The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1919-10-17
906-19O7 Harold M. Rider.
1908 O. Herbert Richardson.
1909-1914 I'LL. Emory Bennett

906-19O7 Harold M. Rider.
1908 O. Herbert Richardson.
1909-1914 r.. Emory Bennett
1915-1916 Frank H Havenner,
Died at Westminster, September 19
1916.
1916-191S Edwin T. Mowbray.
1919 Arthur G.. Day.
Methodism began early in West
minister, as far back as 1859 there
was Methodist preaching in private
dwellings. Among the early Metho-
dist preachers to visit Westminster
were Robert Strawbridge and Free
born Garrettson. Francis Asbury al
SO preached in Westminster, mention
Of the fact is made in his journal un-
der date of November "a, 1772;
Preached at Winchester (the origi-
nal name of Westminster) in an un-
finished house, and while the rain
beat in upon me, many people looked
and wondered at the stranger"
The MethOdists later held services
in the "Old Union Chapel" which is
said to have been built about 1850,
and with brick brought from Eng
land. This "Old Union Chapel" stood
on a knoll in what is now the West
minister cemetery, and was used by
the different denominations. After
the Battle of Gettysburg it was used
as a hospital, it remained until 1891,
in which year it was torn down.
The eccentric Lorenzo Dow preach
ed about eleven times in this "Old
Union Chapel" holding a service at
four o'clock i'm the morning, and at
another time he called the people to
repentance, by cOncealing man in
the Chapel, who at the proper time
blew a trumpet in imitation of the
Angel Gabriel
In 1889 a regular church organiza-
ton was effected, and in the same
year the first Methodist Episcopal
church was built, on the site of the
present edifce. The site is part of
the tract known as THE Resurvey of
Timber Ridge
The Board of Trustees became a
corporate body in the month of May,
1916, entitled "The Trustees of Cen
tenary Chapel" John McCollum,
Samuel H. Swormstead, David Weav-
er, Horatio Price, Hezekiah Crout,
Alfred Troxel, Clotworthy Birnie,
Levi Shreeve and James Keefer COM
posed this Board.
\ In 1865 the Parsonage was built
opposite the Church, mainly through
the generosity of Mrs. Harriet Gist
Dorsey.
The corner stone of the present
church edifice was laid June s, 1869,
and the first sermon was preached in
the basement on October 10, 1869
The Church was dedicated on Thurs
day, January g.. 1870 The Dedica-
tory Sermon being preached that
morning by Bishop Matthew Simp-
son.
From 1889 to 1912, Westminster
was a part of the old Liberty Cir
cult, and from 1912 to 1870, it was
known as the Westminster Circuit
New Windsor being one of its ap-
pointments. In 1870, Westminster
became a station, and the balance OF
| the Circuit was known as New Wind
/ Esor.
The Trustees of the Church were
reincorporated in November 1889
the legal title became "The Trustees
of Centenary Methodist Episcopal
Church" The members of this BoarC
of Trustees were: Nathan I. Cor.
such, Thomas P. Goodwin, Henry
Bale, John T. Wampler, Samuel x
Herr, Thos Turtle, James A. Turtle
Joshua Gist and Joseph 7. Gist.
| a fine Social Hall, adjoining the
Church in the rear was built ir
1913.
The year 1919 thus marks tht
Eightieth Anniversary of the build
ing Of the first Methodist Episcopa
Church in Westminster and the Fif
tieth Anniversary of the erection o.
the present Church, and most pro.
badly the sesquicentennial year o.
Methodism in Westminster.
Trustees, George r. Gehr, Joshua
Gist, Andrew Weagley, Charles c
Gorsuch, J. Webster Ebaugh, Jesse S
Myers, Atlee w. Wampler, George L
Stocksdale, H. Peyton Gorsuch.
Stewards, Charles G. Gorsuch, A
w. Buckingham, Joseph T.. Shreeve
Robert Gist, James A. Zepp, Georgi
r. Gehr, Eli J. Butler, Jesse >. My
ers, A. @. Schlosser, Claude II. kim
mey, Daniel T.. Shipley, Reverdy N
Snader, Harry =. Starr, :. Luther
Bare, Harry MI. KINNEY, Jesse T.
Stoner.
| Church Treasurars-Harry J
! Starr, treasurer of current expenses
Joseph E. Shreeve, assistant treas
urer of current expenses, and Andrew
Weagly, treasurer of benevolences.
Superintendent of Sunday School
| AtIee W. Wampler.
President of The Woman's Foreign
Missionary Society, Mrs. Emily A
| Herr.
President Of The Ladies Aid So
ciety, Mrs. Charles Hesson.
Church Organist, Mrs. Harry M
/
KINNEY.
Sexton, Theodore Mitten-