The Upper Sandy or Georgetown
Presbyterian congregation was organized in 1799 by Elisha McCurdy and
Joseph Stockton. The first eldership consisted of Alexander McCracken
and William Byers. Rev. William Wylie acted as the first
pastor, his service extending from April 13, 1802, to December 5, 1804.
The next year Rev. Stockton, then located at Meadville, supplied the
congregation one-third of his time. The following year Mr. Johnston
performed similar service. The eldership removing from the place the
congregation became extinct for a time. In 1814 the reorganization of
the congregation, under the name of Georgetown, occurred, Rev. Ira
Condit becoming their pastor. This relation he sustained until the date
of his death, October 24, 1836. Rev. David Waggoner was installed next,
July 11, 1888, and continued until May 4, 1853. Rev. James M. Shields
succeeded August 9, 1855, and continued until February 28, 1864. In
May, 1864, Mr. Waggoner returned and was employed two-thirds of his
time, the remainder being devoted to Greenfield. He continued until
February, 1872. Rev. J. M. Robinson became pastor in May, 1873. The
first meeting-house, built on the farm of Joseph Brush, was made of
rough logs. Its floor consisted of mother earth, and its windows of
oiled paper. The second was erected about 1818. It was hewed logs, had
a floor and glass windows, and was a decided improvement in point of
architecture. The highest subscription for its erection was made
by Martin Carringer, $10. The present structure was dedicated
January 4, 1835. The session of the church has borne such names as
William Byers, Samuel Axtell, Andrew McCracken, Robert Tiffany, John
Condit, John Stinson, Orison Eels, John Kerr, David Hadley, David
Thompson, John W. McCracken, Hugh Lackey, Jacob Vaughn, Andrew De
Arment, W. P. Mc Donald and others.
The History of Mercer County,1888, page 474 |
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