Northampton County PA Archives Church Records.....History of Grace Reformed Church Copyright Date 1912 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 11, 2008, 11:45 pm Forward To add to the interest of the celebration of the 15th anniversary of Grace Reformed Congregation, it was deemed fitting by the consistory to publish a history of the congregation, together with its archieves; which contain baptism, cofirmation, marriage and death records. To this end, the pastor; elders, Preston D. Borger and James W. Smith; and secretary Herbert T. Werner were appointed a committee to gather and arrange the material and proceed with its publication. We present the result of our labor to the congregation under the title of "Fifteen Years of Grace in Grace Reformed Church," in the hope that these annals of the early years of the congregation may be a source of inspiration for the present and promise for the future, as well as an expression of gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and guidance. "To forget the past is to forget our mercies and to forget our mercies is to forget God. The tree must ever draw life from its roots; the strength of a stream must ever be replenished from its fountains; so is the nation and the church in the divine order, ever dependant for vitality and vigor on its past history. The trials and triumphs of the past are as promises to stimulate us in the present, and as pledges to give us hope and courage for the future." (Rev. H. Haubaugh.) The Dry Run Sunday School Grace Reformed Congregation and its sister congregation, Trinity Lutheran, are the outgrowth of the Stemton Union Sunday School. The Sunday School was originally known as the Dry Run Sunday School, and held its sessions in the Dry Run Public school house. The first Sunday School there, was organized in the spring of 1864. Samuel Beil acted as Superintendent and Milton George as Secretary and Treasurer. The school was continued during the summer but closed in the fall as was the custom for all rural Sunday Schools. The school was not re-organized the following spring because the boys insited upon coming early to the school house to enjoy a game of ball before the opening of the Sunday School just as they were accustomed when attending the public school; to this the officers objected but not receiving the moral support of the parents in their opposition they made no effort to re-organize the school the following spring. THE STEMTON UNION SUNDAY SCHOOL In the spring of 1867, William Stem again organized a Sunday School at Dry Run under the name of the Dry Run Sunday School. At the first meeting there were only three scholars present, but on the following Sunday the school was well filled. At the close of the school in the fall a certificate of membership was given to each scholar. Through the courtesy of Mr. A. D. Borger a facsimile of one of the certificates adorns this book. On Dec. 5, 1869, the Dry Run School was reorganized under the name of the Stemton Union Sunday School. The school met in the old depot until the completion of the Stemton public school when it was removed to it. The cash and account book of the Stemton Union Sunday School opens thus: Dec. 5, 1869, Cash on hand from old school, $7.00; collection, 71 cents. The minute book of the officers and teachers meeting under the date of January 5, 1870, contains an account of the election of officers. Those elected were: Superintendent, E. H. Laubach; Assistant Superintendent, A. D. Laubach; Secretary, S. E. Stem; Assistant Secretary, D. H. Nothstein; Librarian, P. D. Borger; Assistant Librarian, Frank Medler; Treasurer, Peter Nicholas. At the meeting held June 12, 1870, a committee of five were appointed to remove the library from the office into one of the other rooms. At this same meeting there was also a resolution adopted that "The Sunday School continue to meet here for the present until a better place can be found." On July 3, 1870, W. H. Daily was appointed "teacher of the singing," and the teachers were requested to meet monthly and the scholars semi-monthly "to take exercise in singing." Upon the completion of the Stemton public school house the Sunday School began to hold its sessions in it. John Ruhe, the school teacher, was chosen Superintendent. The following year P. N. Remmel, Ruhe's successor, was chosen superintendent. The following year, 1873, William Nagle succeeded Mr. Remmel as Superintendent and continued until the spring of 1896 when for lack of support the school was discontinued. Its last session was held May 22, 1896. The collection for the day was 27 cents. EXTRACTS FROM MINUTE BOOK In the archives of Grace Sunday School, there has recently been discovered the Record book of the Sunday School of the year 1869. The following are a few of the entries found in this interesting little book: - Dry Run, April 18, 1S69, 2:00 P. M. Meeting and formation of the school. Teachers present, male 10, female 6; scholars, male 22, female 28. Dry Run, May 2, 1869, 2:00 P. M. Heavy rain throughout the day. No attendance. Dry Run, June 6, 1869, 2:00 P. M. The weather very fine. The largest attendance of the season. Teachers present, male 10, female 8; scholars present, male 44, female 34; teachers absent, male 7, female 4; scholars absent, male 4, female, 6. Dry Run, June 27, 1869, 2:00 P. M. Weather very warm. Visitors very few. Present, teachers, male 9, female 11; scholars, male 40, female, 30. Dry Run, July 4, 1869, 2:00 P. M. School opened by August Cressman and closed by the Secretary. Both Superintendents absent. School well filled. Dry Run, July 18, 1869, 2:00 P. M. Smallest attendance of the season. Weather extremely hot. Soldiers gone to camp. Teachers present, male 3, female 4; scholars present, male 19, female 36. Note: - The State militia had encamped on the hill across the river where the old Atlas Cement Mill is located. Dry Run, Oct. 3, 1869, 2:00 P. M. No school. High water in the Lehigh on the night of Oct. 3rd. Dry Run, Oct. 31, 1869, 2:00 P. M. School opened by Wm. Stem. Weather cool. House well filled. Closed the school for the year of 1869. In 1872 every member of the school was given a certificate of membership in the form of a blue card which contained on its back a complete list of the officers, teachers and scholars for the year. It cannot be uninteresting to strangers and surely not to those who in that year, just forty years ago, attended the school, to have this list reproduced. It is as follows: ROLL OF '72 PETER N. REMEL, Superintendent. WY. G. NAGLE, Asst. Superintendent. JOSEPH KOCH, JR., Secretary. PETER NICHOLAS. Treasurer. JOHN HESS, PRESTON E. STEM, Librarians. CLASS NO. 1. G. W. KIND. Teacher. Peter J. Laubach Thomas A. Beil Simon Lerch Preston D. Borger Jacob A. Beil Henry D. Moyer Oliver F. Heilman CLASS NO. 2. P. NICHOLAS, Teacher. Austin E. Bush Oscar J. Lobach George D. Kemerer Alfred Koch L. E. Nicholas Geo. Coleman John Moyer CLASS NO. 3. S. RESH, Teacher. George P. Stem Oliver E. Daily Jacob Y. Eberly Thad. P. Levan Richard A. F. Smith CLASS NO. 4. A. D. BORGER, Teacher. George B. Stem Thomas F. Harper Sefellen E. Smith Samuel Laubach Sylvester Young James S. Daily Henry A. Kemerer Abraham D. Miller Moses Smith James Weaver CLASS NO. 5. O. MOYER, Teacher. Daniel P. Kuehner Andrew Eckhart Wm. Newhart George Bernd Myron Beil Peter J. Fretz Emanuel Lerch Geo. H. Smith CLASS NO. 6. M. ANEWALT, Teacher, Samuel A. Kromer Thomas Fey David Steinmetz Francis Engel Alfred E. Kromer CLASS NO. 7. WM. STEM, Teacher. Thomas F. Fretz John Kromer Charles Shuman Ferd. Steinmetz James W. Smith Allen Mertz CLASS NO. 8. P. B. ROGERS, Teacher. Wm. H. Kern Franklin D. Boyer A. Joseph Rogers Oliver E. Newhart Wm. R. J. Smith CLASS NO. 1. MISS L. PURSEL, Teacher. Lizzie A. Stewart Ida A. Stem Emma J. Koch Laura L. Kemerer Anna Koch Emma E. Beil Ellen J. Laubach Almira H. Levan Sarah J. Washburn Lizzie Biery Julia Lichtenwalner CLASS NO. 2. MRS. A. ROGERS, Teacher. Ellen C. Stem Clara R. Koch Alice A. Smith Emma Fretz Mary A. Laubach Clara A. Fretz Anna M. Laubach Vesta Smith Sarah Mary Silfies CLASS NO. 3. MISS M. J. FRETZ, Teacher. Sarah J. Smith Ida S. Lerch Malinda S. Heilman Lizzie Lobach Sarah E. Moyer Jane Moyer CLASS NO. 4. MISS E. B. DIETER, Teacher. Alice S. Fretz Laura S. Rogers Lilly J. Dieter Ellen L. Young Mary A. Beil Mary R. Boyer CLASS NO. 5. MISS C. A. STEM, Teacher. Ellen J. Nicholas Mary J. Heilman Commilla Kern Alice C. Kern Rebecca Silfies Amanda Washburn CLASS NO. 6. MISS R. A. KOCH, Teacher. Rosa A. Moyer Minnie A. Stem Lilly Q. Young Clara M. Koch Alice J. Boyer Mary E. D. Butz CLASS NO. 7. MISS E. SILFIES, Teacher. Marietta Moyer Annie R. Boyer Mary A. Washburn Mary H. George Mary A. Harper Clara M. Koch Annie R. E. Miller CLASS NO. 8. MRS. ANNA HESS, Teacher. Louisa J. Heilman Ellen Smith Mary A. J. Voght Dianna Silfies Catherine Rice S. C. A. Shonkweiler Sarah Steinmetz Ellen Rice CLASS NO. 9. MISS V. C. SPENGLER, Teacher. Laura Seyfried Laura A. Marsh Cassie J. A. Boyer Minnie Daily Lily A. Kuehner Sarah Beil Sarah E. Miller M. J. C. Moyer Etta A. Smith Annie Dieter Julia Lichtenwalter Emma Frantz CLASS NO. 10. MRS. A. NAGLEE, Teacher. Ellen J. Voght Annie A. Nagel Ellen Koch Emma Daily Emma R. Moyer Vestilla F. Metzger Alice M. Heilman DIVINE SERVICES IN THE SCHOOL HOUSE. As the population of the village of Stemton increased there arose a desire to have religious services in their midst. Most of the people held membership in the neighboring congregations of Howerton, Schoenersville, Micklev's, Egypt and Kriedersville. Members of these,several congregations prevailed upon their respective pastors to hold occasional services in the village school house. Rev. C. J. Becker, pastor of the Reformed Congregation of Howerton and Schoenersville had recently resigned (1870) the Catasauqua Congregation, formerly a part of his charge and since these two congregations required no evening services he cheerfully consented to come here and conduct services in the evening. He preached most frequently and became the recognized leader of the movement. The other pastors who preached occasionally were: Reverends Wm. R. Hofford, D. D., Tilghman O. Stem, Tilghman Seiple, J. D. Schindel, D. D., and Augustus Fox. To enrich the services a choir was organized of which William H. Daily was the leader. Among the members of the choir were: Celestia Stem, Martha Lerch, Mary Fretz, Elamanda Silfies, Rosa R. Koch, Lizzie Stewart, Ida Stem, Mary DeLong, Peter Nicholas, A. D. Borger, John Mertz, Monroe Anewalt, Joseph Koch, Jr., Emanuel Lerch, Peter Fretz, P. D. Borger and Samuel Resh. History of Congregation As the population of the village of Northampton, then called Stemton, increased, due to the rapid development of the cement industry, the desire among the residents to have a church in their midst became stronger and was the frequent topic of conversation. Several meetings of those interested in the project were held in the public school. It was proposed to build a union church (Lutheran and Reformed) to which there was, however, some objection. It was suggested then that one party should build the church and the other party assist. That both parties should worship in it alternately and that in case of separation, the party assisting to have returned to them by the other party all moneys contributed toward its erection. Sentiment, however, rapidly crystallized against any form of union. At a meeting held in the school house July 5, 1897, at which E. J. Bernhard presided and Jacob Grey acted as Secretary, the question of union was again discussed. After some discussion the motion of George H. Stem, seconded by Samuel Smith, that a Reformed Church be built, prevailed by a vote of ten to one. Two committees were immediately appointed, the first committee consisting of George H. Stem, Joseph Koch and Thomas George, to prepare a constitution for the proposed congregation; and the second committee consisting of Wm. Newhard, James W. Smith, George H. Stem, Thomas George, Samuel Smith, Charles Muth and Peter Nicholas to secure an option on a suitable grounds and obtain plans for a church building. The committee on building site reported at a meeting held in the School house July 14 that they had secured an option from Mrs. Elizabeth Fisher on a corner lot at Stem and Third Streets, now Ninth Street and Lincoln Avenue, for two hundred dollars. The site proposed by the committee was accepted and the committee instructed to procure it immediately. The following committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions for a church building: Charles G. Moyer, George H. Stem, Mrs. Willoughby Newhard, Mrs. William Albright, Clara Koch, Samuel Smith, Joseph Koch, M. W. Knauss, Jacob S. Grey, Olivia Stem, Alvin Hess and Clara Newhard. The committee, together with Rev. C. J. Becker, chairman of the Supply Committee, succeeded m raising about Two Thousand Dollars. A petition, requesting East Pennsylvania Classis to organize them into a regular, congregation, was circulated to which seventy-three attached their names. At a meeting held July 19, Thomas George was delegated to present the petition to the authorities of Classis. The Classis met in special session in the Salem Reformed Church, Catasauqua, Pa., August 9, 1897, at 2:00 P. M. Among the items of business of the call of the meeting was the following: "To hear and act on a petition of members of our church resident at and in the vicinity of Stemton, Northampton Co., Pennsylvania, for permission to organize a congregation at said place and for such other action as may be necessary to assist them in effecting the proper organization." ACTION OF CLASSIS. "The petition containing the names of seventy-three persons was read, on motion the item was adopted and: - RESOLVED: That the request of the petitioners be granted and that organization of a congregation at Stemton, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, be and is hereby authorized." RESOLVED: That a committee of three ministers, of which the President of Classis shall be chairman, be appointed to assist the petitioners in effecting the proper organization." The Chair (Rev. W. F. More) named Reverends F. H. Moyer and C. J. Becker as the other members of the committee, and sbusequent-ly also appointed Reverends C. J. Becker, John Wohlbach and J. G. Rupp as a committee to supply the congregation when organized. In the evening of the same day of the special meeting of Classis, the committee met the petitioners in the school house and constituted them a regular congregation of the Reformed Church in the United States under the name of Grace Reformed Congregation of Stemton, Pa. The draft, presented by the committee on Constitution was unanimously adopted and the following consistory elected: Elders, Thomas George, William Newhard; Deacons, P D. Borger, Thomas Fluck, J. W. Smith, and C. G. Moyer; Trustees, Samuel Smith, Joseph Koch and Charles Muth. Of the seventy-three persons who signed the petition to Classis, to be organized into a congregation, fifty-nine became members of the congregation, and they constitute the Charter Members of Grace Reformed Congregation. They are: - Albright, Mary A. Borger, Preston D. Borger, Minnie A. Coleman, Hannah Coleman, Monroe Coleman, Mary Coleman, Milton Coleman, Ella Fluck, Thomas A. Fluck, Elmina George, Thomas Grey, Jacob S. Grey, Annie M. Hartman, Wm. B. Hartman, Amanda Haldeman, Edwin Hess, Alvin Hess, Carrie Hess, John Hoffman, Benjamin Koch, Clara R. Koch, Emma J. Kuehner, Sallie Kiechel, H. D. Kiechel, Mary Koons, Sarah Anna Lerch, Wm. P. Muth, Chas. Muth, Amanda Moyer, Charles G. Moyer, Sarah Musselman, Elizabeth Newhard, William Newhard, Rosa A. Newhard, Stella Newhard, Alfred Newhard, Caroline Newhard, Oliver R. Newhard, Oscar Newhard, Clinton H. Newhard, John M. Newhard, Mamie Newhard, Michael Newhard, Sarah Reinert, Wm. H. Reinert, Henrietta Reinert, Abiah C. Reinert, Eva P. Rice, Jennie Smith, James W. Sheiry, Harvey Sheiry, Ida Sheiry, Reuben Sheiry, Lydia Searfas, George Searfas, Amanda Wright, Albert E. Wright, Ida M. Young, Elizabeth At a congregational meeting held on March 14, 1898, George H- Stem, Samuel Smith and Thomas George were appointed a committee to secure a charter from the Civil Court for the congregation, the petition to the court asking for a charter was signed by the members of the consistory and trustees and was filed in the office of the prothonotary March 28, 1898 and the charter was granted by Judge W. D. Schuyler April 25, 1898. At a meeting held August 17, 1897, it was decided to proceed with the erection of a church. Joseph Koch, Thomas George, Samuel Smith and Charles Muth were appointed a building committee and were given full power to act. The plans prepared by Architect Jacoby were accepted and the contract awarded to Amandus Young and Son. Work on the building was immediately begun. The corner stone was laid on Sunday afternoon, October 18, 1897. The services were conducted by Rev. C. J. Becker, assisted by Reverends W. F. More and T- J. Hacker. At the evening service Reverends J. G. Rupp and F. H. Moyer preached. The offerings of the day amounted to seventy-five ($75.00) Dollars. The basement was dedicated on January 2, 1898, the offering was Thirty-six ($36.00) Dollars. Divine services were from this date held in the basement instead of the school house. Rev. C. J. Becker conducted services most frequently and labored zealously in behalf of the new congregation. Other ministers and theological students preached occasionally. When Classis met in annual session in St. Jacob's Church, Weissport, Pa., Rev. Thomas Krick, pastor, the Committee of Supply reported to Classis as follows: - DEAR BRETHREN: - Your Committee of Supply for the Stemton Congregation beg leave to report: That the congregation has been regularly supplied with the preaching of the Gospel once each Sunday and most of the time two services a day, one in English and the other in German. The community has been thoroughly canvassed, from house to house, resulting in the accession of seventy-nine communicant members to the sixty-four members received at the organization of the congregation. A class of twenty-six catechumens has been organized and regularly instructed. Of this class sixteen are expected to be confirmed after the dedication of the new church. A desirable lot was secured in a desirable location. On this a church edifice 70 ft by 40 ft. has been erected with a fine basement for the Sunday School and other purposes. The building which is expected to be ready for dedication to the Triune God on the coming Whit Sunday. The committee is gratified to add that a spirit of unanimity and harmony is prevailing among the membership of the new congregation, and that it is especially noted for its sympathy and co-operation in the work of building the church and promoting the Kingdom of God in the community. Respectfully submitted, REV. C. J. BECKER, REV. J. WOHLBACH, REV. J. G. RUPP. At this same meeting of Classis the congregation was constituted a regular charge. On Memorial Day 1898 the building committee reported at a congregational meeting that the church was completed, that they had accepted it and turned it over to the congregation. It was dedicated with impressive ceremonies June 19, 1898. The clergymen who took part in the services were Cyrus J. Becker, James W. Mabry, Henry T. Spengler, D. D., George H. Stem, John C. Bowman, D. D., George W. Richards, D. D., Frank H. Mover and J. G. Rupp. The offering and special subcriptions of the day amounted to ($776.53) Seven Hundred Seventy-Six Dollars and fifty-three cents. Having been constituted a charge by itself the congregation, at a meeting held June 15, 1898, instructed its consistory to issue a call to Rev. Jacob G. Rupp of Parryville, Pa., to become their pastor. Rev. Rupp accepted the call and was installed August 14, 1898. The Committee of Installation consisted of Reverends T. O. Stem, F. H. Mover and C J. Becker, the latter, however, was unable to be present. The sermon was preached by Rev. T. O. Stem, Text, II Timothy 4:1-5. Rev. F. H. Moyer conducted the installation services. Under the leadership of their pastor the congregation increased rapidly. At the end of the Classical year, May, 1899, the enrollment was three hundred and one. The congregation rallied around the pastor and at the third anniversary of the pastorate, June 23, 1901, the mortgage of Two Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty ($2730.00), Dollars, which had been resting upon the building was burned. The congregation in less than four years had built and paid for a beautiful edifice. During the fall of 1905 and the spring of 1906 a beautiful and spacious parsonage was erected at the corner of Ninth Street and Dewey Avenue, at a cost of almost five thousand dollars. The Building Committee was composed of the following: George H. Stem, Wm. Koons, David Farber, Thomas George, Jacob S. Grey, Reuben Scheiry and Charles Mover. Sketches of the Pastors REV. CYRUS J. BECKER. Rev. Cyrus J. Becker was a grandson of the Rev. Christian L. Becker, who came from Bremen, Germany, to Pennsylvania. in 1793, and assumed the pastorate of the Easton. Mount Bethel. Plainfield and Dryland congregations. He died at Baltimore in 1818. His son, Jacob Christian Becker, the father of Cyrus J., was born in Bremen January 14, 1790. He was ordained in 1808 and in 1812 became the pastor of the Allen, Moore, Hanover, Lehigh, Towanencin and Ross congregations- In 1850 he organized the Bethlehem and Catasauqua congregations. In addition to preaching and practicing medicine he also tutored young men, fifteen of whom he prepared for the Christian ministry. He died at Bethlehem August 15. 1858. Cyrus J. Becker was born at Kreidersville, Pa., April 18. 1827. He was a graduate of Lafayette College and the Seminary at Mercersburg. He was ordained in 1848 and assisted his father until 1850 when he became pastor of the Towanencin and Big Moore charge. In 1854 he resigned on account of ill health and engaged in teaching. In 1858 he succeeded his father as pastor of the Howertown, Shoenersville and Catasauqua congregations. He preached for many years to the people of Stemton in the public school house. Upon the organization of Grace congregation he was appointed Chairman of Supply and labored zeaolusly in behalf of the congregation until it was made a charge and called a pastor. He confirmed the first catechetical class. Through his death, which occurred August 22, 1907, there was brought to an end an active ministry in the Reforemd faith of three generations, covering a period of one hundred and thirty-three years. REV. JACOB G. RUPP. Rev. Jacob G. Rupp, son of Benjamin and Lydia Laros Rupp, was born at Ruppsville, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, October 14, 1869. He attended the public school al Kuhnsville, Lehigh County. He was confirmed by Rev. Eli Keller, D. D., as a member of the Zionsville Reformed congregation in the fall of 1884. At the Emaus High School, under the tutorship of Rev. J. V. George, and at the preparatory department of Muhlenberg College, he prepared himself for college entrance. In the fall of 1889 he matriculated at Franklin and Marshall College, from which he was graduated in 1893. In the fall of the same year he entered the Eastern Theological Seminary at Lancaster and was graduated in the spring of 1896. He was ordained to the holy ministry and installed as pastor of the Towamensing charge, consisting of the Towamensing, Big Creek and Parryville congregations. June 10, 1896, in the Towamensing Church, Carbon Co., Pa. The Committee were: Reverends James Mabry, Robert C. Weaver and Irvin Bachman. He assumed the pastorate of Grace congregation August 1, 1898, and continued until December 1, 1910, when he resigned to become the field secretary of the Foreign Mission Board. As a pastor Rev. Rupp was untiring in his labors for the welfare of the congregation, however never losing sight of the interests of the church at large. He was Stated Clerk of East Pennsylvania Classis from 1900 to 1911 and frequently represented it in the higher judicatory bodies of the church. He is married to Mary Ida Bachman, a daughter of Stephen and Caroline Fetterolf Bachman. REV. JOHN BAER STOUDT. Rev. John Baer Stoudt was born in Maxatawny Township. Berks County, Pennsylvania, October 17, 1878. He is a son of John Reppert Stoudt and his wife Amanda Carl, nee Baer As a boy he removed with his parents to a farm in Richmond Township near Fleetwood, Pennsylvania. His boyhood days were spent on the farm. After attending the public schools of the township and the Fleetwood High School he became a student at the Keystone State Normal School and was graduated in 1900. Prior to graduation he taught public school, two terms. After graduation he taught one more term and then prepared for College In the fall of 1902 he entered the Sophomore class at Franklin and Marshall College, and was graduated in 1905. During his collegiate course he paid special attention to oratorical and literary work and was awarded first place in the Sophomore, Junior and Senior oratorical contests and second place in the annual contest of the Pennsylvania Inter Collegiate Oratorical Union held at Allentown, Pa., March 10, 1905. In the fall of 1905 he entered the Eastern Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church in the United States and was graduated with honors in 1908. During the summer of 1906 he pursued a special course in Theology in the University of Chicago. He was licensed by Lehigh Classis June 3, 1908, at Jacksonville, Pa. He assumed the pastorate of the Salisbury charge, Lehigh County, September 1, 1908. Upon the resignation of Rev. J. G. Rupp, the consistory appointed a committee of three: E. O. Hoffman, Elmer Bartholomew and Clinton Newhard, to recommend a pastor. The committee visited Rev. Stoudt in his home at Emaus, Pa., and prevailed upon him to supply their pulpit, to which he consented. After he had preached before the congregation, they by a vote, instructed the consistory to issue a call to him. He accepted the call and moved into the parsonage February 8, 1911. He was formally installed March 1, 1911. Rev. O. S. Frantz, of Easton, preached the installation sermon; Rev. M. N. George delivered the charge to the congregation, and Rev. David Scheirer conducted the services. On October 15, 1908, he was united in holy wedlock with Elizabeth A. DeLong. This union is blessed with one son, John Joseph. He was born in Grace parsonage March 11, 1911. IRVIN ALBERT RAUBENHOLD. Irvin Albert Raubenhold, student for the Christian ministry, was born June 17, 1892 at Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. He is a son of Albert Peter Raubenhold and his wife, Cevilla Reed nee Beisel. He was confirmed a member of Grace congregation. He was graduated from the Northampton High School in 1909, ranking third in his class, and with honors from Mercers-burg Academy in 1911. In the fall of the same year he entered the Sophomore Class at Franklin and Marshall College. He is assistant to Professor Heller, the head of the college library, a member of the Diagnothian Literary Society and of the Franklin Club. He has been captain of Grace baseball club of the Northampton Sunday School League for the years of 1911 and 1912. Auxiliary Organizations THE LADIES AID SOCIETY. The Ladies' Aid Society has, ever since the organization of the congregation, been an important factor in the upbuilding and maintenance of the congregation. Their work is perhaps not appreciated as it ought to be. The appended statement of their yearly earnings furnishes evidence of their industry and demotion. The first officers of the society were: President, Miss Clara Koch; Vice President, Mrs. Robert Young; Secretary, Mrs. Jacob Grey: and Treasurer, Mrs. Preston D. Borger. The present officers are: President, Mrs. Ida Newhard; Vice President, Mrs. Tilghman J. Rupp; Secretary, Mrs. Mary Albright; Treasurer, Mrs. Minnie Borger. CONTRIBUTIONS SINCE ORGANIZATION. Congregational Benevolent 1898 $ 519 00 1899 399 00 1900 452 00 1901 265 00 1902 282 81 1903 222 00 $ 6 00 1904 75 50 11 00 1905 115 00 11 00 1906 100 00 12 00 1907 5 00 12 00 1908 333 20 13 00 1909 34 00 22 00 1910 162 16 12 00 1911 223 36 57 00 1912 to Sept. 1 41 80 11 00 22 CHEERFUL WORKERS. The Cheerful Workers usually spoken of as the Mission Band, meets every Saturday afternoon during the scholastic year. Its exercises consist of devotional services and missionary instruction, which is followed by plain and fancy sewing. It also gives a yearly entertainment and holds an occasional social. From these entertainments and the sale of their work a neat sum of money is obtained. Their benevolent and congregational contributions which since May 1911 amount to $315.00, are evidence for their industry and devotion. The present officers are: President, Mrs. Aquilla Guth; Vice President, Mrs. Lydia Miller; Secretary, Helen Behringer and Treasurer, Mrs. Sadie Marsh. The Cheerful Workers were originally under the name of the Willing Workers in 1895, at the suggestion of Rev. W. R. Hofford, D. D. The object was purely benevolent. The first officers were Olivia Stem, Mary Albright, Gertrude Nagle and Amanda Nicholas. They like the Sunday School used to meet in the school house. Upon the completion of the basement of the church in December, 1897, they removed to it. A constitution making them an integral part of the congregation was adopted and the name changed to the Cheerful Workers. The first officers under the new constitution were: President, Clara Koch; Vice President, Mary Albright; Secretary, Hattie Hartman; Treasurer, Minnie Borger. LADIES' AUXILLARY OF THE PHOEBE DEACONESS AND OLD FOLKS HOME. Northampton Chapter, No. 11, of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Phoebe Deaconess and Old Folks Home is a purely benovolent society. It is interested in maintainance and welfare of the Phoebe Deaconess and Old Folks Home at Allentown, Pa. It was organized at the close of the Sunday evening service, May 14, 1911, with fourteen members. The following officers were then chosen: President, Mrs. Israel Edelman; Vice President, Mrs. Dr. A. H. Laros; Secretary, Mrs. Rev. J. B. Stoudt, and Treasurer, Mrs. E. O. Reyer. The auxiliary meets monthly at the home of one of the members. It holds an annual Fastnacht Social. The present membership is twenty-three. The officers for 1912 are the same as for 1911 with the exception of the president, who is Mrs. Charles Benner. YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY. The Catechumens of the congregation hold a yearly reunion on New Year's eve. These reunions usually consist of a literary program followed by a social hour. At the reunion Dec. 30, 1911, sentiment for a Young People's Society crystallized and a resolution for organization was unanimously adopted. The following officers were chosen: President, Herbert Werner; Vice President, Claude Troxell; Secretary, Hattie Newhard, and Treasurer, Tilghman Rupp. Though this is the youngest organization of the church it has already made its influence felt in the life of the congregation. OFFICERS ELDERS. 1897 Thomas George and William Newhard. 1898 Thomas George and William Newhard. 1899 William Newhard; Edwin Smith. 1900 Edwin Smith; William Newhard. 1901 William Newhard; Preston T. Lerch. 1902 Preston T. Lerch; Amandus Young. 1903 Amandus Young; George B. Woodring, 1904 George B. Woodring; Albert W. Hirst. 1905 Albert W. Hirst; Charles G. Moyer. 1906 Charles G. Moyer; James M. Leibenguth. 1907 James M. Leibenguth; Charles G. Moyer. 1908 Charles G. Moyer; David F. Farber. 1909 David F. Farber; William Reinert. 1910 William Reinert; Edmund O. Hoffman. 1911 Edmund O. Hoffman; Charles G. Moyer. 1912 Charles G. Moyer; Preston D. Borger. James W. Smith; James M. Leibenguth. DEACONS. 1897 Preston D. Borger; Thomas Fluck. Charles G. Moyer; James W. Smith. 1898 Preston D. Borger; Thomas Fluck. Charles G. Moyer; James W. Smith. 1899 Preston D. Borger; Thomas Fluck. Charles G. Moyer; James W. Smith. 1900 Preston D. Borger; Thomas Fluck. Charles G. Moyer; James W. Smith. 1901 Charles G. Moyer; James W. Smith. James J. Anthony; Monroe Coleman. 1902 James J. Anthony; Monroe Coleman. Isaac Searfass; Charles P. Miller. 1903 Isaac Searfass; Charles P. Miller. James J. Anthony; Willoughby D. Easterday. 1904 James J. Anthony; Willoughby D. Easterday. Oliver E. Miller; H. Spencer Conover. 1905 Oliver E. Miller; H. Spencer Conover. Wilson J. Troxell; Milton H. Coleman. 1906 Wilson J. Troxell; Milton H. Coleman. George Miller; Abiah C. Reinert. 1907 George Miller; Abiah C. Reinert. Herbert T. Werner; Morris D. Wahl. 1908 Herbert T. Werner; Morris D. Wahl. Alvin O. Deibert; Calvin Nicholas. 1909 Alvin O. Deibert; Calvin Nicholas. Milton H. Coleman; Clinton H. Newhard. 1910 Milton H. Coleman; Clinton H. Newhard. Floyd Marsh; Elmer Bartholomew. Isaac Searfass; Alvin O. Deibert. 1911 Floyd Marsh; Elmer Bartholomew. Harvey Young; George W. Conrad, Jr. Raymond E. S. Guth; *Llewellyn A. Miller; **Clinton H. Newhard. 1912 Elmer Bartholomew; Clinton H. Newhard. Harvey E. Young; Raymond E. S. Guth. Amnion T. Mitman; Erastus D. Miller. *Resigned April 5, 1911. **Served unexpired term of L. A. Miller. TRUSTEES. 1897 Samuel Smith; Joseph Koch; Charles Muth. 1898 Samuel Smith; Charles Muth; Joseph Koch. 1899 Joseph Koch; Charles Muth; Alfred D. Borger. 1900 Joseph Koch; Alfred D. Borger; John Kuehner. 1901 Alfred D. Borger; John Kuehner; William S. Albright. 1902 William S. Albright: John Kuehner; George H. Stem. 1903 John Kuehner; George H. Stem; David F. Farber. 1904 George H. Stem; David F. Farber; William Koons. 1905 David F. Farber; William Koons; George H. Stem. 1906 William Koons, George H. Stem; Preston T. Lerch. 1907 George H. Stem; Preston ^. Lerch; Oliver E- Miller 1908 Preston T. Lerch; Oliver E. Miller; Charles P. Miller. 1909 Oliver E. Miller; Charles P. Miller; Charles G. Moyer. NOTE. - Office of Trustee abolished by new Constitution adopted December 20, 1909. TREASURERS. William Newhard: 1897, 189S, 1899, 1900 and 1901. Amandus Young: 1902 and 1903. George B. Woodring: 1904. Charles G. Moyer: 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908 and 1909. Edmund O. Hoffman: 1910 and 1911. James W. Smith: 1912. SECRETARIES. James W. Smith: 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900 and 1901. James J. Anthony: 1902, 1903 and 1904. Wilson J. Troxell: 1905 and 1906. Morris D. Wahl: 1907 and 1908. Herbert T. Werner: 1909, 1910. 1911 and 1912. ORGANISTS. Miss Clara R. Koch: 1897. 1898, 1899, 1900 and 1901. Harry Strohl: To Sept. 15, 1901. Albert A. Leibengnth : September 21, 1901 to December, 1910. Reynold R. Leibenguth: 1911 and 1912. Donations MEMORIAL WINDOWS. Mrs. Sarah Beil. Cheerful Workers. G. H. Stem and Wife. William Stem and Wife. Albert Hirst and Family. Charles Muth and Family. John Kuehner and Family. Jacob S. Grey and Family. Harriet and Samuel Stem. Amandus Young and Family. Llewellyn Nicholas and Sisters. William Newhard and Family. Michael Newhard and Family. Mrs. Malinda Smith and Helen Grey. Joseph Koch, Sr., and wife Catherine Thomas George and Mrs. Mary Albright. Mrs. Anna Koons and Elizabeth Musselman. Joseph Koch, jr., and sisters Rosa, Emma and Clara. Deacons P. D. Borger, Thomas Fluck, C. G. Moyer, J. W. Smith. DONATIONS. Pulpit Bibles Adam Laubach Book Mark Harriet Stem Book Mark Edith and Harold Berger Altar Cheerful Workers Pulpit William Stem Baptismal Fount Willing Workers Reading Desk Mrs George H. Stem Carpet in Chancel and Altar Six Ladies Four Collection Plates Hallie and Marie Howell Pulpit Chair Catechetical Class of 1898 Pulpit Chair Masters Russell and William Stem Pulpit Chair Grace Union Protestant Sunday School Pews and Carpet Ladies' Aid Society Wall Clock E. Keller and Son Chandeliers A. D. Borger and Family Table Cloth and Cover Mrs. Daniel Stapleton Communion Service, Mrs. Aaron Reyer and Mrs. Elmer O. Reyer Church Bell, 1899 Sunday School Carpet for Entire Church, 1908 Ladies' Aid Society Hymnal Board, 1911 Ladies' Aid Society Individual and Private Communion Services Cheerful Workers Silver Bread Plate Catechetical Class of 1911 Two Collection Plates Catechetical Class of 1912 CONTRIBUTIONS Benevolent Congregational 1899 $ 284 00 $ 4061 00 1900 263 33 2475 55 1901 278 00 3361 83 1902 322 00 2465 00 1903 331 00 1511 00 1904 465 00 1992 00 1905 450 00 1478 00 1906 331 00 3207 00 1907 425 00 2014 00 1908 572 00 2158 00 1909 471 00 2257 00 1910 711 00 1891 00 1911 504 00 1907 00 1912 496 00 2569 00 $5903 33 $33,347 38 Retrospect Fifteen years of Grace lie behind the present congregation. These years are past, they have become history. They were the formative period of the congregation. Like in the life of a person the period in which habits are formed. The congregation has always manifested a beautiful, devotional, benevolent and missionary spirit. Never were its representatives sent to Classis without the apportionment paid in full; neither were the orphans nor the aged forgotten. Every benevolent object of the church has been recognized and supported. This beautiful spirit of devotion and charity is full of promise for the future. A note of sadness, however, runs through these annals of but brief span of time. Not a few of those who helped to establish this congregation have gone to their eternal reward. And what better thing after all can one do than to live and to labor and to die for Christ, who lived and labored and died for us. Kingdoms and empires may rise and fall and like the fabric of a vision leave no rock behind; but the church of Jesus Christ outlives all the strange mutations of time- At the approaching anniversary of the laying of the corner stone of this, our church home, for which these pages have been prepared, let us renew our vows which bind us to Him who is the cornerstone of our faith, even Jesus Christ, and let us manifest, through the coming years, yea unto our dying hour, our heartfelt gratitude for the salvation that is ours through faith in Him "who has delivered us from all our own sins and miseries," and "makes all \hings work together for our salvation and eternal happiness." Trusting that we shall be led to further manifestations of his grace and mercy, until we all meet in the general assembly of the first born on high where, "The saints of all ages in harmony meet, Their Saviour and brethren transported to greet, While anthems of rapture unceasingly roll, And the smile of the Lord is the feast of the soul." Additional Comments: Extracted from: A HISTORY OF GRACE REFORMED CHURCH NORTHAMPTON, PENNSYLVANIA Arranged and Prepared by REV. JOHN BEAR STOUDT PRESTON D. BORGER JAMES W. SMITH HERBERT T. WERNER Together with an account of the Dry Run and Stemton Union Sunday Schools, a complete record of Baptisms, Confirmations, Marriages, Deaths, the Officers and Members of the Congregation and Sunday School In commemoration of the fifteenth anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone October 18, 1897 - October 20, 1912 NORTHAMPTON, PENNA. 1912 CEMENT NEWS PRINT NORTHAMPTON, PA This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/pafiles/ File size: 41.4 Kb