USA > Pennsylvania > A History of the Church of the Brethren in southern district of Pennsylvania > Part 5
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They meet every Sunday evening for a while, with only a short program on alternate Sunday evenings.
At these meetings many of the young people learn more fully, how to function in church work and to preside at public meetings. The male quartette which carried the message of song into many churches and homes was organized here.
Guest speakers are often brought in to make addresses to the youth on subjects of devotion, character building, stead- fastness, and Christian growth. The business part of the pro- grams is carried on in a parliamentary way, encouraging the youth to express their desires in an effective manner. Here the youth learn to take a defeat gracefully in pre- senting a pet idea. Here they learn to allow personalities to fade, and recognize that they are all a part of the church. Here many ideas are developed that lead to suggestions to the
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
church council, for the advancement of Christian work in the community.
An offering is taken at these meetings expressing their thanks to the Giver of all good, and to make possible the execution of their ideas. From time to time, they help to buy furnishings and fuel for the church, contribute towards the general church budget, and to the American Bible Society. These young people have contributed through nine years over $200.00.
Those who have functioned in the past are as follows: President, Edwin Eigenbrode, John Heffner, Jr., John Coleman, Laurean Smith; Secretary, Anna Swope Embly, Edna Swope Embly, Edna Bumbaugh; Treasurer, Mildred Palmer Smith, Charles Muck, Thurman Smith, Eugene Mellinger, Calvin Bumbaugh; Young Peoples Director, H. M. Stover, Mitchell Embley.
Missions Antietam Congregation
The growth of the church was probably due to the earnest living of the members with their personal testimony to their friends and neighbors, and was carried into other communities by emigration of Brethren families.
In 1772, Brother Martin Urner, who was enthusiastic in the revival of religion in the hearts of people, being 47 years of age, came into the Antietam country and held a great revival meeting, and many were gathered into the church; so many that Elder Nicolas Martin, of near Welsh Run, wrote to Alexander Mack telling him among other things that "the church was increased many fold, and many fervently awakened".
In the early part of the Nineteenth Century, the names of William and Daniel Stover, and George and John Price were often mentioned in the activities of the church.
No definite missionary work was found reported until in council assembled on September 20, 1884, it was decided to lift an offering quarterly for mission work for it is a worthy cause, and an offering was taken at once amounting to $8.75.
In 1894, on March 11, a special offering was taken to help build a meeting house in Roanoke, Virginia.
Regular contributions were made by Waynesboro Mis- sionary Association to the Quinlin mission work at Locust Point, Baltimore, Maryland. Help was given to the church in Washington, District of Columbia. When the mission was started in Brooklyn, the Antietam Congregation furnished one of the rooms in the home, for the convenience of out-going, and in-coming missionaries.
The parlor, and an individual room was furnished at the Old Folks Home, when it was established, and many other smaller gifts were given for the help of others.
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
After the Sunday school was started in Waynesboro in 1872 and the Young Peoples Meeting started in Waynesboro in 1888-1892, and the Missionary Reading Circle in 1893, and the Missionary Association in 1893 as an outgrowth of an organization by the sisters, the missionary spirit grew. Among the charter members of the Missionary Association were the Boerners, Newcomers, Ollers, Prices, and Ripples. (See Missionary Association of Waynesboro Congregation.)
W. B. Stover, who came into our congregation in the spring of 1891, being just chosen as a minister, and enthused with the spirit of missions, stirred up the congregation, as never before, with this spirit for others. With a desire to carry the Gospel to India, he arranged with Elder J. F. Oller to canvass the Antietam Congregation, and see if they would not support him in that field, if the General Conference would see fit to send him. J. E. Demuth, a deacon, and H. M. Stover visited many families, asking if they were in favor of support- ing Brother Stover, in India, and how much they were willing to contribute yearly for the same ; one sister (not blessed with this world's goods) said, "Yes, it is a good thing, and I think I can give ten cents a year for that work". Many responded liberally. A proposition was made to the mission board on October 4, 1892, that this congregation would assume about $800 toward the support of Brother Stover in India. For some reason he did not go that fall, but went to Germantown as pastor. At the council of January 20, 1893, it was decided that since he did not go to India those promising to support him would not be held to their pledge.
In the summer of 1893, he was married, and with his wife did some very effective evangelistic work over the Brother- hood, and on January 25, 1894, he, with his wife, brought their church letters and were received into fellowship here. In March, 1894, the Antietam Congregation assembled in council, in the Waynesboro meeting house endorsed Brother W. B. Stover and his wife as missionaries for the foreign fields.
In June of that year the General Conference decided to send them, and on July 28 of that same year, it was decided to make an every member canvass of the congregation for funds for the mission work in India. A committee of ten was appointed to do the work as quickly as possible. In October, 1894, W. B. Stover, his wife, Mary, and Miss Bertha Ryan went to India as missionaries.
Jesse B. Emmert, son of one of our deacons, J. F. Emmert, was sent to India in 1902.
Holly P. Garner was sent by the church to Blue Ridge College, New Windsor, Maryland, and later to Bethany Bible School. After his marriage to Miss Katherine Barkdoll, they were both sent to India as missionaries.
The Antietam Congregation assisted Trostle P. Dick and H. C. Muck to both college and seminary education. For
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other missionary work see Waynesboro Congregation and the chapter on the Missionary Reading Circle.
After the Waynesboro Congregation was organized, and carried with it the Missionary Association, the Antietam Congregation formed a Missionary Committee to continue missionary activities among her people. They gave programs once a year in each section of their territory, and asked that missionary sermons be preached, thus continuing the missionary spirit.
They gave to each convert, after baptism, a copy of the "New Testament Doctrines" by J. H. Moore, until they were out of print, and then gave a copy of "Studies in Doctrines and Devotions", by the Sunday School Board.
BACK CREEK CONGREGATION
The Back Creek Congregation was organized in 1850. Previous to its organization it belonged to the Welsh Run con- gregation which was organized in 1810. All of this territory was formerly a part of the original Antietam congregation organized about 1752.
Among the family names of the charter members of the congregation were, Lehman, Brandt, Hoover, Pheil, Etter, Kinsey, Keller, Foust. We have no record of the number of the charter members. In 1881 the membership of the congre- gation was 215. At present, 1941, it is 287.
BRANDT'S CHURCH-BACK CREEK
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
For several years after its organization the congregation continued holding services in the homes, some of which were built large for that purpose. About 1853 the first church house was built on land bought from Elder David Brandt whose spacious home had been a regular meeting place for worship. The price paid for this tract of land of 57 perches was $25. The deed of David Brandt and wife, Elizabeth, was made to the German Baptist Church of the Back Creek Con- gregation on August 8, 1856, recorded April 1, 1857. (Deed book 57, page 564.) In it David Foust, Sr., and Michael Hoover were named trustees of the "Back Creek Congrega- tion of the German Baptist Brethren Church".
This church without a basement, 40 feet by 62 feet, which was built of native limestone contains an audience room with seating capacity of 300, a kitchen and a nursery or Sunday school room. The church was originally furnished with back- less seats placed lengthwise in the building, with a lengthwise center aisle and a long table in front for the ministers. At a council meeting on March 26, 1881, David Foust, Sr., and Frederick Myers were appointed as a committee to put backs on the benches. At a later date the interior of the church was remodeled, the pews were placed crosswise, the seats were arranged for Love Feast convenience, a pulpit, a delco light plant, and a furnace were added.
In 1935 Sister Elmira (Samuel) Neikirk left $500 to be used for Brandt's church. This was used for new pews, a new furnace, electric lights and a new pulpit rug. These improve- ments were dedicated in December 1935. Brother Daniel Bowser of York preached the dedicatory sermon.
After the loss of all the knives and forks by fire in the home of Brother J. K. Brindle, he replaced them with pearl handle stainless steel knives and forks.
On August 15, 1862, Jacob Myers and wife sold to the congregation for $61.50 one acre 86 perches of land. It was recorded May 3, 1886 in deed book 40, page 622. This was bought for a hitching ground. Now it is used for parking cars.
On May 27, 1871, the congregation purchased for a graveyard 14 2/10 perches of land a short distance from the church. This land was bought from Adam Pheil and wife, Catherine, for the sum of $6.84. It was deeded to the same trustees as the church property. Recorded April 17, 1897, Book 108, page 431.
During 1870 and 1871 the second house of worship in this congregation, the Upton house, was built near the village of Upton, a short distance north of state highway No. 16. It was built on a tract of land (1 acre 37 perches) which was bought December 23, 1871 from Henry Hawbecker and wife, Ruhamma, for the sum of $307.81. The Board of Trustees to whom the property was deeded, who also constituted the building committee were John Widders, David Foust, Sr., and
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
UPTON CHURCH
Peter Picking. The deed was recorded April 4, 1874, (Deed book 50, page 7). A brick building, 40'x60', was erected with stone foundation and basement at an approximate cost of $3,000. The bricks were burned on the farm of John Widders, about one mile distant. February 10, 1888, to enlarge the graveyard, another acre of land was purchased from the same farm for $150, Jacob S. Shindle and wife, Susan, being owners at that time. The deed was recorded May 29, 1888, in Deed book Vol. 81, page 501. At council meeting March 1910, the following committee was appointed to incorporate the graveyard : F. S. Ebersole, John Lehner, Daniel Graybill, John P. Leiter, C. D. Hege. (Charter book Vol. 3, page 95.) They became the first Board of Trustees.
When considering the location for a second house of wor- ship in the congregation there had been quite a difference of opinion. Elder John Shank who lived in the southern part of the congregation offered to give $1,400 if it would be built midway between Upton and Greencastle. He was evidently disappointed when the site at Upton was chosen. Soon after the completion of the building of the Upton church in 1871 he set aside from his own farm, 2 miles southwest of Greencastle, 7 acres 71 perches of land for church and graveyard purposes and erected thereon at his own expense an exact duplicate of the Upton house.
In his will written December 30, 1876, probated November 23, 1877 (Will book, Volume H, Page 441) he be-
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
SHANKS CHURCH-BACK CREEK
queathed this to the Back Creek congregation and directed that $800 of his estate be used to erect a dwelling house on the land for the use of the caretaker of the property. The care- taker was to receive the proceeds of all the tillable land and pay taxes. The house was erected in 1878. He devised also that a dower of $1,000 be left in his "Mansion farm". The interest of 6% per annum to be forever used for repairs needed to the church house, building and fences. He also directed that the burial in the graveyard should be absolutely
HOME OF ELDER JOHN SHANK
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
free to all humanity regardless of race or condition. Today, in 1940, Daniel Haldeman continues to pay interest on the dower.
On the night of May 30, 1883, the church was struck by lightning. Bed clothing on the attic became ignited and did much damage, ruining the interior of the building but leaving the walls intact. The interior arrangement of the church was changed when rebuilding.
Services are now being held at the Shank's church every Sunday morning, while at Brandt's and Upton they are held every week, alternating Sunday morning and evening.
MRS. MARY CATHERINE EMMERT MILLER AND GRANDDAUGHTER Sister Miller attended Shank's church for almost 50 years.
Years ago services were held at each of the three places every four weeks in the morning. On the fourth Sunday services were held at Church Hill School House, Guitners School House, and St. John's Lutheran Church in Cashtown. These appointments being every 12 weeks. Services were also held for a while at Dickey's School House, Centennial School House, Pine Grove School House, and Bridgeport. Services at Church Hill were discontinued after missionary work was begun at Mercersburg, it being but two miles distant. They were discontinued at Centennial School House after the organ- ization of the church in Chambersburg. They are still held at Guitner's School House every six weeks in the morning. Because of more convenient modes of travelling, preaching services have been discontinued at the other places mentioned above.
Other Missionary Efforts
MERCERSBURG-At a council meeting on March 26, 1883, Jacob S. Shindle and Moses Gingrich were appointed as
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
a committee to confer with the Welsh Run congregation about buying a church house in Mercersburg. These brethren secured an option on the house and deposited $50. For some reason the plan failed and the brethren forfeited their deposit money. About 1911 a mission was opened in Mercersburg by Back Creek and Welsh Run congregations jointly. About 1918 the boundary line between the two congregations was changed so that it is now wholly within the Welsh Run congregation.
EMANUEL'S CHURCH-This was an abandoned United Brethren Church five miles northwest of Chambersburg which was bought for $248 by M. B. Mentzer and Wm. R. Moore. Upon the payment of the purchase price they transferred it to the trustees of the Ridge and Back Creek congre- gations on May 10, 1911. For a time services were conducted alternately by both congregations. Later the Ridge congregation discontinued their work and it was cared for by the Back Creek Congregation until March 6, 1931, when the building was sold to Samuel Bricker for $208.
McCONNELLSDALE - In 1894 Elders Wm. A. Anthony of the Falling Spring congregation and J. Kurtz Miller of the Back Creek congregation opened a mission in Fulton County. Until 1900 these two brethren alter- nated in preaching there. At the council meeting of March 25, 1897, ELDER J. KURTZ MILLER action was taken to build a church and the following committee was appoint- ed to solicit funds : Solomon Sollenberger, George R. Deihl, John H. Foust and David Kinsey. A tract of land was bought from the McGovern farm two miles north of McConnellsburg. A frame church house named McConnellsdale was built thereon. It was deeded to the German Baptist Brethren Church of Franklin County, Pennsylvania. The board of trustees were: George Snider, Nathaniel Rotz of Fulton County, and David Kinsey of Franklin County. Services were held there every four weeks. Brother J. Kurtz Miller reported that there were about 40 received into the church by baptism. George Snider and Nathaniel Rotz were elected deacons. A union Sunday school was organized. Annual Love Feasts were held in the fall of the year which were attended by many mem- bers from Back Creek (30 or 40), and the Pleasant Ridge Congregations. In 1923 because of lack of interest services were discontinued, the house was sold to G. A. Heckman and the pulpit and some of the pews were moved to Shank's Church.
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
--
MCCONNELLSDALE MEETING HOUSE Dedicated in 1894. Building Now Reduced.
Presiding Elders of the congregation: Samuel Lehman, who moved to Naperville, Ill .; David Brandt, who was a German speaker; 1877, John Shank, the builder of the Shank church; 1877-1886, Adam Pheil, who later united with the First Brethren Church; 1886-1893, David Long, a non-resident elder (from Beaver Creek, Md.) ; 1894-1903, Daniel Miller, who did not encourage Sunday school work; 1904-1913, John Lehner, who was much interested in Sunday school work ;
ELDER M. B. MENTZER AND WIFE
1913-1924, D. A. Foust, who was a member of the District Mission Board ; 1924-1940, A. M. Neiswander; 1940-to date, M. B. Mentzer.
Ministers other than presiding elders: J. Eberly Kurtz, Enoch Eby, Abraham Pheil, D. P. Miller, John Myers, George Hege, Daniel Neikirk, J. D. Wilson, C. H. Steerman, Norman
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
ELDER EDGAR LANDIS AND WIFE
Dentler, E. J. Egan, J. S. Walleck, Edgar Landis, M. B. Mentzer, Geo. Widder, Geo. Mourer, Daniel Young, M. R. Flohr, F. E. McCoy, Paul Miller, Harvey Martin, J. Kurtz Miller, J. H. Brindle, Edward Wingert.
Deacons : John Brandt, Michael Hoover, Geo. Brindle, Geo. Deihl, David I Foust, Sr., Isaac Etter, Solomon Sollenberger, Jacob Bovey, John Etter, J. S. Shindle, David Hollinger, John Foust, John Wingert, W. E. Harglerode, James Blattenberger, L. H. Leiter, Geo. Snyder, Nathaniel Rotz, B. F. Branthaver, A. B. Kriner, A. C. Foust, W. M. Spangler, Wm. Tedrick, G. A. Heckman, Geo. Byers, C. E. Lensbower, D. M. Halde- man, A. E. Hykes, Jacob K. Miller, David Heckman, J. K. Brindle, Wm. Foust, H. A. Etter, D. H. Stouffer, Samuel Hawbaker, Clarence Over, J. A. Weaver, Nelson Wilson, Ira Hawbaker, Paul Musselman, Spencer Whit- more. Merle Spangler, Jacob Oberholtzer.
Church Secretaries : - 1904, Geo. Hege, served more than 25 years; 1904- 1924, F. S. Ebersole; 1924- 1926, Margaret Oellig; 1926-1927, Ralph Zimmer- man; 1927-1938, Nelson Wil- son; 1938 to the present time, Mildred Heckman.
EZRA D. AUMAN AND WIFE Distinguished for Regular Attendance at Services.
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
L
ELDER JOHN LEHNER AND WIFE
Church Treasurers : John F. Etter, Wm. Tedrick, D. A. Heckman, Samuel Hawbaker.
Sunday School
At the church council of August 29, 1891, the question of starting a Sunday school in the congregation was discussed and deferred until next meeting. At council March 25, 1892, the question of opening a Sun- day school at Brandt's Church was discussed and the privi- lege given to any one who de- sired to do so. John H. Foust accepted the challenge. Sun- day school superintendents at Brandt's Church have been, John H. Foust, James Blat- tenberger, Andrew Heckman, William Foust, Joseph Brindle, Harry Etter, Samuel Hawbecker-(1939).
ELDER DAVID A. FOUST Member of Mission Board Many Years.
At the council of March 25, 1893, the question of opening a Sunday school at Upton house was voted upon favorably. There were none opposed.
Sunday school superin- tendents at Upton Church have been George Hege- Assistant, F. S. Ebersole ; W. E. Harglerode, Jacob Miller, Daniel Mickley, William
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Tedrick, Joseph Wingert, Luther Stouffer, Nelson Wilson, D. H. Stouffer, Paul Musselman, Spencer Whitmore, Paul Heckman.
From the beginning both Brandts and Upton were sum- mer schools. Since 1915 they have been evergreen schools. First Sunday school was organized at Shank's Congrega- tion in the Spring of 1902. This was for the summer only. Since 1905 it has been an evergreen school.
Sunday school superintendents at Shank's Congregation have been Andrew Kriner, Luther Leiter, Andrew Kriner, Paul Musselman, Jacob Weaver, and Daniel Haldeman.
The Sister's Sewing Circle, Shanks Church
Mrs. Sue Pfoutz, of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, met with the women of "The German Baptist Brethren Church" of Shanks Church in Back Creek Congregation, in the home of Frances M. Leiter (Mrs. Luther H.), January 18, 1906, to organize a Sewing Circle. The following organization was effected : President, Frances M. Leiter; Vice President, Susie Wallech (Mrs. John) ; Secretary, Blanche Wallech; Corre- sponding Secretary, Fannie Gearhart; Treasurer, Rebecca A. Kuhn (Mrs. William).
Each member gave 5c dues per month. Besides this they made and sold articles for household use and clothing. They took their sewing home and held their monthly meetings in the various homes.
In 1907 the Circle accepted the invitation of the Presi- dent, Frances M. Leiter, to meet regularly in her home as it was becoming burdensome to move the sewing on hand from one meeting place to another.
Articles of clothing, food and money were given from time to time to the poor of the neighborhood and to the several ministers and their wives; also to several mission points.
Cocoa matting was laid in the aisles of the church and a Bible desk was placed on the long table where the ministers sat.
The Circle continued to meet in the home of L. H. Leiter until they moved to Greencastle in 1910.
In 1911 a call came from two neighboring churches, Shady Grove and Brown's Mill, in Falling Spring Congrega- tion for help to organize Sewing Circles. The President, Frances M. Leiter was appointed to assist them and a Society was organized at each place.
The Shank Circle disbanded in 1912.
BIG CONEWAGO CONGREGATION Divided Into Upper Conewago and Lower Conewago in 1849
The Big Conewago Congregation was organized in 1741. At the time of the organization it was the next to the largest
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
congregation in the brotherhood. It comprised a large terri- tory, about East Berlin and York Springs in York and Adams Counties. After the Bermudian Seventh Day Baptists Brethren ceased to exist as an organization about the year 1820, the entire northern half of York County also became Big Conewago territory.
The first preacher was George Adam Martin, who was born in Germany in 1715, and came to America at an early day. He was a member of the Reformed Church under Peter Miller in the Tulpenhocken country. He united with the Church of the Brethren in 1735 and was ordained by Peter Becker in 1739. He lived first in the Coventry Church, later in the Conestoga Church. He then moved to the Big Conewago Church and became their first elder.
The account given by Brumbaugh in his History of the Brethren of George Adam Martin, states that Martin was a rash, impulsive, impatient man. He possessed an unusual mind, well trained in German and Latin, was a logical rea- soner, a profound speaker, and a ready writer. He did not kindly receive admonition, because he declared that every- body who knew him considered him a great Doctor of Holy Writ. He argued with his brethren in the Big Conewago Church, that needless restrictions were adopted, in that they did not allow anyone who was not baptized to partake of the Holy Sacraments. The controversy continued in Big Conewago Church for some time, until George Adam Martin was disowned about 1760.
In 1770 this congregation contained seventy-seven members. Some of the names given by Morgan Edwards were, George Brown, preacher; John Heiner, Peter Fox, Anthony Dierdorff, John Dierdorff, Nicholas Moyer, Manasseh Brough, Michael Bosserman, David Ahrhard, Daniel Baker, Andrew Trimmer, Peter Dierdorff, John Neagly, Welty Brissel, Lawrence Baker, Nicholas Baker, Jr., Adam Dick, Henry Radibush, Jacob Sweigard, Peter Neiper, Joseph Latshaw, Abraham Stauffer, Henry Dierdorff, John Burkholder, Eustance Rentzel, Barnett Augenbaugh, Michael Brissel, Matthias Bowser, Philip Snell, Henry Brissel, George Wagner, George Resser, and their wives. The unmarried were: Peter Wertz, Ann Mummert, Christian Frey, Samuel Arnold, Mary Latshaw, Catherine Stidebaler, Sarah Brissel, Nicholas Baker, Marillas Baker, Jacob Brown, and Rudolph Brown.
As early as 1736, a constituancy of the Cloister at Ephrata, Pennsylvania, moved to the Bermudian country. This was a section of country along the Bermudian Creek in York County, nearly in the center of the Big Conewago Church. These Cloister Brethren worshipped with the Brethren of Big Conewago Church. Conrad Beissel, founder of the Cloister, was noted for his proseliting attitude, and, it is presumed, when he heard of the controversy in Big
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