Category: Churches

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Catholic Churches Churches

St. Edward’s Catholic Church

St.  Edward’s  Catholic  Church  is  the  oldest  religious  organization  at Shamokin,  and  built  the  first  church  in  the  town.  During  the  construction of  the  Danville  and  Pottsville  railroad  a  large  number  of  Catholics  were employed  on  that  work,  and  as  early  as  1838  Catholic  services  were  held  in Shamokin  by  the  pastors  of  Pottsville  and  Minersville.  About  one  acre  of land  for  a  church  and  cemetery  was  secured  in  the  west  end  of  the  village  (the present  site  of  the  knob  factory),  and  in  the  spring  of  1839  sufficient  money had  been  raised  to  erect  a  small  unplastered  frame  church  twenty  by  thirty-two  feet  in  dimensions  on  the  southwest  corner  of  the  lot. 

Patrick  Reilly, master  mechanic  in  the  railroad  shops,  and  Matthew  Brannigan  were  the leading  spirits  in  the  enterprise,  and  Stephen  Bittenbender  put  up  the  building. It  was  dedicated  as  St.  Edward’s,  October  11,  1840,  by  Bishop  Kenrick  of  Philadelphia.  The  little  congregation  was  visited  occasionally  by the  pastors  of  the  Pottsville,  Minersville,  Danville,  and  Milton  churches  and sometimes  a  missionary  would  put  in  his  appearance,  and  thus  the  faith  was kept  alive  in  the  hearts  of  the  early  Catholics  of  Shamokin.  From  October 1854,  until  October,  1857,  Rev.  Michael  Sheridan,  pastor  of  St.  Joseph’s church  at  Danville,  had  charge  of  the  congregation.  He  was  succeeded  by Rev.  Edward  Murray,  who  served  the  Shamokin  congregation  nearly  nine years.

In  September,  1866,  Rev.  J.  J.  Koch,  then  pastor  of  St.  Joseph’s  of  Milton, was  appointed  the  first  resident  pastor  of  St.  Edward’s,  with  Trevorton and  Locust  Gap  as  missions.  He  immediately  began  the  work  of  building up  and  infusing  new  life  into  his  congregation.  The  present  church site  was  purchased  at  a  cost  of  thirty-four  hundred  dollars ;  the  old  building was  torn  down  in  November,  1866,  and  rebuilt,  considerably  enlarged,  on  the new  site.  In  the  spring  of  1867  it  was  again  enlarged  to  accommodate  the growing  congregation.  In  the  spring  of  1869  a  lot  adjoining  the  church was  bought  for  nine  hundred  dollars  and  the  present  substantial  parochial residence  erected  thereon  at  a  cost  of  eight  thousand  five  hundred  dollars.

The  congregation  increased  so  rapidly  that  a  new  church  became  an  imperative necessity,  and  in  the  summer  of  1872  ground  was  broken  for  the  foundation.   On  the  14th  of  September  following  Father  Koch  laid  the  first stone  in  the  walls  of  the  present  imposing  structure,  of  which  the  cornerstone was  laid,  May  23,  1873,  by  Bishop  O’Hara  of  Scranton,  in  the  presence of  a  large  assemblage  which  gathered  to  witness  the  impressive  ceremonies.

The  pastor  let  the  contract  for  the  entire  stonework,  but  after  working  six weeks  the  contractor  abandoned  the  work.  Not  to  be  thwarted  in  his  cherished plans,  Father  Koch  at  once  took  charge  of  the  construction  of  the building,  and,  notwithstanding  his  numerous  pastoral  duties,  he  hired  the masons  and  daily  superintended  the  work  until  the  massive  stone  walls  were ready  for  the  roof.  By  December,  1873,  the  building  was  roofed,  and  on Christmas  morning  Father  Koch  celebrated  Mass  in  the  basement. 

Though much  was  accomplished,  much  still  remained  to  be  done,  and  in  the  following spring  work  was  resumed.  The  walls  were  finished,  the  massive  tower built,  a  pavement  laid  around  the  church,  and  the  basement,  which  is  ten feet  high  in  the  clear,  plastered  and  fitted  up  for  divine  worship.  The  entire structure  is  built  of  white  cut  sandstone,  quarried  from  the  mountain about  one  mile  from  Shamokin.  It  is  sixty-four  by  one  hundred  twenty-five feet  in  size,  and  the  tower  is  two  hundred  seven  feet  high.  The  interior  is fifty-six  by  one  hundred  nineteen  feet  in  dimensions,  and  the  ceiling  is  forty- two  feet  high.  The  building  is  finished  in  the  Corinthian  and  Romanesque style,  and  is  the  largest  and  costliest  church  edifice  in  Northumberland county.

The  lack  of  funds  prevented  Father  Koch  from  completing  the  interior, and  from  Christmas,  1873,  until  June,  1880,  the  congregation  worshiped  in the  basement.  In  November,  1876,  a  chime  of  four  bells  was  hung  in  the tower,  weighing,  with  mountings,  eight  thousand  five  hundred  pounds.  In 1879,  the  contract  for  finishing  the  interior  (except  frescoing)  was  given  to Joseph  Nesbit,  of  Lewisburg,  and  on  the  1st  of  January,  1880,  it  was  ready for  the  painter’s  brush. 

The  frescoing  required  four  months,  and  was  done by  a  well  known  Philadelphia  artist.  Over  the  main  altar  are  life-size  paintings of  the  Crucifixion,  St.  Patrick,  and  St.  Edward,  the  patron  of  the  church. In  the  center  of  the  ceiling  is  a  fresco  twenty-two  feet  in  diameter  representing the  resurrection  of  Christ,  surrounded  by  figures  of  the  four  Evangelists, and  around  the  walls  are  paintings  of  the  twelve  Apostles.  Handsome  altars, beautiful  stained  glass  windows,  and  a  new  pipe-organ  were  also  put  in  at this  time. 

The  church  was dedicated  with  imposing  ceremonies,  June  6th, 1880,  by  Bishop  Shanahan,  who  delivered  the  dedicatory  address,  his  theme being  “The  Infallibility  of  the  Church.”  A  large  number  of  priests  were present,  and  special  trains  brought  to  Shamokin  hundreds  of  people  who were  anxious  to  witness  the  dedication.

Many  costly  improvements  have  since  been  made,  which  add  to  the  artistic appearance  and  beauty  of  the  interior.  Two  fine  pieces  of  statuary,  representing, respectively,  “Christ  meeting  His  Mother  on  His  way  to  Calvary” and  “The  Descent  of  the  Cross,”  one  on  each  side  of  the  sanctuary,  are especially  noticeable.  These  were  imported  from  France  by  Father  Koch. The  whole  building  is  lighted  with  electricity  and  heated  with  steam.  Its seating  capacity  is  over  one  thousand,  while  as  many  as  fourteen  hundred people  have  been  gathered  within  its  walls.  The  total  cost  of  the  entire  building  and  furniture  as  it  stands  today  was  about  fifty  thousand  dollars.

The  congregation  numbers  over  three  thousand  souls,  and  takes  pride  in its  very  large  and  prosperous  Sunday  school,  which  meets  in  the  basement  of the  church.  This  was  organized  soon  after  Father  Koch  assumed  the  pastorate, and  has  kept  pace  with  the  growth  of  the  congregation.  To  Father Koch’s  indefatigable  labors  and  wise  management  is  principally  due  the  rapid growth  of  the  Catholic  church  in  Shamokin.  From  the  day  he  came  to  the town  until  the  present  he  has  toiled  faithfully  in  this  portion  of  God’s  vineyard. He  is  loved  by  the  Catholics  of  the  borough,  and  respected  by  all  for his  high  Christian  character  and  the  grand  work  that  he  has  accomplished for  his  people.

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Churches Methodist

Second Methodist Church

The  first  movement  toward  the establishment  of  this  church  was  made  by  Rev.  F.  B.  Riddle,  who  began  to preach  in  a  Coal  township  school  house  near  the  western  limit  of  the  borough (the  region  then  known  as  Scotch  Hill),  in  August,  1882.  A  great  religious interest  had  been  awakened  in  this  neighborhood  during  the  spring  of  that year  by  Rev.  George  J.  Byer,  an  itinerant  evangelist,  who  held  a  series  of revival  services  there,  and  the  converts  thus  made  were  the  nucleus  around which  the  congregation  gathered. 

Through  the  influence  of  Rev.  F.  B. Riddle,  Presiding  Elder  Rev.  M.  L.  Smyser  appointed  Rev.  M.  J.  Runyan  to West  Shamokin  circuit,  formed  of  West  Shamokin,  Uniontown,  Springfield, and  Bear  Valley.  The  church  was  connected  with  this  circuit  until  March, 1890,  since  which  time  it  has  supported  a  minister  individually. 

A  lot  was purchased  on  the  corner  of  Third  and  Chestnut  streets  for  four  hundred  dollars, Aucker,  Slayman  &  Company  contracted  for  the  erection  of  the  building, and  the  audience  room  was  dedicated  by  Reverends  S.  C.  Swallow  and  J.  A. DeMoyer,  February  18,  1883.  In  the  spring  of  1888  a  vestibule  was  added and  the  basement  finished  for  a  Sunday  school  room.

Rev.  M.  J.  Runyan  was  pastor  from  August  6,  1882,  to  March  21,  1883; E.  H.  AVitman,  from  March  21,  1883,  to  March  27.  1S84;  R.  S.  Taylor,  from March  27,  1884,  to  March  27,  l885;  D.  F.  Stiles,  from  March  27,  1885,  to March  15,  1887;  V.  W.  Rue.  from  March  15,  1887,  to  March  25,  1890,  when the  present  pastor (1890)  Rev.  J.  Horning,  took  charge.

The  Sunday  school  was  organized  with  A.  M.  Osmun  as  superintendent.

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Churches Methodist

Methodist Episcopal Church

The  first  Methodist  sermon  at  Shamokin was  preached  in  1837  by  Rev.  Charles  E.  Brown,  junior  preacher  on  the Sunbury  circuit.  He  was  led  through  the  woods  from  Oak  Grove,  then known  as  Dark  Corner,  by  Benjamin  McClow,  and  on  his  arrival  was  entertained by  Ziba  Bird.  The  first  service  was  held  in  a  school  house  on Dewart  street,  and  the  audience  was  composed  of  nearly  all  the  inhabitants of  the  place,  about  twenty  in  number.  Mr.  Brown  favored  his  hearers  with a  discourse  lasting  over  an  hour. 

The  organization  of  a  class  was  effected in  June,  1838,  by  Rev.  Henry  Dill,  minister  on  the  Sunbury  circuit;   the members  were  Sylvanus  S.  Bird,  leader,  his  wife  Sarah  Bird,  Benjamin  McClow  and  wife  Rebecca,  Jehu  John  and  wife  Patience,  Joseph  Bird,  and  Pemberton  Bird.  Regular  services  were  conducted  on  alternate  Sundays  in  the  old school  house  and  the  prayer  meetings  were  held  at  the  house  of  Benjamin McClow.  The  First  Methodist  revival  was  held  in  the  new  school  house  on Sunbury  street  soon  after  its  completion.  In  the  fall  of  1841  a  camp  meeting, conducted  by  Reverends  John  Ball  and  Gideon  H.  Day,  was  held  in  a grove  near  the  intersection  of  Commerce  and  Mt.  Carmel  streets,  at  which many  members  were  added  to  the  church.

On  the  21st  of  August,  1856,  a  meeting  of  the  male  members  was  called in  the  school  building  to  consider  the  advisability  of  erecting  a  church  edifice. Pemberton  Bird  presided  and  acted  as  secretary;  it  was  decided  to  erect  a church  building  sixty  by  forty-five  feet,  the  height  of  the  basement  to  be twelve  feet  and  that  of  the  audience  room  seventeen  feet,  and  to  accept  Judge William  L.  Helfeustein’s  offer  of  building  lots.  On  the  27th  of  the  same month  a  special  meeting  was  called  by  Rev.  John  Taneyhill  to  make  further arrangements;  on  that  date  the  first  board  of  trustees  was  appointed,  consisting of  Pemberton  Bird,  George  Weaver,  John  Shipp,  F.  A.  Clark,  Benjamin McClow,  George  H.  Coder,  David  Chidister,  Joseph  Reader,  and  D.  S.  Miller, of  whom  the  last  named  still  retains  that  office  and  is  now  president  of  the  board.

September  18,  1850, a  meeting  was  held  in  the  school  house.  Rev.  N.  W. Colburn  presiding,  when  a  draft  for  the  new  building was  presented  by  Benjamin McClow,  and  approved  by  all  present.  The  first  subscription  books were  circulated  by  Pemberton  Bird  and  John  Shipp;  July  6,  1857.  a  church seal  was  adopted  bearing  the  inscription  “The  M.  E.  Church  at  Shamokin,” with  the  device  of  an  open  Bible  in  the  center.  In  1857  Rev.  M.  L.  Drum with  his  own  hands  broke  ground  for  the  new  church  building.  The enterprise  was  postponed,  however,  from  time  to  time,  on  account  of  disputes as  to  location  among  the  members.  At  a  meeting  on  the  20th  of  April,  1859, the  pastor,  H.  Van  Gasken,  F.  A.  Clark,  John  Shipp,  G.  H.  Coder,  and  D. S.  Miller  were  added  to  the  committee  to  secure  subscriptions,  and  J.  L. Gilger  was  awarded  the  contract  for  two  thousand  three  hundred  dollars. In  1866  a  parsonage  was  built  at  a  cost  of  twenty-five  hundred  dollars,  and the  church  was  remodeled  at  a  cost  of  about  two  thousand  dollars.

Measures  were  first  taken  for  the  erection  of  the  present  church  edifice, April  2,  1882,  when  A.  M.  Osmun,  Charles  Latham,  Oscar  Strombach,  John B.  Dottty,  William  Umpleby,  James  Smith,  Mrs.  D.  S.  Miller,  Mrs.  J.  P. Miller,  and  Miss  Emma  Bird  were  appointed  to  assist  the  trustees — D.  S. Miller,  W.  L.  Gilger,  A.  A.  Heim,  M.  Emes,  Robert  Goodwill,  Isaac  May, Sr.,  J.  F.  Eisenhart,  Wilham  K.  Snyder,  and  William  H.  Moore — in  securing subscriptions.  At  a  meeting  on  April  30th,  the  following  building  committee was  appointed:  Withington  Lake,  Philip  Thomas,  Anthony  Smith, A.  M.  Osmun,  and  T.  H.  Lippiatt.    The  contract  was  awarded  to  Jacob Mutchler  and  John  P.  Miller,  who  commenced  work,  June  4,  1883,  under  the direct  supervision  of  A.  A.  Heim. 

The  cornerstone  was  laid,  August  2, 1883,  by  Presiding  Elder  M.  L.  Smyser,  assisted  by  Rev.  John  Donahue, who  delivered  the  address.  During  the  progress  of  the  work  the  congregation worshiped  in  the  Evangelical  church  on  Sunbury  street,  and  the  class meetings  were  held  in  a  small  building  erected  from  timbers  of  the  old church. 

The  lecture  room  or  basement  was  dedicated  and  occupied  as  a  place of  worship,  December  23,  1883,  Rev.  M.  L.  Smyser  preaching  both  morning and  evening.  The  finances  were  in  charge  of  Rev.  S.  C.  Swallow,  and  over five  thousand  dollars  were  collected.  After  the  dedication  of  the  basement, work  on  the  building  ceased  until  the  winter  of  1885-86,  when,  upon  the strong  solicitation  of  the  Ladies’  Aid  Society,  and  their  offer  to  assist  in raising  money  to  complete  the  edifice,  the  trustees  were  induced  to  resume work,  and  a  new  committee,  composed  of  D.  S.  Miller,  A.  A.  Heim,  and William  K.  Snyder,  was  appointed  to  carry  out  the  project.  The  main  audience room  was  finished  and  at  length  dedicated,  February  6,  1887,  Rev. George  W.  Miller  presiding,  when  the  amount  realized  was  somewhat  in excess  of  the  remaining  debt — six  thousand  five  hundred  dollars.  The total  cost  of  the  whole  structure  was  about  twenty-five  thousand  dollars.

The  following  is  a  list  of  pastors  since  the  first  class  was  organized:

  • 1838 – H. G. Dill, John Hall
  • 1839 – John Rhodes, William Hirst
  • 1840 – John Rhodes, John Ball
  • 1841 – John Ball, G. H. Day
  • 1842 – George Bergstresser, William Baird
  • 1843 – Alem Brittain, Jacob Montgomery
  • 1844 – Alem Brittain, John W. Tongue 
  • 1845 – J. W. Haughawaut, J. McMurray 
  • 1846 – J. W. Haughawaut, Thomas Barnhart 
  • 1847 – Peter McEnally, H. Huffman
  • 1848 – James Ewing, J. P. Simpson 
  • 1849 – James Ewing, William Gwiun 
  • 1850 – John Stine, William Gwinn 
  • 1851 – John Stine, Albert Hartman 
  • 1852 – Joseph Ross, T. M. Goodfellow 
  • 1853 – Joseph Ross, Asbury Guyer 
  • 1854 – J. G. McKeehan, James Gums 
  • 1855 – J. G. McKeehan, B. P. King 
  • 1856 – Thomas Taneyhill, N. W. Colburn 
  • 1857 – Thomas Taneyhill, M.  L. Drum
  • 1858 – George Warren, F.  B. Riddle 
  • 1859 – George Warren, F.  B. Riddle
  • 1860 – Elisha Butler, J.  P. Swanger 
  • 1861 – Elisha Butler, J.  A. Dixon 
  • 1862 – A.  M.  Creighton, B. F. Stevens, S. C. Swallow
  • 1863-66 – J. F. Porte
  • 1866-69 – F. B. Riddle
  • 1869-72 – N. S. Buckingham
  • 1872-75 – J. C. Clark
  • 1875-77 – W. Lee Spottswood, D.  D. 
  • 1877-80 – Thomas M. Reese
  • 1880-82 – J. S. McMurray, D.  D.
  • 1882-85 – F. B. Riddle 
  • 1885-88 – S. M. Frost, D. D.
  • 1888-90 – John B. Polsgrove

The  semi-centennial  of  this  church  was  celebrated,  June  23-25,  1888. At  this  service  quite  a  number  of  the  former  pastors  were  present,  and,  after a  very  interesting  program  of  three  days’  duration,  the  meeting  closed  by  a cancellation  of  the  church  debt  and  the  burning  of  the  bonds.

The  Sunday  school  was  first  organized  by  Rev.  James  Gurus,  junior preacher  on  the  circuit,  with  twenty-five  scholars  and  Pemberton  Bird  as superintendent.  It  now  numbers  nearly  twelve  hundred  scholars,  has  a  fine library,  and  is  in  a  very  flourishing  condition.

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Churches Methodist

The African Methodist Episcopal Church

The  African  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  organized  about  the  year 1870,  and  met  for  worship  at  various  places  until  the  frame  church  edifice that  now  constitutes  the  place  of  meeting  was  built.  The  society  has  never had  a  large  representation  at  Shamokin,  and  is  without  regular  pastoral service  at  the  present  time (1890).

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Churches Methodist

The Primitive Methodist Church

The  Primitive  Methodist  Church  was  first  organized  as  a  mission,  through the  efforts  of  Rev.  Daniel  Savage,  November  20,  1873.  There  were  but eleven  original  members: 

  • James  T.  Harris
  • Thomas  Lovel
  • William  Owens
  • Anthony  Smith 
  • Jonathan  Tillet 
  • Benjamin  Hudson 
  • Ellen  Hudson 
  • Lizzie Hudson 
  • Thomas  James 
  • Job  Lovel
  • David  Tillet

Their  first  place  of worship  was  the  United  Brethren  church,  where  services  were  conducted until  1875.  At  this  time  a  house  of  worship  was  erected  which  was  occupied until  1880.  In  1876  the  membership  numbered  sixty,  and  in  July  of  that year  they  were  organized  as  a  self-sustaining  church  by  Rev.  Francis  Gray, pastor  at  that  time.  At  this  meeting  the  following  board  of  trustees  was elected: 

  • President – Leonard  Rogers
  • Secretary – James  McEndoe 
  • Treasurer – John Childs  
  • James  Chatman  
  • James  Williams
  • George  Bermett 
  • George Tuckett
  • E.  R.  Bartel

From  1880  until  1882  services  were  held  in  Bennett’s  hall;  it  was  in  the latter  year  that  the  present  church  edifice  was  erected  on  land  purchased from  Anthony  Smith.  The  work  was  completed  and  the  church  dedicated, August  27,  1882,  on  which  occasion  Rev.  W.  L.  Barringer  officiated. 

It  is  a frame  structure  located  on  Seventh  street  between  Arch  and  Chestnut,  and has  a  capacity  for  seating  two  hundred  thirty  persons.  The  trustees  at  the time  of  its  erection  were  Leonard  Rogers.  James  Gilton,  Richard  Tuckett, and  John  Banghart. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  some  of  the  ministers:

  • James  Millington 
  • E.  Humphries 
  • Francis  Gray 
  • Thomas  Philips
  • H.  G.  Barringer 
  • H.  Reily 
  • A.  Humphries
  • George  Ball 
  • J.  C.  Ludgate, the  present  pastor (1890)

The  Sunday  school  connected  with  this  church  was  organized  in  1871.

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Catholic Churches Churches Event Programs History Books Online Library

St. Edward’s Roman Catholic Church – Golden Jubilee Program, February 27th, 1913

This publication is provided courtesy of David Van Doren.

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Churches Lutheran Churches

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

Among the earliest supporters of this faith at Shamokin were William and Reuben Fagely, and through their efforts the Rev. J. P. Shindel, of Sunbury, was induced to institute occasional services at the Central school house about the year 1840. Several Mormon missionaries were endeavoring to proselyte at the little mining town, and the immediate object of the Fagelys in introducing Lutheran worship was to counteract the influence of their work. It had the desired result, without, however, affecting anything immediate or definite in the way of Lutheran church organization. The Reverend Alleman, of St. Peter’s and St. Jacob’s churches in the Shamokin valley, partially effected an organization in 1842, and regular services were held under his administration and that of his successor, Rev. Philip Williard.

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

On the 11th of October, 1854, the church was fully organized under Rev. C. J. Ehrhart as pastor. His incumbency was principally noticeable in view of the educational project undertaken -the erection of a college, now the Academy school building – which was not a success, and depleted the resources of the congregation to a serious extent. Mr. Ehrhart also conducted a private school of an academic grade.

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

Mr. Ehrhart was succeeded, October 11, 1857, by Rev. J. F. Wampole. Under his administration services were held in the Presbyterian church one year; in 1858 a room was fitted up in the Odd Fellows’ hall by the Lutheran and Reformed congregations, and used by them on alternate Sundays for divine worship. Rev. J. B. Keller became pastor in 1865, and in the summer of that year a project for the erection of a church edifice assumed tangible form. C. S. Wetzel was the architect, and Jonas L. Gilger the contractor.

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Early Postcard

The corner-stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies on the 8th of October,1865, Rev. H. Zeigler, D. D., officiating, assisted by the pastor. The basement was first occupied for public worship on the 20th of January, 1867, and on the 11th of August, 1867, the completed edifice was dedicated, Rev. A. C. Wedekind, D. D., preaching the dedicatory sermon. On this occasion the contributions aggregated two thousand dollars.

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Early Postcard

On the following Monday the Susquehanna Conference of the church assembled here. Since the resignation of Mr. Keller in 1869 the following clergymen have served as pastors: Reverends J. R. Williams, S. Domer, D. D., H. C. Haithcox, P, S. Hooper, J. A. Flickinger, L. D. Wells, and C. F. Steck:, the present pastor, who assumed charge in the autumn of 1889.

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Early Postcard

The church edifice is a substantial brick structure on Sunbury street. It was originally fifty by seventy-five feet in dimensions, and in 1884 an addition of twenty-five feet was erected at the rear. Steam heating apparatus was provided in 1887, and in 1891 a fine pipe-organ was secured. The height of the tower is one hundred eighteen feet.

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
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Presbyterian Churches

First Presbyterian Church

The first services of the Presbyterian Church were held about 1844, by ‘Rev.’ James Hamilton, in the Central schoolhouse. The method of -making this, appointment was somewhat novel., About four o’clock in the afternoon of a certain day, the good people living along Shamokin and Sunbury streets, had their attention attracted by seeing a fine-looking man, on horseback, riding along these streets, saying: “There will be preaching in the school -house this evening.”

A large number attended who became much interested in Mr. Hamilton, and he was invited to remain and build up a congregation. Mr. Hamilton went to work in earnest, and after great effort, succeeded, in 1845, in building the church now occupied by this denomination. Mr. Stephen Bittenbender was the builder, but the pews were put in by Jonas L. Gilger. The church was organized April 8th, 1845, by Rev. William R. Smith and Elder John B. Boyd, a committee appointed by the Northumberland Presbytery. This was the second church edifice erected in Shamokin, the Catholic being the first.

The First Presbyterian Church

The following is the first organization:

  • Pastor – Rev. James J. Hamilton
  • Elders – Solomon Eckert, Daniel Evert, and Alexander Caldwell
  • Original Members – Solomon Eckert, Daniel Evert, Alexander Caldwell, Jacob Smirk, Mary Ann Runyan, Mary Cauterman, Mary Evert, Martha Caldwell, Catharine Caldwell, Sarah Ann Reed, Eva Smirk, Harriet Eckert, Mary Black, Sarah Hamilton, and Elizabeth Reppard.

Hamilton remained with the congregation until 1850, when he resigned and moved away.

The First Presbyterian Church

The church was then supplied with preachers, for some years, that had charge of Elysburg Church. Rev. David Hill succeed Mr. Hamilton, who, in turn, was followed by Rev. Mr. Barr. About 1856, the Rev. P. B. Marr succeeded as pastor, and continued in the work, greatly appreciated by his congregation, until July 1859, when the Rev. A. D. Hawn, a young man who had just completed his studies, was called to supply the pulpit here, and one or two other points. Here the real history of this church begins. Mr. Hawn was a most untiring worker, and, in the course of a few. years, the congregation became the leading church in the town.

The First Presbyterian Church

During the year 1864, the church building was raised eight feet, and a stone basement placed under it. A spire was erected, and the interior arrangements greatly improved. In November 1864, he was installed as the regular pastor. During this time he took great interest in the welfare of the town. He edited the Herald for some time, served as president of the school -board, took, a great interest in the Lyceum, and identified himself with all the leading movements of the times. In June, 1869, he resigned, after serving eight years as paster. Mr. Hawn was succeeded by Rev. J. P. Conkey, one of the ablest preachers that ever resided at Shamokin. Mr. Conkey remained about two years, and was followed by Rev. Mr. Dewing, who remained one year. In April, 1872, the Rev. S. P. Linn, of Philadelphia, was called to take charge, who remained about two years. After a vacancy of some months, during which time the pulpit, was. filled by preachers from other churches, the Rev. A. C. Clarke was called, and installed in June, 1874.

The First Presbyterian Church Postcard

Mr. Clarke entered upon his duties under some difficulties of a very discouraging nature, but, by uniform courtesy and a persistent effort to do right, he has succeeded, in a great degree, in building up the broken-down walls. Mr. Clarke is a good speaker, who closely devotes his energies to his great calling. He deserves the success he has achieved. The church edifice is a neat frame building, located in the central part of the town, on Sunbury Street. It will accommodate about four hundred people. The present membership numbers two hundred and ninety. The elders are Alexander Fulton, George H. Liebig, and John James.

First Presbyterian Church

Presbyterian Sunday School

On the dissolution of the Union Sunday School, in 1854, the Presbyterian Sunday School was organized. Dr. William Atwater was the first superintendent. A large number of scholars were in attendance from the beginning. It is now one of the best regulated schools. in town. The present superintendent is George H. Liebig. Number of scholars, two hundred and twenty-five; teachers, twenty; volumes in library, eight hundred.

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Churches Evangelical Churches

St. John’s Evangelical Church (West Sunbury Street)

St. John’s Evangelical Church Early Postcard

From The 1976 History of Northumberland County with Illustrations

There were members of the Evangelical Association, living at Shamokin, as early as 1842. They had preaching occasionally by ministers from other places, until about 1854, when a regular appointment was made here, which was served with Mahantongo circuit. During this period, services were held in the Central schoolhouse, and sometimes in private houses and awhile in the United Brethren Church.

St. John’s Evangelical Church Postcard

In Spring of 1867, it was formed into a mission with Trevorton, with Rev. C. Gingrich as pastor. He preached every alternate Sabbath. In 1869, Rev. S. S. Chubb, was appointed pastor. During his administration, the church they now occupy was erected. It is a handsome frame structure, on West Sunbury Street. The membership increasing considerably, in 1871, it was constituted a mission by itself, and Rev. R. Mott was appointed the first regular pastor, that resided in the place. He had two services each Sabbath, German in the forenoon, and English in the evening.

St. John’s Evangelical Church Postcard

The church debt was paid off, and the society so prospered that in the Spring of 1872, it became a self-supporting station, with a membership of two hundred. Mr. Mott was succeeded by Rev. B. J. Smoyer, who served the congregation acceptably two years. The church prospered under his labors, numbering some two hundred and fifty-three members on his retirement. He was followed by Rev. W. A. Leopold, the present incumbent, who is filling out his second year. The church, under the able charge of Mr. Leopold, has increased to four hundred and two members, the largest membership in the town except the Catholic Church. Last year, the church edifice was enlarged so as to contain three hundred more. It will now accommodate eight hundred persons. The trustees are: D. C. Smirk, Daniel Rahn, John Wolf, Joseph Kopp, and H. L. Renn. Value of the church property, about seven thousand dollars.

St. John’s Evangelical Sunday School

This school was started in 1869 and has prospered to a wonderful degree. Number of teachers, forty-two; number of scholars, five hundred and fifty. The pastor is the superintendent. Besides this, the church has three mission schools under its charge; one at Burnside Colliery, with fifty scholars; one at Big Mountain, with forty scholars, and one at Springfield, with fifty-five scholars.