present church, near the head of Spring Creek,
was built before or after this grove meeting is
unknown. Traditionally it was erected in 1720.
We do know that the church was there, on the
farm of Samuel Wingert; that there was also a
graveyard, and from it was transferred to his
present resting place the body of Patrick Camp-
bell, who died in 1735. This is the earliest date
to be found on the weatherbeaten stones of pres-
ent-day Derry burial ground.
Whether the second church was erected on the
present Derry site in 1729 or 1732 is again un-
certain. The land office was opened in the latter
year, also we find the name Derry on the first
page of Donegal Presbytery minutes. Formerly
it was known as the Congregation of Spring
Creek. This was a log building, 23x25 feet, clap-
boarded on the outside. It was enlarged some
years later.
In 1769 was built the church known to the pre-
vious generation as "Old Derry." This was a
third log building, almost square, measuring 38x
39 feet. It was repaired in 1831 at the cost of
|500, and after the pastorate of Mr. Mitchell,
when services were no longer held there, it was
neglected until it was taken down in 1883 as
dangerous.
Anyone who has seen that historic old build-
ing, with its clap-boarded walls, — once painted
yellow but never repainted apparently — and its
fascinating interior must regret that an appre-
ciation of the past did not strike Pennsylvania a
129
decade earlier, when restoration of the quaint
old church was still possible.
The interior had ceiling and walls of planks
none too carefully sealed, and bitter draughts
must have wafted in from the grove. An aisle
ran through the church north and south, with a
door at either end, and there were two cross
aisles leading to two other doors on the west
side. About thirty-five pews faced the pulpit
from various directions. These were unpainted,
straight, high backed and closed by a gate. Not
comfortable, possibly, but greatly to be lamented
from a picturesque standpoint.
The pulpit, which stood against the east wall
and to the left of the main aisle, may not have
tempted a relice hunter to theft. It was of red
walnut, dark with age, three feet wide with a
circular front and so high that the parson could
not be seen below his white stock — not then if
under size — when, having closed the door at the
head of the steep, narrow stairs leading to his
lofty perch, he faced his flock far beneath him.
Below the pulpit was another enclosed box
somewhat wider in dimension. Here the pre-
centor— usually the leading elder if he had the
faintest pretence of a voice — lined out the psalms
and hymns for the congregation.
The present church, in whose building Mrs.
Charles Bailey, of Harrisburg, and Mrs. G. Daw-
son Coleman, of Lebanon, were the prime
movers, had the corner stone laid Thursday
morning, October 2, 1884. It was a gala occa-
130
Old Derry Church— Before 1875.
Interior of Old Derry Church.
sion for tlie old church. Gathered from far and
wide were descendants of early pastors and wor-
shippers, to listen to deeds of the past and plan
for a greater future.
Page 49
Presented as published in 1913. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
present church, near the head of Spring Creek, was built before or after this grove meeting is unknown. Traditionally it was erected in 1720. We do know that the church was there, on the farm of Samuel Wingert; that there was also a graveyard, and from it was transferred to his present resting place the body of Patrick Campbell, who died in 1735. This is the earliest date to be found on the weatherbeaten stones of present-day Derry burial ground.
Whether the second church was erected on the present Derry site in 1729 or 1732 is again uncertain. The land office was opened in the latter year, also we find the name Derry on the first page of Donegal Presbytery minutes. Formerly it was known as the Congregation of Spring Creek. This was a log building, 23x25 feet, clapboarded on the outside. It was enlarged some years later.
In 1769 was built the church known to the previous generation as "Old Derry." This was a third log building, almost square, measuring 38x 39 feet. It was repaired in 1831 at the cost of |500, and after the pastorate of Mr. Mitchell, when services were no longer held there, it was neglected until it was taken down in 1883 as dangerous.
Anyone who has seen that historic old building, with its clap-boarded walls, — once painted yellow but never repainted apparently — and its fascinating interior must regret that an appreciation of the past did not strike Pennsylvania a
decade earlier, when restoration of the quaint old church was still possible.
The interior had ceiling and walls of planks none too carefully sealed, and bitter draughts must have wafted in from the grove. An aisle ran through the church north and south, with a door at either end, and there were two cross aisles leading to two other doors on the west side. About thirty-five pews faced the pulpit from various directions. These were unpainted, straight, high backed and closed by a gate. Not comfortable, possibly, but greatly to be lamented from a picturesque standpoint.
The pulpit, which stood against the east wall and to the left of the main aisle, may not have tempted a relice hunter to theft. It was of red walnut, dark with age, three feet wide with a circular front and so high that the parson could not be seen below his white stock — not then if under size — when, having closed the door at the head of the steep, narrow stairs leading to his lofty perch, he faced his flock far beneath him.
Below the pulpit was another enclosed box somewhat wider in dimension. Here the precentor— usually the leading elder if he had the faintest pretence of a voice — lined out the psalms and hymns for the congregation.
The present church, in whose building Mrs. Charles Bailey, of Harrisburg, and Mrs. G. Dawson Coleman, of Lebanon, were the prime movers, had the corner stone laid Thursday morning, October 2, 1884. It was a gala occa-
Old Derry Church— Before 1875.
Interior of Old Derry Church.
sion for the old church. Gathered from far and wide were descendants of early pastors and worshippers, to listen to deeds of the past and plan for a greater future.