USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Church of the Brethren in the middle district of Pennsylvania > Part 7
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SUNDAY-SCHOOL
The members met in special council October 24, 1910, to organize the Sunday-school to begin the Sunday after the dedication.
ROSS MURPHY'S SUNDAY-SCHOOL CLASS.
H. Atlee Brumbaugh, superintendent; Elva Clapper, secretary ; David O. Miller, treasurer ; H. Atlee Brumbaugh, chorister.
The school has been "evergreen " from the beginning and with the other schools of the town succeeded in getting 92% of the entire population enlisted in Sunday-school work during 1922. The school has had teacher training classes during the years 1912 (22), 1913 (22), 1914 (9), 1915 (6), 1917 (5), 1918 (6), 1919 (none), 1920 (13), 1921 (5), 1922, 1923 (7), 1924.
Superintendents : 1910, H. Atlee Brumbaugh; 1911-14, Clara (nee Replogle) Furry; 1915, D. Grover Replogle; 1916, Abram B. Rep- logle; 1917 and continues, D. Grover Replogle.
SISTERS' AID SOCIETY
The Aid Society was organized May 6, 1903, by electing Susan Replogle, president ; Nancey Brumbaugh, secretary; and Catharine Snowberger, treasurer. The charter members in addition to the
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officers were Lottie Hoover, Lizzie Barnett, Mary Stayer, Teressa Albright, Junie Maddocks, Adaline Massic, and Hannah Metzger.
Their first main accomplishment was the raising of $500.00 to pay for the lot on which the church house now stands. In addition the sisters have made contributions as follows :
They carpeted the church and Sunday-school rooms; paid $325.00 on parsonage; bought and paid for all the dishes and linens needed for the church at one time, $85.00; on pastor's salary, at different times, $25.00 each.
In this connection it should be stated that the first carpet for the Sunday-school room, linoleum for the Aid Society room and the kitchen, as well as the pulpit Bible, were donated by Elmer and Catherine Snowberger ; the pulpit chairs were given by Orville V. Long; George Replogle paid for the pulpit stand and willed $200.00 to the church which since his decease has been received and applied as directed.
ALBRIGHT *
Present Membership, 160.
In 1878 there were enough members living in the vicinity of the town of Roaring Spring to justify the Clover Creek congregation in helping to build them a church house. This was located on the Samuel Albright farm, just a short distance from the borough limits. The membership increased and on May 14, 1898, they were organized into a congregation and took the name of Roaring Spring .; Religious activity centered for a num- ber of years at what is called the Albright house. By mutual agreement the new group retained the old name and the old centre took the new name " Albright." To avoid confusion the early history of the membership in the vicinity of Roaring Spring appears under that name.
It was mutually agreed between these two congrega- tions that since a boundary line would be difficult to es- tablish permission would be given all members to be- come part of either organization as they themselves elected. About sixty members stayed with the Albright church.
May 13, 1911, a members' meeting was called at the
* To Jacob Kinsel the reader is indebted for much of the information given in this sketch.
t District Meeting Minutes for 1899 are not available, but the new congrega- tion is recorded as representing in 1900 under the name Roaring Spring.
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A History of the Church of the Brethren
Albright house for the purpose of organization. James A. Sell presided. James Brumbaugh was chosen elder and minister. John T. Johnston, secretary and Harry H. Rasher, treasurer. The new congregation had a total membership of 62.
Charles Garber, a minister of the River Brethren Church, was received into membership in 1916 and given permission to continue his ministry.
THE ALBRIGHIT CHURCH OF TODAY.
The congregation decided on June 11, 1919, to repair and remodel its house of worship. Committee in charge of the whole project, Peter Garber, Irvin H. Dick, John T. Johnston, Charles Feather and George W. Helsel. Considerable improvement was made when the funds gave out and the work ceased. In 1922 Jacob Kinsel, the pastor, put on a vigorous campaign and raised $1,550 to finish remodeling and paying off the accumulated debt at the time work stopped. The house is now brick-cased, electric lighted, good basement and facilities for Sunday- school work, the total cost of the improvement being about $3,700.00. Rededication occurred on September 30, 1923, conducted by Galen B. Royer. Text, Psalms 122.
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THE ALBRIGHT CHURCH AND SUNDAY-SCHIOOL.
A History of the Church of the Brethren
Presiding elders :
James Brumbaugh May 13, 1911
David Adams May 2, 1914
John B. Miller . March 9, 1918
Moses R. Brumbaugh Dec. - , 1919
Ministers who have labored here: Harry D. Rasher, elected May 4, 1912; 1916-'21, Charles Garber ; 1919-'21, Homer Benton; March, 1921, continues Jacob Kinsel.
Deacons : 1911, Josiah Treese; May 13, 1913, Harry H. Rasher. Charles O. Miller, Michael W. Reffner; August 18, 1913, Henry Dick, Scott Johnson; December 11, 1912, Charles Feather, Irvin Dick, Thomas Oldham, Edward Wentz.
SUNDAY-SCHOOL
There is a large probability that Sunday-school was conducted a few years in the school house where the members worshiped before the church was erected. Hence one may safely conclude that as soon as the new church was occupied, Sunday-school began.
An "evergreen " school, average attendance 50, was reported for 1894 to the District Meeting of 1895. May 1, 1898, Roaring Spring (Country) congregation was organized, and at the convention that year reported as follows : Enrollment, 71; average, 57; raised $37.19, of which $1.96 went to missions and charity; 4 conversions; "ever- green." In 1904 the school had grown decidedly for it reported average attendance, 75, 7 teachers, raised $70.21, of which $39.50 went to missions and charity. Then after the division of territory on August 5, 1911, under the name Albright, the Sunday-school was organized by electing Harry H. Rasher, superintendent . Andrew Albright, secretary, and Esther Smith, treasurer. It had teacher training class during 1922-'24, with a total enrollment of 12. Aver- age attendance for 1912, was 55.
Superintendents : 1879-1907, Samuel R. Albright; 1906-'10, Harry H. Rasher ; 1912, Michael W. Reffner ; 1913-'16, Mrs. Esther Smith; 1917-'23, Charles L. Feather ; 1924, John Johnson.
SISTERS' AID SOCIETY
The Society was organized in the church in September, 1913. Members present: Esther Smith, Ellen Miller, Leah Dick, Lilah Johnson, Jane Burket, Catherine Feather, Lydia Burket. Clara Davis, Minnie McNalley, Mrs. Joseph Treese. Organization : Esther Smith, president; Leah Dick, secretary; Ellen Miller, treas- urer. Later Ellen Miller became president and continued until she moved from the congregation, after which the Society ceased to function. It was reorganized on July 19, 1923. Officers: Lilah Johnson, president ; Catherine Feather, secretary; Sue Johnson, as- sistant secretary ; Hattie Adams, treasurer.
The new society gave $78.00 to help remodel the church.
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FAIRVIEW*
Present Membership, 145.
Among the people residing in the valley some distance north of the Clover Creek Church in the days before any preaching was done by the Brethren, were the following members: Eli and Eva Smith, Adam and Sara Smith, George and Jane Smith, Abram and Elizabeth Shelly, Philip and Mary Shelly, Mrs. Barbara Shelly, Joseph S. Snowberger and David S. Bechtel. Naturally enough, in order to hear the Word of Life nearer home these mem- bers sought to have preaching in the neighborhood and at irregular intervals, beginning about 1864, George Brumbaugh and Daniel Holsinger from Clover Creek and Graybill Myers and James A. Sell from Duncansville congregations preached for these scattered members, usually on Saturday evenings at Dean's, Sunday morn- ing at Snively's and in the afternoon at Ditch's school- houses.
In 1868 Joseph S. Snowberger was elected to the min- istry and became the first resident minister and later the first bishop in the territory.
The activity of these members, their interest and ap- preciation in religious things and their petition, October 12, 1873, led the Clover Creek congregation to decide March 5, 1874, to build a frame house, 38 x 42 feet, now known as the Fairview house. Philip Shelly and David Bechtel were elected trustees; Joseph Snowberger, treas- urer; the building was let by contract. Henry R. Hol- singer preached the dedication sermon.
The new church gave the assurance of permanence as well as provided a centre around which the members could work. Sunday-school was started in 1885 and steadily increased until the demand for a larger church was imperative. Further, the house was not arranged for lovefeast occasions and this was greatly desired. Hence in 1890 an annex, 20 x 35 feet, was built to the church.
About sixty members lived in the territory now known
* To Jacob B. Snowberger the reader is indebted for some of the information in this sketch.
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FAIRVIEW CHURCH. Upper, old house as it was in 1890; lower, remodeled house. Reading at top and from left: Mr. and Mrs. William H. Holsinger ; Ernest A. Brumbaugh. Next below : Mr. and Mrs. Grover L. Wine; Mr. and Mrs. Galen B. Royer ; Andrew J. Detwiler, Virgil C. Holsinger, and Quinter A. Showalter.
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
as Fairview, but they were still a part of the Clover Creek congregation. The mother church cheerfully con- sented to their organizing themselves separately and on September 26, 1891, this was done. John W. Brumbaugh was chosen bishop, Jacob B. Snowberger, secretary, and Daniel Shelly treasurer. The bounds of the congregation were fixed as follows: The Smithfield and Beavertown road on the south, Tussey mountain on the east, Terrace Mountain on the west, and no limits to the north save where Warrior's Mark congregation would want to draw the line.
The congregation started (April 28, 1894) "a penny fund for the benefit of the church and missionary cause, said money to be paid to the deacons on their annual visit." Two years later (February 29, 1896) it was " de- cided not to use lesson leaves in the school." This, how- ever, was reversed at the next meeting, May 16, and in addition " privilege to organize a Union School and using Union leaflets at Smithfield " was granted. The same year " unfermented wine, if it could be bought" was ordered for communion occasions.
Smithfield and Williamsburg congregations are chil- dren of Fairview and when they organized to themselves the former, receiving permission on January 8, 1917, took twenty-nine members and the latter, getting permission on February 24, 1917, took seventy-eight, leaving 147 members to the parent church.
During the years 1918-1919 William H. Holsinger served the three groups of members,-Fairview, Smith- field and Williamsburg jointly as pastor. Fairview took an advanced step however, when on October 30, 1920, she engaged Grover L. Wine for a week-end pastorate while attending Juniata College. His services proved very helpful to the congregation. November 19, 1922, Galen B. Royer accepted the pastorate for week-end service, and continued until January 1, 1925. At this date Ernest A. Brumbaugh was given the oversight of the congregation.
True to her ever aggressive spirit and feeling the need of a house suited to modern Sunday-school work the church, during the summer of 1921, through Ernest A. Brumbaugh, Jacob B. Snowberger, John Shelly, Henry
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Reading from top and left: Mr. and Mrs. John R. Bashor ; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Shelly ; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew S. Bechtel ; Mr. and Mrs. David Shelly ; Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Snowberger ; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Sollenberger ; Mr. and Mrs. Martin H. Brumbaugh ; Mr. and Mrs. Darby Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim Sol- lenberger ; H. F. Smith ; Howard Brumbaugh ; Mrs. G. Quinter Showalter.
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
Baumgardner and Homer Bechtel as building committee, raised the house fifty-four inches, completely remodeled the inside and installed an up-to-date heating plant at a cost of $5,300.00. On January 1, 1922 Dr. Charles C. Ellis spoke on the occasion of the dedication.
Bishops having oversight :
John W. Brumbaugh. September 26, 1891
Joseph S. Snowberger. . May 14, 1894
George W. Brumbaugh. May 25, 1901
James A. Sell.
1903
William H. Holsinger May 30, 1908
Tobias T. Myers
Galen B. Royer. February 24, 1923
Ernest A. Brumbaugh.
January 1, 1925
Ministers elected :
John H. Brumbaugh May 14, 1894
Andrew J. Detwiler . June 10, 1900
William H. Holsinger May 21, 1904
Ernest A. Brumbaugh August 29, 1914
Clarence Smith August 29, 1914
Elmer Shadle
August 29, 1914
Quinter A. Showalter . May 11, 1924
Deacons: Before organization, living in the territory: George Smith, Abraham Shelly, Joseph S. Snowberger, David S. Bechtel, Adam Smith, Andrew S. Bechtel and Joseph H. Holsinger ; 1891, James Saylor ; April 29, 1892, Jacob B. Snowberger, Daniel Shelly ; Aug. 30, 1895, Andrew S. Sollenberger; May 25, 1901, Isaac Snare : Martin H. Brumbaugh; May 30, 1908, Joseph S. Sollenberger ; May 11, 1924, Ephriam Sollenberger, Howard Brumbaugh, Homer Bechtel.
SUNDAY-SCHOOL
The Sunday-school first organized in the Fairview territory dates back to 1885 when Joseph S. Snowberger was elected superintend- ent. For a few years, only summer sessions were held and then the school became "evergreen." In 1904 the school reported 150 en- rolled ; average, 71; 9 teachers; raised $85.23, of which $27.49 was given to missions and charity. During 1912-'19 the school main- tained a front line standard; had teacher training classes during 1909-'18 and 1918 with a total enrollment of 54.
Superintendents : as far as known: April 16, 1893, Joseph S. Snowberger ; 1894-'97, Andrew S. Bechtel; 1898-'00, Jacob B. Snow- berger ; 1901-'02, Andrew J. Detwiler ; 1903-'04, Jacob B. Snow- berger ; 1905-'06, William H. Holsinger; 1907-'09, Joseph S. Sol- lenberger ; 1910, Martin H. Brumbaugh; 1911-'12, Joseph S. Sollenberger ; 1913, John Perrin; 1914-'16, Jacob S. Sollenberger ; 1917, Sannie F. Shelly; 1919-'24, Ernest A. Brumbaugh.
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SISTERS' AID SOCIETY
The Aid Society was organized April 13, 1910, in the church by electing these officers : Sarah Shelly, president; Sannie Shelly, sec- retary; Minnie Snare, treasurer.
The charter members were: Cora Holsinger, Sannie Shelly, Min-
FAIRVIEW SISTERS' AID SOCIETY. Reading from left: Mrs. Ephriam Sollenberger ; Mrs. Michael Detwiler ; Viola Brumbaugh; Mrs. Frank Imler ; Mrs. Isaac Showalter ; Mrs. Sarah Shelly.
nie Snare, Julia Shelly, Flora Shelly Berkley, Maggie Brumbaugh, Kate Bechtel, Julia Bechtel, Harriet Detwiler, Nora Detwiler, Erni Snowberger Imler, Rosie Showalter, Anna Shock and Sarah Shelly.
Their first regular meeting was held in the home of Mrs. Sarah Shelly.
Their help consists for the most part in the following items :
Foreign Missionary Work $54.00
Home Missionary Work. 693.15
Eight boxes were sent, valued at about. 10.00
On hand 40.00
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WILLIAMSBURG*
Present Membership, 160.
Because of a number of members and brethren's chil- dren had moved into Williamsburg, it became more and more apparent that a church should be built in the borough. This conviction was greatly strengthened when Samuel S. Bottomfield, most friendly to the church, donated in part a good lot for a building site. In fact this brought the issue of a house to the climax and the Fairview congregation appointed Joseph S. Bechtel, Joseph S. Sollenberger, Emory Brumbaugh, Frank P. Detwiler, Jacob B. Snowberger as a building committee. A splendid brick-veneered building, 44 x 58 feet, costing when completed $6,000.00 was erected. On February 18, 1912 the house was dedicated, Isaac N. H. Beahm of Virginia speaking on the occasion from Psalms 133:1. $1,935.00 was raised on the occasion, placing the house almost free of debt. Brother Beahm continued the meet- ings for one week.t
Under the fostering care of Fairview congregation the Williamsburg mission prospered in a most encouraging manner until March 9, 1917, when in the presence of Albert G. Crosswhite, of Roaring Spring, and Walter S. Long of Altoona, the group worshiping at this place be- came a separate congregation by organizing as follows : William H. Holsinger, bishop and pastor; Elizabeth Park, secretary ; Melvin C. Shelly, treasurer; trustees : Andrew J. Detwiler, Melvin C. Shelly, Isaac A. Snare.
Bishops presiding : William H. Holsinger ....... March 9, 1917, to July 3, 1922 M. Clyder Horst ..... September 28, 1922, to January 1, 1924 Tobias T. Myers. . January 1, 1924 continues. Pastors :
M. Clyder Horst .. . September 28, 1922, to January 1, 1924 Levi K. Ziegler . August 1, 1924 continues.
* To William H. Holsinger the reader is indebted for the information of this church.
t Gospel Messenger, 1912, p. 176.
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T
THE WILLIAMSBURG CHURCH.
Reading at top and from left: Mr. and Mrs. Andrew S. Bechtel; Mr. and Mrs. David S. Sollenberger ; Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Coble; Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Snare; (bottom) Mr. and Mrs. Emory Brumbaugh.
SOME MEMBERS OF WILLIAMSBURG CHURCH.
Beginning at top and left: Mr. and Mrs. Melvin. Shelly ; Joseph and Harry Sollen- berger ; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew K. Sollenberger ; Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Parks ; Mr. and Mrs. Emory Sollenberger ; Levi Sollenberger.
A History of the Church of the Brethren
Ministers :
Andrew J. Detwiler, in office. Raymond Sollenberger, Decem- ber 31, 1922.
Deacons : In office at organization, Isaac A. Snare and Joseph S. Sollenberger ; March 9, 1917, Melvin C. Shelly, Jesse Park; De- cember 31, 1922, Emery Sollenberger.
SUNDAY-SCHOOL
The first Sunday-school held by the Brethren in Williamsburg was on February 18, 1912, in the new church. The officers were Abner B. Dilling, superintendent; Mrs. Iva Baker, secretary; Emery Brumbaugh, treasurer. The school has been "evergreen " since the organization and maintained a frontline standard during 1915. It had teacher training class during 1915-21 in which there was a total enrollment of 33.
Superintendents : 1912, Abner B. Dilling; 1913-'14, Andrew J. Detwiler ; 1915, Harry Sollenberger ; 1916-'17, Mrs. Ellis S. Shelly ; 1918-'19, Andrew J. Detwiler ; 1920, William H. Holsinger; 1921, Andrew J. Detwiler; 1922, Emory Sollenberger; 1923, Mrs. Ellis S. Shelly; 1924, Harry Sollenberger.
SISTERS' AID SOCIETY
The Sister's Aid Society first met March 7, 1917 in the Williams- burg church and organized thus: Mrs. William H. Holsinger, presi- dent; Elizabeth Park, secretary; Maude Walls, treasurer.
The charter members are:
Mrs. William H. Holsinger
Maggie Brumbaugh
Julia Shelly
Mary Frye
Elizabeth Park
Lydia Sollenberger
Maude Walls
Celie Royer
Almira Reed
The Society's work in general may be summed up in making of children's and womens' garments and quilting.
SMITHFIELD
Present Membership, 77.
About 1890 the brethren from Fairview and Clover Creek began preaching and during the summer con- ducted a Sunday-school in the Smithfield school house across the ridge westward from Fairview church. Later John R. Bashore, a minister, located at Barbara and be- came a leader for the group in Piney Creek Valley. Jacob D. Smith having donated ground for a church site in 1893 Fairview and Clover Creek congregations jointly
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helped them build the Smithfield house, 35 x 45 feet and costing about $2,300.00. The Church was dedicated in October, 1893, John B. Fluck of Yellow Creek and Wil- liam S. Ritchey of Snake Spring speaking on the occasion.
MR. AND MRS. ELI D. SMITH.
MR. AND MRS. HARVEY LONGANECKER.
THE SMITHIFIELD CHURCH.
Clover Creek and Fairview alternately supplied the preaching until May 4, 1917, when the group of members in the presence of John B. Miller and Jacob K. Brown, was organized and took the name Smithfield.
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A History of the Church of the Brethren
Organization : William H. Holsinger, bishop and pastor; Calvin Baker, secretary ; Homer Dilling, treas- urer. In all there were sixty charter members.
Bishops who presided over the congregation and date each began :
William H. Holsinger May 4, 1917
Frederic R. Zook ... January 1, 1920
William H. Holsinger January 1, 1922
Isaac B. Kensinger . January 1, 1924
Deacons, when congregation was organized : Clarence Smith, Heaster L. Smith, Calvin Baker, and Eli Hoover. Elected October 20, 1922; Harvey Longanecker and Edward Burket.
SUNDAY-SCHOOL
Perhaps as early as the 96's, John R. Bashore started the Sunday- school, but the first available record is for 1904 which is the fol- lowing : average attendance of fifty; six teachers; raised $27.72, of which $6.89 was given to missions and charity; "evergreen"; five conversions.
Superintendents : 1904, John B. Bashore; 1905, Clarence Smith ; 1906-07, David C. Wineland; 1908-09, Clarence Smith; 1910, Eli B. Hoover ; 1911, Clarence Smith; 1912, Eli B. Hoover ; 1913-14, Clar- ence Smith; 1915, J. Frederic Dilling; 1916, Clarence Smith ; 1917-18, Heaster J. Smith; 1919, Eli B. Hoover; 1920, Ephriam Sol- lenberger ; 1921-22, Heaster J. Smith; 1923, Harry Longanecker ; 1924, Frederic Hoover.
JAMES CREEK *
Present Membership, 50.
James Creek and Clover Creek until about the middle of the nineteenth century were two groups of members under one organization. Tussey mountain separated them socially very decidedly and in time made the two organizations a practical necessity.
Ferreting out the snatches of activities saved through incidental record on the James Creek side only, George Brumbaugh, residing with other members in Woodcock Valley, was called to the ministry about 1820 and Isaac Brumbaugh, his son in 1832. George was ordained in 1837 or 1839 and given oversight of both settlements of members.
* To J. Grove Norris the reader is indebted for some of the information in this sketch.
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During these years there was agitation favoring divid- ing the territory but the James Creek brethren objected because they did not have a meeting house. Not until 1858 were the separate organizations effected .* Tussey mountain became the dividing line but in other directions there were no limitations. Over the new organization, which took its name after James Creek which flows
THE JAMES CREEK CHURCH.
through the valley, Isaac Brumbaugh, who had been or- dained in 1841, was given the oversight. If other officers were appointed at the time of organization there is no record of them. Neither is it known what the member- ship was at the time.
In 1860 the James Creek house, built of brick, was erected. It is splendidly arranged for large gatherings and lovefeast occasions and how often in earlier days did the people gather there in overflowing numbers.
It was not till February 22, 1872, that the congregation " decided to have a secretary " and elected Henry B. Brumbaugh to fill that position. At this time the congre- gation had 99 members on its roll.
* While it is pretty well established that in 1858 the division of the congre- gation was decided upon, this division is not recognized in the District Meeting Minutes of 1862 where Clover Creek is named as the congregation holding the meeting, in the Woodcock Valley House, and the delegates are Isaac Brumbaugh from Woodcock Valley and Daniel M. Holsinger from Clover Creek proper. The Minutes of 1864 record recognition of two separate congregations.
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The following April 20, to meet the needs of a group of members living near the Raystown Dam, the congre- gation decided to erect a church house, 30 x 36 feet. This was sometimes called the Bethel house, or the "Corner." For a time the outlook was en- couraging, but the work went back until now there is but a family or two of members. Summer Sunday-school is held, and there was a good oppor- tunity for building up a good congregation at this point.
The ministers were zealous in their spiritual duties, even while making a living in their individual vocations, and their MR. AND MRS. DAVID BRUMBAUGH, he a deacon in the James Creek Church. labors were richly blessed with additions. A group of mem- bers centered around Entricken and desired a place of worship in their midst. April 5, 1873, the congregation decided to erect a house for them. Daniel Brumbaugh, Philip P. Brumbaugh and Andrew B. Brumbaugh, the building committee put up a frame house 30 x 36 feet, costing $492.50. Those were the days when dedications were not considered proper; but the James Creek brethren set Friday, November 7, 1873, for the first day of a few meetings in the new house. Graybill Myers, George W. Brumbaugh, James R. Lane, Jacob L. Wine- land and Samuel A. Moore took their turns at preach- ing .* After some years of use, because the membership moved from the community, the house was sold in 1914 for $450.00.
The Missionary spirit early manifested itself in this congregation. May 7, 1887, they ask the District for a better missionary plan. July 30 following, this action took place. "What will this meeting say in regard to attendance at Sunday-school celebrations? Answer. In- asmuch as we look upon the modern so-called celebra- tions with feelings of extreme doubt as to their moral influence it is therefore resolved that members refrain from attending such places."
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