3X CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND GIVEN IN 1891 BY HENRY WILLIAMS SAGE ^f / SA^X Cornell University Library BX9567.R28 M64 "'^'S.';X,,,.9,?.,.te. ?^*°™6'' Church in Readin olln 3 1924 029 475 146 The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://archive.org/details/cu31924029475146 REV. B. BAUSMAN, D. ,D. HISTORY REFORMED CHURCH re;^di:n"c^, fj^. BY DANIEL MILLER. ILLUSTRATED. Intboduction by Rev. B. Bausman, D. D. Readikg, Pa. : DANIEL MILLER, PRINTER AND PUBLISHER. 1908. '' »/( Copyright, 190S, By Daniel Miller. PEEFACE. The history of the Reformed Church in the city of Reading has been a favorite study with the author for several years. It has been his aim to present this history in an authentic form, and in this effort be has spared nei- ther time nor money to produce a reliable and satisfactory volume. Heretofore a good deal of the Church's local history was based upon mere tradition, and in this way many errors were accepted as historical facts. We have endeavored to authenticate all data, so as to present a reli- able history. This required a great deal of research, but it was interesting employment, and the author feels re- warded for all the time expended in the preparation of the book. The author is under obligations to Prof. W. J. Hinke for valuable assistance, especially in reference to the early period of the history of the First Reformed congregation in Reading; to B. Y. Shearer, esq., and John H. Briden- baugh, esq., for assistanc ■ in examining the county rec- ords, and to the local pastors in a general way. The min- utes of the Coetus, published several years ago, gave us valuable assistance in determining many problems in ref- erence to the early j)astors of the First church. The rec- ords of the First church, placed at our disposal by the consistory, have also been very helpful. The present volume is the first effort of its kind. "We liave sought to present an accurate and fairly complete history of all the Reformed congregations in Reading. To publish a complete history would have been far be- yond the bounds of one volume. As it is, the book is considerably larger than it was originally intended to be. We hope the reader may find as much pleasure in pe- rusing the book as the writer enjoyed in preparing it. The Authoe. INTRODUCTIOlSr. " The theme of the Bible is the entrance of God into the spiritual life of man." History, from Moses to Mot- ley, is the biography of men and women. Christian history is theology teaching by example. Thereby the tree can be known by its fruit. This volume discusses and deals with the lives of many people. But few of these can be named by the author. The few sturdy pio- neers of Colonial times, and some of the more active work- ers in the busy field described, receive historic mention, but the thousands of men, women and children, who as founders of families and of godly homes ; parents who taught and trained their offspring to walk in the ways of the Lord ; children who obeyed God and their parents ; people who in church and Sunday school, and in the com- mon callings of everyday life, wrought much and well for human well-being and the glory of God — all these in humbler but no less important spheres, in their own way lived a life of faith, but their names remain unrecorded in these pages. All honor and praise to this unnamed great and goodly company of godly lives. In the annals of eternal glory, where the secrets of all lives shall be re- vealed in their true light, these, too, shall receive their reward with a lustre that shall " shine brighter and brighter to the perfect day." Two hundred years ago a small group of German im- migrants wandered to the eastern bank of the Schuylkill INTRODUCTION. V river, at the foot of the Neversink mountain. Here in tlie wild forests, haunted by wild beasts and roving tribes of Indians, they erected a few scattered log huts, in which they sought to found a home-life under their own roof- tree. E'er long the little settlement grew into a hamlet, then into a village, a borough and into the present city of Reading. The domestic and social life of the typical Ger- man is inseparable from the church and the school house. With their own hands they felled trees in the forest and built a log church and school house side by side, in juxta- position, as they were wont to have them in the father- land. They had been taught that in the order of God's providence knowledge, indeed all science, was a handmaid to religion. These were inseparable, and " what God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." Here, with the Bible, hymn book and catechism brought from across the sea, they worshiped God according to the cus- tom of their fathers. As with the Puritans of New England and the early colonists of Virginia, these Germans brought their theol- ogy, cultus and forms of worship with them from Eu- rope. They believed and taught the truth as they un- derstood it. Seated on their rude, backless benches, and kneeling before their unadorned altars, they sought and received the saving grace of the gospel, the same as in the more substantial sanctuaries of the homeland. During the -lapse of time conditions have changed, but the typical spirit and unction remain. The old-time rev- erence for sacred ceremonies and places, for the house of God, for sacraments, sermons and song — all this is an essential characteristic of the Reformed Church, in what- VI INTRODUCTION. ever toDgue her people may worship God. All these are still aglow with the reverent spirit and the deep devotion of those of the early founders. The stream and the foun- tain, the fruit and the tree still partake of the same quali- ties. Xow as then religious instruction is emphasized. The evolution of the log school house into our modern well equipped Sunday school is an interesting subject for the student of modern Church his'ory. The author of this buok has spent much time and la- bor in the unearthing of some of his material. He ex- plored family and church records, and county archives ; patiently plodded through old files of newspapers, and here and there interviewed a solitary survivor of past genera- tions ; sifted and verified traditions of " old and half for- gotten lore." In his own way he has arranged the fruit of his labors in a readable form. This work is not only a History of the Reformed Cliurch in Reading, but a part of the History of Reading as \vell. Both began together, not only on parallel lines, but the Church has lived its best life into that of the municipality ; thus helping to mold the civic and moral life of its community. The critical reader may detect imperfections in this book, as in all kindred works, whilst sincere and apprecia- tive readers will peruse it with pleasure and profit. May this volume serve as a fitting memorial to the saints whose lives herein, tho' dead, still speak ; may it serve as an inspiration to those who hereafter shall help to make history ; may it glorify the holy name of Him whose indwelling life it seeks to portray. Reading, Pa. B. Bausmax. TABLE OF CONTENTS. SECTION I.— FIRST REFORMED CHURCH Chapter 1 — The Beginning, Chapter 2 — Parochial School, .... Chapter 3 — Churches, Chapter 4— Period of Supplies, 1755—1765 1. Eev. W. H. Stoy, . . 2. Rev. John Waldschmid, 3. Rev. William Otterbein, 4. Period of Waiting, . Chapter '5— Settled Pastors, 1765—1905 : 1. Rev. Fred. J. Berger, . 2. Rev. John C. Bucher, . 3. Rev. John W. Boos, . 4. Rev. J. W. G. Neveling, 5. Rev. Bernhard F. Willy, 6. Rev. John W. Ingold, . 7. Rev. John V/ Boos, 8. Rev. Philip Pauli, . . 9. Rev. William Pauli, 10. Rev. John C. Bucher, D. D 11. Rev. A. S. Leinbach, D. D 12. Rev. B. Bausman, D. D., 13. Rev. Henry Mosser, D. D. 14. Rev. John F. Moyer, . Chapter 6 — During the Revolution, Chapter 7 — Sunday School, Page 9 21 36 55 55 60 64 67 72 72 76 77 81 84 86 90 92 99 106 122 133 149 166 169 180 VIII TABLE OF CONTENTS. Chapter 8 — Language, Chapter 9 — Miscellaneous, . . . • . Section II. — Second Reformed Church, . . . Section III. — St. John's Reformed Church, Section IV. — St. Paul's Mem. Reformed Church, Section V. — Zion's Reformed Church, . . . Section VI. — St. Stephen's Reformed Church, Section VII. — St. Thomas' Reformed Church, Section VIII. — Olivet Reformed Church, . . Section IX. — Calvary Reformed Church, . . Section X. — St. Andrew's Reformed Church, . Section XI. — St. Mark's Reformed Church, . Section XII. — Faith Reformed Church, . . Section XIII. — St. James' Reformed Church, Section XIV. — Trinity Reformed Church, Section XV. — Alsace Union Church, Page . 187 . 192 . 221 . 274 . 293 . 338 . 351 . 370 . 378 . 388 . 400 . 414 . 429 . 440 . 444 . 450 Appendix. Christ Reformed Church, 457 Mission Sunday Schools, 461 Addenda to History of Second Reformed Church, . 463 Reformed Minister's in Reading, 465 Membership of Reformed Churches in Reading, . . 467 Reformed Ministerial Association, 468 Sunday School Superintendents' Association, . . . 468 Errata, 468 Moif or tlie RineA Glmrcli in Reing. SECTION I. FIRST EEFORMED CHURCH. CHAPTER I. THE BEGINNING. It is to be regretted that the exact date of the organi- zation of the Reformed ©hurch of Reading is not known. The same is the case with many of the earlier churches. This fact may be explained by the newness of the country and the smallness of the population. The people were long without settled pastors, and there was a lack of sys- tem in religious matters. Some of the earliest congrega- tions were-imperfectly organized, and at first no records were kept. Public services were held whenever itinerant preachers came along. The parishes of most of the early preachers extended over wide territories, and in the absence of all modern conveniences of travel their work was arduous and neces- sarily imperfect. The people for a long time had no reg- ular pastoral leaders. They felt the need of religious 2 10 HISTOEY OF REFORMED CHURCH. worship, and as soon as possible, after having founded homes and built rude log houses, they proceeded to erect small log churches and later also school houses, in which they might worship God and have their children receive religious and secular instruction. , In order to appreciate matters properly, we must go back and look at the condition of things as they existed when the foundations were laid for the Reformed Church in Reading. The country was still under the government of England. The Reformed people who had founded homes here had come from Germany, which they had left to better their condition. They were poor. The region where they located was mostly unimproved and sparsely settled. The nearest town was Lancaster, 35 miles to the southwest, laid out in 1730. Philadelphia was_the county seat for all the citizens residing east of the Schuylkill river. Soon after the Reformed Church had been founded, the savage Indians were carrying on their murderous work during the French and Indian War. The people suffered much from the Indians, who used the tomahawk, the scalping knife and the torch freely. The first Reformed and Lutheran congregation in this region was the Alsace church, which is located at the present northern boundary of the city of Reading. This is the oldest church site in this region. The exact date of organization is unknown, but it is generally believed to have been about the year 1740. At that time there was no Reading. There was then only a single house in the area now embraced in the city. It is remarkable that after the city had been laid out and a Reformed church established in it, the people who founded Alsace church FIRST CHUEOH. 11 continued to worship there, and the congregatton contin- ued its existence to the present day with a large member- ship. Reading was laid out in the fall of 1748. The place was named after Reading in Berkshire, England, the native place of the Penns. The land upon which the city is located had belonged to William Penn. He received it by a grant from Charles II., king of England, and he also purchased the interest of the Indians in the land. After his death the property passed into the possession of his two sons, Thomas and Richard Penn. The town was located at the ford of the Schuylkill, which was the great highway from the Tulpehocken settlement under Conrad Weiser to Philadelphia. The religious history of Reading begins with the his- tory of the town itself. Hardly had Reading been laid out by the agents of Richard and Thomas Penn in the year 1748, when the first congregations were founded almost simultaneously with the founding of the town itself. The Quakers were the first in the field to estab- lish a congregation. They organized a congregation and erected a small meeting house in 1751, but its location is now unknown. The Quakers were closely followed by the Lutherans, and they in turn by the Reformed. There was a Lutheran organization as early as 1751, when, ac- cording to the testimony of Rev. Michael Schlatter, Read- ing had only sixty houses. In the spring of 1752 forty- nine Lutheran families united in erecting the first Luth- eran log church, which was dedicated on Trinity Sunday of the following year, June 17, 1753, and in consequence was called Trinity Lutheran church. 12 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. The first reference to a Reformed congregatioD is in the year 1753. It is a strange fact that the Lutheran records have preserved the first historical reference to our Reformed congregation. A few years ago Prof. W. J. Hinke carefully examined these records. His search was rewarded by a number of interesting references to our Church, which had thus far escaped the notice of histor- ians. In the oldest Lutheran church record is found the first Reformed baptism in Reading. On Feb. 6, 1753, Rev. Philip Jacob Michael, a Reformed minister, bap- tized Anna Catharine, daughter of John George Engels- hardt and his wife Margaret. The above mentioned bap- tism, performed by Rev. Mr. Michael, is not his only one which is found in the Lutheran baptismal record. In the following year four other baptisms are recorded as having been performed by him. One of them is remarkable be- cause it is a baptism of the daughter of Rev. Tobias ^^^ag- ner, the first Lutheran minister of Reading. The last baptism was performed by Rev. Mr. ]\Iichael in Reading on Nov. 10, 1754. The record says that the baptism took place "in the house." This has been understood by some to mean in the house of Rev. INIr. Michael, which would lead to the further inference that he lived at that time in Reading. But the phrase may mean with even more probability the house of the child's parents. This is mentioned because it was the custom at that time to baptize all children in the church. If sick and baptized at home, the children had to be presented in the church later on. This Rev. Mr. Michael appears to have been the first minister to labor among the Reformed people of Reading, FIRST CHUKCH. 13 and he is therefore an interesting character. Until recent years he had been overlooked by historians, and the credit for bringing him to the front belongs to Prof. W. J. Hinke. This gentleman gives us the following interest- ing biographical sketch of him : " It is difBcult to gather the facts of Rev. Philip Jacob Michael's life, as he was never connected with the Re- formed Coetus. However, by putting together the scat- tered references made to him in the different church rec- ords and other documents, a tolerably complete sketch of his life can be given. He was born in the year 1716, but the place where and the time when he came to this coun- try have thus far remained unknown. He was a weaver by profession. He took the oath of allegiance at Phila- delphia on Oct. 14, 1731. When a young man of some twenty years he began to read sermons, and in course of time he assumed all the privileges and duties of a minis- ter. He was one of a numerous class of men who at that time infested Pennsylvania. Without education, call or ordination these men assumed the office of ministers, creating troubles and quarrels wherever they went by their shameful lives and unchristian conduct. Thus they prevented for a long time the spread of the Coetus and the introduction of order and regular worship, conducted by properly ordained ministers. Philip Jacob Michael, however, was one of the best of these irregular ministers. He was an exception to the rule in that his life was irre- proachable. " He first appears in the year 1744, when he dedicated the first church of the Heidelberg congregation in Lehigh county. In 1750 he began his ministry in the Ziegel 14 HISTORY OF EEFORMED CHUKCH. church. In 1752 he was called to the Longswamp church, aud when he left there in the following year he seems to have come to Reading. Shortly before this time, in 1752, he met Eev. Michael Schlatter, and asked him to admit him as a member of the Coetus. Mr. Schlatter, however, refused to grant his request, and hence he re- mained independent to the end of his life. The number of his congregations gradually increased, till in 1764 he was serving twelve congregations, scattered all over Berks and Lehigh counties. In this year (1764) he renewed his efforts to enter the Coetus. On May 3, 1764, he appeared at the Coetus meeting in Philadelphia, presenting good testimonials from his congregations and asking to be re- ceived as a member. The attitude of the Coetus was very favorable towards him, as is evident from their report to Holland. Speaking of Rev. Mr. Michael, they say : " ' We are acquainted with his congregations, and know what he has done by his indefatigable labors. He is still serving twelve congregations with the greatest zeal, being 48 years of age. We cannot refuse this earnest request and petition. But since he has not yet been ordained ac- cording to the order of our Church, we request the honor- able synods herewith to grant us the necessary permission and authority, in order that we may ordain him. Several among us have heard him preach, and we know that his service agrees in everything with the custom of the Re- formed Church. We, therefore, expect that our request will not be in vain, in order that we may be strengthened by his service, and that proper order may be introduced in his congregations. We should not make a stroke with our pen, if we were not convinced that it would be to our advantage and contribute to the increase of our strength.' "In spite of this earnest and strong plea the fathers refused to give their permission for his ordination and re- FIEST CHUECH. 15 ception into the Coetus. Mr. Michael continued, there- fore, in his independent position. When the War of the Revolution broke out, he resigned his charge in 1774 and entered the army. On May 17, 1777, he was appointed chaplain of the first battalion of the Berks county militia. After the war he again entered upon his duties as pastor in some of his former congregations, as for instance in Longswamp, where he died in 1785. " Many Reformed congregations were founded and organized by Mr. Michael, especially in Lehigh county. The following are some of them : Heidelberg church in 1744, Ziegel church in 1750, in the same year Jacob's church in Lynn township, Ebenezer church in 1760, Weisenburg church in 1761, and Lowhill in 1769. All this shows that the Reformed Church owes a debt of grat- itude to Rev. Michael for his noble and unselfish work of forty years, and although he was no member of the Coetus, yet he is worthy to stand by the side of the founders of our Church as a faithful servant of the Lord." The question naturally arises, why were the above bap- tisms by one who was recognized as a Reformed minister recorded in the Lutheran church record ? Was it because the Reformed were worshiping in the Lutheran church, having as yet not been organized into a separate congre- gation ? Or was it simply because the Reformed had no church records themselves ? The fact that the Reformed secured a patent for two lots situated at the corner of Sixth and Washington streets, on the 20th of May, 1754, seems to show that they were organized, for the patent was issued to " The Religious Society of Dutch Reformed Calvinists." But they had as yet no church. The small 16 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. log church is supposed to have been erected in 1755. It certainly was not in existence during Mr. Michael's ser- vices. As stated, his last recorded baptism occurred on Nov. 10, 1754, six months after the purchase of the lots. It is reasonable to suppose that Mr. Michael not only baptized the children of the Reformed people, but that he also preached for them. Whether this was done in pri- vate houses or in the Lutheran church cannot at this late date be definitely stated. It is hardly likely that any homes were sufficiently large to be used for preaching purposes. This fact, together with the entry of Reformed baptisms in the Lutheran records, strengthens the suppo- sition that the Reformed congregation worshiped several years in the Lutheran church. It is also quite reasonable to suppose that the Reformed congregation was organized by Rev. Mr. Michael, and that he liad something to do with the purchase of the lots in 1754. It is to be re- gretted that his life, record is so incomplete. The new town Reading grew pretty rapidly. As stated before, the town was laid out in 1748. Lots were sold upon the condition that ground rent be paid to the proprietors, Thomas and Richard Penn, beginning March 1, 1750, and that houses at least twenty feet square in size, with brick or stone chimneys, be erected upon them within three years. In 1751 seven lots were purchased and in 1753 eighty-four. The proprietors were repre- sented by three commissioners : Conrad Weiser, Francis Parvin and William Hortley. From 1751 to 1754 two hundred and forty-one lots were sold. The plan of the town included 520 lots, and these were large, being sixty feet front. The rapidity with which lots were sold is sur- FIRST CHURCH. 17 prising, especially in view of the fact that people were admonished not to purchase lots unless they were in a position to build soon. The ground rent amounted to seven shillings for each lot per yeai\ This system en- abled many people of limited means to purchase lots. On May 20, 1754, two lots of ground, each 60 by 230 feet, located at the northeast corner of Prince and Thomas streets, now Sixth and Washington streets, were conveyed by Thomas Penn and Richard Penn to the " Religious Society of the Dutch Reformed Calvinists." The lots were numbered 421 and 424. This plot of ground ex- tended 120 feet from Washington street northward to the southern line of the present Record property. The lots were conveyed on the above date to Coarad Weiser and Isaac Levan as trustees for the Reformed people. These two lots were on March 5, 1759, conveyed by deed by Conrad Weiser and Isaac Levan, trustees, to Francis Wen- rich, Wolfgang Hagka, George Diehl and Jacob Tick, trustees and elders, for the " Religious Society of Dutch Reformed Calvinists in Reading." One of the conditions was that said elders " permit and suffer the said congre- gation to erect a meeting house .... on the said lot of ground." Conrad Weiser was at the time the most prominent and useful man in this community. He was the well- known mediator between the colonial government and the Indians, and enjoyed the full confidence of both parties. He had resided at Tulpehocken, about fifteen miles west of Reading, before the founding of the town. As stated before, he was selected by the Penns as one of three com- jnissioners for the sale of town lots. He became the 18 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHDRCH. owner of a lot near the corner of what is now Peun and Fifth streets, where in the early history of the town he established a store. Here he carried on a trade with the Indians as well as with the white people. Mr. Weiser was a public-spirited and liberal-minded man. He was a Lutheran, but was liberal towards oth- ers. This is shown by the fact that he served as a trustee for both the Lutherans and the Reformed. Two lots, Nos. 406 and 407, on the northwestern corner of Sixth and Washington streets, were secured for the Lutheran congregation, which appears to have been "organized in the year 1751, although the patent for the lots was net issued until May 22, 1754, two days after the date of the patent for the Reformed people. Mr. Weiser resided in Reading during the latter part of his life. He died at Tulpehocken in 1760, and was buried there. One of his lineal descendants was the well-known Rev. C. Z. Weis- er, D. D., during many years the popular Reformed pas- tor at New Goshenhoppen, who prepared a complete biog- raphy of Conrad Weiser, which was published by Daniel Miller. On September 12, 1785, John Penn, jr., and John Penn executed a deed for lot No. 420, sixty feet front on North Sixth street, immediately to the north of lots 421 and 424, to Kraft Heiner and John Hartman, elders of the " German Reformed congregation in the Town of Read- ing." Subsequently lot No. 417, sixty feet front, imme- diately to the north of lot 420, was secured by the Re- formed congregation for the purpose of enlarging their burying ground. These last two lots embraced the ground now occupied by the Record property and St. Paul's FIRST CHURCH. 19 Memorial Reformed church, the northern boundary being the lot now occupied by the Homoeopathic Hospital. Thus the Reformed property already in 1785 had a front of 240 feet on North Sixth street and a depth of 230 feet to Reed street. The greater part was for many years occupied as a burying ground and the site of the First Reformed church. This ground is now occupied by the First church and parsonage, St. Paul's church and sex- ton's house, and seven business properties. On May 18, 1824, the ground rent was released on the lots 420, 421 and 424 by the then liviog heirs of the proprietors who had conveyed the lots. On the same day they also re- leased the ground rent on lots 100, 101 and 417. Of the prominent buildings erected in the city before the Revolution only three still remain : Farmers' Inn (now Farmers' Hotel) at Fifth and Washington streets, erected in 1760 by Michael Bright; Federal Inn (now Farmers' Bank), erected in 1763, and the Old Jail, erected in 1770. The earliest record of the First church was commenced in 1755. On the title page is found this sentence: " Kirchenbuch vor die Reformirte Germeint in Reading- town." The first entries in the book are these two bap- tisms : " April 22, 1755. Johan Valentin Kerber und Catha- rine, sein Ehweib, lasseu taufen eine Tochter, namens Maria Christina, geboren den 15. Feb., 1755. Gevattern (sponsors) sind Johan Michael Ryer und Maria Christi- na, sein Weib." "Nov. 19, 1775. Julius Korper und Catharine ' las- sen taufen ein Sohnlein namens Fallentin, geboren den 19. 20 HISTORY OP HEFOEMED CHUECH. Xovember, 1755. Gevattern sind Johann Falleudin Kor- per und Catharine, sein Weib." These are the only baptisms recorded in the book. It is to be regretted that the names of the officiating minis- ters are not given. These entries were most probably made by one of the elders, because they are not in the handwriting of Rev. Mr. Stoy. From the record it ap- pears that the Korper child was baptized on the day of its ■ birth. The dates are plainly written. It will be noticed that the family names of the parents in both cases are the same, but they are spelled differently — Kerber and Kor- per. The given name Valentine is also spelled quite dif- ferently in both records. After these two baptismal records had been made, the purpose of the book, which is bound in parchment, was changed to that of an account book. On the title page this additional inscription was made : " Rechuungs Buch der Reformirte Gemeinde in Reading 1755 an." On the following page is given an account of money paid for communion wine from October, 1756, to October, 1758. The balance of the book is devoted to accounts of the con- gregation, all the way down to the year 1838. CHAPTER II. PAROCHIAL SCHOOL. The early settlers of Pennsylvania felt the need of schools for the secular and religious education of their children. Public schools, such as we have them now, there were of course none. The people were, as a rule, of a religious character, on account of which many of them had been driven from their homes in the Fatherland. They were mostly poor, and the question of establishing schools was a difficult one. In 1746 Rev. Michael Schlatter was sent by the Reformed Synod of Hol- land to America to organize the scattered Reformed people into pastoral charges and supply them with pastors. He visited the peo- ple in various sections and did much for them. He was thor- oughly familiar with their condi- tion. In 1747 he organized the congregations into a Coetus (classis). The organization was effected with four ministers and twenty-seven elders. From 1747 to 1751, according, to his own report, he trav- eled over 8000 miles, mostly on horse-back, in all kinds of weather, in summer and winter, in the service of the Rev. Michael Schlatter. 22 HISTORY OF EEFOKMED CHURCH. poor and scattered people. He preached for them, gave them the communion, baptized their children, installed elders and deacons, and organized the forty-six congre- gations, which he visited, into sixteen charges. In the early part of 1751 the Coetus sent Rev. Mr. Schlatter to Europe to represent the destitute condition of the Reformed people in Ainerica to their brethren in Hol- land and other countries, and to secure financial aid, as well as some young men to take charge of the vacant con- gregations. In this undertaking Mr. Schlatter was emi- nently successful, especially in Holland. He made an appeal for aid, which resulted in large collections. The states of Holland and West Friesland gave 88400 from 1751 to 1762. The synods had a fund of $2650 on hand, which was used, and the Classis of Amsterdam col- lected $7114. Excluding the aid from the states, which was given in yearly sums of 1000 to 2000 florins, the money actually in hand for the support of the Church of Pennsylvania was $9764 in 1755. To this sum addi- tional contributions were made from time to time. With this money the churches and schools in America were aided. Mr. Schlatter returned to America in 1752, land- ing at New York on August 8. He brought with him six young ministers, named Otterbein, Stoy, Waldschmid, Frankenfeld, Wissler and Rubel. In consequence of Rev. Mr. Schlatter's mission to Holland, Rev. Mr. Thompson, then pastor of the English Reformed congre- gation in Amsterdam, was induced to proceed to England and Scotland to solicit aid for the Pennsylvania churches. Mr. Thompson entered upon his mission about the same FIRST CHURCH. 2.'3 time that Mr. Schlatter returned to America. He spent a whole year in England and Scotlond, presenting the cause of the destitute Reformed people in America, and appealing to the liberality of the English people to alle- viate their pitiable condition. Everywhere he met with a very encouraging and even enthusiastic response. The Church of Scotland ordered a national collection, which yielded $6000. George II., the king of England, gave $5000. The whole amount given in England and Scot- land was about $20,000. The people of England took a lively interest in the matter because the destitute people resided in a colony belonging to England. Before leaving England, Rev. Mr. Thompson en- trusted the further prosecution of the work to a number of gentlemen, who formed themselves into a society called " The Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge Among the Germans in Pennsylvania " This society consisted of fifteen of the most prominent men in the kingdom, with the Earl of Shaftesbury as their president. They finally succeeded in raising a large sum of money. Rev. Mr. Muhlenberg, the Lutheran missionary, states in his report to Halle that the total amounted to £20,000. This is an error. It was $20,000. A great work was thus auspiciously commenced. The next important step taken by the society was the appointment of a board of six general trustees in Penn- sylvania to supervise the work. These trustees were the governor, James Hamilton, William Allen, Richard Pet- ers, Benjamin Franklin, Conrad Weiser and William Smith, the president of Pennsylvania College, who was chosen secretary of the trustees. The work of the society 24 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHUECH. was two-fold. 1. To give support and pecuniary assist- ance to pious Protestant ministers. 2. To erect and maintain free public schools, which for this reason were called charity schools. In order to carry into effect these measures, Rev. Michael Schlatter was elected superinten- dent of the charity schools on April 20, 1754. Accord- ingly he resigned a? minister of the Reformed Church and commissioner of the Holland Synods on May 14, 1754. The general trustees in Pennsylvania began their work on August 10 1754. They resolved to begin the work by opening six schools in the following places — Reading, York, Easton, Lancaster, Hanover and Skip- pack. It was found necessary to appoint local trustees in each of these places, " to visit the schools and superintend the scheme of education." And finally each one of these places was asked to send a petition to the general trustees requesting the establishment of a school in their locality. Among the letters received was one from Reading dated December 10, 1754. The minutes of the trustees state that this letter was based upon a former petition from Reading, signed " by the ministers and chief men of both the Calvinist and Lutheran persuations." Prof. Hinke infers from this fact that the Reformed minister in ques- tion was Rev. Mr. Michael, the founder of the congrega- tion. If this is correct, Mr. IMichael may also be re- garded as the leading spirit in the organization of the parochial school. The local trustees appointed for Read- ing were James Read, prothonotary ; Francis Parvin, esq., English Quaker ; James Seely, English Presbyterian ; Isaac Levan, Samuel High, Calvinists ; Hans IMartin FIRST CHUECH. 25 Gerick, Jacob Levan, Lutherans, and Sebastian Zimmer- man. By the spring of the next year most of the schools were established. Mr. Schlatter himself came to Read- ing on March 5, 1756, and opened the charity school. But the scheme which seemed to be so full of promise and advantage for the Germans soon failed, partly because the whole scheme was based upon wrong motives and partly because of the prejudice of the Germans. In appealing to the English people the society had based their appeals on statements which were both uncharitable and false, and when they became known to the Germans they aroused at once their indignation at and opposition to the whole scheme. They had represented the Germans as "barbarous, without means to civilize them, grossly igno- rant and unprincipled, without instruction to enlighten them, turbulent and factious, and few or none to discipline and soften them." Again, they were said to be " bold and courageous, but withal obstinate, suspicious and liable to quarreling and mutinies, and having been bred of slaves and extremely ignorant, they know not the proper use of liberty, and therefore too frequently abuse it." Again, the people in England feared that the Germans would make common cause with the French or rebel with the Indians. In a word, the Germans were, according to the opinion of the English, a continual menace to their North American colonies. The charity schools were consequent- ly only a means to gain their favor and good will, more of a political measure than a humanitarian undertaking. When these unfavorable views of the English became known to the Germans, they at once rose up in arms 26 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHUECH. against the whole scheme. Led by Christopher Saur, the well-known German printer in Germantown, who repeat- edly attacked the schools in his German paper, they re- fused to have anything to do with the schools. In a few years the whole undertaking had to be given up, because it met with such determined and bitter opposition from the Germans. It might have accomplished good results, if the English had not mixed so much folly with their liberality. The Germans not only rejected the school system, but they also condemned Rev. Mr. Schlatter, the superinten- dent. He suffered great injustice. There was also another reason for the opposition of the Germans, and that was the English tendency of the charity schools. They were jealous of their language. This jealousy was nurtured by Mr. Saur. He was a Ger- man publisher, and the introduction of English schools was against his interest. There is no doubt that this was the principal motive for his position on the question. The Reformed Coetus at first regarded the schools with favor, but by and by the ministers changed their views. In the report of Coetus to Holland in 1755 complaint was made that the management of the schools by trustees had been placed principally into the hands of Moravians, Quakers, Separatists and others ; that in Lancaster the Reformed had been entirely passed by. The Reformed ministers had made complaint to Mr. Smith, the secretary of the trustees in America, that the schools were not being conducted according to the wishes of tiie fathers in Hol- land, when they received the reply : " The fathers in Hol- land have nothing to do with the schools." This dis- FIRST CHURCH. 27 pleased the Reformed ministers. They expressed the opinion that " the only object of these schools is the intro- duction of the English language among the Germans, which is purely a political matter," and that the Reformed people could exppct nothing from them. Again in their report of 1756 the members of the Reformed Coetus say : " We can see in the movement nothing but a political affair, which is altogether a damage to our schools." We have given these extended details in order to ex- plain a matter which has been much misunderstood. The Reformed people in America received far less from the monies collected in Europe than is generally supposed. Little was received from the large fund collected in Eng- land for the reasons stated above. The people here, poor as they were, would have nothing to do with the charity school scheme under the aggravating circumstances. The first payment to Coetus from the charity school fund was made on June 16, 1756, viz., £80, which was distributed among the ministers The contribution was repeated three times, and after 1759 it ceased altogether. We are unable to state how much the schools received. The financial statement of the English society for the year 1758 has been preserved. It shows that during that year the society paid £584, Pennsylvania currency, for the maintenance of its work. (See article on M. Schlatter in The Pennsylvania German, Vol. I., No. 4, p. 17.) After the discontinuance of the English support of the schools in America the small balance on hand was given to the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia. Whilst the English movement was a failure, the ef- fort made in Holland was more successful, but the sup- 28 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. port from this source was also much less than is usually supposed. The larger part came from the government of Holland. Prof Hinke calculates that the Eeformed peo- ple in America received altogether |14,025 from Holland. Besides this about $4000 was expended in sending to this country thirty-seven ministers. Of course money then had a much greater value than at present. In 1800-there was invested in Holland the sum of $5880. The invest- ment was in bonds. After the aid to America was dis- continued, these bonds were sold for $2854, and the money divided among the synods, which had contributed to the fund. Whilst the charity schools (those supported by English funds) were of short duration, the parochial schools established by the congregations were more suc- cessful and had a long and useful existence. As already stated, the one of the Reformed people in Reading was started on March 5, 1755, by Rev. Michael Schlatter. Whether Rev. Mr. Michael, the founder of the congrega- tion, assisted in the formal organization of the school can- not be stated, as he left Reading about this time. The school was started as a charity school, but it hardly deserves that name on account of the insignificant support received. The records show that the schoolmas- ter received £3 from the Holland fund in 1756 and an equal amount in 1759. There is no evidence at hand to show further support from abroad. The congregation evidently assumed the support of the school, as it had assumed its management. The object of the school was the instruction of the children in secular and religious knowledge. At first and for a long time all the instruc- tion was given in the German language. All the church riEST CHUBCH. 29 services were of course also conducted in German. The principal text books were the ABC book, the Psalter, the New Testament and the Heidelberg Catechism. No text books in mathematics were used in most of the schools. In some schools the teachers gave instruction by means of the blackboard in addition, division and subtraction. It was considered that nothing beyond these branches was required in the line of figures. The early settlers in Reading and vicinity took a lively interest in the education of their children by means of German schools. Rev. Alexander Murray, in a letter from Reading, dated April 9, 1763, addressed to the So- ciety for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts in England, states that the country for miles around this town was thickly peojiled, but nearly all were German, and they were blindly attached to their native tongue, so that an English minister could be of little service to them. They sent their children to German schools, of which there were plenty. We cannot state positively where the parochial school was started. But it was established in 1755, about the time of the erection of the First church. It was probably conducted in the little log church, and later also in the larger stone church erected in 1761, until the erection of the one-story brick school house in 1776. On April 24, 1776, John Penn, jr., and John Penn conveyed lot No. 101 at the southwest corner of Seventh and Washington streets, 60 feet front, to Durst Fister and William Reeser, in trust for a school house of the Reformed church, upon the condition that seven shillings be paid annually as ground rent and that a school house at least twenty feet 30 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. square with a brick or stone chimney be erected upon the lot within three years. A double one-story brick school house was erected in the same year, 1776. In the one part the parochial school was conducted^ whilst the other part was used for dwelling purposes, usually by the schoolmaster. During two years, from 1S45 to 1847, it was occupied by Rev. John S. Kessler, the assistant pas- tor. We herewith present a picture of the school house. It was erected in a substantial manner. Here the children of the Reformed people were instructed during many years. We cannot state with precision how long the parochial school was continued, but probably until some time after 1847. In this year Mrs. Rebecca Han tch, still living, came to Reading, and she informs us that the school was then still in operation. Mr. John Roland, the last teacher, was paid his regular salary of |20 per quar- ter as teacher until Dec. 3, 1846, after which he was paid $10 per quarter until near the close of his life in April, 1849. The consistory on Nov. 22, 1847, resolved to sell FIRST CHURCH. 31 the school property, but this was done only on April 5, 1850, to George Foos for $1006. It is probable that as the property could not be sold at once, the school was continued after the resolution to sell. The school was in operation between 90 and 100 years. In the course of time the old system of instruction was inadequate to the demands of the times. In 1834 the public school system of Pennsylvania was introduced, and the citizens of Read- ing adopted the better system in 1836. Rev. "William A. Good, father of Rev. James I. Good, D. D., was the first county superintendent of public schools, from 1854 to 1860. In 1850 the school house was sold by the congre- gation. After that date it was used as a dwelling until 1892, when it was demolished to make room for the erec- tion of a large cigar factory. The schoolmaster, as the teacher was then called, was an important person in the community. He was the next man to the minister. He was a man of good moral character, and usually served as organist and " Vorsinger" in the church in addition to his duties as teacher. In some places the teachers also conducted the church services and read sermons to the people in the absence of minis- ters. The early teachers in the Reading school were for- eigners, and they were men of good education. The sal- ary was naturally low, as was that of the ministers. At first the number of pupils was small, and the people were in limited circumstances. An official report states that in the fall of 1760 the Reading school was attended by 36 boys. During the winter the number was larger, because during the summer and fall some of the boys were com- pelled to work. Some little aid was received from the money collected in Europe, as stated above. 32 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. We know little of the first teachers of the Reformed school. They were foreigners. The first one of whom we have a record was Philip Jacob Fasig. Montgomery's history says of him : " His name has been traced back to 1762. In the year 1778 he was still a schoolmaster. His school was situated on Seventh street, west side, a short distance above Court street." This was the Re- formed parochial school. How long after 1778 he taught we cannot state. — The uext schoolmaster was evidently John Roland, also foreign born. Of him it is stated that he taught fifty years. We believe this statement, for he died in 1849 at the age of nearly 8-3 years. If he was the successor of Mr. Fasig he must have served more than fifty years as teacher. He was seventy years of age when Mr. John F. Moers (the only pupil of the school still residing in Reading in 1905) attended the school in 1836. The minutes of the consistory of Feb. 7, 1809, inform us that Mr. Roland was re-employed at a salary of £16, eight cords of wood and the use of the lot on the grave- yard. He served regularly until the beginning of 1816, when Benjamin Schneck was elected, with a salary of £30. Mr. Schneck served until Feb. 16, 1821, when John Roland was once more elected over him. Mr. Schneck was born in Nassau-Siegen, Germany, on Dec. 25, 1760. After coming to America he first located in Phila- delphia, and afterwards removed to Reading. He was a good and pious man. He was both schoolmaster and or- ganist. He also served as organist at Sinking Spring and Belleman's church. For a time he served as organist of the Episcopal church in Reading. After retiring as school teacher in 1821, Mr.' Schneck purchased a property about FIRST CHUECH. 33 a mile from the centre of the town, which is now a part of the city. After leaving the Reading school in 1821, Mr. Schneck taught elsewhere until about a week before his death. He died in his home in Reading in February, 1827, in his 67th year, and was buried in the graveyard of the Reformed church. He was married to Elizabeth Schroeder on April 1, 1765. Mr. Schneck had been edu- cated for the ministry, but a throat aifection prevented him from entering this profession, and he chose teaching as a profession. Mrs. Sarah J. Keller, of Boalsburg, Pa., is a granddaughter of schoolmaster Schneck. Mr. Schneck was the father of Rev. Benjamin S. Schneck, D. D., a well-known minister of the Reformed Church. It has sometimes been stated that Dr. Schneck had also been teacher of the school, but this is an error. Dr. Schneck was born on March 14, 1806, so that at the time of the election of the Benjamin Schneck named, he was only ten years of age. Mr. John Roland continued as school teacher until near his death in 1849. From the time of his election over Schneck in 1821 until 1828 he was jDaid $80 per year. He resided free of rent in the school house. After the latter date he was paid $70 per year and .§24 for iire wood. In 1839 the salary was again increased to §80 and |24 for fire wood. Mr. John F. Moers, now over eighty years of age, the only person still residing in Read- ing who attended the church school, gives us an interest- ing description of the school. The school used German primers, catechisms and New Testaments. In 1836 there were some twenty-five scholars of both sexes. Learning the catechism was a prominent part of school work. Re- 34 HISTOBY OF REFORMED CHURCH. formed catechisms were printed in Reading at an early date. John Ritter printed editions in 1811, 1819, 1822, 1823 and 1826. Other editions were printed by H. B. Sage in 1816 and 1821. The schoolmaster was really the catechist of the congregation. He instructed the children, and had them commit the catechism to memory. The pastor visited the school once a week to see what progress the children were making in the catechism. When they had learned the catechism sufficiently, they were confirmed by the pastor. This shows the great im- portance of the schoolmaster's position in those days. Mr. Roland was also organist and " Vorsinger," that is, leader of singing at the church service. For some time he had an unpleasant experience with a certain German named Valentine Ziegler, who was a chimney sweeper. It was customary for the chimney sweepers to sing songs on the tops of chimneys. Mr. Ziegler possessed a clear voice, and was really a good singer. He attended the Reformed church, and often drowned the voice of Vor- singer Roland, greatly to his mortification. The matter aiforded much amusement, especially to the young people. A friend who remembers Mr. Ziegler well, informs us that he was more popular than other chimney sweepers, because of his singing. The children begged their par- ents to get Mr. Ziegler to clean their chimneys, because they loved to hear him sing. The writer remembers an- other vigorous German singer. This was some time after 1870. He was a tall man, and usually sat in the gallery. His strong, ringing voice was heard all over the church, and to some extent annoyed the congregation. Some one admonished him not to be so loud, but he replied, " The FIRST CHURCH. 35 Lord gave me my voice, and I will use it in His praise. Soon Christmas will come, then I will sing right." Mr. Roland was the last schoolmaster. He died on April 16, 1849, aged 82 years, 11 months and 28 days, and was buried by Eev. A. S. Leinbach. The consistory paid $18 for the funeral expenses — $11 for the cofBn and case, $2 for laying out the body, $3 for the shroud and $2 for digging the grave. (Funerals then did not cost much compared with the present time. The consistory paid $26.66 for the funeral of Rev. Philip Pauli.) We have been unable to locate any descendants of Mr. Roland. He had a daughter, who was married to a Mr. Struben, but she died many years ago. Mr. Roland was succeeded as organist by Franklin Moers with a salary of §100 per year. CHAPTER III. CHURCHES. It is to be regretted that the time of the erection of the first house of worship is involved in as much doubt as is the time of the organization of the congregation. The presumption is that the organization of the congregation occurred in the year 1753. This is based largely upon the fact that Rev. Philip Jacob Michael baptized children of the Reformed people in this year and subsequently. It is believed that at this time he ministered regularly to the joeople, which implies an organization. Secondly, the Lutheran people were organized in 1751, and it is reason- able to suppose that the Reformed people were not much behind them. It is certain that the organization was ef- fected before 1755, because in the month of April of that year Abraham Korper, a delegate of the congregation, appeared before the Coetus at its meeting in Lancaster and requested that body to send an approved minister to the congregation. In answer to this request Rev. AYilliam Stoy supplied the congregation from April, 1755, to the meeting of the Coetus in June, 1756. When was the first house of worship erected by the Reformed church ? It has all along been the impression that a small log church was erected soon after the organ- ization of the congregation. The year 1755 has frequently been mentioned as the time. In this year the first church FIRST CHURCH. 37 record was commenced. Prof. I. D. Eupp, in his " His- tory of Berks and Lebanon Counties," which was pub- lished in 1844, distinctly states that a small log church was erected in 1753, and demolished in 1761 to make room for the stone church. This reliable historian had no doubt about the matter. When Prof. Eupp published his history in 1844, there were people living here whose grand-parents were connected with the Eeformed congre- gation from its beginning, and they had full opportunity of knowing about the first church. The writer has given much thought to this question, and, after weighing every fact bearing on the subject, he is inclined to accept the statement that a small log church was erected either in 1753 or 1755. The only argument of weight against his view is the fact that the deed of Conrad Weiser and Isaac Levan, the original trustees for the Eeformed people, to the elders of the Eeformed church for the first two lots, dated March 5, 1759, con- tains the condition that said elders should permit the con- gregation to erect a house of worship upon the lots. Why this permission to erect a house of worship, when there was already a log church ? This question may be an- swered by the statement of the late Daniel S. Zacharias, that he had positive evidence of the existence of a Ee- formed log church. Then it may also be assumed that there was already at that time an agitation for a new and larger church. Taken literally, the condition in the deed would imply that there was then no church. Over against this is the fact that the church erected in 1761 was a pretty large and substantial stone building with a steeple. The wood work inside — pulpit, sounding board and gal- 38 HISTOEY OF REFOEMED CHURCH. levy front — included much carving, all done by hand. It seems impossible that such a building should have been the first church for the little flock. Again, the congrega- tion was supplied by ministers sent by the Coetus from 1755 for a period of about five years. This fact strongly implies a place of worship. Again, the parochial school was organized in 1755, and there must have been a place in which it was conducted. We, therefore, assume that in 1753 or 1755 a small log church was erected. The fact that the deed for the LOG CHURCH. first two lots was issued on May 20, 1754, is no argument against a church in 1753. The deed for the Lutheran lots was executed two days later than that for the Re- formed, but it is an undisputed fact that the Lutheran church was erected in 1752. The fact is, the lots were secured and improved in advance of making the deeds. Tradition has always been in favor of a log church before the large stone church. The log church, supposed to have been erected in 1753 or 1755, was a small affair, but in keeping with the size of the congregation and the circumstances of the members. There is an imaginary FIRST CHURCH. 39 picture of this church on one of the windows of the pres- ent church. On page 38 we present a reproduction of it. It was after the same general style of most of the little churches erected in those days. There was a small bell above the roof, which was rung from the outside, there being no belfry. Tradition says there was neither floor nor stove in this building, at least not in the beginning. The seats were of course of the most primitive kind. The location of the log church is not certain. If the log church, however, stood at another place than at the corner of Washington and Eeed streets, the statement in the deed, calling for the erection of a church at the latter place, would find its explanation. The possibility of the log church having another location than the stone church ought at least be considered. Land was often occupied years before it was actually purchased. It has sometimes been claimed that it'stood at the corner of Seventh and Washington streets, but this cannot be correct, for the rea- son that the ground at that place was not purchased until 1776, fifteen years after the erection of the stone church. We assume that it stood on the site of the present church. In this little house the Reformed people sat and wor- shipped, and listened to long sermons, which people could not endure now. The fact is, the people could hear ser- mons only seldom, and they became hungry for the Word of God. A thing that is rare is always most appreciated. In this church Eevs. Schlatter, Stoy, Waldschmid, Otter- bein and others preached. The little log church was not used many years, only until 1761. The town grew rapidly, and a larger church was needed. 40 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. The second church was erected in the year 1761. It was built of stone, and was a substantial building of good size. It was located near the corner of Washington and Reed streets, between the present church and St. Paul's church. The size and character of the building reflects SECOND (STONE) CHURCH, 1761. credit upon the people of that time, which was only thir- teen years after the town was laid out. The church is all the more creditable to them when we remember that the congregation was vacant from 1760 to 1765, not having a regular supply pastor from Coetus as before. The stones were well laid. The church was finely finished. The in- FIRST CHUECH. 41 side wood work — altar, pulpit, sounding board and gal- lery — had a good deal of carving, which Avas all hand work. There was an organ in the church. The seats were of a primitive style. There was a steeple of consid- erable height, which was surmounted by the figure of a rooster. This figure was borrowed from Holland. An interesting incident is connected with this rooster. On one occasion two ladies were passing along Washington street. One of them was superstitious. When opposite the Reformed church she was somewhat agitated and said to her companion : " They say that when that rooster on the church once crows, the world will come to an end." But the rooster never crowed, and the world still stands. It is likely that some one had practised a joke on the too credulous lady. The entrance to the steeple was by means of a ladder. It is stated that at the corners of the square tower were niches, which contained four figures of the apostles, carved in wood. On March 10, 1764, a bell was purchased at a cost of £20, 10s., lO^d., in Pennsyl- vania currency, or about $50. The pulpit was of the wine glass order, that is, it stood on a pedestal. Many such pulpits may still be seen in our older churches in the country. Above the pulpit was a sounding board, which was intended to convey the sound of the preacher's voice into the body of the church. Originally the floor of the church consisted of stone or brick, but later a wooden floor superseded it. We have no means of ascertaining the exact cost of the church. The writer found the orders and receipts for work on this church preserved among the records of the congregation. The orders are found on one side of the 4 42 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHURCH. paper and the receipts on the reverse side. They are numbered consecutively up to 63, but seven orders and receipts are missing. The 66 receipted orders aggregate a little over 410 pounds, or about §1300 in Pennsylvania money. The largest amount was paid to stone masons. Two pounds were paid to David Kattermau " for hauling one load of boards across the Blue Mountains to the church." It is believed that the church was first put un- der roof and used in an unfinished state until after 1775, when upon the payment of the debt it was completed. The record of 1775 distinctly states that the debt was fully paid in that year. It is believed that the debt which was partly paid in 1794, was contracted through the completion of the church after 1775. (For particu- lars of payments of debt in 1794 and 1814 see Chapter on JNIiscellaneous.) The first minister to preach in the new stone church was Eev. John George Alsentz, of Germantown, Pa. This is proven by a statement on the back of the deed given for the lots upon which the church was erected, as fol- lows : "May 13, 1764. The first sermon was preached in the new church on the within mentioned lots by George Alsentz, minister of the gospel." This shows that the erection of the church occupied several years — from 1761 to the spring of 1764. In 1777 the church was used as a hospital, together with two other churches of the town. During the winter of 1777-8 about three hundred sick soldiers were cared for in Reading. Xo doubt the Reformed people had a large share in the nursing of the soldiers in their church. A considerable number of soldiers died. It is stated that they were buried in the Potter's Field at Walnut and FIRST CHURCH. 43 Church streets. No doubt the Reformed pastor, Rev. John W. Boos, officiated at many of the funerals. The picture of the stone church, from which the cut used in this connection was made, Avas many years ago presented to the writer by the late Mrs. Mary R. Hain. She well remembered the old church. She was born in 1817, and attended services in the stone church. She was confirmed in the present church in 1834, two years after its erection, by Rev. William Pauli. Mrs. Hain was a granddaughter of Col. Nicholas Lotz, an officer of the Revolutionary army. (See biographical sketch of him in Chapter on "During the Revolution.") Col. Lotz was a prominent member of the Reformed church in Reading, and died in 1807. The second or stone church served the Reformed peo- ple during the long period of seventy years, from 1761 to 1831. It had by this time become too small for the grow- ing congregation. In the latter year the old church was demolished and a new one erected on the same site. The corner-stone of the stone church was opened during the demolishing of the building (on April 6, 1832). It con- tained a Bible, which was much decayed and entirely il- legible, a silver coin, a copper coin and a leaden plate eight inches square. This plate served as an important historical document. The centre of the plate was marked off to represent the two lots of ground, and lines were drawn from the external angles to the four corners, divid- ing it into four parts, and inscriptions were made in these parts as follows : North. — " To the High German Reformed Congre- gation of Reading, in Berks County, and privileged to 44 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. build a church thereon, and for the interment of the dead for us and our descendants." South. — " The corner-stone was laid 27th July, in presence of the congregation. A Bible, and the coin iu silver and copper of our King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, were deposited, A. D. 1761." East. — " The Patent was recorded in Land-Office, Phila., Book A, folio 17, p. 504, 16 4ug. 1754." West. — " These two lots of ground were sold by Thomas Penn and Richard Penn, veritable proprietors of the province of Pennsylvania, 20 May, 1754." The reverse side of the plate bore this inscription : " Conrad Weiser and Isaac Levan, trustees of the con- gregation in the Patent ; and Architects are M. W. Res- ser, Abr. Kerper and W. Miller, who are also Wardens of the Congregation." It was fortunate that the inscriptions of the plate were legible, as they authenticate the history of the beginning of the stone church. In 1831 the old stone church was removed and the erection of the present large brick church commenced. This was during the pastorate of Rev. William Pauli. The work must have proceeded slowly, because the corner- stone was not laid until June 17, 1832. The corner-stone of the old stone church was opened on April 6, 1832, as stated above. The plate and the coins were replaced into the new corner-stone, together with a new Bible and va- rious specimens of currency. At the corner-stone laying Revs. Helfenstein, Hendel, Dechant, Wm. Pauli and C. A. Pauli were present. The laying of the stone was to have taken place on June 3, but was postponed to June 17 on account of inclement weather. Besides the articles named above, the following " Proclamation" \yas also placed into the corner-stone : FIRST CHUECH. 45 "At the laying of tbe coriier-stoue of the High Ger- man Reformed church in the town of Reading, Berks county, State of Pennsylvania, in North America. " Whereas the congregation of the High German Re- formed church in the town of Reading has resolved to erect a new, larger and more commodious church than the old one, therefore we declare herewith and make known to posterity that we love the Christian religion above everything and value it highly, and that it is our wish and prayer that it may be preached in its purity to our latest posterity ; that it shall be and remain a High Ger- man Reformed church ; and for this purpose we in the name of the Triune God lay the corner-stone for said church. "Done in the year of our Lord 1832, on June 3, un- der the government of A. Jackson, president of the United States, and the governor of the State of Pennsylvania, Mr. Wolf" The building committee were Nicholas Lotz, Baltzer Smith, Daniel Fasig, John Y. Cunnius, Abraham Kerper and John Miller. The size of the building was 55 by 75 feet, with a steeple. The new church was in keeping with the then prevailing style of architecture. There were entrances on the south and the west sides. The floor was about three feet above the pavement. The pulpit was on the north side, with a sounding board above it. There were galleries on three sides. There was a steeple, 161 feet in height, in which were placed two bells. One of the bells was the one which had been used in the old stone church. The new church was dedicated on April 21, 1833. We have no record of the cost of the new church, rior of the amount of the debt incurred, but we are certain that there was a considerable debt. On May 5, 1832, the 46 HISTORY OF EEFORMED CHURCH. THIRD CHURCH, 1832-38. trustees were given permission to borrow §5000 towards the erection of the church, and in 1833 the Legislature passed an act to authorize the congregation to mortgage its real estate to raise money for the payment of its debts. There was evidently a separate building account. But FIRST CHUECH. 47 there were also some payments from the regular treasury towards the erection of the church. On April 18, 1832, the treasurer, Mr. Nicholas Lotz, paid $300 to Balthaser Schmid and Daniel Fasig " to erect the church." For some years a considerable surplus had been accumulated from the current expense account, and this surplus was loaned out on bonds with interest at six per cent. In 1830 these loans aggregated $1280.72. Among these loans was one of $200 to the pastor, Rev. William Pauli. During 1831 and 1832 all of these loans were called in and the money evidently applied to the building of the new house of worship. The total receipts from this source, including interest, were $1410.85. Then various sums of money were borrowed, but how much we cannot state. The amount must have been considerable. On July 13, 1832, the sum of $737 was paid "for the bond of Keim and Trenkel." For some time Jacob Dick was paid $100 per year for interest, Esther High $75 and Hetty Hoch $90 at six per cent. This would indicate a principal sum of about $4500. A considerable sum must have been raised by subscription. A portion of the debt was carried a long time. In 1847 $1200 was paid to Hetty Hoch on her loan of $1500. In 1840 the church was changed somewhat. The cel- lar was changed into a basement for the use of the Sun- day school, which was organized this year. When the church was erected, no cellar had been excavated. This was now done to form a basement. The basement was ceiled and served its purpose about ten years. The place was still practically a cellar. It was dark and damp. According to a statement of Mr. A. F. Boas the cost of 48 HISTORY OF EEFORMED CHURCH. preparing the basement for the use of the Sunday school was §300. Some of the j^eople considered this an exor- bitant sum to be expended for such a purpose. In Jan- uary, 1842, the consistory called a congregational meet- ing to elect a successor to Rev. Pauli. The meeting was directed to be held " in the Sunday school room under the church." The present cellar door on the south side was the entrance to the school room. In 1844 the sum of §376.81 was collected and ex- pended for refitting and finishing the lecture room. In 1848 the ladies collected money for chandeliers in the church. Four chandeliers were procured at a cost of $57.25. In April, 1848, the congregation resolved to remodel the church in case the English portion of the congrega- tion desired to remain. However the Second congrega- tion was organized, and the remodeling was allowed to rest temporarily. On May 22, 1848, it was resolved to have the exterior wood work of the church and the steeple painted, as no paint had been applied to these parts since the erection of the church in 1831. A contract for the work was made with William Haas for $186, the congregation furnishing the materials. On July 30, 1849, during the pastorate of Rev. A. S.- Leinbach, the congregation resolved by a vote of 32 to 12 to proceed with the remodeling of the church, and these persons were appointed the building committee : Philip Fisher, Daniel Weitzel, John F. Moers, John Geily and William Call. (Of these Mc. Call is still living at this writing, summer of 1905.) The entrance at the M'estern FIRST CHURCH. 49 end of the church was closed, and the pulpit removed to this place from the northern side of the church. The first floor was lowered several feet to a level with the base- ment, and a basement entirely above ground erected. The galleries were of course reconstructed. The church was extended 16 feet at the eastern end, which gave it a length of 91 feet, and made it almost flush with the tower. The addition embraces the present vestibule of the church. We have been unable to ascer- tain the cost of these improvements. ■ The church was rededicated on March 3, 1850. There was a large attendance. Rev. Thos. H. Leinbach, father of the then pastor, preached in German in the forenoon, and Dr. Henry Harbaugh in English in the afternoon. In the spring of 1852 the consistory resolved to "have the seats altered on the plan of the Lutheran church benches." In 1857 an additional stairway was erected from the Eeed street side through the tower to the audience room on the second floor at an expense of |273. In 1860 a new roof was placed upon the church and other repairs made at an expense of $1569.09. After these improve- ments the church remained in its then condition until 1874, when it was thoroughly remodeled and placed in its present condition. In 1874 and 1875 the church was thoroughly re- modeled and modernized during the pastorate of Rev. H. Mosser. The building committee consisted of George J. Eckert, F. S. Bernhart, Solomon Sprecher, Amos L. Dick and Samuel Klopp. Nothing but the walls and the roof of the old building were retained. New galleries, win- 50 HISTORY OF HEFOEMED OHUKCH. REMODELED CHURCH, 1874. dows, pulpit and pews were introduced, and the ceil- ing changed. The old low steeple, which was out of pro- portion to the size of the church, was taken down and replaced by a higher one. Portions of the walls of the FIRST CHURCH. 51 tower were removed, and nearly enough brick secured for the erection of the large parsonage at the west end of the church. The walls of the tower showed how well the people of a former generation had built, as these walls o2 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. were five feet in thickness. The organ was reconstructed at an expense of $1600 by Mr. Samuel Bohler, of Reading. The church now presents a very fine appearance, both externally and internally. During the remodeling of the church the congregation and Sunday school held their ser- FIRST CHURCH. 53 vices in Keystone Hall, corner Sixth and Court streets. St. Paul's Reformed chapel had been offered for the use of the school, but was declined. The work of remodeling was commenced after the Whitsunday communion in 1874 and completed in May, 1875. The dedication took place on Sunday, May 2, 1 875. The congregation greatly rejoiced over the completion of the great work. There was only one unpleasant fea- ture. When the plans were adopted in the spring of 1874, the cost of the work was estimated at $25,000, but upon the completion of the work the entire cost was found to be $41,362. After deducting a liberal subscription which had been made, a debt of over $22,000 remained. This proved to be a considerable burden to the congrega- tion, and the interest account consumed a large amount of money which could otherwise have been devoted to benev- olent purposes. However, sixteen years later, in 1891, the entire debt was paid, to the great relief of the pastor as well as the congregation. The remodeling of the First church cost a great deal more than was at first intended to spend, through an error of the treasurer of the building fund. The plan adopted in 1874, including a new steeple and a parsonage, was estimated to cost $25,000. When the selection of the wood for the pulpit, pews, chancel and gallery front was to be made, it Avas proposed to use solid walnut, but the question was raised : Can we afford solid walnut ? The treasurer was asked how much money had been sub- scribed, and he replied $35,000. That settled the ques- tion, and solid walnut was selected. Afterwards the em- barrassing discovery was made that the treasurer had in- 54 HISTORY OP REFORMED CHURCH. advertently counted some subscriptions twice, and in that way changed the total subscriptions from $22,000 to $35,000. But it was too late. The order for solid wal- nut finishing could not be recalled. This is the way it happened that the First church was finished in solid wal- nut, which was quite expensive. The congregation Avas now well provided for, but the Sunday school rooms in the basement remained substan- tially as before, except that the old brick partition had been removed and a glass partition inserted in its place. The school, which had been considerably reduced by the organization of St. Paul's church and Sunday school, in- creased again in membership, and the want of more room soon began to be felt. Therefore in 18S2 a brick chapel was erected on the lot immediately to the north of the church for the use of the primary dejDartment of the school. The cost of the erection of this chapel was .$1520.- 66, the whole amount of which was contributed by the Sunday school. After some years the basement was again too small for the senior school, and poorly adapted for its use. In 1896 one more improvement was made. The chapel of the primary department was removed, the north wall of the basement of the church taken out, and a fine, well ar- ranged chapel erected for the use of the senior department. The primary department was removed to one of the rooms of the basement. This improvement cost over .?9000, all of which has been paid. The school is now well cared for, and is doing efficient work. CHAPTER IV. PERIOD OF SUPPLIES, 1755-1765. From the time of its organization to 1765 the congre- gation had no regular pastor. As stated in the first Chap- ter, the congregation was organized about 176.3 by Rev. Philip Jacob Michael and for some time supplied by him. He likely left Reading in the latter part of 1754. The congregation was not at first connected with the Coetus or Synod organized in 1747, and therefore there is no refer- ence to it in the minutes of that body before 1755. (See statement on this point in minutes of Coetus, 1756.) 1.— Rev. William Stoy, 1755. The people became tired of the existing conditions, and longed for a regular and faithful shepherd. At the Coetus of 1755 (April 9-11) at Lancaster appeared Abra- ham Koerper, a delegate from the congregation at Read- ing, with the request that the new town of Reading might be supplied by a minister approved by Coetus, or at least with some religious services. It is rather likely that Rev. Michael Schlatter advised the congregation to make this request. He had come to Reading in March of 1755 to organize a charity school, and saw their need. In answer to this request the Coetus committed the Reading congregation to Rev. William Stoy, pastor at Tulpe- hocken, and Rev. William Otterbein, pastor at Lancaster. 56 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. Mr. Otterbein depended entirely upon Mr. Stoy to supply Reading, likely because it was much nearer to Tulpe- hocken than to Lancaster. Mr. Stoy seems to have gone to Reading almost imme- diately. Already on April 22, 1755, we find the first entry of a baptism in the old church record. On that day was baptized JNIaria Christina, daughter of John Valen- tine Kerber and his wife Catherine. Although the record is not in the handwriting of Rev. Stoy, there is little doubt that he performed the baptism, for when Coetus met again on June 15, 1756, at Philadelphia, Stoy is said to have preached at Reading for fourteen months, which carries us back to the time of the baptism, the latter half of April of 1755. When Stoy came to Reading, the new settlement had become a little town. A report tells us that 241 of the total 520 town lots had been sold, and it has been esti- mated that Reading had at that time about 200 dwelling houses and nearly a thousand inhabitants. It was in every sense of the word, as it has proved itself up to the present time, a prosperous and enterprising town. The new minister, Rev. H. W. Stoy, was born March 14, 1726, at Herborn. His father, John George Stoy, was a tailor. He gave his son Henry William a liberal edu- cation. As a boy of seven years he passed from the pub- lic school to the Latin school of his native city in October, 1733, and when he was fifteen years of age he entered the university in April, 1741. He made such good progress in his studies, especially the ancient languages, that he was soon able to speak them as fluently as his native tongue. Many of his Latin letters, which are still in ex- FIRST CHURCH. 57 istence, testify to his ability and scholarship. When Rev. Michael Schlatter came to Herborn in 1751 he met Stoy, who declared himself willing to go with him to Pennsyl- vania. With six young ministers Mr. Schlatter left Hol- land, and arrived in New York on Aug. 8, 1752. (July 28, given by Dr. Harbaugh, is also correct according to the old style.) Shortly afterwards Rev. Mr. Stoy was appointed as pastor at Tulpehocken. While serving this congregation he supplied Reading, because he was the nearest minister. He served here fourteen months. The people were satisfied with him, and he would no doubt have continued with them, but for his being called to Phil- adelphia in the summer of 1756. Reading was therefore now again vacant. Mr. Stoy remained only a year in Philadelphia. His next charge was Lancaster, Pa., and he served there from October, 1758, to January, 1763. His ministry there was successful. From October, 1758, to May, 1760, he baptized one hundred children, confirmed forty young persons and had sixty children in the school. In 1763 Mr. Stoy went to Europe and studied medicine. He re- mained several years. The date of his return is not known, but it was before September, 1767. He took up his residence in Lebanon, then called Steitztown, and preached at various places. Unfortunately he no longer labored in harmony with the 6oetus. He gave a good deal of attention to the practice of medicine. He pre- pared a medicine known as " Stoy's Drops," which was popular. He was one of the first to vaccinate people for the prevention of smallpox. This caused much opposi- tion, because people considered the practice as opposing 5 68 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHIJECH. providence. — One of his preparations was an itch remedy. This was the cause of a ludicrous incident on one occa- sion. A certain member of one of his congregations called at his house for some of this kind of salve, but Mr. Stoy was absent. The man then requested that the pastor should bring it along to church, but failed to leave his name. Mr. Stoy took the remedy along to church, and after the sermon stated that he had the itch salve with him, and as he did not know the customer, he requested him to arise, and he would give it to him. It need not be stated that no one arose. The patient was unwilling to expose his ailment in that way. Mr. Stoy also pre- pared a remedy for hydrophobia, which was used exten- sively. Gen. Washington two years before his death sent a patient to Mr. Stoy at Lebanon for treatment. In his journal under date of October 18, 1797, is found this entry : " Gave my servant Christopher $25 to bear the expenses to a person at Lebanon in Pennsylvania cele- brated for curing persons bit by wild animals." The recipe has passed from one generation to another, and is now in possession of Rev. Elmer S. Noll, of Perkasie, Pa. Mr. Stoy, when on his journeys as a pastor or medi- cal practitioner, usually carried his gun with him, and shot much game, which was plentiful at that time in wild regions. Mr. Stoy was a man of great physical strength. On one occasion a certain blacksmith undertook to give him a beating, but to his sorrow. The men met on the road. The blacksmith dismounted, tied his horse to tlie fence, and proceeded to thrash the parson, but before he could realize what he was doing, Stoy had laid hold of him and thrown him over the fence. That was enough FIRST CHURCH. 59 for him. He took his defeat good-naturedly, and said : " Parson, please throw my horse also over the fence." He never again undertook to thrash Mr. Stoy. During the latter part of his life Mr. Stoy preached in the Host church, Berks county. The people got in ar- rears with his salary, perhaps because they had lost con- fidence in him. On one occasion he took the matter into the pulpit and berated the people in a severe, but humor- ous manner. The substance of this sermon was published in the German papers. An abstract of it appears in the book " Pennsylvania German," published by Daniel Mil- ler, Reading, Pa. Mr. Stoy was somewhat eccentric. He undertook to raise one of his sons after the manner of the Nazarites. He was to abstain from all intoxicating drink, let his hair grow without cutting or shaving, never to enter a house with a corpse in it, and never to attend a funeral. He hoped in this way to raise a second Sam- son, but the eifort was a failure. Pastor Stoy was a many-sided man. He was not only a preacher and a physician, but a politician as well. Dur- ing the Revolution he was an advocate of the single tax theory, and in 1779 wrote a letter on this subject to Jo- seph Reed, president of the Supreme Council of Pennsyl- vania. His ideas were impracticable. In 1784 Mr. Stoy was elected to the Pennsylvania Legislature. He wrote a good deal for the papers on political subjects. His lang- uage was often very sarcastic. He had a violent temper, and was fond of controversy. The house in Lebanon which Mr. Stoy erected and occupied became somewhat famous, because in it the first court of the new county of Lebanon was held before the 60 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. completion of the court house. The house is located at 924 Cumberland street and at present occupied by Mrs. A. R. Boughter. It is one of the most substantial and finest residences in the city. It was at one time owned by Gen. John Weidman. It was for a good while occu- pied by Judge McPhersou. Rev. Mr. Stoy died at Lebanon on Sept. 14, 1801, in his 76th year, and by his own request was buried at Host church. He left nine children. Some of his descendants reside at Lebanon, but none of them bearing the name Stoy. 2.— Rev. John Waldscliinid, 1756-1758. At the meeting of Coetus, June-17, 1766, in Philadel- phia, it was reported that the people at Reading preferred to retain Rev. Mr. Stoy, but because this could not be done, they submitted to the resolution of Coetus and pub- licly agreed to accept Rev. John Waldschmid as their minister. They were now an integral part of Coetus, and ever after continued such. At this meeting of that body this is reported of the people of Reading : " They would rather be under the order of our Coetus than be destroyed by worthless fellows and wolves." This seems to indi- cate the character of some of the men who preached in Reading before Rev. William Stoy. Rev. Waldschmid served the Reading congregation from 1756 to 1758. Rev. John Waldschmid was one of the six young min- isters whom Rev. Michael Schlatter brought with him from Europe to America in 1752. He was born on Au- gust 6, 1724, in the province of Nassau, Germany. He was educated for the ministry, and examined and ordained FIRST CHURCH. 61 by the Eeformed fathers in Holland. He landed at New York, July 28, 1762. Mr. Schlatter took young Wald- schmid to Lancaster county, and installed him on Oct. 22, 1752, as pastor of four congregations — Swamp, White Oaks, Muddy Creek and Zeltenreich. He administered the first commur(ion at Swamp on Nov. 19, 1752, to 72 persons. Mr. Waldschmid kept baptismal, marriage and com- munion records, consisting of two books bound in leather. These books were provided for this purpose by the Re- formed fathers in Holland, as Mr. W. states. The bajj- tismal record contains this introduction : " Im Nameu Gottes, Amen. Dieses Buch ist verehrt worden von den Herren Hollandern, damit darin die jungen Kinder ge- tauft, aufgezeichnet wiirden von den 4 Gemeinden Cocal- ico, Modenkrik, Weiseichenland oder Seb Reigger's Kirch und Seltenreich. Mir, Johannes Waldschmid, als Pfarrer der 4 Gemeinden von Herrn Schlatter iibergeben zu Lang- caster den 25. October, 1752, nachdem den 22. October, 1752, eingesetzt worden von ihm." The marriage record book contains this introduction : " In dieses Buch sollen aufgezeichnet werden die jungen Personen, welche ich als biesiger Pfarrer proklamiren und copuliren werde. J. Waldschmid, V. D. M." It is dated Cocalico, Dec. 2, 1762. The name is often written Wald- schmid^, but he himself writes it Waldschmid. The two books were kindly loaned to the writer. They are in a good state of preservation, and very val- uable as pertaining to the early history of the Reformed Church. They are in possession of Mr. David W. Gress, a great-grandson of Rev. W., a member of Swamp church. 62 HISTOKY OF REFORMED CHURCH. The first baptism as recorded occurred on Sept. 3, 1752, and the last one on Sept. 12, 1785. After this fol- lows a record of Mr. Waldschmid"s death. The first recorded marriage by Mr. W. was solemn- ized on Oct. 17, 1752. According to his own record Mr. W. was married on May 14, 1754, to Maria Elizabeth Grub, by Rev. Wm. Otterbein, one of the young minis- ters who came with him to America. The last two en- tries are : " William Waldschmid, widower, was married to Maria Die!, daughter of Casper Diel, on Feb. 29, 1808, by Eev. Mr. Fawer (Faber)." " I, John Waldschmid, was married to Maria Keggereis on March 8, 1835." These were descendants of the pioneer minister. Rev. Mr. Waldschmid spent the greater part of his ministerial life in one and the same charge. In the latter part of his life he supplied various other congregations. Thus he supplied Tulpehocken two years after the with- drawal of Rev. Mr. Stoy, from 1756 to 1758. He also preached at Heidelberg, where his ministry ceased in 1770. He also supplied Cacoosing, Bern, Epler's, Allegheny, etc. But we are especially interested in Rev. Mr. Wald- schmid, because he served the congregation at Reading at various times. It is supposed that he took charge of the congregation soon after the meeting of Coetus in June. His record states that he administered the communion in Reading on Oct. 31, 1756. The next communion here was held on May 29, 1757, with about fifty guests. Two more communions are recorded by him — May 29, 1762, and May 26, 1765. (See pages 68 and 71.) Rev. Mr. Waldschmid was a good and well-meaning man. The people were satisfied with him. In the Coetal FIRST CHURCH. 63 proceedings of 1760 it is stated that the people were satis- fied with his preaching, but desired that he might be more diligent in family visitation, and more prudent in his general conduct. Mr. Waldschmid resided on a farm several miles east of Swamp church. The place is located a short distance north of Vinemont station of the Reading and Columbia railroad, and is now owned by the Montello Brick Com- pany, The old house is still standing, but an addition to it has been erected years ago. Here Rev. Mr. Wald- schmid died on Sept. 14, 1786. In the afternoon of the next day, Sept. 15, he was buried at the Swamp church. Rev. J. W. Boos preached the funeral sermon. The above described record gives us this information. The entry was evidently made by one of his sons. It is as follows : " God, the Almighty, took our dear father out of the world to Himself, into a blissful eternity, on the 14th of September, 1786, between nine and ten o'clock in the forenoon. On the 15th, in the afternoon, at two o'clock, we committed his remains to the grave. The Rev. Mr. Boos preached his funeral sermon, from Psalm Ixxiii. 23, 24. God grant that we may all come to where he is ! Amen. The tombstone was erected October 6th, 1787 ; cost £7 and 12 shillings." The writer several times stood at Mr. Waldschmid's grave. The tombstone is a thick sandstone, with some embellishments. Time has almost effaced the inscription, wherefore we insert the same here : " Soli Deo Gloria. " Hier ruhet in Gott der Ehrw. Johannes Waldschmid. Geboren 6. August, 1724. Ins Predigtamt verordnet 1752. Starb den 14. September, 1786. Alt 62 Jahre, 5 Wochen, 4 Tage." (34 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. About six years after his deatli a peculiar accident happened to his tombstone. On Sunday, June 2, 1793, while a large congregation was in church listening to a sermon, the stone with a loud crash broke off at the cen- tre, and the top part fell to the ground. There was no wind at the time, and the occurrence made a deep impres- sion. This is not a traditional story, but is recorded in the record right after the account of his death and burial. The record says : " Many saw the broken stone, and all heard it fall." Both parts of the stone are still there, the one at the head, the other at the foot of the grave. What makes the matter the more remarkable is the fact that Mrs. Waldschmid, who was demented and had not spoken a word for years, commenced to speak on that day. The story is still often rehearsed by the people. Mr. W. was survived by his widow, two sons and two daughters The widow died on July 12, 1803. One of the daughters, Anna Mary, became the mother of two well-known Re- formed ministers : John Gring, of Lebanon county, and Daniel Gring, of York county. The latter was the father of two Reformed ministers — Rev. Wm. A. Gring, of Em- mittsburg, Md., and Rev. Ambrose D. Gring, the first Reformed missionary in Japan. 3.— Rev. "William Otterbein, 1758-1759. As stated above, Rev. Mr. Waldschmid supplied the Reading people from 1756 to 1758. At the meeting of Coetus, Sept. 17, 1758, reference is made to this fact. At this meeting a delegate from Reading asked whether they could not have their own minister. The supply arrange- ment was not satisfactory. The people wanted more and FIRST CHURCH. 65 better service than could be rendered by a minister resid- ing at a distance. But the request could not be granted for the want of ministers. Therefore Rev.Wm. Otterbein was appointed to supply Reading for half a year, that is, during the following winter. Mr. Otterbein had been the pastor at Lancaster, but resigned with a view of visiting Europe. But he changed his mind and delayed his trip, principally on account of the devastations of the Indian war and the stornls at sea in the fall. He was therefore the most available minister to supply Reading. At the same time he supplied the two congregations at Tulpe- hocken. Rev. William Otterbein was one of the six young min- isters who came with Schlatter to America in 1752. Like Waldschmid, he was born at Dillenberg, Germany. Like Schlatter and Waldschmid, he studied at Herborn. He became pastor at Lancaster, Pa., in August, 1752, in his twenty-seventh year. Here he labored six years with much success. During his pastorate the congregation erected a massive stone church in 1753, in place of the small wooden church. The new church stood until 1852, nearly a century. Mr. Otterbein introduced the custom of having the members call at the parsonage before the Lord's Supper for a .personal interview on the subject of religion. The plan was a good one and was in use about seventy-five years. As stated, Mr. Otterbein resigned at Lancaster in the fall of 1758 to make a trip to Europe, which plan was frustrated. He delayed the trip until April, 1770. His work in Reading and at Tulpehocken continued until the fall of 1760. In the fall of this year (1760) he accepted 66 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. a second call to Frederick, Md. In 1761 he received a call from Reading, but declined it. After laboring with success in Frederick during five years, he accepted a call from York, Pa., in November, 1765. After five years of labor here be went to Europe in April, 1770, without re- signing at York. After an absence of one and one-half years, he returned to York and resumed the work in Oc- tober, 1771. In the spring of 1774 he accepted a call from the new congregation at Baltimore, which had sep- arated from the old church. Here Mr. Otterbein spent the balance of his life. He labored here, as elsewhere, with much zeal and great success. He was a man of great ability and earnest piety. He advocated a positive Christianity. The United Brethren claim him as the founder of their Church, but this is an error. He never left the Church of his fathers. The U. B. Church was organized in 1800, but Otterbein attended the meetings of Coetus in 1800 and 1806, and his name was carried on its register to the time of his death in 1813. It is true, some of those with whom he affiliated entered the new Church. In August, 1812, Mr. Otterbein was visited by Rev. Isaac Gerhart, to whom the former said : " I am also a member of the Synod of the German Reformed Church, but cannot attend on account of old age." Mr. Otterbein died on Oct. 17, 1813, aged 87 years, 4 months and 13 days. He was buried on Oct. 19 in front of the Reformed church on Conway street, Baltimore. He was married to a Miss Hendel, who died not long after their marriage. They left no descendants. Several years ago the writer stood at the tomb of Mr. Otterbein. A large marble slab covering the tomb con- tains this inscription : FIEST CHURCH. 67 Hier ruhen die Gebeine Des verstorbenen Herrn Wilhelm Otterbein, Geboren 4. Juni, 1726, Gestorben 17. November, 1813, Alt 87 Ja'^re, 5 Monate, 13 Tage. ' Selig sind die Todten, die in dem Herrn sterben. Sie ruhen von ihrer Arbeit und ihre Werke folgen ihnen nach." Mr. Otterbein's baptismal name was Philip William Otterbein, but according to a common German custom he used only his second name William, except in rare cases. 4.— Period of Waiting 1760-1765. With the removal of Rev. Mr. Otterbein from Tul- pehocken to Frederick, Md., the period of supplies from Coetus to the Reading congregation ceased. During five years there are only occasional references in the Coetal minutes to the Reading congregation. However the con- gregation was still supplied with preaching, and this was partly by members of the Coetus. At the Coetus meeting of 1761, held at Lancaster, Pa., on June 24, Rev. William Stoy, who had been appointed to visit the congregations and report their condition, brought in the following report about Reading : "At Reading they need a pastor, but to provide them with one is very hard, and almost impossible. Some indeed desire to make out a call, but other members are not yet ready to vote for that. And thus we must continue the former arrangement, to supply the congregation by one or another member of the Coetus, till some one else can be found." At this same meeting of the Coetus appeared a dele- gate from Reading with a request from the congregation 68 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. there and the congregation at Oley that they might have Rev. Mr. Otterbein as their pastor. Mr. Otterbein, how- ever, declared that he could not possibly leave Frederick without a sufficient cause and accept another congregation. It is remarkable that whilst being without a regular pastor, or even a stated supply so far as is known, the Reading congregation in 1761 erected the large and sub- stantial stone church, which is described elsewhere. This fact shows that the congregation was quite active at the time. Rev. John Waldschmid supplied the congregation for some time during this period. When he. commenced we do not know, but he ceased his labors in the latter part of October, 1762. In his journal he says, "On Oct. 5, 1762, I once more administered the communion to 32 persons in Reading. Three weeks later I preached there for the last time, because Rev. Mr. Kals had on the twenty-sixth day of September installed himself as minister in Read- ing, wherefore I gave up the congregation and made room for him." Rev. John Wm. Kals was born in the year 1700 in the county of Julich, Germany. He studied in Holland, matriculating in the University of Leyden on August 26, 1745. After finishing his theological studies he entered the service of the Dutch Church, going as missionary to Surinam, in the West Indies. But owing to charges pre- ferred against him there, he returned to Holland. He came to America in 1758, with recommendations from Rev. Dr. Chandler. He must have known of the rela- tions existing between the Church in America and the fathers in Holland, and yet he brought no papers from FIRST CHUECH. 69 the latter with him. The coDgregation in Philadelphia elected him as pastor, and Kals applied to the Coetus for membership, but was refused. He therefore left Phila- delphia, after a short stay of about six weeks, and went to Amwell, N. J., where he became pastor of the Reformed church, 1758-1759. From Amwell Mr. Kals went to New York, where he served the German Reformed church, 1759-1760. During the absence of Rev. Mr. Alsentz from Germantown, he preached there in 1762. He was represented as " a man with only one eye, old and feeble." In the report of the annual settlement of January 20, 1763, it is stated that there was a balance of 8 pounds, 18 shillings and 6 pence. Peter Feder, one of the four dea- cons whose names are given, took 8 pounds of this bal- ance and paid it for pastor's salary. The probability is that this money was paid to Rev. Mr. Kals. At the meeting of Coetus in 1764 Reading is again reported as being vacant, together with a number of other places. The record of March 10, 1764, states that the receipts from Jan. 20, 1763, to March 10, 1764, amounted to 20 pounds, 10 shillings and lOi pence. The record states that " this amount was applied to the bell." This shows that no money was paid fo a preacher in 1763. One reason for this may have been the fact that the stone church, which was commenced in 1761, was not yet com- pleted. In 1764 Rev. John George Alsentz supplied the con- gregation for some time. This is shown by two facts of record. On March 5, 1759, Conrad Weiser and Isaac Levan as trustees conveyed lots 421 and 424 to the con- gregation. On the back of this deed the writer discovered 70 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. this interesting statement: "May 13, 1764. The first sermon was preached in the new church on the within mentioned lots by George Alsentz, minister of the gos- pel." Secondly, the minutes of the Coetus of 1765 state that Rev. Mr. Alsentz had visited Reading and other places in 1764. How long Mr. Alsentz supplied Reading cannot be stated. There appears to have been consider- able preaching during the year, as indicated by the amount of expenses, but by whom cannot be stated, unless it was by Mr. Alsentz. Rev. John George Alsentz was sent to America by the fathers of Holland in 1757, and was immediately by Coe- tus located at Germantown, where he lived and labored. From this place he at various times supplied Amwell, N. J., and Wentz's and Bohm's in Pennsylvania. He was active in the erection of the Wentz church, which was dedicated Nov. 13, 1763. In the latter part of 1761 or beginning of 1762 he made a trip to Europe, and appeared before the Classis of Amsterdam on Feb. 4, 1762. He returned to Germantown in October, 1762. In 1765 Mr. Alsentz reported to Coetus that he had visited Reading and other places. This confirms the statement on the back of the deed that he preached the first sermon in the new church in Reading. In 1766 he reports to Coetus that he had now been nine years in Germantown, and was serving ninety families there. He also reports for Bohm's and Wentz's. — In September, 1767, Coetus reports the absence of Mr. Alsentz on account of severe sickness. He died on Oct. 25, 1767. (See Coetus Minutes, p. 276.) The statement in " Fathers of the Reformed Church" that he died in 1769 is an error. FIRST CHURCH. 71 Mr. Alsentz died comparatively young. He was mar- ried to Hannah, daughter of Peter Wentz. They left no children. He was a good and pious man. During 1765 the Reading congregation continued va- cant. At the meeting of the' Coetus in Lancaster a num- ber of congregations made requests for ministers, among them Reading. The Coetus expected the arrival of some ministers from Europe, and promised to send supplies as soon as possible. In this year Rev. John Waldschmid once more appears as supplying the congregation. In his journal he says : " I administered the holy communion in Reading on May 26, 1765, on Whitsunday to 70 persons." It appears that when the Reading people could find no one else to supply them, they turned to Mr. Waldschmid, and he responded to their entreaties. The above is the last reference to Reading in his journal. At last the period of waiting and irregular supplies came to an end, when in the fall of 1765 four ministers arrived from Holland in response to the earnest and re- peated solicitations of the Coetus. One of these, Rev. Fred. J. Berger, was to be the first regular minister at Reading. CHAPTER V. SETTLED PASTORS. With the year 1765 the Reformed congregation at Reading entered upon a new era of its existence. Hither- to it had been served by irregular ministers and supplies, but in the year 1765 came the first regular Reformed minister to Reading who lived among his people — Rev. F. J. Berger. "l.-Rev. F. J. Berger, 1765-1768. The Reformed Coetus convened for a special meeting on Oct. 16, 1765, at Philadelphia to receive the four newly arrived ministers, sent over by the Holland Church, and to assign them their future fields of labor. These men were Frederick Louis Henop, from Kaiserslautern ; John Jacob Zufall, from Obervorschiitz inHessia; Nicho- las Pomp and Frederick Julius Berger, from Zweibriicken. Mr. Berger was appointed by Coetus to go to Read- ing. Like Pomp, he was born at Zweibriicken. He had studied at the University of Basle, where he matriculated on October 22, 1760. When he appeared at this Coetus meeting, he was asked whether he was willing to go to Reading, to which he readily assented. The delegate from Reading was asked whether they were able and will- ing to pay him his salary. Both parties agreed to wait with the fixing of the salary till the next meeting of the i(Ev. John f: MoyeR 1904, PASTORS OF FIRST CHURCH. FIRST CHUECH. 73 Coetus. Meanwhile Berger agreed to go to Reading on trial. It was also resolved to hold the next meeting of the Coetus for the first time in Reading. In the following year (1766) Berger made his first report about his work and the condition of the congrega- tion. He reported a membership of 140 families. He had baptized during the year 60 and confirmed 21, while 40 to 50 children attended the parochial school. This was certainly a very good report. But it was by no means the full extent of his work. From the church records at Coealico we learn that he served that congregation for two years (1765-1766), while he was also preaching at Muddy Creek. Both of these congregations had been temporarily resigned by Waldschmid. In the settlement of the deacons on Feb. 4, 1766, the record states that the accounting was " done in the pres- ence of the present pastor, Mr. Berger." This is the only time his name is mentioned in the record. The financial support given to Mr. Berger does not seem to have been adequate to his needs, for he stated on the floor of Coetus that he would need twelve pounds more in order to live at Reading. The Coetus excuses his being at a congregation which did not give him sufficient support by the statement that he was satisfied with the congregation and the congregation with him. It was most unfortunate that after waiting a long time for a regular pastor, the first one secured was a poor speci- men of a faithful shepherd. Rev. Mr. Berger was au in- temperate man. Already at the first meeting of the Coetus after his having been settled at Reading, which was held in his own church here, a paper signed by many 6 74 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHURCH. members of the Muddy Creek congregation, to which Berger also ministered, complaining about his conduct, was laid before the Coetus. The delegates, however, were satisfied with assurances and promises of better conduct in the future. When the next Coetus was held, Sept. 16, 1767, at Lancaster, the complaints against Berger were renewed. At this time the people at Reading joined in complaining about him. However, they declared that they would gladly forget everything if Berger would only repent. With tears in his eyes Berger promised to do better hereafter, and on the demand of Coetus he even declared himself willing publicly before his congregation to express his sorrow, ask forgiveness and promise to lead a different life. This he did, taking as his text 1 Tim. 1 : 1 5, " Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief." At this time Coetus threatened that if he would not improve his conduct, they would sus- pend him. His repentance, however, lasted only as long as he was before his brethren. As soon as he came back to his congregations he turned from bad to worse. He became a confirmed drunkard, making debts everywhere, besides being profane. A committee of the Coetus ap- peared at last in Reading, in response to numerous letters of the congregation, to investigate the charges against him. They found them only too true, and hence they were compelled to carry out the threat of the Coetus. They suspended Berger until the next Coetus meeting. Again he promised before the assembled congregation to lead a better life, but all his good resolutions were in vain. When his creditors heard that he had been abandoned by the Coetus, they had him arrested and locked up in FIRST CHUECH. 75 jail. On the false pretense that Coetus owed him enough money to pay all his debts, he was again released. As soon as he came out, he traveled on foot to Easton, a dis- tance of fifty miles, to the meeting of the Coetus, held Sept. 6-9, 1768. Here he acted so boisterously that he disturbed the meetings. New complaints were brought in by the congregations, and as a result Coetus was driven to the last measure, of excluding him from their body and deposing him from the ministry. Of Berger's later life and of his death we know noth- ing. The Reading congregation was now once more vacant, after an unfortunate experience with its first pastor. His history may well be a warning as to the evil results of the habit of drinking. There were indeed in Berger all the elements of a better nature, but they were drowned by the demon of drink. And when he had once taken hold upon him, he dragged him irresistibly into ruin and shame. His life is a blot on our history, but one that ought not to be v/ithout its great and important les- sons. On Sept. 20, 1769, Berger was again present at the Coetus, held in Germantown, asking to be reinstalled into his office. He had been preaching for a small congrega- tion in the mountains near Reading, which had no connec- tion with the Coetus, and was living there in great pov- erty. However, as there were no signs of improvement in his life, Coetus refused to grant his request. With ex- pressions of pity and well-meant counsels they took leave of him. He disappeared like a dark cloud, and his mis- takes were soon forgotten, but the Reading church felt for 76 HISTORY or EEFOEMED CHURCH. many years the results of his unfortunate ministry. Al- most half of the members left, and it took the congrega- tion nearly fifty years to recover her old strength. What a lesson to the ministers of our Church, and what a proof of the great responsibilities resting upon them ! 2.— Rev. Jolin Conrad Bucher, 1769-1770. After the departure of Berger the congregation was without a minister for some time, till the summer of 1769. Rev. J. C. Bucher took it upon himself to supply them with occasional preaching. When Coetus met in the fall of the year, the congregation asked " that Rev. Mr. Bucher continue to supply them every two weeks, as he has begun to do this summer, till they get another minister who lives in Readingtown." (Minutes of 1769.) Bucher was the very opposite of Berger. There was no better nor more devoted minister in the Coetus than he. He was born at Schaffhausen on June 13, 1730. His father, John Jacob Bucher, became Landvogt (bur- gess) of Neukirch, near Schaffhausen, in 1745. He had six children, of whom John Conrad was the third. John Conrad Bucher received a good .education. On July 14, 1752, he matriculated in the university at Marburg. About 1755 he came to this country. He served at first in the army, but in 1763 he resigned his commission and began to preach. In 1766 he is first mentioned in the Coetal minutes as preaching in Carlisle and neighborhood. In the following year he accepted Lebanon in addition to his first congregations. This had become vacant through the death of Rev. Frederick Mueller. In course of time Mr. Bucher moved to Lebanon. It was from this place FIRST CHURCH. 77 that he supplied Reading every other Sunday. The peo- ple liked him so much that at the Coetus of 1770 in Phil- adelphia " the unfortunate congregation at Reading, which was both externally and internally demoralized by Berg- er, extended a call to Rev. J. C. Bucher." But as he was not present, it was thought best to leave the decision with him, as he was best acquainted with the condition of the congregation. When Coetus met again on October 9, 1771, at Reading, we learn from the minutes that Mr. Bucher had declined the call, and the congregation after that had been for some time without a minister. How long Mr. Bucher supplied Reading is not known, but at least till September, 1770. 3.— Rev. John W. Boos, 1771-1781. Before the Reformed Coetus met in 1771, a new min- ister had arrived from Holland, Rev. John William Boos. (The original form of his family name is no doubt Boas.) He was born at Otterberg in the Palatinate in 1739. He appeared before the synodical deputies on May 2, 1768. Then he studied for several years at the university of Ut- recht. The news of his intended coming had preceded him, and as many Reformed congregations were vacant, he was eagerly awaited by Coetus and people. But when he came they were greatly disappointed, because he had no letters of recommendation from the fathers in Holland. The reason was, according to the minutes of the synodical deputies, his inability to pass the required examinations. When this fact became known to the members of the Coetus, they refused to admit him. But the congregation at Reading was so anxious to secure the services of a min- ^8 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHURCH. ister that they did not wait for the action of Coetus, but asked Rev. Mr. Boos immediately to become their pastor, to which he readily assented. Soon afterwards a commit- tee of the Coetus appeared in Reading, consisting of Gross, Hendel, Bucher and Gobrecht. They advised the congre- gation to dismiss Boos, because he had not been sent by the Holland synods. But all their pleas were in vain. The people presented their need so urgently that the com- mittee finally allowed Boos to stay with them. This ac- tion was confirmed by Coetus in 1771, after the people had given Boos a regular call. This permission, however, did not imply the reception of Mr. Boos into the Coetus. The report laid before Coetus at this time concerning his conduct and preaching was very favorable. He him- self presented the following parochial report : 80 families, 38 baptisms, 40 confirmed, j£75 salary and 86 scholars in the parochial school. In comparing the reports of 1766 and 1771, we can see how greatly the congregation had suffered through the ministry of Berger. About 60 fam- ilies had left them, and no doubt joined other congrega- tions. In the year 1772 Boos was allowed to serve Cacusi or Heidelberg (now Hain's church at Wernersville). He preached for them every third Sunday. His people in Reading objected at first to this arrangement, but Coetus decided " that as long as this congregation had love and affection for him, he should serve it." The congregation at Reading petitioned Coetus again at this meeting to allow Boos to preach for them another year, and receive him as a member of Coetus. The congregation received the following reply : FIRST CHURCH. 79 " That the Rev. Coetus by virtue of the last letter from the fathers concerning Mr. Boos, could not care for him, much less admit him into the Coetus without further and more favorable news from the Rev. fathers in regard to him. But Mr. Boos shall be left to them in order to perform the duties relating to their divine service as long as no complaints come against him, and Mr. Boos suc- ceeds in edifying them." There are no references to Reading in the Coetal min- utes from 1773-1776. Boos was no member of Coetus, and hence neither attended its meetings nor sent in any reports. In 1777 Coetus met for the third time at Reading, on April 28 and 29. In the Coetal letter of that year the officers of Coetus report " the blessed and prosperous con- dition of the church at Reading." Writing of Mr. Boos, they said : " By the assistance of the Most High and by extraor- dinary zeal and diligence in all parts of his excellent min- istry among them he has brought the congregation to such order that it is second to none of the congregations in America. Mr. Boos is at present a learned and brave warrior of Jesus Christ, and of a blameless walk in life. Not only liked by the whole congregation at Reading, but likewise all the members of Coetus treat him with special esteem and friendship. Therefore we all beg of the Rev. fathers to kindly accept Mr. Boos, since it would be to the disadvantage of the Church in this country to refuse such a worthy and sincere servant of Jesus Christ." The answer of the fathers in Holland was not favor- able to this earnest and eloquent request, and hence the congregation was again left to itself and its minister, leav- ing no record in the Coetal minutes. This silence is brok- en in the minutes of 1782, which inform us " that the con- 80 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. gregation at Reading, which Rev. Boos was finally com- pelled to leave, is permitted to call another minister." This agrees with the church record, which shows that the last entry by Rev. Boos was made Dec. 8, 1781. Per- haps he left with the end of the year. The reason for his sudden departure seems to have been his conduct, as we learn from the minutes of 1789, which state "that his conduct was the same as before, namely bad." The sun, which had risen so brightly, again set behind the clouds. Reading was thus for the second time unfortunate with its pastor. The later conduct of Mr. Boos is much to be regretted. He had been very successful in his work dur- ing a number of years, but then became demoralized, and bad to be discharged. He afterwards preached to some independent congregations in Berks county. There are no records at hand of his ministry in Reading. He with the members of the consistory signed the record of the annual settlements from 1771 to 1781 inclusive. The following story is related of Rev. Mr. Boos. We have heard it repeatedly. The father-in-law of the writer, who a number of times stopped at Fasig's hotel in Read- ing (now Berks County House) in the early part of the nineteenth century ou his way with his father to market in Philadelphia, was then told the story. Rev. Mr. Boos resided at the southwest corner of Ninth and Penn streets, and frequently married young couples from the country. On one occasion he was called to marry a runaway couple in the hotel. Prompt action was required, as the father of the bride was in pursuit of the couple. The parson told the couple to stand up, and he was just about begin- ning the ceremony when the father entered the room. FIRST CHUECH. 81 Parson Boos by an act of strategy foiled him. Just as the father entered. Mr. Boos said "amen," and told him he was too late, the ceremony being over. The father, see- ing himself defeated, turned around and left the room, and then Mr. Boos married the young people. One of the praiseworthy acts of Rev. Mr. Boos was his refusal to ordain the notorious and wicked Cyriacus Spangenburg to the ministry. 4.— Rev. J. W. G. Neveling, 1782-1783. We now come to the history of the most heroic and the most unfortunate Reformed minister of Reading — Rev. John Wesley Gilbert Neveling. From the minutes of 1771 we learn that he was a cousin of Rev. Casper Wey- berg. He was born in Westphalia, Germany, in the year 1750, and came to this country in 1763, if he came with Rev. Weyberg, as Dr. Harbaugh states. He was in- structed by Weyberg and Gross until 1771, when he first appeared before Coetus. • In that year the congregation at Amwell, New Jersey, laid a call for Neveling before Coe- tus, who had been preaching for them at times and given good satisfaction. Coetus examined him, and then allowed him to continue preaching, promising him that if he proved himself worthy, he should be ordained after the consent of the fathers in Holland had been obtained. This ordination took place in July, 1772, when with five other candidates, Steiner, Schwab, Wack, Wagner and Weber, he was installed into the sacred office. As the permission of the fathers in Holland had not been ob- tained for this act, they were at first much displeased with it, and for a time would not recognize the newly ordained 82 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHDRCH. ministers as members of the Coetus, but fiually they yielded to the earnest entreaties of the Coetus. Daring the War of the Revolution Neveling served in the army as chaplain, and was held in the highest esteem by Gen. Washington. As an evidence of the important influence he exerted, it may be mentioned that the British government offered a large reward for his apprehension, and that on one occasion Washington placed a troop of horses at his disposal to protect him against those who sought his life. After the war he returned to his congre- gation in New Jersey. Here he remained till 1782, when he accepted a call from Reading. He came to Reading either in the fall or winter of 1782. Of his ministry in this congre"^ation hardly anything is known. Not even his name occurs in the old church record. However, his ministry at Reading is not only proved by the explicit statement of the Coetal minutes of 1783, " D. Neveling left Amwell in New Jersey and went to Reading," but also by his report about the Reading congregation, which he made in that year. He reported 100 families, 12 bap- tisms, 10 confirmed and 75 children in the parochial school. It is stated that he was a man of noble presence and commanding pulpit talent. But Mr. Neveiiog had hardly been in Reading a year, apparently very successful in his work, when his useful ministry was cut short by a sad accident. One day, as he was riding on horseback, probably to one of his country congregations, with a pipe in his mouth, the horse stumbled and fell, pushing the stem of the pipe so violently into his throat that it injured his vocal organs and permanently disabled him from preaching again. Thus he was cut off FIRST CHURCH. 83 in the prime of his life, and after a few-years paralysis lamed him completely. Some years later he also became blind. Henceforth he remained a helpless invalid for more than sixty years ! But the full measure of his suf- ferings was not yet exhausted, for another affliction soon befel him. When the War of the Revolution broke out and Continental Congress was sorely in need of money, he turned all his property into cash, and loaned the govern- ment the whole sum, amounting to $25,000, receiving only the certificate of Congress as his security. Of this he was in some way defrauded, and as a result lost all his money, which reduced him to absolute poverty. By the noble efibrts of his brethren in the ministry he and his large family were kept from starvation. This noble pa- triot and champion of American liberty, ready to sacrifice all his possessions for the cause of his country, died as a very old man of 94 years in Philadelphia on Jan. 18, 1844. We know no similar case in the Reformed ministry of such long, severe and patient suffering. The Coetus aided him as much as it could with its scanty means. In 1789 it gave him £7 10s. In its report to Holland the Coetus in 1790 states that " Mr. Neveling is still in very wretched circumstances, and a burden to us." After the accident which befel Rev. Mr. Neveling in the fall of 1783, the congregation was once more vacant for a considerable length of time. It was probably sup- plied by neighboring miaisters. Some time later the congregation called Rev. Fred. L. Henop, of Frederick, Md., and he accepted the call. This was in the fall of 1784. But before Mr. Henop could. 84 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. leave Frederick and start for Reading he was suddenly taken sick and died in the latter part of October of the year 1784. Hence the congregation was without a minis- ter until the meeting of Coetus in the next year. Whether during this vacancy they were served by neighboring min- isters, is not known, but probable. 5.— Rev. Bemhard WUly, 1785-1786. When Coetus met on April 27, 1785, at Reading, three new ministers (Loretz, Willy and Pernisius), who had arrived from Holland, were appointed to different congregations. The congregation at Reading called one of them, Bernhard Willy, to be their minister. He, to- gether with Loretz, had arrived in Baltimore on Dec. 21, 1784. As they were without any means to continue their journey, the elders of the Baltimore congregation not only paid their bill at the inn " To the Green Tree," but also sent them to Pennsylvania on four horses. According to the church records of the Baltimore church they spent £23 for their entertainment. Willy likely went to Read- ing immediately, for he reported at this Coetus meeting sixteen baptisms and 24 catechumens. He signed the financial statement of April 20, 1785. The financial standing and strength of the congregation had much im- proved since IMr. Berger complained of not receiving enough salary in 1766. Five years later, in 1771, they were able to give Rev. Boos £85 or about §250, and in 1785 Rev. Willy reports a salary of £133 or about §322, certainly a large sum for those times. When the call from Reading was laid before Coetus, it was decided to confirm the call at tlie next Coetus meeting, after the con- riEST CHURCH. 85 dition of the congregation had been investigated. But the call was never confirmed. Even before the end of the year Willy entered upon a course of action which fin- ally caused his deposition from the ministry and expulsion from the Coetus. The facts of his case are given in a special report which Coetus sent to Holland in 1786. Shortly after his arrival in Reading he stated to his elders that his wife had died in the previous year in Switzerland. In proof of this statement he showed them a certificate of her death. Of course everybody accepted his statement as being true, till some time in December it began to be rumored that his certificate was forged. An investigation was made by the elders, and the suspicion was shown to be well founded. The certificate proved to be an evident forgery, as it bore the water mark of one of the paper mills in the neighborhood of Reading. On Jan. 10, 1786, Willy crowned his false statement by a false act, which fully explained why it had been made. He went to Muddy Creek, and married a woman at that place. Meanwhile a letter arrived from his first wife, who with one child was still living in Chur, the capital of the canton of Graubunden (Grisons) in Switzer- land. When Willy returned from his wedding trip to Reading, he was met by the elders, who refused to allow him to enter their church again. A committee of Coetus was summoned to Reading, consisting of Hendel, Delliker and Helffrich, to investigate the case, and when they found these charges to be true, they passed the resolution " that Willy was no longer fit to be a minister, and hence the elders had done right in forbidding him to preach." His ministry was thus of short duration, not over one year, and possibly less. ' 86 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHURCH. !Mr. "W^illy was a well educated mao. It is stated that he had served as a minister in his native country, Grau- biinden, Switzerland. After leaving Reading he went to Virginia, and for some tinie taught a German and Eng- lish school. Subsequently he preached until his death, which occurred in May, 1810. When he preached his last sermon he was so weak that he had to crawl on hands and feet into the pulpit. He was buried at Woodstock, Virginia. At the meeting of Coetus on May 17, 1786, Reading with several other congregations again applied to Coetus for a minister, Coetus was especially anxious to supply Reading, because, as the minutes say, "this congrega- tion was so very unfortunate with bad ministers for more than twenty years." At this time the vacancy lasted till November, 1786. Then a new minister came to take charge of the congregation, but the hope of Coetus that he might be a better man, was not fulfilled. It is sad to see that some of the early ministers were unworthy men, but the fact that Coetus disciplined them is evidence that that body was composed of good and earnest Christian men, who labored zealously for the spread of God's kingdom. The bad character of some of the ministers must have been particularly painfiil to them, because of the great need of faithful laborers. 6.— Rev. Jolm William Ingold, 1786-1788. Mr. Ingold was born at Simmern in the Palatinate. He matriculated at the Heidelberg University on August 4, 1754. He was ordained at Heidelberg, May 10, 1762. After serving for some time as minister in the Palatinate, FIRST CHURCH. 87 he applied to the Synods of Holland, and was commis- sioned for Pennsylvania in June, 1774. He came to this country in the fall of 1774. From that year till 1790 he is mentioned in the ©octal minutes, serving in these sixteen years not less than seven different charges. His whole ministry was filled with troubles and quarrels. He paid no regard either to the resolutions of the Coetus or the wishes of the church members. Hence he was con- stantly in difficulty. The verdict which Coetus passed on his ministry was expressed in these words : " Rev. Ingold during his stay with us has not conducted himself to the satisfaction of his brethren." (Minutes of 1781.) Mr. Ingold left Holland in 1774 and arrived in Amer- ica in the fall of the same year. Witpen and Worcester in Montgomery county were then vacant. He accepted these without the knowledge of Coetus, but quarreled with his congregations about his salary at the end of the year, and was compelled to leave. Then his brethren took pity on him and sent him to Saucon, but he remained only a short time and then left for Easton in 1776. How- ever only one of the congregations belonging to the charge accepted him. Soon he lost the confidence of his people, and was even persecuted till he left in 1780. Goshen- hoppen was vacant at that time. Ingold offered his ser- vices to them for as much salary as they might be willing to give him. He appears to have been the first minister to " preach for what falls," an unfortunate system which afterwards prevailed largely. He preached in the two smaller congregations of the charge, but New Goshenhop- pen refused to have anything to do with him. In spite of their protests Ingold came into the charge. He per- 88 HISTORY OF EEFOBMED CHUECH. formed his first baptism in Old Goshenhoppen on August 30, 1780. His coming caused the greatest disorder, which a committee of the Coetus in vain tried to over- come. Ingold opposed all their efforts. Finally Coetus resolved in 1781 that he should submit to an election, and threatened him with exclusion if he would try to prevent it. The election must have been unfavorable to him, for he left towards the close of 1781. From Goshenhoppen Ingold went again to Easton. Judging from his parochial report of 1785 he was now more successful. He reported of his four congrega- tions comprising the charge (Easton, Greenwich, Dry- land and Plainfield), 116 families, 114 baptisms, 39 con- firmed, 4 schools and 117 scholars, and 75 pounds salary. Ingold left Easton in November of 1786 and came to Reading. The writer has been fortunate enough to dis- cover the call of the Reading church to him. It is dated September 14, 1786, "in Reading im Oberamt Barks." There is a preamble which states that after the Lord had for some time punished the High German Reformed con- gregation in Reading through unworthy preachers, and by leaving it for some time vacant. He had again shown His mercy by giving it a shepherd in the person of Rev. Johu "William Ingold, who had accepted their call. He was to preach every Sunday morning and on all festival days. He was to receive for his support 130 pounds of Pennsylvania currency, the free use of the parsonage and ten cords of wood per year. The call was to be regarded as a con- tract, to be in force as long as both parties were satisfied. In case of dissatisfaction either party was competent to dissolve the contract. The hope is expressed that the FIRST CHUECH. 89 Lord might so reign in the hearts of both pastor and people that the contract would continue in force during the life of the pastor. Unfortunately this pious wish was not ful- filled. The pastoral relation continued only eighteen months. The call is signed by John Hartman, Kraft Huner, Jacob Yeager, Philip Miller, George Riehm, Dan. Zacharias, Peter Nagle, John Schnell, Geo. Yeager, B. Feather, Conrad Fasig, Dan. Rose, Dan. Levan and Joseph Hiester. (The name of the latter is always signed in English letters.) The call is approved by the Coetus, and the approval is signed by Fred. Dellicker, president pro tem., and Albert Helffenstein, secretary pro tem. The approval bears no date. During Mr. Ingold's ministry here the oldest minute book of the consistory still at hand was started, viz., at the meeting on Jan. 8, 1787. The minutes of this meet- ing are signed by Rev. Mr. Ingold and the members. At this meeting an earnest eifort was made to place the con- gregation upon a better footing. The minutes state that it Was considered proper to elect a " cashier" (treasurer), and Mr. Jacob Weynig was unanimously chosen. At the next Coetus meeting, in Lancaster on June 5, 1787, Mr. Ingold was present and reported about the con- gregation at Reading : 100 families, 21 baptized, 21 con- firmed, 40 in the school. But his ministry in Reading was not successful. It was only rich in quarrels, and after serving the congregation for a year and a half he was compelled to leave. Singularly he left the town on the same day that Coetus met in the church in Reading, viz., on April 23, 1788. Coetus does not want to put all the blame on him, but remarks " that a repulsive conduct 7 90 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. is likely to bring about such consequences." The congre- gation at this time asked permission to call another min- ister, which was gladly granted them. Mr. Ingold went to Indianfield, Tohickon and Trumbauers, but stayed only a few 'years. At the meeting of Coetus in 1790 he had again left these congregations, and with them also the Coetus. He appears only once more in the official docu- ments of our Church, but only to make his separation from the Church complete and final. In 1801 synod notified him that by his continued absence he had excluded himself from the Cliurch. (Minutes of 1801, § 4.) 7.— Rev. J. W. Boos (Secoad Pastorate), 1789-1792. Rev. J. W. Ingold left Reading on April 23, 1788. How long the congregation was vacant after that time cannot be stated accurately, but it was most likely until the end of 1788. The old church record shows the pres- ence of Rev. J. ^Y. Boos, the former pastor, in the early- part of 1789. The minutes of the consistory meeting of March 25, 1789, are signed by him, together with nine members. It has frequently been stated that Mr. Boos was pastor in Reading a second time, but at times this has been questioned. The above fact settles the question beyond a doubt. When Mr. Boos witiidrew from Read- ing at the end of the year 1781, he continued to serve Cacusi, or Hain's church, near Werriersville. In the old church record of that congregation he entered -589 bap- tisms from October 23, 1771, to Augutt 17, 1789. From January, 1784, to November, 1788, he also served the Bern church in Bern township, Berks county. He evi- dently returned to Reading in the spring of 1784, for on FIEST CHUECH. 91 April 16, 1784, he purcliased the property at the south- west corner of Ninth and Penn streets from Jacob Bower, a prominent Reformed member, for 450 pounds Pennsyl- vania money. It was lot No. 176 in the original plan of the town, and was 60 feet on Penn street by 270 feet on South Ninth street. Here Mr. Boos evidently resided until his death in 1814. The title of this property was traced by the writer back to the Penns. Mr. Nicholas Dick, grandfather of Mr. Amos L. Dick, of Reading, one of the oldest members of the First church, now over 85 years of age, was married to a sister of Rev. J. W. Boos, and resided next door to him. On November 9, 1822, the administrator of Rev. Mr. Boos sold the above prop- erty, together with three other properties, to Dr. James B. Cherington for |2600. At the meeting of the Coetus, held in Philadelphia on June 10, 1789, a delegate from Reading appeared, asking that the call of Rev. Mr. Boos be confirmed and he be received as a member of Coetus. But inasmuch as a larger part of the congregation opposed him and " his conduct was still as before, namely bad," Coetus was unwilling to grant the request, but promised to help the congregation in whatever way it could. With what success Mr. Boos labored in Reading at this time is difficult to determine, but owing to the vigorous opposition which he met, it could hardly have been great. He seems to have re- mained in Reading till 1792. If he had left before that time there would no doubt be some record of it in the Coetal minutes. Rev. Mr. Boos died on November 28, 1814, aged 75 years. He had been married to Barbara Epler, of Bern 92 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. township, and was the father of eight children. He always wrote his name Boos, but his descendants changed the name to Bons. The change appears to have been made by his children. His son John was frequently a member of the consistory, and already in 1811 he signs his name clearly John Boas. Pastor Boos' son Jacob was the father of INIr. Augustus F. Boas, the well-known banker in Reading and during 37 years superintendent of the First Reformed Sunday school. Another grandson was Daniel H. Boas, one of the founders of the Univer- salist church in Reading. 8.— Rev. Philip Pauli, 1793-1815. We now come to the last Reformed minister of Read- ing during the eighteenth century. He was the most faithful and most successful minister of all who had been in Reading, and by his long and blessed ministry of 22 years he laid the foundation for the present flourishing congregation. In point of length his pastorate was ex- ceeded only by that of his son. Rev. ^Villiam Pauli, and that of Dr. Henry Mosser. His baptismal name was Philip Reinhold Pauli, but he always omitted the middle name Reinhold. His signature frequently appears in the minute book, but always only as Philip Pauli. In the minutes of the Coetus his name always appears in the same form. ^Ve therefore follow his example in using his name. "When Rev. Mr. Pauli arrived in Reading the congre- gation had existed but forty years, 1753-1793, and vet what storms had passed over her ! It had been indeed a period of struggles and difficulties. Dark clouds had been FIRST CHURCH. 93 hauging over the congregation, and but rarely a ray of sunshine had penetrated through these clouds. But with the arrival of Pauli a new day and a bright future dawned, and as a result the congregation awoke to new life and activity. Soon the troubles of the past were forgotten in the success of the present aud still brighter prospects of the future. Rev. Philip Pauli was born in Magdeburg, Germany, on June 22, 1742. His father, Ernest L. Pauli, was court preacher to the Count of Beruburg. His son, Philij), received his first education in the school of his native city. Then he was sent to the Joachimsthal Gymnasium (col- lege) at Berlin, and finally completed his education at the University of Halle, where he studied theology. At this time several members of his family died, which cut short his career in Germany and made him willing to go to America. He arrived in this country in 1783. At first he taught Latin in the Academy of Philadelphia, but soon afterward began to preach acceptably. In 1786 he ap- plied to the Coetus for examination and licensure. In case his examination proved successful he was promised the congregation at Beading. This, however, was not the case. Hence he continued to teach. (Minutes of 1786, § 4.) In the following year the congregation at Frankford asked Coetus to allow Mr. Pauli to become their minister. But Coetus answered that inasmuch as the first examination had not been satisfactory they could do nothing in this matter until he had passed a satisfac- tory examinatian. In the next year (1788) Mr. Pauli renewed his request for an examination, and " since he had gained some experience in preaching and the fathers 94 HISTORY OF REFORMED ClICfRCH. had given their consent to his licensure," a second exami- nation was granted to him to take place after the Coetus meeting. Coetus again at this time intended to send him to Reading, but the return of Boos prevented the execu- tion of their plans. Mr. Pauli went therefore to Wor- cester and Witpen in 1789, where he was duly ordained in 1790, but was not received as a member of Coetus till 1792. In the beginning of 1793 he accepted a call from Reading, which was confirmed by Coetus at its annual meeting. The first entry of Rev. Mr. Pauli in the old church records is that of a baptism, which took place on February 26, 1793. __ The advent of Mr. Pauli in Reading appears to have at once infused new life into the congregation. A num- ber of new and prominent names are appended to the minutes of the consistory of 1793 — Joseph Hiester, Peter Nagle, Philip Kremer, Jacob Yeager, Balser Henriee, Daniel Rose, Jacob Bower, John Walter and John Riehm. The records of the church, carefully kept from the first year of his ministry at Reading, amply prove him to have been a faithful pastor, who labored with zeal and success in that portion of the Lord's vineyard which had been so long neglected. In addition to his labors as pastor Mr. Pauli also conducted a select Latin and French school, for which he was well fitted. One of the best evidences of the activity and success of Mr. Pauli in Reading is the size of his catechetical classes. His first class (1793) consisted of 51 persons; that of 1797 of 69 persons ; that of 1810 of 73 and that of 1811 of 92 persons. He confirmed 22 classes, and the average size of them was over 42 persons. These figures FIRST CHURCH. 95 are remarkable when we remember that Reading in ISIQ had a population of only 3463. But we mast remember that Reading was the centre of a large district of country. Many families in the country belonged to the Reading congregation. Mr. Pauli was a good preacher, and his services were well attended. He pcssessed very agreeable social quali- ties, and a peculiar fervor in the pulpit. During the early history of the congregation there was evidently no regular pastoral visiting. On February 3, 1813, the con- sistory resolved that the pastor should visit the members once a year in company with au elder. Mr. Pauli was the first pastor in Reading who kept careful and full records of his ministerial work. During the early part of Mr. Pauli's ministry in' Reading an effort was made to pay the church debt, whicb had long been carried. Already in 1794 a subscription^ was taken up for this purpose with good results. The receipts during this year amounted to over 832 pounds, and the sum of 956 pounds was paid out. (During the year previous the receipts aggregated 163 pounds.) Dur- ing the latter part of Mr. Pauli's pastorate, in 1814, an- other subscription was taken up and the debt fully wiped out. For particulars of these two subscriptions see Chap- ter on " Miscellaneous." The record previous to 1813 contains no itemized statement of receipts and expenditures, but only the gross receipts and expenditures, so that we have no means of knowing what was paid Mr. Pauli as salary previous to 1809. On Feb. 7 of this year the consistory fixed his salary at 130 pounds per year. He was paid this sum 96 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHURCH. from tbat time to the end of his life. Mr. Pauli also served several country congregations. The last minutes of the consistory signed by Pastor Pauli are those of May 27, 1814. At this meeting the committee on the subscription made a final report, and the debt was fully paid. In 1814 Mr. Pauli reported to synod 255 baptisms, 98 catechumens, 511 communicants and 77 deaths. Rev. Mr. Pauli was a prominent member of synod. In 1793 he was appointed a member of a committee of six to publish a new hymn book, which appeared in 1797. In 1800 he was elected president of synod. During the pastorate of Rev. Philip Pauli in Reading it fell to his lot to minister to Susanna Cox, whose pa- thetic story is so generally known in Berks county. She ■was a poor illiterate young woman living in the family of Jacob Geehr in OJey township. In April of 1809 she was found guilty of the murder of her illegitimate child, and sentenced to death. Rev. Mr. Pauli ministered to her and brought her the consolations of the gospel. She was penitent and confessed her guilt. Her public execu- tion took place on June 10, 1809, in front of the present county jail at the head of Penn street. It was a regular field day for the people of Berks and neighboring coun- ties. They came in all kinds of conveyances, even as far as seventy miles, to witness the execution. On the day before her execution Rev. Mr. Pauli administered the communion to the condemned woman, who was only twenty-four years of age. He prayed long and earnestly with her for her salvation. She appeared to be conscious of forgiveness, and heroically went to her sad death. The FIRST CHURCH. 97 time of her execution having arrived, she, leaDing upon the arm of her aged spiritual adviser, walked from the old jail still standing at Fifth and Washington streets up Penn street, followed by a large crowd of eager specta- tors. She stopped at a pump on the way to slake her thirst for the last time. At the place of execution Rev. Mr. Pauli once more offered a most solemn and earnest prayer for the culprit, after which there was sung an old German hymn of the seventeenth century which the poor woman had committed to memory while in jail. The first verse was as followa: " Ich armer Mensch, ich armer Siindcr, Steh hier vor Deinem Augesicht. Ach Gott, ach Gott, verfahr gelinder, Und geh nicht mit mir in's Gericht. Erbarme Dich, erbarme Dich, Gott, mein Erbarmer, fiber mich !" The woman then ascended a wagon which was under the gallows and which contained her coffin, and stood upon the coffin. When all was ready, the wagon was driven away, and Susanna Cox expiated her crime by dying on the gallows. — It has often been stated that Su- sanna Cox was the first woman ever executed in Berks county, but this is an error. Two other women were exe- cuted before her — Elizabeth Graul on March 10, 1769, and Catharine Krebs on Dec. 19, 1767.— Since 1809 only one woman was hanged in Pennsylvania — Catharine Mil- ler in Lycoming county in February, 1881, for the mur- der of her husband. At this time (spring of 1905) Mrs. Edwards is in the Berks county jail under sentence of death for the murder of her husband. 98 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHUECH. Capt. Peter Nagel, a prominent member of the Re- formed church, held the inquest on the body of the child on February 17, 1809. Rev. Philip Pauli died on January 27, 1815, aged 72 years, 7 months and 4 days. His death was announced at a consistory meeting on the evening of that day. The consistory arranged for the funeral. It resolved to invite to the funeral the consistory of Trinity Lutheran church and their pastor. Rev. Henry A. Muhlenberg. The con- sistories of Sinking Spring and Schwarzwald were also invited, because Mr. Pauli had been the pastor of those congregations. Mr. John Birkenbine was appointed a committee to get the bills incurred for the funeral. He afterward drew $26.66 from the treasury, which evi- dently represents the expenses of the funeral of the be- loved pastor. The funeral was held in the Lutheran church because of its large size, on Jan. 29. Notwith- standing the very inclement weather there was a large attendance. Rev. William Hendel, D. D., preached the funeral sermon on 2 Kings 2:12, followed by an address by Rev. Jacob W. Dechant. Burial was made in the Reformed graveyard close to the church. Thus ended the useful career of a good and beloved man. When the present large church was erected in 1832 his body was removed some distance farther away, and in 1869 it was removed to Charles Evans' cemetery. Rev. Mr. Pauli was married on Feb. 14, 1784, to Elizabeth, daughter of John Musch, of Easton. She died on Nov. 12, 1839, aged 77 years, one month and eighteen days. She was buried by his side. FIRST CHUECH. 99 9.— Rev. Wm-am Pauli, 1815-1842. Rev. William Pauli, son of the former pastor, suc- ceeded his father in the Reading pastorate. He was elected at a congregational meeting held on March 27, 1815, two months after the death of his father. Six can- didates had been placed in nomination, and 62 persons voted. Rev. William Pauli received 55 votes, Rev. Mr. Rahauser 5, Rev. Mr. Vandersloot 1 and Rev. Mr. Reil- ing 1 . Two others received no votes. Mr. Pauli accepted the call, and soon after entered upon the next to the long- est pastorate in the long history of the congregation, twenty-seven years. The date of his installation is not given, but on June 7, 1815, he was paid 65 pounds as his first salary. William Pauli was born on March 9, 1762, in Skip- pack, Montgomery county. Pa., where his father was pas- tor at the time. He was an elder brother of Rev. Chas. A. Pauli, who spent the greater part of his life in Read- ing, William Pauli received his early education from his father, who was a Ifearned man and conducted an academy in Reading. He was licensed to preach in 1813 and ordained in 1816. He thus evidently preached sometime in Reading before his ordination. Mr. Pauli served a number of country congregations during the whole of his ministry in Reading. In 1819 his charge consisted of Reading, Epler's, Schwarzwald, 100 HISTOEY OF EEFOEMED CHUECH. Beidler's and Forest. In 1823 he also served Maiden- creek. He was quite irregular in his attendance upon synod, and frequently failed to report. He failed to re- port in 1824, 1837, 1838 and 1839. His ministry was not characterized by great activity. His records, although apparently carefully kept, are in a bad condition. Some of the leaves of the books are miss- ing, so that no summary of his labors can be given. The most important event during Mr. Pauli's pas- torate was the demolishing of the old stone church in 1831, and the erection of the present large brick church during the following two years. It was a large under- taking, but it was successfully carried through. On May 23, 1831, thirty-seven members met in the school house to consider the propriety of erecting a new church. It was resolved that a new church was needed. A commit- tee was appointed to take up subscriptions in town and country — eight persons for Reading, four for Alsace, three for Exeter and six for Cumru townships. This shows that there was a large country membership. — On May 5, 1832, the trustees were authorized to borrow |5000, at five per cent, interest toward erecting the new church. This resolution is signed by Rev. Wm. Pauli and ten members of the consistory, including Peter Nagel, William Ermen- trout and Philip Zieber, well-known rhembers. The erection of the new church involved the congrega- tion in considerable debt. In 1833 an act was passed by the Legislature of Pennsylvania to enable the congrega- tion " to sell or mortgage such part or parts of the real estate belonging to said congregation as may be deemed necessary for the payment of their debts, and for the pur- FIEST CHURCH. 101 chase of such other real estate as they may deem necessary for the use of the church .... provided that the real estate so purchased shall not in amount and value exceed the sum of five thousand dollars." This act was signed by Samuel Anderson, Spealier of the House, and Thomas Ringland, Speaker of the Senate. The bill was approved at Harrisburg on April 8, 1833. During Mr. Pauli's pastorate the several denomina- tions conducted a union Sunday school in the old court house which stood in Penn Square. The Reformed peo- ple conducted their parochial school in the school house at the corner of Seventh and Washington streets. The prin- cipal text book in the school was the catechism, which was German. The schoolmaster was Mr. John Roland, who was really the catechist of the congregation. The children committed the answers of the, catechism, and Pastor Pauli visited the school once a week to see what progress the children were making in the catechism. When they had advanced sufficiently, they were con- firmed by him. The school was continued until after the close of Mr. Pauli's pastorate. As far as the writer has been able to ascertain there is at this writing (1905) only one person residing in Reading who attended the parochial school. This is Mr. John F. Moers, who attended the school in 1836. He also attended the Sun- day school in the court house. Mr. Moers was born on Sept. 5, 1824, and is now over eighty years old. He was during 67 years connected with the marble yard on West Penn street as apprentice, journeyman and proprietor. The yard was established by his grandfather in 1790. After his death the yard was continued by the son, who 102 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHURCH. died in 1861, when the grandson took possession and con- tinued the business until the summer of 1904. All three bore the same name — John Frederick Moers. Each of them in his time took an active part in the affairs of the Reformed church in Reading. Mr. Pauli was elected in 1815. In 1815 and 1816 he was paid 1.30 pounds per year; in 1817, 144 pounds. In 1818 he was paid $338.33. For several years the salary was increased somewhat. In 1829 it was fixed at $346.- 68 per year, with .$24 additional for fire wood, and it remained at this figure until the end of his pastorate in 1842. The amount seems somewhat odd, especially the 68 cents. Taking into consideration the greater value of money in those days, we must admit that the salary was liberal, since Mr. Pauli was also serving from three to five country congregations at various times. A minister is usually elected without term. On May 16, 1829, the consistory resolved "to engage Rev. Wm. Pauli for another year" at the salary above stated. After this date similar action was taken every year, either by the consistory or the congregational meeting. Why such action ? At the present time such action would be taken as putting the person concerned upon his good behavior. We think such was the case then. Gradually a reaction took place in the congregation. It was felt that the church did not prosper as much as there was reason to expect. There was a large new church, but matters were not in a satisfactory state. To the writer's mind there were two reasons for this. In the first place there was a strong tendency toward English, but all the services were conducted in the German Ian- riKST CHURCH. 103 guage, and then only every other Sunday morning. The pastor could not preach English. Under these conditions a number of the most prominent families left the Re- formed Church and united with the Presbyterians and Episcopalians. Among these may be mentioned the Eck- erts, Hunters, Saylors, Bensous, Jamesons and others. — Secondly, Pastor Pauli was serving three country congre- gations in connection with the Reading church. Conse- quently he could not give the Reading congregation that attention which it needed. The town was growing, and more pastoral work was required. Pastor Pauli realized the pressure which was bearing upon him. He was irritated, and his relations with the congregation became somewhat strained. He finally re- signed. The date is not given, but it was evidently in the beginning of 1842, since the election for a successor was held on February 5, 1842. Under the existing cir- cumstances the congregation fell back with the pastor's salary, and there was due him the sum of over .§200. This could not be raised for nearly two years. On Jan. 16, 184.3, William Ermentrout, William Lotz and Philip Zieber were appointed a committee to borrow the needed amount of money from John S. Hiester with which to pay the balance of salary due the former pastor. Rev. Wm. Pauli. At a subsequent meeting the commit- tee reported that the money could not be had. The atti- tude of Pastor Pauli toward the congregation may be inferred from the statement of this committee on the above date that he had " acted all winter so as to injure the con- gregation and its collections." A second effort to secure the money also failed. Subsequently Henry Ermentrout 104 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHURCH. took the matter in hand and collected |200 for this pur- pose. He paid this amount to Treasurer Cunnius on Sept. 12, 1843, and on the following day the treasurer paid E,ev. Mr. Pauli the sum of $220.68 in full for salary. This ended the Pauli matter. The condition of the congregation at the close of Mr. Pauli's pastorate may be inferred by several facts. In the call to Rev. J. C. Bucher the consistory urged him to come to Reading " to resuscitate the declining prosperity of the church." Mr. Bucher hesitated to accept the call, because he was pleasantly situated at Middletown, Md., and his congregation was united. In his letter of accept- ance he speaks of the Reading congregation at one place as being divided ; at another place he speaks of it as " a broken and scattered congregation, whose condition is a critical one." It is evident that Mr. Pauli's pastorate had continued too loug. Rev. Wm. Pauli resided in his own house located at Sixth and Court streets. His property had a frontage of 89 feet on Sixth street. After Rev. Pauli's death in 1855 his son, William E. Pauli, accepted the property at the appraisement, and on Feb. 15, 1856, sold it to Joseph Mishler for $6000. Mr. Mishler long resided in a house erected upon the southern part of the lot. The property is now very valuable, being in the centre of the city. The corner lot is occupied by the four-story lelegram and Adler printing house, and the other part by a number of office buildings. Rev. Mr. Pauli also owned the valuable property at Sixth and Penn streets, during many years known as Jameson's corner. Mr. Pauli purchased it on Dec. 26, 1816, from Lewis Jacoby for 1350 pounds. It FIEST CHDECH. 105 was then 60 feet front on Penn street, with a depth of 33 feet on Sixth street. It was the Penn street front of lot No. 105 in the original town plan. There are now three stores on this lot. Pastor Pauli was an average preacher, by no means the equal of his father, Rev. Philip Pauli. During his pastorate the synod and the classis met a number of times in Reading. An aged friend informs us that the people usually looked forward to these meetings, because they expected to hear first-class sermons on these occasions. But they were always disappointed. It appeared as though there were no really good preachers. Some came to the conclusion that there must be some trick connected with the matter. They suspected that the pastor, who then as now usually designated the preachers on such occasions, purposely appointed weak preachers so as not to create an unfavorable contrast with his own preaching. Whether this suspicion was well founded we cannot say. After his resignation in Reading Mr. Pauli continued serving a number of copntry congregations. In 1844 Lebanon Classis for some reasons suspended him from the ministry. After that he continued to preach as an inde- pendent minister, and served Sinking Spring and Hain's churches until his death. Rev. William Pauli died in Reading on May 20, 1855, at the age of 63 years, 2 months and 11 days. The funeral services were held in Trinity Lutheran church, and were largely attended. Rev. John N. Hoffman, pastor of the church, preached on Jer. 3 : 27. Interment was made in Charles Evans' cemetery. 106 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. 10— Rev. J. C. Bucher, D. D. On May 16, 1S42, Rev. J. C. Bucher was called to the pastorate of the First church. He was promised " §600 salary, the use of a house, sufficient fire wood for his family, the services of a physician in case of illness of any member of his family, and expenses for moving from Middletown, jMd., to Reading." The call was signed by "Wm. Ermentrout, John S. Hiester (son of Geo. Hiester), Philip Zieber, John Goodhart, John F. Moers, John Smith, Daniel Weitzel, Peter Rhine and Wm. Lott. This was 63 years ago. The call stipulates that the new pastor is to preach two German and two English sermons on alternate Sun- day mornings each month. The Sunday evenings are left to the disposal of the pastor. He can either devote them to his ease, or for the interests of the congregation. The call urges Rev. Bucher to come to Reading to " re- suscitate the declining prosperity of the church," which would indicate its condition at the close of the previous pastorate. In the call the hope is expressed that Dr. Bucher would become the pastor " under the sanction of the General Synod of the Reformed Church in the United States." This is strange, since there was no General Synod at that time. It meant the Eastern Synod. The call also contains this provision : " The vestrv do allow 5 weeks annually, as is customary, for recreation, visiting and attendance at synod and classical meetings." FIRST CHURCH. 107 Dr. Bucher accepted the call on May 30, 1842. His letter of acceptance is long. lu it he speaks of the sacri- fices which he must make in leaving " a more than ordi- nary dwelling house, having eleven rooms on two floors and two passages or halls, besides kitchen." He also ex- presses his fear in " leaving a unanimous and prosperous people and going to one that is divided and which requires so much German."' At the same time he had a call from Mercersburg, where his children could enjoy better school privileges than could be expected in Reading on account of the college and seminary being located at the former place. Dr. Bucher states that only a sense of duty im- pelled him to go to a " broken and scattered congrega- tion, whose condition was a critical one." Dr. Bucher was installed on August 14, 1842, by a committee of Leb- anon Classis, to which the congregation then belonged. He resided in the house of Susanna Boyer on Franklin street, below Third, for which the congregation paid $76 rent per year. The coming of Dr. Bucher to Reading was in some respects a new epoch in the history of the congregation. Frequent meetings of the consistory were held and plans devised for aggressive work. Usually these meetings were held in the school house ; at other times in the lec- ture room, especially when candidates for church members were examined. On August 30, 1842, it was resolved that a secretary of the congregation be elected, and that thereafter the proceedings of the consistory should be recorded in English. Until then these were recorded in German. The German minutes immediately preceding were recorded by John Roland, secretary. This was the 108 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. person who served a long time as teacher of the parochial school. It appears that the secretary of the consistory in those days was not a member of the body. Neither John Roland nor his successor, Henry C. Ermentrout, were members of the body. Mr. Henry C. Ermentrout was elected and served as secretary of the consistory a number of years. The minutes were well kept. On October 24, 1842, William Ermentrout, Philip Zieber and John F. Moers were appointed a committee to ascertain whether money could be borrowed to erect a parsonage, and if so to ascertain who would erect such a building upon the best terms. On Dec. 16 this commit- tee reported that they had not been able to secure the money, but had ascertained that a parsonage could be erected for $1800. The committee considered it advis- able to postpone the erection of a house, and therefore they rented a house for $120 per yeai\ On Dec. 21, 1842, a special meeting of the consistory was held in the lecture room to examine the candidates for church membership. Twenty-two persons were pub- licly examined and accepted by the consistory. In con- nection with a subsequent examination of candidates the secretary gives the names of those who were to be con- firmed in the " English Lanquish." The strong tendency toward the English language, which prevailed already at the beginning of Dr. Bucher's pastorate, is shown by the fact that of his first class of catechumens, in the spring of 1843, 50 were confirmed in English and only 10 in German. Thirteen others were received by certificate and profession of faith. One of these was Mrs. Cath. Roland, wife of Abraham Roland, riKST CHURCH. 109 who died the next day. Included in the above class of catechumens was Mr. Jacob O. Miller, who became a well-known minister in the Reformed Church, and was long pastor of Trinity church, York, Pa. On July 8, 1843, the consistory received the annual report of the treasurer, Mr. John Y. Cunnius. There was now no longer trouble to pay the pastor's salary and other expenses. This report of the treasurer of the first year of Dr. Bucher's pastorate was most gratifying. The receipts were §1181.38, and the expenditures $850.67, so that there was a balance of over $300 on hand. The treasurer M'as directed " to pay off the interest," which indicates a debt. Nearly one-half of the receipts were from collec- tions in the church, which indicates large congregations and liberal collections. The congregation in those days already had some trouble with persons who are sometimes called " grave- yard Christians." They had an interest in the church only because of the right of burial. They contributed lit- tle and often nothing for the support of the congregation. On August 7, 1843, the consistory resolved that the right of burial should be limited to those who contribute an- nually according to their circumstances to the church. Those not in regular standing shall be denied the right of burial, unless they pay annually one dollar. All others must pay $5 for the burial of an adult of over 12 years, and $3 for all under 12 years. No minister but the pas- tor shall be allowed to officiate on the burial ground, ex- cept with the consent of the pastor, or of the trustees and elders. Reading could boast of a temperance society already at that time. On Feb. 18, 1844, the consistory agreed to 110 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. allow the temperance society to hold its meetings in the lecture room on Saturday evenings at 82.50 per meeting-, upon the condition that there be no " clapping and stump- ing, nor discirderly conducf, no martial or band music, as the room has been solemnly dedicated to the service of God, and no person sliall be allowed to stand with their feet on the benches." At a meeting held on Xov. 10, ls44, Pastor Bucher informed the consistory that although he had preached more frequently than the call required, he could not pos- sibly satisfy all the German portion of the congregation. He therefore proposed that an assistant pastor be em- ployed to assist hitti in the German work, and in this way give the Germans an additional service every two weeks in the afternoon. He offered to pay -SI 00 toward the salary of such an assistant. The consistory authorized Dr. Bucher to call Rev. J. S. Kessler, of Mt. Jackson, Va., who was to receive .S2l)0 salary and a free residence in a part of the school house. !Mr. Kessler accepted the call. He commenced his work in April, 1S45, and con- tinued in it two years, until 1847. Rev. .John S. Kessler wa> a native of Switzerland. He was born August 19, 1799, in Schiers, Canton de Grisson. He completed his theological studies in the University of Basel in 1S21, and was soon after, at the age of twenty-two, ordained to the ministry. After labor- ing nineteen years at Devos, Switzerland, he came to America and became the pastor of a number of Reformed congregations in the famous Shenandoah Yallev. After laboring there about four years, he was called to Reading, as the assistant pastor of the First church, and remained FIRST CHURCH. Ill here two years. He preached for the German portion of the congregation and labored among them faithfully. He then became the first pastor of the recently organized Fourth Reformed church at Baltimore. In 1854 Dr. Kessler associated himself with his only son, Rev. Chris- tian R. Kessler, in conducting the seminary at Allentown, which the son had established in 1848. In the following year, 1855, the son died, and the school passed into other hands, but the services of the father were continued until the end of his life. Father Kessler also preached to sev- eral congregations near Allentown. He was a member of the committee which prepared the German Hymn Book for the Reformed Church, and performed a lai'ge part of the work. He was a man of decided ability, and labored with great zeal and much success. In 1854 Franklin and Marshall College confei'red the title of D. D. upon him. Father Kessler died in Allentown, Dec. 22, 1864, aged 65 years, 4 months and 3 days. Dr. Kessler was married in Switzerland to Christina Jecklin, who died soon after her husband. Their only child, Rev. Christian R. Kess- ler, having preceded them in death, their immediate fam- ily became extinct. In January, 1845, the consistory purchased a lot of ground from Mrs Rushar for the purpose of enlarging the cemetery. The price paid was $400 and two burial lots. On July 28, 1845, the consistory adopted rules and regulations for the government of the cemetery. . Lots 8 by 10 feet were sold to members for $10. Others were charged $25. For individual graves non-members paid $5 for a grave for an adult and $3 for a child under 12 112 HISTORY OF EEFOKMED CHURCH. years. Sufficitut ground was reserved for members who could not or would not purchase lots. The graveyard was in the care of the sexton, who was to dig all graves for the u.-ual compensation : For a double coffin for a person over 10 years, 82.00; for a single coffin, -SI. 50; all under 10 years, 81.00. 'J he church could be used for funerals, provided one of the pasters was invited to offi- ciate. Carriages were admitted to the cemetery only when used by persons in ill health. Saddle horses and dugs were excluded. The cemetery was open on week days from S a. m. until sunset. On Sundays it was open only for funerals. A considerable debt had been carried by the congre- gation from the time of the erection of the new church in 18-32. The exact amount cannot be stated. In 1S4-5 the consistory started a movement to raise money for the payment of the debt. An eifort was made by the con- sistory to classify the members according to their ability in reference to this matter. The record shows that these subscriptions aggregated about -S3000. The amount of interest paid in 1 845 indicates that the debt amounted to .S4000, so that the debt was not fully paid at this time. The subject of discipline received early attention dur- ing Dr. Bucher's pastorate. He was a strict disciplina- rian. Christian discipline was probably never jnore strictly enforced in the First church than during the pas- torate of Dr. Bucher. His sharp preaching aud firm posi- tion against all forms of sin naturally aroused some oppo- sition. The pastor also insisted upon positive Christian- ity, and instituted a prayer meeting for the edification of the people. The prayer meeting was an innovation in the FIEST CHUECH. 113 congregation. To some this was an eyesore, and they exj)ressed their feelings openly. On August 7, 1843, the consistory expelled a certain member from the church because he had " called the lecture and prayer room by vulgar, filthy and improper names, and otherwise abused the congregation and consistory." In 1847 five members, whose names are given, were reported to the consistory as having attended a dance, after having been admonished by an elder. The con- sistory appointed a committee to admonish the erring members in a kindly manner. At a later meeting the committee reported having admonished " those folks," and was continued. On Dec. 28, 1848, a member was excommunicated for having "committed a gross assault upon one of the dea- cons." In 1846 the consistory experienced its first trouble with the choir. The leader was a Mr. Stemm. He asked to be paid for his services, which was not granted. This led to trouble. In the beginning of 1847 the consistory charged him with causing trouble in the choir, the- church and the Sunday school, and then formally suspended him from church membership. He asked to be restored on the ground that the consistory had acted unconstitution- ally, but this body refused to accede to his request. A second efifort ou the part of the organist also failed. Another member was suspended for six months for having " defied the pastor." He had purchased a lot on the cemetery, and the consistory directed that his " dead (deed) money" be returned to him. Rev. Dr. Kessler having withdrawn as assistant pas- tor in the spring of 1847, Rev. Dr. Bucher presented his 114 HISTORY OF EEFOEJIED CHURCH. i-esigoatioii to the coDsistory on May 10 of the same year. The consistory unanimously declined to accept the resig- nation, whereupon Dr. Bucher withdrew the same, but stated that he could not possibly perform all the labor alone. On Sunday, March 26, 1848, the congregation agreed that the consistory should call Eev. A. S. Leinbach as assistant pastor. This was done on the following even- ing. A salar}' of 82(1(1 per year was otfered, with the privilege of serving one or two country congregations at the same. time. Mr. Leinbach declined this call in a let- ter dated June 25, 1848. At a congregational meeting on Nov. 22, 1847, it was unanimously resolved to sell the school house property to the best advantage. It was also proposed to sell the new part of the graveyard, corner Sixth and Walnut streets, if the lot holders would agree, but this was voted down. The school property was sold to George Foos, April 5, 1850, for 81 On 6. On January 17, 1848, the trustees were authorized to purchase a certain property for a parsonage, which had been offered for -82500. At the next meeting it was re- ported that the property was not suitable for this purpose. A committee was appointed to select a site for a parson- age. This committee reported subsequently that nothing conld be done, and was discharged. On the afternoon of April 24, 1848, the initial steps were taken for the organization of a second Reformed con- gregation in Reading. A preamble reciting the reasons for this movement and a series of resolutions were adopted. (See same in history of Second church.) At the same meeting a resolution was adopted which contemplated FIRST CHUECH. 115 more satisfactory arrangements for the English people, if they preferred to remain. The resolution provided that in case those who desired to organize a second church, should upon consideration prefer the following arrange- ment, it should be carried out immediately upon notice being given by them. The action is as follows : "Resolved, That arrangements be made as soon as possible to have the church remodeled and made to ac- commodate families and persons who may desire it with pews ; and to have two English sermons every Sabbath day : one every other Sabbath morning and afternoon al- ternately, and one every Sabbath night." Philip Zieber, Ivens Benson, Daniel Weitzel, John Er- mentrout and Augustus F. Boas were appointed a commit- tee to procure the court house or some other suitable place for worship until the repairs to the church would be com- pleted. They were also to invite proposals from mechan- ics to do the work, and also to solicit subscriptions to meet the expenses. Nothing came of this proposition at this time. The Second congregation was organized, and the remodeling of the church was delayed till 1849. At a special meeting of the consistory on July 9, 1848, twenty-five members were regularly dismissed for the pur- pose of organizing the " Second German Church of Read- ing." (Their names appear in the history of the Second church.) These persons, together with five others who had not been members of the First church, in all thirty souls, pre- sented themselves, and Pastor Bucher proceeded to organ- ize them as the Second Reformed church. Two elders and four deacons were elected, and Dr. Bucher installed them into office. 116 HISTORY OF EEFOKMED CHDECH. Ou the evening of July 27, 1848, Dr. Buclier pre- sented his resignation to the consistory, and it was re- luctantly accepted. The principal reason which prompted the resignation was declining health. The consistory in view of the impaired health of Dr. Bucher and of his faithful labors during six years, granted him the use of the dwelling which he then occupied until the iir-t of April, 1849, and also continued his salary until that time. Mr. Bucher expressed his heartfelt gratitude for this act of generosity. Eev. J. C. Bucher, D. D. Dr. Bucher was born near Lingelstowu, Dauphin county. Pa., June IS, 1804. His ancestors came from Switzerland. He studied in the academy at Harrisburg and in the Reformed theological seminary then located at Carlisle, Pa., under Dr. Lewis I\Iayer. He was a mem- ber of the second class which graduated from the semi- nary, viz., in 1828 ; the others being J. H. Crawford, J. F. Dieffenbacher, John G. Fritchey, Henry ^yagner and Daniel Zacharias. Dr. Bucher was oi'dained to the min- istry at the synod of Mifflinburg, Pa., October 2, 1828. His first charge was at Cavetown, Md., where he labored two years ; afterward he spent twelve years as pastor of Middletown, Md. In ls42 he came to Reading, and was installed as pastor of the Reformed church on August 14, 1842. The congregation was by no means in good con- dition. Reference to its condition is made in his letter of acceptance, as is stated elsewhere. The former pastor had not been paid in full, and the consistory complains that he has been working against the congregation. Dr. Bucher FIEST CHUECH. 117 was an aggressive character, and at once begau to infuse new life into the congregation. He took hold of the dif- ficult work with much enthusiasm, and this spirit was to a large extent communicated to the members. The peo- ple stood by him, and an excellent work was accomplished. Eev. Dr. Bucher was a good and fluent speaker. He had a command of language such as is seldom excelled. His sermons were long. Of these it is said : " They were quite long enough for most people." A member of tiie church, still living at the time of writing, aged eighty years, states that his sermons Avere often an hour and a half long. On one occasion, when told that his sermons were too long. Dr. Bucher replied that where he came from, if a minister preached less than an hour and a half, his sermoijg were not considered as of much account. The same must be said of his prayers. These were often as long as many present-day sermons. A few years before his death he assisted at a service which the writer attended. Dr. Bucher offered the invocation. We con- cluded that the order of service had been changed and that the gentleman was offering the long prayer. To his surprise it was the invocation. An interesting story is told about Dr. Bucher's long prayers. On one occasion he attended a service in a Methodist church, and the min- ister asked him to offer the prayer. Before doing so Dr. B. asked of the pastor the text for his sermon, as he always tried to suit the prayer to the sermon. He was given the text, which was a familiar one, and Dr. Bucher went over it pretty fully in the prayer. At the close of it the pastor said to the people : " We will now sing a hymn and then go home. The brother has said all about the sermon that needs be said." 118 HISTORY OF KEFOEMED CHURCH. Rev. Dr. Bucher's sermous were not only very long, but quite direct and pointed. He insisted upon practical and experimental religion. He fearlessly preached repent- ance and faith as necessary to salvation. Xaturally this course aroused opposition, especially among those who were accustomed to a merely formal religion. Because of his earnestness and fervency some called him a " Straw- ler," an opprobrious epithet formerly applied to those who employed the Anxious Bench system. He intro- duced prayer meetings in the " cellar" of the church and also in private houses. Pastor Bucher had a good deal of the revival sjjirit, and it must be admitted that it was not out of place at a time when earnest piety was at a low ebb. The same spirit was at work elsewhere, and at times ran to excess. Dr. Bucher always claimed that he carried on his work within proper bounds. Pastor Bucher's vigorous preaching and methods of work prompted some of his opponents to bring matters to the attention of Lebanon Classis. This body asked the consistory for a statement of the facts. A statement of the former and present condition of the congregation was furnished aud approved by classis. The propriety of prayer meetings was involved, and classis gave this deliverance upon the subject : "Resoh-ed, That classis regards prayer meetings as a duty and privilege, and as a means of grace authorized by the Word of God and the synod, and the devotional books of the German Reformed Cliurcb, and as one of the most efficient means of promoting the piety, real peace and prosperity of auy congregation that cau possibly be em- ployed. "Resoh-ed, That classis must and will sustain the said congregation and its pastor in their united efforts to FIRST CHURCH. 119 increase a spirit of piety, and to raise the standard of gen- uine godliness in Reading; and that we 'do highly com- mend them for their fearless and Christian zeal and ardu- ous labors in introducing prayer meetings and family re- ligion among them. "Resohe'l, That we do hope they will not be intimi- dated by the threats of any individuals, but will go for- ward in the work of reform v/hich they under God have commenced, observing throughout the doctrines of the Heidelberg Catechism. "Resolved, That this classis heard with unfeigned pleasure and gratitude to Aluiighty God of the success which has attended the ministerial labors of the Rev. J. C. Bucher in the congregation of the German Reformed Church in the borough of Reading. "Me-olved, That this classis cordially approves of brother Bucher's efforts to establish Sabbath schools, intro- duce prayer meetings and to diffuse a spirit of revival of religion in the said congregation ; that we affectionately sympathize with this brother under the opposition which he has experienced from the enemies of vital piety in that quarter ; that we rejoice with the brother in the abundant harvest which has attended his labors ; that the consis- tory and members of said congregation be earnestly ex- horted to sustain their pastor in these his efforts to intro- duce a better state of things among them." One motive for the opposition to Rev. Dr. Bucher was the introduction of English services in the evening. Some of the older members were decidedly opposed to the innovation. They thought it boded no good for the con- gregation, and was only intended to bring the young peo- ple together. Dr. B. had nothing to do with the change. The consistory had made it, but people did not stop to consider that fact. Dr. Bucher preached also vigorously against the sins of the community, and as a consequence encountered con- 120 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHURCH. :-iderabIe oppositioQ from persons outside the congrega- tion. One of the local papers criticised him. He replied from the pulpit, and urged the people not to allow the paper to come into their homes. It is said that when the paper was the next time brought to the homes of the peo- ple, some of the Reformed members threw it into the street. He had a strong hold upon his followers. Dr. Bucher's earnest preaching caused a stir in the town. The matter was discussed in shops and stores. The question under discussion was what was necessary to salvation. Some one, addressing himself to the old organ- ist, asked: "Well, Mr. Roland, are you converted?" The astonished organist replied : " What ! How dare you question my salvation, when I have played the organ for thirty years !" Truly there is only a step from the sublime to the ridiculous. Some of Dr. Bucher's enemies in the community at one time suggested his election to the office of constable. To their surprise he declared his readiness to serve in this position, and even urged his friends to vote for him in case of his nomination. AVhen his enemies heard of this, they quietly dropped the matter. A great affliction befel Dr. Bucher's household, when in 1847 his faithful wife died. This was a great shock to him, which in connection with his arduous labors impaired his health. These facts led to his resignation on July 27 of the year following. Rev. Dr. Bucher was a faithful pastor. During the first three mouths of his pastorate in Reading he visited about two hundred families. During his pastorate here of six years and three months he delivered 1929 sermons. (JCyCc^Ou-^c^'^^ y.y^^A^o-Lji.^r~^, AUTOGRAPHS OF PASTORS OF FIRST ( HURCH. FIKST CHURCH. 121 lectures and addresses, added 396 members to the church, baptized 399 persons, attended 166 funerals, married 108 couples and made 4328 pastoral visits. Dr. Bucher was a fearless man. He had the courage of his convictions. When he saw that the interests of the congregation required a change, he boldly advocated it. The introduction of English preaching and the organiza- tion of the Second church are striking examples of this. Rev. Dr. Bucher resigned the Reading pastorate on July 27, 1848, but continued to reside here until April 1, 1849, when he removed to Mercersburg. In 1850 be accej^ted the agency to raise $25,000 in Lancaster city and county, which was one of the conditions for the removal of Marshall 6'ollege from Mercersburg to Lancaster, and its union with Franklin College at the latter place. This was an herculean task at that time, but he accomplished it successfully, and the colleges were united in 1853. Sub- sequently Dr. Bucher served pastoral charges in Cumber- land and Union counties, and at Pottsville, Pa. He died at Lewisburg, Pa., Nov. 15, 1888, aged 84 years, 4 months and 27 days. In 1870 Franklin and Marshall College conferred upon Mr. Bucher the title of D. D. 9 122 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. 11.— Rev. A. S. Leinbach, D. D., 1848-1863. On March 28, 1848, the congregation elected Rev. Aaron S. Leinbach as assistant pastor, but he declined the call. He was then pastor of the Palmyra charge, Pa. This was in the early spring of the last year of Dr. Buch- er's pastorate. Dr. Bucher resigned on July 27, 1848, and the congregation without delay elected Rev. ]Mr. Lein- bach as pastor. In the call he was promised a salary of 8500 per year, a house rent free and the free service of a family physician. Of those signing the call only Mr. John F. Moers remains at the time of writing. Mr. Leinbach accepted the call on August 4, 1848, and served until 1863. He was installed on October 8, 1848, by a committee of Lebanon Classis, consisting of Revs. J. W. Hoffmeier, Thomas H. Leinbach and Charles F. Hoffmeier. Rev. J. W. Hoffmeier delivered the ad- dress to the new pastor, and Rev. C. F. Hoffmeier ad- dressed the congregation and led in prayer. Rev. T. H. Leinbach, the father of the new pastor, preached a ser- mon on 1 Tim. 4 : 12. Hitherto the congregation was known as " the German Reformed Church of Reading," but from that time on it is called "the First German Reformed Church,'' on account of the organization of the Second Reformed church in 1848. On January 8, 1849, the consistory granted the re- quest of the Second church to hold their services every FIRST CHUECH. 123 second Sabbath afterDOon in the First church. It was directed that all ordinary collections of the Second con- gregation should be paid into the treasury of the First church. On July 30, 1849, the congregation again took up the work of remodeling the church. The matter had been allowed to rest since April of the previous year. By a vote of 32 to 12 it was resolved to remodel the church. (For particulars see chapter on churches.) On November 12, 1849, the consistoi'y declared its " willingness to devote the proceeds from the sale of the cemetery to the erection of a church for the English por- tion of the congregation." In February of 1850 the consistory for the first time resolved to rent pews in the church. In the following year Easter Monday was designated as the day for the renting of the pews, and this custom has ever since been continued. The introduction of the pew system was a new thing and occasioned some difficulties, but it increased the income of the congregation largely. In 1850 a great freshet occurred at Reading, by which many Reformed people suifered heavy losses. A collection was taken in the churcli to aid the sufferers. On July 11, 1850, the Second church was given per- mission to call a pastor, and the consistory agreed to pay $250 for one year toward his salary. The consistory of the First church desired that Rev. Moses Kieffer be called as pastor. This was done. On September 10, 1850, at a meeting called for the purpose the First congregation, af- ter the matter had been fully explained to them by the pastors. Rev. A. S. Leinbach and Rev. M. Kieffer, decided 124 HISTORY OF REFOKSIED CHURCH. " to sell the cemetery and use the proceeds for the erec- tion of a church for the Second congregation." The cemetery in question was the property at the southeastern corner of Sixth and Walnut streets. It em- braced three original lots, and was 180 feet fronting on Sixth street by 230 feet along Walnut street to Reed street. The property was valued at about §4500. It was sold for exactly this figure — a part on April 31, 1851, to James L. Dunn for S2500 ; another part on March 29, 1854, to Mr. Dunn for §500 ; and the balance on the latter date to William Mcllvain for 81500. The ground is at present owned by these persons : C. G. Derr, esq., 100 feet; George L. Kestner, jr., 20 feet; Charles Cork- hill, 20 feet ; Dr. F. H Brobst, 20 feet, and estate of Geo. L. Kestner, sr., 20 feet. The ground alone would now bring -$45,000, ten times as much as was received for it fifty years ago. The house at 141 North Sixth street was long the home of Dr. C. F. McCauley. The founding of Charles Evans' Cemetery in 1846 made the continuation of this uew Reformed cemetery unnecessary. Only a few lots had so far been sold, and there were only a few graves on the ground. The money paid by lot holders was returned to them, and the deeds returned to the congregation, so that a clear title could be given. Unfortunately the Second congregation never received the money realized from the sale of the cemetery as above stated. The congregation proceeded with the erection of a church, expecting to receive the §4500, but was sorely disappointed and embarrassed. The Second church move- ment came very near being defeated in this way. When FIRST CHUECH. 125 the Second congregation asked for the money which had been promised, the reply was that the First church could not under its charter " grant any money or gift to any person." (The writer has carefully examined the First church's charter and failed to find any such prohibition.) It appears that with a change in the personnel of the First church consistory a change of feeling had also taken place, and the action of the congregation of Sept. 10, 1850, was repudiated. This is a sad chapter in the long history of the mother church. The record of the Second church states that some of the members of the First church urged that the promise should be fulfilled, and that a comprom- ise on $2600 was reached. This appears to be well founded, for the record of the First churcH states that on March 10, 1851, its consistory received a communication from the Second church asking " when and how it would pay the promised $2500." The reply was that the First church could not under its charter " grant any money or gift to any person." A proposition was made at the same time to loan the Second church $2500 for fifty years at one per cent, interest per annum, but the resolution was lost by a tie vote. One member refused to vote and an- other quickly left the meeting. In connection with this matter it was stated that Rev. Mr. Kieifer, pastor of the Second church, had secured nearly $3000 in subscriptions from members of the First church. On August 11, 1861, the salary of Pastor Leinbach was increased from $500 to $600. In May of 1852 the Second church asked the First church to sell the unused part of the cemetery to the former church, which offered to give a mortgage upon its 126 HISTORY OF EEFOKMED CHURCH. house of worship. The proposition was declined by the First church on the ground that the charter was in the way. In July of 1852 the Second congregation came before the consistory of the First church with a most important proposition. It had purchased a site on South Sixth street and commenced the erection of a large church, but now found itself unable to complete the same. It had calculated upon receiving the proceeds from the sale of a portion of the graveyard of the First church, as promised by the congregation, but was disappointed, as stated. The Second church had exhausted its resources, and could pro- ceed no farther. It therefore proposed to unite the two congregations. The Second church property with its debts was to be turned over to the mother church upon the sole condition that the members of the infant flock should be received back into the fold of the mother church. Among the advantages of the plan it was stated that all jealousies would be removed, aud that the debt would uot be oppressive upon a united congregation. The debt of the Second church was §7138.50. At the same time the First church had a debt of §1200. The whole matter was referred to a congregational meeting of the First church on August 1, 1852. After a lengthy discussion the plan was voted down by 60 to 17 votes. At the same time a resolution was adopted by the congregation declaring its willingness to aid the Second church by every honorable and legitimate means. On Dec. 13, 1852, a contract was made with Mr. Samuel Bohler for the erection of a new organ for §1600, he taking the old organ at $600. The new organ was dedicated on May 8, 1853, when Dr. Philip SchafF preached the dedicatory sermon. FIRST CHURCH. 127 On July 5, 1853, Dr. A. S. Leinbach offered his resig- nation on account of impaired health. He was of the opinion that a country pastorate would be better for his health. The consistory declined Ho accept the resigna- tion, but suggested that only one weekly meeting be held, instead of two, and that a substitute preacher be secured every four weeks. At the same time the pastor's salary was increased $100 per year. It was also suggested that Dr. Leinbach occasionally exchange pulpits with country preachers. The plan was accepted by the pastor. In the summer of 1855 Prof. B. F. Moers, the organ- ist, died. The organ was draped in mourning. Judge Daniel Young served temporarily as organist. The posi- tion was offered him, but he declined it. Daniel Bohler was elected as successor. He promised to take lessons on a pipe organ to increase his proficiency. Mr. Bohler resigned in 1860, and Prof. J. E. Hoeffer was elected. In the year 1856 a large bell was purchased for $768 and the two old bells from Meneely & Co. George Foos hung the bell for $78. In 1859 a bell clapper and toll- ing hammer were secured. For a long time the church was without a parsonage until 1875. At various times efforts were made to erect or purchase one, but the plans always failed. In the early part of 1858 inquiry was made as to the price for the lot next to James Jameson's house, second door above the court house. Nothing came of the effort. Hitherto the congregation had furnished the pastor with a house. In February, 1859, his salary was in- creased to $1000, but he was to secure his own house. 128 HISTOEY OF REFOEMED CHUECH. lu the fall of 1effect October 1, 1855. Resolutions were adopted refer- ring to the faithful and unselfish work of Dr. Kieffer in Reading during five years and two months. The earnest prayers and good wishes of many pious hearts followed him as he left Reading for his new field of labor. Moses Kieffer was born on May 5, 1814, in Franklin county. Pa., as the son of Christian Kieffer. He belonged to an honorable family. His ancestors came to this coun- try about 1730 from Zweibriicken, Germany. At the age of seventeen he went to York, Pa., and commenced his studies for the ministry in the Reformed school there un- der Prof. F. A. Rauch. He went with the school to Mer- cersburg in 1835, and became a member of the Junior class of Marshall College in 1836, and graduated in 1838. All the six members of this class are dead. Among them were Dr. E. V. Gerhart and Dr. Geo. W. AVilliard. ^Ir. Kieffer spent some time in the Theological Seminary, and was examined and licensed by the Eastern Synod in Oc- tober, 18311. Soon after he was ordained by the then Sus- quehanna Classis and settled as pastor of the Water Street charge in Huntingdon county. In 1843 he went to Ha- SECOND CHUKCH. 237 gerstown, Md., where he labored seven years as pastor of Zion's church. From there he came to Reading in Au- gust, 1850. After leaving Reading in October, 1855, he spent thirteen years as teacher in the Seminary at Tiffin, and served also as President of Heidelberg College. In the year 1857 the title of D. D. was conferred upon him by Franklin and Marshall College. Subsequently he served for some time as pastor of a Presbyterian church at Sandusky, Ohio. In 1869 he removed to Chambers- burg, Pa., and for some time served as supply of the Grindstone Hill charge. From 1871 to 1874 he was pas- tor of Greencastle charge, Pa., and afterward served the Gettysburg charge during about nine years. In 1 848 the firm of M. Kieffer & Co. was formed for the management of the publications of the Reformed Church, then located at Chambersburg. This firm con- tinued fifteen years, until 1863. Although a member of this firm, Dr. Kieffer never took an active part in its work, but labored as pastor and professor during tlie whole term of its existence. In the latter part of his life, in 1887, Dr. Kieffer, when in his 73d year, went to Sioux City, Iowa, and labored there as a missionary. He laid the foundation for a congregation. But he was not al- lowed to continue long. He was stricken with illness. Recovering in part, he started for the East. He stopped on his way with friends at Sandusky, Ohio, where he died on Feb. 3, 1888, aged 73 years, 8 months and 29 days. He was buried at Tiffin, Ohio. After the withdrawal of Rev. Dr. Kieffer the pastor- ate of the Second church was vacant during two and one- half months. The congregation extended a unanimous Zo» HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHDECH. call to Rev. Charles F. McCauley without having heard him. The call offered §700 salary. At their earnest so- licitation he preached for them on Sunday, Oct. 21, 1855, but in the pulpit expressed his determination not to accept a call. On the following day the consistory made an earnest appeal to him to serve them. They urged upon him the importance of the work, whilst frankly admitting that they were unable to offer him an adequate support. ^Ir. McCauley could not resist this appeal, and consented to accept a call from the Second church. This was a most unselfish act, which reflects the greatest credit upon him. He was pleasantly located at iliddletowu, Md., whilst the work in Reading involved hard work and insufficient support. He consulted not personal ease, but rather con- science as to what was duty. Rev. Mr. McCauley entered upon his pastorate of the Second church in December, 1855, and continued in it until Xovember 15, 1891, a period of about thirty-six years. It began with a small flock of about one hundred members, which was discouraged and burdened with debt. In 1891 Mr. INIcCauley closed his long pastorate with 520 members and without church debt. As stated, at the beginning of this the third pastorate the outlook was by no means encouraging. Every mem- ber was urged to practice self-denial in order to sustain the congregation, and all did this cheerfully. Seldom did a people bring greater sacrifices for their church. In July of 1857 Pastor McCauley paid a friendly visit to his former charge at Middletown, Md. The people there gave him a friendly donation of 8330 for the church at Reading. This inspired the people here anew, so that they resolved SECOND CHUECH. 239 to make an immediate effort to pay the whole debt. How burdensome the debt was may be inferred from the fact that up to November 12, 1856, the sum of 81098 had been paid for interest. A member of the First church now donated a claim of over $100. But the officers had hardly commenced the work of soliciting subscriptions, when the panic of 1857 broke out, which made further eiforts for the time being absolutely impossible. Every nerve had to be strained to meet current expenses. On January 4, 1858, Rev. Mr. McCauley submitted his resignation to the consistory. He did this for two reasons. He believed that a minister speaking both languages could be more successful, and secondly he found that the salary was insufficient for the support of his family. But the consistory unanimously declined to accept the resigna- tion, and the pastor continued in the work. In the fall of 1859 it became clear that the Second church must fail, notwithstanding all the sacrifices made in its behalf, unless aid from the outside could be secured. With anxious hearts the people now as a last resort applied to the synod for aid. This body received their appeal, considered it and commended their cause to the liberality of the Church. The synod also requested the First church to pay the promised .§2500 to the Second church, or to assume that much of the debt, and a committee was ap- pointed to visit the First church and urge this matter. In the following year this committee reported that it had at- tended to its duty, but without accomplishing anything substantial. Circulars were sent to the pastors and consistories of many congregations, but there was only one solitary favor- 240 HISTOEY OF EEFOHMED CHURCH. able response, which came from R«v. John C Hensell, of Mt. Crawford, Va. The only hope now left was a per- sonal appeal for aid. Pastor jNIcCauley finally consented to make this appeal, although it was repulsive to his na- ture. On February 16, 1860, he went forth amid a snow storm on a mission, upon the success of which apparently depended the perpetuity of the Second church. The earnest prayers of his people followed him. He travelled over 4500 miles in the interest of this work, and met with suc- cess. He found many warm friends who cheered his heart with generous gi fts. The result of this effort was that without any expense to the congregation he handed over to the treasurer the large sum of §3192.95. The effect of this work upon the congregation may easily be guessed. AH hearts were filled with joy and gratitude. Some of the members of the First church now also contributed the sum of 8421.32. It was now believed that after the sale of the four small houses in the rear of the church property the balance needed to pay the whole debt (§2200) could be secured. In February of 1863 Pastor McCauley began the work of soliciting subscriptions at home. Instead of securing S2200, he in a short time raised 83200. In this work he was aided by Dr. J. C. Bucher, who had organ- ized the congregation in 1848. The success of this effort enabled the congregation to retain one of the houses on Plum street, which has since then been occupied by the sexton. The whole amount secured by the several efforts, with which Dr. McCauley was connected, was 87,256.27. The contributions varied from five cents to fifty dollars. The debt was now paid and the long continued financial struggle was ended, to the great joy of all concerned. All SECOND CHURCH. 241 this time the church remained unfinished and without an organ. The purchase of the organ, the completion of the church and changes made during Dr. McCauley's pastorate cost probably as much as the original cost of the church. When the appeal for aid was made to the synod the congregation agreed to give the synod a mortgage upon its church for the amount of aid received, with the condition that neither principal nor interest should ever become payable as long as the Second church remained in connec- tion with the synod of the Reformed Church in the United States. This mortgage was for |2905.74, and was dated Sept. 28, 1861. The synod of 1876 directed its trustees to cancel the mortgage. The congregation had more than repaid the amount mentioned by benevolent contributions during three years previous. On April 6, 1875, Dr. McCauley prepared a review of his ministerial acts to that date. He had during those nineteen and one-half years confirmed 414 persons, receiv- ed by certificate 223, baptized 664, buried 381, and mar- ried 205 couples. This indicates great activity and suc- cessful work during the most trying period of the church's history. Of the original thirty members the following eight were still active members at the above date : John Ermentrout, Ivins Benson, Rebecca Hahs, Seraphine Diss- ler, Anna Louisa Wanner, Sarah Benson, Mrs. J. L. Der- ringer and Mrs. Sarah Young. The trying ordeal of the congregation in its early his- tory has not been without its blessings. The grace of giv- ing which was then cultivated, has never ceased. The aid which the Church at large extended to the congregation in 1860, has proven a good and profitable investment. The 242 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHTJECH. coDgregatiou has returned it many times with good inter- est. The Second church has since then always stood in the front rank in supporting the institutions and the be- nevolent work of the Church. Already in 1873 its benev- olence amounted to §2028.60 and in 1874 to 81371.65. In more recent years it has been much larger. The Second congregation never had a church bell. In 1866 the consistory resolved that the hours of services should he " regulated by the ringing of the church bells on ^'^ashington street." This referred to the bells of the First Reformed and Trinity Lutheran churches. In October of 1866 the Benevolent Society was organ- ized. Its object originally was to secure regular monthly contributions for the payment of the church debt. On July 1, 1867, the pastor, Dr. McCauley, was given a " furlough" of four weeks. Subsequently he was given a vacation. In the beginning of May, 1868, Reading was visited by a severe hail storm, which destroyed many window panes. On May 10 a committee was appointed to ascer- tain the cost of glass to repair the damage at the ohurch. On December 7, 1868, Dr. McCanley handed the con- sistory 8500 which had been given him by Mrs. Annie Printz. The money was applied to the payment of the church debt. In the spring of 1869 the floating debt had almost been paid. On ]\Iay 10 a committee was appointed to collect §6d, which was needed to make full payment. On August 19 the pastor was directed to state from the pulpit that the debt had been paid. In the fall of 1869 a new shingle roof was placed upon the church at the cost of 8175. SEC02s^D CHURCH. 243 On August 28, 1872, the congregation resolved to im- prove the church front, frescoe the ceiling of the audience room, secure stained glass windows, and pay a floating debt. Later it was also resolved to erase the picture rep- resenting the crucifixion in the rear of the pulpit and re- jjlace it with an oil painting representing the ascension. These plans were carried out, and the appearance of the church thereby greatly improved. The interior wood work was repainted and new carpets secured. The front of the church was placed into its present condition. The cost of these improvements was nearly §3000. The church was reopened for worship on Sunday, Oct. 6, 1872. Dr. McCauley was assisted in the services by Dr. Moses Kief- fer, the second pastor of the congregation. On March 4, 1873, a successful organ and vocal con- cert, arranged by Mrs. Daniel Ermentrout, was given in the church for the benefit of the congregation. On Christmas day of 1873 the congregation received a handsome gift in the form of a fine baptismal font from Mrs. James T. Reber. Originally the basement of the church was divided into two rooms by a brick wall running through the center. On June 8, 1874, the Sunday school was given permission to remove the wall and support the floor above by iron pillars, which was done. The increase of the Sunday school required this change, which was made at the ex- pense of the school. The Eastern Synod held its annual sessions in the Sec- ond church in November of 1876. Dr. John Beck was president of the body. On Christmas of 1877 Mrs. Rebecca Hahs, one of the original members, presented the congregation with a beau- 244 HISTOEXOF EEFOEMED CHUECH. tiful new pulpit Bible. Mrs. Hahs died in January of 1885, at the age of 79 years. In her will she directed that, after the payment of all expenses and certain specific bequests, the residue should be invested for the benefit of Rebecca Stump, during her lifetime, and that after her death and the payment of her funeral expenses, the amount remaining should be paid to the Second Reformed church. This residue, after the adjudication of the estate, was found to be $356. In 1878 a new sexton's house was erected at the cost of 8631.69. On December 19, 1880, the twenty-fifth anniversary of Dr. McCauley's pastorate was celebrated. He preached a sermon on Isaiah 51 : 67, reviewed the history of the congregation and presented the statistics of his official acts. During the quarter of a century he confirmed 543 persons, received 271 by certificate, baptized 899, buried 407, and married 263 couples. The congregation had increased from 118 members to 470, and the Sunday school had reached a membership of about 400. In Xovember of 1 88 1 the pastor's family was bereaved by the tragic death of their second son, Edwin B. Mc- Cauley. He had been spending some time in the Rocky mountains in Wyoming with a camping party for the benefit of his health. On Xovember 4 the cook of the party mistook some arsenik for baking powder and used it in preparing food, and the result was that the whole party was taken ill, and Mr. ]McCauley died. His body was brought to Reading, and the funeral held on Novem- ber 17. His age was 32 years, 1 month and 28 days. Much sympathy was manifested for the bereaved family. SECOND CHUKCH. 245 Among the earliest members of the Second church were Mr. Philip Zieber and wife. During many years he was a prominent figure on the streets of Reading. He was tall and venerable looking, with a long, white beard. On March 24, 1884, they celebrated their sixty-first wed- ding anniversary. Both were then in their eighty-second year. They had eight children, one of whom is Rev.Wra. K. Zieber, D. D., of Hanover, Pa. The couple has since died. In the spring of 1884 an addition was erected at the eastern end of the church for the use of the primary de- partment of the Sunday school, at a cost of $600. Size, 28 by 40 feet. There were 144 seats. The place was dedicated on Sunday, August 10. Rev. E. A. Gernant officiated in the absence of Dr. McCauley. During the summer of 1885 the church was refres- coed, the interior wood work and the exterior of the front repainted, and the church floor covered with new carpet. The church was reopened on Sunday, October 18, when Dr. J. S. Stahr preached the sermon. The organ was enlarged during the fall of the same year. Dr. McCauley had labored long and faithfully, and the time came when he realized that his physical strength was no longer equal to the work.- The congregation there- fore authorized him to appoint a young minister to assist him in the work. He called Licentiate Rufus W. Miller, his son-in-law, to this position. Mr. Miller was born on May 12, 1863, at Easton, Pa., as a son of the late Thomas T. and Emma VT. Miller. His father was an active mem- ber of the Reformed Church and a prominent business man. The son graduated from Easton High School in 246 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHURCH. 1879, tten took a four years' course in Lafayette College and graduated from it in 1883. He studied one year in Union Seminary, Xew York, and two years in the Re- formed Seminary at Lancaster, graduating from the latter in May, 1886. He spent some time in Hebrew and Spe- cial Bible Studies at Chautauqua, X. Y. Mr. Miller was examined and licensed by East Pennsylvania Classis, at Bangor, in the spring of 1886. He was ordained and installed as assistant to the pastor of the Second church on Sept. 5, 1886. Dr. H. Mosser preached the sermon. During the summer of 1887 Rev. Mr. Miller made a tour to Europe, whilst Rev. S. U. Mitman supplied his place. After the resignation of Dr. McCauley in Xovember, ] 891, Mr. Miller accepted a call to the Hummelstowu charge on April 1, 1892, and served it until Dec. 31, 1903. During his pastorate Mr. Miller organized two Sunday schools and a congregation at Penbrook, and the charge was divided. The General Synod at its meeting in Reading in 1893 created the office of General Secretary of the .Sunday School Board, and Rev. Mr. Miller was elected to this position by the Board. He entered upon the office on Jan. 1, 1894, and continues in it at this time. On yiay 9, 1888, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Kath- arine Louise, youngest daughter of the late Dr. C. F. Mc- Cauley. Their union was blessed with three children. In 1902 Heidelberg University conferred the degree of D. D. upon Mr. :Miller. On May 8, 1888, the fir TJ B r thing new in the Reformed Church in Reading, and there was a large attendance. Dr. B. Bausman spoke in Ger- 276 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. mau and Dr. C. F. McCauley in English. For a consid- erable length of time Rev. Mr. Good preached English and German in the chapel. The writer well r^'members some of his sermons. He was a cultured, kind-hearted gentleman, and a lover of children. The members of the school were warmly attached to him. He was the first superintendent of public schools of Berks county, and ren- dered excellent service in allaying the opposition to the new system which prevailed among the people. He held many public meetings and explained the advantage of the free schools to the people. Rev. Mr. Good died suddenly on Sunday, Feb. 9, 1873. His mother was truly a mother in Israel. The family resided at Rehrersburg, Berks county. Pa., and later at Reading. His father, Hon. Philip H. Good, died early and left his widow with five sons and several daughters. In order to gi%'e her children an opportunity to secure an education, and because her sou, AVilliam A., was rector of the preparatory department of Marshall College, she removed to Mercersburg, Pa., where Marshall College was then located. She devoted four^of her five sons to the ministry — William A., Reu- ben, Jeremiah H. and James. The latter died while a student in the seminary ; Reuben and Jeremiah H. were until their death connected with Heidelberg College and Seminary at Tiffin, Ohio, and were useful and eminent men. A sister became the wife of Dr. Wm. K. Zieber, now at Hanover, Pa. All those named have passed away. The chapel was twice enlarged to provide room for the growing school. In each instance fifteen feet were added to the length of the building, so that its size was now 30 by 75 feet. During several years a German Sun- ST. John's chuech. 277 day school was also maiDtained. After its discontinuance, several German classes were maintained in the English school. The writer taught a German class for some time. Rev. Mr. Good was succeeded as superintendent by Mr. J. Allen Riegel, who served until the end of May, 1878. William E. Good, a son of the first superintendent, served two years, and Henry H. HoU one year. In 1883 Rev. Dr. J. W. Steinmetz became superintendent and con- tinued in this position, with an intermission, until 1902. On Sunday, June 25, 1871, St. John's Reformed con- gregation was organized by Dr. Bausman with fifteen members. The start was made with a small number, but this was gradually increased to an encouraging degree. At this time the Sunday school numbered about 300. The first pastor was Rev. Christian Kessltr. He was called while still a student in the Seminary at Lancaster. For some time he continued his studies in the Seminary and preached on Sundays. He delivered his first sermon on June 4, 1871. On May 24, 1872, he was ordained and installed as pastor of St. John's church by a commit- tee of Lebanon Classis, consisting of Revs. I. E. Graeff, D. B. Albright and W. F. P. Davis. But his labors here were of short duration. Already on Jan. 31, 1873, he was compelled by illness to resign. In the fall of the same year he made a trip to California, but his health was not greatly improved. He then located, at Lehigh ton, Pa., and engaged in teaching. He died on May 26, 1874, aged 28 years, 6 months and 13 days. His ftmeral took place on May 29. Rev. Dr. L. K. Derr conducted a Ger- man service at Lehighton. The body was then brought to Reading, where a further service was held in St. Paul's 278 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. church. Dr. B. Bausman conducted the service, assisted by Dr. C. F. McCauley, Dr. T. G. Apple, Dr. H. Mosser, and Revs. J. G. Shoemaker and James A. Schultz. In- terment was made in Charles Evans' Cemetery. Mr. Kessler was born in Switzerland, Nov. 13, 1845, as the son of John and Burga Kessler. When the boy was three years old, the family located iu Reading and united with the First Reformed church, in whose bosom the son grew up. He was confirmed by Dr. A. S. Lein- bach, and by him encouraged to devote liimself to the ministry He studied in Mercersburg College at Mer- cersburg and in the Theological Seminary at Lancaster, and graduated from the latter institution in the spring of 1872. Two brothers were also Reformed ministers — Tobias Kessler, who was killed in a trolley accident near AUentown on December 23, 1901, and John I\I. Kessler, who died on Jan. 19, 1899. All of these grew up in the First church. Rev. Christian Kessler was succeeded in St. John's pastorate by Rev. James A. Schultz, whose work here was also of short duration, as was that of his successor. Mr. Schultz commenced his work in March of 1873. He was installed on Easter Monday evening by a committee of Lebanon Classis, cousisting of Revs. A. S. Leinbach, B. Bausman and F. W. Oechant. Unfortunately he was allowed to labof only a little more than six months, when he was compelled to resign by failing health on October 19, 1873. He had been quite active, and there was the promise of great usefulness. He confirmed 25 persons and received 60 others by certificate. Mr. Schultz was born in Montgomery county, studied in the Reformed ST. John's church. 279 institutions and was ordained in 1866. He came to Read- ing from SchaefFerstown, Pa. His lot has been a sad one. During a long time he had been afflicted with mental troubles, and is at this time an inmate of an asylum. The third pastor was Rev. J. G. Shoemaker, who com- menced his work on March 15, 1874. On this day he was installed by a committee of Lebanon Classis, consist- ing of Dr. B. Bausman, Rev. J. Fiindeling and Dr. H. Mosser. His pastorate was also of short duration, con- tinuing less than one year. He was born at Friends' Cove, Bedford county. Pa., August 15, 1828. He studied in Marshall College, and after teaching a number of years he pursued a course of studies in the Theological Seminary. He was examined and licensed by the Eastern Synod in the fall of 1855 and ordained on July 13, 1856. He served the Rlmersburg charge in Clarion county. Pa., until the early part of 1874, when he became pastor of St. John's church, Reading. He found the work here too difficult, and his health began to fail. On March 1, 1875, Mr. Shoemaker ac- cepted the call to Aaronsburg, Pa. On Nov. 1, 1879, he went to Emporia, Kansas, and spent over a year there. On Jan. 1, 1881, he became pastor at West Alexandria, Ohio, and on Jan. 1, 1885, he entered upon his last charge at Red Bank, Clarion county. Pa. On Nov. 25, 1885, being Thanksgiving Day, Mr. Shoemaker was stricken with paralysis, and suffered from this affliction during the long period of nearly eleven years. For a long time he was entirely helpless. Meanwhile his affliction was in- creased by the death of his wife. Mr. Shoemaker died near Blackburn Station, Allegheny county, Pa., at the 280 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHURCH. home of a sod, on Oct. 20, 1896. He was buried on Oct. 23 at Braddock," Pa. Rev. A. K. Kline preached the sermon. The resignation of Mr. Shoemaker was followed by a vacancy in the pastoral office of seven months. The frequent changes of pastors had a depressing effect upon the people, but they held well together in the hope of a more successful future, which came in the next pastorate. Rev. Dr. J. W. Steinmetz was the fourth pastor. He was installed on Oct. 12, 1875, by a committee of Leba- non Classis, consisting of Rev. B. Bausman, D. D., Rev. C. F. McCauley, D. D., and Rev. A. S. Leinbach. Dr. Steinmetz at once saw that the great need of the congre- gation was a new and larger church, and at an early day he started a movement for the erection of a new church. The congregation had a debt of S2500 at this time. The larger portion of this was incurred by the purchase of an additional lot, 22 by 105 feet, for §1800. This was a wise purchase, as it made the erection of a new church on the old ground possible. The movement for a church at first received but little encouragement on the part of the members for obvious reasons. All of them were people of moderate means, and many could contribute but little for a new church. Finally Mr. William Lotz, a grand- sou of Nicholas Lotz, of Revolutionary fame, came for- ward and generously offered to furnish 400,000 bricks for a church and parsonage. This gift was worth about •51600. This settled the question. Permission was given Dr. J. W. Steinmetz to go forward, and a building com- mittee was appointed, consisting of the pastor, Solomon Hartman, Daniel Wiegner and John B. Brunner, of the congregation, and Messrs. J. B. Fricker, of St. Paul's, and PASTOES OF ST. JOHIv S CHURCH. ST. John's church. 281 John F. Orth, of the Second church. On July 9, 1876, the last service was held in the old chapel, after which it was demolished. The cornerstone of the new church was laid on August 20, 1876. Dr. J. S. Stahr preached in German, and Dr. B. Bausman followed in an English address. Pastor Steinmetz laid the stone in the usual way. The usual a:rticles were placed in the stone. The plan provided for a brick church, 53 by 85 feet, with basement, end gallery in audience room and tower of 76 feet in height in the centre of the front. The seating capacity was to be about 700. Pastor Steinmetz took the lead in the work, and under his direction it was carried through successfully. He not only superintended the work of erection, but also collected money among the menibers and friends of the congrega- tion. He received valuable assistance from the represen- tatives of the other congregations on the building commit- tee. During the erection of the church the Sunday school held its sessions in the new school house on Franklin street, on the site of the old one in which it had been organized, whilst the congregation worshiped in the Sec- ond church. On Dec. 31, 1876, the basement was so far completed that the congregation and Sunday school could take pos- session of it. On Sunday, March 13, 1877, the basement was dedicated by the pastor. Dr. T. G. Apple preached the sermon. The auditorium was dedicated on Sunday, October 14, 1877. In the morning Dr. C. H. Leinbach preached in German and Dr. C. Z. Weiser in English. The formal dedication took place in the afternoon, and was conducted 19 282 HISTORY OF EEFOKMED CHURCH. by Pastor Steinmetz, after wliich Dr. J. O. Miller preached a sermon. In the evening Dr. Miller preached again. ST. JOHN'S REFORMED CHURCH. The new church presented a beautiful, solid appear- ance. The windows are of stained glass. At the same ST. John's chuhch. 283 time a parsonage adjoining the church was erected. The cost of erecting the church and parsonage was $16,554 which was universally regarded as the cheapest church property in the city. The cost of the buildings and the previous debt amounted to $19,742.99; the contributions amounted to $9688.28, leaving a debt on Feb. 1, 1879, of $10,054.71. This was a heavy load for a poor congrega- tion, but generous members of other churches extended liberal aid then and afterward. The debt was subse- quently reduced to $5200. The congregation was now better than ever prepared for aggressive work. The only hindrance to progress was the debt. One of the most active among tlie early members of the congregation was Mrs. Wiegner, wife of Mr. Daniel Wiegner. She was in the front rank of the workers, and solicited a good deal of money for the support of the con- gregation. Whilst others became discouraged on account of the frequent changes of pastors and other circumstan- ces, she was always hopeful and active. She had taken a deep interest in the erection of the new church, and was allowed to see its completion. She entered into rest on October 8, 1879, aged 68 years. Her husband, who had also served the church well as an officer, died on Jan. 1 1 , 1883, in his 75th year. In the rear of the pulpit was a large vacant space in the wall. A gentleman, not a member of the congrega- tion, was impressed by the void whilst attending church. He therefore, at his o > n expense, had the place filled with a well-executed painting representing the ascension of Christ. The painting was unveiled in connection with the harvest festival on August 15, 1880. The generous 284 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. donor was Mr. Abraham Reeser. His gift was highly appreciated. When the church was erected, the space in the tower was left vacant. There was no bell. In April, 1883, the congregation was presented with a 1300-pound bell by the three brothers, Manasses, Michael and John DeLong, and Samuel Ranch. Mr. J. B Fricker paid for the freight and the hanging of the bell. Neither of those mentioned were members of the congregation. On May 15, 1888, the Woman's Missionary Society was organized. The first anniversary on May 15, 1889, was an occasion of special interest. The speakers were Dr. A. R. Bartholomew and Rev. !M. Oshikawa. The latter is one of the first fruits of the Reformed mission work in Japan, and was spending some time in this coun- try. He is a man of prominence in his native country. On Sunday, March 10, 1889, the twenty-fifth anni- versary of the Sunday school was celebrated. In the forenoon Rev. Lewis Robb preached at the usual church service. The celebration proper took place at six o'clock p. m. Dr. B. Bausman delivered the principal address on the origin and growth of the school. Dr. A. S. Lein- baeh also delivered an address. At this time, after an existence of 25 years, the Sunday school numbered 500 members and the congregation 525. There was still something needed in the new church — a new organ. This was secured in the early part of the year 1893. It was manufactured by Mr. Samuel Bohler at a cost of $3500. Pastor Steinmetz secured nearly the whole of this amount. The organ was dedicated on Sun- day, May 7, 189.3, by the pastor. The sermon was ST. John's church. 285 preached by Dr. A. R. Bartholomew. The organ is an excellent instrument, and added greatly to the interest of the church services. The congregation was burdened with a pretty large church debt, which was contracted in connection with the erection of the church. The debt was gradually reduced. A mortgage of $4000 against the church was held for some years by Miss Anna M. Von Nieda, a member of the First Presbyterian church. She died on January 17, 1897. In her will she bequeathed the whole amount to St. John's church. This came as a most welcome gift. Much credit for it belongs to Dr. Steinmetz, who had sug- gested to the lady that such an act would be a great bless- ing. Relatives of Miss Von Nieda made an effort in court to have the will set aside on the alleged ground of undue influence, but the court sustained the will and the mort- gage was cancelled by the executor. The mortgage was burned at a special service. Thus nearly the whole of the remaining debt was cancelled. During the summer of 1899 the church was exten- sively improved. The audience room was refrescoed, a new roof placed on the building, etc., at a cost of $1600. The church was reopened on Sunday, Oct. 1, 1899. Dr. B. Bausman in an address reviewed the history of the con- gregation. He spoke of the labors of the four pastors — Revs. C. Kessler, J. A. Schultz, J. G. Shoemaker and Dr. J. W. Steinmetz. Short addresses were also delivered by Revs. M. A. Kieffer, F. B. Hahn and C. E. Schaeffer. On Sunday, September 30, 1900, Dr. J. W. Steinmetz preached an historical sermon, reviewing his pastorate of twenty-five years at St. John's church. This was an oc- 286 HISTORY OF EEFORMED CHURCH. casion of unusual interest. During tiiese twenty-five years in Reading Dr. Steinmetz confirmed 727 persons, received by letter 476, officiated at 1217 baptisms, 377 weddings and 468 funerals. The congregation contrib- uted for its own maintenance, with outside help, $70,000, and for benevolent purposes $6000. At the first com- munion twenty-five years before there were only SD guests. Only 26 of the members at that time were on the roll at this date, and the church membership now was about 450. The quarter-centennial of Dr. Steinmetz's pastorate was celebrated by a series of special services from Sunday, Oct. 7, 1900, to Sunday, Oct. 14, inclusive. Sermons were preached by Dr. J. H. Dubbs, Rev. J. C. J. Kurtz, Dr. H. Mosser, Rev. T. M. Yundt, Dr. J. AI. Titzel, Dr. W. E. Krebs and Dr. E. V. Gerhart. The services cul- minated in the celebration of the communion on Sunday, Oct. 14, when Dr. E. V. Gerhart preached the sermon. On Thursday evening, Oct. 11, the services partook largely of a social nature. Dr. J. M. Titzel preached the sermon. During the delivery of the sermon he was twice seized with fainting spells. After the sermon Mr. William A. Levan, on behalf of the congregation, presented Pastor Steinmetz with a silver tray, on which rested twenty-five silver dollars of the 1900 coinage. They were fresh from the Philadelphia mint This was followed by Miss Mary Addams presenting Mrs. Steinmetz with a beautiful ma- hogany work table and a gold thimble. Dr Steinmetz received the gifts in a feeling manner. The congregation then repaired to the basement, where the young people's society gave a reception and furnished ice cream and cakes. A long table was surrounded by ST. John's church. 287 the clergy of Reading and a few other frieuds. About forty ministers were present, and they were welcomed by Dr. Steinmetz. The response was made by Rev. Dr. S. R. Brideubaugh. Dr. H. Mosser served as toast master. Five-minute addresses were delivered by Revs. George C. Heckman, D. D., M. C. Horine, D. D., C. 8. Gerhard, - D. D., J. D. Woodring, J. S. Bromley, R. W. Huffbrd, D. D., and B. T. Callen. Two more surprises awaited Dr. Steinmetz. Wm. A. Levan, in behalf of the young people's society, presented him with a fine leather upholstered Morris chair, and W r. I. D. E. Swartz, in 4;he name of his Sunday school class, presented him with a silver napkin ring. The recipient responded in fitting terms. Thus ended a delightful evening. The celebration of tiiis twenty -fifth anniversary was a complete success. The church was handsomely decorated with flags and bunting with the Reformed colors. The celebration had a quickening effect upon the whole con- gregation. On Dec. 1, 1903, Dr. Steinmetz resigned the pastorate of St. John's church on account of ill health, after having served 28 years. He reluctantly took this step, and the consistory with equal reluctancy accepted the resignation. At the same time Dr. Steinmetz was made pastor emer- itus. His resignation took effect on May 1, 1904. He entered upon the work here in 1875, when the congrega- tion was still worshiping in the old frame chapel. At that time it numbered 166 members, with 270 scholars in the Sunday school. At the time of his resignation there were 460 church members and 545 scholars in the school. 288 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. Mainly through the efforts of the pastor the large new church was erected and the new pipe organ secured. Dr. Steinmetz preached his farewell sermon on Sun- day evening, April 24, 1904. His text was 2 Cor. 13 : 14. It was an occasion of much sadness. The people were loth to part with their old pastor, who had been their faithful shepherd during twenty-eight and one-half years. During his pastorate of 28J years at St. John's church Dr. Steinmetz baptized 1318 persons, coniirmed 811, received by certificate and renewal 484, buried 521, married 421 couples and preached at church services and weekly prayer meetings 4010 times. Of the 80 guests of the first communion in October of 1875 thirteen were still living. John W. Steinmetz was born on Feb. 14, 1834, near Schaefferstown, Lebanon county, Pa. His parents were John and Anna Steinmetz. At the age of sixteen he was baptized and confirmed by the late Rev. Thomas H. Lein- bach. After attending the public schools in his neigh- borhood, be commenced his studies at Mercersburg in May, 1851, in the preparatory school. In 1853 he went with Marshall College as it was removed to Lancaster and united with Franklin College at the latter place. He was graduated from the college in the spring of 1856, and was one of the honor men of his class. He then entered the Theological Seminary at Mercersburg, and was grad- uated from it in 1858. He was examined and licensed by Lebanon Classis on May 17, 1858. He was ordained by East Susquehanna Classis, at Sunbury, Pa., June 6, 1858. On May 20 of the same year he was married to Miss Mary M. Mays. Their union was blessed with one ST. John's church. 289 son and one daughter, both of whom are living. — Dr. Steinmetz's first field of labor was the Siinbury charge, consisting of five congregations, where he labored nearly four years, until April, 1862. At this time he became pastor of the Danville charge, consisting of three congre- gations, where he labored 13 J years. During his pastor- ate at Danville Dr. Steinmetz served as financial agent of the Seminary at Lancaster. In this work he was emi- nently successful, and collected the sum of $36,000 for the support and removal of the Seminary to Lancaster. — In October, 1875, Dr. Steinmetz accepted the call to St. John's church, Reading, and preached his first sermon here on the tenth day of that month. He continued in the work 28J years, until May 1, 1904, when he retired on account of ill health. The honorary degree of D. D. was conferred upon Dr. Steinmetz by Franklin and Mar- shall College in 1897. In 1881 he was president of the Eastern Synod, which held its sessions in Danville, Pa. Before coming to Reading Dr. Steinmetz preached over 3600 sermons and delivered about 1100 addresses at prayer meetings. Some time before his resignation. Dr. Steinmetz and family removed from the parsonage at the church to 150 A West Douglass street, where he resided until his death. His interest in the work of the Church continued unabated until his end. Dr. Steinmetz died on Tuesday morning, January 24, 1905, at the age of 71 years and 10 days. He was sur- vived by his wife, one son, one daughter and several grandchildren. His funeral on January 28 was largely attended. The services were held in St. John's church. 290 HISTORY OP REFORMED CHURCH. All the services were in charge of Rev. T. H. Leinbach. About thirty ministers were present. Short sermons were preached by Drs. B. Bausman, H. Mosser and L. K. Derr. The services were conducted by Revs. S. R. Bri- denbaugh, D. D., H. Y. Stoner, Jas. I. Good, D. D., J. R. Brown and J. H. Dubbs, D. D. Dr. J. P. Stein read a biographical sketch of Dr. Steinmetz, Rev. B. T. Cal- len read the action of the Reading Ministerial Asso- ciation, and Rev. C. E. Creitz read the action of the Re- formed Ministerial Association. Interment on Charles Evans' cemetery. Mrs. Mary M., widow of Dr. Steinmetz, did not long survive her husband. She died ou Sunday, April 16, 1905, at the age of 70 years, 7 months and 19 days. Her funeral took place on Wednesday, - April 19. She was buried by the side of her husband on Charles Evans' cemetery. Rev. T. H. Leinbach officiated. ^ On Feb. 23, 1904, St. John's congregation elected Rev. Thomas H. Leinbach to the pastorate. He accepted the call, and entered upon the work on May 1, 1904. Ou this day he was installed by a committee of Reading Clas- sis, consisting of Revs. J. W. Steinmetz, D. D., C. E. Creitz and C. E. Schaeffer. Ou this occasion Dr. Stein- metz was presented with twenty-nine new dollar notes representing the number of years he served the congre- gation. Thomas H. Leinbach, the youngest son of Elias and Caroline Leinbach, was born at Leinbach's, Pa., June 3, 1868. He prepared for college at the Keystone State Nor- mal School, entered Franklin and Marshall College in 1887, and graduated from it with honors in 1891. Entering ST. John's church. 291 Lancaster Seminary in the same year, he graduated from it in 1894. He was examined and licensed by Lebanon Classis on May 15, 1894. Mr. Leinbach having accepted a cali from the Great Swamp-Chestnut Hill charge, he was ordained and installed by a committee of Goshenhop- pen Classis, consisting of Dr. C. Z. Weiser, Dr. Eli Kel- ler and Rev. J. L. Roush, on his twenty-sixth birthday anniversary, June 3, 1894. On November 29, 1894, he was married to Katharine E. Miller, of Bernville. Rev. Mr. Leinbach continued in his first charge nearly ten years, during which time almost $7000 was raised for benevo- lence and more than $22,000 for congregational purposes. A parsonage was also erected by the Great Swamp con- gregation at a cost of $2500, and the church remodelled at a cost of nearly $4000. Mr. Leinbach served frequently as a delegate to the Eastern Synod, and in 1902 he was elected president of that body. In the fall of 1904 the exterior of the church and parsonage was painted, the cost of which was borne by a friend of the congregation. On Sunday, Jan. 9, 1905, St. John's church lost one of her oldest and best known members by the death of Sam. B. Ruth, in his 86th year. He was born in 1819, came to Reading in 1835, and resided here until his end. He was during 21 years employed in the Reading post-office. The superintendents of St. John's Sunday school have been : Rev. William A. Good, J. Allen Riegel, Wm. E. Good, Henry H. Holl, Dr. J. W. Steinmetz and Wra. A. Levan, the latter filling the office at this time. One of the many good results of the great Moody meetings in Reading in the early 80's was the organiza- 292 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHDRCH. tioQ of a Young Men's Association in St. John's church by Dr. J. W. Steintnetz. The first years were years of struggle for existence, but the work was carried on until Sept. 4, 1889, when the young men's society gave way to the Young People's Society. The society holds devotional meetings every Sunday evening one hour before church services, except during the months of July and August. The officers of St. John's church in 1905 were : Eld- ers, Henry E. Hafer, Cyrus D. Moyer, James M. Roth- ermel, Wilson B. Hauck ; deacons, William A. Levan, Wilson J. Clay, Jefferson F. Rhoads, Alvin 5- Palm, Ja- cob W. Strunk, Howard Moser ; trustees, Chas. W. Smith, Irvin W. Reeser, Fred. Haag ; consistorial officers, Presi- dent, Rev. Thos. H. Leinbach ; recording secretary, Wm. A. Levan ; financial secretary, Wilson J. Clay ; treasurer, Alvin E. Palm ; organist, Irvin D. E. Swartz ; janitor, Charles Ganster. In 1905 St. John's congregation numbered 543 mem- ber, and its Sunday school 490 members. SECTION IV. ST. PAUL'S EEFORMED CHURCH. (Fourth Congregation.) Like that of the Second congregation the history of St. Paul's congregation is interwoven with the history of the First church, and even more so. Practically nine years elapsed from the time of the first inception of the move- ment to the organization of the congregation. A vast deal of time, thought and care were required before the move- ment was consummated which resulted in the organization of St. Paul's church. When Dr. B. Bausman was called to the pastorate of the First church in 1863, it was more or less distinctly understood that there was to be a new English congrega- tion. The first congregation with 1000 members was too large for one pastor, and it was felt that the proper devel- opment of the Reformed Church in the city required an- other English flock. At that time there were only two Reformed churches here — the First and the Second. But the task of organizing another congregation was much greater and more difficult than any one then anticipated. And meanwhile St. John's church was organized, which had not been thought of in 1863. The first official step for a new congregation was taken by the First church consistory on Dec. 4, 1865, when a meeting of the congregation was called for Jan. 1, 1866, at 2 p. m., " to take into consideration the propriety of ap- 294 HISTORY or eefokmed church. plying to the Legislature for authority to sell a portion of the ground belonging to the congregation, the proceeds to be applied to the building of another house of worship for the use of this congregation, whenever it may be consid- ered necessary or expedient by a majority of the congrega- tion." The congregation met on January 1, and after a lengthy discussion resolved that the chairman appoint a committee of seven to ascertain the probable value of the ground occupied as the graveyard, and also the cost of re- moving the dead and purchasing a lot in Charles Evans' Cemetery for their reinterment. The committee was also to ascertain how much money could be secured for a new church, and to report at an adjourned meeting of the congregation to be held on the evening of Jan. 15. The committee consisted of A. F. Boas, Isaac McHose, Jos. S. Hoyer, Peres Hain, Henry Fry, Cyrus Eick and Jacob R. Ritter. Of these only Messrs. McHose and Ritter are still living. At the adjourned meeting on Jan. 15 the committee reported that the estimated cost of removing the dead and purchasing a lot on the cemetery would be about $3000 ; that the graveyard could be divided into twelve lots of 20 feet front each — four of th'm 110 feet, and eight 230 feet in depth, leaving 27 feet west and 13 feet north of the church. The market value of the lots was placed at $24,- 000. Further action was postponed until Januaiy 22. On Jan. 22, 1866, the congregation by a vote of 48 to 18 decided against selling the graveyard and using the proceeds for the erection of a new church. The first effort in this direction ended in failure, but the movement had been started, and it was not allowed to rest long. ST. Paul's church. 295 On April 2, 1866, the consistory again took up the project of a new church. It called a congregational meet- ing for the evening of April 16 to consider a proposition for the erection of a new house of worship. It also appointed a committee of five to prepare a plan for the proposed~new church and report on the evening of April 7. This committee consisted of Joseph S. Hoyer, Samuel Hull, Adam Leize, George Gehman and Isaac McHose. On the latter date the committee reported a preamble and resolutions to be presented to the congregation, which were approved by the consistory. At the congregational meeting on the evening of April 16 the consistory submitted the following paper: Wheeeas, The congregation of the First German Re- formed church has increased so much in its membership that it is now impossible to accommodate all who make application for pews and desire seats in the church, thus causing unpleasantness on the part of the pastor, officers and church-going people. And Whereas, The alternate English and German preach- ing in the Fii'st church being very laborious for the pas- tor and in many cases inconvenient to the j)eople, and under these cirumstances causing it to be exceedingly detrimental to the welfare and Christian prosperity of the church. Therefore Resolved, That the time has come, and experience teaches this consistory continually that measures must be taken and arrangements made for the accommodation of the church-attending community, as the lambs cannot be fed when there is no room in the fold. Rexo/ved, That the consistory of the First German Reformed congregation is hereby instructed to appoint persons to take subscriptions for the purpose of raising money, and also be empowered to build an additional 296 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. church edifice, in which the worship shall be conducted exclusively in the German language, unless otherwise decided and directed by the Lebanon Classis at any future time. Ri'solvrl. That the new church shall be built on the north end of the First German Reformed graveyard on a lot eighty feet front on Sixth street, by one hundred and thirty feet in depth east and west, and shall be free from debt, and no incumbrance shall rest thereon at the time when said German congregation shall be organized. Pro- vided that if any debt shall remain unpaid in consequence of erecting said church, such debt shall rest on the prop- erty then remaining with the First church. After considering the subject for some time, the con- gregation adopted the proposition by a vote of 54 to 37. A start had now been made, but it was at once realized that an error had been committed — that it was not the proper thing to send the German people, the aged fathers and mothers, out of the old home, and have their children remain in it. Already at a special meeting of the consis- tory on April 23, just one week after the above action, the members reported that it was the general feeling ot the congregation that a new church should be erected for the use of the English people, and that the old church should remain for the use of the German people. Whercr upon a committee of six persons — three representing the English and three the German people — was appointed to ascertain the views of the people, and, in case it should be desired, to present a petition to the consistory, to alter, change or amend the recent action of the congregation^^ On Oct. 1, 1866, the consistory received a petition signed by 76 members of the congregation, in which it is statfd that a change has taken place in the views of the people ST. Paul's chuech. 297 in reference to the action taken on April 16, that the peti- tioners firmly believe that it would be for the best inter- ests of the people of both languages to erect a new church for the English members and leave the old church for the use of the German people. They proposed another con- gregational meeting to reconsider the former action, and to adopt measures to erect a new church for the English members, and that the church property be so divided that sufficient space be left to the old church for free and easy ingress and egress and for ventilation, and that the new congregation take the balance of the property and with the aid of the German members erect a church at some suitable place. Acting upon this petition, the consistory on Nov. 17 called a congregational meeting for Dec. 10, 1866, for the purpose named. > On Dec. 10 the congregation by a vote of 31 to 12 adopted these resolutions : Meso/verl, That the ground belonging to this congrega- tion, excepting 27 feet adjoining the west end, and 13 feet adjoining the north end of this church, be sold, and the proceeds applied to the building and furnishing of an English house of worship at some suitable place, and that the additional funds needed for the purpose be collected by the members of this congregation. R'unlved, That in case the above resolution receives a majority of votes, the decision of the election held on April 16, 1866, be declared null and void. Another beginning for a new church had been made, as above indicated. But it is much easier to adopt reso- lutions than to carry them into effect. Much time was spent in discussing plans and location. Where should the new English church be located, after what plan 20 298 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. should it be erected, and what sliould be the cost? These were important problems which required much earnest thinking. Naturally there were various views expressed as to how the great work should be carried out. The consistory held frequent meetings, and considered all plans presented. In the early part of 1869 an act was passed by the Legislature to enable the congregation to sell the grave- yard and use the proceeds for the erection of a new church. The congregation on March 22, 1869, by a vote of 89 to 31, decided to sell the ground. The following building committee was appointed : Isaac McHose, A. F. Boas, Adam Leize, Samuel L. Young, Q. William Clewell and Levi Quier. Many locations for the new church were suggested and considered. The Parker property (Potter's Field) opposite St. John's German Lutheran church, was purchased for $18,000, but the title was defective, and the property was not accepted. On March 6, 1871, the building committee was in- structed to proceed with the erection of the church on the northwestern part of the church ground. Mr. E. F. Durang was employed to prepare a plan. He submitted a plan for a church with 640 seats, with an end gallery, and a Sunday school chapel in the rear. The estimated cost was $50,000. The plan was adopted on May 3, 1871, and the church was erected according to it, but the cost far exceeded the estimate. This was a busy time for all concerned. The work involved a vast deal of attention and labor on the part of the building committee, but they bestowed both liberally, besides contributing largely of their means for the erec- tion of the church. ST. Paul's church. 299 What should be the name of the new church ? After considering various titles, this one was unanimously adopted : " St. Paul's Memorial Eeformed Chun h." The word memorial was used in memory of the many Re- formed people who had labored here and were buried on the site of the new church. Ground for the new church was broken in the early spring of 1871. The corner-stone of the church was laid on August 27, 1871. The usual articles were deposited in the stone — a paper prepared by the pastor giving the history of the movement for the erection of the church, a Bible, catechism, constitution, church papers, list of names of all Reformed Sunday school scholars in Reading, a picture of the stone church erected in 1761. In the fore- noon Rev. T. G. Apple, D. D., preached the sermon in the first church. In the afternoon a procession, led by the ministers, marched from the First church to the floor of the new building. The Sunday schools sang hymns during the marching. After prayer by Dr. D. Zacharias, Dr. B. Bausman formally laid the corner-stone. Just at this point there was a terrific thunder clap out of a clear sky, and in a short time a heavy rain fell. The people returned to the First church, where Dr. John W. Nevin preached a sermon. In the evening Dr. D. Zach- arias preached the sermon. Dr. Zacharias had also preached at the laying of the corner-stone of the present First church in 1832. His ancestors were members of the First church a hundred years before. At this time Dr. Zacharias was the only Reformed minister still living of those who were present at the corner-stone laying of 1832. Besides those mentioned, there were also present 300 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. at the corner-stone laying of St. Paul's church Revs. Dr. C. F. McCauley, A. S. Leinbach, D. B. Albright, F. K. Levan, C. Kessler and J. B. Poerner. Of these only Mr. Albright is still living. According to the plan adopted, the church proper was to be 62 by 100 feet in size, and the Sunday school chapel 44 by 80 feet. Following is a copy of the paper deposited in the corner-stone, as above referred to : The First (German) Reformed congregation of Reading, Pa , having found it necessary to secure ample room and more frequent religious services for its English members, resolved, through its consistory, at a meeting held March 6, 1871, that a suitable church edifice, for the use of the said English mem- bers, should be erected on the northwest portion of its grave- yard. In accordance with this action a building committee was appointed, consisting of Isaac McHose, A. F. Boas, Adam Leize, Samuel L Young, William Clewell and Levi Quier. Agreeably to the instructions of the consistory, this committee proceeded with the erection of the new church, under the direction of E. F. Durang as architect, the corner-stone of which is now to be laid. This house of God shall be known by the name of " The St. Paul's Memorial Reformed Church." Its congregation shall be in connection with and under the government and authority of the Reformed Church of the United States, hold- ing the Heidelberg Catechism as its symbol of doctrine, and the Holy Scriptures as the divinely revealed will of God. This church shall be used and used only for the worship of God — the preaching ftf His Word, the administration of the holy sacraments, and the ordinances of His appointment. This congregation erects this sacred edifice in memory of the pious and past generations, who lived and labored to establish and adorn the pure doctrines of the Reformed faith in this city. It is built as a memorial of our sainted breth- ren, whose worship for a period of one hundred and fifty years has consecrated the mother of the Reformed churches of Reading. Gentle hands and mournful hearts laid many of them to rest in this consecrated earth. Although by rever- ST. Paul's chxjech. 301 e cd hands their dust has been removed to another place, in order to make room for the erection of this church, in this holy temple their hallowed memory shall be embalmed, and their acts of worship perpetuated through coming ages. The resting place of the dead shall be reconsecrated for the wor- ship and glory of God by the living, and for their salvation. May here the faith and piety of the fathers become the inher- itance of the children, to the latest generations, where, though dead, they shall continue to speak in the life and worship of coming ages. May He here rear unto Himself a glorious spiritual temple built of the lively stones of regenerated and sanctified souls. Thus shall it be held sacred to the memory of those who sleep in God. By grace this holy temple is to be a house and centre of love to the posterity of those who have gone before us ; a spir- itual dwelling place to all who here may seek and find the Savior of the world. Thus shall it become a memorial of the past, a bond of communion for the present, a means of bliss- ful hope for the future — a vital chain uniting the saints on earth and all the dead in loving and immortal fellowship. We would build this church to perpetuate the life giving blessings of our holy religion. May the angel of the ever- lasting covenant watch over this holy place, and perpetually breathe upon it the spirit of peace and good-will among men. May it be made a spiritual City of Refuge — an Ark of Safety wherein multitudes of immortal beings shall be borne unto the haven of the saints' everlasting rest. Here we will build an altar wherein to enshrine God's saving presence — a Shekinah unto His people — " a House of God and the gate of heaven." In this sacred edifice we wish to embody our gratitude to God for the gift of His adorable Son, Jesus Christ, through whom life and immortality have been brought to light, and in whose salvation He permitted us to have part. Herewith and herein we would henceforth praise Him for the great grace and many gifts bestowed on those who have died in the Lord, and now live with Him for- ever. In the presence of and in union with those who have gone before us in the way of salvation, by whom we are now compassed about, as a cloud of witnesses looking down upon us from the heavenly world, we lay the corner-stone of this 302 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. house of God, beseeching Him for the sake of His Son, Jesus Christ, to grant us grace, that we may enter at death into their joy, and so abide with them in rest and peace, till both they and we shall reach our common consummation of re- demption and bliss, in. the glorious resurrection of the last day. Amen, Done this twenty-seventh day of August, A. D. 1871 — the 96th year of our National Independence— Ulysses S. Grant being President of the United States, and John W. Geary Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. [Signed by the consistory and building committee] The work was pushed as rapidly as possible. The old church yard presented a busy scene of stone cutters, car- penters and brick layers at work. Much difficulty was encountered in securing a good foundation for the large tower. The sandy soil was excavated to the depth of about thirty feet, but no rock could be found. Therefore an artificial rock was constructed of concrete. Three hun- dred barrels of cement were used for this purpose. In June of 1872 the consistory directed Dr. Bausman to commence holding English services twice a Sunday in the new chapel as soon as finished. On Sunday, August 18, 1872, the chapel of the new church was dedicated. This was an interesting and joy- ous occasion. The great work for which many had labored so earnestly and long, was now largely completed. The chapel was crowded three times during the day. In the morning Rev. W. K. Zieber, D. D., of Hanover Pa., preached the sermon, after which Dr. B. Bausmau form- ally dedicated the chapel. In the afternoon a union ser- vice of the several Reformed Sunday schools iu the city was held iu the new chapel. But there was not room enough for all, so au overflow meeting was held in the ST. Paul's church. 303 unfiaished main audience room. Dr. W. K. Zieber and Dr. J. O. Miller delivered addresses and related numer- ous incidents connected with the old union school in the court house and the Reformed school in the cellar of the First church. Both speakers were sons of the First church, and attended the latter school. Dr. Miller preached the sermon in the evening. After the dedication of the chapel Dr. Bausman at once commenced to hold regular services twice a Sunday, as directed by the consistory of the First church. Rev. John S. Stahr, D. D., of Franklin and Marshall College, was called as assistant pastor, and ministered to the peo- ple of the First church. On Sept. 23, 1872, the building committee presented a statement showing that the sum of $56,296.75 had been expended on the building. The front part was under roof and the chapel finished. There was a debt of nearly $27,000. The consistory unanimously resolved that when the new congregation would be organized, the debt in- curred by the erection of the new church should rest en- tirely upon that church, and not on the old church. On Nov. 18, 1872, the First Reformed congregation unanimously voted to convey the ground and property of the new church, 100 feet front on Sixth street by 230 feet in depth, to the new St. Paul's congregation, upon the condition that St. Paul's church assume all liability connected with the purchase of the Parker lot, the valid- ity of whose title was disputed. So far the work had been carried forward by the First church. The lots had been sold, and the proceeds, after paying all expenses, were used in the erection of the new 304 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. church. Here is an instance of a large church being erected before a congregation had been organized. The same was later done in the case of St. Stephen's, Calvary, St. Andrew's and several other churches. St. Paul's congregation was organized by Dr. Baus- man on Dec. 26, 1872, with 204 members, of whom 198 had been members of the old mother church. These offi- cers were elected : Elders, Daniel AVeitzel, Isaac Mc- Hose, L. B. Paxson, Louis Heilman, Francis Roland and Peter D. Getz ; deacons, James L. Ellis, Samuel M. Ross, C. K. Wliitner, Levi Quier, Isaac Ritter and Isaac From. Of these the brethren McHose, Paxson, Whitner, Quier and Ritter are still living. The new flock grew rapidly, and at the close of its first year numbered 420 members. On January 6, 1873, St. Paul's congregation unani- mously elected Dr. B. Bausman as its pastor. He re- signed the pastorate of the First church, which had con- tinued oVer nine years, and accepted the call of St. Paul's church. He was installed on Suuday, Feb. 23, 1873, by a committee of Lebanon Classis, consisting of Revs. Chas. H. Leinbach, D. D., Wm. M. Reily and Daniel B. Al- bright. Dr. Bailsman has continued in this position ever since. He has labored in Reading forty-two years. On January 1.5, 1873, a congregational missionary society was organized. This society is within nine days as old as the congregation. It holds monthly meetings, and has contributed a large amount of money for the cause of missions. On Sunday, January 26, IS 7.'^), the sexton, Mr. Gid- eon Knabb, made a most important discovery in the cellar of the unfinished church. He found a package of securi- ST. Paul's chuech. 305 ties to the value of $125,000, consisting of bonds, mort- gages, etc. These securities, together with S40,000 in cash, had a few days before been stolen from the Mechan- ics' Bank in Lancaster during the noon hour. The securi- ties were returned to the bank, and Mr. Knabb received a suitable reward. These securities were of no value to the thieves, as they could not have them converfed into cash. The thieves no doubt placed them where they expected them to be found and restored to the owner. For certain reasons St. Paul's congregation did not at once organize a Sunday school. In nearly all other in- stances the Reading Reformed congregations were devel- oped from Sunday schools, but not so with St. Paul's church. During six months after the organization of St. Paul's congregation those members coming from the Sun- day school of the First church, continued in that connec- tion. St. Paul's Sunday school was organized in its chajiel on Sunday, July 6, 1873. It was started with 38 teach- ers, only a few of whom are still connected with the school. The school was from the beginning under the care and direction of a Board of Control, consisting of thirteen members — six from the school and six from the consis- tory, and the pastor as president. The school has always been most intimately connected with the congregation. The first officers were these : Superintendent, J. B. Frick- er; superintendent of primary department, Mrs. R. V. R. Fry ; secretary, Geo. W. Wagner ; assistant, J. C. Hoffeditz ; treasurer, H. C. McCauley ; librarian, Levi Quier ; assistants, John C. Fry, Dan. C. Roland, Ambrose MoHose, Philip Boyer; directresses, Mrs. S. J. Mull, 306 HISTORY OF EEFOKMED CHITKCH. Mrs. Levi Quier ; ushers, Isaac Ritfer, Gideon Knabb. Of these only Mr. Fricker is still connected with the school. Five others have died, and others have left the city. The superintendents from the beginning to the present time have been : J. B. Fricker, 1873 to 1878 ; Jefferson Snj^der, 1878 to 1897 ; J. B. Fricker, 1897 to 1901 ; Rev. C. E. Creitz, 1901 to date. In June, 1901, Mr. Fricker asked to be relieved of the superintendency, and that a younger man be elected. This wish was granted. Mr. Fricker has always led the singing, and is now musical director. The superintendents of the pri- mary department have been : ^Nlrs. R. V. R. Fry, Mrs. S. J. Mull, Miss Sarah R. Dechant and Mrs. B. Baus- man. Each of the former three served until their re- moval from the city, and the latter was elected on Jan. 31, 1897. St. Paul's school has a noble history. This is re- cited in the following pages, in chronological order. The school has in a high sense been a nursery to the church, as will be observed. About 700 of its members have become members of the congregation. The school has always been noted for its liberality. It always paid its own expenses, gave thousands of dollars to benevolence, and during many years aided the congregation in meeting its current expenses. It also gave thousands of dollars toward the church debt. In 1899 the school organized a home department, which still flourishes, and in 1901 in- troduced the new Sunday School Hymnal. Ex-judge Daniel Young had been one of the most ac- tive members of the First church. He had frequently served the congregation as church organist during vacan- 307 cies and often at weekly meetings, and was treasurer from 1864 to 1872. He was greatly interested in the erection of St. Paul's church, and often expressed the wish to live until its completion. His wish was partly gratified. He saw the chapel completed, and was one of the charter members of the new congregation. He served as treas- urer of the new church until his death. He died on July 27, 1873, and was one of the first persons to be buried from the new chapel. Soon after the dedication of the chapel the work of completing the audience room was continued. The dedi- cation of the completed church took place on Sunday, February 15, 1874, almost three years after ground had been broken for its erection. It was a day of rejoicing. The great work had at last been completed. Three ser- vices were held on that day, and each time the church was overcrowded. In the morning Dr. T. G. Apple preached the sermon in the chapel. (He had preached in the morning of August 27, 1871, when the corner-stone was laid.) The dedication took place in the afternoon at two o'clock, conducted by Dr. B. Bausman. Among the large congregation were twenty ministers. Dr. E. E. Hig- bee preached the sermon. Dr. J. W. Nevin, who had also preached at the corner-stone laying, led in prayer, and Dr. S. R. Fisher pronounced the benediction. In the evening Dr. C. Z. Weiser preached the sermon. All of the persons named have since then entered into rest. The new church presented a magnificent appearance, and was greatly admired. The audience room is 60 by 99 feet in size, with an end gallery. The ceiling is arched and 57 feet high at the highest point. The beautiful large 308 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHURCH. ST. PAUL'S REFORMED CHURCH. ST. Paul's church. 309 stained glass windows are all memorials. The large one in the tower is particularly fine. The room is finished in hard wood. The 162 pews seating about 700 persons are of solid walnut. The pulpit recess is very larj^e, and its frescoings contain life-size figures of Christ and the apos- tles Paul, Peter, John and Andrew. Similar figures of the apostles adorn the walls between the windows. The pulpit, altar, reading desk, chancel, railing and furniture are of solid walnut. To the north of the pulpit is a splen- did organ, which cost $5500. At the time of its erection there was no other organ superior to it in Reading. From the centre of the ceiling is suspended a large and magnifi- cent chandelier, with 64 burners, which lights almost the entire room. The style of the church is Gothic. The front, all-around base and tower are of sandstone ; the bal- ance of brick, and slate roof. The chapel was 44 by 80 feet, finished in chestnut and oak. At the southern end there was a room for the primary department, which was separated froni the main department by a glass partition. At the same end were two small galleries, one above the other. The first gallery was for the use of the consistory, societies, Bible class, etc. There are three entrances at the front of the church. The congregation was treated to a general surprise at the time of the dedication of the new church. On account of the large cost of the building and the hard times then prevailing, the consistory hesitated to contract for an or- gan. However, it was felt that without an organ the church would be incomplete, and the organ was ordered. All were highly pleased with the splendid instrument, but how was provision for its payment to be made ? It was a 310 HISTOEY OF REFORMED CHURCH. difficult problem. After the dedication Dr. Bausman called a meeting of the consistory for this purpose, when, to the great and most agreeable surprise of all, the manu- facturer handed over a receipt in full for the organ ! A member had paid the §5500. This was Mr. Isaac ISIc- Hose, who had taken a prominent and active part in every movement for a new congregation and a new church. By this generous act he lifted a large load from the heavily burdened congregation. Mr. jNIcHose is still living, and has been permitted to hear the sweet notes of the organ during more than thirty years. The dedication services were continued on five even- ings following, with sermons by Drs. T. G. A^pple, W. E. Krebs, D. IM. Wolff, John S. Stahr and F. V,\ Kremer. The entire cost of the church was about S 90,000, which was nearly twice the original estimate. The work was performed during high times, which accounted for the great cost. Besides this the financial panic of 1873 came when the church was about completed. Many people lost their employment or had their wages reduced, and busiuess men generally found tlieir income greatly curtailed. Un- der tliese circumstances the debt became a heavy burden. But the people held firmly together and made many sacri- fices for tJie cause. And no one made greater sacrifices than Pastor Bausman, whose salary during a number of years was at his own request fixed at a low figure, and who at the same time contributed liberally toward the payment of the debt. In this way the people not only paid the in- terest regularly, but also invariably raised the large classi- cal apportionment for benevolent purposes, and in course of time paid the debt. Unfortunately large sums were ST. Paul's church. 311 consumed for interest, but it was unavoidable. At the same time the trying ordeal served as a discipline for the congregation. Heroic sacrifices were required, and by making these the people cultivated the beautiful grace of giving, which became permanent. Not only has the heavy debt been paid and large amounts contributed for benevo- lence, but over $25,000 has been given for the erection of other Reformed churches in Reading, besides dismissing many of the best members to start new congregations. Thus the daughter of the old mother church has herself become the fostering founder and mother of four other Reformed churches in Reading. Some time after the completion of the church the Sun- day school was presented with a beautiful, large oil paint- ing representing Christ blessing little children. The pic- ture now graces the western wall in the rear of the pulpit. It was painted by Mr. George Selling and is a superior specimen of art. It was the gift of Mr. A. F. Boas, that well-known friend of children. The cost was $500. On Nov. 10, 1883, the Eastern Synod commenced its annual sessions in the church. Rev. Thos. C. Porter, D. D., of Easton, was elected president. He had been~ the first pastor of the Second church. The Synod was also attended by Dr. J. C Bucher, who organized the Second church while he was pastor of the First church. It was therefore fitting that these two gentlemen should conduct the communion services on Sunday morning. Since then both have entered into rest. During the summer of 1884 Dr. Bausman and wife made a tour of Europe. On the eve of their departure. May 27, a pleasant gathering took place at the parsonage, 312 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. when the pastor's wife was presented with $156 in gold. AVhilst abroad Dr. Bailsman attended the sessions of the Alliance of Reformed Churches at Belfast, Ireland, as a delegate from the Reformed Church in the United States. He read a paper on the German Church in the United States. Upon their return they were given a hearty re- ception in the church on the evening of October 24. Ad- dresses of welcome were delivered by JD. H. Wingert, esq., and Dr. H. Mosser, to which Dr. Bausman responded with deep feeling. Among other things he stated that it is worth while for a person to go abroad in order to letum. hoTfip, again. On Good Friday of 1885 Pastor Bausman confirmed five children, three sons and two daughters, from one fam- ily, that of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel L. Young. A case like this does not often occur. On Nov. 15, 1885, a somewhat unique service was held by St. Paul's Sunday school. A short time before it had been proposed to have the school purchase a com- munion service for the congregation in Tokio, Japan. Mr. J. B. Fricker, the superintendent, proposed that the plan be adopted for the purpose of securing the needed money which was used by the Jews to raise money to re- pair the temple. (See 2 Kings 12 ; 9.) Mr. Fricker procured a box with a slit in the top, set it aside of the altar on Nov. 15, and all the members of the school passed by and placed tiieir offerings into the box. The result was surprising. The sum of §175 was placed into the box, much more than was needed. During the summer of 1886 Dr Bausman and wife made a tour of the Pacific coast. In their two months' ST. Paul's chuech. 313 stay they passed through twenty-one states and traveled about 9000 miles. On Sunday, Jan. 1, 1888, the fifteenth anniversary of St. Paul's church was celebrated. To that date the con- gregation had raised the large sum of |1 22,60 1.21 for these purposes : Church erection, $43,600 ; interest on church debt, $21,389.36 ; current expenses, S45,953.60 ; benevolence, $1 1,658.25. During the previous year, 1887, the sum of $10,500 was raised for the reduction of the debt. On the first of March, 1888, the consistory introduced the " Directory of Worship" as the liturgy of St. Paul's church, the same having been officially adopted by the General Synod in 1887. During the summer of 1888 steam heating was intro- duced into the church at a cost of $1600. Hitherto the church had been heated by a number of hot air furnaces. In the same year the Sunday school adopted a system of birthday oiferings for Bethany Orphans' Home. The plan is still in force and yields fully $100 per year. On Jan. 12, 189 ', Dr. Bausman was for the first time since coming to Reading in 1863 prevented by illness from administering the communion. Revs. W. C. Scliaeifer, Ph. D., and H. Y. Stoner supplied his place. On June 13, 1890, the church was struck by light- ning, but lortunately only little damage was done. In April, 1892, the congregation resolved to enlarge and remodel the Sunday school chapel. On Sunday morn- ing. May 22, a special service was held by the congrega- tion and the school, at which the sum of $12,238 was raised for the above purpose. The Sunday school itself 21 314 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. subscribed 03O(JO. The Sunday school now saug the "Hallelujah Chorus" with excellent effect. Mr. J. B. Fricker had drilled the school for the singing of this diffi- cult piece of music, with the understanding that it should be sung on May 22 if at least $10,000 would be sub- scribed. Over §2000 more than this sum was subscribed, and of course the " Hallelujah Chorus" was sung. The work of remodeling and enlarging occupied about a year. During this time the sessions of the school were held in the audience room of the church. The building committee consisted of Louis Kraemer, W. R. Hinner- shitz, J. B. Fricker, Levi Quier and W. H. Dechant. The chapel was reopened on Sunday morning, ^lay 7, 1893. Dr. B. Bausman, Jefferson Snyder and Jacob B. Fricker delivered addresses. As usual, the cost far ex- ceeded the estimate of §10,000. The total cost was Slo,- 000. The whole amount was secured. The chapel was extended forty feet on the east, so that the building now has the form of a cross. The main room has galleries on three sides. The fine stained glass windows are mostly memorials. The primary room is connected with the senior room by sliding glass doors. On the second floor is a fine parlor for the use of the Young Men's Association, the catechetical class and other purposes. The chapel is now well arranged, and is one of the finest Sunday school build- ings in the city. Ou the evening of Sept. 8, 1892, Mr. Henry K. Mil- ler, who had grown up in St. Paul's school and church, was ordained in the church as a missionary to Japan, to which position he had been called by the Foreign Board in July previous. This was an un^isual service, and at- ST. PAUL S CHUECH. 315 tracted an audience which filled the large church. Thirty- two ministers were present and seated on the large pulpit platform. Short addresses were delivered by Dr. J. P. Moore, missionary in Japan, who was on a furlough at the time ; Dr. H. M. Kieffer and Dr. J. H. Sechler, after which Henry K. Miller delivered his farewell address. Dr. C. Z. Weiser, president of the Foreign Board, spoke parting words to the new missionary. The committee of ordination appointed by Schuylkill Classis con- sisted of Drs. B. Baus- man, H. Mosser, J. W. Stein metz,C. S. Gerhard, and elders H. M. Otto, Clias. H. Leinbach, Dan- iel Miller. At the close of the service Dr. Baus- man, in behalf of the La- dies' Aid Society, pre- sented the new mission- ary with a fine silver communion service. Rev. Henry K. Miller was ^^^- Henry k. Miuer. born at Lebanon, Pa., on Nov. 9, 1860, as the son of Daniel and Sarah Millei-. He was baptized on December 8 by Dr. F. W. Kremer, and confirmed in St. Paul's church, Reading, by Dr. B. Bausman on April 15, 1881. He is a graduate of the Reading High School, Franklin and Marshall College, and of Union Seminary, New York. He left Reading on Sept. 9, 1892, and entered upon his 316 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHUECH. long journey to Japan, where he has since been laboring as missionary, with the exception of about eighteen months from the spring of 1900 to the summer of 1901, which he spent in America on furlough. On April 12, 1898, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Sarah S. Sprague, of Hartford, Conn. The wedding took place in Tokio, Ja- pan, in the presence of the U. S. consul. Mr. Miller is known as the Sunday School Missionary, because for nine years he was supported by the Sunday schools of the Church by special gifts. St. Paul's congregation has always taken an active part in mission work, both home and foreign. It not only always paid the classical apportionment in full, but large sums besides. Sunday, Feb. 10, 1895, was mission- ary day in the church. The anniversary of the mission- ary society was celebrated. The reports showed that the congregation had during the previous year contributed* 85257 for various benevolent purposes. Mrs. Rev. W. E. Hoy, of Japan, delivered an inspiring address. Among other things she remarked that Rev. H. K. Miller was a good deal discouraged because of the want of a chapel in the particular district in Sendai in which he had been la- boring. At the opening of the Sunday school service in the afternoon one of the teachers informed Mr. J. B. Fricker that her class would contribute 825 for a chapel for Mr. Miller. Mr. Fricker stated this fact to the school, and added that he seemed to hear ]Mr. Miller calling from Jaj^an, " Come over and help us." He then proposed that the 8800 required for a chapel be raised on the spot, and it was done within ten minutes. The chapel was erected and has ever since served a good purpose. In ST. Paul's church. 317 the summer of 1904 St. Paul's school purchased a good cabinet organ and forwarded it to Sendai, Japan, for use in the above chapel, uow in charge of Rev. Mr. Faust. On Sunday, Oct. 23, 1904, Eev. A. V. Casselman, field secretary of the Foreign Board, spoke in St. Paul's church in the interest of the North Japan College at Sen- dai, and members of the church and of the Sunday school pledged about $800. This sum was subsequently in- creased to $1000. On Jan. 1, 1893, the twentieth anniversary of St. Paul's church was celebrated. In connection with the services the past work of the congregation was reviewed. During the twenty years the congregation contributed $58,825.84 toward the erection of the church, $93,552 for current expenses and .?4(3,066 for benevolence, a total of $198,443.84. On the evening of May 24, 1893, the General Synod of the Reformed Church commenced its triennial sessions in St. Paul's church. The sessions continued about a week. This was an occasion of special interest. The opening sermon was preached by Dr. H. J. Riitenik, of Cleveland, one of the vice presidents, in consequence of the death of the president of the Synod, Dr. J. H. A. Bomberger. Dr. Thos. G. Apple, of Lancaster, Pa., was elected president. During the sessions he occupied the chair which Rev. Michael Schlatter had brought with him to this country in 1746. The chair was made in 1740. It was loaned for the occasion by the owner, Hon. Rud. F. Kelker, of Harrisburg. Monday evening. May 29, was an occasion of great interest. It was the celebration of the centennial of the 318 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. orgamzation of the Reformed Church in this country into a Synod iu 1793. At five o'clock the members of the General Synod and others were given a banquet in the Sunday school chapel, prepared by the ladies of the con- gregation. At the close of the banquet a number of ex- cellent addresses were delivered. The venerable Dr. Philip SchaiF, who was called to this country by the Re- formed Church in 1844, and in the First church of Read- ing installed as Professor of Church History of the Semi- nary at ]Mercersburg, was the first speaker. His subject was " Switzerland, the Cradle of the Reformed Church." On the former occasion he was a young man, and then delivered his celebrated address on "The Principles of Protestantism." Xow after forty-nine years he was in the evening of life, yet he was still vigorous, and his ad- dress was received with the greatest interest. Dr. H. J. Riitenik spoke on " The Rhineland and the Reformed Church in the United States." Dr. J. B. Drury, of Xew York, a member of the Reformed Dutch Church and editor of the Christian Intelligence r^ spoke on the "Re- formed Church in America, the Early Friend and Foster Mother of the Reformed Church in the United States." Dr. J. H. Dubbs spoke on " Our Pioneer Fathers." Dr. G. W. Williard was to speak on " The Church in the West," but was prevented by illness, and his place was supplied by Dr. E. V. Gerhart. Geo. F. Baer, esq., was the last speaker. At the close of the banquet the people went to the Academy of Music, opposite the church, where the cen- tennial exercises were continued. This place was used because of its large seating capacity. Xearly 3000 per- 319 SODS had crowded into the place. Dr. John A. Peters presided. Dr. J. W. Meminger, of Lancaster, spoke on " Landmarks of the Century." Dr. J. Elmendorf, of the Reformed Dutch Church, spoke on- "A Glance at the Forces Working against and for Church Union." The union of the two Reformed Churches in this country was then advocated. Dr. J. Spangler Kieffer, of Hagerstown, Md., spoke on " Dependence and Independence." At the close of the addresses the venerable Dr Philip Schaff pro- nounced the benediction. Sunday, Oct. 15, 1893, was Seminary Day in St. Paul's church. Dr. John C. Bowman, a member of the faculty of the Reformed Seminary at Lancaster, presented the claims of the institution in connection with the erection of the new Seminary building. A subsequent canvass by him among the members resulted in subscriptions aggre- gating J6435.75. In the latter part of the year 1893 Dr. Bausman or- ganized a Bible Class in connection with the Sunday school, which he is still conducting. The class consists largely of elderly persons, and meets in the parlor of the chapel. The class has been quite successful. On Sunday, Nov. 26, 1893, the thirtieth anniversary of Dr. Bausman's ministry in Reading was celebrated. At the morning service Daniel Miller, representing the con- sistory, delivered an address, in which he reviewed the coming of Dr. Bausman to Reading and his work here. Dr. Bausman followed with an address of great interest. Among the many facts stated was this one, that during the thirty years he followed seven Reformed ministers in this city to their graves — Revs. C. A. Pauli, A. L. Herman, 320 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. Wm. A. Good, ^V. F. P. Davis, F. W. Dechant, P. P. A. Hoffman and C. F. McCauley, D. D. In each case Dr. B. preached the funeral sermon. (Since then the number has been increased to fourteen.) In the Sunday school in the afternoon short addresses were delivered by Mr. A. F. Boas, during thirty-seven years superintendent of the First church school. Dr. A. S. Leinbach and Mr. J. B. Fricker. In the evening Dr. Bausmau spoke on the lead- ings of Providence in iiis work. On Sunday, Jan. 28, 1894, notice was taken in the Sunday school of Dr. Bausman's seventieth birthday anni- versary, and he was presented with a bouquet of seventy beautiful roses of various colors. One of the best known men in the Reformed Church in Reading was Mr. Gideon Knabb, who served as sexton during twenty-three years — first in the First church and afterward in St. Paul's chui-ch from its erection until 1890. He was a man of simple faith and ardent piety. He died on February 6, 1895, aged 80 years and 4 months. He had been a member of the Reformed Church during 68 years. Although a man of moderate means and supporting a large family by his daily labor, the names of all the members of his family, children as well as parents, were on the roll of the missionary society. Whenever a child entered the family, its name was placed upon the roll. On Sunday, December 26, 1897, the twenty-fifth anni- versary of St. Paul's congregation was celebrated. The church was elaborately decorated. Dr. B. Bausman preached both morning and evening. In the morning he reviewed the history and experiences of the congregation, ST. Paul's church. 321 and pointed out the marks of the Lord'b favor. In the evening the pastor spoke of the cliaracteristics of a true evangelical congregation. Both services were largely attended. During these twenty-five years Dr. Bausman conducted over 4000 public services on Sundays and weekdays, including funerals. He baptized 779 persons, confirmed 696, received by certificate 652, not including 204 received at the organization, buried 334, and dis- missed 263 to other churches, 144 of the latter to Re- formed churches in Reading. — Monday evening was de- voted to the cause of missions. Mrs. D. B. Schneder, of Japan, appeared in Japanese costume and delivered an interesting address. Her story was very pathetic, and touched every heart deeply. Dr. J. S. Stahr reviewed the history and work of the congregation, and spoke words of encouragement. — Tuesday evening a Reformed " family reunion" was held. The pastors of the several Reformed congregations and many of their members attended and took part in the services. Six of the pastors delivered short addresses — Drs. Mosser, Bridenbaugh, Steinmetz, Gerhard and Derr, and Rev. H. Y. Stoner. Rev. T. M. YunrH, of Bethany Orphans' Home, spoke in behalf of the orphans. All the Reformed city pastors were present except two. — On Wednesday evening Dr. Bausman read reports of the six societies of the congre- gation. The address of the evening was delivered by Rev. G. W. Richards, of Allentown. The last meeting of the series occurred on Thursday evening, Dec. 30. Although last, this meeting was not the least in importance and results. No program for this meeting had been published. It was simply called 322 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. as a coDgregational meeting. Many wondered what would be done. They soon learned. A number of the most active members had felt that this was the time for the payment of the balance of the church debt. They had in a quiet way secured pledges aggregating $7000. The members were then at this meeting informed that the cel- ebration of the 2oth anniversary would not be complete unless the money for the payment of the debt were raised. Id a short time the amount of §10,000 was secured toward the debt of .?1 1,500. The balance was secured later. At the close of the meeting the congregation sang " Praise God from whom all blessings flow" with prob- ably greater heartiness than ever before. The subscriptions for the debt were paid during the year 1898. Thus ended a long financial chapter. When the church was dedicated on Sept. 15, 1874, the debt amounted to 842,000. The church as it now stands cost §106,000. Of this amount the sum of 824,000 was real- ized from the sale of lots. The balance of 882,000 was at diiferent times contributed by the members of St. Paul's congregation, besides a very large amount for interest. The latter amount alone would have been sufficient to erect a fine church. Thus after a hard struggle of 25 years the church was free of debt, and all rejoiced. Xo special notice of the payment of the debt was taken. There was no public moi'tgage burning. The payment of a church debt was considered only a matter of common propriety, of which no public parading was needed. On Sunday, June 26, 1898, the twenty-fifth anniver- sary of St. Paul's Sunday school was celebrated. It was an interesting occasion. The history of the school during the previous twenty-five years was reviewed. Mr. Daniel ST. PAUL'S CHUECH. 323 Miller read an historical statement. During the twenty- five years the school lost 69 members by death. Five hundred and fifty-five members of the school were con- firmed by Dr. Bausman as members of the congregation. Of the first of&cers of the school only Mr. J. B. Fricker and Mr. H. C. McCauley remained. Mr. Fricker served many years as superintendent, assistant superintendent and musical director, and continues in the latter position until the present time. He has served St. Paul's school during a period of over thirty-two years. Before the organization of St. Paul's school he was connected with the First school since his boyhood, and is one of the few persons remain- ing who attended school in the "cellar" or base- ment. Mr. Fricker has been connected with the choirs of the First and J^'=°'' ^- Frio^er. St. Paul's churches during 46 years until 1903, when he retired. He has been leading the singing of St. Paul's school since its organization in 1873. Mr. McCauley served as treasurer of the school from its beginning until Jan. 31, 1904, when failing health compelled him to lay down this work. He was succeeded by Joseph V. R. Leinbach. Mr. McCauley was noted for faithfulness and efficiency. He handled many thousand dollars, and his 324 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. accounts were always found corrrect. He died on Sept. 29, 1904, aged 63 years. During the first 25 years of its existence St. Paul's school contributed within a few dollars the large sum ot S25,000. Among the expenditures are these items : Sun- day school expenses, §7865 ; Bethany Orphans' Home, S2282 ; payment of church debt, 84640 ; current expenses of church, 83039 ; remodeling Sunday school, S3000 ; furniture, matting, etc., $704 ; home missions, S630 ; for- eign missions, 82201, etc. As a thankoifering for the Lord's great blessing during, a quarter of a century the school unanimously agreed to raise 8500 for a Church- building Fund. On Sunday, February 12, 1899, the twenty-fifth anni- versary of the dedication of St. Paul's church was cele- brated. Dr. Bausman preached a special sermon on John 10 : 22, 23. This celebration came after a heavy snow- fall, which interfered with the attendance. The pastor stated that no improper use had ever been made of the church. The pulpit was never turned into a stage, and no questionable means were employed to raise money. On Wednesday evening, March 8, 1900, a reception was tendered Eev. and Mrs. Henry K. Miller, who had a short time before returned from Japan. Dr. Bausman delivered an address of welcome, to which Mr. Miller responded. He referred to the fact that seven and a half years before he had been ordained in this church and sent forth from here to his mission in Japan. For some time Dr. Bausman had realized that the work of the large congregation was becoming too burden- some for him. He, therefore, in the summer of 1900 pro- ST. PAUL S CHURCH. 325 posed to lay down the work and make room for a younger man. He submitted his resignation, to take effect Oct. 1, 1900. The consistory could not entertain the proposition, and unanimously declined to accept the resignation. On the other hand Dr. Bausman was authorized to employ a suitable minister to assist him in his work. At the same time his salary was increased to |2000 per year, out of which he paid the assistant. On Sunday morning, July 22, 1900, Dr. Bausman informed the congrega- tion of these facts, and also announced that he had called Rev. Chas. E. Creitz as his assist- ant. His action gave full satisfaction to the congregatiou. Rev. Mr. Creitz preached his intro- ductory sermon on Sun- day evening, October 7, 1900. Rev. C. E. Creitz, the new assistant, is a son of f'®^- chas. e. creitz. Alvin F. and Caroline (Oswald) Creitz. He was born on a farm near Lynnport, Lehigh county. Pa., on Oct. 24, 1865. He attended the public schools until he was fifteen years of age, when he took a term at Palatinate College at Myerstown, Pa. After teaching four terms in the public schools he entered the Sophomore class of Franklin and Marshall College at Lancaster, Pa., from which institution he graduated in 1889. He delivered the valedictory ora- 326 HISTORY OF HEFOEMED CHDECH. tion on graduation day. In the fall of the same year he entered the Theological Seminary at Lancaster, and grad- uated from this institution in 1892. While yet in the Seminary he was elected pastor of the Weissport charge in Carbon county, Pa. The congregation worshiped in a union church. During the first year of his pastorate the Lutheran interest in the church property was purchased, and the c'lurch entirely remodeled. In January, 1895, he was elected to the pastorate of the Reformed church at Huntingdon, Pa. During his pastorate at this place a new church was erected. En 1899 Mr. Creitz became the financial secretary of the Home Mission Board, which po- sition he held for one year, when he was called to be the assistant to Rev. B. Bausman, D. D. Mr. Creitz has been a delegate to the General Synod and frequently to district synods. He was the presi- dent of the Eastern Synod in 1903. He is at present the president of the Board of Trustees of the Eastern Synod, a member of the Board of Visitors of the Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pa., and a member of the Sunday School Board of the General Syaod. He is also the presi- dent of the Reading Ministerial Association. On August 30, 1900, Rev. VI r. Creitz was married to Miss Wilhelmina Schaeffer, of Huntingdon, Pa. One child was born to them. On August 27, 1901, farewell services were held in the church on the eve of the return of Rev. and INIrs. H. K. Miller to their field of labor in Japan. Addresses were delivered by Dr. Jas. I. Good, president of the Foreign Board, Rev. H. K. Miller and Dr. B. Bausman. At the close of the services all present came forward and ST. Paul's church. 327 bade the missioDaries farewell. The couple left ReadiDg on August 29. On Sunday morning, Sept. 7, 1902, a beautiful altar was dedicated in the church. It is made of solid walnut, and is a fine piece of work. It is a memorial to the late Rev. Daniel W. Albright, and bears this inscription : " In memory of Rev. Daniel W. Albright, from his mother and brother." On Sept. 21, 1902, the congregation created the office of assistant or associate pastor, and elected Rev. C. E. Creitz to the position. During two years he had been assistant to the pastor. On October 26 Mr. Creitz was formally installed as assistant pastor by a committee of Reading Classis. Dr. Jas. I. Good addressed the assist- ant pastor, and Rev. C. E. Schaeff^r addressed the con- gregation, whilst Rev. H. Y. Stoner conducted the in- stallation. The Golden Jubilee of Dr. Bausman (fiftieth anniver- sary of his ordination) was celebrated by a series of meet- ings from Feb. 25 to March 1, 1903. This proved an occasion of unusual interest. A beautiful souvenir pro- gram was published, including a fine portrait of the pastor and a cut of the church. All the services were well at- tended. The venerable pastor received many hearty con- gratulations, not only from his own people, but from the community at large. It may safely be said that no gen- tleman is more highly regarded in the general community than he. Since coming to Reading Dr. Bausman had baptized 863 persons, confirmed 1658 and received 1,- 109 from other churches into the Fir-t and St. Paul's churches, not including the charter members of St. Paul's. 328 HISTORY OF EEFORJIED CHURCH. The congregation had to that date contributed $171,340 for current expenses and .$124,000 for benevolence. On Wednesday evening, Feb. 25, Dr. G. W.Eichards spoke on " The Congregation and the Seminary these Fifty Years." On Thursday evening, Feb. 26, Dr. J. S. Stahr delivered the principal address. He was followed by Rev. B. T. Calleu, who spoke in behalf of the Read- ing Ministerial Association. Dr. J. W. Steinmetz spoke in behalf of the Reformed ministers and churches of Read- ing. Dr. Bausman also delivered an address. On Fri- day evening, Feb. 27, Dr. E. V- Gerhart delivered an historical address on " The Reformed Church iu 1853." On Sunday morning, March 1, Dr. Bausman preached a ju- bilee thanksgiving sermon. In the afternoon special services were held in the Sunday school, with addresses by Jeff. Snyder, esq., former superintendent ; Rev. C. E. Creitz and Dr. R. W. ^liller. The school furnished special mu- sic. On Sunday evening Dr. J. I. Good delivered an address on " The Reformed Cliurch in Reading, 1853 to 1903." This ended a series of most enjoyable and profit- able services. Dr. Bausman and wife gave a $500 Church- building Fund as a thank-offering, and the Sunday school gave another $500 Fund in appreciation of the pastor's long and faithful service. On Sunday, June 21, 1903, the thirtieth anniversary of St. Paul's Sunday school was celebrated. The school then numbered 682 members, besides 100 in the Home Department. During the thirty years 601 members of the school united with the church by confirmation. The number of original members remaining is not large. Mr. J. B. Fricker, the first superintendent, missed only a few ST. Paul's church. 329 services during the thirty years. Mr. H. C. McCauIey served as treasurer during the whole time. Miss Mary Simon was present at every service of the school during the thirty years. This is a remarkable record. During the tliirty years the school contributed $31,059 for all purposes, an average of over $1000 a year. On Sunday, Feb. 7, 1904, Prof. E. M. Hartman pre- sented the claims of Franklin and Marshall College to St. Paul's congregation and subsequently secured subscrip- tions aggregating $5240 from the members for the jDur- pose stated. On September 6 and 7, 1904, a special session of the Eastern Synod was held in St. Paul's church for the pur- pose of electing a Professor of Systematic Theology in the Lancaster Seminary as the successor of Dr. E. V. Ger- hart, who died on May 6, 1904. At a previous special session of the Synod in June of the same year Rev. Theo. F. Herman, of Allentown, Pa., had been elected to this position, but he declined the call. On September 7 Rev. Christopher Noss, returned missionary in Japan, was elected to the professorship, and he accepted the call. When St. Paul's church was erected its tower was not completed. It remained in this condition until the sum- mer of 1905, when it was raised twenty feet and finished as it appears in the picture on i)age 308. Mr. William H. Dechant was the contractor. The cost of the improve- ment was about $4000. On the evening of July 3, 1905, at a congregational meeting it was resolved to repair the organ, refresco the audience room and procure a new carpet for the same. But it was resolved that these improvements should not 22 330 HISTOEY OF REFORMED CHURCH. . be undertaken until certain defects in the acoustics of the church had been remedied. A number of annual and many special sessions of Leb- anon, Schuylkill and Reading classes were held in St. Paul's church, and the Reformed ministers of Reading during the last ten years met here on Monday mornings. The church has also been used frequently for meetings of charitable and other organizations, but a rule of the con- sistory forbids its use for any purpose for which an ad- mission fee is charged. Certain members of St. Paul's church have been instru- mental in organizing five other congregations and in erect- ing their churches in Reading : Zion's, St. Stephen's, Cal- vary, St. Andrew's and St. Thomas'. They also contributed liberally to St. Mark's and Olivet churches. The forward movement of the Reformed Church in Reading was com- menced in 1864, when Dr. Bausman and Dr. McCauley organized St. John's Sunday school. Other mission schools were organized soon after, and for some years the work was under the care of the Reformed Sunday School Asso- ciation, consisting of the pastors, officers and teachers of all the schools. In 1879 it was agreed to district the city and assign a certain section to each of the three church schools in the central part of the city. Thus Immanuel's school on North Tenth street was assigned to the fostering care of St. Paul's school. This school was on January 1, 1884, reorganized into St. Stephen's school, after the church at Ninth and Greenwich streets had been erected. Material aid had before been given to Zion's German church. In 1888 Calvary church was erected, and in 1890 St. Andrew's church was erected. All this work ST. Paul's chuech. 331 was carried forward nominally under the auspices of St. Paul's church, but not officially. The consistory was never asked to assume any financial responsibility. The work was performed by members of the congregation as individuals. Much aid was also given to St. Thomas' church. This shows what may be done by concerted in- dividual effort. The following young men have entered the Christian ministry from St. Paul's church : John M. Kessler, James I. Good, John H. Leinbach, J. Alvin Reber, George W. Griffith, Daniel W. Albright and Henry K. Miller. Mr. Kessler, Mr. Leinbach and Mr. Albright have died. St. Paul's congregation is using the third hymn book. When the congregation was organized, '' Psalms and Hymns" was the only English hymn book in the Reformed Church, and it was of course introduced. A few years later a new book entitled " Hymns for the Reformed Church" was published, and adopted by this congregation. On Nov. 29, 1891, the new " Hymnal of the Reformed Church" was adopted by the congregation and has since been in use. St. Paul's church has had four treasurers. Ex-judge Daniel Young served from its beginning until his death on July 27, 1872. His last entry was made on July 20, seven days before his death. He was succeeded by Ex- judge Wm. Heidenreich. who served from August 1, 1873, •to the end of the year 1875. (The congregation received $1200 from the will of his widow, who died in 1899.) The next treasurer was Wm. R. Yeich, who served from the beginning of 1876 to the close of 1884. The present treasurer is J. Adam Miller, who entered upon his office on Jan. 1, 1885. ■iS'J. HISTOKY OF EEFOEMED CHUKCH. The organists of the church have been : Miss Mary Werner, Prof. E. A. Berg, Miss Leo Xoll, Charles W. Fichthorn, James H. Hantseh, Carl Moter, Harry E. Fahrbach and Miss M. Evelyn Essick, who entered upon the work on Jan. 1, 1904. As stated before, Mr. Gideon Knabb served as sexton of St. Paul's church from the time of its erection in 1871 until 1890. He was succeeded by Mr. John A. Eiche, who served until April 1, 1904. Since that time ilr. Horace T. Shirk has filled the position. St. Paul's congregation at this writing (1905) has 847 members, and the Sunday school has 711 members. The officers of St. Paul's church in 1905 were: Eld- ers, Wm. H. Dechant, George A. Leinbach, William D. Wolfinger, Cha-les E. Leippe, Charles L. Van Eeed, Dr. A. B. Dundor ; deacons, William S. Yocum, Xathan S. Althouse, Peter G. Hertzog, Dr. H. W. Bohn, Andrew J. Levengood, Frank I. Rauch, secretary ; treasurer, J. Adam Miller ; organist. Miss M. Evelyn Essick ; sexton, Hor- ace T. Shirk. Societies. — There are at present nine societies con- nected with St. Paul's church, as follows : The congregational missionary society was organized on Jan. 15, 1873. It is as old as the congregation. It meets on the first Wednesday of the month. On March 1, 1873, the Good Will Society was organ- ized. On Sept. 18, 1883, its name was changed to La- dies' ^Missionary Society. The society meets every two weeks. The Brotherhood is a beneficial society, which was or- ganized ]\Iarch 14, 1873. The members pay 10 cents per ST. Paul's church. 333 week, aud specified sums are paid in case of sickness or death. The Sisterhood is also a beneficial society, organized March 26, 1873. The Young Men's Association was organized Feb. 22, 1886. Devotional meetings were held every Sunday even- ing one hour before church service until July 2, 1905, when the newly organized C. E. Society commenced hold- ing devotional meetings. The Young Ladies' Guild is a society of young ladies, which was organized Feb. 5, 1894. Meetings are held twice a month, when the members engage in needle work of different kinds. The society supplies the altar of the church with flowers every Sunday in the year. After the services the flowers are presented to ihe sick of the con- gregation. The Mission Band was organized on Oct. 28, 1899. Meetings are held every Saturday afternoon. During the winter the members engage in needle work. A Junior Christian Endeavor Society was organized on May 4, 1905. On the evening of June 22, 1905, a Senior Christian Endeavor Society was organized with these officers : Presi- dent, A. A. Simon, jr. ; vice president. Miss Emily A. Fritch ; recording secretary, Miss Mabel A. Auman ; cor- responding secretary. Miss Sarah Hafer ; treasurer,-Harry W. Moyer. The first devotional meeting was held on Sunday evening, July 2, 1905. 334 history of reformed church. Rev. B. Batjsman, D. D. (See Frontispiece.) Benjamiu Bausman was born Jan. 28, 1824, near Lan- caster, Pa., as the son of John and Elizabeth Bailsman. On March 8, 1824, he was baptized by Rev. John Henry Hoffmeier. He was confirmed as a member of the Re- formed congregation in the old stone church at Lancaster, Sept. 26, 1840, by Rev. G. ^Y. Glessner. His early life was spent on his father's farm. In the winter of 1846 he commenced his studies for the ministry in Franklin College, which was afterward united with Marshall College. On ^lay 6 following he entered Marshall College at !Mercersburg. After gradu- ating from this institution he entered the Theological Semi- nary at the sarae place, from which he graduated in 1852. jNIr. Bausman was examined and licensed by the Synod of Baltimore in October, 1852, and ordained by a com- mittee of Susquehanna Classis in the Reformed church at Lewisburg, Feb. 26, 1853. The late Dr. Henry Har- baugh preached the sermon on the occasion. At the same time Mr. B. was installed as pastor of the Lewisburg con- gregation as his first charge. He continued his labors there until 1858. During this time Mr. Bausman made a tour through Europe, Egypt, Arabia and Palestine. In 1858 he was called to the editorship of the Reformed Church Messenger, then published at Chambersburg, Pa., and continued in this position until 1861, when he re- signed to accept the pastorate of the First Reformed church of Chambersburg. In 1863 Mr. Bausman ac- cepted a call from the First Reformed church of Reading, ST. Paul's church. .335 and served in this charge over nine years, and over thirty- two years as pastor of St. Paul's church. Since Dr. Bausman's coming to Reading the city has greatly in- creased, and the Reformed Church has kept pace with this increase. Instead of two Reformed congregations in 1863, there are now fourteen congregations in the city. Dr. Bausman led not only in the organization of St. Paul's church, but also in that of St. John's, Zion's, St. Stephen's, Calvary and St. Andrew's congregations, and in the erection of several of their churches. He has proven a wise leader, especially in the location of a num- ber of the new churches. It is stated that the Reformed churches are so located that no citizen need walk more than six squares to find a Reformed church. In 1871 the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Franklin and Marshall College. Dr. Bausman has filled numerous positions of trust and honor in his Church. He has served a number of years as a member of the Board of Trustees of Franklin and Marshall College and of the Theological Seminary, served a number of years as president of the Board of Home Missions, and was a member of the Board of For- eign Missions from its reorganization to 1890. After the destruction of the Reformed printing concern at Chambersburg, while pastor of the old First church of Reading, he was appointed financial agent, and succeeded, with the help of others, in securing the sum of |18,000 for the relief of the establishment. He frequently repre- sented his church at synod, was elected president of the General Synod of Baltimore in 1884, was a delegate to the German Evangelical Church Diet, which met at Lue- 336 HISTORY OF EEFOKMED CHURCH. beck, Germany, in 1856, and a delegate to the Alliance of Eeformed Churches in Belfast, Ireland, in 1884, where he read a paper on the German Churches in the United States. Dr. Bausmau has accomplished a good deal as an author. He has written five volumes — " Sinai and Zion," "Wayside Gleanings," " Bible Characters'' and '■ Precept and Practice" iu English, and " Gebete" in German. He prepared the celebrated poems of Dr. Henry Harbaugh for publication. At the urgent request of Dr. Harbaugh he accepted the editorship of the Guardian in January, 1867, which ofBce he filled until January, 1881. In 1867 he commenced the publication of the Reformirte Saus- freiind, a German paper, intended principally for the Pennsylvania Germans, which he edited successfully to the end of 1903. One of the principal fields of usefulness of Dr. Baus- man is Bethany Orphans' Home. He was elected presi- dent of the Board of Managers in 1865, and has continued in this position ever since. It was largely through his influence that the Home was removed from Philadelphia to Womelsdorf, the splendid property there secured and the money for its payment raised. He has always been a warm friend of the orphans. Dr. Bausman has been active in various, branches of church work, but the crowning work of his life is St. Paul's church in Reading, to whose development he has devoted his best years. He has labored incessantly, and the Lord greatly blessed his eiforts. Under his ministra- tions the congregation has now .reached a membership of 847 members, besides nearly 300 baptized members. ST. Paul's chuech. 337 Dr. Bausman is, with one exception, the oldest Prot- estant pastor in Reading in point of length of service. He is universally respected in the community as a faith- ful, conscientious man and minister. Of the Protestant pastors in Reading when Dr. Bausman came here in 1863 only one remains — Dr. J. J. Kuendig, of St. John's Luth- eran church. During Dr. Bausman's pastorate in Read- ing fourteen Reformed ministers have died in this city, and he has preached the funeral sermon for each one — Revs. C. A. Pauli, A. L. Herman, W. A. Good, W. F. P. Davis, F. W. Dechant, P. P. A. Hoffman, C. F. Mc- Cauley, D. D., John H. Leinbach, A. S. Leinbach, D. D., D. W. Albright, Geo. E. Addams, F. B. Hahn, C. S. Gerhard, D. D., and John W. Steinmetz, D. D. . During his ministry in Reading Dr. Bausman con- firmed six young men who entered the ministry — Jas. I. Good, D. D., J. H. Leinbach, Geo. W. Griffith, John M. Kessler, D. W. Albright and H. K. Miller. Of these Revs. J. H. Leinbach and D. W. Albright have died. Oh April 6, 1875, Dr. Bausman was married by Drs. C. F. McCauley and Henry Mosser to Miss Amelia Bing- aman, who has since then been a helpmeet of great value to him, and an active worker in the church and in the community. During many years she taught a Bible class in the Sunday school, and at present serves as superin- tendent of the primary department of the school. Since, coming to Reading in 1863 Dr. Bausman bap- tized 885 persons in the First and St. Paul's churches. He confirmed 1 724 persons — 836 in the First church and 888 in St. Paul's church. He also received 1158 members by certificate and renewal of profession — 365 in the First church and 793 in St. Paul's church. SECTION V. ZIOFS EEFORMED CHURCH. (Fifth Congregation.) The failure of the first effort to establish a German Reformed congregation in Reading did not altogether discourage the advocates of this movement. Their desire for such a congregation was as strong as ever, and they would not abandon the effort on account of temporary- failure. They had learned by experience, and the mis- takes of the past served as useful lessons. In the early part of the year 1881 the Board of Mis- sions of the German Synod of the East was requested to establish a German Reformed congregation in Reading. Dr. B. Bausman was again the leader of this movement. The challenge was accepted, and Rev. L. K. Derr, of Slatington, Pa., was selected for the pastorate of the fu- ture congregation. He had an excellent record as a mis- sionary and an organizer. He had already organized and established four congregations — Trinity at Tamaqua, St. Paul's at Mahanoy City, St. John's at Slatington and Zion's at Lehighton. Each of these is now a strong and vigorous flock. The fact is that Pastor Derr had so far spent his whole ministerial life in building up new con- gregations. But for some time he had been disabled by failing health, and he hesitated on this account to un- dertake the work of founding a new congregation. How- ever, he had the assurance of active assistance from many zion's chuech. 339 friends in Reading, and trusting in the Lord whom he was serving, Mr. Derr resolved 1902, the committee consisting of Rev. H. J. F. Gramm, Rev. John Wernley and elder Eberhard Gerkins. Soon after he accepted a call from the Swanton charge, consist- ing of four small congregations in Ohio. In 1900 Mr. Gramm became a student volunteer for foreign missions. He was challenged by the Board of Foreign Missions for 347 an appoiutment to either Japan or China at its meeting in December, 1904. For reasons satisfactory to himself and the Board his appointment was postponed. Mr. Gramm preaches in both languages. As elsewhere, the tendency toward the English lang- uage manifested itself in Zion's church. This was to be expected. The wonder is that it came not earlier and more decidedly, in view of the large proportion of young people in the flock. Several years ago English services were held on one Sunday evening in each month. More in this line was desired, and on Jan. 1, 1904, the congre- gation resolved to have English services every other Sun- day evening, instead of once a month. The Sunday school of Zion's church was organized in the spring of 1882 with about a dozen persons. The be- ginning was indeed small, but the school soon increased, as did the congregation. The superintendents have been Dr. L. K. Derr, Chas. VI. Rickenbach, John S. Guldin, D. J. Hafer, Horace C. Marcks, and Rev. C. H. Gramm, who fills the position at this time. The school is graded and has seven departments. A Teachers' and Church Workers' Training Course is maintained. The following persons have served the congregation as organists : Emma E. Derr (now Mrs. Warren Lewis), Prof. Sol. W. Unger, Prof O. H. Unger and Mr. Claude Fichthorn. Mr. Jacob K. Stuber has served the congregation faith- fully as treasurer from its organization to this time. In 1905 Zion's congregation numbered 590. members, and the Sunday school 535 members. The church officers in 1905 were : Elders, Jacob K. Stuber, Louis F. Grebe, Dallas Kline, John G. Rhine ; 348 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHURCH. deacons, Jacob Nolcle, Sam. "W. Reiff, Andrew X. Bodey, John J. Gephart ; secretary, Jacob Xolde ; sexton, John Deboldt. Rev. L. K. Derr, D. D. Levi Knerr Derr was born on April 17, 1832, in Le- high county. Pa., as the son of Daniel Derr and his wife Susanna, nee Knerr. He was baptized on July 2 of the same year by Rev. John H. Helffrich. The parents were poor, and therefore compelled to put out their children for food and raiment as soon as they were able to earn them. At the tender age of ten years the boy Levi was put out as child's nurse. AYheu he was 11 J years old the mother died. From this time on he lived among strangers. Dur- ing his earlier years his opportunities for schooling were very meagre. In 1847 he was confirmed by the late Dr. William A. Helffrich. Until the fall of 1851 Mr. Derr worked upon the farm during the summer and attended a country school during the winter. In Xovember of 1851 he was appointed a school teacher and served during the winter. In April of 1852 he entered Allentown Seminary to prepare himself for the profession of teaching. After teaching another winter Dr. Helffrich urged him to prepare himself for the ministry. Mr. Derr now returned ^to Al- lentown Seminary and studied there until the fall of 1855, when he returned to the country. After spending some time in teaching, the young man Derr was in the fall of 1856 invited by Dr. Helffrich to resume his studies under his direction, and to reside with him, which invitation the young student accepted. ]\Ir. Derr was examined and licensed to preach by East Pennsylvania Classis on May 19, 1857. At the same time he was appointed as agent of ZION S CHURCH. 349 the classis to aid in securing a fund of $17,000 for Frank- lin and Marshall College, and he spent some time success- fully in this work. On August 9, 1857, Mr. Derr was ordained in Ziegel church by a committee of East Penn- sylvania Classis, consisting of Revs. I . H. Derr, Chas. G. Herman and J. S. Dubbs, as assistant to Dr. William A. Helffrich, pastor of the Ziegel charge. In November of the same year he accepted a call from St. John's church at Tamaqua, which he serv- ed in connection with Lewistown until Janu- ary, 1866. During this time Rev. Derr organ- ized St. Paul's congrega- tion in Mahanoy City and superintended the erec- tion of its church in 1 864. Toward the close of 1865 Mr. Derr accepted an ur- gent call from St. Paul's church. He resigned the pastorate at Tamaqua and removed to MahanoyCity in the beginning of 1866. During his pastorate at Mahanoy City Rev. Mr. Derr, by dii-ection of Lebanon Classis, organized Trinity Reformed church at Tamaqua in 1868 and supplied it for some time, and confirmed the first class of catechumens. Services were held in the Welsh church until the Reformed church had been completed. He labored in Mahanoy City until April, 1870, when he accepted a call from the new St. Bev. L. K. Derr, D. D. 350 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. John's congregation at Slatington, Pa., which he served ten years. He also, served Friedens church near Slating- ton, and during two years supplied St. Paul's church at Cherryville, Pa. He also preached at Slatedale, although there was no congregation there. In the spring of 1874 Rev. Mr. Derr was by East Pennsylvania Classis appointed to supply the newly or- ganized Ziou's congregation at Lehighton, Pa., where he erected a church in 1876. He supplied these people until the spring of 1880, when his health failed him, and he was compelled to resign his charge at Slatington and cease supplying Lehighton. After a year's rest his health was sufficiently restored to enable him to resume work. In the spring of 1881 Mr. Derr was appointed by the Board of Missions of the German Synod of the East to organize a German congregation in Reading. He accepted the call and entered upon the work on the last Sabbath in May, 1881, and has since labored here. In the year 189.3 the title of D. D. was conferred upon Rev. Mr. Derr by Ursinus College. On May 7, 1861, Mr. Derr was married to Miss Rachel B. Reagan. This union was blessed with one son and four daughters. The son. Rev. Calvin U. O. Derr, died at Spring City, Pa., whilst being pastor there, on March 12, 18ii7, as stated before. The daughters are livina;. SECTION VI. ST. STEPHEN'S KEFORMED CHURCH. (Sixth Congregation.) One of the earliest Reformed mission Sunday scbools in Reading was Emanuel's, which for a considerable length of time held its sessions in the old one-story i^ublic school house on the northwest corner of Tenth and Wash- ington streets. It was organized in 1864. During many years Mr. John N. Bowman was the faithful and pains- taking superintendent until a short time before his death. After the erection of the neat frame chapel on Tenth street, between Washington and Walnut, the school was removed to it, and conducted there until after the failure of the effort to establish a German congregation. A small German Sunday school was also conducted here for some time. The superintendent was Mr. Martin Goodhart. The German school was turned over to the German con- gregation, and when the latter was disbanded, the school was also discontinued. After the sale of the chapel prop- erty the English school was removed to one of the rooms of the large public school house on Tenth street, between Washington and Walnut, and there conducted until the completion of St. Stephen's first church. It was then removed to that building, and used as a nucleus for the organization of St. Stephen's Sunday school. After the death of Mr. John X. Bowman the school was superin- tended by Jonathan Dorwarf, John W. Rauch, Jefferson 3-52 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. Snyder, esq., John C. Hoffeditz, Dr. J. G. Grosscup and Thomas D. Bausher. Tlie latter was in oiSce when Emanuel's school was transferred to St. Stephen's church, and continued in connection with the reorganized school until 1903, a period of twenty years. He was then succeeded by Dr. W. D. DeLong. When in 1879 the several mission schools were placed under the care of individual congregations, Emanuel's school was committed to the fostering care of St. Paul's church. Early in the year 18S3 Dr. Bausman and others re- solved to erect a church and organize a congregation in the northeastern part of the city. For this purpose a lot at the southwest corner of Ninth and Greenwich streets, 40 liy 100 feet, was purchased for .$30iJ0, and arrange- ments were made for the erection of a church. The corner- stone ^ras laid on Sunday, Sept. 2, 1883, and the uame of St. Stephen's Reformed church was adopted. The service was conducted by Dr. B. Bausman, assisted by Drs. C. F. JNIcCauley, H. Mosser and L. K. Derr. Dr. Mosser de- livered an address. The plan adopted provided for a one-story brick church, 36 by 70 feet, divided into two parts, one for the congregation and the Senior department, and the other for the primary department of the Sunday school. There was to be an end gallery. Whilst the new church was being erected, the friends of the enterprise looked around for a minister who was to take charge of the interest and become the pastor of the new congregation which was to be organized. The choice fell upon Rev. Dr. C. S. Gerhard, then pastor of Trinity Reformed church at Columbia, Pa. A call was extended to him, and he accepted. He removed to Reading on Nov. 1, 1883, and at once entered upon the work. ST. stbphek's church. 353 The new church was dedicated on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 30, 1883. There was a large attendance. Addresses were delivered by Drs. B. Bausman, C. F. McCauley and H. Mosser. Dr. C. S. Gerhard, the pastor, conducted the dedication. Besides these, there were also present Revs. L. K. Derr, J. W. Steinmetz, F. W. Dechant and C. W. Levan. The church contained seats for about 400 per- sons. The cost of erecting the church was $4500, with lot .$7500. On Sunday, Dec. 21, 1883, Emanuel's Sunday school was transferred to the new church, and reorganized as St. Stephen's Reformed Sunday school, with Thomas D. Bausher, the former superintendent of Emanuel's school, as superintendent, and Daniel S. Klein as assistant super- intendent. The start was made with sixty members. The school now grew rapidly, and at its first anniversary on Dec. 21, 1884, it had a membership of 307. Dr. Gerhard commenced to hold services in the church after its com- pletion, and performed much missionary work in that sec- tion of the city preparatory to the organization of a con- gregation. On Sunday, March 16, 1884, Dr. Gerhard organized St. Stephen's Reformed congregation with fifty-seven members as the sixth Reformed congregation in Reading. These oflBcers were elected : Elders, Daniel Bucher, Dan- iel S. Klein ; deacons, Milton J. Coller, G. Frank Bard, Samuel Palm. The congregation, as well as the Sunday school, grew rapidly in numbers. The new church popu- larized the movement, and there were promises of success. In the summer of 1885 an addition to the front of the church was erected. The place was intended as a vesti- 354 HISTORY or reformed church. bule and library for the Sunday school. The addition was dedicated on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 25. Dr. J. W. Steinmetz preached the sermon, and the pastor, Dr. C S. Gerhard, was assisted in the services by Drs. B. Bausman and L. K. Derr. In the fall of 1886 the walls of the church were fres- coed, the walls having been left plain when erected. This improvement added greatly to the appearance of the church. In October of 1 886 a Missionary Society was organ- ized. This society has all along been quite active, and • has performed a large work in the cause of missions. Its zeal has been stimulated by the fact that one of the mem- bers, Mrs. Dr. D. B. Schneder, has devoted her life to work in the foreign field. During the summer of 1888 Dr. Gerhard spent five months on a trip to Europe, Egypt and Palestine. Upon his return home he was given a most hearty reception in the church on the evening of Sept. 4 by bis members and other friends. The church was crowded. During Dr. Gerhard's absence his pulpit was supplied by the late Rev. Geo. B. AValbert, who was then a theological stu- dent. At the reception short addresses were delivered by Mr. AValbert and Dr. B. Bausman, to which Dr. Gerhard responded. At the conclusion of the exercises the congre- gation sang the hymn, " Xow thank we all our God." The consistory had gone to Philadelphia to meet their returning pastor. "Whilst abroad Dr. Gerhard attended the sessions of the Alliance of Reformed Churches in the city of London. On January 9, 1889, Miss Sallie Bickel, a member of the congregation and of the Sunday school, was killed ST. STEPHEX'S GHUECH. 355 during the destruction of the Reading silk mill by a cyclone. About 175 persons, aiostly young girls, were at work in the silk mill at the time of the awful storm, and 16 of them were killed, whilst upward of 50 others were injured. (One member of Ziou's church was also killed and four others wounded.) The calamity made a deep impression upon the community. In 1889 St Stephen's Sunday school had increased to such a size that more room was imperatively needed. It was therefore resolved to erect an annex on the southern side of the building, 25 by 46 feet in size. The wall of the church was removed and a glass partition erected in its place. This extension increased the size of the church to 61 by 70 feet. The cost of the work was $1600. The annex was dedicated on Sunday, October 27, 1889, by the pastor. Dr. Gerhard. On Sunday, May 18, 1890, Prof H. Y. Stoner re- signed as assistant superintendent of the Sunday school, after having served four years, he having been called to become the pastor of the new Riverside mission. On July 10, 1892, the congregation had succeeded in paying off the whole of the debt, and the mortgage was bui'ned on this day. The church was now free of debt, and all experienced a feeling of relief. The tenth anniversary of the congregation was cele- brated on Sunday, March 18, 1894. Thirty-six of the original members were present. The membership had increased to 523. Of the sixty members of the Sunday school when organized on Dec. 21, 1883, eleven remained. The school now numbered 643 members. The congrega- tion had been receiving missionary aid during six years 356 HISTOEY OF REFORMED CHURCH. until 1890, when it declared itself self-supporting. In this year a few members contributed |1100 toward the erection of the Theological Seminary building at Lan- caster. On Sept. 9, 1896, the congregation gave a public re- ception to Dr. D. B. Schneder and wife, who had recently returned upon furlough from Japan, after having labored there during nearly nine years. This was a most interesting occasion. The church was deco- rated. Over the pul- pit were the words in large letters, "T\^elcome Home." Dr.C. S.Ger- hard delivered an ad- dress of welcome, and among other facts stated that about nine years previously he had mar- ried Dr. and Mrs.Schne- der in the same church. Dr. Bausman spoke in behalf of the Reformed clergy of Reading and the Foreign Mission Board. Dr. Schneder then re- sponded, and gave a short account of their trip to Japan and of the work there. At the close of his address all the people came forward and bade the missionary couple a hearty ^^'elcome home. As stated before, Mrs. Schneder was a member of St. Stephen's church and school before going abroad. During their sojourn in this country the Mrs. D. B. Schneder. ST. Stephen's church. 357 Schneder family resided in Reading. On Sunday even- ing, March 27, 1898, Mr. and Mrs. Schneder delivered farewell addresses in St. Stephen's church. Their two young daughters sang a beautiful liymn entitled " Saved by Grace." The Schneder family left Reading on April 1, 1898, the second time on their long journey to Japan, where they have since labored at Seudai. In March of 1897 the congregation took the initial step looking to the erection of a new and larger house of worship by purchasing the house and lot adjoining the church on the south side for $2900. The lot was 16 by 100 feet. The congregation now owned a plot of ground 56 by 100 feet. The intention «as in the near future to demolish the old church and erect a larger and more mod- ern one in its place. On Sept. 29, 1897, a Christian Endeavor Society was orgauized with 32 members. In October of this year the congregation started the movement for the new church. It was resolved to erect a church at a cost of about §25,000, as soon as one-half of this amount was secured by subscription. A building committee was appointed, consisting of Dr. C. S. Gerhard, D. C. Roth and -John Wagner. On Feb. 1, 1898, plans for the new clmrch were adopted, and ar- rangements were made for the use of the Railroad Y. M. C. A. hall at Eighth and Greenwich streets as a place of worship during the erection of the church. In the beginning of the following summer the old church and the adjoining dwelling house were demolished to make room for the new house of worship. The con- tract for the erection of the new church was given to Mr. 358 HISTORY OF EBFOEMED CHURCH. George W. Beard for .S20,000. The corner-stone was laid on Sunday afternoon, July 3, 1898, by the pastor, Dr. C. S. Gerhard. Dr. B. Bausman delivered an address, in which he referred to the organization of Emanuel's mis- ST. STEPHEN'S REFORMED CHURCH. siou .school in 1864 in the public school house at Tenth and Washington streets, and also spoke of the great suc- cess which had attended the labors of Pastor Gerhard. Drs. T. J. Hacker and J. W. Stein metz alsa delivered ST. Stephen's church. 359 addresses. The corner-stoue was a gift from Mr. T. D. Bausher. The plans provided for a one-story church . and Sun- day school chapel, covering the whole front of the lot. The fronts on Ninth and Greenwich streets are of Denver stone, with sandstone base and trimmings. The church was to seat 800, and the chapel, having galleries on three sides, about 700. The two rooms can be thrown into one by means of a sliding partition, thus providing seats for about ] 500 persons. There is an additional Sunday school room in the basement with 350 sittings, thus providing a combined seating capacity for over 1800. There is also an assembly room in the basement with cement floor. On Sunday, Dec. 4, 1898, the Sunday school took possession of the cha23el. The congregation from this time until the completion of the audience room hold its worship in the chapel. The formal opening took place on the following Sunday, Dec. 11. In the morning the ser- mon was preached by Rev. C. J. Musser. lu the after- noon a combined Sunday school and congregational ser- vice was held. Greetings were brought and five-minute addresses delivered by Revs. H. Mosser, F. B. Hahn, L. K. Derr, S. L. Krebs, S. R, Bridenbaugh, C. E. SchaefFer, J. P. Stein,- J. W. Steinmetz, H. Y. Stoner, R. W. Miller and B. Bausman. The choir of St. Paul's church fur- nished excellent music on this occasion. The chapel pre- sented a beautiful, pleasing appearance, and was generally admired. The stained glass was furnished by J. M. Kase & Co. The completion of the auditorium was delayed until the following year. In the summer of 1899 the pulpit of the old church was forwarded to Japan for use in the new church at Sen- 360 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. , dai. Mrs. D. B. Schneder, whilst in this country, had collected a large portion of the money for the erection of the Sendai church. The pulpit reached its destination on August 13, ls99. The dedication of the complete new church took place on Sunday, Xov. 19, 1899, and was conducted by the pas- tor, Dr. C. S. Gerhard. It was a day of joy to pastor and people. The work for which all had labored long and hard was about completed. In the morning Rev. Madi- son C. Peters preached a sermon to a congregation which completely filled the beautiful house of worship. The pastor. Dr. C. S. Gerhard, stated that the cost of the new church was 828,000, not includiug the lot. The whole property represents a value of $40,000. A year before a mortgage of some thousands of dollars was placed upon the property. On dedication day $5500 remained un- provided for, and Dr. Gerhard asked the people to make up this sum. Rev. O. H. Strunck then made an appeal, and during the day cash and subscriptions aggregating 86150 were secured. At the afternoon service the adjoin- ing Sunday school room was thrown open, so that there were seats for about 1500 persons, and all were occupied. Addresses were delivered by Dr. U. ]\Iosser, Dr. S. R. Bridenbaugh and Rev. O. H. Strunck. In the evening the sermon was delivered by Rev. H. Y. Stoner, when the church was again crowded. The new church presents a splendid appearance. The style is Gothic throughout. At tlie corner is a tower 80 feet high. On each of the four sides are triple windows. At each corner of it is a copper turret. The top is pyra- midal, surmounted with a combination cross and circle. ST. Stephen's church. 361 The audience room is 65 by 73 feet. It has an open ceil- ing of hard wood, natural finish, with exposed rafters. There are pews for 600. The choir loft holds 40 and the gallery 75. Room can be provided for 800. There are beautiful stained glass windows, all of which are memo- rials. The church is beautifully finished in hard wood, including altar and pulpit. The altar is surmounted by a polished cross. The congregation now had a beautiful, comfortable church and a well-arranged Sunday school chapel. In less than sixteen years the congregation had grown from the original 57 to nearly 700 members. The summer of 1901 was a sad one for the pastor and his family. On July 22 their oldest son, Rev. W. Glase Gerhard, pastor of St. John's church, West Philadelphia, died in St. Joseph's Hospital at the age of 29 years and five days. The funeral was held in St. Stephen's church ou July 26. The church was crowded. Rev. W. J. Johnson, an intimate friend of the deceased, and Dr. B. Bausman preached on the sad occasion. A number of Reformed ministers conducted the services. On September 10, less than two months later, death again invaded the pastor's home, and carried off John M. Gerhard, the second son, aged 27 years, 10 months and 26 days. On September 14 the church was again crowded by a sympathizing congregation. Dr. J. W. Steinmetz and Rev. H. Y. Stoner preached the funeral sermons. Much sympathy was felt and manifested for the stricken family. But the cup of sorrow was not yet full. Dr. Gerhard, the father, had himself been a sufferer for some time, but strong hopes were entertained for his full restoration. He 24 362 HISTOEY OF EEFOEMED CHURCH. continued in his work, frequently assisted by other minis- ters, until shortly after the following Easter season in 1902. He then agreed to take rest during the whole summer, the greater part of which he spent on the Pocono Mountains in Monroe county, Pa. Meanwhile his pulpit was regularly supplied by ^Ir. Calyin M. DeLong, then a member of the Senior class in the Seminary at Lancas- ter. Dr. Gerhard returned in the early fall, and was giyen a hearty reception in his church on Sunday eyening, Sept. 7, 1902. The church was decorated, and oyer the pulpit were the words " Welcome Home." Dr. Gerhard preached a sermon, and expressed his appreciation of the good-will and kindness of his people. But unfortunately his health had not been restored. He realized that he could no longer carry forward the work which he loved so much. In the hope that rest not only from labor, but also from care, would be beneficial to his health, Dr. Ger- hard resigned in the fall of 1902, the resignation to take effect on the first of Xoyember. His resignation was reluctantly accepted, and he was made pastor emeritus. He had labored in Reading nearly nineteen years, and given the best part of his busy life to the building up of St. Stephen's church. He had organized the congregation on March 16, 1884, with 57 members; now it numbered 750. He had received 1207 persons into member-hip by confirmation, certificate and renewal of profession, bap- tized 498 persons, buried 159 and married 146 couples. On Oct. 5, 1902, the congregation elected Eev. T. W. Dickert, of Macungie, Pa., pastor. He was serving his first charge with success. He accepted the call, and com- menced his work on Xov. 1, 1902. ST. Stephen's church. 363 The work of Rev. C. S. Gerhard, D. D., was done. After a short season of further suifering he entered into rest on October 29, 1902, aged 57 years and 26 days. His death cast a feeling of sadness upon the congregation and upon all who had known him. His funeral took place in the afternoon of November 3, and was attended by a congregation which crowded both the auditorium and the chapel of the church. At the house a short service was conducted by Drs. L. K. Derr and H. Mosser. The members of the consistory served as pall-bearers from the house to the church. The bearers from the church to the cemetery were Revs. H. Y. Stoner, Dr. J. W. Steinmetz, Profs. Wm. Rupp and J. C. Bowman, of the Lancaster Seminary, Dr. E. N. Kremer, Harrisburg, and Dr. C. Clever, Baltimore. The large audience included some sixty Reformed ministers and a considerable number of ministers of various denominations of the city. There were many beautiful floral tributes. Rev. C E. Schaeffer announced a hymn. Rev. T. W. Dickert read a Scripture lesson and Rev. H. Y. Stoner led in prayer. Dr. R W. Miller spoke on 2 Chron. 31 : 21, and recounted the good qualities of the departed. He was followed by Dr. G. W. Richards. Dr. B. Bausman spoke on 1 John 3 : 2. Dr. J. W. Steinmetz led in prayer and Rev. C. E Creitz an- nounced a hymn. Rev. B. T. Callen read the action of the Ministerium of Reading, and Rev. C. E. Schaeffer read the resolutions adopted by Reading Classis. Dr. J. P. Stein read a biographical sketch of the deceased. In- terment was made on Charles Evans' cemetery. Rev. T. W. Dickert and Dr. B. Bausman conducted the service at ^the grave. 364 HISTORY OF KEFOBJIED CHDECH. Thus within the space of a little more than fifteen months Dr. Gerhard and bis two oldest sons were carried off by consumption. Of the family the mother and two sons remain. Calvin S Gerhard was the son of the late Rev. Wm. T. Gerhard and his wife Elizabeth, nee Seibert. He was born at Kintnersville, Bucks county, Pa., Oct. 3, 1845. He was confirmed in 1861 at Petersburg, Lancaster county, Pa., by his father, who was then pastor of the Reformed congregation at that place. He was married on Oct. 12, 1871, to Emma Elizabeth Glase at the residence of her father, the late B. A. Glase, at Friedensburg, Berks county. Pa. Mr. Gerhard graduated with the highest honors from Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, in 1865. The ensuing two years he spent as a teacher, first as principal of the Fayetteville Academy, and subsequently as principal of the Oley Academy. He then pursued a three-years' course in the Theological Seminary at Mer- cersburg, graduating in 187(), and was soon after licensed to preach by Lancaster Classis. He was ordained Oct. 4, 187(), by East Susquehanna Classis at Sunbury and be- came pastor of the First Reformed church, Sunbury, on Sept. 7, 1870, and remained there until July 1, 1879, when he became pastor of Trinity Reformed church, Co- lumbia. At both places he was successful, but his great- est work was performed in Reading. On Xovember 1, 1883, Dr. Gerhard removed to Read- ing for the purpose of organizing a new congregation. His work here has been recounted above. He applied himself zealously to the work, and was eminently success- ful in gathering a large congregation. He was a faithful ST. STEPHEN'S CHUECH. 365 pastor, and exercised great iufliience over his people. As chairman of the building committee he bestowed much time and attention on the erection of the new church. Its successful completion was a great satisfaction to him. Dr. Gerhard took an active interest in the general work of the Church, and filled various positions of trust and honor. He was one of the organizers and the first president of the S. S. Board of the Reformed Church, and a member of the Board of Home Missions until his death. He was president of the Eastern Synod which held its sessions in Har- risburg in the fall of 1891, and president of the General Synod of 1899, which met in Tif- iin, Ohio. In 1891 he received the honorary degree of D. D. from Franklin and Marshall College. Dr. Gerhard was a frequent contributor to the church papers and also to the Reformed Revieiv. In the spring of 1895 he published a volume entitled " Death and the Resurrection." From December, 1885, to February, 1888, he was a member of the Reading School Board, and al- ways took a deep interest in education, good government and the welfare of the city. Rev. C. S. Gerhard, D. D. 366 HISTORY OF KEFOEMED CHUECH. Rev. T. W. Dickert was installed on Sunday morning, Nov. 23, 1902, by a committee of Reading Classis. Revs. H. Y. Stoner and C. E. Schaeffer delivered addresses, and Rev. C. E. Creitz conducted the installation. On Sunday, March 1, 1903, services were held in the church in memory of the late Dr. C. S. Gerhard. In the morning Rev. H. Y. Stoner preached a sermon on Dr. Gerhard as a man, preacher and pastor, and Rev. T. W. Dickert, the new pastor, spoke of him as a scholar, theo- logian and author. The pulpit, reading desk and altar were draped in black, and there were decorations of palms and bouquets of roses and carnations. The Sunday school held a memorial service in the afternoon. Addresses on the life and works of the deceased pastor were made by Dr. W. D. DeLong, S. P. Faust, M. J. CoUer, A. J. Shar- tle. Rev. D. W. Gerhard, of Lancaster, brother of the de- ceased, and Pastor Dickert. In the spring of 1903 the auditorium of the new church was frescoed, and the church was reopened for worship on May 31. The cost of the improvement was S600, and it added much to the appearance of the room. The cost was borne by the Womens' Aid Society. Several years before his death the late Dr. C. S. Ger- hard succeeded in securing a $6000 organ as a donation from Mr. Andrew Carnegie. There was much delay in furnishing the instrument. It was finally placed into po- sition in the fall of 1903. The organ was dedicated and the frescoed auditorium rededicated on Sunday, Oct. 22, 1903. Three services were held. For the special services the church had been splendidly decorated. The morning service was in charge of the pastor. Rev. T. "NY. Dickert, ST. Stephen's chuech. 367 and the music by the church choir under the direction of the organist, J. Wilson Klein. Dr. J. H. Dubbs, of Franklin and Marshall College, preached the sermon on Psalm 27 : 4. Brief addresses were delivered in the af- ternoon by Dr. Dubbs and Mr. C. H. Leinbach, superin- tendent of St. -A ndrew's Sunday school. At 3.30 p. m. the dedication was conducted by the pastor. The Second Reformed church choir and organist, Prof W. S. Hollen- back, furnished the music. Revs. Dr. James I. Good, C. E. Creitz, Dr. J. W. Stein metz and Dr. L. K. Derr pre- sented greetings from their respective congregations. At the evening service over 1000 persons were present. Rev. Dickert had charge of the service and Rev. H. Y. Stoner preached the sermon. The pastor also spoke. The large and splendid new organ is built on the south side of the auditorium at the choir loft. It is a three- manual organ with 46 stops, 1848 pipes, 41 pistons and 7 pedal movements. It has a quartered white oak casing, is 9 by 24 feet in dimensions and 22J feet high. An electric motor furnishes the power. The organ is a su- perior instrument, gives full satisfaction, and is much ap- preciated. The congregation was fortunate in having the whole cost donated, since Mr. Carnegie subsequently adopted the rule of paying only one-half the cost of church organs. Mr. Milton J. Collar served faithfully as librarian of Emanuel's and subsequently of St. Stephen's Sunday school during twenty-five years. He completed this long term of service on Nov. 1, 1904, when he withdrew from the position and was made librarian emeritus. He also served long as a member of the consistory. 368 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHDRCH. Three young men of St. Stephen's congregation have entered the ministry of the Reformed Church — H. Y. Stoner, now of Reading ; Andrew H. Smith, now of Tom's Brook, Va., and the late "W. Glase Gerhard, at the time of his death pastor of St. John's church, West Philadel- phia, Pa. In the spring of 1905 a bell was procured and hung in the tower of the church. It weighs 2000 pounds. The diameter at the rim is 46 inclies. The bell has a fine tone. It is inscribed " Behold, I Bring You Good Tidings," and below this motto, "Easter, 1905." The cost was §600. The bell was rung for the first time to call the people to- gether for worship on Easter Sunday, 1905. It was formally dedicated on Sunday, May 28, following, -when Dr. James I. Good preached the sermon. We herewith give the names of the several societies in St. Stephen's church, with the dates of their organization : Ladies' Aid Society, January 1, 1885; Missionary So- ciety, 1886 ; Young Peoples' Society of Christian En- deavor, September 20, 1897; Mission Band, 1902; Ju- nior Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, 1903; Ushers' Association, April 13, 1903. In 1905 St. Stephen's church numbered 1020 mem- bers and the Sunday school 1150 members. The officers of the congregation in 1905 were : Elder.s, i\lilton J. t!oller, Dr. J. K. Seaman, Joseph R. Roth, Henry S. Bernhart ; deacons, Lemon H. Hertz, Cuvier G. Grube, Dr. W. D. DeLong, Samuel P. Faust, Albert j\I. Weyandt, Thomas Z. Bright ; secretary, Joseph R. Roth ; treasurer, Dr. J. K. Seaman ; organist, J. Wilson Klein ; sexton, F. S. Hann. ST. Stephen's chuech. 369 Rev. Thomas W. Dickert, the j^resent pastor, was born on March 9, 1869, at Zion Hill, Bucks county, Pa., as the son of Thomas R. and Lavina H. (Mininger) Dick- ert. His preparatory education was secured in the High School at Quakertown and in Ulrich's Preparatory School at Bethlehem. In 1890 he entered Franklin and Mar- shall College and graduated from it in 1894. In the lat- ter year he entered the Theological Seminary, from which lie gradu- ated in 1897. On June 2, 1897, he was ex- amined and licensed by the Tohickon Classis at South Bethlehem, Pa. Having received and accepted a call from Macungie charge, Mr. Dicker t was ordained and installed on June 12, 1897, by a commit- tee of Lehigh Classis, consisting of Revs. T. J. Hacker, M. H. Die- R=^- ^ ^- Diekert. fenderfer and Dr. W. R. Hofford. He resigned the pas- torate at Macungie on November 1, 1902, and accepted the call of St. Stephen's church in Reading, where he has since been laboring with success. On June 8, 1897, Rev. Mr. Dicker t was married to Miss Rebecca Bettiger by Revs. F. J. Mohr and B. F. Luckenbill. One child has been born to them. SECTION VII. ST. THOMAS' REFORMED CHURCH. (SeventJn Congregation ) The late Dr. A. S. Leinbach was pastor of the Re- formed Alsace church from 1871 to July, 1895, at which latter date he withdrew from the active ministry. This congregation is the oldest in this region, having been or- ganized about the year 1740, some eight years before the city of Reading was laid out. The church stands right on the northeastern city line. About one-half of the members reside in the city, which has for years been grow- ing rapidly in the direction of the church. On December 15, 1889, Dr. Leinbach commenced to hold services in the public school house at the corner of Twelfth and Windsor streets. The attendance was from the beginning encouraging. Dr. L. was aided in the work by his son. Rev. John H. Leinbach, who was his father's assistant in his large charge. The son died on August 25, 1895, aged 42 years, 8 months and 11 days. On January 12, 1890, a Sunday school was organized at the same place with 57 scholars and 15 teachers. Mr. Milton Sny- der was made superintendent. On April 13, 1890, St. Thomas' Reformed congrega- tion was organized in the school house with 51 members as the seventh Reformed church in the city. Two elders, four deacons and three trustees were elected, and ordained and installed by Dr. Leinbach. Their names are as fol- ST. THOMAS' CHUECH. 371 lows : Elders, John S. Dunkle, John H. Snyder ; deacons, D. V.Tl. Ludwig, John S. Oxenreider, James S. Keiser, Albert J. Frezeman ; trustees, Paul M. Webber, Jacob C. Snyder, Jacob Reech. Measures were at once taken for the erection of a church. A congregation seldom flour- ishes in a school house. But where should the church be located? Mr. Jacob B. Fricker, who has done a great deal for many of the Reformed churches in Reading, made an earnest appeal for aid to Messrs. John Rick and William Madeira, who owned a tract of land on North Eleventh street, between Douglass and Windsor. These gentlemen generously donated a lot of ground for the new church at the corner of Windsor, 80 by 110 feet. A building com- mittee was now appointed, and the resolution adopted to erect a stone church, 60 by 90 feet. Mr. A. F. Smith, of Reading, drew the plans. The congregation was incor- porated on October 5, 1890. The corner-stone was laid on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 19, 1890, during the session-3 of the Eastern Synod in the First church. Unfortunately the weather was very un- favorable. The stone was laid by Dr. Leinbach. Ad- dresses were made by Rev. W. M. Landis in German and Rev. Geo. B. Walbert in English. Both these have since died. It was at first supposed that the church would cost about $15,000, but when it was finally completed, the total cost was about $50,000. The first service in the basement was held on Sunday, October 18, 1891, and the basement was formally opened one week later, October 25. Dr. Leinbach was assisted in the services by Revs. S. L. Krebs, N. Gehr, D. D., J. W. Steinmetz, D. D., B. Bausman, D. D., Henry Mosser, 372 HISTORY OF KEFOEMED CHURCH. D. D., and Jas. I. Good, D. D. The basement is divided into three parts for Sunday school purposes, and these can be thrown into one. The seating capacity is about 600. During a severe storm on Nov. 23, 1891, the scaffold- ing at the church was blown down, and the partly com- pleted steeple bent out. of position. In the spring of 1892 Dr. Leinbach resigned as pastor on account of his large charge and his increasing age. He had aided the congregation liberally, both financially and otherwise. On June 5, 1892, Eev. John P. Stein, of Mil- lersville, Pa., was elected pastor, and he accepted the call. He was in- stalled on July 17 fol- lowing. Dr. J. W. Stein- metz spoke in German and Dr. H. Mosser in English, whilst Dr. S.R. Bridenbaugh conducted the installation. The consistory then came forward and greeted their new pastor. The congregation continued to worship in the base- ment until the .spring of 1900. At this time several gen- erous gentlemen of St. Paul's church came forward and by their gifts made it possible to complete the audience room on the second floor. The church is finished in hard Rev. A. S. Leinbach, D, D. ST. THOMAS CHURCH. 373 wood, and the pulpit and furniture are made of quartered oak. The gallery front is also of oak, surnaounted by a neat iron railing. The pews were bought of the Second Reformed congregation, and were those in use before the rebuilding of that church. The seating capacity of the ST. THOMAS' REFORMED CHURCH. main floor and of the gallery is about 800. There are many beautiful windows, all memorials. The large win- dow on the north side represents the Good Shepherd, and is in memory of Revs. A. S. and John H. Leinbach. The 374 HISTORY OF EEFORMED CHTJECH. large window on the south side represents " Christ Knock- ing at the Door," and is in memory of Isaac W. and Cath- erine Levan and Lovina M. George. The middle panel of this large window was donated by Mrs. J. P. Stein. The pulpit and altar are also memorials. The completed church, including the furnishing, is valued at about $50,- 000. There is a debt of |6000 resting upon the church. The dedication of the completed church took place on June 17, 1900. In the morning Dr. J. S. Stahr preached the sermon, >-nd was followed by Rev. D. B. Albright in a German address. In the afternoon addresses were de- livered by various city pastors, who congratulated the congregation on the completion of their church. In the evening Rev. J. Calvin Leinbach preached the sermon, and Rev. T. M. Yundt followed in an address. After this the pastor. Rev. J. P. Stein, D. D., formally dedicated the church. The services were continued during the week following, with sermons by Revs. C. E. Creitz, T. H. Leinbach, S. A. Leinbach, Samuel H. Stein and J. R. Stein, the latter two being nephews of the pastor. It was a season of gladness for all interested in St. Thomas' church. During the summer of the same year (1900) steam heating was introduced in the church at an expense of about $1600. The congregation was aided by the Board of Missions in supporting the pastor until 1900, when the church became self-supporting. On July 6, 1902, the tenth anniversary of the pastor- ate of Dr. J. P. Stein was celebrated. The pastor preached an historical sermorf. ST. THOMAS' CHUECH. 375 It the fall of 1901 Pastor Stein succeeded in securing a splendid church organ as a donation from Mr. Andrew Carnegie. There being many other donations ahead of this one, considerable time elapsed before the organ could be delivered. It reached Reading in the latter part of April, 1903, packed in seventy boxes. Meanwhile the congregation had reconstructed the organ loft at an ex- pense of $515, which was paid at once. The organ cost 16000, and was a free gift from Mr. Carnegie. It has a front of 17 feet, depth of 10 feet and a height of 25 feet, with a side chamber 10 by 12 feet for the bellows and pipes. It is a first-class instrument, and gives full satis- faction. The dedication of the new organ took place on Sun- day, June 14, 1903. Prof. Geo. W. Richards preached the sermon in the morning. In the afternoon Rev. H. H. Rupp preached, and Rev. H. Y. Stoner in the evening. The dedication was conducted by the pastor. In the fall of 1904 the old walnut pews were removed to the gallery and new pews secured for the main floor. The cost was $1350, and was borne by the Ladies' Aid Society and the Sunday school. These old walnut pews were made about fifty years ago at the time of the erection of the Second church from trees grown in the vicinity of Reading. Such trees are no longer found in this region. In 1892 the Ladies' Aid Society was organized, and did a good work in aiding the congregation financially. — St. Thomas' League was organized in 1893, and in 1905 it was merged into a Christian Endeavor Society. — The Missionary Society was organized in 1900. The latter society is applying all its funds to the cause of missions. 376 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. In 1905 St. Thomas' church numbered 392 members and the Sunday school 578 members. Mr. Eugene F. Hendricks is at present superintendent of the Sunday school. In 1905 the officers of St. Thomas' church were: Elders, Jacob C Snyder, Louis C. Kremer, Samuel George ; deacons, William Boyer, Albert J. Frezeman, Howard Weyant, Hen- ry S. Yoenm, Charles D. Shearer, Eugene C. Wolfe ; secretary, Alb. J. Frezeman ; treasurer, Eugene C Wolfe; or- ganist, Stanley A . Keast ; sexton, John S. Klein. John Philip Stein, eldest son of Daniel and Catherine Stein,rjee For- ney, was born June 11, 1836, at Annville, Leb- anon county, Pa. He was baptized in infancy Rev. J. P. Stein, D. D. ^y Rev. Henry Wag- ner, pastor of the Annville congregation, and was con- firmed in October, 1851, by Rev. Dr. F. W. Kremer at Lebanon, Pa. Dr. Stein received his early literary train- ing under the instruction of Daniel Balsbaugh in the Ann- ville Academy. He entered Franklin and Marshall Col- lege at Lancaster in 1857, and was graduated in 1861. In the fall of the same year he entered the Theological ST. THOMAS' CHUECH. 377 Seminary at Mercersburg, and completed the third year of his course ia June, 1864, in Union Theological Semi- nary in New York. Dr. Stein was licensed and ordained as a missionary on July 25, 1864, by Lebanon Classis iu the First Reformed church, Lebanon, Pa., and entered upon his labors at Tremont and Donaldson, Schuylkill county, Pa. He was duly elected pastor of St. John's church, Schuylkill Haven, on October 9, 1864, and en- tered upon the work in November, 1864. On April 1, 1871, he became pastor of Trinity Reformed church, Pottsville. On April 1, 1882, Dr. Stein became mission- ary pastor of St. John's Reformed church, Philadelphia, then located on the corner of Haverford and Wyoming streets. On account of the increasing infirmities of his wife he resigned this charge in December, 1883. He ac- cepted a call to the Millersville congregation, consisting of three congregations, and entered upon bis pastoral labors on January 1, 1884. In 1892 Dr. Stein was elected pastor of St. Thomas' Reformed church, Reading, Pa., then under the care of the Mission Board. He entered upon his labors here on July 1, 1892. Dr. Stein was successful in reducing two-thirds of the indebtedness, com- jjleted the church at a cost of $10,000 and has it paid, and in 1900 made the congregation self-supporting. In 1899 the title of D. D. was conferred upon Pastor Stein by Franklin and Marshall College. 25 SECTION VIII. OLIVET EEFORMED CHURCH. (Eighth CongFegaiion.) In North Reading, beyond Charles Evans' cemetery, a small Sunday school was conducted in the old public school house. Mr. John Shepp was superintendent. A considerable number of Reformed families resided in that place. Some of them belonged to the First church, others to Alsace church. About the beginning of the year 1890 these people appealed to Dr. H. ]\Iosser, pastor of the First church, for assistance. Upon consideration the First church agreed to take the school under its care, and to give it needed aid. The First church had been maintain- ing a mission school in the northwestern part of the city, known as St. Mark's school, since May 6, 1883. It was now concluded to unite these two schools under the name of Riverside mission, and to call a minister who would or- ganize congregations at both places, and serve them as pastor. This was done with success. By permission of Classis Prof. Henry Y. Stoner was called as missionary to labor in this particular field. He was an elder in St. Stephen's Reformed church, and prin- cipal of the Inter-State Commercial College. He had been pursuing a course of theological studies. He was examined and licensed by Schuylkill Classis. Mr. Stoner was ordained to the ministry in the First church on the evening of May 18, 1890, by a committee of said Classis, OLIVET CHURCH. 379 consisting of the Reading pastors, with Dr. H. Mosser as chairman. Drs. H. Mosser, C. F. McCauley, B. Baus- man, C. S. Gerhard, L. K. Derr and R. W. Miller united in the laying on of hands. ]Mr. Stoner was at the same time appointed as pastor of Riverside mission. He en- tered upon the work with entliusiasm, and his labors were blessed with success. On Saturday evening, June 7, of the same year (1890), Rev. Mr. Stoner organized Olivet Reformed congregation in North Reading with 36 members, as the eighth congre- gation in the city. These officers were elected : Elders, Lewis Riegel, Sr., Wm. B. Gross ; deacons, H. S. Young, Edward Conner. On the following evening, Sunday, June 8, these officers were ordained and installed. At the same time it was decided to erect a church in the near future, and a building committee was appointed, with Rev. Mr. Stoner as chairman. Mrs. D. R. Althouse donated a well-located lot on Centre avenue, valued at $1200, and the work of erecting a church was commenced without delay. Ground was broken on July 7, 1890. The corner-stone was laid by Rev. Mr. Stoner on Sunday, September 7. Addresses were delivered by Dr. H. Mosser and Dr. B. Bansman. Be- sides these there were present Drs. J. W. Steinmetz, L. K. Derr, C. S. Gerhard, R. W. Miller and J. F. DeLong. There were placed in the corner-stone a Bible, hymn book, church and city papers and a history of the congre- gation. The church was dedicated on Sunday, Feb. 15, 1891. It is a neat building, 44 by 54 feet, erected of brick laid in black mortar. The seating capacity is 400. The win- 380 HISTORY OP REFORMED CHURCH. dows are of stained glass. The cost of the church was $6200. On the dedication day the sum of |450 was secured. The Sunday school raised nearly §400 for the OLIVET REFORMED CHURCH. erection of the church. A debt of §4175 remained on tlie church. This debt was gradually reduced, and is now small. OLIVET CHURCH. 381 On the day of dedication Dr. E. W. Miller preached in the morning. The dedication proper took place in the afternoon, conducted by the pastor, Rev. H. Y. Stoner. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. O. H. Strunck, of Schuylkill Haven, on Isaiah 60 : 13. Besides the ministers already mentioned there were present at this service Drs. Mosser, Bausman, Steinmetz, Gerhard and Miller. The people of North Reading were now really happy. They had a neat house of worship, and all were pervaded by an earnest, active spirit. On the following Thursday evening, Feb. 19, 1891, Rev. Mr. Stoner was installed as pastor of Olivet church. Addresses were delivered by Drs. H. Mosser and J. W. Steinmetz. The committee of Schuylkill Classis con- sisted of Drs. H. Mosser, J. W. Steinmetz, R. W. Miller and Jas. I. Good. Rev. Mr. Stoner served the congregation in connection with St. Mark's congregation until Dec. 31, 1894, when he resigned. He had found the work of the two congrega- tions in connection with his school work too laborious. Olivet congregation was now made a separate charge. Rev. Daniel W. Albright, then pastor of St. Paul's church, Manheim, a native of Reading, was called to the pastor- ate. He accepted the call, and preached his introductory sermon on Sunday evening, Jan. 20, 1895. He was in- stalled as pastor on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 27, by Revs. H. Mosser, J. P. Stein and F. B. Hahn, a committee of Schuylkill Classis. Rev. Mr. Albright was popular and beloved by the peo- ple, but unfortunately his usefulness was of short dura- tion. His health failed, and he died on March 20, 1897, 382 HISTORY OP REFORMED CHURCH. aged 35 years, 4 months and 20 days. His death was sincerely mourned by many. Mr. Albright was born and reared in Reading as the son of Mrs. Mary Jane and the late Henry M. Albright. He was a son of St. ■ Paul's church, in whose bosom he grew up, and was confirmed by Dr. Bausman. He studied in the Reading schools, Franklin and Marshall College, from which he graduated in 1886, and Lancaster Seminary, from which he grad- uated in May of 1890. He was soon after examined and licensed by Schuylkill Classis. He received and accepted a call from St. Paul's Reformed church at Manheim, Pa., and was ordained and installed on November 2, 1890, by a committee of Lancaster Classis, consisting of Drs. E. V. Gerhart, J. S. Stahr and J. H. Dubbs. In the summer of 1896 he attended the meeting of the Alliance of Re- formed Churches at Glasgow, Scotland. Mr. Albright was survived by his mother and one brother. His funeral on March 25 was largely attended in St. Paul's church, including nearly all the members of Olivet church and many ministers. Dr. B. Bausman, the pastor of his youth, preached the sermon. — On Sunday, April 4, a memorial service was held in Olivet church. Addresses were delivered by Drs. B. Bausman and H. Mosser. On May 23, 1897, Licentiate E. Bruce Lyttle was called to the pastorate of Olivet church. He was ordained and installed on Sunday afternoon, June 13, by a commit- tee of Reading Classis, consisting of Drs. H. Mosser, S. R. Bridenbaugh and C. S. Gerhard. Dr. Bridenbaugh preached the sermon. In the beginning of September, 1897, a memorial bell was hung in the tower of Olivet church, and it was dedi- OLIVET CHUECH. 383 catecl on September 12 by Rev. E. B. Lyttle, assisted by several other ministers. The bell weighs 15'>5 pounds, gives good satisfaction and bears this inscription : " In memory of our late pastor, Rev. D. W. Albright, who died March 20, 1897." The bell was also used by the city for fire alarm purposes. On Sept. 28, 1898, Rev. E. B. Lyttle resigned as pas- tor and accepted a call to Memorial Reformed church, York, Pa., where he continues to labor. Mr. Lyttle is a native of ]\Iifilin county, and a graduate of Dickinson College. He served a number of years as secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association of Reading and other places. He studied theology privately under the direc- tion of his pastor. Dr. S. R. Bridenbaugh, pastor of the Second church, and Dr. C. S. Gerhard, pastor of St. Stephen's church. He was examined and licensed by Reading Classis on April 6, 1897. Mr. Moses A. Kieffer, a student in Lancaster Semi- nary, was appointed to supply Olivet church temporarily. Upon the completion of his studies in the month of May he was elected pastor. Rev. Moses Augustus Kieffer was born near Mercers- burg, Pa., on December 31, 1869, as the son of Jonas and Elemina Kieffer. He was baptized in infancy by Rev. Isaac G. Brown, and confirmed by Rev. Z. A Yearick. In the fall of 1890 he entered Mercersburg Academy to commence his preparation for the ministry. He entered the Sophomore class of Franklin and Marshall College in the fall of 1893, and was graduated in 1896, then entered the Theological Seminary and graduated in 1899. He was examined and licensed by Mercersburg Classis at 384 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. Chambersburg, Pa., and was received into Reading Clas- sis on June 19, 1899. On the following Sunday, June 25, 1899, ordination and installation services were held in Olivet Reformed church by a committee of Reading Clas- sis, composed of Revs. H. Mosser, D. D., J. W. Stein- metz, D. D., and H. Y. Stoner. Rev. Mr. Kieffer's pas- torate at Olivet- was of short duration. At Easter and again at Whitsuntide in 1900 the pastor contracted severe colds, which developed into acute bronchial asthma. In the following winter he resigned and preached his fare- well sermon on December 2, 1900. — On June 29, 1900, Rev. Mr. Kieffer was married to Miss Elizabeth Hager- man, of Williamson, Franklin county. Pa. Their union has been blessed with three children. — In April of 1901 Rev. Mr. Kieffer located at Timberville, Va., where he is now laboring with success. On Sunday evening, May 12, 1901, Mr. Henry Har- baugh Rupp, a student in Lancaster Seminary, was elected pastor of Olivet church. He accepted the call, and was ordained and installed on June 23, 1901, by a committee of Reading Classis, consisting of Revs. Henry Mosser, D. D., J. R. Brown and H. Y. Stoner. At the request of the committee Mr. Rupp's father. Dr. William Rupp, preached the ordination sermon. Dr. H. Mosser con- ducted the ordination, and Rev. J. R. Brown conducted the installation. Mr. Rupp served as pastor of Olivet church during a little more than two and one-half years. During the illness of Dr. H. Mosser Rev. Mr. Rupp served as his assistant in the pastorate of the First church. On January 28, 1904, Rev. Mr. Rupp resigned and ac- cepted a call from Grace church, Easton, Pa., where he is PASTORS OF OLIVET CHUliCH. OLI-S'ET CHURCH. 385 now located. On Sunday evening, Feb. 14, he preached his farewell sermon. During his pastorate at Olivet church of two years and eight months Mr. Rupp baptized 48 persons and confirmed 8, married 10 couples, officiated at 48 funerals, preached 202 sermons, made 24 addresses and 1530 pastoral calls, f4800 was raised for all pur- poses, the debt was reduced about $1300, and the church building painted and repaired at a cost of |200, all paid. Henry H. Rupp was born in Berlin, Pa., November 12, 1874, as the son of Rev. William Rupp, D. D., and his wife Emma Anetta, nee Hambright. The father was until his death on April 3, 1904, Professor of Practical Theology in the Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pa. His early education was received in the public schools of Manchester, Md., and in the Myersdale Preparatory School, Myersdale, Pa. After teaching two years in the public schools of Somerset county, Henry H. Rupp en- tered the Freshman class in Franklin and Marshall Col- lege, Lancaster, Pa., in 1893, and graduated with lonor in 1897. After graduation he accepted a position as Pro- fessor of Greek and Latin in the Mercersburg Academy, taught one year and then entered the Theological Semi- nary in the fall of 1898. While taking his theological course he taught Mathematics and Natural Science in Cotta College, Lancaster city, graduating from the Semi- nary with honor on May 1, 1901. He was licensed to preach the gospel by Lancaster Classis at New Holland a few weeks later. On September 29, 1904, Rev. Mr. Rupp was married to Miss Ella Frances Glaser, daughter of Mr. William Anderson, of Reading. Rev. W. H. Myers performed the ceremony in Grace Lutheran church. 386 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHUECH. In April of 1904 Mr. H. Jerome Leiubach was elected pastor of Olivet church. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. James B. Leinbach, a well-known organist of Friedens- burg, Berks county. He graduated from Franklin and ISIarshall College at Lancaster in 1901, and from theThe- logical Seminary at th° same place in the spring of 1904. He was elected a short time before graduating from the latter institution. Mr. Leinbach accepted the call after his graduation in May. He was ordained to the ministry and installed as pastor of Olivet church on Sunday after- noon, May 29, 1904, by a committee of Reading Classis, consisting of Revs. J. P. Stein, D. D., John F. Moyer and W. E. Harr. Dr. Stein preached the sermon. On May 4, 1905, Rev. jMr. Leiubach was married by Rev. W. E. Harr to Miss M. Mary, daughter of "Sir. and Mrs. George Swavely, of Pine Iron Works, Berks county. The happy couple at once took up their residence at 416 Wal- nut street, Reading. During all these years Olivet congregation has been under the fostering care of the First church. For a num- ber of years the First church contributed $300 annually toward the support of the pastor of Olivet church. Olivet church has a somewhat peculiar history in ref- erence to its pastors. During its existence of about fif- teen years it has had six pastors. Five of these com- menced their ministerial career in Olivet church — Messrs. Stoner, Lyttle, Kieffer, Rupp and Leinbach. Rev. D. W. Albright had been in the ministry previously. Another peculiarity of Olivet church is the fact that as a rule it has only Sunday evening services — no morning services. OLIVET CHUKCH. 387 In 1905 Olivet church numbered 97 members, and the Sunday school 148 members. The officers of Olivet church in 1905 were: Elders, Hqpry S. Young, Ammon Kline ; deacons, Joseph Wil- liams, George Schaeffer, Lewis Riegel, jr., Clifford Ro- mig ; secretary, Ammon Kline ; treasurer, Henry S. Young ; janitress, Mrs. E. E. Sausser. There are two societies connected with Olivet Re- formed church — a Ladies' Aid Society, organized in Se[D- tember, 1890, and a Missionary Society and Social Circle, organized in May, 1892. Both are in a flourishing con- dition, and have proven a great help in the general work of the church. SECTION IX. CALVAUY REFORMED CHURCH. (Ninth Congregation ) The history of Calvary church is unique in at least one respect — the church was erected before there was a con- gregation or a Sunday school. In the case of most of the other Keformed congregations in this city there were at least prosperous Sunday schools in existence before churches were erected. But when Calvary church was erected, there was neither congregation nor Sunday school. In the summer of 1888 Dr. B. Bausman concluded that a new Eeformed church should be founded and located in the neighborhood of Centre avenue and Oley street. It is true, there were at that time very few houses in that immediate neighborhood, and some could not agree with Dr. Bausman that that was a good location for a new church. But Dr. Bausman saw that the city was being extended in that direction, and he felt certain that in a few years that neighborhood would be rapidly built up with substantial dwellings. Time has shown that his judgment was correct. Everybody will no\v agree that the location of Calvary church is most excellent. That region is now built up almost solidly on all sides, and the population is of the best in the city. In the summer of 1888 Dr. B. Bausman called five of his co-workers to his study and informed them of his plan. He solicited their assistance, which was given. The CALVARY CHUECH. 389 southwest corner of Centre avenue and Oley street was selected as the site for the new church, but in order to secure this location it was necessary to purchase several pieces of ground which was more than was needed. Mr. Jacob B. Fricker, who had been a most helpful factor in the founding of a number of the newer congregations, pur- chased the several lots in question, sold a portion of the ground to the building firm of Rehr & Fricker, and then sold what was wanted for the new church to its represen- tatives at a low figure. This was a great help in the start of the movement. It was now resolved to erect a church, 46 by 70 feet, of hill stone, with sandstone trimmings, slate roof, hard wood finish and exposed rafters. The corner-stone was laid on Sunday afternoon, August 12, 1888. The stone was laid by Dr. B. Bausman. Up to this time no one knew what the name of the new church would be except one person — Dr. Bausman. Naturally all were anxious to know the name of the new church. Their curiosity was gratified when he announced the name as Calvary. That was a new name for a church in Reading. Some few persons at first had some little difficulty in not saying Cavalry, but they soon got over that. There were placed in the stone local and church papers and six coins, to- gether with some other articles. There was a large attend- ance on a very warm afternoon, including several Re- formed ministers. The building committee consisted of James Rick, Geo. A. Leinbach, William H. Decbant and Jacob B. Fricker. But there was no congregation back of the committee. Where was the money to come from for the erection of the 390 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHURCH. church? Dr. Bausman and the committee acted in faith. But first of all they put their hands into their pockets, and these five persons in a few minutes raised over $4000 CALVARY REFORMED CHURCH, among their ov/n number. In addition to a large sub- scription Dr. Bausman made himself personally respon- CALVARY CHUKCH. 391 sible for all bills for which do provision had been made. He held the property in his came until after Dr. Good had been called as pastor, when the congregation assumed the debt, and Dr. Bausman conveyed the property to them. The building committee also made themselves responsible for the pastor's salary until the organization of the congregation. The work on the church proceeded rather slowly, as is always the case in erecting stone buildings. The work was completed in a year, and the church was dedicated on Sunday, August 18, 1889, at 2 p. m. The dedication ser- vice was naturally conducted by Dr. B. Bausman. The sermon was preached by his cousin, Rev. J. A. Peters, D. D., since deceased. Other ministers present were Revs. J. W. Steinmetz, C. S. Gerhard, R. W. Miller, L. K. Derr, James I. Good, J. F. DeLong, W. H. Groh and A. S. Weber. In the evening of the same day Rev. J. F. DeLong preached the sermon. The church was erected after the above plan, and presented a beautiful appear- ance. The windows are of fine stained glass. On the east end is a gallery, under which were the primary and library rooms. The audience room was intended to be used both by the congregation and the senior Sunday school. There is a corner tower sixty feet high. The seating capacity of the church is about 500. The western wall is of brick, which may easily be removed and the church lengthened, if necessary. The cost of the church was about $13,000. On Sunday, August 25, one week after the dedication, a Sunday school was organized in the new church with 167 persons. Mr. Calvin M. Dechant, one of the active 392 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHUECH. young men of St. Paul's church, was elected superinten- dent, and his wife was made superintendent of the pri- mary department. Both labored in the school and church until their removal from the city in the early part of 1904. On January 1, 1890, Mr. Stanley L. Krebs was called as the prospective pastor of the congregation to be organ- ized at a later period. He was then a member of the Senior class in Lancaster Seminary. He was expected to supply the pulpit until the following May, when he grad- uated. But before he could enter upon the work he was taken ill with typhoid fever, and was disabled a long time. He, however, expected to take charge of the work on the first day of June. On the first day of July he declined the call by the advice of his physician. (Mr. Krebs was later called to St. Andrew's church, Reading.) The organization of the cougregation was thus long de- layed. Meanwhile there were regular services held by various ministers and theological students. In the latter part of August, 1890, Dr. J. I. Good, a native of Reading, then pastor of Heidelberg church, Philadelphia, was called to the work, and he accepted. On September 30 of the same year (1890) Calvary Reformed church was organized with 46 members as the ninth Reformed congregation in Reading. These officers were elected : Elders, George H. Mengel, Isaac Ritter ; deacons, Calvin M. Dechant, Edwin Sassaman, Chas. K. Griesemer; trustees, James Rick, Henry Wagner, James A. Fasig. They were ordained and installed on Sunday. October 12, at the first communion of the congregation. Dr. Good was unanimously elected pastor by the new congregation on October 28, 1890, and preached CALVARY CHURCH. 393 his first sermon on the first Sunday of November. He was formally installed as pastor on Sunday, November 23, 1890, by a committee of Schuylkill Classis, consisting of Drs. C. F. McCauley, B. Bausman and A. S. Leinbach. Drs. Bausman and Leinbach delivered short addresses, and the installation was conducted by Drs. Bausman and McCauley. On Good Friday evening, March 27, 1891, a beautiful oil painting on the wall in the rear of the pulpit was un- "^veiled. It is the work of Mr. George Selling, and repre- sents Christ on the way to Calvary. The figures of Christ and others are life-size. The painting was a gift to the congregation from the building committee — Messrs. James Rick, George A. Leinbach, William H. Dechant and J. B. Fricker. The gift was highly appreciated. The Sunday school grew rapidly, and soon it was crowded for room. Therefore in the fall of 1893 the basement, which had been left unfinished, was completed and arranged for Sunday school purposes at a cost of $2500. The spacious room was first occupied on Sunday, December 10, 1893. The nearest houses to Calvary church, and among the first erected in the neighborhood, were a block of four handsome residences erected and occupied by the families of four well-known brothers^ Cyrus, James, John and Charles Rick. They were the sons of Mr. Charles Rick, a well-known member of the First church. The families of three of them — James, Cyrus and Charles — became pillars of Calvary church from its start, and the former served as a member of the building committee. Cyrus Rick resided next door to the church, and was one of the 26 394 HISTORY OF EEFORMED CHUECH. early members of the congregation. The community was shocked by his sudden death on May 8, 1895, when ap- parently in the best of health, in the Farmers' Bank, whose faithful cashier he had been during fifteen years. On May 30, of the same year, Mr. George H. Mengel, one of the first elders and leader of the choir, died at the age of 58 years. On September 17 following ex-Judge .Augustus S. Sassaman, another charter member, died sud- denly. He had long been a teacher in the First Re- formed Sunday school, and served the county as Law Judge from 1876 to 1886. The congregation thus lost three of its most useful and prominent members within a short time. On June 14, 1896, the decorations of the church for the celebration of Ctiildreu's Day were of a unique, yet pretty character. They included a display of 125,000- daisies, which had been gathered by the members of the school. On Sunday, April 20, 1901, Calvary congregation undertook to raise the money needed for the payment of the church debt of $7200. The sum of §5900 was sub- scribed, and the balauce was secured latt-r. In February of 1903 the consistory called Mr. Henry B. Reagle as assistant pastor. Mr. Reagle was born at Stone Church, Pa., August 25, 1878, as the son of Wm. H. and Rebecca Reagle. His preliminary education was secured in Portland High School and Ursinus Academy. In 1900 he graduated from Ursiuus College, and in May of 1903 from Ursinus School of Theology. He was soon after examined and licensed by East Pennsylvania Clas- sis. Mr. Reagle was ordained on June 7, 1903, by a CALVARY CHURCH. 395 committee of Reading Classis. Dr. J. W. Steinmetz and Rev. H. H. Ranck delivered addresses, and Dr. James I. Good conducted the ordination and installation. His ministrations have been very acceptable to the people, but unfortunately he was called to pass through a long spell of illness during the year 1904. He spent the summer and fall of 1904 in the Adirondack mountains. Here- turned at the close of the year. Mr. Reagle re- sumed his work as assis- tant pastor, and contin- ued in it until the end of May, 1905. On May 21 of this year he was un- animously elected pastor of the Reformed church at Milton, Pa. He re- signed as assistant pastor of Calvary church on May 28, and accepted the call to Milton. He preached his farewell ser- mon in Reading on Sun- day, June 11. His de- R^v, H. B Reagle. parture was very much regretted. On September 10, 1903, the Sunday school lost its efficient and faithful superintendent, Mr. Ralph Simpson, by death at the age of 50 years. His departure was deeply mourned. The school elected Rev. H. B. Reagle, the assistant pastor, as his successor. On Sunday after- noon, November 20, 1904, a tablet in memory of Mr. Simpson was dedicated in Calvary church. Addresses 396 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. were delivered by Dr. James I. Good, J. S. Wise and W. E. Reed. On September 14, 1904, the fifteenth anniversary of the Sunday school was celebrated. Of the 103 original scholars only seven were present. This indicates the con- stant changes which occur in Sunday schools. On Sunday, June 18, 1905, the thirtieth anniversary of the ordination of Dr. James I. Good was celebrated in Calvary church. This was an occasion of much interest, and the services were largely attended. The church was profusely decorated with rambler roses. In the morning Dr. Good delivered an address in which he reviewed his ministerial experience. During the thirty years of his ministry he added to the three churches which he served 1476 persons, of whom 735 came by confirmation or pro- fession. In Calvary church there have been added in 15 years 325 by confirmation and 364 by letter, a total of 689. Dr. Good was followed in an address by Rev. C. H. Gramm, assistant pastor of Zion's church. In the evening Dr. B. Bausman, the founder of Calvary church, preached on Ps. 139 : 5. Societies. — There are a number of active ' societies in Calvary church. On August 30, 1890, a Brotherhood of Andrew and Philip was organized. — A Mite and Mis- sionary Society was organized on October 21, 1891. — The Dorcas Society was organized on February 11, 1892. — The Christian Endeavor Society was organized in February of 1893, and a Junior C. E. Society was organized in Feb- ruary of 1894. There is also an Intermediate C. E. So- ciety, which was organized on February 28, 1902. In 1905 Calvary church numbered 440 members, and the Sunday school 665 members. CALVARY CHURCH. 397 Since the resignation of Rev. H. B. Reagle Mr. Wm. E. Reed, the assistant superintendent of the Sunday school, has been serving as superintendent. Officers in 1905. — Elders, Henry M. Otto, Joseph S. Wise, William E. Reed, Francis S. Allgeier, Samuel Y. Riegner, William Fegley ; deacons, James Rick, Charles Rick, Maurice M. Lenhart, Seth L. Batzel, William H. Livingood, Frederick H. Richardson ; secretary, Samuel Y. Riegner ; treasurer, Joseph S. Wise ; organist. Miss Helen G. Cleaver ; sexton, Warren L. Hamilton. Rev. James I. Good, D. D. James Isaac Good is a son of the late Rev. William A. Good and his wife Susan B., nee Eckert, and was born on December 31, 1850, in York, Pa. Jacob Good, his great-grandfather, a native of Zweibriicken, Germany, came to America in 1765, and was teacher in the Re- formed parochial schools at Schaefferstown, Lebanon county, and Bern church, Berks county. He lies buried at the latter place. James I. Good received a liberal edu- cation. After attending the public schools of Reading, he entered Lafayette College, from which he graduated in 1872. He then pursued his theological studies in Union Seminary, New York, and graduated from it in the spring of 1875. Soon after he was examined and licensed by Lebanon Classis and dismissed to Zion's Classis. The committee of examination consisted of Drs. F. W. Kremer, T. S. Johnston and J. E. Hiester, all of whom have since entered into rest. Having received a call from the young Heidelberg church at York, he was ordained by a com- mittee of Zion's Classis on the evening of June 1 6, 1875, 398 HISTORY OF EEFORMED CHURCH. in York, Pa. The committee consisted of Drs. I. S. Weisz, J. O. Miller and W. K. Zieber. The latter is his uucle. The former two have died. Dr. Good continued in this pastorate two years until the summer of 1877, when he accepted a call from Heidelberg church in Phil- adelphia. He began his labors in Philadelphia in Sep- tember of that year, and continued in this pastorate thir- teen years, until September, 1890, during which time the membership of the con- gregation was greatly in- creased and their splen- did new church at Xine- teenth and Oxford streets erected. At the above date Dr. Good resigned and accepted a call from the new Calvary congre- gation in Reading, and was installed on Nov. 23, 1890. He continues as pastor at the present time. During his pas- torate the congregation flourished, and now num- bers over 400 members, honored with the degree In 1890 he was elected Rev. James I. Good, D. D. In 1887 Rev. Mr. Good was of D. D. by Ursinus College. Dean and Professor of Systematic and Practical Theology and Reformed Church History in Ursinus School of The- ology, which is now located in Philadelphia, which posi- tion he has since filled in connection with his pastorate at Calvary church. CALVARY CHURCH. 399 Dr. Good has filled various positions in the Reformed Church. He has frequently served as a delegate to the Eastern and the General Synods, and has since 1893 served as president of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Reformed Church. He has a number of times served as a delegate from the Reformed Church to the meetings of the Alliance of Reformed Churches, and has for a number of years been a member of the western (American) section of the executive committee of the Alliance. Dr. Good is a great traveler. He has traveled more in Europe and Asia than any other man in the Reformed Church. He is the author of the following books : " Rambles Round Reformed Lands," " Origin of the Re- formed Church in Europe," ' History of the Reformed Church in Europe," " History of the Reformed Church in the United States," " Famous Missionaries of the Re- formed Church," "Historical Hand-Book of the Reformed Church," " Early Fathers of the Reformed Church," and "Aid to the Heidelberg Catechism." He is a frequent contributor to the periodicals of the Reformed Church. In recognition of his services as a Reformed Church his- torian he has been made an honorary member of the Hu- guenot Society of Germany. SECTION X. ST. ANDREW'S REFORMED CHURCH. (Tenth Congregation.) Like all the other younger Reformed congregations in Reading, St. Andrew's church is the fruit of the mission- ary spirit. Some one has said that the best way to do something is to do it. In the fall of 1885 Dr. B. Baus- man and several members of St. Paul's church concluded to establish a mission Sunday school in the southeastern part of the city. Permission was secured from the School Board for the use of the public school house at Thirteenth and Cotton streets. Dr. Bausman and one of his mem- bers purchased an organ, a small library, singing books and other needed supplies, amounting to $80, which they paid, and on Sunday, November 22, 1885, a school was organized in the above place with 12 officers and 75 schol- ars under the name of St. Andrew's Reformed Sunday school. Mr. Henry B. Stout was made superintendent, whilst Miss Sarah D. Missimer took charge of the pri- mary department. Mr. William H. McKinney served as secretary and librarian. The school was started under the auspices of St. Paul's Sunday school, and was placed under the care of a committee appointed by that body, consisting of Daniel Miller and William H. Dechant. These gentlemen frequently visited the school, and aided it in various ways. The school was under the care of ST. Andrew's church. 401 this committee during five years, wheo it was handed over to St. Andrew's church. Many of the first children gath- ered into the school were ill-behaved, and caused much trouble. But those in charge labored with patience and zeal, and gradually overcame all difficulties. Mr. Stout resigned after having served about a year, and was suc- ceeded by Mr. John H. Staulfer, whose term of service was also short on account of his removal from the city. The committee in charge then persuaded Mr. Charles H. Leinbach, then a teacher in St Paul's school, to assume the superintendency. He accepted, and entered upon the work on April 15, 1888, and has continued in office to this day. To his energy, ability and devotion is due much of the success of St. Andrew's school and congrega- tion. Miss Missimer also rendered most valuable ser- vices, and continued at the head of the primary depart- ment until her sudden death on January 5, 1890. Her early death was greatly lamented. The school prospered, but, as in all such cases, the public school house was not well adapted for this purpose, and the friends of the enterprise looked around for a suit- able location for a church, it having been intended to organize a congregation as soon as the time was ripe. In June of 1889 a lot located at the corner of Spruce and Miller streets was purchased for this purpose, and paid for by the brothers Joseph A. and George A. Leinbach. The price paid was .§2125. The size of the lot was 65 by 110 feet. After the church had been erected and St. An- drew's congregation organized, the generous donors on July 28, 1891, deeded the lot to the congregation. As in 402 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHURCH. the case of Calvary churcb, the location selected for St. Andrew's church was by some regarded as not wise. There were then no houses in the immediate neighbor- hood. But the wisdom of the location was soon after demonstrated. The fine St. Andrew's church having been erected, it was not long until nearly the whole neighborhood was occupied with substantial dwellings. As in the vicinity of Calvary church, the enterpris- ing firm of Rehr & Fricker led off in improving the neighborhood. These two instances clearly show that the erection of churches is a public improvement, and en- hances the value of real estate in their vicinity. Almost immediately after the completion of Calvary church steps were taken to erect St. Andrew's church. Some thought the work of building churches was being hurried too much, but the missionary spirit was active, and it was thought best to strike while the iron was hot. The work was commenced in October of 1889. Dr. B. Bausman once more was the leader of the movement, and he was supported by the same friends who had stood by him in the same line of work before. A building commit- tee was appointed by Dr. B. Bausman on July 31, 1889, consisting of \yiUiam H. Dechant, William R. Hinner- shitz, Joseph A. Leinbach and Jacob B. Fricker. The corner-stone was laid on Sunday, Xov. 24, 1889, in the presence of a large congregation. The services were in in charge of Dr. B. Bausman. Prof. John S. Stahr de- livered an address. There were also present Drs. C. F. McCauley, A. S- Leinbach, J. AY. Steinmetz, L. K. Derr, C. S. Gerhard and R. W. Miller. There were deposited in ST. Andrew's chueoh. 403 the stone a Bible, the Reformed church and local papers, four coins, a sketch of the church and the names of the building committee. The plans provided for a one-story church, 56 by 73 feet, with a basement on the south side for a Sunday school room. As usual the work of erecting a stone church was slow. A little more than a year after the laying of the corner-stone the basement was completed, and it was opened on Sunday, Nov. 30, 1890. At the same time the fifth anniversary of the organization of the Sunday school was celebrated. The school now numbered 249 members. Dr. B. Bausman delivered an address, at the close of which he introduced Licentiate Stanley L. Krebs, who had been selected by the building committee as the pastor of the prospective congregation. The latter spoke at some length. The school now had pleasant quarters, and its membership increased rapidly. The work on the main part of the church was pushed rapidly, and was completed in a few months. The dedi- cation of the completed church took place on Sunday, January 25, 1891, at three o'clock p. m. Dr. B. Baus- man conducted the dedication. Rev. J. C Bowman, D. D., preached the sermon. The oiferings in the afternoon and evening amounted to |2531. The church was erected in Gothic style, of mountain stone, with sandstone trim- mings and base. There were three gables and a corner tower. The seating capacity was about 600. There was a large basement on the southern side for the Sunday school. There were ten memorial windows. The church was truly beautiful and inviting. The cost of the church and lot was $17,392.85. There was a debt of |7500. 404 HISTOEY OF EEFOBMED CHtTRCH. On the evening of dedication day (January 25, 1891,) Mr. S. L. Krebs was ordained to the ministry by a com- mittee of Schuylkill Classis, consisting of Drs. B. Baus- man, C. F. McCauley and A. E. Bartholomew. The lat- ter preached the sermon. Dr. Bausman conducted the ordination of Mr. Krebs. Here was a case of a church and a pastor without a congregation. Where was his sop- port to come from ? The building committee made them- selves personally responsible for his salary. The congre- gation never received any aid from the Board of Mis- sions. Fortunately the congregation, when once organ- ized, grew rapidly and soon became self-supporting. There was now a fine church, a large and vigorous Sunday school and a pastor, but as yet no congregation. However this unusual condition was of short duration. St. Andrew's Beformed congregation was organized by Rev. S. L. Krebs on March 19, 1891, with 111 members as the tenth Reformed church in Reading. The first offi- cers were : Elders, Amos Clouser, H. R. Laucks, Chas. H. Leinbach, AVm. H. McKinney ; deacons, Geo. M. Britton, Edward Kramer, Jas. C. Reber, E. E. Snyder. The con- gregation was now fully organized, and entered upon its career of usefulness. Pastor Krebs addressed himself vigorously to his task, and performed much missionary work, and the membership increased rapidly, both in the congregation and in the Sunday school. On May 10, 1891, Rev. Mr. Krebs confirmed his first class of catechumens. This was an occasion of much in- terest, and the church was crowded. The class consisted of 35 members. Fifty-four other persons were received by certificate and reprofession, making the membership exactlv 200. ST. ANDEEW'S CHURCH. ^ 405 On October 22, 1891, the Young Men's Association was organized. Elder Henry R. Laucks was the first president. On November 3, 1891, the Ladies' Aid Society was organized with Mrs. James C. Reber as president. This society, as did others which were organized later, per- formed a vast deal of church work. In May, 1892, the gallery of the church was raised and enlarged, and its seating capacity increased by about one hundred. More room was already needed by the infant congregation. On September 23, 1892, Rev. Mr. Krebs was formally installed as pastor by a committee of Schuylkill Classis, con- sisting of Drs. B. Bausman, C. S. Gerhard, J. W. Stein- metz and elder Henry M. Otto. Dr. Gerhard delivered the charge to the pastor and Dr. Steinmetz that to the congregation, whilst Dr. Bausman spoke on the history of the congregation. In May, 1893, the congregation purchased a lot of ground on the east side of the church, 20 by 1 10 feet, from the Endlich family for $1000. This was a wise step, as the ground was needed when the church was enlarged in 1904. During the winter of 1893-4 Rev. S. L. Krebs made a trip to the East. He left Reading on December 12, 1893, and returned on March 5, 1894. On October 27, 1895, an important meeting was held by the congregation, which was called by the pastor for an unnamed purpose. At the meeting he relieved the curiosity of those present by stating that the object was to secure subscriptions to pay the church debt. The amount 406 HISTORY OP REFORMED CHURCH. of $7530 was at once subscribed, and only $400 more was needed to cover the whole debt. Time was given for the payment of the subscriptions. On April 25, 1897, the whole debt had been paid, and on this day the mort- gage was burned. This was a happy day for the people of St. Andrew's. On October 27, 1896, the Master's Hand Maidens were organized, with the pastor as the first president. In the month of June, 1898, the congregation pur- chased a piece of ground in the rear of the church, 27 by 90 feet, from Messrs. Rehr & Fricker. This purchase was made, like that of the lot on the east side of the church in 1893, with a view to the enlargement of the building. In August of 1898 Rev. Mr. Krebs submitted his resignation as pastor, but the congregation declined to accept it, and he continued two and one-half years longer in his work. On August 10, 1899, the church was struck by light- ning and set on fire, but the fire was soon extinguished, and the damage was small. In January of 1901 Rev. Mr. Krebs resigned and accepted a call from the First Reformed church at Greens- burg, Pa. His resignation was accepted, and he preached his farewell sermon on January 27. His resignation went into effect on February 1. Thus closed the first pastorate of St. Andrew's church. ]\Ir. Krebs had done much to build up the congregation. He had also taken an active part in the movement for the enlargement of the church, which was started some time before he resigned, and had aided in securing some subscriptions for this pur- ST. ANDEEfl'S CHUECH. 407 pose. During the latter part of his pastorate in Reading Rev. Mr. Krebs devoted much time to the study of psy- chological subjects, and delivered many lectures on the same. Mr. Krebs' pastorate in Reading had continued just ten years. During this time he received 947 members into the congregation, of whom he confirmed 352 ; bap- tized 238, attended 85 funerals, married 78 couples, and delivered 2125 sermons, addresses and lectures. When he resigned the member- ship of the church was 580. Rev. S. L. Krebs was born at Waynesboro, Pa , as the son of Rev. W. E. Krebs, D. D., and his wife Isabella LeFevre. He pursued his studies in Muhlen- berg College ; Frank- lin and Marshall Col- leg e, graduating in 1886 ; Lancaster Seminarv, graduating in 1890. He was examined and licensed by Gettysburg Classis in the spring of 1890. At a later period Mr. Krebs also studied in Chicago School of Psychology. In 1890 he was married to Miss Anna Frick Frantz, of Lancaster. Four chil- dren were born to tliem, three of whom are living. Rev. Stanley L. Krebs. 408 HISTORY OF KEFORMED CHURCH. In the month of June, 1901, Eev. Henry H. Eanck, then pastor of St. John's church at Lebanon, was elected pastor of St. Andrew's church. He accepted the call, and was installed on July 7, 1901, by Revs. Dr. B. Bausman, C. E. Creitz and C. E. Schaeffer. The work of enlarging the church was now taken in hand actively. On Dec. 1, 1901, Mr. A. F. Smith was employed to prepare plans for an addition of 25 by 75 feet to the church on the east side, and another addition of 50 by 76 feet on the south side. All the members and the several societies of the congregation responded liber- ally to the solicitations for funds. On October 25, 1902, a Mission Band was organized, with Mrs. Henry H. Ranck as the first president. On March 25, 1903, the contract for the enlargement of the church was awarded to H. J. Raudenbush for the sum of §20,660. A building committee was appointed, consisting of Rev. H. H. Ranck, J. O. Glase, A. G. Her- bine, C. H. Leinbach and Stockton Snyder. The corner- stone was laid on June 21, 1903. On May 8, 1904, the enlarged and improved church was dedicated. There were three services during the day, all of which were largely attended. In the morning the sermon was preached by Rev. T. F. Herman, followed by an address by Rev. O. H. Strunck. In the afternoon there were addresses by Dr. B. Bausman, Rev. Robert M. Blackburn and Rev. O. H. Strunck. The latter made an appeal for offerings. After the addresses the dedica- tion took place, conducted by the pastor. Rev. H. H. Ranck. In the evening Rev. Mr. Herman again preached ST. Andrew's church. 409 and was followed in an address by Rev. Mr. Strnnck. — The services were continued during the week following, when sermons were preached by Revs. N^. C. Schaeffer, D. D., G. A. Sohwedes, A. S. Bromer and S. L. Krebs. On Friday evening greetings were brought by Reformed ministers of the city. The total expense of the improvements amounted to $32,000. During the previous three years §12,000 had been raised, so that the amount still needed on Sunday morning was $20,000. Dur- ing the day of dedication the large sura of $10,100 was se- cured in cash and subscrip- tions. The actual debt still remaining was less than $10,- 000. The societies of the con- gregation assumed the pay- ment of the interest on the debt. The value of St. An- drew's church property is view from corner of spruce over $60,000. ^"'^ '^'''^' streets. The audience room has a seating capacity of 650, which can be increased to 1500 by opening the doors leading to the main Sunday school room, which holds 700, and the church parlor and lecture room, which seat 150. A superb new window has been placed in the par- tition between the auditorium and the Sunday school room. It is made in opalescent glass and contains three large figures of St. John, St. Andrew and St. Peter. The main Sunday school department is 45 by 76 feet, with 27 410 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. galleries on three sides. There are numerous memorial windows which are beautiful in design. The library room X D X u Q < ai 111 > E u h Z is 12 by 16 feet, and has room for 1200 books. There is a lecture room with seats for 100 persons. There is also a church parlor, 18 by 25 feet. ST. Andrew's chdech. 411 The basement contains several departments. There is an assembly room, 50 by 76 feet, with a seating capac- ity of 700. The primary department, 52 by 40 feet, is also on the ground floor. It is likewise at times used for social purposes. There is a kitchen, 18 feet square, having a slate-top sink, big closet, large range with hot water connections, tables for serving edibles, etc. By a unique arrangement the kitchen and primary department communicate. By the enlargement the floor space of the church has been trebled. St. Andrew's church is now one of the most complete and beautiful houses of worship in Reading. On March 16, 1904, a Christian Endeavor Society was organized, with Mr. Chas. A. Yeager as the first president. On August 29, 1904, the congregation lost one of its most active and useful members by the accidental drown- ing of Mr. Harry Ehl, at the age of 45 years, 7 months and 6 days. He was an exemplary young man, and served the congregation as deacon and secretary of the consistory, and the Sunday school seventeen years as librarian. On the evening of June 21, 1905, St. Andrew's con- gregation decided to install a pipe organ. A committee was appointed to procure the organ, consisting of Charles H. Leinbach, J. O. Glase, Stockton Snyder, Abner G. Herbein and Rev. H. H. Ranck. The organ was in- stalled in the fall of 1905 at a cost of about $3000. It is an excellent instrument which gives good satisfaction. In 1905 St. Andrew's church numbered 821 members, and the Sunday school 1078 members. 412 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHUECH. Officers in 1905. — Elders, Chas. E. Diefenderfer, John O. Glase, John B. Luft, Lyman Ruth ; deacons, Irvin F. H. Emes, Harry D. Hoffman, Henry J. Eaudenbush, Stockton Snyder ; secretary, C. E. Diefenderfer ; treas- urer, Stockton Snyder ; organist and chorister, Mrs. J. O. Glase; sexton, N. L. Ehrgood. Eev. Heney H. Ranck. Henry Haverstick Ranck was born July 24, 1868, near Lancas- ter, Pa., as the son of Jacob E. and Martha Ranck. He was baptized in infancy by Rev. A. B. Shenkel, and con- firmed by Rev. J. B. Shumaker in St. Paul's church, Lancaster, on April 10, 1884. His preparatory education was secured in the home schools and at Millers- ville State Normal School. He spent one year in Franklin and Marshall Academy. In the fall of 1888 he entered Franklin and Marshall College, and graduated from it in 1892. After this he spent one year in theological studies in Union Seminary, New York, and three years in the Reformed Seminary at Lancaster, grad- uating from the latter institution in 1895. wm ?i HH ■ ^^^^1 ^ fm m^ ' ^H Ip ^ n f ■L .ii|K». fl Rev. H. H. Ranok. ST. Andrew's church. 413 Mr. Ranck was examined and licensed to preach by Lancaster Classis in tlie spring of 1895, and during tiiree monthis of the following summer supplied the pulpit of the Reformed church at Greencastle, Pa., during the ill- ness and after the death of the pastor. Rev. C. U. Heil- man. Having received a call from the Reformed church at Mechanicsburg, Pa., he was ordained to the ministry on December 5, 1896, by a committee of Carlisle Classis, consisting of Revs. S. N. Callender, D. D., Wm. H. Groh and Miles O. Noll. He continued in the work there un- til February 16, 1899. On January 11, 1899, Mr. Ranck was elected pastor of St. John's Reformed church, Leb- anon, Pa. He accepted the call, and was installed in St. John's church on Sunday afternoon, February 26, 1899, by a committee of Lebanon Classis, consisting of Revs. I. Calvin Fisher and E. S. Bromer. Dr. J. E. Hiester, the other member of the committee, could not attend. Dr. D. E. Klopp, of Lebanon, and Dr. F. Strassner, of Can- ton, Ohio, also took part in the services. Rev. Mr. Ranck continued in this pastorate until June, 1901, a period of two years and four and one-half months. In the month of June, 1901, Rev. Mr. Ranck was elected pastor of St. Andrew's Reformed church, Reading, and accepted the call, and was installed on Sunday, July 7. On April 22, 1897, Mr. Ranck was married to Mary Hill Byrne, of Lancaster, Pa. Two children were born to them, both now living. SECTION XL ST. MARK'S REFORMED CHURCH. (Eleventh Congregation.) Like the majority of the Reformed churches in Read- ing, St. Mark's is the outgrowth of a mission school. A considerable number of the families of the First church resided in the northwestern section of the city for many years known as Ricktown, so named after the late Charles Rick, a member of the First church, who formerly owned a large part of the ground upon which that section of the city is located. When certain sections of the city were assigned to the fostering care of individual congregations some twenty years ago, Ricktown was committed to the First church. Dr. Mosser, the pastor, looked over the ground and saw that the locality was ripe for a Sunday school and likely also for a congregation in the not dis- tant future. But for months no suitable room could be found in which to gather a Sunday school. Presently a frame chapel on Tulpehocken street, near the Lebanon Valley railroad, was secured. This chapel had been erected by a certain sect, and after a short use was aban- doned. It was then sold to Mathias Mengel, esq., and from him purchased for the proposed new school. In this place St. Mark's Sunday school was organized on May 6, 1883, with 66 persons, 40 of whom were schol- ars. Dr. Mosser appealed to the First church for aid, and in response a number of persons volunteered to serve ST. mark's chuech. 415 as ofHcers and teachers. The first superintendeut was Mr. Edwin F. Feather. The First school supplied the required literature. The school showed evidences of suc- cess from the start. After serving a short tirue, Mr. Feather withdrew, and Mr. Wni. H. Schearrer succeeded him. He devoted much time and labor to the develop- ment of the school, and his efforts were richly rewarded. It is an interesting coincidence that his son, Mr. L. F. Schearrer, has for a long time been laboring as superinten- dent of Trinity mission school at Mt. Penn, another child of the First church. On May 9, 1887, Mr. E. Monroe Hoffman was made superintendent, and served for some time. On October 21, 1883, Dr. Mosser preached the first sermon for this new organization. Services were held occasionally by the pastor of the First church until April 20, 1890, when Rev. H. Y. Stouer began work by holding services every two weeks and teaching the adult Bible class. On May 18, 1890, Elder H. Y. Stouer was ordained to the ministry in the First church by a committee of Schuylkill Classis. (See history Olivet church.) On May 1 he had been called to labor in North Reading, where a Sunday school had been carried forward for some time, and also in Ricktown, which two places were united as the Riverside Mission. He soon after commenced to hold regular services in the little chapel on Tulpehocken street, and in this way the locality was gradually prepared for the organization of a congregation. On November 19, 1891, Rev. Mr. Stouer, assisted by Dr. H. Mosser, organized St. Mark's Reformed congrega- tion in the chapel with 53 members, as the eleventh con- 416 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. gregation in Reading. These officers were elected : El- ders, Franklin Reichert, Martin A. Oswald ; deacons, Valentine Ziegler, Chas. N. Seitzinger, all former mem- bers of the First church. These were ordained and in- stalled by Pastor Stoner. On January 17, 1892, the congregation celebrated its first eoramuuion, and received ten new members, making the membership 63. It ^vas of course from the beginning felt that the modest chapel would not answer its new pur- pose long. It was too small, and not well located. It was some distance away from the main street of the sec- tion (Schuylkill avenue), and no pavement led to it. On March 17, 1892, a lot, 70 feet on Schuylkill avenue by 47 feet on Ritter street, was purchased for §2000 by the First church as a site for a church. On the 28th day of the following month (April) the congregation resolved to proceed with the erection of a church. It was to be a brick building with sandstone trimmings, 35 by 75 feet, with a gallery and a primary school room. There were to be seats for about four hundred persons. About the same time the congregation was incorporated. Ground was broken for the church on April 19, 1892. The corner-stone of the new church was laid by Rev. Mr. Stoner on Sunday, June 19, 1892. Nearly all the Reformed ministers of the city were present. Addresses were made by Drs. H. Mosser and C. S. Gerhard. Church and city papers, a catechism, hymn book and a Bible were placed into the stone. The work of erection pro- gressed rapidly, so that the congregation and Sunday school could occupy the church on Sunday, Oct. 16, 1892. The completed new church was dedicated on Sunday, November 20 1892. It was a day of joy for all inter- ST. mark's chuech. 417 ested in the work. The formal dedication was performed by the pastor, Rev. H. Y. Stouer, at 3.30 p. m., after Kev. E. N. Kremer, D. D., of Harrisburg, Pa., had preached the dedicatory sermon to a congregation which crowded the new church. Besides the two ministers mentioned there were also present Drs. H. Mosser, B. Bailsman, Jas. I. Good, S. R. Bridenbaugh, C. S. Ger- hard, J. W. Steinmetz, J. P. Stein, N. C. Schaeffer and Rev. S. L. Krebs. Prof F. C. Moyer, of the First church, presided at the organ. The new church was somewhat larger than had been originally planned — 35 by 81 feet. The finishing was hard wood, and the windows were of stained glass. The whole presented a pleasing appearance. The seating ca- pacity was 450, including an end gallery. The cost of the church was $4960, which was somewhat less than the estimate. This fact must be noted as an exception. As a rule the cost far exceeds the estimate. On the day of dedication there was a debt of $2650. During the day this was reduced to §2000. The lot had been paid for by members of the First church. Members of this and St. Paul's church had contributed largely for the erection of the church. The membership of the congregation had now grown to 104 and that of the Sunday school to 275. Dr. H. Mosser preached in the evening of dedication day to a large congregation. On December 6, 1892, the Missionary and Aid So- ciety was organized. This society has been most helpful in building up the congregation and in developing a be- nevolent spirit. 418 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHUKCH. On April 27, 1893, a Young Men's Association was organized to unite the young men and boys for active work in the congregation. The Sunday school grew quite rapidly, and it was not long until the church was too small. Therefore in June of 1894 the congregation resolved to erect an addition to the church at a cost of about $2000. Ground wa? broken on July 26, and the addition was dedicated on Sunday, November 18, 1894. The addition was a one-story brick building, 36 by 58 feet, with a tower 76 feet high. The addition was intended and arranged for the primary de- partment. The cost of the improvement was about $3700, which was nearly double what was originally in- tended to be expended. At the dedication on November 18 Dr. H. Mosser preached the sermon in the morning. Dr. A. E.. Bartholomew preached in the evening. The total cost of the church was now $8500. Rev. H. Y. Stoner labored faithfully and with success in this field of two congregations, but gradually he found the work too arduous for him, in addition to his work in the Inter-state Commercial College, whose principal he was. He therefore resigned the charge in December of 1894, and his resignation was accepted. Schuylkill Clas- sis divided the charge on January 7, 1895, by making each congregation, St. Mark's and Olivet, a separate pastoral charge. On December 17, 1894, Rev. Mr. Stoner was unani- mously elected pastor of St. Mark's congregation as a separate charge. He was installed in St. Mark's church on Tuesday evening, January 15, 1895, by Drs. H. Mos- ser, C. S. Gerhard and J. AV. Stein metz as a committee of Schuylkill Classis. ST. mark's chukch. 419 On Sunday, April 19, 1896, the sixth anniversary of the beginning of Rev. Mr. Stoner's work as pastor of St. Mark's church was celebrated. He had commenced his work on the first of May, 1 890. The congregation was commenced with 53 members; it now had 339 members. Of this number 137 had been admitted by confirmation. During this period the sum of $11,500 was raised for congregational purposes ; $500 for benevolence ; total cost of church, |8500 ; cost of lot, $2000; amount paid on lot and church, $7000 ; present debt, $3500. On June 1, 1897, Rev. Mr. Stoner was granted a va- cation of four months on account of ill health and sore throat. In the latter part of July, 1897, a new bell weighing 1500 pounds was placed in position in the tower of the church in place of the former bell, which had been cracked some time before. In the early part of the year 1901 this second bell was also cracked, and on March 10 of this year a new or third bell was dedicated. In the evening of the same day the $1600 mortgage was burned. The congregation had up to this time always carried a considerable debt, which had arisen from the erection of the church in 1892, and the erection of the addition in 1894. The debt was gradually reduced, and now finally paid. This was a great relief, and the event was cele- brated on the above date. Dr. H. Mosser and Rev. H. Y. Stoner delivered addresses, and congratulated the con- gregation upon the removal of the debt. Rev. H. Y. Stoner continued to labor as pastor of St. Mark's church until March 13, 1898, when he resigned. He realized that he could no longer bear the burden of 420 HISTORY OF KEFOEMED CHURCH. his labors, and concluded to devote his time exclusively to the commercial college. His resignation came as a sur- prise to many, and was greatly regretted. In the month of April, 1898, the congregation elected Rev. Isaac M. SchaefPer, of Ashland, Pa., as its pastor, but he declined the call. The pulpit was supplied by various ministers and theological student?. On July 12 the congregation called Rev. Chas. E. Schaeffer, then of Norristown, Pa., to the pastorate, and he accepted the call. He entered upon his work on August 1, and was installed on Friday evening, September 2, by a committee of Reading Classis. Dr. J. W. Steinmetz addressed the new pastor, whilst Dr. C. S. Gerhard addressed the con- gregation, and Dr. H. Mosser conducted the installation. Both the congregation and the Sunday school contin- ued to grow rapidly, and the need of a larger and better arranged church began to be felt. It was also felt that the location was unsatisfactory. The church was located close to the railroad, and there was much annoyance caused by the noise of passing trains and by the smoke emitted from locomotives. The pastor and congregation therefore looked about for a new location for a new and larger church. On July 17, 1901, a triangular lot ad- joining the church and valued at .SIOOO was donated by ]\Ir. Jacob B. Fricker. At the same time a lot of 60 by 125 feet at the southeast corner of West Oley and Ritter streets was donated to the congregation by the children of the late Joseph A. Leinbach and by George A. Leinbach, valued at $1800. Forty feet additional adjoining this was purchased by the congregation for §1200, so that it now owned a lot 100 by 125 feet. Subsequently the loca- ST. mark's chuech. 421 tion of the uew church was changed to the corner of West Greenwich and Eitter streets. This place was believed to be more central, and in a general way better than the one at Oley aud Eitter streets. In August, 1903, the lot at Oley and Eitter streets, 100 by 125 feet, was sold to J. W. Sponagle for .§3650. On November 17, 1901, the tenth anniversary of the congregation was celebrated. In the morning Dr. H. Mosser preached the sermon. At the session of the Sun- day school in the afternoon Dr. H. Mosser and Eev. H. Y. Stoner delivered addresses. At the evening service Eev. Mr. Stoner preached the sermon, and Eev. H. H. Eanck delivered an address The congregation was or- ganized on November 19, 1891, with 53 members in a small frame chapel. Now it had grown to 642 members, forty of whom were charter members. The Sunday school, which was organized on May 6, 1883, with 66 persons, now numbered 1050. In May, 1903, the contract for the erection of the new church was awarded to George "\V. Beard & Co. for $40,000. The contract did not include the windows, fur- niture, organ and heating. The plans were drawn by Mr. A. A. Eitcher, of Lebanon, Pa. They provided for a main church, 60 by 105 feet, with a Sunday school chapel alongside of the church, 50 by 105 feet. The style is Gothic, and the finishing oak. The estimated cost of the complete church was $50,000. On May 12 ground was broken for the edifice. Eevs. Dr. J. W. Stein- metz, C. E. Creitz and C. E. Schaeffer were present, each of whom lifted a shovel full of earth. The corner-stone was laid on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 23, 1903. All the services of the day were under the 422 HISTOEY OF EEFOEMED CHUECH. direction of the pastor, Rev. C. E. Schaeffer. In the morning Dr. John S. Stahr preached in the old church. In the afternoon another service was held in the same place. Short addresses were delivered by Revs. T. W. Dickert, C. E. Creitz and J. S. Stahr, D. D. The con- gregation and Sunday school then marched in procession to the site of the new church, where Rev. G. E. Schaeffer formally laid the stone. He was assisted by Dr. S. R. Bridenbaugh. There was a large attendance on a very warm afternoon. The old church was sold for .§6000. Afterward it was purchased by Father Borneman for the purpose of establishing an Italian Catholic church, known as the " Church of the Holy Rosary." The last service in the old church was held on Sun- day, June 12, 1904. The chapel of the new building was now completed, so that the first service could be held in it on Sunday, June 19. Large audiences filled the spa- cious structure at the three services during the day. At 9 a. m. the children assembled at the old church and marched to the new Sunday school chapel in a body, where Children's Day exercises were held. The attendance was very large, 1127 persons being present. The en- rolment was 1230, including'37 in the home department and 59 on the cradle roll. In the afternoon at 3 o'clock a service was held, in which the Reformed pastors of the city took part. The following made brief addresses and brought the greetings of their congregations : Revs. J. F. Moyer, C. E. Creitz, J. P. Stein, T. W. Dicl^ert, H. H. Ranck, J. W. Steinmetz, T. H. Leinbach, C. H. Gramm, I. E. Graeff, ^y. E. Harr, S. L. Whitmore, Pottsville, ST. mark's chuech. 423 and A. R. Bartholomew, secretary of the Board of For- eign Missions. In the evening the pastor, Rev. C. E. Schaeffer, preached on Psalm 34 : 11. It was the 12th anniversary of Rev. Mr. Schaeifer's ordination to the holy ministry. In July, 1904, the bell was removed from the old church and placed into the tower of the new church. It weighs 1800 pounds This is the third church bell for St. Mark's, the two previous ones having been cracked and become useless. The new church was opened for worship and dedi- cated on Sunday, November 20, 1904. It was a day of rejoicing for pastor, people and their friends. The three services during the day, which were under the direction of the pastor. Rev. C. E. Schaeffer, were attended by con- gregations which crowded the church. On Sunday morn- ing Dr. A. R. Bartholomew preached the sermon, and he was followed in an address by Rev. O. H. Strunck. In the afternoon at three o'clock the first address was de- livered by Dr. H. Mosser, of Myerstown. He started St. Mark's Sunday school and assisted in organizing the con- gregation whilst pastor of the First church. The work was commenced in a small way, but it grew rapidly from the start, and now there was a congregation of nearly 900 members and a Sunday school of over 1200 members. Dr. Mosser contrasted the beginning in the small frame chapel with the present congregation in their beautiful new church. Rev. H. Y. Stoner, who was the first pas- tor, from 1891 to 1898, appealed to the people to dedicate themselves to the work of the Lord, as they were now dedicating their splendid church to His service. Rev. R. 424 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. M. Blackburn presented greetings from the Reading Min- isterial Association. Rev. O. H. Strunck and Pastor Schaeffer made appeals for subscriptions, after which the pastor formally dedicated the church. On Sunday even- ing Rev. Dr. G. W. Richards preached the sermon, and Rev. O. H. Strunck delivered an address. The services were continued every evening during the week until Friday. Various ministers preached sermons and de- livered addresses. The new church has a frontage on Greenwich street of 116 feet and on Ritter street of 110 feet. The style is Gothic througliout. The three doors at the front entrance lead into a large vestibule, from which one enters the church proper. The inside dimensions of the audience room are 80 by 54 feet. The pews are arranged in semi- circular position, and are made of quartered oak. The main auditorium has a seating capacity of 650. There is a large gallery to the south side, seating 250 more, mak- ing 900 seats. The church is connected with the Sunday school by communicating folding doors, which admit of the additional use of the Sunday school room, making a capacity of 1200, for special occasions. The windows are of beautiful ornamental design, with figures of the four evangelists and the Good Shepherd. The large window to the south is the scene of the annun- ciation of the angels to the shepherds. The large window on the west side, nearest the pulpit, is a memorial to Dr. H. Mosser, who started the mission which developed into St. Mark's church, and to Rev. H. Y. Stoner, the first pastor — from 1891 to 1898. Back of the pulpit is a large organ recess. To the extreme north of the building ST. MARK S CHURCH. 425 are two rooms, one of which is used by the choir and the other as a pastor's study. The Sunday school room, which adjoins the church proper, is 50 by 110 feet. It has apartments for the prim- ST. MARK'S REFORMED CHURCH. ary department, for three large Bible classes, a gallery extending on two sides for the larger scholars, and divis- ions for class rooms on the first floor. It also contains a 28 426 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. ladies' parlor and a men's reading room. Below the Sun- day school is a large basement with cement floor to be used for social purposes. It is fitted up with toilet rooms, kitchen apparatus and heating apartments. The building throughout is heated by steam and lighted by electricity. The total cost of the building, including ground and furnishings, is $52,000. The building committee consisted of Rev. C. E. Schaef- fer, Wm. T. Snyder, Dr. F. W. Seidel, James D. Christ, D. V. R. Ludwig and Albert H. Klopp. In October, 1904, the Men's League was organized, with Chas. R. Krick as president. On Sunday, May 7, 1905, the new organ in St. Mark's church was dedicated. The three services were largely attended. All were in charge of the pastor. Rev. C. E. Schaeffer. In the morning Rev. Dr. J. I. Good, of Cal- vary church, preached the sermon. The sermon in the afternoon was preached by Rev. John F. Mover, and that in the evening by Rev. H. Y. Stoner. The organ is a fine instrument of the Austin make, and cost $3000. Mr. Andrew Carnegie paid one-half and the congregation the other half The organ was purchased through Prof. O. H. Unger, of this city. In 1905 St. Mark's church numbered 983 members and the Sunday school 1142 members. Officers in iP05.— Elders, Wm. T. Snyder, D. V. R. Ludwig, Franklin Reichert, Percival Baer, Henry L. Hatt, Peter P. Wagner ; deacons, J. V. Eshelman, Chas. D. Wagner, Peter Bright, Elam Fidler, Howard McCoy, George D. Falk ; secretary, Charles D. Wagner ; treas- urer, William T. Snyder ; organist, Estella Keppelmau Krick ; sexton, Leonard Kauclier. ST. MARK'S CHURCH. 427 Rev. C. E. Schaeffer. Rev. Charles E. Schaeffer is a son of John S. and Magdalena Schaeffer, and was born in Richmond town- ship, near Fleetwood, Berks county, on December 26, 1867. His boyhood days were spent on his father's farm. He attended the public schools of his native township, and prepared for college at the Normal School at Kutztown. He entered Franklin and Marshall College as a Sophomore in 1886, and graduated from that institution in 1889. He entered the Theological Seminary at Lancaster the same year, and grad- uated from this latter institution in May of 1892. Soon after he was examined and li- censed by Lehigh Clas- sis. Having received a call from the Macungie charge, composed of Macungie, Emaus and Salisbury congregations, he entered upon his work, and was ordained to the holy ministry at Emaus on Sunday, June 19, 1892. In the fall of 1896 he accepted a call to the Reformed Church of the Ascension, Norristown, which he served till the summer of 1898, when he became pastor of St. Mark's church, Reading. Since 1896 he writes the Rev. Chas. E. Schaeffer. 428 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHURCH. comments on the Y. P. S. C. E. topics for the Messenger He also edited the Reformed Church Tidings several years. In 1892 he was married to Carrie S. Leinbach, a daughter of the late E. A. Leinbach, of Bern township. E,ev. Schaeifer has a brother in the ministry, Rev. D. E. Schaef- fer, of Leesport. SECTION XII. FAITH REFORMED CHURCH. (Twelfth Congregation ) This congregatioD is the fruit of many years' mission work in the southern part of the city. On June 7, 1868, St. Paul's mission school was organized in the public school house on Laurel street with 57 scholars and 23 officers and teachers. The movement was led by Drs. B. Bausman and C. F. McCauley. Elder John Ermentrout, one of the founders of the Second church, was the first superintendent, and served several years. He was an energetic and godly man, and continued active in church work until near the close of his long life. He afterward served as president of St. Luke's mission school in the public school house on Washington street, belov/ Fourth street. Subsequently he was made general superintendent of the several Reformed mission schools in the city. He died on November 17, 1882, in his 79th year. His daughter. Miss Margaret C. Ermentrout, took an active interest in St. Paul's school. The interest of these two persons in the school continued unabated until their death, and to their generosity is largely due the erection of Faith church on Bingaman street in 1891, where the original mission school, after an existence of twenty-three years, found a permanent home and was in the year 1892 de- veloped into Faith congregation. Mr. Ermentrout was succeeded in the office of super- intendent by Messrs. W. R. Yeich, Horatio Jones and B. 430 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. Frank Ruth, the latter of whom served many years, until after the school had been transferred to the new church. On July 12, 1868, a month after the opening of the mission school, a primary department was organized by Miss Mary Geise (now the wife of Rev. D. W. Gerhard, D. D.), who served as superintendent until February 12, 1870. Mrs. S. F. Ebur, a member of the Second church, now took charge of this department, and continued in the work during the long period of twenty-seven years, until February 3, 1896, when she retired. She rendered effi- cient and faithful STvice. On the above day she was presented with a beautiful Bible by the officers and teach- ers as a token of their respect and esteem for her. Mrs. Ebur died on June 25, 1901. During a number of years the several mission schools in the city were under the care of the Sunday School As- sociation, which was composed of the pastors, officers and^ teachers of the Reformed congregations, and which held monthly meetings on Sunday afternoons. At a later period the Association was discontinued, and the several mission schools placed under the care of individual churches. The result showed the wisdom of this arrange- ment. St. Paul's mission school was placed under the fostering care of the Second church. In June, 1882, the name of St. Paul's mission was changed to John Ermentrout mission. It bore this name until it was transferred to the new church, when the name was changed to Faith Reformed Sunday school. It had long been felt that the Johu Ermentrout mis- sion needed a better place of meeting than the public school house on Laurel street afforded. Therefore a FAITH CHURCH. 431 movement was started for the erection of a church iu the southern part of the city, in which the school could hold its sessions, and iu which a contemplated new Reformed congregation could worship. In the month of April, 1890, a lot located on Binga- mau street, above Fourth, was purchased for $3200, and on August 1 of the same year the consistory of the Second church resolved to proceed with the erection of a brick church, with sandstone trimmings and a tower 13 by 13 feet. Ground was broken on Nov. 22, 1890. Dr. C. F. McCauley, pastor of the Second church, lifted the first shovelful of earth. The corner-stone was laid on Feb. 8, 1891, by Dr. R. VV. Miller, then assistant pastor of the Second church. Dr. H. Mosser delivered an address. The church and city papers, together with a history of the mission, were placed in the stone. Drs. B. Bausman, J. W. Steinmetz, C. S. Gerhard and L. K. Derr also took part in the services. The work was pushed rapidly, and completed in the following spring. The building com- mittee was composed of J. H. Stein, B. F. Ruth, P. M. Ermentrout and William T. Hain, all members of the Second church. The new church was opened for worship on Sunday, June 21, 1891, with three services during the day. Dr. G. "VV. Williard preached in the morning and in the after- noon, and Dr. C. S. Gerhard preached in the evening. The church is 36 by 102 feet in size, Gothic style, erected of brick with sandstone trimmings, and has a seating capacity of about four hundred. The building is divided into three parts — a Bible class room, main department and primary department. The main department is the audience room of the congregation. All the windows are 432 HISTOEY OF EEFOEMED CHURCH. memorials. One of them is a donation from the Chinese class of the Second church Sunday school. The others are memorials from individuals and classes of the Second Re- formed Sunday school. The furniture is of oak. The whole presents a neat and cheerful appearance. The cost of the church and lot was about .$13,000. Of the abovejamount Miss M. C. Ermentrout, already mentioned, contributed $4000. Her long cher- ished wish for a church in that locality was at last fulfilled. But she had long been an inval- id, and could not attend the services in the new church. Although con- fined to her room during a number of years, she was yet remarkably act- ive. She was of a most genial and charming disposition, and wielded an extended influence in the city. She called her friends to her room and planned various charities. She was the founder of the Bureau of Employment, where poor women are given sewing at fair wages. She also originated the Day Nursery, where infants were cared for whilst their mothers were at work. This charity was developed into the Home for Friendless Children. Miss Ermentrout was also one of the leading spirits in the Margaret C. Ermentrout. FAITH CHUECH. 433 founding of the Widow's Home. These charities have since grown to large proportions, and have already accom- plished a vast amount of good, and will continue to do so indefinitely. Miss Ermentrout was also the principal advocate for Faith church and congregation. Her name will ever be remembered with pleasure and gratitude. She also gave $1000 to Bethany Orphans' Home and $1000 to the Second church, of which sum $500 was given to endow two free pews permanently. Miss Er- mentrout entered into rest on October 7, 1894, aged 68 years. When her remains were being conveyed past the Children's Home to the cemetery, the inmates of this noble charity stood in front of the place to show their respect for their departed benefactress. A memorial ser- vice was held in Faith church on October 21, when Rev. F. B. Hahn, the pastor, delivered a suitable address on the life and work of the departed. On June 28, 1891, the Sunday following the opening of the church, the John Ermentrout (originally St. Paul's) mission school was transferred to the church and reorgan- ized under the name of Faith Reformed Sunday school. Mr. B. Frank Ruth and Mrs. S. F. Ebur continued in their positions of superintendent and primary superinten- dent. Occasionally public worship was conducted in the new church. Mr. Eugene McLean, a member of the Senior class in Lancaster Seminary, was appointed to sup- ply Faith mission and St. James' mission in West Read- ing with preaching services during the fall and winter of 1892. On Sunday evening, November 13, 1892, Dr, S. R. Bridenbaugh, pastor of the Second church, organized Faith 434 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHURCH. Reformed congregation with 40 members. This was the twelfth Reformed congregation in Reading. These offi- cers were elected : Elders, S. S. Lesher, L. R. Snyder ; deacons, J. C. Palm, Robert Heffelfinger ; trustees, F. H. Eckenroad, Aquilla Yeager. The officers were ordained and installed on Sunday, November 27, by Dr. Briden- baugh. Mr. Eckenroad, one of the trustees, had faith- fully served the Sunday school more than twenty years as treasurer. On January 1, 1893, Rev. F. B. Hahn, then pastor of St. PauFs church, Kutztown, Pa., was called as pastor of Faith church in Reading and St. James' church Id West Reading. He accepted the call, and entered upon the work in this charge in the middle of February following. He addressed himself with vigor to the work in hand. He canvassed the lower part of the city thoroughly, and succeeded in bringing many persons into the new church. In April of 1893 the Ermentrout Missionary and Aid Society was organized. This organization has been very helpful to the congregation. In this society, as well as in the Sunday school and elsewhere, the self-sacrificing wife of the pastor found a wide field for activity and usefulness. When the church had been completed and opened, a debt of several thousand dollars remained. The formal dedication of the church was delayed until after the pay- ment of the debt. On March 10, 1901, the debt had been fully paid, and the church was dedicated by Rev. F. B. Hahn. Dr. B. Bausman preached the sermon, after which the mortgage was burned. All were glad that this point had been reached. As already stated, the cost of tlie church and lot was §13,000, and the whole amount was FAITH CHUECH. 435 TT iTO RTvyr R n nHURCH. 436 HISTORY or REFORMED CHURCH. paid by' members of the Second church. The payment of the debt gave new encouragement to the pastor and peo- ple, but no one thought that the pastor's labors were soon to end. On May 16, 1901, the members of Faith church and the community were startled and grieved by the sudden and unexpected death of Kev. Mr. Hahn, of neuralgia of the heart. On the Sun- day evening previous he had preached in Boy- ertown, and was there taken ill, but returned to his home the same evening. He appeared to have been nearly well again, when he was sud- denly called away. Not many knew that he bad been ill when they heard of his death. He was thus stricken down in the midst of his active ^Qflj^ Rev. Frederick B. Hahn. The funeral of Mr. Hahn took place on May 21, 1901, in the Second church. Addresses were delivered by Drs. E. V. Gerhart, J. C. Bowman and B. Bausman. There was a large attendance, including over thirty ministers. Interment was made in Charles Evans' cemetery. Frederick B. Hahn was born in Plainfield township, Northampton county. Pa., September 8, 1847, and was therefore in his fifty-fourth year when he died. He was FAITH CHUECH. 437 the sou of Richard aud Sophia Hahn. He was educated at Keystoue State Normal School, the Academy at Mer- cersburg, Franklin aud Marshall College aud Lancaster Semiuary, and graduated from the latter institution in May of 1878. He was examined and licensed by Lancas- ter Classis, aud afterward in the same year ordained by St. Paul's Classis in western Pennsylvauia. He served pastoral charges in Greenville, Mt. Pleasant, Meadville, Cleveland, Kutztown and Reading. He came to Reading in 1892, and labored here until called home in 1901. When Reading Classis was organized, he was elected its stated clerk, aud filled this office until his death. In 1899 he was a delegate of Reading Classis to the General Synod at Tiffin, Ohio. On June 4, 1874, Mr. Hahn was married to Miss Ella R. Bridenbaugh, a sister of Rev. Dr. S. R. Bridenbaugh, pastor of the Second church, Reading. Their union was blessed with six childi-en, four of whom are living. During the summer of 1901 the pulpit of Faith church was supplied by various ministers and students. On Sep- tember 1, 1901, Mr. W. E. Harr was elected pastor, and he accepted the call. He is the son of William C. and Elizabeth Cope Harr, and was born on Nov. 2, 1874, at Bridgetown, Pa. His preparatory education was secured at Lehigh Preparatory School at Bethlehem, Pa. In the fall of 1894 he entered Franklin and Marshall College, and graduated from it in the spring of 1898. In the fall of the same year he entered the Theological Seminary at Lancaster, and graduated from it in May, 1901. On May 21 of the same year he was examined and licensed by Tohickon Classis. Mr. Harr was ordained on Octo- ber 8, 1901, by a committee of Reading Classis, consist- 438 HISTORY OF EEPOEMED CHUKCH. ing of Revs. S. R. Brifleubaugh, D. J)., J. R. Brown and H. Y. Stoner. At the same time he was installed as pas- tor of the charge consisting of Faith church in Reading and St. James' church in West Reading. He has been laboring hitherto in this charge with en- couraging success. , On June 5, 1904, the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Sunday school was celebrated. The exercises were in charge of Mr. Harry R. Shoup, the superinten- dent. There were ex- tensive decorations, in the centre of which was a large portrait of Elder John Ermentrout, the fi rst superintendent, who had done very much for the school. Addresses were delivered by the following: B. F. Ruth, Frank O. Cruise, Fred. Jones and Prof. S. W. Kerr, the latter of whom was for some time the teacher of the Bible Class. Drs. S. R. Bridenbaugh and B. Bausman were also present and made a few remarks. In the spring of 1905 Faith congregation purchased the two-story brick house, 425 Bingaman street, adjoining the church, from Harrison S. Dippery for $1900. The building is on the east side of the edifice. In 1905 Faith church numbered 165 members, and the Sunday school 290 members. Rev. W. E, Harr. FAITH CHURCH. 439 In 1905 the officers of Faith church were : Elders, Wm. E. Weidner, treasurer, Henry F. Reifsnyder ; dea- 3ons, Wm. Schultz, Harry Shoup, Daniel Schucker, sec- retary, and Johu Kneeb ; janitor, Lincoln Heffelfinger. SECTION XIII. ST. JAMES' EEFORMED CHURCH. {Thirteenth Congregation.) West Reading is located on the western side of the river Schuylkill, directly opposite Reading. In recent years the place experienced a good deal of a building boom, and is now a village of considerable size. On July 7, 1892, St. James' Reformed Sunday school was organized in West Reading with 150 scholars and 16 teachers. The movement was under the direction of Dr. S. R. Bridenbaugh and the Second Reformed Sunday school, who had been fostering the mission from its be- ginning. The sessions were held in a chapel which had been erected and for some time used by the Christian Episcopal Church. The property was purchased by Mr. John H. Obold, who was made superintendent of the school and continued as such until the summer of 1904, when he was succeeded by Mr. ]M. A. Gring. There was a debt of -$1924 upon the property, which was gradually paid off, the Sunday school of the Second church contrib- uting §1100 toward the enterprise. Under Mr. Obold's leadership the school made excellent progress, and it was not long before the organization of a congregation was undertaken. In the early part of August, 1892, Dr. S. R. Bridenbaugh, who had urged the starting of the Sun- day school, began to conduct services in the church, which he continued on Thursday evening of each week with the ST. JAMES' CHUECH. 441 view of preparing the way for the organization of a con- gregation. On January 1, 1893, Eev. F. B. Hahn, of Kutztown, Pa., was elected pastor of Faith church in Reading,. He accepted the cal], and entered upon the work in the mid- dle of February. On January 1, 1893, St. James' Reformed church was organized with 62 members by Dr. S. R. Bridenbaugh, pastor of the Second church. This was the thirteenth congregation for Reading. Officers were elected and in- stalled by Dr. Bridenbaugh. The new congregation united with Faith congregation on Bingaman street, Reading, as a pastoral charge, with Rev. F. B. Hahn as pastor of both congregations. In March of the same year (1893) the Missionary and Aid Society was organized, which raised S300 during the first year, and has ever since rendered most helpful ser- vices to the congregation. In the fall of 1895 the Young People's Society was organized, which has also been very active and useful in that particular locality. Both the school and the congregation grew in num- bers, so that in April of 1897 the congregation resolved to erect an addition to the church. The work was soon after undertaken, and the enlarged church was dedicated on Sunday afternoon, June 27, 1897. Rev. D. B. Shuey preached the sermon in the morning. In the afternoon Children's Day services were held, with addresses by Revs. F. B. Hahn, C. 8. Gerhard, D. D., J. W. Stein- metz, D. D., H. Mosser, D. D., I. P. Stein, D. D., E. B. Lyttle, M. A. Kieffer and S. R. Bridenbaugh, D. D., after 29 442 HISTORY OP REFORMED CHURCH. which Pastor Hahn formally dedicated the church. The sermon in the evening was preached by Rev. R. W. Mil- I o c D X O Q U q: Ii. u c u < h 0) ler, D. D. The oiferings of the day amounted to S112. The school which had been organized five years before ST. JAMES' CHUKCH. 443 with 150 scholars now had a membership of 300. It had been greatly in need of the enlarged quarters now pro- vided. The congregation bad by this time also increased to 90 members. Pastor Hahn performed much missionary and pastoral work, and succeeded in gathering many people into the church and the school. Unfortunately he was in the midst of his labors suddenly stricken down by neuralgia of the heart, and died on May 16, 1901. This was a great shock to the congregation in which he was greatly beloved. (For sketch of his life and labors see history of Faith ch.) After the death of Rev. Mr. Haha the pulpit of St. James' church was supplied by various persons until the fall of the same year, when on Sept. 1 licentiate William E. Harr was elected to the pastorate. (For biographical sketch of Mr. Harr see history of Faith church.) He con- tinues in the pastorate at the present time. The congregation expects in the near future to erect a larger and better arranged church. On Nov. 27, 1904, it resolved to purchase a lot of ground at the southeast corner of Penn and Seventh avenues, having a frontage of 150 feet and a depth of 150 feet, upon which a church is to be erected in a few years. Such a step is becoming necessary through the growth of the congregation and the Sunday school. In 1905 St. James' congregation numbered 186 mem- bers and the Sunday school 315 members. The officers in 1905 were : Elders, R. W. D. Schell, Wm. A. Hechler; deacons, James M. Hain, secretary, Henry Trostle, Benjamin Seidle, Levi S. Jones, treasurer, Calvin A. Leinbach, Oscar P. Holl ; janitor, Peter Good. SECTION XIV. TRINITY REFORMED CHURCH. (Fourteentln Congregation.) The most recently organized Reformed congregation in Reading is Trinity church in the borough of Mt. Penn, formerly known as Woodvale. As early as 1873 a union Sunday school was organized in the public school house at Dengler's, then a short dist- ance east of Reading. In 1885 a Lutheran chapel was erected in the neighborhood and a Lutheran Sunday school established in it. Some of the Reformed children attended this school, whilst others attended nowhere, the old union school having been discontinued. A number of Reformed people organized a Sunday school in the public school house in Woodvale on June 15, 1890. Mr. D. V. R. Ludwig was elected superin- tendent and served a short time until he was called to the superintendency of the new St. Thomas' Sunday school in Reading. He is now connected with St. Mark's church and school. After him came Peter B. Keen, Charles Wil- liams and William Soder as superintendents. But the school was small, and was disbanded on July 26, 1891. After several years the Reformed people again realized the need of a Sunday school in that locality. Dr. J. W. Steinmetz directed them to Dr. H. Mosser, pastor of the First church, with the request to send them a good man to conduct a Sunday school. Dr. M. sent them Mr. Freder- TRINITY CHURCH. 445 ick Yeakel, who reorganized the Sunday school on Sun- day, Feb. 3, 1895, and served it as superintendent until Jan. 12, 1897, when failing health compelled him to resign. He went to Colorado, where he is still residing. He was a faithful and good worker. .Mr. Yeakel was succeeded as superintendent on Feb. 7, 1897, by Mr. Llewellyn F. Schearrer, also a member of the First church who continues in the position to this day. Through his labors the school has increased and prospered. W'hen he entered upon the work, the school had about eighty members. Mr. Schearrer formerly dur- ing ten years filled the office of assistant secretary and secretary ia the Sunday school of the First church. In October of 1895 a lot was purchased in Woodvale for |387 as a site for a church. Mr. D. D. Dundore made the first contribution toward the purchase. In the beginning of July,' 1897, Rev. M. L. Herbein, the new pastor of Spiess Reformed church, was requested to preach for the people in the school house. He con- sented, and conducted the first service there on July 11, preaching on Luke 6 : 36. Forty-two persons were pres- ent, and soon a desire was manifested for a congregation at that place. Fifty-two persons petitioned Heading Clas- sis for permission to organize a Reformed congregation. The request was granted on October 18, 1897. On October 31, 1897, Trinity Reformed congregation was organized in Woodvale. These officers were elected : Elders, David D. Dundore, Irwin N. Manwiller ; dea- cons, Wm.. B. Addams, Wm. O. Leinbach. Rev. Mr. Herbein ordained and installed these officers on October 31, 1897. At the same time Mr. Herbein was unani- 446 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. mously elected pastor of the new flock. On December 7 of the same year the congregation was incorporated by the Berks county court. In the month of November, 1897, the congregation resolved to erect a one-story brick church, 40 by 60 feet, upon the lot purchased in 1895. The following persons were appointed as a building committee : Louis Kraemer, sr., Wm. K. Adam, David D. Nein, David D. Dundore and Rev. M. L. Herbein. Ground was broken on De- cember 3, 1897, and the foundation walls erected. Sub- sequently the contract for the erection of the bare church above the foundations was awarded to Mr. David D. Dundore for $2400. The corner-stone was laid on Sunday, March 13, 1898, by Rev. M. L. Herbein. Dr. H. Mosser preached the sermon. On Sunday, June 19, 1898, the new church was dedi- cated. In the morning the sermon was preached by Dr. H. Mosser. In the afternoon the sermon was preached by Dr. J. W. Stein metz, after which the pastor. Rev. Mr. Herbein, formally dedicated the church. Revs. J. P. Stein, D. D^ J. R. Brown and N. Z. Snyder, D. D., were also present and took part in the services. In the evening Dr. S. R. Bridenbaugh preached the sermon. During the day the sum of $127 was realized. The church has a seating capacity of about 300. The finishing is in oak, and the windows are of stained glass. The sweet-toned organ was built by Mr. E. E. Palm, of Reading. The steeple is surmounted by a ball and cross, which are covered with gojd leaf. The church is well lighted and presents an inviting appearance. The con- tract price did not include the windows, organ, furniture. TRINITY CHURCH. 447 heater and lighting, and the total cost of the building and lot was $4200. The Sunday school pays the interest on the debt. A debt of .f 1700 remains on the property. TRINITY REFORMED CHURCH, In October of 1898 a missionary society was organized. There is also an active ladies' aid society in the congrega- tion. 448 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. The first baptism in the new church took place on July 10, 1898, the subjects being Arthur Peter Hafer and Jen- nie Ellen Xein. The first confirmation was that of Bertha E. S. Lutz on July 1, 1898. The first person to receive the communion in the church was Mrs. William K. Adam on July 3, and the first funeral in the church was that of William D. Xein on Dec. 29, 1898. Since the meeting of the Sunday school in the church Mr. William O. Leinbach has served as secretary of the school, and Miss Jennie Lutz has served as organist, both of the school and the congregation. Formerly the village at this place was known as Wood- vale, and its post-office bore the name Dengler's. During many years Dengler's hotel was the only building at this point. On Nov. 7, 1902, the village was incorporated as a borough under the name of Mt. Penn. The congregation at present (1905) numbers 90 mem- bers and the Sunday school 150 members. The officers of Trinity church in 1905 were : Elders, David D. Dundore, AVm. K. Adam ; deacons, Edward S. Adam, Jacob S. Xein ; secretary, David D. Dundore ; treasurer, Edward S. Adam ; organist. Miss Jennie Lutz ; janitor, Wm. O. Leinbach. Rev- Mabry L. Herbein was born in Spring township, Berks county. Pa., on October 23, 1871. His preparatory education was secured in Prof. Brunuer's Scientific Acad- emy in Reading and in Keystone Xormal School at Kutz- town. Whilst attending the former he walked seven miles every morning and the same distance in the even- ing. He taught five terms in the public schools, securing a permanent teachers' certificate. During this time he TEINITY CHURCH. 449 also pursued private studies in the higher branches. In 1894 Mr. Herbein entered the Seminary at Lancaster and graduated from it in 1897. He was licensed by Lebanon Classis in the same month. On June 20, 1897, he was ordained by a committee of Reading Classis, con- sisting of Dr. S. R. Bri- denbaugh and Dr. J. P- Stein, and installed as pastor of Spiess church, near Reading, which he since served in connec- tion with Trinity churcli at Mt. Penn. Since April of 1900 he has served as chaplain of the Berks county almshouse. On August 6, 1905, he was elected pastor of the Bern church, which he is now also serving. He was brought up as a son of this con- gregation. On December 26, 1898, Mr. Herbein was married to Miss Sue Rotherrael, of near Fleetwood, Berks county, Pa. Rev. M. L. Herbein. SECTION XV. ALSACE UNION CHURCH. This church is located on the northeastern border of the city of Reading. More than one-half of the Reformed members reside in the city, so that a short sketch of the church properly belongs to this volume. The date of the organization of the Alsace church is not known. Singularly and unfortunately there are prac- tically no records at hand. Then the congregation was always independent of synodical authority, so that there is no reference to it in the Coetal or early Synodical min- utes. Tradition says the church was organized about 1740. That was eight years before the town of Reading was laid out. At that time there was only one house in the area now embraced in the city of nearly 100,000 peo- ple. The early settlers in this region came from Alsace, Europe. This fact is stated in the petition for the erec- tion of the township in 1744, for which the name Alsace was adopted. The same name was also given the first church erected in the district. The Alsace church is the oldest religious society in this region. There was a burial ground connected with the church from the beginning, and here are resting the remains of many of the first settlers. Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, in his reports to the " Hallische Nachrichten," furnishes us some data in reference to the early history of Alsace church. In the ALSACE CHURCH. 451 year 1754 he reports tliat the Reformed and Lutherans erected a union church at Alsace during his time. He came to America on November 25, 1742. Consequently the first church must have been erected after that date, some time between 1743 and 1747. It was a union church of the Reformed and Lutheraus. But there was much contention from the beginning, which continued un- ALSACE UNION CHURCH. til 1763, when the Reformed withdrew, upon' having re- turned to them the money they had given for the erection of the church. In this year (1753) the Reformed congre- gation in Reading was organized, and it is believed tliat the Reformed people of Alsace became members of that congregation. At a later but unknown date the Reformed people of Alsace were organized into a congregation and 452 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. the union with the Lutherans was renewed. This union has ever since continued. The present church was erected in 1860, and is the third house of worship erected on this ground. Of the character of the previous churches no record remains. The comer-stone of the present church was laid on May 9, 1850, and the dedication took place on October 19 and 20 following. It is a large, substantial bricis building, standing upon elevated ground, which aifords an exten- sive view over the city and surrounding country. In 1885 the church was repaired and repainted, and new stained glass windows were introduced. There are gal- leries on three sides, with an organ on the northern gal- lery. A life-size painting representing Christ is on the wall in the rear of the pulpit. In 1854 a new cemetery was laid out, and extensive sheds were erected for the protection of horses. We are unable to state who were the early Reformed pastors. Rev. William Pauli served the people from about 1815 to his death in 1855. He was succeeded by his younger brother, Rev. Augustus C. Pauli, who labored here until his death in 1871. The next pastor was Rev. A. S. Leiubach, who continued in office until 1895, when he resigned on account of the infirmities of age. Thus during a period of about eighty years the Reformed peo- ple of Alsace were served by only three pastors. After a vacancy of considerable length Rev. John A. Danner was elected pastor and installed on June 20, 1897, and served until January 12, 1904, when he resigned. The next pastor was Rev. T. M. Yundt, former superintendent of Bethany Orphans' Home, who was installed on Sunday, ALSACE CHURCH. 453 July 31, 1904. Just one year later, on July 31, 1905, he presented his resignation, and accepted the call to the general superintendency of the home missionjwork of the Reformed Church. His resignation was reluctantly ac- cepted, and went into effect on October 1, 1905. Mr. Yundt served the congregation very acceptably one year and three months. No successor had been elected when this volume was printed (August, 1905). The following ministers served the Lutheran congre- gation, either as supplies or regular pastors : Revs. Strei- ter, Tobias Wagner, J. F. Schaertlein, H. G. B. Word- man, Daniel Schumacher, H. M. Muhlenberg, Mr. Bruu- holz, John C. Hartwig, Bernhard M. Hausibl, John A. Krug, Peter F. Niemeyer, Philip J. Gratz, Henry Moel- ler, F. M. Muhlenberg, Daniel Lehman, Chas. F. Wild- bahn, Adam M. Marcard, Daniel Lehman, William H. Scriba, H. A. Muhlenberg, -Jacob Miller, F.'A. M. Kel- ler, R. L. Wagner, T. T. laeger, J. F. Wicklein, F. K. Huntzinger and C. E. Kistler, present pastor. In the year 1905 each of the congregations (Reformed and Lutheran) numbered about 700 members. The union Sunday school had a membership of 456. D. D. Becker, esq., is the superintendent of the school. Each of the congregations has a Ladies' Aid Society. In the Reformed congregation there is a Christian En- deavor Society and in the Lutheran congregation a Luther League. In 1905 the consistory consisted of these officers : Reformed. — Elders, David R. Shearer, Milton Sailor ; deacons, Franklin G. Phillips, Alvin Gauby, Wm. Lein- bach. 454 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. Lutheran. — Elders, Howard E. Ahrens, Garson M. Huyett ; deacons, Frederick Leas, Paul Leas, Jacob L. Wertz. Secretary, Garson M. Huyett ; treasurer, Franklin G. Phillips. Rev. T. M. Yundt, the last Reformed pastor, was born near Allentown, Pa., on February 10, 1858, as the son of Thomas and Eliza Yundt. He received his preparatory edu- cation in the public schools, West Chester Normal School, and Academy of Muhlen- berg College. He en- tered Muhlenberg Col- lege in 1878 and grad- uated from it in 1882. He pursued his theo- logical studies in Yale Divinity School, Xew Haven, from which he graduated in 1885. He was examined and licensed to preach by liehigh Classis in the spring of 1885. In the fall of that year he commenced work as pastor of a mission church in Kansas City. Soon after he was called to the superin- lencv of Bethany Orphans' Home, and entered upon the duties of that position in the spring of 1886. He con- tinued in this responsible position until August 1, 1904, Rev. T. M. Yundt. ALSACE OHUECH. 465 a period of eighteen years and four months. During his term of office the work of the Home prospered as never before. Mr. Yundt was married in 1885 to Minerva A Koons, of Allentown. Five children were born to them, four of whom are living. Rev. Charles E. Kistler, the present Lutheran pastor, was born in Kistler's Valley, Lehigh county, Pa., on Aug. 23, 1870, as the son of Wm. S. and Maria (Grim) Kist- ler. He is one of the many descendants of George Kistler, who came to America about the middle of the eigh- teenth century and lo- cated in Kistler's Val- ley. He took a full collegiate course in Muhlenberg College, graduating in 1895, and pursued his theo- logical studies in the Lutheran Seminary at Philadelphia, from which he grad- uated in 1898. He was ordained by the Lutheran Min- isterium of Pennsylvania on June 6, 1898. Before he had completed his studies he was called to the pastorate of Alsace charge, consisting of the Alsace and Blandon congregations, and commenced to work here on March 13, Rev. Charles E. Kistlep. 456 HISTORY OF EEFOEMED CHUECH. 1898. He was installed on July 17 following. Rev. Mr. Kistler was married to Miss Effie Fisher, of Reading, Pa., on August 23, 1899. He resides at No. 344 North Ninth street, Reading, Pa. Both the Reformed and Lutheran congregations of Al- sace have flourished under their present pastors. Each congregation now coutributes about four times as much for pastor's salary as ten years ago. APPENDIX. CHRIST REFORMED CHURCH. During a number of years there was a sincere desire on the part of a considerable number of persons for an exclusively German Reformed congregation in Reading. From the nature of circumstances the German language in the old mother church was on the wane. There was one German service each Sunday, and it was only a ques- tion of time when the German would cease entirely. (This occurred in 1891.) Under these circumstances the Re- formed Church in Reading could hardly hold what for- eign German members it had, and could not expect to at- tract any of those who were coming here. It was believed that a German congregation could be established under the leadership of a foreign-born pastor. The foremost leader of this movement was Dr. B. Bausman. In the spring of 1873 the pastors of the four Re- formed congregations of Reading — Revs. C. F. McCauley, D. D., B. Bausman, D. D., Henry Mosser, D. D., and James A. Schultz — requested Lebanon Classis to organize a German church in Reading. The Classis gave its as- sent and appointed a committee to take the matter in hand, consisting of Rev. Drs. B. Bausman, C. F. Mc- Cauley, H. Mosser, and elders James T. Reber and Amos B. Wanner. This committee soon after called Rev. Ju- lius Fiindellng, of Titusville, Pa., to the work. He was 30 458 HISTORY OF EEFORMED CHURCH. to preach in the chapel of Emanuel's Sunday school on North Tenth street, near Walnut. This chapel had been erected six years before, and was used by that school and also by a German Sunday school which was superintended by Mr. Martin Goodhart. There was thus already a nu- cleus for the undertaking. The chapel with ground had cost about 13000. It was under the care of the Reformed Sunday School Association, and was handed over free of debt to the German congregation after organization. Rev. Mr. Fiindeling held the first service in this chapel on September 7, 1873. He was warmly welcomed to Reading by many who were eager for a German church. In October about 150 persons from the several Reformed congregations visited the new pastor, and brought him many provisions. He was installed as pastor on Novem- ber 2, 1873, by Drs. Bausman and McCauley. In the evening of the same day Mr. Fiindeling ordained and in- stalled the elders and deacons of the congregation which had been organized in September under the name of Christ Reformed Church. A start had now been made, and all were hopeful. The First church Sunday school presented the new Christ church with an organ, and the infant flock received other substantial encouragement. The pastor and some of the members believed a pa- rochial school to be imperatively necessary to the "build- ing up of a German church. The basis for this view was no doubt the fact that numerous German congregations in the Reformed and Lutheran denominations were main- taining such schools. And no time was lost to establish a parochial school. But such an enterprise requires con- CHRIST CHUfiCH. 459 siderable money. The pastor was authorized to collect money for both the church and the school. The chapel was not well calculated for such a school, and a movement was started for the erection of a school house in front of the chapel, which stood back from the building line a considerable distance. In 1874 a two- story brick school building was erected at this place. The corner-stone was laid early in June. Addresses were delivered by Revs. Fiindeling, Mosser and Bausman. During the progress of the work Rev. Mr. Fiindeling and his wife made a short trip to Europe to visit friends. The chapel was extended in the rear fifteen feet, making it 75 feet in length. It was neatly papered and painted. It presented a beautiful appearance, and was reojjened on August 23, 1874. Rev. H. Mosser, D. D., preached the sermon, and a number of other ministers were present. The school was now conducted in the new building, but the hopes of its friends were not realized. A consid- erable debt had been created, and the management of the whole affair was not of the highest order. It is possible that in the course of time the parochial school would have been a feeder for the congregation, but the financial bur- den was too great for the small flock. On Xovember 1, 1874, the first anniversary of Christ church was celebrated. The membership now was about one hundred. On July 9, 1875, the pastor's family was sorely be- reaved by the death of his wife, at the age of 32 yea-rs, 2 months and 16 days. She left her husband with five children, the youngest being a babe of two weeks. She was buried on the lot of the First church in Charles 460 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. Evans' cemetery. In the same month (July) Rev. iSfr. Fiindeling resigned as pastor and accepted a call to Hazle- ton, Pa. He afterward removed to Saa Francisco, where he is still located, although no longer connected with the Reformed Church. After a short vacancy the congregation called Rev. R. Kunz, of Pottsviile, to the pastorate. He accepted and was installed on October 3, 1875, by a committee of Lebanon Classis, consisting of Revs. A. S. Leinbach, M. L. Fritc.h and F. W. Dechant. But he did not continue long in the work. It was evident that a crisis was at hand. There was a heavy debt, besides many unpaid bills. Confidence in the success of the undertaking was largely gone, and the prospects were no longer promising. Under these circumstances Rev. Mr. Kunz resigned, and soon after returned to Switzerland, his native country, where he died not long after. The Reformed pastors of the city appointed a commit- tee of several laymen to look into the financial affairs of Christ church. It was found that the obligations were so large that for some time no one could be found who would take the property and pay the debts. Finally one of the committee agreed to take charge of the matter and settle up the aifairs. But he found it a far more difficult un- dertaking than he had anticipated. The property could not be sold at once, and the unsecured creditors were clam- oring for their money. The party acting as trustee had the property changed into two dwelling house?, and rented these until several years after, when he sold them. Mean- while he paid the debts. The transaction cost him a great deal of time and a considerable amount of money. The MISSION SCHOOLS. 461 cougregatiou disbanded. Some of the members subse- quently became active m the organization of Zion's Re- formed church. Thus the fir-t effort for a German congregation ended in failure. But the advocates of such a congregation were not dismayed. At a later period a new effort was made in the same direction, and the result was a glorious suc- cess. "All is well that ends well." The idea of a paro- chial school was dropped as impracticable. Had this idea never been entertained, the first effort for" a German con- gregation would likely have led to more favorable results. MISSION SUNDAY SCHOOLS. Since the year 1864 the following Reformed Sunday schools were established, which later were developed into congregations : St. John's, Emanuel's (now St. Stephen's), St. Paul's (now Faith), Calvary, St. Andrew's, St. Mark's, Trinity, St. James', and St. Thomas'. Besides these two other schools were organized and continued for some time, without resulting in congregations : St. Luke's School. During a number of years a mission school was con- ducted in the public school house on Washington street, corner of Rose street. We are unable to state the date of its organization, but it must have been about the year 1866. The first superintendent appears to have been the late ex-judge 4. S. Sassaman, who was assisted by George M. Ermeutrout, esq., as leader of siuging, etc. The late Dr. Joseph Coblentz was for some time superintendent. 462 HISTORY OP REFORMED CHURCH. He was succeeded by W. R. Yeich. Daniel Miller was elected superintendent on January ], 1871, and continued in this position until the fall of the year 1879, when the school was discontinued. The last session was held on October 19. A large proportion of the scholars were the children of members of the First church residing in the western section of the city. The First church school was overcrowded, and this fact was one of the reasons for or- ganizing St. Lulie's. After the organization of St. Paul's school in 1873 there was plenty of room in the First school, and many of the children hitherto attending St. Lulie's school weje now sent to the First school. Grad- ually the number of scholars became so small that it was thought best to discontinue St. Luke's school. Among those active in this school were Harrison G. Bouse, Isaac From, Mrs. Mary R. Hain and Mrs. Leonora A. Boys, all deceased, and Mrs. B. Bausman, Mrs. M. J. Earl, T. D. Bausher, Mrs. Franklin J. Brown, Miss Anna Ruth, Mrs. W. W. Bowers, and others still living. Twelfth Street School. Another mission school was organized and for some time conducted in the public school house on South Twelfth street. The superintendent was Mr. William E. Good, brother of Dr. James I. Good, who served from its organization until its consolidation with St. John's Sun- day school at Ninth and Chestnut streets. This union took place on Sunday, January 7, 1877, the Sunday after the opening of the basement of the new church. ADDENDA TO SECOND CHURCH. 463 ADDENDA TO SECOND REFORMED CHURCH. The Ladies' Aid Society. It can be said very truly that of all the organizations in the Second Reformed church the one bearing the above name stands pre-eminent for the amount of work done to advance the interests of the kingdom. From the begin- ning of its history this society has been, as its name indi- cates, a real aid to the congregation. Year by year it has contributed to the current expenses of the congregation. During the present pastorate it has been especially help- ful in working for the erection of the new church and for the liquidation of the indebtedness incurred. The amount given for this specific purpose exceeds three thousand dol- lars ($3000). Not alone to the Second church has this society been a blessing. Its good work has not been thus limited. The Home for Widows and Single Women in Reading, the Home for Friendless Children,' the" hospitals and other charitable institutions of our city have received from this society generous support. Its benefactions have extended beyond the boundaries of the city of Reading. Each winter for many years the members have been engaged in making garments for the children of Bethany Orphans' Home at Womelsdorf. The Society for the Relief of Ministers and their Widows of the Reformed Church receives from this aid society an annual contribution. In fact throughout its entire history this organization has not only helped the Second church, but has contributed to the support of the general work of the denomination, as well as to the undenominational be- nevolent agencies of the city. 464 HISTORY OF KEFOEMED CHURCH. At the present time the officers are : President, Mrs. Emma Andrews; vice president, Mrs. Frank Hanold; secretary, Mrs. J. C. J. Kurtz; assistant secretary, Mrs. Edward F. Wink ; treasurer, Mrs. Jacob H. Stein. The Missionary Sociey. In October, 1893, the missionary society of the Second church was reorganized. Mrs. S. R. Bridenbaugh was elected president, and has continued to hold the office to the present time. Miss Blanche Maguire was elected sec- retary, and Miss Lucy Kurtz treasurer. So efficiently have all the officers discharged their duties that they have been re-elected from year to year, and are at this time ac- tive in the work. This society has rendered excellent service. By its monthly meetings and bj' the distribution of literature it has quickened and fostered a missionary spirit in the mem- bership of the congregation. Its offerings have been given in part to the Women's Classical Society, and directly to special benevolent objects for the furtherance of the cause of missions in both the home and foreign field. None of its funds have ever been used for the payment of Classical apportionment of the congregation. For more than 25 years the Second church has employed the Scriptural, apostolical plan of benevolence, whereby all offerings on the Lord's day and at other services during the week are given to benevolent purposes. Thus, in a sense, the en- tire congregation is a missionary society, contributing regularly to the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom. REFORMED MINISTERS. 465 REFORMED MINISTERS RESIDING IN READING. As a matter of interest, both for the present and fu- ture generations, we herewith publish a list of all Re- formed ministers residing in the city of Reading at the present time (summer of 1905) : B. Bausman, D. D., pastor St. Paul's church, 222 X. Sixth street. S. R. Bridenbaugh, D. D., pastor Second church, 228 South Sixth street. H. K. Binkley, agent Reformed Ohurch Record, 1024 Xorth Twelfth street. C. E. Creitz, assistant pastor St. Paul's church, 5.'j2 Buttonwood street. L. K. Derr, D. D., pastor Zion's church, 822 Wash- ington street. Paul I. Deppen, engaged in secular employment, 1015 North Fifth street. T. W. Dickert, pastor St. Stephen's church, 765 North Eleventh street. J. V. George, D. D., pastor A llegheny country charge, 228 South Third street. James I. Good, D. D., pastor Calvary church, 221 North Sixth street C. H. Gramm, assistant pastor Zion's church, 828 Washington street. I. E. Graeff, D. D., retired, 135 South Eighth street. W. E. Harr, pastor Faith and St. James' churches, 152 Walnut street. M. L. Herbein, pastor Trinity church, 1818 Perkio- men avenue. 31 466 HISTORY OF EEFORMED CHURCH. W. J. Kershner, pastor Sinking Spring country charge, 115 South Third street. J. C. J. Kurtz, reti'-ed, 440 Oley street. J. H. Leeser, without charge, 912 Penn street. T. H. Leinbach, pastor St. John's church, 911 Chest- nut street. H. Jerome Leinbach, pastor Olivet church, 416 Wal- nut street. Samuel A. Leinbach, pastor St. Michael's country charge, 326 North Fifth street. M. H. Mishler, pastor Hill country charge, 534 Frank- lin street. John F. Moyer, pastor First church, 611 Washington street. H. H. Ranck, pastor St. Andrew's church, 1431 Per- kiomen avenue. Charles E. SchaefPer, pastor St. Mark's church, 201 West Oley street. John P. Stein, D. D., pastor St. Thomas' church, 851 North Eleventh street. Henry Y. Stoner, engaged in teaching, Wyomissing. T. M. Yundt, general superintendent of home mis- sions, 210 Windsor street. Number of Reformed ministers in Reading, 26. REFORMED MEMBERSHIP. 467 REFORMED MEMBERSHIP IN READING. The combined membership of the fifteen Reformed congregations in Reading in 1905 was 8814. The mem- bership of the Sunday schools was 9498. Below we give the membership of the several congregations and schools : Congregation. Sunday School. First, 1179 1330 Second, 761 460 St. John's, 543 490 St. Paul's, 847 711 Zion's, 590 535 St. Stephen's, 1020 1150 St. Thomas', 392 578 Olivet, 97 148 Calvary, 440 665 St. Andrew's," 821 1078 St. Mark's, 983 1142 Faith, 165 290 St. James', 186 315 Trinity, 90 150 Alsace, 700 456 Besides these there are many hundreds of Reformed people in the city who are holding to churches in the country. The Sunday school membership is apparently larger than the church membership, but it must be remembered that many church members are included in the home de- partments of the Sunday schools. 468 HISTORY OF REFORMED CHURCH. KEFORMED MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION. This association consists of tiie pastors of the several Reformed churches in Reading. The meetings are held on Monday mornings in the chapel of St. Paul's church. The object is mutual helpfulness and co-operation in church work. Occasionally papers are read and discussed. In 1905 the president was Rev. B. Bausmau, D. D. REFORMED S. S. SUPERINTENDENTS' ASSOCIATION. This organization was formed on March 6, 1903. It includes the superintendents and assistant superintendents of all departments of the several Reformed Sunday schools in Reading. Monthly meetings are held, and various subjects connected with Sunday school work are discussed. The officers in 1905 were : President, Dr.\y. D. DeLong ; secretary and treasurer, Miss Martha E. Homan. ERRATA. Notwithstanding our best efforts, several typographi- cal errors have crept into this volume, and we here correct them : Page 3^6. — Rev. R. W. Miller served tlie Hummels- town charge until December 31, 1893, not 1903. Pages 339 and 344- — The first service of Zion's con- gregation was held on the last (not first) Sunday in May, 1881. Page 34-i- — Mr. Daniel Barlet was employed by the Reading Cotton Mill, not by the railroad company. MZi