History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 111

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1158

USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I > Part 111

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

A Sunday-school was organized Feb. 25, 1860, with James Thomas as superintendent and he continued in active service for many years. He was succeeded by Prof. Henry J. Reinhard in 1898, who has served very successfully until the present time.

The 30th anniversary of the church was ap- propriately celebrated on Dec. 22, 1889.

A superior and attractive church edifice was erected on the southeast corner of Fifth and Walnut streets; built of blue limestone; and

610

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

includes a two-story annex on Walnut street for Sunday-school purposes. The corner stone was laid June 1, 1890, at the northwest corner of the building, where the old corner stone of 1859 was also placed; and the building was dedicated with appropriate services Dec. 21st following. The stone tower is 97 feet high.

In January, 1914, the membership of the con- gregation was 235; of the Sunday-school, 220.

Pastors .- The church was regularly supplied with ministers from Allentown and other places from 1859 to 1864, when the first pastor was appointed. The pastors who served this con- gregation were the following:

Charles W. Bickley, .. 1864-65 Henry F. Isett, . 1865 Silas B. Best, . 1866-69 John J. Jones, . 1869-71. William P. Howell, 1871-74 Jeremiah Pastorfield, 1874-76

Gaseway Oram, 1876-79 Daniel M. Young, 1879-81 S. Olin Garrison, 1881-84

John Stronger, 1884-87

Andrew J. Anslow, 1887-89

Charles H. Rorer, 1889-92 Charles M. Simpson,

1892-97 E. C. Yerkes, .. 1897-99 Isaac M. Foster, 1899-1901 Franklin F. Bond, 1901-04 Robt. A. McIlwaine,

1904-07 Jacob E. Grauley, 1907-II William H. Pickop, 19II-13 A. Lincoln Shalkop, 1913-

ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH .- The Lu- therans of Catasauqua determined to establish a church for themselves during the winter of 1851, but finding themselves too weak to en- gage in the undertaking alone they joined the German Reformed congregation, which was in a similar situation, and they together resolved to co-operate and erect a "Union Church." A com- mittee was accordingly appointed at a joint meeting, which was constituted as follows:

Lutheran-George Breinig, Samuel Koehler, and Charles Nolf; Reformed-Solomon Biery.

During the previous year, religious meetings were held in the Presbyterian church.

The site selected was on Howertown Road, and a lot of ground there, containing one acre, was purchased from Henry Kurtz for $300. The corner stone of the church was laid on July 4, 1852, and the building was dedicated on Christ- mas Day, the Rev. Jeremiah Schindel preaching the principal sermon.

The first Lutheran council consisted of the following members:

Elders .- George Breinig, George Frederick.

Deacons .- Jonathan Snyder, Reuben Patter- son.

The building was an attractive brick edifice surmounted with a square steeple and bell, ele- vated about sixty feet.

The first members were:

Charles F. Beck and wife

William D. Rahn and wife Jacob E. Bough and Francis N. Siegfried wife

and wife

Daniel L. Bough and Mrs. Solomon Biery Thomas Frederick Mary Schaeffer

wife Joseph Geiger and wife. Reuben Patterson and

wife

James E. Patterson and wife

Wm. Schoenenberger James Weber

ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH.

Other members were gradually added, and in three years the membership increased to 136.

Temporary benches were used as seats until the spring of 1858; then pews were substituted of the stall type, with straight backs, flat seats,

611

BOROUGH OF CATASAUQUA.

and doors with wooden twirlers. At the same time the interior of the church was repainted.

Rev. Schindel called Rev. William Rath to assist him in the fall of 1853, and this assistance became so satisfactory in one year that Rev. Rath was elected the regular pastor; and he pre- pared the first list of members, which embraced I 36 names. The first communion was adminis- tered by him to 68 members.

pose of securing English preaching. They erect- ed a brick edifice at Third and Bridge streets, where they have continued until now.

The bell in the steeple, in use from 1852 to 1878, having become cracked, a new bell, the gift of William Roesch, was substituted in its place; but this also became cracked within a year, and Mr. Roesch again substituted another, which has been in constant use until now.

INTERIOR VIEW OF ST. PAUL'S.

During the fall of 1864 the building was re- modeled; and in 1865 an organ was supplied.

After Rev. F. J. F. Schantz became the pas- tor, in 1861, he began to advocate a separate church for his congregation. This was eventu- ally accomplished, in 1868, by purchasing the interest of the Reformed Congregation in the property. The services were conducted in the German language at the morning service, and in the English at the evening.

In 1870 the basement was improved and fitted up for Sunday school purposes, and for serv- ices during the week. In 1871 the congregation was incorporated.

The burial of deceased members on the ad- joining grave-yard was discontinued in 1868, and by 1873 the removal of the bodies buried there to the Fairview Cemetery was completed.

In 1873 a number of members withdrew and organized a separate congregation for the pur-

In 1887 a new church was erected.

The building committee was:

Simon Breinig Samuel M. Snyder

Fred'k Eberhardt Urich F. Koehler

John L. Witt Tilghman F. Frederick

Cain Semmel

The building is a superior and commodious brick structure, with a steeple 70 feet high.

The flag-stone pavement and iron fence were placed along the front of the property in 1888; and a parsonage was erected at the southerly side of the church in 1890.

In 1893 the Sunday school room was remod- elled, and rolling partitions and new seats were introduced.

A "Semi-Centennial Jubilee" of the church was celebrated during the week beginning June 29, 1902.

In 1903 the auditorium was refrescoed, and

612

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

otherwise improved by appropriate gifts from devoted members.

In 1905 a steam-heat plant was installed in the church; and in 1908 in the parsonage.

In 1909 an annex was built at the rear of the church, making its total dimensions 70 feet wide by 110 feet long.

A new pipe organ was then installed; and a fine brass eagle lecturn, accompanied by a bronze tablet, was presented by William H. Glace, Esq., as a testimonial to his father, Samuel Glace, who was a devout elder of the church and died in 1892, at the age of 86 years. The total cost of the improvements was $25,000.

In 1911 a vested choir was introduced, with

A union Sunday-school was started with the churches in 1855. After the dissolution in 1868, a re-organization was effected, with a distinctive Lutheran Sunday-school, which was named "St. Paul's." The pastors have been the superin- tendents; Tilghman F. Frederick served as first assistant, from 1875 to his decease in 1909. He was succeeded by William Samuels.

The Luther League has been an efficient aux- iliary during the past ten years.

The membership of the church in January, 1914 was 914, and that of the Sunday school was 565; but many children of the members attend the Sunday schools at East Catasauqua, West Catasauqua, and Fullerton.

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH.

processional and recessional singing at the open- ing and closing of the services.

Two chapels are connected with this church ; one at East Catasauqua called "Zion's," and the other at Fullertown, called "St. Johns."

Pastors .- The pastors have been:

Jeremiah Schindel 1852-54

Joseph W. Mayne, 1888-92 William Rath, 1853-61 James F. Lambert, 1892- F. J. F. Schantz, 1861-66 Jacob D. Schindel, 1867-88

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH .- The Lu- theran Church of the Holy Trinity at Catasau- qua is recognized as a daughter of St. Paul's Lutheran church. The latter was established here in 1851, and the services were conducted in the German and English languages for twenty years; then the younger element in the congre- gation, which had grown up under the influence of an English education in the local schools and also in Sunday-school, requested the church council not to reduce the English services from

613

BOROUGH OF CATASAUQUA.

five to four times a month, as the council had intended to do, by action taken at the annual meeting on Jan. 1, 1873. This request was made because there were still ten English mem- bers who maintained that the existing circum- stances had not justified such action. The re- quest was refused, whereupon the English mem- bers of the congregation promptly held meetings and determined to organize a congregation and establish a church where the services should be carried on in the English language.

The active members in this behalf were Mel- chior H. Horn, George Bower, Edwin Schlauch, Thomas Frederick, Charles F. Beck, Jacob S. Lawall, and Henry J. Eckensberger. The move- ment was successful and a committee secured the German Reformed church as a temporary place for holding the English services of the new con- gregation and conducting a Sunday-school. The first services were held on Sunday, January 14th, which evidenced the determined spirit and ef- ficient manner in which the undertaking had been handled.

A constitution was adopted Feb. 10, 1873, and the following officers constituted the first council :

Elders-George Bower, Thomas Frederick.

Deacons-Edwin Schlauch, Jacob B. Werley, H. J. Eckensberger, Orantes Pearson.

Trustees-Charles F. Beck, Edwin H. Breder. Treasurer-M. H. Horn.

Secretary-Wm. H. Horn.

Regular services in English were conducted every Sunday morning and evening, until May, 1873, when Rev. John K. Plitt was elected as the pastor.

The first communion service was conducted on May 14, 1873, by Rev. Joseph A. Seiss, D.D., of Philadelphia, and the following members com- muned at that time :

George Bower H. J. Eckenberger Amanda Eckenberger

Mrs. A. D. Bower

C. D. W. Bower

Jacob L. Lawall

Myra Bower Anna C. Lawall

M. H. Horn

E. H. Breder

Mrs. Matilda L. Horn

Wm. H. Horn

Mary C. Breder Benjamin B. Lynn Robert A. Lyttle Edwin Schlauch

Thomas Frederick

Catharine Frederick

Mrs. Edwin Schlauch

Thos. W. Frederick Mrs. Oliver Overpeck Charles F. Beck Joseph H. Shipe Catharine Beck Emily C. Shipe

Jacob. B. Werley George Frederick

Abbie R. Werley

Orantus Pierson

Elizabeth Pierson

Mrs. Effie J. Frederick Mary Fenstermacher William H. Bender

The efforts in behalf of a church building were equally successful, for by the fall of 1873 the corner stone was laid on a central lot of ground at the northeast corner of Third and Bridge streets, and the completed building was

dedicated with appropriate services in the spring of 1874. The edifice, built of brick, with a basement and central tower, presents an attrac- tive appearance; its dimensions are 50 by 70 feet ; the total cost was $16,000. The congrega- tion was incorporated June 16, 1882.

Pastors .- The pastors have been:

John K. Plitt, 1873-77 M. H. Richards, 1877-82 (Missionary supply.)

1883-84

John D. Roth, 1889-93

Paul G. Klinger, 1893-96 Wm. Geo. de Armit

George W. Sandt Hudson, ... 1896-1902 Edwin Francis

Charles S. Kohler, Keever. .. .... 1902-07

1884-86 Charles L. Fry, 1908-13

D. M. Henkel, 1887-89

A Sunday-school was organized Jan. 12, 1873, with 80 people, and Melchoir H. Horn as super- intendent. His successors were D. M. Henkel, George Bower, Oliver Williams, and since 1904 J. Arthur Williams (a nephew of Oilver Wil- liams).

A two-story frame parsonage was erected in 1912, adjoining the church on the north. The church membership in January, 1914, was 145; and of the Sunday school, 115.

SALEM REFORMED CHURCH .- The Reformed people of Catasauqua, who resided here when the place was known as Biery's Port, worshipped either at Shoenersville or Howertown; but, de- siring to attend divine services nearer home, they secured the use of the Presbyterian chapel on Church street, at such times when the Presby- terians had no services. In this manner they carried on their organization from 1848 to 1852, under the pastorate of Rev. Jacob C. Becker. Nicholas Balliet, a devout member of the Re- formed church, is worthy of much commenda- tion for his earnest efforts in behalf of the congregation.

A movement was soon made to build a church, but the membership having been small (about 100), they invited the Lutheran people here to co-operate with them, and they together se- lected the following Building Committee: Lu- theran, George Breinig, Samuel Koehler and Charles Nolf; Reformed, Solomon Biery.

A lot of ground (one acre) was purchased from Henry Kurtz for $300, situated on the Howertown Road; the corner stone was laid July 4, 1852; and the dedication of a "Union" church was held on Christmas Day, 1852, with the following ministers officiating: Revs. Jacob C. Becker, J. D. Hoffenditz, - Apple, Jer- emiah Schindel, Joshua Yeager, and William Rath.

The union of the two congregations was con- tinued until 1868. Then the Reformed sold their interest in the property to the Lutherans for $3,600, and erected a church for themselves

Frank M. Horn

614

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

on a lot, situated at the southeast corner of Third and Walnut streets, which was donated by Joseph Laubach. The corner stone was laid in April, 1869, and the building was formally ded- icated in the fall of that year, under the name of the First Reformed Church of Catasauqua. Their services during this time were held regu- larly in the Bridge Street Presbyterian church, where a Sunday school was also conducted.

In several years dissensions arose in the con- gregation, which continued until both the con- gregations and the Sunday-school became disor- ganized, and the property involved in a large debt; the pastors were necessarily changed to meet the varying conditions. This situation pre- vailed until the property was sold by the sher- iff in 1880; then a re-organization was effected under the name of Salem Reformed church of Catasauqua.

Under this name the congregation has been maintained in a successful manner until the pres- ent time. In 1887 it became self-supporting ; the annex to the building was erected in 1888; and in 1890 the church was repainted. The steeple was then rebuilt, it having been blown down by a violent storm in 1878.

The great increase in the Sunday-school re- quired larger accommodations, and in 1902 a new adjoining building was put up for Sunday- school purposes. In 1903 a new pipe organ was installed at a cost of $2,000, through the zeal of the Young People's Association, of which An- drew Carnegie donated $1,000.

In 1909 a steam-heating plant was added, and the Duplex Envelope system introduced.

Pastors .- The pastors have been :

Jacob C. Becker Wilson F. More,

Cyrus J. Becker.

1886-1904

A. B. Konlin, . 1873-77

John J. Crist, 1877-86

Alexander P. Frantz, J.904-

During the pastorate of Reverend More, three young men of the congregation entered the min- istry : Rev. Irwin H. DeLong, D.D., of the The- ological Seminary at Lancaster ; Rev. Samuel E. Moyer, of Perkasie; Rev. William F. Kosman, of Riegelsville; and afterward the Rev. George A. Bear, graduate of Central Theological Semin- ary, Dayton, Ohio.

The membership of the church in January, 1914, was 502 ; of the Sunday-school, 496.

The Mite Society, organized Jan. 5, 1885, by married women of the congregation, has since been of great assistance in maintaining the church successfully.

EMANUEL EVANGELICAL CHURCH .- A society was organized in the vicinity of Biery's Port in 1842, by persons who had espoused the princi- ples of the Evangelical Association, which was

making vigorous exertions elsewhere in Lehigh county. The members were Henry, Enoch, Ab- ram and Joseph Youndt and their wives, and Valentine, Matthias, and Sebastian Knoll, ap- parently the zealous Christians of two families of this community. They persevered in their ef- forts for six years, when the preaching of Henry Bucks and Noah McLain at last brought the realization of their hopes and prayers, the estab- lishment of a church. The building was a one- story frame structure, 30 by 38 feet, on the How- ertown Road between Union and Wood streets, erected at a cost of $1,000. The trustees, active in securing its erection, were Henry Youndt (one of the first organizers), Charles G. Schnell- er, and William Neighley. It was named the Emanuel German Evangelical church of Cata- sauqua.

Services were continued in this building until 1870, by which time the accession of members had grown to such proportions that a larger building became necessary and accordingly an- other lot was secured in a more central locality, at the corner of Second and Walnut streets, where an attractive one-story brick edifice, with a frame tower, was erected, at a cost of $10,000, and here the congregation has continued its reg- ular services until the present time. The trus- tees were William Michael, David A. Tombler, Owen Schwartz, C. G. Schneller, and Aaron Glick.

Pastors .- The pastors have been :

William Hessart

C. B. Fleager

Francis Hoffman Jacob Adams

John Kramer C. Breyfogel

Henry Bucks Reuben M. Lichtenwal-

Noah McLain ner

Michael Singlinger Benj. F. Bohner

Samuel Rhoads Henry J. Glick

Christian Hummel Henry Hains

Jacob Gross J. C. Bliem

Christian Myers

C. K. Fehr

George Knerr Sner Kreskey

Moses Dissinger C. C. Moyer

George Haines (twice) J. Willet Boyer

John Schell A. H. Dostler

John Koehl

Henry Wentz

James Lehr

J. G. M. Swengel

The church was remodeled in 1889 at a cost of $3,000, and repainted and repapered in 1912.

The membership of the church in December, 1913, was 94; of the Sunday-school, 125, whose superintendent the last ten years has been Mr. Thomas Heilman.

WELSH BAPTIST CHURCH .- A number of Welsh families, affiliated with the Baptist de- nomination, resided at Catasauqua in 1871, and they associated together for the purpose of es- tablishing a church here for themselves. They were :

615

BOROUGH OF CATASAUQUA.

Mrs. Anna Powell Kate Ratcliffe David Thomas

Mrs. Gwenny Lewis

Richard Gower

William Thomas

David Walters Robert Lytton

Daniel Morgan

John Evans

Mary Ann Lovett

They secured a lot of ground, 50 by 180 feet, on the northwest corner of Third and Chestnut streets and there they caused a one-story frame church to be erected at a cost of $4,000. It was 34 by 52 feet, set back from Third street about 25 feet. Religious services were conducted there occasionally for about two years by Rev. Wil- liam Morgan; then the members became sepa- rated on account of the panic, and the congrega- tion naturally ceased to exist. In 1872 the membership was about 75.

The building was bought by the mortgagee, who converted it into a compartment-house for six families, and different Hungarian families oc- cupied it until 1908. Shick & Hausman, plum- bers, then bought the premises, razed the church, and erected dwellings in its place.

It was occupied for a time by the Salvation Army, and meetings in behalf of temperance were also held there.

WELSH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH .- A number of Welsh families came to locate per- manently at Catasauqua and connected them- selves with the First Presbyterian church. This connection was maintained until 1882, when they determined to organize a congregation for them- selves, not simply for the purpose of separating from the church where they had so long assisted in carrying on religious worship, but more es- pecially for the purpose of securing regular preaching and worship in the Welsh language. There were probably fifteen families and the more active in this behalf were those of Daniel R. Griffith, John Williams, John Evans, David D. Thomas, Richard Thomas, Lewis Jones, Ed- ward Davies, and Henry Harris.

Mrs. David Thomas, familiarly known as "Mother" Thomas, (who was a Welsh woman, reared in Wales), encouraged this movement, and donated a lot of ground, 90 by III feet in dimensions, on the northwest corner of Fourth and Pine streets, where the first steps were taken in May, 1883, towards the erection of a church, and the corner stone was laid on June 17th, by the aged "Mother" Thomas, assisted by her sons, Samuel and John, who supported her during this most interesting ceremony. The first named of the members was zealous in supervising the plans and construction of the building, and the opera- tions were carried on with so much success that by November the building was completed. One of the most gratified persons was "Mother" Thomas, and it should be said of her in this con-

nection that after $3,000 had been raised and the plans perfected for a frame edifice, chiefly by the solicitations of Mr. Griffith, she said to him that the plans should be altered for a brick edifice and if he couldn't raise the difference she would attend to its payment. Mr. Griffith al- tered the plans accordingly and, when the build- ing came to be dedicated, all the debts which had been contracted were paid in full by her as- sistance.

The edifice is of Gothic style, built of brick, one-story, with a steep, slate-covered roof, sur- mounted by a neat open spire in a transverse po- sition. Its dimensions are 30 by 50 feet, with entrance porch on Pine street, and a wing en- trance on Fourth street. The building commit- tee was Rev. David R. Griffith, Samuel Thomas, David D. Thomas, and William P. Hopkins. While the building operations were going on regular services were held in the Welsh Baptist church on Third street, north of Walnut.

The dedication services were held Dec. 2, 1883, all conducted in the Welsh language, and it was regarded with so much pride that Welsh ministers from Kingston, Providence, and Shen- andoah came here to participate in the unusual ceremonies. By that time the communicant members had increased to 64. The name adopted was Bethel Welsh Congregational church.

Pastors .- The pastors have been :

David R. Griffith (14 William Davies

years) Fynah Williams

Tydwell Williams (5 Isaac T. Williams (1913)

years).

A Sunday-school was started with the first movement for a church, the pupils numbering 118, and it has been continued until now. The superintendents have been David R. Griffith, David D. Thomas, and Thomas Williams. The membership of church and Sunday-school have been reduced, owing to removals caused by in- dustrial changes.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- The first efforts to- wards establishing the Episcopal church at Cata- sauqua were made in 1870, when the rector of the Church of the Mediator at Allentown ( Rev. F. W. Bartlett) held religious services in the public school-building on Willow street. These services were continued at irregular intervals for two years, when the rector was transferred to another part of the diocese and he could no longer conveniently carry them on. The move- ment, begun in this way, was continued by the rector of the Church of the Nativity at South Bethlehem (Rev. Cortlandt Whitehead, now Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh ), who came here occasionally and preached in the school- house and also in the Trinity Lutheran church.

616

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

during the year 1872. These occasional services were continued from 1873 to 1875 in the rail- road station of the Lehigh Valley R. R. Co., by Rev. C. E. D. Griffith, the rector of the Church of the Mediator at Allentown. Among those who supported and encouraged these meetings during that time were :

Mrs. Ryan Mealey John McRell

Mrs. Wm. Wilkinson R. Clay Hamersly

Thomas Daugherty and wife

From 1875 to 1893, there were no religious services in behalf of this church; but the rector of the church at South Bethlehem (Rev. C. K. Nelson, now Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia), visited Catasauqua occasionally for the purpose of administering the Holy Communion in the dwelling-houses of certain active members. In April, 1893, Rev. Robert H. Kline, rector of Grace Church at Allentown, instituted a series of meetings in the town and these were continued at various places with much encouragement, which eventually led to the establishment of an Episco- pal church here.

When the Rt. Rev. Ethelbert Talbot, D.D., became the bishop of this diocese, he appointed Rev. William H. Heigham as the missionary at Catasauqua, who took up his residence among the people and exerted himself in behalf of a church for two years, when he removed to New York City. He was followed by Rev. George A. Green, who also labored with great fidelity and secured the erection of a building on the south- west corner of Walnut street and Howertown Road, on a lot of ground which was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Peckitt. The corner stone was laid Oct. 28, 1900, and the attractive, unique edifice was consecrated May 21, 1905.

The building was modeled after the ancient St. Martin's Episcopal Church of England, which was erected outside the walls of Canter- bury and afterward restored and used in the year 580, by Queen Bertha, the first Christian Queen of England.

Rev. Mr. Green served until after the con- secration of the building, when he accepted a call to Fish-kill, New York, and in June, 1905, removed to that great field of labor. The bishop then appointed Rev. James B. May for the con- gregation, and this rector has served the church in a most faithful manner until the present time. During his administration the membership has been increased to 200; many improvements have been made to the building, including the installa- tion of a superior pipe organ ; and a large vested choir has been introduced which is an impressive adjunct to the services of the church. A hand-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 111

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1158

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1158