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 79
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Chambersburg Cireuit, 1812-1821: 1812, R. Wilson ; 1813, Jas. Reed, Geo. Askin; 1814, Geo. Askin, W. B. Mills; 1815, Robert Wilson, Thos. Larkin : 1816, R. W. Geo. Brown; 1817, Hamilton Jefferson ; 1818, H. J. Fred'k Stier; 1819, Caich Reynolds, Jos. Paynter; 1820, C. R. Wm. Munroe; 1821, Edw. Matthews, R. Buckingham.
Hagerstown Station, 1822, John Emory.
Hagerstown Circuit, 1823, Jas. M. Hanson ; Saml. Clarke; 1824, J. M. Hanson, J. L. Gibbons ; 1825, Jas. Reed, C. B. Young; 1826, Jas Reed, Robt. Barnes; 1827, Jas, Reiley, Saml. Keppler ; 1828, J. Reed, Geo. Hildt; 1829, Edw. Smith, Basil D. Higgins ; 1830, Edw. Smith, J. M. Brent ; 1831-32, Henry Smith and Robert S. Vinton; 1833, Jas. Sewell, F. M. Mills; 1834. John Baer, J. H. Baker ; 1835, J. Baer, J. Bernard.
Hagerstown Station 1836-37, Wm. B. Ed- wards ; 1838-39, Henry Larring; 1840-41, Jas. Merriken : 1842-43, John V. Rigdon; 1844-45, Wm. Hirst; 1846, David Steele; 1847-48, E. P. Phelps; 1849, Sam. S. Rozzel; 1850-31, Wm. H. Pitcher ; 1852, Henry Furlong ; 1853-54, Dabney Ball; 1855-56, E. R. Veitch; 1857-58, Geo. D. ('henowith ; 1859-60, Jas. C'urns; 1861-62, S. W. Sears; 1863-64, G. W. Heyde; 1865-66-67, J. F. Oekerman; 1868, W. G. Ferguson; 1869-70-71, Thos. Sherlock; 1872-73, J. Edwin Amos; 1874- 75-76, B. G. W. Reed; 1877-78-79, A. S. Hauk ; 1880-81-82, John D. Dashiell, D. D .; 1883-84-85, Jos .- B. Stitt ; 1886-88, Austin M. Courtnay ; 1888- 89, H. S. Franee; 1890-91, Dr. Hartsock; 1893- 96, G. C. Bacon; 1897, - Vanarsdale; 1898- 1900, R. M. Moore; 1901-02, H. F. Downs; 1903-
04, E. S. Mowbray ; 1905, Mowbray and A. H. Mc- Kinley, assistant.
Hagerstown Circuit (Funkstown, Friendship and West End Chapel)-1887, Austin M. Courte- nay, James A. Hensey ; 1888-89, Austin M. Courte- nay. Robert W. HI. Weech; 1890, J. H. Phillips ; 1891, Herbert Lansdale; 1892, E. C. Galther ; 1893-94, A. H. Zimmerman; 1895, J. F. Allen; 1896, A. H. Zimmerman; 1897, W. S. Gorman; 1898, J. M. Wertz; 1899, Fisher; 1900, F. G. Watson; 1901, W. C. Byron; 1902-03-04, R. J. Campbell; 1905, E. E. Pearce.
The records previous to 1849 were very sean- ty, and as the Recording Steward kept his ac- count in a memorandum book and the business was all settled up at the end of each year, there scemed to them no special necessity for keeping a continuous record. Moreover, the lists of mein- bers were kept by the several class leaders. The class books were in most cases the only roll.
It was about 1800-05 that the Methodists, who had hitherto met. for occasional worship in private houses, secured as a stated place of as- semblage, the loft of a small brick building situ- ated where the Ilotel Hamilton now stands, the lower part of which was the shop of one Wm. Bragier, a devoted Methodist. The room was small and dark, and had its entrance from a stair- way outside of the building. In 1812, the Breth- ren and Methodists together built a church which they occupied in common for thirteen years. There was no material difference between theni, either in doctrine or worship, except that one em- ployed the English and the other German lan- guages in their services. The new chapel stood where the U. B. Church now stands, on a lot, which was deeded. October 20, 1813 (after the erection of the building ) by Jonathan Rahauser, Pres., and John P. Herr. See'y. of the "German Evangelical Reformed congregation of Bron's Church" to Jacob King, Geo. Marteney, Saml. Beeler, Henry Stotler and Peter Stotler, "Trus- tees of the Society of the United Brethren in Christ." (Land Records of Washington Co.) The lot was No. 143, and measured 82x250 ft .; the consideration was $100, and the payment to Ha- gar, of an annual rent of 6 pence.
On April 29, 1818 it was dceded by the same trustees to Wm. Brazier, Job Hunt, Levin Willis, John Weber and Ralph Armstrong, "Trustees" for the Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in and about "Hagerstown," for $422 and on condition
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HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
of "free and uninterrupted nse" of the building by the "Brethren," on every alternate Sabbath, and at other times, when not occupied by the "Meth- odists," with equal rights to the burying ground, cach party to bear one-half the expense (Liber C. C. 975). In 1830. it was recovered to the United Brethren. by the return of $422, the purchase money. Both sects were much persecuted at this time.
Ir 1825. the Methodists had so increased as to need a separate, larger and better Church, which they proceeded to build on N. Jonathan St., although the deed for the lot was not drawn until 1832 when Benj. Yoe, Wm. Brazier, John King, Geo. Fechtig, David Gumbert, Henry Chrest and John Wright, were Trustees. The father of the Rev. Dr. J. McKendrce Reiley was the preacher in charge at the dedication of this church; Bishop MeKendree preached in the morning and Bishop Soule in the afternoon. The list of Trustees quot- ed is about the only record we have of these ear- liest Methodists.
From 1825-1866, the building remained as at first erected-a plain, rectangular brick edifice of one story, but in 1866, during the pastorate of the Rev. John Ockerman, it was improved. A floor was put in, making a lecture room below and an auditorium above.
The first full record dates from 1849, and shows a membership of 166. The stewards were: Geo. Fechtig; John Moore; Wm. Brazier; W. H. Boyd ; Wm. Staley ; John D. Ridenour ; and David Beeler. The Class Leaders were: William Staley ; C. Shepherd ; J. D. Ridenour ; Geo. Fechtig; S. L. King; and David Steele. The Trustees were: S. L. King; John Moore; W. Staley; Geo. Kemp; and Isaac S. Hershey.
From this old church four have gone into the Itinerancy: Dr. Wm. C. Steele, of the N. Y. Conference ; J. C. Brown, Ph. D., of the Central Penna. Conference; Elmer MeDade, Des- Moines Conference; and L. R. Fechtig, who in 1812 joined the Baltimore Conference, and died in 1823.
The book for 1849 gives the list of classes : I met 9 a. m., Sabbath in Church, Warfield Staley, leader ; II met 9 a. m., Sabbath at Geo. Fechtig's, C. Sheppard, leader ; III met at 3 p. m., Wednes- day, in Church, J. D. Ridenour, leader; IIII met 3 p. m. parsonage, Pastor, leader ; V met 3 p. m., Thursday, parsonage, Geo. Fechtig, leader; VI met + p. m. Saturday at Church, Sam L. King, leader ; VII met 7 p. m. Friday at Biershing's,
David Steele, leader. In 1850-5, there were two classes for colored people : I led by Hezekiah Rob- inson; II led by Samuel Ulrich. In 1852-33 a Probationers Class was led by Henry Furlong, pastor.
In 1853-54, Boyd and Hershey moved from down and John H. King and John Henneberger elected to the Board of Trustees. 1857-Chas. A. Cramwell, elected steward ; 1859-Wm. Phrean- er, appointed leader ; 1861-Wm. Troxell, Wm. Beeler, J. L. Smith were appointed stewards and Geo. Carty and Wm. Phreaner were appointed leaders. 1864 the board of trustees began build- ing a new chureh for colored Methodists.
During Dr. Dashiell's pastorate, preparations were made for building a new church. He helped to create a sentiment in favor of the enterprise. As soon as the Rev. J. B. Stitt was appointed, the work was begun (1883). On October 23, 1883, a lot was purchased on N. Potomae St .; and on the following December 15, ground was broken. The designs was made by Chas. Carson, Esq., architect, of Baltimore, and the building erected by B. F. Bennett, of Baltimore. The contract was signed in June, 1884. The corner-stone was laid August 7, 1884, at which time the name of St. Paul's was given.
The Trustees were the same as before, exeepi that, Jos. S. McCartney resigned, and was suc- ceeded by Chas. A. Bikle ; Win. H. Seidenstricker also resigned, and was succeeded by Win. E. Mc- Dade.
Building Committee: J B. Stitt, Pres .; Jos. S. McCartney, Scc'y. ; J. II. Beachley, Trcas .; Sam- ucl L. King. R. C. Bamford, Sam. McCreery.
The last service was held in the old church April 5, 1885, (Easter Sunday). The old church was rented and finally sold. The old corner-stone was removed to the vestibule of the new church. The chapel of St. Paul's was dedicated April 2, 1885. The Sunday School took possession of its new home. The church was dedieated on Novem- ber 22. 1885, but services preceded and followed that day.
The present membership is 500; that of the Sunday-School is 325.
Present Board of Stewards: B. T. Blew; L. J. Orriek; H. H. Harman; J. C. Bolinger ; (. E. Harbaugh : B. F. Miller ; E. H. Zeigler; J. Feld- man : C. W. Sebold.
Present Trustees: Saml. McCreery; C. W. Sebold; B. T. Blew; S. L. Lambkin; W. E. Me-
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OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND.
Dade ; M. L. Keedy ; Noah Myers ; E. H. Zeigler. The value of St. Paul's Church building is $50,000; that of the Parsonage is $7,000, and the Washington Square building is $5,000.
MOUNT MORIAH CHARGE OF THE REFORMED CHURCH .-* I. Christ. Sharpsburg. It is very difficult to secure anything definite as to the early history of the Reformed Church in Sharpsburg. All the old records, if there were any, have been lost or destroyed. We have enough to assure us that it is one among the old congre- gations of the Reformed Church in Washington County, and one of the two oldest in Sharpsburg.
Sharpsburg was laid out July 9th, 1763 by Joseph Chapline and named after Gov. Horatio Sharp. Joseph Chapline died in 1769 and prior to his death-, March 3rd, 1768-he conveyed by Deed to Abraham Lingenfelter a lot which evi- dently he intended the Reformed congregation to have for church purposes. The Deed is recorded in Liber L., folio 209, in Frederick, Maryland. Washington County was not then in existence.
ABSTRACTS FROM THE DEED.
Deed from Joseph Chapline to Abraham Ling- enfelter, &c., in "consideration of one shilling for all that lot or portion of ground in Sharpsburg Town, in Frederick County, No. 61, containing 103 feet in breadth and 206 feet in length, with all the property advantages," &c.
This same lot was conveyed by deed to trus- tees of the Reformed Church, as will be seen fromn the following :
Deed from Abraham Lingenfelter to Christ- ian Orndorf, George Kieffer, John Middlekauff and Conrad Hayberger and this Deed was dated April 2nd, 1774, and recorded August 17th, 1774, in Liber W., folio 44, in the office of Register of Wills, Frederick, Maryland.
At the request of Christian Orndorff and others the Deed was executed and recorded.
"This indenture, made the second day of April, in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-four, Between Abra- ham Lingenfelter, of Frederick County, the prov- ince of Maryland, of the one part and Christian Orndorf, George Kieffer, John Middlekauff, and Conrad Hayberger, Trustees appointed by the
Dutch Calvinist congregation in and about Sharpsburg, in Frederick County aforesaid of the other part :
"Witnesscth that the said Abraham Lingen- felter, for and in consideration of the sum of One Hundred and Sixty pounds current money of Maryland to him in hand, paid by the said Christ- ian Orndorf, George Kieffer, John Middlekauff and Conrad Hayberger, Trustees of the congrega- tion aforcsaid, &c., hath granted, bargained and sold &c., unto Christian Orndorf, &c .. &c., Trustees aforesaid, all that Lot or portion of ground in Sharpsburg Town in Frederick County, No. 61 containing 103 ft. in breadth and 206 feet in length, with the Church thereon, and all profits, advantages and appurtenances" &c.
It is not difficult to draw several conclusions from this Deed, which are confirmed by several little items of local history :
1. That the Lot No. 61 was given by Joseph Chapline for the use of the Dutch C'alvinist congre- gation (a name frequently found in the early his- tory of the Reformed Church) already in existence in 1768. We have every reason to believe this be- cause of the small amount of purchase money- 1 Shilling-required of Abraham Lingenfelter.
2. That Abraham Lingenfelter, having got- ten possession of the lot by Deed, embraced the op- portunity to make the congregation pay full value for it-One Hundred and Sixty Pounds current money in Maryland.
3. That Abraham Lingenfelter was waited on and "requested" by the Trustees of the congre- gation to give a "Deed for all that Lot or portion of ground in Sharpsburg, No. 61, &c., "with the Church thereon." clearly shows that already the church had been erected.
That this is true is confirmed by an item pub- lished in the "Maryland Gazette of June 8th, 1769," which says that "Six Hundred Dollars had been raised by lottery to complete the Re- formed Calvinist Church and build a school house." The object of this lottery, held prior to June 8th, 1769, was to "complete" the church upon which work was begun very probably some time during the summer or fall of 1768 and the congregation was evidently pretty strong numeric- ally, judging from the number of names, and may have been fully organized several years before -- possibly as early at 1750.
*Contributed by B. R. Carnahan.
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HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Of the building itself we have certain infor- mation, gathered from some of the oldest inhabi- tants of the town. It was a small brick building, surmounted with a cupola, in which swung a small east iron bell. It is probable that it had a gallery around three sides as was the manner of building churches in those days. We draw this conclusion. because as we have been informed, the pulpit was high, in the form of a goblet, with a sounding board over it. The aisles and space in front of the altar were paved with brick, and at the side of the pulpit there was a raised platform for the officers of the congregation.
Some years later, when possibly the inerease in membership required it, an addition was put to the end of the church, and was in the form of a half-circle, which gave the church the appearance of a jewsharp, and it went by the name of the "Jews harp" Church from that time until it was torn down, about 1832, at which time the present church was built on a lot purchased from Mrs. Mary Ground, deceased, on Main street, near the center of the town. This work was accomplished during the pastorate of the Rev. John Rebaugh. It is a very substantial building, of good size and well proportioned. It has undergone some mark- ed changes, but the original walls are still stand- ing, and after three-quarters of a century, there is scarcely a erack to be seen. This church orig- inally had an open front, and in the opening stood two round pillars, built of brick and then plaster- ed; these supported the wall above. This open front was paved with brick and formed a vesti- bule to the main auditorium, and above or over this open vestibule there was a gallery, reached by two stairways leading up from the vestibule, one on the right and the other on the left. The front was built up in squares and ended in a eupola in which swung the bell that is still in use.
On the day of the battle of Antietam, Septem- ber 12. 1862, a shell passed through the church, and as soon as the Confederate forces fell back it was converted into a hospital, and within its sa- ered walls many a boy in blue suffered from pain- ful wounds received during that bloody battle- one of the most sanguinary of the Civil War.
Boards were laid on the tops of the pews and on these straw was placed, over which blank- ets were spread and this formed beds for those brought from the field of carnage. The original floor is still doing service and the many blood
stains still visible speak more eloquently of suffer- ing than any human voice.
In 1890, the church was remodeled and modernized. The front was changed, by elosing up the opening and putting in a large window between the two pillars which were left standing as part of the wall. This window was taken by the survivors of the 16th Regiment Conn. Volun- toers, and crected as a handsome memorial to their fallen comrades, who also on the day of reconsecration of the church contributed $100 toward the liquidation of the debt. On the right of this window a tower was ereeted, through which there is an entrance into the church, and in which the bell now hangs. On the left corner there is a vestibule entrance. The old gallery was torn out, the removal of which added some 6 or 8 feet to the seating capacity. New circu- lar pows took the place of the old straight-backed ones. The plastered ceiling was replaced by hard wood; the old coal stoves by a steam plant; and the addition of a recess pulpit platform, with two small rooms, one on either side of the recess, constitutes the change in the rear. All the win- dows are memorial, put in by families of the congregation, and by the comrades of those who found shelter within these walls after the bat- tle.
The committee having charge of the work of remodeling was composed of the pastor, the Rov. B. R. Carnahan, Messrs. S. D. Piper, Wm. Roulette. Jacob Snyder, S. H. Miller and G. F. Smith, who was treasurer. The church as re- modeled was re-consecrated, free of debt, June 14. 1891, at which time the Rev. Prof. J. C. Bowman, D. D., of Lancaster, Pa., preached the sermon in the morning and the late Rev. T. Frank Ilofficier at night.
THE HISTORY OF THE CONGREGATION.
It is simply impossible to give a satisfactory history of this congregation. As stated the first church was evidently built in 1768 or 1769. IIow long before this the organization was effected, and by whom, we cannot tell. There are data, of an outside character, that enable us to reach certain conclusions, and these may be approxi- mately correct. We are informed that the Re- formed Church in Boonsboro dates back to 1750. Boonsboro was laid out in 1790, Sharpsburg was laid out by Joseph Chapline in 1765-twenty-five
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OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND.
years before Boonsboro. Such being the case, and judging from the names given-being large- ly German-we have good reason to believe that the congregation at Sharpsburg was organized possibly about the same time, and probably by the same minister. What ministers served the congregation and where they resided, is largely conjectural. If the same minister organized the two congregations, then we have reason to con- clude that the pastors who served the congre- gation at Boonsboro, served the one at Sharpsburg -at least for a time, viz : the Rev. Jacob Weymer 1780-1790; the Rev. J. W. Runkle, 1790-1792; the Rev. Jonathan Rahauser, 1792-1817. At this date we are informed that the Rev. Lewis Mayer, pastor of the Shepherdstown, Va., charge (1817- 1821), was pastor of the congregation at Sharps- burg. He was followed by the Rev. Sam'l. Ilelif- enstein, June 1822-1825, whose field of labor was composed of Shepherdstown, Smithfield and Martinsburg. Va., and Sharpsburg, Md. From sev- eral old confirmation certificates it appears that the Rev. Jas R. Reily, pastor of the Reformed Church, Hagerstown, served this congregation for several months in 1825. (He resigned the pas- torate in Hagerstown, April 24, 1825). Who ministered to this congregation from 1825 to 1831 we do not know-probably the pastor lo- cated at Shepherdstown.
In 1831 there seems to have been a re- construction of charges, brought about by the organization of one or two new eongregations, which, attached to Boonsboro, constituted a charge. History says, "In 1831 Rev. John Re- baugh became pastor of the Boonsboro charge, which then consisted of four congregations, name- ly, Boonsboro, Sharpsburg, Cross Roads and Pleas- ant Valley."
II. MT. VERNON REFORMED CHURCH, KEEDYSVILLE .- We have traced as besi we could, the history of the Reformed congregation at Sharpsburg up to this date, 1831. Now we have two new names, "Cross Roads" and "Pleas- ant Valley" which are not so easily located.
"Pleasant Valley" very probably included the territory of which Keedysville, (years ago called Centerville) now forms the centre. In 1748, the Rev. Michael Schlatter, on one of his missionary tours, crossed the South Mountain at ('rampton's Gap, and thenee proceeded, by way of Rohrersville in Pleasant Valley and Keedysville, on the An-
tietam, to St. Paul's Church, &c. It is very prob- able that for years all this section of country from the ridge west of Keedysville to Crampton's Gap, was called "Pleasant Valley."
The writer was told by the late (. M. Keedy that the first services condueted by a Reformed minister were held in the old stone house now owned and occupied by ex-County Commissioner D. M. Neikirk, and he also spoke of this valley as having been called Pleasant Valley. During the pastorate of the Rev. John Rebangh, in 1835, a stone building was erected for school and church purposes on land owned by J. J. Keedy, father . of C M. Keedy. In this building, on Sundays, the people worshipped, and here a Union Sunday- School was successfully conducted for a number of years. This building finally passed into the hands of the Reformed congregation and held by them until the carly 90%. It is still standing. In this building the Reformed congregation was or- ganized and here it worshipped until the latter part of 1852. During this year (1852) a very substantial brick church was erected on land given by the late Samuel Cost. The corner stone bears this inscription : "August 28th, 1852, Mt. Vernon German Reformned Church, of Keedysville." From those living at the time, we learn that this church was consecrated late in the fall, by the pastor, the Rev. Robert Douglass.
During the day of the battle of Antietam, September 17th, 1862, and for weeks after, this church was used for hospital purposes by the Fed- eral forces, and was very much abused. We have the information from those living at the time. that a large hole was dug just outside one of the rear windows and into this were thrown the am- putated limbs of the wounded, all waste water, &c., and that this soaked into the soil, weakened the foundation, and caused the walls to crack very badly. Iron rods were run through the walls, which for a time held the building intaet, and these, together with other necessary repairs, cn- 'abled the congregation to use it until the summer of 1802-just thirty years-when the congregation found it necessary to erect a new church. A building committee was formed, composed of the Rev. B. R. Carnahan, pastor, Messrs. C. M. Keedy, J. W. Rohrer. D. M. Neikirk. E. H. Hoffman and E. A. Pry. D. M. Neikirk was appointed Treas- urer. A plan was adopted, and under the super- vision of the committee the work was begun and completed. The corner-stone was laid on the 13th
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HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
of August, 1892. at which time the sermon was preached by the late Rev. T. Franklin Hoffineier, of Middletown, Md. This church was completed and consecrated, free of debt, Sunday, November 12. 1893, at which time the Rev. J. Spangler Kieffer, D. D., of Hagerstown, Md., preached the sermon, after which the pastor, B. R. Carnahan, conducted the consecratory service. The church, with all its furnishings, memorial windows, ce., was erected at a cost of $1.000, and is one of the finest in Washington County, outside of Hagers- town. It is neat, modern in all of its arrange- ments and quite an ornament to Keedysville.
HILMT. MORIAH CONGREGATION .- Here again the writer is in the dark. When and by whom this congregation was organized there is not a record to tell. All we have is that the Rev. JJohn Rebaugh preached at "Cross Roads" and several old members remember hearing him at Bakersville and that he preached there regularly. From what we can learn, the stone building, standing west of the Lutheran Church at Bakersville, now used for pub- lie school purposes, was originally a church, owned and used by the Reformed, Lutheran and Metho- dist congregations. When this church was built, the writer has failed to find out. From a minute in the Lutheran Record Book we learn that the Lutheran congregation was organized in 1823 and that on November 12, 1825, the following mem bers of the three congregations were appointed trustees of the graveyard-said graveyard to be for the "Union Church;" Jacob Middlekauff, Christian Middlekauff, Samuel Avey, Michael Avey, Ralph Armstrong, Henry Thomas and Jonas HIogmeier.
It is probable that the Lutheran and Reform- ed congregations were organized about the same time. The stone church was probably erected be- fore 1825. For some cause, the Methodist organ- ization died out and the Lutheran and Reformed continue to worship in the same church until 1852, when the Reformed people withdrew, and built a church for themselves, several miles west of Ba- ker-ville, on land given by Mr. Hogmeier. It was given the name of "Mount Moriah," and was probably erected during the first pastorate of the Rev. Robert Douglass. It is a plain, brick build- ing, facing the home of Mr. J. M. Middlekauff. Mrs. Rentch, wife of the late Andrew Rentch, we have been informed, was largely instrumental in scenring the means by which the church was eree-
ted. This church, too, was converted into a hos- pital at the time of the battle of Antietam. At one time in its history, this congregation was strong numerically and financially, numbering among its families, the Rentches, Stonebrakers, Dellingers, Hagermans, Schnebleys, Davises, Mid- dlekauffs, Banks and others. There are but few left of these families.
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