St. James Episcopal Church, 1863
The Bishop of Pennsylvania, deciding that it was important to establish a mission in the boisterous oil region, sent the Reverend Henry Purdon (shown) to gather a congregation. The first membership was small and consisted mostly of women. Titusville was chosen as the location for a church and a charter was obtained in 1863. The cornerstone was laid on September 14, 1863 at the exact geographic center of town and Laura Drake (Mrs. Edwin) sang in the choir for the event. The church became the city's first permanent place of worship, with Edwin Drake serving as its first warden and treasurer.
[Bottom three photo captions, from left to right, read]
C. 1880
Muddy streets plagued Titusville and most of the oil region.
C. 1950s
Erected by Oil Region Alliance and City of Titusville.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is September 14, 1863.
Location. 41° 37.704′ N, 79° 40.395′ W. Marker is in Titusville, Pennsylvania, in Crawford County. It is at the intersection of Franklin Street (Pennsylvania
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Northwestern Pennsylvania and in Greater Erie. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hyde Home, 1864 (a few steps from this marker); William White Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Benson Memorial Library (within shouting distance of this marker); First Presbyterian Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Scheide Home, 1864 (about 600 feet away); Corinthian Hall, 1865 (about 700 feet away); Site of Titusville Oil Exchange (about 800 feet
Also see . . .
1. St. James Memorial Episcopal Church: Our History. (Submitted on August 27, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Oil Creek Township in 1874 Gazetteer of Townships, Crawford County PA.
3. Titusville (Oil Region Alliance). (Submitted on August 27, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 382 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 27, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
