Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-01-17


Their Paste and Their Growth.
Preparations are being made at two
points in Eastern Ohio to celebrate
the centennials of the planting Of the
Calyinistic church one hundred years
ago. Both OF these places are within
The bounds Of the original county Of
Jefferson, which county celebrated its
centennial last year By the partition
of Jefferson county, st. Clairsville was
thrown into Belmont county.
The celebration OF the organizing Of
churches within one year after the or
ganization of c county shows that the
early pioneers were God-fearing peo-
pie. The centennial celebration of the
organization OF the ST. Clairsvillc
church will be carried out on a large
scale this year. 1t is the Oldest Pres
byterian church in Eastern Ohio. its
history extending over the whole his
tory Of the settlement OF this section.
The earliest settlement there was in
1888, the original settlers being of sur
ay Scotch-lrish stock, coming from
Western Pennsylvania, Maryland, Viz
Gluia and delaware, ana IL was THIS
clement that planted Presbyterlanism
there. AS soon as they had built log
cabins for themselves they prepared
place TO worship their God. Inc lOca-
ZION CT this first humble house OF
worship is the site OF the present
Union cemetery, st. Clairsville. It
was shed u the hillside under the
trees, and next came log cabin which,
in 1903, gave place TO substantial
double log house, which stood a little
west OF the present foundation In
1922 a brick building costing $4,000,
was erected The church was burned
in 1871. A new one was completed in
1913. In 1887 tornado wrecked the
church, and the present beautiful cdl-
flee was next erected.
The pCrsevering spirit Of these
Scotch-lrish has not peer daunted by
disastrous visits Of the clements, but,
combined with the builders art, they
have triumphed over discouraging yisi-
tatiODS. On the records the name OF
this preaching point appears as Indian
Wheelin Greek. This was changed to
"Richland," and later to First Pres
byterian Church Of st. "a Clairsville."
This charge has always cen favored
with excellent pastors and ministers
who were distinguished.
The church was organized by DR..
John Mcmillan, Of Western rennsyl-
vania. In 1899 Rev. Joseph Anderson
was called to the pastorate, and he
continued as pastor until 1880. Rev.
alexander Logan, Rev William Fuller
and several others supplied the church
till 1884. when Rev Joseph Smith, the
famous author of "Old Redstone," and
a descendant Of Pennsylvania pion-
eer ministers, was called and remained
as pastor for three years. Till 1882 the
church was supplied by Rev. 4. j. Cor
don, Rev Jas. Kerr, Rev. joan Nc
CluslIey, Rev. VIM r. Work and sew
cral others. Rev. James Alexander
was pastor from 1889 to 1886 Rev.
John Moffat from 1847 to 1861. Rev.
d. R. Campbell from 1861 to 1866. Rev.
Robert Alexander, d. D., the present
pastor, has been stationed there ever
since. He has just preached his thirty
first anniversary sermon.
In all these years he has not missed
a single Sabbath's preaching due to
sickness Ais pastorate covers almost
third Of the history Of the church.
St. Clairsvilie vas laid out by
Robt. Newell, of WestmOreland coun-
w Pa. and he named it after General
Arthur st. Clair. The Alexander FAM
llv celebrate the centennial OF their
ancestors location in that county this
wear. Dr.. Alexander's grandfather
came from York county, Pa, in 1913.
The Presbyterian church at Mount
Pleasant, which was organized later
il 1883, by DR.. Mcmillan, will also cell
citrate its centennial this year. Their
first stated supply was Rev. Joseph
Anderson, who filed the pulpit till
| 1928. Rev. Benjamin Mitchell, 1929 to
| 1876: Rev. s. w. Pringle, 1877 to 1896.
Rev. S. J. Brown is the present pastor
! Rev. Mitchell was pastor emeritus
| the last years Of his life.