Churches of Christ in Western Pennsylvania:
• Historical Sketch, pp. 47-51.
• Photographs of Church Buildings, pp. 52, 54, 56.
• Statistical Tables, pp. 53, 55, 57, 58.

      The beginnings of the Restoration Movement are closely connected with the city of Pittsburgh. Not only are Washington, Brush Run, and Bethany in the Pittsburgh district, but into the city itself the paths of the Pioneers continually lead us.

      It was in the Presbytery of Chartiers, which included Pittsburgh, that Thomas Campbell labored as a home missionary under the Associate Synod. By this he was censured; from this he withdrew. The United Presbyterians, with National Headquarters in Pittsburgh, are our lineal spiritual ancestors.

      To the Presbyterian Synod of Pittsburgh, one year after the publication of the "Declaration and Address," Thomas Campbell applied for Christian and ministerial communion, and was answered with a unanimous negative.

      With the Baptist churches of the Pittsburgh region, then known as the Redstone Association, a union was formed in 1813. On Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, in 1815, Thomas Campbell opened an academy, which soon became the meeting-place of a little church. For this Association he prepared the Circular Letter in 1816.

      To Pittsburgh at this time came George Forrester to establish a school, and to preach the gospel as a Scotch Baptist. Soon he was joined by a brilliant Scotch Presbyterian, Walter Scott; and thus was formed another source of the Reformation. One of Scott's pupils was Robert Richardson, later professor in Bethany College, editor of Campbell's publications, and author of Campbell's Memoirs and other important books. [47]

      The First Baptist Church of Pittsburgh, now resuming its ancient name and preparing to build in what we have presumed to christen "The Centennial Quadrangle," was the storm centre of the controversy that finally led to the separation of the Baptists and Disciples in 1829.

      To Pittsburgh came the Erretts from New York, where they had taken the Restoration position simultaneously with the Campbells. Here in 1831 Isaac Errett was baptized, the same year the little church was organized in the Forrester home. His first sermon was preached in the little brick church, and he served the congregation as its first regularly paid preacher. Twice in its precarious existence of forty-one years the old Pittsburgh Church owned a brick house of worship, each on Smithfield Street, but most of the time it was going from pillar to post--the Courthouse, the log building at the Point, the schoolhouse, Philo Hall.

      In 1840 a great revival was held by Jones and Robinson, seventy-five to one hundred persons being immersed in an evening. Names of sterling worth were on the church roll--Mackrell, Douglass, McLaren, Sutor, Davis, Ensel. Preachers of might came from time to time--Campbell, Scott, John Henry, Jonas Hartzel, Sutton Hayden, William Hayden.

      In addition to Scott and Errett, James Darsie and Samuel Church were developed here. The last was a successful business man as well as an able preacher. For many years after the North Side Church was organized he preached for it without pay, and at last donated lots and erected a neat brick building on the banks of the Allegheny River west of Federal Street. This First Allegheny Church rapidly rose to a place of leadership in the brotherhood, which it has steadily maintained.

      From 1863 to 1884 Joseph King was the minister. The other fruits of his labor were as abiding and beautiful as the noble building at Arch Street and Montgomery Avenue. In splendid succession have followed W. F. Cowden, W. F. Richardson, Chapman S. Lucas, W. J. Lhamon, and Wallace Tharp. Out of [48]

this prolific hive have gone not only members for the twenty-six younger churches of Greater Pittsburgh, but many ministers--Robert Graham, William Baxter, John and Joseph Errett, J. Z. Taylor, O. A. Hertzog, John and George Darsie, O. H. and A. C. Philips, Ira Kimmel, Frank Longdon, Charles M. Watson.

      In 1866 the Hazelwood Church was organized. Among its early members were the Andersons, Olivers, Askins, and Johnsons. It has given many members to younger churches. Its light shines brightly in its changing field and in the coöperation of larger work.

      About 1830 Isaac Mills started the Braddock Church in his home. For eight or ten years these house services continued, David Estep, George Forrester, James Darsie, and Isaac Errett walking from Pittsburgh to do the preaching. From a small village Braddock has become a great manufacturing center. The church has had a varied history. In later years it started and fostered Turtle Creek Church, and very materially aided Homestead and Wilkinsburg. Among the old families are the McCunes, Shallenbergers, Strathearns, and Woods, besides the Mills. [49]

      In 1829 Somerset was organized. Long before this "the three Marys"--Mary Ogle, Mary Morrison, and Mary T. Graft--were Restorationists. The church has enjoyed the ministrations of such men as Charles Louis Loos, James Darsie, Leroy Norton, Peter Vogel, and W. H. Woolery. Judge Jeremiah S. Black brought fame to church and town. Among the old and reliable families may be mentioned the Schells, Colburns, Hustons, and Pickings.

      The Connellsville Church started after the separation between Baptists and Disciples, in 1830, with a few stalwart souls--Shallenberger, Norton, Herbert, and others. The Davidson home was succeeded by a stone meeting-house in 1845, and that by a brick one in 1873--dedicated by Charles Louis Loos. Since 1898 theirs has been the best house in town. But the outgrown buildings, remodeled, still stand. So endures the faith of its members!

      The echo of the "Declaration and Address" is the great church in Washington, with an enrolment of 800. This is the far cry of eighty years since nine members started a church in the house of R. B. Chaplin, Sr. W. H. Hanna, a former pastor, is its living link. He serves at Laoag, P. I. Its activity is further shown in the Second Church, which has a present membership of 200.

      In 1832 twelve members started the church at Johnstown. From that on the congregation had a steady growth until 1889, when the great flood came. Scattered, disheartened, the Somerset Church came to the rescue, and with this church the brotherhood at large. The debts were paid and money donated for future work. The 120 at the time of the flood has become 455, with 200 more in the Second Church. During the pastorate of E. A. Hibler one of the best-equipped houses of worship this, side of the Mississippi was built. The heroism of faith has won the victories of to-day.

      The First Church, New Castle, was organized in 1855, with twenty-four members. Through all the years of its history Thomas W. Phillips and his brother John led the way. The present splendid home is due to their liberality. Two men gave splendid [50]

service in these years--W. F. Cowden being pastor from 1871 to 1881, and Dr. I. A. Thayer giving in two pastorates sixteen years of service. With a great membership this church has been a power in Lawrence County. The Central and the Third Church are children of this church, and represent some of its aggressive work.

      There are many other stories to tell which space will not allow. Since the start of the Western Pennsylvania Christian Missionary Society a great New Spirit has possessed this field. For twenty-one years, since 1889, it has had one president, R. S. Latimer. His grandfather, James Mackrell, took the stand for New Testament Christianity on the same day his illustrious friend Alexander Carson did, six years before the "Declaration and Address." Mr. Latimer has always been an aggressive worker. He measures work by results. Twelve years he was a Bible-school teacher in Ireland, and twenty-one years and five months in the Allegheny Church. He started the Bible School of Central in October, 1882. The famous Tuesday evening meetings of old Allegheny began in January of 1882. Through this seminary course many of the preachers coming out of this church passed. [51]

[CCP 47-58]