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GRACE
METHODIST CHURCH
WHEATLAND,
PENNA.
1868-1959
WHEATLAND
METHODISM started in
the year 1868 and has continued to serve the people of Wheatland until
this day. Perhaps the people who really gave birth to the idea of a
Methodist Church in Wheatland will never be known. However, certain facts
are known. It is known that the present church structure was built in
memory of James Wood. A plaque with the
inscription, "To the memory of James Wood,”
hung in the Wheatland church until 1959 when the congregation vacated the
building to occupy their new edifice.
“The
History of Mercer County” published by Brown, Runk & Company in
1888, carries this statement: “The Methodist Episcopal Church in
Wheatland owes its existence to Mrs. James Wood,
wife of the man who laid out and named the town. She gave the lot and
furnished the means for erecting the building.”
The
Erie Conference Journal, issue of 1869, carries the following statement:
“The Messrs. Woods, of Pittsburgh, together
with Mr. Spearman, manager, are building a
house of worship, to be deeded to the M. E. Church, worth some eight or
ten thousand dollars. They build, finish, and furnish the church with
stained glass windows, hell, chandeliers, etc. There will be a fine
audience room, with lecture room and class rooms below. These gentlemen,
although not members of the denomination, are to be commended for their
unsectarian and liberal views.”
The
organization was effected in 1868, when the Reverend
John Perry was sent to organize the Methodist Episcopal Church. At
this time Wheatland and Brookfield were served by the same minister. The
record shows that the present church building was erected about 1870, and
the same year, in September, the congregation was incorporated under the
laws of Pennsylvania in the name of “The Methodist Episcopal Church of
Wheatland.” However, the congregation was never given a clear title to
the church property. If at any time the services were interrupted for a
period of one year, the property would revert back to the Wood heirs. This
clause was a “thorn in the flesh” of Wheatland Methodism, and hindered
the progress of the church.
Wheatland
was served in those early years by a series of one and two year men. The
first year Rev. John Perry was appointed he
served both Wheatland and Brookfield, Ohio; his second appointment in 1860
was Wheatland alone, Brookfield having been put on another charge.
Local
history records are few and incomplete. An early record mentioning the
name of Rev. R. M. Bear reads: "Rev.
R. M. Bear formed a Methodist Episcopal Church, August 26, 1867, of
the following members. . . ." Evidently this man was a consecrated
Layman who was licensed as a local preacher. Methodism owes much to these
men, for many churches were born through their efforts. However with the
brief paragraph recorded above no further information was recorded and the
names of the first members are not known.
Following
is the record of the organization of the Church Board for 1876:
Wheatland
Nov. 27, 1876
“In
pursuance of a notice, by Rev. J. Graham,
pastor, the Board of Stewards, or Trustees of the M. E. Church, Wheatland,
Pa., met at the house of G. W. Harris for the
purpose of electing a new Board, for the ensuing year. The meeting was
called to order by Rev. J. Graham, Chairman.
Members present were G. W. Risher, G. W. Harris,
Aleck Mayberry, Wright Ray, Joseph Cochran, David Dorman, David Orris, and
John Patterson. On motion of Rev. J. Graham,
G. W. Harris was elected Secretary. On motion of Rev.
J. Graham, G. W. Risher, David Dorman, W. B. Maxwell, G. W. Harris, Wright
Ray, John Patterson, David Orris, Joseph Cochran, and Alex Mayberry were
elected trustees for the ensuing years. On motion of Rev.
J. Graham, G. W. Risher was elected President of the Board for the
year. On motion by Rev. J. Graham, G. W. Harris
was elected Secretary of the Board for the year. On motion of Rev.
J. Graham, G. W. Harris was elected Treasurer of the Church for the
coming year. On motion of Rev. J. Graham, Wright Ray
was elected a committee to collect money to pay for the heating of the
church. There being no further business, on motion the Board adjourned.
G. W.
Harris, Secy."
J. Graham, President
The
Historical Record shows two more items of interest recorded in 1877 and
1878:
“Rev.
W. P. Graham (the son of Rev. John Graham)
was still the pastor. On his motion the following men were elected
trustees subject o the approval of the first Quarterly Conference: Wright
Ray, Nathan Allis, G. W. Risher, David Orris, Henry Metz, John Patterson,
Robert Crooks, William Jones, and Robert Pierson. (The following
correction was entered into the record.)
“The
following errors I notice in the above record, occasioned by a
non-acquaintance, and an improper understanding of the pastor relative to
the names of the parties. Nathan Allis should
read Nelson Allies. Henry Metz should read
John Metz. The above trustees were confirmed at the 1st Quarterly
Conference of Wheatland and Greenwood Circuit at Greenwood Nov. 1878.”
Names
are appearing in the records now that have left a marked influence on
Wheatland Methodism. On October 15, the following trustees were elected
subject to the approval of the Quarterly Conference; —for
the Conference year 1878-1879: Wright Ray, Nelson
Allies, W. Risher, John Metz, Robert Crooks, John Patterson, Thomas Perry,
G. W. Harris, and Thomas Laird.
“The
above board was confirmed as Trustees of the M. E. Church, at Wheatland,
at the First Quarterly Conference held at New Virginia, Jan. 4, 1879.”
Rev.
Otho Brant wrote the following interesting paragraph into the
historical record:
“I
preached my first Sermon in the Wheatland M. F. Church, Nov. 20th, 1882.
I
preached my farewell sermon in this church, Sunday morning Sept. 30th,
1883. A good testimony meeting was held after the sermon, Revelation 2
chapter and part of 10 verse. Be thou faithful until death and I will give
thee a crown of life.
“May
this church, Sabbath School, and all succeeding Pastors have abundant
prosperity.
Otho Brant
Oct. 19th, 1883.
Pastor”
The
Chronological Record of Official members throws a little light upon the
very beginning of this church. Three Stewards and one class leader were
appointed by R. Bear. (This man served
Clarksville.) The first names appearing on record as stewards are: Samuel
McClure, B. W. Maxwell, and W. Jones; Joseph Cole was appointed as
Class Leader. Evidently these were the first charter members and officials
of Wheatland Methodism.
The
next entry came in 1869 by the Rev. John Perry,
who officially organized the church. Also found are the names of four
Class Leaders— Joseph Cole, John Metz, David Orris,
and Samuel McClure. One local preacher appears among the group— F.
N. Kernwick. Nine trustees were appointed on August 26, 1870, by Rev.
John Perry. Evidently this was the first board of trustees. The
names appearing on the official record are: Samuel
McClure, Thomas Perry, John Walker, Joseph Cole, W. B. Maxwell, Alexander
Mayberry, John Metz, Rewben Inbody, and Robert Rankin. Another
interesting item is that Methodism true to form started to educate men and
women and children in the knowledge of the sacred scripture and Jesus
Christ. W. B. Maxwell, became the first
Superintendent of the Sabbath School of Wheatland.
Another
interesting item from the Historical Record of the Wheatland Church is
this Temperance pledge:
TEMPERANCE
PLEDGE
Wheatland,
Jan. 10, 1889
In
the presence of God and these witnesses, I solemnly pledge myself from
this hour not to take intoxicating liquors as a beverage—so help me
Almighty God:
Seven
names were signed, Reese Jones, Ambrose S. Crooks,
David Jarrett, Frank Jones, Owen Howells, Cramer Beck. There is
another name but it is too difficult to decipher; no doubt the Lord knows,
and that is sufficient.
“The
History of Mercer County” published by Brown, Runk & Co., in 1888, p
490, makes this statement:
“The
strength of the Church, depending upon the Mills, its prosperity has
fluctuated with the changes occurring in their business.”
This
has been a correct statement, because during its history, the Wheatland
Methodist Church has had its fat years and its very lean years. Time and
again the Wood heirs threatened to move the Methodist Congregation out
because the building was standing idle and in need of repairs. However, in
moments like that such men as John Metz and Frank
Jones, who were devout men of God, revived the indifferent members
to a sense of their responsibility. The church school was revived and the
Conference asked to send a minister to the community.
There
have been many combinations of charges with which Wheatland was connected.
The earliest charge was Wheatland and Brookfield; next the record shows
Wheatland was linked with Middlesex, New Bedford, then back to New
Virginia and finally under the pastorate of Rev. R.
M. Stevenson, Wheatland and Farrell were united as a charge and
worked harmoniously until 1959 when they became separate charges.
The
Grace Methodist Church, under the pastorate of E. V.
Rupert, laid plans for a new church building to occupy a site on
the corner of Vaughn and Mercer Avenues. This is an excellent location and
a new church building on this site will give a new birth to Wheatland
Methodism. In May 1955, the Board of Home Missions of the Methodist Church
helped the Finance Commission in a Building Fundraising Campaign. Nearly
$27,000 was raised in pledges and cash for the new project.
On
Palm Sunday, March 30, 1958, a group of happy Wheatlandites assembled on
the new church location at 3 P.M. for the Ground Breaking Ceremony. Rev.
M. E. Lindstrom, First Church, Sharon, and Rev.
Newton Swanson, Hickory Methodist Church assisted Rev.
E. V. Rupert in conducting the service. Dr.
Arthur Colley. District Superintendent, gave the address which was
a challenge to the local congregation to set their lights high. Mr.
Thomas Williams, Burgess of Wheatland Borough, George
Heiges, church architect, Robert Lloyd, president
of the Board of Trustees and Leland Chisholm,
lay leader, were introduced by Rev. E. V. Rupert.
Robert Lloyd, Thomas Williams and the pastor
each turned a shovelful of earth. The prayer of dismissal was given by Dr.
Colley.
The
Cornerstone Laying Ceremony was held Sunday, November 9, 1958, at 3 P.M.
Due to the inclement weather, the services were held in the church. Those
taking part in the services were, Dr. Colley, Rev.
C. W. Baldwin, pastor at First Church, Sharon, Rev. Newton Swanson,
pastor of Hickory Methodist Church, and Rev. F. J.
Waller, pastor at the Valley Baptist Church. The address was
delivered by Dr. Colley. The Cornerstone
Laying Ceremony was conducted by Dr. Colley
and the pastor E. V. Rupert.
The
54 feet by 88 feet brick building when completed and furnished will be a
modern house of worship having a sanctuary with a seating capacity of 300.
It will cost about $88,000 and is expected to be dedicated to divine
worship by the first of September, 1959.
The
completion of this project will be the realization of a long cherished
dream on the part of the Wheatland congregation. Rev.
Ernest Rupert who was largely instrumental in starting and
completing this project led the congregation through the necessary steps,
and made it possible to have a full time minister in June 1959.
Compiling
the roll of ministers who have served the Wheatland congregation was a
very difficult task. There is such an overlapping of material, dates and
rearranging of churches on the charges, that the task seemed well-nigh
impossible. However, the following list is felt to be as near correct as
has been possible to make it.
MINISTERS
WHO HAVE SERVED
GRACE
METHODIST CHURCH, WHEATLAND
1867 |
R.
M. Bear |
1868-69 |
John
Perry
|
1870 |
G.
Dunsmire
|
1871 |
B.
F. Delo |
1872-74 |
J.
H. Vance |
1875 |
J.
F. Hill |
1876 |
John
Graham |
1877-79 |
W.
P. Graham
|
1880 |
John
Perry
|
1881 |
R.
M. Bear
|
1882 |
Otho
Brant
|
1883-85 |
R.
R. Rich
|
1886-87 |
W.
H. Mossman
|
1888-90 |
Samuel
Winger
|
1891 |
G.
J. Squire |
1892 |
Samuel
Winger
|
1893 |
George
J. Squire
|
1894-95 |
Chas.
E. McKinley
|
1896-98 |
S.
S. Burton |
189901 |
S.
L. Hill |
1902-05 |
D.
C. Plannette
|
1906-09 |
E.
O. Minnigh |
1910 |
R.
A. Thompson
|
1911-12 |
A.
E. Salisbury |
1913 |
R.
A. Buzza
|
1914-15 |
W.
E. Smith
|
1916-20 |
J.
C. Womer
|
1921-23 |
C.
L. Downs
|
1924-27 |
S.
L. Richards
|
1928-30 |
Thomas
Pollard
|
1931-34 |
Edgar
Doverspike (Student)
|
1935 |
H.
M. Stevenson
|
1936-37 |
D.
J. Blasdell |
1938-40 |
C.
C. Moheny |
1941-44 |
C.
I. Hayes |
1945-47 |
David
Hasbrouck |
1948-58 |
E.
V. Rupert |
1959 |
Jack
F. Best |
Source: One
Hundred and Fifty Years of Methodism, pages 227-233
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