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In 1891, Rev. A.M. Bean visited the Society of Gearhartville. He preached on a Sunday afternoon in a grove owned by Lewis Anderson. Later in 1891 Mrs. Verna Morgan moved to Philipsburg. Mrs. Morgan was a district evangelist from New York Conference. She saw the great opportunity for spiritual work in the area. She visited the Pittsburgh Conference and offered room and board to a young man willing to come to the promising field.
Rev. A.D. Zahnizer with two years experience on a circuit arrived in Philipsburg. Rev Zahnizer held services in the Old Union Church and organized a society. (The Old Union Church was built in 1820 and is a landmark in Philipsburg today.)
In 1892, F.W. Cox joined Rev. Zahnizer and served as supply. Rev. Zahnizer secured Chapman’s Hall in Gearhatville. There was a gracious revival and a new society was formed. On June 11, 1893, this new Free Methodist society purchased the former Primitive Methodist Church. The building was 26’ X 30’ and cost $600.
During the ministry of Rev. F.W. Parks (1903-1905), a great revival took place where sixty were converted. A parsonage was purchased for $650.
In 1928, during the pastorate of H.G. Leighlitner as supply, the former Congregational Church was given to the Free Methodist Society and torn down since it could not be sold. The membership agreed to it being completely remodeled which included a 18’ X 26’ addition on the back, a front entrance 10’ X 10’ including a belfry and bell. Also a basement was added and a furnace installed. Also under H.G. Leightlitner’s ministry a renewing revival occurred.
During the ministry of G.G. Burke (1947-1957), an annex was added which provided four Sunday School rooms, restrooms and a new stream heating plant for $8,000. Pews, altars, pulpit, communion table and new floor were installed in the sanctuary.
The parsonage was completely remodeled when G.K. Chalfant was pastor.
In March 1966, during the ministry of B.K. Swartwood, the sanctuary was remodeled with birch paneling, a beam-effect suspended ceiling and indirect fluorescent lighting, new pella wood doors leading to the Sunday School rooms. Also the wiring was upgraded and new baseboard heating was installed for $4,000. The remodeling was continued in the fall with an addition of 14’ X 26’ at the rear of the church. This provided two Sunday School rooms, an office, an enlarged altar and back entrance. The basement completely remodeled provided fourteen rooms at a cost of $10,000.
The Gearhartville Society is one of the oldest circuits within the bounds of the Oil City Conference (now the Keystone Conference) and the first circuit in the Tyrone District. |
