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Mercer County PAGenWeb |
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First Presbyterian Church According to History of Mercer County, 1888 |
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 The First Presbyterian Church
was organized in 1804, with twenty members, The first elders chosen
consisted of Joseph Smith, Judge Alexander Browne and Adam Forker. For
two years the congregation was supplied with occasional services by
Rev. Samuel Tait, then in charge of the churches of Cool Spring and
Salem. In 1806, however, Rev. Tait was called for one-half his time,
the remainder being devoted to Cool Spring. For seven years this
arrangement continued, but in 1813 the members of the Cool Spring
Church consented to worship at Mercer, and the pastor was thus enabled
to give one-half his time again to Salem. In 1826 the Presbytery
released Mr. Tait from his connection with the Salem Church, and from
that time until his death, which occurred 2d June, 1841, he labored
exclusively for the upbuilding of the congregation of which we write.
His efforts were in a great measure successful. The earnestness and
direct inevitable logic which characterized his presentation of the
truth won many souls.
Following Mr. Tait in the pastorate came Rev. Joseph T. Smith, a son of one of the first elders. He was ordained and installed 20th April, 1842, and continued to serve with much success for seven years, at the expiration of which time he resigned and removed to Baltimore, where he was chosen pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church. Dr. Smith was moderator of the General Centennial Assembly of the Presbyterian Church that met at Philadelphia. Penn., 1888. There was then a vacancy for two years. It was terminated by the coming of Rev. Robert S. Morton, who was installed 10th September, 1851. He remained but one year, and was succeeded by Rev. Robert F. Sample, in October, 1853, who remained until May 7, 1856. The fifth pastor, Rev. John Ross Findley, was installed 29th April, 1837. His pastorate was the longest in the history of the church, and was marked by the most exciting incidents. During the stormy period of the Rebellion, and afterward, during reconstruction, party feeling ran so high as to thrust itself oven into church relations. The partisans on both sides clamored loudly against their opponents, and much turmoil and bitterness resulted. It was chiefly from this cause that the Second Presbyterian Church of Mercer was formed by a number who with drew from the parent organization. Notwithstanding the seemingly troublous experiences which the latter underwent, Mr. Findley’s pastorate was characterized by much progress and success. It is a curious fact that the most prosperous periods in the history of congregations are those immediately following what appear to be the most discouraging and disheartening trials. Rev. Reuben H. Van Pelt, the successor of Rev. Findley, who resigned in 1874, and removed to Rock Island, Ill., was called 29th June, 1874, and concluded his labors in 1876. He in turn gave way to Rev. J. Frank Stonecipher, whose pastorate extended from January 29, 1878, until April, 1882. The present [1888] pastor, Rev. J. V. Stockton, began his services October, 1882, and was installed on 14th of December, of the same year. He has met with merited appreciation. A
word may now be said of the houses of worship in which the congregation
has assembled. The first regular meeting-place was a room over the old
jail, which stood on the present site of the law office of Johnson
Pearson, Esq. Occasional services were also held in the court-room of
the old court-house. A brick house was then erected and occupied, but,
being considered unsafe, was abandoned after a short time. The present
[1888] building was built in 1829. It has been repaired several times,
and now presents the appearance of a new structure. A beautiful
parsonage has recently been completed by the congregation. Following is a list of the elders of the church since 1838: Samuel Bowman, 1836-56; Jacob Zahniser, 1840-52; John Young, 18---37*; Robert Stewart, 18---37*; Elias Alexander, 18---37* and 1849-63; G. Edward Laschell, 1840-49; John Bowman, 1836-62; Joseph Flemming, 1840-63; Samuel Giebner, 1840-87; Andrew M. Barber, 1849-61; Thomas P. Grubb, 1859-85; Samuel R. Mason, 1859-65; John D. Nickum, 1859-72; Adam Boston, 1859—88; John McKim, 1863-67; William L. Flemming, 1863-81. The present officers are— elders, Alexander McCullough, John B. Mowry, W. J. Calvin, Dr. W. B. Isenberg; treasurer, J. J. Alexander; secretary, John W. Bell; trustees, C. M. Derickson, H. H. Zeigler, John T. Crill, James B. Grubb and J. J. Alexander. *18---37 is exactly as the date is written in the book History of Mercer County, 1888, pages 357-35
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