Mercer County PAGenWeb

Greenville 

First United Methodist Church

Methodist Episcopal Church —The first class of this denomination in Greenville was organized in 1828, in a frame building on the west side, where the “red front” now stands. There were just seven members in this class: John Nelson, Lilly Nelson, Jane Nelson, John Keck, Mary Ann Keck, Father Fisher and Catherine Nelson, who afterward married John McMillen. The class was supplied by numerous itinerants from the Mercer and Salem Circuits until 1837, when Rev. J. R. Locke was appointed by the Erie Conference to take charge of Greenville, and served through 1837-38. From 1839 to 1841 Greenville and Clarksville were united as one charge, and served successive! by Revs. Keller, Crum, Vanhorn, Bassett, Plimpton and Sibley.


In 1842-43,  Rev. Thomas Stubbs was pastor of the Greenville flock, which appears as a separate charge; but in 1844 it seems to have been again united with Clarksville, with Revs. J. R. Lock [Locke] and H. Winans as preachers. In 1845 they were succeeded by Revs. J. McLean  and J. W. Klock; 1846, Revs. McLean and H. Luce; 1847-48, Revs. B. S. Hill and W.M. Bear. In 1849 the Greenville charge was once more permitted to stand alone, with Rev. G. L. Little as pastor. From that time forward the congregation has remained independent of any other, and has been under the ministry of the following pastors, in the order named: Rev. J. R. Locke, 1850; Rev. A. Hall, 1851; Rev. E. Jones, 1852; Rev, J. D. Norton, 1853-54; Rev. G. W. Chesbro, 1855; Rev. John Graham, 1856-57; Rev. J. H. Tagg, 1858-59; Rev. J. Whiteley, 1860; Rev. D. M. Rodgers, 1861; Rev. A. J. Merchant, 1862-64; Rev. W. P. Bignell, 1865-67; Rev. John O’Neal, 1868-70; Rev. J. Lytle, 1871; Rev. O. G. Mclntire, 1872-74; Rev. J. C. Schofield, 1875-77; Rev. F. H. Beck, 1878; Rev. B. M Warren, 1879-81; Rev. J. N. Fradenburg, 1882; Rev. John Peate, 1883; Rev. J. W. Blaisdell, 1884-87; and the present [1888] pastor, Rev. H. E. Johnson, who began his ministry in the latter half of 1887.

In 1830 the society removed from their temporary place of worship on the west side to a log church, 35x45, which they built on the site of the present structure. Worship was conducted in this building until 1840, when a frame edifice, yet standing, was placed in its stead. This latter building was used until 1863, when it was enlarged and repaired, in which improved condition it served as a place of worship until February 9, 1885, when the new structure was dedicated by Rev. I. C. Pershing, of Pittsburgh, Penn. Ground was broken for this building March 25, 1884, and the corner-stone laid May 30, following. It is a substantial brick, and cost $22,500. A fine pipe organ has recently been put in, and many other improvements made since the main structure was completed. The present membership of the congregation is over 600, and connected therewith is the largest Sunday-school in Mercer County, with an enrollment of about 500 pupils and teachers. U. B. Chase is superintendent, and Philip Clover, assistant superintendent.

The school has a library of 482 volumes. This congregation is in a highly prosperous condition, and under the vigorous pastorship of Dr. Johnson has had a very rapid growth. (Source: History of Mercer County, 1888, pages 424 - 425)


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