As early as 1790 the fertile undulating lands of Mercer County were attracting the attention of the people of Westmoreland and Washington counties of Pennsylvania, and during the decade 1790-1800, a number of families from these counties and the McMillans from Virginia settled in what is now known as Coolspring, Fairview, Jackson and Lake townships of Mercer County. Among the families who first came were the Arnolds, McLains, Alexanders, Bowmans, and McMillans. They were soon followed by the Rambos, the McCulloughs, the Moores, the Campbells, the Taits, the Forkers, the Smiths, the Millers, the Zahnisers, the Norths and others.

These families not only came with their yokes of cattle, their axes and their weaving looms, but they also brought their Psalm books, their Bibles and their Westminster Catechisms. And, what is still better, they brought in their hearts a warm and fervent love for Christ and his church. In the year 1800 Rev. Samuel Tait, of blessed memory, came among these early settlers to preach the Gospel of the Son of God. Rev. Mr. Tait was an able, earnest and faithful minister of the word. It was no easy task to be a spiritual shepherd in those days. There were long journeys to make through a dense and almost trackless forest; unbridged streams to ford, and hardships and privations to endure.

But the heroic young preacher braved all these perils, visited the people, prayed with them, and preached the love of God to perishing sinners. In September, 1800, the Coolspring Presbyterian church was organized, and in November of the same year Rev. Samuel Tait was ordained its first pastor. Thomas McLain and John Alexander were elected and ordained as ruling elders. It was in October of the same year that the first church edifice was built. All the men and boys of the neighorhood met to build this "meeting house." It was located near the old Coolspring cemetery and was begun and finished in one day. When the men gathered in the morning to begin their work, they soon discovered that there was lacking the necessary yoke of oxen to haul the logs. What was to be done? In the neighborhood lived a Mr. Stokely who was rather skeptical in his views and with whom these "Blue Stockings" had many an animated discussion. Mr.S. had a fine yoke of oxen. But who would think of him "lending a hand" in a church building enterprise.

The church builders were feeling somewhat gloomy over the outlook, when hark! what's that? Something was coming crashing and snapping through the brush. And now a man's voice could be heard urging on his team, who when he came in sight shouted out, "Here comes the devil to help build your church."

Mr. Tait continued to preach a portion of his time at Coolspring until 1813, when by some arrangement between that congregation and Mercer, the people at Coolspring agreed to worship at Mercer. This arrangement continued until 1826, when worship again resumed at Coolspring. During Rev. Tait's pastorate Adam Forker, Fergus Smith and Asa Arnold were elected and ordained ruling elders of the congregation. When the congretation resumed worship at Coolspring Rev. Tait ceased to preach for them. Rev. Samuel Tait served the first church of Mercer till 1841, when he was called from labor to reward. His work follows him. Mercer county owes much to his pioneer ministry. May his mantle fall upon all of us in the opening of the new century (1900) of our church work!

The second church building was erected in 1826, and was a hewed log edifice. This church stood in the cemetery close by the present building. It was amply large to accommodate the large and vigorous congregation.

From 1836 to 1842 the church was supplied. In 1842 Rev. James G. Wilson was called to the pastorate and served until 1850. During this pastorate William Donaldson, James Miller and William Zahniser were added to the roll of ruling elders. Rev. Mr. Wilson was an able exponent of the "Word", and the church made substantial progress during his pastorate. For about six months during 1851 Rev. George W. Zahniser served as stated supply.

REV. GEORGE W. ZAHNISER Supplied the church in 1851	Elder WILLIAM MILLER Ordained in 1834. Died in 1838. Aged 87 Years.	Elder MARMADUKE RAMBO Ordained in 1834. Died in 1890. Aged 85 Years.

It was in November, 1851, that Rev. John W. McCune was called to the pastoral office by the Coolspring church. He was young, energetic and full of hope. His was a long and interesting pastorate. He served till 1877. Mr. McCune was a kind hearted, pious and devoted man of God. His preaching was unctious and heart searching. He was an affectionate pastor and a vigilant shepherd over the interests of his people. Many a heart was lightened and many a face was brightened by the sunshine of his Christian friendship and the healing balm of his tender sympathy. Several precious revivals occurred during his stay, and large numbers united with the church. He died in 1878 while attending the commencement exercises of Westminister college at New Wilmington. During Rev. McCune's pastorate Leonard D McCullough, Joseph Campbell and David Zahniser were ordained elders in 1852.

REV. JOHN W. McCUNE Pastor from 1851 to 1877. Died in 1878.	Elder WILLIAM ZAHNIZER Ordained in 1846. Died in 1877.	Elder LEONARD D. McCULLOUGH Ordained in 1852. Died in 1876.	Elder JOSEPH CAMPBELL Ordained in 1852. Died in 1900. Aged 83 Years.

It was soon after Rev. Mr. McCune took charge that the third church was built. It was dedicated in 1854. This building was large and roomy, and many precious memories are associated with it. It was a monument to the faithful and efficient pastorate of Rev. John W. McCune.

In 1866 William North, Jacob Zahniser and Elias Orr were ordained. In 1875 William B. Tait and Charles Bromley were called to be ruling elders.

THIRD COOLSPRING CHURCH Erected in 1854. Used until 1900.	Elder WILLIAM NORTH Ordained in 1866. Died in 1882.	Elder JACOB ZAHNIZER Ordained in 1866. Died in 1891.

After the death of Pastor McCune supplies were sent for awhile, and Rev. James M. McJunkin very acceptably supplied the pulpit for one year. He is held in kind remembrance by the Coolspring people. In 1880 Rev. J. M. Stitt was called to serve the Coolspring and Fredonia churches. His was a blessed pastorate. Full of zeal for the Master, he was untiring in his efforts to build up the church of Jesus Christ. He was dearly beloved by all his parishioners. He died in 1884. During this pastorate J.M. McLain, D.F.McMillan and J.P. Clark were ordained and installed elders.

Elder ELIAS ORR Ordained in 1866 Died in 1899. Aged 88 Years	Elder WILLIAM B. TAIT Ordained in 1875	Rev. J. M. McJUNKIN Supply from 1878 to 1879.	Rev. J. M. STITT Pastor from 1880 to 1884. Died in 1884.

After the death of Mr.Stitt Rev A. B. Lowes supplied the church for eighteen months. His work was well done. Rev. S. L. Boston followed Mr. Lowes and supplied the church for one year. During this year a precious revival swept over the congregation, and a large number were added to the roll of church membership.

In 1887 Rev. James E. Irvine was called to the pastorate. His was the important work of training the young converts gathered in by his predecessor. He labored successfully for more than two years, and then resigned to accept a call from one of our churches in the city of Altoona.

In 1890 Rev. J. A. Sherrard was called and installed pastor. Mr. Sherrard is an eloquent preacher, and resigned to accept a call from the First Presbyterian church of Caledonia, N.Y. During this pastorate R. R. Elder and J. G. Smith were elected, ordained and installed as ruling elders. Mr. Sherrard served two years and six months as pastor.

In April, 1893, the present pastor, Rev. W. F Shannon, was engaged as a stated supply. At the close of one year, he was unanimously called to the pastorate. Since then one hundred and six persons have been received into church fellowship. The present church edifice has been built and dedicated free of debt. The building committee of he present church edifice were Messrs. John Vernon, James Tait, Hiram Woerlie, J.P. Clark and Ira Morford. Their work was well done.

Photo Left: Fourth Coolspring church.
Erected in 1899. Dedicated February, 1900.

The church is blessed with an efficient Woman's Missionary Society, a most helpful and spiritual Christian Endeavor Society, an excellent Sabbath School, a well organized temperance society and a harmonious working session. The public services are well attended, and the outlook for the future is full of hope and encouragement.

The Coolspring people sing well. During the past one hundred years the church services have been enlivened by good spiritual singing. Mr. J. G. Smith has done much to inspire the people to sing the praises of God. The present choir, led by Mr. J. B. Tait, is second to none in this part of Mercer county.

The church has sons in the ministry and missionaries in the foreign field. The names of ministers who have gone out from Coolspring are Revs. James I. Smith, Reed Moore, Henry T. McEwan, and Howard McDowell. Mr. Edgar R. Tait is now in the Western Theological Seminary and Mr. W. M. McMillan has been taken under care of Presbytery. As descendants of the family of Fergus and Nancy Smith, who were pioneer members of Coolspring church, we have additional ministers, lawyers, doctors and judges; among them being Rev. Watson M. Hays, a missionary in China, Rev. E. M. Calvin, Rev. James W. McKean and Frank McKean. Not a few of the sons and daughters of Coolspring are filling positions of honor and trust in different parts of the world. The Hon. S. H. Miller, judge of the courts of Mercer county, is a son of old Coolspring Pesbyterian church.

Our present session is composed of the pastor, Rev. W. F. Shannon, and Elders W. B. Tait, D. F. McMillan, J.P. Clark, J.G. Smith and R.R. Elder. Much of the material for writing this history has been secured from Mr. W.B. Tait, the efficient clerk of session.

Coolspring church may be said to be the mother of the Fredonia Presbyterian church, and gave liberally toward the organization of the Bethany Cumberland Presbyterian church. At the close of the old century and the beginning of the new we have among our church members and attendants the Taits, Smiths, Campbells, Clarks, McEwans, McMillans, Kings, Burtons, Vernons, Norths, Ringers, Woerlies, Vanattis, Walkers, Elders, McDowells, Kitches, Montgomeries, Corlls, Cubbisons, Williamsons, Cathers, McCulloughs, Morfords, Armstrongs, Bromleys, McDougalls, Hogues, Harknesses, Ruhlmans, Cornells, Cooks, Pears, Youngs, McLains, Foutzs, McConnells, McClures.

(The text goes on to list the ministers and elders in order from 1800 to 1900. In addition there are 21 more photographs of ministers, elders, and church members. I list the captions below. If anyone anyone would like to request that one of these photos be added to this site, contact me by email.)

1. REV. S. L. BOSTON Supply in 1886 and 1887.
2. REV. JAMES E. IRVINE. Pastor from 1887 to 1889.
3. REV. W.F. SHANNON. Pastor 1893 to ------
4. Elder D. F. McMILLAN. Ordained in 1882.
5. Elder JOSEPH M. McLAIN. Ordained in 1882.
6. Elder J. P. CLARK. Ordained in 1882.
7. Elder JOHN G. SMITH. Ordained in 1892.
8. Elder ROBERT R. ELDER. Ordained in 1892.
9. Mrs. ESTHER RAMBO. Died in 1858.
10. NANCY FORKER. Died in 1874. Aged 80 Years.
11. Mrs. JANE MILNER. Died in 1897.
12. NANCY MILLER. Died in 1871.
13. ELIZABETH NICHOLS. Died in 1867. Aged 62 Years.
14. REBECCA TAIT. Died in 1895. Aged 88 Years.
15. ELIZABETH McCULLOUGH.
16. Mrs. CATHARINE NORTH. Died in 1889.
17. ISAAC KITCH. Died in 1897.
18. SAMUEL NORTH. Aged 88 Years.
19. JANE JEFFREY Died September 6, 1895. and WILLIAM JEFFREY. Died August 25, 1895.
20. Mr. WILLIAM NORTH, SR. Died in 1860. Aged 84 Years.
and Mrs. MARY D. NORTH. Died in 1865. Aged 80 Years.
21. REV. JAMES I. SMITH, a son of the Coolspring church. Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Toledo, Iowa.

The following obituary dated 1857 was found in an old notebook belonging to the Campbell family of Mercer County:

DIED on the 6th inst, at her residence in Fairview tp. Mercer county, Mrs. Sarah Alexander, widow of Joseph Alexander, in the 83rd year of her age.

The deceased was born in Philadelphia county Pa, and lived there until after her marriage. After her marriage she removed with her husband to Mercer county, and they were among the first settlers in the county. At that time it was a dense forest, with here and there an improvement.

She knew from experience the hardships of a frontier life; but being blessed with a vigorous constitution, (not knowing what it was to be sick until her last illness) she was prepared to endure the fatigue incident to a new settlement.

She with her husband united with the Coolspring Presbyterian Church in the year 1802, then under the care of the Rev. Samuel Tait.

Mrs. Alexander was a woman of strong attachments, so much so , that when the edifice of the old Coolspring church was removed to Mercer, and a new organization formed within a mile of her residence, she would pass by the new church and go to Mercer, which was six miles distant, to enjoy the ministrations of her old pastor.

Her last illness (dropsy) was protracted, yet not painful. In all her afflictions she was sustained by a strong and lively faith in her Redeemer.

Note: The Sarah Alexander referred to above was the mother of the Sarah Alexander shown in my ancestor chart.)

COOLSPRING CHURCH AND CEMETERY.....SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

1. Location of the Coolspring Church.
   The church is actually located in Fairview Township, about 3 miles east of Fredonia, just over the township line from Coolspring Township. (Before 1850, Coolspring Township included the entire area.) The church is at the junction of present-day Forrester road (on some maps called Palmer Rd.) and Coolspring church road. The cemetery is just across the road to the north.

2. Present day structure.
   The building as shown in the 1900 photograph still exists, plus a large additional wing that was attached later.

3. Church Records.
   Displayed on the wall in a hallway in the church are a number of framed posters listing members of several sunday school and adult education classes of around the 1900 to 1915 time frame. It is not known whether other church records such as marriage and baptism records exist. It has been reported that written requests to present day church officials asking for information, received no answer.

4. The Cemetery
   The Coolspring Cemetery holds many of the individuals mentioned in the Centennial account, including my maternal great-grandfather Joseph Campbell (pictured as one of the church elders), and his wife Eliza (Bowman) Campbell. On my fathers side, my grandfather David J. Keen is buried there, although his marker can no longer be found. On a visit to the site in 1991, we found a number of stones had been uprooted and scattered through the woods on the north side of the cemetery.

5. Active Researchers.
   Among those responding to this site and having ties to the Church or Cemetery are the following;

Craig Young ([email protected]) researching RAMBO, YOUNG
Norris Burdette ([email protected]) researching BURDETTE, KEY, NORTH
Marilyn Hesse ([email protected]) researching MILLS
Beth ([email protected]) researching BROMLEY, McCULLOUGH
Jerry Garrison ([email protected]) researching KITCH
    (see http://members.tripod.com/jerry_garrison/index.htm)
Glenn S Gealy ([email protected]) researching ARNOLD

6. Additional photos.
   As requested by viewers, I am adding three of the photos that were previously not included:

  Elizabeth McCullough        Isaac Kitch (d. 1897)     Mrs. Esther Rambo (d. 1858)

• The records from the The CAMPBELL FAMILY BIBLE. A genealogical chart of the Joseph Campbell (b. 1774) family of Fairview Twp. is included.

• The text of the booklet "The Genealogy of the BOWMAN Family from 1710 to 1897."  The story documents the arrival of Robert Bowman, one of the first settlers in Mercer County, in 1797.

• A link to the Keene Genealogy Page, tracing the KEENE/KEEN/KEAN family of Crawford and Mercer Counties, Pennsylvania.