The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1910-03-09
Munsell, his Wife, this Window is Dedi-

"uuSoll, MS w Il6, inlS w luuOW IL Deul
Gated by their Children, Edgar and Ida. ,
The beautiful incident of "Christ Bless.
ing the Little Children" another of the
famous Hoffman masterpieces, on the
second large or "Robinson memorial" )"
Here may be seen the little ones, their
faces alight with love responsive to the
unreasonable love of the Saviour for
these. His lambs, approaching with
childish confidence TO offer their Friend
a few simple flowers and to receive in
return His benediction, while their eld-
ers stand by filled with wonder at the ut.
| terance of the Master, "Suffer little
1 children TO come unto me, for of such is
the kingdom of heaven" This window
bears the inscription, "In Memory OF
Martha Bonner Robinson, 1S44-lS95." In
one of the smaller windows, the "Mc-
Aninch memorial" l. reproduction OF
Plock horsts "Good Shepherd" and at
the close of day He leads His flock to the
sheepfold On His arm He bears teDderly
the little lambs on which his loving gaze
Is bent. This window bears the inscrip-
tion, REV. John V. McAninch, Pastor
lsS9-l902." That tender admoDition OF
the Saviour. "Behold Stand at the Door
and Knock" has been selected for the
fourth or MAY memorial" and here
| again is shown the great love of the Mas
ter, who will not wait for men to come to
Him, but comes himself to them, and
only asks them to receive Him. This
window Gears the inscription, REV. Hez-
ekiah May, l773lS43, Margaret White
May, 1882 1868. While the figure sections
of these windows, teaching as they do
such beautiful lessons, will of course re-
ceive The greater part OF the beholder's
attention, it is worthy of note that the
X ha Lost ainht nf ha ilaa of
harmony and symmetry in the whole,
and they have utilized the upper panel of
all the windows to display designs of
chaste ornamentation executed in soft
rich colors, which mellow the light in the
auditorium, and bring TO one feeling of
rest and quiet peace.
The windows we're designed aud man
ufactured by G. G. Riordan Il Co., of
Cincinnati, Ohio. The Stow window is
furnished by Edgar Stow and Mrs. Ida
Garlick, both of Cincinnati. The Robin
son window is furnished by G. W. Rob-
inson, of TionestA, in memory of his wife.
The McAninch window is furnished by
the surviving brothers of that recent pop
ular pastor who devoted his best years 10
the service here in Tionesta. The May
window is furnished by the descendants
of this worthy couple so intimately con-
nected with the early religious history of
this section.
HISTORY oE THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH OF TIoNEsTA.
The Presbyterian church of Tionesta
was organized Dec. 10, 1858, with a MEM
bership of sixteen. Prior to this and
leading up to it was Sabbath school, or
ganized about 1913, by Mr.. Hamilton
Stow, who was its superint tendent, with
Miss Anna May, afterwards Mrs. John
Lamb, and Miss Eva Scott, who after
ward married Wm. Hulings, as teachers.
This was union school and remained so
Tor many years after the organization Of
the church. In 1873, the congregation
having grown in numbers, and support
ing pastor for part time, organized a
school of its own, thus making it denom-
national. Divine services being con-
Quoted at stated intervals by the Revs.
Babcock and Hampson, of Titusville, and
DR.. Craighead, of Meadville, the congre.
CATION began to look about them for q
permanent place to worship and accord
" set about the erection OF a suitable
building. A lot was purchased by Mrs.
Margaret May, wife of Rev. Hezekiah
May, and by her donated to the trustees
of the Presbyterian church for church
purposes. A subscription paper which
was cirulated contained the names CT
thirty three persons whose aggregate sub
scriptions amounted to Sl,l96 90. The
work of erecting the building was begun.
The "bill of expense" shows that the COM
pleted building cost 81 ,667 Co., 1t is gen.
orally supposed Mr.. May paid the $3.50
not provided for by subscription. This
building was dedicated Dec. 8, 1858, and
the original part of the church
until September of last year, when it was
torn down to make room for the new
church as it stands today, well nigh COM
pleted and ready for dedication. On Dec.
10, 1858, the organization was perfected.
Rev. Hampson moderated the meeting
and VIM. Bailey acted as secretary. After
deciding the church should belong 70 the
new school," the following persons were
received into membership. Hamilton |
stow, James Hilsnds, Herman Blum,
Benjamin May, VIM. Mckinley, Seldom
L. May, r. M. Riddle, Margaret May,
Helen S. May, Mary A. Smith, Elizabeth
May, Frances A. May, Mary Mckinley,
Lucy Selden, Mary M. Riddle, and Anna
J. May. Mr.. Stow and Mr.. Hilands were
chosen elders. The first communion SER
lice was held Jan. 5, 1854, conducted by
Dr.. Craighead. During the next eight
zen months the church was supplied by
2evs Berrege and Elliott. In November,
S55, Rev. q. W. Hammer was engaged
Is regular pastor and served the church
or about two and one half years, giving
wo- thirds of his time TO the Tionesta
hurch and the remainder to Pleasant
lille. His pastorate was blessed of God,
md goodly number were received into
he church on profession OF faith. The
,astorate of Rev. Hammer closed March,
1858, and was fallowed by period of
hree years during which time no records
II the church are available. In 1861, Rev.
Z. c. Allison became pastor and re-
NAMED two years, after which, with the
x xception of the services OF Rev. Andrew
Jirtue, giving but one-third of his time,
rom 1869 to 1871, the church was supplied
My irregularly by the Presbytery until
anuary, 1875. In 1875, Rev. VIM. Eli
tt was called to the pastorate for one-half
ime. Owing to the ravag5s of the Civil
var and by many removals the church
Uttered very materially, but with the
oming of Rev. Elliott the prospects be-
an to brighten. There being no ruling
lders at this time Mr.. ii. ii. Stevenson,
{ Oil City, was invited to assist the pastor
l the reception of new members, ana on
an. 6, 1875, twelve members were re-
eived into lhe church, some of whom re-
lain until this time. In April Mr.. G. q.
was elected elder and per-
)rmed faithfully his duties until re.
moved by death in 1890 The pastorate
Mr.. Elliott terminated in 1880. Rev.
ames Hicklng then supplied the church
,r a period, but was finally called to be
$ pastor Aug. %, 1881, and proved to be
a worker that needeth not to be
shamed," for under his pastorste the
ork OF the church was wonderfully
lessed. Rev. Hickling severed his con-
ection with the church in May, 1888, and
nd is now serving pastorate at Ray