USA > Pennsylvania > Two centuries of the Church of the Brethren in western Pennsylvania, 1751-1950 > Part 16
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The happy years of the work at Rayman are well remem- bered by Brother and Sister A. F. Mostoller, Emma Rayman (age ninety-seven), Edward Bauermaster, Brother and Sister Edward Schrock, and Minerva Schrock. Much help was received from the diary of A. J. Beeghly.
From 1895 to 1902, the members, especially the young people, would gather in the meetinghouse in large numbers, and under the direction of Irvin Schrock sing the old hymns of the church. Under the light of the old pressure gas lamps they would sing for several hours.
Much enthusiasm was shown by the young people in 1910 when A. J. Beeghly, with his family of active boys and girls, moved back to the
Congregation at the Rayman Church. 1950
Salem Church, Built in 1895
farm. Brother Beeghly organized the Christian Workers Society for the young people. Young and old came and many were the interesting programs and happy Sunday evenings spent together in the church. The mixed quartet was the pride of the group: Edward Schrock, Mrs. Fred Ross, Floyd Beeghly, and Mrs. Roy Boyd. It was a great time for the young men to "walk the young ladies home," sometimes continuing the songs on the way. This group spirit prevailed until Brother Beeghly was called to Rummel as pastor in 1919. In recent years, the work at Rayman has taken on new hope and radiance for the future with the flowering of the young families into a fine group of boys and girls. The future of the church promises action and growth again.
SALEM
The Salem history has been colorful and active, as it has been a close counterpart of the total work of the congregation. This attractive white church sits peacefully among the trees and giant ferns, along the Plank Road, between Somerset and Berlin. This strongly constructed building was erected in 1895 under the careful eyes and the ardent prayers of Elder Perry U. Miller. John Beachley and Conrad Hoffman helped in the construction.
Brother Miller was an interesting man and a good music leader. Many singing schools were conducted in the fall and winter months. Young and old alike found great joy in these gatherings.
In recent years the young people have taken a fine interest in the church program, including improvements to the build- ing in the summer of 1948. Though their numbers are small, the enthusiasm is great, and it is felt that the future of the church is promising.
SALEM
CHURCH
Salem Church Group, 1950
THE GROVE CHURCHES
As referred to before, the large Pleasant Grove church, near Berlin, erected in 1845, was used for sixty-two years. In 1907, it was replaced by a neat brick church, which was later aban- doned and sold for a dwelling.
GLADE PIKE CHURCH
The first Pike church was built about 1840, in the edge of the present cemetery. It was heated by two old coal stoves. The pulpit was between the two doors. The worshipers faced the doors and all latecomers could be seen quite clearly. The ministering brethren sat on a long bench, while they waited their turn to participate, all the time keeping an alert eye on the congregation to see how well the Word was received, or how deep the impressions were made.
The first Sunday school in the congregation was organized in 1865 by Brethren W. G. Schrock and Lewis J. Knepper.
BROTHERTON
In 1903 a committee consisting of Emanuel L. Knepper (chairman), William Walker, and A. F. Mostoller was ap- pointed by the council meeting to erect a new building at Brotherton. These brethren builded far beyond their vision
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Glade Pike
Church
Q.B.
Glade Pike Church From Walker's Map, 1860. This Glade Pike church was built in 1840.
and aspirations, for this present building has stood well and is a fine brick structure. The cost of the finished building was $7,309.92.
After the new church was dedicated and occupied, in 1905, Elder D. H. Walker, who was supporting the work of the Pitts- burgh church, approached the brethren at the new Pike church for funds for the good work in Pittsburgh. The brethren, having a true missionary spirit, voted to give what was remaining in the local treasury (four hundred thirteen dollars and seventy cents) for this cause. This missionary spirit is still extant among the members.
The missionary committee, on January 1, 1921, recommended to council meeting that a fund be established within the treasury of the church, in order that the Gospel Messenger might be placed in every home within the congregation.
The young people of the church and community, on July 27, 1923, asked permission to meet in the church basement for orchestra practice.
On January 1, 1924, the aid society was given permission to procure individual communion cups for use in the communion service. The old single cups, one for the brethren and one for the sisters, ceased to make their circles of brotherly fellowship. The old had given way to the new. (One of these old cups is now in the study of the pastor.)
After a century and a half of the free ministry, Brothers- valley turned in the direction of a paid ministry. The elders
Brothersvalley Congregation Group, 1950
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had served so faithfully and so well, giving their lives in the work of the church, that they had built "even better than they ever dared to know." In the past the elders had been supplied by the produce of their land and the sweat of their brow. These were dedicated and consecrated men, and long will their work be heralded in the Kingdom of God.
But the time had come for younger men who had been trained in the more recent methods of church management and administration and of homiletics. The move was before the brethren to maintain a pastor who would devote all of his time and energy to the entire program of the church.
The year 1919 was one of progress for the congregation. On April 18 of that year the envelope system of giving was intro- duced. The brethren responded well to this system, and the latter part of that year the congregation began calling for more services in the churches and a stronger pastoral program. The young people began to show more "open interest." "On motion by J. C. Reiman, seconded by H. N. Mostoller, it was decided that the church secure a pastor for the year 1920."
The committee reported in council meeting, November 24, 1920, that they had the promise of Lewis S. Knepper for that position. The council accepted their recommendations and
Ready to Excavate the Basement, 1944
Seated, left to right: Clarence Reiman, Sherman Yoder, Leroy Forney, J. C. Reiman, John Peck, Wilson Wagner
Standing, left to right: Galen Platt, Leon Knepper, John Knepper, Uriah Lehman, Claude Bauermaster, Claude Bauermaster, Jr., Roy S. Forney (pastor), Clyde Platt, Wayne Stutzman, Grover Glessner
Tractors in Co-operative "Lord's Acre" Buckwheat Field, June 21, 1944
Tractor drivers of the day were Emerson Knepper, Ben Donner, Leon Knepper, Clair Reiman, Glenn Say- lor, Paul Reiman, Guy Clites, Joe Shelly, Roy Forney, Bob Bauermaster, Lee Donner
elected Brother Knepper on "one-half time, with the exceptions of three weeks vacation from pastoral duties." During the year 1923 the parsonage was started. It is a completely modern brick house, and one of the most beautiful in the district.
H. Q. Rhodes followed Brother Knepper, starting his work on January 1, 1924. The work continued to flourish under the sincere direction of Brother Rhodes, and he remained pastor for eighteen years. On November 17, 1941, the council meeting voted to build a choir loft and start a Sunday bulletin system for the order of church services and announcements. Thelma Knepper became editor of this project to assist the pastor.
In 1942 Roy Forney became the pastor. Under his direction the chairmen and presidents of the various organizations were formed into a council of boards, to keep the program of the church in motion and assist the pastor more efficiently. Under his leadership, the work took on new life.
Sister Forney began teaching the young people a new appreciation of the beloved hymns of the church. The choir was reorganized and the E. M. Knepper family gave the church a Hammond organ, which stands as a fitting memorial to the work of our deceased brother.
The daughter, Mrs. Calvin M. Will, is the organist and has accomplished the fine art of a devotional touch at the keyboard. This has added to the worship services a new touch of reverence.
"In the summer of 1943, exactly forty years from the time the church
New Pews (Before Carpet Was Laid), Brotherton, 1950
(meaning Brotherton) was built, Clyde Platt called a meeting of the officers and teachers to consider the possibilities of more adequate Sunday school facilities." Church Architect C. H. Deardorff presented plans for remodeling, which were accepted January 1, 1944. John L. Knepper suggested the individual Lord's-acre plan, which realized $1,225.00 for the project. It was also suggested that a co-operative project be established. The Berwin-White Coal Company saw the good inten- tions, and offered sixty-five acres of tillable land at one dollar yearly for five years. "It was decided to farm half in buckwheat and half in duckwheat. This proved a most interesting venture. Fifteen tractor plows, three tractor drills, four combines, and four trucks were used. The net returns was $900.00."32
H. Austin Cooper preached his first sermon as pastor on October 5, 1947, and continues at present. The men's work, which had been organized in 1944, showed renewed interest in 1948 by planning and executing a rural life institute. This same year the women's work was organized, and in October 1949 they presented the picture, Christ Knocking at the Door, which is in the alcove beyond the pulpit.
The love-feast and communion service is still a high light of the congregation when old friends and loved ones are met and there is that great joy of sitting together in the Lord's house in this wonderful period of fellowship. Sister Mary Knepper has made the communion bread since she was a young woman and tells that it was made in her home when she was a small child. Sister Mary started making it in 1906.
In the remodeling work of 1944 the brethren desired to install new pews, but there were many difficulties in the way. On May 8, 1950, a contract was made for their installation, at a
32 From the dedication booklet and the church bulletin.
Pastors and Their Wives, 1920 to 1950 Lewis S. Knepper and Wife, H. Q. Rhodes and Wife, Roy S. Forney and Wife, H. Austin Cooper and Wife.
cost of $5,245.00. New carpets will be placed in the aisles within the next few weeks.
The work is moving for- ward and there is the spirit of Christian brotherhood among the three churches and the members of the congregation. The past three years have shown a gain of forty-nine persons by baptism.
-H. Austin Cooper
CHAPTER 6. THE CENTER HILL CHURCH
Congregation organized, 1820 First church house erected, 1861 Present church membership, 365
The Center Hill church is located in North Buffalo Township, Armstrong County, on Route 28, four miles west of Kittanning.
According to Brother Howard Miller's Record of the Faith- ful, this congregation had its beginning in 1820, with eight members. Since there are no records in existence, we must content ourselves with such information as can be obtained from the recollections of members now living.
Center Hill Church Today
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Among the first members of this church were: David, Adam, and Joseph Bowser and their wives, and Elizabeth Swigart. The first minister known to have been located here was James Toy. In addition to Brother Toy, as mentioned, Brother David Goolinger was elected and preached in the Glade Run and Brush Valley houses for several years. This was formerly known as the Glade Run congregation. John Crissman was elected in the "John Settlement," which later became the Brush Valley church. Brother Crissman moved to the Montgomery congre- gation (one authority says to Clarion County) and later to North Dakota. It would seem that the church never had a resident elder, but the following brethren are known to have labored here more or less: George Rairick, Graybill Meyers, Joseph Shumaker, David Eshelman, John Wise, Leonard Furry, J. W. Brumbaugh, G. W. Brumbaugh, J. S. Holsinger, Joseph Berkey, J. W. Beer, Lewis Kimmel, and others.
The following pastors served this congregation until 1913 in the order named: Jesse Hetrick, David Hetrick, F. D. Anthony, C. O. Beery, K. B. Moomaw, C. O. Beery (returned), L. M. Keim, A. J. Culler (brief period during school terms), H. S. Replogle, R. D. Murphy (for a few months). For a number of years the pastor had charge of both the Plum Creek and the Glade Run congregation and lived in the parsonage at the Plum Creek house.
In 1876 J. B. Wampler took charge; he continued until the division, when about two thirds of the members went with him to the Progressive Church. The Glade Run house was used by both groups for some time after the division, when we came into full possession of it. The Glade Run congregation was divided in 1881, and the new group (Progressive), called the Brush Valley church, was organized the same year. In the
First
Center Hill Church (Formerly Glade Run)
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division the majority of the members of Brush Valley went with the Progressives, and in 1892 the few that remained faithful were con- solidated with their mother congregation, about eighty members, in the Glade Run church.
There have been three houses of worship, all near the same place, with the church cemetery adjoining. The ground on which the churches were built was given by David and Mary Bowser. The first building was erected in 1861. During one . of the services held in this building, a portion of the floor gave way. Some of the people were taken out through the windows, and others rushed out the door, trampling some of the women; but none were seriously injured. The church was rebuilt in 1881; during a series of meetings in January 1895, it was burned to the ground. The present structure was erected in 1895.
In 1917 four Sunday-school rooms with a basement were built to the south side of the church. They were dedicated on June 17, 1917, with Dr. C. C. Ellis as the speaker for the occa- sion. In 1936 the basement was remodeled and made into three Sunday-school rooms. They were dedicated May 3, 1936, with Dr. D. W. Kurtz bringing the dedicatory message. Electric lights were installed the same year. Also, the name of the church was changed from Glade Run to Center Hill. In 1937 the interior of the church and the four Sunday-school rooms was redecorated with Celotex. In 1938 a bulletin board was erected. In 1939 the congregation bought a house and lot ad- joining the church property from the Francis Bowser estate for a parsonage at a cost of $1,550.00 and the same year they remodeled the house at a cost of $1,500.00.
New Parsonage at Center Hill
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In 1944 a deep well was drilled at the parsonage. In 1946 all the buildings were given two coats of paint; also, the interior of the church was painted. In 1947 a new asbestos roof was put on the parsonage. In 1948 a Wurlitzer organ was installed. In 1949 the congregation gave their pastor a new Buick car. In January 1950 new carpet was placed on the entire floor of the sanctuary and new pews were installed. An enlargement of the cemetery is in progress at present.
Spiritually the church is doing very well. The attendance, both morning and evening, is above average. The attendance at the love feast is also increasing. If the increase continues we must enlarge the building. Our harvest-home service is a great yearly occasion; the fruits and vegetables are given to our Old Folks Home. Brother Stanley Kay Bowser was given a license to preach, June 29, 1927, by Elders M. J. Brougher and John A. Buffenmyer. He was ordained to the ministry on December 6, 1928, and on October 23, 1946, he was ordained to the eldership.
The Center Hill church is now represented on the India mission field in the person of Mabel Gertrude Claypool, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Loyal Claypool. Mabel was consecrated at the Ocean Grove Annual Conference in 1949. Pastor W. K. Kulp of the Center Hill church was asked to help in this consecration service, wherein all the missionaries who were to be sent out to the different mission fields for the first time were conse- crated.
Each Sunday evening three different groups meet for study and discussion for half an hour preceding the worship service. A strong mutual bond of unity and goodwill prevails. The fact
194.
Annual Harvest Home Exhibit, 1949
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that the congregation is so well united speaks well for all who lived and labored here. The members are willing and liberal contributors to local and foreign work.
This is a Bowser settlement and there are one hundred forty-seven members on our church record with the name of Bowser. The present Sunday-school enrollment is two hundred, and the reported church membership is three hundred sixty-five.
Pastors who have served the church since 1913 are: G. K. Walker, 1913-1917; A. B. Replogle, 1917-1920; W. S. Irvin, 1920-1922; D. F. Warner, 1922-1925; J. Lloyd Nedrow, 1925-1935; W. C. Sell, 1935-1942, and W. K. Kulp, 1942 to the present time.
The present members of the board of deacons are: Orman Bowser, Adam S. Bowser, Alfred Shearer, James McKelvey, Clarence Bowser, Edward McKelvey, Carman Bowser, Merle Toy, Paul Claypool, and Earl Anthony.
Sunday-school superintendents who have served since 1915 are: A. D. Bowser, Roy Morrison, A. F. Shearer, Earl Anthony, Howard Bowser, and the present superintendent, Howard Hinderliter.
-Alfred Shearer and W. K. Kulp
CHAPTER 7. THE CONEMAUGH CONGREGATIONS A. THE (OLD) CONEMAUGH-JOHNSTOWN CONGREGATIONS
Conemaugh congregation organized, 1810 Divided into Conemaugh and Johnstown, 1879 Johnstown and West Johnstown separated, 1899
Some day a student of history may make sufficient research into the colonial records, the Pennsylvania archives, and the various county courthouse records of surveys, deeds, and wills, to determine who the early Brethren settlers were in what we know as the Conemaugh Valley. Such an extensive work has not been possible within the scope of this volume.
We are told that Michael Thomas, Sr., was born in what is now Conemaugh Township, Somerset County, on August 15, 1774. His father, Alexander Thomas, patented two hundred acres of land here, November 3, 1789 (Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Volume 22, page 626). Doubtless there were other early settlers in the area, prior to the coming of Philip Hoffman to the Scalp Level community in 1795 and of Peter Morgan to the Walnut Grove section of Johnstown in 1797.
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Joseph Holsopple, who was born in this area in 1835, says in the Conemaughers (published in 1903) :
The original white inhabitants of this region came across the mountains through passes forming the trails now nearly followed by the roads. Who the first Brethren were who braved the difficulties of the mountains on these roads deponent saith not. Sufficient it is to say, possibly already in the 18th century the church was organized in this region and named after its principal stream-Conemaugh.1
However, Howard Miller in his Record of the Faithful, published in 1882, gives the date of its organization as 1810, but he fails to give the membership at that early date.
If there was a group of Brethren in this valley during the last quarter of the eighteenth century, or even soon after the arrival of Elder Peter Morgan in 1797, we wonder at their wait- ing for thirteen years, or until 1810, to form an organization. M. J. Weaver, a lineal descendant of Philip Hoffman, is of the opinion that
Samuel Ullery, whose father, Daniel Ullery, received a land grant from the Penn heirs in 1784 in the vicinity of Roaring Spring, would make annual visits to the community now known as Johns- town, in company with a deacon, Jacob Snyder. Each August for some years these two brethren would journey across the mountains, staff in hand, "no purse, no wallet, no [extra] shoes," (Luke 10: 4.), to visit the scattered members, preaching, baptizing, conducting lovefeasts, marrying, and holding church councils. As an evidence of these early visits, we might mention that Elder Ullery's daughter, Susannah, married Jacob Stutzman (born in 1777) and in 1813 moved to the west bank of Stony Creek (later the 8th Ward of Johnstown). Here Brother Stutzman built a two story house, with the partition upstairs hung from the ceiling so it could be raised to provide an "upper room" for the holding of lovefeasts.
To give our readers a glimpse of the conditions of that early day, we quote a few incidents.
John Mineely, a son-in-law of Elder Peter Morgan, is said to have been walking along a road through some woods, when he looked ahead and saw what he thought was a big dog driving some cattle. As he got nearer he found it was a panther, and it crouched down in a position to spring upon him. He had no weapons, so he just stood still and stared straight into the face of the panther for awhile, then it ran away into the thicket. He stood still to see the salvation of the Lord, and was safe.2
Paul and Barbara Benshoff, parents of Eli and Solomon Benshoff, were early settlers on what became known as Benshoff Hill [Pleasant Hill]. We are told that their first dwelling consisted of spruce bark set up against a large tree.3 Peter Lutz, an able preacher of that early day, lived on a farm near the present town of Vinco. It is said that he sometimes went to church barefooted, which was not uncommon in those days. He went west in the year, 1844.
1 The Conemaughers, by E. H. Detweiler. Page 4.
2 The Conemaughers. Page 10.
3 The Conemaughers. Pages 12 and 13.
When the first church house, without residence, was erected in the old Conemaugh congregation may still be de- termined. Brother Blough thought it was the "Horner's about 1850, on the line be- tween Jackson and Taylor townships."4 This date is pos- sibly ten or fifteen years too late. Sister Emily Dimond Fresh (aged seventy-nine) of Nanty Glo was taken to the "old Horner church" by her Site of Old Horner Church parents when a child. She Brother Fred Cobaugh (77) and Sister Emily Dimond Fresh (79) were carried here by their parents when they were children. "holds to the opinion that there was a small worship house prior to the erection of the large one, and that it was built in the 1830's." Also, another evidence of an earlier date is a deed from John J. Horner and Elizabeth, his wife, to Jacob Waters, Jacob Good, and William Roberts, in trust ... "for the use of the Congregation of the Brethren of Cambria County as a place of worship. . . . " This deed was for one acre, forty-three and one-half perches of ground, "situate on the waters of Kings- ton's Run in Conemaugh and Jackson Townships in the said County of Cambria." It is dated the second day of June 1843 and was recorded on the eleventh day of September 1843.5 The con- sideration for the sale is mentioned as being six cents. In those days, such deeds were usually not executed until several years after a church was built. See cut of Sister Fresh with Brother Fred Cobaugh (aged seventy-seven), who also was taken to this church as a child. The second Horner house was fifty by seventy- five feet, with a basement, and was situated near a good spring. A third reason for an earlier date was the Quinter-McCleary de- bate in the Horner church, arranged by Samuel Berkey, who died January 29, 1851.
Brother Blough thought that the second church in the congregation was erected on Benshoff Hill (Pleasant Hill) in 1853. The third was on Giffin Hill (Locust Grove) in 1855.
In the Gospel Visitor, November-December 1863, H. D. Davy,
4 Blough's history. Page 72.
5 Cambria County courthouse deed book, Volume 7. Page 231.
Information through the courtesy of Attorney David Lloyd Zook, of Johnstown.
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from Ohio, reports attending the love feast in "Conemaugh church, on the Lord's day, October 4th." He says, "The house was crowded to excess, and a great many members surrounded the Lord's table."
In the Christian Family Companion for August 25, 1868, we have a "Report of the Brethren's Sunday School," as follows:
At Hedrick's school house, Cambria Co., Pa. This school was organized on the 17th of May 1868 by choosing a superintendent, a secretary, an assistant secretary, treasurer and librarian. The classes consist of two Bible classes, one male and one female; two Testament classes, one male and one female, and several miscellaneous classes. The Bible and Testament classes read a chapter in the hearing of competent teachers. Then follow questions and general explanations.
The school is opened by singing and prayer, and closed by the same order. The scholars receive rewards when merited, such as Bibles, Brethren's Hymn Books, etc. There is a copy of the Christian Family Companion distributed almost every Sunday, for which we are under obligations to brother Holsinger. He has sent us a large package free of charge, from which we infer that he is a friend of the cause if properly conducted. Our school is open for inspection at all times. Our assistant superintendent has lately been called to the ministry. Sunday schools are good places to test the qualifica- tions of brethren.
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