The
Methodist Episcopal Church
was organized in
August, 1830, with the following members: Cyrus
Church, Griffith Burnett and wife, James Dunn
and wife, Letitia Hazen, and George
W. Lee, of whom the last has not been a member for years. The first
preaching was in the old school-house, in the village, by Rev.
John Somerville, who is described as being a whole-souled Irishman,
an eloquent speaker, and a very acceptable pastor. In 1846, under the
preaching of Rev. J. Crum and A.
Calender, a large addition was made to the hitherto small society,
and the revival spread into the other churches, and great numbers were
added to
them. The first class-leader was Cyrus Church.
The building was erected in 1842, upon a lot deeded by Justus
Holcomb. Jacob
Vaughn, and James Dunn were the
contractors, and the cost was but little over $100. The first
church-bell in the place, was planed in its small cupola shortly after
its completion, and, upon the Sabbath, it still calls its worshipers to
prayer, with tones as sweet as Moore’s evening bells. There are now
237 members, including probationers, and the Sabbath-school is the
largest in the place. Among the original members of the church, Cyrus
Church is the only one now in communion with it.
Years
before its organization, there was a small association of Methodists
in the northern part of Sandy Creek township, which was
occasionally supplied by itinerant preachers, but no church had been
established there, and upon the formation of one in Sheakleyville, the
families from the country united there.
History of Mercer County, 1877, page 123.
Return
to the main Sheakleyville Methodist Church page
