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Sheakleyville Methodist Church |
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The
Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in August, 1830, its
members then consisting of George W. Lee, Griffith
Burnett and wife, Cyrus Church, James Dunn
and wife and Letitia Hazen. At first
preaching was done in the village school-house by Rev.
John Somerville, a jolly Irishman, an eloquent preacher and
valuable pastor. No rapid growth occurred until 1846, when, under the
labors of J. Crum and A.
Calender, many additions were made to the hitherto feeble ranks.
The first class-leader was Cyrus Church,
who held his membership as one of the charter members, and continued in
such relation nearly sixty years. He was born October 16, 1803, and died
in Sheakleyville February 15, 1888, in his eighty-fifth year. The
building was erected in 1842, upon a lot deeded by Justus
Holcomb, Jacob Vaughn and James Dunn
were the contractors, they receiving for their services something more
than $100. The first church bell in the village was put into this structure soon after its completion. It is said to be a sweet-toned instrument for calling worshipers to the place of |
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Early Members of the Methodist Episcopal Church
George W. Lee Griffith Burnett Cyrus Church Letitia Hazen J. Crum A. Calender
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continued - assembling. We are unable to present a complete list of those who
have preached for this congregation. From 1860 to 1888 the pastors have
been Revs. J. B.. Orwig, S. S. Stuntz, F. Brown, M.
Smith, R. C. Smith, J. F. Perry, C. W. Foulke, J. W. Crawford, A. J.
Lindsey, J. Boyd Espy, J. H. Vance, J. M. Foster and C.
C. Hunt. The History of Mercer County, 1888, page 477-478.- |
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