USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Akron > The borough of Akron, Lancaster Co., Pa. 75th anniversary, 1895 to 1970 > Part 2
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The first church building was erected on South Ninth Street in 1892.
In 1922 a merger of the United Evangelical Church and the Evan- gelical Association was consummated. Some of the churches of the United Evangelical Church did not enter the merger but reorganized as the Evan- gelical Congregational Church, to which Grace Church adhered.
In November, 1966 Grace Church dedicated the first unit (a com- bination educational/worship facility) of their re-located church on North Seventh Street, where they now worship.
The following ministers have served Grace Church:
W. H. Hartzler 1889 - 1892
H. F. Miller 1926 - 1929
G. W. Hangen
1892 - 1896
A. H. Groff 1929 - 1934
J. T. Guinther 1896 - 1899 W. K. Cassel 1934 - 1942
E. S. Buntz
1899 - 1903
G. Harting, Asst. 1939 - 1942
C. W. Heffner
1903 - 1907
J. R. Weaver 1942 - 1946
S. P. Erisman
1907 - 1911
J. J. Fasnacht 1946 - 1948
H. J. Kline 1911 - 1914 E. J. Groff 1948 - 1954
H. P. Hagner
1914 - 1919
J. S. Heim 1954 - 1963 S. A. Heisey
1919 - 1924
R. H. Wise 1963 - 1966
B. S. Hoppes
1924 - 1926
E. J. Vondran
1966 -
In 1908 two young men entered the Christian ministry from Grace Church:
John A. Smith entered the ministry of the E. C. Church, later serving as a Presiding Elder and the Bishop of the denomination. He is now retired from the active ministry and resides at 27 North Eleventh Street, Akron.
William Daniels entered the ministry of the United Brethren Church, serving in Ohio.
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Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
A desire for a Lutheran congregation in Akron was aroused through the personal efforts of Peter W. Weidman, a cigar box manufacturer in Akron, who was a member of the Lutheran Church in Lincoln; Jacob Zwal- ly, a butcher in Akron, and Christian B. (W) Zwally, a cigar manufacturer in Akron, the last two being members of Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Roths- ville.
During the summer of 1889 services were held in the schoolhouse on the site of the present church buildings. It is thought that a Mr. Sam- uel Zerfass of the Cloisters was teacher there at that time, while the Rev. H. E. Semmel, living in Lititz and serving Emmanuel, of Brickerville, Je- rusalem, of Rothsville, and White Oak churches, preached for the Luth- erans assembled in this schoolhouse.
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In a deed, dated August 19, 1889, for the payment of $10.00 to the trustees of the Akron Cemetery Association of the Township of Eph- rata, (formerly the New Berlin Cemetery Association) the representatives of the young congregation secured 40 perches of land and the school build- ing, with the stipulation that the congregation was to improve or enlarge the present building or erect a new one; that they may rent the building to any other denomination; that funeral privileges must be open to all de- nominations, for preaching of funeral sermons and for the meetings of the Cemetery Board. This deed was signed by G. S. Kemper, George M. Young, and Anna McCloud. This deed is found in Court House Records, Re- corder of Deeds office, Volume B.M. Page 549 and is dated November 8, 1889, and recorded March 4, 1891. In the fall of 1889 the old school house was torn down and ground broken for the new church building.
The new building of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ak- ron was dedicated on Sunday, May 4th, 1890, with appropriate religious services. The building was a 40 x 50 ft. frame structure, and had a seat- ing capacity of over 200. The pastor, the Rev. H. E. Semmel of Lititz, held services every other Lord's Day in the afternoon. On Sunday, May 18th the first officers of the new congregation were installed. They were: Jacob Zwally, Peter Weidman, Christian W. Zwally, George F. Weidler, Isaac W. Zwally, and David Hartman. On November 24th, 1890 the Council was divided into elders, trustees and deacons.
As no bell was placed in the steeple at the very beginning, per- mission was given by the Ephrata Township School Board to ring the bell at the school house adjoining until a bell was secured by the church. A new bell was soon placed in the steeple of the church and was used to call the members to worship and study in the Sunday School, which was started shortly after the building was dedicated.
It is noted that 27 members communed on the first anniversary of the new building in the spring of 1891. Holy Communions were ad- ministered twice yearly during these years.
It was during the ministry of Rev. Reed that it became a necessity to build a Christian Education building onto the church. It was built at a cost of $46,487.14. The architect was Mr. Charles Schueringer of Phila-
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delphia, who was the consultant architect for the Department of Church Architecture of the United Lutheran Church in America. The project as then planned was to be undertaken in two parts, the educational building unit first and at a later date a redesigned sanctuary. While the building was under way, Sunday School and Church were held in the new Akron Ele- mentary School.
In 1958, for the first time in our history, worship was held every Sunday.
The churches of the Brickerville Parish approved a separation of our congregation which became effective June 1, 1960. The Rev. William M. Brown accepted our' call. With him came a change in our structure for now we became a part of the Akron - Lincoln Parish.
In October of 1963 the Councils of both Salem Lutheran and Zion Evangelical of Akron decided to dissolve their partnership. This was a major step for our congregation, for this was the first time in our history that we were a self-supporting church.
In April of 1964 the Rev. David Kovach became our present minister. The pastor and congregation are endeavoring to minister to a changing so- ciety and world. The women of the church are making children's cloth- ing, quilts and comforts for overseas relief and also helping at the Luther Acres Home in Lititz. A coffee house, "the Never Mind" is for the youth of the church and "the Autumn Inn" is a weekday meeting place for the Senior Citizens of our area. Both have proved very successful. The Christian family is the approach of the church today to help strengthen and make our world a better and more peaceful place to live.
PASTORS
Rev. Henry E. Semmel 1889 - 1896
Rev. Ambrose W. Leibensperger 1896 - 1903
Rev. David A. Roth
1903 - 1910
Rev. J. W. Bittner 1910 - 1915
Rev. Frederick A. Weicksel 1915 - 1937
Rev. G. B. Ammon
1937 - 1942
Rev. Henry L. Reed
1943 - 1960
Rev. William M. Brown
1960 - 1963
Rev. David J. Kovach 1964 -
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Church of the Brethren FORMERLY KNOWN AS GERMAN BAPTIST 613 Main Street - Akron, Pa.
The church district for the town of Akron was divided into two sec- tions.
Those members living east of Ninth Street had their nearest worship place at Steinmetz Meeting House, located by what is now known as Wolf's Cemetery.
This section known as Springville District had its Love Feast House at Mohler's Church, north of Ephrata. This meant that unless they had other facilities available, the members walked over a cinder path to Diamond Station to travel by trolley to Ephrata, then transfer to the Adamstown trol- ley to get to the Mohler Church for this service.
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Those members living west of Ninth Street had to travel to West Conestoga to worship. The Love Feast House and nearest church was at Middle Creek.
These distances proved a problem for those who had no horse and wagon.
In 1897 the Rev. I. W. Taylor held a revival meeting on the second floor of the town hall located in the area of the Akron Restaurant parking lot.
This, along with earlier discussions, set forth a movement to have a church located in Akron, which was finally agreed upon and solicita- tions began for funds. $1,567.17 was collected for this purpose.
In the fall of the following year, 1898, the new 40' x 50' frame building was dedicated. The cost was $1,131.37. The remainder was used for the cost of the land, surveying, pavement and walks, fences, rail- ings (to tie horses), and trees, leaving a balance of $3.47.
Sister Sallie Shirk donated the parking lot.
However, the members of both districts had to find their way to the Love Feast and Communion Houses each Spring and Fall.
In 1913 a new district was formed, known as the Akron District, thus joining this portion of Springville and West Conestoga including Akron and surrounding areas. This included the Steinmetz Church which was later dismantled.
This change required the raising of the building 39 inches to make a basement under it for Love Feast purposes.
A Ladies' Aid was formed and for many years meals were served by them for funerals, which was traditional during that time. This service was available to all people.
Sunday School was organized in 1906.
In 1936 the building was enlarged to include a number of Sunday School rooms.
The following served in the ministry:
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In 1895 David P. Snader (uncle of David H. Snader) was elected to the ministry while serving in West Conestoga District. He became Elder-in-charge of the Akron District when Elder I. W. Taylor resigned in 1915. He operated a shoe store on South Ninth Street.
Following the death of Elder David P. Snader in 1920, Rev. Samuel N. Wolf who had been elected to the ministry in 1913, was advanced to Eldership and served in this capacity until his resignation in 1938.
He also served as Trustee and Superintendent of the Orph- anage at Neffsville, and was one of the founders of Miller and Hess Shoe Co., as well as the Lassie Laddie now known as High- land Shoe Co.
Following the resignation of Elder S. N. Wolf in 1938 the Rev. David H. Snader who had been elected minister in 1920, was chosen as presiding Elder and served until his death in 1948. He was a great Evangelist.
Rev. George B. Wolf who was also elected to the ministry in 1920, filled Elder Snader's vacancy until his death in 1952. He was Treasurer of the Children's Aid Society, Neffsville, for many years.
Rev. Harry S. Dohner, who entered the ministry in 1938, followed as Elder-in-charge after the death of George B. Wolf. The title of Eldership was later changed to that of Moderator by the Church Conference. Rev. Dohner served under this title un- til his resignation in 1968 when it was filled by a lay Moderator.
Rev. Amos Martin transferred to Akron from Mountville in 1944 and served until ill health interfered.
Rev. Warren Kissinger was elected to the ministry in 1946. He served here for a period of time. He was graduated from Elizabethtown College and Yale Divinity School and served as pastor in various churches.
The Rev. Elwood Shelly was elected to the ministry in 1949 and has faithfully served the church until the present time.
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The Akron United Zion Church
The Akron United Zion Church started as a branch of the Roths- ville congregation. It was organized with the building of the church on South Ninth Street (on the site now occupied by the Borough Building), in 1901. The builders were Samuel Hamlin and Son, with much of the labor and material being donated.
In 1936 the building was moved a few doors further south to its present location, with the rear annex added to it. The front annex was added to the building in 1965.
In 1959 an organ was donated by Mr. and Mrs. John Reitz who live in Akron at 530 Main Street. In 1970 a piano was donated in memory of PFC. Ray Good.
Pastors who served the congregation are:
James Heitler 1901 - 1918
Samuel Fasnacht 1918 - 1920
David Hornberger 1920 - 1924
Wesley P. Martin
1924 - 1970
Kenneth Espenshade
1970 -
Assistant Pastors-
Paul Brandt, 1951 - 1961 - Now pastor of Hahnstown Church.
Warren Slaymaker, 1964 - 1969.
Licensed Pastor- J. Homer Martin
J. Paul Martin, a former member, is now serving as pastor of the Pal- myra Church.
Richard Martin - Volunteer Service at Wanezi Mission, Bulawayo, Africa.
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Akron Mennonite Church
The Akron Mennonite Church was started by a group of approxi- mately 14 families living in the Akron - Ephrata area who had been at- tending the Monterey Mennonite Church, located 3 miles south of Leola. The Akron church was an outgrowth of the Monterey congregation, partly due to the crowded facilities but also the desire for these families to attend a church located in the community in which they live.
The first services were held on October 4, 1959 in the Brownstown Fire Hall where they met for almost four years until June, 1963.
A 131/2-acre tract of land situated along Diamond Street was pur- chased from Jacob Oberholtzer in October, 1960.
Ground breaking ceremonies were held in September, 1962, with the first stage of the building program completed in June, 1963.
The charter membership consisted of 46 members in 1959 with a growth to a present 180 members in eleven years.
Rev. Glen Esh served as pastor from October, 1959 to August, 1961, along with his regular pastoral duties at the Monterey congregation.
Rev. Kermit Derstine served as pastor from August, 1961 until Aug- ust, 1968 when he accepted a pastoral call in Denver, Colorado.
In the interim from September, 1968 until July, 1969, various indi- viduals and guest speakers functioned in the absence of a pastor.
Rev. Donald Blosser accepted the call to serve as pastor, starting in July, 1969, and is currently serving in this capacity.
The Akron congregation has a number of individuals envolved in the program of the Mennonite Central Committee and because of this has members traveling and serving in various parts of the world. The congre- gation does not have any missionaries or personnel sent out and supported solely by the congregation.
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The Bible Baptist Church
The Bible Baptist Church was organized December, 1965 and began holding their services in the Ephrata Pioneer Fire Hall on Locust Street, Ephrata, Pa.
The Rev. Robert Acker and Rev. Donald Pierce were serving the congregation until they were chartered on April 27, 1966. The Rev. Robert Acker then served as pastor. The church at 19 South Ninth Street, Akron, was purchased from the Assembly of God congregation and held their first service in the new sanctuary in July, 1966. Larger quarters were secured when they purchased the former Grace Evangelical Church at 45 South Ninth Street from the Grace congregation on May 19, 1968. The Rev. Mal- colm Bicker was pastor at that time. On November 15, 1969 the Rev. Leonard Uhrich from Lancaster, Ohio was called, and he is serving the congregation at the present time.
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History of Akron Schools
The original Akron school was held in a two-story building west of the Lutheran Church on an adjacent lot. Mr. Wilson Zwally taught the first four grades, and Mr. A. Kline, often called "Pappy", taught grades five through eight.
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West Akron School
The building on North Seventh Street was built in 1897, and the pupils were transferred there in the fall of that year. An addition was added to this building at a later date. Mr. I. F. Seiverling was the first principal of our High School. He alone taught all the high school sub- jects. The pupils were in school from 8:00 A. M. to 5:00 P. M.
The first class of five members graduated from our High School in 1905. The first assistant principal, Miss Grace Brecht, was elected in 1912. She is a guest at Maple Farm Home at the present time. Commencements between 1903 and 1913 were held in Grace U. E. Church on South Ninth Street. The Class of 1913 was the first to hold a Commencement pro- gram in the Akron Borough Hall on South Tenth Street.
In the spring of 1924 the East Akron School was closed and the pupils from that school entered our Borough School in the fall of that same year.
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East Akron School
1926 was the year that the eighth grade held Commencement exer- cises in the Borough Hall. This was the only class that observed this im- portant event. Mr. I. F. Seiverling was the speaker.
Our Akron High School was closed in 1943, at which time the Akron pupils were transferred to the Ephrata High School. Mr. Loyd Roland, who was principal at that time, was elected head of the Mathematics de- partment of the Ephrata High School.
In the year 1953-1954 a new elementary school building was erected on South Eleventh Street. In a short time this building proved to be in- adequate; consequently the children in the two upper grades had to be taught in the old building which had been condemned.
In 1959 four rooms were added to the elementary building and in 1963 two more rooms were added. Two new improvements were made to the elementary school, namely, a library and a conference room in 1967.
In 1961 final steps were taken to send the pupils in the seventh and eighth grades to the Ephrata School.
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Akron Public School Building
Akron is now a part of the Ephrata Area School district. This means that Akron pupils in grades one through six attend the elementary school on South Eleventh Street. Pupils in grades seven through twelve are trans- ported to Ephrata. In September of this year the Junior High School pupils will be entering the new Junior High building on North Academy Drive.
Thus one has seen great changes and improvements in our schools during the past seventy-five years.
The members of the Akron School Authority are: Paul Pfautz, Milo Zimmerman, Robert Hamilton, III, Paul Wechter and Carl Weidman.
The Ephrata Area School Board consists of: Clarence Stauffer, Ron- ald Frisbie, Dr. Robert Jones, William Sherman, Jimmie Reedy, Harold Miley, Larry Loose, Morse Brossman and Robert Bensing.
The Ephrata Area School District Administrative personnel is as follows: C. Daniel Biemesderfer, Superintendent; Kenneth Hoover, High School Principal; George Breslin, Assistant High School Principal; Lou Snook, Junior High School Principal; Ralph J. Homsher, Director of Ele- mentary Education; Kenneth Samara, Curriculum Coordinator; Mrs. Ar- lene Dittrick, Secretary to Director of Elementary Education; Mrs. Hazel C. Steininger, Secretary to High School Principal; Mrs. Carmen Reddig, Secretary in District Office. The members of this administrative staff are all residents of Akron.
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Akron Woman's Civic Club
The Akron Woman's Civic Club, an affiliate of the Lancaster County Federation, the Pennsylvania Federation, and the General Federation of Wom- en's Clubs was organized in the summer of 1962 and convened for its first meeting September 24 in the Akron Borough Hall. There were one hundred and seven charter members present. The club officers were:
Mrs. C. Daniel Biemesderfer, President
Mrs. Sydney D. Baron, First Vice President
Mrs. Reynolds C. Bomberger, Second Vice President Mrs. William W. Royer, Recording Secretary Mrs. Nevin R. Snader, Corresponding Secretary
Mrs. Robert G. Ober, Treasurer Mrs. John L. Horst, Historian
Succeeding presidents have been Mrs. William G. Ridgway, Mrs. Sydney D. Baron, Mrs. Albert W. Miller, Mrs. Ronald E. Frisbie, Mrs. Joseph B. Beatty, III, Mrs. Anthony J. Kudela, and Mrs. Barry L. Seidel.
Akron Woman's Civic Club was founded to promote friendship, under- standing, and good will among the women of Akron, and to afford them op- portunity to work together for the betterment of the community, through the discovery and concerted use of their talents, skills, resources and efforts.
The club chose green and white as its colors, the chrysanthemum as its flower, and a seal depicting a covered bridge designed by Milton B. Diehm, as its emblem.
Club meetings are held in Akron Borough Hall the fourth Monday each month and feature programs of cultural, current, and "homey" inter- ests- music, book reviews, home decoration, drama, travel, etc. High- lighting each year's programming are Men's Night when husbands and friends are guests, and Creative Woman's Night when clever clubwomen display their arts and crafts - ceramics, painting, needlework, knitting, baking, and sewing. A fashion show is held and sewing contest winners are chosen.
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The Akron Woman's Civic Club has been deeply involved in com- munity life and activities from its beginning. It helped to refurbish the Borough Hall auditorium with the purchase and installation of stage cur- tains, cyclorama, and piano. It sponsors the Girl Scout program, and with the help of the Lions Club, renovated the Girl Scout room in Borough Hall. The Unicef "Trick or Treat" project is handled by the club. It mans the Snack Bar at the Ephrata Community Hospital one day each month and assists with the hospital's annual June Fete. It provides drivers for the Golden Years' Club. It presents a scholarship each year to an Ephrata Area Senior girl, initiated and conducts a story hour each week during the winter months for pre-school children at Ephrata Public Library, organized a golf league, and has conducted many valuable workshops for club members- crewel embroidery, speech, ceramics, knitting, hatmaking, and art. A vigorous ways and means program which has incorporated card parties, fashion shows, rummage sales, holiday bazaars, and food sales have made it possible for the club to contribute generously to many worthy community charities, organizations, and individuals.
Present club membership numbers one hundred and thirty-five, and officers for the year 1970 - 1971 are:
Mrs. Robert L. Jones, President
Mrs. Richard W. Cox, First Vice President
Mrs. Ralph Moyer, Second Vice President
Mrs. Charles Eshelman, Recording Secretary
Mrs. Clarence E. Hufford, Corresponding Secretary
Mrs. Nevin R. Snader, Treasurer
Mrs. Dwight V. Yoder, Historian
DADA
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Akron Lions Club
The Akron Lions Club was chartered in December, 1938, with twenty- nine members on its roster. Edwin A. Hess served as the first president, and Robert P. Herr was secretary-treasurer.
Throughout the years the club has undertaken many activities to raise funds, the major one being the operation of a food stand at the Ephrata Farm Show since 1941. These funds have been spent on many community projects such as playground and recreational equipment, Christ- mas and Easter programs for the children of the community, various con- tributions to the blind, veteran, and community organizations.
First Easter Egg Hunt - 1939.
The Lions also sponsor the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, a midget and two midget-midget baseball teams. The club has available, free of charge, several wheel chairs, hospital beds and crutches for use by anyone in the community.
The Akron Lions Club has for thirty-two years tried to uphold the motto, "We Serve" in the community and will strive to do so in the future.
The club has a membership of fifty-five at present, four of which are charter members.
Present officers are: President, Howard Haws; 1st Vice President, Ray Boltz; 2nd Vice President, A. Jackson Yundt; 3rd Vice President, Richard Sourweine; Secretary, Norman Eckert; Treasurer, Fred Weber. Warren Royer is the Immediate Past President.
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Akron Volunteer Fire Company
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The Akron Volunteer Fire Company was chartered in 1897. Among the first pieces of equipment were a 1909 hose cart and a 1911 double hook and ladder cart, both of which were hand drawn. These two pieces of equipment are on display at the Landis Valley Farm Museum near Lan- caster.
The first motor driven piece of apparatus, purchased in 1924, was a Hale fire truck, which solely served the community until 1951. At this time a 1951 Mack was added to cover the growing community. Realizing the need for more modern fire-fighting equipment the Hale was retired and an American LaFrance was purchased in 1959.
The present location of the engine house is the Borough building at 29 South Tenth Street.
OFFICERS
President J. Howard Wolf
Fire Chief Ronald Reich
1st Vice President Ken Gestewitz
1st Asst. Chief Robert Sheaffer
2nd Vice President Robert Herr
2nd Asst. Chief Ron Eisenhard
3rd Asst. Chief Walter Reich Secretary Ron Eisenhard
Assistant Secretary Earl Bowman
4th Asst. Chief J. Howard Wolf Treasurer Kenneth Zell
Captain Kenneth Zell
Trustees
J. Howard Wolf
Captain Terl Witmer
Robert Herr
Captain Carl Zimmerman
Elmer Burkholder
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The Ladies' Auxiliary
The Ladies' Auxiliary to the Akron Fire Company was organized in December, 1940.
FIRST OFFICERS - 1940
President Mrs. Harold Shirker
Vice President .. Mrs. Irene Hufford
Secretary Mrs. Reed Garner
Treasurer Mrs. H. E. Romig
Financial Sec. Mrs. E. E. Trupe
Trustees Mrs. John Heiser
Miss Lottie Frymyer
Mrs. Wayne Bender
Since its organization this group has contributed: $9,000.00 to the Fire Company for equipment
$1,000.00 to the Fire Company in 1969 plus $500.00 in January, 1970 for equipment.
A new kitchen was installed in the Borough Hall in 1969, which the Auxiliary helped to equip.
Prior to 1951 contributions were made to various charities.
Money Raising Projects:
Dinners
Cater Receptions
Rummage Sales
Merchandise Clubs
Easter Flower Sales
Food Stands at Public Sales
An annual Membership drive is conducted starting with September and continuing through October. Meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month with the exception of July and August when they are dis- pensed with.
PRESENT OFFICERS - 1970
President ... Mrs. William Ehrhart
Vice Pres. .... Mrs. Kenneth Bricker
Secretary .. Mrs. Charles Gehman Asst. Sec. Mrs. Arthur Givler
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