USA > Pennsylvania > Carbon County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 2 > Part 15
USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 2 > Part 15
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 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90
A certain Michael was such a reader, and the first Reformed preacher of the Ziegel congregation. What spiritual food the congregation then had can easily be imagined. But for many years this was their only resource. Besides their public services they lacked Bibles, hymn-books, and religious books, Family worship was forgotten, and the welfare of the soul was of secondary consideration. On such basis the congregation rested, and was to improve. Near the end of the period of these readers the Revolu- tionary war began. In the winter of 1777 to 1778 Washington was quartered at Valley Forge. The winter was severe, and the situation for the soldiers heartrending. This congregation provided to the best of their limited means such articles as shoes, garments, and food, and sent them. In the following spring, when Congress provided more for its army, members of this congregation enlisted in the army and fought for liberty till the end, and brought home with them corrupted morals of army life.
Taking into consideration the conditions and sur- roundings of this and neighboring congregations which prevailed to the end of the Revolution, we need not be surprised at the decline of Christianity, which increased for many years. The first settlers had died. From the beginning there were few schools, and those only in session a few months every winter. Year after year they grew worse, for the European teachers died, and in their stead incompetent men were often appointed. Besides, many children lived too far from the school-houses, some five and six miles. Most parents objected to their children going such a dis- tance, and kept them home at work. The European school knowledge was buried with the carly settlers, and the knowledge diffused by later teachers had a strong taint of illiteracy. The church interests of the congregation lacked pastorship and fostering. They stood under the leadership of readers, who were the personification of ignorance and unordained, and con- cerned themselves little about church government.
--- ..
1
1 1
1
463
WEISSENBERG TOWNSHIP.
They served merely for the sake of pay, flattered the members, left their transgression> unchastised because they themselves often were guilty of the grossest mis- demeanors. Their stock of books was contracted to Arndt's "Wahres Christenthum" Bible, hymns, a book of sermons, and prayer-book. Notwithstanding these books were of the best kind, they were still not sufficient for their Christian furtheranee. The war en- ! The building was of stone, greater in width than in hanced, the evil still more. Many returned from the war with their morals paralyzed, which resulted in the common frolies and gay living and games and spar- ring. The church, having lost its stronghold and re- speet, could not interfere, and things took their own course. The church sunk to stupidity and spiritless- ness ; members finally decided that they only needed the sacraments and services every four weeks, and ceremonies for the dead, and weddings.
After a period of forty years the reign of the readers ceased, and the Ziegel congregation was sup- plied with ordained ministers. In 1778, Rev. Jolin Il. Helfrich was elected as their pastor. He answered the call of Coetus in 1772, and came as missionary. lle was brought from Philadelphia by the Kutztown congregation, and lived there two years, but moved into the bounds of the Ziegel congregation. The Kutztown congregation had accepted the jurisdiction of Coetus, but when Helfrich tried to bring the Ziegel congregation under its influence he met with oppo- sition. There were two readers still in the neigh- borhood. Hentzel was Helffiich's predecessor in Kutztown, and was disposed of on account of his loose morals. The other, a certain Roth, for similar reasons, was discharged from the Weissenberg congre- gation, which also chose Heltfrich for their pastor. Stimulated by chagrin and jealousy, they succeeded in making the Ziegel obstinate and rebellious. Since Ilelffrich could not succeed, he resigned. Later. when the congregation saw the progress of the other churches under the sway of able ministers, they con- sented to be admitted to Coetus, and elected Helffrich again as their pastor.
The second church was built during the pastorship ' during communion service with a white cloth. In of Res. J. H. Holdrich. The small log church that was built in 1749, and had seen forty-five years of services, became too small, and had to make room for better accommodations. In 1795 the congregation resolved to build a church befitting the times. The members were divided among themselves as to where the new ehmurch was to be built. The old church was on the western corner of the old burial-ground. Many wanted the new elmurch opposite the burial- ground. It was finally decided that they vote by throwing their hats to the place of their choice. The most hats were found on the place opposite the old church, and the new building was there erected.
May 16, 1796, Revs. Helffrich and Obenhausen officiated at the corner-stone laying, and in the fall of the same year the same ministers dedicated the new church.
Most of the churches erected about this time in Eastern Pennsylvania had something harmonious, or in common, in the manner in which they were con- structed. It may be said the time had its style of architecture entirely distinct from later modes of con- strnetion. After this style the second Ziegel Church was built. Following was the method of construction :
depth, yet almost a square. Large double doors opened on the front and on both of the sides, and on either side of these doors an oblong window, protected by shutters, was let into the wall. Over the doors was put a beautiful, artistie, and finely-carved lintel or pediment about a foot wide. On the second floor there were windows on three sides, all alike, and above there was a round bow. The two middle ones in the gable ends had also on the right and left small windows at the sides, which lent an air of propriety to the whole, and gave the church throughout a sacred appearance. Each gable end had also an entirely round window, similar to the roses in the old Gothic style. The rear wall of the elmirch had in each story towards the sides only two windows, because in the middle stood the pulpit, above which a small window admitted light as well as cool air in summer.
The arrangement of the interior was made with ref- erence to the doors. An aisle running in from each door divided the room into four parts. Near the side entrance were the steps leading to the galleries. Along the long rear wall, upon pillars, stood the pulpit, in the form of a tulip, small, and containing room for only one person, with a sounding-board above it. The pulpit stairs ascended from a small space in the wall about Your feet long by three in width, which was known as the pastor's seat, or room. In front of the pulpit, in a large clear space, stood the altar. This was not a vessel such as is generally found, but was rather an altar, constructed after the fashion of the Ark of the Covenant, and was covered with a black vestment, which was again covered
later times the pulpit was covered with the same kind of a black vestment. The galleries, resting upon seven columns, extended around the three sides opposite to the pulpit, and were so high that no one sitting in them could see the minister at the altar. At first the gallery on the right of the pulpit con- tained the organ, but later it was removed to the one immediately facing the pulpit. The congregation was divided according to age and sex between the different parts of the church. The fronts only of the galleries, as well as of the doors and windows, and the sides of the pews were painted white; the pews themselves, which formed the greatest part of what struck the eye, were unpainted, and in the course of time obtained a dull brown color, which made a solemn, dreary impression upon the mind. The frame-work of the roof was laid the longest way upon the walls.
4644
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Although this style of construction was clumsy and not ecclesiastical in appearance, yet the pulpit, with its sounding-board, made preaching (deficient, alas ! in almost every respect) an easy matter in these churches.
The efforts of Rev. J. H. Helfrich, as before stated, were especially directed towards bringing the congre- gation into alliance with the Coetus (Synod), in order to obtain for it a surer and more certain establishment as a church. When this was accomplished he devoted himself with all the energy of his nature towards es- tablishing a higher and better order of things. Ilis well-prepared sermons, delivered with earnestness and in love ; his strict discipline, without sharpness ; his elementary instruction of the young, and his un- tiring industry bore their natural fruit. Yet the progress was only partial. The congregation ad- vanced in ecclesiastical matters, but the advance was mostly in forms. There was a lack of appreciation of the advantages of mental culture among the people. In fact, so limited was this appreciation that it was impossible to use the Heidelberg Catechism in its entire form in the instruction of the children. Neither were the young prepared by previous training to com- mit the larger answers, nor were they even inclined to do so. Many could neither read nor write, while others had never been within the four walls of the school-house. To overcome some of these difficulties Rev. Helffrich rewrote and simplified the Heidelberg Catechism, inserting the principal questions (with their numbers), so that every child could go over the whole catechism and commit many of the questions thus simplified. Through these means the Heidel- berg Catechism was prevented from falling into disuse in his congregation. The children were instructed every Sunday before divine service, and by the help of his explanations and illustrations were enabled to commit the catechism to memory. Later he had this abridgment printed, and every child was required to have one, as well as the Heidelberg Catechism. It is still used as a catechism in Sunday-schools to this day.
Externally also, through his labors, the church obtained new life. Veneration and love for the church sprang up in the people, and the church was con- stantly building a surer foundation. Towards the attaiment of a complete revivification the proper conditions were wanting, however. The schools were badly conducted, the literature necessary for the ad- vancement of popular education was entirely wanting, and the spirit of the times tended downwards. Beyond all, there was a lack of spirit in the German Churches of America which was everywhere more or less per- ceptible. It will be thus seen that it was more neces- sary to check this downward tendency than to think of spiritual development. Yet the good seed was sown by willing ecclesiastical hands, and this self-same seed began to spread its roots, and in its own appointed time brought forth fruit in abundance.
After Rev. Helfrich's death, in 1810, Heinrich Diefenbach was called to serve the congregation pro- visionally. A son of Rev. Helffrich had begun to study theology, and it was agreed that Rev. Diefen- bach should serve until the former should receive a license to preach from the Synod. The congregations of the Heidelberg; Lynn, and Lowhill Churches also joined in this provisional arrangement, and after a ser- vice of five years Mr. Diefenbach peaceably surren- dered his charges to John Helffrich, when the latter had completed his studies in Philadelphia under Dr. Helfenstein, and had received his license from the Synod.
Johannes Helffrich was chosen as pastor in 1816, and served this and the other congregations above named for a period of thirty-five years, until his death, in 1852. During his long ministry he carried on the good work from the foundation upon which it had been laid. HIe pursued an objective course. Hlis aim was the external presentation of the church as the bearer of the means of salvation, and through these of the grace of God. He sought to quicken Christianity, but only within these limits. He was the bitter enemy of everything which tended even in appearance to sub- vert the old forms and methods, and energetically opposed all such in his congregations. On two occa- sions especially he maintained this position during his service.
It was between 1820 and 1830 that the schism known under the name of "the Free Synod" arose in the Reformed Churches of Eastern Pennsylvania especi- ally, the seed of which spirit was industriously sought to be sown also in the Ziegel congregation. Nor was it in vain : the seed took root, and not a small portion of the church-members were favorably in- clined to the idea. The Lutheran minister, Johann Konosky, seceded about this time from the Lutheran Synod, and drew after himself all his congregations, among them the Lutherans of the Ziegel Church. Thereupon the Reformed congregations also wished to separate from their Synod. This purpose Rev. Helffrich opposed with all the earnestness of his nature. To disprove what the sehismaties loudly pro- claimed, -that the old Synod desired to enslave the people, -he obtained from the Synod a written deela- ration, addressed to the Ziegel Church, that it should not at any time be obliged to do anything to the loss of its freedom. This writing, composed in the Synod at Lebanon, in 1829, and attested under the hands of the synodical officers, was read to the Ziegel congre- gation, and the spirit of Free Synods, even if not en- tirely exterminated, lost its hold upon the people.
The other disturbance which shook the church in his time was that created by the birth of the spirit of fanaticism. This excitement pervaded the whole Ger- man Church, more or less, everywhere. It took it> origin from without the church, and sought to press its way from without into the church. If naturally tended to the establishment of the "anxious bench."
465
WEISSENBERG TOWNSHIP.
and showed in many congregations into which it was introduced its corrupt and unchristian nature. From the rise of this spirit, so little in consonance with the spirit of the Reformed Church, Rev. Helffrich could foresee the promise of but little good. He did not permit himself to give the movement any counte- nance, but, on the other hand, took a position too far in the extreme, and too far, perhaps, behind the times. He constantly said to his flock, We will abide by the old customs; let us cultivate these. In the Ziegel Church, too, the fanatical spirit attempted to obtain a foothold, but, owing to the opposition of their pas- tor, the church remained unharmed by the storm, which swept over other churches like a scorching blast. When the first fury of the storm had blown over, man began the work of reformation by means of the sermon and the accustomed use of the means of grace.
About the year 1840, Rev. Helffrich founded the first Sunday-school in this congregation without any difficulty, the members willingly lending themselves to the project. It showed the maturing of a healthy feeling of new life and greater activity.
On Whit-Sunday and Whit-Monday, the 8th and 9th of June, 1851, the church celebrated the memory of its foundation by holding a centennial jubilee. The church was splendidly adorned. The walls, windows, organ, pillars, pulpit, etc., were hung with evergreen, flowers, and fir-branches. Four sermons were preaelied to the immense concourse by Revs. C. G. Herman, Jeremias Schindel, and W. A. Helfrich. Historical tablets on each side of the pulpit showed the numbers 1745 and 1845, signifying that a completed century lay in the past. In this period a rich and blessed congre- gation had arisen out of the wilderness. From the toil and cares of the old German fathers had sprung opulence and ease. There, at the side of the church, in the northeastern part of God's aere, sleep, mostly with unmarked graves, all of those who laid the first corner-stone of this church. No stone marks the last resting-place of the first departed of the fathers. And where were stones to be taken from and prepared ? Later, slate were used as headstones, but these soon vrumbled from rain, frost, and heat, and now searcely any inscription upon them can be read. Still later a small number of sandstones were erected, which are still standing, and the inscriptions upon which are still legible, but fast deeaying. As the number of graves increased farther down in the cemetery there first appeared memorial stones in marble, improving in form and inscription with time.
In 1852, the year following the celebration, the pas- torate became vacant through the death of Rev. Jolm Ilelffrich, and his son, William A. Helfrich, who had assisted his father in his clerical labors for seven years already, was chosen as his successor.
entered also here. Everything that was attained here was accomplished by the use of the means of grace, and no artificial means helped to the desired end. First, divine service began to be held more frequently, and there was preaching on the Reformed side every other Sunday. The sermon had a known and active Christianity which became visible in practical results in the daily life of the people. A chandelier and lamps were purchased for the purpose of holding even- ing services, and it was here that the first of these was held. The prejudice against them quickly disappeared. The more frequently divine services were held the more industriously and in greater numbers came the con- gregation to the honse of God, so that frequently there was not room for all. But what beyond all, even if slowly, assisted in surer progress was the instruction of catechumens, to which every attention was devoted, and which were attended even by many adults. The Heidelberg Catechism, although never omitted in this instruction, was now introduced in its full form, and made the groundwork of the church life. The prac- tice of the discipline inculcated by the catechism and constitution of our church met with approbation ; it was severely exercised upon the catcehumens, and especially directed against the immoralities of the corrupting " frolics." The consecration of the con- sistories was now accomplished with genuflexion and the laying on of hands, according to the direction of the constitution, a thing which had never before been done. Communion services were held more fre- quently, and kneeling in prayer during the prepara- tory services was now introduced. Many knees, at first very stubborn, learned in time to bend willingly. About the year 1860 the Bible class came into exist- enee. Members assembled in each other's houses, and engaged in singing, prayer, admonition, and the read- ing of scriptural selections, upon which they made observations. Weekly prayer-meetings were held either in the church by the pastor or in their houses by the members themselves. There was also an increase of activity in regard to missions. The fruit of this varied labor did not fail. A new life began to bloom, which brought peace and joy to many a heart and home.
During the fall of 1862, among all the excitement and disturbances of our civil war, the congregation resolved to build a new church. The old edifice had stood for sixty-eight years, and its capacity had become too small. On Ascension-day, 1862, the corner-stone of the new building was laid. The immorality of the so-called "Hucksters" (generally prevailing at this time in Eastern Pennsylvania) became, during the construction of the new building, the occasion for an unholy strife. These hucksters, who sold cakes, drinks, etc., under booths at all worldly gatherings of the people, had also for a long time been offering their wares, even at sacred festivals on the Sabbath-day, bidding defiance to the very face of
Finally a better time came also to this church. The visitation of God's grace, awakening a more lively faith, which everywhere stirred our church at this time, | the church. Under these tents or booths hundreds of
30
466
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
people stood engaged in light, trifling conversation and in buying, while within the church divine ser- vice was being conducted. Here there should be reverential worship of God, and yet right beside it there were Sabbath-breaking and a scandalous, frivo- lous, worldly traffic and barter, mocking everything sacred. The building committee took the arrange- ment of the corner-stone-laying festival out of the hands of the consistory and gave permission to the hucksters to carry on their immoralities. Under a resolution of the Eastern Pennsylvania Classis, no minister belonging to the Classis was permitted to be present at any church festival at which huckstering was carried on. In obedience to this resolution the Reformed pastor remained absent from the cere- monies. The friends of the hucksters made this the pretext for a controversy which aroused no little ex- citement. When the church, on Whit-Sunday in the following year, was to be dedicated, and the huck- sters again received permission from the same source to be present, the Reformed Consistory resolved not to hold their services in conjunction with the Luther- ans, who allowed themselves to be led by the friends of the hucksters, but appointed them for a later day. The dedication was then held on the 26th of June, 1864, without hueksters. Revs. J. S. Herman and W. A. Helffrich, the Reformed minister, conducted the services.
The new brick church is one of the largest in the county, and is a beautiful building. Its belfry and towers arise high in the air from the spot where the old church stood. Five high Gothic windows on each side, and an addition to the building containing the pulpit, give it a sacred appearance. The galleries rest on iron pillars. Above the pulpit a Gothic bow runs along the small rear wall, and divides the addition from the main building. A hall at the entrance in the front part of the church, from which steps ascend to the galleries, prevents all disturbing noises from being heard within. All the wood-work of the inte- rior is artistically painted, and ceiling and walls are beautifully frescoed. The gentle half-light caused by the curtains at the windows and the dark colors of the paints leave a solemn impression upon the mind.
The congregation pursued a new and excellent plan for paying off the church debt,-a plan which deserves to be adopted elsewhere. When upon the completion of the building it appeared a considerable debt re- mained, which would not be defrayed by the subscrip- tions, both consistories met and made a statement showing how much each member would be compelled to contribute in order to pay off the debt at once, these statements being based upon the ability of each to pay. They then submitted this statement to the members, with an explanation of their plan, and but three or four were unwilling to pay the sums asked of them. To be free of debt is a blessing for any church and deserves emulation.
The tri-centennial jubilee and anniversary festival
in memory of the publication of the Heidelberg Catechism was celebrated by this congregation dur- ing the construction of the church. The result, as far as the altar offerings were concerned, was not what was desired. The contributions were meagre, and none at all were received from the friends of the hueksters. The large church debt, the hard times, and the grinding substitute taxes occasioned by the civil war, prevented the faithful and willing also from giving according to their wish.
The Lutheran ministers of the congregation were led by Rev. Jacob Friederich Schertlein, who is remembered as a talented preacher. His hand- writing appears but seldom on the church records. His ministry must have continued but for a short time. After Schertlein there followed a succes- sion of preachers, of whom nothing is remembered, not even their names being known to posterity. They extended to the year 1780, when Rev. Daniel Schumacher was reached. He lived among the Weissenberg people, and joined all his congrega- tion to the Lutheran Synod. ITis descendants still live in Weissenberg and Lynn townships. Rev. Schumacher's labors were continued till 1785, when Rev. Daniel Lehmann was chosen, who served for about fifteen or eighteen years. He was followed by Rev. Johann Friederich Obenhausen, who also had a charge in Eisenhard's Valley, near Grim's Mill. He was also an organ-builder, and erected the first organ for the Ziegel Church, which was replaced in later times by the present one built by C. Hanzel- man. After Obenhansen Rev. Heinrich Geisen- hainer served for a short time, being succeeded by Revs. G. Wartmann and J. Daering, called by the common people the " little ministers." They served all their congregations in common, beginning with the one at the Jordan, where they lived. Rev. Johann Konoske followed them. He united the congrega- tion with his Kutztown charge, and led this and his other congregations into breaking their connection with the Synod. He composed a writing, now lying in the archives among other old papers, in which he gives the reasons which indneed him to take that step and endeavors to justify his course. Rev. Jere- mias Schindel, his successor, a preacher beloved of the people, assisted in sowing the seed of a better time, and his works have been greatly blessed. His loving sermons thawed open many a cold heart. He was followed by Rev. Owen Leopold, the present pastor.
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.