USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > History of Rochester and Monroe county, New York, from the earliest historic times to the beginning of 1907 > Part 44
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The Evangelical Iattheran Frieden's Church .-- The German Evangelical Lutheran "Frieden 4- gemeinde" (church of prace), corner of Caroline street and Mt. Vernon avenue, is an offspring of the church of Zion and originated in the mission Sunday school which the pastor of Zion, Rov. A.
Richter, had established in 1884 for the benefit of the members residing in the southern part of the city. In 1891 the young congregation became in- dependent and elected as its first pastor Rev. H Meyer, who two years later was succeeded by Rev O. Posselt. During his pastorate the congregation in 1895 unfortunately divided, and the pastor with the dissatisfied members formned a new congrega- tion, now St. Markus on South Goodman stre ??. Under the next pastor, Rev. W. Rohde, a parson- age was erected at a cost of $2,700. In 1902 he was succeeded by Rev. W. K. Fiebke, who on ac- count of ill health had to resign in 1905, the pres- ent pastor, Rev. Wm. Ludwig, taking his place. The congregation now numbers 200 communieant members; its Sunday school is attended by 130 children and sixteen teachers; on Saturdays forty children receive German instruction. The prop- erty of the congregation is valned at $8,000.
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran .- This was or. ganized September 14th, 1898, with twenty-one charter members. Sunday school, however, was con- dueted as early as March 6th, 1892, first in Widman hall, corner Joseph and Herman streets, August 2th, 1892, the Sunday school was continued at the corner of Clifford and Loomis streets, the present location. The congregation was organized by Rev. T .. F. Mayle under the auspices of the Lutheran Mission Union, which body supervised the work from the beginning in 1892. Rev. Mayle is still the pastor. The church property, including par- sonage, is valued at $17,000. There are 425 com- municant members. The Sunday school is com. posed of 353 scholars and thirty teachers and of- ficers.
The German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Christ .- On January 11th, 1892, the German Evangelical Lutheran Christ church was organized in Welker's hall in Niagara street, corner of Cen- tral park. For a year services were held in this hall until the congregation could move into its new church, on Central park, corner of Fourth street The first pastor was Rev. W. E. Rommel, who, to- gether with the following persons, constituted the first westry: Elders, Philip Znek, Fred Schmidt and C. H. Radtke; deacons, Christian Genkel, H Buhr, C. Ehlenfeldt, Jacob Thomann, Wm. Siems and E. Oldenburg; trustees, Henry Dummer, HI. Leissten, F. Radtke, Ang. Genkel, C. Tosch and F. Meter. The congregation at
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once proceeded to purchase a lot. The corner- stone of the new church was laid July 22d, 1892, and the edifice dedicated in January of the follow. ing year. The time of service of the first minister? was generally brief. Rov. W. E. Rommel resigned in May, 1893, and his successor, Rev. O. E. Lorenz, in September, 1894. Rev. Geo. Seel of this city supplied them for a time, when in November of the same year another denomination sent a pastor. Rev. Fried. Wiedner, of the German Evangelical synod. Concerning this period in the church's history the present pastor writes: "After a service extending over a period of but ten months Mr. W. resigned. His place was taken by another mem- ber of that organization, Rev. John Kraemer, who left in 1898. The congregation had scattered, and the organization was near dissolution." It was then that Rev. A. H. Roeder, the present pastor, was called, who had formerly been a student of Wagner college and subsequently pastor in Penn- sylvania. Under his guidance the people took new courage, and the church is now in a flourishing condition. During 1906 the church edifice was renovated, and a new organ and water-heating ap- paratus were provided. The expense aggregated $4,000. There are two Sunday schools, the larger one, numbering 180 children and twenty-one teachers, German, and the smaller one, numbering fifty children and eight teachers, English. On two Sundays the evening services are conducted in the English language. The number of communicant members is 400. The property is valued at $20,000.
Trinity English Evangelical Lutheran .- The year of the organization of this church is 1892. Its first pastor was Rev. P. B. Smith. After a short pastorate he was succeeded by Rev. Peter Altpeter, who remained for about two years. In 1896 Rev. Henry C. Erbes took charge of the con- gregation, and is pastor still. During the years last past the church has been fairly prosperous. The church edifice, corner of Campbell and Wal- nut streets, is valued at $15,000. There are 385 persous entitled to communion and 316 teachers and officers in the Sunday school.
Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran .- Some fifteen years ago Concordia congregation erected a chapel upon the northeast corner of Central park and Fourth street, for the purpose of accommodating
its members who resided in that neighborhood with occasional preaching services. A branch Sunday school was organized, and conducted under the su- pervision of Concordia congregation. On October 15th, 1895, Rev. John Hartmann organized the German Evangelical Lutheran Bethlehem congre- gation ; the chapel was enlarged and other improve- ments were added. Rev. H. resigned in February 1899, when Prof. C. Krahmer of Wagner college acted as temporary supply until the present pastor was called in July, 1899. Two hundred communi- cant members belong to the congregation at pres- ent, whilst the Sunday school is attended by 120 children who are in charge of fifteen teachers. Re- ligious instruction is given on Saturday by the pas- tor; forty children attend the same. The present pastor is Rev. Carl Betz, jr.
St. Matthew's German Evangelical Lutheran .-- During the latter part of his pastorate of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran congregation Rev. J Muehlhaeuser embraced the peculiar views of Dr. Walther, the leader of the Missouri synod, on pre- destination. As the New York Ministerium in an official declaration did not approve of the extreme position of the Missouri synod on this point of doc- trine, lev. Muehlhaenser withdrew, and in the summer of 1881 organized the first church of the Missouri synod in this city. A church was built in the immediate vicinity of St. John's on Morris street near Joseph avenne. Rev. Muehlhaeuser has been the only pastor. We have not been able to get the latest reports, but may safely say that the con- gregation numbers alwut 400 communicant meni- bers, has 200 children in its Sunday school and maintains a parochial school, as is customary with Missouri synod churches.
St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church .- St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran congregation was or- ganized in the latter part of 1896. The nucleus of the new church came from Frieden's congregation. They brought the pastor with them. It was Rev. Otto Posselt. The first service was conducted in a church on Cobb street, the date being January 1st. 1897. An edifice was erected on the corner of South Goodman and Benton streets, and dedicated February 11th, 1900. Six years later a parsonage was added. The value of the property is $10,000. This church, also, belongs to the Missouri synod. Rev. Posselt resigned in 1897. The congregation
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was vacant for some time, when Rev. F. Kroencke came in 1898. He remained six years, and was succeeded in the same year by Rev. N. W. Czaman- Ake, the present pastor. Services are held twice a Sunday, one being in German, the other in Eng- lish. There are 159 communicant members and 13 children in the Sunday school taught by twelve teachers. The pastor also conducts a parochial school during the week.
North German Evangelical Lutheran Concordia -- This church was organized on the 20th day of September, 1877, by the Rev. E. Heydler and the former members of St. John's church who fol- lowed him. It was a strong congregation from its inception. 'The ceremony of the laying of the corner- stone of the church took place in July, 1878, and of the dedication of the finished edifice on October 6th, 1878, so that the entire church occupied scarcely three months in building. In the spring of 1882 Rev. Heydler broke down in health and died at the end of September in the state insane asy- luin in Buffalo. In July of the same year Rev. C N. Conrad was elected pastor, and has served th? congregation since. The growth of the congrega- tion necessitated the enlargement of the building A school-honse was later built alongside of the church, in which a parochial school has been con- ducted. From the minutes of the synod the latest reports are gathered. Number of communicant members, 1,970; value of property, $35,000; chil- dren and teachers in the Sunday school, 841. The parochial school is attended by 118 children. This as well as the following one, is an independent Lutheran church.
St. Luke's German Evangelical .- This is the youngest of the Lutheran churches in the city. hay- ing been organized by some sixty or more families which in November, 1899, left Zion's church, to- gether with the pastor of the said church, Rev Ernest Hartmann. Services were at first held in Odd Fellows' hall. In February. 1900, a private dwelling was purchased, located on Cumberland street, east of Josephi avenue. remodeled and en- larged for church purposes. The lot is sixty feet. front and 150 feet deep. The value of the prop- erty is about $12,000. In September. 1906, Rev. Hartmann resigned as pastor, and dismissed the ministry. Rev. William Trebert became his su> cessor. There are 414 communicant members confirmed persons belonging to the church. In tha
Sunday school the names of 250 children are upon the rolls, who are instructed by thirty teachers. There is also a school on Saturday forenoon, which has an attendance of about seventy pupils.
THE GERMAN UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCHES.
"Since the Reformation there have been many at- tempts to unite the two main factions that were created at that time, the "Evangelical Lutheran" and the "Reformed" church. This union has been accomplished in Germany, where the state church is the "German United Evangelical church." A denomination of the same name is now meet- ing with great success in the United States and Canada. The official name is the "German United Evangelical Synod of North America." It is rep- resented in Rochester at present by three congrega- tions, one of them ranking as one of the largest congregations of the city. The oldest is the Ger- man Trinity church.
German Trinity Church .- We find the begin- ning of this congregation in the year 1842. A few members of the German Lutheran Zion's church in the city for some reason became dissatisfied and held religious meetings on West avenue near the B., R. & P. depot, and later in an old house on Al- len street, between Fitzhugh and State streets. Finally they elected as pastor Rev. C. F. Th. Soldan from Poughkeepsie, who served the little flock until 1815. The second minister, Rev. C. Biel. had only a short term, from April let, 1815, to July 24th, the same year. After a vacation of six months the new pastor, Rev. I. F. Illinger, laid the corner-stone of the old church on Allen street on June 8th, 1847. Rev. A. Berkey, from Dans- ville, served from 1847 to 1849; the congregation received under him their first constitution, consist- ing of forty paragraphs. The fifth minister, Rev. C. Haas, of Buffalo, entered the field with zeal and energy, and continued his pastoral labors until 1852. Now the congregation united in a call to Rev. C. C. Clausen, which he accepted Septem- ber 29th, 1852. Under his labors the congregation again made steady progress. He left on April 1st, 1861, and Rev. Joh. Ph. Conradi became his suc- cessor. But, on account of difficulties between him and the members, he resigned and, with a part of the congregation, organized the German Evangel-
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ical St. Paul's church, on Fitzhugh street. This congregation, which on March 14th, 1862, organ- was sad, but the Lord filled the pulpit in the per- ized as German United Evangelical St. Paul's church. The property on North Fitzhugh street of the Unitarian church, which was destroyed by fire, was bought for $4,500, and a new brick edi- fice erected at the cost of $6,000. As is found to be the experience of many of the small churches whose members possess much good will but little of worldly means, the young congregation had to go through many troubles and trials and ofttimes it appeared as though the end had come. That the congregation to-day stands as strong as it does is due to the grace of God, who did not count the many sins of former years, but showed His mercy to those who prayed, worked and waited. Since 1872 the congregation has been united to the German Evangelical synod of North America. In 1905 a new Sunday school building with the most modern improvements was erected in con- nection with the church for $16,000, so that the property of the congregation has now a value of almost 8100,000. This is chiefly due to the efforts of Pastor Rev. W. Baur, who served from 1894 until 1904, when he was called to fill a position in our Eden Theological seminary at St. Louis. The names of the successive pastors are: J. Ph. Conradi, 1862-1865; F. Hoffmann, 1865-1869; F. Heinle, 1869-1873; A. Grotrian, 1873-1883; A. Zeller, 1883-1895; W. Baur, 1895-1904; H. T. W. Grotefend. 1904. The number baptised since 1862 was 2,360; confirmed, 1,112; married. 824; buried, 900. The congregation has about 400 communicants. son of Rev. Siebenpfeiffer, from Black Rock. This man's thorough education, manly figure, beautiful voice and earnest utterances, made him the most distinguished pastor that Trinity congregation ever had. During his term, from the spring of 1862 to the spring of 18:3, the congregation more than doubled. In 1867 it was necessary to build a large gallery all around the church, and even then peo- ple were turned away every Sunday because there was no room. Then came another break, in which a large number of the congregation left, started the Salem church, and called Dr. Siebenpfeiffer af their pastor. Nevertheless, the majority of our memliers remained in the old ship on Allen street and elected Dr. B. Pick as their minister, who served from 1873 to 1881. During his term the congregation joined the German Evangelical synod of North America. The tenth pastor, Rev. Otte von Buehren, served from May 1st, 1881, to No- veinber 4th, 1883. His successor was Rev. E. Henckell from Syracuse. During his ministry, from 1883 to 1897, the entire debt on the house of worship was wiped off. He is gone, but not for- gotten ! On account of ill health he resigned and died in the spring of 1898. The present minister is Rev. Adolf C. G. Blatzer, from Sandusky, Ohio. He was installed July 4th, 1897, and since that time remarkable changes have occurred in the con- gregation. A beautiful lot on the corner of Child and Wilder streets, 130 fect by 105 feet, was par- chased for $2,150 on August 27th, 1902. The next year the old church and parsonage on Allen street were sold to the "Gospel Workers" for $8,500; in February. 1901, the Sunday school on their new premises was begun in July, the corner-stone was laid August 28th, and the building dedicated April 30th, 1905. The cost amounted to $16,000. It is expected to build the church as soon as possible. The official reports from 1842 to 1907 show that the baptisms were 6,190, the confirmations 1,859, the marriages 2,180, the burials 2,299, the com- municants 26,313. Trinity congregation has now 112 voting members, with 250 children in the Sunday school.
St. Paul's Evangelical .- At the beginning of 1862 some of the members of the Evangelical Trinity church left and formed under the leader- ship of their pastor, Rev. . J. Ph. Conradi, a new
Salem Church .- The youngest and largest of the three congregations is the German United Ev- angelical Salem church, on Franklin street. Situ- ated in the heart of the city, it bas members in all parts of Rochester and the surrounding towns. It is a large and well arranged church, seating about 1,400 people, and was built in 1873, together with a parochial school and Sunday school at a cost of $70,000. Owing to additions that have been built and some of the surrounding property having been acquired, the church prop- erty is now valued at over $100,000. The congre- gation was formed in 1873 from members of Trinity church and many other German families that awaited with eagerness the organization of a church of this denomination east of the river. With Rev. C. Siebenpfeiffer as pastor, the congre-
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gation grew rapidly, so that in 1884 it comprised about 450 families, and 200 single persons. For twenty-one years Dr. Siebenpfeiffer served his congregation faithfully, and deeply was it re- gretted when in 1894 he was forced by ill health to turn over the work to a younger man. He died the same year. The pastor who succeeded him is Rev. J. F. Wm. Helmkamp, who is still the pas- tor of the church. It has steadily grown until it now stands foremost among the German-speaking congregations of Rochester. According to the church census, there are about 900 families claim- ing membership. For many years the pastors have been assisted by students from Eden college, St. Louis, Mo., but the church now has a regularly ordained assistant pastor. Rev. Theodore R. Schmale has acted in this capacity since 1905. Since the founding of the church 5,381 children have been baptised, 2,812 persons confirmed, 2,174 couples united in marriage, 2,665 persons buried. The number of communicants is 2.118. The Sun- day school was formerly English, and during that time Thomas Dransfield was superintendent. Later the Sunday school became German, and is still conducted in that language. About 800 chil- dren are enrolled and are taught by ninety teach- ers and officers.
EMANUEL REFORMED CHURCH.
The origin of this congregation dates back to 1848, when a number of German Roman Catho- lies, dissenting from the mother church, appealed to the American and Foreign Christian associa- tion for aid in administering to their religious necds. In reply the association sent Dr. L. Gin- stiniani, an ex-priest, especially qualified for the work entrusted to his care. The first meetinga were held in Minerva hall, the site now occupied by the Merchants bank. So great was the opposi- tion on the part of the Roman Catholics that Dr. Giustiniani was obliged to seek police protection. The first organization bore the title "Frei Deutsche Katholische Gemeinde" (Free German Catholic Congregation). The early years were fraught with many hardships and reverses. Dur- ing the first year a change of pastors was experi- enced no less than three times, as well as the loss of the meeting-place. The members were thor- oughly discouraged. The work was discontinued,
with the exception of the Sunday school, which was carried on at the Third Presbyterian church under English leadership. In 1849 the congrega- tion again rallied and resumed its work under the leadership of Rev. W. Wier, with a shrinkage of membership, however, to less than one-third the original number. After several failures to gain a permanent church home, the congregation finally secured two lots on Cherry street (now Windsor), near University avenue, and erected a small frame church. In March of 1851 the con- gregation was reorganized under the name of "Evangelical Lutheran Emanuel Congregation," but upon the request of the American and Foreign Christian association, which was still supporting it, the congregation was induced to organize sim- ply as "German Mission Church," to prevent a possible disruption among the membership, now composed of various denominational persuasions. The new church building was dedicated May 29th, 1851. During the pastorate of Rev. Robert Kohler (1852-4) the congregation again changed its name, organizing as "German Evangelical Re- formed Emanuel Congregation" on March 24th, 1852, which title it still holds. In the spring of 1854 the congregation was materially strength- ened by the influx of immigrants from Reformed Hesse. Despite many hardships the growth of the congregation from that time on was assured. The society bought the present site on the corner of Hamilton and Bond streets, and erected a neat brick church, in 1867. Among the more promi- nent pastorates must be mentioned those of Rev. Groszhusch, 1857-64; Rev. Claudius, 1867-9; Rev. C. Kuss, 1869-74. The longest pastorate was that of Rev. Carl Gundlach, 1878-98. These twenty years mark a period of faithful activity. The pas- torate came to an end, owing to the demand of the rising generation for a German-English work. At the close of this pastorate, the modern and commodious church was erected, which stands as a monument to the zeal and faith of pastor and people. A new epoch was ushered in by the call of Rev. H. E. Schnatz in the autumn of 1898, under whom the work was continued on a German- English basis. The present pastor, Rev. C. A. Hauser, began his work in November, 1903. The work of the congregation is progressing. The membership is about 400. At this writing ground is about to be broken for a modern Sunday school
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building, accommodating 500, and an assembly hall for the social work of the church.
THE REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA.
The Reformed Church of America has three churches in the city of Rochester. the First church, the Second church, and the Bright- on church. The English language is ex- clusively nsed in the Second church. The First church and the Brighton church wor- ship in the Holland and English languages. The pastors, who, at the time of this writing, 1907, minister to these churches are: Rev. Lawrence Dykstra in the First, John Lamar in the Second. and D. I., Belten in the Brighton. The Reformed church differs very little from the Presbyterian church in church policy and doctrine. Like it, it is Presbyterian in government and Calvinistic in doctrine. The Reformed church in Rochester dates from about 1850. The first Hollanders of the later immigration came to this eity in 1844 and 1845. They did not come thus early in very large numbers. Soon after the first immigrants came; fairly large numbers made Rochester their new home. For a number of years these people wor- shiped with the Presbyterians in the Brick church, but few joined the church. In 1849 Rev. Mr. Vab Veenheuizen came to the city and united the scat- tered Hollanders under his shepherding ministry. The people were organized as a church in 1852 un- der the leadership of Rev. Dr. A. C. Van Raalter and Rev. C. Van Der Meulen and Rev. A. Bolks of Michigan and united with the classis of Geneva, now Rochester. Their first place of worship wae in a hall on State street. Afterward their meet- ing-place was in a house on St. Joseph street. Then the people managed to get a church building of their own on Central avenue, and in 1866, under the leadership of Rev. A. Krickvert, they secured the present property of the First church on Oregon street, corner of Harrison. The organizers and pillars of the church from its inception were the De Mallies, Christiansen, Zwemer, Zeewelds, Ry. kinbaer and many others equally prominent. The church has always been exceedingly conservative in its customs, language and doctrine. This may in part account for its size and prominence. It was not conservative enough for some of the Hol- landers, and these dissatisfied ones seceded in
1825 and organized a "True" (now "Christian") Reformed church. For some of the younger peo- ple it was too conservative and these united with different American churches in the city.
In 1888, at the instigation and the leadership of the pastor, the beloved Peter De Bruyn, a second Reformed church was organized from the younger members of the first church. The second church adopted the use of the English language in their worship and work. This checked the large migration of the young people to other denomina- tions.
In 1890 those of the Reformed church living in Brighton township felt that a church should be or- ganized nearer their hofnes for the good of the children and young people. Their request was granted and a church was organized on the Blos- som road. John B. Pike, taking an active part in this new movement, became elder and has sinc? been active in the interests of the church.
The three Reformed churches of Rochester are doing good and aggressive work ministering to the religious needs of the Hollanders and their des- cendants. The First church and the church of Brighton have at the urgent request of the young people, introduced the English language in one of their Sabbath services and in most of their other services. Numerically they are about equally strong. each having a little more than 300 com- municants.
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