200th Anniversary Reflections

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St. John’s Episcopal Church June 2020 Huntingdon, PA 200th Anniversary Reflections

Ministers in History Over the next few months our committee will go into depth about each of the men (& women) who have shaped and molded our parish. It is Sandy McBride, 1998 interesting as they come sometimes as deacons, or missionaries, or priests, and in the early years – even when travel was difficult, they were part of multiple churches. Inside this issue This month we will explore our beginnings and Trinity Sunday……...…….…...... … 2 the many missionaries who came to preach and This Month in St. John’s History …... 3 how our members reacted… Our Beginnings …………….….…… 3 1. Dr William Smith (1774) ....…...… 3 Come join us on our journey as we look at the 2. Rev. Jackson Kemper (1814) ……..4 last 200 years… 3. Rev Charles G. Snowden (1820) …5 Faithfully, 4. Rev. Norman Nash (1823) ………. 6 5. Rev. H.F. M. Whitesides (1836).….7 Bettianne Quinn 6. Rev. John Francis Hoff (1836). …..8 Special thanks & credits …..…....…...9 Chart of rectors covered……...….…..9 Addendum …………………………..9 Fun trip through time…last pages

P a g e | 2 This month liturgically – Trinity Sunday

June 15th, 1935 Special Services at St John's Church St John's Episcopal Church will observe Trinity Sunday, June 16th, (1935) with a specially beautiful service of Holy Communion at 10:45. The rector, the Reverend William T. Sherwood, will deliver the sermon on the subject, “the Doctrine of the Holy Trinity - What does it mean to practical Christian living today?” Trinity Sunday is a festival observed by the entire Christian Church, for the past 15 centuries, and comes always immediately after Whitsunday, or Pentecost, which in turn comes the 50th day after Easter, and commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the waiting disciples in the upper room. On the Trinity Festival, the altar is decked in white and the ornaments are all white and it is a general day of rejoicing. The doctrine which is brought to mind, of the “three in one and one and three,” though one of the central teachings of the Christian religion is not easily understood - perhaps never fully comprehended; still like the scientific doctrine of relativity, which is also a doctrine hard to understand, this teaching does have practical consequences of the greatest importance, and is now proved by the results which flow from it. In this way it is entirely analogous to the scientific doctrine mentioned.

Huntingdon Daily News, June 15, 1935

Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost. This year it falls on June 7, 2020 Hopefully we too will have a “specially beautiful service!”

1. Of the Holy Trinity

Almighty God, you have revealed to your Church your eternal Being of glorious majesty and perfect love as one God in Trinity of Persons: Give us grace to continue steadfast in the confession of this faith, and constant in our worship of you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; for you live and reign, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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This Month in Our Beginnings… St. John’s History As we look at our beginnings, we also need to look at the town of Huntingdon’s beginnings and our nation.  On June 20, 1845 John W Between 1754 & 1763 was the French and Indian war, Claghorn of followed by the stamp act of 1765. Anglican Ministers presented a bell for the in general were thought to be partial to England, and new church. many left during the Revolutionary war. Since there  June 5, 1873 Rev. Mead were no bishops yet in the colonies, to become a accepted the formal call to minister one had to be ordained in England (or preach at St. John. Scotland). One such minister was The Rev. Dr. William Smith. He was born near Aberdeen, Scotland, Sept. 7,  June 20, 1883 the Vestry 1727; graduated from the University of Aberdeen in sent a letter to other Juniata River Valley March 1747; and arrived in America on May 1, 1751. towns asking them to join His views made an impression on Benjamin Franklin, in paying for a missionary who invited him to take charge of the Academy of to serve them all – but it Philadelphia (now Univ. of Penn), but first Dr. Smith was unsuccessful. went to England in 1753, and in December of that year  June 14, 1890 Rev. he was ordained successively Deacon and then Priest in Stewart Keeling began his the Church of England. He returned to Philadelphia in ministry here. May 1754, and on the 24th of that month was installed as Provost of the Academy of Phila. Yet friction started  June 1, 1910 the Rev. between him and Franklin, and his desire to leave Henry Sherman Smart Philadelphia caused him to go south to Maryland where took charge of the church and was the author of one he helped start and become the first president of the first histories of the of Washington College in Chestertown, MD. church. Smith also ventured westward. In 1767, he bought a large  June 1, 1941 Father tract of land along the Standing Stone Creek. The next Sherwood left after 9 year (1768) he laid out a town which he named years of service. Huntingdon in honor of the Countess of Huntingdon who  June 1981 – altar was had made a generous contribution to Washington College, moved to its present which he had just founded. In 1774, he returned to location. Huntingdon and announced that he would be glad to baptize anyone desiring to receive the sacrament. To his

surprise, 80 persons presented themselves for baptism -- the first such service held in Huntingdon County. This has been considered the beginnings of the Episcopal Ministry in Huntingdon. While many of the early settlers of Huntingdon were Episcopalians, and it is known that Dr. Smith on his visits here frequently held services; the formal date of the organization of the church is not known.

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Dr. William Smith (1774) continued- “Union Church” was the name of the church at On Nov. 14, 1795, the corner of Church and Fourth Streets. The there is a record that Lutherans started it, we joined them, then the Dr. Smith conveyed a Presbyterians. Services were held on alternate lot of ground for Sundays by the three congregations until 1826. church purposes in town to trustees for was ordained deacon in Philadelphia, and then a each religious body priest in 1814. He became assistant to Bishop then represented in White, having charge of three parishes in that the population. The city—a position held till June, 1831, a period of trustees for the twenty years. In vacation periods (1812, 1814, Protestant Episcopal 1819, and 1820), he served as border Church were Benjamin Elliott, Richard Smith missionary, doing excellent work for the church (his son), John Cadwallader, and Thomas in the western parts of Pennsylvania and Whittaker. Virginia, and eastern Ohio.

While Rev. Smith founded the town; bought The Huntingdon Gazette of October 27, 1814 land and offered services when he was here, contains the following announcement. “The he never was a full time resident. He did members of Protestant Episcopal Church are however return to the Philadelphia area and hereby informed that the Rev. Jackson Kemper was very active at the Episcopal conventions. will preach at Huntington Sunday next the 30th He had 7 children and 2 of his sons came to in and as such of the places in the country after live in Huntingdon. Richard Smith, his fifth that time as the members of said shall require of son, studied law and was active in politics. His wife, Letitia Nixon Smith, devoted her him. Parents who have children to baptize and time to the interests of education, Sunday adults desirous of baptism are advised to School and church. Thomas Smith, second embrace this opportunity.” There he found “a son, settled in Huntingdon after studying log church in a fair state of preservation, a medicine, and died in 1787 after a severe parsonage lapsing to ruin, and a little flock attack of yellow fever in Huntingdon. without a pastor, still faithful to the church and attached to her worship.” It was on his return 2. Right Reverend Jackson Kemper trip home from visiting several churches in the (1814) west – Pittsburgh, West Virginia, and Ohio that we think he visited Huntingdon. We have every The next minister to reason to believe he was the first clergyman of come on visits to the area was the Right the Church who ever preached west of the Rev. Jackson Kemper, Alleghanies. D.D. He was born at In 1831, Rev. Kemper became rector in Pleasant Valley, N.Y., Norwalk, Conn. In 1834, he went west again to Dec. 24, 1789. He for the Domestic and Foreign graduated Columbia Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal college in 1809, as Church. At the general convention of the valedictorian of his class. As soon as he had American church, in 1835, Dr. Kemper was reached the canonical age of 21 (in 1811), he elected its first missionary bishop, with his field P a g e | 5

Rev. Kemper (1814) continued 3. Rev. Charles G Snowden (1820) being the “Northwest.” Rev. Rev. Snowden had a short career as a priest and Kemper was Bishop White’s at St. John’s. From the Diocese Annual last Bishop consecration that Journals, it was reported that in 1820 – Charles he officiated. Kemper’s G. Snowden was a missionary at Millerstown territory committed to his and places adjacent. He was ordained a deacon care and ecclesiastical in 1819, then ordained a priest on Oct 16, 1820 authority was thought to be at St. James in Lancaster. In the 1821 Journal – the largest that has ever been Huntingdon was received into this convention entrusted to one man since and Charles Snowden was rector in Huntingdon, the apostles were sent forth ‘Shurlesburgh,’ and Waterstreet. Snowden had

May 2nd, 1820 – 36th Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Pennsylvania “A communication from the rector, wardens and vestrymen of a new congregation, lately formed at Muncy Creek, was read; and another from the congregation at Huntingdon, Huntingdon county, of the same import, in which they request to be admitted into connection with the churches represented in this convention. Applications were referred to the committee to examine whether in the present instance, those interested had complied with all the regulations required, and to report.” May 3, 1820 The committee appointed on the subject of the application from the new Congregations, at Muncy Creek, and at Huntingdon, reported, that although the papers were in some respects informal, they would recommend that the Congregations referred to be received into connection with this convention; whereupon on motion, it was resolved that St. James Church, and the Church at Huntingdon, be received in connexon, with the Churches, in this convention.

into the world. It consisted of all the territory reported in 1821 the following – Baptisms: 7 unoccupied by the Church from the degree 36 1-2 adults, 34 children, Communicants: 18, Deaths: to the north line of our possessions and westward 3 adults & 3 children, marriages:1. He also to the Pacific coast. Never, had a Bishop a larger reported for ‘Shurleysburgh’ and Water St. It field, never one more truly and permanently was interesting that in the 1822 Journal – successful in cultivating it. In 1854, he was Charles Snowden was absent, residing in elected bishop of Wisconsin, but still insisted on Bloomsburg; Huntingdon is listed as “church” remaining a missionary, and 4 years thereafter with no name. The last record for Snowden was traveled much in Indian Territory and Kansas. in 1823 “Charles G. Snowden, formally a He died May 24, 1870, at the age of 81. presbyter of this church, has been displaced by me from the ministry agreeably to the provisions of the 7th Canon of 1820.” (Canon While we joined the Diocese of 7= to govern in the case of a minister declaring Pennsylvania in 1820, the name “St. that he will no longer be a minister of the John’s” does not appear until 1823. Church).

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Rev Snowden continued saith he unto his disciples, the harvest truly is In our own church records, “Nothing more plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray ye is known of the parish until 1821, when therefore the Lord of the harvest that he will Rev. Charles Snowden was rector, with two send forth laborers into this harvest.’ This wardens, and a regularly chosen vestry.” scripture is literally true of Episcopalians there.”

In trying to narrow down his time here 2 4. Rev. Norman Nash (1823) weddings were found- Dec 5, 1820 – John In 1823, Rev. Norman Nash, Deacon, became Ashman wed Miss Eleanor Cromwell rector, but from 1824 to 1836 no record (daughter of the late Thomas Cromwell), by appears in the minute-book. (from church Rev. Snowden; Apr. 1821 – Samuel Keller wed Prudence Jackson, by Rev. Snowden. service book) From the 1823 Diocese Journal- “The Rev Norman Nash, formally a Deacon of the However, while our church records are Diocese of VA., has been transferred to this meager the Journal of the Diocese of diocese since his settlement in it. He has been Pennsylvania shed some extra light on a employed principally in efforts for the erection new person – This was his report in 1823 of St. Matthews church and for the organization of a congregation to worship in it but he has lately visited some vacant congregations in (The Rev Mr. Boyd) “I visited the County Huntingdon County at which there is a of Huntingdon in November 1822. The probability he may be settled.” Episcopalians in the town of Huntington

and it's the vicinity are numerous- 51 In May of 1823 – “The members of St. John's, persons, the most of whom have families, notwithstanding the many discouragements and profess to belong to the church. The house severe rebukes with which they have heretofore of worship is at present owned by them, in been tried, still continue to evince a zeal in the union with the Lutherans and Presbyterians; cause of Christ and an attachment to the but it is their intention, in the event of their interests of the church which is truly being able to obtain the stated services of a praiseworthy.” clergyman, either to purchase the whole of

the present building, or erect a new one. 12 “Mr. Nash has officiated in Huntington for children were baptized there. Mr. Davis, an nearly two months past, during which time he aged and pious member of the church at has had the satisfaction of meeting large and Huntington, accompanied me on my way to attentive congregations; but from the peculiar Shirleysburg, about 8 miles, who at parting, situation in which they have been unhappily with much feeling, begged that the friends placed, and his short acquaintance with the of the Redeemer would remember their congregation, cannot state the precise number of forlorn condition, and induce some zealous actual members.” [Bishop’s report in Journal] and pious minister to come and settle among them. On leaving this interesting neighborhood, I was forcibly reminded of Rev. Norman Nash, the youngest of 13 children was our Lord's words to his disciples. When he born about Nov. 17, 1790 in New Haven, CT. About saw the multitudes of his countrymen 1820 he began his ministerial labors as missionary without anyone to show them the way of in Hampshire County, VA.; having been ordained a Salvation. ‘they fainted and were scattered abroad as sheep having no Shepherd: then Deacon by the Rt. Rev. Richard Moore and labored so hard in mountainous region that his health failed. P a g e | 7

Rev. Norman Nash (1823) continued universally beloved and respected by those who In 1824 Rev. Nash was employed by the Society knew him and was frequently called upon to for the Advancement of Christianity in perform marriage ceremonies and also serve as Pennsylvania, who regularly sent out a physician. He died Nov. 11, 1870 in Port missionaries to various churches. Rev. Nash Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan, and is (listed in the journal as being employed by the buried there. society,) worked in Huntingdon along with churches in Thompsontown, Waynesburg, Lewistown, and many other places on the By 1826 the 3 religious groups which had Juniata. For his parochial report on St. John’s united to build the “Union Church” had specifically in 1824 he wrote, “This church has become so involved in debts that the interests of received the ministerial laborers of Mr. Nash but the Episcopal and Presbyterian congregations half of the Lord's day during the past year, were sold at Sheriff sale on Nov. 30, 1826 to during which time, the attention to the word and Henry Miller, who later tore it down and raised worship of God, the improvement in singing and a new brick building. the gradual increase of members have been truly pleasing and promising. Peace and harmony generally prevail among the members, and 5. Rev. Henry F. M. Whitesides (1836) between them and other denominations. A degree of zeal is manifested, and now happily From 1826 to 1836 the Episcopalians held delivered from the sorrows of this and some services in private homes and sometimes in the few, it is believed, have been savingly convert German Reformed Church. During the early life, are resting from their labours followed by part of the year (1836), Reverend H. Whitesides their works: but it is also feared, that there is of Lewistown served as pastor. not that general and anxious inquiry that “pressing into the kingdom of God,” through the Rev. Henry F. M. Whitesides was born in only way of repentance and faith, which every Lancashire England on the 22nd of July 1807. faithful minister of the gospel must ardently He was baptized on August 30 of the same year. desire to see manifested by the people of his At the age of 22 years, he emigrated to the charge: still, the hope seems to be sustained by , entering the port of Philadelphia evidence, that God is there, ‘separating to with his parents Richard and Jane and his sister himself a peculiar people, zealous of good Sarah. He was ordained Deacon of Episcopal works.’ The house of worship has been nearly Order in Philadelphia on August 15, 1835. He finished 4 baptisms, communicants not began a position, perhaps his first assignment, ascertained.” as the Pastor of the Protestant Episcopal Church

at Lewistown, PA. Rt. Rev. William White D.D. ordained Rev.

Nash to the holy order of priests on Dec. 19, In January of 1836 he visited Huntingdon and 1824. Little is known until in 1828 Rev. Nash is preached two "Episcopal" sermons on the 3rd listed as having discontinued the connection and 31st in the Presbyterian Church building. reported of his last address (Huntingdon?) and Members of the P.E.C. (Protestant Episcopal now resides in Philadelphia and is rector of St. Church), an established group of individuals Luke’s church in Pottsville. By 1830 he is in without a church building, heard him preach and New Jersey. From there he went on to do decided to offer him a half-time position as their missionary work in Green Bay, Wis. and was pastor. He continued his ministry to the P.E.C. engaged teaching Menominee Indians. He was of Huntingdon holding services on alternate P a g e | 8

Rev. Whitesides continued Philadelphia had subscribed to him for the Sundays from spring to mid-summer, not even a building of a Church in Huntingdon to the full year, while also being pastor at St. Marks in amount of $1,000.00, payable at any time, as Lewistown. He informed the Vestry that he soon as a similar sum would have been accepted another calling and left Huntingdon for subscribed in Huntingdon. This added greatly Michigan on the 27th day of July 1836. to the excitement already prevailing and gave

new encouragement to a still more liberal Records show that he moved around quite a bit from Michigan to Tennessee, to Maryland, and then to Alabama. However, his wife Mary O. Klapp, lived in Philadelphia during his tenure The journey between these 2 churches had to as a priest. He later died in 1861 surviving his be made over poor roads or by canal boat so wife by two years and is buried in Philadelphia. it is no wonder that these 2 rectors did not last long. Rev. Whitesides was the beginning of a series of ministers who had churches elsewhere, but subscription. also tried to serve the needs of St. John’s. On April 27, 1838 in St John's Church, Carlisle Rev. John F Hoff, Deacon, was admitted to the 6. Rev. John Francis Hoff (1836) holy order of priests. It was also in 1838 that he The Reverend John Francis Hoff was born in left the area to serve as rector of Christ Church, Lancaster, PA, January 10, 1814; son of George Georgetown, D.C. (1838-43). From there he and Margaret (Hager) Hoff. He was a student at went to St. Mark's, Frederick County, MD, 1844 Dickenson College in the class of 1830, 1827- - 1847; Christ Church, Millwood, VA, 1847 - 28; a sophomore at Yale in the class of 1832, 1858, and of Trinity Church, Towson, MD, and was graduated at the University of 1858 - 1881. He was married to Juliana Pennsylvania, A.B.,1833. A.M., 1836. He Johnson, daughter of William Ross. Yale studied at the Virginia Theological Seminary at conferred on him the degrees of A.B. and A.M. Alexandria, 1834-36, and was graduated at the gratiae causa in 1879, and William and Mary, General Theological Seminary, City, the honorary degree of D.D. in 1870. He is the in 1836. author of a series of tracts and essays setting forth the doctrines and polity of the Protestant It is interesting to note that he followed Rev. Episcopal Church in America. He died in Whitesides as both a part-time Minister to St Baltimore, MD, Dec. 18, 1881. Mark’s Episcopal Church of Lewistown, and a Missionary at Huntingdon, and Thompsontown There are no records for St. John’s from 1836 to 1838. “He continued to come for the years 1838 to 1844. While every 4th Sunday and every time was greeted by excitement was rising over to build a a crowded house. This manifestation of interest church this had to wait for the next as shown by the splendid audience prompted the rector – stay tuned for next month’s congregation to endeavor to raise funds for a edition to learn more! church building.” In Vestry minutes dated Jan. of 1837, he stated that several societies in P a g e | 9

Special Thanks & Credits Addendum: While our church is celebrating its 200th Anniversary The following was written in our service book in our committee is finding that there is quite a bit of 1838.There is no mention of who is the writer but the information on the web besides that which we have at rector at the time was Rev J.T. Hoff… church. Our goal is to go deeper into our past - not “We are just entering a new political era. Would it knowing what we would find. We were hoping to not be well to resolve that under the new constitution share many more rectors this month – but decided we will be more vigilant and more careful in the instead to be short and lengthen the months needed to selection of our officers? What the rules for some complete this project. years passed with both the great political parties has Here is a quick list of who we covered and the next in been you all know. A few self-constituted leaders line! perhaps not more than four or five meet together in an office each one names some two or three persons whom they know or have reason to believe are their personal friends ready at all times if elected to advocate and vote for all such measures as they may rector - full primary start end require of them. From these names a ticket is at once name researcher made up and handed to a printer and the first time the Dr. William Bettianne 1774 1 people are permitted to see it is on the morning of Smith, D.D. Quinn Election Day. When we hear complaints and perhaps American Church met to unify all many honest voters are disgusted and stay away from 1789 Episcopal churches into single national the polls. Now this is all wrong. There are certainly church good men; Men of ability integrity and fitness in each Rev. Jackson Allen 1814 2 of the great political parties and if either so far Kemper Terrill outrage the present state of public feeling as to forces 1820 RECEIVED INTO DIOCESE OF PENNA to the front men whose only fitness for office is a Rev. Charles Allen 1821 3 readiness to do the bidding of those men by whom G Snowden Terrill they were selected, then a Waterloo defeat is sure to Rev. Norman Allen 1823 4 follow. Are men bound as honest partisans to support Nash Terrill them? If the reflecting intelligent men of any party Rev. H F Doug 1836 1836 5 fail now in their efforts to elevate it by the selection Whitesides Tietjens of the best and most reliable men as candidates, then Doug it is a duty they owe to this country to raise 1836 1843 6 Rev. J.T. Hoff Tietjens themselves above party as a last remedy to correct Rev. George Doug present abuses.” 1843 1849 7 Field Tietjens

*Please note: We do have additional information and citations that are available upon request. Our plan is to make a separate document with detailed information and citations for all the ministers.

Information this month primarily came from the following sources :Our own Service Books, a Sermon written in 1910 by Rev. Henry S. Smart; The Journal of the Protestant Episcopal Church on Google books for the years in this newsletter, http://anglicanhistory.org/usa/, History of Huntingdon and Blair counties, Pennsylvania.by J. Simpson Africa, Published 1883 by L. H. Everts in Philadelphia . We also have found articles written in the local Daily News Newspaper, Huntingdon, PA. Prayers come from the Book of Common Prayer. ~Bettianne Quinn P a g e | 10

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