USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > The history of the First English Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh, 1837-1909 > Part 11
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Mr. Bossart reported May 16, that additional sub- scriptions amounting to about $5,000 had been pledged and requested the consent of the Council to build. It was resolved "that as additional sub- scriptions have been made, St. John's Church is now authorized to build under the plans and bid of $21,000, as submitted to this Council at its special meeting held April 26, 1892."
Messrs. J. S. Seaman and William F. Lang were appointed a committee and empowered to execute all contracts on the part of the congregation for the erection and furnishing of St. John's Church, to act jointly with the building committee of the latter con- gregation. Mr. William H. Black was afterwards added to this committee.
The offering at the June communion was devoted to the relief of sufferers from the flood and fires at Titusville and Oil City.
Mr. Thomas H. Lane was elected chairman of the Council during the vacancy in the pastorate and was authorized to have the pulpit supplied.
In addition to the general development of the con- gregation Dr. Belfour's pastorate was especially marked by the purchase of the Grant St. property
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and the erection of the church thereon, and by the organization of St. John's congregation and the maturing of plans for the erection of its handsome church building. The clerical robe was also intro- duced in the services and the Society for Parish and Mission Work was organized.
The Rev. Dr. Edmund Belfour was born in Copen- hagen, Denmark, August 9, 1833. Coming to America when he was eight years of age his family located in New York City, where he graduated from the Col- lege of the City of New York. Graduating from the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg in 1856 he served St. Paul's Church, Schoharie, N. Y., as pastor eleven years, and St. John's, Easton, six years. He organized the English work of the General Council in Chicago, 1874-1880, establishing Holy Trinity and Wicker Park congregations. Since resigning the First Church in 1892 he has been pastor of Memorial Church, Allegheny. His scholarly tastes and attain- ments have been widely recognized and the Church has frequently called him to positions of responsi- bility and honor. For years he was President of the Pittsburgh Synod and for many years he has been a member of the Board of Trustees of Thiel College and a valuable member of important Synodical and General Council Boards and Committees. His trans- lation from the Danish of "Pontoppidan's Explana- tion of Luther's Catechism" has passed through many editions and is widely used. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Thiel College in 1886.
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CHAPTER XI Pastorate of the Reb. David Harrison Beissinger, D.D.
1893-1906
INE months or more elapsed between the departure of Dr. Belfour and the arrival of his successor. During this period extensive improvements were made in the church building. It was frescoed, one of the ladies of the congregation offering, through Mr. Joseph S. Sea- man, $450 towards this purpose. Mr. B. F. Weyman submitted a proposition, offering to subscribe $500 if it was decided simply to fresco in water colors and not adopt electric lighting; $1,000 if the chapel and anterooms were done in oil and the church in water colors and electric lighting introduced in the church and chapel; and $2,500 if all the fresco work were done in oil and combination gas and electric fixtures placed throughout. The Council gratefully accepted the liberal proposition and the trustees with the addition of Mr. W. Warren Wattles were authorized to co-operate with Mr. Weyman. It was finally de- cided to fresco in oil and to introduce electricity. Tablets for the Psalms and Hymns were also secured.
The reflectors and chandeliers formerly in use in the church were given to St. John's congregation.
Upon the completion of the improvements it was
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found that, in addition to the subscriptions already se- cured, $2,000 was required to satisfy all bills and to pay a note for $1,600. Messrs. Wattles and Armor were appointed to secure the money and a few months later reported a total of $2,130.94 received for this purpose.
The request of the ladies of the Sewing Society to be permitted to re-arrange and re-furnish the chancel was "thankfully granted." The ladies received very generous assistance in this work from one of the members of the congregation. The immediate im- provements which they decided to make included a new marble altar, in place of the one which they had installed in the church at the time of its erection, and marble wainscoting within the chancel, the height of the altar. This work was done and the church was frescoed in the summer of 1892. The altar which was removed was given to St. John's Church.
It was also determined to make other extensive improvements as opportunity offered. These in- cluded the placing of a mosaic reredos and mosaic wall panels, the reredos to be surmounted with a mosaic lunette representing the Madonna and Child with the adoring angels; three small windows in the front of the church, representing the Christ, St. John, and St. Matthew; handsome brass candelabra to be placed in the chancel; a brass pulpit and eagle lectern ; brass wall brackets for electric lighting and a large electric chandelier in the centre of the church, to re- place all former systems of illumination. All of these changes were made at different times during the next few years and the entire work was completed in the summer of 1897.
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The church was re-opened for services September 25, 1892, the Rev. Dr. Laird preaching both morning and evening. He also administered the communion to the congregation November 6.
The Pastoral Association was granted the chapel for Tuesday evening, January 3, 1893, for the pur- pose of organizing "The Evangelical Lutheran Mis- sion and Church Extension Society of Pittsburgh, Allegheny and Vicinity." The Pittsburgh Synod had authorized this organization in 1892. In 1894 it was incorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania for
" The establishment of Evangelical Lutheran Sunday Schools and Congregations in the Cities of Pittsburgh, Allegheny and vicinity.
" The purchase of lots, erection of houses of worship, and assistance in the payment of debts."
This work is done by loaning money for five years without interest, secured by first mortgage. The money is then returned, and is loaned elsewhere. At the end of every seventeen years it has saved its full amount in interest to the beneficiaries, and is still in hand. Beginning in 1893 with a working capital of only $43.02, its resources in 1908 amounted to $20,089.29, as follows:
Cash on hand. $2,627 04
Perpetual fund 50 00
Spring Garden Avenue property 5,000 00
Loan Trinity Church, Verona. 340 00
Loan Emanuel Church, Allegheny .. 500 00
Loan Memorial Church, Allegheny .. 1,790 00
Loan Zion Church, Ambridge ....... 2,500 00
Thomas Avenue, Bellevue, property 7,282 25
$20,089 29
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CHANCEL OF THE GRANT STREET CHURCH
CHVNCET OF LHE CKYAL ELKEEL CHARCH
fire english Lutheran Church
Plo raumh wue he opened for services September 25, LE, 16 1 Tr. Laird preaching both morning wil eming. In Alto administered the communion - own November 6.
Thy Paarwell Association was granted the chapel 3 Toutes woning, January 3, 1893, for the pur- 100 g "The Evangelical Lutheran Mis- sion al Ihrendr Extension Society of Pittsburgh, Allegh sal Viomity." The Pittsburgh Synod had authorto this organization in 1892. In 1894 it was inconomies under the laws of Pennsylvania for
" The lady boner| Evangelical Lutheran Sunday Sefioois mod (9-grogaro . in the Cities of Pittsburgh, Allegheny and brity
" The pureo . w lod, emotion of houses of worship, and assistance in - wayitroms Pitibis."
This work is done In | aring money for five years
without lurt, DE Arst mortgage. The more1 & 1-o femurel dia loaned elsewhere. At Ce anl of every mese yoårs it has saved its full amconLo at & Tonaliaries, and is still in burL Dling un TRUC with a working capital of Joly TU bens in 1908 amounted to
₩2 627 04
50 00
Si Toom Avere property . 5,000 00
TT Chino Verona .. 340 00
Los - Cloich Allegheny. . 500 00
Church, Allegheny .. 1,790 00
Txwww . warch, Mmbridge ....... 2,500 00
Thamm Acc. Bellevue, property 7,282 25
$20.089 29
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Pastorate of the Reb. David H. Beissinger
At a special congregational meeting January 25, 1893, the Rev. David H. Geissinger, of Easton, Pa., by a vote of 97 to 7, was elected pastor at a salary of $3,000. The call was made unanimous and was promptly accepted, April 23 being named as the date of entrance upon the work. A reception was given to Mr. and Mrs. Geissinger by the ladies of the congregation in the chapel on the 26th of April.
The new Church Book, containing the Common Service, was introduced in the services the first Sun- day in July, the books being secured through the Ladies' Sewing Society. December 3, the first full rendering of the Vesper Service was given, the musi- cal setting being a manuscript arrangement of the Plain Song, which after years of continuous use in the congregation was incorporated in the published Service Books edited by Mr. Archer and Mr. Reed.
September 20, Mr. G. E. Krauth was admitted to membership by certificate, the two surviving sons of the Rev. Dr. Krauth thus being members of the congregation.
October 4, at a special congregational meeting, the building committee of St. John's Church reported that it would be necessary to secure $7,000 to pay all bills for erection and furnishing, and that to nego- tiate a loan it would be necessary to have the con- sent of the First Church, as it held title to the property. The Council was authorized to negotiate a loan for the necessary amount by executing a bond and mortgage.
October 29, St. John's Church was dedicated, Mr. Geissinger preaching the sermon. Morning service was omitted in the First Church and the members
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attended the service of dedication in large numbers, rejoicing with the young congregation in its posses- sion of its own completed and beautiful building.
With the first Sunday in Advent Mr. Geissinger began the issue of the Weekly Parish Bulletin, one of the brightest and best of parish papers, which has continued ever since to be a most useful factor in the congregation's life. In his own inimitable style, Mr. Geissinger filled its columns with bright, pithy paragraphs of optimistic philosophy, sound instruc- tion, high ideals of churchmanship, and wide con- ceptions of the Church's mission, as well as local parish items. Sound doctrine and churchly prac- tices were explained and it soon established itself as a positive, helpful factor in developing congre- gational intelligence, interest, and unity. For more than four years it appeared weekly, and since Sep- tember 25, 1898, when it changed its name to the Parish Bulletin, it has been issued at frequent in- tervals.
January 17, 1894, a series of Wednesday afternoon organ recitals was begun. These were continued during Lent, and were the beginning of the beautiful special Lenten services which were continued for ten years. The service was held at four o'clock. Special organ music, often with violin or cello, was followed by appropriate Passion music by the choir, and hymns and the Litany by the congregation. These services were singularly beautiful, devotional, and helpful.
March 5, in an effort to increase the revenues of the congregation, the Council determined upon im- portant changes in the system of collections, to go into effect the first Sunday in May: First, that
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Pastorate of the Reb. David H. Beissinger
special collections be taken on the first Sunday of each month and that these monthly collections shall take the place of all special collections heretofore taken for benevolent objects except the Easter offer- ing and that for the Orphans' Home taken on Thanks- giving Day: Second, that the moneys realized from these collections shall be paid into the treasury of the Church; Third, that the Church Council shall hereafter, at its discretion, make appropriations to the benevolent objects heretofore provided for by special collections; and all excess of funds raised by this means over and above what is necessary to provide for the usual contributions to the benevo- lent works of the Church shall be available for the current expenses of the congregation.
June 4, the death of Dr. W. A. Passavant was for- mally announced to the Council. The pastor and Messrs. Lane and Balken were appointed to pre- pare a suitable minute for record. The church was draped for the funeral services which were held in it on the following Wednesday. The building was crowded, many clergymen from a great distance be- ing present to honor the memory of one who was recognized as one of the leaders of the Church, a great missionary, an influential editor, and one of the greatest philanthropists of the country. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. H. W. Roth, D.D., and the Rev. D. H. Geissinger, D.D. Interment was made in the family burying-ground at Zelienople.
June 28, the congregation lost a most estimable and active member in the death of Miss Ida Sheafer, superintendent of the Infant School.
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The Pittsburgh Synod met in the church Septem- ber 18, 1894. Entertainment was provided for a great many of the delegates by the congregation at the hotels at an expense exceeding $700. This was the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the Synod in the old First Church building on Seventh Avenue.
At the annual congregational meeting in 1895, the use of wafers instead of bread in the Sacrament was discussed and the question was left undecided for the "thoughtful consideration" of the members. Dr. Geissinger gave a full discussion of the subject in the Bulletin of January 20. Two years later a motion to introduce wafers was made but final action was postponed because of the small attendance at the congregational meeting.
March 4, the pastor and the secretary were re- quested to prepare a minute relative to the death of the former pastor of the congregation, the Rev. Dr. Reuben Hill.
In response to a suggestion of Leander Trautman, Esq., an invitation was extended to the Luther Leagues to hold their first national convention in the church October 30 and 31 of this year. The conven- tion was a notable one, with representative men and women from all parts of the Lutheran Church in attendance, nearly four hundred delegates from twenty States being enrolled. The proceedings were dignified and impressive, the addresses were of a high order, and the singing was a noteworthy fea- ture. At this convention a national organization was effected.
October 7, the Council unanimously passed the fol- lowing resolution : "Resolved, that the Church Coun-
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ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH Built in 1893
City English Lutheran Church
The Diw uggh Spol met in the church Septem- but || Exteri went was provided for a great of the d' by the congregation at the ho - aspeeding STOD. This was the Wo wogiveher of the organization of tin Synod old Plus Charel building on Seventh Avenue. At the auno woderogational meeting in 1995, the ww of wales . Maid of bread in the Sacrament was Areused wel the question was left undecided for the "thoughtful consideration" of the members. Dr Geiesinmis cu a Thuil discussion of the subject in the Bullen of Jemary 20. Two years later a motio. to iatre las wufore was made but final action was postponed because of the small attendance at the
Nuwh & M per ut Die secretary were ie- route relative to the death Wor if The congregation, the Rev.
aver dino of Leander Trautman, ho sw extended to the Luther : ational convention in the @ ml ) of this year. The conven- www. with representative pien and W parts of the Lutheran Church in .... . Tout hundred delegates from hans mirolled. The proceedings were digt ipe, the addresses were of a HATH ) YANGHTUI AVHOL Te wwmSowas a noteworthy Sen- tre. AI Masiveition a national organization was effecten
October & Us Dwaneil manimously passed the fol- lowing resolution: " Resolved, that the Church Coun
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Pastorate of the Reb. David H. Geissinger
cil does hereby convey to Mr. B. F. Weyman the cordial thanks of our congregation for the admirable electrical appliances for lighting our church and thereby enhancing in an eminent degree its beauty and comfort."
November 4, the Altar Society was organized for the purpose of caring for the church vestments, pro- viding flowers for the altar, and arranging the chan- cel for the public services. The Society has ever accomplished its work with earnest fidelity and quiet unobtrusiveness.
January 7, 1896, at the regular congregational meet- ing, the pastor was requested, upon the suggestion of Mr. Lane, to prepare a history of the congregation from its founding to the present.
July 6, announcement was made that $2,000 had been bequeathed by the late Mrs. Jane B. Black for St. John's Church. This legacy was finally applied to the payment of the mortgage on the property. The pastor also reported a donation of $100 for a proposed congregational paper.
January 4, 1897, the Rev. G. W. Critchlow, who had succeeded the Rev. Mr. Bossart as pastor of St. John's, reported to the congregational meeting in- creased attendance at their services, and that the mortgage had been reduced $3,000, $2,000 having been received from the estate of Mrs. Black, $700 con- tributed by members of St. John's congregation, and $300 taken from the balance in the building fund.
The missionary zeal of the congregation was felt in very helpful measure by Grace Church, Allegheny, when, after a very precarious existence, the following named persons took up the work of the Sunday School
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and the Young People's Society : Messrs. Horace W. Bikle, George Gillespie, A. W. Smith, Charles G. Smith, T. L. Sheafer, Bertram Geissinger, Miss Ida Sheafer, Miss Caroline L. Ritchey, and Miss Anne E. L. Portzer. These persons labored with remarkable suc- cess, doing their work in a commonplace hall in Spring Garden Avenue, and in the face of a very trying en- vironment, beginning in 1893. Their ranks were re- cruited in 1894 by Mr. Charles W. Fuhr, Mr. James Armor, Mr. Albert Heckel and Mr. John A. Scully, Jr. After four years or more of earnest work the corner stone of a church building was laid Novem- ber 1, 1896, and the church was consecrated Janu- ary 31, 1897. The cost, including the furniture, was about $4,475. The Rev. J. J. Brubeck was the pastor in charge of the mission. The young people labored with mind and heart and hand, even to the setting up of the pews of the new church and much other manual labor. One of these workers, Mr. Fuhr, is still actively engaged in the work of that parish.
The congregation at the annual meeting January 3, 1898, carefully considered and unanimously adopted the revised constitution and by-laws which had been prepared by the pastor and Mr. Lane at the request of the Council, and they were printed together with a list of the first members and the successive pastors of the congregation.
The following action of the Council, referring to the generous assistance given the ladies of the Sewing Society in the rearrangement of the chancel by one of the members of the congregation, was ordered to be reported to the congregation and was an item of
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Pastorate of the Reb. Dabid H. Beissinger
the pastor's annual report and received the hearty endorsement of the congregation :
" The Church Council having deferred making formal expression of their delight and gratitude for the improve- ments added to the chancel of the church through the gen- erosity of Mr. B. F. Weyman, preferred to await its com- pletion before making such acknowledgment to him. We do now beg to assure him that we regard the improvement as a most valuable contribution to the adornment of our church, not only as a work of art, but also for its elevating influence, inspiring the hearts of worshippers by presenting to their contemplation that culmination of the Divine Mercy, the Incarnation of our Blessed Saviour. Both in the conception and in the execution of the improvement, our fullest desires have been satisfied and our most grateful thanks are tendered Mr. Weyman, with our sincere wishes and prayer that he may long be spared to share with us and our successors the privileges of our spiritual home."
March 7, "authority was given the choir to wear vestments on all occasions when the Sunday School worships with the congregation."
Another handsome memorial was installed in the church in the spring of this year, when three beau- tiful windows were erected in the north transept of the church, the central one of which bears the fol- lowing inscription :
IN LOVING MEMORY OF FATHER AND MOTHER.
GEORGE BLACK, DIED, AUGUST 5, 1872,
JANE BARCLAY BLACK, DIED, MAY 7, 1896.
The central window is of unusual size, containing over five hundred square feet of glass. It was de- signed by Mr. Frederick Wilson of the Tiffany Studios of New York. The subject illustrated is that
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of the Twenty-Third Psalm. The window is divided into three lancets, the upper portion of which is a most beautiful and effective architectural design which is carried up through the tracery of the win- dow. In the centre lancet there is a majestic, dig- nified, prayerful figure of the Good Shepherd in the midst of the sheep. His hands are clasped and His eyes are raised toward Heaven as if interceding with His Father for the flock over which He has been given charge. In the side lancets are shown two figures of angels,-one of them holding the torch of Faith and the Book of Knowledge, while the other shows the Angel of Mercy and Peace with a palm branch in one hand and a circle of stars in the other. These two figures are intended to illustrate the con- cluding lines of the Psalm ;- "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever." In the background of the three lancets are shown a number of angels grouped in prayer and adoration. The coloring is very rich and beautiful, the prevail- ing tones in the figure-panels being deep blues and purples, while the design in the canopies is worked out in different shades of amber. One of the striking features of the design is the fact that in spite of the unusual size of the window, the composition is yet so simple and conveys the whole story and meaning in a glance. The material used is Tiffany Favrile glass.
The windows were formally accepted and their significance discussed by the pastor in a special ser- vice on Good Shepherd Sunday, April 24, 1898. The Council took the following action April 4:
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Pastorate of the Reb. David H. Beissinger
" WHEREAS, The children of the late George and Mrs. Jane Barclay Black, in loving memory of their parents, have caused to be placed in the north transept of our church three windows, the large or central one of which is of extraordi- nary beauty and artistic excellence, therefore,
" Resolved, That we hereby, for ourselves and on behalf of the congregation, express our high appreciation of their commendable act. We are especially gratified, since those who are thus affectionately commemorated were held in high esteem by those who knew them, and who for many years were pleasantly associated with them in the services and activities of the congregation. We therefore deem it emi- nently fitting that the memory of these faithful servants of the Master should be thus perpetuated.
" We regard these windows as a valuable addition to the impressive and instructive decoration of our church. The admirably chosen design strikingly interprets one of the most precious assurances of the Divine Word and will thus be a constant object lesson to all."
July 13, 1898, an auxiliary of the Red Cross Society was organized in the congregation to aid in the sys- tematic support of the general Society for the relief of suffering in the Spanish-American War. The officers elected were: President, Mrs. Wm. F. Lang, Vice-Presidents, Mrs. Wm. H. Black, Mrs. John H. Boyts, and Mrs. Joseph S. Seaman; Treasurer, Mrs. Hew C. Torrance; Secretary, Miss Carrie E. Kim.
October 3, the Lutheran Liturgical Association was organized in the chapel, and continued to hold regular monthly conventions there for a period of seven years. Three special annual evening services were held in the church, at which addresses, afterwards printed, were delivered by the Revs. Edward T. Horn, D.D., LL.D., J. F. Ohl, Mus. Doc., and President John
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A. W. Haas, D.D. The discussions of this body and the publications which it sent forth from Pittsburgh to members in no less than twenty-two States of the Union and four provinces of Canada, were of very great influence in promoting a knowledge of the prin- ciples and the history of Christian Worship in the broadest sense, and aided materially in developing a desirable uniformity of practice throughout all branches of the Lutheran Church in this country. The officers of the Association throughout the en- tire seven years of its active history were, Presi- dent, Rev. Luther D. Reed; Vice-President, the Rev. Prof. Elmer F. Krauss, D.D., Secretary-Treasurer, the Rev. R. Morris Smith, Ph.D .; Archivarius, the Rev. George J. Gongaware.
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