USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Church of the brethren of the Eastern district of Pennsylvania > Part 27
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Elder J. H. Umstad was likely the most active in establish -- ing the Brethren cause in the city of Norristown, and per -- haps did the first preaching. Just when these services were first held, and how regularly, I can not say, but the meeting- house was built in 1869, and services were likely held for several years before that time.
Bro. J. Howard Ellis says of this period: "I remember coming here with Brethren John Umstad, Jacob Z. Gott- wals and my uncle John Slingluf three years previous to that time, when services were held in a hall, at the corner of Main and Barbados street."
1 See "History of Green Tree Church." From other records we also learn that the Brethren from Indian Creek preached here, and this region early became Indian Creek territory, and remained so until it became a part of Mingo upon the organization of that Church. Ger- mantown ministers also preached here.
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THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN.
After the new meeting-house was built, Norristown be- came one of the centers of activity of the Mingo Church, and continued to be such for almost forty years. About 1896 the members at Norristown desired that a special effort should be made to do mission work in the city, and upon this appeal the Mingo Church appointed Sister Elizabeth Grater to take up this work. " After making a special effort to build up the work at Norristown it was seen that it was indispensable to the success of the work there to have a min- ister live there and give the cause much attention. Early in 1898, Bro. William M. Howe came and took up this work."2
Norristown Church was organized Mar. 12, 1901 with one deacon, J. Howard Ellis and twenty-one members. E. C. Harley was elected deacon on that day. The preach- ing for several months was mainly by supplies. On Oct. 12, 1904, Leonard Taylor was elected deacon. There is a well- attended weekly Prayer Meeting held. The Sunday School is at present in charge of E. C. Harley as Superintendent and has an enrollment of over one hundred. The present church membership is forty.
Pastors .- William M. Howe was elected the first pastor and served from October 14, 1901 to October 7, 1902. On July 7, 1903 Elder T. F. Imler took charge as pastor and served until July 7, 1907. From Feb. 7, 1911 to March 5, 1912, Elmer F. Nedrow a student of Elizabethtown College was the pastor having preached a few months at Norristown before moving his family. Edgar M. Detwiler the present pastor took charge March 5, 1912.
Elders .- Elder A. L. Grater from October 12, 1901 to January 8, 1906. Elder T. F. Imler from January 8, 1906 to June 10, 1907. Elder James B. Shisler from July 5, 1907 to the present.
2 Elder Jesse Ziegler in "History of Mingo."
PART VI. CONESTOGA GROUP.
CHAPTER I.
CONESTOGA CHURCH.
This congregation was organized on November 12, 1724, by Elder Peter Becker of Germantown and was the first organized church of the Brethren in Lancaster County. It was located south of Ephrata.
The original membership consisted of seven members : Conrad Beissel, who was the first minister; Joseph Shaffer, John Moyer and wife, Henry Höhn and wife and Veronica Frederick. The first deacon was John Hildebrand. Peter Becker was their Elder, although non-resident.
Soon trouble arose, caused by Beissel deviating from the customs of the Brethren, especially by observing Saturday for the Lord's Day or Sunday. Much admonition did not help. Alexander Mack came to America in 1729 and the congregation agreed to let this trouble be decided by a vote of the majority of the membership. The vote resulted as follows : six brethren and five sisters voted with Beissel for Saturday, and twenty-four brethren and three sisters favored Sunday with Peter Becker.
J. G. Francis contributes the following account of this division :
" A quotation from Bro. M. G. Brumbaugh's 'History of the Brethren,' pp. 299 and 300 reads :
"'On the authority of Abraham H. Cassel, the following somewhat remarkable method was used September 29, 1734, to determine the loyalty of the members. A great meeting or council of the congregation was held and Michael Frantz placed a rail on the floor of the barn in which the meeting was held.
325
326
THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN.
He then requested all who wished to join the new congregation to step to the right side, he leading the way. He requested all those who desired to follow Conrad Beissel to step to the left side of the rail. In this way a peaceful separation occurred.'
"I also had personally from Abraham Cassel an account of this separation, and it is in my mind that our great antiquarian stated that the rail was placed on the bridgeway leading to the barn floor. But I do not wish to be dogmatic. Following my impression, however, in having a picture of the old barn taken for this history, I placed a fence rail, as will be seen in the picture, in the middle of the bridgeway, where if my impression is correct, Michael Frantz must have placed the original rail. This old barn is within the present bounds of the Akron con- gregation, near Millway station, and is owned by the Oil Com- pany. Some frame additions have been built to the original barn.
"According to my understanding of the matter the council was held in the barn, while the dividing was consummated in the open."
After the reorganization of this congregation, Elder Becker had the oversight of it until 1734. Conrad Beissel on his own account founded the convent at Ephrata, leaving the Church of the Brethren in 1728.
After Alexander Mack's death at Germantown in 1735, Michael Frantz was elected as minister in the Conestoga Congregation and Johannis Landis as deacon in 1735. From 1729 to 1734, thirty-seven persons were baptized by Elder Peter Becker. Their names appear in a record now in possession of Elder Hershey Groff, of Bareville, Pa. Many of the additions to this congregation by baptism and otherwise, together with elections of deacons, ministers and elders, are also found in said record and generally agree with the list given in Brumbaugh's "History of the Breth- ren," pp. 299-315. In Brumbaugh's work, p. 313, the state- ment occurs that from 1755 to 1763 no record was made. From the record above referred to, the following is taken to supplement the record of Brumbaugh :
In 1753 George Miller, John Bengelbach and wife, Rudy Yound, Katie Hartman, Margaret Geib were added and Jacob Stoll elected to the ministry.
BARN WHERE RAIL ON BRIDGE-WAY SERVED TO DIVIDE THE BRETHREN FROM THE BEISSELITES, NEAR MILLWAY.
GRAVES OF CONRAD BEISSEL AND PETER MILLER, EPHRATA.
-
-
440
SAAL AND SISTERS' HOUSE, EPHRATA CLOISTER.
-
BROTHERS' HOUSE, EPHRATA CLOISTER.
327
CONESTOGA CHURCH.
In 1754, Christian Stauffer and wife, George Ester and wife, Anna Frick, Elizabeth Frick were added.
In 1755 Peter Wampler and wife, Henry Aller and wife, Christian Lanecker, Jr. (Longenecker), John Lehman, Jacob Hernley, Hanickel Ackerman, Barbara Flory, John Groff were added.
In 1756 were added Henry Ester, Sister Wampler, Elias Ackerman, Lenhard Sebold and wife, Peter Pebel, John Frick, Christian Frick.
In 1757 Sister Margreth, Elizabeth Boser, Maria Nus- baum, Michael Gäll, Margred Byer, John Bock, Susan Bau- man, Sister Mosser were added.
In 1758 Brother Keim and Wendel Mynig were added. In 1759 Balser Specht and wife were added.
In 1760 no baptisms on account of temptation.
In 1761 were added John Bather and wife, Jacob Zug, Abraham Frantz and wife.
In 1762 Maria Zug and Sister Hamacker were added.
In 1763 were added Ann Lanecker and Philip Snell.
DIVISIONS AND SUBDIVISIONS OF CONESTOGA CHURCH.
ELDERS AND MINISTERS IN CONESTOGA CONGREGATION.
*I. Peter Becker,1 1724-35.
2. Conrad Beissel. Baptized 1724; left church in 1728. *3. Michael Frantz, 1735-48. Baptized in 1734; elected 1734; ordained 1735; died September 25, 1748.
* ‘4. Michael Pfautz, 1748-69 (21 yrs.). Baptized in 1739, September 29; elected in 1744; ordained Septem- ber 25, 1748; died 1769, aged 59 yrs. Buried at Middle Creek Church, near Cocalico Creek. 179 persons were baptized under his eldership.
5. Jacob Stoll. Baptized in 1748; elected in 1753; died in 1822, aged 91 yrs. Buried at Middle Creek graveyard. In ministry 69 yrs.
6. Jacob Sontag (Sunday). Baptized in 1743; elected in 1748; ordained 1763.
1 The asterisk (*) means bishop or elder in charge of congregation for time indicated following the name.
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THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN.
*7. Christian Longenecker, 1769-1772. Baptized in 1755; elected in 1764; ordained in 1769. Seven persons were baptized under his eldership, 1769- 1772.
FIRST DIVISION OF CONGREGATION WAS UNANIMOUSLY AGREED TO IN 1772.
Ministry at Time of Division.
I. Conestoga.
Bishops Peter Eichelberger and Jacob Stoll.
II. White Oak.
Bishops Christ. Longenecker; Johannis Zug, baptized in 1749; elected in 1770; ordained in 1780.
III. Swatara.
Bishops Han Jacob Beshor, George Kline and others.
*8. Peter Eichelberger, 1772-95. Baptized in 1752. Under Eichelberger and Jacob Stoll's care, 151 per- sons were baptized.
*5. Jacob Stoll, 1795-1822. Under Stoll's care, 1795- 1802, 16 persons were baptized.
9. David Kemper. Baptized in 1791; elected in 1801; died in 1832 at age of 81 yrs. Under Stoll and Kemper from 1802-22, 204 persons were baptized. *IO. Jacob Pfautz, 1823-64. Baptized in 1805; elected in 1815; ordained in 1823. Died in 1864, aged 87. He was the son of Johannes Pfautz and grandson of Elder Michael Pfautz. Served as minister and elder 49 yrs. Buried at Middle Creek graveyard. Under Pfautz's oversight 484 persons were bap- tized. Congregation numbered 429 members in 1861.
*II. Abraham Zug, 1823-41. Elected in 1815; ordained in 1823; died 1841, aged 69 yrs. Buried at Tul- pehocken Meeting House graveyard.
PRESENT WHITE OAK CHURCH MOUNTVILLE CHURCH
FAIRVIEW CHURCH
WEST GREEN TREE CH.
PRESENT CHIQ. CHURCH
1882
ELIZABETHTOWN CHURCH
1902
CHIQUES CHURCH
PRESENT EPHRATA CHURCH
SPRINGVILLE CHURCH
1899
SPRING GROVE CHURCH
PRESENT CONESTOGA CHURCH
1
MECHANIC GROVE CHURCH
i.
1ST DIVISION
CONESTOGA CHURCH ORGANIZED
LANCASTER CITY CHURCH
LITITZ CHURCH
7
1798 OR
11
LITTLE SWĄTARA CHURCH 1866
PRESENT TULPEHOCKEN CH.
PRESENT LITTLE SWATARA CHURCH
SCHUYLKILL CHURCH- SHAMOKIN CHURCH
PRESENT SCHUYLKILL CH.
1898
READING CHURCH
1896
PRESENT MAIDEN CREEK CH.
HARRISBURG CHURCH
ANNVILLE CHURCH
PRESENT BIG SWATARA CH.
CONEWAGO CHURCH
PRES. SP. CR. CH.
.
+ 3RD DIVISION
+2ND DIVISION
1897
33 YRS.
WEST CONESTOGA CHURCH
AKRON CHURCH
PRESENT W. CON. CH.
1913
1 1841/
TULPEHOCKEN CHURCH
1724
SWATARA CHURCH
(DAUPHIN, LEBANON, BERKS AND SCHUYLKILL COUNTIES)
BIG SWATARA CHURCH 1868
MAIDEN CREEK CHURCH
BIG SWATARA CHURCH .
1897
1901
MIDWAY CHURCH
1877
1864
CONESTOGA CHURCH 92 YRS. (LANCASTER CO.)
48 YRS.
1772
1800
ABOUT
1891
EPHRATA CHURCH
CONESTOGA CHURCH
WHITE OAK CHURCH ( LANCASTER CO.)
DIVISIONS AND SUB-DIVISIONS OF CONESTOGA CHURCH
SPRING CREEK CHURCH
1912
1868
329
CONESTOGA CHURCH.
12. Christian Bomberger. Baptized in 1828; elected June 4, 1831 ; ordained June 4, 1862. Under the over- sight of Jac. Pfautz and Bomberger, 1842-61, nearly 500 persons were baptized.
13. Samuel Myer. Baptized in 1816; elected in 1822 or 1824; moved to Ohio in 1842.
14. Michael Landis. Baptized in 1819; elected in 1822 or 1824. Moved to Ohio and left church.
15. Christian Rupp. Baptized in 1834; elected May 28, 1840; ordained in 1867.
16. Joseph Myer. Baptized in 1840; elected August 31, 1844; ordained in 1887 at age of 80; died in 1892, aged 85 yrs. Buried at Myer burying ground one mile south of Bareville.
17. Jacob Reinhold. Baptized in 1844; June 2, 1845, not elected, but was permitted to preach by a majority of Congregation; died in 1885 in Lancaster, aged 70 yrs.
18. Christian Brubaker. Baptized in 1848; elected June, 1855, second acceptance April 25, 1889; advanced April 8, 1895; died 1901, aged 82 yrs. Buried at Longenecker's near Lititz.
19. Israel Myer. Baptized in 1847; elected June 2, 1849; died of dropsy, October 4, 1870, aged 56 yrs. Buried at Mohler's cemetery.
SECOND DIVISION OF CONGREGATION WAS UNANIMOUSLY AGREED TO MAY 5, 1864.
Ministry at Time of Division.
I. Conestoga.
Bishop Christ. Bomberger (non-resident) ; Christian Rupp and Joseph Myer.
II. West Conestoga.
Bishop Christ. Bomberger (resident) ; Jacob Reinhold and Christian Brubaker.
330
THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN.
III. Ephrata.
Bishop C. Bomberger (non-resident) ; Israel Myer and Samuel Harley.
*12. Christian Bomberger, 1864-1880. Died May 21, 1880, aged 78 yrs. Buried at Middle Creek. Un- der the oversight of Bomberger and Rupp, many were received into the church by baptism.
*15. Christian Rupp, 1880-87. Died August 24, 1887, aged 82 yrs. Buried at Rupp family graveyard.
*16. Joseph Myer, 1887-92, father of Samuel R. Myer and of Elder John Myer, of West Conestoga Church.
20. Samuel R. Myer. Baptized in 1864; elected August 9, 1866; died 1876, aged 43 yrs. Buried at Myer fam- ily graveyard south of Bareville. Had a daughter who graduated at Millersville S. N. S. and is pre- ceptress and teacher of English and Elocution in Elizabethtown College from 1900 to present time.
21. Rudy S. Reidenbach. Baptized in 1861; elected in 1874; ordained in Spring Grove Congregation on December 18, 1897. Grandson of Elder Jacob Sontag.
*22. John W. Graybill, 1892-99. Baptized in 1875; elected May 22, 1876 or 1877; ordained in 1892; died on October 5, 1899, aged 64 yrs. Was greatly beloved and his death much lamented. Buried at Earlville. *23. Hershey Groff, 1900-1902, March 20. Baptized in 1878; elected in 1885; ordained July 28, 1900. Re- signed eldership in charge March 20, 1902. Has records in his possession of baptisms since 1724, from which these facts have been largely gleaned and compiled.
24. Jacob Pfautz. Baptized in 1880; elected in 1889; advanced to second degree August 5, 1892.
*25. Isaac W. Taylor, 1899-1900; 1902-19II. Baptized in 1880; elected in 1891; ordained in Spring Grove Congregation on May 22, 1899. Non-resident elder of Conestoga Congregation from 1899-1900, and from 1902-19II.
331
CONESTOGA CHURCH.
THIRD DIVISION OF CONESTOGA CONGREGATION IN 1897.
Ministry at Time of Division.
I. Conestoga.
Bishop John Graybill; Hershey Groff and Jacob Pfautz.
II. Spring Grove.
Bishop John Graybill; Rudy Reidenbach and I. W. Taylor.
III. Mechanic Grove.
Bishop H. E. Light, residing in Mountville Congregation; and George Bucher, moved in from Tulpehocken Congre- gation.
26. Abram H. Royer. Baptized on November 15, 1891; elected in 1897; advanced 1900. .
27. Martin Ebersole. Baptized in 1892; elected in 1899; advanced in 1906; ordained October 7, 1912.
28. John G. Graybill. Elected in 1900; relieved of minis- try at his request in 1910. Reinstated on December 8, 1913.
29. Diller Myer. Baptized in 1898; elected on November 9, 1910.
Deacons in Conestoga Congregation.
I. Henry Mohler, baptized 1809; elected in 1815.
2. Jacob Bollinger, baptized 1811 ; elected in 1815 or 1824.
3. George Myer, baptized in 1816; elected in 1824.
4. Henry Mohler, Jr., baptized in 1813; elected in 1831.
5. Abraham Graybill, baptized in 1816; elected in 1831.
6. Johannis Myer, elected in 1855.
7. John Mohler, Sr., baptized in 1840; elected 1847, 1844 or 1845, May 26.
8. David Royer, baptized in 1831 or 1834; elected June 2, 1849.
9. Christian Wenger, baptized in 1854; elected June I, 1855.
IO. Michael Weidler, baptized in 1841 ; elected June 1 or 26, 1855.
332
THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN.
II. Samuel Harley, baptized in Montgomery Co .; elected May 8, 1861, afterwards in 1864 elected to ministry, and eldership in 1871.
12. Rudolph Gunkle, elected May 8, 1861.
Deacons After Second Division in 1864.
13. Isaac Shirk, baptized in 1861 or 1859; elected in 1864.
14. Jacob S. Minnich, elected in 1864.
15. Levi Rupp, baptized in 1861 ; elected May 11, 1866.
16. Daniel Myer, baptized in 1864; elected May 1I, 1866.
17. Samuel R. Wenger, baptized in 1883; elected 1885.
18. Isaac W. Taylor, baptized in 1880; elected in 1889. Afterwards elected to ministry and eldership.
19. Christian Groff, elected 1890.
20. Martin Ebersole, baptized June 12, 1892; elected 1898.
21. John G. Graybill, elected 1899.
22. Rife Myer, elected in 1899.
23. Mahlon Myer, elected in 1900.
24. Reuben Myer, elected 1912.
The present Conestoga Congregation numbers 212 mem- bers. Its officials are : Elder S. H. Hertzler, non-resident elder in charge, since 1911. The ministry consists of Elder Hershey Groff, Elder Martin Ebersole, Jacob Pfautz, John G. Graybill and Diller Myer. Deacons are Samuel R. Wenger, Rife Myer, Mahlon Myer, and Reuben Myer.
The church houses of this congregation are located as follows : Eby House, built in 1860, 40 by 50, of brick at a cost of $762; located at Monterey ; Bird-in-Hand House, built in 1888, 50 by 80, donated by Adam Ranck and Sam- uel Denlinger; cost to church $1,500 in money and plenty of trouble; Intercourse House, purchased in 1891 from Methodists at cost of $800; size 36 by 55. Preaching serv- ices are held at union houses at Earlville, known also as Carpenter's Church (size 40 by 50), and Bareville (size 30 by 50).
The present church activities consist of Sunday School organized at Bareville in 1894 and at Earlville in 1910; also a Sisters' Aid Society organized in 1904.2
2 This congregation held a local Sunday School meeting on Novem- ber 9, 1912, and a similar meeting November 27, 1913.
---
=
-
BIRD-IN-HAND MEETING HOUSE.
EBY MEETING HOUSE.
-
!
333
CONESTOGA CHURCH.
In 1887, May II and 12, the District Meeting of Eastern Pennsylvania was held in the bounds of the Conestoga Con- gregation on Bro. Adam Ranck's farm, one-half mile from Bird-in-Hand. On October 28, 29, 1903, a Ministerial and Sunday School Meeting was held at the Bird-in-Hand House.
CHAPTER II.
WEST CONESTOGA CHURCH.
The West Conestoga Congregation was organized May 5, 1864, being one of the three divisions made of the Con- estoga Congregation. This occurred near Akron, at the home of Jacob S. Minnich, and was occasioned by the fact that the Conestoga Congregation was getting too large, having a membership of between four and five hundred.
The officials at the time of organization were as follows: Elder Christian Bomberger, as elder in charge; Ministers, Jacob Reinhold and Christian Brubaker. The deacons were Michael Weidler, elected in 1855, and Jacob S. Minnich, elected at the time of the division. (For further par- ticulars, see Conestoga Congregation. )
The following officials have been elected since 1864: Jacob Hackman, baptized in 1862, was elected to ministry, May 24, 1866, and ordained August 1, 1878; George Bingeman, baptized in 1868 or 1869, was elected to the ministry, January 18, 1873; John Myer was elected a minister May 29, 1879, advanced June 3, 1887, ordained, August 1, 1898; Cyrus R. Gibbel, son of John B. Gibbel, baptized 1887, was elected to the ministry, April 25, 1889, advanced April 8, 1895, ordained July 26, 1906; David Snader, baptized 1890, was elected a minister on April 8, 1895, advanced August 1, 1898; Edwin B. Brubaker, baptized 1896, was chosen as a minister on August 6, 1900, and advanced January 1, 1906; John W. G. Hershey's date of baptism is 1891 and of election to ministry is January I, 1906, advanced January 2, 1911 ; Adam G. Fahnestock was called to the ministry on January 2, 1911, advanced to second degree on August 2, 1913; Wallace Zook elected to ministry, January 15, 1914. All these ministers are living at this writing except the first two. Elder Jacob Hackman resigned eldership of West Conestoga Congregation in
334
MIDDLE CREEK MEETING HOUSE.
1
Hier liegen begraben MICHAEL PFAUTZ Ermar geboren im September 1709 geltorben dŽEMiz 1769
GRAVE OF ELDER MICHAEL PFAUTZ.
Hier Anlieb, JACOB' PFAUTZ
(, ** (n), Den 16
GRAVE OF ELDER JACOB PFAUTZ.
ACOR STOL
GRAVE OF ELDER JACOB STOLI ..
3501
GRAVE OF ELDER CHRISTIAN BOM- BERGER.
335
WEST CONESTOGA CHURCH.
1900; died October 28, 1903, aged 79 years; buried at Millport. George Bingeman removed to Ohio.
The elders or bishops of the congregation since organiza- tion are: Christian Bomberger, 1864-80; Jacob Hackman. 1880-1900; John Myer, 1900-1912; Cyrus R. Gibbel, assistant elder, July 26, 1906 to October 22, 1912; elder, 1912.
The deacons elected since 1864 follow: Joseph Pfautz, elected May 24, 1866; John Myer, baptized 1858, elected January 18, 1873 ; Jacob L. Minnich, elected May 19, 1879; George D. Schreiner, elected June 12, 1884; Nathan Bru- baker, elected May 21, 1891; Samuel N. Wolf, elected October 28, 1895; Henry Balmer, elected August 6, 1900; Andrew Bollinger, elected January 2, 1911; Harrison Steely, elected in Mechanic Grove Congregation, May 13, 1899, and moved to West Conestoga Congregation in 1909; Allen Balmer and Benjamin Bollinger elected January 15, 1914.
The congregation has four church houses described as follows: Lehn' House, a brick structure 40 by 50 feet in Manheim township; Lexington House, situated at Lexing- ton, is a frame building 44 by 50 feet ; Middle Creek House, a frame building 50 by 80 feet, built in 1874, is located in Ephrata township, Lancaster Co., two miles west of Lincoln; Millport House is a union house built of brick and is located at Disston.
The present activities of this congregation consist of a Sunday School organized at Lititz in 1896; one prayer meeting at homes of members held weekly, and a Sisters' Aid Society organized in 1912.
Other facts of special interest in the history of this con- gregation may be noted here. The territory of the West Conestoga Congregation was the scene of part of the labors of Elders Michael Pfautz (1710-1769), Jacob Stoll (1731- 1822), Jacob Pfautz (1776-1864) and Christian Bom- berger (1802-1880). The graves of these four elders are at the burying ground of the Middle Creek House and the photographs of their tombstones are presented herewith.
336
THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN.
For more facts concerning these men see Conestoga Con- gregation.
The West Conestoga Church was divided a second time into three divisions on March 24, 1913: West Conestoga, Akron and Lititz. This leaves the membership of the West Conestoga Church about 260.
During the eldership of Jacob Stoll, the Annual Confer- ence of the Church of the Brethren was held in the bounds of the West Conestoga Church (then called Conestoga ) on May 19, 1820, at the home of Bro. Joseph Royer, near the Middle Creek house. In 1873 the District Meeting of Eastern Pennsylvania was held in the West Conestoga Church, and the Ministerial and Sunday School Meeting of said district was held at Middle Creek house, November 12 and 13, 1913.
The present officials of West Conestoga Church are: Elder Cyrus R. Gibbel, elder in charge; E. B. Brubaker and Adam G. Fahnestock, ministers in second degree; and Wal- lace Zook in the first degree. Deacons: Henry Balmer, Andrew Bollinger, Allen Balmer, and Benjamin Bollinger.
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TITLE PAGE STOLL'S BOOK.
EPHRATA BRETHREN CHURCH.
0000
CHAPTER III.
EPHRATA CHURCH.
(a) FIRST EPHRATA.
The Ephrata Congregation came into existence May 5, 1864, being one of three divisions into which the Cones- toga Congregation was divided, and named thus on account of the borough of Ephrata being the chief town in the bounds of this newly-formed church. See diagram, page -, and West Conestoga Congregational History for place and cause of division.
The officials at the time of organization were as follows : Elder Christian Bomberger, elder in charge, but residing in West Conestoga Church; ministers, Israel Myer, and Samuel Harley, a deacon of the Conestoga Church, was elected a minister at the time of the division; deacons, David Royer, Rudolph Gunkle, Isaac Shirk and Jacob S. Minnich. (For dates of elections of foregoing officials see Conestoga Con- gregation. )
The following officers have been elected since 1864: Ministers.
I. William Price (Preis), baptized 1848; elected 1866; was elected a deacon, May 20, 1865; died November 22, 1892, aged 70 years. Buried near Cocalico at Dissler's Graveyard.
2. Isaac Shirk (being a deacon already in Conestoga Con- gregation), elected November 19, 1870; died at Akron, 1885, aged 60 yrs. Buried at Brick Church, midway be- tween Ephrata and Akron.
3. Israel Wenger, elected May II, 1878, and ordained August 8, 1891; died December 2, 1907, aged 63 yrs., Buried at Middle Creek in West Conestoga Congregation.
4. Isaac Keller, elected October 24, 1882; advanced Jan- uary 25, 1890; died January 12, 1911, aged 75 yrs. Buried at Keller Graveyard in Springville Congregation.
337
23
338
THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN.
5. John W. Schlosser, elected October 4, 1890; advanced September 12, 1896; ordained August 22, 1908.
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