This borough, the oldest town on the Monongahela river above its mouth, and for many years the most important place on that stream, was founded in 1787, by Col. Stephen Bayard. The following advertisement in the Pennsylvania Journal of January 13, 1788, enumerates the advantages claimed for the location, and the considerations which influenced its selection:
Elizabeth-Town, on the river Monongahela (where formerly the New (Store stood). — This town is situated on the east side of said river, between Red Stone Old Fort and Pittsburgh, twenty miles above the latter by water and fifteen by land.
The great roads from the lower counties lead directly through it to Washington and Wheeling. The best and most direct road over the hills is from Carlisle, called the old Pennsylvania road, beginning at Clerk’s Gap, from thence to Bedford, thence to Ligonier, thence to Greenburg, thence to Brown’s Ferry on Yough, and from thence to Elizabeth-Town, and down the Monongahela via Montmorin (or Logstown), a nearer and better circuit than Fort Pitt to Muskingum, Kentucky, etc. This road is now made so good that wagons carrying one ton and a half may pass without difficulty, and is by much the best from Philadelphia to the westward. Boats of every dimension may be had at Elizabeth-Town, in the course of next spring and summer, at as short notice and on as reasonable terms as at any place on said river. The situation of the town is attended with this singular advantage, that there is water sufficient for boats to go down from it into the Ohio at any season of the year. It possesses, likewise, another advantage, from its being surrounded by a rich and thick-settled country, where provisions of all kinds may be had at a very cheap rate, particularly flour, there being no less than six gristmills within the circumference of three or four miles. . . .
Proposals will be received and attended to by Stephen Bayard at Philadelphia, and by Bayard & Mackay, proprietors, at Pittsburgh.

Some account of the founder of the town may be appropriate in this connection:
Stephen Bayard was born January 23, 1743, the son of Samuel and Franscina (Malden) Bayard, at Bohemia manor, Cecil county, Md., the earliest home of the family in this country. The original patentee, Augustine Herman, derived his title from Cecilius Calvert, second Lord Baltimore, and proprietor of Maryland, in 1663, and was confirmed in its possession by the son and successor of that nobleman in 1682. May 24, 1684, he disposed of the manor to Peter Bayard, the great-grandfather of Stephen, a man of position and wealth, and one of that large body of French Protestants whom the revocation of the edict of Nantes compelled to leave their country. The family was early represented in Delaware, and has been identified with political movements in that state throughout its history. Thomas F. Bayard, the secretary of state under President Cleveland’s administration, is descended from the same ancestry as the founder of Elizabeth.
It is evident that Stephen Bayard passed his youth upon the manor, but what education he received does not appear. For several years preceding the revolutionary war he was associated with bis cousin, Col. John Bayard, in mercantile pursuits at Philadelphia. Upon the first call for troops he relinquished his business to enter the American army as a captain, ranking from January 5, 1776, in the Third Pennsylvania regiment. He was promoted to major of the Eighth regiment March 13, 1777; appointed lieutenant-colonel September 33, 1777; transferred to the Sixth regiment January, 1781; to the First regiment January 1, 1783. The last years of his military life were passed under Col. Daniel Brodhead and Brig.-Gen. William Irvine at Fort Pitt, on the frontier. With his usual sagacity he foresaw the future possibilities of the western country, and at the termination of the war (1783) he settled at Pittsburgh and formed a partnership with Maj. Isaac Craig in mercantile business. January 33, 1784, they purchased three acres of ground from the Penns, this being the first sale of this character within the present limits of Pittsburgh. The agent of the Penns laid off the town four months later; at his instance, Bayard and Craig waived their right to the property previously acquired, and by deed bearing date December 31, 1784, received as compensation thirty-two lots on Penn and Liberty streets, between the Union depot and Allegheny river. This part of the city is still referred to as Bayardstown by old citizens, and so long as the name retains popular significance it is one of the few reminders of the people who figured prominently in the early history of Pittsburgh. In June, 1784, Bayard and Craig formed a partnership with William Turnbull, Peter Marmie and John Holkar, merchants of Philadelphia, and engaged in the distilling business on an extensive scale. Bayard withdrew from the firm in the spring of 1788, having come into possession of Greenock, a large tract of land on the Monongahela river, originally secured in 1769 by Donald Monroe in warranty title. Here he laid out Elizabethtown, and devoted the best energies of his life from that time forth in furthering its growth. He died at Pittsburgh December 13, 1815, at the age of seventy-two, and is buried in the graveyard of the First Presbyterian church.

Elizabeth (Mackay) Bayard, from whom the town is named, was born December 22, 1767, at Fort Pitt, of which her father. Col. AEneas Mackay, was then in command. He was of Scotch descent, and formed his first acquaintance with this country in 1755 as captain of a company in Braddock’s expedition.

The original town plot extended from the river to Turner’s alley and from Bayard street to Park’s alley, including Plum, Market and Mill streets. No interesting passages marked the first years of its history. The location was well known in the western country. As early as 1779 it is referred to as the "New Store," and from its position on the river and on one of the main highways of the region, it early attracted attention. Boat-building on a small scale was carried on, but when a full complement of local mechanics, storekeepers, innkeepers, ferrymen and barge-builders had collected, the population remained practically stationary. Rival towns came into existence. Centralizing tendencies were already apparent, and the trade that ought to have continued with the "New Store" was diverted to the ambitious county seat. There were thirty-five houses in the town in 1819, and the population, estimated at one hundred and fifty, was distributed as follows:
Water street: John Craighead, John Gibner;
between Park’s alley and Mill, Adam Laughlin, Gen. John Wilson, Garrett Guess, George A. Bayard;
between Mill and Market, Samuel Pollock, James Brice, Maj. Walker;
between Market and the terminus of the street, Samuel Walker, John Scott.
First street: The shop of a Mr. Hamilton on the west side at the corner of Mill;
in the center of the street, Mr. Paul;
Robert Getty, east side above Market.
Second street, west side: Below Mill, James Stephenson, Thomas Mahaffey, Michael Harlan;
between Mill and Market, William Gamble, Alexander Frew, Charles Hilliard;
above Market, Samuel Doughty, John Elliott;
east side: Mrs. Brandt, below Mill;
Mrs. Wilson, between Mill and Market;
John Laughridge, Dr. Stewart, John Doughty, John Gibner, Peter Coursin, above Market.
Third street, east side: Samuel Walker, Andrew Craighead, Mrs. Slaughter.
Market street: Mrs. Loomis, between Third and Tanner’s alley. Peter Croco and Hamilton lived on the outskirts of the town.

The architectural style of the buildings in general was not pretentious in its character. George A. Bayard’s house, in which Mrs. Elizabeth (Mackay) Bayard died, was two stories high and built of hewn logs. That of Samuel Walker, a two-story brick building, was probably the most substantial, and also one of the largest in the town. John Scott and his family lived in a two-story frame house. Mr. Getty, although one of the most successful businessmen of the place, lived in a one-story frame house, and his store was of similar proportions. William Gamble’s dwelling is described as a "double log," and Alexander Frew’s as a "double frame," the latter being two stories high. John Elliott’s residence, owned by John Craighead, was a two-story frame house, as was also that of Mrs. Wilson, owned by Thomas Reynolds. There were but three brick houses in the town at that time — Dr. Stewart’s residence, the schoolhouse, and the house of Samuel Walker, previously mentioned. A fourth was in course of construction by Maj. Walker; it has survived the majority of its neighbors at that time, and is widely and favorably known to the traveling public as the Sarver House. The bricks were made in Elizabeth township by Robert Simpson, and laid by Maj. Travilla, of Pittsburgh, afterward sheriff of Allegheny county.

The usual vocations of a village population were pursued. Dr. Stewart represented the medical profession, and Gen. John Wilson was a gentleman of military proclivities. No member of the legal fraternity was engaged in the active duties of his profession at this time, but the juvenile element of the population numbered several embryo lawyers whose achievements reflect honor upon the place of their birth — Judge William Laughridge, of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and Samuel Frew, of Pittsburgh. The merchants of the place were Samuel Walker, Robert Getty and James Brice. Mr. Walker transacted a large general business, and in all the stores dry goods, groceries, hardware, boots and shoes and the whisky-barrel divided the attentions of the salesmen. There were two hotel-keepers — Charles Hilliard and Andrew Craighead. John Laughridge was a chairmaker; Thomas and David Wilson, blacksmiths; Alexander Frey, spinning-wheel maker; J. M. Wycoff and Isaac Wycoff, carpenters; Hamilton, shoemaker; John Scott, tailor; Thomas Mahaffey, plasterer; Samuel Pollock, cabinet-maker, and the remainder of the population found employment in the boatyards and tannery. The former were situated on the river bank between Park’s alley and Mill street, and the latter on the right side of the millrace opposite the dwelling of Peter Croco. There was also a distillery, the proprietors of which were Robert Getty and Smiley.

The beginning of the boat-building industry was contemporary with the founding of the town. Under date of August 20, 1788, "Stephen Bayard, proprietor, on the premises," announced through the advertising columns of the Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser (published at Philadelphia) that "'At Elizabeth Town, on the Monongahela, may now be had Kentucky boats of different dimensions; where, also, for the future boats of every construction and size may be had at as low a price as any on these waters. To prevent the detention of travelers, so frequent on the river for want of boats, the proprietor has erected a boatyard on the premises, where timber is plenty, and four of [the] best boat-builders from Philadelphia are constantly employed." The boats here referred to were of that general class of river craft known as keelboats and barges, corresponding to the Durham boats used in river navigation on the Delaware and Susquehanna at a corresponding period in the settlement of that part of the state. The fact that four boat-builders were "constantly employed" does not indicate an extensive establishment; but it is greatly to the credit of Col. Bayard that he could foresee the possibilities of the industry. He not only founded the town, in the usual significance of that phrase, but he laid well the foundations of its future prosperity and importance. Harris’ Directory of 1836 states that a company of ship-carpenters was brought out from Philadelphia in 1800, when the building of sailing-vessels was begun. "In the following year they built the schooner Monongahela Farmer, which was owned by the builders and farmers of the neighborhood, who loaded her with a cargo of flour, etc., and sailed via New Orleans to the city of New York. In 1803 the brig Anne Jane, of 450 tons, was built here for the Messrs. McFarlane, merchants, who loaded her with flour and whisky and sailed her to New York. This vessel was one of the fastest sailers of her day, and was run as a packet to New Orleans for some time." Maj. John Walker accompanied the Anne Jane in person, and disposed of both the brig and her cargo at New York. Two pirogues, used in Lewis and Clark’s explorations of the Missouri river and the northwestern part of the United States, were built here in 1803.

Bayard and his associates were not suffered to monopolize the construction of vessels on the western waters, however. In 1801, before the Monongahela Farmer was launched, John A. Tarascon & Brothers, James Berthoud & Co., began the construction at Pittsburgh of the schooner Amity, of 120 tons, thus beginning the boat-building industry of that place. The first steamboat to navigate the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, the New Orleans, was built at Pittsburgh in 1811; but as the practicability of ocean navigation by steam had not yet been demonstrated, ship-builders confined their attention to sailing-vessels for some years after that date. Only two steamboats were built at Pittsburgh in 1822, although the number had reached eight in 1819, while sixteen were built in 1826. Harris’ Directory states that the first steamboat was built at Elizabeth in that year; and it is not improbable that the increased demand for vessels of that character indicated by the figures above given influenced the boat-builders at Elizabeth in making the innovation. There is also evidence that one steamboat, at least, was built prior to that time, the Western Navigator, a low-pressure boat, with one smokestack, four staterooms, and an uncovered paddle-wheel, launched May 10, 1815, by Maj. John Walker.

The Walkers were identified with boat-building at Elizabeth throughout its continuance. Samuel Walker and Elizabeth (Springer), his wife, with a family of six children, emigrated from Wilmington, Del., in the autumn of 1785, and in October of that year reached McFarland’s ferry, two miles above Elizabeth. The company with which they traveled brought the first printing press across the Allegheny mountains, the plant from which John Scull issued the first number of the Pittsburgh Gazette. Walker had previously been a member of the Delaware legislature; but he seems to have adapted himself without inconvenience to his new surroundings, and in November, 1794, ferried the whole of Morgan’s army across the river. His son, Maj. John Walker, then (1785) a youth of nineteen, had been a spectator of the battle of the Brandywine. Among the ship-carpenters brought out by Bayard, the chief draftsman, John Scott, seems to have been a man of good professional ability. Walker was at this time proprietor of a sawmill in partnership with John Craighead, and it was largely by the energy of these men that the Monongahela Farmer was built. When it is considered that they were without capital; that no sailing-vessel had yet traversed the Ohio and Mississippi; and that, in addition to the natural difficulties of the navigation, the hostility of Indians and Spaniards was to be feared, it is worthy of notice that the initial effort in utilizing for commercial purposes the great water highways of the west should be undertaken by the farmers and mechanics of a feeble frontier settlement. A company was organized, and a schooner of two hundred and fifty tons begun in 1800. Having been completed in the following spring. Walker was placed in command, with the following instructions:

Walker’s best judgment, to which his principals referred with such confidence, having prompted the disposal of both vessel and cargo at New Orleans, a further voyage to the "islands" was rendered unnecessary. The construction of the Anne Jane, a brig of 450 tons, for Robert and James McFarland, next engaged the attention of the Elizabeth boat-builders. The industry seems to have become firmly established, and the particulars of its history from this time present little of striking interest. The date usually given for the commencement of steamboat-building is 1826, when the Stephen Decatur was built. Seventy-eight boats were built in the next ten years, with an aggregate capacity of 13,553 tons. But eight of these had a capacity of less than one hundred tons. The largest was the Leviathan, of 600 tons, and then, in order, the Constellation, of 500 tons; the Mediterranean, of the same capacity; the Uncle Sam, of 480 tons; the Corinthian, of 450 tons; the George Colyer, of 450 tons; the Moravia, of 440 tons; the Henry Clay, of 400 tons; the Peru, of 350; the Chillicothe, Glasgow, Pennsylvania and North America, of 300 tons, the capacity of all the others but three being less than two hundred tons. The number of boats built prior to 1857 was 312.

Upon the death of Maj. John Walker, his three sons, Robert C., Samuel and John, Jr., succeeded to the various business interests with which he was connected. The proprietorship and management of the boatyards devolved eventually upon Samuel Walker, who inherited the energy and executive ability of his father. The business attained its largest proportions during his administration. There were three yards, one at the foot of Walnut street, another below Capt. Hendrickson’s residence, and another, still in use by Horner & Roberts. It is probable Mr. Walker built a larger number of steamboats than any other man of his generation. The world-renowned J. M. White, whose record has never been lowered, was built here, and the first steamer that ever floated in California waters was constructed under his direction for Capt. Mark Sterling. After being completed at the middle boatyard, the ship was transported in sections, by way of Cape Horn, and gave perfect satisfaction when rebuilt. Samuel Walker was succeeded by his son-in-law Gen. James A. Ekin, who conducted the business until the war-period. The growth of the railroad system of the country, the disappearance of the forests, and the demand for larger ships than could be conveniently floated gradually deprived the business of the prosperity it once so liberally enjoyed and bestowed. The larger boats were usually dropped over the dams in seasons of high water, but this was effectually prevented by the construction of the railroad bridge in 1865 at Dam No. 2. This was the beginning of the end, if not, in fact, the end, for but eight or ten boats have been built since. Four bargeyards, four coalboat siding-yards and four docking establishments, employing several hundred men, comprise the present status of an industry that will never, in the natural course of events, attain its former magnitude and relative importance.

The village advanced its claims for local self-government with the enterprise that distinguished its early citizens. An act incorporating the borough was passed by the legislature April 2, 1834, and received executive sanction three days later. The boundaries were thus described:
Beginning at the mouth of Smith’s run; thence up said run to [the] spring whence it issues; thence a direct course to the house of Samuel Walker, now occupied by David Jacobs, including the same; thence a direct course to the dam of Walker & Craighead’s sawmill on Fallen Timber run; thence along the foot of the hill a direct course to the frame house of Dr. Penniman, including the same; thence by line of the front of said house to the eastern corner of Hugh Fergus’ meadow-lot; thence by course of Fallen Timber run to Monongahela river; thence along the margin of said river at low-water mark to the place of beginning.

The area thus included was the original plot of Bayard, and an addition thereto made in 1833 by Samuel and John Walker. The latter also laid off that part of the town bounded by Fifth and Bayard streets, which, with other territory, was annexed to the borough in 1876. At the first election Peter Wilson was chosen burgess; Samuel Frew, Francis C. Flannegan, Hugh Fergus, John F. Richards and James Stewart, councilmen; John R. Perry, high constable, with the added honors of street commissioner, assessor, collector and wagon-measurer. Hugh Fergus became burgess in 1835, John R. Shields in 1836 and John Shugart in 1837. Various internal improvements were projected during this period. September 24, 1836, the council appropriated one hundred and twenty dollars for the grading and curbing of Market street,, which was done under the direct supervision of the street commissioner. August 1, 1837, Jacob F. Wall contracted for the grading of Second street, and September 1, 1837, J. F. Richards agreed to improve Main street in a similar manner.

The fire department was early a subject of consideration. An "American: hydraulic engine" was purchased in 1839; a trial of the machine resulted im complete failure, and the party by whom its purchase was agitated has never since been a factor in borough politics. The bucket-brigade has often been called into requisition, and usually proven equal to the situation. The markethouse, a distinctively borough institution, was situated at the corner of Walnut and Second streets, upon the lot now occupied by the borough hayscales. The building was about sixteen feet wide and sixty feet long; it was supported upon two brick columns about twelve feet high. The floor was paved with brick and divided into stalls, which were rented to butchers and farmers. The building ceased to afford sufficient revenue to provide necessary repairs, and its use for markets was finally discontinued. At present the only borough property worthy of mention is a small brick "lockup", but its tenants are very few, perhaps because local prohibition has been in force since 1872.

The business and other features of the town are thus summarized by Harris in 1836, two years after the municipal government was established:
Three steamboat-yards, Samuel Walker, 2, G. Stephens, 1;
2 steam sawmills, Samuel Walker; 1 steam merchant-mill, Samuel Walker;
1 water sawmill, J. Walker & Craighead;
1 green-glass manufactory, B. Johnston;
1 woolen factory, I. L. Morris;
1 distillery, G. W. Trimble;
1 tannery, Hugh Fergus;
6 blacksmith-shops; 2 hotels, John Holmes and W. Loomis;
1 inn, James Reynolds;
3 English dayschools;
1 Sabbath-school, with 100 scholars;
3 churches, 1 Methodist, Rev. Mr. Reed; 1 Baptist, Dr. J. Estep; 1 Covenanter, Rev. Mr. Crozier;
7 merchants, Samuel Walker, John Walker, Jr., & Co., John McDonough, P. C. Flannegan, James Craighead, Baker Johnson, Frederick Kinkerly;
1 attorney at law, Samuel Frew, Esq.;
3 doctors, James Estep, William A. Penniman, J. W. Biddle;
2 justices of the peace, J. Craighead, J. F. Richards; population, about 1,100.

The population was 1,196 in 1870, and 1,810 in 1880, and at the present time it is probably 3,000, including the closely built section just outside the borough lines, but properly a part of the town. The mineral resources of the surrounding country have been developed rapidly since the decline of the boat-building industry. Eight of the largest mines in the bituminous coal-regions are situated within a radius of three miles from the town; and were the population thus employed concentrated, its business would be measurably increased. Such a result can hardly be anticipated while the "company store" continues to be a cherished institution, however. Improved railway facilities would doubtless confer a great advantage upon the place. The Pittsburgh, Virginia & Charleston railroad was opened through West Elizabeth November 11, 1872. The Elizabeth packet-line was established in 1849, and the steam ferry in 1873. The projected route of the Pittsburgh, Chartiers & Youghiogheny, and of an extension of the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie system, pass through the town. A bridge project is now under discussion.

The earliest journalistic effort in the Monongahela valley above Pittsburgh was made in June, 1828, when Samuel Frew published at Elizabeth the Pennsylvanian and Jackson Free Press. It was purely a campaign sheet, and did not survive the influences under which it originated. Mr. Frew established the Monongahela Valley Messenger several years later, which shared the fate of its predecessor. The Advertiser was first issued January 28, 1871, by P. T. B. Shaffer, and appeared, at irregular intervals until December 23, 1871, when, having acquired citizenship, it became the Elizabeth Advertiser, and thereafter was published semi-monthly until March 22, 1873. P. T. B. Shaffer aud W. L. Penney established the Monongahela Valley Messenger August 2, 1873, and from that time a weekly paper has been published continuously. January 1, 1874, the name was changed to Black Diamond, which was retained for one year, when the present style, the Elizabeth Herald, was adopted. J. T. Weddell became proprietor September 12, 1874, and McGinley & Wiley, the present owners, in May, 1879. A most interesting feature of the paper during the last two years has been "Dr. Shaffer’s Reminiscences," from the pen of John E. Shaffer, M. D., a resident of the borough since 1845, and one of the oldest physicians of the county. November 4, 1887, a centennial edition of the Herald was issued, in honor of the hundredth anniversary of the founding of the town, replete with valuable information relating to the history of the borough and surrounding country, and of great assistance in facilitating the preparation of this chapter.

The first schoolhouse of the borough was a brick building, erected in 1818 on the east side of Second street. The first teacher was Washington Robison. The first effort to establish a school of high grade was made in 1848 by a Miss McFarland, of Cannonsburg. She was followed by Williams, J. T. Power, I. H. Campbell and Miss S. S. Ingles. The latter was a lady of good administrative ability, and projected a school of more than local influence. The early public schools were conducted in the houses occupied by A. G. Lewis and George W. Wright. In June, 1849, there were 77 females and 73 males in District No. 1; 74 females and 65 males in District No. 2; 60 females and 55 males in District No. 3; a total of 404. The construction of a new schoolhouse was begun in that year, and a second was erected several years since.

The secret societies of the town were organized in the following order: Old Monongahela Lodge, No. 209, I. O. O. F., February 27, 1847; Monongahela Encampment, No. 109, I. O. O. F., October 19, 1851; Stephen Bayard Lodge, F. & A. M., September 3, 1872; Elizabeth Lodge, No. 444, K. of P., September 9, 1875; G. A. R. Post, December 16, 1878; O. U. A. M., December 10, 1881; R. A., June 8, 1885.

Round Hill Presbyterian Church was organized in 1778, by Rev. James Finley, who visited this region as early as 1772, and became pastor in 1785, continuing until his death in 1795. Rev. James Smith was pastor from 1797 to 1803; William Wylie, 1805-17; Robert Johnston, 1818-31; N. H. Gillett, 1834-41; William Eaton, 1841-44; A. Calhoun, 1845-48; Joseph Smith, 1851-55; James Martin, 1857-63; J. L. Sample, 1864-66; W. L. Boyd, 1867-71; J. B. Dickey, 1871-79; B. T. DeWitt, 1880-. The second church was built in 1819, and the third was dedicated June 24, 1885. The church at Elizabeth was built in 1851. Mount Vernon church was built in 1866.

Bethesda United Presbyterian Church was organized in 1780. Rev. Mathew Henderson was installed as its first pastor November 24, 1785, and continued until April 29, 1829; Matthew McKinstry succeeded him in 1836, and resigned in 1845; Samuel Jamison was pastor from 1848 to 1866, and D. H. Pollock, at present in charge, was installed in 1869. The second church, a brick building, was erected in 1818, and the church at Elizabeth in 1851.

A Methodist church was built in 1838, and is still standing, in marked contrast with the beautiful structure recently built on the adjoining lot as its successor. Philip Smith was active in the first enterprise. In 1845 Elizabeth was part of a circuit which also included Fell’s, Dravo and Concord. The present church- edifice was dedicated May 10, 1885.

The First Baptist Church of Elizabeth was constituted September 17, 1842, with sixty-five members. Rev. James Estep was the first pastor, and was followed by Isaac Wynn in April, 1843; Milton Sutton, in 1844; J. R. Hornish, in 1847; S. W. Foljambe, Richard R. Sutton, William Whitehead, J. K. Cramer, John Burke, J. W. Scott, I. C. Tuttle and A. B. Whitney, the present incumbent. The first place of worship was built in 1833, and that occupied at present was secured by purchase in 1863.

St. Michael’s Roman Catholic church was built in 1851, largely through the efforts of William Lambert, a devoted member of that communion, whose residence had been the place of worship for visiting clergymen for some years. The following clergymen have officiated at St. Michael’s: R. Phelan, P. M. Garvey, 1855-60; Thomas Quinn, 1860-61; Dennis Kearney, 1861-67; W. F. Hayes, 1867-71; Martin J. Brezill, 1871-73; P. M. Garvey, 1873-77; Francis McCourt, 1877-.

The Monongahela Covenanter congregation was originally composed of a membership residing at the preaching-places of Redstone, Mifflin, Long run and Miller’s run. The brick church in Elizabeth township, half a mile from the borough, was built in 1838, when Rev. John Crozier was pastor. The church at Elizabeth was built in 1865.

The Methodist Protestant Church was organized in 1863, and the church edifice was built in 1864. The African Methodist church was dedicated July 16, 1871, after remaining unfurnished for many years. Rev. J. J. Jones has recently organized a colored Baptist society.