The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1884-11-07


are but meagre records for the later, and none
at all for the earliest periods of her life.
Hence much of her history cannot be recov-
cred. Nevertheless it is not all lost, and we
will try to tell to the generation following
that which we do know about her.
I. THE ORIGIN AND ORGANIZATION OF THE
CHURCH.
The year 1873 has usually been regarded as
the starting point of the church. Although
no earlier date can be positively fixed upon,
yet there are considerations which suggest
that prior to that date there was place of
religious worship where the church first
stood. For instance, the small stream of
water which flows near by, is designated
Grave Yard Branch, in re.survey of the
Green Spring Forest, which was made in
1882. Whence it is inferred that there must
have been preaching place there as early as
1889, around which the graveyard was form
ed which gave name to the branch. George
Whitetield, the celebrated English evangelist
is credited with the establishment OF this
church. He made his tour in 1880 from
Philadelphia to Georgia and spread religious
quickening all along his course. Naturally
such an outlying missionary region as this, to
which ministers must have but rarely come.
would be stirred by his magnetic influence
Ii there was no organization at that time, one
would be apt to result from the prevalent re-
vival. II there was an organization, it must
necessarily have been quickened into new
vigor, and thus Whitefield would be credited
with the starting of the church. 1t is, how.
ever, only vague traditon-an inaccurate
guess that he organized the church. The
Presbytery of Donegal records the sending of
young man to preach TO Deer Creek con-
gregation in 1898. How then could the
church have been organized by Whitefield,
who made his tour in 1899? Just when the
church wBs formally organized is not known.
AT first it was locally known as "Whitefied's
Meeting House." although that name is not
found on any official records of Presbytery
AS official name for many years was Deer
Creek Presbyterian Congregation so named
from the creek near by, according to the GUS
tom of that day. 1t has for many years gone
by the name Of Churchville, from the village
in which it stands
II. THE LOCATION.
The aforesaid church and gaveyard were on
the farm belonging to the heirs of the late
Wellmore Hopkins about two miles north
east OF Churchvile. All trace of both has
been obliterated, as the field has been under
cultivation for several years. This is a mat
ter of great regret.
On April I'd, 1853, the present site was pur.
chased from John and Elizabeth Keen, plan.
tiers, for church and graveyard. Should the
entire discourse be published the deed for
this ground will be printed in full.
The change of location was necessitated by
emigration, whose tide had set in the direc-
ton of Churchvile The increase of popula-
ton would favor, as well as be favored by
the church. At that time Spesutia Episcopal
church was the only Protestant church be-
sides Churchville, in this end of the county.
1t was then all Baltimore county.
III. THE BUILDINGS.
The original church on the Hopkins farm
was log structure which was neither artis-
tic nor comfortable 1t could not have been
occupied with any great regularity, inasmuch
as there was no pastor for the first twenty
or more years of thelog structures existence
The change of location necessitated new
building, which was accordingly erected on
OF near the present site. 1t was built of
BRICK without ceiling or chimnies In 1914
this eaifice was repaired and the comfort of
a ceiling and stoves was provided for. We can
hardly realize that our forefathers were con-
tent for fifty-five years with 1ireless church.
Evidently they were tougher than their pos
teiity.
In 1920 this old church was replaced with
new one In 1916 this church was repair
ed. 1t was not molested again until 1870,
into its present form.
The congregation has had parsonage for
many years. Originally the present NJ. P.
Parsonage ut Level belonged to Churchville
and was sold about 1858. In 1866 measures
were begun with view to the erection of q
new parsonage, eliminating in the present
manse, which as rural house is unexceled
in its adaptedness for comfort and pleasure.
There are five acres of ground attached
There has always been felt want of
ground around the church for burial purpos-
es and for convenience of hitching horses.
1t is to be hoped that this may yet be provi-
dentially supplied. But we hope that the
graveyard will never be neglected as the first
one was. even though dire necessity should
some day compel the removal of our beloved
dead to public cemetery.
THE oFFIoERs-PAsToRs,
80 far as can be ascertained
l. Andrew Bay was the first pastor of this
| church, yet when he became pastor we can
not tell, but it could not have been later than
the spring of 1863 because he is mentioned
| in the aforesaid deed as minister of the
Presbyterian congregation, and meeting"
April 2, 1853 He remained pastor about
eight years, and had a very troubled passionate.
| Numerous charges were brought against his
| personal character, but he was finally acquit-
ted of them all. Although not discreet, he was
both able and eloquent The disturbances
under his ministry hindered greatly the pro-
gress of The church. Leaving here he settled
in New York, and after series of troubles
there he died in 1776.
| Q. Caleb Johnson was called in 1899. His
Passionate began rather inauspiciously, as
might be supposed from the fact that, not wish
to appear before the public as having been
found wanting as a candidate, he bargained
with the congregation that if they would