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 The Methodist Episcopal
congregation owes its origin to Rev.
Sullivan, who assembled the Methodist families in the
neighborhood together in 1864, and began holding religious devotions
with them. Among the number of these early members are found the names
of Thomas H. Burns, Mrs. T. H.
Burns, E. W. Latham, Mrs. Nancy Latham, Samuel Newkirk, Mrs. Sarah
Newkirk and Mr. and Mrs. Voorhies. The first exercises
were held in the Presbyterian Church. This was occupied for a period,
and then the Covenanters' Church was secured and used for meeting
purposes for two years. The congregation having by this time become
stronger in numbers and wealth, it was determined to erect a house of
its own. Accordingly a frame building 30x40 feet in dimensions, now
[1888] occupied by Carver
& Bower as a wagon-shop, was built, and the
regular services held therein. In 1878, however, work on the present
handsome structure was begun, and in the same year was completed the
church now occupied. This is an elegant brick edifice, with an audience
room 40x70 feet, chapel and class rooms 30x45, and slated roof. The
ground on which it stands was donated by Milton
Egbert. The total value of the church property is
estimated at $10,000. The following have been pastors of the
congregation: Rev. W. Schofield,
Rev. — Brown, Rev. S. K. Paden, Rev. John Abbott, Rev. H. Beatty, Rev.
John Eckels, Rev. W. Moore, Rev. John Graham, Rev. A. R. Rich, Rev. E.
K. Creed, and the present [1888] pastor, Rev. O. L. Moad,
who began his ministry at the close of 1887. The congregation is in a
flourishing condition, having a membership 240.
Its class-leaders at present are Edward H. Stekel, E. X. Giebner, George
Fowler and Hugh
Bradberry.
From The History of Mercer
County,1888, page 462.
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