Church History: St. Stephen Reformed Church, New Holland, 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/ ________________________________________________ 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. 187-196 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. ________________________________________________ ST. STEPHEN REFORMED CHURCH OF NEW HOLLAND Rev. C. G. Bachman, Pastor The first white settler in the locality of what is now New Holland was John Diffenderfer, a member of the Reformed Church. John Diffenderfer arrived in this section in 1728. There is reason to believe, however, that a number of people of the Reformed faith settled near Mill creek a few years earlier. A survey of the Mill Creek district, made in 1716, includes land belonging to Andrew Seltenreich, on whose property the first church was built; and Andrew Seltenreich is mentioned in the Conestoga assessment of 1720 and 1721. Where Zeltenreich Church now stands, about two and one-half miles southwest of New Holland, was considered the most central location for the Reformed people of the section. For this reason the first church was built at that place. The location is not far from Mill Creek, at the extreme western end of the mountain ridge, and along the road which since 1707 has been known as "Peter's Raod", the road along with the famous Indian trader, Peter Bezaillon, traveled from Chester County to the Susquehanna River. The name given to the church was "Seltenreich", since it stood on the ground donated for this purpose by Andrew Seltenreich. The exact date when this ground was given is not known, since the donor failed during his lifetime to grant a deed for the ground to the congregation. This was attended to by Andrew's son, George Seltenreich, after the former's death in 1760. The deed tells us that Andrew Seltenreich "did long since engage himself, his heirs, etc., to make over a free Title of a competent piece of land for the perpetual use and behoof of the said Meeting House and Burying Ground". By this deed there was conveyed to "John Teevidarfor, Philip Rank, Peter Baker, Leonard Stone and Michael Teevidarfor, all of Earltown township, Yeoman, (as heads or Feofees in trust of and for the Presbyterian Meeting and Burying Ground in said township of Earl)", "one acre and one quarter of an acre, on purpose to accommodate the said Meeting House and Burying Ground". The first date of the congregation is unknown. The Church Record begins with the entry of a baptism, performed May 20, 1746, by Rev. John B. Rieger. There are however many evidences that for the origin of this congregation we must go back considerably farther. In his account of "the Beginning and Progress of the Work Among the Reformed in Pennsylvania", written December 8, 1744, Rev. Jacob Lischy makes mention of "Erlentown", where he says "there is a large church and a large congregation in a poor and disorderly condition". Lischy states that the people of this congregation urged him to come and preach for them, which he finally agreed to do once every four weeks. In the letter written by Conrad Tempelmann to the Synods of North and South Holland, dated February 13, 1733, he relates the origin of the Reformed Church in the Conestoga Valley. After speaking of the origin of the church at Conestoga in 1725, he goes on to say that "the congregation, on account of enlargement and great distance between the members, has divided itself into six meeting places in Chanastocka, three of which places are served by a Reformed minister, Johann Peter Mueller, by name". Dr. William Hinke, eminent historian of the Reformed Church, is of the opinion that one of these three churches served by Peter Miller after the division into six preaching places, was Seltenreich. Dr. Hinke, in the "Life and Letters of the Reverend John Philip Boehm", mentions a family Bible record, which states that Susanna Bauman, daughter of Henry and Catharine (Derr) Bauman, was baptized by Conrad Tempelmann, September 8, 1732, in Earl Township. There is accordingly a possibility that the father of the Reformed Churches in the Conestoga region, Conrad Tempelmann, was the first pastor of Seltenreich Church. On the basis of the above-mentioned baptism, and the references in Tempelmann's letter, which imply the existence of Seltenreich church, the year 1732 is considered to be the year of the origin of this congregation. Rev. Michael Schlatter visited Seltenreich Church on two occasions, in 1747 and 1749. On his first visit, June 11, 1747, he says, "I came to the stream called Conestoga, and preached for a small congregation called Zeltenreich's, which was heretofore served by Rev. Rieger. Some twenty heads of families offered that, according to their ability, they would cheerfully contribute between seven and eight pounds, about fifty Dutch guilders, for the support of a minister who should come only on one Lord's day in each month and preach for them". In Schlatter's list of congregations of the Reformed faith that he knew of in the new world, he mentions Seltenreich in connection with the churches at "Weiseichenland, Modecreek and Cocalico", stating that these four churches "are looking out for a minister with burning desire". When the First Coetus met in Philadelphia, September 29, 1747, Seltenreich Church was represented by the pastor of the Church, Rev. John B. Rieger, and Elder Philip Rank, whose name appears on the deed of 1760 when the ground on which the church stood was transferred to the congregation. The "burning desire" for a regular pastor of Seltenreich Church was granted in 1752, when Rev. John Waldschmidt became pastor of the Church. He was one of the six pastors brought along by Rev. Michael Schlatter, when the latter returned from Europe after making his report on the condition of the Reformed congregations in America, to the Synods of Holland. At the Coetus of 1752, Rev. John Waldschmidt requested permission to be installed in the charge of which Seltenreich Church was a member, stating that each of the four congregations of the charge which desired his services would contribute "ten pounds and a reasonable amount of grain--wheat and oats". Waldschmidt was installed in the charge October 22, 1752. According to his own record he held his last communion service in Seltenreich Church on the fifth of September in 1756. At the meeting of Coetus the following year, that is in 1757, an elder from Seltenreich Church appeared and stated that the people of Seltenreich Church were desirous of again having Rev. John B. Rieger as their pastor. When it was learned that Rev. Mr. Rieger was willing to return to the pastorate of Seltenreich Church, Coetus gave its consent. This second pastorate of Rev. John B. Rieger ended in 1762, when Rev. Mr. Rieger was deposed by Coetus. Three members of Seltenreich congregation appeared before Coetus in 1762 in the case against Mr. Rieger. They were Peter Becker, Michael Diffenderfer, and John Brubach. The next regular pastor was Rev. John George Wittner, who served from 1766 to 1769. During his pastorate a parsonage was built between Hinkletown and Ephrata by the congregations of the charge. During the pastorate of Rev. John Christopher Gobrecht, 1770 to 1780, the four congregations of the charge purchased a farm of 155 acres near Ephrata. Immediately after the purchase of this farm, the old parsonage property and a few acres of the newly-purchased land were sold; the remainder of the land with the buildings, belonged to the charge, and was used as a parsonage until 1847. From 1781 to 1786 the church was supplied by different visiting ministers, among whom was Rev. William Hendel, of Lancaster, whose handwriting is evident on some of the baptismal records during this period. In the middle of the year 1786, Rev. Anthony Hautz became Catechist in Seltenreich Church. The following year the congregation requested Coetus to authorize his ordination to the regular ministry. Coetus received Rev. Mr. Hautz and ordained him, and approved of the plan for him to become pastor of the congregations of the charge. There seems to have been some doubt concerning his beliefs, since he was compelled to sign a statement accepting the doctrines of the Reformed Church. The record of the local church states that "soon after his entrance into the ministry, he was carried away by what is called 'Methodism' and hence resigned in 1788". Some time within the next few years, Rev. John Christian Wilms became pastor. Rev. Mr. Wilms was requested by the Coetus of 1793 to come before that body the following year for examination. He failed to appear. Since he had continued to perform ministerial acts without Synodical authority, and possibly in direct violation of Synod's instructions, his name was dropped, and his congregations were censured. Dr. Henry Harbaugh, in the "Fathers of the Reformed Church", states his opinion that Mr. Wilms was never in full connection with the Synod of the Reformed Church in this country. He thinks he may have been received on probation; and failing to comply with Synod's instructions his name was dropped. This explains the absence of the congregation's name from the records of Synod for a number of years--until the beginning of the ministry of a successor to Mr. Wilms. It was during the pastorate of Rev. John Christian Wilms that Seltenreich Congregation decided to relocate, and erect a new church building. The old log church, which had been standing since the third or fourth decade of the century, was becoming so dilapidated that it was felt necessary to build a new house of worship. The congregation also decided to build the new church in the town of New Holland, about two and one-half miles from the old location. Two members of the congregation, Leonard Stone and Matthias Shirk, each offered an acre of ground upon which the new church might be built. The lot offered by Mr. Shirk was felt to be a more desirable location, and was accordingly accepted. A deed for one acre and six perches was given February 27, 1799, to John Diffenderfer, Sr., Christian Sneder, Sr., George Eckert, and Henry Sherik, as members of the German Reformed or Calvinist Church of New Holland. The endorsement of the back calls the church, "The German Calvinist Congregation". During the years 1799 and 1800 the new church was built. It is the building which is used by the congregation today. The original cost of the church was 2,185 pounds, 6 shillings, and 5 pence. The cost of the Tannenburg organ was 223 pounds, and 8 shillings. Part of the money used in erecting the church was raised through a lottery, which was authorized by the Pennsylvania Legislature, December 1, 1800. The new building was dedicated in February, 1801. After the removal to New Holland, the old name "Seltenreich" or "Zeltenreich" was dropped. The reason for the change was likely because the name "Seltenreich" would no longer suggest the location of the church. The new name by which the congregation was known was at first simply the German Reformed Church of New Holland. Some time later, the date of which is unknown, the name was changed to "St. Stephen". This is the present official name of the congregation, "St. Stephen Reformed Church, of New Holland, Pa.". It was fortunate that the name "Seltenreich" was dropped after the church was relocated. When, later on, a new congregation came into being, and returned to the site of the original "Seltenreich" church, as we shall see in the history of the present Zeltenreich Church, it was possible for the new congregation to adopt the name familiar to the location, and call itself "Zeltenreich Reformed Church". Rev. John Christian Wilms remained as pastor of the congregation until his death in 1802. He was succeeded by Rev. Charles Helffenstein, whose pastorate extended from 1803 to 1807. He was followed in 1807 by Rev. John Theobald Faber, Jr., who served the congregation for twelve years. During his pastorate, the Synod of the Reformed Church met in the New Holland Church on two occasions, April 27, 1807, and September 1, 1816. In 1819, Rev. Frederick Herman became pastor. His pastorate ended four years later, when he had his license withdrawn by Synod, and he became a member of the Free Synod. In 1823, Rev. Daniel Hertz was elected pastor of the church. Mr. Hertz served as supply while a student of theology. He remained as pastor until 1844, a period of nearly twenty-one years. During his pastorate the language problem came to the front. Should the German language be used exclusively in services of worship, or should the English language be used at services occasionally? It was the same problem which was faced by practically every congregation of the Reformed Church during this period. The matter was not completely solved for many years in New Holland. As a result of the conflict, part of the New Holland congregation broke away, and under Rev. Mr. Hertz's leadership established a second congregation on the original "Seltenreich" site. Later on, for a time, it seems as though the New Holland Church itself was divided into two congregations--a German and an English, each with a separate pastor and separate organization. Rev. Mr. Hertz, for a number of years after his resignation, continued to act as supply in the New Holland Church for services in the German language. In February 1844, a call was extended to Rev. P. D. Shory. Rev. Mr. Shory at this time was also pastor of the church at New Providence. He served until 1848. In 1852, Rev. Albert Helffenstein, Jr., became pastor of the Church. During his pastorate the interior of the church building was remodeled. The gallery, extending around three sides of the building, was removed, and the church was made two-story instead of being all in one. The lower floor was divided into two rooms. These changes were made so that the Church might be able to "preserve our relative position in the Sunday School cause". Hitherto the children of the Reformed congregation attended the union Sunday School which was held in the Lutheran Church. In 1853, the Reformed Sunday School was organized. During Rev. Mr. Helffenstein's pastorate a parsonage was built in New Holland. This was the parsonage which was in use until 1932. A few years prior to this, the old parsonage property located near Ephrata, and owned jointly by Bethany, Modecreek, White Oak and New Holland, was sold, and the New Holland congregation received $1,150 as its share of the proceeds. The new parsonage, located in New Holland, was built in 1857. In 1859, Rev. Frederick A. Gast became pastor of the New Holland church. He resigned in 1865, having received an appointment as chaplain in the army. In 1867 Rev. D. W. Gerhard was elected pastor, his pastorate ending in 1887. He was succeeded by Rev. J. Stuart Hartman, who served from 1888 to 1891. Rev. F. A. Rupley's pastorate followed, from 1892 to 1894. In 1894 Rev. John G. Noss was elected pastor. He retired in 1914, after serving the church for twenty years and spending fifty years in the Christian ministry. During his pastorate the interior of the church was remodeled with the addition of new pews and stained-glass windows. This took place in 1899, the one hundredth anniversary of the building of the church. Rev. George S. Butz, Ph.D., succeeded Rev. Mr. Noss. His brief pastorate extended from 1915 until his death in 1917. During his pastorate a charter was secured by the congregation, and the interior of the church was redecorated. The present pastor, Rev. C. G. Bachman, entered upon his duties in October, 1918. In 1920 a twenty-one foot addition was made to the church to provide room for the installation of a new pipe organ, and furnish additional space for Sunday School purposes. In 1932, the old parsonage property was sold, and the home immediately in front of the church was purchased and remodeled for use as a parsonage. The officers of the congregation are: Elders, George F. Besore, Martin C. Buckwalter, E. Rufus Groff, Lewis Garman, Victor D. Kling and William Weaver; Deacons, LeRoy W. Groff, Emanuel M. High, R. Evers Whitmore, Dr. C. W. Richmond, Wayne B. Ranck, Dr. H. Herbert Poole, Irwin R. Weaver, Henry Steinman, Martin Mohler and Roland B. Richwine, Jr.