Cumberland Presbyterian Church

The Cumberland Presbyterian congregation was organized in April, 1875, by Rev. J. M. Gallagher, of Jackson Centre, Penn. The first members of the church were C. H. Walker, N. A. Watson, C. C. Armstrong. M. L. Zahniser, Margaret E. Walker, Allie Balliett, S. S. Balliett, Alexander Brown, Elizabeth Brown, Jesse Edmund, Flora Edmund, Lilla McCormick, T. S. Sanford, I. H. Robb, Adam Niece, Ellen Niece, C. Carver, Mrs. C. Carver, Martha Porter, R. A. Long, D. J. Brown, George Kilch, Frank B. Eberman, Frank Niece, Henry Flickinger, Lydia Kilch, Robert Adams, M. A. Balliett, Joseph Infield, S. E. McMichael, Mary Infield, M. C. S. Washabaugh. Andrew George, Mary R. C. George, Mary A. Adams, S. E. Barnes,  Laura Barnes, Jane Amon, T. S. Powell, T. E. Porter, W. H. Milford, C. E. Robb, W. R. Martzall, E. D. Martzall, N. Amon, H. S. Blatt, H. M. Blatt, T. H. Fulton, Eva Fulton, C. B. Fulton, L. B. Fulton and John B. Michel. The first officers of the congregation comprised H. S. Blatt, S. S. Balliett, A. George and M. L. Zahniser, elders, and C. Carver, T. E. Porter and N. Amon, trustees. The handsome brick structure at present occupied by the congregation was erected in 1876. It is a very commodious building, 40x75 feet in dimensions, and cost $8,000. Since the organization of the church there have been three pastors in charge. The first, Rev. J. M. Norris, died in 1878, and was succeeded by Rev. P. R. Danley, who resigned in 1883, and who was followed by Rev. J. A. Bowman, called in 1884.

Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1887

(Click image to enlarge)

The Church organizations 

[of Sandy Lake Township] are seven in number including the Cumberland Presbyterian, organized in 1875 by Rev. J. Gallagher, and owner of a fine brick building, dedicated the first sabbath, in May, 1876.

History of Mercer County, 1877  

Biographies of early church members:  

M. L. Zahniser

C. B. Fulton

Under his pastorate the congregation has been increased both in faith and numbers, its membership now being 125. The present officers of the congregation are H. S. Blatt, R. D. Pringle, A. George and M. L. Zahniser, elders, and I. H. Robb, George W. Worrell and H. Rogers, trustees. Connected with church is a flourishing Sunday-school, which is superintended by Mr. A. George, assisted by Mr. W. J. Lyons, and which has an average attendance of eighty pupils, necessitating the maintenance of eight classes. The secretary and treasurer of the school is Mr. G. W. Worrell. 

from History of Mercer County, 1888, pages 462-463.