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/396

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COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

a scmionizcr. l i e resigned in 1869 and ac­ cepted a call to the Presbyterian Oturch of McadviMc, Pennsylvania. In 1869 Rev. R. H. 'anPelt became the pastor, and served the congregation for five years. H e w as o f a qutet. retiring disposition, but an earnest and devoted pastor, who did much to build up the church spiritually. Dur­ ing his ministry, in 1873. the present beautiful stone church w is erected on the site of the old brick building. T he necessities of the con­ gregation compelled this, and at a cost of some $60,000 this house o f worship was erected, designed for the spiritual activities o f generations to follow. Rev. M r. VanPelt resigned his chaige before the completion of the new church. Rev. Wiitiam ,A. M cAtee. D. D.. succeeded in 1874. T he following year the new church w<is dedicated, and has b ^ a source o f great jo y and power to the congregation. Dr. MeAtee served this congregation until 1879, fed it with the strong meat of the gospel, not, however, withholding the milk from the weak ones. Dr. AfcAtce resigned in 1879. and in 1880 was succeeded by Rev, John Boyd Grier, D. D.. a worthy son of the old church and the youngest son o f M. C. G rier, an elder in both the old and the new churches. Dr. G ricr was a scholar o f rare ability and a preacher of much power. H e labored until 1883. and was succeeded the same year by Rev. J. M. Simonton. Rev. Mr. Simonton was a minister strong and decided in his view s: eame.st and con­ scientious in his work. kind, gentle and sym­ pathetic in his manner; with a faith that ena­ bled him to carry on his work despite domestic afflictions and severe trials. H e resigned in (888. after a ]>astoratc o f five years, and his departure from the community was regretted hy n large circle o f friends. T he same year Rev. Elliott C Armstrong was called and entered upon the work. M r. Armstrong w as a preacher who drew large congregations, and hy his scholarship and oratorical power soon ranked high in the Pres­ bytery. Ilis work in the Grove Church was soon made manifest, both in the membership of the church and in its financial condition. In 1800 an addition was built (0 the church which gave greater facilities to the Sunday school, and b te r the church was repaired and redeco­ rated. all at a cost o f some $6,000. M r. Arm ­ strong labored zealously until 1892. when he

accepted a call to the Third Presbyterian Lliurch o f Williamsport, where he still labors. In 1892 Kcv. Wtlliam A. McAtce. D. D.. returned to the pastorate of the church and for ten years again endeared himself in the hearts o f a loving people. Dr. M cAtec w as every inch a m an; on all questions of public interest he alw ays took a stand, and ever)’one knew where to find him. He took a lively interest in everything pertaining to the public w elfare, and w*as alw'ays a safe and correct adviser. Strict, he w as alw ays charitable: positive, he w as alw ays kind; learned, he w*as alwa^.s humble; looked up to in the com ­ munity. he was alw ays affable. He died sud­ denly in 1902 in a N ew Y o rk hospital, fo l­ low*! ng an operation. Hts death was a great surprise to the community, and his loss w*as deeply felt. In 1903 Rev. W. C McCormack. Ph. D ., was chosen pastor and entered upon hts w ork. He was an enterprising preacher and an in­ dustrious student, and did faithful work in the church. During his pastorate the church was again remodeled. T his artistic house o f worship stands in (he midst o f a beautiful grove, and house and grove have alw ays l>cen objects of the greatest care on the part of the congregation, who are justly proud of their temple and its history. No pains and no e x ­ pense have been spared lo preser%*e and beau­ tify and adorn this house o f God. Dr. McCormack resigned in 10 10. and Sept. Ist of the same year Rev, W. K. M cKinney, Ph. D., the present pastor, entered upon his work. InHiig installed Nov. 10. Dr. M c K in ­ ney has taken (he M aster's command liter­ ally. and has gone out to gather in the outside world. I lis work among men has been nota­ ble. and the h rg e class o f workingmen he has gathered around him testify to s faithful­ ness in fulfilling H is promises. .A large and melodious pipe organ vva> dedi­ cated April 2f>, 1914, hy Professor W allace, o f Reading, who gave two recitals on the Mon­ day following its dedication. T he present session of the church is as fol­ low s: Kev. J . M cKinney. P h .D .. moder­ a to r; Dr. J . IL Sandcl. clerk; Robert J . l^ ^ g. WiUiam E . Flick, Frank W. Magill. Thomas R . Williams. Those who have served as elders from the date of organization, not including the pres­ ent session, a re : Benjamin McMahon. Sam ­ uel Y orks. S r., Michael C. Grier, H. B . D. Scchlcr. David Blue, William C. V’oung. Sam ­ uel York.s, J r ., Joseph Diehl, Robert Cathcart,