USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > Salisbury in Lancaster County > History of Jerusalem Lutheran and Reformed Church of Western Salisbury, Lehigh Co., Pa. : with complete records of all members of both congregations, baptisms, confirmations, marriages and burials > Part 5
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REV. BENJAMIN GERMAN
39
THE SALISBURY LUTHERAN CONGREGATION.
the Ministerium. Heine preached and was called. The same year Salisbury be- came a part of the charge as it prevailed during the administration of Van Buskirk. Heine was called as pastor of the charge, and in the Fall of 1808 ad- ministered the Lord's Supper in Salisbury. In 1812 Heine was ordained. After a pastorate of 9 years he in 1817 resigned and moved to Gettysburg. Why his name is omitted from the synodieal roll after 1818 does not appear. But in 1821 he petitions to be again received into the Ministerium. What action was taken the record does not show. Heine no doubt labored with much success and bless- ing in this charge. The writer has buried a number of persons who were bap- tized by him while he was pastor at Salisbury.
JOHN G. STECHER.
The successor to Rev. Heine was John G. Stecher. In 1817 he applied for admission into the Ministerium. Upon hearing the reports of the committees as to Mr. Stecher, it was resolved that he be recommended to Pittsburg. He, how- ever, did not go West. Instead he preached in the congregations lately served by Heine, and was elected pastor. Macungie congregation was not satisfied. "It was not itself united, nor did it agree with the other congregations." It there- fore appealed to Synod. Synod advised that another election for Stecher be held. This was done. Stecher was again lawfully elected as preacher. But the minority of the congregation still was not satisfied. Synod thereupon resolved that if the latter party should prevent Mr. Stecher from preaching in the church "none of our members can be given permission to perform ministerial aets in the congregation, so long as this thing lasts." After two years Stecher in 1819 re- signed, and moved to York County, where he labored until he died.
BENJAMIN GERMAN.
With the coming of Mr. German the church may be said to have entered a new era. It dates the erection of the present splendid church building. How long the little log church of 1741 was used until replaced by the second, a larger and better building, is not known. Tradition has it that there was a second church and that it was a frame building. In 1819 while Rev. Stecher was still pastor the corner-stone of the present church was laid. Soon thereafter he left and German succeeded him. Together with Rev. Zeller, the Reformed pastor, this man's pastorate was destined to be a long and most successful one. There are still a few members of the congregation living who were confirmed by Mr. German. Many interesting anecdotes are told of him. How he circumvented certain fault finders by preaching a most pointed and powerful sermon, and put to confusion those who defied him. Benjamin German was the son of John German and wife Catherine (Schmidt). He was born September 5, 1789, in Womelsdorf, Berks County, Pa. He was baptized in infancy and later confirmed by Rev. Schultz. When in his nineteenth year he earnestly resolved to study for the ministry. He received his preparatory training under a Rev. Van Hotf. Realizing the im-
40
HISTORY OF JERUSALEM CHURCH, SALISBURY, PA.
portance of the work and the necessity of a thorough education, he spent three years in Philadelphia under the direction of the Revs. Helmuth and Schaeffer. He was also for a time under the tutilage of one of the professors of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania. In 1818 Synod resolved to grant him a license, although he had an ad interim license. He was then located at Womelsdorf and had charge of three congregations. In 1821 he was ordained. In 1819 he accepted a call to the Salisbury, Upper Milford and Lower Saucon elmrches, in Lehigh County. He moved from Womelsdorf to the parsonage adjoining the Lehigh or Upper Macungie Church, where he resided until his resignation of this congrega- tion in 1838, when he moved to Allentown. He retained the other three congre- gations of the charge, and in the same year accepted a call to the "Apples"' church. In 1841 he organized Solomon's congregation, Macungie, Pa. During his ministry of twenty-eight years in Lehigh County he baptized 3787 children, confirmed 2000 persons, married 900 couples and officiated at 705 funerals. En- couraged and directed by him, seven young men studied for the Gospel Ministry. In January, 1814, he was married to Magdalena, daughter of Gottfried Schmidt, of Philadelphia. They had seven children, two sons and five girls. For nearly thirty-five years husband and wife lived happily together. The last year of his life he suffered much from catarrh of the stomach. He bore his sufferings patiently and with Christian resignation awaited the end. To his friends he would repeatedly say : "I am ready to die; I have no fear of death." The same consolation he so often brought to the sick and dying during the long years of his active ministry, strengthened him in his dying hours. He died in peace, August 22, 1848, aged 58 years, 11 months and 17 days. Rev. Knosky, of Kutztown, an intimate friend, at the request of the deceased preached from Rev. 22, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, Amen," being the last verse in the Bible. Mr. German was a powerful preacher, eloquent, fearless. He was a strict disciplinarian and painstaking teacher, as his catechimeus testify. He was most emphatic against the use of intoxicants; and it was through him that the practice of passing liquor at funerals was discontinued. He was not without enemies, but that is often the result of being faithful to trust and duty. And he was this. "Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful."
WILLIAM GERMAN.
Of this servant of the Lord I know very little to chronicle. He was a tall man but not robust in body, rather weak, ailing umch. He was a brother of Rev. Benjamin German, and was born in Womelsdorf, September 16, 1798. Ile studied privately and after his examination was received into the Synod of Penn- sylvania. On the death of his brother he became pastor of the tive congregations comprised in his charge. The work was exacting and Mr. German proved physically unequal to the task. He called to his aid Student Dechant, a young man studying for the ministry in the Reformed Church. Together these two labored until the death of the pastor, June 28, 1851. Mr. German was married
41
THE SALISBURY LUTHERAN CONGREGATION.
but died without issue. He is buried at the Salisbury Church. On his tomb- stone is inscribed the following :
"Im Grabe ist Ruh." Text, Gen. 48:21. William German, Ev. Luth. Prediger, Geboren September 16, 1798. Starb June 28, 1851. Alt 54-9-12.
His pastorate was short, his ministrations often interrupted by sickness; his bodily ills many, and yet he is kindly remembered by many for his self-sacrificing work. "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God, connnit the keeping of their souls to Him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator."
JACOB VOGELBACH.
When still a young man Vogelbach came from Germany to America. About ten years prior to coming to Salisbury he was received into the Lutheran Synod of Maryland, Rev. J. G. Morris, D.D., president. It does not appear that he was anything else than a Lutheran, although he is spoken of as a preacher among the United Brethren. It is not unlikely that he preached for these people pending his reception into a Lutheran Synodical body. Four years after he had been re- ceived into the Maryland Synod, he, together with St. Michael's Lutheran con- gregation of Harrisburg, to which he had been called, applied for admission into the Ministerium of Pennsylvania. Both pastor and congregation were received. In 1847 the German Lutheran congregation at Pittsburg extended him a call, which he also accepted, moving there in the Fall of the same year. He did not remain long in the West, returning to his former charge at Harrisburg in November, 1850. In 1852 he left Harrisburg the second time, having accepted a call to the charge made vacant by the death of William German. He moved to Allentown and served the charge for five years. In 1853 he became pastor also of St. Paul's Church, Allentown. In February, 1857, he followed a call to Phila- delphia where he was installed pastor of St. Jakobus Gemeinde. This congrega- tion he also served faithfully and with signal ability until advancing years and infirmity of body rendered him incapable of continuing in the active ministry. In consequence of this he was honored by the congregation electing him Pastor Emeritus in 1880. In less than a year, however, November 20, 1880, he fell asleep, dying in the faith he had preached so many years. He was twice married. He was survived by his widow and several children. He was an able preacher and is remembered for his spiritual and evangelical sermons. His remains were buried in Philadelphia. "Then shall the righteons shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father."
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HISTORY OF JERUSALEM CHURCH, SALISBURY, PA.
WILLIAM RATH.
We come now to the history of one whose pastorate was the longest in con- tinuous service of any who have so far ministered to this congregation. It was under Rev. Rath's administration that the church enjoyed its greatest prosperity. During his time many notable improvements were made to the church property, many were added to the church, the contributions for benevolence and other objects were greatly increased and more frequent services held. William Rath was the son of Jacob Rath and his wife Susanna (Boehm). He was born in Upper Saucon, Lehigh County, Pa., near Friedensville, September 23, 1826. He was baptized in infancy and later confirmed by Rev. Joshua Jaeger, pastor of the Lutheran congregation at Friedensville. His childhood and youth were spent on his father's farm near Hellertown, not far from the place where he died. He worked on the farm until the Spring of 1844, when he entered the blacksmith shop with the intention of learning the trade of his father, but his mother's death, May 4, 1844, leaving nine children to his father's care, changed the plans of his life. In the Winter of 1845 he began to teach school and con- tinued until the Fall of 1846, when he went to Philadelphia as salesman in a dry goods house on Third Street. While in the city he regularly attended St. John's Lutheran Church, on Race Street, Rev. Dr. Mayer, pastor ; and was also a teacher in the Sunday Schood. During the Winter of 1847-48 be again taught school. In the Spring of 1848 he went to Gettysburg to attend Pennsylvania College. Here he spent two years, but on account of failing health had to return home. In 1850 he began his studies in the home and under the direction of Rev. Jeremiah Schindel, then living in the parsonage of Jordan Lutheran Church, South White- hall Township, Lehigh County. He was diligent and sincere in his work. His preceptor entertained the highest regard for him and ever bore testimony to his unwearied application and unfeigned devotion to the work of his Lord. In 1852, he passed his examination and was licensed by the Intheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania at its annual meeting held in Lancaster, and two years later with six others was ordained. His first catechisation was held in Union Church, Janu- ary 23, 1851 ; first sermon was preached in Ziegel Church, May 11, 1851, on John 3:2; first funeral, May 30, 1851, was held in Weisenberg Church; first funeral after licensure, June 14, 1852; first baptism, June 14, 1852; first marriage, July 6, 1852; first communion, September 11, 1852, in Weisenberg Church, I Corinthians 11:26. After his reception into the Ministerium he remained for a short time with Rev. Schindel as his assistant, when he received and ao- cepted a call from four congregations in Northampton County, formerly served by Rev. Mendsen, viz: Towamensing,, Cherryville, Moorestown and Stone Church ; and not long after was elected and served the Washington Township congrega- tion. He lived at Cherryville. In May, 1857, he received and accepted a call to the charge long served by Rev. Benjamin German, and more recently by Rev. Jacob Vogelbach. The charge consisted of four congregations, viz: Salisbury, Zionsville, Blue Church and Apple's. During this time he also served the St.
REV. WILLIAM RATH
43
THE SALISBURY LUTHERAN CONGREGATION.
Paul's congregation at Catasauqua, until 1861. In the Fall of 1859 he became pastor of the Lower Saucon Lutheran congregation, near Freemansburg, serving it until 1870. During 1858-59 he preached at Mickley's and during 1861-62 he served the congregation at Cedarville. He organized the congregation at Heller- town in 1870 and served it until 1881. He also organized and served St. John's, Emaus, and the Lutheran congregation in Solomon's Church, Macungie. In the Fall of 1857 he received a call to the "Swamp charge," but deelined it. During the three last years of his ministry and np to his death, he had pastoral charge of Salisbury and Zionsville, having resigned Blue Church and Apple's. He preached his last sermon in Zionsville on Easter Sunday, April 21, 1889, on 2 Tim. 2:8. Shortly thereafter he was taken sick and was never again able to fill any appointment. In 1882 he celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of his pastorate in the four congregations forming the original charge. Very interest- ing services were held in the different churches and many tokens of high regard and devotion to him were presented. It was a great comfort and encouragement to him to receive these marks of warm appreciation.
During his ministry of thirty-seven years, according to his records, he bap- tized 3718, married 1031 couples and buried 1466.
Besides the work in his own congregations he did a great amount of work for Synod, Conference and the Church institutions. He was intimately con- nected and identified with the welfare of Muhlenberg College. He was a trustee on its Board from its beginning. He served as President of the Board from 1876 to 1886 and was the father of the present amended charter of the College.
He was President of the Second District Conference of Synod, from 1871 to 1877, and from 1883 to 1886. Some of the most trying ordeals through which this Conference has passed took place during his incumbency. In Synod he was not less useful and active. He served on many important committees and rendered much valued service to the church.
On December 26, 1853, he was married in Stone Church to Christiana F. Snyder, daughter of Jonas Snyder and wife Sallie ( Flick). Four children were born to them, viz: Rev. Myron O., Laura Alma, Mary Elizabeth, who died in infancy, and Sarah Susanna, wife of Francis G. Lewis, Esq.
Ilis sickness was general debility, resulting from an attack of typhoid fever during the severe epidemic in Allentown in 1886. He died at his country home at Center Valley, Lehigh County, July 2, 1889. He was surrounded during his final struggle by his wife, who with unfaltering devotion ministered to him dur- ing his long illness, and his children, who followed him to the dark valley, through which the Lord Jesus, whom he loved and served so long, alone could accompany him.
"Rev. William Rath was a man of more than ordinary ability. Being more or less of a timid, retiring disposition, his real worth and ability were not so well known. In the inner circle of his more intimate friends he was himself and his real merits came there to the surface. He was well versed and grounded in the
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HISTORY OF JERUSALEM CHURCH, SALISBURY, PA.
history and theology of his church and his was a very decided confessional type of Lutheranism. He had no respect for mere sensationalism. There was with him no compromise of the truth for the sake of mere policy or social considera- tions. As a preacher he was clear, thoroughly evangelical and practical. He was firm and steadfast in his convictions, resolute and determined in purpose and conscientious in every particular. In his habits he was economical and punctual, and in his intercourse with others he was polite and gentlemanly. He com- manded respect from every one that had the pleasure of knowing or meeting him. He was fondly attached to his home and family. "There is no place like home,' he would often say. His children were near and dear to him, and he was much concerned in their temporal and spiritual welfare. He had the great satisfaction of having his only son as his assistant and successor."
"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them."
MYRON O. RATH.
It was the father's wish that when his son was ordained to the ministry, he should assist him in his large field. The matter was submitted to the congrega- tions and acquiesced in by them. For thirteen years, to the time of the pastor's death in 1889, this relationship continued. In 1890 the son was elected to suc- ceed his father in the congregations still served by him at the time of his death. One of these was Salisbury, in which he began his ministry in 1877. Rev. Rath comes from a ministerial family. His father was a minister, two of his uncles were ministers, he has a nephew in the ministry and also a cousin. He is a direet descendent of John Philip Boehm, the great pioneer preacher of the Reformed Church in America. His preparatory education was received in the Allentown Seminary. He is a graduate of Muhlenberg College and of the Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He spent one year in the German University at Watertown, Wis. He was ordained by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania in St John's Church, Allentown, in 1877. During the life time of his father he preached in the Churches comprising the charge. He is at present pastor of Jerusalem, Salisbury and St. John's, Emaus, known as the Salisbury-Emaus charge. Salisbury is wholly German; Emaus, German and English. Since 1900 on alternate Sunday evenings he holds services in Mountainville. Going in and out among a people for so many years, and ministering to their spiritual needs with such ability as he possesses, tells its own story. "Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be proved faithful."
A history of 170 years lies behind us. During this long time, twelve men have ministered to the congregation. Not to speak of the writer's ministry that ran parallel with his father's for 13 years, that of three may be mentioned as of umisual length : Jacob Van Buskirk, 27 years; Benjamin German, 29 years; William Rath, 32 years. Another remarkable fact is that for a period of 51 years father and son have served the same congregation. Since the building of
45
THE SALISBURY LUTHERAN CONGREGATION.
the present church in 1819, only five ministers were called to the pastorate in the congregation. There are to-day on the roll of membership persons who were con- firmed by one of these five pastors, with the possible exception of William Ger- man. And there are still a few who have been members under each of the five ministers. These five men occupied the same pulpit until 1884 when extensive improvements were made.
The church is a splendid type of church architecture of the olden time. It is a large stone building, with arched ceiling and galleries on three sides. Originally it had three large entrances. The pulpit was high with steps on each side. Above it was a sounding board suspended by an ornate bracket. Within an oval shaped enclosure in front of the pulpit stood the altar table of similar shape. In the gallery opposite the pulpit was the organ. The benches were of plain boards with straight backs, very uncomfortable. The floors were uncovered. On certain occasions, usually just before communion, after the church had been cleaned, little heaps of white silver sand were dropped, causing some little noise when the people walked across the floor.
The change that was made in 1884, was made at the expense of what was old. The interior was altered; a steeple was built and a vestibule added. Because of these alterations two of the entrances to the church were closed, the galleries were rebuilt, the high goblet shaped pulpit with its "schall deckel" was removed; the straight-back seats with swinging doors replaced by more comfortable pews; the bare floor, with here and there little piles of sand, covered with carpet and mat- ting ; the stove, with large drum and long stove-pipe, replaced by a steam heating plant, and the organ by a splendid two-manual pipe organ. In 1899 the fine chapel at the east end of the church was built. It is of brick, and is used for Sunday School purposes. It has three apartments, one for the main school, one for the Bible class and one for the Infant class. A few years ago it was newly painted and neatly frescoed.
The latest improvement to the church property was made in 1908, when the old school house was rebuilt and is now occupied by the janitor. At different times the burial ground was enlarged by the purchase of contiguous property. As far as can be ascertained, 1500 are buried here. The oldest known person buried is Mrs. Elizabeth Bogert, aged 100 years, 1 month and 21 days. In a com- pact form all available material pertaining to our dear old church has been brought together and forever saved from oblivion. The volume is as complete as the records at hand made possible.
46
HISTORY OF JERUSALEM CHURCH, SALISBURY, PA.
Lutheran Members. List of Communicants, March 23, 1782. Earliest of Record.
Häinrich Ritter,
George Helfrig,
Barbara Desch,
Johannes Keck,
Jacob Heddinger,
Catharine Ott,
Mrs. Johannes Keck,
Christian Gerlick,
Susanna Kammarer,
Johannes Gebel,
Mrs. Christian Gerlick,
Barbara Kemmerer,
William Rischel,
George A. Blanck,
Anna Finck,
Häinrich Kemmerer,
Jacob Miller,
Margaretha Beisch,
Andreas Keck,
Jacob Miller,
Chris. Wieder,
Mrs. Andreas Keck,
David Kehm,
Mar. Ritter,
Elias Weber,
Waldora Schmoyer,
Mag. Weber,
Mrs. Elias Weber,
George Tut,
Catha. Heddinger,
Thomas Fermer,
Christian Tut,
Mar. Miller,
Mrs. Thomas Fermer,
Häinrich Matz,
Anna Dauber,
Michael Wolfgang,
Sovia Richel,
Regina Schmoyer,
Mrs. Michael Wolfgang,
Elizabeth Barger,
Mar. Schmoyer,
George II. Mertz,
Elisabeth Barger,
Cath. Steininger,
George Landenschlager,
Elisabeth Herr,
Cat. Keem,
Mrs. Geo. Laudensehlager, Elizabeth Herr,
Cat. Tut,
Samuel Richard,
Rosiana Kemmerer,
Eva Steininger,
Mrs. Samuel Richard,
Charlotte Knauss,
Elizabeth Kratzer,
Simeon Hain,
Margaretta Knauss,
Mag. Torni,
Peter Blanck,
Mary Torni,
Mar. Ritter.
List of Communicants, April 16, 1820. First Communion Celebrated in New Church-Rev. B. German.
Andreas Keck and wife Magdelena,
Jonas Klein,
Maria Knaus,
Peter Klein,
Philip Klein and wife Margretta,
Samuel Borz
Frederick Kemmerer,
David Scholl,
Häinrich Märtz,
Friederick Kehm,
Susanna Keck,
Solomon Bachman,
Peter Klein,
John Kemmerer,
Martin Ritter and wife Anna Margretta,
John Landenschlager,
George Kemmerer and wife Susanna,
Joh Kemmerer, Benjamin Blank,
David Bieber,
John Flexer and wife Elisabeth, Hanna Flexer, John Kemmerer and wife, John Flexer,
Heinrich Romich,
Carl Weaber,
Christofel Steininger,
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THE SALISBURY LUTHERAN CONGREGATION.
Hainrich Kammerer and wife, Christian Dutt,
Daniel Klück and wife, Adam Steininger, Christian Bortz and wife, Christian Steininger and wife Elisa- beth, George Deily and wife Sara,
Heinrich Keck and wife Elisabeth,
George and wife Maria, John Weitman,
Daniel Ritter,
George Bieber and wife,
Benjamin Keck and wife Elisabeth,
John Mertz and wife Saloma,
Martin Ritter, Daniel Klein,
Jacob Ritter,
Cathrine Reinhard,
Magdelena Harlacher,
Eva Knauss,
Elisabeth Bogert,
George Deibert,
Jacob Brobst,
Elizabeth Dutt,
Maria Landenschlager,
Elisabeth Weaber,
Maria Bieber,
A. M. Ritter,
List of Present Members.
MALE.
Bortz, Marcus E.,
Danner, Herbert C.,
Bortz, Alvin,
Danner, Richard IL.,
Bieber, Walter,
Danner, Allen J.,
Amig, Horace A.,
Barndt, Jacob,
DeLong, Benjamin,
Amig, George A.,
Blumer, Edward,
Derr, Jeremiah,
Bergstresser, Charles, Bøger, Benjamin,
Derr, Harvey, Perr, Samuel HI.,
Bammer, Charles J.,
Boger, Herbert B.,
DeLong, Benjamin F.,
Boger, William II.,
Pavid, George,
Boger, Milton S., . David, Harry,
('lingan, Hunter,
David, Charles,
Bortz, George A.,
Michael Lazerus, Solomon Kemmerer, George David, Maria Brey,
Margrett Marks,
Lidia Kemmerer, Maria Schwartz, Maria Jacoby,
('hristina Wieder,
Margareth Wieand,
Elizabeth Wieand, Sara Jierich,
Elisabeth Dorny, Maria Dorny,
Lidia Kämmerer,
Lidia Kämmerer,
Maria Brey,
Catherine Klein,
Luth. Kümry, Borg,
Maria Shifert,
Maria David,
Maria Dutt,
George, Heinrich Klein, John Fleckser, George Kemmerer,
Andres, Peter, Andres, Eli A.,
Andres, Robert J.,
Amig, Leroy E., Becker, Harrison F.,
Barner, Harvey N. H.,
Bortz, Edwin H.,
Bortz, Adam H.,
Danner, Wilson,
David, A. Vietor,
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HISTORY OF JERUSALEM CHURCH, SALISBURY, PA.
David, Franklin H.,
Heil, George A.,
Kern, S. A. J., Koser, David M.,
David, Clinton G.,
Kehm, Alvin,
David, Herbert W.,
Kchm, Harvey M.,
Kratzer, Herbert C., Kratzer, Harley W.,
Eek, Alvin,
Kehm, William,
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