The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1888-11-23
A LARGE CONGREGATION PREsEs
History Of the venerable Old Church.

Tuesday, November Doth, 1883, was q uota oil
day In the history OF Churchville Presbyterian
Church. 1t witnessed the gathering togehel
Of large congregation, from far aud near. IL
celebrate the 15Oth anniversary OF the organize
ton of the church. The present pastor Is thu
Rev. Calvin d. Wilson, who had charge Of thu
services. Rev. Robt. H. Wiiliams, of Annapolis
Rev, DR.. John r. Paxton, OF New York, anC
Rev. W. L. Kieffer, of Mercersburg, Pa, former
pastors Of the church, were also present, 10
Cross, Rev. Maurice Wilson, Rev DR.. McKen
ney and Rev. George Morrison, Of Baltimore
Rev. VIM. P. Finney, of New Egypt, N. j.; Rev
E. D. Fiuney, Rev. David Jamison, Rev W. T.
Srull and Rev. d. B. Fitzgerald, Of Hartford
county
Rev. E. A. Coiburu, of Holy Trinity Episco
pal Church, Churchville, and Rev. H. G. Smith
Of the NJ. E. Church, Aberdeen, were also pres
ent.
The committee having the sesqui.centennial In
charge were the elders and trustees OF me
church, assisted by the following ladies Mrs
George Pinuey, Mrs. DR.. Harlan, Mrs. WIN
Webster. Mes Gussie Ball, Miss Orsena Han
son, Misc p. Shertzer, Mrs. Robert Hanna, Mrs
Eva Barnes, Mrs. Mary Ball. The membership
of the church is AS. The number Of Sunday
School scholar is seveuty-hve; Mr.. j. Thomas
Webster Is the superintendent.
THE MORNING SERVICES.
The services began ut 10 so In the morning
and were continued, with intermissions for din
n.r and supper, until 10 O'Clock at night. The
exercises were opened BY singing Go, Unstion u.
McKenuey otganist. Elder John Barnes made
The opening prayer.
dress, in his Characteristic style II was lis
tened to With close attention.
Upon the conclusion OF DIR. Paxton's address
collection was taken up to build chapel ad-
joining the church The tam OF $500 was raised
The morning session was closed with the bene-
dictiou BY Rev. DIR. Mckenney.
TIRE AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon exercises began with quar-
ieite we'll rendered by Miss Lyde McKenney,
Miss Lee yirdin, Messrs. W. Scott and Silas W.
Barnes.
Rev DR.. Jos. I. Smith offered prayer. Rev.
Rev. w. T. l.. Kieffer followed with historical
address, interviewer with pleasant reminis-
cences Of his passionate at Chnrehville.
Miss Carrie Webster, OF Bel Air, sang, with
effect, 9 solo, my Ain Countree."
Addresses followed by Rev. Messrs. Geo.
Morrison, A. B. Cross and Rev. DR.. John X.
Paxton. The afternoon session closed with
singing by the quartette above named and
beuediction by Rev. Dr. Maurice Wilson.
The EVENING SERVICES
were opened with prayer by Rev. W. e. Stull,
of Bethel Church. Letters were read from Rev.
Messrs. j. II. Johns, j. P. Carter, DR. Augustus
Webster, aud reminiscent ode 0y MI. James
A. Fulton.
The addresses In the evening were by Rev.
VIM. P. Finuey, Rev. z. d. Finney, Rev. d.
Jamison, Rev. W. e. Stull, Rev. ID. y. Fitz-
gerald, and short address by Rev. DIR: Paxton.
The choral music consisted ola duett aud
trio, "Father, Wen Rest in Thy Love" by Mrs.
Geo. Walker, Mrs. T. l.. Hanway and j.. W.
Gibson the anthem, "Praise the Lord, . Jeru-
SALEM" by 1.-THE Grove" choir; solo, "My Ain
Countree," by Miss Carrie Webster; anthem,
"Come, Thou Fount OF Every Blessing" by the
Churchville choir; quartette, Come, Holy
Spirit" by Mise Lyde McKenney, Miss Jennie
McKenney, DR.. Benjamin Smith and scott
Barnes solos by Miss Lyde McKenney and Miss
Carrie Webster. The organist were Miss Virdin
and Miss Lyde Mckinney.
The exercises closed with the beueGiction by
Rev. DIR. Paxton.
were provided for the visitors in the Church
willie Hotel by the ladies of the church. The
supply of good things was bountiful though
space In the dining room was limited.
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
The Cburchville congregation Is believed 10
have been one OF the fruits Of Whiteheld's
laboFs and dates Its existence from 173S. 1t was
first known as "Whitefed's Meeting House,"
but afterwards as "The Deer Creek Presbyterian
Congregation" 1t was supplied from Donegal
Presbytery from 173S, the first ministers sent
there being Reys. John Craig, Thompson and
Paul. For many years after the organization
of the church the place OF worship WAS on the
east corner of the farm owned by Wellmore
Hopkins heirs and a short distance east OF the
present dwelling house. A large graveyard
ouce existed there, of which no trace is now to
he seen. The original church, located on the
Hopkins farm, was a log structure, neither
artistic nor comfortable, stoves not being used
10 churches then. II Is probable that this old
church was seldom occupied.
A new brick ediflce was erected at or near the
present site. 1t had no ceiling other than the
rsfters. In 1914, after having stood ifly.hve
years freless and forelorn, 1t WAS resolved to re-
pair the old church, and Zephaniah Bay less was
appointed to superintend The repairs. On De-
cember l4th, 1914, ''stoves were fixed for re-
ccving fire."
In 1890 subscription was started for new
church. Zepbanah Bayless, James Glasgow,
Reuben II. Davis, Benjamin Silver aud James
Psnneli were Apo inted the building commit
tee. The contract was given to Elijah Walton,
Of New London, Pa. On August Goth they be-
gan tearing down the old church and on Sept
18th the coruer-stone Of the new one was laid
On Nov. 9th the congregation assembled In the
new church when Pastor WIN. Finnev preach
ed. The cost Of the church was $l.79l.50.
In -1S45 anew roof was put on the
building, which was also reprinted. 10
ITO the church again underwent repairs. The
old pulpit. elevated half way to the ceiling with
winding stairs leading to 1t, was replaced by
q modern one. A tower was erected and bell
placed In 1t. Stained glass windows were In
serted and the entire church made neat and
comfortable. The repairs cost between 80 600
and $4,000.
The parsonage was originally at Level. 1t
was sold in 1858 to Dr. Thomas Keech aud by
him to the Methodist Protestant congregation.
In 1865 the present parsonage was built at an
entire cost of about $4,000
ITS PASTORS.
The first settled pastor of the church was Rev.
ApdTew Bay, whose settlement took place in
1859 lie lie said TO have been an eoquen man,
but is charged with having had worldly, grasp
Ing disposition, which got him into trouble
with his flock and led TO his trial by the Presby-
tcry,, He was acquitted of every charge Of i'm
portance but was publicly admonished.
. The church remained wthouta regular pas
tor for twenty-five years. when Rev. Caleb
johnson was called In 1883 HE pastorate,
which lasted seven years, was period Of agita-
.tion and strife. ~ ~ ....
REV. WIN. FIsNRY's PAsToRArE.
After another vacancy OF from fourteen TO
eighteen yeare, Rev. VIM. Finney was elected
pastor March 3lst. 1918. He was ordained and
Installed Nov. nth, 1918, when be preached his
ed until October 4th, 1884, when he resigned.
al the age Of IS years, having served the coDgre-
gatiou, as pastor for forty years. His interest
In the church did not cease until his death,
which occ irred July Slst, 1873.
Rev. William Finney was native of New
London, Pa second son OF Judge Walter Fin.
ney, q major In the Revolutionary army. lie
was graduate of Princeton, learned In theology
and an eloquent preacher. No man ever obtained
firmer hold upon the affections of cougrega
ton. This was due not alone to his ability and
eloquenee, but to his stainless integrity. his
gentle, affable manners, his kind, loving, sympa
thetic heart. The circle Of those who loved and
venerated this good pastor did not circums cribe
his congregation alone, but all who knew him
held him In affectionate regard. His elOquenct
aud ability were so marked that 1t was frequent
ly a cause for wonder that one so gifted should
be content to spend his days in the quiet of th,
country. when broader and apparently brighter
paths were open to him. He did not seet
worldly fame but preferred to minister to thos,
who knew and appreciated him.
HIS SUCCESSORS.
After Mr.. Finney's res gnation the congrega
ton, of course, was hard to please. Rev. W