Church History: Zion Reformed Church, New Providence, 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. 156-167 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. ________________________________________________ ZION REFORMED CHURCH, NEW PROVIDENCE Rev. Harry E. Shepardson, Pastor Zion, the Holy Hill of Palestine, frequently referred to both in fact and in fancy as God's particular and peculiar dwelling place in the Bible, was appropriately selected by the congregation as the name for its place of public and common worship, because each of its four locations was on a hill overlooking the Pequea Valley. The history of this Zion is the history of the Reformed Church in Strasburg Township. When established it was the first Reformed Church that a traveler met as he proceeded westward from Philadelphia, and, until 1852, was the only Reformed Church in Southern Lancaster county. The present church building is bounded by two streams (creeks) named after Beaver, the Indian Chief of this section when the first immigrants arrived – the Big Beaver Creek on the West and the Little Beaver Creek on the North. Near the church on the South is the original postal crossroad between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and Charlestown and Lancaster; also the Black Horse Tavern which was established as a postoffice in 1725. On March 23, 1836, Postmaster General Amos Kendell changed the name to New Providence. The Congregation has worshipped the Triune God in four buildings: a log building, "Deutsche Reformirte Kirche", built circa 1730 (in this building the fourth union Reformed and Lutheran church in Pennsylvania was formed in 1754, when the building was referred to as "the old Dutch Church"); a stone building, erected in 1795; a Dutch Colonial brick building, 1867; and the present American Colonial brick building, 1928. There are three cemeteries connected with the congregation: The first and oldest near Iva; the second near Neff's (also known as Trout's) Mill; and the third, which has been enlarged four times, adjoining the present church site. All are within the bounds of Strasburg Township, Lancaster County. During the colonial period the log church was also used as a school house. A school building was also erected and maintained near the stone church (now a part of the cemetery) for many years. It was a picture like this that inspired the poet to write: "Fear not the bigot's blinded rule While near the church spire stands the school; Nor heed the tyrant's tiny hands While near the school the church spire stands." Among the highly prized possessions is an arithmetical manuscript (Rechenbuchlein) written in 1727 by Johann Ludwig Erb, a teacher in the Reformed School at Weisloch in the Pfaltz, for his pupil Johannes Eckman, who brought it with him to this community in 1730. The first Reformed families to settle in this parish were the Ferrees and the Lefevres. Their arrival, settlement, and the documents they brought with them are invaluable to us. These documents follow: CERTIFICATE OF STANDING AND PASSPORT Whereas, Maria, Daniel Feuhre's widow, and her son Daniel Ferrie, with his wife and six single children, in view of improving their condition and the furtherance of their prosperity, purpose to emigrate from Steinweiler, in the Mayorality of Bittingheim, High Baliwick Germersheim, via of Holland and England to the Island of Pennsylvania, to reside there. They have requested an accredited certificate that they have left the town of Steinweiler with the knowledge of the proper authorities, and have deported themselves, and without cause for censure, and are indebted to no one, and not subject to any vassalage, being duly solicited it has been thought proper to grant their petition, declaring that the above-named persons are not moving away clandestinely. That during the time their father, the widow and children resided in this place they have behaved themselves piously and honestly that it would have been highly gratifying to us to see them remain among us; that they are not subject to bodily bondage, the Mayorality not being subject to vassalage. They have also paid their permission to emigrate. Mr. Fisher, the Mayor of Steinweiler, being expressly interrogated, it has been ascertained that they are not liable for any debts. In witness whereof I have, in the absence of the Counsellor of the Palatinate, signed these presents, gave the same to persons intended to emigrate. J. P. Dietrich, Court Clerk. Dated Bittingham, March 10, 1708 They also applied for, received, and brought with them a certificate of standing and dismissal from the French Reformed Church at Pelican: We, the Pastors, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Walloon Church of Pelican, in the lower Palatinate, having been requested by the Honorable Daniel Firre, his wife, Anne Maria Leininger, and their children, Andrew and John Firre, to grant a testimonial of their life and religion, do certify and attest that they have always made profession of the pure Reformed religion, frequented our sacred assemblies, and have partaken of the supper of the Lord with the other members of the faith, in addition to which they have always conducted themselves uprightly without having given cause for scandal that has come to our knowledge. Being now on their departure to settle elsewhere, we commend them to the protection of God and to the kindness of all our brethren in the Lord Christ. In witness whereof we have signed this present testimonial with our signature and usual marks. Done at Pelican, in our Consistory, the 10th day of May, 1708. Michael Messakop J. Roman, Pastor Peter Scharjet James Gailleaux, Deacon John Baptiste Laplace, Deacon The record of the baptisms of their children are also attached, to wit: Andrew and John Firre were baptized, the first in the church at Steinweiler in the year 1701, on the 28th of September. His sponsors were Andrew Leininger and his wife Margaret Leininger. The other, to wit: John, was baptized in the church of Thorbac in the year 1708, on the 8th day of February. The sponsors were Abraham Ptillon and Judith Miller, both of Steinweiler. The Ferrees were joined by Isaac LeFevre who married Catherine Ferree, eldest daughter and fourth child of the elder Daniel Ferree. Our missionary commissioned for service at Yuanling, China, in 1940, the Rev. Rufus H. LeFevre, is a direct descendent. With these documents in hand the party set out for England in order to make further arrangements regarding their settlement in the New World. Upon their arrival in London, Madame Ferree visited William Penn in person. Penn became deeply interested in the sad story of her misfortunes, and the next day introduced her to Queen Anne, the Sovereign of England. The good Queen was likewise deeply moved and promised her substantial aid (which was subsequently given). The party remained in London about six months during which time the Colony of Rev. Joshua Kocherthal was organized, composed of French and Palatinate refugees from Lindau in Bavaria. They obtained a patent of naturalization and permission to colonize in America. The instrument which is dated August 27, 1708, contains the names of fifty-four persons. The party arrived safely in New York, from whence they proceeded to Esopus, nearly a hundred miles up the Hudson river, where they remained several years. In the summer of 1712 they arrived in the Pequea Valley in Lancaster County. Upon arrival they were met by Indians who instructed them to go to the Indian Chief, Beaver. With the humanity that distinguished the Indian of that period, Beaver gave the immigrants his wigwam. The next day, Beaver introduced them to Towana, who lived on the great flats of Pequea, and was a chief of the branch of the Conestoga Indians who occupied this region. The following is the allotment of Madame Ferree's estate by the proprietors (Pennsylvania Archives Vol. XIX p. 529): The late commissioners having granted ten thousand acres of land to the Palatinates by their warrant dated October 10, 1710, in pursuance thereof there was laid out to Martin Kindig two thousand acres towards the Susquehanna of which the Surveyor General has made a return. The said Martin now appearing desires that the said land may be granted and confirmed by the patent to Maria Warenbur, widow, for whom the same was taken up or intended, and who is to pay the consideration for it. But, upon further consideration of the matter, it is agreed among ourselves that the said lands be confirmed to Daniel Fierra and Isaac LeFever, two of the said widow's sons, and the consideration money, viz., 140 pounds at 7 pounds per hundred, by agreement having been for some time due is now to be paid down in one sum, 'tis agreed that they shall pay only 10 pounds for interest – that is 150 pounds in the whole. The above transaction is confirmed by records at Philadelphia: Rec'd, Philadelphia, 11-7-1712, of Maria Warenbauer, twenty shillings stirling, for one year's quit-rent of two thousand acres of land laid out to her in Strasburg, this Province. (Signed) James Logan, Receiver The log church was erected on a high hill overlooking the Pequea Valley on the Southeast corner of the crossroad, one and one-half miles southeast of the present borough of Strasburg, between Pequea and Mine Hill. Little is definitely known of the congregation during this period. Nowhere is there recorded the circumstances surrounding the building of the church or the organization of the congregation. (Like Topsy, it just growed.) Frequent reference in the minutes of Coetus mention the abject poverty of the members in material things, but their insatiable hunger for the preaching of the Word, instruction in the Heidelberg Catechism, and the administration of the Holy Sacraments. The congregation has a German Pulpit Bible dated 1734, which is said to have been used during this period, bearing the following inscription: "Biblia, Das Ist De Gonze Heilige Schrifft". The title page translated reads: "This is the Whole Holy Scripture, Old and New Testaments according to the German translation by Martin Luther. There is a short synopsis before each chapter. It also contains a preface of all books in the Old and New Testaments. There is an explanation at the top of each page. This is a reference for Sundays, Festival Days, Epistles and Gospels. Included also are many parables and proverbs written to the Honor and Glory of God, and to benefit hungry souls. This is the perfect edition published by Mr. Baron Carl Hildebrandt Von Canstein, for the first time in coarse print, with six books of register. B. A. C. E. L. Publishers: Emanuel and John Rudolph Thurneysen, brothers, in the year of our Lord MDCC-XXXIV. Alexander Huber, decline: 1712 L. I. Thourneyser, Sculp:". When the Rev. Michael Schlatter visited this vicinity he left a record book for the congregation. Schlatter gave a similar book to each minister of Coetus "for baptisms and Church records". The book is characterized by a watermark, showing a lion rampant, with a Latin inscription in the oval surrounding the lion, reading "Pro Patria eiusque Libertate". The first entry in this book is dated Febr. 15, 1744, the baptism of John Eckman, son of John Eckman and Mary Magdalene. The sponsor was John Eckman, grandfather. (This and similar entries seem to have been copied from records in family Bibles). During the pastorates of Philip William Otterbein (1752-1758), Henry William Stoy (1758-1763) and Waldschmidt (1763) funds were accumulated for the erection of a new church building. Peter Eckman made the first contribution – 38 pounds, 4 shillings, 6 pence. A special meeting of Coetus was called in 1771 to render a ruling relative to the disposition of the fund which then amounted to 70 pounds. The deed to this parcel of ground reads: "To and for the behoof of the Religious Society of Protestants called the German Reformed Congregation in and near the Township of Strasburg in the County of Lancaster." The stone church, with the traditional wine-glass pulpit, earth floor and plank seats, was erected in 1795 during the pastorate of the Rev. Christian Ludwig Becker. In this building on May 5, 1840, during the pastorate of the Rev. Christian Weiler, a Sunday School was organized to meet each Sunday afternoon until October. The church fathers opposed the organization of a Sunday School, to be conducted by laymen, for many years, because they believed that only the regularly servant of God should teach the Bible and further that all teaching of Scripture should be in accord with the Heidelberg Catechism. We have members still living who attended Sunday School in the early period. Children attended in their bare legs and feet. Boys wore the same clothing to Sunday School that they wore during the week, with this difference. . .on Sundays the clothing was clean. The school was not permitted to meet in the morning, because that period was set aside for divine worship. During the pastorate of the Rev. Emanuel H. Hoffheins, a church was erected and a congregation organized in Quarryville under the name and title "St. Paul's German Reformed Church of Quarryville". Zion's pastors served St. Paul's congregation until June 1, 1900, a period of fifty years. On May 14, 1901, the Consistory of St. Paul's Congregation presented a petition, signed by eighty members of the congregation, asking Classis to dissolve the pastoral relationship with the New Providence charge. Classis granted the request, over the protest of Zion congregation. During the pastorate of the Rev. John V. Eckert (1854-1865) a Sunday School was conducted in the Bell Schoolhouse, in Strasburg Township, and Springville Schoolhouse, in Eden Township, which eventually became and is now Mt. Eden Lutheran Church, in Strasburg Township. We are sorry that when they appeared before Classis for admission to become a part of the New Providence charge, their request was refused, because most of the members were former members or children of former members of the congregation. During the pastorate of the Rev. William Goodrich, the congregation received its first charter under the name and title, "Zion German Reformed Church of New Providence, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania", dated April 20, 1854. Prior to this the congregation was known as "Pequea Reformed Church". In several Coetal references it is spelled "Bequea". Several articles of the charter are worthy of note: Sec. 3d. And provided that no one shall be eligible to office unless he be a citizen of this Commonwealth, have attained the age of twenty- one years, and be a member of the German Reformed Church in good and regular standing. Sec. 5th. Any male member of the said congregation duly received by confirmation or certificate and any male baptized contributing member, who is not a member of any other congregation and no others shall be entitled to vote at the meeting or elections of said congregation. Sec. 7th. Provided, That the candidate for pastor shall before accepting the call and being installed be or become connected in membership with Synod of the German Reformed Church in the United States and subject to its jurisdiction or be regularly received and admitted as a member of the Classis, with which the congregation is or shall be connected. The Charter was amended April 13, 1907, to make Sec. 1 read: Provided that the yearly income of said estate shall not at any time exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00). Sec. 2. The secular business of said congregation shall be conducted by the Consistory, which is constituted of a pastor, three elders and six deacons, who shall be elected by the members at such times and for such terms of office as the by-laws shall prescribe; and provided that the present trustees shall be installed as deacons for the terms of office for which they have been elected. The Dutch Colonial Brick Church was erected in 1868, during the supply of the Rev. John G. Fritchey, at a cash outlay of $9,000 (exclusive of labor supplied gratis by members and friends and the material from the stone church building, all the stones and timber of which were built into the new church). During the pastorate of the Rev. J. M. Souder, in 1894, the congregation paid $1,000.00 toward the erection of the Theological Seminary Building in Lancaster. During the same year the church was remodeled, interior redecorated, and new pulpit furniture and new pews installed at a cost of $2,100.00. The Missionary Society which meets in the evening of the last Sunday of each month, was organized September 20, 1885. For a number of years the meetings were held every four weeks during the full moon, so that the members could see driving or walking to and from the meeting. The Ladies' Aid Society, which has been a valuable handmaid of the church, was organized in June, 1892. The Christian Endeavor Society was organized April 2, 1897. During the pastorate of the Rev. Harry E. Shepardson in 1917-18, the parsonage which was built in 1851, was remodeled and enlarged at a cost of $1,500.00. In the same year $135.00 was contributed to Massanutten Academy, and $105.00 to Ministerial Relief; $4,000.00 was given to the Forward Movement and $386.00 to Catawba College. The cemetery endowment fund, begun in 1924, now amounts to $3,500.00. The American Colonial Brick Church in which the congregation now worships, with tower, bell, spire, and fourteen antique glass windows, with paintings following the sequence of the historical church year, portraying the episodes in Jesus' life from Birth to Ascension, begun in 1927 and completed in 1930, cost $24,312.67. The equipment apart from the building: two organs, two pianos, altar, pulpit, lectern, American and Christian Flags, etc., cost $11,000.00. Ever since the Mormon migration, which almost depleted Zion congregation, every pastor laments the large loss to the congregation of its young manhood and womanhood, who leave the community to find employment and permanently locate. The congregation baptizes its children, confirms its youth, and nurtures them spiritually until they become wage earners, then they locate elsewhere and other churches become the financial beneficiaries. However, not all are migrants...we have farms where the same family name of members of Zion congregations have persisted for more than two hundred years: Eckman, Keen, LeFevre, Peoples, and Shenk. Four elders have served the congregation for more than fifty years: Samuel Hersh, Josiah Keen, Daniel Helm, and Nelson Dyson. Miss Angie W. Peoples has been a teacher in the Church School for more than fifty years. On October first, 1939, a Recognition Service was tendered the Rev. Harry E. Shepardson upon the completion of twenty-two years of service. . .the longest service of the thirty-four pastors of the congregation. Other long pastorates: The Rev. J. M. Souder, 20 years (1883-1903); the Rev. Henry B. Schaffner, 19 years (1818- 1837), and the Rev. John William Hendel, twice pastor (1765-1769; 1783-1794) 16 years. The congregation entertained Lebanon Classis in annual session May 1, 1836; The Classis of Lancaster, June 5, 1863; again May 28, 1874, and April 21-24, 1913; and in fall session, October 26, 27, 1931.