History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 175

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 175

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Flour was the scarcest article, and not to be had on this side of the Lehigh Mountains. They usually brought it from Groshenhoppen and Oley, and owing to break-neck roads could only bring small quanti- ties at a time. This was remedied, however, for in Klinesdale a mill was erected,-the mill now belong- ing to Charles Kline. This was the first in the set- tlement. Notwithstanding that flour was scarce they never suffered for food. The forests were full of game, and the creeks abounded in fish. Deer, bears, wild turkeys, doves, ducks, and quail were in abund- ance, and their tables were covered with these palata- bles.

Their greatest want was clothes. Those brought from Europe were worn out. They bought goods in Philadelphia usually used for sails of vessels, which was of coarse fibre. It was made into garments, and in winter two or three suits would cover them to shield them from the cold. But to buy required money, and their money was almost gone, so they raised flax for supply. Spinning began early in the fall and continued till spring. Looms sprung up, and gradually increased till nearly every tenth house had its loom. The German wives prided themselves upon their chests full of home-made linens, and their husbands were proud to wear the linen shirts of their own industry. Later they raised sheep and wool, which was interwoven with flax, and soon warm garments were made from wool alone.

Most of the settlers had learned a trade, and hence there were tailors, smiths, carpenters, shoe- makers, and millers, who helped each other and made the settlement rather independent. Physicians were wanting for many years. The strong, healthy German nature helped itself; a few domestic reme- dies such as certain teas, etc., were all they had for medicines. A few old ladies acted the midwife. Chills and fever, very common at this time, were treated with soups and full doses of patience.

All business and exchange were transacted in Philadelphia. All they needed was brought from there, and all their products which they wished to exchange for money were taken there. And all was carried on by teams of individual parties, and passed through Goshenhoppen, from where a good road

led to Philadelphia, making the trip to Philadel- phia and return in five or six days.

Before the church was built the settlers held services in their houses, at which the schoolmaster officiated by singing, prayer, and reading a sermon. While the schoolmaster was absent or wanting, one of the members would take his place. Gradually these schoolmasters improved, became a necessity, and were called "home-made ministers." But at the time when this church was built the members went to Philadelphia to engage a real minister, but not succeeding, they were obliged to be satisfied with these substituted sermon-readers. They became rec- onciled to these readers, and they served all the con- gregations on the north side of the Lehigh Moun- tains. Before their church was built, and even long ere they had burial places, they buried their dead on their own land, and hence the old farm burial places of those times were enlarged by relatives be- ing buried aside of their fathers and mothers, and many of these may be seen in the western part of Lehigh, and especially Berks county. It was neces- sary in the old times to have their services of read- ing, but the effects were not good. Many of these readers finally declared -themselves ministers. And when the organized Coetus (Synod) of Rev. Schlat- ter sent calls to European ministers to serve these congregations, and they came to take charge of these charges, these very same readers influenced the members against the European ordained mission- aries.

A certain Michael was such a reader, and the first Reformed preacher of the Ziegel congregation. What spiritual food the congregation then had can easily be imagined. But for many years this was their only resource. Besides their public services they lacked Bibles, hymn-books, and religious books. Family worship was forgotten, and the welfare of the soul was of secondary consideration. On such basis the congregation rested, and was to improve. Near the end of the period of these readers the Revolutionary War began. In the winter of 1777 to 1778 Washington was quartered at Valley Forge. The winter was severe, and the situation for the soldiers heartrending. This congregation provided to the best of their limited means such articles as shoes, garments, and food, and sent them. In the following spring, when Congress provided more for its army, members of this congregation enlisted in the army and fought for liberty till the end, and brought home with them corrupted morals of army life.

Taking into consideration the conditions and sur- roundings of this and neighboring congregations which prevailed to the end of the Revolution, we need not be surprised at the decline of Christianity, which increased for many years. The first settlers had died. From the beginning there were few schools, and those only in session a few months every winter. Year after year they grew worse, for the European teachers died, and in their stead in- competent men were often appointed. Besides, many children lived too far from the school houses, some five and six miles. Most parents objected to their children going such a distance, and kept them home The European school knowledge was buried with the early settlers, and the knowledge diffused by later teachers had a strong taint of il- literacy. The church interests of the congregation lacked pastorship and fostering. They stood under the leadership of readers, who were the personifica- tion of ignorance and unordained, and concerned

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

themselves little about church government They served merely for the sake of pay, flattered the mem- bers, left their transgressions unchastised because they themselves often were guilty of the grossest misdemeanors. Their stock of books was contracted to Arndt's "Wahres Christenthum," Bible, hymns, a book of sermons, and prayer-book. Notwithstand- ing these books were of the best kind, they were still not sufficient for their Christian furtherance. The war enhanced the evil still more. Many re- turned from the war with their morals paralyzed, which resulted in the common frolics and gay liv- ing and games and sparring. The church, having lost its stronghold and respect, could not interfere, and things took their own course. The church sunk to stupidity and spiritlessness; members finally de- cided that they only needed the sacraments and serv- ices every four weeks, and ceremonies for the dead, and weddings.

After a period of forty years the reign of the readers ceased, and the Ziegel congregation was supplied with ordained ministers. In 1778, Rev. John Henry Helffrich was elected as their pastor. He answered the call of Coetus in 1772 and came as missionary. He was brought from Philadel- phia by the Kutztown congregation, and lived there two years, but moved into the bounds of the Ziegel congregation. The Kutztown congre- gation had accepted the jurisdiction of Coetus, but when Helffrich tried to bring the Ziegel con- gregation under its influence he met with oppo- sition. There were two readers still in the neigh- borhood. Hentzel was Helffrich's predecessor in Kutztown, and was deposed on account of his loose morals. The other, a certain Roth, for similar reasons, was discharged from the Weis- senberg congregation, which also chose Helffrich for their pastor. Stimulated by chagrin and jealousy, they succeeded in making the Ziegel obstinate and rebellious. Since Helffrich could not succeed, he resigned. Later, when the con- gregation saw the progress of the other churches under the sway of able ministers, they consented to be admitted to Coetus, and elected Helffrich again as their pastor.

The second church was built during the pas- torship of Rev. John Henry Helffrich. The small log church that was built in 1749, and had seen forty-five years of services, became too small, and had to make room for better accom- modations. In 1795 the congregation resolved to build a church befitting the times. The members were divided among themselves as to where the new church was to be built. The old church was on the western corner of the old burial ground, and many wanted the new church oppo- site. It was finally decided that they vote by throwing their hats to the place of their choice. The most hats were found on the place opposite the old church, and the new building was erected there.

May 16, 1796, Revs. Helffrich and Oben- hausen officiated at the corner-stone laying, and in the fall of the same year the same ministers dedi- cated the new church.

Most of the churches erected about that time in Eastern Pennsylvania had something in common in the plan in which they were con- structed. It may be said the time had its style of architecture entirely distinct from later plans of construction. After this style the second Ziegel Church was built. Following was the method of construction: The building was of stone, greater in width than in depth, yet almost square. Large double doors opened on the front and on both sides, and on either side of these doors an oblong window, protected by shutters, was let into the wall. Over the doors was put a beautiful, artistic, and finely-carved lintel about a foot wide. On the second floor there were windows on three sides, all alike, and above there was a semi-circle. The two middle windows in the gable ends had also on the right and left small windows at the sides, which gave an air of propriety to the whole, and the church through- out a sacred appearance. Each gable end had a circular window, similar to the roses in the old Gothic style. The rear wall of the church had in each story towards the sides two windows, be- cause in the middle stood the pulpit, above which a small window admitted light as well as cool air in summer.

The arrangements of the interior was made with reference to the doors. An aisle running in from each door divided the room into four parts. Near the side entrances were steps leading to the galleries. Along the rear wall, upon pillars, stood the pulpit, in the form of a tulip with space for only one person, and a sounding-board above it. The pulpit stairs ascended from a passage along the wall about four feet long and three wide, which was known as the pastor's seat. In front of the pulpit, in a large clear space, stood the altar. This was not a vessel such as is gen- erally found, but was rather an altar, construct- ed after the fasion of the Ark of the Covenant, and decorated with a black vestment, which was covered during communion service with a white cloth. In later times the pulpit was decorated with the same kind of a black vestment. The galleries rested upon seven columns, and extend- ed around the three sides from the pulpit, and their fronts were so high that no one seated in them could see the minister at the altar. At first the gallery on the right of the pulpit contained the organ, but later it was removed to the one im- mediately facing the pulpit. The congregation was distributed according to age and sex in the

WEISSENBERG TOWNSHIP.

983

different parts of the church. The fronts of the galleries, as well as of the doors and windows, and the sides of the pews were painted white; the pews themselves, which formed the greatest part of what struck the eye, were unpainted, and in the course of time obtained a dull brown color, which made a solemn, dreary impression upon

The efforts of Rev. John Henry Helffrich, as before stated, were especially directed towards bringing the congregation into alliance with the Coetus (Synod), in order to obtain for it a more certain establishment as a church. When this was accomplished he devoted himself with all the energy of his nature towards securing a higher

LELE

THE PRESENT ZIEGEL CHURCH.

the mind. The frame-work of the roof was laid the long way upon the walls. Although this style of construction was apparently clumsy and not ecclesiastical in appearance, still the pul- pit, with its sounding-board, made preaching an easy matter in these churches, deficient, alas! in almost every respect.

and better order of things. His well-prepared sermons, delivered with earnestness and in love; his strict discipline, without sharpness; his ele- mentary instruction of the young, and his un- tiring industry bore their natural fruit. Yet the progress was only partial. The congregation advanced in ecclesiastical matters, but this ad-

984

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

vance was mostly in forms. There was a lack of appreciation of the advantages of mental cul- ture among the people. In fact, so limited was this appreciation that it was impossible to use the Heidelberg Catechism in its entire form in the instruction of the children. Neither were the young prepared by previous training to commit the larger answers, nor were they even inclined to do so. Many could neither read nor write, while others had never been within the four walls of a school house. To overcome some of the diffi- culties, Rev. Helffrich rewrote and simplified the Heidelberg Catechism, inserting the principal questions (with their numbers), so that every child could go over the whole catechism and memorize many of the questions thus simplified Through these means, the Heidelberg Catechism was prevented from falling into disuse in his con- gregation. The children were instructed every Sunday before divine service, and by the help of his explanations and illustrations were enabled to commit the catechism to memory. Later he had this abridgment printed, and every child was re- quired to have a copy, as well as the Heidelberg Catechism. It is still used as a catechism in Sun. day schools to this day.

Externally also, through his labors the church obtained new life. Veneration and love for the church sprang up in the people, and the church was constantly building a surer foundation. To- wards the attainment of a complete revivification, the proper conditions were, however, wanting. The schools were badly conducted, the literature necessary for the advancement of popular educa- tion was entirely wanting, and the spirit of the times tended downwards. Beyond all, there was a lack of spirit in the German Churches of Amer- ica which was everywhere more or less percept- ible. It will be thus seen that it was more nec- essary to check this downward tendency than to think of spiritual development. Yet the good seed was sown by willing ecclesiastical hands, and this self-same seed began to spread its roots, and in its own appointed time brought forth fruit in abundance.

After Rev. Helffrich's death in 1810, Heinrich Diefenbach was called to serve the congrega- tion provisionally. A son of Rev. Helffrich had begun to study theology, and it was agreed that Rev. Diefenbach should serve until the son should receive a license from the Synod to preach. The congregations of the Heidelberg, Lynn, and Low- hill Churches also joined in this provisional ar- rangement, and after a service of five years Mr. Diefenbach peaceably surrendered his charges to John Helffrich, after he had completed his studies in Philadelphia under Dr. Helfenstein, and had received his license from the Synod. John Helf-

frich was chosen as pastor in 1816, and served this and the other congregations above named for a period of thirty-five years, until his death in 1852.

Between 1820 and 1830 a schism known un- der the name of "the Free Synod" arose in the Reformed Churches of Eastern Pennsylvania especially, the seed of which was industriously sought to be sown also in the Zeigel congregation. Nor was it in vain, for the seed took root, and not a small portion of the members were favor- ably inclined to the idea. The Lutheran min- ister, Johann Konosky, seceded about this time from the Lutheran Synod, and drew with him all his congregations, among them the Lutherans of the Ziegel Church. Thereupon the Reformed congregations also wished to separate from their Synod. This purpose Rev. Helffrich opposed with all the earnestness of his nature. To dis- prove what the schismatics loudly proclaimed- that the old Synod desired to enslave the people- he obtained from the Synod a written declaration, addressed to the Ziegel Church, that it should not at any time be obliged to do anything to the loss of its freedom. This writing, composed in the Synod at Lebanon, in 1829, and attested under the hands of the synodical officers, was read to the Ziegel congregation, and the spirit of Free Synods, even if not entirely exterminated, lost its hold upon the people.

Another disturbance which shook the church in his time was that created by the birth of the spirit of fanaticism. This excitement pervaded the whole. German Church, more or less, every- where. It took its origin outside of the church, and sought to press its way from without into the church. It naturally tended to the establish- ment of the "anxious bench," and showed in many congregations into which it was introduced its corrupt and unchristian nature. From the rise of this spirit, so little in consonance with the spirit of the Reformed Church, Rev. Helffrich could foresee the promise of but little good. He did not permit himself to give the movement any countenance, but, on the other hand, took a posi- tion too far in the extreme, and too far, perhaps, behind the times. He constantly said to his flock, "We will abide by the old customs; let us cultivate these." In the Ziegel Church, too, the fanatical spirit attempted to obtain a foothold, but, owing to the opposition of their pastor, the church remained unharmed by the storm that swept over other churches like a scorching blast

About the year 1840, Rev. Helffrich founded the first Sunday school in this congregation, the members willingly lending themselves to the pro- ject.

On Whitsunday and Whitmonday, the 8th

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WEISSENBERG TOWNSHIP.

and 9th of June, 1851, the church celebrated the memory of its foundation by holding a centennial jubilee. The church was splendidly adorned. The walls, windows, organ, pillars, pulpit, etc., having been hung with evergreen, flowers, and fir branches. Four sermons were preached to the immense concourse by Revs. C. G. Herman, Jeremiah Schindel, and W. A. Helffrich. His- torical tablets on each side of the pulpit showed the numbers 1745 and 1845, signifying that a completed century lay in the past. In this period a rich and blessed congregation had arisen out of the wilderness. From the toil and cares of the old German fathers had sprung opulence and ease. There, at the side of the church, in the

formed side every other Sunday. The sermon had a known and active Christianity which be- came visible in practical results in the daily life of the people. A chandelier and lamps were pur- chased for the purpose of holding evening services, and it was here that the first of these was held. The prejudice against them quickly disappeared. The more frequently divine services were held the more industriously and in greater numbers came the congregation to the house of God, so that frequently there was not room for all.

The Heidelberg Catechism, never omitted in instruction, was now introduced in its full form, and made the groundwork of church life. The practice of the discipline inculcated by the cate-

HOMESTEAD OF REV. JOHANN HEINRICH HELFFRICH.

northeastern part of God's acre, sleep, mostly with unmarked graves, all of those who laid the first corner-stone of this church. No stone marks the resting place of the first departed of the fa- thers. Slate was used as headstones, but this soon crumbled from rain, frost, and heat, and now scarcely any inscription can be read. Later a small number of sandstones were erected, which are still standing, and the inscriptions are legible, but fast decaying; and still later there appeared memorial stones in marble.

In 1852, the year following the celebration, the pastorate became vacant through the death of Rev. John Helffrich, and his son, William A. Helffrich, who had assisted his father in his cleri- cal labors for seven years, was chosen as his suc- cessor. Divine service began to be held more fre- quently, and there was preaching on the Re-

chism and constitution of the church met with approbation ; it was forceably impressed upon the catechumens, and especially directed against the immoralities of the corrupting "frolics." The consecration of the consistories was now accom- plished with genuflexion and the laying on of hands, according to the direction of the constitu- tion, a thing which had never before been done. Communion services were held more frequently ; and kneeling in prayer during the preparatory services was now introducd. Many knees, at first very stubborn, learned in time to bend will- ingly.

About the year 1860 the Bible class came into existence. Members assembled in each other's homes, and engaged in singing, prayer, admoni- tion, and the reading of Scriptural selections, upon which they made observations. Weekly

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

prayer-meetings were held either in the church by the pastor or in their homes by the members themselves. There was also an increase of ac- tivity in regard to missions.

During the fall of 1862, among all the excite- ments and disturbances of the Civil War, the congregation resolved to build a new church, the old edifice having stood for sixty-eight years, and its capacity became too small. On Ascension day, 1862, the corner-stone of the new building was laid. The immorality of the so-called "Hucksters" (generally prevailing at this time in Eastern Pennsylvania) became, during the con- struction of the new building, the occasion for an unholy strife. These hucksters, who sold cakes, drinks, etc., under booths at all worldly gather- ings of the people, had also for a long time been offering their wares, even at sacred festivals on the Sabbath day, bidding defiance to the Church. Under these tents or booths hundreds of people stood engaged in light, trifling conversation and in buying, while in the church divine service was being conducted. The building committee took the arrangement of the corner-stone laying festi- val out of the hands of the consistory and gave permission to the hucksters to carry on their im- moralities. Under a resolution of the Eastern Pennsylvania Classis, no minister was permitted to be present at any church festival at which huckstering was carried on, and in obedience to this resolution the Reformed pastor remained ab- sent from the ceremonies. The friends of the hucksters made this the pretext for a controversy which aroused much excitement. When the church, on Whitsunday in the following year, was to be dedicated, and the hucksters again re- ceived permission from the same source to be present, the Reformed Consistory resolved not to hold their services in conjunction with the Luth- erans (who allowed themselves to be led by the friends of the hucksters) but appointed a later day. The dedication was then held on the 26th of June, 1864, without hucksters, and Revs. J. S. Herman and W. A. Helffrich, Reformed min- isters, conducted the services.

The church was one of the largest in the county, and a beautiful brick building. Its belfry and towers arose high in the air from the spot where the old church stood. Five high Gothic windows on each side, and an addition to the building containing the pulpit, gave it a sacred appearance. The galleries rested on iron pillars. Above the pulpit a Gothic bow extended along the small rear wall, and divided the addition from the main building. A hall at the entrance in the front part of the church, from which steps ascended to the galleries, prevented all disturb- ing noises from being heard within. All the

wood-work of the interior was artistically paint- ed, and ceiling and walls were beautifully fres- coed. The gentle half-light caused by the cur- tains at the windows and the dark colors of the paint left a solemn impression upon the mind.

The congregation pursued a new and excellent plan for paying off the church debt. Upon the completion of the building it appeared a con- siderable debt remained, which would not be defrayed by the subscriptions and both con- sistories met and made a statement showing how much each member would be compelled to con- tribute in order to pay off the debt at once, these statements being based upon the ability of each to pay. They then submitted this statement to the members, with an explanation of their plan, and but three or four were unwilling to pay the sums asked. The tri-centennial jubilee and an- niversary festival in memory of the publication of the Heidelberg Catechism was celebrated by this congregation during the construction of the church.

This church was destroyed by lightning on July 6, 1887. The following description of the remarkable occurrence in its history was taken from the church record:

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History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 175

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