USA > Pennsylvania > A History of the Church of the Brethren in southern district of Pennsylvania > Part 10
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114 HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
HANOVER CHURCH AS REMODELED BY THE MISSION BOARD
HANOVER CHURCH-REMODELED 1941
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
ELDER B. F. MASTERSON AND WIFE
o'clock when the service opened there were not a few persons on the outside unable to gain admittance."
The reason the church was not organized before 1902 appears to have been due to some opposition locally and to boundary lines with the Upper Codorus and Upper Conewago Congregations. As early as November 9, 1899, the mission board decided to have the Hanover Church organized. On April 23, 1900, there was a meeting held with the two congre- gations and Brother B. F. Masterson was instructed to effect an organization as soon as the members within the boundaries should agree. On September 22 a vote was taken with eight for and 13 against effecting an organ- ization. On November 20, 1901, there was a petition for an organization and on April 15, 1902, the mission board records on its minutes that an organization was effected without a dissenting voice.
The mission board sup- plied the pulpit until 1901 when Brother B. F. Master- son, of California, was placed here by mission board. He remained here until August 10, 1902. Then the mission board seems to have filled the preaching appointments every four
ELDER D. H. BAKER
116 HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
ELDER HENRY S. BAKER AND WIFE
weeks until 1905. Later Elder D. H. Baker became a resident minister having served as a delegate to District Meeting, and Elder John Utz also moved into the area. This released the mission board from any responsibility.
The ministers received by letter follow : B. F. Masterson, D. H. Baker, William Miller, John Utz, S. K. Utz, George Resser, E. S. Miller, B. C. Whitmore, D. L. Little, C. C. Brown, and J. W. Myer.
Ministers elected within the congregation follow: H. S. Baker, April 1, 1914; J. E. Myers and J. M. Stauffer, October 2, 1918 ; E. E. Baugher, December 14, 1932.
Ministers ordained as elders in the congregation are as follows : William H. Miller, August 5, 1911 ; H. S. Baker, J. M. Stauffer, and J. E. Myers, December 18, 1929.
Deacons received by letter : J. B. Webster and Edward Hetrick, at the time of organization; Cornelius Weaver, April
DEACON EDWARD K. HETRICK AND WIFE
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
24, 1910; J. J. Price, September 26, 1914; E. E. Baugher, October 1, 1930.
Thirteen deacons were elected in this congregation as follows : H. S. Baker, May 2, 1902; Wilson B. Harlacher, July 22, 1903; William Raffensberger, July 1, 1908; Charles Staub
DEACON CORNELIUS WEAVER AND WIFE
and Charles Laugherman, April 1, 1914; J. M. Stauffer and Charles Huff, April 5, 1916; Daniel Forry and J. E. Myers, April 4, 1917; George Shriver and Claude Miller, October 2, 1918; Charles Hilbert, Octo- ber 7, 1927; Irvin Hostetter, October 4, 1933.
DEACON WILSON B. HARLACHER
The Ladies' Aid Society was organized June 5, 1915. Prayer was offered by D. H. Baker. The following offi- cers were elected : President, Margaret Lantz; Vice Presi- dent, Mrs. D. H. Baker; Sec- retary, Lucy Shriver; Assist- ant Secretary, Mrs. William Miller; Treasurer, Lucy Allewelt. For many years the officers have been : Presi- dent, Annie Harlacher; Vice President, Mrs. Emma Craw- ford; and Secretary-Treas- urer, Gertrude Weaver. This organization has been instru- mental in helping to raise rather large missionary of- ferings and in coming to the rescue of the church treasury
118 HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
in repairing and repainting the church building. They meet once a week to do quilting and sewing.
A young people's class named "Servants of the Master" was organized Sep- tember 18, 1915. The fol- lowing officers were elected : President, Charles Huff ; Vice President, Ada Miller ; Secretary, Olive Garman; Treasurer, Lydia Harding. The meetings were held in the homes every two weeks. It was active in helping to in- crease the offerings to mis- sions, and giving to local church expenses and to the poor. They also sent fruit and flowers to the sick and aged. This organization ceased upon the departure ELDER B. C. WHITMORE AND WIFE of B. C. Whitmore, their teacher, but it is still one of the Sunday school classes.
Now another young people's class has been organized which is known as the "Willing Workers' Class". While the class has been one of our regular Sunday school classes for sometime, it was only organized on May 8, 1930. According to the minutes of the secretary of the class the following were the first officers : President, Ina Belle Jacobs; Vice President, Effie Crawford; Secretary, Mrs. Horace Walker; Assistant Secretary, Mrs. Rebecca Strausbaugh ; and Treasurer, Horace Walker. The teachers of the class have been Howard Allewelt, Horace Walker, and Mary Gauntz. The present teacher is Brother Milton Baugher, a teacher in the senior high school of Hanover. This class has meetings in the homes once a month. They have visited the sick, sent flowers to the sick, sponsored special programs at Sunday evening services and are planning to support a share plan through the General Mission Board at Elgin.
The Sunday school has been active from the very begin- ning. The offerings have grown from fifty cents to five or six dollars per Sunday. The attendance has grown to such an extent that an addition to the church has been added so that there are more separate rooms. Practically all the classes are giving to the building fund which was started January 27, 1935. Some contribute each week. M. M. Baugher is super- intendent of the Sunday school and has had much to do in starting the fund.
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Miss Annie E. Harlacher has had charge of the Begin- ners' Department of the Sunday school for many years. She assisted in conducting Bible school several weeks each summer for three years; served on the building fund committee, and on the building committee for the improvements now just com- pleted at the church. Since the organization of the church she has maintained an unfailing interest in all the work of the church, especially the children's work. She was born August 29, 1868, near East Berlin, Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Lucy Allewelt had a prominent part for many years in the Primary Department of the Sunday school. She also assisted in the three vacation Bible schools that were conducted successfully. She also was an active mem- ber of the Ladies' Aid. Although she died several years ago the church feels the loss and her memory lingers with us.
The teacher training class was quite active from 1917 to 1923. Then again in 1934 to 1935 there was a class. Nine persons com- pleted the entire courses offered by the Sunday school board at Elgin. Others took certain books or portions of the courses. J. E. Myers and Milton Baugher have taught these courses.
The Christian Workers' ELDER B. F. KLINE AND WIFE Former Supt. of Children's Home. have also been an active organization of the church. According to the church clerk's records the organization was effected on October 7, 1914, for three months, with J. J. Price, President; Lucy Shriver, Vice President; Bruce Whitmore, Secretary. Three months later, January 6, 1915, the organiza- tion was effected for one year with J. J. Price, President; B. C. Whitmore, Vice President; and Lucy Shriver, Secretary- Treasurer. On January 1, 1919, a committee consisting of Charles Huff and J. E. Myers prepared a Christian Workers' Constitution which was accepted by the church. This gave the duties of officers, length of term, and regulations for their elections. About a year ago a B.Y.P.D. was organized to com- bine the work of Christian Workers' and Young People's Department. The Christian Workers' topics are followed for three Sunday evenings and the last Sunday evening of the
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
PRESIDING ELDER J. E. MYERS & WIFE
ELDER J. M. STOUFFER AND WIFE
month a special program is given instead of the regular preaching service.
The church building has undergone considerable change from December 1940 to April 1941. A Sunday school annex with a basement and two stories containing four Sunday school rooms has been added to the rear of the church. A balcony containing about forty-five chairs has been added to the main auditorium which also is used for Sunday school classes. A tower has been placed to the left at the front of the main building. The interior of the main auditorium has
MINISTER E. E. BAUGHER AND WIFE
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
been repainted and the benches refinished. A new lighting system and a new heating plant have been installed. A new carpet is being placed in the aisles and on the pulpit. The entire cost will be about $10,000.
The present officials of the congregation are : J. E. Myers, elder in charge ; J. M. Stauffer, elder ; E. E. Baugher, minister ; deacons : Edward Hetrick, Charles Laugerman, Charles Huff, Daniel Forry, George Shriver, Claude Miller, Charles Hilbert, Irvin Hostetter. Presiding elders of this church follow: J. A. Long, under Mission Board ; Orville Long, 1902-1903; William Anthony, 1903-1904; C. L. Pfoutz, 1904-1906; D. H. Baker, 1906-1909 ; E. S. Miller, 1909-1912; William H. Miller, 1912- 1915; Daniel Bowser, 1915-1923; John W. Myer, 1923-1924; C. L. Baker, 1924-1935; J. E. Myers, 1935-present.
The number of members is 228.
HUNTSDALE CONGREGATION
In 1836 the church of Cumberland County was divided into two sections known as Upper and Lower Cumberland. The first minister and first ordained elder was Christopher Johnson who had moved from Maryland to Dickinson township in 1828.
In 1836 David Ecker came from Adams County and was chosen second elder. The burying ground was deeded to the brethren on November 25th, 1850, by Elder Christopher Johnson. The deed was entered March 10th, 1850. The trustees were Samuel Johnson, Daniel Keller and David Demuth. In 1864, Brethren Martin Lehman, Daniel Shenk, and Peter Garver were elected trustees.
The church bought from Samuel Cockley one acre and eighty perches joining the west side of the grave- yard on February 18th, 1864. The deed being enter- ed March 26th, 1864. The church met in council at the home of Brother Henry Gibbel and agreed to build a brick meeting house. The
ELDER DANIEL KELLER
122
HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
brick was hauled from the Joseph Widder homestead in Penn township. Henry Gibble, Martin Shenk and Jacob Hollinger were chosen building committee. It was arranged to build the house 70 feet long and 40 feet wide, with basement divided in three parts. The land purchased from Samuel Cockley at $175 per acre amounted to $262.50; the cost of the meeting house was $2,926.30, making a total of $3,188.80. A stable
ELDER JACOB HOLLINGER AND WIFE, MARY ANN
was built at a cost of $268.71. Brother Daniel Keller was treasurer at this time.
"We, the undersigned, for the building, agree to pay to the said Daniel Keller, treasurer, on demand each one the sum he or she has set opposite his or her name. August the third in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three; John Coover, $100.00; Daniel Hollinger, $100.00; Daniel Keller, $300.00; Samuel Miller, $50.00; Allen Mohler, $30.00; David Ecker, $20.00; Joseph Sollenberger, $20.00; George Hollinger, $20.00; Susannah Shaffer, $5.00; Cyrus Brindle, $10.00; Jacob Sollenberger, $2.00; Joseph Sollen- berger, $1.00; Samuel Johnson, $10.00; Martin Lehman, $5.00; Conrad Johnson, $10.00; Daniel Demuth, $20.00; Henry Shaffer, $10.00; Frovg Winddun, $50.00; Martin Shenk, $20.00; Ganwiz Gibbal, $25.00; Daniel Shenk, $10.00; Adam Hollinger, $5.00. Total, $823.00."
The first Love Feast was held in the new meeting house May 27 and 28, 1865, and from that time until now we have Love Feast twice a year. The first district meeting was held in the new meeting house in 1866. Brethren Joseph Sollen- berger and Daniel Keller were chosen delegates to annual meeting held in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. In 1867 Brother Jacob Hollinger was chosen delegate to annual
123
CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
HUNTSDALE CHURCH
conference. Brother Daniel Keller asked to have a clerk elected to keep account of all church business. Brother Daniel Hollinger was elected the first church clerk.
April 17, 1897, Brother J. Edward Hollinger was elected Love Feast treasurer.
The first Sabbath school in the Huntsdale house was organized April 25, 1881.
HUNTSDALE CHURCH IN 1941
124 HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
--
ELDER JOHN F. STAMY AND WIFE Active in District Work.
Brother S. M. Stouffer was ordained to the full ministry May 16, 1900. The ministerial and Sunday school meeting was held at Huntsdale November 1 and 2, 1906.
The first Christian Workers meeting was organized January 19, 1907, with Brother W. I. Sheaffer as president. The organization for an "Old Folks Home" on April 6, 1907, was as follows: Brother J. L. Williams, chairman; Noah Cockley, treasurer; J. Edward Hollinger, secretary.
August 24, 1907, the church decided to create a fund to be used for the keeping of the Huntsdale Cemetery, in charge of Brother E. L. Mellinger. Brother H. K. Miller was elected Sunday school superintendent January 19, 1907, and held that office until 1924, when Brother E. L. Mellinger was elected superintendent, which office he held until December, 1940.
April 3, 1909, Brother J. D. Garnes was elected as active elder for three years.
The Sister's Aid Society organized July 31, 1909, with Sister Wealthy Burkholder as president.
June 18, 1909, a joint council was held with Upper and Lower Cumberland at which time it was decided to build a church in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
July 16, 1910, Brother Noah Cockley was advanced to the third degree of the ministry. At this time Brother Henry Beel- man was elected presiding elder for one year. Ministerial and Sunday school meeting was held in August, 1916. Brother S. M. Stouffer was elected presiding elder April 8, 1911, and Brother J. E. Hollinger was elected Love Feast treasurer.
Children's Aid Society organized August 9, 1913, with W. I. Sheaffer, president; Annie Cockley, treasurer, and Velva Evans, secretary.
January 5, 1918, Brethren W. I. Sheaffer and A. A. Evans were ordained to the full ministry. Brother Sheaffer being
HUNTSDALE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN OFFICIAL BOARD Front row, left to right: George L. Line, Edward L. Mellinger, Harry E. Shaeffer. Back row : Elder Otho J. Hassinger, Pastor and Elder; deacons, Ralph Richwine, John R. Leer, Willis Whistler.
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
elder in charge until July 25, 1925, when he passed away. September 17, 1925, a special council was called and Brother A. A. Evans was elected to fill the unexpired term of Brother W. I. Sheaffer, which office he held until September 26, 1936, when he passed away. The Upper Cumberland District was divided as follows on September 17, 1925: Huntsdale Church of the Brethren and Newville Church of the Brethren.
October 8, 1936, a special council was called to elect a presiding elder. Brother Otho J. Hassinger was chosen. Brother R. M. Flohr was minister at Huntsdale at this time. August 25, 1937, our church elected their first pastor, Brother Luke K. Buffenmyer. May 22, 1939, Brother Buffenmyer resigned as pastor in order to attend Bethany Seminary.
July 7, 1939, Brother O. J. Hassinger was elected pastor.
Ministerial and Sunday school meeting was held in August, 1940.
In December 1940 at council, the following church officers were elected : Church treasurer, Clifford I. Myers; recording secretary, Mrs. John Leer; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Velva Evans.
The present trustees are as follows : Ralph Sheaffer, presi- dent ; Harold Evans, secretary ; Clark Line, treasurer. Sunday school board, John Leer, Jr., Harold Evans, Mrs. John Leer, Mrs. E. L. Mellinger, Mrs. O. J. Hassinger. Deacons, Harry G. Sheaffer, Willis Whistler, George L. Line, Edward L. Mellinger, John A. Leer, Ralph Richwing. Grave-yard treas- urer, E. L. Mellinger. Sunday school superintendent, Ralph Clopper; Marlin Mellinger, secretary ; John A. Leer, treasurer.
The church membership is 130.
LOWER CONEWAGO CONGREGATION
The Big Congregation was divided in 1849 and named Lower Conewago and Upper Conewago. At the same time a division line was made between the two congregations. The boundary line was as follows: "Beginning at Millers line on Forge Road, thence to Kings Tavern, thence to Big Conewago at mouth of Beaver Creek, thence along York and Adams County line and state road to Abner Binders, thence along York and Adams County line to the Cumberland County line. The north boundary, York and Cumberland County line to the Susquehanna River, comprising the northern half of York County." When the Big Conewago Congregation was divided, there were two church buildings: Wolgamuth's built in 1844, and Altlands union meeting house built in 1795. Both church houses after the division were in the Lower Conewago territory. They were small houses and not equipped for holding Love Feasts.
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
At a meeting held at Brother Jacob Lereur in bis canamago Congregation and an Election held for a Brother at the Moord in the pressive of us the undersigned Brethren. this 12th day of May A 1849 and at the same time made a dinsion line in the congregation Beginning at Miller line on fonge road thence to King , tavern theme to big camanage month of beavercreek. there on county live and State Road to Almer Binders thence along the York and Adamo county line to the cumberline of Bretten.
Janne Langone kon I HillHill ings Mini 21
26
John Mummer- 111 9 1
Grov's Jene dary -- 11 1
52
Jarinel Dev Clorf-1 67
13
found Falkenstein.
In Presence of
William Timer Andrew Dier dorf Oster Dier dorf
JAdem Brown
FACSIMILIE OF VOTE ON DIVISION IN BIG CONEWAGO AND OF ELECTION OF A "BROTHER AT THE WORD"
The Love Feasts were held in the barn on the Casper Markey farm near Mulberry until the first Bermudian meeting house was built in 1856. All Love Feasts from that time to the present have been held in the Bermudian meeting house.
William Trimmer was presiding elder of Big Conewago at the time of the division. His residence being in Lower Conewago territory was the first presiding elder of the new congregation. Peter Dierdorff, Peter Trimmer and Joseph Myers were also ministers residing in Lower Conewago at the time of the division and preached in Lower Conewago church.
Josephe Maya. 11 9 Abertea -1 - 11
128
HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Astona Fulton County, Henri's August 10. 1856 Me the undersynes Brethren of the Astoria Courage Sende Greetings to whomsoever This May be presented Whereas Samuel Burgere and his wife Tury and members of the Church and intende to move hast we therefore testify that they are in full unow Love and peace with the Church There and Therefore Recommence Them to your care and Oversight May the Grace of God the with you all Anew John Fity Amos Hartman Jefre Danner Samuel Falkenstesse John Bung and George Beck John Schuster Pray Carson Lacol Falkenstein Joseph Burgard
COPY OF FIRST CHURCH LETTER RECEIVED BY LOWER CONEWAGO CONGREGATION
Services were held in the home of C. T. Raffensperger at Mulberry, Daniel Trimmer near Kralltown, and on the Casper Markey farm where the Love Feasts were held in addition to the services held in the two church buildings until the first Bermudian meeting house was built in the year 1856.
First Meeting House in the New Congregation
In the year 1856 the county surveyor surveyed from a larger tract, 71 perches, owned by William Harlacher, Sr. On the same date 123 perches were surveyed from a larger tract owned by Peter Trimmer. These two tracts making a plot of one acre and 63 perches. The same year on this plot the first Bermudian meeting house was built.
The building committee was Samuel Groff, Peter Trimmer and C. T. Raffensperger. It was built of native sand stone on the site of the present building. A deed for this church lot was not given until four years later. A deed dated April 18, 1860, was granted to Benjamin Hollinger, George Harbold and C. T. Raffensperger, deacons of Lower Conewago Congre- gation, by William Harlacher, Sr., and wife, and Peter Trimmer and wife. The amount paid for both lots to both parties was ninety-four dollars and thirty-four and one-fourth cents.
The building committee of Bermudian meeting house kept a perfect record of all material and labor which amounted
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
to fifteen hundred dollars. A record was also kept of the in- dividual subscriptions. Six solicitations were made to raise the amount needed. There were three hundred and twenty subscriptions. One hundred and eighteen dollars was the highest; twenty-five cents the lowest. Sixty-one of the three hundred and twenty subscriptions were five dollars each.
The Present Bermudian Meeting House
The Lower Conewago Church grew in numbers and the first Bermudian meeting house became too small, especially
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BERMUDIAN CHURCH
on Love Feast occasion. A special council was called on the 13th day of November, 1886, to consider the feasibility of building a larger meeting house. The voice of the church was taken and was unanimous for a new and larger meeting house, if the necessary funds could be raised. It was also decided that the seven deacons should be the solicitors, to see every member in the congregation and report to the next council, December 11, 1886. The seven deacon solicitors reported at this meeting, but the amount of the sub- scriptions was not sufficient to start the new building. It was then decided to make the second canvass and report on Christmas Day, 1886, at the Altland meeting house. From results of the second canvass, the new building was built the following year.
130
HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
The congregation decided to enlarge the church lot, and on March 26, 1887, a deed was granted by Elizabeth Baker for thirty-three and one-half perches of land for twenty-five dollars to the following deacons of the Lower Conewago Church : Benjamin Smith, Isaac King, John Wolf, George Firestone, and Benjamin Hollinger. The building committee for the second Bermudian meeting house was Emanuel Gochenour, President; Cornelius Mummert, Secretary ; George Firestone, Treasurer; and Elias Hollinger, Contractor. They kept a perfect record of material and labor which amounted to two thousand five hundred fifty-three dollars and eighty- four cents. The first Love Feast held in the new building was October 6th and 7th, 1887.
At the business meeting on March 25, 1893, a resolution was passed to enlarge the church lot, to give more room for a contemplated horse shed. A deed dated March, 1893, was transferred to Jacob Markey, Absolum Trimmer and Peter Harlacher, trustees of Bermudian meeting house, by Martin L. and Emma Strayer for seventy preches of land for thirty dollars, ($30.00).
At a special council, January 13, 1895, it was decided to build a new shed on the plot of ground just purchased. It was to be one hundred feet in length, and width sufficient for horse and vehicle to enter on both sides. The shed was built the same year at a cost of three hundred eighty dollars and forty-three cents, ($380.43).
A small plot of the church lot was laid out for a cemetery about the same year the first meeting house was built in 1856. The epitaph of the first burial is as follows:
In memory of Samuel Groff, Born December 17, 1831,
Died June 2, 1865, Aged 24 years, 5 months, 16 days.
Wolgamuth Church
The Wolgamuth Church is along the old Carlisle road, one and one-half miles southeast of Dillsburg.
In 1844, Christian Wolgamuth sold to a committee, Benjamin Jacobs, Jacob Firestone, and Daniel Dierdorff, a plot of ground in Carroll township, York County, for a church lot and burying ground for the sum of five dollars.
The same year a church building was erected at a cost of three hundred eighty-five dollars and sixty-five cents. The subscriptions ranged from twelve and a half cents to twenty dollars. The church house was remodeled in 1903 and again in 1938.
Altland Meeting House
In the year 1795, Philip Altland, of Paradise township, York County, Pennsylvania, sold one acre of his farm, located
131
CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
WOLGAMUTH CHURCH
one mile southeast of the village of Bigmount, to three chosen trustees from three churches of that community. Jacob Altland, son of Philip Altland, representing the German Reformed Church, and John Trimmer representing the German Baptist Brethren.
A large sheep skin deed dated December 25, 1795, meas- uring twenty-seven by twenty-nine inches containing over six- teen hundred words written in long hand, setting forth the particulars of the agreement. Five shillings was the amount paid for the one acre of ground.
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