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“That in the departure of Mr. Fitzsimmons, this congregation, in common, we believe, with the entire community in which it is located, sustains a loss which cannot be easily made good. Mr. Fitzsimmons, has commended himself to us as a true and faithful pastor, a courteous, loyal and sympathizing friend, and as a thinker and pulpit orator of rare gifts of matter, and grace of manner, socially he will be greatly missed by all denominations who live around us.”
He has since returned to this country and is now pastor of the church of Wallingsford, Pa.
During the vacancy following Mr. Fitzimmons’ pastorate the supplies were mainly from Princeton Seminary.
Mr. William B. Lusk received a call from the congregation on January 31, 1897, which he accepted, but afterwards declined.
EDWARD J. BAIRD
On June 19, 1897, a call was given to Mr. Edward J. Baird, of the last class from Princeton Seminary, which he accepted, and conducted the first service on July 11. He was ordained and installed by a commission of the Presbytery on Nov. 5, of the same year. Mr. Baird served the church acceptably for more than two years. He gave notice the last of September, 1899, that he wished to resign on account of his health. When the congregation granted his request, the minutes state, “that it is with great reluctance and regret that we take this step.” The Presbytery released him from the charge on October 8, 1899, after which he went to New Zealand. He subsequently returned to this country and is now a minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church, stationed in the West.
The church was again without a pastor and was supplied chiefly by seminary students.
ROBERT F. STERLING
On March 3, 1900, the congregation extended a call to Mr. Robert F. Sterling of the senior class of Princeton Seminary, which he accepted, to take effect July 1.
On June 17 th, 1900, Rev. Robert F. Sterling, our present genial and worthy pastor preached, and thereby began his ministerial work at this place.
The Presbytery met in this church at 7:30 P. M., on October 9, 1900, agreeable to adjournment to ordain and install Mr. Robert F. Sterling. Rev. S. C. Wasson, moderated the meeting, Rev. A. F. Waldo was appointed temporary clerk, Rev. Minot C. Morgan, of Philadelphia, preached the sermon; Rev. S. C. Wasson made the ordination prayer, Rev. Wm. B. Cooke, of Steelton, Pa., delivered the charge to the pastor; and Rev. Kirby S. Miller gave the charge to the congregation. Rev. W. W. Shaw, of Port Deposit, was also present and took part in the services.
There have been eight installed pastors since the organization of the church fifty years ago. The term of their combined services covers a period of thirty-five years. The congregation was served seven years by four different supplies; this covers forty-two years of the church’s existence, leaving eight years to be divided between various transient supplies engaged from time to time.
ELDERS
There has not been much change in eldership. The three elders ordained at the organization of the church on August 4, 1855, were Samuel Harper, Benjamin Silver and William F. Bayless. Twelve years later, on Aug. 4, 1867, John F. McJilton, who had been ordained and elder in the Central Church, Baltimore, and Franklin A. Ridout, and elder from the Annapolis Church, were elected and installed elders in this church.
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