USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume II > Part 4
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After the sale of the congregation interests in the Salem Church, a lot was bought on Centre street, and early in April, 1869, ground was broken for a new church. The basement was finished for occupancy and dedicated January 3, 1870, and from that day the congregation worshipped in that part of their new building. The audience room was completed before the follow- ing Christmas, and on December 22, 1872, the consecration took place, Pastor Loos preaching in German in the morning, and Rev. Thomas G. Apple in the English language both morning and evening. The death of Rev. Isaac K. Loos took place July 5, 1889, and his successor, Rev. Gustava A. Schwedes, who later anglicized his name to Swedes, was installed as pastor October 6, 1889. The church was subsequently rededicated, improvements made, and a parsonage built on Broad street. Previous to January 1, 1894, on alternate
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Sundays, only the German service was used, and after that date the first Sunday was devoted to the English service. The North Bethlehem mission was placed in charge of Christ Church in May, 1897. The next pastor was Rev. J. R. Stem, who was elected December 5, 1910, resigned January I, 1917, and was succeeded by Rev. Henry R. Stahr, July 17, 1917, who assumed charge of the congregation September 2d of that year. He is a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, class of 1901; of Easton Theological Semi- nary of the Reformed Church, 1908; of Cornell University, 1909. The mem- bership of the church is 675. The church is being completely renovated at the expense of $20,000. The services are now conducted only in the English language.
There were in 1866 about thirteen or fourteen families of the Reformed faith in the borough of South Bethlehem. The pastors of Christ Reformed Church, Revs. D. Y. Heisler and Isaac K. Loos, in 1866-67 commenced to hold services in the Lutheran church, but on December 22, 1867, a large and comfortable hall on the third floor of the schoolhouse on Vine street was secured. Before this, however, on October 13, 1867, after a formal organiza- tion of membership, church officers were elected and the congregation be- came what is now the First Reformed Church. The services were conducted mostly in the German language, occasionally in English. The Lehigh river was the dividing line between East Pennsylvania and Goshenhoppen Classis, therefore the new church organization belonged to the latter.
The present church site was procured in March, 1870, and in the follow- ing May, Rev. Henry Hess was appointed supply pastor, continuing for a year. The congregation was incorporated August 22, 1871, and Rev. N. Z. Snyder was installed as pastor, September 24, 1871. This was the commence- ment of a pastorate that lasted twenty-one years. Under his efficient leader- ship the little mission soon grew to be self-supporting. The first church which served the congregation for a quarter of a century was dedicated October 21-22, 1871. Rev. Dr. Snyder closed his official pastorate September I, 1892, and until the following spring the congregation was without a pastor. In May, 1893, the Rev. David Scheirer, of Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, was installed as pastor by a committee of the Tohickon Classis, of which the church had been a member since 1873. The last services were held in the old church April 12, 1895; it was then torn down and the erection of a new edifice was begun. The first services were held in the basement of the new church September 13, 1895. It was completed May 30, 1897, and dedicated with appropriate and impressive services. The cost of the new building was about $23,000. The resignation of Pastor Scheirer was accepted in June, 1903, and before his graduation the present pastor, Rev. David B. Clark, was extended a call. He preached every two weeks, and Rev. Dr. Snyder preached on the other Sundays. He was installed as pastor May 29, 1904. At this time the services in German were held every second Sunday in the morn- ing ; later, only the first Sunday of the month. In the year 1910 they were omitted entirely. The present parsonage was purchased in 1913. The fiftieth anniversary was celebrated November 10-11, 1917. During the fifty years of the existence of the church over twenty-two hundred persons have united with the congregation.
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The members of the Reformed church living in the west end of Bethle- hem instituted, May 20, 1888, a Sunday school in the Fairview school build- ing. The consistory of Christ Reformed Church in 1890 purchased a lot on Fourth avenue, whereon a chapel was erected at a cost of $2,400. The cornerstone was laid October 26, 1890, and the following February the Sunday school moved into its new quarters. The formal consecration took place June 28, 1891, when the name Bethany Chapel was adopted. The con- gregation was organized December II. 1891, and became known as the Bethany Reformed Church. Rev. John F. De Long was elected pastor January 10, 1892, and served the congregation until 1897, when he was suc- ceeded by Rev. Frank H. Moyer. The chapel was moved to the rear of the lot in 1901, and in its place a brick cdifice of a combined Gothic and Colonial type of architecture was erected at the cost of $8,000. The new church was completed April 27, 1902. Pastor Moyer served the congregation until 1908, when he was succeeded by Rev. E. H. Laubach, who gave way March 31, IgII, to the present pastor, Rev. H. I. Crow.
St. Paul's Reformed Church was organized December 4, 1888, by a colony of members of the Christ Reformed Church, led by Rev. Isaac K. Loos. The construction of their place of worship, corner of High and North streets, was commenced on December, 1889, the cornerstone being laid the fifteenh of that month and the church consecrated February 15, 1891. The second pastor was Rev. E. H. Laubach, who was succeeded in 1899 by the present incumbent, Rev. William H. Erb, who was formerly pastor at Lanford, Pennsylvania. Through his painstaking labors the mem- bership, which had greatly decrcased, is now one hundred and fifty.
Shiloh Reformed Congregation, under the pastoral care of Rev. J. G. Dubbs, is located on William street. Zion Reformed Church, on Shipman street, is a small congregation in charge of the Rev. C. A. Butz. Magyar Reformed Congregation on East Fourth street has an existence of about ten years ; the membership is confined principally to Hungarians, and the present pastor is Rev. Emil Nagy.
The first regular services held in Bethlehem according to the order of the Protestant Episcopal Church was conducted during the summer of 1855 in Temperance Hall. Previous to this, the Right Rev. Alonzo Potter visited Bethlehem, and on November 24, 1854, held services and preached in the Moravian church. Early in 1855, Dr. W. W. Spear, for some time rector of St. Luke's and later of the Church of the Mediator in Philadelphia, held one or more services and preached in the parlor of the Sun Inn. Other ministers of the Episcopalian denomination at various times held services but it was not until the spring of 1861 that regular services were held either in public halls or private residences.
In 1862 the Rev. Eliphalet Nott Potter came as a missionary to Bethle- hem and Allentown. The most fruitful results were, however, obtained by the Right Rev. William Bacon Stevens, the assistant bishop of the diocese. He was encouraged by the evidence of activity, and urged the beginning of a movement to erect a church and organize a parish. It was on the evening of May 6, 1862, that eight persons met at the home of R. H. Sayre, and it was determined to open a Sunday school. The small station of the North
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Pennsylvania railroad was loaned by the company and used for a school for fifty-two children until Christmas, 1864. The Rev. E. N. Potter officiated on two Sundays in the station, but did not begin his regular duties until September, 1862. Holy Communion was celebrated for the first time in South Bethlehem, October 19, 1862, by the Rev. Cummings, of Reading. An appeal was made to the citizens in 1862 for the erection of a church in South Bethlehem, as there was not at that time a church of any kind in the place. This resulted in the purchase of an acre of land, and on June 1, 1863, the position of the church was decided on and Mr. Potter called as rector In the following month of July the Diocesan Convention accepted the charter and received the parish into union with itself. The cornerstone was laid in the northeast buttress of the new church by the rector, August 6, 1863. The consecration of the church, which became known as the Church of the Nativity, took place April 9, 1865. The following year was marked by valu- able accessions to membership and the erection of a dwelling for the use of the rector. At Christmas, Mr. Potter tendered his resignation, to take effect February 28, 1869, and the Rev. Robert J. Nevin was called to the pastoral charge. Owing to impaired health, Mr. Nevin on August 16, 1869, tendered his resignation to take effect September 30, 1869. The Rev. John Irving Forbes officiated on September 19, 1869, and was asked to take charge of the congregation. He accepted, and carly in November entered on his duties. He was a young man of fine character, of unusual abilities and at- tainments, and of great promise. During his brief sojourn his mark was made on the parish ; the seeds of consumption were, however, in his frame, and his resignation was accepted to take place April 1, 1870.
The next rector, Rev. Cortlandt Whitehead, entered on his duties No- vember 1, 1870. Then came years of prosperity and quietness, and after declining two invitations to prominent city parishes, Dr. Whitehead was elected, October 20, 1881, to the bishopric of Pittsburgh. The main statistics of Dr. Whitehead's rectorship, covering a period of eleven years and three months were: Three hundred baptized ; 248 confirmed ; 41 couples married ; 96 persons buried ; services held, 3,700; sermons and addresses, 2,300; 8,500 visits; number of communicants in 1870, 99; transferred to Trinity in 1872, 37; number in 1882, 195; contributions made for all purposes, over $91,000.
At the meeting held May 20, 1882, the committee appointed to secure a rector reported unanimously in favor of Rev. C. Kinloch Nelson, Jr., of the Church of St. John the Baptist, in Germantown, Pennsylvania. After due consideration he accepted the charge, and entered on his duties July I, 1882.
A movement for the enlargement of the church was commenced in 1884. The plans approved provided for an extension consisting of transepts 20 by 30 feet and a chancel 30 by 30 feet, with a sacristy and organ chamber, affording seating capacity for 514, with the lower rooms for various purposes, at an estimated cost of $30,500. These improvements were not completed and opened for use until All Saints' Day, 1888. The Rev. C. K. Nelson having been elected in 1891 to the bishopric of Georgia, tendered his resigna- tion to take effect February 22, 1892. The fifth rector was Rev. Gilbert Henry Sterling, who was succeeded in 1913 by Rev. Frederick W. Beckman.
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who in turn gave way in 1918 to the present rector, Rev. J. I. Blair Larned. The Church of the Nativity was made a pro-cathedral in 1900.
As far back as February, 1871, the question of a possible chapel some- where near the iron works was agitated. St. Joseph's Mission was opened at the foot of Lehigh Mountain with three teachers and seventy-five persons, under the charge of W. W. Thurston as superintendent of the Sunday school. A chapel was built, and though not completed, was opened for service January 20, 1884, was consecrated in that year, enlarged in 1897, and reconsecrated in 1899. Services were held in this chapel until about two years ago, when they were discontinued and the church building sold.
St. Mary's Chapel was consecrated April 19, 1875. The dimensions of the original chapel were 56 by 24 feet. It is a mission in Lehigh county under the charge of the Church of the Nativity.
There was a movement in 1869 to form a second Protestant Episcopal parish, to be located in the borough of Bethlehem, distinct from the one in South Bethlehem. This movement was put in practical form by Rev. John Irving Forbes, and services were begun Sunday evenings in the hall of the Young Men's Christian Association. At the end of the year 1870 the build- ing of a church was decided upon, and on Christmas Day, 1871, the edifice was completed. Trinity Church, situated on Market street, was formally opened with Holy Communion on January 16, 1872, by Right Rev. M. A. De Wolfe Howe. Early in the spring of that year steps were taken towards an organization separate from the Church of the Nativity. Rev. Cortlandt Whitehead resigned as rector, December 1, 1872, and the Rev. Charles Morri- son became his successor. The next rector, Rev. I. K. Mendenhall, com- menced his labors October 15, 1875, and his resignation being accepted, he was succeeded in temporary charge by Rev. Joseph M. Turner, who was installed as the regular rector September 3, 1876. He was in charge of the congregation until November 4, 1877, when he was succeeded by Rev. Henry C. Mayer, who remained until August 1, 1879. For the next twenty years Rev. George P. Allen was rector of the congregation, and was instrumental in increasing the membership and furthering the interests of the parish. He resigned to take the charge of a suburban parish near Philadelphia. His successor. Rev. Benjamin S. Sanderson, had charge of the parish until his resignation in 1911, when the Rev. Robert Johnstone succeeded him. The latter died while in charge of the parish. in March. 1916. For the next two years the parish was in charge of Rev. Julian D. Hamlin, who resigned in 1918, when the present rector, Rev. J. Arthur Glasier, commenced his labors. He graduated from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, and in 1907 from the General Theological Seminary of New York City. Before coming to Trinity Church he was curate at Trinity Church, Mount Vernon, New York ; missioner in charge of parishes in Hamburg and Vernon, Sussex county, New Jersey ; also six years at Trinity Church, West Pittston, Pennsylvania.
In this connection it is worthy of note that the borough of Fountain Hill is the residence of the bishop of the diocese of Central Pennsylvania of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Leonard Hall, located on Delaware avenue, is maintained by the diocese as a school for the Episcopal clergy.
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The beginning of Presbyterian activities in Bethlehem took place on the South Side. The English congregation of the Moravian church under the leadership of their pastor, Rev. J. Albert Rondthaler, some of whom had previously been Presbyterians, in 1869 transferred their connection to that denomination. They organized under the name of the Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem. A religious house of worship was erected on the corner of Fourth and Vine streets in 1870, and was first used in an unfinished state in April, 1871, the first sermon being preached in the main body of the church, May 5, 1872. The second pastor was the Rev. J. Thomas Osler, and among his successors were Rev. Charles B. Chapin, and the present pastor, Rev. R. S. Hittenger.
Some of the leading Presbyterians living on the North Side, where an affiliated Sunday school was organized, commenced holding services in a small meeting house located on Union street, built for the establishment of a congregation of United Brethren, which came to naught. The First Pres- byterian Church, with a membership of twenty, was organized by the com- mittee of the Presbytery of Lehigh, November 14, 1875, in the parlor of the Young Men's Christian Association. The church in Union street continued to be used until the dedication, April 7, 1878, of a place of worship in Centre street, which was erected largely through the generous aid of Rev. G. W. Musgrave of Philadelphia, and it was for some years commonly called Mus- grave Chapel. The first located pastor, Rev. Alexander Moore, entered upon his duties April 2, 1876. He remained in charge of the congregation until August 1, 1891, and his successor, Rev. Josiah Lincoln Litch, was installed as pastor May 4, 1892, continuing his duties until his death, August 31, 1900. The next to assume the duties of pastor was Rev. Francis Harvey Laird, who was inducted into office February 15, 1901, and dismissed September 30, 1904. The present pastor, Rev. Dr. James Robinson, assumed charge of the congregation January 1, 1905. He graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1893, and in 1919 the Moravian College and Theological Semi- nary conferred on him the degree of D.D., it being the first time that this honor was conferred by that institution upon any other than a Moravian. The chapel was demolished in 1912, and the following year a new church of Gothic structure, with a seating capacity of 350, was erected on the corner of North and Centre streets, at the cost of $35,000. Extensive improvements consisting of extending the church and Sunday school buildings were com- menced in 1919 at an expense of $40,000. The present membership of the church is 500.
The Rev. Joshua H. Turner, a member of the Philadelphia Conference, on May 1I, 1848, preached the first Methodist sermon in Bethlehem. The services were held at the residence of James Lehr, a member of the Evan- gelical Association, and said to be the only church member in Bethlehem at that time outside of the Moravian congregation. Two weeks later another service was held, but it was not until the fall of 1848 that there was any other accommodation in the borough for another Methodist service, the residence of James Lehr being utilized by the Evangelical minister. At that time a Methodist family moved to Bethlehem from Allentown, and permis- sion was obtained to hold services at their residence, but owing to the preju-
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dices of the owner of the house against the denomination it was given up. There was no more preaching by the Methodists in Bethlehem until the ยท spring of 1849, when David R. Thomas and the Rev. Stockton held services in Odd Fellows' Hall once a month. The Rev. M. A. Day, in 1851, com- menced to hold regular service in this hall. At this time there was but one Methodist family in Behlehem-James K. Hillman, wife and daughter, all members. Services were held every third Wednesday, and the congregation gradually increased. The Allentown circuit, of which Bethlehem was then a part, in the spring of 1852 appointed Rev. W. H. Brisbane to take charge of the small congregation. He organized a class consisting of nine members, and appointed Samuel M. Ritter as leader. Services were held every second Sabbath until the spring of 1853, when Rev. Samuel Irwin succeeded Rev. Mr. Brisbane. Mr. Irwin's carnest labors awakened general interest, twenty conversions being made, of whom seventeen joined the small class. In the second year of his labors the first Methodist church was built on Centre street. The cornerstone was laid in January, 1854, and the dedication serv- ices preached January 8, 1855, Rev. M. Anderson, of Easton, assisted by Rev. George W. Bundle, of Philadelphia, officiating. The title given to the church was Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church. The second pastor was the Rev. Henry A. Hobbs, and a number of conversions were made during his labors. The old church was torn down in 1869, and a new one erected on a part of the old lot. The lecture room was dedicated January 31, 1870, and through the liberality of one of the church members, Mrs. Eliza H. Yoder, the main audience hall was completed in 1875 and dedicated in July of that year. The itinerancy of the Methodist clergymen is well known. They, therefore, do not become identified with the historical interests of a community. The resident pastor in 1918 was Rev. J. R. P. Gray.
The work of the Methodist Episcopal Church in South Bethlehem began with the holding in 1887 of prayer meetings. This was followed in the next year by services held in Bunker's Hall, when the first class was formed and a Sunday school organized, both being under the charge of Charles Laramy of Bethlehem. He was assisted by Rev. J. B. Grafford and Rev. E. E. Burriss, pastors of Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 1889 a separate congregation was formed and placed in charge of Rev. A. M. Stray- horn. A building site was purchased on Packer avenue, a commodious and attractive edifice, the gift of John Fritz, in memory of his mother, and was consecrated March 26, 1893. The church is naturally known as the Fritz Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church. The present pastor is Rev. Benja- min La Pish.
The missionaries of the Evangelical Association found among the Ger- man-speaking people of the Bethlehems a nucleus who desired their services and a regular preaching place, which was established by the conference of that denomination and Rev. J. Kramer began to hold services in Odd Fellows' Hall, alternating Sundays with the Methodist ministers. The Bethlehem appointment was filled in 1853 by Rev. F. Krecker, and in that year a board of trustees was elected and an incorporation was secured later under the title of the St. John's Church of the Evangelical Association. The corner- stone of the church was laid June 5, 1854, at the corner of New and North
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streets. The church which now stands near that site was built in 1880, and was consecrated December 19th of that year. From the work thus centered, the several congregations of the Evangelical Association in its present two divisions, which now exist in Bethlehem, emanated during the last decades of the nineteenth century. The resident pastor of the church in 1919 is Rev. A. N. Metzger.
St. Luke's Evangelical Church, at the corner of Pawnee and Seminole streets, was the outcome of efforts commenced in 1885 by Rev. O. L. Saylor, while pastor of St. John's Church. The construction of the church building was commenced in June, 1887, the cornerstone laid August 7, 1887, and dedi- cation services held December 11th of that year. The church was not, how- ever, completed until November 3, 1889. The Emmanuel United Evangelical Church is situated at the corner of Cuncow and High streets. Its pastor in 1919 was the Rev. J. S. Heisler. Olivet United Evangelical Church is located on Broad street, in the west end of Bethlehem. A church was erected and occupied in 1913, when Rev. W. H. Christ was pastor. In the present year a new church is in process of construction and Rev. G. W. Imboden is in charge of the congregation.
The records show that the first Baptist organization in Bethlehem took place April 6, 1869. Services were held in a private house and other times in a hall. The work was fostered by Rev. E. Packwood, of Allentown, until the Rev. I. P. Meeks, the first stationed pastor, took charge. A lot, corner of New and Lehigh streets, was secured in 1872, and on September 17th of that year a temporary structure which received the name of wigwam was opened for religious services. Work on the foundation of the church com- menced in October, 1873, but the financial panic of that year caused a long delay in completing the building. The cornerstone was laid October 15, 1874. the building progressed slowly, and the church was completed and dedicated February 3, 1884. This building was sold about ten years after it was built, and another church was erected on Broadway; this also was subsequently disposed of and the congregation now holds religious services in Lorenz Theatre. At the present time there is a German Baptist congrega- tion that worships on Adams street, also a colored Baptist church.
The Mennonite Brethren erected in 1884 a temporary place of worship on Garrison street ; later, services were held in a public hall. The congrega- tion became known as Ebenezer Mennonite Brethren in Christ. Later a church was built on West Laurel street, and dedicated November 10, 1888. The Rev. W. B. Musselman was in temporary charge of the congregation in February, 1887. The church on West Laurel street was disposed of in 1919, and a brick church on the corner of Durham and Main streets is now in process of erection.
There is also in the Bethlehems a sect under the teachings of Rev. D. H. King, known as the Apostolic Holiness. The First Church of Christ Scien- tist is located at Broad street and First avenue. Among the other religious denominations established in Bethlehem is a Jewish congregation, which was organized among the mixed population in the latter part of the nine- teenth century. Their place of worship is the Termand Torch Synagogue on Wood street. The present pastor of the congregation is Rabbi Abraham Grandal.
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The important event in the history of the Bethlehems in the present century was the incorporation, July 17, 1917, of the two boroughs, Bethlehem and South Bethlehem, under a charter of a third-class city. The last borough officers of Bethlehem were: Chief burgess, J. M. Yeagley ; president of the council, A. M. Russi; secretary. Victor E. Tice; treasurer, T. F. Klein. Of South Bethlehem: Burgess, P. J. Sheehan; president of the council, E. H. Megalathery ; treasurer, W. A. Wilbur ; secretary, Thomas Ganey. The total assessed valuation of the new city was about $22,000,000. The bonded and other debts of South Bethlehem were $823,207.12, of Bethlehem $402,367.59, making a grand total on consolidation of $1,225,574.71, of which $954,000 was a bonded debt, leaving approximately $271.574.71 for which funds were not provided.
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