Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-06-16
ST.CLA|RSv|LLE PRESDYTERY
The One Hundredth Anniversary Cele-
brated Yesterday.
A Large Number Of People Pres
ent, and the Affair Was a Con-
spicuous Success-An Outline Of
the Events Of the Day.

The st. Clairsville Presbyterian
church, the oldest Presbyterian church
in northeastern Ohio, celebrated its one
hundredth anniversary yesterday in an
appropriate manner.
The affair, through the hospitality
and thoughtfulness of the good people
of the town, was made a most pleasant
and enjoyable one. Many people were
present, number Of them formerly
members of the church, coming from
distance to attend the celebration OF the
one hundredth birthday of the church
where they first vowed allegiance to
their Creator.
Preparations had been in progress for
the event for several days past, and con-
sequently everything passed off IN
manner that merits much credit to
those in charge of the affair.
The exercises of the day opened at 10
o'clock in the morning with devotional
services, in which Rev. J. A. Donahey,
pastor of the Bridgeport Presbyterian
church, and Rev. Putnam, of Bellalre,
officiated Following Rev. Robert Alex
ander, the venerable pastor of the
church, gave a historical sketch of the
church, briefly stated is about as fol-
lows: The Scotch-Irish Presbyterians
coming from Pennsylvania, Maryland
and Virginia that settled in the vicinity
prior ii 1898 organized the Indian
Wheeling Creek and the Indian Short
Creek missions, the former becoming
the ST. Clairsville Presbyterian church
and the latter the at. Pleasant Ohio,
church. From tent and open meet
ings they changed to log cabin in
1899, which in turn was abandoned for
a wooden structure in 1903, erected by
the members Of the congregation them
selves Fourteen years later brick
structure was erected in ST. Clairsville
proper, which four years before had be-
come the countw seat of Belmont coun-
ty. The structure cost $4,000, and was
used until 1871, when it was destroyed
by fire. In the spring of 1S43 $1,000
structure was erected under great f1nan-
cial difficulty, which came near causing
a rupture in the congregation. After
a big revival short time later peace
again reigned. The new structure with
stood the elements until the cyclone OF
1887, when it, was totally destroyed.
Through the untiring efforts of the pas
tor the present beautiful stone edifice
was erected.
Rev. Joseph Anderson the first min
lister ordained in eastern Ohio, was Ii
censed to preach by the Second Presby-
terry that ever convened in the Stete.
He was pastor of the church from Au-
gust so, 1906, until October 30, 1880.
The next pastor of any Importance was
Rev. James Alexander For period
Of several years he was their pastor,
doing much good work. In 1849 he was
succeeded by Rev. John Moffat who re-
signed after thirteen years of excellent
service, resigning in 1863 Rev. Robert
Alexander, the present pastor, succeed
ed him, taking charge in 1867 A more
jealous and dutiful pastor than he can
not be found. During his thirty-one
years of pastoral duties he has held 125
communion services. was instrumental
in the addition Of over 700 members,
and has never been absent from his
pulpit single Sunday.
AT the conclusion OF his address, Hon.
]. w. Hollingsworth extended the greet
ing of the community to the people pres
ent in a speech marked by its eloquence.
At the close of the morning exercise Mr..
George Jepson, on the part of the congre-
cation, presented Rev. Alexander with an
elegant set of silver table cutlery 1t
was something very unexpected by the re-
cipient and ne could hardly find words to
express himself.
The morning exercises were attended
by about 300 people. During the after
noon and evening, however the church
was crowded to its utmost capacity. The
afternoon programme was opened with d
greeting from the sister churches by Rev
Thomas Balph, pastor of the United
Presbyterian church. followed by greet
ing from the St. Clairsville Presbytery
delivered by Rev. W. w. Milligan, of
Cambridge, O.
"Recollections of the Past formed the
subject of a very interesting address by
Rev. j. D. Moffat, president Of Washing
ton-Jefferson college, in which incidents
touching upon the history of the church
were related in a very pleasing manner.
An eloquent address upon the eldership
of St Clairsvile church by William Alex
ander, of Bridgeport, closed the afternoon
programme. The evening exercises con-
sisted of an address by Rev. D. A. Cum
ningham of Wheeling, on Scotch-Irish
Presbyterans, and brilliant address by
Rev. Henry T. McCleland, of Pittsburg,
Pa, on The Presbyterian Church in
America"
noticeable feature of the affair was
the excellent music rendered by the choir
under the leadership of Prof J. w. Scho-
field, of Martins Ferry.