Deer Creek  - New Bedford U.P. Church

The Deer Creek Congregation organized in 1808 north of the Village of New Bedford.  A platform and canopy was located in the area of the cemetery.  A log building, a frame building and a larger frame building was constructed across the street from the cemetery on the side of Clingan's Tanglewood Golf Course.  After outgrowing the last larger frame building, the congregation built in town, just west of the town center, or "up the hill", from Hopewell at the "Y".   Deer Creek, after moving into town, renamed, and became known as  New Bedford U.P. Church.  Congregations of New Bedford U.P. Church and Hopewell outgrew their buildings, a merger took place forming New Bedford Evangelical Presbyterian Church.  The building was sold for a private residence, later destroyed by fire.

Beginnings

In 1808, a group of men and women met in a shady forest spot near the  Deer Creek.  Thus, forming a new congregation within the Associate (Seceder) Church of America.


The congregation of Deer Creek was formed out of the restructuring of the Associate (Seceder) Congregation of Mahoning, known as the Mahoning Tent.  The Mahoning Tent was organized in 1799 and was connected with Little Beaver and Brush Run congregations.  The first Pastor was Rev. James Duncan, he was the second minister to be licensed of the Associate Church in America.   In 1804, Rev. Duncan was released by the Presbytery of Chartiers from Little Beaver and Brush Run with hopes that other congregations nearer Mahoning might be established and a new charge was formed.  A new congregation was formed that same year in Poland, Ohio, now known as the Struthers United Presbyterian Church.  Later in 1805, when Ohio became a state, another church in Liberty, Ohio was formed.


Under the new charge, Reverend Duncan, had three congregations under the oversight of  one session.  Mahoning, Liberty, and Poland.  The years prior to 1808, held discussions about a decision to transplant the Mahoning congregation to a site one mile north of the Village of New Bedford, as the larger part of the membership was from the New Bedford area.  This brought a division in the Mahoning Congregation, those against the move, remained, re-organized, thus forming the Mahoning Associate Reformed Congregation.  Those in favor of the move formed the congregation of Deer Creek.  


The congregation of Deer Creek constructed a "tent" raised platform with a canopy for the preacher, and logs for pews similar to the Mahoning congregation.  This wooded area is where the old church once stood.  During the winter, services were held in private homes.  Rev. Duncan served his charge of four congregations, Deer Creek, Poland, Liberty, and Mahoning.

Log Church - 1810

With the only "public" building in the vicinity was Hopewell Church, the congregation of Deer Creek desired to have a more permanent lodgment.  A building of hewn logs was neatly erected forming a building 30 by 35 feet.  Each member hewed and delivered a log, they met and erected the structure.  


Carpenters were hired to do the finish work of the room, roofing, and construct the pulpit.  The pulpit was a notable affair being built with walnut panels and was the height of an ordinary man's chest.  The custom was, when the preacher stood behind the pulpit, only his head and hands were visible to the congregation sitting in the pews.


Heated by wood stoves, sheltered from the sun, rain, and elements the Deer Creek Congregation had their permanent lodging.  The congregation prospered.

Hard Times

After constructing the church building in 1810, things were quiet and the congregation prospered.  Times of trouble approached rapidly.  Rev. James Duncan began to preach doctrines at variance with those of the Seceder or Associate Reformed Church.  In 1813, he published a book on the Atonement.  This work seems to reconcile the Calvinistic and Armenian views.  This ened up involving Rev. Duncan in a heresy trial.  He was suspended by the Presbytery and was dismissed from the ministry of the Associate Church.  


In 1816, only eight years after organizing, Deer Creek became vacant for the first time.  Rev. Duncan lived another 12 years and died in poverty.  Three elders were removed from the bounds of the congregation following the dismissal of Rev. Duncan.  Without a preacher, members would sporadically meet, having no sermon they considered the situation vacant.


In 1819, Rev. Robert Douglas was called to serve three congregations by the Presbytery.  With one Session for three charges (congregations), Rev. Douglas began to minister.  He was noted as a scholarly man, at home on many subjects besides theology.  His sermons were unusually short for those days, being only 25-30 minutes in length.  The sermons were comprehensive and very carefully prepared, the people did not seem to think less of him  on account of the brevity.  Rev. Douglas served the three congregations, including Deer Creek, until his death in 1823 at the age of 32.  He was buried at the Poland church graveyard.

Frame Church -1823

With the calling of Rev. Robert Douglas in 1819, the congregations grew.  In 1822, a new frame building was needed.  The decided dimensions were 40 by 50 feet much larger than the existing 30 by 35 foot log church.  Construction was completed in 1823.  


The untimely death of Rev. Robert Douglas in 1823, left the congregation vacant until 1825.  A full year elapsed without a "preaching" service.

An Independent Congregation

After the untimely death of Rev. Douglas, the congregation was without a pastor until 1825 when Rev. David Goodwillie accepted the call to the united congregations of Deer Creek, Liberty, and Poland.  Under his ministry the congregation, again, prospered.  


In 1833, the idea of Deer Creek separating from Poland and Liberty and retaining Rev. Goodwillie as the pastorate created issues.  To this point, Deer Creek, Poland, and Liberty were under one Session and shared a pastor.  Deer Creek desired to be governed by their own session and to have their own pastor.  The Presbytery stepped in allowing Poland and Liberty to agree to Deer Creek separating.  Part of the separation, Presbytery was petitioned by Liberty and Poland to retain Rev. Goodwillie.  Presbytery left the decision up to Rev. Goodwillie.  He chose to stay with the Poland and Liberty congregations, leaving Deer Creek "vacant" (without a pastor) in 1833.  Deer Creek ordained, called, elders to serve as session.


In 1834, Rev. James P. Ramsey was called to the pastorate at Deer Creek.  He served the Deer Creek Congregation faithfully.  Failing health forced Rev. Ramsey to resign in the close of 1855.  He afterward engaged in the mercantile business in New Bedford for a short time then moved to New Wilmington where he died in 1862.  His grave in Deer Creek cemetery is marked by a monument erected by the congregation.  

The Anti-slavery movement

During the time of Rev. James P. Ramsey (1834-1855), the Anti-Slavery movement was shaking both Church and State throughout the country.  Deer Creek was caught in the current.  A notable difference of opinion within the church was unveiled.  The Anti-Slavery, the Pro-Slavery, and the Anti-War or Neutral groups were formed.  The Anti-War, remain neutral, group was quickly shoved into the Pro-Slavery  group as middle ground was not recognized by the Anti-Slavery Group.  


Rev. Ramsey attempted to not commit himself to any side concerning the question of slavery.  He viewed his congregation of those avowed in the ant-slavery sentiment, many others unsettled with regard to the question, and avowed pro-slavery within the congregation.  Rev. Ramsey did not address either side from the pulpit, trying to remain neutral.  


A climax in 1838, brought Rev. Wright of Westfield Presbyterian Church to address a meeting at Deer Creek.  The day arrived amid a driving snowstorm, the people came in large numbers to the church!  Rev. Wright along with Rev. and Mrs. Ramsey reached the church, they found the pro-slavery men had been there and nailed down the windows, locked down the door, and stationed a guard to bar access to the house of worship.  The intended audience made no trouble, they quietly turned around and returned home.


The following Sabbath, Rev. Ramsey spoke out clearly on the question,  condemning slavery!  Many of the people who were undecided joined with him and a large majority of the congregation stood and applauded his stand.  The pro -slavery element withdrew soon after and built a church at Beulah a few miles North of Deer Creek.

Beulah Associate Reformed Church

In the years leading up to the Civil War, tensions rose concerning slavery and the involvement in the war between the states.  By  1844, decisions by the anti-slavery people, led to the separating of the congregation.  The pro-slavery group, that seceded from Deer Creek, formed Beulah Associate Reformed Church a few miles north of Deer Creek.  After the Civil War (1861-1865), this congregation flowed into the organized churches in West Middlesex, PA.  They did not return to Deer Creek.

Growth and age

Upon 1848, a decision was placed to the congregation, repair the existing  building or build a new and larger one.  The people decided upon building a new and larger church at 43 by 50 feet, considerably larger than the current.  


A report made to Presbytery at in 1856 listed 67 families and 128 communicants in the congregation. A wise decision was affirmed.  The congregation grew under Rev. Alexander to the point that only a few seats were vacant.


Rev. H.S. Boyd was the last pastor to serve at the Deer Creek location.  With the congregation growing, a new building was needed   A decision to move the church into town was noted.  The last Deer Creek service was held in 1883.

United Presbyterian

Rev. Josiah Alexander was installed in April of 1857 after Rev. Ramsey resigned over failing health in January of 1856.  Rev. Alexander served the longest pastorate in the history of this congregation.  


A union formed the United Presbyterian  Church occurred in 1858.  Members were concerned, the union was of no advantage, and did not strike a blow to Deer Creek (as was the concern of many).  


Under Rev. Alexander, the church began to flourish greatly, until there were only a few vacant seats left in the building.  The Sabbath school reorganized with 180 members after it languished under the poor health of Rev. Ramsey.  Monthly prayer meetings were established.


West Middlesex and Mahoning remained with the Associate Reformed (Seceder) Churches.  With the proximity, members refused to be drawn away.  Samuel McBride, with the Mahoning Church on his own farm, drove a team four miles to Deer Creek for over 25 years.


In 1867, the use of tokens in connection with the Communion Service was discontinued.  The lead tokens were square shaped and had a Capital "D" stamped upon them.


Rev. Josiah Alexander resigned on June 10, 1877.  He remained a year on his farm in New Bedford, then moved to New Wilmington where he purchased property.  He died a short time afterward.  His body was brought back to New Bedford, after funeral services in the church where he had labored, was laid to rest in the old cemetery.  A marble slab was erected by the family and congregation.

Communion Token

Communion Tokens were issued at a Preparatory Service held the Saturday before the Communion Sunday.  Attending the Preparatory Service along with a review by Session was required to obtain the token.  The token would be exchanged on Communion Sunday.


Tokens were used to "Fence the Table of the Lord."  Session, out of reverence and concern, did what they could to keep people from "partaking in an unworthy manner" "eat and drink judgement upon himself"  -1 Corinthians 11:27-29

The Transition

Rev. H.S. Boyd was called and installed as pastor, June 11, 1878.  The congregation size continued to increase.  


On the last Sabbath before the dedication of the new church building was the last preaching service in the old Deer Creek church.  Rev. Boyd preached an appropriate sermon, taking as his text the last clause of the tenth verse of the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew, "And the door was shut."  Thus, a spot that had been hallowed in the eyes of this community for almost three-quarters of a century - the scene of struggle and of victory, of sorrow and of joy, of chastisement and of blessing - was left vacant save for those silent sleepers in the graveyard, unwatched save by the unsleeping Eye.  Nevertheless it is and must continue to be an eloquent witness to us.  Giving us comfort from the past, admonition for the present, and inspiration for the future.


July 12, 1883 was the dedication service of the new building in a new location with a new name led by Rev. H.S. Boyd.  New Bedford United Presbyterian Church moved forward honoring the legacy of Deer Creek.


Rev. H.S. Boyd, in opposition to the entire congregation, gave up his work to enter another field.

New Bedford

United Presbyterian Church

In 1883, the final meetinghouse was constructed for Deer Creek United Presbyterian Church.  The decision to build in town brought about a name change: New Bedford United Presbyterian Church.  Dedicated, July 12, 1883, under the pastorate of Rev. H.S. Boyd.

Ministry from Deer creek

Mr. Shields, Elder and Historian, records that there were three that entered the ministry from Deer Creek Congregation.  Sketches from 1876, gives the names of the sons of Deer Creek that entered the ministry.


Rev. John Walker, son of Robert Walker a member of the first session at Deer Creek.  Rev. Walker became a prominent minister of the Associate Church and was celebrated as one of the apostles of the anti-slavery movement in that church.  A bond  of $1,000 was offered for delivering him dead or alive in New Orleans during the height of the controversy.  He died in 1845.


Rev. A.Y. Houston whom most remember, was born, raised and admitted to the church in Deer Creek.  

Rev. W.H. Walker, a nephew of Rev. John Walker, was born and raised in the church.  He died at an early age.

Rev. W.T. Cowden of the Disciple Church , Tacoma, Washington.

Rev. Houston W. Lowry D.D. of the Presbyterian Church, Akron, Ohio.

Rev. J.A. Alexander of Crafton, PA.

Rev. T.F.B. Smith of the Presbyterian Church, York, Nebraska

Rev. R.W. Walker of Our Egyptian Mission, served the mission field for years.

Rev. D.H. Goodwillie, Pastor Presbyterian Church, Port Huron, Michigan

Elders of Deer Creek 1808-1908

James McConnell, William Gailey, Robert Walker, William Houston,  Samuel McBride, Alexander Reed, George Thomson, David Wilson, James Shields, Thomas Robinson, James McConnell, Dr. John Cowden, John Monteith, Hugh Nelson, I.P. Cowden, Thomas Siemmons,

James McBride, Robert Davidson, John Shields, William Dickson, D.W. Crawford, William Duff, Benjamin Mars, Ralph Vanorsdel, Robert Lowry, John Johnson, James Hill, Charles Williams, John Walker, Hiram Anderson, D.G. Denison, W.S. Lowry, W.J. Sharpe, Ambrose Shields, J. Al. Cooper, Albert Anderson