Church History: St. Paul's Reformed Church, Bowmansville, Lancaster County, PA

Copy 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/lancaster/
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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. 246-247

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. PAUL'S REFORMED CHURCH, BOWMANSVILLE

Rev. Winfield Scott Brendle, Pastor

The history of St. Paul's, Bowmansville, dates back to the year 1886.  
Appropriate services, in recognition of the fiftieth anniversary, were held in 
the spring of 1936, the guest speaker for this noteworthy occasion having been 
the Rev. David B. Schneder, D.D., LL.D., then president of North Japan College, 
Sendai, Japan.

The first pastor, the Rev. Stephen Schweitzer, Dr. D. B. Schneder and Rev. 
Martin Luther Fritch, then pastor of the Allegheny Charge, officiated at the 
time of the laying of the corner stone, May 30, 1886.  Rev. Schweitzer served as 
pastor until 1890, at which time Rev. J. V. George was elected to the pastorate.  
In 1891, Rev. George resigned to accept a call to the Allegheny Charge.  He was 
succeeded by Rev. Lucien J. Mayer, who served until 1895.  Rev. Jairus A. 
Wickert became the pastor in 1895 to succeed Rev. Mayer and served for a period 
of twenty years, until 1915.  Rev. Wm. D. Marburger served from 1915 to 1920.  
Since then the present pastor, Rev. W. S. Brendle, has served.

The members of St. Paul's first consistory at the time of dedication in 1886, 
were the following:  Elders:  Tobias W. Messner and Esaias Burkholder; Deacons:  
Israel S. Harting and Theodore B. Musselman; Trustee:  Michael Witmer.

The present membership of St. Paul's is 150, an increase of 20 per cent. since 
1920.

The present officers of the consistory are:  Elders:  Harry E. Harting, Charles 
Hornberger and Roscoe Bender; Deacons:  Harvey Wise, Charles Bender, Clair 
Kessler, Eugene Good, Charles Sprecher and Wm. Sprecher; Trustees:  Maurice A. 
Hoshauer and Harry Beam.

The Superintendent of the Union Sunday School is Harvey Hoshauer, and Mrs. 
Maggie DeHart is organist of the church.

Rev. Charles D. Spotts, of the faculty of Franklin and Marshall College and Rev. 
Eneas B. Messner, are sons of St. Paul's.