First Universalist Church

The history of the Universalist church at Sharpsville is a record compiled from Sunday to Sunday by T. M. Ford, who until December, 1908, was clerk of the church from its organization, and whose successor is Frank Pierce. The First Universalist church (Church of Our Father) at Sharpsville is the only church of this denomination in the county. In the fall of 1870 or early winter of 1871, Rev. B. F. Hitch cock of Conneautville, Pennsylvania, mainly through the influence of Gen. James Pierce, preached two or three sermons at Sharpsville that made the beginning of Universalist church influence here. Rev. C. L. Shipman preached occasionally and in June, 1873, was engaged to preach each alternate Sunday. This arrangement continued until January 31, 1875, when a parish was organized with twenty-eight members. These members were: Hon. Nathan Morford, Aaron Fell, Jonas J. Pierce, Mahlon Fell, Andrew Fell, T. M. Ford, Henry Phelps, S. W. Johnston, R. J. McDowell, Seth Hofius, Alex. LaMont, Walter Pierce, J. W. Fuller, Frank Pierce, J. L. Weaver, Charles Wilson, Jesse Fell, I. N. Lynch, A. C. Andrews, T. O. Hazen, Mrs. Kate (J. J.) Pierce, Mrs. Mary A. Mortord, Mrs. Emeline Fell, Mrs. Susan Phelps, Mrs. Chloe Pierce, Mrs. Ursula J. Fuller, Mrs. Sarah M. Meecham. Mrs. Julia Ann Fell.

The church organization was effected February 27, 1876, under Rev. Shipman, who up to that time had continued preaching alternate Sundays. The first resident preacher was Samuel Hough, who held regular services from June, 1877, until April, 1880. Several months later Rev. Shipman again became minister, and was spiritual head of the church when the cornerstone of the church home was laid in October, 1882. All the services had been held in a public hall up to this time, but with the donation by Mrs. Chloe Pierce, widow of Gen. James Pierce, of a lot on Mercer avenue, the movement was started for the erection of a church. The officers of the church at the laying of the cornerstone were: C. L. Shipman, pastor; T. O. Hazen, moderator; J. J. Pierce, Aaron Fell, S. W. Johnston, trustees; T. M. Ford, clerk. The building committee were J. J. Pierce, Aaron Fell, S. W. Johnston, T. O. Hazen and Frank Pierce. Services were held somewhat irregularly by Rev. Shipman until January 20, 1884. His successor was W. A. Pratt, who preached the first sermon in the new church building on January 27, 1884.

The following incident of the dedication sermon, of Sunday, February 10, 1884, is told in the clerk’s record: “As the pastor finished the sentence of dedication with these words, ‘Henceforth this church stands devoted to the unchanging love of the father of all spirits,’ the sun, which for more than a week had hardly pierced with its rays the thick black clouds which had obscured the sky, shone forth with noonday splendor, filling the whole auditorium with light. The circumstance to many was very impressive.”

The successive ministers who have held this pulpit have been: C. L. Shipman, 1876; Samuel Hough, 1877; W. A. Pratt, 1884; DeWitt Lamphere, 1885; W. S. Williams, 1887; W. M. Backus, 1889; James Gorton, 1892; L. J. Richards, 1900; C. L. Harris, 1905.

Twentieth Century History of Mercer County, 1909, pages 283-285.

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