USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of East Pennsylvania : with brief sketches of its congregations > Part 19
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Rev. Luther DeYoe became pastor September 6, 1891, and still continues in this relation. January, 1892, about 100 mem- bers were honorably dismissed, at their own request, to organize the Augsburg Lutheran church. During the last year large num- bers have been added to the church. The membership now numbers over 700, and the Sunday-school enrolls over 900. The congregation is in a very prosperous condition.
The following are the various organizations at work in the church at present : Weekly Prayer meeting, Senior Christian En- deavor organization, Junior Christian Endeavor organization, Young Men's League, King's Daughters, Woman's Missionary Society, Young Ladies' Mission Band, Children's Missionary Society, Ladies' Mite Society, society for liquidation of debt, con- sisting of nearly 20 committees, and the usual senior and junior catechetical classes.
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XLVI. ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, STONE CHURCH POST OFFICE, NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.
BY REV. I. H. MCGANN.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Centreville, (Stone Church P. O.,) Pa., was informally organized February 2, 1860. A meet- ing was called to be held in the second story of an old school- house that stood in the centre of the village of Centreville. About forty men responded to the call, all of them nominally members of the German Reformed and Lutheran congregations, known as Christ's Church. This call was occasioned by the vigor- ous denunciation of the views held, services demanded, and methods of worship desired, by a respectable minority in each of the above-named denominations. After some preliminary dis- cussion, Reuben Schoch was elected president, and Jesse Pearson, secretary of the meeting. It was resolved that they unite in one body, to be called " New Measure Lutherans."
Samuel Hilliard moved that a church be built near Centreville. This motion was amended by Jacob Kunsman, to read that two churches be built, one at Richmond and another at Williamsburg, Pa. Notwithstanding the wisdom of the amendment, it was voted down, and the original motion carried unanimously.
George Baker moved that a committee of four be appointed to solicit funds for the erection of the proposed building. The president appointed John Schoch, Reuben Wagner, Theodore H. Ink, and Abraham Schmell.
On February 10, nine days after the first call, another meeting was held. The Committee on Finance reported $2,803.50 sub- scribed. Philip Pearson was the first to subscribe, and pledged himself for $100.00 ; Jacob Pearson and Joseph Emory followed with like sums. Then there was a deep silence, when the three persons named doubled their pledges. This gave a new impetus, and large subscriptions followed in rapid succession. The new church being an assured fact, specifications were presented, and Jacob Pearson and Joseph Stahley were appointed a building committee. The formal organization now took place. A church council of six elders and four deacons was elected and organized.
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The elders were Daniel Emory, Abraham Schmell, Reuben Schoch, Jesse Pearson, and Jacob Deiterich ; the deacons, John C. Pearson, William Jacoby, Ephraim Dutt, and Christian Brodt.
Rev. J. J. Albert, a former pastor of the First Lutheran congrega- tion, was consulted. He recommended Rev. John I. Burrrell, then a theological student at Gettysburg. The Council sent a commit- tee to confer with a similar organization at Martin's Creek, Pa. It was agreed that the organizations at Centreville and Martin's Creek would unite in one pastorate. An election was held in Joint Council April 14, 1860, and Rev. Burrell received a unani- mous call. The newly-elected pastor entered at once upon the arduous work before him with unflinching zeal.
The Church Council was convened June 18, 1860, and named the new organization, "St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church." Arrangements were made to lay the corner-stone July 4, and on November 10, 1860, St. Paul's, amid great rejoicing, was solemnly dedicated to the service of Almighty God. In the meanwhile the M. E. church was offered and used for preaching purposes. Ar- ticles of incorporation were granted March 28, 1861. A pro- tracted service followed immediately on the dedication of the church. A precious revival was the result, and on January 13, 1861, the Lord's Supper was administered to two hundred and twenty-eight persons. Special services were conducted in neigh- boring school-houses ; many were savingly converted and added to the growing congregation, and at the next communion season St. Paul's enrolled her largest number of members.
The outbreak of the Civil War became the occasion of difficulties and discouragements which seriously interrupted the progress of the congregation. The pastor tendered his resignation February 8, 1875, and accepted a call to Brooklyn, N. Y., where he died a few years afterward.
About this time St. Paul's withdrew from her former pastoral relation with Martin's Creek and Ackermanville congregations, and formed a separate pastorate. It continues so up to this time.
On September 20, 1875, the congregation extended a call to Rev. H. R. Fleck to become pastor of their now distracted field. Rev. Fleck's labors were eminently successful. He succeeded, in a large measure, in restoring peace and good will among the mem-
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bers, and many others were brought to a saving knowledge of the truth and added to the church. After six years of patient and devoted ministerial labor, he resigned the charge. During Rev. Fleck's pastorate, on January 30, 1876, the congregation changed its synodical relations from the New York and New Jersey Synod to the East Pennsylvania Synod.
Rev. P. S. Hooper was the next pastor, who remained with the people about eighteen months. He was followed by Rev. C. S. Trump, who entered the field January 31, 1883. During the spring and summer of 1883 the church edifice was re-modeled and the interior beautified. The church was re-opened August 5, 1883. Rev. Trump presented his resignation September 1, 1888, to take effect in thirty days.
The next pastor was Rev. J. T. Gladhill, who, owing to ill health, resigned August, 1891, having been pastor about two years and six months. He succeeded in bringing most of the young people of the congregation into church fellowship, and his work will tell for the future.
The present pastor, Rev. I. H. McGann, began his labors March 1, 1892. The congregation now numbers two hundred and twelve members. The people seem united and willing to work. There is a spirit of improvement and advancement mani- fest, and the congregation, during the vacancy of seven months before the present pastor was called, erected an iron fence facing the public road for a distance of 243 feet, re-papered the parsonage, laid stone walks, and made various other needed improvements.
St. Paul's has furnished to the ministerial ranks Rev. Ephraim Dutt, Rev. W. H. Dunbar, D. D., Rev. John Wagner, Rev. Jacob S. Paul, Rev. Charles B. Gruver. Mr. George Uhler is now a stu- dent at Gettysburg preparing for the ministry. George D. Stah- ley, M. D., Professor of Hygiene and Physical Culture in Penn- sylvania College, is one of her sons, as was also Mr. Alvin Schmell, a very promising young man, who died while a theological student at Gettysburg in 1890.
Material aid in the preparation of the above has been received from an excellent and detailed history of the congregation, written by Prof. B. F. Reasley, ex-Superintendent of Public Instruction in Northampton county, and read by him at a congregational jubilee held August 18, 1892.
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XLVII. LYONS CHARGE-LYONS, PLEASANTVILLE, MOHRSVILLE, AND STRAUSSTOWN, IN BERKS COUNTY ; MACUNGIE AND UPPER MIL- FORD, IN LEHIGH COUNTY.
BY REV. J. A. SINGMASTER.
The Lyons charge consists of six small congregations in Berks and Lehigh counties. The present church membership numbers 263, and the Sunday-schools, teachers and scholars, about 650. The German language is used at the regular services. In the Sunday-schools English predominates, and it is used also more or less frequently at special preaching services on Saturday and Sun- day evenings.
The charge was formed by Rev. A. D. Croll in 1868, and con- sisted of congregations then organized by him at Lyons, Macungie and Pleasantville, together with the Mohrsville Union church, es- tablished in 1864. Salem was at first only a preaching station, but formed a separate organization in 1872. Strausstown was not added to the charge until 1878.
The formation of this charge was the result of a great revival of religion during the ministry of the sainted Rev. A. D. Croll. In the year 1862 he became the pastor of six country congrega- tions, known as the Lobachsville, DeLong, St. Peter's, Hereford, Longswamp and Hill churches, located in Berks county, and ad- hering to the Synod of Pennsylvania. He exercised a wonderful spiritual influence throughout his large charge, in awakening, converting and edifying souls. For five years he continued the faithful and popular pastor of this large field. Calls to more in- viting and prominent churches did not induce him to leave his important work. He had, however, serious difficulties to contend with. None of the congregations held prayer-meetings, in which he so ardently believed. His methods began to arouse opposition on the part of some of his people, as well as from his clerical brethren.
In the meantime Pastor Croll found his connection with the Synod of Pennsylvania growing less congenial. Its well-known disapproval of " revivals," the comparatively rigid type of Luther-
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anism which it advocated, the cold formalism prevalent in many of its congregations, together with other reasons, induced Mr. Croll to withdraw from the old Synod in March, 1868. He im- mediately proceeded to gather his adherents into new organiza- tions, excepting at Mohrsville, where the entire congregation followed him. He was received, with his five congregations numbering 200 members, into the East Pennsylvania Synod in September, 1868. A period of great religious activity followed. During the succeeding six years, hundreds were converted and spirituality promoted in wide circles. Contributions grew phe- nomenally for that region. Besides supporting their pastor from the start without missionary aid, and building new churches, the offerings for the benevolent objects of the Synod amounted to $400.00 per annum. The power of the Holy Spirit was further manifested in the call of young men to the ministry. During the eight brief years of Mr. Croll's pastorate, three of these became pastors and two others had almost completed their preparation. Since then two more have entered the ministry, and another can- didate is preparing. Thus, in the twenty-five years of the history of the Lyons charge, it has rarely been without at least one can- didate for the ministry.
The tremendous labors of Mr. Croll soon broke down his frail body. With the words, "Is this dying? No, sweet living," upon his lips, he passed away June 19, 1876, aged 38 years. His death was a severe blow to his congregations, which had now increased in membership to 335. The protracted illness of Mr. Croll, fre- quent changes of pastors, long vacancies, the wide separation of the churches, and various other causes, have to some extent de- pleted the membership, but there is yet much pure "salt" there. The sketch of the charge will be amplified in the brief notes on the individual congregations here following.
I. ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, LYONS STATION.
This congregation was organized by Rev. A. D. Croll, in 1868, out of adherents who followed him from the De Long congrega- tion at Bowers. The corner-stone of the substantial two-story brick church was laid June 1, 1868. Mr. Croll's pastorate ex- tended from 1868-1876. Rev. W. I. Cutter and others supplied
1
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the charge until the former was elected pastor, in July, 1877. He was succeeded in February, 1878, by Rev. E. Daron, who resigned January 1, 1880. Rev. D. E. Reed was the next pastor, for less than a year. Rev. W. H. Lewars succeeded him, April 10, 1881, and resigned January 24, 1882. Rev. Wm. G. Mennig acted as supply for some months. On November 15, 1882, Rev. J. A. Singmaster took charge, and remained until April, 1885, when he resigned for the purpose of serving the Macungie charge, which had been formed by the withdrawal of Macungie and Salem from the Lyons charge and the addition of St. John's, Fogelsville. Rev. George W. Fritsch, who had been called to the ministry through the instrumentality of Rev. A. D. Croll, became pastor in the summer of 1885. After serving the charge about six years, he resigned in March, 1891. Since then the pulpit has been tem- porarily supplied by Rev. G. J. Martz, of Lebanon. Revs. W. R. Wieand, of Altoona, P. C. Croll, of Lebanon, and Morris F. Good, of the Theological Seminary, entered the ministry from this church.
2. ST. JOHN'S, PLEASANTVILLE.
The history of this congregation is much like that of the fore- going. It was organized under similar circumstances by Pastor Croll in 1868, with a small membership which withdrew from con- gregations in the vicinity. For ten years the congregation wor- shiped in a hall. Their neat brick church was built during the pastorate of Rev. E. Daron. It has had the same pastors as the church at Lyons Station.
3. ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH, MACUNGIE.
St. Matthew's church was organized in 1868 by about 100 peo- ple who separated from Solomon's Lutheran and Reformed church, under the leadership of Rev. A. D. Croll. In 1869 a brick church, seating about 400 people, and costing $6,500.00, was erected upon land donated by James Singmaster. The pas- tors have been the same as those of St. Paul's, Lyons. During the pastorate of Rev. J. A. Singmaster. this church, with Salem and Fogelsville, formed the Macungie charge for about a year and a half (April, 1885, to September, 1886). After his resignation it re-united with the Lyons charge, of which Rev. G. W. Fritsch was
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the pastor. During the pastorate of Rev. E. Daron a frame chapel was erected. This congregation has given to the ministry Rev. J. A. Singmaster, of Allentown, and Rev. O. C. Roth, of Baltimore. Another of its young men has recently consecrated himself to the same work. Since 1881 the church has sustained a flourishing Woman's Missionary Society.
4. SALEM CHURCH, UPPER MILFORD.
This church is situated about three miles south-east of Macun- gie. Its original membership separated in 1868 from a neighbor- ing church, called St. Peter's, whose history dates back to 1770. For four years Rev. A. D. Croll, whom they followed from the old church, preached occasionally in their houses and barns. Their names, however, were enrolled in St. Matthew's, Macungie. In 1872 they organized separately and built a comfortable stone church, with basement, seating about 250 people. It has always had the same pastors as Macungie.
5. UNION CHURCH, MOHRSVILLE.
The Union church of. Mohrsville, Berks county, Pa., was founded in 1864 by members of the Union church at Shoemakers- ville, from which they withdrew on account of dissatisfaction with the election of an " independent " pastor. Messrs. John Snyder, Isaac H. Mohr, Seth Zimmerman and Isaac K. Becker, were elected as a building committee and erected a brick church, thirty-six by forty-eight feet, with basement and gallery. The dedication took place May 7, 1865.
The Reformed held their first election for pastor in January, 1865, and chose Rev. Aaron Leinbach.
The Lutherans elected Rev. B. E. Kramlich in February, 1865. He resigned June 24, 1867. Rev. A. D. Croll was then elected pastor, being a member of the Synod of Pennsylvania. At his second appointment he announced that he could not accept a call, in view of his intention of changing his synodical relations by uniting with the East Pennsylvania Synod, unless the congre- gation would hold another election. He was again unanimously elected, and served the church with the greatest possible accept- ance until the time of his death in 1876. During the ministry of
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Rev. A. D. Croll, the church was connected with the Lyons charge.
After his death Rev. J. A. Singmaster, pastor at Schuylkill Haven, supplied the pulpit for about two years. Rev. E. Len- hart became pastor on July 9, 1878, and the congregation, by a re-districting of various charges, was assigned by Synod to the Womelsdorf charge, consisting of congregations at Womelsdorf, Strausstown, Mohrsville, Myerstown and Gosherts. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Philip C. Croll in 1879, whose pastorate ex- tended to December, 1882. · Rev. I. B. Crist took charge in Sep- tember, 1883, and labored until June 1, 1885. By a new ar- rangement, Mohrsville and Strausstown were now added to the Lyons charge, consisting of four churches. Rev. G. W. Fritsch became pastor in the summer of 1885, and terminated his pastor- ate April 1, 1891, since which time the pulpit has been supplied by neighboring pastors.
The church edifice was re-modeled in 1886 at a cost of $1,400.00, all of which was paid on or before the dedication. The improve- ments consisted in raising the floors, thus bringing the basement above ground, and in removing the side galleries. Since then, shedding has been erected to the rear of the church, and the cemetery improved. The introduction of new reversible seats into the Sunday-school room is now contemplated.
The membership numbers at present fifty-eight, and the Union Sunday-school over a hundred. On account of the frequent changes of pastors and the present vacancy, the membership has been somewhat depleted. This little congregation has alwa, s been very zealous in the work of the Lord. It has given one of its young men, Rev. Wm. H. Lewars, the present Secretary of the Synod, to the ministry of Christ.
6. ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, STRAUSSTOWN.
This congregation was organized by Rev. J. M. Deitzler, in 1861, with a few members who withdrew from Zion Union Luth- eran and Reformed Church. At a meeting held on July 15, Messrs. John Strauss, Jonathan G. Reber, Michael Miller, John Boltz, and Dr. W. J. Schoener, were appointed a building com- mittee. Within a week they had purchased a lot for the church
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and cemetery and begun building operations. The corner-stone of a frame church was laid in August. Suitable sermons were preached on this occasion by Revs. A. C. Wedekind, E. S. Henry, and J. M. Deitzler, the pastor. The church was finished and consecrated in November, Rev. P. Willard assisting the pastor in the services. During the following winter the membership in- creased to seventy by means of a great revival.
Rev. Uriel Graves succeeded Rev. Deitzler as pastor on April I, 1865. He resigned March 6, 1866. From this date to Nov. 15, 1868, when Rev. G. J. Martz became pastor, the church was dependent upon supplies. The charge consisted at this time of churches at Womelsdorf, Schaefferstown, and Strausstown. Rev. Martz continued pastor for about nine years. During 1877, Rev. W. I. Cutter supplied the pulpit. Rev. E. Lenhart became pas- tor July 9, 1878. Since then it has been served by the same pas- tors as Mohrsville.
XLVIII. MARTIN'S CREEK CHARGE, NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, LOWER MOUNT BETHEL AND ACKERMANVILLE.
BY REV. WM. HESSE.
I. TRINITY CHURCH, MARTIN'S CREEK (LOWER MT. BETHEL).
The Mt. Sion church of Lower Mount Bethel, was jointly con- trolled by Lutherans and German Reformed. It was built in the year 1837. Rev. Andreas Fuchs was the first pastor, serving un- til 1850. His preaching was all in German. He was succeeded by Rev. Mark Harpel, whose preaching was partly English and partly German. Rev. Jacob Albert entered upon the duties of pastor as successor of Mr. Harpel early in 1855, remaining un- til the fall of 1859. His preaching was mostly English, and of a spiritual character. Rev. J. I. Burrell was next chosen, under whose preaching a great awakening took place.
In 1864 a number of members, with the pastor, withdrew from the old church and organized a new congregation, electing the following as a Church Council :
Trustee : Abram Shimer. Elders : Christian Buzzard, George
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Racely, Joseph Engler, Charles Ziegenfuss, Robert G. Morris. Deacons : David Hinkle, Joseph Kiefer, William Snyder, John Riegel, Samuel Hile, Joseph K. Snyder.
The following were appointed as a Building Committee : Rev. J. I. Burrell, pastor, Drs. Asa K. Seem, Abram Shimer, Christian Buzzard, Joseph Kiefer, Jr., William Snyder.
The corner-stone of the new church was laid in. 1864, in the immediate vicinity of the old building, Rev. Luther Albert, of Germantown, Pa., preaching in the morning, Rev. R. A. Fink, of Lewisburg, in the evening, Rev. Duy, of New Germantown, N. J., officiating in the formal act of laying the corner-stone, and Rev. R. B. Forsman assisting in the services.
The consecration of the new building took place on Thursday, December 8, 1864, Rev. F. W. Conrad, D. D., of Chambersburg, preaching able sermons morning and evening. Rev. J. I. Bur- rell read the dedicatory service. A number of other ministers were present. The pastor and congregation belonged to the New Jersey Synod. At a joint council meeting of Upper and Lower Mount Bethel, held March 19, 1862, it had been agreed that Lower Mt. Bethel pay the sum of $500.00 toward building a parsonage at Centreville, Pa., which amount was to be refunded in case of a division of the charge.
On May 29, 1875, a joint congregational meeting was held, at which it was decided to divide the charge, and a committee was sent to Synod to secure its sanction of the division. The first congregational meeting of Trinity, after the division, was held July 31, 1875, for the purpose of electing a pastor. Rev. J. H. Leeser was chosen, during whose pastorate the synodical relation was changed from the New Jersey to the East Pennsylvania Synod, and a fine parsonage erected by the church. Rev. J. H. Leeser resigned, to take effect May 3, 1877. Rev. S. Stall re- ceived and accepted a call August 25, 1877, and took charge on the 28th of the same month. He resigned November 20, 1880, to take effect December 8 of the same year. Rev. F. W. Staley was chosen as pastor March 25, 1881, and entered upon his duties April 1. Rev. A. R. Glaze took charge October 1, 1885, and resigned May 26, 1889. Rev. William Hesse, the present pastor, entered upon his duties November 10, 1889.
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The present amount paid for support of pastor is $700.00 and parsonage ; from all sources $goc.oo. There is no indebtedness on either of the church buildings, and the Sabbath-school is in ex- cellent working order, with an enrollment of 152 scholars and 23 teachers and officers. Nine church papers are taken. Two young men are now entering school to prepare for the ministry, Mr. Herbert D. Shimer and Mr. John I. Burrell Hummer. One other young man, Daniel Hinkel, now teaching school, hopes also to prepare for the sacred office.
2. ZION'S CHURCH, ACKERMANVILLE.
The Zion's congregation of Ackermanville, Pa., was organized by Rev. J. I. Burrell in the year 1871. A church was built, jointly with the Evangelical Association, in the year 1872. This is a weak congregation. It was formerly connected with Cen- treville church, but has been connected with the Martin's Creek charge ever since the division of the Centreville charge, in 1875. The Sabbath-school is in excellent working order, and numbers about eighty, of whom we report forty to Synod. One young man of this congregation has entered the ministry, Rev. B. F. Kautz, of Millersburg, Pa.
XLIX. MESSIAH CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA.
BY REV. E. HUBER, D. D.
Messiah Lutheran church, Philadelphia, had its origin in a Sunday-school established December 18, 1859, by members of St. Matthew's Lutheran church, during the pastorship of Dr. E. W. Hutter. In honor of its first and devoted superintendent, C. Y. Barlow, it was named, "The Barlow Mission of St. Matthew's church." The school was carried on for six years before any de- cided steps could be taken toward organizing a congregation. After several preliminary meetings, a public meeting was held December 12, 1865, at Thirteenth and Oxford streets, at which it was determined to rent a hall on Broad street and to hold prayer-meetings regularly in the same. During January, 1866, the organization of the congregation was completed by the
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adoption of a constitution and the election of church officers. Under the name of " Messiah Lutheran Church," the congregation was admitted into the Synod of East Pennsylvania in the fall of 1866, Dr. Theophilus Stork, Sen., representing it at that meeting.
MESSIAH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA, PA.
Regular services were held for nearly a year by means of such supplies as could be procured, until November 1, 1866, when Dr. F. W. Conrad took charge of the congregation, thus becoming its first pastor. Under his ministrations the church grew rapidly in numbers and in influence, the main part of the present house of worship was erected, at the southwest corner of Sixteenth and Jefferson streets, and the services hitherto held in a hall near by were, in the early part of 1870, transferred to its Sunday-school
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