USA > Pennsylvania > Northumberland County > History of Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania. With illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories > Part 36
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Number of members, sixty.
AMERICAN PRIMITIVE METHODIST SUNDAY-SCROOL.
Organized in 1871. Number of teachers, twenty; number of scholars, one hundred; Anthony Smith, superintendent.
A temperanee society, numbering seventy-five members, is connected with the Sunday-school.
101
Frederic A. Godcharles MiAn, Penna.
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
ST. JOHN'S REFORMED CHURCH.
Among the first settlers of Shamokin, were a number of persons who either belonged to the Reformed Church, or leaned towards that faith.
As far as eau be ascertained, the first services were held in the Central school-house, about 1850, by the Rev. Mr. Fisher, of Sunbury, who, at dif- ferent times, held services here. A Rev. Mr. Gingrich, from the Mahaneys, frequently preached also for this people. About 1855, the Rev. Mr. Hoffman. who then had charge of the St. Jacob's and St. Peter's Churches, in Shamokin township, organized the St. John's Church, aud served about two years as pastor. The services were held in different places.
Mr. Hoffman was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Rittenhouse, who remained two years, and theu resigned aud moved away.
The church was without a regular pastor for a year or so, when, in April, 1864, the congregation extended a call to Rev. H. W. W. Hibshman, of Lancaster, Pa., which was accepted, and Mr. H. at once entered his new field of labor. Mr. Hibshman had just completed his theologienl studies, and commenced his work with great zeal. The real history of this church begins with his ministry here. The services were held, at first, in the United Brethren Church, but soon after, the Reformed and the Lutheran congrega- tions fitted up a room in the Odd Fellows' Hall, and held services there. Mr. H. commenced at once to prepare for building a church, and the beautiful brick erlifice, located on Seventh street, was the result of his untiring energy. The congregation was poor, and heure the pastor devised various expedients to raise means to erect a building. Fairs were hell; a series of lectures, by eminent Reformed ministers, were given in the Methodist Church, and con- tributions were solicited far and near. Work was commenced on the new build- ing in 1865, aud it was completed ju 1867. Daviel Yost was the builder. The church was dedicated May 5th, 1867. The pastor was assisted by Rev. J. H. A. Bomberger, D.D., and others. In 1868, Mr. H. resigned. For a short time, the pulpit was occupied by Rev. Mr. Losch, when the Rev. C. Scheel was called to take the charge, who remmined about two years, when the Rev. D. W. Kelley succeeded him. Mr. Kelley remained about four yenrs, serving with great acceptance, when he resigned, to accept a call at Manchester, MId.
In December, 1874, the Rev. Mr. Shoemaker accepted the pastoral call, and is the present pastor. Mr. Shoemaker is doing a good work in building up the congregation.
The membership numbers two hundred and sixty, with accommodation for five hundred.
The present cousistory are, Samuel Yost, W. W. Wary, R. S. Aucker, H. Swavely, John Martz and J. K. Hnas.
Valuntion of church and parsonage, fifteen thousand dollars.
ST. JOHN'S REFORMED SUNDAY-SCHOOL.
For a number of years, the children of the Reformed and Lutheran con- gregations formed a Union school, with Solomon Wenver as superintendent. The school numbered about one hundred scholars. When the St. John's Church was finished, a Reformed Sunday-school was organized, but was not a full denominational school until the Rev. Mr. Kelley touk charge of the congregation, in 1870. The pastor serves as superintendent. The present stauding of the school is as follows: Number of teachers, twenty; number of scholars, two hundred aud seventy-five; number of volumes in library, five hundred.
TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
The first Lutheran services were held in the Central school-house, about 1840, through the exertions of William Fegely, who was reared in this church. He seut to Sunbury for the Rev. J. P. Shindle, au eminent prencher in the Lutheran Church, to visit Shamokin occasionally, and preach to the people. Mr. Shindle complied with the request, aud eume frequently here, and held services. He was a popular speaker, and his meetings were largely attended. About this time, the Mormons had been holding a series of meetings here, aud had awakeued considerable interest in religious matters, and had, in fact, gained several converts. It appeared as though they might guin a strong foothold here, in the absence of other services, and so the good sense of Mr. Fegely led him to procure what he deemed "sound doctrine " for the people.
About 1842, a partial organization of the church was made by the Rev. Mr. Alleman, who had charge of St. Peter's and St. Jacob's Churches, in Shamokin township. He was followed by the Rev. Mr. Willard, who served the con- gregation for some time. But the real history of the church begins in 1854. On October 11th, of that year, the church was fully organized, with the
Rev. C. J. Ehrhart as pastor. He was an active worker, and, under his charge, the congregation prospered. He was a sanguine man, and as Shamo- kin, at this period, was a very prosperous town, he conceived the plan of establishing a Lutheran college at this point. He talked and worked until he awakened n great interest in his enterprise, and commenced the under- taking, and would have succeeded, bad it not been for the jealousy of other towns that were competing for the school. An account of this work will be given elsewhere. Mr. Ehrhart established a select school, which continued for several years, and acquired considerable celebrity. Mr. Ehrhart was succeeded by Rev. J. F. Wampole, October 11th, 1857, who filled the pulpit for eight years. For two years, the services were held in the Presbyterian Church, but in June, 1859, a room in the Odd Fellows' Hull was fitted up with seats and pulpit, und used by them and the German Reform congrega- tion. Mr. Wampole was an active worker, and the church greatly prospered. During the last year of his ministry, be commenced making preparations to erect n church building. He had taken steps to seenre the ground, and had adopted plans of building. Mr. Wampole resigned in 1865, and was fol- lowed by the Rev. J. B. Keller, who commeneed at once to earry out the building alrendy projected. During the Summer, the ground was excavated, and on October 10th, 1865, the corner-stone was laid. On January 20tb, 1867, the basement was first used for worship, and ou August 11th, 1867, the church was dedicated, and the audience-room was first occupied as a place of worship.
The building was designed by C. S. Wetzell, and erected hy Jonas L. Gilger, of Shamokin. The structure is of brick, painted and sanded. It is fifty by seventy-five feet, with a tower nt one coruer, one hundred and eighteen feet high, containing a superior bell. The basement is twelve feet high, and divided into apartments for Sunday-school and lecture rooms. The audience-chamber is twenty feet high, and will sent over five bundred persons. It is one of the most bandsome of our church structures.
In 1869, Mr. Keller resigned, and was succeeded by Rev. J. R. Williams, who remained about two years. He was followed by Rev. S. Domer, a very eminent preacher in the Lutheran Church. The congregation prospered greatly nuder his charge. In 1873, be resigned, to take charge of the princi- pal Lutheran Church in Washington. The congregation was now withont a regular pastor for a short time; but, in December, 1874, the Rev. H. C. Haitheox, of Muncy, was unanimously elected pastor, and fills the position at the present time with great acceptance to his people. Number of mem- bers, two hundred and sixty.
The council consists of D. Y. Gilbam, J. J. W. Schwartz, Daniel Deibler, John Dunkelberger, Daniel Zuerne, and Reuben Fegely. Valuation of church property, fifteen thousand dollars.
LUTHERAN SUNDAY-SCHOOL.
This school was established soon after the erection of the church, and is now in a flourishing condition. The superintendent is D. Y. Gilham, Number of teachers, thirty-four; number of scholars, four hundred; number of volumes in library, one thousand.
ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, LOCUST GAP.
Before September, 1866, no regular Catholic service was held at Locust Gap. Rev. E. Murray, of Danville, who had charge of the place, lived too far awny to pay much attention to this new fiehl of labor. In the month of September, 1866, Rev. Joseph Koch came to Shamokin, with the charge of Locust Gap in his parish. He set to work immediately, and organized the congregation, giving them a regular Sunday attendance. Divine service was held every Sunday in the school-house, and no effort was left untried to im- prove the moral aud spiritual condition of the people.
In May, 1870, a lot having previously been secured from the coal com- pany of the place, Father Koch began the foundation of a church, And under his supervision, the work went on without interruption. The building is two stories high, and forty-five by seventy feet. The basement is ten feet in the clear, and the upper story thirty feet high. The following November, the basement-room was finished, and the congregation and pastor had the satisfaction to leave for good the small and uncomfortable school-house, and hold service for the first time in a large and comfortable basement.
On the 27th of Angust, 1871, the church, being completed, was dedientod to the service of Almighty God, under the patronage of St. Joseph, by Bishop Shannhun, of Harrisburg.
The cost of the eburch edifice aud furniture amounted to seventy-eight bundred dollars.
102
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
There is a small deht, which will be liquidated as soon as the times improve. The number of communicants exceeds six hundred, amd two hundred and twenty children attend Sunday-school.
St. Joseph's Beneficial Society, numbering some sixty members, is con- nected with the church.
A parochiul-school of seventy children is held in the basement of the church.
ST. EDWARD'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The first church built in Shamokin, was by the Catholics, in 1839, through the efforts of Brannigan, Riley, and some others, who were prominent men at that time. The builder was Stephen Bittenbender. The first services were held by Bishop Kenrick, October 11th, 1840. Previous to this, through the influence of the pastor of the St. Joseph's Church, of Danville, a few lots were secured for a burial-ground. The church building was erected on the south-west corner of these lots. It was a small frame building, twenty by thirty-two feet, and fourteen feet high, unplastered, and very rude in its hnish. For twenty-two years this congregation had no other place of wor- ship, when the priest from Danville visited them, to administer the consola- tions of religion.
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But a better day dawned for these people. 'In September, 1866, Shamokin was formed into a parish, with Trevorton and Locust Gap attached to it, and Bishop Woul, of Philadelphia, appointed as Bist resident pastor of the new parish, the then pastorof St. Joseph's Church, of Milton. The new pastor came on a Saturday, to take charge of his new Hoek, which be found in a very unsettled condition. With a zeal and energy that has ever characterized the man in his commendable work, Father Kuch at once applied himself' to his new field of labor. On Sunday afternoon, a meeting of the congregation was held, at which it was resolved to buy a suitable property, on Shamokin strect, upon which u temporary church should be built, until a better struc- ture could be erected. Consequently, the following day a corner lot was secured, for the sum of thirty-four hundred dollars. In November, a tem- porary church was put up on the corner lot, and the next Spring it was enlarged, so as to accommodate the large congregation of the borough und vicinity.
In the Spring of 1869, an adjoining lot was purchased for nine linndred dollars, and a handsome pastoral residence, a three-story brick building, ereeted upon it, at a cost of eighty-five hundred dollars.
The congregation increased so rapidly in a few years, that the temporary church, which was fifty-six feet square, wordd not contain them all.
Therefore, during the Summer of 1872, the foundations of a new church were laid out and dug, and on 14th of September, of the same year, the Rev. Joseph Koch laid the first stone in the trench. The work was interrupted by the Winter, but was resumed in the Spring of 1873. On the 23d day of May, 1873, the corner-stone was laid by Bishop O'Hara, of Scranton, in the presence of a very large assemblage of people.
A contract for the stone-work was then made, which was an extensive one, as, the entire building was to be stone. After working six weeks on the job, the masons abandoned their contract. and the work seemed to be dhimmed. But such was not the case. There was a man in the pastor, who allowed no difficulties to thwart him from his purpose. Notwithstanding his onerous pastoral duties, he took charge of the whole building, superintended its con- struction, attended to all the work which was done by the day, und after a struggle and labor of four long months, the walls were up, ready for the roof. The following Christmas day, service was held for the first time in tho basement uf the new structure. The following year the front was all com- pleted, with the exception of the tower; the scaffolding taken down; the walls pointed with cement; pavement was made around the church; and the basement was plastered and fitted up, making a very large-and comfortable room for divine worship.
Some iden of the. magnitude of the work can be formed fram its dimen- sions. It fronts on Shamokin street, sixty-four feet, running back on Web- ster, one hundred and twenty-five feet. The side walls from the pavement, are thirty-six feet high. The entire edifice is Intilt with cut stone-a white mountain sand-stone found upon the mountain, abont one mile from Sha- mokin.
The basement is ten-and-a-halt feet, and the main auditorium, forty-two feet in the clear.
The tower from the pavement to the top of the cross, is two hundred fect high. There were over two thousand perch of stone used in the building. It is the largest church edifice, and the highest tower in Northumberland County.
The style of the church is pure Romanesque, and this architecture has been scrupulously carried nut in all its details. In the beautiful tower erected, will be placed a chime of four bells, well harmonized, weighing over five thousand pounds. These will speak every day, and on Sundays, will call the faithful to the house of the Lord.
The congregation numbers nearly two thousand souls, being the largest one in this diocese.
ST. EDWARD'S SUNDAY-SCHOOL.
The Sunday-school connected with this church, was organized soon after Father Koch assumed the duties of the parish. It numbers upwards of four hundred children.
CATHOLIC SOCIETIES.
There ure three societies connected with the church, under the supervision of the pastor.
St. Patrick's Temperance Suciety was organized in August, 1867; St. Patrick's Beneficial Society, organized in 1873, and a "German Beneficial Society, started the same year. There is likewise another society, composed of boys, between the ages of twelve and seventeen, called the Cadets of Temperance. All these societies are in a flourishing condition, and will probably number from fifty to sixty for each organization.
ST. EDWARD'S PAROCHIAL SCHOOL.
In order to supply the Catholic children of the congregation with a better religious education, a parochial school was started by Father Koch, in Sep- tember, 1874. The next year, five Sisters of Charity, from Mount St. Vin- cent, New York, took charge of the school, and are now conducting it with great success. It contains two hundred and fifty scholars. It is under the direction of the pastor. All branches taught in public aud select schools, including music, are taught here. Daily religious instruction is given to the children.
ST. STANISLAUS POLISH CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The Polish portion of St. Edward's congregation becoming so numerous by emigration, that a separation was deemed advisable, so, in 1870, they formed another congregation, called the St. Stanishuns Church.
In 1874, Rev. Joseph Juskienski was sent by Bishop Shanahan, of Har- risburg, as pastor of the church. He bought a pastoral residence, and erected a temporary frame building for a church. Lots were secured, and work commenced in 1875, on the foundation of a stone church. The following is a description of the proposed building: The church is located on the corner of Cherry and Race streets, and will be ninety-three by fifty feet, to be con- structed uf stone and brick. The stone-wall will he twelve feet high, on which will be a brick one of twenty-bve feet. The basement-room will be fifty by sixty-four feet, and ten feet in the clear. The audience-room will be the size of the building, and twenty-five feet high. The tower will be one hundred and twenty-six feet high. The building will cust, when completed, about twenty-ve thousand dollars.
The work on the structure has been suspended, after the stone work was completed, owing to the hard times.
On account of some difficulties occurring between the pastor and a portion_ of his congregation, he resigned in June, 1876, and was succeeded by the Rev. Florian Klonouski, who will commence the work as soon as the times will admit.
Number of communicants, five hundred.
POLISH SUNDAY-SCHOOL.
This school is connected with the St. Stanislaus Church, and numbers one hundred and forty scholars.
ST. STANISLAUS BENEFICIAL SOCIETY.
This organization is connected with the church. It numbers eighty members.
BURIAL GROUNDS.
For many years, Shamokin was without a suitable resting-place for the dend. . Its population was principally composed of those who were in the prime of life, and being busily engaged in building up a town, but little attention was given to burial-grounds. But in the course of time, as the town increased in numbers, the want of convenient and suitable places for interment became so pressing, that proper provision for this purpose was finally made.
PAL. John's.
PLATE XXIV
RES. OF WM P. DOUGAL, MILTON, NORTH? CO., PA.
RES. OF MISSES S. M. & L. B. CAKE, NORTHUMBERLAND , NORTH? CO, PA.
103
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
IRICH'S GRAVE-YARD.
The first grave-yard in the region, was what is now fiumiliarly known as "Irieb's Grave-yard," located about one mile east of Shamokin, on the public road, lending to Mount Carmel. It contains about one-half acre of low and wet ground, enclosed by an old fence, and is in a very neglected condi- tion. It is nearly ull taken up, but is so overgrown that many of the graves are not to be distinguished. It was laid out a short time after the Revolu- tionary war, by the Cherrys, the first settlers of this loenlity, several of whom are interred there. For many years, the people of Shamokin, who did not bury at the " Blue Church," in Shamokin township, or the Catholic grounds, used this us their burial-ground. There has been no interment there for some years.
CATHOLIC GRAVE-YARD.
About 1839, the Catholic population of Shamokin secured about one aere of ground, in the lower part of town, and on it erected a small frame-church, und consecrated a burying-place, exclusively for their denomination.
SHAMOKIN CEMETERY.
During 1859, some of the citizens of Shamokin associated together, under the title of the Shamokin Cemetery Company, and secured a charter from the court. The following managers were then elected: William H. Mar- shall, William M. Weaver, Rev. C. Rittenhouse, C. P. Ifelfenstein, Joseph Bird, Solomou Weaver, and P. Bird.
The ground selected, is in the southern part of the borongh, and belonged to Messrs. Marshall, Weaver, and Helfenstein, who deeded it to the company, subject to certain provisions and restrictions. The terms of purchase, were arranged by the managers, and a set of by-laws adopted. William H. Marshall subsequently purchased the interests of the other two parties. One- half of the gross receipts belong to him; the other half, after the proper expenses are deducted, is applied to the keeping of' the grounds in order, and making the necessary improvements. There are about twenty aeres enclosed.
The company own a honse aud lot, occupied by the sexton, valued at fifteen hundred dollars.
Shamokin Cemetery is beautifully located on rising ground, south of Academy Hill, that commands some of the finest views of the surrounding region. Possessed of a dry and gravelly soil, with excellent drainage, it is well adapted to the purpose of a cemetery. Under the skillful engineering of the lamented Cleaver, the grounds are tastefully luid out in blocks and ranges; avenues for carriages have been provided, and footways to every lot in the euclosure. A large number of evergreens were left to shed their purifying influence around, and every effort was made to preserve the natural beauty of the locality.
A number of the lot-owners have tastefully decorated their lots, and erected beautiful tombstones and monuments, in memory of their dend. The first interment in the ground, was a child of Mr. Harmon Snyder.
The present managers are: Alexander Fulton, Willium H. Marshall, J. J. John, F. S. Hnas, R. S. Aucker, R. R. Teitsworth, W. H. M. Orom.
The officers are: President, Alexander Fulton; Secretary, J. J. John; Treasurer, W. H. Marshall; Superintendent, John Geywitz.
ST. EDWARD'S CEMETERY.
As the Catholic grave-yard in the town became filled up, the Rev. Joseph Koch, during the year 1873, secured four acres of ground, about one mile east of the borough, and adjoining the village of Springfield, for a cemetery. He had it enelosed at onee, and beautifully laid out for burial purposes. The ground is dry and elevated, and is very pleasantly located. Under the care and good taste of Father Koch, it will soon become one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the region. Quite a large number' of interments have already been mude here, and many of the lots are tastefully arranged. Several very handsome monuments and tombstones have been erected recently.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
This excellent society was organized December 3d, 1874. The present officers are: President, Joseph Wilson; Secretary, William Kenggy.
Board of Maungers: Rev. E. Humphries, S. P. Fink, Philip Thomas, George Dawson, D. C. Smink, and John P. Helfenstein. The montbly meetings are held on the fourth Monday evening of each month. Sunday services are held at their hall, at four p.M. The cottage prayer-meetings are held on ench Tuesday evening. The association numbers eighty-eight active members.
The National and State meetings are properly represented by delegates and contributions.
Much of the success of the association is to be attributed to the untiring exertions of Rev. E. Humphries, the first president.
LINCOLN POST, NO. 140, G. A. R.
Was chartered June 17th, 1868.
The following were the charter members: Col. A. Caldwell, H. Bough- Der, Dr. C. W. Weaver, W. C. Roth, Major James May, John Cruikshank, O. M. Fowler, A. M. Osmun, W. B. Bird, T. C. Boyle, II. W. Morgan, C. F. Reyer, Benton Smith, James A. Shipp, J. B. Getter, and John Boughner.
This post has shown a great deal of energy, and by fairs, and other means, collected considerable sums of money for the objects of' their organization. Their principal work was the erection of a monument, in the Shamokin Cemetery.
SANITARY COMMISSION.
Shamokin, all through the war of the Rebellion, took an active part in sending men to the front, and it was quite natural that her citizens would become interested in the great effort made by the United States Sanitary Commission to afford relief to the wounded and dying.
On May 17th, 1864, the first meeting was held at the residence of Mr. F. S. Haas, and was attended by a number of citizens. Rev. . I. F. Porter was elected President ; J. J. John, Secretary, aud Rev. P. Bird, Treasurer.
The following committee was appointed to solicit contributions: Mrs. A. R. Fiske, Miss Kate Nash, Mrs. W. 11. Donty, Mrs. F. S. Haas, Mrs. Oammun, Mis. D. Yost, Mrs. W. P. Withington, Chas. P. Helfenstein, J. J. John, Rev. P. Bird, Rev. A. D. Hawn, Rev. Hibsman, John Culdwell, Juo. H. Gable, R. B. Douty, W. Rhodes, J. Dunkleberger, J. H. Zimmerman, F. S. Haas, J. S. Bittenbeuder, Geo. Martz.
Large sums of money were collected and forwarded to the great Sanitary Fair, held at Philadelphia. Captain H. Van Gosken and A. M. Eastwick captured a large Copperhead, near Shamokin, which they boxed securely, and forwarded tu the exhibition. The managers of the fuir refused to accept the donation, deeming a copperhead too dangerous a reptile for such an occasion.
CHRISTIAN COMMISSION.
The several churches of Shamokin took an active part in raising funds to aid the United States Christian Commission in its noble work. Collections were made in all the churches in 1865, and large sums of money obtained and forwarded.
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