844 Wyoming Conference

 

CHAPTER XVI

WYOMING DISTRICT

 

Alderson, Pa.

 

After the Conference of 1888 the to-be-developed Harvey's

Lake, and Kunkle, which was taken from the Dallas charge, were

put together and constituted a charge, to which R. P. Christopher

was sent as supply. There was no organization at the Lake and no

place for holding services. The first preaching service was at the

picnic ground on the north end of the Lake, on April 22, 1888.

Services were held there for several weeks, with large congrega-

tions. Knowing that this outdoor work would be temporary, the

pastor secured the use of the Lehigh Valley passenger coaches

which lay at the Lake over Sunday. On Sunday, May 13, 1888,

the class was organized in car No. 94, with thirteen members, of

which Alfred Honeywell was made the leader. On the same Sun-

day a Sunday school was organized with thirty members. Meet-

ings were held in the cars until December 9, 1888, when the so-

ciety took possession of a building built as a schoolhouse and place

of worship. This was accomplished through the kindness of Mr.

Albert Lewis.

 

"The Methodist Episcopal Church of Alderson, Luzerne County,

Pa.," was incorporated on May 28, 1896, with George E. Morris,

A. V. Honeywell, Adam Stull, Arthur L. Stull, and G. D. Can-

field trustees.

 

On August 17, 1896, Albert Lewis and wife Lillian deeded the

society a lot containing about one half acre for $300. The lot was

valued at $1,000. On August 23, 1896, the church, which had cost

$3,100, was dedicated. Rev. O. J. Cowles, D.D., of New York,

preached morning and evening. The sum of $650 was needed and

readily raised. Rev. J. G. Eckman, D.D., conducted the dedicatory

service at the close of the evening sermon. The auditorium seats

two hundred and fifty, and the Sunday school room, which seats

one hundred, may be opened into the auditorium. At an after-

noon service addresses were made by Revs. J. W. Price and J. G.

Eckman, several adults were baptized, and a number received into

the church.

 

The parsonage was built in 1897 at a cost of $1,200.

 

The Ladies' Aid Society was organized on October 25, 1888.


 


 

Ashley, Pa. 845

 

Harvey's Lake appointment appeared in the Minutes of 1889, and

its present name was assumed in 1895.

 

Kunkle Methodism began about 1853, when the Lehman pastor

began holding meetings biweekly at the home of Conrad Kunkle.

The first class consisted of Conrad Kunkle, leader, and wife, Henry

King and wife, John King, Mrs. Steele, and Mrs. John Fisher.

The meetings were taken from Mr. Kunkle's home to the school-

house where they were continued until the building of the church.

 

"The Methodist Episcopal Church of Kunkle" was incorporated

on October 29, 1887, with Samuel R. Hess, John D. Isaacs, Gordon

C. Boice, O. L. Fisher, and James P. Fisher trustees. John D.

Isaacs was class leader ten years or more prior to his death in

1897. On April 1, 1888, Theodore F. Ryman and wife Eliza B.

W. P. Ryman and wife Charlotte M., Ruth E. and Leslie Ryman

deeded the society a lot in consideration of $1. Prior to the con-

veying of the lot the church had been built at a cost of $1,300. It

was dedicated on Wednesday, March 14, 1888, by Rev. A. H.

Tuttle, D.D. The church was repainted and a bell purchased in

1896.

 

Kunkle was with Lehman a while, subsequently with Dallas,

and put with Harvey's Lake in 1889.

 

Pastorates

 

1888, R. P. Christopher; 1889, W. E. Vandermark, J. W. Price

(each serving part of the year); 1890, J. W. Price; 1891-94,

J. Benninger; 1895-99, C. B. Henry; 1900-01, H. L. Ellsworth;

1902-03, J. C. Leacock.

 

 

Ashley, Pa.

 

Ashley goes into history as the place of many names, having

been called Skunktown, Hard Scrabble, Peestown, Hightown,

Newtown, Hendricksburg, Coalville, Nanticoke Junction, and

finally Ashley, when by petition to court the borough of Ashley

was created. This place was a part of the Hanover, subsequently

called Newport, Circuit at its formation in 1842. (See Askam.)

At that time it was called the Pees neighborhood, and the class con-

sisted of Elijah Richards, leader, and wife Louisa, Samuel and

Lydia Pees, Thomas and Maria Brown, Joseph and Sarah Barnes,

Phoebe and Deborah Williams, Christian Saums, Hannah Miller,

and Rachel Crosby.

 

In 1866 we find M. Swallow appointed to Newtown, and A. D.

Alexander in 1867. From 1868 to 1870 the place is called Hen-

dricksburg, and in 1871 Ashley appears in the Minutes.


 


 

846 Wyoming Conference

 

In the winter of 1868-69 a revival work brought "scores of the

business men of the town and whole families to God." Early in

the spring of 1869 work was commenced on a brick church, the lot

having been donated to the society by the Lehigh and Susque-

hanna Coal Company. The church, which cost $9,500, was dedi-

cated on November 11, 1869. Rev. B. I. Ives preached in the

morning from Matt, v, 16, and Rev. George Peck, D.D., in the

evening from Eccles. v, 1,2.

 

From 1866 to 1868 some adjacent places were with this society,

but in 1869 it was alone.

 

The parsonage was built in 1870, costing $3,000, and on Novem-

 

        ASHLEY CHURCH [photo]

 

ber 2 it was dedicated, a district meeting being held there at the

time.

 

In 1872 Mr. J. C. Wells, in memory of his deceased wife, Jane

Fellows Wells, presented the church with its bell.

 

In 1881 $1,200 was raised to free the society from debt.

 

After an expenditure of $2,800 in new windows, lighting, heat-

ing, and other improvements the church was reopened on Septem-

ber 26, 1884. Rev. A. Griffin preached in the morning and Rev.

J. G. Eckman at night. In 1890 the Sunday school room in the

rear of the church was built at a cost of $1,600. On August 15,

1891, the corner stone of the new front was laid by Rev. M. S.

Hard, D.D., assisted by several former pastors. After an expend-

iture of $6,000 in building the new front, refitting and furnishing

the auditorium and Sunday school room, the building was reopened

on Sunday, January 31, 1892. Rev. W. H. Pearce, D.D., preached


 


 

Askam, Pa. 847

 

in the morning and Rev. M. S. Hard, D.D., in the evening. The

sum of $1,500 was asked, and $2,881.75 was raised during the day.

Mr. J. C. Wells led the choir of this church over thirty-two

years.

 

Pastorates

 

1866, M. Swallow; 1867-69, A. D. Alexander; 1870-71, A. C.

Bowdish; 1872, J. G. Eckman; 1873-74, J. F. Wilbur; 1875-76,

W. S. Wentz; 1877-79, Jonas Underwood; 1880-82, J. F. Warner;

1883-85, M. D. Fuller; 1886-88, John Bradshaw; 1889-91, W. M.

Hiller; 1892-95, J. B. Sweet; 1896-99, S. Jay, 1900, H. H. Dresser;

1901, A. J. Van Cleft; 1902-03, H. L. Ellsworth.

 

 

ASKAM, Pa.

 

As Askam is the remnant of the Newport Circuit we give here

some facts concerning it. Rev. J. K. Peck said:

 

"The circuit and society were formed in the last century [writ-

ing in 1897], I think in 1793. In 1788 Anning Owen organized a

class on Ross Hill, near Kingston, another class in Hanover, on the

green, and another on Ruggles or Hoover Hill. These were the

pioneer classes of the whole of the old Genesee Conference. The

Hanover and Hoover Hill classes are still existent, and were a

part of the Newport Circuit. They built a small meetinghouse on

Hanover Green, and the first travehng Methodist preacher, Wil-

liam Colbert, preached in it on May 19, 1793. Until this meeting-

house was under roof the society had worshiped in private houses

and once in a gristmill. There were then no other churches of

any denomination between Baltimore and the North Pole. So

Hanover was the first church of all in this territory. It stood as

the mother of all for half a century, and was seen by my uncle,

George Peck, in 1818. I saw the outlines of the foundation, in

1887, pointed out to me by Abner Hendershot, an aged man, who

remembered a Sunday school in it when he was a small boy. The

churches now standing as historical relics were built after this

one, the old Forty Fort church having been built fourteen years

after this one. The old structure was never rebuilt. Bishop

Asbury preached in it when it was new, and just fifty years later,

in 1853, I was sent to Newport Circuit. Hanover Green and

Hoover Hill were regular appointments of mine, and not one

Methodist church had been erected on that circuit during all that

half century. The charge was my first in the Conference, and I

preached in eight schoolhouses and one Presbyterian church in

Newtown (Ashley). I remained only one year, and during the


 


 

848 Wyoming Conference

 

year I was ordered by the school officers to vacate the school-

houses. I commenced to build a church, and had it nearly done

when I left for Conference. I laid plans to build another, when

one of the lawyers in Wilkes-Barre told me to go into the school-

house and preach, whether the doors were locked or not. He drove

the school directors out of his office when they went to consult him

as to locking the schoolhouses against us. He told me if I had

any legal trouble I should come to him and he would defend me

for no fee. He was E. B. Harvey, a teacher in Wyoming Semi-

nary when I was a student there. I had an appointment at Hoover

 

        ASKAM CHURCH [photo]

 

Hill one Sunday evening, when a large congregation gathered and

found the door locked. A man named Fisher loosened a window

and put a boy inside, who pushed the bolt and opened the door.

When I arrived the congregation was seated inside, and I preached

my sermon. That was the last of the locking out.

 

"I went on with the church building, procured the deed, wrote

it myself, got the owner and his wife to sign it, and recorded it in

Wilkes-Barre, and it holds the coal under it yet. It is the Wan-

amie church.

 

"The people of the circuit had been supplied from Wilkes-Barre

nearly fifty years from the time that Colbert, Asbury, Owen, and


 


 

Askam, Pa. 849

 

Cook founded the classes. Uncle George preached on Hoover

Hill when I was a young man, and stationed in Wyoming, as long

ago as 1818. I heard David A. Shepard preach on the Green in

1845. I was not a preacher then, but marched with the soldiers

and carried a musket, and fired shots over the grave of the de-

ceased, because he was a soldier and fought in the Wyoming

battle and escaped the massacre. He was the grandfather of Mrs.

Safford, whom you know.

 

"When I was preaching on the charge Priscilla Lee was one

of my members. She afterward became the wife of Hon. Ziba

Bennett, and was one of the noblest of all noble women in the

whole country.

 

"Three men who are immortal in history escaped the massacre

and settled on that charge, built houses and reared their families —

Richard Inman, in whose house Asbury preached. He it was who

shot the Indian, in the deathly pursuit on the bloody day, and

saved the life of Rufus Bennett. Rufus Bennett settled there and

built his log house, which is still standing with its logs and stone

chimney and hearthstone. It stood when I was on the charge last

within a dozen rods of my residence. Blackman, Inman, and

Bennett died and left their descendants on the soil of Hanover."

 

This circuit included Peestown, Hoover Hill, Hanover, Nanti-

coke, Lutzville, Mountain Top, Alden, Wanamie, and Glen Lyon.

It was first supplied from Wyoming Circuit and subsequently was

with Wilkes-Barre as Newport Mission, receiving aid from the

Missionary Society until 1853.

 

Another writer says that Anning Owen formed the class at

Hanover Green in 1790. The class included Ashbel and Joseph

Waller, John How, Abram Adams, with a number of women.

Ashbel Waller was the first class leader, and subsequently became

a local preacher.

 

Another historian records the following: Askam used to be

known as Hanover Center. The society was organized in 1820,

in an old log schoolhouse on Hoover Hill, on the Middle road, a

little northwest of Plumbton. The first class leader was Nathan

Carey, and the early members of the class were Sarah Carey,

Sally Bennett, Harvey and Celestia Holcomb, Elsie and William

Askam, Catharine, Angeline, and Lorenzo Ruggles, Sarah Black-

man, Ruth Ann Eggleston, Sarah Downing, Ehsha Blackman,

Lovinia Smiley, Mary Ann Carey, Joseph, Sarah, and Margaret

Steele, Elizabeth and Joseph Inman, and Lucinda Marcy.

 

In 1861 the society built a wooden church 28x36, costing $500.

 

The site for the present church was a gift to the society. The


 


 

850 Wyoming Conference

 

church, which cost $4,000, was dedicated by Bishop Foss on April

4, 1889, nearly one hundred years after the dedication of the first

church of any denomination in northeastern Pennsylvania, the old

Hanover church. The building was extensively repaired in 1900,

at a cost of $1,200.

 

The parsonage was built in 1893, at a cost of $1,000.

 

Wanamie was with Hanover, or Askam, until 1886.

 

        SUGAR NOTCH CHURCH [photo]

 

From the opening of the Sugar Notch mines in 1860 there was

occasional preaching by Methodist preachers in the schoolhouse

until 1878, when the Ashley pastor formed a class with William

Vance and Thomas Prisk as leaders. The class included Mrs.

Vance, Mrs. H. Floyd, Mrs. I. Hoskins, George Lewis and wife,

Noah Pursell and wife, John Fowler and wife, William Carpenter

and wife, William Reese and wife, James Thomas and wife,

William Netherton and wife, Thomas Fulton, and Earnest Floyd.

Public services were held in the hall over Conyngham's store.

 

The society was with Ashley, subsequently with Mountain Top,

and in 1886 became a part of Askam charge.

 

The site for the church was given the society, and the church,

which cost $4,000, was dedicated by Bishop Foss on June 7, 1889.

 

Pastorates

 

Hanover: 1842, Epenetus Owen; 1843, Thomas Wilcox.

 

Newport Mission (the circuit): 1846, G. B. Cooper; 1847, J. D.

Safford; 1848, T. D. Walker; 1849, Z. S. Kellogg; 1850-52, O. F.

Morse; 1853, J. K. Peck; 1854-55, F. Illman; 1856-57, Erastus


 


 

Avoca, Pa. 851

 

Smith; 1858, Melville Smith; 1859-60, W. Keatley; 1861, J. La

Bar; 1862-63, A. J. Van Cleft; 1864-65, M. Swallow; 1866, George

Pritchett; 1867-68, R. Hiorns; 1869, O. M. Martin; 1870-71,

F. A. King; 1872, J. Madison; 1873, J. H. Paddock.

 

Hanover until 1889, when it took the name of Askam: 1874-76,

J. R. Wagner; 1877-78, F. A. Dony; 1879-80, J. B. Davis; 1881-

82, P. Houck; 1883-85, Jonas Underwood; 1886-89, J- K. Peck;

1890-91, L. E. Van Hoesen; 1892, A. Schofield; 1893-94, F. N.

Smith; 1895-96, W. S. Wilcox; 1897-99, N. J. Hawley; 1900-02,

J. R. Wagner; 1903, J. N. Bailey.

 

 

AVOCA, Pa.

 

Avoca formerly called Pleasant Valley, was an afternoon ap-

pointment on the Lackawanna charge a few years before it be-

came a charge in 1880, when the charge was called Pleasant Valley

and Hughestown.

 

A chapel was built in Pleasant Valley in 1878 and dedicated on

December 8, 1878, by Rev. A. Griffin. About the same time a

 

        AVOCA CHURCH AND PARSONAGE [photo]

 

chapel was built at Hughestown. This was disposed of in 1881,

and Pleasant Valley constituted the charge. The name was

changed to Avoca in 1889.

 

The parsonage was built in 1881, costing $900.

 

In 1890 the church was enlarged to 35x56 feet utilizing the

old chapel in the new building. The audience room seats three

hundred and sixty and has a gallery which seats one hundred. A

steam-heating plant was installed which heats both church and


 


 

852 Wyoming Conference

 

parsonage. These with other improvements cost $2,600, $1,600

of which was raised on the day of reopening. May 8, 1890. Rev.

W. L. Phillips, D.D., preached in the morning and Rev. J. R.

Angel in the evening, after a praise service conducted by Rev.

W. B. Westlake. In 1895 a bell was purchased and flagstone

walks laid. In 1903 $725 was expended in a steel ceiling, decora-

ting, new carpets, and the installation of electric lights.

 

"The Methodist Episcopal Church of Pleasant Valley and

Hughestown" was incorporated on June 12, 1880, with George W.

Shales, Courtland E. Rolles, William H. Hollister, Henry Chap-

man, Charles W. Mattheson, Charles Hine, and Jacob W. Welter

trustees. On March 24, 1882, R. W. Lacoe, Jeremiah B. Shiffer

and wife Almeda B. deeded the society, for $150, the lot upon

which the chapel and parsonage were built.

 

Most of the pastors have seen accessions by revival work. How-

ever, the revival of 1888-89, in which over one hundred were con-

verted, is the most extensive revival in the history of the church.

 

Pastorates

 

1880-81, C. H. Sackett; 1882-83, G. C. Lewis; 1884-85, W. W.

Smith; 1886, E. L. Santee; 1887, S. Elwell; 1888-92, F. P. Doty;

1893-94, G. T. Price; 1895, J. R. Wagner; 1896-98, L. E. Van

Hoesen; 1899-1901, R. M. Pascoe; 1902-03, D. L. McDonald.

 

 

Carverton, Pa.

 

Documentary evidence concerning this charge is somewhat

meager. This territory was first in the Northmoreland Circuit,

then in the Lehman Circuit, subsequently in the Truxville Circuit,

which included the territory now in Carverton, Dallas, Truxville,

and part of Northmoreland.

 

"In 1799 a class of forty members was organized at this place

[Harris Hill]. Prior to this, however, Gilbert Carpenter, an

earnest and successful local preacher, had a regular appointment

here. David Stevens was the first traveling preacher to visit the

place. Charles Harris, 'Father Harris,' was one of the first fruits

of Methodism in this place. He lived to be over ninety years of

age, a happy, highly respected, and greatly loved old man."

 

The church at Carverton was built in 1854, upon a piece of

land containing forty perches, deeded to the society by Rufus

Carver and wife Nancy in consideration of $25. The trustees at

the time were Samuel C. Durland, Hiram Harris, Elisha Harris,

Jacob Heft, George Frantz, Solomon Frantz, William Frantz,


 


 

Carverton, Pa. 853

 

David A. Reeve, and Samuel Jackson. On April 7, 1860, Rufus

Carver and wife deeded the society ninety-four perches of land

for $25. A parsonage was built on this lot the same season, cost-

ing $900, which was rebuilt in 1883 at an expense of $500.

 

"The Methodist Episcopal Church of Carverton" became in-

corporated on November 1, 1866, with Horatio Mulford, John

Hay, David Reeves, Samuel Honeywell, George Frantz, Miller

Montanye, and Samuel Jackson as trustees.

 

Mount Zion church is in Exeter township. This society was

formed from parts of two societies or classes, Sutton's Creek and

the Old Red Schoolhouse district. The first class leader and

Sunday school superintendent was Levi C. Lewis. The society

worshiped in the schoolhouse at Mount Zion until the building

of the church in 1851. On January 25, 1851, Valentine De Witt

deeded the trustees, Levi C. Lewis, Isaac Stephens, and Eri Wil-

son, the site, containing forty-nine perches, for $1. The corporate

name of the society is "Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal

Church in Exeter." On February 19 of the same year the trustees

entered into a contract with Levi C. Lewis to build a church "in

as good a style as the Truxville meetinghouse." The building was

finished November 1, and cost about $1,000. It was dedicated by

Rev. D. A. Shepard. The amount was pledged in subscriptions,

and the contractor took the pledges in settlement.

 

Orange. That Methodism began here at an early date may be

seen from the following: On May 10, 1837, Almanzo Rogers

and wife Sarah, in consideration of $1, deeded to Oliver Lewis,

Benjamin Chandler, John C. Winters, Henry Isakwish, Almanzo

Rogers, and Daniel Bodle, "trustees of the Union meetinghouse of

the Methodist Episcopal Church," forty-two perches of land

"south of the meetinghouse." This lot was for a cemetery. In

April, 1839, twenty-five rods more were purchased of Mr. Rogers

for $2, and on December 16, 1882, a strip fourteen feet wide

adjoining the above was purchased of William Heisler for $1.

 

The present church is located in the center of the village, on a

lot adjoining the store and post office. The corner stone was laid

on June 1, 1893, by Rev. J. G. Eckman. The church, which cost

$3,200, was dedicated on Wednesday, December 27, 1893. Rev.

J. R. Boyle, D.D., preached in the morning and Rev. J. F. Williams

in the afternoon. Rev. J. G. Eckman managed the finances and

conducted the dedicatory services. During the day $980 was

raised. At the time this church was built the society purposed sell-

ing the old church and lot and using the proceeds in building sheds.


 


 

854 Wyoming Conference

 

This society was once called Union and was a part of North-

moreland Circuit until 1872, when it became a part of Carverton

charge.

 

Extensive revivals occurred in 1873-74, 1879-80, 1881-82,

1885-87.

 

Pastorates

 

1860, C. L. Rice; 1861-62, J. W. Hunger; 1863, Y. C. Smith;

1864-65, A. J. Van Cleft; 1866-68, J. La Bar; 1869-71, J. Madison;

1872-74, Isaac Austin; 1875-77, S. Elwell; 1878-80, F. A. King;

1881-82, G. C. Lyman; 1883-84, D. A. Sanford; 1885-87, C. H.

Sackett; 1888-89, H. G. Harned; 1890-93, L. C. Murdock; 1894-

97, A. Wrigley; 1898-1902, Clark Callendar; 1903, C. E. Sweet.

 

 

Centermoreland, Pa.

 

The territory of this charge was reached by the preachers of

Wyoming as early as 1818. "The class at Centermoreland was

organized before 1820, and included members of the Brown, Pace,

Hallstead, Vincent, Snyder, and Weld families. The class met

for some time at the homes of different members, and the preach-

ing services were usually held during the week. The first Sunday

service was at the home of Mr. Pace in 1819. The first church

was built and dedicated in 1829." It became too small and was

sold and removed, and is now used as one of the public school-

rooms for primary work. The present church was dedicated on

Thursday, February 17, 1870, Rev. D. C. Olmstead preaching in

the morning and the Rev. George Landon in the evening. The

building cost $3,000, $1,000 of which was raised on the day of

dedication. Prominent among the workers at this time were Levi

Howell, Theodore Smith, S. G. Smith, George Perrin, Joshua

Griffin, and William Thompson. In 1889 $500 was expended in

building a tower, purchasing a bell, and painting the church, and

in 1896 $650 was spent in building and fitting up the basement.

 

The parsonage property was purchased in 1840, and comprised

quite a number of acres. Land has been sold off so that now there

are about two acres in the parsonage property. The parsonage

burned in 1860, and a new one was built in 1861. In 1899 $250

was spent in repairing it.

 

This charge was known as Northmoreland from its formation

in 1841 until 1890, when its name was changed to Centermoreland.

Mrs. J. D. Safford, whose husband was one of the preachers on

the circuit in 1848, says: "Northmoreland Circuit included all

the charges from Union to Tunkhannock, twenty-two appoint-


 


 

Centermoreland, Pa. 855

 

ments, one hundred miles around the circuit. I only saw him

[her husband] one day each month unless I went along. So we

almost lived in our carriage. He used to say, 'This is all the

home we've got, and it's all the home we want in this world.'"

In 1860 the circuit comprised Northmoreland, Union (Orange),

Eaton, Thurston Hollow, Dymond Hollow, Green Woods, Monroe

(Beaumont), Phenix, Marsh Creek, and Bowman's Creek. Sub-

sequently classes were formed at Michigan and Lake. In 1872

the Union class was transferred to Carverton, and in 1882 Thurs-

ton Hollow to Eaton. In 1892 Noxen was taken up, and later

StuU and Exeter, and in 1896 De Munds. The charge now has

the following appointments: Centermoreland, Beaumont, Vernon,

Dymond Hollow (Lockville), and De Munds.

 

Dymond Hollow is located in the town of Exeter. It is claimed

that the itinerant preacher found his way to this place as early as

1800. It is very probable that work was commenced here about

the same time it was at Centermoreland. Joseph Whitlock, an

old settler, was the first class leader, and meetings were held in

his house.

 

After the schoolhouse was built the services were transferred to

it. The coming of some Protestant Methodists into the neigh-

borhood created an amount of friction, which led, at last, to the

erection of a church by the Episcopal Methodists in 1835. The

present church was built in 1869, and dedicated on Saturday,

November 27, of that year, by Rev. D. C. Olmstead. Andrew

Montanye, Enoch Whitlock, and John Dymond constituted the

building committee.

 

Beaumont. The class at this point owns a quarter share in the

Union church. Notwithstanding this fact, the society purchased

the present church lot in 1866. O. C. Orcutt, S. J. Clark, Amos

Jackson, Elijah Lewis, Will Carle, W. F. Clark, E. W. Parrish,

Abram Frear, S. J. Howell, and J. W. Brown being prime movers

in the project. This lot lay idle until the building of the church,

which cost $1,600. It was dedicated on Sunday, May 28, 1893,

Rev. J. G. Eckman preaching in the morning and Rev. J. F.

Williams in the evening. Between two and three hundred dollars

was raised on the day of dedication.

 

Vernon. This class was formed before 1860, and was called

Green Woods. Meetings were first held here by a local preacher,

Samuel Harrison. William Moore was the first class leader. The

society worshiped in the schoolhouse until the church was built


 


 

856 Wyoming Conference

 

in 1874-75. The church cost $2,500, and was dedicated on

Wednesday, January 13, 1875. Rev. J. K. Peck preached in the

morning and Rev. Luther Peck in the evening, $800 being raised

during the day. Prominent among the promoters of the enter-

prise were Thomas Pinder, Jacob Weaver, George Waters, and

Henry Webb.

 

De Munds was once on the Carverton charge, but was dropped

in 1882. Meetings were held here by the Protestant and Free

Methodists, but no class farmed by either. In 1896 the Center-

moreland pastor organized a class here, which gives promise of

great usefulness. Services are held in the schoolhouse.

 

In 1887 one hundred and ninety-five conversions occurred on

the circuit. Other ingatherings have been experienced, but this

was the most extensive.

 

Pastorates

 

1841, King Elwell; 1842, J. O. Boswell; 1843, J. O. Boswell,

Lewis Brown; 1844, John Mulkey, J. B. Cooper; 1845, John

Mulkey, George P. Porter; 1846, _____; 1847, E. Smith; 1848,

J. Young, J. D. Safford; 1849, C. E. Taylor; 1850, C. E. Taylor,

F. S. Chubbuck; 1851, A. Bronson, A. H. Schoonmaker, O. F.

Morse; 1852, S. Wells; 1853, F. S. Chubbuck; 1854, C. L. Rice,

S. S. Kennedy; 1855, C. L. Rice; 1856-57, J. La Bar; 1858, D.

Personeus; 1859-60, P. Holbrook; 1861-62, J. S. Lewis; 1863,

T. D. Swartz; 1864, _____; 1865, J. G. Eckman; 1866, Isaac

Austin; 1867-68, George Greenfield; 1869-71, A. J. Arnold; 1872-

74, S. E. Walworth; 1875-77, W. Shelp; 1878-79, Isaac Austin;

1880-81, W. Keatley; 1882-83, W. H. Gavitt; 1884, R. J. Kellogg;

1885-86, J. B. Santee; 1887-89, G. F. Ace; 1890-91, J. R. Allen;

1892-93, W. R. Cochrane; 1894-96, J. W. Price; 1897-98, J. N.

Bailey; 1899-1903, Frank James.

 

 

Clark's Summit, Pa.

 

During the summer of 1890 a Sunday school was organized at

Clark's Summit, the first record of which bears date of September

7, 1890, and gives the election of Mrs. Belle Perkins, superintend-

ent; Asa Nichols, assistant superintendent; Charles Singer

secretary; Mrs. Etta Beemer, organist; Miss Lydia Perkins,

assistant; and Mrs. Ellen King, treasurer. There were six classes

and a total attendance of forty-one. The school was held in the

reading room of the hotel, the building not being in use at that

time. During the following winter preaching services were held


 


 

Clark's Summit, Pa. 857

 

in the same room by the Waverly pastor. The place then became

a part of Waverly charge and continued until Clark's Summit

charge was formed in 1896. The school and church services were

fallen into the annex, known as the ballroom, permission being

given to partition off a portion of this room and use it for religious

work. The school grew until in December, 1891, it had one hun-

dred and five members. Preaching services were held on Sun-

 

        CLARK’S SUMMIT CHURCH [photo]

 

day afternoons, the Methodist and Baptist pastors of Waverly

alternating.

 

The necessity of a church building soon became apparent. A

meeting was held on September 8, 1891. However, some work

had been done prior to the meeting. M. E. Clifford presided and

George Ludlow acted as clerk. Through the pastor lot 157 on

Patrick and Powell's plot was given to the society for $1 by B. F.

Evans, through his attorney in fact, H. N. Patrick. The gift was

gladly accepted. M. M. Hufford was asked to submit plans for a

building to cost from $800 to $1,200. At a meeting held on Sep-

tember 22 W. M. Atherton was elected treasurer, a plan for the

building selected, and a resolution passed to build at once, pur-

chasing the lumber of M. M. Hufford. As a number desired to


 


 

858 Wyoming Conference

 

contribute labor, the building was erected by days' work under

the supervision of Mr. Hufford. The church cost $1,272, and

was dedicated on January 14, 1892. Rev. Mr. Perry, of the

Baptist church, preached in the afternoon, and Rev. M. S. Hard,

D.D., in the evening. A total of $204 was raised during the day.

The dedication was followed by a revival which greatly strength-

ened the society.

 

On November 28, 1892, the Ladies' Aid Society purchased a

lot adjoining the church lot of B. F. Evans for $115. Church

sheds were built upon this lot costing $125.

 

The society became incorporated as "The Clark's Summit

Methodist Episcopal Church" on January 2, 1893, with M. E.

Clifford, Sylvester H. Isby, George L. Coon, John B. Riker, and

William Atherton trustees.

 

The society grew so that in 1894 the church was too small. On

September 6, 1894, two lots directly opposite the church were

purchased for $275. The corner stone for the present church was

laid on Thursday, October 11, 1894, by Rev. J. G. Eckman. The

church, which cost $4,791, was dedicated on Thursday, March 14,

1895. Rev. W. H. Pearce, D.D., preached in the morning, and

Rev. J. W. Webb, D.D., in the evening. After the evening sermon

Rev. J. G. Eckman conducted the dedicatory, services. During the

day $3,000 was raised.

 

On December 3, 1898, a contract was made for $1,297 to move

the sheds from the old lot to the new one and to transform the old

church into a parsonage, ready for occupancy by April 1, 1899.

 

Chinchilla. The first Methodist sermon preached in Abington

township was delivered by Rev. George Peck, in the house of

Ephraim Leach, in 1818. The members of the first class were

Gideon Ellis and wife, James Ross and wife, Ephraim Leach and

wife, John Weiss and wife, and David Silsbee.

 

Preaching was had at irregular intervals in the house of

Ephraim Leach, which stood about thirty rods south of the spot

now occupied by the church. Later the services were held in the

schoolhouse, known as the Leach's Flats schoolhouse. In 1865

this society was attached to the Clark's Green charge, and so re-

mained until 1878, when it became a part of Waverly charge, and

when Clark's Summit charge was formed it became a part of that

charge.

 

The church was built in 1868, costing from $1,200 to $1,500.

The sum of $1,150 was paid in cash, and in addition to this Giles

Leach gave all the hemlock lumber. The church was dedicated


 


 

Courtdale, Pa. 859

 

in 1868 by Rev. George Peck. The promoters of the enterprise

were Giles Leach, James Kiersted, Egbert Snyder, Charles Gernon,

Norman Leach, Isaac Leach, Nathan Bailey, and Joseph Leach.

 

"The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Chinchilla" became

incorporated on October 21, 1889, with William Streeter, Ernest

F. Snyder, and Egbert M. Leach trustees.

 

Pastorates

 

1896-98, F. W. Young; 1899-1900, C. H. Reynolds; 1901, T. R.

Warnock; 1902-03, J. S. Custard.

 

 

COURTDALE, Pa.

 

The class at Courtdale, until 1898 called Pringleville, was or-

ganized in 1884 by Rev. William Keatley, services being held in

the school building, the only convenient place available for public

worship. The work developed. A church site was donated by

Mr. George Courtright, and by the help of generous friends out-

side the borough a church was built, costing about $2,300. It

was dedicated on Sunday, February 5, 1888, at 2:30 p. m. Rev.

J. G. Eckman preached, and Rev. R. W. Van Schoick conducted

the dedicatory service. The dedication was followed by a good

revival.

 

The lot for the parsonage was contracted for on July 30, 1894,

and on January 4, 1898, George Courtright deeded the lot to the

Courtdale Methodist Episcopal Church for $350. The trustees

at the time were John W. Dodson, S. A. Dodson, James Dodson,

Frank Hawley, and William Courtright. The parsonage was

built in 1899 at a cost of $1,500. In 1900 the debt of $1,000 was

reduced to $230, and $200 spent in furnishing the parsonage.

 

The Ladies' Aid Society has been an important factor in the

church work here. It has paid heavily on the pastor's salary,

bought the bell, at $82, carpet, which cost $70, took $200 toward

building the church, paid $100 toward the parsonage lot, and

several minor improvements have been made by it.

 

From the formation of the class until 1887 this society was with

Larksville, and from 1887 to 1898 it was served by students from

Wyoming Seminary as follows: 1887-88, R. W. Lowry; 1889-

90, William Smith; 1891-92, E. G. Heal; 1893, William Keatley;

1894, E. G. Heal; 1895-97, R. H. Reidy; 1898, A. H. Whitaker.

In 1899 Courtdale and Larksville were joined together.

 

Larksville. It is difficult to get at the beginnings of Methodism

in this place. The class was at one time a part of Plymouth Cir-

 

 

 

860 Wyoming Conference

 

cuit. Subsequently it is claimed to have been supplied by a trio

of Wyoming Seminary students — Roe, Ramsay, and J. F. Wil-

liams. The first church, which cost about $4,000, was dedicated

in February, 1872. At this time the class formed a part of Kings-

ton charge. The burning of the Kingston church on February

10, 1872, forced the Kingston people to withhold the support

which had been promised to the Larksville people. The little class

was hopelessly involved in debt and the church was finally sold at

sheriff's sale and fell into the hands of the Christian denomination,

who now occupy it. After this loss the society held services in the

schoolhouse, the Presbyterian church, and the homes of the people.

In 1884, Larksville appears among the appointments, with William

Keatley as pastor. The society was encouraged, and in 1886 built

the present church, which cost $1,300, and in 1887 spent $500 in

improvements. The society has purchased a new lot and work

has been begun on a foundation for a new church.

 

Larksville was supplied largely with students from the semi-

nary until Courtdale charge was formed in 1899, when Larksville

became a part of it: 1884-86, William Keatley; 1887, H. L. Ells-

worth; 1888, G. E. Van Woert; 1889-90, F. N. Smith; 1891-92,

M. V. Williams; 1893, B. R. Hanton; 1894, G. N. Underwood;

189s, W. H. Decker; 1896, Floyd Leach; 1897, C. L. Hand;

1898, L L. Snyder.

 

Pastorates

 

1899, E. L. Sabin; 1900-01, G. C. Jacobs; 1902-03, H. A.

Greene.

 

 

Dallas, Pa.

 

Dallas was a part of Wyoming Circuit in 1818, and the following

picture is of the Kunkle house, in which meetings were regularly

held in those days. The house was standing, in 1896, on the main

road from Dallas to Northmoreland, and about one half mile from

the Dallas church. Philip Kunkle was from Connecticut, and was

the class leader. He bore the reputation of a saint. Subsequently

services were held in a log schoolhouse situated on the same lot

now occupied by the Dallas schoolhouse. About 1829 a school-

house was built by William Honeywell and others on ground later

occupied by a schoolhouse known as the Goss schoolhouse, on the

north side of Dallas borough. After this schoolhouse was erected

services were usually held in it by both Episcopal and Protestant

Methodists.

 

The first church was built in 1854, on a site which was given

the society by Henry King and wife Margaret, the deed being


 

 

 

Dallas, Pa. 861

 

executed on November 1, 1854, and was on the road leading from

Dallas to Harvey's Lake. The trustees at the time were William

Honeywell, Abraham Ryman, Simon Spencer, Richard S. Ryman,

 

        KUNKLE HOUSE, DALLAS [photo]

 

William C. Roushey, Christian Rice, and Jacob Rice, 2d. After

the building of the present church this property was sold and con-

verted into a broom factory. It is now called "Sunset Hall" and

rented to summer boarders.

 

        DALLAS CHURCH AND PARSONAGE [photo]

 

The present church was built in 1889, and was dedicated on

June 5 of that year by Bishop Foss. It is situated on the north

side of the village on the brow of a little hill, on the Bowman's


 


 

862 Wyoming Conference

 

Creek road, overlooking the village. The lot was bought of Mrs.

Almira Kirkendall for $700. The church cost $11,300. Mrs.

Lynd, of Scranton, raised $600 among Scranton friends to further

the project.

 

In 1902 a pipe organ was purchased, and in 1903 $700 was ex-

pended in improving the church and parsonage.

 

The first parsonage was bought in 1883 for $1,800, and was sit-

uated next to the public school building. The present parsonage,

beside the church, was built in 1891 at a cost of $2,500. The old

parsonage was sold and proceeds used in building this one.

 

In 1890 the society raised $1,650 to liquidate the indebtedness

on the church.

 

This society was first on the Wyoming Circuit, and subsequently

on the Northmoreland and Carverton Circuits, and was on the

Lehman Circuit when it was taken off in 1882 and made an

appointment. Kunkle was with Dallas prior to being put with

Alderson.

 

Pastorates

 

1882, E. L. Santee; 1883-84, G. C. Lyman; 1885-87, S. J.

Austin; 1888-89, F- Gendall; 1890, J. B. Cook; 1891-92, Jonas

Underwood; 1893, J. F. Williams; 1894-97, W. B. Westlake;

1898, G. T. Price; 1899-1902, F. W. Young; 1903, David Evans.

W. B. Westlake died in the fall of 1897, and the year was filled

out by G. C. Lyman.

 

 

DORRANCETON, Pa.

 

Dorranceton society is the outgrowth of a Sunday school work

which was organized in 1890. The use of the public school build-

ing was granted for Friday nights and Sundays, but no revival

services were to be held. Mr. Noah Pettebone was the first su-

perintendent. In 1891 the school was taken to a newly constructed

hall over Vaughn's store, where the school remained until going

into the church. The school was a union school for some time,

other denominations being recognized in the election of officers.

While in the school building and hall preaching services were

held, and at one time a plan was outlined by which various sur-

rounding Methodists and Presbyterian pastors officiated. During

these years the Methodists held cottage prayer meetings, and the

Methodist element in the community gradually strengthened.

 

About 1893 the official board of the Kingston Methodist Epis-

copal Church began canvassing the advisability of buying a lot at

Dorranceton and fathering a church project. Shortly after this

Mrs. Van Loon, of Kingston, offered to give $1,000 toward build-


 


 

Eaton, Pa. 863

 

ing a church here, providing she might have interest on the money

during her life. This proposition gave life to the project. A com-

mittee was appointed to solicit subscriptions, and a building

committee was also appointed. Mr. G. L. Marcy made plans for a

building. On November 18, 1896, Mr. Marcy laid out the church

and drove the first stake, and on January 7, 1897, the corner stone

was laid, the services being held in Vaughn's hall. Rev. W. H.

Pearce, D.D., made the address, and Rev. J. G. Eckman, D.D., laid

the stone. The church was dedicated on June 6, 1897. The build-

ing cost about $2,000 and lots $1,000. The dedicatory sermon was

delivered by Rev. C. E. Mogg, D.D. On Christmas Eve, 1901,

the last of the church debt was paid and the mortgage publicly

burned. That evening, about midnight, a brother stood upon the

entrance steps and thrice sang the doxology.

 

The growth of the place and society made it advisable to enlarge

the church. The corner stone of the enlarged building was laid

on Wednesday, July 1, 1903, the addresses being made by Mr.

G. K. Powell and Rev. A. Griffin, D.D. The new church will be

thoroughly modern, and will cost about $11,000. It is nearing

completion as this book goes to press.

 

Pastorates

 

1898-99, W. I. Andrews; 1900-01, G. S. Connell; 1902-03, S.

Jay.

 

 

Eaton, Pa.

 

Eatonville is the center of Eaton township and about two miles

from Tunkhannock. Prior to 1881 the churchgoing population of

the place were largely Baptists. Some, however, had moved into

the community who were Methodists and formed a nucleus for a

Methodist church. The church at Eatonville was dedicated on

September 18, 1881, at 2 p. m., by Rev. Austin Griffin. Mrs. W.

Dana, Charles Jayne, Edward Jayne, and D. Herman were the

moving spirits in the enterprise.

 

The parsonage was built in 1895, costing $800, though not com-

pleted. In 1896 some plastering was done and the grounds

graded.

 

Eatonville was on the Mehoopany Circuit some time, and from

1881 to 1886 was with Tunkhannock. Rev. G. M. Chamberlain

acted as pastor at Eatonville in 1886. In 1887 the circuit was

formed by adding Union Hill and Sugar Hollow from the Me-

hoopany Circuit, and Thurston Hollow and South Eaton from

Centermoreland Circuit to Eatonville. There is but one church


 


 

864 Wyoming Conference

 

on the circuit, though at one point the class worships in a Baptist

church. No definite information has been secured concerning the

origin or history of most of these societies. Revival work from

time to time has strengthened the circuit.

 

Pastorates

 

1887-88, George Pope; 1889, J. W. Harrison; 1890, J. S.

Crompton; 1891, J. H. Perry; 1892, E. L. Davis; 1893, F. D.

Cornell; 1894, W. S. Wilcox; 1895, E. D. Cavanaugh; 1896-98,

Frank James; 1899-1900, G. A. Warburton; 1901-02, H. E.

Wheeler; 1903, A. H. Brink.

 

 

Forty Fort, Pa.

 

Bishop Asbury visited the work in Wyoming in the summer of

1807. His journal states that on Sunday, July 19, "I went to

the woods and preached, and ordained Christian and Thomas

Bowman deacons. Before I got through my discourse the rain

came on, and I made a brief finish; the people were attentive.

In the afternoon the preachers and many of the people went to

 

        OLD CHURCH, FORTY FORT [photo]

 

a barn; there were showers of rain and thunder while service

was performing. My first visit to Wyoming was in great toil and

to little purpose. I am afraid I shall have no better success now."

The woods he refers to were a grove by the old Forty Fort

church. "This was the year that church was built, and the timber

was lying about at the time Bishop Asbury was there. A stand

was prepared for the preachers under the shade. When the


 


 

Forty Fort, Pa. 865

 

bishop kneeled to pray it began to sprinkle, and William Butler

kneeled by his side and held an umbrella over him. Before he

had finished his sermon sharp lightning flashed and terrible

thunder roared. Many were alarmed and fled, but the good

bishop was calm as a summer evening. A little girl who was

brought by her mother to hear the bishop was frightened by the

thunder and lightning; observing the calmness of the good man,

she thought, 'It is religion that makes him so fearless amid the

storm.' The impressions which she received on that occasion

never left her until she found the Saviour."

 

The church was so far completed this year as to be used for

services. It was agreed that the Methodists and Presbyterians

should have the use of it alternately.

 

In 1809 a notable quarterly meeting was held at Forty Fort.

We quote an extensive account of it, as it is typical of the times:

"There was a great crowd present at the meeting on Saturday.

Hopbottom [Brooklyn], Canaan, Salem, Black Walnut, Wyalus-

ing, Huntington, Berwick, Brier Creek, and Northumberland

each contributed its share. It was feared that accommodations

could not be provided for so many. After all had been quartered

in the neighborhood that could be, Darius Williams mounted his

horse and rode up, singing, with great spirit and power:

 

        " 'I'm happy, I'm happy; O wondrous account!

        My joys are immortal; I stand on the mount;

        I gaze on my treasure and long to be there,

        With angels, my kindred, and Jesus my dear.'

 

"When he had concluded the verse he said: 'I've got a house

that will hold forty, and a heart that will hold a hundred; all who

want places follow me!' and as he rode off a large train followed

him. As the company arrived his good wife had half a barrel of

potpie smoking, which she had cooked in a large iron kettle. The

potpie, and other things on the same scale, supplied the company

with a plentiful dinner. The table was cleared away, and then

came on the singing, and praying, and shouting. The sound of

that old-fashioned quarterly prayer meeting rolled up the side of

Ross Hill and sent its echo across the river, and was reechoed

from the Wilkes-Barre Mountain. It was a holy season and a

glorious triumph. Late in the evening the men went to their

lodgings in the barn, singing and shouting, and the women spread

down beds on the floor, and when sufficiently free from excite-

ment fell asleep. On Sabbath morning the love feast was one of

the old sort. Speaking, rejoicing, singing, and shouting — each


 


 

866 Wyoming Conference

 

occupied a place. The whole mass was in a blaze, and great and

amazing was the triumph of the happy and entranced multitude.

That was one of the good old times never to be forgotten."

 

This church is kept in a good state of preservation, and is used

only occasionally for a funeral. It was one of the preaching

places on the Wyoming Circuit. For some years Forty Fort was

a part of Kingston charge.

 

Forty Fort charge was organized in 1871, and included Forty

Fort and Luzerne, the pastor living at Luzerne.

 

On December 21, 1871, John S. Pettebone, of Kingston, sold

to J. C. Tyrell, James Pettebone, and Jacob Struck, the building

committee of Forty Fort Methodist Episcopal Church, the church

 

        INTERIOR OF OLD CHURCH, FORTY FORT [photo]

 

lot for $800, on contract, the purchase price to be paid before

December 21, 1881, with interest. On December 30, 1872, he

gave the society a deed for the lot. "The Methodist Episcopal

Church of Forty Fort" was incorporated on November 20, 1872,

with Joseph Smith, Adam Heitz, John S. Pettebone, A. B. Tyrell,

S. A. Barber, and Isaac Trips trustees. The church was dedi-

cated on July 5, 1875, costing $3,200. Rev. R. Nelson, D.D.,

preached the dedicatory sermon.

 

In 1886 the lot adjoining the church was purchased of E. H.

Snowden for $1,500, the deed for which was executed on Feb-

ruary 15, 1889. A parsonage was built costing $1,603, and the

church was rebuilt at a cost of $7,926, both built the same year.

The church was dedicated on Tuesday, October 18, 1887. Rev.

William Searls, D.D., preached in the morning and Rev. A. H.


 


 

Glen Lyon, Pa. 867

 

Turtle, D.D., in the evening. A total of $4,200 was raised during

the day. During the time the church was being built the society

worshiped in the church built by the Hon. John B. Smith for the

Christians.

 

This society has had a vigorous growth.

 

        NEW CHURCH, FORTY FORT [photo]

 

Pastorates

 

1871, H. Trethowan; 1872, W. J. Hill; 1873-74, J. Madison;

1875, J. F. Wilbur; 1876, J. Underwood; 1877-79, J. La Bar;

1880-82, J. S. Lewis; 1883-85, George Greenfield; 1886-88, F. A.

Chapman; 1889-93, W. R. Netherton; 1894-95, L. E. Van

Hoesen; 1896-96J4, F. A. Chapman; 1896½-1900, E. V. Arm-

strong; 1901-03, B. P. Ripley.

 

 

Glen Lyon, Pa.

 

Before becoming an appointment in 1894 Glen Lyon formed a

part of Wanamie charge. The society first worshiped in a red

schoolhouse, located on what is now Market Street, not far from

what is known as the old Morgan property. In 1888 John Hill

and Thomas Morgan, leaders in the society, secured from the Sus-


 


 

868 Wyoming Conference

 

quehanna Coal Company, as a gift, the lot on which the church

stands, on condition that it be used solely for a place of worship

by the Methodist Episcopal Church. The church was erected in

1888 at a cost of $2,000, and dedicated on July 22, 1888, by Rev.

R. W. Van Schoick. The Rev. H. M. Crydenwise preached both

morning and evening. During the day $1,255 was raised. The

church is 30x50 feet, with a basement fitted for Sunday school

and social work.

 

The lot for the parsonage, adjoining the church, was given the

society by the Susquehanna Coal Company, and the parsonage

was built in 1901, costing $1,500. The church and parsonage are

lighted by electricity.

 

Glen Lyon was formerly called "Morgantown."

 

Pastorates

 

1894, G. M. Chamberlain; 1895, J. S. Lewis; 1896, J. H.

Brunges; 1897-98, G. S. Connell; 1899-1900, W. L Andrews;

1901-02, G. A. Warburton; 1903, J. E. Bone.

 

 

Kingston, Pa.

 

In the spring of 1788, under the labors of Anning Owen, a

revival broke out at Ross Hill, in what is now Edwardsville. The

meetings were held in the house of Captain Ebenezer Parish,

which was located just east of the present High School building.

Just after the revival Mr. Owen organized the first class in

Wyoming Valley, which included Anning Owen and wife, Mr.

Gray and wife, Stephen Baker and wife, Abram Adams, Mrs.

Wooley and Nancy Wooley; subsequently Mrs. Ruth Pierce,

Alice and Hannah Pierce, Samuel Carver and his father, Darius

Williams and wife, Ebenezer Parish and wife, Joseph Brown,

Mrs. Deborah Bedford, and Benjamin Carpenter. Speaking of

the services of those days, Mrs. Bedford said, "Father Owen

hammered away for us, and we did very well. We were all happy

in God, and not very particular."

 

The class was not recognized as an appointment until 1791,

when it became a part of the newly formed Wyoming Circuit,

where it remained until Kingston charge was created in 1840.

However, the class was visited in 1789 by Rev. Nathaniel Mills,

pastor of Newburg Circuit, and by his successor in 1790. During

1791 the first quarterly meeting was held in Captain Parish's

barn, and was "a season of great refreshing and solemn con-

sciousness of the presence of the Lord."

 

William Colbert's journal of Sunday, October 27, 1793, has the


 


 

Kingston, Pa. 869

 

following: "This morning held a love feast, preached at Squire

Myers's. Brother Paynter preached on Matt, x, 32, 33. After

him I preached from Luke xxii, 19, and administered the Lord's

Supper; Brother Owen assisted. Brothers Paynter and Turck

exhorted powerfully." Dr. Peck says these labors were within a

few rods of the site of the Methodist church and the Wyoming

Seminary. "The place is now (1860) occupied by the descend-

ants of the man Mr. Colbert frequently mentions, and calls 'my

 

        KINGSTON CHURCH [photo]

 

friend Abram Goodwin.'" On December 2 Mr. Colbert is at

Stephen Baker's, in Kingston, where he preached and Brother

Turck formed four bands. Baker lived on the old road between

Forty Fort and Wilkes-Barre, on what is now (1860) called

the Church place. This was thenceforth a place of resort and

rest for the preachers, and frequently a preaching place."

 

The first house of worship owned by the Methodists of Kings-

ton was a small building located just north of the present Main

Street school building, and called the "Class Room." In 1841

the first church was erected near the present site and facing east-

ward. It was 36x50 feet, and cost $2,300, which was fully pro-

vided for and the building "dedicated without encumbering


 


 

870 Wyoming Conference

 

debts." The building committee were Madison Myers, Thomas

Pringle, and William Hancock, who were the trustees at the time.

The site was deeded to the society on February 24, 1841, in con-

sideration of $300, by Thomas Myers and wife. About 1865 the

church was enlarged by the addition of 27 feet to its length, the

interior being remodeled at the same time. A new sexton had

been hired, and during his first day's service a fire broke out in

one of the storerooms, and the church burned to the ground on

Saturday evening, February 10, 1872. The corner stone of the

present church was laid on August 19, 1872. The building is

65x80, built of brick, and cost $56,500, including additional lot,

organ, sidewalks, etc. Prior to the day of dedication, Wednesday,

May 20, 1874, $25,000 had been raised, leaving $31,500 to be pro-

vided for on that day. Rev. W. P. Abbott preached in the morn-

ing from Rev. vi, 2, after which Rev. B. I. Ives raised $32,000.

Mr. Ives preached in the evening, and at the close of his sermon

solicited funds until a total of $35,000 was reached. Dr. Nelson

conducted the dedicatory service. The building committee at

this time were A. J. Pringle, R. Nelson, D.D., and Abram Nesbitt.

 

The presiding elder in his report of 1886 says: "Much intense

solicitude has been felt, and no small amount of fear, lest Kings-

ton Methodism would suffer serious damage before the debt was

removed. A Romish priest said but a few months ago, 'We will

have the Methodist church in Kingston before long.' They did

not get it. The work of redemption was consummated last Sab-

bath, April 2, led by the pastor, who was ably assisted by a band

of heroic, devoted brethren. The amount needed to meet the

indebtedness fully was most cheerfully contributed by the congre-

gation and friends of the church ($13,000), has been secured, and

the church is free."

 

In 1897-98 the interior of the church was extensively improved,

and a three-manual pipe organ purchased, at a total cost of

$10,000, which was fully provided for on the day of reopening.

The building committee at this time were Abram Nesbitt, P. M.

Carhart, W. P. Billings, and Rev. L. C. Murdock.

 

The parsonage was built in 1871, and cost about $6,000.

 

Larksville and Dorranceton societies are children of the Kings-

ton church.

 

The church has two perpetual policies of insurance, amount-

ing to $20,000, the gift of the late George Nesbitt.

 

The society has enjoyed a number of very gracious revival

seasons.


 


 

Lackawanna, Pa. 871

 

The charge was known as Wyoming from 1840 to 1855, and

took the name of Kingston in 1856. From 1850 to 1853 New

Troy (Wyoming) was associated with it. In 1860 Kingston

and Wyoming were united under the name of New Troy and

Kingston, and in 1861 the name was changed to Wyoming and

Kingston. In 1864 the charge was divided, since which time

each point has been a charge.

 

Forty Fort was with this charge in 1848.

 

Pastorates

 

1840-41, John B. Benham; 1842-43, L. S. Bennett, W. Reddy;

1844-45, P- G. White; 1846, F. Humphries; 1847, T. H. Pearne;

1848, E. P. WilHams, B. Hawley; 1849, H. R. Clarke; 1850, A.

Bronson, B. W. Gorham; 1851, C. H. Harvey; 1852, T. D.

Walker; 1853, T. D. Walker, L. D. Tryon; 1854, C. W. Giddings,

G. M. Peck; 1855, S. S. Kennedy; 1856, W. W. Welch; 1857,

C. Perkins; 1858, S. S. Kennedy; 1859, C. Perkins, Y. C. Smith;

1860, A. Brooks, W. J. Judd; 1861, W. J. Judd; 1862-63, L. Cole;

1864-66, B. D. Sturdevant; 1867-69, I. T. Walker; 1870-72, G. R.

Hair; 1873, H. V. Talbot; 1874-75, P. Krohn; 1876-78, H.

Wheeler; 1879-80, O. W. Scott; 1881-82, J. O. Woodruff; 1883-

84, R. W. Van Schoick; 1885-86, A. Griffin; 1887-91, J. G.

Eckman; 1892-96, H. C. McDermott; 1897-1903, L. C. Murdock.

 

 

Lackawanna, Pa.

 

"The early Methodists held their meetings, in what is now

Marcy township, in a log schoolhouse which stood on the lot

where the present schoolhouse stands, on the township line near

the brick church." It is believed a class was formed here as early

as 1815, Ebenezer and Jonathan Marcy being among the original

members.

 

In 1842 the class was a part of Pittston Circuit, and at that

time contained thirteen members. In 1843 Lackawanna appears

among the appointments, and continues until 1848, when it dis-

appears, probably becoming a part of Pittston Circuit again. In

1856 it reappears, the circuit including the Lackawanna class

and Hyde Park, and all the territory lying between.

 

Hyde Park was cut off early in the sixties, Taylorville in 1876,

Avoca in 1880, Rendham in 1891, Moosic in 1896, and Old Forge

in 1898.

 

The society at Lackawanna worshiped in the schoolhouse many

years. The site for the church and parsonage was purchased of


 


 

872 Wyoming Conference

 

Ebenezer Marcy for a nominal sum. The church, which is of

brick, is 40x60, and was built in 1852-53, costing $2,000, and was

dedicated in August, 1853. In 1875-76 $1,200 was spent in re-

pairs, the steeple being built at this time. After expending $900

for carpets, altar, pulpit furniture, and other repairs the church

was reopened on January 4, 1885, by Rev. A. Griffin, assisted by

Rev. H. H. Dresser. In 1899 $2,000 was spent in constructing

a new basement, purchasing new pews, furnace, organ, carpets.

 

        LACKAWANNA CHURCH AND PARSONAGE [photo]

 

etc. At the watch-night service of 1901 a fifteen-hundred-dol-

lar mortgage was burned.

 

This society has been familiarly called the "Brick Church"

many years. A very interesting "Twentieth Century Home Gath-

ering" service was held on Tuesday, March 5, 1901. About this

time $1,000 was raised to apply on indebtedness.

 

The parsonage was built about 1867.

 

Pastorates

 

1843, Epenetus Owen; 1844, Ira Wilcox, J. D. Safford; 1845,

E. B. Tenny; 1846, John Mulkey; 1847, J- Mulkey, Z. Kellog-g;

1848-55, with Pittston; 1856, F. Illman; 1857-58, J. S. Lewis;


 


 

Lehman, Pa. 873

 

1859-60, S. S. Barter; 1861, N. W. Everett, J. T. Crowell; 1862,

T. D. Swartz; 1863, J. S. Lewis; 1864-65, Isaac Austin; 1866-68,

R. S. Rose; 1869-71, J. C. Leacock; 1872-74, J. La Bar; 1875-76,

J. Madison; 1877-79, J- R- Wagner; 1880, N. J. Hawley; 1881-83,

S. Elwell; 1884-86, L N. Shipman; 1887-88, F. A. King; 1889-

90, J. R. Angel; 1891-94, J. L. Race; 1895-98, E. L. Santee;

1899-1900, G. F. Ace; 1901, H. A. Green; 1902-03, G. C. Jacobs.

From 1843-47 this was the old Pittston Circuit called Lacka-

wanna.

 

 

Lehman, Pa.

 

Methodism sent its preachers into this territory as early as

1824; according to Major Case, before 1820. Lehman Circuit

lies among the hills, about eleven miles from Wilkes-Barre and

ten to twelve miles east of the North Mountains, in an exception-

ally healthful locality. The circuit in early days was a part of

Wyoming Circuit, and subsequently a part of Northmoreland

Circuit (see Centermoreland), and was formed into a charge in

1852. Lehman Circuit formerly comprised much more territory

than at present. In 1867 the circuit had eleven preaching places.

Maple Grove Circuit was taken from Lehman Circuit in 1877.

 

The site for the Lehman church was purchased of William

Major for $100, and contains about one half acre. A parsonage

was built on the lot in 1852-53, costing between $1,100 and $1,200.

 

The church was built in 1856, costing $1,500, and dedicated on

Tuesday, November 25, of that year. After an expenditure of

$1,000 the church was reopened on Sunday, August 11, 1872,

Rev. A. H. Wyatt preaching from Acts v, 20. During the day

$253 was raised to fully provide for the improvements. After

spending $1,800 in enlarging and modernizing the church, pur-

chasing a bell, and building new sheds, the church was reopened

on February 24, 1893, Rev. M. S. Hard, D.D., preaching the

dedicatory sermon. Among the improvements were an alcove

for the pulpit, circular pews, which cost $300, the gift of A. D.

Hay and C. H. Major, and a commodious Sunday school room.

 

The lot for the present parsonage was purchased in 1899 from

Mrs. Charrie Worthington for $200, and a house built the same

season costing $2,000. It has modern improvements, and is an

attractive house.

 

Levi Rice is the oldest member of this society. Mrs. William

Major is superintendent of the Sunday school, and William R.

Neely the class leader.

 

The present board of stewards are: Lehman, A. D. Hay, Frank


 


 

874 Wyoming Conference

 

Searfoss, James Hildebrandt, W. R. Neeley, T. A. Brown; Ide

Town, Frank Ide, Harry Ide, Burton Ide, Ellis Ide, E. E. Allen;

Jackson, Ziba Smith, Charles Ehret, Douglass Case, and Leonidas

Case.

 

Ide Town society was organized about 1865, and is situated

three miles north of Lehman. A lot containing sixty-seven and

a half perches was purchased of Mrs. Mary Oliver, on May 18,

1893, for $100. The church and sheds cost $2,150, and the

church was dedicated on Thursday, December 7, 1893, by Rev.

J. G. Eckman. The sum of $650 was raised at the time to fully

provide for the cost. Solomon Ide, now eighty-five years of age,

is the oldest member at this point, and gave $250 toward the

enterprise. Frank Ide is the class leader. From eighty to ninety

attend class regularly, and from thirty to fifty the prayer meeting.

Adelbert Husted is the Sunday school superintendent.

 

Jackson is about four miles south of Lehman. The site for the

church was given by Wilbur Rice, and the church, costing $1,500,

was built in 1883. Toward this enterprise Ziba Smith gave $300,

Wilbur Rice $100, I. H. Hale $100, and among those who gave

smaller amounts, yet liberally, were Thomas Atkinson, James

Nelson, Major Case, and Charles Ehret. The church was re-

painted and sheds built in 1893 at a cost of $300.

 

Major Case, the oldest member at Jackson, thinks Methodism

was introduced into this section before 1820. He recalls the visit

of Rev. H. F. Rowe to the place, which occurred when he was but

a small boy. The Lameraux class was formed in the lower part

of Jackson, and subsequently the De Forest class in the upper

part of Jackson. These classes were united about the time the

church was built. There is a tradition among the older members

that Father Davey, in early days, refused admission to love feast

to those who wore feathers or jewelry. He acted as doorkeeper,

and requested such to repair to another place and remove the

evidences of worldliness.

 

This society has been visited by many very gracious and ex-

tensive revivals.

 

Ziba Smith is the Sunday school superintendent.

 

Pastorates

 

1852, C. Perkins; 1853, F. Illman, L. Cole; 1854, W. Smith;

1855-56, G. L. Griffing; 1857-58, P. Holbrook; 1859-60, J. S.

Lewis; 1861-62, J. G. Eckman; 1863-64, D. Personeus; 1865-66,


 


 

Luzerne, Pa. 875

 

G. Greenfield; 1867-68, J. C. Leacock; 1869-71, Isaac Austin;

1872, F. A. King, P. M. Mott; 1873, F- A. King, J. T. Burrall;

1874, F. A. King, C. W. Sartell; 1875, J B. Santee, I. B. Wilson;

1876, R. C. Gill, I. B. Wilson; 1877, R. C. Gill; 1878-80, D.

Larish; 1881, W. Shelp; 1882-84, C. H. Sackett; 1885, N. M.

Bailey; 1886-88, P. M. Mott; 1889-90, J. L. Race; 1891, Isaac

Jenkins; 1892-94, J. R. Wagner; 1895-97, J. Benninger; 1898,

A. Wrigley; 1899-1900, H. D. Smith; 1901, W. T. Blair; 1902,

A. David; 1903, J. Brundle.

 

 

Luzerne, Pa.

 

Luzerne was called "Mill Hollow" for some time, and it is

claimed that a class existed here as early as 1825, which met in

the old schoolhouse on the island, where meetings were held some

time. In 1873 Mill Hollow formed a part of Forty Fort charge,

meetings being held in the afternoon. In 1883 the place became

a charge and appeared in the appointments.

 

"The Methodist Episcopal Church of Mill Hollow" became in-

 

        LUZERNE CHURCH [photo]

 

 

 

corporated on February 3, 1874, with S. D. Fisk, James Thomas,

Thomas Reese, Joseph Welter, Charles Lapha, Daniel Harris,

John Matthews, John Bartholomew, and George H. Rice trustees.

The site for the church was given the society by Mrs. Sarah

S. Bennett, widow of Charles Bennett, of Wilkes-Barre, and was

deeded to the society on August 6, 1874. The church was erected

on contract by S. W. Bennett, and cost about $4,000. It was


 


 

876 Wyoming Conference

 

dedicated on July 5, 1874. Rev. R. Nelson preached in the

morning and Rev. P. Krohn in the evening. A total of $2,550

was raised during the day, enough to fully provide for the church

and $300 to apply on the parsonage lots belonging to the Forty

Fort charge. The Wyoming Trio added to the pleasure of the

day.

 

On March 16, 1884, the church was reopened, after an ex-

penditure of $4,470, in enlarging and improving the building.

Rev. H. A. Buttz preached in the morning and afternoon and

Rev. S. C. Fulton in the evening. Rev. A. Griffin had charge of

the finances. The sum of $3,200 was raised during the day. The

young people of the church gave the pulpit furniture, and the

Ladies' Aid Society the carpet. Tuesday, March 16, 1886, was

a jubilee day. Hard times had caused a shrinkage in dedicatory

subscriptions, and it was necessary to raise a deficit at this time.

Revs. R. W. Van Schoick and A. Griffin were present and made

addresses. The services closed with great rejoicing, and the debt

fully provided for.

 

The bell was purchased in 1893. The church was again re-

built in 1896, doubling the seating capacity, at a cost of $4,000.

Mr. J. L. Crawford bore one tenth of the expense, and Mrs. P.

L. Bennett, Miss Martha Bennett, Mrs. P. Pettebone, Mrs. Dick-

son, Mrs. Derr, and Mrs. R. Nelson helped liberally. The church

was reopened on January 29, 1897. Rev. W. H. Pearce, D.D.,

preached the dedicatory sermon, and Rev. J. G. Eckman, D.D.,

conducted the dedicatory service. The pipe organ was purchased

in 1899.

 

The parsonage was bought on August 24, 1886, of Michael

Lapha for $2,135. In 1888 $1,000 was raised to apply on the

parsonage debt and the balance in 1899. In the fall of 1902 the

parsonage was thoroughly modernized and a Brussels carpet laid

in the church, the whole costing $1,500.

 

In January and February, 1894, a revival swept the whole com-

munity, in which there were over two hundred conversions and

one hundred and fifty-five accessions to the church. There have

been other ingatherings, but none so extensive as this.

 

Pastorates

 

1883-85, H. B. Johnson; 1886, W. H. Turkington; 1887-88,

Jonas Underwood; 1889-93, F- A. King; 1894-95, J. F. Williams;

1896-98, J. R. Wagner; 1899-1902, W. A. Wagner; 1903, C. B.

Henry. W. A. Wagner left in the middle of 1902, and C. B.

Henry began his work soon after.


 


 

Maple Grove, Pa. 877

 

 

Maple Grove, Pa.

 

The early history of this circuit is with Lehman Circuit, of

which it formed a part prior to becoming a charge in 1877.

 

John Baird in his will directed the giving of a lot to the society

for a church. Accordingly, on January 5, 1872, in consideration

of $1, Simeon Lewis and wife Sarah deeded the society the site

for the church. The trustees at the time were W. H. Edwards,

Joel Roberts, William White, J. W. Matthews, Albert S. Steel,

Hiram Steel, Isaac B. Wilson, F. W. Kindred, Jonah R. Bron-

son. On January 24, 1873, the society became incorporated as

"The Maple Grove Methodist Episcopal Church," with the trus-

tees the same as above, with one exception — E. B. Mott took the

place of William White. The church, which cost about $2,000,

was dedicated on December 20, 1872. After expending $600 in

repairs the building was reopened on September 25, 1903, by Rev.

A. Griffin, D.D.

 

The parsonage is located at Maple Grove, and was built in

1879, costing $1,200.

 

The society is about to build a hall for public use, and some

sheds.

 

F. W. Kindred has been a trustee of this society thirty-six

years, and is still serving in that capacity.

 

Mooretown, known also as Retreat, received its building site as

a gift from Archibald Moore. The land reverts to the giver

should it at any time cease to be used by the Methodists for re-

ligious purposes. The church, which cost $2,000, and is now

valued at $1,200, was dedicated on Wednesday evening, October

20, 1875. Rev. G. R. Hair preached the dedicatory sermon, after

which the cost of the building was provided for.

 

Ruggles church is five miles southeast of Maple Grove. John

J. Shonk gave the building site, and the church, which cost $1,200,

was erected in 1874. After expending $250 in repairs the church

was reopened on December 30, 1885.

 

Loyalville, also called Chestnut Grove, is three miles south-

east of Maple Grove, and is sometimes called the Allen appoint-

ment. The church, which cost $1,400, was built on land donated

by Henry Randalls, and was dedicated in the fall of 1885. It is

now being repaired at a probable cost of $500.

 

Meeker is a schoolhouse appointment two miles east of Maple

Grove.


 


 

878 Wyoming Conference

 

Pastorates

 

1877, I. B. Wilson; 1878-80, P. Houck; 1881-83, G. W. Leach;

1884-86, G. F. Ace; 1887-88, J. W. Harrison; 1889-90, W. Raw-

lings; 1891-93, J. W. Price; 1894-97, F. D. Cornell; 1898, J. A.

Transue; 1899-1900, T. J. Vaughn; 1901-02, H. G. Harned;

1903, W. H. Craig.

 

 

Moosic, Pa.

 

Work here was organized on February 9, 1892, at the home of

Frank L. Mostello, when a Ladies' Aid Society was formed,

electing the following officers: Mrs. F. L. Mostello, president;

Mrs. George Tregellas and Mrs. M. H. Edsal, vice presidents;

Mrs. E. C. Berlew, secretary; Mrs. C. S. Snyder, assistant secre-

tary; Mrs. William Lieberheim, treasurer. This was under the

 

 

        MOOSIC CHURCH AND PARSONAGE [photo]

 

direction of the pastor of Lackawanna, who preached for a time

in the Welsh church. Being refused further use of this, cottage

prayer meetings were held at private houses until the church

was built.

 

"The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Moosic" was in-

corporated on December 19, 1892, that is, the court granted the

charter on that date, with C. D. Snyder, F. J. Schoonover, E. H.

Berlew, J. A. La Bar, William M. Westcott, Harvey Jacques,

and F. L. Mostello trustees.

 

Through the kindness of S. Judson Stark, the heirs of Samuel

Stark gave the society a lot 75x150 feet. The corner stone of the

church was laid on July 22, 1893, by Rev. J. G. Eckman, Rev.


 


 

Moosic, Pa. 879

 

W. H. Pearce mal<ing the address of the day. The church,

which cost $3,500, was dedicated on September 16, 1894. Rev.

J. G. Eckman preached in the morning. Rev. J. B. Sweet in the

afternoon, and Rev. J. H. Race in the evening. Mrs. P. Pette-

bone presented the society with the bell. One thousand dollars

was raised during the day.

 

The parsonage was built in 1899 beside the church, a strip of

land having been leased of the Spring Brook Water and Supply

Company, so as to secure room for the house. The building

cost $1,028.66 in cash, besides a great deal of labor donated by

members and friends of the church, among the latter being

several Catholics. During the year $500 was raised, and the

balance, $528.66, was borrowed. The pastor moved into the

parsonage on November 22, 1899.

 

A debt of $1,000 remained on the church, which with the

parsonage debt made a total indebtedness of $1,528.66 in the

spring of 1900. In 1900 the indebtedness was reduced to $1,080,

and in 1901 to $300.

 

Emmet Broadhead has been Sunday school superintendent and

Edward Miller class leader since the society was organized.

 

Revival work in 1898 and 1899 greatly strengthened the

society.

 

The Ladies' Aid Society has been an important factor in the

work of the church from the beginning.

 

The society formed a part of Lackawanna charge until it

became an appointment in 1896.

 

The flood of October 9 and 10, 1903, damaged the property

greatly, carrying away a large part of its lawn, and some of the

wall on the rear side of the church. It is estimated that it will

cost $2,000 to restore the property to its former condition.

 

Pastorates

 

1896, J. S. Lewis; 1897-98, John Humphrey; 1899-1902, J. N.

Bailey; 1903, W. A. Edwards. In August, 1902, J. N. Bailey

was transferred West and W. A. Edwards transferred in to take

his place.

 

 

Mountain Top, Pa.

 

Mountain Top formed a part of Newport Circuit (see Askam),

and in 1872, together with Rippletown, Stairville, and Slocum,

was formed into a circuit. In 1880 Rippletown, Stairville, and

Slocum were taken from Mountain Top and added to the

Wapwallopen charge in the Central Pennsylvania Conference.


 


 

880 Wyoming Conference

 

"The Methodist Episcopal Church of Mountain Top" became

incorporated on April 26, 1880, with Eleazer Carey, Robert H.

Nicholas, John W. Houck, Charles D. Clarke, and Daniel

Messenger trustees. The lot for the church was deeded to the

society by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company on June

28, 1881, and the lot for the parsonage on April 2, 1894. The

church was built in 1881, after one of the Church Extension

plans, and cost about $1,600. It was dedicated on Thursday,

November 24 (Thanksgiving Day), 1881. Rev. A. Griffin

preached the dedicatory sermon from Matt, xxvi, 6-13, after

which he raised $600.

 

The parsonage was erected in 1887, costing $1,000, and in the

same year the church bell was purchased and some repairs made

on the church costing $300.

 

Sugar Notch was with this charge for a while.

 

Revivals have been characteristic of almost every pastorate.

 

Pastorates

 

1872-73, J. R. Wagner; 1874, J. T. Burrall; 1875, W. Treible;

1876, J. H. Ruggles; 1877, W. Edgar; 1878, J. A. Transue; 1879,

J. Underwood; 1880-81, with Ashley; 1882, T. Harris; 1883,

W. A. Davies; 1884-86, J. W. Harrison; 1887-89, J. C. Hogan;

1890, E. W. Thomson; 1891-92, W. H. McCauley; 1893-95,

L. E. Sanford; 1896-97, P. Houck; 1898-1901, T. M. Furey;

1902-03, G. S. Connell.

 

 

Nanticoke, Pa.

 

It is believed that a class was formed here about 1812, com-

posed of David and Susan Thompson, Martha and Priscilla Lee,

Mary Miller, Richard Keithline, Hannah E. Stiles, James and

William Thompson, and Elizabeth Mills. The log houses of the

early settlers furnished a place of meeting until a log schoolhouse

was built. The class worshiped in this until the union church

was built in 1830. This church was built on the site of the

schoolhouse, the basement being used for school purposes and the

upper part for church purposes. It was 24x36, with no gallery,

and the entrance was in the rear of the building. The church

was particularly to be used by the Methodists and Presbyterians;

however, other orthodox denominations might use it at such

hours as would not interfere with the societies named. The lot

was deeded to David Thompson, James Lee, Henry Linn, Silax

Alexander, Washington Lee, and others.

 

From 1861 to 1874 inclusive the society worshiped in the


 

 


 

Nanticoke, Pa. 881

 

Presbyterian church, and in 1875 and part of 1876 in Snyder

Hall. "The Methodist Episcopal Church of Nanticoke" was

incorporated on December 13, 1875, with Thomas Hill, George

O. Williams, John Puckey, John Letcher, and Luther Curtis

trustees.

 

The site for the church was donated the society by the Susque-

hanna Coal Company, and the corner stone of the church laid in

1876 by Rev. G. R. Hair, assisted by Rev. T. C. Roskelly. In

the latter part of 1876 the basement was completed so that the

society used it for church purposes. The church was not com-

pleted until early in 1880, when it was dedicated on March 5 by

 

        NANTICOKE CHURCH [photo]

 

Bishop Thomas Bowman. The building seated four hundred

and fifty people, and cost about $4,500.

 

In 1886 $1,000 was expended in decorating and refitting the

interior of the church.

 

After an outlay of $5,000 in thoroughly modernizing the

church, recarpeting, installing electric lights, and making other

improvements, it was reopened on January 22, 1893. Rev. W. H.

Pearce, D.D., preached in the morning and Rey. M. S. Hard,

D.D., in the evening. The building, in connection with the par-

sonage, was again renovated, repaired, and decorated in 1901 at

a cost of $3,326, and was reopened on Sunday, January 5, 1902.

Rev. A. Griffin, D.D., preached in the morning and Rev. J. H.


 


 

882 Wyoming Conference

 

Bickford in the evening. A total of $1,500 was raised during

the day.

 

The parsonage was built in 1877, and enlarged in 1879, and

again in 1881 at a cost of $800.

 

In 1883 a $2,000 mortgage was paid. In raising funds for

this purpose the pastor visited a number of churches, solicited

aid, and received it liberally. In 1885 $400, and in 1886 $1,000

was paid on indebtedness.

 

This place formed a part of Newport and Hanover Circuits.

It and West Nanticoke were cut off and constituted a charge in

1875. In 1887 West Nanticoke became a charge.

 

This church was a party to one of the rare events in our

Conference history. Its pastor. Rev. D. C. Olmstead, died

October 12, 1888, and Rev. William Bixby, a superannuate

seventy-five years old, was sent to fill out the year. Such satis-

faction was given that the church asked that he be made effective

and appointed as its pastor in 1889, which was done. He did not

live, however, to complete the year, dying in December, 1889.

Rev. G. M. Peck filled out the year.

 

This church has experienced many revival seasons.

 

In 1874 Rev. G. M. Colville served this place and West Nan-

ticoke, the latter place being named in the Minutes as the

appointment.

 

Pastorates

 

1875, A. W. Hood; 1876-78, T. C. Roskelly; 1879, Levi Jenni-

son; 1880, W. Treible; 1881-83, W. J. Hill; 1884, F. Gendall;

1885-86, G. C. Lyman; 1887-88½, D. C. Olmstead; 1888½-89½,

William Bixby; 188936, balance of year, G. M. Peck; 1890-94,

George Forsyth; 1895-96, J. B. Sumner; 1897-98, C. M. Surdam;

1899-1901, J. Bradshaw; 1902-03, L. C. Floyd.

 

 

NOXEN, Pa.

 

The appointments on this charge were a part of the Center-

moreland Circuit prior to their becoming a charge in 1895. The

Noxen society had its origin in a class formed on Bowman's

Creek some time prior to 1840. In these early days the society

was ministered to by Oliver Lewis, Abraham Frear, and James

Phoenix, faithful local preachers. The first society was formed

in an old log schoolhouse, and afterward the services were moved

to the "red schoolhouse," about one and a half miles from Noxen.

In 1861 the Centermoreland pastor held services in this school-

house biweekly on a week-day evening. In 1883 the services were


 


 

Stull, Pa. 883

 

moved, by vote of the congregation, to the "little white school-

house" in Noxen. During the year a subscription was circulated

for the building of a church. The lot was purchased of David H.

Montanye for $100. The church, which cost $1,000, was dedi-

cated in December, 1886. In 1899 the church was reseated and

refurnished.

 

Revivals in 1897, 1898, and 1900 have greatly strengthened

this society.

 

Stull. Rev. James Phoenix, a local preacher, as long ago as

the seventies, used to preach in the little old schoolhouse which

stood in front of where the present school building stands.

The building was rude, without paint or plaster, and the seats

were hemlock benches. Mr. Phcenix served without remunera-

tion, and lived below Noxen, on the farm now occupied by his

son Clarence. When he became too feeble to preach the society

had no preaching from a Methodist Episcopal preacher for a

long time. The Protestant Methodists then began holding

services, first in the little old schoolhouse, then in the white

schoolhouse, and subsequently in the present schoolhouse. In

1892 the Protestant Methodist pastor. Rev. Joseph Anderson,

was not faithful to his duties, and there was no preaching at all

here for several months. In the spring of that year, through the

influence of Mrs. B. M. Stone, the Centermoreland pastor went

to Stull and preached several times. Finding that he could not

well attend to this addition to his work, he sent Mr. J. H.

Brunges, who was teaching at Centermoreland, to take care of

this work, preaching on Sundays. In the winter of that year

Rev. W. R. Cochrane conducted a revival here with good results.

 

The few members of the Noxen class who lived at Stull trans-

ferred their membership to the Stull class. These, with the new

converts, constituted the first class in Stull.

 

Through Mrs. B. M. Stone a Ladies' Aid Society was or-

ganized for the purpose of conserving the work. Some money

was raised by the society, and a desire for a church began to be

felt. This, however, was in the early part of 1892. The ladies

Jiad deposited $100 in the Rockafellow Bank of Wilkes-Barre, and

in its failure lost the $100. This somewhat discouraged the

society. After a while some more funds accumulated, part of

which was used to purchase an organ and the Bible now in use

on the pulpit. Rev. C. D. Skinner, a student at Wyoming

Seminary, served this people in 1893-94, receiving $100 per

year.


 


 

884 Wyoming Conference

 

The church was dedicated on October 29, 1899. Rev. A.

Griffin, D.D., preached in the morning from 2 Chron. vi, 18;

Rev. W. R. Cochrane in the afternoon from John iii, 13, 14; and

Rev. C. B. Henry in the evening from Mark iv, 28. The lot was

a gift from the A. Lewis Lumber Company, who built the church

and contributed largely to the success of the enterprise. The

cash outlay was $700, $117 of which was raised on the day

of dedication. The building committee consisted of Edward

Transue, Jr., Frank Britton, Charles Deubler, and William

Austin.

 

The parsonage was bought in 1898, to be paid for in install-

ments.

 

Revival work in 1895 and 1897 added strength to the society.

 

There has been a Sunday school here since early in the seven-

ties, though it did not continue through the year until 1891.

 

Pastorates

 

1895-96, John Humphrey; 1897, E. B. Singer; 1898-99, Harry

Kelly; 1900-02, A. H. Brink; 1903, P. M. Mott.

 

 

Old Forge, Pa.

 

This society formed a part of the Lackawanna charge until it

became a charge in 1898.

 

The lots for the church were secured from E. Drake, of Old

Forge, who sold the society one lot and donated the other. Mr.

Drake contributed in many ways to the success of the church

enterprise. The corner stone was laid on Friday, April 22, 1892,

at 2 p. M., by Rev. M. S. Hard, D.D. Revs. B. L Ives and L. C.

Floyd were present and made addresses. An audience of four

hundred gathered to witness the laying of the stone. The church,

which cost $3,000, was dedicated on April 22, 1897. Rev. O. L.

Severson, Ph.D., preached in the morning from Hab. iii, 19; Rev.

J. H. Race preached in the afternoon from I Cor. xi, 14; and Rev.

J. G. Eckman, D.D., preached in the evening and conducted the

dedicatory services. The sum of $859 was raised during the

day. George Safford gave the pulpit, which he made himself

out of an old historic tree.

 

The society was incorporated on November 17, 1892, with

James Blease, Frederick Cox, Henry Garbutt, Ebenezer Drake,

Patton Taylor, John A. Wood, and Isaac Addison trustees.

 

In 1901 a mine cave-in underneath the church tore down the

chimney and did considerable damage.


 


 

Parsons, Pa. 885

 

Pastorates

 

1898, R. H. Reidy; 1899-1900, S. Davis; 1901, R. H. Reidy;

1902, J. Underwood; 1903, Frank Ruch.

 

 

Parsons, Pa.

 

This society was organized on June 1, 1872, in the schoolhouse.

The class formed a part of Plains charge until it became a charge

itself in 1874. The following persons were constituted a build-

ing committee: Calvin Parsons, D. W. Kemble, John D. Colvin,

O. C. Barnard, Simon Decks, F. M. Decks, and Rev. N. J.

Hawley. On July 5, 1872, Mr. Calvin Parsons gave the

 

        PARSONS CHURCH [photo]

 

society a lot 50x100 feet on Olive Street. He also gave $1,000

toward the building fund, and presented the corner stone,

which was laid in November, 1872. The committee decided to

build a church of wood 44x60 feet, with a bell tower 10x16 feet,

and a basement of stone and brick. The contract for the base-

ment was given to Jeremiah Shiffer on July 6, and on October

14, 1872, the contract for the superstructure was given to Mark

Wilson for $3,765. The church was not completed at this time,


 


 

886 Wyoming Conference

 

but the basement was fitted up, and the society began using it for

church work in 1873.

 

"The Methodist Episcopal Church of Parsons" was incor-

porated on April 11, 1876, with John D. Colvin, Simon Deeks,

John Anderson, T. M. Smith, S. W. Franklin, and O. C. Barnard

trustees. On December 30, 1880, the society by action of court

changed its corporate name to "The Abbott Methodist Episcopal

Church of Parsons," in recognition of the fact that Rev. W. P.

Abbott was born near there. *

 

A jubilee meeting was held on January 29, 1882, over can-

celing a one-thousand-dollar note, held by the Church Extension

Society, with interest, making a total of $1,190. The amount

was raised and a surplus of $200.

 

After ten years of struggle the auditorium was completed,

costing $1,524, and the church was dedicated on March 15, 1883.

Revs. C. P. Masden and Dr. Hodge, of Wilkes-Barre, preached

the sermons of the day. Rev. A. Griffin managed the finances,

raising $700, enough to complete the fund desired and to repaint

the church and repair the basement, and conducted the dedicatory

service.

 

In 1886 a cyclone took off the church steeple and otherwise

damaged the building. The repairs at this time cost $650.

 

At the time the church was built the trustees borrowed $800

of Samuel McBride and gave their note for that amount. Pay-

ments had been made on it until it was reduced to $600. Rev. H,

Brownscombe collected enough to cancel the note. When he

went to settle with him he learned that Mr. McBride had gone

to Europe, and it was reported that the vessel upon which he

took passage was lost, and he with it. He was a bachelor without

heirs. The church never expected to hear from the matter again,

and allowed the money to be used for other things. Nothing

had been heard from McBride during fifteen years. One day

in 1891 he appeared at Parsons with an attorney and demanded

payment on the note, which now amounted to $1,559. Calvin

Parsons, a Presbyterian elder, who had been a great friend

to the church, offered $500 to help the society out of its un-

expected distress, and before Conference in 1892 the pastor had

secured the total amount, lacking only $36, which was soon after

raised.

 

On Wednesday, December 19, 1894, after an expenditure of

$2,500 in repairs, the church was reopened. Bishop E. G. An-

drews preached in the afternoon from Matt. xvi, 18, and Rev.

J. S. Breckinridge, D.D., in the evening from I Cor. xiv, 40.


 


 

Pittston, Pa. 887

 

Revivals have occurred from time to time which have strength-

ened the society.

 

The parsonage was purchased in 1899, and is valued at $1,300.

 

Pastorates

 

1874-75, G. M. Chamberlain; 1876-79, H. Brownscombe;

1880-82, George Greenfield; 1883-85, E. L. Santee; 1886-87,

Y. C. Smith; 1888-89, S. J. Austin; 1890-91, H. G. Harned;

1892-96, W. H. Hiller; 1897-1900, F. A. King; 1901, W. M.

Hiller; 1902-03, J. L. Thomas.

 

 

PITTSTON, Pa.

 

We can do no better than to quote extensively from a letter

written to the Northern Christian Advocate on February 12, 1878,

by E. Blackman in his ninety-first year:

 

"There was a class formed in the town of Pittston, which then

extended some ten miles from southwest to northeast, consisting

of Roger Searle, leader, Lucy Drake, Mr. Miles and wife, Jared

 

        OLD CHURCH, PITTSTON [photo]

 

Marcy and wife, Jesse Gardner and wife, Elizabeth Bennett and

Sarah Collins. [Pittston was one of the appointments on the

Wyoming Circuit. Work was opened up here about 1791, and

the class mentioned above was formed in 1806.] To this were

added by conversion, at a camp meeting held at the head of the

valley opposite Pittston in 1809, Clarissa Searle, daughter, and

Mary and Fanny Searle, nieces, of Roger Searle.


 


 

888 Wyoming Conference

 

"At that time G. Lane and A. Dawson were on the Wyoming

Circuit, of which Pittston was a part. Roger Searle died in May,

1813. Jared Marcy and Jesse Gardner died shortly after, and Mr.

Miles and wife moved away, as did many others. No class

existed from that time in what is now East and West Pittston

Boroughs until 1843, of which I shall hereafter speak; but there

were quite large classes at Thompson schoolhouse, two miles

below, and Marcy schoolhouse, two miles above. [It is said

that in 1812 the Pittston class got into some "confusion," and

John Kimberlin, one of the preachers on Wyoming Circuit,

burned the class book and informed the members that they were

all turned out of the Church, and if any of them would behave

like Christians and Methodists they might join again. Rev.

George Peck, on August 20, 1818, preached at the home of

Ebenezer Marcy, near the site of Pittston Borough, and subse-

quently made the Marcy house a regular preaching place.] It

was at the latter place, then a part of Pittston Circuit, in Feb-

ruary, 1832, myself and wife joined the Methodist Episcopal

Church, Rev. Samuel Griffin being on the charge. We then re-

sided in what is now Taylorville, two miles above, where my wife

died in the triumphs of faith, December 4, 1833.

 

"In the month of January, 1834, I returned to Pittston. I was

the only male member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the

present territory of East and West Pittston. Betsy Brown and

her orphan girl, Lizzie Fell, were the female members. They

had their membership at the Marcy Schoolhouse, Rufus Miller

leader, while I had mine at the Thompson Schoolhouse, Father

Yates leader. [This class was organized in 1828, by the Rev.

Joseph Castle, at the house of Isaac Thompson, who lived near

Yatesville.] In the spring of 1843 Mrs. Samuel Bennedict, Mrs.

James Helm, William Thompson, members. Miss Eveline Benne-

dict and John Collins, probationers, with myself as leader, were

formed into a class at the Central Schoolhouse in North Pittston,

by the Rev. William Round, then in charge of the Pittston Circuit.

The class soon doubled and trebled and was the nucleus from

which the East and West Pittston and Yatesville churches have

grown to their present dimensions. A gracious revival under

the Rev. E. Owen soon followed, and a class was formed at

Hamtown, Rev. James Brown, a local preacher, leader. Among

the fruits of this revival were William Ford and John D. Stark,

who became pillars of the church and who afterward, as did also

Father Yates, Brothers George Price and Isaac Thompson, of

the class below, aided much by their ample means in building the


 


 

Pittston, Pa. 889

 

East Pittston church. David P. Richard, in 1847, succeeded me

as leader, and the class was moved downtown, where the business

and population centered. The late Rev. E. F. Ferris succeeded

Brother Richard as leader. Another class was formed at this

time, of which J. S. Wood was appointed leader."

 

A building committee was appointed in 1846 consisting of

James McFarlane, John D. Stark, and Elisha Blackman. A lot

on the corner of Church and Broad Streets was given the society,

on condition that a church should be erected, by Johnson and

Bennett. The deed was executed on May 19, 1851, and is from

Abel Bennett, Jr., and his wife Adelaide to Edwin Ferris, Elisha

Blackman, James McFarlane, David Richards, William Ford,

Francis Yates, Francis Watson, Isaac Thompson, and Miner

Swallow, trustees of the society. Another writer says:

 

"In 1849 Pittston Circuit was divided, and Hyde Park, Slocum

Hollow, and Providence formed one charge and Pittston and

Plains another. At this time there was no church building owned

by the Methodist Episcopal Church at Pittston, but there was a

small brick church at the Plains. The society at Pittston wor-

shiped in a chapel owned by the Welsh Methodists, which was

given free of charge. Meetings were also held in the schoolhouse

in the upper part of the village. The society owned. a lot on which

a foundation had been built, and the enterprise had gone no

further. The foundation was too small. More ground was given

by the Coal Company. The pastor, Asa Brooks, appointed a

building committee with power. The foundation was laid by in-

dividual subscribers. The brickwork was done by Quick & Co.,

of Wilkes-Barre. Stone for foundation was quarried from Father

Yates's farm and drawn by volunteers. Lumber was bought of

raftsmen on the river as they were going down. The church was

finished before the close of the Conference year."

 

This last statement can hardly be true. The Conference year

closed August 1, 1850, and the church was not dedicated until

December, 1850, by Rev. D. A. Shepard.

 

After an expenditure of $4,000 in building a Sunday school

room on the rear of the church and otherwise improving the

building it was reopened on Sunday, October 15, 1871, by Rev.

W. H. Olin. In 1885 $800 was spent on the interior of the

church.

 

The first parsonage was built in 1850 or 1851, on Parsonage

Street, a mile from the church, on ground donated by the Penn-

sylvania Coal Company. This property was sold in 1866, and a

house and lot on the corner of Church and Broad Streets,


 


 

890 Wyoming Conference

 

directly opposite the church, bought for $4,600. The present

parsonage was built just below the last-named parsonage on

Broad Street in 1896, costing $3,300.

 

The old church has been sold to the Y. M. C. A. for $8,000,

and a new church is being built on the opposite corner, occupying

the site of the old parsonage, which will cost about $22,000 when

completed. Class 24 of the Sunday school has raised $4,000

toward the enterprise. The society is worshiping in the Y. M.

C. A. hall during the building of the church.

 

A camp meeting was held in 1809 a short distance from the      

 

        NEW CHURCH, PITTSTON [photo]

 

Luzerne House in West Pittston. In August, 1860, a camp

meeting was held on Everhart's Island, seventy tents being pitched

on the ground. Meetings were held here also in 1862 and 1863.

 

Pittston entertained Wyoming Conference in 1858.

 

When West Pittston was set off it about equally divided the

membership, and when Yatesville was set off it took thirty-five

members.

 

Extensive revivals were witnessed in 1856, 1864-65, and 1870.

The greatest, however, in the history of the charge was in 1876.

 

Pastorates

 

1831, Jonathan M. Brooks; 1832, Samuel Griffin; 1833, E.

Smith; 1834, Marmaduke Pearce; 1835, S. B. Yarrington; 1836,

C. W. Giddings; 1837-38, P. G. White; 1839-40, B. Ellis; 1841,

Thomas Wilcox, Henry Pilbeam; 1842, W. Round; 1843, E.

Owen; 1844, Ira Wilcox, J. D. Safford; 1845, E. B. Tenney;

1846, John Mulkey; 1847, John Mulkey, Z. Kellogg (called


 


 

Plains, Pa. 891

 

Lackawanna from 1843-47); 1848, Erastus Smith; 1849, Asa

Brooks; 1850-51, C. W. Giddings; 1852, G. M. Peck, A. H.

Schoonmaker; 1853, G. M. Peck; 1854, T. D. Walker; 1855, L.

Cole; 1856-57, S. Stocking; 1858-59, A. P. Mead; 1860-61, G. M.

Peck; 1862-63, O. M. McDowall; 1864-66, W. J. Judd; 1867-69,

Y. C. Smith; 1870-72, I. T. Walker; 1873-75, Thomas Harroun;

1876-78, J. O. Woodruff; 1879, L- W. Peck; 1880-81, S. C.

Fulton; 1882-84, H. H. Dresser; 1885-86, D. C. Olmstead; 1887-

90, W. J. Hill; 1891, P. J. Kain; 1892, W. L. Thorpe; 1893-94,

J. B. Sumner; 1895, G. C. Lyman; 1896-98, John Bradshaw;

1899-1903, C. M. Surdam.

 

 

Plains, Pa.

 

Plains was formerly called Jacob's Plains, from the name of

an Indian chief who once lived here with his people.

 

William Colbert mentions preaching at Jesse Gardner's on the

Plains in 1798. This is the first mention of Methodist services

in this place. In 1801, under the labors of Ephraim Chambers, a

revival occurred in this place. It is claimed that Roger Searle,

 

        PLAINS CHURCH [photo]

 

one of the converts, was baptized in the winter by immersion, a

hole being cut in the ice for the purpose.

 

The interests of Methodism here were cared for by the pastors

on Wyoming Circuit until Wilkes-Barre became a charge, when

the Wilkes-Barre pastor looked after the interests of the class.

 

On April 11, 1843, the society met at the schoolhouse (the

schoolhouse stood on the site of the present one, nearly opposite


 


 

892 Wyoming Conference

 

the present church, and was the usual place of worship for the

class; Plains at that time was part of Wilkes-Barre township)

for the purpose of considering the building of a church, James

Hancock, James Stark, John Abbott, Jonathan R. Williams, War-

ren Wilcox, Ezra Williams, William Apple, Samuel Wilcox, John

Searles, William Abbott, B. Bailey, D. G. Bailey, Benjamin Cort-

right, and S. F. Abbott being present. Rev. John Leys, preacher

in charge, acted as chairman, and D. G. Bailey secretary. They

decided that they were able and willing to build a meetinghouse.

After considerable debate as to whether it should be a union

house or not it was decided that it should be a Methodist Epis-

copal house, "with the understanding that all truly religious de-

nominations of Christians have a right to occupy the house by

asking and obtaining leave of the trustees at any time that may

not interfere with the regular appointments of the Methodist

preacher in charge."

 

At a meeting on April 15, at 2 p. m., James Stark, John Carey,

and James Hancock were appointed a building committee. A

contract was made with Gilbert Barnes to build the church for

$940, exclusive of foundation, and the contractor agreed to col-

lect his pay from the subscribers. The church was built on a

lot, north of the parsonage, donated by John Carey, and subse-

quently moved to its present location. This church was dedicated

on December 14, 1843, by Rev. Silas Comfort.

 

On July 7, 1843, Benjamin Bailey, John Carey, James Stark,

John Searle, and William Apple were elected trustees, who sub-

sequently organized by making John Carey chairman, James

Stark secretary, and Benjamin Bailey treasurer.

 

An extraordinary revival broke out in the society in 1854. It

was small in numbers and still connected with Wilkes-Barre.

Dr. George Peck says he preached here in a little old church on

Sunday afternoons. "James Stark, John Carey, and Jacob

Saunders, with a few women, constituted the active force of the

little society." Father Moister, a venerable local preacher, was

frequently sent to fill this afternoon appointment. While he was

preaching one Sunday afternoon a large number of penitents pre-

sented themselves at the altar. Meetings were held three weeks

with great success. The next year the church at Plains became a

charge.

 

On June 27, 1875, after expending $2,200 in repairing the

church, it was reopened. Rev. G. R. Hair preaching morning and

evening, and $988 was raised to liquidate indebtedness and put

hymnals in the pews.


 


 

Plymouth, Pa. 893

 

The corner stone for the present church was laid on Thursday,

July 12, 1883, at 2 p. M., by Rev. A. Griffin. Addresses were

made by Revs. A. L. Smalley and J. O. Woodruff. The church,

which cost $10,000, was dedicated on Thursday, July 10, 1884.

Bishop Ninde preached in the morning from I Pet. i, 8, and in

the evening from i Cor. xv, 58. Rev. A. Griffin conducted the

dedicatory services. A total of $3,450 was raised during the day.

 

The revivals which are frequently referred to were those of

1867-69, 1870-72, and 1886.

 

The parsonage is situated beside the church.

 

Parsons and Plainsville were with this charge prior to becom-

ing separate charges.

 

Miners' Mills. A Sunday school was organized in the public

school building in 1897. In the spring of 1898 a dwelling on

Mock Street was purchased at a cost of $2,200.

 

Partitions were removed, the inside remodeled into an audience

and infant class room, seated with chairs, and an organ purchased,

the whole costing about $800. Rev. J. N. Lee preached the first

sermon in the building on the first Sunday previous to the Con-

ference of 1898. The society became incorporate as "The

Methodist Episcopal Church of Miners' Mills" on June 1, 1898,

with W. Skidmore, Benjamin Chandler, W. A. Gnotin, Joseph

Rae, W. Lathrop, G. Burt, and Joseph Moore trustees. The

society is being supplied this year by a local preacher, and will

probably become a separate charge.

 

Pastorates

 

1854, R. Moister; 1855, S. M. Bronson; 1856, J. K. Peck;

1857-58, H. Wheeler; 1859-60, L. Peck; 1861-62, W. Keatley;

1863, M. Swallow; 1864-65, J. S. Lewis; 1866, J. D. Woodruff;

1867-69, F. A. King; 1870-72, N. J. Hawley; 1873-75, W. J.

Hill; 1876-78, H. H. Dresser; 1879-81, J. L. Race; 1882, J. W.

Mevis; 1883-85, N. S. Reynolds; 1886-87, H. B. Johnson; 1888,

S. Elwell; 1889-92, J. F. Williams; 1893-97, J- N. Lee; 1898, F.

Gendall; 1899-1900, F. D. Hartsock; 1901-03, C. H. Sackett.

 

 

Plymouth, Pa.

 

The Ross Hill class with its revival work was felt in Shawney

(Plymouth), a few miles below. We are at sea as to the time

in which the class was formed at Shawney; one writer claims it

was 1789 and another 1791. The first writer states that the class

met at Widow Coleman's house — an old stone house in the lower


 


 

894 Wyoming Conference

 

end of town, built in 1774 or 177S, and better known as the

"French House." The other states that "Rev. Noah Wadhams,

who came from Litchfield, Conn., in 1789, was originally a Con-

gregationalist, but soon after settling in Plymouth became a

Methodist and united with that Church at the forming of a class

in 1791." "The following are known to have been members of

this society prior to 1795: Noah Wadhams, Moses Wadhams,

Calvin Wadhams, Mrs. Benjamin Harvey, Mrs. Turner, Mrs.

 

        PLYMOUTH CHURCH [photo]

 

Davenport, Mrs. Pugh, Joshua Pugh, Peter Pugh, and Thomas

Pringle."

 

This territory was a part of the Newburgh Circuit prior to the

formation of Wyoming Circuit in 1791. Nathaniel B. Mills was

on the circuit in 1789, and Joseph Lovell in 1790. They made

infrequent visits to this territory, and probably visited Plymouth.

From 1791 to its becoming a charge in 1854 Plymouth was a

part of Wyoming Circuit.

 

On Sunday, April 28, 1793, William Colbert preached at the

house of Captain Ransom in Shawney in the evening. Mr. Col-

bert says in his journal: "Mrs. Ransom is a daughter of afflic-

tions; she was desirous of having preaching and being baptized,

with her four children. I thank God I have been enabled to

speak with freedom to-day."


 


 

Plymouth, Pa. 895

 

William Colbert heard Valentine Cook, presiding elder of the

district, preach here on Friday, December 6, 1793. Calvin Wad-

hams, son of Rev. Noah Wadhams, was converted at this season

under Mr. Cook's labors.

 

It is claimed that Ashbel Waller, a local preacher who lived

at Carytown, two miles below Wilkes-Barre, did much by his

labors toward establishing Methodism in Plymouth.

 

"The first family in Plymouth brought thoroughly under the

influence of Methodism was the Coleman family."

 

Meetings were held in barns, private houses, and the school-

house until the erection of the Academy in 1815. This building

was a two-story building, the lower used for school work, and

the upper fitted up for religious worship. Calvin Wadhams con-

tributed much toward the erection of the building. This was the

only church in Plymouth for over forty years. The Methodists

used this building until going into their church, paying an annual

rental for the same of one ear of com.

 

The first Methodist church was erected in 1856, Revs. J. B.

Wakeley and William Wyatt preaching the dedicatory sermons.

It was the day of small things as compared with the present,

there being but a few members and poor. "It required great

sacrifice on their part to pay for the structure, but they did it,

and rejoiced in a church of their own. Soon after the dedication

a village camp meeting was held, at which many were converted."

 

During J. A. Wood's pastorate in Wilkes-Barre, 1862-63, a

great revival occurred. "Among the notable conversions was

that of Caleb Wright, a distinguished lawyer, whose home had

been in Plymouth, and whose mother still lived there at the ad-

vanced age of eighty-four. She had always prayed that her son

might be converted and preach the Gospel. After his conversion

he was licensed a local preacher, and was much sought after to

preach on special occasions. Arrangements were made for him

to preach in Plymouth, where his mother could hear him. The

day appointed arrived. A carriage was dispatched to bring the

aged mother to the house of God, but before it arrived she started

on foot, and reached the church before the vehicle. When her

son began his sermon the old lady began to shout and praise God,

then arose, stepped into the aisle, walked to the platform, and

embraced her son, while the congregation were deeply affected

and moved to tears. Returning to her seat, she listened through-

out the sermon with great interest."

 

In the spring of 1865 the town was flooded, and Moses Wad-

hams took Rev. Mr. Eckman and his family out of the parsonage


 


 

896 Wyoming Conference

 

in a boat, and took them to his own home and kept them until the

flood subsided.

 

In 1866 the first parsonage was built, parsonages having been

rented before this. A lot was secured on Main Street and a

house erected, which was used until the present house beside the

church was built in 1889, costing $3,500, when it was sold.

 

In the spring of 1876 it was found necessary to build a larger

church. "All entered enthusiastically into the plan. The old build-

ing was sold to J. B. Smith, who removed it to Forty Fort, where

it now stands. The Rev. L. Cole, a former pastor, preached the

farewell sermon in the old church. The new enterprise was pushed

vigorously, the comer stone being laid early in the fall with

appropriate ceremonies. Revs. G. R. Hair, W. P. White, L. B.

Hyatt, and E. W. Caswell officiating. While the new church

was being erected meetings were held in the Episcopal chapel

adjoining. With the week of prayer, January, 1877, revival

meetings began, which soon compelled removal to Smith's

Opera House on account of the great interest. One hundred and

thirty-five united with the Methodists, while several joined the

Presbyterians."

 

The church, which cost $32,000, was dedicated on Wednesday,

January 9, 1878. Bishop Simpson preached in the morning from

Eph. iii, 10, and Rev. C. H. Fowler, D.D., in the evening from

I Cor. xiii, 12. Rev. W. H. Olin, D.D., conducted the dedicatory

services. The sum of $22,000 was raised during the day, the

balance having been previously raised. In February of this year

a revival resulted in the conversion of over one hundred persons.

 

In 1881-82 $13,000 of indebtedness was paid.

 

The year 1884 was one doubly marked — a revival resulted in

one hundred and thirty-two probationers, and typhoid fever

carried off more than one hundred and fifty people of the town.

 

In 1886 a gracious ingathering took place.

 

From 1889 to 1893 the church gradually strengthened, and

from 1894 to 1898 over one hundred and fifty united with the

church from probation, and $4,500 was spent in a new organ,

carpets, interior decorations, etc.

 

At this writing a Sunday school room, 75x55, two stories high,

built of brick and covered with cement, is being added to the rear

of the church. It has entrances on both sides of the church.

This, with improvements on the interior of the church and con-

templated improvements in the parsonage, will cost about $16,000.

 

About 1882 a mission was established in East Plymouth, known

as Boston Hill Mission. After continuing its work more than


 


 

Rendham, Pa. 897

 

ten years the little chapel which had been erected was sold, the

proceeds used for the benefit of the mother church, and the work

discontinued.

 

Pastorates

 

1854, A. Bronson; 1855, J. Bradbury; 1856-57, L. Cole; 1858,

A. H. Schoonmaker; 1859-60, J. W. Munger; 1861-62, C. L.

Rice; 1863-64, J. G. Eckman; 1865, C. W. Todd; 1866-68, Ira

N. Pardee; 1869-71, J. La Bar; 1872-74, L. Cole; 1875, S. C.

Fulton; 1876-78, E. W. Caswell; 1879-80, S. F. Brown; 1881-83,

G. M. Colville; 1884-85, I. T. Walker; 1886-88, L. C. Floyd;

1889-93, J. O. Woodruff; 1894-98, O. L. Severson; 1899-1901,

W. L. Thorpe; 1902-03, J. Bradshaw.

 

 

Rendham, Pa.

 

This society was a part of the Taylor charge for a while, and

was supplied by students from Wyoming Seminary for a few

years. Work was begun on a church building nearer the post

 

        RENDHAM CHURCH AND PARSONAGE [photo]

 

office than the present church is, but was abandoned when the

present church was offered.

 

In the spring of 1890 John Stewart and wife died in Scranton,

Pa., and were both buried at one time. Mrs. L. G. Hesler, Mrs.

G. B. Kulp, Mrs. W. D. Loomis, and Mrs. C. B. Scott, daughters

of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, donated a lot from the Stewart home-

stead and built the church as a memorial to their parents and

presented it to the society. The corner stone was laid on Satur-

day, October 10, 1891, the services being in charge of Rev. M. S.


 


 

898 Wyoming Conference

 

Hard, D.D. The daughters named above laid the stone. Mrs.

L. G. Hesler was the originator of the enterprise. The church

was dedicated in 1892 by Rev. M. S. Hard, D.D. Shortly after

dedication a revival occurred in which over seventy souls were

saved.

 

The parsonage was built in 1897 at a cost of $1,500. In 1898

$500 was spent in still further improving and perfecting it.

 

The Stewart Memorial Church became incorporated in 1896.

 

Pastorates

 

1891, J. K. Peck; 1892-93, L. E. Van Hoesen; 1894-95, W. R.

Cochrane; 1896-97, T. M. Furey; 1898-1903, J. L. Race.

 

 

SCRANTON, Pa. ASBURY

 

A union service was held on a Sunday afternoon in June, 1873,

in the Green Ridge depot of the Delaware and Hudson Canal

Company, Mr. Manville, the superintendent, kindly consenting

 

        ASBURY CHURCH, SCRANTON [photo]

 

to its use for that purpose. The audience was largely composed

of Methodist and Presbyterian church members. Rev. J. B.

Fisher, of the Providence Presbyterian Church, officiated at this


 


 

ASBURY, SCRANTON 899

 

service, and the following Sunday Rev. W. J. Judd, of the Provi-

dence Methodist Church, conducted the service. These services

were continued about three years, Methodist and Presbyterian

pastors alternating in the preaching services, and were well

attended.

 

About the time the Presbyterian church on the corner of Green

Ridge Street and Monsey Avenue was finished (this building is

now owned by the Episcopalians) the Good Templars' Hall on

Dickson Avenue was fitted up. This hall was in the second story

of the building now occupied by G. W. Hornbaker, 1542 Dick-

son Avenue. The Methodists leased this hall for $60 per year,

having the use of it for one preaching service, one prayer meeting,

and one Sunday school session each week. Rev. L. C. Floyd, pas-

tor at Adams Avenue Church, delivered the first sermon in the

hall, prophesying great victories as the result of that beginning.

 

Park Place (Court Street) was organized about the same time,

and in 1876 Park Place and Green Ridge were united in a charge,

under the name of Park Place. The pastor preached at Green

Ridge in the morning and at Park Place in the evening. The

first Quarterly Conference appointed W. H. Peck, Erastus

Smith, Christian Seward, and Merrit O. Utley stewards. A

revival during the year strengthened both societies.

 

The Sunday school was organized on June 25, 1876, with

forty-seven members. The following have served as superin-

tendents, and in the order nimed: W. H. Peck, Isaac W. Higgs,

A. C. Caryl, R. W. Kellow, D. C. Seward, S. G. Dilley, A. W.

Swartz, John Baker, B. T. Jayne, and E. S. Pratt.

 

In 1880 a building fund was started, and enough money was

raised to purchase a lot on the corner of Monsey Avenue and

Delaware Street, for which $1,000 was paid. Application was

made to the court for a charter, which was granted by Judge

Handley on August 2, 1881, naming W. H. Peck, R. W. Kellow,

W. D. Lord, D. C. Seward, and Merrit Gardner trustees of "The

Green Ridge Methodist Episcopal Church of Scranton, Pa." In

1891 the corporate name of the society was changed to "The

Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church of Scranton, Pa." About

the time the application was made for a charter R. W. Kellow,

W. H. Peck, and D. C. Seward were constituted a building com-

mittee. Plans for. a chapel were prepared, and a contract made

with Ezra Finn to build it.

 

The chapel, with its furnishings, cost $1,824, and was dedicated

on Sunday, June 4, 1882, by Rev. A. Griffin, the debt being pro-

vided for on the day of dedication. The pastor was so ardent to


 


 

900 Wyoming Conference

 

promote the project that he went to the quarry and helped get

out the stone for the foundation.

 

In 1885 Park Place and Green Ridge were divided and made

two charges. In 1886 the chapel was found to be too small, and

it was decided to build a Tabernacle. Rev. O. P. Wright, R. W.

Kellow, D. C. Seward, B. T. Jayne, E. D. Hughes, and W. D.

Lord were appointed a building committee. The contract was

given to Charles Lord. This "paper church," as it was after-

ward called, was dedicated on July 18, 1886. Rev. J. E. Price,

D.D., preached from John i, 18. At this service $1,200 was

raised. The same building committee supervised the erection of

the parsonage, which cost $1,800, which amount was carried by

a loan until 1889, when it was paid. At this time the lot pur-

chased of Mr. Peck was occupied as follows: the Tabernacle

faced Monsey Avenue, and stood diagonally across the street

from the present church, directly behind the Tabernacle, and

facing Delaware Street stood the chapel, while just above this,

facing Delaware Street, stood the parsonage.

 

In the middle of 1888 the pastor was transferred to Simpson

Church, and Rev. J. O. Spencer, a missionary from Japan, filled

out the year.

 

The society continued to grow, and in 1891 the need of a new

church was apparent. A platform meeting was held, addressed

by Dr. Floyd, Dr. W. H. Pearce, and others, when about $3,700

was subscribed toward the enterprise. Subsequently T. J.

Snowden, E. E. Teal, R. W. Kellow, J. M. Rhodes, and H. B.

Reynolds were constituted a building committee. Plans were

secured for a church. "The building as planned, being somewhat

larger than the church lot on the northeast corner of Monsey

Avenue and Delaware Street, it was found necessary either to

modify plans, procure additional land, or to purchase a new site."

The latter plan seemed the most feasible, and the present site

was purchased, costing $5,200. The Peck Lumber Company

took the contract to build the church, which with its furnishings

cost $27,000. The building is not complete, as the Sunday school

room was not built. This building was dedicated on Sunday,

September 10, 1893. Bishop FitzGerald preached in the morning

from Rom. vi, 8. In the afternoon a platform meeting was held,

addressed by Messrs. May, Peck, Wood, and Boies, and in the

evening Rev. W. H. Pearce preached from Rom. xii, 2. A total

of $9,400 was raised during the day. Bishop FitzGerald con-

ducted the dedicatory service. Dr. Couch, of Brooklyn, managed

the finances.


 


 

ASBURY, SCRANTON 901

 

The old Tabernacle was sold to the Spike Mill, the chapel sold

and moved to Deacon Street, and converted into a dwelling.

 

In 1896 the bonded indebtedness of $10,000, trustees' note of

$3,000, and floating indebtedness combined to form an indebted-

ness of over $18,000. The condition was appalling, as the society

as yet had never been able to meet its interest from the current

expense fund. A twentieth anniversary service was arranged

for June 18 to 21, 1896. On the evening of the 18th the Sunday

school held an anniversary, and on Friday evening, the 19th, a

reception was given to former pastors, at which several of them

made addresses. On June 21 Rev. F. C. Iglehart, D.D., preached

in the morning, and Rev. D. H. Moore, D.D., preached in the

evening. During the day $10,000 was subscribed; $3,000 had

been subscribed by friends in the central part of the city, and

the pastor subsequently secured $2,000 from various sources,

making a total of $15,000 subscribed, $13,000 of which was paid

within the next two years.

 

The present parsonage was built in 1900, costing $5,200, and

the old parsonage property sold for $2,000. During the same

year the steam-heating plant was installed in the church at a cost

of about $1,200. Since this time the organ has been lowered,

and in 1903 the auditorium was cleaned and handsomely deco-

rated, costing several hundred dollars.

 

The pipe organ is the one which was formerly in Adams

Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church.

 

Mr. W. H. Lanyon was the chorister here about twenty years.

 

The Ladies' Aid Society has been exceptionally successful in

its work.

 

Pastorates

 

1876-84, with Park Place; 1885, H. H. Dresser; 1886-88½,

O. P. Wright; balance of 1888, J. O. Spencer; 1889-90, F. A.

Chapman; 1891-93, G. A. Cure; 1894-98, A. F. Chaffee; 1899-

1901, W. G. Simpson; 1902-03, C. A. Benjamin.

 

 

SCRANTON, Pa. — Ash Street

 

In the fall of 1890 a little company of Christians began holding

prayer services in an old house owned by Scott Watrous, situated

on James Street. The following spring they began holding the

meetings in private houses. As numbers increased it became

desirable to have a permanent place of worship. A small tri-

angular lot on the corner of Ash and James Streets was secured

of Lewis Spangenburg, and a chapel 18x28 feet erected, costing


 


 

902 Wyoming Conference

 

about $700. It was known as the "People's Union Mission." It

was soon discovered to be too small, and in May, 1892, it was

decided to enlarge it. Additional land was bought of Mr.

Spangenburg, for which, and the former lot, the society paid

$175. The building was enlarged to double its former capacity.

 

In 1894 Elm Park Church invited this society to become a

mission under its direction, and by a unanimous vote of the

society the invitation was accepted. Mr. Arthur Scranton paid

off all the indebtedness and deeded the property to Elm Park

Church on March 26, 1894. W. G. Doud was one of the

originators of this society, and supported the work loyally for

years, holding the office of trustee, secretary, and treasurer. In

1897 it appears among the appointments, with F. Carr as pastor.

He had served the society some little time before this, however.

 

Desirous of securing a better location, the society purchased

two lots on Myrtle Street, between Harrison and Wheeler

Avenues, in 1903, valued at $2,000. A temporary church, double

boarded, lined with building paper, wainscoted, ceiled with pine,

a tar-paper roof, heated by a furnace, and lighted by electricity,

was dedicated on December 20, 1903. The building will seat

about two hundred persons, and will very comfortably house the

congregation until it gets ready to build a substantial church.

The old church has been sold.

 

Nay Aug became a part of the charge in 1899, and Throop

in 1903.

 

The society experienced the greatest revival of its history in

1900, when there were seventy-eight conversions.

 

Nay Aug. On April 15, 1887, a Sunday school, consisting of

thirteen pupils, was organized in the home of Mrs. Nancy J.

Turner, of Nay Aug. Mr. Henry Hayfler was elected superin-

tendent, and Miss Tillie Turner, a prime mover in the work, one

of the teachers. Later the school met in the schoolhouse. Prayer

meetings were held in private houses, at which conversions were

frequently occurring. The converts joined the Dunmore Metho-

dist Episcopal Church.

 

In 1890 the citizens of Nay Aug decided to build a church.

There were but seven members in the society, and the task

seemed impossible. "You will never build a church in Nay Aug,"

remarked a local preacher. "We shall!" replied a worldly man.

The latter was William M. Nixon, yardmaster in the Nay Aug

Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad yards. Rev. J. B.

Sumner, presiding elder of Honesdale District, assisted by Rev.


 


 

Ash Street, Scranton 903

 

A. C. Olver, selected the location, which was donated by Mrs.

Margaret P. Lawrence, of Nay Aug. The court granted "The

Nay Aug Methodist Episcopal Church" a charter on October 31,

1890, naming John Turner, B. H. Kenner, Frank Turner, Judson

Smith, James A. Welch, William M. Nixon, and William Long

trustees.

 

The corner stone was laid on Sunday afternoon, May 17, 1891,

Rev. F. A. Dony preaching the sermon. W. M. Nixon then

went to O. S. Johnson and asked him to donate enough rough

lumber to build the church. "If I were sure it would make a

man out of you I'd do it." Nixon is now a devoted member,

steward, trustee, class leader, secretary and treasurer of the

official board. The lumber was given and delivered. As soon as

the roof was on services were held in the building. The society

struggled two years, paying their bills as they went on toward

completion. The building was dedicated in 1892, having cost

$1,200, by Rev. J. C. Leacock, the pastor at Dunmore.

 

The Ladies' Aid Society and Epworth League have been very

helpful in the work here.

 

Revs. J. M. Howell and John Davy served this people prior to

1894, when this society was placed with Throop, where it re-

mained until 1899, when it became a part of Ash Street charge.

 

Throop. The church here was built for the Primitive Meth-

odists by the Pancoast Coal Company, on a lot donated by Dr.

Throop. The society failing to pay for the church, after a few

years it was sold to the Baptists, who also failed to pay for it.

It was finally sold to the Methodist Episcopal Church in August,

1892, for $600. The society became incorporated on August 2,

1892, as "The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Throop,"

with John H. Law, J. D. Fahringer, Samuel Hulse, C. L. Krotzer,

and Amzi Van Campen as trustees. The society was small, but

with the help of outside friends paid for the church. It was

served in 1892 by Rev. C. Van Gorder, the evangelist, in 1893 by

Rev. John Davy, and by Rev. J. V. Newell from 1894-98; in 1899

Rev. Joseph Madison was pastor, and in 1901-02 Rev. J. M.

Coleman served the society. In 1903 the society was placed with

Ash Street. Nay Aug was with Throop from 1894 to 1898

inclusive.

 

Pastorates

 

1897, F. Carr; 1898-99, W. S. Crandall; 1900-02, J. R. Austin;

1903, E. N. Kline.


 


 

904 Wyoming Conference

 

 

SCRANTON, Pa. — Court Street

 

In the winter of 1874 the Young Men's Christian Association

held a successful series of revival meetings in the Park Place

schoolhouse. The school board objecting to the further use of

the schoolhouse for religious purposes, the people, five weeks

before Easter, decided to build a union church and dedicate it on

Easter Sunday. It was done, and on that Sunday money was

raised to paint, plaster, and otherwise finish the building.

Ministers of various denominations were to preach to them. On

Sunday a Universalist preacher had been invited to preach, but

some of the people did not care to hear his doctrine, and, there-

fore, closed the doors against him. This, of course, caused

trouble.

 

At this time the Young Men's Christian Association decided

to buy off the people who were interested in the church and then

claim the property. This they failed to do. Just at this time the

Adams Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church bought the building

and used it as a mission chapel. In the spring of 1876 the people

of Park Place bought the property back from the Adams Avenue

Church. In that spring Park Place and Green Ridge were formed

into a charge, under the name of Park Place. The two places

were separated in 1885, each becoming a charge. The name

of the church was changed from Park Place to Court Street

in 1895.

 

The old chapel was sold and moved away in 1891, and on

October 8 of that year the corner stone of the present church was

laid by Rev. M. S. Hard, D.D., Revs. W. H. Pearce, D.D., and

L. C. Floyd, Ph.D., being present and making addresses. The

church was dedicated on April 24, 1892. Rev. B. I. Ives did the

preaching and managed the finances during the day, and Rev.

M. S. Hard conducted the dedicatory service. The brick for the

church was donated by Joseph Switzer. The building cost about

$10,000, one half of which was provided for on the day of dedica-

tion. In 1898 $1,700 was paid on indebtedness and a debt

remained of $4,200. During the years 1899, 1900, and 1901,

principally in 1901, this debt was reduced to $2,300. In 1903

$1,000 was spent in carpeting, frescoing, rearranging the pulpit

platform, and minor improvements. About $400 in labor was

contributed, and the balance raised in cash. The church was

reopened on Sunday, October 4, 1903. Rev. A. Griffin, D.D.,

preached in the morning, and Rev. A. F. Chaffee in the evening.

In the afternoon a laymen's meeting was held, addressed by J. S.


 


 

Court Street, Scranton 905

 

Miller and C. W. Dawson. About $400 was raised during the

day. On Monday evening, the 5th, Rev. C. M. Giffin, D.D.,

preached, and Rev. H. C. McDermott, D.D., on Tuesday evening,

the 6th.

 

The parsonage was built in 1887, costing $2,500.

 

The society has made an heroic struggle, and has deservedly

experienced a healthy growth.

 

Tripp Park. But little can be written concerning this child

of Court Street Church which is just beginning to be. The

development of Tripp Park brought together a number of

families, some of whom identified themselves with the Court

 

        COURT STREET CHURCH AND PARSONAGE [photo]

 

Street Church. The advisability of planting a mission in this

growing section prompted the Court Street pastor to seek the

advice of the Scranton Methodist Preachers' Meeting, which

advised planting the mission. Elm Park official board promised

to back the enterprise to the amount of one half its cost, providing

the cost should not exceed $3,000. The Simpson official board

also indorsed the enterprise. A committee from the three

churches. Elm Park, Simpson, and Court Street, met in October

and selected the lots, which were subsequently purchased of the

Tripp Land Company for $800, the Land Company donating

$440 of the purchase price. A chapel 38x42, and costing about

$1,200, was dedicated on December 21, 1903. This mission of

Court Street promises well.


 


 

906 Wyoming Conference

 

Pastorates

 

1876, W. Treible; 1877, O. H. McAnulty; 1878-79, E. R. D.

Briggs; 1880-81, L. Jennison; 1882-83, G. M. Peck; 1884, J. V.

Newell; 1885-86, J. A. Faulkner; 1887-88, W. J. Judd; 1889-90,

Jonas Underwood; 1891-93, J. F. Jones; 1894, P. R. Hawxhurst;

1895-97, G. T. Price; 1898-1903, G. C. Lyman.

 

 

SCRANTON, Pa. — Elm Park

 

By reference to the sketch of Providence Church it will be seen

that this society sprang from that church and that the Slocum

Hollow class was formed about 1840. The first church erected

in Scranton proper cost $500. We quote from Mr. J. C. Piatt:

"The Village Chapel was commenced in 1841 and finished early

in 1842. It was under the supervision of the Methodists, but

other evangelical denominations were not excluded from using

it. [On July 5, 1842, Scranton, Grant & Co., in consideration

of $1, deeded to Barton Motte, Erastus Smith, and William Silk-

man, trustees, the lot on which the chapel had been built "in the

town or village of Harrison, in the township of Providence, on

Lackawanna Street," containing quarter of an acre.] It Stood

on a lot 70x155, given by Scranton, Grant & Co., partly on what

is now Adams Avenue at its juncture with Lackawanna Avenue,

on a bluff some ten feet high, which has been removed in grading

the avenues. The corner of the chapel was almost exactly where

the corner of Messrs. Jifkins's meat market now is, but not in

line with the avenue. The city plot was laid out in 1850-51, and,

in order that the two avenues named could be opened where they

now are, Scrantons & Piatt, in 1855-56, gave the three lots now

occupied by the Methodist church and parsonage [the Adams

Avenue Church] near by on Adams Avenue, and $2,000 in build-

ing materials, in exchange for the old lot, 100 feet front by 112

feet deep." The chapel was used on alternate Sabbaths by Pres-

byterians and Methodists. The Methodists worshiped in this

chapel until the going into the basement of the Adams Avenue

Church. On doing this the chapel was sold to the German Meth-

odists, who moved it to the corner of Adams Avenue and Vine

Street. The building may now be found on a corner of the above-

named streets on the rear of the lot.

 

On November 7, 1854, the society became incorporate as "The

Scranton Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church." On

October 23, 1879, the charter was amended, the society taking


 


 

Elm Park, Scranton 907

 

the corporate name of "The First Methodist Episcopal Church

of Scranton, Pa.," Lewis' Pughe, J. L. Medway, Charles Forester,

Robert H. McKune, G. F. Reynolds, and William Connell being

the trustees at the time. The charter was again amended on

October 19, 1891.

 

Work was commenced on the Adams Avenue Church in the

fall of 1855, and in the fall of 1856 the basement was completed

and dedicated by Rev. W. Wyatt, the presiding elder, who

preached from Matt, xvi, 18: "Upon this rock I will build my

 

        ADAMS AVENUE CHURCH, SCRANTON [photo]

 

church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." On the

day of dedication $150 was raised. The Missionary Society paid

$400 of the minister's salary that year. Mr. Wyatt says: "It was

a memorable time. I preached with great freedom and much

assurance, and have reason to think that good was done." The

building was completed in 1858, and the audience room was first

used on the evening of September 8, 1858, by a reception which

was given to the daughter of Rev. B. W. Gorham, Nellie, who

had just married Rev. S. L. Baldwin and was about to go to

China as a missionary.

 

In 1879 the church was enlarged at a cost of $12,000. The

building had three memorial windows: one to the memory of

Mary Ann Slocum, who left the church $800 at her death in

1875; another was put in by Horace Phelps in memory of his

mother, Mrs. Hannah Phelps; and the third was in memory of

Hattie B. Nivison. A new pipe organ was purchased at this

time. The church was dedicated on January 24, 188o, with


 


 

908 Wyoming Conference

 

sermons by Rev. C. H. Fowler and Rev. P. Krohn, the former

preaching from Rom. viii, 14.

 

The growth of the church made it evident that larger accommo-

dations were needed, and the matter was agitated several years,

until a committee was appointed to solicit funds on February 12,

1891. The present site was purchased on March 16, 1891, for

$30,000. Two thousand people gathered at 5 p. m. on Tuesday,

September 8, 1891, to witness the breaking of ground for the

new church. Rev. M. S. Hard, D.D., led in prayer. James P.

Dickson gave some reminiscences of early days in Scranton.

Hon. R. W. Archibald sketched the history of Methodism in the

Lackawanna valley, paying a warm tribute to the pioneers.

Captain W. A. May spoke upon the new church enterprise; while

Colonel E. H. Ripple brought greetings from Grace Reformed

Episcopal Church, Rev. S. C. Logan from the First Presbyterian

Church, and James H. Torrey from the Second Presbyterian

Church. William Connell, after a few remarks, broke the ground

when Rev. L. C. Floyd pronounced the benediction. A chorus

of one hundred voices assisted in the service.

 

On September 30, 1891, the Adams Avenue Church property

was sold to the Clark and Snover Company for $30,000, and on

Sunday, October 11, 1891, farewell services were held in the

church. Rev. J. G. Eckman preached in the morning. Hon.

Lewis Pughe, an ex-superintendent, and others addressed the

Sunday school in the afternoon, and in the evening addresses

were made by Revs. L. W. Peck, L. C. Floyd, and William

Connell. On the following Sunday services were commenced

in the Tabernacle, which had been hastily prepared on the corner

of Adams Avenue and Mulberry Street, where the society wor-

shiped until going into the new church.

 

The contract for the building of the church and parsonage was

let to Conrad Shroeder, and the corner stone was laid April 23,

1892, by the pastor, at which time addresses were made by Revs.

B. P. Raymond, D.D., Charles Robinson, D.D., M. S. Hard, D.D.,

and Judge Alfred Hand.

 

The parsonage was begun on May 10 and completed October 1.

 

The church was completed and ready for dedication, and the

program arranged. Services were to begin on December 12, and

close on December 18, 1892. About four o'clock on the morning

of Saturday, December 3, 1892, the church was found to be on

fire. The building was completely gutted, the tower and chime

of bells being saved. The society received $52,143.44 from the

insurance companies, gifts from sympathizing friends amounting


 


 

Elm Park, Scranton 909

 

to $12,656.75, and from the organ recital and concert arranged

for December 13, and which was held in the Penn Avenue Bap-

tist Church, a generous amount. The work of rebuilding com-

menced at once and was progressing finely when a second fire

occurred on March 27, 1893, which completely destroyed the

walls, leaving the tower standing, though badly chipped in

places. This time the building was insured for $30,000. It be-

came the belief that the fires were of an incendiary origin, and

methods of discovery resulted in the conviction of Peter Hom-

baugh, the sexton, in the fall of 1893 and his incarceration in

 

        ELM PARK CHURCH AND PARSONAGE [photo]

 

solitary confinement ten years. The work of rebuilding was

vigorously pushed and completed in the early winter.

 

We quote from the building edition of The Scientific American

of 1897:

 

"The site is a most desirable one, triangular in shape,...

while the church property is the most spacious, adapted to the

greatest variety of uses, acoustically the most satisfactory, and

without a superior in location and architectural effect.

 

"In this building is an organ pronounced by competent au-

thorities the finest in this country [since this organ was put in

two organs have been erected in Wilkes-Barre which have a few


 


 

910 Wyoming Conference

 

more stops]; three memorial windows equal to any; a perfect

system of heating and ventilation; and a chime of bells which,

owing to their relation to the hills and plateaus of the city and

the neighboring mountains, produce an effect quite pleasing and

unique in its character.

 

"The style is of the Romanesque order. The basement con-

tains pastor's study, with open fireplace, trustees' room, ladies'

parlor, lecture room, dining room and kitchen for entertainment

purposes, heating room, storeroom, numerous entrances, coat

rooms, and toilet rooms complete. The auditorium is planned

after the Akron style, and has a seating capacity of two thousand

five hundred when the Sunday school room and the main audi-

torium are thrown together.... The church is as near perfect

in its equipments as it is possible for any building of its'

character.

 

"The building is of native rock trimmed with Ohio sandstone."

 

The chime of ten bells is the gift of Mr. and Mrs. William

Connell as a memorial for their children — a bell for each.

 

The Epworth League and King's Daughters furnished the

chancel window, the "Repose in Egypt." W. H. Peck, in memory

of his father and grandfather, gave the window "Christ among

the doctors," and the window "The Nativity of Christ" was given

by Dr. A. J., H. H., W. L., and Jessie G. Connell in memory of

their parents. The pulpit furniture was contributed by Mrs.

Franc T. Vail.

 

The feast of dedication began with an organ recital and concert

on December 7 and 8, 1893, which netted about $9,000. These

were followed by a series of meetings in which forty-eight min-

isters of various denominations participated. Governor Patti-

son, Hon. Samuel Ammerman, Colonel E. H. Ripple, Colonel H.

M. Boies, and Mrs. Margaret Bottome also had part in the week's

program. On Sunday, December 17, Bishop Fowler preached in

the morning, and Rev. J. M. Buckley, D.D., in the evening, after

which the pastor received one hundred and ten persons into

church membership. Bishop Fowler then conducted the dedica-

tory service.

 

During the week $40,699.29 was received, and the church was

dedicated without making an appeal for funds. The building cost

about $150,000, and the total property is valued at $225,000.

Since building the church the society has purchased a triangular

piece of ground in the rear of the church for $13,000.

 

The early class leaders were, in the order named, Martin Wash-

burn, Barton Motte, Adam L. Horn, and Samuel Culver.


 


 

Embury, Scranton 911

 

Miss Tilly Hawley was employed as church missionary several

years by the Woman's Home Missionary Society of the church.

 

This church entertained the Conference in April, 1860; April,

1880; and in April, 1894.

 

The appointment was called Scranton until 1876, when it be-

came known as First Church, which name it carried until 1893,

when it took the name of Elm Park. It was a part of Pittston

Circuit until Providence charge was formed in 1849, when it be-

came a part of that charge, and in 1855 it became a charge itself.

 

Court Street, Saint Paul's, and Ash Street have been missions

of this church.

 

Pastorates

 

1855, A. H. Schoonmaker; 1856-57, George Peck; 1858-59,

B. W. Gorham; 1860-61, G. C. Bancroft; 1862-63, J. V. Newell;

1864, J. A. Wood; 1865-66, N. W. Everett; 1867, B. D. Sturde-

vant; 1868, B. D. Sturdevant, J. C. Nobles; 1869, J. C. Nobles;

1870-71, P. Krohn; 1872, G. P. Porter; 1873-74, I. T. Walker;

1875-76, L. C. Floyd; 1877-79, J- G. Eckman; 1880-82, J. E.

Smith; 1883-85, L. C. Muller; 1886-87, J. E. Price; 1888, J. E.

Price, C. S. G. Boone; 1889, J. E. Price, J. W. Nicholson; 1890,

C. C. McLean, J. W. Nicholson; 1891-95, W. H. Pearce; 1896-

1900, C. M. Giffin; 1901-02, C. M. Giffin, E. B. Singer; 1903,

C. M. Giffin, C. R. Vickery.

 

 

Scranton, Pa. — Embury

 

After occupying the corner of Hampton and Ninth Streets

about ten years, and building a little church costing $2,500, the

Protestant Methodist society saw its property sold by the sheriff

in the spring of 1882. The property was bought by a gentleman

friendly to the Methodist Episcopal Church, who sold it to us

for $1,350. The society was organized with some members of the

Protestant Methodist Church and some from the Simpson

Church, and it became incorporated on June 22, 1882, with

Thomas P. Arnt, Henry Smith, C. W. Treverton, John R. Hall,

and H. C. Hinman as trustees.

 

On July 2, 1882, the presiding elder appointed Rev. John

La Bar pastor, who preached his' first sermon to the newly formed

society from "For I determined to know nothing among you save

Jesus Christ and him crucified." Shortly afterward the Sunday

school. Ladies' Aid, and other societies were organized.

 

The charge appeared among the appointments in 1883.


 


 

912 Wyoming Conference

 

After an expenditure of $6,000, the church was reopened on

February 19, 1892. The old church, which faced Hampton

Street, was moved to the rear of the lot, facing Ninth Street, and

was fitted up for Sunday school and social purposes. A new

building 54x37 feet, was erected on the site of the old church,

which would seat three hundred, and the old chapel so arranged

relative to the new church that it might be opened and add to

the auditorium two hundred sittings. Several memorial windows

were put in, the most conspicuous being one for a former pastor.

Rev. G. C. Lewis. The society was so pleased with the work of

the pastor during the building of the church that it put a tablet

in the auditorium attesting its gratitude. On the day of dedica-

 

        EMBURY CHURCH, SCRANTON [photo]

 

tion Chaplain McCabe preached in the morning from Exod. xxv,

8, and in the evening speeches were made by several former pas-

tors and Chaplain McCabe. During the day $3,097 was raised,

which with funds previously raised left an indebtedness of $2,100.

 

The parsonage on Ninth Street was built in 1885, costing

$1,100.

 

In 1892 the indebtedness reported was $3,189. From year to

year more or less of the indebtedness was canceled, until in 1901

only $400 remained unpaid. This is a noble record. As time

passed it became very evident that a better location must be

secured. The present church lot was donated to the society by

W. W. Watson, and was valued at $1,500, and the lot beside it,

upon which the parsonage stands, was purchased for $1,000. The

parsonage with its furnishings cost $2,700, and the church about


 


 

Providence, Scranton 913

 

$14,000. The old property was taken by the contractor at $2,500.

This with labor and other contributions reduced the amount to

be raised on the day of dedication to $12,500. The building was

dedicated on May 4, 1902. Rev. S. F. Upham, D.D., preached in

the morning from Mark xiv, 8. In the afternoon a Sunday school

rally and mass meeting was held, addressed by Revs. F. P. Doty,

H. C. McDermott, C. B. Henry, and Dr. Upham. James Shepard

conducted the League service, and in the evening Rev. J. B.

Sweet, D.D., preached. Mr. J. W. Powell, managed the finances

during the day, and secured $12,500 upon subscription. The

dedicatory service was conducted by Dr. Upham. Jubilee serv-

ices during the week following the dedicatory day were addressed

by Revs. J. P. Moffatt, S. F. Matthews, T. DeGruchy, H. C.

McDermott, C. H. Newing, G. A. Cure, M. D. Fuller, C B.

Henry, and J. Bradshaw.

 

The court granted an amendment to the charter of the society

on July 15, 1901, by which the name of the society was changed

to "Embury Methodist Episcopal Church of South Main and

Bryn Mawr Streets of North East District of Lackawanna Town-

ship, Lackawanna County, Pa."

 

In 1903 the indebtedness was reported as being $9,500.

 

Pastorates

 

1883, J. La Bar; 1884-86, G. C. Lewis; 1887-88, W. R. Neth-

erton; 1889-90, S. Elwell; 1891, H. B. Benedict; 1892, C. H.

Hayes; 1893-94, A. W. Cooper; 1895-97, F. P. Doty; 1898-1903,

J. Benninger.

 

 

Scranton, Pa. — Providence

 

Sometime in May, 1793, William Colbert preached to a few

people at a Brother How's, and also met a small class. He lodged

at Joseph Waller's. This was at Capouse. How's and Waller's

were regular preaching places at that time. In 1798 Colbert

stopped at Daniel Taylor's in Capouse. This was probably be-

tween Providence and the central part of the city, and not far

from the power house of the street railway. In 1802 Providence

was credited, on the stewards' book of Wyoming Circuit, with

forty cents quarterage. Elisha Bibbins stated that a class existed

here in 1812, and that he used to stop with an old man by the

name of Ireland. This class was undoubtedly the nucleus of the

present church, and its meetings were probably moved from

Capouse to Providence Corners when the settlement at the latter

place began to grow. In 1826 Providence had but seven


 


 

914 Wyoming Conference

 

dwellings, and was called "Razorville" or "The Corners." In

1840 the class had twenty or more members. Mrs. C. E. Gardner

said they were "intelligent and well-bred people, mostly from

Westchester County, N. Y.," and that "the officials of the society

were men of business ability and sterling religious character."

At that time (1840) the class was a part of Pittston Circuit. In

1849 Providence was taken from Pittston Circuit, and with

Slocum Hollow (now Elm Park), Hyde Park, Dunmore, and

 

        PROVIDENCE CHURCH, SCRANTON [photo]

 

Blakely constituted a charge under the name of Providence. In

1869 Providence was alone and contained within its bounds the

territory now in Park Place, Green Ridge, and Providence.

 

On September 9, 1833, Nathaniel Cottrill and Elisha D. Potter

deeded the society a lot, situated about where William Von

Storch's residence now stands on North Main Avenue, for $1,000.

On this a church was built in 1833-34, which was destroyed by a

tornado on July 3, 1834. The destruction was so complete that

the society did not attempt to rebuild. The trustees at the time

were Alvin Dana, Samuel Griffin, and Egbert B. Mott.

 

After this the society worshiped in an old schoolhouse on the

opposite side of the street from the wrecked church for a short


 


 

Providence, Scranton 915

 

time, and then went to a school building on the east side of the

river, located on the hill on East Market Street, not far from the

tracks of the Delaware and Hudson Railroad. The society con-

tinued to worship there until the winter of 1845-46, when it was

permitted to occupy the "Bell Schoolhouse," on the west side of

the river, located on North Main Avenue opposite Weston Place.

A revival that winter added much to the society. Shortly after

this the Presbyterians erected a chapel on the corner of Church

and Oak Streets, and, having received some help from Methodists

in the enterprise, gave the Methodists the use of their building.

The society used this building until it secured a church of its own.

 

On September 20, 1850, Edmund Griffin and wife Eliza, in

consideration of $10 deeded to Artemas Miller, William Silkman,

A. B. Silkman, James Mott, Ebenezer Leach, and L. W. WykofI,

trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Providence bor-

ough, the lot for the church. Mr. Griffin was a native of this

place, and lived at New York at the time he gave the lot to the

society. The church was dedicated on April 21, 1853, Rev.

George Peck preaching in the morning and Rev. D. A. Shepard

in the evening. The building was of brick, 36x52, with a vesti-

bule. A large entrance admitted to the vestibule, and two smaller

ones admitted from the vestibule to the auditorium. The pulpit

was between these two doors in the front end of the church. At

the rear of. the audience room the choir occupied elevated seats.

The basement was not finished at this time.

 

After spending $2,000 in putting the pulpit into the back part

of the audience room, reversing the pews, building a place for the

choir over the vestibule, retinting the walls, and making some

minor improvements, the church was reopened on May 28, 1865.

Rev. R. Nelson preached in the morning and Rev. Caleb Wright

in the evening. Six hundred dollars was raised during the day.

In 1867 an addition 12x40 was built on the rear of the basement

to better accommodate the Sunday school.

 

In 1872 the front of the building was extended twenty feet,

the tower constructed, entrance rearranged, choir removed to

the right of the pulpit, basement finished under the whole build-

ing, at a cost of $7,000. The church was reopened on Thursday,

October 17, 1872. Bishop Wiley preached in the morning and

Rev. B. I. Ives in the evening. In 1886 $1,300 was spent in

painting and putting in stained-glass windows. The next year

the floor was inclined, new pews purchased, and the walls deco-

rated, auditorium recarpeted, and the basement thoroughly re-

modeled, the whole costing $2,000. The chandeliers in the audi-


 


 

916 Wyoming Conference

 

torium were put in more recently by Miss Amy Mulley's Sunday

school class of boys. The pipe organ was purchased in 1892, and

in 1893 $2,000 was expended in reseating the auditorium and

needed repairs.

 

On Wednesday, January 1, 1902, the society celebrated its

"semicentennial," at which time addresses were made by several

former and neighboring pastors and $1,650 indebtedness can-

celed. After spending $2,500 in building an alcove back of the

pulpit for the organ and choir, finishing the audience room in oak,

putting on a steel ceiling, decorating the walls, and purchasing

new pulpit furnishings, the church was reopened on Sunday,

October 11, 1903. Rev. A. Griffin, D.D., preached in the morning

from Ezra v, 3, and Rev. M. D. Fuller, D.D., preached in the

evening from Luke ix, 32. An interesting Sunday school rally

was held in the afternoon.

 

In 1848 a small, unpretentious parsonage was built on North

Main Avenue near Weston Place. When Providence separated

from Pittston in 1849 the society paid Pittston for its share in

the house. In 1863, the parsonage lot being a large one, a part

was sold and the proceeds used in enlarging the parsonage. In

1884 a large and commodious house near the church was pur-

chased for $5,000. The old parsonage was sold for $2,000, and

proceeds used in the new purchase. In 1887 this property was

sold and the present parsonage, standing between the last named

and the church, was built.

 

The Ladies' Aid Society was organized in 1858, and the

Woman's Foreign Missionary Society in 1870.

 

The Quarterly Conference has licensed the following: L. C.

Floyd, P. R. Tower, J. B. Sumner, J. B. Sweet, C. A. Benjamin.

 

The years 1860, 1862, 1873, and 1885 may be mentioned, among

the many, as years of more than ordinary revival interest.

 

Pastorates

 

1849, _____; 1850, Ziba S. Kellogg; 1851, H. Brownscombe;

1852, H. Brownscombe, J. H. Cargill; 1853, Charles Perkins, S. S.

Kennedy; 1854-55, J. F. Wilbur; 1856-57, G. M. Peck; 1858,

J. W. Munger; 1859-60, A. H. Schoonmaker; 1861-62, H.

Brownscombe; 1863, G. H. Blakeslee; 1864-65, G. M. Peck;

1866-67, George Peck; 1868-69, S. W. Weiss; 1870-72, W. J.

Judd; 1873-74, W. Bixby; 1875-76, L. Cole; 1877-79, R- W. Van

Schoick; 1880, W. L. Thorpe; 1881-82, L. C. Floyd; 1883-85,

A. J. Van Cleft; 1886, S. C. Fulton; 1887-89, G. Forsyth; 1890-

94, M. D. Fuller; 1895-99, W. Edgar; 1900-03, G. A. Cure.


 


 

Simpson, Scranton 917

 

 

Scranton, Pa. — Simpson

 

A class was organized here prior to 1849 and formed a part of

the Pittston Circuit. From 1849 to 1854, inclusive, it was served

by the pastor of Providence Circuit, and from 1856 to 1861 it

was a part of Lackawanna Circuit, becoming a charge in 1862.

 

In 1853 preaching services were held monthly in the old brick

Baptist church, of which Rev. Mr. Mott was pastor. In 1855

preaching services were held in the same church biweekly. When

Lackawanna Mission was created in 1856 it consisted of Lacka-

wanna, Taylorville, and Hyde Park, services being held at Lack-

awanna in the morning, Taylorville in the afternoon, and Hyde

 

        SIMPSON CHURCH, SCRANTON [photo]

 

Park in the evening. At this time the services were taken to the

old schoolhouse which stood on the site now occupied by the

church. This property was purchased by the society in 1857 for

$1,000, and in 1859 a parsonage was built by the side of the

schoolhouse church. In 1860 the schoolhouse church was sold

to H. Krigbaum, who moved it to Chestnut Street, and converted

it into a double dwelling. It may be seen at Nos. 217 and 219

Chestnut Street. A brick church 40x60 feet was built, which

was dedicated in July, 1861, Rev. D. W. Bartine, of Philadelphia

Conference, preaching the dedicatory sermon.

 

On the night of February 14, 1869, the church and parsonage

were consumed by fire. The church and parsonage were valued

at $8,500, and the society had but a little while previous to the fire


 


 

918 Wyoming Conference

 

freed itself from debt. There was but $1,100 insurance. The

work of rebuilding began at once. As soon as the basement was

completed it was dedicated on Sunday, February 27, 1870, with

sermons by Rev. R. Nelson in the morning and Hon. Caleb

Wright in the evening. The pastor during the year 1870 traveled

throughout the Conference raising funds for the struggling

church. The church was completed, and dedicated on February

22, 1872, Rev. W. P. Abbott, D.D., preaching in the morning and

Rev. B. I. Ives, D.D., at night.

 

The financial panic which swept over the country in the seven-

ties greatly embarrassed the society, as it had a large debt to

struggle with ($17,000). On March 13, 1881, a service was held

and over $13,000 was subscribed, which covered the indebtedness

at that time. On February 22, 1883, a jubilee service was held,

recognizing the fact that the debt had been fully paid. The even-

ing service of the day was unique. The pastor received sixty-

eight on probation, baptized forty, and received five into full

membership. The pastor was presented with a gold watch and

a purse of $142, and his wife with a fifty-dollar dress and a purse

of $30. Addresses were then made by Revs. Messrs. Thorpe,

Hiller, Peck, and Lewis.

 

In 1888 the tower was discovered to be unsafe, and the society

determined to rebuild the front of the church. The entire front

of the church was torn away and a more imposing and larger

front erected. In doing this the audience room was lengthened

about twenty feet. At the same time the auditorium was re-

modeled, handsomely decorated, and reseated. The building was

rededicated on February 15, 1890. The total cost of these im-

provements was $16,054. The sum of $3,666 had been raised

prior to this day, and during the day $9,388 was raised, leaving

$3,000 unprovided for. On December 7, 1890, at 5 p. m., the

church was discovered to be on fire. The interior of the building

was destroyed. The loss on the building was covered by the in-

surance, but there was a loss on the organ, the finest in the city

at the time, which was but partly insured. The Sunday school

library was also ruined. The church was reopened on Sunday,

May 10, 1891, Rev. W. H. Pearce, D.D., preaching in the morn-

ing and Rev. M. S. Hard, D.D., at night.

 

A steam-heating plant was installed in 1902.

 

The parsonage, valued at $4,500, was built in 1873.

 

The Sunday school was organized in 1857, and numbered

about sixty. Its library numbered about seventy-five volumes,

and the society being poor could not afford a suitable receptacle


 


 

St. Paul's, Scranton 919

 

for the books. The librarian, accordingly, carried the library to

his home at the close of each session of the school.

 

Joseph A. Ladd, Issachar Pawling, Isaac Miller, W. H. Owen,

William Munson, Stephen W. Blatchley, and John M. Acker

constituted the first board of trustees, the last named also acted

as chorister over twenty-five years.

 

On October 15, 1890, the court granted the petition of the so-

ciety to change its name from "First Methodist Episcopal Church

of Hyde Park" to "Simpson Methodist Episcopal Church of

Scranton, Pa."

 

Allis Mission. During the fall of 1894 cottage meetings were

commenced in this neighborhood under the direction of the pas-

tor. One year later a Sunday school was organized, and Sunday

evening preaching services instituted by W. H. Crawford, an

exhorter. Lots 90x150 feet on the corner of Keyser Avenue and

Luzerne Street were donated by M. H. Dale, and in August,

1896, a chapel was built which will seat seventy-five people. The

membership is reported with that of Simpson Church, and the

property is held by the trustees of Simpson Church. The Sunday

school superintendent is F. S. Crawford.

 

Simpson Church entertained Wyoming Conference in 1867,

and again in 1884.

 

In the years 1876, 1885, and 1897 extraordinary ingatherings

were reported.

 

Pastorates

 

1862-63, W. J. Judd; 1864, R. Van Valkenburg, F. L. Hiller;

1865, F. L. Hiller; 1866-67, L. W. Peck; 1868, D. A. Shepard;

1869, F. L. Hiller; 1870, F. L. Hiller, S. J. Austin; 1871, F. L.

Hiller; 1872, _____; 1873, I. B. Hyde; 1874-76, R. W. Van

Schoick; 1877-79, W. L. Thorpe; 1880-82, R. W. Van Schoick;

1883, A. L. Smalley; 1884-85, G. M. Colville; 1886, S. Moore;

1887-88½, G. W. Miller; 1888½-90, O. P. Wright; 1891-95, L. C.

Floyd; 1896-1900, J. B. Sweet; 1901-03, H. C. McDermott.

 

 

Scranton, Pa. — St. Paul's

 

This society is the outgrowth of a cottage prayer meeting in-

stituted on Slocum Flats by the Adams Avenue pastor in 1884.

After holding meetings in private houses a while, the services

were taken to school building No. 11 on Pittston Avenue,

where a Sunday school was organized. The growth of the work


 


 

920 Wyoming Conference

 

demanded the erection of a building suitable for the work. A

lot on the corner of Cedar Avenue and Cherry Street was pur-

chased of William Connell in 1886 for $500. Rev. John Davy,

a superannuate member of New York Conference, living in Scran-

ton, was placed in charge of the work. A chapel was erected in

1887 costing $1,500. Some time before the completion of the

building John Rogers, who had taken great interest in the Sun-

day school, was killed in the mines. In his memory the chapel

was called "The John Rogers Mission Chapel." In 1888 Rev.

C. S. G. Boone, a local preacher, was given charge of the work.

 

        ST. PAUL’S CHURCH, SCRANTON [photo]

 

In 1889 Rev. J. W. Nicholson was appointed assistant pastor of

Adams Avenue Church, with the understanding that he was to

have charge of the south-side work. In 1891 the church appeared

among the appointments, taking the name of Cedar Avenue

Church in 1892, and St. Paul's in 1902.

 

A parsonage was built on Cherry Street in 1893 costing $1,700,

$500 of which was raised at the time. In 1894 an extension

16x26 feet was built on the rear of the church, which gave much-

needed additional room. The church was reopened August 25,

1894, Rev. S. H. Adams, of Jamestown, preaching the dedicatory

sermon, and Rev. L, C, Floyd conducting the dedicatory service.


 


 

Shavertown, Pa. 921

 

Time developed the fact that the church property was not lo-

cated so as to render the work of the society most efficient. Ac-

cordingly, a lot was bought of Mrs. Joseph K. Harvey, on Feb-

ruary 15, 1902, located on the corner of Pearl Street and Pittston

Avenue. The lot is 90x160 feet, and was secured for $1,500.

The comer stone of the present church was laid on August 7,

1902, by Rev. A. Griffin, D.D. The pastor delivered the address

of the day. The church and parsonage join and cost $8,500. The

old property on Cherry Street was sold to the Scranton Button

Company for $2,500. The dedication occurred on November 16,

1902. Rev. C. M. Giffin, D.D., preached in the morning and Rev.

H. C. McDermott, D.D., at night. Mr. J. W. Powell managed the

finances during the day and secured $6,300 in subscriptions. The

windows are all memorials.

 

Pastorates

 

1891-92, J. W. Nicholson; 1893-94, E. L. Santee; 1895-97,

J. L. Race; 1898-1903, F. P. Doty.

 

 

Shavertown, Pa.

 

This charge was formed in 1891 by taking Huntsville from the

Lehman Circuit, Trucksville from Dallas, and Shavertown from

Luzerne.

 

The charge was called Trucksville until 1896, when the name

was changed to Shavertown.

 

Shavertown was opened in 1890 by the pastor at Luzerne.

There is no church at Shavertown, but the parsonage is located

there and was built in 1894, costing $1,200. Jacob Shaver had

supervision of its construction.

 

Huntsville class was organized as early as 1820. The church

was built in 1870, and dedicated on November 22 of that year by

Rev. W. H. Olin, D.D. It is called "The Van Loon Methodist

Episcopal Church," because Mr. James Van Loon, of Kingston,

contributed largely toward its erection.

 

Trucksville appears among the preaching places on Wyoming

Circuit in 1818. The church here is supposed to have been built

about fifty years ago. On July 22, 1853, Jacob Rice and wife

Sarah, in consideration of $100, deeded three quarters of an acre

of land to Jacob Rice, John P. Rice, William Booth, Asa Rice,

Daniel Harris, John Wall, and W. C. Hageman, trustees of the

Methodist Episcopal Church at Trucksville.

 

Several revivals have strengthened the charge.


 


 

922 Wyoming Conference

 

Pastorates

 

1891, W. Rawlings; 1892-94, Clark Callendar; 1895-96, N. J.

Hawley; 1897-98, J. W. Price; 1899-1900, P. Houck; 1901-02,

L. T. Van Campen; 1903, W. H. Stang.

 

 

Taylor, Pa.

 

The class at Taylor was organized about 1853 by the pastor

of Pittston Circuit, and was a part of Pittston charge until the

formation of Lackawanna Mission in 1856, when it became a part

of that charge and remained so until it became a charge in 1876.

The society became incorporated on December 30, 1882, with

Alexander Connell, Fred Courtright, and Robert Linney trustees.

 

The society built its parsonage first. On February 24, 1882,

the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad gave the so-

ciety a site for a parsonage on Main Street 38x150 feet. The

 

        TAYLOR CHURCH [photo]

 

house was built in 1882 at a cost of $1,200. In 1885 $400 was

spent in improving it.

 

After worshiping forty years in the Presbyterian church the

society built a church costing $5,400, which was dedicated on

October 30, 1892. The lot corner of Main and Taylor Streets,

was purchased from the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western

Railroad Company for $600. The deed, however, was not exe-

cuted until July 23, 1894. On Saturday evening prior to the

dedication Rev. J. A. Faulkner preached in the old church. The

morning sermon on Sunday was by Rev. M. S. Hard, D.D. In


 


 

Tunkhannock, Pa. 923

 

the afternoon Drs. Park and Floyd, and former pastors Faulkner,

Santee, La Bar, and Olver, made addresses, and in the evening

Rev. W. H. Pearce, D.D., preached. A mortgage of $600 was to

be carried and $1,250 raised, which was readily done.

The years 1886 and 1890 were great revival years.

 

Pastorates

 

1876-78, E. L. Santee; 1879-81, A. C. Olver; 1882-84, I- B.

Wilson; 1885, R. J. Kellogg; 1886, T. P. Halstead; 1887-91,

J. A. Faulkner; 1892, I. J. Smith; 1893, W. W. Smith; 1894-96,

F. A. King; 1897-98, W. Frisby; 1899, F. Gendall; 1900-02, C. B.

Henry; 1903, E. L. Santee.

 

 

TUNKHANNOCK, Pa.

 

A class was formed at a Mr. Fancher's on Tunkhannock

Creek as early as 1802. We are unable to state the location of

this class relative to the present society, but the class was a part

of Wyoming Circuit. Some years prior to 1828 religious services

were held by the Methodists of Tunkhannock in the Keating

schoolhouse, there being no church edifice in the town at that

time. The class was first part of Wyoming Circuit, subsequently

a part of Bridgewater; following this it was on Springville

Circuit, and in 1843 became a charge.

 

In 1828 there were but seven members in the class. During

the year, under the labors of "Elder David Holmes, D.D.," there

was a revival in the community which added sixteen members

to the society. In 1833 Henry Stark donated the society a lot

on the corner of Bridge and Church Streets. Members of the

society went to the woods and prepared timbers for the frame of

the church, which was raised and inclosed, when the work was

discontinued. The church, "after being half finished, was sold

by the sheriff, redeemed, and after standing five or six years

in an unfinished and dilapidated condition," was finally finished

after a severe struggle, and dedicated in December, 1842. A re-

vival followed the dedication which resulted in over one hundred

conversions. The church was 56x72 and conformed to the style

of the times, a gallery on three sides, high pulpit, and pews with

doors. It was sold in the sixties, converted into a dwelling house,

and in 1868 destroyed by fire.

 

When Tunkhannock became a charge in 1843, Washington

Stansbury and William H. Jenkins were made class leaders, and

Peter Sharp, P. M. Osterhout, Henry Stark, and Nicholas

Stevens were appointed stewards. The first Quarterly Confer-


 


 

924 Wyoming Conference

 

ence was held on November 25, 1843. At this time Mount

Vernon and the Shaw, Stark, and Jenkins neighborhoods were

preaching places on the Tunkhannock charge.

 

On October 20, 1868, Rev. D. C. Olmstead laid the corner stone

for the present church, and the building was dedicated on April

10, 1869, Bishop Ames preaching in the morning and Rev. B.

I. Ives in the evening. The church cost $12,500, $3,200 of which

was raised on the day of dedication. The day following was

Sunday, when the bishop again preached in the morning, and

 

        TUNKHANNOCK CHURCH [photo]

 

Mr. Ives in the evening gave a temperance address of great

power, holding the audience two and a half hours. In 1888 $3,500

was spent in improving the church, which was rededicated on

June 6, 1888, by Bishop Foss. Among the improvements at this

time were the extension of the building, and the fitting up of a

commodious class and Epworth League room. Since 1899 the

auditorium has been carpeted, papered, a new organ purchased,

and the building lighted by electric lights. The organ is the gift

of Mrs. P. S. Billings, her son W. P. Billings, and her daughter

Mrs. J. C. Thayer, in memory of the husband and father, P. S.

Billings, who was a prominent official of the church many years.


 


 

Wanamie, Pa. 925

 

The parsonage was built in 1879 at a cost of $1,500. It has

since been improved and repaired several times.

 

Good revivals were witnessed in 1852-53, 1855, 1863, 1867,

1869, 1886, and 1900.

 

In the middle of the Conference year of 1846 Rev. P. S. Wor-

den was moved to Kingston, and Rev. Thomas Wilcox filled out

the year. In 1848 Tunkhannock was with Springville. Rev. H.

R. Clarke resigned his pastorate in December, 1871, and Rev. J.

L. Race filled out the balance of the year.

 

In 1873 a $1,200 debt was paid, and from 1892 to 1895 $1,800

of a $2,100 debt was paid.

 

Pastorates

 

1843, H. F. Rowe; 1844, D. G. York; 1845-46, P. S. Worden;

1847, L. S. Bennett; 1848, with Springville; 1849-50, H.

Brownscombe; 1851, D. C. Olmstead; 1852-53, J. F. Wilbur;

1854, L. D. Tryon; 1855, F. S. Chubbuck; 1856-57, C. Perkins;

1858, I. D. Warren; 1859-60, B. B. Emory; 1861-62, A. H.

Schoonmaker; 1863-64, L. Peck; 1865, J. V. Newell; 1866-67,

J. L. Legg; 1868-70, S. F. Brown; 1871, H. R. Clarke; 1872-73,

J. L. Race; 1874-75, J. K. Peck; 1876-77, S. W. Weiss; 1878,

George Comfort; 1879-80, G. M. Colville; 1881-83, S. F. Brown;

1884-86, W. J. Hill; 1887-89, G. C. Lyman; 1890, H. M. Cryden-

wise; 1891, J. F. Warner; 1892-95, W. M. Hiller; 1896-97, J. C.

Leacock; 1898-1903, H. H. Wilbur.

 

 

Wanamie, Pa.

 

The territory within the bounds of this charge was formerly

a part of the Newport Circuit, and subsequently a part of Han-

over, becoming a separate charge in 1886.

 

The society worshiped in the old "Center" church (Lutheran)

some time before building. Squire Vandemark gave a site, and

a church was built on it in 1853, which cost about $1,200. This

building was thoroughly renovated in 1881, and in 1889 $700

was spent in building two wings to the church and making some

minor improvements. The church was reopened on December

22, 1889, Rev. W. M. Hiller preaching the sermon and Rev. R.

W. Van Schoick conducting the dedicatory services.

 

The site for the present church was purchased of the Lehigh

and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company and Richard Morris, one half

from each, and cost $900. The church has a basement nicely

fitted for social work, and an attractive auditorium above it. The


 


 

926 Wyoming Conference

 

building cost $4,500, and was dedicated by a festival of dedica-

tion in March, 1902.

 

In 1888 one hundred conversions were reported, and in 1898

there were thirty accessions.

 

James A. Dewey has been superintendent of the Sunday school

many years.

 

Alden. The class was organized a number of years before the

church was built, and worshiped in the schoolhouse. In 1890 the

Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad Company gave the

society a building lot, upon which a church was built costing

$2,800. The building was dedicated on Sunday, June 29, 1890.

Rev. A. Griffin preached in the morning and Rev. George Forsyth

in the evening. In the afternoon a children's meeting was held

addressed by Joseph Evans and Revs. J. K. Peck and R. W. Van

Schoick. The sum of $1,800 was raised during the day.

 

In 1899 a revival added twenty-five to this society.

 

Thomas Turner has served as Sunday school superintendent

many years.

 

Pastorates

 

1886, George Greenfield; 1887, R. P. Christopher; 1888-89,

D. A. Sanford; 1890, W. Keatley; 1891, W. Keatley, B. R.

Hanton; 1892, W. Keatley; 1893-94, J. Madison, J. H. Brunges;

189s, T. M. Furey; 1896-97, J. A. Transue; 1898-1903, F. D.

Cornell.

 

 

Waverly, Pa.

 

Waverly was the center of the old Abington Circuit. This

territory was first served by the preachers of Wyoming Circuit.

The first Methodist preaching place in this section was at Mr.

Leach's in 1818. (See Chinchilla.)

 

The Waverly class was organized in 1832 by Rev. Samuel

Griffin, with the following members: Owen Wight and wife,

Nehemiah Tinkham and wife. Rev. S. Griffin and wife, Mrs.

Elvira Whaling, and Ann Stevens. Services were held in a

schoolhouse, standing near the residence of Colonel J. G. Fell,

which still stands and is used as a dwelling house. Among the

members who joined the church later were William La Bar and

wife, J. S. Mershon and wife, Jane Tinkham, Sarah J. and Celinda

Stone, Rhoda M. Jones, Mary A. Sherman, W. R. Finch and wife,

A. M. Coon and wife, Mary Thompson, Benjamin Knight,

A. J. Stone and wife, Deborah Bedford, Dr. A. Bedford, Lois B.


 


 

Waverly, Pa. 927

 

Gorman, Elizabeth Palmer, Rebecca White, Elizabeth Bailey,

N. N. Dean and wife. Deborah Bedford was converted and

joined the Ross Hill class in 1788, and lived an irreproachable

Christian life eighty-one years, dying in 1869 in her ninety-

seventh year.

 

This territory was undoubtedly a part of Wyoming Circuit

from 1818 to 1831 inclusive. We have given us a list of pastors

serving Waverly and contiguous places as follows: 1832-33,

Samuel Griffin; 1833-34, B. Ellis; 1836-37, William Reddy; 1838-

 

        WAVERLY CHURCH [photo]

 

39, B. Ellis; 1840, D. F. Reed. We are unable to harmonize this

list of appointments with anything. They are not given in the

Minutes, and do not correspond with those published of Canaan,

Bridgewater, Pittston, or Wyoming Circuits.

 

When Abington Circuit appeared among the appointments in

1841 it contained the following preaching places: Abington

Center (Waverly), West Abington, Factoryville, Corners School-

house, Shook Schoolhouse, Bald Mount, Breeches Pond, North

Abington, Yellow Schoolhouse, Clarksville, Wallsville, Green-

woods, and Red Schoolhouse — thirteen places. Later the Red

Schoolhouse was dropped, and Post Town and White School-


 


 

928 Wyoming Conference

 

house added. This circuit comprised the territory now in

Waverly, Wallsville, Nicholson, Factoryville, Falls, Newton, and

Clark's Summit charges.

 

In 1871 the name Abington was changed to Waverly. Dalton

was attached to Waverly for a while.

 

The society became incorporate on October 20, 1843, as "The

Methodist Episcopal Church of Abington Center, Luzerne

County, Pa.," with Gerton Hall, Samuel Griffin, Benjamin

Knight, Andrew Bedford, Leonard Hopfer, Owen Vought, and

Norman Phelps trustees.

 

The church was erected in 1842. On February 27, 1881, after

an outlay of $1,000 in improving the building, it was reopened.

Rev. D. Copeland, D.D., preached in the morning and Rev. W. H.

Olin, D.D., in the evening. The building was extensively re-

paired in 1886. In 1890 the church was hit by lightning, after

which $1,000 was spent in building a new tower, putting in new

windows, decorating the walls, and painting the exterior. The

church was reopened on Sunday, December 14, 1890, Rev. J. E.

Perry, of the Waverly Baptist Church, preaching to the united

congregations.

 

Waverly entertained the Wyoming Conference in May, 1857.

 

The parsonage property was bought in 1852, and the house has

been greatly improved since.

 

Clark's Green. Preaching services were held here as early as

1841, and the class organized some time before 1848. This place

was an appointment on the Abington Circuit. In 1865 Clark's

Green, Leach's Flats, and Ackerley's were taken from Abington

Circuit and constituted a charge. Shortly afterward Ackerley's

was merged with Leach's Flats and Shultzville taken on. In

1883 Clark's Green went back to Waverly charge.

 

"The Methodist Episcopal Church of Clark's Green" was in-

corporated on July 14, 1868, George Swallow, James S. Wagner,

Albert I. Ackerley, Giles Leach, Erastus D. Larue, William Al-

worth, and David Cosner being the first trustees. The church

was dedicated on Thursday, February 25, 1869, and cost between

$3,000 and $4,000. Rev. B. I. Ives preached the dedicatory

sermon. In 1880 $350 was spent in improving the building, and

in 1886 it was again greatly improved.

 

During the time Clark's Green was an appointment it was

served as follows: 1865-67, Parley H. Scovill; 1868-69, J- B.

Davis; 1870-72, O. M. Martin; 1873-74, S. J. Austin; 1875-77,

F. A. King; 1878-80, G. C. Lyman; 1881-82, G. T. Price.


 


 

West Nanticoke, Pa. 929

 

Pastorates

 

1841, D. F. Reed; 1842, John Mulkey; 1843-44, C. Perkins;

1845-46, C. E. Taylor; 1847, _____; 1848, T. Wilcox; 1849, A; H.

Schoonmaker; 1850, J. F. Wilbur, E. F. Roberts; 1851, J. F.

Wilbur; 1852-53, A. Bronson; 1854, L. Cole; 1855-56, D. Wor-

rall; 1857-58, S. S. Barter; 1859-60, H. Brownscombe; 1861-62,

Asa Brooks; 1863, D. C. Olmstead; 1864-65, C. E. Taylor; 1866-

68, F. L. Hiller; 1869-71, J. G. Eckman; 1872-73, A. C. Bowdish;

1874, L. W. Peck; 1875-77, G. A. Severson; 1878-79, A. W.

Cooper; 1880, G. C. Lyman; 1881-82, W. Treible; 1883-84, S. J.

Austin; 1885-87, F. Gendall; 1888-89, S. Jay; 1890-91, J. B.

Sweet; 1892-96, F. H. Parsons; 1897-98, J. B. Sumner; 1899-

1903, M. S. Godshall.

 

 

West Nanticoke, Pa.

 

For some time prior to 1872 a union Sunday school had been

held at West Nanticoke, running only through the warm weather,

and was under the leadership of some Baptist people. Rev. Mr.

Sheerer, a Baptist minister, preached here some time, having his

appointment once in four weeks. In the fall of 1872, at the sug-

gestion of Jacob Bonawitz, a Methodist Sunday school was or-

ganized, which was to continue through the winter. The school

had one hundred members, and Mr. Bonawitz was the superin-

tendent. The school has continued until now. After the organiza-

tion of the school F. Gendall, Frank Gray, Henry Gray, Mr.

Dexter, and Charles Haynes, local preachers from Plymouth,

alternated in preaching here morning and evening. In 1874 West

Nanticoke was placed with Nanticoke for pastoral oversight, and

continued with Nanticoke until 1886, when it became a charge

with C. S. Lane as pastor.

 

The church was built in 1886 at a cost of $1,500, exclusive

of the lot. This building was 32x46 feet. In 1900 the work of

remodeling began. It was raised, thirteen feet added to its width,

and a basement constructed under the whole for Sunday school

and social purposes. A tower was built, stained-glass windows

put in the building, circular pews purchased, auditorium carpeted,

new organ purchased, and several minor improvements made, the

whole costing $2,600. The church was rededicated on Sunday,

August 18, 1901. Rev. A. Griffin, D.D., preached in the morning,

Rev. A. J. Van Cleft in the afternoon, and Rev. W. H. Hiller in

the evening. During the day $2,000 was raised, thus providing

for the total cost of the improvements.


 


 

930 Wyoming Conference

 

The parsonage was built in 1893 at a cost of $1,200. It has

since been somewhat enlarged.

 

In 1890, after serving the charge a few months, the pastor

resigned, and Rev. E. B. Singer was sent to fill out the year.

Before the year closed one of the greatest revivals the charge has

known was enjoyed. In the fall of 1892 the pastor left to attend

Drew Theological Seminary. The balance of the year was sup-

plied by Rev. J. B. Santee.

 

Pastorates

 

1886, C. S. Lane; 1887-89, W. Keatley; 1890, L. W. Peck;

1891-92, F. N. Smith; 1893-94, A. D. David; 1895-97, Clark

Callendar; 1898, P. Houck; 1899-1902, E. L. Santee; 1903, J. R.

Wagner.

 

 

West Pittston, Pa.

 

The rapid growth of West Pittston rendered it necessary to

organize a society and build a church. The Pittston church, seeing

this, took measures to organize such a society, which was done

on January 27, 1873. Rev. I. T. Walker, who was pastor of the

Pittston church at the time, and under whose direction the divi-

sion was effected, writes: "The male members met pursuant to

public notice at the Vine Street schoolhouse, in West Pittston, on

Monday, January 27, 1873, at 7:30 p. m., for the purpose of

electing trustees of the newly formed church, and also for the

purpose of organizing a Quarterly Conference. The meeting was

called to order by B. D. Beyea, who, after prayer by Rev. George

Peck, D.D.,... nominated nine persons as trustees, who were

duly elected." The board elected consisted of B. D. Beyea, C. S.

Stark, Charles Pugh, B. Downing, W. R. Sax, David Jones,

B. Sharkey, Thomas Ford, and G. B. Rommel. After election

the board organized by electing B. D. Beyea president, C. S.

Stark secretary, and Thomas Ford treasurer.

 

In forming the new society the Pittston church gave one hun-

dred and ninety-three of its members, which was one half, less

one, of its total membership. The first board of stewards con-

sisted of Thomas B. Lance, W. R. Sax, Chandler Williams,

Thomas Nichols, Henry Searle, Peter Rinker, William McCabe,

B. D. Beyea, and H. C. Dewey. Following this the usual

Disciplinary committees were appointed.

 

The society proceeded to build a church on the corner of Wyo-

ming and Montgomery Streets. The building committee con-

sisted of Thomas Ford, B. D. Beyea, and W. R. Sax. The con-


 


 

West Pittston, Pa. 931

 

tract was let to William O'Malley, and the work pushed rapidly

forward, so that when the Conference of 1873 appointed a pastor

to West Pittston he found the basement of the church completed,

formally opened, and occupied by the society. The Sunday school

was organized soon after Conference. The building was com-

pleted, and dedicated on August 26, 1873. Rev. R. Nelson, D.D.,

preached in the morning from Heb. i, 14, and Rev. B. I. Ives in

the evening from Rom. xii, 1. The entire cost of building and

 

        WEST PITTSTON CHURCH [photo]

 

lot was $42,000, $31,000 of which was raised on this day, the

balance having been previously raised.

 

It was found in 1878 that the society was $8,000 in debt. The

financial depression in the country had rendered some unable to

meet their subscriptions. The indebtedness was unpaid subscrip-

tions and accumulated interest. In 1883 $6,074 was paid on

indebtedness, reducing the debt to $1,926. The building was

repaired and beautified at a cost of $3,500, and the pews supplied

with Hymnals. In 1890 $1,250 was expended in grading the

grounds, laying walks, and building a barn. In 1895 $1,200 was

spent in repairs upon the church. In 1900 the building was ex-

tensively repaired. The stairway from the vestibule to the


 


 

932 Wyoming Conference

 

auditorium was" improved, the floor of the auditorium inclined,

pews remodeled, the whole church refrescoed, a new pipe organ

purchased, auditorium carpeted, and a steam-heating plant in-

stalled at a total cost of $10,000. The reopening services were

held on September 9, 1900. The pastor preached in the morning

and Rev. C. E. Mogg, D.D., in the evening. The sum of $S,ooo

was raised during the day, the balance having been previously-

raised.

 

The parsonage was erected in 1884 at a cost of $3,500.

 

West Pittston entertained the Wyoming Conference in 1878,

1889, and 1901.

 

While most of the pastors have witnessed gracious seasons of

revival work, the revival during the winter of 1885-86, in which

over three hundred were converted and two hundred and ten

received on probation, is spoken of as the greatest revival in the

history of the church.

 

Pastorates

 

1873-74, W. B. Westlake; 1875-77, S. Moore; 1878-80, A.

Griffin; 1881-83, O- W. Scott; 1884-86, J. G. Eckman; 1887-89,

H. M. Crydenwise; 1890-92, C. A. Benjamin; 1893-94, O. H. Mc-

Anulty; 1895-98, W. G. Simpson; 1899-1903, O. L. Severson.

 

 

Wilkes-Barre, Pa. — Bennett Chapel

 

This society is a mission of the Franklin Street Church, and

is the outgrowth of a Sunday school which was started by Walter

J. Symons, Andrew E. Symons, and Alfred Johns on January 8,

1893, with a membership of sixty-nine. The sessions of the

school were held in the Baltimore Public School building on

Scott Street. John V. Brownell was the first superintendent.

Until going into the chapel the work was limited to the session

of the school and a prayer meeting each week. After the chapel

was opened one preaching service was held each Sunday until

1901. At this time the assistant pastor of Franklin Street was

given charge of this work, and since then there has been a

morning and evening sermon.

 

The site for the church was purchased of the Delaware and

Hudson Canal Company for $1,800. The corner stone of the

chapel was laid by Rev. J. R. Boyle, D.D., assisted by other

clergymen, on September 20, 1894. The chapel cost $4,500, and

was dedicated on January 20, 1895, Rev. G. E. Reed, LL.D.,

preaching the sermon. It is located on the corner of North

Grand Street and Stillard Lane, and is called Bennett Chapel


 


 

Bennett Chapel, Wilkes-Barre 933

 

because Mrs. Priscilla Bennett gave $2,400 toward its construc-

tion, the balance of the $4,500 being raised among the Franklin

Street people. The purchase price of the lot is yet to be

provided for.

 

The bell in this church was given to the society by the Central

Church and hung in the Ross Street Church for years. It was

given to the Ross Street Church by the Franklin Street Church,

 

        BENNETT CHAPEL, WILKES-BARRE [photo]

 

and according to Rev. William Wyatt was used in the Old

Ship Zion.

 

The Sunday school superintendents have been John V.

Brownell, Byron G. Hahn, Professor Pringle, and C. W. Miller.

 

Prior to 1901 the following preached here: C. H. Seward,

C. W. Smith, John C. Tennant, and Jonas Underwood. In 1901

C. H. Seward served the society, and D. S. McKellar in 1902-03.

 

 

Wilkes-Barre, Pa. — Central

 

This society had its origin in the Woodville Sunday school,

which met on the upper side of Academy Street near Maine. The

school met in the schoolhouse, which was swept by the women

every Saturday preparatory to the Sunday service. Mother

Wood was the first superintendent, and was followed by George

Moore. Increasing population made a church necessary. In


 


 

934 Wyoming Conference

 

1855 the project took form. Rev. William Wyatt purchased the

lot on Ross Street. The lot was purchased of Matthew Handley

for $500, the deed for which was executed on August 12, 1858,

William Wood, Matthew Wood, William Dickover, John C.

Frederick, and Lord Butler being trustees of "The Methodist

Episcopal Church of Woodville" at the time. The ladies insti-

tuted a fair and supper to pay for it. Moses Wood, commonly

called "Father Wood," an English Wesleyan who settled here.

 

        OLD CENTRAL CHURCH AND PARSONAGE, WILKES-BARRE [photo]

 

left a bequest of $500 to aid in building a church on his old farm.

The ladies raised at least $1,500 toward the church enterprise.

Mrs. Wyatt went to White Haven and Carbondale and secured

enough money to put the roof on the building. In the spring of

1857 the building was so far completed as to permit the use of the

basement. Mr. Wyatt regarded this enterprise as one of the

greatest achievements of his ministry. He and his wife did

invaluable service in the starting of the project.

 

In 1857 the charge appeared among the appointments. The

pastor at once began to formally organize the society, canvassing


 


 

Central Church, Wilkes-Barre 935

 

that section of the city for members. Forty members, mostly

from Franklin Street, were secured, and the church properly

organized, with trustees, stewards, and committees. "The

minutes of the official board give the following account of the

first meeting: 'Pursuant to a call by the pastor, Rev. Asa Brooks,

the board of stewards met in the Woodville Church on July 7,

1857, in the evening, A. Brooks in the chair, Josiah Bennett

secretary. Members present: Josiah Bennett, William Dickover,

Matthew Wood, John Taylor Bennett. On motion, J. T. Bennett

and Silas Finch were elected to take the collections in the church,

and Matthew Wood was elected treasurer. On motion, the ter-

ritory was divided for the stewards to collect money for the

salary of A. Brooks, and Main Street is to be the hne. J. T. Ben-

nett and Matthew Wood took the south side and Josiah Bennett

and William Dickover the north side. On motion, adjourned.'

Of the first board there are still living two — William Dickover,

who is with us, and John Taylor Bennett, who is living in South

Dakota."

 

Revival services were commenced which resulted in three hun-

dred conversions, and over two hundred were added to the

church. Rev. W. P. Abbott was one of the converts and joined

the church. Rev. A. H. Wyatt received his first license to preach

from this society, and preached his first sermon here on the word

"Eternity."

 

The building was completed so as to be dedicated in 1858.

 

The bell from the "Old Ship Zion" was secured and put in the

steeple. However, this is not the first bell which was in the old

church, but one put in after the Methodists came to be sole owners

of the church. This bell is now in the Bennett Chapel, having

been given to the society by the Central Church.

 

In 1867 the building was extended twenty-eight feet and

otherwise improved. It was reopened on December 25, 1867,

Rev. D. W. Bartine, D.D., of Newark, N. J., preaching in the

morning and Rev. J. McKendree Reiley, D.D., of Danville, Pa.,

preaching in the evening.

 

From 1879 to 1881 $10,300 was paid on indebtedness, and

during the next three or four years the remaining indebtedness

of $3,000 was canceled.

 

In 1883 $3,530 was spent in repairs, and the church was re-

opened on Thursday, November 1, 1883. At 2 p. m. Rev. L. C.

Muller preached, and in the evening a platform meeting was held

addressed by Revs. J. G. Eckman, L. C. Floyd, and H. M. Cry-

denwise, and letters were read from several former pastors,


 


 

936 Wyoming Conference

 

A parsonage was built on Franklin Street where William

Tuck's residence stood latterly. This property was sold about

1869, and in 1872 the parsonage on Ross Street was built, costing

$5,500.

 

During the Conference year 1885-86 two hundred and sixty

probationers were received and one hundred and twenty-three

into full membership. This revival season was as noted as that

under Rev. Asa Brooks's administration. Almost every pastor

has seen accessions by revival work, yet these two seasons were

the greatest.

 

The society was called Woodville Church until 1867, when the

 

        NEW CENTRAL CHURCH, WILKES-BARRE [photo]

 

name was changed to Ross Street, and in 1881 the present name

was adopted.

 

The site for the present church was purchased of the Oster-

hout Library Association for $17,000.

 

Ground was broken for the present church on June 9, 1.899,

and on September 26 of that year Bishop Fowler laid the corner

stone. The services were held in the Armory, after which the

audience marched to the building site and witnessed the laying

of the stone. The building and furnishings cost $97,000. On

Sunday, March 24, 1901, the pastor preached at the morning

service, baptized forty-two adults, received eighty-eight proba-

tioners into full membership, ninety-four on probation, and

twenty-three by letter. In the evening Rev. W. H. Pearce, D.D.,

preached, and the sermon was followed by the sacrament of the

Lord's Supper. This day was the beginning of a rich week's


 


 

Derr Memorial, Wilkes-Barre 937

 

services. During the week various denominations in the city

conducted services with representative preachers from abroad

preaching the sermons. On one evening Bishop Fowler delivered

his lecture on Lincoln. Sunday, March 31, was the culmination

of the feast. Bishop Fowler preached in the morning from Rom.

viii, 14, and in the evening Rev. E. M. Mills, D.D., preached from

John iv, 36. During the day $45,000 was subscribed to provide

for the unprovided cost of the enterprise. At the close of the

evening's offering the church was dedicated by Bishop Fowler.

 

The Ladies' Aid Society has been an important factor in the

work of this church from the beginning. In the new church

project it raised over $3,000, the Sunday school $4,000, the Ep-

worth League $100, and the Young Lady Workers $2,000.

 

E. H. Jones gave $5,000 to pay for the organ as a memorial to

his father and mother — Richard Jones, his father, was the first

chorister. Mrs. Elijah Wadhams gave $1,000 as a memorial to

her husband. Many other gifts might be mentioned, though not

so large, equally as commendable.

 

William Dickover was a member of the first official board, and

still continues to be on the board.

 

The old church was sold to the Atlantic Land Company for

$10,000. The old parsonage is still owned by the church. The

present parsonage is adjoining the church.

 

Matthew Wood and Hon. E. C. Wadhams each served as Sun-

day school superintendent about fifteen years. Ralph Wadhams

was elected in 1892, and still serves the church in that capacity.

 

Pastorates

 

1857-58, Asa Brooks; 1859-60, N. W. Everett; 1861-62, S. W.

Weiss; 1863-65, H. Wheeler; 1866-68, J. G. Eckman; 1869-71,

L. C. Floyd; 1872-73, L. W. Peck; 1874-76, F. L. Hiller; 1877-78,

D. C. Olmstead; 1879-81, H. M. Crydenwise; 1882-83, S. C.

Fulton; 1884-86, G. W. Miller; 1887-90, A. Griffin; 1891. O. P.

Wright; 1892-93½, W. H. Reese; 1893½-95½, J. W. Webb;

1895½-1903. C. E. Mogg.

 

 

Wilkes-Barre, Pa. — Derr Memorial

 

The growth of the city northward made it advisable to open

work in that section of the city. Accordingly, in 1869, a Sunday

school was started. Having no chapel, the sessions of the school

were held in the schoolhouse on Courtright Avenue. Later in

the same year Charles A. Miner, George B. Kulp, and Edward


 


 

938 Wyoming Conference

 

H. Chase donated a lot on North Frankhn Street, and still later

Mr. Kulp gave an adjoining lot. A chapel was erected in 1870

costing $2,700. This was a mission of the Franklin Street

Church, workers going up there each Sunday to carry on the

work. Theron E. Burnett was the first superintendent, and was

succeeded as follows: P. M. Carhart, Charles H. Wheelock, Dr.

W. G. Weaver, Dr. E. Shelp, Dunning Sturdevant, A. C.

Montanye, Frank Puckey, I. C. Kline, Oliver Phillips, W. E.

Doran, Rev. A. D. Decker, Rev. J. E. Bone. G. W. James, the

present incumbent, has served since 1893. Miss Lenore Perry

has made a great record as superintendent of the infant depart-

ment during the last twenty years.

 

        DERR MEMORIAL, WILKES-BARRE [photo]

 

On March 22, 1888, a charter was granted to "The Fourth

Methodist Episcopal Church of Wilkes-Barre," and the following

persons were named as the trustees: George B. Kulp, president;

Frank Puckey, secretary; J. W. Lear, A. P. Krum, J. T. Morgan,

W. E.' Doran, and A. C. Montanye. By the action of Conference

this became a separate charge in 1891. Franklin Street Church

manifested a tender interest in her child by defraying a large per

cent of the annual expenses for several years. As the society

grew the amount given was decreased until the new society could

get along without assistance.

 

Mrs. Mary D. Derr, an estimable lady of the Franklin Street

Methodist Episcopal Church, seeing the need of a better-located

and more commodious church, donated the ground on North

Main Street, and $5,000 toward the erection of a suitable church,


 


 

Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre 939

 

to be a memorial to her deceased husband, Mr. Henry H. Derr,

Esq., who had always taken an active interest in the welfare of

the society. The church, which cost $10,000, was dedicated on

November 27, 1892, by Bishop Goodsell. The sum of $2,500 was

raised on the day of dedication. Subsequently (1893) the old

chapel on Franklin Street was sold to the German Lutherans for

$2,000. In 1893 a parsonage project was launched. Some

funds were raised and plans for a house secured. The house

was built in 1894, costing $3,000, and the pastor moved into it on

December 20. In 1895 the house was improved by papering,

putting in mantels, sideboard, cementing the cellar floor, and the

grounds graded and fenced. In 1900 $1,800 was spent in church

and parsonage improvements.

 

The winters of 1893, 1895, 1898, 1899, and 1902 were seasons

of gracious ingathering.

 

Pastorates

 

1891-92, J. E. Bone; 1893, A. F. Chaffee; 1894, G. A. Place;

1895-98, J. F. Warner; 1899-1903, W. J. Hill.

 

 

Wilkes-Barre, Pa. — Franklin Street

 

It is evident that the preachers of Wyoming Circuit began

work here at an early day. William Colbert preached in the

meetinghouse at Wilkes-Barre on the afternoon of Sunday, May

19, 1793. This meetinghouse was the one at Hanover Green. It

was never finished, but was used regularly for preaching services.

Asbury preached in it when he visited Wyoming. He also

preached in the courthouse during this visit (1793).

 

During the first year of Alward White's service on Wyoming

Circuit, 1795, a remarkable revival occurred in the borough of

Wilkes-Barre, in which large numbers were converted. The

work moved all classes of society, reaching some of the best

families and also some of the hardest characters of the place.

This revival added strength to the struggling society.

 

One night, and it must have been about this time, while Valen-

tine Cook, the presiding elder, was preaching, an attempt was

made to smoke the society out with brimstone matches. The

matches were made by winding cloth, or paper, around a stick

and rolling it in melted brimstone. "Their plan was to light these

matches and throw them down the chimney. The person who

was appointed to carry out the project went upon the roof and

lit his matches, and from some cause let go his hold and slid


 


 

940 Wyoming Conference

 

down the roof, and came to the ground matches in hand in the

midst of his companions. The fumes of the burning brimstone

almost stifled them, and they had to run for life. It did not

molest the meeting, for the worshipers knew nothing about it

until the persons concerned in the scheme told of it themselves,

when it made a great deal of amusement for both saints and sin-

ners." This incident occurred while a preaching service was

being held at a Mr. Mann's residence. This Mann was a friend

of William Colbert. Here he frequently stopped. It is probable

 

        THE “OLD SHIP ZION,” – WILKES-BARRE [drawing]

 

that his home was the first in the county seat that was opened to

Methodist preachers.

 

On Sunday, April i6, 1797, Mr. Colbert records the fol-

lowing: "Preached in the courthouse in Wilkes-Barre to an at-

tentive congregation, some of whom, I suppose, were deists. I

felt myself for some time at a loss for a subject to address these

people on. I wanted to preach pointedly against deism, but was

afraid I should not do justice to such an important subject; and

as it seemed probable that a great part of them professed to

believe the Bible, I spoke to them accordingly, and concluded

with a word to deists." In the Minutes Mr. Colbert is appointed

to Chester Circuit. He appears, however, to have done some


 


 

Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre 941

 

work in this section, and some upon Bristol Circuit, and was

appointed to Wyoming in 1798.

 

The Old Ship Zion was located on the public square, as will be

seen by the map below. The pen drawing is not made to a scale.

It is simply for the purpose of showing the position of the church

on the square. Nor is it intended to show the relative size of the

various buildings, simply location. The church was a wooden

structure, 45x65, with a steeple, and its front was about three

rods from the street. The building was started in 1800, inclosed

in 1803, and finished in 1812. The work of building proceeded

slowly because the people were poor and funds were not readily

secured. Perhaps the controversy in regard to the ownership of

lands had something to do with the delay. The first-named cause

 

LAYOUT OF TOWN SQUARE – WILKES BARRE [drawing]

 

was undoubtedly the prevailing one. The old ferry house was

sold and the proceeds used in building the church. In 1808 "The

Wilkes-Barre Meetinghouse and Bank Lottery" was organized

for the purpose of securing funds. While the church received

some help from the lottery, the scheme was a failure, and some

of its promoters lost quite heavily. The building was erected with

the understanding that it should not be under the exclusive con-

trol of any denomination. While it is true that the Congrega-

tionalists may have subscribed more than others, yet it is also

true that some Methodists gave, and some who belonged to

no Church gave, and all with the understanding that it was


 


 

942 Wyoming Conference

 

a union church. The building was occasionally used by the

Methodists.

 

After being inclosed Ephraim Chambers preached a funeral

sermon in it. A wag observed, "That will be a Methodist church,

you'll see." This was somewhat prophetic.

 

In 1826 Rev. George Peck was in charge of the work at

Wilkes-Barre, and says: "The society had suffered serious in-

conveniences for the want of a suitable place of worship, and

during the present year they petitioned the county commissioners

to give them a lease of a hall in the upper part of the courthouse

for a chapel.... The lease is dated March 8, 1827. It held for

ten years, and the consideration is the nominal sum of ten cents

per annum." The rental of the courthouse was undoubtedly be-

cause it was becoming more and more difficult to get the use of

the church when desired. In 1829 the Congregationalists became

Presbyterians as a condition upon which Rev. Nicholas Murray

accepted the pastorate. The Presbyterians held the keys to the

church. At a meeting held in the courthouse it was resolved to

hold services biweekly, and subsequently the society resolved to

enforce its claim to a partial use of the Old Ship Zion. The war

was on. The Presbyterians claimed exclusive ownership, and the

Methodists claimed it was a union church, "toward the construc-

tion of which they had liberally contributed."

 

"The Presbyterians held the keys, and the doors were locked

against the invading Methodists. Committees were appointed

by the outs, but the ins refused to confer. At length the followers

of Wesley assembled in the courthouse, and resolved to enter the

church at all hazards. They, accordingly, with the approval of

their pastor, the Rev. Morgan Sherman, appointed Joseph Slocum

[grandfather of George S. Bennett], Abraham Thomas, David

Collings, and others, a committee to storm the Lord's house. Mr.

Slocum forced the windows with a crowbar, and Mr. Thomas,

like Samson at Gaza, lifted the door from its hinges. The people

entered the building, and, by direction of James McClintock,

Esq., attorney for the Methodists, broke the locks from pulpit

and pew doors. Mr. Sherman then approached the sacred desk,

and commenced religious worship by giving out the hymn com-

mencing:

 

        "'Equip me for the war,

        And teach my hands to fight.'

 

"In his opening prayer the minister thanked the Lord for many

things, but particularly that they could 'worship under their own

vine and fig tree, few daring to molest, and none to make them


 


 

Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre 943

 

afraid.' At the close of his discourse Mr. Sherman said, 'With

the permission of Divine Providence, I will preach in this house

again in two weeks from to-day.' Whereupon Oristus Collins,

Esq., arose and said, 'At that time this church will be occupied by

another congregation.' Mr. Sherman repeated his notice, and

Mr. Collins repeated his reply, after which the benediction was

pronounced, and the congregation quietly dispersed.

 

"On another occasion the Methodists entered the church on

Sunday morning in advance of the Presbyterians. Just as the

Rev. Benjamin Bidlack was about giving out the first hymn

Matthias Hollenback, Esq., accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Tracy,

a Presbyterian clergyman, entered the house, and walking a few

steps up the aisle thus addressed the preacher: 'What are you

doing here?' 'Page 144, short meter,' said Mr. Bidlack. 'What

is that you say?' inquired Mr. Hollenback. 'I say, page 144,

short meter,' was the reply. Whereupon Mr. Hollenback and

the Rev. Mr. Tracy retired from the church, while Mr. Bidlack

proceeded with the religious exercises." — Annals of Luzerne

County, pp. 284-286.

 

This religious war, which is somewhat amusing to us of

the present day, was drawn to a close by the Methodists pur-

chasing the interest of the Presbyterians in the church in 1831

for $1,000.

 

It may be of interest to note that the Wilkes-Barre class paid

$7.30 quarterage in 1803, $11.25 in 1804, $11.16 in 1805, and

$15.96 in 1806.

 

The class formed a part of Wyoming Circuit from its birth

until 1826. After the first quarter of this year had passed, upon

petition of the society in Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes-Barre was made a

charge with Hanover and Plains as outside preaching places, and

appeared in the Minutes as a charge in 1827 with George Peck as

pastor. During 1828 and 1829 Wilkes-Barre formed a part of

Wyoming Circuit, and in 1830 appeared as an appointment again,

and remained. Mr. Peck received for his work in 1827 less

than $100.

 

The society was formally organized on September 16, 1830.

"Charles Nash, preacher in charge; Robert Miner and Comfort

Cary, exhorters. The stewards were Gilbert Barnes, Sharp D.

Lewis, Ziba Bennett, Robert Miner, and David Thompson. The

class leaders were Gilbert Barnes, Robert Miner, Thomas Brown,

Lorenzo Ruggles, David Thompson, and Samuel Gaskill. Trus-

tees, John Carey, Joseph Slocum, Ziba Bennett, Sharp D. Lewis,

Lewis Worrall, Abraham Thomas, and Anning O. Cahoon."


 


 

944 Wyoming Conference

 

As the church grew it became necessary to have a place for

holding social meetings, as there was no room in the church

suitable for that purpose. In 1836 Mr. Ziba Bennett built a

suitable building and gave it to the society. It was situated on

North Main Street, on the site of J. H. Montanye's tin store.

Mr. Montanye's tin shop in the rear of his store is the old prayer

room built by Mr. Bennett, it having been moved back to make

room for the store. Sunday school and preaching services were

held in the church, and the other services in this building. The

thrifty growth of the society soon made it manifest that more

commodious quarters must be had. Accordingly, a committee

was appointed in 1846 to solicit subscriptions for a new church.

Mr. Ziba Bennett donated a lot on Franklin Street. Sufficient

 

OLD FRANKLIN STREET CHURCH, WILKES-BARRE [photo]

 

subscriptions having been secured to warrant the trustees in com-

mencing work, a building committee was appointed in 1848, con-

sisting of Ziba Bennett, Lord Butler, William Wood, and Sharp

D. Lewis. In 1849 the old church on the square was sold to O.

Collins, G. M. HoUenback, and Charles Dennison for $600. It

was torn down and removed. The new church on Franklin

Street was built of brick, 56x80 feet, 33 feet high. It had two

class rooms and an infant class room. The floor of the audi-

torium seated about 650, and the gallery would seat about one


 


 

Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre 945

 

hundred. The church was dedicated on Thursday, October 4,

1849. Rev. Jesse T. Peck, D.D., of Dickinson College, was the

preacher of the day, preaching in the morning from Psa. cxlv,

5-14, and in the evening from Psa. xc, 5. The building cost

$8,200. On the day of dedication $1,000 was raised to provide in

full for its cost. At the time of its erection it was the finest and

most commodious building of its kind in this section of the

country.

 

In 1874 Mrs. Priscilla Bennett offered to build a commodious

and modern Sunday school room on condition that the congrega-

tion should raise a like amount to remodel the old church or build

a new one. The proposition was gladly accepted. The com-

 

        NEW FRANKLIN STREET CHURCH, WILKES-BARRE [photo]

 

mittee having charge of the project consisted of George S. Ben-

nett, B. G. Carpenter, D. L. Rhone, P. Abbott, and H. H. Derr.

The lot upon which the Sunday school room was built was given

by Ziba Bennett and Mrs. Martha Phelps. The building, ex-

clusive of site, cost $27,500. The ladies of the society contributed

the furnishings of the church rooms in the building. It was

dedicated on February 11, 1877. Rev. J. H. Vincent preached in


 


 

946 Wyoming Conference

 

the morning from Col. iii, i6. The afternoon service of the Sun-

day school was of extraordinary interest. Addresses were made

by Rev. J. H. Vincent and Chaplain McCabe. This Sunday

school room was the first of its kind built in the East, and was

modeled after Mr. Miller's school room at Akron, O.

 

Gilbert Barnes was superintendent until 1850, when Lord But-

ler was appointed, but he held the office only one year. In 1852

Ziba Bennett was elected, and served until 1867, when W. W.

Loomis was elected, serving one year. In 1868 the present in-

cumbent was elected, George S. Bennett. We have no other

record of so long a term of service within our Conference. The

school adopted the graded system a number of years ago, and

has made a great success of it. The school has also made a great

success of its missionary collections. Mrs. Priscilla Bennett was

the assistant superintendent many years.

 

The corner stone for the present church was laid Tuesday,

September 18, 1883, at which time Rev. Henry Brownscombe

read an historical address, and Rev. Y. C. Smith made an ad-

dress. Rev. J. O. Woodruff, the pastor, laid the stone, assisted

by several neighboring pastors. The building, which cost $72,000,

was dedicated on Sunday, October 4, 1885. Bishop Foster

preached in the morning from Rom. i, 20, and at the close of the

sermon conducted the dedicatory service. Rev. J. H. Vincent,

D.D., preached in the evening from John xxi, 21, 22. Mrs.

Priscilla Bennett gave the organ, costing $4,800, also two memo-

rial windows, one in memory of her mother and one in memory

of her sisters, Mrs. Mary Lee Paine and Mrs. Margaret Lee

Doolittle. In 1886 $2,147 was expended in repairs, and in 1897

$5,400 was spent in repairs and improvements, at which time Mrs.

Bennett replaced the first organ by the present one, which cost

$10,000. This organ has 64 stops and 2,273 pipes.

 

In 1818 it was resolved "that a preacher's home be built on this

circuit (Wyoming), and a committee appointed to select the

ground. In 1819 trustees were chosen to receive the title to a

lot in Wilkes-Barre, given by Samuel Thomas, of Kingston, on

which to build a preacher's house. It was built on land now

occupied by the Harvey law building on North Franklin Street."

On January 1, 1823, George Lane and wife Sarah, in considera-

tion of $100, deeded a lot on New Street, containing eleven or

twelve perches, to Thomas Borbridge, Darius Williams, Jacob

Rice, Comfort Gary, David Thompson, Gilbert Barnes, and

Myron B. Helm, trustees of Wyoming Circuit. This is un-

doubtedly the lot referred to in the quotation above. At the


 


 

Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre 947

 

separation of Wilkes-Barre from the Wyoming Circuit, the

Wilkes-Barre society paid the circuit $474 for its interest in the

property.

 

On November 16, 1835, Edmund Taylor and wife Mary, in

consideration of $1,000, deeded to John Carey, Joseph Slocum,

Ziba Bennett, Lord Butler, Robert Miner, and James C. Heeme,

trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Wilkes-Barre, a

property on the west side of Franklin Street, and about one

hundred feet from Union Street, which was used as a parsonage

until an exchange was made with Mr. Bennett for the present

one by the church. In 1903 several thousand dollars were spent

in improving the present house.

 

Ziba Bennett, Lord Butler, and Sharp D. Lewis were a trio of

stalwart men in the early history of the church. Ziba Bennett

was a class leader for some time; his wife, however, led the class.

The first Mrs. Bennett, as the last, appears to have been a re-

markable woman.

 

This society has entertained the following Conferences: Gen-

esee, in June, 1827; Oneida, in August, 1843; Wyoming, in June,

185s, April, 1862, April, 1870, April, 1874, April, 1886, and

March, 1892.

 

The church has been visited by a number of sweeping revivals.

 

For its interest in Derr Memorial and Bennett Chapel, see

sketches of each.

 

Pastorates

 

1827, George Peck; 1828-29, with Wyoming Circuit, 1830-31,

Charles Nash; 1832, H. F. Rowe; 1833-34, Selah Stocking; 1835,

J. M. Snyder; 1836, R. Fox, M. Pearce, sup.; 1837, R. Fox;

1838-39, David Holmes, Jr.; 1840, D. W. Bristol, J. Barnes;

1841, D. W. Bristol, E. Owen; 1842, John Seys; 1843, D. Holmes,

Jr.; 1844-45, D. A. Shepard; 1846-47, Bostwick Hawley; 1848-49,

T. H. Pearne; 1850-51, Nelson Rounds; 1852-53, George Peck;

1854, W. Wyatt; 1855-56, H. Brownscombe; 1857-58, J. M.

Snyder; 1859, Z. Paddock; 1860-61, Jacob Miller; 1862-63, J. A.

Wood; 1864-66, Y. C. Smith; 1867-68, H. Brownscombe; 1869-

71, T. M. Reese; 1872-73, A. H. Wyatt; 1874-76, W. H. Olin;

1877-79, J. E. Smith; 1880-82, S. Moore; 1883-85, J. O. Wood-

ruff; 1886-87, A. H. Tuttle; 1888, A. H. Tuttle, J. E. Bone,

assistant; 1889-90, W. Phillips, J. E. Bone, assistant; 1891-95,

J. R. Boyle; 1896-1900, W. H. Pearce; 1901, J. H. Bickford,

C. FL Seward, assistant; 1902-03, J. H. Bickford, D. S. McKel-

lar, assistant.


 


 

948 Wyoming Conference

 

 

Wilkes-Barre, Pa. — Parrish Street

 

In the early part of 1870 Rev. C. S. Alexander, under the super-

vision and with the help of his brother A. D., who was then

stationed at Ashley, began meetings in the Parrish Street school-

house. A great revival followed and a class was formed, John

Benning, a member of Ross Street Church, being appointed

leader. The class became known as the Hill Class, and formed

a part of Ashley charge. Soon after the revival the class began

to plan for a church building, which was dedicated on March 17,

1872. In the spring of 1872 the class became a separate charge

known as the Wilkes-Barre Mission, and Rev. D. Marvin (a

 

        PARRISH STREET CHURCH, WILKES-BARRE [photo]

 

supply) became the pastor. In the spring of 1873 the society had

thirty-two full members, eleven probationers, and a church prop-

erty with a probable value of $3,500, upon which there was a debt

of $1,300. From 1873 to 1875 the debt was reduced to $420.

 

In 1888 the church was enlarged and improved at an expense

of $3,715, most of which was paid before the spring of 1890.

The building was again improved in 1901, at a cost of $3,000,

which amount was raised on the day of reopening. Sermons of

the day were by Rev. B. I. Ives, D.D., and Rev. A. Griffin, D.D.

 

The parsonage was built in 1895, costing $4,500, $2,000 of


 


 

Sherman Street, Wilkes-Barre 949

 

which was paid at the time. Since the building of the house the

debt has been steadily reduced.

 

The history of this society has been characterized by extensive

revivals.

 

Pastorates

 

1872, D. Marvin; 1873-75, H. Brownscombe; 1876-78, O. L.

Severson; 1879-81, E. L. Santee; 1882, L. Jennison; 1883-85, H.

Brownscombe; 1886, J. Underwood; 1887-89, E. L. Santee; 1890-

92, J. N. Lee; 1893, W. B. Westlake; 1894-96, L. C. Murdock;

1897-1903, W. H. Hiller.

 

 

Wilkes-Barre, Pa. — Sherman Street

 

The first Quarterly Conference of this society was organized

on March 19, 1888, at which time the society had fifty members.

A lot was purchased on Sherman Street and the corner stone of

the church laid by Rev. R. W. Schoick on Wednesday, October

31, 1888, Rev. J. E. Price, D.D., making the address of the occa-

sion. The church, which cost about $4,000, was dedicated on

June 4, 1889, by Bishop Foss. This church has received aid from

the Missionary Society since its organization. It was organized

to do work among the Welsh-speaking people, but its history has

not fulfilled expectations. Shortly after organization, many of

its members, on account of hard times, returned to Wales, or went

to some other coal region. Subsequently a heated controversy,

occasioned by the introduction of an English service on Sunday

evenings, militated against a thrifty growth.

 

Pastorates

 

1888-90, Isaac Jenkins; 1891-94, Thomas Jenkins; 1895, J. B.

Williams; 1896-99, H. P. Morgan; 1900-01, W. H. Hiller, E. M.

Jones; 1902, W. W. Rothrock; 1903, H. L. Brenner.

 

 

Wyoming, Pa.

 

This society originally formed a part of Wyoming Circuit. As

early as 1793 preaching services were held at Philip Jackson's.

He lived on what was afterward known as the Fisher Gay place.

The monument to those who were massacred in the battle of Wy-

oming now stands on the place. Mr. Jackson's wife was a mem-

ber of the society, and he had once been. A Mr. Rosencrantz

lived where "the old red house," or the "Captain Breese House,"

afterward stood, on the bluff near the Wyoming depot. Both

of these places were used as preaching places in the early days.


 


 

950 Wyoming Conference

 

In 1795 a quarterly meeting was held at Mr. Jackson's. The

Quarterly Conference was held upstairs. Mrs. Bedford says:

"We heard them shouting and praising the Lord. My mother,

Betsy Dennison, Polly Dennison, Clara Pierce, Polly Pierce, and

myself went into an adjoining room and looked in, when we saw

them all lying on the floor. The one near the door said: 'Sisters,

come in.' We went into the room, and as soon as we entered the

place we all fell, so wonderfully was the power of God manifested

on that occasion." The love feast and sermon of the next day

were times of refreshing, indeed. A gracious revival followed.

 

Dr. George Peck says he took up work at New Troy (Wyo-

 

        WYOMING CHURCH [photo]

 

ming) in 1818 which had been neglected. Just how long it had

been neglected or to what extent the society had suffered, and what

was the strength of the society at that time, does not appear.

 

Prior to 1842 this class worshiped in private houses and the

district schoolhouse. About 1840 the Christians erected a church

which was subsequently sold by the sheriff. This property was

deeded to the Methodists on October 6, 1842, by Volney L. Max-

well and wife Lydia in consideration of $10. The trustees at this

time were Ezra Breese, John Goodwin, Philo Bowers, George M.

Peck, and John Jenkins.

 

The society was quite weak until the revival of 1847, under the

labors of Rev. T. H. Pearne, when Mr. William Swetland, Payne

Pettebone, and other leading business men of the community


 


 

Wyoming, Pa. 951

 

were brought into the church. That revival made the church

strong for a generation.

 

In 1848 the society, with Exeter (West Pittston) and Forty

Fort as afternoon appointments, became a charge, bearing the

name of New Troy, which name it bore until 1861, when it was

given the name of Wyoming. In the fall of 1848 $1,600 was spent

in putting a basement under the auditorium for Sunday school

and social purposes, and otherwise improving the building. In

1849 a parsonage lot was bought for $450. A barn for the pastor's

use and one hundred and fifty feet of horse sheds were built. In

1849-50 the parsonage was built, the family of Rev. C. W. Gid-

dings living in it a short time before Conference.

 

At the Conference of 1860 Kingston and New Troy were

united under the name of New Troy and Kingston Circuit, and in

1861 the name was changed to Wyoming and Kingston Circuit.

In 1864 the charge was divided, since which time each point has

been a charge.

 

The old church property was sold about 1881 to William Han-

cock for $4,900, and a lot with a good sexton's house upon it was

purchased for $4,300. The house was moved to the rear of the

lot, and in 1882 the present parsonage was built, which with sheds

and outbuildings cost $8,722.76. The church and furniture cost

$24,449, and was given to the society by Payne Pettebone and

family. The bell, costing $593, was the gift of Mrs. Alice Shoe-

maker Van Scoy, of Kingston, and Mrs. Frances Shoemaker

Brownscombe, of Wilkes-Barre, in memory of their parents Isaac

C. and Katherine Ann Shoemaker, who had been honored mem-

bers of this society. The church was dedicated on Wednesday,

July 18, 1883, Rev. T. H. Pearne, D.D., preaching in the morning

and Rev. L. C. Muller in the evening. In the afternoon a reunion

of former pastors and friends added interest to the day.

 

In 1887 $600 was spent in improving the parsonage.

 

On July 29, 1888, the Isaac Shoemaker Memorial Chapel, at

West Wyoming, which cost $2,250, was dedicated by Rev. R. W.

Van Schoick.

 

Pastorates

 

1848, B. Hawley; 1849, C. W. Giddings; 1850-51, B. W. Gor-

ham; 1852-53, L. D. Tryon; 1854-55, G. M. Peck; 1856, A. H.

Schoonmaker; 1857-58, H. Brownscombe; 1859, Asa Brooks;

1860, Asa Brooks, W. J. Judd; 1861, W. J. Judd; 1862-63, L.

Cole; 1864-65, J. La Bar; 1866, H. Wheeler; 1867-69, A. J. Van

Cleft; 1870-71, S. W. Weiss; 1872-73, R. W. Van Schoick; 1874-


 


 

952 Wyoming Conference

 

76, J. C. Leacock; 1877-79, F. L. Hiller; 1880-82, J. C. Shelland;

1883-85, Y. C. Smith; 1886-89, M. D. Fuller; 1890-94, G. C. Ly-

man; 1895-99, W. Treible; 1900-01, S. Jay; 1902-03, W. T. Blair.

 

 

Yatesville, Pa.

 

This society is the outgrowth of what was known in early days

as the "Thompson neighborhood" class, of which Francis Yates

was the leader in 1825. The original members were Francis

Yates, Daniel Bowman, Jesse Gamer, George Price, William Day,

John Thompson, and their wives. The class belonged to the

Pittston charge. Services were held in private houses until the

Thompson schoolhouse was built, and in that from its erection

until 1852, when the place of meeting was changed to the Yates-

ville schoolhouse. At this time the class was reorganized, and

consisted of Francis Yates, Joseph Natrass, George Robinson,

and their wives, Sarah Learch, and Rosetta Monk. Under the

leadership of Father Yates the class increased and a Sunday

school was organized.

 

In 1862 a portion of the society withdrew and organized a

Wesleyan Methodist Church, erected a small church, and held

preaching services. In a few years most of them returned.

 

In 1864 the society commenced to build. The basement was

completed in 1865 so as to be used for services. The building

was completed in 1874, the dedicatory sermons being preached

by Revs. Thomas Harroun and W. J. Judd.

 

The class became a charge in 1874, and George Robinson,

Thomas Natrass, and Francis Yates were the first trustees. At

this time the society had thirty-five members.

 

On December 22, 1875, Arthur W. Matthews deeded the society

a building lot for $350. We suppose this to be the lot upon which

a parsonage was built in 1880, costing $1,000.

 

In 1886 $350 was spent in improving church and parsonage,

and in 1892 $400 was spent in paper, paint, carpets, lamps, pulpit

furniture, etc. The church was reopened on Sunday, September

4, 1892, with elaborate and interesting services.

 

On June 12, 1900, Francis Yates deeded to the society as a gift

a block of houses valued at $3,000..

 

Work was begun at Laflin in 1888, and was continued some

years, and at one time it seemed very probable that a church would

be built there.

 

Plainsville. The class here was organized about 1831, and be-

longed to Pittston and subsequently to Plains charge. The old


 


 

Yatesville, Pa. 953

 

brick building was dedicated on February 13, 1845. The writer

of the memoir of Rev. Miner Swallow says: "On a rising spot

of ground close to his father's happy home was built a Methodist

church, and it was built without a crushing debt on it, and Miner

Swallow worked every day of its building; with his own hands

mixing the mortar, wheeling stone, carrying brick, driving nails,

laying shingles. The people were poor, and there was no Church

Extension Society, but he was a whole society himself, and out

of his work is the beautiful church that now is in Plainsville."

 

In 1887 a wooden addition to the church was built costing $914,

and the property was improved in 1902.

 

"The Methodist Episcopal Church of Plainsville" became incor-

porated on December 4, 1885, with John C. Williams, H. D.

Smith, Peter Ashelman, W. C. Creasy, and G. D. Clark trustees.

 

In 1881 the society became a charge known as North Plains,

and in 1884 received the name of Plainsville. In 1902 it became

a part of Yatesville charge. Before it was attached to Yatesville

it was served as follows, mostly students in Wyoming Seminary:

1880-82, Henry Brownscombe; 1883, W. W. Smith; 1884-86,

H. D. Smith; 1887-89, L. E. Van Hoesen; April, 1890, to Novem-

ber, 1890, J. K. Peck; 1891, A. C. Brackenbury; 1892, C. W.

Hoffman; 1893-94, G. A. Warburton; 1895, C. D. Skinner; 1896-

98, W. H. Decker; 1899-1900, W. Gendall; 1901, Harry Kelley.

 

Pastorates

 

1874, J. G. Stephens; 1875-76, G. M. Colville; 1877-79, W.

Treible; 1880-81, I. B. Wilson; 1882-83, W. Keatley; 1884, J. A.

Faulkner; 1885, R. Hiorns; 1886-87, J. E. Bone; 1888-89, L. W.

Peck; 1890, J. C. Hogan; 1891, S. Elwell; 1892-94, T. M. Furey;

1895-97, J. Madison; 1898, L. W. Karschner; 1899, J. V. Newell;

1900-01, Harry Kelley; 1902-03, T. M. Furey.