Church: History:St. John's (Hain's):  Wernersville, Lower Heidelberg Twp, Berks Co, PA
  
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  Centennial History of Lebanon Classes of the Reformed Church in the U.S.,
   1820 - 1920, Compiled by Prof. Thos. S. Stein, Lebanon PA: Sowers Printing Company.
  
  Excerpts from Chapter VI: "Sketches of Congregations"
  
  St. John's (Hain's), Sinking Spring Charge.
  Rev. W.J. KERSHNER, Pastor.
  
  	St. John's, near Wernersville, is better known to the public as Hain's
   Church. Its old name is Cacusi, which is taken from the Cacoosing Creek,
   near which it is situated. The oldest record of the congregation calls it
   the "Congregation in Heidelberg," i.e. in Heidelberg Township - at present
   Lower Heidelberg, Berks County.
  
  	This church is first referred to in a report of Rev. John Philip BOEHM to
   the Classis of Amsterdam, dated January 14, 1739: "The minister of this
   congregation* can supply also the place which is called Gagushi [Cacusi],
   where, (as I hear) likewise a considerable congregation has gathered. This
   place is about seven or eight miles from the center in Oly. GOETSCHI has
   also presumed for some time to serve this congregation with all his means
   of grace. A minister may also at the same time serve Maxadani [Maxatawny],
   which is at a distance of ten miles." Concerning church buildings, he says:
  	"At Falckner Schwam, Weitmarge, Oly, and Philadelphia, and also at their
   subordinate preaching places, there is as yet nothing. Services are held
   with great inconvenience in houses and barns. Except at Gaguschi (Cacusi)
   near Oly,** where, as I hear, they have built a little log church for their use."
  
  	There was at this time a wave of sectarianism passing over eastern
   Pennsylvania. With it were phases of mysticism and freaks of so-called
   pietism, which sometimes assumed fanatical features. The Dunkers and
   Beisel's followers were especially active in seeking to gain adherents and
   make proselytes. This led the people of the Cacoosing region to band
   together in their endeavors to resist this onslaught, and consequently they
   erected a small house of worship, a simple log structure, yet affording
   them a place from which to disseminate the pure Gospel. This was done about
   1736, as, according to Rev. Mr. BOEHM's report, it was already erected in
   1739. The ground was donated by George HEN (Heen, Hoehn, Hain.)
  	As this early period the lack of ministers and the absence of roads made
   regular services impossible, so that some scattered congregations could be
   served only several times a year. Hence regular pastorates for any length
   of time were out of the question - only occasional services. Frequently
   laymen served as pastors. This state of affairs continued at Hain's for
   about twenty years. Among those who dispensed the truth to the scattered
   congregations at infrequent intervals, were John Conrad TEMPELMAN, the
   pious tailor; Rev. Samuel GULDIN, the first Reformed preacher in
   Pennsylvania; Francis LAYENBERGER, a school teacher; Revs. John Philip
   BOEHM, John Henry GOETSCHI, Jacob LISCHY, Frederick Casimir MILLER
   (unordained), and John Henry DECKER.
  
  	In 1757 Rev. John WALDSCHMIDT became Hain's pastor. He served until 1771.
   In his pastorate (1766) a new church was erected. This was a remarkable
   building for its day. It was built of limestone, with walls three feet
   thick. The dimensions were 40 x 50. A tower surmounted the east end, with a
   weathervane in the form of a cock. Door frames and sills were of red
   sandstone. The interior had a brick floor. Galleries on three sides, on the
   fronts of which were nine panels containing exquisite carvings,
   representing Bible scenes, beginning with the fall and closing with the
   redemption. The pulpit was of the wineglass order, and there were no doors
   on the pews. A large stove in which cordwood could be burned assured comfort.
  	In 1795 a new organ, built by TANNENBERG, of Lititz, was installed, having
   4-3/4 octaves and eight stops. On the keyboard the keys that sound the
   notes in the diatonic scale were black, the others white - just the
   opposite from what they are today.
  
  	Rev. John W. BOOS (Boas) served from 1771 to 1789, when Rev. John Christ
   AMMANN took his place. He served from 1789 to 1792, when Rev. Mr. BOOS
   returned and served from 1792 to 1810.
  
  	It would be a satisfaction to note points in the life and progress of the
   congregation, but the records are silent. Where there are records, they
   consist mostly of lists of baptisms, marriages and deaths. Each
   congregation should have a historian and custodian of archives, whose duty
   it should be, first, to gather up historical data of the past and weave
   them into congregational annals; secondly, to keep a sort of church diary
   in which to record from time to time such events that would be to the
   future investigator a clue to the church life of the congregation, - events
   not strictly of a churchly or ecclesiastical character, but also those
   referring to local and national affairs, when they are closely connected
   with church life. If this will be done, it will be a comparatively easy
   task to write a historical record one hundred years hence.
  
  	But we go back to Hain's. During the Revolution Rev. Mr. BOOS was pastor.
   We have no details of that period. But we know that the church and people
   were loyal and contributed not only of their means but also of their lives
   to the cause of liberty.
  
  	From 1810 to 1814 we find Rev. Philip MAYER in charge of Hain's and from
   1814 to 1816 Rev. Wm. PAULI. He was the son of Rev. Philip Reinhold PAULI
   and grandson of Rev. Ernst Ludwig PAULI and brother of Rev. Charles
   Augustus PAULI, all ministers of the Reformed Church.
  	Rev. Wm. HENDEL, D.D., was the next pastor, 1815 to 1822. He is well known
   for his abundant labors, his scholarship, and his advocacy of a theological
   seminary. He cast the deciding vote in favor, and referring to the
   widespread opposition, he remarked, "I have broad shoulders and can bear it."
  
  	From 1822 to 1826 Rev. F.A. HERMAN was Hain's pastor. He was a "Free Synod" man.
  	Rev. Joseph S. DUBBS, D.D., succeeded Mr. HERMAN and served from 1826 to
   1831. He was the father of Rev. Jos. H. DUBBS, D.D., Professor of History
   in Franklin and Marshall College for a number of years.
  
  	Rev. John HAUTZ was the next pastor of Hain's, 1831 to 1832.
  	During 1833 and 1834 Hain's was served by Revs. Augustus L. HERMAN and
   Thomas H. LEINBACH. The latter was known for his ability in the pulpit, but
   perhaps was more noted as a catechist.
  
  	From 1834 to 1871 - 37 years - Hain's Church was ministered to by Rev.
   Charles Augustus PAULI. During his pastorate the church built in 1766 was
   remodeled, - in 1844. Rev. Mr. PAULI was "abundant in labors." During his
   ministry of 46 years he baptized 6,775, confirmed 2, 013, buried 2,044,
   married 2,121 couples, and preached about 4,700 times.
  
  	The remodeling of the church in 1844 was of such a thorough nature that the
   remodeled church is spoken of as the third church, though it was the second
   renewed. The brick floor was taken up, the bricks ground to sand and used
   in putting a coat of plaster on the outside walls, which were then
   "striped" in imitation of brick.
  
  	The inscription over the outside of the door was changed. When put there in
   1766 it was in place, and read: "Heidelberg Township, Berks County, Dass is
   Eine Hochdeautsche Reformirte Kirche, welche is aufgebaut worden im Jahr
   Anno Char[isti] 1766. Alle die da gehen aus und ein Soltem Gott und dem
   koenig gehorsam sein." this when translated reads: "Heidelberg Township,
   Berks County. This is a High German Reformed Church, which was built in the
   year of Christ, 1766. All who here go in and out should be obedient to God
   and the King." The change made consisted in chiseling away the work "King,"
   as loyalty to the king was no longer in harmony with their ideas. The
   inscription in its old form was an eyesore. Hence "King" was erased and the
   whole repainted, the letters in black and the stone white.
  
  	The interior of the church was made new. On Christmas, 1844, the renovated
   church was rededicated, the services being in charge of the pastor,
   assisted by Revs. J.S. DUBBS, C.G. HERMAN, and Samuel SEIBERT. In 1851 a
   belfry was added, equipped with a bell of 1,047 pounds. In 1866 the
   congregation celebrated the centennial sermon from Deut. 32:7. Revs. B.D.
   ZWEIZIG, P.P.A. HOFFMAN, and Thos. C. LEINBACH took part in the services.
   The pastor furnished a historical sketch of the congregation. The names
   HAIN, FISHER, RUTH, KERSHNER, LERCH, GERHARD, and ERMENTROUT represent most
   of the early pioneer families of the congregation.
  
  	Rev. W.F.P. DAVIS was Rev. C.A. PAULI's successor. He served from 1872 to
   1883. During his pastorate the church was again remodeled and an addition
   was built. The dimensions of the new fourth church were 50 x 82-1/2. The
   cost was $4,000. The corner-stone was laid May 26, 1878, and the dedication
   took place November 16 and 17 of the same year. On both occasions the
   pastor was assisted by prominent clergy, among whom were Dr. Theo, APPEL,
   Prof. Wm. REILY, Dr. Nathan C. SCHAEFFER, Dr. E.V. GERHART and Dr. Joseph H. DUBBS.
  	In the fall of 1883 the present pastor, Rev. W.J. KERSHNER began his
   pastorate of the Sinking Spring Charge, consisting of St, John's (Hain's),
   St. John's of Sinking Spring, Immanuel of Shillington, and Christ Church
   (Yocum's) in Cumru Township. He has been successful as a pastor and many
   improvements have been made.
  
  	This is a field very interesting and presenting a number of subjects that
   claim attention, but they are more in place in a congregational history,
   such as has been published by Rev. Mr. KERSHNER and Mr. Adam LERCH. We
   refer to the "History of St. John's (Hain's) Reformed Church," from which
   we have quoted freely and gained most of our information concerning Hain's
   Church, and to the authors of which we acknowledge our indebtedness.
  	Hain's has had a long roll of school teachers. In 1768 Mr. HUBER heads the
   list. Among them were some skilled organists.
  
  	The first organ was purchased in 1795, as before stated. It was remodeled
   in 1878 and was used 115 years. In 1904 a new organ was installed, first
   class in every respect. It was dedicated on May 23rd. It is estimated that
   between 5,000 and 6,000 persons were present at the three services. Dr.
   R.C. SCHIEDT gave the address. Mr. Harvey ARTZ is the present organist.
  	There is a flourishing Sunday School in connection with the organization of
   Hain's Church, consisting of 1,252 members. There is also a large Bethany
   Orphan's Home League, whose object is to sew for the Home and render other
   help, when necessary.
  
  	The sesqui-centennial of Hain's was observed by various exercises. These
   took place September 3 - 10, 1916. A miniature, memorial log church was
   unveiled where stood the first log church of Cacusi, 1736 - 1766.
  	Hain's Church is the owner of 40 acres 88 perches of land in the vicinity
   of the church, including the donation of George HAIN along with others, and
   several purchases.
  
  	The consistory is constituted at present as follows:
  		Elders - Irvin J. SNYDER, Joseph H. SHEIDY, William Y. GERHART, Clement E. BOYER.
  		Deacons - William P. GERHART, William W. STIELY, Adam R. GAUL, John J. YOH