USA > Pennsylvania > Two centuries of the Church of the Brethren in western Pennsylvania, 1751-1950 > Part 15
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As was the custom of the Ephrata Society, it seems certain that the Stony Creek congrega- tion remained Seventh Day Baptist until 1774, then went with the German Baptist Breth- ren about this time. However, many of the foreparents of the mem- bers here lived and wor- shiped in the Stony Creek congregation and Courtesy Boston Anthenaeum Library had remained staunch Photostat of Page 89, Morgan Edwards' "Ma- terials Toward a History of the Baptists," Published in 1770 Brethren all their lives.11 But it was not uncommon that the Brethren and the Sabbatarians (Seventh Day Baptists) wor- shiped together in many communities, except that the Brethren never kept the seventh day as the Sabbath. Abraham Cable was one of the "original seventeen members" of Stony Creek. He re- mained a Seventh Day Baptist all of his life, as did the entire family until his grandson, Joseph Cable, was baptized a German
11 This is in harmony with Morgan Edwards, who said, " ... (for the most part) the Seventh Day Sabbath is kept." This would indicate that it was a majority who followed Ephrata, but that a minority were Brethren.
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Baptist Brethren on September 25, 1864.12 This was done in the Stony Creek at the Cunningham meetinghouse, under the elder- ship of Tobias Blough.
The Original Seventeen Members
A detailed account of these members will not be related in this chapter, for there is not space. But there is considerable material available on the life and events surrounding these early people. There were twelve families in the original organization, with seventeen members. The roster was represented by eight male adults. Removing the name of George Adam Martin, who may not have remained a long- time resident citizen, there are seven male adults who were local land- owners. This writer has found deeds and warrants and survey maps bearing all of these names except those of Elder Martin and Philip Oswald.
Henry Roth, Sr., (Henry Rhoads, Sr.) seems to have been an "exhorting deacon."13 His son, Henry, Jr. (who built our first meeting- house), was a captain in the Revolutionary War at Valley Forge; a dele- gate to the Constitutional Convention from Bedford County in 1776;14 a justice of the peace for Bedford (Somerset) County in 1776; and a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature from this county in 1778. Henry Roth, Sr., died in 1774. Ten years later, Henry, Jr., moved to Kentucky. Five years after moving to Kentucky he served as a member of the legislature of Kentucky, from Logan County.15
Abraham Gebel (Cable) was the "first Justice of the Peace com- missioned in the territory now known as Somerset county. He received his commission on November 23, 1771."16 He settled just east of Brother- ton; the present church and parsonage now rest on his second land grant.
George Newmeyer is believed to have settled in the "Rhoads Corner," just east and north of Henry Rhoads, Sr., and Jacob Newmeyer sold land on April 3, 1772, to one Samuel Gilpin, "Tuscape Death" (Harmon Husband), founder of Somerset, paying the money as the assumed agent of Gilpin. On the Reading Howell Map of 1795 was the Neimir's Run, now Boon Run. This stream flows directly past the old Allegheny meetinghouse and west into Stony Creek. Philip Oswald is unidentified in our research thus far. It is believed that he migrated to Kentucky.
Philip Kimmel was also a prominent person, and his descendants are many in this area. He is buried on the Austin Ringler farm near the church. Philip Kimmel resided on the present Austin Ringler farm. Brother Charles May possesses deeds with Abraham Keble's signature and also those of Philip Kimmel and wife, Mary.17
The name of the last person on the original membership list has undergone several changes. Morgan Edwards referred to him as Mr. Widdebarger. M. G. Brumbaugh used Wildebarger. On a deed
12 Hitherto unprinted diary of Joseph Cable. Page 130.
13 From the Rhoads and Newmeyer family histories.
14 Welfley's History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Volume 2. Page 438.
15 From Rhoads Family History, by Mrs. W. H. Newmoyer, Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- vania.
16 Colonial Records, Volume X. Page 8.
17 Somerset courthouse deed book, Volume 100, page 423, and Volume 54, page 259.
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owned by Brother May (Volume 100, page 422) the name, "Henry Winterberger," appears. He applied his signature with an "X."
THE ALLEGHENY MEETINGHOUSE
On the farm of Earl M. Meyers, located in Stony Creek Town- ship, on the western slope of the Allegheny Mountain, stood an old log building. It was about thirty by thirty-five feet. When it was built, or by whom, is not known. This we know, that John Meyers was born in it in 1808. He was the great-grand- father of the present owner. The son of John Meyers (grand- father of Earl Meyers) was Samuel Meyers, born in the same log house in 1842. Not much is known about the meetings held here, nor the names of the leaders, except that in the family tradition John Meyers was an "exhorting deacon." Blough's history, page 82, lists John Meyers and Samuel Meyers among the members of the Big Glades church, and says that "in the houses of these [forty are named, including twenty in the Glades] the meetings were held throughout the year."18
However, it must not be lost to posterity that there was another Allegheny house of worship. It was referred to in the diary of Joseph Cable, written between 1853 and 1890. During 1853 and 1854 the writer, Joseph Cable, referred to the "Allegheny Church" seven times. No one seems to be certain of the exact location. In connection with it he uses the following names: Joseph Ling, Henry Fry, John Berger, Ephraim Statler, Emanuel Statler, and L. Whisker.19 If the Somerset Atlas of 1874 (pages 34 and 35) is consulted, one may find a church located just north of Buckstown, on the first road east, on the righthand side (east side). This church is without a denominational name (on the map), but it is centered among the above names. Therefore, it is assumed that this was the "Allegheny Church" mentioned in the Cable diary.
THE GLADES MEETINGHOUSE
The Glades meetinghouse had a very colorful history. It was the second house of worship of the Brethren in what is now Somerset County. According to family tradition it was built in 1790, and this may be entirely true. This we do know, that in 1806 the owner, Dr. John Groner, wrote a deed to his son, who signed in the name of Joseph Groner.20 This place of worship was known across the years by the following names: "the Groner meetinghouse," "the Glades meetinghouse," "the Stony Creek Glades church," and "the Forney meetinghouse"
18 C. G. Lint, quoting from Farsomlungs Briefly.
19 Joseph Cable's diary. Pages 26-44 and 90.
20 Somerset Deed Book-Volume 391, page 459; Volume 18, page 423; Volume 396, page 455.
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(after Elder John Forney, who served as elder-or bishop-in 1837). The Yearly Meeting (Annual Conference) of 1821 was evidently held in this meetinghouse, as it was held at "Glade, Somerset county, Pa." Elder C. G. Lint referred to it (from Farsomlungs Briefly) as the "Big Glades Church." The writer of this chapter is indebted to Mr. Harold Schmucker for the fol- lowing story (Mr. Schmucker's wife was born and reared in the house; see picture, Part One, Chapter 4) :
The present house on the Croner homestead was built in 1790 by Dr. John Groner (later known as Croner). The house originally was built with an upper and lower porch on the east side. This being replaced later by a single porch. Also in the large kitchen was built a large stone fire place where the cooking was done, also the love feast meat was cooked. This also was later removed with the exception of the huge stone foundation which still is found in the basement. The original windows were of the very small pane type and have also been replaced. [This writer found them stored in the huge attic.] With the exception of the above mentioned altera- tions the house is still in a good state of preservation. On the main floor there were two large rooms. There are large folding doors in the center between these rooms. These doors can be opened and the whole main floor be made into one large room. The doors are still there, but a wall making two smaller rooms separates the larger room. Originally this room was filled with crude church pews, and worship was held for many, many years. [This writer recently found one of these crude benches in the old settler's house back of the meetinghouse.] People came from many miles; from down over the Allegheny mountain, from back in the Glades, Elk Lick, Middle Creek, Quemahoning, Maryland, West Virginia, and from all around as far as Virginia.
They walked, rode horseback, came by wagon and buggy. Love Feast was a great time of fellowship and a great gathering. There was never room enough to accommodate all. People brought their families with them. The members took many of the visitors home with them. The boys took care of the horses. The girls took care of the babies and children while the mothers visited and helped prepare the food and meal for the Love Feast. There were large rooms on the second floor. People brought their bedding. The women and girls would sleep on the floor in those rooms. There is a large attic covering the whole house. The men and boys would sleep on the [attic] floor on make-shift beds, or in the barn on the hay. Meetings were held in the homes many years before this [meeting- house was built].
People would come early in the week and services would start about mid-week with the "Visiting Brethren" taking their turns preaching first. Then the home elders would take their turns. The old people used to say that the singing was wonderful, better than it is today. The song leader would rise and sing the melody. Then he would line the words. The people would sing with a heart. The great climax would come on Saturday, baptism in the Stony Creek in the late afternoon, and Love Feast in the early evening. . . . Then they would all "settle" for the night. Sunday was the big day, preaching all day, and more good singing. ... These services would close early Sunday evening with a great service of consecration.
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Mr. Schmucker tells that when he was young he repaired the foundation on the southwest corner and dug out part of the potato cellar. On a joist he found inscribed with a pencil, "Replaced in 1818." As formerly stated, on November 6, 1806, Dr. John Groner deeded this house to Joseph Groner. In 1818 Joseph deeded the property to another John Groner. It seems plausible to assume that this John replaced the floor. In 1821 the Annual Meeting was held in this building. There is a cemetery on the hill above the meetinghouse, with the first burial, that of Dr. John Groner, dated 1806.
There is an older building about two hundred yards west, in the beautiful meadow. Family tradition has it that this was built in 1770 or 1771. It is the old doctor's original house and office. On the west wall is the built-in cabinet for the medicine bottles and books and instruments. There are many ancient tools strange to this writer. Family tradition says that services were held here in the "big room long before they were in the big-meeting house."
THE SWITZER SCHOOLHOUSE
The next four meetinghouses were in the Stony Creek con- gregation, east of the great dividing line, the Allegheny Moun- tain. It is certain that these places date back to the early beginnings of the congregation. It seems logical to assume that the work started here around 1800 and that the elders of Stony Creek did the preaching. The Switzer schoolhouse stood until about 1890. Mrs. Annie Custer, eighty-three years old, living near here, is the source of most of this information.
THE CUSTER MEETINGHOUSE
This was sometimes called Custer Schmaltz Thal. Meetings were first held in the open field or woods, where the members sat on boards between stumps and stones. Later they met in the barn, and still later in the house. This was the house of Samuel Custer. It is recalled that at one time there were about forty members in this section. Again Mrs. Annie Custer tells that the same elders who preached in the Switzer school- house preached at the Custer meetinghouse. The work ceased there about 1885.
Custer Meetinghouse
THE SARVER SCHOOLHOUSE
This building was located about three miles north of the crossroad of Route 31 at
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Dividing Ridge, on the east side of Allegheny Mountain, or what is locally called White Horse Mountain. This schoolhouse dated well beyond Civil War days. Daniel H. Walker preached in this place, and he was installed into the ministry on June 3, 1886, by Josiah Berkley.21 This was in the area known as the Sarver Cor- ner. About 1910 or 1912 the work ceased there, and the Evangeli- cals built a small church near the spot. The cemetery of the old Brethren is located at this church site.
THE MT. ZION DUNKARD CHURCH
This church was located just south of the crossroads at Mt. Zion on the road leading to Glen Savage. It was the first church located at that point. Later a Reformed church was built there, and still later the Mt. Zion Lutheran church. The Brethren are buried in the old part of the cemetery. Not much is definitely known of this place at this time. Only future research will reveal the story. However, the Brothersvalley congregation still has three old-time families living in that area. It seems that these go back to the early beginnings of our history.
It is now known that we had a chain of places of worship on the east side of the Allegheny Mountain, dating back nearly as early as the churches on the west side. This area has not previously been treated by either the Middle District or the Western District history. Until future research reveals more, the interesting story of the efforts of our early people is locked with them among the quiet and beautiful hills of the Allegheny.22
1762 - 1825
There is no written record of the congregation between these two dates. The histories of Somerset County and of south- western Pennsylvania conclude that from 1763 to 1770 a general Indian outbreak caused many families to be scattered and driven out in these formative years of our history. It does seem true, however, that some of the old families remained in spite of the dangers. There is much evidence both in family histories and the 1770 tax roster that many of the named families did remain within the Stony Creek area, such as the Rhoadses, Cables, Kimmels, Kneppers, and others. The old cemetery also appears to have been a stockade on the "West bank of Stony Creek, at the crossing of Glade Trail." All these names are found upon our church records today, and the descendants of
21 From the personal diary of Elder Daniel H. Walker, now in the hands of this writer.
22 This "chain of churches" is not to be confused with the "Wills Creek congre- gation" in Bedford County, from 1780 to 1860 .- Editor.
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these members are living and active in the church. The present family members all tell very vivid stories of their forefathers, as told by their grandparents, who handed down the thread of these old historical facts created by these early settlers.
"Up to 1825 this large territory was without system and unorganized. Yet we have reasons to believe, that it was mar- velous, indeed, how the church must have prospered, while many of the old churches of today, with improved methods of work, scarcely hold their own."23
1825 - 1849
According to the historical material available to Elder Schrock in 1915, it was not clear to him who succeeded George Adam Martin in the eldership.24
From the best information obtainable, Michael Meyers (Moyer), a resident minister near Berlin, was ordained about the year 1800, and had the oversight of the church for a quarter of a century, or longer. It would seem that the next in order of time to be ordained were Peter Cober and John Forney, Sr., in 1837.25
Gier. Ben, Ch. near Bertil
"Ger. Bap. Ch. near Berlin" From Walker's Map, 1860. This Pleasant Grove church was built in 1845.
23 Elder W. G. Schrock in Blough's history. Page 59.
24 John Keagy (of Meyersdale) was bishop of the church in Somerset County from about 1790 until his death in 1806. See Part Two, chapter 54, the deed for the Summit Mills church lot .- Editor.
25 Blough's history. Pages 59 and 60.
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In that early day, itinerant preaching was largely in vogue in most of the churches. Members were regularly visited by the preachers, and all the services were held in private houses, barns or schoolhouses, and nearly all conducted in the German language. The Word preached was greatly blessed of God, so that private houses for worship could in many places no longer accommodate the people. To solve this problem the Brethren built a large meeting- house, in 1845, in sight of Berlin, and called it the (Pleasant) Grove house.26
The building was not an imposing edifice, but was a large frame structure, built to accommodate all the people. It was long, with two entrances, one for the sisters and the other for the brethren. It was an ample building for the love feasts and the large crowds that came to worship God in the spirit of brotherly fellowship. This church was in regular use for sixty- two years.
In 1849 the Annual Meeting of the Brotherhood was held in this church. A committee was appointed to consider the pro- priety of dividing the church in Somerset County into separate congregations. This was the first committee of Annual Meeting. "The committee was made up of the following brethren: Peter Long, Andrew Spanogle and John Holsinger of Pennsylvania, George Hoke and Henry Kurtz of Ohio, and Joseph Arnold and Jacob Byser of Virginia. The committee met at Berkley's Mills."27 Four congregations were formed: Berlin, Elk Lick, Middle Creek and Quemahoning.
The Berlin congregation was bounded on the south by Elk Lick, on the north by Shade, on the west by Middle Creek, and on the east by the Bedford County line, with Berlin the center of activity.
1849 - 1880
From 1849 to 1880 the following elders presided over the Berlin church: Peter Cober, Jacob Meyers, and Jacob Blough. Elder Blough was elected to the ministry in 1851, and ordained in 1868. Samuel Meyers and Jacob Good may have been deacons prior to 1849, and served in said office up to their death. The following ministers assisted in the work of the church during this period: John P. Cober, Ephraim Cober, Solomon Knepper, George Schrock, William Sevits, Michael Weyandt, Solomon Baer, Peter Musser, Daniel P. Walker, Henry R. Holsinger and Joseph W. Beer.
Deacons elected prior to 1880: Lewis J. Knepper, Jacob Meyers, Joseph G. Coleman, John J. Bittner, Dr. John Beachley, Valentine Blough, Jacob Lichty, Jacob Musser, John S. Myers, Peter Beeghly, Josiah Kimmel, William N. Trent and Philip F. Cupp. Most of the ministers named first served in the deacon office.28
26 There is a tradition among our older members as follows: "Sometime before 1845 a small house was built on the Grove site, referred to as the 'Old Grove' house." 27 Blough's history. Pages 60 and 61.
28 Blough's history. Page 61.
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1880 - 1915
The year 1880 was an eventful one in the life of the con- gregation. The old Berlin congregation was divided, and its membership of over four hundred became four organized groups:
1. The Berlin church, embracing the town of Berlin, the meeting- house known as Peter Beeghly's (Schmaltz Thal), and the appointment at Custer's.
2. The Stony Creek church. The territory occupied by this congre- gation is bounded on the south by the Berlin church, on the east by Dunnings Creek, on the north by Shade, and on the west by the Brothersvalley and Somerset churches.
3. The Somerset church. This congregation is surrounded by the Brothersvalley, Stony Creek, Quemahoning, and Middle Creek churches.
4. Brothersvalley. This congregation is bounded by the other three congregations, and Quemahoning on the north. Its officers were Elder Jacob Blough; George Schrock, William Sevits, and Daniel P. Walker, ministers; Lewis J. Knepper, William G. Schrock, John S. Meyers, and Samuel F. Rieman, deacons. It had a membership of about one hundred and had two houses of worship.29
The Brothersvalley congregation was organized by ordaining George Schrock and William Sevits to the eldership and W. G. Schrock and Samuel Rieman to the ministry and calling John J. Blauch and Daniel H. Walker to the deaconship. Ministers were elected as follows: in 1886, D. H. Walker and Philip F. Cupp; 1897, Perry U. Miller, Samuel U. Shober, Ira D. S. Walker; 1906, Galen K. Walker; 1912, Lewis S. Knepper and Ralph W. Reiman. Joseph J. Shaffer moved into the congregation from Shade Creek in 1909. A. J. Beeghly, who had been called to the ministry in Illinois, returned to his home.
The first deacons to be called at the New Pike church (present building) were: 1904, Clinton K. Shober, Jacob C. Reiman, Allen F. Mostoller, and George S. Reiman; 1912, William W. Cupp, Alvin Knep- per, Edward S. Schrock, and H. N. Mostoller.
FORGOTTEN MEETINGHOUSES
Among the many houses of worship that have been erected in various sections of Western Pennsylvania, and which, after their years of usefulness, were discontinued and forgotten, are three that belonged to the old original Stony Creek congre- gation.
"Solomon's Temple"
About the year 1805 this log church was erected in Stony Creek Township, near Shippleytown. It was on the west side
29 From Holsinger's History of the Tunkers and the Brethren Church.
of the Allegheny Mountain, about four miles from the old Rhoades (Stony Creek) meet- inghouse, and the same distance from the Groner (Glades) meetinghouse.
It is possible that this was the earliest church without resi- dence used by the Brethren in this district.30 The work was car- "Solomon's Temple," Built About 1805 Perhaps our first meetinghouse without residence ried on here by the Brethren un- til a little before the Civil War. About this time the "Albrights" took over the work of the "Solomon's Temple"31 church. The building was torn down in 1938 (photo taken in 1930).
The Walker Church
Brother Moses Walker, the rake maker, gave ten acres of land for the building of a meetinghouse, about one acre of open land for church and yard, along the Reels Corner-Berlin road, a few miles south of Forbes Road (now U. S. 30). The lumber for the building was sawed out on Brother Walker's sawmill,
Moses Walker Church, Built in the Summer of 1860 This is Moses Walker, a rake maker
30 The Ten Mile brick church was not built until twenty-seven years later, 1832. 31 This name was applied about 1870, because the land belonged to one Solomon Ringler, who was very emotional, shouted much, prayed loudly, and sang with great vigor.
Barn Made From the Kimmel Church
This barn was formerly the Kimmel church, part of the Stony Creek congregation; known as the Kimmel church, the Downey church, and, after 1881, as the "Home church."
a little north of the church. The church was financed and built, during the summer of 1860, by Brother Walker. Later, the mem- bers bought out his share and owned the building but not the land. The building, now a dwelling, is still standing. Many of the older brethren died, and about 1905 or 1906 the work here was discontinued.
The Kimmel Church
The Kimmel church was built on the farm of J. J. Kimmel. Ministers of Brothersvalley preached here, taking their turns, as they did in the Walker church. In 1881 this building was removed from its foundation on the Kimmel farm, placed on skids and moved two and one-half miles to near Downey, where a small cemetery was established. It was then known as the Downey church, also as "the home church." The year of removal, the members united their fellowship with the Berlin Brethren church, and were shepherded thereafter by the elders and ministers of that congregation. This church was used until a little after the turn of the century; then in 1923 it was sold to Brother Jeff Glessner and moved to his farm just north of Roxbury, where it still stands.
From about 1825 to 1903 was a period of expansion in this large congregation, and the following church buildings were erected: Old Grove, Walker, Kimmel, Old Pike, Rayman, Sum- mit, Salem, and New Pike. Why some of these meetinghouses
Rayman Church, Built in 1886
were forgotten, when the brethren wrote about the other church- es, is not known. But in the old cemeteries rest the bodies of many of the old members who were the perpetuators of the church west of the Alleghenies.
RAYMAN
A number of families were living east of Friedens, with good farms and homes before 1880. Jacob Rayman, a strong Dunker brother, who loved the Lord and the church with all his heart, longed to see his fellow Brethren worship together in a meet- inghouse that was close to their homes, for they had to ride on rough roads, or walk, the four or five miles to the Old Pike meetinghouse at Brotherton. In 1886 Brother Rayman chal- lenged the brethren by giving a piece of land from his fine farm "to be used forever for the resting place of a meetinghouse of God." That same year the brethren erected a neat little white church, which is still in good repair, and used for Sunday school every Sunday, and on alternating Sundays for worship services.
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