Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-07-06
EAST DONEGAL CHURCH.
The Quaint Sanctuary Where Simon Cam
eron worshiped In Boyhood-The
Witness Oak - Returning

eron Worshiped In Boyhood-The
Witness Oak - Returning
Good for Evil.
MOUNT JOY, PA, July 5.-Old Donegal
Church, so frequently mentioned in sketches
of the late General Simon Cameron, is one
of the most interesting relics of pioneer
Christianity in this country. East Donegal
township, in this county, was settled by
sturdy Scotch-Irish emigrants more
than 175 years ago. In 1923 they Or
ganized the East Donegal Presbyterian
Society. In 1740 John, Richard and
Thomas Penn, the proprietors of Pennsyl-
vania, conveyed to the society 200 acres Of
land for church purposes. In that year the
church was built 1t replaced log church
which had been put up in 1924, in which
the Rev. james Anderson, one of the first
Presbyterian preachers in New York City,
had preached since 1925, having accepted q
call from the East Donegal Church in
that year. The present church is built of
stone, the walls being covered with
plaster, 1t stands in a grove of ancient
trees. Originally it had but one door, a
double one, on the southwest side; but
about 1850, door was cut IN each end and
the interior somewhat changed to accom-
modate the increased attendance. The
church has no steeple. Among the relics
that are preserved with the church is the
original communion table, heavy walnut
table, put together with wooden pegs. The
table was used in the old log church as
early as 1927.
AN HISTORIC TREE.
One of the most revered objects connected
with the old East Donegal Church, which is
looked upon as part OF the quaint sanctuary,
is an immense oak tree that stands In the
yard in front of the church, and casts a vast
expanse of shade when in leaf This tree,
although not less than four centuries old, is
as sound and sturdy as it was when the
aborigines camped beneath its spreading
branches 1t is called 1.-The Witness Oak. :"
In 1777 the Rev. Colin McFarquhar, a
learned Scotch divine, was pastor of the
church His wife and family were in
the mother country, and while he had
never positively avowed his loyalty to the
King, be had not shown that he favored the
American cause in the Revolution. His
sermons often counseled conciliatory
measures in the struggle, and the Sunday
before the battle of Brandywine he-was
preaching such a sermon. His congrega-
tion was made up of stern and uncompro-
missing patriots, and on that day they re-
solved to give positive demonstration of
their love for the American cause.
They left the church before services
were over, taking the pastor with
them, formed a circle around the big oak
tree, and with it as witness they swore an
oath of allegiance to the Colonial Govern
ment and its cause, and compelled the Rev.
Colin McFarquhar to do the same. A few
days later the most of that band, under the
lead of the dashing and impulsive Colonel
Alexander Lowry, fell at the Brandywine,
and mingled their blood with its waters.
ANIMosITY LOSES $4,000.
The old Donegal residence, SO dear to
General Cameron, and where he died. is
near this ancient church, and Is SO situated
that 70 drive upon its grounds requires a
wide circuit around the church grounds.
Some years ago General Cameron offered to
endow the church in the sum of SIC, 900,
and secure the same sum from his brother
William, to be used for the benefit of the So
ciety, which was and is barely selfsustain-
ing, provided the society would grant him
right of way through corner of the church's
gro Inds, SO that he could reach his
own grounds without having to drive SO
much out of his way. He was then in
active politics, and the East Donegal con-
gregation contained several prominent anti
Cameron men. Under the lead of one of
these the congregation refused the offer, an
act since deeply regretted by the society.
But this rejection of his generous offer did
not serve to lessen General Cameron's
affection for the old church, dear to him
through boyhood association, and by the
presence Of the graves of his father and
mother in its burial ground. Only a few
months ago he wrore a touching letter to his
legal adviser in Lancaster, in which be re-
quested the lawer to meet him at Donegal
Springs and draw up a paper in which the
old church was to be substantially remem-
bered.