The History of the Hopwood United Methodist Church
Part I
The earliest church organization in Hopwood was the Methodist Episcopal Church. This society was organized at least as early as 1825, at which time the Pittsburgh Conference was formed from the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
For a number of years, the meeting place of the society was at the home of Moses Hopwood, Sr., and there the preaching services and class meetings were held. At this formative period of the church, such eminent ministers of the church such as Henry B. Bascom, Charles Elliot, John H. Fielding, James G. Samson, John A. Waterman, and Thomas M. Hudson, held religious services which were to afterwards give life to both of the Methodist Churches of Hopwood.
In 1833, the stone church on the hill was built, during the pastorate of Rev. J. K. Miller. The ministers who have since looked after the spiritual welfare of the members of this church are as follows: Rev, John White, David L. Dempsey, David Hess, William Tipton, Hamilton Cree, Warner Long, Ebenezer Hays, Henry Kerns, Richard Jordan, John L. Irwin, Samuel Wakefield, R. Gordon, Martin Horner, Henry Long, William K. Foutch, William C. P. Hamilton, Walter K. Brown, H. Snyder, S. Show, Isaac P. Sadler, John McIntyre, E. S. Griffith, Thomas Hudson Wilkinson, Homer J. Smith, W. D. Stevens, H. L. Chapman, J. L. Stiffey, Charles McCaslin, J. Homeyer, D. J. Davis, Sylvanus Lane, M. D. Lichlitler, R. J. White, J. T Sitffey,, W. L. McGrew, J. C. Cook, J. E. Inskeep, J.C. High, G. M. Kelley, D. A. Eastburn, Isaac Minerd, H. L. Humbert.
At the time of the organization of this church society, the Methodist Episcopal Church had charge of old Madison College, and the eminent men in charge of the educational work at the college preached to the early members of this church. As early as 1826, Henry B. Bascom, who was then stationed at Uniontown, preached at the home of Moses Hopwood, Sr. every two weeks, the services being held at night. Charles Elliot followed the eloquent Bascom, and then came John H. Fielding. About this time, it was organized as Uniontown mission, and added to the Uniontown station. This was afterwards changed and it was added to the Fayette Circuit. Later it became Smithfield Circuit.
In 1829, there was a great revival at the Hopwood under the ministry of Charles Elliot, then president of Madison College, the professors of the college helping in the work. These religious services were held at the home of Moses Hopwood, Sr. in the winter, and the interest continued through into the summer when meetings were held in the grove. There were over 150 conversions, and the religious wave extended into Uniontown and at the church there and at Madison College. There were hundreds of conversions, and it has gone down into history, as the greatest religious awakening ever know in this section, and was always recognized as the Great Revival.
Early members of this church were: Moses Hopwood, Sr., and Hannah Gaddis Hopwood, his wife, Moses Hopwood, Jr., Gaddis Hopwood, William Hopwood, James Hopwood, Elizabeth Hopwood, Julia Hopwood, Monroe Hopwood, Sr., Thomas Farr, Lucy H. Farr, John DeFord, Sr., Lydia DeFord, John DeFord, Jr., William DeFord, Moses Farr, Fathers Frazier and Brown and Grandmother Brown, William Ellis, Thomas J. Nesmith, Thomas Brownfield and others.
In 1828, the division occurred in the church and many of the members joined the Methodist Protestant Church. From the organization, the church, until it was connected with Fayette Circuit, Moses Hopwood, was class leader; when he retired Gaddis Hopwood, became class leader, and he was succeeded at his death by Jesse Sacket, and he in turn gave way to Perry G. White, who retired from the position in 1857, and was succeeded by Monroe Hopwood, Sr., who was leader for many years. George Hopwood was class leader for a number of years and was superintendent of the Sabbath School, and under his able leadership, the Sabbath School became one of the best in the country. Newton H. Black Hopwood and Jesse Reed became class leader.
The contractors and builders of the stone building were William Hopwood, Gaddis Hopwood, and Thomas Farr. The church was well built, for it had withstood many of the mountain storms.
Gaddis Hopwood was a local minister in the Hopwood M. E. Church, and did splendid work for the Master until called up higher. Moses Hopwood was also a local preacher in this church and did much good. Several of the early members of this church became ministers, prominent among them being James Hopwood, William Ellis, James Brown, George Livingstone, William Wallace, and the following became local ministers: Thomas Nesmith, William DeFord, and Stephen K. Brown. James Hopwood relocated to Iowa where he became a member of the Iowa Conference of the M. P. Church; James Brown preached at Confluence, Somerset County, PA. George Livingstone joined the Ohio Conference, and William Wallace, the Pittsburgh Conference.
William DeFord moved to Carroll County, Ohio, and became one of the most prominent men in that section of Ohio. During the Civil War, he was a member of the Ohio Legislature, and was prominent in his services in aiding the National Government in its war measures. Thomas Tipton, son of Rev. William Tipton, became an eminent statesman and was United States Senator from Nebraska.
Many of the ministers who preached at the Hopwood Church became eminent in church work. D. L. Dempsey was twice a delegate to the General Conference of the M. P. Church, in 1864 and 1868, at Philadelphia and Chicago; Joseph Horner in charge of the Methodist Book Convern in Pittsburgh was a delegate to the General Conference at Baltimore in 1876; H. L. Chapman has served as a delegate to the General Conference; Samuel Wakefield was likewise prominent in church work and a leader among his people. Some of these ministers as Rev. H. L. Chapman served the church while acting as minister in charge of work at Uniontown.
All of those fathers of the church are dead, but their works and their influence has survived them and the good they have done will go down through all the years of the future.
Part II
In the year 1828, there was secession in the Methodist Episcopal Church about a more liberal church government. It was a few of those who had withdrawn from the M.E. Church who united and built the first M. P. Chapel in Hopwood for this denomination grew out of the reform movement. From facts handed down from the founders, we learn that there was in the year 1829, or thereabouts, a peculiar spiritual awakening among people. Meetings were held in what was called the Hopwood thicket. Camp meetings or as they were called "bush meetings". At the time of this awakening, ministers of the Methodist Protestant denomination held great revival services in this place, then called Monroe, under the leadership of Rev. Charles Elliot, principal of Madison College, which resulted in the organization of the church.
Services were first held in a log school house until a frame meeting house was erected in 1833 on a lot donated by Gaddis Hopwood for that purpose. Moses Scott was the first preacher to be called by this congregation.
It was considered a fine building in the pioneer times and in the early days school as well as diving service was held in the chapel. In 1873, it was rebuilt and refurnished and in 1883 it was placed in the Fairchance circuit after being subordinate to the M. P. Church of Uniontown for about fifty years. The following named persons were the church reformed and first members who assisted in building the chapel; Rev. James Hopwood and wife, Rev. Thomas Johnson Nesmith and wife, Moses Hopwood Farr and wife, John DeFord and wife, Thomas Hopwood and wife, John Bennington and wife, Henry Crayton and wife, Miss Mary Ann Criswell, S. K. Brown and wife, Mrs. Hannah Brownfield, and Mrs. Margaret Devan.
Mrs. Mary Ann Criswell Crayton professed faith in Christ in early womanhood in the M. E. Church in Uniontown, but joined the Protestant in 1828. She died in 1899 at the advanced age of 90 years, and was laid to rest in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Uniontown.
Rev. James Hopwood and wife were members of the M. E. Church, but joined in the church reform. The emigrated to the state of Iowa in 1861, where they have been laid to rest near their western home.
Rev. Thomas Johnson Nesmith was born in Washington City, D.C., in 1796. He professed faith in Christ in early manhood and united with the M. E. Church. In 1828, he joined the Methodist Protestant and became an ordained minister. His wife, Nancy Dorsey, united with the M. E. Church in 1818, and also joined the Protestants in 1828. They went to the state of Illinois in 1866, and living to an advanced age, rich in faith and hope, passed peacefully away within a few years of each other, at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Mary Bosley, Cottage Hill, Illinois.
Moses Hopwood Farr was converted in the M. P. Church in Uniontown before it was seated and his wife, Mary Hatfield, professed faith in Christ in the same church in 1832. After many years of faithfulness they passes away within a few years of each other at their home in Hopwood, and were laid to rest in the Hopwood Cemetery, near the chapel they loved.
Thomas Hopwood and wife were members of the M. E. Church, but joined in the reformation. They immigrated to the state of Oregon in 1852, where they also took an active part in church work. They have been laid to rest till the resurrection morn in the land of the setting sun.
Henry Crayton and wife and Mrs. Margaret Devan, are at rest in the cemetery in sound of the chapel bell they loved to hear, where they labored for Christ, and his Holy cause.
May the sun shine brightly,
May the rain fall lightly,
On all their graves.
The first minister who officiated in the Chapel was Rev. William College, and the following named ministers have since labored for the good of the people: Rev. Shears, James Robinson, Isaac Scott, John Burns, William Wragg, Samuel Clawson, Christian P. Jordon, Joel Wood, Joshua W. Rutlege, Valentine Lucas, Rev. Stubs, Thomas J. Nesmith, W. H. Phips, Henry Parmer, Isaac Francis, James Hopwood, Milton P. Stilwell, P. T. Lashley, James Hopwood, Milton P. Stilwell, P. T. Lashley, P. T. Conway, Henry Lucas, George G. Conway, Edward A. Brindley, Rev. Chapelle, G. B. McCollum, W. H. Gladden, B. F. Sadler, P. T. Conway, William Bryanton, and J. C. Carpenter.
The chapel, being considered too small and inconvenient, the members in 1898 began to work for the purpose of building a new house for worship. For two years, members solicited funds and on April 15, 1900, a meeting was held for the purpose of appointing a committee to secure a suitable lot for the erection of a new M. P. Church. The following committee was appointed: Mr. James Downey, Mr. Robert Shaffer, and Rev. J. C. Cobb. On June 4, 1900, a meeting was called to decide upon the most acceptable lot for the new church. Two lots were presented from which to select: one by Mr. Wolfe and one by Mr. W. A. Stone. A motion was made and passed unanimously that the lot presented by Mr. W. A. Stone be accepted; thus the church was erected at the present site.
The dedication of the church was help June 9, 1901. Rev. J. C. Cobb, pastor of the church assisted by Rev. J. C. Carpenter; Eldersville, PA and Rev. E. J. Wilson, First Church, Uniontown, PA. During the morning service, Rev. Carpenter preached a sermon using as a test John 12:32, "And I, if I be lifted up from this earth, will draw all men unto me."
Before the benediction for the morning service was pronounced, $937.00 of the $1,200.00 indebtedness was raised.
The Dedicatory Service was held in the evening, during which Rev. Cobb, Rev. Carpenter, and Rev. Wilson took part. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. Wilson, whose text was Gal. 6:4. The church was received by the pastor, Rev. Cobb, from Mr. W. A. Stone, treasurer of the building committed.
The organists for the day of Dedication were Miss Mollie Devan and Mr. Thomas B. Hair. The members of the choir with the members of the other church choir were Ella Stone, Frannie Stickle, Naomi Nickel, Mary Canaan, Lida Jeffries, Eva Trader, Mrs. Clara Nesmith, Minnie H. Ogle, Bertha Stone, Lizzie White, Lucas White, W. A. Stone, S. T. Goff, James Johnson, and Oliver Stone.
From the minutes of Minnie H. Ogle is this statement, "Soliciting began in 1898, and it has taken some earnest work form the members of the church and their friends."
The Ladies Aid Society of the Hopwood Methodist Protestant Church was organized January 31, 1910, at the home of Mrs. Arthilla Devan. The Society functioned for quite some time and was instrumental in raising money for improvements to the church.
In 1923, funds were solicited for a Sunday School Room, to be added as a basement to the church proper. Work was begun on the basement July 21, 1927, and completed January 26, 1928.
The mortgage that was incurred when the basement was built was burned on January17, 1936. James Stanton, President of the Trustees, burned the mortgage. Dr. J. A. Allen, Pastor of Calvary Methodist Protestant Church of Uniontown, was the speaker. Rev. P. J. Null, and Rev. J. D. Stillwagon, the host pastor, also participated in the service.
The communion table, communion service, and altar cross were dedicated on January 15, 1939. The communion table was a gift of the Sunday school and the Ladies Aid. The Communion Service was given by the Anti Can't Class. The brass alter cross was presented by the Annie Hopwood Class in memory of Mrs. Ida Stillwagon. Mr. and Mrs. Ray Woods gave a new choir curtain and cover for the communion table. The Arthilla Devan Class financed the redecorating of the Church.
In 1939, The Methodist Protestant Church, The Methodist Episcopal Churches and the Methodist Episcopal Churches South, merged thus forming a unified Methodist Church. The name of the Hopwood Church then became the Hopwood Methodist Church.
The Woman's Society of Christian Service of the Hopwood Methodist Church was organized September e, 1941, by the Pastor, Rev. Wayne W. Moore. The first officers were: President, Mrs. Clara V. Nesmith; Vice-president, Mrs. Margaret Ported; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Maud Blaney; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Bertha Osler; Treasurer, Mrs. Alice Grimes; Secretary of Literature and Supplies, Mrs. Rebecca Griffith; and secretary of Membership, Mrs. Myrtle Michener.
On November 13, 1942, The Annie Hopwood Class of the Church dedicated a Community Service Flag bearing 117 stars. In the same service the Conrade's Class presented an American and a Christian Flag.
In 1950, the church basement was replastered and repainted.
Then in August 0f 1951, an all day service was held to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the present church building.
In 1953, the Clara Nesmith Class, also known as the Men's Bible Class, began planning for an addition to the church. This addition included six Sunday School rooms, two rest rooms, a nursery, and hall at a cost of approximately $20,000.00. The men of the church did most of the work on this unit. The last payment on this addition was made in June 1952 after six years and eight months. Rev. Albert Smith was serving as minister of the church during the time of construction.
Following this addition, the main sanctuary was redecorated. Refinishing of the floors and pews of the sanctuary were done during the summer of 1959. This project was sponsored by the Minnie Stull Class, with the help and cooperation of many members and friends of the church. Mrs. grace Freed was class teacher and Mrs. Elizabeth Sharp was class treasurer at this time.
A dedication of the new Gulbransen electronic organ was held Sunday Morning, September 6, 1959. The organ was presented to the church under the sponsorship of the Minnie Stull Class. Donations were received from members and friends of the church. An organ recital was given by Miss Martha Semans, the church organist. Rev. Walter C. Krause, the church pastor officiated at the dedication service.
The church has been moving forward as far as church property is concerned. In July 1960, a new outside entrance and stairway to the basement was completed.
The Hopwood Methodist Church had been without a suitable home for their ministers for many years. Knowing of this condition, the last Mrs. Savilla Scott, a loyal member, offered one lot free and another lot for $600.00 to the church for a parsonage. Before her offer was accepted she passed away in April of 1960. The children of Mrs. Scott, wishing to carry out the desires of their mother, offered the two lots, numbers 4 and 5 in the Scott plan of lots on Bennington Road, North Union Township, Hopwood, PA
The new parsonage was started on May 2, 1961, by the contractor, Rev. George Brown. A consecration service was held for the new parsonage on Sunday, September 3, 1961, with Dr. W. S. Boyd, District Superintendent of the Connellsville District presiding. Rev. Walter C. Krause and family moved into the parsonage on Wednesday, September 20, 1961.
It had been a long time wish of the late Robert D. Bryson to have an outside bulletin board for the church. On October 15, 1091, that wish became a reality. A bulletin board had been presented to the church in memory of Robert D. Bryson by his wife, mother, brothers, and sisters.
In December of 1954, the sanctuary of the church was painted and the following April new Methodist hymnals were purchased. Many of these hymnals were purchased by individuals and dedicated to someone of their choosing.
During the spring of 1967, the outside of the church was painted. Also, in Mary of 1967, new choir robes were presented to the Junior Choir by a friend of Rev. Robert Robinson, our minister at that time. Then in May of 1967, an electric dishwasher was donated by Service Radio and Electric Company of Uniontown, to be used in the church kitchen. In June of 1967, new outside doors were installed in the main entrance to the church sanctuary. Finally, five new tables were purchased for the Sunday School in September of 1967 at a cost of $35.00 per table.
In 1968, the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged and formed what in now know as the united Methodist Church.
The Hopwood Garden Club landscaped the grounds around the church in April of 1969. This added very much to the beauty of the church grounds. In November of 1969, the Minnie Stull Class sponsored the purchasing of new carpeting for the church sanctuary. With individual contributions as well as from Sunday School classes and organizations of the church, this was made possible.
Perhaps the greatest accomplishment of the past 10 year came about on Sunday, May 10, 1971, when the burning of the mortgage on the parsonage took place. Rev. Robert Siess, District Superintendent of the Connellsville District was the speaker at the morning worship service. He along Pastor Arnold A. Slagle and Mr. Robert Cook, chairman of the board of trustees, burnt the mortgage. Beginning at 2:30 that afternoon, open house was held at the parsonage.
Due to the merger of the two denominations, the women's organization changed its name from the Woman Society of Christian Service to United Methodist Women. This took place in November of 1972. The following officers were the first to service this new group: President Elva Semans; Vice President, Louise Grimm; Secretary, Margaret Whetstone; Treasurer, Bertha Thomas; and Pianist, Lena Peck.
In the spring of 1974, the roof on the Sunday School rooms was repaired.
On Sunday, May 19, 1974, a dedication service was held during the morning worship service for a new Gulbransen electronic organ. The old organ was taken as a trade-in, with the balance being paid by Mr. and Mrs. Abe Mandell, who presented the new organ to the church in loving memory of Mrs. Mandell's mother, Mrs. Edith Crossland Pastorius, who had attended the church and Sunday School during her life time. Rev. Arthur Hummel, church pastor, presided at the service. Miss Martha Semans, Church organist, played several of Mrs. Pastorius favorite hymns.
Two Parament sets were presented to the church by the Conn family in memory of Mr. Harold A. Conn. This presentation was made on Sunday, November 24, 1974, by Scott Conn, grandson of Harold.
Then in 1975, another dedication service was held on February 9th, to dedicate a new Kimball piano, which was purchased with money donated for the organ fund by members and friends of the church. Also at this service, a picture "Crown of Thorns' which was presented to the Sunday School by Miss Brenda Pollak's children's class, was dedicated. Pastor, Rev. Arthur Hummel presided at both services.
On February 23, 1975, the board of trustees met in a special session to discuss the purchasing of an awning for the patio at the parsonage. it was decided by unanimous vote to purchase it from Sears Roebuck and Company at a cost of $249.00 for the awning and an additional charge of $150.00 for installation. This took place in April of 1975.
In the early spring of 1975, Rev. Arthur Hummel had the outside trim on the parsonage painted at his own expense. His son, David, did the work. In the fall of the same year, David was hired by the board of trustees to paint the trim on the outside of the church, which would be completed in the spring of 1976.
On December 10, 1976, at the regular administrative board meeting, the matter of a railing around the patio and down the walk at the parsonage was discussed. Following much discussion, Mr. Edward Harding offered to buy said railing and have it installed as a gift to the church from he and his wife, Della. This railing was constructed by Mr. Woodrow Harding, brother of Edward and finished on Saturday, April 17, 1976.
A public address system for the church sanctuary was purchased by the Minnie Stull Sunday School Class and installed by Mr. Dale Adams and Mr. Robert Cook on April 3, 1976.
The church participated in the Hopwood community bicentennial celebration the week of May17 thru May 23, 1976. Rev. Arthur Hummel, church pastor, Mrs. Shirley Fitzsimmons, Mrs. Jean Ditmore, and Mr. Jack Bell, all from the church service on the planning committee. On Thursday, a quilt display was presented to the public by the women of the church under the direction of Mrs. Roy Latta. This was held in the church Sunday school rooms. A very beautiful and appropriate float was made representing the church, by Mrs. Oma Conn, Mrs. Shirley Fitzsimmons and the Clarence Mitchell family. Mrs. Mitchell is a sister to Oma Conn. The following children of the primary department of the Sunday School road on this float: Johnny Janosik, Allen Treacher, Kathy Rockwell, Lisa Bryson, Sandy Grimm, Jimmy Madison, Scott Conn, and Kenny Mitchell. In the evening of the same day, a "Bicentennial Patriotic Show" was held in the Hutchinson School. Mrs. Edna Bell, one of our oldest and most faithful members of who we are very proud, took part in the program by reciting the poem "The Concord Hymn" by Emerson. Mrs. Bell was 87 years old. The church choir, under the direction of Martha Semans sang two selections: "My Home America" and This is My Country". Members of the choir were: Jeanette Bowers, Jean Ditmore, Shirley Fitzsimmons, Brenda Pollak, Elva Semans, George Semans, Betty Swartz, Bertha Thomas, Gerald White, and Nancy Workman. On Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m., a rededication service of the old Hopwood Cemetery was held. This took place at the spot where one hundred and forty-three years ago the Methodist Episcopal Church dedicated its stone chapel. The cornerstone bearing the date of May 22, 1833 is all that remains of that stone chapel which was torn down about 1915. Rev. Arthur Hummel was in charge of the rededication service and was master of ceremonies. Jack Bell, son of Mrs. Edna Bell, placed several selections on the old crank music box (organ) which was used in the old church. The organ was given to Jack by his grandmother, Mrs. Margaret Rightner Rankin. Scripture for the service was read form the bible used in the old stone chapel.
Plans were being made to celebrate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the present church building on June 6, 1976.
In the summer of 1986, we received a call form the Collier heirs to see if we were interested in purchasing the dwelling adjacent to the church. After a lengthy discussion at a church congregation meeting, it was decided to purchase the property. This property was deeded to the church August 28, 1986. On September 22, 1986, the building was occupied as a pre-school under the direction of Shirley Boord.
May, 1990 the Women's Society opened a nearly new shop in the church basement. Staffed by volunteers, the Nearly New Shop is open every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for the sale of used clothing.
August, 1991, the sanctuary was repainted and new pew cushions were purchased and installed.
In 1992, the carpeting in the basement area was replaced with tile.
October 1993, 110 new chairs and a storage cart were purchased for the social room in the basement. Fifty of these were paid for by Abe and Jane Mandell and sixty were paid for by the Nearly New Shop. May, 1994, new tables were purchased for the social room by Louise Renda and her sister in memory of their mother, Gladys Beatty. This same year, a picnic pavilion was built with memorial money donated in memory of Ty Frankhouser, a student of the pre-school. February , 1995 came the remodeling of the kitchen with donations from parishioners, Abe and Jane Mandell and the nearly new shop. Also in 1995, the ramp at the rear of the church was built in memory of Doyle Peck. This same year, the asbestos siding was replaced with vinyl on the exterior of the church. In 1997, a new powder room was put in the basement with the labor being donated by Jim Wandel and Sam Goodwin. They also installed shelves, installed a dropped ceiling and put wainscoting in the social room and built the new food cupboard storage area. The social room was painted the same time. Jim and Sam also built a new closet in the upstairs Sunday School room. Kerry Candles were donated in memory of Linda Laughery by the Nearly New Shop. In 1998, a fire escape was constructed at the preschool building and air conditioning was installed in the sanctuary and social room areas. Also, in 1998 came the installation of the beautiful carillon that was donated in memory of Chester and Grace Freed by their family. The beautiful music of the carillon has been very much enjoyed by the congregation and people of the community. In 1999, air conditioning was installed for the upstairs Sunday School rooms and the basement Sunday School rooms. This same year, a new cooler and freezer were purchased for the kitchen.
With the hard work and dedication of the Age Level and Family ministries, many dinners were prepared and sold to the public to help raise funds for the purchase of the new windows in the sanctuary. With the money raised from the dinners and the generous memorial donations of the congregation, the new windows were installed in May, 2000. Next came the painting of the ceiling and walls in the sanctuary and the refinishing of the floors. These ladies again donated many hours of their time to raise the funds needed to install new carpet in the sanctuary and Sunday School rooms and the stairways. What a joy to have the support of the congregation so that these projects could be accomplished. The new carpet was installed in May, 2001.
We are a growing church and we strive to follow in the footsteps of our Savior and Lord, Christ Jesus. We are currently doing this under the guidance of our Pastor M. L. Stringfellow and his wife June. They do a wonderful job in nurturing the congregation.
June 10, 2001, proved to be a wonder event as we held the 100th anniversary of our church. Pastor Stringfellow along with Rev. Bob Robinson, Rev. Fred Monk, and Rev. Scott McCormick presided over this event.