History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Part 134

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 992

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Those who separated in 1817 organized themselves at the academy, on Arch Street, under the title of the Lutheran Church of St. Matthew. The first board of officers was composed of Andrew Geyer, president ; George E. Baker, secretary ; George Krebs, treasurer; Samuel Keemle, John Geyer, Abraham Beidelman, and Adam Steinbock, vestrymen. Among the mem- bers of the church at this time are to be found the names of Lex, Dannaker, Bush, Gougler, Croll, Baum- birn, Fredericks, Freed, Blumner, Ripperger, Wag- ner, Cline, Eberle, Shoch, Eisenhart, Hinecle, Lower, Knipe, Leoscher, Armbruster, and Kneedler. These names all indicate German nativity, but those who possessed them, and who belonged to this congrega- tion, were of American birth. In the articles of union the members of this church expressed the opinion that if the Lutheran Church in America did not abandon her exclusive character and adapt herself to the language of the descendants of the founders, the sons and daughters of those founders would go over to other sects, and the strength of the Lutheran Church in America would be greatly diminished. They secured the services of Rev. Christian F. Cruse, and were worshiping in that building, under charge of Mr. Cruse, in the year 1825. A call was extended,

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in 1818, to Rev. George Lochman, D.D., of Lebanon, but he declined. Similar fortune attended a call made in 1820 to Rev. Benjamin Kurtz, D.D., of Baltimore. The first purchase of real estate made by this congre- gation was on the south side of Buttonwood Street, between Fifth and Sixth, April 11, 1820, from Henry Pratt, by Charles Eberle, Andrew Bush, and Henry Burkhart, in trust, subject to a ground-rent of sixty dollars.

During the fourteen or more years that the ques- tion of introducing English had been agitated, the views of the conservatives had decidedly changed. Schmucker says in his history that they began to see how short-sighted their policy had been.

Hazelius says,-

"The obstinate adherence of many of our older ministers to the ex- clusive use of the German language io the service of the church, pre- Beate ne with & hindrance to its growth which could not fail to effect the heart of every well-wisher of our Zion. The instruction of the young io the elements of religion became thereby necessarily imperfect. They understood little or nothing of the public services in the sanctuary, in consequence of which the love to the church of their fathers waxed cold in many, and, finding mors instruction and edification in the houses of worship pertaining to those denominations of Christians who taught and preached in the language of our country than in their own, thon- sands left our church and connected themselves with English churches, while others became negligent attendants on the word of God in their own denomination."

Dr. Morris says,-

"Where are the thousand respectable families who abandoned our communion because their children didn't understand German? Go into any considerable town or city and you will see them maintain & con- spicuous standing in almost every denomination of Christians."

After the secession of 1817, the members of the old church corporation, who were all Germans- " taking into consideration the impossibility of rear- ing children in the centre of an American community to understand the German language properly, and that as they grew up they must leave the church ; that the congregation must depend upon emigration for its supply of members, and that strangers would supplant the natives"-attempted a plan of intro- ducing English by which the German language would have been continued as long as fifty persons should desire it ; but they failed in obtaining the consent of the congregation.

Rev. Dr. John C. Kunze, after he went to New York (in 1789), had risen to the emergency, and so he compiled a hymn-book composed largely of German hymns translated into English verse, gener- ally in the original metre, so that they could be sung in either language. He also composed a liturgy and catechism in English, founded on the German books, and until his death, which occurred in 1807, he was a steady and vigorous advocate of the change to English. It is said upon the best authority that if the seceders from St. Michael's and Zion Churches had remained a few years longer, they would have won a peaceful victory.

In 1820 the two old congregations decided to have but one pastor. Dr. Helmuth retired, and Rev. Mr.

Schaefer was elected. In 1823, Rev. Charles R. Demme, of Germany, was called as assistant pastor. That year Dr. Helmuth died, and was buried in St. Michael's Cemetery.

During this great contest in which the radicals departed, and built up new and thriving churches in Philadelphia, and even the conservatives submitted at last to the inevitable, the church at German- town was carried safely through the storm. Rev. John C. Becker (or Baker), born in Philadelphia in 1791, took sole charge of this famous old church in 1812, after having been Dr. Schaefer's assistant in the parish for a year; but the creation of Montgomery County lessened their labors. Mr. Becker fully real- ized the evil effects of the policy pursued in the Ger- man-speaking churches of Philadelphia. He was determined to prevent such a disaster happening to the church at Germantown, and owing to his success- ful labors in the expression of his views, the officers agreed, in 1813, to have English services on alternate Sundays. The change was not effected without re- monstrance from the old German members; but as he spoke both languages fluently, and acted judi- ciously, he succeeded in reconciling them. In 1817 he organized a Sabbath-school. In 1819 the congre- gation wanted a new church. The corner-stone of the new building was laid March 25th. It was fin- ished and dedicated November 21st by Rev. Drs. Helmuth, Schaefer, and Mayer. It had been in- tended to build a steeple and belfry, in which were to be placed the bells of the old church ; but during the removal of the bells the ropes used broke, so that the bells fell to the ground and were cracked. One of the church writers says, "The people, in a manner disconsolate for their loss, seem to have felt that in their affections no new bells could ever take the place of the old. The contemplated steeple for the new church was abandoned, and the sonorous, deep-toned summons, which without fail for Sundays and Christian festivals for over seventy years had called the people together, was heard no more." The master of this church kept supervision for some time over the Frankford Church. By 1822 the friends of English services at Barren Hill were so numerous that two out of three sermons were in that language.

St. Matthew's (English) Evangelical Lutheran congregation was organized on the 26th day of Janu- ary, 1818, by members of the German Evangelical Lu- theran congregation of this city, who felt persuaded that the introduction of the English language into the regular services of their religion could no longer be delayed. Their first place of worship was in the old academy building, on Fourth Street, near Arch, the services being conducted by Rev. Christian F. Cruse, who acted as temporary ministerial supply. Efforts were soon made to secure a suitable church edifice in which to hold all the'r congregational exercises. A lot on New Street, near Fourth, was purchased, and a church building erected thereon, in

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HISTORY OF PHILADELPHIA.

which for many years they and their children wor- relation toward a large family of younger brothers shiped. After long-continued use, in consequence and sisters. of the changes in that locality, which was being more | and more surrendered to business purposes, another location was deemed desirable, and the congregation removed to its present situation on Broad Street, northwest corner of Mount Vernon. The location now occupied by the congregation was purchased in 1875. The erection of a chapel and parsonage was at once commenced, both of which buildings were ready for use and taken possession of during the spring of 1876. The purpose is, at as early a day as possible, to place a church building on the vacant corner, of symmetrical design with the structures already com- pleted. The cost of the property thus far has ex- ceeded one hundred thousand dollars. The succes- sion of pastors is as follows :

Rev. Charles Philip Krauth, D.D., from 1827 to 1833. His removal was occasioned by a call from the trustees of Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, Pa., to become its first president.

Rev. Jacob Medtant served from 1834 to 1838.

Rev. Stephen A. Mealy, from 1838 to 1841.

Rev. Theophilus Stork, D.D., from 1841 to 1850.

Rev. Edwin W. Hutter, D.D., from 1850 to 1873.

Rev. W. M. Baum, D.D., from 1874 to the present date.

The numerical growth and financial condition of St. Matthew's have been such that at various times in its history it has been instrumental, through its members, in originating and establishing other pros- perous church enterprises. St. Mark's, on Spring Garden Street, near Thirteenth; St. Luke's, on Fourth Street, near Thompson ; St. Peter's, on Reed Street, near Ninth ; Grace Church, Spring Garden and Thirty-fifth Streets; and Messiah, Sixteenth and Jef- ferson Streets, were severally started and fostered by this congregation. Together with the parent church these congregations are all in a growing condition. The Sabbath-schools, the enrolled membership, and the work of Christian charity and denominational benevolence are steadily increasing.

Edwin W. Hutter, D.D., who was for twenty-three years pastor of this church, was also one of the prominent men of Philadelphia. He was born in Allentown, Lehigh Co., Pa., Sept. 12, 1813, of Ger- man ancestry.

His grandfather, Christian Jacob Hutter, settled in Lancaster before the Revolu- tion, but later in life removed to Easton, where he established The Sentinel newspaper, and where Charles L., the father of Edwin W. Hutter, was born. In 1811, Charles L. Hutter removed to Allentown, and continued the publication of The Republican, which had been started by his father. Upon the death of Charles L. Hutter, Edwin W. Hutter returned from school at Nazareth, and at the age of sixteen took the editorship of his father's papers,-The Independent Republican and The Lehigh Herald, and at the same time assumed a parental

While yet in his minority Mr. Hutter was appointed, in 1832, by Governor Wolf, prothonotary of Lehigh County, and afterward, by Amos Kendall, postmaster of Allentown. He continued in the latter position until 1839, when, under the administration of Gov- ernor Porter, he accepted a position in the Surveyor- General's office at Harrisburg. He was next called to the editorship of The Keystone. While at Harris- burg he established a German paper,-the Pennsyl- vania Staat Zeitung, and was elected State printer two successive terms. He next became editor of The Democratie Union, the organ of that party, and at the beginning of Governor Porter's second term was ap- pointed deputy secretary under Hon. Anson V. Par- sons, Secretary of the Commonwealth. At the com- mencement of President Polk's administration Mr. Hutter removed to Washington, where he was for three years private secretary to Hon. James Buch- anan, then Secretary of State, at the close of which he returned to Pennsylvania, and became the editor and proprietor of The Lancaster Intelligencer and Jour- nal. During his connection with The Intelligencer he delivered an eulogy upon Mr. Polk, which was praised for its grace and the ability displayed, and was repub- lished in several newspapers. Before Mr. Hutter de- cided to enter the ministry, as an inducement to keep him in political life, President Polk offered him the position of minister to Rome, which he declined.

In the summer of 1849 he was urged by the Lutheran Board of Publication, at Baltimore, to take charge of the Lutheran Book Concern, and to assist in conduct- ing The Lutheran Observer, to which he assented, read- ing theology, in the intervals, under Rev. Benjamin Kurtz, D.D., its senior editor. He was licensed to preach by the Synod of Pennsylvania (the mother Synod of the Lutheran Church), at Pottsville, June, 1850, and preached one of his first sermons at Allen- town. During the summer he visited Philadelphia, and preached two sermons in the old Pine Street Presbyterian Church, where he was heard by some of the members of St. Matthew's Church, at whose instance he was invited to preach in the pulpit of the latter, which had shortly before become vacated by the resignation of Dr. Stork. The discourse was so satisfactory to the congregation that on the follow- ing day they convened a meeting, and extended to Mr. Hutter a unanimous call, which he accepted, and entered upon his pastoral duties early in September, 1850, where he continued to labor until his death, Sept. 21, 1873.

Immediately before he accepted the ministry of St. Matthew's a colony of some forty families had gone out from it, with Rev. Dr. Stork, to Spring Garden and Thirteenth Streets, but these vacancies were speedily filled, and during Mr. Hutter's minis- tration over eight hundred members were added to the church. All the indebtedness was extinguished,

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which for many shiped. After ] of the changes in and more surren‹ location was deem removed to its p northwest corner of occupied by the co The erection of a commenced, both use and taken p 1876. The purp. to place a chur( symmetrical desi pleted. The co ceeded one hun sion of pastors Rev. Charle: 1833. His rer the trustees of Pa., to become Rev. Jacob Rev. Stephe Rev. Theol Rev. Edwi Rev. W. M date.

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RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.

and several Lutheran churches in the city have grown out of the missions originating under his ministra- tions. In addition to his other labors, Mr. Hutter was one of the editors of The Lutheran Observer from 1857 to 1870, and upon the death of Rev. Benjamin Kurtz, on Dec. 24, 1865, pronounced the eulogy on his life and character, at Selinsgrove, Pa.

In 1868, Mr. Hutter received the degree of doctor of divinity from the Pennsylvania College at Gettys- burg. In 1871 his health began to fail in conse- quenee of his severe and too often self-imposed labors in his parish. Nothing was too hazardous or trying in aid of his church. In the pulpit, in the Sunday-school, and especially among the poor and infirm, the sick and the dying, as friend and coun- selor, he was èver ready, never thinking of himself or his personal comfort. He was a prodigious worker, and spoke English and German with uncommon facility. In society he was agreeable and refined, especially among people of learning. He had a rich fund of humor, and his short newspaper paragraphs abounded in wit. A deep thinker and a elose reader, he gave tone and dignity to everything he discussed, and all the newspapers he conducted were marked by his strong and vigorous style. During the war he was an active worker for the Union, and with his philanthropie wife, who was a daughter of Col. Jacob Shindel, performed great service in relieving the sick and wounded soldiers, and providing for those in the field. His remains are buried in Laurel Hill Ceme- tery.

St. James' Evangelical Church (German) .- For a number of years members of St. Michael's, Zion, and St. Paul's Churches, residing in Kensington, so called, were desirous of having a church in that distriet. The great distance often prevented their attendance at service, or, if they went to St. Paul's, corner of Brown and St. John Streets, the crowd inside was so great that it was not possible to enter.

During his later years, beginning with June, 1878, Pastor Vogelbach was assisted by the Rev. A. Richter, who became his son-in-law, and eventually his suc- eessor. As regular pastor, the Rev. Mr. Richter remained but one year, and on Oct. 1, 1881, was suc- ceeded by the present pastor, the Rev. F. W. Weis- kotten, formerly of Bethlehem, Pa. The present membership is eleven hundred communicants. The The attention of the mother congregation and also of Sunday-school numbers one thousand pupils, with Synod was directed to this state of affairs. The neces- one hundred teachers and officers. sity for a new church was so evident that Synod ap- pointed the Rev. Benjamin Keller as missionary to undertake its establishment. On Sunday, Nov. 5, 1854, the first service was held by him in Phoenix Hall, northwest corner of Thompson Street and Frankford Avenue, at which thirty-four persons were present. But few services were held here, as a change of location was decided upon, and Central Hall, on Frankford Avenne, opposite Master Street, was secured, at a rental of one hundred and twenty dollars per annum. A Sunday-school was opened and a choir organized.

The eangregations of St. Michael's and Zion Churches then purchased the lots at the corner of Columbia Avenue and Third Street, for five thousand four hundred and fifty dollars.

On Friday evening, April 27, 1855, an organization, named the Evangelical Lutheran St. James' Church,

was effected, a constitution adopted, a pastor (the Rev. B. Keller) and a church council eleeted.

May 27, 1855, the Lord's Holy Supper was eele- brated for the first time, fifty-two communicants par- taking. Early in the spring of 1856 the mother congregation resolved to proceed with the erection of a church, sixty-one by ninety-five feet. April 11th the contraet was awarded to Messrs. Jacob & George Binder, for fifteen thousand one hundred and twenty dollars. The steeple was to cost one thousand six hundred and fifty dollars extra, and had to be paid for by the members of St. James'. April 16th ground was broken, April 19th the corner-stone laid, and Dec. 28, 1856, the church was dedicated. Rev. C. R. Demme, D.D., preached in the morning, Rev. J. T. Vogelbach in the afternoon, and Rev. G. F. Krotel in the evening. In September, 1857, a parochial school was opened, with Mr. E. Beeker as teacher. The mother-church agreed, for a period of five years, to pay annually five hundred and four hundred dollars respectively to the salaries of pastor and teacher.

In January, 1857, the Rev. B. Keller resigned the pastorate of the church, and Feb. 9, 1857, the Rev. J. T. Vogelbach, of Allentown, Pa., was elected his successor. His pastorate extended over a period of nearly twenty-four years, until his demise, in Novem- ber, 1880. During this time, in 1867, a new parochial school-house was erected, and the beautiful pictures of Christ's crucifixion, Dr. Martin Luther, and Philip Melanchthon placed in the church.

St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized March 26, 1850, at a meeting of Christian people favorable to the erection of a new English Lutheran Church in the northwestern section of Philadelphia, held in the Commissioners' HIall, in the district of Spring Garden. At this meeting a charter was adopted, and four elders, four deacons, and four trustees were elected as officers of the con- gregation ; at the same time a building committee. consisting of nine persons, was appointed. The elders elected were B. Slaugh, D. R. Erdman, M. Bn bler, and S. Heritage ; the deacons, I. Sulger, W. B. Richle, F. Zimmerman, and J. Lower; the trustees, P Soles, A. R. Hortter, C. H. Moore, and M. E. Afuck A Sunday-school was opened on the morning f April 14, 1850, in Brotherly Love Ilall, at the northeast corner of Twelfth and Wistar Streets, At a meeting of the congregation beld April 30, 1850, the Rev.

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HISTORY OF PHILADELPHIA.

Theophilus Stork, D.D., was elected pastor, who at that time was pastor of St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church, situated on New Street, below Fourth. A lot of ground on the south side of Spring Garden Street, above Thirteenth, was purchased, and the erection of the building commenced. The cor- ner-stone of the new edifice was laid by the Rev. Philip F. Mayer, D.D., pastor of St. John's Church, Philadelphia, in the presence of a large concourse of people, June 27, 1850. Contracts for work on the building were awarded as follows: carpenter-work to William Denney, brick-laying to Morris E. Afflick, painting and glazing to Charles Foster, iron-work to Heins & Adamson, and brownstone work to John Heugh.

The first religious services of the congregation were held in Brotherly Love Hall, on the fourth Sunday in October, 1850. These services were transferred to the church in January, 1851, the basement of the building being then so far completed that it could be occupied for that purpose. The church was conse- crated on the second Sunday in November (9th), 1851. At a congregational meeting, held Feb. 23, 1864, it was resolved to enlarge the church edifice. Plans prepared by Sloan & Hutton, architects, were adopted. An entire new front of brownstone, with central tower and lofty spire, was erected, the side walls were strengthened, a new roof put on, the audience- room considerably lengthened, the ceiling raised, and side-galleries put in. Workmen commenced the re- moval of the old front April 18, 1864, and the altera- tions and repairs were completed by the 5th of No- vember, 1865, and the building reconsecrated. A very heavy expenditure of money was incurred in making these improvements, which were a virtual reconstruction of the edifice. In 1864 the residence adjoining the church on the west side, No. 1314 Spring Garden Street, was purchased for a parsonage. In the summer of 1880 the audience-room of the church was again improved, altered, and repaired, and the roof was strengthened, at a cost of between nine and ten thousand dollars.

The congregation now (1884) has on its roll a list of six hundred communicant members, and a Sun- day-school of four hundred and fifty persons, including officers, teachers, and scholars.

J. Jacob Mohr, W. Frederick Monroe, and Renben S. Shimer ; Trustees, Henry F. Chorley, William K. Kepner, Edmund J. Frank, and Josiah C. Brooke ; Superintendent of the Sunday-school, Henry F. Chor- ley ; Assistant Superintendents, Edmund J. Frank, Edward Cline, and Susan E. Monroe.

St. Johannes' (German ; Church .- In 1861 a branch Sunday-school was established at Broad Street and Fairmount Avenue, under the supervision of Zion, St. Michael's, and St. Paul's congregations. Soon after- ward a parish school was established by the old con- | gregation at the southwest corner of Thirteenth Street and Fairmount Avenue ( Coates Street), first with one and soon with two teachers, and the lot at Fifteenth and Ogden Streets was purchased for the erection of a church at some future time. The Sunday-school was transferred to the building at Thirteenth Street and Fairmount Avenue. In September, 1865, the corner-stone of the church at Fifteenth and Ogden Streets was laid, and in April, 1866, the school-rooms and lecture-room were dedicated for the use of parish school, Sunday-school, and for Sunday evening ser- vices.

In February, 1867, the members of the old congrega- tion living in the northwestern part of the city, to- gether with other persons who had joined in the new enterprise, called the Rev. Adolph Spaeth, who had been from 1864 to 1867 collegiate pastor of old Zion's congregation, to become the first pastor of St. Johannes. He accepted the call, and was installed October 10, 1867. On the 10th of May, 1868, the church was dedicated to the service of the triune God. The cost of the building, together with the steeple, bells, etc., was about sixty-five thousand dol- lars, of which the sum of forty thousand dollars came from the property of the mother-church, which was at that time divided among the newly-formed congre- gations. The first pastor still serves this congregation, which has during the last years erected two mission chapels, one in North Penn Village, the other on Jefferson Street, near Twenty-sixth Street.

Holy Communion (English) Church .- At the present time there are thirty-two Lutheran Churches in the city, the handsomest being the Holy Com- munion Church, at the southwest corner of Broad and Arch Streets. Though a separate organization, it may be regarded as a branch or offshoot of St. John's Church, on Race Street, between Fifth and Sixth. The need of a new church was greatly felt,

The following are the names of the pastors, and their terms of service, viz. : Rev. Theophilus Stork, D.D., April 30, 1850, to April 4, 1854; Rev. Charles A. Smith, D.D., July 2, 1854, to June 30, 1855; Rev. and on the third Thursday in October, 1870, at the Theophilus Stork, D.1). (second time), July 1, 1855, suggestion of Rev. J. A. Seiss and William M. Heyl, a resolution was passed by the trustees of St. John's, embodying the desire of some of the members of the congregation for a new church, and promising their co-operation and aid. After several meetings a num- ber of gentlemen assembled on Dec. 23, 1870, at the office of Mayor Fox, and effected an organization to establish an Evangelical Lutheran Church in the vicinity of Broad and Arch Streets. Twenty-seven to Jan. 4, 1859 ; Rev. Charles P. Krauth, D. D., LL.D., Oct. 1, 1859, to Dec. 31, 1861; Rev. Gottlob F. Kro- tel, D.D., Jan. 1, 1862, to April 12, 1868; Rev. John A. Kunkelman, D.D., May 10, 1868, to June 1, 1879; Rev. Samuel Laird, Sept. 1, 1879,-present pastor. The present officers of the congregation are: Elders, Philip Diehr, William Anspach, George A. Hight, and George Mueller ; Deacons, Charles D. Colladay,

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History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Part 134

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 992

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 992