The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-06-24
HISTORY OF A CHURCH
ORGANIZED THIRTY-FIVE YEARS
AGo-FIRST ELDER STILL IN.

First Services Held in a School House
Now Worship in Fine Brick Church.
The Presbyterian church of Reynolds
vile was organized Feb. II, 1861, by a.
committee appointed by Clarion Pres
bytery and consisting Of Revs. Joseph
Matcer and John Wray, with Elders
John MILAN and John Hutchison, of the
Beechwoods Presbyterian church. The
church was organized with the follow
ing nine members who brought their
certificates from Beechwoods William
II. Reynolds and wife, John Larimer
and wife, Robert Patton and wife, Mrs.
Mary Ann Stewart. Mrs. Mary Ann
Campbell aud Mrs. Eliza Horn. or
these William H. Reynolds was elected
and ordained ths first ruling elder,
which Office he still retains. After the
completion of the organization twelve
additional members were received on
examination. The new church being
unable to support pastor Of its own,
depended upon occasional supplies sent
| by Presbytery or invited by the congre-
CATION. The first of these was Rev.
John Wray. of Beechwoods congrega-
tion. who was followed by Rev. Thos.
S. Leason. These preached num-
Der of times but were followed by others
who preached but once or twice. The
first regular pastor was Rev. David w.
Cassat. who was installed March 81,
1874, and released in April, 1875. The
church then remained without "a pastor
until June "a. 1884, when Rev. H. b.
Taylor was called. During this long
vacancy there were occasional supplies.
however, and among them Rev. Will
liap Smith, OF the Cumberland Presby-
terian church, who remained for some
months during 1877 or 1873 and did
most efficient work.
Mr.. Taylor was released Oct, 1885,
and another vacancy followed, continu-
ing until May IL. 1887. when Rev. L. b.
w. Shryock was installed pastor. This
was an active and earnest pastorate,
but lasted only until Dec 20, 1887. Be-
fore Mr.. Shryock's call. Rev. Dewitt
NJ. Benham supplied the pulpit most
acceptably for few months. On June
l6, 1891, after having supplied the pull
pit for some time, Rev. Fl. G. Furbay
was installed pastor, which rea-
tion continued until March "a, 1893.
This was a successful and unusually
brilliant pastorate, which was termi-
mated through call TO Mr.. Furbay
from Tyrone, Pa On the 18th OF Sept,
1893, Rev. II. r. johnson took charge
OF the church and was installed in his
position Oct. 4th OF that year.
The history of the eldership is slight
ly confused, but the following persons
actually served in that capacity, six of
them still holding office: William H.
Reynolds, Robert Patton, Jesse l.. Test,
L. +. Campbell, John Robinson. Thos.
Hutchinson. NJ II. Stiles, Gilbert Wal
ter Palen, William J. Boner and James
Kelley Johnston. The harmonious
spirit of the eldership is most remarka-
BILE and has much to do with the success
of the church.
The first services in connection with
this church were held in Il school house
in Cold Spring Follow. The building
still stands, but is now used AS dwell
ing. At that time all the Protestant
denominations united in conducting d
Sunday school, and worshiped with
each other In course Of time the Bap.
tist church, of Prescottville, was erect.
ed and drew away portion Of the
school. The Presbyterians and Meth.
odists, though, continued their work al
the old place. After this had contin.