History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1, Part 62

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 62
USA > Pennsylvania > Carbon County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1 > Part 62

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On the fall of Fort Sumter, Col. M. H. Horn and Mr. Earle called the first public meeting in High-School Hall, and Mr. Earle made the first speech and the first call for volunteers on that occasion. The bugle- call thus sounded, the First Church and its pastor stood together during all the weary struggle, and again and again the old church-bell rang out the peal of victory, or summoned the friends of the Union to fresh efforts in its defense until peace came.

On the suggestion of Mr. Samuel Thomas that a soldiers' monument should be erected, Mr. Earle or- ganized the " Monument Association," and served as its secretary. He drew up the constitution and by- laws, named its members, arranged the inscriptions and singularly appropriate texts on the four sides of the monument; also the order of exercises on the day of dedication, and delivered the historical ora- tion, Maj. Calhoun being the orator of the day. That neither his name nor that of any civilian mem- ber of the committee appears anywhere on the monu- ment is due to the decision that "no man's name should be inscribed on the monument unless he had been sworn into the service of the United States, and had been under the enemy's fire." Hence it is just what it purports to be, a " Soldiers' Monument."

For the past seven or eight years Mr. Earle has been the chaplain of the Fourth Regiment National Guards of Pennsylvania, commissioned by Governor Hoyt.

His pastorate has been as happy and harmonious as it has been long, and has been blessed with repeated revivals. The length of it, and the harmony which for more than thirty-one years has prevailed, are the more noteworthy when it is borne in mind that during that time the town and country have passed through labor crises and political crises of the severest kind. Moreover, that the church itself is composed of five or six different nationalities, and as many denomina- tions; and that the rich and the poor, the employer and the employed, during all these years, have peace- fully worshiped together.

The official records of the denomination show that in the numbers added to its membership, and in the amount of money contributed for home -upport aud to the benevolent cause of the denomination, the First Church is behind few, and in advance of many sister churches, if judged by its numbers and ability.

The second Mrs. Earle, like her predecessor, greatly | chapel, and manse, beautiful for sitnation, and beauti- beloved and deeply lamented, died in Catasauqua, April 29, 1872.

It possesses a valuable property, consisting of church, ful in themselves. This is particularly true of the manse. When about to build, a definite sum was placed at Mr. Earle's disposal, and he was simply told to " build to suit yourself, and it will suit us." He did so, and " it is a house to live in."

The buildings owe their existence very largely to his zeal and foresight, and in the style and arrange- ment of them, within and without, they are monu- ments of the largeness of heart of the people, and the taste and excentive ability and steadfastness of

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

purpose of the pastor. All things considered, his pastorate may be claimed to be a fairly successful one, and for the length of it in these times of change, and the results of it, worthy of record in this history of the Lehigh Valley.

Bridge Street Presbyterian Church .- The plant- ing of Presbyterianism, so early as 1736, in that part of Northampton County widely known as the " Irish Settlement" (so called from the nationality of its first population ) led to the organization of the Bridge Street Presbyterian Church, Catasauqua. The terri- tory occupied by the " Allen Township" or "Settle- ment" congregation extended from Bath to the Lehigh River, and within these limits the Crane Iron Com- pany established its works in 1839. This new and great industry at once attracted large numbers of workmen and their families from Presbyterian Ulster, in the North of Ireland, who naturally looked for Christian fellowship among the descendants of their countrymen, then the thrifty farmers of the rich and prosperous "Settlement." The mother church at that time had for pastor the Rev. Leslie Irwin, himself a native of Ireland, and a graduate of Belfast Royal Institution. He was a most faithful and devoted minister of the gospel, and from the beginning ex- tended his watchful and loving pastoral care to the new colony on the Lehigh. At great personal incon- venience, and in the most inclement seasons, he visited the families from house to house, and once every Sabbath preached to them the gospel of the kingdom. In compliance with a petition from the people, the Presbytery of Newton, in August, 1850, organized the church with thirty-two members, and ordained James McClelland its first ruling elder. Mr. Irwin continued his ministry for a period of fif- teen years after its organization, during which time he had the satisfaction of seeing the good fruits of his labors in the increase of the membership and Christian usefulness of the church. He was suc- eeeded by Rev. James Lewers, who labored in word and doctrine with great fidelity and encouraging sne- cess till stricken down by the hand of death on Ang. 28, 1868, in the third year of his pastorate. During . the period of his ministerial services the church en- joyed great prosperity. It grew in numbers and in grace and in good works, and then erected that sub- stantial and costly edifice in which the church wor- ships at the present time. In the fall of 1868 the Rev. William Fulton was chosen pastor, and soon thereafter entered this field of labor. He was an able and acceptable minister of the New Testament, and under his ministry the church became stronger still in numbers and resources and spiritual activity. The large debt which enemmbered its property was mich redneed. The financial embarrassments which at that time affected the public industries of Catasau- qua, followed by unhappy divisions which then crept in among the people, had a most injurious influence on the peace and harmony and prosperity which had

previously characterized its history. As a conse- quenee the church suffered seriously in loss of mem- bers and loss of means. Mr. Fulton resigned his pastoral charge in October, 1875, and in May, 1876, the Rev. D. Harbison, the present pastor, was duly installed by the Presbytery of Lehigh. The church, though weakened by previous division, is now united and growing, has recently succeeded in paying off the indebtedness which for many years was a heavy and oppressive burden, and in the enjoyment of tokens of the divine favor, is endeavoring to be faithful to her high trust.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- It was in the year 1845 that the first Methodist sermon was preached in Catasauqua. Isaac Larash had built a small frame house on what is now known as Church Street, in which two rooms could temporarily be thrown into one. Here Newton Heston, then stationed in Allen- town, preached the first sermon. George Quigley and Thomas Murphy also preached occasionally while sta- tioned at Allentown, as did Samuel Irvine. The con- gregation soon became too large for its meetings to be held in the house of Mr. Larash; and Mrs. Jeanette Frederick and Mrs. Amelia Matchett obtained the use of the Second Street school-house. From this time on, for several years, there was occasional preach- ing at various places by the Revs. A. H. Hobbs, 11. H. Hickman, and F. D. Eagan. At the time the latter preached here there were nine members, among whom were Jeanette Frederick, Amelia Matchett, Margaret Rogers, and Samnel Steel. It was under Mr. Eagan's preaching that the church edifice was built, in 1859, and dedicated on Christmas day of that year, although the upper part was not finished until 1867, when a re- dedication took place. The first trustees' meeting was held at the house of Joseph Reichert, April 17, 1860, the members present being Charles Graflin, Arthur Camp- bell, and Joseph Reichert. In November of the same year a charter of incorporation was granted. The church was supplied by ministers from Allentown and elsewhere until 1864, when C. Il. Bickley was ap- pointed pastor. He served until 1865. Since then the succession of pastors has been as follows: 1865, Il. F. Isett : 1866, S. B. Best ; 1869, J. J. Jones ; 1871, William P. Howell ; 1874, Jeremiah Pastorfield ; 1876, G. Oram ; 1879, D. M. Young; 1881, L. B. Hoffman (six months) ; 1881, S. O. Garrison. The church, though for several years leading a struggling and somewhat feeble existence, is now in excellent condi- tion. There is a Sunday-school in connection with the church, of which the first meeting was held Feb. 25, 1860. It is at present in charge of James Thomas.

Emanuel's German Evangelical Church .- There was preaching in Catasauqua by Henry Bucks and Noah Melain, of this denomination, in 1818, and the same year the first church of this denomination was built on the Howertown road, between Union and Wood Streets. It was a brick structure about. thirty

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by thirty-eight feet in dimensions, and cost eight hundred dollars, while the lot cost enough more to make the entire expense nearly one thousand dollars. The trustees at the time the church was built were Charles G. Schneller, William Neighley, and Henry Youndt. The church society had been organized six years prior to the date of building, or in 1842, though it had not reached a very promising condition until the date with which we have seen fit to open this brief sketch. The original members were Henry Youndt and wife, Enoch Youndt and wife, Abram Youndt and wife, Joseph Youndt and wife, Valentine Knoll, Matthias Knoll and wife, and Sebastian Knoll. By 1870 the society had received so many accessions that

After an organization was once effected, a move- ment was soon set on foot to build a church, but its membership being only about one hundred, cove- nanted with the Lutheran people, who started about its old house of worship was no longer adequate for : the same time under the pastoral charge of Rev. its accommodation, and the present structure on the , Schindel, and they agreed to bny a lot and build on it jointly, hence a union church was built in 1852, on a lot bought from Mr. Henry Kurtz, lying on Hower- town road. It was surmounted with a handsome steeple and bell.

corner of Second and Walnut Streets was erected. This is a handsome brick church with a wooden dome, and is of ample size for the congregation. It cost about ten thousand dollars, and its erection was super- intended by William Michael, David Tombler, Owen Schwartz, C. G. Schneller, and Aaron Klick, who were at that time trustees. A lot with a good house upon it, which has since been used as a parsonage, was purchased in 1874.

The pastors who have served this congregation have been as follows; Revs, William Hessart, Francis Hoffman, John Kramer, Henry Bucks, and Noah MeLain, Micheal Singlinger, Samuel Rhoads, Chris- tian Hummel, Jacob Gross, Christian Myers, George Knerr, Moses Dissenger, George Haines, John Schell, i in the resignation of the pastor, Rev. C. Becker, John Kochl, James Lehr, C. B. Fleager, George Knerr, Jacob Adams, George Haines, C. Breyogel, and R. Lichtenwallner, the present incumbent. The : church has now about two hundred members, and a | Classis to look after the Reformed interest, and he flourishing Sunday-school, under the superintendente of E. V. Schwartz.

The German Reformed Church .- We would natu- rally expert the Reformed Church represented here, surrounded as the town is with numerous churches be- longing to that denomination. Indeed, it would be ex- pected that this denomination should be the first one on the ground to organize a congregation ; but the Reformed people moving into the town continued to hold their membership in the congregations from which they moved, though that may have been from This new organization bought the property from the sheriff, and efforts were at once put forth to pay for the property, and last year ( 1883) the congrega- tion succeeded in paying off all indebtedness. In all this time there was small progress in the increase of the membership, and now (1884) its membership is about one hundred and eighty. But the debt, which had been the chief hindrance, now being paid, there is a prospect of a more rapid increase of the pastor of the first organization was Rev. C. J. Becker. After his death, he was followed by his son Cyrus, who served the congregation until his resigna- tion, in 1870. From this date to 1873 the congrega- a mile to six and sometimes more from town; there ; was therefore no necessity felt for a congregation here until people felt the inconvenience of attending service at such a distance. In the mean time the Presbyterians, many of whom came from great dis- tances, inunediately felt the need of a house for public worship, and hence they erected for themselves a chapel in 1839-40, and thus they were the first to start church enterprise here. The Reformed people, , membership. As has been already observed, the feeling 'that to attend divine service nearer home would afford much comfort and ease, yet loving the church of their fathers, they were granted the use of the Presbyterian chapel on sneh days or hours

when the Presbyterians had no service, and thus they worshiped here from time to time until a proper organization was formed by them under the minis- terial functions of Rev. Cyrus J. Beeker, D.D., in 1848. We must not omit to notice here that much eredit is due to Mr. Nicholas Balliet in bringing the church interest of the Reformed people to such defi- nite shape. He was a zealous laborer in the cause of the Christian religion, and a devoted member in the Reformed Church.

In 1868 the Reformed congregation made an over- ture to the Lutheran to buy or sell; the Lutherans buying out the Reformed, the Reformed went out and built for itself a church on a lot donated by Mr. Jo- seph Laubach on corner of Third and Walnut Streets. The corner-stone of this church was laid in April, 1869, and it was dedicated in the fall of the same year. This congregation was known as the First Reformed Church of Catasauqua, Pa. Dissensions arose very soon in the congregation, which resulted

and which further resulted in weakening the organi- zation to but a small number. In the winter of 1873, Rev. A. B. Koplin was called by the East Pennsylvania . succeeded in effecting a new organization under the former title. It soon had a membership of over one hundred, but the property being burdened with a heavy debt, its growth was retarded, and in 1880 the property was sold by the sheriff, and the organization, under the title of First Reformed Church, disbanded ; but in April of the same year, at a public meeting called for the purpose of organizing a Reformed Church, a new organization was effected, under the title of Salem's Reformed Church of Catasauqua.

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

tion was without a regular pastor. In the fall or Sunday-school numbers something over five hundred. It has a valuable property and no debts. The present church council consists of,-Pastor, J. D. Schindel ; Elders, Frederick Eberhard and William Wolf; Dea- cons, James Seyfried, William F. Koehler, Samuel winter of that year Rev. A. B. Koplin was called, and he served the congregation until 1877, when he was ealled to another field, and the congregation called the Rev. J. J. Crist. When the new organization was formed, under the title of Salem's Reformed Church, i Everitt, and Sylvester B. Harte; Trustees, Philip he was newly elected, and he has been serving the : Storm and James C. Beitel; Secretary, Samuel J. congregation up to this time.

Koehler ; and Treasurer, Samuel M. Snyder. The congregation as superintendent ; Samuel J. Kochler and Paul C. Brodbeck. assistants; Tilghman F. Fred- Snyder, librarians.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church .- St. Paul's Luth- ' officers of the Sunday-school are, the pastor of the eran Church, Catasauqua, dates its origin from the latter part of the year 1851. AAbout that time Rev. Jeremiah Schindel, Lutheran, and Rev. J. C. Becker, ; erick, secretary ; and Edwin Kleibscheidel and Monroe D.D., Reformed, began to preach to the two respec- tive congregations that afterwards erected the St. The Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity .- On Wednesday, Jan. 1, 1873, the annual congrega- tional meeting of St. Paul's Lutheran Church was Paul's Union Church. In the beginning of the year 1852 the two congregations were regularly organized and the two clergymen mentioned elected as the first . held in their church. At this meeting a resolution was adopted reducing the English services in the

regular pastors. The church building was soon com- menced, the corner-stone being laid on July 4, 1852, : church from five to four times each month. It was and the dedication taking place on Christmas day of . the opinion of ten English members that this action the same year. The building committee consisted of 1 was not called for by existing circumstances, and as the congregation had been growing rapidly by the introduction of English preaching in the church, as the Sunday-school attached to the church was con- dueted in the English language, and as the children of the church were educated entirely in that lan- George Breinig, Solomon Biery, Samuel Kochler, and Charles Nolf. This Union Church continued until March, 1868, when the Reformed sold out their inter- est, and the Lutherans became sole owners of the property.

The first Lutheran Church couneil was composed , guage, considerable dissatisfaction was manifested on of George Breinig and George Frederick, Sr., as elders ; Reuben Patterson and Jonathan Snyder, as deacons. In 1854, Rev. Jeremiah Schindel resigned, and was sueceeded by Rev. William Rath, who served the congregation until July 7, 1861, when Rev. F. J. F. Schantz became pastor, and remained such until Sept. 30, 1866. From this date until June 1, 1867, the con- gregation was supplied by Conference,-Rev. Carl Schlenker serving the same in German, and Rev. E. J. Koons, in English. From June 1, 1867, Rev. J. D. Sehindel, a son of the first pastor of the con- gregation, assumed charge of the same, and yet serves the congregation.

The organists during this time were the following : John S. P. Faust, Edward Broder, John Leonhard, Martin Frankenfield, T. S. P. Steiner (tor twelve years), Norman C. Shaffer, and the present organist, John C. Schafer.

During these thirty-one years the congregation has had a varied experience, but has always shown life and growth. In 1863 the building was handsomely repaired, and in 1871 a basement was made nnder it. In 1873 the dead buried in the adjoining lot were re- moved. In the same year a part of the congregation | The meeting then resolved to organize an English severed their connection, and organized the English Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity.

Ever since the organization of the congregation both the German and English languages have been used in the services. At first the English was used occasionally, but at present the two langnages stand on an equality. The present membership of the cou- gregation is something over seven hundred, and the both morning and evening. The Sunday-school in

the part of those who believed that the church should keep up with the demands of the times; and after repeated requests on their part made to the German portion of the church to recede from the action taken, without effect, a portion of the congregation retired from the meeting to discuss the situation. M. H. Horn was ealled to the chair. George Bower, Edwin Schlench, and M. H. Horn were appointed a committee to report upon the situation at a future meeting to be called by the chairman. A meeting was called for Monday evening, Jan. 6, 1873, at the residence of M. H. Horn, and was largely attended. It was agreed to make one more effort to arrange with the German portion of the congregation, and endeavor to get them to recede from the action taken Jan. 1, 1873. Accordingly, Mes-rs. George Bower, Thomas Frederick, Charles F. Beck, Edwin Schleuch, and Harry J. Eckensberger were appointed a committee to meet the church council of St. Paul's Church, for the above-named purpose, and to report at a meeting to be held Jan. 10, 1873.

January 10th the committee reported that the church council of St. Paul's Church refused to recede from the action taken at the meeting of January Ist. Lutheran congregation and procure a suitable place for worship. A committee was appointed on organi- zation and supplies. Subsequently the German Re- formed Church was proeured as the place of worship, and on Sunday, January 14th, Rev. John Kohler, one of the oldest members of the German Evangelical Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania, preached

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BOROUGHI OF CATASAUQUA.

connection with the church was organized, with about eighty children, on the 12th of January, with M. H. Horn, superintendent ; E. H. Breder, assistant super- intendent; Robert A. Lyttle, superintendent of infant department ; Edwin Schlench, H. J. Echensberger,

persons were elected church officers: Elders, George Boner and Thomas Frederick ; Deacons, Edwin Schlench, Jacob B. Werley, HI. J. Eekensberger, and O. Person ; Trustees, Charles F. Beck, E. H. Breder ; The pulpit was regularly supplied by the following- named ministers until a regular pastor was elected : Rev. F. A. Muhlenberg, D.D., Rev. D. N. Kepner, Rev. Edmund Belfour, Rev. Joseph A. Seiss, D.D., Rev. Sibolte, Rev. William Frick, Rev. C. J. Cooper, Rev. S. A. Ziegenfuss, Rev. R. Weidner, and Rev. David Guissinger. On Sunday, May 14, 1873, the first com- munion services were held by Rev. Joseph A. Seiss, D. D., of Philadelphia. The following-named persons communed : George Bower, Mrs. A. D. Bower, C. D. W. Bower, Myra Bower, Melchior H. Horn, Matilda S. Ilorn, William HI. Horn, Frank M. Horn, Thomas Frederick, Catharine Frederick, Thomas W. Freder- iek, Charles F. Beck, Catharine Beck, Jacob B. Wer- ley, Abbie R. Werley, Orantus Pierson, Elizabeth Pierson, Henry J. Fekensberger, Amanda Eckensber- ger, Jacob L. Lawall, Anna C. Lawall, E. II. Breder, Mary C. Breder, Benjamin B. Lynn, Robert A. Lyt- tle, Edwin Schleuch, Mrs. Sehlench, Mullin Over- peck, Joseph H. Shipe, Emily C. Shipe, George Frederick, Ethie J. Frederick, Mary Fenstermacher, William H. Bender.

---

Monday, May 26, 1873, Rev. John R. Plitt was unanimously elected pastor of the congregation. Rev. Plitt served the congregation until the fall of 1877, when he resigned to take charge of a congregation in West Philadelphia. From that time until April 9, 1883, the congregation was served by Rev. M. II. Rich- ards as a missionary supply, when a call was unaui- monshy extended to Rev. George W. Landt, of Easton, Pa., who was subsequently unanimously elected pastor. Soon thereafter he formally took charge of the con-

In the fall of 1873, the corner-stone of the present church edifice was laid with appropriate ceremonies, Rev. J. D. Schindel, Rev. J. R. Plitt, Rev. Dr. Muhlou- berg, and other Lutheran clergymen taking part. In the spring of 1874, the church building was formally dedicated,-Rev. C. P. Krauth, D.D., Rev. F. A. Muhlenberg, D. D., Rev. J. D. Schindel, Rev. J. R. Plitt, and other clergymen participating. The church is fifty by seventy feet in dimensions, built of pressed brick, with a large Sunday-school room in the base-

ment, is of modern style, and one of the best built and handsomest churches in the Lehigh Valley ; the eost of the church and lot was about sixteen thousand dollars. It is situated on the northeast corner of Bridge and Third Streets. During the year 1876, Charles F. Beck, C. D. Boner, and Thomas W. Fred- . the congregation became considerably embarrassed, erick, librarians, Ou Feb. 10, 1873, a constitution ; caused by the effects of the panie of 1873, 1874, 1875, and by-laws were adopted, and the following-named i and 1876, and the church building was finally sold to pay debts due thereon ; it was purchased by M. II. Horn, and subsequently sold by him to the congre- gation at the price he paid for it. The congregation was chartered by the court of Lehigh County June Treasurer, M. Il. Horn ; Seeretary, William H. Horn. ; 16, 1882, and since the election of Rev. George W. Sandt, and his taking charge of the same, new life has been infused, and considerable growth has already shown itself in the addition of membership.

The following-named persons are now the officers of the church : Frank M. Horn, Henry J. Hornbeek, George Beck, C. D. W. Boner, J. H. Mushlitz, Henry J. Eckensberger, E. J. Boyer, and Owen Fatzinger ; of the first communicants of the congregation the following named have since died : Thomas Frederick, Catharine Frederick, Orantus Pierson, Anna C. Lawall; and of the members subsequently joining the church the deaths have been : Isabella T. Horn and Mrs. John Royer. The congregation carries upon its rolls about sixty members ; the Sunday-school, one hun- dred and sixty pupils, and twenty-four officers and teachers.

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History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1, Part 62

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