USA > Pennsylvania > Two centuries of the Church of the Brethren in western Pennsylvania, 1751-1950 > Part 30
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In 1884 a frame church building, thirty by forty feet in size, was erected in Rockton along Main Street. Later, a fourteen- foot addition was built to the rear of this first building.
A Brethren Sunday school was organized in 1886 and has remained evergreen. A brick church building, thirty-six by fifty-two feet, was built later, having a stone basement containing a furnace room, a kitchen, and two Sunday-school rooms. The street-level story besides the main auditorium has four more Sunday-school rooms. Mervin R. Hollopeter,
grandson of the founder, now de- ceased, presented the church with a large pulpit Bible on Dedication Sunday, December 6, 1914.
A hot-water system was in- stalled in 1941, costing over nine hundred dollars. The cyclone of September 14, 1945, which left a path of destruction through Rock- ton, struck the church, blew out the two large windows, damaged the roof, and wrenched the entire building.
Rockton Church
Peter Beer was elected elder in 1885. He died in June 1892. Peter Beer's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren became a working part of the Rockton church. A son, J. Harvey Beer, became elder in 1892; he moved to Maryland in 1905.
Robert A. Nedrow became elder in 1905. John A. Brilhart. served from 1892 to 1897, and Walter N. Brubaker from 1897 to 1916 did occasional preaching here. Mr. Brilhart joined a sister church and later moved away from Rockton. George Cleaver of the Greenville church was elected elder of the Rockton congrega- tion in 1912. A grandson of Peter Beer, Jason Beer Hollopeter, was elected to the ministry in 1911 and served the church faith- fully for over twenty years. He became its elder in 1922.
Pastors and the years they served were: Jason B. Hollopeter, 1912-1925; 1927-1933; Homer C. Hess, 1926; W. C. Sell, 1934; Lewis S. Knepper, 1935-1945; Guy S. Fern, 1946; Arthur L. Croyle, 1947-1949.
Missionaries, who, while on furlough, visited the Rockton church were: H. Stover Kulp and wife from Nigeria; Grace Clapper and Frank Crumpacker from China; J. M. Blough and wife, Ida Himmelsbaugh, and Ida Shumaker from India. Their visits have helped the cause of world-wide missions in our local church program. Some of these have visited our church once; others, a number of times.
Comprising the Rockton congregation at one time were: the Sunny- side church, the Bethel church (for fifty years a part of the Rock- Greenville Church ton congregation, but now a separate congregation), and the Greenville church (still a part of the Rockton congregation).
On November 27, 1949, the present pastor, Myron C. Horst, came to serve the con- gregations of the Rockton cir-
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cuit, comprising three churches and approximately one hundred members. In the early months of his administration, eleven new members were added at Bethel, and the radio ministry was as- sumed over Station WCED, DuBois. Youth organizations and men's and women's work took on necessary duties in the onward march of the church.
-Dallas B. Kirk
CHAPTER 46. THE ROCKWOOD CHURCH
First sermon preached, January 26, 1875 Sunday school organized, 1919 Present church membership, 223
Over a hundred years ago the Church of the Brethren was already "rooted and grounded" in the vicinity of what is now Rockwood, through a generation of devout members. One of these families was that of Simon Hauger (whom we shall call Senior), son of John Hauger, Rockwood Church who belonged to one of the original families at Berlin. Simon, Sr., was the grand- father of J. E. Hauger, the oldest deacon of the Rock- wood church.
Simon, Sr., owned a very large farm on the highland between what is now Rock- wood and Wilson Creek and along the road leading to Gar- rett. He had several children, including Simon, Jr.
Simon, Jr., was the father of twelve children, including Mahlon, who lived to be eighty-six years old; Simon III, who died on the old Hau- ger homestead at seventy- eight; and Jonathan Edward Hauger, the only one of the
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twelve now living, who at almost eighty-two still works on his farm every day.
Simon, Jr., who was a deacon for many years, told his son, J. E., about an incident which occurred one day while he was at work in the field. He saw his father lying down in the corner of a field along the public road. Thinking that his father might be sick, he went to see what was wrong. Grandfather Hauger explained that he was giving this plot of ground to the German Baptists for a place to build a church and establish a cemetery, and that he was just trying to decide the best way to mark out the graves.
When this occurred is not known, but his gravestone in this cemetery is inscribed, "Simon Hauger, died May 10, 1859, Aged 76 years, 8 Days." And there his body lies, head to the west and feet to the east, so that in that great Resurrection morning he will be "facing sunrise."
When the Sunday school was organized in this church is not known, but J. E. Hauger says that he was born in 1869, and that he was carried there as a "babe in arms" and attended there until he got married and moved away. The History of Somerset County1 says that this "church was built in 1855 at a cost of $1,000.00. The membership is large."
No records of the church or the Sunday school are extant today, but among those who attended from the village of Rockwood (one and one- half miles away) was David F. Shumaker, grandson of Bishop Adam F. Snyder and an uncle to Missionary Ida C. Shumaker. He was a miller by trade for thirty-one years, moving from Meyersdale to Rockwood to operate the Rockwood Flour Mill. He served as Sunday-school superin- tendent of the Hauger church for a number of years, and was elected to the office of deacon on May 29, 1897, by the Middle Creek congregation, of which this church was a branch. Others who attended from this town included Cyrus Just, who was elected to the ministry, and Elizabeth Peck Growall, a sister to Elders Lewis Peck of Maple Glen and Jacob W. Peck of Summit Mills.
They had "preaching every four weeks," and among the min- isters were Bishop Adam F. Snyder of Upper Turkeyfoot Town- ship; Cornelius Berkley of Casselman, who at an advanced age would "walk to the church, and home again," a distance of over five miles each way; Jacob S. Hauger; Josiah Berkley; Jacob Miller; Valentine Blough (the blacksmith) ; Uriah C. Christner; N. B. Christner; John Blough; and Isaiah Johnson.
Out of this background of Brethren faith, the Rockwood church has been established and developed. The first sermon, of which we have a record, was preached in the town by the Breth- ren on January 26, 1875. Jacob A. Murray, after ten years in
1 Waterman, Watkins and Co., The History of Somerset County (1884). Page 545.
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the West, returned to his former home, near the County Line church, to visit his aged mother.
Here we visited and tried to preach until the 25th [January, 1875], at which time we crossed the Laurel Hill to visit our sister at Mineral Point [Rockwood], Somerset county, Pennsylvania, where we arrived the same day. Here we spent a short time, and, by re- quest, tried to preach on the evening of the 26th, in the Methodist meeting-house.2
When or why the Hauger Sunday school was closed is not a matter of record, but preaching must have been continued through the years, for the minutes of the Middle Creek council of April 2, 1915, say: "Some of the members from the Hauger Union Church were present in council and wanted the house repaired at that place. Council granted them the privilege to solicit funds. If sufficient can be raised, then repairs can be made as necessary."
At the council on January 13, 1917, E. K. Hostetler read a "letter" from "members in Rockwood and vicinity," and at the council on May 17, 1917, "Middle Creek local church and Rockwood asked the privilege of getting a pastor. After some discussion, William Speicher moved that their request be granted. It was seconded by Joseph Meyers, and carried by a large vote."
The pastoral committee was D. F. Walker, William Bittner, William Miller, Nelson Saylor, and Dr. George F. Speicher. Brother Calvin Rose was secured as our first pastor in 1918, with preaching in the Rockwood school auditorium. He died within the year, a victim of the flu.
The next year, 1919, W. J. Hamilton accepted the joint pastor- ate, on condition that a Sunday school be organized in Rockwood. The old Methodist church was rented and the work was started. A few years later the building was purchased and remodeled into the present attractive structure. After two years, Brother Hamilton went into fieldwork. N. D. Cosner was the summer pastor in 1921, followed by W. K. Kulp as pastor from 1922 to 1928. Our present pastor, Walter F. Berkebile, has served since 1928, and, by patient and continuous efforts, our membership is now well over two hundred.
-W. F. Berkebile and W. J. H.
2 Christian Family Companion and Gospel Visitor, April 20, 1875.
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CHAPTER 47. THE ROXBURY CHURCH (Formerly WEST JOHNSTOWN)
First Roxbury house built, 1892 Pipe organ purchased, 1949 Present church membership, 600
The soil preparation for the faith of the Brethren at Roxbury dates back to 1813, when Jacob Stutzman purchased a farm on the west bank of Stony Creek, which now is the Eighth Ward of Johnstown. The second floor of his two-story dwelling was perhaps the first especially prepared "love-feast room" in what is now southern Cambria County. About 1828 his son, Abraham Stutzman, built a home in what is now Westmont, and preaching was held in it. Later, the services were held in the Yoder Hill schoolhouse.
About 1878 preaching was again held in the Eighth Ward section, at what was known as Whiskey Spring. Prior to the building of the first Roxbury house in 1892, the Brethren held regular services in the Roxbury Methodist church. These activi- ties were under the (old) Conemaugh congregation until 1879, and then under the Johnstown congregation until January 1, 1898. On this date that part lying west of Stony Creek and Hinkston Run became the West Johnstown congregation.
The new congregation comprised Ferndale, Roxbury, Kernville, Westmont, Brownstown, Cambria City, Minersville, Rosedale, Coopers- dale, Morrellville, Upper Yoder, Lower Yoder, West Taylor, Middle Taylor, and part of Jackson Township. It had a membership of several hundred and three meetinghouses, viz: Roxbury, Upper Yoder (now
Roxbury Church, 1950
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Westmont), and Benshoff Hill (now Pleasant Hill), and also a meeting place in Morrellville. The ministers were Solomon Dorer, Ananias Myers, John F. Dietz, Albert U. Berkley, and Norman W. Berkley. The deacons were Stephen Stutzman, Jacob Berkey, Jerry E. Long, William Harrison, and Jesse Berkebile.
At a council meeting held January 26, 1899, at which Elders Hiram Musselman and David Hildebrand were present, the or- ganization was effected. Elder Musselman was given charge of the congregation and Norman W. Berkley, who had been elected to the ministry September 29, 1887, was installed into the office. During the year Samuel A. Beeghly, a young minister, moved into the congregation; leaving on December 28, 1899, he was given a certificate. Jerome E. Blough moved into the con- gregation on December 8, 1910, from Quemahoning. In 1912 James F. Ream moved here from Quakertown. Later on H. S. Replogle, John W. Mills, John Sherman, E. P. Blough, and D. G. Seese moved into the congregation. S. L. Cover came into our midst recently.
Election of ministers: December 28, 1899, C. A. McDowell and Frank Myers; January 13, 1910, Leonard R. Holsinger, William L. Brougher, Vernon J. Dietz, and John P. Coleman (Brougher and Dietz were not installed); December 12, 1911, J. C. W. Beam, Elmer D. Blue, William H. Rummel, Haddon Q. Rhodes, and Lemon Findley (Findley was not installed). On December 31, 1908, Harvey S. Replogle became pastor at Plum Creek. In February 1911 L. R. Holsinger became pastor at Red Bank (Oakdale). On April 1, 1911, C. A. McDowell became pastor at Bolivar (Robinson). On February 1, 1914, John W. Mills became the pastor of the Morrellville church and moved into that section of the city. John Sherman and wife were installed into the full ministry March 11, 1924. Fred Livingston was licensed to preach in 1932. Edward Cauffiel was licensed to preach September 24, 1941, and in 1946 was granted his letter to become pastor of the Maple Grove church. On
Young Ministers at Roxbury Being Installed by J. A. Robinson
Left to right: Donald Bracken, Ronald Morgan, Dean Crouse, J. A. Robinson, Mrs. Dean Crouse, Robert C. Bow- man, Ronald Hershberger
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August 15, 1948, Dean Crouse was licensed to preach; he is now in training for the full-time ministry.
Election of deacons: October 24, 1899, William H. Rummel, Edward Mosholder, Clement F. Livingston, Amos Campbell, Emanuel Rhodes, and Cloyd A. McDowell; May 7, 1901, Harry Weller and Peter Stutzman (neither was installed); June 1904, Edmund Livingston and J. C. W. Beam; March 19, 1908, Henry Hofecker; April 2, 1908, Henry B. Kaufman; January 13, 1910, Andrew Blough, Henry Snyder, William I. Strayer, Samuel N. McDowell, and Harvey R. Livingston; May 4, 1911, W. H. Lape, Isaiah Harshberger, and David A. Rummel; February 8, 1912, Samuel Lambert, Michael L. Hoffman, Ephraim Harshberger, Elmer Rummel, and Levi Kaufman; May 28, 1922, H. E. Berkley, William R. Beam, Robert N. Haynes, and Thomas J. Haynes; April 3, 1934, H. W. Berkey, Scott Haynes, Mahlon Hoffman, and Charles Noon; September 24, 1941, Harry Blough, Luther Hoffman, Chalmer Barnhart, and Harry Bechtel. Samuel A. Fitt, Milton Metzgar, and John Wissinger moved into the congregation as deacons. Thomas Haynes and family moved to Detroit, Michigan. On March 9, 1949, Robert Beam, Harry J. Berkey, George Dick, William Hayes, and Wilbert Hershberger were elected to the office of deacon, and were temporarily installed on April 3, 1949.
In the summer of 1908, John H. Cassady became our first pas- tor. After more than six years of fruitful work, which was divided among the four churches of the congregation, they moved to Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, on September 1, 1914. Edgar M. Detwiler served from July 1, 1915, to June 1, 1926. During this period he had our first daily vacation Bible school. Homer E. Blough and wife came on September 1, 1926, and served until June 1929. Tobias F. Henry and wife came to us on September 1, 1929, and served until September 1, 1939. Lewis H. Brum- baugh began his term as pastor on February 1, 1940, and remained until September 15, 1945. The present pastor, Clarence R. Bowman, began his term of service on December 1, 1945.
The Roxbury house was enlarged and arranged for holding love feasts in 1899, and was again remodeled and enlarged in 1909 to provide a large number of Sunday-school classrooms. In the winter of 1914-1915 a parsonage was erected on the Rox- bury church property. During the six years ending September 1, 1914, eight hundred ninety-three members were received into the church. At this time the total membership of the West Johnstown congregation was considerably over one thousand. On February 14, 1915, it was decided unanimously to divide into three congregations: West Johnstown, Morrellville, and Pleasant Hill. A little later the Westmont church became a separate organization. In 1922 the name was changed from the West Johnstown to the Roxbury Church of the Brethren.
Old Roxbury Church
The old Roxbury house was damaged by fire the morning of January 20, 1930. A new church-building committee was appointed: H. W. Berkey, E. P. Blough, Harry Berkley, and J. P. Coleman. The corner stone was laid on July 13, 1930, and the dedication took place January 18, 1931. A pipe organ was installed in the spring of 1950. The church will be free of debt in 1951.
The Roxbury church school during the pastorate of J. H. Cassady was one of the first to have an organized adult Bible class. It was also one of the first to promote a daily vacation Bible school; this was held about 1920, with an enrollment of from one hundred twenty-five to one hundred fifty. The school became so popular that in a few years we had an enrollment of two hundred ten and the pupils were from ten different denominations.
-J. P. Coleman, Mrs. R. N. Haynes, and George C. Berkley
1
Remodeled Roxbury Church With Parsonage on Right
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CHAPTER 48. THE RUMMEL CHURCH
First church (Greenland) erected, 1874 Present church erected, 1903 Present church membership, 455
To trace the origin and growth of the Rummel congregation would require a study of the Shade Creek congregation, which dates its founding at 1846, when it became a separate congrega- tion growing out of the earlier Conemaugh congregation organ- ized in 1810.
The Brethren settlers located in these wilds of Pennsylvania nearly one hundred fifty years ago, eventually uniting with others to worship in homes and having love feasts in barns before churches were established.
The Shade Creek congregation covered the whole group of families living in Rummel, Windber, Scalp Level, and Berkey.
The first church at Rummel, known as Borders or Greenland until about 1900, was erected about 1874 on ground donated by Jacob Rose. No deed was issued until 1881, when the heirs issued a deed to the congregation, with David Berkey, Jacob Hoffman, and Samuel Knavel acting as trustees for the church.
The second church, then known as the Highland church, was erected on ground donated by Jacob and Rebecca Fox at Ogletown in 1886. For several years no services have been held in the Ogletown church, but at present the members are co- operating in the union efforts of the community church. There have been twelve members baptized recently, making the total membership thirty-two at the Ogletown church.
Rummel Parsonage and Church
The school is in the background.
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The earliest record would include the visits of preachers on horseback or on foot to preach perhaps once every two or three weeks. All ministers serving during the free ministry period participated in a scheduled program at the Shade Creek church. The first frame building at Rummel was replaced by a brick structure on a different foundation in 1903, and was remodeled and enlarged in 1914-1915. In December 1915 it was decided, by vote, to redivide the Shade Creek congregation. On January 6, 1916, the members of the Rummel congregation met to or- ganize with Brother Ross Murphy presiding. A full corps of officers and missionary and temperance committees was elected. P. J. Blough was elected as our elder-in-charge.
The membership consisted of two hundred twenty-four resident members with the following officials: ministers-Ross D. Murphy, Alvin G. Faust, Charles S. Knavel, and Foster B. Statler; deacons-Jacob C. Knavel, Samuel W. Knavel, Elmer Knavel, and Lewis Penrod.
The Rummel church has been recruiting ministers throughout her history, and they are serving the church splendidly in many places. They include Ross D. Murphy, elected in 1904; H. Daniel Jones, 1916; Charles S. Knavel, 1906; Foster B. Statler, 1914; Lewis D. Rose, 1916; James E. Murphy, 1920; Miles Murphy, 1922; Calvin Rose (deceased), 1917; Blair Helman, 1942; and Robert Mock, 1946.
Brother Henry Hostetler1 moved into what is now the Rummel con- gregation in the latter part of the nineteenth century. His preaching was entirely in German.
Brother Peter Knavel2 held membership in our congregation also. He served as elder and preacher while in our midst.
Deacons who have served include: Jacob C. Knavel, Samuel C. Knavel, Scott Murphy, Samuel W. Knavel, Samuel Lehman, Elmer Knavel, Lewis Penrod, Mahlon Penrod, Joseph Holsinger, Harvey Horner, Joseph Wirick, John Statler, Maurice Knavel, William Weyant, Jr., Virgil Blough, William Lehman, Harvey Naugle, Roy Hiteshew, Oscar Lehman, and Walter Penrod.
Pastors who had served while we were still a part of the Shade Creek congregation were: J. J. Shaffer, 1907-1909; D. M. Adams, 1909-1911; S. C. Thompson, 1914-1915; and Alvin G. Faust, 1915-1916.
The following pastors have served the Rummel congregation: H. B. Heisey, 1917-1919; A. J. Beeghly, 1919-1923; D. P. Hoover, 1924-1930; Galen Blough, 1930-1937; William K. Kulp, 1937-1942; and George W. Wright, 1942 to the present time. It is interest- ing to note the tendency toward longer terms of service, as we will also notice in other congregational histories.
The Rummel church has been missionary minded, contrib-
1 See Blough's history, page 411, for biography.
2 See Blough's history, page 447, for biography.
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uting liberally to missions. It has shared with Berkey, Scalp Level, and Windber in the full support of Anna Z. Blough, who served in India continuously from 1903 until she died in De- cember 1950. The Loyal Men's Bible class has sent one hundred dollars each year for thirty years to support the boys' schools at Vyara and Anklesvar, India. The Friendship Bible class, the women's work, and the ladies' aid society are supporting similar mission work. The 1948-1949 budget for missions, Brethren service, and relief was $2,500.00.
The first mission study class in Western Pennsylvania was held at Rummel with the following finishing the course: Elmer Knavel, J. C. Holsinger, L. D. Rose, Foster B. Statler, Alvin G. Faust (teacher), Mrs. Maude Faust, Verna (Statler) Seese, and Carrie (Seese) Murphy.
We have an active ladies' aid society, which was organized about 1911. They, also, have always been missionary minded, and have helped with the different projects of the church. Hundreds of dollars have been contributed through various agencies by sewing and quilting.
A women's work group was organized in 1931. From the beginning it has contributed to the projects as set forth by our district and national officers. The women's work gives a missionary program once a year, and a program honoring our Christian homes and motherhood on Mother's Day. Temperance programs are given. Our women pack many bundles for relief and join in the projects of the World Council of Church Women.
A youth fellowship was organized. Our young people are active in that they sponsor programs, fill baskets for the needy and the aged at Christmas, and also contribute to the projects of the district.
Much of our musical talent can be credited to Alvin G. Faust, who conducted singing classes and directed special music groups a number of years ago. We are still benefiting from his good work.
The Lewis Statler family has contributed much to the music of our church. Brother Statler was one of our earliest song leaders, and his children following in the same capacity are Clara Horner, Verna Seese, Vergie Knavel, Ernest Statler, and Olive Horner. The Ephraim Statler family and the Samuel Lehman family were also musically talented. Norman and Calvin Rose were some of our first song leaders. Edith Statler was our first pianist.
Some of our younger musicians serving the church and the Sunday . school today are Mildred Hoover, Ruth Hoover Moyer, Oma Blough Hostetler, Harriet Lohr Parks, Luana Knavel, Mary Ellen Penrod, Homer Hiteshew, Raymond Hoover, Jr., Ronald Statler, Dolores Penrod, Ruth Statler, Marilyn Wright, and Janet Lehman.
Twenty of the men comprise the men's chorus under the leadership of Harry Howells and Louis Lambert, with Mildred
Junior Choir
at Rummel Church
Hoover as accompanist. The ladies' chorus is composed of about eighteen members directed by Olive Statler Horner, with Ruth Hoover Moyer accompanist.
We also have a children's chorus composed of fifty-five chil- dren. Sister Eva Wright is the director and is doing a fine piece of work. They have white robes and black ties which add to the interest of the group. They have given some very fine pro- grams of singing and reciting.
Our church has always encouraged the young people to get a higher education. Brethren who have availed themselves of college are: Ross D. Murphy, Alvin G. Faust, Lewis Rose, James E. Murphy, Miles Murphy, Carrie Murphy (deceased), Calvin Rose (deceased), C. S. Knavel, Foster B. Statler, Blair Helman, Robert Mock, Alene Statler, and others.
The church has grown numerically also, and now has a mem- bership of four hundred fifty-five. Much of the church progress has been due to workers' meetings held week after week in the church and homes. Credit should be given to companions of pastors and workers who stayed "by the stuff." Few but they themselves appreciate the hardships they endured at home alone, while mates attended to public duty and were in the limelight.
Sunday-school work was carried on at Rummel previous to 1889, but no records were kept. At least, nothing authentic can be learned.
In 1893 or 1894, Brother Daniel Holsopple did some Sunday-school work. In 1895-1896 Brother William Fry, then living in Scalp Level, organized a Sunday school that was held through the summer months. Harry Holsopple was previously elected, but for some reason could not serve at that time. Superintendents that served during the period from 1896 to 1907 were: Samuel Whitaker, Scott Murphy, Valentine Seese, Harry Holsopple, and Ross Murphy. In the fall of 1908 the Sunday school was closed again, as was customary, but Brother J. J. Shaffer, then pastor, said, "This cannot be." He visited among the brethren and
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