Thursday, July 18, 2024

The Historic Warrior Run Church

The Historic Brick Warrior Run Church is the 3rd Warrior Run Church.


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The First Church
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The first Warrior Run Church was built "where the creek of the same name entered the Susquehanna River", on a "piece of ground that was almost surrounded by water", in  what is today Watsontown Park.  In some histories, there is mention of Shikellamy having a village there at one time, and a possible Indian Burial Grounds nearby.

   In 1772 a congregation was formed by the Presbytery of Donegal and named the Warrior Run Church, and it's possible the congregation was meeting as early as 1769.   In 1775 a missionary was sent by the Donegal Presbytery on a “circuit ride” that included the West Branch valley. The Reverend Phillip V. Fithian, who was a graduate of Princeton University and had studied with James Madison, Aaron Burr, “Light Horse Harry” Lee (father of Robert E. Lee) and was a tutor to Councellor Carter’s children, was chosen for the assignment. 

On July 6th 1775, Fithian traveled along a road being built along the river, from Northumberland Pa to the Buffalo Valley.  He wrote: 

"The road lies along the river… such a fertile, level, goodly country I have perhaps never seen -  wheat, and rye, thick and very high, oats in general through the field, as high as a six railed fence!”

On Wednesday July 12th 1775 reverend Fithian once again continued his journey up the West Branch valley towards his neck the next destination wire run. And Mr. fruit accompanied him as far as the Buffalo valley.

They forded the river near where the Slifer house now stands and followed the east Bank of the river. Fithian wrote in his journal “the country on both sides of the water is very inviting, most admirably fertile. Mr. fruit left me, on I jogged alone. A narrow bridle Rd. logs fallen across it, bushes spread over it, but i came at last to Captain Pipers at  warrior run.”

Captain William Piper, in 1775, owned land that is today the site of Dewart.  A captain in one of the Pennsylvania regiments like many of the other officers he was awarded tracts of land, and had originally come from the Shippensburg area.

Fithian and had many complimentary things to say about Piper's wife, whom he said   “keeps a clean house, neat, well fixed beds. Here I have not seen or felt either a bug, or flea”, and was also charmed by the couples  10 year old daughter Peggy.  He was not however impressed by the captain. At one point in his journal he called him slothful and he frequently referenced Captain Piper's love of drink. 

Fithian wrote: “ towards evening, I took a ramble with Peggy, who was recruited into the woods to find and bring in cows. She showed me their ‘sugar-tree bottom’ out of which Mrs. piper as she told me herself, makes yearly, plenty of sugar for her family's use. I am charmed with each of the calm evening's musical entertainment.”

On Saturday July 15th, Fithian noted that when Captain Piper was awakened, “there was something remarkable in his conduct, after he wakes he would drink no more, and before evening was perfectly sober. I am told that he is always sober and devout on the Sabbath.”

 “I took a walk after the rain on the Bank of the river. Surely these shady banks were made for contemplation. I cannot sit myself down under any of the green trees but I am thrown at once into a course of thinking…. My wonder ceases that the Indians fought for these happy valleys.”

On Sunday July 16th 1775, Fithian preached at Warrior Run. In his journal he writes:

This meeting house is not yet covered. A large assembly gathered. I preached from a wagon; The only one that was present period the people sat on a rising ground before me. It looks odd to see the people sitting among the bushes. All were attentive, and there were many present period i spoke the loudest, and with more ease this day, than I have done anywhere before.”

The congregation at Warrior Run traveled by canoe, and horseback – the only wagon present was Fithians.

Fithian noted that nails and shingles were nearby, so although the church was uncovered on July 16th 1775, it's safe to assume the roof was completed soon after.  

“The church itself was built of logs that were joined in the middle of the sidewalls with a log square that allowed the two logs to form a wall of the desired length. These squares formed alcoves, which were used as closets. Shingles were provided for a roof, also nails….

The sleepers for a long time were used as seats, and large congregations assembled coming a distance of 10 or 12 miles, some with staff in hand, some on horseback, and some in canoes, but very few even in rough wagons.

There are four members of the warrior run church in 1789 that are on the 1775 assessment of Northumberland County. One could surmise that they were members of the old log church by the river.  Those listed were: John Wilson, James Hammond, Jacob Bruner, and John Smith.

According to the inventory of church archives, the warrior run church started as a mission. And a letter dated July 4th 1876, the reverend S. L. Finney, a pastor of the brick warrior run church believes that the log church by the river was a ‘Covenanter’ church. [a 17th-century Scottish religious and political movement, who claimed to have a "Covenant", or agreement with God. They supported a Church of Scotland, or kirk, that was Presbyterian in structure]  However when Reverend Bryson was called in 1789 to the second log church it was then a regular Presbyterian Church,.

This first log church was burned by the Seneca Indians in 1778, during the Great Run-Away.


In Bob Frank's Book , Warrior Run Church 1774-1964, he writes:

"It can be questioned as to whether the church or the graveyard was on the site first period we are told the burying ground was in the churchyard. This original graveyard was still discernible in 1866 when Ario Pardee built his lumber mill, in what is now Watsontown's park. The cemetery was described by a later observer as being in a little grove, “…surrounded by water and large piles of lumber and made uneven by a few mounds containing the dead still point to the site. But three or four of the inscriptions of this old home of the dead are now legible. One reads thus in memory of Jenny, The wife of John Wilson, who died March 6th, 1787”

John Watson was buried in the graveyard by the river but after the founding of the Watsontown cemetery association in 1866, his remains were removed to the new site on the hill. Stacks of lumber covered the few remaining mounds that showed where the members of the congregation had been buried.

In one of the last witness statements about the old burying ground site, a “… Mr. Hayes said that the most of the tombstones left there within his memory bore the name of Wilson. None of these few remaining graves were removed when the tannery was built there many years ago, or when the location was converted into the present Watsontown park, as there was no one to claim them” [Note - This was not uncommon, for graves to simply be covered over.  In Danville, the stones were laid flat and ground was piled on top of them to build Memorial Park.  At Ross Park in Williamsport, there were no records of burials, so although some of the graves were moved, other bodies were found during later construction projects.]

From The Fort Freeland Historical Society Website:

"The Revolutionary War started the year after Rev. Fithian’s visit.  The first Warrior Run Church was burned by the Seneca Indians during the “Great Run-Away” of 1778, following the Wyoming Massacre at Forty-Fort.  All of the people fled down river on foot, or in any conveyance available.  Some stopped at Fort Augusta (Sunbury), but most continued to at least Harris’s Ferry (Harrisburg).  Many never returned.

After the crisis had past, many settlers returned to harvest their crops and rebuild their homes.  In 1779, the Battle of Fort Freeland occurred (1/4 mile from the present church site) and the second “Great Run-Away” followed.  This time the settlers did not return until the Revolutionary War was over (1783)."
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The Second Church
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A model of the Second Warrior Run Church
[On display inside the current Warrior Run Church]

In Otzinachson , Meginnes writes:

“there being no further danger to be apprehended from the savages, settlers commenced pouring into the valley, and improvements were started on every hand. Little bands of Indians, consisting of two or three, occasionally made their appearance in settlements but they were friendly and only came to visit familiar places and the graves of their ancestors, before taking final leave of this lovely valley.

Soon after the return of the warrior run settlers they found that  they had no place for public worship. They were largely of the Presbyterian faith, and believed in providing the means for the inculcation of religion into the minds of the young as well as the old period the original warrior run church, which been built on the Bank of the river, Reverend Fithian preached, July 16th, 1775, although never finished, was burned by the Indians during the invasion of the time of the big runaway. 

It hasn't been decided to erect a new building for a place of public worship, a site was selected on warrior run, about four miles from its mouth, and about half a mile from the ruins of Fort Freeland. A warm friend of the church [Joseph Hutchinson] now came forward and donated enough land on which to erect the building; And as this sacred spot is among the historic landmarks of the valley, a copy of the original deed is herewith appended:"



Another strip of land, to the north was deeded from Thomas DeArmond  in 1811

 The second Warrior Run Church was built on the current Warrior Run Church property,  today at the corner of 8th street and the Susquehanna Trail.  It was a log church, capable of holding 300 people, and sat within the grove of trees in front of the current day building.  

  It had five doors, a high cathedral style pulpit, and a balcony around 3 sides, which could be accessed by two different stair cases. [although not the same design exactly, if you ever get a chance to visit the Elias Church in Mifflinburg - always open during Christkindl - it is a very similar style to what is described here]

A look at the inside of a wooden model of the 2nd Warrior Run Church
[On display inside the current Warrior Run Church]

Pews were rented by specific families.  There were doors at the end of the pews, and cushions if the family preferred, however many chose to sit on the wooden benches.


 The Watsontown Record and Star, said that “every pew in the building had one or more occupants, and from the many names or heads of families, there must have been a vast congregation when all were present upon communion services and other important occasions.”

In the early years, the church was not heated  services were not held on the coldest days.  Later,  charcoal was burnt on a bed of clay spread in front of the pulpit.  The older members would sit closest to the fire.

Along each side of the pulpit were stairs, and in front sat the Clerk Of The session, at a table.  There was no organ, and many of the attendees could not read, so the clerk lead a "lining of the psalms".  the clerk would first read a line of the psalm, then blow his pitch pipe, and then the congregation would sing the line.

The first pastor at this church was Revd. John Bryson, who served at both the Warrior Run Church, and the Chillisquaque Church, alternating services.  Rev. Bryson served for 50 years, retiring in 1841.

"It had its funny episodes, as well as the galleries of modern days. On one occasion Nellie McCoy's dog followed her to service, and when she entered the church, he, finding himself excluded, ran around to the stairs and ascended into the gallery. Seeing his mistress below, he made a bold dash down over the seats and leaped from the edge of the gallery into the audience. No further damage was done than to fill those upon whom doggie came with amazement, amusement, and scratches.

At first no fire was permitted. The first provision for heating consisted of a low fire of charcoal, burned upon a bed of earth. Large ten-plate stoves were then introduced, and ultimately heating appliances of modern design. This building, like its predecessor, was constructed of logs.. . . The audiences, at that early day to which this history more particularly relates, gathered from far and wide."  - An American Family History

The wooden Warrior Run Church burned down in 1833, the cause of the fire is not known, but some have speculated that it had been hit by lightening. 

  The present brick church was built in 1835.

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The Third Church
Which Still Stands Today
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"In 1835, the present brick church was completed.  It was built with bricks fired at the Hower-Slote house (site of Fort Freeland).  The building is of the classical Greek Doric design.  This church has two aisles and seats about 240 people.  The pulpit was lower and the ample windows provided more light than the previous church." - Fort Freeland Website

James Slote, who built the Hower-Slote House on the grounds of Fort Freeland, fired the bricks for the church, as well as for his home.


"added to the historic Warrior Run Church in the late 1800s was a reed organ manufactured by the Miller Organ Company of Lebanon, Pa. Powered by foot pedals to operate a bellows inside the organ, it remains not only a musical instrument featuring 11 stops and ivory keys, but also a beautiful piece of furniture with ornate carvings, two lamp stands on either side and red fabric inserts covering its sound portals. A matching red upholstered pedestal seat completes the chapel-style instrument. The organ was constructed with a low back to allow the organist to see over the top of the organ. Another of its features was a finished back, so that the organ could be positioned anywhere within the church, not just set against a wall."


The Sunbury Daily Item
Sunbury PA
08 April 1985

The Sunbury Daily Item
Sunbury PA
12 Nov 1989





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READ MORE
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The Warrior Run Church

 

 



 Books:

 


 




"By 1869 many people had left behind the rural setting, and a group of Presbyterians began meeting in Watsontown. On April 17, 1872, a petition was presented to the Presbytery of Northumberland praying for church recognition. A congregation had been formed by June 16, 1872, composed predominantly of former Warrior Run members, along with some from McEwensville and other areas. On July 9, 1873, the Watsontown Presbyterian Church received a permanent pastor, Reverend George Elliot.

At first the Presbyterians met in the old Watsontown Academy building. In 1873 the women of the church created a building fund, and soon plans were under way for the construction of a new church. In 1874-1875 the present church building was completed at a cost of $13,000. The First Presbyterian Church of Watsontown was dedicated on January 5, 1875. The Session met for the first time in the chapel of the new church on January 23, 1875. The interior was redecorated in 1965 and a new Sunday school wing was added in 1978. The sanctuary was re-painted in 2006 and air conditioning was added to the sanctuary, social hall, and Sunday school wing."

Read more:
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-churches-of-early-watsontown-pa.html



" The  young  gentlemen  performed  all  these  exercises  with  a  probity  and spirit  which  did  them  great  honor,  reflected  much  credit  on  their  teachers, and  gave  ground  to  hope  that  the  sons  of  Dickinson  College  will  at  least equal  in  useful  learning  and  shining  talents  those  of  any  other  seminary.

 Under  whose  direction  the  theological  studies  of  Mr.  Bryson  were  conducted,  we  are  uncertain.  My  impression-  is,  from  conversations  with Father  Bryson  during  his  life  time,  that  he  pursued  his  theological  course under  the  direction  of  Dr.  King,  of  Mercersburg,  Franklin  county,  and Dr.  Cooper,  of  Middle  Spring,  Cumberland  county.  But  it  is  stated  in  a memoir  of  the  Rev.  Isaac  Grier,  written  by  his  son,  the  Kev.  Isaac Grier,  D.  D.,  that  he  studied  with  Dr.  Nesbit,  in  a  theological  class  composed of  four  members,  viz:  Messrs.  John  Bryson,  Isaac  Grier,  Snowden  and  Dr.  Spear.

 He  was  licensed  to  preach  the  Gospel  by  the  Presbytery  of  Carlisle  in  the year  1789,  the  same  year  in  which  our  General  Assembly  was  organized.

 After  he  had  been  employed  as  a  missionary  by  appointment  of  Presbytery for  a  few  months,  during  which  he  labored  in  Martinsburg,  Virginia,  and in  the  region  round  about,  he  visited,  by  invitation,  the  congregations  of Warrior  Run  and  Chillisquaque.  From  them  he  received  a  unanimous  call,  signed  by  one  hundred  heads  of  families,  dated  November  3,  1790,  and was  soon  after  ordained  and  installed  as  their  pastor.  He  was  ordained and  installed  June,  1791.
 September  7,  1790,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Jane  Montgomery,  daughter of  Mr.  John  Montgomery,  Sr.,  of  Paradise,  Northumberland  county,  and settled  on  and  improved  the  farm  known  as  the  Long  Square,  one  mile from  Warrior  Run  church.  This  charge  he  did  not  fully  resign  until  the Autumn  of  1841,  after  a  ministry  of  fifty-two  years.  Soon  after  his  settlement, on  the  application  of  the  Presbyterian  population  of  the  town  of Danville,  and  with  the  approbation  of  the  people  of  his  charge,  he preached  every  third  or  fourth  Sabbath  in  that  town  without  pecuniary compensation.  But  his  congregations  becoming  dissatisfied,  after  a  few months,  he  withdrew  and  gave  the  whole  of  his  time  to  his  two  churches.
 The  kindness  of  Mr.  Bryson 's  congregations  in  granting  the  people  of Danville,  for  a  time,  a  part  of  their  pastor's  services,  was  followed  with happy  results.  They  were  strengthened  and  prepared  for  settling  a  minister, and  through  the  influence  and  exertions  of  Mr.  Bryson,  the  amiable and  venerable  John  B.  Paterson  was  called  by  them,  and  long  and  successfully served  as  pastor  of  the  Mahoning  church  in  Danville.

 As  the  boundaries  of  the  congregations  of  Warrior  Run  and  Chillisquaque met  or  overlapped  each  other  at  Milton,  Mr.  Bryson  as  soon  or  soon after  he  ceased  preaching  at  Danville,  made  Milton  one  of  the  outposts where  he  statedly  preached  on  the  afternoon  or  evening,  at  first  of  every  fourth  Sabbath,  and  afterwards  of  each  alternate  Sabbath.  After  preaching twice  at  Chillisquaque,  his  custom  was  to  go  to  Milton  and  hold  a  third service,  thus  accommodating  those  members  of  his  congregations  who  were not  able  to  go  to  their  respective  places  of  worship  in  the  morning.  Mr.  Bryson  continued  to  preach  statedly  at  Milton  to  December,  1811,  when, from  the  increase  of  the  population  of  the  place,  it  became  necessary  to organize  a  congregation  there,  he  retired  and  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hood,  who  afterwards  became  pastor  of  the  congregation  of  Milton. 

 Through  the  grace  of  our  Lord,  Father  Bryson  was  a  laborious  and  zealous  minister  of  the  glorious  Gospel  of  the  blessed  God.  Being  the  only minister  of  our  Church,  during  many  years,  in  the  forks  of  the  Susquehanna, he  preached  often,  on  week  days,  on  Fishing  Creek  and  at  different points  in  what  is  now  Columbia  county,  also  at  Pennsboro'  (now  Muncy), and  different  places  on  the  West  Branch.  Under  his  long  and  faithful ministry  of  the  Word,  his  regular  annual  family  visitations,  catechizing the  children  and  youth,  attending  prayer  meeting,  &c.,  his  charge  was  favored repeatedly  with  times  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  and grew  and  prospered.  He  was  eminently  a  man  of  prayer,  serving  the  Lord with  all  humility  of  mind.  He  was  a  mighty  textuary.  His  sermons  are replete  with  opposite  quotations  from  the  sacred  scriptures,  and  he  was habitually  ready  to  quote  largely  and  accurately  from  the  Divine  Word.
 One  might  almost  have  supposed  that  he  had  the  whole  Bible  committed to  memory.  (Within  the  territorial  boundaries  of  the  original  charge  of Father  Bryson  are  now  the  churches  of  Muncy,  Warrior  Eun,  McEwensville,  Milton,  Chillisquaque  and  Mooresburg.)
 With  a  spirit  chastened  by  manifold  afflictions,  Mr.  Bryson  was  peculiarly fitted  to  pour  the  oil  of  consolation  into  the  wounded  and  contrite heart.  In  private  life,  the  graces  of  the  christian  character  shown  with  delightful lustre.  An  affectionate  husband,  a  tender  parent,  a  kind  and benevolent  neighbor,  his  ear  was  ever  open  to  the  cry  of  distress,  and  his hand  ready  to  relieve  the  wants  of  the  necessitous,  with  exemplary  liberality. At  length,  as  the  gracious  Master  was  leading  his  aged  disciple  to  the last  experience  on  earth,  the  venerable  minister  essayed  to  gird  up  the  loins of  his  mind,  and  gave,  among  others,  the  following  testimony  written  down by  me  immediately  after  its  utterance :
 "  In  closing  my  earthly  pilgrimage,  I  leave  the  world  under  a  firm  conviction that  the  doctrines  of  grace,  as  set  forth  in  the  standards  of  our church,  and  which  as  God  has  given  me  grace,  I  have  endeavored  to preach,  are  the  pure  doctrines  of  the  Gospel ;  and  in  full  and  steadfast belief  of  their  truth,  especially  of  that  great  and  cheering  truth   the prominently  set  forth  of  the  imputation  of  a  Savior's  righteousness  received by  faith  alone,  I  enter  the  world  of  spirits  and  confidently  commit  my spirit  to  my  merciful  Redeemer  and  Judge,  trusting  that  his  righteousness is  mine  through  faith,  which  is  by  the  operation  of  his  Spirit."
 Early  on  the  morning  of  the  third  day  of  August,  1855,  at  his  residence in    Northumberland  county,  the   spirit  of  Father  Bryson  returned  unto .31
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 BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES    OF    DECEASED    MEMBERS.
 God  who  gave  it.  In  the  month  of  the  previous  January  he  had  entered on  the  ninety-eighth  year  of  his  life,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  the  oldest minister  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  the  United  States.  During  some days  previous  to  his  decease  his  sufferings  were  considerable ;  but  as  his dissolution  drew  near,  those  sufferings  ceased,  he  passed  away  without  a struggle  and  without  a  groan.
 It  was  on  the  morning  of  the  holy  Sabbath,  that  most  of  the  families  of Warrior  Run,  Chillisquaque,  McEwensville,  and  other  congregations,  filled the  house  and  gathered  around  the  home  in  which  the  beloved  old  minister had  so  long  sojourned.  And  then  in  long  and  quiet  procession,  they  went to  the  church  in  McEwensville,  there  to  hear  a  funeral  discourse  delivered by  Kev.  James  Clarke,  D.  D.,  (then  pastor  of  Lewisburg,)  from  Psalms 16  :  15:  "  Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of  his  saints."  The body  was  laid  in  the  congregational  cemetery  near  the  village,  and  the  soul of  Father  Bryson  is,  we  trust,  with  the  Good  Shepherd  who  gave  his  life for  the  sheep.
 Of  the  seven  children  of  Father  Bryson,  four  survived  him.  Two  died in  early  childhood.  In  1832  his  youngest  son,  Robert,  a  graduate  of  Dickinson  College  and  Princeton  Theological  Seminary,  died  at  the  early  age  of 24  years,  after  faithfully  preaching  the  Gospel  for  eighteen  months,  and about  two  weeks  subsequent  to  his  ordination.
 I  cannot  give  the  precise  dates  and  places  of  Father  Bryson's  licensure and  ordination  and  installation,  or  at  the  organization  of  the  Presbytery  of Huntingdon  and  Northumberland,  both  of  which  he  was  an  original  member. By  writing  to  the  Kev.  Andrew  D.  Mitchell,  Harrisburg,  who
 has,  in  his  possession  all  the  records  of  the  Carlisle  Presbytery,  and  by  reference to  the  early  records  of  Huntingdon  Presbytery,  you  can  ascertain these  facts  if  you  deem  it  necessary.
 With  kindest  regards  to  you  and  yours.
 Yours  in  Church  bonds,
 JOHN  P.  HUDSON." - 

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Article In Lancaster Farmer
2022

WARRIOR RUN, Pa. — A stately red brick church with arched windows, green shutters and Doric pillars supporting its covered front porch stands like a silent sentinel amidst a peaceful grove of trees at the intersection of two country roads in Warrior Run, Pa. Nearby, within a low stone wall, slumbers a graveyard with almost 500 tombstones, marking the resting place of those who once attended this rural church.

Although this place of worship, called Warrior Run Church, was built in 1835, the building is actually the most recent of three churches by the same name that have stood on or near this site in Delaware Township, Northumberland County, Pa. Construction of the original church began in 1775 by Scots-Irish settlers who needed a place for their Presbyterian congregation, which had organized in 1769, to call home. This original log structure, located roughly three miles away near the mouth of the Warrior Run Creek at Watsontown, Pa., was burned by Senecas before its completion during the “Great Run-Away” of 1778; settlers learning about the Native Americans’ Wyoming Massacre upstate at Forty-Fort left the Warrior Run area in fear for their lives.

Events initially conspired against the rebuilding of the house of worship destroyed by the Indians. Nearby Fort Freeland, a stockaded outpost developed to provide refuge from Native American attacks, was the site of a Revolutionary War battle in July 1779. About 300 British troops and Native Americans under the command of Captain McDonald surrounded the fort and its greatly outmanned occupants, who were eventually forced to surrender. Some of the settlers were slain in the fighting, some were captured and many others fled the area in what became known as the Second Great Run-Away.

It would be 10 years until the area was again resettled in sufficient numbers for a second Warrior Run Church to be constructed in 1789. Also a log building, this next house of worship was located in front of the current structure. It had two stories, which could seat up to 140 on its ground level and another 80 to 120 persons in its second floor gallery, which surrounded three sides of the sanctuary and was accessed by stairs on the outside of the structure. It featured a center aisle and a high cathedral-style pulpit. A model of this second log church is on display inside the current church building.

The start of Reverend John Bryson’s term of service at Warrior Run Church coincided with the completion of the newest church building. Bryson would go on to lead this Presbyterian congregation for just over 50 years. His tenure was marked by both progress and challenges. New Presbyterian churches were planted in neighboring Milton (in 1811) and McEwensville (in 1847). A graveyard begun in 1789 and enclosed by a stone wall in 1813 became the final resting place for 74 Revolutionary War veterans, including the cemetery’s first interment, Cornelius Waldron.

An unfortunate event of uncertain origin — possibly a lightning strike — burnt the second Warrior Run Church in 1833.

Perhaps due to the demises of the two ill-fated log churches, when the current Warrior Run Church was built in 1835, it was constructed of red bricks burned by James Slote, whose farm stood one-fourth mile from the church on the site of the Battle of Fort Freeland. The present church structure is approximately 40 feet by 60 feet in dimension and designed with clean, simple lines in classic Greek Revival style, without a steeple or bell tower. Inside, a total of 70 box pews flank dual aisles and face the plain, raised pulpit at the front of the structure. Ten additional pews at the front of the church flank the sides of the pulpit. Ample daylight enters the sanctuary through a total of 13 large, 16-over-12-paned windows of clear glass. Candles or lanterns were used for evening meetings. To this day, the Warrior Run Church lacks both electricity and heat.

Nowadays, the most popular church pews seem to be those at the rear of a sanctuary; however, the same was not true in earlier times. Annual pew rents were charged and a seating plan assigned the congregation’s families to pews specifically reserved for them. The highest rents were charged for the pews at the very front of the church on either side of the pulpit. Wealthy parishioners who could afford to rent these seats did so in order to call attention to themselves.

One important fixture added to the historic Warrior Run Church in the late 1800s was a reed organ manufactured by the Miller Organ Company of Lebanon, Pa. Powered by foot pedals to operate a bellows inside the organ, it remains not only a musical instrument featuring 11 stops and ivory keys, but also a beautiful piece of furniture with ornate carvings, two lamp stands on either side and red fabric inserts covering its sound portals. A matching red upholstered pedestal seat completes the chapel-style instrument. The organ was constructed with a low back to allow the organist to see over the top of the organ. Another of its features was a finished back, so that the organ could be positioned anywhere within the church, not just set against a wall.

As the numbers attending the Warrior Run Church dwindled, its role in the community began to change. The last burial in its cemetery took place in 1940 and regular services in the church came to an end in 1964, by which time the congregation had dwindled to just five members. When the structure began to fall into disrepair, the local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter undertook its restoration in 1947. Subsequently, the church and grounds became a property of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a historic site in 1949. The Warrior Run-Fort Freeland Heritage Society has maintained the building and grounds since 1980; 

Three services a year continue to be held at the historic Warrior Run Church and it also plays host to between six and nine weddings annually. The church’s annual Candlelight Christmas Service will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, and will include group singing along with the Miller pump organ. This event is popular, so attendees are advised to come early and dress warmly. Other services are held in the form of a hymn sing at 3 p.m. on the second Sunday in June as part of the annual Strawberry Festival, as well as a service at 10 a.m. on the first Sunday in October in conjunction with the annual Heritage Days Festival.
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1789 Membership
Samuel All James Falls William Kirk Wm. Ruckman
John Allie Barnabas Farran Alex. Lock William Scott
James Allison John Ferguson John Long David Shannon
John Allison Alander Foresman Jacob Maxwell Robert Shaw
Richard Allison Andrew Foster James McAfee William Shaw
John Baird John Fulkerson John McCormick John Smith
John Barr Widow Gaston Wm. McCormick Robert Smith
Samuel Barr John Gibbons George McCoy James Stroy
Thomas Barr Thomas Gilmore John W. McCurdy Alex. Stuart
Benjamin Bennet Alex. Guffy David McGuire Frederick Taylor
Samuel Blaine Hugh Hambleton James McKean William Taylor
Thomas Blaine James Hammond George McKee John Tweed
William Boyd Joseph Hammond Robert McKee Richard Vanderholf
Jane Brown James Harrison John McKinney Bethuel Vincent
Jacob Bruner William Haslet Robert Miller Daniel Vincent
John Bryson John Haus Robert Montgomery Cornelius Waldron
John Buchanan John Herron Anthony Moore Thomas Wallace
John Burroughs David Hogge Barnabas Murray James Watson
William Calhoun David Hunter Thomas Murray John Watson
John Cathcart Joseph Hutchison Michael Nolan James Welch, Jr.
Thomas Connely Joseph Hutchison, Jr. John Pipenger James Welch, Sr.
Martha Correy Joseph Hutchison, Sr. John Quigley Fleming Wilson
Robert Craig Bruce Innis Mungo Reed HughWilson
James Daugherty Charles Irwin Robt. Robertson James Wilson
Robert DeArmond John Irwin Andrew Russell John Wilson
Thomas DeArmond John Jacoby Andrew Russell, Jr. John Wilson
Patrick Dickson Samuel Jones Patrick Russell Thomas Wilson
Alex. Dunbar Thomas Kirk Thos. Ruchman John Woods
James Durham

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