USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Maytown > The history of the St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Maytown, Lancaster Co., Pa., 1765-1904 > Part 2
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REV. J. H. C. HELMUTH.
1769-1771.
The honored and distinguished pastor, Rev. J. H. C. Helmuth, who was serving Trinity Lutheran
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LEAVES FROM A CENTURY PLANT
church in Lancaster at this time, was called to minister to the congregations made vacant by the resignation of Rev. Horsel. He took charge of the work and served both Maytown and Elizabeth- town during the exciting and turbulent years of 1769-1770. The following is a list of the names of the parents who presented their children to him for baptism :
Johan Jacob Wolf and his wife Maria Barbara Wolf.
William Yost and his wife Agnesa Yost.
Johan Boers and his wife Anna Maria Boers.
Johannas Buchtel and his wife Katharina Buchtel.
Ludwig Schultz and his wife Anna Katharina Schultz.
Peter Kuntz and his wife Maria Eva Kuntz.
Jacob Ohlweiler and his wife Anna Ohlweiler. Nicholas Peck and his wife Catharina Peck.
* Frederick Baner and his wife Anna Maria Bauer.
Heinrich Hinckel and his wife Magdalena Hinckel.
George Schmidt and his wife Margaret Elizabeth Schmidt.
* Great Grandparents of Bayard Taylor.
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THE FIRST COMMUNION SERVICE AND CHURCH BOOK. Used for 113 years : 1766-1879.
COMMUNION SERVICE U'SED FOR TWENTY- FIVE YEARS. 1879-1904.
INDIVIDUAL COMMUNION SERVICE ADOPTED SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 1904.
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THE BEGINNING-1765-1802
Joliannes Nicolas and his wife Eva Nicolas. Adam Näs and his wife Katharina Näs. Jacob Wolf and his wife Carolina Wolf.
On May 25, 1770, Jacob Downer and his wife Elizabeth in consideration of the sum of "five shillings ($1.25) lawful money of Pennsylvania, gave to Ludwig Lindemuth and Peter Thiel, trustees of the congregation of the Lutheran church of the High Dutch (German) Protestants of the township of Donegal in the county of Lan- caster and province of Pennsylvania," the deed for "two lots or pieces of ground . . . to wit. The one begins at a corner of Jacob and Queen streets, thence along said Queen street two hundred and fifty feet to other land of Jacob Downer, and by ye same sixty-two and a half feet, thence by the lot herein after described, and is known in the plan of the said Maytown by the number eighty- one." The other lot joined this one and was of the same dimensions and was known by the number "eighty-two," and here follows a very important part of this deed: "Together with the BUILDING and other improvements thereon." And the building thus referred to in Mr. Downer's deed, was without the slightest shadow of a doubt the first log church of this congregation, and this accounts for the absence of any mention in the "Kirchen Abrech-
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nung " (church treasurer's acccounts) found in the "Kirchen Protocol " concerning the building of this church, as the building was practically a gift to the congregation from Mr. Jacob Downer. It also accounts for the various items which appear as follows, under the head of
" Ausgabe vor die Kirche und was sonst nöthig gewesen ist." (Disbursements for the Church and for other necessary things.)
Peter Thiel paid for the deed May 1771 £2. 5. 0 ($11.25 according to the present computation of English currency).
1775, March 26. Philip Klug made the pews in the church for £5. 18. 0 ($29.50).
Adam Hubele paid out for nails s 16. 0 ($3.84).
Jacob Wolf paid out for the Boards for the pews and also for a hewn beam s 7. 6 ($1.80).
These items plainly indicate the fact that while they had no occasion to build a church, they did need to make occasional repairs. All of which proves conclusively that the congregation had a house of worship in 1770, and that they had the use of this building for church purposes prior to this date, very likely from the time their first pas- tor Rev. Horsel served them in 1766. The only condition exacted of the congregation in return for this gift from Mr. Jacob Downer, aside from the
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THE BEGINNING-1765-1802
consideration of the five shillings, was the yearly payment of a ground-rent tax of "sixpense " (12c.) for each of the two lots, which amounted to twenty- four cents a year, and had to be paid on the ninth day of August of each year in Maytown.
This Log church was located on Queen, near Jacob street, (which, however, was never cut through) at the lower end of the lot from the present site of the church. A clear proof of this fact was revealed when on May 13, 1887, while Mr. John A. Buller was digging his father's grave (Abraham Buller) in the old burial ground, he un- earthed a portion of the foundation of the old Log church.
To Rev. Helmuth we are indebted for the first record of communicants who presented themselves at the Lord's table November 17, 1770. They were as follows:
I. Philip Brenner and son
2. Adam.
3. Ludwig Lindemuth and wife
4. Margaretha and sons
5. Peter,
6. George.
7. Jacob Wolf and wife
8. Barbara.
9. Magdalena Speidin.
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10. Maria Eva Kreyin.
II. Adam Näs.
12. Peter Wolf.
13. Jacob Ohlweiler.
14. Philip Klug.
15. Phillip Schenck.
16. George Kunz.
17. Philip Zimmer.
18. Matthias Rapp.
19. Barbara Fillengerin.
20. Elizabeth Zaunin.
21. Christopher Albrecht.
22. Heinrich Hinkel.
23. Johan Rudolph Ginder.
24. George Lautenberger.
25. Christian Wenider and wife
26. Maria Wenider.
27. Regina Rosenbergerin.
28. Anna Maria Zimmermanin.
Rev. Helmuth ended his labors in this charge at the close of the year 1770.
REV. MICHAEL ENDERLINE. 1771-1778.
In 1771 Rev. Michael Enderline entered upon his labors in the Maytown congregation, he, with his two predecessors, Helmuth and Horsel, also serv-
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THE BEGINNING-1765-1802
ing the weak and struggling Lutheran church at Elizabethtown, which sprung into existence about the same time as did the Lutheran church in May- town, there being no authentic records of any pre- vious pastors, though there are two other names mentioned in the Elizabethtown Lutheran church records, one of them being inserted in the wrong place and for the other no authority is at hand, their earliest record dating from 1780.
On May 12, 1771, his first communion season is recorded, at which there were 24 communicants present.
THE FREE-WILL OFFERINGS.
On May 27, 1771, the officers of the church pre- sented the following gifts as free-will offerings in the presence of the entire congregation :
I. Frederick Schwartz gave a pewter chalice and plate for the use of the holy communion.
2. Jacob Wolf gave a pewter baptismal bowl and tankard for the wine.
3. Mr. Hof, in Lancaster, gave a small bell for the collection bag.
4. Philip Brenner furnished the remainder of the material to finish the collection bag, which was fastened to a long rod, and shaken to cause the bell to jingle while the offering was being taken.
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5. Ludwig Lindemuth gave the book for keep- ing the church records of the congregation, and contains the Kirchen Protocol from 1767 to 1830.
6. Peter Thiel gave a box, into which the conse- crated bread and wine of the holy communion was placed and held up before the people before com- muning. This was known as "elevating the host," a custom which is no longer followed in the Lutheran Church.
7. Frederick Bauer also gave a linen altar cloth to the church.
In the next communion, held December 22, 1771, at which there were 34 communicants pres- ent, among the many honored names there appears for the first time the name of Christian Beschler and his wife, Barbara. He was among the earliest settlers in the town. It appears that when in Ger- many he was educated for the Catholic priesthood, but some trouble with the government compelled him to leave that country and come to America, where he settled in Maytown in 1763, and in 1771 he connected himself with the Lutheran Church, of which all his descendants have been loyal ad- herents, and his grandson and namesake, Christian Beschler, is one of the oldest living members of the Lutheran Church to-day.
On February 2, 1772, Christian Beschler wrote a
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THE BEGINNING-1765-1802
very impressive poem, the first lines of which are as follows:
"Auf mein Geist, du hast gelaufen Lang genug der Sünden Bahn. Willst du nicht zum Teufel's Haufen, So schwing dich zum Himmel an."
The following is a hasty and free translation:
" Up my soul, for you have run Long enough in the paths of sin; And, if Hades you would shun, Then strive the heavenly home to win.""
Owing to its length we content ourselves with this slight notice of it.
During Rev. Enderline's ministry the colonies were in the throes of the Revolutionary War, and the following more important events took place: The battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill, the Declaration of Independence, and many other not- able engagements. In 1777 Pennsylvania became the battle-ground for a time, when the battle of Brandywine was fought, Philadelphia captured by the British, the Continental Congress fleeing to Lancaster, and thence to York, and the Conti- mental Army's retreat after the desperate battle of Germantown, when victory was almost in their hands.
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But during all these exciting events, and amidst the turmoils of a bloody war, made all the more terrible through the fiendish atrocities of the Indian allies of the British, through the earnest efforts of pastor Enderline the church slowly grew in strength, as the well-kept communion records clearly show. In the year 1777 the church sus- tained a severe loss in the death of the founder, Ludwig Lindemuth. Rev. Enderline closed his labors in this field in 1777.
REV. J. FREDERICK TRAUGOTT ILLING.
1777-1780.
Upon the close of Rev. Enderline's ministry the Maytown and Elizabethtown churches called Rev. J. Frederick Traugott Illing to serve their congre- gations, and he entered upon his pastoral work in in the fall of the year 1777. He resided at Middle- town where he was serving a small congregation, probably Presbyterian, though he had been or- dained a minister of the Episcopal church by the Lord Bishop of London. The following is an extract from the private diary of Rev. Illing con- cerning the subscribers to the pastor's support. "Subscriptions in Maytown, Lancaster Co., Pa., November 24, 1777-1778:
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THE BEGINNING-1765-1802
Christian Weniger
Jacob Wolf
Michael Klaus
Nicholas Peck
Frederick Bauer
Matthias Stier
Philip Brenner Adam Hubley
Philip Schneider
John Nicolas
Peter Lindemuth
William Peck
George Schneider
John Tiller
Jacob Klöpfer
Peter Krey
Adam Näs
Bernhard Speck
Stophel Albright
Christian Beschler
Hans Kriel
Regina Rosenberger
Simon Yost
Frederick Seiler
Frederick Geig
Martin Schneider."
These subscribed £22. 3. 7. equivalent to about $IIO. 75 in English currency. The descendants of some of these people are still flourishing in May- town.
His first recorded communion was on September 27, 1778, when 28 members partook of the Lord's Supper.
In 1779 the Log Church was repaired at a cost of £23. I. o, which was equivalent to about $115.24 English currency, according to present computa- tion.
Rev. Illing closed his labors in the year 1780, the last recorded communion being held May 16, of that year, and shortly afterward he left the field.
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REV. JOHN DANIEL SCHROEDER.
1780-1781.
He was succeeded by Rev. Jolin Daniel Schroeder, who began his labors in the same year, the first communion being held by him October 15, 1780, when twenty-nine members communed. He remained with the congregation until the close of the following year. The date of his last com- munion being November 11, 1781, when there were only eighteen members present. Jacob Wolf and his wife Barbara, whose names appear on this list, were not present at the church, but took the communion at their home as Mr. Wolf was sick, and two days later, November 13, 1781, he died, and in his death the church lost another of its most loyal and carnest supporters.
A little less than a month previous, a notable event occurred in the nation's history, in the sur- render of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Va., Oct. 19, 1781.
In connection with his work in Elizabethtown, which was in the same circuit with Maytown, the following notice appears on the title-page of the Elizabethtown "Kirchen Buch," dated 1780; it is written in German and a translation is herewith given:
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THE BEGINNING-1765-1802
" Pro Notitia.
"As the congregation of this place is still very weak, and has been thrown into disorder at various times, therefore up to the present time there has been no regular (ordentliche) church book kept. Hence, so that at last (endlich) order, under the guidance of God, may again be established, it has been found necessary to procure a regular Church-book, which accordingly was done in the month of October, 1780, and it was bought by the congregation for 200 (the word undecipherable) Congres- sional money.
"Id quod testatur,
"J. D. SCHROETER, " Pastor loci."
From these records and all the data at hand the date of the founding of these two congregations is identical.
REV. FREDERICK THEODORE MELSCHEIMER.
1782-1785.
Rev. Melscheimer began his labors in 1782 where the records of baptisms performed by him are en- tered as early as March 31. For some reason, however, there is no record of any communion ser- vice either in Elizabethtown or Maytown until June 15 in the former, and September 5, 1794, in the latter place, when twenty-eight regular mem- bers, and eleven persons who were confirmed, par- took of the holy communion. During the year pre-
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ceding this communion, February 5, 1783, the Revolutionary war was brought to an end. His last communion was held April 18, 1785, when he resigned and went to New Holland.
REV. JOHN WILLIAM KURTZ.
1786-1791.
According to the Elizabethtown church record, Rev. Kurtz entered upon his work in 1786, but in neither record is there any ministerial act recorded until 1787 when 21 persons surrounded the Lord's table, June 3. On May 4, 1788, the number of communicants was 35; in 1789 there were 21, and in 1791 there were 24.
Three days before the communion, held on May 3, 1789, George Washington was inaugurated the first President of the United States at New York city, the temporary capital. At the next session of Congress, Philadelphia was made the capital.
In 1791 Rev. Kurtz accepted a call to Lebanon and left this field.
REV. PETER BENTZ.
1792-1801.
In the year 1792, when Rev. Bentz entered upon his work here, the Ministerium of the
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THE BEGINNING, 1765-1802
Evangelical Lutheran church in North America, changed its name to the Ministerium of Pennsyl- vania, and all the churches in the state were mem- bers of it. Rev. Bentz does not seem to have been very careful about keeping records, except the baptisms, as there is no communion recorded until 1793 when there were 34 members present in May- town.
In the next year, 1794, the Whiskey Rebellion broke out in the western part of Pennsylvania, and Maytown became "the rendezvous of some of the troops called out to quell that revolt, who were known as the 'Whiskey boys.'"'
Maytown had become such a prominent place that several years before this time a direct road had been opened from Lancaster to Maytown, and from there to Galbraith's Ferry, the present site of Bainbridge, thence to Harris' Ferry, the present site of Falmouth or Collins. This road is shown on the accompanying map, which was photo- graphed from a map of Pennsylvania, made in 1792, by Reading Howell, which is in the archives of the Map Division of the Congressional Library at Washington, D. C., a greatly reduced copy of which accompanies this book.
Rev. Bentz served the congregation for eight years, and in 1801 he suddenly ended his labors in
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an untimely manner, as the following extract from the Elizabethtown church record briefly shows: "Er wurde schwermüthig und Er hängte sich."
With the close of Rev. Bentz's ministry we also reach the end of the First Epoch. Nor was there any indication on the surface, of the great and important work that was to be accomplished in the next few years, which proved to be an epoclı- making period.
EPOCH THE SECOND
GROWING, 1802-1853
THE STONE CHURCH AND
CONTEMPORANEOUS EVENTS
THIS epoch marks a decided advance in the growth of the Lutheran Church of Maytown, and manifests a period of progress of which the present generation can be justly proud, and it is worthy of the prominence and honor which will be given to it in the celebration of its Centennial Anniversary.
These results are due to the self-sacrificing and indefatigable labors of the honored servant of God whose name follows.
REV. JOHN FREDERICK ERNST.
1802-1806.
Rev. Ernst was called from Cooperstown, N. Y., and preached his introductory sermon in Maytown, November 28, 1802.
Until this year there is no mention made of any school building for the education of the children in the rapidly-growing town. And it is pleasant to learn that those early settlers were not insensi- ble to this need, and accordingly provided for it, and the Lutheran church was rented in this year for that purpose, as the following extract from the church treasurer's account shows: "Received of
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William Buchanan the Ist of July, 1802, for the school-house rent, it being in full, £1 : 10 :0 ($7.50 English currency)," and it is gratifying to know that the Lutheran church and its members were so early and closely identified with this edu- cational movement.
Rev. Ernst was a zealous worker, and the re- sults of his efforts were quickly manifested in sev- eral important particulars. To him belongs the honor of confirming the largest class of cate- chumens in the entire history of the church. There were thirty-six persons in this class, rang- ing in age from fourteen to thirty years, the majority being adults, and they were confirmed on May 28, 1803, and the day following they, with the other members of the church, received the holy communion. The following is the list of the communicants:
I. Frederick Bauer, Elder.
2. Peter Lindemuth, Elder, and wife
3. Barbara Lindemuth.
4. Johanes Steiner, Deacon, and wife
5. Maria Steiner.
6. Johanes Beck, Deacon, his wife among the confirmed.
7. Philip Brenner, and wife
8. Maria Brenner.
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GROWING-1802-1853
9. George Lindemuth, and wife
IO. Christiana Lindemuth.
II. Heinrich Hubley, and wife
1390830
12. Elizabeth Hubley.
13. Martin Lindemuth, and wife
14. Magdalena Lindemuth.
15. Johanes Nicholas, communicant for 20 years.
16. Michel Claus.
17. Samuel Machert.
18. Henry Miller, and wife.
19. John Reutlinger, widower.
20. Christoph Drebenstatt.
21. Michael Brenner, unmarried.
22. Peter Lindemuth, unmarried.
23. Elizabeth Klein.
24. Anna Wilhelm, wife of Jacob, promised to have her children baptized.
25. Katharine Klöpfer (Clepper).
26. Susana Hains, wife of Anthony, who was reprimanded about his indifference.
27. * Magdalena Way, wife of Caleb, who is a Quaker.
28. Christina Finley, wife of Moses, who is a Presbyterian.
* She is the grandmother of Bayard Taylor the noted author, historian and traveller.
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29. Christina Klug, wife of Philip Klug, who was sick.
30. Christina Lehman, widow.
31. Barbara Bauer, widow.
32. Elizabeth Gorner, widow.
33. Elizabeth Reutlinger, unmarried.
34. Maria Bauer, unmarried.
35. Barbara Lindemuth, unmarried.
36. Maria Lehman, unmarried.
37. Christina Lindemuth, unmarried.
38. Susana Machert, unmarried.
39. Anna Nicholas, unmarried.
40. Katharina Klug, unmarried.
41. Elizabeth Lindemuth, unmarried.
42. Barbara Lindemuth, unmarried.
The following are the newly-confirmed members who partook of the communion for the first time, and were admitted into church fellowship:
I. Married Men. Age.
I. Johannes Klein . . 30
2. Frederick Drebenstatt . . 28
3. Michael Kuster . . 27
4. Johannes Schmitt . 25
5. George Kinny. . 24
6. Henry Jacobs, who was baptized . 21
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GROWING-1802-1853
II. Unmarried Men. Age.
7. Joseph Albrecht, son of Frederick. . 21
8. George Lindemuth, son of George . . 19
9. Ludwig Hubley, son of Henry . 19
10. George Nicholas, son of John . . 19
II. Ludwig Lindemuth, son of Peter . 18
12. Nicholas Klöpfer, son of Joseph . 18
13. Joseph Klöpfer, son of Joseph . I6
14. Jacob Klug, son of Philip . I7
15. Henry Klug, son of Philip . . 15
III. Married Women.
16. Maria, Christopher Drebenstatt's wife . . . 28 17. Elizabeth Kuster, wife of Michael. . 27
18. Elizabeth Peck, wife of John . . 26
19. Margaret Drebenstatt, wife of Frederick . . 25
20. Kathrina Schmitt, wife of John. . 2I
2I. Elizabeth Jacobs, wife of Henry. . 18
IV. Unmarried Women.
22. Elizabeth Wilhelmn, daughter of Jacob, bap. 20 23. Elizabeth Nafzger, daughter of Henry, bap. 19
24. Margaret Hubley, daughter of Henry . . . 18
25. Anna Maria Hubley, daughter of Henry . .16
26. Elizabeth Claus, daughter of Adam . . 18
27. Catharina Claus, daughter of Adam . . 16
28. Barbara Baum, daughter of Philip. . 17
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LEAVES FROM A CENTURY PLANT
Age.
29. Maria Kunz, daughter of Christian . 17
30. Elizabeth Lindemuth, daughter of George . 16
31. Maria Reutlinger, daughter of John. . . 16
32. Magdalena Reutlinger, daughter of John. . 15 33. Catharina Brenner, daughter of Philip. .16
34. Anna Maria Brenner, daughter of Philip. . 15
35. Sarah Geyer. . 15
36. Catharina Lindemuth, daughter of Martin 14
Making a total of 78 persons who surrounded the Lord's table on this eventful occasion.
THE STONE CHURCH.
This large ingathering of souls must have taxed the limited capacity of the old log church to its utmost, and steps were speedily taken to build a new structure.
On September 21, 1803 the following agreement, which is copied verbatim from the original docu- ment in the possession of the present trustees, was drawn up:
" Articles of Agreement agreed upon and Concluded this twenty-first day of September, Anno Domini 1803, Between Alexander Shireman and Ulrich Shireman both of Donegal Township in the county of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania, Mr. . . . and Frederick Bower, Peter Lindemuth, John . . . and John Shertzer, Trustees of the Lutheran Congregation of Maytown Donegal Township, aforesaid for the Purpose of Build- ing a Church in said Town for the use of said Congregation,
THE OLD STONE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. After the remodelling in 1853.
W
Deacons
ana
Elaers
W
Pulpet
Altar
and
1
Communion table
Pailing
store
1
1
-
)Enfrance.
Emfrance
DIAGRAM OF INTERIOR OF THE ST. JOHN'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, BUILT IN 1804. From descriptions given by old members of the church. Dotted lines indicate the gallery and stairways. Train by Ka . G. P. Goll.
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GROWING-1802-1853
Are as follows (to wit) they the said Alexander and Ulrich Shireman Do hereby Agree to Build the said Church at the rate of One Dollar Per Perch and to Quarry all the stones for said Church and find and provide hewn sand stones for the four corners also to find and Provide all their own tools and wheel- barrows Carts etc. and to haul the water to make the morter and find tenders etc. all at their own Proper Costs and Charges and also to board themselves and tender at their own expense during the time of Quarrying the stones and build the said Church, they also agree to begin the building on the first day of April next if the weather will admit and begin to Quarry the
stones this faul, and not to quit the building until it is finished, they also agree to deliver the hewn stone on the shore on this side the River and the said Alexander and Ulrich Shireman also agree to give security to finish the stone work of said Church in workman like manner. They the said Trustees Do hereby agree to haul all the stones to the place of building and find and provide the sand lime and scaffolding Alexander and Ulrich Shireman are not to . . . for turning the arches over the Doors and windows of said church. In Witness whereof the said parties to these Presents have hereunto set their hands and seals the date above.
Sealed & Delivered In presense of JOSEPH KLOPFER (CLEPPER )
ALEXANDER SHIREMAN
[SEAL ]
ULRICH SHIREMAN
[SEAL]
JOHANES STREINER [SEAL]
JOHN SHERTZER
[SEAL]
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LEAVES FROM A CENTURY PLANT
Fortunately this valuable document was saved by Mr. C. M. Brown, who at the age of 79 years delivered it into the hands of the church council. According to the agreement these men began the work, and the excavations for the foundations were made in the upper end of the lot in the beginning of April. On April 21, 1804, the corner-stone of the first stone church west of Lancaster, with the exception of the old Donegall church, in this sec- tion of the country was laid. It is a great pity that only meager records of this large undertaking can be found. Consistent with their agreement, the builders made all possible dispatch, and in all probability the church was completed in the fall of the year.
The building was rectangular and was what might be termed a one-story structure, having only a ground floor, and very high ceilings. The windows were arched and a gallery extended around the two ends and along the west side of interior, facing Queen street. There were two entrances, at either end of the building, and from these there was a stairway leading up to the north and south gallery.
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