History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 146

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372

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A few years ago a large building on Balti- more Street was fitted up for the use of the

postoffice with the improved facilities re- in his own house. In the summer of 1743,

quired for the rapid increase of business.

CHURCHES.

In the year 1731, Rev. John Casper Stoever, a pioneer missionary of the Luth- eran Church in Pennsylvania, crossed the Susquehanna and visited the first settlers at 'the site of Hanover, where they had taken up lands under Maryland grants. While on this missionary tour, he proceeded as far south as the Monocacy River near Frederick, Maryland, where some Luther- ans had recently settled. He entered in his record book that he baptized John Jacob Kitzmiller, April 19, 1731, near the site of Hanover. At this time John Casper Stoever resided at New Holland in Lancas- ter County, and was pastor of several con- gregations which he had organized east of the Susquehanna. His pastoral residence was forty miles from the Evangelical Luth-

wardens. He was not true to the Lutheran tenets and was accused of trying to intro- in February, 1733. Johannes Frosch, and in duce the Moravian faith. Nyberg retired in September of the same year, Anne Maria Mueller, daughter of Simon Mueller.

During the succeeding sev-

St. Matthew's en years Pastor Stoever Monocacy church near Frederick, Md., was Church. visited the congregation at separated from this charge.

regular intervals. His

When Pastor Candler first came to this settlement, he conducted religious services the congregation erected a log church on the north side of the turnpike, where it bends on the way to McSherrystown, just beyond the present northwestern limits of the borough. The members of the church council at this time were Leonard Barnitz, John Morningstar, Andrew Herger and Frederick Gelwix. A list of the most prom- inent contributors to the building fund in- cludes Frederick Gelwix, Michael Carl, Philip Morningstar, Nicholas Bittenger and Christoffel Schlegel. Pastor Candler died in 1744, one year after he came to Hanover. His burial place was in the graveyard near his own residence.

Rev. Lars Nyberg, a Swede, and pastor of a church at Lancaster, officiated at the funeral of Rev. Candler, and was soon afterward called as the second pastor of this church and the congregations at York and , Monocacy.

Peter Schultz, Andrew Herger, Michael eran Church of the Conewago, which he Karl and George Sponseiler were the church founded at the site of Hanover in 1732. In this record book, he reports that he baptized

1746, and Rev. George Nicke preached dur- ing the interim, until the election of Rev. Valentine Kraft. During his pastorate the

In 1752 Rev. John George Bager, the an- record of baptisms administered to the Con- cestor of the Baughers of the Lutheran ewago congregation during that period will Church, became pastor. He was then be found on page 144 in this volume. thirty-eight years of age, a native of Nassau, 'Stoever continued in the ministry and died Germany, in which country he received his

815

THE BOROUGH OF HANOVER

education for the ministry. He preached Rev. Jacob Goehring of York, occasionally in the old log church until 1756, when a new preaching. In 1790 Rev. Frederick Valen- log church was built about one mile from tine Melsheimer was called. At his first Hanover, to the right of the Carlisle pike, communion he reported 117 members. on the farm owned by the heirs of David The congregation was still worshipping in Sprenkle. It was built in 1755, eight years the log building which served them forty- before the town of Hanover was laid out by five years. The graveyard which sur- Richard McAllister, and seven years after rounded this church is still enclosed. There York County was erected, and was named are now no remains of the second church St. Michael's Church. The Reformed peo- building, in which the congregation so long ple were allowed to hold services in it, and worshipped, except the outlines of the foundation. In the centre of the graveyard, mains of Rev. John George Bager. A few of the old tombstones are marble, but most of them sandstone with the inscriptions gen- erally carved in the German language. The familiar names of Young (Jung), Welsh, Slagle, Schlentz, Karl, Metzgar, Etzler, any other denomination having regularly ordained ministers. This was about the marked by a marble headstone, rest the re- time of the rise of infidelity in America; hence it is recorded on the early church books that "atheists, deists, and such as profess no faith," were forbidden the use of the church. It was dedicated in 1756, and the following named persons selected as church officers: Nicholas Bittinger, Fred- Aulebaugh, etc., are found on the tomb-

stones erected a century and a half ago.

erick Gelwix, Philip Morningstar, Jacob Schlegel (Slagle), Jacob Berlin, Jacob Lipp, In 1801 a new church was begun on the Ludwig Miller, Henry Schlegel, Michael site of the present one in the town of Han- Weybrecht and Thomas McCartney. Rev. over. The lot was donated by Jacob Rudi- Colonel Henry Slagle, George Carl Bager officiated until 1763, when he resigned sill. and for a time was pastor of a church in and Henry Schultz were the building com- New York, and Christ's Lutheran Church mittee. The church cost 1,992 pounds, 16 at York. He returned again and lived near shillings and 2 pence. The spire, now Hanover until his death in 1791, at the age standing, was completed soon afterwards at of sixty-six years.

a cost of $1,300. The dedicatory services Carl Frederick Wildbahn, a parochial teacher, who had been engaged to teach in Winchester, Virginia, but was driven away on account of a raid made by the Indians on that settlement, came to Hanover and was licensed to preach by the special request of the congregation. He remained from 1765 to 1782. The first date marks the passage of the Stamp Act, and the last the close of the Revolutionary War. Among the list of then retired and devoted his attention to names above recorded as church officers are found several who were soldiers of that war. lasted three days and took place in 1807. Rev. Melsheimer was a learned man and much respected by the congregation, which he served twenty-five years A biography of him will be found on page 469. His re- mains lie in the churchyard adjoining the present building. His son, Rev. John F. Melsheimer, also a noted scientist, suc- ceeded him and continued for twelve years, entomology. In 1827, when Rev. Jonathan Ruthrauff became pastor, English preaching When Wildbahn resigned, Captain Nicholas was introduced. The name of the church was changed to St. Matthew's, and a char- ter obtained.

Bittinger, an officer of the Revolution, went to the Synod, which met in Philadelphia. He was delegated to secure a pastor. Not

Rev. Jacob Albert was elected in 1837. succeeding, he was authorized by that body During his pastorate the church was remod- to read printed sermons from the pulpit, elled and repaired. In 1848 Rev. Charles and, if necessary, to perform other ministe- A. Hay, D. D., was called to the pastorate rial duties.

and remained one year. Dr. Hay was a

Rev. Daniel Schroeder became pastor in native of York and became one of the ablest 1784, of whom not much is known, and for theologians of the Lutheran church. For a the succeeding six years, the history is not period of thirty years he was a member of very definite. There are records, however, the faculty of the Theological Seminary at .of Rev. J. Daniel Kurtz, of Baltimore, and Gettysburg. The congregation was two

816

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

years without a pastor, when Rev. D. P. the German language. The English lan- Rosenmiller served six years. After his guage was introduced about 1832 and for resignation, Rev. M. J. Alleman was elected in 1857. During his pastorate St. Mark's Lutheran Church was organized, in 1865, the next thirty years both languages were used in conducting the services in the orig- inal church. In 1864 a number of influen- from the large membership of St.Matthew's. tial members desired that the English lan- Rev. Alleman became the pastor of St Mark's and Rev. Samuel Yingling was called to St. Matthew's. The building was partially destroyed by fire which broke out on Sunday morning during the regular ser- vices in February, 1865. The loss was $1,000.

guage only should be used in the pulpit, and in order to accomplish this purpose they formed a congregation and purchased a lot on Carlisle Street from William Beard for the sum of $2,000. Upon this site a church was erected under the direction of the fol- lowing persons who formed the building Rev. J. C. Koller, D. D., became pastor of this congregation in the year 1877, com- ing to Hanover from Glen Rock, where he began his ministry as pastor of Zion Luth- eran Church in 1867. In 1878 the brick committee: William Young, Sr., David Wortz, John Grove, David Myers and Isaac Loucks. The corner-stone for the new church was laid July 20, 1864, in the pres- ence of a large audience. The officiating church, which had stood about seventy-five clergymen were Rev. Charles A. Hay, D. D., years, was torn down, all except the spire, Rev. Daniel J. Hauer, D. D., and Rev. D. P. and another built at a cost of $20,000. It Rosenmiller. was dedicated in November, 1879. The two been fully organized, Rev. M. J. Alleman, bells purchased in Philadelphia and placed in the belfry in the year 1807, have ever

The congregation having who served St. Matthew's Church for sev- eral years, was called as pastor. The house since been used to call this congregation to- of worship, which cost $14,200, was dedi- gether for religious worship. In 1884 a parsonage was built on Frederick Street at a cost of $3,500. .

cated on September 24, 1865, as St. Mark's Lutheran Church of Hanover. Rev. Dr. Conrad of Philadelphia preached the dedi- catory sermon. Rev. Dr. Hay and several

The twenty-fifth anniversary of Rev. Dr. Koller's pastorate was celebrated in 1902, other clergymen were present. A bell was in the presence of a large audience. He purchased for the sum of $600. The con- was a faithful and devoted pastor, a fine gregation prospered from the beginning, and was composed of some of the leading citizens of Hanover. scholar and well versed in all subjects relat- ing to his profession.

In 1906, owing to declining health, he re- signed the pastorate. In June of that year, Rev. A. M. Heilman, who had served as pas- tor of Christ Lutheran Church at Shrews- bury, was called to this charge. In April, 1907, one hundred and two persons joined the congregation, which increased the num- ber to about 800 communicant members. The Sunday School for many years has been under the superintendency of the pas- tor with Valentine Wentz as assistant su- perintendent.

Henry Long, who died in 1907 at the age of 86, was leader of the choir for half a century.

In 1868 Rev. M. J. Alleman retired from the pastorate, and was succeeded by Rev. George Parson, of Milton, Pennsylvania, father of Rev. W. E. Parson, for many years pastor of a Lutheran church in tlie city of Washington. In 1871 an organ was bought for $500, and a parsonage on Balti- more Street for $3,400. Rev. George Par- son was called to Williamsport in 1875, and Rev. Daniel Shindler, D. D., a man of su- perior mental endowments, succeeded as pastor. Through Dr. Shindler's efforts the church library was established and the mem- bership largely increased. In 1883 he re- signed to accept a charge at Lancaster, Ohio. St. Mark's Church then called Rev. George Scholl, D. D., of Baltimore, and he assumed charge of his pastoral duties Jan-

For a period of one hundred St. Mark's Church. years there was only one Luth- eran church in Hanover and immediate vicinity. During the uary, 1884. In 1885, the parsonage on Bal- early history of St. Matthew's Church, re- timore Street was sold and a site purchased ligious services were conducted entirely in on Abbottstown Street, where the present

817

THE BOROUGH OF HANOVER

parsonage was erected at a cost of $8,000. Shindler died June 25, 1893. He was suc- The church building during that year was ceeded by Rev. S. E. Herring, and during his pastorate a parsonage was purchased on Baltimore Street. The interest in the

remodeled and enlarged at a cost of $13,000, including a large pipe organ, purchased in Boston. The oriole bell, weighing 2,000 church work continued and the congrega- pounds, used at the celebration of the tion increased in numbers. When Rev. S. sesqui-centennial of Baltimore City in 1882, E. Herring removed to York, he was suc- was purchased by William Grumbine, a ceeded by Rev. H. S. Cook for two years.

prominent citizen of Hanover and a member gregation. This bell with the necessary appliances has been used as the town clock. Under the pastorate of Rev. A. C. Forscht, of this church, who presented it to the con- during the past four years, the Third Luth- eran Church has increased its memberhip to 250. In 1907 the congregation erected a Surrounding the belfry are large dials facing chapel for the Sunday School.

the four points of the compass. These dials at night are illuminated by electricity. Rev. Emmanuel

Dr. Scholl in 1887 was elected General Sec- Reformed. jointly with the Lutherans the house of worship on the north retary of the Board of Foreign Missions of the General Synod of the Lutheran Church, side of the McSherrystown road, now known and removed to Baltimore.

In 1743 the Reformed people of this region occupied con- as Midway. May 5, 1747, the Reformed Holy Communion at the hands of the pio- neer Reformed missionary, Rev. Michael

In October, 1887, Rev. Charles M. Stock, people of this community partook of the D. D., was called to the pastorate of St. Mark's congregation. He obtained his ed- ucation in the public schools of Bedford and Schlatter, in a school house in Adams Carlisle, at Pennsylvania College and the County, where Christ Reformed Church Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettys- now stands. They next worshipped, con- burg, where he was graduated in 1878. Dr. jointly with the Lutherans, in the church Stock came to Hanover from Bedford where building erected in 1756, east of the Carlisle turnpike near Hanover. Here at intervals Rev. Jacob Lischy of York officiated.

he had been pastor of a Lutheran congre- gation for seven years. The membership of St. Mark's congregation is continually increasing. There is a flourishing Sunday School, under the superintendence of Maur- ice W. Naill. J. E. Bahn, principal of the Hanover High School, was superintendent for a number of years.

When the Reformed people learned of Richard McAllister's intention to found a town in 1763, they secured from him ground for a church, a parsonage, a school house and graveyard. In 1764 subscriptions amounting to seventy-eight pounds, were A set of fifteen tubular chimes, costing $2,000, was placed in the belfry in 1907. five pounds. secured for a church. Philip Meyer gave Conrad Hoke, Conrad They were cast at Providence, Rhode Starck, John Starck, John Nicholas For- Island, and are played before church ser- ney, Philip Forney, Marks Forney, Adam vices every Sunday and Wednesday by the Forney, Henry Forney, Michael Carl, church organist. Jacob Slagle, Henry Slagle, George Zach-

The D., who served eight years as

Lutheran

In 1890 Rev. Daniel Shindler, D. arias, George Winebrenner, Peter Shultz, Henry Eckert, Conrad Felty, Ludwig Schriver, Abraham Hull, Adam Eichel-

town hall in Centre Square. He met with encouragement and soon organized a con- gregation which was named the Third .

Third pastor of St. Mark's Church, re- turned to Hanover and began to berger, Richard McAllister, George Motter, conduct religious services in the Nicholas Fisher, Nicholas Newman and others followed with varying sums. Most of these have descendants in the present congregation. To the rear of the lot, Lutheran Church of Hanover. In 1891 a known as No. IIO York Street, a log church was erected. Only the graveyard remains.

church site was purchased on Water Street and a commodious house of worship erected. Church Records show that the building was The membership was soon increased to 100, occupied for worship in 1766. A bell was and a Sunday School was organized. Dr. imported from Europe at a cost of 62

818

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

pounds, Colonel Richard McAllister and two tisms administered by him. At Hanover, others each contributing three pounds to- as throughout his ministry of forty-two ward it. years, he honored his calling by a consist- ent, devoted life. During the War of 1812, his love for his country impelled him to urge men publicly and privately to rally to the defence of the nation. During his pas- torate and in 1810, the first edition in Eng- lish of the Heidelberg catechism of the Re- formed Church, was printed at Hanover by Starck and Lange.

For nine years there was no regular pas- tor. April 28, 1775, the hitherto shepherd- less flock secured a pastor, Rev. Carl Lud- wig Boehm. Rev. Boelim was of foreign birth, had previously served the Reformed Church at Lancaster, from which place he was called to Hanover, where he remained until 1779, resigning to accept a call to Bal- timore. It was under Pastor Boehm, Oc- The fourth pastor was Rev. Jacob H. Wiestling. After serving several congre- gations in and around Manchester, Mary- land, for a period of three years, he was called to Hanover. Because of some diffi- culty having occurred during his former pastorate, he stood disconnected from the synod for some years; but because of his social qualities and more than ordinary pul- pit talent, and notwithstanding the action of the synod, his congregation retained him. In 1822, he was received again as a member tober 1, 1775, that the Reformed people at Hanover were organized by the election of the following consistory: David Newman, Christian Muehlheim, Philip Meyer, elders ; Peter Winebrenner, Jacob Clay and Abra- ham Hull, deacons. Rev. Boehm also sup- plied Christ Church and the Abbottstown and Bermudian congregations. A school house built of logs adjoined the parsonage on the east. The parsonage occupied the site now known as No. 108 York Street, and No. ro York Street marks the site of the of the synod. He died February 25, 1826. school house. The fact that fifty-eight per- sons were confirmed by the first pastor, dur- ing a ministry of less than four years, is an evidence of his earnestness and zeal and of the youthful vigor of the Hanover congre- gation.

He was buried in the graveyard belonging to the congregation, whence the body was removed to Frederick, Maryland. During Rev. Wiestling's ministry, the first parson- age was torn down, and a brick building erected in its place.

Rev. John Christopher Gobrecht, the sec- In October, 1821, the first Sunday First School of Hanover was organized. ond pastor, was born in Germany, came to America when a young man of twenty Sunday It was a union school with Rev. J. School. F. Melsheimer, of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, as president, years, and at the age of thirty-three entered the ministry. In 1779 he was called from Lancaster County to Hanover, where he and Rev. J. H. Wiestling as vice-president. continued twenty-eight years, when he was Henry Myers of Emmanuel Church was compelled by the infirmities of age, to retire treasurer. It was known as the " Hanover Sunday School Society," and the qualifica- tions for membership were "signing the in the burial ground belonging to the con- constitution and paying fifty cents a year." from active service. He died at Hanover at the age of eighty-two. His remains rest gregation. Rev. Gobrecht was an ardent

Children and adults were taught in the Eng- patriot of the Revolution, and a faithful lish or German language, as requested. servant of the church. His field of labor in Those who from poverty could not provide the Hanover charge, already large when he books for themselves were furnished withi entered it, was increased by the addition of the same by the society. The school met with strong opposition and had a checkered

other congregations. The log church was displaced by a brick structure. Rev. John history, holding its sessions in the home of Gobrecht, a son, entered the ministry of the a Mr. Conn, then in the Reformed Church, Reformed Church.

then in the Lutheran Church, in a school

Rev. Charles Helfenstein, son of a minis- house and in a room rented from a Miss ter of the Reformed Church, became the Danner. In August, 1845, the Reformed members organized their school and met in

third pastor and served for five years. Of his ministry there is no account in the rec- their church, and the Lutherans held their ords of the congregation, except the bap- own school.

819

THE BOROUGH OF HANOVER

May 28, 1826, Frederick W. Bindeman as a denomination. His own congregation, tendered his services to the Reformed peo- naturally, was exposed to the tide of un- ple, which were accepted ; but in less than a churchly emotionalism and religious senti- mentalism which ignored the efficacy of the Sacraments and the divine factors in the

February 19, 1828, the Rev. Samuel Gute- constitution of the church. Dr. Zieber took lius became pastor, and continued till June a position, and laid the foundations of the strong church life that has ever since char- acterized the congregation.

Rev. John C. Bowman, D. D., then serv- ing a congregation in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, was called to the pastorate De- cember 1, 1882, and conducted services ex- clusively in the English language. Under his pastorate the liturgy was introduced. At the annual meeting of Gettysburg Clas- sis, May, 1883, at the suggestion of the

The next twenty-two years marks the pastor of the Hanover Church, a committee pastorate of Rev. Jacob Sechler, who closed was appointed to take preliminary steps his labors at Hanover March 1, 1859. After toward organizing a second Reformed his resignation, the Hanover charge, then consisting of four congregations, was Church in Hanover. This movement re- sulted in the founding of Trinity Reformed divided into two charges, namely Hanover Church before the close of the year. The first church contributed to the second all of

and Littlestown. Rev. Sechler became pastor of the latter. During the latter part its German membership, together with a of Rev. Sechler's ministry at Hanover, the few others (seventy-five in all), and also a second church was torn down, the old site liberal amount of money toward the erec- abandoned, and the third church built on

tion of church buildings. In 1890 Rev. Dr. Abbottstown Street, near the centre of the Bowman became deeply interested in rais- town. The dedication of the building oc- ing money for the Reformed Theological curred May 26, 1856.

Seminary at Lancaster. He was appointed

Rev. William K. Zieber, D. D., became financial agent for that institution. He the eighth pastor of the congregation, succeeded so well in the performance of this taking charge August 1, 1859, and con- duty that his efforts resulted in raising suf- tinuing his labors till May 1, 1882, when he ficient money for the erection of a hand- retired from the active ministry. He after- ward served the church officially as stated clerk of the newly constituted Gettysburg Classis, to which the Hanover charge be- longs. At first Rev. Zieber served two con-

some seminary building. Some of the largest contributors toward this fund were resident members of Emmanuel Reformed Church at Hanover. In recognition of his success and his ability as a theologian, Dr. gregations ; the one in town and the other Bowman was called to the chair of New in the country seven miles distant. By Testament Exegesis in this institution. action of Classis, May, 1866, the country

Rev. George B. Resser, of Franklin congregation was discontinued and the County, then pastor of St. John's Reformed Hanover church, for the first time since its foundation, a period of 100 years, was con- stituted a charge by itself. In 1877 the church building was thoroughly renewed in the interior and handsomely furnished. During his ministry the services gradually came to be prevailingly English, there be- ing but one German service a month at the close of his pastorate.

Church in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was called to this church, and began his pastor- ate January 1, 1891. He obtained his edu- cation at Mercersburg Academy, Franklin and Marshall College, and was graduated from the Reformed Theological Seminary at Lancaster. He possessed all the qualifi- cations required for a successful preacher and pastor. Besides being · a diligent student he had a fine intellect and was an

Dr. Zieber's pastorate embraced the con- troversial period of the Reformed Church excellent speaker. He was devoted to this

year he was expelled from pulpit and par- sonage.

19, 1837, when he resigned on account of ill health. He was the first pastor who preached in the English language in Han- over. Few men of the Reformed Church were more favorably or extensively known than he. Throughout his ministry here as in the other seven fields in which he labored, through a period of forty-four years, he manifested fidelity and energy, and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of the church.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 146

Author: Prowell, George R. Publication date: 1907 Publisher: J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1372

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372