number of citizens of Parnassus, asking for the organization of a Second Presby- terian Church. at that place, was presented to the Presbytery. The following min- ute was adopted with reference to this petition, inasmuch as it is well known to the members of this Presbytery that the Church of Parnassus is comparatively weak, and inasmuch as the petition sets forth no facts going to show that the or- ganization of a second church is necessary, and as the parties presenting the peti- tion are not present to give us any light on the subject, therefore resolved that the petition be returned to the persons who signed it, and that the Stated Clerk be directed to send with it a copy of this action of the Presbytery".
Rev. J. P. Kennedy requested the dissolution of the pastoral relation ex- isting between himself and the congregation of Parnassus at the Presbytery April 26, 1876. The congregation having reported a tie vote on the question of acquiese- ing in this request the request was granted.
On Monday, June 12, 1876, the congregation ealled Rev. Whiting C. Burchard of the Presbytery of Allegheny to become the Pastor. He did not ae. cept the call.
The report of 1876 to the Presbytery :
Received into the membership 18
Total membership 137
Baptisms 12
Sabbath School 123
Benevolence $644.00
Congregational 940.00
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Reverend John Knox Black
John Knox Black was born in Allegheny, Pa., March 8, 1842. He graduated from the Western Theological Seminary in 1870. He was licensed by the Alle- gheny Presbytery in 1869, and ordained July 27, 1870 by the Presbytery of Erie. lle was stated Supply of the Hazelwood Church, Pittsburgh, Pa., 1869 and 1870; Pastor at Waterford 1870 and 1871; stated Supply at Mount Vernon, Iowa 1871 to 1873; Lonaconning, Md., 1873 to 1877; Parnassus 1877 to 1882; Pastor at Bneyrus, Ohio 1882 to 1886 ; Cadiz, Ohio 1887 to 1889 ; Grace Church, Peoria, Ill., 1890 to 1891; Quiney, Ill., 1892 to 1894.
Dr. Black then went over to the Episcopal denomination and served in that ehreh until his death, which ocenrred March 5, 1919. Dr. Black was one of the great preachers of his day. He was a fine pastor in the truest and broadest sense of that term.
The congregation on November 6, 1876 called Rev. John Knox Black of Lonaconning Presbyterian Church. The call was presented to the Presbytery January 22, 1877. It was put into Mr. Black's hands and accepted and arrange- ments were made for his installation. The installation took place on February 8, 1877 at 2:00 P.M. Rev. D. W. Townsend preached the sermon and propounded the Constitutional questions. Rev. W. W. Morehead charged the pastor and Rev. George Hill. D.D. charged the people.
Rev. Mr. Black began his service here with mich encouragement. In April the congregation elected a new Board of Trustees. R. S. Dinsmore and W. R. Logan were elected for one year ; JJohn MeElwain and II. J. Logan for two years ; and Robert P. Crawford and George B. Armstrong for three years.
At a congregational meeting in July the Church adopted the Rotary Sys- tem of Eldership. It was left to the Session, after the newly elected Elders shall be organized, to divide themselves into three classes, to serve for one, two, and
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three years, respectively, so that thereafter one class shall be elected each year. The vote was by ballot and J. W. Dugan, W. Bakewell, A. II. Wylie, O. M. Bos- sert, Thomas B. Kerr and Joseph Moody were elected Ruling Elders.
On Sabbath, July 29, Mr. Joseph Moody was ordained to the office of Ruling Elder. Ile, with Mr. O. M. Bossert, had previously been ordained and Messrs. J. W. Dugan, A. H. Wylie and Wm. Bakewell, the former Elders of this Church, were duly installed, Ruling Elders of the Parnassus Presbyterian Church. Mr. T. B. Kerr, who had been elected to that office, declined to serve.
After divine service the Session met and was constituted with prayer. On motion it was resolved that Elders Dugan and Wylie serve for the term of three years, Elders Bossert and Moodey for the term of two years, and Elder Bakewell for the term of one year.
Beginning on April 13, 1877, the pastor was to preach two evenings a month in Arnold. In July, 1878, a congregational meeting was held to elect two elders for the term of three years. Wmn. Bakewell and George B. Armstrong were eleeted. It was decided by the Session that each Elder urge the organization of a prayer service on each Thursday Evening in each of their distriets of the eon- gregation.
In May, 1879, in the Narative sent up to the Presbytery they report, "The most gratifying and eneouraging report, the Session would make, is the organiza- tion of a Young Men's Prayer Meeting, in the congregation, which meets on Sat- urday Evening, and is being continued with a marked degree of interest."
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