Stoneboro Pennsylvania Early Church History

Early Stoneboro Churches

The Methodist Episcopal congregation was organized in the winter of 1869, through the agency of Rev. John Eckels. In the first organization there were forty-one members. The first regular services were held in the school house, then a two-story, two-roomed building. The first class-leader was Edwin Egbert, of Sandy Lake. Adam Davis was the first steward. The building at present used by the congregation was erected in the year 1875. It is a frame and is quite commodious. The succession of pastors has been, as nearly as can be ascertained. Rev. John Eckels, Rev. A. S. Goodrich, Rev. Robert Beatty, Rev. J. Kinney, Rev. John Graham, Rev. A. R. Rich, Rev. Gilfillan, Rev. Charles Reeves, under whose ministry the congregation became a separate charge. Rev. W. S. Shepard and Rev. John Eckels, the present pastor, who began his labors in the fall of 1886. The congregation is at present in a prosperous condition, numbering ninety-five members. There is a Sunday school connected with it, of which the superintendent is Mr. F. T. Mears. The enrollment of the school is 132.

The First Baptist Church of Stoneboro was organized October 9, 1870, by Revs. J. M. Perry, Ross W^ard, E. T. Crane and R. H. Austin. The first members of the new society were: David Grffith, Miriam Griffith, Nancy Gomforey, T. H. Price, D. A. Phillips, Parmelia M. Phillips, Sarah A. Vernon, Susan McCormick, D. T. Davis, Eliza Davis, Sarah B. Haskell, Sarah Olds, Elisha Flickinger, Mrs. Flickinger, Sarah Corbin, Deliah, Hannah and Rebecca Woolford. The congregation was incorporated September 24, 1883, upon petition of Thomas H. Price, James Stubbs, James Lyle, D. A. Phillips, D. M. Griffith, Herbert Davis, William Davis, Edward Rowe, J. R. Cummings and T. B. Martin. The building occupied by the congregation is a frame structure erected in 1873, at a cost of $2,500. The first pastor of the church was Rev. J. T. Griffith, who remained three years. Succeeding him came Rev. W. H. Leet, one year; Rev. E. H. Hovey, two years; Rev. J. T. Bradford, two and a half years; Rev. G. M. Evans, two years, and the present pastor. Rev. J. T. Davis, who was placed in charge in 1886. A list of the secretaries of the congregation is as follows: D. A. Phillips, J. T. Davis, David Wilson, J. C. Wilson, William Phillips, D. C. Bachelor, T. H. Rowe, Herbert Edwards, John Crook and Ed. Rowe. The church at present numbers 138 members, and is in good condition. In connection with it is maintained a Sunday-school which enrolls 125 pupils.

The Catholic Church in Stoneboro celebrated its first mass about twenty-four years ago, the service being performed in private houses. Shortly afterward, however, a house once used as a dwelling, but then recently vacated, was purchased, and for a period of four years prior to the erection of the present edifice was occupied as a place of worship by the congregation. The early Catholic families in the vicinity were not deterred by the smallness of their number from attempting to secure for themselves and children larger and more convenient quarters, in which to conduct their religious services, and by the year 1876 enough money had been raised to begin the erection of the present handsome structure. This, a frame building, 30x50 feet in dimensions, with a sanctuary 12x30 feet, was completed in the same year, at a cost of $3,000, and was occupied and dedicated shortly afterward. It is a very convenient church edifice, and sitting upon the top of a graceful elevation, presents a pleasing spectacle to the eye of the beholder. Among the first members of the congregation were Lawrence Kearns, John Kennedy, Peter Hughes, and Daniel Conley, with their families. The first regular priest that ministered to the little flock was Rev. K. O’Branigan. He was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Tracey, Rev. William Pugh, Rev. P. Brady, Rev. John Smith, Rev. J. H. McAdam, of the Mercer Church, who also has charge of the Stoneboro congregation. The membership numbers forty-two families, earnest in spirit and determined in faith.

The Presbyterian Church congregation was organized November 10, 1878, through the instrumentality of Rev. David Waggoner, Rev. J. Frank Stonecipher and Elder J. H. Carr. Its first regular members were John Parry, Thomas English, Mrs. C. E. English, Miss E. L. English, Mrs. L. Bowen, Mrs. Eliza Bonner, Mrs. J. A. Allen, Miss Mary Pringle, O. V. Porter, Mrs. Margaret E. Porter, Mrs. Mary L. McClurg, V. B. Coulson, Mrs Mary Coulson, Miss S. R. Downs, R. L. Coulson, S. E. Coulson, J. F. Coulson and Mrs. Margaret Cornwell. The church was incorporated September 17, 1883, at which time the board of trustees consisted of E. Houser, James Hewitt and Charles Runningbrew. The building used by the congregation is a frame, erected in 1883, at a cost of $2,500. The first pastor was Rev. Samuel Glenn. He was followed by Rev. B. C. Critchlow, who in turn was succeeded by Rev. J. C. Chapman. The present pastor. Rev. E. A. Nelson, has been in charge for about three years, and is the first regular pastor the congregation has had, the others having been provisional ministers merely. The membership of the church is 145. Connected with it is a Sunday-school, of which Robert P. Cann is the superintendent; and also a Ladies’ Missionary Society, of which the president is Mrs. Robert P. Cann, and the vice-president, Miss Mary Pringle.

St. Paul’s Primitive Methodist Church was organized in the public school house January 19, 1879, by Rev. Ralph Fothergill, with the following named members: Charles Nichols, Enoch Show, John Arkless, John Jackson, Mary A. Bromley, Mattie Bromley, John W. Roberts, Thomas Brown, John Squires, Susannah Proud, Duncan C. McLaren, Jane Shaw, Henry Swyres, Maggie Swyres, William Proud, Esther Arkless, Mary Jackson, David Watts, Archie Greenfield, James McWilliams, John Weston, Jacob Swyres, Susannah McLaren Jennie Swyres, John Swyres, John Proud, Gowan Arkless, Peter Henderson, William Swyres, Annie Roberts, Thomas Armstrong, Robert Morris, Samuel Morris, Tillie Mclntire, W’illiam Brown, Melissa Swyres, John P. Blanchard, George Proud, Lizzie Emon, Lizzie Jenkins, Minnie Pearson, Lizzie Smith, Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Esgar, Carrie Leslie, Robert Finkel, Sarah Henderson, Charles Frye, Lizzie Roberts, William Frye, William Cartwright, Robert Gordon and James Watley. The present church structure was built in October, 1881, at an expense of $1,000. Following is the succession of pastors of the congregation: Rev. Ralph Fothergill, Rev. R. G. Roscamp, Rev. John A. James, Rev. John Atkinson and Rev. Lewis Norman Leith, the present efficient pastor. The secretaries of the congregation have been John Arkless, Duncan C. McLaren, Herbert Timmons, D. C. McLaren, James McKay and D. C. McLaren, who at present officiates in that position. The membership of the church is twenty. The condition of the congregation is very fair.