My Genealogy Hound

SILVER SPRING PRESYBYTERIAN CHURCH. The first settlers in the Cumberland Valley were Scotch-Irish and Irish, and were Presbyterians. Shortly after their coming came the Minister to preach the Gospel, and gather them together for regular worship. At a meeting of Donegal Presbytery held at Donegal Oct. 16, 1734, Mr. Alex. Craighead was licensed and appointed to preach “over the river 2 or 3 Sabbaths in November.” This was the beginning of the Silver Spring Church. All this occurred before a public road was laid out through the Valley, and when the thoroughfares were the paths of the Indians — forty-two years before the Declaration of Independence. The Church was first known as “the people over the river;” then “the people of the Conodoquinnet, or beyond the Susquehanna,” at that time embracing two settlements and the churches now known as Silver Spring and Carlisle; then Lower Pennsboro. On Sept. 25, 1786, the church was incorporated by an Act of Assembly under the name of the Silver Spring Presbyterian Church of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. The Church was supplied with preaching by the Presbytery for several years. Mr. Thomson reported to the Presbytery April 14, 1736, that he “did not fulfill his appointment over the river by reason of the severity of the season, and the scarcity of provender in those parts.” This speaks of sacrifices, and is in marked contrast with the abundance of all the good things which is now enjoyed. On Nov. 14, 1739, their first pastor was installed, the Rev. Samuel Thomson, who remained until March 26, 1745. Mr. Thomson was born in Ireland.

Rev. Samuel Cavon was installed Aug. 5, 1749, and died Nov. 9, 1750. His body lies in the Church cemetery. There was a period of ten years or more that the church was without a pastor. It was a period of trouble with the Indians. The Valley was the scene of massacres, the harvest of 1756 was left to rot in the fields, and the people fled to safer places.

On April 13, 1764, Carlisle and East Pennsboro churches united in a call for the services of Rev. John Steel, who had been pastor of Conococheague, but his church was burned, and the congregation dispersed by the Indians. He, himself, had been commissioned a captain of the Provincial Troops March 25, 1756. On April 9, 1782, this congregation united with Monaghan (Dillsburg), and called the Rev. Samuel Waugh. He remained until his death in January, 1807. He was the first native American pastor, being born in Adams county, Pa., and it was during his pastorate, in 1783, that the present church edifice was built.

Rev. John Hayes followed, being in charge from 1808, to May 6, 1814; Rev. Henry R. Wilson, from Aug. 29, 1814, to Nov. 30, 1823; Rev, James Williamson, from 1824, until April 21, 1838. On Oct. 31, 1838, a call was made out for Rev. George Morris, “a foreign Licentiate under the care of the Presbytery of Philadelphia,” who remained until 1860. Mr. Morris was from Scotland, and he was a rigid Presbyterian, and a profound Theologian. It was during his ministry, in 1851, that the Manse was built, and the work done which led to the organization of the Presbyterian Church in Mechanicsburg. Rev. W. H. Dinsmore came Dec, 10, 1860, and terminated his work in April, 1865, His successor was Rev. W. G. Hilman, who remained from April 17, 1866, to October, 1867, and he was followed by Rev. W. B. McKee, who was pastor two years, beginning October, 1868, and Rev. R. P. Gibson, from Sept. 27, 1872, until October. 1875.

The present pastor, Rev. T. J. Ferguson, began his work Oct. 1, 1878, and for more than a quarter of a century has led this people in their work for God and humanity. During the present pastorate, in 1885, the beautiful Memorial Chapel was erected by Col. and Mrs. Henry McCormick.

The Session of the church as at present constituted consists of W. J. Meily, M. S. Mumma, A. L. Brubaker. The trustees are: John Parker, William Bryson, Vance McCormick, George Mumper, Levi Bricker, Elmer Lower, William Meily, M. S. Mumma and Samuel Lindsey.