History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 93

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 93

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).

The Woodmen of the World have erected a fine granite monument at the grave of Frank Hammerly.

The English Catholic cemetery was established at Ridge avenue and Allen street in 1854, and the German Catholics have maintained Holy Sepulchre Cemetery at Laurel Hill since 1873. A cemetery was opened a few years ago adjoin- ing the Church of St. John the Baptist.

The Jewish congregation of Agodas Achim, with Lehigh lodge, No. 8, of the Independent Order of Brith Scholem, purchased an acre of ground on Laurel Hill, Fullerton road, which was dedicated as a cemetery on July 13, 1913. St. Mark's cemetery was opened in 1885 for the Lutheran and Reformed congregations wor- shipping in the church on Hellertown avenue.

CENSUS .- The population of Allentown ac- cording to the census of the United States taken every decade was as follows:

1790,

486

1860,

8,025

1800,

573

1870,

13,884

1810,

710

1880,

18,063

1820,

1,132

1890,

25,228

1830,

1,544

1900,

.35,416

1840,

2,493

1910,

51,913

1850,

3.703

The population, in 1910, by wards, was as follows :

First Ward, .4,125

Eighth Ward, .7,168

Second Ward, . 3,622

Ninth Ward, . 4,260

Third Ward, 3,396

Tenth Ward, ·7,290

Fourth Ward,

.2,531 Eleventh Ward, ... 4,997

Fifth Ward, .2,150

Twelfth Ward, ... 1,874

Sixth Ward,

.5,077

Thirteenth Ward, . 1,857

Seventh Ward,

.3,566

The population in 1914 is estimated at 60,000.

CHAPTER XXII.

CHURCHES.

The history of the various religious bodies of the city is treated in detail in the following pages, each congregation's history appearing under its respective denomination.

REFORMED.

ZION REFORMED CHURCH.

This congregation, the oldest in Allentown, was organized in 1762, in the same year in which the town was founded. A log church building was erected in this year by the Reformed and Lutheran inhabitants of the town and vi- cinity and used as a joint place of worship. This building, as near as can be ascertained, stood in the rear of the same lot on which the present edifice stands. The first pastor was Rev. John Daniel Gros, D.D., who became pastor of four congregations, Allentown, Egypt, Jordan and Unionville, in 1765. The first entry by Rev. Gros in the church register was the baptism of John George, son of Simon and Appollonia Fries, "residents of the new town," on Feb. 27, 1765. In his report to Coetus, on May 9, 1765, Rev. Gros reported a membership of 83 persons, the baptism of six children and four members re- ceived. The first mention of the officers of the congregation is on December 9, 1765, when, according to the Friedensbote, of June 3, 1840, the church accounts were adjusted in the presence of the pastor, Rev. Gros, and the elders and deacons, Thomas Hunsicker, Jacob Mohr, John Griesemer, David Deshler and Peter Roth. The church record book contains the following inscription, translated from the German : "Church Record begun in the new town Allens- town, in the 1765th year of the Kingdom of Grace from the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ, for the use of the Reformed congregation there. J. Daniel Gros, Ref. Minister."

Rev. John Daniel Gros was born at Weben- heim, in the county of Zweibruecken, in 1737. He attended the Universities of Marburg and Heidelberg and came to America in 1764. He served as pastor at Allentown until 1770, when he took charge of the congregations in Saucon and Springfield. In 1773 he accepted a call to Kingston, N. Y., where he was pastor until 1783. He was pastor of the German Reformed

congregation in New York city from 1783 to 1795. He became professor of German Lan- guages at Columbia College, 1784-1795, of Moral Philosophy, 1787-1795, and Regent of the University of New York from 1784 to 1787. Columbia College gave him the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1789. He wrote the first great book published in America on moral philosophy, entitled, "Natural Principles of Rectitude, a Systematic Treatise on Moral Philosophy," Philadelphia, 1795. He died May 27, 1812. Dr. Gros was a man of culture and superior qualities. He directed the classical and theo- logical studies of Rev. William Hendel, D.D., and was tutor to the distinguished and accom- plished Rev. Dr. Milledoler.

In 1770 permission was granted to the con- gregation by Governor Penn to collect funds by means of a lottery for the purpose of erecting a new church building. On Feb. 17, 1771, Rev. Abraham Blumer became pastor of the congre- gation. In his report to Coetus in that year he states that the congregation had thirty-eight mem- bers and the salary for the four congregations was £75. On June 25, 1773, the cornerstone of the new church building was laid. The build- ing committee consisted of John Griesemer, Nicholas Fuchs, John Miller, Michael Kolb and Peter Rhoads, Treasurer. The building was completed in 1776 at a cost of about five hundred pounds sterling. It was the exclusive property of the Reformed congregation. In the construc- tion of the church were used 345 loads of stones and 24,000 feet of boards. The masonry was contracted for by James Preston at £45 and John Miller received £135 for the carpenter work. The largest contribution was £15, by Peter Rhoads, and the smallest, two pence, by "a friend." A cut of this church, made from a photograph of a woodcut used in a German news- paper of 1840, the Friedensbote, is shown on the following page.

In 1782 Rev. Blumer reported to Coetus a membership of forty-nine families in his Allen- town congregation and the baptism of twenty- eight persons. In 1785 his report indicates that forty-five families were members of his congre- gation, that eighteen persons had been baptized and twenty-two confirmed, and that there were thirty-five scholars in the school. Rev. Blumer

495

496

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

was pastor of the congregation for thirty years, retiring in 1801, owing to failing strength and increasing years. His last baptism at Allentown was March 29, 1801.

It was during the pastorate of Rev. Blumer, that the Liberty Bell and the chimes of Christ church, nine in number, were concealed beneath the floor of Zion church in September, 1777, when the British troops occupied Philadelphia. In the year 1777 and 1778 the church building was used as a hospital for sick and wounded Con- tinental soldiers and on Oct. 3, 1778, the treas- urer of the congregation received from Deputy Quartermaster General Robert L. Hooper, the sum of £103 for rent and damages suffered by the church during the war.

cultured gentleman and was familiar with sev- eral modern languages.

Abraham Blumer

In 1774 he received a call from the French Reformed church, of New York City, which he declined in a letter written in the French language. The church entries made by him are models of scrupulous neatness. Rev. Blumer died April 23, 1822, at his farm near the Jor- dan Reformed church, where he was buried.

Rev. John Gobrecht succeeded Rev. Blumer as pastor in 1801 and served until 1831. He was the son of Rev. John Christopher Gobrecht,

SECOND CHURCH, BUILT 1773, WHERE LIBERTY BELL WAS CONCEALED.

Rev. Abraham Blumer, the second pastor, was born in Grabs, in the canton of Glarus, Switzer- land, Dec. 14, 1736. He was the son of Rev. John Jacob Blumer, and his wife Salome Shind- ler. He studied at Basle and was ordained to the ministry June 8, 1756. He became chap- lain of a Swiss regiment in the service of the King of Sardinia, in 1757, and remained in that service until 1766, when he became a teacher and private tutor. In 1770 the Synods of South and North Holland sent him to Pennsylvania. He arrived at New York in January, 1771, and in the following month assumed the pastorate of the congregation at Allentown as well as of the other three congregations in the White- hall charge. Rev. Blumer was a thoroughly

and was born in Lancaster county, Dec. 10. 1773, in which county he studied under Drs. Melsheimer, Stock and Hendel. His home while pastor of the Whitehall charge was between Egypt and Ballietsville, where he died March 5, 1831. He was a quiet, peaceable man, much given to study and was greatly beloved by all his parishioners. Rev. John Zuilch became his assistant toward the close of his pastorate and preached at Allentown every fourth Sunday. Upon the death of Rev. Gobrecht, Rev. Joseph S. Dubbs received a majority of all the votes cast in the whole charge, but in Zion congrega- tion Rev. Zuilch received the larger number. This led to a division, and the friends of Rev. Zuilch organized a separate congregation and

CHURCHES.

497

called him as pastor. He soon withdrew and was succeeded by Rev. Dr. J. C. Becker. The dif- ferences between the two parties gradually disap- peared and in 1833 the congregations reunited under the pastorate of Rev. Dubbs.

Rev. Dr. Joseph S. Dubbs, the fourth pastor,

from 75 members in 1831 to 1,200 in 1860. He resigned in 1856, but his resignation was not accepted and Rev. Joshua Derr was then called as associate pastor. This arrangement did not prove satisfactory and resulted in 1858 in the organization of a separate congregation, called

The Rev. Abraham Blumen, Pastor of jon's church, Allentown, Pr. 1771-6801.

was born Oct. 16, 1796, in Lower Milford town- ship. He studied under Rev. Dr. F. L. Herman, and was ordained in September, 1823. He was pastor at Allentown until 1861, assisted in later years by his son, Rev. A. J. G. Dubbs, and Rev. C. R. Kessler, both of whom preached in Eng- lish. During his pastorate the congregation grew

St. John's, of which Rev. Derr became the reg- ular pastor. Rev. Joseph H. Dubbs became his father's assistant Sept. 18, 1859, and was elected pastor on the retirement of his father, Jan. I, 1861. Rev. Dr. Joseph S. Dubbs remained pas- tor of the other congregations of his charge until 1868, when he resigned and removed to Allen-

498

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

town, where he died April 14, 1877. During his pastorate at Zion church, a new brick building was erected, the cornerstone of which was laid

preach in the evening. Rev. Joseph H. Dubbs resigned his pastorate Feb. 15, 1863, and Rev. N. S. Strassburger, of Pottstown, was elected

ZION REFORMED CHURCH.

Aug. 5, 1838, and the building was dedicated June his successor March 1, 1863, and became the 7 and 8, 1840. At this time more frequent ser- pastor of the once more united Zion congrega- tion. He was a close student and a forceful vices were necessary and Dr. Dubbs began to

499

CHURCHES.

orator. During his pastorate he preached in German in the morning and in the evening in English. Rev. Strassburger resigned March I, 1881, and in June, 1881, Rev. Edwin A. Ger- nant was elected pastor, and ordained and in- stalled on July 17th. During his pastorate, on Jan. 24, 1886, a new church was decided upon, of which the cornerstone was laid Aug. 22, 1886. This beautiful structure, which, with the chapel, was built at a cost of $50,000, was dedicated April 8, 1888. Rev. Gernant resigned the pas- torate in June, 1890, when Rev. Thomas J. Hacker, D.D., was elected pastor. He served until the last Sunday in December, 1904. Rev. H. M. J. Klein, Ph.D., was chosen pastor April 16, 1905, and continued until August, 1910, when he was elected to a professorship at Frank- lin and Marshall College. Rev. Simon Sipple, the present pastor, was elected Dec. 1, 1910.

In 1904, the Sunday school chapel was rebuilt and re-dedicated on Nov. 4, 1906.

About the year 1802 a pipe organ was pur- chased by the congregation which was in use until 1867. In the third, or brick church, the organ was situated in the gallery. In 1867, a new organ was purchased at a cost of about $3,000, and the old organ was sold to the con- gregations of the Union church near Petersville for $100. It is probable that the old bell, pur- chased by the congregation in 1795, was also sold at this time. The new organ was dedicated Oct. 2, 1867. In 1885, it was remodelled and re-dedicated on Feb. 15, 1885. The present organ was dedicated Oct. 6, 1912. The cost of the organ, including the Durfee organ chimes, and re-arrangement of the choir seats, was about $10,000. The present organist, W. W. Landis, was elected to the position in August, 1913.

The present membership of the congregation is 1,100.

A Sunday school was organized by members of this congregation in 1825. Michael D. Eber- hard was the first superintendent. During the erection of the third church it met in the Lu- theran church and the Lutheran schoolhouse on South Eighth street, as many Lutheran children also attended the school. In 1839, the school met in the basement of the new church. Joseph Young, Joseph Weiss and Henry Weinsheimer were among the active workers in the school. In 1849, 35 teachers and 180 scholars were en- rolled. The chairs in the school, (one of which is still in existence) were labeled, "Reformed and Lutheran Sunday School." Rev. Joshua Yeager, the Lutheran pastor of St. Paul's, was very active in his encouragement of the school. It remained a union school until 1855, when St. John's Lutheran congregation was organized.

The present membership of the school is 880, and Wilson K. Mohr, Esq., is the superintendent.

The active organizations of the congregation are the Womens' Missionary Society, Pastor's Helpers, Altar Guild, Phoebe Circle, Lemonade Booth, Young Peoples' Guild and Mission Band.

ST. JOHN'S REFORMED CHURCH.

To establish a congregation of the Reformed faith in this city, whose services were designed to be conducted exclusively in the English lan- guage was, fifty years ago, no light matter.

The German language, since the first origin of the Reformed Church in this section, has been the principal medium of social and religious in- tercourse, and with but few exceptions all the congregations have been exclusively German. The early pioneers naturally preferred to worship God in their mother tongue, and they desired their children to do likewise; hence they re- garded the use of English service in the church as a dangerous innovation. This prejudice held sway for some time.

At length, however, the more intelligent and advanced members, and especially the young, began to show signs of restlessness under the full consciousness that their religious wants were not fully met, and they resolved upon immediate action.

This city had been rapidly increasing in popu- lation; the public schools introduced an entire English curriculum; the language came to be more generally spoken, and there became appar- ent a more urgent demand for English service in the Reformed Church. To his credit be it recorded that Rev. Dr. Joseph S. Dubbs, now of sainted memory, showed a disposition, during the closing period of his long and laborious pas- torate of Zion's Reformed congregation, to meet this growing demand for English service to the best of his ability, by instructing such of his catechumens as preferred it, in that language.

The first step taken was the introduction of an occasional English service by the pastors of the mother congregation, which was soon after- wards followed by a regular evening service in that language. Yet even this did not satisfy a pressing want ; it began to be generally felt that the organization of an exclusively English con- gregation, and the erection of a suitable church building for the same, was absolutely indispens- able, and the only means of keeping the young within the church of their fathers.

Encouraged and stimulated by the judicious counsel of Rev. W. R. Hofford and Rev. A. J. G. Dubbs, who actively sympathized with them, a few of the more venturesome spirits resolved

500

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

that they would take the initiative without any further delay.

An earnest petition, setting forth the impor- tance of such organization and the desirableness of realizing it at as early a day as possible, was presented to the consistory of Zion's Reformed congregation, over the signatures of George Kuhl and C. Lewis Huber. The author of this peti- tion was the Rev. W. R. Hofford. We find the following record bearing on this paper :

"At a meeting of the Consistory of the Ger- man Reformed congregation, held June 4, 1865, the above petition was laid before it, when it was, on motion, Resolved, That the prayers con- tained therein be granted. By order. Attest, E. J. Knauss, Secretary of Zion's Reformed Con- sistory, at Allentown, Pa."

After some few months' delay, caused by cer- tain unexpected complications, in obedience to a call inviting all those favorable to the new enterprise, a meeting was held in the lecture- room of the mother church on the evening of Sept. 14, 1865. An organization being effected, with Tobias Kessler as president and Reuben H. Kramm as secretary, the following resolution was unanimously adopted: "Resolved, That the members of Zion's German Reformed congrega- tion, of Allentown, Pa., seeing the necessity of doing something speedily to maintain and fur- ther the interests of our church, favor the organ- ization of an exclusively English congregation ; and desiring that this may be done peaceably, and that a friendly relation may continue to exist between the mother church and her off- spring, we deem it prudent that our pastor, Rev. N. S. Strassburger, should organize and install the members of the consistory; and that, after the organization, said congregation be left unrestrained in the adoption of such measures as will be thought most expedient to insure suc- cess." A committee was appointed at the same time to consult with the influential members of the mother church as to the best method of pro- moting the contemplated enterprise. At an ad- journed meeting, on the evening of Sept. 27, 1865, this committee, having reported favorably, was continued for a further prosecution of the work. Another committee, appointed Nov. 29, 1865, to secure a suitable room for the use of this inchoate organization, reported at a sub- sequent meeting, held Dec. 6, 1865, that they had succeeded in obtaining the Academy building. Meanwhile, the proper application, as required in such cases by the Constitution of the German Reformed Church of the United States, being laid before the Classis of East Pennsylvania, convened in special session in the city of Allen- town, on Nov. 26, 1865, met with favorable

action, and authority was given to proceed with the organization.

On the evening of Dec. 28, 1865, a meeting was held in the Academy Hall, on the corner of Eighth and Walnut streets, which provided for the creation of the new Sunday school, to be called the "Sunday-school of the English Re- formed Congregation of Allentown," and to form the nucleus of said congregation. The following officers were elected: Superintendent, T. Kessler; assistant superintendent, R. H. Kramm; secretary and treasurer, George Kuhl ; librarian, Levi Fenstermacher ; assistant librarian, Miss Ellen J. McHose; president of the asso- ciation, George Hagenbuch. A committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws for the government of the Sunday School Associa- tion, to report at a meeting held Jan. 11, 1866, when its work, after a few slight changes, was adopted, and substantially controls the organiza- tion to this day.

An announcement having appeared to that effect in the Daily News of the city, the English Reformed Sunday school convened for the first time in the Academy Hall, on Sunday, Jan. I, 1866, at 1.30 o'clock P. M., with an encourag- ing attendance of officers, teachers, and pupils. A fortnight after, Jan. 15, 1866, divine serv- ices being ended, in order to complete the new organization, an election was held for church officers, which resulted in the choice of two eld- ers: George Hagenbuch and Tobias Kessler, and four deacons: Reuben H. Kramm, George Kuhl, John S. Kessler, and C. Lewis Huber, who were ordained and installed at a service held in Zion's Reformed church on the evening of Jan. 29, 1866, by a committee appointed by the Classis of East Pennsylvania. They con- stituted the consistory for 1866-67, being the first consistory of the new English Reformed Congregation of Allentown.

At a regular meeting of the consistory, held April 2, 1866, it was resolved to present the name of Rev. S. Philips, of Carlisle, as a candi- date to be voted for as pastor by such persons as, at a congregational meeting to be held for the purpose, on Sunday evening, April 8, 1866, might be willing to identify themselves perma- nently with the new interest. This election was held at the appointed time, and resulted in the choice of the above-named candidate. A call was promptly extended to him, and as promptly ac- cepted. He preached his introductory sermon on Sunday, May 20, 1866. He was installed by a committee of the Classis of East Pennsyl- vania on June 26, 1866. The new congrega- tion was still without a name, it was agreed at a meeting of the consistory, June 20th, that the

501

CHURCHES.

church shall hereafter be known as the "St. John's English Reformed Congregation." At the same time the constitution and by-laws were reported by the pastor, which were afterwards unanimously adopted by the congregation on July 1, 1866. On July 8th, when the first com- munion was administered, the congregation num- bered 124 members, two of these having been re- ceived by confirmation, and the others by certi- ficate and reprofession.

Being without the necessary church building, the consistory met in special session on July 29th of the same year, when they appointed the Hon. Samuel McHose to negotiate for a suitable lot for a church. This resulted in the purchase of the present church property at Sixth and

the Sunday services and Leh's Hall for the Wednesday evening services and the use of the main Sunday school, while the infant school met in the third story of Mr. Kuhl's building, Mrs. William R. Hufford, Miss Anna B. Steckel and Mr. Kuhl having it in charge.

The cornerstone of the church was laid in the summer of 1867. The erection of the church was interrupted by the sudden resignation of the pastor, Rev. Philips, whose pastorate ended Nov. 10, 1867. At this time the congregation numbered 236 persons. At a congregational meeting held March 2, 1868, Rev. Samuel G. Wagner, then pastor of Boehm's church and the Whitemarsh congregation, Fort Washington, was elected pastor. A call was tendered and ac-

ST. JOHN'S REFORMED CHURCH.

Walnut streets. On April 8, 1867, the con- gregation was incorporated as St. John's Eng- lish Reformed church of Allentown. Samuel McHose, William Blumer, Thomas Mohr, C. B. Haintz and Thomas Barber were then ap- pointed a building committee. On Nov. 25, 1866, Milton J. Kramer, Levi Line and Thomas Mohr were elected trustees, and on May 5, 1867, at a congregational meeting held in the court house, the following consistory was chosen : Elders: George Hagenbuch, Tobias Kessler and Samuel Engleman; Deacons: George Kuhl, R. H. Kramm, C. Lewis Huber, John S. Kessler, Lewis P. Hecker and Charles H. Ruhe.

The congregation secured the court house for

cepted and Rev. Wagner's pastorate began June 1, 1868. The installation took place in the court house in the month of June and the introductory sermon was preached on July 12, 1868.

The church building was dedicated on the first Sunday of the new year, Jan. 3, 1869. There were three services on that day, as well as serv- ices on Saturday afternoon and evening. The pastor was assisted by Rev. Dr. J. W. Nevin, Rev. Dr. D. Gans, Rev. Dr. C. Z. Weiser, and Rev. Dr. D. Y. Heisler. The consistory re- mained the same with the exception of the elec- tion of Henry C. Wagner to succeed C. Lewis Huber, who withdrew from the congregation. In 1871 the basement rooms for the use of the

502

HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Sunday school were dedicated. In 1876, a Hook and Hastings pipe organ was purchased for $3,000 and erected in the gallery. In 1884, a beautiful chime of nine bells was presented by Samuel A. Butz, Esq., in memory of his daughter, Helen. The two towers were erected at this time and the church remodelled. The total cost of the improvements was about $10,000, and on the first Sunday in December, 1884, the church was . re-dedicated.

In 1890, the chapel was built at a cost of $16,000, which was enlarged in 1891 with an addition for the infant department at a cost of $1,790. Rev. C. Ernest Wagner was asso- ciated with his father from April 1, 1889, until October, 1891.

Trinity Reformed congregation was organized as a mission of the church in 1890 and a me- morial chapel built by Joseph Ruhe, a member of St. John's. Rev. Scott R. Wagner served as as- sistant pastor from October, 1900, to April, 1903. Rev. Dr. Wagner was pastor of the congregation for thirty-six years, his pastorate ending June 30, 1904. During this period 1,167 persons were received into the church, 570 children bap- tized, 305 marriages solemnized and 570 fu- nerals attended. Rev. Dr. Wagner died at his son's residence at Lancaster, Oct. 30, 1908.

Rev. Frederick C. Seitz, of Hanover, Pa., the present beloved pastor, was elected as such July 3, 1904, and began his pastorate Oct. I, 1904. On Nov. 21, 1909, a memorial win- dow and reredos over the altar, presented by Rev. C. Ernest Wagner in memory of his father were unveiled and consecrated. In 1911, exten- sive improvements to the church were made at a Cost of about $10,000. New windows were in- serted, the entrance to the edifice altered, a new chancel erected, the interior was re-frescoed and new carpets and a new system of electric light- ing was installed. The church was re-dedicated Jan. 14, 1912. In 1913, the chapel was im- proved at a cost of $800, by new chairs, class tables and new floor covering.

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 93

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