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HISTORY about the First Christian Church
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
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The history of the First Christian Church of Waynesburg, dating back to
the fall of 1887. In 1885 a debate was held in Waynesburg between Clark
Braden of Kansas and Charles Watts of London, on the subject, "Resolved, that
the great ideas of Christianity as inculcated in the word of God are true and
meet the highest order of man's reason." As a result of this debate, in the fall
of 1887, C.G. Brelos of Beaver Falls was called to hold a three week meeting,
assisted by I.N. Fry. At the close of this meeting, an organization was formed
with the following officers:
- Elder: J. P. Allum
- Deacons: R. K. Ullom and John Gamber
- Treasurer: Mattie Call
- Secretary: I. N. Fry
Campbell Jobes was called as Pastor, the first year preaching in the "Town
Hall" and the second year in the Courthouse. Owing to the loss of members, some
moving away and others called by death, the work was discontinued. Nothing more
was done toward a permanent organization, until 1897, when a convention was held
in Waynesburg, composed of the Christian Churches of Washington, Fayette and
Greene Counties. Enthusiasm resulting from this Convention prompted some of the
good ladies to organize the Ladies Aid Society. On November 17, 1988, a meeting
was held in the home of Mrs. Havey Call, with Mrs. J. S. Samison presiding as
Chairman. The following officers were elected:
- President: Mrs. Harvey Call
- Vice President: Mrs. Fred Carter
- Secretary: Mrs. THomas Wilkinson
- Treasurer: Miss Mattie Call
The Members of this Society were:
Mrs. J. S. Jamison
Mrs. J. P. Allum
Mrs. Fred Carter
Mrs. Ida Knight
Mrs. Harvey Call
Mrs. Sude Dinsmore
Mrs. Thomas Wilkinson
Mrs. James Babbitt
Mrs. Harry Weaver
Mrs. Emaline Carter
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Miss Phoebe Leonard
Miss Lottie Kent
Miss Milla Belford
Mrs. T. L. Blair
Mrs. S. B. Huffman
Mrs. James Call
Miss Ida Ullom
Miss Daisy Knight
Miss Emily Jamison
Miss Mattie Call |
The men were also inspired to purchase a lot on
South Richhill Street, on which to erect a building. Later a more central
location being desired, this lot was sold and one purchased at the corner
of Morris and Franklin Streets, which is the site of the present Church.
Some of these early meetings were held in the Methodist Protestant Church,
a little frame structure standing in a cornfield on what is now known as
South Washington Street. Some meetings were held in the "Town Hall," later
called the Courthouse.
In 1899, Gilbert Harney came to Waynesburg and held a revival
meeting in the Courthouse, closing June 8, at which time a permanent
organization was formed, consisting of twenty-eight Charter Members. The
following agreement was adopted:
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"We the undersigned, disciples of Christ in
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania and vicinity believing in the union of all God's
people on the basis of the Word of Christ, and in the restoration of that
order of Christian teaching and practice which existed in the days of the
Apostles of Christ, and desiring to avoid those names and teachings ... and
practices which are devisive, hereby unite to form a Church of Christ in
Waynesburg which shall have no foundation but Christ, acknowledge no
authority but His, use no book of discipline but His Word, wear no name
but His, preach and uphold nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and
require nothing but faith in Him, and loyalty to Him in all things. Our
church shall therefore be known as a Church of Christ, and we ourselves as
Christians or disciples of Christ, and this not to unchristianize others
who belong to the Church of Christ, but because believing in Christian
union, and in honoring our Mater in all things, we cannot be called by a
name that divides nor in any way deny Him honor."
CHARTER MEMBERS 1899:
T.R. Knight
T. L. Blair
N. P. Blair
R. K. Ullom
Daisy Knight
Myrtle Pryer
H. S. Kent
Marther Call
Mattie Call |
Ida Knight
Ida Blair
T. H. Wilkinson
R. A. Ullom
Rachel Ganier
Haddie Rinehart
C. B. Ullom
Lottie Kent
Rose Miller |
Martha V. Call
Henry Church
W. F. Blair
Norval Hoge
Hida M. Rhodes
Phoebe Leonard
Jennie Ullom
Maggie Kettler
Charlotte Smith
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CHARTER REOPENED in 1900 and the following
MEMBERS were added:
J. P. Allum
E. E. Morris
W. M. Hoge
A. A. Doak
Sallie Wilkinson
John Crichfield
Ellen Huffman
Emma Anderson
Amy Blair
E. B. Throckmorton
Sadie Babbit
Mary Fry
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Jennie Allum
Gertrude M. Morris
Mary L. Hoge
Abner Hoge
Olive Phillips
John Crichfield
Nancy Huffman
Belle Carter
F. C. Thomas
Fannie Throckmorton
Hally Call
James Call
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Harvey Call
Emaline Carter
A. A. Doak
Ida Ullom
Effa Crichfield
Anna Weaver
Lucy H. Babbitt
Honorable John Blair
Lucy H. Thomas
Morval Hoge
Marie Thompson |
FIRST CHURCH OFFICERS:
J. Park Allum
Dr. T. L. Blair
E. B. Throckmorton
Norval Hoge |
Hicey S. Kent
Thomas R. Knight
T. H. Wilkinson |
Harvey Call
James Call
W. F. Blair
Henry Church |
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| Later, in 1900, the Charter Member list was
re-opened and thirty-five additional members were added. Plans were then
started for the building of a Church Home. Later in 1900, the work was
started and the cornerstone was laid on January 1, 1901. The building was
erected of native stone. The lot on which the orignial church building
stood cost $1300; the first church building cost approximately $15,000.
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| 1901-1917 ~ On dedication day,
December 15, 1901, sufficient gifts and pledges which combined with
previous gifts provided in full payment of cost of the entire building.
The Ladies Aid had $1,000. which they paid in 1904. By year 1916, they
had managed to pay $5,000 on indebtedness. Membership of the struggling
young church grew. After much hard work, unselfish devotion and
sacrifice these brave pioneers, assisted by special gifts, were able to
retire the mortgage which they burned November 18, 1917. |
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1925 ~ The church house was
extensively remodeled. The building was raised and full basement built.
This provided new classrooms, kitchen and fellowship hall. The cost of
this remodeling was $40,000. During the construction period, Sunday
school and all church services were held in the old Eclipse Theatre.
Re-dedication day was in the spring of 1926. Gifts of money and pledges
were made covering cost of remodeling. The pipe organ was donated by
Spencer Kent and placed in the church in 1926. |
| During the 1930's, membership
of both the Bible School and the church greatly increased. |
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1932 ~ attendance at Wednesday
evening prayer meeting averaged 100 nightly for the year. Highest
attendance was 385. |
| 1935-1938 ~ During these years,
over 200 were added to the church membership. |
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1939 ~ Church membership
reached 825. |
1940 ~ Due to the many reverses
of fortune, members moving away during and because of the Depression Years,
a portion of the debt incurred by the remodeling of 1925-1926 remained.
Dr. G. M. Scott, an elder of the church, offered to pay half of the
remaining debt if the congregation would supply the other half; which they
did, and early 1940's saw this debt retired and mortgage burned.
The Women's Council was organized for the purpose of study and support
of missions and contributing to the work in the local church. The Council's
funds provided $5,000 for a new floor covering laid in the sanctuary and the
Men's Bible class room. The Council also had a conversion gas burner
installed in the old coal furnace.
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Read more about
the church history and the New Building Fund
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