USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of East Pennsylvania : with brief sketches of its congregations > Part 14
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The members of the new church organization, with few ex- ceptions, were poor. Yet, under such adverse circumstances, they undertook the erection of a church edifice, costing from twelve to thirteen thousand dollars. The excavations for founda- tion and cellar were made by the members, without the ex- penditure of one dollar in money. The Lord put it into the hearts of several parties (not members of the church) owning stone quarries, to give the members of the church the privilege of quarrying all required for the church, free of cost. Farmers (members of the church) did the hauling, while town members did the loading and unloading gratuitously. The officers of the Union Canal Company gave the privilege of gathering all the sand for plastering the church inside and out (the church was rough cast) at the water works, free of cost, and it was all deliv- ered without the expenditure of a dollar in money-some members furnishing teams, others loading and unloading. The pastor's horse was in daily use for hauling the water necessary to make the mortar.
Among the church members were three carpenters, none of whom could subscribe a large sum of money. They agreed, however, to do a certain amount of work in the church. Augustus Reinoehl (now of Lancaster) did the necessary work in the basement ; Henry Zimmerman, that of the church chamber ; and Benjamin Moore, the woodwork at the roof and tower. Israel Karch did the painting at fifty cents per day.
The present generation cannot realize, much less appreciate, the sacrifices made by the original members of this church. Children denied themselves butter and fruit, selling these to ob- tain money to contribute to the church. Some worked after school hours for the same object. The pastor stimulated every member of the congregation by his own liberality. He not only gave much time, labor, and money (receiving only two hundred
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and forty dollars' salary while the church was being built), but even imperiled his health. With all the contributions of labor and money, when the church was completed and dedicated there remained a debt of over three thousand dollars on the building.
The salary and interest on the debt was a grievous burden. Nor was this all. A new church necessarily called for improved methods in church attendance. Pious parents desired to have their children not only accompany them, but occupy the same pew. This was looked upon as an innovation and seriously ob- jected to. It was regarded as a design, on the part of some members, to select the best pews and deprive others of occupy- ing choice ones. To prove this view erroneous, the party desir- ous of having their children sit with them proposed drawing lots annually for pews. This was acceded to, and indulged in for several years, much to the satisfaction of some and disgust of others. Now, the most liberal contributors objected. They were generally unfortunate enough to draw pews under the gal- lery, while contributors of sums less than one dollar annually, al- most always secured the most desirable ones. This disposition of the pews existed until 1849, when the pastor, in consequence of ill health, was obliged to resign. Rev. A. C. Wedekind be- came his successor.
How to pay the interest of the debt and an increase of salary, was the question which presented itself to the trustees and the congregation at the annual meeting ; besides, the pew question still remained unsettled.
Another year passed, the annual expenditures exceeding the in- come. No better, in fact no other plan seeming possible, it was determined to rent the pews annually, to the highest bidder, re- serving ten free pews, five on each side of the middle aisle, (the choicest in the church) for the poorer members, so that none could complain of being deprived of the use of pews. This gave rise to our present pew system.
Upon the resignation of the Rev. Jonathan Ruthrauff, the congregation at Schaefferstown severed its connection with this charge, leaving only the Hill church in connection with Zion. This made it possible to have two church services every Sunday, the pastor preaching both German and English.
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During the latter part of Rev. Wedekind's administration, which was of thirteen years' duration, the Hill church was added to the Annville charge, and Lebanon claimed the entire time of the pastor.
Rev. L. A. Gotwald succeeded Rev. Wedekind in April, 1863. It was during his administration that the congregation, after mature deliberation, deemed it best to sever the existing re- lation between the English and German members. The reason assigned was the difficulty of obtaining a pastor qualified to preach acceptably in both languages for the compensation we could pay.
This division gave origin to the Seventh Street Lutheran con- gregation. The English portion assisted them in building their first church, which was a frame structure. It has now been re- built in brick and is a very handsome church, with all the modern appointments. The trustees of the mother church manifested their kindly feeling by voting one thousand dollars towards the erection of this building. Rev. L. A. Gotwald served the congregation two years, and was succeeded by Rev. Daniel Schindler in July, 1865. The church services were now altogether English. During this administration, about 1866, the parsonage, situated on Chestnut street, between 10th and Spring streets, was purchased.
Rev. Schindler was succeeded by Rev. M. Rhodes, in March, 1867. He served the congregation very acceptably for five years, and was succeeded by Rev. J. F. Reinmund in Novem- ber, 1872, during whose administration a new church was built (1875) at a cost of $30,000.00. The lecture and school rooms (of which there were three) were built in the rear of the church, admirably adapted to the wants of the congregation, and models of convenience and comfort. Dr. Reinmund served the congre- gation seven years, and was succeeded by our present pastor, the Rev. Dr. W. H. Dunbar, in May, 1880. The parsonage was thoroughly repaired, before his occupancy, at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars.
In 1891 an addition was built, consisting of a study, dining- room, etc., making it complete in all its appointments, at an ex- pense of $2,000.00. The church was also re-modeled, beautified, and the interior enlarged. The organ was placed in the rear of the pulpit. This improvement cost $5,000.00.
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During this administration the large and convenient Sunday- school rooms became crowded, and it became necessary to locate the Bible Department in the church chamber for a number of years. This arrangement was not sufficient to meet the growing needs of the schools. There being a vacant space 33x62 feet in the rear of the Sunday-school building, it was resolved to add a building in harmony with the balance of the church at a cost of $4,000.00. This has been done. All of the rooms have been renovated, painted, re-carpeted, furnished with chairs, etc., and the congregation now claims to have a suite of Sunday-school rooms second to none in the country.
The pastors of Zion trained many true yoke-fellows, who stood shoulder to shoulder and were in touch with them in every good word and work. Three entered the gospel ministry, the Revs. Wm. D. Roedel, Jacob Weidman, Johnson Groff.
SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.
The Sunday-school of Salem's church, which was held in what is now known as the Beneficial Hall, North Tenth Street, went bodily with the new church organization, and when the new Sun- day-school rooms were ready for occupancy, provision having been made for two departments, another progressive step was taken-an infant school was organized. Notwithstanding the sneering remark made by one not friendly to the cause, " Who will nurse your babies?" it has been a decided success. The pastor's wife, Mrs. Jonathan Ruthrauff and Mr. John George, both veterans in the Sunday-school work, were its first superintendents, taking charge of the ten infant-school scholars present on the day of its organization, and nobly did they do their work. Many graduates of that infant-school are now holding positions of trust in the church here and elsewhere, and its impress for good has been stamped upon our community. Mrs. Mary Groff and Jacob Roedel were the color-bearers in the larger school. Both depart- ments combined rarely averaged over 100 pupils. Soon, how- ever, another department was organized, which occupied the lec- ture room. After the German members formed a new organiza- tion, the number was reduced somewhat. Gradually, yet stead- ily, the school increased in numbers-and had 250 enrolled in
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1872 ; 302 in 1879. To-day there are over six hundred mem- bers upon its rolls. Two members of the original school, held in the Salem church prior to the separation, are now members of the Bible-class, Mr. Andrew Fasnacht and Mr. George R. Fauber.
MISSIONS.
.
The missionary contributions from this charge, consisting of Schaefferstown, Hill church and Lebanon, amounted to $8.00 in 1837. Systematic giving was early inculcated and continuously taught, until this part of the congregation's work gives evidence of early training and constant practice, as shown by reference to the synodical minutes of a recent date, where it may be seen that the contributions during the past year were $1,199.13.
XXXI. ENGLISH CHURCH, POTTSVILLE.
BY REV. E. G. HAY.
There were both Lutheran and Reformed church-going people in Pottsville prior to 1834. They spoke the German language, and occasionally were ministered to by visiting pastors of their own denominations, but until June 29, 1834, there was no attempt among either, as far as known, at anything like the organization of a congregation. At that time, Rev. Wm. G. Mennig began preaching to the people of both denominations in a block-house, used during the week as a school-house, and occupying the site of the present grammar school building, on the corner of Centre and High streets.
On June 18, 1837, all united in laying the corner-stone of a new frame structure on Third street as their common place of worship. Revs. George and William G. Mennig, of the Lutheran, and Rev. Thomas Leinbach of the Reformed church, officiated upon that occasion. On October 8 and 9 of the same year the church was dedicated, under the name of Emanuel's church. Revs. Thomas Leinbach and David Hassinger of the Reformed, and Revs. Daniel Ulrich, Jonathan Ruthrauff, Gottlieb Jeager and William G. Mennig, of the Lutheran church, officiated. Prior to 1850, the Reformed congregation withdrew, and located on West
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Market street, leaving the church property in the hands of the Lutherans.
On May 16, 1847, some members left the pastoral care of Rev. Wm. G. Mennig and formed "The English Lutheran Congrega- tion of Pottsville," under the Rev. Daniel Steck. There were eleven charter members, as follows : Mrs. Mary Bock, Mrs. Samuel Born, Mrs. Annie Born, Mr. Daniel Heil, Mr. Washington L. Heisler, Mrs. Sarah H. Heisler, Miss Barbara A. Heisler, Mr. Henry G. Kurtz, Mrs. Sarah A. Kurtz, Mr. John H. Kurtz and Mr. William Zern. The congregation worshiped for some time in a frame building on Second street, but in April, 1851, ground was
ENGLISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, POTTSVILLE, PA.
broken for the erection of the present building. Revs. E. Breid- enbaugh and John E. Graeff assisted at the laying of the corner- stone, and Revs. B. Kurtz, D. D., A. C. Wedekind, and E. W. Hutter at the dedication of the completed structure, in the spring of 1852.
Rev. Steck remained until Nov. 26, 1857. He organized a Ladies' Mite Society that still exists, received into membership 182 persons, but left no other record of official acts.
Rev. W. H. Luckenbach was pastor from November 26, 1857,
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to August 20, 1859. He received 43, baptized 31, officiated at 16 weddings and 26 funerals.
Rev. S. A. Holman succeeded, from August 23, 1859, to Sep- tember 1, 1861. He received 36, baptized 39, officiated at 7 weddings.
Rev. Philip Willard, of Schuylkill Haven, supplied the congre- gation from June I to October 1, 1862, receiving II.
Rev. Uriel Graves followed, serving from April 1, 1866, to July 6, 1868. He received 123, baptized 65, officiated at 4 weddings and I funeral.
The charter was changed July 27, 1866, allowing all members to vote at elections. Hitherto the men only had the privilege. A lot adjoining the church was purchased for $1,700.00. In April, 1867, an addition was built to the church, six feet wider than the rest of the building and twenty-eight feet in length, costing $6,000.00. $1,000.00 of this was paid under the present pastorate. The East Pennsylvania Synod convened with the congregation on September 25 of this year, but held its sittings in the Second Presbyterian church near by.
Rev. Daniel Steck again served the congregation from Septem- ber 22, 1868, to July 17, 1870. He received 63 members, but left no further record.
Rev. J. Q. McAtee had charge from February 22, 1871, to November 8, 1877. He received 260, baptized 273, officiated at 79 weddings and 136 funerals. In December 13, 1876, a Young People's Sociable was organized, with a membership of 37. By February 19, 1872, the present parsonage was erected, at a cost of $4,697.26. It is a commodious, three-story structure, with pressed-brick front and brown-stone trimmings, and supplied with all modern conveniences. The Sunday-school room was re- floored, and re-seated with reversible pews in ash and walnut.
Rev. John McCron, D. D., was pastor from June 20, 1878, to August 1, 1880. He received 52, baptized 33, officiated at 24 weddings and 2 funerals.
Rev. E. G. Hay, the present pastor, took charge on November 28, 1880. He has thus far received 611, baptized 431, and offi- ciated at 197 weddings and 324 funerals. According to the records, therefore, which might have been much more accurate,
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the pastors of this church have officiated at 489 funerals and 327 weddings ; have baptized 862 children, and received into mem- bership 1,437 persons.
Regretting that a lack of knowledge, even after a careful study of available records,, prevents a fuller statement of leading events which occurred under preceding pastorates, we note the following under the present. Organizations effected : November 13, 1881, Children's Foreign Missionary Society, membership 120. April 28, 1886, Young People's Social and Literary Assembly, member- ship 31. December 1, 1886, Women's Missionary Society, mem- bership 44. December 15, 1886, Young Ladies' Sewing Circle, membership 52. February 9, 1887, Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation, membership 23. November 27, 1887, The Christian Workers-a children's mission-band-membership 50. October 13, 1890, Young Folks' Lyceum, membership 25. December 9, 1891, Young Ladies' Mission Band, membership 22. January 10, 1892, A Branch of Missionary and Church Extension Society of Lebanon Conference, membership 25. June 12, 1892, Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, membership 25.
From September 20 to 26, 1882, the East Pennsylvania Synod was entertained by our people. On November 10, 1883, our congregation held a Luther Celebration in the Academy of Music in conjunction with the German Lutherans of this place.
On February 23, 1883, we paid off our debt of $2,000.00. On May 13, 1883, the pastor's salary was raised $200.00. Novem- ber 10, 1883, new pulpit furniture was purchased at a cost of $200. March 1, 1884, the present envelope system took the place of a more cumbersome one. May 16, 1884, a handsome pipe organ was dedicated, Rev. F. W. Conrad, D. D., officiat- ing. The instrument, and the changes necessitated by its intro- duction, cost.$1,440.73. April 5, 1885, stained glass windows, at a cost of $400.00, were substituted for the plain ones hitherto in use. July, 1885, a tin roof was placed upon the church. In November, 1885, a renovation of the audience chamber was be- gun, which was completed March 27, 1886, at an outlay of $1,502.99. March 28, the room was re-dedicated, Rev. J. H. Menges officiating. In December, 1886, the pastor began the publica- tion. of a sixteen-page monthly congregational paper, entitled
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The English Lutheran. It is in pamphlet form, and 700 copies have been issued monthly for these six years. Many interesting historical facts are preserved in its pages. February 6, 1887, the Sunday-school was re-opened for service after a complete renova- tion, including re-papering and the addition of handsomech an- deliers. August 1, 1887, the pastor's salary was again increased by $200.00. February 26, 1888, a second department was added to the Sunday-school, consisting of fifty-one adult scholars. In April a new Sunday-school organ was purchased. In September, Rev. W. H. Dunbar officiated at the dedication of a new build- ing just erected for our infant scholars at a cost of $1,333.00. In the same month the pastor completed a history of the congrega- tion from its origin to that time. It is a cloth-bound volume of 167 pages, and embraces many valuable statistics carefully col- lated. During the winter of 1889 and spring of 1890, the old church tower was removed and replaced by the present hand- some steeple, one hundred and eighteen feet in height, covered with copper and slate, and surmounted by a gilded crown. The cost was $1,600.00, and other concurrent improvements on the church front made an aggregate expense of $2,000.00. In June, 1892, additional changes were made in the Sunday-school room, costing $150.00, and on the ninth of October it was resolved to in- troduce steam heat at once into both church and parsonage at a cost of $850.00. The work is now in progress.
Our church is well located, and the congregation has long en- joyed the respect and sympathy of the community in all its efforts after material and spiritual prosperity.
XXXII. ZION CHURCH, DAUPHIN.
BY REV. M. L. HEISLER.
The following quotation, introducing the subject of the organ- ization of a Lutheran and German Reformed congregation in the neighborhood of Dauphin, is from Dr. Wm. Egle's History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon :
"About 1770 a log house was erected on land owned by Robert McCord half a mile north of the present town (Dauphin), and on the site of the 'Hill Church Cemetery.'
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" On October 11, 1796, an agreement was entered into whereby Mr. McCord stipulated to convey by deed said lot to the trustees of the Middle Paxtang Presbyterian congregation. This convey- ance was made November 6, 1813, to Wm. Cochran, Wm. Forster and James Green as said trustees. The expenses of the erection (of the building) were principally met by the Scotch-Irish set- tlers, who were then the main farmers of this region. The con- gregation at one time was very large, and this old log (weather- boarded) structure held 200 persons. The increase of German settlers led to the Scotch-Irish Presbyterians removing, and the church edifice passed into the hands of the Lutheran and Ger- man Reformed, or was jointly owned by them and the remaining Presbyterians. It burned down in 1855, but for some five or six years previous had not been used for religious services."
The only information at hand concerning the pastors serving the Lutheran people in the old log church is, that at a period including 1830 Rev. Augustus H. Lochman preached there ; and sometime prior to 1849, Rev. C. F. Stoever became pastor. The latter preached in the town of Dauphin, after the abandonment of the old log church, in the old Sons of Temperance Hall.
At a meeting held September 5, 1849, it was
Resolved, That in reliance upon the God of our fathers we un- dertake to build a house of worship for the joint use of the Luth- erans and the German Reformed.
A building committee was selected, three from each congrega- tion, viz. : Lutheran, D. Poffinberger, Elias Fertig, H. C. Sponsler ; German Reformed, George Kinter, Geo. W. Urbin, Wilson C. Hyde.
The following resolution was passed at the same meeting :
Resolved, That the church be built on the lot of Mrs. Gross and part of the lot of Daniel Poffinberger, if needed.
At the same meeting two sets of officers, one for each congrega- tion, were selected. The Lutherans were : Elders, Daniel Poffin- berger and Samuel Miller ; Deacons, H. C. Sponsler and Leonard Poffinberger.
On August 10, 1850, the corner-stone of the new church, named Zion, was laid with appropriate services. The exercises prepar- atory to the laying of the corner-stone were conducted in
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the Methodist church. The following-named ministers partici- pated :
Rev. Mesick, Reformed; Rev. C. A. Hay, Lutheran ; Rev. Moore, Presbyterian ; Rev. Ludden, Methodist Episcopal ; Rev. C. F. Stoever, pastor. Prayer was offered by Rev. Moore, and addresses were made by Revs. Mesick and Hay. Prayer was offered by Rev. Ludden, after which the meeting adjourned to the site of the new building. A hymn was sung, prayer offered by Rev. Mesick, and the pastor, after the usual service, exhibited, and then deposited in the corner-stone, Bible, Catechism of the General Synod of the Lutheran church, Catechism of the German Reformed church, list of contributors, pastor, building committee, elders, deacons, and members of the church, names of President of United States and Governor of Pennsylvania, county papers, Lutheran Observer, Minutes of 1849 of the Synod of Pennsyl- vania. The doxology was sung, and the benediction pronounced by Rev. Hay.
This church was dedicated February 2, 1851, Rev. Stoever and Rev. Schneck, of Chambersburg, conducting the dedicatory services. Rev. A. H. Lochman, of York, preached the morning sermon ; Rev. Schneck preached in the evening ; Rev. Calder, appointed missionary to China, also preached in the evening, and Rev. Hiester on Monday evening. Rev. C. F. Stoever continued to serve as pastor of this church until about Septem- ber 1, 1852, serving it in connection with churches at Sandy Hollow, Wenrich's (near Linglestown) and Shoop's church. Rev. C. Nitterauer succeeded him, but remained only about a year. He was followed by Rev. Geo. J. Martz, who served until the latter part of 1867 or the beginning of 1868.
In September, 1867, this congregation severed its connection with the Synod of Pennsylvania, and was received by the Synod of East Pennsylvania at its convention in Pottsville. Rev. Martz was followed as pastor by Rev. H. D. Kutz in 1868, who resigned October 24, 1869. The connection of this church with the other churches-Wenrich's, Sandy Hollow and Shoop's-terminated with Rev. Kutz's pastorate. Rev. D. P. Rosenmiller then became pastor, and served until his death, September 25, 1880. Follow- ing Rev. Rosenmiller, Rev. H. A. Letterman became pastor in
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October, 1882. He was the first minister who resided in Dauphin as pastor of the Lutheran church. He served a few years, but the burden of supporting a pastor alone rested heavily on the church and led to some difficulties from which it has not yet rallied. Rev. M. L. Heisler came in June, 1886, and has served as reg- ular supply to the present time.
The original church edifice, erected in 1850, is still in a very good condition, and, owing to the present very gloomy industrial outlook of the town, will satisfy all demands for years to come. There has never been a parsonage attached to this church, and it may be added that it has never for any length of time indulged in any attachments of the kind that require legal interference for their dissolution. Whenever a debt was contracted, at once efforts were made to liquidate it by special subscription. For instance, the building after completion was soon cleared ; the property has been kept in good repair, and usually the money for repairs has been ready when needed or soon after repairs were completed.
No regular records of benevolent contributions appear, though a few notices of synodical collections averaging in the earlier days $7.00 0r $8.00. In 1868 Rev. McKnight visited the congregation in behalf of Pennsylvania College and collected $33.00. In 1878 the old bell was exchanged for a new one costing in position over $230.00, the difference being promptly paid. In 1880 the church was re-painted, carpeted, new blinds and lamps and fixtures put in, costing $241.16. In 1883 a new tin roof was put on, costing $162.50. In 1889 the church was papered, pulpit lowered, silver contribution plates procured, new blinds and new pulpit furniture at a cost of $ 76.26, and the Sunday-school room repaired and neatly carpeted, costing $60.co. These are given as evidences that the people have willingly paid to keep the house of God in good order.
The church has contributed regularly since 1886 to the various objects of benevolence of Synod. The amounts though small and scattered among various objects have always been freely given. The pastor's salary has averaged all through the years of its his- tory about $300.00.
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