USA > Pennsylvania > A History of the Church of the Brethren in southern district of Pennsylvania > Part 9
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SHREWSBURY CHURCH, CODORUS CONGREGATION
The New Freedom Church House was built in 1883. The building committee is supposed to have been composed of five members. Those that are remembered are as follows: Samuel Bowser, Benjamin F. Bowser, and Samuel Keeney.
The Shrewsbury Church House was built in the year A.D. 1912. The building committee was composed of John Keller, Lewis Keeney, Daniel B. Keeney, Jacob L. Myers and David Y. Brillhart.
The membership of the Codorus Congregation is 375.
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
FALLING SPRINGS CONGREGATION
The Falling Spring's Congregation was separated from the Antietam Congre- gation on September 19, 1866. The bishops of the congregation since then have been William Boyer, David Bock, Joseph Gipe, William Koontz, Samuel Gearhart, and Welty Smith, the present incumbent.
When the Old Order Brethren withdrew in 1881, David Bock and Joseph Gipe joined with them, leaving William Koontz as the only minister. Elder Adam Pheil of Back Creek Congregation had oversight of the Falling Springs Congregation until the ordination of Elder Wil- liam Koontz who held this position until his death on February 14, 1917.
ELDER WM. C. KOONTZ AND WIFE
The following ministers have served the congrega- tion from 1881 to the present time: Adam Baker, Isaac
ELDER SAMUEL E. GEARHART
Riddlesberger, William An- thony, David Bonebrake (who went along with the Old Order Brethren in the division, but, returned to the church on May 8, 1903, and was restored to the ministry in the degree in which he was, when he left, on Sep- tember 10, 1904), Peter Leh- man who later moved to Chambersburg and served that church for many years, Emanuel Shrader, Harry Brindle who moved to Polo, Illinois, Guy Hartman who now resides near Berlin, Somerset County, Pennsyl- vania, Daniel Flohr who joined with the Dunkard Brethren, but who returned to this church as a lay mem- ber on March 11, 1939, Wil-
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liam Hollinger who moved from our district, and Samuel Gearhart who died on January 6, 1936, while serving as presiding elder.
The present active min- istry consists of presiding elder, Welty G. Smith; D. Emmert Stouffer, Franklin Wagaman, Lowell Gearhart, and Omar Nicarry.
The present corps of deacons are Brethren Harry Stamy, Harry Spangler, Harvey Senger, Jacob Bone- brake, Jacob Statler, Guy Stamy, Paul Wildeson, Jesse Beeler, Samuel Plum, Edgar Wolfkill, John Brubaker, and Aaron Hartman.
Among the members of this congregation in the Fall ELDER WELTY G. SMITH of 1881 were the following :* William Tolhelm and wife, D. F. Royer and wife, Henry Koontz and wife, William Koontz and wife, Samuel Hollinger and wife, Adam Baker and wife, Christian Stover and wife, Isaac Shank and wife, Goodlove Hays and wife, John Swigert and wife, Israel Brown and wife, David Mowen, Jacob Stover, Sr., Mitchell Stover and wife, Mollie Werdebaugh, Solomon Whitmore, Annie Hollinger, Frank Skeggs and wife, George Ilginfritz and wife, Mrs. William Stover, Joshua Skeggs, John Shoup and wife, Catharine Phillipy, Annie Stoler, Lilly Hull, Susan Foutz, Rebecca Foutz, Susan Keener, Ida Izer, Elizabeth Grimes, Nancy Hawbaker, Laura Bixler, Christian Royer, Mrs. Diehl, Hannah Royer, Mrs. - Wireman, Eliza Lear, Adam Zarker, Abraham Kauffman, Rebecca Black, Catharine Hager, Lizzie Hollinger, Kate Foutz, Annie Shank, Alice Brechbill, Martha Hager, Mrs. Joseph Winger, Samuel Kauffman, wife and daughter; Isaac Riddlesberger and wife, Jennie Null, Samuel Benedict and wife, Barbara Small and daughter, Kate Friedly and daughter, James Heefner and wife and daughter, Susan Benedict, Christian Benedict, Susan Harshman, Elizabeth Null, Susan Whitmore, Obed Knepper and wife, John Fahrney and wife and daughter, Annie Kauffman, Catharine Gsell, Jacob Taill and wife, Jacob Fahrney and wife, Ida Grove, - Patterson and wife, Samuel Pittinger and wife, Jacob Etter and wife.
In the spring of 1881 the following persons withdrew and formed an Old German Baptist Brethren congregation : David
*From printed records in the hands of the Secretary of the Historical Committee.
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
ELDER D. EMMERT STOUFFER
ELDER B. FRANKLIN WAGAMAN
ELDER C. LOWELL GEARHART
MINISTER S. OMAR NICARRY
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Bonebrake and wife, John Benedict and wife, David Thompson and wife, Alexander Knepper, Henry Hallet, Henry Knepper and wife, George Decker and wife, Henry Good, Sr., Henry Good, Jr., and wife, Mary Monn, Adam Small and wife, David Bock and daughter, George Rossman and wife, Ida Small, Christian Sheller and wife, Maggie Grove, Emma Knepper, Kate Mckinsey, George Baker and wife, Jacob Deardorff and wife, Abraham Deardorff and wife, Ruie Wolf, Jacob Null and wife, Charlotte Grove, John Grove, wife and daughter; Maria Lehman, John Deardorff, Isaac Small and wife, Christian Heller and wife, Andrew Gipe and wife, Benjamen Stouffer and wife, John Miller and wife, George Singer, Chris- tian Royer, Michal Hoover and wife, Philip Grove and wife, Lizzie Gioul, Annie Royer, George Slothour, and John Hess.
After the separation of this Old German Baptist Brethren group (which comprised about one-third of the congregation) from the parent church the problem arose as to which group was the rightful owner of the four church houses in the congregation. Since some of the seceders had given much toward the erection of the buildings they were reluctant to relinquish claims thereto. An appeal was made to the Equity Court to make the decision. Elders D. P. Saylor and David Long gave testimony in behalf of the parent congregation. Before a decision was reached an amicable agreement was made whereby the church houses are held as common prop- erty and are used by each without interfering with the rights of the other.
The houses of worship in this congregation given chrono- logically are: Mount Zion (Union), Falling Springs, Brown's Mill, Hade, and Shady Grove.
Mount Zion Church
Elizabeth (Betty) Knepper gave one-half acre of land on which to build the Mount Zion church and for the old part of the grave-yard. This church was erected sometime between 1840 and 1845. A new one has been erected since. This is the union church, being used regularly as a preaching place by the Church of the Brethren, Old Order Brethren and the Snow Hill unit of the Seventh Day Baptists. All other de- nominations have free use of the church on funeral occasions.
The Mount Zion Cemetery has a unique history. It carries an organization with a set of trustees separate from the other churches. Two additional pieces have been added to the burying ground. The cemetery is heavily endowed and is one of the prettiest burying spots in the country.
Brown's Mill Church
There seems to be no complete record available today giving information of the various steps taken leading up to
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
BROWN'S MILL CHURCH
plans for securing of a site and erection of the Antrim or Brown's Mill meeting house. There is a record kept in an old book in the church, however, stating that the erection took place in 1855; and a further entry stating that the first sermon was preached therein, in November, 1855. It would be reason- able to assume that this first sermon was part of the dedicatory service.
The ground on which this church was erected and the burial plot were given for these purposes by George Royer, as the deed issued two years later proves. This land was taken from the southwest corner of his Brown's Mill Farm which he ostensibly had given to his daughter in 1836 when she married Abraham Kauffman, but the title transfer had not been made.
Some confusion has arisen over date of construction- those going to the office of Recorder of Deeds getting the year December 1st, 1857. The facts seem to be that issuing a deed covering what was a donation complied with custom and recites sale by George Royer to the German Baptist Society of the Antrim district of one acre and eight perches of land (set- ting forth location and for what purpose) for the sum of one dollar. The deed was issued and recorded about the time he was disposing of his property by distribution to his children and as he was about to deed his Brown's Mill farm to his daughter, Catherine (Royer) Kauffman.
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The contractor erecting the Brown's Mill Church was Jacob Kauffman, brother of Abraham Kauffman. The brick- layer employed by him was David Pentz. As was the custom, much of the hauling of building material and manual labor was donated. In this connection it is of some interest to recall that Christian Royer (the third Christian in succession) then living on his father's farmstead between Brown's Mill and Greencastle hauled many loads of brick and other material as his family's labor contribution toward the erection of this church. Later this (third) Christian Royer was elected to the ministry and subsequently elder in the Old German Baptist Brethren Church of Falling Spring Congregation.
The part of the grounds used for burial purposes has been by common consent, merged with additional ground in control of an organization known as the "Antrim Burial Association" and is kept in splendid condition.
In 1866 after the removal of the Brown's Mill Mennonite Meeting House just across the highway from the church, title was secured for this site, including seventy-three perches of land. This was procured for "hitching ground purposes".
George Royer (1778-1891), was the son of Christian Royer (1749-1814) and Nancy (Stohler) Royer (1749-1811), both of whom were baptized at the Conestoga Church November 1st, 1777. They had come from Lancaster County to the Wharf on the Antietam in 1793, when George was not yet fifteen years of age, and joined the Prices, Stovers and others in erecting the first Price Church. When the father, Christian, died, George Royer came into possession of the homestead at the Wharf and together with his eldest brother, John (the Rev. Hannas), loyally supported the church. It is a matter of church history that the Annual Meeting was held at his home at the Wharf in 1829.
The youngest brother of George Royer, Christian (the second Christian) (1787-1864), and his wife, Catherine (Stover) Royer (1792-1851), the daughter of Bishop Daniel Stover (1759-1822), and granddaughter of Bishop William Stover (1725-1800), resided in the Brown's Mill area from 1828 on.
Catherine (Royer) Kauffman and her husband, Abraham Kauffman, had resided on the farm, from which the building site was taken, since 1836 and had been opening their homes for worship with great regularity. Even to this day some of the benches used in this home are stored in the garret. How many other families around Brown's Mill were equally active in giving their homes for church purposes is not known.
Because of the congregation's lack of historical data, in- formation concerning the other three churches was secured from the court house records as follows :
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Falling Springs Church
The German Sunday Baptist Church, Falling Springs Con- gregation within the bounds of the Antietam District, pur- chased from Jacob Ditch and his wife, Mary, January 16, 1855, for the sum of two hundred dollars ($200.00) one acre neat measure of land never to be sold unless agreed by a majority of its members. (Vol. 28, page 362.) A large stone church was erected thereon. The trustees of this congregation were William Boyer, Joash Horn and John R. Yockey.
Sunday school is held at the Brown's Mill and Shady Grove churches.
The present membership of the congregation is 239.
Hade Church
On July 6, 1869, Emanuel Hade sold to Samuel Small, Daniel Benedict, Jacob Hollinger and Christian Royer, trustees of the German Baptist Church of the Falling Springs Congre- gation, Lot No. 1 containing 161 perches and Lot No. 2 con- taining 131 perches for the sum of one dollar ($1.00). Lot No. 2 is to have a church house erected thereon. An agree- ment is recorded between Mary Hade (Polly) and the trustees of the German Baptist Church to build a church house at her expense and according to her specifications, the brethren to furnish the labor free, (Vol. 47, pages 440 and 441). The building and land to revert to the donor if these specifications are not fulfilled. The result is the present large stone structure.
HADE CHURCH
FALLING SPRINGS CHURCH
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Vol. 85, page 220, records a tract of seventy-nine and forty-three-one-hundredths perches of land, adjoining the Hade Church property as sold to Adam Baker and William Talhelm, committee, German Baptist Church by John K. Snively and Mary, his wife, to be used for a hitching ground and when not used as such shall revert to its grantors.
Brother D. L. Miller, of sainted memory, preached his last sermon in the Hade Church in May, 1921.
Well kept burial grounds are a part of the Falling Springs and Hade church property.
The Shady Grove Church
On November 6, 1877, the German Baptist Church, pur- chased from John S. Grove and Annie E. Grove, his wife, twenty and seven-tenths perches of land with the right to use the well. (Vol. 60, page 315.)
Sometime later Adam Baker, D. F. Royer, Philip Grove and Jonathan Baker (the committee appointed) purchased, for the consideration of one dollar ($1.00), twenty-six perches and the right to use the well.
On Lot No. 1 the present brick structure was erected in 1877.
On April 5, 1904, John S. Grove and Annie E. Grove, his wife, sold to the trustees of the Shady Grove German Baptist Church, forty-eight perches of land for the sum of ninety dollars ($90.00). This piece was an extension to the hitching grounds.
GREENCASTLE CONGREGATION
About thirty-five years ago some of our folk conceived the idea that we should have a church in Greencastle, in con- nection with the Shank Church and persuant to this, our Elder D. A. Foust requested us to get an option on the C. V. Depot, where Dr. Sowell lives. The option was secured and Brother Foust presented the matter to District Conference. No encouragement was given us and we were without a church home in Greencastle for 35 years.
However, the home department of the Shank Sunday school served a few members here and later as more brethren moved into the town there was conducted a teacher training class of about ten members of whom the oldest was seventy years of age, (Mrs. Mary C. Miller).
From time to time there was expressed by the majority of the members, a strong desire to have a meeting place in the town which finally took shape October, 1927, in a petition to District Meeting to get permission to hold public worship in town. The petition was circulated and signed by 77 members
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
of the church living in Greencastle, and was presented to District Meeting in Waynesboro October, 1927.
Conference appointed a committee of three elders, W. G. Group, D. E. Miller, and A. S. Baugher, to meet with the Falling Springs and the Back Creek Congregations in which Greencastle was located. These meetings resulted in a called meeting of the resident members, in the store of the late Jacob Foust, February 21-28. A temporary chairman was elected and the committee of elders gave the result of their meetings with the two adjoining congregations, Falling Springs and Back Creek. The elders' decision was that if the brethren living in Greencastle would be willing to be placed under the supervision of the ministerial board of the district, the latter would supply a minister for each service. The Greencastle brethren were to secure a place of worship and to finance the work. Chairman Group promised also that he would preach the first sermon if the plan was accepted. A temporary organ- ization was effected as follows: Chairman, L. H. Leiter; Vice chairmen, Jacob Foust and Galen Fox; Secretary, Margie Fox; Treasurer, W. W. Leiter.
Arrangements formerly made with Methodist brethren were quickly completed for the use of their beautiful house of worship each Sunday evening and Brother Group, accord- ing to promise, preached the first sermon to a full house, March 4, 1928.
Another meeting was then called for the members of the church March 22, 1928, when the temporary officers were retained until District Meeting in October. At this meeting a motion was made by the late Norman L. Kuhn, Jr., and seconded by Paul Foust, to organize a Sunday school. The first session was held April 1, 1928. The Waynesboro Church graciously loaned us hymnals which were used until 100 new song books were given in memory of the lad who had moved to organize the Sunday school. Waynesboro Church also gave us envelopes for our church offerings.
District Meeting in 1929 decided to keep us under the supervision of the District Ministerial Board which supplied the pulpit for another year. In all, forty-eight different men preached for us.
It was decided at a called meeting, October 19, 1930, to petition District Meeting to organize a church in Greencastle. The request was granted and conference sent Elders C. L. Baker, S. S. Miller and W. G. Group. On December 19, 1930, a new congregation was formed with sixty-nine charter members.
Our first pastor, J. W. Whitacre, was installed January 25th, 1931, and our first Love Feast was held May 10th, 1931, with 122 communicants. Sister Ruth Myers presented the church with a communion set in memory of Norman Kuhn. Sister Katie Gilland presented the church with tubs and basins
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
for this Love Feast. Brother Galen Fox made the tables and the book racks on the back of the seats. Preparation for the Lord's Supper was made in a private home by the members and officers of the church. The Ladies' Aid furnished the dishes and linens. A pulpit Bible has been presented by Sister Mrs. Wm. Stover. Glen Stover presented 100 new hymnals in memory of his father, Roy Stover. Various members have acted as sexton and all have cooperated to keep the work of the church going in the various activities pre- scribed at Elgin and the Southern District of Pennsylvania. If and when the treasury became depleted there were always those who freely replenished it.
We were at some disadvantage in having Sunday school and worship in the evening but we are all grateful to our Heavenly Father who always supplies all our needs accord- ing to the riches of His glory. We would not forget the kind church hospitality either, of our Methodist brethren for their
GREENCASTLE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
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HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
graciousness in renting this beautiful edifice which we have come to love as our own church home.
A building fund was established at the first meeting after the organization by one who had a vision and gave liberally, Sister Leah Diehl. Others added to this fund from time to time.
We have been fortunate in having the wise guidance of our District Ministerial Board, our own local ministerial board and our capable adjoining elders who have guided and presided at our business meetings.
One of our young men, James Beahm, has been ordained to the ministry. Six deacons have been elected and four installed. Men's Work and Young People's Division, prayer meetings, teacher training classes and vacation church schools have been carried on at times.
Several Bible terms and revival meetings have been held and the first anniversary observed January 11, 1932.
A total of sixty-three names are recorded on our cradle roll. Fifty-eight have been baptized. Twenty-eight have been added to the church by letter and two have been reclaimed. Seventeen have been removed by letter and four- teen by death. Our membership when organized was sixty- nine and today it is one hundred and twenty-four.
The church was purchased from the Methodists for $6,000. Of this amount $2,700 was paid in cash, $832 subscribed, leaving a balance of $2,468.
"Today we come to our twelfth anniversary of the first meeting in this church and of its birth. It is with mingled
INTERIOR OF GREENCASTLE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
HYMNS
OFFICIAL BOARD, GREENCASTLE
feelings of joy and sadness that we celebrate this occasion. We realize it is no light thing for our Methodist friends to give up their church which they love. We shall do well to manifest the same generosity to them that they have shown to us."
Acceptance of deed by L. H. Leiter, March 3, 1940 :
"This is one of the days to which the members of the Greencastle Church of the Brethren have been looking for- ward for many years. The time when we could have Sunday
CHOIR, GREENCASTLE
112 HISTORY-CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
school and worship in the morning. While we rejoice in this achievement, it is with profound sympathy for our Methodist friends who have labored long and hard to build and maintain this, their church home, and now as we accept this deed, have become homeless in a material sense.
"We appreciate the hospitality of our Methodist brethren in sharing their church with us for the past twelve years, thus making it possible for both churches to exist.
"And now, in return, we, the Church of the Brethren, extend to you and your flock and to any or all who desire to join us in worship here in this holy place a most hearty welcome. We assure you that these doors shall be wide open to you always. We want that you shall have the same home feeling, as you have enjoyed in the past, in the new leadership of the Church of the Brethren."
Elder J. I. Thomas served faithfully as part-time pastor for three and one-half years, making pastoral visits and filling our pulpit on Sunday evenings until April 1, 1941.
On March 3, 1940, we started having Sunday school on Sunday mornings instead of Sunday evenings. The pulpit was filled by visiting ministers provided by our local ministerial board. At our quarterly business meeting the voice of the church was taken for a full-time pastor which resulted in the choice of our Elder C. E. Grapes, who accepted the call to take effect April 1, 1941. He was also re-elected our elder at the next meeting.
ELDER C. E. GRAPES Pastor of Greencastle Church.
Our church has been steadily growing. The pres- ent membership is 165.
The organization as of April 1, 1941, is Elder and Pastor, C. E. Grapes; Secre- tary, Mrs. Margie Fox- Henry ; Deacons, L. H. Leiter, Norman L. Kuhn, Ray Foust, Alvin Zuck, and George Smith; Ministerial Board, Wm. W. Leiter, Nor- man L. Kuhn, L. H. Leiter; Church Chorister, Paul Foust; Treasurer, Norman L. Kuhn; Financial Secretary, Paul Foust; Trustees, Clin- ton F. Hykes, Bruce Angle, L. H. Leiter, Paul Foust, and Ray Foust; Financial Board, Ray Fisher, Bruce Angle, and W. W. Leiter; Soliciting
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CONGREGATIONS OF SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA
Committee, Mrs. Clinton Hykes, L. H. Leiter, Edgar Henry, Paul Foust, and Mrs. Margie Henry ; Sunday school officers- L. H. Leiter, General Superintendent; Mrs. John W. Hartman, Divisional Superintendent; Mrs. Merle Snyder, Primary Super- intendent ; Mrs. Norman L. Kuhn, Cradle Roll Superintendent ; Miss Margaret Drake, Secretary; Edgar Henry, Treasurer; Miss Margaret Oellig, Chorister; and Mrs. Alice Oellig, Home Department Superintendent.
THE HANOVER CONGREGATION
The Hanover Congregation was organized on March 9, 1902. According to the church record the charter members were the following: Henry Baker and wife, Eli McConly and wife, Wilson Harlacher and wife, Solomon Miller, Mrs. Andrew Brough, Amanda Raffensberger, Amanda Wilt, Mrs. Menchey, Lizzie Miller, Alice Hahn, Grace Hahn, Alvilda Laugerman, Emma Rohrbaugh, Annie Harlacher, Margaret Harlacher, Daniel Brenner, Edward Hetrick and wife, George Grim and wife, Sister Klinepeter, B. F. Masterson and wife, Leah Pressel, Sister Garman, Henry Laughman, Sister Rickrode, Simon Hohf, Lillie Hohf, Lucy Allewelt, Jesse B. Webster and wife, Ella.
At the organization the District Mission Board was repre- sented by Elder J. A. Long who took charge of the work, being assisted by Elder Edward Miller and Brother B. F. Masterson. Brother Jesse B. Webster was chosen secretary and Brother Henry Baker, treasurer, according to the minutes recorded by J. B. Webster.
Prior to the above date a mission point had been estab- lished here in 1897 by the District Mission Board of Southern Pennsylvania. Preaching services were held in Old Concert Hall, Center Square, and later in Bargelt Hall on Carlisle Street. In 1898 the mission board asked permission of district conference to build a church in Hanover. This was granted and solicitors were appointed for each of the fourteen congre- gations of the district. Heirs of Daniel Baer and wife donated the lot, on which the church now stands, in latter part of 1898. In the beginning of 1899 a church 60 feet by 40 feet was built of brick.
The dedicatory services were held July 17, 1899, with Elder H. C. Early, of Virginia, using Matthew 16:18 as a text for his theme of "Church Building", with special emphasis on the foundation, the person of the builder and the owner of the church. In the evening he preached on the theme of the "Holy Spirit". A clipping from a newspaper says this : "More than an hour before the appointed time for opening the serv- ices, people began to arrive from every direction and at ten
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