The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-10-23

house of worship built by the Presby-
terians in Canton. 1t stood on the same
site where their present fine stone edi-
fee stands, southwest corner of Tus-
carawas street and Mckinley avenue.
It was brick building about 50x75 feet
in size. When this house was first
built they could go no further than put
1t under roof and then let It stand for
several years before they were able to
finish. When 1t was first completed
there was no tower or belfry; the ground
outline was as shown in our picture.
only there was no pretense for any kind
of belfry. The spire and belfry as shown
in our illustration, was erected during
the pastorate Of Rev. e. Buckingham,
about 80 years ago. This improvement
was all built Of wood, but the house
was brick.
There are records to show that Pres
byterian missionaries visited this region
as early as 1909, and occasional services
were held in private houses and barns
as opportunity offered; but no records
Of an organized church are to be found
as far as can learn, that date back
further than 1921, when the First Pres
byteran church of Canton was organ
ized.
Among the earliest preachers Of that
church were Rev. Joshua Beer, Rev.
James Adams, Rev. Mathews, and Rev.
Vallandingham, whose son became quite
a politician in later days. There
are no records to show thar
a church of that denomination
was organized before 1921, or that
either of the ministers named ever was
| settled as pastor in Canton.
In 1920 Rev. James MCLEAN, an Eng
lishman by birth, began to preach for
| the Presbyterians in the old brick court
house that had been built in 1916, and he
| very soon impressed upon the people
the Importance of organizing Sunday
school; and on the 21st day of December
1920, the first Sunday school in Stark
county was organized by the Presby-
terians in the old court house, with an
attendance of So persons.
Rev. MCLEAN preached that winter
and the following summer, but was also
| absent more or less visiting other des-
/ titute regions. He could find no records
Of an organized Presbyterian church.
| He therefore collected together the
friends Of such a church and organized
with twenty-five members on the 1st
Of September, 1921. The first elders
elected were Samuel Coulter, Robert
Latimer and James Latimer, who ac-
cep'cd said office. At the lrst commun-
ion and public re ccgnition Of the church,
Rev. A. Hanna, of Fredericksburg, was
present to assist IN the services. The
| next year Rev. MCLEAN pressed a little
harder for his salary than the churcn
and congregation felt able to meet, and
1t was said left because of the nom
payment of his salary, aud afterwards
sued the trustees, James Gaff, ST.,
George Dunbar and Robert Latilner.
for his unpaid salary, ard judgment was
obtained against these men by default.
For several years after the above
trouble, the little congregation was
without pastor. until in 1925. Rev. j.
B. Morrow came among them as u
young theological student, and in June
the next year he was ordained and in
stalled as pastor of the Presbyterian
church in Canton. by the Presbytery of
Richland; and Rev. James Rowland, of
Mansfield. and Rev. James Spodgrass,
of Pigeon Run. participated in these
grandfather Of DR.. Z. p. Morrow, of this
city.
Rev. James B. Morrow was the first
pastor to be publicly recognized by the
Presbytery. He continued said pas
torate until December, 1880. and during
his pastorate about 75 new members
were added. so that at the time he left
there were about 100 members, all told.
1t was during the pastorate of Rev.
Morrow that the church took possession
Of the lots left by Bezaleel Wells for
church purposes. and began the build
ing of their first house of worship on
said lots. But for the want OF funds
and neglect on the part of some of the
congregation. the house was not COM
pleted. 80 that their pastor became dis
couraged and resigned and removed TO
New Philadelphia, Ohio. Their sun
day school began to 60 down and spiri-
tual declination was manifest. They