USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Reading > The history of St. Stephen's reformed church, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1884-1909; by the Rev. Thomas W. Dickert > Part 17
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Class No. 9, Mrs. Jennie Hertz, teacher .- Edna Trump, Helen Hoffman, Gladys Mayer, Edna Buck, Anna Bell- man, Emily Hill, Myrtle Kline, Grace Seiders, Frances Himmelberger, Laura Wilson.
Class No. 10, Mrs. Anna E. Kline, teacher .- Gertrude Reifsnyder, Dorah Lorah, Maude Reider, Anna Bagen- stose, Ada Fegley, Pauline Bagenstose, Elsie Weyandt, Lullie Reeser, Helen DeLong, Mary Baer, Laura Klein- spehn.
Class No. 11, Mrs. Emma Derr, teacher .- Rhea Drexel, Emma Clouser, Margaret Merkel, Viola Waid, Emma Behlor, Mabel Geist, Florence McKently, Helen Boyer,
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ST. STEPHEN'S REFORMED CHURCH
Anna Kinch, Margaret Newkirk, Florence Neiman, Lillian Carl, Mabel Angstadt.
INTERMEDIATE DEPARTMENT .- Superintendent, Fred- erick Drexel.
Class No. 1, Miss Virgie Evans, teacher .- Edgar Le- van, Warren Kostenbader, Bruce Howden, Rollin Mull, Walter Frances, Harry Kramer.
Class No. 2, Mrs. Jennie Smith, teacher. - George Beard, Herbert Richardson, John Deisher, Morris Gift, Paul Shultz, Leroy Boltz, Robert Spayd, Harry Wilson.
Class No. 3, Jerome B. Tompkins, teacher .- Howard Geist, Charles Tompkins, Howard Tompkins, Llloyd Wan- ner, Sidney Levengood, Llewellyn Nagle, Earl Rose, James Reed, Paul Grill, George Grill.
Class No. 7, Wilford Schappell, teacher .- Raymond Manmiller, Harvey Rhone, Warren Deeter, Leroy Gaenzle, Paul Helfrich, Elmer Urich, Warren Manmiller, Edward Kepner, Jonathan Thompson, Leroy Scarlet, Harry Ma- bry, Clarence Scarlet, Lester Althouse, George Heckman, James Stevens, Robert Shappell, Roy Hahn, Harold Kupp.
Class No. 8, Miss Mamie Richardson, teacher .- Clar- ence Moodhart, Frank Adam, Frank Eckel, Herbert Moll, Chester Matten.
Class No. 9, Miss Maggie Ritter, teacher. - William Ibach, Luther Hohl, Evan Jackson, Clarence Clark, Oscar Doyan, Earl Jackson, Edward Ritter, Leroy Sanders, Raymond Herflicker, Robert Davis, Raymond Hiller.
Class No. 10, Mrs. Lucy Hughes, teacher .- Stanley Saylor, Walter Sonen, Chester Leedy, Leroy Borrell, Paul Hertz, James Knabb, Leroy Ketterer, Grant Hudson.
Class No. 11, Albert Weyandt, teacher .- Charles Haag, William Jacoby, William Thompson, Earl Wanner, Harry Levan, Ralph Gable, Robert Haag, William Haag, George Fick, Leon Kleinspehn, William Redcay, Harry Knetz, Leroy Naftzinger, Celen Weyandt.
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THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
Class No. 12, Miss Katie Gift, teacher .- Eva Waid, May Gift, Bessie Eckert, Laurel Eckel, Stella Boltz, Bessie Fegley, Miriam Wanner, Phoebe Waid.
Class No. 13, Mrs. Mary Roth, teacher. - Florence Reinert, Grace Stoudt, Alice Hoffman, Pearl Shappell, Fannie Miller, Pauline Behlor, May Dethoff, Beulah Shearer.
Class No. 14, Miss Ella Bickel, teacher .- Alice Reber, Anna Kurtz, Florence Coller, Helen Davis, Ada DeLong, Stella Moodhart, Gertie Ludwig, Beulah Fegley.
Class No. 15, Mrs. Amy Zell, teacher .- Reba Bradford, Gertie Feather, Helen Klein, Margaret Levan, Edna Kinsey, Edith Walker, Lottie Lingle.
Class No. 16, Mrs. Sarah Shartle, teacher. - Mabel Printz, Mrs. Edith Tobias, Bessie Felix, Eva Baum, Helen Ruth, Edith Levan, Ruth Rightnour.
Class No. 19, Mrs. Anna M. Klein, teacher. - Florence Ibach, Mary Greth, Ethel Robinson, Edith Sassaman, Bertha Griffith, Jennie Horn.
Class No. 20, Miss Deborah Bucks, teacher .- Emma I. Mull, Ora Sticher, Katie Mull, Mamie Lerch, Annie Geist, Mary Lachman, Sarah Gift, Mrs. Vertie Evans, Mrs. Mary Beck, Florence Shade, Carrie Shade.
Class No. 22, Miss Mary Shoenberger, teacher .- Lottie Bausher, Grace George, Florence Haag, Miriam Coller, Bella Lance, Clara Brunner, Annie Deisher, Mary Kant- ner, Ruth Miller.
Class No. 23, Miss Sallie Klein, teacher .- Nora Evans, Edith Nissly, Carrie Stump, Maggie Snovel, Maude Cramp, Maggie Kennedy.
Class No. 24, Miss Hattie Millard, teacher. - Katie Boltz, Florence Biehl, Florence Kline, Ollie Geyer, Mary Tompkins.
Class No. 25, Miss Mary Stoner, teacher .- Edna Dun- kelberger, Pauline King, Bessie Ketterer, Olive Ream, Mabel Klick, Eva Heckman.
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ST. STEPHEN'S REFORMED CHURCH
Class No. 26, Miss Mary Reber, teacher. - Charlotte Nuss, Mrs. Annie Barto, Lizzie Mease, Sadie Himmel- berger, Mrs. Anna P. Barto, Annie Miller.
Class No. 28, Mrs. Alice Winkelman, teacher .- Ida Titlow, Mary Lewis, Mrs. Emma Schlappig, Mrs. Lottie Teter, Agnes Miller, Mrs. Helen Reinert, Mabel Kinch.
Class No. 29, Miss Edith Lance, teacher .- Mrs. Anna Rothermel, Jennie Schmeck, Mamie Shade, Mrs. Hattie Miller, Almeta Scott, Mrs. Stella Woodward, Ruth Printz, May Stoudt, Hattie Stoudt.
Class No. 30, Mrs. Sue Drexel, teacher. - Mrs. Irene Reider, Sallie Levan, Helen Sheetz, Nellie Boltz, Edith Foreman, Lena Becker, Ivey DeLong, Annie Mersinger, Edith Kline, Mamie Eisenhart, Dora Bright.
Class No. 31, Mrs. Verna Gerhard, teacher .- Emilie Shultz, Annetta Boone, Maude Heckman, Amelie Good- hart, Stella Less, Mrs. Helen DeLong, Miriam Eisenhart, Ellanora Katzenmoyer.
Class No. 32, Miss Anna Heck, teacher .- Margaret Kline, Mabel Mersinger, Marian Klein, Louisa Frantz, Emma Eckel, Hattie Shultz, Junia Free, Fannie Groff, Ruth Trout, Helen Brobst, Edna Greth.
Class No. 33, Miss Hattie Lance, teacher. - Jennie Wagner, Rosa Wagner, Mrs. Hoffman, Edna Miller, Clara Ream, Edna Lance.
Class No. 34, Miss Mary E. Ibach, teacher. - Helen Trump, Myrtle Kerns, Frances Kerns, Gladys Tompkins, Hazel Mayer.'
Class No. 35, Mrs. Cora Behlor, teacher .- Kathryn Coller, Clara Brandt, Edith Haines, Margaret Fies, Edith Fritz, Mary Beard, Beatrice Schappell, Elsie Mabry.
Class No. 36, Mrs. Emma Bowman, teacher .- Matilda Long, Laura Strasser, Effie Hohl, Beulah Masteller, Edna Seitzinger, Effie Sypherd, Florence Swoyer, Edith Moyer, Florence Lerch, Amy Merget, Lulu Saylor, Helen Wells.
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THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
Class No. 37, Miss May Miller, teacher .- Elsie Noll, Ermie Geist, Katie Hiller, Emma Katzenmoyer, Edna Barto, Hilda Fleckenstein, Winona Herflicker.
Class No. 38, Miss Cora Logan, teacher .- Helen Trum- bore, Anna Reifsnyder, Gertrude Coller, Bessie Bankes, Marie Trumbore, Irene Eckel, Mabel Reber, Edna Mack.
Class No. 39, Dr. Geo. F. DeLong, teacher. - Charles Hoch, Walter Kleinspehn, Floyd Kocher, Stanley Sieg- fried, Frederick Rettgers, Walter Grainger.
Class No. 40, Mrs. Jennie Miller, teacher. - Warren Hollenbach, William Coller, Stanley Herbine, Walter Sli- der, Roy Rutter.
Class No. 41, Miss Edna Fidler, teacher .- Robert Kline, Howard Klick, Samuel Kepner, Harold Redcay, Claude Freese, Harry Matten, Arthur Leader, William Hart, Harry Frill.
Class No. 42, Miss Emma Haag, teacher .- Paul Hart- man, Harold Klein, Thurman Whitner, Paul Humphrey, Robert Smith, Edward Herflicker, Joseph Herflicker, Grant Garret, Llewellyn Adam, Stanley Mervine, William Mack.
Class No. 43, R. S. Dunkleberger, teacher .- Stanley Sassaman, Raymond Umbenhauer, Charles Umbenhauer, Clarence Lerch, Harry Walker, Jay N. Fidler, Willis Groff, Elwood Fegley, Arthur High, Raymond High.
Class No. 44, Dr. Milton U. Gerhard, teacher .- Stan- ley Gable, John Moyer, Aulay Tompkins, Arthur Sonen, Daniel Lerch, Russel Graul, Foster Naftzinger, Charles Deysher, Paul Fick.
SENIOR DEPARTMENT. - Superintendent, Milton L. Haag.
Class A, A. J. Shartle, teacher .- Emma Westley, Gus- sie Wagner, Mamie Dundore, Wm. Kolb, Aaron Cleaver, Sarah Evans, Agnes Levan, Mrs. Mary Koch, Jennie Lin- coln, Mrs. Annie Wanner, Lemon Hertz, Mrs. Amelia Kreitzer, Mrs. Deborah Hiester, John K. Hiester, Ger-
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ST. STEPHEN'S REFORMED CHURCH
trude Bickel, Mrs. Sarah A. Heck, Mrs. Emma Wrentzel, Henry S. Bernhart, Charles J. Ruth, Thomas Bright, Mrs. Maggie Heyberger, A. Cameron Lance, Thomas Hughes, William Bowman, Alice Sassaman, Mrs. Mary M. Miller, Mrs. Ida Ibach, Mrs. Lydia Freese, Frank Sassaman, Katie Hoch, Mrs. Sallie Kautz, Hiram K. Ritter, Gussie Boltz, Mrs. Mary Engle, Mrs. Anna Cleaver, William Greishaber, Margaret Power, Gertie Kalbach, Mrs. Hannah Tompkins, Mrs. Sarah Bosold, Mrs. Lillie Sindel, Mrs. Kate Ritter, Mrs. Laura Dep- pen, J. Fred. Gerhard, Chas. Getrost, Mrs. Sarah Jack- son, Harvey F. Bush, Mrs. Jennie Biehl, Mrs. Alice Ruth, Mrs. Laura Pauley, Mrs. Sadie Lance, Mrs. Meda Trump, Leonora Brady, Mrs. Ada Gehret, Lottie Kieffer, A. B. May, Mrs. Gussie Jost, Mrs. Adam May, William Hartline, Walter Clark, Mrs. Lottie Clark, C. L. Kant- ner, Mrs. Ida Hartline, Mrs. Alice Graeff, Mrs. Bertha Encke, Thomas Eckert, Mrs. Louisa Alspach, Frederick Winkleman, Charles Pauley, Mrs. C. J. Smith, Mame Schropp, Mrs. Kate Bush, Katie Wanner, Mrs. Ella Klein, Lizzie Wanner, Amy Clemmer, Mrs. Bella Gehret, Amos Woodworth, S. A. Althouse, Mrs. Ellen Adams, Ka- tie Heyberger, William Ketterer, Grace Kostenbader, Harry Reifsnyder, Mrs. Mary Drumheller, Sylvester Greenwald, Mrs. Kate Greenwald, Mrs. Emma Hoch, Bessie Greenwood, Anna Reichert.
Class B, A. A. Simon, Jr., teacher .- Leon Altenderfer, Harvey Fassnacht, Paul Fassnacht, Robert Eckert, James Rothermel, Edwin Mabry, Fred. Brettman, James Hiller, Raymond Fassnacht, William Barto, John Folmer, War- ren Barto, Allen Moll, Charles Thompson, Charles Koch, Edward Young, Elmer Keiper, Walter Noll, Chas. Stitzer, Wilmert Evans, Charles Frederick, Harry Sonen, Herman Hough, John Frederick, Arthur Mengel, Ralph Black, Herbert DeTurk, Charles Ruth, Albert Shoenberger, Lu- ther Wrentzel, Erman Evans, C. W. Matten, William
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THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
Ritter, Milton Matten, Allen Miller, Ralph Tragle, John Dautrich, Chester Hertz, Luther Naftzinger, Henry Fol- mer, Earl Mengel, Harry Whitner, Leon Darrah, Bruce Gerhard, Robert Kolb, Lloyd Moll, William Hiester, Wil- liam Schaeffer, Clarence Neiman, Howard Hoffman, Geo. Hite, Leroy DeWees, Forrest Sindel, Stanley Ball, Her- man Zimmerman, John Clewell, Thomas Eisenhart, John Brandt, George Kline, John Boltz, Charles Boger, Arthur Trumbore, Howard Pickel, Lloyd Barto, Clarence Beck, George Derr, Clarence DeLong, Alvin Groff, Elmer Hart- line, Charles Mabry, Irvin Mease, William Clouser, Albert Coller, Albert Kreitz, Howard Stepp, Elwood Shollen- berger, Harry Tolbert, Vernon Friday, Robert Fidler, Walter Boyer.
Class C, Miss Emma Lewis, teacher .- Edith Bankes, Helen Sands, Laura Resh, Mamie Kline, Edna Schollen- berger, Mrs. Jennie Kurtz, Stella Brunner, Lillian Boltz, Ida Himmelreich, Carrie Kantner, Rosa Miller, Mrs. Car- rie Wolfinger, Mary Hough.
HOME DEPARTMENT .- Superintendent, Albert M. Wey- andt; Secretary, Mrs. Annie M. Barto; Treasurer, Miss Edith Lance; Visitors, Mrs. Sue Seaman, Mrs. Lucy Hughes, Mrs. Annie Barto, Mrs. Ella Klein, Miss Edith Lance, Mrs. Nora Keim, Mrs. Amanda Kinch; Dr. J. K. Seaman, Mrs. Harriet Bechtel, Mrs. Sallie Smeck, Mrs. Hannah Lincoln, Miss Kate Weiand, Miss Sallie Weiand, Miss Sallie Bausher, Mrs. Kate DeLong, Mrs. Lizzie Gift, Mrs. Emma Schropp, Mrs. Anna Klein, Mrs. May Klein, Mrs. Louisa Hite, Mrs. Sallie Kline, Mrs. Annie Barto, Mrs. Mary Coller, Mrs. Catharine Brant, Mrs. Catharine Schlottman, Alexander Schlottman, Mrs. Mary Em- mert, Albert Emmert, Mrs. Amanda Kinsey, Mrs. Re- becca Addams, Mrs. Emma Moodhart, Mrs. Kate Pot- teiger, Mrs. Emma Gerhard, Mrs. Isaac Hoffa, Mrs. Sadie Weyandt, Mrs. Emma Ream, Mrs. Annie Becker, Mrs. Emily Davis, Mrs. Cordelia Mengel, Mrs. Ellen
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ST. STEPHEN'S REFORMED CHURCH
Miller, Mrs. Valeria Feather, Miss Florence Feather, Edwin Feather, Mrs. Sue Portz, Mrs. Amanda Biehl, Mrs. Abbie McGrath, Mrs. Kate Bickel, Mrs. Ida Feick, Mrs. Rebecca Dickert, Mrs. Annie Sassaman, Mrs. David Fassnacht, David Fassnacht, Mrs. Sarah DeLong, Mrs. Warren Hartman, Mrs. Ida Printz, John Fredericks, Mrs. Anna Fredericks, Mrs. Mary Titlow, Mrs. Rosa Feather, John Fassnacht, Mrs. Mary Fassnacht, Mrs. Lillie Klick, Mrs. Mary Barto, Mrs. Stella Lichtenthaler, Mrs. Joseph Roth, Joseph Roth, Mrs. Kate Gift, Mrs. Ellen Kerschner, Mrs. Sallie Naftzinger, Mrs. Kate Welder, Mrs. Mary Reeser, Mrs. Emma Evans, Mrs. Rebecca Heffleger, Mrs. Joanna Buck, Franklin Trump, Mrs. Mary Moyer, Mrs. Maude Moyer, Mrs. Lizzie Olinger, Miss Sarah Binkley, Mrs. Annie Hoffman, Mrs. Mary Greth, Mrs. Neida Kee- ner, Mrs. Ella Heck, Mrs. Lizzie Eisenhower.
CHAPTER XVI THE CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS
A BRIEF sketch of the various or- ganizations of the congregation will not be out of place in this his- tory. Because the book has al- ready gone beyond the proportions at first contemplated, this chapter must be greatly abbreviated, yet sufficient space will be devoted to each organization to record the essential facts of its history. All of these organizations have played an important part in the history of the congregation, and have enlisted the interest and services of the members, especially of the young people, in a very effective way.
THE CHOIR.
It seems that the choir, like the Sunday school, antedates the congregation. Imme- diately after the Sunday school had been brought to the new church, December 23, 1888, the missionary pastor, Rev. C. S. Gerhard, had the Sunday school render a Christmas service, which was prepared by the organist, Miss Sallie
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ST. STEPHEN'S REFORMED CHURCH
Westley, and Mr. Andrew H. Smith, chorister and clarinetist.
Mr. C. J. Smith was persuaded to organize a choir with whatever material was available. Numerous volunteers constituted the choir, most of whom eventually became members of St. Stephen's. The names of these members can- not be given, because no record of the choir was kept.
After the resignation of Miss Westley as organist, Miss Mame H. Smith became the reg- ular organist and took charge of the choir. Sev- eral courses in vocal music for the benefit of the church and Sunday school choirs were given by the choir leader, Mr. C. J. Smith, and afterward by his son, Andrew H. Smith, who generally led the choir and Sunday school with some wind- instrument, principally the clarinet.
The organ used for a number of years was an old reed organ that needed frequent repairs. Its tone was very sweet, but of light volume, therefore an orchestra was organized to add vol- ume to the music. The choir was on the same level as the congregation until the annex was built, when it occupied a higher position to the right of the pulpit.
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THE CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS
This early choir sang very acceptably, and rendered a number of choruses written by such masters as Haydn, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Gou- nod, Handel and others. Some of the members of the choir of the early years are still singing in it, but most of them are scattered, and several of them are members of " the choir invisible " in heaven. Miss Sallie E. Bickel, one of the choir members, sang a solo at a young people's meeting on Sunday evening, January 6, 1889, entitled " Come Over the Line," and the follow- ing Wednesday she lost her life in a silk mill which was destroyed by a cyclone.
On April 1, 1890, Mr. J. Wilson Klein was elected organist of the congregation, and has held the position ever since. Mr. Milton J. Miller was leader of the choir from July 1, 1890, to January 1, 1891. He was succeeded by Mr. William H. Smith, who served only a short time. From April 4, 1894, Mr. Klein was made chorister, and continued as organist, having full charge of the congregational and Sunday school music.
The choir has given musical recitals from time to time. Some of them have been in the form of organ recitals, while others were can-
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tatas and miscellaneous musical programs. Dr. Minor C. Baldwin, of New York city, gave or- gan recitals on Wednesday and Thursday even- ings, January 18 and 19, 1905, at which the silver offerings amounted to $271.50, leaving a balance of $185.00 in the treasury of the choir. Dr. Baldwin gave two additional recitals on January 16 and 17, 1906. On Monday even- ing, January 28, 1907, Miss Hazel Claryce Harris, of New York city, rendered an excellent organ recital. Other recitals were also given, which were greatly enjoyed, all of which brought out the fact that we have a high class pipe organ.
For a number of years the choir has been rendering special music at the Christmas morn- ing services, which has added much to their enjoyment. The more recent renditions were a Christmas cantata, entitled "The Adoration," given December 25, 1906, and repeated Decem- ber 30, 1906 ; a Lenten cantata, " The Story of Calvary," rendered March 24, 1907 ; an Easter cantata, entitled " The Risen King," April 21, 1907; a Christmas cantata, "The Shepherd King," December 25, 1907 ; a cantata, entitled " David, the Shepherd Boy," which was given
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THE CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS
in portions in connection with a series of ser- mons preached by the pastor on "Lessons from the Life of David," from October 18 to Decem- ber 20, 1908 ; and a cantata, "Song of Thanks- giving," which was rendered on Wednesday evening, March 17, 1909, during the celebra- tion of the twenty- fifth anniversary of the con- gregation.
We ought to have a larger choir when we consider the material that is at hand, some of which has not yet been discovered and some not yet fully developed. We hope more of our gifted young people will consecrate their talents to the service of the Master.
Our choir has always been a voluntary or- ganization, rendering praise to God without re- muneration, which is the ideal condition of things. A church choir ought not to be an opera troupe, but a body of consecrated Chris- tian men and women, fulfilling the condition spoken of by St. Paul in Colossians 3 : 16, " Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly ; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God."
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The personnel of the choir at the time of the twenty- fifth anniversary was as follows :
Sopranos-Mrs. J, Wilson Klein, Misses Gertrude L. Bickel, Agnes E. Levan, Violet M. Haines, Mary E. Tomp- kins and Marian S. Klein.
Altos-Mrs. Annie M. Barto, Misses Emma E. Haag, Annie M. Mersinger and Cora G. Logan.
Tenors-Messrs. Thomas Z. Bright, Leon E. Altender- fer, Ralph R. Tragle and J. Grim Derr.
Bassos-Messrs. Oscar DeLong, Milton W. Seitzinger, Luther E. Wrentzel, A. A. Simon, Jr., and Lawrence C. Bright.
THE LADIES' AID SOCIETY.
In response to an announcement by the pastor, Rev. C. S. Gerhard, the following per- sons assembled at his residence on New Year's evening, January 1, 1885, for the purpose of organizing a church society :
Annie Bucher, Mrs. Kate L. Bickel, Minnie Bickel, Milton J. Coller, Mrs. Emma E. Gerhard, C. S, Gerhard, Mrs. Emma C. Gerhard, Mrs. Susan Herbein, Mrs. Jennie Hertz, Daniel S. Klein, Mrs. Mary A. Klein, Mrs. Mary McGuigan, Lizzie McGuigan, Mrs. Emma M. Palm, Mary Roth, Mrs. Mary R. Rhoads, Ida B. Stauffer, Andrew Smith, Wm. H. Tragle, Mrs. Emma M. Tragle and Mrs. Mary Titlow.
It was decided that the name of the society should be "St. Stephen's Aid Society."
At the subsequent meeting, January 6, 1885, the following new members were enrolled :
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THE CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS
Rose Albright, Mary Bucher, Mrs. Loretta Deininger, Mrs. Hattie C. Herbein, Edmund R. Millard, Mrs. Mary E. Millard, Samuel Palm and Mrs. Frances S. Roth.
An election for officers was held, which re- sulted as follows : President, Mrs. Kate L. Bickel ; Vice-President, Mrs. Emma C. Ger- hard ; Secretary, Mary Roth ; Treasurer, Mrs. Mary A. Klein. All the members paid their initiation fees, which aggregated $2.90.
The meetings were held at the homes of the members. At the meeting held January 20, 1885, Andrew Smith, M. J. Coller and Edmund Millard were appointed a committee on amuse- ments.
The Constitution and By - Laws were adopted at the meeting held February 3, 1885.
At the meeting on June 6, 1885, the society decided to contribute $150 toward the addition to be built to the church. The next year, Sep- tember 14, 1886, the society voted to lay a pave- ment on Ninth street, which cost $68.12, and on May 24, 1887, it was decided to lay a pave- ment on the north side of the church on Green- wich street.
On September 27, 1887, the society resolved to donate $100 toward the sinking fund of the
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church. This amount was increased by $60, March 11, 1888; by $50, July 3, 1888; and by $50, August 29, 1888. At this time the society also paid $32 for interest on the mort- gage of the church.
A beautiful " log cabin" cushion and a hand- some silk quilt were presented as a parting gift from the society to Rev. and Mrs. D. B. Schne- der before they left to engage in missionary work in Japan.
The third anniversary of the society was celebrated December 30, 1887, by listening to an illustrated lecture on "The Early History of the Reformed Church in Europe," by Rev. James I. Good, D. D.
The treasurer, Mrs. Mary A. Klein, resigned October 23, 1888, because of removal from the city, and Mrs. Mary E. Millard was elected in her stead. This was the first change made in the officers since the organization of the society.
On April 23, 1889, the society decided to pay the interest on the mortgage, amounting to $41.25, and August 27, 1889, $27.50 was con- tributed for a similar purpose. The society con- tinued to pay this interest for some time.
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Miss Mary Roth resigned as secretary No- vember 19, 1889, after having served in that capacity since the organization of the society, a period of almost five years.
On January 14, 1890, the following officers were elected : President, Mrs. Emma Palm ; Vice-President, Mrs. Henrietta Jones; Secre- tary, Mamie McGuigan ; Treasurer, Mrs. Emma E. Gerhard.
On February 17, 1891, the society decided to contribute $100 toward the Easter offering. This was the beginning of a number of large contributions made by the society to this object year after year.
The election of officers on January 5, 1892, resulted in a change of president and vice-presi- dent, to which offices Mrs. Mary A. Klein and Mrs. Loretta Deininger were respectively elected. The secretary and treasurer were reelected.
The first Fastnacht Supper of the society was held on March 1, 1892, and was called " Fastnacht Tea and Coffee Sociable," the net proceeds of which amounted to $54.37. Since then these Fastnacht suppers have been held annually, and have been very popular. At a
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strawberry festival held June 21, 1892, the so- ciety cleared $27.29.
Another change of president and vice-presi- dent was made at the election on January 9, 1894, when Mrs. Valeria Feather was chosen as president and Mrs. S. Louisa Bucks as vice- president. The following year Mrs. Bucks was elected president and Mrs. Susan Portz vice- president.
Walnut collection plates were purchased for $15.00 and presented to the congregation. For a number of years the society made a dozen shirts each year for Bethany Orphans' Home at Womelsdorf. The society also paid $14.85 for the installation of a hall rack and mirror at the Home in 1895.
On March 5, 1895, the resignation of Miss Mame N. McGuigan as secretary was accepted. She had served for over five years. Mrs. Lo- retta Deininger, afterward Mrs. Hoffa, was elected to the position. At the annual election of officers on January 7, 1896, Mrs. Emma C. Gerhard was elected president, and the other officers were reelected. Mrs. Hoffa resigned as secretary on April 28, 1896, and Mrs. Bessie M. Troop was elected as her successor. On
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THE CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS
January 5, 1897, Mrs. Amanda Howden was elected vice-president, and the remaining offi- cers were reelected.
At the meeting held March 16, 1897, the society decided to give $500 toward the pur- chase of the Mullin property adjoining the church on the south. The following year, on March 15, 1898, the society resolved to con- tribute $250 to the building fund, and on No- vember 8, 1898, an additional $250 was voted to the same object.
Mrs. Bessie M. Troop resigned as secretary, October 26, 1897, and Mrs. Sue H. Seaman was elected as her successor, and has held the office ever since. At the annual election of officers on January 4, 1898, Mrs. Mary A. Klein was elected president, Mrs. Emma Palm vice-presi- dent, and the secretary and treasurer were re- elected.
On January 3, 1899, Mrs. Emma Palm was elected president and Mrs. Mary Schaeffer vice- president. The following year, January 2, 1900, Mrs. Mary Schaeffer was elected presi- dent and Mrs. Emma C. Gerhard vice-president, and the secretary and treasurer were reelected. At the next two elections, January 15, 1901,
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and January 11, 1902, all of these officers were reelected. following year, January 13, 1903, Mrs. Kate Ritter was elected vice-presi- dent, and on January 12, 1904, all the officers were reelected.
On October 9, 1899, the society resolved to pay $275 to the building fund, and on October 24, 1899, they decided to subscribe $400 at the dedication of the new church. The following payments were made on this pledge, all in the year 1900: January 2, $100; February 12, $75; April 9, $75; September 26, $130; De- cember 20, $20.
On October 22, 1901, the society resolved to put a window in the church at a cost of $500 with the following inscription : "By the La- dies' Aid Society in honor of our first pastor, Rev. Calvin S. Gerhard, D. D." The first pay- ment of $265 was made December 17, 1901, and the balance of $235 was paid March 25, 1902.
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