USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > New Kensington > The history of one hundred years of the Parnassus Presbyterian Church, New Kensington, Pa > Part 3
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On June 30, 1879, a congregational meeting was held for the eleetion of officers. Elders O. M. Bossert and Joseph P. Moody were reelected for three years and Trustee Jolm McElwain and H. J. Logan for a term of three years; Alex W. Logan for two years, and J. L. MeCallip for one year. Mr. McCallip took the place of Mr. Armstrong who had been elected an Elder the preceding year. and Mr. Alex W. Logan took the place of Robert McMath who did not serve.
The envelope system of taking the offerings was adopted at this time and has since been used.
On March 5, 1882, Rev. John Kerr, the Moderator, read a letter from the Pastor asking the congregation to join in his request that the Presbytery dissolve the pastoral relation between him and this congregation, to take effeet on the 26th inst .. that he might be free to accept a eall extended to him from Bueyrus. Ohio. The congregation agreed to the dissolution and Mr. G. C. MeJunkin, Mr. J. P. Lane and Mr. John McElwain were appointed to draft a resolution con- cerning the relations existing between Mr. Blaek and the congregation which was presented to the Presbytery together with the Pastor's request.
Rev. Mr. Black was dismissed. The pulpit was declared vacant April 1, 1882. The report to the Presbytery at the close of this pastorate :
Added to the membership 14
Total Communicants 157
Baptisms
9
Sabbath School
150
Benevolences
230.00
Congregational 1.404.00
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Reverend Seth Reed Gordon
Rev. Seth Reed Gordon. D.D. was born October 31, 1852 in Mercer County. Pennsylvania. He graduated from Westminster College in 1874. Hle attended Auburn Theological Seminary in 1874 and 1875; and graduated from Western Theological Seminary in 1877. He received the honorary degree of D.D. from Highland University, Kansas in 1894, and L.L.D. from Waynesburg College in 1908. He was licensed April 25, 1876 and ordained JJune 19, 1877. both by She- nango Presbytery.
Rev. Gordon was Pastor at Pulaski, Pa., 1876 to 1880; Shenango, Pa., 1880 to 1882; Parnassus 1882 to 1889; Pittsburgh 1890 to 1894; Uniontown 1894 to 1896.
Dean, and teacher of Bible in Henry Kendall College, Tulsa, Okla., 1896 to 1908. President of the University of Tulsa 1908 to 1912; President Emeritus 1912, until his death February 8, 1929. His residence was Tulsa from 1908 until his death. Mrs. Gordon still lives there.
Dr. Gordon was a kindly man, attractive in manner, of marked person- ality, a preacher of power, a student, a teacher, an anthor, and a friend of all who knew him.
Dr. Gordon was called to become the Pastor on September 1. 1882. The call was presented to the Presbytery on Sept. 3. He accepted and arrangements were made for his installation. The service was held on December 24, 1882 at 1:30 P.M. Rev. John Kerr was invited to act as Moderator and propound the Con- stitutional questions! Rev. W. W. Morehead preached the sermon. Rev. T. R. Ewing delivered the charge to the Pastor and Rev. D. W. Townsend the charge to the people.
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The officers at the beginning of this pastorate were :
Dr. S. R. Gordon, Moderator
Trustees : JJohn M. MeElwain Elders : J. W. Dugan Hugh JJ. Logan Wm. Bakewell
R. S. Dinsmore G. C. MeJJunkin John McCraeken O. M. Bossert J. L. MeCallip Joseph Moody R. P. Crawford
From the time of organization of the Church the regular services of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper were a preparatory service on Saturday after- noon, the observance with a sermon on Sabbath morning, and a service with a sermon on Monday.
At the congregational meeting on June 30, 1883, the Monday service was, by vote of the congregation, discontinued. A resolution was made that the trus- tees take into consideration the propriety of enlarging our church lot by pur- chasing such adjacent lots as they may think best for the purpose.
The Charter of Incorporation was read and was adopted by the congre- gation.
The Church Charter
To the Court of Common Pleas of Westmoreland County :
The Petition of John MeElwain, Hugh J. Logan and John MeCracken, all of Plum Township, in the County of Allegheny, and Commonwealth of Penn- sylvania, and R. S. Dinsmore, James M. Kerr, James K. Bakewell and R. P. Crawford, all of Lower Burrell Township, in the said County of Westmoreland. and said Commonwealth, humbly represents that your petitioners, having with other persons, associated together, for the purpose of supporting and maintaining the publie worship of God, and for that purpose having organized a congrega- tion, at Parnassus, in the said County of Westmoreland, are desirous of being incorporated, pursuant to the provisions of an act of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania approved the 20th day of April A. D. 1874, entitled "An aet to provide for the incorporation and regulation of certain Corporations" pray that a charter be granted unto them as set forth in the accompanying certificate.
John Me Elwain John MeCracken R. P. Crawford James K. Bakewell
Hugh J. Logan R. S. Dinsmore James M. Kerr
Charter
The persons whose names appear herein, citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, having with other persons, associated together, for the purpose of supporting and maintaining the public worship of God, and for that purpose having gathered a congregation at Parnassus, in the County of Westmoreland in said Commonwealth, are desirous of being incorporated, pursuant to the pro- visions of an aet of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania approved the 29th day of April A. D. 1874, entitled "An act to provide for the ineorporation and
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regulation of certain corporations". Therefore they do hereby set forth and de- clare the object articles and conditions of their association as follows:
Ist : The name of the Corporation is the Presbyterian Church of Parnassus.
2nd : The purpose for which this Corporation is formed is to provide and maintain the publie worship of God in conformity with the Confession of Faith, and the Directory of Worship of the Presbyterian Church, in the United States of America, and subject to the form of government and discipline thereof, and to this end, to acquire and hold, real and personal property, erect and maintain a house, or houses, of worship, and such other buildings as parsonage or manse, lecture and school rooms, as may be needful, for the said Church and congrega- tion.
3rd : The place for religions services and for transacting the business of the Corporation shall be the Borough of Parnassus, County and Commonwealth aforesaid.
4th : The term for which the Corporation is to exist, and for which cor- porate privileges are sought, is perpetual.
5th : The names and residences of the subscribers are as follows, viz., John MeElwain, Hugh JJ. Logan and JJohn MeCracken residing in Phim Township, in the County of Allegheny, and said Commonwealth, and R. S. Dinsmore, James M. Kerr, James K. Bakewell and R. P. Crawford residing in Lower Burrell Town- ship. in said County of Westmoreland, and said Commonwealth.
6th : The Trustees of the Corporation shall be elected from among the members of said Corporation ; they shall be six in number, unless the number is increased by vote of the members present, and voting at any annual or special meeting; and two of said Trustees shall be elected for the term of three years. by the members of the Corporation, by ballot at each annual meeting, or in case of failure to eleet, or to hold sneh meeting, then at any special meeting, called for that purpose, and shall continne in office for such term of three years, and until their successors are elected ; and at the first annual meeting there shall also be elected by the members of the said Corporation, as aforesaid, two Trus- tees to serve for one year; and until the first annual meeting after the grant- ing of this Charter the said John McElwain, Hngh J. Logan, John MeCracken, R. S. Dinsmore, R. B. Crawford and James M. Kerr shall be Trustees. In case of any vacaney in the board of trustees, occurring by death, resignation, or removal from the bonnds of the congregation, such vacancy or vacancies may be filled for the unexpired term or terms of the party or parties creating such vacancies by election in the manner herein before provided at any regular or special meeting.
7th : The annual meeting of this Corporation shall be held on the Satur- day preceeding the first Sabbath of the month of July in each year; and the Trustees, and the Session of the Church, or any ten members of the Corporation. may call a special meeting at any time by giving notice thereof from the Pulpit on at least two Sabbath days previons to the time of sneh meeting.
8th : This Corporation has no capital stock divided into shares having any par value, but every member of the congregation contributing to its support dur- ing the year, and all communicating members of said Church, hereby incorpor- ated, who have been received, and continue in common union therewith, in ac- cordance with the discipline of the Presbyterian Church, shall be members of this
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Corporation, and as such be entitled to vote at all annual or other business meet- ings thereof.
9th : All real and personal estate held and owned by the Corporation shall be subject to the control and management of the Trustees, who shall have the disposal and application of the public money, raised by the said Corporation, to the uses for which it was contributed, or designed, excepting that money collected for the Lord's Table, and for the poor shall be under management and control of the Deacons of the Session of the Church. But no portion of the real estate of this Corporation shall be sold, or conveyed, or in any manner disposed of, nor the place of stated worship changed by the Trustees, except with the assent of at least two thirds of the Session of said Church, and of two thirds of the contributing and communicating members of the Corporation present and voting, at a regular or special meeting called as hereinbefore provided, the notice of which meeting shall state that the question of the sale, conveyance, or disposal of such property. will be then considered; provided, however, that the house of worship of said congregation shall not be used for any other purpose than religions and business meetings of the said Corporation in case such other use is forbidden by the Ses- sion of the Church.
In testimony whercof we have hereunto set our hands this 16th day of May A. D. 1883:
John McElwain Hugh J. Logan John MeCracken R. S. Dinsmore
R. P. Crawford James M. Kerr James K. Bakewell.
Be it remembered that on 18th day of May A. D. 1883, before me, the Re- corder of Deeds, in and for said County, came R. P. Crawford, James M. Kerr and James K. Bakewell, three of the persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing certificate, and acknowledged the same to be their act and deed.
Witness my hand, and the seal of the said office, the day and year aforc- said,
WILLIAM HUGUS, Reeorder's Seal.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania SS :
Westmoreland Co.
In the Court of Common Pleas of Westmoreland County :
The foregoing instrument certified under the hand and official seal of the Recorder of Deeds, of the County of Westmoreland, in the Common th of Pennsylvania, having been presented to me, the undersigned, a Law Judge of the said County, accompanied by proof of publication of the notice, required by the Act of Assembly in such cases, and the said instrument, having been by me per- used and examined, I hereby certify that the same is found to be in the proper form that it is within the purposes named in the first class of the Corporations, authorized by the said act, and that it is lawful, and not injurious to the com- munity.
It is accordingly ordered and decreed that, said Charter is approved, and that upon the recording of said Charter, and this order, the subscribers
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thereto, and their associates and sneeessors, shall be a Corporation, npon the terms stated therein, under the Corporation name of the Presbyterian Church of Par- nassus.
June 11, 1883
JAMES A. HUNTER, Pres't Judge.
Realizing the need of a new church a definite movement was begun. A con- gregational meeting was called on April 12, 1884. After some remarks Mr. J. W. Logan offered to give the congregation a lot of ground, 120 feet square, with a lot outside the said 120 feet for sheds 200 feet long and 40 feet wide and fifteen hun- dred dollars in cash.
Somewhat of a heated discussion was carried on as to the location of the elmirch. Some wanted to build on the lot offered by Mr. Logan, and others on the site of the old church. The vote was taken by ballot at a congregational meeting on May 26, 1884 and by a large majority favored building on the site of the old church.
A building committee was chosen consisting of Win. Bakewell, Esq., Chair- man, H. J. Logan, L. S. Strasser, R. P. Crawford and G. B. Armstrong. In the meantime a group of young men were chosen to take up a subseription- Joseph Leslie, Fulton Dugan, L. S. Strasser, James M. Kerr, and Lincoln Armstrong.
The subscription committee reported they had $5,618.00 subscribed for the new site, and $4,523.00 for the old site. They called for a vote and those favor- ing the site of the old church were very much in the majority, and the committee on the erection of the church was instructed to proceed. They declined the offer made by Mr. Logan but with a most magnanimous spirit he contributed very generously to the new undertaking.
Dr. Gordon was made a member of the committee.
Looking forward toward the proper assurance of the church property, the church having been chartered in 1883, the deed for the property which was made between Mr. Logan and the Trustees of the Church, another deed made be- tween Mr. Logan and the Church as a corporation, was made, on the same terms and for the same property. See tract 1.
Knowing that some land would be necessary on which either to build the new church or to temporarily place the old one Mr. Robert P. Crawford and Mr. Win. Bakewell purchased, on August 21, 1884, from Isaiah Masters and his wife, for the sum of $200.00, a lot of ground in Parnassus. Immediately thereafter Mr. and Mrs Crawford and Mr. and Mrs. Bakewell transferred this same lot. by deed. to the Parnassus Church for one dollar. See tract 2.
The original church was moved to this lot on the corner of what is now Mas' Way and Church Street.
During the short period of the moving of the old Church, and until it was ready for use on its new location, the congregation worshipped. by invitation, in the Methodist Church, then on Bridge Street.
The Committee appointed to have charge of the building of the new church were Mr. Wm. Bakewell, Chairman, Messrs. II. J. Hogan, L. S. Strasser, R. P. Crawford and G. B Armstrong
The church was to be frame It was contracted for with Watt and Sandals on their bid of $7,900.00. The Church, equipped for service, cost about $10,000,00. The old building was used until the new one was completed and was then used
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as an assembly hall and later as an Academy, when these academies were quite common. The need of them ceased when extended courses came into the High Schools. There are still a few in the community who attended the "Old Academy".
After that the old church was used for various publie meetings in the com- munity until the need of an addition to the church for Sabbath School purposes became imperative, when the old building was torn down and all the material that could be salvaged was used in ereeting the Sunday School department of the present Church. So the material built into the church in 1842 is still in use and will be for a number of years to eome.
Mr. John W. Logan having returned to Parnassus was in July, 1884, re- elected to the eldership. He being the first Elder elected in the church. He served until his death in October, 1889.
Mr. Joseph Moody elected 1877 was dismissed on October 3, 1884; and Mr. O. M. Bossert, elected at the same time as Mr. Moody, was dismissed April 25, 1885.
Another deed was executed the 25th of February, 1885, between John W. Logan and the Parnassus Church for the consideration of one dollar; the prop- erty as marked on the plot, tract 3.
On May 9, 1885 a deed was executed between Reverend John P. Kennedy and Mary, his wife, and the Presbyterian Church of Parnassus for the sum of $455.00 the property as described. Said lot of ground hereby conveyed, to be used for church purposes but not for a burial ground or cemetery. See traet 4.
The Church was dedicated September 10, 1885. A small printed booklet containing the program and the hymns that were sung was printed.
Dedication Services of Presbyterian Church Parnassus, Pa. Rev. S. R. Gordon, Pastor September 10, 1885 Order of Exereises and Hymns Mrs. J. Sharp MeDonald will sing at each serviee.
Morning Service 11:00 A. M. Eastern Standard Time
Anthem-"The Earth is the Lord's and the Fullness Thereof". Invocation by the Pastor.
1st Hymn
Scripture
By the Pastor Rev. J. P. Kennedy
Dedicatory Prayer
2nd Hymn
Rev. W. S. Miller
Dedicatory Sermon By Rev. S. F. Scovel, D.D.
Prayer Rev. Alexander Young, D.D.
3rd Hymn Rev. William MeKibben Benediction
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Afternoon Service 2:30 P. M.
Short Prayer
100th Psalm
Rev. J. C. MeFeeters Address by Rev. Thomas HI. Robinson, D.D. Rev. J. R. Stockton
5th Ilymn
Address by Rev. J. D. Moffatt. D.D.
Scripture
Rev. II. T. Mcclelland
6th Hymn
Address by Rev. James Allison, D.D. Rev. O. II. Miller
Address by Rev. E. P. Cowan Address by Rev. W. S. Miller
Reading Psalm 7th Hymm Address by Rev. W. H. JJeffers. D.D. 8th Hymn Rev. J. M. Hamilton Closing Address by Rev. D. W. Townsend
Closing Hymn
Benediction
Rev. John Kerr
Evening Service 8:00 P. M.
Anthem "Praise Ye the Lord"
Opening Hymn Rev. HI. T. MeClelland
Scripture Rev. George IIII. D.D. Prayer Rev. D. W. Townsend Rev. J. W. Kessler 11th Hym
Sermon by Rev. Win. MeKibben
Closing Prayer Pastor 23rd Psalm Rev. C. H. Marshall
Benediction.
An extract from the "Narrative of the Church" sent to the Presbytery in April, 1885, is significant, "It has been an era of peace and prosperity, although during the year we have had to settle the question of location and all other per- plexing matters connected with building a new church. yet we are rejoiced to say. these have all been settled, and perfect peace and harmony abounds."
Dr. Gordon received a call to the Central Presbyterian Church in Novem- ber. 1887. and decided to remain in Parnassus.
The Session being depleted by removals a meeting of the congregation was called on July 7. 1888, when W. F. Wilson, J. W. Peebles and R. S. Dinsmore were elected and at another meeting one week later John W. Dugan and John MeElwain were elected. and all were installed on July 14, 1889.
Dr. Gordon having received a call from the Eliner Street Presbyterian Church. Pittsburgh, was dismissed at a called meeting of the Presbytery held October 24. 1889. with the nuderstanding that the Church was to be supplied by Dr. Gordon until December first, at which time the church would be declared vacant.
The report at the close of Dr. Gordon's pastorate :
Received into membership 38 Sunday School members 150
Whole number of members 275 Benevolence contributions .$1.284.00
Congregational 2.621.00 Baptized
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Reverend Thomas G. Franklin Hill
Rev. Thomas G. Franklin Hill was born at Harrisville, Pa., October 15, 1865. He graduated from Washington and Jefferson College in 1887 and from the Western Theological Seminary in 1890. He took post graduate work at the University of Edinburg, Scotland in 1890 and 1891.
Rev. Hill was licensed April 24, 1889 by the Presbytery of Pittsburgh, and ordained June 26, 1890 in the Parnassus Church by the Presbytery of Blairs- ville. He was Pastor of the Parnassus Church 1890 to 1893; of the Wakefield Church, Germantown, Pa., 1893 to 1899. Dr. Hill died November 22, 1899. His was a short but intense ministerial life.
Dr. Hill was an impressive speaker, a great sermonizer, whose sermons were frequently recognized by the press of England; a writer, author of the Christian Endeavor Hour, parts 1, 2 and 3.
A call from the Church of Parnassus for the pastoral services of Rev. T. F. Hill was presented to the Presbytery April 15, 1890. It was found in order and laid on the table until he should be present. The Presbytery adjourned to meet at Parnassus on June 24 for the purpose of ordaining and installing Mr. Hill. When the hour to which the Presbytery adjourned had arrived Dr. W. W. More- head took the chair and offered prayer. Mr. W. J. Peebles was elected clerk, the temporary clerk being absent. There not being a quorum the Presbytery ad- journed to meet in Parnassus on June 26 at two o'clock and closed with prayer.
When the Presbytery met, according to adjournment, Rev. T. F. Hill was received from the Presbytery of Pittsburgh as a candidate for the Gospel Min- istery. Mr. Hill was ordained "by the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery". Dr. George Hill offered the ordination prayer. The call from the Parnassus Church was taken from the table and placed in his hands and accepted.
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A committee previously appointed in anticipation of this action reported. Dr. Morehead, Moderator to preside: Rev. John F. Hill, father of the newly or- dained minister, of the Presbytery of Pittsburgh to preach the sermon ; Rev. J. B. Diekey to charge the people and Rev. Dr. Wightman to charge the Pastor.
Rev. Mr. Hill began his pastorate with a well equipped and organized Church.
The Session : Mr. Hill, Moderator.
Elders : Wm. Bakewell, John W. Dugan, R. S. Dinsmore, John MeElwain, W. J. Peebles, W. F. Wilson.
Trustees : H. J. Logan, John MeMath. L. S. Strasser, Joseph Leslie, W. R. Logan.
The Session decided that the communion services would be held on the second Sabbath in January. April, July and October. A rule the Church still follows except that the April Communion is held each year on Easter.
Rev. Mr. Hill asked for, and was granted, a five month leave of absence to take post graduate work in Edinburg, Scotland. He was to be paid his full salary, he to supply the pulpit at his own expense.
The Communion Service which was used until the individual eup service was adopted was presented to the Church by Elder William Bakewell on Janu- ary 15, 1892. It is still a prized possession of the Church.
The Parnassus Church has always kept its history before the people by celebrating the various anniversaries of its beginning. The first program for one of these was the fiftieth anniversary. Two days were given over to the exer- cises, and with the program on a neat folder card was an invitation to attend the celebration.
1842 1892 You are invited to be present. at the Semi Centennial Celebration of the organization of the Parnassus Presbyterian Church on Saturday and Sabbath July 2nd and 3rd, '92.
Programme Saturday, July 2nd, '92
11:00 A.M .- Service Sermon by Rev. John K. Black, D.D.
1:00 P.M .- Dinner served in the old Church Building
2:30 P.M .- Reminiscences
Sabbath, July 3rd, '92
11:00 A.M .- Communion Golden Offering 7:30 P.M .- "The Past-its Lessons" Rev. D. W. Townsend, D.D. "The Present-its Needs" Rev. J. P. Kennedy "The Future-its Promise" Rev. D. R. Gordon
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There was also a Semi Centennial Hymn written for the occasion.
Tune-" America"
For fifty years of life
Our father's God and ours,
Free from all storm and strife,
'Mid every storm that lowers
Today we praise;
Stand by our side !
Lord of all life, to Thee
Through the dark vale we tread,
Father of spirits free
Fear from our hearts hath fled,
Almighty One in Three
Hope springs where once was dread
Our song we raise.
With Thee our guide.
Long hast Thou led us here,
Thus as we seek our rest,
Sheep of Thy tender care,
Ev'n now supremely blest,
Shepherd above !
Pilgrims, we sing-
In pastures green and fair,
Soon shall we come again,
By waters still and clear,
Banished all tears and pain,
Ev'n when the way was drear,
With Thy dear Son to reign ;
With tireless love.
Praise to our King.
An interesting statistical summary for the fifty years was given :
Added on Examination. 695
Added on Certificate. 557
Total 1,252
Infants baptized
431
Adults baptized 97
Total 528
Contributions :
Home Missions $9,482.00
Foreign Missions 8,473.00
Education 820.00
Sabbath School Work 942.00
Church Erection
1,088.00
Ministerial Relief
1,291.00
Freedmen 2,106.00
Sustentation
820.00
General Assembly
669.00
$25,691.00
Congregational
$80,321.00
Miscellaneous
3,762.00
$84,083.00
Total
$109,774.00
On February 12, 1893 Mr. David Leslie was chosen choir leader and Miss Edith Bradt organist, with the understanding that she was to be allowed some- thing for her services.
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In the narrative submitted to the Presbytery in April, 1893, an interesting note relative to the changes of population was given. " A marked change is noted in the comummity, from the large infhix of foreigners coming into our midst. with the usual attendant evil of the saloon."
William Bakewell, a Ruling Elder from August 2. 1874 until April 14, 1893, was dismissed to unite with a church in Pittsburgh.
Mr. S. C. Borland and Dr. L. II. Frantz were ordained and installed Ruling Elders on Sunday, July 16, 1893.
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