The history of one hundred years of the Parnassus Presbyterian Church, New Kensington, Pa, Part 6

Author: Parnassus Presbyterian Church (New Kensington, Pa.)
Publication date: 1942
Publisher: [New Kensington, Pennsylvania] : [Parnassus Presbyterian Church]
Number of Pages: 114


USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > New Kensington > The history of one hundred years of the Parnassus Presbyterian Church, New Kensington, Pa > Part 6


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At a congregational meeting called January 16, 1918. the Pastor requested the congregation to nite with him in asking Blairsville Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation existing between him and the Parnassus Church in order that he be free to accept a call extended to him by the Third Presbyterian Church of Uniontown, Pa. The congregation joined him in his request. Mr. J. M. Kennedy was appointed to represent the church at a called meeting of the Presbytery in


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the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh on Monday, January 21, at 12:00 o'clock.


Rev. Mr. Hodil's request was granted, when, the representatives of the Church had been heard. The pastorate to close on January 31, and Mr. Hodil was instructed to declare the pulpit vacant on the last Sunday of January. Mr. Hodil was dismissed to the Presbytery of Redstone.


The annual report submitted to the Presbytery as of April 1, 1918:


Added on examination 23


Added on certifieate 39


Dismissed 20


Suspended Roll 36


Deceased 7


Total Enrollment 625


Adult Baptisms


6


Infant Baptisms 15


Sabbath School Members


434


Contributions :


Home Missions $ 771.00


Foreign Missions 360.00


Education


25.00


Sabbath School Work 35.00


Church Ereetion


25.00


Relief and Sustentation 27.00


Freedmen


50.00


College Board


25.00


Temperenee


118.00


General Assembly


78.25


Congregational


5,166.00


Miseellaneous


305.00


American Bible Society


5.00


Evangelistie Work


5.00


The name of Reverend H. L. Earnest was presented to a congregational meeting of the Parnassus Church on July 31, 1918. He was the Pastor of the Covington Presbyterian Church, and was the recommendation of the Committee, John M. Kennedy, R. A. Euwer and W. G. Dugan. He received the unanimons eall.


At the September meeting of the Presbytery Mr. Earnest was received from the Presbytery of Dayton and his name enrolled.


The Bills and Overtures Committee reported the eall from the Parnassus Church was found in order, and it was placed in Mr. Earnest's hands, accepted. The report of the Committee, to arrange for his installation, was submitted to the Presbytery. The installation to take place September 24, at 7:45 P.M. Dr. A. H. Jolly to preside and propound the constitutional questions; Rev. W. G. Felmeth to preach the sermon ; Dr. D. C. Denise to charge the Pastor ; and Dr. G. P. Atwell to charge the people.


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-


1


8


Reverend Harry Lavan Earnest


Reverend Harry Lavan Earnest was born at Fishertown, Pa., January 15, 1882. He graduated from Allbright College in 1907; from Western Theologi- cal Seminary in 1911. He was ordained by the Presbytery of Baltimore, Mary- land in October, 1911. His first charge was Lonaconing, Md., from 1911 to 1916; Covington, Ohio, 1916 to 1918; Parnassus, 1918 to 1920. Mr. Earnest died April 7. 1920, in Pittsburgh, Pa.


In the resolutions concerning his death the Blairsville Presbytery said, "His short ministery among us, though so brief, won for him a worthy and abid- ing place in our hearts. Today we offer a tribute of unmixed love to a soul that was great and good".


The installation of Reverend II. L. Earnest was carried out according to the instructions of the Presbytery and Mr. Earnest began his work with the Ses- sion.


Reverend H. L. Earnest, Moderator Trustees: R. A. Euwer


Elders : W. G. Dugan, Clerk


D. G. Macpherson


G. H. Fink


M. K. Renshaw


Peter Vanderwulp


F. A. Dugan


David S. Wills


F. R. Alter


Homer K. Baker


A. A. Sweetland


Thomas N. Morrow


A. T. Peebles


J. II. MeIntyre S. R. McCormick


General Treasurer. A. A. Sweetland


At a congregational meeting April 3. 1919, Messrs. A. A. Sweetland, Earl 1. Anderson, and JJ. Moulton Enwer were elected Ruling Elders.


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Messrs. John M. Kennedy, F. R. Alter, Henry Kinlock, Frank Wolff and George H. Fink were appointed on a committee, to make the proper arrangements for the services on the Home Coming Sunday in honor of the Soldiers of the World War on August 31, 1918.


Program


9:45 A.M. Sunday School


10:00 A.M. Men's Class


10:45 A.M. Airs of the War


11:10 A.M. Organ Prelude Canzonetta


Brewer


Doxology Invocation and Lord's Prayer


Anthem-" Land of Our Hearts" Chadwick


Hymn-665


Responsive Reading No. 37


Anthem-" When the Boys Come Home"


Speaks


Scripture Lesson 11 Cor. 11; 22-30


Roll Call-of the Dead


Roll Call- Of the Living


IIym-370


Offertory-Ave Maria Schubert


Anthem-"The World's Jubilee" Gaul


Sermon-" Battle Sears of Service"


Prayer


Demobilization of Service, and Red Cross Flags


Hymn-"Battle Hymn of the Republic"


Benediction


Recessional-La Grace Bohn


6:45 Christian Endeavor


EVENING SERVICE 7 :45 o'clock


Organ Prelude


A Noeturne Chopin


A Serenata Elgar


Hymn-667


Scripture Lesson


Anthem-"We Lift Our Hearts O God to Thee"


Bernard


Prayer IIym-631


Offertory-Andantino in D Flat St. Clair


Anthem-"The Victor's Return" Mendelssohn


Address-Mr. Frank Gigliotti


Prayer IIymn-681


Benedietion


1


Boss


Organ Postlude-Allegro


Roll of the Dead : Walter M. Shearer, Raymond Stewart, Robert K. White All Killed on the field of honor.


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The following returned : JJohn Acklin. George AAlter. J. Dewey Artman, Martin Beighley, Herman E. Bonsall, Chas. Bohm, George Brisbin. Walter W. Campbell, Harry C. Confer, William Davies, Benjamin S. Dinsmore. Panl W. Eekley, Raymond Eekley. Harry T. Ewig, Roy Furguson, George W. Glass, Rob- ert M. Graham, Hubert Glass. Ralph Harker. John Harrison. Glenn A. Hill. Clarence Horner, Russell Kaufman. Howard A. Kanfman. Roy W. Kaufman Harold Kahle. Yetter Keibler, Raymond Knapp. Homer Lindsay. Wade Masters. William L. Masters. Arthur A. Martin, IIngh Martin. Ralph Meier. Norman Miller, Win. B. Miller, Nevin A. Miller, Robert S. Miller, George A. Miller, Logan Miller, J. Kerwin Miller, Jr., Earl Moxon, Harry G. Morrow, Ingh Morrison, Frank Seogg. Lewis Schwitzer, Thomas J. Singleton, Paul R. Singleton, Albert Skillen, Marshall Skillen. Howard J. Smiley. Merle II. Starr. Mark Stewart, J. Leslie Sewart. Wilbur Steel. L. K. Stahlman. Harry B. Thomas, Gny R. Torney. Edward Watkins, Albert R. Watkins. Russell M. Wylie. George Kenneth Young.


Reverend Harry L. Earnest closed his pastorate by death. on April 7, 1920. in the Hospital in Pittsburgh after an illness of several weeks. It was said of him. "Standing in the midst of the trouble of these times the words of the poet were true of him " Ile was ever a fighter, one more fight. one more fight, the best and last. he has waged and won' "!


On September 29, 1920 a congregational meeting, properly called, and moderated by Dr. A. H. Jolly was held. The committee, entrusted with the duty of calling a Pastor, reported that they suggested Reverend Howard J. Baum- gartel, who had filled the pulpit on September 12th .Mr. Baumgartel was unan- imously elected as Pastor, and Mr. Dugan Clark of Session, and Mr. R. A. Enwer Chairman of the Trustees, were appointed to prosecute the call before the Pres- bytery.


At the December meeting Reverend Mr. Baumgartel was received by let- ter from the Presbytery of New Brunswick and arrangements were made for his installation.


The installation to take place on December 16, 1920. at 7:45 P.M. Rev- erend A. H. Jolly. D.D. to preside and propound the constitutional questions : Reverend E. A. Hodil, by invitation, to preach the sermon ; Dr. Charles Scholl to charge the people ; and Dr. George P. Atwell to charge the Pastor.


The annual report :


AAdded on examination 16


Sabbath School Work 209.00


Added an certificate


20


Church Erection 93.00


Restored


5


Relief and Sustentation 248.00


Suspended 25


Freedmen 172.00


Dismissed


17


Temperence 391.00


Deceased 1


Evangelistie Work 21.00


Total Communieants 569


Bible Society 5.00


Adult Baptisms


·2


Men's Work 10.00


Infant Baptisms


21


Sabbath School Membership


406


Contributions :


New Era 93.00


Home Missions


$1.100.00


General Assembly 74.69


Foreign Missions


1.167.00


Congregational 62.43


Education


323.00


Miscellaneous 3.26


Soldiers 124.00


European Church 155.00


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1


Reverend Howard J. Baumgartel


Reverend Howard J. Baumgartel was born at Allison Park, Pa., Decem- ber 16, 1889. He graduated from Franklin College in Ohio in 1910; and from Western Theological Seminary in 1913. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Pittsburgh in 1912 and ordained by the Presbytery of Shenango in 1913.


Pastor at Moravia, Pa., 1913-1914; North Warren, 1914-1916; Y.M.C.A. during the World War; Pastor of the Second Church, Trenton, N. J., 1916-1920; Parnassus, 1920-1926; Ebensburg and Revloc, 1926-1939; Secretary of the Pro- testant Church Union of Indianapolis, 1939.


IIe served as Permanent Clerk of Blairsville Presbytery, 1930-1939.


Dr. Baumgartel received the degree of Ph.D. from the University of Pitts- burgh in 1937.


Dr. Baumgartel was a hard conscientious worker, a fine pastor, a good citizen, interested in all the things for the betterment of the places in which he was located. Especially was he fitted for work among the youth and along the lines of Christian Education. He was a careful, earnest, devoted Christian pastor.


The new Pastor began his work as Pastor with the Session :


Trustees : A. T. Peebles


Mr. Baumgartel, Moderator


W. G. Dugan, Clerk


S. R. McCormick


George H. Fink


R. A. Euwer


Peter Vanderwulp


B. H. Ellis


David S. Wills Homer K. Baker


E. C. West


F. A. Dugan


Thomas N. Morrow


F. R. Alter


Arthur A. Swetland


R. N. Anderson


Earl L. Anderson


General Treasurer, A. A. Sweetland


J. Moulter Euwer


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J. H. MeIntyre


In May, 1921, the session took under consideration the establishing of a Mission at Kinloek, In July arrangements were made to assume oversight of the Mission work done at Kinlock. The work was part of the Mission program of the Presbytery and Miss Thekey was the worker. She remained about a year and Miss Reed took her place and continued the work of the Mission until April, 1923. Later in the summer, Miss Morton was placed over the work of the Mission. She did a good work, and the Mission was well established. Miss Anna Bammiller became assistant, and later took a course of study in a school in Philadelphia, and in 1925, Miss Morton resigned to take up a somewhat different line of Mission work. Miss Baumiller was placed in charge of the work and continued to direet it, until it was closed, on account of the abandonment of the mines and finishing the operation. A series of union meetings with the United Presbyterian Church was held for three weeks, a fine cooperative spirit was developed, and the meetings were very successful.


On March 10, 1926, Mr. Baumgartel tendered his resignation to the session, and at a congregational meeting on the 24th, the congregation acceeded to his request and requested Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation. Rev. T. S. Dickson was chosen moderator of the Session. II. K. Baker, B. N. Thompson, and B. Il. Ellis where chosen a committee to recommend another pastor.


Dr. Baumgartel closed his work on the first Sunday of April and was dismissed by Presbytery at a called meeting, held in Greensburg on March 31st. 1926. Mr. Baumgartel was appointed to declare the pulpit vacant on April 4th, Easter Sunday. Rev. T. S. Dickson was made Moderator of the Session and the congregation was authorized to seenre supplies, looking toward calling another pastor. Mr. Baumgartel was dismissed to take up his work in Ebensburg, Pa., to which place he had been called.


The report for the year 1925 :


Received on Examination 42 Benevolences :


Received on Certificate 25


General Assembly Assessment .. $ 97.73


Restored 1 Congregational Expense 110.60


Dismissed 20 Miscellaneous Expense 235.00


National Missions 3,255.00


Suspended 29


5


Foreign Missions 2,117.00


Deceased


Total Communicants 758


Christian Edneation 814.00


Ministerial Relieľ 303.00


Total $6,932.33


At a congregational meeting held on September 29th, 1926, Rev. George S. Bowden, Ph. D., pastor of the Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church was anan- imonsly called to be the pastor. Mr. II. K. Baker and Mr. B. II. Thompson were elected to proseente the call before the Presbytery.


The Presbytery met in called session in the Parnassus Church on Wed- nesday. December 1, 1926. Dr. Bowden was received from the Butler Presbytery and his name placed on the roll.


The call from the Parnassus Church was placed in his hands and accepted. The committee to arrange for his Installation reported. The installation to take place at 7:45 P.M. this evening. Rev. T. S. Dickson to preside and propound the constitutional questions, Rev. Sammel Blocker to preach the sermon. Dr. A. H. Jolly to charge the pastor and Rev. II. B. Strock to charge the people.


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PRESENT BOARD OF DEACONS


MR. MCALLISTER MR. MORROW MR. KLINE


MR. SIMPSON MR. ARTMAN MR. PETERS


MR. THOMPSON MR. JOHNSON MR. PEEBLES


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1


Reverend George Samuel Bowden


Rev. George Samuel Bowden was born at Dunbar, Pa., August 18th, 1876. He graduated from Dunbar High School in 1893, Waynesburg College in 1902, and Western Theological Seminary in 1905. Licensed by Redstone Presbytery April, 1904; and ordained by Grafton Presbytery, W. Va., at new Martinsville. May 16, 1905.


Pastor at New Martinsville, W. Va., 1905 to 1908; Conemaugh, Pa., 1908 to 1916; Conneautville, 1916 to 1919; Slippery Rock, 1919 to 1926; Parnassus, 1926. Received the honorary degree of D.D. from Waynesburg College in 1927. Served as Permanent Clerk of Blairsville Presbytery, 1928 to 1930 and stated clerk since 1930, to the present time.


The pastorate began with the Session : Rev. George S. Bowden, Moderator ; W. G. Dugan, Clerk; George H. Fink, Peter Vanderwulp, D. R. Wills, II. K. Baker, Thomas N. Morrow, A. A. Sweetland, E. L. Anderson, and J. M. Euwer.


Trustees : E. C. West, President ; F. R. Alter, Secretary ; H. R. Wiley, Frank W. Wolff, J. H. MeIntyre, Robert Hindman, R. A. Euwer, B H. Ellis. Richard Simpson, II. K. Baker, General Treasurer.


At the annual meeting March 30, 1927, a board of nine Deacons was eleet- ed. W. K. Henley, A. T. Peebles, J. J. Jarvie, F. A. Dugan, Hugh McAllister. B. H. Thompson, B. C McFadden, W Clyde Simpson, and O. W. Johnson were elected.


In 1927 the need for more room for the Sabbath School became imperative and the second story was added to the Sabbath School Room including class rooms. The church basement was entirely remodeled at an outlay of about $12,000. This improvement has made our church one of the most convenient and serviceable churches in the valley. It was rededicated at and in connection with the informal observance of the Eighty-sixth anniversary of the building of the church, May 20th, 1928.


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1


The ushering and lifting the offerings at our services was placed in the hands of the deaeons.


The Church having reached its 90th birthday, a fitting celebration of the oceasion was held with the following program.


Friday evening, May 20th, 1932, Dr. J. L. Cotton made the opening address followed by a reception. On Saturday evening the officers of the Church gave a reception to the visiting ministers and friends of the Church who had returned for the celebration. Sunday program :


Sabbath School, 9:30 A.M., in charge of the Secretaries


Hymn-No. 86


Scripture Lesson Elton Hughes


Prayer


Rev. J. H. Baumgartel


Violin Sextett-


Anthem Choir


Violin Solo


Mr. Boraten


Vocal Solo


Mrs. Banmgartel


Address


Dr. W. M. Curry


Hymn-


Study Period-


Morning Worship, 11:30 A.M.


Organ Prelnde-"Festival Overture" Flagler


"Kammennoi Ostrow" Rubinstein


Doxology-"Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow."


Invocation and Lord's Prayer


Responsive Reading-No. 6


Hymn-No. 665


Scripture Lesson


Dr. Thompson


Anthem-"Festival Te Deum" Bnck


Pastoral Prayer


Dr. Curry


Hymn-No. 568


Offertory-" Ave Maria" Sehnbert


In Memoriam J. McCartney Kennedy, Esq.


-IN MEMORIAM-


Rev. S. M. McChung, Rev. D. W. Townsend, Rev .J. P. Kennedy, Rev. J. K. Blaek, Rev. S. R. Gordon, Rev. T. F. Hill Rev. E. A. Hodil, Rev. Harry L. Earnest


Sermon Rev. C. Waldo Cherry, D.D.


Prayer-


Hymn-No. 370


Benedietion-


Organ Postlude-"March"


William Hill


Afternoon, 2:30 O'Clock


Organ Prelude-"By the Sea" Sehubert


"Goin' Home" (by request ) Dvorak


Ilymn-No. 667


Scripture


Rev. F. M. Blick Rev. W. P. Russel Prayer


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1


Anthem -- "Gloria from 12th Mass' Mozart


Greetings from Ministerial Association Y.M.C.A., W. HI. Seybolt


Vocal Solo T. Malcolm Thompson


Historieal Address John MeCartney Kennedy


Vocal Solo


Mr. Thompson


Ilymn-No. 351


Benediction-


Organ Postluide-"Triumphal March" Costa


Evening 8:00 O'Clock Kinder


Organ Prelude-"Toccata in D"


"Chant D'Amour" Gillette


Hymn-No. 175


Scripture Lesson Rev. H. J. Baumgartel


Pastoral Prayer


Dr. C. W. Cherry


IIynm-No. 20


Offertory-"Spring Song"


MacFarland


Anthem


Selected


Sermon


Rev. J. M. Thompson, D.D.


Prayer-


IIyın-No. 64


Benediction-


Organ Postlude-"Entree du Cortege" Barrell


The Anniversary with its reminiscences and meetings of old friends was a very delightful occasion.


An interesting item on the bulletin of May 22, 1932, was "There have been 2,809 persons in active membership of this church-more than 2,000 children have been baptized." The Church has always been a generous church. Giving to General Assembly Synodical and Presbyterial Expenses $3,192. To the Bene- volences of the Church to carry on the work outside of our own bounds $138,740 and for the support of its own work $285,673.


Mr. Charles D. Beacom, who had served as a trustee for nine years, ro- signed on September 14, 1930.


John McCartney Kennedy died on September 30th, 1935. He had been a member of this church from 1888 nntil 1921. He served as a trustee for a number of years and was the first general Treasurer of the church, closing his work in that office about April, 1911. From a minute spread upon the records of Session, we quote "His great interest in the Parnassus Presbyterian Church, under whose shadow he was born and reared, was always unbounded in scope. yet tender and beautiful in character. Notwithstanding his very busy life, he was always willing to give all necessary time, even to the smallest detail, to any- thing that pertained to the interest of the Parnassus Church."


The organization of a troop of Girl Scouts in our church was approved January, 1936.


Homer K. Baker was elected Elder in 1909, and resigned April, 1937.


The last deed for property was executed on the first day of February, 1939. Between Mrs. Mary A. Kennedy, widow, of the City of Pittsburgh, party of the first part, and the Presbyterian Church of Parnassus, party of the second part. Witnesseth : The said party of the first part, for, and in consideration of


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the sum of Eleven Thousand Dollars, has granted to party of the second part. its successors and assigns, all that certain lot or piece of ground situate partly in the City of New Kensington, formerly the Borough of Parnassus, and partly in the township of Lower Burrell, County of Westmoreland and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, being more particularly bounded and described as follows. See Plot 10.


For several years there had been consultations between J. M. Kennedy and the Trustees of the Church, looking toward the purchase of the Kennedy property adjoining the Church grounds on the east.


This property was offered to the Church a number of years ago, for the site for a Manse. The Congregation, not being financially able to purchase at that time. Rev. J. P. Kennedy bought the land and erected thereon the older part of the present house, with the understanding that sometime, it could be procured for a Manse. From that time it was in the minds of some of the people of the Church, that the Church would ultimately own the property and use it for that purpose. Various propositions were made, with reference to it.


Finally, after the death of Mr. Kennedy, the property was offered for sale and the Church bought it from Mrs. Kennedy for $11,000 on February 1, 1939. The house was repaired and the Ministers family moved into the new Manse on May 15, 1939. The former Manse on the corner of Main and Church Streets was sold, and the money received, was paid on the mortgage on the newly acquired property.


June 25, 1939, the Centennial Fund Campaign was officially opened. A special book, called the "Book of Remembrance," was obtained, in which will be placed the names of all those who made a contribution to the Fund. It will be one of the valued records of the Church. An indebtedness of several thousand dollars, that had acerued during the depression years, plus the $11,000 paid for the Manse property, and apropximately $2,500 for repairs, with necessary funds to put the property in shape for the Centennial, it was found we would need about $18,000, which we hoped to raise; and enough, in addition, to give us something to start the next century. At the congregational meeting on Wednesday evening, April 8th, 1942, Mr. Robinson, the General Treasurer, reported there was no church debt and a balance of $614.58 in the Centennial Fund. The report for this year :


Members received by Confession 13


Baptisms-Children. 33


Members received by letter 10


Members dismissed 21


Members deceased 8


815


General Assembly 131


Benevolences 2,666


The last change in the Charter was made last year. It petitioned the Court to change the name to the Parnassus Presbyterian Church, New Kensington, Pa. Also a change in the time of the Congregational Annual Meeting. The meeting hereafter to be held on the first Wednesday after the second Sabbath of April, at 8 o'clock P.M. These changes were authorized by the Court and became a part of the original charter.


The committee appointed to direct the Centennial Celebration is Mr. W. G. Dugan, Chairman ; Mr. R. E. Murray, Vice Chairman ; F. R. Alter, Secretary ;


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Adults 3


Congregational $ 9,577


Special Receipts 5,322


Total Membership


1


Mr. J. J. Jarvie, Mr. George Peters, Mr. F. R. Lardin, Sr .. Dr. Bowden, Mrs. D. A. Leslie and Mrs. W. K. Henley. The Fund dating from April 1st. 1938. will complete it work May 17th, 1942.


Dr. Bowden and family moved into the newly acquired Manse on May 15. 1939. On June 21st the congregation gave a very enjoyable house warming for the Minister's family in order that the people might see the property they had purchased. Several hundred friends attended the reception and presented Dr. and Mrs. Bowden with gifts they will always prize.


Present Manse


Former Manse


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MINISTERS SENT OUT FROM THE CHURCH


DR. STEWART ROBERT McCONNELL REV. ROBERT J. BOWDEN


DR. NORMAN EUWER REV. RAYMOND DRONESFIELD REV. SYDNEY G. MENK


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Rev. Thomas White Stewart, the son of Thomas W. and Susan J. Stewart, was brought up within the bounds of this congregation. Ile recited the Shorter Catechism without missing ten words, to his pastor, before he was ten years old. Early in life he became interested in Y.M.C.A. work and in young manhood took a thorough course in that work. He served as secretary in some of the western cities for 18 years when, because of his ability as a speaker and fine Christian character, he was urged to take a course in Theology. When he graduated from the Chicago Presbyterian Seminary he was ordained and became pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Atica, Indiana; then Christ's Presbyterian Church. Chicago; then Occola Mills Presbyterian Church. He was very successful in his work and now is Pastor Emeritus of the Presbyterian Church of Ontario, Cali- fornia.


Norman L. Euwer, son of Matthew G. and Mrs. Elizabeth Logan Enwer. was reared in this community and went to Persia as a missionary from this church August, 1901. He served as a teacher in Hamadan for 9 years. He was president of Irving College, Mechanicsburg until called to Jackson Center Presbyterian Church-remained there until he was called to be Assistant Pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church of St. Louis. He remained here for 25 years until he retired.


Edward Shields MeConnell was a student of Theology in Princeton Sem- inary under the care of the Session of this Church. He had finished his first year and was doing supply work at AAbsecon and Leeds Point, N. J. With three friends he was sailing on Absecon Bay on the morning of Angust 6th, 1907, when one of the men fell overboard. Mr. McConnell lost his life in attempting to resque him. The Carnegie Ilero Commission gave him a medal for conrage and heroism.


Raymond Eli Dronesfield, son of Harry M. and Martha Corbly Drones- field, born at Pittsburgh, Pa. Oet 19, 1908, moved to Parnassus when about 2 years old. Educated in the Parnassus schools, graduated from high school in 1926. Worked 2 years for the Aluminum Co. and then was persuaded by Dr. Bowden and others to enter the ministry. Entered Waynesburg College in 1928 and grad- nated in 1932. Entered the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of Chicago. 1932 and graduated in 1935. Served one year as assistant pastor at Cairo, III. Ordained in the Parnassus Presbyterian Church, May Ist, 1935, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Andover, N. Y., to Ang. 1st, 1937, First Church, Vietor, N. Y .. Feb- ruary 8, 1942, Oakland Park Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio, February. 1942. Married Miss Ruth Miller of Waynesburg, May 8, 1935. HIas 2 children.


Robert John Bowden, son of Dr. George S. and Ora J. Bowden, born at Conemaugh, Pa., February 14, 1915, began school in Slippery Rock. Graduated from the New Kensington High School, 1933; Waynesburg College, 1937 ; West- ern Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, Pa., 1940; Licensed April 18, 1939 and or- dained April 16, 1940 by Blairsville Presbytery. Pastor, Smithfield and Bloom- field, Ohio, 1940. Married Miss Sarah K. Klingensmith Oct. 7, 1940.




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