THE ORIGINAL CHURCH OF 1893
Dedicated November 18, 1893
The original Jackson Summit Regular Baptist Church was constructed during 1893. In mid-April 1893, Pastor Watrous started digging for the Church foundation and the next afternoon requested a load of stone from Roy Smith. It was delivered posthaste, evidently free of charge.
Materials and labor for the original building totaled $587.73. We know the roof shingles cost $35, and materials were purchased from four major sources: (1) Bly, (2) George & Simon Patterson, (3) Frulic Bros. and (4) Edgecomb. Ornamental paper cost $12.87 and plaster paper $15. Three trips were taken to Elmira and one each to Roseville, Lamb’s Creek, and Knoxville to consult with other or place orders.
We have the most detail about the interior furnishings including: stove, pipe, and wire $8.38; oil and blacking $.32; stove installation $.40; chairs $46; pulpit chair $3; pulpit stand $.85; carpet $8.34; lamps and handles $2.91. About $75 was expended for these first furnishings.
Money was collected to cover these costs for materials, labor and furnishings in a variety of ways. A subscription paper was circulated by Pastor Watrous which netted $75. Organizations solicited for funds included Foster Publishing Co., the Baptist Association, the local Christian Endeavor, Ladies Aide Association, a Dollar Society and a group of friends from Chester County, PA. Several successful festivals and suppers were held as well. The Pastor and his wife, as well as deacons Geo. Hughes, John Gillett, H. Hollands and J. Gifford contributed substantially. These additional contributors and their contributions were duly recorded, often more than once, including at the dedication service itself in November 1893:
Mrs. Lucy Allen
Mr. & Mrs. C. Hughes
C. Belknapp
C. H. Johnson
Rev. W. Bond
D. B. Lain
L. Burrough
Mrs. Logan of Blossburg
Mr. & Mrs. Cleveland
Esther Morgan
Emery Cleveland
L. W. Morrell
Mrs. Coburn
Mrs. Morse
Mrs. George Drake
Philip Petty or Pettie
John Earley
John Sedinger
Rev. Fradenburg
James R. Sheldon
Ivy Friends
Simeon Shepherd
Mr. & Mrs. R. S. Friends
Ivy Sisson
E. B. Gage
Charles Smith
Mrs. Archie Spencer
Charles Updyke
Miss Frankie Spencer
H. Updyke
May Spencer
Mr. & Mrs. Warren Whipple
Dora Spratt
Rev. C. S. Williams
Mrs. Warren Swartwood
Mrs. Yelland
Mrs. Toby