CHURCH: Historical Sketch of Christ's Church, Union Twp., Adams County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/adams/ ________________________________________________ A HISTORICAL SKETCH OF CHRIST'S CHURCH IN UNION TOWNSHIP, ADAMS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA ORGANIZED MAY 4, 1747 BY REV. JOHN AULT, Present Pastor of the Church, December, 1875 Published by the Congregation GETTYSBURG, PA. H. J. STAHLS, PRINTER, "COMPILER OFFICE. 1876 Historical Sketch of Christ's Church IN UNION TOWNSHIP, ADAMS CO., PA. INTRODUCTORY The whole region of country comprised within the limits of Pennsylvania was granted, by charter, to William Penn by Charles II, of England, in the year of our Lord 1681. Penn being blessed with a magnamimous and conciliatory spirit, was, therefore, always peacefully inclined towards the Indians. Though by virtue of his character he had an undisputed right to all these lands, yet he would not take possession of them without paying the Indians something for them. Treaties for portions of land were made with the Indians at different times. But the greater portion of lands lying on the west side of the Susquehanna river were only deeded, in full, to the sons of William Penn after the year 1736. In that deed was included this district of country, now embraced within the limits of Adams county. Prior to the year 1725 very few whites ventured to settle at any place west of the Susquehanna. But in the year 1736 and from thenceforward hundreds of settlers arrived, from time to time, and took possession of lands lying on this side. Great difficulties arose and existed for a long period of time in reference to the boundary line of Pennsylvania and Maryland. This section of the country, where we live and where this Church is situated, was for many years dangerous ground. This land was claimed by both Maryland and Pennsylvania. Many fights occurred between persons of both sections, much ill-feeling was engendered, considerable blood was spilt, and a number of lives were lost. This state of affairs lasted, to some extent, until the year 1764. For a number of years previous to this date, the Indians also were frequently very dangerous in these parts, and sometimes committed barbarous depredations and outrages upon the white settlers. The first settlers in this region now included in the county of Adams, were principally Scotch-Irish. Some of them came prior to the year 1740, but many more between the years 1740-50. Coming across the river they did not stop in the lower part or low-lands of the county, where the soil is generally so rich and fertile, but they pushed on to the slate lands and hills in the west and south-western parts, where they could enjoy the healthful mountain air and have plenty of pure, fresh springs of water, such as they were accustomed to among the highlands of their own native Scotland. These people generally belonged to the Presbyterian Church. Prior to the year 1747 some German families had also arrived, and in that year a large number came; and from thenceforward the majority of new settlers in these regions were Germans. We find in examining the first baptisms on the baptismal record of this Church, that the majority of the Germans came from the Palatinate. Unlike the Scotch and Irish, their constitutional and proverbial sagacity and shrewdness taught them to select the rich limestone valleys. Many of them settled on lands in the region of Hanover and between that place and Littlestown. The religious profession of these Germans was principally of the Lutheran and Reformed faith; a few were Roman Catholics; the greater number however were Reformed. Among the earliest German Reformed settlers who came across the river and settled on lands in York county, and more especially in the vicinity of York, we find such names as the following, viz: Hoke, Wolf, Schwob, Obb, Spengler, Moyer, Bishop, Schwartz, Schultz, Welchans, and others. Among the early German settlers who came to this southern part of the Conewago valley prior to the year 1750, and who were among the founders of this Church, we find such names as Kitzmiller, Schreiber, Sell, Sheely, Fohrney, Koontz, Young, Duttro, Little (or Klein), Miller, Felty, Will. These are all names familiar in these parts of the country to this day, and the descendants of these ancestors are yet, for the most part, found clinging to the customs and doctrines of the Reformed Church. After the arrival of so many Germans, very serious and dangerous difficulties frequently arose between them and their Irish neighbors. These difficulties extended and exerted an influence, to a certain degree, all over the entire district of York and Adams counties. The arrival of so many Germans did not altogether suit the notions of the Irish, and because so many of them colonized here in this section of the little Conewago, they gave the district the name Germany; and on this account we still have Germany township. 1747 - 1749 This Church, now known by the name of Christ Church, was organized, May 4th, 1747, by Rev. Michael Schlatter of blessed memory. This county was, at that time, still a part of Lancaster, and so also was the whole of York county. It was not until the year 1749, that, by an act of Assembly, York county was formed. Michael Schlatter, the Reformed minister who organized this Church, was sent to this country by the Reformed Churches of Holland, in the year 1746. On the 6th of September, of that year, he arrived in Philadelphia. He was sent here to act as Missionary among the German and Dutch Reformed, to organize them into congregations in the various localities where they resided, and to bring them into proper ecclesiastical order. There were, at that time, scarcely over a half dozen German Reformed ministers in this land. In fact no Christian denomination of any name, up to that time, made any considerable progress in this country. Rev. Schlatter was a man of good education, eminent piety, and extraordinary zeal and industry in the service of his Master. He preached in Philadelphia and Germantown, and took journeys out different directions, from time to time, on horseback, going a hundred or two hundred miles or more, preaching the gospel to the destitute, gathering up families into congregations, baptising children, administering communion, giving hope and encouragement, and doing all in his power to establish the Church of Jesus Christ in these western wilds. On the 29th day of April, 1747, he undertook a great journey, as he calls it, into Maryland. He says, in his journal, that he left Philadelphia amid earnest prayers that the presence of God might go with him. He arrived at York on the 2d of May. This, he says, is a town on the Codorus which was newly laid out six years ago. He found there a large Reformed congregation which had formerly been served by Rev. Jacob Lischey, who was then a minister belonging to the Moravian denomination. On the next day he preached a preparatory sermon there, and on the following day, (4th) he came here - to Conewago. On the same day in which he arrived here, he held a preparatory service in a school house. On the following day he gave communion here to eighty members. And so many people came together upon that occasion, that not all could find access into the school house. They, therefore, held a service in the woods, and here under the open heavens, as he says, he baptized the same day twenty-one children. When he told people for what he had come, to give them communion, to organize them properly into a congregation, and to help them to a regular pastor, they received the news amid tears of joy and with tenderest emotion. We certainly do not wonder at this. They were hungering for the bread of life. Their hearts longed for public Christian worship to which they had been accustomed from their infancy. Forty-five heads of families at once bound themselves together by signing their names, that they would raise in money and grain towards a minister's salary as much as would amount to 133 Dutch guilders, (about $50.) It is altogether probable that some of these heads of families came the distance five, six and more miles. There is every reason to believe that many of these eighty communicants had been in the habit for some time of holding worship among themselves here in this school house, that the house was built by them, and that the school teacher was employed and supported by them. And, as was the case frequently in those early times, the school master was, no doubt, a man of piety, and conducted some of their religious services. We are also assured that after many of these families had settled about here, and prior to Mr. Schlatter's visit, some of them held frequent religious meetings in their houses. There was, at this time, no other Reformed Church organization nearer than York, and we are fully persuaded, therefore, in asserting that this was the second organized Reformed Church in this country west of the Susquehanna river. Elders and Deacons were at once elected here, and then, on the 6th, Mr. Schlatter proceeded on his journey forty miles further, to Monocacy in Maryland, where he also organized a congregation, and gave communion to 86 members. He returned to this place on the morning of the 9th, and the same day went to York. In the beginning of May, 1748, Rev. Schlatter made another great journey. This time he directed his attention and steps principally in Virginia. Coming by way of Lancaster and York, he again visited this congregation. On the 6th of May, of that year, he preached a preparatory sermon here. He then visited certain localities in Virginia, proceeding as far as to Winchester. Returning to this place on the 16th, he administered the Holy Supper again in the school house to fifty members, and also baptized ten children. Mr. Schlatter began a baptisimal record of this Church on the 6th of May, 1747, at the time of his first visit here. With his own hand he recorded the names of the children he then baptized. The records are made in a very neat and careful manner. On the fly-leaf of the book he wrote as follows: - "Kirchen-Protocol, Der Hoch-deutsch Reformierten Gemeinda in Conawake. Angefangen von dem Schreiber dieses Michael Schlatter, V. D. M., Hoch Deutsch Reformierten prediger der Gemeinden Philadelphia and Germantown, den 6th May, 1747." This Church was organized about four months before a regular Synod of the Reformed Church existed in this country. The first Synod was only organized on the 29th day of September, 1747, in Schlatter's Church in Philadelphia. PURCHASE OF LAND There is a deed in existence, from which we learn that in pursuance of a warrant dated the 10th day of September, 1750, there was surveyed on the 22d day of March, 1759, for Michael Will, in trust for the German Reformed Church of Little Conewago, a tract of land, situated in Heidelberg township, York county, containing 37 acres, with allowance of six acres for roads and highways. This deed is given by "John Penn and Thomas Penn, Esqs., true and absolute Proprietaries and Governors in Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania." From this document we learn that the amount of 5 pounds, 14 shillings and 8 pence was to be paid for the land. But among some old papers we find a receipt, dated Philadelphia, May 11th, 1774, from which we learn that the amount of 10 pounds, 13 shillings and 8 pence was paid for it. This amounts in our money to about $27.00. The deed states that the congregation appointed Adam Sherman, Michael Dotterer, John Will, and Ludwig Miller, to succeed Michael Will, in trust of this land for the congregation. We are justified in our judgment also, from various concurrent circumstances, that these four men, at that time, constitued the consistory of the Church. There was, for a number of years, considerable dispute in regard to the boundary line of the land, especially on the southern side. From what we can learn, the dispute arose chiefly in reference to the excellent spring of water which certain other parties, whose land adjoined, claimed the half or sole right. But it appears these difficulties were all satisfactorily settled in the year 1772. The land is among the most desirable and fertile in the county, and the congregation has erected thereon a good house with all necessary out-buildings. HOUSE OF WORSHIP. It is not now positively known at what exact period of time the first Church was built, but there is sufficient evidence to justify the statement that it was built before the year 1755. It was built originally of rough, unhewn logs, and there was at first no plastering between the logs or anywhere else. The seats were mere slab-stools without any support for the back. And as was the custom in those days to worship during the winter without stove and fire, we may to-day imagine, how, on many a Sunday, those earnest and faithful members of this congregation worshipped here, in midwinter, with overcoats buttoned up to the chin and thick home-spun shawls wrapped closely around them, patiently enduring and yet devoutly worshipping, while shiveringly they listened to sermons of no less than an hour and a half in length. Ah! Those were the days that tried the Christian's faith far more than in these times of cushioned pews, frescoed walls, soft carpets, well-heated rooms, and half-hour sermons. All honor to our good ancestors for the brave and sincere conduct manifested in those days that tried men's souls, both as to the life that now is and that which is to come. The log Church was at first built comparatively small, but in after years the number of members became so large that they were necessitated to add another part to it. They then built it somewhat in the form of a cross and consequently it received the name of Kreutz Church (Church of the cross.) It appears that a grave yard was laid out on the east side and near to the Church immediately after the ground was purchased. Subsequently, after the building of the new Church, the grave yard was extended on all sides around it, and during the last fifty years the building has occupied an almost central position in the yard. The Cemetery is undoubtedly one of the oldest in this part of the country. The oldest date discernable on tombstones is 1784. But there are many other graves in it, no doubt, a quarter of a century and more older, but the corroding tooth of time has eaten away the names and dates from the tombstones. The old log Church in which the fathers had worshipped so many years and amidst so many trials, was torn down in the year 1798, and the brick building which stands here so firmly and imposingly to this day, was erected in that year. The house stands on the same site where the old one stood. The elders of the Church at the time of the erection of this building, were Andrew Shriver and Jacob Parr. The building committee consisted of the two elders, Andrew Shriver and Jacob Parr, together with Conrad Dutters, Ludwig Mouse and Jacob Will. John Dysert was Secretary. This same Dysert was during quite a number of years the teacher of the school connected with the Church. He was a man of good education and was very useful and active in all matters pertaining to the interest of the congregation. The subscriptions ranged from twenty-five cents to $1,000. After the building was finished there was considerable debt upon it. Andrew Shriver proceeded to Baltimore to collect funds for the liquidation of the debt, but he returned with only a few dollars. It was finally all paid by the members themselves. The names of the carpenters were Colestock and Kuhns - the name of the mason was Peter Baker. On account of a scarcity of money, the members of the Church, in the surrounding neighborhood, boarded the workmen for free, the larger portion boarding with Andrew Shriver, who lived on and owned the property now owned and occupied by George Basehoar. The Church was not incorporated until the year 1828. The incorporation paper bears date, March 5th, 1828, and is signed by Governor Shultze. The corporation calls for nine trustees. The first trustees elected by the congregation, under the new charter, were the following: - John Wintrode, Michael Crouse, George Will, John Young, Samuel Shriver, John Snyder, George Dutterer, Christian Heller and John Study. Jacob Keller was appointed treasurer. The names of the treasurers from that time to the present, are as follows: - Henry Shriver, Isaac Krebs, William Duttera, Isaac Snyder, Michael Snyder, John Duttera, Edwin Stonesifer, Edward Rebert, Abraham Sell, and Jacob M. Bollinger. Within the last twenty years the Church building has undergone considerable inside alterations and improvements. NAME OF CHURCH. Rev. Schlatter, at the time of its organization, called the Church "Die Hoch-deutsch Reformierten Gemeinda in Conewake." It was generally cusomary in those early colonia times to name Churches from their locality. And we find that, by the name Conewago, Mr. Schlatter afterwards, on his return to Europe, reported this Church to the Synod of Holland. But we learn from old records that already in a very early period of its history this Church was also called Kreutz Kirche. And as already stated, it is generally supposed that the construction of the first building somewhat in the shape of a cross, gave rise to that name. This may, in all probability, be a correct assumption, and we are moreover very willing and ready to believe that such a truly appropriate and excellent name as "Church of the Cross," was given to this house of worship originally by the Fathers. They regarded Jesus Christ and Him crucified as the sum and substance of the gospel. But there is a possibility also that the Church may have received the name Kreutz from some other source. We find among the baptisms recorded by Schlatter on the 6th day of May, 1747, was a child of the school-master who taught the school here at that time. This school- master's name was John Henry Kreutz. He was, no doubt, a prominent and leading man of the community, as all school teachers were generally regarded in those days. And as was the custom often then, he perhaps conducted the services and devotions of the congregation in the absence of a regular pastor. May we not, with reason therefor, form a supposition that the Church here at home was named after him - Kreutz Kirche. But whatever the causes may have been that gave rise to this name, by it the Church was generally called until the year 1798. Its present name Christ Church was given it in that year, at the dedication of the new edifice. By this name it was incorporated, by this beautiful and truly good name it is known to this day, and we hope it will retain it to the end of time. 1749 - 1751. From the year 1749 to 1751 this congregation was served by Rev. Jacob Lischey. His charge consisted of York, Creutz Creek, Bermudian and Conewago. He is said to have labored in the charge at first with great success. He was a man of good preaching powers and possessed much influence over the people. But he was inconsistent and untrustworthy. He had many difficulties with the congregations and with his ministerial brethren, and finally he was expelled from the church. He lies buried in a retired family burying ground in York county. 1753 - 1756. The next regular pastor here was Rev. Theodore Frankenfield. He resided in Frederick, Maryland. He was the first Reformed pastor regularly stationed there, though that congregation had been organized several years previous by Mr. Schlatter. It was by Schlatter's arrangement that he took charge of this congregation also. He was pastor here from 1753 to 1756. He had been educated in Germany and was one of the young men who responded to the appeal which Mr. Schlatter made to the Churches of Holland for help for the destitute churches in America. He was permitted, in the orderings of providence, to preach but a few years. He died young. This was his only pastoral field. From what is known of him, he was a good and faithful servant of Christ. He lies buried in Frederick. 1756 - 1759. After Mr. Frankenfield, the Rev. John Conrad Steiner became pastor of this church. He also resided in Frederick. He served eight congregations. His field extended as far even as to Winchester, Va. In the year 1757 he kept a particular account of his appointments and the number of miles traveled that year in visiting his Churches. In this account, in reference to the Church at Conewago, he says: - "The congregation at Conewago, I visited on the 30th of May, 11th of June, 26th of July, 18th of August, 18th of September, 15th of October and 17th of November; traveling each time 70 miles; in all 490 miles." He remained pastor of this charge until May, 1759. He had preached for some years in Germany before coming to this country, and was, by birth, a Swiss. He was twice pastor in Philadelphia. There he died and there he lies buried. He was a man of unmistakable talent and strong Christian faith. In his preaching he is said to have been plain, affectionate, earnest and powerful. 1760 - 1775. After Rev. Steiner, it is probable that there was no regularly settled minister over this Church during a period of fifteen years. Between the years 1760 and 1770, Revs. William Otterbein and Charles Lange were settled pastors over the Frederick charge, and while it is quite presumable that both of them, at times, visited this congregation, it is not probable that they, like their predecessors, were the officially constituted pastors of it. From 1765 to 1774 Mr. Otterbein, was pastor at York, and there are existing reasons to believe that he, during that time, also made occasional visits to this Church. During this period of time, from 1760 - 1775, I find recorded in the record only 38 baptisms, and we judge that even these were recorded only after the arrival of Rev. Boehm in 1775. It is very likely that owing to the unsettled condition of the country; the fearful troubles brought about through the French and Indian wars; and the many serious dangers and quarrels arising because of the disputed and undefined Maryland boundary line, this congregation was left without a settled pastor during these fifteen years. It is also quite probable that during this decade and a half of years, Rev. Lischey sometimes came and ministered to this people, for we know that prior to the year 1775 he took an active part in the founding of a Church at Hanover, though he was never at any time a regular pastor there. 1775 - 1779. In the year 1775, Rev. Charles Lewis Boehm became pastor of this Church. It was now that a new pastoral charge was formed, of which this congregation constituted a part. In this year a Church was formally organized at Hanover. The new charge was composed of Hanover, Abbottstown, Bermudian, and Kreutz (this) Church. Hanover was then called McCallistertown. It was laid out in 1764, by Richard McCallister, and went by that name for quite a number of years. Soon after the town was laid out, an effort was made on the part of some Reformed members to build a house of worship there. Prior to this time those of the Reformed faith living in that neighborhood, worshipped principally here in this Church. Their "house of God" was not finished until 1775 or `6. That was the first building erected for the worship of Almighty God in that town. The consistories of the four congregations, now served by Rev. Boehm, held regular annual joint meetings in the month of January. From an old Church document in the hands of Rev. W. K. Zieber, D. D., of Hanover, we learn that at a joint meeting held in the year 1777, the four congregations pledged themselves to pay for the support of their pastor, the sum of 125 pounds. Of this amount this (Kreutz) congregation paid 35 pounds (about $90.) Beside this it also paid a certain amount of parsonage rent at Hanover. Rev. Boehm preached here until 1779. He was pastor here during those long, dark and troublesome years of the Revolutionary war. Before coming to this place he had been pastor, for four years, of the Reformed Church at Lancaster. He commenced his labors here on the 28th day of April, 1775. From here he went to Baltimore. He was not a healthy man and it appears that his afflictions soon thereafter necessitated him to retire from the active duties of the ministerial office. The congregation at Baltimore supported him a whole year after he could no longer labor among them, and he likewise received pecuniary aid from Churches in Holland. 1779 - 1807. Now comes a long pastorate in the history of the congregation. Rev. John Christopher Gobrecht became settled here in 1779 and remained twenty-eight years. He resided in Hanover and labored, during all this time, faithfully in all the Churches composing the charge; sometimes six in all. He came to this country from Germany in the year 1753. When he was thirty-three years of age he says he "was led by the Holy Spirit of God to feel a desire to enter the holy ministry and to win souls."" So he wrote in his old family Bible. Before coming to this place he labored in Bucks and Lancaster counties. Father Gobrecht was not a man of great learning, but his preaching was generally acceptable to the people. There are yet among us some who were baptised by him and a few also who heard him preach. He is spoken of as a very good and earnest man. He was a faithful pastor, and made it a rule to visit all his families, if possible, at least once a year. Under him this Church and entire charge was much strengthened in numbers and in vital godliness. In an old church book we find recorded a number of articles, twelve in all, which he drew up for the regulation and guidance of conduct of the members of this congregation. They constitue a strict code of Christian rules by which this flock was to be governed. They were very carefully and neatly recorded in the year 1784. Although they were prepared and recorded ninety-one years ago, and at a time when, as is now supposed, our churches were generally too cold and lifeless, when too much stress was laid upon mere outward church-membership, yet we are sure that very few churches, in this our day, have more binding or better rules for guidance of their members or more express and pointed declarations as to what constitutes a genuine Christian. And these twelve articles (or constitution) were signed by 77 members; 53 married and 24 single. First among the signers come the elders, Andrew Shriver and John Will; then the deacons, George Kuhns, Jacob Will and Jacob Sheely. Between the years 1780 and 1790, we also find recorded in an old book several settlements made by the deacons of the Church, in whose hands fell the regular Sunday collections. Such a settlement was made November 9th, 1782. The deacons, by whom it was made, were Andrew Shriver, John Kitzmiller and John Will. They state that after paying in "paper money" for communion wine, for parsonage rent at McCallistertown, and for some repairings to the door of the Church, there remained in the treasury the sum of six pounds, one shilling and eleven pence, (about $16.00) We suppose the paper money to which they refer was, what was then called, "Continental currency." The financial condition of the country was peculiarly distressing during the entire war of the Revolution, and towards the close of it this continental paper money had depreciated so much that $75 of it was equal only to one dollar in specie. This month, November, 1782, in which this settlement was made, was the month in which the independence of the United States was acknowledged by Great Britain. The war was now substantially at an end. A few years later, in 1784, another settlement is mentioned. The aforesaid Andrew Shriver and John Will were, in the meanwhile, elected to the office of elder, and the deacons now in office were Jacob Sheely, Jacob Wintrode and John Kitzmiller. In the year 1796 George Mouse was the treasurer of the Church, and we have ascertained that after a settlement made by him on the 1st day of January, there remained in the treasury thirteen pounds, eleven shillings and three pence, (about $34.) We have mentioned these items, principally, to show who were among the ruling men of the Church during that period, and also to prove that the finances of the Church were managed with considerable care. We may also learn from these items that the services of the sanctuary must have been well attended in those days, as otherwise the penny collections could not have left the treasury in so good a condition. Rev. Gobrecht had a family of seven sons and three daughters. One of his sons - John by name - also became a preacher, and from the year 1794 to 1801, a period of seven years, he was the assistant of his father in this Church, as also in the entire pastoral field. Both the father and son were pastors here when this present house was built, in 1798. In the same year, under their pastoral oversight and rule, a new house of worship was also built by the Hanover congregation. Both these houses were built of brick, and that was something by no means very common through the country in those days. In the year 1807 the infirmities of age compelled this worthy servant of Jesus to retire from the work of the active ministry. On the 6th of Nov. 1815, he fell asleep in Christ and entered upon his everlasting rest. His memory is blessed. His works do follow him. He lies buried in the Reformed grave-yard at Hanover. There yet remain some of his descendants amongst us who are among the active and devout worshipers of this congregation. Until towards the close of father Gobrecht's ministry, Adams county constituted a part of York. The subject of forming a new county was agitated already as early as 1790. But after a great amount of wrangling, strife and petty animosities, especially between the eastern and western sections of York county, the Legislature of the State finally passed an act, Jan. 22, 1800, for the formation of Adams county, out of the western part of York. 1809 - 1813. After the retirement of Rev. Gobrecht from this Church, came the Rev. Charles Helfenstein. He was the first pastor of this Church of American birth. It appears that he began his labors here in the year 1809 and closed them in 1813. In the Hanover congregation he performed ministerial duties until April, 1814, but in this Church his labors must have ended at least a year earlier, as we learn from the Church record that his successor performed ministerial acts here already in midsummer of the previous year. A considerable number are yet living and worshiping among us who were attendants upon his public ministry. He was a man somewhat eccentric in his habits. He had labored in three or four charges before he came here, and also served in several fields after he left. He seems to have been a man of deep, childlike piety - humble and unassuming. As far as I can learn he was generally well thought of by the people of this Church, though in his preaching he was not very popular. He had some very strange and unaccountable habits in the pulpit. Very often he would stop in his preaching, strike his knuckles on the pulpit desk during twelve or fifteen seconds without saying a word, and then he would frequently halt in his sermon, close his eyes, lay the forefinger of his hand on his forehead and thus appear absorbed in profound meditation for a whole half minute or more. Such odd habits, together with some others equally strange, gave rise sometimes to many amusing and unpleasant remarks from members of the congregation, during the services. When the war of 1812 began with Great Britain, he became very unpopular with many of his parishioners. He expressed himself very strongly in favor of it, and being of a patriotic turn of mind he was very eager to encourage enlistments, and this he did sometimes from the pulpit. On this account a number looked upon him as a "political preacher," and this had naturally a great tendency to lesson his future usefulness in this field. During the last years of his life he resided in Reading, Pa. It is said his dying hours were full of great joy and peace in the Holy Ghost. His last words were: "O Lord Jesus, come!" He died in December, 1842, aged 61 years. 1813 - 1824. Jacob H. Wiestling was the successor of Charles Helfenstein in this Church. His first communion is recorded Nov. 21st, 1813. At that time he also confirmed a class of catechumens, whom, according to the strict custom of those times, he began instructing, no doubt, already in the foregoing Spring. For this reason we suppose he became pastor here in the early part of the year 1813. He was born in the vicinity of Harrisburg. He was licensed to preach the gospel in 1812, and about the same time became pastor of the Manchester congregation and of some others in that section of Maryland. There is reason to believe that about the same time, or soon thereafter, he began his ministry also in this Church. It was not until January, 1815, that he moved to Hanover and assumed the pastorate of the whole Hanover charge. On account of some serious misconduct reported in reference to him while he was pastor at Manchester, he was, a few years thereafter, expelled from the Synod of his Church. Synod gave official information to this congregation, as also to the other congregations of the charge, of its action in regard to him, and "kindly and earnestly advised them to rid themselves of so unworthy a person." But for some reason or other, his congregation saw fit to retain him. In a record book of this congregation is an account given of a meeting held in this Church, October 13th, 1820, at which a committee from the Hanover congregation was also present, and at which time it was decided to keep Wiestling as pastor, notwithstanding his excommunication by Synod. At this meeting, Ludwig Study was appointed President and Samuel Schriver Secretary. He was sometimes quite intemperate in his habits. This was well known to all his members, and it is very surprising that they would persistently uphold him, especially also after Synod's action in his case. There were a good many members, however, who refused to attend his public ministrations longer, and his retention by a certain party was a serious drawback to the prosperity of this and other churches. He is yet spoken of by those who well knew him, as having been a man of decided talent and a popular and eloquent pulpit orator. We believe in the year 1822 he was again fully received into connection with the Synod and his conduct towards the close of his life, underwent great changes for the better. His last communion in this Church was held October 31st, 1824. He died in 1826, aged 33 years, and his remains lie buried at Hanover. It was during Mr. Wiestling's pastorate of this Church, in the year of our Lord, 1820, that Zion's classis of the Reformed Church was organized. This Classis originally embraced within its territory also all that country now occupied by Mercersburg Classis. This latter Classis was organized out of a part of Zion's in the year 1840. Zion's Classis includes within its limits Adams, York, Cumberland and Perry counties. During Wiestling's ministry here, and for sometime thereafter, there was still kept up a school in a school-house owned by the Church and situated on the Church property. It appears that the school which was here begun already prior to Rev. Schlatter's first visit to this place, was kept up for a certain length of time, almost annually, during a period of nearly one hundred years. Between the years 1813 and 1820, one by the name of William Slyder was the school-master here. It appears that he also kept the record-book of the communicants. And at this point we can not help but express our deep regret that the communicant record of this Church prior to the year 1813, a period of sixty-five years, is either lost or destroyed. Only one communion during that long period of time is recorded, and that one was held in the year 1776, in the beginning of Rev. Boehm's ministry. A certain school-teacher by the name of David von Souberin, was engaged by the Church in 1820. But it appears he did not get along very pleasantly. In a few lines written in German on the last page of the baptismal record, he says he was engaged by Christ Church as school- master and moved here October 12th, 1820; but, he adds, that to his great joy he moved away, April 1st, 1824. 1826 - 1827. A newly arrived German by the name of Frederick William Bindeman followed Wiestling as pastor of this Church. He professed himself a minister in the Reformed Church, but it soon became evident that he was a notorious impostor, and it is doubtful whether he was ever ordained to the office of the Christian ministry at all. How he managed to work himself into the pastorate of this charge is a question difficult to determine. He preached here about one year and the congregation was heartily glad to get rid of him. Where he went to afterwards and what finally became of him is not known. 1828 - 1837. In the beginning of the year 1828, this congregation, along with the other congregations comprising the charge, gave a call to Rev. Samuel Gutelius. He remained here during a period of nine years. He made his first entry in the record book of this Church, February 18th, 1828. Father Gutelius, as he was commonly called, was born in Lancaster county, in the year A. D., 1795. He was ordained to the office of the Holy Ministry in the year 1822. Before coming here, he served a charge in Northumberland county. As long as he was pastor of this congregation, he served also four others. He resided in Hanover. He was an industrious laborer, an earnest preacher, a devoted and faithful pastor. He was much beloved by his churches. His labors here were greatly blessed. During his pastorate here the Church recovered again from the state of indifference, confusion and trials into which it had fallen during the ministry of his two predecessors. On the 13th of June, 1837, he made the following entry in a book belonging to the Church: - "After a peaceful and blessed connection of nine years and four months, the undersigned, on account of bad health, saw himself constrained to withdraw his ministerial services from Christ Church congregation. The separation to him is a painful one; the hope of meeting many of those who were his members where parting is no more, is his only consolation. Lord Jesus forsake not his Church! SAMUEL GUTELIUS." After leaving here he preached at Gettysburg; Baltimore and several other places. He served in all eight charges during a toilsome and successful ministry of 44 years. He fell asleep in Jesus, July 17th, 1866, aged 70 years and 9 months. 1837 - 1866. Immediately after the retirement and resignation of Rev. Gutelius from the services and labors of this pastoral field, the Rev. Jacob Sechler became his successor. This was his first field of labor. He preached in what was then known as the Hanover charge, of which Christ Church had constituted a part until the winter of 1859, when by authority of Zion's Classis, that charge was divided. The Hanover and Lischey's Churches were then constituted a pastoral field by themselves, and a new charge was formed, called the Littlestown or Christ Church charge. Bro. Sechler assumed the pastorate of the latter. Prior to this division the extent of his field was very large and his labors extremely arduous. Under his ministry a lot of ground was purchased by this congregation, in the borough of Littlestown, upon which a neat and commodious parsonage was erected. The deed for the ground bears date March 22d, 1859. The trustees of the Church at the time, to whom it was deeded, were John Duttera, Barnabas Sheely, Enoch Lefever, Daniel Whaler, John Becker, David Zuck, George Duttera, George Hesson, and Samuel Rebert. It has already been stated that this Church paid parsonage rent, from time to time, at Hanover, already many years previous to the year 1800. In the year 1822 this congregation assisted in the erection of a parsonage at Hanover, toward which it contributed $300. This sum was afterwards paid back, at the time when this congregation became formally detached from that charge. Under the ministry of Mr. Sechler, the English language was introduced and Sunday Schools established in this Church and throughout the borders of the whole field. Preaching in the English tongue was begun in the year 1848, one hundred years after the founding of the Church. Considerable opposition arose on the part of some when the subject of English preaching was first suggested, but through the earnest and just efforts of Enoch Lefever, encouraged by a few others, the opposition at length yielded and the beginning was made. At first only every third sermon was preached in English, but a few years later it was agreed to allow one-half, and thus it has continued to the present time. But the time is rapidly approaching when, in order for the permanent advancement and prosperity of the Church, the German must give still further way to English services here, since the latter language is fast becoming the prevailing one spoken in this entire community. In the year of our Lord, 1846, a congregation was organized of members of this Church, near White Hall, Mountpleasant township, which is known by the name of St. Luke's Church. It was organized with about twenty members. It numbers now about one hundred and twenty. It is at the present time in an active and flourishing state. The building is owned conjointly by the Lutherans and Reformed. It was erected in the year 1846. On November 23d, 1851, another congregation was organized with members of this Church, four miles south-west of Littlestown, on the Emmittsburg road. A new house of worship was erected the same year. It is known by the name of St. James Church. Upwards of thirty members constituted its numerical strength at the time of its formation. It now has about one hundred and twenty, and both as to its temporal and spiritual state, is in a very prosperous condition. In the Spring of the year 1860, the Littlestown congregation was organized, also with members principally of this Church. There had been frequent Reformed services in the town for a number of years previous but there had never before existed a regular established congregation. The Church was organized with about forty-five members. Soon afterwards arrangements were made for the erection of a suitable Church edifice, but owing to various conflicting circumstances and diverse hindrances, the building was not completed and formally consecrated to Almighty God, until May 26th, 1872. Prior to the year 1873 this congregation made no commendable and encouraging progress. But from the Autumn of that year, until the present time, it has made rapid advancement in number of membership, as well as in spiritual life and activity. In the summer of 1874 the building becoming too small for the accommodation of the people at the regular services of the Lord's day, an addition of nineteen feet was attached to it, and various other improvements made, at a cost of $2000. The present membership of the Church numbers 180. The elders are, Samuel P. Young, Henry Sellers, Barnabas Sheely, and Charles Spangler; the deacons, John Spangler, James A. Lefevre, George W. Hartman, Franklin D. Hesson, Samuel Cump, and George W. Riffle. Nearly all of these, as also the ancestors of nearly all of them, were one time among the prominent members of the Christ Church congregation. Each one of these three new Churches was established under the ministry of Rev. Sechler, and were regularly served by him during the remainder of his pastorate here. And we have thus been particular in noticing the origin and formation of these three congregations because they were, in the main, composed originally of members who had formerly belonged to this Church. We regard Christ Church as the Mother Church of all the Reformed Churches in this whole section of the country, including also the one at Hanover. And we are sure, moreover, that this was the first Church of any orthodox religious denomination established here within a large radius of country, and it may justly be regarded; therefore, as standing at the head of all Christian Churches of all persuasions in this whole community, and as having given more or less substantial assistance and inspiration to them all. After the formation of this new charge and the erection of the new parsonage, Rev. Sechler moved to Littlestown. Besides the four congregations in this county, he also served for some time, the Silver Run Church, in Carroll county, Md. After laboring in this congregation during a period of almost thirty consecutive years, he resigned, and now resides in Hanover, being still actively engaged in the work of his divine Master, serving several country congregations. His many years of toil in this Church were acceptable and successful throughout. He is warmly and affectionately remembered, and his sincere labors will continue to bear fruit to the glory of Almighty God, long after his soul shall have entered upon a heavenly and everlasting reward. 1867 - 1869. The Rev. John M. Clemens was the next pastor of this Church. He was a young man and had only shortly before entered the ministry. His field of labor embraced Christ Church, Littlestown, St. James and St. Luke's churches, and thus the charge remains constituted to this day. He remained here only until October, 1869, at which time, at his own request, his pastoral relation was dissolved by Classis. From here he went to St. Clair's, in Schuylkill county, and from there to Conyngham, in Luzerne county, where he labors with much success. 1870 - 1872. After the retirement of Mr. Clemens, the Rev. Casper Scheel received a call from here. He became pastor of this Church in August, 1870. He left again in July, 1872. Since leaving here he preached in a charge in Ohio, then in Indiana, and now he is located in Middle Lancaster, Butler county, Penn'a. Owing to various circumstances beyond the control of these two last mentioned ministers, their pastorates in this Church were not remarkably pleasant or very successful, and on this account their sojourn here was brief. 1873. On the 22d day of September, 1873, the present pastor (Rev. John Ault) took charge of this Church and of the entire pastoral field. The Church is at the present time (Dec. 1875) in a peaceful and thriving state. The blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ appears to rest bountifully upon the labors of pastor and people, and it may thankfully be said of this entire pastoral field that it is united, prosperous and happy. The present membership of this Church numbers about 485, and that of the entire charge about 910. It will be observed from the foregoing sketch that this Church has had, from its beginning until now, fourteen regularly settled pastors over it. The board of Trustees at this time consists of the following, viz: Samuel Schwartz, Andrew Sell, William Duttera, Jacob M. Bollinger, Jacob Rittase, Daniel Whaler, Edward Rebert, George Hesson, and Eli Bollinger. The following members compose the consistory of the Church at the present time, viz: Elders, Solomon Schwartz, Michael Kitzmiller, Daniel Sell and Philip Sterner; Deacons, William Bogan, William A. Sell, Amos Carbaugh, Cornelius Wolf, George F. Schwartz, Amos Cump, Jeremiah Bear, and William Sell. The chorister of this Church who has successfully raised the tunes and led the congregation in singing the songs of Zion during the last 22 years is Henry Gutelius, brother of Rev. Samuel Gutelius, of blessed memory. CONCLUSION. We have endeavored to give as faithful and accurate an account of this congregation, from its origin in 1747 to the present time, as is possible under the circumstances. Its old documents and records, such few as are yet to be found, from which to gather information in reference to its first seventy-five years, are very imperfect and incomplete. It was, therefore, with considerable difficulty that we were enabled to gather together such statistics and various historical events and doings of the Church as are given in the foregoing sketch. May this ancient and honorable Church of this lovely and historical valley of the Conewago, continue to exist to the latest generations of time. It is now something over one hundred and twenty-eight years old - but old as it is, its locks are not shorn, its strength has not departed, its glory has not ended; but here on this sacred eminence it stands, in the midst of these multitudes of graves, telling the passer by and the coming worshiper that here God has had a dwelling place where his people have been refreshed and blessed on their heavenly journey for over a century and a quarter already; and here He will meet and bless yet the thousands more that turn to Him in years to come. Here hundreds of catechumens have been taught that their only comfort in life and death is, that they, with body and soul, are not their own, but belong to their faithful Saviour, Jesus Christ. Here many hundreds first began to drink from the fountain of divine love, and first were made to realize the sweet joys of the holy religion of Jesus. How often have God's people here mingled their voices in singing psalms and hymns of praise to the Triune God, and how many thousands of prayers, from earnest and anxious hearts, arose from this hill to the throne of free grace. Large numbers surrounded this communion altar, from time to time, since the middle of the last century - old men and women, young men and maidens - many of whom are now happy worshipers among the white-robed in heaven. This Church is old, but it need not be ashamed of its history or of its age. It stands here as one of the old land marks connecting the past with the present. Its founders and early members and supporters were among the first and best settlers of southern Pennsylvania. Here they lived - here they laid a religious foundation for their posterity of many generations - here most of them died - and here they lie buried. This congregation was established when the English flag yet floated triumphantly over these American provinces, when the British lion still growled defiance to the rising spirit of liberty, and when monarchial laws still burdened the people with merciless taxation. Its foundation was laid when these hills and valleys were yet seen, for the most part, in their primitive rudeness and uncultivated state; when the war-hoop of the savage Indian was yet heard in these regions for miles around; and when life and homes were in a peculiar condition of almost continual uncertainty and danger. Its organization was effected long before the Continental congress announced the Declaration of Independence on the 4th of July, 1776, and the old State House bell at Philadelphia "proclaimed liberty throughout all the land and unto all the inhabitants thereof." It witnessed these Colonies struggling for national life and existence during seven long years of unparalleled self denial, patience, and determination, until finally their ideas and hopes of human rights, under the blessing of heaven, were fully realized and acknowledged. This Church saw many of its members - fathers and sons - during the dark days of the Revolution, buckle on the knapsack, shoulder the musket, and with hearts beating quick with patriotism and Christian piety, go forth to fight for the civil and religious freedom which we now enjoy. It saw this country grow from comparative insignificance, step by step, in all the elements of national glory, power and greatness, until now it stands second to none among the four leading nations of the globe. This Church was begun when the army of Christians in this land was yet small; but it has lived to see the day when the Banner of the Cross floats through almost every valley and over almost every hill from the Atlantic to the Pacific, when no less than sixty thousand houses of Christian worship dot the land, and the disciples of Jesus are numbered by millions. It was begun when our branch of the Christina Church could not have counted more than a few thousand followers in this country, but it is now permitted to rejoice in the knowledge that during its existence the membership of the German Reformed Church has increased to 150,000 souls. Our sincere prayer and hope is that this "Church of the Little Conewago" may continue to exist, exerting an influence for good, far and wide; and that it may live to witness the time, eventually, when the blessed religion of Jesus Christ shall triumph and prevail over this whole land and over all the earth; when the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of Almighty God, and Christ shall be all in all.