Three years before Mercer County was established (1800) from Allegheny, formerly Westmoreland, Robert Richford Roberts was organizing Methodist classes in this area, where only redmen [Native Americans] and wild animals lived and roamed.

Pioneers who trekked over the Alleghenies came armed with faith and courage and the “Word of God.”

In the beginning of the new century (1800) the minds of many were filled with the conviction that the very dawn of the Millenium [millennium] had come (Revelation XX 1-5). The spirit of revival was felt all along the frontier, stimulating the hearts of the early “church fathers”. Rev. Amos Ball, father of Amos Walton Ball, was one who plunged into the wilderness to labor and endure privations as a matter of course, to impart spiritual bread, rather than a regular system of theology.  

Ministers of both Methodist and Presbyterian denominations spent much time “following the plow” in the early days when Methodists met in homes or log schools, often without the Circuit Rider.

In 1873 worshipers who had there-to-fore attended services in the Bethel Meeting House, Stony Point District, Delaware Township, agreed to establish a church in the village of Fredonia.

It is recorded in the Mercer County Court House that on June 9, 1873, William and Lydia Simmons deeded one-fourth acre, lot 33, for $100.00 to the Fredonia Methodists on which a church was then erected.  

In 1882 William Simmons donated the plot (lots 86, 87, & 88) for the present red brick church, which was then under construction.  

Prior to the dedication, May 27, 1883, the property on lot 33 sold at public auction to William L. and Lizzie Bush of Otter Creek Township who offered the high bid of $390.00.  

The first parsonage was located on lot 79, Main Street.  

With the erection of the steeple, for which the  Hon. Phipps J. Boyd promised to pay if it were raised to a height that he could see it from his home on Route 19, Fairview Township the structure was completed.     

By arrangement with Sunday School Superintendent McCormick, Andrew Carnegie presented the first organ to the congregation.

For 40 years (from the time she was 14 years of age)  Miss Celestia Loveland (Mrs. Frank Fruit) faithfully served as organist.

The Ladies Aid, as always, was ever alert to things needed in the new and now, not so new building. 

Fredonia Methodist Church, 1976

Early Days of the 

Fredonia Methodist Church

The Methodist Church erected its edifice in 1872, it being a modest structure, 30x40.  Preaching had been done for some years previous, the name of Rev. J. H. Merchant appearing as early as 1870.  The first sermon in the new house was preached by Rev. Albert H. Kenney.  The congregation has had a steady and healthy growth.  The following is the list of pastors:

J. H. Merchant, 1870

D. A. Crowell, 1871

A. H. Kenney, 1872-73; 

F. Fair, 1874-76

J. Abbott, 1877

J. Crum, 1878-79

John Perry, 1880-81

W. H. Mossman, 1882

R. M. Bear, 1883-85

G. J. Squier, 1886 - present (1888) 

 The History of Mercer County, 1888