LIBERTY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Celebrating 200 years Anniversary observation set to begin during services Sunday

LIBERTY -- When the founders of Liberty Presbyterian Church first started meeting in an old tent in the first years of the 1800s, the Mahoning Valley was still a mostly forested area only a few years removed from an Indian presence.
Fast forward 200 years to 2005. During services Sunday, the church -- one of the area's oldest -- will begin celebrating its 200th anniversary.
Rev. Howard Fritz, who served as pastor there from 1989 to 1994, will be the guest speaker. The anniversary committee will host a coffee hour after the Communion service, and a display of local historical documents and artifacts will be presented by Jessica Trickett, curator of the Arms Family Museum in Youngstown.
The events will be one of many held throughout the coming months, culminating in a service next August on the official date the church was established on Churchhill-Hubbard Road at Logan Avenue two centuries ago.
Called Seceders Corners
In 1805, the location was called "Seceders Corners" by the founders of the congregation, who were affiliated with the Seceder Presbyterians or Associate Presbyterians.
The Seceders were formed in 1733, after breaking away from the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. The group objected to the merged Scottish and English Parliament's restoration of patronage, which allowed landowners to choose the minister of a congregation rather than the Scottish people.
After repression and persecutions, the Seceders emigrated to Northern Ireland and finally to colonial America, primarily to New York and Pennsylvania.
By the early 19th century a number of Seceder families settled in the Youngstown area to form the Liberty congregation.
Groups united
By 1782 the Seceders united with other Presbyterians to form the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, which in 1858 became the United Presbyterian Church of America, and 100 years later the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.
Rev. David Duncan, who was born in Vermont, became the first pastor of the church in 1805 to 1815. It was believed that the first service was held in a tent.
According to church records, a meetinghouse of logs with no flooring or heating was the first structure to be built. A second church was started in 1811 but remained unfinished until after the War of 1812.
Constructed and remodeled
In 1836, yet another house of worship was constructed on the site and remodeled again in 1869. Later, a brick facade was installed, and in 1955 an education wing for Sunday school rooms and a library were added.
Liberty Presbyterian Church has a cemetery on its property containing the graves of many of the early congregants, but the Rev. Robert French, current interim pastor, said the cemetery no longer has space for burials.
The Rev. Mr. French noted that thanks to Rev. David Goodwillie, who was pastor from 1825 to 1875, records of church history were better documented during his 50-year ministry. He said that Rev. Goodwillie "loved what he was doing and stayed longer than any other pastor in the church's history."
Mr. French described the congregation of the 21st century as "a very open and accepting church and anyone who comes here is welcomed."
He said that the church has had a strong history of supporting missionary work including the local Rescue Mission with members volunteering their time at the mission every month.
Two members are descendants
Two members of the church's current 82 members are descendants of John Denison, one of the Seceder families who helped found the church in 1805.
Lorena Hood, 83, and her 78-year-old brother, Robert, are the great-great-great-grandchildren of Denison, and have been active church members all of their lives.
Hood has been the church's financial secretary since the early 1950s and the treasurer since 1981. Her brother has been a trustee and a member of the choir for many years.
"Our mother, whose maiden name was Denison, attended church there, and we liked it too."
She remembers with fondness the programs the church offered its younger members.
"It had a wonderful young people's group that kept a lot of young people in the church."
Hood said she was proud of the church's rich history in the community after 200 years and said she hoped that the church would continue to thrive for many more years.
Other events
Other events are scheduled throughout the year to observe the church's 200 years of ministry including a dinner Jan. 29 hosted by the Liberty Historical Society.
In addition, among the projects and activities that will take place throughout the coming months will be the publishing of a commemorative booklet, a photo exhibit and a family dinner in June when members of the congregation will be asked to dress in early 19th century attire.
Mr. French noted that the 200th anniversary will conclude Aug. 28 when services will take place in a tent just as they first did back in 1805.