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Mercer County PAGenWeb |
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Second Presbyterian Church |
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 Second Presbyterian Church.
—This congregation, a colony from the First Presbyterian Church,
withdrew from the fold of the parent flock on the 20th day of October,
1863, the cause of the schism being the peculiar views which the pastor
of the latter church, Rev. John R.
Findley, held concerning the war, which was then waging.
The organization of the seceders was effected in the Congregational
Church, there being forty-seven members who united them selves into the
new congregation. These were: Elias
Alexander, Joseph Fleming, Henry W. Ahrend, Nancy Ahrend, Eva Baskin,
Jane Bell, Rachael B. Bell, D. W. Findley, Mary J. Findley, Samuel
Fleming, Joseph Forker, Laura C. Filson, Sarah F. Filson, D. H.
Fleming, Mrs. M. C. Fleming, John J. Graham, Mrs. Mary E. Hirst, Mrs.
Huett, Mary W. Hirst, William McMillan, R. M. Irwin, Rachael Irwin,
Robert F. Irwin, H. Irwin, Susannah Kieth,
Mrs. H. Lees, Charles
Lees, Jane Lees, Charlotte Lees, John Lees, R. L. Maxwell, Sophia D.
Maxwell, Hannah G. Morrison, Amanda M. Magoffin, Andrew Patterson, M.
M. Patterson, Nancy Templeton, Mary Templeton, Mrs. A. D. Waugh, R. M.
J. Zahniser and Lizzie
M. Zahniser. The first election of elders resulted in the
choice of Elias Alexander
and Joseph Fleming,
who were accordingly installed. The church was without a regular pastor
until March 28, 1864, when a call was extended to Rev. W. M. Robinson, who
accepted and began his pastorate in the following April, his
installation taking place June 14, at which service Rev. A. C. Junkin delivered the
accustomed sermon, Rev. J.
W. McCune the charge to the pastor and Rev. W. P. Moore the
charge to the people. For a year thereafter services were held in the
Congregational Church, and the old court-house. Efforts were, however,
being constantly made toward the erection of a suitable house of
worship, a building committee, consisting of Hon.
D. W. Findley, William B. Tate, R. M. J. Zahniser, R. M. Irwin
and William Miller,
having been appointed in February, 1805, and liberal contributions
having been made by Mrs. Amanda
Magoffin, Hon. William Stewart, Andrew Patterson and
others. The fruit of these labors was realized in the completion of the
present spacious structure, which was dedicated on the first Sunday
January, 1807, the sermon on that occasion being delivered by Rev. W. P. Moore, the resident
ministers of the town participating in the also in service. The church
cost originally $11,000, and since its erection has undergone several
expensive repairs. The ministry of Rev.
Robinson terminated in May, 1872. His successor, Rev. B. M. Kerr, was installed
September 6, 1872, and continued until August, 1877. For a period of
five years no regular pastor was employed, the services being conducted
by supplies. In September, 1882, Rev.
D. R. Kerr began his pastorate, and was installed October
13. He remained in charge until March, 1887, and in October of the same
year the present [1888] pastor, Rev.
W. E. Slemmons, began his labors, his installation taking
place December 13. The church is at present in good condition, and has
a membership of 285. Connected with it is a Sunday-school enrolling 170
pupils, of which the superintendent is James
A. Stranahan. The session of the church has comprised
since the beginning Elias
Alexander, Joseph Fleming, B. M. J. Zahniser, Joseph Junkin, John
Miller, D. M. Wood, I. N. Donaldson, S. G. Pew, S. F. Smith, C. S.
Burwell and G. T. Sykes. History of Mercer County, 1888, pages 358-359
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