Mercer County PAGenWeb


Sharon

First Baptist Church


First Baptist Church, Sharon. That there is often a distinct cleavage among new settlers on the line of denominational religion seems to be borne out by several conspicuous cases in Mercer county. At the county seat and the central part of the county almost the entire population were divided among the different sects of Presbyterianism. In the upper Shenango valley about Greenville the Methodists came as early and were as prominent as any other denomination. While in Sharon, the denomination that took the lead during the pioneer epoch was the Baptists.

Rev. David Philips came to the Sharon community as a missionary in 1802, and after working in this vicinity about two years gathered the Baptists into a regular organization in April, 1804. The family names that appeared on the first roll of membership can readily be identified with those of the pioneer settlers of this locality, including such as the Morfords, Hoaglands, the Joneses, the Renos, Rigdons, Norths, Bentleys and Budds, John Morford and Henry Hoagland were the first deacons. For a number of years the 29th of April was celebrated as the anniversary of the founding of this church, and was an occasion for the assembling and the religious devotion and rejoicing of the people through all the vicinity. In 1805 Thomas Jones and family were brought through the wilderness from New Jersey to preach, though for the first three years the congregation had noplace of assemblage except private houses, barns and groves. Mention is
made in the history of Sharon that William Budd donated a lot for a church and graveyard, and the first building to be erected there was a log church twenty by thirty feet in dimensions. This was in 1807, and in the same year the activities of the church spread to West Salem township, where another church was organized and remained in relationship with Sharon until 1826, the same pastor serving both.
 


First Baptist Church in Sharon

Photo taken in 2000
What the history of Mercer County 1888 says about the Sharon Baptist Church

In 1825 the church had seventy-five members. Then in 1828 the bonds of unity were broken. The doctrines of Alexander Campbell made converts of  many in the Baptist society, which barely retained its integrity as acorporation. A majority of the voting members remained with the Baptists, so that they kept their church property, but for the following twelve years the congregation made little progress. With the pastorate of Dr. John Winter, in June, 1840, a new era began. March 31, 1843, the congregation was incorporated as the Regular Baptist Church of the Borough of Sharon, the first board of trustees including  Edward S. Budd, Elam Bentley, John Hazen, Conrad G. Carver and Thomas Clark. The log church that had served so long was removed and the erection of a frame church (40 by 50 feet) was begun. In the interval of building, the Baptists worshiped in the house of the Protestant Methodists for a time, but the practices of the former as to baptism and communion were so unacceptable to the latter that the further rental of the church was refused. During the late forties the Baptist Academy was established, and several other proofs of growth and strength were seen. During the pastorate of S. H. Ruple  (1853-55) a division occurred  in the church,but the succeeding pastor, A. G. Kirk, effected a partial reconciliation, thirty six members returning to the old body. During the war another split occurred in the church, due to the differences of opinion as to the issues of the war entertained by the members of the congregation. At the close of the war the factions reunited and Dr. Winter again became pastor, and a period of prosperity followed. The church was remodeled and was dedicated a second time, in June, 1866.

When H. C. Hall became pastor in July, 1882, preparations were made to build a new church. The result was the brick church which still stands at 46 State street, which was constructed at a cost of about $15,000 and which was dedicated in June, 1884. A parsonage just west of the church was built in 1866.


(Source: Twentieth Century History of Mercer County, 1909, pages 274-275)

More Photos of Sharon's First Baptist Church


Postcard showing First Baptist Church
Early 1900's
First Baptist Church,
Sharon, PA

(Larger view not available)
First Baptist Church marquee West State Street showing Sacred Heart & Baptist Churches, Sharon, PA
About 1910

(Click on images to enlarge)

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