USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of East Pennsylvania : with brief sketches of its congregations > Part 7
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Rev. Wm. G. Mennig, of Pottsville, was elected as the next pastor in January, 1859, at a stipulated salary of $600, which, how- ever, was raised after some years to $1000. He took charge in February. His preaching produced a deep spiritual impression, resulting in a genuine revival of religion. The " revival meetings," however, did not receive the endorsement of a considerable number of the members, who stigmatized these special services as "new measures." The minority, moreover, secured the unwar- ranted interference of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania. This in due time induced the pastor and the church to sever their connec- tion with that body, and to unite with the Synod of East Penn- sylvania, the latter in 1872, the former in the year following.
But they were not suffered to go in peace. Their opponents instituted legal proceedings for the possession of the property, chiefly on the ground that the East Pennsylvania Synod was not
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truly Lutheran. In a bitter, long, expensive and now classic trial, St. Paul's, the East Pennsylvania Synod and the General Synod were completely vindicated by favorable decisions in the local and in the Supreme Court of the State. The losers imme- diately (in 1875) organized St. Michael's church, which is now large and prosperous.
During Mr. Mennig's pastorate previous to 1873, the congre- gation had attained a membership of about 750. He reported 400 when he united with the East Pennsylvania Synod. Advanc- ing years and the need of English services prompted him to re- sign in the Spring of 1877, after a pastorate of eighteen years. He remained a member of St. Paul's until his decease, frequently supplying its pulpit and that of other churches. He died July 15, 1887.
The action of a congregational meeting in October, 1877, au- thorizing the use of English in the Sunday evening service, marks another era in the history of St. Paul's. The use of German at the morning and English at the evening service still continues, to the satisfaction of all concerned. The Sunday-school, however, has become English, excepting a large German Bible-class.
Rev. Charles E. Hay began a successful pastorate on Decem- ber 1, 1877. The membership increased from 400 to 608 ; and the Sunday-school numbered 660 according to the pastor's last synodical report, in 1889. Various® new societies were estab- lished and benevolence stimulated. A debt of $4200 was paid during the early years. In 1884 a splendid new pipe organ was purchased at a cost of $3000. In 1889 a commodious parsonage was erected, costing, together with the lot, about $5000. Nearly $42,000 were contributed for all purposes during the twelve years of his pastorate. On February 10, 1890, he resigned, and, with the cooperation of 133 members who withdrew from St. Paul's, founded St. Matthew's Lutheran church. Quite a large number of scholars from the Sunday-school also accompanied them.
The present pastor, Rev. J. A. Singmaster, took charge May i, 1890. St. Paul's again manifested its recuperative power in re- covering from the depletion of its ranks. Beginning with 366 members, it has increased to over 450. The Sunday-school numbers 600. In less than three years, almost $13,000 have been
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raised for all purposes. The principal improvements made con- sist of the entire remodeling of the Sunday-school rooms, the introduction of steam heating into the church, and the laying of a new sidewalk ; all of which cost nearly $2,000. The parsonage debt has also been canceled. The outlook is promising.
The property of the congregation consists of St. Paul's church, an imposing two-story brick edifice of gothic architecture. It is surmounted by a steeple 190 feet in height, containing a tower- clock and two bells, the larger of which is noted for the sweetness and strength of its tone. The auditorium contains galleries on three sides and seats over 800 people. The lower story is de- voted to the Sunday-school and is divided into four rooms, sepa- rated by sliding partitions. About a square south of the church, on South Eighth street, stands the parsonage, a fine ten-room house with modern conveniences.
During the last forty years four new congregations have gone forth from St. Paul's. Two others have been founded in the city, making seven Lutheran churches in Allentown. Probably a third of the population is Lutheran. Two of the churches use the Eng- lish language exclusively in their services ; the rest both English and German.
In the preparation of this sketch the writer has availed himself of Dr. Schmucker's " Historical Discourse," which traces the his- tory of St. Paul's with more or less accuracy as far as 1855.
X. HAMILTON CHARGE, MONROE CO .- HAMILTON, ST. MARK'S, TANNERSVILLE, ST. JOHN'S, BROD- HEADSVILLE, MT. ETON.
BY REV. R. H. CLARE.
I. CHRIST'S CHURCH, HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.
The history of the Lutheran and Reformed congregations, now worshiping in Christ's Union church, Hamilton township, Mon- roe county, according to the old German records on hand, dates back to 1768, although, judging from the large number of com- municants then already gathered, it would appear that the Luth- eran congregation must have existed long before this. A baptis-
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mal record is on hand bearing date of 1763, in the handwriting of the Rev. J. A. Friedricus (Friederici). A communion record of the same year contains the name of the mother of the child of the above record. From this and other evidences on hand it would appear that an effort was made as early at least as 1763 (we may assume much earlier) to organize the Lutherans into a congregation in this section of Monroe (then Northampton) county. The first evidences of a permanent organization do not appear till 1768. That year finds thirty-seven names enrolled as communicants, and the following year seventy-three, of whom fifteen were catechumens.
In 1775 this congregation, as well as its sister of the Reformed denomination, had assumed fair proportions, and in that year three acres of land were secured to build thereon "a church and school house and for a burial place." One acre of this land was presented by Philip Bossard, of the Reformed church, one acre by George Hartlieb, a member of the Lutheran church, and one acre was purchased by the congregations. A log church and school house were erected the same year, and prosperity seems to have attended their projects. The relations between the two congregations seem to have been harmonious, and there was a steady growth of membership and also an accumulation of wealth. In 1820 the congregations owned several hundred acres of land, which was sold, the proceeds being devoted to the erection of a new church.
Plans were completed in 1829, when the congregation erected their new edifice. This new church, a large stone structure, was dedicated November 6 and 7, 1830, by the pastors, the Rev. J. B. Gross, of the Lutheran church, and the Rev. H. L. Hoffe- ditz, of the Reformed church. The church cost $3,690.91.
The Lutheran congregation was chartered by the State in 1816, and owns a parsonage and sixteen acres of land near the church. The present parsonage was built in 1837, and extensively repaired in 1883.
The Hamilton church is properly called the "mother church" in this county, no less than six congregations in different parts of the county having been organized by those who at one time were members of this congregation.
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The present membership is two hundred and forty.
The following is a list of the pastors who have served this con- gregation from its organization till the present time :
Revs. J. A. Friederici, 1763-1790 ; Frank Niemyer, 1790- 1803 ; Chas. F. Endress, 1803-1805 ; C. Diehl, 1805-1810 ; J. Colson, 1810-1812 ; P. Rupert, 1812-1818; H. Kurtz, 1818- 1823; P. Rupert (second term), 1823-1828 ; J. B. Gross, 1828-41 ; Geo. Heilig, 1841-1857; S. S. Kline, 1858-1860; H. Seifert, 1860-1869 ; J. R. Focht, 1869-1874; Geo. Roths, 1874-1882 ; R. H. Clare, 1882-1892 ; Cyrus E. Held, 1892.
2. ST. MARK'S CHURCH, JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
St. Mark's Lutheran and Reformed church is located in Jack- son township. The Lutheran congregation was organized about 1830, and the Rev. Joseph B. Gross was its first pastor. He was followed in regular succession by the pastors of the Hamilton charge, interrupted only by the brief pastorate of Rev. A. Rumpf, in 1857-8.
In 1851 Peter Woodling donated the land, and the new church was built. The present number of Lutheran communicants is sixty-five.
3. ST. PAUL'S, TANNERSVILLE.
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church of Tannersville was erected in 1834 upon land deeded to a board of trustees elected by the "inhabitants of Tannersville," and the building and grounds were to be used for church purposes forever. The Lu- theran and Reformed congregations conjointly erected the build- ing, and no other denominations have ever worshiped in it. The Lutheran congregation was organized some time previous, and had been worshiping in a school-house. Rev. Joseph Gross was its first pastor, and ministered to the congregation until 1836. He was in turn succeeded by the following clergymen : Rev. George Heilig, who remained ten years, Rev. Jacob Rumpf, one year, Rev. S. S. Kline, Rev. Henry Seifert, Rev. Joseph B. Focht.
During the pastorate of the Rev. J. B. Focht the congregation severed its connection with the Hamilton charge and united with a charge under the General Council. The cause of this
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separation was the "new measures" introduced by the pas- tor of the Hamilton charge. From 1869 to 1883 this congrega- tion remained in connection with the Ministerium of Pennsyl- vania, being served by Rev. J. H. Fritz as supply for the six months preceding Easter, 1873, and by Rev. A. M. Strauss from 1875 to 188 2.
During the pastorate of Rev. R. H. Clare at Hamilton, this congregation again united with the Hamilton charge of the Synod of East Pennsylvania of the General Synod. Rev. R. H. Clare was pastor from 1883 till July, 1892, when Rev. Cyrus E. Held became pastor of the Hamilton charge, which includes this con- gregation. The church is a "union church," and the Reformed and Lutheran denominations worship in it upon alternate Sab- baths. The present number of Lutheran communicants is one hundred and twenty-five.
4. ST. JOHN'S, BARTONSVILLE-HAMILTON CHARGE.
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church is located about one mile south of Bartonsville. The congregation was organized about 1841, and the Rev. George Heilig was its first pastor. The church building was erected upon ground deeded to the Luth- eran and United Presbyterian congregations. The latter body, however, never worshiped regularly in the church which was shortly after erected, and principally by Lutherans. The Luth- eran congregation has had continuous worship in the church erected about 1841, and has since its organization maintained its connection with the East Pennsylvania Synod of the General Synod.
The church building having become too small for the use of the congregation and very much out of repair, ground was broken in the spring of 1892 for a new church building. The corner-stone of the new edifice was laid June 5, 1892, by Rev. R. H. Clare, according to the usage of the Lutheran church, and it is hoped that the new church will be ready for dedication before the close of 1892. This congregation has since its organization been regularly served by the pastors of the Hamilton charge. The present membership of this congregation is one hundred and forty.
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5. BRODHEADSVILLE CHURCH.
During the pastorate of Rev. Henry Seifert in the Hamil- ton church, a Lutheran congregation was organized at Brodheads- ville. Through the efforts of C. D. Brodhead, the sum of sixteen hundred dollars was raised in 1860, and a union church was built for the use of the Lutheran and Reformed denominations. Rev. Henry Seifert served this congregation (organized in 1860) with great acceptance till 1869, since which time it has been reg- ularly ministered to by the pastors of the Hamilton charge. The present Lutheran membership is one hundred and thirty. The estimated value of the church property of the two congregations is $3,800.
Located about one mile from the church is "Fairview Acad- emy," under Lutheran control. This academy was planned and built in the spring and summer of 1881, by Prof. (now Rev.) George G. Kunkle. The first session opened with sixty students. Prof. T. H. Serfass at present has charge of the institution, which is doing a good work for our church, several of its graduates hav- ing entered the Lutheran ministry.
6. MOUNT ETON CHURCH.
This church is located in Ross township, Monroe county, Pa., and is the joint property of the Lutheran and Reformed denomi- nations. The Lutheran congregation was organized in 1884 by the Rev. R. H. Clare, then pastor of the Hamilton Charge. Rev. Clare served this congregation from 1884 to 1892. The Rev. Cyrus E. Held took charge July 1, 1892. The present member- ship is about sixty. The church property owned by the congre- gation is worth $5,000.
XI. ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, ARDMORE, MONTGOMERY CO.
BY REV. M. COOVER.
In a country home in Lower Merion, on the 17th day of Octo- ber, 1765, three male infants received the sacrament of holy bap- tism. From this recorded ministerial act dates the history of St.
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Paul's Lutheran church of Ardmore. Who performed this sacred rite and ministered in spiritual things to the small community of Christian believers, no record tells us. No church building shel- tered the worshipers. In some house on or very near the present cemetery grounds was heard the German choral and the story of the gospel told to listening Christians of the Lutheran faith in the language of their beloved Reformer. The only information which can be secured concerning the first acts of this organized band of earnest Christians has its source in a recorded purchase of land with a dwelling house to be used for a place of public worship and a plot for the burial of their dead.
At sheriff's sale, September 3, 1765, sixty-six and three-fourths acres of land were purchased by Mr. John Hughes, and sold in the following month to a committee of six men to furnish a lo- cation for a church. By agreement on the part of the committee, the dwelling house located upon this purchased property was to be used for an Evangelical Lutheran Church "as long as the sun and moon endure," and six acres of the tract were to be reserved for a cemetery. Should the congregation become able by sale of the remaining land or by contributions to build a church, the dwelling house was again to be used as a place of residence. The congregation however failed to pay for the tract, and in 1769 the committee of purchasers sold it to Stephen Goodman, who in turn conveyed 133 perches to a committee of four trustees, himself being one of the number. This property was to remain " in trust for the religious society of people called Lutherans, of Merion and adjacent townships, for the purpose of erecting thereon one or more churches, or places of religious worship, and as a place for interring the members of the Lutheran congregation, or such persons as they may direct." An organization was no doubt ef- fected in the year 1765, which authorized the committee to make the purchase of land in view of erecting a church ; and the dwell- ing located on this property served as a place of worship from October, 1765, until 1769, when the first church, a humble log building, was erected. There is no history of the dedicatory ser- vice, nor of officiating clergy. From the time of its organization until 1830 the congregation was supplied with spiritual ministra- tions chiefly by ministers of the Germantown pastorate.
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The first recorded public services are indicated simply by a mem- orandum of collections and infant baptisms. From this we learn that there was preaching on Thursday, Christmas-day, 1766, and also on the following Sabbath. The first stated communion was administered September 22, 1767, to forty-three communicants. Services of similar nature were no doubt held previous to this, but no record was kept. The officiating clergyman at the dedi- cation of the first church building, 1769 or 1770, was probably Rev. Mr. Van Buskerk of the Germantown pastorate, or his suc- cessor, the Rev. John Frederick Schmidt. Succeeding the minis- tration of these in the Merion pastorate were Revs. Henry Miller and John Weinland. During the services of the latter in the year 1787, the same in which the revered Henry Melchior Mühlen- berg passed to his final rest, the stone school-house was built which now serves for chapel and vault in the cemetery. The church, in an interesting debit account with the builders, in addi- tion to obligations for hauling stone and sand, shows itself debtor " to Christopher Tomiller for one day's digging foundation and quart of rum, 5 shillings and 9 pence." In those good old days the workmen wanted to be in good spirits while engaged in such sacred duties.
In 1790 Rev. Frederick D. Schaeffer, D. D., began his work in Germantown, continuing in the pastorate for 22 years. During his associated work in Lower Merion, the second church was dedicated in the summer of 1800. The old log church was torn away and a stone building was erected in conjunction with the school-house built 13 years before. During the last 12 years of Dr. Schaeffer's ministry in Germantown there were no regular ser- vices nor sacramental ministrations in the Lower Merion pastor- ate. A transition of language from German to English was taking place, which made demands for English preaching which could not be supplied. Until the year 1799 the meagre church record was written in German, and for twelve subsequent years the re- cord is partly in the German and partly in the English language, until the latter became the prevailing tongue.
From 1810 to 1828 there was no pastor. The pulpit was filled occasionally by Rev. J. C. Baker, who succeeded Dr. Schaeffer, and also by ministers of other denominations. The recorded
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names are : Rev. Casper Wach, Rev. Dr. Runkel, of the German Reformed church, Dr. Ely, Presbyterian, of Philadelphia, who sent as pulpit supplies several students receiving theological in- struction under him, Rev. Wm. Bishop, Presbyterian, and Rev. H. G. Jones, D. D., of the Lower Merion Baptist church, who served from 1826 to 1828. Mr. Chas. Kugler then invited Rev. B. Keller, of Germantown, to minister here, and together with Rev. C. P. Krauth, D. D., from St. Matthew's, Philadelphia, and Rev. C. F. Schaeffer, then a student under his father, the pastor- ate was supplied from 1828 to 1830. In 1830 Rev. Jeremiah Harpel came, the first regular pastor, officiating at the same time in Cohansey and living in Francisville. During his ministry the third church building was erected, a stone edifice of humble pro- portions on the site of the old building. The corner-stone was laid May 14, 1833, at which service the church received its name, St. Paul's. Drs. Mayer, Krauth, Demme, and Rev. B. Keller were present, together with the pastor. On Nov. 24 of the same year, the church was dedicated, the sermon being preached by Rev. Mr. Wolle of the Moravian church.
Rev. J. Harpel resigned in 1834, having served four years. Succeeding him were Mark Harpel, his brother, serving for a few months, Charles Barnitz, the first pastor residing in this pastorate and serving four and one-half years, and Edward Town, two and one-half years.
From 1842 to 1844 there was no settled pastor. During this period Rev. S. D. Finckel, of Germantown, preached occasionally. In April, 1844, the property of the church was increased by a pur- chase of several acres of land, which together with a former small purchase gave the congregation a possession of four and one-quar- ter acres.
In the autumn of 1844 Rev. Nathan H. Cornell became pas- tor, serving four years ; and following in order were : Rev. Wm. H. Smith, two years, Rev. Prof. H. H. Haverstick, six months, and Rev. W. D. Roedel, four years, from 1851 to 1855. In Mr. Roedel's ministry the parsonage was built, a substantial house still occupying its position on the grounds of the cemetery. It is no longer used as a parsonage, but is rented by the congregation, the location being somewhat distant from the present church
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building. After the resignation of Rev. Mr. Roedel, Rev. Mr. Haverstick again became a supply for six months, until a call was extended to Rev. T. T. Titus, who ministered from 1856 to 1861. An interesting and comprehensive history of the church from its founding till the year 1860 was written by Mr. Titus and pub- lished for the pleasure of his parishioners.
Succeeding Mr. Titus were Rev. J. H. Heck, ministering seven and one-half years, and Rev. H. J. Watkins, five years, 1869-74. In 1873 preparations were made for the fourth church building. A lot on Lancaster Avenue was presented by Mr. Charles Kugler, a pillar and trustee of the church, and gladly accepted by the congregation as a location for a new house of worship. Rev. Mr. Watkins resigned the charge before the church was completed, and was succeeded by Rev. W. H. Steck, who entered upon his pastoral work in March, 1874. The new church was dedicated September 5, 1874, Rev. F. W. Conrad, D. D., LL. D., preach- ing the dedicatory sermon. The church is built of stone, with the audience room on the second floor, the first floor being used for lecture-room, Sunday-school services and library. Recent im- provements have fitted the building with steam-heating apparatus, new upholstery and carpetings. Two preaching services are held every Sunday. A weekly prayer-meeting and an active Sunday- school organization add to the efficiency of church work. The pastoral aids in the congregation are a Mite Society, Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society, and a Young People's Luther Alliance ; and special mission aid is given by a large membership to the Mission Society of the Philadelphia Con- ference.
In 1883, Dr. Anna S. Kugler, a member of this congregation, became a medical missionary on our mission territory in India. After five years of service and a three years' furlough, she again sailed for India in August, 1891. Rev. Mr. Steck resigned his pastorate March, 1890, and was succeeded in July of the same year by Rev. M. Coover, who accepted a call after the comple- tion of his studies in the Seminary at Gettysburg.
In 1889 the trustees of the church made a purchase of five ad- ditional acres, extending westward from the old cemetery grounds, to furnish a larger space for sepulture. On this elevated spot are
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the grassy mounds and moss-covered markers of departed Chris- tians sleeping the years away. The village church bell, in sound- ing distance, tolls the hours of prayer and Sabbath days .over resting Revolutionary heroes, colonial Christians, and ancient fathers with sleeping families at their side : over forms whose ardent souls loved and worshiped on the spot where now they sleep their last and quiet sleep. And still the ministry continues, from wondering babe at baptismal font to slumbering pilgrim borne to his last and undisturbed repose.
XII. ST. PETER'S CHURCH, BARREN HILL (LAFAYETTE HILL), MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
BY REV. A. H. F. FISCHER.
The early settlers at Barren Hill and vicinity were Germans, some of whom were connected with the Lutheran church at Ger- mantown, six miles distant. Owing to disturbances in that con- gregation during the years 1753-5, some Lutheran and German Reformed families bought an acre and thirty-five perches of land for the erection of a school-house and for a place of burial. The purpose of the purchase is thus stated in the deed, dated March 14, 1758 : "For the use of a church, a school-house and burying ground, to be erected on the hereby granted lot of land for the only proper use and behoof of the Dutch Protestants, their heirs and successors forever, and for no other use." Both parties united in building the school-house, which was used not only for school purposes, but occasionally for public services held by Lu- theran pastors and Rev. Michael Schlatter, of the Reformed church. To this new enterprise several elders, formerly of Ger- mantown, attached themselves. The school-house soon became too small, and in 1759 Christopher Raben (Robins), of White- marsh, and Wighard Müller and Christopher Jacobi, of German- town, informed Rev. H. M. Mühlenberg that they intended to erect at Barren Hill a church, which was to be under Synod, and in connection with the Philadelphia congregation. Mühlenberg was thus recognized because he had rendered great assistance in the erection of the school-house, an acknowledgment of which is thus recorded in the Minutes : "Our collectors having, in his
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