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SEARCH MY WASHINGTON COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA WEBSITES
OTHER FAMILIES (o_f) of McDonald PA
and surrounding areas
Washington County PA
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The newspaper articles presented here
give glimpses into the lives of men, women, and families during lifetimes spent
in the areas in and near McDonald, PA. We hope you find useful items that
add to your family tree.
Churches and Worship in McDonald PA
and Surrounding areas
The Raccoon Presbyterian Church at Candor PA
From the
McDonald Record-Outlook, July 28, 1960, page unknown:
RACCOON CHURCH AT CANDOR RICH IN HISTORIC LORE
The above photo, showing the structure façade of the Raccoon
Presbyterian Church at Candor, brings for the need for a closer
appreciation of this venerable and staid bit of architecture that is
such an outstanding part of Robinson Township. [NOTE: Photo not
submitted.]
To tell of the church is to tell of the early history of Robinson
Township and the hardy Scotch-Irish pioneers who helped open the western
frontier of Washington County.
To begin the narrative, I would like to quote from Alfred CREIGH’s
History of Washington County, as it concerns the above-mentioned area;
“Robinson Township was the eleventh (11) of the original townships
formed by the trustees, July 15th, 1781. It was then bounded by the Ohio
River on the North, the Monongahela River on the east, Cecil Township on
the South and Smith Township on the west; but its large proportions have
been considerably decreased, and it is now (1860) bounded by Allegheny
County on the north and east, Cecil and Mount Pleasant on the south and
Hanover and Smith on the west, centrally distant from Washington
Borough, north twenty-two miles; breadth three miles.
“Population in 1860, eight hundred and forty, of which twenty three
are colored. It is drained on the north by Raccoon Creek, on the east by
branched of Chartiers Creek and Montour’s Run. The Pike from
Pittsburgh to Steubenville runs through this township. On December 22d,
1836, the lines between Robinson, Cecil, Mount Pleasant and Smith were
adjusted and confirmed by the court. It has five stores, five schools,
with one male and four female teachers—the former receiving $34
dollars and the latter $30 per month, with 156 scholars, (76 males and
80 females), tuition costing $1.20 per month; the tax levied being seven
hundred and forty-two dollars and eighty-four cents; the State
appropriation, eighty-eight dollars and ninety-two cents; amount levied
for building purposes, ten hundred and fourteen dollars and fourteen
cents. The towns are Candor, Havelock Station, and Midway, or Egypt.
“In the year 1793, January 19th, John CLARK and Jane, his wife,
conveyed to William RANKIN, Peter KIDD, William McCANDLESS, Matthew
BAILEY, John DUNLOP, and Alexander WRIGHT, trustees of Raccoon
congregation in consideration of nine pounds apiece, all that lot of
ground whereon the congregation has erected their church under the
pastoral care of the Rev. Joseph PATTERSON, containing seven acres
strict measure.
“Upper Raccoon Presbyterian Church is located in Robinson Township.
Rev. Joseph PATTERSON was installed as the first pastor, November 11,
1789, and remained as such until October 16th, 1816. He was succeeded by
the Rev. Moses ALLEN the 27th of May, 1817, who officiated until October
16th, 1839. Rev. Clement N. McKAIG was ordained his successor June 14th,
1841, and served until Rev. John W. KERR became its pastor in 1862 and
was resigned in 1865. The pulpit is filled with supplies.
“There is a tradition in the northern part of this county in regard to
the Rev. Mr. PATTERSON, verified by the most substantial aged men of our
county, which I shall relate. Mr. PATTERSON was a great and good
man—prompt to his word and conscientious in the discharge of his every
duty. A subscription was being made up to erect a meeting house, and the
day appointed for its payment. The day arrived and he was disappointed
in not receiving the promised money which would liquidate his
subscription, amounting to six dollars. Nevertheless he concluded to
attend the meeting at the schoolhouse (the place appointed), and make
such a statement as would be satisfactory. He accordingly started with
his gun on his shoulder. Wending his way along to the meeting, he
arrived at a beautiful grove, where God and Nature seemed to invite him
to pour out his soul in prayer and by faith to look up for the blessing.
In the midst of the devotional exercise, and when his soul was earnestly
engaged in prayer, he heard a rustling among the leaves. He opened his
eyes, and behold, a panther was approaching him. He raised his rifle and
killed the wild animal. He took the scalp and skin with him to the
meeting as a trophy of his victory. He sold them for six dollars, and
thereby was enabled to redeem his subscription.” Such is the picture
of Robinson Township and the Raccoon Presbyterian Church in the year
1860.
At this point I would like to tell of the many years of service given to
the Candor Church by the Rev. Greer McIlvain KERR, D. D. The Rev. KERR,
(no relation to the Rev. John KERR mentioned in the early account above)
spent a lifetime I the Candor community, a total of fifty-nine and
one-half years. His pastorate started in 1871 and ended with his death
in 1930.
His two sons, James and Greer reside in Oakdale, along with his three
daughters, Mary, Margaret and Amy. Two other daughters Mrs. Nesbit ROSS
of Carnegie, and Jean KERR of Washington, D.C., complete the existing
KERR family.
Candor, in the year 1860, had forty dwelling houses and a population of
two hundred and ten. Havelock Station (now McDonald) was merely a stop
on the railroad adjoining the estate of Col. McDONALD. The postmaster at
Havelock Station at this time was one James EUWER. The other prominent
community in Robinson Township at the time was, as mentioned in the item
from CREIGH’s History, Midway or Egypt.
Egypt was the old name for Midway before the coming of the
railroad—and it is easy to understand the selection of the Pyramid
phone exchange for the Midway area—Pyramid and Egypt being of a close
nature. Midway, today is perhaps one of the most pleasant communities to
reside in, of any in the Robinson Run Valley—its quiet, tree-lined
streets, its well-kept homes, with plenty of ground between each one for
a garden or lawn—the clean and litter-free appearance of the town’s
trim lawns gives evidence of an alert and active council. Truly, Midway
has much to offer, pleasing and courteous merchants, the nearby Fort
Cherry School system, all add up to congenial rural living. Such is
Midway or old Egypt today.
But more about the church at Candor. The present congregation numbers
110 and the current minister is the Rev. John Allen SHEARER. Originally
from Akron, Ohio, the Rev. SHEARER joined a long line of illustrious
guardians of the Candor flock—starting with the Rev. Joseph PATTERSON,
whose plaque on the right side of the church pulpit tells of his being
the “First Presbyterian Minister Ordained West of the Allegheny
Mts.” On the left side of the pulpit is the plaque honoring the Rev.
Greer McIlvain KERR, who gave a lifetime of service to this hamlet.
A great deal of credit must be given the people who have preserved and
maintained the Candor church. Even with a minimum of members, the church
today retains the full color and quaintness which marked its days when
it was the peer of all area houses of worship.
Recently, from far-off California came a gift of an electric organ—the
memory of Candor church was not easily forgotten. The organ was a gift
of James McElroy REA of Carlsbad, Calif., in memory of his wife, the
late Cynthia RUSSELL REA. Although gone from this area for forty years,
the church at Candor was never far from his mind.
What can be said in closing this article? Another quote perhaps—one
that will say: “If we can save enough of the homes, churches, court
houses, and other places where Americans who went before us lived and
worked, we can sense their way of life, their ideals, and character. We
want our children to sense them, too. Unless we act now, few of these
first-hand lessons from the past will remain.”
Editor’s Note -- The above information was gathered and the article
written by James F. MULOOLY of Noblestown.
* See Town-Talk
section for a more information on the history of McDonald Pa.*
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