Venango County, Pennsylvania: Her Pioneers and People (Volume 1), Part 46

Author: Babcock, Charles A.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

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Emlenton

The Lutherans of Emlenton held their first services, as did their Christian brethren when they were permitted to do so, in the Town Hall. In 1869 they organized a congregation and joined with the Reformed congregation in erecting a brick church on Main street. This was occupied jointly until 1884. The combina- tion was not entirely satisfactory. On Jan. 7. 1884, the Lutherans decided to withdraw and to dispose of their interest in the building. They did so on June 30, 1884. Early in 1885 they erected a church of their own, dedicated on Jan. 3. 1886, by the Rev. W. A. Passavant, D. D., of Pittsburgh. It is a very attractive building. The Rev. J. B. Fox, under whose ministry the re-organization was effected, con- tinued as Dastor until 1888. He was succeeded in 1889 by the Rev. W. F. Bacher, whose excellent work deserves mention. Among the prominent and official laymen of the church are the following: Messrs. J. H. Kuhns, Thomas Taylor, H. L. Gearing and William Stubble.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH

Franklin

During the winter of 1866-67 regular serv- ices were begun by the Baptists residing in Franklin. The services were conducted in Hanna's Hall, on Thirteenth street, by the Rev. Samuel S. Williams. A few months later, in the spring of 1867, permission was obtained to secure the old courtroom for the Sunday ser- vices, and the services were conducted there for a period of nearly two years, while weekly prayer meetings were held at the various resi- dences of the faithful brethren. By June of 1867, when the congregation had materially increased and the small but enthusiastic number of Baptists had been drawn together with but one purpose in common, "prompted by the spirit of God, and with firm reliance on the promises of God," they determined to organize themselves into a church. A reso- lution was adopted to that effect, and invita- tions were sent out to the surrounding churches to convene in a council to assist in the formal organization. Soon after this decision the Rev. Dr. Williams, who had been preaching for the six months previous, was called to Ohio on matters of business, and resigned his charge as their preacher. A pre- liminary meeting was held in the Presbyterian Church, and after a sermon by Rev. Richard H. Austin, of Meadville, a business meeting to organize a church was called, Rev. R. H. Austin, acting as moderator, presiding. This meeting was attended by twenty-two members of the Baptist denomination. David W. Mor- gan was elected clerk of the assembly and a resolution was passed that the council be called to meet on July 30, 1867, and that letters of invitation be sent to the Baptist congregations of Corry, Sheakleyville, Oil City, Titusville, Meadville, and Mead's Corners to send dele- gates to this council. It was also resolved at this meeting that the church adopt the "New Hampshire Confession of Faith" as published in the Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, by Rev. J. Newton Brown, D. D. Messrs. Charles Miller and David W. Morgan were elected to act as representatives of the Baptist Church in the council called for July 30th. On the date set for the convening of this council a special meeting was held prior to its assem- bling, at which, on a motion: it was resolved that James Bryden and Charles Miller be elected deacons and that they be ordained as such at the meeting of the church in the eve- ning. A list of the names of the members

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composing the new organization and the church of which they were members was presented, as follows: James Bryden, Charles Miller, Adelaide Miller, D. W. Morgan, Margaret Morgan, John Davis, Byrom Moffett, Mary Marsh, Mary A. Hamilton, E. A. Pike, L. Mc- Gregor, H. S. Marchant, Rachel Palmer, Amelia Richardson, Hattie Richardson, S. H. Richardson, Frances Collyer, Fannie Reeves, Eliza Reeves, R. H. Bentley, Mary Elizabeth Moffett.

The council met in the United Presbyterian Church on Elk street in the afternoon with the following invited delegates present: Rev. R. H. Austin, of Meadville ; Rev. Ross Ward, of Sheakleyville; Revs. Messrs. J. Hicks and Dewey, of Mead's Corners ; Rev. A. D. Bush, of Corry, and Rev. W. W. Meech and Deacon I. D. Baldwin, of Oil City. The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. R. H. Austin, who was then elected moderator, and Deacon Bald- win was elected clerk of the council. After some addresses had been made in which Chris- tian advice and encouragement were given to the brethren by each member of the council, the following resolution was unanimously adopted: "Resolved, That we. the council called by the Baptist brethren of Franklin, Pa., declare them as being regularly organized, and do hereby recognize them as the First regular Baptist Church at Franklin, Pa." The council appointed a committee to arrange for a "Recog- nition Service." This service was held in the evening of that memorable day at 7:30 o'clock in the Presbyterian Church at the corner of Otter and South Park streets, the Revs. Messrs. Murch of Oil City, Waid of Sheakley- ville, Hicks of Mead's Corners, Austin of Meadville, Bush of Corry and Eaton of Frank- lin taking part in the service. On Aug. 14th a call was extended to Rev. A. D. Bush, of Corry, to become pastor of the new Franklin Church organization, but he declined the call. At a special meeting on Sept. 23d a call was extended to Rev. John Owens. of Pittsburgh, to become pastor. He accepted the call, began his labors on Sept. 30th, and remained in the pastorate one year, resigning on Oct. 1, 1868. On Dec. 8, 1867, at a special meeting, a resolu- tion was adopted providing that the first Sun- day of each month shall be the appointed time for "the observance of the ordinance of Com- munion." It was at this same meeting that the first trustees of the church were elected, viz., Deacons James Bryden and Charles Miller and P. Haines. In February, 1869, arrangements were made with the Presbyterian Church to rent the old church building on Otter street

made vacant by their removal to their new edifice, the consideration of rental being one hundred and sixty dollars per annum, which included privilege of using the bell, chandeliers and stoves. During November, 1868, a call was extended to the Rev. R. H. Austin, who had often befriended the Franklin Baptists, but he declined. In January, 1869, the Rev. Thomas Sayre was called to the pastorate of the church. He accepted the call and remained somewhat over a year. During his pastorate the congregation purchased the Liberty street lot which is now the site of the Baptist Sunday school building. The real estate ventures neces- sitated some economies in the Baptist congre- gation, for in July of this year the following resolution was adopted : that "we do away with the service of janitors, and that the deacons be requested to see to the lighting and cleaning of the house, to be assisted by the members. Besides these economies the congregation entered heartily and successfully upon straw- berry festivals and oyster suppers. The con- gregation was incorporated on Jan. 24, 1870. In May of this year the Rev. J. W. Taylor was called to the pastorate. His stay was brief ; but during his short pastorate plans were adopted for a church edifice and the foundation wall was laid. He was succeeded in August. 1871, by Rev. J. W. Davis, who remained somewhat over a year. The chapel which was begun in his pastorate was completed in 1873 under the pastorate of Rev. A. C. Williams who, when he came, made stipulations for a larger salary, for its prompt payment, and for a vacation. The congregation rejoiced greatly in its new church. It seated one hundred and twenty-five persons and was used also for Sun- day school purposes. In 1874 the Rev. R. H. Austin, who had become a member of the con- gregation, was induced to assume the pastor- ate. He inaugurated a revival and also led the congregation to build a larger church. In the course of the year a very handsome brick church was erected. It was dedicated on Nov. 27, 1874, the Rev. Dr. Evarts of Chicago preaching the sermon. A call was extended to the Rev. Frederick Evans, of New York, who accepted the call and was duly installed as pas- tor on Dec. 6, 1874. He was a man of unusual gifts and his pastorate of eleven years was greatly prospered and blessed.

At this time the Sunday school of the Bap- tist Church took a great forward stride. Dea- con Charles Miller was elected as the super- intendent. He organized a Bible class which has grown to be one of the largest classes in the State. The Rev. Frederick Evans resigned

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in 1880, but the congregation refused to accept the resignation and instead granted the pastor a leave of absence for the recovery of his health. In the meantime the lot on the corner of Eleventh and Liberty streets was secured for a parsonage. The house was hastily com- pleted in time for the pastor's return. The Rev. Mr. Evans continued his successful labors until 1885, and was then succeeded by the Rev. Thomas Rambaut, D. D. His pastorate was short but very able and efficient. During his incumbency a Baptist Mission was opened in the Third ward through the generous gifts of Messrs. Charles Miller and Joseph C. Sibley, and the Sunday school accommodations were greatly enlarged. The Rev. E. F. Crane was given charge of the Mission. In July, 1887, the Rev. Euclid B. Rogers was called to the pastorate. During his two years as pastor the church prospered greatly. It was found neces- sary to enlarge the church, and while the altera- tions were in progress the congregation held its services in the Opera House. The completed building was opened with an impressive serv- ice of dedication. On Nov. 29, 1889, the church extended a call to the Rev. Clarence A. Adams, D. D., who accepted it and began his ministry here on Jan. 1, 1890. His pastorate was greatly blessed, many were added to the church membership, and the congregation parted with him with great regret in 1895. On Easter Sunday, April 5, 1896, the Rev. T. Edwin Brown, D. D., assumed the pastorate. He was a man of scholarly attainments, gentle spirit, and exceptional pulpit ability. In 1898 the Mission Church in the Third ward was organized as the Second Baptist Church of Franklin, the Rev. Allen E. Nellis being called as pastor.

On July 5, 1900, steps were taken toward the erection of a new Sunday school building, Gen. Charles Miller providing the cost of its erection, an outlay of nearly sixty thousand dollars. While the fabric of this building was rising the church was destroyed by fire, dur- ing the winter of 1901. The Sunday school building was formally dedicated on Jan. 5, 1902. The services of the church were then held in the Miller Bible class room. The Rev. Dr. Brown resigned in 1902, and after an inter- regnum of nearly a year the Rev. M. P. Fikes, D. D .. was called to succeed him. Dr. Fikes began his labors on Sept. 1, 1903. He com- bined in an unusual degree the powers of the preacher and organizer. He was well fitted for the work in hand. for the congregation had just decided to rebuild its ruined church. He gave himself wholly to the task. The new

church was completed in January, 1904, and was dedicated with elaborate exercises on Jan. 24th, all the clergy of the city participating in the services. Dr. Fikes resigned on July I, 1908, and was succeeded by the Rev. A. Lin- coln Moore, D. D., Nov. 21, 1908.

In December, 1909, the Second Baptist Church again became a part of the First Church organization, the Rev. D. H. Dennison being the assistant pastor, with special charge of the Second Church. Dr. Moore, like many of the Baptist pastors, had exceptional ability as preacher and lecturer, and was a man of broad outlook and wide sympathies. He did an excellent work here, resigning in December, 1913. On Sept. 2, 1913, the Baptist Church sustained a great loss in the death of a devoted member, Deacon David W. Morgan, who had served the church well from its organization nearly fifty years ago. Dr. Moore was suc- ceeded by a former pastor, the Rev. Dr. Clarence A. Adams, on March 1, 1914. . His being recalled to the pastorate is an eloquent testimonial to his ability and worth. Dr. Adams is now the pastor of the church.

Oil City

In November, 1863. a few devoted Baptists met in the Third ward to establish a Baptist Church. They were the Rev. Cyrus Shreve and two women whose names were not re- corded. In June, 1864. a larger congregation met and decided upon the purchase of a small house and lot on Seneca street. At the close of that month, on the 26th, the Rev. J. L. Scott began regular preaching services, and on July 3, 1864, a Sunday school was opened under the leadership of Andrew Cone. Soon afterward an effort was made to formally organize a Baptist Church, but the clergyman's illness frustrated this laudable purpose for the time. However, in 1866, on March Ist, a few faithful Baptists met in Dr. Baldwin's office, and he and S. A. Boyer, Robert Lowrie, R. B. Fulton and Andrew Cone were chosen as trustees. The congregation was regularly organized on Feb. 11, 1867, with twenty-one members. Shadrach Couch was elected treasurer and An- drew Cone, clerk. J. D. Baldwin and Andrew Cone were ordained deacons. The Rev. W. W. Meech was called to the pastorate. On Aug. 15th the congregation was officially recognized as the First Baptist Church of Oil City by a council especially convened, and attended by delegates from Titusville, Cherrytree, Spar- tansburg, Franklin, Corry and Conneautville. On Sept. 6th the church was admitted to the

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Oil Creek Baptist Association, then in session Bethlehem, became the pastor. He was a at Warren, Pennsylvania.

The church had now entered upon its organ- ized life; but it was very weak. It could not adequately support its pastor. The Rev. Mr. Meech resigned on Nov. 25, 1867, and the serv- ices were conducted by occasional supplies. Its existence was maintained through the finan- cial assistance of the State Association. How- ever, a charter was granted on Nov. 30, 1867. In 1869 a brighter day dawned. The Rev. E. F. Crane was called to the pastorate and a lot was secured for a new church. Mr. Crane's health failing, the Rev. J. W. Spore was called, on May 8, 1870. He furthered the new church project. The contract was given on Dec. 2, 1870, and the church was completed in September, 1871, and dedicated on Oct. 15th. The Rev. William Young, D. D., then entered upon the pastorate. The church now entered upon an era of prosperity, temporal and spiritual. This was marred somewhat by the rapid changes in the pastors, the Revs. Messrs. J. D. Herr, Austin and Whitman, succeeding each other at short intervals. However, dur- ing the pastorate of Mr. Whitman the church succeeded in ridding itself of a large debt with the aid of the State Association and the gen- erous benefaction of Samuel A. Crozier, at the close of 1878. In 1879 the Rev. C. T. Hallo- well became the pastor. He was succeeded by the Rev. C. T. Morgan, and in 1884 the Rev. Mr. Dillingham was called. The activities of the congregation were greatly stimulated dur- ing his pastorate. There were improvements in the material fabric of the church, and the congregation was organized for spiritual and practical work. In 1886 the Rev. J. D. Smith began his pastorate. He added greatly to con- gregational activities both in the matter of working and giving for the extension of the Master's Kingdom.

He attracted especially the younger people of the community. Great improvements were made in the interior of the church edifice, and the missionary interest and activities of the congregation were greatly stimulated. After three years of energetic and successful work Rev. Mr. Smith resigned, on Sept. 1, 1889. The Rev. E. I. Mckeever, of Aberdeen, S. Dak., was called as pastor on Jan. 1, 1890. He was a man of scholarly attainments and great pastoral faithfulness. During his pas- torate a parsonage was secured and the church was renovated and redecorated. He resigned after an incumbency of two years.

On Nov. 2, 1892, Rev. J. J. Parsons, of New

young man of exceptional talents, a fine reader, a musician with unusual vocal ability, and a natural orator. He drew many people to the Church through his evangelistic efforts and the social life of the congregation drew many people because of his ability to entertain. After a ministry of three and a half years Mr. Parsons resigned to accept a call to Jackson- ville, Florida.

The Rev. J. S. Wrightnour, of Lincoln, Ill., became the pastor on Sept. 1, 1896. He was distinguished for his personal work, and de- voted himself especially to the children and the youth of the community. During his pas- torate there was a greater ingathering of peo- ple than ever before. Dr. Wrightnour resigned on Oct. 30, 1902, to become the pastor of a church at Scranton, Pennsylvania.

The Rev. J. R. Edwards was called to the pastorate on March 1, 1903. He was a man of distinguished ability and was noted for his devoted work among the poor of the city. He was a specialist in improved Sunday school methods. During his pastorate the graded system of instruction was introduced in the Sunday school of the church and the school was brought to the highest degree of efficiency in its entire history. He was also a great missionary, ardently advocated missionary work, and was able to call out the hearty co- operation of his people. He resigned on March I, 1907, to accept a pastorate in Washington, D. C.

After an interregnum the Rev. J. E. Darby, D.D.,, of Waynesburg, Pa., was called and took up his work, April 1, 1908. During his pastorate a new church edifice was suggested, but no practical steps were taken toward its realization. Dr. Darby's preaching was very attractive and large congregations were drawn to the church. The church building was great- ly improved and beautified and the congrega- tion prospered greatly both spiritually and financially. Dr. Darby resigned on May 31, 1911, and was succeeded by the Rev. W. S. Dunlap, who assumed charge of the church on June 11, 1911. Mr. Dunlap endeared him- self at once to the congregation. It is said that as a preacher he was without a peer in the city. Under his leadership an indebtedness of long standing was paid off, great improve- ments were made to the material fabric, and the missionary enterprises of the church were more firmly established. The new pastor also moved energetically in the matter of the pro- posed new church. In order to increase the eve- ning congregations a moving picture machine

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was installed, but this venture did not prove a success. Mr. Dunlap concluded his labors on Sept. 1, 1915, to accept a church in Washing- ton, D. C.

The Rev. D. D. Forward, of Chicago, be- came pastor on Jan. 1, 1916. The new pastor was a man of broad outlook and wide sympa- thies and a devoted advocate of improvement in civic affairs and child welfare work. To further the new church project, and largely be- cause of his leadership, the congregation pur- chased the building lot on West First street. A building fund was started and the congregation abandoned the old edifice and worshiped in Carnegie Hall awaiting the erection of the new church, but the disorganization occasioned by the war forced a change of plans. So the con- gregation has returned to the old building and decided to improve it and adapt it to present- day needs. The Rev. Mr. Forward resigned the pastorate on Jan. 13, 1918, and has since passed to his reward. At this writing the church is without a pastor.

FIRST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, OIL CITY

Toward the close of the year 1863 several adherents of the United Presbyterian Church appealed to the Lake Presbytery for the estab- lishment of the services of that church in Oil City, M. J. Morrison and S. P. Morrison and their families, James G. and Jane Reed, Mrs. H. J. Cookston, Mrs. Nancy Zuver, and J. B. and Katy A. Blakely. At the direction of the Presbytery a meeting was called on Dec. 21, 1863, in the "Old Banking House." The Rev. J. R. Slentz, of Plumer, presided and organized the congregation with James G. Reed and M. J. Morrison as elders. On Feb. 1, 1864, Rev. John W. Pinkerton became the first stated supply. Services were held in the old hall on the site of the Morrison block on Center street. The congregation was composed of earnest and energetic people and made rapid strides under the leadership of Mr. Pinkerton, although he remained in charge only a little over a year. A church was erected at the cor- ' ner of Pearl and Harriot avenues and opened for services in May, 1865. The lot was given by Messrs. Graff, Hasson & Co., and the spe- cial committee for the erection of the church consisted of Messrs. R. Sproul, S. P. Morri- son, H. L. McCance, M. J. Morrison and J. G. Reed. Rev. D. Donnan preached the dedica- tion sermon. The first regular pastor, Rev. UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH Joseph McNab, was installed on Sept. 7, 1867. He was a most energetic pastor. The The work of the United Evangelical Church church was destroyed by fire early in 1873. in Franklin began in 1870 under great dis-

The congregation hastened to remove the ruins and to build anew, and on April 19, 1873, the session met in the basement of the new church. The building was much larger and more elab- orate than the former church. The congre- gation encountered some difficulties in com- pleting it. In fact the completion was de- layed until 1877.

Rev. Joseph McNab resigned in 1874 and was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Bracken in July, 1874, and he was followed by Rev. J. W. Swaney on April 30, 1877. The church was completed and dedicated on Oct. 28, 1877, and the dedication ceremonies were conducted by Rev. J. R. Britton and Rev. Mr. Craft. The pastorate of Rev. Mr. Swaney was suc- ceeded by that of Rev. J. W. Smith, on May 15, 1883, and he was followed by Rev. W. E. Stewart in 1877. He resigned the pastorate in 1889. Rev. J. J. Sharpe, who became pas- tor early in 1890, did a very good work, but remained only about a year and a half. After his departure the congregation depended for its public services upon occasional clerical sup- plies.

In March, 1894, the congregation called to the pastorate William E. McBride, a student in the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Im- mediately after his ordination he took charge of the congregation as its pastor, on July 19th, and has continued as such, his term of office being consequently the longest in the history of the church. It extends over twenty-four years. He is a fine exemplar of the sturdy Christianity for which the United Presbyte- rian Church stands. His work has been very successful, and the congregation has been very happy under his ministrations. When he took charge of the church there were one hundred and twenty members ; now there are three hun- dred and twenty-five. The congregation has grown steadily, not only in numbers but also in influence. In 1907, under the leadership of the Rev. Mr. McBride, the congregation com- menced the erection of a new church, which was completed in 1908 at a cost of about forty thousand dollars, and with the parsonage fur- nishes a very adequate and worthy equipment for the United Presbyterians. This church has always had a very effective Ladies' Mission- ary Society and several active Young People's Societies, a Christian Endeavor Society, and a very helpful organization of Cheerful Work- ers.

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couragements. The first members were J. A. Rossman and wife, both of whom had been members of the Evangelical Church for years previously. In March, 1870, the first appoint- ment was made in what was known as Hunter's Hall, situated on Elk street, near Thirteenth street, by Rev. James Crousman, who, in com- pany with Rev. J. Woodhull, was laboring in the adjacent Dempseytown and Springville charges.

Rev. J. H. Bates, assisted by Rev. G. S. Domer, held a series of meetings lasting ten days. Much interest was manifested in this effort. A report of the prospects was taken to the annual Conference and the propriety of sending a missionary to Franklin was duly considered. Rev. J. H. Domer was sent out, and he served Franklin and Oil City. He preached his first sermon on April 24, 1870, in the old courthouse. Thereafter he held services in what was known as the "Old Acad- emy property," which was rented from the school authorities of the city. The membership during this year consisted of eight persons, made up from the families of the presiding elder, the Rev. J. D. Hollinger, the missionary, Rev. J. D. Domer and J. A. Rossman.

In 1871 Rev. J. H. Bates was appointed mis- sionary, and the attendance gradually increased and the prospect grew very encouraging. In September, 1872, the school authorities under- took to sell the "Old Academy property" to the highest bidder. The missionary, in conjunction with Rev. J. D. Hollinger and J. A. Rossman, made arrangements to purchase the property in case it was not bidden too high by other bid- ders, and it was secured by Rev. J. H. Bates at the low figure of $3,075, it being valued at this time at about five thousand dollars. The two lower rooms of the building were rented to the school authorities for school purposes, and the rental paid the interest on the money borrowed for the purchase. The acquisition of the property gave a new impetus to the work. It immediately began to command more influence, and people looked upon it not as a mere trial which would soon fail, but as a last- ing work. On the 10th of November, 1871, a series of meetings was begun, continuing eight weeks and resulting in fifty conversions. The membership at the close of this year had num- bered about forty.

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Venango County, Pennsylvania: Her Pioneers and People (Volume 1), Part 46

Author: Babcock, Charles A. Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: Babcock, Charles A.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: