USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Church of the Brethren in the middle district of Pennsylvania > Part 15
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" The ministers of the Duncansville church started and carried forward the work in Altoona until it was organ- ized in 1882. Up to that time its history is part of the history of this church.
" By the organization of Altoona, the territory of the Duncansville church was now limited to Carson Valley and Leamersville. As the membership was about equally divided, a movement arose to form two separate congre- gations. This was consummated in 1904. James A. Sell who had been presiding for thirty-two years, in order to remove all embarrassment in the new organization ten- dered his resignation. The decision to divide was made almost unanimous and yet the separation was more sad than joyful. Two farewell meetings were held at each place,-the one a memorial and the other a forward look. They were considered the best meetings ever held in this church."
* Published in 1882 by Howard Miller.
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A History of the Church of the Brethren
Bishops who presided and the years of their service as far as known :
David Albaugh, Sr. to Daniel M. Holsinger.1866 to 1872
David Z. Albaugh. James A. Sell. ...... 1872 to 1904
Jacob S. Burkhart. . 1860 to 1866
Ministers elected and the date of their election as far as can be gathered :
A. Brother Garver
James A. Sell .1865
John D. Veach.
Brice Sell 1872
Abraham Sell
David Sell 1876
Joseph B. Sell. 1864
Levi Benner 1898
Deacons and the date of their election :
Daniel Sell 1850
Simon Sell 1875
Daniel Ressler 1850
Samuel Brubaker 1875
Thomas G. Snyder.
John Stiffler 1876
John Ressler .about 1866
Ellis Brubaker 1876
Jessee Crumpaker ... about 1870
David Sell
1872
Jeremiah Klepser
1894
CARSON VALLEY*
Present Membership, 127.
This is one of the three congregations which came from the divisions of the Duncansville congregation and formerly known as the Frankstown Church. This division was effected in 1904. Carson Valley organized with the following :
Ministers: Levi B. Benner, William N. Hoover.
Deacons : Ellis Brubaker, Samuel Brubaker, Levi Hoover.
Laity : 84
Organization : Brice Sell, bishop ; P. Pearl Benner, sec- retary ; Samuel Brubaker, treasurer.
A mission was started in Lakemont the same year the church was organized, but for sufficient reasons it was abandoned. The Holidaysburg mission, begun in 1908, was a part of the Carson Valley territory and absorbed the time of William H. Hoover, one of the ministers of the congregation, and he could not help elsewhere. Still the church tried to serve in the larger sphere and in 1912
* To Frank A. Brubaker the reader is indebted for some of the information of this sketch.
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in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
started a mission at Bennington. At first this was quite promising but lack of ministerial help compelled disap- pointments and at last the project had to be abandoned. Again a renewed effort was made at Lakemont where there were a number of members: good interest and splendid congregations gathered and there were large hopes of organizing a separate congregation. But again
THE CARSON VALLEY CHURCH.
through shortage of ministerial help the mission was abandoned and all that was gained, lost.
Levi Benner, Frank E. Brubaker and Jacob Hoover felt to center their efforts at the Carson Valley house.
Their efforts built up the work, and the church building erected by the Duncansville congregation in 1875 was remodeled and dedicated anew on August 13, 1917. Wil- liam J. Swigart conducted the service, using for his text John 4:20-22. The building committee consisted of Jacob Brubaker, John Replogle, John A. Brubaker, Frank E. Brubaker and Gilbert Bingham.
The year 1925 began with their bishop Levi B. Benner, deceased, Frank E. Brubaker, moved to Martinsburg to superintend the Children's Home, and no presiding bishop chosen.
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Elders who have presided since the organization :
Brice Sell 1904 Levi B. Benner, 1908- Dec. 12, 1924
Ministers elected :
* George Cochrane. 1904 Frank E. Brubaker 1912
Blair Hoover 1910 Jacob Hoover 1912
Daniel G. Brubaker. 1910
Deacons : 1904, John A. Brubaker, Daniel G. Brubaker ; 1908, Samuel Clapper ; 1909, Frank E. Brubaker, Jacob Hoover; 1912, Lewis Hoover ; 1914, John Replogle, David Kauffman; 1920, Ray- mond Brubaker, Gilbert Bingham.
SUNDAY-SCHOOL
" The brethren and sisters of the Duncansville congregation, after repeated requests, made arrangements at the quarterly council, held Saturday, May 4, 1878, to organize a Sabbath-school here, the first ever held in this place by the Brethren. For several years the Breth- ren have been holding successful schools at Leamersville and at Altoona, the extremes of this congregation. Officers: Ellis Bru- baker, superintendent; Elijah Berkey and David Smouse, assistants ; Joseph Siffler, secretary-treasurer ; William Buck, monitor. "His office was to invite strangers forward into the classes, etc. . . . Thirty-six scholars present at the opening, the following Sunday. The Brethren's hymn book used for singing. The Testament for lessons. Questions were asked by the superintendent, to different classes to be discussed the following Sabbath. Collections were taken up from time to time, wherewith to purchase the necessary books, tickets, etc. It will be understood this is the first Sabbath school ever held by the Brethren in this vicinity, and it as well as many other things had its opposition." The school closed the fol- lowing October with an enrollment of 76.1
Through James A. Sell writing a letter the school was represented at the Spring Run Convention October 10, 1878. The next year John Stiffler represented at the New Enterprise convention, May 28, 1879.
The school did not represent at the 1898 convention, but in 1904 made this report: average attendance, 70; seven teachers; raised $102.00, of which $38.73 went to missions and charity work; two conversions.
The officers of the school when Carson Valley became a separate congregation in 1904 were Levi Benner, superintendent; F. Pearl Brubaker, secretary ; John A. Brubaker, treasurer. The average at- tendance was 55; for 1908, 98. The school has been "evergreen " since 1904. It has maintained a front-line standard during the years 1916, 1917, 1918, and 1920. Teacher training class was con- ducted during 1917 and four received first year certificates.
* Did not accept.
t Extracted from Emily R. Stiffler's report in Primitive Christian and Pilgrim, 1878, p. 749.
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in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
Superintendents : 1878, Ellis Brubaker; 1879, Leonard C. Stiffler ; 1880, Ellis Brubaker; 1881 to 1903, not known; 1904, Levi B. Ben- ner; 1905, William N. Hoover; 1906-'08, Levi B. Benner ; 1909, Jacob W. Hoover ; 1910-'14, Frank E. Brubaker; 1921-'22, H. Gil- bert Bingham; 1923-'25, Martin Albright.
SISTERS AID SOCIETY
The Society first met in the home of Annie Hoover on June 22, 1911. Presidents: Annie Hoover till 1914; Ida M. Benner till 1921. Reorganization March 15, 1922. Elsie Brubaker, president; in 1923 Pearl Brubaker. The Society has had few members and they have given their efforts mainly to the needs in their own community, in the following manner: In 1917 carpeted the main auditorium and purchased pupil chairs and sent clothing and food to the Chicago Mission. In 1922 sent carpet and curtains for one room of Old Folks Home at Martinsburg. In 1924 thus far bought linoleum for vestibule and sewed different days for sisters who wanted help.
HOLLIDAYSBURG*
Present Membership, 146.
Although Hollidaysburg is located in the very heart of the old Frankstown Church territory of early settle- ment times, very few members of the Church of the Brethren ever resided in the town until recently, and no public worship was held by them until in this century. In the spring of 1908 a Sunday-school was started in Stultz Hall, corner of Mulberry and Wayne Streets, by six resident members and at once grew in interest and attendance. On September 13 following, the first preach- ing service was conducted by James A. Sell and such services have been held regularly ever since.
Inasmuch as Hollidaysburg was a part of Carson Val- ley congregation and this new work was begun rather independent of the mother church, steps were taken to organize the little beginning into a separate mission point. This was done August 28, 1909, in the presence of George S. Myers, John B. Brumbaugh and John B. Miller, representatives of the District Mission Board. George S. Myers presided. After the purpose of the meeting was set forth, these propositions, copied from the minutes of that meeting, were presented :
* To Clarence C. Shiffler the reader is indebted for much of the information in this sketch.
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BISHOP WILLIAM N. HOOVER.
MR. AND MRS. MATTHEW SELL.
THE HOLLIDAYSBURG CHURCH.
MR. AND MRS. WALTER C. SELL.
MR. AND MRS. CLARENCE C. SHIFFLER.
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
" Do you want to organize where you can work to- gether as Christians for the upbuilding of the faith of the Gospel as taught in the New Testament and upheld by the Church of the Brethren,-where you can place your membership and have a church home? Unanimously affirmed."
" Do you love and are you willing to maintain the Gos- pel principles as held by the church and set forth in your baptismal covenant? The elders present explained what all was involved in this covenant and it was unanimously accepted."
The charter members were William N. Hoover, min- ister ; Matthew W. Sell, deacon; Grace Sell, Minnie Keith, Rosa Rice, Edna Ringler, Sadie and Elizabeth Baker, Maria Sell and Susie Baker.
The little group organized by electing William N. Hoover foreman under the District Mission Board and Matthew W. Sell secretary-treasurer. No boundary lines were made other than that Hollidaysburg and vicinity was to be the territory occupied.
Bishops presiding :
William N. Hoover 1909
Joseph J. Shaffer 1919
Ministers elected :
Clarence C. Shiffler Oct. 15, 1915
Mrs. Alice D. Sell . Oct. 5, 1924
Deacons elected : April 5, 1913, David M. Snowberger, James D. Malone and Clarence C. Shiffler.
Pastors and dates each began to serve:
William N. Hoover .1908
Joseph J. Shaffer Oct., 1919
Walter C. Sell. September 1, 1924
From the beginning the mission has been self supporting.
At the time of the organization James A. Sell proposed starting a building fund at once and turned over four cents as a neucleus, saying that years before a poor sister, Emily R. Stiffler, who once lived in the city, sent him two postage stamps towards a building in town. Brother Sell himself took a deep interest in the proposed building and raised $1200.00 outside of the congregation.
April 14, 1911, a lot on Pine Street was bought. David
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A History of the Church of the Brethren
M. Snowberger, Clarence C. Shiffler, Samuel N. Gearhart, James D. Malone, Matthew W. Sell, Daniel B. Maddocks and George A. Keith were appointed building committee. By November 29, 1914, a brick house 36 x 50, with an an- nex 12 x 25, and, including the lot, costing $5,250.00, was dedicated. John H. Cassady, of Huntingdon, spoke on the occasion.
SUNDAY-SCHOOL
The Sunday-school was first organized and met in Stultz Hall on April 26, 1908, by electing Matthew W. Sell superintendent; Viola Soyster, secretary; Matthew W. Sell, chorister.
The average attendance for the first year was 47; for 1923, 111. Teacher training classes have been held since 1913 and 22 have re- ceived their certificates.
Superintendents and date term of service began :
Matthew W. Sell. April 26, 1908 Clarence C. Shiffler July 1, 1915
CHRISTIAN WORKERS SOCIETY
This was organized January 1, 1909. Officers: Rosa Rice, presi- dent ; Grace Sell, secretary ; Elizabeth Replogle, treasurer. It has kept up its organization by electing officers annually.
SISTERS' AID SOCIETY
The Sisters met December 2, 1908, in the home of Minnie Baker and organized. The charter members and the officers for the first term : Elizabeth Baker, president; Maria Sell, vice-president; Susie Baker, secretary; Sadie Baker, assistant secretary; Minnie Baker and Grace Sell.
LEAMERSVILLE
Present Membership, 140.
On June 25, 1904, Carson Valley and Leamersville groups of members, being originally a part of the Dun- cansville (Frankstown) congregation, were divided, the boundary between them being a line running east and west midway between Duncansvile and Newry.
The Leamersville congregation, organized on the date of the division, consisted of the following :
Ministers : David D. Sell, James A. Sell, Brice Sell, Michael Claar, and Jacob Zimmerman. Deacons : Simon
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in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
Sell and Martin Greenleaf. Laymembers, forty.
David A. Sell was chosen bishop.
"The church enjoyed a healthy growth, so much so that it was thought best in five years to sell the church and lot and accept a parcel of ground, the present site of
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Sell
THE LEAMERSVILLE CHURCH FROM 1873 TO 1910.
the Leamersville house, donated by John Sell and Martin Greenleaf.
" The last service in the old house, laden with thirty- eight years of precious memories, was held April 3, 1910. The Carson Valley members and friends were present and the service was both a home-coming and farewell. Brice Sell preached from the same scripture used at the dedication. James A. Sell among other things expressed these fitting words: " Call it not weakness if like Joseph of old we turn aside to weep as we go away from this place to which we are bound by a thousand ties of sweet and pleasant memories. Here we came for comfort in
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our sorrow, strength for our weakness, pity in our way- wardness and forgiveness for our sins. With sad hearts we part with our dear old home. But we are cheered in the thought that there is another awaiting us just over the way,-and one still better over the river."
" But the new house must be erected.
THE LEAMERSVILLE CHURCH FROM 1910 TO 1922.
" Again . James A. Sell was engaged as solicitor and contractor, and this time he did a greater part of the work himself. It was a frame house 38 x 60 feet, without basement, and cost $3,000.00. The Sisters Aid Society furnished it throughout at a cost of $500.00 additional. On September 18, 1910, Charles C. Ellis, leading in the service and speaking from Ezra 6:16, dedicated the house. It was not only free of debt but had a small sur- plus which later was given to the Hollidaysburg congre- gation." Thus has James A. Sell written. He also com- posed the following lines :
" Hear us, O thou great Jehovah, While we lift our hearts in praise ; Make this place thy habitation Now and through the coming days.
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" May the burdened soul find solace In the service of this place, And enjoy the heavenly comfort Given by the Savior's Grace.
" May this house become a refuge To the weary troubled soul, As we strive through pain and conflict For the Christian's happy goal.
" While we linger at this altar, Craving blessings from above, Send Thy Spirit down to meet us; Fill us with the Savior's Love.
CHORUS.
" May Thy Spirit, Lord be with us As we gather here to pray; Fill our hearts with joy and gladness ; Lead us in the perfect way."
The congregation continued in its growth in an en- couraging way. Members alive to the needs of the Sun- day-school began an agitation for remodeling the house and installation of a number of features needful for effec- tual work. As a result at the council held April 2, 1922, a paper was presented from the Sunday-school Workers Meeting as follows: "Realizing the need, possibility and advantage of a fully equipped basement, we as a Sunday- school Workers Meeting respectfully ask the church to take definite steps to do this work." This request met with favor and Essington H. Claar, Burdine Claar, Homer Benton, George Lewis and Jacob Benton were appointed a building committee. Another committee . was appointed to solicit the members and it reported to a special council April 15, 1922, that $750.00 had been subscribed for the first year. The proposed improve- ment, raising the house five feet, installing steam heat- ing plant and making a number of Sunday-school rooms, it was reported (April 15, 1922) would cost about $3,500.00. Sixteen voted to remodel and four were against the proposed measure. On April 29 plans pre- sented for the basement were approved and building committee was instructed "to start the work and pro- vide the finances until the next business meeting." No- vember 5, 1922, the work was done and the people as-
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A History of the Church of the Brethren
sembled to rededicate their house of worship. Charles C. Ellis led in the dedication service, speaking in the forenoon and afternoon. That evening Benjamin F. Waltz of Altoona began a series of meetings. In the fall of 1924 Commercial electric light was installed.
THE LEAMERSVILLE CHURCH SINCE 1922.
Bishops presiding :
David Sell
1904
James A. Sell. 1910
David D. Sell. 1911
No one 1916
Brice Sell
1919
John B. Miller
1921
Pastors :
George B. Rogers .April 1, 1921, March 1, 1924
John B. Miller March 1, 1924, and continues.
Ministers elected :
Homer S. Benton.
On August 11, 1912
Deacons elected : 1904, Matthew Sell, Jacob Benton; 1909, Archi- bald Claar, Frank A. Langham; 1915, Ira Snowberger, Jacob Green- leaf; 1921, Birdine Claar, Jacob Hoover
SUNDAY-SCHOOL
The first Sunday-school in the Duncansville congregation was held in the Leamersville church on May 1, 1875. Organization : James
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in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
A. Sell, superintendent; David D. Sell, assistant superintendent ; Simon Sell, secretary.
After visiting the school James A. Crawford speaks of the fore- going organization and makes these interesting comments: "The teachers are all, I think, members of the church, and such mem- bers, too, that are active in good works and laboring for the welfare of the school. Sister Jesse Cogan, a pleasant young lady, who but a few months ago enlisted under the banner of King Jesus, is laboring as a teacher and is apparently enjoying herself. . . . The children's paper is distributed among the school. No library books are used; but the Bible is the only reading book. Questions are asked from the same by the superintendent and explained very satis- factory in the school. On this account it is the most interesting one I ever visited. I think if we had such a school in every church of our fraternity, a great deal of good might be accomplished." *
The school did not represent at the James Creek convention in 1876, represented by letter written by James A. Sell at the Spring Run convention in 1878, and sent David D. Sell as delegate to the New Enterprise convention of 1879.
The school did not report to the 1898 convention, but the follow- ing is given in the convention of 1904: enrollment, 86; average at- tendance, 48; seven teachers; raised $79.17, of which $44.09 was given to missions and charity ; "evergreen."
Superintendents : 1875, James A. Sell; after that till 1904, not known; 1904, Frank A. Langham; 1905, -; 1906, Mat- thew Sell; 1907, James A. Sell; 1908-'11, Mrs. James A. Sell; 1912, Homer Benton; 1913-'24, Frank A. Langham.
SISTERS' AID SOCIETY
The Sisters' Aid Society was organized in the home of Mrs. James A. Sell in June, 1898. The following are charter members : Esther B. Sell, Sara A. Sell, Cora Greenleaf, Barbara Benton, Junie Leighty, Grace Benton, Minnie Baker, Rachel Sell, Martha Sell, Cora Sell, Lydia Greenleaf, Carrie Langham, Grace Sell, Maria Sell and Anna Sell.
Organization : Esther B. Sell, president; Grace and Sarah S. Sell, secretaries ; Cora Greenleaf, treasurer.
Presidents : Mrs. Esther B. Sell, June, 1898 to November 6, 1902; Maria Sell, to 1905; Barbara Benton, till 1909; Sara A. Sell, 1909 and continues.
Clayburg Mission. Though geographically in the Lower Claar territory Leamersville congregation has developed this mission.
There being about 100 members in Clayburg and vicinity, a Sunday-school was superintended by Jeremiah Snowberger during the summer of 1821. The next sum- mer, during August and September, 1922, Charles O.
* Christian Family Companion and Gospel Visitor, 1876, p. 606.
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A History of the Church of the Brethren
Berry held a three weeks' tabernacle meeting and bap- tized twenty-one. From that time John B. Miller held meetings every Lord's day, morning and evening, for one year. In July, 1923, John R. Snyder conducted a three weeks' meeting and three were baptized and two re- claimed. In September, 1924, George E. Yoder, assisted by Helen Shellenberger, held a two weeks' meeting and three were added by baptism and one reclaimed. At different times one member was added until John B. Miller received five by baptism. All this work, continued under the pastoral care of John B. Miller, has been car- ried on in the Odd Fellows Hall.
Claysburg Sunday-school. This was organized first in the spring of 1921 by Jeremiah Snowberger. He was superintendent, Mrs. Elmer Snyder secretary and Jennie Brumbaugh treasurer. The average attendance was thirty.
The superintendents since the organization are: 1922, Jennie Brumbaugh; 1923, Franklin Beech; 1924, Jennie Brumbaugh.
FIRST CHURCH, ALTOONA*
Present Membership, 698.
Some time in 1870 or 1871, Graybill Myers began his work in behalf of the Church of the Brethren by preach- ing in the homes of the few members in Altoona. Among these was the home of John Ressler,; who had moved in from Duncansville and became the first deacon or church official of what afterwards was the Altoona Church. Soon a hall was rented on 6th Avenue near 20th Street and services were continued for upwards of two years. Not being able to continue in this hall and there being more members in the eastern end of the city than in the western, a Methodist chapel at the corner of 6th Avenue and 5th Street was rented.
Inasmuch as there never had been a boundary estab- lished between Duncansville Church on the west and Warriors Mark congregation on the east, ministers from both congregations helped carry on the work in the city and preaching services were held every two weeks.
* To James A. Sell, Walter S. Long and Joseph W. Wilt the reader is indebted for much of the information in this sketch.
t The father-in-law of Ardie E. Wilt, well known throughout the district.
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But the owner put the chapel up for sale,-price, $1,500.00. The members were all day-laborers and could not think of raising the money and yet the spot had grown dear to them and they wanted it for a place of worship. Graybill Myers, bearing the burden of the situation on his own heart, carried an appeal for assist- ance to build a house to the District Meeting of 1873 when it convened at Clover Creek. The meeting in- structed the delegates to present the need to their re- spective congregations and each one was to report the amount it would give to help build the needed house, to the clerk, George Brumbaugh, Grafton, before July 1; and " John Spanogle, John W. Brumbaugh and Peter S. Myers were appointed as an investigating committee, whose duty it shall be, if sufficient encouragement is given to build, to determine on the location, site and cost of the house, building material, and appoint a building committee." *
Evidently " encouragement " was received, but how much is not known. Not being familiar with city condi- tions the committee appointed a sub-committee consist- ing of Robert McFarlin and two others (now unknown), all residents of Altoona, and this sub-committee made a contract to pay $1,500.00 for the chapel.
On June 21, 1874, the newly purchased house of wor- ship was dedicated in behalf of the Church of the Breth- ren. Peter S. Myers delivered the dedicatory sermon, using for his text Mark 11:18. He was followed by Daniel M. Holsinger. The people met for worship at three and at eight the same day. Besides the two men- tioned above, visitings ministers present were John W. and George W. Brumbaugh of Clover Creek, and Henry B. Brumbaugh of Huntingdon.t
While perhaps a few congregations sought to disre- gard the obligation made by the sub-committee, the offi- cers of the District Meeting and a number of congrega- tions recognized the debt and set about paying it, be- cause at the District Meeting five years later in Hill Valley the churches which had not paid their promises
* Minutes of the District Meeting of 1873.
t The Weekly Pilgrim, June 23, 1874, p. 204, gives the sermon preached by Brother Myers.
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Mr. & Mrs. Geo. W. Kephart
Mr.D.S.Brallier
Mrs.D.S.Brallier
Je Wilt
The Upper Building was the first house of First Church of Altoona, used from 1871 to June 21, 1874 ; the other house, from 1874 to November 18, 1917; and some members closely associated with the second house.
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
to Altoona were urged to do so and at the same time the meeting recommended that $17.50, "surplus money due them (Antietam) for the expenses of the last Annual Meeting (at New Enterprise) now in the hands of Daniel Snowberger " shall go towards cancelling the debt .*
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