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Presbyterian Church
As early as 1795, application had been made for supplies for Bellefonte and Milesburg, but no regular congregation was organized in Bellefonte until 1800. The first pastor was Rev. Henry R. Wilson, who was installed pastor of the congregation of Bellefonte and Lick Run, April 20, 1803. Rev. Wilson received an annual salary of $400. The first session consisted of James Dunlop, James Harris, Robert Boggs and James Forster.
Rev. Henry R. Wilson was the first headmaster of the Famous Bellefonte Academy. As he was replaced in the pulpit by Rev. James Linn, Rev. Linn also replaced him as headmaster of the Academy. Rev James Linn, was installed April 17, 1810. His pastorate continued for nearly fifty-eight years. The first Sabbath school in Bellefonte was organized at this church and was known as "The Bellefonte Sabbath School Association." Rev. Linn continued as pastor until his death, February 23, 1868. When Mr. Linn was called the salary was increased to $500, and besides preaching in Bellefonte his field was extended from Julian to Jacksonville, or a distance of about 28 miles. He continued serving the several churches until 1839, when Bellefonte secured his entire time and service.
Owing to the infirmities incident to age the congregation in 1860 relieved him of a portion of his labor by calling, as co-pastor, Rev. Joseph H. Barnard, who remained for six years, resigning to accept another call. He was succeeded by Rev. Alfred Yoemans who occupied the position of co-pastor at the time of Dr. Linn's death, at which time he became the minister in charge. After a short period he accepted a call from a church in New Jersey.
In 1869 a call was made so Rev. W. P. Wiley, D. D. ,who remained until 1876, when Rev. William Laurie.
The first church building was erected upon the same site as the present structure in 1819, at a cost of $2000. In 1840 this building was torn down and a new one erected at a cost of $8000 this building proving inadequate to accommodate the increased number of members was also torn down, and the present church was built in 1868 at a cost of $35,000. The chapel building, adjoining the church, was built in 1883 at a cost of $17,000. In 1900, the congregation also owned a handsome parsonage, which cost between $7000 sod $8000.
In the early 1890s, the church interior was remodeled, including the installation of a new $5,000 pipe organ.
The membership of the church at the beginning of the Twentieth Century was about four hundred.
St. Johns Catholic Church
Public services by a Catholic priest were first held in Bellefonte in 1824. From that year to 1828, Rev. Father Haydon, of Bedford, paid occasional visits here and held services in a house on High street. Bellefonte continued to be a mission point in charge of the Bedford priest until 1828. In that year the congregation had reached a strength that warranted the creation of a parish and the building of a house of worship. Re, Father O'Riley came here, and projected as well as directed the building of the church edifice on Bishop street, now used as a school building. The church was finished and consecrated Sunday, August 14, 1831.
At the time of the organization of this parish it included also Lock Haven, Jersey Shore, Howard and Potter. Subsequently Hecla Furnace, Washington Furnace, Philipsburg and Snow Shoe were added.
In 1883 the foundation of the present church was laid and the building was dedicated in 1889. In 1890 a Parochial school next to the church opened.
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