USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Church of the Brethren in the middle district of Pennsylvania > Part 9
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THE HUNTINGDON ORPHANAGE
It was while a few sisters of the Huntingdon congregation (four and a half years later they became the second organized Sisters' Aid Society of the Brotherhood), in co-operation with students and others of the Normal College, were administering to the poor in the west end of the borough that the deplorable condition of some fami- lies was discovered and reported to David Emmert. Thereupon, he opened a little home for destitute children, on Sixteenth Street, be- tween Moore and Mifflin Streets, on March 1, 1881. Carrie Miller,
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who later became the wife of William J. Swigart, was engaged as matron. A little sick girl, Anna Straitiff, was the first guest of care. On April 1, 1881, the home was moved into a small building, corner of Moore and Eighteenth Streets. A county organization was formed the same year, under which supervision the institution has continued. The matrons have all been members of the Church of the Brethren and loyal supporters of the local aid society. Following Carrie Miller, the next matron, though for a short time, was Eliza- beth Howe, now Mrs. John H. Brubaker, of Virdin, (Il1.). Next, Susan Ressler, who had been helper under both former superintend- ents, became matron and rounded out seventeen years of continuous service." * Her daughter, Minnie, now Mrs. Ardie E. Wilt, sacrificed much to help her mother with her task during these years. Then followed, for shorter terms of service, Anna Detwiler, now the wife of Jacob M. Blough, missionary in India; a Mrs. Newcomer, of Waynesboro, (Pa.), and Clara Buyer, who married Harry Sullivan. In 1902, Emma Keeny, the present matron, began her long term of service.
* Reminiscences of Juniata College, by David Emmert, p. 101.
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CHAPTER IV
The Early Yellow Creek Congregation and Its Growth in Bedford, Blair and Fulton Counties
1780
1800
1820
1840
1860
1880
1900
1920
Farly Yellow Creek (a)
1895 name changed to
New Enterprise
1876(b)
Woodbury
1886
Claar
1916
Lower Claar
1916
Queen
1871
Dunnings Creek
1820
Snake Spring
1924 ..
Cherry Lane
1922
Koontz
1897
Artemas
1872c
Yellow Creek
1893
Raven Run
1907
Riddlesburg
1901
Stonerst own
1893
Everett
a Its beginning according to the " Record of the Faithful," by Howard Miller. b Part of Woodbury territory was taken from Clover Creek.
c Hopewell was the name first ; about 1900 changed to Yellow Creek.
THE EARLY YELLOW CREEK CONGREGATION*
Concerning the early history of this congregation James A. Sell has written thus: "This early group of members centered at New Enterprise and the territory in which they were scattered embraced all of Bedford and much of Fulton counties. Among the early settlers especially in Bedford and Huntingdon counties were a
* To David T. Detwiler the reader is indebted for much of the information found in the latter part of this sketch.
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large number of Brethren whose descendants trace their ancestry to Franklin County, (Pa.) ; hence it is highly probable that our pioneers came from there. The first of this migration can safely be placed as early as 1750 or 1760.
" The earliest record of the presence of the brethren is found in a deed for a tract of land containing 269 acres, located in Morrison's Cove on the Three Springs branch of Yellow Creek, Frankstown township, Bedford County. It conveys from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to Samuel Ullery and Jacob Brumbaugh said tract on De- cember 12, 1785, and is signed by Benjamin Franklin, " President of the Supreme Council of the Executive." The consideration was six pounds, nineteen shillings and five pence.
" So far as is known this Samuel Ullery * was the first minister in this church. Just when he came is not known. He died in 1822 and is buried in the cemetery close to the New Enterprise church.
"Jacob Brumbaugh, the other person named in the deed, a brother in the flesh to the Brumbaughs who set-
* In a manuscript written by Samuel Teeter who lived at New Enterprise and died in 1901, the following statement is made concerning the beginning of the Yellow Creek congregation.
MORRISON'S COVE OR YELLOW CREEK CHURCH. BEGINNING OR ORGANIZATION.
" Inasmuch as there has no record been kept from the beginning, by request, will try to give a short sketch of the church in part by hearsay and part by memory.
" In the first the Yellow Creek consisted of Snake Spring and part of the Cove. The first minister was a man or brother by the name of Overholser who died in the Cove; (second) David Mikesell also died here; (third) perhaps Abraham Teeter, Senior, but never preached ; (fourth) Samuel Ullery, who labored in the congregation for some time and was a very influential minister ; (fifth) Isaac Ritchey and John Holsinger, Senior, elected at the same time, advanced the same together the same time and ordained the same time. Some time after, Snake Spring was divided into two separate districts and brother Ritchey fell to Snake Springs and Holsinger to Yellow Creek; (sixth) then some time Elder Martin Miller was elected to the ministry in the Yellow Creek District; (seventh) David Brumbaugh was elected some time after by the Snake Spring Church, then afterwards moved to Yellow Creek Church; (eighth) then about 1830 Brother Jacob Gochnour was elected to the ministry, who was laboring with the church till 1834 when he died. The next year John Holsinger, Junior, was elected then in 1835; (ninth) Jacob Miller was elected next; (tenth) John Eshelman in 1852, Daniel Snowberger and Leonard Furry were elected, afterwards advanced and later ordained the same day and both died in 1868. After this John B. Replogle next to Christ Holsinger, son of John Holsinger, Junior ; next John L. Holsinger, Junior ; next David Strayle; next Rinehart Z. Replogle who went Progressive ; next David T. Detwiler ; next Levi Holsinger and Levi Stuckey, the former a great-grand-son of Samuel Ullery and the latter a great-grand-son of the same .- ED.
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tled at Clover Creek and in Woodcock Valley, was also a minister.
" The tract of land conveyed above evidently was pur- chased jointly, for on February 28, 1822, Samuel Ullery conveyed his possessions of about 100 acres to Jacob Brown, who in turn on February 25, 1841, sold the same to Samuel Brown. From him it went successively to Daniel S. Snowberger, Christian Snowberger, Samuel Werking and then to Gilbert Werking, the present owner.
" The time of the organization of this church and who were the participators are unknown. As was usual in those days the members and friends met for worship in homes, some of which were purposely constructed to meet this purpose. The first movement towards build- ing a house of worship was in 1840 when a house, 40 x 65 feet with an L for kitchen, 20 x 34 feet, was erected on the lot where the present New Enterprise house stands. It was fashioned after the architectural ideas of that time, more for service than anything else, and judging by its dimensions the congregations that gathered in those early days were large."-JAMES A. SELL.
Quite a settlement of members had located near Bakers Summit, among them John M. Holsinger, the bishop of the congregation. He conceived the idea and prevailed upon the church to erect a house on a corner of his farm. The building committee consisted of Simon Snyder, head carpenter, Jacob and John Miller, Charles and J- - Bobb and John Jordon. It was a frame house, cost $620.00 and was dedicated in 1850.
This policy of placing houses where groups of mem- bers were living was followed further in 1872 when two frame house each 32 x 45 feet, the one at Waterside and the other at Snyder, were erected. At the dedication of the former house June 16, 1872, John B. Brumbaugh preached .*
But the territory included in this early Yellow Creek congregation was far too large for successful manage- ment and on August 16, 1876, it was decided to divide. The line established was such that the present New En-
* The Weekly Pilgrim, 1872, p. 207.
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Susan Stuckey
Mr.& Mrs John Snowberger
Mr.& Mrs. S. Jeeter
Mr. & Mrs. as Replogle
Mr.& Mrs. S. R. Snyder
Mr. & Mrs. I. Replogle
SOME MEMBERS OF THE NEW ENTERPRISE CHURCH.
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
terprise territory continued under the name of Yellow Creek, and that now included in Woodbury, Claar, Lower Claar and Queen took the name Woodbury.
This division left Yellow Creek with ministers: Daniel Snowberger, Leonard Furry and Joseph Z. Replogle; deacons, George Brumbaugh, Samuel Teeter, David L. Replogle, Isaac Replogle, Sr., Jacob Furry, Abraham Sollenberger ; and a large congregation of laymembers.
It is exceedingly unfortunate that the records of this congregation earlier than May 29, 1875, " were consigned to the flames."* Judging from a resignation minute, November 16, 1875, Daniel Snowberger was clerk for the first two years of preserved record. The Danish Mission funds received a contribution of $4.82 from this congre- gation in 1875. The church answered the query, "Is it right for brethren to bail criminals out of prison?" by deciding " that brethren should not do it, at least, before consulting the church." At the same meeting where the congregation decided it was wrong to " take part in play- ing ring during intermission at spelling schools," it de- cided " to invite Daniel P. Saylor to come and preach for a week or ten days and pay his expenses." The delegates to District Meeting were instructed " to vote in favor of a full report of the proceedings of Annual Meeting in pamphlet form."
The deacons reported, on their visit in 1876, a complaint that there was too little preaching in the German, but no conclusion was reached on the matter. January 1, 1877, the congregation "agreed to permit brethren and sisters to meet together in their own houses during the week in a social capacity to engage in singing and prayer and other exercises that may be beneficial." But before the year was over these meetings were moved into the meet- ing houses. "No change " was the answer to a petition " to have preaching at the Snowberger house every two weeks instead of every four " and Annual Meeting was asked "if it is right that the one who washes the feet wipes them or whether one does the washing and an- other the wiping."
In the fall of 1876, Stephen H. Bashore held a revival
* David T. Detwiler, present bishop of the New Enterprise congregation, in a letter dated July 12, 1924, says he has thus been informed.
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in this church and one hundred were added to the fold. This was a new record for the brotherhood.
The next year (1877) the congregation entertained the Annual Meeting. The old house was still the place of worship and with some temporary additions was used for dining hall. Boarding and lodging free to all. The conference proper was held in the Over barn on the out- skirts of the town.
NEW ENTERPRISE CONFERENCE GROUNDS OF 1877. Upper : New Enterprise Church and lunch counter before it. Lower: The Over barn, where the conference proper was held.
But the old house that had served the people for thirty- eight years had become too small and it was to be replaced. Building Committee: Jacob Furry, Samuel Werking and David L. Replogle. The new one was a frame building, 50 x 80 feet, basement, costing, after de- ducting the proceeds of the old house, $3,361.81. It had a "platform two steps high from aisle to aisle for the speakers." Some wanted a vestibule but this was not carried. No formal dedication was held when the house was completed in 1878, but James Quinter held a short series of meetings. The house had a seating capacity of
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800 and often has it been full to overflowing, especially on funeral and lovefeast occasions.
In 1878 the church decided it was wrong for members to have their fortunes told. At the October council meeting (Snowberger meeting house) the following rules for speaking in a council meeting were passed, a decided step forward, "Only one member to speak at a time. No one to speak without rising to their feet. In all cases to address the brethren before commencing on the sub- ject. Not to commence speaking upon the subject until recognized by the elder. Members to confine themselves to the question and avoid repetition."
On May 28, 1879, the Sunday-school convention of Middle District of Pennsylvania met in this new house.
The church decided (1879) to read the minutes of the council meeting at the close of the session. It instructed its delegates to District Meeting "to oppose the Breth- rens Home of Charity " and to "oppose division of the District of Middle Pennsylvania." It "unanimously agreed " to have the aisles of the church carpeted with ' coarse matting without any cost to the church treas- ury." At the same meeting single mode of feet washing was unanimously agreed to.
At a council June 16, 1880, it was decided to build a meeting house at Dutch Corners (Imlertown). A com- mittee on location was appointed and at the next meet- ing (August 14) it was decided "to build 34 x 40 x 12, no basement, platform at one end 18 inches high.' Building committee: Jacob Furry, Samuel Teeter, Samuel Werking. David Miller did the carpenter work under contract. Cost, $1,902.81. James A. Sell dedicated the house and followed it with a series of meetings. After some years of unsuccessful effort the work was given up and the building sold in 1908.
The church decided (1880) to continue the practice and " line the hymns (two at a time) on funeral occa- sions." The time of beginning lovefeasts was changed from ten to two in the afternoon." A query, " Is it right for brethren to attend political state conventions?" had to be "tabled" for want of unity of sentiment. A brother who was working on Sunday and had one and half months to complete his contract was instructed "to
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Buck
UPPER : The Teeter Home. One-half the upstairs used for church services in earlier days. Built by Isaac Teeter, in 1835. MIDDLE: The present New Enterprise Church. LOWER: Salemville Church.
in the Middle District of Pennsylvania
cease at once." The church answered, "Is it right for brethren to engage in anything like lottery? " by a unani- mous "No." "Is it right for brethren to engage in a debate, speak against their own sentiments and use every means to gain a question and afterwards say "the sentiment was not our own?" Answer, "No." Having decided to hold an election for speaker and finding that electioneering had been done, the election was postponed indefinitely. It was decided unanimously (1881) to " adopt taxation system for raising funds for treasury." But a " proposition to have a clock placed in the audience room free of charge " was not accepted.
The " Record of the Faithful " * states that this con- gregation was organized in 1800 with eighteen members; that its first church house was erected in 1839; that in 1881-1882 it had four church houses and 300 members. Jacob Miller was bishop. David Straley and Rinehart Z. Replogle were in the second and Charles L. Buck and Joseph S. Replogle in the first degree of the ministry.
In 1882 John and Leah Burger built, furnished and then maintained a good substantial church, 40 x 60 feet. in Salemville and at their death gave it to the congrega- tion. Joseph Z. Replogle preached the first sermon in this house and Silas Hoover, of Somerset County, held the first series of meetings shortly after the dedication.
The first echoes of agitation due to the unfortunate division of the Brotherhood in 1882 is seen in a record on the minutes marked " special." " At a social mem- bers meeting January 26, 1883, it was decided to take the Word of God and every decision that is in accord with the Word and have no one to interfere with us and sow discord ; and ourselves stop agitating the differences."
At the regular quarterly council held August 16, 1883, brethren James Quinter, James A. Sell and Solomon Buckelew were present and assisted in the deliberations of the day. In the afternoon the following resolution was voted upon :
"Whereas, the troubles that have disturbed the general brother- hood have seriously effected the New Enterprise Church; and whereas, at the last Council Meeting of said church, several mem-
* Published in 1882 by Howard Miller. But see page 135 for correct data for this time.
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bers left the Council meeting, indicating by the movement and lan- guage used a withdrawal from the church, and then assembled and appointed a delegate to the Progressive Convention at Dayton, con- firming by this last act the idea of withdrawal from the church ; they also made appointments for meetings independent of the church; and, whereas, we cannot, as a church, fellowship such as withdraw, if they persist in the course they have taken; therefore. resolved that a vote of the church be taken to ascertain who still maintain the position taken by those who left our last council meet- ing as they did."
The final vote was taken and twelve names are re- corded as withdrawing,-of these one was a minister, one the church clerk, one the church treasurer. At the next council meeting one of the number came back stating he did not understand the import of the action.
The church voted favorable (1887) to having brother John B. Gluck preach on temperance in their meeting house.
Because in the Hopewell congregation not far away was a postoffice named Yellow Creek and many confused this name and the one of the congregation, on April 23, 1895, the Yellow Creek church changed its name legally and hereafter it is known as
NEW ENTERPRISE
The large church house erected in 1878 was the one- big-room type and not adapted to the needs of the large Sunday-school that assembled there. Therefore, at a cost of $2,500.00 the building was remodeled and divided into class rooms suited for the Sunday-school and yet so arranged that it could all be opened into the main audi- torium. Charles C. Ellis spoke on the occasion of the dedication, which was October 31, 1915. His text was Ezra 6:16. In 1921, class rooms were made in the basement.
The congregation had tried the envelope system, for on February 13, 1897, " a proposition to take up a collec- tion every quarter for Missions at each meeting point . carried and the envelope system was dropped.'
Believing that the interests of the church would be best subserved by having a supported pastor, in 1918 they
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secured the services of H. Stover Kulp. He remained for one year and then accepted a call to the First Breth- ren Church of Philadelphia. The project was so success- ful, however, that the church decided to continue the pastorate. George E. Yoder entered upon the work July 1, 1919 and continues with good results.
Elders who have presided over Yellow Creek :
Samuel Ullery
Daniel Snowberger
John M. Holsinger Leonard Furry
Jacob Miller
Joseph Z. Replogle.
Over New Enterprise :
Charles L. Buck, Dec. 10, 1893
David T. Detwiler, April 19, 1912
Ministers, and date elected by Yellow Creek :
a Samuel Ullery John Holsinger
c Daniel Snowberger
1851
Christian Holsinger 1862
b Isaac Ritchey, Sr
John B. Replogle.
1870
Jacob Snyder
Isaac Ritchey, Jr
Jacob Goughnour 1827
d Samuel A. Moore. John L. Holsinger 1876
Martin Miller
Charles L. Buck.
1877
John M. Holsinger
1835
Rinehart Z. Replogle
1880
Andrew Snowberger
1841
Jacob Miller
1844
Levi T. Stuckey. 1884
John Eshelman
1845
c Leonard Furry 1851
d George S. Myers
David T. Detwiler
1887
a Moved in, perhaps, with the first settlers.
b Was elected in Snake Spring Valley.
c Called " twin preachers " because elected, advanced and ordained each time on the same day.
d Moved into the congregation.
Under name New Enterprise :
Harvey S. Replogle 1896 Guy Beach 1915
Edgar M. Detwiler. . 1906 Kenneth Bechtel 1919
a Edward Holsinger 1907 Orville Holsinger 1919
a Elected while at Juniata College.
Deacons : 1827, Jacob Brown; 1837, Daniel Replogle, George M. Holsinger ; 1844, John Eshelman, Leonard Furry; 1849, Daniel Snowberger, Alexander Holsinger; 1851, Daniel Holsinger, Jacob Keifer; 1855, David Miller, John B. Replogle; 1862, Samuel Teeter, Conrad Imler ; 1865, David L. Replogle, Isaac Replogle; 1872, Jacob Furry, Abram Sollenberger; 1876, Samuel Burger, Adam Frederic; date unknown, George Brumbaugh, Isaac Teeter, Jacob Longanecker, Rheinhart Replogle, Daniel T. Miller.
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Joseph Z. Replogle 1875
David Brumbaugh
David M. Straley.
18,8
Levi F. Holsinger
1884
A History of the Church of the Brethren
SUNDAY-SCHOOLS
Yellow Creek-New Enterprise. In the home of Daniel Snow- berger Sunday-school was first organized in April, 1866. Samuel Furry was made superintendent and served three summers. In 1869, Jacob B. Furry became superintendent and served till 1876. At the James Creek convention in 1876, Daniel Snowberger and Jacob B. Furry represented the New Enterprise school and made a report, part of which is the following: "A constitution and by-laws govern the school. In 1868 there were nine classes of male pupils, 53 in all, who committed 3,657 verses of scripture. Eleven classes contained 54 pupils, who committed 3,314 verses. . . . In 1870 total number of scholars, 104. ... For 1875 Jacob B. Furry, superin- tendent. Total attendance, 122. Number of classes reading the Old Testament, two; German, one. School is opened with singing and prayer and reading a chapter of scripture, after which the scholars ask such questions as present themselves. Take no part in picnics .*
At the 1898 convention the school reported enrollment, 201; aver- age, 86; raised $30.91 for supplies. In 1904 enrollment, 140; average, 85; 12 teachers; raised $69.46, of which $14.30 went to missions and charity ; teacher meetings. "Evergreen" since 1890. From 1908 on, over 100 have enrolled in teacher training and a good percentage of them received first year certificates.
Superintendents : 1866, Samuel Furry ; -, Jacob Furry, Charles L. Buck; 1887-'93, David T. Detwiler; 1893-'04, Charles L. Buck ; 1904-'08, William H. Mentzer; 1915, Levi T. Stuckey; 1916, Edgar Furry; 1917, Levi T. Stuckey; 1918, Oscar Beach; 1919-'24, A. B. Replogle.
Waterside. The Sunday-school was first started in the church on May 14, 1876. George Brumbaugh and Isaac Replogle represented at the 1876 convention but their report is not recorded. Two years later Jacob Furry and Joseph Z. Replogle represented and report an average attendance of 43 and 3,113 verses committed by one person.t
Superintendents : 1895, Levi T. Holsinger ; 1896, Samuel B. Mad- dock; 1907, William H. Mentzer; 1910-'12, Christian R. Holsinger ; 1913, Albert R. Musselman; 1914, Christian R. Holsinger ; 1915-'16, John W. Baker; 1917, Christian R. Holsinger; 1918, John W. Baker ; 1919-'21, Ernest Replogle; 1922-'24, John W. Baker.
Salemville. The school was organized in the spring of 1909 with David T. Detwiler, superintendent. They had twelve officers and teachers that year, an enrollment of 112 and an average attendance of 61; raised $24.39, of which $3.00 went to missions.
Superintendents : 1909-'10, David T. Detwiler; 1911, Levi T. Stuckey; 1912, no school; 1913, A T. Replogle; 1914-'17, Burger C. Baker; 1918, H. Stover Kulp; 1919, N. S. Keagerise; 1920, George E. Yoder; 1921, no school; 1922, Jason Hoover; 1923, Burger C. Baker; 1924, S. A. Ford.
Snyder. Sunday-school was begun at Snyder as early as 1878, because by letter a report was sent to the convention that fall. The
* Primitive Christian, 1876, p. 702.
t Primitive Christian and Pilgrim, 1878, p. 716.
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school was discontinued after 1908, for there is no report after that year.
SISTERS' AID SOCIETY
The New Enterprise Society was organized on March 22, 1913, in the home of Levi T. Holsinger. Officers: President, Mrs. Eliza- beth Over; vice-president, Maggie Snowberger; secretary, Mrs. Lydia Werking; treasurer, Mrs. Ella Snowberger. They had their first meeting March 26, 1913, in the home of David T. Detwiler. Be- ginning with January 1, 1922, Mrs. Rosa Reasy has been president. With needle and offerings they have been able to make gifts as fol- lows: To local church, $301.25; relief work, $124.53; to Bethany Bible school, $20.00; to Foreign Missions, $165.30.
SNAKE SPRING*
Present Membership, 172.
Jacob Snyder, formerly of Berkley County, Virginia, in 1784 moved from Hagerstown, Maryland into Croyle, the earlier name for Snake Spring Valley. Having been previously chosen, he was the first deacon located in the original Yellow Creek territory. A few members had preceded him into the valley and once a year Samuel Ullery from the New Enterprise section, ordained in 1810 and the first bishop of what was known as the Old Yel- low Creek congregation, would come over and in com- pany with this deacon, extended the visit to these mem- bers and preached some for them. These trips were sometimes taken afoot and about three weeks time de- voted to the work.
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