Church History - Part 2
Early Struggles
Obviously, the Methodists were not at first, at least, the most affluent people. In 1820, the population of the town was only 579. Near disaster fell in 1821-11. An Elijah Bacon, eloquent orator on a “grand mission” to unite all Christian churches came to town and “occupied the pulpit very acceptably, but did not stay”. He returned in 1822 and again had access to the pulpit. In alarm, the church was closed to him. He set up an open air pulpit in the woods which is now West Lawn and attracted people from long distances. It was reported that he was Elijah the Prophet, and more than half the Methodists joined his company. This almost ended the small congregation. Followers of Elijah bought the lot later occupied by the Christian Church on North Third Street. But since Mr. Bacon again left town, to return a year later as a Quaker, nothing came of the venture. In 1821 Lewisburg Charge became part of the Baltimore Conference.
In 1815 we find the first reference to the “Trustees” who numbered six, with John Nevius as chairman. They seemed to be noted more for their differences than for their help. The church now had 74 members. The next year the record indicates that $380 was allocated for pastoral services, but they were short $100.
The Venture to Third Street
Some aspects of the church location next to the foundry and the fact that their area was called “The Valley of Humiliation” led the members to seek a new location. “Uncle” Peter Nevius, grandfather of Mrs. Mary Wison, a later benefactor and mother of Mrs. Frank Simpson, gave the present land on which Beaver Memorial stands. Mr. William Armstrong gave the parsonage lot.
In 1832, a year after the Canal came to Lewisburg, a new 60 by 45 wooden church was erected at a cost of $1535.78. Three separate campaigns were needed to raise this. The church was dedicated on January 6, 1833, by the Rev. David Steele, two years before the public schools were established here. The congregation was divided into “classes” much as we now have “neighborhood” groups, and to each was allocated a portion of the annual budget. The officials appointed certain of their number to sit each Sunday with the “young bucks” to maintain order. This seems to have been a rather unpopular assignment. On the other hand, the job of “sexton” to keep the church clean, to secure coal and keep the fires going, and kerosene in the lamps, was an honored position paying from $10 to $80 a year as time went on. Even the Trustees took their turns.
By 1840 Lewisburg had a population of 1220. Six years later “The University at Lewisburg”, later Bucknell University, was established in the Baptist Church, which had been organized two years earlier. Classes were held there until Taylor Hall was opened in 1848.
In 1852-1853 the third church was erected, this time a brick structure, 175 by 50 feet and on the same lot. It was dedicated July 2, 1854, by the Rev. Thomas Sargent and Bishop Thomas Bowman. The 230 members and friends at this service raised $4,160.00 of the $6,000.00 cost. The Rev. S. L. M. Conser served as pastor. In 1855 Lewisburg became the county seat for Union, bringing additional prestige and winning out over New Berlin which was at that time the administrative center for the Evangelical Church. The first court sessions in Lewisburg were held in the basement of the Methodist Church in December 1855. The new Court House, costing $17,000.00, was not finished until February 1857.
By 1859 membership had increased to 327. On the eve of the Civil War and during it, the preachers were accused of “preaching politics”. Dissention arose. Many members withdrew, bringing the total by 1865 down to 236. In 1866 the nine classes were allocated a goal of $1,250.00 for the current budget, which they raised.
In 1869, the year Lewisburg welcomed its first railroad, the Central Pennsylvania Conference was organized in St, Paul’s, Danville. Lewisburg became part of the Williamsport district. This year also the church building was repaired, frescoed, painted, and carpeted. A steeple was added, and the parsonage repaired - all for $2,682.52.
In 1873, Lewisburg was excited over the pre-millennial preaching of a Mr. Miller. “Millerism” set February 14 - high noon - as the end of the world. Many of his followers came to church clad in long, white flowing robes, ready the ascension. “Coming down to earth” must have been hard.
Obviously, the Methodists were not at first, at least, the most affluent people. In 1820, the population of the town was only 579. Near disaster fell in 1821-11. An Elijah Bacon, eloquent orator on a “grand mission” to unite all Christian churches came to town and “occupied the pulpit very acceptably, but did not stay”. He returned in 1822 and again had access to the pulpit. In alarm, the church was closed to him. He set up an open air pulpit in the woods which is now West Lawn and attracted people from long distances. It was reported that he was Elijah the Prophet, and more than half the Methodists joined his company. This almost ended the small congregation. Followers of Elijah bought the lot later occupied by the Christian Church on North Third Street. But since Mr. Bacon again left town, to return a year later as a Quaker, nothing came of the venture. In 1821 Lewisburg Charge became part of the Baltimore Conference.
In 1815 we find the first reference to the “Trustees” who numbered six, with John Nevius as chairman. They seemed to be noted more for their differences than for their help. The church now had 74 members. The next year the record indicates that $380 was allocated for pastoral services, but they were short $100.
The Venture to Third Street
Some aspects of the church location next to the foundry and the fact that their area was called “The Valley of Humiliation” led the members to seek a new location. “Uncle” Peter Nevius, grandfather of Mrs. Mary Wison, a later benefactor and mother of Mrs. Frank Simpson, gave the present land on which Beaver Memorial stands. Mr. William Armstrong gave the parsonage lot.
In 1832, a year after the Canal came to Lewisburg, a new 60 by 45 wooden church was erected at a cost of $1535.78. Three separate campaigns were needed to raise this. The church was dedicated on January 6, 1833, by the Rev. David Steele, two years before the public schools were established here. The congregation was divided into “classes” much as we now have “neighborhood” groups, and to each was allocated a portion of the annual budget. The officials appointed certain of their number to sit each Sunday with the “young bucks” to maintain order. This seems to have been a rather unpopular assignment. On the other hand, the job of “sexton” to keep the church clean, to secure coal and keep the fires going, and kerosene in the lamps, was an honored position paying from $10 to $80 a year as time went on. Even the Trustees took their turns.
By 1840 Lewisburg had a population of 1220. Six years later “The University at Lewisburg”, later Bucknell University, was established in the Baptist Church, which had been organized two years earlier. Classes were held there until Taylor Hall was opened in 1848.
In 1852-1853 the third church was erected, this time a brick structure, 175 by 50 feet and on the same lot. It was dedicated July 2, 1854, by the Rev. Thomas Sargent and Bishop Thomas Bowman. The 230 members and friends at this service raised $4,160.00 of the $6,000.00 cost. The Rev. S. L. M. Conser served as pastor. In 1855 Lewisburg became the county seat for Union, bringing additional prestige and winning out over New Berlin which was at that time the administrative center for the Evangelical Church. The first court sessions in Lewisburg were held in the basement of the Methodist Church in December 1855. The new Court House, costing $17,000.00, was not finished until February 1857.
By 1859 membership had increased to 327. On the eve of the Civil War and during it, the preachers were accused of “preaching politics”. Dissention arose. Many members withdrew, bringing the total by 1865 down to 236. In 1866 the nine classes were allocated a goal of $1,250.00 for the current budget, which they raised.
In 1869, the year Lewisburg welcomed its first railroad, the Central Pennsylvania Conference was organized in St, Paul’s, Danville. Lewisburg became part of the Williamsport district. This year also the church building was repaired, frescoed, painted, and carpeted. A steeple was added, and the parsonage repaired - all for $2,682.52.
In 1873, Lewisburg was excited over the pre-millennial preaching of a Mr. Miller. “Millerism” set February 14 - high noon - as the end of the world. Many of his followers came to church clad in long, white flowing robes, ready the ascension. “Coming down to earth” must have been hard.