The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1893-10-25
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DEDICA.
TI0N.
A Large Congregation Assemblies TO
Enjoy the Impressive Services


Enjoy the Impressive Services
Perhaps the largest congregation
that ever assembled in q religious
meeting was present at the dedicate.
ry services of the newly rebuilt and
remodeled Presbyterian church on
Sabbath evening last, the number be-
ing estimated at nearly four hundred
people, the other congregations of
this place having accepted the invita-
tion to join in the exercises. The
Pastor, Rev. j. V. McAninch, an
nounced the first hymn, and the sing.
ing being congregational all joined in
the hymns that we're sung. Rev.
Rankin of the M. E. Church, Rev.
Shoup, Of the F. M. Church, and
Rev. Brennan of the Wesleyan
Church, occupied the pulpit with
Rev. McAninch, and very ably assist.
ed him in the services, each Of the
Reverend gentlemen named delivered
short addresses during the evening.
Rev. McAninch's address was
mainly a historical review of the
Presbyterian church of Tiouesta from
its organization to the present day.
These statistics we feel confident will
prove very interesting to all Of our
citizens, hence we publish them as
presented. After his address the
Pastor, in a most impressive and de.
vout prayer, dedicated the new
church to the service of God.
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
Forty years ago, lacking a few days,
the Presbyterian church of Tionesta
was organized, with a membership of
sixteen--of which nine were women
and six men. Prior to this however,
and leading up to it was a Sabbath
School, organized about 1848, by Mr..
Hamilton Stowe, who was its Super
intendent, and Miss Anna May, alter
wards Mrs. John Lamb, and Miss
Eva Scott, now Mrs. William HUI
lings, of Denver, Colorado, the teach
ers. This was a Union school and re-
mained 50 many years after the or
ganization of the church, being the
first Sunday school in the place. This
school was organized in the Nj. E.
churcb(a frame structure, standing on
the present ground occupied by the M.
E. church, 1t remained here until
the erection of the Presbyterian
church, when the school was trans.
terred to 1t and continued until the
erection of the present M. E. church,
about 1868, when it was again trans
ferred to the M. E. church. During
all this time 1t remained a union
school, but In 1873 the Presbyterians
organized school in their own church
making 1t UNCONVENTIONAL.
Services of the Presbyterian order
had been conducted at infrequent in
tervals by Revs. Babcock and Hamp-
son, of Titusville, and DIR. Craighead,
of Meadville, till at last time came
when the few Presbyterians began to
look about them for a permanent
place to worship and a permanent
organization for their own mutual
good and the advancement
of the Kingdom OF Christ.
They first set about the erection
of a place for worship. A lot was
purchased by Mrs. Margaret May,
wife of Rev. Hezikiah May, and by
her donated to the trustees of the
Presbyterian church for church pur.
poses. A subscription paper, which
isstill in existence contains the names
of thirty-three persons "who promise
to give the sum set opposite our
names to aid in the erection of a Pres.
byterian church to be located in Tio.
nesta, Venango county, Pa" which
sums amount to 81, ,196.00. The work
of building was accordingly begun
and on Dec. 8, 1858 the original part
of the present stru cture was dedicated
to the worship of God. The entire
cost of the church was 81 ,647 90, as
the "bill of expenses" shows. Who
paid the remaing $3.50 is not stated
but 1 believe it is generally under
stood, as Mr.. Slows lIberallty is WELL
known.
On the day following the dedica-
tion, Dec. 10, 1858, the people met for
the purpose of forming an organiza-
tion with Rev. Hampson as medera-
tor, and VIM. Bailey as secretary.
After deciding the church should be
long to the new school, the following
persons were received as members
Hamilton Stow, James Hilands, Her
man Bloom, Benjamin May, VIM.
Mckinley, Selden T. May, M. f..
Riddle, Margaret May, Helen s. May,
Mary, A. Smith, Elizabeth May, Fran.
ces A. May, Mary Mckinley, Lucy
Selden, Mary M. Riddle and Ann S.
May, Mr.. Stow and Mr.. Hilands were
chosen elders. OF these original Is
members, Mr.. Stow, of Cincinnati,
o., Mr.. Mckinley, of Elizabeth, N. j.,
Mrs. Mary M. Riddle, now Mrs.
Woodington, of this county, Mr.. Ben
jamin May and Mrs. Frances A.
May are still living, the two latter
members at the present time. Mrs.
May being the only member who has
been in continuous communion with
the church since its organization.
The first communion service was
held Jan. 10, 1854, conducted by DIR.
Craighead. 1t would seem Il fitting
thing here to say word concerning
Hamilton Stow. A devout and ear
nest whole souled christian. He was
always seeking oppOrtunitys to do
the work of his Master. After his re.
moval to Tionesta, he gave largely of
his time and means to this end. 1t
was through his efforts the Sunday
School was started through his untir-
ing devotion the prayer meeting was
sustained, and through his generous
liberality the erection of the first
church was possible. He was not
satisfied with having made begin
ming but until the time OF hisremOval
TOnE L. NLa 5000 ..,o1