The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-08-22

ORONE RESBfTEhlAN OHU hCH.- INV.
S. L. Finney, of the Presbyterian
church, on last Sunday preached the
semi centennial sermon at Sugar
Grove meeting house in Grant dis
trict this county. This church was
organized fifty years ago and its
organization as we gather from Mr.
Finney's sermon was brought about
thus:
The Rev. Cyrus Beecher Bristol a
missionary under the Assembly's
Board commenced preaching on Stew
arts Run in December 1881. From
time to time few members were
added to the church at Middle
town (now Fairmont.) In 1885,
eighteen persons, members at Middle
town, but residing on Stewards Run,
requested to be organized into a
separate church. This was done by
Mr.. Bristol in VIM. Stewards house,
now S. C. Stewards, August l, 1886.
The roll of original members is as
follows:
VIM. Stewart and his wife Eliza.
beth, Evans Stewart and Jane his
wife, John Stewart and Elizabeth his
wife, Asa Hall and Elizabeth his
wife, John Tough, Isaac Cordray,
John Pratt and Hannah his wife,
Isaac Cox, Mary Kelly, Arele Stew
art, Malinda Cordray, Elizabeth
Tough and Nancy Barrickman.
VIM. Stewart, John Tough and
John Stewart were elected, ordained
and installed ruling elders. In 1916
Isaac Cordray was added to the
church session; and in 1856 Matthew
Tough and Charles Brand. The first
three are deceased; the latter three
survive and constitute the session.
During these fifty years, the following
gospel ministers have supplied the
pulpit, having a preaching service
one afternoon each month, and CON-
munion services in May and October
of each year. Rev. c. B. Bristol and
Rev. w. P. Harshe, pastors of the
Fairmont church. The church having
been erected at Sugar Grove, the other
stated supplies have been pastors of
the Morgantown Presbyterian church
namely: Revs. Davis, Biggs, Hooper,
White, Jimeson, Dickey and Finney.
The Sugar Grove church has had
in all 101 members, and has gener-
ally reported to Presbytery from 80
to 40 members. This year it reports
"a. Four of the original Is members
survive and several others who be-
came members since, and were pres
ent at the organization fifty years
ago. The four survivors of the origi-
nal eighteen are Elder Isaac Cordray,
his sisters Mrs. Elizabeth Tough
and Mrs. Malinda Tough, with Mrs.
Mary Kelly: the last named in her
eighty-sixth year and not able to
be present at the semi-centennial
service.
This church has increased greatly
in their interest and benevolence in
missions in the last two years, having
added twenty-five per cent. to their
contributions at home, and seventy
five per cent. to their donations to
the various boards. They have sub
scribed literally for a new church
which they hope to erect soon.
Quite number Of persons from
Morgantown were out to hear the
sermon, and all who spoke of it pro-
nounced it very enjoyable occasion.
Among the Morgantown folks pres
ent were A. L. Nye and daughter
Miss Nettic, DR.. Casselberry and
wife, Joseph Reiner and wife, Mrs.
E. l. Moore and daughter Miss Susie,
Mrs. John j. Brown and children,
Mrs. Ada Garfield, Mrs. Lloyd,
Misses Laura Shisler, Edna Hough,
Bessie Finney and Emma Protzman,
Capt. Frank Hurry and Messrs. c.
B. Ollie and Andrew Sweeney.