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 United Presbyterian Church.—In
the year 1801, Rev. Daniel McLean, a
licentiate of the Associate Presbytery of Chartiers, visited the
Shenango Valley, by Presbyterial appointments, and preached at several
points in Mercer and Crawford counties. A region of country, embracing a
portion of the above counties, lying nearest the Shenango River, and
including Greenville, Jamestown, Old Shenango, etc., was called the
“Big Vacancy,” and about the year 1802, was taken under the care of
the Old Associate Church. The first congregation was organized about six
months later, at Old Shenango, ten miles north of Greenville, which is
very appropriately called “Old Jerusalem,” being the mother of all
the United Presbyterian congregations in this whole region.
Over the above charge,
Rev. McLean was immediately installed as
pastor, and his labors were so abundantly successful, that in a few
years it became necessary to organize other congregations in the regions
round about, preeminent among which was the Associate, better known as
the “Seceder,” congregation of Greenville. This congregation, about
1820, became united with Shenango as one pastoral charge, over which
“Father McLean,” as he is familiarly known, presided until summoned
to his removal, closing a remarkably successful pastorate of about forty
years. Rev. McLean was a man of more than
ordinary qualifications for his work. His mental and physical powers
were above the average; his piety and devotion to his
ministry unquestioned, and hence his remarkable success. The text of his
memorial sermon, “A good man, full of
continued
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United
Presbyterian Church,1901. Photo from One Hundred Years of the United
Presbyterian Church, Greenville, submitted by Sue
Elliott.
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Mercer
County Genealogy
Read
the entire history online.
