THE REFORMED CHURCH

THE REFORMED CHURCH.
In the Centenary Discourses delivered by Dr. Henry Harbaugh, at the First Reformed Church, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on October xith and 12th, 1851, on the occasion of the celebration of the one hundred and fifteenth anniversary of that church, it was stated that "it was about the year 1700 that the First Reformed or Huguenot Palatinate and Swiss families settled in this State, and in this country." The Discourses, as edited by Rev. W. Stuart Cramer, D. D., and published in "The History of the First Reformed Church, Lancaster, Pa., 1736-1904," however, state:

Reformed families came to this province of Pennsylvania as early as 1683. In 1709 there was a large emigration from the Lower Palatinate, and also in 1712. Among these there were some who settled in the hounds of what is now Lancaster county; and some of their names are found on the first few pages of the baptismal records of this (the First Reformed, at Lancaster) church. Such as Weyandt, Ferri, Le Fevre, Slayniaker (Schleiermacher), Zimmerman (Carpenter) and Franciscus.

Heller's Church-The Lancaster church was, however, not the first organized in Lancaster county. The fact that baptisms recorded in the church records as having been performed two years before the Lancaster church was formally organized point to the existence of an earlier Reformed church organization in the county. And it is now generally conceded that the mother church of the Reformed congregations in Lancaster county is Heller's (or as now known, Salem) Church which is situated about one mile to the southward of Mechanicsburg. Upon its site once stood a small log church, "with seats of slab, and a floor of bare ground," erected it is claimed in 1722, and, so, deemed to have been the "first Reformed Church built in all the Conestoga country." In 1730-32 this congregation divided into six preaching places, among them that at Lancaster, states Dr. Cramer. According to a paper deposited in the cornerstone of Heller's, or Salem, Church, it appears that "This congregation was founded in the year 1722, by a number of German Reformed fathers. The first house was built in 1722, repaired in 1802, rebuilt and enlarged by the same congregation." Dr. Joseph H. Dubbs, contributed to the Lancaster County I-listorical Society, in 1900, a paper entitled the "Earliest Reformed Church in Lancaster County." In part he writes:

In early records there are frequent references to a church called "Conestoga," or "the Hill Church." it was always mentioned with respect as the earliest Reformed Church in all this region. No such church is known at present, and it is evident that it must have ceased to exist at a very early period. Concerning this church we have now a good deal of information.

If the earliest settlers had been accompanied across the sea by their European pastors, it is possible that Reformed churches might have been immediately established; but the people were left without leaders and had to meet the religious situation as best they could.

After waiting long for regular pastors, the people began to take matters into their own hands. They built schoolhouses, and persuaded the schoolmasters, or other intelligent persons, to conduct worship and to read printed sermons on Sunday * * *

In Montgomery County there was an excellent schoolmaster, whose name was John Philip Boehm. He was not very highly educated, but had in earlier life conducted the Reformed parochial school in the city of Worms, in Germany * * * His father had been a minister and he knew exactly how a Reformed Church ought to be conducted. Having emigrated to America in 1720, his talents and personal excellence were soon recognized, and three incipient congregations, Falkner Swamp, Skippack, and White Marsh besought him to become their pastor. He hesitated long, because he had not been ordained; but at last, after serving for several years as a "reader," he yielded * * * and in 1725 assumed the pastoral office.

The Reformed people of Conestoga were a little slower in effecting an organization. For several years their devotions had been led by a pious tailor, named John Conrad Templeman. This man subsequently wrote a letter to the Synods of North and South Holland, in which he embodied his recollections * * * In his letter, dated February 13, 1733, * * * he says: "The church in Canastoka had its origin in the year 1725, with a stmll gathering in private houses, here and there, with the reading of a sermon, with singing and prayer, according to the German Reformed order, on all Sundays and holidays; but, for want of ministers, without the administration of baptism and the Lord's Supper." * *

* When the Reformed people of Conestoga learned that Boehm had organized the churches of Philadelphia County, they invited him to perform a similar service in their behalf; and he acceded to their request. In a letter to the Classis of Amsterdam, dated January 14, 1739, he says: "This district of Cannestoga is very extensive. The first congregation which was gathered here I call Hill Church (Bergkirek); it is situated in the centre. I served it according to their call to come to them twice a year, for the first time in the year 1727, on the 15th of October, and there were present fifty-nine communicants, as this was the first time that a communion service had been celebrated in the Cannestoga Valley." During the periods intervening between the semi-annual communion seasons, I suppose, Templeman continued to act as reader.

A month earlier, the first ordained Reformed Church minister to land in America, arrived in Philadelphia; and when he, the Rev. George Michael Weiss, "heard that Boehm was performing ministerial acts without ordination, he protested vigorously in word and deed." He drew the Conestoga congregation away from Boehm; only temporarily, however, for the latter soon applied for regular ordination to the Classis of Amsterdam; and his request was granted. Boehm was ordained by the Dutch Ministers of New York on January 29, 1730; and thereafter, for some years, he served the Conestoga congregation. Templeman enumerated the congregations in what he regarded as Boehm's District. as follows:

The first congregation numbered 55 members, with the following Elders: Rudolf Heller and Michael Albert.

The second congregation numbered 51. The Elders were: Hans George Schwab, Johannes Goehr and Conrad Werns.

The third congregation numbered 30. Their Elders were- Johann Jacob Hock and Andrew Halsbrun.

The name of the first elder of the first congregation seems to indicate the connection between the first Conestoga church and that near Mechanicsburg known as Heller's Church. Dr. Dubbs writes:

Concerning the identification of these churches there is little difficulty. The first is, of course, "Conestoga," Michael Albert is mentioned in Boehm's correspondence as an elder of "the Hill Church," as late as 1740. The second congregation was "Cocalico"--afterwards called Bethany, near Ephrata * * * The third congregation was Lancaster * * * After this period the history of the Conestoga Church becomes indistinctive * * * After 1739 the Conestoga church was served at intervals by the Rev. J. B. Rieger, of Lan- caster, but it had evidently ceased to be regarded as an important point. In that year Boehm reported that the congregations at Lancaster, Cocalico, and Hill worshipped in log build- ings. In 1740 the Hill Church offered to pay an annual salary of eight pounds and twenty-five bushels of oats for the services of a regular minister.

Lancaster is referred to in the church minutes of 1748 as "the new town in Cannastoka"; and the records seem to indicate that the regular services in the Hill Church had by that time been discontinued. Dr. Dubbs goes exhaustively into reasons for thinking that Heller's Church was the original Conestoga Reformed Church (see vol. V, number I, Papers of the Lancaster County Historical Society), and closes with the following paragraph:

The argument which we have presented is cumulative, but it is convincing. Consider it as we will, there is but one conclusion. The old Conestoga Church passed out of history more than a century ago, but the line of historic descent was never entirely broken, and Heller's Church now occupies the site of the earliest Reformed Church in Lancaster County.

The second congregation at Heller's was organized by the Rev. Daniel Hertz in 1830, "on the basis of an earlier organization." Dr. Dubbs writes: "There was at that time a small log church, which was occasionally opened for public worship, but no regular pastor had for a long time been stationed there." The churchyard, however, presents almost an unbroken connection, there being tombstones in it bearing the dates 1729, 1737, 1762, 1776, 1789 (presumably years of death, not birth). Furthermore, when the church was rebuilt in 1860, the words "Founded about 1722" were chiselled into the cornerstone.

The Rev. Daniel Hertz served the Heller's, or Salem, Church for thirty-seven years, from 1830; and at his first celebration of holy communion to this congregation, May 22, 1931, the communicants were John Bushong, Sr., John Bushong, Jr., Jacob Bushong, George Reed, Margarita Reimensnider, Margarita Nunnamaker, Salome Reimensnider, Catharine Rudy, and Eva Bushong. After the church was rebuilt in 1838, the Rev. Barr, a Presbyterian minister, preached in the Reformed Church once monthly in English, the regular services by Rev. Hertz, therefore, being it would seem, in German. In 1860 the old church was torn down, and the present edifice erected upon its site. Rev. F. H. Gast then became assistant pastor, remaining for five years. In 1867, the Rev. Hertz ceased his labors in Salem Church, and the pastorate of Rev. D. W. Garhard began. The present pastor, Rev. H. J. Hillegas, has been in charge of Salem Church for many years, and has maintained a strong organization, its Sunday school having an enrollment of about two hundred and its church membership being three hundred and twelve, in 1922.

First Reformed Church of Lancaster-Of the congregations that branched from Heller's Church, the first that calls for review is the First Reformed Church of Lancaster; and it should here be stated that the following outline of its history is drawn mainly from the published works of Dr. W. Stuart Cramer, regarding that church.

The first records of the First Reformed Church at Lancaster are entitled "Church Protocol of the newly built Reformed Church here in the island of Pennsylvania in Cannastoken in the new town named Lancaster." Dr. Harbaugh's translation of this Protocol reads, in part as follows:

Now as regards the building of this our church, the beginning was made in the year 1736, and by the help of God it was so far completed that on the 2oth of June, or upon the festival of Holy Whitsuntide, we held divine worship in it for the first time. The teacher, preacher or pastor called to this office of God was the reverend and truly pious John Jacob Hock.

This was the first church edifice solemnly consecrated to God in the county seat, Lancaster; it was otlogs and so probably was raised in the year in which it was consecrated. The building of another church, the Trinity Lutheran, had been begun in 1734, but that edifice was of stone, and does not seem to have been consecrated until 1738, which circumstance indicates that the building was not completed until that year; hence the First Reformed Church might feasibly be claimed to have been the pioneer church in Lancaster.

The first log church stood upon the same site as that occupied by the present magnificent edifice. The plot of ground was given by James Ham- ilton, the deed stating that he, James Hamilton, favoring the application and request of "the members of the congregation of the Reformed Church of the High Dutch Protestants in the town of Lancaster," "doth freely and absolutely give and grant" the said lot "for the promotion of religion." The deed is dated October 5, 1741, and further designates the realty thus- "On which said lot or piece of ground a meeting house erected by the said congregation now stands." One historian has stated that the first log church stood on the opposite side of Orange street. The'church records, however, refute this statement, though it seems to be a fact that the log building did later stand on the opposite side of Orange street. The explanation is that when the stone Reformed Church was erected the old log church was razed by the purchaser of it. He had the logs carried to the ol>posite side of the street, and there rebuilt. It was used as a residence until January 4, 1836, when it was destroyed by fire.

"As regards the election of the first elders of the church, John Henry Basler, Felix Mueller, John Gorner, and Peter Dorr were elected by the con- gregation and declared duly qualified." The first deacons elected were John Charles Keller and John Stephen Ramersberger. The first baptism was that of Ann Barbara, daughter of Abraham Weidtman, June 20, 1736. Twenty-one were baptized in 1736, fifteen in 1737, and twenty-eight in 1738.

The ministry of John Jacob Hock in the Lancaster congregation ended on October 30, 1737. Regarding him, Dr. Dubbs writes:

John Jacob Hock had previously been a ruling elder in the congregation and was chosen to the ministry by the people, somewhat as Boehm had been called at the beginning of his work. He also preached at Bethany, near Ephrata, and as soon as a regular minister could be secured he retired to private life.

He was succeeded at Lancaster by the Rev. John Bartholomaus Rieger, who was pastor until 1743. Dr. Dubbs writes of him:

Rev. John Bartholomaus Rieger arrived in Philadelphia and took the oath of allegiance on September 21, 1731. He had been educated at Heidelberg and Basel. He was commissioned for the American work by the authorities of the Church of the Palatinate. He was an ordained minister. He was not, however, deeply interested in his commission. For several years he was pastor in Philadelphia and at Amwell, and in 1739 accepted the pastorate of the Reformed Church at Lancaster, where his brother Jacob Frederick had in the meantime settled as a physician.

According to his tombstone in the First Reformed Church graveyard at present, he was born in the Palatinate January 10, 1707 * * * He died March 11, 1769. His brother also lies buried in the rear of the church.

From February, 1743, to November, 1744, the Lancaster church was without a pastor. In November, 1744, the services of Rev. Casper Lewis Schnorr were secured. He was pastor from that time until March of 1746, but "according to Saur, he was utterly unworthy of his office." Dr. Dubbs relates that Schnorr "had rested under a cloud before he left the fatherland." Nothing is known of him after his departure from Lancaster other than that he went into New York State. For some time after Schnorr's departure from Lancaster, the Rev. Reiger again acted as pastor, but it seems to have been a'temporary arrangement, for he was not well liked by many of the members, and in this second term as pastor, the differences between him and the congregation developed "into such a settled dislike that a separation took place towards the close of that year."

He was acting-pastor, in September, 1746, when Rev. Michael Schiatter "on his tour of regulating charges and settling ministers came to Lancaster." On September 26th Rev. Schlatter preached in Lancaster, entering into the objects of his mission. The Lancaster congregation "were unanimous in desiring a stated pastor," and undertook to contribute L40 in money, besides produce and other presents, for the support of a pastor. It is evident that the Rev. Schiatter considered the Lancaster charge to be an important one. He transmitted the request to Holland, and while awaiting the result of their call, he himself visited the congregation in November, 1746, and twice in 1747. He baptized twenty-six children, and in June, 1747, administered the holy communion in the Lancaster church to two hundred and twenty-five communicants. He wrote of that occasion:

The multitude assembled on this occasion was so great that the church could scarcely contain half of them; so great was the desire to hear the word of God; and most of them returned with joy and thanksgiving.

Michael Schlatter was born in 1716. He came to America in 1746, and preached in Germantown on September 18 of that year. He passed through Lancaster and York, on his way to churches at Hagerstown and Frederick, Maryland, in 1747, states Dr. Dubbs. It was not his first visit to Lancaster, apparently. Through his efforts the first Coetus convened in Philadelphia, September 29, 1747. Later, he took active interest in the movement for the establishment of schools, and became the first Superintendent of Public Schools in Pennsylvania.

In response to the Rev. Schlatter's call, in behalf of the Lancaster church, the Rev. John Jacob Hochrentiner arrived in America, August 13, 1748. He was accompanied by the Rev. Dominicus Bartholomaus, "who was intended for the congregation at Tulpehocken." Mr. Hochrentiner proceeded to Lancaster without delay, and preached to the congregation. They confirmed the call, inviting him to become their "stated and regular" pastor. He returned to Philadelphia, and in October an elder was despatched from Lancaster to transport him and his goods from Philadelphia. Alas! The young minister was destined never to serve Lancaster. In attempting to unload his gun before packing, it exploded in his hands, and killed him. The written sermon he had intended to preach, as his introductory, in Lancaster, was found in his pocket. The disappointment of the Lancaster congregation was great when their elder returned unaccompanied, and reported that their long hoped for regular pastor was dead, and had "no more any por- tion forever in anything that is done under the sun." However, they tried to get the Rev. Dominicus Bartholomaus to come to them, as a stated supply, or as pastor. The Tulpehocken congregation, however, would not release him oftener than four times in a year. This number of services he held in Lancaster, and in 1749, the Rev. Thomas Leydich also preached. In September, 1749, while the Coetus was in session in Lancaster, the Rev. John Conrad Steiner arrived at Philadelphia. A call for his services was delivered to Mr. Schlatter by the Lancaster congregation, but disappoint- ment was again to be their lot. The newcomer fell sick in Philadelphia, and later took a Philadelphia charge.

However, in December, 1849, the Rev. Ludwig Ferdinand Vock, "an aged man," arrived in Philadelphia. In the next month he began his min- istry in Lancaster, the minutes of "a congregational meeting held January 28, 1750," reading:

According to a resolution of the German Reformed congregation, the pastor for this year shall receive L40 cash, Pennsylvania Currency. For proclamation and marriage he shall receive 7 shillings and 6 pence. For preaching a funeral sermon, from those who are able, 5 shillings. For baptizing children he shall receive nothing. In addition to this, the pastor shall be furnished with a free dwelling house; also six cords of wood. He shall also have four Sabbaths free to preach at other places, viz; the first Sabbath after Easter, the first after Whitsuntide, on St. Michael's day and on Sabbath after New Year. It is also allowed him on week days to preach in other congregations, provided it does not interfere with any of his pastoral duties in town." Signed by the following twenty persons: Martin Bomberger, Wm. Gartner, Casper Schaffner, Bombard Becker, John Wenberger, Christopher Grossart, Jacob Metzgar, Jacob Hollinger, Baltzer Schaeffer, Peter Wolf, Leonard Motz, Paul Weitzel, Philip Lenker, Peter Bier, John Schriber, Michael Fortnei, Peter Spycker, Benj. Spycker, John Huberger, John Kahler.

The agreement was for one year, and at the expiration thereof, the following remonstrance was filed:

The names of those Freeholders of the German Reformed Church in Lancaster who, after the termination of the year 1750, will not continue with Pastor Vock or who cannot with a good conscience hold to him.

Thirty-four signatures were appended, the names of many of the signers of the previous paper appearing below the remonstrance. It seems that it was only with difficulty that the Rev. Vock was able to complete his one year in Lancaster.

The church was without a regular pastor until after the middle of 1752. The dearth of Reformed ministers in America was so serious at about that time that the Rev. Michael Schlatter crossed the sea, to represent personally, in Holland, Germany and Switzerland, the wants of the church in the colonies. He returned in July, 1752, with six young ministers who had been ordained by the Classis of Amsterdam. Among them was the Rev. Philip William Otterbein. Muhlenberg states that upon their arrival each of these young ministers carried a long staff. Mr. Otterbein received a call from Lancaster, and in August of the same year, 1752, he entered upon his duties as pastor, for an agreed term of five years. He remained for six years, though he had expressed a wish to resign at the end of his first term, owing to the difficulty under which he labored; because of the indifference to church discipline manifested by many members of the congregation. In 1758, he resigned, and departed from Lancaster with the expressed intention of returning to Europe. He, however, did not cross the sea until 1770, and, prior to that, had served as pastor at Tulpehocken, Pennsylvania, Frederick, Maryland, and York, Pennsylvania. He was again in America in 1771, returning to York. In 1774, he removed to Baltimore, to serve a new church there, which had, four years previously, seceded from the old one. Dr. Harbaugh states:

It was this church and the well-meant though somewhat unguarded zeal of the Rev. Mr. Otterbein that gave birth to the sect of the "United Brethren in Christ." It is, however, a clearly-established fact and it is due to the memory of the Rev. Mr. Otterbein to state it-that he was never separated formally from the German Reformed Church. He had awakened powers which he could not control.

Another eminent divine, and of another denomination, Bishop Asbury, the first Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America, expressed his opinion of "Father Otterbein" thus: "Great and good man of God! An honor to his church and country; one of the greatest scholars and divines that ever came to America."

During his first term as pastor of the Reformed Church in Lancaster, Mr. Otterbein accomplished much for the parish. In 1753, a new stone church was built, or at least was so far finished as to be under roof. The interior work may not have been completed until the year 1756, perhaps not until 1758. "The final settlement was made June 28, 1758, with John Barr, Second Treasurer." The entire cost of the church was one thousand and eighteen pounds, sixteen shillings and one and a half pence, and there remained a debt, in 1758, of two hundred and fifteen pounds, seven shillings and six pence.

The successor of Mr. Otterbein, as pastor of the First Reformed Church, was Rev. William Stoy, who was another of the six young ministers the Rev. Schlatter had brought to America in 1752. Stoy had served in Tulpehocken. When he came to Lancaster in 1758, and entered upon a ministerial term of five years, the Lancaster congregation numbered about one hundred families. He went to Lebanon from Lancaster, but eventually forsook the ministry, and practiced medicine. "He was a man of considerable learning, but his piety was always questioned." During his ministry at Lancaster, however, the material affairs of the church were bettered. The parsonage lot was acquired, for L328, in 1760. Thr building of the parsonage and the adjoining lecture room was begun in 1763, but the work was not completed until 1766. A schoolhouse was also needed, but the congregation had become somewhat heavily burdened with debt. To meet the situation it was eventually agreed to try to raise the sum by means of a lottery scheme. In this they were joined by St. James' Episcopal Church, which needed a smaller amount to complete their own edifice. The lottery opened in 1761and was drawn in 1765. The result was good, the amount realized by both churches being in excess of their expectations. By-the-way, a lottery was as favored an expedient of raising money for church and public needs in those days as the bazaar is in this.

A young minister who had come shortly before from Heidelberg is supposed to have served the Lancaster church, as "supply," from January, 1763, to December, 1764; his name however, is not known.

From January, 1765, until September, 1769, the pastor was the Rev. William Hendel, D. D., one of the most able preachers of his day. He was one of the founders of Franklin College, and served as vice-president without salary. He is also considered as one of the founders of the Reformed Theological Seminary. He died in Philadelphia, in 1798, having sacrificed his life by tending stricken yellow fever patients after "almost all the ministers" had "fled from the city for their lives."

In the last year of Dr. Hendel's ministry in Lancaster, the First Re- formed congregation, in 1769, purchased a large organ. It was made by David Tannenberg, of Lititz, and cost L 250.

It is worthy of note that Dr. Hendel, on December 14, 1766, in the First Reformed Church in Lancaster, baptized an eleven-days-old babe as Barbara Hauer, daughter of Nicholas and Catherine Hauer, members of the congregation. Barbara Hauer, when a woman, married John C. Fritchie, and in her old age was the central figure in a dramatic incident of the Civil War. She was the Barbara Fritchie, immortalized by Whittier, and although some persons latterly have endeavored to show that Whittier's bases for his poem were imaginary, Judge John John H.. Landis has pointed to newspaper articles of the time, and of the place, and prior to the writing of the poem, which clearly prove that Barbara Fritchie, a native of Lancaster, is truly entitled to the place that Whittier has accorded her in American history. (vide Lancaster County Historical Society Papers, Vol. XXIII, No. 5).

The Rev. Charles Lewis Boehme succeeded Dr. Hendel, as pastor. He came in February, 1771, and remained until July, 1775, then going to Baltimore.

While in Lancaster, the Rev. C. L. Boehme conducted services in the French language also, preaching regularly to the French traders who centered in Lancaster.

Rev. John Conrad Albertus Helfenstein became pastor in January, 1776, and continued until July, 1779, through the trying early period of the Revolution. The Rev. Helfenstein went to Philadelphia from Lancaster, but died in 1790, when forty-two years old. He was a good man and his ministry in Lancaster "was greatly blest". Often, it is said, was the congregation overwhelmed by the mighty power as it flowed with holy warmth from his heart."

His successor at the First Reformed Church was Rev. John Theobald Faber, who was pastor from feeble physically he rei-nained until February, 1794, accomplishing much for the congregation in that time. In 1784 land adjoining the graveyard on the east was purchased; in the same year a steeple was built and two bells, which had been imported from England, hung therein. In 1785, a two-story back building attached to the parsonage was erected.

The baptism of children in the home was one of the practices that grew out of the disorders of the Revolutionary War. Dr. Hendel, in 1786, noted that "the Christian order of the church has fallen into neglect to such an extent that for some time past no children have been baptized in the church." It was then resolved that henceforth all children, save those who were sick, or when the weather was bad, "must be baptized in the church."

The Rev. Christian Lewis Becker, D. D., was pastor from March, 1795, to June, 1806. Dr. Becker was a theologian of much learning. He had spent many years in German universities; had published several theological works in Bremen; and he departed for America "with the best testimonials of his piety and learning." He held faithfully to the Lancaster congregation, and labored among them "with great acceptance and success." When in 1806, after several previous attempts, the Baltimore congregation succeeded in drawing him from Lancaster, "a long train of carriages is said to have accompanied him to Columbia, on his way. * * * They had lost a faithful, learned, and pious pastor, and this was cause sufficient for tears." The Lancaster congregation had prospered during his ministry.

Dr. Becker was succeeded as pastor by Rev. John Henry Hoffmier, who took up the charge in October, 1806, and he held it for twenty-five years. A memorial panel, which originally was placed in the lecture room, but in 1902 was removed to the main auditorium of the church, testifies to "his learning, his piety, his faithfulness and his services of love," in Lancaster. He was in feeble health even in young manhood, and was fifty-six years old when he was installed as pastor in Lancaster. Yet, notwithstanding "frequent and long continued bodily sufferings," Father Hoffmier held faithfully to his ministerial duties, and gained the love and esteem of his parishioners. During his ministry, the affairs of the church went forward well. In i82o, two lots on the cast side of Duke street were purchased for two hundred and twenty dollars, and in the next year a lot adjoining one that adjoined the church property was purchased for eight hundred and five dollars. In 1822, the church building was remodeled.

The latter part of Father Hoffmier's ministry was most trying, discord blighting the church. The cause was inevitable, and it was experienced by all German churches in America that resisted the wish of the American born and English speaking children of German parents that English services be, at least in part, introduced. The transition from German to English in the First Reformed Church in Lancaster began about a century ago. Efforts were made to secure a co-pastor who would conduct the English services, but without avail. However, when in 1831, Father Hoffmier retired from ministerial work an effort was made to appoint as his successor one who could officiate in both languages.

Rev. Martin Brunner was installed in 1832, and served until I839. It was after his coming, action was taken upon another matter which had been discussed many times during the previous decade. It is somewhat surprising to find that no Sunday school was established by the congregation of the First Reformed Church in Lancaster until July,1832, almost a century after the church had been organized. However 'the Sunday school began in July, 1832, with "from thirty to forty teachers and upwards of two hundred scholars." School was held in the church.

The renting of pews, or family seats, was adopted by the First Reformed congregation in 1836.

The next pastor was Rev. George W. Glessner, who was installed on July 24, 1840. He resigned on April 1, 1847. During his period as pastor, the con- gregation "once more assumed its wonted order, strength and beauty." His successor was the Rev. N. A. Keyes, an English pastor. It was origi- nally intended that he should share the pastorate with a German pastor. This plan was, however, finally abandoned, and the Rev. D. Y. Heisler, of Columbia, was obtained to preach German as a supply. This arrangement continued until 1850, in which year the congregation divided into two churches, one English and the other German. The English section, with Mr. Keyes, organized the "St. Paul's Reformed Church," and erected a church building on the southwest corner of Orange and Duke streets.

The German branch of the original First German Reformed Church of Lancaster remained in the old church, and called the Rev. Henry Harbaugh, D. D. He was installed as pastor on March 24,1850, and although the congregation was, it would seem, predominantly German, he conducted the public services in both languages. In 1851, the Consistory considered plans for the erection of a new church, with parsonage adjacent. In August, 1951, the Consistory authorized the trustees to sell the parsonage and school building on North Duke street, and use the proceeds in erecting the new church and parsonage. The property sold realized $7,850, and the new church when built cost $18,868, exclusive of furnishings.

The cornerstone of the new churcch building was laid on May 30, 1812, and it was consecrated, "amid great rejoicing," on Febuary 19, 1854. The old church had stood for almost a century, having been built in 1752. Dr. Harbaugh ministered to the Lancaster congregation for ten years, resigning in September, 1860. "His memory as a man and as a preacher is still cherished by many who sat under his ministry," wrote Dr. Cramer in 1904. Dr. Harbaugh was born near Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, in 1817, and began his theological studies at Mercersburg in 1840. In 1843 he was licensed to preach, and in January, 1844, was installed in his first charge, in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, where he preached in the German language at a salary of three hundred dollars a year. Some excellent works of his pen were published, many of them having been written while he was in Lancaster.

He left this church under sore trials and much trouble, which had arisen in the congregation, and with which he was intimately and personally connected, but he took his leave only after he believed himself fully vindicated by Classis, which sustained his appeal * * * and this congregation now looks with pride upon his worthy pastorate.

In 1863, Dr. Harbaugh joined the faculty of the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church, at Mercersburg, and there remained until his death, which occurred on December 28, 1867.

His successor at the First Reformed Church in Lancaster was the Rev. Amos H. Kremer, D. D., who became pastor on April 7, 1861, and continued as such until October 1, 1877. During the period, the burdensome debt incurred in the building of the new church was extinguished.

Another congregation branched from the First Reformed in i87o, the Ger- man portion of the congregation then withdrawing to form an exclusively German church. This became the St. John's German Reformed Church, the history of which will later herein be traced.

In 1872, the State authorized the removal of the dead from the graveyard in the rear of the First Reformed Church; and this grant was soon carried into effect, and the realty sold.

Rev. John A. Peters, D. D., succeeded Dr. Kremer as pastor, in 1878. During his six years in the pastorate, the congregation was increased from three hundred twenty-five to four hundred regular members, from two hundred seventy-five to three hundred eighty-five communicant members. Material improvements during the period included the painting of the church; slating of the roof; and installation of the organ, at a cost Of $2,719.31. The semi-centennial of the founding of the Reformed Sunday school was celebrated on October 22, 1882. In 1883, the congregation was reorganized, to the extent of a change of corporate name, the change being from "The German Reformed Congregation in the Borough of Lancaster, Pa.," to "The First Reformed Church of Lancaster, Pa." In 1883, the pastor's salary was increased to $1,300, but when the successor of Dr. Peters was installed the salary again dropped to $1,200, In 1904, however, the pastor was receiving $1,600, and subsequent advances have followed the increase in the cost of living.

Dr. Peters' short but eventful ministry was followed by that of Rev. John M. Titzel, D. D., who took up his work in Lancaster, in February, 1885. He was pastor until 1904, though from October, 1901, when he was incapacitated by paralysis, his duties were taken over by the Rev. W. Stuart Cramer, as assistant pastor. The latter became regular pastor in 1904, and is the present incumbent.

The outstanding events of Dr. Titzel's pastorate were: The celebration of the one hundred fiftieth anniversary of the church, June 20, 1886: the repairing of the church in 1891; and the meeting of the Eastern Synod in the church in 1898. Dr. Titzel was a man of "scholarly mind and excellent judgment." His devotion to literature brought him into membership of the Cliosophic Society, of Lancaster, and other literary societies, among them the American Historical Society. He was a regular contributor to the pages of the "Reformed Quarterly Review," and it one time was one of its editors.

Dr. W. Stuart Cramer, who succeeded him as pastor of the First Reformed congregation, in 1904, was born in 1873, and is a graduate of the Franklin and Marshall College, and of the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church, Lancaster. His ministerial life has been spent wholly in the First Reformed Church, with the exception of a period during the World War, when-with the permission of his congregation-he entered upon war work, as Associate Secretary of the War Time Commission of the Churches of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America. He assisted in laying the first wreath on the casket of the Unknown Soldier, in the rotunda of the Capitol at Wash- ington, D. C., representing the Protestant churches of America. More regard- ing his life is given in the biographical division of this historical work.

The outstanding facts in the development of the First Reformed Church in Lancaster during his ministry include the renovation of the main auditorium, in 1905; the carving of the chancel furniture, which was done by Mr. A. Lang, who was brought over from Oberammergau, and is a nephew of Anton Lang, the Christus of the famous Passion Play, the entire cost of the renovation being about $i8,ooo; the placing of a bronze memorial tablet in the church, to the pastors, from 1736 to 1852; the establishment of a Home for the Aged Poor and Infirm, at 319 North Duke street, which home was opened on March 1, 1923, and was made possible by the bequest of $240,000 for such a purpose, by the late Miss Sarah B. Diffenbach; the acquirement of the property adjoining the sexton's house on Christian street, and the adaptation of that property to the purposes of the Sunday school; the subscription Of $42,000 by the congregation, in 1919, and payable over a period of five years, to meet the needs of the "Forward Movement," of the denomination.

The strides forward made by the First Reformed Church in Lancaster, since 1901, the year in which Dr. Cramer became associated with the congregation, may be well realized by the fact that the membership has been doubled, being now about seven hundred twenty-five, and to an extent by the increase in the budget. In 1901, the church budget was $2,700. The budget for 1923 is about $18,000, this being about equally divided between local church support and benevolence.

Donegal Reformed Church-The Reformed church history in the Donegals covers almost as long a period as the Donegal Presbyterian. The Donegal Reformed Church at Milton Grove, and the Maytown Reformed Church at Maytown, were the subjects of an extensive writing in 1918, by Rev. W. J. Lowe (see Lancaster County Historical Society Papers, Vol. XXII-3). Quoting therefrom, very briefly, it appears that "the beginnings of Reformed wor- ship in Donegal took place shortly after 1720." There were at that time no Reformed church ministers, regularly ordained, in the country, but pious laymen would lead a service; reading a sermon, and having singing and prayer on all Sundays and holidays. The first such reader in Lancaster county was, it is said, John Conrad Tempelman, a pioneer tailor, from Heidelberg, Germany, who settled in the Conestoga, in about 1721. "He must be regarded as the founder of the Reformed Church in Lancaster county," or at least his name should be coupled with that of Boehm. Rev. Michael Schlatter "undertook an extensive journey," in 1747, which brought him to "the stream called Cones- toga," and to Lancaster, from which place, some days later, he "went sixteen miles farther to Donegal, a church which lies north of Lancaster;" and there "preached to a small but spiritually hungry congregation of about twenty families." He found that up to that time the congregtion had been "edified and served by a certain tailor from Heidelburg, named Tempelrnan, whom the people some twenty years ago urged to this service, they being willing to be instructed and comforted by a pious layman rather than be wholly without the public service of God." This is taken by Rev. Lowe as evidence "that there was a Reformed Church organization of some kind in Donegal, possibly as early as 1725."

In 1743;, the Rev. Jacob Lischy did missionary work in Reformed churches in Pennsylvania. He was a Moravian, a follower of Count Zinzendorf, who planned to unite all Protestant German churches, then in Pennsylvania, tinder a temporary denomination which he named "The Congregation of God in the Spirit." Rev. Lischy organized the congregation at Donegal in June, 1743, and in October of that year administered the Lord's Supper, according to the ritual of the Reformed church. In December, 1744, the Donegal congregation resolved to build a church.

The church in Donegal was built near where Centreville (Milton Grove) later developed. In December, 1744, Rev. Lischy reported that he preached in Donegal every six weeks, and only on week days. He added: "They are now building a church, which will soon be ready, and which I am to dedicate."

The church edifice was dedicated on March 22, 1745. The Rev. Christian Henry Rauch visited the church shortly before that time, and was much pleased with the new church. He "drew up a statement with regards to the church. It is to be general, for everyone who wishes to preach the Gos- pel in it."

In 1750, the Proprietaries issued a warrant for the surveying of "Fifty Acres of Land for the use of a Calvinist Church Situate in Donegal Township," which had been applied for Frantz Seib, John Kap, Peter Rixaker and John Etter, who, as church trustees, offered to pay the purchase price, "and the yearly Quit Rent of One half penny Sterling for every acre." However, it appears that only eleven acres of this tract were taken up for the church.

The first steps taken to appoint a resident pastor are referred to thus:

Consequently, already in April 1745, Rev. John Brandmiller and in the following month Jacob Kohn, both representing the Reformed side of the Brethren Church, took up temporary residence there, assisted by Rev. Thomas Yarrell, who preached in English for the benefit of the Scotch-Irish settlers.

The Donegal congregation decided "to petition to Bethlehem for the regular services of a pastor." The Rev. Jacob Kohn and his wife were made the appointees. Rev. Kohn made his initiatory sermon on Whit-Sunday, of 1745, and stayed until November, when he was recalled to Europe.

Rev. Philip Meurer was the next pastor, coming in January, 1746. Soon, however, dissension arose, concerning the administration of the communion. Rev. Meurer was a Lutheran, serving under the Brethren Church, and may have been the cause of the friction. At all events, the congregation divided, and those who left asked that all they had contributed toward the undenominational church building be refunded; those who held to the pastor and the church edifice issued a "Reverse" in January, 1747, declaring that, if at any time, they should themselves, also, leave the church, they would not attempt "to recall what has been done towards the church either in money or labor." The document was signed by John Philip Meurer, John Gopfert, Francis Seip, Abram Frederick, John Kapp, Peter Ricksecker, Francis Albert, Matthew Baumgartner, Jacob Kuntzley, Rudolph Kuntzley, George Gopfert, Peter Schneider, John Etter, Peter (B) Blaser (his mark), Henry Schneider. Many of these names come into later records of the Reformed church. However, these Unionists were outwitted by the Reformed church section which bad seceded. The diarist writes:

In the meantime the party which had withdrawn in x7,16 concocted a plan to deprive us of the use of the church, and on February 26, 1749, occupied it early in the day, and barred the doors against our entrance. Our party withdrew and held services in the house of one of our members, Peter Schneider.

It is but proper here to state the version recorded in the archives of the Moravian church, as set down by Mr. A. l@. Beck, of Lititz. It reads:

* * * The Germans of Doneg-A were visited and preached to as early as 1743 by Jacob Lischy, a Moravian intinerant, and in 1745 erected a meeting house for the use of the brethren. It stood on an eleven-acre tract for which Francis Seib (of Leib), John Kapp, Peter Ruechsecker and John Etter had taken out a warrant in October, 1745. In 1747 Lischy left the Moravians and joined the Reformed Church* * * In 1749, the German Reformed faction, taking advantage of a wrong direction which had been given to the deed by Lischy, in virtue of which it was made to appear that the tract had been taken up for the benefit of a Reformed Church, forcibly dispossessed the brethren of their pulpit. Hereupon, the latter met for worship at Peter Schneider's until the Spring Of 1750, when a school and meeting-house was erected for their use, on ground donated by Schneider. In August, 1750, Thomas and Richard Penn released the eleven-acre tract and improvements thereupon to the brethren by a "Patent of confirmation for lands in Donegal." After the latter had reimbursed their opponents for the expense they had incurred in erecting the Church, the log schoolhouse was transferred to its side, the Church itself renewed, and then dedicated by Bishop Matthew liehl, September 28th, 1753.

Taking up again the review of the history of the Donegal Reformed Church, it appears that the Reformed congregation at Donegal was ministered unto from 1752 by Reformed ministers of neighboring churches, Rev. Stoy coming for some years from Mill Creek, in Lebanon county, and Rev. Rieger from Lancaster. In 1765, Rev. 'W. Hendel, of Lancaster served the Donegal congregation regularly; in 1767 and 1768, Rev. John Conrad Bucher had charge. In 1771, he reported for Donegal, twenty-four members, nine baptisms and five confirmations. In 1779, the Donegal congregation applied for a minister, "since Mr. Bucher, on account of sickness, could no longer serve them." In 1783, Rev. William Runkel supplied Donegal. "Donegal also appears in Runkel's reports to the Coetus of 1784, and then the name Donegal ceases to appear in the records of the church."

"The old Donegal Church, at Milton Grove, was used by the Moravians and others as a place of worship until about thirty-five years ago (from 1918), when it was demolished because it had become unsafe."

Maytown Reformed Church-The review is now carried "to the Reformed congregation in Donegal as it grew up in Maytown." The name of the Maytown Reformed Congregation first appears in the records of the Reformed Church Coetus meeting in Lancaster, May 8-9, 1765, when Rev. William 1-fendel reported that he had visited the Maytown congregation, among others.

Beginning with July 13, 1765, the date of the first recorded ministerial act in Maytown, that of the baptism of George, son of Christian and Maria Alinger, who was born May 23, 1765, the congregation has an almost complete record. Rev. John Conrad Bucher, in 1767, was pastor of five churches, including Maytown and Donegal. Under his pastoral guidance, the Maytown congregation was organized "to purchase land upon which to erect a church." The land was bought, and a log meeting-house raised, the first erected in Maytown. Rev. C. L. Boehm succeeded Mr. Bucher, in 1771, at Maytown, supplying until 1775. Rev. Hendel was pastor in 1777 and 1778. In 1779, four congregations, Manheim Rapho, White Oaks, and Maytown, united to call Mr. Runkle "as their regular teacher and minister." He was appointed, but also had to take charge every four weeks of the congregation at Carlisle.' In 1784, Mr. Runkle went to Frederick, Maryland. He was succeeded by Rev. Ludwig Lupp, in 1786; who served until 1794. William Hiester served Maytown and Blaser's congregations, as catechist, in 1798, and in the next year as an ordained minister.

In 1805, the Maytown congregation united to build a new church, but as means available were not sufficient, Henry Haines, a member of the congregation, and also of the State Legislature, "had an act passed authorizing a lottery for building a German Reformed Church at Maytown." The highest prize was $i,ooo, and twenty-five hundred tickets at six dollars each were to net $15,000' The drawing was duly held and the grand prize of $1,000 was won by John Graybill, of Donegal township. He subscribed the whole amount to the Building Fund of Maytown Church. Cornerstone was laid in 1807, and the church, with bells and organ, was completed at cost Of $3,292.76; the subscribed surn being only about seven dollars short of this amount. Thus the church entered upon a larger work under favorable conditions. The new church was dedicated in 1808, by Rev. Henry B. Shaffner, who had been assistant pastor under Rev. Hiester. Rev. Shaffner was appointed pastor, in1808, and was continued in the charge until 1835. During that time he organized several other churches, one at Elizabethtown, in 1816, and one at Mari- etta, in 1818. Evening services were not held in Maytown until 1818. After leaving Maytown, in 1835, Rev. Shaffner continued as pastor of Marietta until 1840. The Maytown church was irregularly supplied until 1840, when Rev. Emmanuel H. Hoffheins was called. He served for ten years, also teaching school in Maytown. Several pastors supplied the church during the next seven vears; indeed, the changes were many and frequent, until 189, when Rev. M. M. Noacher was ordained and installed. He stayed for three years, during which time the church building was renovated, the spire was removed, and a brick tower built. The church was then eighty-five years old, but had been remodeled and restored in 1859. From 1894 to 1899, Rev. Ellis S. Hay was pastor; from 1898 to 190, Rev. J. G. Dengler; from 1902 to 1909, Rev. George B. Raezer; from 1909 to 1913, Rev. George M. Whitmore. In 1913, Rev. William J. Lowe became supply pastor, and was ordained and installed in the next year. The pastor in 1922 was Rev. Charles H. Faust; and the strength then was one hundred ten communicants. In 1916, the church was damaged by fire, and in the repairing, an alteration was made in the church tower, it being given a peaked roof. The old weather-vane, which had been on the original church spire, but had been discarded in 1893, was again restored to its place, above the church tower.

Muddy Creek Church-The first congregation organized in Cocalico township was Muddy Creek. Whether the original church was Lutheran or Reformed cannot be determined. Probably it was what it later became- a joint church. A congregation is said to have been formed as early as 1730. However, the church records do not begin until 1733, the first baptisms being by Peter Miiller and Rev. John Christian Schultze. The former was of the Reformed Church, and Schultze was a Lutheran. Rev. John Casper Stoever visited the congregation in 1734. Rev. Stoever served the church from 1746 to 1749, and again from 1755 to 1758. A log church was early raised, probably in the first years after organization, but the date when Lutheran and Reformed churchmen united in Muddy Creek Church is not recorded. Rupp states that a Reformed congregation was organized at "Modecrick," near Adamstown, in 1743. However, Peter Miller, who was one of the early ministers, left the Reformed Church in 1735, so there is reason to believe that the Reformed congregation at Muddy Creek had its beginning almost simultaneously with the Lutheran. In 1744, the Penns warranted a tract of land to the Lutheran and Reformed congregations jointly, and patent was issued during the pas- torate of Rev. John Samuel Schwerdtfeger, who succeeded Rev. Stoever, in 1758, and stayed until 1763. joint occupation of the land and church property has ever since been maintained. Representing the congregations in 1761, when the agreement was executed, were Valentine Schneider, Jacob Fry, Casper Lutz and Philip Stober, Lutherans; Henry Haller, Christopher Shoup, George Hefft, and Maneus Egly, Reformed. The deed acquired March 25, 1762, conveyed nine acres and sixty perches, for a consideration of one pound, eight shillings and eleven pence.

The second church edifice was of stone, and was demolished in 1847. It was supposed to have stood for about one hundred years; possibly it was built at about the time the tract of church land was warranted and surveyed, in 1744. The present church, also of stone, was erected in 1847, part of it being upon the site of the second church building.

Early in the history of the Muddy Creek Church, a parochial school was established. It was probably conducted in the church building, with the pastor as teacher, in the earliest years; but as time went on, it was decided to erect a schoolhouse nearby, and engage a schoolmaster. As was the custom, the schoolmaster was to all intents an assistant pastor, for he had to lead the choir on Sundays and often do other ministerial duties. The first Muddy Creek Church schoolmaster of which there is record was Henry Krick (or Grick), who took up the work in 1800, staying until 1810. Instruction most probably was wholly in German.

On October 21, 1872, the German Reformed and Lutheran congregations became one body corporate by the name of "The Independent Associate Ger- man Reformed and German Lutheran Muddy Creek Church, of East Cocalico Township," charter being then granted by the Common Pleas Court of Lan- caster county. The petition for incorporation was signed by Joseph Zerbe, Henry Lausch, Jacob Dietrich, Isaac Staver, Joel Brossman, William Lied, Jacob Lied, Jacob Heft, Lutherans; Daniel Kessler, Adam Grill, Solomon Lesher, Aaron T. Rollman, Henry Rupp, Henry Rupp, Jr., Reformed. Iitigation followed, a Sitting in Equity being on the dockets of the Court of Common Pleas for Lancaster county for the year 1874. However, the church is still of union character. Muddy Creek Lutheran and Reformed Church is in charge of Rev. M. W. Schweitzer, pastor of the First Reformed Church of Ephrata. The congregation is a large one, there being five hundred ninety communicants in 1922; and the church comes especially into notice by its Sunday school activities. "The celebrations held each year by the Union Sunday School of this organization are known and spoken of far and wide." The total enrollment in 1922 was two hundred fifteen, J. J. Coldren, of Denver, and George Eckenrode, of Shillington, being superintendents.

The Reformed and Lutheran churches, at Penryn, had their beginning in the historic Jerusalem Church at White Oak. The first church was erected in about 1735, and until 1766 the congregation was exclusively Reformed. Rev. Schlatter administered the Sacrament in 1747 to seventy communicants, and served them until 1752, at which time Peter Backer, Wendel Laber and Adam Keener were the elders. The first baptism recorded was in the year 174i; the first class of catechumens recorded was for the year 1749. Application was made in 1752 for a tract of land, to serve as glebe, and was granted by John Penn, in 1766, for Reformed and Lutheran joint use. The Union Church was then established. Rev. John Walschmidt was pastor from 1752 to 1786. Rev. Anthony Hautz was pastor from 1786-90; and among succeeding pastors were: John Christian Wilms, 1790-1802; Charles Helfenstein, 1803-07; John Theobald Faber, 1807-19; Frederick A. Herman, 1819-23; Daniel Hertz, 1823-31; Jacob Leymeister, 1831-33; Samuel Seibert, 1833-37; Christian Weiler, 1837-49; Henry N. B. Habliston, 1849-50; Isaac Gerhart, 1850-59; W. T. Gerhard, 1859-70; Rev. D. C. Tobias was pastor for many years from 1870; Rev. Frederick C. Huilhorst was pastor in 1902; and the present pastor is Rev. George B. Raezer, of Lititz. The congregation in 1922 had one hundred and forty-five communicants. Penryn Lutheran Church is slightly stronger, Rev. F. A. Weicksel, of Lititz, is pastor. The graveyard of the old church is probably the largest in the township; in it were buried very many of the pioneers, among the more than fifteen hundred graves being those of members of the Keath, Kreiner, l,abar, Becker, Keener, Ilagy, Myers and many other leading families.
The second Jerusalem Church, erected in 1832, almost one hundred years after the first, was likewise of logs. The first Sunday school organized in Jerusalem congregation was that in 1841, by Mathias Hoffer, Sr., I-Ienry Keiser and others. After a few years it was discontinued, but revived in 1853, only to close again in a few years. Another reorganization took place in 1861, and there has since been an unbroken functioning. The school in 1922 had a total enrollment of one hundred and fifty-nine.

Bethany Church, Near Ephrata-This seems to have been one of the congregations organized in the third or fourth decade of the eighteenth century. In "Schlatter's Life and Travels," by Dr. H. Harbaugh, is the following: "On the 18th he went twenty-six miles farther to preach at Moden Creek, on the 19th at Cocalico, eight miles off." This visit was in the year 1747, so that obviously the congregations were of prior establishment. The first baptism on record in the Bethany congregation is in the year 1738. The church records give the following names of pastors, or ministers-probably not stated or regular-prior to the coming of Rev. John George Wittner in 1766: Bohm, Bechtold, Hoock, Templernan, Wieser, Rieger, Hock, Peter Miiller, Loscher, Waldschmid, Deckert,Heymuller, Berger, J. G. Wittner, Gobrecht, Hautz.

The record was made by the Rev. J. G. Wittner at some time during his pastorate, 1760-70. Rev. John Christopher Gobrecht succeeded him, serving from 1770 to 1779. Rev. John Waidschmid was pastor from 1779 or 1780, until 1786. The succeeding pastors of Bethany are the same as those named in the sketch of Jerusalem Church at White Oak, which until recent years was in the same charge. The present pastor of Bethany is Rev. John Noss, of Ephrata; and there are two hundred and eighty-four communicants.

Bethany Church had a somewhat fitful existence for many years. Rev. W. A. Helfrich, in 1846-48 found contention and dissatisfaction had reduced the congregation to about thirty or forty members. Rev. W. T. Gerhard fifteen or twenty years later found "very few active members," but he built the church well. It was chartered in 1861, the officeholders at that time being. Ludwig Muckel and Jacob Hecker, elders; Samuel R. Nagel, Francis Glass, John Schlick and William Mackley, deacons; Henry Gray, John Dissinger and George L. Bowman, trustees.

The second Bethany Church was erected of "unhewn" stone in 1817. The floor for many years was earthen. Bethany congregation numbered one hun- dred and thirty in 1881 ; its present strength is probably more than double that figure; and the Sunday school had an enrollment of three hundred and forty-six, including teachers, in 1922. Sunday school activities have continued for almost a century at Bethany for, as early as 1823, or 1824, Mrs. Maria L. Hertz spent "some time of each Lord's Day in the instruction of the children of the neighborhood, whom she gathered at her house." In 1837, the church had a well organized Sunday school, properly constituted, though prior to 1866 the school was apparently of union character. Then an endeavor was made to exclude all children of parents who were not members of the church. In 1868, another Union Sunday school took the place of the Bethany school.

Zion's Church, Brickerville-Zion's Reformed Church at Brickerville was one of the very old congregations of the original Warwick township. The church records do not go farther back than 1766, but one of the tombstones in the graveyard shows an interment date, in 1751, and there are other indications that the congregation was in existence in about 1740. The first church, which was a wooden one and was erected in about the year 1748, was known as Royer's Church, probably because the land on which it stood had formerly been owned by Sebastian Royer, who obtained patent for the tract from the Penns, on January 26, 1743. In 1747 he sold, to Peter Becker, Wendel Laber, Jacob Hagy, and Tillman Shitz, the church site of two or three acres. The deed is dated September 21, 1747. The site was situated on the road leading from Brickerville to Brunvill, about half a mile from the former place. Apparently, the congregation did not in the first years have much ministerial guidance, otherwise the church name would not be so variously given. In one place in the deed it is referred to as the German Reformed Church; further on in the same instrument the name Dutch Reformed Church appears; and again the property is referred to as of the "Evangelical Reformation Presbyterian Meeting." The first pastor to come into the records of Zion's Church is Rev. John George Wittner, 1766-70. The subsequent pastors are the same as those named in the sketch of Jerusalem Church, White Oak.

It is said that the old log church was used as a hospital during the Revolutionary War; and the Rev. D. C. Tobias, in "A History of Bethany Charge of the Reformed Church in Lancaster County, Pa." (i88i), states that in 1813, after the building of a substantial brick church, the old log church was razed, and the logs taken to Warwick, Lancaster county, "and converted into a dwelling by John Kissinger." Further, he writes: "It is owned at present (1881) by J. Monroe Kreiter, of Harrisburg, and his brother Charles, of Warwick, and is occupied by Daniel Bryden and Ephraim Lorentz, as tenants." The reader is referred to the Warwick Township chapters for more information as to this log building.

The brick edifice erected on the church site, near Brickerville, in 1813, did not occupy the site of the original log church. The latter stood in the south- east corner of the graveyard, while the brick building was erected in the north- west corner of the adjoining yard. Soldiers of the Revolution were buried in Zion's graveyard "with nothing to mark the spot save here and there a slate stone projecting forth from the sod."

Christ Reformed Church, Elizabethtown-It is believed that as early as 1727, Conrad Templenian, a Reformed missionary, worked among the Reformed families that had settled in the vicinity of what became Elizabethtown. The congregation has been before referred to in this chapter as the Donegal Reformed Church. Further references will be found in the Lutheran Church chapter. And the following information, which is supplied by the Christ Reformed Church of Elizabethtown, might be compared with these other versions. The Christ Church sketch reads:

As early as 1727 Conrad Templeman was a Missionary working among the Reformed families in the community of what is now Elizabethtown.

The first tract of land bought by members of the Reformed Church, for church purposes, contained fifty acres and was located about three miles east of Elizabethtown. A warrant for this tract dated October 4, 1745, was given by Thomas Penn and Richard Penn, Esquires, under seal of the land office to "Francis Seib, deacon, and John Kapp, Peter Rixaker and John Etter, elders, members and officers of the Reformed Church."

On this tract a church building was erected in 1744 and 1745. Dedicated March 22 and 23, 1745, by the pastor, Rev. Jacob Lischy. Here they also erected a parsonage and school house before 1751. The first school building of which we have definite record In this community. Here also Rev. Jacobi Lischy conducted a Sunday School from 1743 to 1747.

Previous to July 28, 1767, members of the Reformed Church erected their second house of worship on a tract of land located about one mile south of Elizabethtown and was known as "Blassers Reformed Church" of this church Conrad Bucher was pastor until about 1774. In this building Rev. Wm. Runkel conducted a public school in 1778, 1779 * * * In 1815 the third church building was erected in a plot of ground located along South Market Street, Elizabethtown. The corner stone of this building was laid July 18, 1815 during the pastorate of Rev. Henry B. Schaffner. This building was remodeled in 1857 during the pastorate of Rev. John Naille, and in 1888 during the pastorate of Rev. Samuel M. Roeder. During the present pastorate, February 23, 1905, a plot of ground located along South Market Street was purchased from brother Adam Reem for the purpose of erecting thereon a church building. Ground for the building was broken January 29, 1906. The corner stone was laid September 9, 1906. The building was dedicated January 10, 190. Cost of ground, building and equipment, over thirty-five thousand dollars.

Names of Ministers-Revs. Conrad Templeman, Jacob Lischy, Frederick C. Mueller, John Conrad Bucher, John Wm. Runkle, Ludwig Lupp, William Hiester, Henry B. Schaffner, Emanuel H. Hoffheins, Albert Helfenstein, John Naille, John G. Fritchey (not installed), Jonathan H.. Pannebecker, D. D., Samuel M. Roeder, Benjamin M. Meyer, pastor since 1893.

informed the Consistory that either English teaching must be stopped in Sunday School, or, by a vote of the congregation, sanctioned. Arrangements should be made for regular English service in the church besides the German; otherwise our Sunday School would only be a feeder for the English churches and the grave digger for our German congregation.

This logical advice did not have immediate effect; indeed it was not until May, of 1914, that an English church service was held in St. John's German Reformed Church. Since that time, English and German services have alternated. Rev. Seibol's long pastorate ended in January, 1923. He resigned in June of 1922, nevertheless continued in office until last January. On February 1, 1923, the Rev. John O. H. Meyer took charge.

Willow Street Reformed Church-A meeting of Reformed families resident in or near Willow street was held in the house of Benjamin B. Mylin, on April 24, 1876, and decision was then made "to build a Reformed Church in Willow Street." A subscription paper was prepared, and the matter of collecting placed in the hands of Benjamin B. Mylin, Henry S. Mylin, Amos Hollinger, Dr. I. H. Mayer, John B. Kindig, and Rev. A. B. Shenkle. A month later, on May 2Ist, the Reformed congregation at Willow street was organized by Rev. A. B. Shenkle. The only male members then were Benjamin B. Mylin and Frederick Dagen, and they were elected elder and deacon, respectively. A week later a building comniittee was formed, and consisted of Benjamin B. Mylin, Amos Hollinger, John Kendig, John B. Kendig, Dr. I. H. Mayer and Henry S. Mylin. By the beginning of June, the number of communicants was increased to seven. Not many congregations so small would be courageous enough to carry through a building project. This small band, however, showed no hesitancy, and on July 16, 1876, the cornerstone of a brick church building was laid. The service was conducted by Rev. A. B. Shenkle, of Millersville, with Revs. J. G. Fritchey and J. B. Shumaker assisting. On January 28, 1877, the church was dedicated by the pastor, Rev. A. B. Shenkle. He remained pastor until March 27, 1887, preaching in Millersville also for part of the time. In 1887, the congregation consisted of forty-three communicants. The circuit, or charge, was then reorganized, three congegations-Heller's, Willow Street, and Conestoga-being grouped into "The Willow Street Charge," and placed in the pastoral care of Rev. D. W. Gerhard. The congregation thereafter steadily increased, and is now to all intents an independent charge, the only other church grouped with it being Conestoga, which congregation has only twenty members. Willow Street congregation has one hundred and thirty-six communicants, and a Sunday school enrollment of two hundred and one. Rev. G. A. Stauffer is pastor.

Faith Reformed Church, Lancaster-Faith Reformed Church is the out-growth of a Sunday school organized in the Rockland Street school building, September 29, 1889, under the direction of Elder Rudolph Suter, who noted the lack of religious advantages in the south eastern part of the city of Lancaster. Preaching services were conducted soon after under the direction of Rev. Theodore Appel, D. D., assisted by the students of the Theological Seminary, located in the city. The site of the present building was purchased in the fall of 1895 by Revs. E. V. Gerhart, D. D., and Theodore Appel, D. D., serving as trustees. On the'lot was an old frame building which was remodeled and dedicated October 27, 1895. The congregation was organized May 25, 1897, by a committee of the Classis of Lancaster, Revs. E. V. Gerhart, D. D., Joseph H. Dubbs, D. D., and Prof. J. E. Kershner, with six members, under the name of Faith Reformed Church. It was supported by the Board of Home Missions from April, 1902, until April, 1912, when the mission became self supporting. The cornerstone of the new building was laid, August 18, 1901, and the church dedicated February 2, 1902. A chapel was presented to the congregation by Mrs. Anna M. Harris and dedicated April 18, 1909. At the death of Mrs. Harris she bequeathed the parsonage, paid the debt, and left a fund of $1,150 towards a pipe organ. The chapel was enlarged to meet the demands of the growing school in the fall of 1921. The present membership is five hundred and seventy-five, and the Sunday school enrollment, including the cradle roll, is eight hundred. Rev. D. G. Glass has been the only pastor, having been ordained and installed, June 13, 1897.

St. Luke's Reformed, Lancaster-This church had its origin in the endeavors of the Society of-Inquiry, a student organization of the Reformed Theological Seminary. This society, on January 13, 1871, considered the question of establishing a mission in Lancaster, and went so far as to appoint a committee, a month later, to give the project special thought. Among the students was William F. Lichliter, who was destined to serve the resultant congregation, as pastor, for more than forty years. However, two years of discussion and endeavor by the students of the Seminary seemed to bring the project no nearer consummation; and the efforts seemed al)out to fail when the First Church decided not to sponsor the mission. However, the said William F. Lichliter with John C. Bowman and Z. A. Yearick, on February 17, 1874, prepared and submitted to the Consistory of St. Stephen's Church the resolution which, being adopted "secured per- mission from St. Stephen's Church for the organization of St. Stephen's Mission Sunday school, under the care of that church."

It began under good auspices, and throughout its history students of College and Seminary have accorded St. Luke's Church more than moral support. More than two hundred students have taken active part in its Sunday school work.

In the autumn of 1874 the committee of students decided that the southwestern section of the city offered good scope for mission work; therefore they secured permission to use the schoolhouse on "Dinah's Hill," South Mulberry street. On November 15, 1974, they opened their Sunday school therein. The district had been well canvassed, and forty-two scholars attended. By invitation of the committee, the Misses S. H., Annie C. and Georgie Bundell, Alice Nevin, Lottie Appel and Grace Gerhart became teachers, and proved to be faithful in that charge. A week later a constitution was adopted, and officers then elected as follows: William F. Lichliter, superintendent; G. D. Gurley, his assistant; Z. A. Yearick, secretary and librarian; George W. Roth, treasurer. Within six months the attendance had almost doubled, and the school was thus well established.

The logical direction of expansion of a successful mission is along the route that leads to the wider field of a church organization. After four years of work in the mission school, its officers felt they had reached the point where an organized church with regular services might with advantage be established. The St. Stephen's Consistory viewed a report to that effect favorably; on their behalf the Rev. Jacob F. Wiant became superintendent of the school and made a survey of the field. While the matter was under consideration, Mr. Wiant began to hold regular services in the old Humane Hosehouse on Manor street, and later in the public schoolhouse used by the Mission Sunday school, At a meeting of representatives of the English Reformed churches of Lancaster, held in November, 1878, the opinion was that "the mission ought to be carried forward." The Board of Missions appropriated three hundred dollars towards the salary of the pastor, "on condition that the City churches raise a like amount."

On January 12, 1879, the organization was effected. The first elders were Jacob Bomberger and J. Rudolph Suter. The first deacons were J. Frederick Suter and Benjamin F. Bausman. Rev. Jacob F. Wiant as a matter of course became pastor. In April steps were taken to provide a chapel. A lot, 40x80 feet, situated on Marietta avenue, near West Orange street, was given to the congregation by Mr. John C. Hager. The several city churches appointed a committee, and building plans were developed. On October 26, 1879, the cornerstone was laid, and on February 6, 1880, the chapel built on the Hager site was consecrated.

On the ist of April, 1880, Rev. Wiant left the pastorate. He had accomplished good mission work, having increased the Sunday school membership to one hundred and twenty-five. William F. Lichliter, one of the founders of the mission and now an ordained minister, was offered and accepted the pastorship. I-Ic became pastor of St. Luke's Church on May 30, 1880, and is still the incumbent. Some comparisons are interesting. The original congregation in 1879 numbered nine; the congregation for year ending April 30, 1922, numbered four hundred and twenty communicants. Forty two scholars attended the first Sunday'schoot class in 1874; the Sunday school enrollment in 1922. was five hundred and fifty-three. (These statistics are from church records, but an independent survey of St. Luke's Parish in 1923 reported an active membership of about three hundred and fifty).

Until 1898, the congregation was aided financially from the funds of the Board of Missions, receiving during those two decades $5,073.05. During the same period, however, it received from all other Lancaster city churches a total of only $526.44; hence the church partly maintained itself from the beginning to 1898, and became completely self-sustaining in that year. The church has no debt, and the pastor, though now "heavy in years," has emphatically discouraged all movements that have sought to elevate him to emeritus status, and place the heavy burdens of the parish on younger shoulders.

The church was enlarged in 1888, and again in 1907.

St. Andrew's Reformed Church, Lancaster-This church had its inception in the decision by St. Paul's congregation "to build a chapel" for the mission. This was in February, 1892. Action did not immediately follow, but on January 14, 1895, Rev. J. W. Meminger, D. D., pastor of St. Paul's, Elder Jacob E. Ranck and William A. Heitshu were appointed a committee to purchase a site for the proposed church. On January 28, they secured option to buy the lot at the northeast corner of North Line and New streets, for $2,000; and on February 13 the purchase was made. A building committee was formed by the appointment to it of George E. Zellers, John A. Hollinger, E. T. Fraim, W. A. Heitshn, D. C. Haverstick and Rev. J. W. Meminger, D. D. Contract was given to H. N. Breneman and Sons, and on December 1, 1895, the cornerstone was laid. On April 26, 1896, the edifice was dedicated, and for a year or more thereafter Dr. Meminger conducted preaching services in the building every Sunday. On May 5, 1897, the Rev. J. D. Hicks became assistant pastor at St. Paul's, and pastor-in-charge of St. Andrews. In October of that year, the mission advanced to church status, a congregation being then organized. There were thirty-three charter members.

On April 1, 1901, Rev. J. Hunter Watts succeeded to the duties of Rev. Hicks. In April, 1902, St. Andrews Church became self-sustaining and was made a separate charge, Rev. J. Hunter Watts being installed as pastor in May. The mother church made the daughter a gift of the church lot, and the young congregation soon extinguished the debt on the building; and also purchased the Mary A. Stauffer property, 223 East New street, for $3,200. This lot was intended as a site for the parsonage. The church was repaired, at a cost Of $3,600 in 1919. The church property, in April, 1923, was valued at $20,000, the church edifice being figured at $15,000, and the parsonage at $5,000. There is, however, a substantial fund in reserve for repairing the church, and erecting a modern Sunday school building. The Sunday school was organized with sixty scholars on April 12, 1896. Mr. D. C. Haverstick was superintendent. The present enrollment is three hundred and twenty-six, Mr. I. K. Gibble being superintendent.

Rev. J. Hunter Watts died in March, 1924. The congregation has three hundred and seventy-four communicants.

St. Peter's Reformed, Lancaster-The affairs of St. Peter's Reformed Church have not much altered since 19I4, when it was stated that it was organized by Lancaster Classis in 1906. The same review, which was published in May, 1914, for the Eighteenth Triennial Sessions of the General Synod, continues:

Rev. Charles E. Roth was chosen as its pastor at that time (1906). Thecongregation grew out of a Sunday School that was fathered by St. Stephen's Church, and the students of the College and Seminary. Rev. Robert L. Bair is the present (1914) pastor. The membership numbers 72, with a Sunday School enrollment of 184. The congregation owns a plot of ground on College Avenue and West Lemon Streets, but worships in the Santee Hall of the Theological Seminary.

The Annual Report of Lancaster Classis, for year ending April 30, 1923, shows that Rev. R. J. Pilgram was then pastor of St. Peter's, and that the communicant membrship then was one hundred and eighty-four. The Sunday school statistical report for same year registers a total enrollment of one hundred and forty-five in St. Peter's school, which was then under the superintendence of Dr. H. R. Omwake, dean of Franklin and Marshall College.

St. Stephen's Reformed Church, Lancaster-This, from its inception in 1865, has been the College church. The following is quoted from the "History of Franklin and Marshall College," by Dr. Joseph Henry Dubbs, 1903:

A congregation-now known as St. Stephen's-had been organized on Palm Sunday, 1865, but it was not until after the arrival of the Seminary (in 1871) that it became vigorous and prosperous * * * At an expense of about $5,000 the congregation, in 1873-74, enlarged the college chapel to its present dimensions.

In a later chapter of the same work, Dr. Dubbs writes:

In the College the Church continues to be the center of social as well as of religious life. St. Stephen's church continues to occupy the college chapel, which was in 1873-74 enlarged at its expense. The congregation is composed of the professors and their families, and of a few families not otherwise connected with the institution, together with students who have at their request been admitted to membership. The pastors, who successively occupy the pulpit, are ministers belonging to the several faculties; and these pastors elect the presiding pastor who has general charge of the church, * * * Students are expected to attend the regular services on Sunday, unless at the request of their parents, they have received perraission to worship elsewhere.

St. Stephen's church is connected with the Classis of Lancaster of the Reformed Church in the United States, and seeks to perform its full dutv as a Christian congrega- tion. As there are no salaries to be paid, it is in a favorable positionto engage in enter- prises of general benevolence. It aims to be a Christian church in the broadest and most generous sense, and gladly cooperates with Christians of every name and profession.

The foregoing pages of local history of the Reformed Church testify to the fostering influence of St. Stephen's Church in the development of more than one Lancaster congregation during the last fifty years. Of outside channels into which the funds and efforts of St. Stephen's Church have gone during recent years, the most notable perhaps is in foreign missions; the congregation wholly maintains a missionary in Japan. St. Stephen's had thirty-four communicant members during the year that ended April 30, 1923, but of course this figure is considerably increased during the College terms, by students who commune and are not sufficiently permanent in residence to be counted as of the congregation. Rev. H. H. Apple, D. D., president of Franklin and Marshall College, is pastor-in-charge, and ten of the College and Seminary professors officiate as associate pastors.

To supplement reviews of other Reformed churches in Lancaster county written into other chapters, as shown in Index, the following statistics of present standing might be given. They are gathered from the reports of the Lancaster Classis, for the church year that ended on April 30, 1923:

Zion Church, Lincoln, in Muddy Creek Charge: Rev. M. W. Schweitzer, Ph. D., of Ephrata, pastor; one hundred and fifty-four communicants; Sunday school enrollment, one hundred and eight; value of church property, $15,000.

First Church at Ephrata, in Muddy Creek Charge, Rev. M. W. Schweitzer, pas tor: communicants, one hundred and fifty-four; Sunday school enrollment, one hundred and twenty-five; value of church property, $15,000.

Zion's Church, at Millersville, Rev. W. D. Marburger, pastor: connnunicants, one hundred and forty; Sunday school enrollment, one hundred and six; value of church property, $24,500.

Trinity Church, at Mountville, J. Wm. Zehling, pastor: comtnunicants, one hundred and eleven; Sunday school enrollment, one hundred and twenty-seven; value of church property, $13,700.

Trinity Church, Columbia, Rev. J. H. Pannebecker, D. D., pastor: communicant membership, two hundred and seventy-four; Sunday school enrollment, two hundred and forty-five; value of church property, $15,000.

Grace Church, Eden, in East Petersburg Charge, Rev. Wm. S. Gerhard, pastor: communicants, sixty-nine; Sunday school enrollment, one hundred and nine; value of church property, $10000.

St. John's Church, Denver, in Reamstown Charge, Rev. Winfield Scott Brendle, of Denver, pastor. comrnunicants, one hundred and seventy; Sunday school enrollment, one hundred and sixty-six; value of church property, $5,700.

Salem Church, Reamstown, Rev. W. S. Brendle, pastor: communicants, seventy; Sunday school enrollment, one hundred; value of church property, $3,400.

St. Paul's Church, Bowmansville, in Reamstown Charge, Rev. W. S. Brendle, pastor. communicants, one hundred and forty-two; Sunday school enrollment, one hundred and sixty-two; value of church property, $4,900.

Center Church, Terre Hill, in Reamstown Charge, Rev. W. S. Brendle, pastor: communicants, one hundred and fifty-four; Sunday school enrollment, one hundred and one; value of church property, $5,900.

St. Paul's Church, Adamstown, supplied by Rev. J. V. George, of Reading: communicants, one hundred and three; Sunday school enrollment, one hundred and eighty- one; value of church property, $7,000.

The Classis of Lancaster-Prior to 1852, the Classis of Lebanon had governance over the Reformed churches in Lancaster; but, at the annual meeting of the Eastern Synod, held at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, October 16-23, 1851, the Synod took the following action:

Resolved that the Classis of Lebanon be requests to take into consideration at their next annual meeting the propriety of a division of the Classis, with a view of forming a new Classis out of bounds now occupied by them.-Min. of Synod, 1851, p. 79.

At the meeting of the Synod, at Baltimore, on October 14-21, 1852, it was reported that the Classis of Lebanon had complied with the request, "and desires that Lancaster County and Harrisburg charge be constituted a new Classis, with the title of the Classis of Lancaster." Committee to define boundaries was formed, and their report was "That Lancaster County, and that part of Dauphin County which lies east of the Blue Ridge, constitute the territory of Lancaster Classis."

In accordance with a resolution passed, the Classis of Lebanon dismissed the following ministers: Henry Harbaugh, First Church, Lancaster; Isaac Gerhart, Manheim charge; Nathan A. Keyes, St. Paul's Church, Lancaster; Joel L. Reber, Millersville charge; William Goodrich, New Providence charge; Daniel Hertz, Ephrata charge; John F. Mesick, D. D., Salem Church, Harrisburg, Pa.; Albert Helfenstein, Sr., Elizabethtown charge; and Rev. Emanuel H. Hoffheins. On November 16, A. D., 1852, the Classis of Lancaster was organized, and then was composed of nine ministers, nine pastoral charges, tweixty-seven churches, and about 2,000 members. The report of the Seventy-First Annual Session of the Classis of Lancaster gave the position at the end of the fiscal year 1922-23 as follows: Fifty-three min- isters and four licentiates; fifty-two congregations; 12,231 communicants. The total value of church buildings on April 30, 1923, was reported to be $1,123,500; and the value of parsonages $138,900 in addition. This of course covers a larger area than Lancaster county. However, Federal statistics of Religious Bodies at last census (1916) accorded the Reformed Church in Lancaster county with a membership of 8,917. Of this total membership, Lancaster city was credited with 3,357, and churches worth $324,500, also parsonages valued at $31,700, the total outstanding debt on church property being then $44,375. The total expenditure of Lancaster city Reformed churches in that year was $31,307, for eight congregations. Seven city Sunday schools of the Reformed Church reported a total enrollment Of 3,138 scholars and two hundred and fifty-three teachers.

---

[culture] [families] [food] [graveyards] [history] [people] [photos] [places] [religion] [resources]

---

Copyright@1998-2003 All Rights Reserved by Author

Email: rrr@horseshoe.cc