CHURCH: Fiftieth Anniversary, Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Sunday School, 1891-1941, Altoona, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ html with photos: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/1picts/bethany50/beth-50.htm _______________________________________________ THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY BETHANY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SUNDAY SCHOOL ALTOONA, PENNSYLVANIA 1891-1941 NOVEMBER 17 TO 23 NINETEEN HUNDRED FORTY-ONE -2- GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY BETHANY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SUNDAY SCHOOL THE NEW CHURCH [photo] Dedicated September 23, 1923 REV. PAUL L. REASER, B. D., Pastor CORNER THIRD AVENUE AND SECOND STREET, ALTOONA, PENNSYLVANIA. -3- History of Bethany Lutheran Sunday School BETHANY Lutheran Sunday School was organized in 1891. A thorough canvass of the Eighth and Tenth Wards of the city, to ascertain the needs of the people who were of Lutheran background, warranted the organization of a Sunday School in that section of the city. As a result of this canvass, a first meeting was called to meet in Kline's Hall at 330 Sixth Avenue on Sunday, November 22, 1891, where Bethany Lutheran Sunday School was organized with seventy-four charter members. The canvass had been carried on by six persons: William S. Tomlinson and Joseph W. Wilson of First Lutheran Church, Altoona; Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Harpster, and Mr. and Mrs. James H. White. The following officers were chosen to guide the infant organization: James H. White, Superintendent; John D. Rickabaugh, Secretary; Harvey C. Keith, Treasurer. The school grew so rapidly that in less than a year it became necessary to seek larger quarters, and the third floor of the I. O. 0. F. building, 401 Sixth Avenue, was rented for the weekly meetings of the school. This continued to be the place of Sunday School and, later, church worship, until Bethany congregation erected their own first building. Such interest and growth was manifested that it was decided to organize a full- fledged congregation. On June 25, 1893, Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church was formally organized with forty-eight charter members, and the work placed in the hands of the Rev. Elmer E. Parsons, then a theological student in the college at Gettysburg. On September seventh of the same year Bethany Church was received into the Allegheny Synod, and all was now in readiness for the great work that should be done. On September 21st the Rev. H. M. Heilman was called as the first pastor of the congregation. Steps were at once taken to secure a church home. David K. Ramey donated a lot, 50 by I20 feet, at the northwest corner of Third Avenue and Second Street. To this was added the adjoining lot on which the parsonage was located, at present replaced by the new one. Appeals for funds soon brought response enough to justify the starting of a building, and within the first year of the first pastorate, ground was broken and construction was begun. On November 12, 1893, the corner stone was laid. This original building was of wooden frame construction, later encased by brick walls. On Sunday, April 1, 1894, the church building was dedicated to the glory of God, the dedicatory sermon being preached by the Rev. Joseph F. Hartman, D.D., then pastor of the Second Lutheran Church, Altoona. During the next several years little is known of the work done and progress made. Progress there was, however. Within four years after the Sunday School was organized, additional officers were elected to the staff of workers to help care for the work. On December 15, 1895, an amendment was added to the constitution providing for two assistants to the superintendent, where one previously had been sufficient. At the same time, we find that two librarians were elected to office, apparently to conduct a lending library which the Sunday School sponsored for a while. Then, in 1897, an assistant was elected to help with the secretarial work. Gradually, officers were called to serve as needed by the increasing attendance in the school. In the Altoona Mirror daily paper dated November 9, 1901, we find the following church announcement: "Bethany Lutheran Church to worship in the Third Presbyterian Church at 10:30 and 7:30. (No school)." The reason for this we find in the announcement a week later. At the close of that notice we -3- THE FIRST CHURCH BUILDING Dedicated April 1, 1894 Used 1894-1922 find this line, "Arrangements have been made for proper heating equipment." To make the matter complete, the notice for November 23, 1901, ended with this assuring statement, "The church will be properly heated." On November 16, 1901, the notice read, "Sunday School at 10:00 a.m. Sermon - 'The Lutheran Church'- at 11:00 a.m. Sermon -'How the First Church Was Built'- at 7:30 p.m." By those sermon subjects we note that Pastor Heilman was recognizing the 10th anniversary of the Sunday School. The Silver Anniversary of the organization of Bethany Lutheran Sunday School was announced in the Altoona Mirror on November 18, 1916, by the following article: "At eleven o'clock the pastor will speak on 'Looking Backward' and in the evening `Looking Forward.' Monday evening the Rev. S. J. Taylor, D. D., will speak. Tuesday, a great Bible School Rally, with an address by the Rev. Dr. A. B. Van Ormer. The program for the remainder of the week will consist of a Holy Communion service on Wednesday evening, the anniversary night. At the first table the charter members of the Sunday School will commune. All who commune this evening will have their names enrolled on parchment to be placed in the corner stone of the new church. The same hymns will he used as at the first meeting. Thursday, the Rev. M. J. Kline will preach Friday evening the sermon will be delivered by the Rev. Julius Seebach of Hollidaysburg." The congregation for a number of years had looked forward to and planned for a new church building. The membership of both Sunday School and Church had grown beyond the capacity of the old building. For more effective educational work, space was needed for departments and classes. Early in the spring of 1922 it was decided to proceed with the building. Funds had been gathering for more than a decade. Arrangements were made for the congregation to worship in the Third Presbyterian Church. -4- The old church building having been torn down, ground was broken for the new edifice on May 27, 1922. Two charter members of the congregation were given the honor of removing the first spadeful of earth: Mr. Isaac Harpster, representing the men, and Mrs. Christine B. Beecher, representing the women. The corner stone was laid September 10, 1922, with the Rev. Dr. Sanford N. Carpenter, president of the Allegheny Synod, as the principal speaker. The Rev. A. J. Rudisill, pastor of the congregation, placed the corner stone. At the time of dedication, on September 23, 1923, the Sunday School turned over $5,000 to the New Church Fund. The Sunday School classes had been busy for a number of years raising money to help make the hope for a new church come true. The Branches of the Vine class led the list of donors on this occasion with a gift of $1,740. Ten classes each gave $100 or more. The next expansion of the Sunday School was in the direction of providing room for a separate children's division. Heretofore all classes were meeting on the first floor and gallery of the educational section of the building. The basement of the church was planned to accommodate the children's departments, and on October 18, 1928, this newly finished floor was dedicated and opened. The cost was $10,000. In 1929 the Kindergarten Department was added to the regular work of the school, and in September of 1935 the Intermediate Department was begun as a distinct organization. It was also about 1929-30 that the Sunday School orchestra was organized. In this fashion, slowly, but gradually and surely, Bethany Sunday School has grown from the original seventy-four members to a regular enrollment of about six hundred persons. It has become quite evident that in this community with an industry that employs so many men on Sunday, the attendance in Sunday School varies conversely with working conditions. When employment improves, attendance decreases. When work is slack, attendance shows a definite increase. The average weekly attendance in Bethany Sunday School throughout the year is nearly four hundred. Those six persons who fifty years ago canvassed the homes of our neighborhood hardly hoped for a growth in interest and devotion as has been witnessed during these fifty years. They were acting more wisely than they knew. The Church still grows as the apostle described it in writing to the Corinthians: "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase." Bethany Lutheran Sunday School now stands, under God, as a permanent agency of Christian education. OUTSTANDING DATES November 22, 1891 Bethany Sunday School organized; Kline's Hall Sometime in 1892 Bethany Sunday School moved into its second home June 25, 1893 Bethany Lutheran Church organized April 1, 1894 Bethany Sunday School moved into its first church building November 22, 1901 Musical program held for 10th anniversary of S. S. November 1916 Silver Anniversary of Sunday School observed September 23, 1923 Dedicated new church October 18, 1928 Opened basement floor for educational purposes Sometime in 1929 Kindergarten Department added to Sunday School Sometime in 1930 New S. S. constitution adopted Sometime in 1931 Christian Life Course introduced in Children's Dept. September 1933 Senior Young People's Department organized September 1935 Intermediate Department organized July 1940 Adopted Parish Abroad - Gboymah, Liberia November 1941 Golden Anniversary observed -5- ANNIVERSARY WEEK SERVICES "Home-coming Night" MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17 7:30 P. M. Mr. J. Arthur Geisinger, Presiding Prelude by the Sunday School Orchestra Song Service Responsive Reading No. 313, page 267 Prayer Song by the Men's Bible Class Scripture Reading Offering Song by the Men's Bible Class Address by the Rev. Harry L. Saul, D.D., Former Pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church Anthem by the Senior Choir Doxology Benediction "Lutheran Night" TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 7:30 P. M. Rev. Paul L. Reaser, Presiding Organ Prelude Song Service Responsive Reading No. 335, page 278 Prayer Anthem Address The Rev. Ross H. Stover, D.D., Pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, Pa. Offering Prayer Rev. Ralph Birk, President, Altoona Lutheran Ministerial Association. Hymn 27 "The Church's One Foundation" Benediction -6- ANNIVERSARY WEEK SERVICES "Bethany Fellowship Night" WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19 6:30 P. M. Bethany Social Room Mr. David Perry, Toastmaster Selections by Sunday School Orchestra Invocation Rev. Paul L. Reaser The Fellowship Dinner Program "Community Night" THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20 7:30 P. M. Mr. John W. Moody, Jr., Presiding Organ Prelude Song Service Scripture: Psalms 1 and 23 in unison Prayers Greetings Mr. Howard Hoover, Vice President, Blair County Sunday School Association., Rev. F. W. Davis, Pastor Second Avenue U. B. Church Music Greetings Rev. M. H. Crawford, Pastor Fifth Avenue Methodist Church. Rev. John C. Hare, Pastor Third Presbyterian Church. The Offering Greetings: The Rev. S. Clay Shaffer, Pastor Emmanuel Evangelical Church. Rev. W. M. Taylor, Pastor First Methodist Church and President Altoona and Blair County Ministerial Association. Hymn 18 "Blest Be the Tie That Binds" Benediction -7- ANNIVERSARY WEEK SERVICES "Youth Night" FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21 7:30 P. M. Planned and conducted by young people. Call to Worship Anthem Scripture Reading Hymn 98 "My Faith Looks Up to Thee" Address Rev. George K. Bowers, Pastor St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, Washington, D.C., Supply Pastor of Bethany Church, summer of 1939. Offering Offertory Anthem Senior Choir Prayer Hymn 26 "Day is Dying in the West" Benediction "Bethany Birthday Get-Together" SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22 7:00 P. M. BETHANY SOCIAL ROOMS ALL WELCOME! -8- ANNIVERSARY WEEK SERVICES Combined Sunday School-Church Service SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23 9:30 A. M. Selection by Sunday School Orchestra Song Taking of Class Records Processional Into Church Sanctuary Hymn 111 "Beautiful Saviour" The Service, Page 43 Apostle's Creed, Page 53 Scripture Lessons for the Day Prayer Offering Anthem Bethany Youth Choir Sermon Rev. Joseph D. Krout, D.D., Secretary Central Pa. Synod, United Lutheran Church in America Hymn 67 "God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again" Benediction SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23 7:30 P. M. Drama - "The Lost Church" -9- REV. PAUL L. REASER [photo] Pastor, 1939 Sunday School Officers - 1941 General Superintendent J. Arthur Geisinger Assistant General Superintendent John W. Moody, Jr. Adult Superintendent Harry T. Smith Young People's Superintendent Harold Zeigler Children's Division Superintendent Anna Fleck Treasurer Chester Yeager Secretary Herbert Pine First Assistant Secretary O. W. Hanson Second Assistant Secretary Robert Hiner Third Assistant Secretary Sheldon Reigh Pianist Mrs. Fred Schauer Assistant Pianist Mrs. Calvin Wolfe Chorister Clayton Herbster Assistant Chorister Harold Laughlin Intermediate Superintendent Clarence Stiffler Assistant Intermediate Superintendent Robert Gleichert Secretary William Tromm Assistant Secretary Wendell Anderson Junior Department Superintendent Mrs. Edith Mearkle Junior Department Secretary Pearl Lee Primary Department Superintendent Emily Zeigler Primary Department Secretary Myra Kepler Beginners' Department Superintendent Hazel Bohn Beginners' Department Secretary Alice Albright Cradle Roll Superintendent Mrs. C. R. Grassmyer Assistant Superintendent Mary Jane Moyer Secretary Betty Belle Harris Home Department Superintendent Mrs. C. L. Dunn Assistant Superintendent Mrs. Samuel Grassmyer -10- SUNDAY SCHOOL ORGANIZATION by Departments and Classes Children's Division General Superintendent, Miss Anna Fleck KINDERGARTEN (CRADLE ROLL) Superintendent Mrs. Edna Grassmyer Assistant Superintendent Mary Jane Moyer Secretary Betty Belle Harris Enrollment: 22 BEGINNERS' DEPARTMENT Superintendent Miss Hazel Bohn Secretary Miss Alice Albright Teachers: Agnes Fuoss, Harriet Meredith, Mrs. Harold Gearhart Enrollment: 30 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT Superintendent Miss Emily Zeigler Secretary Miss Myra Kepler Teachers: Mrs. Elmer Aucker, Euretta Shaw, Irma Albright, Mary Elvey, Lois Wible, Jean Hiner Enrollment: 55 JUNIOR DEPARTMENT Superintendent Mrs. Edith Mearkle Secretary Miss Pearl Lee Teachers: Helyn Rice, Helen Watts, Mary Ellen Mearkle, Ruth Croft, Paul Rice Enrollment: 58 Intermediate Department Superintendent Clarence Stiffler Assistant Superintendent Robert Gleichert Secretary William Tromm Assistant Secretary Wendell Anderson Teachers: Esther Myers, Virginia Herr, Mrs. Joseph Bratton, Messrs. William Herr, Ed. Hancok, Robert Wright Enrollment: 60 -11- Young People's Department Superintendent, Mr. Harold Zeigler Teacher Name of class Organized Enrolled Miss Eva Fuoss Semper Fidelis 1937 Miss Geraldine Gibbons "Followers of Jesus" 1937 16 Mrs. Clayton Herbster 1940 19 Miss Nellie Hess Mr. Clayton Herbster 50 Mr. Max Gramley 15 Mrs. Ralph Smith Adult Department Superintendent, Mr. Harry Smith Teacher Name of Class Organized Enrolled Miss Stella Isett Win-a-chum Mrs. T. M. Elvey Daughters of Luther 1923 60 Mrs. D. R. Strayer Willing Workers 12 Mr. Roy Hiner Young Men's Bible Class 1924 50 Mrs. Roy Hiner Tabitha 1918 15 Mrs. S. W. Kepler Bethany Girls 1916 50 Mrs. Ed. Fleck Branches of the Vine 1911 66 Mrs. R. D. Hoffheins Keystone 1913 36 Mr. A. U. Kerns Men's Brotherhood 1914 140 -12- Home Department Superintendent Mrs. Charles Dunn Assistant Superintendent Mrs. Samuel Grassmyer There are sixteen members in the Home Department. The duty of the officers is to visit these members of the Sunday School who are shut in their homes, and distribute various pieces of religious literature among them. Sunshine Group A committee of four women is assigned each month, and at the beginning of each month they request the names of sick and shut-ins from the pastor. They make up and deliver some sort of "sunshine" package to each sick person. Parish Abroad In July of 1940 at a meeting of the Sunday School teachers and officers, it was suggested that the Sunday School as a whole take up some missionary work, either at home or abroad. A committee was appointed to select a place to center this work. After prayer and some discussion, it was decided to center attention on the work in Africa, helping to support the work of Rev. Louis Bowers who was stationed in Liberia, Africa in the Gboymah area. Each year $100.00 is sent by Bethany Lutheran Sunday School to the work being done in Africa. This helps to pay for an evangelist (a native man) also to help in any way that the money may be best used. For a year now, we have been hearing from Mrs. Louis Bowers, but at present Rev. and Mrs. Bowers are on furlough in the United States. -13- ORCHESTRA About 1928 or 1930, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schauer organized the Sunday School orchestra. The present members of the orchestra were all original members. This orchestra played for Sunday School and for other organizations such as P.T.A., banquets, and others. It also played for the Christmas Sunday radio broadcasts for the Altoona Ministerium. During 1932 and 1933, three full Sunday Evening services were played. From 1934 until 1937 or 1938 the orchestra was disbanded. During these years Herbert Mack and others had orchestras from time to time. The orchestra was then reorganized and has continued until the present. The present personnel is: Mrs. Fred Schauer Piano Mr. Fred Schauer Violin Mr. Edgar Pross Violin Mr. Foster Johnson Flute Mr. Paul Heess Clarinet Mr. Charles Pross Cornet Mr. Harold Zeigler Trumpet Mr. John Pross French Horn Mr. David White Trombone -14- Superintendents of Bethany Sunday School James H. White 1891-1893 Isaac Harpster 1894-1897 Luther Watts 1898-1899 Isaac Harpster 1900-1904 Edward Baker 1905-1909 David Landis 1910-1911 William Gleichert 1912-1919 David Landis 1920-1926 John W. Moody, Jr. 1927-1928 David Perry 1929-1930 William Gleichert 1931-1932 Charles Shingler 1933 J. Arthur Geisinger 1934-1941 Note: The Sunday School minute book for the period 1910-1921 cannot be found. The length of term served by David Landis when elected in 1910 is not certain. Mr. William Gleichert began his term of office immediately following Mr. Landis. Pastors Who Have Served Bethany Rev. H. M. Heilman, D.D 1893-1903 Rev. T. B. Thomas 1903-1905 Rev. M. H. Stine, Ph.D. 1905-1908 Rev. R. H. Bergstresser, D.D 1908-1917 Rev. A. J. Rudisill, D.D 1917-1927 Rev. H. L. Saul, D. D. 1927-1939 Rev. P. L. Reaser, B.D 1939 Sons of Bethany Sunday School who have given their lives to the Gospel ministry: Clay Bergstresser Roy McCorkle Donald G. Raup Hillis Berkey John Garhart -15- SUNDAY SCHOOL OFFICERS AND TEACHERS, 1941 [photo] Reading left to right - Emily Zeigler, Myra Kepler, Ruth Croft, Hazel Bohn, Mrs. Robert Mearkle, Mary Elvey, Mary Ellen Mearkle, Clayton Herbster, Jean Hiner, Lois Wible, Robert Hiner, Alice Albrlght, Sheldon Reigh, Erma Albright, Eva Fuoss, Agnes Fuoss, Robert Wright, Herbert Pine, Geraldine Gibbons, Harold Zeigler, Mrs. Ella Fleck, William Herr, J. Arthur Geisinger, O. W. Hanson, Harry T. Smith, Rev. Paul L. Reaser, Clarence Stiffler, A. U. Kerns, Robert Gleichert, Mrs. T. M. Elvey, Mrs. Charles R. Grassmyer, Mrs. S. W. Kepler, Mary Jane Moyer, Mrs. Clayton Herbster, Mrs. Luther Bratton, Helen Watts, Esther Myers, Euretta Shaw, Mrs. Samuel Grassmyer, Mrs. R. D. Hoffheins, Helyn Rice, Virginia Herr, Mrs. D. R. Strayer, Anna Fleck, Paul Rice, John W. Moody, Jr. Additional list of Officers and Teachers - Roy F. Hiner, Mrs. Roy F. Hiner, Max R. Gramly. Mrs. Ralph Smith, Nellie Hess, Stella Isett, E. A. Hancock, Mrs. E. E. Acker, Mrs. H. E. Gerhart, Harriet Meredith, Chester Yeager, Mrs. Fred Schauer, Harold Laughlin, Wendell Anderson, Pearl Lee, Betty Belle Harris, Mrs. Charles L. Dunn, William Acker, Mrs. Calvin Wolfe, William Tromm. -16- Golden Anniversary Committee General Chairman John W. Moody, Jr. Advisory Member A. U. Kerns TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE R. F. Hiner, Chairman PROGRAM COMMITTEE Harry Smith Arthur Geisinger Mrs. Carl Gamber Anna Fleck COMMITTEE ON SUNDAY SCHOOL HISTORY Mrs. S. W. Kepler Mrs. Ed. Fleck DECORATIONS COMMITTEE Mrs. W. L. Zeiders, Chairman PUBLICITY COMMITTEE Alice Albright C. S. Romig INVITATIONS COMMITTEE Harold Zeigler, Chairman REFRESHMENTS COMMITTEE Clarence Stiffler, Chairman COMMITTEE SECRETARY Ruth Croft COMMITTEE TREASURER Harold Laughlin -17- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Acknowledgments are hereby given to those to whom they are due for special reasons: To the general anniversary committee who served faithfully and efficiently in making arrangements for our Sunday School Golden Anniversary. To the speakers who throughout the week are giving their time and effort to bring messages of inspiration and courage. To those Sunday School classes and individuals who have contributed to the anniversary fund - and to those who will yet give a donation. To those who serve in kitchen and dining hall, contributing in a material way to the joy and fellowship of our gatherings. To the Altoona Mirror for opening to us their library of old editions of the paper, assisting us in collecting historical data of Bethany Sunday School. To the many others who in innumerable ways have given their support and assistance in making our anniversary observance a happy and fruitful occasion.