USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > The history of the First English Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh, 1837-1909 > Part 12
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On Sunday, January 15, 1899, the funeral services of Sister Louisa Marthens, the first deaconess con- secrated in America, were held in the church. Be- fore her consecration she had been an intelligent and active worker in the congregation and a teacher in the Sunday School, and her later years were full of continued devotion and serious responsibility.
Authority was given the committee of St. John's Church to collect funds during the coming year among the members of the First Church in order to supplement the insufficient revenues.
The decoration of the church for Easter and Christ- mas festivals was placed in the hands of the Altar Society and the Society was given an annual appro- priation of one hundred dollars for the purpose.
June 15 and 16, the Second Convocation of Church Musicians authorized by the General Council held its
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sessions in the church. The papers read were after- wards published.
Sunday evening, December 3, the Jubilee anniver- sary of the organization of the Protestant Deaconess work in this country was observed, and the Rev. H. E. Jacobs, D.D., LL.D., delivered the address.
December 27, the request of Mr. Weyman to have the organ rebuilt was granted, with the understand- ing that the passageway in the rear of the organ would be closed permanently and the space thrown into the organ chamber. By this means and by en- larging the opening in the front of the organ chamber, room was gained for the addition of twelve new stops, two in the great organ, three in the swell, three in the choir, and four in the pedal, thus giving forty- four stops in all. Many new couplers, piston move- ments, adjustable non-moving registers and release pistons, pedal movements and releases were built in, greatly increasing the efficiency of the instrument. The original pipes of the Johnston Co. were used, being revoiced by Mr. Philip Wirsching, who made all the new metal pipes. The pitch was lowered to international 435A, which necessitated the addition of a new CC pipe for each stop, the setting up of all stops a semi-tone, and revoicing and tuning at that pitch. The Austin air chest was adopted on account of the steadiness of its wind supply, the ac- cessibility of all parts of the mechanism, and other advantages. When the organ was finally completed in the fall of 1900 by the Austin Company of Hart- ford, Conn., it was one of the very finest church organs in the city. The Council in behalf of the
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congregation, formally expressed its grateful appre- ciation of the generous gift.
The thorough cleaning, refrescoing, and general renovating so frequently required in a church located in Pittsburgh has always been an item of heavy ex- pense. This work in the summer of 1900 amounted to $2,441.69. The following amounts were expended, in their respective years, for this same purpose: 1850, $807.47 ; 1869, $787.98; 1875, $1,550.00.
Tuesday evening, October 30, the eve of the Fes- tival of the Reformation, the Leipzig Quartette for Sacred Music, Herr Bruno Roethig, Director, gave a memorable concert in the church.
Beginning December 3, 1900, the Lutheran Choral Society met in the chapel on Monday evenings for some years. Under the earnest direction of Mr. Frank Benbow, it accomplished a great deal in unit- ing the young people of the various congregations in an effective organization which led the services and rendered special music very acceptably at many general conventions of the Lutheran Church in the Pittsburgh district.
In response to appeals from St. John's congrega- tion, $1,100 was contributed by members of the First Church toward the salary account of St. John's congregation.
July 1, 1901, the Lutheran Church lost one of its most able and active men in the sudden death of the Rev. W. A. Passavant, who had most successfully assumed the heavy responsibilities long carried by his father. The funeral services were held in the church, Wednesday, July 3, the Rev. Drs. H. W. Roth
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and D. H. Geissinger delivering addresses. The in- terment was in Zelienople, Pa.
Saturday morning, September 14, after a week of most painful anxiety, the sad news of President McKinley's death, which had occurred at two o'clock that morning, was received. The services on the fol- lowing Sunday in hymns, anthems, prayer, and ser- mon took note of this great national sorrow. Presi- dent Roosevelt's proclamation appointing Thurs- day, September 19, as a day of national mourning and prayer was read and a service was announced for that day at eleven o'clock.
This memorial service, which commemorated one of the most deplorable events in our country's his- tory, was exceedingly beautiful and impressive. The church was tastefully and effectively draped by Mr. E. R. Fuhr, and was filled with worshippers, many strangers being present. It was a service in which every one was a mourner and where all felt that millions of others sincerely shared the sorrow. The service was read by the Rev. Luther D. Reed, pastor of Emanuel Church, Allegheny, and the address was delivered by the Rev. D. H. Geissinger, D.D.
October 7, 1901, a communication was received from St. John's congregation informing the Council of its election of the Rev. William H. Fehr as pastor, and requesting the approval of the First Church. The reply of the Council offered no objection to their action but affirmed the unwillingness of the First Church to assume any financial obligation towards the salary of the pastor of St. John's Church.
Towards the close of this year the "Choral Ser- vice Book," edited by Mr. Harry G. Archer, the
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organist of the church, and the Rev. Luther D. Reed, appeared from the press. This is the first serious effort to provide the historic Lutheran music for the historic Lutheran Liturgy in the English language. Together with the earlier "Psalter and Canticles" and the later "Season Vespers" by the same editors it has been in constant use in the services of the con- gregation ever since, and has secured a wide recog- nition throughout the entire Church. Mr. Archer and the entire choir of the First Church, after weeks of arduous rehearsal, rendered this music and many classic choir numbers at the Convocation of Church Musicians held under the auspices of the General Council in St. John's German Church, Buffalo, N. Y., October 8 and 9, 1901. Full Choral Matin, Vesper, and Communion Services were rendered and the Convocation was in many respects the most notable one in the history of Lutheran Church Music in America.
August 17, 1902, Mr. Lane resigned as superinten- dent of the Sunday School. The Teachers' Associa- tion took especial note of his remarkable service in the School and on September 21 elected Mr. J. Harvey Wattles to succeed him as superintendent.
Early in the year 1903, Mr. Weyman having inti- mated his desire to be relieved of the charge of the choir, the Council passed a series of resolutions, con- cluding as follows :
" We fully recognize and profoundly appreciate the very great and unusual service which he has for so many years so cheerfully and generously rendered to our congregation in this department. We learn with keen regret of his desire and intention to withdraw from the position he has so long
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and so faithfully occupied. We further instruct the choir committee to endeavor to dissuade Mr. Weyman from his purpose, or failing in that, to urge him to continue in charge of the personelle of the choir and its business affairs, and to act as an advisory member of the choir committee with full authority to consult with the pastor and organist in all matters that may claim their attention."
February 3, the choir committee submitted a com- munication from Mr. Weyman, of which the following is a part :
" After due consideration of the desire of the Church Council, I respectfully submit the following proposition : I will continue the management of the choir, take care of the organ and motor, pay water tax, or pay for electricity if a change of motor power be made, continue the same number of voices, nine or more, and the organist, for the sum of two thousand dollars a year, beginning May 1, 1903."
Certain provisions specified in the communication were considered and adopted item by item. Upon motion of Mr. Lang in receiving and accepting the proposition, the Council thanked Mr. Weyman for his generous proposal and for remitting one month in the specified time for making payments under the contract.
June 26, a special meeting of the Council was held to consider a price to be given to responsible parties for the sale of the church. The trustees were author- ized to consider an offer of $350,000 for the church property with certain specified reservations, and to report any such offer.
At the congregational meeting January 4, 1904, the statement of the treasurer showed that $1,500 would be required for payment of obligations. The treas-
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urer and secretary were instructed to print the report and to send the same to each member of the congre- gation, with return envelopes addressed to the treas- urer affording an opportunity for contributions for the removal of the indebtedness.
The Third General Conference of Lutherans was held in the church April 5-7. It was a splendid gathering of representative men from the General Synod, United Synod in the South, and General Coun- cil. One hundred and ninety-four clergymen enrolled and many laymen attended the sessions. The Revs. Henry E. Jacobs, D.D., LL.D., L. L. Smith, D.D., and M. W. Hamma, D.D., presided, and the secre- taries were the Rev. W. K. Frick, D.D., for the Gen- eral Council, the Rev. A. J. Turkle, D.D., for the General Synod, and Pres. James. A. Morehead, D.D., for the United Synod South. Papers of permanent value were read and these together with the discus- sions were later printed. The Conference closed Thursday evening with a Choral Vesper Service (Advent to Ascension) at which representative Lutheran music was sung by the choir and congre- gation and an address delivered on "The Common Music for the Common Service" by the Rev. Luther D. Reed.
The offering for Home Missions at the Easter morning service amounted to $747.25 and that of the Sunday School at the evening service, to $404.98.
Contributions amounting to $1,696 were subscribed and paid to clear the Church of all indebtedness.
May 13, the congregation sustained a great loss in the unexpected death of Mr. William F. Lang.
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For forty-three years he was a faithful and devoted member of the congregation. During the greater portion of that time he had been a valuable member of the Church Council, wise in counsel and unhesi- tating in the performance of duty. Appropriate resolutions were adopted by the Council.
July 11, the pastor presented an appeal from St. Mark's Lutheran Church, New York, in behalf of the sufferers from the recent appalling disaster of the burning of the General Slocum, an excursion boat filled with the members and friends of the con- gregation. More than eleven hundred persons lost their lives. An offering was taken July 24.
The resignation of Col. James Sheafer as treasurer of the Church was reluctantly accepted, with sincere appreciation of his twenty-six years of faithful ser- vice, and of the uniform kindness and courtesy which had endeared him to all. Mr. Otto C. Graf was elected his successor, to assume charge August 1.
October 18 and 19, the Pennsylvania State Luther League held its convention in the church.
Wednesday, December 7, 1904, the congregation, the community, and the Church at large, were shocked to learn of the terribly sudden prostration of Dr. Geissinger by a form of paralysis. Beloved by his people, most highly esteemed throughout the Church, thousands hoped and waited with anxious sympathy for tidings of improvement. But it was the beginning of a long struggle of many months with disease, and never was nobler courage, greater faith, brighter cheer, or more loving consideration for others than that which transfigured his affliction.
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At the congregational meeting held January 2, 1905, the following letter, dictated by the pastor from his sick bed, was read:
" DEAR BRETHREN :- I had hoped to be able to prepare my usual report for presentation at the congregational meeting, but I have been dissuaded from attempting to do so. Under the circumstances, I must therefore content myself with sending to you my most affectionate pastoral greeting with the earnest prayer that your deliberations may be directed by the Holy Spirit and may have single respect to the glory of the Master and to the extension and strengthening of His Kingdom.
" Perhaps my chief concern in my present affliction is for the continued welfare of the congregation and of all our people. But I am fully persuaded that everything possible in this emergency will be done by you to make up, and even more than make up, for my enforced and, I trust, tem- porary absence.
" Be assured of my presence in spirit and of my earnest wish for the prosperity of the congregation and for the high- est welfare of each one of you.
"May the New Year bring to each of you richer and sweeter blessings than have ever come to you before.
" Very sincerely and affectionately,
" Your Pastor, " DAVID H. GEISSINGER, " per E. J. L."
Messrs. Thomas H. Lane and Henry Balken were appointed to reply to Dr. Geissinger's communica- tion, and to express the deep sympathy of the con- gregation and its earnest hope and prayer for speedy recovery.
A special congregational meeting was held March 1 to consider the nomination by the Council of the
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Rev. George J. Gongaware, of Warren, Pa., as associate pastor. Mr. Gongaware was unanimously elected by ballot and a formal call was extended to him, signed, according to the requirements of the con- stitution, by the Rev. D. H. Geissinger, pastor and president; Thos. H. Lane, acting president, and Henry Balken, secretary Church Council.
This call was duly accepted in a letter of April 10, 1905, and Mr. Gongaware entered upon his work as associate pastor, May 11, 1905.
The Rev. Dr. J. A. Kunkleman regularly supplied the pulpit for some months, until Mr. Gongaware's arrival, and the Council later recorded its apprecia- tion of "his timely and most acceptable services."
Miss Sarah Shaffer, the oldest member of the con- gregation, one of the first teachers in the Sunday School and actively and generously interested in every good work, was called to her eternal home March 3, 1905.
March 6 a legacy of $300 was received from the estate of Miss Maria Forsythe, and transferred to the Indigent Fund.
The Easter offering of the congregation was $732.03, and the offering of the Sunday School, $349.10. The treasurer was instructed to pay $200 to the General Council Church Extension Fund, $500 to the General Council Home Mission Fund, $32.03 to the Porto Rico Mission Board, and the entire amount of the Sunday School's contribution to the Pittsburgh Synod for Home Missions.
The youngest society in the congregation, the Chapel Guild, was organized by the young ladies of Mr. Samuel L. Hamilton's Sunday School class
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April 26, 1905, for the purpose of caring for the chapel vestments and decorations and assisting mission con- gregations in securing furnishings and supplies. Its work has been done with very commendable faith- fulness.
The advisability of organizing a Sunday School in Shadyside as a branch of the main school had been given earnest attention for years. At the June and July meetings of the Council, Messrs. Charles W. Fuhr and Horace W. Bikle presented statements, urging its importance and announcing that the rent and other expenses had been guaranteed for a term of three years by a member of the congregation. After earnest consideration the Council approved the plan and the school was organized Sunday, October 1, 1905, in the Alinda School at Fifth Avenue and Clyde Street, addresses being made by Dr. Geissinger, Mr. Thomas H. Lane, Mr. J. Harvey Wattles, and the Rev. George J. Gongaware. Mr. Horace W. Bikle has been the efficient superintendent from the beginning.
December 3, the first Sunday in Advent, the Rev. Mr. Gongaware was installed as associate pastor. The Rev. Luther D. Reed preached the sermon and Dr. Geissinger spoke the words of installation.
Miss Louisa Sellers, Mrs. Mary B. Sellers, and Mrs. Hannah A. Seaman, the latter for many years the efficient president of the Ladies' Society, were all called to their eternal reward during the year 1905.
Dr. Geissinger was present and presided at the congregational meeting January 1, 1906. He pre- sented his annual report, and stated that his progress
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towards recovery had been slow, and that if the near future did not give assurance of more active useful- ness, he would very reluctantly be constrained to relinquish the active ministry.
Wednesday, January 17, a notable service was held in the church in commemoration of the two-hund- dredth anniversary of the sailing of Ziegenbalg and Pluetschau, the first Lutheran foreign missionaries, from Copenhagen, Denmark, for Tranquebar on the coast of Hindustan, where they arrived July 9, 1706. These missionaries sailed November 29, 1705, but the observance of the anniversary was purposely deferred to the Foreign Mission season of the Church Year. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. J. Fry, D.D., of Philadelphia, and the Rev. Luther Kuhlman, D.D., of Gettysburg. The occasion was made the more notable by the presence in large numbers of Lutherans of various Synodical affiliations.
February 5, the following communication was re- ceived by the Council :
" DEAR BRETHREN :
" After long and careful consideration, I herewith tender my resignation as pastor. I am persuaded that, under the circumstances, my withdrawal from the active work of the pastorate is a duty that I owe to myself and to the congre- gation and that it will be for the best interests of both.
" I respectfully beg you to take action in this matter as soon as may be agreeable to your discretion. I shall ever cherish as a most precious possession the delightful remem- brance of our association as pastor and people. I especially wish to thank you, one and all, for your considerate and generous treatment of me in my affliction. For many, many years to come, may the Council and the congregation of
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the First Church enjoy that peace, harmony and prosperity which have marked the years that are past.
" Yours in the Christian faith,
" D. H. GEISSINGER."
The communication was received and laid over for future consideration.
March 5, the resignation was accepted with the greatest regret, to take effect April 1, 1906, from which date Dr. Geissinger was unanimously elected pastor emeritus. The Rev. George J. Gongaware was declared pastor of the congregation to date from April 1, 1906. The correspondence concerning the action is as follows :
" PITTSBURGH, PA., March 7, 1906.
" REV. D. H. GEISSINGER, D.D.,
" Pittsburgh, Pa.
" DEAR DR. GEISSINGER :
" Your communication under date of February fifth, con- veying to the Church Council your resignation as pastor of the congregation, was submitted at the regular meeting in February. It was then deemed wise to defer its consideration to a future date. At the meeting of that body held March 5, it was given the careful and respectful consideration that its importance demanded. Realizing the grave require- ment of relief from the anxiety and sense of responsibility inseparable from the occupancy of your position as pastor, and impressed with the conviction that your recovery of normal health is retarded by such conditions, with great reluctance the Church Council, on motion, accepted your proffered resignation, the same to take effect from April first proximo. Deprecating any severance of our hallowed fellowship, it was resolved by our body to request that you accept the relation of pastor emeritus and the annual appro- priation of six hundred dollars connected therewith.
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" The deep-seated affection felt for you personally, and the profound admiration entertained for your pulpit and pas- toral ministrations, are so manifest to you, that a certifica- tion in words would diminish rather than emphasize their existence.
" With assurance of our affectionate regard and our prayers for your highest good, we remain, as ever,
" Yours truly, " THOMAS H. LANE,
" Acting Chairman Church Council.
" HENRY BALKEN,
" Secretary."
" MR. THOMAS H. LANE, Acting Chairman,
" MR. HENRY BALKEN, Secretary,
" DEAR. BRETHREN :
" I have your valued communication informing me of the action of the Council on Monday evening, March fifth. I beg to assure you, and the congregation through you, that I not only heartily acquiesce in this action, but that it meets with the full approval of both my judgment and feeling. I certainly appreciate the high honor the Council has con- ferred in asking me to accept the office of pastor emeritus. This will relieve me from active duties and burdensome responsibilities, and at the same time enable me to feel that I still occupy an important official relation to the congre- gation. I hereby cheerfully and gratefully accept this hon- orable relation, and hope that I may in time regain sufficient health and strength to be, in some measure at least, actively useful in the service of the Master.
" While I am gratified to know that it was the generous impulse and earnest wish of many that a much larger appro- priation should be made for me, it was my own desire that the financial consideration should be merely nominal. You have dealt with me very generously during all the years of my pastorate and especially during the protracted period
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of my illness. Indeed you have done so much for me that I should not feel quite comfortable to accept more, especially in view of the fact that in the future larger demands will be made upon the members in order to maintain effectively the increasing work of the congregation. To allay any dis- turbing solicitude in regard to the welfare of myself and family I may be permitted to say that we shall have a suffi- cient competence to relieve us from anxiety in regard to material necessities.
" I do most cordially reciprocate your kind expressions of affectionate esteem. May the blessing of Him whose we are, and Whom we serve, be with you always.
" Your brother,
" DAVID H. GEISSINGER."
" PITTSBURGH, PA., March 6, 1906. " REV. GEORGE J. GONGAWARE, Associate Pastor,
" First English Evangelical Lutheran Church, " Pittsburgh, Pa.
" DEAR SIR :
" At the monthly meeting of the Church Council last evening, Dr. Geissinger's resignation as pastor was very reluctantly and with great regret accepted, and he was unan- imously elected pastor emeritus, both of these changes to take effect April first, 1906.
" At the same time, you were declared pastor of the con- gregation, beginning with the first of April, 1906.
" Very respectfully, " THOMAS H. LANE, " Acting Chairman.
" HENRY BALKEN, " Secretary."
" DEAR BRETHREN AND FRIENDS :
" The action of the Church Council taken at the meeting on Monday, March fifth, has impressed me anew with the
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serious responsibility resting upon those who are called to the office of the ministry. This impression is deepened by a full realization of the importance of this parish. When I review the illustrious history of this congregation, when I recall the capable, godly men who have ministered to you in holy things and led you to your present exalted position in the Church at large, I shrink from the duties to which you have called me; but when I note your faithful kindness, when I am reminded of the zeal, devotion and loyalty which have constantly characterized your church life, when I fully believe the promise of the great Head of the Church, " My grace is sufficient," I am encouraged to accept the office of pastor, fully appreciating the great honor of this position and willingly assuming the responsibilities of this place of trust and opportunity.
" For the glory of God, and for the extension of Christ's kingdom, I now undertake this work, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
" Faithfully yours,
" GEORGE J. GONGAWARE."
Dr. Geissinger was released from suffering Friday evening, March 22, 1907. Although anticipated, the announcement of his death came as a shock to the congregation. The funeral services were held in the church Monday afternoon, March 25. The audito- rium was filled with mourners, many of whom were personal friends not connected with the congregation. He was laid to rest on a beautiful hillside in Alle- gheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, as the sun was declin- ing, its warm beams and the evidences of approaching spring giving their comfort to the sorrowing and add- ing their assurance to the promises of the Gospel concerning the resurrection of the body.
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