The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1888-12-14
Rising Sun M. e. Church.

VI 1nO VA ~ OuuICu, uclu AZ NcWATh.
DEL, sketches Of the churches in the
Circuit. prepared for the occasion,
were read. Rev. I. Jewell present
pastor of Rising Sun charge furnish.
ed the sketch of the Church at this
place, Our space being somewhat
circumscribed we have omitted some
of the minor details of the excellent
sketch prepared by Mr.. Jewell, which
is as follows:
The first revival services which resulted
in forming the nucleus of the present NJ
E. Church began in the month of Oc-
tober, 1S49, under the direction of Rev.
Thomas w. Shippers, who afterwards be-
came an honored and useful member of the
Philadelphia Annual Conference. About
4 miles from Rising Sun, at Mt. Pleasant,
he held series of meetings at which there
were many converted among whom honor
able mention should be made of Rev. Elm
Kirk who is at present a local preacher,
Caroline Krauss and Esther Foster all mem
bers at Rising Sun Church. Their first
prayer meetings and class meetings were
held in a wheel wright shop owned by Jacob
W. Kirk. After hard days work he would
sweep out his shop, construct benches and
erect with great care the mourner's bench
Though unconverted at this time himself he
believed it was right for men to mourn for
their sins, and with slab and three large
blocks TO rest it on, it became place where
Gods glory shone in dark hearts aud illum
mated their characters with the beauty of
holiness. This wheelWright also gloried in
the cross in after life and has passed away to
his reward. Jacob w. Kinks widow and
daughter are still with us, bright examples
of Christian piety and motherly love.
In 1858 Rising Sun became one of the
appointments on Zion Circuit and remained
so until 1871. There was q division On Zion
Circuit this year and Rising Sun, Hopewell.
Mt. Pleasant and Rovlandville became
circuit with Rev. J. U. Weston as pastor.
The class organized in 1S49 began to in
crease and four years passed away, when
they commenced the erection of their first
church, modest brick structure. The lot
was bought for $65 of Edwin Haines, whose
honored grandson is prominent member
ofour present church. The lot upon which
the church now stands was secured BY Rev.
John Bayne. Financial poverty was king
over our people at this time, but what they
had they gave in the name of the Lord.
Rev. Henry s. Sanderson was newer of
wood and drawer of water also pastor in
charge. Rev. Elm Kirk feeling the neces
ity of a place to worship in, gave twenty
i've doilais, all he had, it was legacy left
by his grandmother, the only legacy ever
left to him, except the legacy of Christ's
peace which passes all understanding. It
was an investment which draws eternal in.
terest The church was built and dedicated
ey Rev. d. W. Bartine, D. D., who was
stationed al Lancaster, Pa. His text was
"Evermore give us this bread" The SER
mon is spoken of as one of great spiritual
power and is remembered by some still
alive as season when Methodists could
shout the praises of God. When about TO
be dismissed they found that the undried
paint had stuck to their clothes closer than.
brother. The following bretheren were
members of the first Board of Trustees:
John Barnes, John Rutledge, Thos. Fryer,
Elm Kirk, Charles H. Krauss, John T.
Egan, Emmor U. Chambers Jonathan
McCardle and Elwood Fryer. For eighteen
years this little church stood as monument
to Methodsm in this community and a
Bethel 10 their souls. To those knowing
this part of the country regarded the FORE
going as one of the greatest achievements
ever known in this county for Methodism.
Being surrounded by followers of Wm.
Penn on every side, It was not an easy mat.
ter in those days to be a Methodist. Meth.
odists, cedar like though, grow in all
chimes, in all weathers, under all circum-
stances and succeed in touching the hem of
Gods garment and show to the world the
the vitality of the divinity of Christ.
In June LIST 1872, the corner stone of the
present church was laid. Rev. Joseph Cook
was pastor. The building was completed
at cost of ST. ,s42.s2 and dedicated October
10Th, 1873. Rev. G. N. Sims, D. D. IL.
D., and Rev. W. H. Chapman, D. D.,
preached on the occasion. The intention
OF the building committee was, after great
deliberation to build church costing
$4,000, to their great establishment when
completed and furnished il cost nearly
double that amount. This statement at first
staggered the lovers of Methodism ter a
moment, and after heroic effort and great
sacrifice they found an Indebtedness on their
building unprovlded for to the amount of
$7,O4222.
Rev. Joseph Cook remained as pastor
from 1872 to 1873; Rev. ]. d. Kemp from
1874 to 1877: Rev w T O'Na;I r., 1o,,