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Mercer

Bethany Presbyterian Church


Bethany Presbyterian Church, formerly Second United Presbyterian Church

Second United Presbyterian Church. —The date of the origin of this congregation is shrouded in mystery. It has been variously estimated from 1802 to 1820. The first evidence of the existence of such a society, is found in the minutes of the Associate Reformed Presbytery: “On April 10, 1805, a petition came from Mercertown for the dispensation of Gospel ordinances. May 15, 1805, Mercertown put in the statistical table for synod as a vacancy.Mr. Kerr was appointed to preach in Mercertown the third Sabbath of November, 1805. August 26, 1806, Rev. Mungo Dick was called to the united charge of Mercertown, Neshannock and Sandy Lake.” From this it will be seen that an organization certainly existed prior to 1806. The “Mr. Kerr” referred to was Rev. Joseph Kerr. The first ruling elders of whom any record is made were John Findley and Joseph Junkin. The first regularly installed pastor was Rev. James Galloway, a young man of the age of twenty-five, who began his labors in 1810, which were closed May 10, 1818, by death. During the early years of his ministry no house of worship was had, and services alternated between the groves, the private residences of Messrs. Findley, Junkin and others, and the old court-house. In the latter, it is related that Rev. Tait secured the pre-emption of the courtroom, and the flock that followed the leadership of Rev. Galloway was thus forced to resort to the grand jury room, and when simultaneous services were held, as was often the case, a competition of voices occurred between the two pastors, from which Rev. Tait came out victor, his opponent having a slight frame and weak lungs.


Second U. P. Church
Postcard photo

Submitted by Pamela E. Hartman


Click here to see what
the church looked like in 2001

 
The inconveniences of this sort of worship impelled the congregation to begin the erection of a suitable church building. A lot, now [1888] owned by Mr. Benjamin Ride, was purchased, and a structure, built of plain boards, was placed in construction. This was not completed, however, until after Rev. Galloway’s death. In 1820 Rev. James L. Dinwiddie  was called to the pastorate.

The two years preceding his coming had been times of sore distress, though, to the little flock, and his arrival found them burdened with debt and depressed in spirit. To add to their troubles, just as they had begun to feel relieved, and to regain their lost cheerfulness, a disastrous storm occurred, on the 24th of June, 1824, during which their new structure was struck by lightning and wholly destroyed by the resulting conflagration, which threatened the ruin not only of their church, but of their private dwellings as well. But through the untiring efforts of their pastor and a few devout members better times soon came, the lot on which the present church stands was purchased, and the erection of a second church begun. Rev. Dinwiddie’s relations with the congregation were terminated in 1834, at which time he left, to accept the charge of a leading congregation in Pittsburgh. For a period of four years provisional services were held, which were presided over by various supply and itinerant ministers. The arrival of Rev. Andrew Bower, the third pastor, in 1838, put an end to these, however, and regular services were resumed under his ministry. He remained only until 1842, after which, for about five years, supplies were again resorted to. During this time the heavy debt which bad been hanging over the congregation since the building of the new church was gradually reduced, until, in 1847, the organization felt itself able to secure another regular pastor. Accordingly, Rev. W. T. McAdam was called, for half his time, at an annual compensation of $250, and, upon his arrival, stated services were resumed.

This pastorate continued with flattering success until 1853, when, after an interval of a few months, Rev. Robert McWatty succeeded to the charge of the Mercer flock. His pastorate, which has been by far the longest and most prosperous one the church has ever known, continued until 1882. During it almost phenomenal progress was made; the present elegant structure, much the largest in town, was erected and furnished at a cost approximating $20,000; over 1,000 members, including children, were received into active communication and fellowship, and the church placed upon a firm and lasting basis, the security of which had never been known before. In 1883 Rev. J. A. Grier began a ministry of three years, which resulted in much advancement to the church. Since the close of Rev. Grier’s services the church has had no regular pastor.

History of Mercer County, 1888, pages 356-357


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