History of Baltimore, Maryland, from its founding as a town to the current year, 1729-1898, including its early settlement and development; a description of its historic and interesting localities; political, military, civil, and religious statistcs; biographies of representative citizens, etc., etc, Part 41

Author: Shepherd, Henry Elliott, 1844-1929, ed. 4n
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: [Uniontown? Pa.] S.B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1344

USA > Maryland > Baltimore County > Baltimore City > History of Baltimore, Maryland, from its founding as a town to the current year, 1729-1898, including its early settlement and development; a description of its historic and interesting localities; political, military, civil, and religious statistcs; biographies of representative citizens, etc., etc > Part 41

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Just when the German Lutherans began to come to Maryland in numbers is not known. A recently discovered letter of Lord Baltimore's, written to his agent in 1732, offered an asylum to the Palatines and Salzburgers; but there is no evidence that the gracious invitation was ever ac- cepted. It is most likely that the very large numbers of Germans who landed at Phila- delphia in the early part of the eighteenth century conduced to a gradual overflowinto Maryland. At least there appears to have been a sufficient band of Lutherans settled in and near Baltimore by 1750 to warrant them in allying themselves with their breth-

ren of the German Reformed body, and thus to form a congregation. But inasmuch as the German Reformers were more nu- merous than the Lutherans the first church erected by them conjointly was called "The First German Reformed Church." This was situated on the top of the high hill on Charles street almost directly opposite St. Paul's Church. Prior to that these German Christians must have worshiped in houses and been served by such stray ministers, now of the one denomination and now of the other, as they could perchance secure. This edifice was erected in 1757 or 1758, and the congregations seem to have be- come so strong as to warrant the Lutherans in withdrawing in a year or two and organ- izing their own body. The exact date of this important step is not known, but it could hardly have been before 1760. The first Lutheran Church was erected on what was called Fish street, now Saratoga street. So rapidly did this little flock grow that in 1773 a new church was found necessary and after the custom of the day a lottery was held to raise money for this purpose. With the proceeds a new edifice was erected on the same site. The founders of this First Lutheran Church were: Messrs. Linden- berger, Weishler, Hartwig, Hoecke, Rock, Grasmuch, Levely, Barnetz, Dr. Wiesen- thall and others.

The first pastor was the Rev. M. Gerock, who died in 1778 and was succeeded by his former assistant, the Rev. Daniel Kurtz. In 1789 a parsonage was built with the pro- ceeds of a lottery. A burying-ground was purchased in 1792, adjoining the church, with the proceeds of another lottery. In 1808 the church on Fish street was sold to the African Bethel congregation, and Zion

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

Church was erected on Gay street at the present site at a cost of $40,000. It was almost destroyed by a disastrous fire on March 30, 1840, but was immediately rebuilt and stands to-day unchanged and unimpaired. It is surrounded by a spacious lot and possesses one of the most flourishing parochial schools in the city. The Rev. Mr. Kurtz was pas- tor of this important church for more than fifty years and when his death occurred in July, 1856, his loss was universally lament- ed. He was succeeded by his assistant, the Rev. John Uhlhorn, who was greatly gifted as an orator. While on a visit to Bremen, in 1834, he died and was succeeded by the Rev. John Haesbardth. After a short pas- torate he resigned in order to establish a strictly German congregation. This he did in a church edifice erected by the Baptists at the corner of Saratoga and Holliday streets. The new congregation was formed by many of the old members of old Zion Church. They worshiped in the above church until about 1870, when they sold the property and divided the proceeds into three parts, all of which were built-St. Paul's, Emmanuel and Martini Churches. These belong to the Missouri Synod.

The Rev. Mr. Domeier was the next pas- tor of old Zion and he was succeeded by the Rev. Henry Scheib, whose successful administration lasted until he was made pastor emeritus. His death occurred in 1897 and lamented far and wide, so greatly was he loved. His body laid in state in the church for a day prior to the funeral and was visited by thousands of all conditions and ranks of life.

The present pastor is the Rev. Junius Hoffmann.

Early in the administration of the Rev Henry Scheib he was adjudged unsound in the Lutheran faith and was expelled from the Synod; but his congregation remained loyal to him and his views. This congrega- tion has thus maintained an independent position for many years, and while claiming to be Lutheran is not now acknowledged by the Lutherans.

For governmental purposes the various Lutheran congregations are divided into Synods. In the United States there are fifty-one Synods. The congregations of Baltimore, although located in the Synod of Maryland, are not all associated with. that Synod. For the sake of convenience they will be arranged according to their synodical connection.

Churches of the Synod of Maryland.

FIRST ENGLISH EV. LUTH. CHURCH.

The First English Lutheran Church had its origin as early as 1823, in a number of families then worshiping in Zion Church, in Gay street, which, in that day, was a Lutheran organization. It does not appear that any minister visited them until August, 1824, when the Rev. Mr. Krauth, then of Martinsburg, Va., visited them upon their urgent request. Measures towards a per- manent organization were taken. A room was secured in a school house near the cor- ner of Pratt and Howard streets and ar- rangements made for the purchase of a lot. During this time, for a period of seven or eight months, the little flock enjoyed the pastoral services of the Rev. Jacob Medtart.

A lot was secured on Lexington street between Park and Howard, and the corner- stone of a church was laid in the fall of 1825, the dedication occurring on May 28, 1826.

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

On February 3, 1827, the Rev. Dr. John Morris preached his first sermon as pastor, a position which he filled with great accept- ance until 1860, when he resigned to accept the charge of the Peabody Institute. The church was twice enlarged during his ad- ministration and a parsonage was erected. In every particular the welfare of this con- gregation was advanced under his care. He died in 1896, full of years and full of honors.

The Rev. Dr. John McCron succeeded him and served until 1872, being succeeded by the Rev. Dr. J. H. Barclay. The organi- zation had grown in grace and favor until it had become strong enough to endure, at various periods, the separation of three or- ganizations-the Second and Third Church- es and St. Mark's. In 1873, during the min- istry of Dr. Barclay, a fire destroyed the church and parsonage, but that which seemed at the time a serious calamity re- sulted in great good. A new church, cost- ing about $125,000, was built at the corner of Lanvale street and Fremont avenue. It was dedicated September 19, 1875, and the congregation prospered anew.

The Rev. Dr. M. W. Hamma became pas- tor in 1882, and was followed in 1886 by the present pastor, the Rev. Albert H. Stude- baker, D. D., under whose ministrations the church has had marked material and spir- itual success. The membership is 550, and there are 594 pupils in the Sunday-school.

The First English Church is a noble white marble edifice. It has an attractive brick parsonage adjoining it on Lanvale street.

THE SECOND ENGLISH LUTH. CHURCH.

This congregation is a child of the First Church. It is situated on Lombard street,

west of Greene. The church was opened for worship October 8, 1842. At that time it stood quite by itself, but is now surround- ed by dwellings. Its first pastor was the Rev. Charles P. Krauth. The church has several times undergone extensive improve- ments, but is still one of the old landmarks of the section of the city where it is located. It has been the ecclesiastical home of many devoted Lutherans who have moved to other parts of the city. The growth has been very steady until it now numbers 600 communicants and has a Sunday-school of 700 pupils. The property is valued at $30,- 000. The present pastor is the Rev. George W. Miller, D. D.

THE THIRD ENGLISH LUTH. CHURCH.

This church began as a mission, which was first conducted in a private house on Hillen street near Monument. The mission was organized in 1841. Its first house of worship, called Luther Chapel, was erected in 1842 on Monument street near Gay. The present church is on the same site and was erected in 1853. Its first pastor was the Rev. W. A. Passavant. Among those who have had charge are the Rev. Dr. I. A. Brown, the Rev. Dr. A. W. Lilly, the Rev. Dr. J. McCron and the Rev. Dr. J. G. Mor- ris. The present pastor is the Rev. I. C. Burke. Luther Chapel was used for sev- eral years, but it was gradually outgrown. It was then torn down and the present edi- fice erected on the same site. This edifice was enlarged in the administration of the Rev. Dr. John Morris to its present dimen- sions. Under his pastorate a mission called "Luther Chapel" was erected on the Belair road by the Third Church at a cost of $2,- 000. The membership is 671 and the Sun-

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

day-school has 1,000 pupils. The property is valued at $25,000.

ST. MARK'S ENGLISH EV. LUTH. CHURCH.

In October, 1860, a body of ninety-six persons left the old church and organized themselves into a congregation under the above name, on October 23d. They elect- ed as their first pastor the Rev. T. Stork, who assumed charge December 1, 1860. For a time the congregation rented the Third Presbyterian Church on Eutaw street and purchased it in 1861 for $10,500. Dr. Stork, who served for five years, was succeeded by his son, the Rev. Charles A. Stork. In 1873 the old building was re- modeled at a cost of $18,000. It was recon- structed on March 8, 1874. The Rev. Dr. Charles A. Stork continued in charge, most faithfully and acceptably, until 1885, twenty years. When he resigned it was to accept the presidency of the Lutheran Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa. The pastor now in charge is the Rev. W. H. Dunbar, D. D. This church has been conspicuous through- out its entire history for its zeal and liber- ality. It has numerous meetings for social and religious purposes, and its organiza- tions are well conducted.

The gradual progress of business up Eu- taw street has rendered its locality less and less desirable for religious purposes. In 1897 a fine lot was purchased at the south- west corner of St. Paul and Twentieth street and a noble group of ecclesiastical buildings begun. This includes a church edifice, a parish building and a parsonage, all in stone. They will doubtless be com- pleted in 1898.

The membership is 595, and the old prop-

erty is valued at $65,000. The Sunday- school numbers 430 pupils.

ST. PAUL'S ENGLISH EV. LUTH. CHURCH.

This important Lutheran church is sit- uated at the northeast corner of Druid Hill avenue and McMechin street. It was or- ganized by the pastors of the First, Second and St. Mark's Lutheran Churches, viz: Rev. Dr. John McCron, Rev. E. J. Wolf and Rev. C. A. Stork, and two laymen from each church. As a proof of the zeal and liberality of the Lutheran churches of the city the present edifice had been almost completed and $13,000 collected before a congregation was organized. A vigorous Sunday-school had been for some time con- ducted on Pennsylvania avenue, near Mosher street, by Mr. William F. Weber. The congregation was organized in 1873 and consisted of thirty-four members. On November Ist the Rev. J. A. Clutz, of New- ville, Pa., became pastor. The church was dedicated on December 14, 1873. Its cost has been about $45,000. The Rev. Mr. Clutz served with great acceptance for ten years, when he resigned to become the sec- retary of the Home Mission Board. The Rev. E. Felton was the next pastor for three years and ten months. He was succeeded by the Rev. William P. Evans, of Columbia, Pa. He served from January 15, 1887, to April 1, 1892, when he resigned to take Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church. The Rev. Charles R. Trowbridge next served from November 20, 1892, to September, 1896. The present pastor, the Rev. P. A. Heilman, entered upon the charge on May 1, 1897.

The membership is 275 and the Sunday-

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

school numbers 478 pupils. The property is valued at $50,000.

ST. STEPHEN'S GERMAN LUTH. CHURCH.

This congregation was organized in 1850 by Rev. Mr. Meister, who was a German Reformed minister without any synodical connection. The first edifice was erected in 1850 on Light street, between West and Ostend streets. Circumstances soon com- pelled the Rev. Mr. Meister to leave and he was succeeded by the Rev. Arthur O. Brick- man. On February 5, 1852, a church build- ing was purchased from the "Good Samari- tan Congregation" at the northwest corner of Hanover and Hamburg streets. This latter congregation had been but recently established, and when its property was pur- chased by St. Stephen's congregation the majority of the members united with St. Stephen's. The Rev. Mr. Brickman re- signed to enter the Swedenborgian Church, where he did such notable work. In 1854 the Rev. C. F. W. Hoppe became the pas- tor, and the congregation entered the Synod of Maryland. He remained until 1861. The Rev. Mr. Zimmerman was called to succeed him. For a time he succeeded well, but charges of such a character were preferred against him to the Synod that he was ex- pelled from the ministry. He was succeed- ed by the present faithful pastor, the Rev. F. P. Henninghausen. He has been in charge for thirty-four years. The mem- bership has grown to 600, and the property is valued at $50,000. ,

GRACE ENGLISH Ev. LUTH. CHURCH.

This church originated through the ef- forts of the late Mr. Richard L. Armiger,

who caused a canvass to be made in the east- ern section of the city to ascertain who would join in a movement to create a new Lutheran congregation. Quite a number signified their willingness, and the Rev. H. H. Weber was appointed by the Board of Home Missions to begin operations. On September 13, 1885, Grace English Church was organized with forty-one members. For a year and eight months the congrega- tion worshiped in Powhatan Hall, corner of Pratt and Bond streets. In the early part of 1887 the Broadway Presbyterian Church, at the corner of Broadway and Gough streets, was purchased for $16,000 and im- proved at an additional expense of $2,000. On May 30, 1887, the congregation became self-supporting. In September, 1889, the Rev. Mr. Weber resigned to become the secretary of the Board of Church Exten- sion. On the first Sunday of November, 1889, the present pastor, the Rev. O. C. Roth, assumed charge.

The membership has increased to 800 and the Sunday-school numbers 755. The property is valued at $30,000. The church edifice is a two-story brick building. There is also a suitable parsonage. In 1896 the building at the rear of the church was pur- chased and adapted for the large Sunday- school at a cost of $3,000.

ST. LUKE'S LUTHERAN CHURCH.

This church is situated in the suburb of Woodberry, at the corner of Third avenue and Chestnut street. It is a brick building and the property is valued at $15,000. The congregation has known a slow growth until there are now 130 communicants, and the Sunday-school numbers 225 pupils. The present pastor is the Rev. J. L. Frantze.

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE MESSIAHI.

This church is at Canton and is a two- story brick edifice, with Sunday-school room below and audience room above. It has known but one pastor, the Rev. E. Fel- ton, who has been in charge from the begin- ning. The membership has grown rapidly, and now numbers 360. The Sunday-school has 630 scholars. The property is valued at $5,000.

CHRIST ENGLISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.

The Board of Home Missions called upon the Rev. L. M. Zimmerman to or- ganize a Lutheran Church in one of the more important mission points of the city. He began his labors on December Ist, 1887, and devoted two weeks to visiting before he held his first service on Sunday, Decem- ber 18th, in Triumph Hall; 150 persons were present at the morning service, 96 scholars at the Sunday-school in the after- noon, and 115 persons at the evening ser- vice. The congregation was organized on Sunday, February 5, 1888, with 215 mem- bers. On July 15, 1888, the congregation decided to buy the present edifice; and on August 12th the first service was held in it. After thorough renovation it was dedicated on November 25th. On the 29th of No- vember it was decided to become self-sup- porting, and on the 2d of December the present pastor, who had been in charge from the beginning, was installed by Rev. Drs. Albert and Studebaker. In the sum- mer of 1894 the edifice was remodelled and enlarged, and a new house for a parsonage was built next to the church. This cost $11,000. The church is rapidly growing in strength and importance.

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE REFORMATION.

About the year 1890 this beautiful Gothic stone church was erected at the corner of Caroline and Lanvale streets. It was or- ganized by the Rev. D. F. Garland, and has grown very rapidly, until its membership is now 225, and 460 pupils are in its Sun- day-school. The property is valued at $16,- 000. The present pastor is the Rev. U. S. G. Rupp.

ENGLISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH.

The Rev. E. Felton organized this con- gregation in Canton, and has been the pas- tor ever since. The edifice is a two-story brick building. The congregation has grown rapidly. It now numbers 360. The Sunday-school has the large number of 630 pupils. The property is worth $5,000.

GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PEACE.

The Rev. George Albrecht, who had re- cently come from Braunschweig, Germany, organized this church on February 5, 1892, under the auspices of the Board of Home Missions of the General Synod of the Lu- theran Church. The congregation rented and soon afterwards purchased what was then the old Shaffer M. E. Church on Gough street near Washington. The property was greatly improved, and with an adjoining parsonage, purchased in the fall of 1894, is valued at $5,000. In May, 1892, the Rev. Mr. Albrecht resigned to accept an appointment as missionary to India. The Rev. Richard Schmidt, then pastor of St. Matthew's German Lutheran Church at Hagerstown, Md., was called to the pastor- ate, and entered upon his new charge in

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

June, 1892. He is still the pastor of this growing church, which now numbers 150 members. The regular worship is con- ducted in the German language; but pro- vision is made in the constitution for the use of English whensoever a majority of the members shall deem it advisable. The Sunday-school numbers 150.

TRINITY ENGLISH EVANGELICAL LU- THERAN CHURCH.

In the spring of 1893 the Rev. E. E. Ide was sent by the Board of Home Missions of the General Synod to canvass that portion of the city known as Southwest Baltimore, in the interest of a new Lutheran congrega- tion. In this movement the local Board of Church Extension co-operated. The first preaching service was held June 18, 1893, in a hall on the northwest corner of Fulton avenue and Pratt street. The church was regularly organized on September 10, 1893, with forty members. On October Ist a Sunday-school was organized with torty scholars. On October 3d the new congre- gation was admitted into the Synod of Maryland. On May 22, 1894, the church was incorporated. The hall becoming too small, the congregation moved into a chapel situated on the corner of Hollins street and Calverton Road, on December 16, 1894. In the spring of 1895 the con- gregation purchased a lot at the northwest corner of Baltimore and Pulaski streets for $3,000, on which the present edifice was dedicated July 17, 1896. The membership has increased to 233, and the Sunday-school has an enrollment of 416 members. The property is valued at $9,000.

CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH.

On January 13, 1895, certain members of the Concordia Evangelical Church decided to withdraw from that church because the name "Lutheran" had been dropped from its constitution, and because it had been de- cided to hold all its services in German. A house at 1419 Payson street was rented, and on the following Sunday, January 20th, a Sunday-school was organized. On March 17th the first preaching service was held at 4 p. m by the Rev. D. Frank Gar- land, then pastor of the Church of the Reformation and president of the local Church Extension Society. On April 7th a temporary organization was effected. On May 7th the present pastor, the Rev. George Beiswanger, was appointed by the Board of Home Missions, at the request of the congregation, to take the work under his care. He entered upon his duties on June Ist. As soon as regular services were established under the new pastor, the quar- ters on Payson street were found too small, and on the following Sunday the services were moved to larger quarters on the north- east corner of Walbrook avenue and Pulas- ki street. The congregation was organized on September 22d in the United Presby- terian Chapel, which was loaned for the oc- casion. The sermon was preached by the pastor of St. Mark's Church, the Rev. Dr. Dunbar. Forty-six members were enrolled as charter members. On Sunday, 29th, the Sunday-school was organized in the same chapel. A lot on the northeast corner of North avenue and Payson street was pur- chased for $4,800. A portable chapel was erected at once, and was used for the first time on January 1, 1896, by the Sunday-

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

school. On January 5th the first preaching service was held. The portable chapel had been purchased in Chicago, but the idea proved a failure, and the structure was made a permanent one, and on March 22d was dedicated, the sermon being by the Rev. Dr. A. Stewart Hartman, and the Rev. O. C Roth performing the act of dedication. On June 28, 1896, a beautiful white marble font was presented to the church by the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society of Grace Lutheran Church. The congrega- tion fast outgrew its chapel, and on Septem- ber 26, 1896, it was decided to appoint a committee to raise funds for a larger edifice. Plans were secured for a church, Sunday- school building and a parsonage. The Sunday-school building was begun on Sep- tember 13, 1897, and is being pushed to completion. It will accommodate 600 per- sons, and will cost $5,000. It is a Gothic structure and is built of Port Deposit granite. It will be used as a church until the whole group is erected, and the present frame chapel will be used as a Sunday- school room. The membership numbers 108, and the Sunday-school numbers 280.

The Synod of Missouri.

ST. PAUL'S GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.

When the old Second German Lutheran Church, situated at the corner of Holliday and Saratoga streets, which had been es- tablished by the Rev. John Haesbaerdth in 1833, was sold, the proceeds were divided to found three churches, of which St. Paul's was one. A lot was purchased at the cor- ner of Fremont and Saratoga streets. The present church was dedicated on December 15, 1867, and the membership has steadily grown, until St. Paul's is one of the largest

German Lutheran churches in the city. It is by far the largest of the three which came out of the Second German Lutheran Church. Its parochial school is also very large. The present pastor is the Rev. Christian Kuehn.

IMMANUEL GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.

This congregation also sprang out of the old Second German Lutheran Church in 1867, upon the sale of its property under the pastorate of the second pastor, the Rev. G. W. Keyl. The congregation had been organized in 1866. It built its church edi- fice the following year on Caroline street near Baltimore. The building is a large brick structure, and the congregation is strong and vigorous. It possesses both a parsonage and a parochial school. The present pastor is the Rev. Timothy Stiemke.

MARTINI GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.

This is the third congregation which arose out of the sale of the old Second Ger- man Lutheran Church. It was organized in 1867, and erected its edifice on the corner of Sharp and Henrietta streets in 1868. The first pastor was the Rev. Charles H. F. Frincke; he is still in charge and most suc- cessful in his labors. The congregation owns a parsonage and a parish school.

EMMANUEL ENGLISH EVANGELICAL LU- THERAN CHURCH.

The Rev. Wm. Dallman began a Lu- theran Mission in the old Y. M. C. A. Building at the corner of Schroeder and Pierce street, which had been used as a chapel by the Brantley Baptist Church. it was sold by the congregation for $5,000 to the present congregation of Lutherans in

No Lisviel

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

1888. The new mission began with seven members, but has grown very rapidly un- der Mr. Dallman's care, until it numbers 320. Its life is very vigorous. A parson- age is owned at 922 West Mulberry street. Early in February, 1898, the Rev. Mr. Dall- man was transferred to New York.

ST. THOMAS GERMAN EVANGELICAL LU- THERAN CHURCH.

Largely through the influence of the Rev. Wm. Dallman, the Conference of Pastors of the Missouri Synod in Baltimore started a mission in 1889. It grew rapidly, and in 1893 erected its present edifice at the corner of Pulaski and Mary Ann streets. It is a brick building. The membership is 325 and is increasing rapidly.

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Author: Shepherd, Henry Elliott, 1844-1929, ed. 4n Publication date: 1898 Publisher: [Uniontown? Pa.] S.B. Nelson Number of Pages: 1344

Author: Shepherd, Henry Elliott, 1844-1929, ed. 4n
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: [Uniontown? Pa.] S.B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1344