The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1914-10-09
TO UNYEIL
MONUMENT.

\ AIT SANS CREEK CHURCH, THURSDAY
THE LOT GRANTED BY MIR. DAVID E.
STEM--MR. GEORGE W. ALBAUGH
BOUGHT PROPERTY AND PRESENTED
i TO THE M. Z. CHURCH.
In honor of the sisqui-centennial of
American Methodism, pilgrimage
will Ee held Thursday, October 18th.
The main point Of interest will be
Sans Creek, where Robert Straw
bridge, the first Methodist preacher in
America, ministered in the last cen
tury The Log Meeting House," the
first Methodist church built in Ameri-
ca was erected by Mr. Strawbridge in
1764. The Evans House." where
Strawbridge preached and gathered
the first fruits of American Method
ism, stands as the oldest building in
America, where Methodist services
were held. Close by are the graves Of
John Evans and his wife, Eleanor,
the first converts of the movement
which now reaches round the world.
The pilgrims will arrive at WeStmins-
ter from Baltimore at 9 a. m. The
first stop after leaving Westminster
will be stone chapel, near Warfelds-
burg, where George N. Numsen, Of
Baltimore, will preside. Addresses
will be delivered by Rev. w. 5. Boyard,
I'D. Id, secretary OF Methodist Brother
hoods, and Hon. Thomas G. Hayes, of
Baltimore. From Stone Chapel the
caravan will proceed to the Evans
: House, where Rev. John :. Bowers, ID.
d., will preside. The address will be
delivered by his Excellency Governor
Phillips Lee Goldsborough. From
the Evans House the company will 20
to Bethel" where lunch will be
sold. Mr.. Daniel Baker will
, preside and addresses will be
delivered by Bishop Berry and Rev.
Farrest Prettyman, Chaplain or the
u. S. Senate. From Bethel, the COM
lpany will proceed to the site of the
Log Meeting House, where the monu-
> ment will be unveiled. Bishop Grams
: ton will preside and Ex-Gov. Warfield
7 will speak. The people from Balti-
more Will take the 6-18 train from
New Windsor.
: 1t is bit of pleasure for our read
ers to know when and in what
: manner the John Evans House
1 American Methodist Historical So
ciety. The first pilgrimage to that
famous Strawbridge region was made
in October, 1894 At the Conference
of 1896, Rev. Thomas S. Long was ap-
! pointed preacher-in-charge of New
| Windsor Circuit This charge con
! tanned the major portion of the his
toric territory. The pilgrimage had
, awakened a considerable degree OF
Y interest. AT that time Mr.. William
Yohn, the owner, with his family, was
y living in the Evans House. When Mr.
: Long received his appointment, Mr.
Yohn had built a handsome home
several hundred feet distant from the
old house, and was occupying his
modern dwelling. Desiring to sell
\ the other property, the price asked
: found no one willing to pay. A de-
> termination seized our Jealous pas
i tor Of New Windsor to become the
proud purchaser of the ancient place
; where Strawbridge, Asbury and 9TH
! ers had preached.
Mr.. George w. Albaugh, a progress
sive citizen of Westminster, il the
: great-greatgrandson Of John Evans
= Mr.. Long at once called upon him.
and this kind-hearted descendant said
that he was willing to pay a reason
able amount in order to present it to
the Methodist Episcopal Church An
, early and businesslike visit was then
made to MIR. Yohn. Diplomacy play
/, ed its hand well. Four successive
. visits were made, each requiring a
drive of fifteen miles. Finally,
through the help OF Mrs. Yohn, the
house, including ten feet of ground on
all sides, was secured for the sum of
one hundred dollars. The next morn
ing found the happy preacher early at
Westminster. He at once called up
on Mr.. Albaugh, who was at break
fast, and showed him the following
statement, signed by MIR. and Mrs.
Yohn:
I hereby agree to take One Hundred
Dollars ($100.00) for the John Evans
House, situated on my farm near
Dennings', Md.
| 1 sell. the house as it stands, with
ten feet on each side. I also give the
House at any time.
IL (Signed) WILLIAM YOHN,
Nj. L. YOHN.
August 26th, 1896.
Witness: Rev. Thos. S. Long.
Mr.. AIbaugh was so greatly pleas
Cd that at once he secured his check
book and drew a check for the entire
purchase price. The story passes on
with increasing interest. Pastor
Long Immediately, at the suggestion
OF the donor, wrote DR. John r.
Goucher to make a trip to the Evans
House and assist in deciding how
best to repair and keep i'm sound pre-
servation this property now % valu-
able to Methodism Thursday morn
ing, September 8, DIR. Goucher, his
eldest daughter and the late Rev.
Charles ID. Smith came To New Wind
sor, and were taken to the house.
After plans were agreed upon a car
riage drive followed to the hospYtable
home. Oh Mr. and Mrs. David T.. Stem,
near Bethel Church, where a sumptu-
Gus dinner was in waiting. By way
Of parenthesis, it may be written
down right here that many Methodist
preachers have fond recollections OF
the Stem dinners. An afternoon drive
took the Darty In thn farm nf Mr.