Valley Girl Views: "Old Buffalo" Presbyterian Church

"Old Buffalo" Union County's first Church.

The Buffalo Presbyterian congregation was the oldest congregation in Union County, having been founded in 1773. Two buildings have previously occupied the site; a cemetery adjoining the church attests to its early origins.

The Buffalo Presbyterian Church was the first church established in Buffalo Valley, only five years after the territory was opened to settlement. Scots-Irish Presbyterians first met in the countryside where the Old Buffalo Church would later be built.

In c. 1784, Edward and Joseph Shippen gave 5 acres to the

Presbyterian congregation on which to build a meetinghouse and burial place-at what is

now the intersection of Buffalo Road/Route 192, and Buffalo Cross Road.

The first meetinghouse was a log structure with 3 doors and 9 windows: one

window located behind the pulpit plus 2 on each side, front and back.

In 1791, thirty-six pews were rented, for 1 pound 9 shillings, up to 3 pounds, 5 shillings, and occupied by 83 members.

In 1816, a stone church replaced the log structure. The building was 52 feet by 40

feet, containing 4 rows of seats and the pulpit. Jacob Hartman did all the carpentry work

and painting for $625, and William McLaughlin did the masonry work for 75 cents per

perch (16.5 feet). The cornerstone was laid July 23, 1816 and the building completed by

December 29, 1816. This stone church stood at the northwest corner of the cemetery

grounds.

In 1846 the present Greek Revival, brick structure was constructed, necessitated

by the early deterioration of the stone church when its foundation became unsound

Stones from the 1816 church were used in the foundation of the brick church and in part

of the cemetery wall.

Ministers serving this congregation included Reverend Hugh Morrison, a native

of Ireland (serving from 1787 until 1801), Thomas Hood (1805-1835), Isaac Grier (1835-

1884), W. K. Foster (1885-1890), E. H. Snook (1891-1899), and M. H. Calkins (1900-

1919).

Interior in the 1960s

By 1823 the Buffalo congregation had grown to 273 members. It was a long ride or walk to Buffalo Crossroads Church for those who came from surrounding areas. The time to develop local churches had come.

The Buffalo Church planted 5 daughter churches, Mifflinburg in 1818, Laurel Run (later Hartleton) in 1831, Bethel (Later the Washington Church, Allenwood) in 1832, Lewisburg in 1833 and New Berlin in 1842.

39 members transferred from the Buffalo church to the First Presbyterian church of Lewisburg in 1833, which was to be under the guidance of the Reverend Thomas Hood.

On January 17 1919 the Buffalo Presbyterian congregation, eighteen members in all , was dissolved by the Presbytery of Northumberland.

An annual Communion Service was held each year, at least through the 1920s:

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A Sesquicentennial was held there On August 30th 1923

The two tablets on the front of the church were unveiled at that event.

On February 14 1975 the the church and grounds were purchased from the Presbytery by Mrs. Mary Ruhl Maher, Mrs. Ethel D. Ruhl, & Mr George Ruhl. It appears that they formed an organization named the 1773 Buffalo Church Association.

The church building was sitting empty when the application was made for the National Register.

According to the application for the National Registry, " Reservations in the deed provide that the property will be maintained as an historical site and consistent with its religious heritage and shall not be resold at a profit. "

"The Old Buffalo Presbyterian Church Cemetery Association has maintained the

cemetery since acquiring it from the Northumberland Presbytery in 1975. At the same

time, the 1773 Buffalo Church Association took ownership of the church and grounds,

and is bound by deed to maintain it for religious and historic purposes. "

In 1975 Buffalo Church was included in the Pennsylvania Inventory of Historic

Places, and on January 30, 1976, it was enrolled in the National Register of Historic

Places.

The old oak trees on site were estimated to be over 200 years old.

The building here is the third on the site.

Old Buffalo has been called the “Mother of Churches” because from its

membership the following churches were formed: Mifflinburg Presbyterian in 1819;

Bethel-Washington, Allenwood, in 1831; Laurel Run, later Hartleton, in 1832; Lewisburg

in 1833; and New Berlin in 1841.

"Architecturally, the building is a fine example of vernacular architectural style. It is quiet, dignified, and well-proportioned. The use of classical detail reflects the then-prevalent interest in Greek and Roman architecture. The classical elements are very successfully combined with more local elements such as paneling and sash windows. Like the combination of styles, the combination of materials and colors is pleasing and well-balanced. "

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In July of 1897, the Harrisburg Telegraph & The Lewisburg Journal printed a list of inscriptions of the tombstones in the Buffalo Crossroads Presbyterian Church.

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BUFFALO CROSS ROADS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

By A. STAPLETON.

This church was one of the very first organized in the West Branch Valley and is situated about four miles west of Lewisburg, the county seat of Union county. Its organziation dates back to 1773. The worshipers were mostly Scotch Irish who settled this region – Buffalo Valley – and were mainly from Cumberland Valley and the Scotch Irish settlements of Lancaster County.

Among the early members were many who became prominent in the Revolution. In the ancient graveyard sleep many illustrious heroes, but very few have inscribed headstones. We subjoin a number of the most notable inscriptions with, comment:

Robert Van Valzah was born April 17, 1764. Died April 18, 1850, aged 86 years and 1 day.

Elizabeth, wife of Dr. Robert Van Valzah, Died March 30, 1840, aged 79 years.

Hie Jacet John Linn, Born April 2nd, 1754. Died March 18, 1809.

Hie Jacet Mrs. Ann Linn, Relict of John Linn, Born in September 6th, A. D., 1761. Died Sep. 4, A.D. 1841.

Hie Jacet James Flemming, Born June 29, A. D. 1759. Died July 30, 1824.

In memory of David Linn, Born May 28, 1776, and departed this life July 26, 1848, Aged 72 years 1 month and 28 days.

In memory of Margery Linn, Born Dec. 30, 1780, and departed this life Nov. 19, 1865, aged 83 years, 10 months and 19 days.

In memory of Isaiah Linn, Died April, 1809, aged 37 years.

Hie Jacet Mrs. Ann McBeth, Born January 4th. A. D. 1733. Died Feb. 28, 1808.

Note — John Linn was a brother to the noted Dr. William Linn — one of the early Presbyterian divines of Pennsylvania — and was grandfather of the late Hon. J. Merrill Linn, of Lewisburg, and the Hon. John Blair Linn, ex-Secretary of the Commonwealth, of Bellefonte. He came to Buffalo Valley in 1772. Served in the War of the Revolution. Ann McBeth and James Flemming were relatives.

In memory of Dr. Robert Van Valzah. Jr., Born Sept. 11, 1789. Died March 14, 1851, aged 61 years, 6 month, and 3 days.

Nancy, Wife of Dr. Robert Van Valzah, Jr., Born Dec. 24, 1799. Died April 26, 1857, aged 57 years, 4 mo. and 5 days.

Dr. Robert T. Van Valzah, Died October 8th, 1877, aged 32 years.

William Van Valzah, Died Oct. 13, 1859, aged 48 years, 5 mo. and 19 days.

Sarah Van Valzah, Died November 16, 1862, aged 45 years, 6 mo. and 8 days.

Note — Dr. Robert Van Valzah, Sr. came to the valley Van from Croton, New York, in 1786. He was famous as a physician and had an immense practice. His sons Thomas and Robert also became eminent practitioners; grandsons and great-grandsons perpetuate his fame and success in the same profession.

The above shows a remarkable succession of father, son and grandson of the same name and profession.

George Lashells, Departed on the 27th May, 1844, Aged 88 years, 1 mo and 3 days.

Sarah, Consort of George Lashells, Died July 7, 1834, Aged 58 years and 3 days.

Jacob Lashell, Died April 3, 1847, Aged 55 years, 7 mo. and 16 days.

In. memory of Lydia, Wife of George Lashell, Jr., who Died March 30, 1837, Aged 40 years, 5 mo. and 29 days.

John Lashells, was born Sep. 13, 1789, Died May 18, 1847, Aged 59 years, 8 mo. and 5 days.

Sacred To the memory of Martha, Wife of John Lashells, who was born on the 2nd December, 1789,

and died on the 12 Oct., 1837.

Ralph Lashells, Late of Gettysburg, who died at his brother’s, in New Berlin, on the 20th July, 1821, Aged 39 years, 1 mo. and 22 days.

George W., Son of J. J. and H. R. Lashells, was killed at the first battle of Fredericksburg, December 4th, 1862, Aged 18 years, 2 mo. and 19 days.

Note — The Lashells were evidently of French extraction. They came near the beginning of the century to the valley from Adams county, and were for many years a prominent family, but very few now remain. John Lashells (as above) was one of the first members of the Union county bar, and was an eminent lawyer.

SOURCE: Page(s)102-104 Notes and Queries: Historical, Biographical and Genealogical, Relating Chiefly to Interior Pennsylvania By William Henry Egle, Pennsylvania State Library; Harrisburg publishing company, 1898

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