Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-10-16
SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
Fittingly Observed by Presby=
terianS Last Sunday.

Sunday morning with appropriate and
impressive ceremonies. The church was
tastily decorated with autumn leaves and
clematis. Behind the pulpit we're the
significant figures 1S53-1993. The
church. was filled to its utmost capacity
and at times the interest was dramatic.
The pastor, Rev. Andrew Carrick, pre-
sided. The venerable Father Robe, oi
Brownsville led in an impressive prayer
After beautiful anthem by the choil
Rey. J. A. Hanna, of Los Angles, Cal
who organized the church in Sept. "a
1852 gave historic sketch of the incep-
tion and founding OF the church, con-
tinuing the history for a quarter of s
century. He referred to his decision
while in seminary to come to Oregon
and the colony which he gathered in the
spring of 1852 in response to an adver-
tisement. This colony numbering q
families including go persons with Rev
Hanna as pastor left Pittsburg, March
Is, 1852, and arrived at the Missouri
river March 30th. From there they
crossed the plains and arrived safely
about the 1st of September. This colony
did not all settle together but the ma
jority of the charter members of the
church belonged to it. The organization
was effected in the home of Rev. ]. A.
Hanna three miles south of Corvallis,
which was then known as Marysville.
All of the charter members mem bers are
dead except Mrs. Irwin who still resides
on the old homestead ten miles south OF
town.
The organization was reported to the
next meeting of the Presbytery of Ore
gon in October Of 1858. This was the
second Presbyterian church in the en-
tire Northwest including Oregon, Wash
ington, Montana and Idaho and is the
first to maintain continuous existence.
The Clatsop Plains church was the first
to be organized but was subsequently dis
banded. Rev. J. A. Hanna was ap-
pointed supply for the church and con-
tlnued as pastor until September. 1860,
when the membership grew to %.
In April, 1850, the erection of the pres
ent building was begun. 1t was pro-
digious. undertaking for SO small con-
gregation owing to the great expense OF
labor and lumber. The windows and
doors were all handmade. The planning
was done by hand as there was neither
neither planning mill nor sash and door
factory within reach. Among those who
contributed over $500 for the work were
John Grubb, J. B. Congle, DR.. J. R.
Bayley, Andrew Roberts and John
Wrenn, all of whom have gone to their
reward. The building was finally COM
pleted ia 1854 at cost of $4,000, only
$500 being received from the board of
church erection. 1t was opened by
Rev. DIR. Geary in June of the same
year, Rev. Hanna also being present.
Rev. Fl. r. Avery succeeded Rev.
Hanna in Sept, 1880, and ministered to
the congregation for two years when
Rev. R. Wylie was the first installed pas
tor and minister to the people for four
years. He expected to be present but
was prevented. A tender message from
him was read during the service. Then
followed five brethren, viz: Rev. w.
Monteith, Rev. A. E. Simpson, Rev. D.
(. Nisbit and Rev. J. G. Downing who
served the church during the
years between 1866 and 1875. All of
'hese as well as Rev. Avery have gone to
b cir reward. The church now number
9d 65. Rev. J. F. Knowles, of Metropo-
is, ILL.,, followed Mr.. Downing in 1875
Ind remained one year. A loving mes
sage was read from him conveying his
greetings. Then followed Rev. FL. P.
Dunning. of Oakland, Cal, whoremain-
ID pastor until 1888. The Rev. E. R.
Murgatroyd, now of New Vernon, N. J.,
leared him to the people. A character
site letter from him was read. His ten
Ter reference to the loyalty and hopeful
less of Caleb Davis brought tears to
many eyes. Rev. John Reid, of Vic
'oria, B. c., succeeded Mr.. Murgatroyd
n 1885 and remained one year. A mes
age was read from him as contained in
Acts 20 :32.
After a beautiful solo by Miss Lulu
'pangler, Rev. E. J. Thompson, D. D.,
If independence, who SO faithfully min
stored to the people for nearly Is years,
ave an address which will be long re-
nembered. He recounted the struggles
md successes, the joys and sorrows, the
and loyalty of the people,
specially referring to the ladies, the
hoir and to Elder Davis who had so
ften encouraged him in his efforts. |
lie told of the visit of the officials of
he Oregon Pacific R. r. to the church |
me cold, windy Sunday and how they
ook pity on the people and provided the
means to repair the church.
DIR. Thompson was succeeded in 1900
y Rev. R. L. Nelly who remained only
few months. His message was read by
Dr.. Altman as contained in II Tim.
:l-l9. The present pastor, Rev. An
n L Il