Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-23
METHODIST FIGURES.
Remarkable Growth of the Church
Founded by Wesley.
EARLY STRUGGLES OF PIONEERS
Who Rode the Circuits and Kept MethOdiSm
Alive in the Wilderness.
STATISTICS AND CHURCH DIRECTORY

day in the two cities by buildings that ar
at once commodious and substantial, ant
by a membership that rivals its sistel
churches of other denominations, did no
begin its work in this city until as late al
1900, and then by handful of people, emf
grants from England and Ireland. They wert
regarded as fanatics and ridiculed accord
ingly, suffering many things at the hands
of those belonging to the rowdy element o.
society, who were both vicious and lawles!
in many respects; the same element that the
Presbyterians had to combat in the early
history of their Church. The Methodist
enthusiasm and spirit was not regarded az
anything more than unusual, and SO came
in for its share of ridicule.
Among those who came to labor in thi:
vicinity were John Wrenshall and Thomas
Cooper The latter organized a class in
1903. The class numbered 13. This was
the nucleus of the Methodist Church in
Pittsburg. For three years they had nc
stated place of worship, meeting sometimes
in room of old Fort Pitt, at other times in
the shade of some old forest tree, and occa'
sionally in the Court House. In 1906 Mr.,
Cooper rented a house and chapel where
they held religious services until 1910. In
that year lot was purchased on Second
street, and a small stone church was built
| with Rev. William Knox preacher.
EARLY ANNoYANCES.
Many stories are told of the annoyances
that the Methodists had to suffer in holding
| their meetings. At one time during the
progress OF prayer meeting in the house
of Mr.. Cooper a young rowdy fired of a
squib in the room. The eccentric preacher
began singing "Shout! shout! we're gain
ing ground, and the power of the Lord is
coming down" The young man, fearing
the consequences of his misdeeds, got
alarmed and fed.
The little stone chapel was the home Of
Methodism in Pittsburg until 1917, when
the Smithfeld Church was formed, and
| their first plain church was built on the
| corner of Smithfeld and Seventh avenue.
The Methodist Church was the youngest
of the Christian denominations, and the
last to enter Allegheny county. In the
time of circuit-riders they were very dill
| gent in hunting up all Methodist families,
and "classes or societies" that had been
formed then made the beginnings for
many a small church. In 1888 the
Pittsburg circuit was formed, including
Westmoreland and Allegheny counties, and
parts of Washington and Fayette, and Rev.
Charles Conway was appointed preacher.
He went. as did one of old, into the wilder
ness to preach the gospel. He rode the cir
cult from 1888 to 1880, preaching occasion
ally in Pittsburg. In 1870 the entire cir
! cult numbered but 81, but very soon they
gathered strength, and the power IN which
they trusted did not fail them. They grew
and were prospered, taking a place among
the influential churches and establishing, a
little later, schools that were to strengthen
and advance their educational interests.
They have now several prominent colleges
in the State the oldest of which is ALLIE
gheny College, Meadville, of which DIR. w.
G. Williams is President; Beaver College,
which is near us; Mt. Union and Scio,
within the limit of the State The Pittsburg
Female College has taken gratifying place
among the other denominational schools
of the city. The last year has increased its
number of students with corresponding in
crease of financial income. DR.. A. H. Nor
cross and his assistants are doing what lies in
their power to make the school in every way
worthy of the reputation it bears. The ap-
pended summary will tell the story of the
growth of the church since 1900 better than
words:
PSnS6urg.
Christ Church-O. ]. Cowles, D. D., pastor.
Membership. 4G2; congregational expenses,
S. $50; Sunday school pupils, l40.
Liberty Street-M. ID. Lichliter, pastor. Men,
bership l64; congregational expenses, 500; Sun
day school pupils, l35
Smithfield Street-Rev. c. E. Locke, pastor.
Congregational expenses $1,000; membership,
4SS; Sunday school pupils 6l3.
Fifth avenue-Rev. ]. L. Riley, pastor. Mem
bership, $50; Sunday school pupils, S25; congre-
Trinity-kev. ]. w. Kessler, pastor. Church
membership, 80; Sunday school pupils, 204; con-
gTegational expenses, Sl.0OO.
Centenary Church-Rev. o. A. Emerson,
pastor. Church membership, I'll; Sunday school
pupils, 800; congregational expenses, 81, 300
Butler Street-W. H. Pearce, pastor. Church
members, 735; Sunday school pupils, l,06O;
church expenses, S2.800.t
Emory-C. V. Wilson, pastor. Membership,
6l9; Sunday school pupils, $50; congregational
expenses, 81, &C.,
Denny-Rev R. Cartwright, pastor Full
congregational expenses, Sl,00U.
HazelwOod-Rev. j. A. Ballantyne.
st. Paul-Rev. j. 6. Gosley. Full members,
225; Sunday school pupils, 4O3; congregational
expenses. $1,000.
6akiand-Rev. B. F. Beazell. pastor Con-
gregational expenses, $1,000; full members, l23;
Sunday school pupils, 25l.
Homewood-Rey. j. B. Risk, pastor. Full
members, 2O9: Sunday school, 257; congrega-
tional expenses, s., 900.
WiIllinsburg-Rev j. F. Core, past or. Mem
bers, 3O7; Sunday school. 3S5; congregational
expenses, 81, 500.
Squirrel Hill-Rev. W. Medley, pastor
Membership, 80: Sunday school, l35; congrega-
tlonal expenses, $500.
Buena Vista-Rev ]. j. McIlyar, pastor
Members, 27S; Sunday school, 424; congrega-
tonal expenses, Sl.500,
Arch Street-Rev. w. F. Conner, pastor
Members, i65; Sunday school, 616; congrega-
tiOnal EXPENSES 81. .S2O
Allegheny
North Avenue-Rev. 7. !. Leak, pastor
Membership, 1000: Sunday school pupils, I,O2l;
congregational expenses, 81, $50.
Union-Rev. c. a. Holmes. ID. Member
ship, $50; Sunday school % pupils, 462; congrega-
tlonal eX penSes, $1,000.
Simpson and Hoboken-Rev ]. E. Williams;
Membership, l20; congregational expenses, 81, ,000
Sunday school pupils, lGO.
Union CentenaTy-Rev. L. Mcguire. Mem
bership, $50; Sunday school, $50; congregational
expenses 81, 500.
bingham Street-Rev R. T. Miller Member
ship, 272; Sunday school. 35l; congregational ex-
Walton street-Rev. B. R. wilburn Member
ship, GAG; Sunday school, S65; congregational
expenses. 81, ,6O0.
bership, lis; Sunday school, l25; congregation
al expenses $500.
Main Strcet-Rev H. c. Beacon. Member
ship, 472; Sunday school, 529; congregational
Mt Washington-Rev. J. A. Danks. Mem
bership, 2Il; Sunday school, 25O congregation
al exp 9nses, $1,000.
South Sueet-Rev. r. L. Miller, DID. Mem
bership, lS3; Sunday school, 400; congregational
expenses, $1,000.
Allegheny German-Rev. L. Allinger and
: Rev. d. Bau, Union avenue and Ohio street.
Pittsburg, First German-Fortieth street
and Allentown, Rev. J. Graessle and B. BrieL
Woods Run-Rev. w. johnson. Member
ship 10: Sunday school, 100; congregational ex-