USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of East Pennsylvania : with brief sketches of its congregations > Part 15
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The preaching has always been in the English language, with the exception of a German sermon at rare intervals. No German
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ยท Reformed pastor ever regularly served the German Reformed part. Several visits were made by different ministers of that church, but their efforts soon lapsed and the German Reformed interest was by tacit consent, or rather by default, merged into the Lutheran, though the deed of the church property is to the joint Lutheran and German Reformed congregations. Such persons in the community as have any special interest in the Reformed church by virtue of early training or preference are now, and have been for years, identified with the Presbyterian church of the town.
The church has no indebtedness, and the property is worth be- tween $2,000.00 and $3,000.00. It cost over $2,900.00, and by care and prompt repairs and improvements has maintained its value and could not be replaced for the amount of the original cost. Ex- penses are met by penny and special collections and by the efforts of the Ladies' Mite Society.
The Sabbath-school is small, and better furnished than the number of scholars would actually require. It has borne lately the bulk of the calls for objects of benevolence. Few church papers are taken. Several copies of the Missionary Fournal and about eight copies of the Lutheran Observer are circulated among the little handful of members still left.
The membership, by death and removals, is dwindling in num- ber, until the question of the survival of the church is assuming a perplexing interest. The membership now is about thirty-five, with a loss of seven within a month.
The industries of the place are dead. The young men are scattered all over the country in the bridge-building gangs of the various bridging firms of this and other states. The influences of such a life do not tend to lead these young men to take an active interest in the home churches, even when they are at home for a time. Yet the faithful still work on, hoping for a change to better things.
XXXIII. SECOND STREET CHURCH, COLUMBIA, LAN- CASTER COUNTY.
BY REV. WILLIS S. HINMAN.
The history of Lutheranism in Columbia dates from the year 1805, when Salem Lutheran (German) church was organized.
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The first English service was held in the German church on July . I, 1849, when Rev. J. H. Menges preached to five persons. English services continued to be held monthly in the German church until February 5, 1850, when an English organization was effected by a small but earnest band, and in the spring of the same year the corner-stone of a new English Lutheran church was laid on the site of the present edifice. Rev. J. H. Menges con- tinued as the pastor.
In 1859 the congregation withdrew from the Pennsylvania Synod and united with the East Pennsylvania Synod. At that time there were nearly 200 members, and a Sunday-school of about 400 scholars. In the following year Rev. J. H. Menges resigned, and from April 1, 1860, to the present time the church has been served by the following pastors : 1860-1863, Rev. E. Dorsey ; 1863-1865, Rev. C. Reimensnyder ; 1865-1870, Rev. W. H. Steck ; 1870-1874, Rev. G. M. Rhodes ; 1875-1877, Rev. I. C. Burke ; 1877-1881, Rev. F. W. Staley ; 1881-1888, Rev. W. P. Evans. The present pastor, Rev. Willis S. Hinman, began his duties June 10, 1888.
The church's history during this period has been a varied one, with alternating lights and shadows. In 1875, during the pastor- ate of Rev. I. C. Burke, the church was enlarged and improved at a cost of $10,000.00, one-half of which amount was unprovided for, and remained for many years a heavy burden to the congre- gation.
It was doubtless out of this financial trouble and circumstances connected with it, that differences arose in the congregation which culminated in a disruption in the spring of 1881, when nearly half of the members withdrew, including several of the church council, and organized a new congregation under the pastoral care of Rev. Samuel Yingling. The pastor of the old congregation, Rev. F. W. Staley, also resigned at the same time. After its organization the new congregation, being refused membership in the East Pennsylvania Synod, applied to the Pennsylvania Synod (General Council) and was received into that body, in which connection it still remains.
The old congregation, left with only about 150 members, and a Sunday-school of only about 125, and burdened with a debt of
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nearly $6,000.00, though discouraged was not disheartened, and with a band of determined and faithful people took up the work with vigor and hope. A new pastor, Rev. W. P. Evans, was called at once, who proved an earnest and efficient leader of the re-organ- ized forces. During his pastorate the heavy debt was finally can- celed on March 18, 1887. A special jubilee service was held, at which several addresses were made by local and visiting clergy- men, and the canceled bonds and mortgages were publicly burned. The congregation now numbered 225 members, and the Sunday- day-school 300.
During the period spent in raising the debt nothing had been done to the church building, and it was now very much in need of repairs. After about a year's rest, during which time Rev. W. P. Evans had resigned, and the present pastor, Rev. Willis S. Hinman, had succeeded him, the needed work was undertaken, and completed at a cost of about $1,500.00, all of which was paid on completion of the work. The congregation had never had a parsonage, and in the summer of the following year, 1889, a handsome brick parsonage was erected on a lot owned by the congregation, adjoining the church, at an expense of nearly $4,000.00. In the fall of 1892 the lecture-room of the church was re-modeled at an expenditure of $1,200.00, and was re-dedicated November 20th, 1892.
During the struggle for the liquidation of the debt and the work of repairing and building, there was no diminution in the contri- butions for the support of the church. On the contrary, the salaries of the servants of the congregation have several times been increased, and the offerings for synodical and other benevo- lent objects have constantly increased from year to year. Indeed, the record of this congregation, especially since 1881, is one of which the church may well be proud. The membership has grown to 280, and, in addition to the services held in the church, a Sunday-school of about 80 members is maintained in the chapel at Kinderhook, about two miles from town, by some members of the congregation who live in that vicinity.
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XXXIV. PALMYRA CHARGE, LEBANON COUNTY-PAL- MYRA AND BELLEGROVE.
BY REV. D. R. BECKER.
I. CHRIST CHURCH, BELLEGROVE.
The church at this place was erected in 1850, under the admin- istration of Rev. A. C. Wedekind. It is beautifully located and well-built. The congregation, which now numbers 125, has been served by the pastors of various neighboring charges. Rev. J. M. Deitzler served for about a year in 1856. Rev. Christian A. Fetzer was pastor from 1860 to 1863, and Rev. J. M. Deitzler from 1865 to 1892, when the congregation was united with the re- cently organized church at Palmyra to form the Palmyra charge. Rev. D. R. Becker was then called, and entered upon labor in the united pastorate September 18, 1892.
2. ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, PALMYRA.
This congregation, composed of members formerly belonging to surrounding General Council and General Synod churches, was regularly organized June 19, 1890. The following persons con- stituted the inchoate organization : John Bordner, Martin Early and wife, Sarah, Dr. M. R. Fisher and wife, Marion C., Amos Henning, John Hipple, Hannah Horstich, Sarah Horst, D. B. Leslie and wife, Mary, with daughters, Alice C., and Anna L., John A. Ricker and wife, Malinda, Henry U. Seltzer and wife, Anna, John R. Seltzer, Jacob Snoke, C. F. Zimmerman and wife, Lizzie, and Levi Zimmerman.
The first Church Council of this congregation was duly in- stalled by Rev. M. H. Stine, of Lebanon. It consisted of John Bordner, Martin Early, and Dr. M. R. Fisher, trustees ; John A. Ricker and Amos Henning (secretary), deacons, and Henry U. Seltzer and Jacob Snoke, elders. D. B. Leslie was the acting chairman. The congregation was received into the East Penn- sylvania Synod September 19, 1890, while in convention at Co- lumbia. From the time of organization until fall the congrega- gation worshiped fortnightly in the Academy, paying a rental fee of one dollar and fifty cents for each service. During the winter
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they worshiped in the United Brethren church, paying the same fee. In the spring of 1891 they returned to the Academy, and there, April 26, organized a Sabbath-school with a membership of twenty-eight. Dr. Fisher was elected superintendent.
The convention of the Lebanon Conference in the Academy, April 20-22, 1891, gave recognition, stability, and manifest im- petus to the newly-formed congregation. The trustees, together with Jacob Snoke and Levi Zimmerman, constituted the Building Committee. They chose as their treasurer Simon L. Gingrich. The auspicious outlook for the incipient congregation prompted the committee to look for, as well as secure, an appropriate lot on which to erect a house of worship. In this they were not un- successful, for on the 8th of July, 1890, they procured from Peter B. Witmer, for the sum of six hundred dollars, a suitable and de- sirable site. The work of excavation and foundation was begun in the fall, but discontinued during the winter. In early spring it was resumed, and May 27, 1891, the corner-stone was laid. The officiating clergy were Revs. W. H. Lewars and W. H. Dun- bar. Henceforth the work progressed steadily until May 29, 1892, when the neat, substantial stone structure was dedicated to the service of God. The acting pastor, Rev. W. H. Lewars, was assisted by Revs. M. H. Stine, J. M. Deitzler, W. H. Dunbar and R. W. Hufford, D. D., President of Synod, who preached the dedicatory sermon.
The success and steady growth of this congregation is due in great measure to the energy and tact of their acting pastor, Rev. W. H. Lewars, of Annville, in honor of whom the members pro- cured and placed in commanding position a memorial window as a token of great respect and high appreciation.
The present incumbent received an invitation to preach for both the Bellegrove congregation and the Palmyra congregation, July 10, 1892. The two Church Councils mutually agreed, July 18, to accept the recommendation of Synod, published 1891, and form one pastorate. They elected their present pastor Aug- ust 7. He accepted their call, and entered upon his ministerial duties in the Palmyra pastorate September 18, 1892. This pas- torate receives aid from the "Lutheran Missionary and Church Extension Society of the Lebanon Conference " to the amount of
.
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two hundred dollars. The membership of this congregation at this writing is thirty-three. As recently as November 17 a Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society was organized, with ten members. Existing circumstances and present outlook augur well for this congregation.
XXXV. RIEGELSVILLE CHARGE, BUCKS COUNTY .- - RIEGELSVILLE AND RAUBSVILLE.
BY REV. C. L. FLECK.
I. ST. PETER'S CHURCH, RIEGELSVILLE.
The history of the Riegelsville congregation, as an organization, dates from about 1851. Previous to this time, however, there was preaching in this locality by Lutheran and Reformed minis- ters in the school-house, which building was afterward constructed into a dwelling and is yet used as such. While there is no church record to this effect, it is the general testimony of those who can distinctly recall the events of that date, that there was preaching here in 1850 on Sunday afternoon, by Rev. J. McCron, who was at that time pastor of what was then called the "Straw church " (now St. James') in New Jersey. A private record gives the information that there was preaching as early as January 27, 1850, by Rev. Geo. Diehl, of Easton, and by Rev. McCron on March 24 of the same year.
From this and other intelligence given, it would seem fair to suppose that these brethren, both of whom are now " at rest," had a mutual understanding as to looking after the interests of the Lutheran church in this place. It was in this year that the Lu- theran and Reformed people of this vicinity joined hands and erected a church building, in which they were to worship alter- nately. The work was begun in April, and the church was dedi- cated January 1, 185 1.
Rev. McCron left no record of ministerial acts, but evidently he was interested in this people and in their new enterprise, for his name is engraved or moulded on the church bell. After the church was built he preached here from January to April, after which Rev. Diehl's services were rendered until July. It seems,
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however, that the latter served as a regular pastor, for the minutes speak of him as presiding over a meeting of the officers of the con- gregation, which assembled June 3, 1851, for the purpose of call- ing a pastor, which call they wished to have accepted " after the resignation of our present pastor, Rev. Geo. Diehl, shall go into effect ;" and baptisms are recorded and referred to as " adminis- tered by the former pastor, viz. : Rev. Geo. Diehl of Easton." At some time during this interval, an organization was effected, but there is no reference to the fact more than that a Constitution was adopted May 20, 1850.
The " Call," previously mentioned, was sent to Rev. J. R. Wil- lox, who had preached June 1, and was accepted. Rev. Willox labored in this field about ten years, with diligence and accepta- bility. He faithfully catechised the young and was accustomed to hold "protracted meetings." He preached at Finesville, Raubsville and Holland as outposts. Soon after entering upon his work here, he organized the Upper Tinicum congregation, where a church was built in 1852. This point was served in con- nection with Riegelsville until 1891. In 1856 a sore affliction befell his family, when in thirty-four days four of his children died from scarlet fever. Being the first regular pastor on this territory, the work was found difficult and discouraging ; nevertheless it was pursued with fidelity and hopefulness, and with much prayer and sacrifice he sowed the seed, that then and afterward brought forth an abundant harvest.
In October, 1861, Rev. C. L. Keedy was elected pastor, who served the charge one year. Rev. Nathan Jaeger was the next pastor chosen. He entered upon his duties in March, 1863. In November of the same year, whilst driving to Easton, he was thrown from his buggy, and fatally injured. He died January 2, 1864, aged forty-three years, and was buried in the cemetery at Riegelsville.
In May, 1864, Rev. Theophilus Heilig, of Stroudsburg, became pastor. His time of service was twelve years and four months. At some time during this period the present parsonage was bought for $3,200.00. It is a very desirable property, a pleasant home, and a most commendable monument to the efforts of those who shared in its purchase.
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In 1871, although the two congregations had been worship- ing together in comparative peace, there was a growing desire to separate ; consequently on January 20, 1872, at a congregational meeting, it was resolved to accept the offer of the sister denom- ination, and to purchase the right and title of the Reformed congregation in the church building and lot. The amount paid was $2,200.00.
Another important event in the history of this charge took place during this period. It was customary to elect a delegate to accompany the pastor to the annual meetings of the East Pennsylvania Synod; but on May 28, 1876, a delegate was elected to attend the Pennsylvania Ministerium, to assemble at Reading, June 10. This is the first and only mention of a dele- gate to this body. The minutes record no action of the congre- gation in effecting this synodical change, and that it was done contrary to their desire is shown by subsequent action ; for on November 12, after a four weeks' notice, the congregation as- sembled, and, by a vote of thirty-three to two, decided to "return to the East Pennsylvania Synod, where they formerly belonged."
Rev. Heilig resigned August 27, 1876, and Rev. D. T. Koser became his successor, April 1, 1877. He served the charge until May 1, 1887. These were years of faithful labor, and resulted in the general upbuilding of the charge in membership, in benev- olence, and in general efficiency.
In 1878 the church was repaired, principally the exterior, at a cost of about $1,300.00. This was the result of a congregational meeting, which took place on March 9, 1878, and was held to consider the question of repairing the old church or building a new one. Although there was a goodly number that favored the building of a new church, those who thought best to repair pre- vailed.
The church property was further increased in value, about this time, by the securing of a lot of ground near by, where quite a number of sheds have been erected by individual members, at their own expense, to afford protection to their teams in inclement weather. In 1861 the basement of the church was re-modeled at a considerable expense, being made much more cheerful and much better adapted to efficient Sabbath-school work. It was
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arranged so as to give the school the benefit of four different apartments.
It was during Rev. Koser's term of service that the Riegelsville congregation united with St. Paul's Lutheran church of Easton, and ran an excursion to Ocean Grove and Long Branch, which has been run annually up to this date, 1892.
In July, 1887, Rev. C. L. Fleck, of the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, became Rev. Koser's successor. The charge con- sisted of the same points as that served by former pastors. There was to be preaching at Riegelsville three successive Sundays in the month in the morning, at Upper Tinicum every fourth Sun- day, and at Raubsville every two weeks in the afternoon.
In view of the church needing some repairs, and because of a desire on the part of some to build a new church, a meeting was
ST. PETER'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, RIEGELSVILLE, PA.
called to consider the matter on December 1, 1888, almost ten years after the similar meeting above referred to. After carefully weighing the question, it was decided to build a new church. There was a little sentiment in favor of repairing the old church, but it was of such a yielding character, that it can be said with gratification that almost perfect unanimity prevailed throughout
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the entire time of building. The old church was torn down early in February, immediately after it was vacated. Work was begun on the new church early in spring, and the corner-stone was laid May 5, 1889. A sermon was preached by Rev. R. W. Hufford, of Easton, and remarks made by Rev. A. R. Steck, of Stewartsville, N. J. After vacating the old church, the congregation rented the G. A. R. Hall, which was destroyed by fire a few weeks after. The loss to the church was about $200.00, including organ, Sab- bath-school library, clock, etc. They then secured Mechanics' Hall, where they worshiped until January 5, 1890, when the lec- ture-room of the new church was finished. The church was de- dicated September, 1890. It cost over $12,000.00, besides the material used from the old church, and the voluntary assistance rendered by the members, in removing the old building, prepar- ing the foundation, and hauling the material, etc. The architect was Rev. A. K. Felton, of the Lutheran church. The indebted- ness is about $2,000.00.
When the congregation became settled in their new home, there was a desire manifest to have preaching every Sunday morning. Accordingly steps were taken to effect such an ar- rangement, and the Upper Tinicum congregation was requested to join with Nockamixon, which was then vacant, and form a new charge. The change was satisfactorily made, and took place in June, 1891, with the understanding that it should not affect the pastor's salary, which was then $700.00.
The Sunday-school is in a flourishing condition. Previous to building the first church, and while the two congregations wor- shiped together, it was a union school. It is now larger than both were then, and doing much more efficient work. For some years it has given a large proportion of its contributions to be- nevolence.
A W. H. & F. M. Society was organized in 1886 by Mrs. D. T. Koser, and has been doing a good work. It numbers about 50 active members and 6 honorary, and circulates at present 67 Missionary Journals. It has had co-operating with it, since 1888, a faithful little Mission Band.
In May, 1891, a Y. P. S. C. E. was organized. The young people are deeply interested in the movement, and it promises to
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leave telling effects for good. It numbers about 75 active and associate members.
Some twenty Lutheran Observers are taken in the congregation. But one member has studied for the ministry, viz. : Samuel T. Nicholas, who expects to graduate from the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, in May, 1893. The congregation is of substantial growth, and promises to have a future history fully as creditable as that thus far recorded.
2. ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, RAUBSVILLE (UHLERSVILLE).
The history of this congregation dates from January, 1854, al- though there was preaching in the school-house back of Raubsville by Rev. J. R. Willox for an indefinite period previous to that time. This point has always been served in connection with the Riegelsville church.
On the afternoon of January 21, 1854, a few members of the Lutheran church living in Uhlersville and vicinity met in Peter Uhler's school-house for the purpose of organizing themselves into an Evangelical Lutheran Church. The reason given was, that there was no church of their own faith near enough for them to attend, and that there was need of English preaching in the neighborhood. The new organization was to be connected with the General Synod Lutheran Church, and with the Riegelsville charge, which was served at that time by Rev. J. R. Willox. It was to be called the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Uhlersville.
Such an organization was effected, and on Sunday afternoon, January 22, "immediately after the services of public worship," they elected church officers-one elder and two deacons. These were regularly installed the following Sunday. This movement seems to have been entirely satisfactory to the Riegelsville con- gregation, for on March 19, 1854, a meeting of the Council was held, " at which a resolution was passed unanimously to receive the proposal of the Uhlersville congregation, viz., that they pay $125.00 salary, and receive preaching twice a month, once in the morning and once in the afternoon." Mention is made of the installation of church officers again in 1860, "the only change in the council since the church was organized."
There is no account of officers being elected after that, and no
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mention is made in the minutes of the Riegelsville church of the Uhlersville congregation as such after September 22, 1861, when Rev. C. L. Keedy was elected pastor of the charge. The two following pastors were called with the distinct understanding that they were to preach at Riegelsville "twice a month in the morn- ing," and in the afternoon of the same day " at such other place, or places, as the church council may direct." But while the organization, for some unknown reason, ceased to exist, there must have been preaching at this point regularly, for there is an unbroken record of ministerial acts performed by the different pastors.
The school-house, previously referred to, was used as a place of worship for over thirty years, but, it having become unfit for this purpose, it was decided, by those who were accustomed to worship here, to build a new church. This action was taken in January, 1887. The new building was to be located at Raubs- ville, as a more desirable site could be procured at that place. The corner-stone was laid on June 19, the former pastor, Rev. D. T. Koser, returning to officiate on that occasion. He was also present at the dedication of the church, January 22, 1888, at which time Rev. J. H. Menges, of Philadelphia, solicited contri- butions to meet the indebtedness. The cost of the church was $3,600.00.
A few years later, a bell was purchased at a cost of $190.00. When the bell was hung in the place designed and prepared for it when the church was building, it was found to be too low to sound well throughout the community. To obviate this it was decided by the congregation to build a steeple somewhat higher on the opposite corner of the church. This was completed and proved much more satisfactory. The cost of the improvement, and re-painting the exterior of the church, was over $500.00. A desire was now manifest on the part of the members to organ- ize themselves into a congregation, remaining however a part of the Riegelsville charge. For this purpose a committee was ap- pointed to meet the council at Riegelsville and request of them an honorable dismissal of the members in the vicinity of Raubs- ville, who desired to become members of the new organization. The request was granted, and the organization was effected, and
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