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The
Presbyterian Church was organized in 1825, with a membership of
thirty-one. Robert Mann and Samuel Webster were elected ruling elders.
For a few years it was connected with the old Salem Church, on the
Mercer road, the two forming a pastoral charge. From the existing
records of the church it appears that the following named members were
the pioneers of this organization: Robert Mann, Mary Mann, Samuel
Webster, Susannah Webster, Polly Christy, Annie Robinson, Polly
Robinson, Martha Lyon, Margaret Williamson, Eliza Latimer, Lydia
Cossitt, Elizabeth Haver, Catherine Haver, Jane Heastings, Adam Wier,
Mary Ann Wier, Mary Woods, Rebecca Woods, William Woods, Polly Potter,
Susannah Potter, Elizabeth Bean, Lettie Bean, William Stinson, Martha
Stinson, Jane Brown, Rachael Porter, Rebecca Alexander, John
McLaughlin, Lavina McLaughlin and Hannah Robinson.
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First
Presbyterian Church
of Greenville -
as it
looked in the early 1900's
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The
first services of the new congregation were held in private houses,
then in a log structure, which was erected in 1830, and used by the
Methodists of the community. In 1833 a brick building somewhat smaller
than the present one, was erected on the present site, and served for
over sixteen years, when it became unsafe, and was torn down, after
which the present edifice was begun. The latter has been remodeled once
(in 1870), and has also undergone several repairs.
Following is a list of the
pastors of the congregation since its
inception: Revs. James Alexander, 1828-34; James G. Wilson, 1836-42;
Henry Webber, 1843-44; L. W. Williams (supply), 1845- 47;
James
H. Callen, 1848-52; David Grier, 1854-59; A. C. Junkin, 1862-
87;
J. E. Wright, 1869-74; B. C. Critchlow, 1875-81; O. V. Stewart,
1881-87, and the present pastor [1888], Rev. C. B. Wakefield, installed
in 1887. Several other ministers filled the pulpit as supplies during
the periods when there was no regular pastor. The following persons
filled the office of ruling elder since the organization of the church:
Robert Mann, 1825-53; Samuel Webster, 1825-32; George Lodge, 1831-54;
James Waugh, 1837-46; John B. Plumer, 1837-54; Robert Bean, 1837-46;
William Sutton, 1849-53; G. E. Lashell, 1849-61; John Wiley, 1855-74;
G. A. Bittenbanner, 1855-88; B. F. Baskin, 1855-59; Samuel Wilson,
1843-44; Joseph Pearce, 1848-59; Thomas M. Reznor, 1860-88;
Henry
Moore, 1860-68; John W. Stinson, 1864-66; William Fruit,
1865-66; Jacob Miller, 1865-74; S. M. Ross, 1868-75; Chambers
Templeton, 1871-88; John Love, 1871-88; James Williamson,
1876-88; M. Dawson Moore, 1876-82; John A. Beatty,
January,
1876-July, 1876; J. E. Brockway, 1885-88, and W. T. Alan, 1885-88. The
present elders are: George A. Bittenbanner (not acting), Thomas M.
Reznor, Chambers Templeton, John Love, James Williamson, J. E. Brockway
and W. T. Alan. It is estimated that 1,100 names have been enrolled on
the list of membership since the organization. The present membership
is 325. A. flourishing Sunday-school is connected with the church, with
about 265 pupils and teachers. J. E. Brockway is superintendent, and E.
S. Templeton and A. P. Alan, assistants.
(Source: History
of Mercer County, 1888, pages 423-424)
| First
Presbyterian
Church.—This church was organized in 1825, with thirty-one members. The
first pastor was Rev. James Alexander, who was ordained and installed
October 13th, 1828. Mr. Robert Mann and Samuel Webster were
elected as ruling elders. The congregation first worshiped in a
log-house, which had been built and occupied by the Methodists. During
the summer season, the congregation frequently worshiped in the grove,
on the site of the cemetery, in the rear of the present church edifice.
In 1833, they erected a brick house on the site of the present
structure. After some years, about 1845, this building became insecure,
and was taken down, and the house now [1877] occupied by the
congregation erected, which, in 1870, was remodeled and very much
improved. The pastors succeeding Rev. Mr. Alexander, who was
released in 1834, have been Rev. J. G. Wilson, ordained and installed
October 12th, 1836; released, 1841. Rev. Henry Webber, ordained and
installed January 20th, 1843; released, October 16th, 1844. Rev. L.
Williams, who supplied the church in 1847-48. Rev. J. H. Callen,
ordained and installed October 25th, 1848; released, June
23d,
1852. Rev. , installed January 18th, 1854; released, April 13th, 1859.
Rev. A. C. Junkin, installed June 10th, 1862; released; May
8th,
1867. Rev. N. S. McFetridge supplied about six months.Rev. John E.
Wright was installed in 1869, and continued until the spring of 1874.
Rev. B. C. Critchlow was installed in May, 1875, and is the present
[1877] pastor. Membership, 190; Sabbath-school, with four officers,
twelve teachers, and about 125 scholars; library of 200 volumes.
(Source: History
of Mercer
County,
1877, page 100 - 101) |
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