Grove Presbyterian
The Grove Presbyterian, or, as it was originally called, Mahoning
Presbyterian Church, is the oldest religious organization in Danville.
While this place was still known as "Mahoning Settlement," Rev.
John Bryson was the first Presbyterian minister. He preached at
first in Gen. Montgomery's dwelling house, and when the congrega-
tion became to large services were held in the barn. The first, or
the old log, church was built 1778 or 1779. The logs for the church
were nicely prepared. They were scored by George Maus and Isaac
Boudman. They were hewn by Thomas Hughes. This church
stood until 1826, when a plain brick church was built. This modest
structure was the sacred temple in which the generations worshipped
that is now passing away. Though services had been held with some
degree of regularity as early as 1777 the congregation was not or-
ganized until 1785. Unfortunately there exists at the present time
no complete record of the church in those early days. Our sketch
must, therefore, of necessity, be very brief in relation to a subject
so full of interest to many who are now living here and elsewhere.
Among those who contributed to preaching of the Gospel in
"Mahoning Settlement," previous to the organization of the church,
were William Montgomery, Peter Blue, Gilbert Vorhes, David Good-
man, John Emmitt, John Wilson, John Irwin, Peter Mellick, Robert
Carr, John Clark, John Black, Daniel Kelly, Garret Van Camp,
William Gray, Joseph Barry, Martin Todd, John Evart, Peter Rambo,
Andrew Cochran, Charles McClahan, James Grimes, William Lemon,
William Montgomery, Jr., Robert Giles, Joseph Rosenberry, and
David Subingall.
At a later period, namely, in 1793, the salary to be paid to the
pastor by Mahoning church was fixes at seventy-five pounds per an-
num, said pastor to divide his services between Mahoning and Derry
congregations. The salary was guaranteed by Joseph Biggers, Hugh
Caldwell, Thomas Gaskins, James Stephenson, William Donaldson,
John Emmett, Sr., Robert Donaldson, John Donaldson, Joseph Wil-
liams, John Woodside, George Caldwell, John Jones, William Colt,
John Montgomery, Daniel Barton, Christian Campbell, Robert Wil-
liams, Alex. McMunigal, William Montgomery, Jr., John Moore,
Daniel Montgomery, Robert Montgomery, John Carr, James Loug-
head, Robert Campbell, Thomas Best, James Consart, Gilbert Vor-
hees, James Curry, Peter Blue, Andrew Cochran, M. Gulick, Richard
Robinson, Jacob Gearhart, Jr., Frederick Blue, John Emmett, Jr.,
John Young, Elias Harrison, Isaac Woodruff, Stephen Hunt, Albert
Ammerman, and Philip Young. The congregation, as stated, was
organized in 1785. Gen. William Montgomery was chosen an elder
at the same time, and continued an active and faithful officer until
his death, which occurred in 1816.
The brick church built in 1826 was a neat and plain structure
presenting quite a picturesque appearance, embowered as it was in a
grove of forest trees. The new church is a massive and handsome
structure of artistic stone-work in the Gothic order of architecture,
and was dedicated in 1875. It occupies the site of the old brick
church on the Knoll, surrounded by the remaining forest trees and
grove of beautiful young maples that were planted to take the place of
the ancient oaks that are rapidly passing away. The building of this
magnificent temple was superintended by Mr. Joseph Diehl, a mas-
ter mechanic and builder, whose handiwork is seen on many a pub-
lic and private building in this region. As previously stated Rev.
Bryson was the first pastor of Mahoning, now the Grove Presbyte
rian church, and with the aid of the old pioneers he laid the founda-
tions deep and strong for a lasting church, a religious home to bless
the passing generations for centuries to come. Rev. Patterson was
a worthy successor. His ministration was long and abundantly
blessed. Greatly beloved by his people, his name is still a house-
hold word among their descendants. Rev. Dunlap succeeded him
in pastorate of Mahoning church, and he was followed by Rev.
Halliday.
Then came Rev. Doctor Yeomans, who, as a scholar, a preacher,
and pastor, will be long and gratefully remembered. He died in
this place, universally lamented, as every christian knew that a good
man and a strong leader had been called away. During his pastor-
ate, about 1849 or 1850, the question of a new church edifice was
agitated. There was some division of sentiment in reference to its
location. A portion favored the erection of the new church on the
south side of the canal, and others adhered to the old site in the
grove, now rendered doubly dear as the place where their fathers and
mothers had worshipped. The former succeeded. A new church
was built on Mahoning street, and Rev. Doctor Yeomans continued
his ministry in the new church. The adherents to the Grove were
without a regular pastor, as the organization, with the pastor, had
gone with the new church. In 1855, however, Presbyterian organ-
ized a new congregation in the old church, and called it "Mahon-
ing Presbyterian Church, North." But this title was considered too
cumbrous, and through the efforts of Rev. C. J. Collins and others
it was changed to the more convenient and more euphonious name
of "The Grove Presbyterian Congregation." Rev. C. J. Collins
was the first pastor. He remained some ten years and resigned to
assume the duties of an educator in an institution of learning. Rev.
Collins was somewhat austere, an excellent scholar, and an eloquent
preacher, but not remarkable for his knowledge of human nature,
and, consequently, less a pastor than a preacher. He had a deep
bass voice ---- sanguine in temperament and full of patriotism, he
preached some flaming war sermons, as well as many eloquent dis-
courses on the christian warfare. He was succeeded by Rev. Doctor
J. Gordon Carnachan, a graduate of Scotland's most celebrated uni-
versity, and a profound scholar. For close logical reasoning and
theological attainments, he has few equals in this county, and his
impassioned perorations touched the finest chords of the human
heart. Dr. Carnachan is not only an eloquent preacher but a man
of commanding ability, unexcelled in this country as a Greek and
Hebrew scholar, on whom the greatest university of Europe con-
ferred its highest honor. He left this place to take charge of a con-
gregation in Meadville, where he still remains. He was followed in
the pastorate of the Grove church, by Rev. Reuben H. Van Pelt.
Rev. Van Pelt was a good man, and an earnest preacher. If more
limited in his mental power than his predecessor, he was more suc-
cessful in his pastoral relations. Rev. W. A. McAtee was next called
to the charge of the Grove church. And whilst he engaged the
affection and confidence of his people, as a faithful shepherd and a
man of more than ordinary ability, there is some difficulty in cor-
rectly analysing his mind. A shade of sadness at times seemed to
fall on his most brilliant effors, and a far-away expression succeeded
the moments of rapture. But none doubted his goodness, none
questioned his ability, nor did his people withhold their love and re-
spect. After his resignation Rev. John B. Grier became the pastor
of the Grove congregation. He is the youngest son of M. C.
Grier, who was long an elder in that church, and lately deceased.
The Grier family has given the church a number of eminent preach-
ers, and Rev. John B. Grier bids fair to maintain the high degree
of ability and usefulness to which they attained. His learning,
his aptness to teach, and his vivid imagination, inspired by the
spirit of religion, cannot fail to result in the accomplishment of
his mission. With a critical, and yet a comprehensive mind, cul-
tured with care; a generous nature open to all; and, though young
in years, yet strong in the spirit and power of the Gospel; who will
say he is not destined to eminence in his high profession? Among
the families connected with the old church, and whose descendants
still worship in the Grove, mention is made of the Montgomerys,
Maus, Currys, Yorks, Diehls, Griers, McMahans, Magills, Walizes,
Cathcarts, Boudmans, Moores, Gearharts, and Russels.
The Grove church contains the largest organ in Danville, costing
some three thousand dollars.
This page is maintained by Terri Cook as part of the USGenWeb Project.
©2001. Terri Cook. All rights reserved.