History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 81

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1162

USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches > Part 81

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" Appended to the above, in the work referred to, is the following sentence, explanatory of the location of the applicants,-i.e., Coventry township :

"It lies on the Schuylkill, thirty-six miles from Philadelphia, where as yet no Brother has been."

The word brother evidently means "minister," or one of their brethren, and the above indicates that hitherto none such had been located at that point.

297

GERMAN REFORMED CHURCHES.

of Frederick and grandson of Garret Brownback, b. 1756, d. 1832; Peter Cline, b. 1755, d. 1824; Theodore Miller, b. 1758, d. 1838 ; Peter Fertig, b. 1765, d. 1842; Sebastian Root (a member of Zion Church), b. 1761, d. 1843 (he was born near Pottsgrove) ; Jobn Fertig, b. 1736, d. 1833 (came to America, 1754); Jacob Fertig, b. 1778, d. 1823; John Hiester, a son of Gen. Hiester, b. 1774, d. 1822; Henry Titlow, b. 1719, d. 1793; John Titlow, b. 1757, d. 1827, a son of Henry ; Henry Brumback, b. 1791, d. 1829 (?), aged 36 years; Sebastian Kelley, b. 1734, d. 1777; Peter Brumback, grandson of Garret, and an officer in the Western expedition, b. 1764, d. 1834 ; William Posey, son-in-law of Garret Brumback, d. - , aged 62 years; Peter Paul, b. 1742, d. 1802; Christian Benner, d. 1767.

The oldest and first interred here have no gravestones. Sebastian Root, above mentioned, was the son of Sebastian Root, who came to this country and picked berries on the ground where the first market-house in Philadelphia was afterwards erected. He afterwards settled in the neighbor- hood of Pottsgrove.

From the present pastor, Rev. George Sorber, some ad- ditional facts are obtained. After the close of the pastorate of John C. Guldin, the church was served by Revs. Mr. Honger, Andrew Young, J. S. Foulk, L. D. Leberman, and David Heffelfinger. In 1855, Rev. William Sorber, then laboring in North Carolina, accepted a call, and en- tered upon his duties June 24th. At the time of his death, Dec. 7, 1878, the congregation had increased to up- wards of 200 in regular communion. He was succeeded by his only son, the present pastor. The house erected in 1800 was rebuilt in 1850, and again in 1879. It is now of Gothic style, very modestly finished without and within, having a seating capacity for about 400. There is also adjoining a handsome parsonage, making altogether one of the finest church properties in the northern part of the county.

The old record of baptisms is preserved, but, being writ- ten in German, is a sealed book to most of the present con- gregation.

EAST VINCENT.

The early records of this church, which style it the " Reformed Congregation of Vincent. Township," show that the old log (the first) church was built and conse- crated in May, 1758, by the Rev. Philip Leidick and ves- try, Sebastian Wagner, Sr., Simon Shunk, John Shoenholz, Thomas Schnider, and Lorentz Hipple. There is also a baptismal record, kept by this church from 1758 to 1833. Between those dates 735 persons were baptized, and from 1799 to 1833 the confirmations of 290 persons are given. In 1784, Rev. Frederic Dalliker became the pastor ; Fred- erick Harman officiated from 1799 until 1831; John C. Guldin, 1821-40; pastors between 1840 and 1848, Revs. Young, Honger, John R. Hooken, and Hoffman, all short pastorates ; Albert Shenkel, twenty-one years, 1848-69 ; S. Maxwell Roland, 1869 to Feb. 14, 1881 ; Rev. Mr. Epert, the present pastor, since the first Sunday in May, 1881.

In 1812 (November 1st) the congregation met in their school-house, and elected as a building committee John Laubach, Casper Schneider, and Henry Hipple, for the proposed new church edifice. Three years after the laying of the corner-stone a burglary and sacrilege was commit- ted : the corner where the box was deposited was cut out and robbed of its contents. The stones of this edifice were red, yellow, and white freestone.

Henry Hoffman was leader of the choir of this church for forty years. He was possessed of a good memory, and related (before his death) many facts connected with the history of this church. He recollected a Rev. N. Bumb as pastor after Leidich (Leidy) and before Dalliker.

In the old graveyard attached to this church are buried nearly all of the early members of the church, several gen- erations of the settlers of that vicinity. Of the many hun- dred of interments therein, that of Benjamin Boyer (born 1727, died 1780) is said to be the first. Other early burials are indicated by the dates on the headstones, viz. :

Peter Defrahn, born 1733, died 1782, aged 49; Thomas Snider, born 1716, died 1782, aged 66; George Yeager, born 1718, died 1790, aged 72; John Olwine, born 1734, died 1791, aged 57; Peter Yeager, born 1765, died 1811, aged 46; Peter Shunk (uncle of Governor), born 1756, died 1814, aged 58; Heory Hipple, born 1759, died 1843, agod 84; John Hoffman, born 1745, died 1815, aged 70; Michael Saiffer, born 1724, died 1802, aged 78; John Labach, born 1728, died 1808, aged 80.

About the year 1828 there was a division in this con- gregation on doctrinal points of church discipline, which breach widened in the ensuing years, until about 1847-48 one party withdrew and organized a new congregation, and built the St. Vincent church. This quarrel is now almost forgotten, and the day is not far distant, perhaps, when both congregations will worship in the same house again.

The following list of early members of this congregation was copied from the archives of this church in 1846 :

John Shaenholz, Michael Deny, Simon Schunk, Sebastian Wagner, Thomas Schnider, John Schnider, Peter Steger, Jacob Callman, John Hippel, Sebastian Wagner, Jacob Hellwig, Michael Sifert, Lorence Kyle, John Labach, Simon Schunk, George Yeager, Paul Benner, Adam Gondel, John Imhoff, Jacob Miller, John Hoffman, Philip Stine, George Harts, John Kline, Christian Stahl, Jacob Conrad, Henry Carl, John Keeley, Henry Brenholz, Valentine Schmit, Jacob Guender, George Christman, Casper Beerbauer, Nicholas Grund, John John, John March, Anthony Aoker, Henry Bluit, Frederic Barnholz, Leonard Daenbil, John Heek, John Kline, Philip Steffan, Conrad Sheerer, John Shenfelter, William Shott, Philip Wiant, John Gross, Jacob Hellwing, Jacob Stickel, William Claus, William Thomas, John Martz, Jacob Ellis, Peter Defrebn, Frederic Henken, Jacob Hell, Jacob Hauenstine, John Geitling, Philip Sellers, James Marry, Henry Schmid, Christian Ehmig, Jacob Nailer, Philip Seeler, John Brahi- man, Sebastian Maurer, John Deetz.

ST. VINCENT.

St Vincent Reformed Church, in East Vincent town- ship, was organized about 1848, as before stated in the sketch of the " Reformed Congregation of Vincent." The church edifice was built in the year 1852, and dedicated in November of the same year. The situation is one of great natural beauty, the view being quite extended. The build- ing is 42 by 60 feet, two stories high, and cost $1999.86.

The following pastors have been in charge of the con- gregation :

Rev. E. W. Reincke, in 1853-54 ; Rev. George D. Wolfe, 1854-56; Rev. Henry Weisler, 1857-58; Rev. Jesse B. Knipe was chosen pas- tor in April, 1859, and continues to preach every Sunday, though now in his seventy-seventh year.

The first consistory were as follows :

Elders, Jobn Laney, Henry Munshower, Daniel Hipple, John Yeager, Jesse Yeager, William Yeager ; deacons, Amos Keiter, Sam- . uel Ash, Christian Wagoner ; trustees, John Ash, Peter Yeager, and Henry Munshower. At the organization there were about 85 members.

The present consistory is composed of :

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HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Elders, Jesse Ash, James Rambo, Jacob Rixstine, John Kolb, John Horner, and Oliver Laney ; deacons, A. Yeager, Jacob Wentsel, and Charles Reif; trustees, John Yeager, Sr., Ah'm Laney, George Yeager, and John Yeager, Jr.

In connection with the church is a cemetery, containing about 7 acres, laid out in lots, and which the congregation take much pride in beautifying. The congregation now numbers about 215 members.

ST. PETER'S.

This church is located in West Pikeland township. In the year 1811 the German Reformed congregation, which had been formed some time prior, and had been worshiping up to this time in private dwellings, bought of the German Lutheran congregation worshiping at Pikeland a half in- terest in their church property .* From that time on to the present they have enjoyed the use of this property in common with that body.

From the time of organization until 1830 the congrega- tion was served by the following pastors : Rev. Frederick A. Herman, Jr., D.D., Rev. Jacob W. Dechant, and Rev. Casper Wach. The dates of their pastorates are not known, and there may have been other ministers prior to 1830, but these three are the only ones of whom we have any knowledge.

Sept. 30, 1830, Rev. Jesse B. Knipe was ordained pas- tor of the Pikeland charge. He continued to serve St. Peter's until Jan. 1, 1881, a period of more than fifty years, when he tendered his resignation. This was ac- cepted ; but Father Knipc still preaches for the congrega- tion, as they have not yet called another pastor. An ex- tended history of this congregation is not here given, as its general history is nearly identical with that of the St. Peter's Lutheran congregation, worshiping in the same church.

ST. MATTHEW'S.

The St. Matthew's Reformed congregation of West Vin- cent was organized in the autumn of 1833. They, in con- nection with the Lutheran congregation of same township, built during the summer of 1833 a very respectable church edifice, which was dedicated on Dec. 23d of that year. The two congregations continued to worship in the same building on alternate Sabbaths until the spring of 1879, when the Reformed congregation purchased the interests of the Lutherans in the buildings and cemetery.

" The "articles of agreement" were made and signed Aug. 6, 1811, "between the reverend Frederia W. Jasinski, present minister of the German Lutheran church called St. Peter's, in the township of Pike- land, . . . John Emery, Benj. Sheneman, Michael Slonaker, Michael Painter, Frederick Strough, George Hartman, and Adam Moses, eld- ers; George Deiry, Jr., Jacob Painter, and John King, deacons; being the present members of the Corporation of said church, . . . of the ane part, and Conrad Kealy, trustee; George Snyder, Henry Laubach, and John Boyer, elders; John Snyder and Henry Slawyer, deacons, being the present officers of the Reformed German or Presbyterian Congregation worshiping in said church by permission of the congre- gation, of the other part." In consideration of the payment of £5 " unto the parties of the first part," they bargained and sold unto the parties of the second part "one undivided moiety or half-part" of the lot on which "St. Peter's is erected," and of the "school-house and burying-ground that is erected thercon," and to have use of the church every other Sunday " for publick worship ;" and the parties of the second part to be at one-half the expense of the church "which the parties of the first part are now erecting . . . on said lot," and " he at one-half of all future expense."

The Reformed congregation organized and adopted a constitution, March 18, 1834. The vestry at that time was as follows: Elders, Henry Keeley, Jacob Hoffman, George Sloyer, and William Parker ; deacons, Jacob Kulp, John Shimer, George Keeley, John Hipple; trustees, Wil- liam Parker, Joseph Kulp. Thirty-two persons were pres- ent at the first communion service held in the church, May 25, 1834, Rev. John C. Guldin pastor. The congrega- tion has never been large, and now numbers 87 members. Present officers : Elders, William Brownback, Samuel Kimes, John Hipple, William Ludwick ; deacons, Samuel B. Stauffer, Jesse Sturgis, Isaac N. Smith, Cyrus Swine- hart; trustees, John B. Caldwell, Abraham Fetters. Dur- ing the summer of 1880 the congregation erected a hand- some church building, 65 by 42 feet, two stories high, have graded the grounds, and enlarged the cemetery. The building is in the Gothic style, and cost $7000. Rev. Levi D. Stambaugh is now pastor.

ST. PAUL'S.

St. Paul's Reformed Church, in Uwchlan township, was built in 1838, and a congregation organized the same year. The Lutheran congregation assisted in erecting the build- ing, and the two congregations worshiped in it on alternate Sundays until 1851, when the Reformed congregation pur- chased the interests of the Lutherans in the same. Rev. Jesse B. Knipe was the pastor from time of organization until Jan. 1, 1881, when he resigned Rev. A. K. Thompson is now pastor. Present officers : Elders, Bohlen Peterman, Isaiah F. Snyder, John Fetters, and George W. Stine; deacons, James Marshall, John Davis, George Thompson, Daniel B. Lacy, and Frederick Rhodewalt; trustees, John Fetters and J. Elwood Stiteler. The mem- bership now numbers 80.

SECOND REFORMED.

The " Second Reformed Church of Coventry" (Brown- back's being now known as the First Reformed Church of Coventry) was built in 1837, under the pastorate of Rev. J. C. Guldin, then pastor of Brownback's, and has since been supplied by the ministers of the last-named church. There were but 25 members at the time of the organiza- tion ; the membership now is 125. The church commonly goes by the name of "Shenkle's," as there was a burying- ground there long before the church was erected which bore that name.

NORTH PHOENIXVILLE.

The German Reformed congregation built and for a number of years worshiped in a church here; but they have since become scattered, and the building has been converted into a dwelling.

THE MENNONITE CHURCH.

This is one of the early churches of Chester County. Between the years 1725; and 1785 tliree Mennonite churches had been built on the Schuylkill, as appears from the name-lists of the Mennonite preachers, published at

t Morgan Edwards, who is very specific, and who wrote in 1770, says that in 1724 there were five Mennonite Churches in the province : Germantown, Skippack, Conestoga, Great Swamp, and Manatawny. Germantown chnroh was built in 1708, and Skippaok, 1720-25.

THE MENNONITE CHURCH .- DISCIPLES' CHURCH.

299

Amsterdam in the last-named year. These must have been in Chester County, as the Montgomery County. churches are included in other districts. Probably the most ancient of these is the one on the Schuylkill road, in East Coventry township, about three miles from Pottstown. The date 1728 on the wall shows that the structure is 152 years old. The building is one stery high and is very small. It is accessible from the road by a drive, on each side of which is situated the graveyard. The part on the south side of the drive has been laid out but a few years ago, but the part on the north side contains graves nearly 150 years old .*

The first Mennonite church in the vicinity of Phoenix- ville, was located on the ridge, near the residence of the Heckel family. The date of its erection is unknown. S. W. Pennypacker, Esq., of Philadelphia, says there was another "in the valley, where Israel Beitler used to preach."

1794 they erected a meeting-house at the southwest corner of Main and Church Streets, in Phoenixville, which is the oldest place of worship now standing in the township .; The first preacher was Matthias Pennypacker, whe for five years previous had charge of the congregation at Buck- walter's school-house. Upon his death he was succeeded respectively by John Buckwalter, Daniel Showalter, George Hellerman, Jacob Halderman, Jesse Beitler, Joseph Hal- derman, John Showalter, and Israel Beitler, all preachers of the old style, who would, it may be, excite mirth amid a modern congregation, because the quaintness of their dic- tien, the peculiarities of their dress, and sanctity of their lives were alike in contrast with the customs and require- ments of the faster generations of to-day. This sect, driven from the homes of their ancestry by a religious persecution that could not tolerate their virtues, and once so numerous among the German inhabitants of this State, is gradually becoming extinct. Its membership at Phoenixville

MENNONITE MEETING-HOUSE.

In 1772 was erected the Mennonite meeting-house in Phoenixville. It was located on Main Street, near Nutt's read, and since has been known successively as Buckwal- ter's and Morgan's school-houses. It was designed by its founders both as a church and school building, and was long used for such purposes. Among the original settlers of Phoenixville, the Buckwalters were all of this faith. In

has dwindled down to a few persons, and the probabilities are that erc long the whole of its history will be written on the tombstones that fill its yard. Recently an attempt has been made to revive the society, under the direction of the Revs. Henry A. Hunsicker and J. T. Preston, which it is to be hoped will be successful.}

The Mennonite preachers in this section in 1785 (as given in the Amsterdam " name-lists," before referred to) were Martin Bechtel, David and Johannes Longenecker, and Joseph Showalter.

DISCIPLES' CHURCH.

The Campbellite society (they call themselves " Disciples of Christ") originated in this county in the year 1839, at which date one of their ministers, named George Austin,

* "In taking a stroll among those old tombstones we noticed some in- scriptions of long ago. On a plain sandstone, on which the lettering is nearly obliterated by the workings of time, we notice the following : 'S. A. B., died 1752.' On the other stones in the same lot were the inscriptions, 'L. B. B., d. 1753;' 'S. A. B., d. 1756;' ' D. B., d. 1760.' In another part of the yard was a stone with the following : 'J. S., d. 1735.' The latter is the oldest stone that could be found, but there are many sunken graves without any marks at all, and there is no doubt but that the graveyard was laid out the time the church was built, and is therefore a great curiosity in this vicinity. The yard lies unattended to, and is covered with running briers, very few persons being interred there at the present time."-Pottstown Ledger, August, 1880.

t Since the publication of the " Annals of Phoenixville and Vicin- ity" this building has been torn down.

# Samuel W. Pennypacker's " Annals of Phoenixville and Vicinity," 1872.

300

HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

came from Baltimore, Md., and began preaching in a barn. Services were held, converts made, and the new sect so in- creased in numbers that in the year 1841 they resolved to erect a meeting-house. In that year they built a small stone edifice at Chestnut Grove, in Penn township, about a mile and a half from the village of New London. That house was taken down in 1880, and was commenced the erection of a larger (a frame) structure, which is inclosed, but re- mains unfinished.

They have had but two pastors, Mr. Edward Orvis and Mr. Somers, who each remained but a few years, the first about 1852, and the last left in the spring of 1880. The rest of the time the worship was conducted by some of their own members, with occasionally a preacher coming from Baltimore and preaching daily for a week or two. At such times some converts would generally be made, which kept up their membership, which is said to number 60 at the present time. The present officers are Thomas Slack, J. W. Hammond, John Miller, and Isaac Vandegrif.

" CHRISTIAN" CHURCH.

About 1845 to 1850, Elder Frederick Plummer, a minis- ter of the denomination calling themselves "Christians," came into this county, and preached in a grove near Kim- bleville. He continued to hold services and made converts to his faith, who erccted a brick church edifice about two miles southwest of Kimbleville, in Franklin township, which they called Mount Olivet, and where a church of that persuasion was organized. Elder Charles H. Plummer, a nephew of Frederick Plummer, was pastor for a few years, and was succeeded by Elder William H. Pittman. A Mr. Parvin also preached there for a time. About 1878 and 1879, Rev. David Somers, of the Church of the Disci- ples, in Penn township, preached there and superintended a Sunday-school: The church is now unoccupied for re- ligious purposes. The membership is not numerous.

The United Brethren erected a church in Phoenixville, on Gay Street, in 1871, having previously held their ser- vices in the Mennonite meeting-house.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

The first mission of this church within the limits of Chester County must have been established between the years 1730 (when a mission was set up at the residence of Thomas Wilcox, at Ivy Mills) and 1757, at which latter date it appears* there were in Chester County, under care of Robert Harding, 18 men and 22 women ; under care of Theodore Schneider (of Germans ?), 13 men and 9 women ; of Irish, 9 men and 6 women; under care of Ferdinand Farmer, of Irish, 23 men and 17 women; of Germans, 3 men. Robert Harding was a priest residing in Philadel- phia, but the location of the others is not stated.

Their growth at first was very slow, owing to a spirit of antagonism to this church, not only manifested during the proprietary days,; but even beyond the close of the eight-

eenth century. Hence the congregations were small and scattered, and so continued for many years; but foreign emigration has increased their numbers until the Roman Catholic Church has become one of the strong religious bodies of the county.

About the year 1793, at the west end of Gay Street, in West Chester, a little Catholic chapel stood,-a small affair indeed, but it was attended with as much reverence by the small number of Catholics as a larger one and more grand in construction would merit. This was at that time called " Christ's Church," and in it the holy sacrifice of the Mass was offered up occasionally, when the people would gather from the surrounding country, and when a priest would come out from Philadelphia (there being no resident pastor until about the year 1840).

But poor inducement was offered the early Catholic set- tlers of this county to assist and attend to their religious dutics.

At this time missionaries went about the country offer- ing up Mass and practicing other services of the church at every gathered group of the faithful,-in farm-houses and other available places. The following is a correct copy of a missionary's memorandum :

" 1840.

" Masses annually given at Mr. Arthur O'Neil's, 11th of March, 13th of May, 12th of August, 28th of October.

" Masses at Mr. Philip Dougherty's and Mr. Maguire's, 10th of June. Mass, confessions, and sermons at Mr. Maguire's.

"14th of May, Mass, confessions, and sermons at Mr. Philip Dough- erty's."

The name of the missionary was not attached to the paper, but is supposed to have been a Jesuit from St. Jo- seph's, Philadelphia. These services were no doubt well attended, for it has been shown that the spirit of Chris- tianity burned as ardently in the breasts of the faithful in those days as at the present.

In the year 1840 or '41, Bishop Kendrick, who was then Bishop of Philadelphia, detailed the Rev. P. D. Donahoe to the growing parish of West Chester.

Passing over the zealous labors of Father Donahoe and his large number of successors as Christian guardians of St. Agnes', West Chester, we come to the 20th of June, 1851, when the Rev. John Francis Prendergast, better known by the parishioners as " Father John," entered upon his field of religious duty as spiritual director of the con- gregation. He came to West Chester the day after he was ordained a priest by Bishop Kendrick, and for a period of twenty years he labored zealously in the congregation.

Attached to West Chester at this time were the parishes

* From a returo of the number of " Roman Catholics in Pennsyl- vania, 1757 (that is, of all such as receive the Sacraments, beginning from twelve years of age, or thereabouts)."-Archives, iii. 144.

It is seen in the form of qualification for members of Assembly in early times, and io the proprietary instructions to the colonial gover-

nors in 1738, and reiterated in 1763 and 1766, one of the twenty-six articles being as follows :

"6th. Whereas the said province and counties were happily at first settled aod afterwards subsisted without any considerable mix- ture of Papists, it is with concern we now hear that of late times several Papists have resorted thither. Now as their Political Princi- ples (which they ever ioculcate as Religious Principles) tend to the breach of publiek Faith, are destructive to morality and totally snb; vert every civil and Religious Right of a free People, We recommend it to you to prevent as much as in you lies the coming in or settling of Papists within your Government and that you do not extend any Privileges to them nor admit any of them into any office, post or Eni- ployment whatsoever within your Government."

"BELLEVUE." RESIDENCE OF PRATT ROBERTS, EAST GOSHEN.

These buildings stand on part of the "Brandywine Battle Ground."

RESIDENCE OF CALEB B. RING, PENNSBURY.

P. O. Chadd's Ford.

301

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH .- THE BATTLE-AXES.

of Parkesburg, Downingtown, Doe Run, one in Lancaster County, and Ivy Mills, Delaware County. Mass was cele- brated in St. Agnes' church only once or twice a month, as the other Sundays were occupied at the other places. After a stay here of a few months, Father John commenced the erection of a new church at Downingtown, and St. Joseph's was dedicated in about a year's time after he entered the priesthood.

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History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 81

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts Number of Pages: 1162

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1162