USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of East Pennsylvania : with brief sketches of its congregations > Part 11
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In the early part of 1887, and while without a pastor, Zion church dismissed about one hundred valuable and esteemed members to establish Bethlehem church, corner of Green and
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Cumberland streets, in which portion of the city she had for some years previously maintained a Mission Sunday-school. Rev. W. H. Fishburn became the pastor of the congregation, which, within five years, has become numerically stronger than the mother church.
Ever watchful of her opportunities and desiring never to grow weary in well-doing, the congregation again, through her Teachers' Association, on November 11, 1888, (largely induced to the step by the interest and liberality of Mr. Jos. F. Young, one of her faithful members) started Trinity Mission, on South Ninth street. The Sunday-school rapidly grew to a membership of three hun- dred and fifty teachers and scholars, and the present pastor of Zion conducted service every Thursday night throughout the winter with encouraging results. Rev. M. L. Deitzler was called to take charge of the enterprise in connection with a mission at Steelton, and began his labors July 1, 1890. The congregation was formally organized May 17, 1891. Though yet partially depend- ent on the mother church and the Home Mission Board for support, Trinity has good prospects of becoming an assured success.
It will be seen from these brief notes that our Church in Harris- burg has been keeping pace with the growth of the city. Where, in 1843, we had one church (Zion), and one pastor, there are now nine churches (seven English and two German), each hav- ing a pastor, and reporting an aggregate membership of 3,228 communicants. The recent development has been very remark- able. Within five years we have averaged one new congregation every 15 months ; and four handsome and costly church edifices and two spacious chapels (exclusive of the chapel extension now being added to Zion) have been erected among us within four years.
Almost every advance movement in this expansion of the past half century, it is proper to note, has been to some extent, and sometimes to a very large extent, at the expense of the mother church, as regards both members and money.
ZION AND THE SYNOD.
In her earliest history Zion church, as our old churches gener-
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ally in this region, belonged to the Pennsylvania Ministerium. During the ministry of Rev. C. A. Hay, in 1857, she withdrew from that relation and became a constituent part of the Synod of East Pennsylvania. The records of this latter body will abun- dantly show that, notwithstanding much, and at times expensive, local mission work in which the congregation has been engaged, she has always been deeply interested in and faithfully borne her full share of the burden of the Synod's general work.
ZION'S PRESENT.
This congregation is now sharing, to some extent, in the ex- perience common to old churches in growing cities. She finds herself, at the end of her century and more of life, somewhat disadvantageously situated with reference to the population generally and with reference to many of her own membership. Her stately edifice is rapidly being surrounded by business houses, instead of residences, and her territory has been so cir- cumscribed by the younger organizations she has been instru- mental in establishing in every direction about her, that rapid numerical increase of the congregation can scarcely be reasonably expected. But she does not complain, much less yield to dis- couragement. There are strength and vigor in the old church yet, as evidenced by the statistical reports for the year. She is still bringing forth fruit in old age-is engaged even now in en- larging her facilities for work among the children and youth upon whom she has a claim and, humbly looking to God for a continu- ance of the favor with which He long has so richly blessed her, still sets her face toward the future in earnest hope.
XXI. FISHERVILLE CHARGE, DAUPHIN CO. - ST. PETER'S, ST. PAUL'S, STRAW'S, MESSIAH, ST. JAMES', STAR OF BETHLEHEM.
BY REV. J. M. STOVER.
The Fisherville charge is located in Armstrong and Powell's valleys, Dauphin Co., Pa. The land is rolling, and in good culti- vation. The roads are comparatively good. The people speak
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the Pennsylvania German dialect in most families. The English is also spoken and is gradually taking the place of the German.
The history of the churches upon this territory begins with the early settlement of these valleys, over one hundred years ago, but the " Fisherville Charge " was not formally organized until about the year 1848. It then included Messiah, Straw's and St. Paul's churches, and was served by the pastors of the Berrysburg charge until 1855, when it became an independent pastorate. It has since been served by the following pastors :
Revs. L. K. Secrist, 1855 to 1858 ; John H. Davidson, 1860 to 1862; M. Fernsler, 1863 to 1866; J. G. Breininger, 1867 to 1868; E. Daron, 1869 to 1872 ; F. Aurand, 1872 to 1874 ; S. S. Engle, 1874 to 1875; Chas. E. Hay, 1876 to 1877; J. K. Bricker, 1877 to 1879; A. B. Erhard, 1879 to 1883; M. V. Shatto, 1884 to 1885 ; H. A. Letterman, 1886 to 1889; J. M. Stover, 1890 to the present.
During the pastorate of Rev. Daron the charge became self- sustaining, and the present comfortable parsonage in Fisherville was built. The following ministers have come from this charge : Revs. N. A. Whitman, I. P. Zimmerman and I. H. McGann.
I. ST. PETER'S (FETTERHOFF'S) CHURCH.
The record of this congregation gives an account of baptisms as early as 1788. About this time there was a log church erected near the present site of St. Peter's. In this rude building the two congregations, Lutheran and Reformed, worshiped for at least seventy years.' We are told by tradition, that the church was used for public worship before it was completed, and that the young men were required to climb up at the wall and occupy the gallery during services. The reader will understand that this was not so difficult in an unplastered log house. The method of get- ting men to assist in building this church was somewhat different from what it is in our day. They worked in the forenoon and had shooting-match in the afternoon.
On Sundays, the early worshipers of this church came with their guns on their shoulders ; not so much on account of the wily savage, as on account of the wildbeasts that might come across their pathway. For a number of years this was the only
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church in Armstrong Valley. The settlers of Powell's Valley worshiped here. From all around the people came, on horseback, or on the big wagon ; more often on foot, walking many miles. It was nothing unusual for mothers to come from across the ridge with their babes on one arm, and their shoes on the other. They were accustomed to go barefooted, but put on their shoes, which they carried with them, before entering church.
But time brings about changes. Where once the old church stood, there are now tombstones marking the last resting-place of some of her members. Not far from this sacred spot there stands a handsome brick edifice, with tall steeple towering toward the skies. The corner-stone of this church was laid September 19, 1858. It was dedicated to the worship of God sometime during the following year. Rev. F. Waltz was the Lutheran pastor, and Rev. N. Bressler, the Reformed. This church, after undergoing extensive repairs, was re-dedicated on December 13, 1891, under the pastoral care of Rev. J. M. Stover, on the Lutheran side, and Rev. C. W. E. Seigle, on the Reformed side. The cost amounted to $2,100.
In the year 1846 the two congregations together purchased twelve acres of land, joining the old church lot. This land, in connection with a very pleasant home on the church lot, is cal- culated for the use of the sexton, and can not be used for a par- sonage.
The venerable Nicholas Stroh, the oldest Lutheran minister in the United States, now in his ninety-seventh year, was baptized and confirmed in St. Peter's church, and all his relatives are bur- ied in its graveyard. He was a brother of Mrs. Rev. Hemping. Among the many who are buried here we find the names of Rev. John A. Hemping and Rev. N. Bressler. Rev. Hemping was born and educated in Germany. He became the Lutheran pas- tor of this church in 1811, and served until 1847. He died in 1855, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. Rev. N. Bressler was the Reformed pastor for many years. He died in 1877.
St. Peter's church formerly belonged to the Lykens Valley charge, and to the old Pennsylvania Synod. But in 1869, through the influence of Rev. E. Daron, it came over to the General Synod, and was made part of the Fisherville charge. The prin-
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cipal reason for making this change was the inconvenience of being served. by a pastor living in Lykens Valley, when at the same time there was a Lutheran pastor living in Fisherville and right among the members.
Up to this time the congregation had been served by the fol- lowing pastors : Rev. Enterlein, 1795 to 1807 ; Rev. J. D. Peter- son, 1807 to 1811 ; Rev. John A. Hemping, 1811 to 1847; Rev. W. G. Laitzle, 1841 to 1843; Rev. Jer. Schindel, 1843 to 1845 ; Rev. C. F. Stoever, 1845 to 1850; Rev. N. Jeager, 1850 to 1852 ; Rev. F. Waltz, 1855 to 1869. From 1842 to 1847 there were two parties in the congregation, each having its own pastor.
This congregation used to pay the trifling sum of twelve dollars per year for pastor's salary. It now, with a smaller membership, pays more than three times that amount per quarter.
2. ST. PAUL'S (BOWERMAN'S).
This congregation, located in Powell's Valley, was built in 1824, under the pastoral care of Rev. John A. Hemping and Rev. Gerhard. The church was built by Lutherans and Re- formed, and the two congregations still worship in it.
3. STRAW'S.
Straw's church, in the upper end of Armstrong Valley, was erected in the summer of 1842. It was built by Lutheran mem- bers of the old St. John's. church, who were unwilling to yield their convictions to the rulings of that church on "the new measures." This church stands in sight of the old one. It was at one time in a prosperous condition, but since a new church has been built at Jacksonville this congregation has been weak- ened, and of late years has not been served by regular preaching.
4. MESSIAH, FISHERVILLE.
For several years previous to the formation of the "Fisherville Charge," there was trouble in St. Peter's church on account of revival methods. The congregation was divided. There was bitter feeling on both sides, and the result was that a new consti- tution was adopted, which forever prohibited the use of the
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anxious-bench in that church. In view of this fact, the excluded party resolved to build in Fisherville. Accordingly the corner- stone of a new church, named Messiah, was there laid on Septem- ber 9, 1849. It was built as a Lutheran and Reformed church, and remains so to this day, but for some years the Reformed have had no organization here. This church was remodeled in 1885, under the pastoral care of Rev. M. V. Shatto.
5. ST. JAMES'.
This church was built by the Lutherans and Reformed in 1856. It is located at Carsonville, in the upper end of Powell's Valley. The first man buried in its graveyard was Jacob Bordner.
6. STAR OF BETHLEHEM.
The church at Jacksonville, in Armstrong Valley, known as "The Star of Bethlehem," was built in 1875. The lot was pre- sented by Mr. G. W. D. Enders, of the Reformed church, and Mr. John Helt, of the Lutheran. The church, which cost origin- ally about $2,500, is finely located, in good condition, and has been recently re-painted. The first officers on the Lutheran side were : Philip Enders, elder ; Wm. Fitting, deacon ; Daniel En- ders, trustee. Those on the Reformed side were : Joseph Lyter, elder ; Daniel Whitman, deacon ; G. W. D. Enders, trustee. The Reformed have for some years had no organization here.
XXII. BERRYSBURG CHARGE, DAUPHIN CO .- SALEM, KILLINGER ; SALEM, BERRYSBURG; ST. PAUL'S, MILLERSBURG.
BY REV. B. F. KAUTZ.
I. SALEM (WERT'S) CHURCH, KILLINGER P. O.
This congregation, known formerly as "Wert's Church," is quite old, thought to be the oldest congregation in Lykens Val- ley. It is located in Upper Paxton township, two and one-half
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miles northeast of Millersburg, and seven and one-half miles west of Berrysburg. There are no old records preserved and we are obliged to depend for dates upon the memory of the older members. The date of its organization we have been un- able to learn, but it lies back in the last century. " Grandfather Wert," whose descendants of the fourth generation are still living in the vicinity, presented sixty acres of land for church uses. The greater portion of this, with a dwelling house and barn erected upon it, was rented for many years. About 1870, when the project of building a new church was being agitated, all of this ground except ten acres was sold.
The present large two-story brick edifice, costing about $12,000, was erected in 1874; the former building, which stood a little distance away, was erected in 1812, whilst a few of the oldest members remember still the site of the first building, a small log church, abandoned in 1812, which stood a little distance from the second one. The list of pastors serving this church as far back as we could gather is as follows :
About the beginning of the century Rev. Andrew (? ) Schultz was pastor of Salem and St. John's (near Berrysburg) and formed one class of catechumens for the entire territory, meeting them alternately in the two churches, and confirming seventy-six in one year. It is probable that Rev. John Paul Ferdinand Kramer served them about 1805, and Rev. John A.' Hemping from 1811 until 1842. Then came Revs. W. G. Laitzle, 1842 to 1843 ; C. F. Stoever, 1846 to 1852 ; Jacob Martin, 1852 to 1853 ; D. Sell, 1853 to 1860 ; P. P. Lane, 1861 to 1862 ; G. P. Weaver, 1862 to 1863 ; C. A. Fetzer, 1863 to 1866; M. Fernsler, 1866 to 1878; Geo. C. Henry, 1879 to 1882 ; J. Fishburn, 1883 to 1890; B. F. Kautz, 1890 to the present.
2. SALEM CHURCH, BERRYSBURG.
This congregation sprang from St. John's Lutheran church (now of the General Council), standing about a mile from the town. There are no old records preserved, but from the recollections of "the older members we gathered the data here given. The organ- ization must have been effected about the year 1841 or 1842 by Rev. J. P. Schindel, then pastor of St. John's. The present
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church building, a one-story stone structure, was erected some time in 1844, in union with the Reformed congregation, and is still a union church. In 1875 it was enlarged and remodeled. Owing to the nearness of St. John's it has always been a weak congregation, having little territory. The list of pastors serving here is the same as that of Salem church at Killinger.
3. ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, MILLERSBURG.
About sixty years ago, when Millersburg had a population of about three hundred, Father Hemping, pastor then of Lykens Valley charge, preached here occasionally in the German language in the old school-house About 1837 Rev. S. D. Finckel, re- siding at Middletown, came up to Millersburg about every four weeks. and preached. In 1842 Rev. W. G. Laitzle, one of the founders of the East Pennsylvania Synod, who had been called to the charge in Armstrong Valley, crossed Berry's Mountain and preached here and in the valley church, now Salem or Killinger. In 1846 Rev. C. F. Stoever, of the Berrysburg charge, preached occasionally here during a pastorate of six years. From 1852 to 1853 Rev. Jacob Martin, of the same charge, preached here occasionally. Rev: D. Sell entered the Berrysburg charge in November, 1853, and began preaching regularly in the school- house. After laboring for a year he organized St. Paul's congre- gation in the latter part of 1854, with the following nine members : Simon Wert, Levi Miller, Christian Walborn, Daniel Martz, David Kramer, Mary Seal, Catharine Walborn, Sarah Hebel and Hannah Auchmuty. Simon Wert was chosen as elder, which office he has held continuously, and still holds at the present time, a period of thirty-eight years, and will hold it to his death. He is truly a prince in Israel. Through Rev. Sell's labors a church building was erected on Centre street, which is now occupied by the Reformed church. This building was dedicated on Christ- mas Day, 1856. Rev. P. Willard, of Danville, preached the dedi- cation sermon. The first communion was held March 22, 1857, with fifteen communicants. Upon Mr. Sell's resignation Rev. P. P. Lane entered the charge, serving from 1861 to 1862. Mr. Lane was followed by Rev. G. P. Weaver, who served 1862-1863. Rev. C. A. Fetzer entered the Berrysburg charge April, 1863,
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remaining here three years. In December, 1866, Rev. M. Fernsler assumed the pastoral care of this charge.
The charge had consisted up to this time of Lykens, Berrys- burg, Salem and Millersburg. In 1871 Lykens withdrew from the charge, leaving the three last-named congregations forming the Berrysburg charge. The same year, also, some difficulty hav- ing arisen between the Lutheran and Reformed congregations here in Millersburg, the question of separation came up, and after a lengthy discussion the Lutherans sold out their interest in the old church to the Reformed for fourteen hundred dollars ($1400).
Ground for the new church was broken in March, 1873. The cool judgment of all was that not more than $3000 at the best could be secured for a church, yet this weak little congregation built and paid for a building costing them about $16,000. The corner-stone was laid July 13, 1873. Besides the pastor there were present D. Sell, D. Kloss and U. Graves. In June, 1874, the basement was dedicated, Rev. Dr. Reinmund preaching the sermon. At the time of dedication there had been paid in cash $1000, with another $1000 in subscriptions.
During the six following years the congregation worshiped in the basement, and the work of finishing went on as they were able to raise the funds. Every year current expenses were met, inter- est on debt of $2700 paid, as well as pastor's salary and small subscriptions gathered for finishing the building.
In November, 1878, Rev. M. Fernsler, after a pastorate of twelve years, resigned. The charge remained vacant for eight months, when Rev. Geo. C. Henry, of the Theological Seminary, was called, and entered upon the charge in July, 1879.
Early in 1880, at a congregational meeting, it was resolved to finish the audience room ; work was begun, and it was finally dedicated to the service of God November 14, 1880, Rev. F. W. Conrad, D. D., preaching the dedication sermon. A debt of up- wards of $3000 was left to the congregation, which they just fin- ished paying last year, and are now free of debt. In December, 1882, Rev. Geo. C. Henry resigned, and was followed by Rev. J. Fishburn, who served them from 1883-1890. In July, 1890, Rev. B. F. Kautz assumed charge.
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XXIII. ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA.
BY W. M. BAUM, D. D.
The first Lutheran preacher in Philadelphia of whom we have record was Rev. Gerhard Henkel, between the years 1720 and 1728. In 1732 Rev. John Christian Schultze officiated. In 1733 we meet with the name of Rev. John Caspar Stoever. From 1734 to 1737 there appears to have been a vacancy. In 1737 John Philip Streiter, though unordained, supplied the pulpit. In 1742 Count Zinzendorff presented himself as a Lutheran pastor, and received a call May 30th. He appointed John C. Pyrlaeus as his assistant, who was dismissed as early as July 29th. In August, 1 742, Valentine Kraft, who had been dismissed from his office in Germany, succeeded in detaching a portion of the congregation. December 5, 1742, Dr. Henry Melchior Mühlenberg began his ministry. Kraft withdrew to Germantown and Zinzendorff re- turned to Europe. During 1843 St. Michael's church was built. January 26, 1745, Rev. Peter Brunnholtz became assistant pastor, and was soon left in sole charge of the city congregation, whilst Dr. Mühlenberg served the Trappe and New Hanover churches. July 26, 1753, Rev. J. D. M. Heintzelman became assistant pas- tor, holding the position until his death, February 9, 1756. Mr. Brunnholtz, long in feeble health, died July 5, 1757. In Novem- ber, 1757, Rev. John Frederick Handschuh became pastor and served until his death, October 9, 1764. In November, 1761, Dr. Mühlenberg, who was still nominally pastor, was recalled, and remained until 1779, resigning the active ministry in 1774. Octo- ber 28, 1765, Rev. Christopher Emanuel Schultze became assistant and remained until December, 1770. October 8, 1770, Rev. Christopher Kunze was elected third pastor. In December Rev. Schultze removed to Tulpehocken, and Dr. Mühlenberg's son, Henry Ernst Mühlenberg, became assistant. In 1 773 he was elected third pastor, remaining such until April 8, 1779. April 4, 1774, Dr. Mühlenberg resigned, having served 16 years. In June, 1779, Dr. Justus Henry Christian Helmuth was elected as suc- cessor to Dr. Mühlenberg. Dr. Kunze removed to New York, 1784, and was succeeded by Dr. John Frederick Schmidt. The
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distinction between senior and junior ministers was removed. In 1794, December 26, Zion's church, built between 1766 and 1769, was destroyed by fire, but was immediately rebuilt, and re- dedicated November 27, 1796.
As early as 1796 demands for English services began, which culminated, in 1806, in the organization of St. John's church. Again in 1815 a new demand for English services arose, which, after a long struggle and bitter contention, resulted in the organ- ization of St. Matthew's church in 1818.
Dr. Schmidt died May 12, 1812, and was succeeded by Rev. Frederick David Schaeffer, who served until 1834. Dr. Helmuth retired in 1822 and was succeeded by Rev. C. R. Demme.
ST. MATTHEW'S, PHILADELPHIA, PA.
The organization of St. Matthew's, Philadelphia, was consum- mated January 26, 1818, by the signing of the constitution on the part of those designing to enter it. Being without church ac- commodations, the academy building on Fourth street, between Arch and Market, was secured for use and occupied until 1830, when the edifice on New street, below Fourth, was dedicated. The congregation had no regular pastor until the year 1827, when Rev. Charles P. Krauth, Sr., began his ministry. The names of Rev. Christian F. Cruse and Rev. David Eyster, with others, ap- pear as temporary supplies during this period. It was a time of difficulty and struggle.
The real life of St. Matthew's began with the securing of a per- manent pastor. Being highly favored in obtaining the services of so able a divine and acceptable a preacher as Dr. Krauth, they soon emerged from their unsatisfactory surroundings in the old academy, and for nearly fifty years worshiped in the church on New street. The ministry of Dr. Krauth continued from 1827 to 1833, when he was called to Gettysburg, Pa., and placed over the newly- chartered Pennsylvania College as its President. An interval of some months occurred before a successor was secured, during which time the pulpit was occupied by the Rev. Simeon W. Har- key, then only a theological student. Rev. Jacob Medtart, of Martinsburg, Va., took pastoral charge of St. Matthew's in No-
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vember, 1834. His ministry was attended with no little congre- gational agitation and disturbance, and terminated in 1838. Rev. Stephen A. Mealy, of Savannah, Ga., then took charge, but his views and methods were not entirely acceptable to many of the congregation, so that a mutual separation was not long delayed.
SMITH BROS SC PHILE
ST. MATTHEW'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA.
Rev. Theophilus Stork, of Winchester, Va., became pastor in October, 1841. With his advent there came a new era of pros- perity. Faithful labor, earnest evangelic methods, able and edi- fying ministrations in public and in private, brought gratifying re- sults. The influence and the revenues of the church were largely
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increased. Additions were numerous, new fields of operation were needed and soon found, and a cluster of new organizations was the result, culminating in the establishment of St. Mark's Lu- theran church on Spring Garden street, above Thirteenth, of which Rev. Stork became pastor, resigning St. Matthew's in 1850. Rev. Edwin W. Hutter was installed pastor of St. Matthew's September, 1850, and rendered an unbroken service of twenty-three years. He was admirably qualified for the field to which he was called. Under his fostering care its energies were quickened into vigor- ous life, and enterprise after enterprise was inaugurated. If Dr. Krauth stands forth as the scholar among the pastors of St. Mat- thew's, and Dr. Stork as the preacher, to Dr. Hutter unquestion- ably belongs the distinction of being the model pastor. He enjoyed in unusual degree the esteem, the love and the confidence of the congregation and the community. The period of his min- istry was marked by internal peace and external activity. He died in 1873. Rev. William M. Baum, D. D., followed Dr. Hut- ter. He was installed in March, 1874, and continues in charge. This ministry is marked by the transfer, in 1876, of the congrega- tion from New street to Broad and Mt. Vernon streets. A new and commodious church and chapel and parsonage have been erected, and with the exception of a small balance of the ground rent, all indebtedness has been canceled.
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