Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-09-21

The celebration at Claysville. yester-
day, of the seventy-ffth, or diamond,
anniversary of the Presbyterian Church
of that place, was a memorable occa-
sion. For nearly a month the church
people of Claysville have been prepar-
ing for an appropriate celebration OF
this anniversary, and their efforts re-
suited in one OF the largest gatherings
ever seen at similar occasion.
While the centennial service proper
occupied the afternoon, the morning
furnished a very interesting occasion
in the shape OF a reception, from 10 TO
Il a. m, to the pastor, Rev. Frank
Fish, and his bride, who have just re-
turned from a wedding tour. At one
o'clock in the afternoon the celebration
was begun by devotional exercises, fol-
lowed by an address of welcome from
W. 4. Irwin, of Claysyille. The re-
Spouse was delivered by Rev. Francis
VI. Hall, Of COnneautville. The orators
Of the day, Revs. G. w. +. Burch, d. D.,
of New York. and j. NJ. Mealy, ID. D.,
Of New Wilmington, Pa. Rev. Burch's
subject was A History Of the Church, ~
and ReY. Mealys The Pew Of tho
Church" "Reminiscences of Pastors
and Presbytery' was discussed by
Rows. William Speer, Henry Woods
and James l. Brownson, Of Washington.
The evening service begun at 1880
with Rev J. d. Mofrats The Church
and the College" Dr.. Moffat was fol-
lowed by Rev A. A. Mealy, of Bridge
Vile, whose subject was The Boy at
Church" The closing address was
given by Rev. z. 0. Sawhill, OF Al
legheny, Pa. All through the service
the programme was interspersed with
special music, including Songs by We
Olde Folks, which consisted of hymns
Lined out in the old-fashioned way.
All the persons named i'm the pro-
gramme to discuss special subjects, eX-
cept Rev. J. ID. Moffat, president Of w.
d j. College. We're reared within the
bounds OF the congregation, and could
therefore say what they had 10 say
about the old church with confidence.
The Presbyterian Church at Clays-
Vile was formally organized on the
10th of Septemb Der, 1920, when there
were only a few scattered houses in
the town. A plain frame structure
answered the purpose Of a house of
worship until 1880, when the present
house of worship was built. This
building. like other churches erected
at that time, is a comparatively low
structure and severely plain in all it's
ARRANGEMENTS. The first minister in
charge of the church was Rev Thomas
Foge. who served till 1884. and was
succeeded by the four years passionate
of Rev Peter Hessinger. For the next
fourteen years the church was served
with supplies, among them Revs. John
Knox. James Whythe and Alexander
McCarrell The latter gentieman's
term as a supply extended from 1876
to 1852. and In December Of that year
he was installed pastor. His pasJorate
was terminated BY his death in the
spring of 1881, and his entire term OF
service then covered a period Of almost
two score years.
Rev. McCarren was bern in Hanover
township. Washington county, Penn
sylvania. In 1877, and was brought up
under the influence of that famous old
divine Rev. John Stockton. He was
graduated from Washington College III
1871. and in 1916 was installed pastor
O. the Claysville Church. The pastor
ate of Rev. McCarrell was succeeded
by that of Rev j. L. Leeper. Prince
ton graduate. who served until 1885,
when Rev. Frank Fish, the present
pastor, took charge.