United
Presbyterian.--The
origin of this church at Sheakleyville is mentioned upon another page.
In 1863, a call was made to Rev. J. Bailey,
who accepted it, and was , ordained
and installed June 23d, of that year, and remained pastor until 1869
when the relation was dissolved by mutual consent, and the congregation
was without regular preaching until June 13th, 1871, when Rev.
G. C. Brown was ordained and installed over it, and remained
until the May meeting of the Presbytery, in 1873, when he was released
on account of ill-health, and the pastorate was again vacant until 1875.
On the 6th of September, of that year, Rev. R.
Bruce was ordained and installed, and his pastoral relation with
the church still continues. The present [1877] United Presbyterian
building was erected in the borough in 1850, and completed in 1852, and
is a wood building, 44 x 50 feet, and stands on land deeded for
religious purposes by David Carlyle, on
Plum alley, east of Main street. A Sabbath-school was organized when the
building was erected, and at present [1877] has about 160 members, and
similar institutions are connected with the other churches.
History of Mercer County, 1877, page 122-123.
