Rev. William S. Hoffman, Jr 1994-2007

Installed June 12, 1997- Pastor Bill had served for five years at 1st Presbyterian Church of Pemberville, Ohio. He had served a few internships in seminary including a summer internship at Schuller's Crystal Cathedral. He received his M. Div degree from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, Calif in 1989 and Doctorate in Ministry from Pittsburgh Seminary in 2007. Pastor Bill's comment- "I'm greatly indebted to Bethel for giving me the time and encouragement. The dedication page of my thesis book is to Bethel." The pastor enjoyed running and could be see almost any morning running the country roads. His candidate sermon at Bethel included an unforgettable childrens message. Children were asked to come forward and Bill said "follow me," and off he went at a run up one aisle and down the other with the children in close pursuit. While at Bethel he performed 23 marriages & 84 baptisms and was the longest serving pastor since the pastorate of Rev. Dice (1877-1914). Bill and Amy were married August 20, 1983 and celebrated their 25th Anniversary in 2008. They have six children. Anna, Kevin, twins Joe & Ben. Amy had always wanted to adopt a child in need. In August 2006 they traveled to Ethiopia and adopted two, Bereket, a son and Tensai, a daughter. Rev. Hoffman is now senior pastor of East Main Presbyterian Church of Grove City,Pa.

Rev. William Gestal, Jr. ~ 1984-1992

Installed and ordained September 2, 1984. Rev. Gestal grew up in Huntington, New York which is located on Long Island. In 1974 he entered Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. After six years, earned a B.S. and M.S. in Materials Engineering. Two very important events occurred for Bill during his time at Rensselaer, he came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and savior, and he met Susan Lynn Brendemuehl. Sue earned a B.A. in Geology. One week after graduation they were married The young couple headed for Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, located thirty miles north of Boston, Mass., where Bill received his M.Div. During Rev. Gestal's pastorate the addition of a fellowship hall, office, and renovation of the old dining hall and classroom was completed. Bill could always be found with a paint brush in his hands an doing his bit for the renovation. The pastor will always be remember for his unusual laugh. At many a program at church or the school, the players were warned he would be in the audience. His smile is very contagious. Even more is his love for the Lord which comes through in this smile. While at Bethel Bill & Sue became the parents of Laura Marie. They now have three children and since 2002 has been senior pastor at Presbyterian Church of Old Greenwich, in Greenwich, Ct.

Rev. George Yates ~ 1978-1983

Ordained July 2, 1978. Installed October 15, 1978. George majored in Philosophy and Religion at Grove City College in Pa. and studied the Hebrew Language at Lancester Seminary A graduate of Princeton University. He and his wife Jane have three children, daughters Joy, Julie and son Jonathan. Rev. Yates was instrumental in starting the 2:7 Navigators Study Groups at Bethel. Also during Rev. Yates pastorate the board of Deacons was reestablished in 1979 .George has always been an avid fisherman and hunter. Jane is an accomplished pianist and was always ready to help out with the music for church function.
Rev. Yates left Bethel in November 1983 to become an active duty Army Chaplain. He was stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia where he served as battalion chaplain to a training unit of 1200 troops. In addition to Sunday worship, he did counseling, troop visitations, and organized special events and services. In 1985 Chaplain Yates was reassigned to the 67th Battalion, a rapid deployment force. He spent many weeks on field maneuvers, received the Army Achievement medal, and the meritorious Service Medal, the highest award given to Captains in peace time. Rev. Yates became pastor of the Oakwood Presbyterian Church in New Bethlehem, Pa and then served as pastor at 2nd Presbyterian Church New Castle, Pa. He is now pastor of New Covenant Evangelical Presbyterian Church of New Castle, Pa. He was called in 2003 to serve in Iraq in his capacity as Chaplain. He is now retired from the Army. As of the year 2009 George and Jane have been married 35 years and have three grandchildren.

Rev. James Thomson ~ 1974-1977

Ordained and installed August 11, 1974. A graduate of Gordon Conwell Seminary. Jim and his wife Shirley were instrumental in starting the Seekers Sunday School Class which began a new growth and spirit in the church. After leaving Bethel they went to a church in Cincinnati, Ohio. Shirley passed away in August 1980. She was very active with the children. A stained Glass window with the picture of Jesus and the children was installed and dedicated to her memory in 1983. Jim and his present wife, Beth lived in East Liverpool, Ohio in 1988 and he was pastor of First Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Jim and Shirley's two daughters are Liza, born while they were at Bethel, and Amy born Cincinnati.

Rev. Dr. David Osborn ~ 1972-1973

Ordained June 8, 1941. Installed July 16, 1972. Dr. Osborn was born in Sittingbourne, Kent, England. His family moved to Alberta, Canada when he was a small boy. He studied medicine at University of Alberta for three years. At this time he felt God calling him to the ministry. He started his studies at Quenst University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Here he earned his Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Divinity and master of Divinity degrees. He received his Doctor of Philosophy from University of Chicago. He was ordained in Christian Ministry in the United Church of Canada in June, 1941. This denomination later became part of the Presbyterian Church. He did mission work in the Yukon Territory and along what is now the Alaskan Highway. He served churches in Montreal, Quebec and Oshawa, Ontario, Canada.
He came to the United States in 1951. Served churches in Cochranton, Reading, Scranton, Williamsport and Pittsburgh before coming to the Shenango Presbytery. He and his wife Janet came to Bethel July, 1972. After leaving Bethel his health was poor. He continued to preach for a number of years and was an Interim Supply for many churches. Dr. Osborn died June, 1986 at the age of 76 and is buried in Rich Hill Presbyterian Church cemetery. The addition of a pastor's study, office, and conference room was completed during Dr. Osborn's pastorate.

Rev. James S. Yount ~ 1965-1970

Installed July 4, 1965. Served Bethel five years. He accepted a call to Braddock United Presbyterian Church near Pittsburgh. They have been back to renew old friendships many times over the years. Due to illness Rev. Yount retired. Their children are: Richard, Rebecca and James.

Rev. J. Harry Fisher ~ 1958-1964

Ordained June 15, 1958. Installed July 15, 1958. Rev. Fisher is remembered as having a zeal for teaching the Word of God. His fist love was God, his family, and then the youth of Bethel. He was very influential in bringing many of the youth to know Christ. Rev. Fisher, with his wife Ellen, returned on occasion to be a guest speaker for Sunday worship. After leaving Bethel the family went to Lower Burrell United Presbyterian Church near Pittsburgh. He passed away January 1, 1984. They have two sons, John and Timothy

Rev. Hugh Rose ~ 1954-1957

Installed November 19, 1954. Rev. Rose left Bethel to accept a call to Jefferson U.P. Church, Clairton, Pa. and served there until 1964. After leaving Jefferson in 1964 he served College Hill Presbyterian Church of Beaver Falls, Pa for seven years. It was very gratifying to see as may as sixty college students at each Sunday morning worship. The pastor has studied at the American School of Oriental Research, Jerusalem. Rev. Rose has been senior pastor of Cortland United Presbyterian Church, Cortland, New York since 1971. His wife Mary Catharine (Wayne) is full-time Christian Educator on the staff. Hugh and Cathy were married November 20, 1954 at Bethel. They are the parents of Hugh Scott, Jonathan Wayne, and Mary Kay.
The above information is all we had on Rev. Rose. We contacted Cortland United Presbyterian Church in Cortland, New York and ask if they could add to our history. We received the following from Bill Whiting the archivist of the Cortland Church. Our thanks to Bill for giving us permission to add this wonderful information about Rev. Rose to our Bethel Church History.
BY ANY OTHER NAME
Hugh King Rose 1971-1989

When our church observed its 175th anniversary in 2000, Hugh Rose was here to take part in the celebration and to receive the title of Pastor Emeritus – the first time it has been given in our church’s history. It was an apt demonstration of the claim made in the newsletter after Hugh’s death by John Wavle, whom the newsletter characterized as “a pillar of the church for many years, clerk of the Session and a member of the search committee that brought the Roses to Cortland: “To know him was to love, revere, and respect him.”
Hugh King Rose was born 23 July 1929 in South Kortright (according to his obituary) or Stamford (according to an article there when he came to Cortland) and spent his formative years working on the family farm, which his father fully expected him to take over some day. But when Hugh came home from Muskingham College upon completing his B.A. and showed his father a book of Robert Frost-inspired reflections, the elder Rose encouraged him to pursue further education, which took him to Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. There he met and married fellow student Catherine Wayne, intent upon completing work in religious education. “The two shared a profound love,” the obituary in the Cortland Standard recalls, “expressing the love as a team, in both their family and professional lives.”
Hugh held two previous pastorates before coming to UPC: at Jefferson United Presbyterian Church in Clairton PA and at College Hill Presbyterian Church in Beaver Falls, PA. (Trivia Question: which previous pastor of our church received a Doctor of Divinity degree from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA.?)
“Hugh was not a charismatic, flamboyant, back-slapping fist-shaking, pulpit-pounding evangelist,” wrote John Wavle. “He was the exact antithesis – a quiet man. He was a cheerful, thoughtful listener who cared for all of us. He was a compassionate, forthright, unassuming man of God. A close personal friend of his recently described High as a ‘sweet’ person, He was ‘sweet’ in the purest sense of the word.”
“Someone described his sermons,” said Janis Martin when naming him Pastor Emeritus during our 175th Anniversary Celebration, “as little packages wrapped with a bow and dropped in the laps of the congregation.” He was the only minister who never bought a car from John Wavle, she claimed, and recalled that he got down on his knees to beg Sue Bonne to be our choir director (for which we will be eternally grateful).
On the tenth anniversary of their arrival, a committee consisting of Warren Bartholomew, Adele Bement, Eleanor Blodgett, Gary Marsted, Eudene Steinfeldt, Rosemary Taylor, Arthur Rice, and John Wavle sent a letter to all the members of the congregation. “The past ten years in which Hugh and Cathy Rose have been with us have been most fortunate years for our Church,” it began. “Through their guidance and example our personal lives have been enriched and our will to work together in Christian service has been strengthened. Each one of us can think of special occasions for thankfulness or enlightenment through their ministry. As a consequence many have expressed a desire to put their gratitude into tangible form”
The “tangible form” was a vacation trip that sent them to Scotland to trace family roots and on to the Holy Land. “It was the easiest fund-raiser of all times,” wrote John.
Hugh was here for eighteen years, putting him right up there in the long-run category with Carl Scovel, Ralph Lankler, and James Robertson (who received a Doctor of Divinity degree from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA.). A press release announcing his departure said, “Rose’s gift for relating Biblical narratives to current situations has been a blessing to all who have heard him preach. The clear and concise interpretations he presents so vividly are without peer.” Hugh and Cathy died within the same year – she in October of 2001 and he in July of 2002. It was a sad time for the any friends they left behind in our church.

Rev. Willard George ~ 1949-1954

Ordained and installed May 10, 1949. He was welcome in every home, is the first comment we hear of Rev. George and his wife Dorothy. He was a person who loved people and made a point to visit. He was a very organized person and kept a schedule and notebook from day to day of his visits. The 1950's sanctuary addition was added during Rev. George's pastorate. Dorothy was very active in prayer groups and Bible studies. After leaving Bethel they went to Second U.P. church in New Castle, Pa and then to Youngstown, Ohio. Eventually went to Miami, Florida to be Ass't Pastor to Rev. Cal Rose. He returned in the early 1980's to be guest speaker at a Father & Son Banquet. he died March of 1984. His beloved wife Dorothy died in 1980. Hearing of Dorothy's death, Timothy Croft of Miami Shores Pres. Tower Talk wrote, "As far as Dorothy was concerned, to be a Christian simply meant to be as Christ to other people. And so she was. She unselfishly gave of herself to others, particularly to those whom most of us casually ignore and quietly pass by on the other side of the road. We have been richly blessed to have shared life with Dorothy." the Georges had four children: Virginia, Jean, Fred and Liza Jane who died at the age of 10.

Rev. J. Harold McCausland ~ 1947-1948

Rev. McCausland returned for a year. He was considered by many as a very intelligent person and very interested in the history of Bethel. He was the driving force in the celebration of the Sesquicentennial. The history book which was compiled at this time was a valuable tool for the 1988 history committee.

Rev. Roland Marshall Wilson ~ 1945-1947

Ordained and installed November 18, 1945. A graduate of Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary. He was from Chase City, Va. attended seminary under the care of Tennessee Presbytery. He was graduated in 1931 from Hampden-Sydney College, Hampton-Sydney, Va. He served Bethel two years as pastor. He resigned to accept a teaching position at Erskine College in Due West, South Carolina. He was a bachelor while at Bethel.

Rev. J. Harold McCausland 1942~1945

Rev. McCausland was ordained May 20, 1942 and installed by Westmoreland Presbytery as pastor of Briton Avenue United Presbyterian Church of North Braddock, May 20, 1940.He was installed at Bethel on September 7, 1942. He had served as a student pastor during his senior seminary year. He was born in Indiana County, but spent most of his early life in Apollo. He is a graduate of Vandergrifth High School and Muskingum College where he received an A.B. degree in 1937. From Pittsburgh Xenia Theological Seminary he earned the TH. B degree in 1940 and received the M.A. degree in June 1948. He and Helen Marie Boyer were married May 28, 1904. Their homes were separated by a very short distance; they were raised in the same church and their family pews separated by the width of an aisle. They have two children James Harold born during the pastorate at North Braddock and Robert Wayne born while at Bethel.

Rev. C. Bradley Watkins ~ 1939-1942

Installed February 7, 1939. He was a senior at the Pittsburgh_Xenia Theological Seminary. During his time at Bethel the mission subscription was increased from three hundred dollars to six hundred dollars. He was instrumental in starting the Mizpah Sunday School class which still meets in 2008. Hee resignedMarch 8, 1942 to accept a call to Valencia U.P. Church. He was there a year then requested an overseas assignment. He and his wife Martha were sent to the mission field in Luxor Egypt from 1944 to 1967. He also worked with American Bible Society in the translations department from 1968 to 1976 before accepting his final pastorate at First United Presbyterian in Chester, W. Va. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity at Westminster College in 1999. He went home to be with his Lord September 20, 2007, two days before his 93rd birthday. He was preceded in death by his wife Martha. They had four children, Charles, Franklin, Virginia and Marilyn, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Rev. George N. Neill ~ 1926-1938

Installed June 26, 1926. A graduate of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Rev. Neill conducted the service for the laying of the "cornerstone" in the foundation of the church in 1926. Within a few weeks he baptized three sets of twins: Ralph and Russell Strohecker, Pearl and Grace Lipp, and Hazel and Helen Kuhn. After serving for twelve years, he accepted a call to Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church, Tarentum, Pa. He later moved to Florida and passed away at the age of 91 . He was a bachelor.

Dr. Robert N. Montgomery ~ 1925

Dr. Robert N. Montgomery was supply minister from April to September, 1925. He left Bethel to study at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Robert was born in 1900, the son and grandson of Presbyterian ministers. Roberts' father was John Knox Montgomery who became president of Muskingum College in 1904. He was the 5th child of J. Knox & Emme Patton Montgomery and grew up on the Muskingum campus in New Concord, Ohio. Two of Robert's brothers, Don and Paul also became Presbyterian ministers. Robert graduated from Muskingum in 1921 and attended Pittsburgh Zenia Seminary and graduated in 1924. In 1925 he married the former Ruth Kelley, whom he met while she was attending Oberlin College.
Upon his return to the U.S. he taught at Pittsburgh Xenia until he was called to be president of Tarkio College in Tarkio, Missouri in the fall of 1928. At the time, Robert was the youngest president of any college in the U.S. at age 28. He remained at Tarkio until he was called to become president of Muskingum College in 1932 to succeed his father J. Knox Montgomery who died the year before. While president of Muskingum, Robert was elected moderator of the United Presbyterian Church in 1957 and was the last moderator before the merger of the U.P. and the Presbyterian Churches in 1958. He remained as president and later as Chancellor of Muskingum until his death in 1967 at the age of 67. He was survived by his wife Ruth who died in 1993 and his only child Molly Brunner who lives in Seattle, Wa. (Information provided by C. Barry Montgomery -nephew of Rev. Robert Montgomery)

Rev. M. G. Jerrow ~ 1919-1924

Installed July 17, 1919. He came from Conneaut Lake U.P. Church. He resigned after five years of service to take up his new work at Antrim, Ohio. He retired to the town of Bellaire, Ohio

Rev. Carl E. Person ~ 1916-1919

Rev. Dr. Carl E. Person was ordained March 30, 1916 and installed as Bethel's pastor the same day. Rev & Mrs. Person were the first couple to live in the manse or parsonage which was built during the winter of 1915 and 1916. He resigned after three years and went to the Second United Presbyterian Church in Youngstown, Ohio. He died suddenly in 1951 after conducting morning service in Ohio.

Rev. John Smith Dice ~ 1873-1914

Licensed by Mercer Presbytery, August 27, 1872. He was ordained by Beaver Valley Presbytery and installed pastor of Bethel April 21, 1874. Born near Poland, Ohio November 12, 1844 to George and Catherine Phillips Dice. Graduated from Westminster College in 1869. His theological training was at Allegheny United Presbyterian Seminary graduating in 1873. He served as pastor of Bethel for forty years being released by presbytery June 23, 1914. He was voted by the congregation as pastor emeritus. He was installed pastor of Union and Brownsdale, Butler Presbyter, May 5, 1915 and released from the latter congregation April 29, 197 but continued as pastor at Union until may 4, 1919. He built the home east of the church where the Dawson family now lives. Rev. & Mrs. Margaret M (McQuigg) Dice were married June 29, 1875 They had four children: Charles L., Alice B., J. Renfrew, and Margaret M. Rev. Dice died June 8, 1924. His service was held at Bethel June 10 and people started paying their respects at 6:30AM. One member was heard to say "I always felt nearer to heaven when Mr. Dice was praying". The greatest impression of his life was the fact of his childlike faith in God, God's Holy Book, Gods' love, and his firm belief of prayer. The October 2, 1924 edition of The United Presbyterian wrote. "Like his Master, he was always going about doing good, bearing the burdens of others, proclaiming the unsearchable riches of the Christ whom he knew so well, and bringing into sad hearts the comfort which only a man of faith can bring". The church remodeling of 1904 was done during Rev. Dice's pastorate.

Rev. Dice had a great love of history. He kept a Pastoral Registry Book with all the couples he married, all the baptisms and funerals he performed. He was the driving force behind the 100th anniversary celebration of Bethel Church. His records were and to this day are the best kept information for the history of Bethel.

Rev. Samuel Alexander ~ 1855-1872

Ordained August 21, 1855 and served about 16 years. He is credited with starting Sunday School. His pastorate was during the Civil War when members who disagreed with the church's views of slavery were called before the session. He was a man of decided convictions and vigorous mind and a good teacher, but was not always in full accord with the members. Due to his lack of agreement he was not fully sustained and the work consequently was not carried on with a thorough and hearty spirit. He resigned February 20, 1872. After leaving Bethel, he served in Lydon, Kansas for eight years. He died May 11, 1895 after several years as an invalid.

Rev. John W. Harsha ~ 1844-1852

Installed as pastor on June 16, 1844 at a yearly salary of $350.00. As the result of an attack of quinsy, he lost his voice. After a period of no improvement the congregation reluctantly accepted his resignation. After he recovered he taught Latin and English Literature at Westminster College. Over study brought on nervous prostration and reduced him to the condition of a invalid. He had written two books, the first being: "The Nature, Effects and Pardon of Sin; to which is added a warning and exhortation to sinners" published in 1853 and is available in the library of Princeton Theological Seminary of New Jersey and also Emroy Universtiy. His second book, Song of the Redeemed, Salvation to God and to the Lamb has 482 pages and was written in 1860 while he was in Argyle, New York, published in 1870 and is in the New York City Library.

Rev. David Imbrie ~ 1806-1842

Installed as pastor of Bethel September 3, 1806. A faithful minister of Jesus Christ. He served Bethel, Darlington and Big Beaver churches. The line of ministers among his descendants has been kept up for a least four generations. He was faithful to the end. When arriving at Bethel to conduct service on June 13, 1842 he was taken ill and died in the home of Nathaniel Hamil, a member who live near the church. It is believed the home is still standing. There was log house on the property but is now gone. There still stands a home build 1834 on the property and this could be the home.

Rev. James Duncan 1800-1804

A native Pennsylvanian, born in Green Castle, Franklin County, educated at Canonsburg Academy. Studied theology with Dr. John Anderson of Service, Pa. Licensed Sept. 1796 by the Presbytery of Penna. and ordained in 1800. He was one of the first graduates from Associate Seminary and the second student licensed in this country by the Associate Church. he was pastor of Little Beaver (Bethel), Brush Run (Darlington) and Mahoning. he was a prominent member of Associate Presbytery of Ohio and moderator of the organization of Chartiers Presbytery in 1801. Rev. Duncan was of Scot-Irish descent. He was said to be a large, robust, and corpulent man. He was pleasant and genial, with more than ordinary clearness and grasp of mind possessing strong argumentative powers. He was slow in movement and noted for delivering long sermons. His hair was carefully trained to stand erect on his forehead in what was called a top-knot. He rode throughout his parish on horseback and the horse was always very poor.

Doctrines not received nor taught by the Associate Church were promulgated by him. In 1813 he published a book entitled "A View of the Covenant of Works, Man's Fall and Recovery Through Jesus Christ." it contained errors in relation to original sin and Christ's atonement and intercession. For this he was tried and condemned by Presbytery and Synod. In 1815 he withdrew from the Associate Church, united with the Presbyterian Church and went to Paducah, Kentucky, where he stayed from 1816 to 1824. In 1825 he moved to Vevay, Indiana and published a book against slavery and spent the rest of his life preaching from cabin to cabin in new settlements in the west. He died on one of these mission tours on the border of Indiana in1841

In personal and financial matters he was very careless, and history says, he was a slave to the use of tobacco. It was not uncommon for him to stop in the middle of his sermon and take a bite from his plug. It is said that at least on one occasion he stopped in the middle of his sermon, went to one of his elders and "borrowed a chew" then went on with the sermon. Little is know of his family, except for one of his sons who became a physician in Cincinnati and served one term as a member of Congress from that district.

LIST OF WORSHIPPERS IN LOG CHURCH

Phillip Aughenbaugh and family, came in 1796
George Aughenbaugh and family
John Aughenbaugh and family
Brice McGeehon and family, 1798
Charles Morrow and family, 1786
Thomas and Margaret Morrow
John Lecky and family 1797
William Lecky and family
John Dobins and family, 1801
Patric Dixon and family, 1802, Soldier of the Revolution
William B. Dixon and family
James Elder and family
Robert Brewster, Sr and family
Nathaniel Hamill and family
Sally Hamill
John Hamill and family
Smith Hamill and James Hamill
Mathew Kennedy and family
William Gilmore
Thomas Hogg and family, came to America in 1796
Samuel Hopper and family
John Hopper and family
Robert Caldwell and family, noted for his knowldge of Bible
John Orr and family
John Leslie and family
Adam Leslie and family
Thomas Dungan and family
Robert Sherer and family
David Johnston and family Mrs. Johnston was a granddaughter of Brice McGeehon
John McCandless and family
Robert Ramsey and family
David Ramsey and family
David White and family
Nathaniel White and family
Samuel White and family. Mrs. White's name was Leslie and is said to have walked most of the way from Philadelphia
John White and family
Wm Clark, Sr and family
David Clark and family
John Witherspoon and family
Robert McGeehon and family
John Smith and family
William Gibson and family
Dr. Robert Smith and wife
Wm Miller and family
James Miller and family
Mrs. Lydia Wilson and family
Robert Forbes and family
David Forbes and family
Robert gaily and family
John Gaily and family
Joseph McKelvey and family, carpenter of the first frame church
Hugh McKelvey and family
Oliver Duff and family
James Duff and family
Samuel Magnes and family
Wm Alexander and family
Andrew Jenkins and family
James Boges and family
Hugh McCready and family
John McCready and family
"Red" John McCready and family
"Black" John McCready and family
Robert Paden and family, 1796
Wm Paden and family
Hugh Paden and family
Henry Paden and family
Paggie McMullen
Jennette Smith
James Wallace
Charles Raney and family
Alexander Wright and wife

Early Elders ~ circa 1798

Brice McGeehon:
Brice seems to have been a leading spirit in the new country and took great interest in the establishing of Bethel Church. When a stranger would come inquiring for land, his first question was, "are you a Seceder?" If the answer was yes, the excellences of the land were praised, but if no there was nothing either said or done to praise the area.
One of his neighbors, an Irish lady, came to this house one day exclaiming, "Mr. McGeehon, sure! Willlie ha twa somethings up a tree and he dinna ken what they are at all! They keep squatting' around and looking at him! Would you be after comin' to see?" Mr. McGeehon exclaimed, "Why, woman, they are panthers, they will kill him as sure as the world". Taking his hug, he found the Irishman standing all unconscious of his danger watching two huge panthers ready to spring on him. Raising his rifle he shot one down but the other taking fright, fled into the woods.
Brice helped build the road leading from Darling tot Mt. Jackson. He also planted the first apple trees in the area. Brice died March 29th, 1830 and is buried in Bethel U.P. Church Cemetery.

Charles Morrow ~
Born in Ireland and came to this country in 1786. He was very strict with his family in religious observances. Sabbath keeping and church attendance were the fashion of the time. He had his eldest son called before session and had him dismissed from the church on his refusal to confess that it was wrong to got with his wife to the Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church of which she was member. Charles died at the age of 85 and is buried with his wife in the cemetery of Rocky Springs near New Galilee, Pa.

Thomas Hogg:
He came from Donnegal Ireland about 1796. He lived first in Washington County,Pa before coming to our area in 1798. He was a member of session from about the time of organization until his death in August 1829

Nathaniel Hamill~
Nathaniel Hamill came into the congregation very early in our history, as shown by the treasurers' book. He served the congregation as treasurer during the greater part of the time of the Pastorate of Rev. David Imbrie. The recorded receipts tell of the sacrifices made on the part of the pastor and people in maintaining and carrying forward the cause of Jesus Christ in the new land.
Salary amounts were as small as $1.50 or often a few bushels of grain. Mr. Hamill married Catherine Lecky. In 1802 he purchased one hundred acres form his father-in-law John Lecky for $190.00 In part the deed read, "to a white oak in the line of land belonging to the Seceding Congregation of North Beaver Township". Mr. Hamill died on November 1, 1843 and Catherine, his first wife, died March 13, 1833. Both are buried in Bethel's Cemetery.

Thomas Dungan:
Born in Holidays' Cove, Virginia. He and his first wife, Jane Witherspoon had eleven children. After Jane died, Thomas married Cynthia Hamill, daughter of Nathanial and granddaughter of John Lecky. The had four children. Alonzo who died in boyhood, Horace R. and Emmet W. who resided on Mt. Air Road and Charles who died California.
Thomas was a very active member of Bethel. He was song leader and the Clerk of Session for nine or more years. The earliest records of session are in his handwriting. He was a very liberal thinker. Rev. John Harsha in 1844 was said to have called him Peter because he was always ready to speak.
He became the Honorable Thomas Dungan in 1851 and was the first representative of Lawrence County for the years 1851 and 1852. He set up the charter for the Lawrence County Courthouse and the first cemetery in New Castle, Pa. He was on the first board of trustees for Westminster College in 1851. He died July 10,1873 and Cynthia died April 8 21, 1903 Both are buried in Bethels' Cemetery.