The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-12-28
s1lisFeAaneuns.
For the DEMoCRAT
HISTORY or PRESBYT
IN CANTON.

Ministers OF the presbyterian uehoIn-
ination on missionary tours through this
country, first made their appearance in
Canton about the year 1909. lhnerant
ministers of different denominations had
worship in favorable weather in Michael
Reed's barn, about mile from town. In
the winter season and inClement wealth
er, services were held in private houses
until the erection of the first Court House,
a log structure corner on Third and Mar
ket streets. The first ministers on which
we have any account was the Rev. JOSH
ua Beer. His home was in Springfield,
now Summit county, but he appears to
have labored in Canton at regular peri
ods until 1875 Among the erecords of the
county, there is an entry Of marriage
solemnized by him Dec, IS, 1911. To a
certificate of later date he signs himself
"Joshua Beer, V, D. NJ, Presbyterian
church. Cantor" There are no records
of this organization now extant, but there
is no doubt of its having existed.
From 1917 to 1919 Rev. James Adams
frequently oflicaled and there is the
record Of several marriages solemnized
by him. OF the ministers of that period
the naues of Mathews, Vallandigham
Gather of Clement L,) and Cleland, are
vet remembered.
The church having no resident minis
ter, failed to attain much prosperity. One
of the elders of that day had weakness
for strong drink, and thereby brought re-
proach upon the cause of Christ. The
other members seemed to lack zeal in
the work, so essential to an increase in
the fold. Certain it is, the church was
in very weak condition in 1920, when
Rev, James Mclean took charge OF it
He began his labors on the 5th of Nov.
in the old brick Court House erected in
1916. The platform, occupied by the
Judges, with its four tall yellow chairs,
was the pulpit. The congregation OCcu-
pied the jury boxes and the seats ada
cent, females on the right, and males on
the left. There was prisoners dock in
the rear of the space allotted to the bar,
inclosed with pickets eight feet high
They sang Watts's hymns to the music
of that day. John Harris sat under the
Judges bench, lined out and led the
singing. He had fine voice and was
esteemed great singer Mr.. McClean's
second discourse was on the "utility and
importance of Sabbath.schools." This
sermon so impressed the congregationthat
meeting was called at the Court House
the next Thursday evening to consider
the matter. 1t was resolved to establish
a Sunday school, and a committee was
appointed to complete the organization.
: This school met for the first time in the
Court House, Dec. 2, 1920, and opened
with Sc scholars, which was the first Sun
day-school organized in Stark county.
Rev. Mr. Mclean continued to preach
during the winter and summer following
Part of his time was spent in visiting
destitute localities in the surrounding
country.
We come now to the first written rec
ords ofth church.
1t is entered upon the minute book of
the session that Mr. Mclean, finding
no records ola regularly organized ChurCn
a meeting Of the congregation was held
on tie 18th of Sept. 1921, and proceeded
to the election of three elders, viz; Sam
uel Coulter, James Latimer and Robert
Latimer. These brethren having accept
ed the Office, were ord lined and installed
on the 9th, and the sacrament Of the
Lords supper administered on the fol-
lowing Sabbath, Mr.. MCLEAN being as
sisted by Rev. A. Hanna, of Fredercks-
burg" The members comprising the
church at this time were p in number,
all of whom have passed from earth. Mr..
MCLEAN continued to preach until the
spring of 1922, during which time six |
more were added to the church when, |
because of the non.payment of the sala-
nv. he left the field. 1t seems that the |
trustees, Robt. Latimer, George Dunbar
and James Gaff, Sr, were unable to col
lect the subscriptions, and were sued by
McClean, who entrusted his case to Jas.
w. Lathrop, attorney. The trustees did
not contest the case, and as a judgment
was obtained against them, they were
compelled to make up the delinquency
of the congregation or Mr., Mclean
nothing is now remembered except that
he was an Englishman by birth, and
quite stylish in appearance.
For over three years after MCLEAN left
the church was without regular preaching.
Revs. james Adams, James Snodgrass
and A. Hanna, who had charges not far
distant, occasionally supplied the congre-
cation.
In Oct. 1925, J B Morrow, a licentiate
of the Presbytery Of Winchester, Va, was
engaged. A call was formally made
ont, and he was ordained and installed
by the Presbytery Of RIchland, June 81,
1926. The ordination sermon was prea.
Ched by Rev. James Rowland, of Mans
field, an the ordaining prayer, right
hand of fellowship and charge by Rev.
James Snodgrass, of Pigeon Run. Mr..
Morrow continued as pastor uni Decem
Der, 1880 During his pastorate there
were rs additions; Of these As were on
profession and 81 by letter. The losses
by dismissal, death and suspension we're
50, leaving the membership at the time
of his retirement So. Eight members
were dismissed June, 1880, to form
church at Massilon During Mr. Nor
rows connection with the church at Can
ton, he also supplied the church at San.
dyville to which there were % additions.
The Sunday-school was maintained dur |
ing Mr.. Morrow's pastorate From an old
library register, dated 1929, it appears
that Jacob Rex was uperintendent, and
among the teachers were Mary l.. Craig
head Eliza Laird Catharine Harry, Mary
Coulter, Amanda GAf Thomas Christ
mas, James Hazlett, Seth Golden, Jos.
Parker, Joseph Hickman and Elijah
Porter. The scholars enrolled numbered
near 100. it was at that time the only
Sun lay school in Canton, and 80 far as
can be ascertained, the only one in the
county
The lot now occupied by the First
PRESBYTERIAN church and parsonage was
donated by Bazaee' Wells, the proprie'
tor of Canton, to any religious society
NaD