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 We
come now to the history of the [Coolspring] church and her ministers:
Rev. Samuel Tait was of Scotch descent.
He was born near Shippensburg, Pa., February 17th, 1772.
His father was engaged in the packing business, or transportation
of goods over the mountains on horse-back, and the son followed the
business with his father. While yet in his youth, his father removed with
his family to Ligonier, Westmoreland county, Pa., and afterward came to
Cool Spring township, Mercer county, in 1800. Mr. Tait was licensed to
preach on the 25th day of June, 1800, and in September of that year
preached his first sermon, in Cool Spring township, from the words: “And
they all with One accord began to make excuse.” During that summer and
autumn, he traveled over the territory now included in the Presbytery of
Erie. On the 19th day of November, 1800, having accepted calls from Cool
Spring and Upper Salem, he was ordained and installed their pastor by the
Presbytery of Ohio; in whose bounds these churches then were. He resided
at Cool Spring, in a log cabin he had built and clapboarded, and, while
away on a preaching tour, his wife, whose maiden name was Amelia
Calvin,
chinked and daubed the cracks between the logs with mortar she, herself,
had prepared. During his entire pastorate he resided on a farm, and did
all the work which usually falls to the hands of a farmer. His pastoral
continued
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The Fourth Coolspring Presbyterian
Church, erected in 1899 and dedicated in February 1900. Photo submitted
by Brent Morgan. Click to
enlarge photo.
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