Church: Jersuleum, Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill Co, PA Contributed by Roxie Kline 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. _________________________________________________________________ The first official record of service by the Reformed Congregation is March 11, 1822; and the first recorded communion was held on Whitsunday,May 26, 1882, at which time 39 Communed and 9 were confirmed. The first building actually erected for worship was built in 1827-28. The corner stone was laid on October 7, 1827, and the building wascompleted in the spring of 1828 at a cost of $1,018.28. It was dedicatedon June 1, 1828, and named Jerusalem Church. The first communion took place on June 8, 1828, with 60 communicants including confirmands. The building measured about 45 by 50 feet, with gables on the east and west sides, and one entrance on the south side (toward Centre Avenue) and another on the east side. The interior was in the general style of those days, with galleries on three sides and a high pulpit along the north wall which was reached by a very narrow winding stairs. The church was painted white, hence becoming known as the "White Church." A new Jerusalem Church of brick construction was started in 1877 and dedicated on Whitsunday and Whitmonday, May 28 and 29, 1882. This building continues to stand although no longer used for church purposes. The congregation expended $11,069.20 in erecting the church, of which $1,347.06 was credited to work and materials donated by members, and was consecrated entirely free of debt. During the year 1851, members withdrew from the Jerusalem Church and organized a new union congregation. These members were opposed to what was called "New Measures", a movement propounded by those who held that conversion was primary in the gospel economy with Christian nurture and development of the Christian life being only secondary interest, which had been introduced into Jerusalem Church. Also, they wanted English-speaking services, as the services conducted in the Jerusalem Church were spoken in German. The new union congregation erected a church on Dock Street, Schuylkill Haven, and took the name of St. Paul's Union Church. This structure was vacated by the congregation in 1858 and the union congregation disbanded in 1861. The Lutheran division formed the present St. Matthew's congregation and the Reformed division formed the present St. John's congregation. The former St. Paul's Union Church building has now become St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church. In 1905, the Lutheran and Reformed congregations of Jerusalem Church separated, the former becoming Christ Lutheran Church and the latter continuing to occupy the building and chartered on July 3, 1905 as the First Reformed Church of Schuylkill Haven. Through denominational mergers it became the Evangelical and Reformed Church and later the United Church of Christ. Ground was broken for the present building, located on Route 61 South, to the east of Schuylkill Haven on May 5, 1963 and was dedicated with special services on June 14, 1964, with the congregation being rechartered as the First United Church of Christ of Schuylkill Haven. The bell, originally installed in the belfry of Jerusalem Church in 1893, is presently located on the lawn area at the front of the new church building. Made by the McShane Bell Foundry of Baltimore, Maryland, it weighs 2,240 pounds, and has inscribed upon it "Unto the church I do you call Death to the grave Will summon all." Jerusalem's Lutheran and Reformed Church Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania Rev. W. Donat Reformed Pastor Rev. Edwin E. Smoll Lutheran Pastor 1893 Pastors who have served the Reformed congregation since its inception are: Rev. Frederick C. Kroll 1821-1842 Rev. Reinbelt 1842-1845 Rev. Phillip Mayer 1845-1848 Rev. Hoffmier 1848-1852 Rev. John Gantenbeim 1852-1854 Rev. Jacob Kline 1854-1881 Rev. Willoughby Donat 1881-1904 Rev. William D. Stoyer 1905-1911 Rev. Elmer G. Leinbach 1911-1920 Rev. H. Jerome Leinbach 1921-1928 Rev. John L Herbster 1928-1943 Rev. Delas R. Keener 1944-1966 Rev. G. Harry Nice 1967- THE LUTHERAN CONGREGATION The Rev. George MENNIG, the first Lutheran minister to conduct services in the first church in Schuylkill Haven, served the congregation from 1821 to 1834. Other early pastors were the Rev. William MENNIG 1834-51, the Rev. George WALZ 1852-64, the Rev. John EBERMAN 1865-67, the Rev. Frederick WOENER 1868-86. During the pastorate of the Rev. William KUNTZ, 1874-86, the third house of worship, actually the second church building, was erected. Although the cornerstone was laid in 1877, the work was not completed until spring of 1882. The Rev. Dr. Edwin H. SMOLL assumed the pastorate of the church in 1886 and remained in that capacity for a period of 50 years, retiring in 1936. It was while he served as pastor, that the Lutheran congregation built its own church, organized a Sunday School, purchased its own cemetery, and made plans for further expansion. In 1905 the Lutheran and Reformed congregations decided to separate with the Reformed congregation purchasing the building for a cost of $9,875. Immediately the Lutherans began to plan for a new building and decided its name should be Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. During 1905 to 1910, under the leadership of the Rev. Smoll, Christ Church was built on Dock St., where it stands today. Much of the stone from the walls of the old dock, or Dundas lock in the Coal St. area, was used in building the foundation........ NOTE: This is the end of page 41, and unfortunately all that I have.