Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/480

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��HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

��F. A. Shearer, who was installed in November. 1843, and continued to hold that relation until the two churches were re-united by act of the Presbytery, in 1846. After Mr. Cowan, the pulpit was supplied for a longer or shorter time in succession, b}' S. M. Templeton, in 1842 ; Evan Evans, in 1843 ; W. C. Kniffln, in 1844 ; T. F. McGill, in 1845; James W. Dickey, in 1847 ; J. E. Marquis, in 1854 ; J. W. McGre- gor, in 1857. The latter resigned in October of the same year, and was succeeded by J. R. Burgett. His labors, though brief, were greatly blest to the church, lifting them to new life and vigor ; and the months of January and Feliruruary of the following year were made memorable by the addition of seventy -five new members. The people said, '-Let us arise and build."

The corner-stone of the present church edi- fice was laid on the 17th of Septemlier, 1858, and the first service held in the basement Feb- ruary 25, 1859, Rev. John Loyd preaching on the occasion. Mr. Burgett was followed, in No- vember, 1859, by Hemy R. Wilson, D. D., who continued until September, 1860, when Mr. Rowland again officiated until March, 1861. At this time. Rev. Greorge Morris received a unanimous call, and occupied the pulpit until November, 1863. During Mr. Morris" time, the audience chamber of the new church was occu- pied for the first time, dedicatory services being held August 20, 1862, the congregation having worshiped several years in the basement. Fol- lowing Mr. Morris, came Thomas K. Davis, who was installed Septemlier 21.1865. He remained until January 1, 1867, when he resigned, and, in the following May, David Hall, of Brady's Bend, Penn., became Pastor. During his pas- torate of six years and eight months, much good was accomplished, and 181 members added to the church. He was a man of great ability and energy, and much beloved by his people. On the retirement of Mr. Hall, the Rev. S. W. JNIiller, was chosen Pastor.

��Mr. Miller was elected Pastor March 30, 1874 ; preached his first sermon May 8, 1874, and was installed June 9, 1874. The growth of the church has, under kind Providence, been rapid and encouraging, and now numbers about three hundred members.

During the five years ending April 30, 1879, 175 persons were added to the church, 95 on examination and profession of faith, and 80 b}' certificate from other churches ; $19,388 has been contril)uted, being an average of $3,879 annually, distributed as follo^'s, viz., $2,179 to the missionary work of the church at large, and $17,219 to the work of the church at home. During the past year, the ladies have refit- ted the interior of the church, the expense being about $1,600, making it in beauty and comfort second to none in the city. Rev. Miller resigned the pastorate in April, 1880. and the pulpit is now vacant.

The officers of the church are : Ruling Elders, Joseph Smart, Thomas McBride, J. J. King, John Simpson, Ph. D., L. J. Bonar and William McCoy ; Trustees — Thomas McBride, J. J. King, E. J. Forne}', Joseph Hedges and A. C. Patterson.

The Presbyterian Salibath School was the first organized in Mansfield, and is therefore the pioneer. The exact date of its organization cannot be ascertained, but it was between the years 1816 and 1819. It was organized where the finst meetings of the Presbyterian Church were held, in the block-house on the square. The Presbyterians claim to have organized this school, but it was attended for some years by Christians of other denominations. Scholars were then too few to divide up, and all worked together for the general good. Mathias Day came to Mansfield in 1817, and it is supposed he was the first Superintendent. When Mr. James Purdy came in 1823. he was elected Superintend- ent. At that time, there were no Sunday-school books, the Bible and hj-mn-book onl}- being used. It was the onl}' school of this kind until

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