Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society
History Quarterly Digital Archives

Source: October, 1958 Volume 10 Number 2, Pages 26–38

First Baptist Church of Malvern

Etta N. Lapp

Page 26

In the heart of the beautiful Chester Valley, about four miles north of the Main Line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, in East Whiteland Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, lies a little old foundation and a heap of stones - all that is left of what was once called The Union (or Flat) Meeting House. The house was the property of a company of God-fearing men who desired a place in which divine worship could be held. More or less statedly (sic) [Ed. "steadily"] for several years, Elder Simeon Siegfried preached there - presumably Baptist doctrine, for, on February 2nd, 1833, he, with twelve men and women having been dismissed from other Baptist churches, met and adopted unanimously a church covenant, calling themselves the East Whiteland Baptist Church; but, owing to the non-appearance of the Council invited to assist in constituting the Church, the meeting adjourned to meet on Saturday, February 16th, 1833.

On February 16th, 1833, the Council made its appearance and duly constituted the East Whiteland Baptist Church in the following manner: 1, Sermon by Elder Charles Moore; 2, Letters of Dismission (sic) called for and covenant read; 3, Right Hand of Fellowship presented to the members by the Council; 4, Charge to the Church by Elder Richard Gardiner.

Besides the two elders above mentioned and Elder Siegfried, there were two deacons in the Council, Owen Phillips and Henry Place. The following were the names of the constituent members: Jesse Thomas, Gainer Thomas, Frances Thomas, Rebecca Jones, Sarah Ann Jones, Mary R. Ahn, Mary Patchel, Mary Ruth, Jacob Smith, Samuel Stall, Margaret Ruth and Hannah Smith.

The day following the organization of the Church, Elder Siegfried baptized four converts. The early baptisms seem from the records to have been administered at West Chester, there being no record to point otherwise.

Under date of April 5th, 1833 (the first recorded minutes of the new Church), Jesse Thomas was chosen the first Deacon, and Daniel Kurtz the first Clerk. The first communion service of record occurred June 2nd, 1833. Upon the advice of Elder Siegfried, a protracted meeting was authorized to be held in West Chester beginning June 14th, 1833. Simeon Siegfried and his wife Salome were received by letter from Bethesda Church, July 7th, 1833. They were dismissed to the fellowship of the Goshen Church, September 21st of the same year. At the Church meeting, in October, 1834, Daniel Kurtz was chosen Deacon, Jesse Thomas having been dismissed by letter to the Goshen Church, May 10th, 1834.

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The new Church voted to join the Central Union Association, April 11th, 1835, the meeting of the Association being held at the Vincent Baptist Church. The delegates appointed were Philip Thomas, Isaac Ruth, Isaac March and Henry Still.

It was no unusual thing for the Church to authorize the holding of two protracted meetings in one year, and the results were gratifying. Isaac Ruth and Isaac March were chosen deacons at the meeting of April 11th, 1835; Philip Thomas was chosen Clerk. On the third Saturday of July, 1835, Isaac Ruth was chosen as the first Church Treasurer.

William Smith assumed the care of the young church after the withdrawal of Elder Siegfried, and was pastor when the name was changed, September 28th, 1835, from the East Whiteland Baptist Church to the Willistown Baptist Church, owing to a change in location.

A new church was built in Willistown Township on ground purchased from Isaac Ruth and Juliann his wife, by deed dated May l7th, 1836, conveying "one acre of land on which is erected a commodious stone meeting house, to William Rodenbaugh, Philip Thomas, Abram Lapp and John Jones, Trustees of the Willlistown Baptist Church or their successors in office." This house was used for the first time October 9th, 1835, the meeting being called for ten o'clock, A. M., to begin a protracted meeting. John Gill and Henry Still were the first sextons to care for the meeting house.

In two years and a half the membership had increased from twelve to fifty-six members. In December, 1835, new Articles of Faith, made up of nineteen different articles, were adopted. It seems that Willistown and Phoenixville had some agreement as to being supplied by the same pastor. This agreement was declared void after April 1st, 1836.

Reverend George I. Miles was called to the pastorate March 12th, 1836. At the same business meeting, the first Board of Trustees was appointed to consist of five, members, three of them members of the Church and two from the congregation. The members of the first Board were Isaac Ruth, Philip Thomas, William Rodenbaugh, Abram Lapp and John Jones. These men were to get a deed for the new church property, determine about the boundaries and settle with Isaac Ruth as they saw fit, which was done as recorded above.

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The first communion table was purchased by Isaac Ruth and Isaac March, committee appointed April, 1836. The only regular collections of the Church were those on communion days, for the relief of the poor and other church purposes. When money was needed, a subscription was carried for the special object. The first committee to see about the formation of a Sunday School was appointed at the April meeting, 1836, but so far as the minutes record nothing was done.

The first letter to the Central Union Association was prepared by Pastor Miles for its meeting, in Norristown, in 1836. The first object for subscription of money for the immediate needs of the Church was missionary.

Levi K. Lapp was elected Deacon September 10th, 1836. The Church now having four deacons, an ordination service was planned, and conducted by Pastor Miles, March 12th, 1837. The deacons thus ordained were Isaac Ruth, Levi K. Lapp, Jesse Thomas and William Rodenbaugh, Jesse Thomas being chosen Deacon again February 11th, 1637, with William Rodenbaugh. In April, 1837, Brother Miles took charge of the churches at Willistown and West Chester, preaching both morning and afternoon alternately.

The business meetings were held usually on Saturday in those early days. For quite a number of years the Saturday before the second Sunday was chosen, and hardly a business meeting passed without candidates being received for membership, either by letter or baptism. The communion Sunday was the second Sunday in each month from July, 1835 until April, 1913, when it was changed to the first Sunday of each month.

At the business meeting, April 8th, 1837, the first choir was selected. A Sunday School library was referred to in the minutes of July 8th, 1837, as being in need of help.

April 29th, 1838, Reverend Lemuel Covel assumed the pastorate of the two churches, Willistown end West Chester; Brother Covel resigned in 1839. About this time it "became necessary to provide some protection for teams and horses during the meetings. Sheds were erected at a cost of about $310.00. The baptisms had been performed in a pool about a half-mile from the church, but the Church did not own the pool. Sisters N. Thomas and Phoebe Gray were appointed a committee January 11th, 1840, to collect $25.OO with which to purchase a quarter of an acre for the pool. A house for the convenience of the candidates was erected near the pool sometime during the early part of 1841. For quite a number of years the pool house was rented and finally sold, when a new church was built in 1877, to Alexander Dill and wife.

A very strong temperance resolution was passed October 12th, 1839.

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Various committees had been appointed to form a Sabbath School, but the first record of any session of such school was the Sunday following April 29th, 1843, when the Sunday School was organized with Isaac Ruth as Superintendent; Thomas G. Garrett, secretary and Librarian; Abram Lapp, Treasurer; Jesse Thomas, William Rodenbaugh and Levi K. Lapp as managers. The Sunday School was organized each year at the annual meeting of the Church, by the election of officers and managers to be in session from May until November, the first winter session being in 1671. It appears from the minutes that at various times during the years, this school, together with the Church, conducted mission schools in the surrounding country, one at Wayne about 1843, and one called Mount Olivet, superintended by Daniel A. Stetson, with Miss Emman Gowdy as assistant Superintendent. This was discontinued March 10th, 1868. Sabbath School celebrations were popular in those days. The first one of which we have any record was September 23, 1843, called to meet at one o'clock, with the superintendent and managers as a committee in charge. These celebrations were continued several years in September.

February 9th, 1840, Reverend J. V. Allison was called to the pastorate. On February 8th, 1840, the union of the West Chester and Willistown Churches under one pastor was dissolved. Brother Allison was ordained April 3rd, 1840, in Willistown Baptist Church, Reverend A. D. Gellette preaching the sermon, Reverend Lemuel Covel delivering the charge to the Church. Pastor Allison remained with the Church three years. Upon his resignation, April 1st, 1843, Reverend J. J. Parke was a stated supply for three months. Until February 10th, 1844, there was no stated pastor, Reverend Alfred Taylor supplying the pulpit until the latter date, when he was called as pastor. During the pastorate of J. V. Allison, early in 1343, a Penny-a-week Society was formed with Thomas C. Garrett as Treasurer and a Board of Managers.

The first licentiate of the Church was Davis Compton, receiving his certificate, December 12th, 1844.

The pastorate of Reverend Alfred Taylor was marked by many additions both by letter and baptism. A new hymn book, The Psalmist, was introduced, May 10th, 1845. A religious Library for the use of Church and congregation was established May 9th, 1846. A second strong temperance resolution was adopted April 10th, 1847. At this meeting the Church decided to withdraw its membership from the Central Union Association and to ask admission into the Philadelphia Association at its next annual meeting. Judge Thomas Jones was chosen Deacon April 10th, 1847.

May 8th, 1847, Reverend Alfred Taylor, being under appointment of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, asked to be allowed to fulfill his appointment early in September.

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August 29th, 1847, Pastor Taylor preached his farewell sermon from second Corinthians 13:11. On Monday, September 6th, he left for Iowa, the scene of his future labors.

The Willistown Church applied for admission into the Philadelphia Baptist Association the first Tuesday in October, 1847, the meeting being held at the Eleventh Church, Philadelphia, Pa., sending a letter reporting a membership of 194.

November 13th, 1847, the Penny-a-week Society was reorganized with the usual number of officers and nine collectors.

November 21st, 1847, Reverend John Jones was called to the pastorate to begin April 21st, 1848. He supplied the Church during the four months previous to the regular pastorate. Early in 1848 an effort was made to clear the Church of all debt but it was not entirely successful. Reverend John Jones carried the subscription papers. Deacon Isaac Ruth was made a life member of the Missionary Union upon the payment of $100.00 to date from May 12th, 1849.

New lamps were purchased about this time and the church received a new coat of paint. In each instance a committee of "females" was appointed to raise funds to pay the bills incurred. Reverend John Jones' first pastorate (he was recalled June 7th, 1837, and served for six months) came to a close January 10th, 1852. At this meeting the Trustees, John Bartholomew, Jonathan Roberts, William Rodenbaugh, Abram Lapp and Isaac Ruth were authorized to have the church insured and to secured an act of incorporation, which act was secured end bears date May 20th, 1852. Pastor Jones supplied the pulpit until the coming of Reverend William Roney, who took the pastoral charge April 18th, 1852, and continued until April 1st, l835. A plan of levying an average tax for the support of the ministry was put into operation in March, 1853, but did not last very long.

May 13th, 1855, Reverend Alfred Harris was called to the pastorate and served the Church nearly two years, resigning in March, 1857. First Sabbath in June 1857, Reverend John Jones, having been recalled, assumed the pastoral care and continued until December 1857, when he resigned on recount of ill health.

According to the minutes of May 8th, 1858, Robert Dunlap was asked to supply the Church until April 1859. Brother Dunlap was ordained in the Willistown Baptist Church, October 26th, 1858, Reverend A. H. Taylor preaching the sermon and Reverend George M. Pratt offering the ordaining prayer.

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Under the minutes of September, 1858, the Willistown Baptist Church left the Philadelphia Association to become a constituent member of the North Philadelphia Association, although it was not represented at the preliminary meetings for the formation of the North Philadelphia Association; but "all those Churches whose messengers were received at the first annual meeting of the North Philadelphia Association were to be considered constituent members." The Church at that first meeting was represented by the following delegates: Reverend Robert Dunlap, Reverend John Jones, Deacons Isaac Ruth, Jesse Thomas, William Rodenbaugh, Brethren Abner Cornog, Abram Lapp, M. D. Cornog and John P. Jones.

Reverend Robert Dunlap served the Church for a little more than three years. During his pastorate, a uniform system of contributions to benevolent objects was adopted, very much the same as is being used at the present time.

William E. Compton and Abner Cornog were chosen Deacons April 7th, 1860. On April 29th, 1860, after the morning service, Abner Cornog and William L. Compton were ordained as Deacons. The Pastor and two Deacons were appointed a committee to lay out the cemetery in lots and offer them for sale, June 9th, 1860; but it was discovered that they had an almost impossible task in hand. It was not done.

The first recorded Wednesday night prayer meeting was held November 21st, 1860. The same night for prayer meeting is still observed, although it is not known whether Wednesday evening has always been the night for the Church prayer meeting.

A Committee to buy property and build a parsonage was active for nearly two years, when a final report was made that the parsonage was built, but had a debt of $1830.00. This occurs under date of December 7th, 1861. The Trustees were authorized to borrow the amount necessary and pay the debt as it then stood, to Deacon Isaac Ruth. December 15th, 1861, Reverend Robert Dunlap resigned the pastorate and Joseph L. Sagebeer began his pastorate with the Church March 9th, 1862, continuing until April 30th, 1870. During his pastorate of more than eight years, a large ingathering of souls was manifest, particularly in the winters of 1865 to '66 and '68 to '69.

The annual meeting of the North Philadelphia Association was entertained by the Willistown Church in September, 1863.

A strong resolution of sympathy with the government, was passed, December 11th, 1864, in connection with its severe struggle in arms, when the news of the death of President Lincoln spread over the country a resolution of sorrow was passed April 23rd, 1865, ordering our house of worship draped in mourning for the period of six months.

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The cemetery was enlarged by the purchase from Isaac Ruth of about one acre of ground, lying north of the church, for the sum of $200.00. The Trustees bought this ground, June 13th, 1865, and borrowed the money to pay for it. This piece of ground is the north end of the present cemetery. By act of legislation dated April 10th, 1867, the old cemetery was to be vacated by the removal of all the bodies to the new cemetery, which was laid out in lots, and the lots sold as per arrangements in order to have the cemetery in good shape.

During this same year, April 13th, 1867, the old Articles of Faith and Covenant were revised and put in their present form.

On June 8th, 1867, the Trustees were authorized to purchase more ground for the Church property. After the old cemetery had been entirely vacated, a Committee was appointed to place hitching posts in it for use at the time of meetings.

In the Association letter of September, 1869, a note is made of five brethren going out each sabbath afternoon to five different points to superintend that many Sunday Schools.

Sunday morning April 17th, 1870, Joseph L. Sagebeer resigned the pastorate to take effect April 30th, 1870. For almost a year until April 1st, 1871, the Church was without a regular pastor. Reverend J. Henry Brittain was called to the pastorate March 11th, 1871, and took charge on April 1st, 1871, serving as pastor until April 15th, 1873.

The Baptist Hymn and Tune Book was introduced on November 11th, 1871. J. B. Showalter was appointed a committee to purchase the first clock for the meeting house, which was placed on the east wall of the room.

Zachery T. Dowen was called to the pastorate October 19th, 1873, ordained November 27th, 1873, and served as pastor until July 18th, 1875. In order to facilitate raising the pastor's salary, a system of envelopes was put into operation, January 1st, 1874. This system is still being used and has proved quite successful.

Joseph A. Malin and B. Franklin Rogers were chosen Deacons May 7th, 1874. James E. Griffith at the Church meeting August 6th, 1874, presented the Church with a plot of ground, east of the old church, facing on Channing Avenue, purchased from David and William Penn Evans, on which to build a meeting house and parsonage, both of which are still in use. A vote of thanks on behalf of the Church was extended to him by Pastor Dowen. In the Association letter of September, 1874, two flourishing Sabbath Schools, conducted by some of the brethren, were reported.

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Interior of the church

A committee consisting of Abner Cornog, Joseph A. Malin, John Johnson and H.M. Ruth was appointed October 14th, 1874, to prepare plans for the new church. At this same business meeting the gift of a communion service from Mrs. Joseph A. Malin was acknowledged. The plans for the new church showed a building eighty-five feet by forty-eight feet, with a ten-foot ceiling basement, and a twenty-foot ceiling audience room to cost about $9,000.00. A building committee was appointed December 16, 1874, composed of the following: Abner Cornog, Joseph A. Malin, Davis Ruth, Sr., Malachi Harris, Milton Kurtz and Joseph Kelly. A committee to secure subscriptions was also appointed at this meeting, and reported February 24th, 1875, $6400.00 subscribed. The cornerstone was laid with appropriate services July, 1875 (the exact date is not known), the stone costing $17.00.

The dedication exercises occurred June 8th, 1876. The new church was piped for gas at the time it was built, and for a good many years that was the system of lighting, the gas being generated by a machine just back of the church.

Reverend E. W. Bliss was called to the pastorate February 18th, 1877, recognition services being held March 21st, 1877. On May 10th, 1877, the Trustees were authorized to pull down the old church and to build a new parsonage, the one now occupied. The first baptisms in the present baptistry were performed May 20th, 1877, by Reverend E. W. Bliss. Cottage prayer meetings

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for three nights a week in different localities were started by Pastor Bliss to be followed by special meetings later in the winter. From the records these meetings were soul refreshing, there being more than fifty persons baptised in the next six months.

The old parsonage situated on the north side of King St., and still standing, was sold to Joseph A. Malin for $2,200.00, the Trustees being authorized to make transfer January 13th, 1878.

April 11th, 1878, it was decided to receive an offering each Sabbath morning for incidental expenses. The old church building being cleared away, the ground on which it stood was added to the cemetery, and the Trustees on June 13th, 1878,were authorized to offer the lots for sale.

In September, 1878, delegates to the North Philadelphia Association were entertained by the Willistown Church. At a special business meeting held October 27, 1878, David Ruth was granted a license to preach. New heaters having been installed in the Sunday School room early in 1878, Reverend P. S. Henderson was asked to give a lecture, the proceeds of which were to help defray the expenses. The ladies of the congregation gave a supper to aid in the same cause. Under the date of April 10th, 1879, the Church decided to elect only the Superintendent of the Sunday School, thus allowing the Sunday School to select its own officers and teachers. This method is still pursued.

The Sunday School Convention was entertained by this Church, May 5th, 1881. Upon the resignation of Deacon Abner Cornog, April 11th, 1885, Mrs. E. W. Bliss was chosen superintendent of the Sunday School, and continued in that office until the close of the pastorate, November 23rd, 1892. She was the only woman that has ever held that office in connection with this Church. In this connection we wish to speak of the long term of service of Deacon William E. Compton, Superintendent for seventeen years, Deacon Abner Cornog for eight years at two different times, and our present superintendent Emeritus, Deacon G. T. Ruth, Superintendent for twenty-one years continuously.

The first Church organist of which there is any record was Miss Sellie Malin, appointed April 12th, 1884; Miss Julia Kurtz, appointed June 17th, 1887; Miss Bessie Harra, appointed October 7th, 1893; Mrs. W. H. Graham (Julia Kurtz) appointed April 10th, 1907, and continued until the family left the Church for another church home; and the present pipe organ was installed August, 1912.

During the nearly eighty-four years of Church existence, there have been only four Church Treasurers;. Isaac Ruth, Abrarn Lapp, Abner Cornog, and the present Treasurer, Deacon G. T. Ruth, appointed August 6th, 1888, upon the death of Deacon Abner Cornog. G.T. Ruth was elected Deacon, April 12th, 1890. A. J. Ruth and Thomas Davis were elected Deacons, March 13th, 1892.

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The pastorate of E.W. Bliss was a long and faithful one, and he was privileged to be the means in God's hands of leading many precious souls into the baptismal waters. By actual count, he baptized 237 persons into the fellowship of the Willistown Baptist Church. Pastor Bliss resigned his charge November 30, 1892.

Isaac Longacre and V. Henry Veils were elected Deacons, April 8th, 1893.

From November 30th, 1892, to May 8th, 1893, the Church had no settled pastor. Rev. W.W. Dalbey was called on the latter date, beginning his pastorate June 25th, 1893. The B. Y. P. U. was organized early in the autumn of 1893. Two years later, September 7th, 1895, the organization had placed the present musical bell in the church tower, at a total cost of $176.41. September 12th, 1896, the same B.Y.P.U., reported having placed 163 chairs in the Sunday School room in place of the pews, at a cost of $106.34. During the pastorate of the Reverend Charles A. Walker, July 1904, as a surprise for him, the B.Y.P.U. refurnished the pulpit, at an expense of $77.20, purchasing the present pulpit desk, communion table, and stand made of quartered oak.

For the third time in its existence the Church entertained the North Philadelphia Association in September, 1696. January 19th, 1898, A.H. Shank was ordained to the ministry.

The name of the Church was changed for the second time. This change took place February 5th, 1900, by legal decree, when the First Baptist Church of Malvern was the name applied to the old Willistown Church. W. Henry Wells, G. T. Ruth and S. O. Teamer were the committee to effect the change.

Rev. W. W. Dalby resigned the pastorate July 1st, 1960. From that date until February 10th, 1901, the Church had supplies when Reverend Charles A. Walker, pastor at Bellwood, Pa., assumed the charge. At the annual meeting in April, 1901, the Church for the first time observed the family supper prepared by the Ladies' Aid Society. It is a splendid social affair always, and is enjoyed by everybody. Robert B. Carey, M.D., and B. F. Rogers (for the second time) were elected Deacons, April 9th, 1902.

When April, 1903, came around, Pastor Walker made large plans to observe the seventieth annual meeting. The entire week beginning April 5th, 1903, was given over to the anniversary meetings. Two of the ex-Pastors, Reverend J. Henry Brittain and Reverend P. W. Bliss, were in attendance and preached with vigor.

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At the communion service, December 10th, 1905, the present individual communion service was presented by Mrs. S. K. Ruth and Mrs. G. T. Ruth. The old service, used for many years was returned to the original giver, Mrs. Joseph Malin, who in turn authorized the Deacons to pass it on to some church in need.

The church auditorium was completely renovated in the spring of 1906. A metal ceiling replaced the old one and the walls and woodwork received a "thorough renewing. The auditorium was closed for some weeks, and was reopened with interesting ceremonies June 10th, 1906. The Trustees were very materially assisted in this work by a committee from the Ladies' Aid Society, who put in operation the scheme of the "mile of pennies," to raise the cash required. More than $1000.00 was spent on the Church home at this time.

The seventy-fifth anniversary was observed April 8th, 1908, but not so elaborately as the seventieth; the anniversary sermon was preached by Reverend Wayland Hoyt. Four Deacons were elected on July 8th, 1908; Richard Gardiner, Robert Hughes, Calvin E. Reeves, and 0. N. Timmons.

The old system of lighting by gas was in use until August, 1908, when electric lights were installed. On the first Sunday in September, 1908, the present oak collection plates were used for the first time, being presented in memory of Mrs. Christian Lapp, by the family.

Soon after the new year, 1910, two adult Bible classes were organized, the Pathfinders, among the men by Reverend Charles A. Walker, and the Amoma, among the women, by Miss Etta N. Lapp. May 15th, of this same year, Reverend Charles A. Walker resigned the pastorate to accept a call to the Clarion Baptist Church, Clarion, Pa., June 2nd, 1910. While the going of Pastor Walker occasioned deep regret, the Church set about calling another Pastor as soon as possible. The present Pastor, Reverend G. R. Smith, came to Malvern the first Sunday in August, 1910.

At the annual meeting in April, 1911, William B. Harrar and William W. Matlack were elected Deacons. An organ committee was appointed with Deacon G. T. Ruth as Chairmen and correspondence was begun with Andrew Carnegie, looking towards his help in buying a pipe organ. Cards were prepared and circulated asking for definite pledges from members of the Church and congregation, to be paid in monthly installments, or in lump sums as the giver might see fit. On April 7th, 1912, & gift of $900.00 from Mr. Andrew Carnegie was announced. At the annual meeting a few days later, in the same month, another organ committee was appointed to purchase the organ. The organ is a Haskell model; it was installed and formally dedicated to God's service August 11th, 1912, at a total cost of nearly $2500.00, which was all provided for at the time of the dedication. Pastor G. R. Smith wrote a hymn of dedication

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for the occasion. At the annual meeting April 10th, 1912, Samuel O. Teamer and P. C. Hollis Lapp were elected Deacons. At the same time that the organ was being installed, the Ladies' Aid Society furnished the church with the present carpet and had the floor newly painted. About this time the sidewalks were laid about the Church property at a cost of considerably above $200.00.

Eugene Paul Smith, son of Pastor Smith, was ordained to the Gospel ministry, March 21st, 1913. H. G. Weston Smith, a brother, was ordained October 22nd, 1915.

The Hymn Book, "Sursum Corda," having been in use several years, became too shabby for use. A committee was appointed September 7th, 1913, to look into the matter and report. It was finally decided to buy new books and "The Baptist Hymnal" was chosen as best suited to our needs. They were placed in the church September, 1914. The present system of lighting has just been installed, the work of installing being donated by two of the young men of the Church, Ellis R. Warner and Charles E. Priest.

No Church history of the First Baptist Church of Malvern would be complete without a few words as to the Ladies' Aid Society. In 1860, at its founding, it was known as the Dorcas Society, and was active along home-mission lines, furnishing clothing every year to some missionary on a home-mission field. In 1901 the trend of its activities changed to that of local Church assistance, and the Society has been instrumental in helping to put so many of our improvements in shape.

At the annual meeting in April, 1916, the Duplex Envelope System of finances was adopted; and a committee, with Dr. P. C. H. Lapp as Chairman, is working out the system.. The Church at the same time voted to withdraw from the North Philadelphia Association and seek admission into the Central Association, such membership to become effective after the meeting of the North Philadelphia Association in September, this year 1916. We thus return to our first Association home.

Thomas S. Shank, J. Herbert Coale and George G. Malin were elected Deacons, August 6th, 1916.

The preceding is copied from an undated pamphlet, said to have been published for the centennial anniversary of the Church, but evidently written in 1916.

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Additional information furnished by Rev. James W. Dagino, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Malvern.

The Church is 125 years old this year 1958.

Some interesting facts about the church building: The date stone which is in the bell tower has the word "Baptist" spelled wrong. It is spelled "BABTIST".

The cornerstone has the following inscription:"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us".

The sanctuary is on the second floor and the Sunday school room on the first floor.

S. Paul Teamer, founder and first president of the Tredyffrin- Easttown History Club,was a member of the First Baptist Church of Malvern. He was married there and his funeral services were held there. He is buried in the church graveyard.