The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-06-02
ST. GApRIEL's. SUNARLOAF.

81, GabrieI's, Sugarloaf, is located on the
tishingcreek, in the township Of Sugarloai, in
the county of Columbia, in the diocese of Cen
trsl Pennsylvania
The church was originally erected in 1912. in
July of which year vestry was duly elected
and organized. The parish was in union with
and sent deputies to the convention and receiv-
ed during the the early years, in their order, the
ministralions Of Rev. Caleb Hopkins, Rev. VIM.
Eldred, Rev. james De Pue, Rev. Benjamin
Hutchins, and Rev. George q. Drake whose last
official act was November l, 1910. From that
time the parish seems to have been left to it's
own devices, and it was not till June 10, 1871, ,
that the minute book shows another entry which
was baptism by Rev. John Hewitt
The church was consecrated by the Rt. Rev.
Henry U. Onderdonk, Assistant Bishop of
Pennsylvania, July Is, 1928.
With occasional services BY clergy of some
not very distant parish but without Episcopal
visitation after the year 1885, tke people became
scattered and others occupied the ground we
| had neglected. A plot Of two acres had been
decided to the Episcopal, Presbyterian and Lu-
''Ni"' NoHb biSSo'iOuSj ullu tilty anu OtHcT Ut
nominations were in the habit of using st. Ga
briefs for worship. BY and by there was but
one Lutheran left in the neighborhood, and the
Presbyterans, without formally relinquishing
Their right to occupy portion Of the ground
however erected a handsome place of public
worship two or three miles distant from st. Ga.
briers, and except for funeral occasions in the
otd burial ground, omitted its use. The Metho-
dists had erected pleasant edfce in the village
three miles below, and were gathering a good
congregation. So that "The Old Log Church"
as it was familiary and fondly known to all our
people stood in the grove on its beautiful knoll,
monument of the past
In this condition of things,the Rev. Mr. Hew-
lit went up to hold a service in the Old Log
Church. and fire was built in the stove. early
in the morning to accommodate a Sunday
school or a Methodist class-meeting. At all
events, before service, on the morning of Palm
Sunday, April g. 1876, St. Gabreps old log
church burned down. On the Wednesday fol-
lowing messenger was sent to Mr.. John G..
Freeze at Bloomsbury for advice and counsel as
to re.organizing the parish and rebuilding the
church. In consequence, meeting Of the bap-
tised members of the Episcopal Church was call
ed to assemble in the grove on the site Of tne
old church at IL o'clock noon of Easter Monday
April H. 1876 Quite number of persons
came together, and the meeting was called to
order by the Rev. Mr.. Hewitt, who presided
over its deliberations. 1t was absolute enjoy
ment to see the old men coming forward in the
work. Upon looking round we found one old
gentleman who had been elected on the vestry
more than fifty years before, and two others who
had been elected more than thirty-two years be.
fore. Those three Mr. Joshua Brink, Mr. Sam
uel Fritz and Mr.. Christian L. Moore were the
only survivors of the last elected vestry
On motion the following named persons were
elected vestrymen, viz: Mr.. Joshua Brink, Mr.
Samuel Fritz Mr.. Christian L. Moore, Mr.. ia
cob H, Fritz, Mr.. Lowry Cole. Mr.. John Swart-
won't and DR.. John F. Chaplin. On the election
being declared, they at once organized and re-
solved to rebuild. A building committe, con-
sisting of Mr.. Thomas B. Cole, Mr.. John Moore,
Mr.Montgomery Cole, Mr.. Benz amin D. Cole
and MIR. John Swartwout, was chosen. The
committee at once went to work, and in a short
time reported that all the material for the new
builsins had been donated. 1t is to be of wood,
nifty feet by thirty. And the foundation having
been put up, they announced themselves ready
for the laying of the Corner Stone. 1t was fur
nished by Mr.. John G. Freeze, and was inscrib-