Matt Maris, Local Historia
While the Bellefonte Presbyterian Church held its final worship service on Christmas Eve, 2021, the community is hopeful that the churcha s historic story is not ending, but instead, is starting a new chapter.
The Presbyterian Church, in its various forms since 1800, has had an immeasurable impact on this community for 221-years. Before there was even a building, members worshiped in the Centre County Courthouse. The first building was constructed in 1819 at its present site, on land Judge Jonathan Walker turned over to the church. The church that exists today was dedicated in 1868 to accommodate the growing town and congregation. Since the beginning, the founders and leaders of the church were often one in the same as those who established the town of Bellefonte. James Dunlop and James Harris, and their families were among the earliest members of the church. Its first pastor, Henry R. Wilson, also took the first principalship of the Bellefonte Academy as was one of its trustees. Succeeding Wilson, Rev. James Linn pastored the church from 1809 until his death in 1868, a devout period of 58 years. Linn also served as principal of the Academy and even as president of the Bellefonte Temperance Society. He lived in the Manse at the corner of W. High and N. Spring Streets until the humble home was torn down in 1881 to build a bank. In the early years, Rev. Linn rode on horseback to serve the presbytery and outlying churches from Lick Run (Jacksonville) and beyond.
Elders of the church included Gov. Andrew Gregg Curtin and General James A. Beaver. Beaver was superintendent of the Sunday School and also led bible studies, so on any given Sunday you could sit down with the former governor and Civil War veteran, to read and discuss the good book. Charles A. Mensch Sr., was also an elder, and wrote columns in the Centre Democrat to help us all to enjoy many fond memories of Bellefontea s past. Former member and Centre County Historian, Hugh T. Manchester, documented the church history as a closely identified with American History,a which included members like Mrs. Lucy Potter, President Lincolna s Great-Aunt, judges like Thomas Burnside, and Ironmasters like Gen. James Irvin (who donated the land that would become PSU). The list is too long to go on, not to mention its recent congregations.
The site is actually a complex of three buildings (Sanctuary, Chapel and the adjoining building in between) of approximately 13,634 square feet and has undergone many expansions and challenges. In January of 1913, a severe wind storm blew its steeple over, damaging the nearby house across the street (now Wetzler Funeral Home). An alternative to the steeple was constructed by well known architect, Anna W. Keichline. In 1972, a fire in the sanctuary caused over $200,000 worth of damages. Members and friends of the church responded with generous contributions to restore it and keep history alive then. Community members are again eager to see this historic building, a part of the very fabric of Bellefonte itself, continue to be preserved and serve Bellefonte. Church elder Candace Dannaker has been involved in helping with this transition. Dannaker says that a the Administrative Committee of the Huntingdon Presbytery who now own the building, hopes to find a church or other social service agency to utilize the building for the community. My personal hope has been that it could be used for an Arts and Community Center. Thankfully, we have a lot of interest in sustaining the building in some manner. The church will continue its legacy in Bellefonte.a
Sources:
Arnold, J. Karen, Ebenezer: Brief Histories of Bellefontea s Still-Active 19th Century Congregations.
Manchester, Hugh. A Brief History of the First Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, 1800 to 1976 compiled by Manchester, Mensch Sr., and Mensch Jr..
Dannaker, Candace. History of the Buildings & Historic Preservation.
