USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > The history of the First English Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh, 1837-1909 > Part 8
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In accordance with a suggestion made by the pas- tor the following dates were agreed upon for special collections : Beneficiary Education, second Sunday in
1 Jacobs, " History of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States ", page 471 ff.
2 Burgess, " The General Synod in Western Pennsylvania ", page 109.
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February; Home Missions, second Sunday in May; Synodical Fund, Sunday prior to meeting of Synod; Orphans' Home, Thanksgiving Day.
February 23, at a special meeting, the Council con- sidered the request of the Ladies' Relief Society for a collection to be taken in the church to aid them in their efforts to relieve the suffering poor of the city. It was resolved, instead of a public collection, to appropriate one hundred dollars from the Indigent Fund.
The following committee was appointed to arrange for the entertainment of the General Council in November: Messrs. Thomas H. Lane, William P. Weyman, Dr. Lange, and Cols. Armor and Sheafer. This second convention of the General Council was notable chiefly for an exhaustive discussion of the "four points," the questions concerning chiliasm, secret societies, pulpit and altar fellowship. The Council defined its position on these disputed ques- tions and these declarations largely determined the attitude since taken by other Lutheran bodies, the Joint Synod of Ohio, the Iowa Synod, and the Mis- souri Synod, towards the General Council itself.
The Church Book, which had been in process of formation for several years by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania prior to the organization of the Gen- eral Council, was introduced at this time. October 15, the treasurer of the congregation was authorized to purchase two hundred copies, which were sold to the members at cost. The book was first used in the services on November 8, a short time after its publi- cation, and when the General Council met on Novem- ber 12, it found its own book in the pews. The full
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Service, however, was not introduced at that time, inasmuch as it was thought that the people were not prepared for it. At the annual meeting in Janu- ary, 1872, the congregation, by an almost unanimous vote, adopted the recommendation of the Council to introduce the full liturgical order. The pastor gave full explanation of the several parts of the Service and it was then employed in public worship with entire satisfaction.
The Rev. W. Berkemyer was introduced by the pastor and granted permission by the Council to col- lect funds in behalf of the Emigrant House in New York.
During this year (1868) the Ladies' Sewing Society was organized with Mrs. George Black as president. The Society has had a very useful and honorable career. In its forty years of active existence it has enlisted the interest of many of the women of the congregation and it continues to-day in its industrious and churchly way to further the interests of the parish and of the Master's kingdom at large.
May 11, 1870, the sum of one hundred dollars was appropriated to the Rev. J. Q. Waters, for his work in East Liberty, where Christ Church had been organ- ized the year before, and shortly after this Mr. Waters was given the privilege of collecting in the congregation for the mission.
June 25, the choir committee reported that Messrs. B. F. Weyman, Charles Baer, and Peter Young pro- posed, if the Church Council would appropriate the sum of three hundred and fifty dollars annually, to act as organists in the Church and Sunday School and at all other services during the week, and also to
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engage a soprano to lead the singing at all services, and to supply the music. The committee was author- ized to accept the proposition.
At the very close of this year occurred the death of Mr. George Weyman. He had lived to see the congregation, which he was so largely instrumental in founding, and for which he had labored and sacri- ficed so unsparingly, firmly established, prosperous, active in assisting other struggling congregations, and influential and respected in the councils of the Church at large.
The pastor announced his death December 30, 1870, and the following resolutions were unanimously adopted :
" WHEREAS, in the Providence of God, George Weyman, at noon on Christmas, was taken from his family, the Church and this community by death, after a long life spent in devotion to their interests, and
" WHEREAS, we are moved by affectionate gratitude to record our profound sorrow at the bereavement which this event has occasioned, and our testimony to the worth of the departed, therefore,
" Resolved, That as a Church, we deplore the loss of a " Father in Israel " who in the office of Elder, a position he occupied with unvarying fidelity since the organization of this congregation, proved ever faithful, vigilant and kind; whose walk and conversation were unblamable, his zeal untir- ing and his faith unwavering.
" That as associates, we lament the absence of one who was ever wise in his counsels, prudent in his actions, gentle in his demeanor and faithful to his obligations.
" That we recognize the Mercy of our God in moving His heart to the establishment of this Church, and to the endur- ance of those trials of faith to which he was subjected during
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its years of struggling, borne as they were with unfaltering trust and unfailing courage, and in sparing him to realize the fruition of his hopes and labors in its permanent estab- lishment and in its peaceful prosperity and enlarged use- fulness.
" That we hereby tender to his family our deepest sym- pathy in their sorrowful bereavement, invoking upon them the benediction of Him who has graciously revealed Himself as the Father of the fatherless and Friend of the widow."
Mr. Weyman was a man of fatherly spirit, firm in his convictions, gentle in his intercourse, and was greatly beloved by the congregation that was so much indebted to him. On one occasion, being deeply wounded by remarks publicly made by a member of the radical faction, he would not approach the Com- munion table until the matter was satisfactorily ad- justed. Accompanied by Mr. Laird, his pastor, he waited upon the offender, and came to a brotherly understanding with him, and then only felt free to partake of the Lord's Supper. He lived to a good old age and passed away honored by the community, and deeply mourned by the congregation.
June 12, 1871, the thanks of the Church Council were tendered to Messrs. B.F. Weyman, Peter Young, and Charles Baer for their efficient services in con- ducting the music of the congregation during the pre- ceding year, and Messrs. Weyman and Baer were re- quested to take charge of the music in the Church and Mr. Young, the music of the Sunday School and Wednesday evening service.
July 3, the Council adopted suitable resolutions upon the death of John Brown, a deacon of the Church.
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October 11, the distribution of funds collected for the relief of sufferers from the fire in Chicago was entrusted to the Ladies' Sewing Society, who were actively engaged in forwarding supplies to be dis- tributed by the pastors of the different Lutheran churches of that city. One hundred dollars were also appropriated from the Indigent Fund for this purpose.
A collection was also authorized in aid of the mis- sion in Rochester, N. Y., served by the Rev. Reuben Hill.
Repairs were made to the church building at an expense of $967.64, and the collections for the same amounted to $908.00.
Early in the year 1872 a committee consisting of Messrs. W. F. Lang, J. A. Kaercher, and Col. James Sheafer was appointed to solicit contributions to extinguish the Church debt, and also to secure contri- butions additional to the pew rents to meet the cur- rent expenses.
The lot of ground at the southwest corner of Penn and Ninth Streets, which had been purchased as a site for the proposed new church building, had been deeded to Messrs. George Black, J. S. New- meyer, and Thomas H. Lane, as trustees. Just at that time the Confederate forces of the South had penetrated into Western Pennsylvania as far as Uniontown, Fayette Co. The owner of the lot, under these circumstances, hesitated to part with it, believ- ing that it was safer for him to hold the ground than to take the money. The Church Council, fearing that if there was any delay the owner might withdraw from the sale of the property, accepted the deed as
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written in the name of trustees instead of the name of the corporation. In course of time the trustees were requested to deed the property to the Church. Mr. Newmeyer, who had acted with the opposition, desiring to retain the congregation in connection with the General Synod, refused to sign the deed. Suit was brought to compel him to do so. This was pend- ing in the Courts for some time, and during the litiga- tion Mr. Newmeyer died. The Supreme Court decided in favor of the congregation.
August 5 occurred the death of Mr. George Black. He was a prominent business man of Pittsburgh, a Director of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and largely interested in transportation lines. He was a regular attendant at the services of the First Church, and being possessed of ample means contributed liberally to its support, and to the furtherance of missions and works of mercy. He was a man of superior ability, of pleasing address, tactful, considerate, generous, and kindly. He died unexpectedly after a brief illness, and his loss was greatly deplored. In him the Lutheran Church had a warm friend and all its various causes suffered when he was removed.
March 3, 1873, the choir committee reported that Mr. B. F. Weyman, who had tendered his resignation as organist, would be willing to continue in charge of the music provided an appropriation of eight hun- dred dollars was made for the ensuing year, be- ginning May 5. This amount was appropriated.
July 7, the pastor formally announced the death of Mr. D. A. Foulke, an elder of the congregation, and the Council later adopted a suitable minute.
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.
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211
Ell
39
38
37
36
DR. A. LANGE
C. GĂISSENHAINER 107
W. A.PASSAVANT,D.D. 74
INFIRMARY 73 34
F. C. NEGLEY
106
OR.C. LANG.
105
72
71
MISS FORSYTHE 32
31
M. COOPER
D. SCOTT F.W. KRAEMER 102
DAVID GROUNDS MRS. MURPHY
B. F. WEYMAN
GEO. WEYMAN IN MEMORIAM 67
JOS. RAMBO 28
CHAS. SWARTZ 100
MISS SPEIGEL MRS. CHAS.ZIMMER 99
W. B.MÂș COMPSEY 66
65
MRS. J. D. FACKINER 26
HENRY ZIGLER JOHN G. FRIES 25
W.W. WATTLES 98
W.W. WATTLES 97
MISS L. RAHM 64
THOS. H. LANE 63
MRS.GEO.J. DUFF 24
WM G. ARMOR 23
JOHN A. KAERCHER 96
A. H. LANE 95
J. P. KAUFFMAN 62
GEO. BLACK IN MEMORIAM 61
22
MRS.O. M. ARMOR 21
JOHN 8. KAERCHER 94
93
WM. BARKER.JR. 60
WM. H. BLACK 59
W.WARREN WATTLES 20
MISS BACKOFEN G. A. EYSTER 19
J. H. MEYER 92
JAMES SHEAFER 91
J. S. SEAMAN 58
MRS. DR. WOLFE 57
WM.SIEBERT 18
H. E WHITE JR. MRS. BUHL 17
MISS HAMMER WM. FULLER 90
MISS ANNIE MILLER MRS. JOHN GRIPP 89
HENRY BALKEN 56
MRS.LOUISA DE VORE 55
A.E. FRANK
J. C. AUFHAMMER 15
MISSES EATON 88
F. C.KOHNE WM. DICKINSON 87
WM. F. LANG 54
MRS KATE WENKE 53
CHAS.F. FRASCH 14
WESLEY W. WATTLES H.E.WHITE.SR. 13
HENRY HERR 86
E.R. FUHR GEO. KIM 85
MRS.M. K. HECKERT S. A.STEWART 52
MRS.C. H. KELLY 51
W. A. ZAHN MISSES' KERL 12
JOSEPH WATSON
C. L. LANG
MISSES KIM J. H. NIEBAUM 83
J. P. SMITH
MISS M.L.BROWN O. LEMON 49
MRS.E.J.HARLAN MRS. C. EARLEY 10
JOHN BEST JR. MRS. L.JOHNSON 9
MRS.JENNIE SPEARS 82
MISS HEINZ MRS. KLEIN 81
EMIL DAUB 48
47
O. PILQUIST MRS. L.C.ECKER 8
ERNEST WESSEL 7
MRS. SCHRIBER 80
79
46
MRS.JOHN WEISS 45
MRS HEUN E. MASSINGHAM 6
GEO.W. PERKINS MISS BELLE SEITZ 5
A. N. TRIMBLE 78
CHAS. H. MYERS 7N. C. KOMNE
JOHN KRANZ C.A.GEISSENHAINER 44
J. B. ERWIN 43
IDA VANDERGRIFT MISS K.SWAIN
4
3
F.W. KRAEMIER 75 42
MISSES SHAFFER 41
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76
1
108
MRS. MC ILROY
MRS. H.SELLERS
104
103
J. B. NOBBS 70
PASTOR 69
J. S. SCULLY
30
29
D. WELTY F. S. WELTY 27
68
MISS PORTZER MRS. BOWMAN 33
PEW PLAN OF THE SEVENTH AVENUE CHURCH
16
50
84
MRS. DE HAAN
Pastorate of the Reb. Samuel Laird
A committee of five, Messrs. Thomas H. Lane, William F. Lang, D. M. Armor, John A. Kaercher, and William P. Weyman, was appointed to consider the price at which it would be deemed advisable to offer the present church property for sale, and the time and manner of making such an offer.
January 4, 1874, at the congregational meeting, upon motion of Mr. W. F. Lang, it was unanimously decided to appropriate the sum of six hundred dollars from the fund accruing from the rental of the church lot to meet the deficiency in the treasury.
May 4, after a somewhat extended discussion of the subject of building a new church edifice, it was decided to appoint a committee to consider the char- acter and cost of a suitable structure preparatory to laying the matter before the congregation. The committee, which consisted of the pastor and Messrs. Weyman, Kaercher, Wattles, Lange, and Lane, re- ported favorably upon the project of building and recommended submitting the question to the congre- gation.
This was done at a congregational meeting held June 10, and the following preamble and resolutions were submitted by Mr. Thomas H. Lane on behalf of the Council :
" Ten years have passed since with a commendable fore- sight sanctioned by the favor of Providence, this congrega- tion was enabled to acquire a property located at the corner of Penn Avenue and Ninth Street whereon to erect a church edifice which would be better adapted to the convenience and comfort of the congregation and which would augment its influence upon the community; and whereas, our present church edifice, if its occupancy be continued for any consid-
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erable period, will require a large outlay in order to restore it to and preserve it in proper condition, therefore,
" Resolved, That with grateful remembrance of those of our brethren now departed, who labored so earnestly and contributed so liberally towards the accomplishment of this end, and in humble reliance on Almighty God and chiefly for the promotion of His glory, that we do now pro- ceed to the consummation of our long deferred intention by the erection of a suitable church edifice upon said property.
" Resolved, That in furtherance of the foregoing resolu- tion we will dispose of the present church and property and that the amount realized from its sale be devoted to the pro- posed church edifice, with the addition of such funds as may be contributed towards that purpose.
" Resolved, That to carry successfully into effect the fore- going resolutions, there shall be appointed by the president a committee consisting of thirteen persons of whom the pastor shall be one, who are hereby empowered and in- structed to make sale of the present church and property; to collect such additional funds as may be required; to adopt a suitable plan for a new church edifice and to make all contracts required for the building and completion of the same."
The vote for adoption was unanimous. The com- mittee finally named was: the Rev. Samuel Laird, John A. Kaercher, William F. Lang, William P. Weyman, William W. Wattles, Col. D. M. Armor, J. S. Seaman, Thomas H. Lane, C. Beringer, Henry Balken, W. Barker, Jr., John A. Wolfe, and Dr. C. C. Lange.
This committee at once proceeded with the work. Mr. James H. Windrim of Philadelphia, afterwards Supervising Architect of the United States, was en- gaged to prepare plans for a building, and the plans
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which he submitted were greatly admired. Two members of the committee made a trip east to inspect different churches, the pastor going as far as Hart- ford, Conn., to view a church constructed of Westerly granite, which the architect proposed to use in the new structure. A severe money stringency, however, in the community, occasioned peculiarly depressing financial conditions, and compelled an indefinite post- ponement of all plans for the erection of the new edifice.
After the improvement of the financial condition of the community, the congregation again undertook preparations for building. But just at this time the United States Government came into Pittsburgh to select a site for a new Post Office. Among the three places that were indicated and put under condemna- tion was the property of the congregation on Seventh Avenue, between Smithfield and Grant Streets. As a consequence this property could not be sold, and the purpose of the congregation was again thwarted. This state of affairs continued for a considerable time. The Government finally decided to build the Post Office on Smithfield Street, between Third and Fourth Avenues. The Seventh Avenue property was then released from condemnation, but only a short time intervened before the close of this pas- torate, and nothing further was done in this direction at that time.
At the annual congregational meeting early in 1875, the auditing committee reported a deficiency in the treasury of $1180.33 and a balance in the Indigent Fund of $186.68. The committee appointed to sug-
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gest a plan to increase the revenues made the follow- ing report :
" The undersigned committee appointed at the meeting of the Church Council held on the 28th ult. to suggest some plan by which to increase the revenue of the congregation and thereby to avoid the deficit which is annually to be pro- vided for, would respectfully report that after due consid- eration, they know of no better plan than for the members of the congregation to make subscriptions of such amounts as they may be willing to give towards the support of the Church in addition to the assessments they now pay for pews or sittings. The amounts thus subscribed may be collected with the pew rents, or otherwise, as the preference of the subscriber would decide."
The report was accepted and Messrs. John A. Kaercher, Col. D. M. Armor, and Thomas H. Lane were appointed to prepare and print a statement of the Church's finances to be sent to all the members.
About this time the Sunday School Association subscribed one thousand dollars to the Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, which had been established in 1864. The Association gave a note for the amount, and payments of one hundred dollars and accrued interest were made every year until the entire sum was secured. After this was accomplished annual appropriations were regularly made to Home and Foreign Mission work, which plan is still continued with ever increasing amounts.
May 21, 1875, occurred the death of Mr. F. A. Heisely, one of the founders of the congregation. During its early struggles for existence his faith in the ultimate success of the movement never wavered, and he aided and encouraged his fellow-worker, Mr.
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Weyman, in entire confidence that a congregation would grow out of the feeble beginning that had been made. He was the delegate of the congregation to the West Pennsylvania Synod when an earnest appeal was made by the congregation for aid. A man of a cheerful, happy disposition, he was deeply interested in the congregation's welfare, and fond of relating incidents in its early history. His memory deserves to be perpetuated for the services he rendered it.
Mr. Edward Rahm died July 28 of this year. He was a banker in Philadelphia and later in Pittsburgh, where he came into connection with the First Church early in its history. He was a generous supporter of the Church and of the charitable work with which it was associated. In later years he was severely afflicted, suffering from paralysis. On one occasion his pastor was accompanied in a visit to him by Dr. Krauth. Mr. Rahm referred to the funeral of a neighbor which was held that day, and remarked that he did not understand why so useful a man had been taken, and he, no longer of use in life, should be spared. Dr. Krauth replied, "They also serve who only stand and wait." It seemed to comfort him. He bore his afflictions with great patience and resig- nation and his death was greatly regretted.
Mr. B. F. Weyman resigned his position as organist and conductor of the music of the congregation, July first. The Council expressed its appreciation of his services in resolutions stating that
" WHEREAS, during a period of five years, he has rendered the Church in that capacity most faithful and important
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services, especially valuable during the introduction of our existing form of worship, therefore,
" Resolved, That we accept his resignation with regret, and in doing so, would tender the thanks of our congregation both for his services as a musician and his example of loyalty to its claims upon the time and the talents of its member- ship to aid in perfecting the praises of the Sanctuary."
The choir committee was instructed to confer with Mr. Weyman respecting the purchase of his interest in the organ by the congregation. The committee was also instructed to organize a volunteer choir and to engage Mr. McCompsey as organist and to employ a tenor singer. The control of the music was placed in charge of the committee.
July 12, this committee reported the engagement of Mr. McCompsey as organist and of Mr. Diehl as leader of the music, each to receive three hundred dollars per annum. Also that Mr. Weyman offered to convey his interest in the organ to the Church for the consideration of his note amounting to eighteen hundred dollars, which amount had been borrowed from the Church Lot Fund as part of the investment he had made in the organ. This offer was accepted and the treasurer instructed to cancel and return the note.
Reference has already been made to the organization of the City Missionary Society during Mr. Hill's pastorate and to the establishment of St. John's Sun- day School. The synodical controversy early dis- banded the Society and the abandonment of the Sun- day School was seriously considered, but finally the Sunday School of the First Church determined to maintain it. Mr. George Hubley was the first super-
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intendent, Messrs. C. C. Baer and Charles H. Gilles- pie succeeding him. The rent for the room in which the mission was begun, on the third floor of a build- ing at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Pride Street, was very high, and for a long time greatly em- barrassed the Sunday School. Arrangements were made with the German Lutheran congregation for the use of their church on Pride Street, near Fifth Avenue, for the sum of $150 per annum. The rental was assumed by the congregation and the Sunday School moved to its new location. During the summer the School of the First Church met in the morning, and its superintendent, Mr. Lane, also served at the afternoon sessions of the mission. Mr. William W. Wattles then became its superintendent and was suc- ceeded by Mr. Charles A. Geissenhainer. During Mr. Wattles' superintendency Mrs. Henry Phipps, then Miss Annie Shaffer, was the organist and led the singing of the School.
In 1869 the Council decided to secure a suitable lot for a church edifice and to build a chapel for the accommodation of the School and for holding other services ; also, if possible, to obtain the services of a missionary to take special charge of this enterprise. Messrs. William F. Lang, George Black, Charles Meyran, and Col. D. M. Armor were appointed a com- mittee for this purpose. The pastor collected about $3000 in furtherance of this project. A lot was not obtained at this time, but subsequently Mr. George Black offered to donate a lot at the corner of Forbes and Jumonville Streets. Mr. Black, however, died a few weeks after making this offer, without carrying it out. His wife, Mrs. Jane B. Black, knowing his
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intention, gave a lot from her own ground, also at the corner of Forbes and Jumonville Streets, and thus fulfilled her husband's wish. A contract was made with H. E. White & Son for the building of a chapel for $3425.00. Late in the fall of 1876 the School, led by Mr. Laird, marched in procession from the German church to the new chapel. The building was consecrated free from debt the Sunday after Christmas, 1876, and served until it gave place to the handsome building now used by St. John's congregation.
May 7, 1877, the sudden death of Mr. William P. Weyman was formally announced to the Council by the pastor. A son of Mr. George Weyman, he had been in active connection with the congregation all his life. He was a Sunday School worker, an active mem- ber of the Council, and had served faithfully as Church Treasurer for a period of ten years. He was very successful in interesting others in the work of the Church. During the Civil War he was a member of the U. S. Christian Commission, and earnestly en- gaged in relieving the wants of needy soldiers, espe- cially of the sick. His untimely death deprived Pittsburgh of one of its most promising citizens, and the Lutheran Church of one of its best supporters. Col. James Sheafer was elected treasurer to succeed him.
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