Clearfield County PA Archives - Church: Centennial History of Methodism in Clearfield, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Ellis Michaels, , Sep 2010 Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/ ________________________________________________ http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism-clearfield.txt HTM Web Page can be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism-clearfield/chapter-01.htm This page was last updated: 14 Nov 2009 ********************************************************** Centennial History of Methodism in Clearfield, PA 1810 - 1910 George W. Rheem ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. image can be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism-clearfield/rheem-george.jpg [image of George W. Rheem] ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. THOS. H. MURRAY, AMERICUS H. WOODWARD, WALTER C. STEPHENS, JOSEPH B. MCENALLY, HARRY B. POWELL, GEORGE W. RHEEM, Committee. Clearfield, Pa. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. CONTENTS. The Historian, 7 The Trail, 10 Thomas Holt Murray, 13 Chapter I Centennial History of Methodism in Clearfield, Pa., 1810 - 1910, 17 Chapter II The History, 21 Chapter III, 44 Letter of Rev. L. M. Gardner, 56 Chapter IV, 67 Chapter V, 82 Chapter VI Conference Session, 101 Chapter VII, 131 Death of Ai Fitch Boynton, 137 Our Financial System, 150 Churches of the Town— Presbyterian, 151 Lutheran, 152 Protestant Episcopal, 153 Baptist, 154 United Brethren, 154 Memorial Address of Hon. J. B. McEnally, 155 Dr. W. A. Stephens' Address, 161 Chaptel VIII Statistical Sheets, 164. Missionary Collections, 165 Trustees of Clearfield Methodist Episcopal Church, 1860-1909, 167 Baltimore Conference, list of Preachers, 171 Receipts and expenditures of Trinity Methodist Epis- copal Church, from April 1, 1909 to April 1, 1910, 174. Appendix Official Lists and Membership of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church in Clearfield, Pa., September, 1910, 175 ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 7 THE HISTORIAN I was born in the borough of Carlisle, Pa., July 20th, 1833, and educated in the common schools of that place. graduating from the fifth grade, or high school, in my fifteenth year. I was employed by my uncle, Jacob Rheem, as bookkeeper in his warehouse until past my seventeenth year. That year, 1850, in October, my father and family moved from Carlisle, in covered wagons, into Karthaus township, 150 miles, taking the whole week and half of the Sunday morning, reaching our destination in a snowstorm in the dense pine forests of that township on Three Runs. We remained there all winter, enjoying the life of lumbermen, until March 1851, when my uncle, Jacob Rheem, who owned the tract, sold it, when the family moved to Clearfield, then a town of 503 inhabitants, seventy-five dwelling houses, five churches, one court house, one academy, no public schools, five stores, one jail, four hotels and population of county 12,586. I found the people to be of such a hospitable disposition as to compel me to fall in love with them and their beautiful mountain town, and as the town has grown the love has only intensified, and hope it may continue so as long as life may last. My early Sunday School life was looked after by my parents, and I was too young when I commenced to have any distinct recollection of it, and continuing in it I renewed it with the Methodist Episcopal School here on the second Sunday in May, 1851, and have been connected with it for over fifty-nine years, in every position. My ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 8 membership in the Church commenced the same year, and I have followed closely in its services. This naturally gave me an intimate knowledge of its life, and this was a prompting reason with the committee to have me be the historian. I served as secretary of the Board of Trustees and kept the records for forty-six years, and have in my possession all of the written records since 1825, and as I have gathered history I have compiled it, with the approval of the other members of the committee, as to cherish the hope it may meet the approval of its readers and be of some value to the Methodists of the county. There will be no individual profit whatever, but whatever may be realized over its cost will inure to the benefit of the Ladies' Aid Society to help them pay up the small balance of the $2,600 they so nobly subscribed to the building of our present Church. GEO W. RHEEM. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 9 Image of Rev. Morris E. Swartz, D. D., 1906 The present pastor image can be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism-clearfield/009.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 10 THE TRAIL Locating the material for this history, and securing the photographs of all of the preachers who served us since 185o, involved a correspondence reaching to Jacksonville, in Florida, and to Kansas City, in Missouri, and into New York State, and from one end of Pennsylvania to the other, including the Warren Insane Asylum. In addition td the records in my possession, I was favored by the Rev. Horace L. Jacobs, D. D., of Altoona First Methodist Episcopal Church, with the loan of books, and from Mrs. Ann Goodfellow of bound volumes of Conference Minutes dating back to 1773, which was the beginning of the Baltimore Conference, in which territory we belonged. In collecting the photographs, as they will all appear in the book, I had twenty-seven to look after and had no trouble in locating the living ones, but to find the dead ones, I had to find the living friends, and by an incessant correspondence I located every family and have succeeded in securing the twenty-seven photographs. In addition to these I am glad to be able to say that I had a photograph taken from an oil painting of Rev. Joseph S. Lee, the father of Asbury W. Lee, who was the preacher in charge at the dedication of the old Cherry Street Church, in 1839. This history commenced with the circuit in 1810 and the name of every preacher sent in charge of the circuit appears in the statistical chapter until 185o, when new circuits began to be formed and ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 11 Then as each began the date is given and the name of the first preacher that served them; and of the original great circuit then in Clearfield county there are now twenty circuits and stations, and the history ends with the building of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church in Clearfield, which was the objective point. G. W. R. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 12 [image of Thos. Holt Murray} image can be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism-clearfield/012.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 13 THOMAS HOLT MURRAY The subject of this sketch was born in Girard township, Clearfield county, Pa., April 5th, 1845. He is the second of nine children born to Alexander and Isabella Holt Murray. His father was one of the pioneer settlers of Girard township. In January, 1863 he entered Dickinson Seminary, at Williamsport. A break in his health prevented his remaining for the full year, but in September, 1864, he returned and resumed his studies. He engaged in making timber, and rafting the same at different times and became a very successful pilot in running rafts down the river. He also taught schools in Covington township and in Curwensville prior to his re-entering the seminary. While he was a student at the seminary he began the study of law with the late General Robert Fleming, of Williamsport. He finished his studies and graduated from the seminary on June 19th, 1867. He saved some money by selling some books and after all his expenses were paid he returned home in possession of $150.00. He registered as a law student in the office of the late H. Bucher Swoope, June l0th, 1867, and continued his studies until May 24th, 1869, when, after a public examination in open court, he was admitted to the bar of Clearfield county. He opened an office for the practice of law June 30th, 1869, in Clearfield, Pa. He associated with him the Hon. Cyrus Gordon, September 22nd, 1874, and this continued until January, 1894, when Mr. Gordon, having been elected president judge, he associated then with Allison 0. Smith, and ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 14 January, 1904, when Mr. Smith having been elected to the office of president judge, he formed a new partnership with his son-in-law, James P. O'Laughlin and his son, Hazard A. Murray, which law firm exists at the present time. His practice is not confined to Clearfield county, but his reputation as a first class lawyer has secured for him a practice which includes many very important cases in many other counties. He entered the lecture field in 1871, and continued for about 25 years, never allowing engagements of this kind to interfere with his law practice. He has published two volumes of his lectures and speeches. On the 9th of July, 1872, Mr. Murray was married to Jennie Reighard, of Williamsport, Pa., who passed away August 7th, 1907. She was a woman of remarkable force of character. To her he chiefly attributed his success and was a most valued adviser, as well as his companion for over thirty- five years. He became identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church while a student at the seminary. When he came to Clearfield in May, 1868, he became an active and influential member of that Church, and has served as president of the board of trustees for many years. He has been a Sunday School teacher for over 4o years, and with his present class for 36 years. He has been honored as a lay delegate from the Central Pennsylvania Conference since 1884 to six consecutive General Conferences of the Church, a record unequalled by any other layman in the Methodist Episcopal Church in America. By his power as a debator, he has become prominent in these great assemblies, and has been identified with many of the vital questions with which it has dealt during these years. Among these questions are: The Admission of Women as Delegates: The Separate Seating of the Lay Dele- ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 15 gates; The Continuance of the Itinerant System; The Relation of the Epworth League to the Church. He was elected by the General Conference of 1896, a member of the "Commission on Federation" between the Methodist Church north and that south. This commission was composed of three bishops, three ministers and three laymen from each side. He continued a member of that commission twelve years. Its power was enlarged from time to time by the two General Conferences which created it, so as to include the relation of these two Churches to other Evangelical Churches and important action was taken by which there was union between these two Churches and other Churches in respect to their forms of worship, the method by which admission could be had from one to the other, and also affecting their missionary work, their publishing interests and in other respects, so far as it seemed practical, the work of these Churches, both at home and in foreign fields was secured. Mr. Murray was selected by his Church as a delegate to the Methodist Ecumenical Council, composed of all the branches of Methodism world-wide, which met in the city of London in September, 1901. He made several important addresses before that body. He has been a trustee of Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, Pa., since June, 1884. He has also been a member of the State Sabbath School Association for many years. He was for some years first vice-president of the Association and of late years has been a member of the State Executive Board. He has been successful in his profesison and other enterprises and has made his religion and his means of practical use whenever opportunity offered. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 16 [image] Cherry Street Methodist Episcopal Church, 1839 image can be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism-clearfield/016.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 17 CHAPTER I CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA., 1810-1910 At a meeting of the Trustees of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, held March 18th, 1907, it was thought advisable to have a history of the Clearfield Methodist Episcopal Church written. In order to get the matter in proper shape, a committee consisting of Thos. H. Murray, Americus H. Woodward, Joseph B. McEnally, Walter C. Stephens and Geo. W. Rheem, was appointed to take the matter in consideration. Owing to adverse circumstances some members of the committee were unable to give it prompt attention until May 18th, 1909, when a meeting of the committee was called at the office of Thos. H. Murray, when he and Walter C. Stephens and Geo. W. Rheem were present. Inasmuch as Jos. B. McEnally, in his eighty-fifth year, was unable to be present, and in his present condition of health would probably never be able to give it any attention, it was thought advisable to add another person to the committee, and the name of Harry B. Powell was suggested and placed thereon. (Since the above was written Jos. B. McEnally died, January 5th, 1910, and his obituary is published in this book.) The objective point of this history is Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, in Clearfield, Pa., and the possibility for such a history depends largely on what each member of the committee, and other members of the Church, can and will do to help. In view of the fact that Geo. W. Rheem was the oldest in membership but one, Mrs. John ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 18 W. Shugart, and was very familiar with the progress of the Church for over fifty-nine years, and has in his care all the official records of the Quarterly Conferences back as far as 1825 and the Trustee records of the station since the incorporation of our Church in 1860, and was the Secretary for forty-six years, it was thought he was the proper person to collect and compile a creditable history,subject to the approval of the committee, he consented to do the work to the best of his ability, depending on all persons interested to aid him in every way possible. This preamble is the beginning of such a history. In connection with the introduction, Mrs. Ann Goodfellow, one of the oldest sisters in the Church, in her eighty-fifth year, placed at our disposal two bound volumes of Minutes of all our Annual Conferences from 1773 to 1839, these books having been the property of her father-in-law, a pioneer of Methodism in this county—Isaiah Goodfellow. From these books we are able to find who were the first Methodist preachers that blazed their way into the wilds of Clearfield county and the years in which they came. From these books we have a continuous line of appointments and the names of the preachers, with these lapping into our own records, the line is an unbroken one up to the present time. And in addition to this Geo. W. Rheem, the collector, opened up a correspondence with all the living ministers who served their appointments amongst us in the years gone by, asking them to freshen their memories and add to this history their mite, which has made it the more interesting. Methodism in this county, and in every other place, did not always have smooth sailing, and of this experience some things will be written that will show up the rough side and may touch tender spots in some persons, but it has not ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 19 been done with any thought of giving offence, but only to show how in the midst of obstacles and hindrances the early Methodists maintained their integrity. The failings of our own people have not been covered over, else the history would not be complete. One more thought and this preliminary statement is done. It has been necessary in many instances to mention names of persons directly concerned in many transactions of our Church life, some of our own and others not of our membership. We hope that because some persons are spoken of in an especial manner that no one will think this is done to the disparagement of any others, for to the whole membership belongs the credit of making our Church history. And then if the names of any of your committee have been brought frequently into prominence, please do not think there is any egotism on our part, but this had to be done to leave no doubt as to what the real history is; then some items are inserted that are perhaps not historical, but in their way will no doubt be interesting to the readers and will break the monotony of what might otherwise be dull reading. In this, as in all the other interests of our Church, Divine guidance has been sought and the work done. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 20 [image] Second Street Methodist Episcopal Church, 1868 image may be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism-clearfield/020.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 21 CHAPTER II THE HISTORY In the formation of the Methodist Church in America in 1773, the first Conference was held in Philadelphia, in June. The membership of the Church was 1,160, with ten preachers. Clearfield was, of course, in the Conference territory, but was perhaps entirely unknown, and indeed until the beginning of the nineteenth century was not known as a county. But the Methodist preachers were sent forth by their Conferences, and the nearest appointment to Clearfield mentioned in the Minutes was Huntingdon, in the year 1788, with Samuel Breeze and Daniel Combs as the preachers. None of them found their way over the Allegheny Mountains until the year 1810, when Daniel Stansberry is mentioned as sent to "Mishannon," Centre county, on Moshannon Creek. This territory was in the bounds of the Baltimore Conference and in Carlisle Presiding Elder District. This Mishannon appointment was put in connection with Huntingdon in 1814 and James Reiley, the great-grandfather of J. McKendree Reiley, and Samuel Davis were named as the preachers. The diary of Jas. Reiley, as furnished by J. McKendree Reiley, contains the following extract, which shows the extent of the circuit over which they traveled: "The Huntingdon Circuit embraces a large extent of mountainous country extending from Huntingdon through Williamsburg up the Juniata River to a little village ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 22 named Frankstown, thence through the Sinking Valley, thence across the mountain to Philipsburg, thence above Clearfield on the opposide side of the river several miles (Centre) and thence through the mountains by a powder mill to Warriors Mark, thence to Half Moon to D. P. Gray's, and thence to Benton's, east of Pennsylvania Furnace, thence down Spruce Creek, taking in a number of appointments; thence over to Kishocoquillas Valley, thence across to Stone Valley of five appointments, thence back to Huntingdon, in all twenty-eight or thirty appointments over an extent of country but little short of 300 miles." And the following comment: "I found Huntingdon in many of the large classes more cut up in contention and party groups than any circuit I ever traveled, and I perhaps never left a circuit with a fairer prospect for a powerful and extensive revival than I left Huntingdon, which was fully realized the two succeeding years." The appointment to Mishannon in connection with Huntingdon was discontinued after 1816 by the Conference. A letter from Daniel Ayres, a local preacher of Philipsburg, to Rev. Jas. Curns, says that preaching was continued by supplies probably sent by the Presiding Elder, but no regular appointments until 1825, when the Baltimore Conference, of which we were still a part, sent John Bowen to Clearfield, and this is the beginning of the work of which we have now a continuous record of all the proceedings of the Quarterly Conferences up until this writing, and a continuous list of all preachers who were appointed to the Clearfield Circuit and the various circuits and stations that have been subsequently made. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 23 The first quarterly meeting conference of the year 1825 of Clearfield Circuit was held in _Philipsburg, May 28th, 1825, and we herewith give the names of the officers present composing this first conference: Presiding Elder—Marmaduke Pearce, father of John J. Pearce. Circuit Preacher—John Bowen. Local Preacher—John B. Meek. Exhorter—James Kinnear. Class Leaders—John Gearhart. William Ayres. William Wright. Moses Norris. John C. Ayres. Stewards—William Kinnear. John Musson. Moses Boggs. The financial report shows the entire amount collected for the year was $113.84, of which the classes of Clearfield are credited with having paid $8.94. The disbursements were to— John Bowen, circuit preacher,.......... $84.80 John Bowen, traveling expenses,........ 8.00 Marmaduke Pearce, Presiding Elder,..... 15.00 Expenses,.............................. 2.00 Conference collection,................. 4.04 $113.84 This statement is made to show what economy was necessary on the part of both preachers and people to have Methodism get a foothold in this county at that time. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 24 The preacher's salary was not a fixed one, but depended on the size of his family. The preacher was allowed one hundred dollars and his wife one hundred dollars, and each child over seven years sixteen dollars a year. At the first Quarterly Conference a committee was appointed to estimate the table expenses and horse feed for the year, and the sum usually fixed was from $100 to $130, and this was not always paid in full, making a salary about $350. At the first Quarterly Conference, May 13th, 1826, held at Chest Creek, it was determined to hold a camp meeting on the grounds of Jacob Gearhart, probably near Philipsburg, to commence September 1st. And as an item of interest to persons of the present day, the description of the preparation of a camp ground and the manner of conducting such a meeting will not be out of place. A committee was always appointed to make selection of a suitable ground, having in view all the conveniences necessary for the comfort of families tenting on the ground as well as for persons desirous of attending the meetings. A few weeks before the meeting public notice would be given by the committee that on a certain day all persons thinking of tenting or attending the meetings were requested to repair to the grounds with teams and proper tools to put them in readiness for the meeting. To this call a ready response was usually given, and the first thing to be done was to determine the size of the ground necessary for the erection of tents and seats for the congregations. This being fixed, all the underbrush and laurel thickets and all fallen trees were at once removed from what was known as the ground in the circle of tents and then trees were cut down out in the woods and laid ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 25 along the ground in such position as to be used for supports for the planks that would be placed for seatings for the congregation. Then the location being determined on for the preaching stand and at the same place sleeping quarters for the preachers. An altar rail was erected on poles driven into the ground about four feet high, and this enclosure being about twenty by forty feet with an entrance at each corner, was called the altar, inside of which were held the usual revival and other services incident to and always expected during the camp. Then the fire stands were erected at each corner inside the tent circle, posts being driven into the ground and logs or slabs placed on them and sufficient earth on them to put the fires of pitch pine which, when burning, furnished sufficient light for the ground at night. Then those persons present intending to tent on the ground would make their selection of places on which to locate their tents, and other days would have to be spent in getting boards on the grounds using about 1,000 feet for each tent. Some of the tents would be made of muslin. Planks about two inches thick would be placed on the logs already stretched out for seating the congregation. These planks could generally be borrowed from some nearby saw mill and returned at the close of the camp. Next thing would be making preparation at the homes of the tenters for moving onto the grounds, and these preparations would be somewhat elaborate, because the tenters would not only provide for their own families, but they expected to provide dinners for strangers on the grounds, especially on the Sunday of the camp. The meetings usually commenced on Friday evening and continued until the following Thursday night or rather Friday morning, as the last meeting was generally an all night ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 26 [image] West Clearfield Methodist Episcopal Church, 1872 image can be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism- clearfield/026.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 27 meeting, and closed up with a march around the grounds at sunrise with a parting handshake amidst the songs and tears of all taking part. These old time camp meetings were of great benefit to the Church and heartily enjoyed by all who would take an active part in them. The preachers were always entertained by the tentholders. The first move toward building a Church on the circuit was made at a Quarterly Conference held at Abram Keagy's in the southern end of the county, June 9th and 10th, 1827, when Moses Boggs, from the river (Centre) appointment stated that it was their determination to erect a meeting house on land donated by Philip Antes, Sr., and to accomplish their purpose, a committee, consisting of Moses Boggs, Isaiah Goodfellow, Alexander Caldwell, Elisha Schofield, Samuel Hoover and William Welch, was appointed, and no further records are made of this until September 20th, 1834, when the committee reported the Church completed and a balance of indebtedness of $69.96, and the pastor, Rev. John McEnally, was authorized to solicit subscriptions to liquidate the debt. This site is used at this time. The third Quarterly Conference for the year 1827 was held in the Court House, in Clearfield, on the 24th of November. At the second Quarterly Conference, held on the camp ground, the place not mentioned, the following resolution was passed: Resolved, "that we think it improper as members of the Church of Christ, to indulge in the pernicious habit of dram drinking, unless as a medical prescription. Therefore, we will beat it down so far as precept and example has any influence." The first Missionary Society for the circuit was formed ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 28 and a constitution adopted, February 6, 1830, and the following year the reports of collections made showed that $3.87½ had been contributed. November 16th, 1833, a constitution for a Church Temperance Society was presented to the Quarterly Conference and adopted. September 20th, 1834, three Sabbath Schools were reported in the bounds of the circuit, one at Centre, one at Bradford, and one at Chest Creek. At a Quarterly Conference, held in Clearfield, December 3rd, 1836, a long preamble was presented by a committee denouncing the attendance of members of the Church at menageries, circuses or theatrical amusements, and the following resolutions were adopted: "1st. Resolved, that in the opinion of this Conference, it is inconsistent with the dignity of a minister of Christ, and unbecoming the followers of the blessed Saviour, to attend or otherwise countenance shows, the menagerie, circuses, or theatrical amusements. 2nd. That a copy of the above be entered by the Recording Steward in the journal of this circuit and a copy also be furnished for publication in the Pioneer and Banner." This year, 1836, the circuit was changed from the Northumberland district to the Chambersburg district and continued there until 1838, when it was put back to the Northumberland district. At the fourth Quarterly Conference, January, 1836, it was thought advisable to build a church in Clearfield, and a committee, consisting of Isaiah Goodfellow, John Moore and Isaac Southard, was appointed to have an estimate made of the probable cost of a suitable building. This committee probably reported to the Quarterly ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 29 Conference, although no record is made of such report. At the third Quarterly Conference, held in Curwensville, October 14th, 1837, a building committee was appointed to erect a "Meeting House," in Clearfield town and the persons named on that committee were: Isaiah Goodfellow, Isaac Southard, John Moore, Henry B. Beisel, and William Antes. They reported progress to the Quarterly Conference, January 13th, 1838, and went on with the building which was erected on lot No. 96, in the plan of Clearfield borough, on the corner of an alley on the south side of Cherry street, purchased from Robert Wallace, by article of agreement and deed for same made by said Wallace, February, 1847. The building is still standing and occupied as a double dwelling house. No special record is made of the dedication services except the following transcript from the third Quarterly Conference records, October 5th, 1839, held in Clearfield. "Moved and seconded that a collection and subscription be taken to-morrow for to defray the expense of building, &c., this Meeting house carried." At this Quarterly Conference the Presiding Elder was John Miller, and the circuit preachers Jos. S. Lee, the father of A. W. Lee, and Jos. A. Ross, were present and of the building committee, Isaiah Goodfellow was the only one present at the Quarterly Conference. John Moore, marked distant, Wm. Antes, absent, Isaac Southard and Henry B. Beisel, probably not members of the Quarterly Conference, but altogether -likely present at the dedication. This, then, was the beginning of a permanent home for Methodism in Clearfield town. Up until this time one preacher did all the work on the circuit, the extent of which was from Philipsburg, on the east, to Luthersburg, on the west, and a few appointments in the southern ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 30 [image] Circuit Rider Drawn by Rev. A. M. Barnitz image may be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism-clearfield/030.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 31 borders of Elk county, on the north, to the southern end of our county, New Washington, making a circuit of about 70 miles from north to south and about 36 miles from east to west, to be the tramping ground of one preacher, who, for want of any conveniences for transportation to all points of his work, was compelled to go everywhere on horseback, not even having a chance for using horse and carriage. It was no strange sight in those days to see the circuit rider on horseback, with his saddle bags strapped behind his saddle, filled to the full with his meagre wardrobe, and books of a religious type-for sale to any persons who desired them. And as he-thus journeyed from one appointment to another, his mind would be on the subjects for his sermons, or reading a book as his horse would carefully carry him along the unbroken roads and he could sing: "No foot of land do I possess, No cottage in this wilderness." And he was expected regularly at each appointment every four weeks. His home was anywhere that night overtook him and he was always courteously received and kindly entertained, and always seemed happy in the rounds of his arduous work. Now that a church home was completed in Clearfield, a description of its interior arrangements and form of worship will be in place. The entrances, as you see them now in the dwellings, were the same then. The entrance next the alley was for the men, and the other side for the women, as they always sat separately in all the services. The pews were plain, comfortable seats. No carpet on the floor. The light was good, three windows on either side, two in the rear, one on each side of the 3 ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 32 pulpit, and one in the middle at the front and transoms over the doors. A plain pulpit at the rear, an altar of plain wood in front of the pulpit, with short returning ends on either side, usually called the mourner's bench. In the middle block of seats, two old fashioned ten plate wood stoves furnished the heat in winter. The lighting of the church for night service was made by eighteen tallow candles, two of which were on the pulpit, the others in sections of four each, swung from candelabra, made by the tinner of the town, and hung on ropes, two on each rope, and when one was pulled down, to place the candles or to snuff them when dim, the other swung up toward the ceiling. There being no regular sexton, the cutting of the wood, sweeping of the Church and lighting and snuffing the candles was all voluntary work, but so many would forget it, that it was usually done by a few faithful ones. The preaching services were always well attended and there being but few hymn books, the preacher would read the hymn through, and then line it out two lines at a time, and any one in the congregation, of musical ability, would start the tune and all the congregation would join in the singing, and the last two lines of the hymn were always repeated. Then everybody knelt in prayer, thinking nothing about soiling their clothes on the plain wood floor. At the Quarterly Meetings, held at the different appointments, the official members from all the charges were always expected to be in attendance and the love feast was held on Sunday morning. The doors were opened at 9 o'clock and after the first prayer they were promptly closed and locked and there were but few ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 33 persons ever late. The old rule was that tickets were given by the class leaders to all the members of his class that had not missed class meeting for three consecutive times preceding the love feast day, and only those holding tickets were admitted. The habit of separate seating of men and women was kept up here until about 1858, when it was discontinued. Up until this time the circuit was called Philipsburg Circuit, but in 1837, it was changed to Clearfield Circuit. Two preachers were sent and this gave preaching every two weeks, and the work was so arranged that one Sunday would be a morning service and in the next two weeks an evening service, and as will be noticed later on, as changes were made, the plans would change. We may note here that the Rev. Jas. Reiley, great-grandfather of Rev. J. McKendree Reiley, the second early pioneer in this wilderness country in 1814, died September 28, 1841, in St. Mary's county, Md., at the age of 57 years. At a Quarterly Conference held in Clearfield, October 5th, 1839, Adam C. Shaw was recommended for license to preach and among the usual questions asked was: "Are you an Abolitionist?" his answer was: "I am," and he was granted a license. December 12th, 1840, the Quarterly Conference, held at Clearfield, appointed the following persons as a committee to fix on a suitable lot and estimate the probable cost necessary to build a church in Curwensville: Elisha Schofield, Isaiah Fullerton, Isaac Southard, Charles Matlack and Alex Caldwell, to report to next Quarterly Conference. Rev. Joseph S. Lee, who had been the preacher in charge of the circuit in 1839, was remembered very kindly ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 34 by some of the ladies of Curwensville, and on the 27th of January, 1846, they presented him with a quilt, of their own handiwork, of twenty four blocks, all worked on same design called a laurel leaf pattern and on each block is written in indelible ink the name of the worker and the following inscription is written in the centre: To our beloved former pastor, Rev. Joseph S. Lee, This little token of our love, By our mutual efforts wrought, We here present to thee, our friend, To show thou art not forgot. Names Sarah Bloom, Elizabeth S. Evans, Martha Dale, Mary Irwin, Mary Hoyt, Margaret Taylor, Mary Ann Kelley, Priscilla Evans, Elmira H. Galer, Eliza Irwin, Harriet Hoyt, Miss Mary E. Irwin, Mary Galer, Susanna Patton, Ann Cullinsworth, Anna Ross, Sarah Thompson, Eleanor McMullin, Caroline J. Bell, Sophie J. Evans, Mary E. Bell, Mrs. Jane Irwin, Miss Martha Irwin, Rachel Sterling, Curwensville, Pa. The quilt is in possession of Mr. A. W. Lee, of Clearfield, son of the Rev. Jos. S. Lee. In 1841, on account of the increase of the membership on the circuit, the necessity for new preaching places became apparent and committees were appointed to estimate the probable cost of churches in Bradford township and Grampian Hills. No records have been made of the time when they were built. Revivals of religion were held in every part of the circuit during the winter months in which the members of the Church were all expected to take an active part. Services were held every evening preceded by a short ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 36 [image] Eleventh Street Methodist Episcopal Church, 1902 image may be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism-clearfield/036.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 37 Lewis R. Carter, a very muscular man, and just as good as he was strong, and forcibly ejected and put off the grounds. The father was James Crossly, a blacksmith from Grampian Hills, who in a short time after was soundly converted and lived and died a splendid Christian man. The following story shows how Methodists in their anxiety to save and help men were imposed on by a villain: In the Presidential campaign of 1852 the Democratic party was holding a meeting in the court house and after the regular speakers had delivered themselves, repeated calls for "Ferguson" were made, and in response a tall, ungainly-looking fellow, with shaggy hair and dressed in red flannel shirt and black pants stuck in his boots, and a black slouch hat drawn down over his eyes, one of which was blind, presented himself and asked what was wanted of him, and "Speech! Speech!" was the answer to his question, and he took the stand in apparent embarrassment, but this was only momentary, for as he proceeded it was evident that he was superior to the other speakers, both in ideas and elocution, so much so that he simply captured the audience, with the result that the county committee quickly arranged with him to make a thorough canvass of the county, and he was in demand everywhere. The following summer he assumed infidel ideas and took pride in controversy of that kind. He went to a camp meeting near Woodland, held by the United Brethren. One member of this committee, Geo. W. Rheem, was present. There he met Rev. Cyrus Jeffries, as bright a man as himself, and these two crossed swords in controversy, inside the tent circle, about 9 o'clock in the morning, and continued until the horn blew ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 38 for morning service at 10.30. After the services were over Ferguson was walking around the ground in the rear of the tents and found an old man named Crowell, who was enjoying himself praising God for His goodness, when he attempted to speak slightingly of the old gentleman's enjoyment, but when he was asked, "Do you enjoy religion ?" he promptly answered "No," and then the old man said, "Well, as you are so ignorant, you had better move on and leave me to my enjoyments." That night about 9 o'clock he, with some others, was standing at the head of the ground near a fire stand, when suddenly he fell to the ground and was picked up by those standing near, and feigning helplessness, he pretended to be unable to speak, and motioned to them to take him down to the altar, where he knelt as a penitent and went through all the forms of prayer and repentance, and as sudden as his fall and loss of speech had been, so were his expressions of praise for forgiveness of his sins. Those having heard his controversy in the morning, now witnessing his conversion, attributed it all to Jeffries' overwhelming argument, but Ferguson said, "No, the old man at noon did it, for he surely cut me to the heart." A few weeks later he attended our camp meeting held on the ground a little east of the new cemetery, and was royally entertained, and was taken especial care of by some young men who tented on the ground. He manifested wonderful interest for the success of the meeting, and his prayers and exhortations, accompanied with his tears, were beyond description, and with some persons, more thoughtful than others, they were almost too good to be real, and amongst those was our good old brother, Geo. Guyer, our pastor. In his quiet way he said he thought the man was no novice in religious matters, but had been there before, somewhere. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 39 He located in Clearfield and read law in Judge Barrett's office, and associated with us in our church worship regularly, but would not connect himself in membership. For nearly two years he lived a very correct life and made many friends, but in the fall of 1854 came his undoing and exposure. Rev. John Wood, of the United Brethren Church in Bradford township, came into the harness shop of Geo. W. Rheem, Sr., located upstairs where Charles Irwin's store now stands, to have some repairing done to a riding bridle, and whilst waiting on his work asked Mr. Rheem whether he would object to him seeing Mr. Ferguson in his shop, for the purpose of exposing his past life, as he was a bad man and was no doubt planning for something bad in Clearfield. Mr. Rheem was astonished at such a statement, but gave his consent for an interview, and while Mr. Ferguson was being located, Mr. Wood said he was an impostor and was an expelled preacher from his Church, and that his real name was Albert Davis, and he would so greet him, and wanted his movements watched closely. In a short time Mr. Ferguson, having been notified that he was wanted, came upstairs leisurely and at the landing Mr. Wood met him and said, "How do you do, Albert?" Ferguson, without any apparent confusion, said, "That is not my name, sir. I guess you have gotten the wrong man." Mr. Wood said, "No, I am right," and asked him to take a seat, and then said, "Albert, how are your wife and children getting along?" "I have no family. I was never married." "Yes," said Mr. Wood ; "they are now in the poor house in Wheeling, Va." ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 40 "Albert, do you preach any now?" said Mr. Wood. "Why no, I never did preach." "You know who I am, Albert ?" "No, I never saw you before." "Yes, you know me. Albert, how did you lose that eye?" "I lost it in the Mexican War by the explosion of a shell in battle." "Albert, those were splendid revival meetings you and I held out in Greene county a few years ago. You remember them ?" "You are mistaken in me. I never took part in such meetings." "How long were you in Tennessee after being expelled from our Church?" "I never saw Tennessee." Then turning to Mr. Rheem, Mr. Wood said: "This man is not telling the truth. His real name is Albert Davis, not Jas. Ferguson. He was my assistant in Greene county, Pa., and was a splendid preacher. He knows me very well. He never saw Mexico; his little sister put out his eye with a table fork in a little quarrel. He was guilty of the grossest immorality, for which he was silenced as a preacher and was expelled from our Church. He went down to Tennessee and joined the Baptist Church, and for his immorality there was driven from among them; and he will do you some harm here if he has a chance." Ferguson said: "Now, Mr. Wood, you are doing me great injustice and are certainly mistaken in your man. And as it is now my dinner time, come and take dinner with me at the Mansion House." They went away together, but in a short time Mr. Wood returned and ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 41 said: "Ferguson has confessed to me all I said was true, and made me every offer in his power if I would come and say I was mistaken. I am going to Curwensville, and he wants to ride up with me, but I will not ride with him, for I am afraid of my life. I am located in Bradford township and will be there for the balance of the Conference year, and you can call on me at any time for further information. I will not wait for dinner." Ferguson left town that afternoon and we heard from him shortly after from Ridgway, where he affiliated with the Catholic Church. One day he disappeared, and so did the silver service of the Church, and he has never been heard of since. For our encouraging him in his apparent religious life our Church was very severely criticised, but probably did us no real harm. The week night prayer meetings were for many years held at private houses on Thursday evening of each week, circulating among different families, and were well attended and always very spiritual meetings, the leaders changing each night. The condition of our town was not such as to induce persons to be found on the streets very much after dark. The pavements were generally made of two-inch planks laid lengthwise, and frequently the nails that held down the ends would rust off, and the ends of the planks would tilt up, making splendid places to catch the foot and a first class fall was generally the result. There were no lights of any kind on the streets, and the light from the tallow candles shining through the window's was of no avail, and there were no street crossings and consequently after every hard rain getting from one side of the street to the other was a problem each person had to solve for himself. The town council did put down stepping stones at the court ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 42 [image] Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, 1904 image may be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism- clearfield/042.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 43 house corner, a foot apart, which were good for daylight, but the screams of the women when going over them at night indicated that they had just stepped between the stones, soiling dress and shoes to such an extent as to put them in a bad humor. And the reader of this will say, of course no person would go to church such nights as these. But they did, and it was a rare thing for the preacher not to have a full house and attentive hearers, and no obstacles were too great for an excuse to absent themselves from all services of the Church. All the services in the old Church on Cherry street were well attended, including the class meetings, which were held on Sunday afternoon. The morning class met at i i o'clock, alternating every other Sunday with the preaching service. These class meetings were sources of great help in the spiritual life of all who attended them. In the summer months the evening services of Sunday were held at 5 o'clock in the evening. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 44 CHAPTER III New Washington and Karthaus having been cut off from the circuit in 1850, the work was considered too great and further divisions were suggested for the action of the Annual Conference. Caledonia, in Elk, was made a mission in 1852. Glen Hope received their first preacher, P. B. Smith, in 1855. Clearfield and Centre and Curwensville were made into a circuit in 1855, with A. M. Barnitz as pastor. In 1855 Philipsburg Circuit was formed, which took in Philipsburg and surrounding towns and Bradford township, with Charles Cleaver and W. M. Showalter as pastors. Here we note the death of Rev. Adam Haughenberry. His last appointment was made by Bishop Ames at the Annual Conference held in Baltimore, March 1st, 1853, to Clearfield Circuit, with R. A. Bathurst as assistant. The parsonage was in Clearfield, on north side of Walnut street, two doors west of Third street, the property of James T. Leonard, and the house is still standing. There was a scourge of typhoid fever in Bradford township in the years 1854 and 1855, and this being part of his work he contracted the disease soon after Conference and lingered along until the 28th of August, when he died a triumphant death, of which these few lines are a copy of his obituary taken from the Conference Minutes by W. L. Spottswood: "He asked some brethren present to sing. They sang the first three verses of the hymn ""I would not live alway." He said there is another verse, and they sang it. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 45 "He exclaimed, 'What music is that I hear? Don't you hear it? Why, it is the angels who are singing.' He said to his wife, 'I am going home.' He clapped his hands and shouted, 'I have the victory. All is well,' and in a little while he slept in Jesus." Those of us who remember him can speak of him as a man of marked natural ability and if he had lived would have become a leader in the ministry. He died at the age of thirty years and four months. His body lies in the new cemetery in Clearfield, Pa., and care is taken of the ground. Rev. A. M. Barnitz succeeded Adam Haughenberry in 1854, and his services were highly appreciated. He was a good singer as well as a good preacher. The fever, still raging in Bradford township, was the cause of the death of Geo. W. Rheem, Sr., August loth, 1855; a very valuable member and class leader in the Church. He was always ready to visit the sick and after attending a meeting at Dale's Church, in Bradford township, he, with old Father Dale, visited some of the families that were suffering with the fever, and it not being considered contagious, as it now is, they had no fear of it; but he was fatally stricken with it and after lingering nine days, he died, August loth, 1855. He was one of the singers in Bro. Haughenberry's death chamber. It was thought advisable to employ a sexton to attend to the Church, instead of depending on volunteer service, and the sum of ten dollars per year was considered a fair compensation for the service, and it was so agreed on and paid regularly at the end of the year, and George W. Rheem, Jr., was the first sexton at that salary. Clearfield and Centre and Curwensville now being a separate charge, the names of some of the older members ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 46 at Clearfield, who were looked upon as leaders, were John Moore, exhorter and class leader; Joseph Jones, exhorter; Geo. W. Rheem, Sr., class leader; and their wives; John W. Shugart and wife, Joshua Tate and wife, Wm. Tate and wife, Samuel Tate and wife, Isaac Southard, Joseph Goon and wife, Mrs. Wm. Radebaugh, Mrs. Jonathan Boynton, Mrs. Wm. Jones and Lewis R. Carter. Of course there were many others interested in all the affairs of the Church and were faithful, but those named were the leaders. It may not be out of place to say that they were of varied temperaments, whilst all of them were loyal Methodists, a few of them would defend Methodism against all attacks in a very belligerent way and possibly do more harm than good, especially when they would get into controversy with any defender of the Calvinistic faith, which frequently occurred, and these had no very warm feeling for the doctrine of free salvation as taught and believed by Methodists, then and now, and the controversies were frequently very warm, and they were never of any practical good and as much fault could be found with one side as the other. Especial mention might be made of one of the exhorters, Joseph Jones, as an example of extreme selfishness. He was a man who lived by sight and not by faith, and in any Church enterprise, whether paying quarterage or any benevolence, he would never pay unless he could see somehow or other he could get it back in kind, and he was not exceedingly careful in business transactions but always kept Jones to the front, and one such transaction was his undoing. He took advantage of his license as an exhorter and would sometimes take a text and preach a sermon. He moved into the country near town on a small farm, and as a farmer he bought the contents of a barnyard from ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 47 a neighbor farmer and in removing it he dug up an iron crowbar which the farmer had lost, and contended very vigorously that it should not be taken away; but Jones thought otherwise and carried it away. A short time after he was preaching, and the neighbor farmer was in the congregation, and Jones in closing up his sermon, wondering whether any other arguments could be offered, exclaimed : "And what more shall I say," repeating "What more shall I say," when the old German called out in his broken English, "Why Chones, shust say crowbar and then sit down." Of course Jones sat down. His license was revoked and, thinking he could make more money by some worldly calling, he went to selling whisky, and from that to worse, and after living an abandoned life in other places he came back to Clearfield and died in Philipsburg, a miserable wretch. He ought never to have been licensed as an exhorter, as he never was a credit to the Church nor of any value. In 1856 Rev. John W. Elliott was sent to serve us as a pastor and occupied the parsonage in Curwensville, which had just been bought, and he died there January 19th, 1857. We were now, in 1855, in the Bellefonte District, with John Poisal as Presiding Elder. He was a beautiful singer as well as a fine preacher. The circuit bought a parsonage in Curwensville for the sum of $850, being the first one owned at any time by the circuit. Curwensville agreed to pay $500 and Clearfield and Centre $350, all of which was promptly paid, and this was used as a parsonage until the separation between Clearfield and Curwensville, and then by them until they built one on the ground adjoining the Church. At this time it was estimated that the amount required 4 ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 48 [images] Rev. Geo. Berkstresser, 1850. Rev. Jos. S. Lee, 1839. images may be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism-clearfield/048.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 49 to cover all expenses of this new circuit would be $607.00, which was apportioned as follows: Curwensville, $250.00 Clearfield, 250.00 Centre, 75.00 Collections, 32.00 $607.00 The missionary contributions from this circuit were $25.30. We are called on to record the death of Rev. Jno. W. Elliott, which occurred in Curwensville on the 19th of January, 1857. His disease was typhoid fever and for ten weeks he was a great sufferer, and owing to the depressing nature of his disease he was a great sufferer mentally. At times his reason was dethroned and doubts and fears as to his future were a great torture to him, but in the final struggle God graciously gave him the victory over all his doubts and fears and he clapped his hands in great peace in his death. His body was laid away in the Curwensville cemetery, January 21st, 1857, to await the resurrection of the just. At the first Quarterly Conference held in Clearfield in 1857 (no date given), the trustees of the Curwensville Church asked permission to sell their lot and building, which was granted. By action of the General Conference, the Baltimore Conference was divided and the East Baltimore Conference was formed, of which we became a part, and in 1858 we were placed in the Juniata District, with Geo. Guyer as Presiding Elder, and Thos. Barnhart preacher in charge. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 50 In 1859 Rev. W. Lee Spottswood was appointed to this circuit. Prior to this his circuit had been Bedford. In his book, "Brief Annals," some interesting incidents concerning Clearfield and Curwensville occur and will be read with pleasure. A short time before the Annual Conference the Presiding Elder, Guyer, said to Mrs. Spottswood, "Sister, where would you like to go next year?" She answered, "Anywhere but to Clearfield and Curwensville." She had formed her opinion of the citizenship of these places by the rough appearance of the raftsmen as she had seen them in other places in the rafting season in the spring. But the next time the Elder met her after the Conference was in the parsonage in Curwensville, and by the way, she was among the finest women that ever graced a Methodist parsonage. He describes his start for and arrival in Clearfield as follows: "We started on our journey from Bedford, spent the night at Tyrone, left in the morning over miserable roads. At Bald Eagle a fellow opened the door of the stagecoach and shouted, `Hip, Hip, Hoora! I'm one of your drinkin', swearin' kind.' See here, stranger,' said a passenger inside, `we've got a preacher in here, and there's to be no swearing in this coach; if you swear we will pitch you out head foremost." That ended the swearing. Drag, drag, drag, through the mud. We dined at Philipsburg at 4 o'clock. Far on in the watches of the night we gained the top of the hill overlooking Clearfield. Some one said there's Oldtown. My wife inquired, `How far is it to Clearfield?' The gentleman said, `Oldtown is Clearfield.' Dragging along through Market street we heard a cheery voice, 'Aleck, have you the Methodist preacher on board? "Yes." Well, just drive around to ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 51 our house' (on Third street). And when the stage stopped a young man with his pants stuffed in his boots and a lantern in his hand (he had been wading through the mud), met us at the coach door. It was George W. Rheem. He gave us a hearty welcome and so did his mother, with whom, and her deceased husband, Geo. W. Rheem, Sr., we had been well acquainted in Carlisle. We were soon seated at a table groaning with a generous supply of good things to which we all did ample justice with a relish which hunger alone can give." It was the fashion in those days for men to wear heavy shawls in place of overcoats. Good old Sister Welch at Centre, had a sharp controversy on the propriety of men wearing them. She was told that the new preacher wore one. She would not believe it, but if he did she would not hear him preach. "But alas for me, Bro. Jonathan Boynton had searched all of Philadelphia for one large enough for me, and finding it, presented it to me, and at my next appointment I walked into the Church wearing it, and true to her threat, the dear old saint jumped up and hastened out of the Church, with mingled sorrow and reproof shown in her face. But a reconciliation came about later on." After serving two years as our pastor, he spoke of Clearfield and Curwensville as being one of his most pleasant charges in all his ministry. In February, 1860, the trustees of Curwensville Church reported the estimated cost of their new Church to be $4,800, and subscriptions for $4,360 were made. The Church was completed in 1862 and the whole cost was $9,000 and was dedicated in the early spring. Aquila Reese preached from John 13: 7 "what I do thou knowest sot now but thou shalt know hereafter." About this time an effort was being made in Clearfield ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 52 to build a church and $3,200 had been subscribed, but owing to the troubled condition of our country, caused by the Civil War, and a general stagnation of business, it was thought advisable to postpone further action until the return of peace. A charter of incorporation for the Clearfield Methodist Episcopal Church was granted by the court on the 29th day of September, 1860. The application was signed by fifteen male members of the Church as follows: Jos. B. McEnally, Geo. W. Rheem, Latimer R. Merrell, Z. Coston McCullough, Thos. J. McCullough, Wm. R. Brown, John W. Shugart, Wm. Tate, Jeff. Litz, John Moore, John Troutman, Joseph Goon, H. Bucher Swoope, J. Blake Walters and Richard B. Taylor, none of whom are now living except Geo. W. Rheem. The trustees named in the charter are John Moore, John W. Shugart, William Tate, Geo. W. Rheem and J. B. McEnally. Geo. W. Rheem is the only survivor. At a Quarterly Conference held in Clearfield, February 22nd, 1862. The trustees of Centre Church reported the completion of their Church at a cost of $1,200, and it was dedicated some time in the spring of that year and no record being made of it, Miss Ann Goodfellow furnished the following item: The pastor was Rev. Thos. D. Gotwalt, and the sermon was preached by Rev. Jos. S. Lee, who had been the Preacher in charge of the Circuit in 1839 and his text was from Haggai, 2nd chapter and 9th verse: "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of Hosts." This Church is still standing and is in constant use by the Methodist people. Rev. Thos. D. Gotwalt was sent in March, 1861, as ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 53 our pastor and the old plan of paying the pastor was changed and his salary was fixed at $641.00. Mr. Jonathan Boynton purchased from James T. Leonard, lots Nos. 61 and 62 in the borough plan, on the west side of South Second Street and conveyed them by deed, March 14th, 1863, to the Methodist Episcopal Church for the purpose of erecting thereon a church building at as early a date as possible. Inasmuch as the erection of a new Church at Clearfield had been abandoned to a future time, it was thought advisable to put the present one on Cherry Street in better repair. The walls were thoroughly cleaned and papered, all the wood treated to a thorough cleaning and painting. The ceiling kalsomined, the old wood stoves removed and a very large soft coal stove put in place, and a great change in the lighting system. The old tallow candles were abandoned and so were the old tin candelabra. Lard oil lamps hung on the ropes in groups of four each, and two large coal oil lamps on the pulpit gave such a brilliant light as to be almost dazzling, but the coal oil had to be used sparingly, as it was then selling at $1.50 and $2.00 per gallon. The neat appearance made by these changes made us feel as though we had gotten a new Church and we were well contented. In the years 1860 and 1861, the county commissioners were building the new court house and there being no hall of any kind to hold the courts, they applied to the trustees to rent the church for that purpose, and it was agreed to, but it is not known what amount of rent was paid. In those two years there were three persons tried for murder, John Cathcart, for the murder of his wife, whom he charged with breach of the marital relations and the ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 54 [images] Rev. Adam Haughenberry, 1853. Rev. George Guyer, 1852. images may be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism-clearfield/054.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 55 jury found him guilty of murder in the first degree and Judge Linn on the bench passed sentence of death on him, but he hung himself in the jail, thereby avoiding the legal penalty. James Hockenberry for shooting John Thompson at Lumber City, tried for murder, but as it was in a drunken fight, the jury rendered a verdict of murder in the second degree and he served a term in the Western Penitentiary. Mrs. Sarah Brenneman, tried for infanticide, but the evidence not being sufficient to find a verdict against her, she was acquitted. In 1863, the Civil War having been on for more than a year and a terrible state of feeling and unrest existing all over the country, Clearfield County was largely in the forefront of the turbulent ones. And the churches were not by any means free from disturbances. The preachers throughout the Methodist Churches in the county were without an exception, exceedingly loyal, but as much could not be said of all of its members. Rev. Leonard M. Gardner was the preacher in charge and one of the most outspoken in loyalty to the government in sermon and prayer and speech, so as to bring down on himself all sorts of abuse from the disloyel ones in the Church. He never resorted to discipline, but hoping for a better condition of things he bore it all patiently. We here append a letter written by himself giving some account of his pastorate. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 56 LETTER OF REV. L. M. GARDNER. Recollections of my Pastorate at Curwensville and Clearfield, 1863-64. York Springs, Pa., Jan. 10th, 1910. In March, 1863, the annual session of the East Baltimore Conference met in York, Pa., At its close I was appointed by the Bishop to Clearfield and Curwensville. On my return to Lock Haven, where I had spent the two previous years, we hastily packed up our household goods and prepared to start to our new home. The weather was yet very cold, the mountains covered with snow and the roads in a fearful condition. From Lock. Haven to Bellefonte we travelled in a hired conveyance. We had three children, one of which was not yet two years old. We reached Tyrone by railroad and spent: the night at a hotel. The next morning we took the cars again and went as far as Sandy Ridge, on the top of the mountain where the railroad then building terminated. Here all the passengers were transferred to a stage coach, which was overcrowded, to descend the mountain to Philipsburg. A gentleman, myself and wife, occupied one seat and each one held a child on their knees. In this condition through deep snow and slush, over corduroy bridges and through long stretches of mud roads, we rode in pain for seven miles. At Philipsburg we stopped for dinner, having yet to travel eighteen miles before reaching our destination. My wife was so exhausted that she could not endure a further-ride in the crowded stage coach that day. Fortunately for us, Gen. Patton, who had arrived in Philipsburg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 57 that morning, placed his private conveyance at my disposal. This was a happy relief to us and we rode over the Erie turnpike all afternoon in a comfortable carriage drawn by two little black ponies. Night closed in on us before we reached the end of our journey, and the last four miles had to be travelled in darkness. One incident of the journey we could never forget. When we reached the Susquehanna river and entered the bridge it was so dark we could not see the horses, but could hear the rush of the waters below. Trusting to their sagacity to keep the right course, we allowed them to move along at their own gait till we emerged at the other end. Before our dismal journey was ended, we found that we were passing along the road where at the right there was a steep hill and on the left the sound of water in the river. This gave us painful anxiety again, not knowing at what moment we might miss the road and meet with an accident. About 8 o'clock we halted in front of the hospitable Patton home, with the delightful consciousness that we were safe at our journey's end. The parsonage stood on the opposite side of the street and on the next morning we took possession of it and awaited the arrival of our goods. We found ourselves comfortably fixed in the centre of the town and were soon able to adapt ourselves to our new surroundings. The Civil War had been in progress for two years and was still raging with violence, and though far away from the scenes of conflict, the political passions of the people were excited to the highest degree. It required the utmost discretion on the part of the pastor to conduct the affairs of the church harmoniously amid the conflicting elements. Social intercourse with the people was of the ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 58 most agreeable kind, and during the two years spent on the charge, bonds of friendship were formed which have lasted through all subsequent life. At Curwensville, we had a large and substantial brick church with a bell tower in front. The audience room was finished in the best style for that date, and beneath it a large room was finished for prayer meeting and Sunday School and other services. This Church was located on the same ground where the beautiful Church now stands. At Clearfield the Church was a substantial frame building, sufficiently large to accommodate the congregation, which was not as large as at Curwensville. The third appointment was at Centre, located midway between the two towns. The plan of service was to preach at both towns alternately morning and evening, and at Centre in the afternoon every two weeks. Although the excitement of the war absorbed public attention the usual revival meetings were held at the different points and resulted in a number of conversions. It is worthy of notice that quite a number of young men belonging to the Church, or families connected with it, were in the army. I had a singular experience with some of these soldier parishioners. On the Sunday morning following the battle of Gettysburg, I was on the field on the first day's fight, while helping the wounded I looked into a dark corner underneath a large stone barn and asked if there were any men from Clearfield there, two or three voices replied immediately. When I came to them and inquired their names I found they were members of my Church. A pathetic scene followed. I might here state that one company of the celebrated Bucktail Regiment was recruited in Curwensville and the surrounding county and went to the front under the ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 59 command of Capt. Edward A. Irwin, a son of one of the elect ladies of our church. The facts here stated kept alive an interest in all the operations of the army. In the spring of 1864, when the armies began to move, several of the brethren called on me to say that they wanted some one from the community to go down to the army and render any service that could be done for the comfort of their boys and they concluded I was the proper person to go and I at once consented and a few days afterward the Church bells were rung and the people were called together. I made an appeal in behalf of the Christian Commission and received a contribution of $825.00. Leaving home the next morning, I went to Philadelphia and received a commission from Geo. H. Stewart, the president of the commission, and then proceeded to Fredericksburg, Va. Here I remained in the hospital work for a week and then was sent forward to the front. Here I came in contact with the Clearfield men again and remained with them until the army crossed the James river. During my absence of seven weeks there was no preaching in any of the Churches on my charge, but on my return the routine of service was resumed. The two winters I remained in Clearfield County were unusually severe. The snow in the forests was not less than five feet deep. During the intensely cold weather the river would be frozen over and I often went to Clearfield and back home on my skates. In the summer, when the roads were,- good, I preferred to walk and visit the families along the road. It is needless to say that I never received more generous hospitality or liberal treatment from any people I have served than the people of this charge. From the ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 60 [images] Rev. John W. Elliott, 1856. Rev. Alex. M. Barnitz, 1855. images may be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism-clearfield/060.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 61 beginning to the end of my ministry there they gave me every evidence of appreciation. It might seem invidious to mention some persons and omit others in this narrative, but friendship and gratitude compel me to mention a few. Gen. John Patton was a man of rare worth to the Church and community. Prominent in public life, successful in business, liberal in his benefactions and genial in social intercourse, he was the constant and reliable friend of his pastor. His mother, grandma Patton, was a woman of astonishing energy and devotion to her family. Her daughter, Mrs. Jane Irwin, was the intimate friend and generous supporter of the pastor's wife and family. Judge Thompson, with his large family, steady and regular in his religious duties. Sister McDowell, plain and simple hearted and distinguished for her personal interview with President Lincoln, concerning her son. Dr. Thompson, who watched over the health of the pastor's family. Jackson Robinson, a local preacher. William Dale, gentle and kind hearted. Father Ross and his wife, who always cheered the pastor by their presence in the Sanctuary. Jacob Cole, a singer in Israel, meek and humble, whose son was killed in the army near the close of the war. Besides these, there were many worthy of mention. At Clearfield, Jonathan Boynton and wife, both gentle of manner and kind to the pastor and liberal to the Church. Their three children were yet in their youth and it was an ideal home. Jos. B. McEnally, son of a Methodist preacher, gentle of disposition and firm in his devotion to the cause of God. George W. Rheem, quiet and unobtrusive, but firm as a rock in his attachment to the Church, one of those men you could always depend upon to be in his place ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 62 to perform his duty. H. Bucher Swoope, a lawyer by profession and a brilliant orator, with exhorter's license he frequently preached with delight and profit to all who heard him. John Moore, a plain old Methodist, ready to pray whenever called upon, and shout when he received a blessing. John W. Shugart, firm and steady. Along the river at Clearfield the Hon. Wm. Foley's family, the mother a model Christian woman. Her daughter, Honora, became the wife of Gen. John Patton. Another daughter, Clara, became the wife of James H. McCord, a Methodist preacher and a member of the Central Pennsylvania Conference. At Centre, Philip Antes, Alexander Caldwell and his estimable wife were the leaders in Church work. Their homes always welcomed the preacher. At the Conference held in Danville, March, 1865, I was transferred to the Exeter Street Church in Baltimore. Our departure from Curwensville was attended with some of the inconveniences of our going there. The snow was deep and we had to travel by private conveyance as far as Philipsburg. On the day before our leaving, a heavy rain set in and continued all night. The snow began to melt and the streams to rise rapidly. Before we reached Philipsburg the flood had overflowed the Moshannon Creek and by the time our wagon load of household goods arrived they could scarcely cross the stream. I made a short visit to Clearfield and Curwensville a few days after removing and then, after an absence of forty years, I paid them a visit. What wondrous changes had taken place in those intervening years. The grand pine and hemlock forests had been almost swept away. The whole region had been permeated by railroads. Coal mines were visible everywhere. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 63 Large manufacturing plants had sprung up in every direction, the population of the towns multiplied. All that capital could do in improving the architecture of the towns and introducing the most modem conveniences of life had been done. The wand of commercial prosperity had been waved over the country and riches seemed to flow as a river in the midst. The Churches shared in the prosperity. My pastorate had been divided in three separate appointments. At Curwensville, a large and magnificent Church, with all modem improvements stands on the same spot as the former one. The society is large and liberal, and is now regarded as one of the best stations in the Conference. I had the privilege of preaching in its pulpit and was gratified to be greeted by so many people who remembered me after a lapse of forty years. At Clearfield, where I spent a day, they are building a Church much larger than the old one. It is Cathedral within and without. I write this narrative in my 79th year. I have been for many years on the superannuated list. Memory often reviews the scenes of the past and as the sun of life is setting with me, I indulge the blessed hope of a happy reunion with all those over whom I have exercised a pastoral care and from no field of labor do I expect to greet again in the better land more faithful and devoted saints than those to whom I ministered in holy things in Curwensville and Centre and Clearfield." He was followed by Rev. David S. Monroe, who thought the disturbers had been dealt too leniently with, and we place a short extract of a letter from him as to the course he pursued with them. "On entering my work in Clearfield and Curwensville, I found about forty of the members in Clearfield neglect- 5 ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 64 ing all of our services and out of sympathy with the Union cause. After several conversations with their leader, I said to him in July, 1865, I don't want any of you to leave the Church, nor do we want to interfere with your politics, but I do insist that you attend to your Church duties and quit abusing the Church and the preachers. And I will give you until September 1st to decide whether you will resume your duties, or withdraw from the Church or stand a trial. At the end of the time they said we will not withdraw as we cannot enjoy ourselves in any other Church. I said then I will preach here next Sunday evening, and will expect to see you there and they all came and the trouble was ended. The following year we had a glorious revival and everything was at peace." There did not exist at this time the most cordial relations among the Churches and during revival services the children and young persons of other Churches were not generally allowed to attend them. During the revival spoken of above by Dr. Monroe, he was prevented by his buggy breaking down, from getting here at all one evening, and whilst we were considering what had best be done, the Presbyterian minister, Rev. J. M. Galloway, came in, and we went to him and asked him to open our meeting, but he very promptly said, "No, I am only here as a spectator," and refused to assist us in any way. We carried on the meeting without a preacher and had a good time of it. This sort of a feeling gradually wore away and when Rev. John G. Archer came to serve the Presbyterian congregation his disposition was to be exceedingly friendly and it was the beginning of better times, which have continued all along these years. At a memorial service ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 65 held in the court house on account of his sad death on the railroad, a universal sadness prevailed in all the Churches. In 1867 the desire for a new Church came to both Methodist and Presbyterian congregations, and the cordial relations between both churches was manifested in the interest each took in the other, and whilst the expense incident to such work was heavy on both sides, the Presbyterian people were among the best contributors toward our building. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 66 [images] Rev. W. Lee Spottswood, D. D., 1859. Rev. Thos. Barnhart, 1857. images may be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism-clearfield/066.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 67 CHAPTER IV At the Quarterly Conference held at Curwensville, June 5th, 1867, it was "Resolved, that the trustees of the Church at Clearfield, be authorized to proceed to the erection of the Church at once." This action was taken in response to the action of Clearfield trustees who, on January 5th, 1866, had taken preliminary steps by appointment of committees to solicit subscriptions and to purchase the ground on the Mitchell road, south of town and all the tools suitable for brick making from D. G. Nivling. The ground and tools were purchased for the sum of $1,500. Thos. J. McCullough was authorized to solicit subscriptions. January 11th, the president and treasurer and secretary of the board of trustees were appointed to make arrangements to have the wood on the grounds cut up to be used for burning the bricks to be made, and here it may be said that the able bodied men of the Church resolved themselves into a committee for the wood cutting and in the early spring met on the ground and cut nearly enough wood to burn the required number of bricks for the building. Plans for the Church were received from Henry Baird, of Williamsport, to correspond with the Mulberry Methodist Episcopal Church, which he had built in that city and these plans were nearly followed in this building. Jonathan Boynton and J. B. McEnally were appointed to act with T. J. McCullough, in soliciting subscriptions. March 26th, John Troutman, president and Geo. W. Rheem, secretary, made a contract with John Hartman, ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 68 of Hollidaysburg, to make and burn 500,000 bricks for the sum of seven dollars per thousand, kiln count to be paid in certain sums as the work progressed, the trustees to furnish all lumber for drying sheds and all tools needed and all moulding sands, and one horse to run the clay tempering machine. The whole contract to be completed in the year 1866. Hartman commenced the work early in the spring and was a good workman and thoroughly understood the work, but unfortunately proved himself to be a drinking man and by frequent sprees greatly neglected his work and by November had only moulded 250,000 bricks and none burned. The trustees then took the contract out of his hands, very much against his will, he having failed in all his promises to complete the work. Mr. John H. Fulford was sent to Philipsburg to find a man to set and bum the bricks already moulded and secured the services of Moses Mayer to do so, which was done in December Contracts were made with Jas. B. Graham to deliver all the rough lumber required in the erection of the Church for the sum of $13.50 per M on the grounds and with A. L. Ogden for stone for foundation at $2.00 per perch. The building committee was authorized to select a suitable person to superintend the building of the Church and they made arrangements with R. B. Taylor to procure material and employ all workmen needed on the work, all to be submitted to the trustees for their approval, and he to receive the sum of $5.00 per day for all the time he may be actually employed in the work. The committee reported that they had sold the brick yard, including all sheds and tools and wood on the ground for the sum of $800, to Mr. William W. Betts, ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 69 and also agreed with him that he should furnish enough bricks to complete the building for the sum of $10 per thousand at the kiln. The building was estimated to cost $16,000, all completed, but when it was under roof the cost was almost up to the whole estimate and the subscriptions were not nearly up to it, but Mr. Jonathan Boynton told us to go ahead and he would loan us all the money we needed and we did so, although he had already advanced $4,040, and collecting all we could, only the basement was completed. So great was the anxiety on the part of the members to avoid a heavy debt that nearly all of the subscribers doubled their subscriptions, and the work went on during the summer and by the time the basement was finished and the furnishings placed, we had a debt of $3,300 to provide for. Saturday, April 7th, 1867, a very sad thing occurred to one of the members of our Sunday school, Alice Foley, resulting in her death by drowning. The family home was in the house now owned by N. McQuillan, on the river bank on South Second Street. She and Annie Barrett were playing on a raft tied up in front of their house and by some mishap, she fell into the river, which was very high, and the alarm being given, her father jumped into his boat, but could not catch up with her, and her mother ran frantically down the river shore, hoping in some way to save her, as her clothing kept her body on the surface, and she floated along nearly to the intersection of Front and Second Streets, there Mr. Gus Leavy, ran into the river to save her, but did not succeed. Her body sank under the water. Every possible effort was made to recover the body without success until eight days after, when it was found by John McClellan, near the shore at the big maple tree, nearly ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 70 in front of property now owned by Singleton Bell. The funeral services were held from the home of her parents on Monday, April 16th, conducted by Rev. Asbury Guyer, who had just entered on his work as pastor of the circuit. The Central Pennsylvania Conference met first in 1868. The work of the basement in its furnishings was very neat, and consisted of heavy cocoa matting in the vestibule and class rooms and aisles and in and around the altar. Four large gas chandeliers, of four lamps each and two bracket lamps on wall at the pulpit. A neat pulpit and altar rail and pews and a good library case in one of the class rooms. Everything being new and woodwork nicely grained in light oak, was very much admired. We then had a membership of one hundred and twenty. Those of us who had enjoyed the fine old- fashioned religious services in the old Cherry Street Church, and to many of whom the record of a new birth within its walls could not be forgotten, moved from it to the new, not without a certain degree of sadness, glad, however, that we had been so fortunate as to secure such a comfortable Church home and which promised a great future for Methodism in Clearfield and in which we can happily say we were not disappointed. The time for the dedication being fixed for November 15th, 1868, arrangements were made for it by securing the services of the Rev. Wm. Harden, of Baltimore, to be with us to assist our pastor, A. W. Guyer. The choirs of the other Churches joined with ours to assist in the singing. Up until this time we never had any instrument of music in our Church, but Mrs. Geo. W. Rheem very kindly placed her melodeon at our disposal and Miss Bertha Wright (now Mrs. E. A. Bigler) of the Presby- ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 71 terian Church, played it for us during the service of the dedication, and it added greatly to the music of the combined choirs which was very fine. Rev. Wm. Harden took charge of the services, assisted by Rev. Asbury W. Guyer and Wm. H. Dill, and preached the sermon after which he managed the finances, and in a very short time secured all the money and subscriptions to provide for the $3,300 of our indebtedness. The matter of dividing the three charges on the Circuit, Curwensville, Centre and Clearfield had been talked of unofficially, and at the fourth Quarterly Conference held at Curwensville, February 15th, 1869, the following resolutions were offered: "Whereas, the membership of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Curwensville, have voted unanimously at a meeting of said membership in favor of a division of this charge, and ask that they be supplied with a preacher the coming year, and instruct the official members for said division. Therefore, resolved, that we, as a Quarterly Conference, ask for a division, making Curwensville a separate charge or station embracing the Centre appointment. "Clearfield, February 11th, 1869, at the meeting of the Methodist Episcopal congregation, at Clearfield, the following resolution was adopted, 'Resolved, that as members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Clearfield, in the Curwensville and Clearfield charge we deem a division of the charge as inexpedient at this time.' "Signed by "GEO. W. RHEEM, Secy., "J. B. McENALLY, Prest." Bro. J. H. Fleming moved for the adoption of the resolution from Curwensville and upon the vote being taken, ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 72 [images] Rev. Leonard M. Gardner, 1863 Rev. Thos. D. Gotwalt, 1861. images may be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism-clearfield/072.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 73 the ayes and nays were as follows: From Curwensville, John Patton, Jacob Cole, Jackson Robinson, Daniel Livingston, Wm. Ten Eyck, Sr., Wm. Ten Eyck, Jr., Abram Gates, Jos. R. Irwin, Saml. Arnold, Jas. H. Fleming. From Centre, Alex Caldwell, Philip Antes, Benj. H. Caldwell. From Clearfield, Jos. B. McEnally, John W. Shugart, Geo. W. Gearhart, Latimer R. Merrell and Geo. W. Rheem. All voted aye and John Moore, of Clearfield naye. It was resolved that a copy of the proceedings in relation to the division of our charge be sent to Bro. Spottswood, our presiding elder. The following Annual Conference held at Danville, March 10th being so notified by the presiding elder, made no objection to the division and created Clearfield a separate station and appointed Wm. H. Dill as preacher in charge, and his salary was fixed at $1,000 by the Quarterly Conference. The board of school directors made us an offer of purchasing our old Church for the sum of $1,800, and on August ist, 1869, the trustees agreed to the proposal, the directors to pay the sum of $1,000 on the 1st day of November and the balance in two equal annual payments, with interest from that date and the president and secretary were authorized to article with them on those terms. The tower of the Church being built only as far as the brickwork, it was thought advisable to build the spire, and on October 21st, 1869, at a meeting of the trustees, a proposal was handed in from Jacobs and Sharrah, from Hollidaysburg, to build the spire for the sum of $1,000, the trustees to find all the materials necessary for its completion. The president and secretary were authorized to contract with them on those terms and Richard B. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 74 Taylor was authorized to purchase the necessary lumber and materials for its construction. After its frame work was set up, it was concluded to add twenty more feet to its height and the amount agreed on for this was $100 additional. The spire was completed in the summer of 1870. Reuben and Linn McPherson donated all the sawed lumber for the spire. August 10th, 1870, a meeting of the trustees was held at the office of Jos. B. McEnally and it was unanimously agreed upon to finish the auditorium and complete the whole building. Rev. James H. McCord, W. H. Dill and Latimer R. Merrell were appointed to solicit subscriptions, and Jonathan Boynton, John W. Shugart and Geo. W. Rheem to secure the services of a proper person to superintend the work to its completion, and they employed Richard B. Taylor at four dollars per day. The work was commenced at once and pushed to a rapid completion and all was done December 31st, 187o. Prior to this Mr. Jonathan Boynton was authorized to secure the services of Bishop Ames and Chaplain Chas. C. McCabe, to be with us on January 7th, 1871, which was the time fixed for the dedication. The furnishings of the Church consisted of splendid solid walnut pews, best extra super ingrain carpet on the floor, elegant cushions for the seats, a splendid corona with thirty-two gas jets, suspended from the center of the ceiling, four ceiling bracket gas burners, with reflectors, and double gas jets at the pulpit, a large Smith's reed organ, a gallery in the rear end of auditorium, and the ceiling and walls beautifully frescoed. The stairs and vestibule covered with the best twilled cocoa matting. The furnishings, not including the pews, cost about $1,900. The frescoing was $350, the trustees to furnish all scaffolding. The pews were ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 75 estimated at $750, they having been made by the workmen in the Church. Saturday, January 6th, train arrived at 11 o'clock a. m., and Bishop Ames did not come and did not send any word why he could not come. This was a great disappointment as it was considered a great thing to have a bishop of the Church visit us. Chaplain McCabe arrived and was as much disappointed as we at the non-arrival of Bishop Ames. He consented to take the whole matter in hand and preach in the morning and take charge of the finances. A meeting of the male members was called for Saturday evening, in the basement, to meet Chaplain McCabe, to make arrangements for the services of the Sabbath. About twenty persons were present, and the statement of the finances being laid before the meeting, an indebtedness of $12,000 was reported, and the chaplain asked how we proposed raising so large a sum of money in so small a town, the population then being about 1,500. He said he had been looking around the town and had concluded it was a small place to raise such an amount, and that he could not undertake it hopefully unless those present would make their pledges $8,000. We, who were present, believed all had subscribed and paid up to their limit, Mr. Jonathan Boynton arose and said we owed him $4,000 borrowed money and he saw the situation, and would make that his subscription toward the $8,000 if we would raise the balance. We all admired his generosity, but he could do this infinitely easier than the rest of us could raise the balance. But the chaplain made a canvass to ascertain how much each person present had subscribed and paid and then he began to name the amount to each one what he thought or supposed they could pay and, ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 76 surprising as it seemed, nearly all present accepted his proposition, and in a very short time the whole amount was pledged. And we all went out of the room looking at each other, wondering whether it was all real or was it a sort of dream, but at any rate, we all felt good over it and hoped the balance might be secured on Sunday. Sunday morning of the 7th dawned on us with a foot of snow on the ground and still snowing and our hope for a good day and a large congregation seemed to vanish, but at the time for the service, we heard the sleighbells ringing in all directions, and from Philipsburg and Cur•ensville and all the little towns and surrounding country everybody seemed to be coming, probably to hear the bishop and the auditorium was crowded. The other Churches of the town closed their doors and their congregations met with us and the following preachers were present: C. C. McCabe, of Philadelphia; J. W. Langley, of Lock Haven; J. S. McMurray, P. E., H. S. Butler, Clearfield Presbyterian Church; L. N. Clark, New Washington; Cambridge Graham, Tuscarora; W. G. Ferguson, Curwensville; Jas. H. McCord, our pastor. The several church choirs of the town joined in singing, "Oh for a thousand tongues to sing." The first hymn was then announced and sung and then Rev. Cambridge Graham led in prayer. The second hymn was read by Rev. H. S. Butler. The sermon was preached by Chaplain McCabe, from the text, 4th chapter of Esther, part of the 14th verse, "Who knowest whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this." The sermon was appropriate to the occasion and appreciated by the congregation. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 77 After the sermon the building committee, J. Boynton, Jno. W. Shugart and Geo. W. Rheem made a statement of the finances and asked the congregation for $12,000 to provide for the debt. Chaplain McCabe managed this part of the service so successfully that by his pleasing manner and his fine singing, in less than one hour the sum of $12,200 was subscribed and all apparently without any great effort on his part. The entire cost of the building was $29,500, not including the value of the lots. In the afternoon the Sunday Schools of the town and Lick Run met and were addressed by Rev. H. S. Butler, Cambridge Graham, C. C. McCabe and John Patton. The evening service was opened by the choir singing a voluntary. First hymn announced by Rev. W. G. Ferguson, who also led in prayer. Second hymn by Rev. J. W. Langley. The sermon was delivered by him from the text, 13th verse of the 68th Psalm, "Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold." After the sermon the Church was dedicated by Rev. J. S. McMurray, to the service of Almighty God. Chaplain then sang some of his favorite hymns, much to the delight of the congregation. The following resolutions were offered by Jas. B. McEnally, on behalf of the membership of the Church. "Resolved, that the thanks of this Church are especially due to Bro. Jonathan Boynton, not only for the valuable gift of the lots on which this Church is erected, but also for his generous contributions in money by which success was made sure. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 78 [images] Rev. Asbury W. Guyer, 1867. Rev. David S. Monroe, D. D., 1865 images may be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism-clearfield/078.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 79 "Resolved, that we also gratefully acknowledge our obligations to the people of our town, not belonging to this congregation, and to many elsewhere, who have assisted us so liberally in the erection of our Church and whose contributions have greatly aided and encouraged us in its erection. Resolved, that the trustees enter these resolutions upon their records as expressive of the sense of the congregation constituting this Church." Here it may be well to say that Mr. Jonathan Boynton's subscriptions and donations of the lots to the Church reached the sum of fourteen thousand dollars. This was only following up other contributions of less amounts. He was always a great friend of the Church prior to his connecting himself with it in the pastoral term of W. L. Spottswood in 1859, and in his home in connection with his estimable wife, the itinerant Methodist preacher always found a hearty welcome. In every laudable enterprise of the Church, both at home and abroad, Mr. Boynton's benefactions were never withheld, and his great anxiety to keep the Church out of debt has made it possible for us to be what we are from a financial standpoint. Whilst he was not a demonstrative man in his religious life, he always rejoiced over the spiritual successes in our Church. He was elected trustee in 1866 and continued on the board until his death in 1905, at the advanced age of 95 years, at which time he suddenly died in Atlantic City, N. J. February 23rd, 1872, at a meeting of the trustees, the question of securing a parsonage was brought up and Aaron C. Tate, Jno. W. Shugart and Geo. W. Rheem were appointed to secure a suitable house for a parsonage. Mr. Jonathan Boynton then made a proposition to the trustees that if they would collect all old subscriptions due 6 ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 80 on the Church building and pay off the Church debt, he would make them a deed for the house and lot on the corner of Third and Walnut Streets, then occupied by A. F. Boynton, on the receipt of $800 cash on the 1st day of November, 1872. The proposition was held for further consideration. The committee rented the adjoining house owned by S. McEwen from Thos. H. Murray, at a rental of $14 per month, for as long a time as we needed it. March 4th, 1872, the trustees accepted the proposal of Mr. Boynton and Daniel W. McCurdy, Wm. H. Dill, R. B. Taylor and Geo. W. Rheem were appointed to collect old subscriptions, and A. C. Tate, L. R. Merrell and Reuben McPherson to solicit subscriptions to raise the $800 to pay for the parsonage. Rev. A. Duncan Yocum succeeded Rev. J. H. McCord and served as pastor from 1872 to 1874. November 2nd, 1872, by invitation of Mr. Boynton, the trustees met in the evening at the parsonage, and after partaking of a sumptuous repast, he said the proposal he had made to make a deed of the parsonage on the payment of $800 had been complied with, he would now present the deed for it free from all incumbrances and in addition, would present to them the entire lot of furniture. Jos. B. McEnally on the part of the trustees, received the deed at the hands of Mr. Boynton and expressed their thanks for his thus placing in the hands of the trustees at a nominal price the property to be hereafter known as the parsonage of Clearfield station. January 12th, 1873, some persons in Woodland, being anxious to make that village a preaching appointment under the control of the Quarterly Conference at Clearfield, Rev. Jacob S. McMurray, P. E., authorized Wm. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 81 H. Dill to take the matter into consideration and he met them in a school house and organized a society there with Jos. F. Anderson, now one of our preachers, as a full member, Henry Albert, a probationer. At the Annual Conference held in Chambersburg, March 5th, 1873, this appointment was recognized and Wm. H. Dill was sent as the Pastor. At the first Quarterly Conference, held May 26th, he reported Henry Albert, John A. Thompson, Milton A. Meredith and Rachel E. Pearce, as probationers and Jos. F. Anderson, Daniel Ross, Sarah Ross, Isabella Ross, Elizabeth Lawhead and Nancy Thompson, as full members. During the year a new Church was built, and on Sunday, November 2nd, was dedicated as Dill chapel. Bishop Thos. Bowman, preaching in the morning and Chaplin McCabe in the evening. Bishop Bowman preached in the Clearfield Methodist Episcopal Church in the evening. A few years later this Church was set on fire and was burned down, but was rebuilt soon after. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 82 CHAPTER V The West Clearfield Church, lying so near to us, it will be a matter of interest to them to know something of their first Church enterprise, and we copy nearly all of a letter sent by Rev. "Martin L. Ganoe, the preacher in charge of the Circuit. July 10, 1909. "Dear Bro. Rheem: Since receiving your letter concerning West Clearfield, I have been rummaging for figures and facts, when I was sent to the Circuit in 1872, it consisted of Centre, Mt. Joy, Wolf Run, Shawsville, Goshen, Congress Hill, the Knobs or Gillingham. When I went there my instructions from Presiding Elder J. S. McMurray were to drop Wolf Run and build a Church in West Clearfield, which at this time was a promising village. Our membership at Wolf Run had run down to less than a dozen. At our first intimation of building at West Clearfield, Washington Fulton removed the membership of his family to Clearfield. Bro. Wm. Mapes stuck to me, the only help I had, and I obtained permission of the school directors and preached in the West Clearfield school house and when it became publicly understood that I was aiming at a permanent occupation of the field, I was refused the school house any longer. This was just what was needed, and the people at once started a subscription which reached $631, with this and just one member, Bro. Mapes, I proceeded to buy a lot for $400, and on this the Church was built, and in November, 1873, just three weeks after the failure of Jay Cooke & ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 83 Co., which spread financial havoc all over the country, the Church was dedicated. It cost in round numbers $4,000. Dr. I. C. Pershing, then president of Pittsburg Female College, gave me his services for which he charged me $100 taking all the cash of the day's collection. However, he did me princely service, raising $4,316.00. With the debt all provided for, our revival commenced at once, and in six weeks we had nearly one hundred conversions, most of whom joined our Church. The subscriptions to the building of the Church were sadly neglected, as I was removed to Gettysburg the next year, and for some years the Church lived under the shadow of the sheriff's hammer. Until the pastorate of C. W. Burnley, who, after a hard and persistent struggle, wrote me that the debt was all wiped out but $50 for which I at once sent my check. I forgot to say that soon after I went to the Circuit, Congress Hill was dropped out as there were no members there but Alxander Murray and wife. The Church building has been greatly improved in appearance in the, past two years. May 25th, 1874, there was a balance of indebtedness on Clearfield Church buildingn, owing to a shrinkage of $1,100 by unpaid subscription and interest all $2,766.89 and in view of the necessity of the debt having to be paid it was resolved to make another appeal to the congregation and to secure the services of Chaplain McCabe again, and D. W. McCurdy, Jno. M. Adams were appointed to arrange for a time and secure the services of Chaplain McCabe, which they did and June 28th to be the time, and the debt, consisting of the following items, was then stated : ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 84 [images] Rev. James H. McCord, 1870 Rev. William H. Dill, 1869 images may be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism- clearfield/084.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 85 First National Bank, $1,200.00 Clearfield County Bank, 600.00 H. F. Bigler & Co., 231.17 Bigler Young & Co., 32.32 Sackett & Schryver, 3.50 Gas Fixtures, &c., 700.00 $2,766.99 Here again Mr. J. Boynton's generosity was shown, he proposed to the Clearfield County Bank, if they would cancel their claim, he would pay the $1,200 due First National Bank, to which they agreed and there was but little trouble to raise the balance and we were soon free from debt without much effort on the part of Chaplain McCabe." In 1876 the Pennsylvania Railroad laid their track on Third Street and we were compelled to fill-up around the parsonage and raze and build a new pavement at a cost of $216.79. A committee had been appointed by the court to assess damages done to property along the line of the road and they awarded to the trustees $1,500. The railroad company was very much dissatisfied, and thought the award exorbitantly high, and the trustees agreed with them, and the company, through their counsel, Wallace and Krebs, offered to compromise by the payment of $800, which proposition was accepted by the trustees and Aaron C. Tate and Thos. H. Murray were appointed to settle with Wallace and Krebs for that amount. Rev. B. F. Stevens was our pastor 1875-1877 and there was nothing of special interest during his term. He was succeeded by Jacob S. McMurray in 1877, ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 86 whose pastorate was a very pleasant one and had good revivals, one especially, which continued for several weeks and during which time meetings were held every day at 1 o'clock, and they were very profitable meetings. During his term the Official Board authorized him to personally see some of our members whose lives were very inconsistent and who were never in attendance at any of the church services, and ask them to allow their names to be dropped from the church rolls or else attend to their duties better. A few such were dropped. To show the estimate which that kind place in each other, we note the following, without giving names. Two of our members were guilty of gross immorality, such as to have special notice taken of them. They were notified properly that they must either make acknowledgment before the congregatinon, or withdraw from the Church, or stand a trial. They consented to a withdrawal and in defense of the Church, Bro. McMurray was asked to announce their withdrawal publicly from the pulpit, which was done at a Sunday morning service. On Monday morning Mr. A. said to one of our official members: "Well, I heard my name was publicly announced as having withdrawn from the Church." "Yes," said the official, "it was." "Well," said Mr. A., "I would not have cared so much if it had not been done in connection with Mr. B." About one hour after this Mr. B. Called on the same official, and said : "Well, I understand my name was publicly announced as withdrawn." "Yes, it was," said the official. "Well," said Mr. B., "I would not have cared so much, but I don't like to have my name associated with Mr. A." Rev. Geo. Leidy succeeded Jacob S. McMurray on March 1st, 1880, serving three years. In a letter from ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 87 him, July 10th, 1909, he says: "An old debt of $900, the result of an accumulation of current expenses, faced us. At a meeting of the Trustees it was determined to wipe out the debt, and I was appointed to take the matter in hand and solicit 'contributions.' I said, I will commence right here, and before the meeting closed I had received enough to almost cover the debt. Next day I ran about a little and in a few hours secured the whole amount. I think my work among the children in training them in catechism study was as good a work as I ever did. I meet now in Mount Union, and many other places, grown up persons who speak of the good that had come to them through the lessons received then. "Of the men who constituted the Official Board I need not speak. You know them better than I. But never in any church was there a better set of men. What delightful social meetings were the regular official meetings of the Church. Bro. Jas. H. McGarrah, our Presiding Elder, often said that the Clearfield Quarterly Conference was a place of delightful rest to him, and without a break of any kind I left you to become in later years your Presiding Elder, and I was always glad when my work brought me to Clearfield. How the faces and forms of those men and women of God, who were so faithful to the interests of the Church, come up to me now. Many of them have gone up to the Church above, safe with Jesus, and it will not be long till we see them again, to be with them forever in the land of light." Bro. Leidy's pastorate was not without its sad occurrences. On the 28th day of December, 1880, Dr. D. 0. Crouch, of Curwensville, was buried, and having been a member of the lodge of Odd Fellows, some of the ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 88 members of the lodge at this place attended the funeral, and among them was our brother, Aaron C. Tate. It was an exceedingly cold day and the members of the fraternity walked up the hill to the cemetery, and it was thought the exertion of the walk, although he was apparently a strong man, and the cold were too great for him, and while the services were being conducted at the grave, he was standing at the head of it and suddenly fell to the ground dead. Quickly the news was flashed over the wires to his family and friends and a universal sadness prevailed in our town, for he was a man who had many friends, both here and elsewhere in the county, having served as prothonotary for six years-1869-1875. He was a member of the Board of Trustees from 1872 to 188o, at the time of his death. He served the Sunday School as a very efficient Secretary for several years. He connected himself with the Church here in 1869 by certificate from Bloomington, in the Lumber City Circuit, and was an active worker in the Church and a very liberal contributor to all its financial enterprises. Some of the members of our Church were reported to our pastor as being guilty of violating the rules of our Church as laid down in the discipline in the matter of dancing, and he at once took the matter up and visited the persons so accused and could not get their promise to give up the habit. He reported it to the Quarterly Conference, which body placed itself on record at a public official meeting held as the fourth Quarterly Conference, February 12th, 1881, by adopting the following preamble and resolutions, which we copy without comment from the record: "WHEREAS, We believe that the practice of dancing at public and private parties, balls and social gatherings, as ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 89 indulged in by some of our members, is a mischievous and pernicious practice, demoralizing to the individual, a great injury to the work and progress of the Church and also a gross violation of the Church discipline, and of the solemn vows voluntarily taken by us all as members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and positively unfitting all who participate in these dances from religiously discharging their duties to the Church and placing themselves before the community in the unenviable name of 'Dancing Christians,' thereby bringing a reproach on the Church. Therefore, "Resolved, by the Quarterly Conference Station in Conference Assembled, First. That we reaffirm our belief in, and our perfect accord with, the discipline of our Church, on this subject, which places dancing and attending dancing parties in the same list with horse racing, gambling and circus going. "Second. That we will not allow in our homes, under any circumstances, the violation of this law of our Church. "Third. We most earnestly urge on all Methodist parents the importance of conforming to the discipline in this matter and the necessity of banishing this evil from their homes, and so exercising the power placed in their hands as to prevent their children from attending balls and social parties where dancing is part of the program. "Fourth. That we hereby request our pastor to proceed according to direction of our discipline, in each and every case where the evil exists. And we pledge him our support as individual members of the Church and as an official body we will stand by him in every effort to exterminate this evil from the Church, believing that our ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 90 [images] Rev. Benj. F. Stevens, 1875 Rev. A. Duncan Yocum, 1872 images may be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism- clearfield/090.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 91 real interests will be promoted in the withdrawal from the Church of any who will not observe these rules." We had in our Church a member who was in the habit of drinking too freely of the intoxicating cup, who always promised after each offense to abstain and do better, but the promises were invariably broken and it became necessary finally to speak positively with him in the matter, and the pastor was assigned to the duty and he in stating to the brother that he would either have to reform permanently, or stand a trial, or withdraw from the church, the brother said: "Well, Mr. Leidy, I tell you what I will agree to do. If you will pay back to me the two dollars quarterage I paid this year I will withdraw from the Church." Now whether Bro. Leidy paid back the amount is not a matter of record, but the brother did withdraw from the Church. The pastorate of Rev. Jas. Curns began on the 1st day of April, 1883, and he continued until the spring of 1886. In his first report to the Quarterly conference, May 8th, 1883, he said he had found on Bro. Leidy's visiting list the record that "Isaac Southard had died since Conference." The death of this brother, eighty-seven years, old, whom many of us knew, took from us one of the pioneers of Methodism in Clearfield. He was a quiet man, but one of a very decided religious experience, and every person who knew him held him in the highest esteem. He, being a carpenter, was the builder of the Cherry Street Church, in 1839. At this Conference a resolution of thanks was tendered Mr. Jon. A. Boynton for the gift of two burial lots in the new cemetery, to be used as a burial place for our ministers and their families. The body of Adam ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 92 Haughenberry was removed from the old cemetery and the tablet shows the place where it now rests. At the first Quarterly Conference, held May 1st, 1884, a committee consisting of the pastor, as chairman, D. W. McCurdy, Thos. H. Murray, Jacob D. Snoke and A. B. Shaw, was appointed to estimate the cost of some changes and repairs to the Church. At a Trustee meeting held July 18, 1884, the following improvements to the Church were suggested: A new roof of slate or tin. Painting Church and spire. Repairing and frescoing ceiling in auditorium. Recarpeting audience room. Recovering cushions. Pews in lecture room to be replaced with chairs. Steam heating fixtures. Stained glass in auditorium windows, and such other repairs as in the judgment of the Building Committee were necessary. Bros. J. and A. F. Boynton proposed bearing one-half the expense for all changes and repairs, provided the congregation would pay the other half. Believing there would be no difficulty in securing the amount needed for all changes and repairs, the Trustees resolved to proceed at once with the improvements, and Ai. F. Boynton, A. Bishop Shaw and John I. Patterson were appointed as a Building Committee to superintend the work and to report progress to the Trustees. August 8th, 1884, the committee reported estimates for the improvements at $4,655, and that the work had been commenced August 4th, and would be pushed rapidly to completion. January 1st, 1885, the Quarterly Con- ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 93 ference extended an invitation to the Annual Conference to hold its session of 1886 in Clearfield. The improvements on the Church being completed, Sunday, March 6th, 1885, was fixed on as the day for reopening. The first service was held in the morning at 11 o'clock. Ministers present were: Bishop Cyrus D. Foss, W. H. Dill, A. Duncan Yocum, Jacob S. McMurray, E. S. Wonner, of Clearfield Circuit, and R. S. McKinley, of the Clearfield Presbyterian Church. The sermon was preached by Bishop Cyrus D. Foss, from Romans 8th chapter, 32d verse. After the sermon Bro. Curtis, our pastor, stated that the whole expense for all improvements were about $7,200, all of which had been provided for and no collection was necessary. In the afternoon a Sunday School missionary meeting was held and addresses were delivered by Bishop Foss and A. Duncan Yocum. The evening services were conducted by Dr. J. S. McMurray, and resolutions thanking the members and friends for their liberal contributions to meet the expenses of all improvements, and to the Building Committee, who had so faithfully discharged their duties in the progress of the work, were given. At the second Quarterly Conference, August 8th, 1885, Rev. Geo. Leidy appeared as our Presiding Elder. Bro. Curns reported having received into full membership as a result of the revival in the preceding winter forty-nine persons and one by certificate, and also made note of the death of Wm. Radebaugh, He was a steward and collector in the Church and the Treasurer of the Sunday School, which office he filled up to the time of his death, August 16th, 1885. He died suddenly but peacefully and triumphantly. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 94 Suitable notice was taken of his death by the Quarterly Conference and a record of it, with an appreciation of his life, was made in the Minutes of the Conference. In March, 1886, the Annual Conference appointed Rev. Jas. H. Black to our station, and April 1st he came with his family on the 6 P.M. train, and by the consent of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, it stopped at Walnut street and in an exceedingly heavy downpour of rain his family was ushered into the parsonage, where the ladies had prepared a reception for them, and he and his family were very cordially greeted. At a meeting of the male members of the Church, held March 3d, 1887, in accordance with the charter, Daniel W. McCurdy presented as a gift from Ai. F. Boynton and wife, a deed for lot No. 60 in the borough plan, on the west side of South Second street and adjoining the Church, for the purpose of erecting thereon a suitable building for a parsonage for the Clearfield Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Boynton not desiring to have any special notice made of the gift, the members present were not disposed to pass it by entirely unnoticed and adopted the following: "Resolved, In the acceptance of the very generous gift of the deed of a lot adjoining the Church, clear of all incumbrances, from Bro. Ai. F. Boynton and his wife, Mrs. Emma Boynton, for the purpose of having erected thereon, at as early a date as possible, a parsonage for the Clearfield Methodist Episcopal Church, we hereby express our thanks for the donation and promise to use our best endeavor to accomplish the end desired in the erection of a parsonage worthy of the Church and location." The general expression of all the members present was ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 95 in favor of building a new parsonage and the opinion was that $5,000 ought to build one and that the old one ought to bring $2,500, leaving probably $2,500 to be provided for. On motion of H. B. Powell, a committee of four was appointed on plans, namely, J. D. Snoke, A. F. Boynton, D. W. McCurdy and W. B. Townsend, and also a committee to solicit subscriptions, Rev. J. H. Black, A. B. Shaw, J. M. Stewart.and Geo. W. Rheem. May 16th, at the adjourned meeting of March 3d, on motion of A. F. Boynton, it was resolved that if the sum of $2,500 could be obtained from any person for the old parsonage, the Trustees should be authorized to sell on payment of $1,000 cash and $1,500 to be secured by bond and mortgage on the property, to be paid in two equal annual payments, with interest, and the proceeds to be applied in the erection of the new parsonage. A Building Committee, A. Bishop Shaw, Frank G. Harris, Jas. M. Stewart, Geo. W. Rheem, Daniel W. McCurdy, Ai. F. Boynton and Wilson B. Townsend, was appointed. The Trustees sold the property to Wm. A. Hoover for the sum of $2,500 and payments as instructed, and the Church to have possession of the property at a monthly rental of $12.50 per month until the new parsonage is completed. The Building Committee contracted with W. S. Tucker for stone at $1.50 for plain and $2.00 per perch for split stone, and with Clearfield Lumber Company for lumber, and J. M. Marshal for bricks at $7.25 on the ground, and Wesley Miller for doing mason work at $1.25 a perch, committee to furnish sand and lime, and with M. B. Cowdrick for laying bricks at $5.25 per M. Reuben H. Thompson being the best bidder, was given ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 96 [images] Rev. George Leidy, 1880. Rev. Jacob S. McMurray, D. D., 1877. images may be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism- clearfield/096.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 97 the contract for the carpenter work and furnishing all lumber, except what had been already contracted for, for the sum of $1,800. Plastering was given to Wm. W. Watson for 22 cents per yard, he to find all materials, and the work went on to completion, at a cost of about $6,000. This year was a sad one for the family of our pastor, when their two boys, Eddie, ten years old, and Willie, seven, were both stricken with diphtheria in its most malignant form and after a short sickness both died within twenty minutes of each other, and whilst no persons were allowed to visit them in their distress, he says they will never forget the kindness of Mrs. Thos. H. Murray and Miss Hattie Roan and Miss Helen Irwin for their attention to them during the entire sickness, Helen Irwin remaining with them until it was all over. Their bodies were laid in our church lot and afterward removed to Chambersburg. The last of this year was marked by a gracious revival, at which time 135 persons were converted. In closing up his pastorate with us he says: "We left Clearfield feeling that it was the most delightful charge we had ever served. There were so many expressions of kindness and gifts of substantial character that make Clearfield a green spot in our memory." In the spring of 1889, Rev. Geo. D. Penepacker, D. D., was appointed to the station, and Rev. Benjamin B. Hamlin was the Presiding Elder of the district. Nothing of any special interest is noted in any of the records except the prosperous condition of our Church, large congregations attending all the preaching services and our finances in good condition. The Sunday School not doing as well as it ought. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 98 At the fourth Quarterly Conference, January 23d, 1891, special notice was taken in regard to the death of Bro. Jno. W. Shugart, which occurred December 4th, 1890. He went to his work as usual in the morning and was suddenly stricken with heart failure and before noon died, and the following is a part of the record: "We who have known him from the time of his death back for almost forty years, have only to say that he never needed flattering words of praise to exalt him in the Church or community. For forty-seven years his intense love for God, his service here in the Church, his unswerving devotion in the line of duty, his abiding faith in the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in short his exemplary Christian life, all told for themselves and well merit the expression that fell from all lips, that John W. Shugart was a good Christian man." Notwithstanding our Church and parsonage were all completed and paid for, there were always some improvements suggesting themselves. In November, 1891, our insurance for $10,000 on the Church property was about to expire and the pavement in front of our Church property had to be made new and the whole expense aggregated $275, and all this was provided for by a collection taken up in the public congregation. During the pastorate of Dr. Penepacker a chapter of the Epworth League was organized, February 6th, 1892, and H. B. Powell was elected its first president. The meetings of the League were held on Sunday evenings one hour before preaching services and were largely attended, and they were interesting and profitable. Dr. Penepacker in his report to the fourth Quarterly Conference, said: "The four years of my pastorate among you have been in the main years of pleasure to me ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 99 I hope they have been profitable to you. Your course toward me has been uniformly kind and respectful, and I cherish the kindest feeling toward all. If in the wisdom of the authorities of our Church I am ordered back for another year, I will come cheerfully and do all I can for your good and the glory of our Heavenly Father. if I am appointed elsewhere, I shall always cherish for you the kindest remembrance." The following resolution in regard to the death of Dr. Jas. M. Stewart was adopted at the fourth Quarterly Conference, February 24th, 1892: "Resolved, That we, the members of this Quarterly Conference, hereby express our profound sense of loss sustained in the recent death of Dr. James M. Stewart, a Trustee of this Church and a faithful and efficient member of this body. By this loss we are again reminded of the' uncertainty of life, and of the importance of renewed devotion to the cause of the Master. We hereby direct that this resolution be engrossed on the minutes, and that a copy thereof be furnished by our secretary to the family of our deceased brother." In the spring of 1893, Rev. Wm. A. Stephens became our pastor. The Trustees reported to the fourth Quarterly Conference, February 24th, 1893, the following item: "By the will of Mrs. Mary Ellen Patterson, all of her property, after payment of her just debts, was left to our Church, and the executor of her estate, Frank G. Harris, closed up her estate and paid to our Treasurer, D. W. McCurdy, all such estate, and the amount was $4,850.41, and was a matter for the consideration of the Trustees, subject to the approval of the Church, by the provision of the charter of incorporation." ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 100 This money was invested, May 24th, $4,800 in water bonds of the Clearfield Water Company at four per cent. interest; $50.41 paid into the Church treasury. The Trustees received notice from Mr. Wm. Porter that he held a note and check for $500 against the estate of Mrs. Patterson, and asked for its payment out of the money left to the Church. The Trustees refused to acknowledge the claim on the ground, first, that it is barred by the statute of limitation, and having been pronounced by Mrs. Patterson as fraudulent many years prior to her death ; and second, because the Trustees hold all personal property, as well as real estate, simply in trust for the Church and congregation which they represent, and are directly responsible to them for any such disposition made of any part of such property without authority of the Church or direct action of their constituents. Third, because the authority of the Trustees as prescribed and set forth in the charter of the Church does not confer on them the power which they are asked by this communication to exercise. April 15th, 1893, was baptismal day at the Church, in which Dr. W. A. Stephens officiated. David S. and Sarah E. Smith presented six of their children for baptism. In appearance David was rather small and his wife somewhat larger. The children ranged in sizes according to their ages, each one a few inches less as they decreased in years. After the preliminary services were gone through with, the Doctor said to the parents, as he approached the oldest child, "Name this child." "David George Washington," was the response. The ceremony was gone through with, and passing to the second, Christopher Columbus, the next one was Lucy May, the fourth Perlissa Elamanda, James Bird was the fifth and the sixth Cora Malinda Ellen. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 101 CHAPTER VI CONFERENCE SESSION The annual session of the Central Pennsylvania Conference was held here March 17th to 25th, 1897, None of our records show any invitation for it to meet here nor of its proceedings while here. The Conference of 1896 was sitting in Williamsport and toward the close Bro. Daniel W. McCurdy telegraphed, "We can have the 1897 Conference if we want it." Three or four of our members were standing on the corner at the County National Bank and being notified that such a telegram had been received, we hurriedly called a few others in counsel, without any official authority, and replied, "Yes, we will take it." And in this way the appointment was made and the Official Board sanctioned our action. Dr. Wm. A. Stephens having had experience in entertaining Conferences elsewhere, had the arrangements in hand and in the early part of 1897 began to perfect arrangements for its entertainment. The necessary committees were appointed and their work assigned them, such as entertainment, finance and location. The Committee on Entertainment called a meeting of members and friends to find out who would help along that line. The Committee on Finance concluded to depend on collections and lecture. The Committee on Location secured the Opera House for the sessions of the Conference and lectures, for the sum of $too. The county commissioners tendered the jury rooms for the meetings of the various Conference committees. The ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 102 [images] Rev. J. Harper Black, D. D., 1886. Rev. James Curns, 1883. images may be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism-clearfield/102.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 103 citizens of the town showed their appreciation of the coming of the Conference by removing all the dirty ice and snow from the streets and residences on Market and Second streets in front of their business places and homes. The Entertainment Committee was greeted cordially in the homes, not only of our people, but of friends in other Churches, as well as by some not members of any Church, and there was no trouble in finding homes for all members of the Conference. Wednesday morning, March 17th, the first session of the Conference was opened by Bishop W. X. Ninde reading a portion of Scripture, a hymn was sung and prayers were offered by John Z. Lloyd and A. M. Barnitz. After the singing of "Nearer, My God to Thee," the Bishop delivered a brief address, when the secretary of the last Conference called the roll and two hundred and seven members and sixteen probationers responded. The sessions of the conference were well attended by the citizens, who, because of it being an entirely new thing, enjoyed not only the business of the Conference, but also the excellent manner in which it was conducted. The evening lectures, generally on the benevolences of the Church were well attended. The lecture in the hands of the Finance Committee on Saturday evening, presided over by Thos. H. Murray, was given by Miss Olaf Kraar, an Esquimaux, on the manners and life of her people in Greenland. She had command of the English language remarkably well and was very easily understood. She gave very minute descriptions of the manners and customs of her people, telling how they lived as families, their social relations, their courtship and marriage, their religious life, their deaths and burials. She was very witty in some of her remarks and in speak- ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 104 ing of the teachings of missionaries among them, said it was not of any use to speak of the punishment of the wicked in everlasting fire, because they rather enjoyed the thought of a warmer place than their present home after this life was ended. The lecture was very much enjoyed. On the Sunday of the Conference the preachers in the different Churches of the town were Bishop Ninde in the Opera Hause at 10.30 A. M.; Rev. M. C. B. Mason in the.Church, at the same hour. In the Presbyterian Church, 10.30 A. M., Rev. Geo. E. Reed, D. D., LL. D., and Rev. Richard Hinkle in the evening. In the Lutheran Church, Rev. Edward J. Gray, D. D., at 10.30 A. M., and in the evening Rev. Amos S. Baldwin. We note the program of meetings and anniversaries of the Conference: TUESDAY, MARCH 16 7.30 P. M.—Missionary Sermon by Rev. Perry W. Eveland. WEDNESDAY 9.00 A. M.—Opening Session of Conference, Bishop W. X. Ninde, presiding. 7.30 P. M.—Anniversary of the Church Extension Society, Rev. Martin L. Smyser, presiding. Speakers, Rev. G. Murray Klepfer, Rev. Alpheus J. Kynett, D. D. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 105 THURSDAY 9.00.A. M.—Conference Session. 2.30 P. M.—Anniversary of the Sunday School Union and Tract Societies, Rev. B. B. Hamlin, D. D., presiding. Speaker, Rev. J. A. Freeman, D. D. 7.30 P. M.—Anniversary of Conference Epworth League, Rev. R. H. Gilbert, presiding. Speakers, Bishop Ninde, Rev. H. 0. Lantz. FRIDAY 9.00 A. M.—Conference Session. 2.00 P. M.—Anniversary of the Women's Home Missionary Society, Mrs. A. W. Black, presiding. Speaker, Mrs. B. S. Potter, of Bloomington, Illinois. 2.00 P. M.—Consecration of Deaconess Miss Leona C. Bartolet, of Shamokin, Pa., in the Church. 7.30 P. M.—Temperance and Prohibition Anniversary, Rev. Martin L. Ganoe, presiding. Speakers, Rev. Emory M. Stevens and H. T. Ames, of Williamsport. SATURDAY 9.00 A. M.—Conference Session. 2.30 P. M.—Anniversary of the Women's Foreign Missionary Society, Miss Mary McCord, presiding. Speaker, Miss Ruth Maria Sites, of China. 7.30 P. M.—Lecture by Miss Olaf Kraar, an Esquimaux lady, of Greenland. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 106 SUNDAY 9.00 A. M.—Love Feast, Rev. M. L. Smyser, presiding. 10.30 A. M.—Sermon by Bishop W. X. Ninde. 2.30 P. M.—Anniversary of Preachers' Aid Society, Rev. B. C. Conner, presiding. Speaker, Rev. B. F. Dimmick. 7.30 P.M.—Anniversary of the Missionary Society, Rev. Wm. A. Stephens, presiding. Speakers, Rev. Horace Lincoln Jacobs, A. M., Rev. A. B. Leonard, D. D. MONDAY 9.00 A. M.—Conference Session. 7.30 P. M.—Anniversary Freedman's Aid Society. TUESDAY 9.00 A. M.—Appointments Read and Conference Adjourned. At this Conference one afternoon at one of the anniversaries, the Rev. Gideon H. Day, a veteran minister, was called on to give some reminiscences of the first years of his ministry in this county, in the years 1840-41, and after recounting many interesting events of his life, many of which were of great hardship, but coupled with the many pleasant ones, he expressed himself as being entirely satisfied with all of them. And among them he said when he went to the sessions of the Annual Conference he had no plans of his own mapped out, but believing he had a Divine call to the ministry, he believed also that wherever the Lord had use for him there he would be ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 107 sent. And he said I never asked for an appointment nor ever refused to go where sent and always tried to do the best I could, no matter where sent. He had scarcely finished his sentence when Bishop Ninde jumped up and with extended hand he approached the old veteran and said, "Bro. Day, I will esteem it a great privilege to be allowed to shake hands with so remarkable a Methodist preacher as you." The meeting of this Conference in our town was enjoyed and highly spoken of by our citizens, and the preachers were delighted with their visit with us. This Conference appointed Rev. Amos. S. Baldwin to this station. Nothing of any special note occurred during the first half of the year. Bro. Baldwin commenced a protracted meeting on the 31st day of the month of October and after three or four weeks of an apparently unsuccessful effort, there was such an awakening occurred as to find the altar crowded with penitents, as many as fifty and sixty every evening, and the interest manifested was so great that the lecture room was crowded every night and was found too small to accommodate the people, and the meetings were then held in the auditorium. Day meetings were held in the afternoons and were largely attended, the meeting continued night after night, with unabated interest, without a thought of bringing it to a close, and on February 22nd, 1898, an all day meeting was held and in the morning, Rev. W. P. Shriner, of Altoona, preached from the text, James 4: 14: "For what is your life," and such was the feeling in the Church with a number at the altar that it seemed almost impossible to bring the meeting to a close, the meetings of the afternoon and evening were just as impressive and interesting, and for twenty-two ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 108 [images] Rev. William A. Stevens, D. D., 1893. Rev. George D. Penepacker, D. D., 1889. images may be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism-clearfield/108.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 109 weeks this meeting was held and was closed just before the meeting of the Annual Conference. The conversions at this meeting were over three hundred, of whom nearly all joined our Church on probation. This meeting having been a very severe strain on Bro. Baldwin, he was advised by his physician to take a vacation rest and the official board in October, granted him leave of absence for two months and the pulpit was filled in his absence by other preachers. Bro. Baldwin closed his term of service with us in the spring of 1900 and was sent to Lock Haven and afterwards made presiding elder of the Danville district, with residence at Sunbury, where he died, August 25th, 1905. At the Annual Conference held at Hazleton, March 14th-20th, 1900, Rev. Milton K. Foster, D. D., was appointed to the pastorate of Clearfield, and M. L. Smyser, presiding elder. Possibly, if Dr. Foster could have forcasted the future and seen in the outlook the building of two new churches in his pastorate, he might have wished for some other appointment. But on his own motion at the second Quarterly Conference, June 29th, the committee previously appointed H. B. Powell and Geo. W. Rheem to examine into the advisability of securing a lot or lots in East Clearfield on which to erect a new chapel and were directed to take the matter up and report at an early date. September 12th, at the third Quarterly Conference, this committee made the following report: "The undersigned committee appointed by the Quarterly Conference some time ago to look over the ground in the east end of Clearfield borough and to consider the matter of locating a chapel, would report that we have attended to that duty, and in our judgment the time is ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 110 not in the distant future, when the necessities of the rapidly increasing population and the inducements held out by other enterprises of a permanent business character, are such that we think they demand recognition at our hands for the good of Methodism, and as an initial step would recommend that our congregation, with the provision of our charter, give to the trustees authority to act in the matter of securing a suitable location at as early date as they think advisable. GEO. W. RHEEM, HARRY B. POWELL, Committee." At this Quarterly Conference, the death of our Bro. Geo. W. Weaver was announced August 30th, 1900. In his official relations he was a member of the board of trustees and was a teacher in the Sunday School, and was in his second term as County Superintendent of our public schools. The following paper was presented by Geo. W. Rheem. "Since our last Quarterly Conference death has invaded our ranks and taken from this body one who, when possible, was always in attendance at our sessions and who manifested. an interest in all the affairs of the Church. Our departed brother, Geo. W. Weaver, in the few years of our association with him in this official body won for himself our brotherly love, and all the elements of a true Christian showing themselves, not only in his official relations, but in every walk of his life, so greatly commanded our respect and love that we but feebly express our feelings when we say, our hearts are saddened at his being taken from us in the midst of his usefulness. And as a token of respect this paper be entered on our minutes as a matter of record, and a copy ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 111 be given to his wife, Mrs. Frances Weaver." On motion adopted. January 14th, 1901, the trustees met at the office of Thos. H. Murray to comply with the request of the congregation to look over the ground to secure a lot on which to build a chapel in the East End. Present, Harry B. Powell, Geo. W. Rheem, Wilson B. Townsend, Win. S. Taylor, Ashley Thorn and Thos. H. Murray. Dr. Foster and Jos. E. Gearhart were also present in connection with the trustees to look over the ground and in so doing several locations were considered and in the opinion of the trustees, the best location was lots Nos. 20-21-22 in the Barrett addition on the cornier of Dorey and 11th Streets, two of which were owned by W. C. Cardon, and one by Mary Owens. The prices at which they were offered were the corner owned by Mary Owens, $400, and the two owned by W. C. Cardon, $575, and on motion of H. B. Powell, seconded by W. B. Townsend, the president and secretary were instructed to negotiate for the same. January 17th the lots were purchased and deeds received for them. September 7th, 1901, the committee for East End Chapel appointed at this second Quarterly Conference, was Ai F. Boynton, Geo. W. Rheem, Harry B. Powell and at a meeting of the trustees, October 21st, 1901, this committee reported that they had plans suggested for a brick building, 32 x 38, with an annex 16 x 26, at an estimated cost of $1,800 and that subscriptions for $1,440 had been made and an additional $115 could be secured from the members in the East End, a committee to locate the chapel on the lots was A. F. Boynton, W. S. Taylor and Geo. W. Rheem. 8 ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 112 Ashley Thoth was authorized to prepare plans. Jos. E. Gearhart, Levis K. McCullough and Ashley Thorn were appointed a building committee, with authority to contract for building said chapel at a cost not exceeding $1,800, exclusive of seating. The building committee proceeded with the work at once and at a meeting of the trustees reported that $1,600 had been subscribed and only $600 paid in and that they lacked funds to push the work, and the trustees borrowed $500 for the emergency. July 23rd, 1902, an informal meeting of the trustees was held after prayer meeting. J. E. Gearhart, treasurer of the building committee reported the building completed, and the cost of it was $2,300, not including furniture, nor carpets, and that about $1,300 was available and with the cost of a new furnace of $100 it was thought advisable to ask for $1,100 at the dedication, July 27th. This being the day fixed for the dedication, the first service was held on this Sunday morning in the Clearfield Methodist Episcopal Church, to participate in the preparatory services for the dedication of the chapel, which took place in that building at 3 p. m. The service was opened by the announcement by Dr. Foster of the 605th hymn, "My gracious God, I own Thy right," and prayer was offered by the assistant pastor, Rev. J. McKendree Reiley. Second hymn, No. 599, "Behold the Christian warrior stand." The sermon was preached by Rev. B. B. Hamlin, D. D., a former presiding elder, of the Altoona district, from the text, Numbers, 14th chapter and 24th verse. "But my ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 113 servant, Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it." After the sermon, Dr. Foster took charge of the financial part of the work, and stating the cost to be about $2,500, asked that $1,100 be given by dividing it into two parts. $700 to be raised in the congregation in Clearfield and $400 by the East End congregation in the afternoon, and his proposition was quickly responded to by subscriptions of $50, $25, $20, $10 and smaller amounts until $615 was raised and assured that persons not present would make up the balance. The dedication services were held at 3 p. m., in the Chapel, a greeting to the congregation was given by Dr. Foster, congratulating them on the completion of so nice a chapel as a much needed home for the Methodists of the East End. Hymn 136. "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty," was sung and prayer was offered by Rev.Rexrode, of the U. B. Church. Reading of 48th Psalm by Dr. Foster. Anthem by the choir of the Chapel. A brief address by Rev. J. McKendree Reiley, assistant pastor, was made as follows: "David Livingston, the great African explorer and missionary, once said, The end of the exploration is the beginning of the enterprise.' We have reached the day to which we have been looking forward for months. "Let us not forget we are servants of the Nazarene, the Christ who was the greatest man who ever lived, but more than that, he is our Saviour. At the first class meeting I attended here, I said I hoped the motto of the Methodists of East Clearfield would be this, 'That in ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 114 [images] Rev. Milton K. Foster, D. D., 1900. Rev. Amos S. Baldwin, 1897. images may be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism-clearfield/114.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 115 all things, He may have the pre-eminence.' My message is that in all things may we exalt the Christ whom we profess to serve." Brief addresses were made by Dr. Wm. A. Stephens, a former pastor and by Dr. Foster. Anthem by the first Church choir. The financial part was then conducted by Dr. Foster, and in a very short time $415 was subscribed for the cancellation of the debt. It is worthy of record that the insurance firm of Helmbold and Stewart placed an insurance policy for $2,000, at an expense to themselves of $25, besides their personal subscriptions. The dedication services were then conducted by the preachers present and the Chapel was turned over to the congregation as a place of worship to Almighty God. Dr. Wm. A. Stephens preached the first sermon in the evening at 7.30. May 15th, 1904, the members of the Church worshipping in the Chapel at the East End, finding the capacity of the Chapel to be too small to accommodate their congregations, and especially the Sunday School, came to the conclusion to ask this congregation to enlarge the building and they reported that they had estimates from J. D. Snoke and Son, to make an addition to the present building and make all necessary changes and furnish all materials for same for the sum of $2,346, not including windows. It was moved to submit the matter to the trustees, suggesting that the changes and improvements be made. May 16th the committee from the East End met the trustees and asked permission to go ahead with the improvements, stating that they had $1,500 in pledges already made. And the trustees agreed to negotiate loans from time to ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 116 time not to exceed $1,800, and Geo. L. McCullough, of committee and Geo. W. Rheem, secretary, to enter into contract with Jacob D. Spoke and son to complete the work. Sunday, September 14th, 1904, all the improvements being completed on the East End Chapel, this day was fixed for the re-opening, a large congregation was present and the exercises were of a very interesting character. Hymn No. 6 was announced by Rev. M. C. Flegal, of Roaring Creek, and prayer was offered by Dr. Foster. An anthem was sung by the choir and hym No. 574 was announced by Rev. J. McKendree Reiley, and following the hymn, the sermon was preached by Rev. Morris E. Swartz, of Patton, his theme was "The realization of God." At the close of the sermon Rev. Reiley offered prayer. Dr. Foster then took the financial problem, stating that the improvements, including furniture and carpet, had cost $3,600, and it was necessary to raise $1,215 to pay all indebtedness unprovided for and in answer to his effort, $1,193 was raised in money and pledges. All joined in singing the doxology and were dismissed with the benediction by Rev. M. E. Swartz. April 22nd, 1905, at a meeting of the trustees held at the office of Thos. H. Murray, members present were: Jos. E. Gearhart, Ashley Thorn, Thos. H. Murray, Geo. W. Rheem, Geo. S. Gearhart and Harry B. Powell. Geo. L. McCullough and Elmer E. Fink, committee from East End chapel asked for some arrangement to be made with the members of this congregation to transfer the chapel and grounds to their congregation in view of their becoming a separate station, and the following preamble and resolution was adopted: ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 117 "The title of the Eleventh Street Church property, consisting of a plot of ground on the northwest corner of Eleventh and Dorey Streets, embracing three lots 150x 172 feet, and known as lots Nos. 20, 21 and 22 in the Barrett addition, having been taken in the name of the Clearfield Methodist Episcopal Church, it is hereby Resolved, that on payment or security being given for the payment of the sum of $1,100, and the payment of a note in the County National Bank for $1,500 and interest, the $1,l00 being for moneys advanced and expended by the Clearfield Methodist Episcopal Church on account of the grounds of the Eleventh Street Methodist Episcopal Church, the $1,500 being for moneys borrowed for building Church, a deed shall be executed by the trustees of the Clearfield Methodist Episcopal Church and made to the trustees of the Eleventh Street Methodist Episcopal Church when such trustees shall have been duly appointed or to their trustees when they shall have been duly incorporated." This was all complied with and the property was turned over to them by deed, July 20th,1905, from the trustees of Clearfield Methodist Episcopal Church. Since then they have erected a fine parsonage on the ground worth $4,000, and the corner of the lots is amply sufficient for them to build a fine Church if they should find their necessities demand it. They were exceedingly fortunate in their first start to have as their pastor Rev. J. McKendree Reiley, whose untiring zeal for their growth in all his ministering in their Church work, and his relation as their pastor for seven years, has been an inspiration to them to make every enterprise a success, and now they are in such a situation as to stand in the front rank of Methodism in our town. They have a splendid membership of three hundred ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 118 and twenty-one including probationers. Rev. J. T. Bell is their present pastor, and a splendid Sunday School, with all its appliances, of which any church might be proud, and an enrollment of 35 teachers and 44o scholars. An Epworth league of 75 members and the total value of their Church property is $12,000, and best of all their spiritual life has been such as to have been a great blessing to the community that surrounds them. And now they are enrolled in the minutes of the Central Pennsylvania Conference as a separate station, known as the Eleventh Street Methodist Episcopal Church, of Clearfield. SUNDAY SCHOOLS The Sunday Schools on the Circuit increased slowly, in 1847 there were 10 schools reported on the circuit, with 71 teachers and an average of 300 scholars. The schools were usually reported in good condition, but as far as the school in Clearfield was concerned, it must have been neglected by its officers, as Mrs. Geo. W. Rheem has said that she (then Eliza B. Stone) and Miss Mertie E. Loraine kept the school going, on their own authority, for many months, without any male members of the Church being present, and they were not members of the Church at that time, but they were interested and anxious to keep up the school as it was of value to them, and the children attending. It was thus conducted in this indifferent manner until 1851, when Mr. Chas. D. Watson was elected superintendent and he gave it very careful attention and a large increase in attendance was the result. Mr. Joseph B. McEnally, then a young lawyer, and a son of a Methodist preacher, Peter McEnally, took a great interest in the school and had a large class of young men. He Was not then a member of the Church. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 119 Wm. V. Wright is the only living member of his class. In selecting officer for the school, the ability of the person elected was not always considered, and sometimes blunders were made, for instance, a good old brother, Wm. Mercer, was selected because of his willingness to do anything of Church work, but his unfitness soon manifested itself in his manner of conducting the school, indeed it was not conducted at all, but just ran itself according to the capacity of the teachers. He was a Godly man, whose education had been sadly neglected, but there were few persons, if any, could excel him in prayer. His habit was to use about the first hymn that the book would open to, and one Sunday morning he caused a great deal of merriment when he commenced reading the funeral hymn, "Dearest sister thou hast left us, Here thy loss we deeply feel," &c. when there had not been a death in the school that any one could recall, yet the hymn had to be sung because he had announced it. The Sunday Schools in the original circuit were only reported as to number of schools and officers and teachers, but from an old record book found by Mrs. A. H. Woodward, among the papers of J. B. McEnally, it reads as though John W. Shugart was the superintendent in 185o, of the school in Clearfield, and 1851 Charles D. Watson was known to be the superintendent, then on January 1st, 1852, an election is recorded as being held and John W. Shugart was elected as "Boss Superintendent" Robt. Welsh, assistant, Andrew P. Moore, secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Watson, female superintendent and Geo. W. Rheem, librarian. From this time on Clearfield has a list of its superin- ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 120 [images] Rev. J. McKendree Reiley, 1902. Rev. Bert A. Salter, 1909. images may be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism-clearfield/120.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 121 tendents up to this time and will be noted later. The first written report of Clearfield Sunday School is on the Quarterly Conference record June 10th, 1854, and is as follows: Supt. Jno. W. Shugart, Asst, Jno. Troutman, Female Supt. Anna M. Rheem. Total number of scholars, 80. Average attendance, 50. Expenses of school, $30.00. No. of teachers, 12. Volumes in library, 434. The teaching in the school was very crude, but perhaps up with the times. Testaments were used and the teachers would select any chapter they chose. The two Bible classes, male and female, were supposed to be of a little higher order. The smaller classes used spelling books as in day school. An important element was the learning of verses in the New Testament and recited to the teacher every session of the school, and for to verses recited a blue ticket was given, and to blue tickets secured a red ticket, and these were used to purchase Bibles or books, according to their value. The makeup of the school in so far as dreg was concerned, was very primitive, a girl with a cleanly washed calico dress, and a hat a year or two old with the ribbons of the winter taken off and those of last year washed and pressed neatly and put on, and this repeated as long as the hat would last, was the style of that time and the boys felt as finely dressed if 'their clothing was the cut downs of the father or older brothers as though everything was brand new, and because the boy did not always have shoes, his bare feet were just as acceptable as otherwise, and the female teachers thought themselves nicely enough dressed with clean calico or lawn dresses and sun bonnets as the finest. The men did not always wear their Sunday suits, these ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 122 were only worn on extra occasions and had to last from 8 to 10 years, and we were all happy and contented. Our school continued on in this way until 1868, when the Sunday School Journal, now in its 42d year, and Berean lesson leaves were first issued, when they were introduced into the school and gave us a much better plan for teaching. The Berean leaves were changed in 1882 to the Intermediate Quarterly, and the Senior Quarterly was then issued. For some years we subscribed for the Sunday School Advocate and the Classmate for general distribution, now we have the Classmate only, and the subscriptions for all these helps, for the year 1908, together with other expenses of the school, was $569.39. We subscribed for 48 Sunday School Journals, 250 Senior Quarterlies, 180 Intermediate Quarterlies, 200 Classmates. There are four teachers in the Sunday School who are worthy of special mention, because of their long continued relation to the school as teachers, Geo. W. Rheem, has the longest record as a teacher and officer, having held some such position for a period of fifty nine consecutive years, since May, 1851. Thos. H. Murray has been a teacher of one class since 1872, a period of over thirty-eight years, his class is composed of adults, both men and women, and they are prompt in their attendance, and has been changed only by deaths or removals. It is an organized adult Bible class. Harry B. Powell has had charge of a class since 1874, a period of over 36 years, and his class at present is composed of over sixty men and is an organized adult Bible class in our school. He is always regular in his attendance and the class shows the result. Wickham D. King has had his class for thirty years and is composed of ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 123 younger men, who like the teacher, are always promptly on hand each returning Sunday morning. The Primary Department is in a separate room from the main school, and they use a leaf cluster, which is a chart 20 x 24 inches, with a beautifully colored picture to illustrate the lesson. 100 picture lesson papers and 6 Berean primary teachers' magazines, and picture cards. We have in connection with the Sunday School, a Home Department, for adults, who cannot attend the school, but will study the lessons at home as is noticed later, and a cradle roll to enroll the babies of our church and friends of the Church, as soon as they are born and both of these departments will be reported by their superintendents. Our school was organized into a Missionary Society in 1869 and has been doing splendid work along that line, and their yearly contributions will he noticed on another page. The enrollment was reported up to this date as 611 scholars and 38 teachers and officers, the home department 87 and cradle roll 123, brings our enrollment up to 821. The report of the primary department will be furnished by the superintendent of that department. REPORT OF PRIMARY DEPARTMENT The primary department work as reported by Mrs. A. H. Woodward, superintendent is as follows: The female superintendent is superintendent of primary department: Superintendent, Mrs. Americus H. Woodward; teachers, Mrs. Harry B. Powell, Mrs. R. Grant Ross, Mrs. Richard Kennard, Mrs. John Kennard, Miss Maud Graham, Miss Fannie Johnson. Enrollment July 31st, 1909, 105 scholars, transferred to main school June 13th, children's day, 22 boys ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 124 and 14 girls. School has separate opening and closing exercises, but no secretary, nor treasurer. Class graduates each June being transferred on children's days and are each then presented with a Bible. Special attention is paid with advanced classes to memory work. Children are drilled in the Lord's prayer, Creed, Ten Commandments, Twenty-third Psalm and Beatitudes. Special mention should be made of the long continued services of Mrs. H. B. Powell who from her childhood as a member of the Sunday School and a scholar, and afterwards as a teacher, in the primary department, for more than twenty years and her best services to this department of the work as superintendent and teacher and has helped to bring it up to its present high standard. MISSIONARY SOCIETY The school having been formed into a Missionary Society in 1869, set apart all collections taken on the first Sunday of each month as a missionary contribution from the school. In the early formation of the society, each class adopted a name such as "No. 1, Band of Hope, Mrs. G. B. Goodlander, teacher." Every class having a different name and as these names were called out at the session the first Sunday of the month and each responded by giving their contribution. This plan continued until 1881, when the classes having changed considerably, the adopted names were discontinued, a careful record was kept of each class contributions up to the present time. Now the money is deposited in an envelope by each teacher and the amount is called out separately to the credit of each class. The total amount contributed by the school is $11,997.66. Annual statements will be ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 125 found in the tabulated statement of the general missionary contributions. HOME DEPARTMENT Home Department as reported by Mrs. Lou Leavy. The home department of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Sunday School was organized during the second quarter of 1908, with Mrs. Lou Leavy as superintendent and Mrs. Susan Shirey, Assistant. The town and vicinity was divided into districts, and a visitor appointed for each district. The visitors at present with the superintendent and assistant are: Mrs. Richard Kennard, Mrs. John Kennard, Mrs. R. G. Ross, Miss Mary King, Mrs. D. R. Woolridge and Mrs. Clara McCord. These workers solicit members and furnish them with quarterlies and envelopes on which to keep a record of the lessons studied, and in which to place any contributions they may wish to make. At the close of each quarter the visitor calls on the members in her district, received her report envelope and leaves a new one and also a new quarterly. The visitors also keep in touch with their members, so that in case of sickness or death we may offer sympathy and assistance if needed. After a little more than a year of work, the membership has reached 90, besides three who through the home department have entered the regular Sunday school work. Death has taken one of our members who was in no way connected with the Church. The work of the home department is to strive to interest the indifferent in the study of the Word, and finally to bring them into the Sunday School and the Church and to take the Sunday School to those whose duties will not permit them to come to it. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 126 [image] Rev. John T. Bell, 1909. image may be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism-clearfield/126.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 127 JUNIOR EPWORTH LEAGUE The Junior Epworth League was organized in 1892, by Rev. Geo. D. Penepacker, with a membership of 150. The superintendents and assistants since that time have been Mrs. W. E. Wallace, Mrs. Lou Leavy, Mrs. Thos. H. Murray, Mrs. H. B. Powell, Miss Maud Hoover, Miss Sue Owens, now Mrs. Kelley Henry, of Arizona, Miss Mary Irwin, Mrs M. K. Foster, Mary L. Foster, Mrs. M. E. Swartz, Miss Jennie Powell, who has been superintendent since 1899. The object of the Junior League has been to train the children to become useful members of the Church, and to familiarize themselves with the work of every department of the Church and to teach them the history and doctrines of the great body of which they are a part. The league at the close of last Conference year numbered 92 members. SUNDAY SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY The whole number of schools of all protestant denominations in the county are as follows: Number of schools, 235, officers and teachers, 2,595. Number of scholars, 19,155. 52 home departments, 146 members, 73 cradle ro11s, 2,122 members. Total enrollment, 25,067. One-fifth of these schools are of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Clearfield County Sunday School Association, an auxiliary to the Pennsylvania State Association keeps in touch with all these schools every year and has the county divided into twenty-three districts and each district aims to hold a convention in their own locality every year, and then each school is entitled to one delegate in connection with the superintendent and pastor to meet in the Annual Convention of the 9 ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 128 County Association, wherever it may meet. Clearfield County stands among the foremost in the state in the Sunday School work with the State Association. OUR OWN SCHOOL In all the departments of our Sunday School work the present superintendent, Harvey J. Flegal has the interests of the school at heart and keeps the work well in hand and every department is carefully watched and kept along in its line of work. He is ably supported by his assistants, Wickham D. King and Andrew Harwick, and the records kept by the Secretary Heber Straw, and the Treasurer, Wm. Mullhollan, are shown every session of the school on a board in tabulated form. The orchestra, under the direction of Prof. H. Clark Thayer, composed of violins, clarionets, comets, flute, violoncello, double bass and piano, adds very greatly to the music in the school, and the young persons who are members of this orchestra deserve great credit for their prompt attendance and their skill in playing their several instruments. LADIES' AID SOCIETIES The Ladies' Aid Society, Mrs. A. H. Woodward, president, have done a great work in securing almost enough money to pay off their pledge of $2,600, part of which was used to help pay for the organ and the balance toward the furnishings for the Church. The balance to be paid is less than $5oo. This they accomplished by their sewing society and socials, and suppers, and will soon have all their pledges paid. For awhile there were the Ladies' Aid, and the Young Ladies' Aid, both of which worked faithfully to accomplish their purposes. Now they ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 129 are merged into one society, and are formed into circles, each circle being in charge of a leader, who tries to maintain a good working circle and to derive a revenue which will be applied to the extinguishment of the debt. CRADLE ROLL The cradle roll is an institution that looks after the babies to have them enrolled as beginners in Sunday School life, as soon as a new baby puts in an appearance, the superintendent or one of her helpers is on the ground soliciting its parents to have the little one enrolled and accomplishing this a very pretty enrollment card is given on which is a record of the name and date of birth, this is, of course, taken care of by the parents, and as the child becomes older, will be an item of interest to it. The name of the child is also entered on a chart, which is a record of all babies and is in a frame hung up in the primary room. The recurrence of each birthday takes the superintendent or visitor to the home with some little token of remembrance, and in case of sickness or death every attention is given to the little one. The whole object is, first, to show a desire on the part of the school to secure the child as a member of the school, and second to enlist the sympathies of the parents for the welfare, both of the child and the school. Our organization was effected in February 1908, Mrs. Lou Leavy was the first Superintendent and now Mrs. H. J. Flegal has it in charge and is assisted by Miss Mary Irwin, the membership is 123 and the superintendent says their visits are always appreciated by the parents. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 130 TEACHER TRAINING CLASSES A movement toward organizing teachers' training classes was made in this county in 1906. The first class was organized at New Millport, and J. S. McCreery was appointed county superintendent. In 1908 Rev. W. A. Carver, of Morrisdale Mines, was elected at which time there were twenty nine classes in the county, with a membership of 275, pursuing the course. At this time there are 50 classes and about 400 students. The object is for a more complete study of Bible history and geography and to gain a more thorough knowledge of the various parts of the Bible thereby the better fitting persons to become good teachers in the Sunday Schools. BROTHERHOOD A chapter of the Methodist Brotherhood was recently organized in the Church with a membership of forty-two. The aim of this organization is to effect the mutual improvement of its members by religious, social, literary and physical culture; to promote the spirit and practice of Christian Brotherhood; to increase fraternal interest among men; to develop their activity and stimulate their efficiency in all that relates to religious, social, civic and industrial betterment; to build up the Church by leading men into its communion and fellowship, and, in general, to extend the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a great field for this organization and what it shall mean to our Church the next historian will have to tell. May he be busy recording the good done by this Chapter. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 131 CHAPTER VII ERECTION OF CHURCH And now we come to the last and greatest enterprise of our temporal Church life, namely the erection of our present Church and parsonage buildings on the northwest corner of Second and Walnut Streets. The brick Church having stood on part of this same ground for over thirty-five years, had well served its day. The idea of building a new Church originated during the pastorate of Rev. A. S. Baldwin, by some informal talk of that kind. Nothing definite was done until some very thoughtful friend of the Church, whose name is known only to the president of the board of trustees, Thos. H. Murray, to whom he made the proposition, that if we would build a modern, up-to- date Church in Clearfield, he would give us $5,000 in cash toward it and would also be a subscriber on the general subscription list, and having already on hand the bequest of Mrs. Mary Ellen Patterson, of all her estate, $4,850.84, and to this was added afterward the bequest of Capt. David McGaughey, of $2,000, and also of Mrs. Mary Jane Read, she making the Church a residuary legatee, under the will, the trustees having already received $2,484.17, a balance in the hands of the executors. There is a house and lot also on the west side, worth probably $1,000, the revenue of which goes to Newton L. Reed, during his life time and at his death will go to the Church. Mrs. T. E. Watson also left by her will $300 over and above her subscription of $200, and this seemed to indicate that there was no reason why we might ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 132 not consider his proposition favorably. With this object in view a congregational meeting was called for August 4th, 1902, at which there was a good attendance, and the object of the meeting being stated by Dr. Foster. J. B. Nevling was elected secretary. A motion was made by Geo. W. Rheem and seconded by H. B. Powell for the adoption of the following resolution, "Resolved, that it is the sense of this meeting that the time has come to build a new Church." Geo. W. Rheem made some remarks favoring the project, and showing the possibilities to be much more favorable than they were when we undertook the same thing in 1867. H. B. Powell said the surroundings were of the kind to encourage the undertaking, but would require the help of all concerned and without any debate the motion being called for, it was laid before the congregation and unanimously carried. An architectural drawing, showing a proposed plan, was submitted by W. 0. Weaver & Son, architects from• Harrisburg, which might be adopted or rejected, stating that such a building could be completed for $37,000, built of stone, but not to include any windows, nor furniture, nor organ, and these would approximate $9,000. J. Boynton Nevling moved that nothing should be done until three-fourths of the required amount necessary to build should be pledged, this to include all available money on hand. Mr. Weaver assured us that if we could not get a contractor here for $37,000 he would guarantee us a man that would contract at that price. The adoption of a plan was held for further consideration. August 25th, 1902, at a trustee meeting, the following persons were named to solicit subscriptions: Geo. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 133 W. Rheem, chairman, H. B. Powell, Ai F. Boynton, J. B. Nevling, Jos. E. Gearhart and A. Marwick and the chairman was authorized to add others to the committee if necessary. December 23rd, 1902, at a trustee meeting, the president, Thos. H. Murray was authorized to acknowledge to Mrs. David McGaughey, the receipt of the $2,000 willed to the trustees with the thanks of the board for this great kindness on the part of her husband, Capt. David McGaughey. December 29th, 1902, at a meeting of the congregation, the trustees reported that they had secured three-fourths of the amount ordered at a previous meeting, and also submitted a change in the plans for locating the organ from behind the pulpit to the corner and advocating the auditorium to be made sufficiently large to seat 700 persons. The plan submitted by the trustees was adopted with the changes suggested. January 5th, 1903, trustees appointed a committee to advise with W. 0. Weaver in regard to changes suggested and if satisfactory to accept the plans and employ W. 0. Weaver and Son, of 14 South Market Square, Harrisburg, to superintend the erection of the Church and to proceed at once. The committee consisted of Geo. W. Rheem, H. B. Powell and Ashley Thorn, and on January 6th, said committee met Mr. W. 0. Weaver and everything being satisfactory, they agreed to employ him as architect and superintendent. The building. committee appointed at the second Quarterly Conference consisting of Ai F. Boynton, H. B. Powell, Jos. E. Gearhart, Asbury W. Lee, Thos. H. Murray A. B. Shaw and Geo. W. Rheem met at the home of Ai F. Boynton, February 25th, 1903, and an organization was made as follows: Chairman, Ai F. Boynton, ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 134 Harry B. Powell, treasurer and Geo. W. Rheem was subsequently elected secretary. Jos. E. Gearhart asked co be excused from acting on account of his being so frequently away from home and Ashley Thorn was recommended to the next Quarterly Conference to take his place. February 14th, 1903, in his 63rd year, after a long illness, Bro. Daniel W. McCurdy passed away. His life was of such a prominent nature in our Church, that simply a passing notice of it would be unwarranted. He came to Clearfield in the year 1862 and engaged in teaching in the Clearfield Academy for two years. He entered the law office of Jos. B. McEnally and after the usual length of time required for preparation was admitted to the bar at Clearfield in 1868, for the practice of his profession. He connected himself with the Clearfield Methodist Episcopal Church, by certificate soon after his arrival in Clearfield. He was elected as a teacher in the Sunday School, which place he filled acceptably, and in 1874, without consulting him, he was elected to the office of superintendent of the school, which action he considered very unwise, and was almost on the point of a positive refusal to accept the position because of doubts of his own capacity for the place, but being persistently urged by his closest friends to accept, he finally consented, and it was but a short time until the school found they had not made any. mistake. He fell in love with the work, and his earnestness in it was so appreciated that he was elected to the office of superintendent for 27 years. He had been the recording steward for 34 years, and his books are a pattern of neatness. He was also treasurer of the Church for 29 years, in which he was so exacting as never to allow any balances to be carried over from one year to another. In the spiritual work of the Church he was ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 135 always in the lead, revival work was his delight. As long as his health permitted, he was anxious about the building of the new Church and it would have been a pleasure to us if he could have lived to have joined with us in its dedication. The funeral services were conducted by Dr. Foster in the auditorium of the Church, February 18th, a large congregation being present. W. 0. Weaver & Son were evidently mistaken in their estimate of $37,000 for the erection of the Church, for on April 9th they submitted a proposal to change some very important parts in the building and substitute cheaper material in place and the estimate then submitted was $45,800. This was considered very unsatisfactory by the trustees. Bids had been solicited from other builders and were received, and are as follows: W. 0. Weaver again put in one for $54,390.70; the Murray Lumber Company, of Philipsburg, $61,496.23; the Vipond Construction Company, of Altoona, $58,949, and Reuben H. Thompson, of Clearfield, $53,300. The bids were all considered too high and were returned to the bidders. A fourth proposition was made by W. 0. Weaver & Son for $48,500, cutting out all tile work and marble steps, all stone work to he native stone, except the trimmings on the front to be of Cleveland stone. A resolution was then adopted, May 8th, to settle with W. 0. Weaver & Son and pay them $1,000 for their services thus far and they to furnish all working plans and details which would enable any builder to erect and complete the Church, which proposition they accepted and we were just where we commenced. May 25th another congregational meeting was called to receive another proposition from R. H. Thompson to build the church all of native stone in accordance with plans ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 136 for $49,000, or by omitting all finish in the auditorium and cutting out the heating plant for $44,660. This not being considered satisfactory, was rejected. Everything stood still until October 31st, when the Secretary of the Trustees was instructed to solicit other bids and January 7th, 1904, the following bids were opened: W. H. Kinnell, Washington City, $75,857 by specifications, or brownstone $73,341, or Port Deposit stone $76,546; Bennett & Woodring, Williamsport, $63,300; J. D. Snoke & Son, $57,146; R. H. Thompson, not including heating plant, $45,000. January 25th, 1904, J. D. Snoke & Son put in a supplemental bid of all native stone, not including concrete in the cellar nor the ventilation of the Church, of $52,690. R. H. Thompson proposed to add to his bid $1,000 to include a heating plant for $46,000. This was submitted to a congregational meeting February 1st, 1904, and was accepted by them and contract was entered into by the Trustees with R. H. Thompson for the same. This now ended all preliminaries and the work was to be commenced at as early a date as possible in the year. Another matter of great importance was taken up at a congregational meeting March 14th, 1904, and it was to consider the purchase of the corner lot owned by Mr. A. R. Powell, and H. B. Powell moved, and A. Harwick seconded, that we sell the parsonage at a price that would be satisfactory and buy the corner lot at a fair price. It was stated by Geo. W. Rheem that an offer had been made of $9,000 for the parsonage and it was left with the Trustees. April 16th Mr. A. R. Powell set the lowest price of his lot at $11,500, and the Trustees accepted the same, and on April 18th purchase was made and lot paid for. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 137 DEATH OF AI FITCH BOYNTON The subject of this sketch was born in Clearfield, June 5th, 1843, and made it his home all his life, and was well known and highly respected. He formed the acquaintance of Miss Emma Showers while he was in attendance as a student at Williamsport Dickinson Seminary, and after his graduation they were married, June 3d, 1863. They at once went to housekeeping on the corner of Walnut and Third streets, and in after years built a fine home on North Second street, which home they occupied for many years, until the time of his death, which occurred January 19th, 1904. Their family of three children, Mary, Harry and Fitch, all died in young life. His social relations in this community were of the highest order and he was one of our foremost citizens in public enterprises. His relationship and connection with the Clearfield Methodist Episcopal Church occurred very soon after his married life, and it is here where we miss him the most. Quiet and unassuming as he was in life, did not deter him from keeping in close touch with the Church in all her interests, both spiritual and temporal. His regular contributions to the Church were of course known, but his extraordinary benefactions were known only to himself and wife. His death occurring at the time it did, just as we were laying plans for the erection of the present Church, was keenly felt by us as an official body, because of his great interest in having good plans for its construction, and he was instrumental in securing good subscriptions for its erection. And if it could have been possible, it would have been a great pleasure, as well as a great benefit, to us to have had his life spared to work with ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 138 us to its completion. He left his wife to mourn his death, and her affection for him is shown especially in the Church building, by placing for his memory a splendid memorial window, as well as three smaller ones, one for each child, on the east side of our Church, and they are reminders to us of his faithfulness and efficiency whilst he was spared to associate with us. The Opera House hall on third floor was secured at a rental of $50 per month from the Opera House Company, they to furnish heat but not light, to hold all services. The old Church was torn down and excavations for the new Church were made in April, 1904, and the building was commenced soon thereafter. In the course of construction there were necessarily some changes made and these were all carefully considered by the Building Committee and Trustees, and the cornerstone was laid August 13th, 1904, under the direction of Dr. Foster. The ceremony was preceded by suitable services on the floor of the building, at which Rev. W. A. Stephens led in prayer; Rev. W. A. Chase, of the Baptist Church, read the Scripture lesson ; Rev. D. B. Treibly, of the Lutheran Church, also read a Scripture selection; Rev. Benj. H. Mosser, of the Curwensville Methodist Episcopal Church, delivered the principal address, and the Presiding Elder, J. Ellis Bell, made remarks appropriate to the occasion. The audience was asked as far as possible for contributions of $1.00 each, and over one hundred promptly responded. The cornerstone was then prepared with appropriate ceremonies and the following articles, enclosed in a strongly sealed copper box, were placed in the stone: One Bible, 1 Hymnal, 1 Epworth Hymnal, 1 Sunday School Classmate, 1 Child's Paper, 1 Centennial History of ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 139 Clearfield County, 1 Soldiers' Centennial Badge, 1 Pioneer Centennial Badge, 1 Centenary Sunday School Medal, 1866, 1 Seven-dollar Note issued by Continental Congress, May 9th, 1776, 1 Fifty-cent Fractional Currency issued by the United States Government during the Civil War, 1861-1865, 1 "Brief History of Methodism in Clearfield County from 1810," 1 copy Raftsmen's Journal, 1 copy Clearfield Republican, 1 copy Monitor, 1 copy each Public Spirit, daily and weekly, 1 Photograph 1868 Church, 1 Photograph Sunday School Room, 1 Photograph of Present Church, 1 Art Copy Manotowonac Seating Co., 1 Photograph each of Jonathan Boynton, J. B. McEnally and Geo. W. Rheem (these three persons held official relations in all three Churches), 1 Photograph of Rev. M. K. Foster, pastor, 1 Photograph of Rev. J. McKendree Reiley, assistant pastor, 1 Photograph of Thos. H. Murray, Court House and County Officials, Statements of Clearfield National and County National Banks, Clearfield Trust Company, Officers Steam and Water Company, Borough Officers and Committees, Pencil Sketch of First Church on Cherry Street, Names of Women's Foreign Missionary Society, 1 Christian Advocate, 1 copy of Conference Minutes 104, 1 copy Discipline of Church, Twenty-five-cent Fractional Currency. The Trustees sold the parsonage to John Dimeling for $9,300. The Church had been contracted for to be finished by R. H. Thompson, contractor, by March 1st, 1905, but in the course of construction there were a great many unavoidable delays, such as failure of materials being delivered on time by firms furnishing foreign supplies and the unsettled condition of the labor element, thereby pre- ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 140 venting the employment of a sufficient number of workmen. These causes delayed the completion of the building and it was not finally completed until December, 1905. In all its construction no fatalities happened to any of the workmen and only one injury to the workmen in the dislocation of the shoulder of the superintendent, Mr. McNamara. The only accident was the giving way of a rafter in the raising of the large framework for the door between the auditorium and the lecture room, involving only a money loss to the contractor. A committee consisting of W. E. Wallace, Miss Maud Powell, A. H. Woodward and Geo. W. Rheem was appointed to take in charge the selection and purchase of an organ. They attended to that duty and after close investigation of several organs, they reported to the Trustees the M. P. Moller organ, made in Hagerstown, Md., as being the one, in their judgment, as best suited and the price to be $4,000, and the Trustees accepted the report and authorized the Secretary, Geo. W. Rheem, to enter into a contract with that company to erect such an organ, completed by August 1st, 1905. The building of the Church will be of interest to persons in later years, and we give a short history of it. The work of excavating the cellar was commenced in April, 1904, and the extreme dimensions of foundation walls are on front on Second street, including the lobby, 125 feet, and on Walnut street 154 feet. The main building in the auditorium inside measure is 74 feet from pulpit wall to front door, and 76 feet in width. The side walls are octagonal and from each octagon at the square of the walls there are arches or ribs running up the heavily arched ceiling, centering at the dome at a height of 52 ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 141 feet from the floor below. On each rib there are 24 electric lights and in the circle at the dome there are 48 electric lights and on the side walls 36 electric lights. There are 136 circular, quartered oak pews, placed by the American School Furniture Company, of Pittsburg, Pa., with a seating capacity of 650. A large pipe organ at the right of the pulpit, costing $4,000, one-half of which was the gift of Andrew Carnegie, of Pittsburg, and the other half paid by the Ladies' Aid Societies; heavy quartered oak altar rail and table and pulpit furniture. The floor is covered with extra heavy Wilton carpet, dark green in color. Mr. D. W. McCurdy's family placed a beautiful bronze tablet in his memory on the northeast octagon wall, with this inscription: To the glory of God And in loving remembrance of Daniel W. McCurdy, Sunday School Superintendent, 27 years Recording Steward, 34 years Treasurer of the Church, 39 years I love Thy Church, 0 God, Her walls before Thee stand Dear as the apple of Thine eye And graven on Thy hands. Rev. Elbert V. Brown, who entered the ministry from this Church in the year Iwo, donated the beautiful Bible and Hymnal for the pulpit. Mrs. Walter C. Stephens placed one dozen fine leather-backed hymnals for the use of the choir The art glass windows add very greatly to the beauty of the Church. The large window facing Second street and the three smaller ones below were placed by Mrs. A. F. Boynton as a memorial to her husband, Ai. F. Boynton and her three children, Mary, Harry and Fitch. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 142 The window over the pulpit was placed by A. B. Shaw in memory of his wife, Mary A. Shaw, and that on Walnut street was placed by Mrs. W. H. Dill and Mrs. A. E. Patton in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Boynton. A fine marble baptismal font stands inside the altar rail, placed there by Thos. H. Murray and family as a memorial to Mrs. Thos. H. Murray. A fine art window in the library room was placed for Geo. W. Rheem by the members of his Sunday School class. The lecture room, on Walnut street, connects with the auditorium by the hoisting of a large door between the rooms. This room is 45 by 48 feet and around the north and west walls there are seven class rooms on the first floor and seven in connection with the gallery on the second floor. Adjoining the lecture room, on Walnut street, the primary room is located and is 30 by 30 feet. Immediately over the primary room is a ladies' parlor, 30 by 30. All of these rooms are seated with chairs and carpeted with good tapestry carpets. On the Walnut street entrance is the library room, with a fine case with a capacity for 600 books. The entrances to the Church are by the tower on two sides through a beautifully arched lobby 14 feet wide along the Walnut street side, and on the front by vestibules at each corner of the Church, with finely tiled floors and marble steps. And into the lecture room by a door at the end of the long lobby and a door on Walnut street. The lecture room and class rooms are lighted by 130 electric and gas lights and main room by 316 electric lights. The entire building is built of native stone, the majority of which was quarried in the mountain north of town and some from the quarries at Curwensville. Except the principal arches on lobby and tower, which are from Cleveland sand- ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 143 stone, the stone work is rock faced with even points. The walls are not in straight lines, but are broken by projections to suit certain parts of the interior, such as the organ loft, bay in primary room and towers at corners. The principal tower is on the corner of Second and Walnut streets and is the main entrance to lobby on two sides; it is 20 feet square at the base and is supported by massive pilasters and arches and is 128 feet high to point of spire. The apex of the roof is surmounted by a large dome which forms a skylight for the auditorium. The whole cost of the Church up until the dedication was $70,696.75 To which add cost of parsonage, 6,484.60 And it is $77,181.35 Since then there have been additions for sheds and fences, outside improvements of lawns and roof repairs reaching nearly 1,000.00 Making a total cost of Church and parsonage, $78,181.35 The seating of the Church and pulpit furniture was done by the American School Furniture Company, of Pittsburg, costing $1,795.00 The carpeting was done by Ferguson & Rosser, 2,000.00 The art glass work was done by Rudy, of Pittsburg, 5,840.00 The frescoing was done by Mr. Wise, of Tyrone, 375.00 10 ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 144 The Church being completed and in preparation for its dedication, January 7th, 1906, was determined on as the time, and it being the thirty-fifth anniversary of the dedication of the old Church, which Chaplain McCabe dedicated, it was thought advisable to secure his service, now as a Bishop, for the dedication of this one, and in accordance with that thought Dr. Foster entered into communication with him and secured his services for the dedication, and also had the assurance that Dr.. J. M. Buckley, editor of the Christian Advocate, would be present. The 7th arriving, the new Church was opened for service Sunday morning at 10.30. The new organ was presided over by Mrs. Arthurs, of Williamsport, supported by a large choir under the direction of A. H. Woodward, and they opened the services by singing an anthem. The opening hymn, No. 666, was announced by Bishop McCabe; prayer by Rev. Dr. G. D. Penepacker, of Philipsburg; Scripture lessons by the Presiding Elder, Rev. J. Ellis Bell, and Rev. Dr. M. K. Foster. Hymn 334, "My Faith Looks Up to Thee," was announced and the whole congregation joined in the singing. The sermon was by Bishop McCabe, from the text Exodus 25th chapter, 8th verse, "Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them." After the sermon the Bishop made the statement that the cost of the Church was $78,000, and that $30,000 was needed to liquidate the debt, and in his usual spirited way he presented the matter to the congregation and at the close of the services a little over $16,000 had been pledged. In the afternoon at 3 o'clock a Sunday School rally was held and short addresses were delivered by Revs. Geo. Leidy, John A. Mattern, R. Runyan and ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 145 Bishop McCabe. The Bishop then asked the Superintendent, Walter C. Stephens, how much the Sunday School was willing to give toward the debt. He said they could give $2,000, and in a short time $2,090 were pledged to be paid in three years. In the evening the auditorium and lecture room were filled, and after the organ voluntary the hymn, 315, "Nearer, My God, to Thee," was sung. Rev. Geo. Leidy led in prayer; anthem by the choir; hymn No. 433, "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," was sung; then Dr. J. M. Buckley announced his text, Matthew 24th chapter, 35th verse, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away." After the sermon the effort at the collection was then resumed and in closing up it was found that $24,143 had been pledged during the day, leaving about $6,000 to be provided for. The question of dedicating or postponing it until all the money required was pledged was submitted to the Trustees, and their decision was to postpone to a future time, until the $6,000 were provided for. The day was a beautiful one, clear and bright, and not excessively cold, and the whole day's services were interesting and profitable and of good cheer to the Methodists and friends of Clearfield. January 23d, 1906, the Trustees met in the Church after preaching. Present: J. E. Gearhart, Ashley Thorn, H. B. Powell, Allen Wrigley and Geo. W. Rheem. The Secretary announced the death of Wm. S. Taylor, December 24th, a member of the Board, and that the Trustees must fill the vacancy. Geo. W. Rheem moved, and seconded by Ashley Thorn, that F. G. Harris be elected to fill the vacancy and it was so ordered. Wm. S. Taylor was a devoted Christian, a member of the Board of Trustees, a faithful attendant of Thos. H. Murray's ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 146 Sunday School class, and his life illustrated that of a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. March 18th, 1906, was chosen for the final effort to provide for the balance of the debt and to dedicate the Church. The services opened by the rendering of a very fine organ prelude by the organist, Miss Maud Powell. The 32d hymn, "When Morning Gilds the Skies," was then sung, and Dr. Foster led in a most earnest prayer. A fine anthem was then sung by the choir. The preacher of the morning was Rev. W. Perry Eveland, President of Dickinson Seminary, at Williamsport, Pa. He announced his text from Ephesians 3rd chapter and 14th verse, "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Following the sermon came the appeal to the congregation to help again financially. The statement was made that since January 7th, there had been subscribed $3,500, leaving only $2,500 to secure. The people responded to the appeal and $1,600 were subscribed, leaving $900 to be raised in the evening. At 7.30 P. M., the dedicatory services were held. The 2d hymn was sung and Dr. W. A. Stephens offered prayer. The choir then sang a fine anthem. The sermon was by Dr. Eveland again, from Ecclesiastes 12th chapter and 7th verse. Then came the final effort of the day, and in less than half an hour $900 were subscribed and the congregation joined in singing "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow." Then the dedicatory service was held and the Trustees assembled at the altar and Thos. H. Murray, President of the Board, on behalf of the Trustees, presented the Church to the congregation for the service of Almighty God. Dr. Foster, who has been the pastor of this Church for ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 147 the past six years, and who has worked so hard and faithfully in the building of this and the Eleventh Street Church, deserves to be congratulated on the great success of his efforts. The Trustees and members and friends of. the Church who rallied so nobly to his effort in this great work, also deserve credit. This day may truly be said to have been a most memorable day in the history of Clearfield Methodism and this most magnificent temple is not only a great credit to the congregation, but to our city as well, and it is our earnest wish that it may be blessed of God for many years to come and be a means of salvation to multitudes of souls. The pastorate of Rev. Morris E. Swartz commenced with the Conference year of 1906, and whilst nothing special has been done that would make history, the work of the Church under the pastoral care of Bro. Swartz has been carefully watched and nothing has been left undone for the welfare of the Church in all its appointments. We have had a very pleasant and profitable year, without any discords or happenings to cause any dissensions in our Church, and our splendid Church home is a great pleasure and comfort to all. But there are sad things that are unavoidable that have broken in on our enjoyments and the sudden death of our sister, Mrs. Thos. H. Murray, was of this kind, August 7th. Her interest in the various organizations of our Church was shown by the attention she gave to each one as her health would permit. She was prompt in her attendance at the services in the public congregation and the Sunday school on the Sabbath, and at the Wednesday evening prayer meeting, and in the other organizations of whatever kind, her willingness to do and her counsel for the good of these societies was always decidedly marked, ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 148 and at the missoinary meeting, August 7th, 1907, in the Church, just opposite her residence, she was suddenly stricken down and her lifeless body was carried to her home by sorrowing friends. To add to the sadness, her husband was far away from home and was not permitted to see, nor to know of the sad occurrence, until his family could get into communication with him. Our Church in all its interests has felt very keenly this loss. The funeral services were held at the family home and were conducted by her pastor, Rev. M. E. Swartz, assisted by Rev. Dr. M. K. Foster, August 10, at 2 P. M.; and all that was mortal of her was laid away in the cemetery to await the final resurrection. A suggestion to change the corporate name of the Church had been made and on October 9th, 1907, a meeting of the corporation was called to consider the matter of changing the name. A report was made by A. H. Woodward, Secretary of Trustees, suggesting the name of 'Walnut Street. He then moved that to be the name, seconded by A. Harwick. Jos. B. McEnally moved to amend that each voter cast a ballot with the name of his choice. J. Knight seconded the amendment, and the motion as amended was carried, and on motion of H. B. Powell, that the unanimous consent be given to withdraw all motions and amendments and that we pro. ceed to ballot. Motion prevailed and A. H. Woodward withdrew his motion. Walter C. Stephens and John E. Harder were appointed tellers. The first ballot: First Methodist Episcopal Church had 11 votes Walnut Street Methodist Episcopal Church had 8 votes St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church had 1 vote Second Street Methodist Episcopal Church had 2 votes ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 149 There being no choice, a motion to withdraw St. Paul and Second Street was carried. H. B. Powell moved that privilege he given to discuss the names of First Methodist Episcopal and Walnut Street, and a discussion by A. H. Woodward and H. B. Powell was very thorough, and Mr. Woodward suggested the name of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, and a second ballot being taken resulted in: First Methodist Episcopal had 9 votes Trinity Methodist Episcopal had 9 votes Walnut Street had 4 votes St. Paul's had 1 vote There being no choice, a third ballot was ordered, when Trinity Methodist Episcopal had 14 votes First Methodist Episcopal had 7 votes Walnut Street had 3 votes The name of Trinity having received the largest number of votes, was adopted and made unanimous. It was moved and seconded that A. H. Woodward, the Secretary of Trustees, be directed to take the necessary legal steps to have the charter name of the corporation changed from the Clearfield Methodist Episcopal Church to that of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. Bro. Swartz contemplating a protracted meeting in the fall of 1908, and in consultation with the Official Board, it was thought advisable to secure the service of a good singer and leader to take charge of the singing, and he was authorized to secure such a person and arrange a date for the beginning of the meeting. J. Raymond Hem- ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 150 minger, of Carlisle, Pa., was chosen as the person to entrust with the work and he was engaged for it, preparation was made and a large platform was erected at the pulpit sufficiently large to seat from fifty to sixty singers. The meeting commenced on October 18th, and Mr. Hemminger succeeded in forming a large chorus of singers and under his training it was soon found that he was eminently qualified to lead in such a service and with the hearty co-operation both of his own singers and the congregation, the singing during the whole meeting was a great inspiration and a great help to the meeting. The meeting was largely attended, and the interest manifested was very marked, and the invitations to persons to start in the religious life were always responded to and every evening some were found at the altar, and in the congregation were many persons who signified their intention to make a start for a better life. Bro. Swartz was assisted in the services by other ministers, and meetings for men were held on Sunday afternoons. The meeting continued until the 18th of November, when its close resulted in a report of 12o conversions, and nearly all connected themselves with our Church. The women of the Church are organized into Foreign and Home Missionary Societies, and their work is shown in the statistical report. OUR FINANCIAL SYSTEM In the beginning of the Conference year our stewards take the financial management in hand and make an assessment on each member or family in the Church, as to what in their judgment is a fair proportion for each family or member to contribute toward the support of ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 151 the Church. The members are notified of such assessment and envelopes are sent to them for each month in the year, asking them as far as possible to make monthly payments. This assessment is not a binding one, but may be lessened or increased in the judgment of the members, but is seldom changed. This assessment is given to the Treasurer, Andrew Harwick, and he gives to a number of collectors a list of names they are expected to collect from, and by his careful management each quarterly report generally shows a close collection ; and he is careful that each year shows a final settlement and no balances carried over. The public collections very nearly cover the current expenses for each year. CHURCHES OF THE TOWN A condensed history of the other Churches of the town will not be out of place. St. Francis' Roman Catholic Church dates the first visit of priests to this parish in 1815, as misisonaries, but there was no regularly organized Church until 1830, when Rev. Father Leary commenced the building of the Church, contributing $1,6o0 of his own money to the •object and the building was not entirely finished for about three years. This building was in use for over fifty years, and during the priesthood of Rev. P. J. Sheridan the present building was erected, and July 25th, 1886, the cornerstone was laid and the building completed at an estimated cost of $25,000. They have also a fine parsonage and sisters' home and a large parochial school building. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The Presbyterian Church has a record somewhat older than ours. In 1803, by direction of the Huntingdon ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 152 Presbytery, there was preaching in Clearfield by Revs. William Stewart and Henry R. Wilson, and other ministers came later on. This congregation, like our own, worshipped in private houses until the court house and academy were built, when, according to a diary kept by Rev. Frederick G. Betts, the grandfather of our townsmen, F. G. and W. I. Betts, these buildings were used. The society does not seem to have a distinct organization until 1819, and in 1826 Rev. Garry Bishop was installed as its first pastor and remained until 1834. The Church was incorporated March 31st, 1837. The first Church building was erected on the present site and was same style as the Cherry Street Methodist Episcopal Church, and was dedicated July 4th, 1841, mention of which is made in the diary of Mr. Betts, who succeeded Mr. Bishop in 1840. His pastorate of four years was like the circuit rider of our Church, going to all parts of the county on horseback. He died in 1845. The present Church building was erected in the years 1868 and 1869, and during its erection their pastor, Rev. J. G. Archer, was killed, January 12th, 1869, in a railroad accident. Rev. H. S. Butler was the first occupant of the pulpit in the new Church in 1869, and remained fifteen years. Rev. E. C. Reeve, D. D., is the pastor at this time and occupies the parsonage adjoining the Church. The Church records show a membership of 610, with a good Sunday School. The membership in the county is 3,111, and they have 19 Church buildings in the county. LUTHERAN CHURCH The St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church had for its leader in its early history Mr. G. Philip Gulich, who no doubt is remembered by some citizens of our town, and ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 153 whose name was honored by our court, as the Apostle of Temperance, by naming one of our townships for him. His desire to have a place of worship for the few of his people prompted him to undertake the erection of a Church on the present site, and on August 31st, 1850, the cornerstone was laid and in 1851 the Church was dedicated. This building served its purpose until the growth of the congregation demanded more room and the building was sold and moved to the alley, where it now stands, and in 1887 the present building was erected and in 19o8 an addition was made to it, and now they have a splendid Church home with a good membership and a fine Sunday School. There are 26 Lutheran Churches in the county, with a membership of 2,856. Rev. Geo. W. Enders is the present pastor. ST. ANDREWS St. Andrew's Protestant Episcopal dates the formation of their parish to May 22, 1850. The first Church building was commenced in the year 1850 and was completed in 1851. Rev. Dr. Alex. McLeod was the first rector, although the congregation held services, like the other Churchless congregations in the "forties," in the court house by visiting pastors. The ministerial supplies were changeable, no rector remaining for any great length of time, and yet the parish has been well sustained. Some improvements were made on the old building in 1866. A new Church building was contracted for June loth, 1895, and the present edifice is the result of that contract, and it is a very neat, comfortable Church home. Rev. Jos. Johns is the present rector. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 154 BAPTIST The Baptist people held religious services in the court house as early as 1842, by Rev. Samuel Miles. An organization was effected June 24th, 1854, with 42 members. A Church building was erected on their present location, North Second street. Like all other Church societies, some person had to take the initial step, and in this case an old pioneer, Israel Nichols, Sr., a veteran Baptist, being a man possessed of considerable means, undertook the task of building this Church, and in 1858 pushed the work to completion. Rev. L. L. Still was their first regular pastor and he was also county superintendent of the common schools. The present pastor is P. S. Calvin and the membership numbers 138. They have a new chapel located on the same lot on which the original Church building stood and intend erecting a new building on the front of the lot at their earliest convenience. They have 25 Churches in the county, with a membership of 2,372. UNITED BRETHREN The United Brethren Church is of recent origin in Clearfield. They built their first Church on the corner of Dorey and Seventh Streets, in 1892. Rev. A. Davidson, of the Woodland charge, was their first pastor. In 1902 they moved the first building to the foot of their lot and under the pastorate of W. 0. Jones they erected the present brick building at a cost of $10,000. They sold the old Church in 1910 to the Baptists for their Sunday School in the Paradise settlement. Their membership is 219 and the enrollment in the Sunday School is 276. Rev. A. B. Wilson is the present pastor. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 155 There are 9 charges in the county and a total membership of 1,986. There is also an organization of the Seventh Day Adventists in West Clearfield, of only a few years' existence and they have a very small membership. There is also the Salvation Army, which is trying to hold together, but with a hard struggle to maintain its organization. MEMORIAL ADDRESS ON HON. J. B. MCENALLY Delivered by Hon. Thomas H. Murray at Memorial Services in Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, Clearfield, Pa., Sunday, January 9, 1910, at 7.15 P. M. At the opening of these exercises I was requested by the President of the League to make a few remarks. But for this I would not have ventured to speak on this occasion, for the reason that last Friday morning in the court house I spoke at great length on the professional career of Judge McEnally, and also incidentally upon his church life. It will always be a grateful recollection that the first time I ever saw Judge McEnally and the last time I ever saw him alive, was in the Church. In the summer of 1858 I came to Clearfield with my mother to visit a relative. It was the second time I had been here. I was then about the size of one of these small boys. On this occasion we came here on Saturday and went to Church in the old Church on Cherry Street. I was at that age when everything made an impression on my mind. It was the first Church I had ever been in. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 156 All the services I had ever attended before were in a school house or some such building. I can never forget how much I was impressed with the magnificence of the building, the long row of seats and the appointments generally. This Church is nothing like the magnificent -Church that then appeared to me. The preacher was the Rev. Thomas Barnhart. He was an old fashioned preacher. Among other accomplishments he had the rare gift of being able to read well. I took a seat about half way up on the left hand side. The opening hymn he read was that wonderful hymn of Cowper's: "God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform. He plants His footsteps in the sea And rides upon the storm." I had never heard it before. It made an impression on my mind which I can never forget. I afterwards came to know the history of the unusual circumstances under which it was written. It has always seemed to me to be the most finely written and the most majestic in sentiment of all that marvelous collection. Shortly before the hymn had been announced, there was a young, slim looking man came up the aisle and took a seat immediately in front of me. He was dressed in black and wore a silk hat. He was the second lawyer I had ever seen and for that reason I paid much attention to him. I found out who he was in this way; he set his silk hat down beside him and I leaned over the back of the seat and read this name in the hat—"Jos. B. McEnally." He generally wrote his name that way, not by the initials and not in full. The next time I saw him was in the fall of the same year at a log school house near where my ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 157 father lived, where he made a political speech. In 1864 I heard him at the same place on the same kind of an occasion. That time he stayed over night at my father's house. With this knowledge of him when I came to Clearfield in the spring of 1868, he was one of the first persons I came to know well. He gave me more encouragement than anyone else at the Bar, especially among the older lawyers. Through his influence and confidence in me, I early became identified with a class of important cases, which I would not otherwise then have had to do with. When we later came to try cases against each other, there were the asperities between us that are common to lawyers, but we never lost the great respect we had for each other. I had very great regard for him and he had for me. When I had a very serious illness about six years ago, it was a long time before I could walk with my accustomed vigor. One day, going along the street to the post office in about the usual way, I met him. As soon as he came in view he smiled and approached me, stopped and said that he was very glad to see that I was able to walk in the old fashioned way. I can recall many incidents illustrating his high Christian character and the confidence it inspired in his associates at the Bar, but I will only venture to relate one. Nearly thirty-two years ago I was employed to defend a man charged with murder. There was for the Commonwealth, the prosecuting officer and also an emiment counsel from another city. On the eve of the trial when, full of anxiety and solicitude because of the responsibility, I learned that Judge McEnally also was employed for the prosecution. Mr. Gordon, afterwards Judge Gordon, was then associated with me. We were both quite young and felt the weight of the task before us. I said to him ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 158 that with Judge McEnally on the other side it seemed to me that we were confronted by a very formidable array of counsel. He replied by this significant statement, that he would prefer to have Judge McEnally on the other side than to try the case against the other counsel alone, for he thought that the prosecution would now be under the direction of McEnally and that he would not offer testimony to affect the prisoner which he did not believe was proper testimony in a capital case. I have often thought of this since as a very high tribute to the character of the man; that in the zeal of his cause and in his anxiety to press the case of the Commonwealth, he would not lose sight of his duty to the court, as well as to the prisoner, by introducing testimony which was not proper on such a serious charge. I thought then and since, that it would be a great thing if the same character and caution would govern all the other counsel who present cases before the court and jury. Some time last year a committee was appointed by the Court to obtain photographs or pictures of all the men who had presided over the courts of this county, commencing with the first Judge, Hon. Charles Huston, who opened the court here in October, 1822, and who was afterwards elevated to the supreme bench of the State. On last Friday morning at the Bar meeting in the court house his associates attempted a portrait of his professional career, not only by way of tribute to his memory, but that there might be put in permanent form an estimate of his character and services at the Bar for the benefit of the younger men now practicing, who had less knowledge of him, and that the future generations of lawyers might know of the great qualities which enabled him to attain such high rank at the Bar. At the afternoon services ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 159 at this Church, however, there was presented by the remarks of Dr. Stephens, the only adequate and complete portrait he has ever had. I would be glad indeed, if that was put in such form as to be available to every member of this Church. Biography is the most interesting and instructive of writings for the reason that the study of people surpasses all other objects of study. Whether we travel at home or abroad we learn more of value by our contact with people than otherwise. Pope said rightly, "The proper study of mankind is man." Biography, therefore, is the most instructive of all writing. History is only another form of biography. I have paid some attention to this kind of writing. I have read much of it and have written some and I think I have some judgment on the subject. The address to which I refer was the best memorial address I have ever heard, and I have seldom read any equal to it. In 2,000 years there have been but two great biographers; one was Plutarch, who was born somewhere from 4o to 45 of the first century. It has been said, upon good authority, that "Plutarch's Lives" was a book read by more intelligent people than any other book outside of the Bible, up until a hundred years ago, when the drift of the public mind was turned toward more frivolous reading. McCauley said of this book, that while there were many books which were valuable to him, there were none he could not get along without except this book. The other great biographer was James Boswell, born in 1740. There are few intelligent men, indeed, who are so greatly lacking as Boswell, but his biography was such a great success as to overshadow the glaring defects which made him a failure in everything else but it. No thoughtful person, who can take the 11 ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 160 time to read far enough into his book to discover its peculiar value and merit, will ever let loose of it until he devours its contents. If I had to rearrange and classify great biographers, I would say the first one was Plutarch, who wrote in the last half of the first century, the second one was Boswell, who wrote in the last half of the eighteenth century and the third was Dr. W. A. Stephens, who wrote and spoke in the early part of the twentieth century. It is well our departed friend, whose loss we so greatly mourn, and whose memory we so greatly cherish, has had a biographer who has presented to us his Christian character and his Church life in such accurate and definite terms as to do great justice to the dead and furnish inspiration to the living. It is often said there is always some one to take the place of one gone. This depends on whether he left duplicates of himself. The most interesting people have no duplicates. It is the odd, eccentric and unusual people who are the most interesting, and this because their oddity and eccentricity touch our lives in places which other people cannot reach. It is, therefore, their peculiarities which render them of special interest and value. Nobody will ever take this man's place. No one else can fit into his place in our lives and in the life of this Church. We will never see his like again, but if we are faithful to the example he left us, and true to the light he followed, we shall see him again. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 161 DR. W. A. STEPHENS' ADDRESS Memorial Delivered at Funeral of Hon. J. B. McEnally, Friday, January 7th The Republican is privileged this week to give its readers the memorial address delivered by Dr. W. A. Stephens in the Methodist Church at the funeral of the late Judge Joseph B. McEnally, on Friday afternoon, January 7th. It is one of the most beautiful tributes ever paid to the memory of a departed friend. It follows: "We are here because a good man has been removed from association with us. He is not dead. What we call death is but transfer, in this case a transfer of life to a wider sphere of activity and more congenial environment. "It is not my purpose to speak of his professional life. That has been done by those better qualified than myself. I wish only to speak of his religious life and character as it impressed me during the years I have known him. "If I were to try to sum up a description of his religious life in one word, I would use constancy as that word. A life of unwavering adherence to a course he had chosen for himself. "This quality was seen in the fact that he was not perceptibly affected by the ebb and flow of spiritual life in the Church. In times of spiritual refreshing he was always in his place doing his part fully toward the success of the movement, but his personal life gave but little evidence of special spiritual uplift. Then in times of indifference, when many would fall into neglect, as to religious duty, he moved steadily forward. I have sometimes thought that if the entire membership had made ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 162 shipwreck of faith, McEnally would have stood just as firmly as ever; been just as loyal to God and as faithful to his religious duty and privilege as at any time. His way was not on "mountain tops and then in valleys low," but a constantly ascending pathway. The same characteristic of his religious life was seen in that he was not moved by changes in form of worship. Older people as a rule do not take to changes kindly. They incline to cling to that with which they have become familiar, and because of changes made come to feel that "the former days were better than the latter." The same may be said of him as to new phases. of doctrine whether the outgrowth of scientific or critical philosophical investigation, none of these disturbed him. He had thought out his way for himself and reached well settled convictions as to the essentials. These he was convinced would abide. The foundations being secure the changes in non-essentials interested, but did not disturb him. "This constancy of religious character is seen also in the fact that other interests, however important, were never allowed to so engage him as to even momentarily turn him aside from his religious duties or privileges. "The most absorbing demands of the political campaign, in which he was always deeply interested, or the severe exactions of his professional life, to which no man was more devoted, were not allowed to encroach on his religious life or duties. The deeper current on which his religious life moved was undisturbed by any of the things that seem to reverse, for a time, the course of many men's lives. His presence at the place of worship was as certain at such as at other times. They to him were important, but secondary to the claims of God and his spiritual interests. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 163 "This constancy precluded the possibility of anything spectacular in his religious life. There was no going forward by leaps and bounds, to be followed by a halt or a retrograde movement. On the other hand no standing still or sluggishness of spirit and movement, but a daily progress toward a maturity of religious thought, experience and life, beautiful in its consistency and profitable as an example for our study and imitation. "I am glad I knew him." ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 164 CHAPTER VIII STATISTICAL SHEETS The Epworth League was organized February 6th, 1892. The first report of it was made on February 24th, 1892, with the following succession of presidents: H. B. Powell, 1892-93. W. B. Townsend, 1895. Jno. P. McCurdy, 1896-1902-03-04-05-06. J. B. Nevling, 1897-98. C. T. Stewart, 1899-1900. W. E. Mather, East End, 1902. E. V. Brown, 1894. R. S. Parsons, 1907. G. Chas. Hall, 1908-09-1o. The superintendents of the Sunday School from 1850 to 1900 are: Jno. W. Shugart, 1850. Chas. D. Watson, 1851. Jno. W. Shugart, 1852-53-54. Jos. B. McEnally, 1854-55. William Mercer, 1856. John Troutman, 1857. Geo. W. Rheem, 1858-73. Daniel W. McCurdy, 1874-78, 1883-1904. Frank G. Harris, 1881-82. Walter C. Stephens, 1904.06. Harvey J. Flegal, 1907-10. Elmer E. Fink, 1902-04. (East End School.) ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 165 MISSIONARY COLLECTIONS Statement of missionary collections from 1869 for this station, since its organization, from Church and Sunday School and Women's Societies. YEAR. Church. Sunday School. Total. Woman's Foreign. Woman's Home. Total. 1870, $177.75 $55.23 $233.00 1871, 183.63 66.37 250.00 1872, 229.59 150.00 379.59 1873, 280.07 114.94 395.01 1874, 243.58 113.71 357.29 1875, 250.12 119.20 369.32 1876, 121.10 79.67 200.77 1877, 157.00 53.34 210.34 $17.64 1878, 148.00 65.60 213.60 20.40 1879, 100.00 80.56 180.56 27.01 188o, 128.67 74.75 203.42 13.00 1881, 188.90 180.18 369.08 13.00 1882, 185.35 227.09 412.44 22.00 1883, 287.50 220.00 507.50 50.00 1884, 337.00 179.00 516.00 48.00 1885, 315.00 221.00 536.00 42.00 1886, 322.00 192.00 514.00 46.00 1887, 307.00 238.00 545.00 50.00 1888, 334.00 186.00 520.00 50.00 1889, 417.00 174.00 591.00 50.00 1890, 507.00 175.00 682.00 42.00 1891, 493.00 190.00 683.00 42.00 ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 166 MISSIONARY COLLECTIONS—Continued YEAR. Church. Sunday School. Total. Woman's Foreign. Woman's Home. Total. 1892, 440.00 252.00 692.00 39.00 1893, 404.00 413.00 817.00 60.00 1894, 548.00 352.00 900.00 72.00 1895, 506.00 346.00 852.00 108.00 1896, 454.00 381.00 835.00 111.00 $5.00 1897, 620.00 355.00 975.00 97 00 1898, 591.00 364.00 955.00 124.00 188.00 1899, 678.00 330.00 1,008.00 110.00 125.00 1900, 692.00 388.00 1,080.00 272.00 161.00 1901, 752.00 448.00 1,200.00 125.00 282.00 1902, 773.00 487.00 1,260.00 101.00 182.00 1903, 636.00 632.00 1,268.00 135.00 243.00 1904, 611.00 657.00 1,268.00 124.00 266.00 1905, 618.00 657.00 1,275.00 111.00 92.00 1906, 573.00 550.00 1,123.00 111.00 47.00 Special $15 1907, 574.00 551.00 1,140.00 109.00 21. 00 Special $6o 1908, 580.00 552.00 1,192.00 109.00 105.00 Special $131 1909, 586.00 555.00 1,272.00 110.00 123.00 1910, 579.00 572.00 1,151.00 120.00 88.00 $16,928.26 $11,997.66 $28,925.92 $2,687.05 $2,126.00 Grand total, $33,738 77 ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 167 TRUSTEES OF CLEARFIELD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 1860-1909. Appointed by the Court, September 29th, 1860. John Moore, Jno. W. Shugart, Wm. Tate, Geo. W. Rheem, J. B. McEnally. Elected by the Church, January 11th, 1866. J. B. McEnally, 1866-72. R. B. Taylor, 1866. Geo. W. Rheem, 1866-1907. Jno. H. Fulford, 1866-70. Jonathan Boynton, 1866-1905. Reuben McPherson, 1866-72, 1873-81. L. R. Merrell, 1866-81. Thos. J. McCullough, 1866-68. John Troutman, 1866-77. John W. Shugart, 1867-72. Z. C. McCullough, 1868. Geo. W. Gearhart, 1868-70, 1873-94. Robt. Thompson, 1869-71, 1873-78, 1882-84. Alex Southard, 1871-72. Aaron C. Tate, 1872-80, president of board, 1876. Jacob Snoke, 1873-75-1909. Fred Nissley, 1873. D. W. McCurdy, 1874-75. Jno. M. Adams, 1874-76. Thos. H. Murray, 1876-1910, president of board from 1878 to 1910. Wm. S. Taylor, 1876-1906. Miles R. Beers, 1878-81. Milton G. Brown, 1879-87. Jas. M. Stewart, 1882-92. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 168 Geo. S. Gearhart, 1882-1909. Dr. E. M. Scheurer, 1882-1895. Frank G. Harris, 1884-1897, 1908. A. Prettyman Moore, 1888-92. Geo. D. Runk, 1893-95. Wilson B. Townsend, 1893-1901. Ai F. Boynton, 1895-1903. Mitchell Shope, 1896-98. S. A. Bickford, 1896- Geo. W. Weaver, 1897-1900. Levis K. McCullough, 1898-1903. Ashley Thorn, 1900-06. H. B. Powell, 1901-09. Jos. E. Gearhart, 1902-09. Allen Wrigley, 1904-07. Geo. H. Gearhart, 1904-07. Americus H. Woodward, 1907-10. Walter C. Stephens, 1907-10. Richard Kennard, 1907-10. Alfred Graham, 1908-10. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 169 Date of Circuits and Stations formed out of Original Circuit of 160 members: we give their numerical strength and Number of Parsonages and Churches and their values up to this time, and names of preachers first sent to them. [image of table] image may be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism-clearfield/169.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 170 Date of Circuits and Stations formed out of Original Circuit of 160 members: we give their numerical strength and Number of Parsonages and Churches and their values up to this time, and names of preachers first sent to them. [image of table] image may be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/centennialmethodism-clearfield/170.jpg ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 171 Baltimore Conference LIST OF PREACHERS List of Preachers' names and when appointed to circuit embraced with Huntingdon and Moshannon or Philipsburg and Clearfield, including all of Clearfield county, the south end of Elk county, concluding with Clearfield Station, Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, from 1810 to 1910, inclusive. WHEN APPOINTED. Year. Month. Jacob Gruber, Presiding Elder, 1810 Daniel Stansberry, 1810 March 9th John Thomas, 1811 March l0th Wm. Butler, 1812 March l0th Robert Burch, Presiding Elder, 1812 James Stevens, 1813 March 24th John Bull, 1813 March 24th James Reiley, 1814 March 16th Samuel Davis, 1814 March 16th Robert Cadden, 1815 March 20th Henry Baker, 1815 March 20th Morris Howe, 1815 March 20th Thomas Becke,* 1818 Robert Vinton,* 1818 Joseph Frye, Presiding Elder, 1819 William Stevens,* 1820 Samuel Hamilton,* 1820 Henry Smith, Presiding Elder, 1822 Wm. McDowell,* 1822 W. 0. Lumsden,* 1822 Robt. Minshall,* 1822 Marmaduke Pearce, Presiding Elder, 1825 John Bowen, 1825 April 6th Wm. McDowell, 1826 March 15th Wm. 0. Lumsden, 1827 April 12th David Kennison, 1828 April 9th Oliver Ege, 1829 March 18th James Sanks, 1829 Zachariah Jordan, 1830 March 10th Daniel Steele, Presiding Elder, 1830 March 10th Peter McEnally, 1831 March 26th Alem Brittain, 1832 March 14th William Prettyman, Presiding Elder, 1833 Stephen Smith, 1833 March 27th John McEnally, 1834 March 12th Eli Nicodemus, 1835 March 15th John Anderson, 1836 March 9th John Miller, Presiding Elder, 1836 ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 172 LIST OF PREACHERS--Continued Samuel B. Blake, 1838 March 14th Jacob McEnally, Missionary, 1836 March 9th Elisha Butler, 1838 March 14th Joseph S. Lee, 1839 April 3d J. Alex. Ross, 1839 April 3d Gideon Day, 1840 March 11th Geo. Hildt, Presiding Elder, 1841 Thomas Hildebrand, 1841 February 10th Geo. Stevenson, 1841 February 10th Elisha Butler, 1842 March 16th Thos. J. McClure, 1842 March 16th Robert Beers, 1843 March 5th Samuel Register, 1843 March 5th Jacob Montgomery, 1844 March 13th Elias Welty, 1845 March 12th Thomas Barnhart, 1845 March 12th Samuel Brison, Presiding Elder, 1845 Henry Hoffman, 1846 March 11th John Zachariah Lloyd, 1846 March 11th John Stine, 1847 March 10th James Deeple, 1847 March 10th Henry Bellman, 1847 March 10th Peter McEnally, 1848 March 8th Albert Hartman, 1849 March 7th John A. Gere, Presiding Elder, 1849 J. A. Melick, 1849 March 7th Geo. Berkstresser, 1850 March 6th James Gamble, 1850 March 6th James H. Scott, 1850 March 6th T. H. W. Monroe, Presiding Elder, 1851 Thaddeus J. Stauber, 1851 March 5th Geo. Guyer, 1852 March 3d Wm. Champion, 1852 March 3d Adam Haughenbury, 1853 March 2d R. A. Bathurst, 1854 March 1st J. F. Porter, 1853 March 2d Jno. Poisal, Presiding Elder, 1854 A. M. Barnitz, 1855 March 7th J. W. Elliott, 1856 March 5th C. B. Tippett, Presiding Eldler, 1857 March 4th Thos. Barnhart, 1857 March 4th ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 173 1858, East Baltimore Conference WHEN APPOINTED. Year. Month. Geo. Guyer, Presiding Elder, 1858 Wilson Lee Spottswood, 1859 March 25th G. D. Chenowith, Presiding Elder, 1861 March 13th Thos. D. Gotwalt, 1861 March 13th Benj. B. Hamlin, Presiding Elder, 1862 March 5th Leonard M. Gardner, 1863 March 4th David S. Monroe, 1865 March 6th W. L Spottswood, Presiding Elder, 1866 Asbury W. Guyer, 1867 March 13th March 11th, 1868, Central Pennsylvania Conference WHEN APPOINTED. Year. Month. J. S. McMurray, Presiding Elder, 1869 Wm. H. Dill, 1869 March 10th Jas. H. McCord, 1870 March 16th A. Duncan Yocum, 1872 March l0th Thos. M. Reese, Presiding Elder, 1875 Benj. F. Stevens, 1875 March 17th S. C. Swallow, Presiding Elder, 1877 Jacob S. McMurray, 1877 March 21st George Leidy, 1880 March 10th Jas. H. McGarrah, Presiding Elder, 1882 James Curns, 1883 March 14th Geo. Leidy, Presiding Elder, 1885 Jas. H. Black, 1886 March 11th Geo. D. Penepacker, 1889 March 20th Dr. Wm. A. Stephens, 1893 March 15th D. S. Monroe, Presiding Elder, 1895 Amos S. Baldwin, 1897 March 17th M. L Smyser, Presiding Elder, 1900 Milton K. Foster, 1900 March 14th J. Ellis Bell, Presiding Elder, 1900 J. McKendree Reiley, 1902 March 26th B. C. Conner, Presiding Elder, 1906 Morris E. Swartz, 1906 March 28th J. T. Bell, Eleventh Street, 1909 March 16th B. A. Salter, West Side, 1909 March 16th * Those marked * were not regular appointments, but were under the Presiding Elder. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 174 RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES OF TRINITY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, FROM APRIL I, 1909, TO APRIL I, 1910 Dr. To special collection for music, $300 00 " public quarterly collections, 245 77 " current expense collections, 696 49 " amount received from collectors, 2,066 39 " balance in hands of collectors, 96 32 $3,404 97 Cr. By pastor's salary, $1,800 00 " cash paid W. A. Carver, 10 00 " district superintendent, 126 00 " quarterly expenses, 4 80 " janitor's salary, 510 00 " sundry expenses, 16 60 " coal and wood, 120 20 " gas light, 14 84 " electric light, 165 68 " water rent, 39 00 " taxes, 112 10 " printing and stationery, 29 75 " choir director, 354 00 " organist, 102 00 $3,404 97 ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 175 APPENDIX OFFICIAL LISTS AND MEMBERSHIP OF TRINITY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN CLEARFIELD, PA.—SEPTEMBER, 1910. Trustees Thos. H. Murray, President. Jos. E. Gearhart, Geo. S. Gearhart, Richard Kennard, Jacob D. Snoke, Harry B. Powell, Alfred Graham, Walter C. Stephens, Treasurer, Americus H. Woodward, Secy. Stewards Wickham D. King, Recording Steward. Andrew Harwick, G. Chas. Hall, Harvey J. Flegal, John F. Irwin, Geo. Johnson, A. Bishop Shaw, J. Boynton Nevling, Clark Flegal, L Alex. Watson, R. Grant Ross, Jahn Buchanan, Dr. Ward 0. Wilson, Allen Wrigley, Samuel Gearhart, Frank A. Walker, A. Knight Stayer, Elmer Shirey, H. C. McCloud, Clyde Stage, john P. McCurdy. Local Preachers L S. Pancoast, Jos. E. Gearhart. Class Leaders Harry B. Powell, Geo. W. Rheem. Methodist Brotherhood President, 0. Bruce Porter. First Vice President, H. B. Powell. Second Vice President, W. C. Stephens. Third Vice President, H. C. McCloud. Fourth Vice President, Dr. W. F. Livingston. Secretary, S. E. McLarren. Treasurer, A. Knight Stayer. 12 ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 176 Woman's Foreign Missionary Society President, Miss Mary E. King. First Vice President, Mrs. William Taylor. Second Vice President, Mrs. M. E. Swartz. Third Vice President, Mrs. Frances E. Weaver. Secretary, Miss Maude Powell. Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Jennie Walker. Treasurer, Mrs. J. B. Nevling. Woman's Home Missionary Society President, Mrs. Alfred Graham. First Vice President, Mrs. R. G. Ross. Second Vice President, Mrs. Wm. P. Watson. Secretary, Mrs. Jennie M. Walker. Treasurer, Mrs. W. D. King. Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. S. I. Snyder. OFFICERS AND TEACHERS OF SUNDAY SCHOOL, 1910 Superintendent, H. J. Flegal. Assistant Superintendent, W. D. King. Assistant Superintendent, Andrew Harwick. Treasurer, W. H. Mulhollan. Secretary, Heber H. Straw. Assistant Secretary, Charles Ogden. Librarian, Leroy Boyce. Chorister, Prof. H. Clark Thayer. Primary Superintendent, Mrs. A. H. Woodward. Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. H. B. Powell. Teachers Ross, Mrs. R. G., Powell, Jennie, Kennard, Mrs. J. B., Leavy, Clara, Kennard, Mrs. R., King, W. D., Johnson, Fannie, Powell, H. B., Graham, Miss Maud, Rheem, Geo. W., Nevling, Mrs. J. B., Bailey, Mrs. S. D., Steitz, F. C., Murray, Thos. H., Powell, Isabelle, King, Mrs. W. D., Worrell, Anna, King, Miss Mary, Owens, Mame, Harris, F. G., Powell, Maud, Walker, Mrs. J. B., Leavy, Mrs. Lou, McCurdy, John P., Forsyth, John C., Woolridge, Mrs. D. R., Mulhollan, Anna, Woodward, A. H., Savage, Sue, Shirey, Mrs. Ed., Rosser, Mrs. Geo. M., Flegal, Mrs. H. J. August 8th, 1909. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 177 SUNDAY SCHOOL STATISTICS AVERAGE ATTENDANCE. INCREASE. March 1, '07 March 1,'08 to March 1, 08. to March 1,'09. First quarter, 244 328 84. Second quarter, 278 322 44 Third quarter, 249 308 59 Fourth quarter, 279 324 45 Average attendance for year is 366 Average attendance for this year, 422 Average increase for year, 56 Enrollment— Officers and teachers, 43 Not including Home Department and Cradle Roll, 605 Home Department, 95 Cradle Roll, 98 Total, 841 The enrollments by decades from 1850 are: 1850, 80 1860, 125 1870, 189 1880, 200 1890, 225 1900, 532 1910, 841 Current expenses for third quarter, 1910, .. $217 38 Amount paid for missions for quarter, .... 125 o6 Home Department Mrs. Louise Leavy, Superintendent. Assistants: Mrs. Richard Kennard, Mrs. D. R. Woolridge, Miss Mary King, Mrs. Ed. Shirey, Mrs. John Kennard, Geo. W. Rheem. Cradle Roll Department Superintendent, Mrs. H. J. Flegal. Assistant, Miss Mary Irwin. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 178 Epworth League President, G. Chas. Hall. First Vice President, Jno. P. McCurdy. Second Vice President, Miss Sarah Leavy. Third Vice President, Miss Maude Powell. Fourth Vice President, Miss Maude Graham. Secretary, Miss Violet Peters. Treasurer, Miss Lillie Wrigley. Junior League Superintendent, Miss Jennie C. Powell. Queen Esther Circle President, Miss Maude Graham. First Vice President, Miss Hazel Hills. Second Vice President, Miss Edith Brown. Third Vice President, Miss Sarah Miller. Secretary, Miss Violet Peters. Corresponding Secretary, Miss Ruth Gearhart. Treasurer, Miss Jane Hoover. Standard Bearers President, Mrs. Dr. W. 0. Wilson. First Vice President, Miss Martha Iiames. Second Vice President, Miss Della Anderson. Third Vice President, Miss Bertha Stage. Recording Secretary, Miss Mary Boyce. Corresponding Secretary, Miss Alice Showalter. Treasurer, Mrs. Emmott Harder. Ladies Aid Society President, Mrs. A. H. Woodward. Vice President, Mrs. Ed. Shirey. Secretary, Mrs. H. J. Flegal. Treasurer, Mrs. F. G. Harris. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 179 MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHURCH, SEPTEMBER 1, 1910. A Adams, Beaufort, Adams, Genevieve, Adams, Sarah, Adams, Edwin W., Adams, John M., Adams, Rebecca, Anderson, Mrs. D. W., Anderson, Della, Anderson, Miriam, Arthurs, Rebecca, Adams, Helen. B Boynton, Mrs. Emma, Buchanan, Nettie, Boyer, Mrs. Sarah, Buchanan, Irene, Brown, Milton G., Blacker, Wm., Brown, Elizabeth, Blacker, Mrs. Wm., Brown, Edith, Blacker, James, Brown, Elam W., Bryan, Orpha, Brown, Mary, Bouton, Emma, Byers, Harry, Bing, Pearl Whitman, Byers, Margaretta, Beaston, Elizabeth, Bruner, Edith, Beaston, Maria, Bruner, Fannie, Beaston, Margaret, Bloom, Lemuel C., Bratton, Bertha M., Bloom, Fiurma, Bratton, Elsie, Bloom, Myrtle, Bailey, Lizzie, Bloom, Edith, Bailey, Ida M., Bloom, Altha, Bailey, Laura, Barclay, Jno. C., Bailey, Elsie, Barclay, Kate, Bailey, Alvin, Bailey, Dr. S. D., Bailey, Jennie Edna, Bailey, Jennie, Bailey, Mary, Bailey, Mary; Boyce, LeRoy, Bailey, Lela Luella, Boyce, Mary, Brown, Margaret, Brown, Harriet, Buchanan, John, Boyce, Cammilliar S., Bates, Erie Thorn. C Cowdrick, Sarah, Cardon, Lida, Cardon, Mary Ellen, Cardon, Joseph, Cardon, May, Cardon, Fred, Jr., Cardon, Frances, Cardon, Blake, Cardon, Geo. B., Cardon, Bruce, Cardon, Jessie Gearhart, Chambers, Wilbur F., Cooper, B. Frank, Chambers, Sarah M., Cooper, Mary, Cathcart, Elmer, Cooper, David Franklin, Cathcart, Esther A., ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 180 Cathcart, Flora, Chaplin, John S., Chaplin, Ida B., Chase, Edmund B., Cooper, Lewis W., Cooper, Belle, Cooper, Pearl, Cooper, Wm., Cooper, Mary, Cole, B. F., Cole, Eliza, Cross, Agnes Wilson, Curley, Horace, Cowdrich, Wilbur C., Cowdrick, Hester, Cowdrick, Arthur, Caraher, Richard. D Davis, Nathan T., Davis, Mamie, Dimeling, Mary, Dunlap, Fred S., Duke, Anna, Demi, Emma, Duff, Ethel, Dowler, Lizzie, Dunning, Jesse B., Dunning, Mrs. De Beck, Clara, Derrick, Albert, Derrick, Mrs., Dressler, Jennie, De Haas, Virginia, Dougherty, Minnie E., Durst, Coralie B., Durst, Durst, Leon, E Ellenberger, Emmott, Ellenberger, Justine, Ellenberger, Louie. Ellenberger, Geo. N., Ellenberger, Eva, F Flegal, Clark, Flegal, Helen, F legal, Mertie, Fulford, Louise, Fleck, Elizabeth, Flegal, Harvey J., Flegal, Angie, Flegal, Russell, Flegal, Horace, Flegal, Walter, Fullerton, Alice, Fullerton, Grace, Fullington, Ashley H., Fullington, Florence, Forsythe, John C., Forsythe, Bertha. G Gearhart, Rev. Jos. E., Gearhart, Mary, Gearhart, John, Gearhart, Blanche, Gearhart, Samuel, Gearhart, Blanche, Graham, Alfred, Graham, Emma, Graham, Maude Elizabeth, Graham, Florence Irene, Gearhart, Geo. H., Goodfellow, Mary A., Goodfellow, Ella, Gearhart, Geo. S., Gearhart, Emma, Gearhart, Raymond, Gearhart, Meda, Gearhart, Ruth, Gearhart, Earl, Gearhart, Mary, ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 181 Graham, John, Gingery, Ada, Gingery, Don, Goodwin, Geo. C., Goodwin, Ella, Guppy, Clara, Gifford, Esther, Gifford, Blanche, Gifford, Eva, Gifford, Maude, Goss, Sarah Edith, Goon, Carrie E., Graffins, Gertrude, Gearhart, Elizabeth Fullington, Gulich, Isadore, Gulich, Marion, Graham, Mrs. Thompson, Graham, Maud. H Harwick, Andrew, Hess, Rebecca, Harwick, Ada, Hess, Roxie, Harwick, Augusta, Hoopengarner, Anna, Harris, Frank G., Hollopeter, Martha, Harris, Glenora, Hoover, Louise, Harder, John E., Hoover, Mary, Harder, Frances, Hoover, Fred, Harder, May Gearhart, Hoover, Anna Margaret, Harder, J. Emmott Hoover, Helen, Heisey, Alice, Hoover, Harry, Hipps, Edith, Hoover, C. C., Hisey, Mary L., Hoover, Jane, Hall, G. Chas., Howe, Caroline, Hall, Catharine, Hooven, Thomas, Hess, Anna, Hooven, Carrie E., Hess, John, Hills, Hazel, Hess, Alfred, Holden, Blanche, Hagan, W. R., Holden, Lawrence J., Hagan, Lillian, Holden, Louise Esther, I Irwin, Jennie, Ike, David, Ike, Tamar, Iiames, Martha, Mrs., Iiames, John, Iiames, Mabel, Iiames, Margaret, Iiames, Martha. Irwin, John F., Irwin, Ellis, Irwin, Fannie, Irwin, Clara, Irwin, Mary, Irwin, Dr. Geo. R., Irwin, Adaline G., Irwin, Wm. F., Jr., J Johnson, Sarah, Johnson, Geo. W., Johnson, Margaret, Johnson, Edna S., Johnson, Fannie, Jay, Mrs. Albert. Johnson, Hursch, Johnson, Edgar, Johnson, George, Johnson, Margaret, Jay, Russell, Jay, Mary. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 182 K King, Wickham D., King, Elizabeth, Kennard, Lillian, Kennard, Walter, Knight, James, Knight, Anna B., Knight, Ada, Knight, Preston, Knight, Harold, Kennard, Richard, Kennard, Annie W.. Kennard, Robert, Kester, D. H., Koons, V. R., Koons, Mrs., Kennedy, Irene Snyder, King, Mary E. L La-Barr, Louise, Larrimer, MariIla, Livingston, Dr. Wilbur F., Livingston, Clara, Leavy, Louise, Leavy, Sarah, Leavy, Anna, Leavy, Clara, Lee, Mary E., Lee, Fred, Lee, Fannie, Lee, Kate, Lee, Elizabeth, Lobb, Lillie, Lee, Asbury, Jr., Lee, Lillie, Long, Edith Wilson, Leonardson, A. W., Leonardson, Helen Murray, Livingston, Fred B., Livingston, Helen, Lukens, Sarah R., Lanning, Ellen, Lanning, Martha, Lynn, Robt. H., Lynn, Emma, Lynn, Austin C., Lynn, Horace, Lynn, Alton Robert, Lynn, Thos. A. Edison, Lynn, Henry H., Lynn, Edna M., Long, Genevieve. M McCullough, Wilhelmina, Murray, Thos. Holt, McCurdy, Annie C., McCurdy, John P., Murray, Hazard A., Mulhollan, Anna, Mulhollan, Martha, Minnick, B. F., Minnick, Nettie, Minnick, Blanche, Mcllvaine, Agnes, Mcllvaine, Roy, Mcllvaine, John, McCorkle, Jane, Mapes, Maud, Mapes, Claire, Mapes, Chas. Wm., McPherson, Jennie, McPherson, J. Boynton, McCloskey, Lillie, McKee, Wm. H., McKee, Laura L, McDivitt, Frank A., McDivitt, Lula Vaughn, Moore, Maggie, Mahaffey, Susanna, Mahaffey, Albert, McCord, Clara A., Meise, Emma, Meise, Ordie, McQuillan, Mrs. N., McQuillan, Chester, McQuillan, John, Meise, Louis, ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 183 Meise, Bessie, McCloud, H. C., Mitchell, Gertrude, McCloud, Florence, Merry, Lola, McLarren, Saml. E., Merry, Elizabeth, McLarren, Ruth E., Merry, Viola, Maisch, Mrs., McDowell, Chas. H., Maisch, Charlotte, McDowell, Elizabeth, Miller, Sarah, Morrow, A. Jane, McLaughlin, Josephine, McGarvey, David, McLarren, Enoch, McGarvey, Nancy, McLarren, Susie E., McGarvey, Birdie, McLarren, Joseph R., N Nevling, J. Boynton, Norris, Bertha, Nevling, Bertha, Norris, Ada, Nevling, Rhoda, Nichols, Cecil, Norris, Wesley P., Neff, Mildred. 0 Owens, Harriet, Owens, Mary A., Ogden, Wm. B., Ogden, Delia, Owens, Mary, Ogden, M. Rush, Ogden, Sallie, Ogden, Grace, Ogden, Chas. Patterson, Ogden, Irene, Ogden, Mary, Orr, Mary, Orcutt, Leota, Owens, Albert, O'Laughlin, Elizabeth. P Peters, Isabella, Peters, Grace, Peters, Violet, Peters, Sarah, Pletcher, N. J., Pletcher, Mrs. Pletcher, Maude, Pancoast, Rev. L. S., Pancoast, Annie, Porter, 0. Bruce, Peters, Ethel Eshelman, Parks, Agnes, Potter, Amanda, Powell, Henry B., Powell, Sarah M., Powell, Isabel, Powell, Samuel, Powell, Carrie, Powell, Dudley B., Powell, Jennie C., Powell, Maude, Powell, Dudley Way, Powell, Gertrude, Peters, Wm. H., R Rook, Nettie, Rook, David, Rook, Frank, Rook, Frances, Rook, Niles, Peters, Belle, Peters, Aaron, Rheem, Geo. W., Runk, Geo. D., Runk, Sarah E., Runk, G. Dwight, Runk, Mary, ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 184 Rogers, Chas. F., Rorabaugh, Amanda, Rogers, Mertie, Rorabaugh, Lena, Radebaugh, Wm., Rosser, Mrs. Geo. M., Radebaugh, Mrs., Reutter, Carrie, Rogers, Emma A., Richner, Philip, Rogers, Calvin C., Richner, Amanda, Rogers, Alonzo, Rockwell, Hattie, Robinson, J. A., Robison, W. W., Robinson, Ida, Robison, Clare, Ross, Minnie, Root, Virginia, Ross, R. Grant, Reed, C. E., Ross, Emma A., Reed, Mrs. C. E., Rorabaugh, James, Rowles, Creighton C. S Shugart, Mary, Smith, May, Shugart, Lydia, Smith, Jennie H., Snoke, Jacob D., Smeal, Calvin B., Snoke, Martha, Smeal, Effiie G., Snoke, Lois S., Stephens, Walter C., Snoke, Frank, Stephens, Lauretta, Snoke, Anna, Stephens, Wm. Ganoe, Snoke, Saml. H., Stephens, Lauretta, Snoke, Martha J., Stephens, Margaret, Snoke, Bessie, Shieffer, Mary, Schryver, Wm. S., Smeal, Abbie, Schryver, Arabella, Shirey C. Elmer, Sutton, Jas. G., Shirey, Elvira, Sutton, Mary, Shirey, Lloyd, Shea, Frances, Shaffer, Catharine, Schermerhorn, Asenath, Shaffer, Ida, Shaw, A. Bishop, Shaffer, Harry, Shaw, Clara, Shunkwiler, George, Shaw, Chas. M., Shunkwiler, Esther, Shaw, Pearl A., Summers, Hosea J., Snyder, Anna M., Summers, Luella, Snyder, J. Clark, Summers, Olive, Stayer, Mary, Summers, J. Foster, Stayer, J. Clyde, Straw, H. H., Stayer, A. Knight, Straw, Mrs., Stayer, Beryl, Shaw, Cecil, Stewart, Nancy, Shafer, Albert, Scheurer, Rose, Shirey, Edward, Savage, Matt, Shirey, Susan, Savage, Bell A., Shirey, Earl, Savage, Della, Smeal, Roy Oscar, Smith, A. P., Swartz, Carrie B., Smith, Leah, Swartz, Robert B., Smith, Lucinda, Smathers, Annie, ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 185 Stuby, Valentine, Stuby, Mrs., Stage, Clyde, Stage, Alice, Schomo, Wm. Ellis, Stage, Bertha Alice, Stage, Lila Gertrude, Showalter, Lizzie, Swartz, Ida M., Steitz, Prof. Francis C., Steitz, Laura, Spackman, Paul, T Test, Julia, Taylor, Sarah, Tate, Rachel, Thorn, Ashley, Thorn, Mary, Thorn, Daisy, Thorn, Edith, Sterling, James W. Thompson, Mary, Thompson, Susie, Thompson, Roland B., Thompson, Ida V., Thayer, Mrs. H. C., Thompson, Susie Barger, Thompson, Elizabeth Spencer, Thorn, Gussie. W Wright, Mary F., Waite, Alice, Wright, Anna C., Waite, Martha, Worrell, Kate, Weaver, Frances L., Worrell, Emma R., Wagner, C. Frank, Worrell, Anna M., Wagner, Jennie S., Welch, Marjory, Wilson, Dr. Ward 0., Whitman, Mary A., Wilson, Lottie, Watson, Emma, Welch, Geo. D., Wrigley, Letitia, Welch, Clara S., Wrigley, Hannah, Welch, Kelly, Wrigley, Cora, Welch, Maurice, Wallace, Hattie, Welch, Geo. E., Wallace, Leslie, Wright, R. C., Wallace, Geo. Bruce, Wright, Helen, Wallace, Thomas, Wright, Frederick, Walker, Jennie M., Wright, Marian, Walker, Frank A., Woolridge, David R., Walker, Elsie, Woolridge, Ida, Walker, Helen, Woolridge, Hayes, Walker, Esther, Woodle, Mrs., Watson L Alex., Woodle, Jesse, Wrigley, Allen, Woodle, Ruth H., Wrigley, May, Weimer, T. R,, Woodward, A. H., Weimer, Clara, Woodward, Ella B., Weimer, Marl, Woodward, Hugh B., Weimer, Charles Woodward, Donald, Weimer, Vera, Woodward, Dorothy, Woods, Frank B. Wrigley, Nellie, Watson, Olive, Wrigley, Ethel, Watson, Paul N. ********************************************************** CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 186 Williams, Andrus C., Williams, Ora B., Wrigley, Ella, Wrigley, Lillie, Willey, Elma Currier, Woodward, A. M., Ward, F. P., Ward, Mattie P., Weller, Selma, Wrigley, Blanche, Wrigley, Eva, Wrigley, Howard, Wheeler, Olive Almeda, Wykoff, Ethel Julia. Z Zimmers, Augusta. Total, 601. PROBATIONERS, SEPTEMBER 1, 1910 Hooven, Natalie G., Stevenson, Mary I., Winslow, Raymond L., Winslow, Mrs. Raymond L., Gearhart, Emory, Litz, Anna Bell, Cardon, James Louis, Boyce, Alta Valentine, Boyce, Ethel Ruth, Robison, Clair. Total, 10.