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From: "K. Brubaker" <>
Subject: [PACRAWFO-L] Linesville Methodist Church 1861-1953
Date: Sat, 25 Jul 1998 02:25:00 -0400


Here is a brief history of the Linesville Methodist Church that was
prepared by Eddie Herscher and Charles Shellito in March 1955 as
a MYF project. Mrs. Robert Christian was the MYF counselor at
that time.

"The Methodist Episcopal Church was the oldest church in the
village. It was for many years held in the school-house. It was part
of the Conneautville Circuit and then later on the Shenango Circuit.
In 1860 a church building was started, and finished in 1861. It was
located at the south-east corner of Erie and Church streets. The
latter was so named because of the location of the Methodist Church.

The first church was a plan, oblong, wooden building. The building
had big double doors in the front with four windows on each side.
Near the front of the building was a steeple, inclosed (sic) was a bell.
As you entered the church there was a hall, supposedly to hang the
congregations' wraps in. As the sanctuary was large it seated around
150 people, with its membership about 60 members. The sanctuary was
a plain room; int he middle was an aisle with seats on both sides. At the
end there was the pulpit. On one side there was a choir loft, on the other
side was a reed organ. There was a small balcony on each side; in the
middle of the ceiling there was a large chandelier lighted with small gas
lights. On the walls there were three lamps on each side.

In 1861 Linesville formed a circuit. It included the Linesville Church,
Frey's Chapel, and Shermansville Church. Some of its prominent members
were John Thayre (sic), John Rea, and A.G. Woods.

Church was at eleven o'clock and Sunday School after church.

It was sold to Mr. J. Elliott VanSicklin and moved in 1904 to be made into
The Travelers Hotel.

In 1898 a new church building was started. It was built by Church members
and donations. On January 14th, 1900 it was dedicated. It cost $5,750.00.
There was $2,500.00 not yet raised which was later paid. The church looks
like it did in 1900 except it then was lighted with gas and it had a small
steeple on the parapet. Later on the steeple was removed because it leaked.
The church seats about 250 people.

The picture of Christ in the sanctuary was painted by John Krogman in 1946
in memory of Ella, Robert, and Janie Fobes. It was bought by Miss Fannie
Wintermute.

The Linesville Charge Church service was held in the studio of Television
Station WICU in Erie on November 29, 1953. The organist in 1955 is Mrs.
Byron Johnston; the Choir Director is John Reitmeyer; and the pastor is
John H. Clark. Harmonsburg Church has been on the Linesville Charge for
several years. Linesville Church is in the Meadville District, Erie
Conference,
and the Pittsburgh Area.

The fine pipe organ was secured chiefly through the efforts of Mrs. Ernest
Collins, who, after repeated discouragements, finally gained the consent of
the Carnegie Organ Fund to pay half the cost of the organ. Ernest Collins
was for many years director of the choir and Mrs. Collins was organist.

Pastors of the Linesville Methodist Church:
W.H. Mossman 1861-1862; Hiram Kingsley 1863-1864; R.C. Smith 1865-1867;
William Rice 1868-1869; O. Babcock 1869-1870; S. Hearl 1870-1871;
C.W. Foulk 1872-1873; T.W. Douglas 1874-1875; L.L. Luce 1876-1877;
J.A. Hume 1878-1879; W.H. Hoover 1879-1880; A.J. Lindsey 1881-1882;
John Abbott 1882-1883; J.F. Stocker 1883; M.M. Chamberlain 1884-1885;
Miller Fording 1885-1886; J.K. Mendenhall 1886-1888; John Graham 1889-1890;
J.D. Clemmens 1891-1894; J.F. Perry 1895-1896; B.L. Perry 1896-1897;
H.H. Clare 1898-1901; S.G. Gillette 1902-1904; G.B. Carr 1905-1911 (pipe
organ
dedicated June 7, 1908);W.O. Calhoune 1911-1916; J.G. Ginader 1916-1919;
J.R. Rich 1919-1922; E.O. Minnigh 1922-1927; W.H. Lowning 1927-1931;
D.D. Sleppy 1931-1932; W.H. Sloan 1932-1935; J.O. Averill 1935-1937;
Ralph E. Tidmarsh 1937-1940; David O. May 1940-1942; James G. Cousins
1942-1948; Rollin Merry 1948; Robert S. Naylor 1948-1953; John H. Clark
1953 - "

Hope you all found this of interest!

Kathy Brubaker
Volunteer Genealogist
Linesville Historical Society

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