USA > Maryland > Frederick County > Graceham > The history of Graceham, Frederick County, Maryland > Part 13
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
A church choir having been organized at Graceham with fine prospects of success, the Board resolved, on November 5, to fur- nish them with new choir and anthem books. It was also agreed to make some alterations on the gallery, so as to make it more convenient for the members of the choir.
December 21. The Board resolved to hold the Communion, Church festivals, etc., in the Graceham and Mechanicstown churches alternately. Also resolved to purchase a Mason and Hamlin cabinet organ, which had been offered by the Bethlehem Sunday School on very reasonable terms, for the Mechanics- town church, but no money to be taken from the congregation funds in payment of the same.
December 31. Members at Graceham and Mechanicstown, 201 .*
1875 .- February I. The members of the Board signed the joint note in favor of the Bethlehem Sunday School for $95. The remodeling or renovating of the Graceham church was discussed at some length, and it was resolved to start a sub- scription and see what amount could be raised towards it.
June 7. Bro. Colliflower reported that $157 had been col- lected, and he considered it safe to say that $50 additional could be secured.
*From 1874 to 1893 the membership at Graceham, and at Mechanics- town, is combined in the same report.
140
August II. The Board agreed to receive sealed proposals for the carpenter work at the church, the privilege of handing in proposals to be confined to members of the church. The pro- posals to be handed in by Tuesday evening next, the Board re- serving the right to reject all of them.
August 17. Two proposals were handed in, Bro. Michael Col- liflower, $185; Bro. Simon Weller, $159.50. Bro. Weller of- fered Bro. Colliflower to withdraw, if he wished to undertake the job at his (Bro. Weller's) bid. Bro. Colliflower signified his willingness, whereupon the Board contracted with him for the work at $159.50. The church to be ready for re-opening by October 8. Resolved to invite the Rev. H. T. Bachman to of- ficiate at the re-opening.
November 8. Bro. James Creager made a statement of his work among the children at Slab Town (Valley Roads) during the past summer, and inasmuch as there were hopeful indica- tions for the future, and the prospect of opening a promising field of usefulness for the church, he requested that it might be incorporated in the present charge as a regular appointment. After considerable discussion it was finally agreed to.
December 31. Total membership, Graceham and Mechanics- town, 204.
1876 .- March 6. Application having been made for additional ground to the town-lot owned by Bro. Jago Colliflower, the Board agreed to add thirty feet to the east end of all the town- lots laid out at the upper end of the village, along the N. and S. road, and to charge $10 for that of Bro. Jago Colliflower, and $9 for that of Henry Naft. On account of the great inconve- nience of the present water arrangement at the parsonage, as the water must be carried up the hill from the spring at the spring-house, it was resolved to have a well dug as soon as the season will admit of it. The present and future financial rela- tions of the Graceham and Mechanicstown congregations were discussed by the Board March 6 and April 3, and it was resolved to call a church council of the members of both congregations, in order that the matter might be satisfactorily settled.
May 2. The credentials of the delegate-elect to the Provin- cial Synod, Bro. William Colliflower, were signed by the Board.
141
Bro. B. Colliflower was instructed to negotiate with Messrs. Bennet and Son for a road to the grave-yard, and to offer them in exchange the parcel of ground joining their field opposite the warehouse .*
1880 .- February 2. The "Graceham Mite Society" was orga- nized. Its object was "to bring the members and friends of the congregation into closer union and fellowship and cultivate a higher degree of sociability among them. To furnish pleasant and profitable entertainment for both old and young. To afford an opportunity for both mental and moral culture, and aid the growth and development of spiritual life. To raise funds, the same to be applied to such church purposes as may be decided upon at any of the regular meetings of the Society."
In May, 1880, Bro. Clewell was succeeded in the pastorate by the Rev. Elisha W. Shields.
1881 .- March 14. For the moving expenses of Bro. Shields, $90, the Board agreed that Graceham should pay $48 and Me- chanicstown $42.
April 10. The Board of Elders and Trustees agreed to ap- point two ushers in each congregation at the next election. Ush- ers for the present at Graceham are the brethren Jacob Shown and Geo. J. Hesser, at Mechanicstown the brethren James Crea- ger and Wm. Connor.
June -. Subscription lists were given to each congregation to solicit contributions in aid of the Sustentation Fund. The Trustees at Mechanicstown agreed to assume the payment due on the cabinet organ, and authorized Bro. Shields to so report. The committee appointed to raise funds to pay the balance due on the horse and buggy are to meet and devise some plan to pay for the same.
October 14. Bro. Bachman, of Nazareth, Pa., being present at a joint meeting of the Elders and Trustees of Graceham and Mechanicstown, spoke of the finances of the Church at large, and in the name of the Provincial Elders' Conference called up- on these congregations to raise their share. It was decided un-
*There are no Diaries in the Archives from September 28, 1873, to Febru- ary 10, 1894. There are no Minutes of Board and Council meetings in the Archives from May 2, 1876, to December, 1880.
142
animously that we pay at the rate of forty cents per member, Graceham to pay for 91, and Mechanicstown for 59, and Valley Roads for 3, amounting to $61.20.
December 31. Total membership, Graceham, Mechanics- town and Valley Roads, 240.
1882 .- July 31. The matter of the congregation at Valley Roads was taken up, and it was agreed to invite a member of the Provincial Elders' Conference to pay us a visit as soon as possible, and advise us what course to pursue in regard to its future welfare.
October -. The Board of Elders and Trustees agreed to call upon Congregation Council to raise money for the purchase of shingles to cover the parsonage roof. Also agreed to call on members to pay their portion towards Synodal Expenses, etc.
December 31. Total membership of the three congregations, 238.
1883 .- September 7. The Board of Elders and Trustees agreed that there should be preaching morning and evening on every fourth Sunday in Graceham, and alternately on the other Sundays, as usual.
1884 .- June 17. Bro. Shields stated in a joint meeting of the Elders and Trustees, held at Mechanicstown, that he had re- ceived and accepted a call to York, Pa. The Board very reluct- antly accepted his resignation, and passed resolutions express- ing their surprise and regret at the action of Provincial Elders' Conference in removing Bro. Shields when he was just building up the church here.
Bro. Shields was succeeded by the Rev. Charles C. Lanius, who served from 1884 to 1887. At this time some alterations were made in the parsonage, the door on the south side, which had opened into the vestibule since the parsonage was built in 1797 being changed into a window, and the vestibule into two small rooms. The lines of the former door, which in olden days was called the "front" door of the parsonage, are still visible on the exterior wall, below the window. The front room up- stairs, on the north side, was either at this time or previously, enlarged by about four feet, by moving the partition between it and the adjoining room.
I43
1887 .- Bro. Lanius was succeeded in the pastorate by the Rev. Robert W. Herbst, who served from 1887 to 1891.
1889 .- September I. At a meeting of Congregation Council the brethren M. J. Colliflower and B. Colliflower were appointed a committee to purchase shingles to cover the church, and Bro. F. A. Colliflower to call upon the members to raise money for a deficiency in the pastor's salary and for the purchase of shingles. Owing to the decrease in its membership the congregation in Mechanicstown was unable to keep up the contribution it had been making towards the pastor's salary. A change was made in the apportionment of preaching services; Graceham to have preaching morning and evening every other Sunday, and Me- chanicstown on the other Sunday mornings or evenings alter- nately, as a't present.
In this year a "Ladies' Aid Society" was formed which is still carrying on its good work of raising funds for church purposes, in which it has been very successful, having contributed very material aid towards the various enterprises of the congregation.
December 31. Total membership, Graceham and Mechanics- town, 293.
1890 .- May 21 (Whit-Monday). The Trustees reported to Congregation Council that they had purchased of Mr. Wm. Fi- ror a piece of land at the north end of the cemetery thirty-three feet wide, running back to Bro. Buhrman's land, for $50. The purchase was made by order of Congregation Council of June 9, 1889. Congregation Council then elected the brethren Sam- uel Newcomer, Jago Colliflower, Cornelius Fisher and Frank A. Colliflower as Elders; John S. Ogle, Geo. J. Hesser, Jacob Shown and B. Colliflower as Trustees, and Samuel Newcomer, Jacob Shown, Geo. J. Hesser and Charles Laymon as Sextons. Bro. John S. Ogle to continue as Treasurer and Collector for the ensuing year. It was resolved that there be a committee of five appointed to jointly, with the Trustees, examine and deter- mine whether it was advisable to sell the land east of the grave- yard, and if so, to set a price on the same, and also to devise or recommend how or whereby we may raise means for necessary repairs. Said committee consisted of the brethren M. J. Colli- flower, Frank A. Colliflower, Cornelius Fisher and Charles E.
144
Laymon, together with the newly-elected Trustees. This com- mittee met at the grave-yard immediately after Council, viewed the said land, and agreed to sell it, provided we could get $30 for it ; the grave-yard fence to be removed at the north corner about ten feet east, with a straight fence thence to the south corner.
May 21. The Trustees agreed to give the roofing of the church to Bro. M. J. Colliflower at his proposition of $1.75 per thousand for putting on the shingles, he to tend himself and take the old roof off ; the church to find nails and shingles.
June 29. The committee appointed to view the land east of the grave-yard reported to Congregation Council, and advised to sell it, if the church could get $30 for it. Therefore Congre- gation Council resolved that if the Trustees could get $30 for said piece of land, they are authorized by a majority of Congre- gation Council to sell it. It was also resolved to put Bro. Henry A. Weller's plan to raise money to fence and adorn the cemetery in operation, viz., to send circulars to members and friends, ask- ing them to contribute for said purpose.
July II. The Trustees agreed that Bro. Ogle purchase paper to repair the ceiling of the church, and also good oak boards for the porch at the church.
December 31. Total membership, Graceham and Mechanics- town, 293.
1891 .- March 21. The report of the Trustees on the cost of a new fence around the cemetery stated that a wooden paling or picket fence would cost $64.85 ; a wire fence, $76. Council voted in favor of putting up the wooden fence. The Trustees were authorized to call on members and also on friends who have relatives buried on the cemetery to contribute towards said ex- pense.
April 18 (Whit-Monday). The Trustees reported the cost of the new cemetery fence to be $70.93, all paid except a balance of $3.65. It was agreed to elect a grave-digger at this Council and yearly hereafter. The brethren John T. Colliflower, Jago Colli- flower, John W. Routzahm and Cornelius Fisher were elected Elders. John S. Ogle, Bernard Colliflower, Geo. J. Hesser and Henry A. Weller, Trustees. Jago Colliflower, Geo. J. Hesser, Jacob Shown and Charles Laymon, Sextons, and Jago Colli-
I45
flower, Grave-digger. Jago Colliflower, Frank Colliflower and Charles Laymon were elected to act in connection with the Trustees as Guardians of the Cemetery.
October 10. Bro. Herbst read to the Boards of Graceham and Mechanicstown a letter from the Provincial Elders' Confer- ence giving him a call to York, Pa., and proposing the Rev. Joseph Ricksecker, of York, as his successor, who was unani- mously accepted.
December 31. Total membership, Graceham and Mechanics- town, 304.
1892 .- June 6 (Whit-Monday). Congregation Council elected as Elders John T. Colliflower, Jago Colliflower, Cornelius Fisher, J. W. Routzahn and Geo. J. Hesser ; as Trustees, John S. Ogle, B. Colliflower, H. A. Weller and M. J. Colliflower ; Sex- tons, Geo. J. Hesser, Jacob Shown, Jago Colliflower and J. W. Routzahn ; Grave-digger, Jago Colliflower ; Collector and Treas- urer, John S. Ogle. The Trustees to see that the ceiling of the church be repaired.
November I. The Trustees agreed to ascertain the price of a pump; also to arrange to lead the water from the roof away from the church, and to purchase a stove for the parsonage. Bro. M. J. Colliflower to estimate the cost of a platform on one side of the pulpit for the organ and choir.
December 31. Total membership, Graceham and Mechanics- town, 290.
1893 .- April 30. Bro. Henry A. Weller was elected by Con- gregation Council as delegate to the Provincial Synod to con- vene at Bethlehem, Pa., May 24, and Bro. J. T. Colliflower as alternate delegate.
May 22 (Whit-Monday). The annual election in Congrega- tion Council resulted as follows: Elders, John T. Colliflower, Jago Colliflower, J. Wm. Routzahn, Cornelius Fisher and Geo. J. Hesser ; Trustees, John S. Ogle, B. Colliflower, H. A. Weller, M. J. Colliflower; Sextons, Jago Colliflower, Geo. J. Hesser, Jacob Shown, J. W. Routzahn ; Collector and Treasurer, John S. Ogle; Grave-digger, Jago Colliflower.
10
146
December 31. Total membership, Graceham and Mechanics- town, 292.
1894 .- January 8. Bro. Ricksecker having accepted a call to the mission on the island of St. Croix, W. I., completed his work here with the services of New Year's Day and the Week of Prayer.
February II. The Rev. Maurice F. Oerter having arrived from West Salem, Ill., preached his introductory sermon and began his work as pastor.
April 19. The first social gathering of the Christian Endeav- or Society for the year took place at the home of Sr. Weller.
May 14 (Whit-Monday). Annual election in Congregation Council resulted : Elders, John T. Colliflower, Geo. J. Hesser, Jago Colliflower, Wm. Buhrman, J. Wm. Routzahn; Trustees, B. Colliflower, John S. Ogle, H. A. Weller, Phares Buhrman; Sextons, Geo. J. Hesser, J. W. Routzahn, Chas. Laymon, Fred. Crawford ; Grave-digger, Jago Colliflower ; Collector and Treas- urer, H. A. Weller ; Ushers, Melvin Hesser, Clifton Weller.
August 15. The festival of August 13 was celebrated. The pastor's father, the Rev. A. L. Oerter, being here with his fam- ily, on a visit, took part in the services.
September I. The Sunday School held a picnic which was largely attended, in the grove west of town. During the month of November a weekly meeting of the Sunday School teachers for the study of the Bible was inaugurated. The C. E. Society had 23 active and 4 associate members. The Mite Society, with about 30 members, realized $25 from a festival held on the church-lawn during the summer. The Ladies' Aid Society, with IO members, held two suppers and a festival during the year, the proceeds being about $38. This Society provided a quantity of wall-paper for the parsonage, and together with the Mite So- ciety purchased a new pulpit Bible. The class collections of the Sunday School amounted to $29, and paid half of the church's coal bill for the year.
December 31. Total membership, Graceham, 172; Thur- mont,* 62.
*It would seem to have been during this year (1894) that the name "Me- chanicstown" was changed to "Thurmont." The election district retains the former name.
147
1895 .- March -. The Ladies' Aid Society purchased new lamps for the church at a cost of $25. This Society was formed in 1889 and since then had raised $276, and expended $260 for various purposes, in the church here. The Mite Society defrayed in great part the heavy expense of having the pipe-organ, which had been standing on the gallery and had been damaged by water leaking through the ceiling, thoroughly repaired, tuned, and moved down to a platform on one side of the pulpit.
April 28. Congregation Council elected J. Wm. Routzahn as delegate to the District Synod to meet at Lebanon, Pa., May 14, and Phares E. Buhrman as alternate delegate. During the spring a class was organized for systematic Bible study, a series of printed normal lessons being used.
December 31. Total membership, Graceham, 175; Thurmont, 62.
1896 .- May 25 (Whit-Monday). Result of annual election : Elders, John T. Colliflower, J. W. Routzahn, Jago Colliflower, Cornelius Fisher, Geo. J. Hesser; Trustees, John S. Ogle, B. Colliflower, Chas. Laymon, H. A. Weller; Sextons, Geo. J. Hes- ser, Chas. Laymon, Fred. Crawford, J. W. Routzahn; Ushers, the Sextons; Treasurer, B. Colliflower ; Grave-digger, John T. Fogle. It was resolved that the Treasurer submit all matter to the Trustees before making contracts for work at church or par- sonage, and he is then authorized to carry out their instructions. Also resolved that the Trustees hold monthly meetings to take into consideration all matters connected with the finances of the church, etc. Bro. F. Crawford having moved away, Bro. Jago Colliflower was elected Sexton in his place.
December 31. Total membership, Graceham, 183 ; Thurmont, 60.
1897 .- February 23. The Mite Society gave a very enjoy- able entertainment in the evening, in our church, at which an address was delivered by the Rev. Charles Reinewald, the Lu- theran minister at Emmitsburg.
March 16. The C. E. Societies of Thurmont, Emmitsburg and Creagerstown, together with ours, held a union service in our church here. Besides other exercises, the Rev. Charles Reine- wald and the Rev. J. U. Asper, of Creagerstown, made ad-
148
dresses, and the pastor also spoke. There was a large audience and the service was much enjoyed. 1
May 19. The seventy-fifth anniversary of the laying of the corner-stone of the. present church-edifice was celebrated in the evening. A printed program, containing hymns and a respon- sive service, was used. Translated extracts from the church diary, giving an account of the tearing-down of the former edi- fice, and of the beginning of the present structure, were read, and a brief address was delivered.
June 7 (Whit-Monday). Result of annual election : Elders, John T. Colliflower, F. C. Fisher, J. W. Routzahn, Geo. J. Hes- ser, Jago Colliflower; Trustees, John S. Ogle, B. Colliflower, H. A. Weller, Chas. E. Laymon; Sextons, Jago Colliflower, J. W. Routzahn, Chas. E. Laymon, Geo. J. Hesser ; Grave-dig- ger, John T. Fogle. On motion, agreed that the Trustees ap- point the Treasurer.
August 15. The festival of August 13 was celebrated with the usual services, after which the pastor was granted a vacation of several weeks, which he spent at Bethlehem.
August 16. The centennial anniversary of the erection of the present parsonage was celebrated by a social gathering in the evening. Cards of invitation had been sent to members and friends who filled the house at the appointed hour, and then went into the church, where brief devotional exercises were held, and extracts from the Diary were read, describing the work of ar- ranging for and building the parsonage one hundred years ago. Then the guests were served by the ladies of the church with refreshments in the lecture-room, and at the same time conver- sation and games were enjoyed in the rooms of the parsonage.
November 4. The Ladies' Aid Society gave a supper in the lecture-room, which was well attended, plentifully provided, and very successful financially. At Christmas the Sunday School performed a cantata, "The Story of the Star," which was well rendered.
December 31. Total membership, Graceham, 185; Thurmont, 61.
1898 .- February 3. The Ladies' Aid Society held a picture exhibition and sale. They had obtained the set of 50 pictures
149
offered by the Ladies' Home Journal, to be sold for church pur- poses. At the same time an entertainment was held in the church, and sugar-cake and coffee were served. The financial result was good.
May 30 (Whit-Monday). Result of annual election : Elders, John T. Colliflower, F. C. Fisher, J. W. Routzahn, Jago Colli- flower, Phares Buhrman; Trustees, Chas. E. Laymon, John S. Ogle, B. Colliflower, Geo. J. Hesser; Sextons, Jago Colliflower, Elmer E. Colliflower, Jacob Shown, Geo. W. Colliflower ; Grave- digger, Geo. W. Colliflower; Secretary and Treasurer, B. Colli- flower.
June 16 and July 28. The annual festivals of the Ladies' Aid Society and of the Mite Society were held.
July 3-August 14. The pastor was given a vacation. In Sep- tember the pastor attended the Provincial Synod at Lititz, his father conducting the services on the two Sundays of his ab- sence.
October 27. The Ladies' Aid Society gave a supper in the lecture-room, with musical and other exercises in the church.
December 31. Total membership, Graceham, 189; Thurmont, 60.
1899 .- January 19. By request of the Thurmont Board a joint meeting of the Boards of both congregations was held in the church at Thurmont, to consult concerning the financial affairs of the Thurmont congregation.
April 27. The repairs and painting of the steeple, commenced last year, were completed. Leakage from the steeple had caused the plastering above the gallery to fall. The Ladies' Aid So- ciety helped to defray the cost of the work. A new wire fence was placed between the yard and the garden of the parsonage, in place of the dilapidated paling fence, and a new drive-gate was hung at the entrance to the yard.
May 22 (Whit-Monday). Result of annual election : Elders and Trustees of last year re-elected. Sextons, the same, except F. C. Fisher in place of Geo. W. Colliflower. Treasurer, B. Col- liflower; Grave-digger, Harry G. Morningstar.
June 24. The Ladies' Aid Society held its annual festival in the evening on the church-lawn.
150
July 19. Annual festival of the Mite Society after rain had interfered on several evenings.
October 8. Bishop E. A. Oerter, President of the Provincial Elders' Conference, having arrived on an official visit, was pres- ent and took part in the services of the congregation festival ; on the evening of the 9th had an official interview with the Boards of the congregation, and after visiting many of the members in their homes, left with his wife for Bethlehem on the 12th.
October 19. The Ladies' Aid Society gave a supper in the lecture-room.
November 21. The pastor and his wife were greatly encour- aged and cheered by a donation-party, which was tendered them in the lecture-room by members and friends of the church. Af- ter a few words of acknowledgment by the pastor, there were brief devotional exercises in the church.
December 24. The usual Christmas Eve service was held. An extensive decoration had been placed in the church, con- sisting of a large grotto, in which shone an illuminated trans- parency, while two cedar trees stood at the sides, and from a rod overhead hung a large evergreen bell, with festoons draped to the back windows, and to posts at the front corners of the plat- form, and thence to the side windows.
December 31. Members, Graceham, 210; Thurmont, 44.
1900 .- February 2. The Mite Society celebrated its 19th an- niversary. After a public service in the church those present spent some time socially in the parsonage, and refreshments were on sale in the lecture-room.
February 4. Christian Endeavor Day was celebrated in the evening, a printed service being used.
March 2. The Ladies' Aid Society gave an oyster-supper in the lecture-room.
June 4 (Whit-Monday). Result of annual election : Elders, re-elected with F. A. Colliflower in place of J. Wm. Routzahn; Trustees, re-elected; Sextons, Alonzo H. Buhrman, Jacob Shown, Jago Colliflower, F. C. Fisher ; Secretary and Treasurer, re-elected; Grave-digger, Jago Colliflower; Organists, Miss Mary E. Oerter and Mrs. Annie Boller.
MAIN STREET, TOWARDS THE CHURCH.
151
December 24. After the usual Christmas Eve service a "Putz" or "Christmas Garden," which the pastor had made in the lecture-room, was thrown open for the first time. It occu- pied about two-thirds of the lecture-room, and was constructed on a platform about two feet above the floor. Quantities of moss from the mountains and other material were used, the miniature landscape containing hills and dales, a lake, fountain, spring, running stream, houses, steam-railroad, etc.
December 31. Members, Graceham, 203; Thurmont, 4I.
1901 .- April 28. In a special meeting Congregation Council elected F. C. Fisher as a delegate to the District Synod to meet at York, Pa., next month, and Phares Buhrman as alternate delegate.
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.