USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Maytown > Bicentennial celebration, July 1, 2, 3, 4, 1960 : Maytown, Pennsylvania, Lancaster County, 1760-1960 > Part 2
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within the past decade many former members of the Sunday School and congregation recounted happy recollections and recall with warm and heartfelt appreciation spiritual values received during their worship experiences in this church.
In January of the current year Rev. Avery Musser was installed as pastor of this congre- gation. He succeeds Rev. B. E. Thuma wlio served in this capacity during the past eighteen years.
GLEANINGS FROM THE HISTORY OF THE MAYTOWN CHURCH OF GOD
The apparent beginning of the Maytown Church of God was in 1829, as a more authentic record of 1854 refers to twenty-five years prior to that date when a society of this denomination was organized in Maytown with ten or twelve constituent members. It was at first a branchi of the church at Bainbridge. Services were held occasionally in the Reformed Church, and prayer meetings were held in private homes.
Prominent among the first members were Ben- jamin Herr, Frederick Reidlinger, John L. Mar- tin, Jacob Hull, Michael Sherbahn, John Bron- stetter, Christian Grove, and others.
The number of members gradually increased, and in 1859 a church building was erected. It is a brick structure, 40 × 48 ft. in size, plainly
Church of God
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but well finished. A tower was added, and the inside was remodeled about ten years since. This society was at first pastorally connected with that at Mt. Joy. and subsequently with that at Bainbridge.
Not much of record is available between 1859 to 1897, but some of the pastors who are known to have served during that time are: Rev. W. J. Grissinger, Jesse Berkstresser, Dr. A. P. Stover, and Rev. I. A. MacDannald.
Bainbridge and Maytown apparently were put together as a charge November 1, 1897 and was served by Elder P. H. Hershey until November 1, 1899; Rev. Bartells to November 1, 1900; T. K. Baker to November 1, 1901; H. S. Hershey to October 1, 1903; J. F. Meixel to 1904; T. B. Tyler to 1907; H. P. Ashton to 1908; C. E. Rice to 1909: and E. E. Kauffman to November 1, 1914.
At the Eldership in Altoona in October, 1910 Bainbridge and Maytown were divided, and May- town was made a separate station. Rev. E. E. Kauffman was retained as pastor of this formed station and served until 1914.
In 1901 the membership enrollment was 43. The number of members in 1911 was 31, a drop since 1901. The records seem to show a lull in the work, the going was hard. From 1901 to 1912 the salary paid was $12.50 per month and did not change during those eleven years. In 1914 the salary was increased to $41.00 per month. After that the salary was raised $200.00 and $300.00 at a time until it has reached its present figure. The following pastors have served since that date: M. C. Manning, J. C. Witiner, J. W. Gable, Raymon Bair, Harvey Wagner, Jr., G. W. Broskey, W. H. Hower, Jonas Martin, Ger- ald Marzolf, William Wagner and F. R. Wiest the present pastor.
During the period from 1915 until the present time 1960, much of the church furniture such as the organ, chimes, stained glass windows, car- peting, steeple over the bell tower, etc., were presented to the church by Sunday school clas- ses and individuals who were interested in the welfare of the church.
Through the years the church and Sunday school gradually grew until the physical facili- ties proved to be inadequate for the numbers at- tending. In the early thirties an addition was made to the church house for the purpose of housing the primary departments of the Sunday school, the remainder of the Sunday school us- ing the main church house as a place of meet- ing.
In 1957 it became quite evident that the Sun- day school and church could not grow properly because of lack of adequate physical facilities. At this time plans were drawn up and the church began to contribute monies for the purpose of erecting an Educational Building. The people
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Y
New Addition to Church of God
gave liberally and in April of 1959 ground was broken and the erection of a new building be- gan on a lot adjoining the present church house. This lot was purchased and donated by Mervin S. Arnold. The addition added in the thirties was done away with partly by plan and partly by mishap so that the structure adjoining the church house is entirely new. The corner stone for the new building was laid August 7, 1959 exactly one hundred years after the corner stone of the present church house was laid.
It became necessary to reorganize the Sunday school, as far as classes were concerned upon en- tering the new building, because the old structure of organization would not be conducive to growth in the light of more modern equipment and fa- cilities. The Educational Building was completed the fall of 1959 at a cost of approximately $35,000.00 including the furnishings, over half the cost being at hand at time of completion, leaving a debt which we hope will be liquidated in a brief period of years.
Much can be said for those who contributed so liberally, who volunteered their services so readily to bring this enterprise to completion No- vember 29, 1959. It is our earnest prayer that this event may be but a milestone on the way of a continued ministry of this church for the edification of its people, for the blessing of the community and for the glory of God.
BRIEF HISTORY OF ST. JOHN'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
The history of St. John's Evangelical Luther- an Church of Maytown, is closely identified with the history of the town in which it is situated. and with which it grew. While Jacob Downer was laying out the town lots of Maytown, events were transpiring at Lancaster, the influence of which was soon to be manifested in this new town. Ludwig Lindemuth and his wife Marga- reta, came from Germany and arrived in Lan- caster County, September 19, 1749. They bought
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New addition to St. John's Lutheran Church
a farm, about one mile south of the present site of Mount Joy. They attended the Trinity Luther- an Church in Lancaster. In the rapidly growing village of Maytown, so near his home, Lindemuth saw his opportunity for doing practical mission- ary work in the interest of his beloved Church. Gradually he gathered together the Lutherans who had settled in the neighborhood and those who were making their home in Maytown, and in 1765, with the assistance of Peter Thiel, Jo- han Adam Nas, Johan Jacob Wolf, Philip Bren- ner, Frederick Bauer, Frederick Schwartz, Phil- ip Klug and others, he succeeded in organizing and founding the first Lutheran Church in Don- egal Township, west of Lancaster. Their first meetings were held in a log building situated on Queen Street, on one of the two lots, which later in 1770 were presented to the Church, by Jacob Downer, together with the building. The congre- gation worshipped in the log church until the year 1803, when the cornerstone of the first stone Church west of Lancaster, with the exception of the old Donegal Church, was laid. On October 30th, 1803, the first Communion was held in the new Church. In 1810 the bell and belfry were added to the Church and placed on the south end of the building. It was not until 1830 that
the first Lutheran Sunday School was organized, with Mr. John Brown and Mr. John Stoner as Superintendents. Monroe J. Alleman entered up- on his studies for the Lutheran ministry at the Gettysburg Theological Seminary in the year 1844, the first student from this congregation to enter the ministry. The Church was remodeled and re-dedicated on June 28, 1874. The first Home and Foreign Missionary Society was organ- ized on October 20, 1880. A Lutheran Aid So- ciety was formed, but no records were kept until September 18, 1878. The first Christian Endeavor Society was organized on March 23, 1892. Preaching in German was discontinued in 1862. In 1802 the Church rented as a schoolhouse, there being no schools in the town at that time. In 1853 the Church was rebuilt and made into a two-story structure. During the pastorate of Rev. B. F. Apple, after the burning of the Columbia bridge in 1863, the pastor with many other cit- izens of the town organized a home guard to help repel the threatened invasion of the Confederate army, but their services were not needed. It was from the upper story of the Church that the ad- vance of the Confederates on the York County side of the Susquehanna was first noted by resi- dents of Donegal township and the movements of
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St. John's Lutheran Church
the troops relayed to various river towns in Lanc- aster County. In 1863 the congregation purchased a four-octave melodion which was in use for over thirty years. Thaddeus Stevens, the "Great Com- moner" was among the first subscribers, giving $10. In 1879 the old Communion service, after 113 years' use, was replaced by a new set. In 1896 the Church again was remodeled, the tower being the gift of Abraham S. Rhoads. The old gallery was lowered but the base of the banister was left intact, being one of the original hand-carved beams of the old gallery built in 1804. The young men who entered the Lutheran ministry from this congregation were the Revs. Monroe, J. Alleman, John W. Wolfe, John S. Tome, Edward B. Buller, and Luther S. Straley.
On Easter Sunday, 1915, the One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the founding of St. John's Church, Maytown, was celebrated with special services. The One Hundredth Anniversary of the Sunday School was celebrated with a spe- cial program on Sunday, May 18, 1930. The Church was again rededicated on Sunday. Feb- ruary 7, 1926.
In the month of December, 1946, a fine set of Carillonic Bells was placed in the Church tower by Mr. George R. Drabenstadt, as a Memorial "To the members of this Community who have served their Country in time of war, that the melody they bring may ever be a reminder of the gratitude we owe to these men and women, is the heartfelt hope of the Donor." On Sunday, Sep- tember 13, 1953, the newly-rebuilt pipe organ and new console were dedicated.
On Sunday. April 12. 1959, ground was broken for an Education Building, adjoining the Church in the rear to cost approximately $75,000, with- out the furnishings. The Pastor, Rev. Wilbur M. Allison, delivered the sermon and turned the first spadeful of earth, followed by Mrs. Bard Buller, oldest baptized member of the Church; Mr. John Sweitzer, Lay President of the Church Council; Mr. Paul Beshler, Chairman of the Building Committee; and Mr. Stanley F. Huber, Chairman of the Finance Committee.
This Church was served by 42 Pastors from 1765 to the present time. Perhaps those who are best remembered by the older members of the present congregation, are those who served in more recent years, such as: Rev. W. H. Harding. 1891-1897; Rev. Julius F. Seebach, 1897-1900; Rev. George P. Goll, 1900-1904; Rev. P. H. R. Mullen, 1904-1908; Rev. G. Arthur Fry, 1908- 1913; Rev. Joseph D. Krout, 1913-1917; Rev. Alfred T. Sutcliffe, 1917-1920; Rev. Charles W. Baker, 1920-1924; Rev. J. E. MacDonald, 1925- 1930: and Rev. Kirby M. Yiengst, 1930-1946; Sup- ply Pastors during the interim were: Rev. John W. Fry and Rev. Robert J. Wolf; Rev. Wilbur M. Allison, April 15, 1947 to the present.
The new Educational Building was dedicated on Sunday, April 3, 1960.
THE REFORMED CHURCH
The records of the Reformed Church of May- town, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, begin with the year 1765. They were recorded, we be- lieve, by the Rev. John Conrad Bucher in the year 1774. That record is known as the "Baptis- mal Protocol of the Reformed Church of May-
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The Reformed Church
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town," beginning in the year 1765.
The original deed for our present property is dated August first in the 9th year of the reign of George, the Third of Great Britain, 1769, etc. Thus, the Reformed Church of Maytown became the first church structure in Donegal Township, as now constituted, with the exception of Donegal Presbyterian Church.
The first mention of a pastor is dated 1768 when Rev. John Conrad Bucher became pastor of twenty-three churches and preaching places, of which one was Maytown. Rev. Bucher served this church until his death, near Lebanon, August 15, 1780.
The date of the founding of this church was affirmed when the minutes of the Coetus of the Reformed Church in Pennsylvania were discover- ed in the archives of the Hague in Holland. From these old records we learn that the Maytown Reformed Church was the first Congregation or- ganized in the newly laid out village of Maytown.
Garrett Fiscus and Christian Fox were among the first trustees. And in 1782 Jacob Hoffman, Abraham Long, John Hollinger, and Ulrich Danner were officers.
In the year 1805, Henry Haines, a member of the State Legislature and a member of the con- gregation had an act passed to raise, by lottery, a sum of money, not to exceed $3000, to defray the expenses of a new church, the old building having become completely dilapidated. The act was passed March 25, and approved by the Gover- nor, Thomas Mckean December 18, 1805. By this means then the sum of $2865.25 was raised. Mr. John Graybill, of East Donegal Township, drew the grand prize of $1000, which he donated to the church.
The main building of the present church, not including the hallway and belfry, is the original building of brick dedicated in 1808. At that time it had but one floor and in the rear a gallery, and in the center of the south wall a wine glass pulpit. On the church spire, a weather vane, depicting Gabriel blowing his trumpet was placed. This was removed when the present tower was erected in 1893. For many years it graced the barn of Dr. G. A. Harter, but was returned to the church and again placed on the tower in 1930.
Rev. Shenkle tells us in his history that al- thoughi George Hollinger was an excellent organ- ist, the church had no organ. So money was col- lected, and a committee formed, and a contract entered into with Gottleib Strahlheim to build our first organ. On the communion case, in the church parlor, can be seen the hand carved wood- en torches and eagle which adorned this old organ.
Again from the history of Rev. Shenkle we find "the church had no bell." George Barr, Henry Haines, and George Hollinger were ap- pointed a committee to go to Philadelphia and purchase two bells. On May 16th, 1810 the bells arrived. They ring out each Sabbeth in this year
1960 and call the faithful to worship.
In 1859 the church was remodeled, the gallery made into a second floor. In 1893 the old spire was removed and a brick tower and hallway add- ed With these changes the church building as- sumed its present appearance. In 1930 the church was redecorated. Rev. James B. Musser was pastor at this time.
Being a small congregation, the Maytown Re- formed Church, was made part of a charge or was served by supply pastors from 1850-1890.
For a number of years the church maintained a pastor of its own. Then in 1928 this congrega- tion was united with the Marietta Reformed Church to form the Maytown-Marietta charge of the Evangelical and Reformed church, and now has become, since its union in 1958 with the Congregational church, the United Church of Christ-Evangelical and Reformed.
In 1952, during the pastorate of Dr. V. W. Dippell, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the church was again redecorated, through the generosity of friends and faithfulness of its members. At this same time our organ was rebuilt by the ben- evolence of the late Mr. George Drabenstadt.
We are indeed proud of the great heritage which has come to us through our church. Here each Sabbeth may be found in active membership, many who are direct descendants of those mem- bers who founded this church.
Presently serving this church as pastor is the Rev. Charles L. Wentling, Marietta, Pennsyl- vania.
"All who have contributed their mite, all who have borne the burden, should find encourage- inent in the success of the past and with God's promise for the future, go forward with renewed zeal and energy."
GLIMPSES OF REICH'S CHURCH THROUGH A CENTURY
Reich's Church
It was under adverse conditions and probably unique circumstances that the building now known as Reich's Church came to be erected, just a century ago. A group of devout persons from Maytown and the surrounding community frequently congregated at a place about one mile west of Maytown, under several large white oak
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and hickory trees to hold worship services. These worshippers soon erected a pulpit under the largest tree, then called "the big tree." This tree, the tall, venerable, stately hickory tree, outliving its coeval companions, still stands erect to the south- east of the church building. Here, indeed, were the "groves God's temples" as with deepest hom- age to their Maker, these early fathers knelt and offered their "solemn thanks."
But Satan is ever on the alert to oppose the work of the church, and soon there arose oppo- sition and repulsion from troublesome youths of the community, who interfered with and often interrupted the services. At times the annoying rowdies used the ministers and the worshippers as targets for their missles of stones, tomatoes, or even eggs that were no longer palatable. In order to escape the assaults of these hoodlums and to secure a more serene environment for worship, these faithful saints conceived the idea of building a house of worship.
Early in 1856, motivated by an inward urge to provide a safer and more convenient place of meeting, Martin Peck solicited Maytown and the community for funds. By this method the project of building was financed by the thrifty Maytown- ers and the substantial farmers of the vicinity. The one-story, brick structure, almost as we see it today, was then erected. Appearing above tlie door on a marker is the inscription: "Union Bethel, Superintended by Martin Peck, Septem- ber 8, 1856." About six years after this date, Martin Peck sold the church property and moved to Ohio. This transaction took place on March 31, 1862, when Conrad Zeigler purchased the church property from the said Martin Peck.
Following the construction of the church building, worshippers of various faiths conducted services at different times in the meeting house. The first available, accurate record of the Evan- gelical faith among the Bethel people at the Peck's or Reich's Church names the year 1867-68, when the Rev. J. M. Zern served the class at the Peck's Meeting House along with the Mount Joy Class. Records also indicate that the Rev. A. M. Stirk assisted in the same capacity, and also that during this period the Bethel Class, the Mount Joy Class, and the Milton Grove Class constituted the Millersville Circuit. Although there is no official record, from private and personal records, it seems feasible that the Bethel, or Reich's Class and the Mount Joy Class were served by the same minister, for both groups were members of the Evangelical Association. Throughout the years the building was used on a partial basis with members of other faiths, who were granted permission to worship in the church. Sermons were often de- livered in the German Language.
The origin of the term Evangelical dates back to 1796, when Jacob Albright, a zealous layman labored among the German speaking brethren in Pennsylvania and Maryland, was influential in organizing the believers into classes. This was
Interior of Reich's Church
the beginning of the Evangelical Association. Their bishop was elected in 1839, and the Associ- ation continued to prosper for approximately fifty years, until differences of opinion arose.
Official records show that by later transactions the Peck-Zeigler property changed ownership. On January 4, 1878, Conrad Zeigler sold the church property to Harmon L. Reich. Since Mr. Reich was a member of the Evangelical faith at the time of the transaction. the name of Reich's Evangelical Church originated, although occasionally one may hear the place referred to as "Peck's Meeting House."
In 1884, the Mount Joy Class was made a mission; and the Bethel, or Reich's Class inaugur- ated with it, continued to be served by the same minister for a number of years. At this time the Bethel, or Reich's Class consisted of the following members: Eli Z. Heisey and wife Annie, and son George R., H. L. Reich (single); Mary Reich (widow), Sallie Reich, Samuel Grove, Eli Wil- liams and wife Susan, and daughter Annie C., Annie M. Hoover, Isaac K. Eshleman and wife. Lydia, Jonas Bertzfield and wife, Annie H., F. F. McCurdy, John Koller and wife Clara, John Ney. Catharine Idle (widow); Sarah Auch (married) : Sallie Sellers (single); Benjamin Shoaf, Caroline Naphsker, George Heartz and wife, Barbara. Records show that the address of the last eight names was Bainbridge, Pa. The Rev. D. W. Bicks- ler served as minister of the church fromn 1884- 1885. Other ministers to serve the Bethel, or Reich's Class were the Rev. E. J. Miller 1885- 1887; the Rev. A. B. Saylor 1887-1889; the Rev. W. B. Behney 1889-1891; and the Rev. S. D. Erisman 1891-1893.
In the course of time earnest differences of opinion as to the powers of the General Confer- ence of the Episcopacy grew to such importance from 1887 until 1891 that they resulted in divid-
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ing the Evangelical Association into so-called "majority" and "minority" divisions. In 1894 the "minority" division organized into the United Evangelical Church. The Mount Joy Mission be- came indentified with the new organization, and since the Bethel, or Reich's Class belonged to the Mount Joy Mission, it also becanie affiliated with the Evangelical Church.
Throughout the ensuing years the church group was known as the Bethel Class of the Mount Joy
Mission. This class continued to worship in the building with the permission of the owner, Harmon L. Reich, who also rented the church to other denominations for worship services. The following agreement, drawn up and signed by the said Har- mon L. Reich and the trustees of Je Bethel Class, (now referred to as the United Evangelical Church) on October 29, 1895, remained in force from this date until 1900, when the church was used on a rental basis.
HISTORY OF MAYTOWN CIVIC CLUB By Mrs. Marguerite Fryberger and Mrs. Anna Haines
Civic interest in Maytown was always very high. Following the Old Home Week in 1910 and the rebuilding of the square, as it now stands, a keen interest was taken in its upkeep and pre- servation. The families within walking distance carried their drinking water from this well in the square. Whenever necessary, funds were solicited from these users, and no difficulty was encount- ered in raising sufficient funds for up-keep; and a caretaker, Mr. Roy Markley, was employed. How- ever, those who lived around the square worked to-gether to keep it in good condition. This civic interest was the nucleus for much community activity.
During the years of the First World War May- town organized an auxiliary to the Columbia Chapter of the American Red Cross. At that time Mrs C. C. Hicks was President and directed the activities of this auxiliary. After twenty-five years of service the Columbia Chapter made special note and honored Mrs. Hicks with the presentation of a twenty-five year service pin. Records in the pos- session of Mrs. Hicks show the quantities of dress- ings and garments both inade and knitted was far in excess of that produced by many auxiliaries of the same size. The register of the women who worked in the work rooms several days a week both afternoon and evening is evidence of their zealous application to this task. A register pre- pared by the late Rev. William J. Lowe shows that on March 26, 1918, the auxiliary numbered 568.
The work rooms were in the annex to the late John R. Roath home. The second floor was de- voted to the inaking of dressings under the direct- ion of Mrs. Rozella Hays Neiman. The first floor sewing rooms were directed by Mrs. Henry B. Haines and the knitting was directed by the late Mrs. Albert Risser. The work rooms were heated by an oil stove, and lighted by kerosene lamps. Many times the lights grew dim as the oxygen was depleted.
At the close of the war the citizens prepared a home-coming celebration for the boys. After a parade and suitable addresses a dinner was served in the lodge hall. It was not until 22 years later, Saturday, November 9, 1940, that a flag pole and
plaque containing the roster of the men and wo- men who served in the first World War was erected in the square. By this time the boy scouts, sons of the veterans of World War I, took a prominent part in the ceremony.
The Red Cross Auxiliary remained active and supported every project of the organization under the Columbia Chapter until it was merged with the Lancaster Chapter, at which time the May- town auxiliary ceased to exist. During these later years Mr. Paul Beshler served as President of the Maytown Auxiliary with great success.
During the depression of the early 1930's, a work-room was maintained for the distribution of clothing and food. Many bolts of material sup- plied by the goverment were cut and distributed to needy families.
Again in 1936 a need for a project to provide for the up-keep of the Maytown Square became evident and a Civic Club was organized with B. H. Sheibley, President. An executive committee including many of the town residents decided to have a Sample Fair. This was held December 5. The merchants of the town were instrumental in securing exhibitions, who furnished six-thousand samples to be distributed. The newly organized high school band under the direction of Mr. Wil- lard Newton, music supervisor of East Donegal Township schools, made its first appearance. This was a novel project for the area, and is reinember- ed by many as a most enjoyable occasion. Pro- ceeds amounted to one hundred forty dollars, and was used for the up-keep of the square.
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