USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 26
USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 26
USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 26
USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 26
USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 26
USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 26
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Signed in behalf of the borough.
CONRAD BOMBACH, ALEX. BERRYHILL, Burgesses.
Harrisburg, Oct. 3, 1794.
To which he was pleased to return the following answer : To the Burgess and other citizens of Harrisburg.
Gentlemen-
In declaring to you the genuine satisfaction I derive from your ve- ry cordial support, I will not mingle any expression of the painful sen- sations which I experience from the occasion that has drawn me hither. You will be at no loss to do justice to my feelings. But relying on that kindness of Providence towards our country which every adverse ap- pearance hitherto has served to manifest, and counting upon the tried good sense and potriotism of the great body of our fellow citizens, I do not hesitate to indulge, with you, the expectation of such an issue, as will serve to confirm the blessings we enjoy, under a constitution that well deserves the confidence and support of virtuous and enlightened men. To class the inhabitants of Harrisburg among this number, is only to bear testimony to the zealous and efficient exertions which they have made towards the defence of the laws.
Oct. 4, 1794.
GEO. WASHINGTON.
" Harrisburg, October 27, 1794 : On Sunday Se 'nnight, arrived in this town ; the last draft of militia, from the state of New Jersey, under the command of Col. Crane, consist- ing of 300 foot and cavalry. A gentleman just arrived in town from Bedford, informs, that the troops marched from that town, on Thursday last (Oct. 23) on their way to Pitts- burgh. About 20 of the malcontents had been brought in, and committed to prison, at Bedford, and four, said to be noted leaders of this mnotley crew, called Lucas, Husbands, Wisecarver, and another, whose name our informant cannot recollect, were sent off to Philadelphia. The troops were in good spirits and anxious to reach the place of destination. A melancholy accident took place, a few days since, while several companies were at exercise-One of the men, who
.
275
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
the day before, loaded his piece with shot, in order for hunt- ing, and forgetting to remove the same, discharged the con- tents, by which a young man belonging to the militia of York county, was mortally wounded in the head, and another slightly in the shoulder."
Mr. Graydon, who then resided at Harrisburg, and who was for many years a close observer of men and things, speaks of this occurrence as follows :
The western expedition, as it was called, gave me an op- portunity of seeing a number of my old friends from Phila- delphia ; and it afforded also a momentary triumph to the poor handful of Harrisburg federalists, who were stated by their opponents to amount to only five.
A French flag, which had been flying at the court house, then building, had been the cause of some squabbling in the newspaper ; and this flag was peremptorily ordered to be ta- ken down by the troops from the city. Had I been disposed for revenge, I might upon this occasion, have been fully gra- tified, as I was repeatedly asked, who had caused it to be put up, and impliedly censured for giving evasive answers to the questions ; which, from their manner, evinced a disposi- tion to treat the authors of it much more roughly than would have been agreeable to me.
Conspicuous among the crowd that rolled on to the east- ward, was Governor Mifflin. On the day of his arrival, he convened the people at the market house, and gave them an animated harangue, in which there was nothing exceptiona- ble, save a monstrous suggestion, that the British had stirred up the discontents to the westward, and been the cause of the present opposition to government.
In a few days after the Governor, General Washington, accompanied by Colonel Hamilton, came on. After waiting on them, I prevailed upon the Burgesses to present an ad- dress to the President, which I sketched out, and which, from the cordiality of the answer, appeared to have been well received."
Other incidents of recent occurrence, still fresh in the me- mory of thousands, for the want of space, are passed by.
Education receives more than an ordinary share of atten- tion. The several well conducted schools of advanced stand- ing, and the attention paid to the public schools, in the bor- ough of Harrisburg, is proof sufficient. In the Harrisburg
, 276
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
Academy, under the care of Mr. Armstrong, the Latin, Greek, the Natural Sciences, Geography, English Grammar, &c., are thoroughly taught.
'The Ladies' Seminary, conducted by Mr. Gad Day, an experienced teacher, and another Harrisburg Female Semi- nary, taught by Miss Brown, sustain a fair reputation ; and are worthy of a liberal patronage.
The Pennsylvania Literary, Scientific and Military Insti- tute, opened April 15, 1845, and under the direction of Cap. Partridge, favorably known to the community, is a school, considering that it is yet in its incipiency, which has excited some interest. The course of instruction embraces the Eng- lish, Latin and Greek languages ; Mathematics, theoretical and practical, &c. Besides a thorough literary course ; the arts of war are taught.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS-emphatically the public schools- are well managed, by an efficient Board of Directors, and competent teachers. In 1844, there were twenty schools in successful operation in the borough ; ten male and ten female teachers were employed, giving instruction to 564 male and 596 female scholars. The borough levied for school purpo- ses the same year, the sum of $6,151,76. The State appro- priation amounted to $1,329. Cost of instruction $5,681,80; fuel and contingencies $212,00. Cost of school rooms, &c., $246,62. The average salary paid to male teachers $31 per month ; to females, 17 dollars.
Important, as these several institutions are in their legitimate sphere, they derive essential aid from a well conducted press. Several ably edited papers are published in this bor- ough. The following are their titles, names of editors, as furnished by an esteemed friend, William Lewis.
" Pennsylvania Reporter & Home Journal,"-Democratic -Isaac R. Diller, Editor and Proprietor.
" Pennsylvania Intelligencer,"-Whig-by C. M'Curdy.
" Democratic Union,"-Democratic-Isaac G. M'Kinley & J. M. Lescure, Editors and Proprietors.
" Pennsylvania Telegraph,"-Whig-by Theo. Fenn.
" Harrisburg Argus,"-Democratic-by J. J. C. Can- tine.
"American Reformer,"-devoted to the cause of Temper- ance-by J. M. Willlis Geist.
" American Sentinel,"-by P. H. McWilliams.
GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH AT HARRISBURG.
277
HISTORY OP DAUPHIN COUNTY.
" Pennsylvanische Staats Zeitung,"-Democratic-by Ja- cob Baab und Comp. Herausgeber und Eigenthuemer.
" Der Vaterlands-Waechter,"-Whig-Gedruckt und he- rausgegben von Geo. Bergner.
CHURCHES OF HARRISBURG .*
Previous to the erection of the first Church building in Harrisburg, the early settlers often held divine worship in a one story log school house, which then stood at the foot of Capitol Hill, on the North corner of Third and Walnut sts. This building has since been removed, and is now (1845) standing on the South side of Walnut street, near Meadow lane, and is occupied as a dwelling house. Soon after the laying out of the town, the settlers took measures to build a church. The community, at that early day, being made up of all denominations, the original subscription papers for the " first church," read " for the use of the subscribers," and long after the erection of the house, clergymen of different denominations officiated in it, by permission, as opportunity occurred. The undertaking was, however, by those who professed the doctrines of UIric Zwingle and Martin Luther: and the church was owned and occupied, statedly, only by the German Reformed and Evangelical Lutheran congrega- tions, and was erected on a lot, given by John Harris to them for that purpose. This lot is No. 187, in the plan of the bo- rough, situated on the corner of Chestnut and Third streets : it is fifty-two feet and six inches on Chestnut, and extends two hundred and ten feet on Third street to Cherry alley. The " first church" is built of logs, was erected and is still standing on the corner of Third street and Cherry alley- fronting on Third street thirty-five feet five inches, and ex- tending back on Cherry alley thirty feet and five inches. As much interest is attached to this building, on account of its
* The Compiler is indebted to Rudolph F. Kelker, son of Mr. Frederick Kelker, an old inhabitant of Harrisburg, for this account of the church- es of Harrisburg.
24
278
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
being the " first church in Harrisburg"-an engraving is in- serted here, which is faithfully executed by Mr. Jacob M. Beck, after a drawing taken by Mr. Charles Burton, in 1845, by order of the vestry of the German Reformed Church .- [See engraving].
On the 12th of March, 1787, a subscription was com- menced for the erection of the church; and the original sub- scription papers are here copied in full, as they will exhibit names of most of the original settlers of the town, and will doubtless be satisfactory to their numerous descendants, who still look with interest to " the church which their father's built."
COPY OF THE ORIGINAL ENGLISH SUBSCRIPTION PAPER.
" We, the subscribers, do, each of us, promise to pay, or cause to be paid, unto John Norton, Christian Gunckel, Geo. Redig and Henry Brunner, or their order, on demand, the sums annexed to each of our names, respectively, to be held and appropriated by the said John Norton, Christian Gunck- el, George Redig and Henry Brunner, in purchasing materi- als for, and in building a Church and School house, in some convenient part of the town of Harrisburg, for the use of the subscribers. In witness, whereof, we have hereunto set our hands, with the sums annexed, this 12th day of March, Anno Domini, 1787.
€ s d
£ s d
Christian Gunckel 2 00
Henrich Eilman 50
J. Montgomery
15 0
Benjamin Bomberger .7 6
Moses Gilmor
10 0
Michael Ausbach 2 6
John Hamilton
1 10 0
Geo. Rabsom 15 0
John Brooks 10 0
William Gleht 7 6
John A. Hanna
15 0
Andrew Forrest 7 6
John Kean
15 0
Jacob Henning
7 6
Michael Capp
15 0
James Duncan 7 6
John Joseph Henry
2 12 6
Andw. Armstrong- (hart gelt) 1 0 8
John Titsworth
15 0
Samuel Berryhill
7 6 Jacob 5 6
Henry Fulton
10 0
George Hartman 50
Robert Stevenson
7 6 Hanes Flickinger 15 0
Alexander Power
17 6
F. Lang 50
279
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
£ sd
sd
George Dieffebach 15 0 Charles Bauermeister 50
Stephen Stevenson 10 0
John Boyd 7 6
George Fackler 15 0
Richard Dixon
7 6
F. O'Ferral (run off ) 10 0
McClelland & Reynolds
7 6
Samuel Grimes 7 6
Adam Natcher
7 6
Richard R. King- his į mark 7 6
William Crabb
7 6
Adam Boyd 7 6
John MaChesney 7 6
Samuel Boyd
15 0
Joseph Smith 7 6
John Ebert 1 10 0
Johannes Herse 1 26
Michael Bohl 3 9
60
Peter Hershey 7 6
Henrich Bohl
50
David Montgomery
7 6
James McNamee
7 6 John Wilkes Kittera 15 0
Alexander Graydon
15 0
Jasper Yeates, Esq 15 0
Alexander Barr
50
Haben wir Emfangen von derKord (court)
Robert Barr
50
George Friher
50
Jeremiah Rees
10 0
Due in cash 2 6
Thomas Hartley
7 6
Johans Koeller 50
George Hoyer 2 00
George Benedick 11 3
William Kelso 50
M'Luebb Pfarrer
6 2
Jacob Zimmerman 3 9
Frederick Schweitzer ein Tag Holz geschleft 15 0
habe ich emfangen vor
Stephen Chambers 15 7
den ueberrest von Stein
Peter Hoofnagle 15 0
und Kalck vor die
Jonathan M'Clure, Esq 8 4
vor die Kirch in
Harrisburk 4 10 0
John Spayd 7 6
Frederick Kleckner 9 0
Dec. 21, 1787, Mr. Hen-
ry paid, in part, his subscription, three dol- lars remains
James Sawyers 7 6
Charles Stewart 10 0
Christian Schwink
J. Hubley 15 0
John Hoge 7 6
Martin Bundlagel 7 6
Kirch zu bauen 50
Thos. Hartley, upon re- flection, in addition 7 6
280
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
COPY OF THE ORIGINAL GERMAN SUBSCRIPTION PAPER.
Zur errichtung und Anbauung eines Schulhauses und Kirche auf einen der besten und tauglichsten plazes allhier in Harrisburg, versprechen wir unterschriebenen die von uns bey gesetzte summe zu bezahlen an George Rettich, Johannes Norton, Christian Kunckel und Henry Brunner, davon der gebrauch allein vor die Unterschriebenen seyen solle, zur begraeftigen dieses haben wir unsere Nahmen nebst der sum- me welches wir zu diesem Gottes werck widmen wollen bey gesetzet, und wollen solches ohne fehl auf die erste anfrage an gemeldete Georg Rettich, Johannes Norton, Christian Kunckel and Henry Brunner richtig und ohne widerrede ubertraegen, so geschehen, Harrisburg den 12ten Mertz 1787.
£ sd
£ sd 4
Henrich Brunner 1 10 0
Franz Leru 1 26
Jacob Zollinger 1 10 0
Michael Wolf 2 6
George Fritley
1 10 0
Cornelius Cox 7 6
Vallentein Horter
1 10 0
Thomas Forster 50
Karl 7 6
Georg Schuetz 7 6
Henrich Henninger (off)15 0
Michel Kab 15 0
John Phul 15 0
Conrad Bombaugh 15 0
Johannes Dentzel 1 15 0
Peter Bollinger (run off)
Georg Schoederin 1 10 0
Jacob Welschans
57
Frederick Clackner
9 0
Henrich Boeder 50
Sacob Silsel (run off) 15 0
Jacob Weber 15 0
John Hocker
15 0
Michael Filbi
15 0
Johannes Huessner 15 0
Michael Kab emfangen 12 6
George Leru
15 0
Jacob Weber darauf be- zahlt 12 6
COPY OF THE ORIGINAL PAPER,
For extra expenses incurred by erection of School House, and completion of the same.
" Da zum Nutzen und gebrauch der heranwachsenden Deutsche Jugend ein Schulhaus neben die Kirche erbauet worden und in dasselbige, auch ein stuben ofen gesetzt wor- den, und nun mehr auch bequem ist Winters zeit Gottes dienst darin zuhalten und da es eines jeden Christen sein
281
·HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
Pflicht ist, vor seine Kinder zu sorgen damit sie in gutem unterwiesen kommen werden, so werden alle diejenigen freundlichst ersucht einen gefaelligen Beytrag zu thun, damit die dadurch verursachte Unkosten des Baues bezahlt werden koennen. Harrisburg den 19th December, 1791.
TRUSTEES-John Dentzel, Georg Rettig, Georg Huyger, Henrich Brunner.
£ sd
£ sd
George Hoyer hat 3 tag
Hannes Zin 3 9
geschaft 3-9 11 3 Peter Nueger ein Tag geschaft 3 9
George Rettig hat 4 tag geschaft 15 0
Georg Feirstein 1 10
50 Backenstein 1 3
16 3
Friederich Pflieger gibt
ein paar Baender 2 9
Michael ' Derstein ein Tag geschaft 3 9
John Romge 1 0
Valentine Wanger 2 6
ein tag geschaft 3 9
Peter Walter vor ein
Fuss zum Ofen ge- ·macht 5 0
John Pool 15 Lits, sash for the school house 5 0
Andreas Krausse 1 10₺
Jacob Reitzel 3 9
Michael Yaene 1 10g
John Dentzel gibt in gelt 7 6
John Luther 5 7%
Johannes Ebert 11 3
Michael Kopp
7 6
Joseph Dritt 4 2
Carl Miller 2 9
Georg Leber 2 6
Henrich Beder 1 10
Jacob Welshans hat ein
John Comfort ein Tag geschaft 3 9
tag geschaft 3 9
George Ziegler ein tag geschaft 4 0
3 9
Peter Denig 110
Naegel gemacht 5
George Jauss 3 9
Bens das Bund 5 10
Conrad Bombach 2 6
Stephen Horning 1 0
Friederich Jauss
3 9
Christopher Suess 50
Henrich Conrad 3 9
Balser Suess 50
Schlurlott
2-0 Jacob Sehrly 50
24*
George Hartman 3 9
Johannes Schneider 3 0
Johannes Heiss 14 lb.
Georg Frientley
Jacob Zollinger hat 3 Tag geschaft 11 3
Jacob Ehebrecht gibt in gelt, bezahlt vor der Rechnung 3 9
Christoff Hacker 20
Johannes Hacker 50
Georg Pfriemmer hat
Andreas Rihm 2 6
Tobias Seyboth 2 6
Adam Hocker 2 6
282
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
£ sd
£ sd
Georg Hess 2 6
John Deffer 20
Philipp Blimuth 2 6
Martin Kapp 1 10
Philipp Ebbreit
1 10
Henrich Ruthraff 39
Conrad Tresenreider hat
Abraham Huy 5 7
Frantz and Georg Leru
geben 15 Licht (ille- gible) 63
in gesaegt Holtz 1 5 7
Christian Kunckel 12 6
Endorsed on outside of sub-
Valentein Horter
3 9 scription paper, viz :
Jacob Bucher
1 10}
Es ist zusammen in
Caspar Smith
2 0
Geld 7 19 10}
THE GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH.
From the first church book in possession of the German Reformed Church, it appears that the first pastor of the said church was Rev. A. Hautz, and that the Rev. F. D. Schaef- fer, who then resided in, or near Carlisle, preached statedly for the Lutheran congregation of Harrisburg. The first date in the book alluded to is, October 18th, 1788, and is in the handwriting of the Rev. F. D. Schaeffer: and the entries on the second page are apparently in the handwriting of Rev. A. Hautz. Both congregations appear to have been united in their temporal affairs, and all church regulations from the year 1787 to 1795. Rev. A. Hautz was the first stationed pastor of the German Reformed Church, and the first resi- dent pastor settled in Harrisburg .* They chose, by mutual agreement, their own Church officers, as appears by the first record of an election, which took place September 12, 1790, and is as follows-
On the German Reformed On the Lutheran side. side.
TRUSTEES. TRUSTEES.
George Haeyer,
John Denzel,
Henrich Brunner. George Rettig.
* Rev. A. Hautz owned and occupied the same house which is now owned and occupied by Rev. J. F. Mesick, the present pastor of the same church. It is situated on Chesnut street-the third house south- west of the church.
283
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
ELDERS.
ELDERS.
Jacob Zollinger,
Christian Kunckel, John Hacker.
George Hatz.
DEACONS. DEACONS.
Jacob Staely, Jacob Welschans.
Michael Von Keuen,
John Ebert.
The elections of 1792 and 1793 are also recorded.
The next congregational entry in the church book, is in 1795, and is as follows :
" Im Jahr 1795, wurden die zwey Gemeinden in Harris- burgh naemlich die Reformirt und Lutherisch von einander Sebarirt, und waehlten auf Reformirter Seite zum Kirchen- rath.
"TRUSTEES-George Haeyer, Henrich Brunner, Aeltesten Jacob Shultz, Simon Schneider, Vorsteher Henrich Liphart, Johannes Pfeiffer."
The fact of the separation of the two churches in 1795, is further established by the Lutheran Church Book, which commences in the year 1795-the first entries in which, are made by Rev. Henry Mueller, who then settled in Harris- burg as the first stationed pastor of the Lutheran church.
The two congregations, however, still continued to occu- py the same building for public worship until 1814, when the Lutherans purchased ground in Front, between Market and Chesnut streets, and erected a handsome brick church and school house adjoining.
In 1795, the old church was wainscoted, and sundry repairs made; and in 1804 the vestries of the churches did much to render the building comfortable ; a pulpit was erect- ed, and galleries put up, on three sides ; the sides were plas- tered and the exterior weather-boarded and painted white .- These improvements were finished in 1805. On the 28th of March, 1812, Rev. Philip Gloninger, George Hoyer, Fred- erick Kelker, Nicholas Ott, and Frederick Boas, purchased Lot No. 186, adjoining the old church property, from Joseph Allen, for $1400, for the exclusive use of the German Re- formed Church. On the 13th July 1813, the Lutherans for- mally proposed a division of the church property, upon cer- tain conditions, to which, however, their Reformed Brethren would not agree.
June 17, 1815, a second proposition was made by the Lu-
284
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
therans, that the German Reformed Church should purchase an undivided half of the new Lutheran Church, which had been built in Fourth street, in 1814. This occasioned con- siderable discussion, but the majority of the Reformed oppo- sed the measure, and the result was, that on the first of April 1816, the German Reformed congregation purchased for $1000, the whole interest of the Lutherans in the church lot and buildings thereon erected. On the 3d day of July A. D. 1818, the members of the German Reformed congregation became a body corporate under the name and title of "The German Reformed Salem Church of Harrisburg." The fol- lowing are the signers to the articles of incorporations :
Vestry : Trustees, Christian Shaeffer, John Zinn ; Elders, George Wetherholt, John Kelker ; Deacons, John Horter, John S. Wiestling, George Kunkel, Jacob Hise ; Members, M. Rahm, A. Dorsheimer, George Hoyer, Henry George, Jacob Miesch, Jacob Cunkle, Jacob Hoyer, Jacob Bucher, George Snyder, Fred. Beisel, Joseph Doll, John Henning, Henry Frey, Henry Weltshover, Jacob Balsley, Frederick Kelker, David S. Forney, Jacob Steinman, Jacob Greena- walt, Peter, Bachman, Jacob Kunkle, Samuel C. Weistling, jr., Samuel Swartz, Conrad Knepley, Michael Derstein, Nicholas Ott, John Horn, David Beissel, Peter Snider, Da- niel Snider, John A. Stehley.
On the 15th January 1821, a meeting of the members was held in the old church at which Frederick Kelker presided, and John Wrestling acted as Secretary, at which it was re- solved to crect a new church of suitable dimensions, to front on Chesnut street. The following persons were appointed to collect subscriptions for the purpose.
Jacob Bucher, John Kelker, John Zinn, John S. Wiest- ling, Rev. John Winebrenner, John Horter, Frederick Kelker and Conrad Knepley. Three weeks afterwards, viz: Feb. 5, 1821, the committee reported six thousand and six dollars in cash and subscriptions, and the vestry were requested to contract for the erection of a new church.
On the 8th of March 1821, the vestry contracted with Messrs. Samuel Pool and Henry V. Wilson, for the erection of a Brick Church, sixty feet front and seventy-five feet deep, and with a tower one hundred and ten feet to the top of the wood work, to be completed by July 1, 1822, for the sum of eight thousand dollars. To carry the plan into exe-
285
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
cution, the old log school house, and the brick house, both of which stood on the church lots, were taken down and re- moved. The church building was immediately commenced, and carried on with despatch, and on the 11th June 1821, the Corner Stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies ; on the 21st June 1822, the bell weighing six hundred and sixty- seven pounds, which had been procured in London, at an ex- pence of $346,563 cents, was taken to the church and placed in the tower. The following inscriptions are upon it: " T. Mears of London, Fecit 1822," "May all whom I may summon to the grave, the blessings of a well spent life re- ceive." The church was finished Aug. 1, 1822, and on the 4th day of the same month dedicated to Jehovah. Total cost of church per settlement made Feb. 15, 1823, was $8537.54, exclusive of bell.
No repairs or additions were made to the church property of any importance until 1827, when the old church was al- tered by extending an upper floor from the eastern to the western gallery, thus converting the interior into two large rooms.
The upper one was used for a long time by the Sab- bath School, and the lower as a day-school. They are now, 1845, both occupied by the Common Schools. In the sum- mer of 1841, the pulpit of the Brick Church was removed and its place supplied by one of modern style ; the walls painted and sundry other improvements made in the interior ; the same year (1841) the congregation also erected a spaci- ous lecture room, one story high, 27 by 54 feet, with 13 feet ceiling ; this building stands a little in the rear of the new church.
The following are the names of the stationed pastors of the German Reformed Church, from its foundation to the present time.
Rev. Anthony Hautz, from probably 1791 to 1797 ; in the Tax Duplicates of Dauphin county, it seems that Mr. Hautz was first taxed in 1792 and the last year in which he is no- ted as a resident of Harrisburg, is in 1797.
Rev. Jonathan Helfenstein, from September 7th, 1805 to 1808.
Rev. Philip Gloninger, from July 17, 1808 to June 26, 1S14.
Rev. Frederick Rahauser, from April 5, 1816 to April 5, 1819.
286
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
Rev. John Winebrenner, from October 22 1820, to March 23, 1823.
Rev. Albert Helfenstein, from March 1, 1824 to Septem- ber 8, 1829.
Rev. Daniel Zacharias, from February 21, 1830 to Feb- ruary 23, 1835.
Rev. Joseph F. Berg, from November 1, 1835, to Novem- ber 6, 1836.
Rev. John H. Smaltz, from November 1, 1838 to Novem- ber 1, 1840.
Rev. John F. Mesick, the present pastor, settled in Harris- burg December 17, 1840.
The present number of communicant members, 200.
The Sabbath School numbers 225 scholars, and teachers, and has a library of 800 volumes, and is under the superin- tendence of Hon. John C. Bucher.
It is worthy of mention that the "Confirmation table " which in days of old, stood before before the pulpit in the first church, now constitutes the altar in the present sabbath school room, and is in good preservation; around this table were confirmed many of the grandfathers and fathers of the present generation ; it has witnessed the union of our fathers with the church, by the solemn rites of baptism and confir- mation ; and their descendants of the third generation now gather before it on each returning Sabbath, to hymn the praises of their Creator. It is made of black walnut and has been in use for more than half a century.
THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. 1
This congregation worshipped in the same church, which, with their German Reformed brethren, they had united in erecting in 1787, from the period of its erection until 1814, when they purchased a Lot on 4th, between Market and Chesnut streets, and erected thereon a handsome brick church, and adjoining the same, in 1822, a large two story brick school house. In 1816, they sold their interest in the old church property on Third street, to the German Reformed Church, for one thousand dollars. The first record in their oldest church book is in 1795, by the Rev. Henry Mueller, who was their first stationed pastor. To the articles of
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