USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > Frackville > History of Frackville, Schuylkill County, Pa. > Part 4
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On March 4th, 1901, the following changes took place in the borough offices: President of Council, Samuel Burchill. During the year Chief Burgess Price resigned, and Clayton Burchill was appointed, by the Court, to serve out the unexpired term. The only change that took place on March 3rd, 1902, was that George
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BOROUGH OF FRACKVILLE
W. Sebold became President of Council. The present borough officers, who entered upon their duties March 2nd, 1903, are: Chief Burgess, John Madara; President of Council, . Samuel Moore; Town Clerk, J. F. Carr; Treasurer, Alex. Scott; Solici- tor, R. A. Reick; Supervisor, William James; and Tax Collector, Daniel Breslin.
The borough of Frackville has to-day, 1903, a population of two thousand eight hundred inhabitants, and enjoys two weekly newspapers, one theatre, twenty-eight stores, fourteen hotels and saloons, one livery, one coal yard, one lumber yard, one under- taker, Milliners, Tailors, Bakers, Blacksmith shop, two Express Offices, Telegraph Offices, two railroads, electric light and water plant, three physicians, one lawyer, five resident clergy, twelve schools, seven churches, telephones, shirt factory, building and loan association, Board of Trade, seven lodges, a band and orchestra.
CHAPTER VI.
THE CHURCHES.
The most essential institution to the well-being of any com- munity is pre-eminently the Church of Christ. It is that which infuses into every community spiritual tone and character, and so modifies the evil tendencies of mankind as to make it possible for men to dwell together in peace and unity. The church is the great unifier of all the diversified interests of human life. It holds out to each individual not only that which is of eternal interest to him, but at the same time, throws around him an at- mosphere of security in the prosecution of his daily duty among
men. The deeply rooted consciousness of the brotherhood of man, not only in the relation of one individual to another, but of each class to all other classes, is the offspring of the Christian church. To deprive a community of every vestige of the church's influence would, to say the least, make it intolerable to both man and beast. Not even the most Godless would wish to cast his lot in such a community. And therefore all men, regardless of their belief or unbelief in the church as the only depository of divine grace, recognize this important phase of its influence upon men. Hence one of the first interests to claim the atten- tion of those who are concerned, is the establishment of the
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THE CHURCHES
Christian church in their midst. The necessity of this is shared in alike by the original land owner, and the prospective settler. So important a factor is the church in enhancing the purchasing price of real estate that every such land owner, with perhaps. very rare exceptions, is glad to donate, in fee-simple, one or more of his best lots for this purpose. And so thoroughly is he con- vinced of its importance that in order to make it a permanent institution in the community he invariably places a clause in the deed which ever prevents its being used or sold for any other purpose. This being the principle upon which the early found- ers of the borough of Frackbille acted, this town and community to-day enjoys the privileges and blessings of no less than seven churches. And we shall now proceed to consider the history of each one of these separately.
And first of all we shall chronicle some of the facts which enter into the history of that church which can trace its origin to the Reformation of the sixteenth century in Switzerland, at the head of which stood Huldreich Zwingli, a chaplain in the Protestant army of that country. This church was originally known as the "German Reformed Church in the United States". But as the years rolled round the language of their Fatherland was gradually superseded, until their services were almost uni- versally rendered in the English language. Hence the name became misleading, and therefore, some years ago, by an action of the General Synod, the word German was dropped, and this Christian body has since been known as the "Reformed Church in the United States".
1-ST. PETER'S REFORMED CHURCH.
This growing and influential denomination is very faithfully represented in the borough of Frackville by St. Peter's Reform- ed Church. The first services were held here, by the Rev. T. J. Bower, then located at St. Clair, in the spring of 1890. On the 29th day of July, 1890, Rev. Mr. Bower and a number of Re- formed people assembled in the home of Franklin Brown, and after services organized themselves into a congregation. This organization was effected by the election of the Rev. T. J. Bower as missionary in charge; Jonathan and William Roeder as El- ders; Lewis Miller, Adam Reed, Franklin Brown, and James Roeder, Deacons. In looking for a name by which this interest should be known in the community, it was decided to name it after that vigorous Apostle, St. Peter. Thus St. Peter's Reform-
4.7
ST. PETER'S REFORMED CHURCH
ed Church with but eight communicants, started on its life's voyage.
A hall, on Frack Street, was at once rented in which they worshiped for almost two years. In August, 1890, the Sunday School was organized with twenty-eight members; the first officers, Lewis Miller, Superintendent; Jonathan Roeder, Secre- tary. And as every church soon learns that the women are an indispensible factor to the success of every phase of its work, this congregation at once marshalled its best forces to the front by organizing the Woman's Aid Society during the year 1890. It is to the credit of this Society that much of the success of the congregation is due. Early in the spring of 1892 a lot, fifty feet front by one hundred and fifty deep was bought from William Haupt, on the east side of south Nice street, upon which to erect a church building. On the 6th day of May of this same year (1892) ground was broken for the foundation of the new church. The wall having been completed within one month from the first beginning of the work, the corner stone was laid on June 5th, 1892. The ministers present on this occasion were the Revs. Robert O'Boyle, O. H. Strunk, A. R. Bartholomew, and the mis- sionary, Rev. T. J. Bower. The sermon was preached by Rev. O'Boyle. So rapidly did the work of building the new church progress that by the latter part of October of this year the building was entirely completed. Hence the church was dedi- cated on the 30th day of October, 1892. The pastor, the Rev. T. J. Bower, was assisted on this happy occasion by the Revs. S. S. Kohler, O. H. Strunk and A. R. Bartholomew. The Rev. S. S. Kohler preached the sermon. The building when complet- ed cost the congregation four thousand two hundred dollars. The Holy Communion was celebrated in the new church for the first time on November 5th, 1892, when no less than sixty-five partook of the Lord's Supper. It was during this year that the children were organized into a Mission Band, and have since done most effective work. So rapidly and substantially had this mission grown within the first two years of its organization that they were not only able to purchase a lot and build a church, not a chapel, during this time, but to provide for and call a pastor, and thus constitute themselves a regularly organized congregation. The Rev. T. J. Bower, of St. Clair, having organized the mission, and served them faithfully up to this time, was extended the call to become their pastor. Having accepted the call, the Rev. Mr. Bower moved to Frackville on the 21st day of October, 1892.
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ST. PETER'S REFORMED CHURCH
in the year 1897 a society of Christian Endeavor was organized. So well and complete was the church originally built, that the only improvements since necessary was the reseating of the infant room with chairs, in June, 1900; the replacing of the old bell, which had been cracked, by a new and larger one, of beau- tiful tone, in July, 1901; and the recarpeting of the church on the 23rd day of May, 1902.
During the twelve or thirteen years of its existence the congregation has continued to grow, until to-day it has a com- municant membership of one hundred and forty-five, with the following as its present officers: Rev. T. J. Bower, Pastor; Samuel Endy, Francis Houser, George Miller, Elders; Charles Seitzinger, Charles Christ, William Wertz, Joseph Eiler, Harry Morgan, and William Hummel, deacons. The Sunday School was no less healthful and rapid in its growth, during these years, numbering at this time one hundred and fifty members. The present officers are: Superintendent, Samuel Endy; Assistant Superintendent, George Miller; Secretary, Sallie Steinbach; Treasurer, Mrs. Samuel Endy; Librarians, William Troutman and Bertha Hicks.
2-ZION'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
We next come to speak of the Lutheran church. This church is the outgrowth of the German Reformation of the six- teenth century, and has ever borne the name of Luther, the prime factor in this great German movement. The first Lutheran settlement we find in this country, was in the city of New York as early as 1621. Although their growth in this country was at first slow, yet during the past sixty or more years their progress has been very rapid. So that to-day they stand third or fourth among the Protestant bodies as to size. This is one of the great denominations that seems most capable of meeting the spiritual wants of our German population. And the power which it exercises, for good, over this large class of our people is of inestimable value. And as the citizens of Frackville are, to a considerable number, made up of Germans and their de- scendants, it is perfectly natural that this Christian body should have an early representation in this community.
This representation we find in Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church. The organization of this congregation was effected by the Rev. John Gruhler, then located at Shenandoah, Pa., under the auspices of the Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania, in
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ZION'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
the year 1872. The first officers were, Daniel Frack, Alexander Buck, Christian Reese, Carl Miller, Reuben Wagner, and Percival Zimmerman. Services were at that time held, by the Rev. Gruhler, in the small frame school house on the east side of North Nice street. Feeling the importance of fostering the spiritual interests of their children, a Sunday School was organ- ized this same year (1872). It was the latter part of 1872, or the first part of 1873, that Daniel Frack, one of the pioneer land owners of this community, presented this newly organized con- gregation with a beautiful lot, fifty feet front by one hundred and fifty deep, centrally located, on South Lehigh Avenue. Wal- ter Nice was given the contract for the building of the new church, which was begun during the year 1873 and completed in the following year (1874), when it was dedicated. The mis- sionary, Rev. Gruhler, was assisted on this occasion, by the Revs. G. Hinterleitner and D. Sanner. During the year 1875 the Rev. John Gruhler resigned, as missionary, but was followed in the same year by the Rev. John Nicum. The Rev. Nicum was therefore the first pastor loci this congregation had, and re- mained such until the year 1878, when he resigned. From this time on, for a period of four years, this people were irregularly supplied with services by ministers residing at Mahanoy City, and Schuylkill Haven. But notwithstanding this fact the con- gregation and Sunday School continued to grow. In the year 1882 they called, as their pastor, the Rev. G. C. H. Haskarl. It was during this year that the parsonage on the east side of South Balliet street was purchased. After serving this people for about two years, the Rev. Haskarl resigned in 1884, which again left this flock without a shepherd. The Rev. W. C. L. Lauer became pastor in 1885, and served this people faithfully for four years, resigning in 1889. They were then without a pastor until the 30th day of November, 1890, when the Rev. H. T. Clymer, the present incumbent, having received and accepted a call, assumed the duties of this office. In the following year (1891) the Luther League was organized, which has ever since been doing most effective work. About this time, or a little later, it was learned that the church building was beginning to give way, owing to the fact that some of the timbers near the foundation had begun to decay. By the early part of 1894 it became very evident that the present church building must be replaced by a new one. Hence July 1st, 1894, Henry Haupt and Samuel Moyer, the contractors, began the work of removing the old building.
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ZION'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Having pushed the work very rapidly, the corner stone of the new church was laid on the 19th day of August, 1894. The pas- tor, Rev. H. T. Clymer, was assisted on this occasion by the Revs. John Gruhler, J. H. Umbenhen, and D. Sanner. It was not, however, dedicated until October 20th, 1895. The ministers present at these services were, the pastor, Rev. H. T. Clymer, and Revs. F. J. F. Shautz, John Gruhler, and H. A. Weller. This church was erected at a cost of five thousand dollars. The
Rev. H. T. Clymer
only improvement since made was the replacing of the old bell by a larger and better toned one.
During all these years this congregation continued to grow until its present communicant membership numbers no less than two hundred. There are still three sermons delivered each month in the German language. Its present officers are: Rev. H. T. Clymer, Pastor; C. C. Wagner, President; H. K. Reich, Secretary; F. A. Dietrich, Treasurer; and A. S. Seaman, C. C. Wagner, and Henry Grabey, Trustees. In the meantime the
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ZION'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Sunday School has been keeping steady pace with the growth of the congregation. The Sunday School, at present, numbers one hundred and seventy-five scholars. The officers at the present time are as follows: Rev. H. T. Clymer, Superintendent; C. C. Wagner, Assistant Superintendent; H. A. Wagner, Secretary; and Caroline Wagner, Treasurer.
3-TRINITY UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
Another important institution in the borough of Frackville is the United Evangelical Church. This denomination has its
Rev. W. J. Scheifley
origin from a movement made by Jacob Albright about the year 1796. Albright was originally a member of the Lutheran church, but later identified himself with the Methodist Episcopal church. In the year 1796 he began preaching, and in 1803 his followers ordained him to the office of the ministry. But as the Methodist Episcopal church made no effort among the German speaking people, and his labors were confined exclusively to this particularly class, they banded together and constituted them-
.
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TRINITY UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH
selves a separate denomination. In 1807 they elected Jacob Albright their first Bishop, and thus sailed forth into the world as a separate and independent denomination. They were first known as the "Albright People," but a few years after his death, which occurred in 1808, they adopted the name of "Evangelische Gemeinschaft von Nord Amerika," the "Evangelical Association of North America." As their labors were at first exclusively among the Germans, they are sometimes popularly called the "German Methodists." Their first general conference was held in Union County, Pennsylvania, in 1816. But in later years they began working among the English speaking people, and since that time their growth has been very rapid, so that there is scarcely a hamlet within the limits of this, and many other states, in which they are not represented either by an English or German congregation, or both. And their influence for good is felt in every community in which they are represented.
Just when this Christian denomination first began holding services in the borough of Frackville we could find no record. It was, however, in the spring of 1874, that the Trinity United Evangelical Congregation was organized with six members, by the Rev. G. H. Laury. At this time the above name was adopted by which this church has ever since been known in this com- munity. The first Trustees elected were: William Antrim, John Kaley, Jacob Lechler, Aaron Ber. Daniels, and W. T. Rosier. About this time, the spring of 1874, they bought the frame church of the Methodists, on the west side of north Balliet Street. It was during the summer of 1874 that the Sunday School was or- ganized with eighty members. As this is one of the denomina- tions which practices the itinerant system, the change of pastor is more frequent than it would otherwise be. Hence we shall here give the names and dates of the changes of pastor.
Rev. G. H. Laury, from March, 1874, to March, 1876.
Rev. J. N. Metzger, from March, 1876, to March, 1879.
Rev. L. N. Worman, from March, 1879, to March, 1882.
Rev. J. R. Hensyl, from March, 1882, to March, 1884.
Rev. N. A. Barr, from March, 1884, to March, 1885.
Rev. J. M. Longsdorf, from March, 1885, to March, 1888. Rev. Stephen Buntz, from March, 1888, to March, 1889. Rev. F. D. Gery, from March, 1889, to March, 1890.
Rev. E. H. Romig, from March, 1890, to March, 1893.
Rev. W. H. Schuler, from March, 1893, to March, 1895. 1 Rev. J. G, Boughter, from March 1895, to March, 1899,
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TRINITY UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH
Rev. W. J. Scheifly, from March. 1899, to March, 1903.
Rev. S. W. Cooper, from March, 1903, to-
In the year 1885 the Ladies' Aid Society of this congregation was organized, under the pastorate of Rev. J. M. Longsdorf. The church building was remodeled in 1888, at a cost of three hun- dred and sixty dollars. The Senior Keystone League of the So- ciety of Christian Endeavor was organized in the month of April, 1890. In the spring of 1901 the congregation bought the lot adjoining their present. property on the north, from Mrs. Con- well, upon which to erect a new church. During the month of May, of this year, the Junior Keystone League of the Society of Christian Endeavor was organized. The erection of a new church having been agreed upon, the following persons were appointed the building committee: Rev. W. J. Scheifly, G. W. Sebold, C. Berger, J. J. Kehler, Harry Berkheiser, Harry Speidel and A. Kurtz. The contract for the new church building, which was to be brick, was awarded to D. M. Fruhafer. Ground was first broken in July 1901. The foundation having been completed the corner stone was laid September 22nd, 1901. Besides the pastor, Rev. W. J. Scheifly, those present on this occasion were the Revs. A. W. Warfel and D. F. Kreidler. The sermon was preached by the Rev. A. W. Warfel. In about four and one-half months after the laying of the corner stone the church was completed. The new church was, therefore, dedi- cated on the 9th day of February, 1902. This joyful occasion was participated in by Bishop W. M. Stanford and the pastor, Rev. W. J. Scheifly. Bishop Stanford preached the sermon. This beautiful and substantial church, as it now stands, was erected at a cost of nine thousand dollars. But besides this the frame building, which formerly occupied this lot, was moved to the rear of the old church building and so remodeled as to make a very cosy and comfortable dwelling; and a beautiful cement pavement was put down the whole length of the south side of the new church, all at an additional cost of seven hundred doi- lars. It is further contemplated to convert the old church into a parsonage during the coming summer.
During the twenty-nine years of its existence this congrega- tion has grown from six to one hundred and fifteen members. Its present Trustees being: J. J. Kehler, President; Harry D. Berk- heiser, Vice President; John W. Krecker, Secretary; William J. Miller, Treasurer; and F. S. Herb. The class leaders are: F. S. Herb, Richard Moll, J. J. Kehler, and Harry Speidel. At the
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TRINITY UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH
same time the Sunday School had grown from eighty to one hundred and eighty members, with the following as its present
---
Trinity United Evangelical Church
officers: J. J. Kehler, Superintendent; F. S. Herb, Assistant Superintendent; Harry Berkheiser, Secretary; John Krecker, Treasurer; and Ida M, Miller, Organist,
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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
4-METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
One of the strongest and most influential factors at work in the United States is what is known as Methodism. It derives its origin from that great religious movement inaugurated in Eng- land by John and Charles Wesley. It was already while these young men were students at the University of Oxford, that be- cause of the regularity of their habits of study and mode of life, they were jestingly called Methodists. The influence of this movement was, however, neither stationary, nor temporary, but spread like wild-fire, the momentum of which is felt to this day. The first to come to America, who had been brought under its influence, were a number of German refugees, who left their Ilish home in the Palatines of Court Mattress, Killiheen, and Balligarrane, and landed in the city of New York on the 10th day of August, 1760. Among them was Philip Embury, a class- leader, and local preacher. The first Methodist service was held in Embury's house, he himself being the preacher, in 1766. In 1770 a site on John Street, New York, was purchased, upon which the first Methodist Church in America was erected. Embury formed a class of seven in the city of Philadelphia in 1767, and in 1770 built St. George's Methodist church. It was in this church that the first conference was held, on the 14th day of July, 1773, there being ten members present. In 1784 Richard Whatcoat and Thomas Vasey were ordained Elders, and Thomas Coke, a presbyter of the Church of England, was set apart as the Bishop. These men arrived in New York No- vember 3rd, 1784. At a conference held in the City of Balti- more, December 24th, 1784, the Methodist Episcopal Church was formed by the appointment of Coke and Embury as its first Bish- ops. From this time on the growth of this church has perhaps exceeded that of any of the other denominations. This large and influential denomination has a faithful representation in this community.
C. L. Chilson, formerly of Mananoy Plane, was the first res- ident Methodist of this place. Through his influence a lot, on the west side of North Balliet street, was donated by Daniel Frack, upon which a frame church building was afterwards erected. But having passed through many vicissitudes, owing to the smallness of their membership, the property was finally sold to the Evangelical people. From this time on Methodism, in Frackville, existed for a few years only in a dormant condį-
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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
tion. But through the earnest zeal and consecrated devotion of C. L. Chilson, the spark of Methodism, which had been smolder- ing for a number of years, was, in the year 1881, again fanned into a glowing flame. The year 1881 is, therefore, the starting point of the permanent establishment of Methodism in the bor- ough of Frackville. The congregation at once assumed a more stable and permanent aspect. It was early in the spring of this year that the Rev. W. W. Wisegarver was placed in charge of this work, who at once appointed the following persons the first board of trustees: C. L. Chilson, Thomas T. Vaughn, Wil- liam James, Richard Morgan, John E. Weiderhold, Morgan L. Griffiths and S. H. Kupp. Having in the meantime purchased the lot on the east side of South Balliet street, they at once began the erection of a new church building, at a cost of up- wards of one thousand dollars. The church was completed and dedicated in the fall of 1881. Bishop Matthew Simpson and Pre- siding Elder Dr. William Swindells preached the sermons on this occasion. The Sunday School, which, up to this time, seemed almost a burden to its own existence, revived and took upon itself new life. In view of the great achievements of this year as compared to those of the past this was indeed a season of great rejoicing for Methodism in Frackville. From this time forth the congregation was regularly supplied with the following pastors: Revs. W. W. Wisegarver, T. T. Mutchler, John Mc- Quaid, A. M. Vivian, James Sampson, R. C. Wood, Edward Townsend, J. J. Jones, S. C. Carter, C. E. Radcliff, Ephraim Potts, David Lord and the present incumbent, H. J. Illick. During all these years the various pastors were well supported not only by their official Board, but also by the Ladies' Aid So- ciety, Epworth League, Junior Epworth League, Sunday School and all the individual members. So rapidly had this con)- gregation grown that in the spring of 1901, under the leaderhip of Rev. David Lord, it became necessary to remodel and en- large the old church building. The following building commit tee was accordingly appointed at that time: C. E. Harris, Charles Purnell, William Purnell, C. B. Philips, Thomas T. Vaughn, Henry Dingle, Charles Lawrence, Frank Meck, Edward Hincks, Samuel Berrett, Henry Pearce, William Oaks, David Taggart, M. D., Joseph Gough and the pastor, Rev. David Lord. As the con- gregation owned the lot on the northeast corner of Balliet and Oak streets it was decided that while they were remodeling and enlarging the church, they would at the same time build a
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