USA > Pennsylvania > A History of the Church of the Brethren in southern district of Pennsylvania > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
John Welty had some time before this belonged to the Mennonite church. He was nominated by the Whig Party for the legislature and was elected. The Mennonite people said, "Do not go", but he went and was by them dis-fellowshipped. It was about this time that he built the church.
The church as built had a long rostrum four by fifteen feet with two steps and about eighteen inches high. At the end of the rostrum he had a chair placed for himself which he occupied during the church services. Mrs. Welty sat on a bench nearby.
After a year or two of school in the church house it did not seem to be satisfactory. So with the consent of the sub-
260
HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
-
WELTY CHURCH
scribers, Mr. Welty gave the ground and the subscription money was used to erect a brick school house just north of the church. Mr. Christian Newcomer contributed the rough timber and the rest of the material was purchased. About two years after the building of the church and before the building of the school house, Mr. Welty and his wife were baptized into the German Baptist Brethren Church at Price meeting house. The Welty church was located within the territory of the Antietam Congregation.
After Mr. Welty became a member of the German Baptist Brethren he deeded the church property to them. Thus it became a part of the Antietam Congregation. Sometime later Mrs. Nancy Huggins deeded the house located on the church property to the church. Mr. Welty died in 1844.
Love Feasts were at first held at irregular intervals, but later it became the custom to have the spring Love Feast at Prices and the fall Love Feast at Weltys.
Tallow candles were used for lighting the church as late as 1883.
There follows a period of years about which little seems to be known. Records are few and difficult to locate.
In the year 1898 the stone church began to give way in the north corner and was torn down and replaced by the present larger brick structure. Two years later the church was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland.
261
CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Until 1934 Welty church remained a part of the Antietam Congregation. Feeling steadily grew among the brethren for organizing the local church as a separate congregation. At. a special council meeting held in the Welty church on June 9, 1934, the congregation voted to divide and the Welty Congregation was organized. At the time of the new organ- ization the membership was 170. Elders present were L. K. Zeigler and C. R. Oellig.
Through all these years the lives of many have con- tributed to the work. Because of few records we do not know the names of many of the leaders, nor of those of the laity.
We are confident that the following lists are incomplete but no names are intentionally omitted. Some of the elders ordained at Weltys are: D. M. Baker, Jacob Snider, J. I. Thomas. Other elders labored here in the years gone by. Prominent among these earlier ones was Elder Jos. Rohrer. He was a man of wide influence and highly respected in his church and community. Others who served as presiding elder were J. F. Oller, John B. Ruthrauff, C. R. Oellig, H. M. Stover, and M. C. Valentine.
Ministers elected at Weltys were : Joseph Rohrer, Joseph Garver, D. F. Good, H. M. Stover, Aaron Newcomer, H. C. Muck, Laban W. Leiter.
Some of the deacons elected here were : Christian New- comer, Isaiah Hollenberger, Jno. Hoffman, Aaron Newcomer, Wm. Marker, Dan Hoffman, Bruce Hoffman, C. H. Hoffman, C. E. Marker, J. Oram Leiter, Geo. Oller, Frank Barkdoll. Other deacons who served here : James Heefner, Walter Rowe.
ELDER J. I. THOMAS, Pastor
Brother J. I. Thomas be- came pastor in 1926 and is serving at the present time. In 1934 he was chosen as presiding elder. In addition to this Brother Thomas served Greencastle as part- time pastor from September, 1937, until April 1, 1941.
There are 200 members of the church.
Ringgold Union Church
A union house of wor- ship was built in the village of Ringgold, Maryland, and was dedicated on April 14, 1898.
262
HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Five different denominations shared equally the respon- sibility and cash layout for the building. Some labor was donated. John W. Hoffman represented the German Baptist Brethren; J. M. Newcomer, the Church of Christ; I. M. Hoffman, the Lutheran Church; Abraham H. Martin, the Mennonite Church ; and John Bayer, the Old Order of German Baptists. Lewis Barkdoll donated the plot of ground and the stone for the foundation.
All five of the above named denominations worshipped in the church at first, but down through the years, one by one, they have ceased to do so and relinquished their rights in the property. For some years past and at the present time (1940) only two denominations hold regular worship services here, the Church of Christ and the Church of the Brethren. It is within the Welty Congregation.
THE YORK CONGREGATION-FIRST AND SECOND CHURCHES
The Church of the Brethren in York began as a mission in the Codorus Congregation, situated in the southern part of York County and embracing all that territory in and about York, Loganville, Shrewsbury down by the Maryland line and across to the Susquehanna River embracing Upper Codorus
List of our regular meet. ingo commencing at 1 Widow Myers 2 Charles Small 3 4
5 Jacob Shamberger. 6
y 8 Jacob Aldinger. 9 Joseph Waternyer. 10
" John Keeng 13 Henry Bieny. Charles Small. Widow Myers. Andrew Miller.
List of aus regular meet- ings commencing Aug- ust 21 st 1859, att
1 Widow Myers,
2 Charles Small. 3 Widow Feigly 4 Jacob Markes. 5- Jacob Falchensten.
6 Henry Rony George list
8 large Platskraft. 9. Jacob Schamberger 10 David Brillhast 11 Joseph Walternye 12 Thomas Grey. 13 Samuel Bowser. 14 John Keeng
263
CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
and Lower Conewago congregational lines. This congrega- tion was organized in 1758 and soon after numbered in its membership about forty families. The first elder was Jacob Danner, a son of Michael Danner, a prominent man in the early history of the county and one of the five commissioners appointed to view and lay off York County in 1749. Jacob Danner was among the most intelligent of the first German emigrants west of the Susquehanna, and figured very con- spicuously in history. He was a poet of no mean reputation about the year 1750.
The services in general in York County prior to the build- ing of the Codorus church house were held in private homes, barns and school houses. Prom- inent among the first members of the Codorus Congrega- tion in 1758 were Rudy Yunt, Peter Brillhart, John Brill- hart, Henry Neff, and wives.
In 1872 the Co- dorus church was built near Loganville. Jacob Aldinger then lived at Brillhart, York County, Penn- sylvania, about 12 miles from the church. Aldinger's mother-in-law, Sister Lydia Sprenkel, then ELDER JACOB ALDINGER lived with them and always went along with them to church. She thought it was so far to go and wished for a church nearer to where they lived. She told Jacob Aldinger to try to have a church house within two miles of their home. She gave him money to keep until he could find a suitable location to build, so, when in 1879 he purchased a farm near York, Aldinger said, "Now is the time to build that church and asked the council of the Codorus Congregation to build a church house at York. Some of the members said they also needed a church house at New Freedom.
In 1883 the Codorus Congregation decided to build the two churches, one near New Freedom, the other in York. Elder Jacob Shamberger was in charge of the congregation at this time.
264
HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
The building committee for the York church consisted of Elder Jacob Aldinger, Noah Ness and David Markey, all living in the vicinity of York. This committee was appointed to pur- chase a lot and erect a suitable building in or near York. This location they selected was near the borough line, the site on which this building now stands. The owner of the lot was Mr. Alexander Smyser, who agreed to sell the lot for $1,200.00 and agreed further that he would contribute $400.00, leaving a balance of $800.00 to be paid in cash.
The building committee proceeded at once with the build- ing which cost $2,625.00. It was ready for dedication in January, 1884. Elder David Long, of Maryland, father of Elder Joseph A. Long, preached the dedicatory sermon.
The following item appeared in the York Daily, Monday, January 7, 1884 :
"Yesterday the Brethren held their first meeting in their new brick church on Belvidere Avenue. Notwithstanding the bitter cold weather a large number of persons from the surrounding country were in attendance."
At this time there were about eighteen members of the church living within the limits of the York Congregation. There are no records to tell who these members were.
The York church was built largely through efforts of Elder Jacob Aldinger who was leader of the movement to locate a mission in this locality. Not alone in the building of the house but through him has the church enjoyed a con- venience for baptism occasions in years gone by, even to the present day.
Eleven years later, in 1895, the members living in and about York petitioned the congregation for a division of its territory and membership, making York a separate congregation. The inconvenience of members to attend coun- cils and Love Feasts at Codorus was given as the reason for this request. The request was granted and in a council held in the York church on July 20, 1895, the new organization was affected with Elder Christian Ness retaining the oversight until the following month. Elders present in this council were as follows : S. R. Zug, Jacob Hollinger, Peter Brown, and Christian Ness.
On August 24th, the church met again in council and elected Elder S. R. Zug, Lancaster County, to be their pre- siding elder. Other officials were: Ministers, Jacob Aldinger, Caleb Correll, and Joseph A. Long; deacons, Adam Ness, M. A. Brown, and Elias Hollinger; secretary, Abram S. Hershey ; treasurer, Elias Hollinger; committee present at this council were Brethren Andrew Myers and T. F. Imler.
This same year, 1895, a committee consisting of Brethren Elias Hollinger, M. A. Brown, and C. G. Trimmer, was appointed to make arrangements for a Love Feast, the first to be held in the York church, and which was held on October
CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
265
==
FIRST CHURCH OF YORK
266
HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
20th, 1895. The cooking for the Love Feast was done in the home of Sister Alice K. Trimmer.
On January 9, 1896, the official Brethren agreed to have the church elect an assistant elder, who was to preside over matters not requiring the presiding elder's special attention. Brother Joseph A. Long, not yet an ordained elder, was chosen. Brethren Elias Hollinger and Joseph A. Long were the first to represent the York church as delegates at District Meeting.
This new congregation soon felt the need of help in the ministry, and on April 9th, 1896, called Brother James P. Lehman to the ministry.
On August 1st, 1896, the elder appointed Brethren N. C. Baughman, John Krape, Sr., and Tobias Kunkle as trustees of the church.
The York church soon had a vision of the many lost souls in this vicinity and accordingly, when only a year old, on September 27, 1896, in a special council called after the regular preaching services, by Brother Long, they agreed to have Brother S. F. Sanger, of Bridgewater, Virginia, hold a series of meetings early in December, and Brother John Mohler, of Lewistown, Pennsylvania, to hold another in the following month. There are no known records available to tell who or how many were received into the church as a result of these meetings.
Following is a copy taken from the church minutes of council held July 8, 1897: "It was unanimously agreed that the church take up the mission work in the eastern part of our city, hold services at a suitable point, and trust the work into the hands of a committee to be constituted of the ministering Brethren living in the city, namely : Brethren Long, Correll, and Lehman, whose duty it shall be to secure a place of wor- ship, and to oversee all matters relating to this important work. And it shall be the duty of every member to attend these meetings, and work in this new field when and wherever an opportunity presents itself."
The church trustees were asked on April 8th, 1896, to serve as a building committee to erect a kitchen to be used during Love Feast. October 14th of the same year, a new committee was appointed consisting of Brethren John Baker, N. C. Baughman and John K. Pfaltzgraff. The final outcome was that the church on January 12th, 1899, decided to build an entirely new church.
In council on April 27th, 1899, Elders C. L. Pfoutz and Jacob Hollinger were present and ordained Brother Joseph A. Long to the eldership, and on July 13th of this same year, Brother Long was elected presiding elder to succeed Elder S. R. Zug, who had served the church faithfully for the past four years.
1899-August 2nd. The church was called in council by Brother Long for the purpose of considering the East York
267
CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
mission work. The committee reported that they can rent the old chapel on East Market Street to hold services in, for $60.00 a year. By motion it was agreed that the committee engage the house and open the work at once. It was also agreed to open Sunday school at the chapel. The Sunday school officers for the East York Church, who shall serve for the remainder of the year, were elected as fol- lows: Superintendent, Israel Bowser; secre- tary, Anson Good; treasurer, Samuel Hos- tetter; librarian, Mamie Junkle and Clara Hellerman.
ELDER JOSEPH A. LONG
1900-March 1st. It was previously an- nounced that this meeting was especially called in order to more fully consider the matter of building a new church house on the same site of the oid church house. It was also suggested that a tabernacle be built to hold meetings and Sunday school while the new church is being built. November 11th-The new church was dedicated. Sermons by Elder H. C. Early. Actual cost of church, $4,600.00.
1901-August 1st. D. R. Heddings received as deacon by certificate.
1902-September 20th. E. S. Young held Bible school term eight weeks. April 8th-J. J. Bowser was elected church treasurer. Served until January 1, 1917. October 2nd- Milton G. Keeney was elected to the deacon office.
1903-March 28th. John D. Dotterer and wife were received as deacon and deaconess. April 30th-Ella Heddings installed as deaconess.
1905-November 5-The church having agreed at a previous council to hold a Christian Workers meeting, it was agreed that the elder appoint an executive committee of five brethren and sisters, who shall organize as a committee. The executive committee appointed is as follows : Louise Sprenkle, Emory Trimmer, Jessie Dotterer, Calvin Lefever, Alice K.
268
HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Trimmer. The elder appointed Brother G. G. Trimmer to lead the first meeting, Sunday evening, November 12th, 1905.
1907-October 11th-Quarterly council. It was agreed that Elders Pfoultz and Wiley shall take part in the work of this meeting, to hold an election for a minister. The election resulted in the choice of Brother Melvin A. Jacobs. Brother Jacobs with his wife, Emma, were installed in the usual manner.
1907-March 7th-Received by letter Brother Daniel Bowser and wife, Mamie, who moved here from East Berlin, as a minister in the first degree, was received to labor with us in this church. It was agreed to purchase the lot recom- mended by the committee, the corner of Spruce and Rouse Avenues, East York, and build a church house on the site. December 6th-The final report of the East York building committee was received. The building cost about $3,640.00. October 4th-Daniel Bowser and M. A. Jacobs were advanced to the second degree of the ministry. December 6th-East York church was dedicated. Sermon by Elder W. J. Swigart.
1909-July 8th-Brethren David Brillhart and Jacob Myers of East Codorus Congregation, being present by request of our elder, to take part in the meeting. Brother Brillhart read the qualifications required for a deacon, after which the vote of the church was taken, resulting in the election of Brethren George Leathery and Harry Flohr as deacons.
1910-July 7th-Council. It was agreed by the church to hold an election for a minister. The vote of the church was taken by Brother David Brillhart and Brother Jacob Myers. Brother L. Elmer Leas and wife, Anna, were elected. October 6th-Church organized Teachers Training. First teacher, H. H. Hollinger until February 15, 1911. Second, D. W. Baker, until his death which occurred September 25, 1923. Bible school organized following Teachers Training. Average attendance 112. Teachers were L. Elmer Leas, Arthur Hess, and Joseph Baugher.
1911-October 12th-Daniel Bowser was ordained elder.
1913-January 9th-L. Elmer Leas was advanced to the second degree ministry. April 3rd-George K. Pfaltzgraff was elected secretary to succeed A. S. Hershey, who served as secretary since the beginning of the York church.
1914-By motion duly seconded, Brethren Jacob Myers and Charles L. Baker took part in the meeting to elect deacons on July 8th. The choice fell on Henry W. Crist and wife, Theodore Wagner and wife who were installed in the usual manner. Also John Moser and wife were received as deacon and deaconess.
1915-April 6th-Elders Albert Hollinger, Oliver Cook, Jacob Brenneman and Alexander Brodbeck took charge of the meeting to hold an election for a minister, which resulted in the election of Brother Joseph J. Bowser. He and his wife,
269
CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Ida, were installed in the usual manner. May 6th-Letters of membership were received. Brother Jacob Brenneman and wife being received as ministers in the second degree.
1916-December 8th-The trustees, G. K. Pfaltzgraff, John F. Sprenkel, Charles Graff, were instructed to purchase a plot of ground 40 by 109 feet adjoining the East York church, fronting 40 feet on East Princess Street at $8.00 a front foot.
1917-January 11th-James P. Lehman elected church treasurer.
1918-April 11th-Council. Elders H. M. Stover and David Brillhart took the voice of the church for an election of a minister according to the late dictation of the Annual Meeting. Brother D. K. Trimmer was elected and installed.
1919-April 10th-Council. The following brethren took part in the meeting : Elder Oliver Cook and Elder Charles H. Baker. An election for two deacons was held. Brother Thomas Fitz and wife and Brother Eli Wagner and wife were installed in the usual manner.
1920-December 8th-George W. Kraft was elected treasurer. December 21st-Council. The following elders were present : Charles Baker, A. S. Baugher, and Grant Group. The church decided to hold an election for a minister. The voice of the church was taken. Brother Chauncey Trimmer and wife were elected and duly installed in the usual way.
1921-September 30th-A. D. Hoover and wife received as deacon and deaconess. November 4th-L. Elmer Leas was ordained elder.
1922-April 14th-New addition to church building. By motion duly carried the plan presented by the committee was adopted and the committee instructed to proceed with building the new addition. The building committee are as follows : George Pfaltzgraff, George Leathery, Charles Graff, Adam Ness, and Jacob Aldinger.
1923-October 8th-Joseph Baugher was received as a minister. J. C. Racer and wife were received as deacon and deaconess. Motion passed and carried that Elder Long select a speaker for these services and arrange everything for the dedication. December 6th-The new Sunday school building was dedicated. Sermon by James M. Moore. Cost of building $33,500.00.
1924-November 2nd-Wayne Keller, Sr., was elected treasurer.
1925-April 9th-E. J. Myers and wife were received by letter as deacon and deaconess.
1926-February 9th-Harrison S. Gipe was received as a minister. July 6th-Melvin A. Jacobs was received as an elder. October 28th - Melvin A. Jacobs was elected as presiding elder. Church membership 548.
1927-August 19th-Special council meeting. Elders Baker and Grant Group were present and took part in holding
270
HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN -- SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
an election for two deacons. After the vote was taken, Elder Jacobs stated that three were nearly tie, and asked the church if they wanted to accept three. By a rising vote it was decided to take the three. Brother Arthur R. Hess and wife, Katie; Brother Ralph B. Lehman and wife, Bertha; Brother Calvin Lefever and wife, Katie, were duly installed.
1929-January 18th-Brother James Sweitzer and wife were received by certificate as deacon and deaconess. Harry C. Miller and wife were received as deacon and deaconess.
1930-January 17th-Regular council. Our elder called in Elders C. L. Baker and Michael Markey, for the purpose of holding an election for deacons; the call coming from the deacon board. The result of the election showed that five brethren had received a sufficient number of votes to be elected. A motion duly seconded was passed that five instead of four, be installed with their wives. They were John McWilliams and wife, Nettie; Granville Burgard and wife, Verne; John Krape and wife, Eliza; Wayne Keller and wife, Emma; and Sanford Trimmer and wife, Camilla. August 7th-Council was favored with the ministerial board of the district, Elders W. G. Group, A. S. Baugher and B. F. Lightner. The vote was taken for two ministers and resulted as follows : Brethren Arthur R. Hess and wife, Katie; Ralph B. Lehman and wife, Bertha. Since two of the deacons were called to the ministry, our elder called for an election for three deacons. The vote for three deacons was then taken and resulted in electing Brethren Spencer Seigman and wife, Nettie; George Stough and wife, Purdon; Paul Lehman and wife, Grace. They were installed as deacons. December 15th-Joseph J. Bowser was ordained elder. Elder Baugher charged Brother and Sister Bowser in harmony with the church practice of the laying on of hands and prayer.
1931-October 9th-Enoch Maderia was elected church secretary.
1932-July 4th-Paul Hershey was elected treasurer. July 25th-Council. The courtesy was extended to Michael Markey and Samuel Myers to conduct the election of two deacons. Brother Moses Mummert and wife, Emma; and Brother Lowell Landis and wife, Ruby, were elected.
1933-April 21st-Brother Chester Royer and wife, Anna. Their certificates were read and he was accepted as a minister. July 14th-Francis Bair was elected church secretary.
1934-January 12th-Moses Mummert was elected church secretary for two years. The idea of a local church historian was brought before the meeting by Brother J. J. Bowser. Sister Anna Aldinger Sheets was elected to serve for two years.
1935-A report of a committee authorized by the District Meeting of October, 1934, recommended that the services of
271
CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
the present pastor, Brother M. A. Jacobs, terminate September 1st, 1935.
1936-Council meeting dated May 15th, 1936, voted to call Brother S. S. Blough to act as pastor of the York church which was accepted by him.
1939-Special council December 15th, 1939, elected Brother J. J. Bowser and Brother S. S. Blough elder and associate elder respectively.
1940-Brother S. S. Blough presented his resignation to council April 12th to become effective September 1st, 1940. Special council meeting of April 26th elected five new deacons as follows: James E. Oberdick and wife, Ruth; Wilmer Markle and wife, Ida; Wilbert Bohn and wife, Alberta; Lehman Crist and wife, Alverta; and John Min- nich and wife, Dorothy. Coun- cil meeting of July 19th, 1940, elected Brother Edward K. Zeigler pastor of the York First and Second churches, starting September 1st, 1940. 1941-Council meeting of January 12th, 1941, voted to consider Brother J. W. Barwick as a full standing minister of the Church of the Brethren. In a specially called council meeting on Thursday, August 7, the York church licensed to the ministry four young men who after much prayerful con- ELDER EDWARD K. ZIEGLER, Pastor sideration felt called of God to the ministry, and had volun- teered to the church for this work. The service of licensing was in charge of Elders C. E. Grapes, chairman of the District Ministerial Board, and S. C. Godfrey. The four young men licensed were Jesse Owen Jenkins, Stanley Smith Dotterer, Ernest Warren Lefever, and J. Jack Melhorn. At this meet- ing, Elder Joseph J. Bowser was re-elected elder-in-charge of the York church for a term of three years.
The Sunday School
Quoted from an address given by Elder L. Elmer Leas on 50th anniversary in 1934:
"Nathan Arnold was appointed by Christian Ness, of the Mother church, as the first superintendent in 1894. According
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.