History of the church.in the painting
Written by Elizabeth Stuller Thomas, daughter of George Stuller. Most of this record I heard from my father and mother. Some dates I copied from the Stuller family Bible.
June 11, 1957 Homer City, Pa.
In 1874 George W. Stuller, Ephraim Stuller, and Mr. Green, Christian carpenters, came to the newly-opened coal field at Spruceville, from the Church of God at Puttstown. These men built a two-room log home. When it was completed, they spent the Sabbath and one evening a week there in prayer and Bible study. As the settlement grew, others joined them. Many rough characters came to the coal mine. These men gathered in a place opposite the log house on the Sabbath where they drank, played cards, and profaned the Holy Name which the worshipers honored and loved.
Mr Newton Truax, another Christian carpenter, later came from Huntington county. The crowd in the other building grew until the four carpenters decided to buy the deserted building and make it into a meeting house. In 1875 George Stuler moved his wife and two children from Huntington County. Ephraim who was unmarried, lived with them. Mr Truax and Miss Margaret Brode (spelling uncertain) were married in the Stuller home. The Rev. Flegal retired pastor of the Puttstown Church, spent part of the (1875-1876) winter with them. He greatly encouraged the four men in their plans for the new church. On Sabbath mornings and evenings he preached for the little congregation.
The house was bought and the work for its conversion began. Pews, a pulpit, windows, and coal stoves were installed. Oil lamps were hung. The outside was stripped. Rev. Flegal sent to Puttstown for his son Rev J.T. Flegal, and the two held a revival meeting in the new church. These ministers saw a need for organization, and before they left for home, organized on April 8, 1876 the “Spruceville Church of God”. A Sunday school was started and many families filled the new church.
The first or charter members were: George W. Stuller and Barbara his wife; Jackson Abbot and Edith his wife; Ephraim Stuller and his bride, Ann; Maria Definbaugh, mother of Edith Abbott; Newton Truax and his wife Margaret. Converts of the revival were fellowshipped into the church the day of its organization: Lewis Reede and Catherine Reede; John Shaver and Susan Shaver; Mary Walker; Albert Miles; Minerva Shanefelter. The first church council was: Jackson Abbott, Elder; George Stuller and Ephraim Stuller, Deacons.
In 1879 Elder W.P. Grissinger organized a similar church in Brisbin (then called Houtsville). As some of the Spruceville members located in the town,talk of consolidating the two congregations began. Until 1885 services were held in both churches, the same minister serving both. In 1888 anew bethel was built at Brisbin, and dedicated the late summer that same year. That bethel is the main part of the present one at Brisbin.
After the Brisbin church was built, the the Spruceville people worshiped there although Sunday School was held at Spruceville. When it closed I do not know.
Many men and women who first attended this old church at Spruceville moved to different parts of the state. Some organized other churches of their faith. Some, fine, loyal members became leading citizens of their community, carrying out the Christian ideals they first learned in the Spruceville church of God.
Note 1. With the help of Mr Alfred Gee of Clymer, Pa., I have tried to record this history so that the present members of the Brisbin congregation, some of whom are descended from these pioneers for God, may take pride in this old church and carry on the work of the Gospel so earnestly upheld by its founders.
Note 2. A list of ministers who served the church at Brisbin follows; W.J. Grissinger-the first pastor; Jesse Berkstresser- whose residence burned in the Brisbin fire; Wilson Smith; Charles Kahler; Rev. W.W. Sible; W.A.M. Pease; H.D. Boughter; W.H. Shade; W.A. Spies; Rev. Farver; E.E. Fackler; Rev. Moyer; Rev. W. H. Peas; Rev. Morgan; Lloyd Hartman; Rev. Rissmiller; G.M. Marzolf; E.D. Collins; E.J. Shatto; R.C. Warner; Robert G. Detwiler
