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(p28) METHODIST CHURCH - West Main and Market Streets
The Ligonier Methodist Church was formally established by John Wesley in a letter postmarked Bristol, England, and dated September 10, 1874. The organization was part of the Redstone District which comprised all of Western Pennsylvania from Virginia and Maryland to New York.
Many of the first meetings were held in the homes of Abel Fisher and Jacob Shaw, and in 1790 the meeting place was changed to the home of Robert M. Roberts whose son became one of the first Methodist Bishops, and who was known as the "log cabin" bishop. The church was served by circuit riders, even the famous Francis Asbury.
A frame church building was erected in 1829 on the southwest corner of the old cemetery at Church and St. Clair streets. A larger brick one was built on the present site in 1857 and the parsonage beside it. In 1903, the brick building was replaced by the present building of "blue stone."
(p34) JOHN URCH HOUSE - R. D. #2, Ligonier
Urch's home, built in 1773, was called "The Mansion" and a smaller house nearby was built as early as the Fort. On this property was the first house in the Valley, now reconstructed at the Fort grounds. The land was a grant from William Penn. The house is located along the Forbes Road and was, no doubt, used as an inn in the early years. Adam Fisher, well known for his work in the early Methodist Society, lived here as did the Berkey's, Fowlers, Shrums and Jones families. The stone addition, built later, is over a hundred years old. The stone fireplace, which opened to three rooms at one time, is a feature, as well as another large fireplace in the addition.
An Indian relic, thought to be used to grind corn, is at the cellar door. One door has holes made by bullets during Indian attacks.
In the early years there were snakes in the Valley and the story is told of a man and daughter who died, after being bitten, and were buried in the path to the barn so that the Indians would not know of the deaths. Indian relics have been found here, and evidence that the house was attached at some time.
(p40) Of all the families of the Ligonier Valley, perhaps none contributed so much to the beginnings of Methodism as did the ABEL FISHER family. It was in the Fisher home that many of the first Methodist services were held. Mr. Fisher was born in Ireland, although of German origin, and first settled in New Jersey where he lived for about twenty years. In 1773 he decided to move to what was then the western Frontier. After a terrible journey over bad roads crossing the mountains, the family arrived at a point about a mile west of Ligonier (present site of the Jones and Urch homesteads). The horse could go no further. Realizing this, they decided to make the area their permanent home. Mr. Fisher subsequently purchased a tract of land containing 300 acres which remained in the possession of the family for more than a century. During the Revolutionary War, the women and smaller children went to stay in York, Pennsylvania to avoid Indian attack, while Mr. Fisher and the two older boys stayed on the frontier. It was during the War that Mr. Fisher died. He was buried on his farm while soldiers stood guard to avoid Indian attack. At the close of the War, the widow with her seven children returned to the valley to live. Fascinating stories surround their lives as each of the children grew to adulthood. |
Fisher Family Genealogy
