USA > New York > Rensselaer County > Brunswick > History of Gilead Evangelical Lutheran Church, Centre Brunswick, Rensselaer Co., N.Y. and the vicinity > Part 6
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HISTORY GILEAD CHURCH,
female members have never taken part in meet- ings as electors.
Mr. Kline entered upon his work with great zeal, and from the first secured to himself the cordial respect, confidence and co-operation of his parishioners. At the first annual meeting sub- sequent to his coming, it was decided to raise three hundred dollars to be expended in building a barn and otherwise improving the parsonage property. So well had he met the expectations of his people, and so worthy did they regard him, that at the annual meeting next preceding the end of the time stipulated in his call, it was resolved to continue him in the pastoral relation for a period of five years from Nov. 15, 1856, at the same annual salary.
Up to this time the Church had adhered to the practice of its founders, which was to close the doors when a collection was to be taken up. This, to say the least, was a wise precaution, as the impossibility of escaping them would neces- sarily give the deacons courage to approach all without hesitation, and serve to remind each individual of the importance the Church attaclied to that part of Divine worship called giving. But whatever to be commended there may have been in it, at the annual meeting in 1856, this
109
CENTRE BRUNSWICK, NEW YORK.
hebdomadal reminder of the prudence of pious progenitors was removed by the following action :-
"On motion made and seconded, It was resolved that the doors of this Church shall not be closed hereafter for the purpose of takeing a collection for any purpose with- out the consent of a Majority of the Trustees of the Church convened for the purpose of makeing Such decision."
In 1857 it was decided to build a new parson- age, and it was resolved to raise fifteen hundred dollars for that and other purposes; and Joshua Hanaman, Henry Dater and Milton Button were appointed as a building committee. The present large and convenient manse was then built at a cost of $2,000.00. The year following eight hundred dollars additional were raised to dis- charge what debt remained.
The five years for which Mr. Kline had last been elected being about to expire, at the meet- ing in June, 1861, the question of continuing him as pastor was decided affirmatively, by a consti- tutional vote, but without fixing a limit. Two years later, in 1863, the necessity of erecting a new house of worship was considered, and a committee of five was appointed to "report a plan for the building of a new Church." of which Philip Havner was Chairman, the other members
110
HISTORY GILEAD CHURCH.
of the committee being Jacob J. Bornt, Jonas Smith, Judd A. Van Pelt and Col. Geo. Brust. Owing to the excitement and unsettled condition in national affairs occasioned by the war of the rebellion, nothing further was done toward said enterprise, until after the removal of Mr. Kline.
At a special meeting called in Sep. 1864, at which he presided, he tendered his resignation which was accepted, and a resolution was intro- duced and passed to extend a call to Rev. P. A. Strobel, of Clarksville, N. J., to which place Mr. Kline accepted a call, at the same time tendered him, removing soon afterwards, after having been in charge of Gilead eleven years.
In his private character Mr. Kline was simple- minded, upright and devout. He was strong in his convictions and faithful to his calling. He extemporized in the pulpit, and his sermons were eminently scriptural, and were always delivered with originality and force. Whatever imperfections any one may have discovered in him, it was, no doubt, as one intimately ac- quainted with him has written: - " his faults were rather weaknesses which he faithfully strove to overcome." In promiscuous company his ready wit and genial manner imparted a charm to his conversation which made him pops
111
CENTRE BRUNSWICK, NEW YORK.
ular in society. None could laugh more heartily over a joke at his own expense than he. When visiting the writer the last summer of his life, he told how once the laugh was turned against him while living in Brunswick. It was at some kind of social gathering. He rallied a certain medical friend, his junior in years, whose hair had become prematurely gray, about his venerable appear- ance. His own hair, except his beard, showed little change of color. The doctor replied that the dominie was much the older. " Why," said Mr. Kline, "how then is it that your head is white and mine is not ?" "Easy enough to ac- count for," answered the other, "I do my work with my head, but you with your jaw."
The last years of his pastorship here were not characterized by that prosperity and growth which before had gladdened and encouraged him; but this was during the war of the rebellion, when Churches were everywhere at a stand-still. and so continued until the clash of arms had finally subsided and the nation returned to the pursuits of peace, and the public mind was restored to its normal condition.
Hle never made any record of communicants. The number of adult persons he admitted to membership was 98; infant baptisms 37; mar-
112
HISTORY GILEAD CHURCH,
riages 118; burials 180. He received fees as follows :- baptisms $8.25; funerals $121.00, and weddings $497.10.
He died suddenly and peacefully at Glen Gardner, N. J., Nov. 5, 1877, aged 65 years, having completed his thirteenth year in that pastorate.
THE TWELFTHI PASTOR
was Rev. P. A. Strobel, who at the time of his being chosen was in charge at Spruce Run, New Jersey.a. The call, which in September, 1864, it was decided should be extended to him, was not forwarded till in the month of November following. After some hesitancy on his part, it was accepted, but cir- cumstances prevented his entering upon his pastoral duties in Brunswick, until in December. Ile arrived on the 9th of that month. On the Sunday following, (11th,) he preached his intro- ductory sermon from 11 Cor. v. 5. He entered upon his work under serious disadvantages owing to the excitement of a time of war, hence the position of the new Pastor was one of more than ordinary difficulty, and awaked no small measure
a. Mr. Strobel kindly furnished that part of the history covered by his coanection with the church, the only one of the pastors whose assistance was given.
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CENTRE BRUNSWICK, NEW YORK.
of anxious solicitude; nevertheless relying on the great Head of the Church for guidance and help, he set to work in good faith. He held his first Communion on the 15th of Jan. 1865, about five weeks after having taken charge. The sermon was based on the text-John xi: 16-" Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fel- low disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him." One hundred and thirty-five com- muned, which was the largest number who had done so in several years.
In about two months after Mr. Strobel had entered upon his work, the people began anew to agitate the matter of building a new church. A meeting to canvass the project was held on the 10th of February, 1865. At this meeting it was resolved to build, and the sum of five thousand dollars was subscribed, and it was further re- solved to let out the contract for the new edifice as soon as the sum of ten thousand dollars should be realized. The Church officers were instructed to circulate subscription papers and report the result of their efforts at a subsequent meeting. On the 25th of February following. the officers reported that they had raised over nine thousand dollars in good subscriptions. The Trustees were thereupon authorized to ad-
114
HISTORY GILEAD CHURCH,
vertise for plans and specifications for the new church, and to let the contract to reliable parties. The contract was subsequently given to Messrs. Jacobs and Nichols, masons; and Shenahan, carpenter, of Troy, for the sum of eleven thou- sand, four hundred and twenty-three dollars, they to complete the edifice subject to the ap- proval of the Trustees.
The installation of Pastor Strobel was appointed for the 12th day of March. The weather was very cold and the roads were rough, nevertheless a large audience gathered to witness the interest- ing ceremony. The venerable Dr. J. Z. Sender- ling was present by special invitation. He preached a very appropriate sermon from 1 Thess. v: 12-13. Ile also performed the installation service, and delivered an affectionate charge to the congregation. The Rev. V. F. Bolton, Presi- dent of Hartwick Synod, was present in his official capacity, and gave the charge to the Pastor.
The arrangements for erecting a new church having been made, and the time having arrived for the removal of the old building, the Pastor arranged to hold a farewell service in the venera- ble edifice, on the 30th of April, 1865. The sermon was based on 1 Sam. vii: 12. This
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CENTRE BRUNSWICK, NEW YORK.
sermon was somewhat historical, and was preached to a very large and attentive audience. Many were deeply effected in taking leave of the "old brick Church," in which they and their fathers had for so many years worshipped God, and where they had enjoyed so many tokens of the Divine presence and blessing.
On the 15th of May, 1865, the Trustees met and marked off the site for the new edifice. It was determined to change the location of the building, so that instead of facing the West, as was the case with the old one, it might face towards the South. This having been done, the workmen soon began to lay the foundation walls of the new structure. The building progressed rapidly, so that on the 6th day of July, the cor- ner-stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies. The Rev. Mr. Meeker, of the M. E. Church, and the Rev. V. F. Bolton, President of Hart- wiek Synod, were present and took part in the services. The Pastor, in the presence of the Church Officers, deposited the following articles in the corner-stone :- A copy of the Sacred Scrip tures; Luther's Smaller Catechism; the Lutheran Almanac for 1865; The Augsburg Confession; Copies of the Lutheran Observer, and The Luth- eran and Missionary; a brief historical sketch of
116
HISTORY GILEAD CHURCH,
the Church, with a list of Pastors; list contain- ing names of Pastor, Church Officers, Building Committee and subscribers to the building fund; list of Communicants; Minutes of Hartwick Synod for 1864; Synodical Constitution, and a silver fifty cent coin dated 1860. The Pastor laid the corner-stone, and delivered a suitable address.a.
The building of the Church progressed rapidly. Whilst the workmen were completing it, the ladies of the congregation collected about one thousand dollars, with which sum they furnished it handsomely. About the middle of November, the contractors notified the Trustees that their work was completed, and that it was ready for inspection. These officers after a careful scrutiny accepted the building, and settled with the contractors.
Thursday, Nov. 23, 1865, was the day ap- pointed for the dedication. The Rev's Dr. W. N. Scholl, D. Kline, Dr. L. Sternberg, Dr. J. Z. Senderling and J. A. Rosenberg, of the Luth- eran Church, Wood, of the Presbyterian Church, and Meeker, of the M. E. Church, were present. Rev. David Kline read the Scripture lessons and made the opening prayer; Rev. Dr. Senderling
a. The copy of address could not be inserted for lack of space.
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CENTRE BRUNSWICK, NEW YORK.
preached the dedication sermon; he was followed by Rev. Dr. Sternberg, President of Hartwick Synod, with a very pertinent address. The Pas- tor performed the dedicatory services. The Trustees reported that the expenses for building and furnishing the Church had been provided for, and no collection was needed. Thus the congregation with grateful and joyful hearts took formal possession of their new house of worship. It is a brick building, 72 ft. in length, 42 ft. in width, surmounted by a tower 65 ft. high with four pinnacles. (The bell subsequently procured weighs about 2,500 1bs. ) The basement contains an audience room 40 ft. by 36 ft., two rooms for Bible classes, an infant class room,a a library room, and a furnace room.
On the evening of the day of dedication, Rev. D. Kline preached; on Friday morning, Rev. J. A. Rosenberg preached, and in the evening, Rev. W. N. Scholl, D. D .; Rev. V. F. Bolton preached the preparatory sermon on Saturday. from Eph. vi: 1. On Sunday morning Rev. Dr. Sternberg preached from Eph. iii: S. After the sermon the Lord's Supper was administered to one hundred and forty-five communicants. In
a. Cut off from the furnace room, and finished and carpeted in 1877.
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HISTORY GILEAD CHURCH,
the evening Rev. Dr. Senderling delivered a ser- mon, which was followed by an address by Rev. Dr. Scholl. Thus was this feast of dedication kept, and it was throughout an occasion of great spiritual profit. The total cost of the new church was about fourteen thousand dollars. a.
Nothing of special note occurred during the remainder of the year 1865. It might be men- tioned however that the benevolent spirit of the people was not repressed nor changed under the burden of building so costly a church, in proof of which it is recorded that during the year they made the Pastor a life member of the American Bible Soc., by the payment of $30.00; $40.00 were sent the U. S. Christian Commission; $75.00 to the Southern sufferers; a handsome donation was given to the pastor; and liberal contributions were forwarded to the Synodical treasury, and the Boards of Home and Foreign Missions of the General Synod.
In the month of Feb. 1866, a large number of the congregation met at the parsonage, and in- stead of a donation, gave the Pastor a purse con- taining nearly $300.00. They subsequently made the Pastor's wife a member of the Am. Bible Soc. by the payment of $30.00. In April
a. There remained a debt, which was finally dischared in 1867.
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CENTRE BRUNSWICK, NEW YORK.
following, the Sunday-school, which of necessity had been discontinued, was reorganized and soon developed greatly in numbers and zeal, the Pas- tor's Bible-class alone numbering sixty persons. As the result of meetings held during the winter and spring at the church, and Tamarack school- house, at the communion held in May, there was an accession of thirty-one persons. nearly all young men and women, who had been duly in- structed in the doctrines of the Church and the duties of a Christian life. Over two hundred communicants celebrated the Supper.
In the month of September, 1866, Hartwick Synod held its annual convention in Gilead church. The attendance of clerical members and lay delegates was quite large, but ample provision was made for the entertainment of the members of Synod and visitors, the Church and community exhibiting their usual generous hos- pitality. At this meeting collections amounting to three hundred and eighty-five dollars were taken up, of which sum two hundred and twenty- four dollars went into the Home Mission and Education Treasury, and one hundred and sixty- one into that of Foreign Missions.
The time specified in Mr. Strobel's call being about to expire, at a special meeting of the con-
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HISTORY GILEAD CHURCH,
gregation held Oct. 23, 1867, by a resolution passed, he was requested to continue to serve the Church until the next annual meeting. He how- ever did not remain till said meeting, but removed in April, 1868.
His records of baptisms number 17; confirma- tions 32; deaths 65, and marriages 28.
THE THIRTEENTH PASTOR.
Rev. P. M. Rightmyer was elected Pastor at a special meeting held May 11, 1868. He accept- ed the call extended to him, and soon afterwards took charge. The second year of his incumben- cy, in the winter and spring of 1869, the Church enjoyed a revival of religion of unusual magni- tude and results. The Pastor was assisted by his brother Cyrus, whose fervor and eloquence as a preacher aroused a wonderful interest in the Church and community, and crowds of people from far and near thronged the house of God every evening. We cannot do better in writing of this than to quote from a letter of Mr. Right- myer's :- " In the second year of my ministerial labors in the Centre Brunswick charge, I was blessed with an extensive revival of religion, by which 75 persons were added to the congrega- tion, and over 100 professed conversion. These
ยท 121
CENTRE BRUNSWICK, NEW YORK.
results are communicated to you in a few lines, but it is only the Pastor who experiences and passes through such an awakening, and outpour- ing of the Holy Spirit, that realizes the hopes and fears, the joys and sorrows of such an event. You will observe the additions were many of them persons of standing and respectability in the community, and some in advanced life. It is perhaps the largest addition made at any one time to the Church, and the larger half of the number were added by the initiatory rite of bap- tism. I need scarcely observe that I had the co-operation and the prayers of the Church, for you know they are a working people; and a good part of the time I was aided by my brother in the ministerial part of the work."
The people out of gratitude toward Mr. Right- myer, (Cyrus,) for the assistance rendered the pastor during the said meeting made him many handsome presents, among which was a muniti- cent contribution in money.
Mr. Rightmyer was the first Pastor who waived his ex officio right to preside over congre- gational meetings.
At the expiration of the term for which he had been elected, he removed.
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HISTORY GILEAD CHURCH,
His baptisms number 46; confirmations, in- cluding baptisms, 100; funerals 15, and marriages 22, for which last he received fees to the amount of $110.00.
THE FOURTEENTH PASTOR
was Rev. A. P. Ludden, who, when called, was in charge of the Church at Cobleskill, N. Y. At the annual congregational meeting held June 5. 1871, he was chosen Pastor for a term of three years. He however did not take charge of the Church till in the month of October following. His reputation as an efficient and faithful preacher and pastor was well known to the congregation which secured to him at once their full support, and a promising field opened before him. The hopes of the Church were not disappointed, and the blessing of God attended his ministry. Special efforts resulted in largely increasing the membership, and in promoting an excellent spir- itual condition in the Church. Quickened by his teaching and inspired by his example, it devel- oped a more than ordinary interest in benevolent operations, not a few adopting the Scriptural plan of devoting the one-tenth of their temporal increase to God's cause.
At a called meeting held March 23, 1872,
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CENTRE BRUNSWICK, NEW YORK.
additional ground for sheds was purchased of Mr. Elijah Bulson, the price paid being at the rate of two hundred dollars per acre; and at the June meeting the Trustees were instructed to erect additional platforms, one on either side of the Church building, which was done. A year later, the gift of a strip of land on the north side of the parsonage ground, by Mr. W. A. Derrick, was accepted. This did not materially increase the size of the farm, but it gave a water-fronta. on that side, and a straight line across the pond.
June 1, 1874, Pastor Ludden's call was renewed for a term of three years from October following. In June, 1875, he tendered his resignation to take effect at the close of the pastoral year. (Oct. 1, ) which was reluctantly accepted, and a resolution offered by Dr. C. H. Burbeck passed expressing " thanks for his faithfulness as pastor, testifying confidence in his Christian character, and pray- ing the continued favor of God upon his labors." He removed to Knowersville. N. Y., Oct. 18. 1875.
Mr. Ludden added to the list of members 133 names; baptized 6 infants; solenmized 36 mar- riages, for which his fees amounted to $194.00,
a. Occasionally.
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HISTORY GILEAD CHURCH,
and attended SO funerals, for which services he received $229.25.
Under date of Oct. 17, 1875, he closed his records with these words :- " We have passed four busy but very pleasant years with this kind and generous people, not one unkind act or word has marred our intercourse. W have enjoyed peace and prosperity, for which we record our devout thanks and praise to the great Author of all good."
Considerable difficulty was then experienced in the selection of another pastor. Four special congregational meetings were held for that pur- pose before it was decided whom to call. Dec. 27, 1875,
THE FIFTEENTH PASTOR
was duly elected. The choice fell upon Rev. J. N. Barnett, of Constantine, Mich., who was at once informed of it, and a call extended which he accepted, and on the first Sunday in March, 1876, he preached his introductory sermon from the text -- Ps. 137:4.
Be it recorded to the praise of the people that they received him with open arms and warm hearts, and ceased not to maintain and manifest toward him a spirit of love, confidence, generos-
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CENTRE BRUNSWICK, NEW YORK
ity and forbearance as a Church and community throughout his stay among them. Only an over- powering sense of duty toward another Church, struggling and disheartened, which appealed to him to come to its rescue, availed to sever his connection with Gilead.
Among the events of his ministry while here were the introduction of the full morning and even- ing service of the Book of Worship; the re-estab- lishment of catechisation; the confirmation of a class of catechumens, the first in many years; the organization of an infant department in the Sun- day School, for the use of which a separate room was erected and fitted up; the abandonment of the custom of discontinuing the Sunday-school during the winter months; the adoption of a new constitution, the Church having none of a later date than the one adopted in 1803, which was not adapted to the present requirements of Gen- eral Synod Churches; the recording of communi- cants' names at each communion season; an annual examination of the list of communicants by the Church Council, and the official visitation of delinquents; the survey and location of the boundaries of the glebe land; the purchase of additional ground next the parsonage at a cost of
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HISTORY GILEAD CHURCH.
$165.00; and extensive improvements and re- pairs on the property.
Before the expiration of his third year he was re-elected for a second term of three years. His resignation which was tendered in June, 1879, was not accepted because it was declared there was no occasion for offering it, and no sufficient reason for his proposed removal. Nevertheless, on the last Sunday in September of that year, he filled his last appointment as pastor, and went away to a harder and much less renumerative field, believing it to be the will of God.
Mr. Barnett's record of his ministerial acts performed while in charge show that he baptized 32 children and 32 adults; admitted to communi- cant membership 41 persons; solemnized 26 marriages, for which his fees were $165.00, and attended 45 funerals, for which he received $162.00.
The present pastor, Rev. I. J. Delo, took charge March 1, 1880, preaching his introductory sermon from Ps. 43:3.
,
LIST OF CHURCH OFFICERS.
DATE.
ELDERS.
DEACONS.
TRUSTEES.
.
1764 1767 1769
Johannes Tillman. Nicolaus Michel.
Johannes Dader.
Jacobus Waeger, sr. Jacob Waeger. Heinrich Dader Abraham Freher.
1772
1775
Johannes Hoener. Johannes Hoener. Martin Froelik.
Albertus Brath. Barnet Zipperle. Nicolaus Michel.
1782
1785
1787
1788
1789
1790
Richard Oldendorp. Jacob Brust. Johannes Dader. Nicolaus Bonenstil. Jacob Waeger, jr. Jacob Waeger, jr. Johannes Barnett. Fredk. Scheele. Adam Lohning. Jacob Brust, sr. Henry Dater.
Joh. Ernest Bacchus.
Jacob Waeger,jr. Geo. Schneider. Johannes Dader, jr. Caspar Frets.
Sebastian Lohnis.
Albertus Simon. Johannes Dader. Ludwig Schneider, jr.
Martin Rosenberger.
1793
Martin Rosenberger. Ludwig Schneider.
1794
Matthew Brust. Frdk. Bonensteel.
Idem.
Jacob Brust, jr. Wm. Conrad.
John Hener. Sebastian Lohnis. Dr. Joh. Godfrey Knauff. Jacob Brust. Henry Dater. Frdk. Garner. Dr. Joh. G. Knauff. Sebastian Lohnis. David Hener. John Hener. Henry Dater. Wm. Schmidt.
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CENTRE BRUNSWICK, NEW YORK.
Matthew Brust. Frdk. Bonensteel.
Johannes Schmidt. Petrus Hener.
1795
Jacob Zipperle. Abraham Kuntz. Heinrich Dader.
LIST OF CHURCH OFFICERS-CONTINUED.
DATE.
ELDERS.
DEACONS.
TRUSTEES.
1796
Johannes Hener, jr. Isaac Feil.
1797
John Schmidt. George Brust.
1798
Johannes Hener, sr. Jacob Conrad.
1799
1800
1801
Jacob Schneider. George Cipperlee. Johannes Hener. George Brust. Jacob Schneider. George Cipperlee.
1802
1803
Ludwig Schneider. Frdk. Haner. George Brust. Ludowick Snyder.
1804
Idem.
Idem.
1805
No record:
1806
1807
Joh. Schmidt. Petrus Hener.
Jacob Brust, jr. Wm. Conrad.
Johannes Hener, jr. Wm. Conrad.
Matthew Brust. Adam Lohnis.
Sebastian Lohnis. Wm. Smith.
Wm. Smith. Isaac File. Matthew Brust.
Idem. Christian Croe. Matthias Brust. George Schneider. John P. Heaner. Christian Croe. Daniel Kiser. John P. Heaner.
Daniel Simmons. Paul Smith.
128
Jeremias Schmidt. George i rust. Jeremias Schmidt. Jacob Barnett. John Finkel. Johannes Brust.
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