CHURCH HISTORY: St. Peter's (Fetterhoff's) Reformed Church, Dauphin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/
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History of the Classis of Lancaster of the Eastern Synod of the
Reformed Church in the United States, 1852-1940;

Part II, Histories of the Congregations of the Classis of Lancaster, Pg. 265-

Printed by The New Holland Clarion, New Holland, PA;
Editors Rev. Daniel G. Glass, Rev. C. George Bachman, Rev. Harry E. Shepardson,
Rev. John F. Frantz, Rev. J. N. Le Van, D.D.
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St. Peter's Congregation was organized by the Rev. Michael Enterline (Lutheran).  
He administered the first baptism on the 8th day of June, 1788.  Who the 
minister was that organized the Reformed congregation, it is not definitely 
known, but it is presumed that Rev. Michael Schlatter was the organizer.

The first church was erected near the present site.  The place where the old 
church stood is marked by a row of tombstones, which stones mark the last 
resting place of some of the members of the old church.  The first Church 
building was a log structure.  The Lutheran and Reformed congregations 
worshipped in this building for at least seventy years.  However, there is good 
reason to believe that the present Church is the third building to stand on 
these sacred grounds.

The first church record was begun in 1788.  This old record book reminds us that 
some of our forefathers were good penman.  Most of the baptisms and communions 
are recorded in German script.  The book is still in good condition and is held 
by the joint treasurer of the two congregations.  It contains records of 
baptisms and communicants from 1788 to 1858.

The methods used in getting men to assist in building this first church were 
somewhat different from those used today.  The men worked during the forenoon 
and held shooting-matches in the afternoon.  Panthers and bears figured in these 
matches.

   Settlers of Powls Valley worshipped in this church.
   From all around the people came. . .on horseback or
   on the big wagon. . .more often on foot; walking
   many miles, carrying their rifles with them; not so
   much as a defense against the Indians, as for the
   wild beasts that still roamed at that time.  It was
   nothing unusual for mothers to come from across the
   ridge with babes on one arm and their shoes on the
   other.  They were accustomed to going barefooted,
   but put on their shoes before entering the church.

The present church was built not far from the sacred spot where the first church 
stood.  The corner stone was laid September 19, 1858.  The building was 
dedicated some time during the following year.  The Rev. F. Waltz (Lutheran) and 
the Rev. N. E. Bressler (Reformed) were serving the congregations at that time.  
This church was afterwards given extensive repairs and rededicated December 13, 
1891.  The cost of this remodeling amounted to $2,100.  This occurred during the 
pastorates of the Rev. J. M. Stover (Lutheran) and the Rev. C. W. Siegel 
(Reformed).  The church was again remodeled and rededicated in 1913, at a cost 
of $1,300, during the pastorates of the Rev. J. F. Stabley (Lutheran) and the 
Rev. D. W. Bicksler (Reformed).

A number of prominent men have at one time or another been associated with the 
St. Peter's Church.  The Rev. James R. Riley (Reformed) served in the 
Pennsylvania legislature.  The Rev. J. R. Kooken (Reformed) was appointed U. S. 
Consul to Cuba.  The two congregations each gave a son to the ministry:  The 
Rev. J. H. McGann (Lutheran) and the Rev. James R. Shepley (Reformed).

This congregation holds an annual home-coming service on the fourth Sunday in 
June each year.

The following is the Chronological order of the Reformed pastors.  From 1788 to 
1812 no record has been found.

Rev. James R. Riley. . . . . . 1812-1813
Rev. Samuel B. Leyter. . . . . 1813-1818
Rev. Isaac Gerhard . . . . . . 1819-1841
Rev. J. R. Kooken. . . . . . . 1841-1842
Rev. Samuel Miller . . . . . . 1843-1846
Rev. N. E. Bressler. . . . . . 1847-1849
Rev. J. A. Leis. . . . . . . . 1850-1855
Rev. N. E. Bressler. . . . . . 1856-1858
Rev. E. Keiffer. . . . . . . . 1859-1863
Rev. N. E. Bressler. . . . . . 1863-1868
Rev. Hoffmeir. . . . . . . . . 1869-1870
Rev. Joseph Schlappich . . . . 1870-1872
Rev. N. E. Bressler. . . . . . 1872-1876
Rev. A. S. Stauffer. . . . . . 1879-1881
Rev. J. B. Kershner. . . . . . 1882-1883
Rev. S. Kuhn . . . . . . . . . 1883-1887
Rev. T. Derr . . . . . . . . . 1888-1889
Rev. C. W. Siegel. . . . . . . 1890-1892
Rev. S. F. Hartzell. . . . . . 1893-1898
Rev. H. N. Smith . . . . . . . 1898-1899
Rev. A. C. Geary . . . . . . . 1900-1901
Rev. Paul Dundore. . . . . . . 1901-1903
Rev. Geo. W. Spotts. . . . . . 1904-1908
Rev. H. G. Koppenhaver . . . . 1908-1909
Rev. Joseph M. Bean. . . . . . 1910-1911
Rev. D. W. Bicksler. . . . . . 1912-1914
Rev. F. W. Teske . . . . . . . 1916-1917
Rev. C. E. Heffleger . . . . . 1923-1927
Rev. Paul Troutman . . . . . . 1928-1931
Rev. Guy J. Moyer. . . . . . . 1931-1935
Rev. Geo. W. Moyer . . . . . . 1935-