USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > Churches between the mountains : a history of the Lutheran congregations in Perry County, Pennsylvania > Part 3
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Margaret Kochenderfer,
Jonas Rumpel,
Hetta Dunkelberger,
George Rumpel,
" Elizabeth Tressler,
Benjamin Fusselman,
Mary Fusselman,
Peter Schaeffer,
Sarah Wolf,
William Bitner,
Elizabeth Briner,
John Shoemaker,
" Mary Smith,
Mary Kleffman,
Benjamin Rice,
" Mary Shuman,
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
Mrs. - Shoemaker, Miss Mary Crist,
Elizabeth Bender,
Sarah Crist,
Miss Mary Minich,
Mary Shoemaker.
" Elizabeth Ebert,
At the meeting of the Pennsylvania Synod, held at Reading, in May, 1825, Rev. Heim reported 8 congregations, 235 infant baptisms, 47 confirmations, 609 communicants, 43 deaths, and 8 schools. In September, 1825, Mr. Solomon Bower, of Blain, as lay delegate of the charge, accompanied Rev. Heim to the first convention of the West Pennsylvania Synod, held at Chambers- burg, Pa. After the organization of this Synod, all the Lutheran congregations in Pennsylvania, west of the Susquehanna, were attached to it. Hence, when we hereafter refer to Synod, we mean the West Pennsylvania Synod.
In the spring of 1826, being Easter, at Loysville, Rev. Heim confirmed a class of catechuniens, consisting of about forty per- sons. The following are some who belonged to this class :
Solomon Bernheisel,
Miss Elizabeth Flickinger,
Samuel Shuman,
Hetta Iekes,
Daniel Long,
" Elizabeth Ritter,
Mr. - - Hollenbach,
" Mary Fusselman,
- Gutshall,
Mary Rice,
George Hohenshilt,
Abraham Trostel,
Mr. - Kich,
John Shoemaker,
Nicholas Bitner,
John Baltozer,
John Arnold,
Miss Elizabeth Loy, .
George Ernst,
" Mary Reisinger,
David Flickinger,
" Frances Bernheisel,
John Briner,
Margaret Kochenderfer,
Jonathan Briner,
Esther Arnold,
David Miller,
" Margaret Clouser.
Samuel Reisdorff,
In 1827, the congregations in Perry County, belonging to the Loysville charge, united in buying of George Loy fifteen acres of land, adjoining the church land, as a glebe. A house was erected
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CHAPTER I.
on this parcel of land, which has since served as a parsonage; afterwards a barn was also built on this ground. Some five or six years ago the congregation sold a few acres of this land.
The old Constitution of the church being lost, Rev. Heim wrote the following one in the German language :
CONSTITUTION.
In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. God is a God of order, and therefore everything that is to meet with His approbation and redound to His glory, must be done in the spirit of order, of love and peace. Whereas, the Constitution of the hereinafter named church and congregation is lost, we do hereby declare said first Constitution null and void in case it should ever be found ; and We, the church-council and church-members, solemnly covenant, on this the 8th of September, 1827, strictly and conscientiously to observe the following Consti- tution :
CHAPTER I.
OF THE CHURCH, THE GRAVEYARD, AND THE SCHOOL-HOUSE.
Our Church, called Lebanon, built on ground given for the purpose by Martin Bernheisel and Michael Loy, containing two acres and forty-two perches, situate in Tyrone Township, Perry County, and State of Pennsylvania, is, and shall always remain, a Union Church, and shall so be used by the two religious deno- minations, namely, the Evangelical Lutheran and Evangelical Reformed, until, by mutual agreement, the one denomination purchase the right or interest of the other. In this church it shall never be permitted that any other doctrine be preached or set forth, than our Evangelical Lutheran and German Reformed, as contained in the Bible, the Augsburg Confession, and the Hei- delberg Catechism, in our German vernacular language. One denomination shall not interfere in the Divine worship of the other, but one shall worship on one Sunday and the other on the Sunday next following, except when there is a funeral, and then
4
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
that denomination to which the funeral belongs shall have the use of the church.
The land on which the church and school-house are erected, together with the graveyard, is the perpetual and inalienable property of the above named congregations, deeded and assigned to their use, where to bury their dead in an orderly and Christian manner. No stranger, nor any one else, not paying to one of the above-named congregations, shall be allowed to bury his dead here, without first asking permission of the Trustees of the con- gregations, and paying for the ground what said Trustees may deem just and right; and the money so obtained shall be appro- priated to the use of the congregations. The documents, deeds, &c., of the land on which are erected the above church and school- house, shall be delivered to the Trustees for safe-keeping as soon as this Constitution is adopted and recorded in the Church-book.
CHAPTER II.
OF THE PASTORS.
The pastors who preach in the above church must have entered the ministry in a regular way, as James says, chap. 3 : 1, " Be not many teachers," and as also our Augsburg Confession teaches in Article 14. Further, they must stand in connection with one of our Lutheran or Reformed Synods, must preach the word in purity and sincerity, and adorn their profession with a godly life. Their election, or call, shall always be determined by the majority of votes cast, and the same shall be done in case they are to be dismissed. If complaint be made against the pastor, the words of Paul must be heeded, 1 Tim. 5 : 19, " Against an elder receive no accusation ;" if, however, the cause of complaint be of a more serious nature, then the different degrees of Christian admonition, as specified in Matt. 18 : 15-17, must be observed : "If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone."
Elections for pastors shall be conducted as follows : Each con-
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CHAPTER I.
gregation shall elect its own pastor, and when necessary dismiss him, without the interference of the other congregation ; the same shall also be observed in regard to his support. In case the con- gregations have, however, only one pastor, then both congregations shall unite in supporting him. And we feel ourselves under solemn obligation to give our pastors their salary annually, freely and cheerfully, according to the word of St. Paul, Heb. 13 : 16- 17, "To do good, and to communicate, forget not," so that we may by their ministry and the grace of God be edified in all that is good and confirmed to eternal life.
CHAPTER III.
OF THE CHURCH-COUNCIL.
The Church-Council of the above congregations shall consist of the following officers :
One Treasurer and one Secretary, each of whom shall serve three years.
Two Trustees, one of each congregation, who shall serve three years.
Two Elders, one of each congregation, who shall serve three years.
Two Deacons, one of each congregation, who shall serve three years.
Every year a new officer shall be elected, so that one of the old officers may remain in office. The old Church-Council may be re-elected. The duties of the officers are the following :
1. The Trustees shall-a. Endeavor with the help of God, to set their own household and the whole congregation a worthy ex- ample by their Christian deportment. b. Take care that the deeds and other important documents of the church are preserved. c. That the property of the church be not injured or destroyed, and that the house of worship and other buildings belonging to the church, be kept in good repair. d. That Evangelical doctrine
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
and Christian discipline be maintained and perpetuated in the church.
2. The Elders shall-a. Set the church a truly Christian ex- ample. b. Sec to it that the debts of the church be paid, and her best interests promoted. c. Advance the interests of the schools by visiting them as often as possible. d. Settle discords and controversies in the church, and thus promote peace. e. If the pastor desire it, they shall accompany him in his visits to the sick. f. They shall keep an account of all moneys received and paid out, and in every proper way seek to promote the best in- terests of the church.
3. The Deacons arc-a. To afford the congregation an example of a truly Christian life. b. To render all necessary aid in the services of the sanctuary and the administration of the sacraments. c. To collect the alms, keep a correct account of the money col- lected, and pay the same into the hands of the Treasurer, as often as he may deem it necessary for the good of the church. d. To see that according to God's command the minister is properly supported, and that during divine service all things be done decently and in order.
Elections for officers, and all other congregational elections, shall be openly announced in the church, so that all who are en- titled to a vote, may have an opportunity to vote; and those persons who are elected by a majority of votes, shall, at the next meeting for divine worship, be installed by the pastor into their respective offices. Should any member of the Church-Council conduct himself unworthily (which may God forbid !), and so as to make his removal from office necessary, it shall in such case be the duty of the Church-Council to investigate the matter of com- plaint, and then to lay their action in the case before the whole congregation, whose duty it shall then be to decide in the matter.
The congregational settlement shall be made annually, on Easter Monday, by the Church-Council, and an entry thereof shall be recorded in the Church-book.
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CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER IV.
OF THE CHURCH-MEMBERS.
Every one who would be a member of this church, must of necessity possess the following qualifications, and perform the duties here prescribed. He must,
1. Have been admitted by confirmation to the Lord's Supper.
2. Lcad a truly Christian life, and set his household a good example.
3. Promptly and cheerfully help to bear the expenses of the church, according to his ability.
4. Willingly receive admonition from the Church-Council, or Pastor, when found in the wrong.
5. In case a member commits a moral offence (which may God in mercy prevent !), so that the congregation consider him un- worthy of membership, or of participating in the celebration of the Lord's Supper, the Church-Council, together with the Pastor, shall then regularly investigate the charges preferred, and if said charges are found well sustained, they shall then decide by vote whether such offender shall be debarred from the Lord's table- the Pastor has no vote unless there be a tie, and then he has the casting vote-and if the majority of votes are cast against such an offending member, he shall then be denied the privilege of coming to the table of the Lord, until he gives satisfactory evidence of true repentance for his sins, by a genuine reformation of his life, according to the order and requirements of the New Testament.
To the above Constitution, We, the Church-Council and church- members, herewith subscribe our names :
Henry Titzel, John Ritter, Michael Loy,
George Loy, John Kretzing,
Jacob Hartman,
Henry Shoemaker, Jacob Manl,
Joseph Tressler,
Frederick Dumm, Jacob Bernheisel, Henry Kell,
Henry Trostel, Adam Swarner,
David Tressler, Henry Klein, John Loy,
John Wormly,
John Shatto.
4¥
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
The above Constitution has long since become obsolete, and on the basis of it, a few years ago, a new one was adopted, with the provision, that each congregation manage its own affairs, accord- ing to the government and discipline of the General Synod of each denomination.
In April, 1828, Rev. Heim moved from near Mifflintown, Juniata County, to Loysville, Perry County, and took possession there of the parsonage bought the previous year; about this time, also, he ceased to preach at Lewistown, and in Decatur Township northeast of Lewistown, and, instead of those congregations, he soon after added to his charge the congregation in Fishing Creek Valley, and St. Andrew's (Shuman's) near Ickesburg, both in Perry County. Thus his pastoral labors in Mifflin County ceased. In 1830, Rev. George Yeager took charge of the congregation at Lewistown, and the churches therewith associated.
In May, 1828, a class of about forty catechumens were at Loysville admitted to full communion by the rite of confirmation, of whom the following were a few :
Frederick Hartman,
Miss Mary Stambaugh,
John Trostel,
" Susan Bernheisel,
Charles Dunkelberger,
" Mary Zeigler,
William Loy,
Julian Kremer,
Miss Phebe Shull,
Catharine Kremer,
Miss Elizabeth Notestein,
Catharine Hallman,
" Rebecca Rice,
Mary Klein.
Hannah Dunkelberger,
In October, 1828, Rev. Heim reported at Synod, convened at York, Pa., 8 congregations, 260 infant baptisms, 81 confirmations, 606 communicants, 35 deaths, 6 schools, and $25 collected for the Synodical Treasury.
Mr. Casper Wolf, of the congregation at Loysville, as lay delegate of the charge, attended Synod in October, 1829, at Bed- ford, Pa. At this Convention of Synod, Rev. Heim reported 8 congregations, 264 infant baptisms, 98 confirmations, 746 com-
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CHAPTER I.
municants, 39 deaths, and $22 collected for the Treasury of Synod. At this time Synod organized an Education and Mis- sionary Society, of whose Executive Committee Mr. George Loy of Loysville was elected a member. Synod elected Rev. Heim to represent it, as delegate in the General Synod, whose sessions he also attended at Hagerstown, Md. He was a great friend and advocate of the General Synod.
Though two classes of catechumens were confirmed at Loysville between 1828 and 1833, we have not been able to ascertain the number of each class, nor the names of those who were confirmed.
In October, 1830, Mr. Nicholas Ickes, as delegate of the charge, accompanied Rev. Heim to Synod, held at Greencastle, Pa. At this time Rev. Heim reported 8 congregations, 267 infant bap- tisms, 65 confirmations, 684 communicants, 31 funerals, 8 week- day-schools, 4 Sunday-schools, and $25 14 for the Synodical Treasury. He exerted himself very much to have a Sunday-school established in connection with each of his congregations, and gradually succeeded in his efforts. At this Convention of Synod he also heartily advocated the passage of the following resolution, which he religiously observed at home : "Resolved, That we will observe the 21st of November, of this year, as a day of prayer for the extension of the kingdom of God, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the congregations in our charge." At this Convention of Synod he was elected a director of the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa., for the term of five years. As long as he lived, he took a deep interest in the prosperity of the insti- tutions of learning at Gettysburg.
Synod convened in October, 1831, at Indiana, Indiana County, Pa., when Rev. Heim reported 8 congregations, 237 infant and 40 adult baptisms, 38 confirmations, 648 communicants, 50 fune- rals, 8 week-day schools,.4 Sunday-schools, and $25 20 collected for the Synodical Treasury. He also reported the following regular congregations as constituting his charge at this time, namely, Mifflintown, Tuscarora (near Perryville, and both in Juniata County), Lebanon, Bloomfield, Zion (at Blain), St. Peter's, Liver- pool, and St. Michael's in Foutz's Valley. Besides these, he
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
also preached regularly at Zion's Church in Fishing Creek Valley, and at St. Andrew's (Shuman's) near Ickesburg. Reiber's Church or school-house, in Perry County, was reported as vacant .*
Synod convened at Hanover, York County, Pa., in October, 1832. Mr. Philip Fusselman of the Loysville congregation took his seat in this convention as lay delegate of the charge. Rev. Heim was elected Treasurer of Synod. He reported this time 8 congregations, 228 infant and 20 adult baptisms, 125 confirma- tions, 800 communicants, 33 funerals, 8 week-day schools, 6 Sun- day-schools, $20 for the Synodical Treasury, and $37 33 for mis- sionary and educational purposes. At this meeting of Synod, a committee reported as follows: " No. 7 is a petition of the con- gregation at Lewistown, praying Synod to enlarge that pastoral charge, and thus enable it to support a pastor. Your committee would recommend that this petition be read before Synod." The petition was read, and then Synod " Resolved, That Rev. Heim, at the expiration of his current pastoral year, cede the Mifflintown and Tuscarora congregations to the Lewistown charge." With this resolution Rev. Heim complied at the close of his current pastoral year, which was in May, 1833, and ceased also, at the same time, to preach at St. Michael's in Foutz's Valley and at Liverpool, so that, till the next meeting of Synod, his pastoral labors were wholly confined to that part of Perry County lying southwest of the Juniata.
In 1832, Rev. Heim was chosen one of the first Trustees of Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, Pa.
In the spring of 1833, a large class of catechumens was con- firmed at Loysville. Of this class the following are the only names that could be remembered :
* Reiber's (German, Raüber's) Church, or rather school-house, was built more than fifty years ago for church and school purposes, and the Lutherans had preaching here occasionally, and perhaps at times regularly, till about 1830. It is located in Spring Township, an old-looking building, with an old and large graveyard adjoining it. Not Lutherans, but others still preach occasionally here. When the Pisgah Church was built, about two miles east of Reiber's, the members generally united with the former, and abandoned the latter as worth very little.
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CHAPTER I.
F. W. Heim,
Miss Mary Wolf,
Levi Hollenbach,
Julian Shaeffer,
William Bernheisel,
Frances Ebert,
Joseph Dunkelberger,
Mary A. Billman,
John Stump,
Margaret Burrell,
Henry Titzel,
Mary A. Ickes,
Miss Catharine Heim,
Maria Wormley.
" Elizabeth Briner,
After the confirmation of this class, we have not been able to ascertain the names and numbers of the four or five large classes of catechumens who were admitted to communion in the interval between 1833 and 1843.
In October, 1833, Synod met at Mifflinburg, Union County, Pa. Mr. Henry Shoemaker, as lay delegate, represented the charge. Rev. Heim reported 4 congregations,* 257 infant and 11 adult baptisms, 41 confirmations, 783 communicants, 27 fu- nerals, 4 week-day schools, 4 Sunday-schools, $24 93 collected for the Treasury of Synod, and $29 10} for missionary and bene- ficiary educational purposes. In the minutes of this convention of Synod, we find the following action on two petitions from Ju- niata County :
" Two petitions from the congregations at Mifflintown and Tus- carora were presented. The first, subscribed by forty members of said congregations, prays Synod to annul the resolution on their minutes of last year, according to which, Rev. Mr. Heim was no longer to serve those congregations, and to grant them the privi- lege of retaining him as their pastor. The second petition, also subscribed by thirty-nine members of the same congregations, praying for the service of Rev. Mr. Weyl, of Lewistown. Dele- gates from these congregations being present, and after hearing
* Why he did not, at this time, report six congregations, we cannot tell. He certainly preached regularly to the following organized congregations, viz. : Zion at Blain, Loysville, St. Peter's, St. Andrew's, Bloomfield, and Mount Zion on Fishing Creek. It may be he considered two of these con- gregations as only preaching stations.
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
the grounds of their petitions, and duly considering all the cir- cumstances, on motion, it was
" Resolved, That Rev. Mr. Heim continue to preach for these congregations in the German language, and that Rev. Mr. Weyl serve them in the English language."
According to this action of Synod, Rev. Heim preached once more, but only during the ensuing year, in Juniata County.
Synod met in October, 1834, at Somerset, Pa. Mr. Samuel . Ickes attended as delegate from the Loysville charge. Rev. Heim reported 6 congregations, 153 infant and 2 adult bap- tisms, 94 confirmations, 666 communicants, 23 funerals, 5 week- day schools, 4 Sunday-schools, $11 for the Synodical Treasury, and $34 for missionary and educational purposes. The Seminary at Gettysburg being then somewhat embarrassed with debt, on the circulation of a subscription among the members of Synod, Rev. Heim put down his name for one hundred dollars towards meeting the wants of that theological institution. At this session of Synod, two petitions were also handed in, and disposed of as follows :
" 1. A petition from the Mifflintown and Tuscarora congrega- tions, with forty-six names appended, praying Synod to grant them permission to call a minister who can preach in both languages. 2. A petition from the same congregations, subscribed by forty- six communing members, praying for permission to continue the Rev. Mr. Heim as their pastor. After much consultation on the contents of these letters and the petitions of the congregations, during which the brethren fully expressed their views, on motion it was
" Resolved, That Synod recommend to both brethren, Rev. J. W. Heim and Rev. C. Weyl, to give up said congregations at the end of the year, so that, in connection with other congregations, a new pastorate may be formed ; provided, however, that Brother Weyl continue to visit the congregations until the end of Brother Heim's year."
In accordance with this recommendation of Synod, Rev. Heim ceased to preach in Juniata County, and to the time of his death
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CHAPTER I.
he confined his pastoral labors exclusively to Perry County, serv- ing the following congregations, viz., Zion's, at Blain ; Lebanon, at Loysville ; St. Peter's, in Spring Township; Christ's, at Bloom- field ; St. Andrew's, near Ickesburg; Mount Zion, in Fishing Creek Valley ; to which he added St. John's, near Markelville, in 1840, and Ludolph's (Germany), near Elliottsburg, in 1842. Besides these congregations, he preached also occasionally at preaching stations. It is inconceivable how he could do justice to himself and so many and remote congregations.
Mr. John Wormley, of the Loysville congregation, as delegate, attended Synod in October, 1835, at Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pa. Rev. Heim reported at this convention 4 congrega- tions, 193 infant and 4 adult baptisms, 39 confirmations, 729 com- municants, 23 deaths, 3 Sunday-schools, $9 20 for the Synodical Treasury, and $23 65 for the missionary and educational causes.
In October, 1836, Mr. Henry Shoemaker, of the Loysville con- gregation, attended Synod as delegate at Lewistown, Pa. Rev. Heim now reported 6 congregations, 147 infant and 3 adult bap- tisms, 21 confirmations, 530 communicants, 36 funerals, 3 Sun- day-schools, $13 032 collected for the Treasury of Synod, and $24 for the cause of missions.
Mr. David Tressler, of the congregation at Bloomfield, attended Synod as delegate in September, 1837, at Blairsville, Indiana County, Pa. At this convention of Synod, Rev. Heim reported 6 congregations, 200 infant and 3 adult baptisms, 31 confirma- tions, 611 communicants, 38 funerals, 5 Sunday-schools, $13 37} collected for the Synodical Treasury, $5 for missions, and $18 81 for educational purposes. From the minutes of this session of Synod, we learn that some persons at Loysville preferred charges . against Father Heim. The nature of the charges does not ap- pear. A committee was appointed by Synod to meet at Loysville on the 14th of November, 1837. This committee consisted of Rev. J. G. Schmucker, D.D., Rev. B. Keller, Rev. N. Stroh, and Rev. D. Gottwalt, and Messrs. Sener, of Carlisle, and Hoffman, of Mechanicsburg. These gentlemen met at the time and place designated, and after having carefully investigated the matter of
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
complaint, they pronounced Father Hein clear of all blame, and censured his accusers. The action of the committee was after- wards approved and confirmed by Synod.
In October, 1838, as delegate, Mr. Henry Shoemaker attended Synod at New Berlin, Union County. As the manuscript pro- ceedings of this session of Synod were lost, and only a sketch of them was reproduced from memory, Rev. Heim's report does not appear.
Synod convened in October, 1839, at York, Pa. Mr. Henry Grubb attended as delegate from the charge of Father Heim, who reported 6 congregations, 183 infant and 3 adult baptisms, 41 confirmations, 633 communicants, 25 funerals, 3 Sunday-schools, $18 12} for the Treasury of Synod, and $28 for the cause of be- neficiary education.
Synod met in Pittsburg, Pa., in October, 1840. Father Heim did not attend this convention, nor send a report of his ministerial acts during the year. This was the only instance, during his long ministry, that he failed to take his seat in the annual Synodical convention. But the distance this time was great, and age was also beginning to make its mark on his robust body. Hence he stayed at home, and was for so doing cheerfully excused by his brethren in the ministry.
Mr. D. Minich, of Loysville, as delegate, attended Synod at Boalsburg, Centre County, in October, 1841, when Father Heim reported 6 congregations, 188 infant and 3 adult baptisms, 53 confirmations, 679 communicants, 25 funerals, 3 Sunday-schools, $26 25 collected for beneficiary education, $18 for missionary pur- poses, and $18 38 for the Synodical Treasury.
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