USA > Pennsylvania > A History of the Church of the Brethren in southern district of Pennsylvania > Part 7
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Buffalo Church of the Brethren Meeting Houses
May 21, 1850, the Buffalo Congregation purchased a plot of ground for a cemetery, about three miles northwest of Lewisburg, from Joel Royer, Jr., for the sum of $50.00. Isaac Myers, Adam Royer, and Israel Royer represented the church as trustees.
Some time later the first German Baptist Church (now the Church of the Brethren) in the valley was built on land adjacent to this cemetery. It is said that on a number of occasions, the brethren from the west end of the valley, walked a distance of over a score of miles in order to attend services at this meeting place. In the passing of the years, conditions changed ; services were discontinued, and in 1904, the build- ing was removed to White Springs, about two miles south from where the Buffalo Church is now located. The church was rededicated in the fall of the same year, Elder Edmund D. Book being the guest speaker.
At this time a goodly number of the brethren and sisters were located in this vicinity. The congregation had reached the low tide of 40 members, who concentrated their efforts here during the later part of the "horse and buggy days", and while the automobile was passing through its experimental stage. For a space of sixteen years, during this time the church took a forward trend and when the automobile became the chief agency of transportation, services here were discon- tinued and again assumed at the Pike Meeting House, now known as the Buffalo Church of the Brethren. This decision was passed January 1st, 1920. Here the church has since united her efforts.
During the year 1861 the Brethren built a church in the west end of the valley, near Laurelton, known as the Hartley House, near an old cemetery. It was built on land owned by Brother John Showalter. No deed was granted until November 9th, 1882, when it was sold by Brother Showalter
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
to Brethren Adam Musser, John Showalter and Lewis Badger, trustees of the church, for $1.00.
During the beginning of the Civil War the meetings here were well attended, but as the spirit of seventy-six revived and the brethren continued to preach the principles of peace, the community interest abated.
The brethren still continued holding their Love Feasts in houses and barns. Realizing the need of a meeting place cen- trally located, capable of accommodating its growing member- ship and equipped for the purpose of observing the ordinances,
BUFFALO CHURCH IN 1864-PRESENT MEETING PLACE
the Buffalo Church of the Brethren was erected in 1864, one and a half miles west of Mifflinburg, along the State Highway Number 45, then known as the Erie Pike.
On May 21, 1864, the ground was purchased from Mr. Samuel B. Barber, by Jacob Royer, Sr., and Isaac Royer, deacons, representing the church. Brother Jacob Strickler, Jr., being the architect and builder, assisted by Brother Jacob Boop and other brethren and friends. This meeting place soon absorbed the interest at Kelly and Hartly meeting places. The Kelly House was moved to White Springs and the Hartly House was sold at public sale in 1926. The proceeds were used toward repair of the Buffalo Church, rededicated during the fall of the same year.
During the year 1881 and 1882 Brother Howard Miller compiled a small volume known as the "RECORD OF THE
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HISTORY -- CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
FAITHFUL", containing 99 pages. This was among the first efforts to group the Brethren Ministerium by congregations, noting time of organization, number of charter members, present membership, time the first house was built, and number of additional houses then in the congregation.
The Sisters Aid was organized, at the home of Sister M. Catherine Shively, March 1, 1933. The following officers were elected : Sisters M. Catherine Shively, President; Roda A. Wert, Secretary ; and Mary S. Wert, Treasurer. Twelve members were present at the meeting. Twenty-nine sisters constitute the present membership. Officers : Mary A. Wert, President; Ada V. Mensch, Secretary; and M. Catherine Shively, Treasurer. They aim to meet monthly. The society has rendered a creditable service to the church with contributions made possible through their various activities.
Elders Ordained
John Royer
Isaac Myers
1850
John Sprogle
1850
Charles Royer 1874 I 1
John Beaver 1891 I
Greene Shively 1906 1
Mervyn Mensch
1933
Ministers Elected
David Shellenberger 1826
John Royer
1829
Henry Reubsan 1834
Isaac Myers
1839
1 *John Sprogle 1840 1
Charles Royer
1847
John Boganrief
I 1850
Robert Badger
I 1856
John Beaver
1859
Adam Beaver
1 1860
*Samuel Longenecker
1868
George Myers
1868
Peter Beaver
1879
Isaiah Beaver
1889
* Howard Miller
1881
Simon Shoewalter
1883
David Strickler I
1891
Greene Shively
1894
Samuel Starook 1896
John Royer 1907 1
Mervyn Mensch
1918
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
--
-
BUFFALO CHURCH GROUP, 1941
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
:
Elected Sunday School Superintendents
David Strickler
1892-1893
1920-1932
Isaac Heddings
1893-1897
Augustus Nickel
1897-1899
Greene Shively
1899-1906
1914-1917
Augustus Pick 1906-1908
Emaus Royer
1908-1914
Winey Mensch
1917-1921
Reno Hoffman
1932-
Number of members is 161.
* Indicates moved into the congregation an official.
CARLISLE CONGREGATION
The history of the Carlisle church began on the last Sunday of October in 1907. The work was supervised alter- nately by the Upper and Lower Cumberland Congrega- tions ; Carlisle being in the center of these two points. Elder John A. Miller, of Oakville, Pennsylvania, preached the first sermon at a meeting which was held in Clark Newsbaum's Hall on South Hanover Street. Meetings were held at this location for a few months, and then moved to Sipe's Hall on North Hanover Street; later moved to Cochran and Alcock's Hall on South Hanover Street. Here the meetings were held until the building of the present church house at West and Walnut Streets. The Mission Board of Southern Pennsylvania assisted in the work and finally effected an organization. Elder Joseph A. Long, of York, Pennsylvania, was then chairman of the Mission Board.
On August 31, 1913, Brother Long called a special meet- ing for the purpose of getting an organization started, and also to consider the building of a church house. The matter was then placed in the hands of the District Mission Board, and a tentative organization was effected by electing Abram S. Hershey, Secretary; E. W. Roth, Treasurer. During the joint program the funds were handled by Joseph N. Shatto. At this time a committee was also appointed to conduct Christian Workers meetings.
January 5, 1914, another special council was called at which time the congregation was organized as the Carlisle First Church of the Brethren. At this meeting Elder Joseph A. Long was elected elder in charge, and the Mission Board to retain direction and supervision. It was decided by a large majority vote that plans continue for the building of a church. A committee of finance was appointed as follows: Joseph N.
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Shatto, J. E. Faulkner and Isabelle Sheaffer. There were about 46 members living within the bounds of the Carlisle church at this time. Brother J. E. Trimmer was the only resident minister.
Progress on building a church house began and moved along rapidly through the local solicitors and the help of the District Mission Board. Their hopes were realized on September 6, 1914, when the new church and Sunday school rooms were dedicated. Elder I. N. H. Beam, of Virginia, preached the dedicatory sermon. The first Love Feast was held December 13, 1914, Elder Joseph A. Long officiating.
CARLISLE CHURCH AND PARSONAGE
The territorial lines were designated as three miles surround- ing Carlisle from the court house. The church at once became self-supporting, so far as current finances were concerned. The cost of the building was met by local contributions and also by the help of the District Mission Board. "The North American", of Philadelphia, issued an account of the dedica- tion on September 11, 1914, which said, "The church cost approximately $10,000.00." This was probably too high, the total cost being between $8,000.00 and $10,000.00.
Elder Joseph A. Long was in charge from the time of organization until his death December 10, 1923. At the following council meeting Elder J. E. Trimmer was elected elder and served in this capacity until July 16, 1931. The District Ministerial Board had charge of the eldership from
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
July, 1931 to January, 1933, having appointed Elder C. B. Sollenberger to have oversight as the resident elder. Brother Sollenberger was elected to the ministry May 16, 1920, having served the church in connection with teaching school. During a period of 1931 to 1937 he served the Newville church as pastor and elder. In 1931 he was elected by the District Conference budget field man, continuing to the present.
Elder H. M. Snavely moved to Carlisle in the fall of 1931 to the pastorate, and was elected elder in charge January, 1933, continuing in that office to the present.
Several ministers have served the congregation in the free ministry of which there is record of the follow- ing: from Lower Cumber- land, Henry Beelman, Wil- liam Murphy (who later brought his membership to Carlisle, April 17, 1922), Jacob Miller, Levi Mohler, Walter Cocklin, and Jacob E. Trimmer; from Upper Cumberland, John A. Miller, S. M. Stauffer, Noah Cock- ley, John A. Garns, Albert A. Evans, and William Sheaffer; from Carlisle, Jacob E. Trimmer, Albert ELDER H. M. SNAVELY, PASTOR Hollinger, William Miller, Harry Brindle, C. B. Sollenberger, B. F. Kline, and William Burkholder.
At the suggestion of Brother J. A. Long, who was then elder in charge, the church began to look toward having a pastor. A committee was appointed and in the course of a few years things took shape for supplying pastoral care of the church. Elder S. M. Stauffer was secured as the first pastor, and served from April 1, 1918 to April 1, 1919. Elder Trostle P. Dick served as pastor from October 1921 to April 1923. Elder D. E. Miller served the church from April 1, 1925 to September 1928. The church was then without a resident pastor until December 1, 1931, when Elder H. M. Snavely took up the work, continuing to the present. Brother Snavely was elected to the ministry December 22, 1923, at Hershey, Pennsylvania, and ordained to the eldership at Myersville, Maryland, August 23, 1931.
Elder J. E. Trimmer lived in the congregation before the organization in 1914, having been elected to the ministry in
MINISTERS AND WIVES-THE CARLISLE CHURCH
Left to right: Elder C. B. Sollenberger and wife; Elder J. E. Trimmer and wife; Elder H. M. Snavely, pastor, and wife. Inset upper left: Mrs. Wm. Burkholder. Upper right: Minister Wm. Burkholder.
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Lower Cumberland, Mohlers church. He was ordained in Carlisle during 1920. Elder C. B. Sollenberger is the only minister elected by the Carlisle Congregation, May 16, 1920, and was ordained to the eldership April 6, 1931. Elder William Murphy lived in the congregation from April 17, 1922, to his passing from this life January 16, 1937. He was 81 years of age. The present ministers are Brethren J. E. Trimmer, C. B. Sollenberger, H. M. Snavely, and William Burkholder who was elected at Upper Cumberland August 14, 1909, and was received at Carlisle, October 19, 1932.
There were two deacons elected by the congregation, J. E. Faulkner and Lewis Hull, April 9, 1914. Sister Hull, who was active in the Ladies' Aid Society, and other work, passed from this life February 21, 1937. E. W. Roth, elected a deacon in the Perry Congregation in the fall of 1908, moved to Carlisle before the church was organized. Joseph N. Shatto, elected a deacon in Lower Cumberland in the fall of 1895, lived in Carlisle before the organization of the church. F. W. Boldosser, elected a deacon April 5, 1924, at Huntsdale, and his wife transferred their letters to Carlisle January 4, 1932. On July 10, 1932, C. S. Cohick and wife were received in Carlisle from Newville where they had served in the deacon's office since August 5, 1915. Edgar G. Lehman, elected a deacon April 7, 1923, in Newville, and his wife were received in Carlisle on April 5, 1937. Orville Peiper, elected a deacon April 7, 1923, in Newville, and his wife were received in Carlisle October 4, 1937. On December 5, 1937, Galen Brindle and wife were received from the Marsh Creek Congregation where they had served in the deacon's office since June 1, 1930. Charles W. Trimmer and wife, elected to the deacon's office in Lower Cumberland Congregation, Baker House, October, 1926, were received from the Boiling Springs Congregation on October 29, 1939.
The church has made steady progress. Some of the out- standing features are indicated below. Barbara Roth in her will bequeathed $1,000.00 to the church for a parsonage fund. This was put on interest and with some added contributions in 1932 had reached the amount of $2,000.00. The need of a parsonage was apparent to all, and on October 3, 1932, the pastor and family moved into a modern and well constructed brick house joining the church. In the spring of 1933 the interior of the church was refinished. The Ladies' Aid Society paid for this from their earnings. A baptistry was installed and first used in February, 1937. Many things which con- tribute to the upkeep of the church have been supplied by various classes of the Sunday school and auxiliary organiza- tions. It should also be added that the Aid Society has made large contributions to the parsonage fund.
It should be mentioned in relation to the debt on the par- sonage, that Mrs. Katie Zimmerman, daughter of Sadie
CARLISLE CHURCH-DEACONS AND WIVES
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Richter who was a member when the church was organized, gave an annuity bond for $1,000.00 to the building of the par- sonage in memory of her mother. Barbara Shenk remem- bered the church in her will to the amount of $500.00 in memory of herself and husband, D. W. Shenk.
The congregation was mission minded from the begin- ning, having supported the cause of missions in various ways. At times as much as $500.00 a year was given by the congregation. During the past year monthly offerings were taken for Brethren Service, Relief and Peace. The Sunday school has had a part in missionary and local projects. The present enrollment is 200.
The history would not be complete without mentioning the Sisters Aid Society which was organized April 6, 1914, with an enrollment of 13 members. Sister Catherine Garland was the first president; Sister Lizzie Trimmer, wife of Elder J. E. Trimmer, vice president ; Sister Bertha Homer, secretary ; and Sister Isabelle Sheaffer, treasurer. Sister Sheaffer was active until a few years ago. She is now in her ninetieth year. Sister Lizzie Trimmer was the second president, and held that office until her decease, September 25, 1933. Since that time Sister Blanche Snavely has been president, and Sister Elizabeth Adams, secretary-treasurer. Through the years the society has done much in supplying needed equipment for the church and church school. They have furnished most of the equip- ment for Love Feast, and also given large sums to the Women's Work projects for missions. The refinishing of the interior of the church in 1933 cost over $400.00, which was paid by the society.
District meeting was held here in October, 1931, and the ministerial and Sunday school meetings were held here in August, 1937.
The church membership is 198.
CHAMBERSBURG CONGREGATION
The work in Chambersburg was begun by the District Mission Board of Southern Pennsylvania. The first effort was made in 1905. After a little over a year the work was dropped. In September of 1907 the board asked Brother William Anthony, of Shady Grove, to visit Chambersburg with a view of determining the possibilities of a mission in the town. In November, 1907, the board made request of the three con- gregations which centered in the town, Falling Spring, Back Creek, and Ridge, for the privilege of working the town as their discretion might dictate.
The present house of worship was erected in 1908 at a cost of $4,637.48. The dedicatory sermon was preached by
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
CHAMBERSBURG CHURCH
AUDITORIUM, CHAMBERSBURG CHURCH
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Brother A. L. B. Martin November 29, 1908. Previous to the erection of the church building, services were held in the home of Brother Jacob Keller in East Washington Street. The con- gregation was organized in June, 1910, and was duly accepted by District Meeting after which the Mission Board ceased to have the oversight. Brother W. A. Anthony was the first pre- siding elder. The membership numbered fifty-one at the time of organization.
The family names included the following: Lehman, Trimmer, Keller, Brumbaugh, Trout, Zug, Forney, Crusey, Stamey, Lightner, Hicks, Bear, College, Carr, Schuckman, White, Kriner, Ashway, Ward, Bittinger, Kittinger, Flohr, Kennedy, Kinzer, Shetter, Byers, Wyble, McCoy, Brown.
The following ministers were elected and installed in the Chambersburg Congregation : F. E. McCoy in 1910, and Adam E. Forney June 8th, 1912.
The following elders have had the oversight of the con- gregation at various times : W. A. Anthony, Peter S. Lehman,
RALPH G. RARICK, PASTOR, AND WIFE
C. H. Steerman, G. S. Batzel, S. D. Hartranft, B. F. Lightner, C. E. Grapes and M. B. Mentzer. The following ministers have served the congregation as pastor: C. H. Steerman, G. S. Batzel, Calvert N. Ellis, Samuel D. Lindsay, A. L. B. Martin and C. E. Grapes. Ralph G. Rarick became pastor June 1, 1941.
Two of the charter members were deacons-Brother Milton Brumbaugh and George Byers. The church at different times elected the following deacons: William Monn, Jessie Berger, Samuel Keefer, Brother Eshelman, J. J. Kriner, John Lehman, and Frank K. Sellers, all deceased.
The present deacon board consists of the following : Blaine Bear, John W. Crusey, G. A. W. Stouffer, E. D. Hock, Bruch Bard, F. A. Witter, Abram I. Burkholder, C. Lehman Wenger, and D. Carl Stouffer.
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OFFICIAL BOARD, CHAMBERSBURG
First row, left to right: G. A. W. Stouffer, Sunday school superintendent; Mrs. Mentzer and Elder M. B. Mentzer; Pastor Ralph G. Rarick and Mrs. Rarick; Music Director S. Blaine Bear. Second row: Mrs. G. A. W. Stouffer, Mrs. Burkholder, Mrs. Emma K. Sellers (widow of Deacon Frank Sellers) ; Mrs. Bard, Mrs. Bear. Third row: D. Carl Stouffer and Mrs. Stouffer, Mrs. Hock, Mrs. Wenger, Mrs. Witter, E. Bruce Bard. Fourth row: Abram I. Burkholder, Elmer D. Hock, C. Lehman Wenger, Fred A. Witter, Adam E. Forney, minister.
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
PARSONAGE, CHAMBERSBURG CHURCH
The Sunday school was organized in the home of Brother Jacob Keller in East Washington Street March 1st, 1908. Brother Emory P. Trimmer, of York, who was at that time residing in Chambersburg, was instrumental in organizing the Sunday school and was the first superintendent. Brother G. A. W. Stouffer is the present superintendent. The Aid Society dates back to the early days of the congregation and is still active.
Some minor remodeling has been done at various times to the church building. The basement is now fairly well equipped for Sunday school classes and social events. Proceed- ings are now in our program to incorporate the congregation. The Mission Board in 1936 turned over to the congregation the legal title to the church property located in South Fourth Street. April 1, 1938, the congregation purchased the double dwelling and lot adjoining the church on the corner of Fourth and Liberty Streets. The same year a new front was built to the church which also connected the dwelling and the church. The dwelling was renovated and painted. Three rooms are used for Sunday school classes, young people's meetings, and the Ladies' Aid Society. The second floor of the north side is converted into an apartment for the use of the sexton. The entire dwelling on the Liberty Street side is arranged for the parsonage.
The present membership is listed at two hundred and fifty-three (253).
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
SALEM MEETING HOUSE-CHAMBERSBURG CHURCH
The Chambersburg Congregation now has the ownership and control of the Salem church and burying ground which was formerly a part of the Ridge Congregation.
CODORUS CONGREGATION
The Codorus Congregation was organized in the town- ship of Codorus, eleven miles southeast of York, in 1758. Prominent among the members to organize the Codorus Church were Rudy Yunt, Peter Brillhart, John Brillhart, Henry Neff and wife. The first elder of this church was Jacob Danner, a son of Michael Danner who was a prominent man in the early history of the county and one of the five commis- sioners appointed to view and lay off York County in 1749. Jacob Danner, Henry Danner and their father, were among the most intelligent of the first German emigrants, west of the Susquehanna River. After Jacob Danner moved to Frederick County, Maryland, Henry Neff was called to the ministry and remained in charge until after 1775. Some of the other members of this church before 1770, were as follows: Jacob Tilman, wife and daughter; Jacob Spitler, wife and two daughters; Jacob Neiswanger and wife; Anna A. Neiswanger, Elizabeth (Seip) Sipe, George Beary and wife, John Harold and wife, William Spitler and wife, Christian Eby, Wendell
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Baker and wife, Michael Berkey and wife, George Etter and son, Mathias Sitler and wife, Susanna Weltner, Catharine Brightley.
These brethren held their first meetings of worship in the homes of the brethren. It is supposed the first meeting was held at the home of Brother Christian Eby, later John Eby now the Keeney home near Shrewsburg. As the membership grew, more houses were built for holding meetings. They built their new houses with partitions that could be removed
KEENEY HOMESTEAD
Present residence of Brother Emanuel Keeney. Services were held here before any of Codorus houses were built.
and the entire first floor thrown open in one room, leaving only the posts that held the buildings. Some of the homes where meetings were held regularly, until the East Codorus Church House was built in A.D. 1872, are as follows: John Keeney, near Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania; Jacob Falkenstein, Glad- felters Station, Pennsylvania; Isaac Myers, near Loganville, Pennsylvania; Joseph Y. Myers, east of Loganville; Samuel Bowser, near New Freedom, Pennsylvania; Charles Small, near Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania; Thomas Gray, southeast of York; Martin Feigley, near Loganville; John Keeney, Loganville; Jacob Brillhart, near Loganville; Jacob Aldinger, Brillhart Station; Isaac Fitz, east of York; Joseph Marks, southeast of York; George Ness, near Loganville; Jacob Myers, south of Loganville along the Susquehanna Trail.
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
E
ORIGINAL JOSEPH Y. MYERS HOME Present residence of Elder and Mrs. S. B. Myers. Services were held in this house.
In the latter part of the Eighteenth Century a number of families-(Brethren) Andrew Myers and family, John Eby and family, Samuel Yunt and family, Daniel Yunt and family, and others by the name of Bowser, Souder, Shamberger, Feigley, Marks, Falkenstein, Keeney and others-settled in the Codorus area. Among them were brethren as preachers, Andrew Myers and John Eby. Martin Feigley was a deacon. These brethren labored and worshipped together in union of the Spirit and by the Grace of God increased in number.
1815-In May, 1815, the 10th day, the first election on record was held for a deacon, and the lot fell on Jacob Falkenstein. Ministers in 1815 were Elder Andrew Myers, and John Eby; deacons were Martin Feigley, and Jacob Falkenstein.
1822-In the spring of 1822, Deacon Martin Feigley died and in the same year, August, 1822, an election was held for a preacher and also deacons. The lot fell on Jacob Falkenstein for minister. Jacob Myers, Isaac Krous and Henry Keeney had the highest number of votes for deacons. It is supposed by this time, Brother Eby died, about 62 years of age. Now by this time Brother Michael Petry was added to the ministry by election or by moving into the district.
1833-On November 20, 1833, Andrew Myers died, aged 80 years and five months. In the meantime, Brother Jacob
CODORUS CHURCH
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Myers was elected to the ministry, and Isaac Krouse either died or moved away. There is no record of him further. This makes the official brethren as follows: Ministers, Elder Jacob Falkenstein, Michael Petry, and Jacob Myers; deacons, Henry Keeney.
1840-On the 28th day of March, 1840, Michael Petry moved away and on the 8th day of October, 1840, an election was held for a minister and the lot fell upon Brother John Keeney. At the same time, a deacon was elected. The lot fell upon Brother George Ness. Official brethren were as follows : min sters, Elder Jacob Falkenstein, Jacob Myers, and John Keeney ; deacons, Henry Keeney, and George Ness.
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