History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 129

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards
Number of Pages: 1418

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By a petition for a road presented to court on January 4, 1819, it would appear that shortly before, a "mineral water" was discovered on land of Charles Kessler, about one mile and a half to the eastward of Reading, which was con- sidered " as an efficacious remedy for many dis- orders," having been used for some time prev- iously by a great many persons as a medicine. On this account the public-house near by, in the occupancy of Jacob Schneider, was expected to become a place of great resort, and not having a road to reach it conveniently, the court was therefore asked to lay one out, which was done. This place has been a resort for the people ever since. The Democrats for many years annually celebrated the "Fourth of July," drank toasts and delivered speeches there. The mineral spring is abandoned, not having been suffi- ciently strong to be of any profit.

STREET RAILWAYS.

READING CITY .- In 1873 the Reading City Passenger Railway Company was incorporated with the following members : George R. Frill, James Millholland, David McKnight, George W. Bruckman and William H. Parvin. The railway was laid in 1874 on Sixth Street, from Canal Street north wardly to Robeson, and thence to the Evans Cemetery, the first cars having been run in August of that year. The company has continued to operate the road successfully since. It owns four miles of track, seventy horses and twenty-one cars. In 1884 it carried four hundred and twenty-one thousand nine hundred and sixty-one passengers.

PERKIOMEN, AVENUE .-- The company for laying this street railway was first incorporated in 1873, under the name of Penn Street Passenger Railway Company, the petition having been sub-

scribed by two hundred and five citizens and property-holders along Penn Street; and the right was given to construct a street railway on Penu Street from Front to Eleventh, thence on Perkiomen Avenue to Nineteenth Street. Then an organization was effected and the railway laid in 1874. But the road was not operated successfully for a number of years; then it passed into the possession of the Central Pas- senger Railway Company, which also failed to carry it on to advantage. In 1881 the Perkiomen Avenue Passenger Railway Company was or- ganized, when it purchased the road, cars, etc. It has operated the road successfully since. In 1884 it carried three hundred and seventy-four thousand seven hundred and seven passengers. The length of the road is two miles ; and it has in use fifteen cars and forty-two horses.

PART VI.

CHURCHES.

LUTHERAN CHURCHES.

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH. - The records of Trinity Church begin with 1751, and the first entry is the baptism of Henry, son of Abra- ham and Margaret Brosius, born August 20th, and baptized August 24th, by Rev. Tobias Wagner, who served congregations in a some- what irregular manner in this and neighboring counties. Religious services, at first, were held in private houses, but steps were speedily taken for the erection of a church-building. A meeting of members for this purpose was held on the festival of Epiphany, January 6, 1752, and Peter Schneider and John Oerlin were ap- pointed a building committee, and at the same time Peter Schneider, Christian Brentzer, Wil- liam Marx and Abraham Brosius were re- elected church officers, which latter statement shows that an organization had previously been effected. The building was begun in the spring of 1752 on a lot of ground situated on the northwest corner of Prince and Thomas Streets (now Sixth and Washington Streets). It was located on the western part of the ground, where the parsonage now stands, was built of logs and was surmounted with a steeple having

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

a bell. The patent to the congregation for the lots Nos. 406 and 407 was not issued until 1754. A delegate was sent to the meeting of the Evangelical Lutheran Ministerium, held in October, 1752, with a petition signed by eighty-two members, praying " that a member of that reverend body might be appointed to deliver the first sermon in the newly-erected church, and also to set things in good order in the congregation." Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlen- berg was accordingly appointed, and he preached the first sermon in the church on October 15, 1752. The church was consecrated on Trinity Sunday, June 17, 1753, and received the name "The Holy Trinity Church." On that occa- sion the following church officers were in- stalled: Peter Schneider, Philip Jacob Mayer, Wilhelm Marx, Henry Hahn, Peter Weiser, Christian Barchmann, Eberhard Martin, Henry Reitmyer, Frederick Wendisch, Michael Fich- thorn, Jurg Sauerbrey, Alexander Klinger, Peter Drompor and John Kissinger, together with J. Spengler and A. Reissle, from Alsace, and Martin Gerich, from Schartzwald (Exeter).

Presents to the new church, consisting of pulpit and altar coverings, sacramental vessels, collection plates, etc., are recorded as having been made by Christian Brentzer and his wife Catharine, Eberhard Martin, Anna K. Sauer- milch, Philip J. Rohrbauscht, Master Trury and the congregations at Lancaster and Phila.

Pastoral changes were frequent in the early history of the congregation and the records kept are often fragmentary. The following served the congregation during the last century : Rev. H. B. G. Wordman, in 1752; Rev. D. Schuhmacker, in 1754-55; Rev. J. C. Hart- wig, in 1757; Rev. - Hauseil, 1759-62; Rev. J. A. Krug, 1764-71; Rev. Henry Moller, in 1775; Rev. D. Lehman, 1779-80 ; Rev. Charles Frederick Wildbahn, 1782-96; and Rev. D. Lehman (the second time), 1796 to 1801. Notwithstanding these frequent changes, and the distress which prevailed during and subsequent to the Revolutionary War, the congregation grew in numbers and wealth, and in 1790 determined to erect the large and stately edifice now standing on the north west corner of Sixth and Washingtou Streets. The

erection of a building of such dimensions, strength and beauty, at that early date, bears testimony to the enlarged ideas, culture and liberality of the congregation and its pastor, Rev. C. F. Wildbahn. The subscription list was started in 1790, the corner-stone was laid in 1791 and the building completed in 1793, with the exception of the spire, which was not added until 1831. The dimensions are one hundred feet long by sixty-one feet wide, and originally the church had but one floor, with three doors of entrance on Washington Street and one on Sixth Street.

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH (1886).

In 1803 Rev. Henry A. Muhlenberg, son of Rev. Dr. H. E. Muhlenberg, of Lancaster, and grandson of Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, the patriarch of the Lutheran Church in America, accepted a call and took charge of this congregation. He married into the family of Governor Hiester, and his high social position and eminent talents gave a new impulse to the congregation. His call, still in possession of his son, Dr. H. H. Muhlenberg, provided for English preaching every fourth Sunday, the services previous to that date having been en- tirely in the German language. The number of worshippers on these occasions was quite small, and after several years the German language was again used in all the services.

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Mr. Muhlenberg was the longest settled pastor the congregation ever had, his ministry con- tinuing twenty-six years, until 1829, when he was chosen to represent this district in Congress.

He was succeeded by Rev. Jacob Miller, D.D., who took charge of the congregation in May, 1829, and died in May, 1850, having faithfully served the church for twenty-one years.

During his pastorate, about 1831-33, the very fine spire, which is still the pride of the city and its most prominent landmark, was erected, and two large bells placed therein ad- ditional to the smaller one which had been in use whilst the first church was yet standing. This first bell was cast by Henry Kapple, in Philadelphia, in 1755, and for many years was rung daily at eight A.M. and at noon, the cus- tom continuing as late as 1844. When St. Luke's Chapel was built, this bell was placed upon it and used about ten years, when it became cracked and was replaced in the tower of Trin- ity Church, where it is kept as a relic of "ye olden time." The spire of the church is over two hundred feet in height, and for a long while was the highest in the State.

In 1842 a number of members who desired services in the English language withdrew and organized St. Matthew's congregation. This led to the call, in the fall of the same year, of Rev. F. A. M. Keller as assistant pastor, who was to officiate in the English language. He entered immediately on his duties. From that time the morning services were held by Dr. Miller in the German language, and the evening ser- vices by Mr. Keller in the English language. Rev. John W. Richards, D.D., was chosen pas- tor after the death of Dr. Miller. He was a native of Reading, and a grandson of the Patri- arch Muhlenberg. As he was able to officiate in both languages, the services of the English assistant were dispensed with, upon which action a large number of the friends of Mr. Keller withdrew and organized in 1851 St. James' Lu- theran congregation.

At a meeting of the vestry held November 2, 1850, it was determined to make extensive alterations in the church edifice, fitting it up in modern style and making better arrangements

for the Sunday-school and weekly meetings. The improvements were completed by the mid- dle of the following summer and the church was reconsecrated on July 27, 1851.

The building was very materially altered in its arrangements, but not in its dimensions, the great height of the church allowing a basement story of eleven feet high to be formed by put- ting a second floor in, and still leaving a height of thirty feet for the main auditorium, and giv- ing space on the first floor for a large Sunday- school room and a lecture-room. The chancel, with pulpit and altar richly furnished, was placed at the eastern end of the building, frosted glass put in the windows, the walls frescoed in a very superior manner by an Italian artist then in this country, and the entire building reno- vated and beautified at an expense of about ten thousand dollars.

Dr. Richards entered on his duties March 16, 1851, and his sudden death on January 24, 1854, was universally lamented. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. John N. Hoffman, who served the congregation from September 3, 1854, until his deatlı, which occurred July 26, 1857. The congregation had grown very large, and many believed the time had come for a division on the basis of language, but various difficulties prevented its immediate consummation. Rev. F. J. F. Shantz, who had just entered the ministry, was called as a supply and on November 28, 1857, was elected pastor. He officiated in both languages for two years, when Rev. J. J. Kuen- dig was called as assistant to preach in the Ger- man language. This arrangement continued but one year, when the division or separation of the English and German portions of the con- gregation took place. The old grave-yard at Sixth and Walnut Streets was sold, and with the proceeds the German portion erected St. John's German Lutheran Church, and Trinity Church became exclusively English in its ser- vices. Shortly after the separation, Rev. Mr. Schantz resigned (in January, 1861), and on March 9th Rev. C. Rightmyer was chosen pas- tor and served the congregation until the sum- mer of 1864, when his resignation was accepted.

Rev. Jacob Fry, the present pastor, was elected on Christmas day, 1864, and entered on

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

his duties February 1, 1865. He is the son of Hon. Jacob Fry, of Montgomery County, who represented that district in Congress for several terms, and more recently was auditor-general of Pennsylvania. A large number of families who had left the church on account of the strifes and troubles which for some years disturbed the congregation, returned, and very large ac- cessions were made to its membership. Some six hundred families are now connected with it, the communicant members numbering over twelve hundred, and one thousand teachers and scholars are connected with the Sunday-school. Mr. Fry is a graduate of Union College, New York, and the title of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by his Alma Mater in 1873. He has occupied many prominent positions in the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, which which the congregation is connected, and has succeeded in developing a great degree of enterprise and liberality in the congregation. His pastorate has extended twenty-two years, and is second in duration only to that of Mr. Muhlenberg. During his time the venerable church has twice been renovated, -- the first time in 1873, when the entire basement was thrown into one large room for the Sunday-school, and the chapel on the north side of the church was erected for week-day services, business meetings and the Infant and Secondary Departments of the Sun- day-school. At the same time the church was repainted and recarpeted, stained glass put into the windows, and the magnificent organ pur- chased which is now in use. It has three banks of keys, forty-four registers and two thousand pipes, the bellows being operated by a water- motor. The cost of the organ was six thousand dollars, the chapel about the same sum and the other improvements brought the total expense to fifteen thousand dollars, all of which was raised by Dr. Fry's personal efforts.

The second renovation was made in 1881, when the walls were re-frescoed, the church re- painted, the pews upholstered and new carpets laid, stained glass windows put in the vestibules and Sunday-school rooms, and a large ventila- tor in the ceiling of the church. The expense of these improvements was about six thousand dollars, all of which was secured at a single

service before the work began. The congrega- tion has manifested also a most commendable missionary spirit during Dr. Fry's ministry, and 'has erected no less than five mission churches or chapels in various parts of the city in this time.

As a memento of the Seventh Jubilee of the Reformation, the congregation and Sunday- school built a chapel on North Ninth Street, beyond Buttonwood Street, in 1867-68. The building and ground cost about three thousand eight hundred dollars. This was subsequently enlarged and became St. Luke's Lutheran Church, of which Rev. F. K. Huntzinger is now pastor.

In 1876, as a memento of the centennial of American Independence, Grace Church, a stately brick structure on South Eleventh Street, above Franklin, was begun, and in 1878 finished at a cost of eighteen thousand dollars for building and ground. A congregation was organized in 1878, with Rev. W. H. Myers as pastor.

In 1885 three chapels were erected in the suburbs of Reading for the accommodation of the three mission-schools of the congregation- Peace Chapel in North Reading, Faith Chapel in Woodvale in East Reading, and Hope Chapel in the northwestern part of the city, on Schuyl- kill Avenue, above the Lebanon Valley Rail- road. They are exactly alike, built in part of brick, beveled siding and slate, with Gothic roof and tower. A large school-room, infant class- room, vestry room and vestibule make up the in- terior arrangement. The buildings and furniture cost about seven thousand five hundred dollars, and the grounds two thousand dollars more. They were commenced in May and completed in September the same year. Although erected for mission-school purposes, the demand for preaching services became so great that in No- vember Dr. Fry secured the services of Rev. L. J. Bickel to take pastoral charge of them, and public services have since been held in them on alternate Sundays.

Vestry for 1886 .- Elders, Charles Hahn, P. S. Ermold, L. H. Liess; Trustees, Hon. J. Hagenman, J. K. Grim, William A. Arnold; Deacons, E. Burk- holder, E. C. Eben, A. N. Kissinger, E. W. Gilbert, J. P. Sellers, J. H. Lutz, H. G. Young, H. J. Fisher and H. A. Heckman.

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Total communicant Lutherans in Reading number five thousand.

A Sunday-school has been successfully con- ducted in connection with the church since 1830. The number of scholars attending school averages nine hundred and fifty every Sunday. Mr. H. M. M. Richards is the superintendent. The three mission-schools number four hundred and twenty-five.

A beneficial "brotherhood," together with a " sisterhood," was organized by the pastor about ten years ago, out of members of this congrega- tion, for purposes of mutual relief and sup- port in times of sickness and distress. Members of other Lutheran congregations are also ad- mitted. It has been conducted successfully till now.

During the past winter another new feature was introduced amongst the young members of the congregation for the purpose of affording literary and social entertainment. It was very successful.

ST. MATTHEW'S ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH.1-The St. Matthew's Lutheran congre- gation was organized in 1842. Atthat time Trin- ity Church was the only Lutheran Church in Reading. The German language was used ex- clusively in conducting its services. An applica- tion for the partial introduction by a portion of its English-speaking members for English services, which was refused, originated the de- sire for a separate church.

An organization was formed and a room on

1 The establishment of the common-school system in Reading, after the passage of the act of 1834, gradually led to the development of a sentiment among the citizens for English preaching in the churches where German was used entirely. The progress of the English language through English education was rapid, for in 1840 articles were con- trihuted to the local newspapers in which the subject was discussed with spirit. Among other things, it was said that "it was one of the first principles of Luther that religious services in an unknown tongue were not only use- less to the people, hut, in fact, a mockery to the Creator ; that the business affairs of the town were mostly conducted in English ; that the judicial and legal affairs were alto- gether in English ; and that the laws were promulgated in English ;"' and that it was even asserted " that the German free school was deserted." This subject was kept before the people and agitated. English preaching by Lutheran ministers was had, and finally in 1840 an English Lutheran congregation was organized.

the second story of the "Old State-House" building was rented and occupied until the present church, on Franklin Street, between Fifth and Sixth, was finished in 1844. The Sunday-school was established in 1842 in a rented room on Franklin Street soon after- ward. The Rev. James L. Schoch was elected minister of the church and he also served as the first superintendent of the Sunday-school. He continued to officiate as pastor of the congrega- tion until 1849, and was followed temporarily by Rev. J. Kohler for a time. Rev. J. C. Brown (afterward president of the seminary at Gettysburg) became the next regular pastor, and after him Rev. D. Milton Valentine, the latter serving the congregation until he was elected president of Gettysburg college. The present pastor is Rev. T. C. Billheimer.

An interesting fact connected with the history of St. Matthew's Church is that its establish- ment was strongly opposed on the ground that it was not needed, insisting that the Lntheran Church was German in her origin, history and language, and that she should remain so. With- in the period of forty years, six other Lutheran Churches have been reared, in all of which ex- cepting two the English language is used ex- clusively, including in the enumeration the old Trinity, the mother-church from whence the principal opposition was encounted. Partly from changes in population-in a large degree from the necessity of providing for the young English portion of her membership-she, too, found it expedient to displace the German and substitute the English language to protect her- self from losses by diversions into churches of other denominations. Such have been the re- sults of the contest on the question of language, in which St. Matthew's Church engaged so earnestly and bore so conspicuous a part.

The following-named persons were its first officers :

Dr. Diller Luther. John Hepler.

Peter Filbert. Henry Frey.

Henry Hahs. Frederick Fox.

Marks B. Scull. Jacob H. Boyer.

Dr. Solomon Birch. Nicholas Mason.

Dr. A. H. Witman. Jesse Orner.

Solomon Stanffer. Jacob Sallada.

The membership of the church is now three-

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

hundred and of the Sunday-school about the same number.

ST. JAMES' LUTHERAN CHURCH .- On No- vember 14, 1850, a meeting was held to consider the necessity of organizing another English Lutheran congregation in Reading. Horatio Trexler was appointed chairman and Levi Hiester secretary. At that meeting it was re- solved to organize a congregation to be known as "St. James'," and Rev. F. A. M. Keller was chosen its pastor. Measures were at once taken to secure a suitable lot on which to erect a church building. Meanwhile services were held, morning and evening, in the Odd-Fellows' Hall, corner of Fifth and Franklin Streets.

At a meeting held on December 23, 1850, the charter of the congregation was approved, and on the 30th of the same month the board of church officers was elected, consisting of the following members : Trustees, Jacob Hoff and Asaph Shenfelder; Elders, Peter Shen- felder, William Rhode, Nathan M. Eisenhower and Horatio Trexler; Deacons, Ephraim Arm- strong, Daniel Weand, Renben Fichthorn and Michael Fritz. The following isa list of the names of the original incorporators : Horatio Trexler, L. Hiester, Michael Fritz, Ephraim Armstrong, Henry W. Moyer, Peter Shenfelder, Reuben Fichthorn, Thomas Hill, John Fink, Jacob Hoff, F. A. M. Keller, Peter Herman, Nathan M. Eisenhower, Walter Shoener, Wm. S. Fisher, Peter S. Ermold and F. A. Donahower.

The lot on the corner of Fifth and Chestnut Streets was purchased and the church building was then erected. The corner-stone was laid May 11, 1851, and the building dedicated March 21, 1852. In the mean time, Odd- Fellows' Hall not having been regarded as a suitable place to administer confirmation and the holy communion, the use of the Presbyter- ian Church was requested and kindly given, and the first confirmation accordingly took place on Good Friday evening, April 18, 1851, and the holy communion was administered on the Sunday afternoon following, it being Easter. The number communing was ninety, and the number confirmed thirty-two. Rev. F. A. M. Keller continued to serve as pastor of this church until his death, in March, 1864. He

was a man of great force of character, warnì- hearted and generous, and his memory is cher- ished with ardent affection by his surviving parishioners and friends.

The second pastor was Rev. F. C. H. Lampe, who commenced his ministrations to this church October 1, 1864. His pastorate was short, but very active. During the three years in which he served this congregation he collected upwards of twenty-three thousand dollars, repaired the church and had the fine, large organ built, which is still in use.

The third pastor was Rev. B. M. Schmucker, D.D., who took charge November 1, 1867. His able ministry extended over a period of thir- teen years. The present incumbent is Rev. M. C. Horine, who became pastor September 1, 1881.

This church has at present a membership of five hundred and fifty. At the beginning of the congregation a Sunday-school was organ- ized, and two sessions every Sunday were held for a time, one in the forenoon and one in the afternoon ; afterwards only one session was held, which has been continued since. The first superintendent was Peter S. Ermold ; the second, F. B. Fichthorn, and the third or present, Chas. B. Wells. The Sunday-school numbers in offi- cers, teachers and scholars, five hundred and fifty-six. The library contains fifteen liundred and sixty volumes.

This congregation recently purchased a par- sonage at 148 South Fifth Street, at a cost of five thousand dollars, for the use of the pastor. The present officers of this congregation are as follows :

Trustees, Horatio Trexler and David F. Lotz; Elders, John Fink, Henry C. Schroeder, Henry H. Johnston, Charles B. Wells ; Deacons, Philip H. Lash, George K. Hawman, David C. Lotz, Morris Kline, Jeremiah N. Hagenman, Charles H. Stichter; Treasurer, Ephraim Armstrong.

ST. JOHN'S GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH .- The first Lutheran Church at Reading was erected in 1752 by the German Lutheran con- gregation. The services of this congregation were altogether in the German language for nearly a hundred years, excepting upon several occasions when the Rev. H. A. Muhlenberg

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preached in English. After the common-school law of 1834 became operative the use of the English language began to grow in the com- munity and by 1840 a number of members of this congregation manifested a strong desire to have English preaching, but not being gratified, they withdrew in 1842, organized a congrega- tion for English preaching, and called it "St. Matthew's." In 1844 they succeeded in erecting a church. Within ten years afterward another English Lutheran congregation was formed, which erected a church in 1851, and named it "St. James';" and before 1860 the old German Lutheran congregation became entirely English. Efforts had been made to carry on successfully both German and English, but they were un- successful. Rev. F. J. F. Schantz was the pastor (a young man) who preached in both languages, but the labor was too severe for him and an assistant was employed to preach in German. Two congregations were thereupon formulated out of the old congregation,-one English, Trinity Lutheran, which remained in the old church property with Rev. Schantz as pastor, and the other German, which withdrew with Rev. J. J. Knendig, also a young man, as pas- tor.

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History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 129

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards Number of Pages: 1418

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards
Number of Pages: 1418