USA > Pennsylvania > A History of the Church of the Brethren in southern district of Pennsylvania > Part 17
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In 1827 the Reformed congregation, having built a church of their own, ceased to worship there. In 1829, the log church was torn down and in 1830 a new building was erected by the Lutheran and Presbyterian congregations. They used that as a union church until 1867 when the Presby- terian congregation built a church of its own. The following year the Lutheran congregation built its own church.
When the Union Church was built a bell was put on it. Sometime later it was removed and placed in the yard to the right of the front entrance. (Information from F. S. Boerner.) An agreement in the possession of our church custodian of documents gives the following information concerning the dis- position of this bell: In 1868 the Old School Presbyterian Church sold to the Evangelical Lutheran Church their interest in the bell and cupola for $100.00. The agreement to this sale was signed by :
Lutheran Committee-George Summers, John Walter, William P. Weagley; Old School Presbyterian Committee ---- James Burns, Robert McElvaney, Joseph Dougles.
From the deed of transfer to the Antietam Congregation, we learn that :
On July 14, 1868, an agreement was made between the Evangelical Lutheran and the Old School Presbyterian congre- gations to sell the Union Church at public sale in three years- "provided the contemplated place of worship of the Evangelical Lutheran congregation shall be ready for occupancy by then".
On July 12, 1871, the church with a plot of ground having a frontage of 62 feet and a depth of 103 feet was sold at public auction to the Antietam Congregation of the German Baptist Brethren (now Church of the Brethren) for $1,200. The larger portion of the original plot was retained for a burying ground by the Evangelical Lutheran and Presbyterian congregations.
On October 23, 1871, charters of incorporation were granted to the Evangelical Lutheran congregation of waynesboro, Pennsylvania, and to the Presbyterian congrega- tion (the qualifying words "Old School" being dropped) of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.
A deed of transfer was made to the Antietam Congrega- tion on November 28, 1871, signed by the following trustees :
Evangelical Lutheran Congregation-Jason Bell, Martin Geiser, F. I. Filbert, G. W. McGinley, Daniel Tritle, John Johnston; Presbyterian Congregation-John Philip, M. A. Gordon, T. H. West, W. Hammet, William A. Reid, Joseph Price. Signed in presence of J. Burns Amberson, N.P.
The church built in 1830-an artistic edifice of colonial design-was made of stone covered with rough cast plaster. Its beauty was enhanced by its simplicity and the two pillars on the porch. There was no cellar under it. It was heated
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN, WAYNESBORO
Built as a union church in 1830; bought by Antietam Congregation in 1871; razed in 1903.
INTERIOR OF CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN, RAZED IN 1903
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with stoves, the fuel being kept in a shed in the yard. Upon remodeling the interior of it, the ministers' long reading desk was placed on an elevated platform. Back of this desk were two chairs with a long settee between them. As the ministers entered the church, they took their places on the pulpit according to their age in the ministry, the presiding elder, who was usually the oldest, occupied the chair on the north. When there were more ministers present than there was seat- ing room on the platform some of them sat on the short front pews at the side of the pulpit from whence they could view the audience. The deacons also sat on these short pews and ofttimes one of them read the Scripture lesson. On the long pulpit desk, there were Bibles, hymnals and often a pitcher of water and a tumbler. Other articles were placed on a shelf under the desk which was not visible to the audience. The pews were not as comfortable as those we now have. The backs (18 inches high) were almost perpendicular to the seats which had a depth of 113 inches. The balcony in the rear was used in later years for the beginners and primary Sunday school children-a curtain being used to separate it from the room below. The Sunday school library books were in a cupboard which stood between the two entrance doors. This cupboard is now used for dishes in the kitchen of our church by the Always Willing Sunday School Class.
Infrequent church services were held. From April, 1883, until 1898, services were held in the morning of every fourth Sunday and probably in the evening of every Sunday. From April, 1898, until April, 1909, morning services were held every alternate Sunday. Since April 18, 1909, preaching services have been held every Sunday morning and evening. (This information has been gleaned from the minute books of the Antietam Congregation.)
Among the Brethren families living in Waynesboro about the time the church was bought, were those of Jacob F. Oller, Jacob Adams, Frederic Harbaugh, Nathaniel Crouse, A. E. Price, Josiah Fahrney, Benjamin Price, Samuel Koontz, Peter Geiser.
In the early days ample hitching ground for horses was needed because many members drove in from the country on "preaching Sunday". A plot of ground 23 feet deep in front of the church which extended northward along the stone fence of the burial ground to a distance of 166 feet was used for this purpose. Horses were tied to iron rings which were fastened in the stone fence of the graveyard and to chains which were suspended between posts in front of the church.
In 1895, the Antietam Congregation bought of the Geiser Manufacturing Company for hitching purposes, part (150x42 feet) of the plot which we use today for parking cars. In 1927, the Waynesboro Congregation bought of the same company the remainder (50x41 feet) of this plot. Three
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hundred dollars was paid for the first plot and $225 for the second. The trustees of the Antietam Congregation in 1895 to whom the plot was deeded were: J. M. Newcomer, J. M. Stover, Josiah Burger, Benjamin F. Barr, C. Michael Jacobs. It is of interest to note that none of these were residents of Waynesboro. The first two lived near Welty church, the third and fifth were near Price church and the fourth lived in the Marsh district.
At sometime, it was discovered that the hitching space (23x62 feet) in front of the church was not included in the 1871 deed to our church. This strip between the curb and our church property then belonged to the Lutheran congrega- tion-the Presbyterian having sold its right. Hence, in 1903, when we bought additional ground (tract #2, formerly part of the graveyard) we purchased this strip as well as a strip of 11.9 feet to the rear, making our total frontage 166 feet, the depth being 138 feet. Price paid was $2,125.
The old church edifice was razed in 1903. A new brick building with a frontage of 101 feet and a depth of 68 feet was erected in 1903-1904 at the cost of $18,000. The corner- stone of the 1830 Union Church, together with the Bible and coins which it contained, was placed in the southwest corner of the Sister's Aid room. D. M. Baker was presiding elder at that time with John B. Ruthrauff as his assistant. While the church was being erected, services were held (from July, 1903, to October, 1904) in the Christian Church on West Main Street, which was then the property of the Saint Paul Reformed Church.
The church was dedicated at 10:30 A.M. on October 2, 1904. Dr. M. G. Brumbaugh preached the dedicatory sermon, using as his text Luke 4:14-23. "At the Sunday school session in the afternoon teaching of the lessons by classes was omitted." The following ministers gave addresses on different phases of the lesson which was based on II Kings 2:12-22: William A. Anthony, of Shady Grove, Pennsylvania; W. S. Reichard, of Hagerstown, Maryland; A. L. B. Martin, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania ; J. J. Ellis, of Baltimore, Maryland ; John Miller, of Oakville, Pennsylvania. C. R. Oellig gave a historical sketch of the Antietam Congregation. At the Young Peoples service in the evening, the topic "Indifference" (Haggai 1:24) was discussed by W. I. Book, of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and J. J. Ellis, of Baltimore, Maryland. The theme of Dr. Brumbaugh's evening sermon was "Characteri istics of Christ as a Teacher", based on Matthew 7:28-29.
The building committee of the new church was composed of D. W. Hess, chairman; John E. Demuth, secretary; J. J. Oller, treasurer; A. E. Price, Henry Rinehart, Joseph F. Emmert and Joseph E. Rohrer.
At the church business meeting of October 22, 1904, the following vote of thanks was extended to the committee :
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-
WAYNESBORO CHURCH, DEDICATED OCTOBER, 1904
SUNDAY SCHOOL BUILDING OF WAYNESBORO CHURCH
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Vote of Thanks to the Building Committee
Resolution offered by C. R. Oellig-
"Inasmuch as we, the Antietam Congregation, do highly appreciate the services rendered to the church by the Building Committee and as we desire to show our appreciation for their excellent services, I move that we unanimously extend our vote of thanks to the Committee as follows :
"To Brother D. W. Hess as chairman, for so ably guiding the Committee and holding it together during his entire term of office. For giving the church the advantage of having the purchasing done through him as a contractor and builder and for his good judgment in the same as well as in all other matters pertaining to the work.
"To Brother Henry Rinehart for his work as a committee- man, for his deep interest in the progress of the work, giving nearly all of his time for an entire year with the workmen, watching that everything should be done to the best possible advantage.
"To Brother J. J. Oller as treasurer, for his wisdom in the management of the finances and his personal efforts and success in securing subscriptions to the Building Fund. For his alertness and the deep interest manifested by him in all the features of the work and for assuming the responsibility in company with Brother M. E. Sollenberger of purchasing additional ground, thus procuring the present site for our church building.
"To Brother A. E. Price for his active interest in com- mittee work, for his time spent and his untiring efforts in directing the execution of the work and for his sound judg- ment in all matters, especially in the arrangement of the conveniences for the worshippers.
"To Brother J. E. Rohrer for special interest in securing modern conveniences and to whom much credit belongs for the interior arrangement and furnishings in general which contribute to the comfort and convenience of the Sunday school and the church attendants.
"To Brother J. F. Emmert for his activity in connection with the work of the committee. For the practical suggestions he contributed of sound judgment as to the selection of material and as to arrangement of conveniences and for his anxiety that all things should be done the best for the church and all concerned.
"To Brother J. E. Demuth as secretary, for his efficiency in caring for all the records of the work and his interest in the church's welfare in all things, that nothing should be done that would not in every way be satisfactory to all concerned.
"To the Committee as a whole for sacrificing time and giving the church the benefit of their experiences. For exer- cising their best judgment in all things. For the admirable
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manner in which they have performed their duties devolving upon them unto completion of the work, giving to us this most substntial, spacious and comfortable church house in which to worship God for years to come."
The debt on the church was liquidated on October 12, 1906.
Report of Treasurer, J. J. Oller, of the Building Committee- October 12, 1906
"He said the debt was still about $3,000 and 10 out of 15 of the committee have reported with cash and promises to the amount of $1,201. He had the promise of about $150 more. Brother Abram Price said in order to get the debt paid, he would obligate himself to pay $250 more and calculating that the other five committee men would at least bring in another $100, making a total of $1,700, leaving a balance of $1,300. The treasurer then made a proposition that if $700 was raised in council, he would see to the balance and if more than $700 came in, the balance would go into the treasury. The $700 was raised and the debt was considered paid." (Minutes of Antietam Congregation.)
The membership of the Antietam Congregation of the German Baptist Brethren Church at that time was 560. About 300 of that number were residents of Waynesboro. It has been said that 50 years previous, but four members lived in Waynesboro and that in 1878 the resident membership was 80. (Brethren Almanacs, 1905 and 1887.)
A great deal of credit for this growth in membership was due to the aggressive spirit of Elder Jacob F. Oller, who in 1872, a few months after the purchase of the church, organ- ized a Sunday school in it. This was the first Brethren Sunday school in what is now known as the Southern District
ELDER JACOB F. OLLER AND WIFE
232 HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
of Pennsylvania of the Church of the Brethren. Because of his interest in the young people and the encouragement he gave them, many came into the church and the first Young People's meeting in our Brotherhood (outside of a college town) was begun in this church between 1888 and 1892. Probably the greatest personality back of our missionary organizations was that of Brother Oller who extended to Wilbut Stover a cordial greeting when in 1891 he came to Waynesboro in much need of encouragement and full of zeal for missions which he con- sidered the "First Great Work of the Church". The stimulus which this congregation received at that time was later fostered by his son, Joseph J. Oller-through whose mis- sionary fervor the congregation was greatly blessed for many years. Through their influence, many young people entered Juniata College of which they were trustees. For several years many of our people availed themselves of the privilege of attending the four weeks Annual Bible Institute at Juniata College. In January, 1896, twenty-two persons went to the institute at Juniata College. Since the founding of Elizabeth- town College, some of our older folks go there for the Bible Institute.
Another personality which had much to do with the early ingathering and spiritual encouragement of our young people was Elder Henry C. Early who held four evangelistic meetings (1888, 1892, 1895, ____ ) in this church when many young people accepted Christ.
For many years there was a sentiment among some of the members of the Antietam Congregation living in Waynesboro that it would be advantageous to the town church to have a separate organization. The growth of this sentiment, together with some grievances, caused them to petition the Standing Committee of the Annual Meeting of 1916 to send a com- mittee to our church. In September, 1916, the following com- mittee visited the church: P. S. Miller, chairman; David Metzler, writing clerk; P. J. Blough, reading clerk; L. T. Holsinger and I. W. Taylor. After careful consideration of the questions involved, they gave some spiritual admonition to the church and recommended that the congregation be divided. They also stressed the need of pastoral care for the Waynesboro church. Their report was unanimously accepted.
The report of the committee not having been complied with, the previous petitioners asked Annual Meeting of 1921 to send us another committee. In July, 1921, a committee composed of J. M. Moore, David Metzler, and J. W. Lear came "to study the conditions that troubled the congregation and to assist in constructing a program that will give relief". They found that the officials had been remiss in not following the recommendations of the committee of 1916. They advised that the congregation be divided and proposed that after the acceptance of their report their committee would assist the
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two congregations in creating sufficient organization to guide in working out the necessary details arising from the change. Their report was rejected 56 for and 107 against. A vote of those present who lived in corporate limits of the borough was taken-54 for and 62 against.
Again in 1922 the petitioners asked for a committee from the Annual Conference. In July the committee which had been there the previous year came again and recommended : "That the care of the church shall be in the hands of the com- mittee until an elder can be satisfactorily provided. That immediate action be taken to provide a pastor for the Waynesboro membership. That the congregation be divided, and that six months be given to mature the most advantageous plan of division." Their report was adopted by majority vote-78 voting for and 75 against.
It was then decided that the sub-committee of the day, composed of six petitioners and six from the body of the church, should confer with the Annual Meeting committee immediately after the service with a view of securing a pastor-preferably a member of the committee. This sub- committee asked Brother Moore to take the pastoral work for one year and offered him a salary of $1,800 and house rent. Brother Moore asked for time for consideration. In a few weeks he reported favorably and on October 20 began his pastoral work with us.
In the afternoon of December 7, 1922, the Antietam Congregation met in special council "to carry into effect the division of the congregation according to the recommendation of the recent Annual Meeting committee. It was decided that the new congregation be called the Waynesboro Congre- gation and that the borough limits should be the boundary line between the two congregations with the exception of the northwest boundary which should be left to the decision of a committee of ten, composed of five from each congregation".
Because of this unsettled boundary line and other problems, an advisary Annual Meeting committee was granted the Waynesboro Congregation during 1923-1924 and 1924- 1925. The boundary line was not settled until December, 1925, when at the request of the two congregations, an Annual Meeting committee composed of J. A. Dove, I. Wm. Miller, and A. S. Thomas came to us and decided that the borough limits should be the congregational line on the northwest corner as well as on all other sides. This report was accepted on December 2, 1925.
On Thursday evening, December 7, 1922, at 7 o'clock the members of the Church of the Brethren in Waynesboro met in the church to effect the organization of the Waynesboro Congregation. Elders C. L. Baker and Daniel Bowser were present to assist.
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The following officers and committees were elected by ballot : Elder, J. M. Moore; Clerk, Earl E. Snader; Treasurer, W. J. Snader; Chorister, A. H. Ressler; Gospel Messenger Agent, Ira L. Wingert; Gospel Messenger Correspondent, Mrs. J. M. Moore ; Trustees, J. J. Oller, Edwin E. Snader, M. E. Sollenberger; Auditing Committee, H. B. Rinehart, C. B. Latshaw, Daniel Good; Finance Board, John E. Demuth, C. W. Reichard, B. F. Welty, D. G. H. Lesher, Warren Snader, W. L. Widdowson, John Kauffman, M. E. Sollenberger, Earl E. Snader, Lloyd Hoover, Frank Boerner, H. B. Rinehart, Daniel Good, Victor Koontz, J. J. Oller.
The following committees were appointed by the elder: Child Rescue, H. M. Stover, Mrs. J. J. Oller, Sudie M. Wingert; Temperance and Purity, C. D. Snider, William Kauffman, Myra Bohn; Ministerial, C. R. Oellig, W. J. Snader, Harvey E. Price; Ushers, A. R. Deardorff, C. B. Latshaw, Charles Oellig, Milton B. Horst, Howard S. Snider, Jesse Geiser, Russell Peiffer, John Kauffman, Fred Fenninger, Nelson Gingrich, Arthur Snider, Laban Wingert; Assistant Ushers, John Harshman, Ralph Leiter, Rudolph Kauffman, Earl Heefner.
It was decided that the providing of a finance secretary be left in the hands of the finance board and that the benevolent board be continued.
Brother Moore, having begun his pastoral work in our midst on October 20, 1922, became the pastor of the Waynesboro Congregation upon its organization on December 7, 1922. He was re-elected for periods of two, two and three years respectively. In August, 1930, he severed his relation with us, having accepted a call to the First Church of the Brethren of Chicago, Illinois.
Brother Levi K. Zeigler began his pastoral work with us in September, 1930, for a term of three years. At the morning service of September 7, he was in- stalled by Elder W. G. Group, assisted by Elder C. L. Baker and C. R. Oellig. He was re-elected three times for periods of three years each. In June of 1935 his consecrated wife, Grace
ELDER JAMES M. MOORE AND WIFE
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ELDER LEVI K. ZIEGLER AND WIFE
K. Ziegler, was called to her eternal home. In the fall of 1936 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mamie Keller Leiter. Due to Brother and Sister Ziegler having responded to an emergency call to become director and dietician, respectively, of the Civilian Public Service camp near Kane, Pennsylvania, they presented their resignations from all offices to the church business meeting of July 14, 1941, which became effective one week later. At the church's request Brother Ziegler retained the office of presiding elder of the congregation.
At a special congrega- tional meeting on September 3, 1941, Brother George L. Detweiler was elected pastor of the congregation to become effective as soon as convenient to him. Brother Detweiler expects to begin his work at Waynesboro on December 1, 1941.
During a four year period from November, 1928, Miss Emma Miller served as church visitor and pastor's assistant. An unnamed member paid her salary during the first year, after which the church paid one-half of it. During June, July, and August of 1940 Donald Snider, a student of Bethany Biblical Seminary, served as associate pastor.
ELDER GEORGE L. DETWEILER, Pastor.
MINISTERS OF THE WAYNESBORO CONGREGATION
Left to right: W. C. Wertz, Elder C. R. Oellig, Elder H. C. Muck; inserts, left to right: Donald Snider, Earl E. Snader.
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Resident ministers at the time of organization were : C. R. Oellig, H. M. Stover (who in 1931 removed his membership to the Antietam Congregation), and W. C. Wertz. In 1936 H. C. Muck was received by letter from the Antietam Congregation. David Snider was licensed to preach on July 22, 1924. This license was renewed four times for periods of one year each. From September, 1927, to June, 1930, the congregation assisted him with his school expenses. On December 27, 1938, Donald Snider was licensed to preach. On September 6, 1939, he was installed in the ministry. Earl Snader was licensed to preach on December 31, 1931. His license was renewed October, 1940, and installed Dec. 5, 1941.
The following deacons were among the charter members : Isaiah Hollenberger, 1884; John C. Demuth, 1892; Abraham Heefner, 1905; Edwin E. Snader, 1905; A. M. Rebok, 1907; Ira L. Wingert, 1911; Clarence Dick, 1914; George P. Cashman, 1917; Walter West, 1917; W. H. Demuth, 1917; Earl E. Snader, 1920-(each one elected in the year following his name). C. W. Reichard, 1898; George Smith, 1919 ; Edwin Spangler, 1921; Thomas A. Albaugh, 1921-(each one received by letter in the Antietam Congregation in the year following his name). Since our organization, the following deacons have transferred their membership to this congrega- tion : Allen D. Hoover, 1923; Luther H. Leiter, 1927; Jacob Etter, 1927 ; A. H. Ressler, 1929 ; J. J. Berger, 1932 ; J. J. Price, 1936; John Kell, 1940. The following have been elected deacons by the Waynesboro Congregation: on April 23, 1925-H. B. Rinehart, Raymond Hale, H. C. Geist, J. J. Oller, W. J. Snader; on June 26, 1930-S. Allison Benedict, Milton B. Horst, W. L. Widdowson and M. E. Sollenberger; on January 13, 1938-A. R. Deardorff, H. A. Good, John Kauffman and C. A. Snider. On September 6, 1939, the first three named of the latter group and their wives were installed with the laying on of hands. M. J. Brougher officiated, assisted by H. M. Stover, J. I. Thomas and H. C. Muck. C. A. Snider and wife did not present themselves for installation.
We have lost by death the following: Abraham Heefner, 1929 ; G. P. Cashman, 1931 ; J. J. Oller, 1936 ; C. W. Reichard, 1937; H. C. Geist, 1937; Earl E. Snader, 1938; J. J. Berger, 1940; A. H. Ressler, 1941. Letters of transfer have been granted to Isaiah Hollenberger, Walter West, W. H. Demuth, George Smith, Edwin Spangler, Thomas A. Albaugh, Allen D. Hoover, Luther H. Leiter.
The personnel of our official board is: Presiding Elder, Levi K. Ziegler; Church Clerk, Anna Bushman; Ministers, Elders C. R. Oellig and H. C. Muck, W. C. Wertz, Donald Snider, Earl Snader; Deacons, Edwin E. Snader, A. M. Rebok, Ira L. Wingert, Clarence Dick, H. B. Rinehart, Raymond Hale, W. J. Snader, Jacob Etter, S. Allison Benedict, Milton B. Horst, W. L. Widdowson, M. E. Sollenberger, J. J. Price, A. R.
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