The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1914-08-11
HILL TOP CHURCH
176 YEARS OLD
Mandham Presbyferians CaIe-
brate Occasion with Services

Hill Top Presbyterian churcn, of
Mendham, celebrated Wednesday its
one hundred and seyenty-sixth ami
yersary with an elaborate program
and an "old church members day.
Excepting Rev. Robert j. Johnston
and Rev. Isaac w Cochran. all those
former pastors who are now living
were present.
The services at the church opened
at ten-thirty o'clock with voluntary
and opening exercises. A hymn was
sung, followed by a Scripture reading
by a former pastor
Rev. Joseph G. Syinmes delivered
historical sketch of the church The
morning service closed with benedbc-
tion.
The ladies of the church served
luncheon To all out-of-town guests.
At two o'clock the afternoon service
began.
Greetings were delivered by former
pastors and from the Morris and Or
ange sPresbytery, by the moderator,
Rev. r. H. Augustine, and by other
friends of the church,
The Presbyterian church was or
ganized at Ralston in 1888 by several
Scotchmen who had settled there
Elijah Birham was the first regular
pastor. He entered upon his duties
in 1744 and served until 1851. 1t
was probably during his pastorate or
just before that the church was NOV
ed to its present location. Rev.
John Pierson was pastor from 1853
to 1862, being succeeded by Rev.
Francis Pierson, who remained five
years. Rev. Thomas Lewis was or
dained in 1868, and worked until his
death in 1777.
The church was now without pas
tor until 1880, probably due to the
war with Great Britain, when Rev
John Joline accepted the pastorate.
In 1896 Rev. Amzie Armstrong be-
came pastor and served twenty years.
J 1t was during the pastorate of Rev
Samuel Cox, 1916 to 1929, that the
church was destroyed by fire, in 1919.
The next minister was Rev. Philip c.
Hay, who stayed from 1920 to 1922.
Rev. John VanLieu did not come
until 1924, the pulpit being occupied
in the interval by supplies. He was
succeeded by Rev. Daniel H. Johnson,
: who had the longest pastorate of any
minister connected with the church.
For twenty-six years he preached reg
tit'a ~ III 6t nuuuItu dllu lofty ~llfH
: members were added to the church.
: In 1852 DR.. Johnson died, and was
0 succeeded by Rev. DR.. Thomas s.
: Hastings, who carried ON the work
for four years. In his pastorate a
great revival swept the country and
this church received 1874 new men,
bers in 1854
e The church was destroyed for the
second time by fire in 1859, being
Z struck by lightning. During the pas
e torate of Rev Theodore F. White
q that the church burned. 1t was re.
. built at once and Rev. DIR. David
I Magic began his pastorate in 1860
4 serving until 1865.
Q Rev. Sanford H. Smith became pas
!. tor in 1866 nd remained until 1863
being followed by Rev. Isaac William
h Cochran, who enjoyed a long pastor
a ate until 1886.
! Rev. James Carter was pastor from
:, 1887 until 1890. Rev. George p. No
s Bile, D. D., followed, and worked un
4 til 1901. Rev. Robert j. Johnston
!. was called in 1902, but resigned in
a 1907 to accept pastorate at Honey
4 brook, Pa.
% In 1908 Rev. Joseph G.. Symmes
+ was made pastor, coming from Cali
: fon, N j.
. In the last year the church was
: remodeled at cost of nearly $4,000
The exterior was not altered, bui
I many changes were made to the in
: terror.