USA > Maryland > Washington County > Hagerstown > A history of Washington County, Maryland from the earliest settlements to the present time, including a history of Hagerstown > Part 76
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The Rev. G. K. Hartman, A. M., who has been the successful pastor for over two years, was born on a farm near Lancaster, Pa., November 7, 1868. He is a graduate of Lebanon Valley Col- lege, and by ardent study won the title of A. M. Since his pastorate here, a splendid parsonage lias been built at a cost of $2,400 with very little debt remaining. The membership of Grace Church is gaining by the zealous labors of the Rev. Mr. Hartman and his "co-laborers with God, as dear children."
469
OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND.
THE CLEAR SPRING PASTORATE OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SYNOD OF MARYLAND .-* This pastorate consists of three congregations ; St. Peters, of ('lear Spring; St. Paul's, two and one-half miles east, on the National Road; and Mt. Tabor, situated near the little town of Fair View, Md. We shall consider these three in the order, of their age.
The oldest of the three is St. Paul's. This congregation dates from the year 1747. It was from the first a union organization, and was known as the Lutheran and Presbyterian Congregations on the West Side of the Conococheague Bridge. This union organization worshipped in a log church on the west bank of the Conococheague creek. The lot on which this old log church stood, con- sisting of three acres, was originally part of a tract of land known as the Resurvey on the Mountain of Wales. This lot was alienated from the origi- nal tract when it was sold to the trustees of the congregation. In the year 1808, Henry Ankeny, on the part of the trustees, sold this spot of ground to Michael Bovey, and after passing through sev- eral hands, it was purchased by the father of the present owner, Mr. Daniel Grove. The old church stood on the Cedar Ridge, a little distance north- west of his dwelling. Here was made the begin- ning of what is now St. Paul's Lutheran and Re- formed congregations.
An old road, probably the one what after- wards called the old Washington Road,, erossed this Cedar Ridge. Here the early settlers, in what was then a wild frontier region, gathered to- gether that they might hear the Word and engage in the worship of God. The history of their strug- gles, of their self-sacrifices, of their hardships, remains unwritten and unknown. The trial of their faith, and the perils in which they lived; the dangers they encountered from wild beasts and more savage Indians, what tongue will ever tell ? They have sunken to rest under the shadows of the great wild forest-the forest itself has disappeared, and the sleeping place of these pioneer fathers and mothers is unknown. The worship was con- ducted in German, and the older records of the congregation are all written in German script.
The first Lutheran pastor's name associated with the congregation was Charles Friedrich Wild- bahn, who traveled through all these regions hunt- ing up scattered villages of his German brethren,
and ministering to their wants in holy things. He came from Saxony as a soldier in the employ of Great Britain, but shortly after his arrival in America he was sought by his countrymen as a teacher and abandoned the military service.
In 1762 he came to Philadelphia, where the Ministerium of Pennsylvania was in session, with letters from four or five congregations in Southern Pennsylvania and Maryland. They stated that Charles Friedrich Wildbahn understood Latin and Greek ; that he was a beautiful writer ; that he was a good singer, having been leader of a choir in Germany; that he was apt at teaching, was a good catechist, and was eloquent in the pulpit, a person of good character; and moreover, he had ministered to their wants for some years. These congregations asked that the Ministerium would ordain him, and receive them into fellowship, as it was expensive and often very inconvenient for them to get an ordained minister to celebrate the Holy Communion with them. This proves con- clusively that the Conococheague, which was one of the petitioning congregations, was then a well- known and thoroughly established congregation ; that for years previous to 176? they had been hav- ing some ordained minister visit them and admin- ister the communion; that Charles Friedrich Wildbahn had already served them for some years, and would be acceptable to them as their pastor, if ordained to the ministry. The Ministerium of Pennsylvania had adjourned when Wildbahn ar- rived, and the ministers and delegates were on their way home, so that the letters of recommenda- tion and petition were not presented until a later session of the Ministerium.
It is not definitely known who was the pioneer in organizing and establishing this congregation. The writer is of the opinion that it was John Nicolas Kurtz the elder Kurtz, as he was often called, because he was the first of the race of ministers by that name. His labors extended, from the year 1745 to 1799, as a missionary through Pennsylvania and Maryland. In the minutes of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, for 1790, he gives an account of a communion which he celebrated with the Lutheran congregation on the west bank of the Conococheague, and states that for many years he was accustomed to minister to their wants in that way. This shows that he had a long standing acquaintance with the congre-
*Contributed by George A. Royer.
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HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
gation, probably from the time when as a young man he traveled as a missionary through the wilds of Pennsylvania and Maryland. If this is the true beginning of the congregation, it dates back as early as 1745 or 1746. After the ordination of Charles Friedrich Wildbahn, he became the reg- ular pastor, and lived at McAllistertown, Pa. The congregation from the west bank of the Conoco- cheague was separated from McAllistertown in 1771, and in 1772 it sent a delegate to the Minis- terium, asking that the Elder Kurtz become their pastor; and if this could not be, they would like to have the young Mr. Kurtz or Friedrich Muhl- enberg. The name of the young Mr. Kurtz was proposed, and an appointment was made for him to preach a trial sermon, September 27, 1772. About this time, the Rev. George John Young became pastor, and continued to the year 1794, the beginning of the pastorate of the Rev. George Schmucker. During the pastorate of the Rev. George Schmucker, the old St. Paul's Church was built. The cornerstone was laid in 1795, and the building was completed in 1798. The lot upon which the church stood, and which is also the site of the present St. Paul's, was given by John Ank- eny in the year 1795, for burial purposes and for a church. The old St. Paul's was built of stone and was made possible largely by the gift of Jos- eph Firey. It was for many years called Firey's Church.
In 1806, the congregations worshipping in the old stone church were incorporated under the title of the Evangelical Lutheran and Evangelical Reformed congregations west of the Conococheague Creek. The articles of government then adopted provide that the vestry shall consist of ten mem- bers, five from each congregation, and the duly elected ministers, and that each congregation shall pay half the expense of repairs, the janitor's salary and other incidentals; and that each shall share equally in the use of the house of worship, each congregation using it on alternate Sundays.
The pastorate of the Rev. George Schmucker terminated in 1809. He was succeeded by the Rev. Solomon Schaeffer, whose pastorate ended in 1813, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Henry Baughy, who labored from 1813 to 1815. Rev. Mr. Baughy completed his studies for the ministry under the tutelage of the Rev. Solomon Schaeffer, and upon his resignation became his successor in the pastorate.
His call to the congregation aroused opposi-
tion on the part of some of his parishioners, and after a year and a half of strife, he was deposed from the ministry for conduct unbecoming a min- ister.
The Rev. Benjamin Kurtz was called to the pastorate to which St. Paul's belonged in 1815. He was a man of marked ability and under his wise counsels and firm hand, order was soon re- stored and peace secured. Benjamin Kurtz be- came a prominent figure in the development of the church in the last century. He was editor of the Lutheran Observer from 1833 to 1862. He was one of the founders of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, for which he collected both funds and books in Germany. His pastorate terminated at St. Paul's in 1823, when it was found necessary to divide the pastorate and form a new pastorate of Williamsport and St. Paul's. The Rev. Frederick Ruthrauff was the first pastor continuing in the field for two years. Rev. John Winter became pastor in 1825 and continued until 1834 with great acceptability to the congregations. The Rev. S. Harkey was called to the pastorate in 1834 and continued three years. The Rev. Chris- tian Startzman was called to the pastorate in 1838, and continued laboring with great acceptability for eleven years. During his pastorate, old St. Paul's was remodeled and refitted and large ac- cessions were made to the membership.
The Rev. Henry Bishop became pastor of St. Paul's and continued for 5 years. Rev. Wm. F. Greaver was elected to the pastorate in 1855 and ended his labors in 1857, when death claimed him as its own. The Rev. J. H. Barclay became pastor in 1858 and continued two years. He was then a young man and gave promise of the brill- iancy which he afterward achieved, both as a writer and as an orator. The Rev. Christian Lepley became pastor of St. Paul's in 1859 and continued his labors until 1864. The Rev. J. Berlin became pastor in 1865, and remained until 1867 when death called him away. The Rev. Martin L. Culler received a unanimous call to the pastorate and labored with great success from 1867 to 1869, when he was called to Martinsburg.
In 1870, St. Paul's was separated from the Williamsport pastorate and united with the Clear- Spring pastorate. Christian Startzman was then pastor of the Clear Spring pastorate and contin- ued in that relation until 1875. The Rev. David Swope became pastor in 1875, and in 1877, handed in his resignation. Rev. Samuel Firey was call-
471
OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND.
ed to the pastorate in 1877, and in 1883 termina- ted this relation. The Rev. Isaac Bobst began his labors as pastor in 1883, and continued seven years. The Rev. E. H. Jones began his care of this pastorate in 1890, and continued until the year 1900. The Rev. Geo. A. Royer began his pastoral labors in the Clear Spring pastorate, June 1, 1901.
The old St. Paul's Church stood 102 years and became one of the old land-marks in the community. The first step was taken toward a new church December 12, 1896, when the joint consistories met to consider the advisability of remodeling the old church. Its walls, however, were found to be insecure and it was finally decid- ed to build a new church. The old church was torn down May 17, 1897, and on June 26, the corner-stone of the new church was laid. The new church was dedicated March 20, 1898. The building committee consisted of three Lutheran and three Reformed members, namely: Lutheran, Isaac Corbett, David Sword and John Harsh; Reformed, L. R. Schnebly, John Strite and W. W. Seibert. The Rev. E. H. Jones was the Lutheran, and the Rev. Wm. Goodrich the Reformed pas- tor. The church is modern in architecture, con- taining a main auditorium and lecture and S. S. room connected by sliding doors. It is constructed of blue limestone, and trimmed with brown sand- stone ; it stands like a crown on the summit of its hill, a "thing of beauty and a joy forever."
St. Peter's Church, Clear Spring, was or- ganized in 1828. The first church was built in union with the Reformed congregation. The first pastor of the congregation was the Rev. John Winter, under whose' supervision the first church was built. His pastorate continued from the or- ganization of the congregation in 1828, to 1838. In 1834 the Rev. S. Harkey became pastor of the Williamsport pastorate, but Clear Spring still ad- hered to the pastoral care of the Rev. John Winter until 1838, when it was again united with Wil- liamsport, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Christian Startzman. He resigned the pastorate in 1849, and was succeeded by the Rev. H. Bishop who continued in this relation until 1854, when he resigned and Clear Spring came again for a short time under the pastoral care of the Rev. John Winter. He died in March, 1854, and is buried in the grave-yard at Clear Spring.
His successor was the Rev. H. J. Bowers whose pastorate began in 1856 and terminated in
1858. In 1858 the Rev. J. I. Miller became pastor, and for the space of three years, labored with great success. The Rev. Mr. Curtis became pastor in 1861 and continued for one year. The Rev. Mr. Knodle supplied the pulpit until 1864, the beginning of the pastorate of the Rev. J. M. Grabill. He continued to labor in the pastorate until 1866. The Rev. Christian Startzman be- came pastor for a second time in 1866 and con- tinued until 1875, making a total of 20 years in which he served this people. The Rev. David Swope became pastor in 1875 and continued two years. In 1877, the Rev. S. M. Firey became pastor and continued to sustain this relation to the con- gregation for six years. In 1883 the Rev. Isaac Bobst became pastor and his pastorate continued for seven years. The Rev. E. H. Jones became pastor in 1890, and his pastorate continued for ten years. The pastorate of the Rev. Geo. A. Royer began June 1st, 1901.
In 1860 movement was inaugurated either to buy out the German Reformed congregation or to sell to them. A council meeting was held, and a committee was appointed to devise some equitable arrangement by which St. Peter's Luth- eran congregation would either buy or sell. The committee appointed appraised their interest in the church and decided that they would either sell or buy for nme hundred dollars. The Reform- ed agreed to sell to the Lutherans at that price, and the church became Lutheran from that time, the Reformed congregation reserving the right to bury in the grave-yard. The old church was burned down on February 14, 1875, and the con- gregation at once took steps to rebuild their house of worship. The present church was dedicated, July 16, 1876, and the total cost of $6,600 was fully met on the day of dedication. The Rev. F. W. Conrad, editor of the Lutheran Observer, preached the dedicatory sermon, and succeeded in raising the amount of the remaining indebtedness. The church was re-frescoed, recarpeted, re-roofed and repaired generally in 1899. The congregation was incorporated November 1, 1903, under the title of St. Peter's Lutheran congregation of Clear Spring. In the present year, 1905,the con- gregation is adding a fine heating plant to its equipment.
Mt. Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized by the Rev. H. C. Bowers in 1856. The church was built in 1858. The building is of brick and is plain in architecture. The pastors
472
HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
were the same as those of the Clear Spring pastor- ate, from 1856 to the present time. This eongre- gation was incorporated in 1879, under the title of Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church.
TRINITY REFORMED CHURCH, BOONS- BORO, MD .- This ehureh dates back to about 1750, nearly forty years before the laying out and settlement of Boonsboro. The first church edifice was built of logs, and stood about a half mile northeast of Boonsboro; it was known as "Shank's Church." The old grave-yard is still enclosed by a post and rail fence. On January 5, 1789, Peter John conveyed to "Conrad Nicodemus and Michael Thomas, church-wardens of the Calvinist Church," (meaning the Reformed Church), one acre of land for the use of said congregation, on which a church was already built, with a grave- yard attached, for the consideration of "one grain of peppercorn," to be paid yearly, on the 1st of May, if demanded. This deed is recorded in Li- ber F, folios 83 and 84 of the Land Records of Washington County, and is still in existence.
Rev. L. A. Brunner, who in 1858 delivered a series of lectures which were published in the Boonsboro Odd Fellow in 1861,and were afterwards condensed, and published in the Boonsboro Times in 1891, says that the congregation was distinctly Reformed, and that the church was built of logs, about 1750.
The first preaching in the town of Boonsboro was in 1802. A stone church was built on a site in the rear of that of the present Reformed Church, by the Reformed and Lutheran congrega- tions; it was dedicated in 1810. Rev. Jonathan Rahauser, the Reformed pastor, then residing in Hagerstown, preached the dedication sermon. The bell still used by the Reformed Church was east in England, and cost $400. The stone church was used during the Civil War. The corner-stone of the present Reformed church was laid August 28, 1870. The church edifice was dedieated May 14, 1871; both events took place during the pas- torate of the Rev. J. H. IIassler. So far as ean be learned from reliable data, the following pas- tors have served the congregation :
From 1770 to 1790, the Rev. Jacob Weymer; 1790 to 1792, the Rev. J. W. Runkle; 1792 to
1817, the Rev. Jonathan Rahauser; 1817 to 1821, the Rev. Lewis Mayer; 1822 to 1829, the Rev. Solomon K. Dennes ; 1831 to 1837, the Rev. John Rebaugh ; 1837 to 1844, the Rev. J. W. Hoffmeier; 1844 to 1851, the Rev. A. G. Doyle ; 1851 to 1856, the Rev. Robert Douglass; 1857 to 1862, the Rev. L. A. Brunner ; 1863 to 1867, the Rev. M. L. Shuford; 1869 to 1873, the Rev. Jacob Hassler ; 1874 to 1890, the Rev. Simon Miller; 1891 to 1903, the Rev. George W. Snyder; 1903 to 1905, the Rev. Samuel T. Wagner.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH, BEAVER CREEK. -* This church had its beginning in the month of Feb'y., 1833. Its members, known also as Disciples of Christ, first met in an old school-house, and continued doing so until the year 1845. Alexan- der Campbell and others preached for them in a tent, and also in a large barn. The first evan- gelists to visit this community were Webb and Jacobs. Webb's preaching caused such interest that S. K. Hoshour prepared to answer him, and in his investigations was led to accept the position of the Disciples of Christ. In the year 1845, the church was fully organized, with Daniel Albaugh as evangelist, John Funk, John Flaugher and Benjamin Witmer as elders, and Michael New- comer, Daniel Young and David Witmer, deacons, as follows: "Having been immersed on publie confession of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ at various times and places, and in the dispensa- tion of the providence of God finding ourselves thrown together on Beaver Creek and vicinity in the County of Washington and State of Maryland, and desiring to walk together in observance of all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, did meet together to set in order as a church of the true and living God; and being assembled, we chose," here follow the names of the officers mentioned above, and a list of the membership constituting the said church, with such names as Wolfinger, Landis, Gantz, Rohrer, Wagner, Tay- Jor, Krotzer, MeComas, Middlekauff, Faulder, Adams, Bowers, Brown, Cochran and others, whose descendants are still here. Of those who have served as pastors, we may mention John D. Ferguson, Enos Adamson, Jesse H. Berry, John P. Mitchell, Samuel Matthews, S. F. Fowler and
*Contributed by Rev. Walter S. Hoye.
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OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND.
Walter S. Hoye who accepted a call and became pastor of the church March 1, 1883. Of these, Jolin P. Mitchell and Samuel Matthews served until their death. The church has also been served by some of the best known evangelists, among whom we may mention Benjamin Frank- lin, Isaac Errett, D. S. Burnet and John O'Kane. The old house of worship, as herein illustrated, was built in 1845, and for 58 years served as the home of the church. In this building the multi- tudes delighted to gather for worship and herein the largest conventions of Christian Missionary Society of Maryland, Delaware and District of Columbia, have been held. This body has ever been known as a mother among the churches, and from her fellowship have gone those who have es- tablished churches in muany communities.
In 1903, this one-story stone building was torn down, an architect secured, and plans ar- ranged for a new church edifice. Mrs. Clara Weagly generously gave additional ground in memory of her father, Samuel Funk, deceased. The members of the church, especially the New- comer family, contributed liberally. On Septem- ber 6 of the same year, the handsome new churchı was dedicated. This building is of brick, Gothic in design, with a stone foundation. A tower rises from one corner. The main auditorium is 50x60 feet in dimensions, seating about 300. The Sunday School is 35x50, with library and class rooms, seating 200, and separated by slid- ing and folding doors. There are two robing rooms, a baptistry and a large basement. The interior is finished in hardwood, with circular oak pews, and the walls are frescoed. It is well light- ed with gas, and heated by steam, making one of the most beautiful and comfortable houses of worship in Washington County, Md.
The personality of the church is largely rep- resented in the various professions of life. Preach- ers, doctors, lawyers, professors, bankers and bus- iness men of the highest standing have been iden- tified with her membership. Alexander Newcom- er, for many years an elder of the church, and his sister, Miss Ellie Newcomer, merit more than a passing notice. They were partially blind from birth, and were educated at the Institution for the Blind in Philadelphia. Becoming members of the church in early life, they were ever active and faithful in all that pertains to Christian service
and liberality. In their faith and trust they were two happy souls, God sending truths into their hearts which seemed to be singing there day and night. Their lives were a blessing to all. They sleep now, the sleep of the just.
Churches, missions, colleges and benevolent enterprises of every kind have felt the influence of this dear old mother church. Her gifts to all causes for the last twenty years, have averaged eight thousand dollars a year.
John F. Gray, Louis P. Doub, elders, William Newcomer, William Gaylor and Frederick W. Newcomer, deacons, are the present officers of the church. William Newcomer has been treasurer forty-five years. Henry Hiel, sexton thirty-three years, and the writer, pastor for the last twenty- three years. The church has a present member- ship of 275. IIer influence goes out for good, and she is ever interested in all missionary enter- prises.
THE ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH OF WILLIAMSPORT .-* This organization had its beginning about the year 1791. Its early history is closely associated with St. John's Lutheran Church of Hagerstown. The pastors of that con- gregation were the pastors at Williamsport until 1827. The exact date of the organization of this congregation is not given ; but a plan of incorpor- ation, in harmony with an act of the Legislature of Maryland, was adopted by the congregation, January 9, 1807. This says: "We, the members of the German Evangelic Lutheran congregation in and about Williamsport, having convened to- gether at Zion's Churchi, adopt the following reg- ulations for managing our temporalities." It says further : "We shall consider all persons as ment- bers of this congregation who are twenty-one years of age, whose names stand on the church record, and who contribute as has been customary heretofore toward the support of the church and the servants of the church duly elected."
There must have been, therefore, prior to the adoption of this plan of incorporation, a congre- gation and a church building at this place. very probably, the first church building, which was a small log structure, was erected in the last years of the 17th century.
*Contributed by Rev. M. D. Gaver,
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HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
The first pastor was the Rev. John George Schmucker. He was pastor at the time of the adoption of the plan of incorporation. The elders were: Nicholas Ridenour, Peter Sencil, Henry Cyster and John Netcil. The deacons, Christian Diehl and Jacob Wolf. The Rev. Mr. Schmucker was succeeded in the pastoral office by the Rev. Solomon Schaeffer in June, 1814. After serving as pastor for two years, the Rev. Mr. Schaeffer was succeeded by the Rev. Benjamin Kurtz, who continued as pastor until 1820. The Rev. Fred- erick Ruthrauff then became pastor. He con- tinued in the pastorate until 1827. At this time, this congregation was separated from the Hagers- town charge, and was united with the congrega- tion at Clearspring and St. Paul, forming a new charge. The first pastor in the new charge was the Rev. John Winter, who began his work in February, 1828. During the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Winter, the old log church was taken down and a neat and substantial brick church was erected. This building was placed upon the foundation of the old church. The corner-stone was laid in June, 1829. The sermon on the oc- casion was preached in the woods adjoining the town. Eleven weeks after the laying of the cor- ner-stone the new church was dedicated. The ser- mon on the occasion was preached by the Rev. S. K. Hoshour. The Rev. Mr. Winter continued as pastor for six years. Aiter a vacancy of seven months the Rev. Simon W. Harkey was called as pastor. He remained but one year. When the Rov. Daniel Miller came into the charge. Mr. Miller remained but one year, resigning in August 1837.
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