Today in Wheeling History: April 29--Reverend Laverty Grier, who had served as pastor of the Old Stone Church in Elm Grove (now part of Wheeling) from 1861 to 1897, passed away in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and his body was brought back to the church for impressive ceremonies before being laid to rest in the cemetery (1907).
The Old Stone Church in Elm Grove, Wheeling, West Virginia, was founded in 1787, making it the first Presbyterian organization in the area. The early pioneers gathered under a large oak tree to worship, led by Rev. John Brice, who received his theological training from Rev. Joseph Smith of Upper Buffalo. Rev. Brice served as pastor until his death (date unknown). He was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Stevenson, who was ordained and installed in June 1809. In 1814, Rev. James Hervey began his 47-year pastorate, which continued until his death on September 13, 1859.
Rev. Laverty Grier then served from 1861 until his resignation in 1897 due to the infirmities of age. He passed away on April 29, 1907, at the home of his son in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His body was brought back to the "Old Stone Church," where impressive ceremonies were held before he was laid to rest in the cemetery, mingling his dust with that of the congregation gone before. Rev. Grier was remembered as a man of strong conviction, a conscientious preacher, and a faithful pastor. Rev. W. E. Allen followed, whose pastoral relation continued into the early 1900s (exact dates unknown).
The original church structure was built in 1807 on a hill in the Elm Grove cemetery. It was demolished in 1913 and replaced by a larger Gothic-style stone structure at the foot of the hill in 1914. The cemetery remains an active burial place, but the church building adjacent to it was later torn down to make way for Interstate 70. The congregation now worships at a new church structure on East Cove Avenue, where they continue the legacy of the historic Old Stone Church.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/bdfp8a5d) (https://tinyurl.com/23ve7p29) (https://tinyurl.com/yctcc8fy) (https://tinyurl.com/mpddz5xu) (https://tinyurl.com/5ehc4cp5)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Google Maps
The Old Stone Church in Elm Grove, Wheeling, West Virginia, was founded in 1787, making it the first Presbyterian organization in the area. The early pioneers gathered under a large oak tree to worship, led by Rev. John Brice, who received his theological training from Rev. Joseph Smith of Upper Buffalo. Rev. Brice served as pastor until his death (date unknown). He was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Stevenson, who was ordained and installed in June 1809. In 1814, Rev. James Hervey began his 47-year pastorate, which continued until his death on September 13, 1859.
Rev. Laverty Grier then served from 1861 until his resignation in 1897 due to the infirmities of age. He passed away on April 29, 1907, at the home of his son in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His body was brought back to the "Old Stone Church," where impressive ceremonies were held before he was laid to rest in the cemetery, mingling his dust with that of the congregation gone before. Rev. Grier was remembered as a man of strong conviction, a conscientious preacher, and a faithful pastor. Rev. W. E. Allen followed, whose pastoral relation continued into the early 1900s (exact dates unknown).
The original church structure was built in 1807 on a hill in the Elm Grove cemetery. It was demolished in 1913 and replaced by a larger Gothic-style stone structure at the foot of the hill in 1914. The cemetery remains an active burial place, but the church building adjacent to it was later torn down to make way for Interstate 70. The congregation now worships at a new church structure on East Cove Avenue, where they continue the legacy of the historic Old Stone Church.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/bdfp8a5d) (https://tinyurl.com/23ve7p29) (https://tinyurl.com/yctcc8fy) (https://tinyurl.com/mpddz5xu) (https://tinyurl.com/5ehc4cp5)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Google Maps
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