USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of East Pennsylvania : with brief sketches of its congregations > Part 20
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room. After serving the congregation for a term of six years, Dr. Conrad resigned the pastorship of the church, and was succeeded in December, 1872, by Rev. J. R. Dimm.
In consequence of reverses in business among some of the members, the congregation had become severely crippled in its financial affairs, and, unable to meet its obligations, was in danger of losing its church property-a bill of sale having, in fact, been fastened upon its walls by the sheriff of the city. From this mis- fortune the church was happily saved by the indefatigable efforts of the pastor and Mr. Christian A. Snyder, the treasurer of the congregation, who, during the short time allowed them, raised $4,000.00, the sum required to redeem the property.
After serving the congregation for nearly two years Rev. Dimm resigned July 1, 1874, and was some time after succeeded by Dr. Joel Swartz, who remained pastor of the church till called to Zion's church of Harrisburg. After a considerable interval Rev. Eli Huber, of Nebraska City, was elected to succeed Dr. Swartz, and entered upon his duties in the congregation the first Sunday of March, 1876.
About two years later the work of finishing the church building was begun, and brought to completion in April, 1879. The fol- lowing constituted the Church Council at the time : Henry S. Boner, William Boyer, Henry Boyer, V. L. Conrad, J. B. Down- ing, W. H. Fry, A. Hartranft, H. S. Jones, J. T. Monroe, C. A. Snyder, Henry Wile, and John Wiseman.
The expense incurred in the finishing of the church was about $23,000.00, and, as there was a previous indebtedness of over $8,000.00, upwards of $31,000.00 had to be made up by the con- gregation. Over half of this amount was secured by subscrip- tions and collections, and by the sale of certain lots, and the bal- ance of $15,000.00, was borrowed on mortgage, individual mem- bers of the council making themselves responsible for the pay. ment of the interest. By the aid of the Ladies' Sinking Fund Society the interest has been regularly paid, and by successive annual collections of about $1,000.00 each, the sum borrowed has been gradually reduced to about $5,000.00. The church build- ing thus secured cost about $63,000.00 in all-and is a beautiful, commodious and well-finished structure.
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The present membership of the congregation is about 315 ; the number of scholars in the Sunday-school nearly the same.
The Messiah church also contributed very freely toward the erection of the new building of Pennsylvania College, at Gettys- burg, the sum given being nearly $6,000.00. A memorial window by the Sunday-school, a fine clock in the tower, and the endow- ment of the professorship of English Bible, are abiding testi- monials at Pennsylvania College to the liberality of this congre- gation. The whole amount thus secured for Gettysburg out of the congregation is not far from $35,000.00.
The pastor of the church, having been elected to fill the pro- fessorship thus endowed, resigned the congregation, and preached his farewell sermon the first Sunday in September, 1892, exactly sixteen years and six months after preaching his introductory sermon.
On the first Sunday in December of the same year, the work thus laid down was taken up by Rev. Milton H. Valentine, of Bedford, Pa., who is the present pastor. That the blessing of God may abide upon this congregation unto the end, is the hope and prayer of the writer of this sketch.
L. ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, MAHANOY CITY, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
BY REV. I. P. ZIMMERMAN.
Until 1867 but one Lutheran congregation had an existence in Mahanoy City, and that was composed largely of foreign and Pennsylvania Germans. In the winter of 1866 and 1867 the pastor, Rev. I. C. Burkholder (now Burke), conducted a series of revival meetings, upon which God's blessing rested in a special manner, resulting in the conversion of one hundred and thirty souls. This, to many a new measure, in connection with some other trouble existing in the congregation, resulted in a division of its members, and the establishment of a second Lutheran church in Mahanoy City, with the Rev. I. C. Burkholder as pastor. Ac- cordingly, on August 7, 1867, a new organization was effected, seventy-nine members signing the constitution, under the name
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of "St. John's English Evangelical Lutheran church of the Gen- eral Synod."
This new organization at once went to work to secure lots and build for themselves a church. In the meantime they continued to worship in the old church to which they formerly belonged. The lots were secured from the Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron Company, the congregation paying six hundred ($600.00) dollars for one lot and the company donating the other. In the same year the congregation reared upon these lots a frame struc- ture for a church, at a cost, when completed, of $4,500.00. Rev. I. C. Burkholder remained pastor of the congregation until April, 1869, when he resigned. During the two years of his pastorate of the new congregation, several protracted efforts were held, and by this means and catechisation forty-three more members were added.
A vacancy now occurred, continuing until October, 1869, when Rev. Reuben Weiser became the pastor. He remained in that position until January, 1871. During Rev. Weiser's pastor- ate a few German sermons were preached, which was about all the preaching in that language the congregation ever had.
In February, 1871, a call was extended to Rev. D. Beckner, of Antes Fort, Pa., which was accepted, and he entered upon his duties as pastor March 13, 1871.
In the summer of 1872 the church was papered and re-painted. In the fall of 1873 a parsonage was built on the same lot upon which the church now stands. The following year, 1874, the church was carpeted, and gas introduced.
Rev. D. Beckner resigned May 1, 1875. During the few months' vacancy which followed, the Sunday-school conducted an excursion to Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, and netted $656.00, which was appropriated to the local indebtedness, and Sunday- school library.
On October 1, 1875, Rev. J. M. Steck took charge as pas- tor. The congregation, though having advanced greatly in tem- poral affairs, had not gained much in membership, as Rev. Steck reports an enrollment of seventy-seven on taking charge, and a Sunday-school of ninety, mostly little children. When he re- signed, March 1, 1880, he reports 127 members of the congre-
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gation, and the highest number present at any time in Sunday- school, 264.
During this pastorate, in 1879, the church was enlarged by the building of a brick front twenty by forty-two feet. New pews were placed in the auditorium, walls papered, floor re-carpeted, new pulpit furniture secured, and heaters placed in the cellar. The cost of the improvements was $2,900.00. Rev. H. Ziegler, D. D., preached the sermon at the laying of the corner-stone of the new front. Rev. W. W. Criley delivered the sermon at the re-dedication of the church as now enlarged and improved, Rev. John McCron, D. D., preaching in the evening.
While pastor of the congregation, Rev. Steck began preaching at Delano, Pa., and received fourteen persons into church fellow- ship, mostly married persons.
Mr. Newton H. Follmer, who subsequently prepared for the ministry and is now pastor of the Yeagertown charge, Mifflin co., Pa., was received as a member of the congregation in 1876.
Upon the resignation of Rev. J. M. Steck, a call was extended to Rev. J. W. Lake, who accepted and entered upon the field March 1, 1880. His pastorate, however, proved a very brief one, as his resignation was tendered and accepted June 1, 1881.
A vacancy of seven and a half months now occurred, when Rev. Wm. H. Lewars accepted a unanimous call tendered him January 15, 1882. A pastorate of four years and nine months was the result of this union, when, on October 15, 1886, Rev. Lewars severed his connection with the congregation.
During this pastorate a balance of indebtedness on the parson- age was paid.
A Literary Society was organized by Rev. Lewars, which still continues its semi-monthly meetings at the homes of a number of the members, and is aiding the congregation much financially and socially. The benevolence also exceeded that of former years.
After Rev. Lewars' resignation the congregation remained without a pastor until May Ist, 1887, when the Rev. J. R. Sample took charge, but remained only three months.
On September 1, 1887, Rev. I. P. Zimmerman, the present pastor, took charge. At this time the congregation numbered one hundred and twenty-eight members, but preaching at Delano,
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which had been discontinued, was soon resumed, and twenty- eight members re-enrolled, making a total of 156. The relation now formed proved a very pleasant one indeed. The first year, a large catechetical class was formed, which resulted in an acces- sion of sixty souls on Easter, 1888. The salary of the pastor was advanced from $700.00 to $750.00 the first year. In the summer of 1888 an addition of four rooms was built to the west end of the parsonage, and the home of the pastor supplied with bath-room, etc. At the same time the church was re-papered and painted, the cost of all the improvements to church and parsonage being about $1,700.00. The re-opening of the church took place on Oc- tober 14, 1888. The sermon was preached by Rev. J. A. Wirt, of Hughesville, Pa., and the money solicited by him more than cov- ' ered the indebtedness.
On January 1, 1888, a Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society was formed, and on February 29 of same year, a Young Ladies' Mission Band was organized, both of which are doing good work. The latter is educating a boy in India.
During the short pastorate of Rev. J. R. Sample, a Band of Hope was organized among the children, which was subsequently changed into a Loyal Temperance Legion, and has rendered good service, with a membership of over one hundred.
In the first year of the present pastorate the envelope system was introduced in raising money for benevolent purposes. This at once brought system into the work, and in five years the amount raised has increased from $166.62 to $579.48. In April, 1890, the church was re-carpeted. At a congregational meeting in May, 1890, the salary of the pastor was increased from $750.00 to $900.00.
In October, 1890, a Young People's Society of Christian En- deavor was organized with seventeen members, which has had a steady growth, numerically and spiritually, now numbering sixty members. This society is educating a young man in India.
On the suggestion of Mr. A. B. Wagner, Secretary of the church council, that body appointed at their meeting, the first Monday evening in September, 1891, a committee of eight, four ladies and four gentlemen, known as the Christian Helper Com- mittee, whose duty it shall be to look after the sick, poor, negli-
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gent and timid of the congregation, and make special effort for their encouragement. This committee has proved itself very help- ful to the pastor in church work.
In August, 1891, the pastor succeeded in influencing eight families to place as many memorial stained-glass windows in the auditorium.
On September 6, 1892, a Junior Society of Christian Endeavor was organized with twenty-seven members. The Sunday-school has been growing gradually, now numbering three hundred. The present membership of the congregation is three hundred in good standing. The salary paid at present is $900.00, parsonage, water rent, and fuel. The number of Lutheran Observers taken is fifty-eight ; the number of Lutheran Missionary Journals taken, ninety-two. The congregation is free of debt. The value of church property is $10,000.00.
The present year's benevolence is $549.48. One candidate is in preparation for the gospel ministry, Mr. Fred. R. Wagner hav- ing entered upon a course of study at Missionary Institute, Selins- grove, Pa., August 25, 1892.
LI. BETHANY CHURCH, MILLERSVILLE, LANCASTER COUNTY.
BY MR. HENRY BOWMAN.
The history of our General Synod Lutheran church in Millers- ville, Pa., begins with an unhappy division, which took place after the formation of the General Council in 1866: As a result, both parties were left numerically weak, and the work of the church materially crippled. At the time of the division Rev. J. R. Focht was pastor in charge, who, with a minority of the members, on January 22, 1867,
" Resolved, to remain in connection with the General Synod, believing that by so doing we can best promote the spiritual wel- fare of the congregation."
They were, in consequence, ejected from their church-home and compelled to organize and build for themselves. For a number of years the little band (about fifty) were subjected to the inconve- niences and disadvantages of worshiping in a hall. In the mean-
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time Rev. Focht resigned the charge, and Rev. J. Kaempfer was called, who commenced his labors as pastor June 1, 1868. He, however, remained only a short time, and the congregation was then supplied, until 1875, by Rev. B. C. Suesserott, then pastor of St. John's in Lancaster city. After his death the work was taken up by Rev. W. S. Porr, at that time pastor of St. Stephen's of Lancaster. Under his pastoral direction a neat brick church (thirty-five by fifty-five feet) was erected at a cost of about $3,000.00, and dedicated, free of debt, some time in the early part of 1877. Having once more a church home of their own, the congregation entered anew upon its mission among the churches. After a successful pastorate of about six years, Rev. Porr resigned October 1, 1880. The congregation again turned to the pastor of St. John's in Lancaster, and arranged with Rev. R. W. Hufford for their supply. This, however, was soon termi- nated by a call of the pastor to Easton, Pa. Synod now recom- mended a union of Millersville with the Neffsville congregation, and the two were served by a number of pastors. Rev. J. W. Eckert, from March 1, 1881, to about the close of 1882. Rev. F. Aurand entered the charge November 4, 1883, and remained less than one year. Then, in September, 1884, Rev. A. M. Whet- stone accepted a call, and remained until December 1, 1885. But the union of the two congregations never appeared very con- genial, and hence Neffsville refused to co-operate any longer, and applied to another pastorate for their supply. Synod, being very accommodating, passed the matter by, and left Millersville again unable to support a regular pastor. Having, however, the advan- tage of a State Normal School in the place, the congregation has not been long at any time without a regular supply. February II, 1887, Rev. J. W. Goodlin, then of York, Pa., accepted a unani- mous call from the congregation, and moved to Millersville. With this arrangement the people were happy, but only soon to be sadly disappointed, when in a little less than two years their beloved pastor received and accepted a call to Tyro, Ohio. For about six months following Rev. Herbert C. Alleman, then a the- ological student, supplied the congregation. In September, 1889, Rev. A. W. Lentz moved to Millersville, in order to take a needed rest. His services were soon secured, and he has continued with entire pastoral care until the date of this history.
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LII. GRACE CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA. BY REV. J. H. MAIN.
During the year 1867 Rev. P. Willard, Rev. F. Klinefelter and other ministers preached statedly for a short time to congregations which met in a hall on the north-west corner of Thirty-fifth and Haverford Streets, West Philadelphia. In February, 1868, Rev. S. A. Holman, under the auspices of a missionary society composed of members of St. Matthew's, St. Andrew's and Messiah churches, Philadelphia, commenced preaching in the above hall. Under his ministry twenty-one members of the Evangelical Lutheran church formed themselves into an organization, known as " Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church," on April 5, 1868. During his administration, in July, 1870, a lot on the southeast corner of Thirty-eighth and Mt. Vernon streets was taken on mortgage, and immediately the congregation, with about $300.00, which they had themselves contributed and received by collections, began to build a brick chapel. The corner-stone was laid in July, 1870, and the chapel consecrated November, 1870, at which latter date over $500.00 was raised. The entire cost of the chapel was $3,200.00. Contributions were solicited during the months of February and March, 1872, and sufficient was raised to pay off the entire re- maining indebtedness.
Services were held in the above-named chapel until November 9, 1873, when Rev. Holman relinquished the charge, and, with twenty of its members, who withdrew, formed another organiza- tion, known as "Calvary." The Sunday-school and week-day services were kept up by the members, and the pulpit supplied occasionally by ministers of the Lutheran and other churches.
The congregation remained in this condition for one year, when, at a meeting of the Philadelphia Conference held in the chapel November, 1874, Rev. P. Raby was appointed to supply the charge temporarily and report to the conference from time to time its condition and prospects. As this arrangement was of the nature of a supply for an indefinite period, and as Rev. Raby was in poor health, he reported the charge vacant and urged conference to provide a regular pastor.
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At a special meeting of Conference it was resolved unanimously to appropriate $400.00 for one year, with the expectation that the congregation would raise $200.00 more for support of a pastor. Brother Raby at the same time was appointed missionary for one year. He accepted, taking charge May 23, 1875. From the close of this term until the fall of 1877, the charge was without a regular pastor. The Sunday-school and prayer-meetings were kept up, with a minister occasionally filling the pulpit.
In the fall of 1877 the present church building at Thirty-fifth and Spring Garden streets was purchased from the Presby- terians by the Board of Church Extension, with a mortgage of $7,000.00, $3,000.00 being paid by the Board, who still hold the deed.
After a number of repairs on the building, the congregation called Rev. J. H. Menges as pastor, who accepted, entering upon the work in February, 1878. He served the congregation until July, 1891. Rev. J. H. Main, the present incumbent, preached a trial sermon September 6, 1891, was called in the same month, and entered upon the work of the charge October 25, 1891. May the blessing of Christ, the Head of the Church, abide with this people forever !
LIII. ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, EASTON .*
BY REV. R. W. HUFFORD, D. D.
One of the least edifying things ever seen, in this world of in- finite variety, is a church quarrel. It would be pleasant to be able to say that such a thing is unknown. The demands of truth, however, forbid such felicitous romancing. Not a few of the churches now doing good work had their origin in the throes of unseemly strife. The swarm went forth because of a disturbance within the hive.
* NOTE .- The first Lutheran pastor whose la bors are upon record in what is now the city of Easton was Rev. John Justus Jacob Berkinstock, 1740 to 1748. From the latter year until 1868, when St. Paul's was organized, the
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St. Paul's is a child of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church ; but when the child left the old home there was no marked display of parental and filial, tenderness. The trouble was, there were two parties in the mother church ; the one in sympathy with General Council Lutheranism, the other decidedly General Synod in its preferences. Christ Lutheran Church had belonged to the Synod of East Pennsylvania, and, thereby, to the General Synod, for many years. But in the ecclesiastical unrest of 1866 and 1867 a movement started, that finally took Christ Church into the General Council, and supplied the place thus left vacant by the organization and building of St. Paul's.
Considerable bitterness of feeling was engendered, and some things were said and done that no follower of the Master can re- call with pleasure. But time-"that makes all things even "- has done his kindly work, and the two churches and their pastors, though in different Synods, are on friendly terms to- day, and we trust that no cause of strife will ever again disturb them.
The first minute in the record-book of St. Paul's is dated April 17, 1868, and is as follows :
"A meeting of the members of the Lutheran Church was held this evening in the First Baptist Church. The meeting organized with the election of Mr. John Eyerman as Chairman, and C. E. Hecht, Secretary. Mr. Eyerman stated the object of the meet- ing to be to consult together as to our duty, in view of the dis- tracted condition of so many Lutheran families, and the with- drawal of other entire families from any Lutheran communion. He urged all who loved the Lutheran Church, to consider well whether it was not our duty to organize a third Lutheran congre- gation in Easton, in which all could unite."
original St. John's congregation was served by the following ministers : Revs. Henry Melchior Mühlenberg and John Nicholas Kurtz, 1749; Rudolph Schrenk, 1749-1754; Bernard Michael Hausihl, 1763-1764(?); Christian Streit, 1769-1779; J. Frederick Ernst, 1780-1782; Solomon Friederici, 1782-1798; Augustus Herman Schmidt, 1799 -- 1801; Christian F. L. En- dress, 1801-1815; John P. Hecht, 1815-1845; John W. Richards, 1845- 1851; C. F. Schaffer, 1851-1856; Benjamin Sadtler, 1856-1862; B. M. Schmucker, 1862-1867.
The pastors of Christ Lutheran Church from its establishment until the same date were: George Diehl, 1843-1851; Charles Smith, 1851-1854; E. Greenwald, 1854-1867; W. P. Ruthrauff, 1867-1870.
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After further consideration, a resolution, offered by Mr. Henry Bender and seconded by Mr. J. M. Dreisbach, "that we will form ourselves into a Lutheran Religious Society," was adopted by a unanimous vote.
At this meeting steps were also taken to rent the Baptist church for alternate Sabbaths, organize a Sunday-school, and raise money for necessary expenses. A committee was appointed to secure pulpit supplies. The temporary organization thus effected was soon superseded by a permanent organization, which was char- tered as "St. Paul's (Third) Evangelical Lutheran Church of Easton." The charter members, regularly dismissed from Christ church, numbered forty-nine. Shortly afterwards quite a large additional number was received from the same church.
The first sermon to the new congregation was preached May 24, 1868, by Rev. Theophilus Stork, D. D., of Philadelphia. On the following Sabbath, May 31, Rev. Henry N. Pohlman, D. D., of Albany, N. Y., President of the General Synod, occupied the pulpit. Thus, at the beginning, the new enterprise received aid and encouragement by the presence and counsel of two of the most prominent clergymen of the church.
At a congregational meeting, held August 13, 1868, the first church council was elected, consisting of four elders, viz., John Eyerman, Henry Bender, George Sweeny and John Armbrust ; and four deacons, viz., James M. Dreisbach, David Pyatt, D. B. Miller and R. H. Bixler. At this meeting also the Rev. Joseph H. Barclay, of Red Hook, N. Y., was unanimously chosen the first pastor of St. Paul's. He received all the votes of the male mem- bers present-the ladies having, at a previous meeting, unani- mously decided " that it was their duty to abstain from participat- ing in any election." This preference on the part of the female members was afterwards embodied in the Constitution of the church, except that they are permitted to vote at the election of a pastor. All other elections are conducted by the male members in good standing.
Rev. Barclay's pastorate began December 1, 1868, when he was installed by Rev. Drs. E. W. Hutter, of Philadelphia, and A. C. Wedekind, of New York, and continued to October 1, 1872, nearly four years. During this time the church building on North
ST. PAUL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, EASTON, PA.
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Fourth street was erected, at a cost of about $13,000.00. Its dedication took place January 9, 1870. The dedicatory sermon was preached, contrary to the usual custom, by the pastor him- self-not from choice, however. The services of Drs. John McCron, of Baltimore, and A. C. Wedekind, of New York, had been engaged for the occasion ; but, at the appointed time, Dr. McCron was kept away by sickness and Dr. Wedekind missed the train ! It was during Dr. Barclay's pastorate that a mission was started on College Hill which has since developed into St. Peter's (Fifth) Lutheran Church of Easton. After serving churches in Baltimore, and Dayton, Ohio, for about fifteen years, Dr. Barclay died in Baltimore, October 13, 1887.
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