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 87
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94
tors or supply we know not; Rev. Bernard Mich- ael Haushihl was born in Wurtenburg in 1727, educated at Strasburg and ordained at Rotterdam ; arrived at Annapolis, Md. in 1752, resided at Frederick till 1758. From 1770 to 1783 was pastor of Dutch Lutheran Church, New York City; moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia where he died in 1797; was an eloquent and learned man. Rev. John William Samuel Schwerdtfeger was pastor at Frederick from 1763 to 1768, when he returned temporarily to Europe, leaving Rev. J. G. Hartwig in charge of his congregations.
The following entry occurs in the Journal of Rev. Henry Melchoir Muhlenberg, concerning the meeting of the ministerium of Pennsylvania in 1769: "The congregations which up to the present have entered a written petition for the reception of Mr. Wildbahn into the ministerium are, In Pennsylvania, Jacobs Church; Codorus township; St. John's Church; Germany township, York County.
2. In Maryland: On Silver Run, on the Great Pipe Creek, on Thomas Creek; on Oliver's Creek, Frederick County. In Conococheague; on Antictam Creek; in Sharpsburg on the Potomac. 3. In Virginia; Shepherdstown; Winches- tertown. Rev. Chas. Frederick Wildbahn resided then near Littlestown, Pa. ; in 1770 he removed to McAllistertown, now Hanover, Pa .; his con- tinuance as pastor of congregations so far from his home was opposed at the next meeting of the ministerium. when one of the questions consider- ed was: "The separation of the Conococheague congregations from McAllistertown." In the minutes of the ministerium for 1772 is this entry : "A delegate from vacant congregations in a region situated between the boundaries of Penna and Virginia, in Maryland and called by the Indian name of Conococheague, which Senior Kurtz vis- ited now and then, and administered therein the means of grace, and which is also said to be very populous and surrounded by all sorts of sectarian religious parties, laid before the ministerium, a petition for an able teacher and pastor, and said to me privately that they desired the older Mr. Kurtz." The younger Kurtz was sent thither as shown by following entry in minutes of 1773: "A petition from four congregations in the Conoco- cheague district in Md. connected with the minis- terium, in which they petition for Frederick Muhl- enburg as their pastor and preacher, because Mr. Kurtz, Junior, who had been appointed for the
542
HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
place at the preceding meeting, could not get along well." Three of those congregations were un- undoubtedly Antietam, Sharpsburg and Hagers- town; the fourth probably Jerusalem (Funkst- own) ; Rev. Frederick Augustus Muhlenburg ae- cordingly acted as a supply for a short time. He was subsequently a member of the Continental Congress, chairman of the first Constitutional Convention of Pennsylvania and speaker of the first House of Representatives of the United tates.
Rev. John George Young was pastor at Ha- gerstown from 1:73 till his death there in 1791. He served Beard's congregation till 1785 and was followed there by Rev. Daniel Sehroeter of Han- over, Pa., who served congregations in Frederick and Washington Counties, Md., and Franklin Co. Pa .. and died about 1806. His name is familiar in connection with the early history of Beard's Church and likely served it until the erection of the second building in 1787, on the present site of the church; he is believed to have come to Amcriea with the Hessian troops in the Revolu- tion, as many students were among them and re- mained here and some became ministers ; our old- est church record of infant baptism in the church, but not first recorded, were Elizabeth, daughter of Reinhart and Anna Maria Dormmer on the 9th May, 1790; Christina, daughter of John G. and Catharine IIammel; John Jacob, son of Peter and Anna M. Luber on same day ; the name of the minister is not given but from similarity of writ- ing recording an adult baptism and confirmation on June 12th, 1791, we doubt not he was Rev. Joel G. Hale; that record is that Catharine Ret- zin first wife of Christian Retz was born and bred in York Co. Pa .; her parents were William and Margaret Bart. In her 23d year on 12th June, 1791, she was baptized and confirmed and by her side was Christina Bart; signed by J. G. IIalc. This clearly shows Rev. J. G. Hale was pastor in 1790 and 1291; unfortunately after that record of the minister's name, we have no other till 1848 of Rev. J. J. Reimensnyder, tho' regular records of baptism, etc. How long Rev. Hale served or when he left is not known but in 1798 we are assured that Rev. John Ruthrauff was pastor as his name is attached to the Kirchen articles for the government of the congregations. He was pastor at Greencastle, Pa., from 1795 to 1837 when he died there; how long he served here we cannot surely say, but in Dec. 1806, we find on record the
name of Rev. J. G. Sehmueker, in a eouneil meet- ing, as pastor, as he located in Hagerstown in 1793 and as Rev. J. Ruthrauff was certainly pas- tor of Beard's in 1798, it follows that Rev. Dr. Sehmueker served here only during the latter part of his ministry in Hagerstown, presumably from 1806 to 1810, when he resigned St. John's and most likely Rev. J. Ruthrauff served from 1794 to 1806.
Rev. Solomon Schaeffer served for about 3 years; was followed by Rev. Baughey for part of two years, but he proved unworthy, and was suspended from ministerial duties. In 1815 Rev. Benj. Kurtz became pastor at Hagerstown and served Beard's also; indeed he, as the former pas- tors, except Rev. Ruthrauff, had charge of the Lutheran congregations in the county, ineluding Beard's, St. Paul's, Williamsport, Funkstown and later Leitersburg. He remained at Hagerstown 16 years and doubtless served here as long. In 1825-1827, he was in Europe in the interests of our Institutions at Gettysburg. In that interval, the charge was supplied by Revs. Fred'k. Ruth- rauff and Jacob Medtart. In 1819 the earliest recorded list of members numbered 75; in 1820, 118; in 1822, 146; at that time the territory of the congregation was very extensive, embracing the present territories of Beard's, Smithsburg, Leitersburg, Mt. Moriah and Wolfsville; Siniths- burg congregation was organized in 1822, and church dedicated in 1824; Leitersburg in 1826; hence the membership here fell to 44 and finally to 25. In 1828 a new charge was formed here, embracing Smithsburg, Leitersburg, Beard's and Mt. Moriah. It's first pastor was Rev. S. K. Hoshour, serving from 1828 to 1830. He was fol- lowed by Rev. John Reck from 1830 to 1832. Rev. J. P. Kline succeeded him from Oct. 1833 to Dec. 1846. He is well remembered by many and with much honor. IIc removed to Virginia and there dicd; from 1848 to 1851 Rev. J. J. Reimensynder was pastor, and from 1851 Rev. Dan'l H. Bittle served for 18 months and was succeeded by Rev. J. F. Probst from 1853 to 1856. From 1857 to 1861 Rev. J. Heck served the charge and died at Smithsburg, while serving as pastor, just as the present church building at Board's was being completed; he was buried at Leitersburg, his wife's native place; from 1861 to 1865, Rov. W. F. Eyster was pastor, to be followed by Rev. M. C. Horinc, D. D., 1866-1869 ; Rev. S. M.Henry was pastor from 1870-1872,
543
OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND.
and was succeeded by Rev. X. J. Richardson from 1st Sept. 1872 to 14th Aug. 1880, when the charge, being so extensive was peacefully divided into two charges. Beard's and Leitersburg con- gregations united and formed into a separate charge, known as the Leitersburg charge and call- ed Rev. Victor Miller as pastor in January 1881, and who continues to serve at this time.
The following have served as ministers : Rev. B. M. Haushihl, 1754-1758; Rev. J. W. S. Schwerdtfeger, 1763-1765; Rev. J. G. Hartwick, supply ; Rev. C. F. Wildbahn, 1765-71; Rev. Kurtz, Sr., 1771-72; Rev. Kurtz, Jr., 1772-73; Rev. F. A. Muhlenburg, 1773; Rev. J. G. Young, 1773-85; Rev. Danl. Schroeter, 1785-87; Rev. J. G. Hale, 1789-96; Rev. J. F. Ruthrauff, 1797- 1805; Rev. J. G. Schmucker, 1805-1810; Rev. Solomon Schaeffer, 1810-1813; Rev. Bauglieny, 1813-1814; Rev. Benj .. Kurtz, 1815-1831, Rev. F. Ruthrauff, Rev. J. Medtart, supply, 1825-1827; Rev. S. K. Hoshour, 1828-30; Rev. J. Reck, 1830-1832 ; Rev. J. - P. Kline, 1833-1846; Rev. J. J. Reimensnyder, 1848-51; Rev. D. H. Bittlc, 1853-56; Rev. J. Heck, 1857-61; Rev. W. F. Eyster, 1861-65; Rev. M. C. Horine, 1866-69; Rev. S. McHenry, 1870-72; Rev. X. J. Richard- son, 1872-80; Rev. V. Miller, 1881
The first two church buildings were of logs; the second one with galleries on three sides and a pipe organ was built in 1787, the site being changed from the Antietam to its present loca- tion and the name of St. Peters given to it from a trifling incident; two localities contested for the removing site: its present site and the farm of Geo. Bachtell; two lads, Peter Beard and Mich- ael Stephiey drew cuts to decide and as Peter Beard won, it was called St. Peter's; had Mich- ael won, it would have been located differently and been named St. Michael's. Church was 25 by 35; had the usual goblet shaped, high pulpit with sounding board above; a school house with attached dwelling for teacher stood north of church. The services were all in German until about 1828. Some of the early families were those of Nicholas Beard who lived hard by the church and gave it the name; Andrew his son; Michael, Andrew, George and Peter Stephey; the Oswalds, Youngs, Geisers, Mongs, Protzmans, Triedels, Zieglers and Spessards.
Until 1822 there was but one communion service per year, but then changed to two; the present brick church was erected in 1860 at a cost
of $1600 by a building committee of Joseph Bark- doll, Ignatius Brown and David Hoover, Jr .; Revs. W. F. Eyester and Josiah Evans officiated, as the pastor, Rev. J. Heck had just died. All pecuniary obligations were fully met.
Thus more than 150 years of history have passed in the life of this quiet country church, in this beautiful and peaceful valley. In those years, the earth has been repeopled six or eiglit times ; its empires and kingdoms changed often- times ; its pomp and pagcantry have passed ; our ancestors have slept in their graves; we see their wisdom; they came here from afar; denied them- selves many conveniences, lived frugally, ran many risks and dangers. When our national con- stitution was being formed our church fathers were erecting their second church. Rude tho' the building was, it was a place to worship God whom they loved ; hither they brought their child- ren and encouraged them to honor God; perhaps also their trusty guns, as a protection against wily Indian foes ; they were wise in giving time, labor, means and care for God's house and cause; what an influence for good Beard's little congregation las thus been for 150 years; how much it has moulded character and destiny ; on yon mountain top and far over this valley, yea on Western prairies the young couple planting a home have felt the tear fall and heart melt into tenderness and noble aspirations rise as they remmbered this sanctuary ; the silent power of God's truth ema- nating from this church, like refreshing dew has rested on hundreds, thousands of homes, has en- tered as a silent but potent factor into thousands of lives, always for good, never for evil, given a heavenly bias to young lives, cheered the despond- ent, comforted the sorrowing, strengthened the tempted; lighted up dark chambers of affliction and shed a halo of peace and glory around dying beds. Had there been no Christian congregation of any kind here, shedding its uplifting influences in the home, Sabbath-School, Church and Society, what would be our condition today? See the per- petuating power of truth; 150 years have passed since our forefathers thus confessed God's truth ; generation after generation with increasing power have done the same and still that same saving truth is proclaimed ; when some prominent men- ber or minister fell at his post of labor and the hearts of survivors feared lest God's cause should fail, others took their places, filled the broken ranks and today many feel a deep interest in
544
HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Zion's welfare; as in the Greeian game Lampade- phoria one seized a blazing toreh and bore it on- ward to impart light to the next man's torch so in God's work as an earnest working Elijah is ta- ken to Heaven his mantle of devotion falls on an equally devoted Elisha; God's truth is immortal and lives by an inherent vitality ; "the word of tlie Lord abideth forever."
Nor should we ever despise the day of small things. Our fathers, a few feeble folk began their work for God here in the forest and a worldly wise man might sneeringly ask like Sanballet, "what do these feeble Christians," but years roll on; the feeble few increase, they send out flour- ishing colonies on all sides. Ministers grow up from among them and are sent out to break the bread of life and hold up the light of life to others, as have done the Oswald brothers, John, Solomon and Samuel; W. B. Baehtell; Christian and Cyrus Hoover; C. Lepley; Lewis J. and E. K. Bell; A. Buhrman; J. F. F. Kayhoe; S. J. and L. F. Miller and many others.
May this vine of the Lord's planting long re- main and be inereasingly fruitful; all honor to our forefathers of the past who bore the burden and heat ; for their faith in and love and devotion to God and fidelity to His eause.
ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN CONGREGA- TION, LEITERSBURG .-* The oldest original document relating to the history of this eongre- gation bears the following title: Unser Grund- satze beim Ecksteinlegen der Evangelisch Luth- erischen Kirche in Leitersburg. An English translation is herewith given: Deelaration of our Prineiples at the laying of the corner stone of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Leitersburg; in the name of the Triune God, Amen. Since the members of the Evangelieal Lutheran Church in and about Leitersburg in Washington County, State of Maryland, have no house of their own for the special purpose of divine worship and one is necessary for the maintenance of religion, for convenience in hearing the sacred word, for the administration of the holy Saeraments, for our own salvation as well as that of our children and children's children ; and sinee the congregation in the past year lias greatly inereased and has now
decided to build one, it is proposed to proclaim to the world with what intention, for what purpose and on what principles of Christianity this house is built. Therefore, we hereby declare for the information of the present and future generations that here, this day the 6th of August in the year of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 1826, and of the independence of the United States of North Ameriea the fiftieth, under the administration of President John Quiney Adams and John C. Cal- houn, Viec-President, and of Joseph Kent, Gover- nor of Maryland, we lay the corner-stone of a German Evangel Lutheran Church, and that if God prospers the work under our hands and the building is finished, it shall be dedicated to the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost and so remain forever, and shall be called St. Paul's ('hurch. That it shall be and remain an Evangel- ical Lutheran Church wherein the pure and un- alloyed Gospel shall be preached, and the Holy Saeraments administered, according to the teach- ings of Christ and the Augsburg Confession, the contents of which we have in our eateehism, which we now, in eonelusion, place in the corner-stone, that in time to come it may be seen what was the confession of our faith. Should men after us arise who forget their Saviour, despise God's word and Sacraments, and will not endure sound doetrine, we take heaven and earth as witnesses, that we are not to blame, but are pure from the blood of all men ; we take heaven and earth as witnesses of our attachment to Evangelieal Christianity, and that its extension is our most ardent desire; that tiz our wish that the doctrine of Christ's atone- ment may be proelaimed to destitute souls here in this place; that we expect our children and ehild- ren's children never to forsake their chureh, but to be true to it ; that tis our wish that here old and young may be cdified, animated, encouraged and prepared for eternity. With such desires and such prospects, we may confidently hope and with Jacob say, "This stone which we here set up as a memorial shall be God's house, a place where He manifests His presence."
Done at Leitersburg on 6th dav August in the year of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 1826, and in 50th year of the independence of the Uni- ted States of America and signed by the ministers present and members of the building eommitte: Ministers, John Ruthrauff, Frederick Ruthrauff,
*Contributed by Rev. Victor Miller.
Downsville Christian Church.
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Smithsburg.
547
OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND.
Henry Kroh and Jacob Medtart. Building Com- mittee, Christopher Burkhart, Frederick Bell, Frederick Zeigler, Lewis Zeigler, Joshua Grimes and Jacob Tanner, contractor. This doeument states that the first sermon was preached by Rev. John Ruthranff from Judge 21:22; the second, by Rev. F. Ruthrauff from Ephes. 2:19:22; the third in English by Rev. Jacob Medtart from Isa. 28:16; fourth by Rev. H. Kroh from 1 Cor. 10: 31-33. Thus it appears there was no ehurch ed- ifice at Leitersburg for more than a decade after the village was founded ; the nearest places of wor- ship were Beard's and Jacob's churches, each sev- eral miles distant and in opposite directions ; the organization of the congregation doubtless preced- ed the erection of a church building; this follows from the statement quoted "since the congregation in the past year has greatly increased." At this time Rev. Benjamin Kurtz was Lutheran pastor at Hagerstown and his charge also embraced Beard's with which niany of the Lutheran families of Leitersburg district were connected; during his absence in Europe (1825-27), Revs. John Ruth- rauff and Jacob Medtart supplied his congrega- tions and 'twas doubtless under their administra- tion that this congregation was organized. Its earliest list of members now known, of 1831, is this Daniel Beard, Mary Beckman, Andrew Bell, Elizabeth Bell, Jacob E. Bell, Jolın Bell, Jr., Mary Bell, Catharine Bingham, David Brant, Caroline Burkhart, Henrietta Burkhart, Mary A. Burkhart, Phoebe Burkhart, Elizabeth Byer, John Byer, Susan Cole, Barbara Cook, Mary Cook, Elizabeth Fletcher, Louisa Frey, Susanna Hartle, Mary Hays, Catharine Hoover, John D. Kieffer, Sam'l Lahm, Christian Lantz, Elizabeth Lantz, Sam'l . Lantz, Ann Maria Leiter, Barbara Lciter, Bar- bara A. Leiter, Catharine Leiter, Elizabeth Leiter, Isabella Leiter, Sam'l Leiter, Susan Leiter, Chris- tian Lepley, Catharine Lowman, Mary A. Low- man, Jacob Mangle, Catharine Martin, John Martin, Catharine Metz, James P. Mayhew, Mary Mayhew, Elizabeth Miller, Elizabeth Mort, John Nofford, Joseph G. Protzman, Sarah Protzman, Catharine Repp, John Repp, Michael Repp, Peter Repp, Mary Ritter, Jacob Ritter, David Rook, Joseph Ross, Henry Ruthrauff, Jacob Ruth- rauff, Susan Ruthrauff, Mary A. Sheets, Frederick Schilling, Julia A. Schilling, John Shook, Cath- arine Snider, Henry Snider, Elizabeth Spitzer, Maria Stoff, Catharine Tritle, Lewis Tritle, Da- vid Wolfinger, Elizabeth Wolfinger, Jacob Wol-
finger, Michael Wolfinger, Sarah Wolfinger, Henry Yesler, Catharine Ziegler, Fred'k Ziegler, Geo. W. Ziegler, Lewis Ziegler, Magdalene Ziegler.
The site of the church and adjacent burial ground comprising lots No. 44 and 45 of the town plot of Leitersburg were conveyed to Fred'k Ziegler, John Byer, Jacob Bell, Lewis Tritle, John Bowers and Henry H. Snyder who composed tlie church Council, by John Lahm for the consider- ation of $100. A charter for the incorporation of the church was adopted on 12th April 1864. The first trustees were Jacob E. Bell, Jonas Bell, John G. Garver, Geo. Bell, Jacob Hoover and James P. Mayhugh.
Among the members of the church council from 1835 to 1845 were Fred'k Ziegler, Lewis Ziegler, John Byer, Jacob E. Bell, Sam'l Lantz, Abner Hays, Henry H. Snider, Lewis Tritle, Sam'l Creager, John Bowers, John Kissell, Jacob Wolfinger, Fred'k Bell, Geo. Bell, Jonas Bell, Sam'l Etnyer, James P. Mayhugh, Jacob Kissell and Thos. Atkinson.
The succession of pastors since the organiza- tion of the church has been as follows : Revs. John Ruthrauff, Jacob Medtart and B. Kurtz, D. D., 1825-28; Sam'l K. Hoshour, 1828-1830; John Reck, 1831-33; John P. Kline, 1833-46; John J. Reimensnyder, 1846-51; Daniel H. Bittle, D. D., 1851-52 ; J. F. Probst, 1853-56; John Heck, 1857-61; W. F. Eyster, 1861-65; M. C. Horine, D. D., 1865-69 ; Sam'l McHenry, 1870-72; X. J. Richardson, 1872-81; Victor Miller, 1881- -. Prior to 1828 the congregation was part of the Hagerstown charge, which embraced a large ex- tent of territory; from 1828 to 1880 it was part of the Smithsburg charge; the Leitersburg charge was formed in 1880 embracing two congregations, Leitersburg and Beards and ealled Rev. V. Mil- ler as pastor early in 1881.
It has been stated that the corner-stone of the church was laid on the 6th of August 1826; the kind of building it was proposed to erect was thus described in the following advertisement which appeared in the Hagerstown Torch Light some months before: Proposals will be received until April 22d at the house of Christopher Burk- hart in Lcitersburg for building a church forty- five by sixty feet, two stories high with gallery on three sides, to be built with briek or stone and rough cast and finished in a plain, substantial manner. The building was completed according to the specification, by Jacob Tanner, the contrae-
548
HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
tor. It possessed no architectural pretensions, but was certainly one of the most substantial and commodious places of worship in Washington County. There was originally neither bell nor belfry, but about 1850 a bell was procured and mounted on a platform in the rear of the church; here it remained until 1853, when a belfry was built. In 1884-85 the building was completely remodeled at a cost of $4,100; a new front and tower were built, the side galleries were removed, the corresponding upper and lower windows were converted into one, the interior was refurnished, etc .; the rededication occurred 1st Fcb'y 1885, when an appropriate sermon was delivered by Rev. F. W. Conrad D. D., and the remaining in- debtcdness fully secured.
The parsonage is a two-story brick structure, situated on the main street of the village, erected in 1881 at a cost of $3,100 and is jointly owned by the two congregations composing the charge; the site was presented by Rev. V. Miller.
The Sunday-School connected with this church was for many years a union school; was organized soon after the erection of the church and has been continued without interruption to the present.
The Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society was organized on 15th June 1887, with ten constituent niembers and the following offi- cers : President, Mrs. Josephine Miller ; vice-pres- ident, Miss Athalinda Bell; corresponding secre- tary, Miss Mary E. Miller; recording secretary, Miss Ida M. Bell; treasurer, Miss Kate Martin. The Young People's Society of Christian Endcav- or was organized 22d of December 1892, with fol- lowing officers: President, Mayberry G. Frecd ; vice-president, D. J. D. Hicks; corresponding sec- retary. Miss Emma S. Newcomer; recording sec- retary, Miss Mary E. Miller; treasurer, Frank D. Bell.
From the membership of this congregation the following ministers of the Gospel have come: Revs. C. Lepley; L. J. Bell; E. K. Bell, D. D .; J. F. F. Kayhoc and L. F. Miller.
"THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN BOONS- BORO."-Under the leadership of G. H. Caldwell, evangelist, the church in Boonsboro was organized
February 27, 1848, with the following preamble: We the undersigned "disciples of Christ" having given ourselves to the Lord do unite ourselves to- gether in the Lord to be governed by His Word as the only rule of faith and practice-that we may watch over each other; and be fellow-heipers in that which is good. Daniel Albaugh was chos- en elder and David H. Keedy, deacon of the church. The original membership only number- cd fifteen, among whom were found some saintly spirits. They worshipped from house to house and were sustained and encouraged by the occas- ional visits of traveling evangelists and preach- crs.
In the year 1858, Enos Adamson of Eaton, Ohio, was called to become the pastor of the church-his charge embracing also Beaver Creek and Concord. Under his faithful services the church began to grow in number and influence. Thus being encouraged, a committee consisting of D. H. Albaugh, Enos Adamson, Jacob Keedy, D. H. Kcedy, and Peter H. Zittle was appointed to solicit funds for the purpose of erecting a "meeting house." January 18, 1860, a lot or parcel of land was purchased from James Cham- bers, upon which was erected in that year the brick building as it now stands. March 22 of the same year, the following named persons were elected trustees according to the provisions of the revised laws of the State of Maryland: Dan- iel Albaugh, David and Jacob Keedy, Peter Zit- tle, John Flougher and David Nikirk. March 5, 1864 letters of commendation were granted to Enos Adamson and wife. April 1865, Jesse H. Berry moved to Boonsboro and became pastor of the church there in connection with Beaver Creek and Downsville. He continued as such until 1869. During his pastorate the church at Downsville was built, and many acccessions were gained to the several churches. The following preachers have conducted meetings for the church: Samuel Matthews, S. F. Fowler, D. H. Clark, S. B. Moore, W. S. Hloye, W. J. Cocke, P. A. Cave, W. J. Wright, Peter Aimslie and others. In re- cent years Elmore Harris and J. A. Hopkins have served the church as pastors. The former from July 1896 to July 1898, and the latter from Oct. 1900 to July 1904. Dec, 1859 the Cooperation meeting of the churches of the State of Mary- land was held with the church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.