Adrian (1888)

The beginnings of the Adrian Presbyterian Church seem to be lost as far as records are concerned. The few that remain are in the possession of Mr. Hector Campbell, who nearing his ninetieth year (September, 1938), still resides near Adrian; but these records do no (sic) go back far enough. So that it is upon the memory of this ancient servant of the church, a memory unusually clear at such an age, that we are compelled to rely for the few facts gleaned.

It appears that the Adrian church originally started at the insistence of Dr. J. V. Bell, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of DuBois, who, sitting with interested parties of the community and the officials of the coal company, pointed out the need of a Protestant church. With some assistance secured from the company, a church was started and a building erected. Serving all Protestants in the community the church from the beginning was dominated by a strong Presbyterian majority and was enrolled in the Presbytery of Clarion and so recorded at the county seat.

The first minutes of the congregation now extant are those of a congregational meeting in January 1906 when the annual report was made. Ministers serving the church in those early years were the Rev. H. G. Teagarden (150), the Rev. F. A. Gaupp (216), the Rev. J. A. Cowan (137), and a Mr. Colter (115) from Ohio who also seems to have served the Big Run congregation at the same time. Then there was a long period when the Rev. H. G. Teagarden was the sole pastor, this service apparently being ended in 1915 when this name disappears from the records. It appears again in 1920 and the last note of it is January 3, 1921, the Rev. Mr. Teagarden dying shortly after this. Subsequently the field was served by various ministers for periods of differing lengths. In 1932 the congregation voted to become independent and the Presbytery thereupon dissolved it as a Presbyterian church.

Anita (1899)

The Presbyterian Church at Anita was organized under the Cumberland administration, and received into the Presbytery of Clarion June 30, 1907. Nothing definite can be ascertained about its organization. The first minutes dated March 11th, 1900, when the business on hand is to elect elders for the church already in existence.

"There was a considerable sprinkling of Scotch and Scotch-Irish in and around this community long before the mines were opened in this section." And to these nationalities other racial strains were added which formed the nucleus around which this church was built. The church was organized under the Rev. H. G. Teagarden (150). The meetings were first held in the school house and later a church building was erected.

The Rev. H. G. Teagarden apparently was a very busy man in those days for his name appears as preaching at Eleanora, Zion and elsewhere. But the Church came to thrive under him, and his preaching was long remembered by the older residents of the community. They would speak of the time when revival services were held and isles (sic) would be packed and folks standing around the sides of the room. In one of these revival services there were one hundred and sixty converts.

In the Fall of 1902 the Rev. Mr. Teagarden evidently left this field for a period, for the Rev. J. M. Van Horn (142) is elected pastor of Oliveburg and Anita. Mr. Van Horn resigned this pastorate November 15, 1905, and the Rev. Mr. Irving of the Central Church, Punxsutawney, or as it was then known, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Punxsutawney, filled the pulpit, serving as Stated Supply from December, 1905 until July 23, 1907, when the pulpit was filled by the Rev. Mr. Himes of the Lutheran Church, until after the union of the two denominations in that same year.

Following the Church union the Rev. C. A. Clark (126) of the First Church of Punxsutawney, was appointed Stated Supply until October 18, 1908. Then the Rev. J. B. Eakins of the Central Church supplied until February 28, 1909. On February 14, 1901, the Rev. H. G. Teagarden returned as the pastor of Anita and the work again made rapid progress.

It was during the pastorate of Mr. Teagarden that the old building known as the "Blocks" was moved down to the present location on the main highway and almost in the center of the town.

The last minutes to mention the work of this faithful servant are on September 26, 1920. Following this he passed to his reward. Still in his prime he laid down the work, leaving behind a memory that is still cherished, and mellowed by the passing years.

Other names followed in rather quick succession as pastors of the church, and part of the time the church was dependent upon supplies. Among those who continued for a season we note such names as the Rev. Francis A. Gaupp (216), the Rev. Harvey W. Logan (250), the Rev. Dr. J. Vernon Bell (85), and the Rev. Dr. Roy F. Miller (245).

At the present time the church has a membership of seventy, with a Sabbath School enrollment of seventy-four. A static and even dwindling population has been one of the serious handicaps to real progress in recent years.

Ayers (1867)

In the year 1867 the Rev. Joseph A. Bowman of the Churches of Seneca and Scrubgrass began to preach in the Hughes School House and occasionally at the residence of Mr. David Ayers. The Ayers family were the only Presbyterians in the community at that date. Following the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Bowman, preaching services in the vicinity of Ayers were very irregular for some years.

In the summer of 1894 Rev. John B. Miller, pastor os Seneca and Scrubgrass Churches began holding services every two weeks on Sabbath afternoons in the Hughes School House. After a few weeks the directors of the school refused to allow the building to be used any longer for that purpose.

From that time on the services were conducted in various homes in the community, the people willingly opening their homes for these services.

Late in the fall or early winter of that year Mr. Abraham Biny offered the use of a vacant building on his farm for church purposes which was gladly accepted and used as a house of worship until a church building was erected.

The following ministers have served the church: Rev. J. B. Miller from 1895 until 1900, Rev. Charles Mark from 1900 to 1902, Rev. J. A. Sigler from 1903 to 1904, Rev. W. W. Corhart 1905 to 1906, Rev. Samuel Davis (149) from 1906 to 1914.

During this time the church grew and became one of the most active of the smaller churches of Presbytery. But this period was followed by a dwindling membership, and the church was irregularly supplied with services. Finally it was dissolved in 1933.

Beechwoods (1832)

The Presbyterian Church at Beechwoods was organized in the house of Matthew Keys, December 3, 1832, with fourteen members, by the Rev. Cyrus Riggs with J. Wilson, Thomas Lucas and W. Rogers, Elders from Bethel (Brookville). At the time of the organization Robert M'Intosh, William M'Connell and Robert Morrison were elected, ordained and installed as Ruling Elders.

In the summer of 1823 three men made an attempt to settle in the wilderness of Beechwoods. During the succeeding year other settlers joined them. In 1825 a Sabbath School was organized, consisting of two teachers and about ten pupils. This school continued for many years, going from house to house.

In the summer of 1831 the Rev. Cyrus Riggs visited the community, stopping at the home of one of the settlers said he was, "Looking after lost sheep." The good lady of the home, Mrs. Keys, replied, "Indeed you'll find none here," when the daughter, Betty, remarked, "Oh, mother, it is probably the lost sheep of the House of Israel." From that time until the regular organization in 1832 the vicinity was regularly visited by Rev. Cyrus Riggs and Dr. Robert M'Garrough. After the organization, Beechwoods, Bethel (Brookville) and Pisgah (Corsica) were combined into one charge and Mr. John Shoup was appointed their Stated Supply. But the two other churches soon made out calls for the full time of this minister, and the Beechwoods was left without a supply.

Rev. Gary Bishop, M. D., began his labors here in 1835, and gave more or less of his time to this church as a Supply for eleven years, until he died on October 17, 1852.

Rev. Alexander Boyd of the Presbytery of Erie was Stated Supply of this church for nearly three years, beginning in October 1846. After this for some time only occasionally supplies were in this congregation. But during this time they erected a house of worship, completed in 1849.

Rev. John Wray visited the settlement and preached his first sermon in the barn of Mr. Ross, over two miles west of the church, on May 25, 1850. He was called to this church and installed November 5, 1850. For twenty-one years he served the church with untiring energy, when on account of the entire loss of his eye-sight, this dear, good father was compelled to ask for a dissolution of his pastoral relation, which became effective April 26, 1871.

Rev. William H. Filson was called to this church, for one-half of his time, May 28, 1871, and was installed on September 27, and on April 28, 1875 was released from Maysville and Richards ville and transferred all his time to the Beechwoods church. And after twelve years' pastorate was released altogether on May 22, 1883.

Rev. Robert A. Hunter was pastor from 1884 until 1888. During the summer of 1883, before Mr. Hunter arrived, the church was supplied by Rev. J. V. Bell of Penfield, and Rev. W. H. Hunter of Mill Creek, and during that winter a call was made out for Mr. R. A. Hunter, then a student in Western Seminary. He came to the field in May, 1884. During this pastorate the congregation erected a new House of Worship, which was dedicated in December, 1888.

Rev. George H. Hill became the pastor of Beechwoods, June 16, 1889, which the Centennial History of the church reminds u "was the second Sabbath after the Johnstown flood," and "at that time Clarion Presbytery was composed of fifteen member. Now it has forty-two, almost three times as many." This was also a period of great activity and growth for the church at Beechwoods. On account of ill health Mr. Hill was released from his pastoral duties from November 1, 1910 until May 1, 1911, which time was spent in Southern Pines, North Carolina, trying to regain his health. He returned to the church and delivered his last sermon December 8, 1912. On that same day the Session granted him another leave of absence, but his death occurred eleven days later, on December 19, 1912.

The Rev. Charles C. Cribbs, D. D., became pastor of this Church in May, 1913, and continued until November, 1919. During his pastorate there was a period of special activity among the boys and young men of the church.

Rev. A. R. Bartholomew was called to the church November 28, 1919. He was a graduate from Grove City College and the Western Theological Seminary and came to the Beechwoods church for his first pastorate. He resigned in March, 1924, after a pastorate of a little more than four years.

The Rev. Elder D. Crawford, D. D., received a unanimous call from this congregation on September 7, 1924, and served the church until April 9, 1931, when he resigned that he might accept a call to the church at Glenshaw.

The Rev. W. Clarence Thompson, a graduate of Muskingum College and the Princeton Theological Seminary, received a call from this church and came to Beechwoods for his first pastorate, where he was installed October 8, 1931. Mr. Thompson continued the good work of the past, and where it was necessary, started new activities.

Bethesda (1836)

In 1834 the Rev. Mr. Andrews, a missionary of the Sabbath School Union made an appointment to preach in the school house of Alexander McCain. After preaching to them, he organized a Sabbath School, which for several years was held in the homes of the community. The Bethesda Church grew out of this Sabbath School.

Accordingly the Rev. John Core (4), of Licking, was appointed by the Presbytery of Allegheny to organize the church, which was accomplished on May 19, 1836 with thirty-five charter members, twenty-five of whom were from the Licking Church. Alexander McCain, James Patton, and William Rankin were elected and installed ruling elders.

The church had only occasional supplies until 1839, when the Rev. John Lurbett commenced preaching, and sometime in the summer of 1840 was installed pastor of the church, together with Concord and Callensburg, but in the spring, April 7, 1841, this relationship was dissolved.

The Rev. James Montgomery (9) supplied this church during the summer of 1841, when he became pastor of the Clarion Church in October of that same year. And the congregation was without a pastor until the following year. Mr. David McCay (11) commenced preaching in the spring of 1842, was ordained by the Presbytery of Clarion September 27, 1842 and installed the same day. The call again included Concord and Callensburg. This relationship was dissolved September 25, 1849.

Mr. Laverty Grier (18) was then called for one-half of hos time on September 24, 1850, and was installed January 8, 1851. This relation continued until December 14, 1852.

During 1853 the pulpit was supplied by Rev. J. Ray and Rev. C. I. Cummins until the Rev. Nathaniel M. Crane (20) commenced his labors in 1854. On October 8, 1855 he was installed for one-half of his time, and this relation was dissolved May 8, 1857. And again the church was without a pastor for about a year. The Rev. William P. Moore (24) was called and installed October 13, 1858, but was released October 18, 1860. Although only a short pastorate he must have labored with considerable success, judging by the large number of accessions to the church.

Rev. John H. Sherrard (31) began his labors here for two-thirds of his time on May 19, 1861, together with Oak Grove and Middle Creek (later transferred to Kittanning Presbytery, and the name changed to Tidal). This pastor remained until February 19, 1867. During this pastorate the church was moved from its original location into the town of Rimersburg.

Rev. John A. E. Simpson (39) was installed over this church on July 3, 1867, but on account of failing health was released September 27, 1870. The Rev. S. C. Faris supplied the pulpit for a time, then the Rev. James H. Hawk (55) was called, ordained June 24, 1874 and installed over the church for one-half of his time, the other half being given to Concord. This relation was dissolved June 21, 1876 when the Rev. Mr. Beebe supplied for a time.

The Rev. Theodore S. Negley (58) was called for one-third of his time, the other two-thirds being given to East Brady, and was installed July 28, 1878. He was released January 9, 1882 and the Rev. W. J. Wilson (67) was appointed Stated Supply by the Presbytery, serving also the churches of Sligo and Callensburg until June 1, 1891.

For a time the Rev. W. Scott Bowman supplied the pulpit. During this temporary supply work the young minister married one of the Rimersburg girls, Miss Margaret Wick, daughter of Elder Robison Wick. The church was then without a pastor until August 19, 1893 when the Rev. A. A. Kelly (103) was called. This pastorate lasted about six years, until the summer of 1899. During this pastorate the church building was remodeled and beautified.

The church was again without a pastor for a period of nearly three years. During this time the pulpit was supplied by the Rev. E. R. Tait. On June 6, 1902, the Rev. A. P. Bittinger (132) began his labors in the church. He graduated from the Western Seminary, was ordained April 23, 1903 and installed. He continued to labor upon this field until October, 1911, supplying also the churches of Sligo and Middle Creek.

In the spring of 1912 the Rev. K. E. McLeod (173) was called to this field and labored with great success until April, 1915. During this pastorate the Sabbath School room was added to the church building and other improvements made upon the church property.

The Rev. Thomas G. Mowry (192) was called October 15, 1915, who served the church with great energy until 1917, when he resigned to go west. The next pastor was the Rev. H. C. Calhoun (203), who commenced his labors in 1918 and continued until September 1, 1921. The pulpit was again vacant until 1923, when the Rev. Willard C. Mellin became their pastor, who is especially remembered for his work among the young people of the church, and of the Presbytery. This relation was dissolved on June 15, 1927.

On July 1, 1928 the Rev. M. P. Steele came upon the field and is still doing very active work at the time of this printing. Under this pastorate the Bethesda celebrated their centennial in 1936.

Big Run Presbyterian Church (1888)

The Presbyterian Church of Big Run was organized January 29, 1888, with only seven members: Mr. and Mrs. G. M. Gourley, Mr. and Mrs. David McKee, Mr. and Mrs. T. M. Simons, and Mr. William Enterline. All these members fir attended the Methodist Church of Big Run. The organization of another church was ascribed to the then dominant shouting tendencies in that church. The seven members and their following met in the room known as Enterline Hall, above what is not the McKee-Weiss Grocery Store. At the organization meeting Mr. G. M. Gourley was received into membership on confession of faith, and at the same meeting he and Mr. Wm. Enterline were unanimously elected elders. The next week, February 7, 1888, six more members were received, and on February 9th, five more, making a total of twenty members before the church was two weeks old. That is a pretty good enlistment average for seven members. Within a month the afore-mentioned Enterline Hall was being referred to as Presbyterian Hall. Rev. J. S. Helm was the pastor during these zealous proceedings.

In 1891 began the erection of a church building, which was dedicated complete and free of debt March 15, 1893. John Zufall, L. A. Shaffer, Will Blose, G. M. Gourle