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Methodist Episcopal - According to the History of Mercer County, 1877
There was Methodist Episcopal preaching
in the southern part of the township many years before the division
took place, which formed New Vernon. In 1843, a red, frame school-house
was built in the Methodist neighborhood, and services were held there
for several years, when there was a great revival of religion in the
congregation, and twenty-three persons entered into communion with the
church, strengthening it to such an extent that, in 1849, upon the
solicitation, of the Rev. Robert
Beatty, a meeting- house was erected. Mr. Beatty himself,
who was a builder by trade, assisted in hewing the timber. Services
were held regularly, until 1864, once in two weeks, when the church
gradually declined. Its first members were: James
Boyd, and wife; Thomas
Boyd, and wife; George
Forbes, and wife; Joseph
Boyd; George Burrows, and wife; and Mary Forbes. James Boyd was the first class-leader.
A
Sabbath-school was organized while meetings were held in the old, red
school-house, and, at one time, there was a small library connected
with it, but it ceased to exist with the church. In 1874, the United
Brethren were allowed to worship occasionally in the building, which is
still standing. There is a grave-yard near it, and funeral discourses
of those from the neighborhood are generally delivered there. It stands
in a grove of oak and chestnut, and with a little care, might be made,
a beautiful retreat.
Source: History of Mercer County, 1877, page 76
The History of Mercer County, 1888 says...
The
Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at an early day, probably
prior to 1840, in the southern part of New Vernon Township. A great
revival occurred in a school-house in the neighborhood in 1843,
resulting in securing twenty-three members to the congregation. In
1849, at the suggestion of Rev. Robert Beatty, a meeting house was
erected, he assisting in the work. The first members of this
congregation embraced James Boyd and wife, Thomas Boyd and wife,
George Forbes and wife, Joseph Boyd, George Burrows and wife, and Mary
Forbes. James Boyd was the first class-leader. The congregation has
measurably declined, but the house is still used for funeral and other
occasions.
Source: History of Mercer County, 1888, page 562 |
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