USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > New Kensington > The history of one hundred years of the Parnassus Presbyterian Church, New Kensington, Pa > Part 4
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On April 2nd the Pastor having received a call from the Wakefield Pres- byterian Church of Germantown after due consideration decided to accept the same ; a congregational meeting was called to determine whether the congregation was willing to unite with Mr. Hill in asking the Presbytery to dissolve the pas- toral relation existing between them and their Pastor.
The request was made to the Presbytery meeting April 18, 1893, and granted.
The annual report of the Church 1893 :
Added to the Church 59
Total Communicants 320
Baptisms
16
Sabbath School
328
Contributions-
Benevolences $1,974.00
Congregational
2,898.00
First Picture of Present Church
35
Reverend Jesse Lee Cotton
Rev. Jesse Lee Cotton, D.D. was born at Pulaski, Pa., April 28, 1862. He graduated from Westminster College in 1885, and from the Western Theological Seminary in 1888; took post graduate work at the Western Theological Seminary in 1888 and 1889. He received the honorary degree of D.D. from Grove City Col- lege in 1904 and L.L.D. from Ogden College, Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1918.
Dr. Cotton was licensed by the Presbytery of Shenango April 26, 1887, and ordained by the Presbytery of Butler September 3, 1889. He was Pastor of Centerville (Slippery Rock) and North Liberty, Pa., 1889 to 1893; of Parnassus 1893 to 1895; of Coraopolis 1895 to 1908; Instructor in Semitics, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary 1907 to 1910; Professor of (Old Testament. Exegesis Hermeneutics and Christian Sociology) at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky 1910 until his death.
Dr. Cotton lived at Anchorage, Kentucky, a quiet man of keen analytical mind, a finished scholar, a good teacher, an excellent pastor and a delightful christian gentleman ; still kindly remembered and much beloved by the elder folk of Parnassus.
A meeting of the Parnassus congregation was held on August 27, 1893, for the purpose of calling a pastor. But on that date Reverend J. P. Kennedy, who supplied the pulpit, and conducted the congregational meeting, "for good and sufficient reasons" thought best that the election of a pastor be not held at that time. The meeting adjourned until September 2nd at which time the Rev- erend J. L. Cotton of Slippery Rock was duly elected pastor.
At the meeting of the Presbytery September 19th a call was presented from the congregation of Parnassus for the pastoral services of Jesse L. Cotton of the Presbytery of Butler. The call was found in order and permission was given
36
to the congregation to prosecute the call, before the Presbytery of Butler, with leave to preach until the next meeting of the Presbytery.
In the minutes of Session of September 17th the following interesting ac- tion was taken: "It having appeared that since a recent meeting of the congre- gation, at which a call had been made out to the Rev. JJ. L. Cotton of Slippery Rock, that Mr. Cotton had been led to believe that said actions did not fully represent the wishes of the Session and the congregation, and that under sneh virenmstances he had thought it advisable to decline the call, whereupon the fol- lowing resolution was offered. Resolved : That in case the Rev. JJ. L. Cotton should see his way elear to accept the call, lately tendered him, by this congregation we as a Session assure him of our hearty support and cooperation in every way, to the best of our knowledge and ability".
Another action of the same meeting. "Inasmuch as there appears to be a desire, on the part of a number of residents of upper Kensington, to have a preaching station established there in connection with the Sabbath School now maintained, Mr. Wilson was anthorized to submit the matter to the Presbytery. leaving it to their judgment what was best to do under the circumstances".
At the meeting of the Presbytery on December 12. 1893 Reverend J. L. Cotton was received from the Presbytery of Butler. "The Committee to arrange for Dr. Cotton's installation reported. The service to take place December 21. 1893 at 7:30 P.M. Reverend J. P. Kennedy to preside ; Reverend J. A. Marquis to preach the sermon ; Dr. Morehead to charge the people, and Dr. JJeffers of the Western Theological Seminary to charge the pastor."
On March 25, 1894. Reverend W. B. Carr, the Presbyterian Missionary. after some investigation, met with the Session to talk over the request of members from New Kensington, and it was decided to suggest to the Presbytery the organ- ization of a Church there, if the Presbytery so decided.
A committee appointed to organize a church at New Kensington met May 12, 1894. in the hall of the Union Supply Company and, after preaching by Rev. J. A. Marquis, they organized a church, receiving fourteen persons by letter and three by examination. Joseph C. King. Joseph Romiskey and A. J. Messenheimer were elected and ordained Ruling Elders. By the vote of the congregation it was agreed the Church should be named The Arnold Presbyterian Church of New Kensington.
A Change in the Charter
To the Honorable, the President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of West- moreland County :
The Presbyterian Church of Parnassus is desirous of improving, amend- ing. or altering the articles, and conditions of the Charter, to conform with the law in the following particulars :
First. The ineome of said Corporation, other than from Real Estate. shall not exceed the sum of five thousand dollars annually.
Second. Any property, real or personal, which shall hereafter be be- queathed, devised, or conveyed to said Corporation, shall be taken and held to endure to it, subject to the control, and disposition of the lay members thereof.
37
or such constituted officers or representatives thereof as shall be composed of a majority of lay members.
Third. Alter and amend article 7 of said Charter, to read as follows : The ammal meeting of this Corporation shall be held on the Saturday preceding the first Sabbath in the month of April in each year; and the Trustees or Session, of the Church, or 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 previous to the time of each meeting.
Fourth. Alter and amend that part of Article 6 of said Charter relating to vacancies on the Board of Trustees, occurring by death, removal or resignation, the remaining trustees may supply the vacancy thus created until the next elec- tion.
Fifth. That all money contributed for any purpose, except that for the current expenses of the Church, shall be under the control and management of the Session.
GEORGE S. YOUNG, President JOS. FRANTZ, Secretary.
The petition was granted and the Charter was changed accordingly.
Reverend J. L. Cotton on September 29, 1895, reported that he had re- ceived a call from the Coraopolis Presbyterian Church, Coraopolis, Allegheny Co., Pa., and after due consideration he had decided to accept the same. A eall was prepared for the congregation to convene on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 12, 1895, after preparatory service to determine whether or not we shall unite with him in asking the Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation in order to permit him to accept this call.
On October 13, in view of the fact that a commissioner had been appointed by the congregation to go to the Presbytery, uniting with our pastor, asking for the dissolution of the pastoral relation, Mr. Cotton was requested to ask the Pres- bytery, "that our pulpit be not declared vacant until November 1, 1895, during which time Mr. Cotton will supply the pulpit".
The request was granted and Reverend J. L. Cotton was dismissed to tako effect on November 1, 1895.
The annual report submitted to the Presbytery April 1, 1896 :
Added on examination T
Sabbath School Work 42.65
Added on certificate
19
Church Erection 25.00
Total Communicants 329
Relief Fund 27.19
Adults baptized 2
Freedmen 30.20
Infants baptized 21
Sabbath School members 190
Contributions :
Home Missions $ 380.32
Foreign Missions 372.67
Congregational 1,844.93
Education 9.30
Miscellaneous 228.67
38
Sustentation 23.09
Aid for Colleges 10.09
Anniversary Reunion Fund 62.02
General Assembly 33.00
On February 12, 1896, the congregation extended a call to Reverend Charles G. Jordan, who later went into the field of Evangelism, in which he was very successful. He served one term as a member of the Assembly of Pennsylvania and was head of the State Agricultural Department for several years. He served as Stated Supply from April, 1896 to October, 1896, but did not accept the call to become pastor of the Church.
At a congregational meeting on April 12, 1896, Dr. Brown was elected Ruling Elder, and R. S. Dinsmore resigned the Eldership.
The following paper was presented to the Session, read, disenssed, and laid on the table April 19, 1896.
" Whereas, by reason of the inconvenient location of the only Presbyterian Church in this vicinity, and believing, that the adherents of that faith residing in and near New Kensington, should have a more convenient place of worship, yet being loath to form an independent and separate church, believing that it must to a large degree eripple the work of the older church, therefore we, the under- signed members and supporters of Presbyterian Churches, residing in and near New Kensington, respectfully petition your aid toward this end ; that you do this by forming an auxiliary of the Parnassus Church in New Kensington or, that you make some equally satisfactory arrangement." The paper was signed by fifty-three persons.
A congregational meeting was called for December 5, 1896, at 2:00 P.M. for the purpose of considering the Presbyterian situation in Parnassus and New Kensington. Looking forward to the organization of a Presbyterian Church in New Kensington, or, moving the Parnassus Church to a central location, for Presbyterianism in the three boroughs, Parnassus, New Kensington and Arnold. "At this meeting it was agreed by a large majority to have the Sabbath Evening Service in New Kensington, provided the people there furnish the hall, light. fnel and janitor service."
The Presbytery appointed Reverend Thos. J. Porter, stated supply of the Church, from December, 1896 to April, 1897, and Reverend Calvin G. Hazlett. Moderator of the Session.
On March 24, 1897. fifty-three letters of dismissal to the Presbyterian Church of New Kensington were granted. This is the beginning of the First Pres- byterian Church of New Kensington.
Elder W. J. Peebles presented his resignation as Ruling Elder as follows : "In view of the existing eirenmstanees I feel that it would be to the best inter- ests of the Church for me to retire from active work in the Session. Therefore, I would respectfully ask you to aeqniesee in my request, to take effeet at the close of the next Communion Service, April 11, 1897". The above was accepted nnan- imously, and it was agreed that the Session would recommend to the congregation that the number of Elders be increased from six to nine.
On March 28, 1897, the Session placed seventeen names on the reserve roll and spread the following on the minutes, "In view of Elder Peebles retirement from active service the Session votes to record its high appreciation of Brother Peebles' work as an Elder, and as Clerk of Session, and the gratitude of all his brother Elders, for his sincere, energetic and straightforward service, and his
39
faithful attendance to the Sessional work ; but in view of his desire, and in view of the state of the Church, the Session acceeds to his request, and hopes that, to fill his place and the place of those Elders whose terms now expire, the congrega- tion may elect men under whose guidance the Church may regain prosperity".
April 3, 1897, Dr. T. E. McConnell and W. G. Dugan were elected Ruling Eklers.
It was decided to call a congregational meeting. for the purpose of calling a pastor, on December 24, 1897, at 2:30 P.M. Reverend J. M. Thompson was unan- imously called from the Presbytery of Butler where he was Pastor of Evans City and Plains Churches.
The annual report of the congregation as of April 1, 1897 :
Added on examination 8
Added on certificate
14
Total Communicants
232
Baptized Infants
3
Sabbath School Membership
125
Contributions :-
Home Missions $ 362.00
Foreign Missions 298.00
Education
11.00
Sabbath School work 32.00
Church Erection
15.00
Relief Fund
15.00
Freedmen
51.00
Sustentation
20.00
Aid for Colleges
10.00
General Assembly
33.00
Congregational
2,025.00
Miscellaneous
30.00
Temperence Committee
2.00
$2,904.00
40
Reverend John Milton Thompson
Reverend John Milton Thompson was born at Harrisville, Ohio, August 16, 1871. He graduated from Franklin College, Franklin, Indiana in 1891 ; from the Western Theological Seminary 1894; received the honorary degree of D.D. from Franklin College in 1899. He was licensed in April, 1893, and ordained May 2, 1894. by the Presbytery of Allegheny. He was Pastor at Evans City and Plains, Pa., 1894 to 1897 ; Parnasus, 1897 to 1900; the Falls of Schuylkill, Phila- delphia, 1901 to 1904; Ninth Church of Troy, New York, 1904 to 1913; Russell Sage Memorial, Far Rockaway, New York City, 1913; Moderator of the Synod of New York in 1920; President of the Board of Church Extension, Presbytery of Brooklyn-Nassau, 1921. He lives at Far Rockaway, New York. An excellent preacher, a good pastor, a delightful companion and a fine friend.
Dr. John Milton Thompson was installed Pastor of Parnassus Church on October 13, 1897. A strange thing about this call was that Dr. Thompson was not known to be a candidate. Rev. Mr. Boyce was expected to supply the Church on the day Dr. Thompson came. He and Mr. Boyce had exchanged. Mr. Thompson had difficulty in persuading Elder John MeElwain that a mistake had not been made, or that he was not Rev. Mr. Boyce.
We do not have a record of Dr. Thompson's installation, as the minutes of the Presbytery were placed in the care of a bank some years ago, and they were stored in the basement and the dampness made it impossible to read certain por- tions of them. One portion was between the close of the record of September 16, 1895, and September 21, 1898, and so we have no record of Dr. Thompson's trans- ferral from Evans City to Parnassus.
Dr. Thompson began his pastorate as Moderator with Elders John W. Dugan, John McElwain, W. J. Peebles, S. C. Borland, S. V. Crusan, Dr. T. E.
41
MeConnell, and W. G. Dugan. The last two had been elected several months bo- fore but were ordained and installed on November 21, 1897.
Trustees : H. JJ. Logan Joseph Leslie John McMath W. R. Logan
John MeElwain asked that he be relieved of his duties as Clerk of Ses- sion, giving as his reason, that it was a difficult task for him to write the pro- ceedings of sessional meetings, and that on account of age it was often impossible for him to be present at the meetings of Session. The request was granted. Dr. T. E. McConnell was elected Clerk.
The use of the Church bulletin was adopted and the third Friday of each month at 3:30 P.M. was set as the time for the meetings of Session.
Pursuant with the call of Session the congregation met on April 2nd for the election of three Elders: W. J. Peebles, Samuel C. Borland and Samuel Y. Crusan were elected.
Mr. William Ross presented his resignation on May 1st as chorister and organist. A vote of thanks was tendered to him for his prompt and faithful service and the same to be spread on the minutes of Session. Miss Elizabeth Miller was elected to take the place of Mr. Ross.
Mr. Samuel C. Borland notified the Session he would not serve any longer as Elder. He had been reelected at the last congregational meeting. At the an- nual meeting on April 1, 1899, it was decided to lay aside the rotary system of Eldership and return to the life tenure. Mr. John W. Dugan, Mr. John MeElwain and Mr. Samuel C. Borland were elected, with the understanding they serve for the remainder of their lives, and the others at the expiration of the period for which they had been elected be reelected on the life tenure.
Edward S. McConnell was recommended to the Presbytery as a candidate for the Gospel Ministery December 18, 1899.
On January 4, 1900. Ruling Elder John McElwain, aged seventy-three. passed to his eternal reward. He had served as a Ruling Elder for fifteen years. An appropriate minute was spread on the minutes of Session concerning his services for several years as Clerk of Session.
On March 31, 1900, the congregation elected W. G. Dugan, Dr. T. E. Mc- Connell and I. J. Shearer, Elders. January 8, 1901 John W. Dugan died. Ile had been an Elder for forty-six years.
Dr. Thompson having received a call to the Falls of Schuylkill Church, Philadelphia, Pa., and, after due consideration he had decided to accept the same, a congregational meeting was called on Thursday afternoon, September 13, at 3:30 P.M., to determine whether or not we should unite with him in asking the Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation between him and the Church, in order to permit him to accept the call.
August 11th Reverend J. M. Thompson effected a change of pulpits with Reverend C. Waldo Cherry of Natrona, on September 11, 1900.
At the meeting early in September the congregation united with Dr. Thompson in asking the Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation. The request was granted and Dr. Thompson was dismissed to the Presbytery of Philadelphia North.
42
On September 16 a petition signed by one hundred and thirty-four mem- bers of the congregation, requesting Session to call a congregational meeting on September 29, 1900, at 3:00 P.M. to take action, relative to the calling of a pastor. The request was granted. The congregational meeting called Rev. C. Waldo Cherry to be the Pastor of the Church, and requested the Presbytery that they be permitted to supply the pulpit, except on the Sabbaths of Presbyterial sup- plies. The request was granted and the Presbytery adjourned to meet in Par- nassus on November 22, 1900.
The Presbytery met in Parnassus according to adjournment and Rev. C. Waldo Cherry presented a letter of dismissal from the Presbytery of Allegheny. He was received into the Presbytery and his name placed on the roll.
The call from the Parnassus Church that had been found in order and laid on the table by the Presbytery was taken from the table, and placed in Rev. Mr. Cherry's hands, and accepted. A committee consisting of Rev. Franklin Orr, Rev. C. Waldo Cherry and Elder Borland was appointed to arrange for Dr. Cherry's installation.
The Committee reported that the Installation would take place Thursday evening. November 22nd, at 7:45 o'clock. Rev. Franklin Orr to preside and pro- pound the constitutional questions : the Rev. A. D. Hawn, D.D. of the Presbytery of Marion to preach the sermon ; the Rev. Wm. O. Campbell of the Presbytery of Allegheny to charge the Pastor; and the Rev. A. Frank Walker of the Pres- bytery of Allegheny to charge the people. The report was adopted the Presby- tery closed with prayer.
The statistical report submitted to the Presbytery April, 1900:
Added on examination 31
Added on certificate 33
Dismissed and dropped
Deceased 3
Total number of Communicants 285
Baptized Adults
3
Baptized Infants
6
Sabbath School membership
215
Contributions :-
Home Missions 250.00
Foreign Missions 332.00
Education 78.00
Sunday School work 55.00
('Intreh Erection 21.00
Relief Fund 31.00
Freedmen 237.00
Synodical Aid 49.00
Aid for Colleges
22.00
General Assembly
17.22
Congregational
2,210.00
Miscellaneous
7.00
$3,309.22
43
Reverend C. Waldo Cherry
Reverend C. Waldo Cherry was born in Allegheny, Pa., May 17, 1873. He graduated from Princeton University in 1894 and from Western Theological Seminary in 1897. He received the honorary degree of D.D. from Rochester Uni- versity. Dr. Cherry was licensed April 14, 1896 and ordained in 1897, by the Presbytery of Allegheny. He was Pastor at Natrona, Pa., 1897 to 1900; Parnassus, 1900 to 1903; Second Presbyterian Church of Troy, N. Y., 1903 to 1914; The Central Presbyterian Church of Rochester, N. Y., 1914 to 1921, and of the Pine Street Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg, 1921, until he retired. He lives in Har- risburg.
Dr. Cherry is a man of keen clear mind, a good sermonizer, an excellent preacher. He has wielded a kind, strong, loving Christian influence in each of the places he has ministered.
Dr. C. Waldo Cherry was installed Pastor of the Parnassus Church Nov- ember 22, 1900, according to the appointment of Presbytery. He began his work with the Session Elders-S. Y. Crusan, S. C. Borland, W. G. Dugan, Dr. T. E. McConnell, W. J. Peebles and I. J. Shearer. Trustees : Hugh J. Logan, John Mc- Math, W. R. Logan, Joseph Leslie, George S. Young, John M. Kennedy.
The congregation, realizing the need of a manse, authorized the Trustees to execute a deed for the purchase of a lot at the corner of Main and Church Streets.
John M. Kennedy and Zella M. Kennedy, his wife, deeded to the Parnassus Presbyterian Church April 1. 1901, the parcel of ground for the sum of $625.00. See tract 5. On this lot they built the Manse at a cost of approximately $5,000.00. Shortly after the completion of the Manse two fires started, one by instantaneous combustion from oily rags, the other from the heater. It cost about $1,200.00 to repair the damages. This property was used as the Manse until 1939. when the
44
Kennedy property was purchased by the Church for a Manse and the other sold to Mr. W. G. Dugan.
Mr. T. K. Cree and Mr. H. J. Logan were elected Ellers AApril 15, 1901.
The congregation on April 6, 1901, elected four Elders-W. J. Peebles S. Y. Crusan. T. K. Cree and II. J. Logan. The individual communion service was adopted and used in the July Communion.
Dr. MeConnell resigned as Clerk of Session. A minute of appreciation was spread on the records and Mr. II. J. Logan was elected Clerk.
On February 11. 1903 a called meeting of the congregation, to consider nniting with Dr. Cherry, in asking the Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation existing between him and the Parnassus Church. The congregation complied with Dr. Cherry's request and Mr. Peebles was appointed by the Session, and Mr. J. M. Kennedy, to represent the people at the Presbytery. A minute of appre iation was placed on the minutes of Session.
A called meeting of the Presbytery was held in Greensburg February 17. 1903, at which time the pastoral relation was dissolved, and Dr. Cherry was dis- missed to the Presbytery of Troy N. Y., Rev. L. C. Denise was appointed Moder- ator of the Session, and Dr. Cherry was appointed to declare the pulpit vacant on March 1, 1903.
Annual report as of April 1, 1903 :
Added on examination 16
Added on certificate 7
Dismissed
10
Deceased
Total Communicants 337
AAdults baptized
6
Infants baptized
7
Sabbath School membership
251
Contributions :
Home Missions
93.00
Foreign Missions 456.00
Education 7.00
Sabbath School Work 52.00
Church Ereetion 10.00
Ministerial Relief 25.00
Freedmen 341.00
Synodical Aid
83.00
Aid for Colleges
15.00
General Assembly
32.60
Congregational
3,344.07
- 1
15
Reverend James Lowry Mc Williams
Reverend James Lowry Mc Williams was born on January 16, 1872 in Shelby County, Kentucky. He graduated from Center College in Kentucky in 1893; from Danville Theological Seminary in 1895 and was at Prineeton Theo- logieal Seminary 1895 and 1896. IIe was ordained by the Presbytery of Ports- mouth on September 10, 1896.
Mr. Mc Williams served as Stated Supply for the Churches of Eckmanville and Mt. Leigh, Ohio, 1896-1898; Wilmington, Ohio, 1898-1903; Parnassus, Pa., 1903-1905; at Kingston, Ohio, in 1905. He lives in Sabina, Ohio, where he has been a farmer since 1905.
Mr. Me Williams was called at a meeting of the congregation on May 8, 1903, by a unanimous vote. F. A. Dugan and Elder T. K. Cree were appointed to prosecute the call before the Presbytery.
At the meeting of the Presbytery at Latrobe June 23rd, Mr. Me Williams was received from the Presbytery of Chillicothe, Ohio and enrolled. The eall from the Parnassus Church was placed in his hands and accepted. The installation service to be held on the evening of July 26, 1903. Rev. C. G. Hazlett to preside and propound the constitutional questions. Rev. L. C. Denise to charge the peo- ple; Rev. C. G. Jordan to charge the Pastor and the Rev. F. S. Mc Williams to preach the sermon The installation service was carried out according to the in- structions of the Presbytery.
Mr. Me Williams began his ministry here with Ruling Elders S. Y. Crusan. I. J. Shearer, S. C. Borland, W. J. Peebles, H. J. Logan, W. G. Dugan, F. E. McConnell, and T. K. Cree. Trustees : R. A. Euwer, John L. Acklin, John M. Kennedy, Fulton A. Dngan, Joseph Leslie, George S. Young, Cyrus Masters.
46
At a meeting of the Session October 19th, the Pastor was granted per- mission to organize a Young Men's League, for the mutual benefit of the Church and the members of said Leagne. A committee was named to act with the Pastor in carrying ont this work. Prof. W. G. Dugan, Dr. T. E. McConnell and John M. Kennedy.
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