The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-01-08
WELSH BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Pioneer Association OF the Laska
wanna Wiley Is RcOrganiked.

wanna volicy Is RcOrganizcd.
Some of the earlier settlers of Carbon
dale entertained baptist sentiments
Squire Warrington once stated that the
first house built was in the year lS24
In the summer of 1880, a company OF
Welsh emigrants, attracted chiefly by
the coal mining interests, settled in the
place, among whom were four regular
Baptists protesting close communion.
Mr. James Bowen was a minister. MS
brother John was deacon, ana their
wives were members-embracing the
elements of a gospel church and hold
ing the tenets of Baptists. Their faith
was not abandoned or zeal abated by
leaving home and crossing the ocean,
but far from the fatherland and dear
friends. among strangers speaking an
other language, they did not hang their
harps on the willow, they chung the
more tenaciously to their language and
their cherished creed and destructive
principles. And where there Is will
there Is u way, they soon devised and
employed means to promote their Spir-
itual interests and propagate their cher
ished sentiments. Meetings for prayer
and preaching were commenced at the
home of Deacon Bowen, on the West
side of Main street on the site now oc-
cupied by the store of Patrick McDon-
aid. For time their congregation was
comparatively small, consisting only
of "a few Welsh families. 1t was not
long, however, before some of their
American neighbors of different de-
nominations, met with them from time
to time. attracted chiefly by the Songs
OF Zion I'm a strange land. in strange
tongue, but with the feeling and pathos
for which the Welsh nation is noted.
ofttimes the substance OF the services
were given in English. for the benefit
Of ~.
lence unable to understand the Welsh
Language. Their members were aug
mented from time to time by fresh emil
grants from Wales, of whom Il fair por-
iion were regular Baptists.
These Welsh members united with
the Greenfield church in the Bakely
uiStrict, and soon became prosperous
branch OF that body. holding covenant
meetings and enjoying occasional
preaching. Early in 1899 they were.
regularly dismissed and organized as
the First Baptist church of Carbonate
with lorfy-three constituent members.
They wOrshipped now in the old school
house on the site of the present strlic-
ture. and early in the spring of lS4S
the school home gave way to the pres
ent structure. The public worship was
chiefly conducted in the Welsh Ian
guage, and at this time it was decided
tist views (but who We're excluded from
congenal privileges and had To attend
meetings of the other denominations
to raise up the Baptist standard and
rally to its support and defense. The
Berean Baptist church was recognized
and consisted of seven members: now
1t Is a most fiourishing church and the
pastor and people are doing excellent
work for the Master The Rev. Daniel
IDWpn :, "A
first regular pastor of the Welsh church
and on his taking sharge of the Berean
church just proved Il Rev. Mr.. Will
Jams was called to the pastorate and
ministered until 1S49 when he had a call
to a church at Utica. The next pastor
was "a Rev. w. Evans. who continued
faithfully to preach the Word Then
the Rev. ID. W. Morris preached for
some time to them in conjunction with
his pastorate at Taylor
According to the testimony of some
OF the old members who are faithful to
this day. the most flourishing time eX-
perienced by the church was between
the years of 1S4S and 1853. The con-
gregations We're large and the church
did much good. About six years ago.
the congregation having dwindled
down, although few stood unflinch- |
ingly for their principles, the remain
ing trustees. f. w. Davis and Morgan
ThomaS, handed the deeds of the church |
to the trustees of the Welsh associa- |
tion of Pennsylvania. A few months
ago some of the old members, kindled |
with love to their language and their |
principles, determined to make an at
tempt to reopen the edifice and collect |
the Welsh friends together. They con- |
suited with the association committee
and today their labors were rewarded |
ny the assembling of invited pastors of |
the valley and the committee to re-ded- !
cate the sanctuary and give the right |
hand of fellowship to those that wished |
10 join. The first meeting was held to- |
day at 3 o'clock, the Rev. w. s. Jones. |
of Hyde Park. having read a portion of |
the Scriptures and fervently invoked /
the blessing of God upon the church |
ana the purport Of their meeting to-
sether. Mr.. Henry p. Davis. of Scran-
ION, occupied the chair and addressed |
the assembly with feeling and advised |
the young church to live peaceable and |
look for the spirit of truth for their
Euidance. Then he called upon the |
heV. W. Thomas. of PittSton, to ex-
tend the right hand of fellowship to the |
members about to form the church A
regular letter of dismissal was read
from the Maytield church and the |
Iollowing are the constituent members.
W. +. Williams, Thomas Richards
Catherine Richards. Thomas Evans.
Jane Evans, owen Lewis. Mary Lewis. |
John THOMAS, Jane Lewis. Evan ~
Richards. Margaret Evans. The Rev.
william Thomas delivered an excellent
ADDRESS on the cardinal principles of
christianity and dwelt upon the ele
menfs of strength in the church-tbe
purity OF character and the unity of
feeling. Addresses were also made nv
the Revs. w. IT, Davis. w. $. Jones and
the chairman. Sermons are nreacbeJ
tonight by the Revs. w. Evans. DIV
phaht, and w. S. Jones lin English.)