OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND.
 

553
 

Creager, a S. S. scholar in 1830, a worker in the
church and among the sick and poor of all denom¬
inations until her death in 1900; the third in mem¬
ory of John Alitchell and wife. The ministers of
St. Thomas 1829-1906, are: Rev. James Dela¬
plaine, Rev. Mr. Crampton Johns, James Buck,
Burger, Ash, AVatson, AIcEnhaney, Lee, Williams,
Reed, Grammar, Koon, Ewell, Shaw.
 

TPIE METHODIST CHURCH OF AVIL¬
LIAMSPORT.—The Alethodists were -among the
pioneers of Williamsport, and had a congregation
there soon after the town was founded. Its early
history is closely interwoven into that of Hagers¬
town, heing under the supervision of early pas¬
tors at Hagerstown. The present church was
greatly damaged during the war, but was refitted
and repaired immediately afterwards. It was re-
dedicated Oct. 13, 1867, Rev. T. D. Vahant, of
Baltimore, Rev. Grouse, of Virginia, and others,
officiating, d'he congregation is an active one.
The present pastor is Rev. Guy A. Luttrell.
 

BENEVOLA CHAPEL, UNITED BRETH¬
REN IN CHRIST was organized in 1858. The
first building was erected during that year.
Joshua Toms, although not a member of the con¬
gregation, was very active and contributed a large
sum to help build the church. At his death he
left $1,000 to the congregation. Among the ac¬
tive original members were Joshua Harp and wife,
Emanuel Bowman and "wife, John Alurray and
wife, Jonathan Perry and wife, John Slahardy,
Joseph Fosnacht and wife, and Mrs. Joshua Toms.
The ehurch was first dedicated by Bishop Gloss¬
brenner. The church was rebuilt in 1886 and ded¬
icated by Rev. A. AI. Evers; it was blown down by
a cyclone in 1898 and at once rebuilt. The third
dedication was conducted by Presiding Elder W.
H.  'Washinger, of  Chambersburg.

The present edifice is a substantial brick 50x36
feet. An active Sunday-school, with Dr. A. G.
Lovell as superintendent, assisted by John D.
Harp; and eight teachers, is in progress the year
round. There is also an enthusiastic Christian
Endeavor Soeietv connected with the organization.
Rev. J. W. Grimm is the nresent pastor. Among
the early and prominent ministers who have served
 

the congregation are Rev. CJeorge Statton Rev.
Isaiah Baltzel, Rev. Z. Warner, Rev. John Perry,
Rev. AAdnton, Rev. AV. Courfey. This is the only
.church in the vicinity of Benevola and services are
attended by many who are not members of the
congregation.
 

FIRST BAPTIST    CHURCH,   PL'^.GERS-

TOAVN, was organized in 1882. The handsome
edifice was built in 1891. It is made of pressed
brick and is trimmed with Indiana limestone and
native blue limestone." It was constructed under
the supervision of the officers at the time: Rev. T.
D. D. Clark; deacons, Elias Emmert, John AVit¬
mer and William Hammersla; treasurer, B. F.
Bond; church clerk, AAdn. J. Webb; superinten¬
dent. Miss Jennie Seibold; secretary, and libra¬
rian, Percy AVdtmer; board of trustees, Rev. T. D.
D. Clarke, John AVitmer, AV. S. Bly", B. F. Bond,
and AA'm. Hammersla. The church was dedicat¬
ed in 1891, the services being conducted by Rev.
T. D. D. Clark. Rev. Air. Elhs of Bahimore, was
expected to assist, but could not attend. The
services were opened with prayer by the pastor and
an oblong tin box was held by AVm. Hammersla,
and then passed to Elias Emmert, from whence
after reading the 107th Psalm, it was hoisted by
Wilham Lewis, master mason, into position and
placed in the memorial stone and a cap put on.
This contained a Religious "Herald," Baltimore
"Baptist," church records, list of officers and coins.

In the basement is the Sunday-school room
which will seat a large number of children. While
the church is not an old one in point of organiza¬
tion, its membership is large and composed of ex¬
cellent and influential people.

The following pastors have served this con¬
gregation: Rev. L. R. Steele, Rev. Lyle, Rev.
Charies Harris, Rev. T. D. D. Clark, Rev. E. E.
Ayres, Rev. Cole, Rev. Thos. A. Johnson, Rev.
F. L. Fraser, the present pastor, who is held in
high esteem by his members. The Alorning Her¬
ald  of  June  9,   1906,   contained the  following:

"At the evening session (meaning Western
District Association of the Alarj'land Baptist As¬
sociation) then in session, the feature of the eve¬
ning was the burning of the mortgage for $1,900,
against the First Baptist Church, of Hagerstown.
The mortgage was paid off a few days ago. The
First Baptist Church is now free of debt after