Page:Historical and Biographical Annals of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania, Containing a Concise History of the Two Counties and a Genealogical and Biographical Record of Representative Families.pdf/385

 COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES made lo r Mahoning, M r. Wilson to preach the second Sabbath in June* and M r. Linn the third Sabbath in August. In 1790 K ev. John Br>*son was called to the neighboring churches o f Chillisquaque and W arrior Run, and from this date he preached occasionally at Mahoning until a pastor was secured. T h e Presbytery of 1iuntingdon w as formed out of the northern portion of the Presbytery o f Carlisle in 1794. From this date until the organization of the Presbytery o f Northumber­ land* seventeen years later, the Mahoning Church appears on its rolls. Late in 1798 Jo h n Royo Patterson, a licentiate of the Presbytery o f New Castle* visited the churches o f D erry and Mahoning. T his visit resulted in a call to him from these churches to be their pastor* which he accepted. On an old church register wc find this note: “ Sept. 6* 1799. A rrived at Mahoning and took lodging with General Montgomery at $66.67 per an­ num .” 'Hie whole salary promised by the tw o churches was $466.66, one half o f which w*as paid by each church. Rev. J. B. Patterson w as o f Scotch-Irish descent. H e was bom in Lancaster county in 17 7 3, graduated at the University o f Pennsyl­ vania, and studied iheolog)* undeV Kev. N . W. Sam ple, o f Strasbuig. He was ]>astor o f this church from 1799 to Ju st when the old church was built is not definite!V known. It was constructed from hewn timbers and was used by the congrega­ tion as a place o f worship for nearly forty years. It was enlarged from time to time, as occasion demanded, until the structure as a whole formed a letter T . At first Hie seats w ere rough slabs, resting upon blocks or stones, vet no one died o f a broken back therefrom. K ev. R . U Stewart, D. D., in his history o f Mahoning, says of this old church: “ Ju st M o w the high pulpit was a platform with a breastwork in front, in which stood the precentors or clerks—sometimes called ‘ foresingers’— who ‘lined out’ the verses of the Psalm and ‘raised the tunc* for the congrega­ tion. In the central aisle w*as an open hearth o r prepared space, where usually* in cold weather, a charcoal fire was kindled. Footwarm ers were carried to the church also for the women and children. These were the only appliances used for the comfort of the w or­ shippers in winter until the year 18 17, when two stoves were purchased and set up. In the summer boys approaching manhood came to church in their hare feet, while their staid fathers frequently appeared in hunting jackets or in Ihcir shirt sleeves.”

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T w o services were held on the Sabbath, with an intermission o f an hou r A t the first com­ munion in the old church* Ju n e 29, tSoo, tw*enty-two new members were added to the thirty-seven already recognized. In 1807 the membership w as too, and in 1830 it w as 201. In 1826 the old I(^ house o f worship was taken down and a substantial brick church built upon its site. The old building was removed to a site on the Jerseytow*n road and converted into a still-house, operated by a Presbyterian cider. But let it 1 recorded in ms justice to those old days, that this ancient house o f God was re sc u ^ from the devil; the still-housc was turned into a blacksmith shop, occupied by a saintly smith* who often used it again as a place o f prayer. In the spring o f t S t i Robert Dunlap* a graduate 01 Princeton Theological Seminary, was called as assistant pastor* being ordained and installed on Ju n e 14th. T he following spring Rev. M r. Patterson resigned from Mahoning* but continued as pastor o f Derry Church until his death, M ay 8, 1843. H e was buried in the old graveyard in Danville* and the congregation o f Mahoning erected an appropriate monument over his grave, as a token of their affectionate remembrance. 'Hie Presbytery entered a resolution upon the minutes o f that year in which Mr. l^tterson was described as ” a man o f good talents and acquirements, a sound and pious preacher* a judicious counselor* cautious in forming in­ timacies, but firm in his friendship, almost proverbially prudent, mild in manners* and one who scarcely ever, i f at all, had an enemy.” A fte r the resignation o f Mr. Patterson, Rev. Robert Dunlap became the pastor, serving for almost six years. On Feb. 8, 1837, he ac­ cepted a call to the Second Presbyterian Church o f Pittsburgh. *l*he highest tribute th.it could be paid was shown to this beloved pastor in that seven years after he removed to Pittsburgh—the Mahoning Church sent him a unanimous call to return; a novel and un­ usual proceeding in those days. T liis call staggered this faithful man 0^ God. but he felt c o n ^ llc d to decline it. Rev. I^ktvid M. Halliday, D. D., was called hs pastor Feb. 12, 1838, and entered upon his labors the same month. Dr, H alliday'$ min­ istry was marked by large additions to the church. In the five years and five months that he w as pastor i t e mcmhers were added to the congregation, tbc membership at the close o f his pastorate numbering 270. lu r in g Dr. Flalliday's ministry the congregation was