Ohio County, WV History
Churches
Ohio County, WV History
Churches
Third Presbyterian Church
Wheeling
[Source: "The Echoer" - transcribed here by K. Torp]
In 1848, Samuel Ott, a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Wheeling, organized a Sunday School which met
in the basement of his home at 4002 Water Street. There were eight members. When the Church was organized, the
Sunday School moved to the Bogg's Run School House. However, it did not become an official part of the church till
1851.
On Friday afternoon, Nov. 2, 1849 in the little schoolhouse on Boggs Run, a group of local Christians met with
the representatives of Washington, Pa Presbytery, the Rev. Cyrus Dickson, D.D. & Rev. H.R. Reed, D.D> They
proceeded to organize the Third Presbyterian Church, to be located in Ritchietown, then a suburb of Wheeling.
Fourteen people became charter members. From the First Presbyterian Church of Wheeling came Duncan Campbell, Margaret
Campbell, Andrew Hall, Hiram Martin, Elizabeth Martin and Mary Garrison. From the Reformed Dissenting Presbyterian
Church of Three ridges, Pa., came Rosanna Humes. From the Forks of Wheeling Presbyterian Church came Thomas McCombs
and Elizabeth McCombs (his wife). On examination Grace Blake, Geo. Blake, William and Delilah Little, and Sarah
Hintsman were received.
Andrew Hall and Thomas McCombs were elected and ordained as ruling elders, Hiram Martin and George Blake as trustees.
When the church was organized, cornfields and swamps separated the little village from the City of Wheeling. The
people waded through mud to come to church.