New Bedford
Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Hopewell
The congregation of Hopewell organized in 1800, an elevated platform with a canopy was constructed for a "tent church" shortly after a log church was erected just a few years and a revival a larger log church was erected. A larger frame building was erected on the same property later replaced by a larger second frame building. The Hopewell congregation outgrew the building, merging with New Bedford U.P. Church (Deer Creek) forming New Bedford Presbyterian Church. The last frame building was dismantled after the merger.
Beginnings
Until 1799, families were meeting in houses or in lawns for celebrating the Lord's Day. With inspiration from evangelists within the Second Great Awakening (1790-1840) a desire to have a "meetinghouse" and a formal minister grew. Recognized by the Synod Presbytery of East Ohio, in 1800, seventeen charter members organized the Hopewell Presbyterian Church of New Bedford, PA. The services were held under a sugar maple tree in Capt. Alex Thompson's yard. A platform and cover was erected for the minister forming the "tent church" logs were hewn for pews.
Charter Members: Tho. Laughlin, William Porter, Mrs. Esther Wright, Mrs. Betsy Porter, Wm. Porter, Alex Wright, Wm. Bell, Mrs. Elizabeth Bell, William Bell Jr., John Anderson, Mrs. Isabelle Anderson, Jax. Walker, Mrs. Mary Walker, Margaret Johnson, Jane Moore, Polly Bell, W. Morrison, and Mrs. Anna Morrison.
First Pastor
Through the Presbytery of Hartford and the Connecticut Missionary Society, Rev. William Wick of New York and later, Rev. Joseph Badger were the first ministers to be funded to serve the Connecticut Western Reserve (Ohio Territory). Having news of minister in Youngstown, Ohio, a representative of the forming congregation of Hopewell met with Rev. William Wick. Joseph Badger arrived in the fall of 1800 and stayed in Youngstown. William Wick took on congregations in Youngstown and Western Pennsylvania (Hopewell). Wick preached as early as 1799 in private houses in Youngstown and Western Pennsylvania. Between 1799 and 1801, Wick served a congregation in Youngstown, Hopewell and Neshannock (formed out of Hopewell, later moved to New Wilmington). The congregations prospered under the faithful ministry of Rev. Wick. In 1802, the Synod, requested that Wick remain with Youngstown and Hopewell, leaving Neshannock without a pastor for a few years.
Of Puritan decent, William Wick was born on Long Island, New York, June 29, 1768. In 1790, Wick, moved to Washington county, Pennsylvania, and married Miss Elizabeth McFarland in 1794. His wife encouraged Wick to pursue an education in ministry. Completing the theological academical course at Cannonsburg in 1797 under the direction of Dr. McMillan. The newly formed Presbytery of Ohio on Aug. 28, 1799 licensed William Wick to preach. In 1803 the religious interest grew through the Second Great Awakening resulting in congregations being able to support Rev. Wick.
Rev. Wick taught school in the log cabin meetinghouse at Hopewell, which was attended by William Holmes McGuffey and his sister Jane. McGuffey studied under Wick. At the age of 14 McGuffey took over teaching the classes when William Wick died. McGuffey's parents and grandparents are interred at Hopewell Cemetery.
A severe cold set in on Rev. William Wick in 1814 that affected his lungs. Faithfully, Rev. Wick continued to preach during the winter. His strength rapidly failed and died at Hopewell March 29, 1815 at the age of 47. Faithful during his sixteen years of called ministry.
First Log Church
By 1801, the desire to have a building came to fruition. Members constructed a log cabin out of hewn logs. A ground floor, a stove in the center of the room and greased paper windows, this building served as both a church meetinghouse and a school. Bench seats were constructed of slab wood and pegs for legs.
Rev. William Wick, the first pastor, taught school and preached in the log church. The most notable student of Rev. Wick was William Holmes McGuffey.
REVIVAL!
The membership of the Hopewell Congregation greatly increased as a Revival swept through the area between 1801-1803. The revival was the Second Great Awakening (1790-1840) that was sweeping the nation from New England, through New York State sweeping through Pennsylvania the Ohio Territory into Kentucky. The "Conviction that the Dawn of the Millennium" was at hand. Evangelists would travel the region preaching.
Many churches, including Hopewell, were visited during revival seasons with the "Falling Service." Men and Women would fall off their seats in the meetings, even off their feet, and lay in a state of partial unconsciousness, unable to move for ten, twenty, even thirty minutes, and in some instances longer. The effects were VARIED and WONDERFUL. No physical cause could be assigned for their state, sometimes the individual was happy and sometimes in great anguish of spirit. Although appearing unconscious, persons affected could understand and reflect on what what they heard and saw when in full consciousness.
People were cautioned to resist giving away to feeling: but these manifestations were BEYOND HUMAN CONTROL. It was surely the work of the LORD's hand, and He alone has the explanation thereof.
SECOND LOG CHURCH
After the Revival swept through the area 1801-1803, the congregation grew and a need for a larger building was realized as people were leaning over one another in the building while others stood outside.
Agreements were made with Ault's Mill, Davis's Mill, Logan's Mill, and McGill's Mill on the 12th day of June, 1804 for both funds and material to construct the second, larger log church. Session excised a tax of a dollar on three bushels of wheat, corn, and rye, so that the production of whiskey became the support for the church building and the minister at the time. Build it on the backs of heathens, drunkards, and sinners was the motto.
The new building was constructed from hewn logs, boasted three doors, and had the pulpit elevated on a high platform on the side of the room reached by a stairway. Two wood stoves were needed to heat the building. In 1812, the trustees were permitted to sell the wood stoves and purchase a coal stove.
Rev. William Wick continued his ministry and teaching school in the Second Log Church. In 1815, Rev. Wick succumbed to his illness and died. William Holmes McGuffey, a student of Rev. Wick, began teaching at age 14 in the log church.
In 1828 a Sabbath School was organized, with a constitution, board of directors, and a manager. The directors chose a superintendent, treasurer, and a secretary. The main duty of the superintendent was that "a serious address should be often given to the school by him."
This building was used until 1848 when the congregation outgrew it.
Out of One, Many
Hopewell, formally organized in 1800, had congregants from across the region (Mercer, Plain Grove, New Castle, Mahoning, the Ohio Territory) in attendance. Another congregation in Youngstown was also pastored by Rev. William Wick. The congregation grew.
Neshannock Presbyterian 1802. NESHANNOCK As the congregation grew, some attending from New Wilmington proposed the idea of separating and forming their own congregation in New Wilmington. As the Neshannock congregation was formed; the Synod met concerning the pastoral charge. Rev. William Wick was to remain with Youngtown and Hopewell. Neshannock became "vacant" (without a pastor) for several years.
Pulaski Presbyterian 1837. PULASKI Members at Hopewell formed a new church in the Village of Pulaski, establishing Pulaski Presbyterian June 19, 1837. Records state that the congregation met, A. Wright was chosen chairman. Resolved, that the sense of the congregation be taken with regard to a congregation being organized in Pulaski. The vote being taken, it was carried in favor of a congregation being organized.
Coitsville Presbyterian 1837. COITSVILLE A new church was organized in Coitsville, Ohio. Hopewell dismissed members desiring to attend at Coitsville. April 12, 1837, a number of members were dismissed to connect themselves with a church being organized at Coitsville, Ohio.
Nashua Orthodox 1950. NASHUA Remodeling projects at Hopewell Presbyterian and the New Bedford United Presbyterian (Deer Creek) caused some people to leave and form Nashua Orthodox Church that met in the old Nashua, one room, School.
Lining, Psalters, to Choir
In early years, because of a scarcity of books and in part from the fact that some of the people could not read, it was the custom to elect two clerks at the annual congregational meeting. The clerk stood in front of the pulpit to line out the hymn before singing and also to start the tune. In 1837, an act of session, it was "Resolved that the congregation sing without parceling out the lines." At a meeting dated January 24, 1855, the clerk was requested to select a few singers from the congregation to assist with the singing. This is the earliest record of having a choir in the church. In 1878 the Presbyterian Hymnal was first used in the services at Hopewell.
First Frame Church
In 1848, the Second Log Church was outgrown. It was decided that a frame building be constructed at the size of 40 by 50 feet. Allen McCord was appointed as the contractor at $1,000. It consisted of one large audience room, wood floor, it was plain and stood without modern conveniences. Satisfied with the Frame Church, it was proposed to not pollute it with quid of tobacco and spit. Spittoons were added to the pews to keep the floor clean. Records state: "RESOLVED, that the seats be provided with spit boxes."
Free Church
In 1837 sharp divisions began and grew in Hopewell over the slavery issue. Anti-Slavery, Anti-War (neutral), and Pro-Slavery were the three fiercely divided groups. Numbers were greatly reduced as time moved closer to the Civil War it seemed as if Hopewell's sun had set.
A new division within the Presbyterian Denomination into what was called Old and New school churches. Hopewell sent delegates and memorials to the General Assembly asking for reaffirming action of the 1818 Assembly that condemned human slavery. No action of assembly was taken on the matter.
Heated were the times. Great excitement over the subject of slavery. 1840 Resolutions were presented in Session. The first March 16, 1840 outlined the evil of slavery and actions the pastorate and congregation should take. Complaints dated March 23, 1840 concerning increasing the excitement and the Pastor clarifying his stance on the subject as concern of negative perception of the March 16 resolutions. Both sets of resolutions were presented at Presbytery on September 15, 1840. The Resolutions.
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Anti-slavery members seceded from Hopewell forming a new congregation. Rev. John Knox, Rev. A.B. Bradford, Rev. S.A. McClain and Rev. Wells Bushnell withdrew from the Presbyterian Church and formed the Free Presbyterian Church that continued till the end of the Civil War. The Free Church in New Bedford was built in 1844 and used for church services by the Free Church congregation. The lot was purchased from J.J Miller.
The pro-slavery group joined with Beulah Associate Reformed Church. Hopewell remained with the anti-war or neutral congregation.
In 1871 after the Civil War and tensions eased the Free Church reunited back with Hopewell. Five elders were elected, three from Hopewell and two from the Free Church. The elders were: Hiram Dallery, Nathaniel Moore, David Anderson, Scott McCready, and Francis Morrison.
The Building became the Town Hall after a congregational meeting dated, November 23, 1869. It was resolved that "The trustees be and are hereby authorized to convey the church property to Jos. Wright, T.H. Shields and John Porter, for the following uses and trusts, to-wit: To hold the same for the purpose of the free discussion of all subjects proper to be discussed before the public and for all performances calculated to promote social, moral and intellectual improvement of the people at large. Resolved further, that upon failure of trustees by death , resignation, removal, or or any other disabling cause, the Court of Common Pleas of the County shall on petition of proper persons appoint trustees in their places."
A Methodist Episcopal Congregation meeting at a church building in Frizzleburg, by the cemetery. After a fire that destroyed the building the congregation met in school buildings then moved to the New Bedford Town Hall. After a few years of meeting in the town hall, the Methodist Congregation dissolved then merged into Hopewell. April 29, 1909 the building was destroyed by fire. A second building was constructed and was debt free by November 21, 1909.
Second Frame Church
In 1892 construction began on the Second Frame Church Building. February 9, 1893 the meetinghouse was dedicated. Participating in the services were: Dr. Wm. Taylor, Rev. J.P. Davis, Rev. Snodgrass, Rev. Stewart, Rev. Brownell, Rev. J.A. Brandon and Douglass. The building committee consisted of David Black, David Anderson, and S.H. Ferree. The amount of $527 was collected to dedicate the $7,000 building debt free.