USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of East Pennsylvania : with brief sketches of its congregations > Part 16
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subsequently was admitted into East Pennsylvania Synod as a separate congregation.
There has been a Sunday-school faithfully conducted in the community for many years. Previous to the building of the church it was held in the school-house, sometimes called the "Uhlersville church." During these days it was a union school. But when they entered the new church it became denominational.
A W. H. & F. M. society was organized October, 1888, by Mrs. C. L. Fleck, which continues to be in a flourishing con- dition. There are twenty-eight members, and twenty-five Mis- sionary Journals are taken. There are in the congregation five subscribers to the Lutheran Observer. Although this congrega- tion is small, it is in a fair condition to be of great usefulness.
XXXVI. MINERSVILLE AND TREMONT CHARGE, SCHUYLKILL CO.
BY REV. J. C. TRAUGER.
I. ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH, MINERSVILLE.
The English Evangelical Lutheran congregation of Minersville was organized in 1851. The following-named brethren consti- tuted the first council : Elders : Daniel Hoch, Isaac Straub ; Deacons : Levi Deitrich, Joseph Weaver.
The members of the new organization withdrew from the Ger- man Lutheran church on account of a strong desire for English services, which were prohibited in the mother church. The con- gregation first worshiped in a small Baptist church on South street, then in what was known as " Odd Fellows' Hall," on the corner of South (East) and Sunbury streets. They were supplied with preaching services by Rev. Daniel Steck, the resident pastor of Pottsville English Lutheran church. During this time the present church building was erected and, in the autumn of 1853, dedicated to the Triune God. Daniel Hoch, Mrs. Hoch and Harriet Straub are the only members still living and in vital con- nection with the present congregation.
The first regular council meeting after the completion of the present church structure took place on November 20, 1853, and they decided to extend a call to Rev. J. K. Kast at a salary of
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$325.00. Rev. Kast accepted the call and became the first pas- tor that same year. His ministry with this infant organization lasted until 1855. The next pastor was Rev. Jacob Steck, who was called immediately after his predecessor's resignation, and re- mained until March 3, 1857. Rev. M. Sheeleigh was called August 3, 1857, and remained to July, 1859. His successor, Rev. E. A. Auld, entered upon his duties as pastor January 1, 1860, and served the congregation until about January 1, 1864. Rev. H. C. Shindle became his successor, receiving his call June 5, 1864, and labored in their midst until April 1, 1868. Rev. Chas. Fickinger fell in line September 1, 1869, and made a brief stay up to September, 1870. Rev. R. Weiser inaugurated his ministry here November 1, 1870, and continued until the end of his active service for the Master, May 28, 1872. During an interim here Rev. J. Q. McAtee, pastor of Pottsville English Lutheran church, supplied the pulpit every couple of weeks in the afternoon. Rev. J. B. Anthony was the next regular pastor, from June 1, 1874, to November 21, 1875. Rev. McAtee, of Pottsville, was now chosen as their officiating clergyman, serving to September, 1877. Rev. A. N. Warner, from September 29, 1878, when called, to May 26, 1879, and Rev. I. P. Neff, March 29, 1880, to December 1, 1881, complete the list of administrations up to the time when a union was effected with Tremont English Lutheran congregation. The formation of these two churches into a charge began under Rev. I. P. Neff. The first pastor called by the joint councils was Rev. Washington L. Heisler, and his ministry with this persevering con- gregation extends over a period of four years, from February II, 1883, until February 1, 1887. Rev. G. G. M. Brown took charge August 15, 1888, and remained a little over a year, up to Decem- ber 1, 1889. Rev. J. C. Trauger received his call in February 1890, took charge on July I of the same year, and is still labor- ing with these kind and liberal people.
The congregation has a membership of about 120, and an active membership of about 106. There are about 25 Lutheran Ob- servers taken and all use the Augsburg Lesson Helps in Sunday- school work.
2. ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, TREMONT.
St. John's English Evangelical Lutheran church of Tremont,
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Pa., dates back for its origin to the year 1853. The Lutheran congregation then organized by Rev. E. S. Henry, the resident pastor of Pine Grove, consisted of sixteen members, of whom only Mr. and Mrs. Zachariah Batdorff are at present in active membership.
The services were regularly conducted in both German and English. In the year 1855, the church edifice, in which the German Lutheran congregation still worships, was completed.
In the year 1861, the German part of the Lutheran congrega- tion organized themselves into a separate congregation and called a pastor. The English part did likewise, and took the name of St. John's English Evangelical Lutheran church of Tremont. Both congregations lived peaceably with each other and worshiped in the same building until 1866, when St. John's congregation sold their interest in the church which they held in part with the Presbyterians. They then bought the so-called " stone church," now the commodious place of worship of the St. John's English Lutheran congregation. This church building had been originally commenced (about 1848) as a union church, Lutheran and Re- formed, but, as the old Presbyterian church completed by the Lutherans before, so this stood in an unfinished state, awaiting Lutheran hands to complete the work. This church the St. John's congregation purchased and began to finish in 1866. An agreement was entered into with Z. Batdorff to complete its erec- tion, after which the congregation was to purchase the same.
The first council recorded, which held its first meeting Janu- ary 15, 1860, was composed of the following brethren, and held their first meeting January 15, 1860 :
Elders-Isaac H. Alter, William R. Reece ; deacons-Chris- tian Lawer, John E. Lehman ; trustees-John A. Seltzer, Jacob Gruber, Jr., Frederic Wolfe. In all probability there were coun- cils before, and many meetings, but the minutes have been destroyed or lost. The first pastor was Rev. S. Jesse Berlin. He was elected in December, and entered upon his duties Feb- ruary 1, 1867. During the ministry of this faithful brother the congregation was brought into regular connection with the East Pennsylvania Synod of the General Synod. Rev. Berlin, being in delicate health, was forced to resign October I, of the same
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year. He remained in Tremont until his decease, which occurred February 6, 1868, at the early age of thirty-seven years.
The church edifice was not completed until 1868, and was then deeply involved in debt. The consecration services were held January 1, 1869, Rev. F. W. Conrad, D. D., of Philadelphia, preaching the sermon, being assisted by Rev. E. S. Henry, of Pine Grove, and the pastor. The pastor during this time was Rev. Frederick Klinefelter, of Philadelphia. He took charge January 1, 1868, and resigned about January 1, 1872. Rev. Henry C. Grossman was extended a call from the congregation on March 2, 1873, and accepted. His labors extended over a period of three years, to March 2, 1876. Brother Grossman's successor was Rev. Henry L. Dox. He formally accepted May 31, 1876, and resigned October 26, 1878. During the interim which followed, Rev. G. J. Martz, of Lebanon, and Rev. I. P. Neff, of Minersville, supplied the congregation with preaching. On July 31, 1881, after services, Rev. I. P. Neff officiating, it was decided to an- nounce services every two weeks, provided it was agreeable to Minersville, where Rev. Neff was the pastor. This was the origin of the present union of the St. John's Lutheran congregation of Tremont with the English Lutheran of Minersville in a single charge. On December 1, in the same year, Mr. Neff removed to Shenandoah, leaving Tremont and Minersville congregations vacant. They now proceeded jointly to call a pastor. Rev. W. L. Heisler, who was thus elected, took up his abode in Tremont, February 1I, 1883, and served these earnest people until Feb- ruary 1, 1887. Rev. G. G. M. Brown, who was next called, took charge August 11, 1888, and worked for the building up of the charge with great energy and zeal until December 1, 1889. In February, 1890, the present pastor received the call to carry on the work, so faithfully begun and carried on hitherto. He has for two years and a half labored with pleasure and encouragement among this Christian people, both at Tremont and Minersville. The membership at Tremont at present is 89 members in good and regular standing. There are 20 Lutheran Observers taken in this congregation, and the Sunday-school is prosperous, using the Augsburg Lesson Helps.
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XXXVII. ZION CHURCH, LYKENS, DAUPHIN COUNTY.
BY REV. P. S. HOOPER.
The first minister who represented the Lutheran church in this vicinity was Rev. C. F. Stoever, who preached occasionally in Lykens and the neighboring town of Wiconisco. He was on the Berrysburg charge from 1845 to 1850. Rev. N. Jeager, the next pastor on the same charge, effected an organization of the congre- gation at Lykens and Wiconisco, remaining from 1850 to 1852. He was followed by Rev. J. Martin, who did not preach at either Lykens or Wiconisco-devoting his whole time to the work in the Berrysburg pastorate. This continued, however, only one year ; for on November 2, 1853, Rev. D. Sell took charge of the Berrysburg pastorate-and gave much of his time to this field. After consolidating the membership of the two towns-Lykens and Wiconisco-he proceeded to erect a house of worship in Ly- kens. This building was a substantial brick structure in which the congregation worshiped for about a generation. It was built in 1859. Mr. Sell remained the pastor until April 1, 1861. Rev. P. P. Lane next came in charge, on April 1, 1861, and re- mained one year-to April 1, 1862. The next was Rev. G. P. Weaver, who took charge April 1, 1862, and also remained only one year, resigning April 1, 1863. Rev. C. A. Fetzer entered the field and took up the work April 1, 1863. He served the charge until April 1, 1866. Next came Rev. M. Fernsler, who arrived on the Berrysburg charge December 2, 1866, remaining until April 1, 1871, at which time Lykens and Williamstown were made a sep- arate charge, afterwards called the "Lykens Charge," which was served by Rev. D. Kloss from April 1, 1871, to April 1, 1877. Rev. J. A. Wirt arrived and took charge June 1, 1877. He was succeeded May 15, 1883, by Rev. M. L. Heisler, after whom came Rev. W. H. Fishburn, June 1, 1886. Previous to the giving of the call to Mr. Fishburn, the partnership of the two congregations -Lykens and Williamstown-was dissolved, each place calling its own pastor. Mr. Fishburn remained in charge at Lykens eleven months, and was followed, July 10, 1887, by Rev. Herman F. Kroh, who remained at his post until August, 1889, when he resigned. Soon afterward a call was extended to Rev. Philip Stansbury
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Hooper, the present pastor, who entered upon his duties January 1, 1890. During his pastorship, the old church edifice, which had well served its generation, was torn down and the present modern structure, at a cost of about $10,000.00, was erected on its site, upon which there remains an indebtedness of about $2,000.00. A good parsonage adjoins the church lot.
Preaching was formerly in German and English. The attempt to dispense with the German occasioned at times no little dis- turbance, but the present pastor, who was known to be unable to preach German, was elected with only one dissenting voice.
ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, LYKENS, PA.
Since then, no German sermon has been preached, and there is no apparent demand for any.
There are four societies, Woman's Home and Foreign Mission- ary Society, Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, Junior Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, and Church Aid Society.
Sixty-eight copies of the Lutheran Observer are taken, six of the Lutheran World, four of the Lutheran Evangelist, and twenty of the Missionary Journal.
The Sunday-school numbers about 300-with no history known to the present pastor of great value to posterity.
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XXXVIII. FIRST CHURCH, STEWARTSVILLE, N. J.
BY REV. WM. E. FRY.
Stewartsville Lutheran congregation was organized in the year 1852. Rev. James McCron, then pastor of St. James' church of Phillipsburg, N. J., deserves credit for encouraging some of his own members, who lived in the vicinity of Stewartsville, to form a sep- arate organization and build a church. He, and afterwards his successor, Rev. John Plitt, preached once in two weeks in the Stewartsville school-house, and the Presbyterian minister from Greenwich church supplied the intervening Sundays. Rev. Dr. Reynolds, of Easton, preached occasionally. The church was built after the Presbyterians had completed theirs, but before the organization of the Lutheran congregation. On August 28, 1852, at a meeting held in the church building at Stewartsville, the or- ganization of the congregation was effected with the assistance of Rev. Plitt, chairman, who, with Philip E. Weller and John Kase, was appointed upon a committee to draft a constitution, which was immediately presented and unanimously adopted. The following were elected : elders, John Fulmer, John Kase, Philip E. Weller ; deacons, George H. Weller, William S. Kase, Isaac Zellers, Charles R. Thompson. September 25, 1852, a meeting of the congregation was held to elect trustees, "for the purpose of being legally incorporated." The following were elected : John Fulmer, Jr., Thomas Thatcher, John Fritz, Matthias Pickle, George Scott, William Hulshizer, Henry Snyder, Jr.
Rev. D. M. Henkel, the first pastor, took charge April 8, 1855. On Sunday, June 17, he administered the Lord's Supper to fifty- two persons, and on the same day began the Church Record. The pastor was called for one year, and at the end of that time another call was extended to him for the succeeding year, so that at the end of each year the " call" was renewed.
The pastor was required to preach two sermons every Sunday, one every Sunday forenoon, and one every two weeks on Sunday evening during the winter in the church at Stewartsville, and at stated times at different stations within bounds stated by church council. The salary was $400.00 without parsonage. Rev. Henkel
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relinquished his charge May 30, 1859, and was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Barclay, September 1, 1859, who received a salary of $550.00 with parsonage. About this time a parsonage was pro- cured through the efforts of the committee appointed, Matthias Pickle, Alva Kase, Chas. R. Thompson, Enos Mangle, for the sum of $700.00, not including the cost of the building of the stable. The congregation took part in the formation of a synod in the State of New Jersey, and at a meeting of the church council, October 2, 1859, sent as delegates Rev. Barclay and George H. Weller.
The resignation of Rev. Barclay took effect November 1, 1863, and the pastorate of Rev. Matthias Sheeleigh began June, 1864. December 18, 1864, Wm. Kase, chairman of a committee, re- ported to the Joint Council that there was not room enough to put such additions to the parsonage as were needed to make it a convenient size. The old parsonage was accordingly abandoned and a new one built at the cost of $4,000.00. Rev. Sheeleigh re- signed his position as pastor April 27, 1869. He was succeeded by Rev. J. R. Sikes, who took charge November 1, 1869, at a sal- ary of $700.00 with parsonage and donation the first year, and $800.00 with parsonage and a subscription amounting to about $50.00 the second year. The pew rents were increased twenty- five per cent. The new edition of the hymn-book was for the first time used. Rev. J. R. Sikes vacated the charge September 8, 1872. The next pastor, Rev. P. Rizer, of Hummelstown, Pa., received a unanimous call at a salary of $700.00 and parsonage. The church at his coming in 1873 belonged to the New York and New Jersey Synod, but to the East Pennsylvania Synod before his leaving. He relinquished his pastorate May 17, 1877.
Rev. William Kelly assumed charge -October 1, 1877. The church was then warmed with stoves, but very soon furnaces were substituted. A modern pulpit took the place of the old-time " swallow " pulpit. The great square posts which supported the galleries were replaced by iron columns. Another aisle was added. A centre chandelier was put in by Mr. Howard Melick and wife, as a memorial to Mr. William Kase. The melodeon was removed and a pipe organ put in its place. The floor was newly carpeted. The heavy wooden pillars which supported the
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basement were superseded by iron ones. The walls of the church were painted. The shed for horses in the churchyard was put up, and trees now growing round the church were planted. The parsonage was painted inside and outside. A debt of nearly $300.00 was paid off. Rev. Kelly organized the Mite Society, which assisted in improving the financial condition of the church. He succeeded in interesting the congregation in the work of the Synod, and raised as apportionment money dur- ing the second half of his ministry about $75.00 per year. The Church Record shows 70 new members, 55 baptisms, 22 mar- riages, 55 burials. His successful pastorate ended March 1, 1884.
Rev. L. H. Geschwind assumed charge June 1, 1884. Septem- ber 20, 1884, at the semi-annual meeting of the congregation, the collectors were ordered to pay over all salary collected to the secretary, who should pay the same to the treasurer. At the semi-annual meeting April 4, 1885, it was decided that hereafter the church building shall not be used for any purposes but those for which it may be required by the congregation itself, except with the consent of two-thirds of the Joint Council given at a meeting formally called. A new Sunday-school library was fur- nished. In the Church Record the following was entered : new members 9, baptisms 14, marriages 5, burials 5. Rev. L. H. Geschwind vacated his pastorate November, 1885.
Rev. A. R. Steck assumed charge July 4, 1886, and relinquished it July 1, 1891. During this pastorate a number of improvements were made. A pulpit recess was built by Mr. Howard Melick and wife, and the pulpit was re-furnished by Mrs. Catharine Kase. The church was re-painted and frescoed. Mr. John H. Kase put in a beautiful stained-glass window as a memorial to his father, John Kase, and his brother William. Mrs. Samuel Carhart presented the church with a baptismal font. A more systematic method of giving was introduced. For the first time the Sunday offering was received both morning and evening. Envelopes were sent out quarterly for the raising of the synodical apportionment, which was gradually increased from $75.00 to $190.00 The Church Record has the following entered upon it : new members 87, bap- tisms 55, marriages 11, burials 43.
Rev. W. E. Fry assumed pastoral duties August 16, 1891, at
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the salary received by the two former pastors, $700.00 and parson- age. The following improvements were made : a new platform built for the choir ; the walk in front of the church and around it paved with stone, through the efforts of the King's Daughters ; the parsonage painted outside by the congregation, and partly papered and painted insi le by the Woman's Missionary Society. The Church Record is as follows : new members 18, baptisms 10, marriages 7, burials 18.
The following are the societies of the church : the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society, organized by Mrs. Susan Steck in 1887; the Children's Mission Band, which in 1892 erected in Africa a chapel costing $50.00 ; the King's Daughters, organized by Miss Bertha Melick. All of these societies were organized during the pastorate of Rev. A. R. Steck. The Young People's Christian Endeavor Society, senior and junior Bands, were organized under the present pastorate.
The church has proved itself loyal to the East Pennsylvania Synod, to which it has belonged since the pastorate of Rev. P. Rizer, and has done well in meeting its apportionment, which for the past year was $204.25. The membership is 189. The Sun- day-school numbers 90, teachers and scholars. There are two prayer-meetings, held on Wednesday evening and Sunday evening before service. During the past eighteen years there have been union services with the Presbyterian church on Sunday evening- services held alternately in each church. There are two preaching points, New Village and Good Springs, each of which is supplied by the Presbyterian pastor at Stewartsville, the Methodist pastor at Broadway, and the Lutheran pastor at Stewartsville. There is preaching by the Lutheran pastor at each point once in four weeks. Services are held every Sunday morning in the Lutheran church at Stewartsville. Value of church property, $10,000.00. Indebtedness on graveyard, $150.00. The Joint Council is com- posed of the following members : elders, Daniel Bloom, Abraham Hance ; deacons, Isaac Shipman, Samuel Scott, Robert Hance, Howard Melick, John H. Hulshizer ; trustees, C. R. Thompson, Robert Stone, John Smith, George Dutt, George Carhart, John Lomping, Maurice McFerren ; secretary of church and council, Henry L. Frey ; treasurer, Howard Melick.
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XXXIX. ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, LANCASTER.
BY REV. B. F. ALLEMAN, D. D.
The earliest history of Lutheranism in Lancaster is preserved in the records of Trinity church. The pastors of this venerable congregation, up to the time of the establishment of St. John's, were the following ; John Caspar Stoever, 1736-1740 ; John Fred- erick Handschuh, 1748-1751; John Siegfried Gerock, 1753- 1767 ; Justus H. C. Helmuth, 1769-1780 ; G. Henry Ernst Mühl- enberg, 1780-1815 ; Christian F. Endress, 1815-1827 ; John C. Baker, 1828-1853.
The organization of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church was partly the outgrowth of a Sabbath-school established in the western section of the city, in the spring of 1852, by a number of the younger members of Trinity Lutheran church.
The school opened with twenty-two scholars, under the super- intendence of Mr. J. S. Crumbaugh, a graduate of Pennsylvania College, and at that time principal of the Lancaster High School, and student of theology with Dr. Baker.
The size of Trinity congregation, the inability to furnish com- fortable sittings for all its members at the public worship, the de- sire to develop Lutheran interests in growing parts of the city, and other considerations, led to the agitation at different times of the organization of another Lutheran congregation.
The first meeting for this purpose of which we have record was held April 2, 1853, when those present resolved to constitute themselves a nucleus for such an enterprise, and, to give perma- nency to their action, at once elected officers, who were to serve for six months or until a more complete organization might be effected.
On the 18th of May following, one committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws, and another to solicit funds for the erection of a church edifice. On June 15, on motion of Mr. G. M. Zahm, the new organization unanimously adopted the name of " St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church."
By this time Mr. Crumbaugh had been licensed to preach the gospel by the Pennsylvania Synod, and, as he had already en-
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deared himself to those interested in this new enterprise, he was chosen as their pastor, and at once entered upon his labors.
The work of erecting a house of worship was vigorously pushed forward, with Messrs. John F. Shroder, Henry Baumgardner and G. M. Zahm as the Building Committee. The site chosen was the one still occupied by the congregation, at the corner of Orange and Arch streets. The first worship was held in Fulton Hall, and afterwards, until the completion of the lecture-room, by courtesy of the Moravian congregation in their church edifice.
The corner-stone of the new building was laid with impressive ceremonies October 9, 1853, Revs. B. Kurtz, D. D., G. F. Krotel and H. Harbaugh, D. D., officiating.
On March 5, 1854, the lecture-room was opened for service, Rev. G. F. Krotel preaching the sermon, and on December 24, 1854, the entire building, having been completed, was solemnly dedicated to the worship of God. On this occasion the pastor was assisted by Revs. F. W. Conrad and B. Sadtler.
The new structure cost about $20,000.00, and was considered one of the finest places of worship in the city. Thus equipped with a church home, this devout and energetic pastor and his little flock, with limited resources and considerable opposition, entered upon a series of heroic struggles for permanent existence and usefulness. Hitherto the congregation had been in connection with the Pennsylvania Synod, but at a meeting held May 29, 1855, it was resolved that application be made for an honorable dismission, with the view of seeking more congenial synodical re- lations.
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