Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 54

Author: Sell, Jesse C 1872-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Publishing
Number of Pages: 1036

USA > Pennsylvania > Blair County > Altoona > Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens > Part 54

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in harmony with Rev. McMurray of the First church. The contracts for the new church were let on June 27, 1868, and the basement was completed and occupied Jan- uary 14, 1869, and Rev. John Donahue was made the first exclusive pastor at the con- ference of 1869. The church was completed and opened for worship on October 16, 1870, during the pastorate of Rev. D. S. Monroe, the preacher of the occasion being Rev. Robert L. Dashiell, D. D., president of Dickinson college. The building as it then stood cost $18,000, and a parsonage was erected at the same time at a cost of $3,700.

The congregation now grew and pros- pered until 1899, when the conference ap- pointed Rev. Thomas S. Wilcox as the pas- tor. He soon took steps toward the erec- tion of a new church and by the following year both congregation and officials were ready to go on with the project. On March 12, 1901, the contract was awarded to the Finn-Vipond Construction company for $33,869. The corner stone was laid on June 23, 1901. The morning services were held in the Eleventh avenue opera house, where Rev. G. H. Corey of Washington preached. In the afternoon at the site of the new church, Rev. Dr. D. S. Monroe was the chief speaker. In the evening in the opera house Rev. George W. Miller, D. D., of Asbury Park, New Jersey, preached. The church was completed and dedicated on May 18, 1902. Among the distinguished men who attended the services incident to the dedication were Rev. Bishop Charles H. Fowler, D. D., Rev. J. Wesley Hill, D. D., Rev. Bishop Cyrus D. Foss, D. D., and former pastors, including Dr. Monroe.

The value of the church property is $75,- 000, including parsonage, erected in connec- tion with the church. It has a membership of more than 1,300 and has always stood out as one of the strongest missionary churches of the Central Pennsylvania con- ference. In 1903, the conference was held in the new Eighth Avenue church. The pas-

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tors of the Eighth Avenue church have been as follows: J. S. McMurray, W. M. Fry- singer, J. Donahue, D. S. Monroe, R. E. Wilson, S. C. Swallow, M. K. Foster, J. B. Young, George Leidy, Samuel Creighton, W. W. Evans, F. M. Welsh, H. R. Bender, J. Ellis Bell, B. H. Mosser, Thomas S. Wil- cox, George Murray Klepfer, and Simpson B. Evans.

The Sunday school of the Eighth Avenue church has always been an organization of strong vitality, as it has drawn from the ranks of the church membership the church's strongest and best. The school- was organized in the year 1868, during the pastorate of Rev. William Frysinger, with Ambrose Ward as first superintendent. His successors have been as follows: J. S. Curry, C. W. Bradley, J. A. Rakestraw, J. Delo, T. W. Hurd, Joseph Davis, W. H. Schwartz, G. N. Anderson, W. C. Shuff, M. J. Davis, H. W. Fry and W. E. Sneath. The pipe organ for this church was also donated by Andrew Carnegie. It cost $10,- 000.

Chestnut Avenue Church .- The Chestnut Avenue church had its inception in July, 1871. A number of the members of the First church, objecting to the use of an or- gan in the church, dissented and rented a hall on Eleventh avenue and Ninth street for $23 a month, where they temporarily organized, and were ministered to by the Rev. Daniel Hartman, pastor of the Logan Valley Circuit. A great revival was held during the ensuing winter, when the con- versions numbered 150, swelling the mem- bership to 200. A petition was sent to the conference at Lock Haven in March, 1872, to be made a charge. The desire was granted and Rev. Hartman designated as the regular pastor. Soon afterwards a lot was purchased on the south-east corner of Chestnut avenue and Tenth street, for $3,- 000. On September 17, 1874, a contract was awarded to Mr. Ott to build a church, the price being $8,650. The corner stone was laid October 27, 1874, and the new

building occupied March 7, 1875, and dedi- cated on June 13, 1875. The pastor, the Rev. Leckie, was assisted by Rev. G. R. Mil- ler, Rev. James Curns, and Rev. Silas C. Swallow. For many years this church struggled under the debt incurred in build- ing and it was not until during the pastor- ate of Rev. J. K. Lloyd, beginning in 1901, that the entire amount of the indebtedness was raised, and the mortgages burned. The following ministers have served this church : Daniel Hartman, J. W. Leckie, Thomas Sherlock, T. M. Reese, George Warren, W. V. Ganoe, J. H. McCord, A. R. Miller, J. W. Rue, G. T. Gray, N. H. Schenck, H. C. Harmon, J. K. Lloyd, and J. M. Johnston.

Simpson Church .- The Simpson church had her birth in the heart of a little woman, Mrs. Chatams, who organized a Sunday school at her home at 2402 Seventh avenue, for the children who had too far to go to the Eighth avenue school. But eleven per- sons were in attendance the first Sunday, but the number increased and a formal or- ganization was effected on March 3, 1872, when the pastor Rev. D. S. Monroe was present. With the organization the at- tendance increased and larger quarters were demanded. A lot was then purchased and a chapel erected at Seventh avenue and Twenty- fourth street. It was dedicated Oct. 19, 1872. The entire cost was $1,298. A flourishing Sunday school was held in this chapel for eight years. Local preachers of the city and the pastors of the Eighth Avenue church held services quite frequently, but not until 1881 was it made a charge and the Rev. A. R. Cronce designated as pastor. The year before Cronce was made junior pastor of the Eighth Avenue church, serving at the Twenty-fourth street chapel. During the ensuing six years the membership in- creased rapidly and a lot was purchased at the corner of Sixth avenue and Twenty- third street as a more suitable place for a church. On June 6, 1887, a contract was awarded for the erection of a new church for $6,795. After considerable delay, ow-

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ing to the financial straits of the congrega- tion, the church was completed and opened in December, 1888. A parsonage was built adjoining the church in 1890 for $1,875.

Always favored with good pastors, the Simpson church prospered, and by the time the Rev. J. F. Anderson began his pastorate in 1900, the church erected thirteen years before was too small, and on January 23, 1904, it was decided to rebuild, and the present beau- tiful Hummelstown brown stone structure was the result. The corner stone was laid September II, 1904, and dedicated in Febru- ary, 1905, by Bishop McCabe. The cost of the church complete was $25,000. This con- gregation now has a membership of 800 with property worth $43,500 and a debt of less than $5,000. Since its beginning Simpson church has been served by Revs. C. H. Cronce, J. T. Wilson, W. R. Whitney, R. E. Wilson, E. T. Swartz, G. M. Hoke, J. F. Anderson and H. A. Straub. Miss Viola Fry is the present deaconess.

Fifth Avenue Church .- A number of Meth- odist people living in the eastern section of the city, feeling the need of a house of worship in that section, met in November, 1883, at the residence of C. H. Brown, and decided to or- ganize a church. Among those present were Rev. J. H. McGarrah, presiding elder; Rev. George Leidy, pastor of the Eighth Avenue church; Rev. Hiram Neaffer, C. H. Brown, J. T. Brown, George Reigle, John N. Tillard, Samuel Nicewonger and Levi Haineley. A lot was then purchased at the corner of Third avenue and Second street. Nothing was ac- complished, however, for several years, and in 1886 the lot was sold and another purchased at Fifth avenue and Fourth street, and on June 15, 1886, it was decided to built at this location. This plan was carried out and a chapel was erected and dedicated on October 24, 1886, Rev. Leidy and Rev. Samuel Creigh- ton occupying the pulpit. Practically the en- tire cost of the chapel, $1,200 was raised on dedication day. In June of the following year Rev. J. B. Stein was sent as junior pastor of the Eighth Avenue church and he took charge

of the Fifth Avenue branch, or mission, and by 1888 it was made a separate charge. In 1892 the property adjoining was purchased for a parsonage. From this time on the mem- bership increased rapidly and by the beginning of the next century it was apparent that larger quarters would have to be provided, and on September 20, 1901, a contract was awarded to the Vipond Construction company for the erection of a new. church at a cost of $18,262.50. The church was dedicated on December 7, 1902, by Bishop McCabe and Dr. E. J. Grey, of Dickinson seminary. The total value of the church property is $31,000, and the congregation is almost free of debt. The congregation began in 1883 with nine mem- bers and it now has upwards of 600. Its pas- tors from the beginning have been Revs. J. B. Stein, R. H. Colburn, William Moses, S. W. Sears, William McK. Reiley, George Leidy, H. S. Pardoe, A. Lincoln Miller and Alex- ander Lamberson.

Walnut Avenue Church .- The Walnut Avenue church had its inception in a Sunday school organized in 1889 in the Seventh ward by W. L. Woodcock, Esq. In the spring of 1890, Rev. Luther F. Smith was assigned to what was known as the North Altoona cir- cuit, which included Juniata, Fairview and Mr. Woodcock's Sunday school, and during the ensuing three years he built a new church at each place. The lot for the Walnut Avenue church was purchased in May, 1891, and the corner stone was laid during the ensuing month. The church was dedicated on October II. In 1897, a parsonage was built and the congregation grew and prospered until now it is free of debt and has a membership of 250, with property worth $10,000. The church has been served during its existence by these pas- tors : Revs. L. F. Smith, C. L. Benscoter, W. P. Shriner, J. M. Johnson, William Brill, M. C. Piper, R. Brooks and J. K. Knisely.

Fairview Church .- The Fairview church had its beginning in a class-meeting which met in Calvert's hall at High avenue and Ninth street, and it was soon made a part of the North Altoona circuit. On July 26, 1890, it

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was decided to build a church, and a contract was accordingly awarded to A. J. Hersh, who built the present structure at a cost of $1,300. It was dedicated on December 9, 1890. In 1906, an addition was built at a cost of $800. The church in all her interests has grown since her organization. The pastors have been Revs. E. V. Brown, W. W. Willard, R. H. Wharton, W. A. Crozier and H. J. Schuchart. These have served since 1902, previous to which Fairview was a part of the North Altoona circuit.

The Italian Mission .- The Methodist Epis- copal church began its work among the Ital- ians residing in Altoona in 1904, when the Rev. Horace Geraldi assumed charge. He worked largely from home to home, as the op- portunities would permit. The work at that time was encouraged and managed very largely by Rev. J. Ellis Bell, presiding elder. In the spring of 1906, Rev. Geraldi left, and Rev. Angelo W. Bonacci was sent to take up the work. During the latter part of Rev. Geraldi's term, services were conducted in part of the old market house on Ninth avenue and Eleventh street. The members of the other Methodist churches attended the services and especially the members of the Eighth Avenue church. This church has always been known as a missionary church, and when the Italian mission was started, Messrs. Harry Green, Rhodes and Miss Elsie Schwartz rendered valuable service to this work. The attendance and interest shown on the part of the Italian people greatly encouraged the work. A prop- erty was then bought on the corner of Eighth avenue and Sixth street, it having a number of small buildings erected thereon, at a cost of $7,000, and one of the buildings was used for a church until about April 1, 1909, when a new building was erected at a cost of $5,000, $4,000 of which has already been paid. About the time the new church was completed Rev. Bonacci resigned and went to Buffalo, being succeeded in Altoona .by Rev. Joseph Paciar- elli, who had been at Buffalo. Under the efficient hand and care of Rev. Paciarelli, the work has been progressing very rapidly. Miss

Sadie J. Sheffer, deaconess, has been con- nected with the mission since June 15, 1907, and her work has been most efficient and suc- cessful ,especially in the kindergarten and the Sunday school.

The Sixteenth Street African Methodist church was organized in 1858. The old Union schoolhouse was purchased about the same time and dedicated by Bishop Payne. In 1879, the church was remodeled and improved at a cost of about $1,000 and rededicated in November by Bishop Alexander Wayman. The church was at first under the jurisdiction of the Baltimore conference, but since 1880 has been under the general ecclesiastical con- trol of the Pittsburg conference. In 1902, the present two-story brick structure was built at a cost of about $10,000.

The Methodists always have flourishing churches at Juniata, East Altoona, Llywen and in the Twelfth ward of the city, the latter being known as the Epworth church. The Zion Colored Methodists have a small church on Ninth avenue, which is part of the Holli- daysburg charge.

REFORMED CHURCH. .

Christ Reformed church, located at the corner of Twelfth avenue and Fifteenth street, was organized in January, 1863, as a mission under the care of the Westmore- land classis. In November of the same year it was received under the care of the Mercersburg classis, with which it remained connected until the formation of the Juniata classis, which includes Blair and adjoining counties. It received missionary support until 1872, since which time it has been self-sustaining, and by its benevolent con- tributions soon returned to the church at large what was given to it in its infancy. At the time of organization only about a dozen communicant members were con- nected with the mission. The actual or- ganization was effected January 29, 1863, by the adoption of a constitution and the election of the following officers : Elders, J. L. Reifsneider and C. B. Sink; deacons,

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J. H. Fritchey and Daniel Bohler. The first pastor was Rev. Cyrus Cort, who took charge of the mission January 1, 1863, and after a very successful pastorate resigned in March, 1867. The mission was then vacant for about fifteen months, when Rev. A. C. Whitmer was called as pastor. He was in- stalled June 14, 1868, and closed his labors here April 1, 1879. During his long pastor- ate the membership was greatly increased and the church became self-supporting. In October, 1879, a call was extended to Rev. J. M. Titzel. He was installed December 19, 1879, and regularly began his labors as pastor January 1, 1880. After a service of five years he was succeeded by Rev. D. S. Diffenbacher, who served until 1892. Then came Rev. J. F. Moyer, who was the pastor for a period of ten years. Upon the com- pletion of the erection of the new church edifice Rev. Moyer resigned to accept a call at Reading, Pennsylvania, and was suc-, ceeded by Rev. Warren J. Johnson. Af- ter two years' service Rev. Johnson re- signed and was succeeded by the present pastor, the Rev. J. Hamilton Smith. Fol- lowing his resignation Rev. Johnson joined the Presbyterian church and is now a min- ister of that denomination.

The corner stone of the original church edifice was laid July 31, 1864, and the build- ing was finished, excepting the spire, in June, 1868, and consecrated on the 14th of that month. In 1873 the spire was built and the structure finally completed through the efforts of John P. Levan, then a deacon of the church, and one of its most liberal sup- porters. The cost of the building was about $15,000. It was erected under the supervi- sion of a building committee consisting of J. L. Reifsneider, J. P. Levan, Daniel Boh- ler and C. B. Sink. The architect was Fred- erick Thorn. It was built of sandstone in the Gothic style of architecture. The parson- age adjoining was built in the fall of 1868 and the spring of 1869 at a cost of $3,000.

Christ church grew rapidly as the city grew. and by the end of the century the

building erected three decades before was entirely inadequate to the needs of the con- gregation and during the pastorate of the Rev. J. F. Moyer the present beautiful brownstone chruch and parsonage were erected at a cost exceeding $50,000. It was completed in the fall of 1902.

Trinity Reformed Church .- The history of this congregation began with the organ- ization of the mission Sunday school in July, 1888, and was the offspring of Christ Reformed Sunday school. It was seen that the eastern part of the city was in need of a spiritual temple. The school soon out- grew the school. building and the Grand Army hall, and the leaders felt that in or- der to promote the work, a congregation should be organized, a lot purchased, and a suitable house of worship erected thereon. They accordingly petitioned Juniata classis to organize a new congregation. This re- quest was granted November 28, 1888. The committee consisted of Revs. C. U. Hile- man, C. J. Musser, D. S. Dieffenbacher, and Elders Samuel Sprankle and Jacob Fouse of the First Reformed church. The congre- gation organized on December 21, 1888, when sixty-six members' of Christ church, by their own request, were dismissed. A constitution was adopted and the name chosen was "Trinity Reformed congrega- tion."

The following officers were elected: El- ders, A. C. Hanmaker and George L. Freet ; deacons, M. R. Diehl, Walter Martin, Dan- iel Gall and P. L. Dricker, while W. H. Herr, Michael Effinger and Herman Davis were elected trustees to see after buying a building lot.

On February 24, 1889, the property at 801 Seventh avenue was bought for $3,700. In June, 1890, the ground was broken for the erection of the new building and the corner stone was laid July 20 and on De- cember 21, the second anniversary, the lec- ture room was dedicated. By December, 1895, the auditorium was completed and dedicated. The entire cost of the building

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thus far was $16,700. The parsonage was completed in 1896 at a cost of $3,000. In 1905 many improvements were made to the church, and the same year Andrew Carne- gie donated a $2,000 pipe organ to the church in memory of Col. Piper with whom Mr. Carne- gie was associated in the early days of the railroad work in this city. Two congrega- tions, the St. Paul's at Juniata, and the Hol- lidaysburg church, are offshoots of Trinity church.

Trinity's first pastor was the Rev. Lloyd E. Cobentz, who was chosen May 7, 1889, and served until May 21, 1893, when he re- signed to accept a call to St. Paul Reformed church, Baltimore, Maryland. The second pastor, Rev. Lewis Robb, D. D., then of Williamsport, took up the work on Septem- ber 1, 1893. He closed his pastorate by resigning February 28, 1905, to accept a call to Trinity Reformed church, Wilkins- burg, Pennsylvania, having served over eleven years. He left the congregation free of debt and with a membership of $500. Following his retirement Rev. J. B. Shontz served as supply and on May 21, 1905, Rev. George E. Limbert, who had accepted a call, began his work. His labors were ter- minated by his untimely death on February 25, 1907. The fourth pastor was the Rev. James Riley Bergey, who was installed Oc- tober 22, 1907. During the interim the pul- pit had been supplied by Rev. John F. De- Long, Rev. J. B. Shontz and Mr. Oswin S. Frantz, a student from the theological sem- inary at Franklin & Marshal college. The congregation has now a membership of over 600.

St. Paul's Reformed Church, Juniata .- This congregation is the outgrowth of a Sun- day school organized under the auspices of Trinity church in September, 1905. It had at birth thirty members. A mission was formed January 7, 1906, with thirty-three members, Trinity church pledging $1,000 for its support the first two years. They first worshipped in Rogers fire hall, then in a hall at Sixth avenue

and Seventh street and later in the Young Men's Christian association hall. In 1907, the present church edifice was erected at the corner of Sixth avenue and Fourth street. Its dimen- sions are sixty by forty-eight feet and it has a seating capacity of 500. The present member- ship is 120, with a Sunday school of 210 mem- bers. In December, 1905, previous to the or- ganization of the mission, the Rev. Albert F. Nace accepted a call to take charge of the mis- sion and has since remained with it. Rev. Nace has proved a true shepherd, a faithful preacher and a home missionary of great power, and as a result of his labors the charge is self-supporting.

Grace Reformed Church .- This congrega- tion was organized in 1898 by members of Christ and Trinity churches, residing in the Sixth ward of the city, and under its success- ive pastors, Revs. Paul S. Leinbach, John D. Hicks and Harry W. Kochenderfer, has had a rapid growth. During 1905, the present beau- tiful church edifice at the corner of Eighth avenue and Twenty-third street was erected.

CHURCH OF GOD.

In the fall of 1862, Elder S. S. Richmond, assisted by a number of families in Altoona, among whom may be mentioned the Alloways, the Fishers, Cavenders, Pools, Ottos and Weights, laid the foundation of the Church of God in Altoona. At first Elder Richmond conducted services in private houses. In Jan- uary, 1863, Elder Jacob Boyer, who was in charge of Martinsburg circuit, held a pro- tracted meeting in the armory building, the result of which was the more definite organi- zation of the church. Charles Pool was elected elder, and Abraham Alloway, deacon. A lot of ground corner of Fifth avenue and Thirteenth street was purchased from C. Jag- gard, and a building committee was appointed consisting of Rev. Richmond, Charles Pool, Abraham Alloway and Samuel Weight. Mr. Alloway shortly afterwards died, and John Mateer, of Martinsburg, was selected to fill the vacancy. In the fall of 1863, the building

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was under roof, and although unfinished, services were held therein. Later in the fall Rev. Richmond entered the army as chaplain. For most of the time during his absence services were conducted by Rev. John Hicker- nell and Mrs. Martha Beecher, and in the summer of 1865 he returned and resumed the duties of the pastorate. His successors have been Rev. P. D. Collins, 1866 to 1868; Rev. C. L. Amy, 1868, one year ; Rev. J. M. Dugan, 1869, one year; no regular pastor 1870-I; Rev. J. C. Owens, 1871, six months; Rev. F. L. Nicodemus, 1871 to 1874; Rev. J. M. Car- vell, 1874-76; Rev. John Hunter, 1876-78; Rev. G. L. Cowen, 1878; Rev. J. W. Miller, 1879-81; Rev. J. W. Deshong, 1881-91 ; Rev.

W. J. Crissinger, 1890-00; Rev. James M. Waggoner, 1900 to present time.

The church building was enlarged to its present dimensions in 1876. In 1879-80, a parsonage was erected at a cost of about $1,500. Under the pastorate of Rev. Wag- goner the congregation has made great strides forward. Great improvements have been made to the buildings, the debts have all been paid off and missions have been started at Hollidaysburg, Fairview and Lakemont Park. The pastor is assisted by Rev. C. S. None- maker, recently ordained, and Jackson Holt- zinger, the "Boy Preacher," a lad of but thir- teen years, who has shown marvelous ability as a gospel instructor for one so young.

CHAPTER XXVI.

HISTORY OF BELLWOOD, DUNCANSVILLE AND JUNIATA.

BELLWOOD-First Settlers-Forges-Early Utilization of Gas-Plotting of the Town-Nar- row-guage Railroad-P. R. Repair Shops-Other Industrics-Transportation Lines-The Borough Extended-Gas Franchise Granted-Schools-Population-Churches. DUNCANSVILLE-Location-Early Settlers-First Stores and Mills-Taverns-Rolling- mill and Foundries-Good Times-Collapse of the Boom-Noted Citizens-Churches and Schools-Brick and Lime Industries.

JUNIATA-Location-Erection of the Locomotive Works-Steady Growth of the Town- -Transportation - Fire Companies - Water Supply-Churches, Schools and Societies- Post Office-The Borough and Its Officials-Business Establishments-The First National Bank.

BELLWOOD.

Bellwood is located on the main line of the Pennsylvania railroad midway between Altoona and Tyrone. There seem to be no records or reliable data that will fix the exact time of the early settlement of the place. The earliest available date is 1785. The Edingtons were the first residents, but of their improvements or enterprise we have on account.

About 1800 Edward Bell located here and secured about 3,000 acres of land. He built a grist- and saw-mill and a distillery. This gave the place the name of Bell's mills, which it retained until the latter end of the nineteenth century, when it was changed to Bellwood.

About 1830 Edward Bell and his son Martin built Mary Ann forge, and in 1832 Elizabeth furnace. Soon after Martin be- came the sole owner and not wishing to have his works running on Sunday, thus violating the laws of God and the land, he invented a device by which the furnace could be banked on Saturday evening and

opened up again on the following Monday morning, when work could be resumed without injury to the contents of the stock. This gave the furnace locally the name of Sabbath rest, which was adopted as the name of a post-office.

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Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 54

Author: Sell, Jesse C 1872- Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Publishing Number of Pages: 1036

Author: Sell, Jesse C 1872-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Publishing
Number of Pages: 1036