First Presbyterian Church, Chapter 1

HISTORY

OF

Scotch Ridge

Presbyterian Church

 

In Celebration

of the

60th Anniversay

August 23, 1929

History of the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church, originally written and read October 25, 1919 by S. A. C. Pickens, being the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Church and revised by Elmer E. Pickens to be read by John M. Pickens, August 23,1929, being the Sixtieth Anniversary of the Church.

The history of the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church and the history of the Cemetery are so closely interwoven that they are very hard to separate. Consequently what we have written will relate to both Church and Cemetery, and is from tradition, Church and Cemetery records and from personal recollection.

One of the earliest settlements in Belmont County was made on this high land in Pease Township now known as Scotch Ridge. The Alexanders, Mitchells, Clarks and Pickens located here near the close of the seventeenth century. They came from York County, Pa., to Ohio, but were originally from Scotland. Hence the settlement was named Scotch Ridge. The Cemetery was laid out at a very early day on this high point of land from which a magnificent view is obtained of the surrounding country. In this the fathers and mothers sleep, and their places are marked by many beautiful and costly monuments.

Religious meetings were frequently held on this spot before the trees of the forest were felled by the woodman's ax, and one, Mrs. Margaret Alexander was accustomed to sit under the shade of one particular Maple and requested that at her death she be laid to rest under its friendly branches. Her request later was carried out and her body was laid away 120 years since, it being the first mound to mark the site of the present Cemetery. Eight years later, her husband, James Alexander, was laid by her side, and the two flat stones just outside mark their resting place. And all of us who claim the Alexander blood can be traced back to the two pioneers just mentioned.

Later we have an extract from the will of Thomas Alexander, relating to the Alexander Cemetery on Scotch Ridge and the erection of a Church building. Said will admitted to probate June 22, 1831, and is as follows

It is my will that one and a half acres of ground near the north line of my place, the same to be used for a burying ground for the relatives and descendants of James Alexander, Sr. deceased and such others as in time they may choose to admit. There are possibly as many of the Mitchell family that lie within the enclosure, as there are of the Alexander family, and a host of others. All who have applied have been admitted. And further for the erection of a Church building on the aforesaid land by any Protestant Society professing Calvinistic principles. I do will and bequeath five hundred dollars out of my real estate at the decease of my beloved wife Rachel. Said five hundred dollars to be in the hands of her executors to be applied to the erection and completion of said meeting house, and that should said house not be completed in the bound of three years from and after the decease of my wife, in that case, the five hundred dollars is to revert to my heirs; and at her death in the year 1865 it was necessary that the Church building be completed within the three years thereafter in order that we be able to claim the five hundred dollars legacy. This of course was an incentive on the part of those interested for immediate action. And to the above legacy contributions were added by all the neighborhood and by friends far and near.

The brick was moulded and burned or the plot of ground now owned by A. H. Pickens just at the foot of the hill and near where the stable now stands, and were conveyed to the site of building largely by cart and oxen, donated for the purpose by the owner, John C. Pickens, Sr. In fact all the hauling was done gratitously. The Church building furnished a neat and comfortable brick edifice, and was dedicated August 1868, and was undenominational.

The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. Robert Alexander (now deceased) then pastor of the Presbyterian Church of St. Clairsville. He being a great grandson of James Alexander, Sr., the original owner of this section of land.

Application having been made to Presbytery June 5th, 1869, a committee was appointed to visit Scotch Ridge and if the way be clear to organize a Church. This was done on the 10th of August 1869. Consequently sixty years ago.

Ten persons were organized into the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church. The following came into the organization at this time by letter and consequently were the charter members; John C. Pickens and Martha, his wife; James Potter Jordan, Sr., and Rachel, his wife; William Pickens and Jane C. his wife; Hugh M. Pickens, and Margaret, his wife; James P. Jordan, Jr., and Martha J. Pickens. All of these have passed to the great beyond.

At the time of the organization two elders were elected, James Potter Jordan, Sr., and Hugh M. Pickens. Since that time there has been added at different times to the eldership, Robt, J. Finney, Wm. Pickens, Davis Tweed, John Moore, John Major, Wm. Cune, S. A. C. Pickens, W. J. Finney, Andrew Knutsen, Elmer E. Pickens, Lee McKim and A. H. Pickens, all the above named elders have passed away except the last five named.

First meeting of session held at the Church October 2nd, 1869. Rev. Robt. Armstrong (now deceased) then Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Cadiz, acted as moderator of session, at which time five persons were received into the membership. Of that number none are now living.

On the 26th day of October 1869 a call having been made for the pastoral service of the Rev. Athelbert Alexander, he was installed over the Church. This relation existed with a good degree of success until the 24th of April, 1884, a period of 14 years and six months, when he removed to Washington, Pa., to labor in the bounds of the Washington Presbytery. His wife, Mrs. L. A. Alexander, came into the Church by letter from the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church, May 28, 1870. Both have passed away.

Since the time Rev. Alexander removed from our midst, we have had, seven regularly installed pastors : Rev. John Roberts as pastor about three and half years ; Rev. Fred 0. Wise about three years as pastor, and more than two years as supply; Rev. John Connell a little more than one year; Rev. W. L. Gilmore about two years; Rev. J. C. Murgler two years and one month; Rev. E.

W. Lodwick, five and one half years and our present pastor, Rev. Paul T. Gerrard who preached as a supply for about five months not having finished his theological course; after completing his course was regularly installed pastor, May 15, 1926, who is with us today but has asked the congregation to release him as pastor to accept a charge at Sebring, Ohio, to take effect August 25, 1929.

During the time we were without regular pastor, the pulpit has been almost constantly filled by supplies. By Reverends Pringle, Brown and Young of the Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church, for a term of years, and Rev. E. C. Nesbit of Martins Ferry Presbyterian Church, possibly two years. Also by Reverends White, Sheely, Milford, Hunter, Morton and others.

During the first fifty years that the Church has been in existence there has been received into the membership of the Church on examination and by letter 481 persons. The number of adults and infants baptized 379.

In the ten years following from 1919 to 1929, we have received on examination and by letter 37; Adults and Infants baptized 33;. Amount of money received for local support of the Church $8148.00, benevolence $5276.00 with an average membership of 75.

We have never received any financial aid from Presbytery. We have just finished repairing the Church at a cost of a little over $550.00. The funds were received from our present and former members and a few others who were interested in the Scotch Ridge Church.

The total number of members received 518, Baptized 412 to date. We have been able to locate 160 that have gone out of our Church who are still living but are widely scattered, and are making their homes in many different states of the union, and have taken their letters to the Churches of their new homes, and we trust are still in the Master's work, where they will perhaps be able to accomplish a greater work than if they had remained with us.

Six of the number that we have knowledge of have been eletced to the Eldership in City Churches. Eleven of our boys responded to the nation's call for liberty. Six went across the water, but all returned to their homes safely.

During these years two ordained ministers have gone out from the Church; Rev. John C. Pickens, Jr., now in Canfield, Ohio; and Rev. Joseph L. Godfrey (now deceased). Also Elwood Clyde McCune, Who was nearly through the theological seminary when called away by death.

During all these years the machinery of the Sabbath School has been kept in constant motion, winter and summer, and the enrollment today stands at about 95.

The good accomplished in this neighborhood on account of the influence of the Church, no one can now estimate, and we feel that the success of the early history of the Church was largely due to the untiring services of Dr. A. J. Alexander who preached in Scotch Ridge Church for 14 years, and for several of these years preached in Portland, (now Rayland) and in Farmington (now Colerain). He held cottage prayer meetings in every home from the Colerain Township line down what is known as Little Short Creek, Deep Run, and Scotch Ridge to the Ohio River and most of the homes on Pleasant Ridge. He also practiced medicine all of those years and was considered one of the leading physicians of his day. He did the most of his traveling by horse back. He was instrumental in the organization of the Mt. Pleasant Sabbath School, and we believe he was also instrumental in the organization of the Portland and Farmington Churches.

The territory of the Congregation has been for several years gradually becoming smaller. Since the coming of the automobile, several of our community are attending Church in Martins Ferry and Mt. Pleasant and the mining industry has brought a class of people into the community that we have not been able to get into the Church, they being mostly of foreign birth and members of the Catholic Church.

We have passed through seasons of great encouragement, as well as seasons of depressions, and so we may expect in the future. But let us never become discouraged. Remembering the work is for the Master, and we have faith to believe when the roll is called up yonder, that many will be there to answer, having started on their Christian Pilgrimage through the influence that has gone out from the little brick Church on the hill. And in closing this little history, we would desire to present to you our motto:

"In God We trust; Press Onward."

Since the writing of the above, the Sixtieth Anniversary has passed into history. The day was celebrated at the Church with a program in the morning and afternoon and a dinner and social hour at noon, and we believe it was a day well spent. Many old friends met for the first time in years.

There were 209 present from many different parts of the country. There were five present who were present when the Church was dedicated and organized. Their names are as follows:

Dr. J. W. Darrah
Mrs. J. W. Darrah
H. C. Pickens
Rev. J. C. Pickens
Mrs. Josephine Cochran
Mr. Wilson Linn was also present, he was a boy at the time of the building of the Church and he told us how he hauled the brick with ox cart and oxen.

The original subscription lists and articles of agreements were read. The following is a copy

Article of agreement entered into this 27th day of June 1867 between George P. Greer of the first part and William McCune, Joseph Moore and James A. Grey of the second part. Being a committee appointed to build a Church at Scotch Ridge Graveyard, Belmont County, Ohio. Witnesseth that the said Greer doth hereby covenant and agree with said committee to do and perform the following; he will as soon as practicable make and burn one hundred thousand brick the casing thrown in on a piece of ground belonging to Wm. McCune. These brick are to be good smooth merchantable brick, the said Greer to find-everything to accomplish the job. And the said Wm. McCune, Joseph Moore and Jas. S. Gray, building committee doth hereby covenant and agree with said G. P. Greer to furnish boards for the covering the brick, wheeling and yard boards and also the ground to make the brick out of and yard to make them on, the said committee agreed to pay said Greer seven dollars per thousand for making the brick and pay fifty dollars per week as the work progresses and when the brick is burnt the kiln to be opened and if found to be good merchantable article they are to be taken off of the said Greer's hands and settled for and the said Greer to leave the kiln in good condition and covered the brick to be counted in the kiln or in the yard at the will of the committee and the balance of the money which if not drawn out will be paid when the brick if taken off of the hands of the maker. It is further agreed that the said Greer Yvi11 not draw out more than three hundred dollars until the job is completed.

G. P. Greer
Wm. McCune
Joseph Moore
James A. Gray
Committee

Article of agreement by and between William McCune, J. P. Jordan and Joseph Moore of Scotch Ridge, Belmont County, State of Ohio of the first part and John F. Mitchell of Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson County, State of Ohio, of the second part. Witnesseth that the said parties of the first part do agree to pay to the said John F Mitchell ($5.00) five dollars per thousand for laying the bricks in the proposed new church on Scotch Ridge. The work to be done in a good a workmanlike way, all materials to be delivered -on the ground, no extras for setting windows sills or turning arches over the windows or doors. A brick cornice to be built all around the church without any extra charge and said Mitchell does agree to board and tend himself and his hands. The bricks to be measured in the wall solid and no deductions for openings, flared jambs on the windows.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals this 15th day of July 1868.

Wm. McCune  (ss)
James P. Jordan (ss)

Witness

Wm. S. Wilson   (ss)
John F. Mitchell    (ss)

Article of agreement between Wm. McCune, James P. Jordan and Joseph Moore, Building committee of the Scotch Ridge meeting house of the first part and John Penington, George F. Leseure, all of Belmont County, State of Ohio, of the second part. The parties of second part doth agree to furnish all the lumber of good quality, nails, hinges, door locks, window stops for sash both upper and lower, good poplar shingles for the same, pulpit like in Presbyterian Church in Martinsville, the house to be finished like Martinsville Presbyterian Church. Haul all the lumber for same, board himself and hands for the sum of eight hundred and twenty-five dollars according to bill of (particulars) all to be done in a good and workmanlike manner and the parties of the first part doth agree to pay to the parties of the second part the sum above mentioned in installments as the work progresses reserving a sufficient portion in their hands till the said house is completed and work approved of and taken off

their hands as witness our hand and seals this 21st day of July 1868.

James P. Jordan (ss)
Witness Wm. McCune  (ss)
Hiram Frazier   John Penington  (ss)
George F. Leseure   (ss)

We the undersigned promise to pay the amount opposite our names for the purpose of building a church at the Alexander graveyard on Scotch Ridge to be known as the Old School Presbyterian Church of Scotch Ridge, Independent in its organization and form of Church government.

Clark Pickens
H. M. Pickens
James West
Athelbert Alexander
W. M. McCune
James A. Gray
Joseph Moore
John C. Moore
Wm. Pickens
J. M. Drennen
Joseph Moore
J. P. Jordan
J. L. West
Alexander McElravy
Jessey Barton
Isabel Blackford
Wm. Darrah
Joseph Finney
R. J. Finney
A. A. Handel
Wm. R. McCune
Mary Theaker
John Theaker
George M. Theaker
Wm. McKim
John Major
Wm. Rainey
J. Darrah
Joseph McCune
Ross J. Alexander
John Wilson
Wm. Mitchell
Robert Darrah
Wm. Reid
Mr. Sidwell
W. Cooper
James G. Wiley
Jemima Alexander
Mrs. Martha Godfrey
John Weatherston
James Theaker John Gow
H. Blackford
D. Chambers
John Marlow
Smiley Johnston
Ben Mitchell
Henry Wells
Sam'l McConahey
Jas. Blackford
J. W. Moore
Clark Moore
John Cochran
James Alexander
Wm. Goodhue
Wm. Stringer
John Satcher
Mrs. Jas. Alexander
Mrs. Robert Thompson
D. Thorburn
Ed. McGlen
Mr. Humphreville
Sam'l Dean

The total of the above subscription list being $1653.22

We the undersigned subscribers promise to pay the bearer Mattie Pickens the amount opposite our names to be used for the purpose of furnishing carpet, lamps, stoves, Bible etc., for the putting in readiness for worship the United Presbyterian and Old School Presbyterian church of Scotch Ridge, Ohio.

Lou Alexander   
Francis Cooper
Martha Pickens  
J. Stringer
Mattie Pickens  
W. S. Hartzell
E. J. McCune    
Joseph Stringer
D. Thorburn    
J. M. Hill
R. J. Mitchell  
J. M. Major
S. Maclon   
Lizzie Gow
Jennie Finney
Maggie Finney
Frank Peyton
Rachel Jordan
Mary A. Alexander
Frank Snodgrass
John Moore
S. J. Moore
Jas. B. Moore
Mary J. Moore
Louisa Moore
J. H. Cooper
J. Cooper
J. W. Alexander
James W. Cooper
M. Cooper
J. West
Mollie Filton
Isabel Coss
Isabel McKim
Joseph Moore
D. Park
J. Fenimore
J. H. Fenimore
Mary Reed
R. J. Finney
Annie Finney
Joshua Steele
J.S. Talbot
A. McManis
J. Hanes
Lou Darrah
J.W. Moore
M. Harvey
S. Steele
Mary Duff
M. Cochran
E. Cochran
J. F. Cochran
Isabel Dean
J. Barnes
W. Gordon
Geo. Thompson
A. C. Liller
G. W. Gill
S. S. Liller
John Trouten

The amount of the above $86.85.

We will close this little narrative with the following poem, which was written by the husband of one of the descendants of James Alexander.

TRIBUTE TO THE SCOTCH RIDGE CHURCH