History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 97

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 97

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Two weeks afterward, Dr. Cathcart per- formed the ceremony of baptism on four candi- dates in the Jordan creek just above the Hamil- ton street bridge-Justus Evans, Mary Barnes, and William J. and Catharine A. Hoxworth, preceded by a brilliant sermon on the subject in the Court House to a large audience, from

which they marched to the creek in a long pro- cession, singing with much spirit on the way; and there they were greeted by thousands of in- terested spectators who crowded the meadow along the east bank of the stream and also on the old stone bridge.

On Feb. 22, 1859, this congregation was rec- ognized by a church council in the Presbyterian Church with Rev. Duncan Dunbar as moderator, and Rev. Thomas C. Trotter, as clerk; and in effecting it, Mrs. Evans, Miss Hartshone (a teacher in the academy), and Mrs. Sarah G Hawkins were given a large share of credit for their successful efforts in conducting prayer-meet- ings from house to house in the few English and German families of Allentown, who had become identified with the congregation.

On March 8, 1859, Rev. Joseph L. Sagebeer was elected pastor, and the following officers were chosen: E. G. Gerhard and Blackford Barnes, as deacons; William J. Hoxworth, as clerk; and Justus Evans, as treasurer. Soon afterward a Bible school was organized with Mr. Hoxworth as superintendent; and in this school James S. Biery was one of the early teachers. Religious worship was carried on in a leased property and in the Court House for about six years, until the congregation established a church of their own.

A lot, 98 by 115 feet, was secured on the northwest corner of Sixth and Chew streets in 1864, and a building committee was appointed to erect a church costing $7,000. The corner- stone was laid September 6th and on Nov. 17, 1867, the church was dedicated. The total cost was $11,680. At this time the membership was about 59.

The first baptistry was built on the lot at the rear of the church in 1866, but this was after- ward removed to the church and placed under the pulpit platform. In 1876 a new baptistry was put in the same place.

Two colonies left the church; one of eight members in 1869, to form the Bethlehem Baptist church; and the other of seventeen in 1871, to form the Catasauqua Baptist church.

A commodious parsonage was erected at the rear of the church in 1869, costing $3,000.

The New Hampshire Confession of Faith was adopted March 17, 1875, and in the fall of that year the congregation entered the Reading Bap- tist Association.

A fine, new, modern stone church and Sunday school, with parsonage attached, were established on the site of the old church in 1901, costing $40,000. The building is of granite, the Gothic style prevailing, and was dedicated on May 19.

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

1907. The congregation now numbers 315 per- William Schlegel, Oliver Gaugler and Leidy Kratz.

sons. The pastors have been :

George Sagebeer, March, 1859-Feb., 1862.

George Balcolm, April, 1863-July, 1864.

J. H. Appleton, December, 1865-November, 1868. William E. Rees, (Supply ) 1868-1869. Ebenezer Packwood, February, 1869-January, 1872. J. S. James, October, 1872-December, 1882. F. S. Dobbins, March, 1883-June, 1890.

B. G. Parker, November, 1890-August, 1894. J. H. Griffith, December, 1894-July, 1895. Charles H. Moss, December, 1895-March, 1897. G. C. Williams, June, 1897-April, 1899.

W. S. Catlett, October, 1899-February, 19II. W. W. West, May, 19II-

The Sunday school enrollment is 300, and Peter H. Rems is the superintendent. Former superintendents have been H. W. Willenbecher, W. E. Rees, W. S. Haas, J. S. James, G. H. Desh, William Roth, A. F. Peters and C. R. James.

The deacons of the congregation have been Blackford Barnes, 1859-1860; E. G. Gerhard, 1859-1860; William J. Hoxworth, 1859-1881 ; Justus Evans, 1863-1881 ; William Roth, 1875- 1908; Armat W. Lee, 1875-1897; Henry W. Willenbecher, 1875-1887; George W. Harrar, 1881-1886; Charles R. James, 1881-1905; Frank D. Fried, 1887-1896; William Broadbent, 1893- 1899; Lewis D. Wehr, 1898-1905, and Charles H. Hoxworth, 1900-1905. The present dea- cons are Jacob G. Sterner, from 1866; Ambrose F. Peters, from 1893; David J. Williams, from 1897; George W. Singiser, from 1899; L. P. La Roche, from 1905; Peter H. Rems, from 1907, and John S. Blank, from 1909.

The societies of the congregation are Ladies' Mite Society (organized Jan. 25, 1883) ; Woman's Missionary Society; Further Lights Society, Christian Endeavor Society, Ushers' League and Boys' Club.

TWELFTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH .- A one-story brick edifice, 30 by 50 feet, was erected in 1890 on Twelfth street, beyond Turner, and to meet the growing demand of the congrega- tion, the building was enlarged in 1907, and again in 1908; but by 1911 the increasing mem- bership required larger accommodations and this necessitated rebuilding the church, with a seating capacity of 800, at an expense of $8,500.

The first pastor was Rev. William Mohr, who served the congregation for seventeen years, until he died. He was succeeded by Rev. B. F. M. Fahl, who has since been a most efficient pastor, for with a small congregation to work with, he has increased its membership to 253.

The enrolled membership of the Sunday school since 1907 has been gradually developed to 400, and since then the superintendents have been

EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION.

By Bishop Thomas Bowman, D.D.

The Evangelical Association originated as a result of the religious activities of Jacob Al- bright, a native of Lancaster County, Pennsyl- vania. He was convicted of sin and converted to God in the year 1792, and united with the Methodist Episcopal church, which later gave to him a license as an exhorter. He succeeded in leading a number of German speaking peo- ple to the Lord Jesus Christ, and these, because the worship of the Methodist Episcopal church was conducted in the English language, felt con- strained to form a separate religious organiza- tion. In the year 1796 Albright began his la- bors as a lay-preacher and visited Lebanon, Bucks, Schuylkill and Northampton counties. In the last named county he preached in the homes of George Philip and Jacob Reidy, who resided near the Blue Ridge mountain, close to the place now called Phillips' Corner. The third class of the new organization was formed at this place and consisted of eleven persons. The first General Assembly was held Nov. 3rd, 1803, in the home of Samuel Liesser, in Colebrookdale, Berks Co., Pa. Here a permanent organization was ef- fected, the Holy Bible was adopted as the rule of faith and Albright was ordained as a minister. The first Annual Conference was held Nov. 15th and 16th, 1809, in the home of Samuel Becker, at a place called Muehlbach, in Lebanon county, Pa.

Lehigh county was visited by Albright in the year 1800, at which time he preached at Lynn- ville and Macungie. Later the work of the new organization was introduced into the county at three different places, viz : Upper Milford, Cedar Creek, and Allentown. Theestablishment of the Church at these places will be considered sepa- rately.

UPPER MILFORD.

The first sermon preached at this place by a minister of the Evangelical Association was in 1824 in the home of John Hittel. The opposi- tion, however, was so violent that Mr. Hittel became discouraged and the services were dis- continued. Private meetings for prayer service were nevertheless continued until the family moved to Millerstown, now Macungie.

In 1828 George Yeakel, residing in Hosen- sack, opened his home for preaching services. Rev. W. H. Orwig, later one of the bishops of the church, and Rev. Charles Hammer, later

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CHURCHES.

one of the publishers of the church, were per- in the same neighborhood, where the first serv- mitted to preach in the home of David Schubert, ices were held in 1824. This first preaching service occurred on Sunday afternoon Sept. 13, 1829.

In this year the first congregation of this de- nomination in the county was organized at Up- per Milford. Among the first families which united with the church were George Yeakel, David Schubert, Peter Wiest, Daniel Wieand, and John Hittel.

In 1832 Rev. John Zinzer intended to con- duct services in the house of John Hittel; how- ever, evil-minded persons gathered in large num- bers and made such great disturbance that no service could be held. They raved and cursed as if demon-possessed, breaking the windows, tearing the doors off their hinges, and pulling down the fences. When finally some of the members of the church ventured to leave the house to return to their homes they were fol- lowed and insulted, barely escaping with their lives.

Several years after order was restored in a measure, Rev. Andrew Yeakel, a Schwenkfelder minister, and his adherents united with the Ev- angelical Association which action greatly strengthened the work of the denomination.

The first church edifice for this congregation was built in 1840 on land purchased from Chris- topher Schubert. The Board of Trustees, as well as the building committee, consisted of Daniel Kriebel, Daniel Stahl, and Jacob Hall- man.

In 1872 additional ground was purchased from the heirs of Christopher Schubert and a com- modious church edifice was erected in which the congregation still worships.

This congregation was disrupted in conse- quence of the disturbances in the Evangelical As- sociation in 1891, but it was the first subse- quently to reunite.

CEDAR CREEK.

In 1831 a young man named Francis Gabel, who had been converted in Upper Milford, came to Cedar Creek, and obtained employment in a wool factory operated by David Mertz, a son of Gen. Henry Mertz. The young man's consistent life, and his faithful confession of salvaton, received through faith in Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour, produced a favorable im- pression upon his employer. After considerable urging on the part of Mr. Gabel, Mr. Mertz consented to invite Rev. John Zinzer to come from Milford and preach in his home. He ac-

cepted the invitation and his first audience num- bered five, viz: David Mertz and wife, Gen. Henry Mertz, Francis Gabel, and John Hittel, who accompanied the preacher from Milford.

The place was made a regular appointment and was connected with what was then known as the Lebanon circuit, and was served by Rev. J. Zinzer and Rev. J. P. Leib. However on account of the determined opposition and perse- cution of those days, very few people attended the services. Even Gen. Mertz remained away from the services in the house of his own son.

In 1834 the annual conference constituted Al- lentown and the region round about a circuit, and named it Lehigh. Rev. Joseph M. Saylor and Rev. Jacob Riegel were appointed to this cir- cuit. Rev. Saylor preached his first sermon after his appointment in an orchard owned by Susan Mohr. The service being in the open instead of a private house, was largely attended.

Shortly afterwards, while Rev. Saylor was conducting services in the home of David Mertz, a certain so-called pastor, with about a dozen of his adherents, came ito the meeting and accused Rev. Saylor of preaching false doctrine, and as- serted that he was ready to prove it. After con- siderable argument and discussion, it was agreed that each pastor should preach a sermon on a text selected by the other, and that the meeting at which the sermons were to be delivered should be held in the Court House in Allentown. Sub- sequently the parson gave notice that he would not attend the proposed meeting. So, on the text which his adversary had selected for him, namely, I John 1 : 8-10, Rev. Saylor preached in the house of Solomon Butz, near the Cedar Creek on 19th of June, 1835. The sermon was preached with unusual liberty and unction, so that the entire audience was visibly affected.

Soon afterwards a congregation was organized. The first members were Jacob Gabel, David Mertz and wife, Gen. Henry Mertz, John Neitz, Solomon Butz and John Griesemer.

John Neitz was the father of Rev. Solomon Neitz, who was one of the most polished pulpit orators the denomination has produced and was a man of great influence both within and with- out his church. He was born on Ascension Day, and was also "born again" on Ascension Day. He was prominently connected with the Board of Publication and the Board of Missions of the denomination, and was sent to Europe as a rep- resentative of the Mission Board to visit its mis- sion work there.

David Mertz later was given license to preach as a local minister and for several years also served as an itinerant preacher.

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Solomon Butz was the father of Rev. Edmund Butz, who served fifty years as an itinerant min- ister with large success.

In this same year, 1835, the first church of the Evangelical Association in Lehigh county was built on what is known as the "Bet-Hügel" (Hill of Prayer), located about a half-mile west of the Lehigh county poorhouse. It was a small stone building and was dedicated Nov. 14th and 15th, 1835, by Rev. John Seybert, then presiding elder, and later the first bishop of the church, and Rev. Joseph M. Saylor, preacher in charge of the circuit. The attendance was so large that services were held both inside and outside of the building. The land upon which the chruch was built was donated by Gen. Mertz, who also

cation to Wescosville, a village about a mile farther west, where a larger and more modern house of worship was built. The pastor ap- pointed to Lehigh circuit serves this congregation in connection with appointments at East Texas, Emaus, and Schnecksville. The present pastor is Rev. A. H. Doerster.

ALLENTOWN.

The first attempt on the part of a minister of the Evangelical Association to preach in the city of Allentown was made in 1817 or 1818 by Rev. John Driesbach, then a presiding elder of the denomination. The service was held in the home of a Mr. Kaiser. A young man present disturbed the services by ridiculing and attempt- ing to imitate the minister so that it was almost

BET-HUEGEL (HILL OF PRAYER.)

paid the larger amount of the building expenses, although others contributed and gave consider- able labor gratuitously.

On account of the prejudice against the new church it was necessary during the course of its construction to procure some mechanics from a distance. Among these was a man named John Schell, a mason from Milford, who was after- wards converted and became a very useful and acceptable minister in the denomination. Gen. Mertz, who was so prominently connected with the establishment of the work of the church was a man of great influence in the community, hav- ing been a Brigadier-General in the State Mili- tia and also a member of the State Legislature.

The second church was built near the site of the first in 1854, and was dedicated by Rev. J. P. Leib and Rev. Solomon Neitz. In 1.885 the congregation decided to remove from the old lo-

impossible to continue the services. The minister, when compelled to stop preaching, said to the young ruffian: "You will have a sudden depar- ture into eternity." Soon afterwards the man was struck by lightning and instantly killed. The second time Rev. Driesbach attempted to preach in Mr. Kaiser's home four men pushed a piece of timber so forcibly against the door that they broke it into pieces. This so alarmed the occupant of the house that no further at- tempt was made to continue the services.

In the year 1835 a second attempt was made to introduce the work of the Evangelical Asso- ciation into Allentown. During this year a col- ored man by the name of James Grove opened his house for the minister of this church.

Rev. J. M. Saylor and Rev. Jacob Riegel were the preachers. They came from Upper Mil- ford, accompanied by some of their members

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CHURCHES.

from that place and they and those accompany- ing them usually returned to their homes in Upper Milford after the evening service. Both they and the colored man were compelled to suffer many insults and indignities, because, as in the days of the Apostles, this "new sect" was everywhere spoken against, and so the second at- tempt was abandoned. A short time afterwards, Joshua Fink opened his house for worship, but the opposition and persecution became so violent that he also was compelled to close his house. Mr. Fink was ostrasized to such an extent that he was compelled to move to the Cedar Creek

of its mark and struck the Bible in front of the minister.

Not long afterwards a twice born man named Henry Schmidt, a courageous Christian, moved to Allentown from Philadelphia and at once opened his home for prayer and preaching serv- ice. Rev. Charles Hesser, an especially talented and fluent preacher, stationed in Philadelphia, oc- casionally came from there and held service in Mr. Schmidt's home. Afterwards the good Presbyterian people allowed Rev. Hesser to preach in their church.

SALEM CHURCH .- Either in February or

GROVE HOUSE, ON LEHIGH STREET, ALLENTOWN. Where First Indoor Services Were Held by Evangelical Association, in 1835

to find employment in order to support his family !

However, these plucky and spirit filled Evan- gelicals were not to be so easily discouraged. On the 10th of October, 1837, Rev. John Sey- bert and Rev. Solomon Altimos preached in the old market place on the square, the one at 10 a. m., and the other at 2 p. m. During the service some ruffian threw a stone, with the in- tention of hitting the preacher, but it fell short

March, 1838, the first congregation was organ- ized in Allentown by Rev. Francis Hoff- man. The following were some of the first members: Henry Schmidt and wife, Samuel Beidleman, Elizabeth Brobst, Adam Geiser, Re- becca Scherer, Judith Nester, and Susanna Kich- line. Steps were immediately taken to build a church. The members of the church from Cedar Creek came over to the aid of the members in Allentown. It was decided to locate the church

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

at the corner of Ninth and Linden streets. The building still stands, but has been converted into dwelling houses. Gen. Mertz, David and Solo- mon Butz, Benjamin Mohr, and Reuben Glick purchased the lot. The new church was dedi- cated the same year on the 26th of November by Rev. Charles Hesser and Rev. Francis Hoffman.

This congregation was served in connection with appointments in the country until 1856, when it was detached by the annual conference, and Rev. John Schell was appointed as the first preacher of Allentown station. At this time the congregation numbered one hundred and sixty-six members.

The church on the corner of Ninth and Lin- den streets becoming too small to accommodate the increasing membership, it was decided to sell that property and erect a larger church on Lin- den street, west of Ninth. This church edifice was built in 1857, and was dedicated by Rev. Solomon Neitz and Rev. J. Breidenstein.

In consequence of the sad division of the Ev- angelical Association in 1891 the majority of this congregation withdrew from the church. The church building was too large and incon- venient for those remaining with it, hence it was decided to sell the property and erect a more modern and convenient church at the corner of Linden and Fourteenth streets. The new church was built during the pastorate of Rev. H. C. Lilly, and under the special supervision and largely through the liberality of L. D. Krause, a banker and merchant of Allentown. This church was dedicated in 1902 by Bishop S. C. Breyfogel.

Salem church is splendidly located in the resi- dential section of Allentown. Its membership has been doubled since the congregation located at the above-mentioned place.

A pipe organ, the gift of L. D. Krause, was installed at the time the new church was built.

The following are official members at present : L. D. Krause, J. Daubenspeck, H. E. Bohner, H. S. Dengler, W. E. Bastian, Frank Schultz, D. J. Roth, Herbert Wentz, O. S. Hoch, James Schwoyer, F. C. Kemmer, D. J. Roth and Ralph Miller.

The following pastors served this congrega- tion in the order named: John Schell, William Heim, G. G. Rhoads, Thomas Bowman, John Kaehl, John Schell, Moses Dissinger, C. H. Baker, C. B. Hiehr, Joseph Steltzer, R. M. Lichtenwallner, Daniel Yuengst, H. R. Yost, B. F. Bohner, J. C. Bliem, W. K. Wieand, W. A. Leopold, G. T. Leopold, D. S. Manning, H. B. Brown, M. Schlagenhauf, H. C. Lilly, A. Krecker, and B. L. Romberger, the present pastor.

IMMANUEL CHURCH. - The second congre- gation of the Evangelical Association in Allen- town was organized in 1850 in the First Ward. It was, however, served by the pastors of the First Church until 1864. Prayer meetings were held in private houses by William Egge and William Transue, who had been appointed as leaders. In 1853 a small chapel, 36 x 45 feet, was built in Linden street, near Second, in which prayer service was held during the week, and preaching service on Sunday afternoon. The building committee was composed of Nathan Yohe, William Barr and Jacob Nagle.

In 1864 the congregation was separated from the First Church by the annual conference and Rev. Ephraim Ely appointed as its first pastor.

In 1870 the chapel was sold and a new com- modious church in which the congregation still worships was built on Turner street, between Front and Second. The new church was built under the pastorate and supervision of Rev. Solo- mon Ely. For several years this congregation struggled under the burden of a heavy church debt, but during the pastorate of Rev. W. K. Wieand, assisted by Bishop Bowman, the debt was cancelled.

Several years since the congregation purchased a fine parsonage adjoining the church property. This congregation was disturbed very little on account of the difficulties in the church general, losing comparatively few of its members, and it bears the honor of cheerfully opening its doors for Bishop Bowman and the members of the East Pennsylvania Conference when they were refused admittance into the Ebenezer church in 1891.

The following pastors have served this con- gregation since its organization into a separate church: Solomon Ely, Daniel Wieand, Reuben Lichtenwallner, C. H. Baker, D. J. Kemble, W. K. Wieand, J. C. Bliem, James O. Iehr, Joseph Specht, George Gross, B. F. Bohner S. T. Leopold, I. F. Heisler, C. K. Fehr, J. W. Boyer, F. D. Geary, C. D. Dreher, C. C. Moyer, and H. M. Taylor, the present pastor.

EBENEZER CHURCH .- The history of Eben- ezer Church of the Evangelical Association dates back to the year 1868, when at the session of the East Pennsylvania Conference held in Reading, Pa., at which Bishop Joseph Long was chairman, and Rev. S. G. Rhoads, secretary, it was decided to organize a new congregation in Allentown. It was decided that the congregation should worship, exclusively in the English lan- guage, the other congregations of this denomina- tion in the city being exclusively German. Rev. S. S. Chubb was appointed as the first pastor of the church. Not having had an edifice at that time, the services were held in the Linden street

CHURCHES.

529

SALEM CHURCH, 1401 LINDEN STREET.

IMMANUEL CHURCH (FIRST WARD)

EBENEZER CHURCH, ON TURNER STREET.

ZION CHURCH, ON LIBERTY STREET.

CHURCHES OF EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION, ALLENTOWN.

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

church on Sunday afternoons. On the 27th of May, 1868, a building committee was elected to procure a site and erect a church building. The committee consisted of the following: M. B. Schadt, Perry Wannamaker, H. S. Weaver, George H. Good and W. L. Christman. The building committee selected a lot on Turner street, below Seventh, and a frame church edi- fice, 36 x 57 feet, with a wing 16 x 20 feet, was erected. The church was dedicated by Rev. Thomas Bowman, now the senior bishop of the church. The dedication took place on the IIth day of October, 1868.

Immediately after the dedication a Sunday school was organized, with a membership of 62. Perry Wanamaker and Henry S. Weaver were elected the superintendents.

In 1869, under the pastorate of Rev. Augustus Krecker, steps were taken to build a larger church. The congregation grew so rapidly that the frame building was too small to accommodate the people that worshipped in the church. A committee was appointed to secure additional ground. On Jan. 24, 1889, the committee re- ported that additional ground had been pur- chased for $4,600.00. A building committee, consisting of W. P. Huber, J. H. Berger, L. H. Mertz, B. K. Weaver and Elvey Loux was ap- pointed. The frame building was moved back on Church street and converted into dwelling houses. The present beautiful and commodious structure was erected, and dedicated on the last Sunday of July, 1890, by Rev. W. F. Heil, as- sisted by Revs. A. Krecker and S. S. Chubb.

During the year 1911, under the pastorate of Rev. James L. Tonkin, extensive improvements were made to both church and parsonage. This congregation at present has a modern church plant and a fine parsonage.

Several sessions of the East Pa. Conference were held in this church. The most notable of these was in 1891, when an unfortunate division took place in the Evangelical Association, result- ing in the organization of the United Evan- gelical Church. For several years the members of Ebenezer church worshipped in halls, but the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania decided in favor of the Evangelical Association and in 1895 Con- ference was again held in Ebenezer church. The following pastors served Ebenezer in the order named: S. S. Chubb, J. G. Sands, J. N. Metz- ger, J. O. Lehr, J. B Smoyer, B. D. Albright, James Bowman, J. A. Feger, J. W. Hoover, A. Krecker, S. T. Leopold, A. Krecker, J. S. Stein- inger, W. L. Bollman, C. H. Bohner, I. F. Berg- stresser, James L. Tonkin.

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History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 97

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