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CHAPTER VII And now we come to the last and greatest enterprise of our
temporal Church life, namely the erection of our present Church and parsonage
buildings on the northwest corner of Second and Walnut Streets. The brick Church
having stood on part of this same ground for over thirty-five years, had well
served its day. The idea of building a new Church originated during the
pastorate of Rev. A. S. Baldwin, by some informal talk of that kind. |
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not consider his proposition favorably. With this object in view
a congregational meeting was called for August 4th, 1902, at which there was a
good attendance, and the object of the meeting being stated by Dr. Foster. J. B.
Nevling was elected secretary. A motion was made by Geo. W. Rheem and seconded
by H. B. Powell for the adoption of the following resolution, "Resolved, that it
is the sense of this meeting that the time has come to build a new Church." |
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W. Rheem, chairman, H. B. Powell, Ai F. Boynton, J. B. Nevling,
Jos. E. Gearhart and A. Marwick and the chairman was authorized to add others to
the committee if necessary. December 23rd, 1902, at a trustee meeting, the
president, Thos. H. Murray was authorized to acknowledge to Mrs. David McGaughey,
the receipt of the $2,000 willed to the trustees with the thanks of the board
for this great kindness on the part of her husband, Capt. David McGaughey. |
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Harry B. Powell, treasurer and Geo. W. Rheem was subsequently
elected secretary. Jos. E. Gearhart asked co be excused from acting on account
of his being so frequently away from home and Ashley Thorn was recommended to
the next Quarterly Conference to take his place. |
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always in the lead, revival work was his delight. As long as his
health permitted, he was anxious about the building of the new Church and it
would have been a pleasure to us if he could have lived to have joined with us
in its dedication. The funeral services were conducted by Dr. Foster in the
auditorium of the Church, February 18th, a large congregation being present. |
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for $49,000, or by omitting all finish in the auditorium and
cutting out the heating plant for $44,660. This not being considered
satisfactory, was rejected. Everything stood still until October 31st, when the
Secretary of the Trustees was instructed to solicit other bids and January 7th,
1904, the following bids were opened: W. H. Kinnell, Washington City, $75,857 by
specifications, or brownstone $73,341, or Port Deposit stone $76,546; Bennett &
Woodring, Williamsport, $63,300; J. D. Snoke & Son, $57,146; R. H. Thompson, not
including heating plant, $45,000. |
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DEATH OF AI FITCH BOYNTON The subject of this sketch was born in Clearfield, June 5th,
1843, and made it his home all his life, and was well known and highly
respected. He formed the acquaintance of Miss Emma Showers while he was in
attendance as a student at Williamsport Dickinson Seminary, and after his
graduation they were married, June 3d, 1863. They at once went to housekeeping
on the corner of Walnut and Third streets, and in after years built a fine home
on North Second street, which home they occupied for many years, until the time
of his death, which occurred January 19th, 1904. Their family of three children,
Mary, Harry and Fitch, all died in young life. His social relations in this
community were of the highest order and he was one of our foremost citizens in
public enterprises. His relationship and connection with the Clearfield
Methodist Episcopal Church occurred very soon after his married life, and it is
here where we miss him the most. |
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us to its completion. He left his wife to mourn his death, and
her affection for him is shown especially in the Church building, by placing for
his memory a splendid memorial window, as well as three smaller ones, one for
each child, on the east side of our Church, and they are reminders to us of his
faithfulness and efficiency whilst he was spared to associate with us. |
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Clearfield County, 1 Soldiers' Centennial Badge, 1 Pioneer
Centennial Badge, 1 Centenary Sunday School Medal, 1866, 1 Seven-dollar Note
issued by Continental Congress, May 9th, 1776, 1 Fifty-cent Fractional Currency
issued by the United States Government during the Civil War, 1861-1865, 1 "Brief
History of Methodism in Clearfield County from 1810," 1 copy Raftsmen's Journal,
1 copy Clearfield Republican, 1 copy Monitor, 1 copy each Public Spirit, daily
and weekly, 1 Photograph 1868 Church, 1 Photograph Sunday School Room, 1
Photograph of Present Church, 1 Art Copy Manotowonac Seating Co., 1 Photograph
each of Jonathan Boynton, J. B. McEnally and Geo. W. Rheem (these three persons
held official relations in all three Churches), 1 Photograph of Rev. M. K.
Foster, pastor, 1 Photograph of Rev. J. McKendree Reiley, assistant pastor, 1
Photograph of Thos. H. Murray, Court House and County Officials, Statements of
Clearfield National and County National Banks, Clearfield Trust Company,
Officers Steam and Water Company, Borough Officers and Committees, Pencil Sketch
of First Church on Cherry Street, Names of Women's Foreign Missionary Society, 1
Christian Advocate, 1 copy of Conference Minutes 104, 1 copy Discipline of
Church, Twenty-five-cent Fractional Currency. |
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 140
venting the employment of a sufficient number of workmen. These
causes delayed the completion of the building and it was not finally completed
until December, 1905. In all its construction no fatalities happened to any of
the workmen and only one injury to the workmen in the dislocation of the
shoulder of the superintendent, Mr. McNamara. |
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feet from the floor below. On each rib there are 24 electric
lights and in the circle at the dome there are 48 electric lights and on the
side walls 36 electric lights. There are 136 circular, quartered oak pews,
placed by the American School Furniture Company, of Pittsburg, Pa., with a
seating capacity of 650. |
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The window over the pulpit was placed by A. B. Shaw in memory of
his wife, Mary A. Shaw, and that on Walnut street was placed by Mrs. W. H. Dill
and Mrs. A. E. Patton in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Boynton. |
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stone, the stone work is rock faced with even points. The walls
are not in straight lines, but are broken by projections to suit certain parts
of the interior, such as the organ loft, bay in primary room and towers at
corners. The principal tower is on the corner of Second and Walnut streets and
is the main entrance to lobby on two sides; it is 20 feet square at the base and
is supported by massive pilasters and arches and is 128 feet high to point of
spire. The apex of the roof is surmounted by a large dome which forms a skylight
for the auditorium. |
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The Church being completed and in preparation for its
dedication, January 7th, 1906, was determined on as the time, and it being the
thirty-fifth anniversary of the dedication of the old Church, which Chaplain
McCabe dedicated, it was thought advisable to secure his service, now as a
Bishop, for the dedication of this one, and in accordance with that thought Dr.
Foster entered into communication with him and secured his services for the
dedication, and also had the assurance that Dr.. J. M. Buckley, editor of the
Christian Advocate, would be present. |
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Bishop McCabe. The Bishop then asked the Superintendent, Walter
C. Stephens, how much the Sunday School was willing to give toward the debt. He
said they could give $2,000, and in a short time $2,090 were pledged to be paid
in three years. In the evening the auditorium and lecture room were filled, and
after the organ voluntary the hymn, 315, "Nearer, My God, to Thee," was sung.
Rev. Geo. Leidy led in prayer; anthem by the choir; hymn No. 433, "Jesus, Lover
of My Soul," was sung; then Dr. J. M. Buckley announced his text, Matthew 24th
chapter, 35th verse, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not
pass away." |
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Sunday School class, and his life illustrated that of a faithful
servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. |
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the past six years, and who has worked so hard and faithfully in
the building of this and the Eleventh Street Church, deserves to be
congratulated on the great success of his efforts. The Trustees and members and
friends of. the Church who rallied so nobly to his effort in this great work,
also deserve credit. This day may truly be said to have been a most memorable
day in the history of Clearfield Methodism and this most magnificent temple is
not only a great credit to the congregation, but to our city as well, and it is
our earnest wish that it may be blessed of God for many years to come and be a
means of salvation to multitudes of souls. |
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and at the missoinary meeting, August 7th, 1907, in the Church,
just opposite her residence, she was suddenly stricken down and her lifeless
body was carried to her home by sorrowing friends. To add to the sadness, her
husband was far away from home and was not permitted to see, nor to know of the
sad occurrence, until his family could get into communication with him. |
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There being no choice, a motion to withdraw St. Paul and
Second Street was carried. |
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minger, of Carlisle, Pa., was chosen as the person to
entrust with the work and he was engaged for it, preparation was made and a
large platform was erected at the pulpit sufficiently large to seat from fifty
to sixty singers. The meeting commenced on October 18th, and Mr. Hemminger
succeeded in forming a large chorus of singers and under his training it was
soon found that he was eminently qualified to lead in such a service and with
the hearty co-operation both of his own singers and the congregation, the
singing during the whole meeting was a great inspiration and a great help to the
meeting. OUR FINANCIAL SYSTEM In the beginning of the Conference year our stewards take the
financial management in hand and make an assessment on each member or family in
the Church, as to what in their judgment is a fair proportion for each family or
member to contribute toward the support of |
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the Church. The members are notified of such assessment and
envelopes are sent to them for each month in the year, asking them as far as
possible to make monthly payments. This assessment is not a binding one, but may
be lessened or increased in the judgment of the members, but is seldom changed.
This assessment is given to the Treasurer, Andrew Harwick, and he gives to a
number of collectors a list of names they are expected to collect from, and by
his careful management each quarterly report generally shows a close collection
; and he is careful that each year shows a final settlement and no balances
carried over. The public collections very nearly cover the current expenses for
each year. CHURCHES OF THE TOWN A condensed history of the other Churches of the town will not
be out of place. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The Presbyterian Church has a record somewhat older than ours.
In 1803, by direction of the Huntingdon |
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA.
Presbytery, there was preaching in
Clearfield by Revs. William Stewart and Henry R. Wilson, and other ministers
came later on. This congregation, like our own, worshipped in private houses
until the court house and academy were built, when, according to a diary kept by
Rev. Frederick G. Betts, the grandfather of our townsmen, F. G. and W. I. Betts,
these buildings were used. The society does not seem to have a distinct
organization until 1819, and in 1826 Rev. Garry Bishop was installed as its
first pastor and remained until 1834. The Church was incorporated March 31st,
1837. The first Church building was erected on the present site and was same
style as the Cherry Street Methodist Episcopal Church, and was dedicated July
4th, 1841, mention of which is made in the diary of Mr. Betts, who succeeded Mr.
Bishop in 1840. His pastorate of four years was like the circuit rider of our
Church, going to all parts of the county on horseback. He died in 1845. The
present Church building was erected in the years 1868 and 1869, and during its
erection their pastor, Rev. J. G. Archer, was killed, January 12th, 1869, in a
railroad accident. Rev. H. S. Butler was the first occupant of the pulpit in the
new Church in 1869, and remained fifteen years. Rev. E. C. Reeve, D. D., is the
pastor at this time and occupies the parsonage adjoining the Church. The Church
records show a membership of 610, with a good Sunday School. The membership in
the county is 3,111, and they have 19 Church buildings in the county. LUTHERAN CHURCH The St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church had for its leader in
its early history Mr. G. Philip Gulich, who no doubt is remembered by some
citizens of our town, and |
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whose name was honored by our court, as the Apostle of
Temperance, by naming one of our townships for him. His desire to have a place
of worship for the few of his people prompted him to undertake the erection of a
Church on the present site, and on August 31st, 1850, the cornerstone was laid
and in 1851 the Church was dedicated. This building served its purpose until the
growth of the congregation demanded more room and the building was sold and
moved to the alley, where it now stands, and in 1887 the present building was
erected and in 19o8 an addition was made to it, and now they have a splendid
Church home with a good membership and a fine Sunday School. There are 26
Lutheran Churches in the county, with a membership of 2,856. Rev. Geo. W. Enders
is the present pastor. ST. ANDREWS St. Andrew's Protestant Episcopal dates the formation of their
parish to May 22, 1850. |
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BAPTIST The Baptist people held religious services in the court house as
early as 1842, by Rev. Samuel Miles. An organization was effected June 24th,
1854, with 42 members. A Church building was erected on their present location,
North Second street. Like all other Church societies, some person had to take
the initial step, and in this case an old pioneer, Israel Nichols, Sr., a
veteran Baptist, being a man possessed of considerable means, undertook the task
of building this Church, and in 1858 pushed the work to completion. Rev. L. L.
Still was their first regular pastor and he was also county superintendent of
the common schools. The present pastor is P. S. Calvin and the membership
numbers 138. They have a new chapel located on the same lot on which the
original Church building stood and intend erecting a new building on the front
of the lot at their earliest convenience. UNITED BRETHREN The United Brethren Church is of recent origin in Clearfield.
They built their first Church on the corner of Dorey and Seventh Streets, in
1892. Rev. A. Davidson, of the Woodland charge, was their first pastor. In 1902
they moved the first building to the foot of their lot and under the pastorate
of W. 0. Jones they erected the present brick building at a cost of $10,000.
They sold the old Church in 1910 to the Baptists for their Sunday School in the
Paradise settlement. Their membership is 219 and the enrollment in the Sunday
School is 276. Rev. A. B. Wilson is the present pastor. |
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There are 9 charges in the county and a total
membership of 1,986. MEMORIAL ADDRESS ON HON. J. B. McENALLY At the opening of these exercises I was requested by the
President of the League to make a few remarks. But for this I would not have
ventured to speak on this occasion, for the reason that last Friday morning in
the court house I spoke at great length on the professional career of Judge
McEnally, and also incidentally upon his church life. It will always be a
grateful recollection that the first time I ever saw Judge McEnally and the last
time I ever saw him alive, was in the Church. In the summer of 1858 I came to
Clearfield with my mother to visit a relative. It was the second time I had been
here. I was then about the size of one of these small boys. On this occasion we
came here on Saturday and went to Church in the old Church on Cherry Street. I
was at that age when everything made an impression on my mind. It was the first
Church I had ever been in. |
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 156
|
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father lived, where he made a political speech. In 1864 I heard
him at the same place on the same kind of an occasion. That time he stayed over
night at my father's house. With this knowledge of him when I came to Clearfield
in the spring of 1868, he was one of the first persons I came to know well. He
gave me more encouragement than anyone else at the Bar, especially among the
older lawyers. Through his influence and confidence in me, I early became
identified with a class of important cases, which I would not otherwise then
have had to do with. When we later came to try cases against each other, there
were the asperities between us that are common to lawyers, but we never lost the
great respect we had for each other. I had very great regard for him and he had
for me. When I had a very serious illness about six years ago, it was a long
time before I could walk with my accustomed vigor. One day, going along the
street to the post office in about the usual way, I met him. As soon as he came
in view he smiled and approached me, stopped and said that he was very glad to
see that I was able to walk in the old fashioned way. |
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 158
that with Judge McEnally on the other side it seemed to me that
we were confronted by a very formidable array of counsel. He replied by this
significant statement, that he would prefer to have Judge McEnally on the other
side than to try the case against the other counsel alone, for he thought that
the prosecution would now be under the direction of McEnally and that he would
not offer testimony to affect the prisoner which he did not believe was proper
testimony in a capital case. I have often thought of this since as a very high
tribute to the character of the man; that in the zeal of his cause and in his
anxiety to press the case of the Commonwealth, he would not lose sight of his
duty to the court, as well as to the prisoner, by introducing testimony which
was not proper on such a serious charge. I thought then and since, that it would
be a great thing if the same character and caution would govern all the other
counsel who present cases before the court and jury. |
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at this Church, however, there was presented by the remarks of
Dr. Stephens, the only adequate and complete portrait he has ever had. I would
be glad indeed, if that was put in such form as to be available to every member
of this Church. |
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time to read far enough into his book to discover its peculiar
value and merit, will ever let loose of it until he devours its contents. If I
had to rearrange and classify great biographers, I would say the first one was
Plutarch, who wrote in the last half of the first century, the second one was
Boswell, who wrote in the last half of the eighteenth century and the third was
Dr. W. A. Stephens, who wrote and spoke in the early part of the twentieth
century. |
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DR. W. A. STEPHENS' ADDRESS The Republican is privileged this week to give its readers the
memorial address delivered by Dr. W. A. Stephens in the Methodist Church at the
funeral of the late Judge Joseph B. McEnally, on Friday afternoon, January 7th.
It is one of the most beautiful tributes ever paid to the memory of a departed
friend. It follows: |
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CLEARFIELD, PA. Page 162
shipwreck of faith, McEnally would have stood just as firmly as
ever; been just as loyal to God and as faithful to his religious duty and
privilege as at any time. His way was not on "mountain tops and then in valleys
low," but a constantly ascending pathway. The same characteristic of his
religious life was seen in that he was not moved by changes in form of worship.
Older people as a rule do not take to changes kindly. They incline to cling to
that with which they have become familiar, and because of changes made come to
feel that "the former days were better than the latter." The same may be said of
him as to new phases. of doctrine whether the outgrowth of scientific or
critical philosophical investigation, none of these disturbed him. He had
thought out his way for himself and reached well settled convictions as to the
essentials. These he was convinced would abide. The foundations being secure the
changes in non-essentials interested, but did not disturb him. |
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"This constancy precluded the possibility of anything
spectacular in his religious life. There was no going forward by leaps and
bounds, to be followed by a halt or a retrograde movement. On the other hand no
standing still or sluggishness of spirit and movement, but a daily progress
toward a maturity of religious thought, experience and life, beautiful in its
consistency and profitable as an example for our study and imitation. |
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