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Fredonia Methodist Church |
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Pioneers who trekked over the Alleghenies came armed
with faith and courage and the “Word of God.” In the beginning of the new century (1800) the minds
of many were filled with the conviction that the very dawn of the
Millenium [millennium] had come (Revelation XX 1-5). The spirit of revival
was felt all along the frontier, stimulating the hearts of the early
“church fathers”. Rev. Amos Ball, father of
Amos Walton Ball, was one
who plunged into the wilderness to labor and endure privations as a matter
of course, to impart spiritual bread, rather than a regular system of
theology. Ministers of both Methodist and Presbyterian
denominations spent much time “following the plow” in the early days
when Methodists met in homes or log schools, often without the Circuit
Rider. In 1873 worshipers who had there-to-fore attended
services in the Bethel Meeting House, Stony Point District, Delaware
Township, agreed to establish a church in the village of Fredonia. It is recorded in the Mercer County Court House that
on June 9, 1873, William and Lydia Simmons deeded one-fourth acre, lot 33,
for $100.00 to the Fredonia Methodists on which a church was then erected. In 1882 William Simmons donated the plot (lots 86,
87, & 88) for the present red brick church, which was then under
construction. Prior to the dedication, May 27, 1883, the property on
lot 33 The first parsonage was located on lot 79, Main
Street. |
Fredonia Methodist Church, 1976 |
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Early Days of the Fredonia Methodist Church The Methodist Church erected its edifice in 1872, it being a modest structure, 30x40. Preaching had been done for some years previous, the name of Rev. J. H. Merchant appearing as early as 1870. The first sermon in the new house was preached by Rev. Albert H. Kenney. The congregation has had a steady and healthy growth. The following is the list of pastors: J. H. Merchant, 1870; D. A. Crowell, 1871; A. H. Kenney, 1872-73; F. Fair, 1874-76; J. Abbott, 1877; J. Crum, 1878-79; John Perry, 1880-81; W. H. Mossman, 1882; R. M. Bear, 1883-85; G. J. Squier, 1886 - present incumbent [1888]. from The History of Mercer County, 1888 |
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