USA > Pennsylvania > A History of the Church of the Brethren in southern district of Pennsylvania > Part 14
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October 12, 1919, Rev- erend H. D. Emmert was in- stalled as our pastor and served until 1926. In the year 1920, the church bought a parsonage on North Penn Street, from C. P. Hollar, for $4,500. From the year 1920 to 1927 the members paid
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
for the parsonage. In the year 1926 they renovated the interior of the church. The pulpit furniture was a gift to the church from the children of Sister Barbara Fogelsanger. The panels back of the pulpit were made and placed by William H. Fogelsanger.
During the year 1926 the church received for missions $392.17 and paid to missions $353.52.
April 10, 1925, marks the passing away of Sister Katie E. Fogelsanger, wife of Jacob H. Fogelsanger, deacon. She was a most faithful and devoted member of the church, was mother of eleven children, ten of which united with the Church of the Brethren.
In March, 1927, Brother F. R. Zook became the pas- tor. Brother Zook served the church until June, 1928.
May 7, 1926, the Ship- pensburg church became a separate congregation. Pre- siding elders were Elders E. J. Egan, B. F. Zug, J. M. Moore, Levi K. Ziegler. In 1937 Elder S. A. Myers was elected presiding elder. He is serving at present time. In September of the year 1928, Brother J. D. Reber became pastor.
January 16, 1932, marks the passing away of Sister Barbara Fogelsanger, PRESIDING ELDER S. A. MYERS & WIFE wife of David M. Fogel- sanger, (minister). She was a devoted and faithful member of the church. October 26, 1932, marks the death of Sister Catharine Allison, wife of David W. Allison, (minister).
Two important revival services were held during the pas- torate of Brother J. D. Reber ; the first by Elder L. K. Ziegler and wife, and the second by Oliver H. Austin and wife. Reverend and Mrs. Reber did very splendid work in the young peoples organized endeavors of the church.
Brother and Mrs. Reber resigned as of July 1, 1935, to accept the pastorate of the Brooklyn church.
Dr. J. Linwood Eisenberg, dean of Shippensburg State Teachers College agreed to fill the pulpit for the summer until a pastor could be secured. The few months extended until September 1, 1936. During this year, new Brethren hymnals were purchased. Interior decoration and a new ceiling in the church were completed in the summer of 1936.
ELDER, PASTOR, DEACONS AND WIVES, CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
First row, left to right: John Wonders, W. H. Fogelsanger, Pastor J. Linwood Eisenberg and wife, Mrs. S. A. Myers, Presiding Elder S. A. Myers, Mrs. Wm. Neff. Second row: Mrs. John Wonders, Mrs. Raymond Crusey, Mrs. Lloyd Sleighter, Mrs. J. J. Railing, Luther Hall and wife, Wm. Neff. Third row : Raymond Crusey, Lloyd Sleighter, J. J. Railing, Mrs. Samuel Wenger, Samuel Wenger, Samuel Burkholder and wife,
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Brother Olden Mitchell, of Virginia, accepted the pastor- ate Sept. 1, 1936, and served both Shippensburg and Ridge faithfully for two years, resigning to attend Bethany Seminary.
Dr. J. Linwood Eisenberg accepted the pastorate September 1, 1938, and was installed pastor in September, 1938, by Dr. W. J. Swigart, of Juniata College, a very personal friend. Since June 1, 1939, Brother Eisenberg has been giving full time to the pastorate.
Women's work organization was effected in 1939 with Miss Emily Stamey as president. This organization now in- cludes all the work of the women of the church. It is effective in all departments. The women's organization and men's organization support Richard Bollinger, son of the
missionaries. Men's work organization assists in work that men can do. Regular meetings are held.
Mrs. Iona Gutshall is president of B. Y. P. D. Regular devotional meetings are held on Sunday evening from September to June. These meetings are of a forum nature. The Junior B. Y. P. D., in charge of Mrs. Anna Nenninger Wingert, is very effective.
The present deacons are Wm. H. Fogelsanger, John Wonders, Charles Coy, Luther Hall, Raymond Crusey, Wm. Neff, Jeremiah Railing, Lloyd Sleighter, Samuel Burkholder, and Samuel Wenger.
The present membership of the church is listed as 216.
THE SUGAR VALLEY CONGREGATION Organization
It is difficult to mark the exact beginning of a church. Early records are inadequate and sometimes conflicting. Most congregations have for their founder some outstanding char- acter, and thus it is with the Sugar Valley Congregation. The first member of the church was David Schroyer, baptized June 23, 1867. His mother was the second member, baptized September 20, 1868. For a period of nearly ten years these were the only members to sow the seed of doctrine and faith, but they must have done it well, for in a single year, 1878, thirty-one persons were gathered into the church, mostly rela- tives of David Schroyer, who served as deacon for twenty-nine years.
The organization of the church took place in the autumn of 1878, according to Peter Beaver's record of November, 1878, in "The Deacon", published at intervals at Montandon. It states the following: "The brethren of Buffalo Valley, Isaac Myers, Charles Royer, John Beaver, and Adam Beaver, organ- ized the brethren of Sugar Valley into a body or regular church by electing Brother Adam Schroyer to the ministry, and Brother David Schroyer to the office of deacon."
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
On January 1, 1879, Peter Beaver's record made the following statement: "The Sugar Valley church was placed upon its own footing, as far as to bear its own expenses and to transact such business as may pertain to its own separate organization and in case of uncommon difficulties. Over eighty members participated in the services at the Sugar Valley meeting. The ministers helping there were Graybill Myers, Elias Landis, Samuel H. Swigart, and Abram Myers."
In the year 1880, an article on the minutes of the Buffalo Valley Congregation makes this statement: "June 8, 1880. This date marks the date of the organization of the Sugar Valley church with about forty members. At this meeting Daniel Schroyer was elected minis- ter and David Schroyer deacon. Adam was ad- vanced in the ministry and Alfred Miller was elected deacon. Isaac Myers was appointed elder."
There seems to be some conflict in the record of No- vember, 1878, and that of June 8, 1880, yet it is likely the earlier date, October 22, 1878, is the time of the organization. Since Sugar Valley Congregation is a DANIEL SCHROYER AND WIFE branch of the Buffalo Valley Congregation, it was fitting that it should be organized by the four brethren from Buffalo Valley.
The membership in- creased from forty to sixty in a few years.
Three Love Feasts were held in David Schroyer's barn near Carroll before the church was built. This barn burned about 1935. The first Love Feast was held June 10, 11, 1873. Some of the visiting brethren from Buffalo Valley were present, as were also John M. Mohler, of Harrisburg, and Samuel W. Swigart, of Lewistown. On the second day of the feast, Tuesday, June 11, ten were received by baptism administered by Brother John Beaver, of Buffalo Valley.
In 1878, the brethren rented the United Brethren church building, opposite the Emanuel Beck residence in Eastville. They used it as a house of worship from 1878 to 1880, and paid from thirty-five to fifty dollars a year for rental. It was then decided to build a church.
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Church Building
The present site containing one acre was purchased in the spring of 1881 from Solomon Lupold for $128. Later about one-third of an acre was added. Ground was broken and erection of the church building was begun. All the material and the labor were donated. Money was never solicited for building purposes in a public service. The Schroyers donated the rough timber that was used for the beams, sleepers, and sills, besides a generous contribution in cash. Henry M. Schwenk donated the planed lumber for the seats, floors, window boxes and weatherboards, and a sub-
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EASTVILLE CHURCH, SUGAR VALLEY CONGREGATION
stantial sum in cash. Nearly every one living in the com- munity at the time gave something toward the building of the church. Four of the good mothers of the church paid for the kegs of nails and spikes. Labor was contributed so that the raw materials might develop into the finished product. By a combination of materials, labor and love the building rose to its present fair proportions. The entire cost of the building dedicated in October, 1881, was $1,398.66. This church is located about six miles southeast of Loganton in Eastville, Clinton County, and was known as the Sugar Valley German Baptist Church. At present its value would be about $5,000.00.
Pioneer workers who traversed the intervening moun- tains by horseback and wagons were Elias Landis, Isaac Myers,
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
George Myers, Graybill Myers, and Jacob Light of Southern Pennsylvania; William Howe and Andrew Spanogle, of Lewistown; John Beaver, Adam Beaver, Peter Beaver, Charley Royer and Isaac Royer, of Buffalo Valley. It is twenty-two miles north of the Buffalo Valley Congregation, fourteen miles of the distance being mountain narrows.
The Ministry
Brother Adam Schroyer was the first minister. He was zealous and energetic but death cut short his work in 1883. The work fell upon Brother Daniel Schroyer and Brother Alfred Miller. For more than thirty years they were
ALFRED MILLER AND WIFE
co-laborers in the ministry of the church. Brother Miller preached in English, but Brother Schroyer usually preached in German, and led the congregation in singing English and German hymns. Joy in fellowship was strong when visits were made by the ministers of the neighboring congregation among whom were Isaiah Beaver, Samuel Starook, Greene Shively and Mervyn Mensch.
Special mention should be made of the labors of Brother Greene Shively, of Millmont, Union County. Brother Shively served as elder of the Sugar Valley Congregation from June, 1905, to June, 1913. He has officiated at various times at Love Feasts, at election of ministers, at funerals when called, and at other special functions. Sometimes he had to walk the entire distance of twenty-five miles from his home to keep the appointment.
In June, 1907, Brother Charles A. Schwenk was elected to the ministry and in 1913 was ordained as elder, serving in that capacity to the time of this writing, 1941. Brother Schwenk made preparation for the work in Elizabethtown College and Bethany Bible School, returning to Sugar Valley in 1912. Brother Schwenk and wife, formerly Margaret Haas.
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Left to right: B. FRANK LONG AND WIFE, ELDER CHAS. SCHWENK AND WIFE
have been instrumental in inspiring many young people to seek an education. Since they have come here, ten young people have received college degrees and eleven others have been students in higher institutions of learning, the congrega- tion numbering only forty most of this time. As there is no industry in the valley except teaching and farming, our con- gregation does not become large, as the young people go out to the cities for employment.
The ministers who assist Brother Schwenk as opportunity affords are John Boone, B. F. Long, and Chester Schroyer.
JOHN BOONE AND WIFE
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
John Boone is the only resident minister at the present time in Sugar Valley. Brother Schwenk has made a thirty mile trip weekly for twenty-one years to serve the church as minister, elder, and Sunday school superintendent.
The Sunday School
The Eastville Brethren Sunday School was started about the time the church was organized, 1878. It was held first as a union Sunday school in the school house located on the Brother Henry Schwenk farm. Later it was held in the United Brethren church building which was rented by the brethren. In 1881 it was transferred to the new church.
For some years the Sunday school was closed during the winter months. Since 1913 it has been an evergreen school. At first, German Bible, English Bible and English reading were taught. In 1904 an organ was purchased. In March, 1932, a piano was added. Teacher training classes were con- ducted under Mrs. Margaret Haas Schwenk with about fifteen receiving diplomas. Dr. Henry K. Ober, president of Elizabethtown College, addressed the one graduating class, and Professor Ira N. McCloskey, superintendent of Clinton County schools, was speaker at the second graduation.
The average attendance ranges from forty-three to fifty. The following have served as superintendents of the Sunday school : Adam Schroyer, Alfred Miller, A. E. Beck, Homer S. Metzger, and Charles A. Schwenk.
Fiftieth Year Anniversary
On October 25, 1931, the fiftieth anniversary of the dedication of the church was celebrated with a fitting program of addresses, reminiscent anecdotes, and special musical numbers, including congregational singing of several German hymns. The history of the church was compiled and read by Sister Ada Douty. Two charter members, Mrs. Edgar Schwenk and Mrs. Mary Heggenstaller, were present. Those members present who remembered the building of the church were George Schroyer, Edgar Schwenk, William and Cora Gerry, W. L. Smith, Mrs. Amelia Boone, and Mrs. Sophia Schwenk. Nine ministers, and Mrs. Vina Shellenberger, of Lewistown, the daughter of Brother John Mohler, pioneer evangelist in this section, were also present. At the close of the fifty year period the church had had six elders, seven ministers, seven deacons, and 138 members.
Incorporation and Endowment
The church was legally incorporated under a charter in 1920 through the efforts of Brother Charles A. Schwenk, and
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
with the assistance of Attorney T. M. Stevenson and Isaac Rumberger, prothonotary of Clinton County. This charter permits the church to hold endowments. The list of endowments is as follows :
Amount
Given
Sister Rosina Schroyer
$350
1917
Sister Calisca Bodecker
100
1920
Sister Savilla Penticoff
50
1921
Miss Ada Douty
50
1926
Miss Emma Hawk
100
1928
Mrs. Rosa Schwenk Royer
25
1929
Edgar A. Schwenk
100
1935
Elders
Isaac Myers, 1880-1881; Charles Royer, of Buffalo Valley, 1881-1891; John L. Beaver, of Buffalo Valley, 1891-1901; Edmund D. Book, of Blain, Pennsyl- vania, 1901-1905; Greene Shively, of Buffalo Valley, 1905-1913; Charles A. Schwenk, of Sugar Valley, 1913-
Ministers
Adam Schroyer, 1878- 1883; Daniel Schroyer, 1880-1912; Alfred Miller, 1883-1922; Charles A. Schwenk (elder), 1907- __; Chester F. Schroyer, 1917- 1938; John C. Boone, 1922- __; B. Frank Long, 1927- _
CHESTER SCHROYER
Deacons
Daniel Schroyer, 1878-1880; David Schroyer, 1880-1909; Alfred Miller, 1880-1883; Benjamin Schwenk, 1883-1913; Milton Schwenk, 1906-1907; Fred Heggenstaller, 1907- __; Russell Schwenk, (moved away), 1913-1936; Lawrence Bartges, 1937- ..
Evangelists Serving Since 1904
John M. Mohler, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, 1904; Levi S. Mohler, Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, 1906; Peter Shelley, Richfield, Pennsylvania, 1910; Jacob H. Richard, Maitland. Pennsylvania, 1912; Leo Fredericks, Switzerland, 1913;
188 HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Reuben Schroyer, Canton, Ohio, 1915; Ezra Wenger, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, 1920; Ralph W. Schlosser, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, 1921; Tostle Dick, Blain, Pennsylvania, 1922; John Graham, Shippensburg, Pennsyl- vania, 1923; Greene Shively, Millmont, Pennsylvania, 1924; Alvin P. Wenger, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, 1926; Earl S. Kipp, Newport, Pennsylvania, 1927; John R. Snyder, Tyrone, Pennsylvania, 1928; I. N. H. Beahm, Nokesville, Virginia, 1929 ; Charles H. Steerman, New Germantown, Pennsylvania, 1930; William C. Sweitzer, Cardwell, Virginia, 1931; Charles H. Steerman, New Germantown, Pennsylvania, 1932; John R. Snyder, Tyrone, Pennsylvania, 1933; Harper M. Snavely, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, 1934; J. A. Buffenmyer, Bunkertown, Pennsylvania, 1935; John E. Rowland, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, 1936; J. A. Buffenmyer, Bunkertown, Pennsyl- vania, 1937; Greene Shively, Millmont, Pennsylvania, 1938; John R. Snyder, Tyrone, Pennsylvania, 1939; Joseph Whitacre, Lakeville, Indiana, 1940; H. H. Nye, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, 1941.
Visits from Foreign Missionaries
B. Mary Royer, India, 1921; E. H. Eby, India, 1926; Annetta C. Mow, India, 1932; Sara Shisler, Africa, 1936; Desmond Bittinger, Africa, 1940.
Interesting Notes
In 1933 a group from the Sugar Valley church made a pilgrimage to the Blooming Grove meeting house which is situated about eight miles north of Williamsport, and thirty- two miles from Eastville. This church was erected in 1828 by German Baptist Brethren, members of the Blooming Grove colony who located in Hepburn township, Lycoming County, in 1805. The building is preserved by the Lycoming County Historical Society. They have also erected a museum beside the church, in which are kept relics and antiques of these pioneer settlers. Professor L. J. Ulmer, of Lock Haven State Teachers College, is a direct descendant, and was instrumental in collecting and preserving the many objects of sentimental and historic interest.
The Sugar Valley church has recently been the center for civic activities. Pictures directed by state foresters and rangers for education of forest fire fighters have been shown, and meetings for memorial day events have been held here.
Since the location of a C. C. C. Camp at Tea Springs, seven miles eastward, Brother Charles Schwenk alternates with an Evangelical minister in acting as chaplain for the Protestant boys of the camp. This work is done every second Sunday prior to the regular Sunday morning church school
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
and church service. He was chaplain for four years of Loganton C. C. C. #66 Camp.
The number of members is 66.
Membership, Sugar Valley Congregation
Bartges, Lawrence
Heggenstaller, Raymond
Bartges, Hester
Heggenstaller, Anna Mae
Bartges, Lela Belle
Heggenstaller, Mary, Jr.
*Boone, Amelia
Heggenstaller, Glenn
Boone, John C.
Hammersley, Betty Kephart, Euphemia
Boone, Supera
Kephart, Helen Mary
Boone, Daniel
Livingston, Jennie
Brungard, Charles
Livingston, Audrey
* Brungard, Catherine Brungard, Mary Doris Brungard, James
Long, B. Frank
* Brungard, Wilma Evarts, Verna Long Frank, Lizzie
* Martz, Francis Martz, Milford
Fogleman, Melvin
Martz, Floretta
Fogleman, Myrtle
Martz, Isabelle
Fogleman, Dorothy Jean Geary, William
Martz, Harry, Jr. Penticoff, Roy
*Geary, Cora
* Geisewite, Martha Geisewhite, Earnest Geisewhite, Miriam
*Penticoff, Anna Penticoff, Leilla Ida Persun, Lucille Schroyer, George Schroyer, Margaret
Grimes, Nora Schroyer
Grimes, Worthey
*Schroyer, Chester
Grimes, Leota
Grimes, Marlin
*Schwenk, Edgar Schwenk, Susan Schwenk, Charles A.
Heggenstaller, Mary
*Schwenk, Margaret Haas
Heggenstaller, Fred
Heggenstaller, Edward
Heggenstaller, Ida
*Schwenk, Sophia Schwenk, Jennie Shadle, Elmer Showers, Betty Smith, Lantz
Heggenstaller, Lee Heggenstaller, Erma Heggenstaller, Lee, Jr.
Heggenstaller, Howard
*Smith, Belle Smith, Howard Smith, Fletcher
Heggenstaller, Edward, Jr.
Walizer, Clifford
Heggenstaller, Joseph
Walizer, Thema
*Deceased. Sixty-six between 1934 and 1941. above deceased were "pillars".
The
Boone, Laura Mae
Livingston, William
*Long, Mary Long, Ada Douty
Grimes, Danley
Heggenstaller, Gerald
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
UPPER CODORUS CONGREGATION
(Brumbaugh's History, page 326, and Falkenstein's History, page 97, are quoted.)
This society is so distinguished from a branch of the Conewago near to which the people made their settlements in the township of Hanover and County of York, twenty miles from the town of York and one hundred and seven miles west by south from Philadelphia. The preachers are Messrs. Jacob Moyer and James Hetrick, but are not ordained. The families belonging to the place are about forty, whereof fifty-two persons are baptized.
This was the first Brethren Church established west of Susquehanna. In 1738 when one Eldrick, Dierdorff, Bigler, Gripe, Studsman, and others united into a church, having Reverend Daniel Leatherman to their assistance. He left them and went to Monocacy, after him they had Reverend Nicolas Martin who also quitted them to go to Conococheague. Their successors are the present ministers before mentioned. It seems the volume promised on Maryland was never issued ; at any rate I have no knowledge of such volume being in existence.
J. F. Saches says the volume on Maryland was written but not published. In MS form it burned in the late fire of the Baptist Publication Society.
Many members went to the Conococheague and to Monocacy from the various congregations in Pennsylvania. Among them were prominent and efficient ministers, but we know little of their work in their early days. The scores of congregations of the present day, however, attest the faithful devotions of those pioneers and the success of the migration to the "Southland".
The membership of the Little Conewago Congregation in 1770 was as follows: Jacob Moyer, exhorter, and wife; James Hendrick, exhorter, and wife; Hans Adams Sneider and wife; Barbara Sneider; George Wine and wife; Gohn Geiny and wife; Daniel Woods and wife; Henry Geiny and wife; Joseph Moyer and wife; Nickolas Housteter and wife; Christian Houstetter and wife; Rudy Brown and wife; Dobis Brother and wife; Jacob Miller and wife; Michael Kouts and wife; Mrs. Bowser; Mrs. Moyer; Stephen Peter and wife and daughter; Maud Bowser; George Peter; Henry Donner (Tanner) and wife; Michael Tanner (Donner) and wife; Jahn Moyer and wife; Jacob Souder and wife; Henry Hoeff and wife; Hester Weis; Christian Etor; John Peter Weaver; Barbara Bear; John Swarts and wife; Eliza Bearing; Great Hymen.
The scope of territory included then what is now held by Hanover, Pleasant Hill and part of York. It was bounded by
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
territory of Conewago, Bermudian, Codorus, and Maryland churches.
Meetings were held in rotation over the district at private places-in barns or dwelling houses which were often built with an idea to throw two or more rooms together by large folding doors to accommodate a place for the meeting. A goodly number of brethren would come the evening before and a social time would be spent in Scriptural discussions and song and worship before retiring. Next morning breakfast was furnished by the host, assisted by guests, with the greatest delight to all present. The crowd began to swell to such a size that our attendance of today would be surprised. The hospitality of the host was specially fine. Dinner was furnished, free to all, at meeting. Their horses were cared for during the night and all well fed at meal time. A number of hostlers were always engaged prior to meeting to help to care for horses. The greatest respect was shown to everyone present, members, as well as neighbors. Sometimes these rotations would come around every sixteen weeks; later ten to eight weeks, finally the church houses were built. The old brethren were afraid when churches were built "Something might be lost".
These rotations of meeting places were scattered over a distance of 50 miles between Westminster, Carroll County, Maryland, and York, York County, Pennsylvania. Christian Royer, John Myers, and Samuel Miller in Manchester district,
HOME OF CHRISTIAN ROYER
Built with moving partitions. Four rooms in one for meetings.
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Maryland; Henry Hohfs, Adam Buchers, Abraham Geimans, Samuel Myers, Jacob Millers, John Millers and Jacob Bussers, in Manheim township, Pennsylvania; Aaron Baughers, Philip Millers, in Codorus township, Pennsylvania; Jacob Stauffers, and Danners, in Heidleberg township, Pennsylvania; Andrew Millers, George Mummerts, and John Millers, in Jackson township, Pennsylvania ; and other places. A Love Feast was held under an apple tree in the orchard on the farm of John Miller, near Millers school house, on the farm known after-
FARM OF HENRY HOHF
Love Feasts and District Meeting Were Held in Barn. Later the Conrad Stremmel Farm.
ward as the Adam Snyder farm. On this occasion a sister who did not manifest such an humble spirit became very boisterous and Andrew Miller, then a young man, sought diligently for the civil officer who was engaged to keep order in the large crowd, to quiet her.
In 1865 about 40 families, members of this congregation, moved to Illinois, lured there by greater inducements for financial gain, by the broad fertile acres. This was quite a draw on our congregations as among them were a number of ministers and deacons. A number settled around Astoria where we find them connected with church history there. Among these were Hamms, Danners, Stremmels, Mummerts, Lerews, Millers, Fitzs, Geimans, Eberts, etc.
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
The Little Conewago Congregation or Upper Codorus Congregation, as now called, lies in part of two counties, York County, Pennsylvania, and Carroll County, Maryland, em- bracing a stretch of country about 50 miles square. The following churches were built in this area: Beaver Creek, Pleasant Hill, Black Rock, Chestnut Grove, Stoverstown, Melrose, and Wildasin's school house.
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