Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-05-10

~ years, when II gave place to the present NOR
commodious structure In this same year Karthaul
comes 10 light for tho hrst time, with member.
ship Of 90, aud its history 10 about as we'll knowf
AZ any other In the Conference. In 1858 Altoon'
station vas formed, Rev. John II. Ryiand pastor
with membership Of lis. Altoona Methodisn
has had q career Of growth that has kept equal
pace with it's Advancement in population ant
wealth. It's one charge, that appeared In th'
minutes In 1893, Is augmented by two other sta
tions, successfully formed In 1869 and 1879. Le
US at this time briefly review the whole history o
Mcthodisln ut this place; The first class wa
formed In May, 1851, by Rev. deorge 0uyer
preacher In charge Of birmingham circuit, of whiel
Altoona was then . feeble appointment. Edmund
Hawkins was leader Of the first class about three
months, when Thomas Elvay was appointed. Tn,
lrst church was built In lst3-5i dedicated BY
Rev. WIN. d. Edwards, August 10th, 1854. The
| second one, under the pastorate Of Rev. J, 3
McMurray, In Is6T-6s. The third church wal
! organised by Rev. d. Hartman J. commenced IL
1874, aud the basement dedicated In 1875. Ia
| 1871, under the pastornte OF Y. u. Riddle, The
church building of the first charge was entirely
| remodeled, making one Of the most comfortable
churches In the city. The most remarkable 70.
vvas took place In 1858. under the pastorate oil
| Rev. s. A. Wilson. In 1859 Rev. W. l.. Spots.
wood pastor 1867, Rev. J. s. MeMurrayj 1874
Rev. T. d. Riddle and In 1875 and 1870 the
ehurehes Of the city were visited by most gra-
cious revival. The pastors, Rev. james Curns,
Rev. s. o. Swallow and Rev. j. W. Leckie, re-
solsod to make united effort for the salvation Of
the people. During the month OF January, 1915,
union meetings ofhc three charges held, which
were wonderfully blest 10 the conversion Of sim
ncrs, the quickening Of believers, and tho unity.
| lag Of Methodism rs o great motal power In the
city Of Altoona. II is estimated that, Us a result
Of these meetings, I've hundred souls were con.
ysricd TO God NAr
In 1895 the Clesrheli circuit vas further d.
vided, BY the formation Of = charge called Clear
field and Curwcnsuille, with 22G members, leaving
to Cleaiheld circuit lgl members. Rev. A. NJ.
BarnitE was appointed pastor Of the former, and
Rev. G. Cieay~ and Rev. W. M. showalter had
charge Of the other.
In 1855 New Washington and Glen Hope were
united into one appointmept-J. Kelly and j,
Hunter preachers. In 1860 further division was
made, and Janesyille appears on the minutes,
which in 1861 was changed to Glen Hope, and
thereafter maintains It's place 10 the list of ap-
pointments as Glen Hope circuit. The first SER
mon was preached In Glen Hope by Rev. A.
Kenggy, grandfather Of ]. W. Wright, In lsi7.
The preaching place was a sehool-house until
1854, then new church was built, In which the
first sermon was preached by Rev. ID. NJ. Giles.
Among the Oldest members now living are John
W. Wright, aged OF years, baptized by Bishop
Asbury, and bis brother, Henry Boehm Wright,
now O5 years old. both these brethren have long
been identified with tho church its most jealous
aud active supporters.
In 1862 we find Port Matilda FIRST mentioned,
with ll6 members. Then, 10 1868, Howard, with
255 members. Methodism had feeble growth In
Howard for many years. Two camp meetings,
largely attended and quite successful, were held
near this place In the years 1920 and 1921. Many
people came to hear and sec the noisy Methodists,
who were then not popular, because Of their So
called disorderly meetings From 1910 to isi3,
there we're great many aceetsons to the church
and less prejudice against Methodists, In lslS a
protracted meeting was held at Packers Ware
house, at the Bald Eagle canal, which resulted In
many conversions. As the fruits Of this revival
a new church was built in 1874. This served as
a preaching place for twenty Ave years. 1t has
now given way to a more substant tial and commo-
dious structure, which was dedicated in Deem
Der, 1875.
Tn lssl Mue.bu,v annsa,,a, n ,s,ara,. oha,go.