Chester County PA Archives Biographies.....Jesse B. KNIPE, 1804-1884

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Daily Local
West Chester Pennsylvania
June 24 1884

THE LATE REV JESSE B KNIPE

SOME FACTS PERTAINING TO HIS STEWARDSHIP – HIS BURIAL, ETC.

Rev J B Knipe son of Frederick Knipe was born near North Wales, Pa. His youthful 
years were spent in agricultural pursuits. He received his theological training 
under the direction of Rev George Wack, who died at the age of 79 years 11 months 
and 14 days.

He was ordained with Gospel ministry at the meeting of Synod, at Hagerstown, Md, 
September 30 1830 and very shortly afterwards was installed pastor of the Pikeland 
Church, in which relation he continued for fifty years, with nearly two years more 
as a supply. He organized the St Paul's Reformed Church in Uwchlan Township and 
continued there as pastor for fifty years. St Matthew's congregation was also 
organized by him, and served at different times as pastor. He also served the St 
Vincent congregation of East Vincent for twenty-five years. He delivered his first 
sermon at Bochm's Reformed Church near Blue Bell Montgomery County, June 10 1827. 
His first sermon at Pikeland Church was preached September 27 1827, while he was 
pursuing his theological studies. The Congregation was then being served by Casper 
Wack, father of Rev J B Knipe's preceptor.

Of his ministerial labors we can only glean a partial report. He attended nearly 
2,000 funerals of which 1517 are recorded and solemnized 496 marriages. Of his other 
ministerial acts no correct record can be had at this time; yet it is well known 
that hundreds of sermons were preached by him many were baptized by him and a goodly 
number were added to the church through his labors. He served the St John's Reformed 
Church of Phoenixville, with regular preaching on the Lord's day during the greater 
part of last year. His ministrations were brought to a close on the 23rd of December 
last, when he preached his last sermon in Phoenixville. He preached with much energy 
on this occasion and directed the audience to the Second Coming of Christ.

He closed this life on Wednesday last, at 8 p m in the triumph of a lively faith 
having been in the ministry 53 years, 8 months and 23 days. His funeral took place 
at Lower Pikeland Church on Monday June 23rd attended by hundreds of people who wished 
to testify by their presence that they esteemed him a venerable father in Israel. The 
body was placed in the church shortly after nine o'clock and the many friends drew nigh 
one after another to take leave of him who so often ministered to them in days of 
affliction. The services were conducted by ministers of the classis of Philadelphia.

The invocation was offered by R L K Evans, of Pottstown; hymn by Rev E D Wettach of 
Font, Chester County, Pa; Scripture lesson by Rev H T Spangler of Trappe Church; prayer 
by Rev R J H Leahler of Centre Square, Montgomery county; hymn by Rev G S Sorber Vincent 
Chester County, Pa; sermon by Rev S P Mauger, pastor of the Pikeland Church. Addresses 
were delivered by Rev D E Klopp, D D of Trinity Reformed Church Philadelphia, Rev D Van 
Horn D D of Tenth and Wallace Streets, Philadelphia and Rev H M Keiffer Norristown, 
Prayer by Rev G H Johnson, West Philadelphia. A short sketch of his ministerial labors 
was read by Rev Sorber; hymn by Rev Griffith of the Baptist Church. The body was then 
placed in its last resting-place by the side of his beloved companion, whoa few years 
ago preceded him to the spirit world. There were present 22 ministers, 13 of whom were 
of the Reformed Church.

In his will Mr Knipe bequeathed $500 to each of the following institutions' Pikeland, 
East Vincent and St Paul's Reformed Churches, situated in the northern part of Chester 
county and Ursinus College at Collegeville, Montgomery County.