Mercer County PAGenWeb

back through the dense forests along a single bridle-path, carrying their salt and much of their flour on pack-horses.  In the same summer the ministers of Christ carried the bread of this life throughout all this vast region.

That you may have a proper estimated of the amount of labor performed by pastor and people a century ago, [almost two centuries ago, now] it is well to remember that Mr. McLean's charge embraced the territory now occupied by Greenville, Jamestown, Conneaut Lake, Cochranton, Utica, Rocky Spring, Sheakleyville, Clarksville and Sharon.  He also preached occasionally in Mercer, Sheakleyville, Meadville, Waterford, and in the eastern portions of Mercer and Butler counties.

The Church 1819-1840

In 1840, after a pastorate of 38 years, Mr. McLean was released from the Greenville part of the charge but continued to labor in Old Shenango until May 1853, when he resigned his charge on account of advancing age and infirmity, having ministered in his holy office 56 years.  He died in Shenango, June 3d of the same year, with these words upon his lips:  "I will praise God while I have any being." 

When he left Greenville there were 179 members on the roll.  It has been estimated that during his ministry he received into the church not less than 1,500 persons.  The records of the church in that early day have not been preserved, making it impossible to give much of the history of those interesting days.  It would be impossible perhaps to estimate his influence upon the church in Western Pennsylvania, especially throughout this region.