USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of East Pennsylvania : with brief sketches of its congregations > Part 12
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From its continuous anniversaries it appears that the Sabbath- school bears equal date with the congregation. No doubt, for a considerable time, this was the only bond of union, the only cen- tre of operations for the new enterprise. For a period of forty- six years it had but one and the same superintendent, in the per- son of Martin Buehler, Esq., whose name deserves special mention in this sketch. At his death, in 1880, his personal friend and business partner, Mr. Charles P. Suesserott, took his place in the school. He also served until relieved by death in 1887. Since then his position has been filled by William J. Miller, Esq.
St. Matthew's has not only maintained its own congregational life unimpaired, but has been instrumental in the establishment of St. Mark's, St. Luke's, St. Peter's, Grace and Messiah Lutheran churches. It is now fully equipped for the most active and zeal- ous service of the Master.
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XXIV. EAST PETERSBURG CHARGE .- TRINITY, LON- DONDERRY, IN LEBANON CO .; ZION'S, EAST PETERSBURG, AND GRACE, MANHEIM, IN LANCASTER COUNTY.
BY MR. L. M. PERVEIL.
I. TRINITY CHURCH, LONDONDERRY TOWNSHIP, LEBANON COUNTY.
Very little can be gathered concerning this church. The church record is very imperfect, and the old members have died away, leaving but a few who know anything about the congrega- tion. As far as known, this church was erected in the year 1818, but the corner-stone of the present building was laid in 1842. The Building Committee were as follows, viz. : Jacob Missimer, John Baker, Joseph Porter and George Baker. Officers-Trustee, Jacob Missimer ; Elder, George Baker ; Deacons, Philip Keener and Jacob Yingst.
The congregation was served by Revs. L. Gerhardt, Martin Sondhaus, Wm. G. Laitzle, 1854-1859, Mark Harpel, 1859-1870, and others. For a long time the congregation was without a pas- tor. On September 22, 1872, Rev. J. Peter took charge of the few members left, and has been serving the congregation ever since (except from September, 1890, to June, 1891) with ac- ceptance.
He has labored hard and faithfully, and the congregation, though not strong in membership, numbering only seventy, is active. May the great Head of the Church continue to prosper it.
2. ZION'S CHURCH, EAST PETERSBURG, LANCASTER COUNTY.
The East Petersburg congregation was organized by Rev. Reuben S. W. Wagner, and was named Zion's. The corner-stone was laid in the year 1847. In 1849 Rev. Wagner resigned, and Rev. J. H. Menges became the pastor, serving until February II, 1852.
November 1, 1852, Rev. Adelbert Charles Roderico Rueter took charge of the congregation. Others followed, viz. : Revs. Jacob Albert, 1853-1855 ; J. H. Menges, 1855-1857 ; Geo. Haines, 1857-1858; Jno. Early, 1862-1863 ; Joseph Focht,
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1864-1868; Jacob Kaempfer, 1868-1869, and S. S. Engle, 1870-1874.
August 9, 1874, the present pastor, Rev. J. Peter, took charge of the congregation, and has served them up to the present time with the exception of a brief period, from September, 1890, to June, 1891. The congregation has steadily increased, and is now in a prosperous condition.
The preaching is now conducted in both the German and the English languages, the latter taking the lead.
3. GRACE CHURCH, MANHEIM, LANCASTER COUNTY.
This congregation is at this time but a year and a half old, and hence the history will be brief. It was formed by about forty-six persons who were regularly dismissed from Zion's Lutheran con- gregation of Manheim, and was organized April 4, 1891, by the Rev. W. H. Dunbar, of Lebanon, then President of the East Pennsylvania Synod.
The following officers were elected : Elders-S. D. Miller and George Gromlish ; Deacons-T. S. Burns, S. Will, W. Zink and L. M. Perveil. The last named was chosen as Secretary.
Rev. J. Peter, of Bellwood, Pa., was authorized by the Presi- dent of Synod to install the officers, which was done April 12, 1891.
A congregational meeting was called April 26, 1891, at which Rev. D. S. Kurtz, of Felton, York Co., presided. A unanimous call was then extended to Rev. J. Peter, which was accepted, and on the Ist of June, 1891, he entered upon his duties.
The members had left the old church without a penny ; but, through the earnest work and self-sacrificing spirit of the pastor, the congregation soon moved forward. A small chapel, owned by the M. E. church, was rented for the time being. Soon an effort was made to purchase a lot suitable for a church, which work was accomplished in a short time. The corner-stone of the new building was laid July 31, 1892. The pastor was assisted by the Rev. G. J. Martz, of Lebanon. The church at this writing is almost ready for dedication, and will compare with any church in Manheim or with the majority in the East Pennsylvania Synod. The prospect of this congregation is bright.
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XXV. LITITZ CHARGE, LANCASTER CO .- KISSEL HILL, NEFFSVILLE, LITITZ.
BY REV. I. W. BOBST.
The Lititz charge is composed of three congregations, Kissel Hill being the oldest, and the mother of two vigorous daughters, St. Paul's, of Lititz, and the Neffsville congregation. As is so often the case, the mother has made large sacrifices, to her own detriment, for the enrichment of her offspring. She has greatly decreased in her membership, whilst they are steadily increasing.
I. SALEM CHURCH, KISSEL HILL.
The Kissel Hill congregation was organized in 1823, and united with the Reformed element of the community in founding Salem union church. A lot was purchased of John Frank at a cost of $60.00, the corner-stone laid June 1, 1823, and a substantial brick church dedicated May 24, 1824. Rev. W. Baetes and Dr. Andrews (Lutheran) and Revs. Leinbach and D. Hertz (Reformed) were present on that occasion. In the style of the times it had a wine- glass pulpit, painfully suggestive to the ministry in this age of re- form, and panel casing around the pews, symbolical of the rigid orthodoxy of its devotees. The cost of the edifice was $2,000. In 1848 a steeple with a bell was added, at a cost of $217.60. In 1872 the spirit of the age removed the grotesque pulpit and panels, and in 1887 the church was again repaired and carpeted.
The following are the pastorates : Rev. William Baetes, 1824 to 1839 ; Rev. Chas. P. Miller, 1839 to 1841 ; Rev. Christopher G. Frederick, 1842 to 1846; Rev. Chas. A. Barnitz, 1846 to 1852 ; Rev. Chas. A. Barnitz, 1853 to 1854; Rev. Chas. Rees, 1855 to 1856 ; Rev. D. P. Rosenmiller, 1857 to 1862 ; Rev. S. R. Boyer, 1862 to 1864 ; Rev. J. R. Focht, 1864 to 1868. Up to 1864 the preaching was nearly all in German.
From 1864 to 1871 the congregation vacillated between the General Council and the General Synod, a majority being in favor of the General Council. Rev. S. S. Engle became pastor about the year 1871, and preached for several years, gathering in quite a number of members. He was afterwards deposed from the ministry. Rev. J. Peter then took charge, and served the
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people faithfully till 1886. The pastorate of Rev. W. H. Lewars began October 15, 1886, and ended April 15, 1889. The present pastor, Rev. I. Walton Bobst, assumed charge June 1, 1889. The congregation in its palmiest days had about two hundred members. It now numbers about one hundred. The preaching is partly in German and partly in English.
2. ST. PETER'S CHURCH, NEFFSVILLE.
In the spring of 1880 about thirty members of the Kissel Hill church amicably withdrew and formed the congregation of Neffs- ville. Through the influence of the sainted John Wechter, assisted by a noble little band of workers, the Neffsville church was erected. The corner-stone was laid during the summer of 1880, and the church dedicated June 26, 1881. Rev. J. Peter, the pastor, and Rev. R. W. Hufford, D. D., presided on this occasion. This congregation, though so recently established, has no reliable statistics. After Rev. J. Peter resigned, it was connected with the Millersville charge, and served as follows : J. V. Eckert, 1881-1882 ; F. Aurand, 1883 ; A. M. Whetstone, 1884-1885 ; J. W. Goodlin, 1887-1888. In 1888 the congregation severed its relations with the Millersville charge and connected itself with the Lititz charge. It has since been served by Revs. W. H. Lewars and I. W. Bobst, the present pastor, who took charge June 1, 1889. During the present pastorate the congregation has more than doubled, num- bering now 154. This is largely due to the labors of its excellent Sunday-school Superintendent, Dr. E. H. Witmer, who has for twelve years assiduously inculcated Bible truths among the young of this community.
3. ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, LITITZ.
August 4, 1885, a meeting was called for the purpose of dis- cussing the feasibility of building a Lutheran church in Lititz. Rev. Peter, of the Manheim charge, occupied the chair. In pur- suance of the action of this meeting, fifty-two members of the Kissel Hill church formed themselves into an independent con- gregation, and founded St. Paul's Lutheran church, of Lititz. The corner-stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies September 13, 1885, by Rev. Peter, assisted by Revs. Sylvanus Stall and John V.
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Eckert. The dedication took place February 14, 1886. Rev. Eli Huber, D. D., preached the sermon and Rev. T. C. Billheimer, D. D., solicited subscriptions, securing $2,000, which covered all the indebtedness. The edifice cost upward of $6,000. The congre- gation demonstrated its enterprise by immediately erecting a commodious parsonage, at an expense of $2,200. Six hundred dollars of the subscriptions taken on dedication-day failed to materialize, which, together with the cost of the parsonage, left the congregation $2,800 in debt. This has been reduced during the present pastorate to $1,500. Shortly after the completion of the church Rev. J. Peter resigned. He was followed by Rev. W. H. Lewars, who entered upon his labors October 15, 1886, con- tinuing faithfully three years and a half, when he was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. I. Walton Bobst, who assumed charge June 1, 1889. The congregation now has one hundred and thirty- five members and is in excellent condition. The preaching is mainly in English, with a German sermon once a month.
XXVI. LIONVILLE CHARGE, CHESTER CO .- ST. MAT- THEW'S AND ST. PAUL'S.
BY REV. M. S. CRESSMAN.
Chester County, Pa., was originally settled by two distinct classes of people-the English Quakers and the Germans. The former located in the southern part of the county, and the latter in the northern. The main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad now divides this district into two nearly equal parts, and, in a general way, may be regarded as the dividing line between the two distinctive elements of the county. In the section to the south the Quaker element still largely prevails, whilst in that to the north the descendants of the Germans still hold sway. It is accordingly in the northern part of the county that all our Luth- eran churches are to be found, with the single exception of Trinity church, recently established at Coatesville, and this is on the border line.
Henry Melchior Mühlenberg organized the first Lutheran con- gregation in the county, to which the name Zion was given.
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The early records being lost, the precise year of its organization is not known. It must, however, have been early in the min- istry of this patriarch of American Lutheranism, as the erection of a new building was begun in the year 1771. The first edifice was made of logs, and was located in what was then known as Vincent Township, about five miles west of the Trappe. The site chosen was a commanding one, overlooking a large part of the counties of Berks and Montgomery.
When the Zion congregation was about to erect a new building, there arose a division of opinion as to the location, many desir- ing to remove some three miles further south. The result of this division was, that the Lutherans residing in Pikeland Township withdrew, and organized themselves into a separate congregation, erecting a log church in the year 1772, some ten miles southwest of Zion. This organization is known as St. Peter's. It was here that the first annual meeting of the East Pennsylvania Synod was held, October 15, 1842.
The two churches now composing the Lionville pastorate, St. Matthew's and St. Paul's, are the direct outgrowth of Zion's and St. Peter's congregations. The older of these, St. Matthew's, is now located in Upper Uwchlan township. It was organized in the year 1833, by Rev. Jacob Wampole, then pastor of Zion's and St. Peter's churches. It was the third Lutheran organization in Chester county, and the first to wholly use the English lan- guage. The original membership, sixty-six in number, came from the other two Lutheran churches ; principally, however, from St. Peter's, in West Pikeland. About this time there was a general religious awakening in this vicinity. The Baptists and Episco- palians had begun the erection of places of worship. The Luth- eran people felt the need of greater religious privileges than they were enjoying. Accordingly, a meeting was held in West Vincent township, January 1, 1833, to consider the propriety of erecting a church building, to be owned jointly by the Lutherans and the German Reformed. As the result of earnest and prayerful delib- eration a piece of ground was purchased on the Conestoga pike for $50.00, upon which was erected a two-story stone church, 35x45 feet in size, with galleries on three sides, at a cost of $1,700.00. The corner-stone was laid May 27, 1833, Dr. C. P. Krauth, sr., preach-
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ing the sermon on the part of the Lutherans. On December 10, of the same year, the building was dedicated to the worship of the Triune God. Rev. P. F. Mayer, D. D., of Philadelphia, preached the sermon. The feast of dedication lasted two days, with three services daily, at each of which a sermon was preached. St. Matthew's became a part of Zion's charge, the pastor residing near the latter church, some ten miles distant.
Rev. Wampole continued as pastor till May, 1836, when he was succeeded by Rev. Frederick Ruthrauff. During the ministry of the latter Zion's church withdrew, and there was also a division in St. Peter's, owing to the introduction of what were known as "new measures " in church work. The members who withdrew from St. Peter's, some twelve or thirteen in number, erected for them- selves a church building in close proximity to the mother church, and in connection with Zion's formed a new charge. These churches are now in connection with the Ministerium of Pennsyl- vania, and are served by separate pastors.
Previous to this division, under the leadership of Rev. Ruth- rauff, steps were taken towards organizing a Lutheran congrega- tion in Uwchlan township, near Lionville. February 9, 1838, a meeting was held at the house of Peter Acker, where the subject was discussed. At this meeting it was resolved " that in reliance on the help and favor of the Lord a house of worship be erected, to be owned jointly by the Lutherans and the Reformed." The name afterwards chosen was " St. Paul's Church in Uwchlan town- ship." The location was on a piece of ground near the " White School House," donated for the purpose by Peter Stiteler. The building erected was of stone, one story high, 38x45 feet in di- mensions, and cost $1,483.00. June 5, 1838, the corner-stone was laid, Rev. Jonathan Ruthrauff, of Lebanon, preaching the sermon. On November 6 and 7 of the same year, the building was dedi- cated. Rev. C. W. Schaeffer, D. D., LL. D., then pastor of St. Peter's church at Barren Hill, preached the dedicatory sermon. The pastor was assisted in these services by Revs. John P. Hecht and H. S. Miller. The formal organization did not take place till November 11, 1838, the first Lord's Day following the dedi- cation. Sixteen persons composed the original membership, two of whom are still actively identified with the congregation.
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They came from St. Peter's and St. Matthew's churches, mainly from the former. St. Paul's became a part of Zion's charge, which now consisted of four churches, St. Peter's, St. Matthew's, St. Paul's and Zion's, the pastor residing in the parsonage near the latter church until the separation in 1840.
At the time of the division, Rev. Ruthrauff became pastor of the three churches known as the Pikeland Charge, St. Peter's, St. Matthew's, and St. Paul's, the pastoral residence being in the vicinity of the former, and about five miles distant from the other two points. He continued to serve this field till June 13, 1843. He was succeeded, December 17, by Rev. John McCron, D. D., who continued as pastor till July, 1847, when he and Rev. D. Miller exchanged pastorates. The latter remained but two years, and was followed by Rev. Peter Raby, September 27, 1849.
Brother Raby served this charge faithfully for nine years, and was held in high esteem by his people. Under his ministra- tions substantial progress was made. It was through his instru- mentality that a dissolution was effected in St. Paul's church between the Lutherans and Reformed, in the year 1852. The former disposed of their interest in the property to the latter for $700.00, and bought a small tract of land in the village of Lion- ville, about one mile distant. Here a commodious two-story stone building was erected, at a cost of about $4,000.00. The membership at this time was forty-two. July 31, 1852, the corner-stone was laid, and on January 1, 1853, the building was dedicated. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. E. W. Hutter, of Philadelphia.
In the year 1858 Rev. Raby resigned, and on June 20 was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Aughey. Soon after Rev. Aughey became pastor, a division took place in the charge, St. Matthew's and St. Paul's withdrawing, and forming a separate pastorate This was in the year 1859. Rev. Aughey became pastor of the Lionville charge, St. Peter's calling Rev. Cornelius Reimen- snyder as their pastor. In the year 1860 a parsonage was purchased by St. Paul's congregation, adjoining the church, for the sum of $1,500.00, where the pastor has continued to reside ever since.
In the year 1861 Rev. Aughey resigned, and on November 10,
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Rev. Christian D. Ulery became his successor. The labors of this young brother extended over but a few months. Shortly after becoming pastor, he enlisted as member of a company of volun- teers being formed in the neighborhood, and marched to the front in defense of a threatened Union. Being naturally of a frail constitution, he soon contracted a cold in consequence of exposure, which rapidly developed into pneumonia, from which disease he died, November 7, 1862, in the 31st year of his age. His body lies in the cemetery adjoining St. Paul's church.
January 4, 1863, Rev. S. Sentman became the spiritual guide of this flock. For seven and one-half years he ministered in holy things to this people. His memory is still cherished by those to whom he broke the bread of life. He resigned, July 1, 1870, to become principal of the Preparatory Department of Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg.
The charge was now vacant for almost a year, when on May 1, 1871, Rev J. R. Shoffner began his labors as pastor. He con- tinued in this relationship till the year 1876. The last time this brother ever preached the word was to this people, May 24, 1891, having returned on a brief visit. This was just nineteen days before his death, which took place at Wilkesbarre, Pa., June 12, 1892.
After a vacancy of some months a pastor was secured in the person of Rev. H. S. Cook, March 11, 1877. The labors of this brother were abundantly blessed. The commodious new St. Matthew's church is his enduring monument. In 1878 Rev. Cook succeeded in effecting an amicable dissolution of the union existing in this church. The Lutherans sold their interest to the Reformed for $1,000.00, and at once purchased a plot of ground containing eighteen and one-half acres on a commanding eleva- tion, about five hundred yards north, in the adjoining township of Upper Uwchlan, the original site being in West Vincent. Here the congregation proceeded to erect one of the finest church buildings in the county. It is of Gothic architecture, 42x95 feet in size, and has a seating capacity of about six hundred. The cost of the property was about $13,000.00. The corner-stone was laid in 1878, the dedication taking place on May I of the following year. On the latter occasion, Rev. John McCron, D. D.,
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a former pastor, preached with more than his usual eloquence. At these services there were present twenty ministers, and though held on a week day the building was crowded to its ut- most capacity, and the entire obligations liquidated, over $4,000.00 being subscribed.
In 1880 St. Paul's church was remodeled at a cost of $2,300.00. The re-dedication took place January 2, 1881, Rev. F. W. Conrad, D. D., LL. D., officiating. The Lionville pastorate has now two comfortable and convenient churches, the credit of which in a large measure is due to Rev. H. S. Cook. Under his ministry the congregations increased largely in membership. He was the first to introduce a systematic way of gathering the benevolent offerings of the people. The monthly envelope system he in- augurated continues in use to the present time, and has been the means of making this charge one of the most liberal in our synod. October 8, 1882, Rev. Cook, after a most successful pastorate of five years and seven months, took leave of this peo- ple, having accepted a call to Harrisburg.
December 1, 1882, Rev. W. F. Rentz took charge of the work in this parish, in which he continued till April 1, 1888, being then sent by the Board of Home Missions as missionary to Atchison, Kansas. Through his labors the people were much strengthened in all departments of church life and work. Here he has left many seals to his ministry. It was during his pastor- ate that the Sunday-school room of St. Paul's church was re- modeled, at a cost of about $700.00.
April 8, 1888, the present pastor-Rev. M. S. Cressman-be- gan his labors. Under his direction about $700.00 have been expended by the charge, in the improvement of the church properties. The pastorate is entirely free of debt, and meets all its obligations with promptness. It is composed of an intelligent and church-loving people.
Of the twelve pastors who have served this field, eight have passed to their reward, Revs. Aughey, Cook, Rentz and Cress- man alone remaining in the church militant. Of the original members, but three are still among us, Thomas Rooke of St. Matthew's and Mrs. Catherine Oberholtzer and her sister, Miss Sarah Acker, of St. Paul's. At different times the churches have
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received legacies amounting in all to about $4,000.00. The esti- mated value of the property is $20,000.00. The present member- ship numbers 295 persons. In the Sunday-schools there are enrolled 238 scholars, and 41 teachers and officers.
XXVII. ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN AND REFORMED CHURCH, FOGELSVILLE, LEHIGH COUNTY.
BY REV. J. A. SINGMASTER.
The above church was organized by members of the Tresler- town, Jordan and Ziegel churches. Jacob Moyer and Judge John Fogel donated each three-fourths of an acre of land for a building site and burial place. At a meeting held October 4, 1834, it was decided to build a church. John Lichtenwallner and Daniel Schlauch, Lutheran, and Henry Mohr and Jacob Moyer, Reformed, were elected a building committee, and Solomon Fogel, treasurer. Benjamin Fogel, John Keck, Peter Musselman and Jonathan Mohr were appointed to solicit subscriptions.
The corner-stone was laid May 9, 1835, on which occasion Rev. Isaac Roeller and Rev. Joseph Dubs officiated. On the 31st of October, 1835, the church was dedicated, Revs. Roeller, Joshua and Gottlieb Jeager and Charles Y. Herman participating. The church is a substantial stone structure, with gallery on three sides, and seats about four hundred.
The first pastor, Rev. Isaac Roeller, was elected November 15, 1835. The first council consisted of Adam Litzenberger, elder, and Samuel Fetherolf, John Lichtenwallner, Jr., Henry Stettler and Daniel Kuhns, deacons.
Rev. Roeller resigned January 13, 1851, and was succeeded by Rev. Jeremiah Schindel, who was followed in 1859 by Rev. E. H. M. Sell. In 1861 Rev. O. Leopold became pastor. In 1874 the pastor and a part of the congregation withdrew and organized St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church
On account of the establishment of the latter church, the old congregation was no longer recognized by the Pennsylvania Synod, and hence was left without pastoral care. Rev. Wm. G.
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Mennig, of the East Pennsylvania Synod, became pastor in 1877. He was assisted by Rev. C. E. Hay, who supplied the pulpit after Mr. Mennig became disabled until the church became a part of the Macungie charge, in 1884, with Rev. J. A. Singmaster as pastor. In July, 1886, the latter was succeeded by Rev. G. W. Fritsch, who continued pastor until March, 1891. Since then the pulpit has been supplied by Rev. J. A. Singmaster, pastor of St. Paul's, Allentown.
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