Church: History: St. Jacob's (Kimmerling's), Tulpehocken Charge: North Lebanon Twp, Lebanon Co, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Linnea T Miller ltmiller@geocities.com USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ____________________________________________________________ Centennial History of Lebanon Classes of the Reformed Church in the U.S., 1820 - 1920, Compiled by Prof. Thos. S. Stein, Lebanon PA: Sowers Printing Company. Excerpts from Chapter VI: "Sketches of Congregations" St. Jacob's (Kimmerling's), Tulpehocken Charge. Rev. H.J. WELKER, Pastor Original settlers who were interested in the Reformed Church at this place. Among the first settlers in this locality was Jacob KIMMERLING, who, according to the records of the church, was born in 1704, in Switzerland, and emigrated to America about the year 1733. He located on a tract of land, a short distance east of the present church, where he built a log cabin on the banks of the Tulpehocken, which has its source in a spring nearby. He was very much interested in establishing the Reformed church there and manifested great devotion to her welfare, until the time of his demise. He was one of the first elders after an organization was effected. He died in the year 1771, and, according to an entry made in the church record by Rev. William HENDEL, D.D., his interment took place April 30, 1771, at half past one o'clock. He was aged about 67 years. His wife, Maria Catharina, survived him. There was a daughter born unto them, Eva Elisabeth. This daughter was united in holy matrimony to John MAAS, which union was blessed with one daughter, Anna Barbara. His daughter died before he did. His survivors then were, as far as known, only his wife and grand-daughter, Anna Barbara MAAS. No tombstone marked his grave. The congregation and others interested in that place of worship and burial of the dead erected a suitable memorial in honor and remembrance of their benefactor, at or near the place where his remains were tenderly consigned to their final resting place, one hundred and forty-eight years ago. The monument was unveiled and appropriate services held on November 19, 1911. Peter SCHLOSSER whose name is mentioned in the first record of this church was also among the most prominent settlers, and one of the most active workers in the church. He emigrated to America in the year 1732. He presented a book to the church in which are recorded the first baptisms and confirmations of the congregation. The names of Henry KELKER, Herman EIKEL, George MAAS, John Michael THEISS, Nicolaus WEISS, Christofel MILLER, John George MILLER, Jacob SCHWOB and those of other settlers appear in the record at a very early date. The Houses of Worship. It is supposed that a house of worship built of logs stood upon the site of the present church, or near by. One authority, William Egle in his History of Lebanon County, says, that the first church was erected by Peter SCHLOSSER and presented to the church society, on ground, however, on which Jacob KIMMERLING settled. It is, no doubt, true that our first settlers erected a log church, the same as they did at other places, in which they held religious services. This log church was soon followed by a more substantial building. At this place in the year 1752 the record states, a new church was erected. The word "neue," implies that there was an older church there before. The church for a number of years was called the Quittapahilla Church, which name appears on the first and second pages of the old record. After this new church, erected in 1752, was ready for worship, the following articles were on hand, and others were presented to the congregation. First of all the book presented by Peter SCHLOSSER, as stated before, in which to record baptisms, confirmations, and marriages. We find the first baptism recorded that of John Michael MILLER, son of Christofel and Barbara MILLER. The first class confirmed consisted of four members, John Michael THEISS, Christofel MEYER, Eva Elisabeth KIMMERLING, and Anna Maria WASHERBACH. The record further tells of a book of sermons that belonged to the congregation, prior to the erection of the new church. This book of sermons was used by the school teacher to read a sermon to the congregation, when no regular minister could be secured or could come; also to read a sermon on funeral occasions, when no regular minister could be secured to officiate. A communion cup was also on hand, which was bought by money taken from the regular collection. Henry KELKER donated a plate and baptismal font. Jacob KIMMERLING presented a tankard in which to put the wine on communion occasions, on which are engraved the initials J.K.; also the initials of two others appear. The year 1745 is also engraved on the tankard, several years before the erection of the new church. A table cloth, prepared by a good friend, was given. Herman EIKEL presented "den Klingelbeutel," a bag with a bell at the bottom and with a handle, to use in taking the offering. Lastly there was presented a black funeral cloth, at the time of Jacob KIMMERLING's funeral. In this church erected in 1752 the congregation worshipped up to the year 1830, when another house of God was erected. We learn from the resolutions passed by the congregation, that it was necessary for the evangelical Reformed church to erect another suitable building in which to worship Almighty God. The proclamation further states, that it was extremely necessary for the congregation to erect another edifice, because the members worshipped for a long time in a very poor and dilapidated church which for some time was unfit for worship. One of the oldest and most faithful members told the present pastor that he hear his ancestors speak of this church, and that on one occasion one of his relatives attended services barefooted, and whilst sitting on a bench, came in contact with thorns that grew up between the boards of the floor and received quite a number of scratches. The roof was full of openings, affording sunshine and moisture favorable to the growth of plants and thorns. The cornerstone, according to said proclamation, was laid on the 27th of June, 1830, during the administrations of Andrew Jackson, President of the United States of America, and of the Governor of Pennsylvania, George Wolf. They further resolved that, if God continues to bless the work of their hands, they soon hope to dedicate the church to the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and it shall be called St. Jacob's Church; that it shall be and remain an evangelical church, in which the pure Gospel shall be preached and the Holy Sacraments administered, according to the command of our Lord the Savior, Jesus Christ. At the close of the proclamation they say, "This is our wish and with such purposes we can truly hope and exclaim with Jacob, 'And this stone which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house,'" The building committee consisted only of one member, Jacob SCHWOB, who was also the treasurer. Peter REBOCK, Daniel MILLER, and John UMBERGER collected the money to erect this church. No records are on hand as to the time when this church was dedicated. According to the action taken May 12, 1856, by the congregation, the church erected in 1830 was considered unsuitable for religious worship any longer, although built only twenty-six years before. The congregation unanimously agreed to erect the present church edifice in the year of our Lord 1856. The articles placed in the cornerstone consist of a Bible, Reformed Church Hymn Book, a copy of the Heidelberg Catechism, and copies of the Reformed Church Messenger and Kirchenzeitung. Rev. Thomas H. LEINBACH and William W. GROH, assistant, were the pastors of the congregation at that time. The following served the congregation. Elders: William YIENGST and Isaac LIGHT; Deacons: John BECHTOLD and David LEISS; Trustee: John SCHWOB; Treasurer: Daniel MILLER; Building Committee: John KAUFMAN, John SCHWOB, and Daniel LI GHT. Since the erection of this church building, a number of alterations and improvements have been made during the present pastorate of Rev. Henry J. WELKER. A pulpit recess was added, the church painted and frescoed, the windows changed, and the organ moved from the gallery, enlarged and placed on the first floor alongside of the pulpit. Ministers who served the congregation: 1736 - 1757. John Conrad TEMPELMAN is supposed to have ministered to the congregation some time after Jacob KIMMERLING settled in this locality. TEMPELMAN was born at Weinheim in the Palatinate, March 22, 1692. He was a tailor by trade. He was married to Anna Maria BARTH and the union was blessed with two children, Anna Margaret and Anna Maria. He came to this country between 1721 and 1725. He located several miles south of Lebanon where he secured 200 acres of land. The place is still known as Tempelman's Hill. He served a number of congregations as a layman first, but the Synod of North Holland in 1751 directed that he be ordained. In his last years he was compelled to perform his labors with difficulty, on account of the infirmity of old age, especially on account of failing vision. In the Coetus minutes of October 21 and 22, 1760, it is said "TEMPELMAN is stone blind, preaches very seldom." He, however, continued preaching for some time after he was blind, his members kindly leading him into the church and into the pulpit. He died about the year 1761, and his remains rest where he resided, on Tempelman's Hill, about four miles southeast of Lebanon. 1757 - 1758. John WALDSCHMIDT served the congregation for a short time. WALDSCHMIDT was the pastor at Tulpehocken at that time and the handwriting in recording baptisms is similar in both records. 1758 - 1760. 46or a few years William OTTERBEIN supplied the congregation. He was pastor at Tulpehocken at the same time. 1765 - 1767. For a period of five years we have not been able to learn who ministered to the congregation. Rev. John ZUFALL served the congregation for a few years. In the minutes of the Coetus of October 16, 1765, we learn that he sent two men to report to Coetus that he was sick and would later make a report of his charge. The churches ZUFALL then served, according to the minutes of the Coetus, were, Tulpehocken, MFChlbach, Bethel, and Kimmerling's. 1769 - 1782. The Coetus of 1769 selected Rev. J. William HENDEL, Sr., D.D., to take charge of the congregations and expressed the hope that by him the almost ruined congregations might arrive again at a condition of blessedness. During his ministry, Jacob KIMMERLING died and we find, in HENDEL's own handwriting, an account of his burial recorded in the old church book. During his ministry here the Indians were still numerous. He made frequent missionary excursions northward through the valleys. it was necessary for the inhabitants to go armed with weapons to meet him and guard him on the way to the places where he was to preach. Whilst he preached, the guards stood under and around the door with their rifles, so that they could both keep a lookout for their enemies, the Indians, and also listen to the servant of God delivering unto them the glad tidings of salvation. 1783 - 1786. This congregation was fortunate in securing the services of Rev. William RUNKEL for a few years. He was one of the most devoted men who labored in the Reformed Church in his day. In the year 1781 RUNKEL was called to the Lebanon charge, vacated by Rev. BUCHER. On May 7, 1782, he moved with his family to Lebanon and soon after his name also appears in our records at Ki mmerling's. 1786 - 1793. In 1786 Rev. Daniel WAGNER moved from York county, Pennsylvania, to Tulpehocken, where he labored from 1786 - 1793. He also supplied Kimmerling's for some time. 1793 - 1815. Rev. William HENDEL, Jr., D.D., who also labored at Tulpehocken and other places, ministered to the congregation for twenty-two years. This is partly supposition. It is not altogether certain whether he was the pastor during the whole of the above period. 1815 - 1821. In the first minutes after Synod was divided into districts or classes in 1820, we find that Rev. William HIESTER served the congregation. After 1821 for a number of years, no report of the congregation appears. All was quiet. The congregation had all but gone out of existence. The church was unfit for worship. This was the time the thorns grew up between the boards of the floor. The congregation revived again in 1830. A new church was erected and Rev. Thomas H. LEINBACH20took hold of the work and labored here from ... 1831 - 1864. The membership was very small when Rev. LEINBACH became pastor. Only eight members communed at one time in the beginning of his pastorate. By the grace and help of God the congregation took new courage, the membership increased, and under his pastorate the present church was erected as stated before. 1864 - 1883. In June, 1864, Rev. Charles H. LEINBACH was elected successor to his sainted brother, Rev. Thomas H. LEINBACH. His labors among those people were abundantly blessed. 1884 - . The present pastor, Henry J. WELKER, began his ministry among these people, in the Spring of 1884. The congregation is in a prosperous condition. Quite a number of members were dismissed to St. Mark's Church, Lebanon, and Grace Church, Avon, when they were organized and since that time. Yet the membership is about one-third larger at present time than at any time in the history of the congregation. (For additional facts of some of the pastorates mentioned, see history of the Tulpehocken Church.) J.H.W. Addendum. The following inscription is found on the first page of Kimmerling's Church Book. [On the left hand margin, at the beginning, is written "Quittolbilhilie, in Lenkshur gounty, libnon downschip, d. 3 May, 1754."] "This Church Book in this Evangelical Reformed congregation has been dedicated to the use of us and our successors, to our children and grandchildren, for the candidates for baptism who will be baptized in this church and incorporated, through true faith in the blood and Holy Spirit, into the eternal covenant of Grace. "So also to register the young communicants who commune for the first time and become incorporated into the fellowship of Jesus Christ, through true faith in the Holy Sacrament of the Supper of Jesus Christ." Conrad TEMPEL MAN, Present Reformed Preacher. Jacob KIMMERLING, and with him George MAAS. On page two is the following: "In the year of Christ after the erection of the new Quittapahilla Church, 1752, this church book and protocol was presented by Peter SCHLOSSER." These entries leave no doubt that Kimmerling's had also at first the name "Quittapahilla." Some have denied this, but we think the foregoing extracts leave no doubt as to the fact that there were at one time two Quittapahilla churches, viz., The Hill Church (near Annville) and Kimmerling's. T.S.S.