USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > The history of the First English Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh, 1837-1909 > Part 3
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CHAPTER IV Pastorate of the Reb. John Mcaron, D.D. 1839-1842
APPILY the congregation was again supplied, after an in- terval of four months. May 9, 1839, the Council met at the house of Mr. Weyman to meet the Rev. John McCron and to receive his credentials as "resident missionary."
This was Mr. McCron's first congregation. Born in Manchester, England, Oct. 23, 1807, of an English father and an Irish mother, he had pursued his theological studies at Gettysburg and was licensed to preach in 1839 and sent as missionary to Pitts- burgh, although he was not ordained until after the meeting of the West Pennsylvania Synod in Pitts- burgh, late in the year 1840.
It was resolved to make definite arrangements for building, and each member was requested to "inquire of a carpenter the probable expense of putting up a building of about the size desired." A draughtsman was also employed to make a draft and to report at the next meeting. Mr. McCron was requested to plead at the meeting of the General Synod at Chambers- burg, June 1, for assistance in building a church.
Upon his return from the General Synod Mr. McCron reported that there was no prospect of aid
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until a beginning had been made in building, after which the ministers had promised to assist an agent of the congregation in his appeal for funds in their respective congregations.
The Methodist Protestant church was secured for services on Sunday afternoons, but it was found im- possible to secure a place for the Sunday School on better terms than those paid for the use of the Court House for that purpose.
About this time an effort was made to obtain a loan from the Theological Seminary Fund, of which Mr. C. A. Morris, of York, Pa., was the treasurer. A committee of Council also called upon several banks in the city to secure a loan to be applied to the pay- ment for the lot.
Upon the suggestion of Mr. McCron, it was re- solved to prepare a floor plan of the interior of the church and to offer the pews to the public, their value to be determined by their situation, and the Council to have the first selection unless this would interfere with the price of the pews. The Council elected in addition to its membership, Charles Geissenhainer, elder, and Samuel Cook and George Royer, wardens (deacons), who were installed August 6.
August 8, a special meeting of the Council was called to provide for the payment of a note for $1,025.00 due on the 9th, there being no funds in the treasury. Mr. Weyman was requested to pay the note and the officers agreed to make every effort to collect the money by the next meeting.
September 9, at the house of Mr. Caufman, we find the Council again discussing the question of securing money to relieve Mr. Weyman from the debt in-
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curred in the purchase of the lot, and to build a church. A motion was made to sell one lot on Seventh Street, 20 x 75 ft., and one lot on Miltenber- ger Alley, 25 x 66 ft., on or before November first. Consideration of the motion was deferred until Sep- tember 16 and was then indefinitely postponed.
September 16, the Building Committee was in- structed to receive proposals for building a church 60 x 70 feet, of brick, having a basement story, and a gallery at one end, to be completed before January first. Messrs. Anschutz, Ritz, and Geissenhainer were added to the Building Committee. A committee was appointed to write a letter to the West Pennsylvania Synod to be presented at its next meeting, in York, Pa., October 3.
The Minutes of the Synod refer to this "letter from a committee of the English Lutheran congregation of Pittsburgh, in which they testify their entire satis- faction with Mr. McCron, and pray that Synod may soon ordain him. The same committee expresses the desire that the members of this Synod might aid the Rev. J. McCron in his projected visit in behalf of their new church. They also invite Synod to hold its next annual meeting among them."
The Synod recommended the congregation to the generosity of its members and accepted the invitation to meet in Pittsburgh the following year.
About this time a committee was appointed to se- cure a charter for the congregation, and its provisions were thoroughly discussed. It was secured from the State, not from the local courts, and was granted March 11, 1840. The congregation still operates under this original charter, the text of which follows.
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THE REV. JOHN McCRON, D.D.
First English Lutheran Church
corvol in the purchase of the lot, and to build a charyk. A motion was made in sell one lot on Se ild Street, 20 x 75 ft., and one lot on Miltenber- OT Allis, 25 x 66 ft., on or before November first. Consideration of the motion was deferred until Sep- Wmber IG and was then indefinitely postponed.
September 16, the Building Committee was in- rueled to receive proposals for building a church Mix 70 feet, of brick, having a basement story, and a gallery at one mod, to be completed before January fret. Mesers. Anschutz, Ritz, and Geissenhainer were added to the Building Committee. A committee was appointed to write a letter to the West Pennsylvania Synod to be presented at ile next meeting, in York, Pa., October 3.
The Minutes of the Synod refer to this "letter from & entomittee of the English Lutheran congregation of Pittsburgh, in which they testify their entire satis- faction with Mr. MeCron, and pray that Synod may Hoou ordain han. The same committee expresses the dearce that the meta noabsM not Ha mme might oid the Rev. J. MeCron in his projected visit in hehalf of their new church. They also Invite Synod to hold its nort annual meeting among dlom."
The Synod recommended the congressbing to the generosity of its members arol accepted flo Invitation to meet in Pittsburgh the fo wing yesr.
About this time a coupmil mme appointed to se- cure # charter for the congru lin and ile provisions were thoroughly discount 1 Www secured from the State, not from the best and was granted March 11, 1840. The mention still operates under this original cheesei 1 west of which follows.
Pastorate of the Reb. John mceron
CHARTER
AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE ENGLISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH
SECTION I. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by authority of the same, That the First English Evangelical Lutheran Church in the City of Pittsburgh, is hereby erected into one body corporate and politic, in deed and in law, by the same name, style, and title of the First English Evangelical Lutheran Church in the City of Pittsburgh, and by the same name, style, and title shall have perpetual succession, and be able to sue and be sued in all courts of law and else- where, and shall be able and capable, in law and equity, to take and hold lands and tenements, goods and chattels, of whatever kind or quality, real, personal, or mixed, which are now or hereafter shall become the property of the said Church, by gift, grant, bargain, sale, conveyance, assurance, will, devise, bequest, or otherwise, from any person or per- sons whomsoever capable of making the same; and the same to grant, bargain, sell, or to dispose of : Provided, The yearly value of the income of said real and personal estate shall not at any time exceed four thousand dollars.
SECTION II. That no person shall be considered a member of said Church, so as to be entitled to vote at any election for Pastor, for Trustees, Elders, or Wardens, except such as shall have paid one year's pew rent or rent for part of a pew, sufficient for one person at least, and shall not be in arrears for such rent for more than one year, and shall be in full communion with the English Evangelical Lutheran Church; and every member shall be at liberty at any time to withdraw from said corporation: Provided, That such withdrawal shall not discharge from accountability any such
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person for his or her full proportion of the necessary expenses accrued during the time he or she has been a member.
SECTION III. That the Vestry of said Church shall be thirteen in number, consisting of the Pastor, three Trustees, three Elders, and six Wardens [now called Deacons], and until others be appointed, shall consist of the following persons, viz .: Rev. John McCron, (Pastor) ; Christopher Lenhart, George Hubley, and John R. Hersh, (Trustees) ; George Weyman, F. A. Heisely and Charles Geissenhainer, (Elders) ; William J. Anschutz, Jeremiah Ritz, Henry W. Caufman, Michael Egolf, Samuel Cook, and George Reymer, (Wardens). The present Trustees to continue in office until the first Monday in January, eighteen hundred and forty- one.
The Elders and Wardens to divide themselves into three divisions, by lot, and the term of service of the first division shall expire on the first Monday in January, eighteen hun- dred and forty-one; of the second division, on the first Mon- day in January, eighteen hundred and forty-two; of the third division, on the first Monday of January, eighteen hun- dred and forty-three; and on the same day yearly thereafter the members of the Church shall at a general meeting thereof, elect by ballot three persons to serve as Trustees, to hold the office one year, and one person to serve as Elder, and two to serve as Wardens, to continue in office for three years. If any vacancy, by death or otherwise, shall happen in said Vestry, the remainder shall have power to fill such vacancy by appointing a suitable person, or persons, as the case may require, until the next general meeting of the congregation on the day above mentioned, when a regular election shall take place.
SECTION IV. That the said Vestry shall have full power to enact and enforce such By-Laws and ordinances as they may deem proper for the regulation and transaction of the busi-
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ness of said corporation : Provided, That the said By-Laws and ordinances shall not be inconsistent with the Constitu- tion or laws of this State or of the United States. (Signed,)
WM. HOPKINS, Speaker of the House of Representatives. W. T. ROGERS, Speaker of the Senate.
Approved the 11th day of March, 1840.
(Signed,) DAVID R. PORTER.
SECRETARY'S OFFICE, HARRISBURG, March 31st, 1840.
Pennsylvania SS. [Seal]
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of an Act of the General Assembly of the State of Pennsylvania entitled " An Act to incorporate the English Evangelical Lutheran Church in the City of Pittsburgh," passed the 11th day of March, A. D. 1840, as the same remains filed in the said office.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said office.
FR. R. SHUNK, Secretary of the Commonwealth.
The charter was secured more than three years after the organization of the congregation, and the following list of charter members in all probability includes all who were in active connection with the congregation at the beginning of 1840.
George Weyman, William Richart, Daniel Groff, F. A. Heisely, 3
W. Schuler, John Runyan, Samuel Cook,
Andrew W. Berkley,
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William J. Anschutz, Christopher Lenhart, Samuel Fahnestock,
Henry W. Caufman,
Mrs. Caufman,
Margaret Ebright,
Jeremiah Ritz,
Daniel Mitchell,
Daniel Smith,
Henriette Mitchell,
Henry C. Marthens, Jacob Hoffman,
Mrs. Plitt, Mrs. Nicklin,
Charles Ream,
Margaret Kreiter,
C. W. Leffingwell,
Mrs. Eliza Zug,
Mary Leffingwell,
Elizabeth Streamer,
Catharena Lauman,
Lydia Shrefler,
Eliza Gould,
Mrs. Mary Egolf,
Eliza Jane Heilman,
Mrs. 'Jane Huber,
Michael Egolf,
Samuel Hubley,
Rebecca Runyan,
Charles P. Geissenhainer,
Catharine Haselbach,
Peter Fahnestock,
John P. Gabel,
George Hubley, Jacob Dobler,
Rachel Ritz, Mary Graff,
Henry Brown,
Margaret Ream,
Anna Frances Barclay,
Catharine Heisely,
Robert Jackson,
Elizabeth Runyan,
John R. Hersh,
George Royer,
Mary Graham,
Elizabeth Royer,
Levi H. Phillips,
J. Sheets,
Anthony Wentz,
Eliza Propheter,
Elizabeth Gearing.
Early in this year, 1840, Christopher Lenhart, Peter Fahnestock, and Henry Brown were elected trustees, and the secretary was instructed to notify them to appear at the Court House to be installed. Mr. Lenhart was added to the Building Committee in place of Mr. Anschutz.
March 8, Mr. Weyman reported that the Building Committee had contracted for the building, as fol-
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lows : carpenter work, $3,900.00; brick work, four dol- lars per thousand; stone work, two dollars per perch ; the whole work to be completed before the fifth day of next September.
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Attention was called to the fact that the West Pennsylvania Synod expected to hold its next meet- ing in Pittsburgh October 1, and a committee was appointed to confer with the German congregation concerning entertainment.
The Rev. Mr. McCron was furnished with credentials for use on his proposed collecting tour. A bill of J. Mackeral's for excavating the church cellar, amounting to $166.25, was submitted.
May 19, it was decided to place.a cast iron plate in the front gable of the church, with the inscription in raised letters, "First English Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1840." This same plate is to-day housed with other interesting parts of the church furnish- ings in the basement of the church on Grant Street.
June 18, a letter from Mr. McCron requested the appointment of the Rev. M. Tabler, of Virginia, to collect funds for the Church, a compensation of twenty-five per cent. to be allowed upon the amount collected. The appointment was approved.
The following month the Rev. Mr. Heyer was ad- mitted as an advisory member at a meeting of the Council. Mr. McCron reported that he had vis- ited and received contributions from the following congregations in the East-York, Gettysburg, Ox- ford, Berlin, Emmettsburg, Woodsbury, Frederick, Jefferson, Winchester, Martinsburg, Shepherdstown, Hagerstown, Chambersburg, Shippensburg, Lewis- town, and Williamsburg. The total receipts were
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$519.054 and the expenses $71.00. Mr. McCron was given permission to preach on the following Sunday in the Liberty Street Methodist Church, both morn- ing and evening, and a collection was taken at the evening service for the benefit of the Lutheran con- gregation.
A committee reported that they had made a con- tract to have Venetian blinds placed in the church for the sum of $110. Thanks were tendered to Mr. Samuel Holman, of Harrisburg, Pa., for plans for pulpit which he had kindly furnished. It was decided to paint the pulpit and the chancel recess white, and the blinds green. Mr. McCron was requested to make a second visitation of churches "through the neighboring counties" for the purpose of collecting funds.
Early in September Mr. McCron reported funds from his second trip amounting to $216.53, contribu- ted by the congregations in Blairsville, Somerset, Cumberland, Berlin, and Carlisle.
The church building was completed well within contract time, and we find a record of September 14, showing that the Council met in it for the first time on that date. Mr. Weyman was elected delegate to represent the congregation at the meeting of Synod. The German congregation, consulted in the matter of entertainment, reported that they would "find places for six preachers and fourteen horses."
Mr. Weyman stated that a bond for $3,000 would become due October 1 and asked Council to adopt measures to meet it. Two days later, the Council resolved itself into a committee "to beg or borrow"
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the necessary funds to pay the bond and to report to a meeting three days later.
The first of October came, but the necessary money had not been secured. It was resolved that Mr. Weyman be requested to give his notes for the last payment on the lot drawn at sixty, ninety, and one hundred and twenty days, or if possible, to extend the time to six months, the councilmen pledging them- selves to use every exertion possible with the mem- bers of the Synod and to try every other means to raise funds to meet said notes at their maturity.
There were twenty-nine clergymen and thirteen lay delegates present at the meeting of the Synod. This was the first convention of the West Pennsylvania Synod held west of the Alleghanies. Six synods now occupy the territory then covered by that Synod, each of which is far stronger than the original body. Ses- sions were continued until late Monday night. The Minutes of the convention record that Saturday evening "several important matters and items of un- finished business were now called for by some of the brethren, but as the choir had made arrangements to practice some set pieces, Synod was under the neces- sity of adjourning." The Synod resolved to "sus- tain the mission in Pittsburgh under the care of Mr. McCron for another year," also to "sustain to some extent a minister in the German Lutheran Church at Pittsburgh, provided that he be approved of by the committee."
The fruition of hopes deferred, of anxieties and perplexities bravely endured, was happily realized when the congregation was able to occupy its own house of worship, and to solemnly dedicate it to
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Divine service on the first Sunday of October. The first service, however, had been held in the lecture room on the evening of the Friday preceding, at which the Rev. A. H. Lochman, of York, Pa., preached. The Holy Communion was administered, the members of the Synod participating in this service.
At the dedicatory service on Sunday morning the church was crowded to its capacity. The Rev. Drs. Charles Philip Krauth and S. S. Schmucker, of Gettysburg, Pa., assisted the pastor, Rev. Mr. McCron. In addition to the formal act of dedication, Dr. Schmucker preached a sermon which he after- wards published under the title, "A Portraiture of American Lutheranism." The Mozart Musical Society, having offered their services, occupied the gallery and conducted the music, with instrumental accompaniment.
Fifty years later Dr. Passavant, referring to this event, wrote: "The building consecrated was the first English Lutheran church in any city west of the Alleghanies. It was to bear an important part in the history of this Communion from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It was to become the seat and centre of doctrinal, educational, and merciful influences which will be felt to the end of time."' 1
The Sunday School was the first to occupy its new home, having met here September the 13th, 1840. The German congregation, which Father Heyer had organized, and which in later years entered the Mis- souri Synod and is now located on High Street, had
1 The Workman, July 24, 1890.
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THE SEVENTH AVENUE CHURCH Built in 1840
first English Eutortan Church
o onil Baolay of October. The finit r. but Toen best in the lecture ron gy Te gerning id kur friday preceding, at while The thes. A. E. Lachtom, of York, Pa .. The Body Bricconion wwi administered, wings of Bo Synoii participating in this
Low der servire on Sunday morning the Ka ite capacity. The Rev. Drs. Wrandb -L S. A. Schmucker, of brawl The postor, Rev. Mr. Metion In camera is farskal as of dedicatiou, D. Sdosocha preek a samoos which he after- wurde pabobes , -A Portraiture of Society. Davis and Heir cruises, nompded the gallery and gebied be milk with Instrumental
Kuty years later D. Passivos Poysleg to this event, walk: ""TL Duilifing oon Ihre first English Eitheran throsyl in boy as of the Allegbabies. It was to bert an ingerilsk part in the To story of tha Coumumion from Is Justtie to the Pasific. It wos ys bermnie dos amt cod entre of doctrianh educatimmel, and mer if yes which will be følt to the int ad' Lima, PM
The Sunday school vas the On aner ita new bombe: having mor bare Mepourle Ho 18th, 1840. The Herman consigliony alsich Poitier Hever had organized, and wood in Later york sotered the Mia souri Synod and in wiw Boosted on High Street, had
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Dastorate of the Reb. John Aceron
been the first to erect its own church building, which had been dedicated the first Sunday in April of this year. This was built on the northwest corner of Sixth and Grant Streets, and for five months the Sunday School of the First Church had met in the gallery of this church. Indeed the Sunday School had made no less than five removals since the date of its organization, and during this time had maintained its regular sessions. Monthly meetings of the teachers, as well as meetings of the Council and the midweek services of the congregation, had been held at the residences of members.
The School entered the new church with eight teachers and sixty-four scholars. Sept. 14 the Teachers' Association elected Mr. John R. Hersh superintendent. The city was districted and com- mittees were appointed "to collect scholars for the Sunday School." The Church Council was in hearty sympathy with the work of the School and presum- ably the pastors were too, but there is no record of a pastor's having attended a meeting of the Teachers' Association until 1844, when the Rev. Mr. Smith was present. Succeeding pastors gave close personal attention to the work of the School.
October 12, Mr. McCron was requested to make another visit to Eastern churches to make collec- tions. A committee was appointed to prepare deeds to be given to purchasers of pews. The price for the rent of pews was fixed at from six to fifteen per cent. of their assessed valuation, and the rent for the cur- rent year was fixed at eight per cent. for pews already sold, and fourteen per cent. for rented pews. It was further decided that payments on pews sold be as
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follows : one-fourth in hand, one-fourth in five months, one-fourth in fourteen months, and the balance in twenty-three months; and those sold in the interim in this proportion. It was resolved "that Pews 67 and 69 be presented to Mr. George Weyman, and that a regular deed be made to him, his heirs and assigns forever, as a small token of gratitude for what he has done for the congregation."
At the meeting next month, Mr. Weyman person- ally thanked the Church Council for its offer of the two pews, but declined to accept them and asked that the resolution conveying them be repealed, which re- quest the Council granted.
The Odean Singing Society was notified that they could no longer be allowed the use of the school- room, and it was decided that this room should be used only by the Sunday School and for other re- ligious meetings of the congregation. The Mozart Society, however, was later given permission to meet here for rehearsals.
In December the pastor reported, as the result of his "last trip over the mountains," collections amounting to $464.00. The expenses incurred were $70.49.
The election for Church Officers was fixed for the first Monday in January at 2 P.M., and three persons were appointed to serve as tellers. In conducting elections the tellers had a list of the candidates and the voters marked a stroke opposite the names of their choice. When the voters ceased to appear the polls were closed. The pastor announced that the Communion would be administered January 10. A motion prevailed that a protracted meeting be held
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at that period. At this time services preparatory to the Communion were held on the Saturday afternoon preceding in the lecture-room, when a sermon was preached and the formula of confession and absolu- tion was read by the pastor. At the conclusion of the service, the secretary took his place at a table in front of the pulpit and recorded the names of those who announced to him their intention to commune.
February 8, 1841, Mr. C. S. Passavant reported that he had examined the accounts for 1840 and found them to be correct, with balances due as follows :
To George Weyman. $9,645 51
To H. W. Caufman 516 57
To Jeremiah Ritz. 432 94
$10,595 02
A Sinking Fund Society was formed for the liqui- dation of the Church debt by gathering monthly con- tributions. Mr. McCron's salary was advanced from three hundred dollars to seven hundred dollars per annum.
The interests of the Sunday School were kept in mind and the Council appointed a committee of three to visit it occasionally. The first effort for missions was made March 7, 1841, when Mr. McCron ad- dressed the School on the subject. The mission col- lection reported April 4 amounted to two dollars. The next year $15.65 were contributed for this cause.
July 12, it was resolved that any pewholder being six months in arrears for pew rent should forfeit the use of his pew, after thirty days notice had been given. Beginning with the following January, the rent for pews was reduced, as follows: Those sold,
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from eight to six per cent., and those rented, from fourteen to ten per cent., of their assessed valuation. A collector of pew rents was authorized at a com- pensation of five per cent. It was decided to discon- tinue the afternoon meetings and to hold them "in the evening at candle light."
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