USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > New Hanover > The Lutheran Church in New Hanover, (Falckner swamp) Montgomery County, Penna. Part XXII. of a narrative and critical prepared at the request of the Pennsylvania-German society > Part 10
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His mother, Justina, was a minister's daughter. The father died when Lucas was about ten years old. His maternal grandfather suffered greatly during the Hun- garian dynastic struggles. Lucas was sent to school when only three years old. Afterwards he attended the gym-
nasium at Cronstadt. In 1743 it had been agreed upon that he should attend the university at Halle, but instead of that he was sent to the gymnasium at Presburg. There he heard much about the Pietists, frequently denunciatory. Apparently of an unstable disposition, and infected by the martial spirit of the times, after wandering around, he
press messenger : for the other (three) remaining church wardens (deacons) by (of) the congregation, desiring them by way of a letter to go (come) speedily for to hear the General Letters of Attorney, which thee has received, likewise the account of mine and Michael Schmidt's concerning the whole congregation according to the memorials (state- ments) set down in the congregation books, as also in other letters not inserted into the collection books, and also especially in a small Ham- bourger Alminack wherein I have set down many great and small sums in the Latin tongue, belonging to the sums received. Then make in the presence of the church-wardens according to the agreement the portions belonging both to the congregation, to me, also to Michael Schmidt, and let everyone of the church-wardens have two shillings Virginia currency per diem out of the church portion. Thou canst also certify the whole congregation in Virginia, that if they would elect some members to see the collect affairs settled, they might have liberty though without charges to the congregation. Send also letters along to my wife and children, be- cause thou hast likewise full orders, what thee shouldst distribute for a patrimony to herself and to all my children that they may come together with the church-wardens. There is in ready money four sealed packets, each of it containing 200 Pistoles, amounts to eight hundred pistoles,- when therefore the contingent of the congregation is accounted, then ought that, what I and Michael Schmidt have laid out for the congrega- tion, unto us be restituted: It is further to consider that from the for the congregation collected books, as likewise from a silver cup and small plate thereon we ought to have our share also; I did send from Ham- bourg unto John Henning Carstens of London a great chest full of books, therein was contained volumes of Luther's Works written in Wittenberg, one volume more I bought to it, but the last volume I could not get to
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went to Perth. Finding no way of supporting himself there, he was kindly cared for by a casual friend. He finally reached the University of Jena, where he spent two years, his family aiding him. Then he went to Nord- hausen and had his usual experience-out of funds and without friends. He then found his way to Amsterdam, but was coldly received. Thence he went to Rotterdam, faring no better. Finally he made his way to America, ar- riving in the fall of 1749. Here Rev. Brunnholtz found him and kindly made arrangements for the payment of his passage, fifteen pounds. The captain had threatened to
buy. A great many books was in it for the congregation, for my use was in it Speneri consilia in three volumes, many new books unbound as to wit, Paffy (Paff's?) great (large) Bible, an Hebrew Dictionary, Buddai (Buddai's) Moralia, Dutch, Michaeli's Hebrew Grammar, Longy (Long's) Greece (Greek) and Latin Grammar, and others more unbound in the chest I paid for. But she (it) had the misfortune to be in a shipwrecking vessel. But I received from the above mentioned John Henning advice, that the chest by the grace of God was saved, but should (would) be sold in a short time, then he would buy her again for me, which he has done with about 36 shillings Sterling money .- the chest now is in London and you ought therefore to send immediately by letters to the above John Henning desiring him, that by the first opportunity he would be pleased to send the chest over to thee with the offering that he who did bring the chest, should of his money laid out, have gratefully restituted. The other books belonging to the congregation are all packed up in Michael Schmidt's chest. We also got a great many more books or gifts from the booksellers in Leipzig and Strasburg, but since they was of no service to the congregation we have (ex) changed them with a bookseller in Frank- fort for 200 Frankforten hand books, I and Michael Schmidt got bound for the congregation. The others which we have got at Strasburg which (we) have (ex) changed in Darmstadt for song books with great (large) letters for the benefit of the congregation from these ought to be restored us in the first place, what we have laid out for them, and secondly, we ought to have one portion on it likewise where we have endeavored to get advance to preserve currency-as I have marked it in the congrega- tion books by the conclusion of the Hamburger and Lubecker Account: and it is also no more but reasonable that where we was obliged to give advance we also should have it repaid, and these again as soon as we
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take him to the West Indies and sell him into slavery to reimburse himself. Rev. Brunnholtz took charge of him agreeing to furnish board and clothing. In return he was to assist in teaching and preaching. Brunnholtz testifies that he was gifted as a preacher, well versed in the classics and in philosophy. He filled the position of assistant to Brunnholtz and Mühlenberg for a short time. Then as a test, they sent him to take charge of Rev. Hartwig's field near Albany, New York.
He seems to have tired of this very soon and returned to Pennsylvania. They then decided that the only thing
came to Leipzig and down to Lawenbourg until the end of the congre- gation, where the advance did amount (to) five p. cent.
Lastly have I and Michael Schmidt bought in Plymouth a hundred pieces of cut window glass, packed in six chests with three hundred pounds of putty, for to fasten the glass in the wooden frames, and have paid for it according to the writings the sum of 25 pounds and 10 shillings Ster- ling, which sum as likewise ought to be returned by the congregation. What more is necessary to know in this affair confer with Michael Schmidt and the writings, which together can give you light in (regard to) all these things: Call for assistance hereto unto God the Giver of Wisdom and understanding with a pure heart, that he might (may) plentifully fill thine heart with heavenly wisdom when in such manner the whole account is settled. Then cause a writing to be made by the neces- sary magistrate or clerk of court of Evidence, that it may appear before all the world and then give every one his Portion belonging to him. Further observe as much (as) lies in thine power this congregation her preservation and her true rest. Write on her behalf unto Master Fres- enium, the minister of Prince Darmstat's court and desire him to send in case of necessity a new minister over here and do thine best to uphold correspondency with spiritual and temporal in Germany that they may send over to thee the collection money which from there is yet to be ex- pected: of him have I bought besides other books, Longens Light and Right, one part thereof faileth, write to him and he will assuredly send it to thee. Concerning the goods, which I and Michael Schmidt have bought, some of it belongs to me and to him; some other to him alone, but some and the most for me alone, Michael Schmidt as I hope will all truly and sincerely remember.
Finally there is these letters of Attorney my wife and children, and do
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to be done was to ordain him-" they were constrained to ordain him "- but it is not stated in what the necessity consisted. He and Rev. Schrenk were ordained at the Trappe, November 5, 1752. In addition to the work of assisting Mühlenberg and Brunnholtz in preaching, he was given charge of the "Filial at Pikestown," about seventeen miles away, and of Colebrookdale, very evi- dently the Hill Church. He commenced the " Church Records " of this latter church. According to Schieren- beck, who gives Brunnholtz as his authority, his poverty must have been very great. He then bought himself a farm, but being too poor to stock it and having little
nominate thee herewith once more, that thou the gift I have herein to everyone bequeathed truly and faithfully distributest. Firstly as touching my beloved wife: it shall be given to her all what she has on cattles, horses, swine and all other living creatures, all household stuff, bedding, pewter, copper, iron, linen, in short (she) shall give nobody any account in the least of these things, notwithstanding with these conditions when she during my absence had behaved herself as an honest woman ought to have done, that she both my office and honor with her scandalous tongue hath not blamed or slandered and therewith great offence given.
In such like cases shall all from the greatest to the Smallest even unto the Clothes of her Body be snatched away from her; since she all from me derived, and shall be added to the Gift bequeathed by me unto the Chil- dren. All things then what I leave behind me, be it in money, Silver, Linen, Clothes, Beds, and other Sort of Goods what I have, shall be counted together in one Sum and shall among my beloved Children be equally divided and given unto them; but those out of Second Wedlock, shall receive nothing into their hands, until they have reached their re- quisite age. Thou My Dear Son shalt observe them heartily for their Education both in Christianity as their Livelihood from their money which thou hast in possession, if thee canst not turn it otherwise, give them the yearly Interest: Here hast thou my beloved Son the full Letters of Attorney and power, what I desire of thee: God grant thee Wisdom and Understanding and grace plentifully for Jesus Christ's sake and keep thine heart from all fraud and Falsehood Amen Amen.
That I this afore writing with good understanding and Christian Fatherly Love, from me hereunto subscribed, through the Schoolmaster
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knowledge of farming, his prospects did not become brighter.
August 7, 1753, he married Anna Sophia Gemling, said to have been a very respectable servant (Redemptionist) .
When Rev. Schaum failed to keep the congregation at York together, Rauss was recommended. At first he ac- quiesced in the arrangements, then he declined. Finally he went very unexpectedly and took charge of the con- gregation.
But now he turned against Mühlenberg and the synod, which he afterwards abandoned. May 19, 1761, he even brought formal charges against Rev. Mühlenberg. These being laid before synod and investigated, were found to be groundless.
In his defense Mühlenberg describes Rauss as being un-
John Ebegrt (Ebert) upon Sea in my Sickness is written with my own hand and acknowledged and with the following evidences for the Sub- scription is now Sealed: JOHN CASPAR STOEVER Minister of the Dutch Lutheran Church in Virginia. Michael Schmidt, William Missing, John Ebert.
I have examined the foregoing with the original in the Dutch Lan- guage-and I believe the same to be a true translation to the best of my knowledge as Witness my hand this 20th Day of March 1738-CHRISTIAN GRASSOLD.
Philadelphia March 20, 1738. The above named Christian Grassold upon his solemn confirmation according to Law did Declare that the fore- going is a true translation of the Original Will of John Caspar Stoever written in the Dutch Language, according to the best of his knowledge.
Coram PET. EVANS, Reg. Genl.
Thus endorsed on the Original, viz .: "Philada. The Twentieth March 1738 The last Will and Testament of John Caspar Stoever decd., was proved in due form of Law and Probate and Letters Testamentary were granted to John Caspar Stoever Sole Executor therein named being first legally Sworn well and truly to administer the said Deced. Estate."
Registered at Philadelphia in Will Book F, pages 96 and 126, etc.
Note .- This stiffly literal translation has been copied regardless of sense or construction.
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stable, capricious, suspicious, not over truthful and, above all, lacking in sound discretion. In 1763 the congregation at York dismissed him. But his family remained con- nected with the congregation of which he was no longer the pastor. He still retained some of the country churches, and it is said practiced medicine during this time.
He died July 11, 1788, in his sixty-fourth year. He was survived by one son and two daughters. Both the parents and the other members of the family rest in the churchyard at York.
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(5) REV. ROELLER.
The general impression seemed to be that this must have been Rev. J. G. Roeller, but that is a palpable mistake. This man was only licensed in 1799. The record of the confirmation of forty-eight persons May 17, 1787, shows conclusively that this was the act of Rev. Conrad Roeller. The communion administered at the same time must have been his act also.
It is altogether probable that he was neither regular pastor nor stated supply, but that Dr. H. M. Mühlenberg being quite feeble, Roeller as a neighboring pastor offi- ciated for him.
The Halle Reports, Vol. II., p. 104, say of this man:
Conrad Roeller, who had studied at Erlangen, brought excel- lent testimonials. After his arrival here, 1771, he at first as- sisted H. M. Mühlenberg in Philadelphia, then in connection with F. A. C. Mühlenberg served congregations in the vicinity of Lebanon. Finally he took charge of Old Goshenhoppen, Indian- field and Tohickon.
This was probably his field and from it he gave assist- ance to Mühlenberg.
In the first volume of the Halle Reports we are told he remained in this field to the end of his days. The state- ment that he served congregations in the vicinity of Leb- anon is a mistake.1
1 Rev. F. A. C. Muhlenberg in his diary states plainly that he was a simple visitor, taking the pastor's place to enable him to visit outside con- gregations.
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(6) TIMOTHY KÜHL.
This man's name closes the list of those connected with the service of this congregation. From October 12, 1788 to February 1789, eighteen baptisms of children are accredited to him in the church's record. But it is im- possible to say what the man really was, except that his name is not to be found in the Halle Reports and that the minutes of synod of 1788 make the following state- ment concerning him :
Mr. Kühl, a candidatus theologiæ from Hamburg, handed to the ministerium a writing accompanied by two testimonials from the magistrate, his former pastor, Pastor Berkbahn, in which he petitioned for reception into the Ministerium. Many grave ac- cusations, and especially that he had as a candidate administered communion here in the country, led the Ministerium to the decis- ion for the present not to have anything to do with Mr. Kühl.
The most favorable opinion we could give concerning him would, therefore, be to suppose that he was a school- master who was preparing for the ministry, and because of this fact, assumed the privilege of baptizing children and also administering the Lord's Supper. Time may possibly throw some light on the subject, but that is very doubtful. That he did claim to be pastor of the church is certain, for he so signs his name. If he was it was for a very brief period only.
CHAPTER VI.
THE CHURCH BUILDING.
PARTIAL description of the present church edifice, erected by the congre- gation, frequently spoken of as the third one, but in all probability the fourth, has been given in connection with the history of the organiza- tion of the congregation in Chapter II. We will there- fore not repeat the details already given.
The substantial and perma- nent character of the build- ing then erected is shown by the fact that the walls have weathered the storms of more than one hundred and forty years, and they will apparently be able to withstand those
of several centuries more. It stands and will continue to stand as a monument of the substantial and stable
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workmanship of the people who erected it. In all prob- ability generations of the descendants of those worthy fathers will continue to meet and worship in it the God whom their father served, with equal fidelity.
The present church is a graystone building, with brown- stone trimmings, 67 x 46 ft. The walls are very heavy, thirty inches and over in thickness. The stone of the walls is said to have been carted by teams from Chester County, six or seven miles distant. The zeal and industry of those devoted people must have been great. They were building for ages and centuries to come.
In the accounts already given it has been shown that the first church building was erected some time between 1694 and 1703, and was used until about 1721, when the congregation found it necessary to provide a better and more convenient place of worship, which was done between 1721 and 1727. This second church seems to have answered the purposes of the congregation until about 1741, when the erection of another church became necessary. Then in 1767-68 the present substantial edifice was erected.
But in one matter at least the second church building had an advantage. It was provided with a bell and seems also to have had an organ. Until about fifty years ago the present church was without a bell. At the time of the centennial celebration, Rev. L. Groh, D.D., the pas- tor, declared that the church bell, then for the first time invited worshipers to the house of God. We understand that a steeple and a bell were included in the improvements then made. But after all the statement was entirely too broad. For, unquestionably the former church, that erected 1741-47, had a bell. Here is the record which H. M. Mühlenberg himself made:
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In the year 1748 the following members of this christian con- gregation in New Hanover Township purchased a bell and have had the same placed on the church for the common use of the Ev. Luth. congregation in their services, with the special pro- viso that the bell is to be rung for them and their descendants on the day of their marriage and on the day of their death, if they die as Christians. With this end in view the amounts contributed are recorded as follows: (then follows the list of names, headed by Mühlenberg and including Valentine Geiger, Adam Wartman, who was a member of the building committee, Mrs. Sprogel and many others).
The entire amount contributed was £29, 5s ($78.00). The above amount was duly received by the deacons, and settlement was made in the presence of the congregation, as the same may be seen in the Protocol.
This is attested by
H. M. MÜHLENBERG, V. D. M. Jan. 24, 1751.
The original reads thus :
Im Jahr 1748 haben folgende aufgezeichnete Gemeinsglieder in dem Amte Neu Hanover eine Glocke gekauft und selbige zum Gemein gottesdienst der Ev. Luth. Gemeine daselbst in die Kirche aufhaengen lassen, mit dem besonderen vorbehalt, dass ihnen und ihren Nachkommen die Glocke soll an den Hochzeits und Begraebnisstagen gelaeuted werden wenn sie eines christ- lichen Todes sterben. Zu dem Ende stehen die Namen und aus- gelegten Gaben beschrieben wie folgt: Mühlenberg, Geiger, Wartman, Sprogel etc-Summe £29.5s. Obige Summe ist von den Vorstehern der Gemeine richtig empfangen und vor der Ge- meine berechnet worden, wie in dem Kirchen Protocol zu finden und zu sehen ist-Solches bescheinigt
H. M. MÜHLENBERG V. D. M.
Den. 24 Jen. 1751.
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This shows conclusively that the congregation purchased paid for and put in place a bell one hundred and twenty years before Dr. Groh referred to it and twenty years before the present church was erected.
But regulations governing the use of the bell were also made by the church council at a later period, some forty or fifty years before Rev. Groh made this statement. They hardly would have enacted a law governing its use or abuse by the organist of a neighboring church, if they had not had a bell. As there apparently seems to have been no bell there when the church was dedicated, we are inclined to think that it must have been put in place about the time a board floor was put into the building. There was a general overhauling of the entire building at that time, 1826. We are inclined to think that was the time when a bell was again introduced. Why or how it was removed, if it was really removed, we cannot say. But we are fully convinced that a Lutheran Church council would not have forbidden a neighboring Reformed organ- ist and schoolmaster its use in an improper manner if there was no bell in existence.
The cornerstone of the present building was laid June 25, 1767. It was dedicated by the assembled Synod No- vember 6, 1768. All the members, including the candi- dates, took part in the service; and as was then customary on such special occasions as the consecration of churches and the ordination of ministers, children were baptized by one of the visiting ministers. In this case the baptisms were performed by Rev. Klugh.
This church at first had but few arrangements for the comfort of worshipers, except benches or pews. It had a brick floor, and was without stoves. It is, therefore, not strange to find that F. A. C. Mühlenberg in his diary
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tells us that the cold in some of the churches was almost unendurable. It does not require a very vivid imagina- tion to conceive how icy the atmosphere must have been in a church like this, with stone walls from two to three feet in thickness, a brick floor, and no stoves.
The Minutes tell us that at a congregational meeting held May 29, 1765, the following were elected as overseers in the erection of the church building about to be undertaken. This is attested by H. M. Mühlenberg himself. They were Matthias Hollebach, Adam Wartman, Matthias Reichardt, Tobias Juerger. But when the work was actually under- taken two years later only Wartman and Reichert seem to have acted and Jacob Ebli seems to have been substituted for one or both of the others. A sandstone directly over the door bears the names of Adam Wartman, Jacob Ebli, Matthias Reichert als Bauhern A 1767. D. Another stone on the side of the building directly under the cornice gives us another fact of historic interest. It contains the name of Michael Stofflet, M.M., A.D. 1767. This shows that to him is due a great deal of the credit for the durability and substantiality of this present structure. For he not only understood his trade but evidently employed his powers here to advantage.
On March 9, 1811, at the annual congregational meet- ing the deacons were instructed to make two subscription lists, and collect money for two stoves. These were probably wood stoves, although the record does not say so. There seems to have been no opposition to their introduction, as there was in another one of our Colonial churches where some of the older women sat fanning themselves with their bonnets during the first service held in the church after the introduction of the stoves, although there was no fire there-another illustration of the power of imagination. These stoves seem to have remained in use until February, 1858, when others were purchased.
April 22, 1826, at a congregational meeting held in the schoolhouse for consultation in regard to improving the church building, it was resolved: " that the brick be taken out and a floor (of boards) he laid."
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2. " That the windows be changed."
3. " That the church be painted, new doors put in, and all other necessary repairs be made." This might justly have been called a " remodelling of the church."
In 1867, at, or near the time of the centennial of the church, the question was raised whether the church should simply be refurnished, so as to be just as it was forty years before, or whether the entire interior should be changed. It was then decided that the entire interior of the building should be remodelled, if sufficient funds could be secured by subscription. Frederick Brendlinger, Dr. Jacob Knipe and Elias Fegley were appointed a committee to prepare a draft of the work to be done. Milton H. Brendlinger, Stephen Fegley, Israel Erb and Nathan Drehs were appointed to see what amount could be raised. It was estimated that the cost of the work would be $2,700, without including the cost of a new bell. Special services were held at the reopening of the church, which are noted elsewhere.
In 1885 the church was again repaired, the woodwork painted and the walls frescoed.
After nineteen years more, in 1904, it was again remod- elled, this time possibly more thoroughly than before. The stoves were now removed and a heating plant sub- stituted. Memorial windows of stained glass were put in together with a new pulpit and furniture. A new organ was likewise introduced, so that the church ap- peared in an altogether new garb.
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