BIO: TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson OCRed by Judy Banja Copyright 2004. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/ _____________________________________________________________ >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 723-724 _____________________________________________________________ NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/zeamer/ TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH. The congregation out of which Trinity Lutheran Church of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland Co., Pa., was evolved, was the Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Mechanicsburg. The lot upon which the first small, frame church edifice was erected in 1843-44, was purchased from Valentine Schoch, in 1843. It was located on the north side of East Main street, where the building occupied and owned by the Business Men's League of Mechanicsburg, now stands. At that time Rev. N. J. Stroh was in charge, and he was succeeded by Rev. A. Babb, who served as pastor of the charge for about five years, and was succeeded on April I, 1851, by Rev. Adam Height. On Dec. 24, 1852, Rev. Height organized the first Lutheran Trinity congregation at Mechanicsburg. The first officers were: Elders, Lewis Bricker and Lewis Bobb; Deacons, Emanuel Seifert and Jeremiah Senseman. Henry E. Williams was the first sexton, and George Hummel was leader of the choir, both before and for some years after this reorganization. It is interesting to note the names of the faithful pastors of this church and the duration of their pastorates: Adam Height, Dec. 24, 1852-54; Cyrus Reightmyer, April 1, 1856-61; J. R. Groff, October, 1861-62; C. A. Gelwicks, Oct. 1, 1862-68; T. C. Pritchard, June 7, 1868-71; H. C. Fleck, April 7, 1872-75; M. Orr, March, 1876-95 (died Aug. 2, 1895); E. J. Wolf (supply), Aug. 25, 1895, to Jan. I, 1896; and the present incumbent [Rev. Elias D. Weigle] from the above date. At the time of organization there were fifty-three members, all of whom signed the constitution which was then adopted. Of the original members these still survive (1904): Henry William, Sophia Slyder, Susan Senseman (Eckels), Catherine Steinouer (Green), Mary Steinouer (Stout), and Susan Reigel. The present church edifice was erected in 1858-59. The lot was purchased at public sale, Sept. 2, 1858, and the architect employed was William Limens, of Harrisburg, the contractor being Henry Myers, of Carlisle. The corner stone was laid Sept. 22, 1858, Rev. Weiser preaching prior to the ceremony, which was conducted by the pastor, Rev. Reightmyer. The first sermon in the new edifice was preached Aug. 13, 1859, by Rev. Schoch, in the completed basement, and the building was dedicated on Christmas Day, 1859, Dr. Kurtz, of Baltimore, 724 CUMBERLAND COUNTY. preaching the dedication sermon. Many improvements have been introduced, extensive repairs being made in 1889; steam heat put in in 1899, and lighting by both gas and electricity. The church was rededicated Feb. 10, 1890. THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. A very important branch of the church is the Sunday-school, and this nursery has not been in any way neglected by the devoted members of Trinity. The present flourishing school is an outgrowth of the old Union Sunday-school of this place. The first meeting for organization was held Sept. 3, 1859, in the lecture room of the church, with Rev. Reightmyer presiding . At this time officers were appointed and also a committee on rules. The first session, one of great interest, was held Oct. 9, 1859, in the afternoon, a change being made to. the morning in 1871. The first superintendent was Isaac H. Baker, with a working force of eleven earnest teachers and sixty interested pupils. Work was carried on with an enthusiasm which brought wonderful results, and soon efforts were made to enlarge. The first general celebration was in 1860. The ten years included between 1860 and 1870 were not as prosperous for the school as before and since. The troubles incident to the great Civil war affected the school, taking many of its most interested workers into other paths of duty and usefulness, some of whom, alas, never could return. The infant class was organized with Mrs. John Riegel as teacher, a lady most admirably adapted, on Nov. 17, 1861. The first Christmas entertainment was on Dec. 25, 1861, and the first collection taken for Mission boards was in the same year. The low water mark for the school was Oct. 27, 1862. By 1874 the infant class had grown solarge that it occupied the Bible room; a blackboard was made use of first in 1875. In March, 1876, the Bible class first occupied a separate room, and from 1880 to 1890, the school made the best showing. In 1894 a piano was introduced. From a very complete account of the school, its officials and work, arranged by Mr. D. E. Longsdorf, we learn that the list of superintendents who have given generously of their time and interest to the development of the present large and intelligent school membership, includes these well-known men and earnest Christian workers: 1860-61, Isaac H. Baker; 1862, E. S. Keene; 1863, Samuel Eckels; 1864-69; William Mathews; 1870, B. W. Mattison; 1871, until June, Rev. T. C. Pritchard; 1871, from June, B. W. Mattison; 1872, Benjamin Landis; 1873, S. J. Kast; 1874-78, G. M. D. Eckels; 1879, D. E. Longsdorf; 1880-83, Ed. S. Wagoner; 1884-86, G. M. D. Eckels; 1879, D. E. Longsdorf; 1888-93, J. L. Shelley; 1894, E. E. Campbell; 1895, E. R. Wiland; 1896-97, J. J. Brehm; 1898-99, Dr. E. D. Weigle; 1900-1902, H. H. Mercer.