Sources Discussing Disciples of Christ Church in Sharon, Mercer, Pennsylvania

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Sharon, Mercer, Pennsylvania, United States
Surnames/tags: Sharon_Pennsylvania McCleery Hull

The following excerpts describe the birth of the evangelical "Disciple of Christ" movement in Sharon, Pennsylvania, in the 19th century under the influences of the philosophies of Alexander Campbell and the development of a "circuit preaching" system.

Mercer residents named in order of appearance in the two excerpts: Baptists:

• Thomas G. Jones
• Preacher Adamson Bentley
• Jesse Hall
• John Morford
• Ed Wright
• Isaiah Jones

Church of Christ reformers/ early members:

• John McCleery [and wife Sarah?]
• Pastor George McCleery
• Hugh McCleery
• Preacher Walter Scott
• Preacher Thomas Campbell
• Daniel Upson Budd, farmer
• George Bentley (of Warren?)
• Bashara Hull and wife Rhoda Higbee Hull
• Obadiah Hull and wife Mary Ann Morford Hull
• Benjamin Reno
• James Morford
• Anna Hoagland (d. after 1888)
• John [Hoagland?]
• Jesse Hoagland, cabinet-maker and wife Elizabeth
• Samuel McCleery
• John Dunlap
• Martin Dunham and wife Polly
• Hannah Morford
• Phoebe Morford
• Almira Hull
• Lemual Clark and wife Sarah DeWolf
• Rachel Hover
• Leah Hover
• Mary McCleery, Sr.

Later leaders:

• Joseph McCleery (son of George)
• Pastor John T. Smith
• Pastor John T. Phillips (returned to pulpit 1870)
• Pastor Harvey Brockett
• Pastor Calvin Smith
• Pastor Thomas Munnell
• Pastor C. C. Foot
• Pastor Edwin Wakefield

[ to 1857]

• Pastor Matthias Christy
• Pastor H. D. Carlton
• Rev Dr. Goodrich

[preachers 1857-1862]

• Pastor Orange Higgins, term 1871-75
• Pastor Peter Vogel, 1875-76
• Pastor T. B. Knowles, 1876-78
• Pastor W. F. Parker, 1880-81
• Pastor E. A. Bosworth, 1881-1884
• Pastor C. G. Brelos, 1885-86
• Pastor A. A. McCorkle, 1888

Apparently external to the community (visitors, those who moved west):

• William Hayden (of Austintown)
• John Henry
• ______ Bosworth (of Bracewell)
• ______ Applegate
• ______ Allerton
• Prof. Amaziah Hull of Oscaloosa, Iowa
• J. B. McCleery of Kansas
• Elder Isaac Errett, of Warren, Ohio, then editor of Christian Standard of Cincinnati
• Prof. Burke A. Hinsdale of Cleveland, Ohio and the Christian Church
• William Baxter of New Lisbon, Ohio
• Pastor L. Osborn, of Youngstown
• Pastor H. B. Sherman of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
• A. S. Hayden
• Jonas Hartzell
• Dr. W. A. Belding
• Wesley Lanphear
• J. Harrison Jones

A. S. Hayden, Early History of the Disciplies, C H A P T E R X I I.

The cause planted in Sharon--Four evangelists in the field--The church in Hubbard--John Applegate--Bazetta receives the word--Biography of Calvin Smith.

N Sharon, on the Shenango, over the border in Pennsylvania, was a church under Baptist colors. It was constituted in 1804, with twenty-eight members. In 1806, it sent Thomas G. Jones, A. Bentley, then young, Jesse Hall, John Morford and Ed Wright, as messengers to the Red Stone Association, in Brooke County, Va. In 1814, Isaiah Jones, the father of our J. H. Jones, appears as its messenger. For a few years before the principles of reformation made a stir, this church had associated with those on the Western Reserve. The elements in it were not harmoniously blended. The family of McCleery had emigrated from Tubbermore, Ireland, where they had profited by the instructions of that profound teacher, Alexander Carson. Holding clear views of the Bible, they responded promptly to the call for setting the churches in order, according to New Testament usages. The father, John McCleery, to venerable years added intelligence and decision. His sons, George, a preacher, and Hugh, a genial, and also an influential member, and others of the same enterprising family, were awake to the reformatory movement which was making conquests in all quarters. The opposition was aroused to prevent [267] the spread of these new doctrines; but these brethren plead for the justice of a fair hearing of them, before they should be condemned. Hugh McCleery went to Warren for Bentley and Scott, who were soon on the ground, and who preached in Sharon the same gospel which began in Jerusalem eighteen hundred years ago. The same results followed; for "those who gladly received the word were baptized;" and had the church been the same as that at Jerusalem, it might have been said, "and the same day they were added" to the church. But the church utterly refused them admittance, because they had not come before the members, told a "Christian experience," and been accepted by a vote of the church. Bentley had already gone, and Scott left them immediately after these conversions. Elder Thomas Campbell then came, but all his influence for reconciliation was unavailing. He wrote to the church a very conciliatory letter, deprecating division, and beseeching them to shelter the lambs. The reply was a stern refusal. Meanwhile, the time arrived for the "June meeting" of the Baptists, to assemble in Sharon. Scott and Bentley had returned, but the hostility was now so bitter that these three excellent and venerable ministers, as also all who sympathized with them, were expressly refused admittance into their meeting-house. The excitement in the community was running high, and Daniel Budd, Esq., a reputable gentleman, fitted up his barn and opened it to the reformers, where, on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, they proclaimed, to a multitude of people, the ancient gospel, which had filled the Roman Empire with its conquests before any of the modern sects arose. On Monday, the [268] fourth one in June, 1829, on the bank of the river, after the baptism of some converts, was formed the church of Christ in Sharon. They were forced to this step, after much persevering effort to prevent a separation. Seventeen of the Baptist members united then, and more soon afterward. About thirty were that day enrolled with devout invocations by these three brethren, for blessings upon them from the Head of the church. George Bentley, Bashara Hull, with their families, and the McCleery family, were in the newly organized church.

The declared policy of the old church was non-intercourse. A resolution was passed excluding the wives of Benjamin Reno and James Morford, for breaking the loaf with the disciples. The former, who was a deacon, arose and protested against such an unchristian act, and announced his withdrawal from their fellowship. Morford, a deacon and clerk, laid down his pen, his office and his membership, refusing to be a party to such a proceeding. Both became pillars in the new organization. The church, by resolution, excluded all who united with the disciples.

The new church had considerable talent in its members; and they were firm, zealous and united. Converts were multiplied. Hayden came often among them, as did Henry also, and the persuasive Bosworth. Applegate was near, and was quick to help. Allerton visited them and brought in a large number. And "having obtained help from God" through the hands of many of his servants, they continue a prosperous brotherhood in Christ.

These brethren have done much for Christ. Two [269] ministers have arisen among them, Prof. Amaziah Hull, of Oscaloosa, Iowa, and J. B. McCleery, of Kansas. Many of great usefulness in the West were trained for their work in Sharon.

The association was appointed to meet in this (Baptist) church in Sharon, August, 1829, little anticipating the revolution which was to take place in it before that time. When that body convened, it found a new church, just organized on purely gospel grounds, all alive and strong in faith, ready to give it welcome. A very large and joyful meeting was the result. It was attended by T. Campbell, Scott, Bentley, Hayden, Henry, Bosworth, Applegate, McCleery, and many others. It kept no records; nor did the great one at Warren transmit any account of its transactions. This was doubtless an error and a misfortune.

The reports from all parts of the field were highly encouraging, and the association felt called upon to send out more reapers into the ripening fields. It selected four brethren, Scott, of Canfield; Hayden, of Austintown; Bentley of Warren; and Bosworth of Braceville; all of Trumbull County; and sent them out under the seal of her sanction and authority to go forth "to preach and teach Jesus Christ."

A SYSTEM OF ITINERANCY.

These four proclaimers formed for themselves, and followed during the greater part of the years 1829-30, a very complete and simple plan. It was understood to be chiefly the work of William Hayden. The writer of these notes, from an original sketch put into his hands by him, prepared a copy of it for each of the evangelists. [270]

A circuit was established, including sixteen stations at convenient distances apart. It was arranged that four of the places should have preaching every Lord's day; and also, that in the course of a month each of the sixteen places would be favored with a Lord's day service. The other days of the week being also employed, all of these posts had frequent preaching.

Several advantages resulted from this arrangement:

1. As the preachers followed one another in a regular and fixed order, the churches always knew who was coming;

2. They had regular times for the preaching and knew when to expect it;

3. Each preacher knew, at any time, where each one of the others was;

4. It afforded a profitable variety of talent and instruction, giving to each community the benefit of all the talents;

5. It removed any grounds of dissatisfaction arising from the practice of limiting the more brilliant speakers to the stronger communities, leaving to the weaker places the less eligible gifts; a practice which has caused many a well begun opening to wither, and forced many an honest and earnest worker out of the field.

This scheme of "circuit preaching" pleased as long as it lasted. But there was no general manager who, as openings were made beyond these limits, could "send forth more laborers into the vineyard." Moreover, the " laborers were few; " consequently, as the Macedonian cry came up from all quarters, by letters and by messengers, it became impossible to confine these evangelists. They could not resist these [271] appeals. Scott, somewhat erratic, distanced all bounds. He was moved at beholding the whole country a prey to sectarianism, and having the jewel of the "ancient gospel" in his possession, he was confident it would soon turn the whole mutilated and dismembered profession of Christianity back to the original apostolic unity. So, like a hero dismantled of arrangements which he felt to be an encumbrance, he flew where the finger of God directed, and stirred the land with the tidings of the gospel.

The others maintained their course for awhile. But one after another they yielded to calls for help, and so fell this first attempt at systematic order in preaching the gospel.

"

History of Mercer County, 1888, page 388-389

Disciples or Christian Church. This organization in Sharon owes its origin to the visit of Adamson Bentley and Walter Scott, in the spring of 1828. These gentlemen were advocates of the doctrines then being promulgated by Alexander Campbell, and came to Sharon by invitation of the Baptists of the village, for whom they held a series of meetings. Thirteen candidates were baptized, but a difficulty arising as to the manner of their reception into the church they, with twenty from the Baptist organization, thirty-three members all told, formed themselves into a new organization on the last Monday of June, 1828.

Of these charter members the following names have been recovered by Joseph McCleery, to whom we are indebted for the collection of most of the facts herein contained. The following is the list: Bashara Hull and wife Rhoda, Obadiah Hull and wife Mary Ann, Anna Hoagland (still living), John

Within three years from the date of the organization the following, with others whose names cannot be recalled, were added: Jesse Hoagland and wife Elizabeth, Joseph Hoagland and wife Anna, Richard Hoagland, John McCleery and wife Sarah, Samuel McCleery, John Dunlap, Daniel Upson Budd, Martin Dunham and wife Polly, Hannah Morford, Phoebe Morford, Almira Hull, Lemual Clark and wife, Sarah DeWolf, Rachel Hover, Leah Hover, Mary McCleery, Sr.

The first preaching was done in the barn of Daniel Budd, who prepared the building specially for such use. This building answered the purpose well enough for summer and autumn services. It was occupied because the feeling engendered by the organization of a new congregation prevented their using the Baptist house. The second regular place of worship was the cabinet-shop of Jesse Hoagland, which was so occupied for several years. When he sold it preaching was done in private houses and school buildings until 1840. At that time a frame structure, about 30x40, was erected outside of the town limits, near the present furnace of Spearman, Collord & Co. It was occupied until 1852, when, owing to its ineligibility as a place of worship, it was sold to the furnace for a store-house. In 1852 a brick edifice, 40x54, was erected on Rail Road Street at a cost of about $2,000. It was dedicated in December of that year, Elder Isaac Errett, then of Warren, Ohio, but now editor of the Christian Standard, of Cincinnati, delivering the address. In October, 1881, the congregation purchased its present house on the corner of Vine and Pitt Streets for $3, 500. It was erected in 1874 by the Second Presbyterian Church, and dedicated by them February 14, 1875, the entire expense being $10,500. It was re-dedicated by the Christian Church, Prof. Burke A. Hinsdale, of Cleveland, Ohio, delivering the address.

This congregation has had quite an array of preaching talent. At the organization were present Walter Scott, Adamson Bentley and Thomas Campbell. As an assistant in this preliminary work was George McCleery, father of Joseph McCleery, who is still president of Sharon, and an active worker in the congregation which his father assisted in establishing. George McCleery was for many years after the organization of the congregation its cherished pastor and spiritual adviser. Following George McCleery came, in regular succession, John T. Smith, John T. Phillips, Harvey Brockett, Calvin Smith, Thomas Munnell, C. C. Foot and Edwin Wakefield. These men, employed usually about a year each, nurtured the congregation from the time the pastoral labors of George McCleery ceased to the year 1857, when the records begin to be more definite and authentic. Matthias Christy, H. D. Carlton and Dr. Goodrich were then employed a portion of their time for a year or so each. Their labors preserved the flock up to 1862. From this date to 1870 meetings were suspended on account of the agitations of the war, sickness, removals, apathy, etc. From July to October, 1870, John T. Phillips preached every two weeks. In October of that year William Baxter, of New Lisbon, Ohio, reorganized the congregation with seventy-two members. Its sustenance from the close of this meeting until April, 1871, was obtained from supplies received from various quarters. In April, 1871, Orange Higgins was employed, and remained as pastor four years. He was succeeded by Peter Vogel, who continued one year. In September, 1876, T. B. Knowles was secured, and remained as pastor two years. For a year following the congregation again depended upon supplies, John T. Phillips and William Baxter being the chief reliance. In February, 1880, W. F. Parker was employed, and continued to labor one year. In April, 1881, E. A. Bosworth was secured. He staid three years. C. G. Brelos was in charge of the work from February, 1885, to September, 1886; Resort was again had to supplies until the summer of 1887. From that time to February, 1888, L. Osborn, of Youngstown, preached every two weeks. During the month of January, 1888, a protracted meeting was held by H. B. Sherman, of Lock Haven, Penn. A. A. McCorkle has been employed to take pastoral charge of the church, commencing February 1, 1888. There have been many irregular preachers at Sharon, preachers who have aided in protracted meetings and on special occasions. Among these may be mentioned Isaac Errett, William Hayden, A. S. Hayden, John Henry, Jonas Hartzell, B. A. Hinsdale, Dr. W. A. Belding, Wesley Lanphear, J. Harrison Jones and H. B. Sherman. The membership at present is about ninety.