USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > Waynesboro > Waynesboro : the history of a settlement in the county formerly called Cumberland, but later Franklin, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in its beginnings, to its centennial period, and to the close of the present century > Part 21
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St. Paul's Reformed church was organized, out of a part ST. PAUL'S REFORMED HURCH. of the former membership of Trinity congregation, with
October, 1851, to March, 1854.
List of clergymen. Note 68.
(18)
290
WAYNESBORO.
CHAPTER XII. Narrative of Rev. Edward O. Keen. Aug. 9, 1873.
1876.
February 4, 1877.
List of clergymen. Note 69.
an enrollment of fifty-nine members. The first officers were: Elders : Samuel Haeflich, William F. Grave, D. B. Russell. Deacons: John R. Haeflich, T. C. Resser, George F. Lidy, D. J. Rhea. For a time the services were held in the townhall. Later, a suitable lot on West Main street was purchased, and the erection of a church build- ing begun. The next year this building was consecrated to the worship of the Triune God. The original building has since been enlarged and improved to meet the needs of the growing congregation. The roll of pastors is as follows: Rev. William C. Schaeffer, Rev. Isaac M. Mot- ter, Rev. S. E. Stofflett, Rev. A. S. Dechant, Rev. Edward O. Keen.
METHODIST EPIS- COPAL CHURCHI.
Narrative of Rev. Charles V. Hartzell. December, 1784.
In the early days, North American Methodism was under the direct superintendence of the Rev. John Wes- ley, in England. The Methodist Episcopal church was organized in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. Waynes- boro, being but seventy miles north of Baltimore, was early visited by the Methodist itinerant. The small be- ginnings of many great movements are meagerly chronic- led. Makers of history are too busy to write it; hence. data of the very beginning of Methodism in Waynesboro are deficient.
1794. 1797.
We know that at an early day the Rev. Charles Bur- goon's circuit stretched from Frederick, Maryland, to Chambersburg. Pennsylvania, and it must have included the locality of Waynesboro. In the birth year of the town. Rev. John Rowen was the circuit preacher.
The multiplication of preaching places and the general growth of Methodist societies required frequent re- Adjustment of cir- adjustments of the circuits. Accordingly, Waynesboro is found successively on the Carlisle circuit, which reached from the Susquehanna to the Potomac; on the Cham- bersburg circuit, which included about a score of preach- ing places: on the Hagerstown circuit, which embraced
cuits.
HISTORY OF WAYNESBORO.
WAYNESBORO CHURCHES.
UNITED BRETHREN. REFORMED MENNONITE.
ST. ANDREW'S (CATHOLIC). METHODIST EPISCOPAL. GERMAN BAPTIST.
LULICIN
293
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.
many "appointments ;" and on the Greencastle circuit, CHAPTER XII. which was also made up of many outlying points. For a few years it was the head of a small circuit. Later, it be- 1856. came a station, with the Rev. J. H. C. Dosh as pastor, and it has continued a station to this day.
During the first twenty-five years of its history, Waynesboro Methodism had no church building. The society met in private houses and other places. The last place of worship used before the first church was built was a carpenter shop, since improved and now occupied by "The Village Record" as office and editorial room. At a certain period a camp-meeting held, resulted in such large increase in membership that a church became a necessity, and forthwith it was undertaken and speedily pushed to completion. For thirty years this modest brick building served the purpose, then the cornerstone of the present two story brick structure was laid, and early the next year the church was dedicated. From time to time in the past forty years it has been remodeled and im- proved. Plans are now under way for replacing this building with one more commodious and better appointed to meet the present needs of a growing church.
The present membership of the church is three hun- dred and fifty, with a Sunday-school of over three hun- dred. Rev. Charles V. Hartzell is at present pastor.
Waynesboro was first connected with the Mont Alto circuit of the church of the United Brethren in Christ, but the church was not organized until later, when Rev. J. H. Young was sent as pastor, Waynesboro then being, in connection with Quincy, Blue Rock and Pleasant Hill, made a mission. Rev. Young at once proceeded to or- ganize with about forty members, and during that year built a small brick church, forty by fifty feet.
The following pastors have served the charge: Rev. List of pastors. J. H. Young, Rev. A. H. Shank. Rev. D. R. Burkholder,
The first church building.
1823.
September, 1857.
Present member- ship.
March, 1897.
UNITED BRETH- REN IN CHRIST.
Narrative of Rev. J. R. Hutchinson. 1882.
294
WAYNESBORO.
CHAPTER X11.
Rev. J. O. Clippinger, Rev. J. B. Weidler, Rev. H. J. Kitz- miller, and the present pastor, Rev. J. R. Hutchinson.
1899.
Church building.
The church building has been lately remodeled and enlarged, and extensive repairs have been made, until now the church will seat about four hundred and seventy- five persons. It has been enlarged by the addition of sixteen by forty feet on the north side, and a recess of six by twenty feet on the south side. A tower has also been built, and the church is now one of the most modern in the town. There is a membership of one hundred and sixty, with a large Sunday-school. The church is in a flourishing condition, congregations are large, often fill- ing all the room in the new and enlarged building.
A mission station.
Waynesboro was at the late session of the Pennsylvania Conference constituted a mission station, and is, there- fore, separated from the other appointments with which it was formerly connected, and now has preaching twice each Sabbath. It is on the Chambersburg District. Pennsylvania Conference.
REFORMED MEN- NONITE. Narrative of H. B. Strickler. 1825. 1862.
Church erected in Maryland. 1827.
Waynesboro congre- gation. 1876. 1900.
A few families of Reformed Mennonites came from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and settled in the vicinity of Waynesboro. Among these was Christian Frantz, a minister, who located on a farm near the town and lived there until the close of his life. From this time the doc- trine was advocated at different places and a house for public worship was erected, near Ringgold, Maryland. just at the State line, between Pennsylvania and Mary- land. As the congregation increased in numbers the house was enlarged and services are still held at this place. They gradually extended to other sections of the county and into Maryland. Wherever they located services were hield, but the Waynesboro congregation has continued to be the largest in the Cumberland Valley. A church was erected on Third street in Waynesboro. Here the con- gregation has worshiped until the present time. One of the industries of the town has acquired this property and
295
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.
a new church has been built on Philadelphia avenue be- CHAPTER XII. tween Third and Fourth streets.
Ministers are called by the voice of the church from its members. After serving for a time on probation, if found acceptable, are ordained to the ministry and labor in that calling without compensation. They are not stationed to fill particular charges, but serve in the locality where they reside, filling such appointments as may be within their reach.
The first minister called by the church at Waynesboro was Samuel Steiner. Soon after his ordination he re- moved to Falling Spring, near Chambersburg, where he labored to the close of his life. He was for many years a bishop. Jacob Frantz and Martin Hoover were the next ministers called and ordained by this congregation. Jacob Frantz died some years ago. Henry B. Strickler, one of its present ministers, had been called and ordained by the church in Cumberland county, Pa., prior to his locating in Waynesboro. Isaiah Sprenkle was the last one called and ordained by this congregation. In addition to these, Jacob S. Lehman, of the vicinity of Chambersburg, was ordained a minister, and is now a bishop.
The Reformed Mennonite church was organized in Pennsylvania at an early period. It was not the result of a division in any church, but an independent movement on the part of all who participated in its organization. Its distinctive doctrines are in agreement with those advo- cated by Menno Simon in the sixteenth century, from whom the name Mennonite comes. One of these doc- trines most at variance with the generally accepted be- liefs, is the non-resistant principle. They are never found in the courts engaged in litigation, nor bearing arms in defense of any cause whatever. They do not hold office under the civil government, nor exercise the right of suf- frage to place others in office.
The St. Stephen's Episcopal Mission had but a brief existence. About two years ago the mission was organ-
Method of calling ministers.
Ministers in service. 1840.
Note 70.
1812.
Nature of doc- trines.
ST. STEPHEN'S EPISCOPAL MISSION.
296
WAYNESBORO.
CHAPTER XII. 1898.
ized. It met in the hall of the G. A. R. and at several other places. It was in existence some six months or more and then ceased to exist. Rev. F. Schroder, of Lancaster, was the clergyman in charge.
St. Andrew's Roman Catholic church was organized at ROMAN CATHOLIC an early day as a mission, and became a parish about seven ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH. 1814.
1893.
years ago. Rev. Father Halftermeyer is pastor. The present membership is two hundred and ten: member- ship of Sunday-school, thirty-five. Officers: Misses Agnes Lowell and Gertrude Funk. Membership of so- cieties, sixty-four. Sodality. B. V. M., president, Miss Agnes Lowell. Altar society, president. Miss Kate Smith. Sewing circle, president, Mrs. Lucy Funk.
AFRICAN METH- ODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The African Methodist Episcopal church. Rev. W. Sprigg. pastor. Membership, ten: membership of Sun- day-school, twenty: of young people's society. twenty- five. Trustees: Lewis Alexander. George Bell. George Stoner. Frank Gaither, Abram Carroll.
SNOW IIILL SO- CIETY (Nunnery).
Birth of the Society.
The community house.
There was no class of citizens in Pennsylvania more law-abiding and thrifty, or more useful to the community. than the ancient society of Seventh Day Baptists. The story of their monastic society at Ephrata, in Lancaster county, through late and valuable publications, is be- coming generally familiar to the reading public. The fact. however, is not so familiar that, in the shadow of the South Mountain, in a lonely spot in Franklin county, on the banks of the Antietam creek, is to be found the last remnant of this society. In the ancient community house, which still stands there with its gloomy corridors and deserted cloisters, there lived, a few years ago, daily waiting her summons to go, the last sister of the Capu- chin, or White Friar, Order, which, one hundred and six- ty years ago. Conrad Beissel founded at his hermit house in Lancaster county. She has now departed also.
HISTORY OF WAYNESBORO.
-
HOME OF SEVENTH-DAY BAPTISTS, SNOW HILL. PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY OF THE "NUNNERY."
ENTRANCE TO KAMMERS.
VIEW FROM THE MEADOW.
KITCHEN OF SISTER HOUSE.
SAAL.
GENERAL VIEW FROM SOUTH.
PORCH OLD BROTHER HOUSE.
NORTH FRONT.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR LENOX A 'D TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
299
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.
At the end of a beautiful lawn stands the ancient meet- CHAPTER XII. ing-house. Here, for a long time, it was customary The meeting-house. every fortnight, on the seventh day of the week, for the worshipers to gather. There, still, members of German religious societies gather for worship, but the spirit of the old-timed Snow Hill Society has departed forever. The old-fashioned, heart-touching singing is no more. The music books are still preserved, but the voices of the The music. singers are silent forever.
It is a sad thing to look inside this old meeting-house, but yet it is a curious place to visit, with its primitive reading-desk and its oaken benches, solid but comfort- less, which have been in service how many years no one can tell. And here, off at one side, is the Saal, where is prepared the Agapas, or Love Feast. In a quaint-look- ing caldron, the brethren used to cook the lamb broth, the chief emblem of the feast. All the glory of the past, how- ever, has departed now. The hand of decay is fallen on every thing heavily, and worse than all the insatiate maw of the government is now about to swallow up for its own uses whatever of value remains.
The peace of the past, however, still reigns over this little valley, for godly men still live there.
Considerable space has been devoted to the history of orthodox sects in this locality, and it can not be inappro- priate here to give a brief account of an unorthodox sect. the Mormons, which at one time obtained a temporary foothold in the southern part of the county, and did no little missionary work in and around Waynesboro.
Almost within the shadow of the Cove Mountain, on the southwestern borders of Franklin county, Pennsyl- vania, spanning a tributary of the Conococheague creek, stands to this day an old stone bridge. In the autumn :845. of a certain year two faithful believers in the doctrine promulgated by the Latter Day Saints were sent eastward to spy out the land. After wandering many days they at length, one charming afternoon, halted on this old stone
Thoughts of the past.
Vale.
MORMONS.
A Pennsylvania settlement.
300
WAYNESBORO.
CHAPTER XII.
Spying out the land.
bridge. Looking northward, their eyes rested upon a beautiful scene. What more beautiful picture is there than a Cumberland Valley farm! Through their inspired understanding they at once realized that this was the place of their visions, where the Lord had shown them was to be marked out the site of the "City of the New Jerusalem."
The result of this visit was the early purchase from Mr. Andrew G. McLanahan of his farm, for which they paid him fifteen thousand dollars.
Property acquired.
The representatives of the Latter Day Saints, who set- tled on this tract of land and in the not distant neighbor- hood around Greencastle and Waynesboro, including "strangers from the destruction of the west" and converts among residents, numbered nearly two hundred.
Their growth.
The plan for a great city and magnificent temple here was on a scale commensurate with the Mormon plans for cities and temples in the west.
Sidney Rigdon.
SIDNEY RIGDON.
Sidney Rigdon was their chief "seer" and prophet. He was also high priest as well as prophet. The commodious barn on the rolling meadow was the "temple," and the dwelling-house nearby was the "temporal abode" for Rigdon and his assistant priests, Kimball and Hyde.
As a whole, the Mormons in Franklin county were a "serious folk," and most religiously inclined. The doc- trine of polygamy, if entertained at all, does not seem to have been seriously asserted. Religious services were held every Sunday in the temple barn. under the earnest ministrations of Rigdon and his assistants. Not a few converts were made, but the faith never prospered.
Those who dwelt in the town seemed to have some ac- quaintance with work and in distinction from many of those who dwelt upon the farm were averse to idleness. The town people started a paper, in the interest of their
Their principles.
300
1
under sanding the at once called that This way the place al ilien visions wiers Be Lord laid shown thein Hạt to be marked Đơn the she of the Ch of the Pen Perroalent
There một of the trong vás thế gurty, pu chase from My Wodren & Mefamilien of ti faris. for which they paid kun meer thansibil dollar;
The representation of the Ladies Day Saints, who Fare tel on His twotot land on l of the vor fi fant neighbor bood scolind Tweenelle sad Waynesboro, including "s magen- from the last them be the well and contents amalie residents, rumbored nearly Heo hundred.
Ne plan Bir a great cir and magnificent tentole 1 ofe vision x tele conmensmate with The Mormonplans for -
Simies Riolen was their cafel
Togo presta well & proplief Wie trendy was the Wemple."and the dwelling fronte Meting was the coopori apode for Bigdon and his assistant priest, Kirchely and l'vile.
is a whole, the Airmom in Franklin county Were 5 Heraus Jul." and most religioush inclined. The dic- f16 of polygainy. of entertame 1 at all. does not seem to Tage heen seriously asserted Religions services Mec Told every Sunday in the temple barn, andler the ernest winstontons of Rigdon and his apostam -. Not a few convery& were male, In the faith newer prospered.
Those the dude by the to va scented to have soin! I- wwwenice with work and in distinction from many of three who dwelt upon the fatto were aver e to illene -.. Fib rower people smiled a pape- in the interest of their
HISTORY OF WAYNESBORO.
"THE NEW JERUSALEM" IN FRANKLIN COUNTY, PENNA.
HOME OF MORMON ELDERS AND TEMPLE BARN.
OLD CONOCOCHEAGUE BRIDGE.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIB. AR
'R, LENOX A : D ILO. W FOUNDATIONS.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.
303
sect, which they called the "Conocoheague Herald," CHAPTER XII. copies of which are still in existence. One Robinson, by name, was the editor and his paper, judging from the copy at hand of the "Herald" was a sprightly enough lit- tle sheet.
There was a general awakening from the delusion when, on that eventful night, the whole community, clad in their ascension robes, knelt on the meadow back of the barn from sunset even unto the coming of dawn, waiting the promised advent of the Messiah, but all in vain. The awakening from their folly was sudden and complete
CONOCOCHEAGUE HERALD.
KNOWLEDGE AND LIBERTY. ONE AND INSEPERABLE .- Walker.
J. Allbourn & E. Roblason, Edkor,
GREENCASTLE, FRANKLIN COUNTY, PA WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 36, 1819.
THE CONOCOPUCAGLE HERALD ..
Miscellaneous.
Watchmaker
. TWOBINBOE Proprietor
Bilversmith and Ww MeCRORY, East Bahrmore siteel
OL, RAY AND 4 NYMIINC.
QUEFNCASTLE, J'A.
LA ve turn oue opels
VIELETALIGr 8I per annam in advance, "- nu vernisaugcare will be Inserted of the mie
Foundry and Machine Shops BRADLY & CHAPPELL, Iron l'oanders,"
From our companion, withmi leto the grave, Ser his letnihers to his buren funune
Shchok all away'
alf in » chur. "Vous sholl nul take niv jen away."
of fresh flowers, and we dance uniler Ibe chair of our trete, of entire to the woods
FACSIMILE HERALD HEADING.
among the shivering company that repaired to their homes when the light of morning came.
Most of these people lived in idleness. What money they had brought with them, or had accumulated, was soon spent. They could not pay the balance due on their property, and, as a consequence, it finally reverted to its former owner, and within two years after their first ar- rival in this section a majority of the scattered sect had made their way west to Salt Lake City, whilst others back- slid to the Gentiles and started life anew.
In a pine wood, not far from the City of the New Jeru- salem, in Pennsylvania, a number of their dead lie buried, and the spot is to-day pointed out to the passer-by as the "Mormon graveyard." Little is known as to the in- dividuality of the men and women who there sleep their last sleep.
Dissolution.
The old graveyard.
Awakening to the situation.
the officer. the litle aun, at the aune tinw kicking at ] nished, hahited in alte of the richest boer, and daweling wilb jewels; and howestske "Mamina," whisperel Mary; "mitet my | hear chnerrta of musicians, whrss-920t- father go to prison-won't they let us go ecodant still will at once account snel a chant ther "Here comis my authontr," said the Mm Our minhurnt shepherdrun to smy hondame. How beautiful ther Jonk
deputy shenf
The chler Mr. F. ingrally placael him- un holidays, when they put on garlands
wWhy do sont Leen nie so long a tune
CHAPTER XIII.
NEWSPAPERS.
PURVEYORS OF NEWS FOR HALF A CENTURY AND MORE.
CHAPTER XIII.
1790.
Note 71.
The Waynesboro Circulator.
April 21, 1843.
Neighborhood papers.
Terms of the Cir- culator.
1 T is particularly observable that the people of the Cumberland Valley were early interested in news- papers. Kline's "Carlisle Gazette." for a long period of time in the early days, was a well-known publication throughout this section, and a medium for the advertising of all kinds of notices. It was the ambition of every town of any importance to have its own newspaper. Cham- bersburg's first newspaper started shortly after the close of the Revolutionary War. The "Baltimore American." which was in existence prior to and through the revolu- tion, was a casual visitor among the people in the neigh- borhood of Waynesboro, reaching there by way of Ha- gerstown usually.
For upwards of fifty years the people of the county were content with the news furnished by the Chambers- burg papers; then the ambitious town of Waynesboro led the van of later progressive journalism, and the "Waynesboro Circulator" was organized with Mr. C. Grate as editor and proprietor. At this time the only other newspapers in the neighborhood were the "Hagers- town Herald and Torchlight," the "Hagerstown Mail." the Carlisle "American Volunteer," the "Gettysburg Compiler." and, over at Bedford, the "Gazette" and the "Inquirer."
The "Circulator." according to its own announcement, was published "every Saturday on an imperial sheet, at two dollars per annum, payable within the first three months from the time of commencing the paper. In politics, strictly neutral. Advertisements conspicuously
305
NEWSPAPERS.
inserted for three weeks at one dollar a square ; for every CHAPTER XIII. subsequent insertion, twenty-five cents will be charged."
It was a four page paper, fifteen inches by twenty inches in size. Its first page was devoted to "literature and the fine arts."
Aug. 26, 1:43.
The particular copy of the paper in view is number nineteen, volume one, and, as a relic, it came into the pos- session of the editor of the "Village Record." It is I. E. Yost. noticeably barren of local information. Its first page con- Extracts. tains a piece of poetry on the death of Napoleon at St. Helena, and a short story by Mrs Frances Sargent Os- good, together with four extracts from other newspapers. The second page is largely devoted to foreign news, but presents one or two personal anecdotes. The third page has a lengthy leader, entitled "Liberty." The political news consists of a notice of the election of John Nill and Upton Washabaugh, Esquires, as delegates from Franklin county to the Democratic State convention for that year to nominate candidates for canal commissioners, and of Andrew Snively, Esquire, and Major J. Calhoun as dele- gates to a like convention to represent the Whig party.
From the following notice, published on this page, it may be gathered that the firemen of the village were being traduced, and found it necessary to defend themselves :
"At a stated meeting of the Washington Engine Com- pany held on the evening of the twenty-first, on motion of D. S. Stoner, the following Preamble and Resolutions were unanimously adopted ;
IT'hereas, On the evening of which we held our last stated meeting, some unprincipled or villainous person did set on fire between the hours of ten and eleven o'clock p. m. one or two tar or oil barrels on the lot of Dr. J. Brotherton, within this borough, for some cause or pur- pose unknown to the Washington Engine Company, and whereas, some of the citizens did charge the company at the same time, as well as at other times, for causing the fire to be made, and causing a false alarm to the citizens of this place,
The firemen are heard.
.
306
WAYNESBORO.
CHAPTER XII1.
Resolved, That we as a company declare ourselves inno- cent of the charge, and that we pronounce the persons who made the charge against the company as no less than slanderers of the character of the same.
Resolved, That we as a company do esteem the act to be beneath the dignity of the company or a gentleman. and do utterly condemn such acts as highly indecorous, and do repel any and all such charges as unjust and slan- derous.
Resolved, That the persons who caused the fire to be made, if members of the company, be visited with the heaviest penalties our constitutions and laws admit of.
Resolved, That we as a company do believe it to be our duty at all times to hold ourselves in readiness, upon any alarm to give aid in repelling the ravages of the destruc- tive element, but do not feel willing to have every dirty villainous act perpetrated by the outcasts of society cast on the credit of the company.
JOSEPH ANDERSON, President pro tem. W. L. HAYS, Vice-President. F. J. BOGGS, Secretary pro tem."
The last page is devoted to advertisements, chiefly of business interests in Chambersburg, but the following advertisement of Mr. John C. Frey seems to be local in its character. He announces that he has :
"A fresh supply of clocks of all kinds, at number two, the old stand, where he is ready to sell, on accommo- dating terms, wholesale and retail," (as an evidence of his willingness to trade and keep things moving he adds to his advertisement the following:) "Don't forget. horses, mules, and jackasses, of every description, wanted, for which he will trade watches, clocks, &c., &c., &c. No person desirous of trading shall be disappointed, if he has any article to suit. Book accounts, notes, and other pa- per, which are supposed to be bad, and worth nothing to those holding them, will be taken for any article he has on hand."
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