| The Associate Presbyterian
Cong. of South Buffalo was organized in the year of our Lord One
Thousand Eight Hundred & Eleven by Rev. D. French under the
inspection of the Presbytery of Chartiers constituting in connection
with North Buffalo, of which it before was a part. This pastoral charge
where he at first preached one third of his time and afterwards one
half. In the year 1834 having increased until the number of members was
about 170 the Cong. built a large substantial brick church to take the
place of the old log house which had become too small. About the year
1838 an emigration to Illinois commenced, which in connection with the
formation of the Congregations of Wheeling and Washington, so reduced
their number that in A. D. 1855 they numbered only 100 members. In 1882
Mr. French on account of age & declining health resigned this part
of his charge & was released about the last of April of that year.
The Congregation remained vacant until October 1856 when J. G. Carson,
for whom they had made out a call the previous November, having
accepted this call at the Synod in May, took charge of the Congregation
& was ordained & installed as pastor by the Presbytery of
Chartiers Nov. 13, 1856. The following was the roll of members at that
time, numbering just one hundred, together with the changes since. The
salary promised at that time was $500. Afterwards in 1860 /61 they
purchased 5 acres of ground near the church on which they erected a
commodious manse which being rent free added to the salary about 100
dollars.
During the War of the Rebellion
prices having advanced very greatly the Cong. agreed to supplement the
salary during the prevalence of high prices by $200. This was all paid
half yearly in advance. In 1858 by the union of the Associate and Ass.
Ref. Churches this Presbyterian Church was …… by this union, this
congregation was not in any manner affected except by the change of
name as was the Cong. of the A. R. Church within its bounds.
Mr. French on account of old
age demitted this part of his charge in the Spring of 1852 and was
released by the Presby. of Chartiers. He continued to preach at N.
Buffalo for about 2 yrs when having received a stroke of Paralysis he
was compelled to desist altogether from preaching. He lingered a
few months & died in a ripe old age & his memory is cherished
with affectionate regard & esteem by the surviving members of
both parts of his charge. He was born Aug. 23 1783 died March? 30,
1855.
Rev. James Gillespie Carson,
son of the Rev. David Carson was born near Maryville, Blount Co. Tenn.
, Feb. 11, 1833, was graduated at Jefferson college in 1849, and
studied theology at Canonsburg, Pa. Was licensed June 22, 1855 by
Chartiers presbytery and ordained Nov. 13, 1856 by the same. Was
pastor of South Buffalo Washington Co., Pa. from Nov. 13, 1856 to May
1867.
Dr. Alexander MacLachlan was
born in Kilninver , Argleshire [Argyllshire], Scotland in 1843. He
immigrated to America with his parents, when he was eight years
old. they settled in Deleware Co., N. Y. where he was reared. was
graduated at Union College in 1870, and studied theology at Newburgh,
N. Y. , was licensed in April 1871 by presbytery, and ordained April
15, 1873 by Chartiers presbytery. He was then pastor of South
Buffalo, Wash. Co., Pa. since ordination. With South
Buffalo church moved to Claysville Pa. in 1883. He continued his
pastorate until Dec. 8 1822 when he resigned on account of infirmaties
of old age, after having served the congregation fifty years, and died
at the South Side hospital Pitts., Pa June 10, 1923 in his 80 yr. and
was laid to rest in the Claysville cemetery. A beloved pastor. As
a congregation we will tenderly cherish the memory of his words and
deeds and will be always appreciative of and grateful for the splendid
service he has rendered us.
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