USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume I > Part 15
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Augustus Lutheran Church, Trappe, is the most noted in the town- ship of Upper Providence. The old church building is still standing in a good state of preservation, though erected in 1743. The church was organized ten years before the building of this church. In 1732 John Christian Schultz became pastor, and after one year was succeeded by Rev. John Casper Stoever. In 1742 the Rev. Henry Melchoir Muhlen- berg, from Germany, became pastor, and built the church in 1743. The dedication took place in October, 1745. On that occasion three negroes were baptized. October 7, 1787, Dr. Muhlenberg died, and his honored ashes repose in the rear of the old church-yard. The present edifice, built in 1853, is a large brick structure. Subsequently, the last church
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was remodeled and made a two-story building. The old church was many years utilized for Sunday school purposes. Many a hallowed association clusters around this ancient church. The present member- ship is 312.
The Lutheran and Reformed Church in Towamencin township, al- ways known as Christ Church, is situated a half-mile above Kulpsville. The building was originally 35 by 45 feet in size. The cornerstone was laid May 27, 1833. The first Lutheran pastor was Rev. John W. Rich- ards, grandson of Rev. Henry M. Muhlenberg. The earliest Reformed pastor of this church was Rev. H. S. Bassler. Among the tombstones here is one having this inscription: "Sacred to the memory of Jacob Sower, who departed this life November 24, 1843, aged ninety years and five months. He was one of the band of patriots who achieved the inde- pendence of his country."
Upper Dublin Lutheran Church (or Puff's Church, as usually called) is a mile northeast of Ambler. This society was organized in 1753, by the then resident pastor at Germantown. The first building was of logs. The little flock continued until not later than 1810, when it was scat- tered and there was no service in this neighborhood until in the fifties, when another church was formed and the present building erected in 1858. It is a forty by fifty foot edifice of one story, and built of stone.
St. Peter's Lutheran Church, in Whitemarsh township, was another one of Dr. Henry Muhlenberg's churches. It was started in 1758 in a schoolhouse, and the church building was not completed until about 1765. It was a good building; was of stone, and had galleries on three sides and a steeple up to 1849. The congregation got badly involved and was aided by Dr. Ziehnhagen, chaplain to the King of England, in the sum of about $2,000. During the war of the Revolution the church building was much abused by the soldiers, being used both as a stable and as a battery. General Lafayette quartered in this church as a point of observation in 1778. The present church was erected in 1849, after the Gothic style. It is a large church with a hundred foot tower sur- mounting it. This brings the history down to about 1880, since which time the writer has no data.
St. John's Lutheran Church, in Whitpain township, was built just above the village of Center Square, in about 1773. From the first it was associated with the church at North Wales, down to 1870. A Sunday school was started in 1840 and kept alive down through all the years. Of its present, no data was furnished the writer. At last accounts there were 425 members in this church.
Trinity Lutheran Church, in Norristown, was organized in 1848, and Rev. Charles A. Baer was among the earliest pastors. At first a small stone building served the congregation, but the Civil War came on and nearly every member among the males went to the front as soldiers. A new building had been planned and was being built when the war inter-
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ZION REORMED, EPISCOPAL AND LUTHERAN CHURCHES, POTTSTOWN
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rupted in 1862, but the following year work was resumed again, but before the edifice was completed the pastor sickened and died of a fever contracted on the Gettysburg battlefield. In 1864 the new church was finally dedicated. In 1895 the church was renovated and enlarged at an expense of $14,000. A parish house cost $30,000 in 1914. The parson- age cost $11,000. A new pipe organ was installed in 1915 at a cost of $5,000. The number of communicants is now not far from 800.
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Norristown, was established in April, 1884. The present membership is about 550. In February, 1885, Chain street school building was made use of as a place for meet- ing. The first minister was Rev. Robert D. Roeder. The charter mem- bership included thirty-five persons. In September, 1886, a church building was dedicated, cost $6,380.33; the grounds cost upwards of $4,000. The location was on George street. In 1905 they had outgrown their quarters and sought a new place. They sold their property for $15,500 and decided to build on Hawes avenue, which they did at a cost of $50,000. It was dedicated September 2, 1906, the address being deliv- ered by Rev. R. D. Roeder, of Butler, Pennsylvania. The building is an imposing edifice on the plan of Gothic architecture. It is 54 by 100 feet in size, and comfortably seats five hundred persons. Additions have recently been made, making it much more comfortable for Sunday school work. Rev. Charles R. Keiter was called as minister in 1915.
The Reformed Church-Many of the Reformed churches are inter- mingled with the Lutheran churches, the two building and worshiping in the same church edifices. The Reformed (or "German Reformed," or "German Presbyterians") came from different parts of Germany, both resisted the Catholic church, and only differed on a few points of church polity and belief, hence could well harmonize in a new country.
From the best obtainable information, the first Reformed church in New Hanover was built in 1720. Its first pastor was Rev. John Philip Boehm. At first the congregation worshiped in a log building, still standing in 1790, when they erected a fine brick building which in 1869 was remodeled. The history of the Lutheran and Reformed society in Towamencin township has been covered in the Lutheran history in this chapter. The date of its organization was 1729. Reiff's Lutheran Church in Lower Salford was among the very earliest to be established in Pennsylvania with a building and pastor of its own. It was formed in 1731, but its history is not well preserved. St. Luke's Reformed Church, whose building stands at the lower end of Trappe, was founded 1742, by Rev. Michael Schlatter. They built in 1755. The first pastor was Rev. Philip Boehm. The church built in 1835 was torn down and a new one erected on the opposite side of the pike. Limerick Union Church was brought about in 1817, when the corner stone of a church was laid and in 1818 it was dedicated. It was the combined property
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of the Reformed and Lutheran bodies. A Union Sunday school was formed in 1840. In 1875 the old church was taken down and a new one provided. This stands a half mile above Limerick square. The oldest tombstone there is dated 1733.
The Lutheran congregations at Pottstown owe the town proprietor, John Potts, for the first land they had in the place, for he donated lot No. 89 on Hanover street to be used as a burying ground and on which to build a church. The first log house was erected there in 1772, and regular services were afterwards maintained. In 1796 the Reformed church and Lutherans united in building a brick church costing $6,000, three-fourths of which was raised by the Lutherans. In 1871 the Old Brick church was no longer a union building but sold to the Reformed branch. Then was incorporated the German and English Evangelical Lutheran Emanuel Church. Their building was dedicated in 1872, and its cost was $33,000. Since then the two churches have been independ- ent of each other, both doing excellent work. Present membership is 1441.
Transfiguration Lutheran Church, of Pottstown, was organized in 1859. It now has a membership of 524. A building was commenced that year at the corner of Hanover and Chestnut streets and was dedi- cated February, 1861 ; the cost was $12,050. In 1896 the auditorium was thoroughly renovated; the cost, including costly memorials given, was $13,000. A fine parsonage was donated the church at this time, the bequest of two members, and is known as the Fritz and Saylor Memo- rial Parsonage. Its cost was $10,000 exclusive of the land. At present this church has legacies amounting to $10,400. This is one of the mag- nificent church properties in Montgomery county.
St. James Lutheran Church, of Pottstown, was organized in March, 1896, and now has 260 members. Here the edifice was built in advance of the organization of the church, it having been a gift of Mrs. Lovina Fegely as a memorial to her husband. It was finished and dedicated in June, 1892. A new church was erected in 1916, costing over $50,000. The membership is large and active.
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Pottstown, was formed in July, 1896. There were sixty-two charter members in the society. The original building, 40 by 45 feet, with an annex 20 by 22 feet, with tower and belfry, was finished by the end of the year and was consecrated January 10, 1897. So rapid has been the growth of the congregation that the building has been enlarged three times. In 1915 two large galleries were added. As now appears, the founders of this additional Lutheran church in Pottstown made no errors when they planned to organize a new congregation.
Jerusalem Lutheran Church, of Schwenksville, was organized in 1835. The minister who founded the congregation was Dr. J. W. Richards, of Trappe. The first distinctive church was erected in 1835, at a cost of
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$1,350. It was a two-story stone building with gallery on three sides. It stood across the road from the cemetery. After 1889 this denomina- tion did not use the building but it was still used by the Reformed people. In 1897 it was razed and ceremony was had around the corner stone, the contents of which were divided between the Lutherans and Reformed churches. The present church was built in the village of Schwenksville, and consecrated April 21, 1889. The parsonage was erected in 1909, and was given by a member; the following inscription gives the facts: "This parsonage was erected A. D. 1909 by Mary S. Geiger as a memorial to her father, Jacob Schwenk, founder of Schwenksville."
Emmanuel's Lutheran Church, of Souderton, was organized in 1859, and recent reports gave its present membership at five hundred. The first pastor was Rev. Berkemyer, who served for seventeen years. The building was completed in 1859 and improved and enlarged in 1886. The church was legally incorporated in 1888. The right to women in voting in the church was extended to them in 1894. It will be remembered that the first church was almost a mile out of town, and as the congre- gation grew, it was necessary to have a house of worship nearer, so in April, 1903, it was decided to build in the village or borough of Souder- ton. The corner stone was laid May 31, 1903, and it was finished as a completed house of worship March 20, 1904.
St John's Lutheran Church at Sumneytown was organized in 1857, and the corner stone for the church was laid May 24, 1858. The church was incorporated in 1870. In its more than a half century this congre- gation has flourished and been a power in its community. St. Paul's Lutheran Church, at Telford, was organized in 1906 and now has a membership of about two hundred. Their handsome church was built in 1908, costing $11,000.
The Church of Goshenhoppen, one mile west of East Greenville, was formed before 1731, but how far back no one knows now, for lack of record. Six acres of land were donated from the great Sproegel Manor for church purposes, is how this location was selected by these some of the Fathers of the Reformed Church in America. At first they were associated with the Lutherans, but before 1800 had become independent of them. In 1884 it was said of the New Goshenhoppen Church: "This is a large brick edifice, built in the year 1857. It is one of the largest and most showy churches to be found outside of the cities, and is the third church built at the same place."
The Reformed Church, at Indian Creek, was organized in 1753, by Rev. Jacob Rees. A lot was bought in 1754, and the next year a church built there. In 1775 it was replaced by a rough stone building which was in use until 1826, when the third church was erected. In 1879 the brick building was erected, and is still used. In the early eighties the congregation had a membership of four hundred. The Leidy Reformed
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Church, below Souderton, was built in 1858. New Jerusalem Reformed Church, in Perkiomen township, known as the Keely's church, was jointly Lutheran and Reformed. In 1835 a new church was built. It is four miles from Trappe, one mile from Schwenksville. Pottstown Reformed Church was established 1765, and its history, which is con- nected with that of the Lutherans, is somewhat obscure, but the reader is referred to the Lutheran church history for such information as could be secured.
Trinity Reformed Church, of Norristown, was built of stone at the corner of Marshall and Cherry streets, in 1876. Rev. Daniel Feete was its first pastor. The building was much improved in 1883, when the membership was eighty. The Reformed Church of the Ascension, in Norristown, was built in 1847, the congregation having been formed the year before. This stands on Airy street, below Swede. It was enlarged in 1859. It is one of the strong congregations of Norristown to-day.
The Reformed Church, of North Wales, was a part of St. Peter's Church, already mentioned, until 1866, at which time the Reformed congregation erected the church edifice in North Wales. For history of Falkner Swamp Reformed Church, in Frederick township, see Lutheran history of both, under head of Lutherans. The Lansdale Reformed Church was organized in 1877, and that year erected a brick church 46 by 60 feet in size.
The Schwenkfelders-This plain German sect were the followers of Casper Schwenkfeld, of the Silesian nobility, who lived in Martin Luther's time, born in 1490. After his church was broken up in Europe, the handful remaining emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1734, planting a colony in this county and other parts of the State. They erected a meeting-house in the eastern corner of Lower Salford township, near Shippack creek. The first minister was Rev. George Weiss, who was buried here in 1740. They never grew to be of much importance among the new sects that in those days sought to overturn the old established churches, but through the ministry of Rev. Christopher Schultz a more complete organization was effected in 1782. Previous to 1789 no edifice was built by them, but meetings were held at private homes. School- houses were then used until 1869, when a meeting-house was built by them. Like the Friends, they opposed war and would not engage in it. In the French and Indian war they subscribed £260 in aid of the Friendly Association, to gain and preserve peace with the Indians.
Another church of this faith was started in Towamencin township, two miles from Kulpsville. Its date of starting is uncertain, but between 1782 and 1790. In 1735 Elder George Weiss held meetings in the neigh- borhood. The oldest stone in the churchyard bears date of 1745. The most common name found among this people here was Kreible. In 1885 there were five houses of worship owned by this sect. There are fewer now.
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The Methodist Episcopal Church-For many years the only Method- ist churches in Montgomery county were Bethel, in Whitpain township (1770), and some years later the Union, near by. In 1870 the church census taken by the United States gave this county fourteen Methodist churches, a number of them large and valuable edifices.
The First Methodist Church, of Norristown, was formed in 1832, under Rev. John Findley, as leader of a class of eight persons. In the year 1834 a lot was purchased and a stone church and lecture room erected on it. The location was on Main street, near Arch. In 1857 a new church was erected, fifty by seventy feet, on DeKalb, near Mar- shall, and was dedicated in November, 1858, Bishop Levi Scott presid- ing. The church, in common with all others of the borough, have since the Civil War all constructed handsome, modern and costly edifices. This is one of the strong, influential churches of the borough. It has a membership of 550; minister's salary $2,400; present pastor, Rev. E. F. Hoffman. Oak Street Methodist Episcopal Church, of Norristown, was formed in 1854, and a building completed the following year. Its first pastor was Rev. J. F. Meredith. In 1922 the membership was 151 ; salary of minister, $1,600. Hawes Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church is a stone building of handsome architecture, and stands at the corner of Marshall street and Hawes avenue. This is one of the finest churches in Norristown, and the society is now large. The minutes for 1922 show a membership of 740; minister's salary $3,000.
The Church at Cheltenham was very early in the county, as early as 1832, but there had been meetings as early as 1817. Rev. Nicholson. of Germantown, was the first to start the real work in Cheltenham. It was made a station in 1863. It had property in 1884 valued at $7,000. Harmar Hill Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1832, in a nearby schoolhouse. Dr. Bolton donated land on which to build, and a stone edifice was built there under direction of Rev. J. L. Taft. Hatboro Methodist Episcopal Church was erected in 1837, as the gift of Joseph and Deborah Lehman. This was displaced in the eighties by a more modern structure. In 1922 the membership was 244; minister's salary $2,400.
Pottstown Methodist Episcopal Church was formed in 1838, and a church erected on Main street the following year. This was torn away and the corner stone for a new edifice was laid in June, 1869. This is a fine Gothic building of red sandstone, two stories high, and cost $20,000. The membership in 1922 was 605; salary of minister, $2,650. Searles Memorial Methodist Church, Pottstown, has a membership of 343; salary of minister, $2,420.
Lower Merion Methodist Episcopal Church was formed from a class held in Fritz schoolhouse in 1840. Dr. Anderson gave the society a lot, and in August, 1841, a handsome one-story stone building was dedicated. Rev. Richard Greenback was the pioneer preacher here. The Methodist
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Episcopal Church, of Evansburg, was erected in Lower Providence town- ship in 1841, and was in use in the eighties. Present membership, thirty. The salary is $250. Montgomery Square Methodist Episcopal Church was formed and a building erected in 1842. In 1857 this church became a separate charge. The present membership is fifty-eight; salary of minister, $250.
Conshohocken Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1856, through the labors of Rev. Lewis C. Pettit. At first they met in the old Temperance Hall. Among the first members were John Major and Caleb Collins. The church was erected during 1857, and later remod- eled. To-day the Methodists are strong and have an excellent edifice. Present membership, 613; salary of minister, $2,000. The Kulpsville Methodist Episcopal Church had its inception in the spring of 1862, when Rev. William M. Ridgway and Rev. Gordon, preachers of the Perkiomen circuit, were asked to aid in forming a class at Kulpsville. A lot for the bulding was donated by W. R. Bechtel. A neat brick church was soon erected thereon. The property in the early eighties was valued at $2,000.
Jarrettown Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1865. Camp meetings were frequently held and presided over by ministers from Chestnut Hill. Finally, a German named Wiseman, friendly to this sect, opened his house for these people, and here the first class was formed. Present membership, 132; salary, $1,240. In 1863 two Method- ists in Jarrettown, Messrs. John D. Prefountain and William Magargee, resolved to utilize an abandoned platform which the young folks of the town had used for dancing, and use it for worship by building thereon a pulpit and adding seats. Three ministers rotated in holding preach- ing services there. In the spring of 1865 these people were joined by those at Hamar Hill, with Rev. W. P. Howell as their pastor. That fall a great revival was held and thirty were added to the new class. More land was bought, and a church was built and dedicated September 16, 1866. Soon there were near a hundred members in this church, which has carried forward the work ever since.
Lansdale Methodist Episcopal Church, in the village, was the first place erected for church purposes. This was in 1871; it was stone, 36 by 45 feet in size, and was dedicated in July of the year named. Meth- odism in the place has made great strides since that date, and now ranks well among the other denominations of the enterprising borough. The present membership is 510; salary of minister, $2,400.
St. Luke's Methodist Episcopal Church, in Lower Merion township, was originally a one-story Gothic building, with a high steeple and beau- tiful stained glass windows. The building is at Bryn Mawr, and was in 1884 looked upon as a fine edifice.
Royer's Ford Methodist Episcopal Church was described in a former county history thus: "The Methodist chapel is located on the corner of
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Church and Airy streets, the land being donated by Daniel Latshaw. It is a plain substantial building made of brick, and has a seating capacity of two hundred people. A large Sabbath school is of much help to the church proper." Methodism there to-day is very prosperous, and they own a handsome property. The membership in 1922 was 390; salary of minister, $3,000.
Other Methodist Episcopal churches of the county of which no data was obtainable further than the few facts here given, are as follows: Ambler, with a membership of 325; pays a salary of $2,640 per year ; Glenside, with a membership of 339, pays a salary of $2,500; Jenkintown, has a membership of 229, pays a salary of $2,280; North Wales, mem- bership of 241, salary paid, $2,100; William Penn, membership, 1,266, sal- ary $1,120; Valley Forge, membership 23, supplied.
The Evangelical Association (German Methodist) erected their build- ing in Norristown in 1859. It is a brick building on Cherry street, above Airy. The first pastor was Rev. Seneca Breifogle. The Evangelical church at Lanside was erected of brick in 1875, the same year in which the society was organized. At first it was connected with the Hatfield church. The Evangelical Association at East Greenfield was formed about 1824, when a lot was purchased, although the building was not erected until 1873, prior to which date the society used public buildings and met at private houses. The membership was never large, but it included some of the best men and women in the community, mostly thrifty farmers.
The Roman Catholic Church-This denomination was among the latest to organize churches in Montgomery county, this from the fact that nearly all of the pioneer settlements were effected by Protestant people, and what few Catholics did live here, went to Philadelphia to worship. This was continued until 1835, when the first congregation gathered at Norristown and a house of worship was erected the next year. From 1850 many Catholics settled in the county, especially along the river and canal works.
St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, at Norristown, was originally built in 1837; it was a stone structure three stories high. This soon became too small, and in 1859 another was erected, 65 by 149 feet in size. Bishop Neuman dedicated this edifice. Near by was the school, erected in three buildings, also the rectory. In 1884 the congregation was esti- mated at three thousand members. The parochial school was opened in 1875 and soon five hundred were in attendance. The information sought for in connection with the present history of this church was not fur- nished the writer, hence does not appear. It is known, however, that this is one of the strongest parishes in the county. It changed location in about 1905, when the present fine stone edifice was completed at the corner of DeKalb and Chestnut streets. Both the church and its aux-
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iliaries are doing a wonderful work among the Catholic people of Norris- town and environments.
Saint Salvatore Catholic Church, at Norristown, was organized by Rev. Lambert Travi, in 1903, and now the parish has a membership of six thousand souls. The same pastor who formed this church is still serving faithfully and well his congregation. A parochial school is being planned for this year. This church was founded especially for the religious interest of the numerous Italians of Norristown, Bridgeport and Conshohocken. The latter place was organized into a separate mis- sion in 1911. The first real Italian immigration to Norristown was in 1881. For a decade it was almost stationary, but since 1890 grew up annually. There are about ten thousand Italians in Montgomery county -one-twentieth of its population. This mission is very successful, and is almost free of debt. Most of these people belong to the working class. and have families who are anxious to educate their children in a parochial school. In time of the last great World War, two hundred volunteers entered the army under our American flag, and three hundred more were drafted. In all, five hundred saw service in France, and be it said to their credit, not a single deserter was reported from among these Italians.
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