Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-29

cOngregaUon- Line cnuIcH WAS poCheu W
the doors with the members of the congrega-
tion and their friends, and the sermon was
attentively listened to.
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
The afternoon services began at O'Clock,
and every seat in the beautiful ediice was
occupied. Chairs had to be placed in the
aisles for the people, and even this addi-
tional accommodation did not seat all.
After a short reading of the Scriptures,
Rev. Mr. Ross, of the Q. P. Chapel, Oak
land, Mr.. D. NJ. Bullock sang touching
solo. palm Branches" A historical
sketch of the church was then read by DR..
Holland, in which he said:
The first settlement of that portion of our
city embraced within the direct sphere of the
influence of this church was made by persons
who were identified with the Third Presbyte-
rian Church. and Oakland was known in the
f3Os and '40s as the Third Church Colony"
The nrst settlers of Oakland, true 10 their re-
igious convictions. established a Sabbath
school, as far back as the year 1887. This met
in miners shanty upon the property of d.
Bushnell. now the property of Mrs. Madison
Bailey. In the year 1888 the school was removed
to a small house erected for its accommoda-
ton at the corner of Fifth avenue and Darragh
street upon the Eichbaum property, now be-
longing to the estate of John Moorhead. de.
ceased. Here 1t remained until 1851 when the
place was purchased by the Rev. DR.. Lyman.
the rector of Trinity Protestant Episcopal
Church, who caused it to be removed to At
wood street. Here it continued to do service
as schoolhouse. in which a Sabbath school
was maintained until 1869 when it was merged
into and consolidated with the Sabbath school
of this church.
The first steps leading to the organization of a
church in this locality are found in the efforts
made by Mr. and Mrs. d. H. Fralich to furnish
instruction upon the Lords Day to the chill
dren of the neighborhnod, whom, in the sum-
mer of 1862 they gathered into a Sabbath
school at their home. on the eastern side of the
-Four Mile Run.
GREW WITH THE CITY.
The population began to increase on this
side of the ravine owing to an immigration
into the neighborhood, and in the summer of
1868 it was decided by the residents of Belle
field that it would be best to organize Sab
bath school in their immediate vicinity, On
June Z, 1868, the Bellefeld Union Sabbath
School was organized in the unfinished parlor
of Colonel D. B. Norris upon Dithridge street
Mr. John s. Dawson and Mr.. j. d. Carlisle were
the principal promoters of The enterprise. Mr..
Dawson was chosen superintendent. The school
numbered 10 teachers and 40 scholars, and
rapidly increased. On July 81 the school was
transferred to Henry street, to a building pro-
vided largely by the generosity Of Messrs.
Henry Lloyd and John S. Dawson. who pur-
chased the lot and placed upon it a carpenter
shop, which was remodeled and converted into
a schoolroom. Mr.. Fralch. at this tIme brought
over into the school the scholars who had been
gathering at his house. The new building soon
proved too small. The Bible classes met at the
house of Colonel Norris, and the infant depart
ment in summer when the weather was fine,
was gathered upon the shady side of the build
ing upon the lawn.
The success of this enterprise proved the
need of stated minstrations of the gospel upon
the Sabbath. Accordingly the services first
Ol Rev. A. b. Loves and then of Rev. David
AfFl INN
plies. These public religious services were
commenced early in the summer of the year
1866, and were the nrst stated ministrations of
the gospel had in this region. Accordingly a
petition was sent to the Presbytery of Ohm
signed by so persons, requesting the organiza.
tion of a church in this place.
THE CHURCH ORGANIZED.
The request was granted and on the 9th day
of September, 1866, the Bellefield Presbyterian
Church was organized, and for nearly wear
was the only church organization existing be.
tween the city limits and East Liberty
Mr.. John S. Dawson, who had been a ruling
elder in the Central Presbyterian Church
then under the pastoral care of Rev
DR.. NJ. W. Jacobus, and Mr. John
McCurday, who had been an elder in the
Second Presbyterian Church, then under the
pastoral care of the Rev. DR.. William ID. How
ard, were chosen as the first elders of the new
church, and Mr.. j. D. Carlisle and Hon. George
Wilson were chosen deacous. Meanwhile, Mr., |
Henry Lloyd had donated as the site of new
church the spot where we are to-day assembled, |
and had caused to be erected, almcst entirely
at his own expense, a beautiful chapel. This |
ouilolng was occupied for the first time the |
hIst Sabbath of June 1865
In June, 1917, Rev. D. I. Carnahan became /
the stated supply of the church, and on the |
zUtn Gay OF September. 1878, was formally in |
stalled as pastor. Upon december %, follow |
ing, the new church was DESTROYED by fire and /
the Sabbath school and congregation resumed |
their old quarters in the carpenter sbop on
Henry street. The church was Immediately |
rebuilt upon an enlarged scale at a cost of |
about $4,000 The second edifce was thrown
open tor divine services August o. 1869. Rev.
DR.. William II. Paxton, of New York City |
preaching the dedicatory sermon On Septem,
ber 10. 1871, Samuel II. Baird and a number Of
his Methodist friends. who had up to this time
worshIped with this church, withdrew in order
10 organize Methodist Episcopal Church and |
Sabbath school in Oakland.
A LONG PASToRATE.
In June, 1873, the pastorate relation OF Rev
.. 7. Carnahan with this church was dissolved
by the Presbytery of Pittsburg at Mr.. Carna
hans request. On June Is, 1874 the present
pastor, who had been called in November of
The previous year, was installed.
The present membership is nearly 400 souls |
In the spring of the year, 1S77, il became evil
dent that the rapid increase in the population |
Of the neighborhood called for an effort to en-