USA > Pennsylvania > Two centuries of the Church of the Brethren in western Pennsylvania, 1751-1950 > Part 27
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The years that followed were filled with anxious moments. The depression with the closing of the banks caused many financial difficulties. Through the faithfulness of the members, the helpfulness of the General Mission Board, and plans of finan- cial adjustment, the present building is free of any financial obligations. During the period of severe financial stress the General Mission Board asked Dr. Galen B. Royer to serve as pastor. His wealth of experience made his six years among us very successful. Brother Royer retired because of his age, and D. Howard Keiper served as the next pastor. Glen M. Baird served as pastor from 1942 to 1947. During this period of service a renewed effort was made to liquidate the remaining debt. On October 14, 1945, a mortgage-burning ceremony was con- ducted, and the present $95,000.00 structure is free of financial obligations.
Since the church is no longer carrying a debt, more attention is given to needed repairs on the building. The church sanc-
Morrellville Church Interior, 1950
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tuary has been finished. The church kitchen has been remodeled and new equipment has been purchased. We are looking forward toward assuming a greater share in the entire program of the Brotherhood in the future. There are three hundred eighty-one names on our church membership list at present.
The golden anniversary of the beginning of the Church of the Brethren in Morrellville was held on April 18, 1948. There was an all-day service with H. B. Heisey as the speaker. The only two living charter members were present: W. I. Strayer, who is still an active deacon, and Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Campbell, who is active in the Loyalty class.
In the spring of 1949, by action of the council, the trustees were authorized to purchase the property next to the church on Spring Street for $5,200.00 Some improvements were made on the double house, which is rented at the present time. It was thought wise to purchase the property to make changes in the drainage, which threatened the foundation of the church. Future plans may include a new lawn and landscaping around the church property.
-W. I. Strayer
CHAPTER 34. THE MOXHAM CHURCH
First church dedicated, October 9, 1904 Holy Hour Service instituted, 1937 Present membership, 505
Beginning with a small Sunday school in the old grade- school building at the upper end of Village Street at the turn of the century, the Moxham Church of the Brethren has had a steady growth until the congregation now exceeds five hundred members, with more than three hundred in Sunday school. The present church stands now as a memorial to the Christian men and women who made possible this modern miracle of growth. With the movement less than fifty years old, many of the early workers are still active.
Because of the rapid development of Johnstown and the influx of members from the country districts, the Walnut Grove church began serious consideration of a place of worship for the Brethren of the Moxham area. At the March 4, 1904, council meeting, Samuel Pearce, L. R. Brallier, and J. A. Wertz were appointed to investigate, through the District Mission Board,
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the possibility of the purchase of a church in Moxham. The former United Brethren chapel on Coleman Avenue was bought for $1,500.00 and placed in condition for worship for sixty-three dollars and seventy cents. It was a one-room structure, heated by two coal stoves. Removed from Mission Board supervision, the building was dedicated October 9, 1904, by Harvey S. Replogle.
The charter membership included the following: Mr. and Mrs. Wil- liam Pugh, Sr., William Pugh, Jr., Owen Pugh, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Foust, Mr. and Mrs. Sheridan Foust, Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Berkley, Norman and George Berkley, Mr. and Mrs. John Block, Mr. Leidy, Aaron Blough, and Mrs. Henningcamp. John Block was the first Sun- day-school superintendent. C. O. Beery conducted the first evangelistic services in the new house of worship. With Mrs. Berkley as the first president, the ladies' aid society was started in 1905, and two years later the cradle roll work was begun. The Willing Workers Bible class also had its inception here. Local ministers did the preaching.
The minutes from 1905 to 1908 indicate that solicitors were appointed to raise money for the Moxham charge, apparently without much suc- cess. The Mission Board again took charge in September 1907. Solicitors for Moxham included F. A. Fyock, William Pugh, Sr., Mrs. David Shumaker, Helen Stewart, Elsie Block, Eliza Berkley, Gilbert Shumaker, Lovina Muller, and S. W. Pearce. Elder David Clapper, father of V. Grace Clapper, missionary to China, was the part-time pastor. Because of the membership moving from the community, and other difficulties, abandonment of the church was considered. The Sunday-school at- tendance had dropped to fifteen.
Then, in 1909, David Shumaker, Aaron Blough, and Clayton Berkley became the first trustees of the church, and the outlook improved. The missionary treasurer of the Johnstown congre- gation for 1910 reported seven dollars and fifty cents from Moxham. In 1912 Joseph Rininger became a trustee and Miss Plum Muller and Mrs. Harvey Schmucker served as correspond- ing secretaries.
The first recorded minutes (August 25, 1914) of the Moxham church list Elder Pearce as moderator and C. T. Noffsinger as assistant. Officers for 1915 were C. T. Noffsinger, local head; Harvey Shumaker, secretary; Irvin Penrod, treasurer; Harvey Shumaker, chorister; Mrs. Ada Rininger, organist; George Schmucker, Joseph Rininger, John Hoover, and Joseph Gindlesperger, ushers; and Joseph Gindlesperger, janitor. On January 10, 1915, the Mission Board again relinquished local control.
The annexation of Ferndale was considered frequently without final decision. The Johnstown territory was originally divided by the Stony- creek River, with Walnut Grove, Conemaugh, Maple Grove, Locust Grove, and Moxham in one congregation. All church business was transacted at Walnut Grove. Later the local churches held their own business sessions, but important items were reviewed by the general council.
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Moxham Church Interior, 1950
Teacher - training and Christian Workers sessions were planned, and the growth of the Sunday school led to a decision on March 21, 1915, to remodel the building to accommodate classes in the basement at a cost of three hundred forty-six dollars and seventy-nine cents, not including excavation. Agita- tion for a pastor was unanimously supported at the May meet- ing, twenty-five dollars and thirteen cents per month having been pledged as the result of solicitation. On August 8, 1915, the title to the church property was transferred from the Ger- man Baptist Brethren to the Church of the Brethren, Johnstown congregation, because of the change in the denominational name.
It was later decided to purchase the Lutheran property on Coleman Avenue instead of improving the old chapel as planned. The purchase was reported October 24, 1915, subscriptions of $1,215.00 having been previously made toward the purchase price, $5,000.00, and $2,500.00 having been realized from the old property. Apparently the congregation moved into the new house without a formal dedication.
Early in 1916, with John H. Cassady as evangelist and J. W. Yoder as chorister, a successful series of meetings increased the membership of the church and brought about a renewed inter- est. In April, Lori Harshberger was elected acting pastor. The new Walnut Grove church was dedicated on April 30 of the same year. The coming of Galen K. Walker and Ananias J. Beeghly strengthened the congregation.
In June 1916 F. D. Anthony was called as pastor, but only forty-five dollars and sixty-eight cents per month could be raised toward his support. Brother Anthony asked to be re- leased from the call and Brother Harshberger was continued until early July, when J. C. Flora became the first full-time
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pastor. The financial separation of the Moxham church from the Johnstown group was completed about this time. The church continued to grow, and representation at District Meetings, An- nual Conferences, and other gatherings began to receive atten- tion. During July 1918, with four hundred fifty dollars in pledges, plans were made for extensive repairs. Provisions for the love feast were completed, boundaries were established for the Moxham congregation, and the financial affairs of all church organizations were placed under the jurisdiction of the council.
On September 25, 1918, it was voted to place an American flag and a service flag in the church. Later the influenza epi- demic disrupted plans for holding the love feast. Plans for a literary course were also disrupted. C. D. Bonsack, assisted by Daniel Boyer as chorister, conducted evangelistic services in February 1919, six being received into the church. In April Brother Flora resigned. The Nehemiah and Plus Ultra classes were organized, and the council voted to extend the social life of the church by using the basement for such activities. On April 14, 1919, D. P. Hoover was called as pastor. Twenty-nine members were added through an evangelistic campaign, in March 1921, by M. J. Brougher. During Brother Hoover's pas- torate the first vacation Bible school in Moxham (and one of the first in this section of the state) was organized. Before other denominations joined in the movement, children of many denomi- nations attended the Brethren school.
During 1921-22 the young people were organized, and the Wide Awake Bible class was started for young married couples to supplement the other organized classes. In April 1922, a building fund was estab- lished. In October 1923, Brother Hoover resigned as pastor, and M. J. Weaver was elected on December 19. On June 3, 1924, the council authorized the purchase of the Village Street property from the Moxham Evangelical congregation. Subsequently a building committee was given full authority to improve the edifice. The new house of worship was dedicated March 15, 1925, with Dr. Otho Winger, president of Manchester College, as speaker and J. W. Yoder as soloist. H. A. Bailey and H. C. Michael, officers of the Moxham ministerium, spoke in the afternoon.
In 1926 a chorus (choir) was authorized by the council, and kitchen equipment was purchased for the district Sunday-school convention, which was a summer event. The ladies' missionary society was formed, but was later replaced by the women's work organization. Men's work was subsequently started. The present trustee organization, in charge of all church activities, was effected in 1928. The average Sunday-school attendance was two hundred two. In 1929 efforts to combine the two branches of the Brethren Church in Moxham ended in failure. The trustee board was enlarged to fifteen members.
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The prospects for early debt reduction were dimmed with the coming of the 1929 depression. Deficits were the rule. How- ever, interest payments were always met.
In August 1930, when Brother Weaver resigned, Tobias Henry, pastor of the Roxbury church, preached until John D. Ellis began his work, May 1, 1931. During this period a definite pro- gram of debt reduction was formulated with the Sunday-school classes paying the interest, and "mite boxes" based on self-sacri- fice providing a major part of payments on the principal. These efforts ultimately made possible a note-burning ceremony.
The chartering of new Sunday-school classes, the Welcome Hand, the Friendship, and the Open Door, and the better organization of the entire Sunday school marked the last decade. The redecoration of the primary department rooms in 1937 and 1938 and the remodeling of the church social rooms in 1940 and 1941 resulted from this effort. The forma- tion of a junior choir and the holding of junior worship services on Sunday afternoons, and summer camping experience for the entire group were high lights of the youth effort. The young people became more active again.
In an attempt to improve the front of the sanctuary, the chancel was completely remodeled in 1937. The installation of the Kilgen pipe organ and special lighting effect made possible the unique Holy Hour service. 7
Moxham Church Bulletin Board
Jones Morton Ady. Co.
Worship In The Beauty Of Holiness
attend THE HOLY HOUR SERVICE Moxham Church Of The Brethren John Dwight Ellis. Minister
Johnstowns Large Sunday Night Service 730 PM.
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THE HOLY HOUR SERVICE
When purple twilight gathers And friendly stars appear, When the day's long task is ended And the quiet time is here, I fold my hands and listen For I think my Christ may come;
And I want Him at the hour called "Holy" When the day is done.
These are familiar words to all who have attended the Holy Hour service in the Moxham church on Sunday night. They open the service, which was instituted by the minister, John Dwight Ellis, in 1937 and is advertised as "Johnstown's large and unique Sunday night service." It has been well received over the years by church circles and used in part or as a whole; and it has been written up in various church publications, in- cluding Church Management.
The setting itself is the result of trying to meet the problem of decreased Sunday night church attendance. With this in mind one began to study some of the methods and trackage used to get people away from the Lord's house. The discovery in part was that "light illumina- tion" seemed to have great drawing power. That caused one to remember that Jesus said that He was the Light of the world and would draw all men unto Himself.
With this as a background it was decided to use in part the same means and instead of drawing men away from church attract them to the sanctuary. An illuminated cross in the center of a lighted altar window was made the focus point, representing the Light of the world. All other color lights were made to play upon the cross and to fuse into its light. In order to accomplish this it was necessary to have all other sets of lights in the sanc- tuary from the smallest lights on the altar to the grand audi- torium lights on dimmers so that each set of lights could be dimmed or increased at will.
The possibility thus resulting from this study was quiet lighting effects, enriching lines of poetry, and soft music, all creating an atmosphere of worship that leads to an open heart for the receiving of the message of the hour.
The service itself follows the direction of light. For example, when the prayer is being offered, the minister is hardly seen, but the altar symbolizing God's presence is lighted during the Holy of Holies (evening prayer). During the message the altar window consisting of three windows symbolizing the Trinity- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-is illuminated. At the close of
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the service with only the old rugged cross illuminated, some of the great cross hymns of the church are sung in darkness and meditation. It is thus that "light illumination," yea, the Light of the world, calls men's hearts and minds and souls to the great truths of the living church.
It is needless to write that this service must be experienced to be understood. The description of the mechanics cannot but be cold and formal, and actual participation in the service is essential to appraising it rightly. Its effectiveness can be best measured in changed lives re- sulting from attendance. One soldier of the cross who attended but once said, as he was leaving the sanctuary, nothing about the music or the sermon or the service in general, but he did say, "If Christ would only have come in person tonight I felt so ready." Indeed, one feels that if this service or any service only gets people a little more ready for the Bridegroom, that we might not be without oil when He comes, our services will not be vain and we can one and all say the closing lines of our Holy Hour service in the quietness of meditation.
I've spent an hour with Jesus, A holy, happy hour; I've looked upon His presence And felt His saving power. Lord, let Thy grace overflow Till all around can see Thyself revealed, knowing That I have been with Thee.
The historic Brethren love feast and communion, with the spring observance on Thursday evening of Holy Week, has con- tributed to the spiritual significance of the sacraments. The church arrangement was dedicated October 24, 1937, with Dr. Charles Calvert Ellis as the speaker. Robert Elmore played the dedicatory recital on the new organ.
During the years from 1937 to the present time a new financial program, made possible by better times and renewed determina- tion, has resulted in complete liquidation of the debt and the establishing of a fund for future expansion. Additional space is badly needed, and it is hoped that by the fiftieth anniversary of the church this will be provided.
This additional program included starting the supporting of a missionary in the year 1943. Herman Landis was selected as the first missionary to be supported by the Moxham church. He and Sister Landis serve in Nigeria. Three years thereafter, it was decided to support a second missionary, and in 1946 the General Mission Board of the church selected Sister Joy Fas- nacht, missionary to India, to be supported by the Moxham group.
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Various Sunday-school classes provide scholarships for boys and girls in the mission schools. It has been a great joy to see how our interest, both at home and abroad, has increased over the years. We are very happy and thrilled when our supported mis- sionaries come and visit with us and tell us of their work.
With the increased interest during these years an active men's fellowship has been formed as well as a very active women's organization. Every endeavor has always been carried through to a grand finish.
Thus with entire confidence in Him, and none in self, the Moxham church turns toward the future with hope and faith and love.
-Calvin Bowman, John D. Ellis, and Telford Blough
CHAPTER 35. THE MOUNT JOY CHURCH
Jacobs Creek congregation organized, 1811 Mount Joy church dedicated, August 1879 Present church membership, 420
The history of Mount Joy, formerly known as the Jacobs Creek congregation, dates back to 1811. Brethren had lived near the present towns of Dawson and Connellsville many years before that date. Land records show that the Strickler families, and others, were here in 1787 and 1788. Brother Blough thought
Mount Joy Church
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"Henry Strickler (Sr.) settled on Jacobs Creek in 1752."1 These and several other authentic land holdings by families, who came here from Bucks and Lancaster counties, are evidence to justify the "organization of the Jacobs Creek church in 1811 with 30 members."2
When Lewis Snyder, Sr., located near Dawson in Fayette County, he arranged to have Brethren ministers make preaching tours to this neighborhood. Martin Stuckman (some say his name was Jacob) was the first minister. He preached here for several years. About 1814 Brother Stuckman preached occasion- ally at Markleysburg. We are told that Michael Myers (Moyer) and Samuel Blocker were strong pillars who assisted in build- ing up the membership.
According to James Quinter,3 a division occurred in the Jacobs Creek church about 1837. Two brothers, George and Isaac Shumaker, lived near the line between Fayette and Westmoreland counties. They were both ministers in the Jacobs Creek church. A difficulty occurred between these two brothers, and George Shumaker broke away from the church, taking with him a considerable number of members. He organized another church under the name, the Brethren in Christ, but more often called the Shumakerites or the Georgeites.
Some time later the membership shifted to the Mount Pleas- ant community in Westmoreland County. At first the services were held in the homes of the members; later, in the old Mount Joy schoolhouse. The first love feast in the Mount Joy com- munity was held in the Abram Myers barn.
On March 17, 1877, in order to secure grounds for a new church, the following committee was appointed: Joseph Myers,
1 Blough's history. Page 593.
2 Howard Miller's Record of the Faithful. Page 14.
3 Editorial by James Quinter in the Primitive Christian, November 7, 1882.
Jacobs Creek Church
Called the
"Fayette Church" in the deed
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William Stahl, Isaac Horner, Jacob Myers, Dan Strickler, Peter Stpe, and Saul Snyder. At the next council meeting, Joseph Myers and Isaac Horner were appointed to purchase two acres of land from the William Barnhart farm for three hundred dollars. Abram Summy was the contractor for the church build- ing, and Isaac Horner was the first treasurer. The Mount Joy church was begun in 1878, and James Quinter of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, held the dedication service the first Sunday of August 1879. This was the second Church of the Brethren in Westmoreland County.
Other places of preaching besides the Mount Joy church were the Laurel Run schoolhouse, the Mammoth union church, the Bridgeport union Sunday-school chapel, and the Wadsworth schoolhouse. Services were held for many years in a school- house near Greensburg (now within the bounds of the Greens- burg church) ; also, prior to 1904, in the White Rock and Bear Rock schoolhouses.
Following are the names of other ministers who helped in the work: William A. Murray and John Nicholson, who were elected in the Indian Creek congregation; Abram Summy, September 21, 1867; Joseph Garver, Hiram Messenger, David Ober, -. McCaddon, Joseph Fulkert, Abram Myers, and Frederick B. Weimer, 1873; John K. Eicher and H. Smith Myers, 1877; Cyrus E. Myers, September 27, 1887; Henry Brooks, March 24, 1888; A. D. Christner, October 1894; Levi Stoner, 1897; Samuel Cline, 1904; J. J. Rodaheaver, 1907; Frank B. Myers, November 25, 1909; Harry Meredith, L. R. Fox, Earl Gearhart, and Emanuel Neiderhiser, March 27, 1915.
A notable incident occurred in the Mount Joy house some years ago. While Frederick Weimer was reading his text from Matthew 3: 16, a dove flew in an open window and lit on the Bible from which he was reading. Brother Weimer, with his hand, pushed the dove gently aside and finished reading his text, when the dove flew out the window through which it had entered. The occasion was the usual Sunday service. Brother Weimer seemed to be more than usually endowed with the Spirit that day. At the close of the discourse he gave an invitation and fifteen persons came forward and asked for baptism.4
Clayton S. Whitehead, from the state of Indiana, came to the church in June 1907 as its first paid pastor. While here, he married Sadie Horner of this congregation. He left in March 1909 to enter medical school, and the home ministers again supplied the pulpit.
B. B. Ludwick became our pastor in 1912. During his term, the membership increased to three hundred two, with a Sunday- school enrollment of two hundred sixty-one. A Christian Work-
+ Blough's history. Page 110.
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ers' society and a sisters' aid society were organized. Bible normals and singing classes were maintained. A mission point was started in Mount Pleasant, and a Sunday school was or- ganized in a lodge hall at Wooddale where Brother Ludwick preached every Sunday afternoon. Church houses were later erected at both of these points, and they became separate con- gregations.
R. T. Hull came as pastor in November 1919 and remained until September 1923. During this time, he preached at the Laurel Run schoolhouse and the Southerwood school. Over $2,000.00 was raised to meet a demand throughout the Brother- hood for money for educational purposes, known as the Forward Movement.
F. A. Myers took up the work in September 1923. A remark- able record of progress and consistent growth was made and a number of improvements were carried out under his direction. On March 8, 1924, the church, formerly known as the Jacobs Creeks congregation, was officially made the Mount Joy congre- gation. The church property was incorporated under that name. The cemetery endowment fund was started; a strong young people's organization was formed; a choir was organized; a church directory was published; individual communion cups were introduced in 1926; a lecture course was sponsored for two years; a daily vacation Bible school was established; and the church building and grounds were extensively improved. Brother Myers was advanced to the eldership on May 26, 1925, and closed his pastorate at Mount Joy in August 1929.
During the pastorate of W. K. Kulp, from September 1, 1929, to August 31, 1937, ninety members were added to the church. The church building program was completed, and the cemetery was chartered and beautified. The years of his pastorate were years of depression for the nation. This greatly affected the financial status of the church. Brother Kulp's salary was greatly reduced so that the work of the church might go on and, under his guidance, the spiritual life of the church did move on. Dur- ing the last year and a half, he served also the Mount Pleasant church.
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