Chapter XIV.

HISTORY OF CHURCHES BY CHARGES—(Cont.)

HOOVERSVILLE CIRCUIT

    Jenners Cross Roads Church was organized in 1847, by Rev. William Beighel. The charter members were: Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Ankeny, Deborah Johnson, and the Cooper family. The church building is a one-room frame building and was erected in 1849, at a cost of $2,100. Melvin Patrick entered the ministry from this class, and Mrs. F. A. Risley, missionary to Africa, was reared here. This church has an endowment of $400, left it by Mr. and Mrs. David Berkey. The church maintains a cemetery by endowment. The present trustees are D. C. Peterson, Alonzo Barnhart, Isaac Horner, Charles Walters, and William Whitfield. The present church was erected in 1849, and the present membership is seventy-one.

    The Otterbein Class was organized by Rev. Daniel Shank, in 1858. The charter members were: Joseph G. Lohr, Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Moyer, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Lape, Henry Lohr, Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim Lohr, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Dull, Mr. and Mrs. John Wagner, Mr. and Mrs. Austin Lohr, Mr. and Mrs. Pearson Lohr, Mr. and Mrs. Adam Berkebile. The class worshiped in a schoolhouse near where the town of Wilbur now stands, until 1871, at which time they built the first building on ground donated by Joseph G. Lohr. The building cost, above donated material and labor, was $1000. The trustees were: Austin Lohr, Pearson Lohr, Benjamin Lape, Ephraim Lohr, and Jacob Esch.

    The present church was built in 1888, and the trustees were N. J. Lohr, Joseph G. Lohr, Austin Lohr, Franklin Specht, and Pearson Lohr. The membership is now seventy-seven. The class maintains a cemetery adjoining the church. Social functions are held in a grove, owned by the class and located near the church. W. L. Powell, R. G. Wagner, N. J. Lohr, Russel G. Lohr, and Sylvester Powell are the present trustees.

    The Kantner church was built in 1898, on ground donated by Pearson Lohr and wife. For seven years, church services had been conducted in the Lohr home. The members were from the Otterbein

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Class, very largely. In a meeting held by E. James, pastor of the Hollsopple Church, there were fifty-two converts, and this church was built as a result. The church cost, besides donated labor and material, $1,100, of which Mr. and Mrs. Pearson Lohr paid more than one half. Miss Abi Custer, now Mrs. Harvey Croyle, was one of the converts of the above-named revival, and is still an active member at this date. The church was dedicated by Dr. J. H. Pershing and the trustees were: Pearson Lohr, William Rininger, and Lee Rankin. The present membership is one hundred forty, and the present trustees are: W. E. Custer, John Horner, Ross Rininger, David S. Lohr, and Harvey Croyle.

    The early members of the Hooversville Class worshiped in the Weigle's Lutheran and Reformed Church until they built their own building in 1902. The class bought the interest of the Lutheran Church when that body built their new church on ground donated by John Weigle. They later sold this interest to the Reformed Church and with the money received placed an organ in their new church. The present church was built during the pastorate of Rev. A. E. Fulton, on ground donated by Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Weigle, this being the third church built on ground donated by them from their farm. It was dedicated September 24, 1902, by Dr. S. W. Keister and cost, besides donated material and labor, $2,250. The pulpit was made by

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John Nestor and the pulpit furniture was placed by Mrs. A. E. Fulton with funds collected by her.

    J. S. Fulton and J. H. Stokes entered the ministry from this class. Mr. Frank Clark, Mrs. Mary Dempsey, Amaniah Lohr, and Rachel Sell were among the early members. The present membership is one hundred seventeen, and the trustees are A. C. Berkebile, John Helman, John Marshall, J. C. Shaffer, and W. E. Ringler.

    The parsonage is located at Hooversville, adjoining the church, and is a well-appointed modern, seven-room building and is owned by the churches of the charge. It was built in 1908, under the pastorate of Rev. E. G. Spessard. The trustees are: Jenners, Isaac Horner; Otterbein, Howard Powell; Kantner, John Weible; Hooversville, Charles Livingstone, and Filmore Bailey. Rev. R. E. Penick is the present capable and efficient pastor.

    Pastors who have served this charge were: Revs. Daniel Shank. J. Potts, J. Reynolds, W. Long, D. Brunkel, W. A. Jackson, John Felix, William Beighel, C. Wortman, J. H. Pershing, D. Speck, E. A. Sharp, A. E. Fulton, M. L. Wilt, G. J. Roudabush, W. R. Dillen, E. G. Spessard, J. K. Huey, M. M. Houser. W. D. Good, C. A. Weaver, and R. E. Penick.

HERMINIE CHURCH

    Herminie in the beginning was known as Mars Hill and was a part of the old Westmoreland Charge. Just when it was organized is not definitely known, but it was reorganized in 1861. The first church on Mars Hill was a frame structure and it later burned to the ground. The Shoemaker, Fox, Weddle, Seneff, Tintsman, and Highberger families have always been intimately associated with this congregation.

    The present building was started by Dr. S. S. Hough and completed by Rev. J. Medsger. It was dedicated January 6, 1895, by Dr. G. A. Funkhouser and by September all bills had been paid and a balance remained in the treasury. H. Shoemaker, John C. Fox, George Weddle, Z. T. Henry, and H. W. Seneff composed the board of trustees.

    Under the pastorate of Rev. B. F. Bungard an addition was built to the church for Sunday-school purposes and a basement placed under the church. It was dedicated by Dr. J. S. Fulton, October 8, 1916.

    In 1906, under the leadership of Rev. T. W. Burgess the present six-room frame parsonage was erected. It is modern in its appointments and cost $3,500. The class was first a part of the Westmore-

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land Charge, then of the Madison Charge, later the Mars Hill Charge, after which it was made a station work. Rev. T. W. Burgess is the present pastor, now serving the seventh year of his second successful pastorate. Pastors serving this charge were: Revs. H. N. Newell, B. L. Seneff, W. H. Wilson, J. W. Wilson, B. C. Shaw, J. M. Lesher, W. H. Blackburn, W. H. Mingle, B. F. Bungard, G. R. Alban, W. A. Wissinger, and T. W. Burgess.

FAIRMOUNT CHURCH

    This class was organized some time previous to 1848. The class worshiped in the "Old Log Church" that belonged to the Covenanters. The class also held camp meetings to which the people came from far and near. The present site was selected as a compromise in 1850 or 1851 and the first church was built in 1852. It was a frame building of one room. The people of the community placed the material on the ground for the contractor. This church served the people for twenty years when, in 1870, it was partially destroyed by fire. The remnant was sold and the present structure was erected. It is a splendid frame one-room building and much larger than the old one, to meet the needs of the growing congregation.

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    Names that stand associated with the organization, growth and development of this class are the Plants, Wrights, Sprowls, Sampsons, Montgomerys, Stollars, and the Ealys.

    The parsonage is a good, six-room frame building standing near the church. The membership is one hundred seventy-two and the property value is $8,000. The membership is aggressive and the church serves the community in a very fine way. Rev. John Winwood is the present pastor of this church.

    These pastors have served this charge: Revs. C. N. McCullough, G. W. Emenhizer, M. L. Wilt, J. Showers, L. B. Fasick, J. W. Wilson, H. N. Newell, L. Rexrode, J. L. Kapp, George Buhan, G. J. Colledge, S. J. Wilson, and John Winwood.

EVERSON CHURCH

    One of the oldest churches to be built in the region of Scottdale and Everson was the old Walnut Hill church. Various conditions hindered its further growth and usefulness and it was abandoned and later sold. A study of location for a new church that might in part care for the membership of this church led to the selection of Everson. The fact that there was no Protestant church in this town and its close proximity to the old site were determining factors.

    An organization of forty members was effected in 1899, and three good lots were secured as a site for a church and parsonage. A frame church building, forty by forty-five feet, with a lecture room, eighteen by twenty-six feet, was erected and dedicated October 21, 1900. Dr. W. R. Funk was in charge and he was assisted by Dr. L. W. Stahl, presiding elder, and a number of local ministers. In 1901, Everson was made a mission station and L. W. Stahl was appointed its pastor. The growth of this mission was gradual but steady. In 1907, a parsonage of ten rooms was built under the direction of the pastor, Rev. J. S. Hayes. It cost $3,200, and adjoins the church. This gives the church a fine class room and the pastor a good study. A splendid Sunday school, Women's Missionary Association, Otterbein Guild, Ladies' Aid, and Senior and Junior Christian Endeavor societies enable this church to perform its task.

    Rev. W. H. Hayes, Rev. Gould Leichliter and Rev. Paul Morris were licensed by this congregation. Rev. J. C. Rupp is now the efficient pastor. Pastors serving this charge: Revs. L. W. Stahl, J. S. Hayes, B. J. Hummel, W. A. Wissinger, G. R. Alban, P. F. Mickey, J. T. Farnsworth, C. H. Rhodes, G. E. Householder, and J. C. Rupp.

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CLARION RIVER CIRCUIT

    The Edeburn United Brethren Church grew out of a revival held by Rev. B. J. Hummel. It is situated in Heath Township, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. The leading member was Samuel Edeburn and it was largely through him that a frame church was erected at a cost of $800. Reverend Hummel was the first pastor. The church serves the community in a fine way.

    The Donehay church was built in 1893. The trustees were: John Donehay, G. T. Huff, and Emery Aharrah. The church cost $1,000, and is situated in Millstone Township, Elk County, Pennsylvania. The ground for the church and cemetery was donated by Mr. Donehay. Rev. B. J. Hummel was the first pastor.

    The Dutch Hill church was built at a cost of $1,200, and is due to the work of Reverend Dunmire, in 1899. The trustees of this church were: Adam Hidinger, Adam Rhodes, and John Hidinger. The church is in Heath Township, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania.

    The Millstone church was built in 1921, and cost $2,800. The class was organized by Rev. J. F. Strayer, who also dedicated the church. The church is in Millstone Township, Elk County, Pennsylvania. The trustees were: R. D. Harriger, R. E. Benninger, J. I. Black and W. D. Pollum.

    These four churches now form the Clarion River Charge and in 1930, they built a fine modern parsonage at a cost of $2,500. Rev. R. H. White deserves great credit for this work. The present pastor is Rev. E. D. Rowe.

    These pastors served this charge: Revs. W. K. Shimp, J. L. Baker, L. Keister, O. T. Stewart, C. R. McCullough, D. G. McHenry, T. Dick, P. L. Auker, J. E. Robb, H. S. Dunmire, C. A. Weaver, J. C. Erb, S. J. Wilson, W. M. Hann, F. J. Strayer, S. B. Hoffman, A. J. Orlidge, G. C. Melzer, Charles Miller, Edwin Noel, A. Haire, M. R. Colas, R. H. White, and E. D. Rowe.

CONEMAUGH CHURCH

    The United Brethren was the first denomination to hold religious services in Conemaugh and the class owes its origin to a great meeting held in 1873, by Rev. R. S. Woodward, after which he organized the class with fifty members. When the need of a church was presented the Cambria Iron Company donated the new class the lot that has

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been occupied ever since. The class proceeded to build a two-story frame building at a cost of $6,000, and which was dedicated by Rev. J. M. Smith, in March, 1874. This building served the class for thirty-one years when it was replaced by the present splendid and modern building. The initial step toward a new building was taken in 1905, and the cornerstone was laid by Rev. B. L. Seneff, in September, 1905. The building was completed at a cost of $25,000, and it was dedicated July 29, 1906, by Dr. W. R. Funk. The completed building, which includes a modern nine-room parsonage, has a frontage of one hundred thirty-two feet and a depth of forty-six feet. The work was done during the pastorate of Rev. B. L. Seneff. The Sunday-school room was greatly improved during the pastorate of Rev. C. G. White.

    This church is thoroughly organized for the work of a modern church and its influence is felt in the town. Of the original fifty members, Mrs. Maggie Griffith Rager, Mrs. Sarah Atkinson Miller, Mrs. Anna Palmer Shaffer, and Mrs. Samantha Saxton still remain active members of the class. This church was chartered in 1905, and named the Conemaugh Church of the United Brethren in Christ. It was originally a part of the Cambria Charge and afterward associated with Wilmore, until September, 1890. when it was made a station. Rev. H. A. Buffington is now the pastor of this aggressive congregation. These ministers have served this charge: Revs. R. S. Woodward, J. L. Baker, P. P. Deitrick, J. Walker, U. R. Jones, J. S. Miller, T. Cameron, J. H. Pershing, L. W. Stahl, W. H. Mingle, I. P. Truxal, B. L. Seneff, H. A. Buffington, J. M. Lesher, C. C. Miller, J. I. L. Ressler, C. G. White, M. M. Houser, W. A. Wissinger.

CLEARFIELD CHURCH

    The Clearfield United Brethren Church was organized by members of the Woodland Charge who had moved to Clearfield, among whom were: W. I. Curley, G. L. Barger, C. I. McFarland, W. A. Doney, W. S. Wilson, J. L. Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Frank McClellen and Mrs. Murphy. The class met in homes and offices and were served by supply preachers until 1901, when it was made a mission and Rev. W. A. Bair was appointed by the conference. A small frame building was finished in 1895, and served the young congregation until the present structure was erected, and dedicated by Dr. W. R. Funk,

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December 23, 1903. It cost $11,000 and is a fine substantial building. Under Rev. G. R. Alban the church was extensively repaired and still more extensively improved under Rev. J. S. Colledge, at a cost of $16,000.

    The first parsonage was purchased under the Rev. A. B. Wilson but was sold under Rev. W. A. Wissinger and the present commodious and modern parsonage purchased. The early history of this class is one of struggles, trials and sometimes sore disappointments, but by heroic efforts the church has grown until it now adequately serves the community in which it is situated. The present membership is nearly four hundred and the average attendance at Sunday school is about three hundred. The church is well organized and under very fine leadership. Not only has the church served the community where it is located but out from it has gone Rev. W. S. Wilson, now conference superintendent, Rev. Eugene Turner, Rev. G. E. Kelly, and the church has two quarterly conference preachers, D. W. Hummel, in charge of Mt. Hope Mission, and H. F. Reese.

    The energetic and capable pastor of this class is Rev. J. S. Colledge, now serving his sixth year. These pastors have served this charge: Revs. W. A. Bair, L. Rexrode, W. O. Jones, R. L. Erhard, C. C. Miller, A. B. Wilson, A. L. Boring, J. F. Kelly, B. J. Hummel, W. A. Wissinger, G. R. Alban, and J. S. Colledge.

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CASSELMAN CIRCUIT

    This charge is composed of four churches and for many years formed a part of the Rockwood Charge, but later Rockwood and Milford were made a charge. The parsonage is a good six-room frame building and is located beside the Casselman church.

    The Casselman Class was organized in 1892, by Rev. J. L. Leichliter, with eight charter members. Services had been held in an old building which was wholly inadequate and the board of trustees, J. E. Cramer, H. Reid Weimer, W. B. Putman, O. G. Heinbaugh, and J. C. Liphart erected the present one-room frame church building at a

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cost of $1,500. It was dedicated by Bishop E. B. Kephart, July 31, 1892. The present membership is fifty-eight.

    The Mount Union church is located in Upper Turkeyfoot Township, and is the mother church of this section of the country. There is no record of its organization nor of the building of the church. The present membership is small owing to the many removals to centers of industry. The Liphart and the Sechler families have been prominently identified with the history of this class.

    Mount Zion church is on ground donated by Jacob Nicholson. A class of twenty members was organized by Rev. W. A. Jackson, in 1888. They built the present one-room frame church and have kept it in good repair. Most of the material and labor was donated. The trustees were Mrs. Malissa Myers, Mrs. Charles Miller, Silas Dwire, W. M. Putman, and W. H. Ansel. The church was dedicated by Bishop N. Castle. The present membership is twenty-seven.

    A Sunday school at Markleton had been organized and met in various buildings for some time. Preaching services were held as opportunity afforded. In 1920, Rev. H. G. Campbell organized a class of twenty members who met in an old church owned by A. J. Sembower, who had much to do with the Sunday school. M. A. Snyder, Frank Rugg, and Ross Creger were the trustees. Mr. Snyder proceeded to build the present church on ground donated by him. It was dedicated by Dr. J. S. Fulton, July 27, 1921, and cost about $3,000. Rev. A. L. Barnett is the present pastor of these churches and is leading his people to meet the religious needs of the several communities. With improved roads there is a larger future in store for these people. These pastors have served this charge: Revs. E. F. House, G. W. Eminhizer, S. J. Wilson, H. G. Campbell, W. D. Good, C. E. Shelley, J. H. McConell, E. J. Marshal, H. M. Walters, E. F. Sturgeon, and A. L. Barnett.

SIDMAN - ST. MICHAEL CIRCUIT

    The old Jefferson, later called the Cambria, Charge is the mother of charges among which are Johnstown First, Windber, Dunlo, Conemaugh, and these are the forebears of others. In 1873, Rev. R. S. Woodward reported eleven appointments to conference but the charge now has but three.

    Rev. John Sitman settled near where Lovett now stands. He operated a mill but was one of the pioneer preachers and from his work

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resulted Lovett church. The church was included in the Jefferson and Schellsburg work, until 1872, when the Cambria Charge was formed. The first church was situated on the hill just outside of Lovett and served the community until the present church was built. It was dedicated by Dr. J. I. L. Ressler in 1901.

    The parsonage at Elton was sold and the present six-room frame building erected at Lovett, in 1904. It is well adapted to its purpose and is a comfortable home for the pastor of this charge.

    Mount Carmel goes back to 1853 when the first church was built. the board of trustees being John Noon, Sr., Benjamin Noon, and Peter Lehman. The present church was built in 1888, and was dedicated by Bishop N. Castle. The Noons, Shaffers, Riveleys, and Gilmans were prominently identified with this work. The first Sunday school was called the Conemaugh Sunday School, until the church at Conemaugh was formed, when both the church and Sunday school were named "Noons," but the name was later changed to Mount Carmel.

    The church at Elton, long a part of this charge, was disbanded and the Mount Olive Church is almost without membership though there is a good frame church building and the history of the class goes back a great many years.

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    St. Michael was added to this charge in 1930. The class was organized and the coal company gave them the use of the old school building which they had acquired. The class furnished it with fine pews, etc., and made it an inviting place of worship. In 1930, the coal company deeded the property to the class and it thus has its own property. The class numbers forty-three and the property value is $2,500. Rev. M. L. Wilt is the pastor of this charge.

    These pastors have served this charge: Revs. J. S. Buell, A. E. Fulton, H. A. Buffington, D. Sheerer, O. T. Stewart, G. C. Cook, J. B. Keirn, G. J. Roudabush, W. F. Gilbert, P. L. Auker, E. F. Wriggle, J. E. Ott, J. F. Kelly, S. J. Wilson, J. A. Mills, W. H. Shiffer, J. H. Lilley, John Winwood, J. C. Erb, and M. L. Wilt.

BELLEFONTE CHURCH

    The Bellefonte United Brethren Church was organized about the year 1822. The original church building was a log structure and was erected, in 1825, on a lot secured from James and Mary Smith, for the sum of $50. The original trustees were Jacob Roop, George Lonberger, John Sitman, John Perdue, and Abram Switzer. Among the families of this church were the Roops, Bathursts, Barletts, Resides, Hoffmans, Housers, Lucases and Waites. In the year 1855, the log church gave place to a frame structure erected during the pastorate of Rev. J. Walker. It met the need of the congregation for a time, but eventually the congregation outgrew it and it gave way to the present structure which was erected during the pastorate of Rev. G. W. Eminhizer, and dedicated by Bishop J. Weaver, in 1891. This is a brick structure and has besides the auditorium, a Sunday-school room, basement, and furnace room. It will seat about three hundred fifty persons. The church has had a fine record and many have been won to Christ. The class is well organized with Sunday school, Young People's Christian Endeavor Union, Women's Missionary Association, and Ladies' Aid. A good parsonage forms a part of the assets of the congregation and is joined to the church.

    In 1931 this church had a glorious revival and added seventy-one to its membership and now has a membership of two hundred seventy-nine. The congregation has again outgrown its church facilities and plans extensive repairs and enlargement. The present pastor is Rev. G. E. Householder, who succeeds the long list of efficient ministers that have served this congregation through the years of its history.

    The list follows: Revs. C. Crowell, William Stephenson, Henry

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Lovell, R. G. Rankin, F. M. Hall, J. Walker, I. Potter, H. Lovell, A. Crowel, D. Sheerer, J. F. Tallhelm, J. Walker, J. L. Baker, J. Grant, A. Moore, J. A. Clemm, J. M. Smith, B. J. Hummel, C. Wortman, W. H. Mattern, C. W. Wasson, George Noden, G. W. Emenhizer, W. H. Blackburn, B. C. Shaw, C. C. Miller, Allen Rhen, T. W. Perks, A. Davidson, W. H. Spangler, D. Barshinger, C. W. Winey, A. B. Sprague, T. H. MacLeod, G. E. Smith, F. B. Hackett, J. A. Mills, William Snyder, and G. E. Householder.

BRADENVILLE CIRCUIT

    This charge has three appointments and they are treated separately.

    Bradenville—Preaching services were held in a union church in St. Clair, now Bradenville as early as 1851. In 1860, a union Sunday school was organized and Isaac Pershing, a great uncle of Gen. J. J. Pershing, was the superintendent. The United Brethren people used the union church from 1851 to 1891, when Rev. J. M. Lesher, pastor of the Greensburg Church, led them in the building of the present church. The church was dedicated by Dr. L. W. Stahl on May 25, 1898. This building has been greatly improved during the pastorate of Dr. W. A. Sites, at a cost of $5,000, and was rededicated by Dr.

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J. S. Fulton, April 17, 1927. Much credit for the growth of this class is due Brother Alex S. Smith, who is now reaping his reward. The class has a Sunday school, senior and junior Christian Endeavor, Women's Missionary Association, and Ladies' Aid. From this church Rev. J. N. Munden, Orion Mickey, and Glen Mitchel have entered the ministry.

    Lycippus—United Brethren have worshiped at Lycippus for more than a hundred years. Preaching service was held as early as 1809, and Christian Newcomer preached here in June of that year. One of the chief factors in this class was Peter Walters, who was converted at the age of eighteen, and lived to be ninety-four, and is buried in the church cemetery. He attended the first General Conference at Mt. Pleasant. The first church was a log structure and was built prior to 1833. The annual conference of 1853, presided over by Bishop Erb, was held in this building. The second building, still in use, was remodeled during the pastorate of Dr. W. A. Sites, and re-dedicated by Dr. W. S. Wilson, assisted by Dr. L. W. Stahl, April 1, 1927. The oldest member now living is D. B. Foltz. The membership is sixty.

    Derry—This church had its inception in 1911, through W. C. Pringle and Dr. W. A. Sites, then pastor at Latrobe. Preaching serv-

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ices and a Sunday school were started in a schoolhouse and later J. S. Fulton and W. A. Sites met with Mr. Pringle and decided to make this an appointment and attach it to the Middletown Charge. Rev. J. H. Lilly was the first pastor and the class was organized with eighteen members. A sectional chapel was place in 1913, under the pastorate of Rev. R. H. Arndt. Under Rev. A. J. Orlidge the present site was secured and a building erected on it under Rev. J. F. Cope and dedicated by Dr. J. S. Fulton. This building served until 1929, when it was converted into a parsonage and the present building erected and dedicated by Dr. W. S. Wilson, assisted by Dr. L. \V. Stahl. The present membership is one hundred eighteen. Dr. W. A. Sites is the pastor of this charge and is leading in the advances this charge is making.

    Pastors who have served the Bradenville Charge are as follows: Revs. J. S. Fulton, J. S. Hayes, E. F. Wriggle, James Fish, A. E. Fulton, S. H. Ralston, J. B. Keirn, H. N. Sipes, W. H. Mingle, O. T. Stewart, R. H. Arndt, C. W. Robb, A. J. Orlidge, John Cope, R. L. Wreath, A. B. Sprague, Donald Clark, S. J. Wilson, and W. A. Sites.

BELLWOOD CHURCH

    The Bellwood United Brethren Church is the outgrowth of the Roots appointment, which held its services in the Roots schoolhouse. The class was organized in 1892, and the Roots appointment abandoned. The first appointed pastor was Rev. E. C. Rickenbrode, in 1893. The charter members were John J. Estep, John L. Etter, John L. Root, Harrison Cherry, Alfred Cherry, J. W. Rumberger, and David F. McMonigal.

    The first church was built on the site of the present structure and was dedicated by Bishop E. B. Kephart, March 20, 1892. It cost about $2,000. The present parsonage was built under the leadership of Rev. W. R. Dillon, in 1908, and cost $2,500. Both the church and parsonage have received improvements from time to time and are in a fine state of preservation today.

    The Sunday school, Christian Endeavor, Women's Missionary Association, and Ladies' Aid are in a flourishing condition and are being directed by the capable pastor, Rev. J. A. Mills. The membership is two hundred fifty-six.

    The removal of the Pennsylvania Railroad Shops from Bellwood was a hard blow on the church but it has rallied nicely and faces the future bravely.

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    These men have served this charge since it was made a station: Revs. H. A. McKelvie, W. H. Mingle, C. L. Welch, H. C. Rhodes, S. H. Ralston, J. C. Moses, and J. A. Mills.

BELSANO CIRCUIT

    The Belsano Church is older than the Allegheny Conference. Records of this church are scarce, but it is a well-established fact that the present church was built in the early thirties. It was built and given outright by Adam Makin, who afterward left his estate to the conference. The church has been well cared for and improved from time to time so that it is now comfortable and fills well its mission.

    The parsonage is a good, six-room frame house and is located by the side of the church at Belsano.

    Rev. R. M. Hamilton, while pastor of the Belsano Charge, preached in the old Big Bend schoolhouse and, in 1904, secured Rev. W. A. Sites to hold a revival meeting. This resulted in the organization of the Twin Rocks Class with twenty-seven charter members. The Commercial Coal Company donated ground on which a one-room frame building was erected, during the pastorate of Rev. J. A. Mills.

    The church was completed and it was dedicated by Dr. J. S. Fulton, January 29, 1908, during the pastorate of Rev. O. E. Krenz. It cost

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$1,000. In 1926, this church was badly damaged by fire and it, with the lot, was sold. A new location was secured and a splendid buff-brick church with finished basement was erected at a cost of $16,500. It was dedicated by Dr. W. S. Wilson, assisted by Dr. J. S. Fulton, October 23, 1927. It was built during the pastorate of Rev. L. C. McHenry and his trustee board was Dr. W. A. Prideaux, Mrs. W. A. Prideaux, G. C. Graffius, Merle Adams, Mrs. John Reed, Mrs. Danviers and H. Zimmerman. It was made a part of the Belsano Charge in 1904, and the following pastors have served the charge since then: Revs. W. A. Sites, J. A. Mills, O. E. Krenz, G. W. Emenhizer, J. H. Weaver, S. M. Johnson, J. B. Keirn, Charles Gwynn, L. C. McHenry, C. G. White, and D. M. Spangler. The latter is the present pastor.

BEAVER FALLS CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR MEMORIAL CHURCH

    The first services were held in 1894-95, but nothing permanent was done. In 1899, Rev. J. J. Funk became pastor at Industry, Pennsylvania, and visited members who had moved to Beaver Falls and, in 1901. a service was held in Fox's Hall. About twenty persons attended, among whom were: T. C. Campbell, F. Y. Addis, Mrs. Mary Campbell, D. A. Messner, and Harrison Guy. A brick building on Fifth Avenue was secured and regular services were held. A Sunday school was organized and D. A. Messner became the first superintendent.

    After J. J. Funk, came the first regular appointed pastor of the new mission, formed at the conference at Coalport, in the person of Rev. J. R. King. He preached his first sermon October 13, 1901. The class was organized January 12, 1902, and the thirteen charter members were: F. Y. Addis, T. C. Campbell, H. Guy, Mrs. H. Guy, O. S. Morgan, Mrs. O. S. Morgan, Mrs. M. J. Campbell, D. A. Messner, Mrs. D. A. Messner, Jessie French, Mrs. Mollie Addis, Rev. J. R. King, and Mrs. J. R. King.

    In 1904, a good corner lot, sixty by ninety-two feet was purchased for $3,900. It had upon it a five-room house which was used for a parsonage for some time. The Branch Christian Endeavor sponsored this church and it was named Beaver Falls Christian Endeavor Memorial Church. The Branch paid $3,000 for the lots and $1,300 toward support for the pastor. In 1905, the church was built at a cost of $7,500 and dedicated the last Sunday in June, 1905, by Dr. W. R. Funk. During the pastorate of Rev. C. G. White the church

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was extensively improved with a Sunday-school room, gymnasium, etc., at a cost of $29,000, and dedicated September 6, 1925, by Dr. J. S. Fulton. The old parsonage was sold and the house next to the church was bought and improved. It has seven rooms and all modern conveniences. This church has had a slow but steady growth and with its facilities and devotion is serving its part of the city in a fine way.

    Pastors serving this charge were: Revs. J. J. Funk, J. R. King, C. W. Hutsler, W. W. Rymer, A. L. Funk, A. L. Boring, A. B. Wilson, A. R. Hendrickson, G. R. Alban, P. F. Mickey, W. G. Fulton, C. G. White, S. H. Cunningham, W. V. Barnhart, L. C. Rose, and T. L. Keirnan.

BEAVERDALE CHURCH

    This class was organized at Lloydell, during the pastorate of Rev. R. P. Roberts. William Allenbaugh, Arthur Ritchie, and William Dobbs were elected a board of trustees. The first place of worship was in a property in Lloydell, donated by the Mountain Coal Company. The appointment was made a part of the Dunlo-Beaverdale Charge. This property was sold in 1911. In 1909, steps were taken

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to build on ground donated by the Logan Coal Company. Rev. S. H. Ralston became the pastor and, with John Cowher, William Parcel, Thomas Richardson, John Eby, H. W. Black, Mrs. Rose Mulhollem, Mrs. Emily Hess, and Mrs. Ella B. Black, proceeded to build the auditorium of the present building. The Sunday-school room and basement were added later. The church was dedicated by Dr. J. S. Fulton, November 14, 1909, and cost $4,000. With the Sunday-school room and other improvements and additions the church has a value of $10,000.

    In 1916, the class purchased a fine, seven-room house with all modern improvements for a parsonage. It has a valuation of $2,800. Since becoming a station work, in 1915, it has been served by Revs. T. M. Sharp, W. A. Wissinger, J. S. Colledge, J. C. Rupp, G. E. Smith and, since 1928, by the present efficient leader, Dr. J. I. L. Ressler.

ARONA CIRCUIT

    Records are very meager of the early beginnings of the Middletown United Brethren Church but work was carried on and services were probably held in a log church or schoolhouse before the Civil War. Accurate history begins with the building of a church on ground

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deeded by Alex Mench, in 1870. The present church was built in 1896. It is a frame structure and will seat two hundred fifty persons. In 1927, under the pastorate of Rev. J. H. Weaver, Sunday-school rooms were added making this a village church prepared to meet the demands of this day. It cost $5,000. It was a part of the Lycippus Charge, then of the Bradenville Charge, and was finally made a part of the Arona Charge, in 1914. Some pastors who served before that time were: Revs. L. W. Stahl, George Noden, J. F. Kelly, and T. M. Sharp. The trustees are: George Hohman, Loyal Smith, C. E. Diehl, I. I. Fox, Harry Fox, John Funk, and Clyde Rosensteel. The membership is eighty-nine.

MIDDLETOWN CHURCH, ARONA CHARGE

    Preaching services were started in the Arona schoolhouse by Dr. S. S. Hough, and continued until the present church was built. In the spring of 1916, Rev. J. S. Fulton held a revival meeting in which

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many were converted and resulted in the organization of a class of seventy members. Steps were taken at once and resulted in the building of a good, two-room brick church, at a cost of $8,000. It was dedicated by Dr. W. R. Funk. It was made a part of the Madison Charge. The membership is now sixty, and the trustees are E. F. Oplinger, William G. Oplinger, and Calvin Fox.

    During the year 1916, the Ocean Coal Company built a good, frame church at Oceanco, which was dedicated by Dr. J. S. Fulton. The company holds the title and keeps the church in repair and agrees that as long as we furnish a minister no other denomination can have the building. A class was formed and became a part of the Herminie Charge but, in 1916, was made a part of the Arona Charge. The trustees are Charles W. Lintner, E. L. Chew, and S. E. Tilbrook.

    The parsonage is a good, six-room frame building with modern improvements and is situated in Arona. Since the Arona Charge was constituted it has been served by Revs. G. E. Buhan, F. A. Risley, D. W. Willard, J. C. Moses, W. R. McKinney, G. A. Sparks, Paul Morris, J. H. Weaver, and the present enterprising pastor, F. B. Hackett.

WAUKESHA CIRCUIT

    This charge, as now constituted, embraces parts of other charges, such as Mahaffey Charge, Burnside Charge, Patchinville Charge, and LaJose Charge. For more than a quarter of a century there have been six churches in this circuit. The parsonage was formerly located just above LaJose, but during the pastorate of Rev. J. C. Grenzebach, it was sold and the present seven-room frame parsonage was built at Five Points.

    The Cherry Corner church is a good, frame building, which meets the needs of this community in an adequate way. The class numbers forty-three and was for a long time a part of the Mahaffey Charge. It is a strictly rural church but maintains a fine community program. The church is valued at $1,000.

    LaJose has a small membership and the church building is situated at the extreme end of the village. The church is a frame building and meets fully the demands made upon it. Its value is $1,500. The membership is twenty-six.

    The Pleasant Hill church is a frame building with a value of $1,000, and is located not far from Hastings. The membership is twenty-two, and they are a devoted class of Christian people.

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    The Mount Joy church was built under the pastorate of Rev. W. K. Shimp and dedicated June 28, 1896, by Dr. L. W. Stahl, presiding elder. It is a frame building and cost $1,000, besides donated labor and work. This is purely a rural church and numbers eighteen members.

    The East Ridge church is a splendid frame building and serves well the rural community in which it is located. It cost $1,500, and was dedicated by Dr. L. W. Stahl, February 4, 1894. The class is well organized and numbers eighty-eight. Rev. C. E. Wille was licensed to preach from this class.

    The Five Points church is situated where five roads come to a point, hence the name. It is a good frame church building and was built in 1894, at a cost of $2,000. The church was dedicated by Dr. L. W. Stahl. February 11, 1896.

    Rev. G. O. Neff was licensed as a minister from this class. The membership is energetic and devoted and numbers one hundred eight. Ministers who served these churches were: Revs. J. A. Clemm, D. Steele, C. W. Raver, J. H. Pershing, A. Davidson, George Noden, J. L. Leichliter, W. A. Bair, O. T. Stewart, G. A. Sparks, D. G. McHenry, E. F. Wriggle, J. C. Grenzebach, W. H. Mattern, and W. V. Barnhart. Since it has been called "Waukesha," I. W. Groh, E. H. Baker, J. C. Moses, P. F. Mickey, E. H. Swank, M. M. Snyder, E. E. Dunkelberger, J. S. Emenhizer, Orion Mickey, and R. H. White.

THREE SPRINGS CIRCUIT

    This charge takes its name from the village in which the parsonage is situated, and the town is named because of the three mineral springs that are found within its limits. The charge has ten appointments, two of which are in Fulton County, and eight are in Huntingdon County. Formerly these churches formed in whole or part the Fulton, Orbisonia, Calvin, and Three Springs circuits. With the changing times several churches were closed and others weakened so that the present combination has resulted in the formation of this charge. The parsonage is a good six-room building and it is one of the oldest parsonages in the conference.

    Mount Tabor is in Fulton County. The church is a frame building valued at $1,000. This is the home church of Rev. D. Speck and for many years was called the "Speck" Church. The present membership is twenty.

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    The Wells Valley Church dates back to the sixties. The building is a good frame one and is valued at $1,000. It is in Fulton County and the class membership is twenty-six.

    The Otterbein church is a frame building situated in the Trough Creek Valley, near Calvin, and has a value of $1,000. The membership is twelve.

    The present church called Cromwell was built in 1904, and dedicated December 11, by Dr. J. I. L. Ressler, presiding elder. It is strictly a rural church and is valued at $1,000. The membership of this class is eight.

    The Hill Valley church is a frame structure. It was dedicated by Rev. T. P. Orner, November 8, 1892. The membership is nineteen, and the church has a value of $1,000. It is strictly a rural church.

    The Fairview Church dates back to the sixties. The class numbers fifty-one, and is an aggressive rural church. Rev. D. M. Ciampa entered the ministry from this class. The church has a value of $1,500.

    The present church at Latta Grove was dedicated by Rev. J. A. Clemm, October 17, 1886. It is a frame building and has a value of $1,500. The membership is eighty-eight. This is a rural church and the membership is wide awake and aggressive.

    The Oak Grove church was built under the pastorate of Rev. H. F. Reber and dedicated February 14, 1908, by Dr. J. S. Fulton. It is a frame structure and has a value of $2,000. This is a rural church with a membership of twenty.

    The Sugar Grove church stands on ground donated by Rev. R. S. Woodward. It is a very nice country church and cost $2,000. The class has a membership of thirty-nine, and they are awake to Kingdom interests.

    The first church to be built in Three Springs was a frame building that cost $1,000. It was dedicated September 7, 1897, by Rev. T. P. Orner, presiding elder. This church was sold and the present building erected under the pastorate of Rev. I. H. Dean. It is a good frame building and reflects credit on both the class and the village of Three Springs. It was dedicated by Dr. J. S. Fulton, October 10, 1909, and cost $3,000. The membership is forty-nine. Pastors who served these churches in whole or part as now arranged were: Revs. R. S. Woodward, J. A. Clemm, J. F. Tallhelm, A. H. Spangler, John Felix, E. A. Zeek, A. Davidson, B. J. Hummel, E. F. Ott, G. A. Sparks, T. H. MacLeod, George Noden, G. W. Emenhizer, W. R. Dillen, R. L.

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Erhard, I. H. Dean, Arthur Ritchey, J. H. Lilley, E. B. Somers, E. F. Sturgeon, C. E. Wille, W. B. Tobias, and Orion Mickey.

GLASGOW CIRCUIT

    This charge is so named because since 1893 the parsonage has been located in the village of Glasgow. Previous to 1894, the charge was called Fallen Timber, and its history dates back for seventy-five or more years. As now constituted the charge has five appointments, three of which are in Cambria County and two in Clearfield County.

    The old Fallen Timber church is situated at Fiske and is one of the oldest churches in this section of the country. It is a frame building and has a membership of sixty-one and a property valuation of $1,000. Originally it was served with the Beaver Valley Church, but long years ago was made a part of this charge. Glass, Thomas, Dean, Beers, Krise, and Kessler are among the leading families that have carried forward the work here.

    The Utahville Church is in the village of Utahville. It was dedicated in February, 1883. It is a good frame building and cost $3,500. For years it was a part of the Coalport Charge but was attached to this charge a number of years ago. The membership is fifteen.

    The Allemans church is a frame structure and was built in 1891, and dedicated by Rev. J. H. Pershing, presiding elder. The membership is small, but this church meets a need in this community. Spacht, Glasgow, Feaster, Bowman, and Hummel families are associated with the work here. The membership is ten.

    The Roseland church stands in a fine farming community about three miles from Glasgow and was erected in 1891 and dedicated by Rev. J. H. Pershing. Troxell, Mulhollen, Hollen, Refiner, and Kuhn are the names of the principal families that have been associated with the work here. The membership is thirty-three and the property valuation is $1,000.

    The Pleasant Hill church was one of the early churches in this territory. It was a frame building and served well its generations. In 1925, it was destroyed by fire and the present cement-block building was erected at a cost of $6,000. This class has a membership of twenty-seven. The Hollens, Mulhollens, Schmittles, Rickards, Beers, and Kuhns have been among the chief families of this congregation. These ministers have served this charge: Revs. J. Reynolds, J. M. Empfield, J. A. Clemm, D. A. Messenger, J. L. Baker, D. Strayer,

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J. Felix, G. M. Potter, A. Davidson, W. H. Mattern, B. J. Hummel, J. D. Donovan, J. M. Smith, A. M. Long, J. S. Fulton, C. C. Bingham, U. S. Drake, W. H. DaFoe, A. L. Boring, O. T. Stewart, W. F. Gilbert, S. H. Welch, E. C. Weaver, J. A. Harkins, E. E. DeHaven, I. J. Duke, C. A. Weaver, S. J. Wilson, R. M. Hamilton, E. F. House, L. C. McHenry, C. N. McCandless, E. B. Somers, C. P. Shelley, L. H. White, J. S. Emenhizer, L. K. Chilcott, E. D. Rowe, and H. P. Light.

BIGLER CIRCUIT

    The Bigler Charge is a part of what was originally called the Clearfield Charge. After the charge divided this part was called Otterbein and later, Williams Grove, and for the last quarter of a century, Bigler. The conference has been at work in this section ever since the conference was organized in 1839. The charge consists of five appointments.

    The present church at Shiloh was dedicated by Rev. J. A. Clemm, presiding elder, August 29, 1886. It is a frame structure and cost $2,000. Among the workers of this church are the Williams, Knepp, and Shirey families. The membership is one hundred seventy-six, and the property value is $2,000.

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    Summit Hill church is situated about five miles from Bigler in a fine farming district. The church is a frame building and is adequate for the needs of the community. It was remodeled and beautified and then reopened by Dr. J. S. Fulton, December 5, 1909. The property is worth $2,000, and the class membership numbers one hundred fifty-three.

    The Fairview church is a splendid frame building and stands in a farming community. It is fully adequate to meet the needs of this community. The membership is forty-eight, and the property value is $1,500. The Lansberrys and Smeals are among the leading families.

    Pleasant Hill has a small membership and they have built a neat frame church building. They have a fine Sunday school. The church stands in a farming section but ministers to a part of Grass Flat. The membership is twenty-seven and the property value is $1,500.

    The first church at Bigler was dedicated October 13, 1895. It was a frame building and cost $1,000. Here the class worshiped until 1924, when they erected a very fine brick church, under the pastorate of Rev. J. C. Moses. The church was dedicated May 4, 1924, by Dr. J. S. Fulton. It cost $21,000, and is a credit to both the class and the community.

    The first parsonage was a frame structure and it was sold in 1924, when under the pastorate of Rev. J. C. Moses, the present modern, seven-room brick structure was erected. The combined membership of this charge is four hundred fifty-six, and the following pastors have served the charge: Revs. J. F. Tallhelm, J. Reynolds, A. E. Fulton, U. Conley, D. Strayer, W. H. Mattern, R. S. Woodward, J. M. Smith, J. S. Buell, D. R. Ellis, B. J. Hummel, T. Cameron, U. S. Drake, H. F. Wolfe, O. M. Wilson, W. H. DaFoe, W. R. Dillon, P. L. Auker, George Noden, O. T. Stewart, J. C. Rupp, J. C. Erb, G. A. Sparks, C. C. Bingham, C. L. McCoy, J. C. Moses, W. R. McKinney, A. D. Thompson, and W. A. Wissinger.

WEST DECATUR CIRCUIT

    This charge is in Clearfield County and is composed of five appointments. Nearly a hundred years ago Rev. Henry Kephart established services in the New Castle District. He preached in the homes of the people and in schoolhouses. The people did not build a church until 1928 when, under the pastorate of Rev. J. P. Rauch and trustees, Austin Davis, K. O. Kephart, and Joseph Pinto, the present church

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was erected. The cornerstone was laid on June 23, 1928, by Bishop Cyrus J. Kephart, a son of the first pastor and a brother of Bishop E. B. Kephart, and Dr. I. L. Kephart, for years editor of The Telescope. The church was dedicated by Rev. J. S. Colledge, September 9, 1928, and cost $4,500. Of the original members Mrs. S. H. Kephart and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Kephart are living.

    The Ohio Class was organized in 1850, but by whom or where could not be secured as the records up to 1874 are missing. Services were held in the homes of the people and in schoolhouses. In 1874, Rev. J. F. Tallhelm was pastor and the Sunday-school record besides this item, records the death of people in the neighborhood, the effect of the weather conditions on farming and the reason for absence of various persons, all of which is interesting. The present church was built in 1893, and dedicated by Dr. L. W. Stahl, presiding elder, on December third. Rev. J. S. Phillips was the pastor in charge and the trustees were Frank Bush, John Baughman, Mike Mease, George Smeal, Jacob Baughman, and Isaac Goss. There are one hundred twenty members in this well-organized church. The class has given

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Rev. W. B. Tobias to the ministry. A two-acre grove opposite the church is lighted by electricity and here are held various social functions, bush meetings, and often Sunday-evening services.

    The West Decatur or Blue Ball Church is the outgrowth of the work of the circuit riders, Smith, Tallhelm, Fulton and others. The first church, Otterbein, was organized and built at Decaturville or Mock's Hill, in 1858. The lumber and stones were hauled by oxen in true pioneer fashion, the work being nearly all donated. Among the early families were those of Smeal, Goss, Thompson, and Mock. The Sunday school was established in 1877, with Mr. Smeal as superintendent, and he was followed by Thompson, Goss, Smeal, Shaw, Plympton, Mills, Greene, Bock, Shimmel, Wilson, and others. The average attendance is now two hundred.

    In 1904, the building was moved to the present site under the leadership of Rev. E. A. Sharp. During the pastorate of Rev. L. Rex-rode in 1905, a good parsonage was built and the present circuit formed. In 1920, both the church and parsonage were destroyed by fire. The class did not falter but under Rev. J. H. Weaver proceeded to build the present concrete-block church at a cost of $25,500. The church was dedicated by Dr. J. S. Fulton, July 23, 1923, and later a good parsonage opposite the church was purchased. The present trustees are C. B. Mills, N. E. Shimmel, T. L. Baughman, Boyd Powell, and Richard Ulsh.

    The pastors who served the charge as now constituted were: Revs. Charles Crowell, Henry Kephart, B. J. Hummel, U. S. Drake, J. S. Phillips, S. H. Welch, G. A. Sparks, H. A. Breth, P. L. Auker, E. A. Sharp, L. Rexrode, J. A. Mills, T. H. MacLeod, R. M. Hamilton, G. W. Emenhizer, J. E. Ott, C. A. Weaver, J. W. Oakes, J. H. Weaver, J. P. Rauch, and A. L. Thompson.

    Just when the Sandy Ridge church was built cannot definitely be decided. The present church was built in 1886, and dedicated by Rev. J. A. Clemm, presiding elder, August 6. It is a frame structure and cost $1,500. This church was extensively repaired and was reopened September 11, 1914, by Dr. J. S. Fulton.

    The Sanborn church is a good, substantial, frame building and meets the needs of the community in which it is located in an adequate way. During the pastorate of Rev. J. H. Weaver this church was completely remodeled at a cost of about $2,000, and rededicated by Dr. J. S. Fulton, August 22, 1927.

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    The present pastor is Rev. A. L. Thompson and the combined membership of the churches is five hundred sixty-six, while the property value is $39,375.

WYANO CIRCUIT

    This charge is made up of three appointments. The parsonage is located at Wyano and is joined to the Wyano church but is owned jointly by the charge. It is a fine six-room building with all the modern appointments.

    The Barren Run appointment is one of the oldest in the conference, dating back to the time before the conference was formed. The first United Brethren minister was Jacob Winters. He held services in the home of Frederick Medsger and organized the class in 1830. The Medsgers, Weibles, Heplers, and Rowes were among the charter members. In 1839 when the first schoolhouse was built, it became the place of worship. In 1848, the first board of trustees, George Coder, George M. Medsger, and Samuel Medsger had erected the first church building and it served the congregation until the present build-

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ing was erected in 1883. This frame building, thirty by forty feet in size, was dedicated by Bishop J. Dickson, assisted by the pastor, Rev. A. L. Funk. Out from this class have gone Rev. J. Medsger, Dr. E. U. Hoenshell, and Dr. S. S. Hough as ministers to bless the world. This church is vigorous and goes forward through its various departments to fulfill its mission of Christian service.

    Rev. W. H. Mingle, while pastor of the Herminie Charge, visited the new and growing town of Wyano and, in 1915, organized the class. Among the charter members were: Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Morrow, Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Hepler, Mr. and Mrs. William Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Gath, and Mr. and Mrs. James Crawford. Sunday school was organized in the home of Mrs. James Crawford and met in the old supply house. Here, too, preaching services were held. In 1915, the appointment was joined to the Barren Run and Sewickley appointments and made to form the Wyano Charge.

    The church was built and was dedicated by Bishop W. M. Weekley, assisted by Dr. J. S. Fulton, March 23, 1919. The parsonage was built under the direction of Rev. J. H. Lilley and joined to the Wyano church. It is owned jointly by the charge.

    The Sewickley Class dates its beginning back many years. Just when the first church was built is not definitely known, but it is known that it was a frame building and stood on the bank of the Big Sewickley Creek.

    The second and present church was built in 1882, and dedicated by Rev. Francis Fisher, presiding elder. It is a frame structure and stands by the Funk Cemetery. It cost $1,500 in cash, besides the donated labor and material. The Zumbro, Funk, Gressley, Kintigh, and Lash families have always had a place of prominence in the work of this church. It sent out Joseph Zumbro, Abram Zumbro, and A. L. and W. R. Funk, into the ministry. Joseph Zumbro was the grandfather and Abram Zumbro was the uncle of Revs. A. L. and W. R. Funk. The membership of this class is sixty-four and the property value is $3,000.

EAST FREEDOM CIRCUIT

    This charge has four churches, all of which are in Blair County, Pennsylvania. The present parsonage is the third building and is a fine, modern, brick structure, having six rooms and is situated in the village of East Freedom.

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    The Pine Grove Class was organized in 1863, and is in Freedom Township, near the town of Newry. The founders and first trustees were Peter Stiffler, Jacob Stultz, and Alexander Shaw. This was the original class in this community and the building then erected, stood until torn down and replaced by the present structure in 1902. This building was remodeled and reopened by Dr. J. S. Fulton, July 4, 1915. Rev. J. C. Erb and Rev. Donald Ritchey were licensed to preach from this class.

    The Canoe Creek Church is more than fifty years of age. The present building is a frame one and it is in fine condition for its work. The Bergers, Stifflers, and Harpsters have always been prominent in the work of this aggressive body of church workers. The present membership is fifty-six and the trustees are W. H. Harpster, A. L. Stiffler and S. Bagshaw. This class is well organized and serves well the community in which it is located.

    The Mount Moriah Class dates back to 1885, when the first church was built at a cost of $800. Rev. W. H. Mattern became the first pastor with W. A. Jackson as Sunday-school superintendent and J. C. Ritchey, A. D. Auer, and David Hazlett as trustees.

MOUNT MORIAH CHURCH, EAST FREEDOM CHARGE

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    The present building was erected under the pastorate of Rev. C. C. Bingham, and cost $4,240.44. It was dedicated by Dr. J. S. Fulton, September 5, 1909. Rev. Arthur Ritchey was licensed to preach from this class. The membership is fifty-nine and the trustees are George Hazlett, Dean Ritchey, Alva Long, John Stombaugh, and Jerry Long.

    The East Freedom Class was organized by Rev. A. E. Fulton, in 1878, and the charter members were: Rev. and Mrs. A. E. Fulton, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Hileman, Mr. and Mrs. William Dodson, Mr. and Mrs. William Diehl, Mr. and Mrs. George Snyder, Mr. and Mrs. W. Deckard, and Mrs. E. W. Handcuff. The present building, a brick structure, was built and it is in fine condition, having been improved from time to time. Rev. J. C. Moses was licensed to preach from this church. The trustees are Grant Snowberger, Frank Nophsker and Lloyd Shaw.

    Ministers who served these churches were: Revs. J. Owens, A. E. Fulton, W. H. Mattern, J. F. Tallhelm, Uriah Conley, J. C. Erb, P. L. Auker, George Noden, B. C. Shaw, J. F. Kelly, O. T. Stewart, George Cavanaugh, C. C. Bingham, E. G. Spessard, M. L. Wilt, A. B. Taylor, A. C. VanSaun, P. C. Hoffman, P. H. Light, H. B. Seese, A. L. Thompson, and J. H. Weaver, who is now the efficient pastor of these churches.

LIGONIER CIRCUIT

    This charge is composed of three classes, all of which are in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. The parsonage is a good, modern, eight-room frame building and is situated in the village of Laughlintown. It was built during the pastorate of Rev. J. J. Funk, in 1903, and has a valuation of $5,000.

    The Pleasant Grove church is a brick structure and is situated three miles north of Ligonier. The class was organized in the early fifties when Alex Cavan, Martin Phillippi, and George Phillippi, who believed in experimental religion and dared to stand for their convictions, led in the movement for a class of those who also believed this truth. The class bought an old frame building in 1885, which later was burned. The present building was erected in 1857, at a cost of $1,500, and was dedicated by the pastor, Reverend Grant. The Phillippi brothers burned the brick and laid them in the walls. The charter members were: Henry Seibel, Salome Weller, William Ankeny, Sr., William Ankeny, Jr., Elizabeth Ankeny, Christ Ankeny, and Joseph Albright. The present membership is one hundred fourteen, and the trustees

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are: William Shaffer, George Neiderhiser, A. P. Darr, Rufus Hofelt, and H. J. Phillippi.

    The Waterford church is situated in the village of Waterford, three and a half miles south of Ligonier. Years ago, some United Brethren families moved into this district and formed themselves into a class. They built a frame church and in it they worshiped until 1925, when the present white brick building was erected under the pastorate of Rev. William Snyder. The church cost $16,000, and was dedicated by Dr. J. S. Fulton, August 9, 1925. The membership is one hundred twenty-three, and the trustees are H. J. Wiemer, George Riffle, A. C. Kinsey, C. E. Roddy, and J. C. Zimmerman.

    The Laughlintown church is situated on the Lincoln Highway, in the village of Laughlintown, three miles east of Ligonier. In 1895, Rev. J. W. Wilson held a sweeping revival in the community and this class was organized as one of the results. The church was built during the pastorate of Rev. A. M. Long, and was dedicated by Rev. T. P. Orner, August 15, 1897. The building was remodeled during the pastorate of Rev. J. J. Funk, and again in 1928, when Rev. J. J. Thompson led his people in the work that resulted in the present beautiful field stone cased church. The work cost $2,400, and the new building was dedicated by Dr. W. S. Wilson.

    The membership is sixty-six, and the trustees are: Frank Ankeny. Russel Darr, Charles Horner, Fred Shaffer, and J. P. Thomas. Pastors who served this charge were: Revs. J. W. Wilson, J. J. Funk, A. E. Fulton, A. M. Long, J. S. Showers, J. C. Moses, J. B. Keirn, J. T. Farnsworth, W. D. Good, William Snyder, S. J. Wilson, J. J. Thompson, and the present faithful pastor, C. E. Wille.

FAYETTE CIRCUIT

    This charge takes its name from the county in which it is located and is composed of three appointments.

    The Mount Olive Class, organized in 1861, grew out of services held in the Gault schoolhouse. Under Rev. William Beighel, the present site was secured for $20. The building of the church was begun in the spring of 1871, and it was dedicated by Bishop E. B. Kephart, November 11, 1871. The whole community rallied to the enterprise with material, labor and money. The first board of trustees was: Samuel Detwiler, Richard Herbert, and Campbell Kelly. The Sunday school was organized April 7, 1872, with John S. Longenecker

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as superintendent. The Cody, Detwiler, Fretts, Longenecker, Whip-key, Cable, Kern, Seese, Kell, Sheraw, Timmerman, Means, and Keffer families have been prominent in the work of this church.

    The East Connellsville Class was organized in the hall of the Knights of the Mystic Chain Lodge, who gave the use of their hall for church services as long as it was needed. The sixty-nine members found a permanent home a necessity and the pastor, Rev. Paul Morris, and his trustees proceeded to build a fine, brick-cased structure, at a cost of $12,000. It was dedicated January 27, 1929, by Dr. W. S. Wilson. This church is the outgrowth of the Moore Memorial Church and has a bright future. The Sunday school is under the leadership of Walter Huey, and already taxes the capacity of the new building.

    The Moore Memorial Class resulted from meetings held in the Brakeneck schoolhouse and dates its organization back to the eighties. In 1889, the Baptists, the Church of God, and the United Brethren built a union church, each having a one-third interest. Here the class worshiped until they moved into their own building. Under the pastorate of Rev. W. H. Mingle, the cornerstone was laid by Rev.

EAST CONNELLSVILLE CHURCH, FAYETTE CHARGE

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W. H. Spangler, in 1901, and the completed church was dedicated by Dr. W. R. Funk, April 20, 1902. The trustees were: Richard Herbert. Hiram Huey, Lias Christner, and Marion Wilson. The charter members were: Richard and Rachel Herbert; Simon, Harriet, Albert, Fanny, Clark, Eliza, John, Emma, and Lizzie Huey; William Adams; Marion and Catharine Wilson; Albert, Elmira, and Peter Wagner; Marion Halfhill; and Marion Swink. This church was made a memorial church to Mr. and Mrs. Moore, by the gift of $3,350 by Mrs. Sarah B. Cochran. The church is the mother of the East End Church. The parsonage of the charge is located by the side of this church and is a good eight-room frame building. Rev. J. J. Thompson is the present pastor and leader of these churches. Pastors who served this charge are: Revs. W. H. Mingle, C. W. Hutsler, J. K. Huey, L. B. Fasick, B. J. Hummel, G. A. Sparks, J. B. Keirn, J. E. Ott, A. M. Long, E. F. House, C. W. Olewine, E. E. Ormston, C. E. Shannon, P. A. Morris, R. H. Arndt, and J. J. Thompson.