Clearfield County PA Archives - Church: Bicentennial Celebration Curwensville Methodist Episcopal Church Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Ellis Michaels, , Feb 2011 Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/ ________________________________________________ http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/curwensville-methodist-bicentennial.txt HTM Web Page can be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/curwensville-methodist-bicentennial/curwensville-methodist-bicentennial.htm This page was last updated: 12 Feb 2011 ********************************************************** image of original page can be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/curwensville-methodist-bicentennial/curwensville-methodist-bicentennial.htm Bicentennial Celebration 1738 - 1938 [image of church] Curwensville Methodist Episcopal Church ********************************************************** image of original page can be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/curwensville-methodist-bicentennial/01.htm Bicentennial Celebration of the Beginning of Methodism thru John Wesley's Heart Warming experience at Aldersgate Street May 24, 1738 RE-OPENING AND RE-DEDICATION of the CURWENSVILLE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 1738 - 1938 PROGRAM and HISTORY Rev. L. Vance Green, Pastor FRED ROBISON, PRINTER, CURWENSVILLE, PA. ********************************************************** image of original page can be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/curwensville-methodist-bicentennial/02.htm [image] Rev. L. Vance Green, Pastor ********************************************************** image of original page can be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/curwensville-methodist-bicentennial/03.htm OFFICIAL DIRECTORY Curwensville Methodist Episcopal Church Bishop Dr. Edwin Holt Hughes, Washington, D. C. Dr. J. Merrill Williams, Williamsport, Pa., District Superintendent Pastor, Rev. L. Vance Green, Curwensville, Pa. Trustees and Stewards—Samuel P. Bressler, W. L. Dale, C. Orlie Norris, W. A. Thompson, D. C. Griffith, Morris Bowers, Dema Cassidy, John A. Dale, Esq., Mrs. John A. Dale, Mrs. W. L. Dale, Joseph 0. Errigo, Mrs. J. D. Haines, Sr., Frank Harley, John Hudson, Jr., Mrs. H. J. Kittleberger, Eli Korb, Malvin McClure, Scott McFadden, Ben. F. Moore, C. J. Moss, Ida B. Robinson, Mrs. F. F. Tate, Josephine Thompson, R. K. Way, Mrs. R. K. Way, Mrs. W. K. Wrigley, John Wright, Carl D. Grove. Financial Secretary: Miss Josephine Thompson Treasurer: Miss Ida B. Robinson Organist: Mrs. Margaret Errigo Choir Leader: John D. Haines, Jr. Pres. Music Committee: Mrs. Fred P. Robison Officers of the Church School General Superintendent John A. Dale Assistant Superintendent . . . . Samuel P. Bressler Adult Department Superintendent . . . . C. J. Moss Young People's Department . Mrs. Chester Frankhouser Senior Department R. D. Moose Intermediate Department . . . Mrs Frank Harley Junior Department . . . Mrs. H. J. Kittleberger Primary Department Mrs. Eva Passmore Beginners' Department Mrs. C. J. Moss Home Department ..... . Mrs. F. F. Tate Cradle Roll Department . . . Mrs. Raymond R. Bloom Kindergarten Department . . . Mrs. Chester Whitaker Secretaries: Edward Benson, Louise Kittleberger Treasurers: W. L. Dale, Mrs. John D. Haines Sexton: Mr. Charles Moose ********************************************************** image of original page can be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/curwensville-methodist-bicentennial/04.htm Parsonage, September 25, 1938 My dear Friends: So few people realize what an occasion like this really means to the minister. For sixteen months (since my unexpected arrival) I have been hoping, planning, working and praying for this day to come. Many times have I felt the deep need for Divine Guidance. Many times have I called upon you, my loyal friends, for help. Yet I must confess that never once did I feel that defeat, rather than success, would be our lot. As I stand before you now in our beautiful new Sanctuary, my heart is singing. We are all happy that such a place of worship should be ours. Now I am thinking not only in terms of natural beauty but of that deeper and far more important Spiritual Union that has in some strange way been built up within our lives. May the real joy of planning and working together continue until we shall see a great ingathering of precious Souls for the dear Redeemer's Sake. Faithfully, Your Pastor, Rev. L. VANCE GREEN ********************************************************** image of original page can be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/curwensville-methodist-bicentennial/05.htm PROGRAM September 25th to October 2nd, inc., 1938. Opening Service, 11 A. M. Sunday, September 25th Sermon by Rev. J. Merrill Williams, District Superintendent, Williamsport, Pa. Evening Service, 7:30 P. M. Rev. J. Ressler Shultz, Pastor, First M. E. Church, Tyrone, Pa. Preaching Service, 7:30 P. M. Monday, September 26th Sermon by Rev. J. M. Brennan, Duncansville. Pa. Preaching Service. 7:30 P. M. Tuesday, September 27th "A Brief History of our Church"—John A. Dale Sermon by Rev. Joseph V. Adams, Renovo, Pa. Rev. Adams will sing several selections during this service. Song Service, 7:30 P. M. Wednesday, September 28th This Service will be led by the Pastor Rev. L. Vance Green Preaching Service, 7:30 P. M. Thursday, September 29th Sermon by Rev. Ariel R. Turner, York, Pa. Local Minister's Night, 7:30 P. M. Friday, September 30th Several ministers from local churches, and nearby points, will participate. All are invited to attend. Closing Service—Rally Day—Sunday, October 2nd Morning Worship, 11 A. M. Dr. E. R. Heckman. Superintendent, Methodist Home, Tyrone, Pa. Evening Worship, 8 P. M. Rally Day Program Pageant—by various members of the Church School Under the capable leadership of Mrs. John Wright, Director Note: Special music will be presented at all these services by members of the Senior Choir and guests. We wish at this time to thank the organist, choir leader, and all others who have helped to make these services a splendid success. ********************************************************** image of original page can be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/curwensville-methodist-bicentennial/06.htm A Brief History of Methodism in Curwensville and Vicinity By JOHN A. DALE IN THE YEAR 1810, three or four Methodist families resided in what is now the Borough of Curwensville. In that year, the early circuit riders began to visit, occasionally, these converts of John Wesley. Two years later a small Methodist Class, as the meetings were called, met in a log school house on East Filbert Street. A few years later the Class moved into another log school house, built almost directly across the street, in the year 1818. Here, in these two primitive buildings, meetings were held for almost a quarter of a century. In the year 1829, the Class having increased considerably in membership, it was decided to secure a lot and as soon as possible build a church. Accordingly, the lot at the northeast corner of State and Filbert Streets, now occupied by the "Bonsall Garage", was purchased. In the year 1843, while Rev. Robert Beers was the minister in charge of the circuit, of which Curwensville formed one station, the first Methodist Episcopal Church in Curwensville was built. It was a frame building, and was then considered a very fine church and was largely attended by people coming many miles, as well as by a large local congregation. Little of the history of the building and dedication of this church is known, except that the leading members at that time were, Josiah Evans, John P. Dale, Jacob S. Cole, James H. Fleming, Thomas W. Fleming, Jonathan McDowell, Maria Whipple, Mary E. Robison, Kesiah McDowell, Anna Ross, Isabella Cross and Susan Patton. For two decades the congregation worshipped in this church. In 1860 the grounds, now occupied by the present church and parsonage, were purchased from John D. Thompson and John P. Dale who were both members of the church. Mr. Thompson and Mr. Dale were engaged, in partnership, in the manufacture of plows, and other agricultural implements. The present parsonage lot having had built thereon a foundry. Here, on the southwest corner of State and Walnut Streets, under the pastorate of Rev. Wilson Lee Spotswood, D. D., what we call the "Brick Church", was commenced during the year 1860. ********************************************************** image of original page can be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/curwensville-methodist-bicentennial/07.htm The building committee was Dr. H. P. Thompson, John D. Thompson, Josiah R. Read, Jackson Robison, Daniel Livingston and G. R. Wolfe. In the year 1862, while our country was in the midst of the tumults of the Civil War, and when almost every able-bodied young man of Curwensville and Pike Township were at the battle front, fighting the battles of freedom, and few were left at home except the old men, the youths and devoted mothers and sisters of the soldiers at the front, this church was dedicated to the worship of Almighty God. Our church was still a circuit, the minister living here, but also preaching at Clearfield and Center, our congregation being much larger than either of the others. After its dedication, even during the stress of the war period, the membership rapidly increased, and many prominent citizens became converted at the various evangelistic services held during this time. The church was the most beautiful and commodious church building in all of Clearfield County and one of the finest in Central Pennsylvania. The church was largely attended by residents of the County living at a considerable distance from Curwensville. Not until the year 1869, when Rev. W. G. Ferguson was appointed Pastor, did the Central Pennsylvania Conference set Curwensville charge apart from the Clearfield Circuit. During his ministry a most gracious revival came to bless the church and many of the converts later became active and useful members of the congregation. In the third year of his ministry, in the year 1872, the church was greatly improved at a cost of $3,600.00. During all these years there was no church parsonage, the ministers residing in a small house on State Street. In the year 1880, while the Rev. James Curns was pastor in charge, the beautiful and commodious parsonage was built and has since been occupied by the ministers and their families who have been appointed to serve this church. This parsonage cost $5,000.00 and was then one of the finest in this region. In 1886 Rev. David H. Shields was sent as our minister, by the Annual Conference and remained three. years. In the second year of his ministry, new pews, stained glass windows and many other improvements were made to the church at a cost of more than $2,000.00. In the year 1892, John Patton, the most prominent member of the church, and one of the leading laymen of the ********************************************************** image of original page can be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/curwensville-methodist-bicentennial/08.htm Central Pennsylvania Conference, announced to the congregation that during his lifetime he desired to contribute to the building of a new stone building for the use of the Curwensville Methodist Episcopal Church, at the corner of State and Walnut Streets, on the site of the "Brick Church", the new church to be constructed of native stone from the Roaring Run Stone Quarry, about two miles distant from the church. Rev. M. L. Smyser was sent as the pastor this year, and a contract was entered into with Reuben Thompson, to build the new stone church, for the sum of $18,000.00, he subletting the stone work to Snyder Brothers, who then operated the quarry where the stone was to be prepared. But before the work was commenced, Rev. Smyser became critically ill, was compelled to retire from the ministry and soon thereafter died. Rev. J. Patton Moore was appointed his successor and remained as pastor until the church was built and dedicated. On Sunday, August 27, 1893, the corner stone was laid, with impressive ceremonies, the congregation marching down State Street from the Friend's Church, where services were held during the building of the church, there meeting a large concourse of people and many prominent churchmen of the Methodist and other denominations, already assembled, to take part in the services. H. B. Thompson, Chairman; Fred J. Dyer, Joseph R. Irvin, Frank L. Arnold, Samuel F. McCloskey, Charles E. Patton and Charles S. Russell constituted the building committee and were untiring in their efforts to see that the church was properly constructed. All of this Committee have passed on except the last one named and he no longer resides here. June 17, 1894, the new church was dedicated, the entire cost, being $25,000.00, all paid in before the dedication except $800.00 which was that day contributed, and the church presented to the congregation free of debt. While Rev. J. Max Lantz was pastor, in the year 1919, the Church School rooms were entirely remodelled and the Church School organized into the Departments required, so that the entire school was fully organized. These improvements cost $1,000.00 and were fully paid when completed. Three years later Rev. John C. Collins was appointed as Minister in charge and during his administration, in the ********************************************************** image of original page can be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/curwensville-methodist-bicentennial/09.htm year 1922, the entire church auditorium and Senior Church School rooms were redecorated, improved electric light fixtures installed, a beautiful new carpet laid and other improvements made at a cost of $3,800.00, all of which was paid at the time of the re-opening. In 1937, Rev. L. Vance Green came as the pastor of the Church and was returned in 1938. During the second year of his pastorate numerous conferences were held by the minister with Trustees and members of the congregation, in regard to needed repairs to the property. While the church roof had been frequently repaired, it still was in bad condition and its leaky condition had loosened large sections of the plastering in the auditorium. Finally the Trustees decided to repair the roof, re-plaster and redecorate the auditorium and all the Church School Department rooms. Much of the credit for these extensive repairs must be given to the Trustees, to the Ladies' Aid Society, many members of the congregation and to certain departments and classes whose liberal contributions made possible these improvements. The minister in charge was untiring in his efforts while the work was progressing and assisted materially in having the repairs completed promptly. The improvements cost more than $3,500.00, and it is hoped that, during the re-opening and re-dedicatory services to be held from September 25th to October 2nd 1938, the entire amount will be contributed and the church made free of debt. Our hope is that the old church on the corner will continue to be a great power for good in the community for many years to come. ********************************************************** image of original page can be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/curwensville-methodist-bicentennial/10.htm NOTES OF INTEREST Seventy-three (73) ministers have served the Curwensville M. E. Church since the organization of the congregation in 1814. During all these years only one man remained for six years. This minister, Rev. J. Max Lantz, had that distinction and served the church from 1913 to 1918. The next longest pastorate was that of Rev. Ariel Turner, who was here for five years, from 1930 to 1934. All other pastors have been here for four years or less. The present pastor, Rev. L. Vance Green, was appointed by Bishop Edwin H. Hughes, April 19, 1937. He has been here for sixteen months (now in his second year). During all the years there has been a continuous growth in membership until within the past few years, when a very large number have removed to distant places without taking a letter of transfer. The present membership is listed at 707 but there are many inactive members. Numerous Revival Services have been held here in the past. In some cases there were more than two hundred converts in a single meeting and the entire community deeply stirred. Unfortunately the spirit of Revivalism has pretty largely disappeared here as elsewhere. New methods of evangelism are being tried. Last year there were eighty-eight decisions made here and yet no revival meetings as such were conducted. This year our goal for the Williamsport District is 3000. Our hope is to report at least 100 converts here at the end of the conference year. Curwensville is to be commended for having sent at least two of her sons into the ranks of the active ministry, The Rev. N. D. Shirey, Methodist Pastor at Karthaus and The Rev. Paul E. Dale, Baptist Minister at Curwensville. ********************************************************** image of original page can be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/curwensville-methodist-bicentennial/11.htm Special mention should be made of the untiring efforts of the Board of Trustees during the entire period of repairs and improvements made to our church building. These men have, given time thought, money and much work to see that the many details were properly cared for. Special mention should also be made concerning the service of Brother W. L. Dale, one of the Trustees, who personally supervised most of the work and was appointed by the Trustees to oversee all of it. He was untiring in all these matters and we are deeply grateful. The entire cost of redecorating the Sanctuary, including new side lights and cleaning of carpet was borne by the Ladies' Aid Society. The Sue Owens S. S. Class paid for the painting of their own class room and they are planning to replace old carpet with new in the near future. The Emerson Weber S. S. Class has agreed to pay for repairs to and tuning of the pipe organ. New lighting fixtures were installed in the Primary and Junior Department Class Rooms and were paid for by the Departments. Painting and other improvements in the Social Hall were all paid for by the Intermediate Department of the Sunday School. We appreciate very much the untiring efforts of the Program Committee in arranging for the fine services of this week. One of the most important additions made during this past year was the installation of a new No. 150 Stokol Automatic Coal Burner in the furnace. This came as a rather unexpected extra expense as we did not at first realize how bad was the condition of the boiler. However, when the whole matter was brought to our attention it seemed to be the only thing we could do that would give satisfaction. At any rate, it is now properly installed and we need not fear the wintry blasts as we are prepared for them. ********************************************************** image of original page can be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/curwensville-methodist-bicentennial/12.htm HONOR ROLL —of members and friends of the CURWENSVILLE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, whose generous contributions have made this book possible. R. K. WAY JOSEPH ERRIGO BOWMAN'S HARDWARE CITY DRUG STORE KANTAR'S P. D. SMITH (Insurance) ALLENDER'S SERVICE STATION WEST BRANCH ICE CREAM CO. JOHN ECKERT ARCH DAVIDSON CURWENSVILLE HEATING and PLUMBING FRANKLIN TANNING COMPANY SANDRI and LEZZER LUMBER COMPANY SOUTH SIDE GARAGE CLOVER FARM STORE R. R. ROBINSON ISAAC B. WHITAKER SANITARY MILK COMPANY R. C. WEAVER THE RORABAUGH AGENCY KELLEY'S SHOE STORE CURWENSVILLE NATIONAL BANK CURWENSVILLE STATE BANK Mr. and Mrs. CHESTER FRANKHOUSER MURPHY'S DRUG STORE CURWENSVILLE BUS STATION BARTELL MOTOR COMPANY ********************************************************** image of original page can be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/church/curwensville-methodist-bicentennial/13.htm PROGRAM COMMITTEE John A. Dale, Esq., Chairman Samuel P. Bressler Cloyd J. Moss Carl D. Grove, Secretary Scott McFadden, Jr. Rev. L. Vance Green, Ex-Officio