USA > Pennsylvania > Two centuries of the Church of the Brethren in western Pennsylvania, 1751-1950 > Part 25
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About this time Brother Stuckman, a minister of the Jacob's Creek church, Pa., and Brother Leatherman, of George's Creek, Pa., would occasionally come and preach for this newly organized church. In 1818 John Boger, a deacon of the Berlin church, moved into this church. In 1824 an election was held for two speakers,
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and two deacons.2 John Boger and Samuel Hazelett were chosen speakers, and Christian Musser and a brother Landman, deacons. Up to this time all of the preaching was in German, Samuel Hazelett being the first English speaker elected. This same year, 1824, Brother James Kelso, a minister of the Cumberland Valley church, Md.,3 moved into the bounds of this church. Now, ten years after its organization, there were in this church, four speakers-two Ger- man and two English-three deacons, and as near as we can learn, 30 members. From 1824 to 1834 the church had but few additions.
The Sandy Creek congregation, across the line in West Vir- ginia (then Virginia), was organized in 18354 and for the next forty-four years seems to have included the Markleysburg ter- ritory. We continue with the account entitled "Historical":
In 1835 Jac. M. Thomas and Geo. Moyer (Meyer) were elected deacons. In 1836, or about that time, Jacob Fike (minister) moved into Ohio, and J. Kelso (minister) into another congregation, and a choice was made for two speakers and two deacons. Jacob M. Thomas and George Moyer were chosen speakers, and John M. Thomas and Samuel Boger deacons. In 1841 Andrew Umbel and Michael M. Thomas were elected speakers, and Joseph Zimmerman and Joseph M. Thomas, deacons, brethren Musser and Landman (deacons) being now dead. In 1845 George J. Thomas, Christian Fike and Christian Thomas were elected deacons.
In 1850 this church built her first meeting-house, known as the Salem church. . . . 5 In the fall of this year, 1850, at the first love- feast held in their new house, Jacob M. Thomas was promoted to the eldership.6
Samuel Hazelett now being dead, and George Moyer, from some cause, having left the church and attached himself to the fraternity known as the Shoemakers, both being ministers, at this same meeting [1850] P. J. Brown and Christian Harader were elected speakers-both English. In 1852 John Boger died, and the German now ceased to be spoken. In 1856 Christian Harader (minister) moved to Iowa. In 1857 Samuel Umbel, Larkin Hall and J. M. Bennet were chosen ministers, and John Seese, Solomon Workman, and Franklin Shirrer, deacons. In 1858 F. C. Barnes was elected deacon, and Jacob Beeghly, minister, moved here.
In the spring of 1861 several series of meetings were held by the labors of P. J. Brown, Jacob M. Thomas, and Jacob Beeghly, which resulted in the addition of 91 by baptism and 5 reclaimed. This same year George Moyer came back to the church again. In 1863 Joseph M. Thomas, deacon, moved to Ohio; Larkin Hall, minister, to Iowa; and F. C. Barnes elected minister and M. J. Thomas deacon. In 1864 P. J. Brown, minister, and J. Zimmer- man, deacon, moved to O., and Jas. A. Ridenour, minister, moved into this church. In 1864 George Moyer died. In 1866 M. J. Thomas was elected minister; and in 1867 Henry Griffith, Henry Turney, John Romesburg, Jacob Beeghly, and Samuel Thomas were elected
2 Foster M. Bittinger's A History of the Church of the Brethren in the First District of West Virginia, pages 86 and 87, says, "John Boger was elected somewhere between 1830 and 1835."
3 Blough's history, page 442, says that he "moved from Western Maryland to Fay- ette County about the year 1824."
4 Bittinger's history, page 85, says, "Sandy Creek was organized in 1835."
5 Bittinger's history, page 88, says, "It was built about 1845."
6 Ibid, page 87: "Jacob Thomas was . .. ordained to the eldership in 1841."
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deacons. In 1869 Joseph Recknor was elected minister, and Joseph Guthrie deacon. In 1870 John Romesburg died; in 1871 Samuel Boger, deacon, died; in 1872 Henry Turney, deacon, died, and John Schrock, deacon, moved into this church. In 1873 Jacob Rush was elected minister, and Ezra Thomas and P. Strausser, deacons. In 1874 John Wilhelm was elected deacon. In 1874 Harrison Glover, deacon, moved to Nebraska, and Elder Solomon Buckalew moved into this church. So at this date, 1875, 61 years after the or- ganization, this church has 9 ministers -2 of whom are Elders - 14 deacons, and a membership of about 400.
Eighteen ministers have been elected in this church and twenty-eight deacons.
Of the ministers, 4 have died, 1 is in Missouri, 1 in Ohio, 1 in Iowa, 1 in Westmoreland county, Pa., 1 in Garrett county, Md., and 9 are still at home.
Of the deacons, 7 have died, 2 are in Ohio, 1 in Nebraska, 5 are now speakers, and 13 are still at home.
[Signed] M. J. Thomas
In telling about the organization of this church, he says, "It is now known as the Sandy Creek church, W. Va.," but he fails to say when it became so known. Your present editor is of the opinion that it was largely a matter of undetermined lines, for we know that council meetings were held at Markleys- burg, as is evidenced by the "news" sent by Jacob Beeghly of Markleysburg and published in the Primitive Christian, Febru- ary 22, 1876, from which we quote:
At Markleysburgh, Fayette county, Pa., on the last Saturday of January we had a church meeting to settle some difficulties, which were, like a dark cloud, hanging over the church, which the Lord removed with his all-powerful word and Spirit, and by the help of his faithful servants, elders Jacob M. Thomas, Solomon Bucklew, and Michael J. Thomas, and the prayers of the church that the Son of Righteousness might shine brighter here now than for many years.
Brother Bucklew preached in the evening after the church
Pleasant View Church, Built in 1879 Near Markleysburg
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meeting and on Sunday forenoon and night, and on Monday at half past ten o'clock. After this meeting ten were received by baptism. The meetings were continued day and night until Saturday. During the meeting at this place 22 were baptized, and 5 were reclaimed. Brother Bucklew was the principal speaker during the meeting. There was a large attendance, both of members and spectators; and may God bless them for their good order during the meeting.
Whether the Markleysburg church became affiliated with the Sandy Creek congregation at the time of the latter's or- ganization in 1835, or at a later date, we seem unable to deter- mine now. But both Brother Bittinger and Brother Blough, in their respective histories, agree that Markleysburg was cut off from Sandy Creek in 1879, and in October of the same year was organized into a separate congregation.7 And as further evi- dence, the editor has a recent letter from Sister Cora Glotfelty, of Addison, Pennsylvania, in which she says: "The Markleysburg Church was taken from Sandy Creek the year I was born. I was born and reared on the farm owned by Jacob Thomas, he being my father's uncle. My maiden name was Thomas. A second cousin to Jeremiah Thomas, I am the oldest active member at Markleysburg." Brother Bittinger says, "It was agreed at the time of the separation that those members living along the state line could still hold their membership in the Sandy Creek con- gregation if they so desired." Accordingly, the recently built Canaan church is just across the line in Pennsylvania. Also, the Asher Glade church, now a part of the Markleysburg con- gregation, is across the line in Maryland.
In this division, the Bethel meetinghouse fell to the Mark- leysburg side. Blough says this house was built in 1865, but the historian of the Farmington-Bethel congregation in this volume says, "The first building was dedicated in 1875."
Solomon Bucklew was made elder-in-charge of the newly organized Markleysburg congregation. While the Bethel church provided a place of worship for the western part of the mem- bership, it became necessary to erect a love-feast house for the eastern section. This same year the large frame Pleasant View church was built at the edge of the village of Markleysburg.
The first sermon in this house was preached by Elder Jacob Thomas, by special request, when he was eighty-five years of age. This was a Saturday evening in October 1879. The next day, H. R. Holsinger delivered the dedicatory sermon.
The Asher Glade house was built in 1895 and was dedicated by Elder Jeremiah Thomas. Union Chapel was built in 1896. One Methodist, one Lutheran, and one Brethren (Jeremiah Thomas) minister took part in
7 Minutes of District Meeting of Western Pennsylvania (1881). Page 96.
the dedicatory services. The Sand Spring house was built in 1898, and dedicated by Jeremiah Thomas. Speaking of Union Chapel, nearly thirty years ago, your editor's first contact was with the Sunday-school superin- tendent, while he was acting as umpire for the baseball game that afternoon. I commended him for Asher Glade Church his helpful leadership of youth, and we had a nice group of these young folk at the preaching services that night.
One year after the organization of Markleysburg, 1880, Jacob Beeghly and John H. Meyers were ordained. Jasper Barnthouse was ordained in 1896, but moved to Uniontown in 1903, to become pastor of the church there. Solomon Bucklew, in 1887, moved to Illinois, returned in 1914, and left again in 1915. John H. Meyers moved .to Somerset County in 1893, returned in 1903, and died August 11, 1913.
Some others who labored here after the second organization (1879), but before 1915, were Jeremiah Beeghly, Marshall J. Weller, Marlin J. Maust, Silas Fike, and Jacob J. Rodehavor. Marlin J. Maust moved to Everett, Silas Fike to Uniontown, and J. J. Rodehavor to Mount Pleasant.
At the Elders' Meeting of 1915, J. J. Shaffer was appointed by the district to assist the two aged elders, S. C. Umbel and Jeremiah Beeghly, and Brother M. J. Weller. Brother Shaffer was followed by D. K. Clapper as nonresident pastor of the congregation. Then Calvin R. Wolfe, who had been doing some preaching in the congregation for several years, moved to Mark- leysburg in 1921 and served as resident pastor until 1936 or 1937, except for about three and one-half years, when Newton D. Cosner and Homer C. Hess served as pastors. During the years 1921 and 1922, revivals were held in the various churches, and more than one hundred twenty-five new members were re- ceived into church fellowship. The congregation, at that time, included Sand Spring, Asher Glade, Markleysburg, Union Chapel, Bethel, Furnace, Whar- ton Independent, and the Spaw church. In recent years, the western portion has been made a separate congregation, known as Farmington-Bethel.
Union Chapel
Brother Cosner was pastor from 1924 to 1926. During this period the new church was built in Markleysburg. It was dedi-
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cated in 1926. Brother Hess was pastor from September 1, 1927, to September 1, 1928. Following Brother Wolfe, Berzy B. Lud- wick served as pastor for eleven years, from 1936 to 1947. The new parsonage, attached to the church at Markleysburg, was built during his pastorate. Brother Ludwick made the plans for this eight-room house, did much of the work, and directed all of it. George H. Jeffrey is the present pastor (1950).
A complete list of the deacons who have served this congregation is not available, but some of them not previously named are Michael Umbel, Moses R. Thomas, Abraham Miller, Milo Thomas, Elijah Umbel, Sylvanus Thomas, Andrew Chrise, W. H. Thomas, Lloyd Umbel, Amos Umbel, Marcellus W. Fike, Francis J. Thomas, Andrew Dennis, Joseph A. Weller, Isaac M. Thomas, Isaac Umbel, Thomas Frazee, Harry Thomas, and Orval Weller.
Such is a brief and fragmentary history of this congregation over the past one hundred forty years. If the complete record of events had been preserved, our hearts would throb at the consecration and the devotion, and, doubtless, our eyes would be moist from the pathos that ran through these years. Out of this fellowship have gone forth some of the great leaders of both the Church of the Brethren and the Brethren Church, as well as a loyal membership, both at home and in many other churches.
-Edited by W. J. H.
CHAPTER 30. THE MEYERSDALE CHURCH
Love feast at John Burger's, 1783 First church house erected, 1851 Present church membership, 500
The recorded history of the Meyersdale Church of the Brethren covers a period of one hundred sixty-seven years. Just how many members lived in this community prior to the spring of 1783 we do not know. John Burger was one, and it is thought that Christian Hochstetler had been baptized pre- viously by Elder George Klein.1 His wife, Barbara Rupp Hoch- stetler, had united with the church while still living in Berks County. He was "taxed on wild land" in what is now Somerset County in 1776. In 1785 he was living two and one-half miles
1 History of the Hochstetler Family. Page 37.
southwest of Salisbury. Other members were like- ly living near.
John Keagy was a dea- con when he came over the mountains from York County in the spring of 1783. John Burger owned what is now South Mey- ersdale, and on his farm in the autumn of 1783 a love feast was held, the first one in Somerset County of which we have a rec- ord.2 Deacon Keagy was promoted to the ministry Present Meyersdale Church of the Brethren and another brother was elected to the deacon's office. The visiting breth- ren who organized this "arm" or "branch" of the church and officiated at the love feast were "from the east," but their names were not recorded. Seven years later, Brother Keagy was made "Bishop of the church in Somerset County."3 After Bishop Keagy's death in 1806, Michael Moyer (Meyer) was
constituted Bishop in the place of said John Keagy. When Michael Moyer died, leaving a vacancy his place was filled by two individuals, Peter Kober and John Forney. At the death of John Forney, Jacob Moyer was ordained in his place. So that the said Peter Kober and Jacob Moyer are the present presiding Bishops of said church or congregation in said County of Somerset.
This arm or branch of the church in Somerset County grew until about 1840 there were twenty families "on the river" (Cas- selman). "It was in the houses of these, or in their barns, that the meetings were held throughout the year."4
Until 1849 the entire county, except the Shade church, was a single congregation, with preaching places at different points. A large church edifice, Pleasant Grove, was built near Berlin in 1845. The very large building at Summit Mills was erected in 1846. Another church was built at Berkley Mills. Blough gives the date as 1850, but it must have been earlier, as the Annual Meet- ing committee of 1849 met at Berkley Mills. The first Meyers- dale church was erected in 1851, on the site of the present edifice.
2 Holsinger's History of the Tunkers and the Brethren Church.
3 Somerset County courthouse deed book, Volume 30. Page 414. In the deed for land on Elklick Creek, "made the 29th day of October, 1849." This was the lot on which the Summit Mills church stands.
4 Blough's history. Pages 82 and 83,
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In that historic year, 1849, the Annual Meeting was held in the Pleasant Grove church, Berlin, to consider the needs of the church in this county. A committee was appointed to divide the church into districts (or congregations). Four were made as follows, each to be presided over by a bishop: Quemahoning, Berlin, Middle Creek, and Elk Lick (Meyersdale being in this last-named district). Up until 1855 the preaching was almost all in the German tongue. At that time younger ministers be- gan to preach some in English.
In 1877 the Meyersdale congregation was separated from the Elk Lick district, and Bishop Conrad G. Lint, who had been
G.B.Ch . Meyers Mills
First Meyersdale Church, Built in 1851 From Walker's Map, 1860
the bishop of the entire Elk Lick district for ten years, was con- tinued as elder of the new Meyersdale congregation, which included the local church, Berkley Mills, Hochstetler, and Ken- nells Mills (and later Hyndman).
The first meetinghouse, built in 1851 and known as the German Baptist Church of Meyers Mills, was used for thirty- one years. The town's name was changed to Dale City, and finally to Meyersdale, before the second and larger two-story frame structure was erected on the same location in 1882. This second building was in use for forty-one years. If space would
permit, the thrilling story of A those seventy-two years would fill many pages of most inter- esting history. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad had been built through the town in 1871, making possible the location of H. R. Holsinger's printing plant here.5 That same year (1871) Brother Holsinger was elected as Sunday-school sup- erintendent. After about two years, James Quinter pur- chased the Christian Family Companion from Brother Hol- Second Meyersdale Church On same lots as first and present edifices singer and the Gospel Visitor from the Henry Kurtz heirs, combining both of these peri- odicals into a single church paper, the "New Series, Vol. 1, No. 1 [being dated] Jan. 6, 1874."
The Annual Meeting of 1873 was held in a barn near Meyers- dale, and at that meeting the "first reporters for our church papers" had been tolerated. They were located in the "loft" of the barnfloor, just above the moderator, clerks, and delegate body, so that they could hear well.
The Annual Meeting of 1894 was held in a "tabernacle" especially constructed for the occasion, with a large dining hall near by. At this meeting the church had launched out into "world-wide missions" by the consecrating of Brother and Sister Wilbur B. Stover and Bertha Ryan to the India mission field. Our beloved Miss Ida C. Shumaker was born in 1873 and was a public-school and Sunday-school teacher, at the mature age of twenty-one years, when she witnessed this first dedication of lives for the land of "sunny, sinful India."
Conrad G. Lint served the Meyersdale church as a minister for twelve years, 1855 to 1867, and as bishop for forty-five years, 1867 to 1912. Following Brother Lint's retirement, William M. Howe was secured as an employed full-time pastor, but he was permitted to serve only a few years, dying in the pastorate.
5 In the report of his "visit-to make Dale City our future home," he says, "There is neither Sunday school or Bible class, but all with whom we conversed upon the subject expressed an anxiety for both. They want some one to lead off. Those who could and would lead, are too busily engaged in other duties and callings. The people surrounding the town for miles are almost entirely of the faith of the Brethren, and a more wholesome community could not be desired" (from the Christian Family Companion).
It is claimed that a Sunday school was organized in 1857, but no record is avail- able, and there is no knowledge as to how long it was continued.
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T. R. Coffman followed Brother Howe, serving from 1917 to 1929. George L. Detweiler was with us from 1930 to 1937, DeWitt L. Miller from 1938 to August 31, 1945, and S. Loren Bowman from September 1, 1945, to August 31, 1948. Our present pastor, I. Clifford Paul, came to the church as pastor and elder on Sep- tember 1, 1948.
Ground was broken for our third and present commodious church sanctuary on May 7, 1923. The corner stone was laid in a special service on Sunday afternoon, August 26, 1923. In the corner stone were placed copies of the Bible, a history of the church, the Gospel Messenger, Our Young People, Our Boys and Girls, and the Meyersdale Republican. There were also some coins, a picture of Pastor Coffman and one of the church mis- sionary, Miss Ida C. Shumaker, a program of the corner-stone- laying service, and a picture of the building committee. The new building was completed and the dedicatory services were held over a period of four days, May 25-28, 1924. Three addresses were delivered on Dedication Sunday, May 25, by Dr. Martin G. Brumbaugh, president of Juniata College and formerly governor of Pennsylvania. Messages were brought the next three nights by J. H. Cassady as guest speaker.
The dedication program booklet lists as ministers Joel Gnagey, D. K. Clapper, D. W. Long, and T. R. Coffman. Deacons were E. J. Schrock, Philip Thomas, Joseph Shelbaer, C. A. Just, H. W. Shultz, J. M. Gnagey, M. C. Horner, and H. L. Griffith. Trustees were E. M. Berkley, Perry C. Miller, Ira Fike, M. C. Horner, and E. J. Schrock. The finance board consisted of Perry C. Miller, H. H. Lint, S. L. Saylor, and D. J. Fike (secretary). Charles Q. Griffith, the church chorister, Mrs. Alice Vought and Mrs. Hurley Fike, the church pianists, and W. A. Shumaker, the Sunday-school superintendent, were also listed. The membership at that time was given as five hundred fifty.
A quarter-century later, a silver anniversary (1924-1949) was held on Sunday, June 12. From the historical sketch we quote the following excerpts from the messages of former pastors.
T. R. Coffman having answered the final summons, possibly this statement from the dedication booklet will bear testimony to his work.
Soon after Brother Coffman's arrival here, he and J. M. Gnagey, one of the deacons of the church, were discussing the church, especially for the work of the Sunday school. It was then decided to start a building fund. ... When it was fully decided to build, the building committee was appointed. So the church and sanctuary in which we worship today stands as a monument to his work and influence in the Meyersdale congregation.
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From George L. Detweiler's message we quote briefly.
It is with a sense of gratitude and joy that we share with the / members of the church in the twenty-fifth anniversary and mortgage- burning ceremony. The nearly eight years of activity spent here proved to be some of the happiest years of all our pastoral experi- ences.
We remember with great joy how "The Lord's Acre" plan was carried out when farmers donated a portion of their potato crop to the Lord. Others gave land where the men of the church planted cabbage. Then too, we are not unmindful of the women who united in a fellowship of making quilts and cleaning the church each week. Men also cooperated in giving free service as janitors.
Important as finances may be, there are other things which are much more important. The work of the Christian church is to evangelize and to aid in spiritual growth and to train for Christian service. Twenty-four persons were received into church membership during the years of our ministry here. One of the most highly regarded phases of our work was the splendid response of the young people. A large group of them met once each week for worship, study, fellowship and recreation. Today many of this group are faithful leaders in this church while some are elsewhere, serving as pastors, foreign missionary, minister of music, and other types of service.
From DeWitt L. Miller's message we quote:
As we think back over the more than seven and one half years spent there, a number of experiences stand out in our memory. Perhaps the most thrilling experiences were those connected with the pageants, especially the year we had to give it three times to accommodate the crowd. Then there was that year when one hundred angel costumes had to be made, and over one hundred yards of blue cheesecloth had to be pinned and later sewed together for the sky.
Then, we remember the home-coming of "Miss Ida," now of sacred memory; and the unveiling of the tablets honoring her and also W. B. Stover and Wife, and Bertha Ryan.
We were happy that giving to Missions and Brethren Service could increase a little each year; and at the same time, the indebted- ness could be reduced by $25,000.00.
From the message by S. Loren Bowman we quote:
Upon arrival at Meyersdale, the following goals were set forth as guiding principles for the work of the church: 1. An increase of visitation on the part of the members among themselves. 2. An increase of loyalty to the local church program. 3. An increase in friendliness and fellowship at our weekly services. 4. And a rapid decrease of our church indebtedness.
There were special studies in Peace and Relief. And the local church carried a large share of the work for the big District Relief Sale at the Meyersdale Fair Grounds in the spring of 1948.
Before giving the closing words of this chapter by the present pastor, I. Clifford Paul, we want to call the reader's attention to a few others, besides Miss Ida, who have gone forth to serve. Special mention should be made of two pastors, John D. Long
Burning the Mortgage on the Present Church
Courtesy of the Gospel Messenger
and William B. Gauntz, and a missionary, Mary Gauntz Cum- ming. Many others who cannot be named will receive their reward for their faithful service and devoted lives.
I. Clifford Paul said, at the silver anniversary:
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