continued
the Holy Ghost,” fitly
exhibited his character. He was succeeded in the pastorate of
Greenville congregation, by his son, Rev.
D. H. A. McLean, a young man of fine ability, who preached
to the people of this charge with great efficiency, for about eleven
years. The congregation under the ministry of the father, had grown to
be one of the largest and most influential in this region, and it lost
none of its power under the labors of the son. At this time, it was no
unusual thing to Find crowded houses, especially on communion days,
persons journeying on horseback, ten, and even fifteen miles to this
place of worship. Dr. D. H. A.
McLean, having been called to teach in Westminster
College, at New Wilmington, Pa., demitted his charge, and was followed
in the work hereby Rev. W. C.
Jackson, who preached to the congregation about seven
years. About this time, the congregation had began to decrease in
numbers, owing to other congregations being organized in the
neighborhood, affording church accommodations to many of the members
nearer home. During the ministry of Rev. Jackson, the union between the
Associate and Associate Reformed churches of this county, was effected
in the organization of the United Presbyterian Church. The
congregation, here, heartily subscribing to that union, has since been
known as United Presbyterian Rev Jackson closed his ministry here,
about the breaking out of the Great Rebellion, to take charge of a
mission church, in Chicago. He was a man of fair ability, excelling in
his social and pastoral work, and made many warm friends here, both in
and outside the congregation.
He was succeeded, in a few
months, by Rev. J. D. Tedford,
now of Tipton, Indiana, who acted as pastor about three years. Mr.
Tedford was here luring the war, at a time when the attention of the
people was largely absorbed with army interests, and many
of the members absent in their country's
|
|
service; hence, his ministry
was not so visibly successful as it might, otherwise, have been. He
was, however, an earnest and self-sacrificing worker, and is kindly
remembered by the people.
In July, 1866, Rev. J. R. Brittain, took
charge of the congregation, was formally ordained and installed the
first of September, of the same year, the Lake Presbytery, Rev. J. H. Preesly, of Erie
Pa., presiding over the ordination service. At this time the
congregation was reduced, by removal and otherwise, to an actual
membership of lees than 100. During the present pastorate, 222 have
been received into the church, and almost 100 dismissed by certificate
and death, leaving a membership of 220. In this membership, are found
some of the most substantial business-men and farmers of the town and
surrounding county.
The beautiful and substantial
church building on the corner of High and Main streets, no occupied by
this congregation, was erected in 1867, one year after the settlement
of the present [1877] pastor, and is the third building on the same
site, and the fourth church in the history of the society - - this
being a log-church on West High street, near the residence of Conrad Bittenbanner. The
present building is much more substantial that either of the others,
and with proper care, will last at least a half-century. Services are held every
Sunday morning and evening, conducted by the pastor, and.
Sabbath-school at 1 o’clock, P. M. The Sabbath-school has twenty-five
officers and teachers, and a library of 400 volumes. The present church
[1877] building was erected in 1867, and cost $18,000.
History
of Mercer County,
1877, pages 98-99.
Return to the
main United Presbyterian Church page
|