Church History - Part 1
This section is taken from the Forward to “The 150th Anniversary” booklet on Beaver Memorial Methodist Church published in 1962.
THE SPIRIT and mark of Methodism have been upon the community of Lewisburg for many years, though the formal organization spans but a century and a half. The years have been filled with progress and change appropriate to the Wesleyan tradition. The details and events of the past are but the stones upon which the present and future firmly stand.
We spend a few moments looking to the past, and our gratitude is expressed to all who have so ably participated in what is now history. The present is glorious when we humbly realize that it is but the edge of the unfolding future. We are a part of history yet unrecorded.
We pray that all that is yet to be will honor God, serve his children, and exalt his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Victor K. MEREDITH, JR., Minister
The following is taken from “The Heritage of Beaver Memorial” booklet published in April 1970.
Beginnings
On May 6, 1791, four years after the adoption of the Constitution of the United States and three years before Joseph Priestly came to Northumberland, the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church established the “Northumberland Circuit”, extending up the North Branch of the Susquehanna to Wilkes-Barre and along the West Branch to Bald Eagle Creek, roughly 300 miles in length. The early history describes the hardships of these circuit riders. In the chaotic days following the Revolution, preachers were regarded at best as a nuisance. Circuit riders had to be resolute men. The earliest church building in the area, later used by Methodists, was built in 1803 in Mifflinburg. Presbyterians had organized at Buffalo Crossroads in 1773; Lutherans and Reformed shared the Dreisbach Church from 1785. Although lots had been given by Ludwig Derr to Presbyterians and Lutherans, no building options had been taken.
The town of Lewisburg was incorporated on March 31, 1812. There were fifty families - 250 people in the village which included many taverns, one distillery, and one brewery. On May 25th of that year the Methodist Society was organized with eight members. In charge were the Rev. John Hazard and the Rev. James S. Lent. The text was “Behold what manner of Love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God; therefore, the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not.” 1 John 3:1. Services were then held in the home of John Gordon. At this time there was not a church building in the whole conference. A year or so later the group moved to the ball room of a former hotel which stood at Fourth and St. Johns. Here also were held the first “Watch meetings”. Members walked 16 miles to Danville to attend quarterly conferences and “love feasts”.
The First Church
Methodists built the first church edifice in Lewisburg in 1818, the same year the first river bridge was opened to traffic. This was a one story wooden structure, built next to the James S. Marsh Foundry, on the NE corner of Front and St. Louis Streets. The lot cost $51.95 and the 30 by 40 building, $563.07. The Rev. Marmaduke Pierce dedicated the new sanctuary. People were poor and building contributions ranged from 13 cents to $8.00. The Hon. George Kremer, member of Congress and reported atheist, gave $30 saying, “I have no faith in the Methodist religion, but as they are all Democrats and while attending meetings will keep out of mischief, I will help.” Presbyterians and other groups used the facilities, the Presbyterians building their sanctuary in 1833. Their pastor, the Rev. Thomas Hood, had participated in the 1818 dedication.
One interesting aspect about this first land was the deed. Mr. James Kelley, one of the original members, arranged for its purchase from Mr. Flavel Roan, then Sheriff of Northumberland County (of which Union was then a part). Mr. Roan resided in Lewisburg and was a member at Buffalo Cross Roads Presbyterian. His deed traced the title back through original warrantees and patentees to the Penns through the Six Nations, and back to Adam and Eve and Almighty God. Mr. Roan’s tract had been purchased from the Ellinkhuysens in Holland, who held title on much of Lewisburg at the time. Mr. Roan’s tomb is under the steps of the First Presbyterian Church.
THE SPIRIT and mark of Methodism have been upon the community of Lewisburg for many years, though the formal organization spans but a century and a half. The years have been filled with progress and change appropriate to the Wesleyan tradition. The details and events of the past are but the stones upon which the present and future firmly stand.
We spend a few moments looking to the past, and our gratitude is expressed to all who have so ably participated in what is now history. The present is glorious when we humbly realize that it is but the edge of the unfolding future. We are a part of history yet unrecorded.
We pray that all that is yet to be will honor God, serve his children, and exalt his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Victor K. MEREDITH, JR., Minister
The following is taken from “The Heritage of Beaver Memorial” booklet published in April 1970.
Beginnings
On May 6, 1791, four years after the adoption of the Constitution of the United States and three years before Joseph Priestly came to Northumberland, the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church established the “Northumberland Circuit”, extending up the North Branch of the Susquehanna to Wilkes-Barre and along the West Branch to Bald Eagle Creek, roughly 300 miles in length. The early history describes the hardships of these circuit riders. In the chaotic days following the Revolution, preachers were regarded at best as a nuisance. Circuit riders had to be resolute men. The earliest church building in the area, later used by Methodists, was built in 1803 in Mifflinburg. Presbyterians had organized at Buffalo Crossroads in 1773; Lutherans and Reformed shared the Dreisbach Church from 1785. Although lots had been given by Ludwig Derr to Presbyterians and Lutherans, no building options had been taken.
The town of Lewisburg was incorporated on March 31, 1812. There were fifty families - 250 people in the village which included many taverns, one distillery, and one brewery. On May 25th of that year the Methodist Society was organized with eight members. In charge were the Rev. John Hazard and the Rev. James S. Lent. The text was “Behold what manner of Love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God; therefore, the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not.” 1 John 3:1. Services were then held in the home of John Gordon. At this time there was not a church building in the whole conference. A year or so later the group moved to the ball room of a former hotel which stood at Fourth and St. Johns. Here also were held the first “Watch meetings”. Members walked 16 miles to Danville to attend quarterly conferences and “love feasts”.
The First Church
Methodists built the first church edifice in Lewisburg in 1818, the same year the first river bridge was opened to traffic. This was a one story wooden structure, built next to the James S. Marsh Foundry, on the NE corner of Front and St. Louis Streets. The lot cost $51.95 and the 30 by 40 building, $563.07. The Rev. Marmaduke Pierce dedicated the new sanctuary. People were poor and building contributions ranged from 13 cents to $8.00. The Hon. George Kremer, member of Congress and reported atheist, gave $30 saying, “I have no faith in the Methodist religion, but as they are all Democrats and while attending meetings will keep out of mischief, I will help.” Presbyterians and other groups used the facilities, the Presbyterians building their sanctuary in 1833. Their pastor, the Rev. Thomas Hood, had participated in the 1818 dedication.
One interesting aspect about this first land was the deed. Mr. James Kelley, one of the original members, arranged for its purchase from Mr. Flavel Roan, then Sheriff of Northumberland County (of which Union was then a part). Mr. Roan resided in Lewisburg and was a member at Buffalo Cross Roads Presbyterian. His deed traced the title back through original warrantees and patentees to the Penns through the Six Nations, and back to Adam and Eve and Almighty God. Mr. Roan’s tract had been purchased from the Ellinkhuysens in Holland, who held title on much of Lewisburg at the time. Mr. Roan’s tomb is under the steps of the First Presbyterian Church.