Note: The following actually covers a period from the earliest formation of the Methodist Congregation in Mauch Chunk up to just after 1901. Rev. Wiggins wrote the early sections, as credited, but it isn’t know if he or others were responsible for the later sections. Spelling and grammer appear here as they were written. See further below for further notes on what was written.
Rev.
Alex M. Wiggins, A. M. Pastor
Sept.
17, 1874
Mauch Chunk owes its origin to the
opening of the anthracite coal mines in the mountain adjoining. In the year 1818
this coal industry brought a few families to the place which was owned by the
Lehigh Coal and Navigation Co. and was the point on the Lehigh River from which
the coal was transported.
Among the first settlers were several families of
Friends, or Quakers, who occasionally met together for religious worship. The
Friends Society was the only one organized in the place until the year 1827
when the First Methodist Sermon was preached by William Coder a Local
Preacher, in his own house near where the Way Lock now stands. Here the first
class was formed and Henry Coder was appointed teacher. The class consisted of
twelve members among whom were Henry Coder and wife, William Coder and wife,
Isaac Allison and wife.
Soon after the organization of the class, a school house
that stood in the ravine above the town was selected as a place for holding the
meetings. Subsequently a room was rented and fitted up in the second story of a
frame building on the main street on the site of the residence of Alexander
Butler, ESQ.
In the fall of the year 1828, Mauch Chunk was visited by
Rev. Joseph Chattell of the Philadelphia Conference, who organized the church
and received it as one of the appointments of Lehigh Circuit, a six weeks
circuit embracing all that territory lying between the Delaware River and Broad
Mountain, stretching from Stroudsburg on the east to Pottsville on the west.
The three preachers appointed to Lehigh Circuit in 1829 were Reverend Jacob
Havener, I. (?) Gould and Joseph Chattell.
In the year 1830 Lehigh Circuit was divided. Some of the
appointments on the northwestern section were transferred to the Baltimore
Conference thus making the Circuit a four weeks circuit. Revs. Thomas Millard
and James V. Potts were appointed to the Circuit. During this year William and
Henry Coder removed to Port Carbon.
The conference of 1831 formed Port Carbon and Mauch Chunk into a separate charge called Port Carbon Mission with Reverend Joseph Chattell as pastor – who held the first protracted meeting and the first Love Feast known in Mauch Chunk. A revival this year increased the membership so that the society now numbered over 40 members.
1833
At the Philadelphia conference of 1832 the mission took the name of Mauch Chunk Mission with Reverend Abraham K. Street as pastor. During his administration the first Methodist Episcopal Church was erected and dedicated by Rev. George Banghart, presiding elder of the North Philadelphia District.
It was a frame building and located on the main street
near the lower end of the town, on the site where the residence formerly
occupied by Hon. General Charles Albright now stands. Trustees were Jonathan
Fincher, Joseph Butler, William Butler, Jesse K. Prior and Thomas Patterson.
The builder was Jesse K. Prior.
In 1834 Rev. Bromwell Andrew was appointed Pastor of the
Mission.
In 1835 the Mission was left to be supplied. Joseph
Butler and Jonathan Fincher, Exhorters with the assistance of the leaders kept
up the meetings with regularity.
In 1836 Rev. John L. Taft was appointed Pastor.
The conference of 1837 annexed Mauch Chunk to Stroudsburg
circuit with Rev. Jonathan Davidson as pastor in charge and Rev. James Neill
assistant pastor.
In 1838 Mauch Chunk was made a station and Rev.
Christopher J. Crouch was appointed as pastor who labored with acceptability
for two years.
In 1840 Rev. William H. Elliott was in charge of the station and at the close of the year reported seventy-three members.
Revs William McCombs and James G. Ashton were appointed
to the charge in 1841 with Tamaqua and Port Clinton as additional preaching
places. In 1842 Rev John A. Boyle was stationed at Mauch Chunk. During his
pastorate the charge was favored with a gracious revival of religion and at the
close of his administration he reported the membership of the church increased
to two hundred.
In 1843 Tamaqua became a separate Appoint and Rev Henry
E. Gilroy was appointed pastor at Mauch Chunk with Rev Henry R. Calloway as
assistant pastor.
This year a lot was purchased from Mr. J. Ruddle for $600
on the main street adjoining the public school and a new church edifice of
brick 44x60 feet with basement was erected though not finished.
In 1844 Rev Dallas D. Lore was appointed pastor, who
completed the audience room and the church was dedicated. Thomas Bowman (now a
bishop) and Rev L. M. Conser of the Baltimore Conference officiated in
connection with pastor. The trustees were Jonathan Fincher, Jesse K. Prior,
Thomas Patterson Jr., Joseph Butler, William Butler, Conrad Miller, Samuel L.
Richards and Ira Cortright. Contractors Jesse K. Prior and R. Blay.
The following persons formed the building committee vis
Jesse K. Prior, E. W. Harland, Conrad Miller, A. Lockhart, George Fegley,
Thomas Patterson Jr., and Ira Cortright.
In 1845 Rev. William Bishop was appointed pastor who reported 176 Members at conference.
In 1847 Rev. Newton Heston was appointed to the charge
and had charge of the Church for two years.
The basement of the church was finished during his administration. During his term he connected Parryville with
the charge and reported to conference 150 Members and 30 Probationers.
In 1849 Rev. Henry Sutton was appointed Pastor who
reported 132 Members and 2 Probationers.
In 1850 Rev. Thomas C. Murphy became the Pastor and
reported 130 Members and 56 Probationers at the close of his second year.
In 1852 William L. Boswell was appointed Pastor who
served the charge one year and reported at its close 160 Members.
In 1853 Rev. John B. McCullough became the Pastor and
served the church two years. He had
Rev. Samuel W. Kurtz as a colleague.
Bro. McCullough attended faithfully to all the interests of the church.
During his pastorate the old debt upon the church was paid and $1176.09
additional was raised and expended in repairs and improvements to the
church. He returned 155 Members and 29
Probationers.
In 1855 Rev. Daniel L. Patterson and Levi B. Hughes were
appointed Pastors. Members 160,
Probationers 14.
In 1856 and 1857 Rev. Elijah Miller was the Pastor returning to Conference 127 Members & 9 Probationers.
In 1858 and 1859 Rev. William Major served the charge
returning to Conference 185 Members and 37 Probationers.
In 1860 Rev. Benjamin F. Price was appointed Pastor who
reported at the close of the year 168 Members and 13 Probationers.
In 1861 and 1862 Rev. George W. Maclaughlin served the
charge – and returned 160 Members and 64 Probationers.
In 1863 Rev. Joseph Aspril was appointed to the charge but did not enter upon the field as a change was made after conference and Rev. James Cunningham was transferred from Reading and stationed at Mauch Chunk and served the charge faithfully for two years – during his administration the church purchased a three story brick Parsonage on the north side of the main street (Broadway) in the most pleasant part of town at a cost of $1800. Members 140, Probationers 4.
At the conference of 1865, Rev. George Heacock was
appointed Pastor, who served the charge for three years. The Parsonage was improved during his term
at an expense of $966.12. A heater was
placed in the cellar, the parlor was altered – new windows added, a hall made
and new carpets and furniture purchased.
He reported at the close of his term 149 Members and 36 Probationers.
In 1868 Rev. James E. Meredith was appointed Pastor and
Rev. Charles W. Bickley Assistant Pastor so as to supply East Mauch Chunk with
stated service a new church enterprise having been organized there through the
influence of General Charles Albright.
At the close of the year they reported 157 Members and 80 Probationers.
In 1869 Rev. William Mullen became the Pastor who
reported at the close of the year 180 Members and 21 Probationers. East Mauch Chunk a separate charge now
numbering 41 members and 20 Probationers.
In 1870 Rev. John F. Crouch was appointed to the charge –
who remained two years. In 1870 the
public school house in Upper Mauch Chunk was purchased for Sabbath School and
Church purposes at a cost of $450.
In 1871 a new back building was erected at the Parsonage
at a cost of $1200 making a first class Parsonage. He reported to Conference 174 Members and 40 Probationers.
In 1872 Rev. Noble Frame was appointed Pastor – who
remained two years. Through his
exertions and the hearty cooperation of the members and friends of the church
the present church edifice was erected, the corner stone of which was laid on
Sunday, August 24th, 1873 with appropriate ceremonies by the Rev.
George Crooks, D. D., of New York assisted by Rev. Goldsmith D. Carrow, John R.
Boyle and the Pastor.
The Lecture room was dedicated on the ___ of March 1874. Rev. J. Neill preaching the morning sermon and Rev. J. H. Vincent the sermon at night. Several of the former pastors of the church were present. Money sufficient was subscribed to pay for the work already done.
At the Conference of 1874 Rev. Alexaander M. Higgins was
appointed Pastor. During his term the
former subscriptions were collected and bills paid in addition to which $3000
were collected and the work continued – and now at this date 27th of
March 1876, we have no debt upon the Church property and contracts have been
entered into for finishing the building & furnishing the same so that the
audience may be occupied in July 1876.
My successor will give an
account of the completion of the work, etc.
The contract has been made for the
?-?-? at $2400.
The young men have contracted for
the frescoing at 600 and they have 300.
Bro. Wiggins reported 153 Members and 14
Probationers.
In March 1876 Rev. B. T. Vincent was transferred
to the Phila. Conference and became the pastor at Mauch Chunk. Under his administration the auditorium of
the church was finished and dedicated, Bishop Matthew Simpson preaching in the
a.m. and Rev. Jas. Neill in the p.m.
The financial interests were managed by Rev. James Neill. At the close of his term Bro. Vincent
reported to Conference 234 Members and 8 Probationers. Church valued at $24000 and parsonage at
$3500, with no indebtedness.
In March 1879 Rev. T. M. Griffith entered
upon the work as preacher in charge. A
revival occurred during the first year of Bro. Griffith’s pastorate by which 32
persons were added to the membership.
At the close of 1880, 230 Members and 16
Probationers were reported to Conference.
Rev. E. H. Hoffman became the pastor in
March 1881, but his health failing he resigned his charge after six months of
labor and Rev. L. B. Hoffman was removed form Catasauqua and appointed in his
stead. Bro. L. B. Hoffman served the
charge for the reminder of the three year term and reported at its close 227
Members and 7 Probationers.
The next pastor was Rev. S. A. Heilner who served the church faithfully for two years. During this pastorate the parsonage was greatly improved in its interior and refurnished so that it now compared favorably with any parsonage in the conference. Rev. Heilner reported at the close of his pastorate 175 Members and 4 Probationers.
In March 1886 Rev. George W. F. Graff became the
incumbent of the charge. He remained
but one year and reported at its close 171 Members and 3 Probationers.
A pipe organ was placed in the church during the
pastorate of Bro. Graff. Cost -
$1800. Rev. T. M. Jackson was appointed
preacher in charge Mar. 1887.
During this pastorate the church enjoyed a high degree of
peace and prosperity.
Both church and parsonage were improved at a cost of
$1200 – and the chapel in the 2nd ward was remodeled and beautified
at a cost of about $800. Thirty-five
persons were converted of which the greater part were received into full
membership in the church.
Through the removal of the Lehigh Valley RR general
offices from the town the church suffered severely from the loss of valuable
members but not withstanding the pastor was able to report to the Conference of
1890 167 full members and 6 probationers.
Rev. T. M. Jackson was removed Mar. 18, 1890 and appointed to the First
Church of Norristown and Rev. B. M. Neill appointed in his stead.
1890 - During the first
year of the pastorate of B. M. Neill the principal improvement of church
property was the putting in of stained glass windows – cost about $900. Twenty-six persons joined on probation, the
greater part of whom were received into full membership. Eighteen of these were the result of a
series of meetings of unusual spiritual interest and power held in Jan. and
Feb. 1891. Bro. Neill was reappointed
March 1891 and March 1892.
1893 – A. J. Amthor
became pastor March 1893. During his
administration combination electric and gas fixtures were put in the
auditorium. A new motor for organ
purchased. The S. School class and
library rooms re-carpeted, paneled and papered as at a cost of about $___
1895 – Cornelius Hudson
was appointed Pastor March 1895. The
Parsonage was renovated.
Repainted. Plate glass windows
put in front at a cost of about $300 and all paid.
On the evening of July 3rd, 1896, while
extinguishing the lights at the chapel a lamp fell and Bro. C. D. Culver was
badly burned confining him to his home for about six months. The fire made it necessary to repaint, repear
and reseat the chapel which was done at a cost over $200, bills all paid and
largely by the Ladies’ Aid of the Chapel.
In the fall of the same year a new ?-?-? was placed in the church. During 1896 & 7 new fence was built
between the parsonage and the adjoining property. The Legacy of #1600 water stock from Mary Lockhart deceased was
turned over to the church during Sept. 1896.
The church has enjoyed two years of peace with a measure
of prosperity. A Junior League was
organized April 15, 1896 which is prosperous.
An intermediate department formed in the Sunday School
which is doing very good work. And an
usher’s union organized which has enlisted the young men and they are doing
good.
A new piano was purchased by the king’s daughters and
with the help of the Sunday School and the ushers union has been paid for cost
$250.
1897- Cornelius Hudson
was removed March 1897 and stationed at South Easton and Rev. W. J. Paxson, D.
D., stationed at Mauch Chunk . Stayed 6
months only.
Rev.
H. H. Kinney succeeded Dr. Paxson and stayed 3 years. Rev. J. Diverty came in March 1901.
a End b
A few notes on the locations
of the early churches of the
Methodist Congregation
in
Mauch Chunk
The “Way-Lock” mentioned above would mean the Weigh
Lock on the Lehigh Canal, located about a mile below lock no. 1 of the lower
section of the canal (about a mile below Mauch Chunk). The 2nd meeting place, the “school
house that stood in the ravine above the town”, probably refers to the school
conducted by James Nowlin, the Irish schoolmaster of early days. This school was located on the south side of
West Broadway, about 1/8 mile above where the Immaculate Conception church now
stands.
The
next site, a rented room “fitted up in the second story of a frame building on
the main street on the site of the residence of Alexander Butler, ESQ “ was
located on the south side of Broadway a few doors up from its intersection with
Quarry Street.
Up to this time the
congregation had been meeting in “borrowed” rooms and buildings. The first building built as a church by the
congregation would have been the site mentioned as “on the site where the
residence formerly occupied by Hon. General Charles Albright”. That would be on the north side of Broadway a
few doors up from where the Dimmick Memorial Library now stands. This church building would have been the one
shared by the Presbyterian congregation prior to their building their first
church in 1839.
The final site mentioned,
the “lot purchased from Mr. J. Ruddle for $600 on the main street adjoining the
public school” in 1843 is the site where the old St. Paul’s Church still
stands, now serving the town as the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center. The Methodist Church stood on this site
until 1873, when it was demolished and the present building was erected on the
property by the congregation. The
public school stood on the upper side of the church, and between that and the
High St. steps stood the original Presbyterian Church, which later was used as
the Lutheran Church. Both of these were
later demolished and a larger school was built next to the Methodist Church. Today that former school building serves as
apartments.
Return to
Many thanks to the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center
for allowing access to these records
Transcription and
research by Jack Sterling
Website
by
December
2005