The Callensburg Presbyterian Church - 1838
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A history of the Presbytery of Clarion
Of the Presbytery of USA
THE FOLLOWING HISTORY WAS INCLUDED SINCE IT VARIES SOMEWHAT FROM THE OTHER VERSIONS. THERE ARE SOME NAMES MENTION HERE THAT WERE NOT MENTIONED ELSEWHERE.
From the "History of Callensburg" by Rev. O. A. Elliott, we take the following record: "The first sermon heard from a Presbyterian Minister in this community, was preached by Father M'Garrough, in the woods near the place were the church now stands, in the summer of 1825. His hearers were dressed in home-spun, who
in simple artless manner
along the cool sequested vale of life
had kept the noisless tenor of their ways,
and were now eager to hear the word of God. Shortly after this time logs were used for seats, and a pulpit with a clap-board roof over it was built for the preacher. In this style they worshipped for several years in the summer. In the winter they met in the houses of Messrs. Callen, Elliott and others. There in the Grove, Communion Services were held for years. In 1831 an effort was made to build a church. The frame was erected, and it stood without roofing for one winter. The people felt themselves too poor to finish the church, and therefore enclosed only a part of it, and this was used for seven years. But in 1838 a larger house of worship was erected on the same site."
Adherents of the Presbyterian faith having increased in number,
it was resolved in 1838 to organize the church and accordingly
Fathers Core (4) and M'Garrough (2) organized the Presbyterian
Church of Callensburg, with forty-five charter members. Benjamin
Gardner, Thomas Elliott and John Over were elected and installed
the first elders.
Father M'Garrough continued to labor in this church as Stated
Supply, until the time of his death, July 13, 1839.
Rev. John Turbet was their first pastor, installed in 1840, but remained less than a year. Released February 25, 1841.
The Rev. David M'Cay (1) was installed for one-third of his
time September 27, 1842 and on September 25, 1849 this call was
changed for one-half this time, the church at Concord taking the
other one-half. This relation continued until the time of his
death, June 4, 1862. From the previous October, he was Chaplain
of the one Hundred and Third Regiment P. V. During his absence
the Rev. B. O. Junkin (28) filled his pulpits.
Rev. R. A. Blackford served the church as Stated Supply for one
year after the death of Mr. M'Cay.
Rev. Samuel P. Kinkaid (30) was installed pastor for on-half time in connection with Concord, September 15, 1863, and continued until he met his death by accident on March 24, 1866.
After Mr. Kindaid's death, Rev James A. M'Intyre (40) was Stated Supply for the period of one year, when Rev. Thomas J. Milford (43) was installed over the congregation, in connection with Concord, on November 10, 1868, and continued to serve until April, 22, 1873.
The Rev. Moorhead Edgar served the church for the period of a year, from November 1873, when Rev. J. H. Hawk (55), who was the pastor of Bethesda and Concord, was released from Bethesda June 21, 1876 and transferred to Callensburg for one-half his time. He was installed October 9, 1876, and released September 24, 1879.
On December 1, 1880, the Rev. W. J. Wilson (67) became pastor, and was released April 28th, 1891. The Rev. Dr. J. M. McCurdy (56) supplied the pulpit for a time until the Rev. Basil King (98) was called, who commenced work April 1, 1894 and released October 1, 1897. The Rev. W. J. Hutchison (117) while still a student in the Theological Seminary, began supplying the church, was installed June 22, 1898, and released in November 27, 1901.
Again the church was supplied by a student from the Seminary, Mr. H. A. Bailey (128), who was installed after graduation in the spring of 1902, and remained pastor until May 1, 1907.
Rev. Samuel Blacker (154) was installed November 5, 1907, and continued pastor until March 21, 1914, when the Rev. Elder D. Crawford (188) became pastor, from 1914 until 1919.
Then for a period the pulpit was supplied by several ministers at irregular intervals-among them being: J. M. Briceland, A. W. Wake, David E. Helpler and B. D. Holter. These supplies continued until the year 1926 when the Rev. C. L. McCoy became their pastor. This relation was dissolved in 1929.
Following this the Rev. John T. Howarth became the pastor of this church, installed April 28, 1931 and remained until 1937, when he resigned his charge and was honorably retired by the Presbytery.
In May, 1939, the Rev. Elder D. Crawford was called a second
time to the field and was installed over Sligo, Licking and Callensburg.