USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of East Pennsylvania : with brief sketches of its congregations > Part 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30
29I
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS.
ample proportions offers the best site for the permanent home of All Saints' in its section of the city.
The Common Service has been in continuous use from the be- ginning. Available " Lutheran material " has been scarce in the neighborhood. In the membership are persons formerly con- nected with eight different denominations. The neighborhood greatly needs a church of the generous and progressive character which All Saints' aims to maintain.
LXVIII. ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH, ALLENTOWN.
BY REV. CHAS. E. HAY.
In response to a call appearing in the daily papers of Allen- town, Pa., about one hundred persons assembled in a vacant store-room at No. 83012 Hamilton street on the evening of Feb- ruary 4, 1890, to consider the propriety of organizing another English Lutheran church. Mr. Francis S. Wilt was called to the chair, and Mr. Wm. J. Frederick was appointed secretary. It was unanimously decided to establish a congregation to be in connection with the General Synod. Several hundred dollars were provisionally subscribed toward the necessary current ex- penses for one year. A further meeting was held on February II, when a provisional form of constitution was adopted and Rev. Chas. E. Hay, who had just resigned as pastor of St. Paul's, was invited to hold services in the store-room on the following Sunday, February 16. The invitation was accepted. Bare floors and unpainted chairs did not in the least detract from the fervor of the enthusiastic and reverent worshipers who filled the room at the appointed hours. During the following week a large, furnished, third-story hall, at the corner of Eighth and Hamilton streets, was rented for an indefinite period at $2.00 per week, the free use of the above-mentioned store-room being kindly granted by its owner, Dr. H. A. Grim, for all meetings during the week.
On February 23, after a brief service, a congregational meeting was held, at which a formal organization was effected and the fol- lowing were elected as church officers: Elders, P. K. Grim, F.
292
EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD.
S. Wilt, H. D. Biever and Edwin Fetzer; Deacons, C. J. P. Bittner, J. C. Kleinsmith, W. J. Frederick, L. O. Shankweiler, I. W. Leiby and J. Lehrman. These brethren were installed at the evening service, and, at a congregational meeting which im- mediately followed, nominated for the office of pastor Rev. Chas. E. Hay, who was unanimously elected.
ST. MATTHEW'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHAPEL, ALLENTOWN, PA.
On the afternoon of the same day a Sunday-school was estab- lished, with a total enrollment of one hundred and twenty-seven, and a temporary organization with seven officers and eighteen teachers. The church council organized on the following day by electing Mr. P. K. Grim as treasurer, Mr. H. J. Michael as sec- retary, and Mr. C. J. Bittner as financial secretary.
On March 14, a plot of ground 80x126 feet, at the corner of Tenth and Maple streets, was purchased for $4,200.00, upon the
293
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS.
rear of which it was decided to erect a brick chapel 40x75 feet in dimensions. The corner-stone was laid on Whitsunday, May 25, the congregation and Sunday-school marching in a body from the hall to the site. Addresses were delivered by Revs. R. W. Hufford and C. A. Hay, D. D., the pastor conducting the official ceremony, and Revs. J. A. Singmaster and S. A. Repass, D. D., assisting. The Allentown band orchestra kindly furnished appropriate music. The members of the congregation at this time, whose names were deposited in the corner-stone, num- bered, with the class of seven catechumens just confirmed, 151. Of these, 133 had withdrawn from St. Paul's congregation.
The completed chapel, costing about $6,000.00, was dedicated October 26, Rev. W. M. Baum, D. D., of Philadelphia, officiating with the pastor. The Sunday-school was addressed in the after- noon by Dr. Baum and Revs. J. A. Singmaster and M. H. Richards, D. D. On the following evenings divine services were conducted, appropriate sermons being preached by Revs. T. C. Billheimer, D. D., C. R. Trowbridge, R. H. Clare and W. H. Dunbar.
The chapel is a neat and substantial structure, with a seating capacity of 450. The large front window was presented by Mr. W. J. Frederick as a memorial of his three bright boys who have been called to the better world. The pastors of the Easton Conference, by personal contributions, provided for two windows, in honor of Revs. A. D. Rowe and C. A. Stork, D. D. The re- maining windows were, by the generosity of friends, inscribed to the memory of Rev. G. F. Stelling, D. D., Mrs. 'Eliza Hay Morris, Mrs. Eliza Ebert Hay, Rev. A. H. Lochman, D. D., Rev. J. A. Brown, D. D., LL. D., Daniel K. Grim, Mrs. Rebeeca Young Billmyer, Rev. D. J. Hauer, D. D., Daniel Eppley, Rev. Samuel Yingling, Mrs. Hannah Roth. The central window in the gallery was inserted by the members of the Bible class, in memory of Mr. Franklin K. Kern, who had done efficient ser- vice for years as instructor of the English Bible class in St. Paul's. The pulpit furniture was a gift from Messrs. Francis and Frank D. Wilt, the elegant carving being the handiwork of the latter. Organs were presented by Messrs. W. J. Frederick and Irvin F. Kemmerer. Blackboard, clocks, communion services, pulpit Bible and hymn-book, besides many contributions of cash or its equivalent, attested the good-will of members and friends.
294
EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD.
The Board of Church Extension granted a loan of $3,000.00 without interest for five years. Beyond this there remains less than $900.00 of indebtedness.
The Board of Home Missions has made an annually decreas- ing appropriation towards the pastor's salary.
The congregation now numbers one hundred and eighty-three, and expects to become self-sustaining by April 1, 1894.
The Sunday-school has always been a very prominent factor in the work of the Mission. A full organization was not effected until the completion of the chapel, when the following were elected as officers and teachers : General Superintendent, the pastor ; General Secretary, J. C. Kleinsmith ; General Treasurer, H. D. Biever ; Ushers, E. Fetzer, J. H. Millar. Infant Depart- ment-Superintendent, I. W. Leiby ; Organist, Mrs. L. O. Shank- weiler ; Teachers, Mrs. Henry Heckman, Mrs. J. B. Frederick, Mrs. C. W. Kleinsmith, Mrs. J. H. Millar, Mrs. C. J. Heckman, Miss Annie M. Weaver. Intermediate Department-Superin- tendent, W. J. Frederick ; Assistant Superintendent, F. S. Wilt ; Secretary, J. C. Kleinsmith ; Treasurer, H. D. Biever ; Librarian, G. H. Schillinger ; Organist, Mrs. C. E. Hay ; Teachers, H. D. Biever, F. S. Wilt, J. Lehrman, Mrs. H. D. Biever, Mrs. C. E. Hay, Misses Ella Merkle, Hannah Merkle, Millie M. Spatz, Maggie E. Spatz, Emma R. Frederick, Minnie M. Kuntz, Laura A. Weaver. Bible Class-Superintendent, L. O. Shankweiler ; Secretary, J. H. Millar ; Treasurer, C. J. P. Bittner ; Enumerator, G. B. Frederick.
The entire enrollment of the school is at present about three hundred. There are three active organizations which are render- ing valuable assistance, i. e., a Ladies' Aid Society, a Young People's Society and a Band of Little Helpers. A parish paper has been found a most useful auxiliary.
St. Matthew's is the seventh Lutheran congregation in a com- munity of 28,000, though but the second in which the English language is exclusively used. Its growth cannot be phenomenal in numbers, but promises to be steady and substantial. Pastor and people labor in entire harmony, and a spirit of hopefulness prevails, which, under the blessing of God, is the surest pledge of a useful and prosperous future.
295
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS.
LXIX. CHRIST CHURCH, HARRISBURG.
BY REV. T. L. CROUSE.
This church was organized March 23, 1890, at a meeting pre- sided over by Rev. D. M. Gilbert, D. D., pastor of Zion Luth- eran church, Harrisburg. Sixty-two was the number of mem- bers at the time of organization. Sixty of this number had with- drawn from Memorial Lutheran church, believing that there was room for another Lutheran organization in the eastern portion of the city. After the organization, steps were at once taken look- ing to the erection of a church building. Soon a piece of ground was purchased at the cost of fifteen hundred dollars. In July the ground was broken, and on Sunday afternoon at four o'clock, August 17, 1890, the corner-stone of the new building was laid by the pastor, Rev. Theodore L. Crouse. Rev. E. J. Wolf, D. D., of the Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, was present and delivered an address.
The pastor, Rev. T. L. Crouse, was elected April 23, 1890. He preached his first sermons to the congregation Easter Sun- day, April 6, on which day the first communion was celebrated, and several persons received into the church. Rev. Crouse took regular charge of the work July 3, 1890.
All the services of the congregation, including Sunday-school and Wednesday evening prayer meeting, were held, for a period of about eleven months, in one of the upper rooms of the Web- ster public school building, located at the corner of Thirteenth and Kittatinny streets.
March 15, 1891, the church building was dedicated, Rev. W. S. Freas, of York, preaching the dedicatory sermon. Rev. H. H. Weber, Secretary of the Board of Church Extension, had charge of the finances. About sixty-four hundred dollars were pledged and contributed on that day. Previously about thirty-six hun- dred dollars had been paid in or subscribed, which, with the con- tributions and pledges on the day of dedication, covered the cost of the building and lot, which was something more than ten thou- sand dollars.
The membership at that time numbered ninety-four. The building was set apart to the worship of God by the pastor. The
296
EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD.
following ministerial brethren took part in the services of the day : Revs. W. S. Freas, H. H. Weber, J. W. Richard, D. D. (who preached in the evening) and F. L. Bergstresser. Rev. S. Dasher was also present both morning and evening.
Three years' time was given in which to pay the subscriptions. The congregation's present indebtedness is something less than four thousand dollars. It does not own a parsonage. The con- gregation has been self-supporting from the beginning.
The Sunday-school work was begun one week after the organi- zation of the congregation. Two weeks after this, or three weeks from date of organization, a Sunday-school was established in a school house in East End, about ten squares from the location of the church building. Revs. M. P. Hocker, President of the Har- risburg Conference, and F. L. Bergstresser, were present at that meeting. Mr. W. H. Hoerner was elected superintendent of this Sunday-school, which position he also held in the other and older school. These schools have an enrolled membership respectively of about 325 and 80.
The Lutheran Observer is read in about forty families, and the Missionary Fournal pays its monthly visits to a few of the homes of the people. The Augsburg Sunday-school literature is used in both schools.
The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor numbers about eighty members. It is active and helpful. The Ladies' Aid Society, whose history begins with the history of the congre- gation, has been instrumental in raising annually a large sum of money. Besides helping to pay the indebtedness on the church building, this society has been paying the interest on all borrowed money.
LXX. ST. MARK'S CHURCH, CONSHOHOCKEN, MONT- GOMERY COUNTY.
BY REV. J. F. SHEARER.
In the fall of 1889 Rev. A. H. F. Fischer, pastor of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran church of Barren Hill, Pa., looking over the field of Conshohocken, so long neglected by the Lutheran Church, and learning of a number of Lutheran families there, felt the ne-
297
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS.
cessity of doing something for their welfare. The matter was brought before the Philadelphia Conference, by which body it was referred to a committee consisting of Mr. Fischer and Rev. M. S. Cressman, pastor at Lionville, Pa. They visited the place in December, 1889, and secured the M. E. church for the hold- ing of a service two weeks later, at which time the pastor of St. Peter's preached. After another interval of two weeks, services were again held by Mr. Fischer, and a committee was appointed to secure a hall for the purpose of starting a mission Sabbath- school. The newly-dedicated hall of the W. C. T. U. on Third Avenue was procured, and a Sabbath-school was organized, with Mr. J. S. Moser as superintendent, while the general pastoral sup- ervision of its interests was under the care of the pastor at Barren Hill. Preaching services were conducted every two weeks in the afternoon by Mr. Fischer, until the February meeting of Confer- ence, when arrangements were made to have the ministers of Conference serve the mission until the June meeting.
The mission in the meanwhile made encouraging increase in numbers, and on the evening of April 15, 1890, the committee called a meeting of the members of the mission in the hall for the purpose of organizing a congregation. After the singing of Hymn 202, "I love Thy Zion, Lord," and the reading of the 84th Psalm by Mr. Fischer, Mr. Cressman offered prayer, and then stated the purpose of the meeting. The names of twenty-five persons were enrolled. The constitution, as recorded in the church-book, was adopted seriatim and then unanimously as a whole. The organi- zation was completed by electing the following temporary offi- cers : President, J. S. Moser ; Secretary, J. J. Becker ; Treasurer, J. K. Streeper.
On April 22 a meeting of the congregation was held at the residence of J. S. Moser, and the name, "St. Mark's Lutheran church of Conshohocken," was unanimously selected. At this meeting the following officers were also elected : Elders, Wm. P. Ely and J. S. Moser ; Deacons, Eugene A. Fillman, J. J. Becker, Mark Staley and Jacob K. Streeper.
In July Mr. J. M. Francis, a theological student at the Seminary at Gettysburg, was engaged to supply the pulpit, which he did very acceptably until the first of September, when he returned to
298
EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD.
the Seminary to pursue his studies. From the first of September to the first of December, the mission was supplied with preaching by different ministers of Philadelphia Conference. In the month of November a call was extended to Rev. J. F. Shearer, of Somer- set, Pa., to become pastor of the mission. He accepted, and took charge December 1, 1890.
In November, 1892, one of the most desirable lots for church purposes, located on Fifth avenue, at the corner of Harry street, was purchased by the congregation, with the view of erecting a church building thereon as soon as possible. A building com- mittee was selected, consisting of J. F. Shearer, Wm. P. Ely, J. S. Moser, J. Warren Schlichter and I. J. Moyer, who at once took steps to secure a plan for a church building. The plan submitted by Mr. Isaac Purcell, an architect of Philadelphia, seemed in the opinion of the committee to be well adapted to the needs of the congregation, and was unanimously adopted.
July 25, 1892, ground was broken for laying the foundation of the church, and on Sunday, September 11, the corner-stone was laid. The Lutheran ministers present on this occasion, and tak- ing some part in the service, were Drs. Baum, Albert, Holman, Revs. A. H. F. Fischer, S. G. Shannon and J. F. Shearer. Drs. Baum and Albert delivered appropriate and impressive addresses. The ministers of the Presbyterian, Episcopal, Baptist and Meth- odist churches of this place were also present to commend the work of the mission.
The church building is now under roof. It is of Conshohocken limestone, beautiful in design, modern in its appointments, and universally admired by the citizens of the town. It also compares quite favorably with the other churches of the place. It is ex- pected that the church will be ready for dedication by the month of May, 1893. The membership of the church now numbers 83. The Sabbath-school has on its roll 215 scholars, and has, per- haps, an average attendance of 150.
Many of the citizens have manifested their interest in the mis- sion by liberal contributions toward the church building. The members of the mission are not possessed of great wealth, and many of them deserve commendation for the self-sacrificing spirit manifested in their efforts to give our beloved church an honored
299
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS.
and a commanding position among the denominations of the place. Some of our people are among the most earnest Chris- tian workers of the town, and are highly respected for their work's sake. If the entire indebtedness of the church is to be removed in a reasonable time, they will be compelled to ask aid from others outside of their own town. Such an appeal would merit a patient hearing and liberal response.
LXXI. TRINITY CHURCH, COATESVILLE, CHESTER COUNTY.
BY REV. W. H. STECK.
Trinity Lutheran church, of Coatesville, is in large measure the outgrowth of Blessing Sunday-school, which was organized in an old mill on the property of Paul Blessing, some fourteen years previous to the organization of the church. The Sunday- school was undenominational, and Mr. John Hope continued to be its faithful superintendent from its organization until it was merged into the Lutheran church.
Up to the year 1890, no special attention had been given to the matter of establishing a Lutheran church at this point. For some years previous to that date a few individual members had wished and hoped for a church of their first love, but, as of the original settlers of old Chester county very few were Lutherans, these scattered children of the Church of the Reformation had to wait long for the full realization of their hopes.
Early in the year 1890 Mrs. J. A. Hope called upon Rev. M. S. Cressman, of Lionville, and secured his services to preach what, so far as the record shows, was the first Lutheran sermon ever preached in Coatesville. A few months afterwards the attention of the Philadelphia Conference was called to this inviting and seemingly very promising field, and Rev. L. E. Albert, D. D., Rev. B. F. Alleman, D. D., and Rev. M. S. Cressman were sent "to spy out the land." Encouraged by the report they brought, the Conference appointed Rev. W. H. Steck temporarily as mission- ary to look up the field, and report back to the Conference the prospect, and whether the opportune time had come for organiz-
300
EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD.
ing a mission in the new field. After a careful canvass of the territory, steps were taken to organize at once.
The organization was effected June 9, 1890. Though number- ing only seventeen, there being among the few some made of the stuff of which Gideon's three hundred were made, they decided to secure a lot and build, their motto being that of other success- ful builders : " For we are able."
TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, COATESVILLE, PA.
This little determined band proved their faith by their works, and on Sunday, November 1, 1891, the corner-stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies. Rev. J. M. Steck, brother of the pastor, preached the sermon, most appropriate and eloquent, to a large audience in the Coatesville opera house. Over $500.00 was raised on the day of the laying of the corner-stone.
The work of building went on encouragingly. Several thousand dollars had been subscribed, the Ladies' Aid Society, which had been doing splendid work, had raised about one thousand dollars, the lot had been paid for, and all were fully convinced that the time had come when Lutheranism would have a local habitation as well as a name in the town of Coatesville. September 1, 1890,
301
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS.
the Home Mission Board appointed Rev. W. H. Steck as their regular missionary in the new field, who has continued his work as such up to this time, September 21, 1892.
On Sunday, June 19, 1892, the church, of which the accompany- ing cut is a good representation, was dedicated. Rev. H. H. Weber, Rev. A. Stewart Hartman, Rev. J. M. Steck, Rev. M. S. Cressman and the pastor, Rev. W. H. Steck, participated in the joyous feast of dedication, Mr. Cressman preaching the dedica- tion sermon, which was most appropriate and well received by an audience that filled the house to overflowing. On the day of dedication about $3,500.00 were subscribed, leaving only a little more than $2,000.00 to raise upon the lot and new building, which cost over $13,000.00. To encourage the little flock in their undertaking, the Board of Church Extension has loaned them $2,000.00 for five years without interest.
The following were the church officers at the time of organiz- ing : Elders, John S. Hope, Paul Blessing and Fred. Schulmeister ; Deacons, H. K. Kurtz, James J. Mentzer and William Mann; Trustees, Richard Strode, John Heffner and August Brunninger.
LXXII. ST. MARK'S CHURCH, STEELTON, DAUPHIN COUNTY.
BY REV. W. L. RUTHERFORD.
St. Mark's Lutheran Mission, at Steelton, Pa., although quite young in years, is not without a remarkable and interesting his- tory. Its birth and nurture are traced back to the untiring efforts and patient labor of Rev. E. Daron. For a number of years Rev. Daron had been teaching, with great success, a Bible class in St. John's Lutheran church, in the same place. While actively engaged in teaching this class, which was rapidly growing in in- terest and numbers, even to overflowing, circumstances led to his retirement from the position. A few weeks later, a com- mittee waited on him, tendering a request to organize a Union Bible Class. He consented to do all that he could, on condi- tion that they should use the International Lessons and submit to his accustomed way of teaching, as previously conducted in the
302
EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD.
Sunday-school of St. John's Lutheran church. On the following Sunday, a Union Bible Class, thirty-one in number, was organ- ized, which on the second Sunday had an enrollment of sixty-two members.
For about six months Rev. Daron taught this class in the Red Men's Hall, South Front street. The class then met for about one year in the Public Reading Room, No. 144 North Front street. During this time Rev. Daron faithfully taught the same doctrine and precepts as previously taught in his ministry and Bible teaching. In this class were men and women who had not attended divine services for many years. The exercises were always opened and closed with singing and prayer. While this teaching was conducted, the plan of salvation was clearly set forth in all its simplicity, and the great value and importance of the sacraments-Baptism and the Lord's Supper-were fully ex- plained. The necessity of church membership, and the great im- portance of Christian activity, were also taught. After a number of conversions, a desire was awakened among the members of the class to organize a new congregation. A committee was accord- ingly appointed to call some minister to preach the gospel. But at this juncture all efforts and plans were frustrated by circum- stances beyond control, which often cast shadows of gloom and doubt on the younger members.
Early in January, 1891, Rev. M. G. Earhart received an invita- tion to preach to the class in the public reading-room. After kindly responding, and holding service twice on Sunday, January II, 1891, he was urged to return on the following Sabbath. After a consultation with the President of Synod, two services were held on the Sabbath following, January 18. It was then proposed that Rev. Earhart preach regularly, with a view of organizing a new congregation in the near future. The attendance and interest manifested by the people seemed to justify this move.
On March 8, after an appropriate discourse by Rev. M. L. Deitzler, the new organization was effected by installing a church council, and receiving thirty-eight of the Bible Class and fourteen by certificate as members of the organization, under the name of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, of Steelton, Pa.
Rev. Earhart served this devoted flock faithfully until De-
303
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS.
cember 30, 1891, when he passed peacefully away to his eter- nal rest.
On February 21, 1892, W. L. Rutherford, then a student in the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, received a call to serve these people. In a few weeks the call was accepted, and on the first of June following, he assumed full charge of the duties in- cumbent upon his sacred office.
On June 1, 1892, when the newly-elected pastor took charge of this mission entrusted to his care, he found an enrollment of fifty-four communicant members. With two losses since then, one by death and another by removal, and with sixteen acces- sions, the mission has attained a membership of sixty-eight com- municants. The growth cannot be rapid under the existing circumstances. Compelled to worship in the Grand Army Hall, on a third floor, under a tin roof, some idea may be formed of the inconveniences incurred. With all the difficulties and ob- stacles, however, with which we have to contend, the general in- terest is maintained, with a reasonable degree of progress in every line of work. The Sunday-school is growing, and has at present a roll of 171.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.