I
KIT 1 W
VOL 28
One Hundred Years Old.'
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH ROUNDS OUT ITS
FIRST CENTURY.
The Archdeaconry of Williamsport.
LARGE ATTENDANCE AND IMPRESSIVE
SERVICES.
On Sunday, May 28th, 1793, St.
Paul's church of Bloomsburg, then
Fishingcreck, was admitted into union
with the convention of Pennsylvania,
and was represented by a lay delegate
Since that time it has been an organ
ized parish. It was fitting therefore,
that at the time of the celebration of
its hundredth anniversary, the Arch
deaconry of Williamsport, embracing
twelve counties of the state, should
be invited to come here and partici
pate in the jubilee. The invitation
was accepted, and accordingly the
sessions of the Archdeaconry began on
Monday evening with full evening
service. The procession started from
the Parish House headed by the vest
ed choir of twenty men and boys, with
fifteen clergymen in vestments, follow
ed, by Archdeacon Graff, and lit. Rev.
N. S. Rulison, Assistant Bishop ol
Central Pennsylvania. The Bishop,
Archdeacon, and Rev. C. J. Wood
occupied the sanctuary, the other
clergy sitting in the front pews in the
tody of the church. A song service
followed, with a very able and interest
ing sermon by Rev. C. J. Wood of
Lock Haven.
The visiting clergymen are Rev. T.
H. Cullen, and Rev. Dr. Zahner;
Rev. W. H. Graff, Rev. G. C. Foley,
Williamsport ; Rev. Dr. H. L. Jones,
Wilkesbarre ; Rev. Dr. Clerc, Phillips
burg ; Rev. Chas. Morrison, Sunbury ;
Rev. A. W. Snyder, Wellsboro ; Rev.
Win. Heakes, Muncy j Rev. John
Graham, Shamokin , Rev. C. E Fes
senden, Brookland j Rev. C. T. Coerr,
Rev. L. B. Thomas, Antrim ; Rev. C.
J. Wood, Lock Haven j Rev. Geo.
Warnock, Montoursville ; Rev. John
Rockwell, Sugarloaf ; Rev. W. R. Mul
ford, Danville; Rev. J. F. Powers,
Archdeacon of Reading Archdeaconry:
Rev. T. B. Angell, Archdeacon of
Harrisburg Archdeaconry ; Rev. L. F.
Baker, Harrisburg j Rev. Mr. Pratt,
Lancaster ; Rev. Mr. Eastment, Troy.
Of the former rectors, there were but
two present, Rev. T. II. Cullen of
Freehold, N. J., and Rev. Dr. L.
Zahner of Adams, Mass. Rev. Mr.
Russell lives in the west, too far away
to come here j Re'. A. A. Marple was
prevented by other important engage
ments, and no word was received from
.Rev. Dr. Tullidge. He was written
to three times. Rev. John Hewitt ex
pected to be present, but a letter re
ceived a few days ago states that scar
let fever has broken out in the Boys
Military School at Lincoln, Nebraska,
of which he is rector, and he deemed
it inadvisable to leave home. Rev.
Mr. Parker had accepted the invita
tion to be present, and expected to
come with his wife, who was formerly
Miss Clara Barton, but the sudden
death of the latter a few weeks ago
prevented him. Rev. Dr. F. W. Bart
lett of Williamstown, Mass , who act
ed as an assistant to . the rector in
1873, was obliged to send . his regrets
or. account of his own engagements,
and Rev. Geo. F. Breed who conduct
ed the services here one summer, was
not heard from.
At 9 o'clock on Tuesday morning a
business meeting was held in the
Parish House, at which the Bishop
presided. The business was of a rout
ine character, pertaining to the mis
sionary work of the. Archdeaconry. ,
At 10 o'clock morning service was
held in the church, and an eloquent
and powerful sermon preached by Rev.
Dr. H. L. Jones, rector of St. Steph
en's church, Wilkesbarre.
An interesting meeting was held in
the Parish House at three o'clock in
the afternoon, when very able papers
were read by the Rev. Messrs. Snyder
and Heakes.
The church was crowded at the
evening service, when the rite of con
firmation was administered by the
Bishop. Among the candidates were
seven members of the choir, who
knelt together at the altar rail, clad in
their churchly vestments, and received
the Apostolic nte of the laying on of
hands. It was an impressive sight.
They were O. W. Ent. John B. Fox,
David Tasker, Elijah Shutt, Frank
Phillips, Charles Wilson, and Morti
mer Butler. Every member of the
vested choir is now a communicant,
except two who are yet too young for
confirmation. There were eighteen
other candidates presented to the
Bishop by the Rector, making a total
class ot twenty five. During the of
fertory, Mrs. Ella For Gilbert sang a
beautiful solo, accompanied on the
organ by Miss Maude Kunyon. Be
sides the Bishop's address, there were
ST.
missionary addresses by Arcddeacon
Graff, and Revs. Foley and Snyder.
Alter the service an informal recep
tion was held in the Parish House.
CENTENNIAL DAY.
The prominent feature of the week
was the service on Wednesday morn
ing. The choir and clergy and Bishop
formed an imposing procession as they
entered the chancel from the Parish
House. The Te Dcum, Nicene Creed
and Gloria iu Excelsis were Tours in
F. The Holy Communion was ad
ministered, and the sermon was preach
ed by Rev. Thomas H. Cullen. It
was an able effort; and the tones of
his voice in the church once more
aroused many pleasant recollections in
the minds of many of the congrega
tion. Just before the sermon the follow
ing historical sketch was read by the
Rector, Rev. W. C. Leverett.
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
Services of the church were held in
this vicinity more than a hundred years
ago. This very parish was organized,
probably, as early as the year 1790,
and was known as St. Paul's, Fishing
Creek. Onthetith of Sept. 1795,
Mr. Joseph Long, for the considera
tion of five shillings, agreed to convey
to the parish the acre of land which
is now occupied by the church property,
and in the agreement for the same it
is described as "the ground on which
the church now stands," so that in
1795 and before that time an Episco
pal Church building stood in the. en
closure where the present one is erect
ed. In 1703 Mr. Elisha Barton was the
deputy from this parish the ninth
Diocesan Convention as "from St.
Paul's Church, Fishing Creek town
ship." In that convention held in Christ
Church, Philadelphia, on May 28th,
I793ithe parish was admitted into
union with the Convention of the
Diocese of Pennsylvania.
To-dav. therefore, we commemor
ate the one hundredth anniversary of
this fact ; the admission of St. Paul's
Parish into union with the Convention
being positive evidence of its exis
tence as a recognized body in May,
7?3- .
It is one of the oldest parishes in
the Diocese of Central Penna St.
James', Lancaster, St. John's, York,
and St. Gabriel's, Douglassville, were
admitted into union with the Conven
tion of Pennsylvania, in 1785, and St.
Paul's, Bloomsburg, comes next ta
them in the order of time.
The Rev. Caleb Hopkins wa3 the
first Rector of this parish. He also
had charge of St Gabriel's, Sugarloaf,
and Christ Church, Derry. The last
named, which in 1793 was Christ
Church, Derry township, and which in
later years became Christ Chuich,
Jerseytown. can be followed to about
the year 1844, but since then it has
ceased to be. In the other places
where the Rev. Mr. Hopkins officia
ted, viz: Milton and Muncy, Church
buildings and congregations of the
faithful exist to-day, and St. James
Church, Exchange, in charge of the
Rector of Muncy, is now the nearest
to the site of the old Derry Church.
St. Gabriel's, Sugarloaf. is known to
many of you. The old building was
burned not very many years ago when,
under wise direction, the present
chapel sprang up speedily from the
ashes. You have seen that little church
among the trees, of which one of our
own poets has sung:
"Fling to the air the echoing culme .
Ot thy sweet bell, at morning prime,
While o'er the mountain's steepy height
The rising gun pours glowing light 1
BLOOMS1WHG, PA., FRIDAY, JUNE 2. 1S93.
PAULS CHURCH, BLOOMSBURG,
And when the evening shadows fall
Among the pines and hemlocks tall
Then to the silent hamlet tell
The message ot su Urabrlel."
A pencilled memorandum on a fly
leaf of the oldest existing record ot
St. Paul's Church says: "Mr. Hop
kins was here in 1794 or 1795, then
left and was recalled in 1806." He
seems to have remained in charge un
til 1818. It is recorded of him that
he was a man of vigorous intellect and
ofstalvart frame. He had been a
lieutenant in the patriot army of the
Revolution. Descendants of this dis
tinguished man are now connected
with this parish, and one of them is a
member of our present choir.
I am indebted to our venerable
townsman, Mr. John K. Grotz, and to
our late lamented Warden, Mr. B. F.
Hartman, who died at a very advanced
age, for reminiscences of the earlier
days. A statement in one of our church
papers, some years ago, also furnish
es interesting items. The first Church
building was of logs and its internal
arrangements were very plain. There
was no vestry room, nor were there
any stoves to heat the building. The
plan for heating is reported to have
been a large square hole in the floor
in front of the chancel, opening down
to the ground, and a fire of logs made
early and burned to living coals, kept
the room warm during service 5 and it
is also said there was no chimney to
lead off the smoke from the glowing
and crackling fire. To this log church
the people used to come on horseback
from all parts of the surrounding coun
tiy ; those living on the other side of
the Susquehanna would gather together
at the river's bank and all come over
in a flat-boat, leaving their horses un
til their return ; men and women
coming to the church in the plainest
garments wnich had been woven and
made by. themselves. In 1827, the
log church gave place to a frame
structure which remained for about
ten years. In 1837, a brick church
was erected on the spot where the
Rectory now stands. And in that was
placed in the following year the first
church bell ever heard in the town.
The bell is of much less weight than the
smallest in our present peal, but of
sweet sound ; a bell with so many sa
cred and endearing associations, that
it is retained in yonder corridor as a
precious relic, though it? voice has
been hushed before the three-fold call
which we ncr hear:
"ll.'Us are the voice or tlio church ;
They have tones that touch and seur.'h
The hearts ot young and old ;
One sound to all, yet each
tends a meaning to thnlr speech,
And the meaning Is manifold."
The brick building of r837 con
tinued in use until 1868, when the
people resolved to begin the construc
tion of a new edifice. The corner
stone of this, the fourth building was
laid on September nth, 1868, and
the church was finished, with the ex
ception of the tower, early in 1870.
It was begun ami completed while the
Rev. Thomas H. Cullen was Rector,
and was consecrated on June 28th,
1 88 1, by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Howe, Bishop
of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania
during the rectorship of the Rev. Dr.
Zahner.
Returning to the succession of Rec
tors, we find that after the Rev. Mr.
II opkins left the parish in 1818, Lay
Readers maintained the services until
in December, 1824, Mr. Wm. Eldred,
from England, who had been acting
as a Lay Reader here from the 20th
of May, 1823, was ordained Deacon
by Bishop White, and continued in
charge of the parish for a year or
more. In 1828, the Rev. James DePui
was Rector of St. Paul's, St Gabriel's,
PA.
Sugarloaf, and Christ church, Derry.
He resigned in 1832. The Rev. Ben
jamin Hutchins began his rectorship
on Sept. 2, 1832, and resigned April
8, 1833. He was followed by the
Rev. George C. Drake, who was in
charge of the parish from 1833 to
1842. The Rev. Wm. H. Bournes suc
ceeded Mr. Drake in Dec. 1842 and
continued in charge until Tune, 1844.
The Rev. Samuel T. Lord came next,
in Feb., 1845, ad resigned June,
1846. He was immediately succeed
ed by the Re.v. A. A. Marple, who
held the rectorship until Sept., 1848,
when the Rev. Joel Rudderow entered
upon duty here and remained from
1848 to 1853. The Rev. Henry Tul
lidge, D. D., was then called to the
rectorship and continued until Nov.
1857. He was followed by the Rev,
A. M. Weily, from March 1859 to
reo. i860. In August, i860, the
Rev. J. A. Russell became the Rector
and continued until Dec. 31, 1862.
January 5, 1863, the Rev. Thomas H.
Cullen took charge of the parish and
stayed until 1870. He was followed by
the Kev. John Hewitt, who remained
until 1877. He was succeeded by the
Rev. Louis Zahner, who continued
until the Autumn of 1886, and in
December of the same year, the pres
ent Rector, (the Rev. Wm. C. Lev
erett) assumed the care of the parish.
It is a simple thing to pen this list
of names and dates. But could we
read between the lines, what a record
it would be of toil and sacrifice, of
blessings and of joys 1
Time would fail me to tell the good
things accomplished here by my hon
ored predecessors. The memory of
their work survives in the grateful
hearts of the people, and its record is
on high.
But it may not De out of place for
me to mention what the congregation
has done during the last six years, of
which I am personally cognizant.
Let us go back for a moment to 1886.
The first thing which was attempted
after my coming, was the liquidation
of a debt of about a thousand dollars,
which was an obstacle to progress.
This was soon accomplished and, in
my judgment, the prompt action was
the step that opened the way to all
that followed. Then came a renova
tion of the church build'ng, repairs up
on the roof, re-painting of the walls
and the introduction of steam heating
apparatus.
A fund, which had been begun some
years before, was now augmented by
the efforts of the ladies and supple
mented by the men of the congrega
tion and the parish house was built.
An addition not for show, but for ser
vice, to be what it has proved to be,
a work shop for the parish. The Sun
day School room was furnuhed
throughout by the thoughtful liberality
of one parishioner, Mrs. Hester Bar
ton, and by other gifts the various
needs were supplied and the machinery
was made complete. The tower of
the church was finished by Mr. John
G. Freeze, and a peal of bells given by
Mr. Paul E. Wirt. The vested choir
was introduced under the direction of
Mr. George E. Elwell, and the choir
stalls and necessary outfits were pro
cured. By the ene-gy of Mr. George S.
Robbins and the co-operation of those
inspired by his zeal, the artificial stone
pavemeht was next laid about the
whole church property. After a brief
breathing space it was resolved that
the interior of the church building
should receive due attention. And
within the past few months all the
wood-work has been re-dressed, the
walls and oeiling have been colored,
new carpets and cushions and kneel-'
ing crickets supplisd and electric light
iniroduced. Various additions have
been made, like the renewed font and
hymn tablets, and last but by no means
least, the tnree chancel windows, tne
gift of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Funston
which beautify the sanctuary and mark
the beginning of better things in the
way of windows for the church.
You will observe that the organ
pipes have not been changed in color
so as to match the tints 01 the wail
above them, but are left in their origi
nal hue to remind us that a new organ
is in due time to come.
The commodious Rectory was made
increasedly comfortable at the time of
my coming, in 86, and recently its
exterior has been painted. The
grounds have also been much improv
ed.
Meanwhile the parish has met all its
Diocesan dues and has enlarged rather
than diminished its offerings for mis
sionarv and charitable purposes. And
best of all, the people have united
with their Rector, more ana more.
during these years in his endeavor to
build them up as a Spiritual Temple
acceptable to the Lord.
For all this we are profoundly grate
ful to Him who maketh men to be of
one mind in an house and devoutly
say, " lo God give all the praise.
At 1. 15 p. m. an elegant lunch was
served in the dining hall of the Parish
House, under the direction of the
ladies, which was attended by the
Bishop, the clergy, the choir, and all
the visitors who came back to their
old home to be present at these services,
At the close, entertaining speeches
were made by Bishop Rulison, Rev. J
F. Powers, Rev. W. H. Graff, Rev.
Mr. Baker, and Col. Freeze. The
Hall was beautifully decorated with
ferns, plants and flowers. At 7530 the
closing services were held, when touch
ing addresses were made by Rev. Dr,
Zahner and Rev. T. H. Cullen, fol
lowed by the Bishop. A reception
was held in the Parish House after
service, attended by all the visitors
and the congregation'
t hus closed the first century of
at. Paul s church. It was a season ot
delightful exercises, and was thor
oughly enjoyed by all who participated.
Among the former members of the
congregation who returned to attend
the centennial services were Miss
Mary Painter, Muncy ; Judah Boone,
Pottsvillei Mrs. Eli Ager, Wilkesbarre;
Mrs. C. R. Paxton, Mrs. Christian,
Virginia ; Mrs. E. W. Elwell, Towan
da ; Mrs. R. C. Neal, Harrisburg ; G,
A. Clark, Tyrone : Mr. and Mrs. M.
E. Walker, Shickshinny ; Mr. and Mrs.
John a. Gilbert. Mrs. Jacob Verdy,
Philadelphia ; Mrs. W. J. Buckalew,
Pottsville; Mr. and Mrs. William
Leverett, Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Lutz,
Wilkesbarre ; Miss A. D. Webb, Potts-
ville ; Mrs. Hewitt, Sunbury.
NOTES.
Mrs. Cullen accompanied her hus
band on a visit to Bloomsburg friends.
They are the guests of Mr. Lloyd
Paxton at Rupert.
Rev. T. H. Cullen was rector of
St. Paul's from 1863 to 1870. In 1881
he returned to preach the sermon at
the consecration of the church. It
was built during his incumbency.
Mrs. Dr. Zahner's many friends were
disappointed by her inability to be
here. The illness of her aged father
prevented.
Many of the visiting clergy compli
mented the choir highly on the rendi
tion of the music, and were pleased at
the interest manifested by the mem
bers in attending every service.
Mrs. Henry L. Jones of Wilkes
barre was the guest of Mrs. Geo. E.
Elwell, and Mrs. William Leverett.
Mrs. Hewitt, mother of Rev, John
Hewitt, spent Wednesday in Blooms
burg, attending the centennial service.
A SAD DEATH.
Morgan Rodman Drinker, eldest
son of Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Drinker,
died at Tamaqua last Sunday after,
noon at four o'clock, altsr an illness of
only five days, aged 26 years. The
remains were brought here on Mon
day, and funeral services were held In
St. Paul's church on Tuesday after
noon at 4.30 o'clock. He was a mem
ber of the Episcopal church, and an
exemplary young man. . His parents
were summoned and arrived before
his death, but his brother Fred, re-
ceivtd a telegram on Sunday, announ
cing his critical condition, and drove
to lamaqua, reaching there several
hours after the end had come.
He was possessed of extraordinary
mechanical genius, and was fast mak
ing a reputation as a draftsman and
mechanic, and his early death has
blasted the fond hopes of his many
friends. Many floral offerings were
sent in, and the bereaved family have
the sympathy of the community. .
NO 23
BRIEF HEHTION. '
About People You Know.
Ceo. A. Claik is at home onj a two
week's vacation.
Hon. I. K. Krickbaum of Benton
was in town Monday.
Prof. J. P. Welsh went to New
York on Wednesday.
Sheriff Mourey went to Harrisburg
on Thursday.
Judge Elwell is having his resi
dence repainted.
W. S. Rishton spent several days
in Philadelphia during the past week.
D. R. Coffman, court crier, police
man, and court house janitor, was 44
years old on Wednesday.
C. B. Robbins has been up the
creek this week on a Fishing expedi
tion. C. C. Evans Esq. and C. B. Jack
son Esq., both of Berwick wtre in at
tendance at Argument court Monday.
Harry Stees has entered the drug
store of G. A. McKelvy, to learn the
business.
' Cyrus Demott, one of Millville's
most substantial citizens, was in town
on Saturday, attending to business.
I ram Derr, and son John F. of
Greenwood township were in town
decoration day. They are two of the
solid democrats ot the county.
Cleatus Jones, a former typo of The
Columbian office, and now employed
on the Naitiicoke Sun, spent decora
tion day with his parents in this place.
Chas. Unanest Esa. and wife of
New York city, visited their parents
Mr. and Mrs. P. Unanest. during the
past week.
Mr. Laylon Runyon has gone on a
trip to visit relatives and friends in
Northern Pennsylvania , and New
York state.
Mr. and Mrs. I. K. Dildine of Or- ;
angeville, spent Sunday with their son-in-law
F. P. Vanderslice on East ,
street.
Tohn Rehm of West Third street is
breaking ground for another dwelling.
1 uai sckuun ui uic luwn is uuuuiug .
up very rapidly.
Charles Shaffer, our famous hase
ball catcher is now captain of the
Harrisburg club. His last position is
that of first base, and he nlavs it with
the same earnestness and success that
he plays that of catching.
Hon. E. M. Tewksburv. whn has
been confined to his bed at his board
ing house in Harrisburg for the past
two weeks is improving slowly, and
will no doubt soon be out again.. He
was missed very much at the closing
hours of the Legislature.
Eli McHenrv of Benton was in town
on Saturday. He recently sold four-
1 1 - r . 1 r . . 1 . .
iccn ucau 01 cauic iair.enea Dy mm, 10
Charles Haas of Berwick. The cattle
averaged 1340 pounds, a gain of 340
pounas eacn since Mr. mc Henry got
them last winter. He knows how to
prepare them for the market.
Ex-Sheriff Casev celehrated his fnr.
ty-ninth birtu-day yesterday. The sher
iff was born on Iron street in this town
within three hundred yards of his pres
ent residence in the house nearest the
arch bridge, and with the exception
of about two years has resided on the
same street ever since his birth.
PEESIDING ELDER DONOHUE DEAD.
It is the unexpected that always
happens. No one would have be
lieved that the next person to be
summoned across the dark river would
be the Rev. John Donohue, Presiding
ruuer ot the Danville District of the
M. E. Church. lie was to all ap
pearances a robust and healthy man. On
Wednesday evening he returned home
on the 6:36 train, and before
he had reached his home he
felt faint, and was observed
by his wife who was at a window in
their house, leaning against a tree
neip was sent to him, and he waii
able to get to the house, when he
said he wanted air, and that he was
very sick. Dr. Arment was sum
moned, and soon after, Dr. Brown was
also called in, but he was beyond the
aid of human skill, and died soon af
ter. His age was sixty-one years. He
was pastor of the M. E. Church here
some yearsago, and has been Presid
ing Elder for several years, making
Bloomsburg his residence, and was
prominent in the councils of his
church. His loss is a severe one not
only to the family, but to the Metho
dist Church and the community. The .
services will be held in the
Methodist church Friday afternoon' at
2:30. The remains will be taken to
Baltimore for burial.
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