USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > Churches between the mountains : a history of the Lutheran congregations in Perry County, Pennsylvania > Part 9
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In September, 1852, as delegate of the charge, Mr. Christian Long of Newport attended Synod at Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pa.
At a meeting of the different church-councils of the charge, in February, 1853, among others, the following resolutions were passed.
" Resolved, That each congregation furnish a Record-book, a large Bible, and a Hymn-book and Liturgy for its pulpit.
" Resolved, That as infant baptism in the church-edifices has heretofore been neglected, and in order to resuscitate the practice, the officers and members of our congregations be required to aid the minister in reviving it."
On the 19th of March, 1853, after being instructed in the Catechism of the Church, the following persons were confirmed :
Andrew Cless,
George Cless,
Miss Mary .Ann Lenig, " Maria Cless,
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Daniel Cless,
Miss Margaret A. Cless,
William Cless,
“ Mary J. Smeigh,
Carson Hair,
" Ellen E. Smeigh,
William Hair,
" Mary A. Swartz,
Conrad Jumper,
" Eliz. Ellen Miller,
Samuel Foulk,
" Catharine Bumbaugh.
Miss Eliz. Jane Lenig,
Rev. Gerhardt preached to each congregation once every three weeks. At Bloomfield only about one-third of the preaching was required in the German language. Thus in divine worship the German gave way to the English language. After Rev. Ger- hardt's resignation, the charge was vacant about seven months.
Rev. Adam Height
of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pa., having accepted a call, commenced his pastoral labors in the charge on the 1st of March, 1854. He resided at Bloomfield. The charge embraced the same congregations as before, except that Rev. Height preached also occasionally at Millerstown. At Bloomfield only an occasional sermon in the German language was now required. In Septem- ber, 1854, as delegate of the charge, Mr. Henry Harman attended Synod at Shrewsbury, York County, Pa .; and at this time, for reasons not necessary to state, Rev. Mr. Height ceased to exercise the functions of the ministry here, after having served the charge only about seven months .*
On the 5th of June, 1854, the charge bought at Bloomfield of Mr. Conrad Roth, a house, lot, &c., now the Lutheran Parsonage, for eleven hundred dollars.
Rev. David H. Focht
of Chambersburg, Pa., having received and accepted a call from the charge, entered on his ministerial labors on the 1st of June, 1855. On Sunday, May 27th, previous to the commencement of
* See the Minutes of the West Pennsylvania Synod, of September, 1854, p. 42.
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his pastoral year, he preached his introductory sermon at Bloom- field, from Col. 1 : 28, to a large and attentive congregation. This congregation requires preaching in the German language no more. What a change hath time wrought ! only eleven years ago all the preaching in this church was in that language. In this Church your pastor has hitherto preached once every three weeks ; in the new church he will be able to preach oftener. In 1855, the charge consisted of Bloomfield, Newport, St. John's at Mark- elville, Shuman's or St. Andrew's, and Buffalo or Emanuel's church above Ickesburg; and in June, 1856, when the congre- gation at Mansville was organized, it was also added to the charge. Thus the charge consists now (Oct., 1857), of six congregations, and is much too large to enable a man to do justice to himself and his people.
As delegate of the charge, Mr. Henry Titzel attended Synod in September, 1855, at Shippensburg, Pa.
Soon after the present pastor had taken charge of the pastorate, he commenced at Bloomfield to instruct a class of catechumens in the doctrines of our holy religion. A meeting was held, com- mencing on the 6th of November, 1855, and closing on the 20th. During this time the pastor preached every evening, catechized, and sometimes had anxious meeting each day. God blessed his word to the good of the people, and we trust there are many here who can in truth say that they found Jesus precious to their hearts. This was a glorious season of grace from the presence of the Lord. Having been prayerfully instructed, and giving evi- dence of a sincere desire to glorify God, on the 10th of Novem- ber, 1855, the following persons were confirmed :
Henry Rice, David I. Rice, John Rice, Jacob Fritz, John Beaver, Samuel M Ickes, John Sweger,
Mrs. Mary Shade (baptized), Miss Eliz. Cornman (baptized),
" Mary Cornman,
" Catharine Comp,
" Margaret Comp,
" Catharine E. Rice,
" Margaret Rice,
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George W. Stoufer,
Miss Margaret W. Rice,
John Stoufer,
" Sarah Fritz,
Josiah Lenig,
" Ellen Simonton,
Jacob Hair,
" Susan Hair,
Mrs. Sarah Rice,
" Elizabeth Ketner.
Susan Jumper,
May those who were confirmed at this time prove faithful to their covenant vows to the end, and then be received to the bright mansions above ! This is the sincere prayer of their pas- tor. O that God may help each one to run the Christian race with patience, ever trusting in Jesus as a present Savior, and finally through grace receive the crown of glory ! God bless you, my dear catechumens !
" How blest the sacred tie that binds, In union sweet, according minds, How swift the heav'nly course they run, Whose hearts, whose faith, whose hopes are one."
On the 1st of December, 1855, the subscription for the erec- tion of a new church was started. Of this we will soon give a full account.
A number of others were found willing to attend catechetical lectures, who were faithfully instructed for some time. A meet- ing was held from the 11th to the 16th of March, 1856. Rev. J. Evans assisted the pastor on this occasion. Souls were converted to God and the hearts of Christians were made glad in God their Savior. On the 15th of March, 1856, the following persons were confirmed :
John Jumper,
John Frantz,
William Bumbaugh,
Samuel Messimer (baptized),
Mrs. Elizabeth Clouser,
" Christiana Rice,
Miss M. E. Everhart (baptized),
Miss F. Eliz. Landis (baptized),
" Catharine Clouser
" Elizabeth Clouser
" Sarah Jane Tressler,
" Hannah Jane Beaver,
" Sarah Ellen Beaver,
" Catharine Huss.
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May you, my dear friends, never forget the hymn you united in singing around the throne of grace when about sealing your covenant with God :
" I love thy Zion, Lord ! The house of thine abode ; The church, O blest Redeemer, sav'd With thine own precious blood," &c.
On the 29th of June, 1856, Mr. Israel Messimer and his wife Catharine were received as members by certificate.
In September, 1856, Mr. John Wilson of Newport, as delegate of the charge, attended Synod at Chambersburg, Pa., when by a resolution of the West Pennsylvania Synod, the Bloomfield charge became connected with the Synod of Central Pennsylvania.
Having attended a series of lectures on the Catechism, the following persons were confirmed on the 11th of October, 1856:
Philip Roth, Henry Shaffer,
Miss Catharine Shaffer, " Lydia Ann Sweger.
" Awake, my soul, stretch ev'ry nerve, And press with vigor on ; A heav'nly race demands thy zeal, And an immortal crown."
In January, 1857, a meeting of ten days' continuance was held. Rev. C. Kuhl preached five sermons on the occasion. A number of persons professed to have experienced a change of heart during this meeting.
In March following a meeting of eleven days' continuance was held, during which time the pastor preached fourteen sermons. The attendance was good, and some twelve or fifteen professed to have found the pearl of great price. May they grow daily in grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ ! On the 7th of March, 1857, the following sisters were confirmed :
Miss Wilhelmina Kain and Miss Christiana Kain.
May these young sisters prove faithful, and then they have the promise of the crown of life !
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In May, 1857, Mr. Jacob Reisinger, as delegate of the charge, attended Synod at Perryville, Juniata County, Pa.
On the 23d of August, Mrs. Catharine A. Tressler was received as a member by certificate.
The weekly prayer-meeting and the Sabbath-school have thus far been regularly kept up and have generally been well attended. May they prosper more and more and prove a great blessing to many souls !
And now, my brethren, we have to this time somewhat minutely traced the history of this church and congregation. To-day, October 4th, 1857, we worship within these walls for the last time. Sixty years have they stood and echoed the minister's voice, and served as a temple of God to many souls; but soon they will be levelled with the ground and be no more. It becomes us well at this time to " remember the days of old." Here your fathers worshipped in singing hymns and offering prayers to God; but their spirits have long since gone to the eternal world and their bodies to the silent grave. This house, also, which they erected, will soon be no more. The old must give way to the new. And here, in infancy, many of you were dedicated to God in holy baptism. Here you first heard the story of the Cross pro- claimed by the servant of God. Here, at this altar, you renewed your covenant vows on bended knees with tears and fervent prayers. Here the heart of many of you was renewed by the Holy Ghost, and here you first recorded the Lord's dying love in the holy Lord's Supper. How solemn this place ! With this house many of you have grown old; and, O, how many of your brethren, who were wont to assemble with you here, have preceded you to the world of spirits ! Your aged pastor, Father Heim, who preached Jesus to you so long from this pulpit, has long since been silenced by death. And after this day, this pulpit will be ascended by the minister of the Gospel no more; these walls will resound with hymns of praise no more; from this place prayers will ascend the hill of the Lord no more; and crowds of attentive hearers will throng these seats to listen to the glorious Gospel of the Son of God no more. All, all will soon pass away like a
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dream and be no more. But though we must part with this con- secrated house, this temple of God, we will not, no, we cannot forget it. Whilst life and memory endure, we will remember Zion. Our earliest, liveliest, holiest, and most sacred and cherished recollections of divine worship are associated with this house of God. Here our eyes were often bathed in tears of sorrow and joy, and here we found Jesus unspeakably precious to our hearts. But we must part with our aged house of God. So then, adieu ye sacred walls,-aged house of God, adieu ! We bless God that thou didst serve us so long and so well.
Let us now go hence, resolved by the grace of God to enter the new house of worship with better hearts and renewed spiritual strength, so that when we have accomplished our work on earth, we may enter that house, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, whose builder and maker is God. The Lord grant it for Jesus' sake. Amen .*
On Thursday, the 10th of December, 1857, some of the nem- bers of both denominations met and tore down the seats, pulpit, board-ceiling, gallery, and tore up the floor, &c., of the old church, and divided the lumber equally between them. For twenty dollars the Lutheran Trustees then sold to the German Reformed their half of the naked wall and roof, which were soon after also pulled down and used by the Reformed for various purposes. This was the end of the old, log, Union church.
CHRIST'S LUTHERAN CHURCH.
The old Union church having become dilapidated and in winter uncomfortable, the want of a new, larger, more convenient, and entirely Lutheran church had been deeply felt for some time. After some deliberation the following heading of a subscription for the erection of such a church was drawn up and circulated with encouraging success :
" We, the undersigned subscribers, promise to pay the respec- tive sums opposite our names towards the erection of a Lutheran Church at New Bloomfield, Perry County, Pa., to be used for the
* So far the discourse.
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preaching of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the Old and New Testament, our only infallible rule of faith and practice. Dec. 1st, A.D. 1855."
On the 18th of January, 1856, according to previous notice, the members of the Lutheran congregation met in the old Union church to elect a Building Committee and consult on other matters pertaining to the erection of the new church. A hymn was sung. The pastor then offered a prayer, after which he stated the object of the meeting. The vote being taken, it was found that the following brethren were unanimously elected the build- ing committee, viz., Samuel Comp, Dr. Jonas Ickes, Henry Rice, John Beaver, Sen., and Jacob Stoufer. This committee was then instructed to consult with the German Reformed brethren re- specting the propriety of dividing, equally, the ground on the southeast front of the graveyard, held jointly by the two denomi- nations ; to see other churches and lay before the congregation the plan of the proposed new church ; to contract for the erection of the new church edifice; and, finally, to superintend the erec- tion of the new church, and see to it that it be built according to the contract. Without delay, the committee entered on the dis- charge of their duty with energy and unanimity.
According to previous announcement, the Elders, Deacons, and Trustees of both denominations met in the old Union church on the 28th of February, 1856, to divide the ground held jointly by the Lutherans and German Reformed. Dr. Jonas Ickes was chosen President and Rev. Samuel Kuhn Secretary of the Convention, and the following action was had :
"The President of the meeting, Dr. Jonas Ickes, stated that the object of the meeting was the equal division of that part of the church lot, and of the church edifice thereon erected, bounded on the south by High Street, east by an alley and the school- house, north by the lower or southern graveyard fence, and west by lands of Samuel Klinepeter. On due deliberation the follow- ing resolutions were adopted :
" Resolved, 1. That the ground above described, which was the joint property of the German Reformed and Lutheran congrega-
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tions, be divided equally between said congregations, after cutting off an alley on the east sixteen feet wide, and also one on the west twelve feet wide, in order that each of the said denominations may employ and use said ground, when so divided, for the purpose of holding and using church edifices as their exclusive property.
" Resolved, 2. That the division line is to be occupied by a fence to be built and kept in repair at the equal expense of the . two congregations named.
" Resolved, 3. That neither of the two churches be built in from the alleys more than five feet.
" Resolved, 4. That the German Reformed church edifice shall be built on the extreme west end and the Lutheran church edifice on the extreme east end of said lots, alleys and spaces excepted as stated in the 1st and 3d resolutions.
" Resolved, 5. That the error in the deed, relating to the right of the Lutheran congregation to a piece of ground purchased jointly by the German Reformed and Lutheran congregations for the use of an additional burying-ground, be so amended and cor- rected in the deeds of conveyance as that the Lutheran congre- gation may be recognized as joint owner of said piece of land.
" Resolved, 6. That within the space of two years, dating from the first of April, A.D. 1856, to the first of April, A.D. 1858, the old church building, now standing on the above named pro- perty and known as the 'Union church,' shall be taken down and all the material equally divided between the two congre- gations owning it.
" Resolved, 7. That the Trustees of both congregations be in- structed to employ Daniel Gantt, Esq., to survey the ground and make the deeds of conveyance forthwith, and that the expenses thereof be defrayed equally by the two congregations.
" The minutes having been read, they were, on motion, unani- mously approved. The meeting adjourned indefinitely.
Signed, " JONAS ICKES,
" President.
" SAMUEL KUHN,
" Secretary."
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On the 3d of May, the same year, the building committee con- tracted with Messrs. William Stoufer and Thomas Sutch, Jr., for the erection of the Lutheran church-edifice. Dr. Ickes wrote the article of agreement .*
On the 5th of May the building committee and contractors met, and, assisted by D. Gantt, Esq., in the use of the compass, staked ' off the ground on which to erect the church-edifice. On the 5th of September following, the bricklayers commenced to raise the wall.
The laying of the corner-stone.
On Friday evening, the 19th of September, 1856, the Rev. Joseph R. Focht preached in the old Union church from Jere- miah 8 : 20.'
On Saturday, the 20th, at the same place, the Rev. Joshua Evans preached at 10 o'clock, A.M., a suitable discourse from 1 Pet. 2 : 5. After the delivery of the sermon, about seventy dol- lars were obtained by subscription and collection. The assembly proceeded then to the foundation of the new church-edifice. Here a hymn was sung. The pastor then read the usual liturgical les- son, and announced the names of the documents deposited in the east corner-stone. The following paper was read, and the docu- ments mentioned therein were deposited with it in the corner-stone :
" In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.
" 1. The Lutheran congregation at New Bloomfield, Perry County, Pennsylvania, having deeply felt the want of a new, larger, and more convenient house of worship, resolved, in reli- ance on the aid of God and for the promotion of His glory, to erect this house, wherein the pure Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is to be preached, and the sacraments of the New Testa- ment administered in accordance with the inspired Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, our only infallible guide in matters of faith and practice.
* To the great regret of the congregation and remaining members of the Building Committee, soon after this Dr. Ickes moved to Monmouth, State of Illinois.
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"2. The doctrines to be preached and taught in this church shall be in strict and full agreement with the doctrinal basis of the General Synod of the Lutheran Church in the United States, viz., the doctrinal articles of the Augsburg Confession, which, though subordinate to the Holy Scriptures, we believe do teach the fundamental doctrines of the word of God. Every doctrine, or shade of doctrine, which in anywise deviates from or conflicts with this creed or basis of the General Synod of the Lutheran Church in the United States, is hereby excluded from this house.
"3. The Formula of the General Synod of the Lutheran Church in the United States for government and discipline, or a constitution in no way conflicting with said Formula, is and shall always be the rule for the government and discipline of the con- gregation worshipping in this church.
" 4. This house we build with an eye single to the glory of the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for our present and eternal good, the good of our children and successors, and the good of the community at large.
" Having thus set forth the rule of our religious belief, the form for our government and discipline, and the design for which we build this house-
" Be it therefore known to all to whom these presents shall come, that this, the corner-stone of Christ's Lutheran Church at New Bloomfield, Perry County, Pennsylvania, was laid in the name of the Triune God, on the twentieth day of September, Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, and the eighty- first year of the Independence of the United States of America, Franklin Pierce being President of the United States, and James Pollock Governor of the State of Pennsylvania.
" And when the tooth of time shall have demolished these walls, and all those who aided in raising them shall have gone to their graves, may those, who shall uncover this stone, learn from this document the religious belief and benevolent design of their forefathers, and be thereby incited to prosecute and extend the great and glorious cause of the Divine Redeemer, to whom with
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the Father and Holy Ghost be given praise and honor, thanks- giving and glory, now and forever. Amen.
"1. The ministers present are :
Rev. David H. Focht, Pastor loci.
Rev. Joseph R. Focht, Pastor of the Dillsburg Lutheran charge, York County, Pa.
Rev. Joshua Evans, Pastor of the Newville Lutheran charge, Cumberland County, Pa.
Rev. Samuel Kuhn, Pastor of the German Reformed church at New Bloomfield, Perry County, Pa.
"2. The church-council consists of the following persons :
Rev. D. H. Focht, ex officio chairman.
John Beaver, Sen., 1 Elders. Jacob Stoufer,
Samuel Comp, r Deacons.
William Lenig,
David Tressler, -
"3. The following are the building committee :
Samuel Comp, John Beaver, Sen., Henry Rice, and Jacob Stoufer.
" 4. The contractors are : Messrs. William Stoufer and Thomas Sutch, Jr.
"5. The documents deposited with this paper are the following :
"1. The Holy Bible (English). 2. The Lutheran Hymn-Book (English, revised edition, miniature). 3. Luther's Smaller Cate- chism (English, General Synod's 6th edition). 4. Proceedings of the 31st Convention of the West Pennsylvania Synod. 5. The Lutheran Observer of Sept. 19th, 1856. 6. The Lutheran Al- manac (English) for 1856. 7. A copy of each of the county papers, viz. : a. The People's Advocate and Perry County Demo- crat of Sept. 17th, 1856; b. The Perry County Freeman of Sept. 18th, 1856; c. The Perry County Democrat of Sept. 18th, 1856."
The documents being all deposited, Rev. S. Kuhn offered a prayer to God for His blessing on the exercises. A hymn was then sung, after which Rev. J. Evans dismissed the assembly by pronouncing the apostolic benediction. Thus ended the exercises connected with the laying of the corner-stone.
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On the 23d of October the bricklayers finished the walls. The building was then put under roof and closed in. Thus it stood till the spring of 1857. The spire and rod were put up in June, and on the 20th of October, 1857, the church being now ready for consecration, the building committee and contractors made a final settlement. The contractors received three thousand dollars for their work. The congregation found the bell, the lamps, and all the furniture; and the basement was as yet left unfinished.
Consecration of the Church.
On Thursday evening, the 22d of October, 1857, the Rev. P. Willard preached the first sermon in the new church, from Matt. 25 :46. " And these shall go away into everlasting punish- ment." Theme : The burial of the soul. On Friday, 23d, at 10 o'clock, A.M., Rev. George A. Nixdorff preached from Psalm 135 : 3-5. This evening, Rev. P. Willard preached from Prov. 3 : 15. Theme : The value of religion: A large congregation was in attendance. On Saturday, the 24th, at 10 o'clock, A.M., the Rev. B. Kurtz, D.D., LL.D., preached from Matt. 20 : 29-34. The two blind men. This evening, the Rev. J. Evans preached from John 16 : 19, 20. On Sunday, the 25th, at 10 o'clock, A.M., Rev. Dr. Kurtz preached the dedication sermon to a densely crowded congregation, from Matt. 6 : 10, " Thy kingdom come." . About eight hundred dollars were then secured by subscription and collection ; but as over a thousand dollars were required to cover all liabilities, and as it was deemed inconsistent to dedicate the house to God so long as the expenses thereof were not met, the dedication services were deferred till evening. This evening, the Rev. P. M. Rightmyer preached from Psalm 137 : 5-6. Subscriptions and a collection were then obtained to the amount of two hundred and twenty-eight dollars. All liabilities being thus met by the liberality of the people, the pastor proceeded to consecrate the church by the distinguishing name, Christ's Evan- gelical Lutheran Church, to the service of God, according to the consecration formula in our Liturgy. Rev. J. Evans offered the dedicatory prayer. To-day the church could not near contain all
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the people assembled. The work is done; bless the Lord, O, my soul ! This evening, Dr. Kurtz preached also in the Presbyterian church at Bloomfield. On Monday evening, the 26th, the pastor preached from Heb. 11 : 13, " And pilgrims on earth." Here ended the exercises connected with the dedication of the new church.
This is a neat and well-built brick church-edifice, fifty-eight feet long by forty-three feet wide, has a basement forty feet square, a Gothic front, is surmounted by a tall spire and sweet-toned bell, is eligibly located, and reflects much credit on the taste and skill of the architects and on the liberality of the congregation. The internal arrangement is tasteful and judicious.
Having attended a series of lectures on the Catechism of the Church, and being found possessed of the requisite qualifications, on the 14th of November, 1857, Mrs. Louisa Woods was received as a member by certificate, and the following persons were confirmed :
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