Mercer County PAGenWeb


Lebanon

United Brethren Church


The United Brethren Church was organized in 1862 by Rev. Rufus Smith, now presiding elder at Uniontown, Penn., with these members: Daniel Bruner, and wife, David Mook and wife, Jonathan Peters, Charles Smith, Perry Kitchen, O. Kitchen. The house of worship, a frame 35x40, was erected in 1865 at a cost of over $2,000. The building committee consisted of David Christie, William Lawson, Elijah Moore, William Moore and Daniel Bruner. The architect was Joseph Jackson, usually called Stonewall Jackson, of Mercer. The finishing was done by G. W. Kline.

At that time there were eighty members. In the autumn of 1887 a half interest was given to the Presbyterians for the repairing of the house, which cost about $1,000. In the list of pastors (incomplete) are found the names of Charles Wheeler, Silas Casteline, Rev. Reynolds, Edward Everett, Rev. Franklin, William Ish, Samuel Evans, Rufus Smith, Henry Hotchkiss, D. Meeker, C. Robinson, E. Belden, Rev. Vaughn, and others. The present [1888] membership is about fourteen. Deaths and opposition to secret societies have depleted the ranks.   

Source: The History of Mercer County, 1888, page 482  

United Brethren in Christ

Rev. Rufus Smith, of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, commenced preaching in New Lebanon in 1863, and shortly afterward, a church of that denomination was established in the town, with the following members: Daniel Bruner, and wife; David Monk and wife; Jonathan Peters; Perry Kitchen, and O. Kitchen. The church increased very rapidly during the ensuing four years, and in 1867, the members numbered seventy, and a building was erected at a cost of over $2,000. A Sabbath- school was continued from the commencement of the society until the present season. For several years the membership of the church has been diminishing, and now [1877] numbers but thirty-three.

Source: The History of Mercer County, 1877, page 112


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