Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-05-17
ALTOONA O'sT"c'I;SasrsArm rSSaesslr {. CONFER
ny Rky. wh. u. Dill


church BY Mr. Lnrkihss IN iolt. Hcs. jacob
Dromwell was his colleague. The same Fall .
cIass was formed, all the members OF which have
gone to their reward In Heaven. except ons, Mar
garet AXE, who Is 80 years old, and In good health
| Next to Mother AXE, jacob, George, and Daniel
Smith are the Oldest members at Asbury. There
was society formed, and regular preaching estab-
| lished some years earlier at Lennel Roots, on
BelTs creek, near what Is now tho village Of BELLS
Mills. About three miles from where tho village
Of Upton now stands, In Sinking Valley, the hrst
sermon was preached at the house Of Brother
David Boyer. The name Of the preacher 10 un-
known. In 1888, David Boyer moved hon Sink
ing Valley to n farm near Upton. There was no
church Of any kind at that time In Logan's Val
Icy. There was one old man, by the name OF
Samuel Eaken, VINO had formerly been u member
bad seen John Wesley, and heard him preach In
Ireland. In 1885, Rev. Josiah Forest formed a
class, David Boyer leader In isll the society
built Mt. Zion church Rev. simpson Guyer
prenchcd the first sermon In II. Rev. James
sanks was present, and tho next day preached the
funeral sermon Of David Deyer. Soon after, rc-
markable revival occurred under the ministry Of
Rev. Henry q. Dill and Rev, James Brads. About
90 tncmbcrs were added tN
A class was formed In the village of Curwens-
willie 10 1888. under the leadership of Charles
Matlack. Up to the year 1889, this class consist
ed Of six members. This first revival occurred In
1899, under the ministry Of Reys. Joseph Lee and
J. A. Ross. Among the converts at this time
brought into tie church we're J. Harvey Fleming.
John Dalo and wife, Jackson Robinson, Josiah
Evans, Mrs. Robert Ross, Mrs l. D. segner. and
Hon. Jobn patton.'i A. this meeting, Mrs. Susan
Patton, mother Of Gen. Patton, after years Of
earnest seeking, was brought into the life aud
peace of tho gospel This venerable aud beloved
woman, now si years old, still lives in the enjoy
ment OF the Sayiours presence, and with q bright
hope Of Immortality. Her husband, Judge Pat
ton united at tho same time with the church, on
probation, as a seeker Of religion. Years before
this Ia 1880, their house was the first one opened
in the town as an iiinerant's home. December 18th,
1870, committee was appointed to estimate the
cost and Ok on q site for new church at Curwcns-
vlo. 10 due course Of time this was erected, and
continued TO serve tho people as piasc Of wor-
ship for a number OF years. In 1855, comforta-
bic and convenient parsonage and two valuable
lots, for new church edidce, to take the place Of
the old one, presented TO the church by Hon.
John Patton. In 1859 and 1900, Rev. W. L. Spots
wood was pastor. In each year his ministry was
blessed by gracious reviyas. In the last year n
new church, worth $4,000, the best at that time
Of any denomination 10 the county, was erected.
Among the converts Of this pastoral term, may bc
mentioned the names Of DR.. IL. d. Thompson and
wife, and Mrs. Jane Irwin. The latter for seven
years past had been great sufferer. Her seryi-
ccs In the church, when she was able to take an
aotive part, were invaluable, and she has been by
no means idle, even while confined to her bed a
helpless invalid. Curwensvile was made a sta
tion in the Spring Of 1869. The first full pastoral
term was filled by Rev. W. q Ferguson, About
l00were taken int the church during the gracious
revivais that attended his labors. In the Winter
Of 1915 and 1879, under the labors Of Rev. Jesse
d. Young, A. NJ, most devoted and efficient
man Of God, blessed revival season was enjoyed,
in which about so made q profession Of ligion,
and the church was greatly quiekened.
Iu 1875, 0sceola and Lumber City charges were
formed. The former numbering 322, and the lat
ter 272 members. In 1874 q new charge was
adc out OF Half Moon circuit, called Pine Grove.
The first Methodist preaching In this country was
done In a small dwelling house near to where
Meek's church nov stands. Bishop McKendree
preached one or two sermons in the neighborhood
in the year 1871, with great power and effect.
The first class leader wIs ueo. ucarhart. Boals-
burg was the nett appointment In order Of time,
established about 20 years later. In this place
the first church was built in the year 1885, aud
yet stands, In this church, still occupied by US,
Jacob Gruber preached, also others Of like precious
reputation, such as Sanke, Ellis, and Prcttyman.
The oldest members Of the church nov living, are
Brothers Geo. W. Meek aud George Jack. Both
have borne the burden aud heat Df the day, and
in Eeal for the cause Of the Master have expended
their best energies.
East Tyrone Chapel was projected by Rev.
Thomas Barnhart, and built in 1871 at a cost Of
81, 900. Dedicated by Rev. John W. Langley, a
class Of 10 members was formed, and Jane d. Grey
was appointed leader. The preacher in charge Of
Tyrone station supplied the pulpit for two years
In 1873 and 1874, Rev. George 0uycr was the
pastor. In 1875 it was made separate charge,
Rev. 7. II. switzer appointed pastor. Daring
this year an extensive revival Of religion has oc-
CURED, and the charge bids fair to become vigor-
Gus In all the enterprises Of the church.
On the 23d Of June, Is72, at the urgent request
Of llenry Albert, ESQ, Rev. W. II, Dill preached
in school house at the Woodland Fire Brick
Company's works, near Woodland, In Bradford
township, clearield county, Pa. Soon after he
was solicited TO preach again, which he did, in
about four weeks IRON the date Of the frst ap-
pointment. A few days aiterthat Mr.. Albert re-
peated his invitation for him to visit their COM
munlty and dispense the gospel among them. lie
presented an excuse, pleading his numerous en-
gagenents as a reason for not complying with
the request but added, IL thought by my com
ing 70 Woodland might be Instrumental in your
conversion to God, and joining the M. Il. Church
| would gladly co. He then had very inter-
esting conyersation with him, in which he discoy-
cred that for some time he had been converted
man. lie promised 70. 80 out, preach regularly,
and stand BY him in bis plans for church. work In
Woodland. Rev. J. s. MeMurray, then Presiding
Elder Of the Altoona district, gave him authority
to organize Methodist Episcopal Clutch. This
was done on January 18th, 1873, In the school
house mentioned aboye.i On this occasion be
preach ed from Colossians, lst chapter and 18th
verse, and stated his pufrbse and authority to or
ganiEe an NJ. L. Church, and gave an opportunity
Tor persons to join the new church. Two came
forward, Joseph ". Anderson, full member, who
was received by certificate, ard Henry Albert,
who was taken on probation. The neat day
Brother Albert formed q subscription -boui, and
started the enterprise OF building a new NJ. Il.
Church. II was decided to build II on sito con-
yenient to the people Of both sections Of Wood
land lie placed his own name at the head Of tho
list with liberal subscription, and In very short
time the affair bad assumed such proportions that
its success was reasonably assumed. The new
building, 40x60 feet, was begun In early Spring
Of 1878, and, supcrintended by Brother Albert,
who gave much Of his time and attention TO II, 1t
proceeded steadily and surely TO its completion.
On. Sunday, November "a, 1873, II was dedicated
in solemn form as Dils Chapel, NJ. II. Church."
to the worship Of Almighty God. The services on
this interesting occasion were conducted by Rev.
Bishop Thomas bowman, who preached in the
morning, and Rev Chaplain @. .. McCabc, who
occupied the pulpit iu the evening. Their minis
tratons win long be remembered by the entire
community, for their earnest presentation Of tho
gospel Of Christ. The church has bad a career Of
combined prosperity. Revivals of religion have
attended the labors Of preachers and people, un
III Woodland may now be considered one Of tho
80 bstantai appointments Of the Conference.
In 1875, Snow Hill circuit was divided, and a
new circuit Congress Hin was formed The
first sermon was preached at Congress Hin by
Rev. WIN. Mcdowell, In Mrs. Murray's house, in
1897 or 1928 text from Matthew viii, 2 Il was
in the same year that the first camp meeting In
Clcarheid county was held, about n mile from
Philipsburg, which Is supposed to have been in
! 1927 or 1928. Rev. NJ. Pearce was the Presiding
Elder. Rev. John Anderson was supposed 20
have been the first Methodist preacher at Kar,haus.
The exact date Of the 6rst class at Karthaus can.
u A -. A -. auA
and was led by Mrs. Hurxthal, a sister of old
Mrs. Karthaus. She was the frat class leader
there. She had come from Baltimore, and being
a Methodist, she wrote to Conference and preach
or was sent Richard Colburn, father Of Revs.
N. W. Colburn and II. II. Colburn, Of the Central
Pa. Conference, moved thero in 1888, and was
made class leader, and has held that Office nearly
all tho time since. At karthaus IIill n church
was built about 1870. Rev. Q. Graham commenced
his ministry in the bounds Of the circuit. Sister
Sarah Michaes, wife Of VIM. Michaols, was
member Of the first class al lkarthnus about 80
years ago, and walked about seven miles TO class,
carrying child In her arms. Sister Isabella
Murray, wife Of Alexander Murray, was for years
the only Methodist about Congress Hill
] Such is merely nm outine--a brief sketch of
what God has done 10 the bounds of this district
through tho instrumentaty Of tho NJ. Il. Church.
Who can fully estimate the magnitude, the sacri.
ncing labors Of the noble itincrants who travereod
these mountains aud valleys the multitudes con-
verified to God in the gracious revivals oil religion
the churches built; the Sunday schools organized
with their multiplied facilities fer disseminating
religious knowledge and leading out the minds Of
the youth ofour land into proper trainingi The
noble membership Of men and women raised up
TO labor valianty for God, who received these toll
worn iiinerants messengcrs Of peace, entertained
them In their homes aud urged them on with
glorious encouragement TO dare and suffer for
Christ. Thoughts such as these come up as we
review the past, and we say that Eternity alone
can fully answer this momentous question.