Church and Family History Research
Assistance
for Washington County, Pennsylvania
CHURCHES:
TEN MILE (AMWELL TOWNSHIP)(1772)
Ten Mile Church was organized in 1772, at the house of Enoch Enochs. The church was one of the original six which organized the Redstone Association in 1776. Early pastors included Elders James Sutton, John Corbly, and David Sutton. This church went with the mission party at the time of the division on that question.
PETER'S CREEK (1773)
Peter's Creek Church was organized November 10, 1773, with nine charter members, viz., Elder John Whittaker, Thomas Applegate, J. Barrett, Henry Semmons, Peter Elrod, Christopher Miller, Mary Whittaker, Margaret Jaret, and Ailey Lemmons. A log meeting house was erected on the Robert Estep property, now in Union township. This church went with the mission party at the time of the division.
PIKE RUN
SALEM (FORKS OF YOUGH)(1790)
The date of organization of Salem Church is not definitely known, but it was in existence by 1790, and was known as Forks of the Yough Church, with Elder John Barrachman as pastor. Joseph Budd, an early settler in the region, gave land for the church and cemetery. It was on a high hill between the Youghiogheny and Monongahela rivers. Several Revolutionary War veterans are buried in the cemetery, including Nathaniel Hayden, Joseph Budd, Nathaniel Hayden Jr., George Weddle, Daniel Weddle, James Weddle, and Peter Weddle.
ENON (MAPLE CREEK)
Enon Church was organized in March 1791 or perhaps a little earlier. Early members included John Bailey, William Jackman Sr., Stephen Barclay, Henry Speer, Samuel Vail, Charles Whitlatch, William Jackman Jr., Abraham Evans, James Deems, James Watson, Jesse Vandolah, John Mason, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Boylan, John Seward, John Ennis, William Allen, John Vandolah, Thomas Crow, John Earles, Nathaniel Carns, Thomas Carson, George Innis, John Stelle, William McFee, Thomas Cloud, B. George, Mary Barclay, Rebecca Speers, Margaret Ellis, Rachel Mifford, Mary Jackman, Nancy Neal, Sarah Boylan, Mary Boylan, Nancy Bailey, Margaret Innis, Catharine Seward, Abigail Hayden, Sarah Vandolah, Elizabeth Bonham, Margaret Earles, Winifred Ryan, Lavina Stelle, Eleanor Ellis, Esther Vandolah, Anna Vandolah, Mary Carson, Mary Ward, Mary Burgess, Lucy Burgess, Elsie Stanish, Jemima Evans, Mary Patton, Rachel Springer, Peggy Cloud, Elizabeth Yateman, Keziah Berk, Abigail Ogg, Polly Carns, Elizabeth Burgan, and Elizabeth Burgan (2nd), Keziah Barkhammer, Rebecca Prichard, Sarah Parsons, Mary Ertlin, Nancy Riggs, Rachel Springer, Catherine Rutan, and Mary Karnes.
Enon Church became a member of the Redstone Baptist Association in 1796. Early pastors included Elders Henry Smith and Samuel Vail. Elder Henry Speers was one of the charter members, and was ordained in 1797, and served as pastor until his death in 1840. Later ministers included Elders Burnett Whitlatch, Adah Winnett, and W. M. Smoot.
The services were originally held in a log house, which was later replaced with a brick building, located on Maple Creek near its mouth, and the Monongahela River, opposite the village of Belle Vernon.
LEBANON (PLUM RUN)
Lebanon Church (better known as Plum Run) was organized on February 19, 1803, at the residence of Joseph Hill, Jr., in West Bethlehem township. The charter members were: Joseph and Mary Hill, James Hill, Ross and Margaret Nichols, Daniel and Lucretia Leonards, Rebecca Welsh, James and Margaret Beatty, Thomas and Rachel Hill, David Evans and wife, Sarah Barnes, John Welsh, and James Burgan.
The house of worship first set up by the Plum Run Baptist Church was built of logs, but that was later replaced by a substantial brick edifice. The ministers who had charge of this church were Elders Henry Speer, Francis Downey, Cephas McClelland, Adah Winnet, and Philip McInturff.
PIGEON CREEK
Pigeon Creek Church was organized on Saturday, August 27, 1803, by Elders David Phillips, Benjamin Stone, Henry Spears, and Thomas McDonald.
DONORA
The Donora Church was organized in Donora in 1901 with Elder George Bretz as its first pastor. At first it met in homes and later in a meeting house which was located on Allen Avenue between Second and Third Streets. Elders Corvin Dove and James Bibler were also later called as pastors of this church.
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