USA > Pennsylvania > Two centuries of the Church of the Brethren in western Pennsylvania, 1751-1950 > Part 31
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appointed officers. Each one took his office, and the Sunday school con- tinued throughout the year. There was no question after this as to whether we would have Sunday school through the winter or not.
Superintendents from 1908 to the present time were: Elmer Knavel, Lewis Penrod, Joseph Holsinger, C. S. Knavel, James Murphy, Raymond Hoover, H. A. Weaver, H. D. Jones, H. D. Hostetler, William Lehman, Leo Hoffman, and Raymond Hoover, Jr. Some of the early Sunday-school teachers were: Catherine Yoder, Lewis Statler, Samuel and Tena Knavel, Scott and Mary Murphy, Ross D. Murphy, Lewis Rose, and Mary Penrod.
Rummel was one of the first ten Sunday schools of the district to be a front-line school. The district set ten goals, for the attaining of which certificates were granted in 1911. From this effort an adult Bible class was organized; a home department, a cradle roll, and a ladies' aid society were also organized. We seemed to be able to reach and interest more people through these various efforts.
In October 1912 Brother M. J. Brougher held an evangelistic meeting; at this time a large number of young people and young married couples united with the church.
We had people who were willing to work, but we needed leaders. Brother and Sister Josiah Weaver came to our aid when we needed help. Sister Pearl taught the Bethany Bible class and the teacher-training class. Many of our teachers of today were enrolled in this class. Brother and Sister Weaver also helped with the music, and Brother Josiah filled the pulpit.
The first teacher-training class at Rummel was taught by Ross Murphy, and the diplomas were issued in July 1907. Later, Mrs. J. L. Weaver in 1915, James Murphy in 1914, Lewis Rose, and Maurice Knavel also taught teacher-training classes. Other classes were running simul- taneously in other places of worship in the Shade Creek congregation, of which Rummel was a part in these earlier years.
In 1922 a vacation Bible school was held. A school has been con- ducted each year since that time with the pastor serving as dean and the young mothers and the older girls of the church teaching. We feel that this is a worth-while work. The thirty-minute period each week that the Sunday school has for teaching seems too short. In the Bible school we have the children at least three hours daily for one or two weeks with time for creative work, and we feel this is time well spent.
Some of the outstanding laymen and laywomen who have contributed much to the growth of the church and Sunday school are: Daniel Hol- sopple, Scott and Mary Murphy, Jacob Knavel, Samuel W. Knavel, Lewis and Ellen Statler, Samuel and Tena Knavel, Elmer and Frances Knavel, Samuel and Ella Lehman, William and Ellen Statler, Lewis and Belle Penrod, Joseph C. and Addie Holsinger, C. S. Knavel, Joseph and Mary Wirick, Ephraim and Mary Ann Statler, Nora Hiteshew, Stella Hoover, Nettie Holsinger, Maurice and Vergie Knavel, Raymond and Tena Hoover, Humphrey Hostetler, Leo and Nora Hoffman, Orlando and Sadie Lohr, Clara Horner, Olive Horner, Mabel Landers, Ernest and Clara Ott, Pansy Penrod, and Luella Edeline. Some have moved away and are serving elsewhere in various types of church work.
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HYMNS
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Mother's Day at Rummel, 1950
Joseph Holsinger and Wife, married fifty-three years; Elmer Knavel and Wife, fifty years; Dave Thomas and Wife; fifty-two years; Samuel Knavel and Wife, fifty-one years
Many other items of interest would give credit to the many people who were directly responsible for the development and growth of the Rummel church and Sunday school not, only in numbers and activities but also in spiritual enrichment, which, after all, is the real test of any organization or individual. May the Lord bless each person who has contributed by gifts, influ- ence, time, and prayer to the work.
The four couples pictured here have one thing in common. They have all observed their fiftieth wedding anniversaries. Three of these couples have been ordained as deacons and deaconesses, and for many years have had a large part in the work of the church and Sunday school at Rummel as teachers, Sunday-school superintendents, and members on various boards.
From left to right are Brother and Sister Samuel Knavel, Brother and Sister Elmer Knavel, Brother and Sister David Thomas, and Brother and Sister Joseph Holsinger.
Samuel Knavel was born on April 19, 1874, and was baptized in September 1896. Tena Berkebile Knavel, his wife, was born on Decem- ber 28, 1875, and was baptized on October 3, 1893. They were married March 15, 1896, and elected to the deaconship in July 1898.
Elmer Knavel was born January 6, 1877, and Francis Berkebile, his wife, was born October 30, 1879. They were married February 13, 1898, and ordained to the deaconship in 1910. Brother Elmer was baptized at the age of fifteen, and Sister Francis at the age of twelve. They are the parents of two children and have four grandchildren.
David Thomas was born August 6, 1872, and Sadie Thomas, his wife, was born August 13, 1878. They were married January 26, 1896. They have been members of the Rummel church for about forty-five years. They are the parents of four children, one deceased.
Joseph Holsinger was born October 11, 1873, and was baptized in May 1907. Addie Faust Holsinger, his wife, was born October 5, 1876, and was also baptized in May 1907. They were married February 4, 1897, and were elected to the office of deacon on March 7, 1916. They are the parents of ten children, two of whom are deceased.
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All four couples have resided for the greater parts of their lives at Rummel and still attend services when health permits them to do so.
Brother and Sister Mahlon Penrod will celebrate their golden wed- ding anniversary on February 5, 1951. Mahlon Penrod was born April 28, 1876, and was baptized in 1903. Mary Knavel Penrod, his wife, was born November 27, 1878, and was baptized in 1896. Brother and Sister Penrod were elected to the deaconship on March 7, 1916. Sister Penrod was one of our first Sunday-school teachers at Rummel. They are the parents of five children; all are members of the Rummel church and serve the church as teachers and as members of the various boards of the church and the Sunday school.
We have purchased an organ, and the council has authorized the music committee to buy chimes. They have also decided to erect a recreation building. Work is to start immediately.
-Mrs. Stella Penrod Hoover
CHAPTER 49. THE SALISBURY CHURCH (ELK LICK)
Breniser Poor Fund established, 1845 First love feast at Elk Lick, 1871 Present church membership, 125
The oldest building in southern Somerset County in continu- ous use as a house of worship by the Church of the Brethren was erected in 1846 at Summit Mills, about three miles west of Meyersdale. This was then known as the Elk Lick congregation and included the membership of the Meyersdale, Salisbury, and Maple Glen communities.
The church members living in and about Salisbury found it inconvenient to attend church services regularly at Summit Mills. About 1851 or 1852 the members here erected a meeting- house at West Salisbury. This place of worship was used until the division, in 1877, of the Elk Lick congregation into three separate organizations: Summit Mills, Meyersdale, and Elk Lick. During 1878 the present two-story church was built in Salisbury.
During the early years of the Church of the Brethren in Somerset County there were no charitable institutions, except the church, to care for people in need. Some members bequeathed substantial sums of money to the church for this purpose. Sev- eral such wills are on file in the office of the Register of Wills
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Ger . Bap. Ch near
Salisbury
West Salisbury Church From Walker's Map, 1860
at Somerset.1 Brother John Breniser's will was filed March 31, 1845, or more than a year before the dedication of the large Summit Mills church house. He "bequeathed $700.00 to this our meeting, for the poor members in our meeting, and the poor that are not in our meeting, as our ministers shall see fit to help." This amount was about one eighth of the total assets of the estate. Eight years later, on June 4, 1853, Jacob Breniser be- queathed $1,000.00 to the bishop of the "meeting (called the Brethren) at the disposal of said congregation for the support of the needy members." Others gave liberal amounts. At the time of the division of the original Elk Lick congregation, the poor fund had accumulated to a considerable sum. The poor fund was prorated among the three churches. The Salisbury church on some occasions has used her fund for purposes in line with the intent of the original donors.
The first lovefeast ever held in the town of Salisbury took place on Sunday evening, October 8, [1871], at the house of S. C. Keim, and quite a pleasant little meeting had we there. There were sixteen members present, six brethren and ten sisters. We had most excellent order during the services, and the brethren participating in the feast felt much revived and built up.2
1 See excerpt from John Breniser's will, Part One, Chapter 12: Old Folks Home.
2 Christian Family Companion, November 7, 1871.
Salisbury Church, 1950
The present two-story church edifice had been erected in Salisbury in 1878, and the following year Nathaniel Merrill, William Livengood, and N. George Keim were delegates to the first Sunday-school convention in Western Pennsylvania, held in the Pleasant Grove church, near Berlin. We quote from the "written report."
Elk Lick Sabbath-school organized May 13, 1877. Howard Miller, superintendent. Closed November 11th. Average attendance about 75. Re-organized early in the spring of 1878. Nathaniel Merrill, superintendent. After a few months, he resigned, on account of ill health, in favor of Howard Miller. Average attendance about seventy-five. On January 12, 1879 it was again re-organized with Nathaniel Merrill, superintendent; S. J. Livengood, assistant; N. George Keim, librarian; Tillie E. Johnston, secretary; Jacob D. Livengood, treasurer; and Milton J. Beachy, chorister. (Sister Johnston resigned as secretary.)
The school was now divided into three departments, each depart- ment reciting in a separate room. Since July 20, [1879], the weekly lessons found in Our Sunday-school are used by the Testament classes. The men's Bible class, David Fuller, teacher, however, still continues to use the New Testament for its text book.
-W. S. Livengood, secretary3
The following deacons have served the church :. John J. Keim, 1826- 1921; Samuel A. Beachy, 1849-1921; James Maust, 1841-1930; Emanuel Yoder, 1853-1927; Frank Maust, 1862-1924; Morris Maust, 1875-1932; Francis Shunk, dates unknown; Wilson Vought, died September 16, 1947; Joseph Livengood, still living in Grantsville, Maryland; Ernest Miller, moved into the congregation in 1946.
Ministers who have served were Jonathan Kelso, Silas Keim, Nathaniel Merrill, and Joseph B. Sell. The following were elected to the ministry by Elk Lick: Howard Miller, 1877; Jacob and Lewis Peck, 1880; N. George Keim, 1882; Howard H. Keim, 1886; J. N. Davis, 1886; George E. Yoder, 1906, and E. J. Egan, 1909.
Silas Hoover was the first minister to receive a fixed salary per year, 1885-1889. Others who served as pastors were: W. A. Gaunt, 1894- 1904; T. S. Fike, 1905-1906; D. K. Clapper, 1909-1910, also at a later time; E. J. Egan, 1911-1913; B. F. Waltz, 1915-1918; Guy N. Hartman; George
3 From page 16, Synoptical Report, September 23, 24, 1879.
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Remodeled Chancel at Salisbury
L. Detweiler, 1928-1930; Guy E. Wampler, 1930-1935; John D. Long, 1937- 1938.
A. J. Replogle became pastor on May 22, 1941, and is serving the church at present (1950). During the period of service by Brother and Sister Replogle, eighty members have been received by letter and baptism. Also, the current remodeling of the church is in a large measure due to their persistent efforts. The rededication services were held from November 5 to 12, 1950.
-P. S. Davis
CHAPTER 50. THE SCALP LEVEL CONGREGATION
First church house erected, 1867 Separate congregation organized, 1912 Present church membership, 594
The Scalp Level congregation dates from February 10, 1912, when the old Shade Creek congregation, organized in 1846, was divided. This new congregation started with a membership of two hundred thirty and with two meetinghouses, one in Scalp Level and the other in Windber.
The very first family of Brethren extraction to move into the area of the Scalp Level congregation was that of Philip and
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Barbara (Miller) Hoffman. Other families still prominent in the church followed at a very early date. The contribution of the Fyock, Seese, Lehman, Berkey, Weaver, Hoffman, Blough, Holsopple, Statler, and Stutzman families can hardly be over- estimated.
While Scalp Level was still a part of the old Shade Creek congregation and until the Berkey church house was built in 1858, preaching services were held in homes by the Brethren, especially in the house still standing on the Jonas A. Weaver farm and apparently in the original brick house built in the 1840's on the "English Dan" Berkey farm. The first meeting- house in Scalp Level was built in 1867 on land deeded to the church by Mr. and Mrs. George Conrad on June 22, 1867. This building was comparatively small, about thirty by thirty-six feet. In 1892 it was replaced by the present house at a cost of $1,550.93. In 1907-1908 it was remodeled to be used as a love-feast house. In 1909 a baptismal pool was built. This had been re- quested as early as 1904 because of the pollution of Paint Creek from the large-scale mining operations of the Berwind White Coal Mining Company.
Perhaps a further description of the present Scalp Level house of worship, in its original form, will be of interest. It had a two-door entrance, one for the men and one for the women, and a partition about three feet high separating the two sides and running completely to the rear. The pulpit was located in front, between the two doors, and there was a ceiling-high partition across the room separating the rear third of the house. This partition, or a glass portion of it from three feet above the floor, could be moved upward to open this rear part in case of unusual crowds, as on occasions of revivals and funerals. There were no heating facilities in the rear part of the building, but there were two stoves in the front part. The whole house was lighted with adjustable hanging kerosene lamps. This rear division was eliminated with the remodeling of the building in 1907-1908, when the pulpit was moved to the other end, the partitions were removed, a single entrance was provided with a vestibule, a central heating plant was installed, and arrangements were made for love-feast occasions. Later, in 1915 (three years after the Scalp Level congregation was formed) the building was raised from the foundation and Sunday-school rooms were provided in the basement.
There is no record of official council meetings being held in the Scalp Level house until March 25, 1905. Probably the greatest revival ever held in the mother congregation was held at this place by Harvey S. Replogle in 1902. The first love feast was held in this house in 1910, and one was held each fall thereafter while the church was a part of Shade Creek.
SCALP LEVEL Church of the Brethren
1867
M
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1892
The FUTURE
1915
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After the building of the Windber church in 1905, M. J. Weaver was given the pastoral care of that church. On January 1, 1907, J. J. Shaffer was employed as the first full-time pastor of the entire Shade Creek congregation. He was followed by D. M. Adams, on October 19, 1909. Both of these men resided in Scalp Level.
While there was still only one congregation (the old Shade Creek congregation) there was a strong active Sunday school at Scalp Level under Brethren auspices dating back as early as 1878-one of the first in this section. Hiram Musselman was the chief activating agent. It became one of the best Sunday schools during the 1880's and the 1890's when J. E. Blough and J. F. Ream were the superintendents and chief leaders. There was, however, a union Sunday school in the Berkey area of the congregation which outdated this one by ten years or more. There was also, about the same time, a union Sunday school at the Hoffman schoolhouse sponsored by Elizabeth and Jacob E. Faust.
In the Scalp Level house, yet a part of the Shade Creek congrega- tion, the first local Sunday-school convention was held May 8, 1902, under the leadership of M. J. Weaver, L. J. Lehman, and George W. Reber. This was the forerunner of a number of annual Ascension Day conventions. There was a Bible meeting held at this church in 1905 and frequently thereafter. Singing schools were common. Missionary society programs centered around Mrs. Anna Detwiler Blough, the first foreign missionary supported by the Shade Creek congregation. There was, however, a "missionary club" organized earlier, perhaps in 1890, at the home of Jacob Holsopple. J. E. Blough, J. F. Ream, Hiram Lehman, and J. F. Dietz shared with Brother Holsopple as sponsors of a movement, later sanc- tioned by council, in which each member of the congregation was con- sidered a member of the club and was to be solicited for missionary purposes.
The free ministry, and the deacons who served up until this time, were elected under the authority of the mother con- gregation and are listed there. It is to be noted that by now the freewill offering envelope system had been used for some time to finance the church program. The deacons' visit was still practiced before communions, and members were warned of worldliness creeping into the church. But there was laxity in enforcement of the order except upon the official body. Love feasts were held at six o'clock instead of four to avoid afternoon sport driving and carousal of outsiders. The young members were being taken under the wing of the church and activity for them was being stressed. Such was the picture of the area as the creation of new congregations became necessary.
Growing pains were becoming evident in the Shade Creek congregation. The matter of the division of Shade Creek for the formation of the Scalp Level congregation (Scalp Level and Windber churches) was discussed in the councils of 1909. The purpose was to supply the growing need for more pastoral
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care in the town churches of Scalp Level and Windber. The matter was taken up again and passed in December 1911, on condition that it be approved by two thirds of the total mem- bership. Members were allowed to vote by proxy if ill. The conditions of division were too involved to be included in this account, and since congregational lines have lost most of their former importance they are not included here. The boundaries were rather clearly drawn in the minutes of council or by com- mon understanding at the less important boundaries.
The officers from the Shade Creek organization who were now to serve the Scalp Level portion were Peter Knavel and David S. Clapper, elders, and Charles S. Knavel, minister. The deacons were Peter Hoffman, Aaron Hoffman, Norman S. Berkey, Noah J. Hoffman, Harvey Berkey, James S. Cassady, T. N. Park, and C. E. Schuldt. Deacons elected on March 24, 1914, were George H. Fyock, Sylvester B. Hoffman, John H. Lehman, and Harvey Knavel.
It seems proper to include the complete list of officers in the simple but typical organization as chosen in the special organizing council of March 2, 1912: elder, Peter Knavel; treasurer, Jonas A. Weaver; clerk, J. H. Lehman; auditors, William G. Seese, C. S. Knavel, and J. L. Hoff- man; corresponding secretary, V. Grace Clapper; temperance committee, George H. Fyock, Harvey Knavel, and John H. Dilling; financial com- mitteeman, Peter Hoffman, recording secretary, C. S. Knavel.
The new congregation chose Harvey S. Replogle as pastor in September 1912, and L. G. Shaffer, a grandson of Joseph Berkey, as assistant in the pastoral work at Windber. Brother Shaffer carried this work forward while serving as the principal in one of the Johnstown schools. He was an inspiring leader to many young members of the church and others who were pre- paring for lives of teaching. Elder Replogle came from outside the congregation. He was reared in Morrison's Cove and had served as pastor and teacher in Johnstown and elsewhere be- fore coming to Scalp Level. In 1902 he held one of the outstand- ing revivals of this area, when about seventy-five persons, mostly young people, united with the church. He had achieved marked success in the field of revival activity. He was called to the work here at a salary of eight hundred dollars plus parsonage rent and moving expenses. His salary was increased from time to time and by 1919 he was receiving $1,500.00. He served faith- fully with much emphasis upon consecration and the spiritual life. He closed his work as pastor at this place in November 1921. When Pastor Replogle closed his work with the congre- gation, the assistant pastor, H. D. Jones, was appointed full-time pastor and served the churches about four months.
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By 1921 there was a felt need by both the Scalp Level and the Windber church for more pastoral care as well as for a larger building for the Windber brethren. Division of the congregation was voted on on December 3, and approval was secured on December 9. On January 17, 1922, the rather complex details were reported by a committee and need not be repeated here except to state that the Windber house and new lot to be paid for were valued at $10,000.00 and the church property at Scalp Level at $15,000.00. Scalp Level was to pay Windker $5,000.00 and certain other obligations were to be shared mutually. Details were amicably arranged, especially as related to sharing the support of Sister Blough, missionary to India, the Berkey cemetery, the Musselman Bible fund, and the division line. A. J. Beeghly, pastor of the Rummel con- gregation, was chosen as elder of each of the newly organized con- gregations.
On January 10, 1922, Lewis Knepper was called as the first pastor of the Scalp Level church, now a separate congregation, and served until October 1926. Brother Knepper was a good organizer of the young people and placed much emphasis upon social life and wholesome play to hold their interest and co- operation. A piano was now being used in Scalp Level, as well as in the neighboring churches, whereas, a few years earlier, the use of instruments was opposed. Much stress was being placed on choirs and special group singing, but emphasis on congregational singing was continued. Brother Knepper began the publication of the Scalp Level Visitor, a monthly paper. A yearbook and directory was also begun. A multigraph was pur- chased and the printing of church materials was simplified.
J. A. Buffenmyer was elected pastor in November 1926 and served until 1933. G. E. Yoder was elected on September 3, 1933, and served until the close of 1945. On June 24, 1945, the church extended a call to Clarence H. Rosenberger of Shelocta, who entered upon his labors as pastor in January 1946. Each of these pastors served faithfully for many years and held the Christian ideals before the congregation.
The Scalp Level congregation for twenty years or more has felt the need for a larger and more adequate house of worship. In October 1925, the adjoining Musselman property was pur- chased at a cost of $3,825.00 so that it might be available for expansion of the church. In December 1945 it was decided to use the Musselman house for recreational activities, but the denominational building counselor, C. H. Deardorff, advised that a wiser procedure would be to plan to meet all the needs of the congregation in a new building in a new location.
On April 24, 1946, in regular council, the recommendations of Brother Deardorff regarding expansion of church facilities
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were heard. No action was taken on the recommendations until May 8, 1946, so that all members could be aware of them. The decision of the congregation was that a new church building should be built in a new location and that the project should be begun when the sum of $30,000.00 was available.
On July 16, 1947, at a regular council meeting the trustees were empowered to purchase two lots on the northwest corner of Main Street and Hoffman Avenue as the site for the new church. The congregation reached the $30,000.00 goal during the year 1950, but since building conditions were uncertain at that time construction was not begun.
Scalp Level has been fortunate in having many members willing to use their time and talents in Christian service.
S. B. Hoffman and D. G. Seese were elected to preach on March 9, 1916. Brother Hoffman was automatically advanced to the second degree by rule of Annual Conference of July 3, 1917, and he was ordained to the eldership on July 1, 1924, by F. R. Zook and M. Clyde Horst. On December 31, 1926, John Buffenmyer was installed into the full ministry by the same brethren. Edwin Crist was licensed to preach on August 9, 1942, by Levi K. Ziegler. The license was renewed on December 10, 1945, and the church council on October 20, 1949, approved him for the full ministry. The ordination service was conducted by the District Ministerial Board on December 29, 1949.
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