LIBRARY OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY PRINCETON, N. J. Section...u.L...O../^ REV PROF. CHARLES A. HAY, D. D Born February 11, 1821 Died June 26, 1893. HISTORY Evangelical Lutheran Synod EAST PENNSYLVANIA, BRIEF SKETCHES OF ITS CONGREGATIONS. PUBLISHED BY THE SYNOD IN COMMEMORATION OF ITS SEMI-CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY. 1842-1892. PHILADELPHIA : LUTHERAN PUBLICATION SOCIETY. •JSuilt upon tbc foundation of tl)r apostles anil propbrts, ^fceus Cbi'tst himself bcinjj tlje cl)irf Cornerstone. — Ephesians ii. 20. CONTENTS. PAGE I. Preface 5 II. Programme of Semi-Centennial Celebration (including Brief Historical Notes, Order of Exercises, and Jubilee Poem) 7 III. Historical Sketch of the Synod 15 IV. Table of Synodical Meetings and Officers 47 V. Sketches of Congregations 49 VI. Statistical Table, Showing the Progress of Synod by Decades 323 VII. Parochial Reports for the Year Ending September, 1892. 324 VIII. Register of Pastors 338 IX. Index of Churches and Pastoral Charges 369 X. Constitution of Synod, as Amended September, 1892 373 (3) ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE 1. Portrait of Prof. Charles A. Hay, D. D Frontispiece 2. Engraving of the Hill Union Church, near Annville, Pa 58 3. Engraving of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church and Parsonage, Annville, Pa 61 4. Engraving of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Allentown, Pa. 79 5. Engraving of Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Manheim, Pa.. . . 111 6. Engraving of St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Philadel- phia, Pa 142 7. Engraving of St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Reading, Pa. 160 8. Engraving of the English Evangelical Lutheran Church and Parson- age, Pottsville, Pa 172 9. Engraving of St. Peter's Ev. Lutheran Church, Riegelsville, Pa 187 10. Engraving of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lykens, Pa 196 11. Engraving of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lancaster, Pa. 206 12. Engraving of Seventh Street Evangelical Lutheran Church, Leba- non, Pa 208 13. Engraving of St. James' Evangelical Lutheran Church and Parson- age, Ashland, Pa 216 14. Engraving of St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church and Par- sonage, Schuylkill Haven, Pa 221 15. Engraving of Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, Pa. 239 16. Engraving of St. Faul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Easton, Pa... 250 17. Engraving of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, West Philadel- phia, Pa 2C9 18. Engraving of St. Stephen's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lancas- ter, Pa -261 19. Engraving of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Easton, Pa. . . 263 20. Engraving of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Steelton, Pa. . . 267 21. Engraving of Bethany Ev. Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, Pa 280 22. Engraving of Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Harrisburg, Pa. 285 23. Engraving of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Norwood, Pa. 288 24. Engraving of St. Matthew's Ev. Lutheran Chapel, Allentown, Pa.. .. 292 25. Engraving of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Coatesville, Pa. . 300 26. Engraving of Ebenezer Evangelical Lutheran Church, Berbice, Brit- ish Guiana, S. A 313 (4) PREFACE. In addition to the Historical Address delivered at the celebra- tion of the semi-centennial anniversary of the Synod, it has been thought best, in the exercise of the liberty given the committee « by Synod, to publish a brief sketch of every congregation now in our connection, and also a few general tables illustrating the progress and present condition of the Synod, concluding with the amended form of constitution and by-laws, as adopted at the late convention in Lancaster. The separate sketches, prepared by the respective pastors or under their direction, display great diversity in compass and style. The incompleteness of old records is lamented by many of the writers, and their entire loss by others. The committee, having free access to the invaluable treasures of the Lutheran Historical Society at Gettysburg, Pa., has endeavored, by the use of these and by direct correspondence, to supply as far as possi- ble the more essential details inaccessible to local authorities. The final proof of the sketches, thus amended, has in every case been submitted to the accredited authors for approval. The record of events closes with the completion of the various manuscripts within the period intervening between the session of Synod in September and the close of the year 1892. The pres- ent rapid development of our churches is constantly furnishing new items of interest, and many such have been offered to the committee as this work has been passing through the press ; but justice to all has compelled the rigid exclusion of additional ma- terial. It is earnestly hoped that pastors and church councils (5) are preserving full and accurate accounts of these events for the future historian. The illustrations embodied are such as were furnished by the respective congregations in response to request of the commit- tee, as published in the church papers and included in circular letter addressed to each pastor. It is matter for regret that not all our pastorates have availed themselves of the opportunity thus afforded. The Clerical Register was formed by a careful collation of the manuscripts presented, and embodies also in condensed form the results of further investigation and correspondence. It is be- lieved that it will be found generally accurate. Many pastors, in forwarding their manuscripts, have taken occasion to express their gratitude to the Synod for instituting the work of investigation. It appears to have awakened a deeper interest in the local churches, and stimulated pastors and people to greater effort to maintain and improve the precious heritage received from the fathers. May the publication of our little volume tend to cultivate this spirit, and thus promote the prosperity of Zion. The death of the Synodical Historian having occurred just as our work was passing through the press, it has been thought fitting to present to the reader, on the second page, a life-like portrait- ure of the familiar countenance. No one felt a keener interest in the welfare of our Synod than did Dr. Hay, and his sudden de parture is most widely deplored. The memory of his gentle spirit, his unfailing enthusiasm and his simple faith will long linger as an inspiration, and his influence will still be felt at our annual gatherings. Henry S. Boner, Chas. E. Hay, M. Coover, Committee. ]w 1842. ** 1892. ' Jubilee Celebration Evangelical Lutheran Synod East Pennsylvania, HELD IN ^^i St. John's Church, &^f^> (REV B. F. ALLEMAN, D. D., Pastor.) LANCASTER, PA., Thursday Evening, September 22, 1592. Lutheran Publication house print. The Evangelical Lutheran Synod of East Pennsylvania is one ot the twenty-six District Synods now- constituting the General Synod. Its congre- gations are found in 13 counties in the southeastern part of the State; and in these counties there exist also numerous congregations connected with the Synod of Pennsylvania. In all, there are 8 Synods within the bounds of this State, besides scattered congregations belonging to other Synods. The Minutes of 1891 report, for the Synod of East Pennsylvania, 85 Ministers, 117 Congregations, 14 Preaching Stations, and 18,766 Communing Members. The entire Lutheran Church in this country con- tains now, approximately, 5,200 Min- isters, g,cco Congregations, and 1,200,000 Com- muning Mem- bers. IlMtplical iMthejari JJyriQcl OF EA5T PENNSYLVANIA was formally organized, and the name adopted, in the lecture-room of Trinity Church, Lancaster, May 3d, 1842. There were present on that day, and participating in the movement, nine ministers and two laymen, who had retired for the purpose from the Synod of Pennsylvania, then in session at that Church. The first annual meeting was held in St. Peter's Church, Pikeland, Chester County— where the President, Rev. Frederick Ruthrauff, was the pastor — be- ginning October 15th, 1842, within a few days of fifty years ago. At that session the Constitution was framed. In the meantime, a quarter of a century ago, the organizing of the Susque- hanna Synod cut off a large part of this Synod's territory. That Synod now presents a statistical showing, in the number of ministers, etc., equal to half that of this body. The places and dates of all the annual meetings, together with the names of officers, are printed from year to year, in tabular form, in the Synodical Minutes. PRESIDING OFFICER, Rev. M. SHEELEIGH, D.D. ORGAN VOLUNTARY— ANTHEM: " Before Jehovah's Awful Throne." Dr. Madan. INVOCATION, Bv Rev. J. H. MENGES. HYMN : No. 33 in Book of Worship— " Thee We Adore, Eternal Lord." READING OF SCRIPTURE: Psalm xlvi., and 1 Corinthians, iii. Bv the President of the Synod. PRAYER, By Rev. D. M. Gilbert, D. D. ANTHEM: "How Beautiful Upon the Mountains." : L. O. Emerson. HISTORICAL ADDRESS, By Rev. Prof. C. A. HAY, D. D. ANTHEM: Thanksgiving, Novello. HISTORICAL REMINISCENCES, : By Rev. W. M. BAUM, D. D. Rev. L. E. ALBERT, D. D., Rev. E. S. HENRY. FIVE-MINUTE VOLUNTARY ADDRESSES. ANTHEM : " I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord." A.J. Abbey. PRAYER, By Rev. S. A. HOLMAN, D. D. DOXOLOGY : " Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow." BENEDICTION, Rev. W. L. HEISLER. lr'OEM : BY REV. MATTHIAS SHEELEIGH, D. D. John iv. 38. — " Other men labored, and ye are entered into their labors." — The Saviour. 1 Corinthians iii. 10.—" I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon." — St. Paul. As roll the planets in their spheres, We note the signs of circling years, That, measured out, 'neath God's decree, Extend from birth to Jubilee. Yet not in skyey space alone, But here as well, in earthly zone, Within His Church's light and grace, The doings of the Lord we trace. At length, full fifty years have sped Since hopefully were fathers led, In wisdom sought above their own, To lay in faith a corner-stone. To-day, as from this holy place Is viewed our Synod's goodly base, 'Tis ours, as in the years agone, To heed how we should build thereon. Here long may their successors build, With faith and zeal from heaven tilled, While fathers in their glory bend, Watching this temple fair extend ! As now in praise we bow us down For mercies that our being crown, Honored those early men, and true, Who " builded better than they knew." Could those for Christ who labored here Ring out with ours their praises clear, To-day how would they tell abroad Of work performed for man and God ! Like some cathedral early planned, A joy and wonder through the land, And on whose height shall future eyes With shoutings hail the capstone rise, — So, on our Synod, good and blest, Long may God's benediction rest, While gladdened eyes from many a home View rising wall and rounding dome. When all our work on earth is o'er, With faithful fathers, gone before, " Not unto us," may we exclaim, " But glory to Thy holy Name ! " "~^lh" "Ibitbcrto batb tbc XorD belpeD us."— i Samuel vii. 12. "£be %ovZ> Dotb butlD up Jerusalem."— Psalm cxlvii. 2. —$k~ HISTORICAL SKETCH. BY REV. PROF. CHARLES A. HAY, D. D. At the meeting of the East Pennsylvania Synod held in 1891 at Middletown, Pa., the President, Rev. W. H. Dunbar, in his official report, called attention to the fact that we were on the eve of the semi-centennial year of our existence as a Synod, and suggested that "it might be a matter of wisdom, as well as of interest, to take some steps looking to a permanent record of events in the history of our Synod and its congregations." He also suggested to Synod " the propriety of the appointment of a Synodical His- torian for this purpose." The Synod subsequently approved of this suggestion and re- solved to celebrate the semi-centennial anniversary at the next meeting of Synod and to appoint such a Historian, " who shall pre- pare a history of the Synod, and so far as possible brief histories of its congregations, the history of Synod to be read at the semi- centennial anniversary, and all this historical matter to be after- wards published and then preserved in the archives of Synod." Having been appointed by the Synod as its Historian, I have carefully examined the published minutes of its proceedings, and other accessible publications throwing light upon its history, and herewith present a brief sketch of its origin and of some of the features of its subsequent development and efficiency. At the meeting of the Pennsylvania Ministerium held in Lan- caster, May 22 to 26, 1842, a memorial was presented by a number of ministers and laymen, members of the Synod, who (i5) 1 5 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. had on the day before held a meeting and discussed the propriety "of forming a new Synod in the Eastern district of Pennsylva- nia." This memorial reads as follows : "To the Reverend Synod of Pennsylvania, &f*c., Dear Brethren: — We, the undersigned, members of Pennsyl- vania Synod, and brethren within its bounds, respectfully present the following memorial : i. We earnestly ask you forthwith to take measures for the amicable division of the Pennsylvania Synod. Our reasons for this are the following : (a) Harmony of views and feelings is essential to the success of all associations, but especially of all Christian associations, in which that spirit of love which is the very life of religion must necessarily suffer if this be wanting. But this harmony has long been wanting among us, and the occurrences of every year seem to make the prospect of its restoration still worse. We believe that a separation of the conflicting elements among us would, by preventing collision, remove the evil. One cause of this may have been the next reason which we would urge as a ground of division, viz. : (o) The largeness of our present synodical body. It is natural that a diversity of sentiment should prevail where so many men, differently educated, are brought into go close connection with each other. In addition to this, many of our smaller pastoral districts, and all of our country congregations, are deprived of the pleasure and profit of synodical meetings, by their being unable to entertain so many members as our Synod contains. (c) Difference of language is another difficulty that now clogs our synodical proceedings. Many of our churches are unable to participate in our meetings, from their ignorance of the language in which our deliberations are conducted. Synod having declared its determination to abide by the use of one language, there seems an obvious call for the organization of a body that will admit the indiscriminate use of the German and English. (d) A difference of views in regard to the General Synod and its institutions is another cause of difficulty for which this would be a remedy. HISTORICAL SKETCH. I 7 ( at tne session in Germantown, Rev. S. K. Probst, of the Pennsylvania Synod, was introduced and received as an advisory member. In 184Q, when at Reading, the East Pennsylvania Synod " Resolved, That we sincerely rejoice in the approximation to a more perfect union of the Church, manifested in the action of the Pennsylvania Synod relative to a professorship in our Theo- logical Seminary at Gettysburg • and that we most cordially ap- prove of the action of the Board of Directors in the election of Rev. C. R. Demme, D. D., in accordance with the desire of the Pennsylvania Synod, and that we should be highly gratified with his acceptance of the same." At the session of the East Pennsylvania Synod in /8jo, at Easton, four members of the Pennsylvania Synod (C. W. Schaeffer, Jeremiah Schindel, J. W. Richards and C. A. Hay), anxious to bring about, if possible, a better state of feeling between the two bodies, presented a memorial on that subject, which was referred to a large committee, who reported unanimously as follows : "The committee to whom was referred a memorial from four HISTORICAL SKETCH. 23 members of the Synod of Pennsylvania, on the subject of the es- trangement between that body and ourselves, beg leave to report : "That they examined the various documents put into their hands bearing on this subject. Your committee rejoice at the prospect of establishing more friendly relations with the Synod of Pennsylvania ; and whereas, those four brethren in their memorial inform us that the Synod of Pennsylvania holds this body respon- sible for a certain anonymous circular, containing charges against the Synod of Pennsylvania, so understood by that body, viz. : with a design on the part of said Synod to introduce into their connec- tion, by a constitutional partiality, ministers from Germany who are rationalistic, unevangelical or infidel in their sentiments, and immoral in their conduct, and to do injustice to brethren born and educated in this country ; and whereas, we desire to do jus- tice to ourselves and to the Synod of Pennsylvania, therefore : " Resolved, That we deeply regret the estrangement that has so long separated us from the brethren of the Synod of Pennsylvania. " Resolved, That we earnestly desire a more fraternal connection with that body, and would rejoice to open a correspondence with them. " Resolved, That we never did hold ourselves responsible for the ' circular ' to which there is reference in a resolution of the Pennsylvania Synod held in Philadelphia in 1843, an d in the me- morial of those four members addressed to us ; and we do not now acknowledge that document as an expression of our sentiments, but, on the contrary, most heartily disavow the offensive senti- ments of the ' Circular ' pointed out in the memorial of the four brethren, and regret any action that may have arisen from mis- conception." " Respectfully submitted, G. Diehl, F. RUTHRAUFF, J. McCron, R. Weiser, J. A. Brown, J. Winecoff, T. Stork, A. Wietin<;." After an animated discussion, the report was unanimously 24 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. adopted. The Synod thereupon appointed the Rev. Messrs. T. Stork, F. Ruihrauff and G. Diehl to meet the Synod of Pennsyl- vania at its next convention, in Allentown, to establish friendly relations and to open a correspondence with that body. At that meeting of the Pennsylvania Synod that committee was most kindly received, and the Pennsylvania Synod unanimously adopted the following resolutions : "i. That this Synod cordially responds to the sentiments on the subject of Christian fellowship expressed by the brethren of the East Pennsylvania Synod. "2. That we fraternally recognize them as a Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and cordially receive their repre- sentatives in our midst. " 3. That Synod, from this time forth, appoint a delegate to represent this body in the Synod of East Pennsylvania upon the same terms as we are represented in the sister Synods generally." The East Pennsylvania Synod, when the above-named com- mittee (Stork, Ruthrauff and Diehl) had reported at Danville in 1851, " Resolved, That we have heard, with the greatest pleasure, from the Committee appointed by Synod to represent this body before the Pennsylvania Synod, of their cordial reception and successful mission ; and that we most fondly hope, earnestly de- sire and fervently pray that the fraternal relations thus established may be perpetuated." "At this meeting Rev. W. J. Eyer appeared as the delegate from the Synod of Pennsylvania, with assurances of the fraternal feel- ings and good wishes of the body he had the honor to represent. He met with a hearty welcome and was invited to take his seat among us." At the meeting of the East Pennsylvania Synod in 1852 the committee entrusted with the minutes of the Pennsylvania Synod of the same year report as follows : " Your Committee rejoice that this Synod have passed a series of resolutions indicative of a speedy re-union of that body with HISTORICAL SKETCH. 25 the General Synod. To these resolutions we are led, say they, through the conviction that we all agree in Ihe essential, funda- mental doctrines of our beloved Mother Church, and that we are therefore prepared for an outward union, from which we can ex- pect a rich blessing." Having thus accomplished the long-desired reconciliation between these Synods, occupying the territory between the Dela- ware and Susquehanna rivers, those members of the old Penn- sylvania Synod who were yearning for its return to the General Synod now bent their energies in this direction, and their efforts were crowned with success in the spring of 1853, when, at its meeting of that year in Reading, it determined to re-unite with the General Synod, which it had helped to organize in 1820, and from which it had been so long separated. This having now been accomplished, and these two Synods being now harmoniously associated in the same general body, there seemed tu be no good reason why they should not actually coalesce, instead of separately spreading over this mesopotamian territory, and, after thus combining all their parishes, peaceably divide the territory between them. Accordingly, a proposition of that kind was made to the Synod of East Pennsylvania, at the meeting in 1853, by a member of the Pennsylvania Synod, which was placed in the hands of a committee, whose report, after considerable discussion, and after the offering of various amendments, which were rejected, was adopted in its original form as follows : "The committee on Document 13 would respectfully report, that said document is a communication from Rev. Charles Hay, suggesting to this Synod the desirableness of taking some initi- atory steps towards securing a geographical division of the two Synods ( Pennsylvania Synod and East Pennsylvania Synod) oc- cupying principally the same ground. In reference to this paper, your Committee would say : " 1. That they are not able to understand the geographical 26 FAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. chart of Brother Hay, which he has submitted to our inspection, and consequently they are not prepared to pronounce upon its practicability. "2. Your Committee are of opinion, without any reference to the specific form of division suggested in this paper, that such a geographical division is wholly unfeasible. "3. Besides, we can see no valid reason for such a division. We should rather seek a still greater assimilation of spirit, ' en- deavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,' realizing ' how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.' " " 4. As this communication is not official, we do not know that it demands any further attention. T. Stork, J. Winecoff, D. SlECK." Notwithstanding this rebuff, the agitation of this subject in both these Synods was not allowed to subside, but both were prevailed upon to appoint committees instructed to give the matter a careful investigation. These committees met in Philadelphia (at Lindsay & Blaki- ston's Book Store), in 1855, agreeing heartily to endorse the pro- posed plan of fusion and subsequent geographical division. The Chairman of the joint committee, Rev. Benjamin Keller, accord- ingly presented our report to the Pennsylvania Synod in Lancaster in 1856, recommending a special meeting of the East Pennsyl- vania Synod in Philadelphia in 1857, when the Pennsylvania Synod should be in session there, and the holding of a joint meeting of both Synods at that time in order to discuss the question of union and subsequent division into two or three Synods. To the sur- prise and mortification of many who were present (members of other Synods connected with the General Synod), decided opposi- tion to this report was made by some of the most influential members of the Synod of Pennsylvania. Dr. Demme remarked : " Ich bin dagegen ; der Geist in der Ost-Pennsylvanischen Synode HISTORICAL SKETCH. 27 ist ein anderer !" Dr. Mann remarked : " Ich bin auch dagegen ; der Apfel ist noch nicht reif ; sonst f.illt er von selbst vom Baume." Mr. Yeager, of Hamburg, Pa., vehemently asserted : "Ich bin auch dagegen; dann wird alles Englisch !" Then Dr. C. W. Schaeffer expressed his regret that such a spirit was mani- fested, but he said it was evident that it would be unwise to press the matter now, as the Synod was not yet prepared to take defi- nite action in regard to it. It was on his motion that the Synod resolved : "That we are not yet prepared to take definite action in this matter." The reports of the Presidents of both these Synods about this time called attention to unpleasant inter-synodical disagreements and interferences on the part of the pastors and congregations, and a joint committeee was appointed by both the Synods " to draft such rules in reference to congregational action as may secure fraternal love and harmony." In the minutes of the East Pennsylvania Synod of 1857, we read that "The two committees met and, after a very full and friendly interchange of opinions, concluded that no such rules as would effectually remedy existing evils could be drafted, and that some degree of confusion, with occasional unpleasant influences or collisions, is unavoidable, so long as the two Synods continue to occupy in common the same ground." Whereupon the committee submitted the following proposition : " Resolved, That a committee of — ministers and laymen be appointed by this Synod, to confer with a like one from the Synod of Pennsylvania, on the union of the two Synods, and such a geographical division of the field as may secure the object aimed at and the best interests of the Church." " After much discussion, a motion was made to amend the res- olution by deferring action in the matter till next year, which amendment was adopted by the following vote : Yeas, 26 ; nays, 14." 28 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. At a subsequent stage of the proceedings it was "Resolved, That in our action upon the above report we have by no means desired to convey to our brethren of the Synod of Pennsylvania, the impression that we disapprove of the end con- templated in the report, but simply to avoid the appearance of importunately pressing the matter upon their attention ; and we hereby pledge ourselves cordially to respond to any intimation on their part of a readiness to enter into preliminary arrangements for effecting so desirable a result. This was adopted by a unani- mous vote." In our synodical minutes of 1858 we find a committee report- ing upon the minutes of the Pennsylvania Synod of the same year as follows : " In these minutes cognizance is taken of the unfortunate interferences which, owing in part to the fact that both Synods occupy substantially the same territory, have too often occurred between some of the members of both bodies. This is an evil of long and loud complaint on both sides, and one which, with the best intentions and the most generous as well as most vigorous efforts, has not been entirely removed. "The action of the Pennsylvania Synod on this subject is very decided, not only rebuking any of its members guilty of violating its ' Ministerial Ordnung ' in this particular, but declaring also to strike their names from their ministerial roll. This action, how- ever, is made dependent on a full concurrence of like action by our Synod. "Your Committee is not prepared, ex aninio et ex corde, to recommend to this Synod the unqualified endorsement of this principle. The main idea is certainly commendable, and meets our hearty approval, and should be sought by every member of this body religiously to be carried out. Yet there are conceivable circumstances, the like of which have not unfrequently occurred in the past history of this Synod, where, prompted by love of the Church, as well as a regard for the welfare and retention of her membership, there may be more virtue in the breach than in the observance of this principle. It is particularly charged upon our delegate to the Synod ofujj nsylvania to explain to them more HISTORICAL SKETCH. 29 fully our understanding of this action. [Signed, A. C. Wedekind, John R. Willox and Joseph Stulb.]" The report was amended and adopted as above. In the minutes of our Synod of 1859 we find the report of the Joint Committee of Coiiference on Inter- Syno die al Relations, as follows : "Resolved, 1. As a general rule, we adopt the principle of non- intervention in the charges belonging to our respective Synods. "2. In cases of difficulty and dissatisfaction arising in any charge, it will be the duty of said, charge, or part of a charge, first to bring the difficulty, cause of complaint, etc., before the Con- ference or Synod to which it belongs, and if the difficulty be not adjusted to the satisfaction of those complaining, and it have its origin in consequence of inter-synodical relations, that then the President of each of the Synods appoint a committee of three to confer together in reference to the matter, and they be in- structed to pursue such a course in its adjustment as they con- scientiously believe will promote the best interests of the Church. "3. That similar committees shall be appointed in cases where charges are to be formed from congregations belonging to both Synods. " 4. That the action of these joint committees be submitted to each Synod for concurrence and confirmation. [Signed, S. K. Probst, C. J. Ehrehart, G. J. Martz, E. S. Henry and E. W. Hutter.]" Item 1 was adopted. Items 2, 3 and 4 were stricken out, and the following was passe 1 : " Resolved, That under existing circumstances, we believe it to be impossible to devise any system of rules that will be adequate to meet the exceptional cases referred to in the above report." In 1 86 1 the committee of the East Pennsylvania Synod on the minutes of the Pennsylvania Synod calls attention to " the very kind and Christian spirit of the paragraph having reference to the efforts of this Synod (/. e. the Synod of Pennsylvania), in healing the differences between the two bodies." 30 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. In 1862 the President of the East Pennsylvania Synod, Rev. Dr. Seiss (who subsequently joined the Pennsylvania Synod), stated in his official report : " It was the remark of your retiring President [C. A. Hay] last year, that the principal part of his official correspondence had been of an unpleasant character, originating in the rivalry of contending factions in some of our churches, and in some of those in the Synod of Pennsylvania. I regret equally with him that my own experience in this respect corresponds, to a large extent, to his, and from the same causes." After describing some of these inter-synodical difficulties, he adds : " From this the Synod will learn how unfortunate the relations are between these two bodies. And the ever-recurring annoy- ances of this kind which the Synod and its presiding officers are compelled to endure from year to year, to say nothing of the wrongs and mischiefs involved, ought by this time to satisfy all that the period has come when decisive measures should be taken to bring them to an end. The Synod of Pennsylvania is evidently willing and anxious to come to some understanding on the subject, and to adopt any reasonable and feasible arrange- ments for this purpose to which we may agree, having herself several times moved in the matter, and also recently made certain acknowledgments and retractions which ought to go far to per- suade us to meet them in a fraternal and conciliatory spirit." He proposed " the creation of a Board or Committee of Reference or Arbitration, with full powers, etc. * * and that every brother found guilty of improper interference, who will not promptly sub- mit to the decision of this Committee or Board, be at once sus- pended from exercising the functions of his ministry." The committee to whom this report was referred (of which the Rev. Dr. Greenwald was Chairman), approved of the plan re- commended by the President, but adds: "We are persuaded, however, that there is a better way, to which the Synods must HISTORICAL SKETCH. 3 I come at last. We therefore propose, and earnestly recommend, that the two Synods existing on the same territory should unite, and then divide the territory into two or more Synods, having distinct geographical boundaries." Dr. Greenwald had been our delegate to the Pennsylvania Synod that year, and in his report said, among other things : "The existence of two Synods on the same territory is contrary to the rule of the General Synod. * * The existence of the East Pennsylvania Synod has been a blessing to the Church in eastern Pennsylvania, and the Head of the Church has given it great prosperity. Many of the large and influential English churches in our cities and large towns, and elsewhere, would perhaps not exist if the East Pennsyl- vania Synod had not been organized ; and perhaps no other form was possible at the time than that which it has. Still it is true, that before its organization there was but one Synod on the territory, and that there are now two is owing to its subsequent organiza- tion. Our Synod ought to make the first advance toward a change. As the irregular synodical relations originated with us, we ought to inaugurate measures that may bring order out of the present disorder. * * The reasons for the existence of an English Synod on the territory of the German Synod no longer exist. The importance of giving greater encouragement and more extensive development to the Elnglish interests of the church in eastern Pennsylvania, was the principal motive that led to the organization of the East Pennsylvania Synod. At that time the Pennsylvania Synod was exclusively a German body, etc. * * So long as the two Synods exist on the same terri- tory, there will be unhappy collisions. Constituted as human nature is, these are unavoidable. * * There is a feasible remedy. * * There are in our Synodical territory the most distinct and natural boundaries for the formation of two or more Synods, etc." 3 2 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. After much discussion, on motion of Rev. L. K. Albert, it was " Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed by this Synod, to meet a similar committee from the Synod of Pennsyl- vania, to whom shall be entrusted for final settlement the matters under dispute between the two Synods ; and that this committee be also a committee of conference, to take into consideration the union of these Synods, and report at the next meeting of our Synod." From the minutes of 1863 we learn that the committees of the two Synods met in Reading in January of that year, failing, in- deed, to adjust the inter-synodical difficulties entrusted to them, but finding far less diversity of opinion than had been supposed to exist in regard to the " far more important question committed to their consideration." Concerning this the following resolu- tions were adopted : " 1. Resolved, That in the judgment of this joint committee the union of the Synod of Pennsylvania and the Synod of East Penn- sylvania, at the earliest period deemed practicable by the two Synods, is in the highest degree advisable. "2. Resolved, That we request both Synods, at their next ses- sions, to take into consideration whether such union cannot be consummated at once. " 3- Resolved, That, whilst we do not venture to recommend any specific plan for such union, we would submit for the exam- ination of the Synods the following papers presented at the meet- ing of this conference, viz. : Plan submitted by Rev. E. Green- wald, D. D., of the Synod of East Pennsylvania, and the Plan submitted by Rev. G. F. Krotel, of the Pennsylvania Synod," The former of these proposed the formation of two Synods, separated by the Schuylkill river, the eastern one to retain the old name and the western one to have the name of the East Pennsylvania Synod. The other plan proposed a complete and permanent fusion of the two Synods, to bear the name of " The United Synod of the German Evangelical Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania and of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of East Pennsylvania." HISTORICAL SKETCH. 33 The Pennsylvania Synod, at its meeting in June, 1863, fully discussed this subject and adopted the following resolutions : " Whereas, The various embarrassments arising from the occu- pation of one and the same territory by the Synod of East Penn- sylvania and our Synod are more and more felt ; and " Whereas, We all, as Christians, church-members and ministers, acknowledge the duty of promoting peace and good-will among all men, especially among members of the same household of faith ; therefore, " 1 . Resolved, That in the opinion of this Synod a union be- tween the Synod of East Pennsylvania and our Synod is eminently desirable. "2. Resolved, That we, on our part, adopt the following posi- tions as the basis upon which any plan of union that might be presented must be constructed : (a) The position taken by our Synod, and officially expressed in the Order of Ordination, and in the Constitution for Congrega- tions, recommended by the Synod, with regard to the doctrines and usages of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, shall remain un- disturbed. (/>) The full and equal rights due and secured to the two languages used by ministers and people in Eastern Pennsylvania shall not be interfered with. (c) The liberal and tolerant construction and application of the aforesaid principles, which have hitherto characterized the mutual intercourse of the members of this body, shall be strictly maintained. (d) The legal obligations and chartered rights of this Synod, and of the congregations connected with it, shall not be in any wise affected or restricted, unless with the full consent of all the parties concerned. (e) The name of this Synod shall not be sunk in any designa- tion by which any proposed union of the two Synods shall be known. "3. Resolved, That these resolutions be respectfully laid before the Synod of East Pennsylvania, at its next meeting, by our dele- gates to that body." 3 34 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. In 1863 our President reports on this subject: "This joint committee assembled in Rev. Keller's church in Reading * * but left the inter-synodical difficulties where it found them. * * The Synod of Pennsylvania has had this very question under serious, protracted and earnest discussion, etc. It behooves this body to meet the action of the Pennsylvania Synod in the same candid, frank and fraternal spirit that characterized theirs. The olive-branch is sincerely offered ; shall it be as sincerely ac- cepted?" Our delegate to the Synod of Pennsylvania (Rev. Dr. Valentine) reported that when this subject was under discussion at the Pennsylvania Synod he had felt it his duty to express to the Synod of Pennsylvania the opinion that it was the desire of this body to unite with that on terms including an immediate division of the territory into two Synods with geographical bound- aries, but that a simple fusion into one Synod would be of doubt- ful acceptableness, etc. And our committee of conference, in their report in 1863, recommend the following resolutions for adoption by the Synod : "1. Resolved, That in our inmost hearts we reciprocate the feeling of fraternal love, and the desire for closer unity and more amicable co-operation involved in the action of the venerable mother Synod, and that in the opinion of this Synod a union of these two Synods, by a fusion into one, or on the basis of a geo- graphical arrangement, is eminently desirable. " 2. Resolved, That in the opinion of this Synod the best way to accomplish this eminently desirable result would be for the two Synods to meet in convention for the purpose of fraternal consultation and for final action, should they see fit, at a time and place fixed by a joint committee appointed by the officers of both Synods. "3. Resolved, That in such joint convention, at the call of any three members of either Synod, any resolution shall require for its adoption a majority of each Synod. "4. Resolved, That we heartily accede to the positions laid down by the Pennsylvania Synod, under the twenty-second reso- HISTORICAL SKETCH. 35 lution of their last session, and that we, on our part, adopt the following positions, as the basis upon which any plan of union that may be presented must be constructed." [Reiteration of the Pennsylvania Synod's resolutions, etc. (see page 33) under a, b, c, d, e.~\ "The name of this Synod shall not be sunk in the issue of this effort to reorganize the Lutheran elements upon the territory of East Pennsylvania." "5. Resolved, That whilst the recent action of the Synod of Pennsylvania seems to indicate a preference for an actual union of both Synods, and whilst we decidedly prefer a geographical division of the territory now jointly occupied by them, we think it nevertheless more prudent that neither Synod should in advance insist upon its preferences in this respect, but that both should enter the proposed convention prepared to adopt and carry out any arrangement that the united wisdom of the ministers and lay delegates there assembled may determine upon. " 6. Resolved, That a committee of three clergymen and three laymen be appointed at the present meeting of this Synod, to act in conjunction with a similar committee which we ardently hope our mother Synod will appoint, to make all necessary prepara- tions for such a joint convention, and to announce the time and place of meeting. [Signed, C. P. Krauth, C. A. Hay, G. Parson, C. A. Kngler, J. G. L. Schindel.]" The Secretary adds : " Dr. Krauth, at his own request, was permitted to sign his name to the report, as thus amended." The minutes of the Pennsylvania Synod for 1864 contained the report of that Synod's part of the joint committee appointed to make the needful arrangements for a general convention of the two Synods to consider the subject of synodical union. It is as follows : " Your committee have the honor to report that they met in conference with the committee of the Synod of East Pennsylvania, Rev. Dr. Seiss serving as the Chairman, and gave their serious consideration to the subject laid before them, but they were unable to arrive at any satisfactory result, and ad- journed to meet again at the call of the Chairman. Respectfully submitted, by W. J. Mann, Chairman." 36 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. The minutes state that " The above report was adopted, and the discussion of the subject continued until the hour for adjourn- ment arrived, when its further consideration was postponed until a later period during the meeting. Inasmuch as the Synod after- wards determined to hold a special meeting in July, it was con- cluded that this subject should be lurther considered at that time. The following preamble and resolutions were adopted at that special meeting in July, 1864 : " Whereas, The Synod of East Pennsylvania appointed a com- mittee to confer with a similar committee from this body, to con- sider the terms upon which a union of the two Synods, or a geo- graphical division of the territory occupied by them, could be effected • and " Whereas, The President of this body, prior to the last stated meeting of the Synod of Pennsylvania, appointed such a Com- mittee of Conference ; and " Whereas, These Committees, upon conferring together, found it impossible to accomplish anything further than to resolve to postpone the further consideration of the matter until after the meeting of this Synod to be held in Pottstown ; and " Whereas, The pressure of business at Pottstown and at this special meeting has rendered a consideration of this momentous business out of the question ; therefore, be it Resolved, That this Synod has not changed its position in re- gard to this matter, and still, in good faith, presents the same terms of union." "Resolved, That we request the Joint Committee of Confer- ence to resume their deliberations as soon as possible." Then followed the retiring of the Pennsylvania Synod's dele- gates from the General Synod at York, and the President of the East Pennsylvania Synod (Dr. Fink), in his official report in 1 864, remarks : " From the action of the Synod of Pennsylvania and Adjacent States on this subject, both at its regular and special meetings, as I learned it from observation and its published re- ports, I am inclined to think that further action on the part of HISTORICAL SKETCH. 37 this Synod, looking to a union of the two bodies, would be at once dishonorable and useless. The whole matter having been treated most cavalierly by the one party, I take the liberty most respectfully and earnestly to recommend to this body that the further consideration of the proposed union of the Synod of Pennsylvania and the Synod of East Pennsylvania be held in abeyance, until the older Synod, by its action, will make it possible for this Synod to further entertain the subject, and at the same time maintain its honor and self-respect." * * "Our relations to others who bear the same name, and occupy the same territory with ourselves, have always been peculiar, but never so very peculiar as now. Harmony and fellowship cannot subsist between two Synods, unless they treat each other with decent respect, argue their differences candidly and temperately, and pursue towards each other an open, fair and friendly line of con- duct. We have, especially of late years, manifested in every pos- sible way a spirit of conciliation, forbearance and concession, which has not always been met with the same spirit. We have sought peace, fellowship and union. In these we have not been successful to the full measure of our desire. Our duty to our- selves and to our Divine Master will permit us to yield no more, to concede no more, but peremptorily enjoins upon us to plant ourselves more firmly than ever upon the great principles and purposes which led to the formation of the Synod of East Penn- sylvania. Believing that the territory we occupy belongs of right to King Jesus, and that we have a well- authenticated com- mission to possess and cultivate it for him, we should enter upon our mission with new zeal and redoubled energy. No one can occupy a middle ground any longer ; he that is not for us is against us. Our Synod has a work to do. May the Lord give her wisdom and strength to do it well, and then, and not until then, will the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Eastern Pennsyl- 38 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. vania become, what God designed her to be everywhere — a living power for good — a very ark of salvation for redeemed sinners !" In 1865 the Standing Committee of Conference reported that no communication had been received by them from the Synod of Pennsylvania, and " the Committee was hereupon discharged." In 1866 [after Fort Wayne !] a committee on the "Papers of the Pennsylvania Synod" reported as follows : "The Committee No. 2, to whom has been referred the 'Fra- ternal Address ' issued by a committee of the Synod of Pennsyl- vania, with accompanying letter of Rev. G. F. Krotel. D. D., as Chairman of that committee, submitting the Address to this body, respectfully report : " I. That the Address has been prepared and published in ac- cordance with a resolution of the Synod of Pennsylvania, adopted at Lancaster, after its secession from the General Synod, to in- vite 'All Evangelical Lutheran Synods, Ministers and Congrega- tions in the United States and Canadas, which confess the Unal- tered Augsburg Confession, to unite with them in a convention for the purpose of forming a Union of Lutheran Synods.' " II. That this Address, under the plea of love, peace, fraternity and unity, assails the General Synod, and passes it under utter con- demnation, as unworthy of confidence or support, and asks us to unite in their proposed effort to organize another General Union, to accomplish the objects which, it is alleged, the General Synod has failed to secure. " Your Committee propose the following as the judgment and testimony of this Synod in this matter : "Resolved, 1. That this Synod respectfully, but with emphasis, declines to take the desired, or any, part in the proposed move- ment, and solemnly declares that in its view and conviction, it is unjustifiable, schismatic, and fraught with sad consequences to the unity and welfare of our Lutheran Zion, and ought to be dis- countenanced by all who love its peace and desire its prosperity. "Resolved, 2. That we testify our undiminished confidence in the General Synod, and pledge, against all its opposers and de- famers, our continued endeavors to promote its influence and HISTORICAL SKETCH. 39 power, already realized as rich in blessings to our beloved Church. "Resolved, 3. That we appoint a committee of five, whose duty it shall be to act in conjunction with a committee already ap- pointed by the Synod of West Pennsylvania, to issue and circulate a Fraternal Appeal to the Church, in order to counteract the effort made to alienate the churches and synods of the General Synod from that body, and unite them in this intended new organization. "Resolved, 4. That we earnestly entreat the Synod of Pennsyl- vania to desist from the movement they propose in their Address, as replete with the roost unhappy results of discord, strife and division to the Church, and injury to the cause of Christ. " M. Valentine, E. S. Johnston, A. R. Horne, J. F. McLain." Adopted. In 1867 the Pennsylvania Synod refused to receive our dele- gate to that body and sent to our Synod a communication on that subject. The Committee to whom this was referred reported that it was " a certified copy of the action taken by the German Evangelical Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania, in refusing to receive the delegate to that body appointed by this Synod at its last session, and in refusing to 'continue cordial relations and brotherly communion ' with this Synod. " The grounds upon which the Ministerium bases this action are : First, — the opinion expressed by our Synod at its last meet- ing, in regard to the character and probable influence of the Ad- dress issued by said Ministerium, inviting ' All Evangelical Luth- eran Synods, Ministers and Congregations in the United States and Canadas, which confess the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, to unite with them in a convention for the purpose of forming a Union of Lutheran Synods,' and, Secondly, — The ' Fraternal Ap- peal ' issued conjointly by this Synod and that of West Pennsyl- vania, ' in order to counteract the effort made to alienate the 40 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. Churches and Synods of the General Synod from that body, and unite them in this new organization.' " The Ministerium, after rejecting our delegate and sundering the bonds of fraternal intercourse between itself and the Synods of West and East Pennsylvania, ' respectfully requests these Synods to review the principles of their action, so that it may be ascertained whether they may not be able in this emergency to pursue some course which, by the blessing of the Lord, may be in like manner just to us [the Ministerium] and honorable to them- selves.' " In reply to which the Committee propose the adoption of the following preamble and resolutions : " Whereas, We are thoroughly convinced that our judgment of the character and tendency of the aforesaid Address of the Min- isterium of Pennsylvania was correct at the time it was delivered ; and " Whereas, Subsequent events have furnished unmistak- able and lamentable evidence that those who issued it are fully resolved to run the plowshare of division and disorganization, if possible, through all our synods and congregations ; therefore, "Resolved, That we see no cause for modifying the judgment aforesaid, or for regretting the affectionate warning addressed by us to our churches ; further, "Resolved, That, as the Ministerium of Pennsylvania has seen fit to sunder the bonds of union between us, no just and honor- able course remains for us to pursue but to accept the issue thus forced upon us, and stand upon the defensive — maintaining a consistent adherence to the faith and principles we have long professed and practised, and praying that those who have as- sumed this hostile attitude may, sooner or later, acknowledge their error and approach us with such proofs of their sorrow for the harm they have done, that we may be able, consistently with self-respect and a due regard for ecclesiastical order, and for the real welfare of our beloved Zion, once more to extend to them the hand of synodical fellowship. S. Sentman, Charles A. Hay, Charles Kugler." Regretting that I could not with greater brevity present a suf- HISTORICAL SKETCH. 4 I ficiently accurate account of the relations originally existing and subsequently developed between the Pennsylvania Synod and our own, I now hasten to make a very few statements concerning the attitude sustained by our Synod toward some of the leading issues that have interested our churches since our organization. SECESSION OF THE SUSQUEHANNA CONFERENCE. This Conference, composed of the ministers and churches in the northern part of the territory occupied by this Synod, was from the time of its organization distinguished for its zeal and active efficiency in all manner of church work. In 1867 it peti- tioned to be dismissed from our body for the purpose of organiz- ing an independent Synod in that part of the State. The Synod " affectionately, yet most earnestly, requested those brethren to withdraw their application for the present," but, as they urged their plea with increasing earnestness, the Synod reluctantly granted their request. In 187 1 the East Pennsylvania Synod " kindly and affectionately invited the Susquehanna Synod to re- turn to this body ;" to which the Susquehanna brethren responded in 1872 : Resolved, That we reciprocate the regard of the Synod of East Pennsylvania, but do not think that the time has yet arrived when it would be advisable for us to seek a re-union with it." THE MINISTERIUM QUESTION. In 1870 the East Pennsylvania Synod appointed a committee to report a year later on the propriety of dispensing in future with all ministerial sessions, i. e., meetings composed of ministers alone, some of the clerical brethren holding the opinion that the lay representatives of the churches should be allowed to take part in all ecclesiastical business. This matter was subsequently referred to the General Synod, which, at its meeting in Baltimore in 1875, adopted a form of Constitution for District Synods, in 42 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. which provision is made in Article VIII. for the holding of meet- ings by ministers alone, by such Synods as may desire to con- tinue the custom long prevalent in our country ; but it specifies also in Article VIII., Section 14, that "in all cases where District Synods have not made provision for a Ministerium, all the powers and duties prescribed in this article shall devolve on the Synod." LICENSURE. This Synod has been much exercised on the subject of the induction of men into the holy office of the ministry. At its meeting in Hughesville, in 1856, it declined "to make any change in our method of inducting men into the ministerial office" ; /'. e., it determined to continue licensing them by a vote of the Ministerium to perform all ministerial acts. The Synod thus, at that time, still entiusted the ministers alone with the responsibility of deciding who should be admitted to the holy office ; that is, it regarded them as constituting a strictly self- perpetuating order of men. During the progress of the meeting at Lancaster, in 1892, however, at which time the above account of its past history was presented, the Synodical Constitution was carefully revised, and it was materially improved in this respect, by the adoption of the principle that the Synod is to decide upon the final ordination of applicants, thus entitling the lay element of the body to take part in deciding who shall become a minister. BENEFICIARY EDUCATION. The East Pennsylvania Synod has always taken a deep interest in this cause. It has aided several hundred young men in their preparation for the ministry. It had eighteen on its funds at the time of the withdrawal of the Susquehanna Conference, and it faithfully met its obligation to them, despite the loss of the sup- plies it had before received from the churches that had thus seceded. It expended during that year for this cause $3,625.29. HISTORICAL SKETCH. 43 It is, of all the Synods, most punctual in the payment, at regu- lar intervals during the year, of its voluntarily assumed dues to the students. The young men gratefully appreciate this treat- ment on the part of the Synod, as it practically adds much to the value of what is advanced to them. They are in the habit of calling it the Banner Synod. pastors' fund. There is quite a history connected with the relation of our Synod to this department of church work. The Synod has always disapproved of the mutual-beneficial principle in the matter of relief for disabled or superannuated ministers, their widows and orphans ; and it has always acted on the principle that the duty of caring for such cases rested upon the whole Church and not upon the clergy alone. Accordingly, it has habitually appealed to the churches to contribute annually for this purpose ; and the biennial reports of the trustees of the General Synod's Pastors' Fund prove that this Synod has often given more for this purpose than all the other Synods combined. THE LUTHERAN PUBLICATION BOARD had its origin, practically, in this Synod. The original proposi- tion for the establishment of a Translation and Publication Soci- ety came from what was then the Susquehanna Conference, and the committee appointed by the Synod to report upon it, whilst regarding its immediate establishment as inexpedient and un- necessary, yet proposed the calling of a convention " to consider the propriety of establishing some organization by which the mind of the Church can be more especially awakened on this subject." Such a convention was held in Germantown in 1855, concerning which a committee consisting of Messrs. Hutter, Stork and Albert reported to our Synod at Lebanon in that year, that "it was attended by a number of clergymen and laymen belong- 44 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. ing to this and other Synods ; that at this convention the initia- tory steps were taken for the organization of such a society, etc. ;" and the Synod "Resolved, That, regarding this Society as the offspring of this Synod, begun and prosecuted under its auspices, we cherish a parental interest in its welfare and success, and will rejoice in any evidence we may perceive of its advancement and growth to a more mature and vigorous degree of Christian usefulness." This institution, at first a beneficiary of the Church, barely kept alive by the contributions of our people, has steadily grown (under the gratuitous and skilful management of its wise directors and under its present energetic and efficient Superintendent, Henry S. Boner), until it has become a liberal contributor to all the leading benevolent operations of the Church. In its report to the last General Synod its financial strength is given as $roo,ooo. EMMAUS AND TRESSLER ORPHANS' HOMES. In these institutions, also, the East Pennsylvania Synod has al- ways shown a deep interest. It acted in harmony with the Penn- sylvania Ministerium and the West Pennsylvania Synod many years ago in urging the trustees of the Fry Estate at Middletotvn to make a direct application of the revenues of that estate to the purposes intended by the founder of the Emmaus Orphans' Home, and it now has the satisfaction of beholding the salutary effects of its efforts in the enlarged and beneficent operations of that in- stitution. One of the oldest and still living ministers of Synod, Rev. P. Willard, through whose agency the Tressler property was pur- chased and soldiers' orphans secured, was for many years the ac- tive and efficient Superintendent of the Tressler Orphans' Home; and it is mainly owing to his self-denying and laborious exertions that that institution for many years bore the well-earned reputa- tion of being the most admirably conducted Soldier's Orphans' HISTORICAL SKETCH. 45 Home in the State of Pennsylvania. Now that the policy of the State authorities has made it necessary for the soldiers' orphans to be concentrated in a few institutions especially intended for them, our Church-orphans have become entirely dependent upon the charitable gifts of our own people, and we may confidently trust that there will be no lack of sympathy or of benevolent ef- fort for them on the part of our Synod. women's home and foreign missionary societies. This Synod cordially responded to the action of the General Synod at its session in Carthage, 111., in 1877, recommending the establishment of separate missionary societies by the women of our churches. Fifty-five of such associations exist upon our territory, banded together in a " Synodical Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society," the proceedings of the annual meet- ings of which will hereafter be regularly printed in connection with our minutes. histories of the churches. In the minutes of 1854 we find a committee reporting upon the proceedings of the Susquehanna Conference, which it highly eu- logizes, as " being animated by a spirit of activity and enterprise^ which makes it an example well worthy of the imitation of all similar bodies, not only in our own Synod, but in the whole Church." Among other praiseworthy doings of that Conference it enumerates " a plan which the brethren have devised for preserv- ing the history of our Church, the main feature of which is, that each pastor within the bounds of Conference prepare a concise and faithful history of the church or churches under his care, for preservation in the library of the Historical Society of our Church at Gettysburg." The Synod cordially approved of this plan, and earnestly recommended to all its pastors the prompt preparation of such sketches. Some of the brethren cheerfully heeded this 46 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. recommendation, and these sketches, in print or in manuscript, are now carefully preserved in the library of the Lutheran Histori- cal Society. It is earnestly desired and hoped that this semi- centennial year of our existence as a Synod will not be suffered to pass by without witnessing the fulfilment of the request, reiterated by our Synod at its last session, viz., that all our ministerial brethren prepare brief histories of their churches for permanent preservation in the library of our Historical Society. SYNODICAL MEETINGS AND OFFICERS. 47 1) Pi 4) h /. ■v H be m i — i-l — d Q -5 Q o <3"H ►, « s<° (/; w r ) May 2 J. Will. poratec fc PhQ- Ll *> Q tf, O o u "* Q rl at Lan R. Anspa e Synod 2 < W -> - D .J d T3 ^ _ < (J t Pen eynol c and i — i C8 ^ u Q O W fcJ C Z > CO CD re i — , C^N ga^i- -d . ^ " S3 ' ' 03 i-T ^: O >- •" TO a -d. re 3 ange Rut G. L Febr The Ev essrs. F ch, W. proved le-l re p., <5 xi re Year. . No. . . . hQ3 QQ Q Q Q QQ r a , B'a 4= 43 d C d re re Ph P. * td 3 3 M bb M Ul 1- CJ 1) 44 4*: 4i! -, !_, U 0» 4> <1 < 43 43 (U 4) > > !> > > > > > > > > > _i w w w i^ww'JScj W,h-c,d do'wQu hA< pi >>>>>>>>> >>>>>> > > > > > — re-C rtO a C ~BJ2 Si£ re-r; n! •&, O 3 1-42 d^O SXUu - "D7jUrttS043i'u b ^rti''a uu - Ph p< zt W 2 O cfiP^WQOi Ph W w I W pa K x O Pi ^ N fl^ u-)vO t^0O 0\0 h « W't uivO t^30 0\ O "-' N - -c OS QQQQPQQp d QQQ ddd QQQQQQ QQ. QQi . . - 1 — ' — S c ^ s (j * * HS5E bo ;/; &c DO o o c/5 c/5 yj in in in c3 ri S £ = HDD im c c c >, >, >^ *3 a.^4 -^ ^ h- 1 ^ t 1 ? « _ - - r ™ — <•— *.,-,. _, I -1 ■— •- l_ M M M 't' M f T 1 "^ ,£££ L.O Oh' P^ P^ ^U u o Year . No. . . | £ c WO, i-3 w i :qo" : :qq : - ~ ■£ '. o'pm Si ao QCiO aqQQQ qq'q'op w w w if b b "o* ^ • • • cs c3 cs i_. i_ CPP^-2- 2 O O - a ca=tc |^b*««M«*gg i > i >j>QQQEE >>>>>>>>>>>!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Si Oil arrisburg . . . liladelphia . . ermantown . . liladelphia . . arrisburg . . . llentown .... ancaster .... ermantown .. liladelphia . . iddletown . . . ancaster .... a- japsHjHjsiaofcKuJfcKJ^^w^KJiX'O^- Tj- u-iv£> t^CO ON O -" M ^^ ldvO t^OO ON O ■" OvOOvO^OO t^r^r^t^.i^r^.r^r^.1^ r^X/ comooooccmoooooo On on on CO0OOO0OCO0OO0O0O00OO00OO0O03O0O0OCX30O0O0O000OO000OCOO000O ^" r<") ^- l/->»£> r^OO On O « N <"0 ^ w>NO t~»O0 ON O « N f*i tJ- itn^O t^OO ON O « N CI N N N N M fororororororor/irorrj^^.^..).^.^.,).^-^.^.^^ n SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. I. FRIESBURG (COHANSEY) CHURCH, SALEM COUNTY, N. J. BY REV. S. J. MCDOWELL. The history of the Friesburg Lutheran Church dates back to 1726. Some time during that year, Rev. Peter Tranberg, a Swedish pastor, began to serve a small body of Lutherans that settled in and about the district now known as Friesburg. In the year 1732 a young man, Jacob M. Miller by name, who had come to this country with the Rev. John Christian Schultze, settled among the little band of Lutherans, and apparently infused new life into it. With his coming increased activity arises, and things are brought into a better shape. The " little Lutheran congre- gation" so " long a time in existence," now becomes strong enough to build for itself a church. In 1 739 this is undertaken and completed. It was a frame structure, and stood until re- placed by one of brick in 1768. Rev. Tranberg also served two other congregations with the one at Friesburg ; one at Raccoon, eighteen miles from Friesburg, and the other at Pennsneck, both along the Delaware river. He continued dividing his time between these three places until he removed to Wilmington, Del., in 1 740. After that, he supplied the Friesburg people for three more years. He was relieved of this congregation by Pastor Gabriel Nasmann, in October, 1743. The latter held services for them once a month from Wicaco, Philadelphia. It was always on a week-day, and usually on a Monday. He preached in both the English and German lan- guages for them. In 1 745 they were without a pastor, and applied for one to the (49) 50 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. German ministers of Philadelphia. In April of that year they visited Pastor Brunnholtz, who promised that the pastors of Phil- adelphia would visit them at least once or twice a year to look after their spiritual interests. In the meantime they were to have a school-master sent them, who was to see to the proper education of their children, and read a sermon for them every Sunday. Jacob Loser was at once sent to attend to this part of the agreement. He carried with him a copy of Francke's Postille,. from which he read a sermon every Lord's day. It was his duty to catechise the children and prepare them for confirmation when the Philadelphia pastor should arrive to perform all mar- riage ceremonies, baptize the children and hold communion. This arrangement lasted more than half a century. Several of these visits from the Philadelphia pastors receive special mention in the Haliesche Nachrichten. Brunnholtz vis- ited them in 1749, and again in 1752, at which time he promised them, if possible, to see to it that they should be visited more frequently. In 1760 Pastor Handschuh visited them, accompa- nied by part of his own church council of Philadelphia, for the purpose of holding communion. It was on the 24th day of June, and a large congregation had gathered for worship — some coming more than thirty miles through all the summer heat. On this oc- casion twelve children were baptized, and one hundred and twenty communed. After Pastor Brunnholtz died Pastor Handschuh was too busy to find any time for Friesburg, and they were without a single visit from a regularly ordained minister for two years. In 1760 Pastor Henry Melchior Miihlenberg spent a week with them. At this time one hundred and twenty five communed. It was from the 8th to the 14th of June, and he lodged with Mr. Jacob Fries, from whom the place has taken its name. The house in which Miihlenberg then lodged is still standing. It is now oc- cupied by a member of the congregation, and our young people of the Christian Endeavor Society will hold their next social in the very room where that venerable pioneer of Lutheranism in America spent the summer evenings one hundred and thirty-two years ago. In 1 763 he again visited the congregation, bringing with him his wife and daughter. At this time he visited the now aged SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 5 I Jacob M. Miller, who, having infused new life into the little band in its infancy, continued a zealous member of the congregation until his death. The above arrangement of supplies from the Philadelphia min- isters continued with more or less interruption until 1800. In that year the school-master of the congregation was licensed to preach for them. His connection with them as pastor was, how- ever, of short duration. He was succeeded by Rev. Wm. Baeles, one of Dr. Helmuth's theological students, 1808-18 10. Then followed Rev. C. F. Cruse, 1819-1824, who subsequently entered the Episcopal Church in New York State. During his pastorate the congregation had dwindled down to forty-three communicant members. From 1833-35 Rev. Mark Harpel served them ; from 1835-37 Rev. W. M. Reynolds, who translated Acrelius' " History of New Sweden," &c. He was followed by Rev. Jacob C. Duy, 1837-39. In 1839 R- ev - Edw. Town served them a short while; from 1842-51 Rev. John R. Willox ; from April 1852 to October 1854, Rev. A. L. Bridgeman ; from 1855-57 Rev. Ferdinand Berkemeyer ; from 1858-66 Rev. J. N. Unruh. Rev. Unruh found the congregation very small and disheartened. Un- der his care it again revived and became very strong. He was followed by Rev. Sylvander Curtis ; then by Rev. J. W. Lake from 1871-74 ; from 1874-79 by Rev. P. M. Rightmyer ; from 1879-81 by Rev. W. P. Evans. He was followed by Rev. A. W. Lentz, 1882- 86, and he in 1887 by Rev. J. E. Dietterich, now pastor of the newly organized mission at Bridgeton, New Jersey. The congregation belonged to the Ministerium of Pennsylvania from the organization of that body until 1842. Then Pastor Wil- lox left the Ministerium, and took the congregation with him into the newly organized East Pennsylvania Synod. With this Synod it remained until the New Jersey Synod was formed. When that was merged into the New York and New Jersey Synod, the con- gregation became a member of the latter body. It was brought back into the East Pennsylvania Synod again by Rev. Dietterich in May, 1891. Its present pastor is Rev. S. J. McDowell, of the Class of 1892 of the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. The congregation is in a good condition, having a membership of two hundred, with a Sunday-school of about two hundred and 52 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. fifty members, and a Y. P. S. C. E., numbering about ninety members. The congregation supports a pastor, and has preach- ing twice each Lord's Day, and a midweek prayer meeting. The value of the church property is estimated at $10,000. May God's blessing rest upon this ancient land-mark, and ever assist it in securing and supporting faithful men to administer in it the divinely-appointed means of grace. That it may close its history with pastors as pious and zealous in the cause of Christ as were the devoted fathers who cared for it in its infancy, is our sincere prayer. II. SCHAFFERSTOWN CHARGE : BRICKERVILLE, LAN- CASTER CO.; SCHAEFFERSTOWN, LEBANON CO. BY REV. M. FERNSLER. i. St. John's, Brickerville. The old Warwick church, with which the present St. John's congregation claims historic identity, was organized by Rev. John Caspar Stoever, in the year 1 730. Thirty-six names of male members appear on the records. Rev. Stoever served until 1743. Then records are silent until 1770. In the year 1743 the Penns, John, Thomas and Richard, issued a patent for thirty-five acres of land, in trust, for the use of this church forever. From 1770 to 1773, the Rev. H. M. Muhlenberg was pastor. Rev. Dr, Helmuth served from the spring of 1774 to May, 1775 ; Rev. Schwarback, of Virginia, from May, 1775, to some time in 1776. Rev. Helmuth again served until some time in 1777, when Rev. Stoever, now aged, again took charge, " preaching as much as he could, being sickly," until 1779. In this year, "on Good Friday, May 13, he administered the communion to the children newly confirmed, and in the afternoon of that day died." Rev. J. D. Schroeder took charge in 1780. and left in 1781. Aug. 12, 1806, the corner-stone of the present brick church building was laid, the Revs. Emanuel Schultze and John Plitt officiating. On October 25, 1807, it was dedicated; Revs. Schultze, Dr. H. M. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 53 Miihlenberg, and Dr. George Lochman, of Lebanon, were present on the occasion. Rev. Schultze had been pastor for some years. He preached his last sermon on November 20, 1808, and March n, 1809, he died. About this time the Schaefferstown Lutheran church united with that at Brickerville, and they jointly elected the Rev. Wm. Baetes, of Philadelphia, who took charge July 8, 1 8 10. In June, 18 14, Rev. Baetes moved into the newly-built brick parsonage, now standing near the Brickerville brick church. In 1 81 5 the old school-house belonging to this church was re- built. After serving for twenty-six years, Rev. Baetes preached his farewell sermon on August 14, 1836. The "honorable" Charles Philip Miller, of Milton, Pa., having been called, moved into the parsonage September 25, 1836, and served as pastor until November 28, 1841. The churches " Swamp, Kisselberger, Weisecher and Manheim, united with Brickerville" in forming a pastoral charge, and called Rev. Christopher G. Frederick, who moved into the Brickerville parsonage July 29, 1842, preaching his first sermon as pastor August 7, 1842. He resigned and left in 1849. ^ ev - T. T. Jeager served as pastor from 1850 to 1852 ; Rev. Charles Rees from 1854 to 1856. The following facts are gathered from the " paper books." The Rev. M. Harpel was called as pastor and took charge in 1859. He served until 1870, when he resigned. When the Synod of Pennsylvania withdrew from the General Synod, Mr. Harpel preferred not to go with them. At the meeting of the East Pennsylvania Synod, in 1867, he appeared with George W. Steinmetz, Esq., as delegate-elect, and with a formal application signed by many of the members of the congregation, including eleven of the church-council. Both Mr. Harpel and the congre- gation were cordially received by that body. A suit brought by disaffected parties for the possession of the church property in 1868 was lost. Rev. S. S. Engel was called as pastor, and served from the spring of 1870 until 1874. On May 23, 1874, Rev. W. S. Porr was elected as pastor, serving until January, 1875, when he moved to Lancaster, continuing his services in the congregation, however, until June 27, 1875. A committee, consisting of Revs. D. P. Rosenmiller, G. J. Martz and W. I. Cutter, appointed by the 54 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. Lebanon Conference of the East Pennsylvania Synod, now sup- plied the pulpit until December 20, 1875, when Rev. Cutter moved into the parsonage as the regular pastor-elect. Already in August, 1875, the desire of some members "once again to hear a man from the Old Synod" having been granted, Rev. Thomas Jeager preached in the church. He at once made a further appointment, and the vacant alternate Sundays were from this time utilized by various ministers of the Pennsylvania Ministerium, until at a meeting called by them January 14, 1876, but neither announced nor sanctioned by the acting pastor, Rev. Cutter, and his adherents, a resolution was passed to sever the connection of the congregation with the East Pennsylvania Synod. Both parties continued to use the church building. A bill of complaint was entered in the Lancaster Court, Jan- uary 26, 1876, praying that an injunction be issued, restraining the party adhering to the Ministerium from entering the church. The master's decision, adverse to the granting of such injunction, was sustained by the Court. In September, 1878, the East Pennsylvania Synod, in re-dis- tricting pastorates, united the Brickerville and Schaefferstown churches to constitute a pastoral charge. Rev. M. Fernsler, having been called, entered the parsonage October 28, 1878, and preached his opening sermon in the church on Sunday, Novem- ber 10, 1878. He was installed as pastor, January 19, 1879, by Revs. W. S. Porr and J. Peter, a committee appointed for that purpose by the President of the East Pennsylvania Synod. A suit for ejectment having been brought by the other party, June 4, 1879, the case was tried in December, 1881, and Septem- ber, 1883, the jury in each case failing to find a verdict. The third trial, in September, 1884, was decided in favor of the plain- tiffs, but this judgment was reversed by the Supreme Court, and a new trial ordered. The case was tried for the fourth time in February, 1886, resulting again in favor of the plaintiffs, the ver- dict being finally confirmed by the Supreme Court, October 4, 1886. This decision appears to have rested upon the recognition of the meeting held on January 14, 1876, and the opinion that the members who, with Rev. Cutter, refused to participate in that SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 55 meeting, really thereby seceded and forfeited their rights in the congregation. The defendants, upon the other hand, have always contended that the meeting in question was irregular, and its recognition by the courts the result of a failure to give due weight to some established principles of Lutheran Church polity. Upon learning the final issue of the case, Rev. Mr. Asay, pastor of the "James Coleman Memorial Church," on the Elizabeth Farms, appeared at the Lutheran parsonage with full authority, and invited the Lutheran people to come and hold their services in said Memorial Church. This Christian offer was gratefully ac- cepted, and regular services there held until the new house ot worship, forty by sixty feet, erected in sight of the old church building, was finished. The latter was dedicated August 7, 1889, Dr. E. Huber and Revs. W. H. Lewars and C. H. Asay assisting the pastor. A membership of one hundred and sixty, with their pastor, entered the beautiful new church with their hearts full of gratitude and praise to God. In November following forty-seven more members were added. Many have since then died or re- moved. Still others live at such a distance that they are unable to attend services, and are hence not included in the number (one hundred and fifty-two) reported at the last meeting of Synod. Thousands of dollars were spent by these people during the long and wearisome litigations. In consequence, there is still some debt resting on the new house of worship, but this is being re- duced. The outlook is fair, services are well attended, and harmony prevails. 2. SCHAEFFERSTOWN. The Lutheran church at this place was erected in 1765, the steeple being built two years later. In 1819 considerable repair- ing was done inside and some alterations made. The church was repainted about twenty years ago. In 1884 it was again re- modeled, at a cost of $6,100. The steeple was taken down from the west and put up at the east end. The west gable wall was removed, and sixteen feet added to the length of the build- ing. The interior was entirely renewed. Opposite the pulpit stands a pipe organ said to be over one hundred years old. Close to the church building is a small Sunday-school and 56 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. prayer house, controlled by separate trustees. This is really at present an encumbrance, as it prevents the erection by the con- gregation of a suitable building for the Sunday-school. The congregation worshiping in this ancient temple was organized some time before the erection of the building. There exists a glimpse of burial records as far back as 1720. It ap- pears that pastoral functions were exercised at one period by C. F. Muhlenberg, M. D. Rev. Emanuel Schultze was apparently the first regular minister who officiated in the church. Whether he served the congregation which was styled the " Heidelberg Gemeinde " (so called from the ancient name of the town) ex- isting prior to the organization of this church, we have no means of ascertaining. His pastorate extended from 1765 until 1809. Our oldest citizens remember him as continuing to labor when quite aged and infirm. The next pastor, serving with great earnestness from about 18 10 until 1836, was Rev. Wm. Baetes. The third pastor, from 1837 until 1849, was Rev. Jonathan Ruthrauff, who was fervent and undaunted in his preaching. Rev. J. M. Deitzler served faithfully from 1850 until 1865, when the pastorate of Rev. U. Graves, lasting about one year, followed. On April n, 1866, Rev. M. Fernsler was unanimously elected pastor, with the understanding that the church alone should thenceforth constitute a pastoral charge. The Synod failing to sanction the division of the charge, Rev. Fernsler declined the call. Rev. G. J. Martz was elected August 21, 1867, and served until November 1, 1878. Rev. M. Fernsler, the present pastor, preached his introductory sermon, December r, 1878. Very interesting centennial services were held in 1865, during which addresses and sermons were delivered by Revs. E. Huber, of Hummelstown, Daniel Schindler, of Lebanon, J. M. Deitzler, of Annville, E. S. Henry, of Pine Grove, and U. Graves, the pastor. Many of the facts contained in the above have been gleaned from a historical sketch prepared by a committee for that occasion. Since the days of Rev. Ruthrauff, meetings for prayer and mutual exhortation have been maintained, resulting in great good. The charter of the congregation, obtained in 1855, gives the rights of membership to all persons admitted who shall con- tribute annually a sum not less than fifty cents towards the cur- SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 5 7 rent expenses. In the light of this provision, the membership is about four hundred and fifty. Amid many discouragements, the pastor and his faithful helpers are laboring on in hope. STATIONS ABSORBED — RICHLAND AND TEMPLEMAN. Richland is a small town, two miles east of Myerstown, along the Philadelphia and Reading railroad. At this place a small congregation was organized twenty-five years ago by Rev. G. J. Martz. A small house of worship, still there, was erected jointly by the Lutherans, Reformed and Tunkers or German Baptists, each party being entitled to hold . services every third Sunday. When the present pastor of Schaefferstown charge commenced his services here, there were about a dozen members. He for some years continued to hold services regularly every three weeks. Finding, however, no material available to build up with without robbing others, and the membership growing less by death and removal, the few good members were transferred to Schaeffers- town church, and no services have been held there by the present pastor during the last year ; a number of the people there belong to churches within a few miles. Templeman Chapel is a small Sunday-school house, erected by the community, one mile east of Cornwall, in the spring of 1887. Provision was made in the charter that the Lutherans of the Gen- eral Synod and the Reformed could hold services there alternately. A number of Lutheran members having moved there from the Schaefferstown and Briekerville churches, it was supposed best to organize and commence services. The pastor of Schaefferstown promised to preach in the afternoon every four weeks. An organization was effected in May, 1887, with twenty- two members, and regular services were held every four weeks. A few were added, but the number in a few years so decreased by death and by removals, that for about a year or so no services have been held there on the Lutheran side. Within a short dis- tance there is a regular General Council church, with a fine house of worship, and supplied every two weeks with preaching by a regular pastor from Lebanon. There are still a few members re- maining at Templeman (now Rexmont) and their desire is that services should again be held there. 58 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. III. ANNVILLE CHARGE, LEBANON CO.— HILL AND ANNVILLE. BY REV. \V. H. LEWARS. i. Hill Church (Berg Kirche). This church is located in what is now North Annville town- ship, Lebanon county, Pa., about two and one-half miles north- west of the city of Lebanon, and is the mother of all the Lutheran churches in this vicinity. It has from the beginning to the present been a union church, in which the Lutheran and Reformed congregations have worship. BERG KIRCHE. The first edifice was erected in 1733. The material consisted of roughly hewn logs. These also served as seats, quite in con- trast with the modern pew. For many years there were no stoves in the building. During the winter months a fire was built on the outside with logs, of which there was an abundance, around which the people gathered awaiting the arrival of the minister. When, finally, stoves were introduced, considerable and serious difficulties arose in the congregations. Some idea of the primitive history of this church can be gained from the following : SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 59 Rev. George Lochman, D. D., in speaking of churches in Lebanon county in 181 2, says : " Unter diesen ist die Berg Kirche Gemeine, die aelteste. Schon im Jahr 1733 ist sie gessammalet worden, zu einer Zeit da die Indianer noch haefige Einfaelle in die Gegend machten und mordeten." He further states that people often took their guns with them to church to defend themselves against the savages. During divine services, men with loaded muskets were placed at the doors as sentinels. According to the first records kept, it was called " the Church on the Quittapahilla." Its Lutheran pastors have been — 1 733—1 779, extending over 46 years, John Caspar Stover; 1 779-1 794, a pastorate of 15 years, Frederick Theodore Melsheimer ; 1794-1815,3 pastorate of 21 years, George Lochman; 1815-1836, a pastorate of 21 years, William G. Ernst. In 1836 Rev. Jonathan Ruthrauff be- came the pastor, continuing to serve about 13 years. In 1850 A. C. Wedekind made the first entry in a Record commenced by him. He made the last entry September 1 8th, 1853, presumably serving the congregation in connection with Lebanon (Zion) about three years. He was followed by J. M. Deitzler, about 1856, Christian A. Fetzer, 1 860-1 863, and George P. Weaver, 1 863-1 864. Rev. J. M. Deitzler, who followed, made his first entry April 16, 1865, and continued to serve the congregation until the spring of 1890, his pastorate extending over twenty-five years. On April 15, 1890, the present pastor, Rev. W. H. Lewars, en- tered the field. The first pastor and his wife are buried in the "graveyard" ad- joining the church. The spot where their bodies repose is marked by two roughly hewn sandstones. The workmanship is crude ; but an attempt was made by loving hands to embellish them with art in the shape of a figure representing a cherub. With great labor and patience the following inscription was obtained — the peculiar use, as well as want, of capitals will be noticed by the reader, as well as discrepancies in orthography, etc. Heir Ruhet in seinem erloser entschlaffen Johan Casper Stover erster Evangel Luthericher prediger in pensilvanien, ist geboren in Der under paflz* D. 21 Dec 1707 er zeigte mit seiner Ehe Frau * Pfalz. 60 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. Maria Catharine 1 1 kinder 4 sein in die ewigkeit voran gegangen, er starb D 13 May 1779 seines alters 71 y 4 raon 3 wo u 2 Tag. The present building, which is the second, is of brick, and was erected in 1837. A very quaint old Record, bound in rawhide, having entries of baptisms, deaths, etc., as early as 1 734, is in the possession of the present pastor. A German Bible printed at Halle in 1 793, and bought by the congregation in 1798 for 16 shillings and 6 pence, is still in use in conducting the altar service. A communion cup bearing date of 1 745 is also in possession of the congregation. There is an endowment of eleven hundred dollars upon this church for the benefit of the Lutheran congregation. 2. First Lutheran Church, Annville. In 1804 members of the Lutheran congregation worshiping in the Hill Church (Berg Kirche), who lived at and near Annville, concluded to organize a church at home, and, accordingly, in conjunction with members of the Reformed denomination, erected a fine stone church building upon a lot donated by Martin LHrich and Adam Reugel. The two congregations worshiped in this edifice until 1871, when for various reasons a separation was deemed advisable, whereupon the Reformed organization purchased the interest of the Lutherans in the property for three thousand dollars, and the latter erected a building, which is now occupied by the above- named congregation. The corner-stone was laid in 1S72. At the time when the sep- aration between the Lutherans and the Reformed took place, a division also occurred among the Lutherans, the difficulty having arisen from a difference of opinion in regard to what were then known as " new measures." That portion of the congregation antagonistic to what they regarded extreme practices withdrew, and organized St. Paul's church (General Council). The names of the pastors who have served this congregation since 1804 are : Revs. George Lochman, 1 804-181 5 ; William G. Krnst, 1815-1849 ; G. F. Krotel, 1849-1853; H. S. Miller, SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 61 1854-1859 (?) ; Wm. S. Porr, 1859-1860; C. A. Fetzer, 1860- 1863 ; Geo. P. Weaver, 1863-1864 ; J. M. Deitzler, 1865-1890; and W. H. Lewars, 1890 to the present. The church edifice cost ten thousand dollars, and is built of limestone. The lot upon which it stands was donated to the congregation by John D. Biever, who paid about one-half the cost of the building. He also erected a two-story brick " sexton's house " on a lot adjoining the church, and bought a two-story FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, ANNVILLE, PA. brick house about one-half square from the church and donated it as a parsonage. He subsequently determined to build a par- sonage on a lot adjoining the church, on the side opposite the "sexton's house," but died before this was accomplished. His widow, Mrs. Rebecca Biever, afterwards carried out his inten- tions, in the erectioa of a substantial and commodious brick parsonage. He also placed an endowment upon the church to the amount of three thousand dollars. This amount was supplemented by his widow to the extent of two thousand one hundred dollars, she 62 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. having made the church her residuary legatee. The total inter- est-bearing fund is $5,100. In addition to this, a permanent fund of one thousand dollars was placed upon the cemetery, the amount coming from the same estate. It is but due to say, that the commendable generosity here recorded grew out of a life-long Christian character. The piety of Mr. Biever was acknowledged by all who knew him. He assumed a directing and sustaining influence in the church for half a century, and for forty-nine years was the Superintendent of the Sunday-school. The congregation was served for almost a quarter of a century by Rev. J. M. Deitzler, during which time the church and other buildings were erected. The present pastor, Rev. W. H. Lewars, entered the field in April, 1890. IV. SPRINGTOWN CHARGE, BUCKS CO.— SPRINGFIELD, DURHAM, SPRINGTOWN. BY REV. O. H. MELCHOR. The churches constituting the present " Springtown Charge " were for many years a part of the " Kintersville charge," in con- nection with the congregations of Nockamixon and Lower Tini- cum. The pastoral records of all these congregations indicate that from the dates cf organization, respectively, they were all served, with rare exceptions, by the same pastors until the year 1879. 1. Trinity, Springfield. The oldest of the five, Trinity congregation of Springfield, was organized about 1 75 1, and for twelve years was served by sup- plies or missionaries. In 1763 John Michael Enderlein became pastor. He was fol- lowed by Rev. Augustus Herman Schmidt. Rev. Peter Ahl be- came pastor in 1789, and served until 1797. Rev. John Conrad Jeagerwas pastor from 1797 to 1801 ; Rev. John Paul Ferdinand Kramer, from 1801 to 1803; Rev. John Nicholas Mensch, from SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 63 1803 to 1823 ; Rev. Henry S. Miller, from 1823 to 1838 ; Rev. C. F. Welden, from 1838 to 1842 ; Rev. C. P. Miller, from October, 1842, to September, 1865 ; Rev. W. S. Emery, from December, 1865, to July, 1879, at which time the present pastor took charge. Tradition claims that a log church was built about 1751, and that it was also used as a school-house. Be that as it may, be- yond the memory of the oldest inhabitant a school-house has stood under the shadow of the church. The first stone edifice was erected in 1763. This was replaced by another in 18 16, and the present one was built in 1872. 2. Durham. Prior to 181 2 there were three church organizations in Durham township. The earliest account of any religious services is dated 1728, and these were held in a school-house connected with the Durham Iron Works. The first organization was an English Pres- byterian one in 1 742, at the Iron Works. Later, there was an in- flux of Germans, and a German Presbyterian church (merged, finally, into the German Reformed ) was organized in 1 790, which worshiped in a barn. At a still later period, services were held in another school-house by German Lutherans and German Re- formed. There is no record of the organization of a German Lutheran congregation ; but on the 8th of August, 1812, these three bodies united and purchased an acre of ground, in the township of Dur- ham, near the Iron Works, and appointed trustees to erect a house for the worship of God, to be known as " Durham Union church," for the joint use of the English Presbyterians, the Ger- man Reformed and the Lutherans. In 1876 Presbyterian services were finally abandoned, and the church property now is owned jointly by the Reformed and Lutherans. The church edifice of 181 2 was replaced by a handsome stone building in 1857, which was remodeled in 1889, presenting a handsome interior, while without it is "beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth." From 181 2 there are data for a history of the congregation. Rev. John Nicholas Mensch was at this time the pastor, serving from 181 1 to 1823, preaching also at Springfield and Lower Tini- cura. He was succeeded by the following : 64 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. Revs. Henry S. Miller, 1823-1838; C. F. Welden, 1838-1842 ; C. P. Miller, 1842-1865 ; W. S. Emery, 1865-1879; O. H. Melchor, July 1, 1879 t0 tne present time. The records show that down to 1879 all of these pastors also served the congregations of Tinicum and Springfield. 3. Christ's, Springtown. This was a point for occasional preaching as early as i860, but it did not become a regular station until 1871. It is in reality a child of the Springfield church. The corner-stone for a union church was laid on May 18, 1872. This church was for the joint use of the Lutherans, Reformed, Presbyterians and Mennonites, and is known as " Christ's Church, of Springtown." A Lutheran congregation was regularly organized on April 6, 1874, by Rev. W. S. Emery, pastor. In the spring of 1879, the Kintnersville charge, by the recom- mendation of Conference, divided, Tinicum and Nockamixon forming one charge, and Durham, Springfield and Springtown the other. The latter at once extended a unanimous call to the present pastor, who accepted, and took charge July 1, 1879. The pastor being a member of the East Pennsylvania Synod, and the congregations being a part of the Ministerium of Penn- sylvania, the congregations voted, with but three negative ballots at Durham and two at Springfield, to sever connection with the Ministerium and to unite with the East Pennsylvania Synod. This vote was taken at Durham in August, 1879, an< ^ at Spring- field the following year. Springtown unanimously followed Dur- ham and Springfield. From this time on, the history of these congregations is written in the reports of the East Pennsylvania Synod. All the churches of this charge are still owned jointly by the Lutherans and Reformed, and services are held in both the Eng- lish and the German languages. The German is, however, rapidly dying out in the Durham congregation, and Springfield, during the present pastorate, has introduced English services at stated intervals. In this congregation Pe?insylvania German is spoken exclusively. The church buildings are comparatively new and all are free of debt, Durham and Springfield having handsome pipe organs. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 65 V. KINTNERSVILLE CHARGE, BUCKS CO.— NOCKA- MIXON AND UPPER TINICUM. BY REV. S. S. DIEHL. I. NOCKAMIXON. The Lutheran congregation of Nockamixon was organized about the year A. D. 1752. The first church was on the hill north of the village of Ferndale. In 181 2 the Lutheran and Re- formed congregations united in fellowship. The corner-stone of the first Union church was laid on Easter Monday, April 19, 18 13. The corner-stone of the present structure was laid July 3, 1875. The church seems to have been served for some years by supplies. The regular pastors were as follows : Revs. John Michael Enderlein, 1766; Jacob S. Miller, 17 73; Peter Ahl, 1789; Augustus Herman Schmidt, 1798; John Paul Ferdinand Kramer, 1801 ; John Nicholas Mensch, 1803; Henry S. Miller, 1823 ; C. F. Welden, 1838 ; C. P. Miller, 1842 ; W. S. Emery, 1865 ; O. H. Melchor, 1880 ; S. S. Diehl, 1892. In February, 1880, the congregation decided by a vote of 69 to 25 to sever its connection with the Pennsylvania Synod of the General Council, and to connect with the East Pennsylvania Synod of the General Synod. Immediately after this decision, Rev. O. H. Melchor, a member of the congregation, was elected pastor. The congregation then joined the pastoral charge of Rev. Melchor, consisting of Durham, Springfield and Springtown. Of this charge the congregation was a part till January, 1892, when the charge of Rev. Melchor was divided and Nockamixon, of Rev. Melchor's charge, and Upper Tinicum, of Rev. Fleck's charge, formed a new charge, electing Rev. Samuel S. Diehl, of the Gettysburg Seminary, as the first pastor. Several of the members of this congregation are now pastors in Lutheran churches, namely, Rev. Wilson Seiner, of Luthersburg, Clear- field Co., Rev. O. H. Melchor, of Springtown, Bucks Co., Rev. D. R. Becker, of Palmyra, Pa. 2. Upper Tinicum. The Upper Tinicum Lutheran congregation was organized by 66 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. Rev. John R. Willox, Lutheran pastor at Riegelsville, who held occasional services in the school-houses of the vicinity. As a re- sult there was a general desire for a house of worship in the neighborhood. The corner-stone of the new church was laid on Whitsunday, 1851, and the dedication occurred in the autumn of the same year. This church was always served in connection with Rieglesville. The pastors serving the congregation were as follows : Revs. J. R. Willox, 185 1 ; C. L. Keedy, 1862 ; Nathan Jeager, 1863; Theophilus Heiiig, 1864; D. T. Koser, 1877; C. L. Fleck, 1887; S. S. Diehl, 1892. In January, 1892, the congregation decided to join with Nock- amixon church of Rev. Melchor's charge and thus form a new pastorate. VI. WHITEMARSH CHARGE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY — WHITEMARSH AND UPPER DUBLIN. BY REV. MATTHIAS SHEELEIOH, D. D. I. WHITEMARSH. This church is located thirteen miles north of the centre of Philadelphia, two miles above the corporate limits of the city. The North Pennsylvania Railroad runs one mile east of the church. The Barren Hill church is four miles to the west. In the county there are twenty-six Lutheran churches ; five being in connection with the East Pennsylvania Synod, and twenty-one with the Pennsylvania Synod. The region is highly picturesque. From an eminence in the vicinity twenty-two places of worship are counted. The imagin- ary "marsh" is nowhere visible, either on lowland or highland. In this vicinity, Gen. Washington rested his army for seven weeks, in 1777, after the battle of Germantown, and before retiring to Valley Forge. According to a declining custom, the church edifice and ceme- tery are owned conjointly and equally with a German Reformed congregation. "The Union Church" is the familiar designation SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 67 in the community. June 14, 181 7, is the date of the first formal meeting for organizing — now 75 years ago. Those present were identified with congregations of the two de- nominations named, at Germantown, six to seven miles south- ward. Rev. Caspar Wack, Reformed, presided, and Jacob Gil- bert, Lutheran, served as secretary. At a later meeting, January 24, 1 8 18, presided over by Rev. John C. Baker, Lutheran, it was reported that Philip Sellers had presented the lot on which the church now stands ; to which adjoining ground was directly pur- chased. The cost of the edifice and furnishing amounted to $3,409.20. An Act of Incorporation was secured, approved by Governor Joseph Hiester on March 30, 18 18. The corporate title reads, " The Trustees of the Union Church of Whitemarsh." A meeting was held at the Union school-house of Whitemarsh, October 18, 181 8, to elect officers for the respective congrega- tions. The names of those chosen at this first election are Jacob Gilbert, Christian Grafley, Henry Daub, William Egbert, Peter Shull, Daniel Gilbert and John Trexler, on the Lutheran side ; and Henry Scheetz, John Haney, John Miller, Jacob Kibler, William Bitting, Henry Scheetz, Jr., and Jacob Wentz, for the Reformed side. In 1830, the names of officers were the following : Lutheran — Christopher Grafley, Daniel Nace, John Dutill, Jacob Ettinger, John Katz, Samuel Dewees, Samuel Felty, and John Dager ; Re- formed — Henry Scheetz, John Haney, Abraham Zimmerman, John Y. Henk, George Streevy, Henry Scheetz, Jr., John Kehr, and Francis Kehr. Turning to the records of 1840, the following new names ap- pear among the Lutheran officers : Daniel Bickle, William Egbert, Henry Harner, Samuel Evans, John Dager, William Shugard, and Bernard Bisbing. In 1850, still other new names appear in the Council : Daniel Slifer, John Kuhler, Abraham Slifer, John Sorber and — Neiman. The present Lutheran Council consists of the following : Trus- tees — Samuel Van Winkle, and Charles C. Slifer ; Elders — George D. Heist, Mahlon F. Scheetz and Samuel Yeakle ; Deacons — Belding B. Slifer, William S. Kerper, and Frank S. Harner. 68 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. The church edifice is of stone. It was erected in 1818; was remodeled and extended in 1861 ; and again, in 1882, under- went a general renovation and improvement. Extensive shedding was built in 1848, at a cost of $347.83. In 1876, the cemetery was enlarged by the purchase of five acres of adjoining ground, for $2,000.00. From the beginning to the present, the Lutheran pastors have been the following: Rev. John C. Baker, 1818 to 1828; Rev. Benjamin Keller, 1829 to 1835; Rev. C. W. Schaeffer, 1835 to 1 84 1 ; Rev. Frederick R. Anspach, 1841 to 1850; Rev. William H. Smith, 1850 to 1852 ; Rev. Prof. Henry Haverstick and Rev. Luther E. Albert, supplied about three months in 1852 ; Rev. William M. Baum, 1852 to 1854; Rev. David Swope, 1855 to 1856. The last named was the first pastor settled in the place ; the church having previously been served, successively, by pas- tors of St. Michael's of Germantown, and St. Peter's of Barren Hill. This was also the beginning of the pastoral charge as now constituted, i. , 1890. St. Paul's again manifested its recuperative power in re- covering from the depletion of its ranks. Beginning with 366 members, it has increased to over 450. The Sunday-school numbers 600. In less than three years, almost Si 3,000 have been 86 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. raised for all purposes. The principal improvements made con- sist of the entire remodeling of the Sunday-school rooms, the introduction of steam heating into the church, and the laying of a new sidewalk ; all of which cost nearly $2,000. The parsonage debt has also been canceled. The outlook is promising. The property of the congregation consists of St. Paul's church, an imposing two-story brick edifice of gothic architecture. It is surmounted by a steeple 190 feet in height, containing a tower- clock and two bells, the larger of which is noted for the sweetness and strength of its tone. The auditorium contains galleries on three sides and seats over 800 people. The lower story is de- voted to the Sunday-school and is divided into four rooms, sepa- rated by sliding partitions. About a square south of the church, on South Eighth street, stands the parsonage, a fine ten-room house with modern conveniences. During the last forty years four new congregations have gone forth from St. Paul's. Two others have been founded in the city, making seven Lutheran churches in Allentown. Probably a third of the population is Lutheran. Two of the churches use the Eng- lish language exclusively in their services ; the rest both English and German. In the preparation of this sketch the writer has availed himself of Dr. Schmucker's " Historical Discourse," which traces the his- tory of St. Paul's with more or less accuracy as far as 1855. X. HAMILTON CHARGE, MONROE CO.— HAMILTON, ST. MARK'S, TANNERSVILLE, ST. JOHN'S, BROD- HEADSVILLE, MT. ETON. BY REV. R. H. CLARE. i. Christ's Church, Hamilton Township. The history of the Lutheran and Reformed congregations, now worshiping in Christ's Union church, Hamilton township, Mon- roe county, according to the old German records on hand, dates back to 1768, although, judging from the large number of com- municants then already gathered, it would appear that the Luth- eran congregation must have existed long before this. A baptis- SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 87 mal record is on hand bearing date of 1 763, in the handwriting of the Rev. J. A. Friedricus (Friederici). A communion record of the same year contains the name of the mother of the child of the above record. From this and other evidences on hand it would appear that an effort was made as early at least as 1763 (we may assume much earlier) to organize the Lutherans into a congregation in this section of Monroe (then Northampton) county. The first evidences of a permanent organization do not appear till 1768. That year finds thirty-seven names enrolled as communicants, and the following year seventy-three, of whom fifteen were catechumens. In 1775 trns congregation, as well as its sister of the Reformed denomination, had assumed fair proportions, and in that year three acres of land were secured to build thereon "a church and school house and for a burial place." One acre of this land was presented by Philip Bossard, of the Reformed church, one acre by George Hartlieb, a member of the Lutheran church, and one acre was purchased by the congregations. A log church and school house were erected the same year, and prosperity seems to have attended their projects. The relations between the two congregations seem to have been harmonious, and there was a steady growth of membership and also an accumulation of wealth. In 182P the congregations owned several hundred acres of land, which was sold, the proceeds being devoted to the erection of a new church. Plans were completed in 1829, when the congregation erected their new edifice. This new church, a large stone structure, was dedicated November 6 and 7, 1830, by the pastors, the Rev. J. B. Gross, of the Lutheran church, and the Rev. H. L. Hoffe- ditz, of the Reformed church. The church cost $3,690.91. The Lutheran congregation was chartered by the State in 181 6, and owns a parsonage and sixteen acres of land near the church. The present parsonage was built in 1837, and extensively repaired in 1883. The Hamilton church is properly called the " mother church" in this county, no less than six congregations in different parts of the county having been organized by those who at one time were members of this congregation. 88 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. The present membership is two hundred and forty. The following is a list ol the pastors who have served this con- gregation from its organization till the present time : Revs. J. A. Friederici, 1 763-1 790; Frank Niemyer, 1790- 1803; Chas. F. Fndress, 1 803-1 805 ; C. Diehl, 1805-1810; J. Colson, 1810-1812 ; P. Rupert, 1812-1818; H. Kurtz, 1818- 1823; P. Rupert (second term), 1823-1828 ; J. B. Gross, 1828-41; Geo. Heilig, 1841-1857; S. S. Kline, 1858-1860; H. Seifert, 1860-1869 ; J. R. Focht, 1869-1874; Geo. Roths, 1874-1882 ; R. H. Clare, 1882-1892 ; Cyrus E. Held, 1892. 2. St. Mark's Church, Jackson Township. St. Mark's Lutheran and Reformed church is located in Jack- son township. The Lutheran congregation was organized about 1830, and the Rev. Joseph B. Gross was its first pastor. He was followed in regular succession by the pastors of the Hamilton charge, interrupted only by the brief pastorate of Rev. A. Rumpf, in 1857-8. In 1 85 1 Peter Woodling donated the land, and the new church was built. The present number of Lutheran communicants is sixty-five. 3. St. Paul's, Tannersville. St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church of Tannersville was erected in 1834 upon land deeded to a board of trustees elected by the " inhabitants of Tannersville," and the building and grounds were to be used for church purposes forever. The Lu- theran and Reformed congregations conjointly erected the build- ing, and no other denominations have ever worshiped in it. The Lutheran congregation was organized some time previous, and had been worshiping in a school-house. Rev. Joseph Gross was its first pastor, and ministered to the congregation until 1836. He was in turn succeeded by the following clergymen: Rev. George Heilig, who remained ten years, Rev. Jacob Rumpf, one year, Rev. S. S. Kline, Rev. Henry Seifert, Rev. Joseph B. Focht. During the pastorate of the Rev. J. B. Focht the congregation severed its connection with the Hamilton charge and united with a charge under the General Council. The cause of this SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 89 separation was the " new measures " introduced by the pas- tor of the Hamilton charge. From 1869 to 1883 this congrega- tion remained in connection with the Ministerium of Pennsyl- vania, being served by Rev. J. H. Fritz as supply for the six months preceding Easter, 1873, and by Rev. A. M. Strauss from 1875 to l8S: - During the pastorate of Rev. R. H. Clare at Hamilton, this congregation again united with the Hamilton charge of the Synod of East Pennsylvania of the General Synod. Rev. R. H. Clare was pastor from 1883 till July, 1892, when Rev. Cyrus E. Held became pastor of the Hamilton charge, which includes this con- gregation. The church is a "union church," and the Reformed and Lutheran denominations worship in it upon alternate Sab- baths. The present number of Lutheran communicants is one hundred and twenty-five. 4. St. John's, Bartonsville — Hamilton Charge. St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church is located about one mile south of Bartonsville. The congregation was organized about 1 84 1, and the Rev. George Heilig was its first pastor. The church building was erected upon ground deeded to the Luth- eran and United Presbyterian congregations. The latter body, however, never worshiped regularly in the church which was shortly after erected, and principally by Lutherans. The Luth- eran congregation has had continuous worship in the church erected about 1841, and has since its organization maintained its connection with the East Pennsylvania Synod of the General Synod. The church building having become too small for the use of the congregation and very much out of repair, ground was broken in the spring of 1892 for a new church building. The corner-stone of the new edifice was laid June 5, 1892, by Rev. R. H. Clare, according to the usage of the Lutheran church, and it is hoped that the new church will be ready for dedication before the close of 1892. This congregation has since its organization been regularly served by the pastors of the Hamilton charge. The present membership of this congregation is one hundred and forty. 90 east pennsylvania synod. 5. Brodheadsville Church. During the pastorate of Rev. Henry Seifert in the Hamil- ton church, a Lutheran congregation was organized at Brodheads- ville. Through the efforts of C. D. Brodhead, the sum of sixteen hundred dollars was raised in i860, and a union church was built for the use of the Lutheran and Reformed denominations. Rev. Henry Seifert served this congregation (organized in i860) with great acceptance till 1869, since which time it has been reg- ularly ministered to by the pastors of the Hamilton charge. The present Lutheran membership is one hundred and thirty. The estimated value of the church property of the two congregations is $3,800. Located about one mile from the church is "Fairview Acad- emy," under Lutheran control. This academy was planned and built in the spring and summer of 1S81, by Prof, (now Rev.) George G. Kunkle. The first session opened with sixty students. Prof. T. H. Serfass at present has charge of the institution, which is doing a good work for our church, several of its graduates hav- ing entered the Lutheran ministry. 6. Mount Eton Church. This church is located in Ross township, Monroe county, Pa., and is the joint property of the Lutheran and Reformed denomi- nations. The Lutheran congregation was organized in 1884 by the B.ev. R. H. Clare, then pastor of the Hamilton Charge. Rev. Clare served this congregation from 1884 to 1892. The Rev. Cyrus E. Held took charge July 1, 1S92. The present member- ship is about sixty. The church property owned by the congre- gation is worth $5,000. XL ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, ARDMORE, MONTGOMERY CO. BY REV. M. COOVER. In a country home in Lower Merion, on the 17th day of Octo- ber, 1765, three male infants received the sacrament of holy bap- tism. From this recorded ministerial act dates the history of St. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 9 1 Paul's Lutheran church of Ardmore. Who performed this sacred rite and ministered in spiritual things to the small community of Christian believers, no record tells us. No church building shel- tered the worshipers. In some house on or very near the present cemetery grounds was heard the German choral and the story of the gospel told to listening Christians of the Lutheran faith in the language of their beloved Reformer. The only information which can be secured concerning the first acts of this organized band of earnest Christians has its source in a recorded purchase of land with a dwelling house to be used for a place of public worship and a plot for the burial of their dead. At sheriff's sale, September 3, 1765, sixty-six and three-fourths acres of land were purchased by Mr. John Hughes, and sold in the following month to a committee of six men to furnish a lo- cation for a church. By agreement on the part of the committee, the dwelling house located upon this purchased property was to be used for an Evangelical Lutheran Church " as long as the sun and moon endure," and six acres of the tract were to be reserved for a cemetery. Should the congregation become able by sale of the remaining land or by contributions to build a church, the dwelling house was again to be used as a place of residence. The congregation however failed to pay for the tract, and in 1769 the committee of purchasers sold it to Stephen Goodman, who in turn conveyed 133 perches to a committee of four trustees, himself being one of the number. This property was to remain " in trust for the religious society of people called Lutherans, of Merion and adjacent townships, for the purpose of erecting thereon one or more churches, or places of religious worship, and as a place for interring the members of the Lutheran congregation, or such persons as they may direct." An organization was no doubt ef- fected in the year 1765, which authorized the committee to make the purchase of land in view of erecting a church ; and the dwell- ing located on this property served as a place of worship from October, 1765, until 1769, when the first church, a humble log building, was erected. There is no history of the dedicatory ser- vice, nor of officiating clergy. From the time of its organization until 1830 the congregation was supplied with spiritual ministra- tions chiefly by ministers of the Germantown pastorate. 92 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. The first recorded public services are indicated simply by a mem- orandum of collections and infant baptisms. From this we learn that there was preaching on Thursday, Christmas-day, 1766, and also on the following Sabbath. The first stated communion was administered September 22, 1767,10 forty-three communicants. Services of similar nature were no doubt held previous to this, but no record was kept. The officiating clergyman at the dedi- cation of the first church building, 1769 or 1770, was probably Rev. Mr. Van Buskerk of the Germantown pastorate, or his suc- cessor, the Rev. John Frederick Schmidt. Succeeding the minis- tration of these in the Merion pastorate were Revs. Henry Miller and John Weinland. During the services of the latter in the year 1787, the same in which the revered Henry Melchior Muhlen- berg passed to his final rest, the stone school-house was built which now serves for chapel and vault in the cemetery. The church, in an interesting debit account with the builders, in addi- tion to obligations for hauling stone and sand, shows itself debtor " to Christopher Tomiller for one day's digging foundation and quart of rum, 5 shillings and 9 pence." In those good old days the workmen wanted to be in good spirits while engaged in such sacred duties. In 1790 Rev. Frederick D. Schaeffer, D. D., began his work in Germantown, continuing in the pastorate for 22 years. During his associated work in Lower Merion, the second church was dedicated in the summer of 1 800. The old log church was torn away and a stone building was erected in conjunction with the school-house built 13 years before. During the last 12 years of Dr. Schaeffer's ministry in Germantown there were no regular ser- vices nor sacramental ministrations in the Lower Merion pastor- ate. A transition of language from German to English was taking place, which made demands for English preaching which could not be supplied. Until the year 1 799 the meagre church record was written in German, and for twelve subsequent years the re- cord is partly in the German and partly in the English language, until the latter became the prevailing tongue. From 1810 to 1828 there was no pastor. The pulpit was filled occasionally by Rev. J. C. Baker, who succeeded Dr. Schaeffer, and also by ministers of other denominations. The recorded SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 93 names are : Rev. Casper Wach, Rev. Dr. Runkel, of the German Reformed church, Dr. Ely, Presbyterian, of Philadelphia, who sent as pulpit supplies several students receiving theological in- struction under him, Rev. Wm. Bishop, Presbyterian, and Rev. H. G. Jones, D. D., of the Lower Merion Baptist church, who served from 1826 to 1828. Mr. Chas. Kugler then invited Rev. B. Keller, of Germantown, to minister here, and together with Rev. C. P. Krauth, D. D., from St. Matthew's, Philadelphia, and Rev. C. F. Schaeffer, then a student under his father, the pastor- ate was supplied from 1828 to 1830. In 1830 Rev. Jeremiah Harpel came, the first regular pastor, officiating at the same time in Cohansey and living in Francisville. During his ministry the third church building was erected, a stone edifice of humble pro- portions on the site of the old building. The corner-stone was laid May 14, 1833, at which service the church received its name, St. Paul's. Drs. Mayer, Krauth, Demme, and Rev. B. Keller were present, together with the pastor. On Nov. 24 of the same year, the church was dedicated, the sermon being preached by Rev. Mr. Wolle of the Moravian church. Rev. J. Harpel resigned in 1834, having served four years. Succeeding him were Mark Harpel, his brother, serving for a few months, Charles Barnitz, the first pastor residing in this pastorate and serving four and one-half years, and Edward Town, two and one-half years. From 1842 to 1844 there was no settled pastor. During this period Rev. S. D. Finckel, of Germantown, preached occasionally. In April, 1844, the property of the church was increased by a pur- chase of several acres of land, which together with a former small purchase gave the congregation a possession of four and one-quar- ter acres. In the autumn of 1844 Rev. Nathan H. Cornell became pas- tor, serving four years ; and following in order were : Rev. Wm. H. Smith, two years, Rev. Prof. H. H. Haverstick, six months, and Rev. W. D. Roedel, four years, from 1851 to 1855. In Mr. Roedei's ministry the parsonage was built, a substantial house still occupying its position on the grounds of the cemetery. It is no longer used as a parsonage, but is rented by the congregation, the location being somewhat distant from the present church 94 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. building. After the resignation of Rev. Mr. Roedel, Rev. Mr. Haverstick again became a supply for six months, until a call was extended to Rev. T. T. Titus, who ministered from 1856 to 1861. An interesting and comprehensive history of the church from its founding till the year i860 was written by Mr. Titus and pub- lished for the pleasure of his parishioners. Succeeding Mr. Titus were Rev. J. H. Heck, ministering seven and one-half years, and Rev. H. J. Watkins, five years, 1869-74. In 1873 preparations were made for the fourth church building. A lot on Lancaster Avenue was presented by Mr. Charles Kugler, a pillar and trustee of the church, and gladly accepted by the congregation as a location for a new house of worship. Rev. Mr. Watkins resigned the charge before the church was completed, and was succeeded by Rev. W. H. Steck, who entered upon his pastoral work in March, 1874. The new church was dedicated September 5, 1874, Rev. F. W. Conrad, D. D., LL. D., preach- ing the dedicatory sermon. The church is built of stone, with the audience room on the second floor, the first floor being used for lecture-room, Sunday-school services and library. Recent im- provements have fitted the building with steam-heating apparatus, new upholstery and carpetings. Two preaching services are held every Sunday. A weekly prayer-meeting and an active Sunday- school organization add to the efficiency of church work. The pastoral aids in the congregation are a Mite Society, Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society, and a Young People's Luther Alliance ; and special mission aid is given by a large membership to the Mission Society of the Philadelphia Con- ference. In 1883, Dr. Anna S. Kugler, a member of this congregation, became a medical missionary on our mission territory in India. After five years of service and a three years' furlough, she again sailed for India in August, 1891. Rev. Mr. Steck resigned his pastorate March, 1890, and was succeeded in July of the same year by Rev. M. Coover, who accepted a call after the comple- tion of his studies in the Seminary at Gettysburg. In 1889 the trustees of the church made a purchase of five ad- ditional acres, extending westward from the old cemetery grounds, to furnish a larger space for sepulture. On this elevated spot are SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 95 the grassy mounds and moss-covered markers of departed Chris- tians sleeping the years away. The village church bell, in sound- ing distance, tolls the hours of prayer and Sabbath days over resting Revolutionary heroes, colonial Christians, and ancient fathers with sleeping families at their side : over forms whose ardent souls loved and worshiped on the spot where now they sleep their last and quiet sleep. And still the ministry continues, from wondering babe at baptismal font to slumbering pilgrim borne to his last and undisturbed repose. XII. ST. PETER'S CHURCH, BARREN HILL (LAFAYETTE HILL), MONTGOMERY COUNTY. BY REV. A. H. F. FISCHER. The early settlers at Barren Hill and vicinity were Germans, some of whom were connected with the Lutheran church at Ger- mantown, six miles distant. Owing to disturbances in that con- gregation during the years 1753-5, some Lutheran and German Reformed families bought an acre and thirty-five perches of land for the erection of a school-house and for a place of burial. The purpose of the purchase is thus stated in the deed, dated March 14, 1758 : "For the use of a church, a school-house and burying ground, to be erected on the hereby granted lot of land for the onh; proper use and behoof of the Dutch Protestants, their heirs and successors forever, and for no other use." Both parties united in building the school-house, which was used not only for school purposes, but occasionally for public services held by Lu- theran pastors and Rev. Michael Schlatter, of the Reformed church. To this new enterprise several elders, formerly of Ger- mantown, attached themselves. The school-house soon became too small, and in 1759 Christopher Raben (Robins), of White- marsh, and Wighard Miiller and Christopher Jacobi, of German- town, informed Rev. H. M. Muhlenberg that they intended to erect at Barren Hill a church, which was to be under Synod, and in connection with the Philadelphia congregation. Miihlenberg was thus recognized because he had rendered great assistance in the erection of the school-house, an acknowledgment of which is thus recorded in the Minutes : " Our collectors having, in his 96 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. name and with his letters of recommendation, raised contribu- tions to defray the expenses of the school-house, and having, after these were paid, also, by means of his written petitions, collected money in Philadelphia and in the provinces of New Jersey and New York for the building of St. Peter's church, he himself hav- ing, at the same time, as far as it was possible for himself and fellow laborers, served us in the preaching of the gospel." In the building of the church the Reformed had no share. The ground and school-house were transferred to Revs. Richard Peters, Charles Magnus Wrangel, D. D., Provost of the Swedish Lutheran churches in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, H. M. Miihlenberg and Henry Keppele, Sr., of Philadelphia, John Kop- lin, of Providence, Valentine Miller, Ludwig Kolb and Matthias Sommer, members of the church in Whitemarsh, as trustees. The first school teacher was Michael Seely, who afterwards became blind. In 1765 Conrad Bischoff was teacher, and in 1768 John George Kiihn. H. M. Miihlenberg laid the corner-stone of the church in 1761, but it was not completed until several years later. It was a substantial stone edifice, with galleries on three of its sides, and a steeple, surmounted by a cock, a reminder, doubtless, of the one that figured in the history of the denial of the disciple after whom the church was named. It remained standing until 1849. The history of its building is a story of struggle, prayers and tears. They were burdened with debt. C. Raben en- deavored to reduce the debt by means of a lottery — a means often used in those times to raise funds for houses of worship. Fifty pounds were thus secured. The noble Henry Keppele, of Phila- delphia, gave his bond for three hundred pounds. After the diffi- culty at Germantown had been settled and that congregation was again united with Synod, a number of members who assisted Barren Hill returned to their old home, and thus the difficulties at St. Peter's increased. On March 13, 1765, C. Raben, who had assumed much of the debt, declared that if he were not extricated from his embarrass- ing condition, he would sell the church to " any sect, even to the Papists." In this crisis, Keppele, Wrangel and Miihlenberg each obligated himself for one-third of the debt. Muhlenberg ad- dressed Ziegenhagen at London, Francke at Halle, and others, SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. gf in behalf of the needy church. A collection in the Anglican church for a non-conformist congregation was not allowed in England, but the Archbishop of Canterbury sent twenty guineas out of his private means. In i 766 a Reformed creditor threat- ened that, unless his loan of one hundred pounds with interest were paid, he would bring the matter to court. Under these cir- cumstances, Miihlenberg had a transfer of the property made to St. Michael's, of Philadelphia, so as to afford a legal protection. He attempted to use his wife's patrimony to liquidate the debt, which she sensibly prevented. In 1 768 ninety pounds' worth of the widely celebrated Halle medicines came to Muhlenberg as a contribution to Zion's church at Philadelphia and Barren Hill, to be equally divided. August 4, 1768, Dr. Ziegenhagen, chaplain to the king of England, authorized Miihlenberg to draw on him for five hundred pounds sterling. But what principally enabled the securities to meet their obligations was a bequest of thirteen thousand gulden ($5,200) from the Count of Roedelsheim, in Germany, to the German Lutheran congregations of Pennsylvania, three thousand of which ($1,200) were expressly given to the church at Barren Hill. The joy of the struggling church can be imagined better than described. The first election of which we possess a record (though an older record is mentioned as having surreptitiously disappeared) was held April 1, 1766, when Henry Katz, John Bauer, Andrew Koeth and Philip Lehr were chosen elders, and William Hiltner and John Fischer deacons. In June, 1769, Rev. John Frederick Schmidt accepted the charge of the Germantown congregation, and preached occasionally at Barren Hill, in which church ser- vice had been previously held every other Sunday by the German- town and Philadelphia ministers during the time of Pastors John Nicholas Kurtz, 1 763-1 764, John Ludwig Voigt, 1 764-1 765, Jacob Van Buskirk, 1 766-1 769, and Christopher Emanuel Schultze, 1 765 -i 769. Through the war, and for several years after its close, Rev. H. M. Miihlenberg, as also his son, Rev. H. E. Miihlenberg, of St. Michael's, Philadelphia, officiated here, followed by the Revs. Daniel Schroeder, 17 76-1 782 ( ?), and John Frederick Weinland, 1 786 to 1 789, of the Germantown congregation, whose several labors helped to keep the congregation together. gB EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD, During the Revolution the church received considerable injury,, having been by turns occupied by the contending armies, and used as a battery and stable. Rev. H. M. Muhlenberg, in his journal, under date of November 4, 1777, says that "it was- used as a stable for horses by a portion of the American army en- camped in the vicinity," and further mentions that a short time- previous the British army had been here and taken from the peo- ple their horses, oxen, cows, sheep and hogs. Lafayette used the church as a point of obseivation during his brief stay on the Hill, in the middle of May, 1778, and came near being captured by General Grant with a strong detachment of the British army. The next pastor, Rev. Frederick D. Schaeffer, has left the fol- lowing interesting account of the condition of affairs at this time : " In the year 1 790 I was called to the congregation of St. Peter's as its regularly ordained minister, and found the church and school in such a lamentable condition as to be commiserated. Only a few heads of families remained ; the greater number of children had already been sent to English schools, and an Eng- lish schoolmaster had been appointed to teach without my knowl- edge. The church building was in a deplorable condition, like a neglected or disordered house, the rude walls, windows and frames broken and shattered, and the roof appeared also ready to fall in." As the church was injured during the war, the congregation applied to the Assembly, who passed an act, April 13, 1807, authorizing them to hold a lottery to meet the expense. For want of unanimity this was not carried out, and a committee of seven members was appointed in 1809, through whom the build- ings and sunounding property were repaired, and the church re- dedicated January 7, 1810, in the presence of a large assembly. After a pastorate of over twenty- two years Mr. Schaeffer resigned, preaching his farewell sermon August 23, 181 2. Rev. John C. Baker followed, and remained until 1828. Dur- ing his ministry the German language was entirely dispensed with and the English substituted. Rev. Benjamin Keller com- menced his labors in February, and remained until 1835. He was followed by Rev. G. W. Schaeffer, under whom the parsonage, costing nearly $900, was built. Rev. F. R. Anspach became pastor January 1st, 1841, and remained until 1850. He held the SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 99 last communion in the old church April 8, 1849, when the present fine edifice was erected, at a cost of $6,471.46. Under his services the church was greatly strengthened. Rev. W. H. Smith succeeded him in 1850, and resigned May 10, 1852. In November, 1852, Rev. W. M. Baum accepted, served till May, 1858, and was followed by Rev. S. Sentman, who resigned April, 1862. In his ministry the centennial celebration of the church was observed with appropriate ceremonies. Rev. C. L. Keedy was the next pastor, 1862 to 1865, followed by Rev. J. Q. Waters, whom Rev. J. R. Dimm succeeded in 1867. Rev. T. C. Pritchard took charge September 1, 1871, and remained until July, 1883. His successor was Rev. J. Q. McAtee, who resigned November, 1888. February 1, 1889, the present pastor, Rev. A. H. Frank Fischer, took charge. The church at present num- bers about 240 members, is free of debt, is surrounded by about eight acres of cemetery, inclosed by an iron railing and wall. In addition to a good parsonage, with an acre of ground, the church owns another excellent property. Though one of the first churches in Pennsylvania, she is still bringing forth fruit in old age. Her later sons in the ministry, Revs. W. S. Freas, I). I)., M. S. Cressman and F. W. Staley, are doing noble work for the Master. Her history, though at times dark, is most inspiring. Her list of servants contains many who stand high in the annals of American Lutheranism. That her growth may be commen- surate with that of the great city on v/hose border she has stood for more than a century and a quarter, is the prayer of all her faithful children. XIII. ST. PETER'S CHURCH, MIDDLETOWN, DAUPHIN COUNTY. BV MR. S. L. YETTER. St. Peter's is the oldest Lutheran church in Dauphin County, with the exception of the "Hill" church in Derry township. Lot No. 135, upon which the old church edifice now stands, was deeded September 18, 1764, by George Fisher and Hannah, his wife, to Peter Woltz, George Frey and Dieterick Schoball, IOO EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. of Lower Paxton township, Lancaster county (now Swatara township, Dauphin county), Province of Pennsylvania, for the sum of seven shillings and six pence, with additional rental of one grain of wheat per annum, payable each consecutive first of May. The deed was acknowledged before Justice John Allison, and at tested by Joseph Greenwood and Henry Renick. It is written on parchment, is in a good state of preservation, and is recorded at Lancaster, in Deed Book M, page 395. It bears the old colo- nial seal of Lancaster county. In the same year a petition was sent to King George III. through John Penn, Lieut. Governor of the Province, praying for the privilege of erecting a church, and for the privilege of collecting funds for the same purpose, which was granted by license, bearing date September 28, 1764, to Christian Roth and David Ettele, to raise by subscription twelve hundred pounds in the space of three years. This document bears the autograph of John Penn, and is countersigned by Joseph Shippen, his secretary. There are no papers to show how much of this money was raised. It would appear from the read- ing of this document that the members were poor. In fact, Da- vid Ettele, one of the Committee, walked as far as Philadelphia on his collecting tour. Many of the members were driven from their homes by the hostile Indians who roamed the surrounding forests, and who for years had been desolating this frontier with toma- hawk, scalping knife and torch. The church was built in 1767. The corner-stone was laid by Justice James Bird, in presence of the Rev. T. Engelland, the first pastor, N. Hornell, Conrad Bucher, and the church wardens and elders, Jno. C. Roth, Jno. Metzgar, Geo. Philip Shage, Gottlieb D. Ettla and Jacob King, together with the Building Committee. There were placed in the corner-stone a German Bible, printed at Halle in 1763 ; the shorter catechism of Martin Luther, printed at Philadelphia in 1 764 ; three wafers, a half-pint bottle of wine, together with some money in Pennsylvania currency. The building was constructed in old red sandstone, and was two stories high, with a gallery on three sides and a stairway leading from each door to the gallery. The windows were small, as were the panes of glass in them. The first floor was of bricks that were nine inches square. The pews were narrow, with high, straight backs. The SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. IOl pulpit was a sort of martin-box on an enlarged scale, supported by a post eight or ten feet high, and reached by a narrow wind- ing stair ; over it, like a huge extinguisher, hung a sounding- board. There was no provision for heating, but sixty years later stoves were introduced. They were looked upon by the oldest members as a dangerous innovation. The first stoves were cap- able of receiving into their interiors sticks of wood four feet in length. The membership of "St. Peter's Kirche" numbered sixty-six old and sixty-three young persons. In August, 1793, George Frey and Jacob King, acting for the congregation, pur- chased lot No. 134 for ^3, and a yearly rental of one grain of wheat. By mistake the deed was made to Frey and King, but their executors afterwards conveyed a deed to the congregation, bearing date October 7, 1807. On the 10th of March, 1807, application was made by the con- gregation to the Supreme Court and Attorney-General for a char- ter of incorporation. On the 21st of the same month Gov. Thomas McKean issued a warrant to Timothy Matlack, Master of Rolls, to issue the charter prayed for by the petitioners. In 1.8 13 the steeple was built, for which purpose the sum of $1 21 1.35 was subscribed by one hundred and ninety-three persons. In 1826 Jane Hannegan sold lot No. 133 to the congregation. In 1830 the brick floor was replaced by a wooden one; the straight-backed pews gave way to more comfortable ones ; a new pulpit was erected, with steps on either side and a recess under- neath where the pastor could retire to prepare himself for his duties, and a number of other changes were made. In 1835 the lecture-room was built. In 1855 the parsonage on High street was erected. On September 4, 1867, the church celebrated its centennial anniversary, at which were present many distinguished clergymen and persons prominent in the State. On this occasion one hun- dred grains of wheat, enclosed in a silken bag, were sent, as a fuil satisfaction of one clause of the original deed, to Hon. Robert J. Fisher, of York, Pa., the oldest of the living legal heirs of George Fisher, who sold the church lot to the congregation. The Luth- eran ministers present on this occasion were Rev. A. H. Lochman, D. D., Rev. Peter Sahm, Rev. S. D. Finckel, D. D., Rev. Prof. C. 102 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. J. Ehrehart, Rev. G. J. Martz, Rev. G. W. Hemperly, Rev. W. H. Steck, Rev. J. B. Anthony, Rev. W. M. Baum, D. D., Rev. Peter Raby, Rev. F. A. Barnitz, Rev. C. Reimensnyder and Rev. J. B. Keller. The pastors of the church from 1767 to 1867 were the Revs. J. T. Engelland, 1 767—1 773 ; T. F. Illig, 17 73-1 778 ; J. Kurtz, 1788- 1793; P. Pentz, 1793-1795; H. Miller, 1 795-1803 ; J.D.Peter- son, 1803-1812; F. C. Schaeffer, 1812-1815 ; G. Lochman, 1815-1826; A. H. Lochman, 1826-1830 ; J.H.Van Hoff, 1830- 1834 ; P. Sahm, 1834-1837 ; S. D. Finckel, 1837-1840; J. Vogel- bach, 1844-1847; L. Gerhart, 184 7-1848; W. M. Baum, 1848- 1852 ; B. Sadtler, 1853 -1856 ; C. J. Ehrehart, 1856-1865, and P. Raby, 1865- 187 2. In 1872 Rev. J. W. Finkbiner was installed as pastor. Dur- ing his administration it was found that the old building was be- coming inadequate to accommodate the increasing membership, and that it was inconveniently located. Town lots Nos. 149 and 150 were secured from the Frey Estate at a yearly rental of $15.00 each. At a congregational meeting, March 7, 1876, it was resolved to erect a new church edifice. Plans were adopted June 11, 1877, the corner-stone was laid Sept. 6 of the same year, and the church was dedicated Feb. 2, 1878. It is of the Gothic style of archi- tecture, containing an auditorium on the amphitheatre plan, a Sunday-school room with an annex separated by a glass partition from the infant department, and a library room. The pews in the auditorium are constructed of chestnut, ash and poplar. From the vestibule to the front, the floor has a gradual slope. The pulpit, altar and railing are of the same material as the pews. There are three large memorial windows, size 12 by 20 feet; the one in the east being in memory of Jno. Croll (who was Superintendent of the Sabbath-school for fifty years), by his daughters ; the south window in memory of Margaritta Cameron, wife of Simon Cameron ; the north window in memory of Sophia Young, by her son James Young. The structure cost $19,000.00. The architect was S. B. Valk, of New York. In 1883 Rev. Finkbiner resigned the pastorate, and in 1884, Rev. H. C. Holloway was elected, who served the congregation until 1889. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. IO3 In 1890 the present pastor, Rev. F. W. Staley, was elected. At his installation, Rev. B. F. Alleman, D. D., delivered the ad- dress to the pastor, and Rev. W. H. Dunbar the sermon to the congregation. In the summer of 1890 the Sunday-school room was enlarged at a cost of over $3,000.00. In 1891 a large pipe- organ was built and placed in the church by Messrs. Midmer and Son, of Brooklyn, at a cost of $3,500.00. This organ is one of the best, has an excellent tone, and adds greatly to the appear- ance of the church. About November, 189T, Col. James Young had the walls of the auditorium very handsomely frescoed. In September, 1891, for the first time in the history of this congre- gation, the East Pennsylvania Synod convened in this church. In the spring of 1892 the parsonage on High Street was sold. A few months later the Trustees of the church purchased for $6,000.00 the handsome and commodious residence of Mr. J. H. Baxtresser on Spring Street, scarcely a block from the church. This house has all the modern conveniences, reflecting a great deal of credit upon the members, and giving a comfortable home to their pastor. The property belonging to the congregation is valued at $35,000.00. Early in the present century this church seems to have awakened to the necessity of imparting religious instruction to the young. A Sunday-school was organized in 1819. It was probably a crude affair. The children were taught to read the Bible in German and English. The first superintendent and teacher was a Mr. Sneath ; in 1823 he was succeeded by Mr. Jno. Croll. In 1873 Mr. Croll was succeeded by Mr. Geo. A. Lauman, and in 1889 Mr. I. O. Nissley, the present superintendent, succeeded Mr. Lau- man. The school now numbers over 600. The membership of the church has more than doubled itself since Rev. Staley became its pastor. Considerable interest and enthusiasm is manifested by the younger members in church work, and the present out- look is most encouraging. The indications are that old St. Peter's will march abreast with her sister churches, and will gladly do her part in the evangelization of the world. 104 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. XIV. ST. JAMES' LUTHERAN CHURCH, GREENWICH, WARREN CO., N. J. BY REV. T. C. PRITCHARD. The early history of this venerable foundation and Christian church stretches over two centuries. It goes back to the date of those who fled from the horrors of the "Thirty Years' W T ar " and sought an asylum in the New World. The original settlers were German, and brought with them their religion and religious insti- tutions. Before the erection of the church, religious exercises were conducted regularly in their households, holding in their isolation from the great world to the Lutheran faith. The school- master, then as now, was abroad in the land. When Johann Berger arrived in Sopatcong, he assumed the additional functions of pastor to the scattered community. He had never been or- dained, but was deemed competent to officiate as reader and ex- pounder of the Scriptures. He read to the assembled families one of Dr. Luther's sermons or house-postils. But desiring to en- joy more fully the privileges of the church, they sent to Germany for clerical supplies. In the " Hallesche Nachrichten " it is stated that in the year 1760 letters were received from Lutherans living in "Greenwich township" and "Anweel or Anwill township," ask- ing for the preaching of the gospel. In the same work, of a later date, the statement is again made, that letters or messages were received from the Lutheran congre- gation of " Greenwich an den Blauen Bergen," showing that the church was in existence as an organization previous to 1762. The first church erected was called St. John's. It was a union church, Lutheran and German Reformed. This was in 1769. This date, too, marks the beginning of preaching by stated pas- tors. The German Reformed congregation, by death, removals and other causes, became extinct, and the Lutherans acquired sole possession of the property. A complete re-organization fol- lowed. They changed the name to St. James', and affiliated with St. Michael's church in Philadelphia. The tenets of the new organization, formally declared, were the Unaltered Augs- burg Confession, and through more than a century of existence it has clung steadfastly to this profession of faith. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. T05 In 1 790 another and more commodious church was erected. It was built of stone, and was a great improvement upon the first- In 1834 the present large and beautiful edifice was erected. It is built of brick and in the most substantial manner. Thus, dur- ing one hundred and some thirty years, three houses of worship have been used by this congregation in the service of God and the culture of Christianity. During all these years, the organi- zation has had an existence which, without a break, has come up to to day full of vitality and power for good. We now naturally turn to the list of those who during this pe- riod were shepherds of the flock. Our church record begins A. D. 1769. From 1 770-1 773, Peter Muhlenberg; i 773-1 777, Chris- tian Streit ; 1777-1781, Rev. Braas ; 1781-1790, John Fred- erick Ernst; 1792 , John Conrad Jeager ; 1812-1815, Christian Endress ; 1815-1837, J. P. Hecht ; 1837-184 7, Daniel Miller; 1847-185 1, John McCron ; 1851-1S65, J. K. Plitt ; 1865-1868, M. H. Richards; 1868-1880, S. Henry; 1880-1883, F. T. Hoover; 1883-the present, T. C. Pritchard. The churches at Riegelsville, Stewartsville and Phillipsburg have been at times parts of this charge. At present St. James constitutes the field. But one minister has gone out of this fold — Rev. W. A. Shipman, the pastor of the Lutheran church of Johnstown, Pa. XV. ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, MAYTOWN, LANCASTER CO. BY REV. W. H. HARDING. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of this place was founded upon the Augsburg Confession in the year 1770. The congrega- tion began its worship of God in a little old log church at the corner of the old town cemetery. Services were continued here until the year 1804, when the stone church in which the congre- gation worships to-day was erected. The first pastor of this early people was the Rev. Michael En- derlein, who served them from 1770 to 1778. The number of those who surrounded the Table of the Lord on their first com- munion-day, in 1 770, was twenty-eight. This appears to be about the number of the members comprising the organization ; for we 106 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. find that at the two communions held in i 771 there were respect- ively twenty-four and twenty-eight communicants. A brief time after organization, a number of persons gave gifts to the congre- gation. Frederick Swartz gave a communion cup, Jacob Wolf a baptismal bowl, and Mr. Hofin a collection bag and bell. It ap- pears that the bag was funnel-shaped, fastened at the end of a long pole, and at the end of the bag was a little bell, which would jingle as it was passed in and out of the pews. The preaching seems to have been all in German for a number of years after or- ganization. The following places seem to have been connected in the charge, viz. : Maytown, Elizabethtown, Mt. Joy and Mari- etta. Rev. J. Frederick Ellery was pastor from 1778 to 1784; Rev. Frederick Theodore Melshheimer, from 1784 to i3oi. Rev. John Frederick Ernst, coming from Cooperstown, N. Y., preached his first sermon November 28, 1802. During his min- istrations the congregation were enabled to quit their old log sanc- tuary and erect for themselves a very pretty two-story stone church, in which we worship at the present time. The corner- stone of this was laid April 21, 1804. The communicant mem- bership at that time was nineteen. Rev. J. P. F. Kramer took charge November 2, 1806, and con- tinued until 181 2. Rev. Kramer came from Paxton township, Dauphin Co., Pa. Rev. Wm. Gotthold Ernst served from March 22, 1812, to 1815. Rev. John Jacob Strein came December 31. 18 15, and served until 1825. The communicant membership in ihe year 1816 was forty-five ; in 1825 it was seventy. From this year until Decem- ber, 1828, we can find no record of any pastor's care over the church. Rev. Frederick Ruthrauff took charge December, 1828, and closed his relations as pastor April 29, 1832. Rev. Peter Sahm took charge June 30, 1833, serving until 1837. Rev. L. Gerhardt took charge November 4, 1838, and contin- ued his service until October 24, 1847. It was during this pas- torate that the St. Luke's congregation of Bainbridge became connected with this charge. In the year 1839 St. Luke's, of Bainbridge, in connection with SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 107 the German Reformed congregation, purchased their church property from Mr. Henry Haldeman, and continued to be a union church until September, 1891, when the half-interest held by the Reformed people was purchased from them. During the ministry of Rev. Gerhardt, Rev. M. J. Alleman, now pastor at York, Pa., left St. John's congregation to take up his studies at Gettysburg for the gospel ministry. The Rev. Wm. Gerhardt (brother of Rev. L. Gerhardt), came to the charge November 4, 1847, and left November 17, 1850. Rev. Jacob B. Crist came March 1, 1852, resigning in 1855. It appears that after the departure of Rev. Crist, Rev. M. Sondhaus came ; but as to date of his coming or departure noth- ing definite is known. Rev. W. G. Laitzle came June 1, 1855. The preaching points at this time seem to have been the fol- lowing : Elizabethtcwn, Bainbridge, Mt. Joy, Centreville, and Maytown. Up to this date, the German preaching had been growing less and less from year to year, and when Rev. Laitzle closed his work with the charge (1862), it seems that the Ger- man went with him without any serious objections from the con- gregations. Rev. B. F. Apple came August 8, 1862, remaining until near the close of 1864. He was followed by Rev. J. W. Early, dur- ing whose administration much that is of interest to the pastorate was brought to pass, as is recorded in the minutes of the Bain- bridge congregation, from which we quote : "Bainbridge, August 19, 1867. "The Church Council met, pursuant to call, at the house of S. Hackenberger. The members present were J. S. Horst, S. Hackenberger and Geo. Hackenberger, Elders ; C. Gamberling and John Fahs, Trustees. By unanimous vote, Geo. Hacken- berger was chosen chairman. He stated the object of the meet- ing to be for the purpose of appointing a Committee to consult with the Maytown Church Council on next Saturday at Maytown, concerning the change of pastor, our separation from the Eliza - bethtown charge, and the forming of a new charge to consist of this place and Maytown, and also whether we will or will not ac- cept the offer of the Pennsylvania Synod, in a letter sent to May- town, all agreeable to recommendation of our present pastor, Rev. J. W. Early. 108 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. "The President then appointed S. Hackenberger, John Fahs, and Geo. Hackenberger, the Committee to consult with May- town Council. G. W. Hackenberger, " Secretary of Church Council." The report which this Committee returned after meeting the Maytown Council, is as follows : "We met the Council of the church in Maytown on Saturday, August 24, 1867, according to your instruction. By a unanimous vote it was agreed to separate our churches from the Elizabeth- town charge, and to form a new pastoral district to be composed of Maytown and Bainbridge. We took no final action on the offer of the Committee of the Pennsylvania Synod, because a majority of the Joint Committee believed that, as Maytown has no other constitution than that of the General Synod as recorded in its English hymn-book, and as Bainbridge is constitutionally a General Synod church, it is best to refer the whole matter to a congregational vote, the majority to decide whether we remain General Synod churches or connect ourselves with the Pennsyl- vania Synod and alter our constitutions. It was believed, how- ever, by a majority of the Committee, that the interests of our churches can best be attended to by uniting with some Synod connected with the General Synod. * * * " Agreeably to the constitution, an election was published Aug- ust 25, to be held in two weeks, to see whether we shall join the Pennsylvania Synod or seek connection with a Synod connected with the General Synod. " S. Hackenberger, " John Fahs." The only members of the Maytown Council present at this joint meeting of whom we are able to learn at this late date, were Harry H. Johnstin and John Hays. "Luth. Church, Bainbridge, September %, 1867. " This being the day appointed for a vote to be taken * * * The minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee were read and adopted. The report of the Maytown Committee was now read, after which remarks were made by several members, after which the vote was taken, which resulted as follows : " For the Pennsylvania Synod, 5. " For the East Pennsylvania Synod, 13. ****** " G. W. Hackenberger, " Secretary of Church Council." After this final separation of Maytown and Bainbridge from the SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. IO9 Elizabethtovvn charge, Rev. J. W. Early's labors with these two congregations came to an end. Rev. F. T. Hoover came May 24, 1868, and served as the first pastor to this newly-formed pastorate in its connection with the East Pennsylvania Synod, remaining until 1870. Rev. I). Stock began his ministerial duties with the charge April 1, 1871, continuing until 1873. Rev. G. P. Weaver labored here from May 2, 1873, until 1875. Rev. J. V. Eckert from October 1, 1876, until 1880. Rev. M. H. Stine came April 1, 1880. During his ministry here the Maytown congregation received a handsome gift in the form of a beautiful church parsonage. This was granted to the St. John's Lutheran church March 8, 1 891, by the Hon. Simon Cameron. The deed declares that it is given " In testimony of the love and affection borne by him for the memory of his de- ceased wife, Margaretta Brua Cameron, who was an exemplary member of the Lutheran Church." Rev. Stine ended his labors here July 1, 1882. Rev. J. Houseman came December 1, 1882 ; Rev. C. M. Au- rand, March 30, 1884; Rev. A. H. Shertz preached his introduc- tory sermon November 7, 1885, and closed his pastoral relations with this people July 27, 1890. Rev. W. H. Harding accepted the formal call extended April 10, 1 89 1, but did not assume full pastoral care until July 1, after his seminary course at Gettysburg was completed. During the months of September and October, 1891, the church council of Bainbridge entered into negotiations with the Reformed church for the purchasing of the half-interest in the church property held by them. The price was agreed upon, and the property was paid for in full April 25, 1892. In the winter months of 1891 and 1892 the repair of St. John's church and steeple was begun, and finally completed at an ex- pense of $197. In the fall of 1892 the parsonage was remodeled at a cost of about $350. The amount of the pastor's salary is $500 and the use of the parsonage. The present societies of the churches are the follow- ing : A prayer meeting and a Ladies' Aid Society at each church ; IIO EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. at Maytown, a Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society, and the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor. The Sunday-schools in both churches are in excellent order, numbering about 200 at Maytown and 135 at Bainbridge. The present membership at St. John's, of Maytown, is 139, and at St. Luke's, of Brainbridge, 105. XVI. ZION'S CHURCH, MANHEIM, LANCASTER CO. BY J. H. SIELING, M. D., ASSISTED BY JOHN M. ENSMINGER, ESQ. The history of this ancient church is quite interesting. Unfor- tunately much of it is unwritten, and not a little had to be gleaned from the recollections of the oldest members and friends of the present congregation. Fragmentary dottings found here and there, added, developed a history of which the present pastor and people feel justly proud. In 1 761 Nicholas Merrett, of Warwick township (now Penn), deeded a small tract of land two miles southeast of Manheim (now owned by David and Mary Conrad) for the consideration of one silver shilling, to Heinrich Hans, Ludwig Becker, Peter Erman, Christian Gyger and Martin Spickler, councilmen, for the purpose of erecting a Lutheran church thereon. Here was built a small log edifice with a ground floor, which stood till 1770, when a firebrand, said to have been brought from a neighbor's dwelling, razed this first artificial temple of the wilderness to the ground, just as the pastor (name not now known) appeared upon the scene to deliver his Sabbath morning's discourse from its sacred desk. During these years (1760 to 1770) Baron Henry Wm. Stiegel, the founder of the town of Manheim, Sabbath after Sabbath gathered his workmen from the glass factory and others together in a chapel which he had set apart in his palatial residence on the northeast corner of Market Square, and in the German lan- guage exhorted them in the doctrines of the Lutheran faith. The church was founded A. D. 1770 out of the remains of the conflagration and the gatherings of the noble hearted Christian Baron. It was not, however, until the following year, 1771, that a thorough organization was effected. Rev. F. A. C. Muhlenberg, SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. •of the Borough of Lancaster, was elected pastor, and he wrote the constitution and by-laws in German. He said, " We will bring order out of disorder." ZION'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, MANHEIM, PA. On the 4th day of December, A. D. 1772, Baron Stiegel deeded a beautiful lot of ground in the centre of this most beauti- ful town, Manheim, fashioned and shaped by his own hand after the town in his native country and given the identical name, for the consideration of five shillings and the rent of a red rose an- 112 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. nually for ground-rent in the month of June forever, if lawfully de- manded. The romantic rental was only twice demanded by him. The trustees named in this indenture are Peter Erman, Henry Wherley and Henry Martzall. A log church was erected thereon, with three-sides gallery and a candlestick pulpit. The floor was made of brick, and the walls were chinked and daubed. Near the close of the eighteenth cen- tury, Ulrich Keyser said in German that he wanted to be buried with " Gesang und Klang" (singing and tolling). Consequently he bought a 500 pound metal bell and placed it in the belfry. It was rung for his obsequies in 1804. About 1820 the walls were plastered and a wooden floor put in. The following pastors served this congregation (a kw dates lost): Revs. F. A. C. Muhlenberg, D. D., 1771-1778; John D. Schroeder, 1 778-1 782; Fred. Theodore Melsheimer, 1783- 1789; John David Young, 1 789-1 790; John Fred. Ernst, 1802- 1805. Rev. Ernst died heart-broken, and lies buried in the yard of the church he so faithfully served. He was beloved by all the people who knew him ; but, for delivering a patriotic Fourth of July oration at the Big Spring near town, the church council locked the door of the church against his entering it to perform its solemn rites. This so mortally worried him that he took sick immediately and never recovered, dying with a broken heart the following October 24, 1805. Rev. Henry Scriba, 1807; Wm. Baetes, i8io-i828( ?) ; Frederick Ruthrauff, i828( ?)-i832 ; Peter Sahm, 1833-1835; C. P. Miller, 1836-1841 ; Christopher G. Frederick, 1842-1849; John H. Menges (who introduced evening service with tallow dips for lights) 1849-June 23, 1851 ; Chas. Rees, 1854-1856 ; George Haines, 1857-1858. The church was rebuilt in 1858 after the fashion of the day, i. e., a one-story brick structure of somewhat Grecian architecture, with a low pulpit and a gallery at the opposite end over the ves- tibule. The corner-stone was laid May 19, 1857, at which the pastor was assisted by Revs. Wm. Baetes and J. H. Menges. The church was dedicated September 26 and 27, of the same year. An eight hundred and fifty pound bell was placed in the tower by the congregation. Revs. D. P. Rosenmiller served in 1858; Jos. R. Focht, 1 864-1 868. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 113 SUNDAY-SCHOOL ORGANIZED. In 1867 the Lutheran members of " The Manheim Union Sun- day-school" concluded that it was their duty, for the interests of the church and the Master's cause, to erect an enduring monu- ment in the form of a Sabbath Home for the children of the Lutheran and other families of and around Manheim. On the 10th day of November, the first session was held. Mr. Geo. D. Miller was elected Superintendent. For the first few years an old melodeon furnished the instrumental part of the music, after- ward a double bank chapel-organ took its place and was used in school and church service. This was the first organ in a Man- heim church. The first quarter of a century of the school has just been celebrated. The four Superintendents were all present — Mr. Miller, 14 years; Peter Keath, 1 year; D. E. Shimp, 1 year ; Ezra Reist, 9 years. Dr. Sieling is the fifth and present Superintendent, the first in the second quarter century. Rev. Kaempfer served 1868-1869 ; J. C. Barnitz (Supply) 1869-1870; Jacob Peter, 1871-1890; John H. Menges, June 19, 1891-the present. Under this pastorate the church has been rebuilt. The corner- stone was laid, August 16, 1891, the pastor being assisted by Dr. E. Huber. The church was dedicated April 24, 1892, the pastor being assisted by Rev. R. W. Hufford, D. D., President of East Pennsylvania Synod, Revs. M. Fernsler and I. W. Bobst. The present structure, in the eastern end of the church yard, is built of brick, of Gothic architecture, with a beautiful base course of sandstone. It is 92 feet long and 55 feet wide, divided into six apartments, viz. : auditorium, Sunday-school, primary class and library rooms, and two vestibules. The rooms are divided by Wilson's rolling partitions. After these are raised, all the apart- ments are thrown into one. All the walls are frescoed on the in- side. The building is heated throughout by steam and lighted by gas. There is an organ in each room. The auditorium is graced by an excellent pipe organ made by Samuel Bohler, of Reading, at a cost of $2,500.00. The building throughout is of modern finish and finely equipped. The tower is 80 feet high, and is surmounted by a weather-vane. The bell was donated by Dr. J. H. Sieling's Bible Class, and weighs 2850 lbs. (E flat). The 114 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. windows are all stained glass, and were donated by individuals. A large Red Rose was placed in the circular window in the pul- pit recess. The rose is surmounted by the inscription, " Baron Henry Wm. Stiegel," and supported by the name of " Rev. J. H. Menges." The building was erected at a cost of $13,000.00. On the day of dedication the remaining unprovided debt of $5,000.00 was assumed by individuals. It is proposed by the Stiegel Castle, No. 166, K. G. E., to erect a memorial fountain on the beautiful lawn in front of the church. The present value of the church property is about $20,000. The membership is about 180. The Sunday-school numbers 285. The church council consists of: Elders, Ezra Reist and Dr. J. H. Sieling ; Trustees, Jno. M. Ensminger, D. E. Shimp and Chas. W. Sheeler; Deacons, N. W. Long, John F. Devert, John M. Ressler and John K. Bemesderfer ; Pastor, Rev. John H. Menges, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. In April of 1891 this congre- gation was left alone in the " Manheim Charge." "The Hill church" and "Petersburg" withdrew to form "the East Peters- burg Charge." The services are principally English, one German sermon being delivered every other Sunday morning. Every Sunday morning and evening there are services. A very interest- ing Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was organized August, 1892, which has done great good and promises to be the means of saving many souls. XVII. PIKELAND CHARGE, CHESTER CO. — ST. PE- TER'S, P1KELAND ; CENTENNIAL, KIMBERTON. BY REV. J. A. HACKENBERG. i. St. Peter's Church, Pikeland. For the first forty years the records of this congregation were kept in the books of Zion church, as the same pastor served both. These records have unfortunately been lost. Hence we must look to tradition for most of the facts during that period. The first religious meetings were held in private houses as early as 1 75 1. During the period from that to 1770 reports show that Rev. Henry Melchior Miihlenberg visited this community and SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. "5 preached from house to house. Authentic records begin in 1771. It was on May 16 of that year that Michael Konig (descend- ants now King) and Henry Hippie each sold to Peter Hartman, George Emerie, Conrad Miller and Adam Moses, trustees, a small lot of land to be the location of a church and burial ground. Michael Konig sold one acre and eight perches for twenty shil- lings, and Henry Hippie forty-five perches for five shillings. On this ground the congregation built and dedicated in 1772 a log church capable of accommodating five hundred people. This fact Miihlenberg reported to the church in Germany. Reg- ular services were now held by the pastor of Zion's church, with which it was connected as a pastorate. The preaching services were exclusively in German until the term of Rev. Jacob Wam- pole (1827-1836) when an occasional service was held in Eng- lish. The English became from necessity more and more fre- quent, until the term of Rev. John McCron (1844), when the German was entirely discontinued. The congregation was incor- porated by the Legislature of Pennsylvania in 1779 as St. Peter's German Evangelical Lutheran church. From this point we are able to trace the succession of pastors down to the present. SUCCESSION OF PASTORS. The regular pastors after Muhlenberg were : Revs. Ludwig Voigt, 1 7 79-1 790-3 (nominally pastor to 1800) ; J. F. Weinland, 1790-1800 ; Fred. Plitt, 1804-1807 ( ?) ; J. Rowenauch, 1807 ( ?)-i8i 1 ( ?) ; Fred. Jasinsky, 181 1- 18 15 ; F. W. Geissenhainer, Jr., 181 7-1 82 7 ; F. W. Geissenhainer, Sr., (serving with his son), 1818-1823; Jacob Wampole, 1827-1836; Frederick Ruthrauff 1836-1843; John McCron, 1844-1847; Daniel Miller, 1847- 1849; Peter Raby, 1 849-1858; Samuel Aughey, 1858-1859; Cornelius Reimensynder, 185 9-1 863 ; N. H. Cornell, 1 863-1 874; S. S. Palmer, 1874-1875 ; J. F. Hartman, 1876-1880; J. R. Dimm, 1880-1882 ; J. A. Hackenberg, 1882 to the present. SUCCESSION OF CHURCH BUILDINGS. The log church erected in 1772 was used as a house of worship for forty years. Up to this time the church was exclusively Luth- eran. But now a new church must be built, and the Lutheran Il6 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SVNOl >. people entered into an arrangement with the few German Re- formed families living in the neighborhood to build a Union church. The corner-stone was laid August 13, 181 1, and the church dedicated October 4, 181 2, under the name of St. Peter's. The cost was $2,836.45*4. This building was used alternately each Sunday by the Lutheran and Reformed for twenty-two years, when, during the ministry of Rev. Jacob Wampole, it was de- stroyed, with its splendid pipe-organ and other valuable contents, by an incendiary fire, on the 20th of January, 1835. On April 24, 1835, tne corner-stone of a new church was laid. The church was dedicated April 12, 1S36. This church was used and owned conjointly by the Lutherans and Reformed, as the previous one had been, until 1889, when the Lutherans, feeling the need of a church of their own, under the ministry of Rev. J. A. Hackenberg, moved for a separation. This was accomplished by a public sale of the old building ; the Ger- man Reformed becoming the purchasers. The Lutherans at once set to work to build a church, and having secured a lot on the opposite side of the road, laid the corner-stone of the present beautiful church August 27, 1889. The pastor was assisted on the occasion by Rev. M. S. Cressman, of Lionville. The church was dedicated free of debt on May 7, 1890; the dedication ser- mon being preached by Rev. J. H. Menges, of Philadelphia. Cost, about $7,000. The present prosperous condition of the congregation attests the wisdom of the separation. OTHER CHURCHES GROWING OUT OF ST. PETER'S. This church has been the mother of several congregations, among which are St. Matthew's Lutheran church, of West Vin- cent, and St. Paul's, of Lionville, now constituting the Lionville charge, both large and vigorous churches. Another is St. Peter's of the General Council, a stone's throw from our own. This church withdrew from the old or original organization in 1840 on account of "new" or "revival" measures introduced into the church by Rev. F. Ruthrauff. They built their church in 1843. The fourth congregation formed from this is the Central Luth- eran church of Phoenixville, organized in 1876 by Rev. S. S. Pal- mer, on retiring as pastor of St. Peter's. The fifth church grow- SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. I I 7 ing out of St. Peter's is the Centennial Lutheran church, of Kimberton. Those who have been called into the Lutheran ministry from the membership of St. Peter's are : Revs. P. Sheeder, M. Shee- leigh, Alex. McLaughlin, Jacob Friday, Ezekiel Auld and M. E. McLinn. One fact in the history of this congregation is worthy of special mention in this connection. The first annual meeting of the East Pennsylvania Synod, after its organization in the basement of "Old Trinity," Lancaster, was held in this church. One of the only two lay delegates present when the new English Synod was organized was Gen. George Hartman, delegate from this church, accompanying the pastor, Rev. F. Ruthrauff. He invited the new ecclesiastical body to meet in this church in its first annual con- vention, and it met here October 15-18, 1842. PARSONAGES. This congregation owned a parsonage at West Pikeland, about two miles from the church, for nearly fifty years, but on account of changes in the pastoral territory its location was found to be disadvantageous for the pastor, and it was sold and the present one built at Kimberton in 1884. 2. Centennial Church, Kimberton. The Centennial Lutheran Church, of Kimberton, was organized in 1876 by Rev. J. F. Hartman. The first church council was composed of the following : Elders — Isaac R. Root, Josiah Schultz and Geo. H. Detterline ; Deacons — John R. Holman, Benjamin March and Peter R. Raby ; Trustees — David P. Thomas, Jacob Beaver and C. F. Bush. They purchased a Quaker meeting-house and fitted it up for a place of worship, dedicating it in 1877. During the summer of 1884, under the ministry of Rev. J. A. Hackenberg, the building was beautifully frescoed and otherwise improved. This church has been since its organization connected with St. Peter's in form- ing the Pikeland charge. In compiling the above, valuable assistance has been received from an anniversary sermon by Rev. J. R. Dimm, D. D. I 1 8 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. XVIII. PINE GROVE CHARGE, SCHUYLKILL CO.— JACOB'S, SALEM'S, ST. PETER'S AND ST. JOHN'S. BY REV. E. S. HENRY. i. Jacob's Church. This congregation was organized in the year 1 780. It stands two miles west of Pine Grove. The first church was erected in 1780. The second building was put up in 1833. This house of worship was renovated a few years ago. The congregation owns half the parsonage, is free of debt, and has a few hundred dollars in its treasury. Rev. William Kurtz was pastor from its organiza- tion to 1798, followed by Revs. Andrew Schultze, 1798 to 1802 ; John Knoske, 1802 to 181 1 ; George Mennig, 181 1 to 1833 ; Wil- liam G. Mennig, 1834 to 1839 ; A. B. Gockelen, 1839 to 1845 > B- Sadtler, 1845 to 1849 '■> E. Breidenbaugh, 1849 to 1 &S 2 > Elias S. Henry, just ordained by the Synod of East Pennsylvania, at Potts- ville, took charge September 21, 1852, and after forty years is still the pastor. The congregation is composed of Pennsylvania Ger- mans. The greater part of the services are in the German lan- guage. There has been some English preaching for several years past in the congregation. This church was established long before the town of Pine Grove was commenced. The two Lutheran con- gregations there took quite a number of the members away who formerly held to Jacob's church. But there yet remain over two hundred. This congregation has services every other Sunday. There are several Sunday-schools kept up the whole year. There is communion twice a year. The present church council are Samuel Stein, Trustee ; Oliver Mease, George Emerich, John D. Felty, Levi Felty, Elders ; M. Robinson Hughes and William Aungst, Deacons. The Rev. J. B. Bergner, of Ohio, entered the ministry from this church. 2. Salem's Church. This church is three miles east of Pine Grove, and is owned jointly with the German Reformed congregation. It was organized in the year 1783. A school-house was first built and also used as a place for preaching for a few years. In 1 795 the foundation was laid for the first church. The work was carried on slowly. The dedication was on Ascension Day in 1797. This church was used SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. I 19 as a place of worship for eighty-four years. In 1880 the corner- stone was laid for a new church. In 1881 it was dedicated to the worship of the Triune God. It is a beautiful country church, free of debt. There are over two hundred members in the Lutheran congregation. The members are all Pennsylvania Germans. There is not a foreigner among them. The services were formerly all in German, but of late years the preaching is partly in English. The first pastor on record was Rev. Andrew Schultze, who served from 1799 to 1802. He was succeeded by Rev. John Knoske, who re- mained until 181 1. Rev. Geo. Mennig then became pastor, and remained such until the year 1833. Then followed Revs. J. F. Haesbert, 1834; W. G. Mennig, 1834 to 1839; A. B. Gockelen, 1839 to 1845 ! B- Sadtler, 1845 to 1848, and Julius Erhart, 1854 to 1856. In May, 1856, Rev. Elias S. Henry was elected pastor. He has now served for nearly thirty-seven years. The preaching is always in the afternoon. The attendance at services is uni- formly good. The church is central in the congregation. There is a Union Sunday-school held in it. There are no debts on the church. A little farm is owned by the congregation. This church, as well as all the others in the Pine Grove charge, is furnished with organ and a fine bell. The present church council are G. W. Zerbe, Trustee ; William Kemmerling, G. W. Subb, elders ; Wil- liam R. Nagel and Jonathan Schwartz, deacons. Mr. W. C. Heff- ner, from this congregation, is studying for the ministry. 3. St. Peter's Church, Pine Grove. This church is owned in connection with the German Re- formed. The building is of stone and is very substantial. This and St. John's are built of the sandstone found in the Swobes mountain near by. This church was put up in 18 16. It has stood now for seventy-six years, but neither this building nor the St. John's, which was built almost fifty years ago, shows any yield- ing to the ravages of time. They look as if they could last for many centuries. Rev. George Mennig was the first pastor. He served the congregation until 1833. After his resignation there was discord in the church. Some members showed much zeal, but it was not according to knowledge. They were very much afraid of what was called, at times, "New Measures." They I 20 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. would not allow even a Sunday-school to be held in the church building. The books of the Sunday-school were carried out into the middle of the street. For a number of years men that were not connected with the Synod preached for the Lutherans. The following members of Synod preached at various times within the periods indicated, viz. : J. F. Haesbert, 1834; M. Harpel, be- tween 1835 and 1838; W. G. Mennig, 1838 and 1839; A. B. Gockelen, between 1839 and 1845 ; J. M. Deitzler, 1846-1847; and Julius Erhart, 1854-185 5. In the early part of 1855 Rev. Elias S. Henry was elected pastor. He has served in this capac- ity for almost thirty-eight years. There are almost two hundred members in this congregation. They live mostly in the country, whilst the members of St. John's live mostly in the town. There is peace and harmony between the two Lutheran congregations in the same village, having both the same pastor, and many attend services at both places. The church building was very much changed internally a few years ago. It is furnished with an organ and a very fine- toned bell. The present church council are : James Clemens, Daniel Lehman, trustees ; James Hummel, Aaron Rehrer, elders ; Lyman Croll and Jacob Lengel, deacons. 4. St. John's Church, Pine Grove. The St. Peter's church, of Pine Grove, having informally called and admitted to their church a minister, acting under an ad in- terim license from the President of the Pennsylvania Synod, a number of the members, not approving of this action, resolved to secede from their connection, erect a new congregation, and build a new house of worship. Accordingly, they met on the evening of April 10, 1845, and formed themselves into a congregation under the name of "St. John's Evangelical Lutheran congregation of Pine Grove, Pa." The number of communicants was about thirty. Rev. B. Sadtler was its first pastor. He served the con- gregation, in connection with several others, until 1849. His successor was Rev. E. Breidenbaugh, who served until the year 1852. Rev. Elias S. Henry took charge September 21, 1852, and is, after forty years, still the pastor. This congregation, in connection with Jacob's congregation, two miles west of Pine Grove, owns a very comfortable parsonage, on a SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 121 lot fifty by two hundred feet deep. There have been improve- ments made during the last few years about the church which cost about $1500. The church has no debts. It has some hundreds of dollars in the treasury. The Sunday-school has also some money on interest. The congregation owns a cemetery of nearly ten acres of ground, in which many of the membeis of the other con- gregations in the town and vicinity own lots and bury their dead. The Sunday-school was organized in 1836 — fifty-six years ago. There are still two connected with the school who were charter members, viz., Mr, William Forrer, the librarian of the school, and Miss Esther Conrad, the superintendent of the infant department. A number of ministers went forth from this church and Sunday- school. Drs. F. W. Conrad and V. L. Conrad were formerly members of the church and superintendents of the school. Mr. John E. Graeff was a member, and superintendent of the school. He entered the ministry from here. Rev. James T. Kendall was a child of this church and the superintendent of its school. Rev. George C. Henry, of Des Moines, Iowa, was from his childhood a member of this congregation and Sunday-school. His sainted mother, Sarah Conrad Henry, had been superintendent of the infant department for twenty years, up to the time of her death. Her last request was, " Don't give up the church and Sunday- school in which I labored so long." Revs. Eli Huber and H. B. Wile were also raised in this Sunday-school. The preaching was originally English and German, and it is so still. There is a German sermon every two weeks, and in the same time five sermons in English. There is a Society of Chris- tian Endeavor connected with this congregation, of over one hun- dred members. This society has been supporting a native preacher in our mission in India for some years by paying $30 yearly. The English-speaking families take the Lutheran Obser- ve?-. A number of Missionary Journals, are also taken. There are about two hundred and forty members. A weekly German and a weekly English prayer-meeting are held. A prayer-meet- ing before preaching on Sunday morning has been kept up since 1858. The present church council are : M. H. Boyer, T. B. Hughes, P. F. Seidel, trustees ; M. Richter, P. Haug, elders ; and H. H. Christ, W. M. Druckmiller, deacons. John A. Richter and M. M. Dieffenbach superintend the Sunday-school. 122 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. XIX. SHOOP'S CHARGE, DAUPHIN COUNTY— SHOOP'S AND SALEM. by rev. w. l. heisler. t. Shoop's Church. Shoop's church is situated in Lower Paxton township, Dauphin County, Pa., on the road leading from Harrisburg to Jonestown, about four miles east of Harrisburg. It is said that the first settlers in this community were Presbyterians. The Germans came here a little later. Few, if any, came directly from Ger- many. It is supposed that all the first of the German settlers were Lutheran and German Reformed, and that they came from what is now called Lebanon county. "These two denominations were at that time the only sects known here among the German settlers." "In the year of our Lord, A. I). 1783, these people united with each other in the erection of a house of worship — a union church building, which was finished and occupied in the year of our Lord, A. D. 1784." The church was built of logs, logged up, chinked, and covered with clap-boards. On the first page of a very old book was written in German : " This book presented to the church by David Epler." " Church Book, Register of Births, Baptisms, Confirmations, and Deaths, began by Frederick Theodore Melsheimer, Evangel- ical Lutheran Preacher, Becks Vein (Pax tang), the 26th day of April, A. D. 1783." " Soli Deo Gloria ." " To God alone the "lory." This book was used by both congregations for the purposes in- dicated. The following was also written in this book : " Anno Domini 1794, February 22, the church was closed for repairs, and Stoffle Shoop and John Parthemore were appointed for the purpose of repairing the church." Parthemore charged for board- ing shingle-makers, 25 days, £2 7s. and 5d. Shoop had the shingle-makers in board and received £2. After deducting charges for boarding shingle-makers, there was left in his hands April 13, 1794, a balance of 17s. There is also a receipt of June 23, from John Bim, for ^26, for work done on the church. In 1797 we also find a credit claimed by Christian Walhorn SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. I 23 for £1, paid Peter Bobb for 2,800 feet of boards ; also for £7 5s. 5d. for work at building. We find on record a deed from Christopher Shoop and wife, of Lower Paxton township, Dauphin county, Pa., dated March 20, 1797, to Peter Bobb, Henry Myer, John Parthemore, and Jacob Milleisen, trustees for the United German Lutheran and German Reformed church in the township of Paxton aforesaid, for one acre and fifty perches, being the lot of ground on which the said church now stands, acknowledged August 12, 1797, at which date it was no doubt delivered ; this showing that, although erected and occupied some time in the year 1 784, it was not com- pleted until 1797. The building was large and substantial, built of logs, weather- boarded, and painted white, with comfortable pews, end and side galleries, the seating capacity being about eight hundred persons. It answered the purpose of the congregation, and was used by them until May 28, 1829, when the present church was erected as it stood before the late alterations were made, at a cost of $2,100. The building committee were John Elser, David Mumma, Frederick Shoop, George Hain, Jacob Shell, and Fred- erick Parthemore, treasurer. The present building was enlarged and improved in 1883, and dedicated January 13, 1884. The building committee were Joseph Rudy, Daniel Metz, John Ebersole, John E. Horstick, Luther K. Lingle. The cost of improvement $5,224.68. Min- isters present at the dedication were : Lutheran, Revs. J. H. Menges, J. G. Martz, an ex-pastor, E. Daron, an ex-pastor, and S. Dasher, pastor ; German Reformed, Revs. A. S. Stouffer, pas- tor, D. Y. Heisler, an ex-pastor, and M. A. Smith, an ex-pastor. The address of welcome was made by Rev. A. S. Stouffer, and the historical address was delivered by Hon. David Mumma. It is difficult to give a correct history of the pastors who served the Lutheran congregation from time to time, inasmuch as only a few of the pastors kept correct records. It is evident, says Mr. Mumma, that there was some service in this locality before the "Church Book," already referred to, was opened in 1783. There are some baptisms recorded as early as 1774, and one in every year (but one) down to 1782. The first one after the 124 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. opening of the book was in May, 1783. But who performed the service of all but the last one we are unable to say. It is fair and reasonable to presume that it was done by visiting clergymen. After April 26, 1783, the Rev. Frederick Theodore Melsheimer was the regular Lutheran pastor, who subscribes himself as " Evangelical Lutheran Preacher, Beckstein," the latter being the name by which the church was then known. In fact the name Shoop's is not found in any record until we find it in the next church register, opened May 23, 1830. It is not so named in the deed. That is to ''The LJnited German Lutheran and Reformed Church, in township of Paxton." It is evident that at the date of the opening of the church register aforesaid, April 26, 1783, the church edifice was not yet commenced, and that it was finished in 1785. It is a matter of tradition that the congregation for some time worshiped in Stoffle Shoop's house, until the church was finished and used for worship, and that before any regular organization existed traveling preachers frequently visited here and were en- tertained by Stoffle Shoop at his house, and held service there. Rev. F. T. Melsheimer officiated here as Lutheran pastor from April 26, 1783, to 1788. He recorded but one communion list, April 18, 1784, containing fifty-one names. From 1788 to 1790 Rev. F. I). Schaefferwas pastor. From May 1, 1796, Henry Muehler (Moeller) was pastor. He subscribed himself " Pastor at Harrisburg, Fast Pennsboro and Beckstein " (Shoop's), and continued at Paxton (Shoop's) until 1803. In 1803 Rev. George Lochman held communion services here. He was then pastor at Lebanon. In 1804, November 24, Rev. J. F. Ernst officiated at communion services. At this time the congre- gation was evidently without a regular pastor. In 1805 Rev. John Paul Ferdinand Kramer held confirmation and communion services here. He subscribed himself as " der zeit pradiger" — preacher for the time being — "Berufen Lehrer, in Maytown, Lancaster county, St. Paul's." He officiated as pastor from 1807 to October 2, 1808. Here we are left without any record of services for four years. On Whit-Monday, 1813, Rev. F. C. Schaeffer records a service held b- him as pastor of the church. From the fact that he was pastor at Harrisburg from November 22, 1812, to May, SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 1 25 1 81 5, it may be inferred that he ministered here also during that time. On May 17, 1816, Rev. George Lochman became pastor, and continued until his death, which occurred in July, 1826. In 1826 Rev. Augustus H. Lochman succeeded his father as pastor, and continued until November 29, 1835, when he resigned. Then followed: Rev. H. G. Stecher, from 1836 to April 2, 1847 ; Rev. L. Gerhard, May, 1848, to September 8, 1850 ; Rev. Charles F. Stoever, October 1, 1850, to October 28, 1854 ; Rev. George J. Martz, December 1, 1855, to December, 1868; Rev. H. D. Kutz, 1869 to May 28, 1871 ; Rev. E. Daron, April 1, 1872, to June 1, 1878 ; Rev. S. Yingling, June 9, 1878, to July, 1881; Rev. S. Dasher, September 18, 1881, to 1885; Rev. M. V. Shatto, November 10, 1885, to November 1, 1887 ; Rev. T. J. Frederick, January 2, 1888, to December 1, 1890 ; Rev. W. L. Heisler, April 1, 1890, to the present time. It is said the first person that was buried in this graveyard was a woman who was killed by Indians, after being scalped by them. There is no debt on this church. There is no parsonage be- longing to the charge. The amount paid towards the pastor's salary is $408.00. It is supposed that English preaching was commenced in this church during the pastorate of Rev. Charles F. Stoever, about 1850. A Sunday-school was organized in this church at an early day. The present officers of the church are as follows : Elders — William Gerberich, Amos Fisler ; Deacons — Morris Eshenour, George Machen ; Trustees — Daniel Metz, Martin Kahler. The Sunday-school numbers, at present, 100 scholars, 15 teachers, and the following officers : Superintendents — G. S. Machen, G. Hetrick; Secretaries — L. B. Nye, David Hetrick; Librarians — William Saul, G. Hain ; Treasurer — Alfred Crum ; Organists — Miss Mary Horstick, Miss M. Gertie Fisher ; Chorister — John A. Ebersole ; Artist — Daniel Fisher. During Rev. Mr. Kutz's pastorate a gracious revival of religion was enjoyed by this congregation. Many souls were happily converted during this revival, of whom many are still alive and are active members of the church. During Rev. Mr. Shatto's 126 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. pastorate there was also a revival meeting held, and quite a goodly number of souls were converted to God. 2. Salem's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Oberlin. This church was organized in 1844, service being held in a school-house in the neighborhood until the church building was erected in 1846. September 12, 1846, a deed was made by Peter Brenner, Jr., and Rebecca, his wife, to Jacob Baker, Peter Bren- ner, Sr., George Hocker, Jacob Eshenour, Sr., and Conrad Peck, for the consideration of one dollar. The date on the corner-stone is September 12, 1846. There is no date on record when the church was dedicated. The church is a frame building, one story high, with an end gallery, a vestibule and a steeple. In 1877 the church was enlarged and improved at a cost of about one thou- sand dollars. There is no record of re-dedication. " The pastors have been as follows : Rev. J. Vogelbach, 1845 to September 22, 1847 ; Rev. L. Gerhardt, November 4, 1847, to October 1, 1850; Rev. J. Vogelbach, October 13, 1850, to April 11, 1852; Rev. D. Maier, April, 1852; Rev. George J. Martz, December 1, 1855, to October 27, t868 ; Rev. H. D. Kutz, 1869 to August 18, 1 8 71 ; Rev. E. Daron, April 1, 1872, to January 1, 1878, when he resigned and left; Rev. Samuel Yingling, June 1, 1878, to July 1881 ; Rev. S. Dasher, September 18. 1881, to 1885 ; Rev. M. V. Shatto, December 1, 1885, to November 1, 1887 ; Rev. T. J. Frederick, January 2, 1888, to December 1, 1890 ; Rev. W. L. Heisler, April 1, 1891, to the present time. This congregation has always been in connection with Shoop's church. English preaching was introduced in this church when Rev. George J. Martz. was pastor. There is no debt remaining on the church property. There is no parsonage belonging to the charge. This congregation pays $264 towards the pastor's salary. Five families take the Lutheran Observer. There is a Christian Endeavor Society in connection with the church, which is con- ducted by the young people. The Sunday-school was organized March 29, 1874, at which time the following officers were elected : Superintendent, Frank C. Earnest ; Assistant Superintendent, Christian Hess ; Secretary, A. B. Dunkle ; Treasurer, Henry Becker ; Librarian, Jacob Rei- gert ; Assistant Librarian, Mrs. Dobson. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 127 The first session was held the following Sunday, April 5, 1874, at 1 : 30 p. m. The present officers are : Superintendent, Samuel A. Brehm ; Assistant Superintendent, Jacob Reigert ; Secretary, Elmore Handshaw ; Librarian, Jacob E. Bishop; Assistant Li- brarian, Miss Maggie Hocker ; Treasurer, George Hocker. There are at present twenty-one officers and teachers and two hundred and nineteen scholars. The present officers of this church are as follows : Elders — Joseph Brehm, John Pifer ; Deacons — Benjamin C. Hoover, John W. Shakespere, Jr. ; Trustees — Michael Barnhardt, John B. Reed. XX. ZION CHURCH, HARRISBURG. BY REV. D. M. GILBERT, I). D. Prior to the year 1787 the Christian people of all denomina- tions in Harrisburg, then a town of about one hundred houses, worshiped together in a small log school-house which stood on the north corner of Third and Walnut streets, at the foot of what is now Capitol Hill. They enjoyed only such irregular and occa- sional services as might be obtained from visiting ministers. On March 12, 1787, a subscription was opened to procure funds for the erection of the first church edifice of the town. The sub- scribers were largely Germans, members of the Lutheran and Reformed churches, and although others were granted certain privileges in it, the building was jointly owned and statedly occu- pied by the people of these two communions. The first church in Harrisburg, built of logs, was erected in the year above named, on lot No. 187 (corner Third and Chestnut streets), which was donated for the purpose, under certain reservations, by John Harris, the founder of the town. The building was 35 feet 5 inches by 30 feet 5 inches in dimensions, an . was used jointly by the two congregations for about 27 years. After the death of John Harris, in 1791, his heirs released all their interest in the church lot to the Trustees of the Reformed and Lutheran churches for the sum of five shillings. Rev. A. Hautz became the first pas- tor of the Reformed church (and first resident minister of the town), while the Lutheran congregation was served, more or less 128 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. regularly, by Rev. F. D. Schaeffer, of Carlisle. These two con- gregations appear to have been united in their temporal affairs and all church regulations from i 787 to 1 795. In the latter year Rev. Henry Moeller became the first regular resident pastor of our church in Harrisburg, and with his ministry its Protocol, or Regis- ter, begins. The first entry in the record of baptisms reads : "Benjamin, born 20th Feb'y, baptized 29th March (1795). Parents, Benjamin Kurtz and wife Elizabeth." In 1 8 14, under the pastorship of Rev. Frederick Christian Schaeffer, the congregation, feeling that the time had come for them to build a church for their own exclusive use, purchased a desirable lot on Fourth street, between Market and Chestnut streets, which has continued to be the site of their church home to this day. On January 26, in the year named, a Building Com- mittee was appointed, consisting of Christian Kunkel, Geo. Youse, Geo. Ziegler and Christian Stahl, who, on the 14th of the month following, contracted with Stephen Hills for the building of a handsome brick church. The corner-stone was laid June 22, 1814, the following ministers being present : Revs. George Schmucker, of Yorktown, Geo. Lochman, of Lebanon, H. Van- hoff, of Jonestown, W. G. Ernst, of Marietta, and J. P. Hecht, of* Carlisle. The church was dedicated October t, 1815, Revs. Schmucker, Vanhoff and Hecht taking part in the services of the occasion. The afternoons of October 16 and 17 were set apart for the renting of the pews, when, in the words of the original re- cord, " to the complete surprise of everybody every pew was taken the first day." In 1816 the congregation sold their interest in the old church and lot to their Reformed brethren for one thou- sand dollars. In the year 1822 a large two-story brick school- house was built on the lot at the side of the church, particularly for the accommodation of the Sunday school. In 1829 the church was improved by the building of a steeple upon it, in which a bell was placed, and on October 21, 1838, the entire edi- fice and the adjoining school- house were destroyed by fire. On the following day, in compliance with the request of the vestry and the pastor, Rev. Samuel Sprecher, the congregation assembled at the ruins, and promptly resolved that the church should be re- built. A committee was at once appointed to take general over- SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. I 29 sight of the enterprise, and so vigorously was the work prosecuted that on November 10 (Luther Day), 1839, the new Zion was dedicated. It was 64 feet front and 84 feet deep, with basement, lecture room and Sunday-school rooms. It was built of brick, covered with composition, painted white, and in the cupola hung two bells. It was in this new and spacious building, before its dedi- cation, that the convention was held which nominated General W. H. Ha/rison for President and John Tyler for Vice-President of the United States. The edifice was remodeled and enlarged in 1867-68 at an expense of nearly forty thousand dollars, includ- ing the organ and a chime of eleven bells. It is now 104 feet deep by 64 front, and its tower and spire 175 feet high. At this time (September, 1892) a chapel extension is being added to the Sunday-school rooms and other improvements under way, at an estimated cost of six thousand dollars. zion's pastors. Between 1 795 and the present time our congregation has been served by twelve regular pastors, as follows : Henry Moeller, from 1795 to T 8o3 ; John Dietrich Peterson, from April, 1803, to 181 2 ; Fred'k Christian Schaeffer, from November, 181 2, to June, 18 1 5 ; George Lochman, from August 30, 181 5, to the day of his death, July 10, 1826 ; Augustus H. Lochman, from April 2, 1827, to February 17, 1836; Samuel Sprecher, from June 6, 1836, to November, 1840 ; Charles VV. Schaeffer, from January, 1 84 1, to June, 1849 ! Charles A. Hay, from July 8, 1849, t0 Sep- tember 4, 1865 ; George F. Stelling, from December 21, 1865, to July 1, 1875; Joel Swartz, from September, 1875, to 1880; Albert H. Studebaker, from February, 1881, to November, 1886; D. M. Gilbert, from December 1, 1887, to the present time. zion's children. Our congregation has not only an extended, but a very credit- able history. Ever zealous for the spread of the Redeemer's kingdom, she has been a faithful mother of churches. The first two pastors officiated at public service in the German language alone ; but about the year 1812, yielding to the demand of many members for a change, the use of the English tongue was intro- 130 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. duced. The English services steadily increased in number up to 1842, when scarcely one sermon a month was given in German. This state of things was far from satisfactory to the Germans, and both the English and the German portions of the membership hav- ing sufficiently increased in numbers, a friendly separation was effected, and on January 8, 1843, St. Michael's German Lutheran church was organized, with Rev. G. J. Martz as its first pastor. From that time forward the services in Zion have been„of'course, altogether in the English language. In 1863 a second German church (Zion) was organized sev- eral squares north of the Capitol, St. Michael's being on South Second street, in the lower part of the city. Messiah Church, corner of Sixth & Forster streets, grew out of a Mission Sunday-school, founded on East State street, January 11, 1858, by the Sunday-school Association of Zion church. In March of that year a lot was leased and a small chapel built, in which, during the following winter, Dr. Hay preached on alternate Sunday afternoons. The congregation was regularly organized September 13, i860, with Rev. E. S. Johnston as first pastor, On June 1, 1890, Messiah congregation established Augsburg Mission Sunday- school in the north part of the city, and within a year pasf dismissed about 100 members to form a church at that point, which, under the pastoral care of Rev. Dixon H. Geiser, is rapidly developing into a flourishing congregation. Memorial Church, in East Harrisburg, had its origin in a like enterprise started by Zion Sunday-school Association in 187 1, at 15 th & Shoop streets. The congregation was regularly organized February 25, 1872, under Rev. S. Dasher, who is faithfully serv- ing it to this day. Sixty-two members of Memorial church dis- missed for that purpose organized Christ church, on South 13th street, March 23, 1890. Rev. T. L. Crouse is its pastor, and the congregation is going forward steadily and prosperously. Christ church, in turn, has under its care a Mission School at Brook- wood, or East End, which it is hoped will, in due time, develop into the Third Lutheran church of East Harrisburg. In the early part of 1887, and while without a pastor, Zion church dismissed about one hundred valuable and esteemed members to establj^h Bethlehem church, corner of Green and SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 131 Cumberland streets, in which portion of the city she had for some years previously maintained a Mission Sunday-school. Rev. W. H. Fishburn became the pastor of the congregation, which, within five years, has become numerically stronger than the mother church. Ever watchful of her opportunities and desiring never to grow weary in well-doing, the congregation again, through her Teachers' Association, on November n, 1888, (largely induced to the step by the interest and liberality of Mr. Jos. F. Young, one of her faithful members) started Trinity Mission, on South Ninth street. The Sunday-school rapidly grew to a membership of three hun- dred and fifty teachers and scholars, and the present pastor of Zion conducted service every Thursday night throughout the winter with encouraging results. Rev. M. L. Deitzler was called to take charge of the enterprise in connection with a mission at Steelton, and began his labors July 1, 1890. The congregation was formally organized May 17, 1891. Though yet partially depend- ent on the mother church and the Home Mission Board for support, Trinity has good prospects of becoming an assured success. It will be seen from these brief notes that our Church in Harris- burg has been keeping pace with the growth of the city. Where, in 1843, we had one church (Zion), and one pastor, there are now nine churches (seven English and two German), each hav- ing a pastor, and reporting an aggregate membership of 3,228 communicants. The recent development has been very remark- able. Within five years we have averaged one new congregation every 15 months; and four handsome and costly church edifices and two spacious chapels (exclusive of the chapel extension now being added to Zion) have been erected among us within four years. Almost every advance movement in this expansion of the past half century, it is proper to note, has been to some extent, and sometimes to a very large extent, at the expense of the mother church, as regards both members and money. ZION AND THE SYNOD. In her earliest history Zion church, as our old churches gener- 132 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. ally in this region, belonged to the Pennsylvania Ministerium. During the ministry of Rev. C. A. Hay, in 1857, she withdrew from that relation and became a constituent part of the Synod of East Pennsylvania. The records of this latter body will abun- dantly show that, notwithstanding much, and at times expensive, local mission work in which the congregation has been engaged, she has always been deeply interested in and faithfully borne her full share of the burden of the Synod's general work. zion's present. This congregation is now sharing, to some extent, in the ex- perience common to old churches in growing cities. She finds herself, at the end of her century and more of life, somewhat disadvantageously situated with reference to the population generally and with reference to many of her own membership. Her stately edifice is rapidly being surrounded by business houses, instead of residences, and her territory has been so cir- cumscribed by the younger organizations she has been instru- mental in establishing in every direction about her, that rapid numerical increase of the congregation can scarcely be reasonably expected. But she does not complain, much less yield to dis- couragement. There are strength and vigor in the old church yet, as evidenced by the statistical reports for the year. She is still bringing forth fruit in old age — is engaged even now in en- larging her facilities for work among the children and youth upon whom she has a claim and, humbly looking to God for a continu- ance of the favor with which He long has so richly blessed her, still sets her face toward the future in earnest hope. XXL FISHKRVILLK CHARGE, DAUPHIN CO. — ST. PETER'S, ST. PAUL'S, STRAW'S, MESSIAH, ST. JAMES', STAR OF BETHLEHEM. BY REV. J. M. STOVER. The Fisherville charge is located in Armstrong and Powell's valleys, Dauphin Co., Pa. The land is rolling, and in good culti- vation. The roads are comparatively good. The people speak SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 1 33 the Pennsylvania German dialect in most families. The English is also spoken and is gradually taking the place of the German. The history of the churches upon this territory begins with the early settlement of these valleys, over one hundred years ago, but the " Fisherville Charge" was not formally organized until about the year 1848. It then included Messiah, Straw's and St. Paul's churches, and was served by the pastors of the Berrysburg charge until 1855, when it became an independent pastorate. It has since been served by the following pastors : Revs. L. K. Secrist, 1855 to 1858; John H. Davidson, i860 to 1862; M. Fernsler, 1863 to 1866; J. G. Breininger, 1867 to 1868; E. Daron, 1869 to 1872 ; F. Aurand, 1872 to 1874; S. S. Engle, 1874 to 1875 ; Chas. E. Hay, 1876 to 1877 ; J. K. Bricker, 1877 to 1879; A. B. Erhard, 1879 to 1883; M. V. Shatto, 1884 to 1885 ; H. A. Letterman, 1886 to 1889; J. M. Stover, 1890 to the present. During the pastorate of Rev. Daron the charge became self- sustaining, and the present comfortable parsonage in Fisherville was built. The following ministers have come from this charge : Revs. N. A. Whitman, I. P. Zimmerman and I. H. McGann. 1. St. Peter's (Fetterhoff's) Church. The record of this congregation gives an account of baptisms as early as 1788. About this time there was a log church erected near the present site of St. Peter's. In this rude building the two congregations, Lutheran and Reformed, worshiped for at least seventy years. We are told by tradition, that the church was used for public worship before it was completed, and that the young men were required to climb up at the wall and occupy the gallery during services. The reader will understand that this was not so difficult in an unplastered log house. The method of get- ting men to assist in building this church was somewhat different from what it is in our day. They worked in the forenoon and had shooting-match in the afternoon. On Sundays, the early worshipers of this church came with their guns on their shoulders ; not so much on account of the wily savage, as on account of the wildbeasts that might come across their pathway. For a number of years this was the only 134 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. church in Armstrong Valley. The settlers of Powell's Valley worshiped here. From all around the people came, on horseback, or on the big wagon ; more often on foot, walking many miles. It was nothing unusual for mothers to come from across the ridge with their babes on one arm, and their shoes on the other. They were accustomed to go barefooted, but put on their shoes, which they carried with them, before entering church. But time brings about changes. Where once the old church stood, there are now tombstones marking the last resting-place of some of her members. Not far from this sacred spot there stands a handsome brick edifice, with tall steeple towering toward the skies. The corner-stone of this church was laid September 19, 1858. It was dedicated to the worship of God sometime during the following year. Rev. F. Waltz was the Lutheran pastor, and Rev. N. Bressler, the Reformed. This church, after undergoing extensive repairs, was re-dedicated on December 13, 1 891, under the pastoral care of Rev. J. M. Stover, on the Lutheran side, and Rev. C. W. E. Seigle, on the Reformed side. The cost amounted to $2,100. In the year 1846 the two congregations together purchased twelve acres of land, joining the old church lot. This land, in connection with a very pleasant home on the church lot, is cal- culated for the use of the sexton, and can not be used for a par- sonage. The venerable Nicholas Stroh, the oldest Lutheran minister in the United States, now in his ninety-seventh year, was baptized and confirmed in St. Peter's church, and all his relatives are bur- ied in its graveyard. He was a brother of Mrs. Rev. Hemping. Among the many who are buried here we find the names of Rev. John A. Hemping and Rev. N. Bressler. Rev. Hemping was born and educated in Germany. He became the Lutheran pas- tor of this church in 1811, and served until 1847. He died in 1855, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. Rev. N. Bressler was the Reformed pastor for many years. He died in 1877. St. Peter's church formerly belonged to the Lykens Valley charge, and to the old Pennsylvania Synod. But in 1869, through the influence of Rev. E. Daron, it came over to the General Synod, and was made part of the Fisherville charge. The prin- SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 1 35 cipal reason for making this change was the inconvenience of being served by a pastor living in Lykens Valley, when at the same time there was a Lutheran pastor living in Fisherville and right among the members. Up to this time the congregation had been served by the fol- lowing pastors : Rev. Enterlein, 1795 to 1807 ; Rev. J. D. Peter- son, 1807 to 181 1 ; Rev. John A. Hemping, 181 1 to 1847; Rev. W. G. Laitzle, 1841 to 1843 ; Rev. Jer. Schindel, 1843 to 1845 ; Rev. C. F. Stoever, 1845 to ^50 ; Rev. N. Jeager, 1850 to 1852 ; Rev. F. Waltz, 1855 to 1869. From 1842 to 1847 there were two parties in the congregation, each having its own pastor. This congregation used to pay the trifling sum of twelve dollars per year for pastor's salary. It now, with a smaller membership, pays more than three times that amount per quarter. 2. St. Paul's (Bowerman's). This congregation, located in Powell's Valley, was built in 1824, under the pastoral care of Rev. John A. Hemping and Rev. Gerhard. The church was built by Lutherans and Re- formed, and the two congregations still worship in it. 3. Straw's. Straw's church, in the upper end of Armstrong Valley, was erected in the summer of 1842. It was built by Lutheran mem- bers of the old St. John's church, who were unwilling to yield their convictions to the rulings of that church on "the new measures." This church stands in sight of the old one. It was at one time in a prosperous condition, but since a new church has been built at Jacksonville this congregation has been weak- ened, and of late years has not been served by regular preaching. 4. Messiah, Fisherville. For several years previous to the formation of the " Fisherville Charge," there was trouble in St. Peter's church on account of revival methods. The congregation was divided. There was bitter feeling on both sides, and the result was that a new consti- tution was adopted, which forever prohibited the use of the 136 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. anxious-bench in that church. In view of this fact, the excluded party resolved to build in Fisherville. Accordingly the corner- stone of a new church, named Messiah, was there laid on Septem- ber 9, 1849. It was built as a Lutheran and Reformed church, and remains so to this day, but for some years the Reformed have had no organization here. This church was remodeled in 1885, under the pastoral care of Rev. M. V. Shatto. 5. St. James'. This church was built by the Lutherans and Reformed in 1856. It is located at Carsonville, in the upper end of Powell's Valley. The first man buried in its graveyard was Jacob Bordner. 6. Star of Bethlehem. The church at Jacksonville, in Armstrong Valley, known as "The Star of Bethlehem," was built in 1875. ^ e lot was pre- sented by Mr. G. W. D. Enders, of the Reformed church, and Mr. John Helt, of the Lutheran. The church, which cost origin- ally about $2,500, is finely located, in good condition, and has been recently re-painted. The first officers on the Lutheran side were : Philip Enders, elder : Wm. Fitting, deacon ; Daniel En- ders, trustee. Those on the Reformed side were : Joseph Lyter, elder ; Daniel Whitman, deacon ; G. W. D. Enders, trustee. The Reformed have for some years had no organization here. XXII. BERRYSBURG CHARGE, DAUPHIN CO.— SALEM, KILLINGER ■ SALEM, BERRYSBURG ; ST. PAUL'S, MILLERSBURG. BY REV. B. F. KAUTZ. i. Salem (Wert's) Church, Killinger P. O. This congregation, known formerly as " Wert's Church," is quite old, thought to be the oldest congregation in Lykens Val- ley. It is located in Upper Paxton township, two and one-half SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 1 37 miles northeast of Millersburg, and seven and one- half miles west of Berrysburg. There are no old records preserved and we are obliged to depend for dates upon the memory of the older members. The date of its organization we have been un- able to learn, but it lies back in the last century. " Grandfather Wert," whose descendants of the fourth generation are still living in the vicinity, presented sixty acres of land for church uses. The greater portion of this, with a dwelling house and barn erected upon it, was rented for many years. About 1870, when the project of building a new church was being agitated, all of this ground except ten acres was sold. The present large two-story brick edifice, costing about $12,000, was erected in 1874; the former building, which stood a little distance away, was erected in 181 2, whilst a few of the oldest members remember still the site of the first building, a small log church, abandoned in 1812, which stood a little distance from the second one. The list of pastors serving this church as far back as we could gather is as follows : About the beginning of the century Rev. Andrew ( ? ) Schultz was pastor of Salem and St. John's (near Berrysburg) and formed one class of catechumens for the entire territory, meeting them alternately in the two churches, and confirming seventy- six in one year. It is probable that Rev. John Paul Ferdinand Kramer served them about 1805, and Rev. John A. Hemping from 181 1 until 1842. Then came Revs. W. G. Laitzle, 1842 to 1843 ; C. F. Stoever, 1846 to 1852 ; Jacob Martin, 1852 to 1853 ; D. Sell, 1853 to i860; P. P. Lane, 1861 to 1862 ; G. P. Weaver, 1862 to 1863 ; C. A. Fetzer, 1863 to 1866 ; M. Fernsler, 1866 to 1878; Geo. C. Henry, 1879 to 1882 ; J. Fishburn, 1883 to 1890; B. F. Kautz, 1890 to the present. 2. Salem Church, Berrysburg. This congregation sprang from St. John's Lutheran church (now of the General Council), standing about a mile from the town. There are no old records preserved, but from the recollections of the older members we gathered the data here given. The organ- ization must have been effected about the year 1841 or 1842 by Rev. J. P. Schindel, then pastor of St. John's. The present 138 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. church building, a one-story stone structure, was erected some time in 1844, in union with the Re£ormed congregation, and is still a union church. In 1875 it was enlarged and remodeled. Owing to the nearness of St. John's it has always been a weak congregation, having little territory. The list of pastors serving here is the same as that of Salem church at Killinger. 3. St. Paul's Church, Millersburg. About sixty years ago, when Millersburg had a population of about three hundred, Father Hemping, pastor then of Lykens Valley charge, preached here occasionally in the German language in the old school-house About 1837 Rev. S. D. Finckel, re- siding at Middletown, came up to Millersburg about every four weeks and preached. In 1842 Rev. VV. G. Laitzle, one of the founders of the East Pennsylvania Synod, who had been called to the charge in Armstrong Valley, crossed Berry's Mountain and preached here and in the valley church, now Salem or Killinger. In 1846 Rev. C. F. Stoever, of the Berrysburg charge, preached occasionally here during a pastorate of six years. From 1852 to 1853 Rev. Jacob -Martin, of the same charge, preached here occasionally. Rev. D. Sell entered the Berrysburg charge in November, 1853, and began preaching regularly in the school- house. After laboring for a year he organized St. Paul's congre- gation in the latter part of 1854, with the following nine members : Simon Wert, Levi Miller, Christian Walborn, Daniel Martz, David Kramer, Mary Seal, Catharine Walborn, Sarah Hebel and Hannah Auchmuty. Simon Wert was chosen as elder, which office he has held continuously, and still holds at the present time, a period of thirty-eight years, and will hold it to his death. He is truly a prince in Israel. Through Rev. Sell's labors a church building was erected on Centre street, which is now occupied by the Reformed church. This building was dedicated on Christ- mas Day, 1856. Rev. P. Willard, of Danville, preached the dedi- cation sermon. The first communion was held March 22, 1857, with fifteen communicants. Upon Mr. Sell's resignation Rev. P. P. Lane entered the charge, serving from 1861 to 1862. Mr. Lane was followed by Rev. G. P. Weaver, who served 1862-1863. Rev. C. A. Fetzer entered the Berrysburg charge April, 1863, SKETCHES OF CONGRE( NATIONS. I 39 remaining here three years. In December, 1866, Rev. M. Fernsler assumed the pastoral care of this charge. The charge had consisted up to this time of Lykens, Berrys- burg, Salem and Millersburg. In 187 1 Lykens withdrew from the charge, leaving the three last-named congregations forming the Berrysburg charge. The same year, also, some difficulty hav- ing arisen between the Lutheran and Reformed congregations here in Millersburg, the question of separation came up, and after a lengthy discussion the Lutherans sold out their interest in the old church to the Reformed for fourteen hundred dollars (#1400). Ground for the new church was broken in March, 1873. l ne cool judgment of all was that not more than $3000 at the best could be secured for a church, yet this weak little congregation built and paid for a building costing them about $16,000. The corner-stone was laid July 13, 1873. Besides the pastor there were present D. Sell, D. Kloss and U. Graves. In June, 1874, the basement was dedicated, Rev. Dr. Reinmund preaching the sermon. At the time of dedication there had been paid in cash $1000, with another $1000 in subscriptions. During the six following years the congregation worshiped in the basement, and the work of finishing went on as they were able to raise the funds. Every year current expenses were met, inter- est on debt of $2700 paid, as well as pastor's salary and small subscriptions gathered for finishing the building. In November, 1878, Rev. M. Fernsler, after a pastorate of twelve years, resigned. The charge remained vacant for eight months, when Rev. Geo. C. Henry, of the Theological Seminary, was called, and entered upon the charge in July, 1879. Early in 1880, at a congregational meeting, it was resolved to finish the audience room ; work was begun, and it was finally dedicated to the service of God November 14, 1880, Rev. F. W. Conrad, D. D., preaching the dedication sermon. A debt of up- wards of $3000 was left to the congregation, which they just fin- ished paying last year, and are now free of debt. In December, 1882, Rev. Geo. C. Henry resigned, and was followed by Rev. J. Fishburn, who served them from 1 883-1 890. In July, 1890, Rev. B. F. Kautz assumed charge. I40 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. XXIII. ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA. BY W. M. BAUM, D. D. The first Lutheran preacher in Philadelphia of whom we have record was Rev. Gerhard Henkel, between the years 1720 and 1728. In 1732 Rev. John Christian Schultze officiated. In 1733 we meet with the name of Rev. John Caspar Stoever. From 1 734 to 1737 there appears to have been a vacancy. In 1737 John Philip Streiter, though unordained, supplied the pulpit. In 1742 Count Zinzendorff presented himself as a Lutheran pastor, and received a call May 30th. He appointed John C. Pyrlaeus as his assistant, who was dismissed as early as July 29th. In August, 1742, Valentine Kraft, who had been dismissed from his office in Germany, succeeded in detaching a portion of the congregation. December 5, 1742, Dr. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg began his ministry. Kraft withdrew to Germantown and Zinzendorff re- turned to Europe. During 1843 St. Michael's church was built. January 26, 1745, Rev. Peter Brunnholtz became assistant pastor, and was soon left in sole charge of the city congregation, whilst Dr. Muhlenberg served the Trappe and New Hanover churches. July 26, 1753, Rev. J. D. M. Heintzelman became assistant pas- tor, holding the position until his death, February 9, 1756. Mr. Brunnholtz, long in feeble health, died July 5, 1757. In Novem- ber, 1757, Rev. John Frederick Handschuh became pastor and served until his death, October 9, 1764. In November, 1761, Dr. Muhlenberg, who was still nominally pastor, was recalled, and remained until 1779, resigning the active ministry in 1774. Octo- ber 28, 1765, Rev. Christopher Emanuel Schultze became assistant and remained until December, 1770. October 8, 1770, Rev. Christopher Kunze was elected third pastor. In December Rev. Schultze removed to Tulpehocken, and Dr. Muhlenberg's son, Henry Ernst Muhlenberg, became assistant. In 1 773 he was elected third pastor, remaining such until April 8, 1779. April 4, 1774, Dr. Miihlenberg resigned, having served 16 years. In June, 1779, Dr. Justus Henry Christian Helmuth was elected as suc- cessor to Dr. Miihlenberg. Dr. Kunze removed to New York, 1784, and was succeeded by Dr. John Frederick Schmidt. The SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 141 distinction between senior and junior ministers was removed. In 1794, December 26, Zion's church, built between 1766 and 1769, was destroyed by fire, but was immediately rebuilt, and re- dedicated November 27, 1796. As early as 1 796 demands for English services began, which culminated, in 1806, in the organization of St. John's church. Again in 1815 a new demand for English services arose, which, after a long struggle and bitter contention, resulted in the organ- ization of St. Matthew's church in 1818. Dr. Schmidt died May 12, 1812, and was succeeded by Rev. P>ederick David Schaeffer, who served until 1834. Dr. Helmuth retired in 1822 and was succeeded by Rev. C. R. Demme. St. Matthew's, Philadelphia, Pa. The organization of St. Matthew's, Philadelphia, was consum- mated January 26, 18 18, by the signing of the constitution on the part of those designing to enter it. Being without church ac- commodations, the academy building on Fourth street, between Arch and Market, was secured for use and occupied until 1830, when the edifice on New street, below Fourth, was dedicated. The congregation had no regular pastor until the year 1827, when Rev. Charles P. Krauth, Sr., began his ministry. The names of Rev. Christian F. Cruse and Rev. David Eyster, with others, ap- pear as temporary supplies during this period. It was a time of difficulty and struggle. The real life of St. Matthew's began with the securing of a per- manent pastor. Being highly favored in obtaining the services of so able a divine and acceptable a preacher as Dr. Krauth, they soon emerged from their unsatisfactory surroundings in the old academy, and for nearly fifty years worshiped in the church on New street. The ministry of Dr. Krauth continued from 1827 to 1833, when he was called to Gettysburg, Pa., and placed over the newly- chartered Pennsylvania College as its President. An interval of some months occurred before a successor was secured, during which time the pulpit was occupied by the Rev. Simeon W. Har- key, then only a theological student. Rev. Jacob Medtart, of Martinsburg, Va., took pastoral charge of St. Matthew's in No- 142 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. vember, 1834. His ministry was attended with no little congre- gational agitation and disturbance, and terminated in 1838. Rev. Stephen A. Mealy, of Savannah, Ga., then took charge, but his views and methods were not entirely acceptable to many of the congregation, so that a mutual separation was not long delayed. ST. MATTHEW'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA. Rev. Theophilus Stork, of Winchester, Va., became pastor in October, 1841. With his advent there came a new era of pros- perity. Faithful labor, earnest evangelic methods, able and edi- fying ministrations in public and in private, brought gratifying re- sults. The influence and the revenues of the church were largely SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 1 43 increased. Additions were numerous, new fields of operation were needed and soon found, and a cluster of new organizations was the result, culminating in the establishment of St. Mark's Lu- theran church on Spring Garden street, above Thirteenth, of which Rev. Stork became pastor, resigning St. Matthew's in 1850. Rev. Edwin W. Hutter was installed pastor of St. Matthew's September, 1850, and rendered an unbroken service of twenty-three years. He was admirably qualified for the field to which he was called. Under his fostering care its energies were quickened into vigor- ous life, and enterprise after enterprise was inaugurated. If Dr. Krauth stands forth as the scholar among the pastors of St. Mat- thew's, and Dr. Stork as the preacher, to Dr. Hutter unquestion- ably belongs the distinction of being the model pastor. He enjoyed in unusual degree the esteem, the love and the confidence of the congregation and the community. The period of his min- istry was marked by internal peace and external activity. He died in 1873. Rev. William M. Baum, D. D., followed Dr. Hut- ter. He was installed in March, 1874, and continues in charge. This ministry is marked by the transfer, in 1876, of the congrega- tion from New street to Broad and Mt. Vernon streets. A new and commodious church and chapel and parsonage have been erected, and with the exception of a small balance of the ground rent, all indebtedness has been canceled. From its continuous anniversaries it appears that the Sabbath- school bears equal date with the congregation. No doubt, for a considerable time, this was the only bond of union, the only cen- tre of operations for the new enterprise. For a period of forty- six years it had but one and the same superintendent, in the per- son of Martin Buehler, Esq., whose name deserves special mention in this sketch. At his death, in 1880, his personal friend and business partner, Mr. Charles P. Suesserott, took his place in the school. He also served until relieved by death in 1887. Since then his position has been filled by William J. Miller, Esq. St. Matthew's has not only maintained its own congregational life unimpaired, but has been instrumental in the establishment of St. Mark's, St. Luke's, St. Peter's, Grace and Messiah Lutheran churches. It is now fully equipped for the most active and zeal- ous service of the Master. 144 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. XXIV. EAST PETERSBURG CHARGE.— TRINITY, LON- DONDERRY, IN LEBANON CO. ; ZION'S, EAST PETERSBURG, AND GRACE, MANHEIM, IN LANCASTER COUNTY. BY MR. I.. M. PERVEIL. i. Trinity Church, Londonderry Township, Lebanon County. Very little can be gathered concerning this church. The church record is very imperfect, and the old members have died away, leaving but a few who know anything about the congrega- tion. As far as known, this church was erected in the year 1818, but the corner-stone of the present building was laid in 1842. The Building Committee were as follows, viz. : Jacob Missimer, John Baker, Joseph Porter and George Baker. Officers — Trustee, Jacob Missimer ; Elder, George Baker ; Deacons, Philip Keener and Jacob Yingst. The congregation was served by Revs. L. Gerhardt, Martin Sondhaus, Wm. G. Laitzle, 1854-1859, Mark Harpel, 1859-1870, and others. For a long time the congregation was without a pas- tor. On September 22, 1872, Rev. J. Peter took charge of the few members left, and has been serving the congregation ever since (except from September, 1890, to June, 1891) with ac- ceptance. He has labored hard and faithfully, and the congregation, though not strong in membership, numbering only seventy, is active. May the great Head of the Church continue to prosper it. 2. Zion's Church, East Petersburg, Lancaster County. The East Petersburg congregation was organized by Rev. Reuben S. W. Wagner, and was named Zion's. The corner-stone was laid in the year 1847. In 1849 Rev. Wagner resigned, and Rev. J. H. Menges became the pastor, serving until February n, 1852. November 1, 1852, Rev. Adelbert Charles Roderico Rueter took charge of the congregation. Others followed, viz. : Revs. Jacob Albert, 1853-1855 ; J. H. Menges, 1855-1857 ; Geo. Haines, 1857-1858; Jno. Early, 1862-1863 ; Joseph Focht, SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 1 45 1 864-1 868 ; Jacob Kaempfer, 1 868-1 869, and S. S. Engle, 1870-1874. August 9, 1874, the present pastor, Rev. J. Peter, took charge of the congregation, and has served them up to the present time with the exception of a brief period, from September, 1890, to June, 1 89 1. The congregation has steadily increased, and is now in a prosperous condition. The preaching is now conducted in both the German and the English languages, the latter taking the lead. 3. Grace Church, Manheim, Lancaster County. This congregation is at this time but a year and a half old, and hence the history will be brief. It was formed by about forty-six persons who were regularly dismissed from Zion's Lutheran con- gregation of Manheim, and was organized April 4, 189 1, by the Rev. W. H. Dunbar, of Lebanon, then President of the East Pennsylvania Synod. The following officers were elected : Elders — S. D. Miller and George Gromlish ; Deacons — T. S. Burns, S. Will, W. Zink and L. M. Perveil. The last named was chosen as Secretary. Rev. J. Peter, of Bellwood, Pa., was authorized by the Presi- dent of Synod to install the officers, which was done April 12, 1891. A congregational meeting was called April 26, 1891, at which Rev. D. S. Kurtz, of Felton, York Co., presided. A unanimous call was then extended to Rev. J. Peter, which was accepted, and on the 1 st of June, 1891, he entered upon his duties. The members had left the old church without a penny ; but, through the earnest work and self-sacrificing spirit of the pastor, the congregation soon moved forward. A small chapel, owned by the M. E. church, was rented for the time being. Soon an effort was made to purchase a lot suitable for a church, which work was accomplished in a short time. The corner-stone of the new building was laid July 31, 1892. The pastor was assisted by the Rev. G. J. Martz, of Lebanon. The church at this writing is almost ready for dedication, and will compare with any church in Manheim or with the majority in the East Pennsylvania Synod. The prospect of this congregation is bright. 146 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNCH. XXV. LITITZ CHARGE, LANCASTER CO.— KISSEL HILL, NEFFSVILLE, LITITZ. BY REV. I. W. BOBST. The Lititz charge is composed of three congregations, Kissel Hill being the oldest, and the mother of two vigorous daughters, St. Paul's, of Lititz, and the Neffsville congregation. As is so often the case, the mother has made large sacrifices, to her own detriment, for the enrichment of her offspring. She has greatly decreased in her membership, whilst they are steadily increasing. 1. Salem Church, Kissel Hill. The Kissel Hill congregation was organized in 1823, and united with the Reformed element of the community in founding Salem union church. A lot was purchased of John Frank at a cost of $60.00, the corner-stone laid June 1, 1823, and a substantial brick church dedicated May 24, 1 824. Rev. W. Baetes and Dr. Andrews (Lutheran) and Revs. Leinbach and D. Hertz (Reformed) were present on that occasion. In the style of the times it had a wine- glass pulpit, painfully suggestive to the ministry in this age of re- form, and panel casing around the pews, symbolical of the rigid orthodoxy of its devotees. The cost of the edifice was $2,000. In 1848 a steeple with a bell was added, at a cost of $217.60. In 1872 the spirit of the age removed the grotesque pulpit and panels, and in 1887 the church was again repaired and carpeted. The following are the pastorates : Rev. William Baetes, 1824 to 1839; Rev. Chas. P. Miller, 1839 to 1841 ; Rev. Christopher G. Frederick, 1842 to 1846; Rev. Chas. A. Barnitz, 1846 to 1852; Rev. Chas. A. Barnitz, 1853 to 1854; Rev. Chas. Rees, 1855 to 1856; Rev. D. P. Rosenmiller, 1857 to 1862 ; Rev. S. R. Boyer, 1862 to 1864 ; Rev. J. R. Focht, 1864 to 1868. Up to 1864 the preaching was nearly all in German. From 1864 to 1871 the congregation vacillated between the General Council and the General Synod, a majority being in favor of the General Council. Rev. S. S. Engle became pastor about the year 1871, and preached for several years, gathering in quite a number of members. He was afterwards deposed from the ministry. Rev. J. Peter then took charge, and served the SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 147 people faithfully till 1886. The pastorate of Rev. VV. H. Lewars began October 15, 1886, and ended April 15, 1889. The present pastor, Rev. I. Walton Bobst, assumed charge June 1, 1889. The congregation in its palmiest days had about two hundred members. It now numbers about one hundred. The preaching is partly in German and partly in English. 2. St. Peter's Church, Neffsville. In the spring of 1880 about thirty members of the Kissel Hill church amicably withdrew and formed the congregation of Neffs- ville. Through the influence of the sainted John Wechter, assisted by a noble little band of workers, the Neffsville church was erected. The corner-stone was laid during the summer of 1880, and the church dedicated June 26, 1881. Rev. J. Peter, the pastor, and Rev. R. W. Hufford, D. D., presided on this occasion. This congregation, though so recently established, has no reliable statistics. After Rev. J. Peter resigned, it was connected with the Millersville charge, and served as follows : J.V. Eckert, 1881-1882 ; F. Aurand, 1883 ; A. M. Whetstone, 1 884-1 885 ; J. W. Goodlin, 1887-1888. In 1888 the congregation severed its relations with the Millersville charge and connected itself with the Lititz charge. It has since been served by Revs. W. H. Lewars and I. W. Bobst, the present pastor, who took charge June 1. 1889. During the present pastorate the congregation has more than doubled, num- bering now 154. This is largely due to the labors of its excellent Sunday-school Superintendent, Dr. E. H. Witmer, who has for twelve years assiduously inculcated Bible truths among the young of this community. 3. St. Paul's Church, Lititz. August 4, 1885, a meeting was called for the purpose of dis- cussing the feasibility of building a Lutheran church in Lititz. Rev. Peter, of the Manheim charge, occupied the chair. In pur- suance of the action of this meeting, fifty-two members of the Kissel Hill church formed themselves into an independent con- gregation, and founded St. Paul's Lutheran church, of Lititz. The corner-stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies September 13, 1885, by Rev. Peter, assisted by Revs. Sylvanus Stall and John V. 148 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. Eckert. The dedication took place February 14, 1886. Rev. Eli Huber, D. D., preached the sermon and Rev. T. C. Billheimer, D. D., solicited subscriptions, securing $2,000, which covered all the indebtedness. The edifice cost upward of $0,000. The congre- gation demonstrated its enterprise by immediately erecting a commodious parsonage, at an expense of $2,200. Six hundred dollars of the subscriptions taken on dedication-day failed to materialize, which, together with the cost of the parsonage, left the congregation $2,800 in debt. This has been reduced during the present pastorate to $1,500. Shortly after the completion of the church Rev. J. Peter resigned. He was followed by Rev. W. H. Lewars, who entered upon his labors October 15, 1886, con- tinuing faithfully three years and a half, when he was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. I. Walton Bobst, who assumed charge June 1, 1889. The congregation now has one hundred and thirty- five members and is in excellent condition. The preaching is mainly in English, with a German sermon once a month. XXVI. LIONVILLE CHARGE, CHESTER CO.— ST. MAT- THEW'S AND ST. PAUL'S. BY REV. M. S. CRESSMAN. Chester County, Pa., was originally settled by two distinct classes of people — the English Quakers and the Germans. The former located in the southern part of the county, and the latter in the northern. The main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad now divides this district into two nearly equal parts, and, in a general way, may be regarded as the dividing line between the two distinctive elements of the county. In the section to the south the Quaker element still largely prevails, whilst in that to the north the descendants of the Germans still hold sway. It is accordingly in the northern part of the county that all our Luth- eran churches are to be found, with the single exception of Trinity church, recently established at Coatesville, and this is on the border line. Henry Melchior Miihlenberg organized the first Lutheran con- gregation in the county, to which the name Zion was given. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 1 49 The early records being lost, the precise year of its organization is not known. It must, however, have been early in the min- istry of this patriarch of American Lutheranism, as the erection of a new building was begun in the year 1 77 1 . The first edifice was made of logs, and was located in what was then known as Vincent Township, about five miles west of the Trappe. The site chosen was a commanding one, overlooking a large part of the counties of Berks and Montgomery. When the Zion congregation was about to erect a new building, there arose a division of opinion as to the location, many desir- ing to remove some three miles further south. The result of this division was, that the Lutherans residing in Pikeland Township withdrew, and organized themselves into a separate congregation, erecting a log church in the year 1772, some ten miles southwest of Zion. This organization is known as St. Peter's. It was here that the first annual meeting of the East Pennsylvania Synod was held, October 15, 1842. The two churches now composing the Lionville pastorate, St. Matthew's and St. Paul's, are the direct outgrowth of Zion's and St. Peter's congregations. The older of these, St. Matthew's, is now located in Upper Uwchlan township. It was organized in the year 1833, by Rev. Jacob Wampole, then pastor of Zion's and St. Peter's churches. It was the third Lutheran organization in Chester county, and the first to wholly use the English lan- guage. The original membership, sixty-six in number, came from the other two Lutheran churches ; principally, however, from St. Peter's, in West Pikeland. About this time there was a general religious awakening in this vicinity. The Baptists and Episco- palians had begun the erection of places of worship. The Luth- eran people felt the need of greater religious privileges than they were enjoying. Accordingly, a meeting was held in West Vincent township, January 1, 1833, to consider the propriety of erecting a church building, to be owned jointly by the Lutherans and the German Reformed. As the result of earnest and prayerful delib- eration a piece of ground was purchased on the Conestoga pike for $50.00, upon which was erected a two-story stone church, 35x45 feet in size, with galleries on three sides, at a cost of $1,700.00. The corner-stone was laid May 27, 1833, Dr. C. P. Krauth, sr., preach- 150 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. ing the sermon on the part of the Lutherans. On December 10, of the same year, the building was dedicated to the worship of the Triune God. Rev. P. F. Mayer, D. D., of Philadelphia, preached the sermon. The feast of dedication lasted two days, with three services daily, at each of which a sermon was preached. St. Matthew's became a part of Zion's charge, the pastor residing near the latter church, some ten miles distant. Rev. Wampole continued as pastor till May, 1836, when he was succeeded by Rev. Frederick Ruthrauff. During the ministry of the latter Zion's church withdrew, and there was also a division in St. Peter's, owing to the introduction of what were known as " new measures " in church work. The members who withdrew from St. Peter's, some twelve or thirteen in number, erected for them- selves a church building in close proximity to the mother church, and in connection with Zion's formed a new charge. These churches are now in connection with the Ministerium of Pennsyl- vania, and are served by separate pastors. Previous to this division, under the leadership of Rev. Ruth- rauff, steps were taken towards organizing a Lutheran congrega- tion in Uwchlan township, near Lionville. February 9, 1838, a meeting was held at the house of Peter Acker, where the subject was discussed. At this meeting it was resolved " that in reliance on the help and favor of the Lord a house of worship be erected, to be owned jointly by the Lutherans and the Reformed." The name afterwards chosen was " St. Paul's Church in Uwchlan town- ship." The location was on a piece of ground near the " White School House," donated for the purpose by Peter Stiteler. The building erected was of stone, one story high, 38x45 feet in di- mensions, and cost $1,483.00. June 5, 1838, the corner stone was laid, Rev. Jonathan Ruthrauff, of Lebanon, preaching the sermon. On November 6 and 7 of the same year, the building was dedi- cated. Rev. C. W. Schaeffer, D. D., LL. D., then pastor of St. Peter's church at Barren Hill, preached the dedicatory sermon. The pastor was assisted in these services by Revs. John P. Hecht and H. S. Miller. The formal organization did not take place till November n, 1838, the first Lord's Day following the dedi- cation. Sixteen persons composed the original membership, two of whom are still actively identified with the congregation. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 151 They came from St. Peter's and St. Matthew's churches, mainly from the former. St. Paul's became a part of Zion's charge, which now consisted of four churches, St. Peter's, St. Matthew's, St. Paul's and Zion's, the pastor residing in the parsonage near the latter church until the separation in 1840. At the time of the division. Rev. Ruthrauff became pastor of the three churches known as the Pikeland Charge, St. Peter's, St. Matthew's, and St. Paul's, the pastoral residence being in the vicinity of the former, and about five miles distant from the other two points. He continued to serve this field till June 13, 1843. He was succeeded, December 1 7, by Rev. John McCron, D. D., who continued as pastor till July, 1847, when he and Rev. D. Miller exchanged pastorates. The latter remained but two years, and was followed by Rev. Peter Raby, September 27, 1849. Brother Raby served this charge faithfully for nine years, and was held in high esteem by his people. Under his ministra- tions substantial progress was made. It was through his instru- mentality that a dissolution was effected in St. Paul's church between the Lutherans and Reformed, in the year 1852. The former disposed of their interest in the property to the latter for $700.00, and bought a small tract of land in the village of Lion- ville, about one mile distant. Here a commodious two-story stone building was erected, at a cost of about $4,000.00. The membership at this time was forty-two. July 31, 1852, the corner-stone was laid, and on January 1, 1853, the building was dedicated. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. E. W. Hutter, of Philadelphia. In the year 1858 Rev. Raby resigned, and on June 20 was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Aughey. Soon after Rev. Aughey became pastor, a division took place in the charge, St. Matthew's and St. Paul's withdrawing, and forming a separate pastorate This was in the year 1859. Rev. Aughey became pastor of the Lionville charge, St. Peter's calling Rev. Cornelius Reimen- snyder as their pastor. In the year i860 a parsonage was purchased by St. Paul's congregation, adjoining the church, for the sum of $1,500.00, where the pastor has continued to reside ever since. In the year 1861 Rev. Aughey resigned, and on November ro, 152 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. Rev. Christian D. Ulery became his successor. The labors of this young brother extended over but a few months. Shortly after becoming pastor, he enlisted as member of a company of volun- teers being formed in the neighborhood, and marched to the front in defense of a threatened Union. Being naturally of a frail constitution, he soon contracted a cold in consequence of exposure, which rapidly developed into pneumonia, from which disease he died, November 7, 1862, in the 31st year of his age. His body lies in the cemetery adjoining St. Paul's church. January 4, 1863, Rev. S. Sentman became the spiritual guide of this flock. For seven and one-half years he ministered in holy things to this people. His memory is still cherished by those to whom he broke the bread of life. He resigned, July 1, 1870, to become principal of the Preparatory Department of Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg. The charge was now vacant for almost a year, when on May 1, 187 1, Rev J. R. Shoffner began his labors as pastor. He con- tinued in this relationship till the year 1876. The last time this brother ever preached the word was to this people, May 24, 1 89 1, having returned on a brief visit. This was just nineteen days before his death, which took place at Wilkesbarre, Pa., June 12, 1892. After a vacancy of some months a pastor was secured in the person of Rev. H. S. Cook, March 11, 1877. The labors of this brother were abundantly blessed. The commodious new St. Matthew's church is his enduring monument. In 1878 Rev. Cook succeeded in effecting an amicable dissolution of the union existing in this church. The Lutherans sold their interest to the Reformed for $1,000.00, and at once purchased a plot of ground containing eighteen and one-half acres on a commanding eleva- tion, about five hundred yards north, in the adjoining township of Upper Uwchlan, the original site being in West Vincent. Here the congregation proceeded to erect one of the finest church buildings in the county. It is of Gothic architecture, 42x95 feet in size, and has a seating capacity of about six hundred. The cost of the property was about $13,000.00. The corner-stone was laid in 1878, the dedication taking place on May 1 of the following year. On the latter occasion, Rev. John McCron, D. D., SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 1 53 a former pastor, preached with more than his usual eloquence. At these services there were present twenty ministers, and though held on a week day the building was crowded to its ut- most capacity, and the entire obligations liquidated, over $4,000.00 being subscribed. In 1880 St. Paul's church was remodeled at a cost of $2,300.00. The re-dedication took place January 2, 1881, Rev. F. W. Conrad, D. D., LL. D., officiating. The Lionville pastorate has now two comfortable and convenient churches, the credit of which in a large measure is due to Rev. H. S. Cook. Under his ministry the congregations increased largely in membership. He was the first to introduce a systematic way of gathering the benevolent offerings of the people. The monthly envelope system he in- augurated continues in use to the present time, and has been the means Of making this charge one of the most liberal in our synod. October 8, 1882, Rev. Cook, after a most successful pastorate of five years and seven months, took leave of this peo- ple, having accepted a call to Harrisburg. December 1, 1882, Rev. W. F. Rentz took charge of the work in this parish, in which he continued till April 1, 1888, being then sent by the Board of Home Missions as missionary to Atchison, Kansas. Through his labors the people were much strengthened in all departments of church life and work. Here he has left many seals to his ministry. It was during his pastor- ate that the Sunday-school room of St. Paul's church was re- modeled, at a cost of about $700.00. April 8, 1888, the present pastor — Rev. M. S. Cressman — be- gan his labors. Under his direction about $700.00 have been expended by the charge, in the improvement of the church properties. The pastorate is entirely free of debt, and meets all its obligations with promptness. It is composed of an intelligent and church-loving people. Of the twelve pastors who have served this field, eight have passed to their reward, Revs. Aughey, Cook, Rentz and Cress- man alone remaining in the church militant. Of the original members, but three are still among us, Thomas Rooke of St. Matthew's and Mrs. Catherine Oberholtzer and her sister, Miss Sarah Acker, of St. Paul's. At different times the churches have 154 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. received legacies amounting in all to about $4,000.00. The esti- mated value of the property is $20,000.00. The present member- ship numbers 295 persons. In the Sunday-schools there are enrolled 238 scholars, and 41 teachers and officers. XXVII. ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN AND REFORMED CHURCH, FOGELSVILLE, LEHIGH COUNTY. BY REV. J. A. SINGMASTER. The above church was organized by members of the Tresler- town, Jordan and Ziegel churches. Jacob Moyer and Judge John Fogel donated each three-fourths of an acre of land for a building site and burial place. At a meeting held October 4, 1834, it was decided to build a church. John Lichtenwallner and Daniel Schlauch, Lutheran, and Henry Mohr and Jacob Moyer, Reformed, were elected a building committee, and Solomon Fogel, treasurer. Benjamin Fogel, John Keck, Peter Musselman and Jonathan Mohr were appointed to solicit subscriptions. The corner-stone was laid May 9, 1835, on which occasion Rev. Isaac Roeller and Rev. Joseph Dubs officiated. On the 31st of October, 1835, the church was dedicated, Revs. Roeller, Joshua and Gottlieb [eager and Charles Y. Herman participating. The church is a substantial stone structure, with gallery on three sides, and seats about four hundred. The first pastor, Rev. Isaac Roeller, was elected November 15, 1835. The first council consisted of Adam Litzenberger, elder, and Samuel Fetherolf, John Lichtenwallner, Jr., Henry Stettler and Daniel Kuhns, deacons. Rev. Roeller resigned January 13, 1 851, and was succeeded by Rev. Jeremiah Schindel, who was followed in 1859 by Rev. E. H. M. Sell. In i86r Rev. O. Leopold became pastor. In 1874 the pastor and a part of the congregation withdrew and organized St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church On account of the establishment of the latter church, the old congregation was no longer recognized by the Pennsylvania Synod, and hence was left without pastoral care. Rev. Wm. G. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. I 55 Mennig, of the East Pennsylvania Synod, became pastor in 1877. He was assisted by Rev. C. E. Hay, who supplied the pulpit after Mr. Mennig became disabled until the church became a part of the Macungie charge, in 1884, with Rev. J. A. Singmaster as pastor. In July, 1886, the latter was succeeded by Rev. G. W. Fritsch, who continued pastor until March, 1891. Since then the pulpit has been supplied by Rev. J. A. Singmaster, pastor of St. Paul's, Allentown. It is a remarkable fact that since the organization of the church in 1835, tne Reformed part of the congregation has had but two pastors, father and son, Revs. C. G. and A. J. Herman, the former serving twenty- seven and the latter thirty-one years. In 1878 the church was remodeled. Rev. J. M. Deitzler offici- ated at the re-consecration. November 29, 1885, was the occasion of the semi-centennial festival of the church, during which, among others, Rev. Dr. F. W. Conrad preached. The services have always been held every two weeks, the Lutherans and Reformed alternating. The German language has been used from the beginning. The present Lutheran membership is about sixty, and there are nearly one hundred and fifty persons connected with the Union Sunday-school, of which Mr. A. W. Held has been the superintendent for many years. Rev. Cyrus E. Held, pastor of the Hamilton charge, entered the ministry from this church. XXVIII. TRINITY CHURCH, GERMANTOWN. BY REV. L. E. ALBERT, D. D. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Michael's, German- town, dates its origin in the early part of the last century. It existed as a distinct organization, and was provided with its own place of worship previously to the year 1740. At that time there were about four hundred dwelling-houses in Germantown. The principal part of the population was German, but as the congregation was not favored with the ministry of a regular pastor, the number of members was small and the circumstances of the church not very flourishing. In the year 1742 the Rev. 156 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg arrived in Philadelphia and began his labors as pastor of the Lutheran church in that city. Soon after his arrival, the church in Germantown attracted his at- tention, and his interest in it was so earnest, that he took it at once under his pastoral care. Finding that his duties pressed too heavily upon him, he made arrangements to relieve himself of at least a portion of his pastoral care. Accordingly his assist- ant, Rev. Peter Brunnholz, who arrived from abroad in 1745, took charge of the church in Germantown. So the pastorates are as follows : Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, 1 742-1 745 ; Rev. Brunn- holz, 1 745— t 75 1 ; Rev. Handschuh, 1 75 1— 1 757. From 175 7— 1 763, the accounts are musty, and the times stormy. Clearer skies came in 1763, for then pastor John Nicholas Kurtz served the congregation one year. He was followed by Rev. John LudwigVoigt, 1 764-1 765 ; Rev. Jacob Van Buskerk, 1 766-1 769 ; Rev. John Frederick Schmidt, 1 769-1 786; Rev. John Fred- erick Weinland, 1 786-1 789; Rev. Frederick David Schaeffer, 1790-1812; Rev. John C. Baker, 1812-1828; Rev. Benjamin Keller, 1828-1835 ; Rev. John William Richards, 1836-1845. Trinity Lutheran Church, Germantown. Trinity Lutheran church is an offshoot of St. Michael's church of Germantown. It was organized with a membership of about thirty persons, February 28, 1836, when the vestry was installed by the Rev. Philip F. Mayer, D. D., then of St. John's church, Race street, Philadelphia. The names of the vestrymen were Thomas Haddin, Henry Goodman, Michael Trumbauer, David Heist, Henry Nicholas, Jacob Mehl, John Felton, George Heist, George Geysel and Joseph Heist. The original name of the church was the English Evangelical Lutheran church of German- town. At first the congregation worshiped in the brick building at the corner of Main and Mill streets, now occupied by the Woman's Christian Association. While worshiping there it elected as its first pastor William N. Scholi, who had just com- pleted his theological studies at the Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa. Mr. Scholi preached his first sermon in the brick building April 17, 1836. On June 2, 1836, he was licensed, at the meeting SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 157 of the Synod of Pennsylvania at Easton, to preach the gospel. On June 12, he preached his introductory sermon from 1st Cor- inthians, 2d chapter and 2d verse: "For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." In the meantime the congregation had purchased the property at the corner of Main and Queen streets for the sum of $3,000.00 on which it immediately proceeded to erect a church edifice 45x55 feet, at a cost of $2,699.68. The corner-stone of this building was laid on May 15, 1837, Rev. Philip F. Mayer, D. D., and Rev. Jacob Medtart officiating at the morning services, and Rev. Charles W. Schaeffer at the afternoon. On December 3, 1837, the building was dedicated, the Rev. Dr. Mayer preaching the sermon from Psalms lxxxiv. 1 : " How amiable are thy taber- nacles, O Lord of hosts !" The first communion was held on June 19, 1836, and the first accessions to the congregation were made on Whitsunday, May 14, 1837. The first baptism in the church under the Rev. William N. Scholl was that of Henry Ernest, son of Henry and Maria Goodman ; the first marriage, that of Reuben G. Tomlinson to Hannah K. Shepherd ; and the first burial, that of William Saunders, of Rising Sun. As a pastor the Rev. W. N. Scholl stood high in the estimation of his flock, being diligent in the discharge of his duties, and watchful of the interests committed to his care. His pastorate over the congre- gation extended from June 12, 1836, to March 5, 1840. Rev. Mr. Scholl was succeeded by Rev. Samuel D. Finckel, who came to Germantown, May 28, 1840. His first com- munion was held June 7, 1840, and his last, December 1, 1843. His first recorded accessions to the church took place on September 5, 1840. On February 7, 1844, Mr. Finckel re- signed the pastorate of the congregation. Although his pastorate was short in its continuance, the impress he made upon the con- gregation was remarkable. There was something in the very make of the man that told upon all with whom he came in con- tact. Genial in his manners, warm-hearted in his disposition, brilliant in intellect, and eloquent in speech, he drew men of all classes to him personally, and also attracted them to the house of God. Rev. William F. Eyster became the successor of Mr. Finckel, 158 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. and assumed the pastorate on May 12, 1844. His first recorded communion is that of July 7, 1844. The largest accession to the church at any communion occurred during the ministry of Rev. Mr. Eyster. This was on April 16, 1848, when thirteen persons were received by adult baptism, twenty-eight by confirmation, four by renewal of profession, and seven by certificate from the Presbyterian church. At that time there was a wonderful awakening on the subject of religion in Germantown, and this church shared largely in the ingathering that followed. On August 14, 1 85 1, Rev. Mr. Eyster resigned the pastorate of the congregation, to take charge of the church at Chambersburg. Mr. Eyster was a living embodiment of a Christian gentleman. Sincerity beamed forth in his speech and actions. To him a mean deed was impossible. Ever courteous, ever gentle, ever loving, ever forbearing and forgiving, he walked in his Master's footsteps and preached daily sermons by his constant exhibition of these Christian graces. At this present writing he is a resident of Crete, Salina county, Nebraska. Mr. Eyster was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Luther E. Albert, who came to Germantown on November 23, 1851. His first recorded communion was held in the month of March 1858, when 95 persons participated in the blessed ordinance of the Lord's Supper. After a few years had elapsed, the congre- gation undertook the building of a new church edifice. The con- tract for the building, exclusive of the furniture and the spire, called for $13,500. The corner-stone was laid on October 11, 1856, the Rev. Philip F. Mayer, D. D., officiating. Among others who were present on that occasion were Rev. Theophilus Stork, D. I)., and Rev. Edwin W. Hutter, D. D. At the dedication of the church, which occurred on October 12, 1857, Rev. John G. Morris, D. D., of Baltimore, Md., officiated. In 1867 the organ was purchased at an expense of $2,096.15, and in 1870 the church was frescoed. In 1886 the church was renovated and improved at a cost of $16,000. The growth of the congregation, in every direction, has been marked and steady. The number of those entitled to membership, at this present writing, is about 300. The active communing membership is about 250. The strength of the Sunday-school is as follows : officers and teachers, 46 ; scholars, SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 1 59 325. The present superintendent is Theophilus H. Smith. In connection with the church is a Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society, a Young People's Lyceum, and a Society of Christian Endeavor. The Board of Trustees consists of the fol- lowing members : President, M. L. Finckel ; secretary, F. Studen- mund ; treasurer, Jacob Green ; associates, Theophilus H. Smith, Samuel Goodman, George Jenkins, William Martin, Theophilus Stork, William Maybury, David Barrows, Jr., Charles Longmire and Henry Yeager ; assistant pastor, Rev. Clinton E. Walter. Such is a brief history of Trinity Lutheran church, Germantown. Thankful for the past, she moves on hopefully into the future. XXIX. ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH, READING. BY MR. CHARLES H. TYSON. Trinity Lutheran church, the mother church of St. Matthew's, as well as of all the other Lutheran churches of Reading, was founded in 1751 by German Lutherans. The early pastors were as follows : H. B. G. Wordman, 1752 to 1753 ; D. Schuhmacher, 1754 to 1755 ; J. C. Hartwig, 1757 to 1758; B. M. Hausihl, 1759 to 1762; J. A. Krug, 1764 to 1 77 1 ; Henry Moeller, 1775; D. Lehman, 1779 to 1780; C. F. Wildbahn, 1782 to 1796; D. Lehman, 1796 to 1801; H. A. Muhlenberg, 1803 to 1829; Jacob Miller, 1829 to 1850. For almost a century the worship was carried on in the Ger- man language. About the year 1842 the town had a large English population ; the English language was spoken in the schools, in business transactions, and in social intercourse. The children, though of German parentage, were growing up in total ignorance of that language. A large number of the congrega- tion discovered that their children were deriving no benefit from the worship and were wandering away to the English churches, which were the Presbyterian, the Episcopalian, and the Metho- dist. To prevent this loss to the Lutheran church, several members, with Dr. Diller Luther as spokesman, requested the pastor of Trinity, Rev. Jacob Miller, to hold English services at 160 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. intervals of a month or six weeks. Rev. Miller was a pious, con- scientious and earnest man ; but, fortunately for us in this instance, very conservative in his views. Having been educated under the German system, and being somewhat advanced in years, he could not appreciate the importance of the situation. He refused ab- solutely to comply with their request. ST. MATTHEW'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, READING, PA. Earnestly desirous of accomplishing their object, they started an English service at 5th and Penn streets, in the Old State House, which was destroyed by fire in 1873. ^ n order to secure a large attendance and also the co-operation of the English SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. l6l community, they held services in the afternoon, the English churches being open in the evening. The attendance from the beginning was large, and at length overtures were again made to the pastor of Trinity, which were again rejected. They now had no alternative except a separate permanent organization. Rev. J. S. Schock, then lately graduated from the Seminary at Gettysburg, had acted as pastor of this little flock from its first gathering. He was young, talented, active, and eminently fitted for the hard task he had undertaken to perform. His salary when engaged was $300, which was afterwards reduced to $150, owing to the meagre resources of the congregation. The first council meeting was held in March, 1842, and the officers were Rev. Schock, president, Dr. Diller Luther, secretary, and Henry Haas, treasurer. The men most active in this movement, to whom St. Matthew's church is largely indebted for what she is to- day, were Dr. Diller Luther, John Hepler, Sr., Frederick Fox, Henry Haas, Peter Filbert, Henry Fry, Adam Rightmyer, Dr. S. S. Birch, Jacob Sallade, Peter Shanaman, Joseph Moyer, William Ziegler, Nicholas Mason, John German, Jeremiah Hagenman, Marks B. Scull, George Frees, Jesse Orner, Paul Amnion and Samuel Focht. The first communion was held in September, 1842, when 17 communicants presented themselves; at the same time a considerable number were confirmed. The first infant baptism occurred in 1842, Susan Yeager being the subject; the first marriage ceremony of which there is now any record was performed in 1843, and Levi Moser and Catharine Myers were the contracting parties. In spite of all difficulties and hin- drances, the congregation grew rapidly. In 1843 an appeal was made to the other churches in Fastern Pennsylvania for aid in building a church. Rev. Schock was sent out as collector, and during his absence Rev. Kohler acted as his substitute. The church was begun in May, 1844, and dedicated on the 2 2d of December of the same year. The services were prolonged for several days, and many eminent divines were present, from Phila- delphia, Baltimore, and other places ; among these were Rev. J. G. Morris, D. D., who preached the dedication sermon, Rev. F. W. Conrad, and Rev. John McCron, who preached an impressive sermon from the text, " What think ye of Christ?" 1 62 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. The congregation increased in numbers slowly but steadily in their new home, notwithstanding some opposition on the part of outside parties. The following incident is related to show the feeling (now happily extinct) which existed on the part of the old toward the new congregation. The first death, that of Dr. Birch, occurred in 1845. As the plot surrounding the church was very small, the pastor first applied for permission to bury upon Trinity graveyard. Permission was granted, upon condition that the pastor of Trinity should conduct the services. Not deeming it proper to accept the conditions, the body of Dr. Birch was buried in the space on the eastern side of the church, from which it was afterwards removed to Charles Evans' ceme- tery. No incident worthy of mention occurred until 1849, when Rev. Schock received a call from New York City, resigned, and was succeeded by Rev. J. A. Brown. During Rev. Brown's pas- torate, a schism arose in Trinity church and a large number se- ceded, some forming a new church and others swelling our mem- bership. Among those prominent in this second period of the church's history were Major S. E. Ancona, Dr. Ulrich, Jacob S. Livingood, Esq., Messrs. Weida, Lindemuth, Craig and Lehman, and Mrs. Esther G. Otto, familiarly known as Mother Otto. In consequence of this diminution, the council of Trinity made propositions to our council looking to the return of our con- gregation to the bosom of the mother church, which were re- spectfully declined. Rev. Brown resigned in 1859, and was succeeded by Rev. Milton Valentine, during whose term the church was repaired ; Rev. M. W. Hamma, from 1866 to 1869 ; Rev. Samuel Domer, from 1869 to 1872 ; Rev. J. M. Anspach, from 1872 to 1877 ; an d our present pastor, Rev. T. C. Bill- heimer, D. D. For many weeks after the first meeting of the congregation, the attention of the members was centered upon the growth of the church. Their children were scattered, some attending the Presbyterian, some the Methodist, and others the Union Sunday- school which had been opened by Judge Darling, in the Old Court House on Penn Square. At length, early in December, 1842, several of the younger members of the church — Misses Eliza, Lydia and Louisa Filbert, Miss Hope Pettit, Miss Boyer, SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 1 63 Mr. George Frees, Mr. Jacob Boyer, and Rev. Schock — met in the office of Peter Filbert, Esq., and organized our Sunday-school, whose first regular session was held on the Sunday before Christ- mas. Dr. Diller Luther was elected president, Frederic Fox vice-president, Rev. Schock superintendent, Jeremiah Hagen- man secretary, Mrs. McCombs directress, Jacob Boyer treas- urer and A. Raiguel librarian. The school first met on Frank- lin street above 6th, in a building upon the site of the Reading fire-engine house. The attendance numbered about forty. The meetings were held in this building, then called the infant school, until early in the following spring, when the building was dam- aged by fire and the school was removed to the public school house at Chestnut and Carpenter streets. Here the sessions were held until November, 1844, when the church was so far completed as to allow the school to meet in the basement. On the day of its removal the school was addressed by several clergy- men then attending the Synod held in our city. The school numbered 60 when they left Franklin street, 75 when they came to the new church, and about 100 when Rev. Schock resigned in 1849. The infant school was established in 1845 by Rev. Schock, and Mrs. John Craig, then Miss Eliza Filbert, was the first teacher. A celebration was held at High's Woods on the Fourth of July, 1845 ; a large table was set, and the whole congre- gation as one family celebrated the day. That celebration seems to have been kept green in the memories of the older members of the church. Mr. George Frees, who had acted as superintendent in con- nection with Rev. Schock from the organization of the school, served until 1851, and was succeeded by Charles Davis, Esq., whose term continued only for one year. He was succeeded by Mr. Frederic Fox, who served for three years. Rev. Brown then became superintendent, and continued such until his resig- nation as pastor. Jacob S. Livingood, Esq., was then elected, who, after serving a short time, resigned in favor of his brother, William H. Livingood, Esq., who held the position until 1863. During the 15 years from 1848 to 1863, the school increased from a membership of 100 to that of 250. The pastor, Rev. Valen- tine, filled the position of superintendent from 1863 until he re- 164 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. signed in 1866. Mr. Frank Fichthorn was then elected, and served for 1 1 years — during the pastorates of Revs. Hamma, Domer, and Anspach. During Rev. Hamraa's pastorate, the school numbered 400 — a greater number than it ever had before or has had since. During the terms of Revs. Domer and Anspach the number fluctuated between 300 and 400. Mr. Fichthorn was succeeded in 1878 by Mr. Edward Scull, who served until January, 1888. Frank S. Livingood, Esq., was then elected and served until January, 1892, when he was succeeded by Mr. Jacob A. Buch, the present superintendent. The first mission was organized in i86e, at 10th and Green streets, by Rev. Valentine and Mr. Frederic Fox, and soon grew from a membership of 17 to that of 175 in 1865. Owing to the resignation of Rev. Valentine and the removal from town of Mr. Fox, the school fell into other hands, and is now known as St. Luke's Lutheran church, a very flourishing congregation. The second mission, known as the Rose Valley Sunday-school, was organized in 1874 by Major S. E. Ancona, Mrs. Bessie Hunter, and Mr. Frank Fichthorn, and finally abandoned in 1879 as un- fruitful. The third mission was founded in the winter of 188 1, at 4th and Elm streets, by Mrs. A. S. Ladd, Rev. Daniel A. Shetler, and Mr. Cornelius T. Anderson. The membership num- bered 30, and, upon Rev. Shetler's removal from town, he was succeeded by Mr. A. B. Yorgey in 1881, who was in turn suc- ceeded by Mr. Edward C. Hecht in 1882. In 1886, when the movement had begun for the erection of a new chapel, this mis- sion was merged into the main school. During Dr. Billheimer's pastorate the congregation and school grew too large to be accommodated in the building at Franklin and Pearl streets, and under his leadership, in 1886, a fund was started for the erection of a chapel for the Sunday-school upon an adjoining property, but eventually the movement expanded into a fund for a new church. A lot was bought at 5th and Elm streets, and in April, 1889, ground was broken for the erection of a church and chapel. On January 19, 1890, the corner-stone was laid by Rev. W. H. Dunbar and the pastor, in the presence of the other clergy of the city and the congregation. On July 12, 1 89 1, the building was dedicated by Revs. W. H. Dunbar, SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 1 65 H. W. McKnight, D. D., and Samuel B. Barnitz, with impressive ceremonies, and funds were collected to pay for the edifice. The Congregation, headed by the pastor and council, marched in a body from the old to the new church. The new edifice is an im- posing structure, built of stone, containing in front an auditorium with a seating capacity of 550 persons, with vaulted ceiling, beau- tiful windows, altar and pulpit, and comfortable pews and furni- ture. The chapel, with an entrance from Elm street and another from the auditorium, has two stories, upon the first of which is the lecture room and infant school, and upon the second story, a beautiful main school room with a gallery for the larger classes. Later results have justified the congregation in the erection of their new edifice, as the Sunday-school has grown so large that arrangements are now making to utilize the basement of the church for its use, in addition to the rooms already occupied. The whole structure when completed will cost about $65,000. The church and Sunday-school now number about 350 persons each, with indications of a steady increase in the future. XXX. ZION CHURCH, LEBANON. BY H. H. ROEDEL, M. D. The earliest records of the Lutheran church at Lebanon are a marriage, February 25, 1 731, and a death, April 28, 1734. About the years 1 733-1 735 the first efforts were made to gather the scat- tered Germans, who had settled around where the town of Leb- anon now stands, into a congregation. Worship was conducted at a point about two and a half miles south-east of the present site of the town, where a house of worship was afterwards built, called " Die Kruppe Kirche." This edifice was occupied by the congregation until about 1768. In March, 1765, a lot of ground, within the present borough limits, was deeded for church pur- poses, by the Rev. John Caspar Stoever and others for the use of the Lutheran congregation for "the yearly rent of one red rose in June of every year forever hereafter, if the same shall be lawfully demanded." A school-house was built the same year, which was also used for church purposes. The church was probably erected 1 66 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. about four years later. The corner-stone of the present edifice (Salem) was laid June 8, 1796. The regular pastors who served this congregation from the time of its location in the town until the organization of Zion church were as follows : F. A. C. Muhlen- berg, 1773 — 1775; William Kurtz, 1775 — 1794; George Loch- man, 1794 — 1815 ; William G. Ernst, 1815 — 1836; Jonathan Ruthrauff, 1836 to 1844.* The views of church membership held by Rev. Ruthrauff dif- fered widely from those entertained by many clergymen in this vicinity. Horse-racing, gambling and drinking to excess, were practices not infrequently indulged in by members of this com- munity who claimed positions in the church as officers. The pastor, however, refused to install such. When expostulated with, he claimed the introduction of no new tenets, but referred to the formula for the government and discipline of the Evangelical Lu- theran Church, of which they were a part. This proceeding was the origin of a long church strife. True, the issue was not claimed to be such. To speak or preach English, was almost looked upon as wicked. So prejudiced was the community against English preaching, that this was made the cudgel which the wily enemies of Sunday-schools, prayer-meetings and vital godliness used to en- list the sympathies and obtain the influence of church members against the introduction of the latter. So bitter did the feeling against the pastor and his adherents become, that the opposite party locked the church, forbidding the pastor to preach. This resulted in a suit at court, which eventually was compromised, the followers of the pastor accepting less than $800, for which they relinquished all right, title and claim to the church, graveyard and parsonage. These members, with the pastor, formed the nucleus of a new church organization, which was incorporated by an Act of As- sembly, dated March 14, 1844, the corporate name and title being, " The Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of the Borongh of Lebanon and its vicinity." Immediate steps were taken to build a church. A lot on the corner of Market, now North * The facts above have been gleaned from the published History of Leb- anon County. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 1 67 Ninth Street and Spring Alley, was purchased by Mr. Jacob Stoe- ver, a member of the Board of Trustees, from Mr. Jacob Schaff- ner, of Marietta, upon which to erect a suitable building. Little money was in circulation here at that time. Business transac- tions were carried on by barter. Labor was exchanged for pro- duce, and produce for merchandise. The members of the new church organization, with few ex- ceptions, were poor. Yet, under such adverse circumstances, they undertook the erection of a church edifice, costing from twelve to thirteen thousand dollars. The excavations for founda- tion and cellar were made by the members, without the ex- penditure of one dollar in money. The Lord put it into the hearts of several parties (not members of the church) owning stone quarries, to give the members of the church the privilege of quarrying all required for the church, free of cost. Farmers (members of the church) did the hauling, while town members did the loading and unloading gratuitously. The officers of the Union Canal Company gave the privilege of gathering all the sand for plastering the church inside and out (the church was rough cast) at the water works, free of cost, and it was all deliv- ered without the expenditure of a dollar in money — some members furnishing teams, others loading and unloading. The pastor's horse was in daily use for hauling the water necessary to make the mortar. Among the church members were three carpenters, none of whom could subscribe a large sum of money. They agreed, however, to do a certain amount of work in the church. Augustus Reinoehl (now of Lancaster) did the necessary work in the basement ; Henry Zimmerman, that of the church chamber ; and Benjamin Moore, the woodwork at the roof and tower. Israel Karch did the painting at fifty cents per day. The present generation cannot realize, much less appreciate, the sacrifices made by the original members of this church. Children denied themselves butter and fruit, selling these to ob- tain money to contribute to the church. Some worked after school hours for the same object. The pastor stimulated every member of the congregation by his own liberality. He not only gave much time, labor, and money (receiving only two hundred 1 68 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. and forty dollars' salary while the church was being built), but even imperiled his health. With all the contributions of labor and money, when the church was completed and dedicated there remained a debt of over three thousand dollars on the building. The salary and interest on the debt was a grievous burden. Nor was this all. A new church necessarily called for improved methods in church attendance. Pious parents desired to have their children not only accompany them, but occupy the same pew. This was looked upon as an innovation and seriously ob- jected to. It was regarded as a design, on the part of some members, to select the best pews and deprive others of occupy- ing choice ones. To prove this view erroneous, the party desir- ous of having their children sit with them proposed drawing lots annually for pews. This was acceded to, and indulged in for several years, much to the satisfaction of some and disgust of others. Now, the most liberal contributors objected. They were generally unfortunate enough to draw pews under the gal- lery, while contributors of sums less than one dollar annually, al- most always secured the most desirable ones. This disposition of the pews existed until 1849, when the pastor, in consequence of ill health, was obliged to resign. Rev. A. C. Wedekind be- came his successor. How to pay the interest of the debt and an increase of salar>, was the question which presented itself to the trustees and the congregation at the annual meeting ; besides, the pew question still remained unsettled. Another year passed, the annual expenditures exceeding the in- come. No better, in fact no other plan seeming possible, it was determined to rent the pews annually, to the highest bidder, re- serving ten free pews, five on each side of the middle aisle, (the choicest in the church) for the poorer members, so that none could complain of being deprived of the use of pews. This gave rise to our present pew system. Upon the resignation of the Rev. Jonathan Ruthrauff, the congregation at Schaefferstown severed its connection with this charge, leaving only the Hill church in connection with Zion. This made it possible to have two church services every Sunday, the pastor preaching both German and English. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 1 69 During the latter part of Rev. Wedekind's administration, which was of thirteen years' duration, the Hill church was added to the Annville charge, and Lebanon claimed the entire time of the pastor. Rev. L. A. Gotwald succeeded Rev. Wedekind in April, 1863. It was during his administration that the congregation, after mature deliberation, deemed it best to sever the existing re- lation between the English and German members. The reason assigned was the difficulty of obtaining a pastor qualified to preach acceptably in both languages for the compensation we could pay. This division gave origin to the Seventh Street Lutheran con- gregation. The English portion assisted them in building their first church, which was a frame structure. It has now been re- built in brick and is a very handsome church, with all the modern appointments. The trustees of the mother church manifested their kindly feeling by voting one thousand dollars towards the erection of this building. Rev. L. A. Gotwald served the congregation two years, and was succeeded by Rev. Daniel Schindler in July, 1865. The church services were now altogether English. During this administration, about 1866, the parsonage, situated on Chestnut street, between 10th and Spring streets, was purchased. Rev. Schindler was succeeded by Rev. M. Rhodes, in March, 1867. He served the congregation very acceptably for five years, and was succeeded by Rev. J. F. Reinmund in Novem- ber, 1872, during whose administration a new church was built (1875) at a cost of $30,000.00. The lecture and school rooms (of which there were three) were built in the rear of the church, admirably adapted to the wants of the congregation, and models of convenience and comfort. Dr. Reinmund served the congre- gation seven years, and was succeeded by our present pastor, the Rev. Dr. VV. H. Dunbar, in May, 1880. The parsonage was thoroughly repaired, before his occupancy, at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars. In 1 89 1 an addition was built, consisting of a study, dining- room, etc., making it complete in all its appointments, at an ex- pense of $2,000.00. The church was also re-modeled, beautified, and the interior enlarged. The organ was placed in the rear of the pulpit. This improvement cost $5,000.00. 170 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. During this administration the large and convenient Sunday- school rooms became crowded, and it became necessary to locate the Bible Department in the church chamber for a number of years. This arrangement was not sufficient to meet the growing needs of the schools. There being a vacant space 33x62 feet in the rear of the Sunday-school building, it was resolved to add a building in harmony with the balance of the church at a cost of $4,000.00. This has been done. All of the rooms have been renovated, painted, re-carpeted, furnished with chairs, etc., and the congregation now claims to have a suite of Sunday-school rooms second to none in the country. The pastors of Zion trained many true yoke- fellows, who stood shoulder to shoulder and were in touch with them in every good word and work. Three entered the gospel ministry, the Revs. Wm. D. Roedel, Jacob Weidman, Johnson Groff. SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. The Sunday-school of Salem's church, which was held in what is now known as the Beneficial Hall, North Tenth Street, went bodily with the new church organization, and when the new Sun- day-school rooms were ready for occupancy, provision having been made for two departments, another progressive step was taken — an infant school was organized. Notwithstanding the sneering remark made by one not friendly to the cause, " Who will nurse your babies?" it has been a decided success. The pastor's wife, Mrs. Jonathan Ruthrauff and Mr. John George, both veterans in the Sunday-school work, were its first superintendents, taking charge of the ten infant-school scholars present on the day of its organization, and nobly did they do their work. Many graduates of that infant-school are now holding positions of trust in the church here and elsewhere, and its impress for good has been stamped upon our community. Mrs. Mary Groff and Jacob Roedel were the color-bearers in the larger school. Both depart- ments combined rarely averaged over 100 pupils. Soon, how- ever, another department was organized, which occupied the lec- ture room. After the German members formed a new organiza- tion, the number was reduced somewhat. Gradually, yet stead- ily, the school increased in numbers — and had 250 enrolled in SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 171 1872 ; 302 in 1879. To-day there are over six hundred mem- bers upon its rolls. Two members of the original school, held in the Salem church prior to the separation, are now members of the Bible-class, Mr. Andrew Fasnacht and Mr. George R. Fauber. MISSIONS. The missionary contributions from this charge, consisting of Schaefferstown, Hill church and Lebanon, amounted to $8.00 in 1837. Systematic giving was early inculcated and continuously taught, until this part of the congregation's work gives evidence of early training and constant practice, as shown by reference to the synodical minutes of a recent date, where it may be seen that the contributions during the past year were $1,199.13. XXXI. ENGLISH CHURCH, POTTSVILLE. BY REV. E. G. HAY. There were both Lutheran and Reformed church-going people in Pottsville prior to 1834. They spoke the German language, and occasionally were ministered to by visiting pastors of their own denominations, but until June 29, 1834, there was no attempt among either, as far as known, at anything like the organization of a congregation. At that time, Rev. Wm. G. Mennig began preaching to the people of both denominations in a block-house, used during the week as a school-house, and occupying the site of the present grammar school building, on the corner of Centre and High streets. On June 18, 1837, all united in laying the corner-stone of a new frame structure on Third street as their common place of worship. Revs. George and William G. Mennig, of the Lutheran, and Rev. Thomas Leinbach of the Reformed church, officiated upon that occasion. On October 8 and 9 of the same year the church was dedicated, under the name of Emanuel's church. Revs. Thomas Leinbach and David Hassinger of the Reformed, and Revs. Daniel Ulrich, Jonathan Ruthrauff, Gottlieb Jeager and William G. Mennig, of the Lutheran church, officiated. Prior to 1850, the Reformed congregation withdrew, and located on West I 72 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. Market street, leaving the church property in the hands of the Lutherans. On May 16, 1847, some members left the pastoral care of Rev. Wm. G. Mennig and formed "The English Lutheran Congrega- tion of Pottsville," under the Rev. Daniel Steck. There were eleven charter members, as follows : Mrs. Mary Bock, Mrs. Samuel Born, Mrs. Annie Born, Mr. Daniel Heil, Mr. Washington L. Heisler, Mrs. Sarah H. Heisler, Miss Barbara A. Heisler, Mr. Henry G. Kurtz, Mrs. Sarah A. Kurtz, Mr. John H. Kurtz and Mr. William Zern. The congregation worshiped for some time in a frame building on Second street, but in April, 185 1, ground was ENGLISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, POTTSVILLE, PA. broken for the erection of the present building. Revs. E. Breid- enbaugh and John E. Graeff assisted at the laying of the corner- stone, and Revs. B. Kurtz, D. D., A. C. Wedekind, and E. W. Hutter at the dedication of the completed structure, in the spring of 1852. Rev. Steck remained until Nov. 26, 1857. He organized a Ladies' Mite Society that still exists, received into membership 182 persons, but left no other record of official acts. Rev. W. H. Luckenbach was pastor from November 26, 1857, SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. I 73 to August 20, 1859. He received 43, baptized 31, officiated at 16 weddings and 26 funerals. Rev. S. A. Holman succeeded, from August 23, 1859, to Sep- tember 1, 1 86 1. He received 36, baptized 39, officiated at 7 weddings. Rev. Philip Willard, of Schuylkill Haven, supplied the congre- gation from June 1 to October 1, 1862, receiving 11. Rev. Uriel Graves followed, serving from April 1, 1866, to July 6, 1868. He received 123, baptized 65, officiated at 4 weddings and 1 funeral. The charter was changed July 27, 1866. allowing all members to vote at elections. Hitherto the men only had the privilege. A lot adjoining the church was purchased for $1,700.00. In April, 1867, an addition was built to the church, six feet wider than the rest of the building and twenty-eight feet in length, costing $6,000.00. $1,000.00 of this was paid under the present pastorate. The East Pennsylvania Synod convened with the congregation on September 25 of this year, but held its sittings in the Second Presbyterian church near by. Rev. Daniel Steele again served the congregation from Septem- ber 22, 1868, to July 17, 1870. He received 63 members, but left no further record. Rev. J. Q. McAtee had charge from February 22, 1871, to November 8, 1877. He received 260, baptized 273, officiated at 79 weddings and 136 funerals. In December 13, 1876, a Young People's Sociable was organized, with a membership of 37. By February 19, 1872, the present parsonage was erected, at a cost of $4,697.26. It is a commodious, three-story structure, with pressed-brick front and brown-stone trimmings, and supplied with all modern conveniences. The Sunday-school room was re- floored, and re-seated with reversible pews in ash and walnut. Rev. John McCron, D. D., was pastor from June 20, 1878, to August 1, 1880. He received 52, baptized 33, officiated at 24 weddings and 2 funerals. Rev. E. G. Hay, the present pastor, took charge on November 28, 1880. He has thus far received 611, baptized 431. and offi- ciated at 197 weddings and 324 funerals. According to the records, therefore, which might have been much more accurate, 174 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. the pastors of this church have officiated at 489 funerals and 327 weddings ; have baptized 862 children, and received into mem- bership 1,437 persons. Regretting that a lack of knowledge, even after a careful study of available records, prevents a fuller statement of leading events which occurred under preceding pastorates, we note the following under the present. Organizations effected : November 13, 1881, Children's Foreign Missionary Society, membership 120. April 28, 1886, Young People's Social and Literary Assembly, member- ship 31. December 1, 1886, Women's Missionary Society, mem- bership 44. December 15, 1886, Young Ladies' Sewing Circle, membership 52. February 9, 1887, Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation, membership 23. November 27, 1887, The Christian Workers — a children's mission-band — membership 50. October 13, 1890, Young Folks' Lyceum, membership 25. December 9, 189 1, Young Ladies' Mission Band, membership 22. January 10, 1892, A Branch of Missionary and Church Extension Society of Lebanon Conference, membership 25. June 12, 1892, Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, membership 25. From September 20 to 26, 1882, the East Pennsylvania Synod was entertained by our people. On November 10, 1883, our congregation held a Luther Celebration in the Academy of Music in conjunction with the German Lutherans of this place. On February 23, 1883, we paid off our debt of $2,000.00. On May 13, 1883, the pastor's salary was raised $200.00. Novem- ber 10, 1883, new pulpit furniture was purchased at a cost of $200. March 1, 1884, the present envelope system took the place of a more cumbersome one. May 16, 1884, a handsome pipe organ was dedicated, Rev. F. W. Conrad, D. D., officiat- ing. The instrument, and the changes necessitated by its intro- duction, cost $1,440.73. April 5, 1885, stained glass windows, at a cost of $400.00, were substituted for the plain ones hitherto in use. July, 1885, a tin roof was placed upon the church. In November, 1885, a renovation of the audience chamber was be- gun, which was completed March 27, 1886, at an outlay of $1,502.99. March 28, the room was re-dedicated, Rev. J. H. Menges officiating. In December, 1886, the pastor began the publica- tion of a sixteen-page monthly congregational paper, entitled SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 175 The English Lutheran. It is in pamphlet form, and 700 copies have been issued monthly for these six years. Many interesting historical facts are preserved in its pages. February 6, 1887, the Sunday-school was re-opened for service after a complete renova- tion, including re-papering and the addition of handsomech an- deliers. August 1, 1887, the pastor's salary was again increased by $200.00. February 26, 1888, a second department was added to the Sunday-school, consisting of fifty-one adult scholars. In April a new Sunday-school organ was purchased. In September, Rev. W. H. Dunbar officiated at the dedication of a new build- ing just erected for our infant scholars at a cost of $1,333.00. In the same month the pastor completed a history of the congrega- tion from its origin to that time. It is a cloth-bound volume of 167 pages, and embraces many valuable statistics carefully col- lated. During the winter of 1889 and spring of 189c, the old church tower was removed and replaced by the present hand- some steeple, one hundred and eighteen feet in height, covered with copper and slate, and surmounted by a gilded crown. The cost was $1,600.00, and other concurrent improvements on the church front made an aggregate expense of $2,000.00. In June, 1892, additional changes were made in the Sunday-school room, costing $150.00, and on the ninth of October it was resolved to in- troduce steam heat at once into both church and parsonage at a cost of $850.00. The work is now in progress. Our church is well located, and the congregation has long en- joyed the respect and sympathy of the community in all its efforts after material and spiritual prosperity. XXXII. ZION CHURCH, DAUPHIN. BY REV. M. L. HEISLER. The following quotation, introducing the subject of the organ- ization of a Lutheran and German Reformed congregation in the neighborhood of Dauphin, is from Dr. Wm. Egle's History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : "About 1770- a log house was erected on land owned by Robert McCord half a mile north of the present town (Dauphin), and on the site of the ' Hill Church Cemetery.' 176 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. " On October 1 1. 1 796, an agreement was entered into whereby Mr. McCord stipulated to convey by deed said lot to the trustees of the Middle Paxtang Presbyterian congregation. This convey- ance was made November 6, 18 13, to Wra. Cochran, Wm. Forster and James Green as said trustees. The expenses of the erection (of the building) were principally met by the Scotch-Irish set- tlers, who were then the main farmers of this region. The con- gregation at one time was very large, and this old log (weather- boarded) structure held 200 persons. The increase of German settlers led to the Scotch-Irish Presbyterians removing, and the church edifice passed into the hands of the Lutheran and Ger- man Reformed, or was jointly owned by them and the remaining Presbyterians. It burned down in 1855, but for some five or six years previous had not been used for religious services." The only information at hand concerning the pastors serving the Lutheran people in the old log church is, that at a period including 1830 Rev. Augustus H. Lochman preached there; and sometime prior to 1849, Rev. C. F. Stoever became pastor. The latter preached in the town of Dauphin, after the abandonment of the old log church, in the old Sons of Temperance Hall. At a meeting held September 5, 1849, it was Resolved, That in reliance upon the God of our fathers we un- dertake to build a house of worship for the joint use of the Luth- erans and the German Reformed. A building committee was selected, three from each congrega- tion, viz. : Lutheran, D. Poffinberger, Flias Fertig, H. C. Sponsler ; German Reformed, George Kinter, Geo. W. Urbin, Wilson C. Hyde. The following resolution was passed at the same meeting : Resolved, That the church be built on the lot of Mrs. Gross and part of the lot of Daniel Poffinberger, if needed. At the same meeting two sets of officers, one for each congrega- tion, were selected. The Lutherans were : Elders, Daniel Poffin- berger and Samuel Miller ; Deacons, H. C. Sponsler and Leonard Poffinberger. On August 10, 1850, the corner-stone of the new church, named Zion, was laid with appropriate services. The exercises prepar- atory to the laying of the corner-stone were conducted in SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. I 77 the Methodist church. The following-named ministers partici- pated : Rev. Mesick, Reformed ; Rev. C. A. Hay, Lutheran ; Rev. Moore, Presbyterian ; Rev. Ludden, Methodist Episcopal ; Rev. C. F. Stoever, pastor. Prayer was offered by Rev. Moore, and addresses were made by Revs. Mesick and Hay. Prayer was offered by Rev. Ludden, after which the meeting adjourned to the site of the new building. A hymn was sung, prayer offered by Rev. Mesick, and the pastor, after the usual service, exhibited, and then deposited in the corner-stone, Bible, Catechism of the General Synod of the Lutheran church, Catechism of the German Reformed church, list of contributors, pastor, building committee, elders, deacons, and members of the church, names of President of United States and Governor of Pennsylvania, county papers, Lutheran Observe?-, Minutes of 1849 °f the Synod of Pennsyl- vania. The doxology was sung, and the benediction pronounced by Rev. Hay. This church was dedicated February 2, 1851, Rev. Stoever and Rev. Schneck, of Chambersburg, conducting the dedicatory services. Rev. A. H. Lochman, of York, preached the morning sermon ; Rev. Schneck preached in the evening ; Rev. Calder, appointed missionary to China, also preached in the evening, and Rev. Hiester on Monday evening. Rev. C. F. Stoever continued to serve as pastor of this church until about Septem- ber 1, 1852, serving it in connection with churches at Sandy Hollow, Wenrich's (near Linglestown) and Shoop's church. Rev. C. Nitterauer succeeded him, but remained only about a year. He was followed by Rev. Geo. J. Martz, who served until the latter part of 1867 or the beginning of 1868. In September, 1867, this congregation severed its connection with the Synod of Pennsylvania, and was received by the Synod of East Pennsylvania at its convention in Pottsville. Rev. Martz was followed as pastor by Rev. H. D. Kutz in 1868, who resigned October 24, 1869. The connection of this church with the other churches — Wenrich's, Sandy Hollow and Shoop's — terminated with Rev. Kutz's pastorate. Rev. D. P. Rosenmiller then became pastor, and served until his death, September 25, 1880. Follow- ing Rev. Rosenmiller, Rev. H. A. Letterman became pastor in 178 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. October, 1882. He was the first minister who resided in Dauphin as pastor of the Lutheran church. He served a few years, but the burden of supporting a pastor alone rested heavily on the church and led to some difficulties from which it has not yet rallied. Rev. M. L. Heisler came in June, 1886, and has served as reg- ular supply to the present time. The original church edifice, erected in 1850, is still in a very good condition, and, owing to the present very gloomy industrial outlook of the town, will satisfy all demands for years to come. There has never been a parsonage attached to this church, and it may be added that it has never for any length of time indulged in any attachments of the kind that require legal interference for their dissolution. Whenever a debt was contracted, at once efforts were made to liquidate it by special subscription. For instance, the building after completion was soon cleared ; the property has been kept in good repair, and usually the money for repairs has been ready when needed or soon after repairs were completed. No regular records of benevolent contributions appear, though a few notices of synodical collections averaging in the earlier days $7.ooor $8.00. In 1868 Rev. McKnight visited the congregation in behalf of Pennsylvania College and collected $33.00. In 1878 the old bell was exchanged for a new one costing in position over $230.00, the difference being promptly paid. In 1880 the church was re-painted, carpeted, new blinds and lamps and fixtures put in, costing $241.16. In 1883 a new tin roof was put on, costing $162.50. In 1889 the church was papered, pulpit lowered, silver contribution plates procured, new blinds and new pulpit furniture at a cost of $76.26, and the Sunday-school room repaired and neatly carpeted, costing $60. co. These are given as evidences that the people have willingly paid to keep the house of God in good order. The church has contributed regularly since 1886 to the various objects of benevolence of Synod. The amounts though small and scattered among various objects have always been freely given. The pastor's salary has averaged all through the years of its his- tory about $300.00. The preaching has always been in the English language, with the exception of a German sermon at rare intervals. No German SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. I 79 Reformed pastor ever regularly served the German Reformed part. Several visits were made by different ministers of that church, but their efforts soon lapsed and the German Reformed interest was by tacit consent, or rather by default, merged into the Lutheran, though the deed of the church property is to the joint Lutheran and German Reformed congregations. Such persons in the community as have any special interest in the Reformed church by virtue of early training or preference are now, and have been for years, identified with the Presbyterian church of the town. The church has no indebtedness, and the property is worth be- tween $2,000.00 and $3,000.00. It cost over $2,900.00, and by care and prompt repairs and improvements has maintained its value and could not be replaced for the amount of the original cost. Ex- penses are met by penny and special collections and by the efforts of the Ladies' Mite Society. The Sabbath-school is small, and better furnished than the number of scholars would actually require. It has borne lately the bulk of the calls for objects of benevolence. Few church papers are taken. Several copies of the Missionary Journal and about eight copies of the Lutheran Observer are circulated among the little handful of members still left. The membership, by death and removals, is dwindling in num- ber, until the question of the survival of the church is assuming a perplexing interest. The membership now is about thirty-five, with a loss of seven within a month. The industries of the place are dead. The young men are scattered all over the country in the bridge-building gangs of the various bridging firms of this and other states. The influences of such a life do not tend to lead these young men to take an active interest in the home churches, even when they are at home for a time. Yet the faithful still work on, hoping for a change to better things. XXXIII. SECOND STREET CHURCH, COLUMBIA, LAN- CASTER COUNTY. BY REV. WILLIS S. HINMAN. The history of Lutheranism in Columbia dates from the year 1805, when Salem Lutheran (German) church was organized. 180 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. The first English service was held in the German church on July i, 1849, when Rev. J. H. Menges preached to five persons. English services continued to be held monthly in the German church until February 5, 1850, when an English organization was effected by a small but earnest band, and in the spring of the same year the corner-stone of a new English Lutheran church was laid on the site of the present edifice. Rev. J. H. Menges con- tinued as the pastor. In 1859 the congregation withdrew from the Pennsylvania Synod and united with the East Pennsylvania Synod. At that time there were nearly 200 members, and a Sunday-school of about 400 scholars. In the following year Rev. J. H. Menges resigned, and from April 1, i860, to the present time the church has been served by the following pastors : i860- 1863, Rev. E. Dorsey ; 1863-1865, Rev. C. Reimensnyder ; 1865-1870, Rev. W. H. Steck; 1870-18 74, Rev. G. M. Rhodes; 1875-1877, Rev. I.C. Burke; 1877-1881, Rev. F. W. Staley ; 1881-1888, Rev. W. P. Evans. The present pastor, Rev. Willis S. Hinman, began his duties June 10, 1888. The church's history during this period has been a varied one, with alternating lights and shadows. In 1875, during the pastor- ate of Rev. I. C. Burke, the church was enlarged and improved at a cost of $10,000.00, one-half of which amount was unprovided for, and remained for many years a heavy burden to the congre- gation. It was doubtless out of this financial trouble and circumstances connected with it, that differences arose in the congregation which culminated in a disruption in the spring of 1881, when nearly half of the members withdrew, including several of the church council, and organized a new congregation under the pastoral care of Rev. Samuel Yingling. The pastor of the old congregation, Rev. F. W. Staley, also resigned at the same time. After its organization the new congregation, being refused membership in the East Pennsylvania Synod, applied to the Pennsylvania Synod (General Council) and was received into that body, in which connection it still remains. The old congregation, left with only about 150 members, and a Sunday-school of only about 125, and burdened with a debt of SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 161 nearly $6,000.00, though discouraged was not disheartened, and with a band of determined and faithful people took up the work with vigor and hope. A new pastor, Rev. W. P. Evans, was called at once, who proved an earnest and efficient leader of the re-organ- ized forces. During his pastorate the heavy debt was finally can- celed on March 18, 1887. A special jubilee service was held, at which several addresses were made by local and visiting clergy- men, and the canceled bonds and mortgages were publicly burned. The congregation now numbered 225 members, and the Sunday- day-school 300. During the period spent in raising the debt nothing had been done to the church building, and it was now very much in need of repairs. After about a year's rest, during which time Rev. W. P. Evans had resigned, and the present pastor, Rev. Willis S. Hinman, had succeeded him, the needed work was undertaken, and completed at a cost of about $1,500.00, all of which was paid on completion of the work. The congregation had never had a parsonage, and in the summer of the following year, 1889, a handsome brick parsonage was erected on a lot owned by the congregation, adjoining the church, at an expense of nearly $4,000.00. In the fall of 1892 the lecture-room of the church was re-modeled at an expenditure of $1,200.00, and was re-dedicated November 20th, 1892. During the struggle for the liquidation of the debt and the work of repairing and building, there was no diminution in the contri- butions for the support of the church. On the contrary, the. salaries of the servants of the congregation have several times been increased, and the offerings for synodical and other benevo- lent objects have constantly increased from year to year. Indeed, the record of this congregation, especially since 1881, is one of which the church may well be proud. The membership has grown to 280, and, in addition to the services held in the church, a Sunday-school of about 80 members is maintained in the chapel at Kinderhook, about two miles from town, by some members of the congregation who live in that vicinity. 152 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. XXXIV. PALMYRA CHARGE, LEBANON COUNTY— PAL- MYRA AND BELLEGROVE. BY REV. D. R. BECKER. i. Christ Church, Bellegrove. The church at this place was erected in 1850, under the admin- istration of Rev. A. C. Wedekind. It is beautifully located and well-built. The congregation, which now numbers 125, has been served by the pastors of various neighboring charges. Rev. J. M. Deitzler served for about a year in 1856. Rev. Christian A. Fetzer was pastor from i860 to 1863, and Rev. J. M. Deitzler from 1865 to 1892, when the congregation was united with the re- cently organized church at Palmyra to form the Palmyra charge. Rev. D. R. Becker was then called, and entered upon labor in the united pastorate September 18, 1892. 2. St. John's Church, Palmyra. This congregation, composed of members formerly belonging to surrounding General Council and General Synod churches, was regularly organized June 19, 1890. The following persons con- stituted the inchoate organization : John Bordner, Martin Early and wife, Sarah, Dr. M. R. Fisher and wife, Marion C, Amos Henning, John Hippie, Hannah Horstich, Sarah Horst, D. B. Leslie and wife, Mary, with daughters, Alice C, and Anna L., John A. Ricker and wife, Malinda, Henry U. Seltzer and wife, Anna, John R. Seltzer, Jacob Snoke, C. F. Zimmerman and wife, Lizzie, and Levi Zimmerman. The first Church Council of this congregation was duly in- stalled by Rev. M. H. Stine, of Lebanon. It consisted of John Bordner, Martin Early, and Dr. M. R. Fisher, trustees ; John A. Ricker and Amos Henning (secretaiy), deacons, and Henry U. Seltzer and Jacob Snoke, elders. D. B. Leslie was the acting chairman. The congregation was received into the East Penn- sylvania Synod September 19, 1890, while in convention at Co- lumbia. From the time of organization until fall the congrega- gation worshiped fortnightly in the Academy, paying a rental fee of one dollar and fifty cents for each service. During the winter SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 1 83 they worshiped in the United Brethren church, paying the same fee. In the spring of 1891 they returned to the Academy, and there, April 26, organized a Sabbath-school with a membership of twenty-eight. Dr. Fisher was elected superintendent. The convention of the Lebanon Conference in the Academy, April 20-22, 1 89 1, gave recognition, stability, and manifest im- petus to the newly-formed congregation. The trustees, together with Jacob Snoke and Levi Zimmerman, constituted the Building Committee. They chose as their treasurer Simon L. Gingrich. The auspicious outlook for the incipient congregation prompted the committee to look for, as well as secure, an appropriate lot on which to erect a house of worship. In this they were not un- successful, for on the 8th of July, 1890, they procured from Peter B. Witmer, for the sum of six hundred dollars, a suitable and de- sirable site. The work of excavation and foundation was begun in the fall, but discontinued during the winter. In early spring it was resumed, and May 27, 1891, the corner-stone was laid. The officiating clergy were Revs. W. H. Lewars and W. H. Dun- bar. Henceforth the work progressed steadily until May 29, 1892, when the neat, substantial stone structure was dedicated to the service of God. The acting pastor, Rev. W. H. Lewars, was assisted by Revs. M. H. Stine, J. M. Deitzler, W. H. Dunbar and R. W. Hufford, D. D., President of Synod, who preached the dedicatory sermon. The success and steady growth of this congregation is due in great measure to the energy and tact of their acting pastor, Rev. W. H. Lewars, of Annville, in honor of whom the members pro- cured and placed in commanding position a memorial window as a token of great respect and high appreciation. The present incumbent received an invitation to preach for both the Bellegrove congregation and the Palmyra congregation, July 10, 1892. The two Church Councils mutually agreed, July 18, to accept the recommendation of Synod, published 1891, and form one pastorate. They elected their present pastor Aug- ust 7. He accepted their call, and entered upon his ministerial duties in the Palmyra pastorate September 18, 1892. This pas- torate receives aid from the " Lutheran Missionary and Church Extension Society of the Lebanon Conference " to the amount of 184 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. two hundred dollars. The membership of this congregation at this writing is thirty-three. As recently as November 17 a Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society was organized, with ten members. Existing circumstances and present outlook augur well for this congregation. XXXV. RIEGELSVILLE CHARGE, BUCKS COUNTY.— RIEGELSVILLE AND RAUBSVILLE. BY REV. C. L. FLECK. i. St. Peter's Church, Riegelsville. The history of the Riegelsville congregation, as an organization, dates from about 1851. Previous to this time, however, there was preaching in this locality by Lutheran and Reformed minis- ters in the school-house, which building was afterward constructed into a dwelling and is yet used as such. While there is no church record to this effect, it is the general testimony of those who can distinctly recall the events of that date, that there was preaching here in 1850 on Sunday afternoon, by Rev. J. McCron, who was at that time pastor of what was then called the "Straw church" (now St. James') in New Jersey. A private record gives the information that there was preaching as early as January 27, 1850, by Rev. Geo. Diehl, of Easton, and by Rev. McCron on March 24 of the same year. From this and other intelligence given, it would seem fair to suppose that these brethren, both of whom are now " at rest," had a mutual understanding as to looking after the interests of the Lutheran church in this place. It was in this year that the Lu- theran and Reformed people of this vicinity joined hands and erected a church building, in which they were to worship alter- nately. The work was begun in April, and the church was dedi- cated January 1 , 1 85 1 . Rev. McCron left no record of ministerial acts, but evidently he was interested in this people and in their new enterprise, for his name is engraved or moulded on the church bell. After the church was built he preached here from January to April, after which Rev. Diehl's services were rendered until July. It seems, SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 1 85 however, that the latter served as a regular pastor, for the minutes speak of him as presiding over a meeting of the officers of the con- gregation, which assembled June 3, 1851, for the purpose of call- ing a pastor, which call they wished to have accepted " after the resignation of our present pastor, Rev. Geo. Diehl, shall go into effect ;" and baptisms are recorded and referred to as "adminis- tered by the former pastor, viz. : Rev. Geo. Diehl of Easton." At some time during this interval, an organization was effected, but there is no reference to the fact more than that a Constitution was adopted May 20, 1850. The "Call," previously mentioned, was sent to Rev. J. R. Wil- lox, who had preached June 1, and was accepted. Rev. Willox labored in this field about ten years, with diligence and accepta- bility. He faithfully catechised the young and was accustomed to hold "protracted meetings." He preached at Finesville, Raubsville and Holland as outposts. Soon after entering upon his work here, he organized the Upper Tinicum congregation, where a church was built in 1852. This point was served in con- nection with Riegelsville until 1891. In 1856 a sore affliction befell his family, when in thirty-four days four of his children died from scarlet fever. Being the first regular pastor on this territory, the work was found difficult and discouraging ; nevertheless it was pursued with fidelity and hopefulness, and with much prayer and sacrifice he sowed the seed, that then and afterward brought forth an abundant harvest. In October, 1861, Rev. C. L. Keedy was elected pastor, who served the charge one year. Rev. Nathan Jaeger was the next pastor chosen. He entered upon his duties in March, 1863. In November of the same year, whilst driving to Easton, he was thrown from his buggy, and fatally injured. He died January 2, 1864, aged forty- three years, and was buried in the cemetery at Riegelsville. In May, 1864, Rev. Theophilus Heilig, of Stroudsburg, became pastor. His time of service was twelve years and four months. At some time during this period the present parsonage was bought for $3,200.00. It is a very desirable property, a pleasant home, and a most commendable monument to the efforts of those who shared in its purchase. 1 86 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. In 1 87 1, although the two congregations had been worship- ing together in comparative peace, there was a growing desire to separate; consequently on January 20, 1872, at a congregational meeting, it was resolved to accept the offer of the sister denom- ination, and to purchase the right and title of the Reformed congregation in the church building and lot. The amount paid was $2,200.00. Another important event in the history of this charge took place during this, period. It was customary to elect a delegate to accompany the pastor to the annual meetings of the East Pennsylvania Synod; but on May 28, 1876, a delegate was elected to attend the Pennsylvania Ministerium, to assemble at Reading, June 10. This is the first and only mention of a dele- gate to this body. The minutes record no action of the congre- gation in effecting this synodical change, and that it was done contrary to their desire is shown by subsequent action ; for on November 12, after a four weeks' notice, the congregation as- sembled, and, by a vote of thirty-three to two, decided to "return to the East Pennsylvania Synod, where they formerly belonged." Rev. Heilig resigned August 27, 1876, and Rev. D. T. Koser became his successor, April 1, 1877. He served the charge until May 1, 1887. These were years of faithful labor, and resulted in the general upbuilding of the charge in membership, in benev- olence, and in general efficiency. In 1878 the church was repaired, principally the exterior, at a cost of about $1,300.00. This was the result of a congregational meeting, which took place on March 9, 1878, and was held to consider the question of repairing the old church or building a new one. Although there was a goodly number that favored the building of a new church, those who thought best to repair pre- vailed. The church property was further increased in value, about this time, by the securing of a lot of ground near by, where quite a number of sheds have been erected by individual members, at their own expense, to afford protection to their teams in inclement weather. In 1861 the basement of the church was re-modeled at a considerable expense, being made much more cheerful and much better adapted to efficient Sabbath-school work. It was SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. I8 7 arranged so as to give the school the benefit of four different apartments. It was during Rev. Koser's term of service that the Riegelsville congregation united with St. Paul's Lutheran church of Easton, and ran an excursion to Ocean Grove and Long Branch, which has been run annually up to this date, 1892. In July, 1887, Rev. C. L. Fleck, of the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, became Rev. Koser's successor. The charge con- sisted of the same points as that served by former pastors. There was to be preaching at Riegelsville three successive Sundays in the month in the morning, at Upper Tinicum every fourth Sun- day, and at Raubsville every two weeks in the afternoon. In view of the church needing some repairs, and because of a desire on the part of some to build a new church, a meeting was ' J i ■ :/ • jt 1 '/ m - Jk- m it .4 iPlM 4 w tr^k !LJks**9* M k\ k f \*J~ tX*i2 jBiwFs mk -ers taken in this congregation, and the Sunday-school is prosperous, using the Augsburg Lesson Helps. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 1 95 XXXVII. ZION CHURCH, LYKENS, DAUPHIN COUNTY. BY REV. P. S. HOOPER. The first minister who represented the Lutheran church in this vicinity was Rev. C. F. Stoever, who preached occasionally in Lykens and the neighboring town of Wiconisco. He was on the Berrysburg charge from 1845 to 1850. Rev. N. Jeager, the next pastor on the same charge, effected an organization of the congre- gation at Lykens and Wiconisco, remaining from 1850 to 1852. He was followed by Rev. J. Martin, who did not preach at either Lykens or Wiconisco — devoting his whole time to the work in the Berrysburg pastorate. This continued, however, only one year; for on November 2, 1853, Rev. D. Sell took charge of the Berrysburg pastorate — and gave much of his time to this field. After consolidating the membership of the two towns — Lykens and Wiconisco — he proceeded to erect a house of worship in Ly- kens. This building v/as a substantial brick structure in which the congregation worshiped for about a generation. It was built in 1859. Mr. Sell remained the pastor until April 1, 1861. Rev. P. P. Lane next came in charge, on April 1, 1861, and re- mained one year — to April 1, 1862. The next was Rev. G. P. Weaver, who took charge April 1, 1862, and also remained only one year, resigning April 1, 1863. Rev. C. A. Fetzer entered the field and took up the work April 1, 1863. He served the charge until April 1, 1866. Next came Rev. M. Fernsler, who arrived on the Berrysburg charge December 2, 1866, remaining until April 1, 1 87 1, at which time Lykens and Williamstown were made a sep- arate charge, afterwards called the "Lykens Charge," which was served by Rev. D. Kloss from April 1, 1871, to April 1, 1877. Rev. J. A. Wirt arrived and took charge June 1, 1877. He was succeeded May 15, 1883, by Rev. M. L. Heisler, after whom came Rev. W. H. Fishburn, June 1, 1886. Previous to the giving of the call to Mr. Fishburn, the partnership of the two congregations — Lykens and Williamstown — was dissolved, each place calling its own pastor. Mr. Fishburn remained in charge at Lykens eleven months, and was followed, July 10, 1887, by Rev. Herman F. Kroh, who remained at his- post until August, 1889, when he resigned. Soon afterward a call was extended to Rev. Philip Stansbury 196 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. Hooper, the present pastor, who entered upon his duties January 1, 1890. During his pastorship, the old church edifice, which had well served its generation, was torn down and the present modern structure, at a cost of about $10,000.00, was erected on its site, upon which there remains an indebtedness of about $2,000.00. A good parsonage adjoins the church lot. Preaching was formerly in German and English. The attempt to dispense with the German occasioned at times no little dis- turbance, but the present pastor, who was known to be unable to preach German, was elected with only one dissenting voice. ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, LYKENS, PA. Since then, no German sermon has been preached, and there is no apparent demand for any. There are four societies, Woman's Home and Foreign Mission- ary Society, Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, Junior Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, and Church Aid Society. Sixty-eight copies of the Lutheran Observer are taken, six of the Lutheran World, four of the Lutheran Evangelist, and twenty of the Missionary Journal. The Sunday-school numbers about 300 — With no history known to the present pastor of great value to posterity. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. I97 XXXVIII. FIRST CHURCH, STEWARTSVILLE, N. J. BY REV. WM. E. FRY. Stewartsville Lutheran congregation was organized in the year 1852. Rev. James McCron, then pastor of St. James' church of Phillipsburg, N. J., deserves credit for encouraging some of his own members, who lived in the vicinity of Stewartsville, to form a sep- arate organization and build a church. He, and afterwards his successor, Rev. John Plitt, preached once in two weeks in the Stewartsville school-house, and the Presbyterian minister from Greenwich church supplied the intervening Sundays. Rev. Dr. Reynolds, of Easton, preached occasionally. The church was built after the Presbyterians had completed theirs, but before the organization of the Lutheran congregation. On August 28, 1852, at a meeting held in the church building at Stewartsville, the or- ganization of the congregation was effected with the assistance of Rev. Plitt, chairman, who, with Philip E. Weller and John Kase, was appointed upon a committee to draft a constitution, which was immediately presented and unanimously adopted. The following were elected : elders, John Fulmer, John Kase, Philip E. Weller ; deacons, George H. Weller, William S. Kase, Isaac Zellers, Charles R. Thompson. September 25, 1852, a meeting of the congregation was held to elect trustees, ''for the purpose of being legally incorporated." The following were elected : John Fulmer, Jr., Thomas Thatcher, John Fritz, Matthias Pickle, George Scott, William Hulshizer, Henry Snyder, Jr. Rev. D. M. Henkel, the first pastor, took charge April 8, 1855. On Sunday, June 1 7, he administered the Lord's Supper to fifty- two persons, and on the same day began the Church Record. The pastor was called for one year, and at the end of that time another call was extended to him for the succeeding year, so that at the end of each year the "call" was renewed. The pastor was required to preach two sermons every Sunday, one every Sunday forenoon, and one every two weeks on Sunday evening during the winter in the church at Stewartsville, and at stated times at different stations within bounds stated by church council. The salary was $400.00 without parsonage. Rev. Henkel I98 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. relinquished his charge May 30, 1859, and was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Barclay, September i, 1859, who received a salary of $550.00 with parsonage. About this time a parsonage was pro- cured through the efforts of the committee appointed, Matthias Pickle, Alva Kase, Chas. R. Thompson, Enos Mangle, for the sum of $700.00, not including the cost of the building of the stable. The congregation took part in the formation of a synod in the State of New Jersey, and at a meeting of the church council, October 2, 1859, sent as delegates Rev. Barclay and George H. Weller. The resignation of Rev. Barclay took effect November 1, 1863, and the pastorate of Rev. Matthias Sheeleigh began June, 1864. December 18, 1864, Wm. Kase, chairman of a committee, re- ported to the Joint Council that there was not room enough to put such additions to the parsonage as were needed to make it a convenient size. The old parsonage was accordingly abandoned and a new one built at the cost of $4,000.00. Rev. Sheeleigh re- signed his position as pastor April 27, 1869. He was succeeded by Rev. J. R. Sikes, who took charge November 1, 1869, at a sal- ary of $700.00 with parsonage and donation the first year, and $800.00 with parsonage and a subscription amounting to about $50.00 the second year. The pew rents were increased twenty- five per cent. The new edition of the hymn-book was for the first time used. Rev. J. R. Sikes vacated the charge September 8, 1872. The next pastor, Rev. P. Rizer, of Hummelstown, Pa., received a unanimous call at a salary of $700.00 and parsonage. The church at his coming in 1873 belonged to the New York and New Jersey Synod, but to the East Pennsylvania Synod before his leaving. He relinquished his pastorate May 17, 1877. Rev. William Kelly assumed charge October 1, 1877. The church was then warmed with stoves, but very soon furnaces were substituted. A modern pulpit took the place of the old-time "swallow" pulpit. The great square posts which supported the galleries were replaced by iron columns. Another aisle was added. A centre chandelier was put in by Mr. Howard Melick and wife, as a memorial to Mr. William Kase. The melodeon was removed and a pipe organ put in its place. The floor was newly carpeted. The heavy wooden pillars which supported the SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 1 99 basement were superseded by iron ones. The walls of the church were painted. The shed for horses in the churchyard was put up, and trees now growing round the church were planted. The parsonage was painted inside and outside. A debt of nearly $300.00 was paid off. Rev. Kelly organized the Mite Society, which assisted in improving the financial condition of the church. He succeeded in interesting the congregation in the work of the Synod, and raised as apportionment money dur- ing the second half of his ministry about $75.00 per year. The Church Record shows 70 new members, 55 baptisms, 22 mar- riages, 55 burials. His successful pastorate ended March 1, 1884. Rev. L. H. Geschwind assumed charge June 1, 1884. Septem- ber 20, 1884, at the semi-annual meeting of the congregation, the collectors were ordered to pay over all salary collected to the secretary, who should pay the same to the treasurer. At the semi-annual meeting April 4, 1885, it was decided that hereafter the church building shall not be used for any purposes but those for which it may be required by the congregation itself, except with the consent of two-thirds of the Joint Council given at a meeting formally called. A new Sunday-school library was fur- nished. In the Church Record the following was entered : new members 9, baptisms 14, marriages 5, burials 5. Rev. L. H. Geschwind vacated his pastorate November, 1885. Rev. A. R. Steck assumed charge July 4, 1886, and relinquished it July 1, 1 89 1. During this pastorate a number of improvements were made. A pulpit recess was built by Mr. Howard Melick and wife, and the pulpit was re-furnished by Mrs. Catharine Kase. The church was re-painted and frescoed. Mr. John H. Kase put in a beautiful stained-glass window as a memorial to his father, John Kase, and his brother William. Mrs. Samuel Carhart presented the church with a baptismal font. A more systematic method of giving was introduced. For the first time the Sunday offering was received both morning and evening. Envelopes were sent out quarterly for the raising of the synodical apportionment, which was gradually increased from $75.00 to $190.00 The Church Record has the following entered upon it : new members 87, bap- tisms 55, marriages n, burials 43. Rev. W. E. Fry assumed pastoral duties August 16, 1891, at 2 00 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. the salary received by the two former pastors, $700.00 and parson- age. The following improvements were made : a new platform built for the choir ; the walk in front of the church and around it paved with stone, through the efforts of the King's Daughters ; the parsonage painted outside by the congregation, and partly papered and painted insile by the Woman's Missionary Society. The Church Record is as follows : new members 18, baptisms 10, marriages 7, burials 18. The following are the societies of the church : the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society, organized by Mrs. Susan Steck in 1887 ; the Children's Mission Band, which in 1892 erected in Africa a chapel costing $50.00 ; the King's Daughters, organized by Miss Bertha Melick. All of these societies were organized during the pastorate of Rev. A. R. Steck. The Young People's Christian Endeavor Society, senior and junior Bands, were organized under the present pastorate. The church has proved itself loyal to the East Pennsylvania Synod, to which it has belonged since the pastorate of Rev. P. Rizer, and has done well in meeting its apportionment, which for the past year was $204.25. The membership is 189. The Sun- day-school numbers 90, teachers and scholars. There are two prayer-meetings, held on Wednesday evening and Sunday evening before service. During the past eighteen years there have been union services with the Presbyterian church on Sunday evening — services held alternately in each church. There are two preaching points, New Village and Good Springs, each of which is supplied by the Presbyterian pastor at Stewartsville, the Methodist pastor at Broadway, and the Lutheran pastor at Stewartsville. There is preaching by the Lutheran pastor at each point once in four weeks. Services are held every Sunday morning in the Lutheran church at Stewartsville. Value of church property, $10,000.00. Indebtedness on graveyard, $150.00. The Joint Council is com- posed of the following members : elders, Daniel Bloom, Abraham Hance ; deacons, Isaac Shipman, Samuel Scott, Robert Hance, Howard Melick, John H. Hulshizer ; trustees, C. R. Thompson, Robert Stone, John Smith, George Dutt, George Carhart, John Lomping, Maurice McFerren ; secretary of church and council, Henry L. Frey ; treasurer, Howard Melick. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 201 XXXIX. ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, LANCASTER. BY REV. B. F. ALLEMAN, D. D. The earliest history of Lutheranism in Lancaster is preserved in the records of Trinity church. The pastors of this venerable congregation, up to the time of the establishment of St. John's, were the following; John Caspar Stoever, 1 736-1 740; John Fred- erick Handschuh, 1 748-1 751; John Siegfried Gerock, 1 753— 1767 ; Justus H. C. Helmuth, 1769-1780 ; G. Henry Ernst Muhl- enberg, 1780-1815 ; Christian F. Endress, 1815-1827 ; John C. Baker, 1828-1853. The organization of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church was partly the outgrowth of a Sabbath-school established in the western section of the city, in the spring of 1852, by a number of the younger members of Trinity Lutheran church. The school opened with twenty-two scholars, under the super- intendence of Mr. J. S. Crumbaugh, a graduate of Pennsylvania College, and at that time principal of the Lancaster High School, and student of theology with Dr. Baker. The size of Trinity congregation, the inability to furnish com- fortable sittings for all its members at the public worship, the de- sire to develop Lutheran interests in growing parts of the city, and other considerations, led to the agitation at different times of the organization of another Lutheran congregation. The first meeting for this purpose of which we have record was held April 2, 1853, when those present resolved to constitute themselves a nucleus for such an enterprise, and, to give perma- nency to their action, at once elected officers, who were to serve for six months or until a more complete organization might be effected. On the 1 8th of May following, one committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws, and another to solicit funds for the erection of a church edifice. On June 15, on motion of Mr. G. M. Zahm, the new organization unanimously adopted the name of "St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church." By this time Mr. Crumbaugh had been licensed to preach the gospel by the Pennsylvania Synod, and, as he had already en- 202 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. cleared himself to those interested in this new enterprise, he was chosen as their pastor, and at once entered upon his labors. The work of erecting a house of worship was vigorously pushed forward, with Messrs. John F. Shroder, Henry Baumgardner and G. M. Zahm as the Building Committee. The site chosen was the one still occupied by the congregation, at the corner of Orange and Arch streets. The first worship was held in Fulton Hall, and afterwards, until the completion of the lecture-room, by courtesy of the Moravian congregation in their church edifice. The corner-stone of the new building was laid with impressive ceremonies October 9, 1853, Revs. B. Kurtz, D. D., G. F. Krotel and H. Harbaugh, D. D., officiating. On March 5, 1854, the lecture-room was opened for service, Rev. G. F. Krotel preaching the sermon, and on December 24, 1854, the entire building, having been completed, was solemnly dedicated to the worship of God. On this occasion the pastor was assisted by Revs. F. W. Conrad and B. Sadtler. The new structure cost about $20,000.00, and was considered one of the finest places of worship in the city. Thus equipped with a church home, this devout and energetic pastor and his little flock, with limited resources and considerable opposition, entered upon a series of heroic struggles for permanent existence and usefulness. Hitherto the congregation had been in connection with the Pennsylvania Synod, but at a meeting held May 29, 1855, it was resolved that application be made for an honorable dismission, with the view of seeking more congenial synodical re- lations. This application was presented at the next convention of the Pennsylvania Synod, at Harrisburg, but it met with determined opposition, and a decision was postponed for one year. How- ever, at the next meeting of this body, in Lancaster, the request was granted, and the congregation united with the Synod of East Pennsylvania, at Hughesville, September, 1856. While this change was most agreeable to the congregation, and won for it new friends, it also intensified the opposition of those who had been unfavorable to its organization. At this time the outlook was very discouraging. There was the burden of a heavy debt, to be borne by a congregation numerically and SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 203 financially weak ; then the pastor was incapacitated by failing health, which necessitated the engagement of an assistant (Rev. Lewis Hippee), who served but six months; and, finally, on March 19, 1857, tne pastor himself resigned. It was thought that a change of employment might be beneficial to him, but he was a victim of consumption, and died January 13, 1859, beloved and lamented by all his people. But St. John's had been planted. The tree was small, and many of the conditions of its growth and development were un- favorable, but it grew, and its thrift and fruitage are due, under God's blessing, largely to the faithful husbandmen who have cared for it. St. John's has been served by the following pastors : Rev. J. S. Crumbaugh, April 2, 1853, to March 19, 1857 ; Rev. Lewis Hippee, assistant, October, 1856, to June, 1857 ; Rev. D. Steele, January, 1858, to July, 1862 ; Rev. A. C. Wedekind, Jan- uary, 1863, to September, 1865 ; Rev. W. V. Gotwald, July, 1866, to June, 1869 ; Rev. B. C. Suesserott, January, 1870, to January, 1876 ; Rev. R. W. Hufford, May, 1876, to November, 1880; Rev. S. Stall, February, 1 881, to May, 1887 ; Rev. B. F. Alleman, June, 1887, to the present time. During the ministry of Mr. Steck, the condition of the con- gregation was much improved. His eloquent preaching drew large audiences, the number of communicants was almost doubled, and the Sabbath- school became the largest, save one, in the city. In one year (i860) eighty-two persons were admitted to church fellowship, which increased the membership to two hundred and fifteen. "Then already," we are informed, "the congregation had risen, in point of influence and Christian activity, to a posi- tion rivaling the oldest religious organizations of the community." Although otherwise prosperous, the financial condition of St. John's was (1863) very depressing. The original debt had not only not decreased, but by a "sad misfortune," and unexpectedly to the congregation, it had largely increased — to more than $6,000.00. In this respect the field was by no means inviting to Mr. Wede- kind. But he pursued an aggressive ministry, stimulated all de- partments of the church's activity, and, while he had the satisfac- tion of realizing an advance in spiritual matters, he could also 204 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. rejoice in the great achievement of liquidating the entire in- debtedness of the congregation. " Owe no man anything," was his motto, and the irrepressible Ladies' Aid Society his chief human helper. As with other pastors of St. John's, Mr. Gotwald's earnest ef- forts were blessed with seasons of gracious revival. The " church grew and multiplied." There was revival in worship, and in work. As never before the benevolence of the congregation was developed. In 1868 (Jubilee year) $4,000.00 were contributed for all purposes. Of this sum, $2, 100.00 were devoted to benevo- lence, $400.00 being given to the cause of beneficiary education alone. At the suggestion of Mr. Gotwald, a Sabbath-school was organized in the northwestern part of the city. The school pros- pered, and after his death (June 9, 1869,) the congregation built for it a chapel to his memory, which was dedicated January 30, 1870. The school was named "Gotwald Memorial Mission," has been under the superintendence of Mr. John H. Kline for many years, and numbers 150 scholars and teachers. The pastorate of Mr. Suesserott was characterized by practical work. The city was districted, and committees were appointed to aid the pastor in the spiritual care of the people. The " Belle- fonte System " for benevolent work was introduced, and this doubled the contributions the first year of its trial. Special atten- tion was given to beneficiary education, one young man being supported by the congregation alone for a season. The discipline of the church was faithfully enforced, special attention was given to the poor, and the church edifice was repaired and thoroughly renovated. Mr. Suesserott died January, 1867. Owing to the protracted illness and death of his predecessor, Mr. Hufford found a field requiring earnest work. -Vigorous effort, however, soon rallied the people, and the church pros- pered. A debt of $1500.00 was removed, various improvements were made in the lecture and infant school-rooms, and about the church building externally. One hundred and three were added to the membership, and the finances of the church were im- proved. As, by the action of the council, the penny collections were made the source of benevolent funds, no progress was made in that direction. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 205 One of the most significant events in this period of St. John's history, was the adoption of The Order of Worship provided by the General Synod. Hitherto, the congregation had been strongly anti-liturgical, and the change at first threatened serious results. But since that time the greater part of the Service has been used, and to-day the congregation holds a conservative position with regard to worship. The succeeding pastor, Mr. Stall, having given considerable at- tention to the subject of church finances, and to methods of church work, endeavored to bring his people to more systematic effort, and to greater liberality in their work. As a result of these efforts the sum of $3177.60 for all purposes was reached in a single year, while the amount contributed to benevolence was about $800.00. Improvements were made in the church property at an ex- pense of $1800.00, the Sabbath-school contributed two-thirds of the expenses of a beneficiary student for a time, and a parsonage was purchased which cost $5000.00. Two thousand dollars were paid on this purchase, the Ladies' Aid Society contributing one- half of that amount. A Young People's Society, and a Boys' Society were organized. Sunday funerals were abolished, and an effort was made to estab- lish a new congregation at Gotwald Memorial Mission. Under the present pastorate the debt on the parsonage has been removed, and so has the old church building. On account of an unmathematically-designed roof, the walls were bowed, and the structure otherwise injured. It was inspected, condemned, and torn down. The old building is gone, but not its hallowed memories, nor the spirit of the fathers who reared it. There stands to-day on the same spot a sanctuary which bespeaks the homage and faith of our people. The corner-stone was laid September 7, 1890, by Rev. W. H. Dunbar, president of Synod, assisted by Revs. C. L. Fry and Dr. J. Max Hark. On Sabbath, October 4, 1891, the beautiful chapel was conse- crated by Rev. Dr. R. W. Hufford, then president of synod, as- sisted by Drs. H. W. McKnight, Revs. W. H. Dunbar, S. Stall and H. H. Weber. St. John's has long since taken a prominent position among her 206 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. sister churches in the East Pennsylvania Synod. She has been active in all the benevolent operations of the church. She has sent at least five sons, and as many daughters, into the ministry. She entertained the General Synod once, and the district synod four times. She has lost none of her prestige in the community. She has three hundred and sixty members, four hundred scholars st. John's evangelical Lutheran church, Lancaster, pa. and teachers in her Sabbath-schools, and is well organized for her work. She has a flourishing Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor numbering one hundred and four members, an efficient Ladies' Aid Society, and an active Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society. Recently death has dealt harshly with her, financial misfortune has crippled her, and her temple is not yet finished. But she is not disheartened. She looks back over the history of the past, and thanks God. She looks forward with the spirit of her fathers, and takes courage. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 207 XL. SEVENTH STREET LEBANON CHARGE, SEVENTH STREET AND MT. ZION. BY REV. P. C. CROLL. i. Seventh Street Church, Lebanon. This is a daughter of Zion Lutheran church of this city. All her original members were former members of that congregation. When, in 1866, the mother church decided to discontinue the use of the German language in her public services, a number of her older members, speaking this tongue and preferring its use in public worship, peaceably withdrew, and, with the consent and direction of the church council, made efforts to establish a Ger- man mission in the then extreme northern portion of the city. Accordingly an organization was effected on May 2, of the. same year. The meeting for organization was held at the house of Mr. Geo. Barry, where a constitution was adopted, and a pastor elected in the person of Rev. J. M. Deitzler. At first the name proposed by the mother church was adopted, viz., "The German Mission of Zion's Church of Lebanon." Later, this name was changed to " Zion's German Church," and, still later, during the pastorate of Rev. Stine and at its incorporation, to that of " Seventh Street Lutheran Church." For a season after its founding this Mission worshiped in the house where the enterprise was born, which, because it was used for worship by other struggling church societies, received the name of the " Union Church," and was often called the " Union House of Prayer." The first officers were the following : trustee, Christian How- erter ; elders, Henry Roland and George Patschke ; deacons, George Garte, Conrad Roller, Benjamin F. Harpel and Peter Leslie. In 1867 a neat frame church building was erected on the cor- ner of Seventh and Weidman streets, where the congregation had secured a large and valuable lot. To meet urgent demands in the liquidation of the church debt, all this valuable patch of ground, save the small corner now occupied by the church building, was gradually, but unduly and unwisely, disposed of in building lots. The pastor, serving a large country charge, was at first enabled 208 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. to preach but once in four weeks ; later, once in two weeks ; and during the last years of his pastorate, once every Sabbath. This, and the exclusive use of the German language for a long period, go far in explaining the comparative slowness of pro- gress during the first decade and more of the congregation's his- tory. Only when the English language was introduced and proper care was given to the young people, and, finally, when a pastor settled among this flock, did the congregation manifest a healthy and substantial growth in numbers. In 1882 this church, under the direction and by the help of the Lebanon Conference, and by the union with it of a small country SEVENTH STREET EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, LEBANON, PA. church at Mt. Zion, Lebanon county— hitherto a part of another pastorate — became the centre of a separate pastoral charge, with the pastor's residence here. Rev. Deitzler accordingly resigned this congregation, and in the spring of 1883 Rev. M. H. Stine, of Norwich, Conn., was called as the second pastor. He assumed charge May 1 of the same year. During his pastorate of nine years great progress was made. The charge became self-sustain- ing, after two or three years' help by the Lebanon Confer- ence. A brick parsonage was built the first year at a cost of $2,700.00. The Sunday-school rapidly increased in numbers and manifested a spirit of work. In 1885 an infant-school room was attached to the rear of the church, and the following year a pipe SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 209 organ was purchased for use in public worship. In 1888 the old church was replaced by a larger and finer church building of brick — having a commodious and beautiful audience chamber capable of seating six hundred people, a Sunday-school room, and separate apartments for the infants, the library, and the pastor's study. The lower floors were dedicated in December of the same year, and the church proper on September 15, 1889. The struc- ture was completed at a cost of about $12,000.00, including furn- ishings, frescoing, and the heating of church and parsonage by steam. Of this amount, the present indebtedness on the entire property is about $3,400.00. The growth of the membership has been commensurate with the outward improvements. From a communicant membership of fifty-seven in 1867, and of about ninety in 1882, it has steadily grown to about two hundred and seventy-five at the present time, and the Sunday-school to over three hundred. In June, 1892, Rev. Stine resigned the charge to accept a call from our church at Los Angeles, Cal., and the congregation, in August of the same year, elected Rev. P. C. Croll, of Schuylkill Haven, Pa., as his successor, who assumed charge October 1, 1892. At present more than half the public services are conducted in English, and, out of twenty classes in the Sunday-school, but one is taught in German. The church is well organized, having all the usual working and devotional societies, is bright with hope, and fresh with the vigor of a young life, kept steady by its admix- ture with age and experience. 2. Mt. Zion Church. This church, located about five miles north of Lebanon, and since 1883 a part of the Seventh Street Lutheran pastorate, came into being in 1854 under the following circumstances: When in the previous year the "Ziegel's" Lutheran church of this place — which had existed for the previous two generations as an exclu- sively Lutheran congregation, belonging synodically to the Minis- terium of Pennsylvania and Adjacent States — proposed the re-building of their edifice, the Reformed people living in this neighborhood, and by marriage closely related to this flock, who 2IO EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. had previously enjoyed occasional privileges of conducting wor- ship here, proposed to contribute their quota towards the new building, provided equal rights should be deeded them to the property. This offer the Lutherans refused. In consequence, the Reformed, and such Lutherans as were joined with them by marriage or sympathy with the new project, resolved to build a new and union church within the shadow of the old, with equal rights to both parties. The enterprise succeeded, and in 1853 and 1854 a plain brick church was erected on an eminence at the edge of the village, costing, besides much gratuitous labor, several thous- and dollars. It is known as "Zion's Union Church of Mt. Zion." Among the principal instigators in its erection were Samuel Goshert (after whom the village is commonly called) and Henry Hornish — both Reformed members, the former of whom donated enough land for church-plot and burial purposes. The building committee consisted of Samuel Goshert, Henry Hornish and Samuel Horn, on the Reformed side, and John Phillips, Henry Phillippy and John Olewein, on the Lutheran side. The Lutheran congregation has from the beginning held its membership with the East Pennsylvania Synod, and has consti- tuted a part of four different pastoral charges, viz. : Womelsdorf, Annville, Myerstown and Seventh Street, Lebanon. Its pastors have been Revs. J. M. Deitzler, Uriel Graves, G. J. Martz, W. L Cutter, E. Lenhart, P. C. Croll, M. H. Stine, and now again P. C. Croll. The Reformed pastors have been Drs. Thos. H. Leinbach and C. H. Leinbach, and Rev. Welker. Since 1891 it has constituted a part of a new charge in the Reformed Church, which is at pres- ent without a pastor. The Lutheran membership, which has always been the weaker, has been varying from forty to ninety communicarits. At the last celebration of the Lord's Supper seventy-four communed. The people are agricultural in their pursuits, devout and church-loving. In worship the German language is used, but a Union Sunday- school conducts all its exercises in English. The church is built after the model of country churches, with galleries on three sides, and a pipe-organ at the end, opposite the pulpit. The building is in a good state of repair and is free from debt. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 211 XLI. ZION'S CHARGE, ASHLAND, SCHUYLKILL CO. ZION'S, ASHLAND, AND HUNTERSVILLE. BY REV. G. W. FRITSCH. I. Zion's Church, Ashland. This church was organized by Rev. Jacob J. Weber, who was born at Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to America in 1847. In 1857 the East Pennsylvania Synod sent him as missionary to Ashland, where, June 14, he preached his first sermon. Four days later he organized Zion's with 125 members. In connection with this church he served for some years the congregation at Mahanoy City (General Synod), and those at Mahantongo, Tief Creek and Ringtown, belonging to the Synod of Pennsylvania. The services of Zion's were held in the stone school-house of Ashland until i860. The first class of catechumens was con- firmed in the English Methodist church building. In i860 a small church was put up on the corner of 14th and Market streets. The corner-stone of this church was laid by Dr. C. A. Hay, of Harrisburg, and Dr. A. C. Wedekind, of Lebanon. For this church Pastor Weber collected money in the congregations of the brethren Hay, Wedekind, Strube, Henry and Link, where he was kindly received and assisted. In 1869 this building was removed and the present commo- dious church erected. The corner-stone of this church was laid October 10, 1869, on which occasion the Revs. Reuben Weiser of Mahanoy City, G. A. Hinterleitner of Pottsville, H. C. Grossman, of Port Carbon, and the pastor, were present. The dedication of this church took place May 29, 1870. Dr. Wedekind, of New York, and Rev. Sanner, of Tremont, officiated. For this building no money was collected from others. In 1887 a large steeple and a bell were added, the Sunday-school room enlarged, stained win- dows put in the church, and the same papered. The Sunday- school of this congregation was organized in the year i860 with eight members. Mr. Wm. Burmeister was its first superintendent, filling that office until 1878, when Mr. F. E. Heintze was elected, who is still the efficient superintendent of the school, which now numbers about 300. 2T2 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. Rev. Weber served this church up to 1891 (a period of thirty- four years), when, on account of great feebleness, he felt com- pelled to lay down his work. A unanimous call was extended to Rev. G. W. Fritsch, then serving the Lyons charge, who entered this field with his family April 14, 1891. He was installed pastor of the congregation by Rev. P. C. Croll, of Schuylkill Haven, who preached in the German language to a large and appreciating audience. Until the present pastor was called, all the services were con- ducted in the German language. But in view of the young of the church, who were rapidly becoming anglicised, and in view of some losses on this account, the church had decided that the new pastor should preach German in the morning and English in the evening of every Sabbath. Although the introduction of English was a wise and necessary step, it was nevertheless reluct- antly taken by not a few. It is to be remarked in this connection that nearly all the parents of Zion's came from Germany, and from the province of Pomerania. They came to Ashland to work in the coal mines. Many families were helped over the ocean by their relatives. This occurs even yet occasionally. At present, however, the work and wages are rather poor and discouraging, the men often being allowed to work only three days a week, and having a certain percentage deducted even from that. Many say they cannot now live and pay as they go. A goodly number of this church own their plain houses, having paid for them when times were more favorable. Some who formerly worked in the mines are now suc- cessful business men. This congregation not having a parsonage when Rev. Fritsch took charge of it (Rev. Weber living in a house of his own), it decided within less than four months to erect one back of the church. A beautiful frame house, with modern improvements, was ready to be occupied by the following February, when the happy and grateful pastor-family took possession. The ground belong- ing to the church, the building was put up at a cost of $2,500.00, leaving a present indebtedness, on account of scant earnings, etc., of about $1,500.00. The membership of this church at present is easily 500, when those are looked upon as members who count themselves as such and think they have a right to be so judged. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 213 The congregation has now a general prayer-meeting, conducted every Wednesday evening in both languages, the German pre- ponderating. It is fairly well attended. Prayers are offered by both sexes. In the spring of 1892 a Society of Christian Endeavor was or- ganized by the pastor, which is conducted in the English language, with the privilege given to those who wish it, to use the German. This society has so far been quite successful and a great encour- agement to the pastor. It has a membership of over fifty at present. A Children's Mission Band has also been organized by the pas- tor's wife, who is assisted by several faithful ladies of the church. This band is made up of little girls who come together every Satur- day. Sewing is also taught, and the articles made are sold in town. To this mission band meeting, which was something new in its way, children from all the different Protestant churches in town are coming, showing much interest and delight in its operation. The pastor also meets the little boys, from six years up to the catechetical class, every Saturday from ten to eleven a. m. These boys are known by the name of Little Soldiers. The congregation has also a sewing circle, organized in 1890. This faithful band of workers has furnished the church with a beautiful altar set. For benevolence, Zion's has raised this year (1892) $204.1 1. The salary, paid in monthly installments, is $750.00 and parson- age, in addition to a small amount received from the congrega- tion at Huntersville. Finally, it may be said of this church that, while in many respects it is not up to many of our General Synod churches, it is however making progress, and the pastor has reason to feel en- couraged as well as discouraged in his work. 2. Huntersville. In 1 89 1 Rev. G. W. Fritsch, pastor of Zion's church, of Ash- land, organized a small congregation in the village of Huntersville, a short distance west of Ashland, which for the present meets in the public school-house. Divine service is held every three weeks. This little flock contributed $60.00 towards the support of the pastor during the last year. 214 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. XLII. ST. JAMES' CHURCH, CHALFONT, BUCKS CO. BY REV. GEORGE SILL. St. James' Lutheran Church was organized, and a commodious structure for divine worship built, in the year 1857, under the supervision of Rev. John W. Hassler, then pastor of St. Peter's Lutheran church, North Wales, and St. John's Lutheran church, Centre Square, Montgomery county. There were about fifteen charter members, among whom were the following : Martin Eck- hart, George Delp, David Barnett, Charles Eckhart, William Bid- die and Samuel Delp. Rev. Hassler served this church as pastor to the year 1863, when he became chaplain of the 112th Regiment, Pa. Volunteers. Rev. Peter M. Rightmyer became his successor in the same year, and served this charge four years. At his resignation, St. Peter's and St. John's united in calling a pastor, and so leaving St. James without a minister to break unto them the bread of life and ad- minister the holy sacraments. The congregation was too weak in membership to support a minister by itself, and so called Rev. G. M. Lazarus, of Quakertown, to supply it with the means of grace for a time indefinite. This arrangement continued from 1869 till 1871. Rev. C. Pitman Whitecar was elected pastor February 9, 1871, and installed May 2 1 of the same year, serving the church " one year, nine months and seven days." Rev. R. F. Kingsley became successor to Rev. Whitecar, Janu- ary 1, 1874, and resigned September 22 of the same year. Rev. H. M. Bickel was called to the pastorate some time during the year 1874, and served the charge till autumn, 1875. A certain Mr. Hertzel, professing to be a minister of the Reformed church, offered his service as supply until such time as the church could get a regular Lutheran pastor, which offer was accepted by the members of the church. His stay was two years, viz., 1876 and 1877, during which time seeds of discord and strife were sown which have proved a great hindrance to the prosperity of the church. Rev. B. B. Collins received and accepted a call from St. James' church December 30, 1877. After three years and nine months SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 2r5 of faithful labor among these people, he resigned the charge on October 2, 1881. Rev. Wm. S. Delp supplied the church with the means of grace for some months after Rev. Collins resigned and vacated the charge. Rev. J. A. Hackenberg accepted a call July, 1882, and served till March, 1883. Rev. E. S. Morell commenced his labors here in 1883, which continued until July 30, 1888, when he resigned the charge. Shortly after Rev. Morell vacated the church, Rev. Jno. R. Wil- liams served as a supply for some months, the exact time not be- ing recorded. On his departure, the Philadelphia Conference of the East Pennsylvania Synod made arrangement with Rev. H. M. Bickel to supply the charge until such time as they could see their way clear to call a pastor. May n, 1890, a call was ex- tended to and accepted by Rev. George Sill, who is still serving as pastor. One of its members has gone out of this church into the minis- try, Rev. William S. Delp. The church building is a very substantial one of stone. There remains upon it a debt of four hundred dollars. The pastor's sal- ary is three hundred dollars per annum. The number of members is variously estimated, from forty to sixty. They are widely scattered, some very remote from the place of worship, so that it is not possible for them to attend ser- vices. Thus isolated, they lose interest in and love for the church and her institutions, and their influence and beneficence are in a great measure lost to the cause of Christ. The number of ac- tive, communicant, and contributing members may be put down at from thirty to thirty-five. XLIII. ST. JAMES' CHURCH, ASHLAND, SCHUYL- KILL COUNTY. BY REV. W. M. B. GLANDING. This congregation was organized by Rev. W. L. Heisler. He had been engaged in business at Minersville, Pa. The Lebanon Conference, at its meeting in Harrisburg in March, 1858, re- 2l6 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. quested him to visit Ashland, Pa., look after some English Luth- eran families which had moved there, and hold prayer-meetings among them. He arrived April 1 1 of that year, and conducted religious services in a frame school-house on the corner of Fifth and Walnut streets. A Lutheran Sunday-school was organized May 2, with twenty-seven scholars and nine teachers, at the home of Abel G. Swift, who was the first superintendent. ST. JAMES' EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, ASHLAND, PA. The congregation itself was organized with fourteen members June 1 6. The first Church Council consisted of Geo. H. Helfrich, elder, and J. Logan, deacon. On December 6, 1859, the court granted the petition for a charter of incorporation with the legal name of " English Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ashland." This church from its beginning has held all its services in the English language. Rev. Heisler, having received " ad interim" license from Rev. A. C. Wedekind, D. D., President of East Pennsylvania Synod, and having prosecuted his theological studies privately, was licensed by the Synod in the fall of 1858. He also visited SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 217 Ringtown and Miller's school-house in Catawissa Valley, Gordon, Mt. Carmel and Locust Dale, respectively from three to twelve miles distant. From these services held in school- houses several flourishing congregations have resulted. The membership of the Ashland congregation increased to 67. In June, 1859, three lots were purchased for $550.00 on the corner of Ninth and Market streets. Here was erected a frame church building of one room at the cost of $1500.00, which was dedicated November 6, 1859. Rev. Heisler resigned December 29, 1861, having served about three and one-half years. The second pastor was Rev. F. A. Barnitz, who labored just two years, from February 1, 1862, to February 1, 1864. The steeple was built and the bell was bought. The debt on the church lot was paid. Mt. Carmel and Ringtown were then con- nected with this pastorate. The third pastor was Rev. James R. Sikes. His services lasted from May 1, 1864 to November 1, 1867. On September 25, 1864, the council resolved that it would be better for the pastor not to supply the Mt. Carmel church. A Sunday-school was sustained at Locust Dale. On December 25, 1864, the council passed a motion that the pastor recommend to the con- gregation at the next congregational meeting the propriety of adopting semi-monthly experience meetings. This action was ratified. One of the marked features of this pastorate was the exercise of the right of discipline. Thirteen members were excommuni- cated and a number were suspended. A committee was appointed to admonish the " lukewarm members." Excessive use of intoxi- cating liquors, dancing, and attendance at a circus, were specially prohibited. Very positive action was taken towards those mem- bers who indulged in these offences. The fourth pastor was Rev. S. Curtis. He came about February 15, 1868, and remained two and a half years. The basement of the church was built. The infant Sunday-school was started by Mrs. Curtis in a carpenter shop on Middle street above Eighth. The fifth pastor was Rev. J. A. Hackenberg, who began his ministrations April 1, 1871, and ended them May 1, 1875. Dur- ing the summer of 187 1 the parsonage was erected, at a cost of 2l8 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. $4,000.00, and was occupied in December of the same year. Religious services were held in Gordon, where a Lutheran con- gregation soon afterwards was organized. The sixth pastor was Rev. O. D. S. Marcley. His pastorate began August 15, 1875, and terminated March 1, 1878. During the year 1876, $2,700.00 of the debt was paid. In the winter of the same year the Lutheran congregation of Gordon was organized with 33 members. These two churches then formed the English Ashland pastorate. The Mt. Carmel congregation was served only the one year before the departure of Rev. Marcley. The seventh pastor was Rev. D. E. Rupley, who had just been ordained by the Susquehanna Synod. He began his labors about July 1878, and remained until May 1, 1879. The eighth pastor was Rev. J. H. Weber, from Schoharie Co., N. Y. He served from November 1, 1879, to September 1, 1887. In June 1881, a successful effort was made to remove a debt of $1,200.00 on the parsonage. The Young People's Christian Association was organized March 9, 1883. This has been very helpful to the material and benevolent interests of the church. It will soon celebrate its tenth anniversary. On June 10, 1883, it was resolved to build a new church. On Sabbath, June 17, at the celebration of the 25 th anniversary of the congregation, this movement was inaugurated, when the sum of $3,519.00 was promised. The corner-stone was laid on June 22, 1884. The basement was occupied on November 2. The church was dedicated January 18, 1885. The cost of the build- ing, with windows, organ and furniture, was $10,133.93. On No- vember 4, 1883, the council instructed that the proper legal action be taken for changing the charter name to " St. James 1 Lutheran Church." On March 1, 1886, the Gordon congregation, which had so grown in membership and ability that it could support a minister, withdrew from this pastorate. The Ashland congregation at once increased the salary to the amount before the division. The ninth pastor was Rev. E. Felton. He served from Octo- ber 16, 1887, to September 1, 1889. The basement of the church was repaired and re-seated in the early part of 1889. The tenth pastor is Rev. W. M. B. Glanding, who had lately SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 2 1 9 been Professor of Mathematics and Natural Science in Midland College, Atchison, Kansas. He began his labors on October i, 1889, and is still serving the congregation. On February 10, 1890, the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was formed as an adjunct of the Young People's Chris- tian Association. This Society was reorganized on October 13, 1892, as a separate association. The Woman's Missionary Society, after a silence of ten years, was revived on February 14, 1890. A debt of $1,250.00 has been removed. On September n, 1892, the pastor burnt, in the presence of the congregation, all the bonds, mortgages and notes against the church. This congregation has been built up under the influence of the evangelistic system. The "revival service" has been employed in connection with the Lutheran method of catechisation. The special organizations have proven very serviceable to this church. The Ladies' Aid Society began in Rev. Heisler's pastor- ate. It has contributed to the material interests of the church about $4,400.00. Two young men of the church are at the institutions of learning in preparation for the Gospel ministry. The Young People's Christian Association is educating a native at Guntur, India. The approximate amount of money contributed in all for gen- eral expenses, real estate and buildings, is $51,000.00. The esti- mated value of the property at present is $20,000.00. The mem- bership increased from 14 in 1858 to 228 in 1892. The accessions have been 749, and the losses 521. The benevolent contributions have increased from $30.66 in 1870 to $284.32 in 1892. The Sunday-school has advanced from 34 to 250 members. The superintendents of the Sunday-school were the following : Abel G. Swift, Jeremiah Logan, Isaac I. Wagner, Henry S. Boner, Theo. F. Barron and Charles F. Russell, the latter still serving. The Home Missionary Board gave this church aid for a few years in the early part of its existence. This history closes November 1, 1892, covering a period of thirty-four years and four and a half months. 2 20 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. XLIV. ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH, SCHUYLKILL HAVEN. BY REVS. P. C. CROLL AND J. A. SINGMASTER. The mother of St. Matthew's Lutheran church is the Jerusalem church on the turnpike, known for many years as the old " White Church," a name no longer applicable to the present modern brick edifice. This church was one of the very oldest in the county. Its early pastors were Revs. George Mennig, 1821- 1836; Wm. G. Mennig, 1S36-1851 ; Frederick Waltz, 1852- 1854; Julius Erhart, 1854-1865. The original St. Matthew's congregation, however, did not emanate directly from the "White Church." On account of inconvenience of location and insufficient accommodations, together with other reasons, a union congregation of Lutherans and Reformed determined to leave the old church and found another in town. They accomplished their design in the erection of St. Paul's church, now St. Ambrose Roman Catholic church. Before 1851 there had been but little English preaching in the Lutheran church, but then Rev. Daniel Steck, the English Lutheran pastor at Pottsville, began to hold services in St. Paul's every two or four weeks in the afternoon. The adherents of Mr. Steck had and claimed no right to the possession or use of the church building, enjoying the privilege of its use only with the consent of the regular pastor, Rev. W. G. Mennig, and his people. During Rev. Steck's ministry here there was no regular or permanent organization of the English congregation. There were, however, about a score of persons who considered themselves identified with this movement. St. Paul's church, after the departure of Revs. Mennig and Steck, began to decline. Coldness and discord finally issued in dismemberment and the enforced sale of the edifice, at one-third its cost and about one-fourth its value, to the Schuylkill Haven School Board. The Board, finding it ill-adapted for school pur- poses, finally disposed of it at an advance 10 the Roman Catholics. During Dr. Steck's pastorate there were several extensive re- vivals of religion. His ministry closed here in 1857. For a year following there was no regular English preaching. In the minutes of the East Pennsylvania Synod, of 1858, we find : SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. " Resolved, That we recommend Bro. Eli Huber to the promis- ing field of Schuylkill Haven." Accordingly, on October 17, 1858, Rev. Eli Huber took charge as the first pastor. He found twenty-nine persons ready to enter into a permanent organization. After several futile efforts to re- unite the German and English interests by preaching in both languages, the English members withdrew from St. Paul's, leaving it to its impending fate. Of the twenty-nine, whose names are not all remembered now, Andrew Keefer was most prominent. Dr. Steck said of him : " He, more than any other, was the father ST. MATTHEW'S ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH, SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, PA. of the English movement." His varied ability, extensive experi- ence, and ardent love for the church, fitted him for leadership and success. During the summer of 1859, the lot upon which the church stands was purchased for $500.00. The contract was signed on June 20 by Messrs. A. Keefer, Samuel Haak, John Worts and C. H. Dengler. The corner-stone was laid, August 1 7, by the pastor and Dr. Wedekind, of Lebanon ; and the church was dedicated in February, i860, the sermon being preached by Rev. E. W. Hutter, of Philadelphia. 2 22 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. The congregation passed through great straits in paying for the property. Weak and poor, they labored against odds. Several hundred dollars were contributed by churches at Easton and Greencastle. Finally, the Board of Church Extension came to the rescue with a loan of $500.00, which, after several years, was repaid in full. At the close of the first year, there were 50 members, 62 Sunday- school scholars, and $300.00 paid as pastor's salary. At the close of the second year there were 100 members, 102 Sunday-school scholars, and $500.00 paid as salary. Rev. Huber's ministry closed December 4, i860, he having accepted a call to Danville. Rev. P. Willard succeeded, taking charge April 27, 186 1. At the close of his third year there were 94 members and 150 scholars. The salary was probably $600.00, of which the Home Mission Board contributed $100.00 in 1863, and $58.50 in 1864. Rev. Huber resigned in March, 1864. On April 25, 1864, Rev. J. B. Keller, of the Theological Sem- inary, received a call, which he subsequently declined. Rev. G. P. Weaver took charge August 1, 1864. He repre- sented the church before Synod as small, composed principally of females, and unable to support a pastor without missionary aid, the membership being 80, and school numbering 140. He re- ceived about $100.00 per annum from the Home Mission Board. He left abruptly in April, 1866. The fourth pastor, Rev. A. Yeiser, was elected May 14, 1866. He accepted the call, but completed his studies at Gettysburg be- fore assuming full charge. He entered upon his work August 19. From his sixth anniversary sermon we learn that $10,390.00 were contributed during that time for all purposes, including the re-modeling of the church at an expense of $3,250.00. From other sources we learn that during the four subsequent years of his ministry about $4,000.00 were raised, making a total of about $14,000.00 in ten years. He reported 64 members the first year, added 232 new members, and reported 240 members at the close of his ministry. The salary was never large, being $600.00 the greater part of the time and $720.00 the remainder. Under Rev. Yeiser's administration the church became thor- oughly established and made great progress in various ways. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 223 " He died in the city of Philadelphia while under medical treat- ment, February 29, 1876, in the full triumph of that same faith in which he had lived." For several months preceding Rev. Yeiser's death, Rev. J. B. Anthony acted as his assistant. He entered upon his duties December 1, 1875, and supplied the pulpit for six months, to June, 1876. After Rev. Yeiser's decease the con- gregation elected Rev. J. A. Singmaster, still at the Seminary, April 19, 1876. From July 1 to September 1, Mr. F. W. Staley, a theological student, acted as supply. Rev. J. A. Singmaster took charge September 1, 1876. During his ministry the church enjoyed several refreshing revivals. In spite of a great financial crisis, the material prosperity of the congregation advanced considerably. A commodious and elegant parsonage was erected, and gas was introduced into the church, as well as minor improvements made, during his administration. After a pastorate of six years, two and a half months, he accepted a call from the Lyons charge, his resignation going into effect November 13, 1882. The following statistics cover the term of this administration, and represent the numerical strength at its close : Infant baptisms, no; additions to membership, 103; losses, 70; number of communicants, 201 ; strength of Sunday-school, 236; contributions by Sunday-school, $1,367.86; all charitable and benevolent contributions, $1,846.00; local expenses, $11,- 311.00; total, $13,157.00. Rev. P. C. Croll took charge December 1, 1882. During his pastorate the church grew steadily in numerical and financial strength. Over two hundred souls were added to the member- ship, and the period was marked by great activity and general peace. A remaining debt on the parsonage was liquidated, con- siderable improvement made to the grounds, and the church wholly re-built. The grand total of over $26,000.00 of money was collected in this period for all purp ses. This pastoral rela- tion was severed, after nearly ten years of successful work, Octo- ber 1, 1892. The pastor removed to Lebanon, Pa., whither he was called by the Seventh Street Lutheran church. Statistics at close of administration, and covering its term, are as follows : Infant baptisms, 1 70 ; additions to membership, 209 ; losses, 224 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. by death and removal, 186 ; number of communicants, 224; strength of Sunday-school, 218; contributions by Sunday-school, $2,728.35 ; all charitable and benevolent contributions, $3,129.43 ; local expenses, $23,038.39 ; total, $26,167.82. XLV. MESSIAH (FORSTER STREET) CHURCH, HARRISBURG. BY PROF. L. O. FOOSE. Messiah Lutheran church, of Harrisburg, Pa., formerly the Second English Evangelical Lutheran church, grew out of a mis- sion Sunday-school, and its origin can best be reached by tracing the rise and development of this school. On January 11, 1858, the project of establishing a mission Sunday-school in the upper end of (the then borough of) Harris- burg was brought before the Sunday-school association of Zion church by Mr. Wm. Parkhill, and a committee was appointed to inquire into the expediency of the movement, with instructions to organize a school immediately if found to be advisable. On Feb- ruary 1, following, the matter was brought to the notice of the vestry of the church. This body regarded the movement with much favor, and the hope was expressed that the school could be so located, if possible, as to attract the population from both sides of Capitol Hill. The hope was also expressed that it would serve as a nucleus for another church, the need of which was becoming more and more apparent. On February 8, 1859, one week later, the Association of Zion School was informed by the committee that a school had been opened in a rented building at the corner of State and Cowden streets. The following persons were then elected as officers and teachers of the new school for the ensuing year : Superintendent, Mr. E. Byers ; assistant superintendent, Mr. John Heim ; treasurer, Mr. Wm. Duncan ; librarian, Mr. Wm. A. Parkhill ; assistant librarian, Mr. D. L. Duncan ; teachers, Mr. George Garberich, Mr. Wm. D. Martin, Mr. Geo. T. Murray, Mr. Chas. Ossman, sr., Mr. Wm. Parkhill, Miss Mary Landis, Miss Mary J. Ossman, Mrs. Mary Eyster and Mrs. Wm. Sayford. Others were added as necessity required, but their names have SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 225 not been left on record. The school grew so rapidly that on the fourth Sunday the rooms on the first and second floors of the building were filled. It became evident at once that larger ac- commodations must be secured in the near future. At the next meeting of the joint Sunday-school Association steps were taken to secure a lot on which to build a chapel for the use of the school. In March, 1859, the lot at the Corner of State and Fourth streets, on which the Baptist church now stands, was leased for five years. The undertaking met with the favor of the vestry and member- ship of Zion church, a loan was secured, and steps were at once taken to erect a cheap wooden chapel on the lot leased. This building was completed during the early summer, and dedicated and occupied by the school in July. For some time thereafter services were held in the chapel on Sunday afternoon and Thurs- day evening by Rev. C. A. Hay, D. D., pastor of Zion church. A mite society was organized by the teachers of the school to raise funds to pay for the building. By mutual agreement, it was thought best that a pastor should be secured to take charge of the work of the mission, and accordingly the vestry of Zion church extended a call to Rev. Joshua Evans for this purpose. The call was accepted, but before entering upon his labors here Rev. Evans re-considered his action and declined. Rev. E. S. Johnston was then called, who entered upon his duties June 24, i860. A congregation of 64 members was organized September 13, i860, sixty-one of whom brought letters of honorable dismission from Zion church. The new church thus began its independent existence, and Rev. Johnston became its pastor, devoting his whole time and energy to its welfare. A Sunday evening prayer-meeting was organized, which has been kept up, except for short intervals, ever since. A constitution was adopted the following January, and the necessary steps were taken to unite with the East Pennsyl- vania Synod. About this time a lot was purchased for a permanent church home, on Elder street, and partly paid for. Not long afterward, however, it was rendered unavailable for church purposes by the opening and grading of Forster street, which passed through it 2 26 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. at the intersection with Elder street. The chapel had been paid for, but the lot on which it stood had been sold, and a few months afterwards the chapel was sold. Another lot was bought, on Forster street near Sixth, and steps were at once taken to erect a two-story stone edifice as the future home of the congregation. By April, 1864, more than a year after the ground was broken, the building was so far completed as to enable the congregation to use the basement, but it was not finished until 1867, when on July 12, it was dedicated. In the meantime Rev. E. S. Johnston resigned, November 1, 1866, and Rev. G. W. Halderman became pastor January 13, 1867. The congregation at this time num- bered about 150 members, and in the erection of this church had passed through one of the severest ordeals of its existence. It had a church home, but this was heavily mortgaged with debt. Three years later, January 24, 1870, Rev. Halderman resigned. The congregation was without a pastor until September 28, 1870, when Rev. F. P. Tompkins was elected pastor, who served in this capacity until April, 1873, when he resigned. The pulpit was supplied until September, when Rev. L. M. Heilman was elected pastor, who entered upon the duties of his office November, 1873. During this pastorate, which lasted for ten years, new life and zeal were infused into the congregation. Nearly all of the debt on the church building, which had become very burdensome, was paid. The building was enlarged, to make room for the increased membership. It was also thoroughly overhauled at very consid- erable expense. The children and young people of the congre- gation were regularly instructed in the catechism and the doc- trines of the church, missionary societies were organized, the people grew in piety and spiritual power, the Sunday-school increased greatly in numbers and in efficiency, many of the young people from time to time united with the church and identified themselves with its work, and the blessing of the Lord was every- where manifest. At the close of this time the membership had increased to over 400, and the Sunday-school to nearly 500. Rev. Heilman resigned June, 1883. In October of the same year Rev. H. S. Cook became pastor, and served the congregation in this capacity until January, 1888, when he resigned. During this time the remainder of the debt SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 227 was paid, and the lot on which the present church building stands was purchased. The temporal and spiritual work of the church was carried along very much as during previous years. April i of the same year Rev. T. T. Everett, D. D., became pastor. The church building soon proved too small for the audiences that at- tended the public worship, and it was evident to all that a larger audience room was a matter of necessity. For some time the congregation was in a quandary, whether to endeavor to remain in this building until the lot recently purchased had been paid for, and a fund sufficiently large to erect a new building had been secured, or to build at once. The latter course was adopted, at the risk of incurring a heavy debt, and a two-story brick chapel, 100 feet by nearly 60 feet, was erected. It was dedicated April 13, 1890. The building has been well furnished and well equipped for church work, and will answer the needs of the con- gregation until the entire structure, of which this is only a part, is completed. In March, 1890, the name of the congregation was changed from " The Second English Evangelical Lutheran church " to " Messiah Lutheran church." In June of the same year the Augsburg Lutheran Sunday-school was organized in the northern part of the city as a missionary enterprise of the con- gregation. At the time of Dr. Everett's resignation, December 18, 1890, the congregation numbered about 600 members, and the Sunday-school had an enrollment of over 800. Rev. Luther DeYoe became pastor September 6, 1891, and still continues in this relation. January, 1892, about 100 mem- bers were honorably dismissed, at their own request, to organize the Augsburg Lutheran church. During the last year large num- bers have been added to the church. The membership now numbers over 700, and the Sunday-school enrolls over 900. The congregation is in a very prosperous condition. The following are the various organizations at work in the church at present : Weekly Prayer meeting, Senior Christian En- deavor organization, Junior Christian Endeavor organization, Young Men's League, King's Daughters, Woman's Missionary Society, Young Ladies' Mission Band, Children's Missionary Society, Ladies' Mite Society, society for liquidation of debt, con- sisting of nearly 20 committees, and the usual senior and junior catechetical classes. 2 28 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. XLVI. ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, STONE CHURCH POST OFFICE, NORTHAMPTON COUNTY. 1!Y REV. I. H. MCGANN. St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Centreville, (Stone Church P. O.,) Pa., was informally organized February 2, i860. A meet- ing was called to be held in the second story of an old school- house that stood in the centre of the village of Centreville. About forty men responded to the call, all of them nominally members of the German Reformed and Lutheran congregations, known as Christ's Church. This call was occasioned by the vigor- ous denunciation of the views held, services demanded, and methods of worship desired, by a respectable minority in each of the above-named denominations. After some preliminary dis- cussion, Reuben Schoch was elected president, and Jesse Pearson, secretary of the meeting. It was resolved that they unite in one body, to be called " New Measure Lutherans." Samuel Hilliard moved that a church be built near Centreville. This motion was amended by Jacob Kunsman, to read that two churches be built, one at Richmond and another at Williamsburg, Pa. Notwithstanding the wisdom of the amendment, it was voted down, and the original motion carried unanimously. George Baker moved that a committee of four be appointed to solicit funds for the erection of the proposed building. The president appointed John Schoch, Reuben Wagner, Theodore H. Ink, and Abraham Schmell. . On February 10, nine days after the first call, another meeting was held. The Committee on Finance reported $2,803.50 sub- scribed. Philip Pearson was the first to subscribe, and pledged himself for $100.00; Jacob Pearson and "Joseph Emory followed with like sums. Then there was a deep silence, when the three persons named doubled their pledges. This gave a new impetus, and large subscriptions followed in rapid succession. The new church being an assured fact, specifications were presented, and Jacob Pearson and Joseph Stahley were appointed a building committee. The formal organization now took place. A church council of six elders and four deacons was elected and organized. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 229 The elders were Daniel Emory, Abraham Schmell, Reuben Schoch, Jesse Pearson, and Jacob Deiterich ; the deacons, John C. Pearson, William Jacoby, Ephraim Dutt, and Christian Brodt. Rev. J. J. Albert, a former pastor of the First Lutheran congrega- tion, was consulted. He recommended Rev. John I. Burrrell, then a theological student at Gettysburg. The Council sent a commit- tee to confer with a similar organization at Martin's Creek, Pa. It was agreed that the organizations at Centreville and Martin's Creek would unite in one pastorate. An election was held in Joint Council April 14, i860, and Rev. Burrell received a unani- mous call. The newly- elected pastor entered at once upon the arduous work before him with unflinching zeal. The Church Council was convened June 18, i860, and named the new organization, " St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church." Arrangements were made to lay the corner-stone July 4, and on November 10, i860, St. Paul's, amid great rejoicing, was solemnly dedicated to the service of Almighty God. In the meanwhile the M. E. church was offered and used for preaching purposes. Ar- ticles of incorporation were granted March 28, 1861. A pro- tracted service followed immediately on the dedication of the church. A precious revival was the result, and on January 13, 1 86 1, the Lord's Supper was administered to two hundred and twenty-eight persons. Special services were conducted in neigh- boring school-houses ; many were savingly converted and added to the growing congregation, and at the next communion season St. Paul's enrolled her largest number of members. The outbreak of the Civil War became the occasion of difficulties and discouragements which seriously interrupted the progress of the congregation. The pastor tendered his resignation February 8, 1875, and accepted a call to Brooklyn, N. Y., where he died a few years afterward. About this time St. Paul's withdrew from her former pastoral relation with Martin's Creek and Ackermanville congregations, and formed a separate pastorate. It continues so up to this time. On September 20, 1875, the congregation extended a call to Rev. H. R. Fleck to become pastor of their now distracted field. Rev. Fleck's labors were eminently successful. He succeeded, in a large measure, in restoring peace and good will among the mem- 23O EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. bers, and many others were brought to a saving knowledge of the truth and added to the church. After six years of p'atient and devoted ministerial labor, he resigned the charge. During Rev. Fleck's pastorate, on January 30, 1876, the congregation changed its synodical relations from the New York and New Jersey Synod to the East Pennsylvania Synod. Rev. P. S. Hooper was the next pastor, who remained with the people about eighteen months. He was followed by Rev. C. S. Trump, who entered the field January 31, 1883. During the spring and summer of 1883 the church edifice was re-modeled and the interior beautified. The church was re-opened August 5, 1883. Rev. Trump presented his resignation September 1, 1888, to take effect in thirty days. The next pastor was Rev. J. T. Gladhill, who, owing to ill health, resigned August, 1891, having been pastor about two years and six months. He succeeded in bringing most of the young people of the congregation into church fellowship, and his work will tell for the future. The present pastor, Rev. I. H. McGann, began his labors March 1, 1892. The congregation now numbers two hundred and twelve members. The people seem united and willing to work. There is a spirit of improvement and advancement mani- fest, and the congregation, during the vacancy of seven months before the present pastor was called, erected an iron fence facing the public road for a distance of 243 feet, re-papered the parsonage, laid stone walks, and made various other needed improvements. St. Paul's has furnished to the ministerial ranks Rev. Ephraim Dutt, Rev. W. H. Dunbar, D. D., Rev. John Wagner, Rev. Jacob S. Paul, Rev. Charles B. Gruver. Mr. George Uhler is now a stu- dent at Gettysburg preparing for the ministry. George D. Stah- ley, M. D., Professor of Hygiene and Physical Culture in Penn- sylvania College, is one of her sons, as was also Mr. Alvin Schmell, a very promising young man, who died while a theological student at Gettysburg in 1890. Material aid in the preparation of the above has been received from an excellent and detailed history of the congregation, written by Prof. B. F. Reasley, ex-Superintendent of Public Instruction in Northampton county, and read by him at a congregational jubilee held August 18, 1892. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 23 I XLVII. LYONS CHARGE— LYONS, PLEASANTVILLE, MOHRSVILLE, AND STRAUSSTOWN, IN BERKS COUNTY; MACUNGIE AND UPPER MIL- FORD, IN LEHIGH COUNTY. BY REV. J. A. SINGMASTER. The Lyons charge consists of six small congregations in Berks and Lehigh counties. The present church membership numbers 263, and the Sunday-schools, teachers and scholars, about 650. The German language is used at the regular services. In the Sunday-schools English predominates, and it is used also more or less frequently at special preaching services on Saturday and Sun- day evenings. The charge was formed by Rev. A. D. Croll in 1868, and con- sisted of congregations then organized by him at Lyons, Macungie and Pleasantville, together with the Mohrsville Union church, es- tablished in 1864. Salem was at first only a preaching station, but formed a separate organization in 1872. Strausstown was not added to the charge until 1878. The formation of this charge was the result of a great revival of religion during the ministry of the sainted Rev. A. D. Croll. In the year 1862 he became the pastor of six country congrega- tions, known as the Lobachsville, DeLong, St. Peter's, Hereford, Longswamp and Hill churches, located in Berks county, and ad- hering to the Synod of Pennsylvania. He exercised a wonderful spiritual influence throughout his large charge, in awakening, converting and edifying souls. For five years he continued the faithful and popular pastor of this large field. Calls to more in- viting and prominent churches did not induce him to leave his important work. He had, however, serious difficulties to contend with. None of the congregations held prayer-meetings, in which he so ardently believed. His methods began to arouse opposition on the part of some of his people, as well as from his clerical brethren. In the meantime Pastor Croll found his connection with the Synod of Pennsylvania growing iess congenial. Its well-known disapproval of " revivals," the comparatively rigid type of Luther- 232 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. anism which it advocated, the cold formalism prevalent in many of its congregations', together with other reasons, induced Mr. Croll to withdraw from the old Synod in March, 186S. He im- mediately proceeded to gather his adherents into new organiza- tions, excepting at Mohrsville, where the entire congregation followed him. He was received, with his five congregations numbering 200 members, into the East Pennsylvania Synod in September, 1868. A period of great religious activity followed. During the succeeding six years, hundreds were converted and spirituality promoted in wide circles. Contributions grew phe- nomenally for that region. Besides supporting their pastor from the start without missionary aid, and building new churches, th e offerings for the benevolent objects of the Synod amounted to $400.00 per annum. The power of the Holy Spirit was further manifested in the call of young men to the ministry. During the eight brief years of Mr. Croll's pastorate, three of these became pastors and two others had almost completed their preparation. Since then two more have entered the ministry, and another can- didate is preparing. Thus, in the twenty-five years of the history of the Lyons charge, it has rarely been without at least one can- didate for the ministry. The tremendous labors of Mr. Croll soon broke down his frail body. With the words, "Is this dying? No, sweet living," upon his lips, he passed away June 19, 1876, aged 38 years. His death was a severe blow to his congregations, which had now increased in membership to 335. The protracted illness of Mr. Croll, fre- quent changes of pastors, long vacancies, the wide separation of the churches, and various other causes, have to some extent de- pleted the membership, but there is yet much pure '-'salt" there. The sketch of the charge will be amplified in the brief notes on the individual congregations here following. 1. St. Paul's Church, Lyons Station. This congregation was organized by Rev. A. D. Croll, in 1868, out of adherents who followed him from the De Long congrega- tion at Bowers. The corner-stone of the substantial two-story brick church was laid June 1, 1868. Mr. Croll's pastorate ex- tended from 1 868- 1 8 76. Rev. W. I. Cutter and others supplied SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 233 the charge until the former was elected pastor, in July, 1877. He was succeeded in February, 1878, by Rev. E. Daron, who resigned January 1, 1880. Rev. D. E. Reed was the next pastor, for less than a year. Rev. W. H. Lewars succeeded him, April 10, 1881, and resigned January 24, 1882. Rev. Wm. G. Mennig acted as supply for some months. On November 15, 1882, Rev. J. A. Singmaster took charge, and remained until April, 1885, when he resigned for the purpose of serving the Macungie charge, which had been formed by the withdrawal of Macungie and Salem from the Lyons charge and the addition of St. John's, Fogelsville. Rev. George W. Fritsch, who had been called to the ministry through the instrumentality of Rev. A. D. Croll, became pastor in the summer of 1885. After serving the charge about six years, he resigned in March, 1891. Since then the pulpit has been tem- porarily supplied by Rev. G. J. Martz, of Lebanon. Revs. W. R. Wieand, of Altoona, P. C. Croll, of Lebanon, and Morris F. Good, of the Theological Seminary, entered the ministry from this church. 2. St. John's, Pleasantville. The history of this congregation is much like that of the fore- going. It was organized under similar circumstances by Pastor Croll in 1868, with a small membership which withdrew from con- gregations in the vicinity. For ten years the congregation wor- shiped in a hall. Their neat brick church was built during the pastorate of Rev. E. Daron. It has had the same pastors as the church at Lyons Station. 3. St. Matthew's Church, Macungie. St. Matthew's church was organized in 1868 by about 100 peo- ple who separated from Solomon's Lutheran and Reformed church, under the leadership of Rev. A. D. Croll. In 1869 a brick church, seating about 400 people, and costing $6,500.00, was erected upon land donated by James Singmaster. The pas- tors have been the same as those of St. Paul's, Lyons. During the pastorate of Rev. J. A. Singmaster. this church, with Salem and Fogelsville, formed the Macungie charge for about a year and a half (April, 1885, to September, 1886). After his resignation it re-united with the Lyons charge, of which Rev. G. W. Fritsch was 234 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. the pastor. During the pastorate of Rev. E. Daron a frame chapel was erected. This congregation has given to the ministry Rev. J. A. Singmaster, of Allentown, and Rev. O. C. Roth, of Baltimore. Another of its young men has recently consecrated himself to the same work. Since 1881 the church has sustained a flourishing Woman's Missionary Society. 4. Salem Church, Upper Milford. This church is situated about three miles south-east of Macun- gie. Its original membership separated in 1868 from a neighbor- ing church, called St. Peter's, whose history dates back to 1770. For four years Rev. A. D. Croll, whom they followed from the old church, preached occasionally in their houses and barns. Their names, however, were enrolled in St. Matthew's, Macungie. In 1872 they organized separately ajid built a comfortable stone church, with basement, seating about 250 people. It has always had the same pastors as Macungie. 5. Union Church, Mohrsville. The Union church of Mohrsville, Berks county, Pa., was founded in 1864 by members of the Union church at Shoemakers- ville, from which they withdrew on account of dissatisfaction with the election of an " independent " pastor. Messrs. John Snyder, Isaac H. Mohr, Seth Zimmerman and Isaac K. Becker, were elected as a building committee and erected a brick church, thirty-six by forty-eight feet, with basement and gallery. The dedication took place May 7, 1865. The Reformed held their first election for pastor in January, 1865, and chose Rev. Aaron Leinbach. The Lutherans elected Rev. B. E. Kramlich in February, 1865. He resigned June 24, 1867. Rev. A. D. Croll was then elected pastor, being a member of the Synod of Pennsylvania. At his second appointment he announced that he could not accept a call, in view of his intention of changing his synodical relations by uniting with the East Pennsylvania Synod, unless the congre- gation would hold another election. He was again unanimously elected, and served the church with the greatest possible accept- ance until the time of his death in 1876. During the ministry of SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 235 Rev. A. D. Croll, the church was connected with the Lyons charge. ' * After his death Rev. J. A. Singmasler, pastor at Schuylkill Haven, supplied the pulpit for about two years. Rev. E. Len- hart became pastor on July 9, 1878, and the congregation, by a re-districting of various charges, was assigned by Synod to the Womelsdorf charge, consisting of congregations at Womelsdorf, Strausstown, Mohrsville, Myerstown and Gosherts. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Philip C. Croll in 1879, whose pastorate ex- tended to December, 1882. Rev. I. B. Crist took charge in Sep- tember, 1883, and labored until June 1, 1885. By a new ar- rangement, Mohrsville and Strausstown were now added to the Lyons charge, consisting of four churches. Rev. G. W. Fritsch became pastor in the summer of 1885, and terminated his pastor- ate April 1, 1891, since which time the pulpit has been supplied by neighboring pastors. The church edifice was re-modeled in 1 886 at a cost of $ 1 ,400.00, all of which was paid on or before the dedication. The improve- ments consisted in raising the floors, thus bringing the basement above ground, and in removing the side galleries. Since then, shedding has been erected to the rear of the church, and the cemetery improved. The introduction of new reversible seats into the Sunday-school room is now contemplated. The membership numbers at present fifty-eight, and the Union Sunday-school over a hundred. On account of the frequent changes of pastors and the present vacancy, the membership has been somewhat depleted. This little congregation has always been very zealous in the work of the Lord. It has given one of its young men, Rev. Wm. H. Lewars, the present Secretary of the Synod, to the ministry of Christ. 6. St. Paul's Church, Strausstown. This congregation was organized by Rev. J. M. Deitzler, in 1 86 1, with a few members who withdrew from Zion Union Luth- eran and Reformed Church. At a meeting held on July 15, Messrs. John Strauss, Jonathan G. Reber, Michael Miller, John Boltz, and Dr. W. J. Schoener, were appointed a building com- mittee. Within a week they had purchased a lot for the church 236 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. and cemetery and begun building operations. The corner-stone of a frame church was laid in August. Suitable sermons were preached on this occasion by Revs. A. C. Wedekind, E.S. Henry, and J. M. Deitzler, the pastor. The church was finished and consecrated in November, Rev. P. Willard assisting the pastor in the services. During the following winter the membership in- creased to seventy by means of a great revival. Rev. Uriel Graves succeeded Rev. Deitzler as pastor on April 1, 1865. He resigned March 6, 1866. From this date to Nov. 15, 1868, when Rev. G. J. Martz became pastor, the church was dependent upon supplies. The charge consisted at this time of churches at Womelsdorf, Schaefferstown, and Strausstown. Rev. Martz continued pastor for about nine years. During 1877, Rev. W. I. Cutter supplied the pulpit. Rev. E. Lenhart became pas- tor July 9, 1878. Since then it has been served by the same pas- tors as Mohrsville. XLVIII. MARTIN'S CREEK CHARGE, NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, LOWER MOUNT BETHEL AND ACKERMANVILLE. BY REV. WM. HESSE. i. Trinity Church, Martin's Creek (Lower Mt. Bethel). The Mt. Sion church of Lower Mount Bethel, was jointly con- trolled by Lutherans and German Reformed. It was built in the year 1837. Rev. Andreas Fuchs was the first pastor, serving un- til 1850. His preaching was all in German. He was succeeded by Rev. Mark Harpel, whose preaching was partly English and partly German. Rev. Jacob Albert entered upon the duties of pastor as successor of Mr. Harpel early in 1855, remaining un- til the fall of 1859. His preaching was mostly English, and of a spiritual character. Rev. J. I. Burrell was next chosen, under whose preaching a great awakening took place. In 1864 a number of members, with the pastor, withdrew from the old church and organized a new congregation, electing the following as a Church Council : Trustee : Abram Shimer. Elders : Christian Buzzard, George SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 237 Racely, Joseph Engler, Charles Ziegenfuss, Robert G. Morris. Deacons : David Hinkle, Joseph Kiefer, William Snyder, John Riegel, Samuel Hile, Joseph K. Snyder. The following were appointed as a Building Committee : Rev. J. I. Burrell, pastor, Drs. Asa K. Seem, Abram Shimer, Christian Buzzard, Joseph Kiefer, Jr., William Snyder. The corner-stone of the new church was laid in 1864, in the immediate vicinity of the old building, Rev. Luther Albert, of Germantown, Pa., preaching in the morning, Rev. R. A. Fink, of Lewisburg, in the evening, Rev. Duy, of New Germantown, N. J., officiating in the formal act of laying the corner-stone, and Rev. R. B. Forsman assisting in the services. The consecration of the new building took place on Thursday, December 8, 1864, Rev. F. W. Conrad, D. D., of Chambersburg, preaching able sermons morning and evening. Rev. J. I. Bur- rell read the dedicatory service. A number of other ministers were present. The pastor and congregation belonged to the New Jersey Synod. At a joint council meeting of Upper and Lower Mount Bethel, held March 19, 1862, it had been agreed that Lower Mt. Bethel pay the sum of $5 00.00 toward building a parsonage at Centreville, Pa., which amount was to be refunded in case of a division of the charge. On May 29, 1875, a joint congregational meeting was held, at which it was decided to divide the charge, and a committee was sent to Synod to secure its sanction of the division. The first congregational meeting of Trinity, after the division, was held July 31, 1875, for the purpose of electing a pastor. Rev. J. H. Leeser was chosen, during whose pastorate the synodical relation was changed from the New Jersey to the East Pennsylvania Synod, and a fine parsonage erected by the church. Rev. J. H. Leeser resigned, to take effect May 3, 1877. R ev - S. Stall re- ceived and accepted a call August 25, 1877, and took charge on the 28th of the same month. He resigned November 20, 1880, to take effect December 8 of the same year. Rev. F. W. Staler was chosen as pastor March 25, 1881, and entered upon his duties April 1. Rev. A. R. Glaze took charge October 1, 1885, and resigned May 26, 1889. Rev. William Hesse, the present pastor, entered upon his duties November to, 1S89. 238 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. The present amount paid for support of pastor is $700.00 and parsonage ; from all sources $900.00. There is no indebtedness an either of the church buildings, and the Sabbath-school is in ex- cellent working order, with an enrollment of 152 scholars and 23 teachers and officers. Nine church papers are taken. Two young men are now entering school to prepare for the ministry, Mr. Herbert D. Shinier and Mr. John I. Burrell Hummer. One other young man, Daniel Hinkel, now teaching school, hopes also to prepare for the sacred office. 2. Zion's Church, Ackermanville. The Zion's congregation of Ackermanville, Pa., was organized by Rev. J. I. Burrell in the year 1871. A church was built, jointly with the Evangelical Association, in the year 1872. This is a weak congregation. It was formerly connected with Cen- treville church, but has been connected with the Martin's Creek charge ever since the division of the Centreville charge, in 1875. The Sabbath-school is in excellent working order, and numbers about eighty, of whom we report forty to Synod. One young man of this congregation has entered the ministry, Rev. B. F. Kautz, of Millersburg, Pa. XLIX. MESSIAH CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA. BY REV. E. HUBER, D. D. Messiah Lutheran church, Philadelphia, had its origin in a Sunday-school established December 18, 1859, by members of St. Matthew's Lutheran church, during the pastorship of Dr. E. W. Hutter. In honor of its first and devoted superintendent, C. Y. Barlow, it was named, "The Barlow Mission of St. Matthew's church." The school was carried on for six years before any de- cided steps could be taken toward organizing a congregation. After several preliminary meetings, a public meeting was held December 12, 1865, at Thirteenth and Oxford streets, at which it was determined to rent a hall on Broad street and to hold prayer-meetings regularly in the same. During January, 1866, the organization of the congregation was completed by the SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 239 adoption of a constitution and the election of church officers. Under the name of " Messiah Lutheran Church," the congregation was admitted into the Synod of East Pennsylvania in the fall of 1866, Dr. Theophilus Stork, Sen., representing it at that meeting. MESSIAH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA, PA. Regular services were held for nearly a year by means of such supplies as could be procured, until November 1, 1866, when Dr. F. W. Conrad took charge of the congregation, thus becoming its first pastor. Under his ministrations the church grew rapidly in numbers and in influence, the main part of the present house of worship was erected, at the southwest corner of Sixteenth and Jefferson streets, and the services hitherto held in a hall near by were, in the early part of 1870, transferred to its Sunday-school 240 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. room. After serving the congregation for a term of six years, Dr. Conrad resigned the pastorship of the church, and was succeeded in December, 1872, by Rev. J. R. Dimm. In consequence of reverses in business among some of the members, the congregation had become severely crippled in its financial affairs, and, unable to meet its obligations, was in danger of losing its church property — a bill of sale having, in fact, been fastened upon its walls by the sheriff of the city. From this mis- fortune the church was happily saved by the indefatigable efforts of the pastor and Mr. Christian A. Snyder, the treasurer of the congregation, who, during the short time allowed them, raised £4,000.00, the sum required to redeem the property. After serving the congregation for nearly two years Rev. Dimm resigned July 1, 1874, and was some time after succeeded by Dr. Joel Swartz, who remained pastor of the church till called to Zion's church of Harrisburg. After a considerable interval Rev. Eli Huber, of Nebraska City, was elected to succeed Dr. Swartz, and entered upon his duties in the congregation the first Sunday of March, 1876. About two years later the work of finishing the church building was begun, and brought to completion in April, 1879. The fol- lowing constituted the Church Council at the time : William Boyer, Henry Boyer, Henry S. Boner, V. L. Conrad, J. B. Down- ing, W. H. Fry, A. Hartranft, H. S. Jones, J. T. Monroe, C. A. Snyder, Henry Wile, and John Wiseman. The expense incurred in the finishing of the church was about £23,000.00, and, as there was a previous indebtedness of over $8,000.00, upwards of £31,000.00 had to be made up by the con- gregation. Over half of this amount was secured by subscrip- tions and collections, and by the sale of certain lots, and the bal- ance of $15^,000.00, was borrowed on mortgage, individual mem- bers of the council making themselves responsible for the pay- ment of the interest. By the aid of the Ladies' Sinking Fund Society the interest has been regularly paid, and by successive annual collections of about $1,000.00 each, the sum borrowed has been gradually reduced to about $5,000.00. The church build- ing thus secured cost about $63,000.00 in all — and is a beautiful, commodious and well-finished structure. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATK 2J.I The present membership of the congregation is about 315 : the number of scholars in the Sunday-school nearly the same. The Messiah church also contributed very freely toward the erection of the new building of Pennsylvania College, at Gel burg, the sum given being nearly S6 ; ooo.oo. A memorial window by the Sunday-school, a fine clock in the tower, and the endow- ment of the professorship of English Bible, are abiding I menials at Pennsylvania College to the liberality c f I - ~gre- gation. The whole amount thus secured for Gettysburg out of the congregation is not far from $35,000.00. The pastor of the church, having been elected to fill the pro- fessorship thus endowed, resigned the congregation, and preached his farewell sermon the first Sunday in September, 1892, exactly sixteen years and six months after preaching his introductory sermon. On the first Sunday in December of the same year, the work thus laid down was taken up by Rev. Milton H. Valentine, of Bedford, Pa., who is the present pastor. That the blessing of God may abide upon this congregation unto the er. hope and prayer of the writer of this sketch. L. ST. JOHN'S CHURCH. MAHANOY CITY, - EJUYLKCLL COUNTY. BY REV. I. P. ZIMMERMAN. Until 1 86 7 but cne Lutheran congregation had an - e in Mahanoy City, and that was composed largely of foreign and Pennsylvania Germans. In the winter of 1866 and 1S67 the pastor, Rev. I. C. Burkholder (now Burke ), conducted a series of revival meetings, upon which God's blessing rested in a special manner, resulting in the conversion of one hundred and thirty souls. This, to many a new measure, in- connection with some other trouble existing in the congregation, resulted in a division of its members, and the establishment of a second Lutheran church in Mahanoy City, with the Rev. I. C. Burkholder as pastor. Ac- cordingly, on August 7, 1867, a new ■■_ :.:ion was effected, seventy-nine members signing the constitution, under the name 242 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. of "St. John's English Evangelical Lutheran church of the Gen- eral Synod." This new organization at once went to work to secure lots and build for themselves a church. In the meantime they continued to worship in the old church to which they formerly belonged. The lots were secured from the Philadelphia & Reading Coal and Iron Company, the congregation paying six hundred ($600.00) dollars for one lot and the company donating the other. In the same year the congregation reared upon these lots a frame struc- ture for a church, at a cost, when completed, of $4,500.00. Rev. I. C. Burkholder remained pastor of the congregation until April, 1869, when he resigned. During the two years of his pastorate of the new congregation, several protracted efforts were held, and by this means and catechisation forty-three more members were added. A vacancy now occurred, continuing until October, 1869, when Rev. Reuben Weiser became the pastor. He remained in that position until January, 18 71. During Rev. Weiser's pastor- ate a few German sermons were preached, which was about all the preaching in that language the congregation ever had. In February, 1871, a call was extended to Rev. D. Beckner, of Antes Fort, Pa., which was accepted, and he entered upon his duties as pastor March 13, 18 71. In the summer of 1872 the church was papered and re-painted. In the fall of 1873 a parsonage was built on the same lot upon which the church now stands. The following year, 1874, the church was carpeted, and gas introduced. Rev. D. Beckner resigned May 1, 1875. During the few months' vacancy which followed, the Sunday-school conducted an excursion to Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, and netted $656.00, which was appropriated to the local indebtedness, and Sunday- school library. On October 1, 1875, Rev. J. M. Steck took charge as pas- tor. The congregation, though having advanced greatly in tem- poral affairs, had not gained much in membership, as Rev. Steck reports an enrollment of seventy-seven on taking charge, and a Sunday-school of ninety, mostly little children. When he re- signed, March 1, 1880, he reports 127 members of the congre- SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 243 gation, and the highest number present at any time in Sunday- school, 264. During this pastorate, in 1879, the church was enlarged by the building of a brick front twenty by forty-two feet. New pews were placed in the auditorium, walls papered, floor re-carpeted, new pulpit furniture secured, and heaters placed in the cellar. The cost of the improvements was $2,900.00. Rev. H. Ziegler, D. D., preached the sermon at the laying of the corner-stone of the new front. Rev. W. W. Criley delivered the sermon at the re-dedication of the church as now enlarged and improved, Rev. John McCron, D. D., preaching in the evening. While pastor of the congregation, Rev. Steck began preaching at Delano, Pa., and received fourteen persons into church fellow- ship, mostly married persons. Mr. Newton H. Follmer, who subsequently prepared for the ministry and is now pastor of the Yeagertown charge, Mifflin co., Pa., was received as a member of the congregation in 1876. Upon the resignation of Rev. J. M. Steck, a call was extended to Rev. J. W. Lake, who accepted and entered upon the field March 1, 1880. His pastorate, however, proved a very brief one, as his resignation was tendered and accepted June 1, 1881. A vacancy of seven and a half months now occurred, when Rev. Wm. H. Lewars accepted a unanimous call tendered him January 15, 1882. A pastorate of four years and nine months was the result of this union, when, on October 15, 1886, Rev. Lewars severed his connection with the congregation. During this pastorate a balance of indebtedness on the parson- age was paid. A Literary Society was organized by Rev. Lewars, which still continues its semi-monthly meetings at the homes of a number of the members, and is aiding the congregation much financially and socially. The benevolence also exceeded that of former years. After Rev. Lewars' resignation the congregation remained without a pastor until May 1st, 1887, when the Rev. J. R. Sample took charge, but remained only three months. On September 1, 1887, Rev. T. P. Zimmerman, the present pastor, took charge. At this time the congregation numbered one hundred and twenty-eight members, but preaching at Delano, 244 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. which had been discontinued, was soon resumed, and twenty- eight members re-enroiled, making a total of 156. The relation now formed proved a very pleasant one indeed. The first year, a large catechetical class was formed, which resulted in an acces- sion of sixty souls on faster, 1888. The salary of the pastor was advanced from $700.00 to $750.00 the first year. In the summer of 1888 an addition of four rooms was built to the west end of the parsonage, and the home of the pastor supplied with bath-room, etc. At the same time the church was ie-papered and painted, the cost of all the improvements to church and parsonage being about $1,700.00. The re- opening of the church took place on Oc- tober 14, 1888. The sermon was preached by Rev. J. A. Wirt, ot Hughesville, Pa., and the money solicited by him more than cov- ered the indebtedness. On January 1, 1888, a Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society was formed, and on February 29 of same year, a Young Ladies' Mission Band was organized, both of which are doing good work. The latter is educating a boy in India. During the short pastorate of Rev. J. R. Sample, a Band of Hope was organized among the children, which was subsequently changed into a Loyal Temperance Legion, and has rendered good service, with a membership of over one hundred. In the first year of the present pastorate the envelope system was introduced in raising money for benevolent purposes. This at once brought system into the work, and in five years the amount raised has increased from $166.62 to $579.48. In April, 1890, the church was re-carpeted. At a congregational meeting in May, 1890, the salary of the pastor was increased from $750.00 to $900.00. In October, 1890, a Young People's Society of Christian En- deavor was organized with seventeen members, which has had a steady growth, numerically and spiritually, now numbering sixty members. This society is educating a young man in India. On the suggestion of Mr. A. B. Wagner, Secretary of the church council, that body appointed at their meeting, the first Monday evening in September, 1891, a committee of eight, four ladies and four gentlemen, known as the Christian Helper Com- mittee, whose duty it shall be to look after the sick, poor, negli- SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 245 gent and timid of the congregation, and make special effort for their encouragement. This committee has proved itself very help- ful to the pastor in church work. In August, 1 89 1, the pastor succeeded in influencing eight families to place as many memorial stained-glass windows in the auditorium. On September 6, 1892, a Junior Society of Christian Endeavor was organized with twenty-seven members. The Sunday-school has been growing gradually, now numbering three hundred. The present membership of the congregation is three hundred in good standing. The salary paid at present is $900.00, parsonage, water rent, and fuel. The number of Lutheran Observers taken is fifty-eight ; the number of Lutheran Missionary Journals taken, ninety-two. The congregation is free of debt. The value of church property is $10,000.00. The present year's benevolence is $549.48. One candidate is in preparation for the gospel ministry, Mr. Fred. R. Wagner hav- ing entered upon a course of study at Missionary Institute, Selins- grove, Pa., August 25, 1892. LI. BETHANY CHURCH, MILLERSVILLE, LANCASTER COUNTY. BY MR. HENRY BOWMAN. The history of our General Synod Lutheran church in Millers- ville, Pa., begins with an unhappy division, which took place after the formation of the General Council in 1866. As a result, both parties were left numerically weak, and the work of the church materially crippled. At the time of the division Rev. J. R. Focht was pastor in charge, who, with a minority of the members, on January 22, 1867, " Resolved, to remain in connection with the General Synod, believing that by so doing we can best promote the spiritual wel- fare of the congregation." They were, in consequence, ejected from their church-home and compelled to organize and build for themselves. For a number of years the little band (about fifty) were subjected to the inconve- niences and disadvantages of worshiping in a hall. In the mean- 246 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. time Rev. Focht resigned the charge, and Rev. J. Kaempfer was called, who commenced his labors as pastor June 1, 1868. He, however, remained only a short time, and the congregation was then supplied, until 1875, by Rev - B - C. Suesserott, then pastor of St. John's in Lancaster city. After his death the work was taken up by Rev. W. S. Porr, at that time pastor of St. Stephen's of Lancaster. Under his pastoral direction a neat brick church (thirty-five by fifty-five feet) was erected at a cost of about $3,000.00, and dedicated, free of debt, some time in the early part of 1877. Having once more a church home of their own, the congregation entered anew upon its mission among the churches. After a successful pastorate of about six years, Rev. Porr resigned October 1, 1880. The congregation again turned to the pastor of St. John's in Lancaster, and arranged with Rev. R. W. Hufford for their supply. This, however, was soon termi- nated by a call of the pastor to Easton, Pa. Synod now recom- mended a union of Millersville with the Neffsville congregation, and the two were served by a number of pastors. Rev. J. W. Eckert, from March 1, 1881, to about the close of 1882. Rev. F. Aurand entered the charge November 4, 1883, and remained less than one year. Then, in September, 1884, Rev. A. M. Whet- stone accepted a call, and remained until December 1, 1885. But the union of the two congregations never appeared very con- genial, and hence Neffsville refused to co-operate any longer, and applied to another pastorate for their supply. Synod, being very accommodating, passed the matter by, and left Millersville again unable to support a regular pastor. Having, however, the advan- tage of a State Normal School in the place, the congregation has not been long at any time without a regular supply. February 1 1, 1887, Rev. J. W. Goodlin, then of York, Pa., accepted a unani- mous call from the congregation, and moved to Millersville. With this arrangement the people were happy, but only soon to be sadly disappointed, when in a little less than two years their beloved pastor received and accepted a call to Tyro, Ohio. For about six months following Rev. Herbert C. Alleman, then a the- ological student, supplied the congregation. In September, 1889, Rev. A. W. Lentz moved to Millersville, in order to take a needed rest. His services were soon secured, and he has continued with entire pastoral care until the date of this history. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 247 LII. GRACE CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA. BY REV. J. H. MAIN. During the year 1867 Rev. P. Willard, Rev. F. Klinefelter and other ministers preached statedly for a short time to congregations which met in a hall on the north-west corner of Thirty-fifth and Haverford Streets, West Philadelphia. In February, 1868, Rev. S. A. Holman, under the auspices of a missionary society composed of members of St. Matthew's, St. Andrew's and Messiah churches, Philadelphia, commenced preaching in the above hall. Under his ministry twenty-one members of the Evangelical Lutheran church formed themselves into an organization, known as " Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church," on April 5, 1868. During his administration, in July, 1870, a lot on the southeast corner of Thirty-eighth and Mt. Vernon streets was taken on mortgage, and immediately the congregation, with about $300.00, which they had themselves contributed and received by collections, began to build a brick chapel. The corner-stone was laid in July, 1870, and the chapel consecrated November, 1870, at which latter date over $500.00 was raised. The entire cost of the chapel was $3,200.00. Contributions were solicited during the months of February and March, 1872, and sufficient was raised to pay off the entire re- maining indebtedness. Services were held in the above-named chapel until November 9, 1873, when Rev. Holman relinquished the charge, and, with twenty of its members, who withdrew, formed another organiza- tion, known as "Calvary." The Sunday-school and week-day services were kept up by the members, and the pulpit supplied occasionally by ministers of the Lutheran and other churches. The congregation remained in this condition for one year, when, at a meeting of the Philadelphia Conference held in the chapel November, 1874, Rev. P. Raby was appointed to supply the charge temporarily and report to the conference from time to time its condition and prospects. As this arrangement was of the nature of a supply for an indefinite period, and as Rev. Raby was in poor health, he reported the charge vacant and urged conference to provide a regular pastor. 248 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. At a special meeting of Conference it was resolved unanimously to appropriate $400.00 for one year, with the expectation that the congregation would raise $200.00 more for support of a pastor. Brother Raby at the same time was appointed missionary for one year. He accepted, taking charge May 23, 1875. From the close of this term until the fall of 1877, the charge was without a regular pastor. The Sunday-school and prayer-meetings were kept up, with a minister occasionally filling the pulpit. In the fall of 1877 the present church building at Thirty-fifth and Spring Garden streets was purchased from the Presby- terians by the Board of Church Extension, with a mortgage of $7,000.00, $3,000.00 being paid by the Board, who still hold the deed. After a number of repairs on the building, the congregation called Rev. J. H. Menges as pastor, who accepted, entering upon the work in February, 1878. He served the congregation until July, 1 89 1. Rev. J. H. Mam, the present incumbent, preached a trial sermon September 6, 1 891, was called in the same month, and entered upon the work of the charge October 25, 1891. May the blessing of Christ, the Head of the Church, abide with this people forever ! LIII. ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, EASTON.* BY REV. R. W. HUFfORD, D. D. One of the least edifying things ever seen, in this world of in- finite variety, is a church quarrel. It would be pleasant to be able to say that such a thing is unknown. The demands of truth, however, forbid such felicitous romancing. Not a few of the churches now doing good work had their origin in the throes of unseemly strife. The swarm went forth because of a disturbance within the hive. * Note. — The first Lutheran pastor whose la bors are upon record in what is now the city of Easton was Rev. John Justus Jacob Berkinstock, 1740 to 1748. From the latter year until 1 868. when St. Paul's was organized, the SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 249 St. Paul's is a child of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church ; but when the child left the old home there was no marked display of parental and filial tenderness. The trouble was, there were two parties in the mother church ; the one in sympathy with General Council Lutheranism, the other decidedly General Synod in its preferences. Christ Lutheran Church had belonged to the Synod of East Pennsylvania, and, thereby, to the General Synod, for many years. But in the ecclesiastical unrest of 1866 and 1867 a movement started, that finally took Christ Church into the General Council, and supplied the place thus left vacant by the organization and building of St. Paul's. Considerable bitterness of feeling was engendered, and some things were said and done that no follower of the Master can re- call with pleasure. But time — "that makes all things even" — has done his kindly work, and the two churches and their pastors, though in different Synods, are on friendly terms to- day, and we trust that no cause of strife will ever again disturb them. The first minute in the record-book of St. Paul's is dated April 17, 1868, and is as follows : " A meeting of the members of the Lutheran Church was held this evening in the First Baptist Church. The meeting organized with the election of Mr. John Eyerman as Chairman, and C. E. Hecht, Secretary. Mr. Eyerman stated the object of the meet- ing to be to consult together as to our duty, in view of the dis- tracted condition of so many Lutheran families, and the with- drawal of other entire families from any Lutheran communion. He urged all who loved the Lutheran Church, to consider well whether it was not our duty to organize a third Lutheran congre- gation in Easton, in which all could unite." original St. John's congregation was served by the following ministers : Revs. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg and John Nicholas Kurtz, 1749; Rudolph Schrenk, 1 749-1 754; Bernard Michael Hausihl, 1 763-1 764c ?) ; Christian Streit, 1 769-1 779; J. Frederick Ernst, 1 780-1 782; Solomon Friederici, 1782-179S; A_ugustus Herman Schmidt, 1799-1801; Christian F. L. En- dress, 1801-1815; John P. Hecht, 1815-1845; John W. Richards, 1845- 1851; C. F. Schaffer, 1851-1856; Benjamin Sadtler, 1856-1862; B. M. Schmucker, 1 862-1 S67. The pastors of Christ Lutheran Church from its establishment until the same date were: George Diehl, 1843-1851; Charles Smith, 1851-1854; E. Greenwald, 1854-1867; W. P. Ruthrauff, 1867-1870. 25O EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. After further consideration, a resolution, offered by Mr. Henry Bender and seconded by Mr. J. M. Dreisbach, "that we will form ourselves into a Lutheran Religious Society," was adopted by a unanimous vote. At this meeting steps were also taken to rent the Baptist church for alternate Sabbaths, organize a Sunday-school, and raise money for necessary expenses. A committee was appointed to secure pulpit supplies. The temporary organization thus effected was soon superseded by a permanent organization, which was char- tered as "St. Paul's (Third) Evangelical Lutheran Church of Easton." The charter members, regularly dismissed from Christ church, numbered forty-nine. Shortly afterwards quite a large additional number was received from the same church. The first sermon to the new congregation was preached May 24, 1868, by Rev. Theophilus Stork, D. D., of Philadelphia. On the following Sabbath, May 31, Rev. Henry N. Pohlman, D. D., of Albany, N. Y., President of the General Synod, occupied the pulpit. Thus, at the beginning, the new enterprise received aid and encouragement by the presence and counsel of two of the most prominent clergymen of the church. At a congregational meeting, held August 13, 1868, the first church council was elected, consisting of four elders, viz., John Eyerman, Henry Bender, George Sweeny and John Armbrust ; and four deacons, viz., James M. Dreisbach, David Pyatt, D. B. Miller and R. H. Bixler. At this meeting also the Rev. Joseph H. Barclay, of Red Hook, N. Y., was unanimously chosen the first pastor of St. Paul's. He received all the votes of the male mem- bers present — the ladies having, at a previous meeting, unani- mously decided " that it was their duty to abstain from participat- ing in any election." This preference on the part of the female members was afterwards embodied in the Constitution of the church, except that they are permitted to vote at the election of a pastor. All other elections are conducted by the male members in good standing. Rev. Barclay's pastorate began December 1, 1868, when he was installed by Rev. Drs. E. W. Hutter, of Philadelphia, and A. C. Wedekind, of New York, and continued to October 1, 1872, nearly four years. During this time the church building on North ST. PAUL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, EAS ION, PA. (251) 252 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. Fourth street was erected, at a cost of about $13,000.00. Its dedication took place January 9, 1870. The dedicatory sermon was preached, contrary to the usual custom, by the pastor him- self — not from choice, however. The services of Drs. John McCron, of Baltimore, and A. C. VVedekind, of New York, had been engaged for the occasion ; but, at the appointed time, Dr. McCron was kept away by sickness and Dr. Wedekind missed the train ! It was during Dr. Barclay's pastorate that a mission was started on College Hill which has since developed into St. Peter's (Fifth) Lutheran Church of Easton. After serving churches in Baltimore, and Dayton, Ohio, for about fifteen years, Dr. Barclay died in Baltimore, October 13, 1887. The second pastor of St. Paul's was Rev. Harvey W. Mc- Knight, called from Newville, Pa. He was elected almost unanimously (but one negative vote being cast). November 6, and took charge of the church a few weeks later, December 1, 1872. The church was not less fortunate in the choice of its second pastor than it had been in its choice of the first. Pastor McKnight's ministry in Easton lasted seven years and five months, and was marked by decided success. He was popular in his congregation and outside of it, and received large ac- cessions to the church. He found the church burdened with a debt of $7,000.00, the greater part of which was paid before the close of his pastorate. May 1, 1880, the pulpit of St. Paul's again became vacant, the pastor having accepted a call to the First English Lutheran church of Cincinnati. This second pastor of St. Paul's is well known to-day as the Rev. Doctor McKnight, President of Penn- sylvania College at Gettysburg. After an interim of seven months, during which the congrega- tion heard quite a number of candidates — two of whom declined calls extended — the third pastor was chosen, in the person of Rufus Ward Hufford, then serving St. John's Lutheran church, Lancaster, Pa. The election was held October 18, 1880, the candidate receiving all the votes cast but one. On the first Sun- day of December following, the newly-elected pastor entered upon his work in Easton. Twelve years have passed since that time, but the third pastorate of St. Paul's has not yet ended. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 253 After its close will be a more befitting time to write its history. The communicant membership of the church is about two hun- dred and seventy-five. The elders at this time are Eli M. Fox, Samuel Kleinhans, Alvin F. Nolf and Ephraim Myers. The deacons are John F. Hess, William A. Lanterman, John Manning and George W. Hartzell. During the past year the church gave $502.40 to benevolence — $1.86 per member. The Sunday-school numbers about two hundred, teachers and scholars. One member of the school is now a junior at college preparing for the gospel ministry in the Lutheran church. A Christian Endeavor Society, organized within the past two years, has fifty-five members and is an efficient aid to the church, being at present enrolled in the number of those that have volunteered to support our last missionary to India. A Dorcas Society of forty members, and a Young Girls' Mission Band, complete the list of organizations within the church. LIV. EMANUEL'S CHURCH, WILLIAMSTOWN, DAUPHIN COUNTY. BY REV. J. A. ADAMS. This congregation began to exist in the year 1871. About the first of April of that year, Rev. Daniel Kloss began to conduct services here in school houses and in churches of other denom- inations, as these places were available. Some time during the last of April an organization was effected, numbering about twenty members, with the following officers : Elders — E. W. Zerby and Frederick Shindler ; Deacons — Alfred Reiser and Charles Highland ; Trustees — W. Roenig, J. Hartman and J. Erdmarr. On May 7, 1871, a constitution was adopted, and the name, " Emanuel's Evangelical Lutheran Church," agreed upon for the congregation. This congregation was served by Rev. Rloss in connection with that of Lykens, the two constituting " The Lykens Lutheran Pas- torate," the pastor preaching once a Sabbath at Williamstown, and receiving as salary from this congregation $175.00, $200.00, and $225.00 per annum. Brother Rloss served this congregation until some time in the spring of 1877, his resignation having been 2 54 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. accepted on March 22. During his ministry of six years the church record shows the following : Infant baptisms, 87 ; confir- mations, 68; marriages, 10; burials 26. A lot was purchased, and a church building, thirty-five by fifty-five feet, was erected thereon, the corner-stone of which was laid A. D. 1874, and the building completed during the year, at a cost of about $2,500.00, about $900.00 remaining unpaid at the close of Brother Kloss' labors in the charge. During the month of May, 1877, Rev. J. A. Wirt was called as pastor of the charge, who served "the Lykens Lutheran pastor- ate" until January 1883, a period of about five years and eight months, when he tendered his resignation. Rev. Wirt labored in the Williamstown congregation with great acceptance to the peo- ple and good results. He received as salary from this congrega- tion $200.00 and $266.66 per annum. We can not, however, give a detailed account of accessions and losses during his stay with this people as pastor, as we have a record only of infant baptisms and burials, the former numbering 62 and the latter 27. During this pastorate the debt of nine hundred and some dollars, resting on the church property when Rev. Kloss left, was liquidated, and the church property repaired and improved at a cost of be- tween five and six hundred dollars, all of which was paid before Rev. Wirt vacated the charge. Rev. M. L. Heisler was called as Rev. Wirt's successor, began his labors in May, 1883, and continued to be the pastor until April, 1886, a period of about three years. He received as salary from this congregation $300.00 per annum. During Rev. Heisler's labors in the pastorate the Church Record gives the fol- lowing : Infant baptisms, t,^ ; confirmation, etc., 1 7 ; marriages, 4 ; burials, 16. Within the same time the church property was re- paired and improved, at a cost of between one hundred and two hundred dollars. At a congregational meeting held December 31, 1885, Em- manuel's Evangelical Lutheran congregation of Williamstown, up to this time a part of "The Lykens Lutheran Pastorate," decided to separate from the Lykens congregation, and in itself constitute a charge and support a pastor. At a joint council meeting of "The Lykens Lutheran Pastorate," January 1, 1886, SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 255 this action of the Williamstown congregation was made known. There being no objection on the part of the Lykens congrega- tion, the desire of the Williamstown congregation was cheerfully granted, the arrangement to go into effect April i, 1886. On February 28, 1886, Rev. M. S. Romig was elected pastor. He began his labors April 1, and continued his ministry among this people until January 1, 1888, a period of one year and nine months. He received as salary six hundred dollars per annum, out of which he was to pay the rent of a house. The Church Record gives as the result of his labors the following : infant baptisms, 45 ; confirmations, etc., 44 ; burials, 21. The congregation was without a pastor, being served only by supplies, from January 1, 1888, until April 1, of the same year, when the present pastor, Rev. J. A. Adams, began his labo:s in this relation. During his ministry (April 1, 1888, to Sep- tember 1, 1892, the date of this writing), a period of four years and five months, the church-book records the following : infant baptisms 79, confirmations, etc., 101, marriages 15, burials 30, losses by letter, etc., 40. The congregation now numbers 147 members. It has a circulation of between forty-five and fifty copies of church papers among its members. During the time of the present pastor's ministry, a good and pleasant parsonage, conveniently located, has been purchased by the congregation, which, with repairs and improvements, has cost not less than eighteen hundred dollars, all of which has been provided for. The salary of the present pastor is six hundred dollars and par- sonage. A Sunday-school in connection with the congregation was es- tablished about the same time that the congregation was organ- ized. It has been doing a good work, and now numbers about two hundred members. A little over a year since, a Young Peo- ple's Luther Alliance was organized, which continues to exist and to be helpful to pastor and people. It is worthy of note that Mr. E. W. Zerby, who is a member of the congregation at present, was one of the original members of the organization, and has been in connection with the congrega- tion ever since, serving most of the time as an officer, and as superintendent of the Sunday-school. 256 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. LV. MEMORIAL CHURCH, HARRISBURG. BY KKV. S. DASHER. This enterprise was begun about the middle of November, 1867, by a number of Sunday-school workers of the Zion Luth- eran Church of Harrisburg, then under the pastoral care of Rev. G. F. Stelling. The Sunday-school was organized in a small school-house on the Jonestown Road, near the present location of the church. Its sessions were held in the morning during the entire year, until about four years ago, when they were changed to the afternoon. On September 17, 1868, Mr. Shoop and wife conveyed to the Trustees of the Zion church the lot of ground situated at the corner of Fifteenth and Shoop streets in the said city, fronting loo feet on Fifteenth street and T05 feet on Shoop street, on which the present church building stands. On this lot of ground a chapel was erected by the Zion Lutheran church under the supervision of the above-named pastor, the corner-stone of which was laid on September 28, 1868, and the superstructure com- pleted about June 1, 1869. It was a one-story frame building, with seating capacity for about 225 persons. It was set apart and consecrated under the name and title of the "Lutheran Jubilee Chapel." On the same day, the Sunday-school entered its new and then commodious home, and continued efficient and successful work up to the close of the year 1871, when the council and pastor, Rev. G. F. Stelling, D. D., of Zion Lutheran church, tendered a unanimous call to Rev. S. Dasher. After many earnest entreaties the call was accepted, the salary being $600.00, and the pastor required to find his own residence. The first sermon was preached by the pastor, on the morning of January 7, 1872, from the text, Psalrn xx. 5, " In the name of our God we will set up our banners." There were at this date one hundred and twenty officers, teachers and scholars in the Sunday-school, and a canvass of the territory discovered thirty- five persons who claimed to be Lutherans. On February 25, 1872, a meeting was called in the chapel for the purpose of effecting an organization. The attendance was SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 257 large. Rev. G. F. Stelling, who had been invited by the pastor to be present, opened the meeting with appropriate religious exercises. Mr. J. Amos Fisler was called to preside, Mr. Uriah Brown was chosen to act as secretary, and, after the object of the meeting had been stated, thirty-five names were enrolled, and a constitution was submitted and adopted. Eight officers were elected, as follows : Messrs. J. Amos Fisler, J. Potteiger, and C. A. Walters, elders ; Messrs. David Mumma, U. H. Brown, and I. W. Hoover, deacons ; U. H. Brown, secretary, and David Mumma, treasurer. The work was for some time partially sup- ported by the mother church. In June, 1885, an application was made and a charter granted, and the church thereupon became self-sustaining. The name was changed to " The Memorial Evangelical Lutheran Church of Har- risburg, Pa." On Tuly 6, 1886, the proper officers of Zion church conveyed the lot of ground on which the chapel stood to the new corpora- tion for the consideration of one dollar. On March 17, 1890, sixty-two of the members of the church made application to the council for letters of dismissal, for the purpose of forming a new congregation and locating in a more central place. Among the number were three trustees, one elder, one deacon, and the secretary, superintendent, and a large num- ber of the teachers of the Sunday-school. Their request was granted. Within a short time after, seven more applied for dis- missal and were transferred to the new congregation. This left the old church in a weak state, numerically and financially, but it rallied once more, and, with the material left, about 120 mem- bers, many of whom had little experience in church affairs, took hold of the work. It was evident, however, that something must be done to infuse new life into the remnant. After earnest thought, prayer, and well-matured plans, ground was broken in the latter part of April, 1891, on the old location, for a new building, the corner-stone of which was laid June 28, 1891, and the work of rearing the superstructure pushed as rapidly as pos- sible to completion. On February 14, the house was set apart and dedicated to the worship of the Triune God, in the presence of about 800 people. 258 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. The morning sermon was preached by Rev. C. S. Albert, D. D., of Baltimore ; the evening sermon, by Rev. W. H. Dunbar, of Lebanon. The finances were in charge of Rev. J. A. Wirt, of Hughesville, Pa., and the consecration was performed by Rev. D. M. Gilbert, D. D., of Harrisburg, Pa. The building cost about $14,000.00 and the furnishing thereof about $3,000.00. The seating capacity of the main auditorium is 423. In the Sun- day-school building there are three departments, with a seating capacity of at least 600. The main room of the Sunday-school is so constructed that it can be used in connection with the audi- torium, which then affords a seating capacity of about 800. This house, built on a beautiful location, towers heavenward as a monu- ment of self-denial and great sacrifice. When the subscriptions are all paid, there will be an indebtedness of between $7,000.00 and $8,000.00. The property, at a low estimate, is worth $20,- 000.00. The amount of salary now paid the pastor is $600.00, and he is required to find his own home. The Sunday-school numbers 285 scholars and 30 officers and teachers, and has two departments. A third department will soon be formed. There are three societies connected with the church, namely, the Ladies' Aid Society, the Christian Endeavor Society, and the Mission Band, all of which are doing good service for the Master. The present membership of the church is 169, made up of hard-working people, most of whom are of the Lord's poor. The progress of this work has been slow but steady. For at least eighteen years there were great hindrances. Far to one side of the populous district, with no sidewalks or pavements, and only one street leading to the church, progress was difficult. After a while the old chapel became too small and uninviting ; but, thank God, all these things are of the past, and in the near future this beautiful church will be in the centre of a large popu- lation. Up to September 20, 1892, there have been received by regu- lar modes of the church, nearly five hundred persons. The pastor up to that time baptized 450 children • united 462 couples in holy matrimony, and officiated at 744 funerals. He served, in connection with this work, the Shoop's congregation, four miles SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 259 east of the city, and the Oberlin church, four miles southeast of the city, every two weeks for the term of four years. Hitherto the Lord has been with this work. To Him be all the glory. His servants take courage and go forward in His name. LVI. CALVARY CHURCH, WEST PHILADELPHIA. BY REV. S. A. HOLMAN, D. D. Calvary Lutheran church, West Philadelphia, was organized May 10, 1874. The congregation at first worshiped in a hall at the corner of Fortieth street and Lancaster avenue. The church CALVARY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, WEST PHILADELPHIA, PA. edifice, south-east corner of Forty-third and Aspen streets, was subsequently built by the congregation, and dedicated to the ser- vice of God, December 12, 1875. Recently, an offer having been made for their church, it was sold, and a lot on the south- west corner of Forty-first street and Mantua avenue was pur- chased. A new church is now being erected, which, it is ex- 260 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. pected, will be finished May i, 1893. The location of the new- building is several squares north-east of the old church. It is near the Forty-first street station of the Pennsylvania railroad, and a few squares south of Fairmount Park. The church has a front on Forty-first street of sixty-one feet, and extends back, for the pres- ent, to a depth of fifty-four feet, there being about forty-five feet in the rear of the church on Mantua avenue, over which it is ex- pected, in the future, to extend the building. The church is built of red pressed brick, with the arches over the windows and doors of Pompeian brick. The membership of the congregation is 120; scholars and teachers in Sunday-school, 274. Rev. S. A. Holman, D. D., has been pastor of the congregation since its or- ganization. LVII. ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, LANCASTER. BY REV. E. ME1STER. St. Stephen's Cerman Lutheran church is the youngest Luth- eran congregation in Lancaster. Its house of worship, which is situated on the corner of Duke and Church streets, measures 49x75 feet, and has a steeple and spire 172 feet in height. The congregation was organized July 19, 1874, at which time the necessity of a second German Lutheran church was felt. There were only seventeen families at the above-named time to start the new church. Its first officers and church council were Messrs. Adam Oblender, John Ochs, C. P. Krauss, W. C. F. Sheer, Peter Dietz, Henry Zimmermann, John Landau, Bernhard Kuhlmann, B. F. Adams, A. Grotzinger, Jacob Lutz and William Gelzen- lichter. The congregation is connected with the East Pennsyl- vania Synod and through it with the General Synod. Its first pastor was Rev. W. S. Porr. In 1880 he was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. E. Meister. Until 1881 the services were held in the lecture room, and on March 13-16, 1881, the main audience room of the church was dedicated. On Trinity Sunday of the following year the church was completed, and beautified with a large~pipe organ. The membership of St. Stephen's now is nearly 400 souls. There is connected with this church an excellent Sunday-school, includ- SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 26l ST. STEPHEN'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, LANCASTER, PA. ing a flourishing Bible class ; also, under the supervision of the pas- tor, is a Youths' and Ladies' Society, designed to further the in- terest of this young but enterprising congregation. 262 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. LVIII. ST. PETER'S CHURCH, COLLEGE HILL, EASTON. BY REV. C. R. TROWBRIDGE AND REV. W. H. DUNBAR, D. D. In 1870 St. Paul's Lutheran church, Easton, Pa., Rev. J. H. Bar- clay, pastor, erected a mission chapel on Porter street, near High street, College Hill. It was a frame building of twenty-four by forty feet, with a recess seven feet wide in front, five feet in rear, and three and six-tenths feet deep. The Building Committee were *C. Edward Hecht, David B. Miller, Amandus Schug, and Wil- liam Sweeny, of St. Paul's church. The chapel was finished and dedicated in the fall of 1870, Rev. Dr. F. W. Conrad preaching the dedicatory sermon. This building was afterward changed into and used for some years as a parsonage. It was then sold, and is now used as a private dwelling. In this chapel a Sunday- school was at once established. From the first the work was attended with the most encouraging success. Preaching services were held as those in charge were able to secure some one to break to them the Bread of Life. An occasional sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Barclay. During the years 1870-18 73 the population of College Hill increased with great rapidity. The idea was conceived, and received with great enthusiasm, to or- ganize a congregation. Action was at once taken by St. Paul's Church Council, Rev. H. W. Mc Knight, pastor, to effect such organization. In July, 1874, a meeting of the people was held in the chapel, at which it was decided to organize the new congre- gation. On motion of Ephraim Bower, the name adopted was, " St. Peter's Sixth Lutheran Church of Easton." It was originally designated " Sixth," because there were five Lutheran churches in existence in Easton before this one. It was afterward discovered that the colored church was designated " The First Colored Lu- theran Church," and the title of St. Peter's was changed in the charter to the " Fifth Lutheran Church of Easton." The first Church Council consisted of P. A. Shimer, Ephraim Bower, Amandus Steinmetz and James H. Buell, elders ; and Edwin Sandt, Isaac Snyder, Noah Deitrich, Daniel Brinker and Van Selan Walter, deacons. These officers were installed in the latter SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 263 part of July by Rev. H. W. McKnight. Rev. W. H. Dunbar was called as first pastor on Friday, August 28, 1874, and preached his first sermon on the following Sabbath. The congre- gation was received into the East Pennsylvania Synod at Pottsville, September 9. On May 1, 1875, tne congregation was regularly ST. PETER'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, EASTON, PA. chartered by the Court of Northampton county. The first com- munion was held October 18, 1874. The number communing was twenty-eight. The whole membership was thirty-six. At the request of some of the good people, it was determined by the Council that a monthly German service be held. The pastor conducted the first German service on Sunday morning, 264 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. October 11. 1874. It was the only such service held. At a meeting of the Church Council, held during the following week. a motion was offered, and without a word of comment, unani- mously carried, that there be no more German preaching. The pastor profited by the experience, and has never attempted to preach German since. We can not but think that, so far as the congregation was concerned, the action was wise. The congregation having grown with great rapidity, early in the spring of 1875 ^ was decided to build a new church. A Building Committee was appointed, with power to raise money and to carry on the work. The committee consisted of A. Stein- meti, P. A. Shinier and Ephraim Bower, with William Werkheiser as treasurer of the building funds. A lot on the south-east corner of Porter and High Streets was purchased for $1,500.00 by Mr. John Eyerman, of St. Paul's church, and presented to the congre- gation, upon which it was decided to build. The corner-stone of the new building was laid June 19, 1875. The services were participated in by Rev. H. W. McKnight, of St. Paul's, Rev. Ph. Pfatteicher, of Zion German Lutheran church, Rev. S. Henry, Secretary of the East Pennsylvania Synod, and Rev. Dr. W. C. Cattell, President of Lafayette College. The new church was completed in January, 1876. It is a beautiful and commodious brick building with Sunday-school room adjoining, costing about $12,000.00. It was dedicated January 16, 1876, Rev. Dr. F. W. Conrad preaching the dedicatory sermon. It is due to Mr. John Eyerman to say that his heart was in this enterprise from the first, and most liberally did he en- courage it. In addition to the $1,500.00 for the lot upon which the new church was built, he paid a subscription of $1,500.00 to the new building ; at the dedication he subscribed $300.00, and paid for one of the large windows. It was his expressed wish that a mortgage of $5,000.00, held by him against the congrega- tion, should be canceled as soon as a remaining indebtedness of $3,000.00 over and above the mortgage was paid. This wish was carried out through the kindness of Mrs. Eyerman after his death. After the dedication of the new church, a debt of $5,000.00 remained on the building. The panic of 1874 was just beginning SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 265 to be felt. Laboring men were without work, and business men had to husband all their resources to keep themselves afloat. It was a severe struggle for the young congregation to meet its obligations. The sacrifices made for the church during those years are seldom surpassed. Rarely have a people given more liberally and worked more faithfully. The first communion service in the new church, January 23, 1876, was the sixth in the history of the congregation. The num- ber of communicants was 59; the whole number of members, 76. At the next communion, April 16, the number of communicants was 87, and the whole number of members, 116. Rev. W. H. Dunbar resigned in May, 1880. Rev. H. B. Wile, a graduate of the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, became pastor in August, 1880. Under his pas- torate the church was freed from debt. In September, 1880, the old chapel was changed into a suitable parsonage. This old chapel-parsonage was sold in the fall of 1885, and the present commodious brick parsonage was erected, adjoining the church. Upon the representations of Rev. Wile, and at the earnest solici- tation of the congregation, the East Pennsylvania Synod gave $1,000.00 towards the debt on the church, and in 1884 the entire burden was lifted. During the summer of 1884, and prior to the meeting of the East Pennsylvania Synod in Easton in the fall, the church was re-painted and repaired at a cost of $450.00. Rev. Wile resigned September 9, 1885. Rev. J. B. Keller, of Williamsport, Md., was elected pastor in January, 1886, and assumed charge the following March. He resigned in January, 1888, after a term of not quite two years. During his pastorate the membership increased some forty or more. Rev. Chas. R. Trowbridge, of Trenton, N. J., was elected pastor on May 18, 1888, and assumed charge of the work on August 22, 1888. During his pastorate, seventy-four were added to the membership of the church. On October 25, 1891, a brick addition, sixteen by twenty- two, to the Sunday- school room, for the use of the infant school, was thrown open and dedicated, free of debt. The total cost was $450.00. Rev. R. W. Hufford, D. D., and Rev. T. C. Pritchard, assisted 266 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. in the dedicatory services. Two young men of this congregation have entered the ministry. They are Rev. Chas. M. Sandt, formerly pastor at Gordon, Pa., temporarily residing at Easton, and Rev. C. E. Walter, who is now the assistant pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Germantown, Pa. The ladies of the congregation deserve much credit for their activity in efforts to assist in meeting the financial obligations of the congregation. At various times Aid or Mite Societies have done good work, and have raised a great deal of money by their labor. On November i, 1891, a Society of Christian Endeavor was formed, with some twenty or more active members. A Cir- cle of King's Daughters is also in existence among the young ladies of the congregation. During the winter of 1 890-1 891, a Circle of King's Sons maintained semi-monthly prayer-meetings among the young men of the congregation with some success. The salary paid to the pastor at present is $650.00, with par- sonage, a total of perhaps $750.00 or $800.00. The Sunday-school consists of two departments — the primary, with three officers and teachers and eighty-five scholars ; and the intermediate, with twenty-three officers and teachers and one hundred and four scholars. The present indebtedness on the parsonage is $1,250.00, and on a house and lot adjoining the parsonage, also owned by the congregation, $950.00, making a total indebtedness of $2,300.00. LIX. ST. JOHN'S, STEELTON, DAUPHIN COUNTY. BY REV. M. P. HOCKER. St. John's Evangelical Lutheran congregation of Steelton, Pa., dates its history from January 31, 1875, when, in the old brick school-house until recently standing on South Second street, a congregation was organized by Rev. E. Daron, who was then serving what was known as the Shoop's pastorate, and who had preached in the school-house at stated periods before this date. A Sunday-school had been organized as early as November 22, 1874, with about twenty pupils. The first officers of the school were : Superintendent, F. C. Earnest ; Secretary, John A. Mc- SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 267 Clure ; Librarians, C. A. Dobson and Martin Sharlock ; Managers, Jacob Felty, Henry Lenhart, Mrs. Dobson, and Mrs. Sharlock ; Treasurer, Jonas Books. When the congregation was organized a few months later the following Church Council was chosen : Trustees, Jacob Lenhart, David Sloop, and Henry Miller ; Elders, Christian Harm and F. C. Earnest ; Deacons, J. A. McClure and Martin Hocker ; Treas- urer, Jonas Books. ST. JOHN S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, STEELTON, PA. The congregation was united with the Shoop's pastorate, and Rev. Daron became the first pastor. From its beginning the congregation gave evidences of intense activity, and, though few in numbers, arrangements were very soon made to build for them selves a chapel on Locust street, near Second, which building, though several times enlarged, still serves the congregation as a place of worship. The corner-stone was laid on August 15, 1875, and the completed building was dedicated on December 19 of the same year. 2b8 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. Too much praise cannot be given to the few devoted, zeal- ous members who gave themselves so earnestly to this new enter- prise. They laid the foundations of that which, under the bless- ing of Providence, developed into what we now so greatly enjoy. Some of the charter members are still with us, and have the rare satisfaction of working amid abundant fruitage in the garden of their own planting. The debt of gratitude on our part is not limited to members of the Lutheran church. There were those of other denominations who labored with and for this struggling congregation. The names of Mr. and Mrs. Dobson, especially, are most gratefully mentioned by the pio- neers in this work whenever reference is made to those days of small things. Rev. Daron, after serving the congregation a little less than three years, resigned January i, 1878, and was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Yingling, who took charge June 1, 1878. The latter served the congregation until September 6, 1880, or about two years and three months. About this time the congregation be- came a distinct pastoral charge, having separated from the Shoop's pastorate. Rev. Wm. S. Porr became the third pastor, and entered upon his duties October 1, 1880. After serving the church with com- mendable zeal and remarkable activity for two years and two months, he resigned November 30, 1882. During his ministry, and by his personal efforts largely, the chapel was beautified and rendered much more cheerful. At the close of his administra- tion, and nearly eight years from the date of the organization, the congregation numbered about seventy-five members, with a Sunday-school of about one hundred and fifty. From the last of November, 1882, until the middle of July, 1883, the congregation suffered from the demoralizing condition of being without a pastor ; for, although the present pastor ac- cepted a call February 1, he could not, prior to the above date, exercise any pastoral care, being still a member of the Senior class in our Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, from which in- stitution he was graduated in the latter part of June, 1883, having in the interval, however, served the congregation as a supply. En- tering upon his duties in July, 1883, and making a house to-house SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 269 visitation, in company with our beloved and now sainted brother, D. B. Lupfer, about fifty adherents to the church were found, a number of members having recently removed. Thus began the second half of the congregation's history up to date. Under the very special blessing and favor of God, during the last nine years the congregation has had a prosperous career. Although we have lost many members by removal and for other reasons, some of which will be referred to later, yet we number over four hundred members to-day, with a Sunday-school of nearly six hundred. The following marks of prosperity may be noted : net growth of membership, from 50 to 405 ; of Sunday-school, from 150 to 580. The church building has been twice enlarged, and the main body of the church has been beautified. A site for a new church edifice has been bought and paid for at a cost of $5,100.00, not including interest on borrowed money. The congregation has always responded to worthy appeals for contributions to the various operations of the church at large. We have always met our apportionment, and, with one or two ex- ceptions, have exceeded it every year. We have not been un- mindful of the poor. The pastor's salary has been regularly increased, from $500.00 the first year, to $1,000.00 several years ago, and is promptly paid every month. By the aid of our council, especially that of our deacons, who seem to realize the responsibility of their stewardship and try to keep the church free from debt, the financial condition of our congregation is excellent. We have also built and already partly paid for a chapel on South Second street, where the mother congregation has organized a mission church, and for several years prior had maintained a Sunday-school, for one year supporting a missionary on the ground. We have never aimed merely at numerical growth, for, while we believe that the church is the divinely ordained institution in which, by the faithful use of the means of grace, men are to be saved and prepared for heaven, yet our council has regularly stricken from the roll the names of those who have given unmis- takable evidence that they were not striving to walk in the faith, 27O EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. and who have persisted in a wilful dereliction of duty in the face of patient forbearance and sincere efforts to reclaim them. We have sustained heavy numerical losses during the past sev- eral years, by the death of prominent members and the removal of others from the locality. We dismissed a number to assist in organizing St. Paul's mission. By the organizing of the Ger- man Lutheran congregation several years ago we lost some mem- bers, and when St. Mark's congregation was organized we gave letters of dismissal to six male and fifteen female members. Our Church Record reveals the gratifying fact that we have received into church fellowship in the last eight and a half years 575 members, an average of nearly 68 each year. Of these, 163 were received by letter, 132 by profession of faith, 86 by bap- tism, 192 by confirmation, and 2 by restoration. During this time 315 infants were consecrated to God in holy baptism, 123 marriages solemnized, and the pastor officiated at 169 funerals. The congregation has entered upon the eighteenth year of its existence under most encouraging circumstances. The past year was, in many particulars, the most prosperous. Perfect harmony prevails. There seems to be a disposition on the part of most of our members to respect each other's opinions and regard each other's feelings, a disposition that must characterize the true Christian and the congregation that would expect the blessing of heaven upon their work. The initiatory steps have been taken to build a large and hand- some church edifice for the comfort and increased facilities of the congregation. It is not considered wise to hasten this important work unduly ; but by careful, deliberate counsel, accompanied by harmonious, concerted action, we confidently hope to realize, in the near future, what we so ardently desire and so greatly need, viz.: a commodious and attractive house of worship. With grati- tude and extreme delight we note that one year ago the congre- gation gave their first candidate for the holy ministry, Webster C. Spayde, whom they supported one year in the preparatory de- partment at Gettysburg. May the rich blessing of God continue to abide with us ! SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 271 LX. CENTRAL CHURCH, PHCENIXVILLE, CHESTER COUNTY. BY REV. JOHN KLING. The Central Lutheran church of Phcenixville, Pa., was organized by Rev. S. S. Palmer, pastor of the Pikeland church, on December 5, 1S75, w ^th eleven members. The following is the list of names : Mrs. Elizabeth Tustin, Mrs. Sarah Auld, Miss Jane Auld, Miss Annie Rixstine, Miss Sarah Wells, Mrs. Mattie Caveny, William E. Caveny, Mrs. Emma C. Gregg, Mrs. Sophia King, Henry Rixstine and Thomas King. The following-named brethren constituted the first official board of the church : Thomas King, William E. Caveny, Harmon Kanouse, Henry Rixstine, Jonas Tustin, William C. Dettra, Ben- jamin F. Auld, Davault Beaver. The first sermon looking toward the organization was preached by the aforesaid minister in May, 1875, in the Mennonite church, corner of Main and Church Streets, permission having been granted through the earnest efforts of Thomas King, a member of the Pikeland congregation. At a regularly-called meeting held on December 25, 1875, the Mennonite congregation (being about to abandon their work in the town) unanimously agreed to convey their church property to the Lutherans upon the following conditions, viz. : That the latter should assume the indebtedness upon the property, and that they should hold the property for divine worship. These conditions were unanimously accepted by the Lutherans. In ac- cordance with an act of the State Legislature, passed in 1873, and by action of the courts of Chester county, on May 17, 1878, the church became an incorporate body. The circumstances which led to the organization were such as are common in nearly all growing towns, viz. : Lutherans were coming in from the sur- rounding country, locating in the town, and going into churches of other denominations. The congregation has been served by the following-named pastors : Rev. S. S. Palmer, from December 5, 1875, to August, 1880 ; Rev. W. M. Baum, Jr., from October 1, 1880, to January 29, 2 7 2 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. 1883; Rev. Philip S. Hooper, from March 1, 1883, to August 1, 1886; Rev. H. C. Grossman, from November 1, 1886, to No- vember 1, 1890. The present pastor, Rev. John Kling, commenced his labors February 19, 1891. The church has not been associated with any other in pastoral relation. The building is of stone, and was erected by the Mennonites in 1789. It was repaired by them in 1873, and again repaired by the Lutherans in 1890. The congregation has no parsonage. Present indebtedness is S320.00. The amount of salary paid the present pastor is $800.00, and Si 5. 00 monthly toward the rental of the pastor's house. The Sunday-school, previous to the organization of the church, was known as a Union school ; but after the organization it im- mediately became Lutheran, with about fifty members. The first superintendent of this newly-organized school was Wm. E. Caveny. A Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society was organ- ized in 1885, during Rev. Hooper's pastorate, which continues its work. In May, 1890, a Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was organized, which is, indeed, a source of great and efficient help in the work of the church. We also have what is called a ''Good Will Society," which is not only of a social character, but of financial aid. About forty copies of the Lutheran Observer are taken by the congregation, thirty copies of the Missionary Journal, and one hundred copies of the Lutheran Sunday-School Herald. The present membership of the church is 164, and the present condition and outlook are quite encouraging to both pastor and people. LXI. ST. PAUL'S, GORDON, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. BY REV. A. R. GLAZE. Gordon is situated in the west-central part of Butler township, Schuylkill county, Pa. It bears its name in honor of Judge Gor- SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 273 don, of Reading. The first congregation for religious worship was assembled in a school-house in the outskirts of the village (now a borough), about 1854, by Rev. Joseph Adams, who was located in Northumberland county and was a member of the Northumberland Presbytery. He preached at Gordon every two weeks for several years. There were a few Methodist families in the village ; and, during the ministrations of Rev. Adams, a union Sunday-school, composed of Presbyterians and Methodists, was organized in the same school-house and conducted very success- fully. The first Methodist preaching at Gordon was in the year 1857, by Rev. J. A. DeMoyer, who was stationed on what was then the Catawissa circuit of the Baltimore Conference. Rev. Robert C. Bryson, of Ashland, became the successor ot Rev. Adams, serving also the Presbyterian congregation at Gor- don. It was not long until the school-house became too small to ac- commodate the children for the public school. Then a new school-house was built nearer the centre of the village. In the year 1859 a Methodist society was organized. Wor- ship was held every two weeks alternately in the new school- house by the Presbyterians and Methodists for about a year. The various preachers supplying the Methodist society from time to time came from the surrounding towns. Rev. Bryson continued to serve the Presbyterians, whose church outnumbered the Metho- dists. When it was thought expedient to erect a church edifice, a vote was taken by the citizens to decide which denomination should have the choice of building. It was decided in favor of the Presbyterians, who, in i860, built the church beside the pub- lic school-house, on the lot presented by the McKnights of Read- ing, and secured a clear title for the same. The edifice cost about $2,500.00. The Northumberland Presbytery donated $1,000.00 towards the enterprise. This edifice remained in pos- session of the Presbyterians until December 2, 1872, when, on account of their decrease in membership, caused by many re- movals, it was sold to the Methodists, who had by this time in- creased in membership, for the sum of $1,300.00. In the meanwhile several Lutheran families appeared in the 274 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. place. These, with the surviving Presbyterians, were served suc- cessively by Revs. Sikes, Curtis, and Hackenberg, pastors of the Lutheran church at Ashland. An Episcopalian minister of Ashland, by the name of Washburne, also served them for a while. In 1876 the church, being involved in debt, was sold, and pur- chased by the Lutherans for $600.00, the Methodist Society being compelled to seek a shelter elsewhere. The Lutheran church at Gordon was organized by Rev. O. D. S. Marcley, September 3, 1876, with thirty-three members. The following were the officers elected at the time of its organization : Elders, Thomas Rasbridge and W. H. Anthony ; Deacons, George F. Rick, Charles F. Hoffman, Joseph L. Harper, Edward G. Eb- ling, Boaz Dreher, and Frederick Rice. Rev. O. D. S. Marcley was elected its first pastor. From the time of its organization until February 3, 1886, it formed a part of the Ashland pastor- ate, and Rev. Marcley was succeeded as pastor May 16, 1878, by Rev. D. E. Rupley, and he, November 1, 1879, by Rev. J. H. Weber. During the ministry of the last-mentioned pastor, a revival, in February of 1880. resulted in general good and thirty-four addi- tions to the church. An organ was purchased in June, 1880, for $250. 00. In December, 1880, another great revival was experi- enced in this church. In December, 1881, a church fair was held, from which $565.00 were realized. In August, 1882, began the work of remodeling the church edifice. This consisted in removing the gallery, putting in stained windows, painting the exterior and papering the interior, securing new pulpit and altar furniture and a new chandelier, at a total cost of $1,000.00. The church was re-dedicated October 29, 1882, free from debt, Rev. F. W. Conrad, D. D., preaching the dedicatory sermon. October n, 1885, it was resolved at a joint council meeting that this church separate from the Ashland church and become an independent pastorate no later than July 1, 1886. Accord- ingly, Rev. J. H. Weber tendered his resignation, to take effect on the date named. He, however, closed his successful services for this people, February 28, 1886, with a morning communion service and the addition of seven members. He found the con- gregation with 42 members, and left it with 106, and in a pros- perous condition. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 275 A bell was purchased in 1878, at a cost of $160.00, and a par- sonage was bought, December, 1885, of Mr. George Hudson, for $1,41-0.00. On the latter, $1,000.00 remain unpaid. Rev. W. G. Thrall, of South Valley, N. Y., became the first pas- tor belonging exclusively to the St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church of Gordon, and began his labors March 1, 1886, under the most nattering prospects. A union Sabbath-school had been organized April 2, 1876, with sixty-eight scholars and seven teachers. W. H. Anthony was elected its first superintendent, and held the position many years. Rev. Thrall, while pastor, contended for a separate Lutheran organization. The school is to-day thoroughly Luth- eran in name and character, and, under the superintendency of Mr. Thomas Rasbridge, is in a prosperous condition, with one hundred and fifty scholars and twenty-nine officers and teachers. Rev. Thrall ended his labors for this people in December, 1887. Rev. C. W. Sandt was elected as his successor, and served from July 1, 1888 to December 1, 1891. On the night of March 28, 1890, the church building, along with the school-house, was destroyed by fire, the fire originating in the latter. Then, by the painstaking effort of pastor Sandt, his estimable wife, and a devoted people, a new church edifice was erected where the old building stood, at a cost of $10,000.00. This new house of worship, built of brick, having a large audi- ence-room, with a seating capacity of 350, and a convenient Sunday-school room in the basement, unique in design, magnifi- cent in style of architecture, beautiful in finish, stands as a monument to the zeal and loyalty of a little band of devout fol- lowers of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was dedicated to the worship of Almighty God, Sunday, September 27, 1891. Rev. Wm. M. B. Glanding, of Ashland, Rev. J. H. Menges, of Philadelphia, and Rev. J. H. Weber, D. D., of Sunbury, conducted the dedica- tion services. Rev. A. R. Glaze became the first pastor of the new church, entering upon his work January 1, 1892. The success of his first year's work may be seen in the parochial report to Synod. The synodical apportionment was met, and nineteen new mem- bers have been added to the church. 276 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. The Presbyterian society at Gordon ended with the disposal of their church property to the Methodists in the year 1876 ; the Methodist society has a fine church edifice and a beautiful and well furnished parsonage standing side by side in the centre of the borough ; but the Lutherans have the most beautiful, sub- stantial and commodious church building in the place, with a suitable lot at the side, donated to the church by Mr. Thomas Rasbridge, one of its original members, for a parsonage. From September, 1891, to September, 1892, this congregation was, in the Providence of God, enabled to cancel orders to the amount of $5 246.19. Its present indebtedness amounts (Novem- ber, 1892) to $4287.28. The estimated value of its church property is $12,000.00, and its communicant membership is 130. This, with a flourishing Sunday-school, brightens the hope for its future. LXII. MT. EDEN CHURCH, LANCASTER COUNTY. BY REV. J. V. ECKERT. Mount Eden Evangelical Lutheran church is located about thirteen miles south-east of Lancaster, Pa. The church building was erected in the year 1878, and was the result of services held, at intervals of several weeks, in Bowery school-house, Eden town- ship, Lancaster county, by Rev. J. V. Eckert, during the period of about one year. The people began to feel the need of a church, and in the month of March, 1878, a meeting was held to consider the matter, and it was decided to build a Lutheran church, in which, when not used by the Lutherans, other evangel- ical denominations should have the privilege of holding religious services. Rev. J. V. Eckert, Benjamin B. Myers, Joseph Wimer, Jacob Eckman, and Samuel A. Keen were appointed the building com- mittee. The corner-stone was laid in the month of May, 1878. and the church building was completed in October of the same year ; but in consequence of a severe equinoctial rain-storm, which did considerable damage to the building, it was not dedicated until May, 1879. The ministers present at the laying of the corner-stone were SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 277 Rev. J. V. Eckert, Lutheran, Rev. J. A. Cooper, Methodist, and Rev. W. G. Cairnes, Presbyterian. Those present at the dedica- tion were Rev. J. V. Eckert, Lutheran, Rev. S. E. Herring, Luth- eran, and Rev. W. G. Cairnes, Presbyterian. The building is of brick, covered with slate, and is thirty-five by forty-three feet in dimensions, with a cemetery of one-half acre connected with it, and hitching-ground enclosed with suitable fencing. The cost of the building was about §2,000.00, and the entire ground was donated by Levi Rhoads, of Bird-in-Hand, Lan- caster county, who owns the farm from which the ground was taken. The church building is beautifully located in the country, and the burying-ground is of a sandy, barren soil, and free of stones. After the dedication of the building a congregation was organ- ized by the election of James Creswell and Joseph Wimer, elders ; David Haverstick, Jr., and George Gaul, deacons ; Benjamin B. Myers, Jacob Eckman and Samuel A. Keen, trustees. The original members at the organization were James Cres- well, Elizabeth Creswell, David Haverstick, Sr., Elizabeth Haver- stick, Joseph Wimer, Elizabeth Wimer, Abraham Myers, Ann Herr, John Carnathan, Levinia Carnathan, David Haverstick, Jr., Elizabeth Haverstick. Rev. J. V. Eckert was elected pastor, and has remained such up to the present time. The people of the community in which the church is located were previously rather destitute of church privileges, and there- fore unaccustomed to attend any services regularly. They have, since the erection of the building and organization, manifested an awakened interest in religious services. The congregation at present consists of about forty-five mem- bers, and is an incorporated body, the charter having been granted by the court February 14, 1887. The field of religious work is limited. Material advancement is difficult, as the locality is not wealthy. The church is now only thirteen years old. It has had no basis of traditional Lutheranism, and therefore will require time to engraft itself well in the community. 278 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. LXIII. FIRST LUTHERAN, SHENANDOAH, SCHUYL- KILL COUNTY. BY MR. WM. A. KEAGEY. The First English Lutheran church of Shenandoah, Pa., was organized December 18, 1881, in Egan's Hall. The following were enrolled as members : J. H. Kurtz, Jacob Glover, John C. Glover, H. L. Neflf, Henry Miller, Mrs. J. H. Kurtz, Mrs. Jacob Glover, Mrs. John C. Glover, Mrs. H. A. Swalm, Mrs. D. W. Glover, Mrs. I. P. Neff, Miss Mary Glover, Miss Maggie Glover, Miss Robena Glover, Miss Sue C. Neff. Rev. I. P. Neff was chosen as pastor. The following officers were elected by acclamation : Elders, J. H. Kurtz and H. Miller ; Deacons, Jno. C. Glover and H. Neff; Secretary, J. C. Glover; Treasurer, J. H. Kurtz. At 1 ; 30 o'clock on the same day, the Sunday-school was or- ganized, with J. H. Kurtz as superintendent, Henry Miller, assist- ant superintendent, John C. Glover, treasurer, Maggie Glover, secretary, and the following as teachers : Robena Glover, Annie Kurtz, Mary John, Geo. Kurtz and John C. Glover. A congregational meeting was called on April 1, 1S83, for the purpose of devising plans for building a church. J. C. Glover was appointed as a committee to solicit money for the purpose of building, and at the same meeting secured $374.00. On May 8, 1883, the congregation bought a lot from J. H. Kurtz for the con- sideration of $1,250.00, and the following persons were appointed by the pastor, Rev. I. P. Neff, as a building committee : J. H. Kurtz, Jacob Sanders, Henry Miller, Geo. Wagner, Jno. C. Glover. The next minutes are dated September 30, 1883, with Rev. Wal- ter Miller in the chair. On March 12, 1884, fifteen hundred dollars was received from the Board of Church Extension. Rev. Walter Miller resigned October 14, 1885. On January 31, 1886, Rev. D. A. Shetler became pastor, and continued up to July 10, 1888. On June 10, 1889, Rev. D. B. Treibley was elected pastor of the church, and served until August 1, 1891. Rev. M. H. Havice was then called to the charge. He entered upon his work here December 1, 1891, and is the present pastor. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 279 The church appears to be now on a good footing and should prosper. The membership is about ninety. The Sunday-school numbers over one hundred. The sermons of the pastor are ap- preciated, and the congregation is harmonious. LXIV. BETHANY (FORMERLY ELIZABETH MONROE SMITH MEMORIAL) CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA. BY REV. S. G. SHANNON. Bethany is one of the youngest churches in the north-western section of the city of Philadelphia. It is not yet ten years old, and these have been years of toil, self-denial and anxiety to the little band of faithful soldiers of the Cross. Of this church it can truthfully be said : "They have come up through much tribula- tion." A preliminary meeting was held at the residence of R. I. Heim, October 22, 1883, looking toward the organization of a General Synod Lutheran Church somewhere in the north-western section of the city. The following persons were present : R. I. Heim, C. F. Reinstein, W. H. Faunce, George F. Bultman, Jas. Lehman and George C. Bultman, Jr. After considerable de- liberation, R. I. Heim was elected chairman, G. C. Bultman, Jr., secretary, and W. H. Faunce, treasurer, in order to carry the project to a more complete and successful end. Several meetings were held in private residences, and one pub- lic meeting in the Independent M. E. church on Ridge avenue, near Twenty-fifth street, October 28, 1883, which was addressed by Rev. L. E. Albert, D. D., Rev. W. M. Baum, D. D., Rev. E. Huber, and Rev. J. H, Menges. This meeting proved a great stimulus toward a permanent organization, which was effected November 4, 1883, with eighteen members, in a hall at No. 2529 Ridge avenue. Rev. John R. Williams became pastor, and held the first regular service in the aforesaid hall the same day. He was formally installed as pastor, January 3, 1884. A con- stitution for the better government of the newly-formed congre- gation was adopted on Wednesday evening, January 23, 1884. At a congregational meeting held September 21, 1S84, it was resolved to make formal application to be received into, and be- 28o EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. come an integral part of, the East Pennsylvania Synod. This re- solution, with a formal application, was presented to Synod, which was then in session at Easton, Pa., by R. I. Heim, and the con- gregation regularly admitted. BETHANY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA, PA. On December i, 1884, by action of a committee appointed for the purpose, of which R. I. Heim was chairman, the lot at the corner of Twenty-fifth street and Montgomery avenue was pur- chased, for the sum of $7,333.33. On January 5, 1885, the congregation was incorporated under the corporate title of '-'The Memorial Lutheran Church of Phila- delphia." At a congregational meeting held June 10, 1885, it was resolved to erect a chapel on the recently purchased lot, whereupon Rev. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 2 51 J. R. Williams, Lewis H. Bolton, C. F. Reinstein, R. I. Heim and C. E. Bauder were appointed a building committee to carry out the design of the congregation. Accordingly, a contract was entered into with J. M. Anderson, of Philadelphia, for the erec- tion of a stone chapel forty by seventy feet, for the sum of $6,000.00, which sum was increased $500.00 by deviations from the original design. The chapel (a cut of which is herewith presented) was com- pleted and dedicated to the service of Almighty God April 1 1 , 1886. Rev. J. C. Zimmerman, Secretary of the Board of Church Extension, and Rev. F. W. Conrad, D. D., editor of the Lutheran Observer, officiated on the occasion, other Lutheran pastors of the city assisting the pastor loci. The requisite amount of money to satisfy the claims of the con- tractor was not realized on the day of dedication, and, after the most strenuous self-denial and sacrifice on the part of members, the congregation was unable to meet the demands or longer carry the debt. On May 30, 1886, the contractor notified the council that he would place a builder's lien on the church, which was promptly executed. On September 6 of the same year an adveitisement of sale was placed on the church door, and on September 20, 1886, the sheriff of Philadelphia sold the building to J. M. Ander- son's attorney, Samuel Baker, for the sum of fifty dollars ($50.00) subject to the claim against it, deeded the same to the said Anderson, and at the same time served a notice on the congre- gation to vacate the premises, or lease the same from him at a rental of $60.00 per month in advance. This was disheartening to the little band of earnest workers who had invested their all for the purpose of having a church home, and they were almost ready to disband. Some of the more enthusiastic members thought they could see day dawning in the distance, and believed there was yet a future for a General Synod Lutheran church in the north-western part of this great city. They encouraged the weaker ones to hold on, even though the future looked dark and unpromising. After much prayer and deliberation, the congrega- tion determined to make another heroic effort. Having no church home, and there being no other alternative, the congre- 252 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. gation resolved to pay the rent demanded, which they did for nearly five months, during which period an amicable arrange- ment was effected between the contractor and the congregation, and, according to agreement, the church was re-sold by the sheriff of Philadelphia, December 28, 1886, for the sum of $5,050.00, R. I. Heim becoming the purchaser for the congrega- tion. The congregation, now once more in possession of their own church home, sought assistance and sympathy from philanthropic persons. Overtures were made to the (now deceased) benevo- lent John F. Smith, of Broad Street, Philadelphia, who generously came to the rescue. A proposition was made to memorialize the chapel to his deceased wife, Elizabeth Monroe Smith, on con- dition that he would pay $4,000.00, which he did. At a congregational meeting held March 6, 1886, it was re- solved to change the corporate title to the " Elizabeth Monroe Smith Memorial Evangelical Lutheran Church of Philadelphia." Accordingly, a petition, dated May 2, 1887, was sent up to the Court of Philadelphia, praying for a change of charter, and on June 2, 1887, the Court granted the prayer of the petitioners, and the chartered title was changed to the above. Rev. John R. Williams resigned as pastor September 23, 1888, the resignation to take effect on the 30th day of the same month. At a congregational meeting held January 2, 1889, Rev. S. G. Shannon, of Sunbury, Pa., was unanimously elected pastor, and a call was extended to him at an annual salary of $1,400.06, the Home Mission Board agreeing to pay seven hundred of the above amount the first year. After due deliberation the call was ac- cepted, and he entered upon his duties as pastor of the'congre- gation April 4, 1889, and was formally installed June 2, 1889. Rev. E. Huber, D. D., pastor of Messiah Lutheran church of Philadelphia, delivered the charge to the pastor, and Rev. H. M. Bickel, office editor of the Lutheran Observer, delivered the charge to the congregation. At this time a mortgaged debt of $10,500.00 rested on the church property. A systematic effort was engaged in to liquidate this bonded indebtedness, which was only partially successful, on account of the Memorial Title of the church. Mr. Smith had SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 283 died, meanwhile, and persons not related to Mrs. Smith hesitated to contribute to the completion of the work. This was reported to the East Pennsylvania Synod, and at its meeting held at Middletown, Pa., September 16-22, 1891, the following was offered by Rev. H. W. McKnight, D. D., LL.D. : " Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to unite with the pastor and church council of the Elizabeth Monroe Smith Memorial Lutheran Church of Philadelphia, in the effort to induce the Smith heirs to pay the indebtedness on the property." The President of Synod appointed as such committee Rev. R. W. Hufford, D. D., Rev. H. W. McKnight, D. D., LL.D., Rev. Eli Huber, D. D., Mr. Henry S. Boner and F. A. Hartranft, Esq. This committee, in company with the pastor, Rev. S. G. Shannon, held a colloquium with Mr. Monroe Smith, son of John F. Smith, deceased, and representing the estate. This meeting was fruit- less so far as the liquidation of the debt was concerned, but an agreement was effected to join in a petition to the court to re- move the Memorial and change the chartered title, providing the congregation thought best. Accordingly a congregational meet- ing was held November n, 1891, at which it was unanimously decided that it was to the best interests of the congregation to secure a release of the said Memorial and a change of the corpo- rate name. A joint petition of the congregation and Monroe Smith and Mary A. Smith (now Combs), children and heirs of John F. Smith, deceased, through their legal attorney, was presented to the court, praying a change of corporate title from " The Eliza- beth Monroe Smith Memorial Evangelical Lutheran Church of Philadelphia" to "Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church of Philadelphia." The prayer of the petitioners was granted by Court No. 1 of Philadelphia, January 6, 1892. At a regularly-called congregational meeting held May 18, 1892, it was Resolved, To enlarge our church capacity by the erection of a permanent building on the rear of the lot. The pastor was appointed to canvass for funds for this pur- pose. This canvass is now in progress, with what result time alone will tell. 2 54 EA ST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. LXV. BETHLEHEM CHURCH, HARRISBURG. BY REV. W. H. FISHBURN. In February, 1875, Rev. George F. Stelling, D. D., then pastor of Zion Lutheran church, Harrisburg, Pa., originated a movement in the Sunday-School Association of his charge, having for its object the establishing of a mission school in West Harrisburg, "to care for the Lutheran interests in that part of the city." The result of the steps taken was the organization of Bethlehem Lu- theran Mission Sunday-school, on April 4, 1875. I* fi rst met m a rented room on Broad street. Mr. L. H. Kinnard was chosen superintendent ; Mr. James M. Miller was the secretary, and Dr. Charles T. George was the teacher of the Bible class. A corps of faithful and efficient co-workers made steady progress. Many of the first workers in the Mission " remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep." The Mission School occupied the rented room for eleven years. The discouragements, the trials and dis- appointments, the headaches and heartaches, the self-denials and thankless labor — with efforts to do good frequently misunderstood and unappreciated — that were encountered in those years by the faithful mission workers, cannot be detailed. Yet the school was kept alive, the laborers hoping that a better time would come. The plot of ground now occupied by chapel and tabernacle, at the corner of Green and Cumberland streets, was purchased in 1879, but it was not until 1885 that a contract was made for the erection of the first building for Sunday-school and other pur- poses. The corner-stone of the chapel was laid on August 23, 1885, by Rev. A. H. Studebaker, then pastor of the mother church, and on March 21, 1886, the structure was dedicated by the same minister. This building, which is of brick, with brown-stone trim- mings, in Romanesque architecture, is forty-five by ninety-five feet in dimensions, and was comfortably furnished. A week after the dedication, the Sunday-school was transferred to its first home, and officers and teachers realized that their labors had not been in vain. In the fall of 1886 a weekly prayer-meeting was established; a few months later the workers in the school, together with a few SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 285 others in the western part of the city, feeling that the distance to Zion was great, that the mother church could spare them, and that a Lutheran church was needed in this locality, expressed a desire for a separate organization. Overtures were made to the church council of Zion, having this end in view, the mother church gave her consent, and on March 5, 1887, the Court of Dauphin county granted a charter to "Bethlehem Lutheran church of Harrisburg, Pa." The charter was granted on March BETHLEHEM EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, HARRISBURG, PA. 5, on Saturday. On Tuesday, March 8, just three days after- wards, a congregational meeting was held for the purpose of elect- ing a pastor, and it resulted in the election, by a unanimous vote, of Rev. William Haller Fishburn. A call was extended to him, and, after mature deliberation, he accepted it. The formal organization of Bethlehem Lutheran church took place on May 15, 1887, when pastor Fishburn preached his intro- ductory sermon. Zion church was closed that day, and the entire membership was present with Bethlehem, to wish the new- 260 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. born child God's blessing. Prof. Knoche, the organist of Zion, with the choir of Zion, led the singing. The children of Albert and Catharine Hummel presented the new congregation with a silver communion service, in memory of their parents ; and the Bible class of Dr. C. T. George made the church a gift of six silver plates for the offerings. On the following Sunday, May 22, pastor Fishburn received one hundred and six members into full communion with the church, eighty of whom came by certificate from Zion church. From this date services were regularly held in the unpretentious chapel, which, although large, soon became overcrowded. The officers in the first church council were as follows : Trustees, Dr. Charles T. George and L. H. Kinnard ; Elders, Alexander Blessing and Adam Reel ; Deacons, James M. Miller, Henry Fraley, Charles M. Singer, Charles C. Schriver, James H. Lytle and Charles Y. Fink ; Treasurer, Alexander Blessing ; Secretary, James M. Miller. The crowds soon became so great that the chapel was alto- gether too small to accommodate them. A larger building be- came imperative. But the congregation did not feel able to erect a large building of costly material. Mr. Fishburn suggested a "Tabernacle " of wood, built to accommodate 2,000 or more peo- ple, and so constructed that it could afterward be covered with some incombustible material. He preached about the needs of the congregation, and in June, 1889, when the organization was only two years old, it was decided to build a big tabernacle. Plans were approved, and the contract let to Joshua Sweeger, of Newport. The new building, with its furnishings, cost $25,000.00. It was formally dedicated to Almighty God on November 2, 1890, the pastor's father, Rev. Jeremiah Fishburn, of Elizabethtown, conducting the services of consecration. The tabernacle is the most beautiful church building in Harrisburg. It is seated with as- sembly chairs that are convenient and comfortable, and so ar- ranged that all their occupants are brought within easy hearing dis- tance of the preacher. Wide stairways lead from the pulpit plat- form to the galleries, which are also seated with assembly chairs. In the front, facing the pulpit, is the choir gallery, on which is a magnificent three-manual organ, containing 1859 speaking pipes. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 287 The main auditorium is lighted by fifty-seven windows of cathe- dral glass of richest colors. The pulpit is of brass, and is on the large platform between the stairways. In the new building the congregation's growth has been rapid. On the first Easter after dedication 106 new members were re- ceived ; and on the following Easter, 193. Members have been received every time the communion has been celebrated. The total membership is now between 700 and 800. From time to time pastor Fishburn has found it necessary to increase the number of men in the working council of the church, until it now numbers 2 trustees, 4 elders, 1 2 deacons, 1 2 advisers, 12 third committeemen, 60 auxiliaries, a treasurer, and the pastor, — in all, 104 men. The city has been divided by the pastor into twelve wards, and over each ward a committee of eight men is placed. A complete directory of the church and all its auxiliary societies is published annually. There are in connection with the church a Mite society, a Social Circle, a Christian helpers' society, a senior and junior Young People's Society of Christian Endea- vor, a Sewing society, and other organizations, all of which make the outlook for the future most encouraging. LXVI. IMMANUEL CHURCH, NORWOOD, DELAWARE COUNTY. BY REV. E. S. MORELL. Norwood is a suburban village, situated in Delaware County, Pa., on the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad, about eight and a half miles from Broad and Market Street Sta- tion, Philadelphia. In the former part of June, 1888, Rev. E. S. Morell, pastor of the St. James' Lutheran Church at Chalfont, Bucks County, Pa., visited Norwood, and ascertained that there was no religious organization there save a few Methodists, who held religious services in a room of a vacant dwelling-house, and that a large proportion of the population were of Lutheran per- suasion. Regarding it as a promising field for mission work, he held a consultation with the brethren in Philadelphia, and a self- appointed committee, consisting of Rev. Wm. M. Baum, D. D., 288 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. Rev. Eli Huber, D. D., Henry S. Boner, Superintendent of the Lutheran Publication House, and Rev. E. S. Morell, visited the locality. After a careful observation, all were favorably impressed, and decided that a Mission of our church should be started at once. A communication was then sent to Rev. Jacob A. Clutz, Secretary of the Board of Home Missions, directing his attention to it. In the meantime, permission was obtained from the pub- lic school directors to hold meetings in the school building. Circulars were then distributed throughout the community, in- IMMANl'EL KVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, NORWOOD, FA. forming them that a Lutheran Sabbath-school would commence on the following Sabbath afternoon, and also requesting the par- ents to assemble there on Sabbath evening. The attendance at the first session of the Sabbath-school was nine adults and twenty-eight children. An organization was then effected, with Chas. G. Boekenkamp, a staunch Lutheran, as its Superintendent. In the evening, about sixty adults were present, and a preaching service was conducted by Rev. E. S. Morell. On July 29, 1888, Rev. Jacob A. Clutz, Secretary of the Board of Home Missions, was present at the morning and evening service. SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 289 He preached in the morning, and Rev. E. S. Morell in the even- ing. When, before closing the service, Rev. Clutz asked for an expression by a rising vote, of the willingness of those present to co-operate in the work of a Mission enterprise, there was a unan- imous response. After the return of the Secretary to Baltimore, the Board of Home Missions sent a commission to Rev. E. S. Morell to com- mence the establishment of a Lutheran Mission at Norwood, Delaware County, Pa., September i, 1888. The organization of a church was formally effected, September 30, 1888, with twenty- two members, after which a church building-lot in a central lo- cality was purchased for five hundred dollars. Upon this lot the corner-stone for a church building was laid with appropriate ser- vices, May 1, 1889, the sermon being preached by Rev. Eli Huber, D. D. The church building was dedicated November 10, 1889, Rev. J. H. Menges preaching the dedication sermon and conducting the financiering. Subscriptions to the amount of $1,010.09, were secured during the day. The total cost of the church building and ground was $5,114.47, which was covered by donations and subscriptions, except about $1,775.00, of which $775.00 has since been paid off, leaving the church encumbered at present with a mortgage of $1,000.00, at five per cent, interest The present communicant membership is sixty-nine, with a Sabbath-school of one hundred and forty-eight officers, teachers and scholars. Rev. E. S. Morell is the pastor, his salary being six hundred dollars, of which the Board of Home Missions pays three hundred. The members of the Church Council are : Trus- tees, Chas. G. Boekenkamp, Frank W. Taylor, Dr. J. N. Wunder- lich, Theodore Kreeger, Sr. ; Elders, John Harrison, Henry Schroeder, Dr. Geo. F. Baier ; Deacons, Walter L. Orwig, Chas. H. Boekenkamp, Thos. W. Pennypacker, Jacob Meier. LXVU. ALL SAINTS' CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA. BY REV. F. P. MANHART. In December, 1888, a Lutheran Sunday-school was organized in a building on Sixteenth street, near Cayuga, in the northern part of Philadelphia. The building had been erected by Mr. 290 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. Wm. F. Shaw, a large publisher of music, who expected to have a permanent Moravian church established in it. An effort by the Moravians to establish such a church failed ; succeeding efforts to maintain a union Sunday-school languished. Mr. Frank A. Hart- ranft, an attorney- at-law, and a member of the Messiah Lutheran church, was invited to take charge of the Sunday-school. He did so in December, 1888, with the understanding that the school would become Lutheran, and that the property would be deeded to trustees appointed by the Philadelphia Conference, to be held in trust by them for a congregation to be formed, and to be con- nected with the Synod of East Pennsylvania. The conditions were met. The property consisted of a lot thirty four by one hundred and sixty- eight feet, having upon it a building thirty-four by one hundred and twenty-eight feel. It was encumbered by a ground- rent and mortgage, together amounting to $6,200.00. Through the efforts of the Conference and Mr. Hartranft, regular services were maintained from Decem- ber, 1888, to April, 1889. In February, 1889, Rev. Frank P. Manhart, of Bloomsburg, Pa., was asked to become pastor. He accepted, and commenced his labors on Sunday, April 7, 1889. On April 14 a congregation was organized with seventeen mem- bers. It was based upon the doctrinal position and polity of the Synod of East Pennsylvania and the General Synod. On Wed- nesday, the 1 7th, a congregational constitution and the name, " All Saints' ", was adopted. (Three adjacent streets being named St. Luke's, St. Mark's and St. Paul's respectively, a desire was felt to secure a name apropos to local surroundings.) A Church Coun- cil consisting of the following was elected : Elders, Frank A. Hartranft, Esq., Charles G. Marshall and Hamilton Bingham : Deacons, Charles C. Hess, Sam. J. Lauber and A. J. Rudolph. The congregation was received into the Synod of East Pennsyl- vania in September, 1889. At the time of this writing it numbers seventy-seven communicants, and an enrollment in the Sunday- school of two hundred. On June 1, 1892, it took title to a plot of ground about one- half acre in size, and fronting on Germantown avenue and Cayuga and Nineteenth streets. The cost, $6,000.00, was hardly more than half its market value. It is admirably located, and with its SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 291 ample proportions offers the best site for the permanent home ot All Saints' in its section of the city. The Common Service has been in continuous use from the be- ginning. Available " Lutheran material " has been scarce in the neighborhood. In the membership are persons formerly con- nected with eight different denominations. The neighborhood greatly needs a church of the generous and progressive character which All Saints' aims to maintain. LXVIII. ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH, ALLENTOWN. KY REV. CHAS. E. HAY. In response to a call appearing in the daily papers of Allen- town, Pa., about one hundred persons assembled in a vacant store-room at No. 830^ Hamilton street on the evening of Feb- ruary 4, 1890, to consider the propriety of organizing another English Lutheran church. Mr. Francis S. Wilt was called to the chair, and Mr. Wm. J. Frederick was appointed secretary. It was unanimously decided to establish a congregation to be in connection with the General Synod. Several hundred dollars were provisionally subscribed toward the necessary current ex- penses for one year. A further meeting was held on February n, when a provisional form of constitution was adopted and Rev. Chas. E. Hay, who had just resigned as pastor of St. Paul's, was invited to hold services in the store-room on the following Sunday, February 16. The invitation was accepted. Bare floors and unpainted chairs did not in the least detract from the fervor of the enthusiastic and reverent worshipers who filled the room at the appointed hours. During the following week a large, furnished, third-story hall, at the corner of Eighth and Hamilton streets, was rented for an indefinite period at $2.00 per week, the free use of the above-mentioned store-room being kindly granted by its owner, Dr. H. A. Grim, for all meetings during the week. On February 23, after a brief service, a congregational meeting was held, at which a formal organization was effected and the fol- lowing were elected as church officers : Elders, P. K. Grim, F. 292 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. S. Wilt, H. D. Biever and Edwin Fetzer ; Deacons, C. J. P. Bittner' J. C. Kleinsmith, W. J. Frederick, L. O. Shankweiler, I. W. Leiby and J. Lehrman. These brethren were installed at the evening service, and, at a congregational meeting which im- mediately followed, nominated for the office of pastor Rev. Chas. E. Hay, who was unanimously elected. ST. MATTHEW'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHAPEL, ALLENTOWN, PA. On the afternoon of the same day a Sunday-school was estab- lished, with a total enrollment of one hundred and twenty-seven, and a temporary organization with seven officers and eighteen teachers The church council organized on the following day by electing Mr. P. K. Grim as treasurer, Mr. H. J. Michael as sec- retary, and Mr. C. J. Bittner as financial secretary. On March 14, a plot of ground 80x126 feet, at the corner of Tenth and Maple streets, was purchased for $4,200.00, upon the SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 293 rear of which it was decided to erect a brick chapel 40x75 feet in dimensions. The corner-stone was laid on Whitsunday, May 25, the congregation and Sunday-school marching in a body from the hall to the site. Addresses were delivered by Revs. R. W. Hufford and C. A. Hay, D. D., the pastor conducting the official ceremony, and Revs. J. A. Singmaster and S. A. Repass, D. D., assisting. The Allentown band orchestra kindly furnished appropriate music. The members of the congregation at this time, whose names were deposited in the corner-stone, num- bered, with the class of seven catechumens just confirmed, 151. Of these, 133 had withdrawn from St. Paul's congregation. The completed chapel, costing about $6,000.00, was dedicated October 26, Rev. W. M. Baum, D. D., of Philadelphia, officiating with the pastor. The Sunday-school was addressed in the after- noon by Dr. Baum and Revs. J. A. Singmaster and M. K. Richards, D. D. On the following evenings divine services were conducted, appropriate sermons being preached by Revs. T. C. Billheimer, D. D., C. R. Trowbridge, R. H. Clare and W. H. Dunbar. The chapel is a neat and substantial structure, with a seating capacity of 450. The large front window was presented by Mr. W. J. Frederick as a memorial of his three bright boys who have been called to the better world. The pastors ,of the Easton Conference, by personal contributions, provided for two windows, in honor of Revs. A. D. Rowe and C. A. Stork, D. D. The re- maining windows were, by the generosity of friends, inscribed to the memory of Rev. G. F. Stelling, D. D., Mrs. Eliza Hay Morris, Mrs. Eliza Ebert Hay, Rev. A. H. Lochman, D. D., Rev. J. A. Brown, D. D., LL. I)., Daniel K. Grim, Mrs. Rebeeca Young Billmyer, Rev. D. J. Hauer, D. D., Daniel Eppley, Rev. Samuel Yingling, Mrs. Hannah Roth. The central window in the gallery was inserted by the members of the Bible class, in memory of Mr. Franklin K. Kern, who had done efficient ser- vice for years as instructor of the English Bible class in St. Paul's. The pulpit furniture was a gift from Messrs. Francis and Frank D. Wilt, the elegant carving being the handiwork of the latter. Organs were presented by Messrs. W. J. Frederick and Irvin F. Kemmerer. Blackboard, clocks, communion services, pulpit Bible and hymn-book, besides many contributions of cash or its equivalent, attested the good-will of members and friends. 294 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. The Board of Church Extension granted a loan of $3,000.00 without interest for five years. Beyond this there remains less than $900.00 of indebtedness. The Board of Home Missions has made an annually decreas- ing appropriation towards the pastor's salary. The congregation now numbers one hundred and eighty-three, and expects to become self-sustaining by April 1, 1894. The Sunday-school has always been a very prominent factor in the work of the Mission. A full organization was not effected until the completion of the chapel, when the following were elected as officers and teachers : General Superintendent, the pastor ; General Secretary, J. C. Kleinsmith ; General Treasurer, H. D. Biever; Ushers, E. Fetzer, J. H. Millar. Infant Depart- ment — Superintendent, I. W. Leiby ; Organist, Mrs. L. O. Shank- weiler ; Teachers, Mrs. Henry Heckman, Mrs. J. B. Frederick, Mrs. C. W. Kleinsmith, Mrs. J. H. Millar, Mrs. C. J. Heckman, Miss Annie M. Weaver. Intermediate Department — Superin- tendent, W. J. Frederick ; Assistant Superintendent, F. S. Wilt ; Secretary, J. C. Kleinsmith ; Treasurer, H. D. Biever; Librarian, G. H. Schillinger ; Organist, Mrs. C. E. Hay ; Teachers, H. 1). Biever, F. S. Wilt, J. Lehrman, Mrs. H. D. Biever, Mrs. C. E. Hay, Misses Ella Merkle, Hannah Merkle, Millie M. Spatz, Maggie E. Spatz, Emma R. Frederick, Minnie M. Kuntz, Laura A. Weaver. Bible Class — Superintendent, L. O. Shankweiler ; Secretary, J. H. Millar; Treasurer, C. J. P. Bittner ; Enumerator, G. B. Frederick. The entire enrollment of the school is at present about three hundred. 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X X •suoissnVT auiojj m o CO CO ^ i- rtC-l o>co coco 1^ CO CO CO CO • Q0 ; 00 • 05 ■ CO • •A.msua.ix [BOipou^g o o o o O CO OCD CK CO -* r» CO • o • 00 • CO • m- • •pOU^S IUI8U80 — CO C5 CO t* CO O100 in -* Ol 01 00 • 05 • CO '• j a u Q P / GO & M 3 &< z o a 1 o m •80U9[OAau8y .io,ji S 3 OC CO CO ffl 00 o> CCC 0C DO CO 35 o| CO' 1Q 1 o ■* •sjoafqo itjo° * -ot; pura looqog S SI jo i.ioclclns .io,j ^ - 1 •o .0 m os — oo OC CO CO Ol CO t- 05 CO •s.nqoqog o t^- o 01 OI lO • CO • t-t- co in Ol Ol r. 05 •s.taqotJax pxiB s.igoqjo °° — • 05 — CO CO 01 *C1 s •uoiufi | rt : rt : : I lO^« 1 rH • 1 CO CO 1 •utuaqinq^ | ^ ^ i 1-1 : i !-•* 1 CO ■ I S3! ' . •Jtaqtan^i xepuq S C - - O H REGISTER OF PASTORS Who have served Congregations now in connection with the Evangelical . Lutheran Synod of East Pennsylvania, or those out of which the present organizations have grown, showing also places and dates of Pastorates within the hounds of Synod, as well as dates of Honorary Degrees and names of Colleges by which the latter were conferred. Adams, John Alexander. Williamstown, 1888- date. Ahl, Peter. Springfield and Xockamixon, 1789-1797. Albert, John Jacob. East Petersburg, 1 85 3- 185 5. Mt. Zion, Martin's Creek, and Christ, Centreville, 1855-1859. Albert, Luther Endress. D. D„ Penna. College, 1867. Trinity, Germantown, 1851-clate. Whitemarsh (Supply), 1852. Alleman, Benjamin Franklin. D. D., Newberry College, 1885. St. John's, Lancaster, 1887-date. Alleman, Herbert Christian. Millersville, 1889. Ansi'ach, Frederick Reinhardt. D. D., Franklin and Marshall College, 1857. Whitemarsh and Barren Hill, 1841-1850. Anspach, John Melanchthon. D. D., Missionary Institute, Selinsgrove, 1890. St. Matthew's, Reading, 1872-1877. Anthony, Jacob Bachman. Minersville, 1874-1875. Schuylkill Haven, 1 875-1 876. Apple, Benjamin Franklin. May town, 1 862-1 864. ( 338 ) REGISTER OF PASTORS. 339 AuGHEY, Samuel. Ph. D., University of Ohio, 1874: LL.D., Wittenberg College, 1878. Pikelancl (with Lionville), 1 858-1 859. Lionville, 1 859-1 861. AULD, EZEKIEL ALEXANDER. Minersville, 1860-1864. Aurand, Frederick. Fisherville Charge, 1 872-1 874. Millersville and Neffsville, 1883-1884. Aurand, Charles Monroe. Maytown, 1884-1885. Baetes, William. Friesburg, i8c8-i8io. Brickerville and Schaefferstown, 1810-1836. Kissel Hill, 1S24-1839. Manheim, 1825-182S (?). Baker, John Christopher. D. D., Lafayette College, 1837. St. Michael's, Germantown, 1812-1828. Barren Hill and Ardmore, 1812-1828. Whitemarsh, 1818-1828. Trinity, Lancaster, 1 828-1 853. Barclay, Joseph Henry. D. D., Roanoke College, 1876. Stewartsville, 1 859-1 863. St. Paul's, Easton, 1868 -1872. Mission Chapel, College Hill, Easton, 1870- 1872. Barnitz, John Charles. Ardmore, 1835- 1840. Kissel Hill, 1 846-1 854. Manheim (Supply), 1869-1870. Barnitz, Frederick Augustus. St. James', Ashland, 1862- 1864. Baum, William Miller. D. D., Pennsylvania College, 1867. Middletown, 1848-1852. Whitemarsh, 185 2- 1854. Barren Hill, 1852-1858. St. Matthew's, Philadelphia, 1874-date. Baum, William Miller, Jr. Phcenixville, 1880- 1883. Becker, Daniel Raischer. Palmyra and Bellegrove, i892-date. Beckner, Daniel. Mahanoy City, 1871-1 875. 340 east pennsylvania synod. Berkem ever, Fkki >i nam >. Friesburg, 1855-1857. Berkinstock, John Justus Jacob. St. John's, Easton, 1 740-1 748. Berlin, Solomon Jesse. Tremont, 1867. BlCKEL, Henry Miller. D. I)., Western Maryland College, 1892. Chalfont, 1874-1875. Chalfont, 1889- 1890. Lutheran Observer Office, 1877-date. Bii.lheimer, Thomas Charles. D. D., Pennsylvania College, 1886. St. Matthew's, Reading, 1877-date. BOBST, Isaac Walton. Lititz Charge, 1889-date. Boyer, Simon Reinhart. Kissel Hill, 1862-1864. Braas, . Greenwich, N. J., 1777-1781. Breidenbaugh, Edward. Jacob's and St. John's, Pine Grove, 1849- 1852. Breininger, John George. Fisherville Charge, 1 867-1 868. Bricker, Jacob Kissel. Fisherville Charge, 1S77-1879. Bridgeman, Augustus L. Friesburg, 1 852-1854. Brown, James Allen. D. D., Pennsylvania College, 1859; LL.D.£Wooster University, 1879. .St. Matthew's, Reading, 1849-1859. Brown, George Gideon Malachi. Minersville and Tremont, 1 888-1 889. BROWNMII.LER, El'HRAIM STEIN. Union Deposit, 1874-1881. Brunnholtz, Peter. Philadelphia, 1 745-1 757. St. Michael's, Germantown, 1 745-1 751. Friesburg, 1749-1756 (?). Bl'RKHALTER (BURKE), ISRAEL CALVERT. Mahanoy City, 1867-1869. Columbia, 1875-1877. REGISTER OF PASTORS. 34 1 Burrell, John Ilgen. Stone Church, 1860-1875. Mt. Zion, Martin's Creek, i860 -1864. Trinity, Martin's Creek, 1864-1875. Clare, Richard Henry. Hamilton Charge, 1 882-1 892. Collins, Benjamin Brubaker. Chalfont, 1877-18S1. C'OLSON, J. Hamilton Charge, 1810-1812. Conrad, Frederick William. D. D., Wittenberg College, 1864; LL.D., Roanoke College, 1889. Messiah, Philadelphia, 1 866-1 872. Editor Lutheran Observer, 1862-date. Cook, Herman Sidney. Lionville, 1877-1882. Messiah, Harrisburg, 1 883-1 888. Coover, Melanchthon. Ardmore, 1890-date. Cornell, Nathan Henry. Ardmore, 1844- 1848. Pikeland, 1 863-1 874. Cressman, Mark Stetler. Lionville, 1888-date. Crist, Jacob Bishop. Maytown, 1852-1855. Crist, Isaiah Benjamin. Mohrsville, 1 883-1 885. Hummelstown, 1885-1890. Croll, Alfred DeLonu. Lyons Charge, 1868-1876. Croll, Philip Columbus. Mohrsville, 1 879-1 882. Schuylkill Haven, 1882- 1892. Seventh Street, Lebanon, 1892-date. Grouse, Theodore Luther. Christ, Harrisburg, i89C-date. Crumbauoh, John Samuel. St. John's, Lancaster, 1853-1857. Cruse, Christian Frederic. Friesburg, 1819-1824. St. Matthew's, Philadelphia, between 1818 and 1S27. 342 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. Cl'RTIS, SYLVANDER. Friesburg, 1 866-1 868. St. James', Ashland, 1868-1870. Cutter, William Isaac. Brickerville, 1875-1877. Lyons Charge, 1877-1878. Danner, John A. Union Deposit Charge, 1887. Daron, Edward. Fisherville Charge, 1869- 1872. Shoop's Charge, 1S72-1878. Sandy Hollow, 1872-1875. St. John's, Steelton, 1 875-1 878. Lyons Charge, 1878-1880. Dasher, Solomon. Memorial, Harrisburg, 1872-date, Shoop's Charge, 1881-18S5. Davidson, John Hampton, Fisherville Charge, 1 860-1862. Deitzler, Jefferson Mennig. St. Peter's, Pine Grove Charge, 1846-47. Schaefferstown Charge, including at times Schaefterstown, Strauss- town, Mt. Gretna, Womelsdorf, Jonestown, Fredericksburg, Belle- grove, Mt. Zion and Hill Churches, 1850-1865. Annville, Hill and Bellegrove, 1865-1890. Seventh Street, Lebanon, and Mt. Zion, 1866-1882. Union Deposit Charge, 1890-date. Deitzler, Martin Luther. St. Paul's, Steelton, and Trinity, Harrisburg, iSgo-date. Delp, William Speece. Cbalfont, 1 881-1882. Demme, Charles Rudolph. D. D., University of Pennsylvania, 1832. Hummelstown, 1819-1822. De Yoe, Luther E.* Messiah, Harrisburg, 1891-date. Diehl, Caspar. Hamilton Charge, 1805-1810. Diehl, George. D. D., Pennsylvania College, 1856. Christ, Easton, 1843—185 1. Riegelsville, 1 850-1 85 1. * Not a true " Initial," but merely a distinctive letter adopted for convenience register of pastors. 343 Diehl, Samuel Sylvester. Kintnersville Charge (Nockamixon and Upper Tinicum), 1892-date. DiETTERiCH, James Eugene. Friesburg, 1887-1891. Bridgeton, 1891-date. D 1. mm, Jonathan Rose. D. D., Pennsylvania College, 1884. Barren Hill, 1867-1871. Corresponding Secretary Lutheran Publication Society, 1871-1872. Messiah, Philadelphia, 1 872-1 874. Pikeland, 1880- 1882. Domer, Samuel. D. D., Roanoke College, 1876. St. Matthew's, Reading, 1 869-1 872. Dorsey, Edwin, M. D. Columbia, i860- 1863. Dox, Henry L. Tremont, 1876- 1878. Dunbar, William Henry. D. D., Pennsylvania College, 1892. St. Peter's, Easton, 1874- 1880. Zion, Lebanon, 1880-date. Duy, Jacob C. Friesburg, 1837- 1 839. Earhart, Michael Gordon. St. Mark's, Steelton, 1 891 -1892. Early, John William. East Petersburg, 1862- 1863. Maytown, 1865-1867. Eckert, John Varns. Maytown, 1876- 1880. Neffsville and Millersville, 1881-1882. Mt. Eden, 1878-date. E(;oers, Lewis Gustavus. Union Deposit, 1847-1852. En rehart, Charles John. Middletown, 1 856-1 865. Preparatory Department, Pennsylvania College, 1865- 1870. Ellery, J. Frederick. Maytown, 1878-1884. Ellisen, George Frederick. St. Paul's, Allentown, 1 793-1 796. Emery, William Sadler. Kintnersville Charge, 1865-1879. 344 east pennsylvania synod. Kmu.ki.kin, John Michael. Springfield, 1 763-1 770^ ?). Nockamixon, 1 766-1 T]0{ ?). Maytown, 1 770-1 778. Hummelstown, 1 771-1778. St. Peter's (Fisherville Charge), 1 795-1807. Endress, Christian Frederick Ludwig. D. D., University of Pennsyl- vania, 1 81 9. St. John's, Easton, and St. James', Greenwich, i8oi-i8'5. Hamilton, 1803-1805. Trinity, Lancaster, 1815-1827. Engel, Samuel S. Brickerville, East Petersburg and Kissel Hill, 1870- 1874. Fisherville Charge, 1874-1875. Enoelland, John Theophilus. Hummelstown, 1 756— ( ?). Middletown, 1767- 1773. Erhard, Amos B.* Fisherville Charge, 1879-18S3. Erhart, Julius. Jerusalem, Schuylkill Haven, 1854-1865. Salem's, Pine Grove Charge, 1 854-1 856 St. Peter's, Pine Grove Charge, 1854-1855. Ernst, John Frederick. St. John's, Easton, 1 780-1 782. St. James', Greenwich, 1 781-1790. Manheim and Maytown, 1802-1805. Hummelstown, 1804-1805. Ernst, William Gotthold. D. D., Pennsylvania College, 1839. Maytown, 1812-1815. Salem, Lebanon, 1815-1836. Hill Church, 1815-1836. Annville, 1 81 5-1 849. Evans, William Payson. Friesburg, 1 879-1881. Columbia, 1881-1888. Everett, Thomas Thompson. D. 1)., Washington and Lee University, 1881. Messiah, Harrisburg, 1888- 1890. Evster, David. St. Matthew's, Philadelphia (Supply), after 1818. before 1827. Evster, William Franklin. Trinity, Germantown, 1 844-1 851. * Not a true " Initial," but merely a distinctive letter adopted tor convenience. REGISTER OF PASIORS. 345 FELTON, El'HRAlM. St. James', Ashland, 1887-1889. Fernsler, Moses. Fisherville Charge, 1 863-1 866. Berrysburg Charge (including Lykens until 1871), 1866-1878. Sehaefferstown and Brickerville, 1878-date. Fetzer, Christian Augustus. Annville Charge, 1860-1863. Berrysburg Charge, 1863-1S66. Fickinger, Charles. Minersville, 1869-1870. Finckel, Samuel Df.Vin. D. D., Irving College, 1859. Millersburg, about 1832. Middletown, 1837-1840. Trinity, German town, 1840- 1844. Ardmore, 1 842-1 844. Finkbiner, John William. Middletown, 1872-1883. Fischer, August Hermann Francke. Barren Hill, 1889-date. Conshohocken (Supply), 1889- 1890. Fishburn, Jeremiah. Berrysburg Charge, 1 883-1 890. P'ishburn, William Haller. Lykens, 1886-1887. Bethlehem, Harrisburg, 1887-date. Fleck, Henry Ramey. Stone Church, 1875-1881. Fleck, Cyrus Lemuel. Riegelsville Charge, ( including Upper Tinicum until 1892,) 1887-date. Focht, Joseph R.* Manheim, East Petersburg and Kissel Hill, 1864- 1868. Millersville, 1867-1868. Hamilton Charge, 1869- 1874. Francis, Jacob Milton. Conshohocken, 1890. Frederick, Christopher Gottlieb. Manheim and Brickerville, 1842-1849. Kissel Hill. 1842-1846. Frederick, Thomas Jackson. Shoop's Charge, 1888- 1890. * Not a true " Initial," but merely a distinctive letter adopted for convenience. 346 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. Friederici, Ji >II\" £ ndreas. Hamilton, 1 763-1 790. Friederici, Solomon. St. John's, Easton, 1 782-1 798. Fritsch, George Washington. Lyons Charge, 1 885-1 891. Zion's, Ashland, 1891-date. Fri rz, John Henry. Tannersville (Supply), 1S72-1873. Fry, William Engelbert. Stewartsville, 1801-date. Fuchs, ANDR] i.S. Mt. Zion, Martin's Creek, 1837-1S50. Geiser, Dixon Hoover. Augsburg, Harrisburg, 1892-date. Geissenh \ini.k, Frederick William, Sr. D. D., University of Pennsylvania, 1S26. Pikeland, 1818-1822. Geissenhainer, Frederick William, Jr. D. D., University of City of New York, 1863. Pikeland, 1817-December, 1826. Geissenhainer, Henry Anastasius. Upper Dublin, 1797-1801. Geissenhainer, Augustus Theodoshs. St. Paul's, Allentown 1857-1858. Geriiardt, Leonard. Maytown, 1 838-1 847. Trinity, Londonderry, between 1838 and 1850. Shoop's Charge, 1 847-1 850. Middletown, 184 7-1 848. Gf.rhardt, William. D. D., North Carolina College, 1880. Maytown, 1847-1850. Gerock, John Siegfried. Trinity, Lancaster, 1 753—1767. Geschwtnd, Levi H.* Stewartsville, 1884-1885. Gilbert, David McConaughy. D. D., Roanoke College, 18S0. Zion, Harrisburg, iSSy-date. Gladhill, John Toms. Stone Church, 1 889-1 891. * Not a true " Initial," but merely a distinctive letter adopted for convenience. REGISTER OF PASTORS. 347 Gi ending, William Marquard Beetem. St. James', Ashland, 1889-date. Glaze, Alfred Raup. Trinity, Martin's Creek, 1885-1889. Gordon, 1892-date. Glf.ndtkampt, J. A. New Amsterdam, S. A., 1 777-1 779. Gockelen, Augustus B. Pine Grove Charge, 1839-1845. Goetz, Carl Christoph. St. Paul's, Allentown, 1785-178S. Goodlin, John Walters. Millersville, 1887-1888. Gotwald, Luther Alexander. D. D., Pennsylvania College, 1874. Zion, Lebanon, 1863-1865. Gotwald, Washington Van Buren. St. John's, Lancaster, 1866- 1869. Graves, Uriel. Schaefferstown and Strausstown, 1865-TS66. English, Pottsville, 1 866-1 868. Greenwald, Emanuel. D. D., Pennsylvania College, 1859. Christ, Easton, 1854-1867. Groshmek, J. J. M. New Amsterdam, S, A., 1 756-1 760. Gross, Joseph P. Hamilton Charge, (including Tannersville from 1 834- 1 836 ', 182S- 1841. Grossman, Henry Clay. Tremont, 1873-1876. Phoenixville, 1 886-1 890. Hackenberg, Jacob A. St. James', Ashland, 1871-1875. Chalfont, 1882 -1883. Pikeland, 1882-date. Haesbert, John F. Salem's and St. Peter's (Pine Grove Charge), 1834. Haines, George. Hummelstown and Union Deposit, 1854- 1856. Manheim and East Petersburg, 1857-185S. Halderman, George Washington. D. D., Wittenberg College, 1890. Messiah, Harrisburg, 1867-1870. 34^ EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. Hamma, Michael Wolf. D. D., Wittenberg College, 1876. St. Matthew's, Reading, 1866-1869. Handschuh, John Frederick. Trinity, Lancaster, 1 748-1 751. St. Michael's, Germantown, 1 751-175 7. YVhitemarsh, 1 753-1 757. Philadelphia. 1 757-1 764. Friesburg, 1760. Harding, William Henry. Maytown, 1891-date. Harkey, Simeon Walcher. D. D., Wittenberg College, 1851. St. Matthew's, Philadelphia (Supply), 1834. I [arpel, Jeremiah. Ardmore, 1S30-1834. Harpel, Mark. Friesburg, 1833-1835. Ardmore, 1834 or 1835. St. Peter's, Pine Grove Charge, 1835 (?)-i836 (?;. Mt. Zion. Martin's Creek, 1850 (?)-i855 (?). Brickerville and Trinity, Londonderry, 1859- 1870. Haktman, Joseph Franklin. Pikeland, 1 876-1 880. Hartwig, John Christopher. Reading, 1 757—1 758. Hassler, John Waldschmidt. Chalfont, 185 7- 1863. Chaplain U. S. Army, i863~(?). Hausihl, Bernard Michael. Trinity, Reading, 1 759-1 762. St. John's, Easton, 1 763-1 764 (?). Hayerstick, Henry. Ardmore, 1S50-1851. Ardmore, 1855. Whitemarsh (Supply), 1852. Havice, Marcus Hill. Shenandoah, 1891-date. Hay, Charles Augustus. D. D., Pennsylvania College, 1859. Zion, Harrisburg, 1849-1865. Professor in Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, 1865-date. II w, Charles Ebert. Fisherville Charge, 1 876-1877. St. Paul's, Allentovvn, 1877- 1890. Fogelsville, 1883 -1884. St. Matthew's, Allentown, i89C-date. register ok pastors. 349 Hay, Edward Grier. English, Pottsville, 1880— date. Hecht, Anthony. Upper Dublin, 1785. Hecht, John Peter. St. John's, Easton, 1815-1845. St. James', Greenwich, 181 5-1837. Heck, Jacob Henry. Ardmore, 1 861-1868. Heilig, George. Hamilton Charge, 1841-1857. Heilig, Theophilus. Riegelsville Charge, 1864- 1876. Heilman, Lee Mechling. Messiah, Harrisburg, 1873— 1 S83. Heintzelman, John Dietrich Matthew. Philadelphia, 1 753-1 756. Heisler, Washington Lafayette. St. James', Ashland, 185S-1861. Minersville and Tremont, 1883- 1887. Shoop's Charge, 1891-date. Heisler, Martin Lither. Lykens and Williamstown, 1883-1886. Dauphin (.Supply), 1886-date. Held, Cyrus Elmer. Hamilton Charge, 1892-date. Helmuth, Justus Henry Christian. D. I )., University of Pennsylvania 1 785. Trinity, Lancaster, 1 769-1 780. Brickerville, 1774-177 5. Brickerville, 1 776-1 777. Philadelphia, 1 779-1822. Hempinc, John Adam. Berrysburg Charge, 181 1-1842. St. Peter's, Fisherville Charge, 1811-1847. Henkel, Gerhard. Philadelphia, 1 720-1 728. HENKEL, David Melanchthon. D. D., Carthage College, 1882. Stewartsville, 1 855-1 859. Henry, Elias Strickhouser. Jacob's and St. John's, Pine Grove Charge, 1852-date. St. Peter's, Pine Grove Charge, 1855-datc. Salem's, Pine Grove Charge, 1856- date. Tremont, 1853-1860. 35° i wl pennsylvania synod. Henry, Samuel. Greenwich, 1 80S- 1880. Henry, ( 1e< irge O inrad. Berrysburg Charge, 1S75-1S82. Hesse, William. Trinity, Martin's Creek, iSSc)-date. Hinman, Willis Stuart. Columbia, 1888-date. Hippee, Lewis. Trinity, Lancaster (Assistant), 1856-185 7. Whitemarsh, 185 7-1 859. Hucker, Martin Peter. St. John's, Steelton, 1883-date. Holloway, Henry Clay. D. D., Wittenberg College, 1S87. Middletown 18S4-1889. Holman, Samuel Augustus. D. D., Pennsylvania College, 1884. English, Pottsville, 1859-1861. Grace, Philadelphia, 1868- 1873. Calvary, Philadelphia, 1874-date. Hooper, Philip Stansbury. Stone Church, 1S81-1882. Phcenixville, 1883-1886. Lykens, 1890-date. Hoover, Francis Trout. Maytown, 1868-1870. St. James', Greenwich, 1880-1883. Houseman, John H.* Maytown, 1 882-1 884. Huber, Eli. D. D. Pennsylvania College, 1884. Schuylkill Haven, 185 8- 1 860. Hummelstown and Union Deposit, 1861-1866. Messiah, Philadelphia, 1 876-1 892. Professor of English Bible, Pennsylvania College, 1892-date. Hufford, Rufus Ward. D. D.. W'ittenberg College, 1891. St. John's, Lancaster, 1 876-1 880. Millersville, 1880. • St. Paul's, Easton, 1880-date. HUTTER, Edwin Wilson. D. D., Pennsylvania College, 1866. St. Matthew's, Philadelphia, 1850-1873. ILLIG, T. F. Middletown, 1773-1788. ( ?) * Not a true " Initial," but merely a distinctive letter adopted for convenience. register of pastors. 35 i Jaeger, John Conrad. St. James', Greenwich, 1792 — before 181 2. Springfield, 1797-1801. St. Paul's, Allentown, 1800-1831. Jaeger, Joshua. St. Paul's, Allentown (Assistant), 1S27-1831. St. Paul's, Allentown (Pastor), 1 831-1852. Jaeger, Nathan. Lykens and St. Peter's (Fisherville Charge), 1850-1852. Riegelsville Charge, 1S63-1864. Jaeger, Thomas Theophilus. Brickerville, 1850-1852. Jasinsky, Frederick. Pikeland, 1811-1815. Johnston, Elias Schei.lhammer. Messiah, Harrisburg, 186C-1866. Junius, . New Amsterdam, S. A., 1832-1840. Kaempfer, Jacob. Manheim, East Petersburg and Millersville, 1868-1869. Kast, Jacob Keller. Minersville, 1853-1855. Kautz, Benjamin Franklin. Berrysburg Charge, iSgc-date. Keedv, Cornelius L.*, M. D. Riegelsville Charge, 1861-1862. Barren Hill, 1 862-1 865. Keller, Benjamin, St. Michael's, Germantown, 1828-1835. Barren Hill, 1S2S-1835. Ardmore, 1 828-1830. Whitemarsh, 1 829-1 835. Keller, Jacob B.* St. Peter's, Easton, 1886-1888. Kelly, William. Stewartsville, 1S77-1884. Kingsley, Robert F. Chalfont, 1874. Kline, Samuel Snyder. Hamilton, 1 858-1 860. * Not a true " Initial," but merely a distinctive letter adopted for convenience. 35 2 east pennsylvania synod. Klinefelter, Frederick. Tremont, 1868- 1872. Kling, John. Phoenixville, 1 891 -date. Kloss, Daniel. Lykens and Williamstown, 1871-1877. I\M>-,KE, JOHN. Jacob's and Salem, Pine (".rove < lharge, 1802—1811. Koons, Edward Jackson. Whitemarsh, 1 860-1 862. Koser, Da\ IP Theodore. Riegelsville Charge, 1877-1887. Kraft, John Valentine. Philadelphia, 1742. Kramer, John Paul Ferdinand. Springfield and Nockamixon, 1801-1S03. Lykens Valley, i8o5-(?). Hummelstown and Shoop's, 1 807-1 80S. Maytown. 1 806-1 81 2. Kramlich, Benjamin Elias. Mohrsville, 1865-1867. Krauth, Charles Philip. D. D., University of Pennsylvania, 1837. St. Matthew's, Philadelphia, 1827-1833. Ardmore, 1828- 1830. Kroh, Herman Frederick. Lykens, 1887-18S9. Krotel. GorrLOB Frederick. D. D., University of Pem.sylvania, 1865; LL. D., Muhlenberg College, 1888. Trinity, Lancaster, 1853-1861. Annville, 1849-1853. Krug, John Andrew. Trinity, Reading, 1 764-1 771. Kunze, John Christopher. D. I)., University of Pennsylvania, 1783. Philadelphia, 1 770-1 784. Khrtz, John Nicholas. Easton (Forks), 1749. St. Michael's, Germantown, 1 763-1 764. Upper Dublin and Barren Hill, 1763-17^4. Middletown (or his son, J. D.), 1788-1793. REGISTER OF PASTORS. 353 Kurtz, William. Upper Dublin, 1 757-1 758. Salem, Lebanon, 1 775-1794. Jacob's (Pine Grove Charge), 1 780-1 798. Hummelstown, 1 781-1795. Kurtz, Henry A. Hamilton, 1818-1823. Kutz, Henry David. Dauphin, 1868-1869. Snoop's Charge (with Sandy Hollow), 1869-1871. Laitzle, William Gottlieb. St. Peter's, Armstrong Valley, 1 841-1843. Millersburg, Werts' and Salem, 1842- 1843. Union Deposit and Sandy Hollow, 1852-1854. Trinity, Londonderry, 1854- 1859. • Maytown, 1855-1862. Lake, John Welter. Friesburg, 1871-1874. Mahanoy City, 1 880-1 881. Lane, Peter Paul. Berrysburg Charge, 1861-1862. Lazarus, George Miller. Chalfont, 1869-1871. Leeser, John Henry. Trinity, Martin's Creek, 1875- 1877. Hummelstown, 1877-1885. Lehman, Daniel. Trinity, Reading, 1 779-1 780. Trinity, Reading, 1 796-1 801. Lenhart, Edwin. Mohrsville (Womelsdorf Charge), 1878-1879. Lentz, Alexander Wiley. Friesburg, 1882- 1 886. Millersville, 1 889-date. Leopold, Owen. Fogelsville, 1861-1874. Leps, John Christian. St. Paul's, Allentown, between 1778 and 1785. Lk HERMAN, Henry Alexander. Dauphin, 1 882-1 886. Fisherville Charge, 1886-1889. 354 I Asl PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. Lewars, William Henry. Lyons, 1881-1882. Mahanoy City, 1882-1886. Lititz and Kissel Hill, 1886-18S9. Xeft'sville. 1 888-1889. Palmyra (Supply), 1 890-1 892. Annville and Hill Church, 1890-date. Link, Adam Schindler. Hummelstown and Union Deposit, 1858-1861. Lochman, George. D. D., Allegheny College, 1819. Salem, Lebanon, 1 794-181 5. Hill Church, near Annville, 1 794-181 5. Annville, 1804-1815. Zion, Harrisburg, 1815-1826. Middletown, i8i5-i826( ?). Shoop's Church, 1816-1826. Lochman, ArorsTus Hoffman. D. D., Pennsylvania College, 1856. Zion, Harrisburg, 1827-1836. Shoop's, 1826-1835. Middletown, 1826-1830. Dauphin, 1830. Luckenbach, William HENRY. D. D., Wittenberg College, 1888. English, Pottsville, 185 7- 1859. Mack, Peter Stauffer. Hummelstown, 1 873-1877. Maier, Daniel. Oberlin, 1852-1855. Main, John Harry. Grace, Philadelphia, 1891-date. Manhart, Frank Pierce. All Saints', Philadelphia, 1889-date. Marci.ey, Orlando Daniel Stevens. St. James', Ashland, 1875-1878. Gordon, 1876-1878. Martin, Jacob. Berrysburg Charge, 1852- 1853. Mak 1 /, George Jacob. Shoop's, Swatara, Dauphin, Sandy Hollow and Wenrich's, 1855-1868. Schaefferstown, Womelsdorf, Strausstown, Myerstown and Richland. 1868-1878. Tremont, 1878- 1880. Union Deposit, Sandy Hollow and Sand Hill, 1882-1883. Lyons, Macungie and Salem, 1891-date. register of pastors. 355 McAtee, John Quincy. English, Pottsville, 1871-1877. Minersville, 1872-1874. Minersville, 1875— 1877. Barren Hill, 1883-1888. McCkon, John. D. D., Roanoke College, 1857. Pikeland, 1843- 1847. St. James', Greenwich, 1 847-1 851. Stewartsville, N. J., ( ? )-i85i. Riegelsville, 1850-1851. Pottsville, 1 878- 1 880. McDowell, Samuel James. Friesburg, 1892-date. McGann, Isaac Henry. Stone Church, 1892-date. McKnight, Harvey Washington. U. D., Monmouth College. Ills., 1883; LL. D., Lafayette College, 1 890. St. Paul's, Easton, 1872-1880. President of Pennsylvania College, 1884-date. Mealy, Stephen A. St. Matthew's, Philadelphia, between 1838 and 1841. Medtart, Jacob. St. Matthew's, Philadelphia, 1834-1838. Meister, Emil. St. Stephen's, Lancaster, 1880-date. Melchor, Oliver Hoffman. Springfield, Durham and Springtown, 1879-date. Nockamixon, 1 88c- 1892. Melsheimer, Frederick Theodore. Maytown, 1 784-1801. Hill Church, near Annville, 1 779-1 794. Shoop's, 1 783- 1 788. Manheim, 1 783-1 789. Menges, John Hershey. Columbia, 1849- 1860. Manheim, 1849-185 1. East Petersburg, 1849- 185 2. East Petersburg, 185 5- 185 7. Grace, Philadelphia, 1878-1891. Zion's, Manheim, 1891-date. Men nig, George. Jacob's and Salem (Pine Grove Charge), 1811-1833. St. Peter's (Pine Grove Charge), 1816-1833. Jerusalem, Schuylkill Haven, 1821-1836. 356 east pennsylvania synod. Mennig, William Goepfert. Jacob's and Salem (Pine Grove Charge), 1834- 1839. St. Peter's, 1837-1839. Pottsville, 1834-1859. Minersville, 1 839-1 858. Jerusalem, Schuylkill Haven, 1836-185 1. St. Paul's, Schuylkill Haven, 1837-1859. Port Carbon, 1841-1857. St. Paul's, Allentown, 1 859-1 877. Fogelsville, 187 7- 1883. Lyons Charge (Supply), 1882. Mensch, John Nicholas. Springfield and Nockamixon, 1803-1823. Durham, 1811-1823. Miller, S. F. New Amsterdam, S. A., 1 761-1763. Miller, Jacob S. Nockamixon, 1773-1789 (?). Miller (Mueller), Henry. Trinity, Reading, 1775. Ardmore, 1 786-1 787. Zion, Harrisburg, 1 795-1803. Middletown, 1795- 1803. Shoop's, 1 796-1803. Miller, Henry Seipel. Springfield and Durham, 1823- 1838. Nockamixon, 1823-1838 (?). Annville, 1854-1859 ( ?). Miller, Jacob — . D. D., University of Pennsylvania, 183^'. Trinity, Reading, 1829-1850. Miller, Christian Philip. Brickerville and Manheim, 1836-1841. Kissel Hill, 1 839-1 841. Miller, Charles Peter. Springfield and Durham, 1 842-1865. Nockamixon, 1842-1865 (?). Miller, Daniel. Greenwich, 1 837-1 847. Pikeland, 1847-1849. Miller, Walter. Shenandoah, 1 883-1 885. Mi itelholzer, John R. New Amsterdam, S. A., 1875-date. REGISTER OF PASTORS. 35 7 Morell, Elijah Steward. Chalfont, 1 883-1 888. Norwood, 1888-date. MUHLENBERG, HENRY MELCHIOR. D. D., University of Pennsylvania, 1784. Philadelphia and Germantown, 1 742-1 745. Lionville, (Vincent) 1744. Easton (Forks), 1749. Pikeland, 1 751-1770. Upper Dublin, 1754— 1 757. Upper Dublin, 1 762-1763. Barren Hill, 1 759-1 769. Barren Hill, 1 776-1 786. Friesburg, 1760. Philadelphia, 1 761 -1774. Brickerville (Warwick), 1 770-1 773. Muhlenberg, John Peter Gabriel. St. James', Greenwich, 1770-1773. Muhlenberg, Frederick Augustus Conrad. Manheim, 1771-1778. Salem, Lebanon, 1 773—1 775. Muhlenberg, Gotthilf Henry Ernst. D. D., Princeton College. 1 787. Philadelphia, 1771-1779. Barren Hill. 1776 (?) -1780 ( ?). Trinity, Lancaster, 17S0-1815. Muhlenberg, Henry Augustus. Trinity, Reading, 1803-1829. Naesman, Gabriel. Friesburg, 1 743-1 745. Nefe, Isaac P.,* M. D. Minersville and Tremont. 1 880-1 881. Shenandoah, 1881-1883. Niemyer, Frank. Hamilton, 1 790-1803. NlTTERAUER, CORNELIUS. Dauphin, 1851-1853. Palmer, Samuel S.* Pikeland, 1 874-1875. Phcenixville, 1875- 1 880. Pentz, Peter. Middletown, 1793— 1795. * Not a true " Initial," but merely a distinctive letter adopted for 1 onvenience. 358 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. I'll kk. J VCOB. Manheim and Londonderry, 1872-1891. East Petersburg, 1874-1891. Kissel Hill, 1 874- 1 886. Neffsville, 1 880-1 881. Lititz, 1 885- 1 886. East Petersburg Charge, 1891-date. Peterson, John Dietrich. Zion, Harrisburg and Middletown, 1803-1812. St. Peter's (Fisherville Charge), 1807-1811. Putt, Frederick. Pikeland, 1804- 1807 (?). Plot, John Keller. St. James', Greenwich, 1851-1865. Stewartsville, 1851-1855. Porr, William S.* Annville, 1859-1860. Brickerville, 1874-1875. St. Stephen's, Lancaster, 1874-1880. Millersville, 1875-1880. St. John's, Steelton, 1880-1882. Pritchard, Thomas Charles. Barren Hill, 1871-1883. St. James', Greenwich, 1883-date. Probst, John Frederick. Hummelstown, 1856-1858. Pyrlaeus, John Christopher. Philadelphia, 1742. Rabv, Peter. Pikeland and Lionville, 1849- 185 8. Middletown, 1865-1872. Grace, Philadelphia, 1874-1876. Reed, David E.* Lyons, 1 880-1 881. Rees, Charles. Manheim and Brickerville, 1854-1856. Kissel Hill, 1855-1856. Reimensnvdek, Cornelius. Pikeland, 1859-1863. Columbia, 1 863-1 865. Reinmund, Jacob Frederick. D. I)., Wittenberg College, 1876. Zion, Lebanon, 1872-1880. * Not a true " Initial," but merely a distinctive letter adopted for convenience REGISTER (IF PAS'IOKS. 359 i\i \i/. William Frazenius. I.ionville, 1 882-1 888. Reynolds, William Morton. D. D., Jefferson College, 1850. Friesburg, 1835-1837. Rhodes, George Martin. Columbia, 1870-1874. Rhodes, Mosheim. D. D., Wittenberg College, 1878. Zion, Lebanon, 1867-1872. Riach, Alexander. New Amsterdam, S. A., about 1852. Richards, John William. D. D., Jefferson College, 1852. St. Michael's, C.ermantown, 1 836-1845. St. John's, Easton, 1845-1851. Richards, Matthias Henry. D. D., Pennsylvania College, 1889. St. James', Greenwich, 1865-1868. RlGHTMYER, PETER MosES. Chalfont, 1 863-1 868. Friesburg, 1874-1879. Rizer, Peter. Hummelstown and Union Deposit, 1866-1873. Stewartsville, 1873-1877. Roedel, William Diller. Ardmore, 1851-1855. Roeller, Isaac. Fogelsville, 1835—185 1 . Romig, Moses S.* Williamstown, 1886-1888. ROSENM1LLER, DAYID PORTER. Kissel Hill, 1857-1862. Manheim, i858-( ?). Dauphin, 1870- 1880. Roth, John Joseph. St. Paul's, Allentown, 1 763-1 764. Roths, George. Hamilton Charge, 1874-1882. ROWENACH, J. Pikeland, i8o7( ?)-i8i 1 ( ?). Rueter, Adelbert Charles Roderico. East Petersburg, 1852-1853. Rumpf, Adolphus. St. Mark's (Hamilton Charge), 1857-1858. * Not a true " Initial," but merely a distinctive letter adopted for convenience. 360 fas i pennsylvania synod. Rupert, Peter. Hamilton Charge, 1812-1818. Hamilton Charge, 1 823-1 828. Rupley, Daniel E. Ashland and Gordon, 1878-1879. Rutherford, William Lincoln. St. Mark's, Steelton, 1892-date. Ruthraiff, John Frederick. Manheim, before 1825. RUTHRAUFF, FREDERICK. Maytown, 1 828-1 832. Manheim, i828(?)-i832. Pikeland, 1836- 1843. Lionville, 1 838-1 843. RUTHRAUFF, FREDERICK JONATHAN. Salem, Lebanon, 1836-1844. Zion, Lebanon, 1 844-1 849. Hill Church, near Annville, 1836- 1849. Schaefferstown, 1837-1849. RUTHRAUFF, WILLIAM PaTTON. Christ, Easton, 1867-1870. Sadtler, J. P., Benjamin. D. D., Pennsylvania College, 1867. Jacob's and St. John's, Pine Grove Charge, 1845- 1849. Salem's, Pine Grove Charge, 1846- 1848. Tremont, 1 847-1849. Middletown, 1853-1856. St. John's, Easton, 1856-1862. Sah.m, Peter. D. D., Pennsylvania College, 1869. Manheim, 1833-1835. Maytown, 1833-1837. Middletown, 1 834-1837. Sample, James Reed. Mahanoy City, 1887. Sandt, Charles Milton. Gordon, 1888-1891. Easton (resident), 1891-date. Schaeffer, Frederick David. D. D., University of Pennsylvania, 1813. Zion, Harrisburg, 1 788-1 790. Shoop's, 1 788-1 796. St. Michael's, Germantown, 1 790-181 2. Barren Hill, 1790-1812. A_rdmore, 1790-1800. Upper Dublin, 1801-1810. Zion's and St. Michael's, Philadelphia. 1812-1834. REGISTER OF PASTORS. 36 1 SCHAEFFER, Frederick CHRISTIAN. D. D., Columbia College, 1830. Zion, Harrisburg, Shoop's and Middletown, 1812-1815. SCHAEFFER, CHARLES FREDERICK. D. D., Pennsylvania College, 1850. Ardmore (while student), 1828-1830. St. John's, Easton, 1851-1856. SCHAEFFER, CHARLES WlLLIAM. I). I)., Pennsylvania College. 1852; LL. D., Thiel College, 1887. Whitemarsh and Barren Hill, 1835-2 841. Zion, Harrisburg, 1841-1849. Schacm, John Helerich. Upper Dublin, 1 758-1 762. Scheurer, Peter. Hummelstown, 1822-before 1830. Schindel, Jeremiah. St. Peter's (Fisherville Charge). 1843-1S45. Fogelsville, 1851-1858. SCHINDLER, Daniel. D. D., Lebanon Valley College. 18X2. Zion, Lebanon, 1865-1867. Schmidt, John Frederick. St. Michael's, Cermantown, 1 769-1 786. Upper Dublin and Ardmore, 1 769-1785. Barren Hill, 1769- (?). Philadelphia, 1 786-1 81 2. Schmidt, Augustus Herman. Springfield, after 1766-before 1789. Xockamixon, 1798. Easton, 1 799-1801. SCHMUCKER, BEALE MELANCHTHON. D. D., University of Pennsylvania, 1870. St. Paul's, Allentown, 1852-1855. St. John's, Easton, 1862-1867. SCHOCK, James L(awrenceP). D. D., Pennsylvania College, 1S63. St. Matthew's, Reading, 1842-1849. SCHOLL, William Nace. D. D., Pennsylvania College, 1866. Trinity, Cermantown, 1 836-1840. Schrenk, Rudolph. St. John's, Easton, 1749- 1 754. Schroedek, John Daniel. Manheim, 1778-1782. lirickerville, 1 780-1 781. Barren Hill, 1 776— ijSrzf ?). SCHUHMACHER, DANIEL. Reading, 1 754-1755. 362 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. SCHULTZE, |nii.\ CHRIS! IAN. Philadelphia, 1 732-1 733. Schultze, Christopher Emanuel. Philadelphia, 1 765-1 770. Barren Hill (Assistant), 1 765—1 769. Brickerville and Schaefferstown, 1765-1809. Schultze, John Andrew Melchior. Jacob's, Pine Grove Charge, 1798- 1802. Salem's, Pine Grove Charge, 1 799-1 802. Lykens Valley, about 1800. SCHWARBACK, JOHN. Brickerville, 1775-1776. Scriba, Henry. Manheim, 1807. Secrist, Levi Krone. Fisherville Charge, 1855-1858. Seifert, Henry. Hamilton Charge, 1 860-1 869. Sell, Daniel. Berrysburg Charge, 1853-1860. Sell, Edward Herman Miller. M. I)., 1866. Fogelsville, 1 859-1 861. Sentman, Solomon. Barren Hill, 1858-1862. Lionville, 1 863-1 870. Principal Preparatory Department, Pennsylvania College, 1870-1871. Shannon, Samuel Galkraith. Bethany, Philadelphia, 1889-date. Shatto (Shadow), Martin Van Buren. Fishervijle Charge, 1884-1885. Shoop's Charge, 1885-1887. Shearer, Jacob Ferrell. St. Mark's, Conshohocken, 1890-date. Sheeleigh, Matthias. D. D., Newberry College, 1885. Minersville, 1857-1859. Stewartsville, 1864-1869. Whitemarsh, 1869-date. Shertz, Alexander Hamilton. Maytown, 1885-1890. Shetler, Daniel Augusti s. Shenandoah, 1886-1888. register of pastors. 363 Shindi.e, Henry Clay. Minersville, 1864-1868. Shoffner, John Rukan. . Lionville, 1871-1876. Sikes, James Robert. St. James', Ashland, 1864-1867. Stewartsville, 1869-1872. Sill., ( Jeorge. Whitemarsh, 1 863-1 869. Chalfont, 1890-date. SlNGMASTER, JOHN ALDEN. Schuylkill Haven, 1876-1882. Lyons Charge, 1882- 1885. Macungie Charge, 1885- 1886. Mohrsville, 1876-1878. Fogelsville, 1884- 1886; 1 891 -date. St. Paul's, Allentown, 1890-date. Smith, Charles. Christ, Eastern, 1851 — 1854. Smi ih, William H., M. D. Ardmore, 1 848-1 850. Whitemarsh and Barren Hill, 1 850-1852. Snyder, Henry Gelwix. Hummelstown, 1890-date. Sondhaus, Martin. Trinity, Londonderry, 1S54. Maytovvn, 1855. Sprecher, Samuel. D. D., Washington College, 1850; I, L.I)., Pennsylvania College, 1874. Zion, Harrisburg, 1836- 1840. Stalky, Frederick Walpole. Schuylkill Haven (Supply), 1876. Columbia, 1877-1881. Trinity, Martin's Creek, 1881-1885. Middletown, 1890-date. Stall, Sylvani s. Trinity, Martin's Creek, 1877-1880. St. John's, Lancaster, 18S1-1887. S 1 echer, Henry ( Je< >r< ;e. Hummelstown, 1830- 1854. Shoop's, 1 836- 1 847. 364 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. Si kk. DANIEL. I>. D., Roanoke College, 1874. English, Pottsville, 1847- 185 7. English, Pottsville, 1868-1870. . Schuylkill Haven, 1851-1857. Minersville, 1851—1853. St. John's. Lancaster, 1858-1862. Si eck, Jacob. Minersville, 1855-1857. Steck, John McLean. Mahanoy City, 1875-1880. Steck, William Henry Harrison. Columbia, 1865- 1870. Ardmore, 1874-1890. Coatesville, 1890-date. Steck, Augustus Reincehl, Stewartsville, 1 886-1 891. Stelling, George Frederick. D. D., Pennsylvania, College, 1874. Zion, Harrisburg, 1 865-1875. Stine, Milton Henry. Maytown, 1880-1882. Seventh Street, Lebanon, 1883- 1892. Stock, Daniel. Maytown, 1871-1873. St< iever, John Caspar. Brickerville, 1 730-1 743. Philadelphia, 1733. Hill Church, near Annville, 1 733-1 779. Near Lebanon, 1733- (?). Trinity, Lancaster, 1 736-1 740. Brickerville, 1 777-1 779. Stoever, Charles Franklin. St. Peter's (Fisherville Charge), 1845- 1850. Lykens (occasionally), 1845-1850. Millersburg and Killinger, 1 846-1852. Dauphin, before 1849-185 2. Shoop's, 1 850-1 854. Stork, Theophilus. D. D., Pennsylvania College, 1851. St. Matthew's, Philadelphia, 1841-1850. Stover, Jacob Monroe. Fisherville Charge, 1890-date. Strauss, Abraham Mill. Tannersville, 1875-1883. REGISTER OF PASTORS. 365 Stkein, John Jacob. Maytown, 1815-1825. Streit, Christian. Eastern, 1 769-1 779. St. James', Creenvvich, 1 773—1 777- Streiter, John Philip. Philadelphia (not ordained), 1737. Studebaker, Albert Hedges. D. D., Wittenberg College, 1891. Zion, Harrisburg, 1881-1886. SUESSEROTT, BENJAMIN CHRISTIAN. Whitemarsh, 1856- 1757. St. John's, Lancaster, 1870-1876. Millersville, 1870-1875. Swartz, Joel. D. D., Wittenberg College, 1868. Messiah, Philadelphia, 1874-1875. Zion, Harrisburg, 1875-1880. Swope, David. Whitemarsh, 1855-1856. Taerkenius, John Hendrick. New Amsterdam, S. A., 1 752-1 754. Thrai.l, William Gardner. Gordon, 1 886-1 887. Titus, Timothy Tilghman. Ardmore, 1856-1861. Tompkins, Frank P. Messiah, Harrisburg, 1870-1873. Town, Edward. Friesburg, 1839. A_rdmore, 1 840-1 842. Tkanberg, Peter. Friesburg, 1 726-1 743. Trauger, Jordan Calfe. Minersville and Tremont, 1890-date. Treibley, Daniel Benjamin. Shenandoah, 1889-1891. Trowbridge, Charles Reuben. St. Peter's, Easton, 1 888-1 892. Trump, Charles Samuel. Stone Church, 1883- 1888. Ulery, Christian Detrich. Lionville, 1861-1862. 366 fast pennsylvania synod. I'nki 11, John Nicholas. Friesburg, 185S-1866. Valentine, Milton. D. D., Pennsylvania College, 1866: LL.D., Witten- burg College, 1886. St. Matthew's, Reading, 1859-1866. Valentine, Milton Henry. Messiah, Philadelphia, 1892-date. Van Buskerk, Jacob. St. Michael's, Germantown, 1766-1769. Ardmore, Upper Dublin and Barren Hill, 1 765-1 769. St. Paul's, Allentown, 1 769-1 778. Upper Dublin, 1 785-1 795. Vanhoff, John Henry. Hummelstown, 181 1 -( ?). Middletown, 1830-1834. \'(h;klbach, Jacob Traugott. Middletown, 1844-1847. Oberlin, 1845-1847. Oberlin, 1850- 185 2. St. Paul's, Allentown, 1852-1857. Voigt, John Ludwig. St. Michael's, Germantown, 1 764-1 765. Upper Dublin and Barren Hill, 1 764-1 765. Pikelandj 1 779-1 793. Wagner, Refben Schflek. East Petersburg, 1 847-1 849. Walter, Clinton Elmer. Trinity, Germantown, (Assistant). 1892-date. Waltz, Frederick. Jerusalem, Schuylkill Haven, 1 852-1 854. St. Peter's, (Fisherville Charge), 1855-1869. Wampole, Jacob. Pikeland, 1827-1830. Lionville, 1833-1S36. W vrner, Adam Nicholas. Minersville, 1S7S-1879. Waters, James Quigley. Barren Hill, 1S65-1867. Wa'i kins, Horaiki James. Ardmore, 1869-1874. register of pastors. 367 Weaver, George Peter. Berrysburg Charge, 1S62-1863. Annville and Hill Church, 1 863-1864. Schuylkill Haven, 1 864-1 866. xMaytown, 1873-1875. Weber, John Jacob. Zion's, Ashland, 1857-1891. Weber, James Henry. D. D., Wittenberg College, 1891. St. James', Ashland, 1879- 1887. Gordon, 1879-1886. Wedekind, AUGUSTUS Charles. D. D., Pennsylvania College, 1867. Zion, Lebanon, 1850- 1863. Hill Church, near A.nnville, 1850- 1853. Bellegrove, i850-(?). St. John's, Lancaster, 1863-1865. Weinland, John Frederick. St. Michael's, Germantown, 1786- 1789. Barren Hill, 1 786-1 789. Ardmore, 1 787-1 789. Pikeland, 1790-1800. Weiser, Reuben Benjamin. D. D., Pennsylvania College, 1876. Mahanoy City, 1869-1871. Minersville, 1 870-1 872. Welden, Christian Frederick. U. D., Muhlenburg College, 1889. Springfield, Durham and Nockamixon, 1838-1842. Whetstone, Amos Moser. Millersville and Neffsville, 1884-1885. Whitecar, Charles Pitman. Chalfont, 1871-1872. Wichterman, Joseph. St. Paul's, Allentovvn, 1793. Wieting, Archibald. Sandy Hollow, 1844-1853. Middletown (resident), 1852-1862. Wildbahn, Charles Frederick. Trinity, Reading, 1782- 1796. Wile, Harry Bark. St. Peter's, Easton, 1880- 1885. Willard, Philip. Schuylkill Haven, 1861-1864. Pottsville (Supply), 1862. Financial Agent Lutheran Board of Publication, 1863-1868. Superintendent Tressler Orphans' Home, Loysvilk . 1869— 1889. 368 east pennsylvania synod. Williams, John Rentzle. Bethany, Philadelphia, 1883- 1888. Chalfont, 1888. WiLLOX, John Robert. Friesburg, 1 842-1 851. Riegelsville Charge, 1851-1861. Wirt, John Adam. Lykens and Williamstown, 187 7-1 883. Wordman, Henry Burchard Gakrikl. Trinity, Reading, 1 752-1 753. Yeager — See Jaeger. Yeiser, Alfred. Schuylkill Haven, 1866-1876. Yingling, Samuel. St. John's, Steelton, 1878-1880. Shoop's Charge, 1878-1881. Young, John David. Manheim, 1 789-1 790. Zimmerman, Amos K.* Union Deposit Charge, 1885-1887. Zimmerman, Isaac Peter. Mahanoy City, 1887-date. *Not a true " Initial," but merely a distinctive letter adopted for convenience. INDEX CHURCHES AND PASTORAL CHARGES, v ckermanville 238 Allentown, St. Matthew's 291 Allentown, St. Paul's 78 Allowaystown, X. J 49 All Saints', Philadelphia 289 Annville Charge 58 Annville Church 60 Ardmore 90 Ashland, St. James' 215 Ashland, Zion's 211 Augsburg, Harrisburg 130, 308 Barren Hill 95 Bartonsville 89 Bellegrove 182 Berbice, S. A. 309 Berrysburg Charge 136 Berrysburg Church 137 Bethany, Millersville 245 Bethany, Philadelphia 279 Bethel, Berbice, S. A 322 Bethesda, Berbice, S. A 322 Bethlehem, Harrisburg 13c, 284 Bowerman's 135 Brickerville 52 Bridgeton, N.J 304 Brodheadsville 90 Calvary, Philadelphia 259 Carsonville 136 Centennial, Kimberton 1 1 6, 1 1 7 Central, Phctnixville 116, 271 Centreville 228 Chalfont . 214 Christ, Bellegrove 182 Christ, Easton 249 Christ, Harrisburg 295 Christ's, Bridgeton, N. J 304 Christ's, Hamilton 86 Christ's, Springtown 64 Christ's, Stone Church 228 Coatesville 299 Cohansey 49 Columbia, Salem 1 79 Columbia, Second Street 1 79 Conshohocken 296 Dauphin 175 Dublin, Upper 69 Durham 63 Easton, Christ 249 Easton, St. John's 248 Easton, St. Paul's 248, 262 Easton, St. Peter's 262 East Petersburg Charge 144 East Petersburg Church 144 Ebenezer, Berbice, S. A 309 Emanuel, Friesburg, N.J 49 Emanuel's, Pottsville 171 Emanuel's, Williamstown 253 English, Minersville 191 ( 369 37° EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. English, Pottsville ■ Fetterhoff's First, Annville First, Shenandoah First, Stewartsville, N. j Fisherville Charge Fisherville Church Fogelsville Forster Street, Harrisburg. --130, Friesburg, N. J Germantown, St. Michael's Germantovvn, Trinity 155, Gordon Grace, Manheim Grace, Philadelphia Greenwich, N.J Hamilton Charge Hamilton Church Harrisburg, Augsburg 130, Harrisburg, Bethlehem 130, Harrisburg, Christ 1 30, Harrisburg, Memorial 130, Harrisburg,Messiah(Forsterst)i30, Harrisburg, Trinity 131, Harrisburg, Zion, 127, 224,256,284, Harrisburg and Steelton Ch'ge,l3i, Hill, Annville Hill, Kissel Hill, Sand Hoernerstown Hummelstown Huntersville I'AI.E 171 133 60! 278 j 197 j x 3 2 135 i ■154 224 49 155 156 272 145 247 104 86 86 308 284 295 256 i224 306 ,306 ,3° 6 58 146 76 77 72 213 Immanuel, Norwood 287 •136 .118 Jacksonville Jacob's, Pine Grove Charge. . Jerusalem, Schuylkill Haven. Killinger Kimberton 116, Kintnersville Charge Kissel Hill 136 117 65 146 Lafayette Hill 95 Lancaster, St. John's 201 Lancaster, St. Stephen's 260 Lancaster, Trinity 201 Lebanon, Salem 1 65 Lebanon, Seventh Street 207 Lebanon, Zion 165, 207 Lionville Charge 148 Lionville Church 116. 149. 150 Lititz Charge 146 Lititz Church 147 Londonderry 144 Lower Merion 90 Lower Mt. Bethel 236 Lykens 195 Lyons Charge 231 Lyons Church 232 Macungie 233 Mahanoy City 241 Manheim, Grace 145 Manheim, Zion's 110 Martin's Creek Charge 236 Martin's Creek, Mt. Zion 236 Martin's Creek, Trinity 236 Maytown 105 Memorial, Harrisburg 13c, 256 Memorial (Bethany), Philadelphia.279 Messiah, Fisherville 135 Messiah, Harrisburg 130, 224 Messiah, Philadelphia 238 Middletown 99 Milford, Upper 234 Millersburg 1 38 Millersville 245 Minersville 191 Minersville and Tremont Charge. . 191 Mohrsville 234 Mount Bethel, Lower 236 Mount Bethel, Upper 228 Mount Carmel, Berbice, S. A 322 Mount Eden 276 Mount Eton 90 Mt. Hermon, Berbice, S. A 322 Mt. Lebanon, Berbice, S. A 322 INDEX OF CHURCHES AND PASTORAL CHARGES. 37 l PAGE Mt. Zion, near Lebanon 209 Mt. Zion, Martin's Creek 236 Neffsvilie 147 New Amsterdam, S. A 309 Nockamixon 65 Northampton (Allentown) 78 Norwood 287 Oberlin 126 Palmyra Charge 182 Palmyra Church 182 Philadelphia, All Saints' 289 Philadelphia, Bethany 279 Philadelphia, Calvary 259 Philadelphia, Grace 247 Philadelphia, Memorial 279 Philadelphia, Messiah 238 Philadelphia, St. John's 141 Philadelphia,St. Matthew's 140,141,238 Philadelphia, St. Michael's 140 Philadelphia, Zion's 141 Phillipsburg, N.J 104 Phcenixville 271 Pikeland Charge 114 Pikeland Church 114 Pine Grove Charge 118 Pine Grove, St. John's 120 Pine Grove, St. Peter's 119 Pleasantville 233 Pottsville, Emanuel's 171 Pottsville, English 171 Puff's 69 Raubsville 189 Reading, St. Matthew's 159 Reading, Trinity 159 Rexmont 57 Richland 57 Riegelsville Charge 184 Riegelsville Church - 184 St. James', Ashland 215 St. James', Carsonville 136 St. James', Chalfont 214 St. James', Greenwich, N. J. > .... 104 St. Tohn"s, Barti msville 89 St. John's, Brickerville 52 St. John's, Easton. 248 St. John's, Fogelsville 1 54 St. John's, Hoernerstown 77 St. John's, Lancaster. 20: St. John's, Mahanoy City 241 St. John's, Maytown 105 St. John's, Palmyra 182 St. John's, Philadelphia 141 St. John's, Pine Grove 1 20 St. John's, Pleasantville 233 St. John's, Steelton. 266 St. John's, Tremont 192 St. John's, Union Deposit 77 St. Mark's, Conshohocken. 296 St. Mark's, Hamilton Charge 88 St. Mark's, Steelton 301 St. Matthew's, Allentown 291 St.Matthew's,Lionville Charge. 1 16,149 St. Matthew's, Macungie 233 St.Matthew's,Philadelphia 140,141,238 St. Matthew's, Reading 159 St. Matthew's, Schuylkill Haven . . 220 St. Michael's, Germantown 155 St. Michael's, Philadelphia 140 St. Paul's, Allentown 78 St. Paul's, Ardmore 90 St. Paul's, Easton 248, 262 St. Paul's, Fisherville Charge 135 St. Paul's, Gordon 272 St.PauPs,Lionville Charge 116,149,150 St. Paul's, Lititz 147 St. Paul's, Lyons Station 232 i St. Paul's, Millersburg 138 , St. Paul's, Raubsville 189 St. Paul's, Schuylkill Haven 220 St. Paul's, Steelton 307 . St. Paul's, Stone Church 228 I St. Paul's, Strausstown 235 St. Paul's, Tannersville 88 St. Peter's, Easton 262 St. Peter's, Fisherville Charge . . . . ) 33 St. Peter s, Lafayette Hill 95 .u- 7 EAS1 PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. PAGE St. Peter's, Middletown 99 St. Peter's, Neffsville 147 St. Peter's, Pikeland 114 St. Peter's, Pine Grove 119 St. Peter's, Riegelsville 184 St. Stephen's, Lancaster 260 Salem, Berrysburg 137 Salem, Columbia 1 79 Salem, Killinger 136 Salem, Kissel Hill 146 Salem, Lebanon 165 Salem, Lyons Charge 234 Salem's, Oberlin 126 Salem's. Pine Grove Charge 1 13 Sand Hill 76 Sandy Hollow 76 Schaefferstown Charge 52 Schaefferstown Church 55 Schuylkill Haven, Jerusalem 220 Schuylkill Haven, St. Matthew's . . 220 Schuylkill Haven, St. Paul's 220 Schuylkill Haven, White Church . . 220 Second Street, Columbia 1 79 Seventh Street, Lebanon 207 Shenandoah 278 Shoop's Charge 122 Shoop's Church 122 Springfield 62 Springtown Charge 62 Springtown Church 64 Star of Bethlehem 1 36 Steelton, St. John's 266 Steelton, St. Mark's 301 Steelton, St. Paul's 307 Stewartsville, N. J 197 Stone Church, Christ's 228 Stone Church, St. Paul's 228 Strausstown 235 Straw's, Fisherville Charge 135 Straw's, Greenwich, N. J 104 Tannersville 88 Tinicum, Upper 65 Templeman Chapel 57 'Fremont 192 PAGE Trinity, Coatesville 299 Trinity, Germantown 15;, 156 Trinity, Harrisburg 131, 306 Trinity, Lancaster 201 Trinity, Londonderry 144 Trinity, Martin's Creek 236 Trinity, Reading 159 Trinity, Springfield 62 Uhlersville 189 Union, Durham 63 Union, Mohrsville 234 Union, Nockamixon 65 Union, Whitemarsh 66 Union Deposit Charge 76 Union Deposit Church 77 Upper Dublin 69 Upper Milford 234 Upper Mount Bethel 228 Upper Tinicum 65 Upper Uwchlan ... 149 U wchlan 1 50 Uwchlan, Upper 116, 149 Vincent, Zion 148 Vincent, West 1 16, 149 Warwick 52 Wert's 136 White Church, n'r Schuylkill Haven220 Whitemarsh Charge 66 Whitemarsh Church 66 Williamstown 253 Zion, Dauphin 175 Zion, Harrisburg 127 Zion, Lebanon 165, 207 Zion, Lykens 195 Zion, Lionville 148 Zion, Mount, near Lebanon 209 Zion's, Ackermanville. 238 Zion's, Ashland 211 Zion's, East Petersburg 144 Zion's Hummelstown 72 Zion's, Manheim no Zion's, Philadelphia 141 Zion's, Vincent 148 CONSTITUTION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SYNOD EAST PENNSYLVANIA. (Adopted at Lancaster, September, 1892. ) ARTICLE I. NAME, ORGANIZATION AND MEETINGS. Section i. Name. The Name, Style and Title of this Synod shall be, "The Evangelical Lutheran Synod of East Pennsylvania." This Synod shall always be in connection with the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States. Sec. 2. Territory. The territory of this Synod shall be defined in general terms as that part of South-eastern Pennsylvania between the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers. Sec. 3. Members. This Synod shall consist of all the ordained ministers and licentiates submitting to this Constitution, together with the lay delegates from the pastorates within its bounds. Ministers in the general service of the church may likewise become members. Sec. 4. Congregations. Any Evangelical Lutheran congregation may lie- come connected with the Synod, if within its bounds, by acceding to the pro- visions of this Constitution. Isolated congregations outside of its territory may also be admitted by special action of the Synod. SEC. 5. Lay Delegates. Each pastorate shall have the right to send one lay delegate to Synod. Any congregation or congregations not properly organ- ized into a pastorale, or any congregation of a pastorate having any matter to present, may send a commissioner, who may be heard in behalf of said congre- gation, but shall have no vote. (373 > 374 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. fcP'V SEC. 6. Meetings. The Synod shall meet annually at such time and [dace as may be determined, official notice thereof being given at least four weeks previous to the time appointed. Special meetings shall be called, when re- quested by one-fourth of the ordained ministers, at such time and place as the President may designate, notice thereof being given in the church papers at least three weeks previous, stating the object; and the business shall be con- fined to what is stated in the call. Sec. 7. Other Ministers. Ministers from other Lutheran -Synods may be in- vited to seats, but they shall have no vote. Their names, when thus invited, shall be entered on the Minutes. Ministers in good standing in other ortho- dox denominations may be introduced to Synod. Sec. 8. Quorum. Two-fifths of the members of Synod shall constitute a quorum, provided that one-third of the ordained ministers of Synod be present. Sec. 9. Elections. All elections shall be by ballot. ARTICLE II. DOCTRINAL BASIS. The Doctrinal Basis shall be " the Word of God, as contained in the Canon- ical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as the only infallible rule of faith and practice, and the Augsburg Confession as a correct exhibition of the fundamental doctrines of the Divine Word, and of the faith of our Church founded upon that Word.'" ARTICLE III. JURISDICTION. Section i. Maintaining Order. It shall be the duty of Synod to maintain order and good government among the churches within its bounds, and to this end it shall see that the rules of government and discipline prescribed in this Constitution and in the Formula of the General Synod are properly observed by the pastors and churches under its care. Sec. 2. Promotion of Piety. It shall be the duty of Synod to devise and ex- ecute all suitable measures for the promotion of piety and the general prosper- ity of the Church, and to provide supplies for destitute congregations. Sec. 3. Forming Pastorates. It shall have power to form and change pas- torates, paying due regard to the rights and wishes of congregations. (See Art. VI.) Sec. 4. Exclusion. It shall have power to exclude from Svnodical fellow- ship any congregation obstinately refusing to comply with the regulations and decisions of Synod, and no congregation thus excluded shall be served by any minister belonging to Synod, except by special permission of Synod or of the President. Sec. 5. Appeals. It shall receive appeals from the decisions of Church Councils and Conferences, when regularly brought before it, and shall review the proceedings and decisions to which they refer, and sha'l have full power CONSTITUTION. 375 to affirm or reverse the same, or to determine the questions presented thereby. Notice of such appeals must be given to the Council or Conference by the ap- pellant, with the reasons in full, within three weeks after the time when the decision was rendered, and a full record of the case must be furnished the Synod by the Council or Conference. Upon the filing of such notice by the appellant, as above provided for, it shall be the duty of the Clerk or Secretary of such Church Council or Conference, within ten days thereafter, to make out a complete record of the case, with the findings thereon, and transmit it with the original papers to the Clerk or Secretary of the body to which such appeal may be taken. Sec. 6. Citing Witnesses. It may cite church members to appear and give testimony, and may endeavor to obtain other witnesses if the case require it. Sec. 7. Charges against Ministers. It shall have power to examine and decide all charges against ministers and licentiates, except such as may be otherwise specially provided for by this Constitution. ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS OF SYNOD. Section i. Officers. The officers of Synod shall be a President, Secretary and Treasurer, who shall be elected annually from among the ordained minis- ters, and who shall also be the officers of the Ministerium. The same persons shall not be eligible for more than three successive years. Sec. 2. President. [1] He shall preside at all meetings of the Synod, de- cide questions of order, subject to an appeal, and discharge all the duties usu- ally devolving on the presiding officer of such a body. [2] He shall appoint all committees not specially named or elected by Synod. [3] He shall, after the Synod is duly constituted by enrolling the names of the members, present a written report of all his official acts during the Synod- ical year, and may present such additional statements and recommendations, as in his judgment should claim the attention of Synod. The report shall be dealt with as other papers belonging to Synod. [4] He shall deliver a discourse at the opening of each annual meeting of Synod, or appoint a substitute; and shall, in connection with the pastor of the church, have direction of the religious services during Synod, and the appoint- ment of persons to preach; unless Synod shall appoint a special committee on religious services, of which he and the pastor shall be members. [5] He shall give advice to members of Synod and congregations when requested, or when in his judgment such advice is needed. [6] Should he become disqualified for the discharge of his duties, by re- moval from the Synodical bounds, resignation, sickness, death, or any cause, the Secretary shall succeed him and discharge the duties of the office until the next meeting of Synod. 376 FAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. [7] He shall, with the Secretary, subscribe all official documents of the Synod, and sign all orders on the Treasury. [8] He shall perform the ceremony of ordination, assisted by the Secretary and Treasurer, and give to approved candidates letters of license, which, as well as certificates of ordination, he is to subscribe with his official signature. [9] He has authority to refer the adjustment of all matters requiring his decision in congregations to their respective Conferences, or in their interim to the Presidents thereof. A report of the proceedings shall be made to him. [10] He has authority to summon a meeting of the Church Council of any congregation or a congregational meeting, at the request of at least one-fourth of its electors, when the proper officers refuse to call it. Sec. 3. Secretary : [1] He shall keep an accurate and faithful record of all the proceedings of Synod, carefully preserve all the papers, seal, etc., of the Synod, subject to its direction, and shall do all the official writing not other- wise provided for. [2] He shall give notice (either by circular or in the church papers) of the time and place of the Synodical meeting, at least four weeks previous to the time appointed. [3] He shall keep a register of the names of all the ministers and licen- tiates, arranged according to their age in office, and also of all the congrega- tions. [4] He shall receive all moneys, keep an account thereof and give receipts, pay over the same semi-monthly to the Treasurer and take his receipt therefor. He shall give a bond for the faithful performance of his duties, the cost of the same to be paid by the Synod. [5] If the business should render it necessary, the President may appoint an Assistant Secretary, whose office shall expire at the close of the meeting of Synod. [6] Should he become disqualified for the discharge of his duties, the Presi- dent shall require all the property of Synod in his possession, to be delivered to him, and shall appoint a Secretary to act until the meeting of Synod. Sec. 4. Treasurer. [1] He shall receive from the Secretary all moneys, and hold them, together with all bonds, certificates and documents, subject to the order of the Synod. [2] He shall keep, and present at each annual meeting of Synod, a detailed and faithful account of the state of the Treasury. He shall give a bond for the faithful performance of the duties of his office, the cost of the same to be paid by the Synod. [3] Should he become disqualified for the discharge of his duties, the Presi- dent shall take charge of all the moneys, certificates, bonds, etc., belonging to Synod, and retain them until a Treasurer is elected at the next meeting of Synod. Sec. 5. In the interim of the meetings of Synod, the administration of its affairs shall be entrusted to its officers, whose action shall be authoritative CONSTITUTION. 37 7 and binding upon all parties owing allegiance thereto, subject, however, to appeal at the next ensuing meeting of Synod. ARTICLE V. MIMSTI KS. SECTION I. Pastoral Interference. No minister or licentiate shall preach or perform other ministerial acts in the pastorate of another except by his con- sent, or, in his absence, by that of the Church Council. Sec. 2. Dismission. Any minister or licentiate, in good standing, who re- moves into the bounds of another Synod, shall, on application to the Presi- dent, receive a certificate of honorable dismission, and such a certificate shall be required by the Synod of those applying for admission into it. SeC. 3. Admission. Any minister or licentiate of any Synod belonging to the General Synod, called to any of our churches, shall present to our Presi- dent a letter of honorable dismission within one month from the date of tak- ing charge; and upon so doing shall be regarded as a member of this body and under its jurisdiction. In the case of a licentiate, his ordination shall be performed by this Synod, unless for satisfactory reasons the President shall determine otherwise. SEC. 4. Reception of Ministers from other Ecclesiastical Bodies. Ministers from other ecclesiastical bodies can only be received by a two-thirds vote of the Mmisterium, upon recommendation of the Examining Committee, and by publicly subscribing to the doctrinal basis of the Synod. Sec. 5. Notice to the President. Any minister resigning or accepting a pas- torate shall give due notice thereof to the President. ARTICLE VI. congregations ami pastorates. SECTION i. The Council of a congregation, or the Joint Council of a charge, may consider and act on the resignation of a pastor. Sec. 2. A pastor cannot resign a portion of his pastorate and continue to serve the remaining part, without consent of the Joint Council and the ap- proval of the President of Synod. Sec. 3. No congregation or congregations shall withdraw from the pastor- ate with which it is connected, without the consent of the Joint Council and the approval of the President of Synod. Sec. 4. If any members of the congregation desire for good cause to organ- ize themselves into a new congregation, they must first be dismissed for that purpose, and any organisation formed without such dismission shall be re- garded irregular, and any minister of the General Synod participating in such organization shall make himself liable to charges. Sec. 5. No congregation shall make any enactments in conflict with this Constitution or with the Formula of Government. 37^ EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. SEC. 6. Any vacant congregation in arrears to a former pastor shall be re- quired to make satisfactory adjustment thereof before calling a successor. SEC. 7. Vacant congregations shall report to the President of Synod at once, and are requested to confer with him with a view to being supplied with a pastor as soon as possible. ARTICLE VII. EDIvai 11 r:. SECTION, i. Education Committee. There shall bean Education Committee of five, at least three of whom shall be ordained ministers, to which all appli- cations for beneficiary aid shall be made, and who shall obtain from the in- structors of beneficiaries the official report annually of their scholarship and deportment, and who shall make a detailed statement to the Synod annually. Sec. 2. Qualifications of Applicants. The applicant shall have been a member of the Lutheran Church for at least one year, and must be qualified to enter the Freshman class in Pennsylvania College. He shall, if deemed ne- cessary, submit to a physical examination, and give evidence of industry, intel- lectual endowment, piety, and a call to the ministry. Sec. 3, Obligations. Every beneficiary shall be required to take a full course in college and seminary, unless otherwise permitted by Synod, or by consent of the Committee. He shall be required to give promissory notes to the Treasurer of Synod for the amounts received by him, which notes shall be canceled when he shall have been in the ministry three years, provided he is in connection with some Synod belonging to the General Synod. ARTICLE VIII. DELEGATES. SECTION i. Delegates to General Synod. In the election of delegates to the General Synod, principals shall be first balloted for, and afterward alter- nates; and after the second ballot the persons having the lowest number ot votes shall be dropped. No clerical member shall be eligible more than twice in succession, unless he be President or Secretary of the General Synod. When a delegate-elect shall remove beyond the bounds of the Synod, before the meeting of the General Synod, he shall not be entitled to represent the Synod, provided always, that ministers in the general service of the Church shall be exempt from this rule. Sec. 2. Directors of the Theological Seminary. This Synod shall elect the required number of Directors of the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, for a term of five years, who are expected to be constant and faithful in attendance upon the meetings of the Board. ARTICLE IX. O INFERENCES. SECTION i. The Synod shall divide itself into Conference Districts for the purpose of holding Conference meetings. CONSTITUTION. 379 Sec. 2. The chief object of such meetings shall be the preaching of the Word, mutual consultation and encouragement in the work of the Lord, the promotion of the cause of religion among the churches represented, and the fuller development of the possibilities of the district. SEC. 3. Conferences shall be entrusted with the organization of new churches, the supply of vacant congregations with preaching, the formation and maintenance of pastorates. Sec. 4. The records of the proceedings of Conferences shall be submitted to Synod for examination and review, and an abstract thereof read by their Secretaries at the meeting of Synod. ARTICLE X. PROCESS AGAINST A MINISTER. SECTION i. As the honor and success of the Gospel depend very much on the character of its ministers, Synod ought to guard with the utmost care and impartiality the conduct of its members. Sec. 2. All Christians should be very cautious in giving credit or circulation to an evil report of any member of the church, and especially of a minister of the Gospel. If any member knows a minister to be guilty of a private censur- able fault, he should warn him in private; if this prove fruitless, he should apply to the Church Council, who shall proceed as specified in Chap. III., Sec. 5, of Formula of Government. Sec. 3. If accusation be lodged, according to Chap. III., Sec. 5, with the President within two months of the next Synodical meeting, he shall defer the matter to said meeting; yet, if the charge be one of gross immorality, or circu- lating fundamental error in doctrine, he shall immediately direct the accused to suspend all his ministerial duties until his case is decided. If such accusa- tion be lodged with the President at an earlier date, he shall, if the charge be one of gross immorality, or circulating fundamental error in doctrine, im- mediately appoint a committee of five ordained ministers of the Synod, to meet without unnecessary delay at a suitable place, and institute a formal in- vestigation of the case, according to the principles of the Formula. The chairman of the committee shall give at least ten days' notice of the time and place of meeting to all parties concerned. Sec. 4. The President may, at his discretion, intrust the matter to Confer- ence, and notify the members to meet and proceed as above. Sec. 5. Any three members of the committee, or a majority of the Con- ference thus meeting, shall have power to proceed and hold a fair and impar- tial investigation of the case, and to take all such necessary measures as may be just and proper to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused. Sec 6. If the accused confess, and the matter be such as gross immorality, or circulating fundamental error, he shall be immediately suspended from the exercise of the office until the meeting of Synod. Sec. 7. If a minister accused of gross offences, being duly notified, refuses to attend the investigation, he shall be immediately suspended from office. 380 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. Sec. 8. If the accused deny the charge, and yet, on examination of the evi- dence, be found guilty, the committee or Conference shall nevertheless proceed to pass sentence on him. SEC. 9. The highest punishment which can be inflicted by a committee or special Conference, appointed as above specified, is suspension from clerical functions; and this sentence is to be reported at the next meeting of the Synod, and remain in force until reversed by the Synod. Sec. IO. Any minister intending to appeal from the decision of a com- mittee or Conference, shall give notice to the chairman of the committee or Conference, within three weeks after the decision was made, that both parties may be prepared for a new trial. SEC. 11. Conferences, not specially convened for the purpose, may attend to any charges of importance against a minister within their bounds, if all the parties concerned are prepared and willing to proceed. Sec. 12. If at any time the accusation be lodged with the President, accord- ing to Chap. III., Sec. 5, for a less offence than those specified in Sec. 3 of this Article, he shall take no other steps in the case than to exhort accused and accusers to mutual forbearance, and to refer them to the next Synod. Sec. 13. If accusation against a minister, present or absent, be made imme- diately to the Synod, and the Synod believe itself in possession of all the evi- dence necessary to a just decision, the case may be immediately examined and sentence passed, provided the accused shall have had fifteen days' notice, together with a written specification of the charges brought against him. But if the necessary evidence be not before Synod, and the offense be such as specified in Sec. 3, it shall be intrusted to a committee or Conference, to pro- ceed as above specified. Sec. 14. If a minister be found guilty of gross immorality or circulating fun- damental error in doctrine, his sentence of suspension shall not be removed until he shall give satisfactory evidence of penitence and reformation, and his restoration shall be by the same judicatory which suspended him, or at its recommendation. Sec. 15. If the common report of a minister's guilt of any of the charges above specified be such as seriously to injure the cause of religion, and his own church do not proceed against him, it shall be the duty of any other minister or layman, having obtained signatures of two other credible men. to report the case to the President. ARTICLE XI. MINISTERIUM. SECTION i. The Ministerium is composed of the ordained ministers o( Synod. Sec. 2. Licensed candidates may be present, unless requested to withdraw, and may take part in the discussions, but have no vote. SEC. 3. The Ministerium shall be the proper body, by whom all charges CONSTITUTION. 3 01 of heresy against a minister are to be examined and decided; as also all ap- peals from the decision of a church council on a charge of heresy against a layman, or from the decision of a special Conference on a similar charge against a minister. SEC. 4. When ordained ministers of other religious denominations make application for admission into connection with the Synod, the Ministerium shall be the body to decide on the case. SEC. 5. A two-thirds vote of the ordained ministers present shall be re- quired for the licensure of an applicant, the renewal of his license, the ordi- nation of a licensed candidate, or for the admission of an ordained minister of another denomination. Sec. 6. All business not specifically entrusted to the Ministerium in this Constitution, shall belong to the Synod. Sec. 7. The order of business of the Ministerium may be as follows : ( 1 ) Opening with prayer. (2) Communication by the President of any business he may have to report. ( 3 ) Presentation of names of applicants for Licensure. (4) Presentation of applications for Ordination. (5) Presentation of applications for admission of ministers from other denominations. (6) Reports of Examining or other Committees appointed by the Minis- terium. (7) Promiscuous business relating to the ministry. (8) Closing with prayer. ARTICLE XII. LICENSURE AND LICENTIATES. SECTION i. All applications for licensure must be made to the President of Synod. Skc. 2. Applicants must appear before the Examining Committee, which must always be composed of ordained ministers, and, upon satisfactory evi- dence of fitness by testimonials from the Faculty of a Lutheran Theological Seminary of the General Synod, may be recommended to the Ministerium for licensure without further examination. Cases not covered by the forego- ing rule must be referred by the President to the Ministerium for special action. SEC. 3. A licentiate shall have power to perform all ministerial acts during the time specified in his license. Sec 4. A licentiate shall have the same rights and privileges in Synod as ordained ministers, except to hold office. Skc. 5. A licentiate before accepting a call must obtain the consent of the President of Synod. 382 EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD. Sec. 6. A licentiate, after he has taken a charge, shall not leave it without the sanction of the Synod, or of the President. Sec. 7. All licenses shall extend to the time of the next annual meeting of the Ministerium. Sec. 8. Every licentiate must keep a journal of his ministerial acts, which, with a few sermons and his certificate of licensure, he must deliver to the President annually at the opening ct Synod for the inspection of the Minis- terium. ARTICLE XIII. ORDINATION. SECTION i. All applicants for ordination must appear before the Examin- ing Committee and submit to a thorough examination in at least the following subjects : Personal Piety, and the motives of the applicant for seeking the holy office, Hebrew, New Testament Greek, English Bible, the Evidences of Christianity, Natural and Revealed Theology, Church Plistory, the Augsburg Confession, Pastoral Theology, Homiletics and Church Government, and shall be recommended to the Synod for ordination upon favorable report of the Committee and by a two-thirds vote of the Ministerium. Sec. 2. Whenever the Synod has decided that an individual shall be or- dained, the ceremony may be performed either at the meeting cf Synod, or, if preferred, in the church by which he has been called, by the special Confer- ence, or by a Committee appointed for the purpose by the President of Synod. ARTICLE XIV. INSTALLATION. Section i. When a minister is ordained in his own church, his installation, according to the usual form, should take place at the same service. Sec. 2. Any minister called to labor in any of the congregations of this Synod, and duly accredited according to Sec. 3, Art. V., may at any time after the presentation and acceptance of his credentials be installed as pastor by a committee appointed by the President. ARTICLE XV. AMENDMENTS. This Constitution may be altered or amended by a two-thirds vote of the Synod, provided notice has been given one year previous. ARTICLE XVI. ORDER OF BUSINESS. /. General Order. 1. Opening Prayer. 2. Calling of the Roll. 3. Reading of the Minutes. 4. Unfinished Business. CONSTITUTION. 383 5. Reports. 6. New Business. 7. ("losing Prayer. //. Sped at Order. 1. Wednesday evening — Opening Sermon and Synodical Communion. 2. Thursday, 9 a. m. — Opening of Synod, with Singing, Reading of Scrip- tures and Prayer. Calling the Roll. Presentation of Certificates by Lay- Delegates. Presentation of Credentials by Commissioners. Reception of New Members. President's Report. Election of Officers. Rules of ( >rder. Annual Reports of Conference Secretaries. 3. Thursday, p. m. — Appointment of Committees. Admission of Applicants for Licensure and Ordination. Vacant for Committee Work. 4. Thursday evening — Sermon. Church Extension. 5. Friday, a.m. — Report of Treasurer. Education. 6. Friday, p. m. — Theological and Literary Institutions. Vacant for Com- mittee Work after 3.30. 7. Friday evening — Sermon. Education. 8. Saturday, a. m. — Parochial Reports. 9. Saturday, p. m. — Publication. Systematic Benevolence. Meeting of Ministerium. 10. Saturday evening — Religious Services. 11. Sunday, a.m. — Preaching. 12. Sunday, p. m. — Sunday-school Service. 13. Sunday evening — Sermon. 14. Monday, a. m. — -Home Missions. Church Extension. Vacant Congre- gations. 15. Monday, p. m. — Foreign Missions. Orphans' Home. 16. Monday evening — Sermons. Missions. 17. Tuesday, a. m. — Sunday-schools. 18. Tuesday, p. m. — Ministerium. Appointment of Speakers. 19. Tuesday evening — Licensure and Ordination. ■ ■ . ■ '. I .-*""^f5 •Til'"; • ■ ■ Date Due ■ H I ■ I - ^H "-.^- S*