USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > Allentown > Brief history, Salem Reformed Church, Allentown, Pa. : 1875-1900 > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8
The names of the Building Committee, printed by Thomas Steckel, Jr., Silver dollar bearing the names of the pastor,
29
CORNER STONE LAYING
elders and deacons, half-dollar silver, quarter-dollar silver, ten- cent piece silver, five-cent piece silver, all dated 1876, the Child's Treasury, Reformed Church Hymn Book, Heidelberg Catechism, Jugend Freund, Guardian, Gospel Lessons, First printed hymn used by Salem School, Printed Invitation to attend the dedication of the Frame Chapel, Bread and Wine.
The pastor, in receiving these articles, spoke in fitting words in behalf of the members of the congregation.
The service with the school closed with the chanting of the Lord's Prayer. Mr. Frank Hartzell was the musical director, and much credit is due him for the fine music.
The regular service began at 10 A. M. Rev. A. S. Lein- bach, of Reading, preached the sermon in the German language. By this time Father Dubbs had fully recovered from his sur- prise, and he was called upon to make a few remarks, which he did, thanking the kind friends for the easy chair, and wishing them long life and abundant prosperity. The offerings at this service amounted to over $50.
During the noon hour, there was a heavy rain fall, inter- fering very much with the afternoon services, which had to be held in the chapel. Rev. S. A. Leinbach, of Coplay, preached a very forcible sermon in the German language. He was followed with a brief address in the English language by the Rev. A. B. Koplin of Catasauqua, who based his remarks on the words, "Other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, even Christ Jesus." The corner stone was then laid by the pastor, and all the ministers present took part in the service. As is customary on such occasions, three young ladies were ap- pointed to solicit contributions from persons outside of the con-
30
SALEM CHURCH HISTORY
gregation, which they did, realizing a very nice sum for the benefit of the church. The entire foundation of the building was covered with muslin furnished by W. R. Lawfer & Co. and was an effectual shield against the piercing rays of the sun. In the evening the pulpit was occupied by the Rev. A. S. Leinbach, of Reading, who left a favorable impression with his two most excellent sermons.
31
DEDICATION OF CHURCH
CHAPTER VI Dedication of Church
NINE months after the breaking of ground for the foundation wall, the church building was ready for dedication. This in itself is the best proof of the grit and zeal in the original members. They were not baffled in their determination to build an house for God. The dedication of the church took place on Sunday, December 24th, 1876, and an immense throng of people assembled in the fine auditorium to witness the solemn conse- cration of this new house of worship. The choir sang an inspir- ing anthem. Then the aged father, Rev. Joseph S. Dubbs, D. D. arose, and introduced the festive services. Though full of years, yet his soul was all afire with rapture over the completion of the building, and in an address apt, clear, earnest and pathetic, he kindled a holy enthusiasm in every heart in that vast audience. The act of dedication was read by the pastor, after which the choir sang the Gloria in Excelsis. The Rev. C. Z. Weiser, D. D., of East Greenville, Pa., a life-long friend of the pastor, then came on the pulpit platform and, in his unique style, made the presentation speech of useful gifts on behalf of the kind donors; the pulpit from Hon. Joseph Laubach of Bethlehem ; the reading desk from Moses Schneck and family of Philadelphia ; the baptismal font from the catechetical class of the congregation ; the altar from the Sunday School ; a Bible cushion from Miss E. Jane Ziegler ; a Bible for the reading desk from the Miller's Church of North Whitehall ; a Bible for the pulpit from Mrs. Hettie Pfleuger ; an English Bible from Solomon Boyer and wife, in memory of his father, John Boyer ; mottoes from the Misses Marcks and Walbert. In accepting these gifts,
32
SALEM CHURCH HISTORY
the pastor invoked the divine blessing upon the liberal hearts gave the work of his and his people's hands to God.
The Rev. Joseph H. Dubbs, Professor in Franklin and Marshall College at Lancaster, preached the dedicatory sermon in the German language, text Psalm 48, verses 13-15. It was a very able and interesting discourse. In the afternoon the services were conducted in the English language, and the Rev. C. Z. Weiser, D. D., delivered an admirable sermon on the first and second commandments.
The Christmas festival with the Sunday School was held in the evening, the audience overflowing the building, and the services were most beautiful and impressive.
On Christmas Day in the morning, the Rev. Abraham Bartholomew of Lehighton, a warm friend of the pastor and a brother of the present pastor, delivered an able sermon in the German language from 1 Peter, 2:5. The afternoon service was in charge of Prof. Dubbs, and his excellent sermon on Isaiah 54:11-13 made a deep impression. Rev. S. A. Leinbach, of Coplay, a personal friend of the pastor, preached a very elo- quent sermon in the evening in the German language from I Peter 2:7. Evening services were held during the entire week, and the Revs. W. R. Hofford of the city, H. A. Keyser of Mahanoy City, and John Mattern of the Lutheran Church, were the preachers.
At the time of its erection, Salem Church was one of the finest edifices in the city. Its location is central and beautiful. Its doors and windows are gothic in form. The steeple is lofty and symmetrical, and standing as it does on high ground, the church is a conspicuous landmark to all approaching the city from every direction. An open grass plot in front of the church
33
DEDICATION OF CHURCH
adds a beautiful effect to the graceful structure. The main auditorium has a seating capacity of 700. The total cost of the building, not including the lot or the furniture, was $12,601.64. It is worthy of note that every man who did any work, or sup- plied any material at the building, made a liberal reduction ; indeed, the contributions from these sources amounted to $1721.32. This fact alone proves that the Building Committee was composed of men with sound business management, and reflects great credit upon them.
We cannot forbear extracting portions from a very inter- esting article, written by the Rev. C. Z. Weiser, D. D. for the "Reformed Church Messenger" in which he gives his impressions of Salem Church, a few weeks after its dedication to the Triune God. He says : " The history of our latest enlargement, which fruited so happily into being at our last Christmas-tide, December 24th, has proved a short, easy and successful one; for the reason, that the right man was chosen for the right place and in the right time. The details are few, but interesting, when viewed in the light of its hasty and yet effective consummation." Then he relates the beginnings of the congregation, as told in the preceding chapters, up to the time of the first pastorate. He continues : " In the month of April a site was secured, and ground broken for a house of God. Nine months thereafter the work was done-well done. A church 90 by 52 feet ; a congre- gation numbering over 200 members ; a Sunday School with 300 scholars ; a pastor with salary paid up to date ; a life and action like that which would reflect on many an old flock-"a child born a hundred years old." " Glory be to God in the highest"- first, last, always-for He has been gracious to this pastor and his flock. Let the Reformed Christians of Allentown walk
34
SALEM REFORMED CHURCH
about Zion ; go round about her ; mark her bulwarks and con- sider her palaces. Let the Reformed pastors and Consistories of the place employ the Reading tactics, unite, agree, co-operate, mutually respect and confide in one another, and thus labor still onward towards making Allentown a city of Reformed churches."
35
INCORPORATION
CHAPTER VII Incorporation
T HERE was no opposition, on the part of the members, to the incorporation of the church, for at a meeting held on March 27th, 1877, to decide this matter, the vote was unanimously in favor of it. The pastor, A. J. G. Dubbs, George W. Hartzell, Isaac Paff, Aaron Butz and Solomon Boyer were constituted the Committee to obtain the charter, and to prepare the laws for the governing of the congregation as an incorporated body. On April 25th, they reported, and recommended that the present constitution shall be specified in the charter as the rules and regulations for the conduct of the members. The pastor was then elected President of the corporation, and he with the elders and deacons constituted the official body of the congregation. The church has a seal bearing the expressive monogram,
1381514
and encircled with the words, Salems Reformed Church, Allentown, Pa.
A month later, May 23rd, the congregation held a meet- ing, and authorized the issue of bonds, with Thomas Steckel as Trustee, to the amount of $7,000, for a period of ten years, at the rate of six per-cent. interest, with the privilege of redeem- ing the same, at the pleasure of the congregation. This was done in order to fund the church debt. These bonds were all duly satisfied, and the church was freed of all encumbrances by December 19th, 1882. It must be said, to the credit of the mem- bers of Salem Church, that they have no love for church debts, and that they never carried a debt any longer than necessary.
33
SALEM CHURCH HISTORY
CHAPTER VIII The Bell and the Clock
T HE church bell is a servant of God in calling the people to worship. Salem Church had no bell for one year. This want was keenly felt, but the means for obtaining it did not seem to be at hand. Nathan Weiler, one of the prominent members of the church, came forward in a most generous manner, and supplied the need. This noble act will be a precious me- morial of him as long as the church stands, and a constant call to all who hear its resonant tones to attend the services held within the sacred edifice. The splendid bell was cast at Gough's Bell Foundry in the city, who had the reputation of turning out first class work in this line. It is made of a composition of iron, copper and tin. It weighs 1823 pounds and cost $800. On one side, the bell bears the inscription, "Presented to Salem's Reformed Church by Nathan Weiler," and on the other, " Cast by Edward Gough." It was placed in the tower on January Ist, 1878, and in a few hours it gave forth a sound, pure and clear, unlike any other bell in the city. In referring to this kind act in the " Reformirte Hausfreund," the pastor wrote : " Wir haben in unserer kurzen Geschichte gelernt, dass die guten Leute nicht so rar sind als man oft glaubt, und dass das Spruech- wort : "Der Schenker is todt, und der Henker lebt" nicht aushalt. Der Schenker lebt noch immer und theilt seine Gaben reichlich aus, und wir koennen ihm nicht genug danken fuer seine Huelfe und Beistand. Ihm sei alle Ehre !"
The dedication of the bell took place on Sunday, January 20th, 1878, with appropriate ceremonies. Long before the hour of service, every available space was taken up, and as the pastor
1
37
THE BELL AND THE CLOCK
led in prayer there was silent rejoicing on the part of the assembled multitude over the splendid addition to their fine house of worship. The preacher at the morning service was the Rev. Charles H. Leinbach, D. D., of Stouchsburg, Berks County, Pa. He was a man of fine presence, and his sermon was replete with deep and beautiful thoughts. In the afternoon an interesting service was held with the Sunday School. Excel- lent addresses were made by Revs. Dr. C. H. Leinbach, S. A. Leinbach, James N. Bachman, and the pastor.
In the evening, the Rev. James N. Bachman of Jackson- ville, Lehigh County, preached a very able and interesting sermon to a large audience. In reporting this special occasion, the " Chronicle and News " pays the members a high compli- ment by saying, "The Salem's congregation are not 'fair weather Christians,' for notwithstanding the bad weather in the afternoon and evening they turned out in very large numbers."
After the sweet-toned bell had been in use for a number of years, the two young machinists, George L. Knauss and Lewis F. Grammes made a very excellent town clock. To Jacob Deshler, father of our faithful member, Miss Emma Deshler, belongs the honor of conceiving the idea to have it placed in the steeple of the church. Several fruitless efforts were made to raise the amount of the purchase money, but at last the task was taken up by Charles B. Wanamaker with signal success, he collecting $550, and the clock was placed in the steeple, where it remains an ornament to the church and a convenience to the people. Much credit is due Mr. Wanamaker for his great kindness.
88
SALEM CHURCH HISTORY
CHAPTER IX
Extensive Improvements
A FTER the church debt had been paid, the people were anxious to beautify the interior of the church, and to add other needful conveniences. The Young People's Society, a very vigorous organization, had been busily at work for three years in gathering a fund for a pipe organ, which by this time had grown to such proportions as to warrant them in ordering a fine instrument. A meeting of the congregation was held on May 4th, 1885, and a Committee, consisting of Conrad Paff, Thomas Steckel, John W. Sepp, James F. Hunsicker and Jeremiah Roth was appointed, with full power to act, to co-operate with a similar Committee from the Young People's Society in their laudable undertaking. As a result of this action, extensive improvements were begun at the building. Under the steeple, in the Sunday School room, an extra partition was put in so as to provide better facilities for the Bible Class; the walls were beautified with handsome paper, and the floors laid with carpet and matting. The congregation was worshipping in the lecture-room whilst the artezans were busy in enhancing the appearance of the main auditorium. The walls were elaborately frescoed, fine stained- glass windows were introduced, the pews had already been cushioned, by the liberality of Jeremiah Roth, and the floor was covered with a pretty ingrain carpet. Besides, the large pipe organ was placed on the left of the pulpit, which presents a beautiful appearance. The organ was built by C. F. Durner, of Quakertown. There are 452 pipes in the great organ, 348 in the swell organ, and 54 in the pedal, with six mechanical registers. One peculiarity of this organ is that the "Spiel
-
-
-GATCHEL - MANNINS . PHILA
INTERIOR OF CHURCH.
41
EXTENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS
Tisch," with its keyboards, is placed in such a position that the organist faces the congregation. The power is supplied by a "Little Giant" water motor. These improvements cost fully $8,000, and of this amount $3,000 was paid by the Young People's Society. This was a most laudable work, of which the active members at that time should feel proud of unto this day.
Sunday, October 11th, 1885, marks the re-dedication of the tastily renovated edifice. The services were an- nounced to begin at half-past nine o'clock. Long before that hour, however, the spacious auditorium was filling up with a throng of worshipers, and by the time the choir sang the open- ing anthem, every seat had found an occupant, and scores could not obtain even standing room. After the invocation by the pastor, Mr. Alvin W. Lawfer read a brief history of the Young People's Society. The sketch appears elsewhere in the history.
Then the Rev. J. H. Dubbs, D. D., on behalf of the Young People's Society, presented the magnificent organ to the congregation, making an instructive address in doing so. He extolled the many noble attributes of music, deeming it a most potent force in moving and inspiring humanity. A lesson can be learnt, he said, from the organ which the members of the congregation might take to heart. Some of the pipes are large, and some are small, yet all combine to produce the wonderful harmonies which the instrument is capable of. The large pipes represent the older men, and the small pipes are types of the children in the congregation. All must work together to produce the Christian harmony and fellowship which should exist in every congregation. The organ bears this inscription on a silver plate : "To the Glory of God. Presented to Salems Reformed Church by the Young People's Society."
42
SALEM CHURCH HISTORY
The speaker also presented to the church, the beautiful walnut pulpit, inscribed with the Greek letters Chi-Rho, Alpha- Omega, which signify : "Christ, the beginning and the end." The pulpit is the gift of Miss E. Jane Ziegler. The Bibles were donated by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Maberry, Mrs. Joseph Hart- man, and Mrs. Jerry Schafer, and the fine chancel rugs by Mrs. Mary E. Heilman. These gifts were accepted for the congre- gation by Rev. W. M. Reilly, President of the Allentown Female College, in a neat address.
Rev. E. A. Gernant, as the pastor of Zion's Reformed Church, brought the greetings and congratulations of his people, to the members of Salem congregation on this most auspicious event in their history. He then referred to the beautiful stained- glass windows, with their appropriate emblems, and presented them to the congregation in behalf of the kind donors : The Missionary Society, the Sunday School, the Young People's Society, Alvin W. Lawfer, F. P. and Jennie Lentz, Solomon Boyer and family, D. H. Wanamaker and family. Four of the windows are memorials ; one in memory of Nathan Weiler, one by Jeremiah Roth, in memory of Ida S., Oliver J., and C. M. Roth ; one by James F. Hunsicker and family, in memory of Owen H. and Sarah Hunsicker ; and one in memory of A. P. .and T. G. Steckel. The window containing the emblem of the font was the gift of the Building Committee, as a mark of re- spect and esteem in which the pastor is held by the members. Pastor Dubbs then arose, and in a few well-chosen words ex- pressed his grateful appreciation of these useful donations from individuals and societies, and read the service of dedication ac- cording to the forms of the Church.
43
EXTENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS
The sermon at the morning service was preached by Prof. Dubbs. The benediction was pronounced by the Rev. S. G. Wagner, D. D., pastor of St. John's Reformed Church of the city.
In the afternoon the service was held with the children, and the attendance was very large. Brief addresses were de- livered by Revs. Wagner, Gernant, Fritzinger, Reilly, of the city, Dubbs of Lancaster, and Derr of Mifflinburg. As a tribute of the Young People's Society to Mr. Alvin W. Lawfer, for his great energy and helpful services in procuring the organ and remodel- ing the church, the pastor presented him with a handsome copy of the revised version of the Bible, which was a complete surprise to him.
The evening service began at 7 o'clock, when the Rev. C. Z. Weiser, D. D., of East Greenville, delivered an eloquent sermon in the German and English language. The offerings at all the services amounted to over $200.
We take the liberty to quote from an article in the " Daily City Item," which gives a very full account of this happy event. "The interior of Salem Church is indeed hand- some and compares most favorably with any other. The stained-glass windows were made by Thomas Aiken & Co. of Philadelphia, and the wood-work by Gay & Son of this city. The carpet was purchased from J. M. Grimley, and the beautiful chairs inside the chancel from A. H. Andrews & Co. of New York. The choir chairs were presented by the Young People's Society, and the consistory chairs by Jacob Bantz and wife. The altar railing is of solid walnut, and was put up by Edwin J. Kress. The chandeliers are from the factory of Mackey & Sons of Philadelphia. The reading desk is of walnut, and a double
44
SALEM CHURCH HISTORY
revolving one. The altar is of walnut, and on the edge are the raised letters, "I am the Bread of Life." The frescoing has been most beautifully done by Kehrweider & Co., of Philadelphia. The colors are very attractive and blend together most harmoni- ously. The walls are covered with panels of artistic shapes and delicate workmanship. Inside of the pulpit niche are three panels, blazing with the emblems of the Lamb, Faith, Hope and Charity, and I. H. S. In the dome of the niche is the triangle, symbolic of the Holy Trinity, and the All-Seeing Eye. In the vestibule will be placed stands for 150 umbrellas, and as each person leaves an umbrella on the stand, he will receive a check for it, and upon presenting the check the umbrella will be returned to the owner."
The Building Committee to whom is due much credit for this artistic work was composed of Solomon Boyer, Thomas Steckel, Jeremiah Roth, James F. Hunsicker, John W. Sepp, George J. Klein, Conrad Paff and Alvin W. Lawfer.
"From its organization, about ten years ago, Salem Re- formed has been a phenomenally successful congregation. While older German congregations of this city have been com- pelled to introduce English services in the evening in order to retain the young people, Salem's services have always been held in the German language, and the majority of the members are comparatively young people. One reason for this remark- able prosperity is that in the pastor, Rev. Dr. A. J. G. Dubbs, they have an indefatigable worker, a man who believes in practical common-sense Christianity, and who is very popular. Another reason is that harmony prevails in the congregation, and when work is to be done each member does his share of it. These are some of the reasons that may account for the fact
45
EXTENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS
that, in a period of ten years, Salem's has developed into the largest congregation in Allentown."
Up to this time the services were held exclusively in the German language, but the alert pastor saw that if he would re- tain the young people, it was necessary for him to begin English services. This he did with the re-dedication of the church. There was some quiet protest on the part of a few older members against the innovation, but their great confidence in the judg- ment and sincerity of the pastor led them to acquiesce, and the transition was made with little or no difficulty. Since then, the services have been held in German in the morning, and in English in the evening. One argument the pastor used with the people for the change was, that, if they could sit and listen all day to court trials in the English language, they should be willing to give up one service for the benefit of the young, whose training in the schools was altogether in English.
46
SALEM CHURCH HISTORY
CHAPTER X Church Extension
THE steady increase in the membership, and the constant growth of the city's population, were sufficient reasons to the mind of the wide-awake pastor, to call his large flock to- gether, and discuss with them the urgent need of planting one or more missions in different parts of the city. Such a meet- ยท ing was held on April 7th, 1889, and it was unanimously agreed to give permission to the Young People's Society to purchase and to hold lot or lots for the purpose of church extension in this city. The members of the society with their usual vigor im- mediately took hold of the matter, and on June 17th, 1889, they purchased the fine lot, 120 X 115 feet, situated at the North East corner of Fifth and Allen streets, from the Ellinger Real Estate Association for the sum of $1602. This money was secured from the individual members, by paying for the ground at the following rates : frontage on Fifth street, $ 13. 35 per foot ; on Allen street, $10 per foot; on the East side, $5 per foot ; and on the North side, $ 3 per foot.
It was the intention of the congregation, at that time, within a few years to erect a Dubbs Memorial Church, on this lot, but its later actions will explain why this noble project has not yet been carried out. The deed is still held, in trust, by Isaac Paff for the Young People's Society.
At the request of the Consistory, and by the sanction of the congregation, the Young People's Society purchased another lot, 100 x 94 feet, at the South East corner of Ninth and Liberty streets, from Mrs. Deborah Edleman, for $2820, on August 3rd, 1892, whereon to erect a church. This lot was held for two
47
CHURCH EXTENSION
years, by Alvin W. Lawfer, as trustee, and then sold to the Seibert Evangelical Church for $3250, and the amount applied towards the purchase of additional ground on the East side of the church. Why this was done, will appear later on in the history.
48
SALEM CHURCH HISTORY
CHAPTER XI An Assistant Hastor
A T the annual meeting of the congregation, held January Ist,
1890, the pastor made a touching address to the members. He told them of his failing strength and increasing labors. In view of these facts, he did not feel able any longer to fulfil the duties resting upon him, but thought the time had come for him to resign. Having served the congregation from its beginning, with heroic fidelity, for a period of fifteen years, it is no wonder that the members took prompt action, ordering a special meet- ing of the congregation, at an early day, to secure permission so that the pastor might be in a position to select his own assistant. We glean from the records that Mr. George W. Richards, a student in the Theological Seminary at Lancaster, spent the Sunday of December 22nd, 1889, with the pastor, and from the glowing tribute paid him in the action of the congregation, we infer that he made a fine impression upon the people. The large and cordial gathering on January 19th, 1890, must have been a source of great joy to the pastor's heart, and the unani- mous adoption of the following action settled for the time being the question of his withdrawal from the charge. This was the action taken :
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.