History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1, Part 52

Author: Mathews, Alfred, 1852-1904; Hungerford, Austin N., joint author
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Richards
Number of Pages: 948

USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1 > Part 52
USA > Pennsylvania > Carbon County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1 > Part 52

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Feb. 22, 1859, the new church was formally recog- nized by a council held in the Presbyterian Church, of which Duncan Dunbar, D. D., was moderator, and Rev. Thomas C. Trotter clerk. Dr. Catheart preached the sermon from Luke xix. 3, "Occupy till I come."

March 8th, Rev. Joseph L. Sagebecer received a unanimous call to the pastorate. At the same meet- ing E. G. Gerhard and Blackford Barnes were chosen deacons, William J. Hoxworth clerk, and Justus Evans treasurer. This auspicious organization was the result of several co-operating forces, among the chief of which was the Christian zeal of Sister Harts- horne, who was a teacher in Professor Gregory's Academy, Mrs. Sarah G. Hawkins, and Mrs. Eliza- beth C. Evans. Prayer-meetings had been held from house to house among the few English and German Baptist families in the city, and very soon a prosper- ous Bible-school was organized in Baptist Hall, of which William J. Hoxworth became the first super- intendent. The now Hon. James S. Biery was one of the early teachers in the school.

Mr. Sagebeer's pastorate continued from March 8, 1859, to Feb. 1, 1862. Mr. Sagebeer found a church of nine members-five men and four women-with- out a church edifice. They worshiped together in : hired house for a period of nearly three years. The i form in the church. During Mr. Appleton's pastor- breaking out of the civil war seriously interfered with the advance of the church at this time. low- ; a position of much greater importanee. He left the ever, important additions were made, and when the | church with forty-seven members, a net increase of pastor felt called on to retire from the field, he left fourteen. the church better than he found it, and stronger by 1 five more members. The church was then pastorless for over a year.

During the early spring of 1863, Rev. George Bal-

ner-stone was laid. October 3d the committee was authorized to expend seven thousand dollars on the house. Jan. 1, 1865, they were directed to complete the basement. All this work was done by a shepherd- less flock. Money was raised at home and abroad,- Dr. Catheart's church contributing with special lib- erality. During the interim William E. Rees, a licen- tiate of the church, supplied the church very ac- ceptably, as also during Mr. Balcom's absence on evangelistie tours.

Rev. J. H. Appleton received a call to the pastorate Nov. 1, 1865, and continued in office till Nov. 2, 1868. During the interim preceding the church had gained nine and lost nine, so that Mr. Appleton found a church of thirty-three members, just as Mr. Balcom had left it. The new pastor went actively to work to wipe out the debt and to finish the house. Ile se- eured more than two thousand dollars through his own personal solicitation, and through members of his own family carpeted the audience-room and fur- nished the pulpit. Nov. 17, 1867, two years after his settlement, the new church was dedicated, having been finished, furnished, and paid for at a cost of eleven thousand six hundred and eighty dollars. In 1866 fourteen were added to the church by baptism, and thirteen by letter and experience. At the close of the year, eight years after constitution, the church numbered fifty-nine members. The first baptistery was built Feb. 22, 1866, on the lot in the rear of the church. It did not prove a success, and soon gave way to a more substantial affair under the pulpit plat- ate the church made manifest advance, and assumed

Rev. Ebenezer Packwood was elected pastor Dec. 28, 1868, and entered upon his labors Feb. 14, 1869. He was an able, earnest, and successful preacher of the gospel. During his three years' pastorate twenty-

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

six were baptized into the fellowship of the church. Two colonies went out from the church April 2, 1869, a company of eight, dismissed by letter, to form the ! Bethlehem Baptist Church, and Feb. 7, 1871, a second company of seventeen to form the Catasauqua Baptist Church. The first of these shared Mr. Packwood's labors for some time in connection with the Allen- ! town Church. A commodious parsonage was erected (1869), costing three thousand dollars. Jan. 31, 1872, Mr. Packwood removed to Conshohocken, to accept the call of the Baptist Church of that place. The church made a net gain of six during his pastorate, and numbered fifty-seven at the time of his removal. But for the twenty-five dismissed to form the two new neighboring churches, the net gain would have been thirty-one. At one time during his pastorate the church numbered seventy-six. Mr. Rees again sup- plied the church very acceptably during the interim.

Ang. 28, 1872, a call was extended to J. S. James, who had just completed his preparatory studies in theology. He accepted the call and entered the field October 13th. He was ordained October 29th. The New Hampshire Confession of Faith was adopted by the church March 17, 1875. In the fall of the same year the church entered the Reading Baptist Associa- tion. In the summer of 1876 a recess and new bap- tistery were added to the house of worship, which, with other improvements, cost about seven hundred dollars. The whole amount was paid, with some three hundred dollars of a floating debt. The house was reopened September 10th, Dr. Weston preaching the sermon. The following November Rev. H. G. De Witt labored two weeks with the church in special meetings. The church was deeply revived, and four- teen were baptized. Almost every year since has been marked by a considerable increase through bap- tisni. In the spring of 1879 an effort was made to extinguish a debt of some three thousand three hun- dred dollars, incurred by the erection of the parsonage and in other ways. The effort was continued up to September, 1880, when the whole amount was sub- scribed. In every year but one since its organization the church has had increase. Four young men have been sent out from it into the ministry, all of them born in foreign lands. Upwards of forty thousand dollars have been raised in this field or for it, fifteen thousand dollars of which were expended for the church lot, edifice, and parsonage, and four hundred dollars for missionary purposes. The present pastor, Rev. Frank S. Dobbins, took charge of the church March 1, 1883, very soon after Mr. James' departure. Ile had served a number of years as a missionary in Japan. The present number of members is one huu- dred and twenty-one. The Sunday-school has a membership of one hundred and twenty-five. The value of church property is thirteen thousand five hundred dollars. The deacons of the church have been Blackford Barnes, March 8, 1859, to June 13, 1866; E. G. Gerhard, March 8, 1859, to June 21, 1860;

William J. Hoxworth, Sept. 25, 1859, to Dee. 22, 1881; Justus Evans, June 30, 1863, to Dec. 22, 1881; Wil- liam Roth, Dec. 22, 1875; A. W. Lee, Dec. 22, 1875; H. W. Willenbricher, Dec. 22, 1875; G. W. Harrar, Dec. 22, 1881; C. R. James, Dee. 22, 1881. The trus- tees (at varions times) have been William Hawkins, William J. Hoxworth, Justus Evans, William Roth, George K. Reeder, A. W. Lee, J. J. Hoxworth, F. D. Fried, J. G. Sterner, William S. Haas, William E. Rees, William T. Apple, George II. Desh, C. L. Huber, M. F. Cawley, C. W. Hall, William J. Broadbent ; Bible-school superintendents, William J. Hoxworth, H. W. Willenbücher, William E. Rees, William S. Haas, J. S. James, George H. Desh, William Roth ; Treasurers, William J. Iloxworth, Justus Evans, Wil- liam Roth, H. W. Willenbücher, A. W. Lec, George H. Desh, Charles Spangler; clerks, E. G. Gerhard, William J. Iloxworth, George II. Desh, William J. Broadbent.

Church of the United Brethren in Christ .- This church was organized by Rev. D. S. Hoffman in 1864; the first class, which was constituted August 26th, consisting of three members, viz .: T. J. Schmoyer, J. Knerr, and Mary Hoffman. A revival soon added forty members. Among these carly converts were Samuel Marx and family, and Charles Zimmerman and wife. The meetings of the congregation were held until 1868 in Free Hall, but in that year a house of worship was built on Linden Street below Ninth. Rev. Mr. Hoffman remained as pastor until 1870, the church numbering one hundred and sixty-nine mem- bers in six classes when he left. Since that time the following ministers have served the congregation, viz. : Revs. Sand, Shropp, Daugherty, Unger, Mark, Shoop, and J. P. Smith, the present pastor. The present elass-leaders are T. J. Schmoyer, F. J. Butterweck, James Bernhard, and J. B. Haas. The trustees are J. L. Breinig, T. J. Schmoyer, J. L. Moyer, C. A. Bachman, and W. C. Sholl. The number of mem- bers is one hundred and twenty-one, and the Sunday- school has about as many pupils.

Free Methodist Church .- This church was formed Ang. 10, 1867, by Rev. William Parry, the original members being Heury D. Spinner, Charles Hartman, Anna Johening, and Eliza Shantz. Since its organi- zation the following ministers have preached for the church : Rev. William Gould, chairman of the dis- triet, Rev. William Parry, Rev. M. N. Downing, Rev. Thomas Whiffin, Rev. Oluf U. Ketels, Rev. F. Hen- drieksou, Rev. William Jones, Rev. J. E. Bristol, Rev. Thomas L. La Due, Rev. J. Wolf, Rev. D. J. Santmier. The present pastor is Rev. W. W. Dickson. The Allentown society has formed a part of what is called the Allentown and Lehigh Valley Circuit, of which the Rev. William Gould is the present travel -. ing chairman. The society had its meetings for wor- ship in a chapel at Eighth and Chew Streets. It numbers about twenty members. The church was originally organized in 1858 in New York State. Its

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THE CITY OF ALLENTOWN.

doctrine, articles, and general rules are similar to those of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The New Church (Swedenborgian).1-The church which is the subject of the following sketch, is founded on the acknowledgment of the Lord Jesus Christ as the one and only personal God of the universe. The doctrines of the church are elaimed to have been given by the Lord, through heaven, in fulfillment of the Apocalyptic vision, in which the city New Jerusalem was seen to descend from God out of heaven. (Rev. xxi. 2.) The principal doctrines of the church are : that Jesus Christ is the only God; that saving faith is to believe ou Him; that the truly Christian life consists in shunning evils as sins against God ; that the Sacred Scriptures are divine in every word and syllable, and contain a spiritual sense; that there is a life after death, and consequently a spiritual world, embracing heaven and hell and the intermediate "world of spirits ;" and that the Lord has made Ilis promised second coming by revealing the doctrines of the New Church which are one with the spiritual sense of the Word, through His servant, Emanuel Swedenborg.

The first persons known as believers in the doc- trines of the New Church in Allentown were Simon Sweitzer and family, who removed from Philadelphia to this city about the year 1830. In the course of years Frederick Bohlen, J. Brader, Hon. R. E. Wright, Professor I. N. Gregory, E. D. Leisenring, Eli J. Sa- ger, Esq., and others swelled the number of believers.

In the winter of 1868-69 the Rev. A. O. Brickmann, of Baltimore, was invited by Mr. Bohlen to visit Allentown, and preached at times in Bollen's Hall, on North Seventh Street, and in the court-house. This resulted in the organization of the Allentown Society of the New Church on Oct. 20, 1869, with Simon Sweitzer, president, John Wunderlich, secretary, and Eli J. Sager, Esq., treasurer.

In 1870 the services of Rev. L. H. Tafel, of Phila- delphia, were engaged, and he conducted divine worship every fourth Sunday, and organized a Sun- day-school, Bohlen's Hall being the place of meeting for both church and Sunday-school.

In 1873 the Rev. J. E. Bowers, a missionary of the New Church, visited the society from time to time.

At last the Rev. A. O. Brickmann accepted a call as pastor of the society, and under him a new con- stitution was adopted. The society joined the Pen- sylvania Association. The services, which were at- tended by large andiences drawn by the powerful preaching of the pastor, were now held in the court- house, and later in the Academy, on the northwest corner of Eighth and Walnut Streets, and continued under Mr. Brickmann's ministration, at the three places mentioned, until February, 1877.

After this Mr. I. N. Gregory, a layman, who had moved to Philadelphia, preached once a month, and

Rev. L. H. Tafel and the Rt. Rev. W. H. Benade, both of Philadelphia, also visited the society and preached.

Services were then suspended for a long time, until, on the Ist day of May, 1881, the Rt. Rev. W. H. Be- nade, presiding minister of the Pennsylvania Associa- tion of the New Church, introduced Mr. Eugene J. E. Schreck, a theological student at the schools of the Academy of the New Church. At first he came from Philadelphia every two weeks, but later made weekly visits, preaching in German and in English, and con- ducting the Sunday-school. During his administra- tion the society purchased property on South Seventh Street, near Union, and altered the dwelling into a house of worship. This was dedicated on Dec. 10, 1882, by Rt. Rev. W. H. Benade, and by Rt. Rev. F. W. Tuerk, of Berlin, Canada, and has ever since been used by the society. On May 13th of the next year the society severed its connection with the Penn- sylvania Association. Upon his ordination into the priesthood of the New Church, in July, 1883, Rev. Mr. Schreck accepted a call as minister of the society, and is now serving as such. There are from sixty to seventy avowed believers of the New Church faith in Allentown, and others in the county.

Methodist Episcopal Church."-In the year 1842, Rev. John A. Boyle was stationed at Manch Chunk. During his term of service there he visited Allentown and found a Methodist family, composed of two sis- ters,-Elizabeth and Sarah Mofflee,-who opened their house for him for religious services. Occasional meetings were held in this place and an adjoining house until the year 1843. In the year 1843, Rev. Solomon Higgins, presiding elder of North Philadel- phia District, Philadelphia Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, sent Rev. Newton Hes- ton to take charge of the little band of Methodists.

Preaching was immediately established in what was then known as " Free Hall," built in the interests of infidelity. The organization of the church occurred July 9, 1848, and included six persons, Elizabeth Motllee, Sarah Mofllee, William Kelly, Eliza Kelly, William Ruhe, and Sarah Ruhe. The society was sorely persecuted owing to the prejudice existing against the use of the English language, the German churches deeming the organization of an English church an invasion of their rights. The church pros- pered, however, and about forty persons were con- verted, and a Sunday-school was instituted and well attended. During the year a lot was purchased, and drawings made for the erection of a church building. The lot on Linden Street was bought from Mr. Chris- tian Pretz for the sum of two hundred dollars. With the enterprise fairly under way the pastor reached the close of his first year in the ministry. In the spring of 1844, Rev. Newton Heston was returned to this field of labor. During this year the church building was completed at a cost of about fifteen hundred dol-

2 Contributed by Rev. William P. Howell.

1 By Rev. E. J. E. Schreck.

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

lars, all of which was paid with the exception of one hundred and fifty dollars. The building was sixty by forty feet, with seating room for two hundred and seventy persons. The following composed the first board of trustees : Samnel S. Richards, James An- thony, David Keiper, Samuel Petit, William Kane, Jacob Gangwere, and Jacob Deily. The success of the enterprise was in a large measure due to the per- sonal attention shown by the pastor, who was a party to all contraets, collected the money and paid the bills. In connection with his work in Allentown, the pastor visited Catasauqua and organized a Methodist society in that place. Rev. Newton Heston, the first pastor, was a good preacher, a faithful pastor, a judi- cious counselor, a zealous laborer, and was greatly beloved, and his work and memory are still lovingly cherished by the church ; at the close of his ministry here in 1845 there existed a membership of fifty- seven. In 1845, when Rev. George Quigley was pastor, eight additions were made to the church. In 1846, Rev. George Quigley and Rev. T. C. Murphy were pastors. During this year two appointments were added to Allentown,-Deemers and Flatland,-and preaching services were held regularly at Catasauqua, Rev. W. W. MeMichael was pastor in 1847; during this year one of the elect sisters of the church died. Elizabeth Mofllee, whose name stands first on the list in the organization of the society, was converted to God in early life, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bryan's Meeting-House, on Bristol Circuit. About the year 1841 she removed with her sister to Allentown, and extended the hospitalities of her home in the interest of Methodism. After serving the Lord for over forty years she died, at the age of sixty-two years. In 1847, Rev. J. H. Turner and Rev. William II. Burrell were pastors. Bushkill, Bethlehem, and Bath were added this year, making a circuit of seven appointments. The total membership at Allentown was forty-six ; probationers, ten.

In 1849, Rev. D. R. Thomas and Rev. W. C. Stock- ton were pastors. In 1850, Rev. S. G. Hare was pastor. At this session of the Conference. Bushkill, Bridgeton, Deenters, and Flatland were separated from Allen- town and called Quakertown Mission, and Rer. G. W. MeLaughlin appointed pastor. Bethlehem was con- nected with Allentown, and the circuit named Allen- town and Bethlehem Mission, In 1851 and 1852, Rev. W. II. Brisbane was pastor. On May 9, 1852, a class at Bethlehem was organized, consisting of eight mem- bers, with Samuel Ritter as leader. In 1853, Rev. Samuel Irwin became pastor. During the year Qua- kertown Mission was reunited to Allentown and Beth- lehem under the title of Allentown Circuit. The Fourth Quarterly Conference recommended the pastor as a suitable person to be received into the traveling connection.

Rev. S. Irwin and Rev. J. M. Hinson were pastors in 1854. Many were added to the church under their ministry. The senior pastor was recommended to the |

Conference for deacon's orders, and Rev. J. M. Hinson recommended to be received on trial in the Confer- enee. During the year a church was built at Beth- lehem.

Rev. H. A. Hobbs and Rev. Isaac Thomas were the pastors in 1855; Rev. 11. A. Hobbs, Rev. J. HI. Boyd, in 1856; and Rev. H. H. Hickman in 1857. The cir- cuit was again divided, Allentown and Catasauqua constituting Allentown Mission.

In 1858-59, when Rev. F. D. Eagan was pastor, a commodious house of worship was ereeted at Cata- sauqua. At this time the membership was,-Allen- town, 75; Catasauqua, 24; total, 99. Rev. S. G. Hare became pastor in 1860, and served through that and the following year.

On May 30, 1860, a Sunday-school was organized at Allentown Furnace, J. B. Roeder, superintendent, with thirty-six scholars.

Rev. E. T. Kenney was pastor in 1862-63. The membership of the church was largely increased during his term. At the Conference of 1864, Cata- sauqua was separated from Allentown, and each be- came stations. In 1864-65, Rev. W. C. Best was pastor. Great success attended his labors. The church grew in numbers and influence. The church building was too small for the growing congregation. The Quar- terly Conference appointed a committee of three to make the necessary estimate for the erection of a suitable house of worship, or the enlargement of the old structure.

In 1866, Rev. Gideon T. Barr was given pastoral charge of the church. The committee on increased church accommodations recommended the enlarge- ment of the building which had been in use. A board of trustees was elected for the First Ward, Allentown, as a church enterprise was contemplated in that part of the city.

Rev. John F. Crouch was pastor in 1867-69. During his term a new era dawned in the history of the church. The church was rebuilt during 1868-69, and considering the limited means of the society and the high prices of the times, it was a wonder that the work undertaken wa- accomplished, leaving only an indebtedness of four thousand dollars. Rev. W. Swindells became pastor in 1870, and served two years, The society continued to increase, and all the interests of the church kept in a flourishing con- dition. In 1872, Rev. Reuben Owen was the pastor, and in 1873-75, Rev. E. F. Pitcher.

The great financial depression throughout the country at this time affected the church. Rev. S. 1. Heilner became pastor in 1876. Although the hard times continued, the church debt was reduced five hundred dollars during his term. In 1878-79, Rev. W. L. MeDowell was pastor. The financial depres- sion continued, but perceptible improvement was evident. In 1880-82, Rev. W. Coffman was pastor. During his term, times having materially improved, the church debt, amounting to three thousand five

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THE CITY OF ALLENTOWN.

hundred dollars, was paid. The spiritual interests of the church also were advanced.

Rev. William P. Howell, the present pastor, as- sumed his duties in 1883. Notwithstanding the zeal and sacrifice displayed by the church in the preced- ing year in freeing the church from debt, the church is now making extensive repairs and improvements upon the church building, at a cost of at least sixteen hundred dollars, with three-fourths of the amount subscribed, and the improvements just begun. The improvements will include a room for infant-school purposes in the rear of the church, enlargement of the lecture-room, frescoing, painting, ete.

The following were the statistics of the church in October, 1883: Members, 182; probationers, 20; value of church property, $11,000; officers and teachers of Sunday-school, 34; scholars, 190; benevolent col- lections, $277.12; ministerial support (including pas- tor's salary, $800, and rent, $204) 81004.

Grace Episcopal Church .- The Rev. Azariah Prior was sent to Allentown by the bishop in 1858, and held services till 1861, principally in the court- house. Services were maintained till the following year by different clergymen. The Rev. E. N. Potter, then in deacon's orders, under appointment from the Board of Missions to the charge of Bethlehem and Allentown, entered upon his duties at Allentown in September, 1862. Services were held in the court- house July 6th and 13th, and again Sunday afternoon, October 5th, and from that date regularly continued.

The corner-stone of the church was laid by the Rt. Rev. William B. Stevens, D.D., assistant bishop, April 18, 1865. The church was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Horatio Potter, acting for Bishop Stevens, July 3, 1866. Rev. Mr. Potter was the rector until April 1, 1867. The Rev. W. R. Gries succeeded to the rectorship, and remained in the parish until his decease, in the autumn of 1872. For a short period the church was served by the Rev. Mr. MeIlvaine. The Rev. D. W. C. Byllsby, rector from the autumn of 1873 to 1876, was succeeded by Rev. C. S. M. Stewart, 1876-77. The Rev. Hugh Roy Scott was rector from the spring of 1878 to the end of the same year. Mr. Scott died on Christmas. The Rev. O. B. Keith officiated as a supply from Dec. 1, 1878, to June 22, 1879.

From the 17th of October, 1879, the Rev. C. R. Bonnell was appointed by Bishop Howe missionary in charge of this church and the Church of the Me- diator. On the Sd of January, 1881, at his own request, he was relieved of the care of these parishes.

The Rev. Ormes B. Keith succeeded Mr. Bommell, March 20, 1881, officiating in Grace Church and the Church of the Mediator till July 1, 1883, when he resigned. There is at present no debt of any kind upon the church property.

Church of the Mediator, Episcopal .- Mission work in the Sixth Ward, Allentown, was begun in 1863. The missionary in charge of Bethlehem and

Allentown, the Rev. E. N. Potter, undertook this work. A Sunday-school was opened, and upon the or- dination of Mr. C. E. D. Griffiths, he performed clerical duty until his removal to Kansas. In 1867 and 1868 the Rev. Joseph Murphy officiated. In the summer of 1868 the Rev. Jeremiah Karcher took charge of this point as missionary, appointed by the Board.

The corner-stone of the building was laid by the Rev. E. N. Potter, 1866, and the church was conse- crated Feb. 21, 1869, by the Rt. Rev. B. Wistar Mor- ris, Bishop of Oregon.

Rev. F. W. Bartlett succeeded Mr. Karcher in the autumn of 1869, and labored in the parish till the autumn of 1871, when the Rev. C. E. D. Griffith re- sumed the charge of the church, retaining it until his resignation in 1878, when the Rev. H. R. Scott officiated therein in connection with Grace Church.

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History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1, Part 52

Author: Mathews, Alfred, 1852-1904; Hungerford, Austin N., joint author Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Richards Number of Pages: 948

Author: Mathews, Alfred, 1852-1904; Hungerford, Austin N., joint author
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Richards
Number of Pages: 948