USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > Churches between the mountains : a history of the Lutheran congregations in Perry County, Pennsylvania > Part 20
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 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
276
CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
united themselves in that organization ; sixteen more were added on the 5th of this month (January, 1851), at which time the Lord's Supper was administered. A considerable number has been added to the Church, and much good has been done for the cause of God in general during his ministry among us. Like many other faithful ambassadors of Christ, he met also with some opposition ; but by his consistent deportment he secured the en- tire confidence of his people and of the community in general. May the Lord abundantly bless his efforts in his new field of labor ! Should any brother feel inclined to visit this charge, or desire more information, he will please address,-
" WILLIAM RICE, " P. LAUDENSLAGER.
" Millerstown, Perry County, Pa., January 24th, 1851." *
After Rev. Weaver had resigned, the charge was vacant till October, 1856; though Synod, by passing resolutions in the meantime, made repeated efforts to have it supplied.
As the territory embraced in the charge was too extensive, and the number of preaching-places too great, in September, 1850, when Rev. Weaver expressed before Synod his intention to resign the charge at the expiration of his pastoral year, Synod then changed the charge by adding some congregations to it and taking others from it. The following resolution was passed :
" Resolved, That the Liverpool, Banner's, Richfield, Nieman's, Hunter's Valley and Leininger's congregations be advised to form themselves into a new pastoral charge, and that Rev. C. G. Erlen- meyer be requested to visit these churches and inform them of the action of Synod, and aid them to the extent of his ability in securing the services of a minister." What was to become of Millerstown, Wild Cat Valley, Foutz's Valley and Turkey Valley, is not stated. Probably it was designed that they should form themselves into a separate pastorate. But whatever the design of
* See Lutheran Observer, February 7th, 1851.
277
CHAPTER V.
Synod may have been, it is certain that the project did not suc- ceed. The congregations not provided for had no preaching, and Rev. Erlenmeyer was unsuccessful in securing a minister for the new pastorate. Thus this large field lay vacant, and as a conse- quence many of the members became discouraged or united with one of the many sects, then so rampant in that section of country. Hence, in September, 1851, Synod took the following action :
" Resolved, That the churches (above named) in Perry County and vicinity (some being also located in Juniata County), in which the Lutheran Church has an interest, be hereby declared vacant.
" Resolved, That these vacant congregations be referred to the favorable notice of any ordained minister or licentiate, at present, or hereafter to be connected with this body.
" Resolved, That they be recommended to the Executive Com- mittee of the Home Missionary Society for an appropriation.
" Resolved, That the President of Synod be requested to en- deavor to secure for them the services of a minister as soon as possible." The designs of Synod were certainly good, and it passed good resolutions, but unfortunately they were resolutions only on paper. Hence, in September, 1852, the President of Synod reported, that though he was last year requested to secure a minister for the vacant congregations in Perry County as soon as possible, he " was not able to carry out the wishes of Synod." The Synod then, " Resolved, That the vacant churches in Perry County be recommended to the attention of the Domestic Mis- sionary Society for aid." Here the matter ended for the time being. In September, 1853, Synod took no notice of these desti- tute congregations. In September, 1854, the last time the West Pennsylvania Synod took action relative to this vacant field, was in these words : " Millerstown (or Liverpool) charge, reported va- cant, was referred to Juniata Conference, which was directed to supply it with preaching as often as possible." From what we know, the members of this Conference preached but seldom, if any, for any of the congregations composing the Liverpool charge. During these years of almost total destitution, it need not surprise us that the congregations dwindled down to the very verge of ex-
24
278
CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
tinction. But a brighter day was soon to dawn upon this ne- glected part of the Lord's vineyard.
In February, 1855, the Lutheran Synod of Central Pennsyl- vania was organized, and all Perry County was included within the bounds of the new Synod. Efforts were put forth as soon as possible to resuscitate the congregations of the Liverpool charge by sending them a minister of the Gospel. Hence, in May, 1856, the President of Synod reported, that " the congregations of the Liverpool charge were still vacant," and "recommended them to the special attention of Synod." Accordingly, a Committee on Home Missions was instantly appointed, to whose care and atten- tion all vacancies within the bounds of Synod were referred. This committee did its utmost to secure a missionary for the Li- verpool charge, and the efforts thus put forth were successful. For, on the 1st of October, 1856,
Rev. Josiah Zimmerman
took charge of the Liverpool pastorate or mission, under trying and discouraging circumstances. Rev. Zimmerman resided at Millerstown. He gives the following account of his labors in this charge :
" I took charge of the congregations, composing the Liverpool charge or mission, on the Ist of October, 1856, and preached my first sermon on the 5th of that month. Several Sabbaths after- wards, I preached my introductory sermon from Rom. 15 : 29, 30. Amidst various successes and reverses, I served the congre- gations two years and a half, and resigned on the 1st of April, 1859. During the first year I preached at eight different places, and occasionally at school-houses. My regular appointments were Millerstown, Wild Cat Valley, Liverpool, Richfield, Pfoutz's Val- ley, Wright's School-house, and for about three months at Nie- man's (St. John's) Church. I preached also occasionally at Watt's School-house, at Cagill's School-house, and in Raccoon Valley, near Donally's Mill. After I had explored the territory thoroughly, I obtained, at the end of the first year, permission from Synod's Committee on Home Missions, to drop some points and confine
279
CHAPTER V.
my labors to the following five congregations, viz., Millerstown, Wild Cat Valley, Liverpool, Turkey Valley, and Richfield. At each of these places I then preached once every two weeks until I resigned. Whilst laboring in this field, I received during the first year two hundred dollars from Synod's Home Missionary Society, and during the second year one hundred dollars. Dur- ing the next six months I received nothing from said Society ; but would have received fifty dollars had I remained in the charge to the end of the year. In regard to the success' that attended my labors in the charge I will say nothing. I tried to preach only three or four times in the German language-more was, how- ever, needed in the charge. Rev. Hackenberger, I understand, is most successful where I could do least, especially at Christ's Church in Wild Cat Valley, where none were confirmed whilst I was pastor. The only person I confirmed at Liverpool was Mr. George Tharp."
When Rev. Zimmerman entered on his pastoral labors in the charge, he found at Liverpool no organization and but few mem- bers belonging to the Lutheran Church ; though there was, how- ever, material enough to build up a large congregation.
In May, 1857, Mr. A. Kohler of Richfield attended Synod at Perryville as delegate of the charge. In May, 1858, as delegate, Mr. John Dimm attended Synod at Bloomfield, and in May, 1859, Mr. Samuel Dimm attended Synod as commissioner of the charge.
Though Rev. Zimmerman's labors were not crowned with that immediate success he could have desired, he nevertheless did a good work. He explored the field, he collected the scattered members and aroused them from their lethargy, he removed diffi- culties, organized the congregations anew, prepared the way for his successors, and advanced the charge so far that it could sustain a pastor without aid from Synod. His consistent walk as a Chris- tian, his humility, his mildness, his kindness, together with his high tone of piety and manly defence of the Gospel, made a deep and abiding impression for good on all ingenuous and well-dis- posed minds Though he left, yet the result of his labors re-
280
CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
mained and continued to bear testimony to his unwearied efforts for man's good, and the seed of the word he sowed with prayers and watered with tears bears now a glorious harvest. Thus one sows and another reaps. Having spent two years and a half in this field, and having undergone much self-denial and performed hard labor, Rev. Zimmerman resigned on the 1st of April, 1859. The charge was then vacant about four months. The officers of Synod were instructed to secure a pastor for the charge. In Au- gust of the same year, the
Rev. Jucob A. Hackenberger
commenced his pastoral labors in the charge. He resided at Li- verpool. The charge now sustained itself without aid from the Home Missionary Society. During the first year he was pastor, Rev. Hackenberger preached at Liverpool, at Christ's Church in Wild Cat Valley, at St. Michael's in Pfoutz's Valley, at St. James's in Turkey Valley, at Richfield, and also occasionally at Millers- town, in Raccoon Valley near Donally's Mill, and some other places. Thus his charge extended from river to river, and even west of the Juniata. Finding his labors too much scattered to be effectual, in August, 1860, he ceased to preach at Millerstown and all the stations bordering on the Juniata, and confined his labors to Liverpool and the congregations on the Susquehanna. This was a judicious move, as it opened the way for a division of this extended territory and the formation of the Millerstown Mis- sion or charge. With regard to the congregation at Liverpool, Rev. Hackenberger says :
" The name of the church, if it ever had any, cannot be re- membered. I have not been able to find a constitution ; though I suppose the congregation had one, but it is lost. We have now adopted the one prepared for congregations by the Synod of Cen- tral Pennsylvania. We removed the old pulpit and put a new one in its place, and have in other respects made improvements in the internal arrangements of the church. I preach every Sabbath at Liverpool, alternately in the morning and evening, and at the
CHAPTER V.
281
other places every two weeks. The congregation is now in a pro- mising condition, and, if it receive proper attention, may become a large one. Since I have been here, considerable progress has been made. The Sunday-school, which was in a languishing con- dition, is now prospering, and the attendance on the stated ser- vices of God's house is encouraging."
On the 5th of December, IS59, Peter K. Moyer and Mrs. Sa- rah Moyer were confirmed, and in the spring of 1860, Frederick Staily, Mrs. Abbie Staily, and Mrs. Elizabeth Shuman.
In May, 1860, Mr. Jonathan Wert, as delegate of the charge, attended Synod at Petersburg, Perry County.
On the 7th of October, 1860, Mrs. Sarah Lutz, Miss Sarah J. Kepner, Miss Mary J. McCracken, and Miss Sarah Moyer were confirmed, and on the 20th of April, 1861, the following persons (some of them from Hunter's Valley) were confirmed :
David Wagner,
Susan Hunter,
James Coulter,
Hannah Coulter,
Mary J. Seiler,
Hannah Reisinger,
Leah J. Shusely,
Elizabeth Cargill,
Mary A. Shusely,
-
and at the same time the following were received from other de- nominations by certificate :
George Kepner, Mrs. E. Kepner, " Lydia Hain,
Mrs. Mary Hackenberger, Isabella Wagner,
Jane Wells.
Including the preaching-station in Hunter's Valley, the num- ber of communicant members, in June, 1861, was forty-seven at Liverpool. Of these, one-half were received by Rev. Hackenber- ger. His labors of love were successful and greatly blessed. The congregation prospered and promised fair. To the regret of all Rev. Hackenberger's health failed, and in August, 1861, he re- signed the charge, having served it two years. The charge was then vacant about seven months. On the Ist of April, 1862, the
24*
282
CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
Rev. John H. Davidson,
having accepted a call, entered on the discharge of his pastoral duties in the pastorate. The charge, as now served by him, con- sists of the following congregations, viz., Liverpool, Christ's Church in Wild Cat Valley, St. James's in Turkey Valley, St. Michael's in Pfoutz's Valley, and, in Snyder County, Zion's Church at MeKee's Half-Falls. With regard to the charge, Rev. Davidson says : " There is certainly room in the charge for the doing of good, and there are indeed many things to encourage. On the other hand, there are also many things to discourage. I am re- solved to do all I can to promote the glory of God in seeking the salvation of immortal souls. I have to labor very hard. Gene- rally I preach three times every Sabbath. At Liverpool infidelity stares me in the face, and I am sometimes discouraged; but I have the promise of the Savior : 'Behold, I am with thee,' and I can see a change for the better."
In May, 1862, Mr. Jeremiah Hall, as delegate, represented the charge in Synod, at Selinsgrove, Pa. May the Lord bless the labors of the pastor of this charge, and pour out His Spirit on the members !
" Their hearts from things of earth remove, Sprinkle them, Lord, from sin and fear ; Fix their affections all above, And lay up all their treasure there.
" Give them an ear to hear thy word ; Thou speakest to the churches now ; And let all tongues confess their Lord, Let ev'ry knee to Jesus bow." .
SECTION II.
CHRIST'S CHURCH IN WILD CAT VALLEY, LIVERPOOL TOWNSHIP.
This church is located in a beautiful and fertile valley in Li- verpool Township, and about five miles southwest from the town
283
CHAPTER V.
of Liverpool. A number of the members in this valley had be- longed to St. Michael's in Pfoutz's Valley before they had a church of their own. A few of them had also been members at Newport. They were occasionally visited by Father Heim and perhaps, also, by the pastor of the Bloomfield charge. These ministers preached for them at Grubb's School-house. A suitable house of worship was much needed. Hence, during the summer of 1844, they united in erecting a church-edifice. This church was consecrated to the service of God on Sunday, the 8th of June, 1845, and re- ceived the distinctive name of Christ's Church. On this occa- sion there was preaching in the German and English languages, but who the officiating clergymen were we cannot tell. We pre- sume Father Heim and Rev. Levi T. Williams were present. The church is a substantial frame building, capable of accommodating about two hundred and fifty persons, and both externally and in- ternally presents a neat appearance. The congregation remained unorganized and had no regular supply of Lutheran preaching until the beginning of 1847, when the
Rev. William Weaver
took charge of it, and served it for four years. He preached here regularly once every three weeks. It is to be regretted that the pastor could not preach German occasionally for the large number of members who understood that language best. We have no record of confirmations, and are therefore unable to state who or how many were added to the membership by Rev. Weaver, or what success attended his labors here. He resigned in the begin- ning of 1851. Then, for the succeeding five years, the congre- gation had no preaching by a Lutheran minister, and as a conse- quence the members became scattered and some of them were drawn into other connections. Hence, in October, 1856, when the
Rev. Josiah Zimmerman,
as missionary, first visited the congregation, he found it to consist of only twelve Lutheran members. He preached for this small congregation two years and a half. Though he confirmed none
284
CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
here, he nevertheless prepared the way for his successor, and thus much good was accomplished by him. He resigned on the 1st of April, 1859, and in August following, he was succeeded by the
Rev. Jacob A. Hackenberger,
whose labors here, as elsewhere in the charge, were attended with such marked success. In the fall of 1859, Rev. Hackenberger held at this place a protracted meeting, which resulted in the hopeful conversion of from thirty to forty souls. The congregation was very much revived by this visitation of Divine grace from on high. The subjects of this revival were for some months care- fully instructed in the doctrines of our holy religion as they are set forth in the Catechism, and in the spring of 1860, the follow- ing persons were confirmed :
Henry H. Server,
Floranna Grubb,
William M. Grubb,
Susanna Hoffman,
Samuel Reen,
Elmira Grubb,
William A. Grubb,
Louisa Grubb,
David Baker,
Amelia Wagner,
Catharine Killinger,
Sarah A. Reen,
Elizabeth Wagner,
Harriet Reen,
Mary A. Long,
Mrs. Jane Crane,
Mary Roush,
Violina Buchanan,
Sarah Jane Grubb,
Isabella A. Grubb,
Margaret Kepner,
Mary Lenig,
Margaret Asper,
Sarah E. Lindsey.
By this accession of members the congregation was encouraged and strengthened much, and many who had hitherto stood aloof now rallied around the standard of the Cross. The interest of some in the prosperity of Zion was revived, and a number who had strayed from the fold of Christ were reclaimed and through the grace of God made glad in the fellowship of saints and the hope of glory. Truly such seasons of refreshing from the Lord are as the rains of heaven upon the wilted plants of earth.
On the 7th of April, 1861, the following three persons were confirmed :
285
CHAPTER V.
John Sweesy, David Troutman, Mrs. Elizabeth Troutman.
Thus the number of members was increased. The Lord blessed the labors of his young servant greatly. In June, 1861, the con- gregation numbered sixty-one communicant members. For the long night of destitution, may this congregation enjoy a long and glorious day of rich Gospel blessings !
" Blest river of salvation, Pursue thine onward way ; Flow thon to ev'ry nation, Nor in thy richness stay :
" Stay not till all the lowly Triumphant reach their home ; . Stay not till all the holy Proclaim, 'The Lord is come.' "
On account of failing health, to the great regret of the mem- bers, Rev. Hackenberger resigned in August, 1861, having served the congregation faithfully and successfully for two years. The charge was then vacant about seven months. On the 1st of April, 1862, the
Rev. John H. Davidson,
the present pastor of the Liverpool charge, commenced his pasto- ral labors here. The congregation requires at this time an occa- sional sermon in the German language. Much may here be ac- complished for Christ and souls, and we humbly trust the labors of the pastor now in the field will not be in vain.
" Onward in thy triumphant way, Thou message of the Holy One, Thy truth shall usher in the day, The reign of God's beloved Son."
286
CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
SECTION III.
ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH IN PFOUTZ'S VALLEY, GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP.
This is one of the most fertile and beautiful valleys in Perry County, and was among the first in the county settled by the white race. The pioneers in this valley were chiefly of German origin, among the carliest of whom we find a large number. So soon as the Land-Office was opened, in February, 1755, they lo- cated large tracts of land, viz. : In 1755, Baltzer Schellhorn, Mi- chael Brochard, John Pfautz ;* in 1762, Andrew Long; in 1768, Leonard Pfautz ; in 1772, Frederick Kehl, Henry Altsbach, Mar- tin Waln ; in 1774, Michael Wild, Jacob Wild, Jacob Jobson ; in 1775, Mathias Blocker, John Kepler, David Cargill, Peter Hoofnagel, Frederick Harter, John Long, Jacob Nighman ( Ger- man, Nieman), Zacharias Spangel, and a large number of others who located lands by authority from the Land-Office. Many others bought lands at the same time at second hand. Nearly the whole of the German-speaking population in the valley be- longed to the Lutheran Church, and they were the first in the county to enjoy the regular preaching of the Gospel and to organ- ize themselves into a congregation.
Soon after the close of the Indian incursions in 1764, they were occasionally visited by the messenger of the Gospel, but for want of documents we cannot give the names of the pioneer missiona- ries. Some time between 1770 and 1773 the congregation was regularly organized. The baptismal record commences in Octo- ber, 1774, when the
* His land was "Resurveyed 13th November, 1774, in pursuance of an order from the Secretary's office in part of an original warrant to Thomas Kerton, dated 28th July, 1736, by the direction from the Secretary's office." Writ of location. These lands were not bought of the Indians before July, 1754. How the Provincial Government could issue warrants for land not yet purchased from the Indians, we cannot understand. Did the Government take advantage of the Indians ? Had the Indians cause for complaint on ac- count of unwarranted aggressions on their lands by the whites ? Had the In- dians not been provoked to vengeance ?
287
CHAPTER V.
Rev. Michael Enderlin
was pastor of the congregation, and who served it in the Gospel till April, 1789. The names of communicants do not appear in the record-book whilst he was pastor, though it is evident from the baptismal record that he administered the Lord's Supper in the congregation and admitted persons to membership by baptism and confirmation. From this baptismal record we will give the following names and extracts :
" Baptized on the 30th of October, 1774, Mary Schwigerty, aged sixteen years, who was at the same time confirmed ; Eliza- beth Schwigerty, nineteen years old, baptized and confirmed at the same time; Mary Pfautz, aged seventeen years, was baptized and at the same time confirmed and received into the Christian communion. On the same day, George, son of George Gran (En- glish, Crane), Mary Margaret, daughter of George Trecksel, and John, son of Jacob Kinsch, were baptized. In November, the same year, Christianna Barbara, daughter of Jacob Kinsch, was baptized." John Kepler and John Long stood as sponsors for these children.
Two acres of ground, on part of which the pioneer settlers were buried, was conveyed by deed for the use of the congregation. As this deed is a document full of interest, by request we give it entire, as follows :
" This Indenture, made the fifteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six, by and between John Fouts of Greenwood Township in Cumberland County and Province of Pennsylvania of the one part, and John Long and Philip Huber and the whole Lutheran congregation of the township, county, and province aforesaid of the other part : Witnesseth, that the said John Fouts, for and in consideration of the sum of six pounds lawful money of Pennsylvania to him in hand paid by the said John Long and Philip Huber, the receipt whereof the said John Fouts doth hereby acknowledge, he the said John Fouts hath granted, bargained and sold, aliened and confirmed, and by these presents doth grant, bargain, sell, alien, and confirm unto the said John Long and Philip Huber, and for
288
CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
the use of the said Lutheran congregation, their heirs and assigns forever, a certain piece and tract of land in Greenwood Township aforesaid, and situate and joining John Long and William Patter- son's lands, and to contain two aeres, to be laid out from a certain hickory corner-tree adjoining said Patterson and Long's lands, and to extend eight perches on said Long's line from said hickory corner and forty perches joining Patterson's line west- ward over a certain run coming out of Patterson's land, and also all trees, roads, underwoods, tithes, commons of common pastures, profits, commodities, advantages, hereditaments, ways, waters and appurtenanees, and whatsoever to the said land belongeth or in anywise appertaining, and also the reversion and reversions, re- mainder and remainders, rents and services of the said premises and of every part thereof, and all the estate, right, title, interest, property, elaim and demand whatsoever of him the said John Fouts of, in, and to the said piece and tract of land and premises and every part and parcel thereof, to have and to hold the said messuage and tract of land and all and singular the premises above mentioned and every part and parcel thereof with the ap- purtenances, unto the said John Long and Philip Huber and to the said Lutheran congregation, their heirs and assigns forever, and the said John Fouts, for himself and his heirs, executors and administrators and every of them, shall and will warrant and for- ever defend the said above mentioned two acres of land and every part and parcel thereof, with the appurtenances and premises to the same belonging, unto the said John Long and Philip Huber for them and their and the whole congregation's use, their heirs and assigns forever, from all manner of person or persons, claim or claims whatsoever lawfully claiming the same (the Honorable, the Proprietor's rights and dues, both principal, interest and quit- rents only excepted). In witness whereof the said John Fouts hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year first above written. N. B. John Fouts reserves the liberty to take the water through said two acres of land when convenient for said Fouts. Done before signing.
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.