The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-03-02

sketches Of the Presby terian churches
of Columbia county is taken from the
Historical Journal, published BY
John +. Meginness, of Williamsport
BERWICK CHURCH.
The following account of this church
is communicated by the Rev. ID. j
Waller, ST., as from History Of Col
,snsbia and Montour Counties, April
1887: "On Saturday, November Path
1927, the Rev. Joseph N. Ogden, q
Presbyterian clergyman, held service,
preparatory to communion, in the
brick church building, which appears
to have been regarded as a union
Westinghouse at that time. A con
gregational meeting was held after the
close of the regular services, and it was
unanimously decided to form distinc,
Presbyterian church. William Will.
son and Sarah Wilson became members
of this organization, having previously
been connected with the church al
Arlington, Pa; Daniel Bourn was re-
ceived from the Cd South Church,
Boston, Mass; Isaac and Abigail Hart,
from Wilkesbarre, Pa; Mary and Eliza
Pollock. from the Derry Church. The
remaining members, Thomas and
Eleanor Lockart, Emanuel Kirken.
thrall and Rachel Beach, had been re-
ceived into the church by the Rev
John =. Hudson on former occasion
1t was resolved that the articles ol
faith and covenant for admission oil
members at Wilkesbarre and Arlington
be adopted and enforced in a similar
manner. The organization was com.
pleted on the following Sabbath, when
Daniel Bourn, Isaac H trt and Thoma,
Lockart were installed as elders; and
at meeting of the session, February
10Th, 1927, request was formulated
for admission into the Prpsbytery oi
Northumberland, June goth the Rev
d. j. Waller entered minute on the
records of this congregation, in which
he stated that the church had been foi
long time without pastoral care, and
as far as the manifestations of life
were concerned, it was virtually ex
tinct. The only knowledge of the
facts above stated had been learned
from Rev. D. Easton, of Conyngham
who sent Mr.. Waller the record in
which III y werr embodied. 1t con-
tanned th' apr, va of the Moderator
of the Prtsbytery, and he accepted this
as sufficient evidence OF the existence
of an organization, altbogh but two OF
three OF its original members wer
longer residents Of the town. At Mr.
Walters request'the Rev. A H. Hand
took part of his extensive charge, en-.
tering at Berwick, July 7th, 1912
He at once agitated the erection of 9
church building, and with such success
that on the 7th of October, lS43, tht
completed structure was dedicated by
the Rev. J, w. Yeomans, d. D., pre-
sident of Lafayette College. Its ap
pearance was greatly improved In 1881
when the building was completely re
modelled and a tower of symmetrica
proportions erected. The rededicatior
occurred July 10th, 1881, when tn,
Revs. ID. j. Waller, s. Mitchell. d
D., G. X. Garfield and L. NJ Kpmle
participated in the ceremonies. Man,
pastoral changes occurred in the year
that intervened between these two
events in the history of this church
Mr.. Hand resigned on account of il
health, and, July l4th, l845, call wa
extended to the Rev. Alexander Heber
ton. He entered upon his pastoria
duties August lst that year, and wa
installed on the 25th of November fol
lowing. The Rev. T. III. Newton b.
came pastor August 18th, 1858, hav
ing for the three years previous beeI
seamen's chaplain at the Island of ST
Thomas. The Rev. L. M. Kumle
was installed pastor July 10th, 1881
His immediate predecessor was tn
Revs. james Kennedy, sWilliam Nor
gan, Joseph Mari, Edward Kennedy
James A. Salmon and p. M. Melicl
have also sustained pastoral relation
to this church. The present incum
bent, L. M. Kumler has had encourag
ing success; the. towlrhas increased il
population and wealth, and iassym
pathy with the improved material in
terests of the place, this church, unde
Mr.. Kumler's ministry, has prospere
both spiritually and materially.