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The United Brethren Church was
organized in 1862 by Rev. Rufus Smith, now presiding elder at
Uniontown, Penn., with these members: Daniel Bruner, and wife, David
Mook and wife, Jonathan Peters, Charles Smith, Perry Kitchen, O.
Kitchen. The house of worship, a frame 35x40, was erected in 1865 at a
cost of over $2,000. The building committee consisted of David
Christie, William Lawson, Elijah Moore, William Moore and Daniel
Bruner. The architect was Joseph Jackson, usually called Stonewall
Jackson, of Mercer. The finishing was done by G. W. Kline.
At that time there were eighty members. In the autumn of 1887 a half
interest was given to the Presbyterians for the repairing of the house,
which cost about $1,000. In the list of pastors (incomplete) are found
the names of Charles Wheeler, Silas Casteline, Rev. Reynolds, Edward
Everett, Rev. Franklin, William Ish, Samuel Evans, Rufus Smith, Henry
Hotchkiss, D. Meeker, C. Robinson, E. Belden, Rev. Vaughn, and others.
The present [1888] membership is about fourteen. Deaths and opposition
to secret societies have depleted the
ranks.
Source: The History of
Mercer County, 1888, page 482
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United
Brethren in Christ
Rev. Rufus Smith, of the
Church of the United Brethren in Christ, commenced preaching in New
Lebanon in 1863, and shortly afterward, a church of that denomination
was established in the town, with the following members: Daniel Bruner,
and wife; David Monk and wife; Jonathan Peters; Perry Kitchen, and O.
Kitchen. The church increased very rapidly during the ensuing four
years, and in 1867, the members numbered seventy, and a building was
erected at a cost of over $2,000. A Sabbath- school was continued from
the commencement of the society until the present season. For several
years the membership of the church has been diminishing, and now [1877]
numbers but thirty-three.
Source: The History of
Mercer County, 1877, page 112
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