This was read at the 100th Anniversary Celebration by Louise Sowers
Lone Pine Christian Church Building (D of C)


On April 8, 1857, David Frazee, Sr. and David Slusher gave a deed to the Christian Church composed of the Disciples of Christ, meeting at Pleasant Valley in Amwell Township, Washington County, Pa. for, and in consideration of one dollar, of three acres strict measure of land, to be held sacred to the construction of a cemetary and the erection of a meeting house, and for no other purpose.

The trustees of the church, namely, David Frazee, Sr., David Slusher, and Samuel L. Hughes, on February 22, 1859, filed a petition for incorporation agreeably to the provision of the Act of Assembly of the 18th of October 1840, and after due notice thereof was given, the final decree of court was issued May 17, 1859, incorporating the members of this church into one body politic, by the name and title of the "Disciples Church of Pleasant Valley".

For more than twenty-five years "upon the first day of the week" the Disciples came together to break bread in their house of worship in this valley. But the growing congregation became too large for the small house. So, in pursuance of a duly authorized call, a meeting of church members and citizens was held on March 7, 1868, when it was unanimously voted to build a new meeting house on the lot opposite the cemetary.

A committee of five of the subscribers to the building fund was chosen by ballot to determine the size, form, and style of the building, and was constituted a building committee, with instructions to begin the erection of the house when five thousand dollars were subscribed. The members of this committee were: David Slusher, L.P. Streator, A.J. Closser, J.M. Ross, and Samuel L. Hughes.

The building, made of red brick, was erected by Richard McMillan. It was painted by William Sargent. It was finished October 7, 1869 and dedicated January 3, 1870. In 1920 the pulpit, which was at the front of the church, was moved to the rear of the building, work being done by Harry Williams. The church was painted on the inside. The outside of the church was stuccoed by Harry Locy and Earl Locy. On Sunday, December 8, 1920 services were held marking the reopening of the church after this extensive repair work. A homecoming program was held July 6, 1920. In 1940 the church again was given some repairs and painted.