USA > Pennsylvania > Two centuries of the Church of the Brethren in western Pennsylvania, 1751-1950 > Part 35
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In October, 1869, I joined the Brethren Church in Ten Mile congregation . .. over sixteen years, .. . seventy have been bap- tized, eleven expelled, forty-four have died, eighteen received let- ters, one of whom is back again, ... ten were reclaimed, twenty went with the Progressives, six joined other denominations, and a number of others moved away. . . .
We number about forty members . . . no resident minister . . . the Brethren of the George's Creek congregation . . . served us faithfully ... preaching regularly for several years, except when circumstances prevented their coming.
It is a long distance. .. . We have had no preaching for nearly three months. .
[Signed] Hannah Smith
Three years after the above article was published, Nelson B. Christner became pastor (1889) ; he served until 1894. Jerry
Fireplace in Ten Mile Church Kitchen
It was used for over one hundred years to prepare the love feast meal.
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Bottorff served from 1897 until his untimely death in 1900. Virgil C. Finnell began in April 1904 and served four years. Samuel W. Bail, who had been elected in 1901, following the death of Brother Bottorff, was installed in 1906. Then in 1909 Brother and Sister Russell T. Idleman came and settled here. They served faithfully until death closed their labors. Brother Idleman preached his last sermon on August 8, 1938.
During this twenty-nine-year pastorate, Earle R. Forrest pub- lished a new History of Washington County (1926) in three volumes. We quote very briefly from Volume I, page 632:
This church is still used by the congregation every Sunday. In the rear of the audience room the oldfashioned fireplace may still be seen, and on each side are cupboards in which are preserved brass candle sticks used for lights in early times. [They were discontinued in 1863.] The church [building] has not changed any in the past century and it may be seen today just as it was when first built in 1832, except that many of the members of the congregation are gathered in the little graveyard which surrounds the building. . . . This is the last Dunkard Church in the county, and it now has about thirty members. During the last half century this congrega- tion has lost many of its members who have moved away to other sections and many others are scattered in Western Pennsylvania.
Following the death of Brother Idleman, G. Landis Baker became the pastor (1939 to 1942), which included a joint pastor- ate, for a part of the time, with the Highland Brethren church, only a few miles away. During the last few years, ministers from the Greensburg congregation have been supplying the pulpit.
On December 4, 1856, the members "decided to meet in social services," and in March 1859 the first Sunday school was organ- ized. During the fourth quarter of 1904 the home department of the Sunday school was organized with thirty-three members.
But the reader of these pages must not think that the Ten Mile church has been a failure, for from its large membership of the past one hundred seventy-five years have gone forth many great church leaders, including ministers, deacons, businessmen, and professional men as well as farmers, who have established or assisted in maintaining scores of churches, in the Middle West, the Far West, and the South. The Ten Mile church, like the Narrows, at Cumberland, Maryland, has truly been a "gateway to the West" in the field of religious activity.
-W. J. H., assisted by Rufus Holsopple, Miss Lola Spohn, and Mrs. Opal Spohn Sewell
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CHAPTER 56. THE TIRE HILL CHURCH
First church erected, 1878 Local congregation organized, October 6, 1933 Present church membership, 198
The Tire Hill congregation, one of the six churches carved out of the Quemahoning congregation, became a separate group on October 6, 1933.
On land donated by Brother John S. Kaufman, the Tire Hill church was built in 1878 at the foot of Tire Hill on Route 53 between Johnstown and Camp Harmony, about five miles from Johnstown. Elder Joseph Berkey preached the dedicatory ser- mon.
In 1914 the church was remodeled and improved. Up to this time there were two doors in the front entrance with the pulpit between them. The people were seated facing the front en- trance. The women entered from the left; the men, from the right. During the remodeling the pulpit was changed to the other end of the church, an entrance was made in the center, and a vestibule was added.
On January 24, 1915, the church was rededicated by Brethren H. S. Replogle, Jerome E. Blough, and S. P. Zimmerman. In 1936 the church was again remodeled by raising the building and digging out the basement and making it into Sunday-school rooms. This time the dedicatory sermon was preached by Brother John Graham, assisted by Brethren John Ellis and Jerome E. Blough. In 1944 the church auditorium was refinished
Tire Hill Church Before Remodeling
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by new walls and ceiling, an enlarged platform, and hardwood floors; also, the basement walls, ceiling, and floor were painted.
In 1942 the church purchased the parsonage, which is one and one-half miles from the church on the Soap Hollow Road. The parsonage was dedicated by Brother J. A. Robinson, as- sisted by Brethren H. C. Hess and Dorsey E. Rotruck.
In 1947 a room sixteen by eighteen feet was added to the side of the church, which is a ladies' aid room and a classroom. This room can be opened to make it a part of the auditorium.
Before the Tire Hill church became a separate congregation, it was served by ministers from the Quemahoning congregation: namely, Emanuel Blough, Jonathan Blough, John Darr, S. P. Zimmerman, P. J. Blough, I. B. Ferguson, N. H. Blough, M. J. Weaver, Charles Blough, W. K. Kulp, William Rummel, Paul Rummel, and Galen Blough. The following have served as part-time pastors: Arthur Rummel, 1931 to 1937; Homer C. Hess, 1937 to 1940; William H. Rummel, 1940 to 1943.
Since 1943, Dorsey E. Rotruck has been serving as full-time pastor. The following have served as elders of this congregation: Charles W. Blough, Arthur Rummel, and H. C. Hess. Brother Kenneth Blough was ordained a minister by this congregation on May 31, 1939.
The present membership of the church is one hundred ninety- eight. The congregation has an active women's work organiza- tion, which meets weekly for sewing and quilting. The first aid society was organized on July 20, 1927, with nineteen members. The first president was Mrs. Mahlon Kaufman. They met each week and made quilts, aprons, and bonnets, which they sold. As an active group, they helped with the church finances as well as with community needs. Many of the older members have passed to their reward, but there are those who still carry on the work of the congregation with faithfulness and devotion.
Tire Hill Church Officials
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Women's Work Group, Tire Hill Church
In October 1942 a women's work group was organized with elected officers for all departments. The aid society department, with Mrs. John Haughton president, is the most active group. It is still busy making quilts, quilting, and doing other things which make it possible to help with many of the church projects. They installed a sink and a water heater in the church basement and gave over $2,000.00 for putting a bath in the parsonage and remodeling the church. The society collected clothing, soap, fat, shoes, and other useful things several times a year for relief. Many quilts were made, and sewing was done through the New Windsor relief center. With an average attendance of eight, an average of thirty-two quilts a year were made.
At the time the enclosed picture was taken four of the members who helped to organize the first aid society were present: namely, Mrs. Cloyd Mishler, Mrs. Hiram Kaufman, Mrs. Polly Baumgardner, and Mrs. Archie Heater. Mrs. Emma Blough, aged eighty-one, is the oldest mem- ber. She still pieces quilts and helps with the quilting. It is the hope of the Tire Hill aid society to do more and better work in the local church, the district, the community, and the Brotherhood in the years that lie ahead.
The young people are organized and take an active part in local and district work. The men, even though not organized, are active in the local church.
The Sunday school has been organized for many years. In its early days many Mennonites assisted as teachers and superintendents. The following Brethren have served as superintendents of the Sunday school: Levi Blough, Fred Kring, Simon Lint, Henry B. Kaufman, John E. Kaufman, Ralph Fleegle, Jesse Speicher, Harry Strayer, Irvin Kaufman, Kenneth Blough, Fred Bentz, and Arthur McDaniel. The present Sunday- school enrollment is one hundred eighty.
There are nine deacons in the congregation. John E. Kaufman was elected to the office of deacon by the Quemahoning congregation. Five men-Frank Croyle, Walter Blough, Harry Kaufman, Harry Strayer, and Irvin Kaufman-were installed as deacons by the Tire Hill church on May 13, 1934. Charles Rummel, Ernest Blough, and Clarence Miller were installed as deacons on April 25, 1948.
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Brother John E. Kaufman, who is eighty-six years old, is the oldest member of the Tire Hill church. He, with the late Josiah Blough, supported the church for many years, when only a few attended the services, which were held every two weeks in the morning and seldom in the evening. Brethren Kaufman and Blough were usually there helping in whatever way they could. The visiting ministers were usually entertained in one of these two homes.
Blueprints have been made for a new addition to the church. This new addition, to be added to the front of the present building, will be fourteen by thirty-four feet in size, and will have a center entrance, two rooms in the basement, two rooms on the first floor, with folding doors to be opened into the auditorium, and a balcony with three rooms, with folding doors that can also be opened into the auditorium.
The future of the Tire Hill church looks encouraging. Located in a growing community, it is respected and appreciated by the business concerns and the citizens of the community.
-Irvin Kaufman
CHAPTER 57. THE UNIONTOWN CHURCH
Sunday school organized, June 1885
Robinson Street church dedicated, February 15, 1903 Present church membership, 576
The Uniontown church, located in Fayette County, was, until 1931, a part of the Georges Creek congregation. The early history of this church has been compiled from information found in the
Uniontown Church, Built in 1903
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record books of the German Baptist Brethren church, Georges Creek congregation, which included, at various times, the Grove, Fairview, Uniontown, Mt. Union, and Fairchance churches.
The Uniontown church is first mentioned in the minutes of April 25, 1885, when a bill was presented for three dollars and sixty cents for forty pounds of meat purchased for the Union- town love feast, November 7, 1884. Then, in May 1885, mention is made about money raised for the Uniontown church, which was located on Morgantown Street.
The June 1885 minutes record the election of officers for the Sunday school, as follows: John L. Johnson, superintendent; Andrew Moser, assistant; Helen Carroll, secretary; Dora Fleigel, assistant; Marling Maust, treasurer; Lida N. Johnson, chorister.
Interference on the part of the Progressives and the resultant dis- sension among some of the members over a period of several years could not be brought to a satisfactory reconciliation by an Annual Meeting committee. This resulted in a division of the church in 1901.
The new church building, a brick structure forty by sixty feet, erected at the present site on Robinson Street, was dedi- cated February 15, 1903, with H. C. Early in charge of the services. The first council meeting was held in this new building on February 25 of the same year. From that time until 1931, when this church withdrew from the Georges Creek congrega- tion and became a separate organization, the quarterly councils of the congregation were held alternately between the Union- town and Fairview churches.
Jasper Barnthouse was the first resident pastor, having moved to Uniontown in 1903, where he served as pastor and elder until ill-health forced him to retire in 1918.
Remodeled Chancel, 1950
Dossal Cloth and Altar
With Carved Picture of the Lord's Supper
Carl S. Driver served as minister in 1919, until the coming of J. A. Buffenmyer, who was pastor from 1920 to 1922. At this time the present church parsonage was built.
Joseph E. Whitacre came to Uniontown in September 1922. He was the shepherd of this congregation for seven years, during which time the church building was remodeled and enlarged. The dedication services were held August 7, 1927, with H. K. Ober as speaker. The young people's group was first organized as a mission-study class in 1925.
C. C. Sollenberger was pastor of the church from 1929 until 1941. During these years there came into existence the church choir, the junior league, and the women's and men's work or- ganizations. Three hundred thirty-one souls were added to the church by baptism.
Nevin H. Zuck was called to the pastorate in 1942; under his guidance the church progressed for almost three years. Our present minister is M. Guy West, who has been the shepherd of this congregation since 1945.
The following deacons have faithfully served the church during the years: Samuel C. Johnson (1884), Andrew J. Moser (1905), H. H. Glover (1905), Alfred Johnson (1905), Owen Goodwin (1905), D. F. Lepley (1910), George Freeman (1910), Josiah Thomas (1913), James Fearer (1915), James Fike (1917), Clyde Cunningham (1917), Charles Collier (1924), Quinter Barnthouse (1924), Alex Moore (1932), Harry Sumey (1932), Orie Lowdermilk (1940), Jonas Conaway (1940), and C. H. Baker (1940).
In addition to the regular ministers, a number of home ministers have, during the years, given abundantly of their time and ability in services to this congregation when needed. These include B. B. Ludwick, D. F. Lepley, S. W. Fike, H. H. Glover, and George Wright.
A mission project of the Georges Creek congregation was the
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starting and conducting of a Sunday school and church services at Fairchance. Uniontown assumed the care of this mission in 1927, until the District Mission Board took charge at a later date. A definite interest in missions has resulted in the Union- town congregation assuming the support of Drs. A. Raymond and Laura Cottrell on the India mission field since 1944.
The church has called to the ministry the following brethren: B. B. Ludwick, D. F. Lepley, H. H. Glover, G. W. Wright, Harold Byerly, Edgar DeBolt, and Clyde Shallenberger.
At the present time, the church is again in the midst of a remodeling program. The interior of the sanctuary is being en- tirely renovated. The chancel, now completed, has added a more sacred atmosphere to the worship services. The architect's plans have been approved for the remaining changes, and we hope to have the work completed in the near future.
Our church membership is five hundred seventy-six. The church organizations include men's work, women's work, CBYF, eighteen Sunday-school classes, a nursery having the services of a trained nurse during the church services, a junior choir, a young people's choir, and an adult volunteer choir with a professional choir director.
It would be impossible to mention all the many faithful lay- men who have contributed much service in time and hard work to the church. We will mention only a few of these who have, in most cases, devoted many years to some definite task:
George Wright was Sunday-school superintendent of the Uniontown church for the twenty-year period from 1922 to 1942. After his election to the ministry he and Mrs. Wright devoted much of their time ministering in the Fairchance church. They
Architect's Design for Remodeled Church Edifice on Robinson Street
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were always ready and willing to perform any services de- manded of them.
In 1946 Brother and Sister Josiah Thomas resigned as janitor and janitress of the church. Sister Thomas began in 1919, and then later both of them worked faithfully at this task for twenty-seven years, until failing health compelled them to pass the work on to others.
In addition to serving in many other capacities, Quinter Barnt- house has been church clerk for the past twenty-seven years, being first elected to that office in 1922.
Florence Morris Newcomer for the past nineteen years has been doing a splendid work with our children, as primary super- intendent. It was she who first organized the young people's group in 1925, with J. E. Whitacre as advisor.
The church demands much time and work from its treasurer. This task was faithfully performed by Harry Sumey from 1931 to 1941, and since that time the work has been carried on by Orie Lowdermilk.
A church history would be incomplete without mentioning a few of the many Sunday-school teachers who have devoted their services through the years in an effort to teach others the Word. The following people have taught classes for twenty years-many of them much longer: Amanda Johnson, one of our retired teachers, who will celebrate her one-hundredth birthday February 21, 1950, Mary Fearer, Thelma Cunningham, Grace Hager, Quinter Barnthouse, Florence Newcomer, and Orpha Collier.
-Thelma Cunningham
EDITOR'S NOTE: For the first one hundred years' history (1784 to November 7, 1884) concerning the Brethren in and near Union- town ("town of Union") the reader is referred to page 243.
The Building Committee
Left to right: Orie A. Lowdermilk, Harry D. Sumey, Harold R. Cun- ningham, Murray Guy West (pastor), James Fearer, Quinter Barnthouse, C. H. Baker
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CHAPTER 58. WALNUT GROVE CHURCH
Sunday school organized, 1886 Present church dedicated, April 30, 1916 Present church membership, 969
The history of the Brethren began in this region with the migration of Elder Peter Maugen (Morgan) from Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1797. He bought a tract of land containing one hundred twenty acres from Ludwig Wissinger. At that time it was in Quemahoning Township, Somerset County. It later became the Jacob Wertz farm above Walnut Grove (Mrs. Jacob Wertz was the granddaughter of Elder Morgan). At present, part of it is in Stonycreek Township, Cambria County, and part in the city of Johnstown. The farm of Simon T. Blough is located on part of the original tract.
The church of which Walnut Grove is a part was organized in 1810. It was known as the Conemaugh church, taking its name from the river. It included the Shade Creek congregation until 1846. Shade Creek has since been divided into Shade Creek proper, Scalp Level, Rummel, and Windber. Conemaugh and Johnstown were subsequently divided. The old Conemaugh congregation was divided again Old Walnut Grove Church, Built in 1884 on August 7, 1879, and on August 25 of that year the Johnstown congregation was organized. The membership then was over three hundred. After the division of the Progressives and the Conservatives, the Conservatives built a new house of worship at Walnut Grove in 1884.
The ministers who remained with the congregation took turns in serving the church, and though the division had caused considerable discouragement, they went faithfully on, striving to carry on the work. The church at Walnut Grove was then only one of the preaching places in the entire church territory. The other places were Horners, which was the large house of the old original Conemaugh congregation-now taken in with the Johnstown congregation; Giffin Hill, Benshoff Hill, and Hedricks. In the course of time, other points were selected where preaching was done, and these finally grew into regular places for meetings; houses of worship were built at Roxbury, Yoder Hill (now Westmont), Morrellville, Moxham, and Maple Grove.
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In 1898 it was decided to divide the congregation into the Johns- town and West Johnstown congregations. The Roxbury church, which already had been built in 1892, was the largest one in West Johnstown. The others were: Viewmont, Morrellville, and Benshoff Hill (Pleasant Hill). The churches comprising the Johnstown congregation were: Walnut Grove, Moxham, Locust Grove (Giffin Hill), Maple Grove, and Conemaugh. In time, each of these churches became a separate congrega- tion: Moxham, January 3, 1918; Locust Grove, March 15, 1921; Cone- maugh, February 8, 1926; Maple Grove, March 31, 1929.
Ministers who carried on the early work of the church deserve much credit for its progress. They gave of their time and services freely without compensation. As the work grew and duties became greater, it was decided to secure a pastor who would devote his full time to the Lord's work. As a result of this decision, William M. Howe was called to the pastorate on May 1, 1907. This marked the beginning of a new era of growth and development. For three years he served the entire congrega- tion; the remaining four years he confined his efforts to Walnut Grove.
During the pastorate of Brother Howe, the workers felt that the present house of worship was inadequate to carry on the work of the church fully in all departments. There followed much talk concerning a new building. Interest in the idea kept growing until, at a special council on April 11, 1912, a committee was appointed to investigate cost, location, and other related concerns. Finally, at a general council on August 27, 1914, plans for a new church and a parsonage were presented and adopted. The location was changed to a near-by site. The membership favored going forward with the work at once; ground was
Walnut Grove Church
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broken on May 19, and the cornerstone was laid on August 22, 1915.
In the meantime, William M. Howe resigned as pastor in September 1914 and M. Clyde Horst was secured to take up the work and be the spiritual leader.
The building of the new church went steadily forward until, on April 30, 1916, the great day had arrived-the new house was "dedicated with joy"! A great congregation assembled to hear the inspiring messages of Dr. C. C. Ellis of Juniata College and Dr. M. G. Brumbaugh, then governor of Pennsylvania. The seat- ing capacity, which is nearly one thousand including Sunday- school rooms, was inadequate to accommodate the crowd. J. H. Cassady and William M. Howe each had a part in the dedicatory program. A well-organized choir, under the efficient leadership of J. Lloyd Jones, rendered most appropriate and appreciated music. The total cost of the building and lot was $42,000.00.
The church was redecorated in 1927, in 1938, and again in April 1946. Part of the second floor was remodeled in 1940. Some changes have been made in the basement also.
A revival, conducted by George W. Flory, followed immediately after the dedication. The result of this revival was the addition of one hundred nine new members. The ministers of the congregation at that time were: M. Clyde Horst (pastor), Samuel W. Pearce, David Shumaker, Peter C. Strayer, Lori B. Harshberger, Cornelius W. Harsh- berger, Joseph S. Burkhart, and Louis G. Shaffer.
In later years, the church was much pleased to have a few others answer the call to the ministry. Stanley B. Noffsinger was elected while at Juniata College. Mrs. W. D. Keller, George Detweiler and Lois Detweiler (Mrs. Glen Norris) were licensed in December 1922, and Paul M. Robinson in September 1932. George Detweiler and Paul Robinson were later ordained as elders. Robert Blough was licensed to preach on August 6, 1946. Kenneth McDowell and Donald Robinson were licensed on May 18, 1947. After completing his work at Bethany Biblical Seminary, Kenneth McDowell was ordained June 1, 1949.
With the new building and increased facilities for work, the people assumed their responsibilities with zeal and enthusiasm. Elder Howe had a very strong influence over the congregation and the district because of his rich and dynamic personality, capable preaching, and interesting and forceful Bible teaching. Under the efficient leadership of Brother Horst and the succeed- ing pastors, the church has experienced a steady growth until the membership numbers around eleven hundred, including the Arbutus mission. When Brother Horst resigned his pastorate in 1921, it was taken over by W. D. Keller, who continued until 1925. Galen K. Walker then came to assume the leadership,
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which place he held until August 1929. The church was fortu- nate to secure John A. Robinson, December 1, 1929; he continues as pastor at this time. It so happened the C. C. Sollenberger, who had just resigned as pastor at Morrellville, was available to serve during the months from August to December 1929.
The church recognizes the fact that a good board of deacons is essential in a growing church, and from time to time has called these men to this important office: Simon T. Blough, William H. Stuver, and Jacob W. Harshberger, March 30, 1916; Curtis Wissinger, March 27, 1917; ยท Foster Berkebile, Earl Berkebile, W. L. Brougher, and Anderson Wertz, October 4, 1917; Harry McDowell and Clyde Altemus, April 20, 1919; Chester Strayer and Clarence Horner, December 7, 1933; Roger Berkey, John Roudabush, Louis Bopp, Edward Yost, Merle Mineely, and Harry Albert, March 4, 1942. Thomas Lear, Quinter Wegley, William King, Elmer Lohr and Raymond Stutzman came as deacons from other congregations. Dean Musser, Lowell B. Berkebile, Paul Wegley, and Olin Brougher were elected on June 3, 1948. They were finally installed on September 25, 1949.
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