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258 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
Mrs. Nancy Carther, and by profession Moors Farwell and Mrs. Elizabeth
Bristol.
"From this date the ministration of the Word was enjoyed mostly
from Sabbath to Sabbath, and Aveekly meetings for prayer and conference
were generally sustained. During a part of the time for the next
three years there was preaching for only part of the time. From 1830
to 1835 the following, ministers officiated, viz.: Rev. Henry CoAvles,
S. J. Bradstreet, Lorin Bobbins and Bennet Roberts.
"The first settled pastor, of the church AVIIS Rev. Alvin Nash, who
commenced his labors in 1835 and was installed in 1836. He was dismissed
at his own instance in 1838. Other ministers who have officiated
are as MIOAVS : Rev. I. A. Hart, from 1838 to 1845. He Avas dismissed
at his own request. Rev. Leverett Hull, from 1845 to 1847; Rev. N. W.
Fisher, from 1847 to 1849, when he died of cholera; Rev. R. 13. Beuient,
from 1849 to 1850; Rev. C. J. Pit, from 1850 to 1852; Rev. S. J.
EdAvards, from 1853 to 1854; Rev. Alexander Duncansoii, from 1854
to February, 1857; Rev. J. B. Walker, from 1857 to 1863; Rev. E. P.
Ingersoll, from 1863 to 1868; Rev. IT. N. Burton, from 1868 to 1876;
Rev. Josiah Strong, from 1876 to 1881; Rev. E. 0. Bernard, from 1881
to 1883; Rev. Geo. II. Peeke, from 1883 to August 1, 1890; Rev. R. R.
Davies, from January 15, 1891, to July 1, 1893; Rev. C. A. Vincent,
from December 24, 1893. E. A. Sleiner, E. A. King and Ron W.
Sanderson."
For about sixteen years the church had no regular place of worship.
Meetings Avere held in the schoolhouse, in private residences, and even
in a Avorkshop, till 1835, when the east end of the old courthouse Avas
fitted up for its use and for a young ladies' academy. The same year
Nsteps were taken to build a church. In this matter the whole town took
an interest, its population then being probably not over 700. In a
list of the subscribers are the names of Episcopalians and Methodists.
The building was 40 by 60, fronting north. It cost about $6,000 and
the whole toAvn Avas proud of it. There Avas a basement under the entire
building and. it must have been a credit to the people. The tower stood
in the center of the north end, and entrance Avas gained to the main
floor-by double outside stone steps.
An old settler thus describes its interior: "The large double doors
at the landing are SAViing open as are also the tAvo doors leading from
the hall into the auditorium, there stands the high pulpit Avith a large
Bible on it: the gallery supported by tAvo large posts running from floor
to ceiling, the faded little green curtains for screening the choir are still
there, there too are the hard .high peAvs with their little paneled doors
and the little" brass buttons for fasteners, the large high old fashioned
AvindoAV casings, all the Avood Avork painted Avhite and gold, relieved
only by the plain black Avalnut rail around the tops and sitting in these
pews are the old Congregationalists and Presbyterians, a united body.
Among them are Deacon James Davidson. Samuel Walker, Isaac Darling,
Moors Fanvcll and Samuel E. Hitchcock."
This AA'as'the only place for public gatherings in Sandusky for many