The
United Presbyterian congregation dates its origin in the year
1818, when about half a dozen families, consisting of those of David
Gardner, James Brush, Ross Byers, John Caldwell and John
Thompson, withdrew from the Upper Sandy Presbyterian congregation
and formed an Associate Reformed Church. The separation grew out of the
controversy relative to the use of Rouse’s version of the Psalms.
Subsequently Martin
Carringer, John Sheakley and Samuel
Cochran joined the new organization. The additional members not
already mentioned were: Mrs. Ross Byers, Mrs. John
Thompson, Baptist Brush and wife, Ebenezer
Miller, Agnes Long, Peter Hazen and wife, A.
McCandless, Mr. Elliott and wife, Jonathan
Byers and wife, Mrs. Culbertson, Charles
Montgomery, Robert Findley and wife and Mrs.
Samuel Cochran. The first elders in the new congregation were
Baptist Brush, Ross Byers, James Brush and Charles
Montgomery. During its existence it relied largely upon supplies,
being served by A. Bowers, H. H. Thompson
and others. When the union occurred, Rev. James
Burrows was installed pastor, and continued in that position from
1858 to 1860. In 1863, union having been formed with the congregation at
Mineral Spring, a new organization, to be located in Sheakleyville, was
the result. Rev. J. A. Bailey became the
pastor of the new congregation June 23, 1863, and continued in that
relation until 1869. In June, 1871. Rev. G. C.
Brown was chosen, and continued until ill health demanded his
release in 1873. On September 6, 1875, Rev. R.
Bruce, the last [current 1888] pastor, was chosen. The first
edifice in the borough was erected in 1850-52. It was a wooden
structure, 44x50, and stood on a site deeded for religious purposes by
David Carlyle. This house was supplanted in 1886-87 by a large
and commodious brick structure of modern style and advantages. The
congregation is said to be in a prosperous condition [1888].
History of Mercer County, 1888, page 474-477.
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