HISTORY: Warner Beers, 1886, Part 2, Chapter 12, Cumberland County, PA
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania.
Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages,
Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and
Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc. Illustrated. Chicago: Warner, Beers
& Co., 1886.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm
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PART II.
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA.
CHAPTER XII.
RELIGIOUS - PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - EPISCOPAL CHURCH - METHODIST CHURCH -
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH - GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH - LUTHERAN CHURCH -
CHURCH OF GOD - GERMAN BAPTISTS - UNITED BRETHREN - THE MENNONITES -
EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION.
THE religious sentiment was strongly developed in the primitive
inhabitants of the Cumberland Valley. Its settlers made early and
adequate provision for the preaching of the word of God. Family
instruction in the inspired record was supplemented by the public
proclamation of the gospel at such times and places as the sparsely
settled condition of the country warranted. The simplicity of that
primitive worship secured a religious fervor not seen in these days of
costly edifices and fashionable services. The sacrifices made by both
minister and people guaranteed a worship largely free from hypocrisy.
The log meeting-house, with its humble appointments, was, perhaps,
more thoroughly consecrated to the worship of Him, who "prefers before
all temples the upright heart and pure" than the stately structures of
modern times are. Says Dr. Wing: "The period of religious
indifference and unbelief had not yet arrived. In the countries from
which the people had come, there were doubtless formalism and
'moderation,' but every family would have felt dishonored had they been
found without the forms of public worship. And now, when these
wanderers into the wilderness were far away from any place of worship,
a sense of special desolation was felt by every one. A large part of
their social as well as religious life was gone. With but few books or
periodicals, the most probable occasion of hearing from the great world
and the people they had left was through the letters and arrivals of
others. It was in the Sabbath assembly that the sweetest and best
enjoyments of the week might be hoped for. The deepest and most urgent
longings of their hearts were toward the weekly assembly and what they
called the 'house of God.' No sooner, therefore, were they sheltered
from the weather, than they began to inquire for a place of worship.
"It would be interesting to have some account of the place where
these godly men first met and sought the God of their fathers. We are
not sure that we can make any near approach to the satisfaction
[gratifying] of this desire. We have traced the settlements over a
district of not less than twenty miles from east to west, and eight to
ten from north to south. This could be traveled only on foot or on
horses; for carriages were, for some time, out of the question. The
first meetings must have been at private houses, in barns, or in the
open air, and were perhaps confined to no one place."
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The early settlers of the Cumberland Valley having been Scotch-Irish,
were identified with the Presbyterian Church. This condition of things
existed for nearly thirty years, the first exception to this unity of
church fellowship being the preparatory steps to establish an Episcopal
congregation by Rev. William Thompson, an English missionary, as early
as July, 1753.
208 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
All this region was, at first, under the spiritual watch care of the
Presbytery of Donegal, which was organized about 1732, and whose limits
extended as far west as did the boundaries of Lancaster County at that
time. The nearest places for regular preaching at that early date were
in Dauphin County, where several congregations enjoyed the pastoral
care of Rev. William Bertram. On the 16th of October, 1734, it was
"ordered that Alexander Craighead supply over the river two or three
Sabbaths in November." Mental and moral light have always followed the
direction of physical illumination. Though not regularly ordained to
preach at that date, his ministrations were the only ones the
"settlements over the river" (the region west of the "Long, Crooked
River") enjoyed for a time. In April, 1735, however, Rev. John
Thompson was appointed to aid Mr. Craighead in the instruction of "the
people of Conodoguinet or beyond the Susquehanna," as the settlement
near Carlisle was known. The site of this preaching is supposed to
have been about two miles northwest of Carlisle, and since known as
"Meeting House Springs." Though it is claimed by some that "Silvers'
Spring" was the site of this first preaching, it is quite certain that
the Meeting House Springs was the first congregation established west
of the Susquehanna.
These two congregations, viz.: Meeting House Springs and Silvers'
Spring, were subsequently known as "Upper and Lower Pennsborough," and
must have had an existence as early as 1734. The following year, 1735,
the people of Hopewell Township, just formed, applied for permission to
erect a house of worship at a place called Big Spring (now Newville),
but their request was not granted for a time on account of its being
but eight miles from Pennsborough. Within a year or two, however, this
place of worship was erected, and shortly after, if not simultaneous
with it, another place of divine service was established about five
miles north of the present site of Shippensburg, and known as the
Middle Spring Congregation. Thus it will be seen that within eight or
ten years after the first crossing of the Susquehanna (viz.: 1734 to
1744), some four regular congregations were established and supported
within what is now Cumberland County, as follows: Meeting House
Springs, Silvers' Spring, Big Spring and Middle Spring. These
congregations sought from the presbytery to which they belonged, only
ministers of the gospel, pledging and furnishing houses of worship and
adequate support.
The first settled pastor was Rev. Thomas Craighead, father of
Alexander, already mentioned. He was properly installed at Big Spring
November 17, 1737, and preached also for Middle Spring. The second
regular pastor was Rev. Samuel Thompson, who began his charge of
Meeting House Springs and Silvers' Spring (Upper and Lower
Pennsborough) November 14, 1739.
We shall present briefly the leading facts connected with these
several congregations, commencing with
Silvers' Spring. - This was so called in honor of Mr. Silvers, one of
the first settlers of that region. The first occasional preaching was
by Rev. Alexander Craighead and then by Revs. Bertram, Thomas Craighead
and Goldston. The regular preachers and pastors were: Rev. Samuel
Thompson from 1739 to 1745. His resignation was on account of "bodily
illness." He was recommended as "generous and industrious in preaching
to the congregation, either on Sabbath days or week-days, according to
his convenience and their necessity." Rev. Samuel Caven, from 1745 to
the time of his death, November 9, 1750, in the forty-ninth year of his
age. Rev. John Steel, from 1764 to his death in 1779. He was employed
at 150l. per year, Silvers' Spring agreeing to pay half that sum. At
first six men, and afterward forty-two men, signed a promissory note
guaranteeing his pay. Rev. Samuel Waugh,
209 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
1782 to 1808; Rev. John Hayes, 1808 to 1814; Rev. Henry R. Wilson, 1814
to 1823; Rev. James Williamson, 1824 to 1838; Rev. George Morris, 1839
to 1860; Rev. W. H. Dinsmore, 1861 to 1865; Rev. W. G. Hillman, 1866-
67; Rev. W. B. McKee, 1868 to 1870; Rev. R. P. Gibson, 1872 to 1875;
Rev. T. J. Ferguson, 1878 -.
The church edifice at Silvers' Spring, a substantial stone building
45x58 feet, was erected in 1783 under the pastorate of Rev. Waugh. The
original house, predecessor of the present one, was a small log
building. The congregation was regularly incorporated by an act of the
Assembly September 25, 1786, the trustees named being Andrew Galbreath,
Samuel Wallace, Daniel Boyd, John Wather, Hugh Laird, Samuel Waugh,
William Mateer, Francis Silvers and David Hoge.
Big Spring. - This congregation was originally known as "Hopewell."
Its origin has already been given. The pastors in succession were:
Rev. Thomas Craighead, 1737. He died in the act of pronouncing the
benediction after a very eloquent discourse. As he enunciated the word
"farewell" he sank to the floor and expired without a groan or a
struggle. He was succeeded for a time by Rev. James Lyon, of Ireland.
Rev. George Duffield, installed in 1759. He also gave a portion of his
time to Carlisle. Rev. William Linn, successor, began probably about
1778, and continued till 1784, when he resigned to accept the
principalship of Washington Academy, Somerset County, Md. After a
vacancy of two years Rev. Samuel Wilson became pastor, which position,
till his death, March, 1799, he filled acceptably. His call, dated
"Big Spring, Cumberland County, 21st of March, 1786," and signed by 204
pew-holders, is an interesting document: "We, the subscribers of this
paper, and members of the congregation of Big Spring, do hereby bind
and oblige ourselves annually to pay Mr. Samuel Wilson, preacher of the
gospel, on his being ordained to be our minister, and for his discharge
of the duties of said office, the sum of 150l., Pennsylvania currency,
in specie, and allow him the use of the dwelling-house, barn and all
the clear land on the glebe possessed by our former minister; also
plenty of timber for rails and fire-wood; likewise a sufficient
security for the payment of the above mentioned sums during his
incumbency." April 14, 1802, Rev. Joshua Williams was installed on an
annual salary of 200l. He was a graduate of Dickinson College of the
class of 1795, and began to preach in 1798, having pursued theological
studies under Dr. Robert Cooper. With declining health he continued
his labors at Big Spring till 1829, when he resigned. Rev. Robert
McCachren, a native of Chester County, began his labors as pastor about
1830, and continued in such capacity till October, 1851, when he
resigned. During his pastorate, 485 communicants were added to the
congregation. Rev. J. S. Henderson, 1852 to 1862. Rev. P. Mowry, 1863
to 1868. Rev. E. Erskine, D. D., 1869, the present incumbent.
The first house of worship was built of logs about 1738, and stood in
the southern part of the grave-yard. The present stone edifice was
built about 1790, and remodeled in 1842.
Middle Spring. - John the Harbinger, as we learn from the inspired
record "preached at Enon, near to Saline, because there was much water
there." In the early history of the Cumberland Valley churches were
located near living springs, for the accommodation of the vast
concourse of people who assembled on occasions of divine worship.
Middle Spring, so called probably from its intermediate position
between Big Spring and Rocky Spring, has rather an uncertain origin.
The congregation began probably about 1740. Some of the early church
records mention the names of Allen Killough, John
210 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
McKee, David Herron and John Reynolds as elders in 1742; John Finley,
William Anderson and Robert McComb, 1744; and John Maclay, 1747.
The names of its preachers can not be given with certainty. The
following are some of them: Rev. Mr. Calls, of Ireland, and Rev. Mr.
Clarke of Scotland, both labored with the congregation for a time. The
first regular pastor, however, was Rev. John Blair, whose time and
labors were divided equally between Rocky Spring, Middle Spring and Big
Spring congregations from 1742 to 1749. He was a pious and learned
man, and greatly endeared to his congregation. As proof of this
witness the fact that he was presented with a deed for a farm of 250
acres lying near the church. When he resigned his position the farm
was sold and he went to New York City.
From 1750 to 1760 little is known of the internal history of the
congregation. In May, 1765, a call was extended to Rev. Robert Cooper,
who accepted the same in the following October, 100l. currency being
pledged to him.
Dr. Cooper was a graduate of Princeton College. His first pastorate
was that of Middle Spring, which he held from 1765 to the time of his
resignation April 12, 1797.
Rev. John Moodey, a graduate of Princeton College, succeeded to the
pastorate of Middle Spring, having been installed October 5, 1803. He
continued his labors until 1854, a period of over half a century. In
June, 1855, Rev. I. N. Hays began his pastoral services, and continued
them fourteen years, when he removed to Chambersburg. He was succeeded
in May, 1871, by Rev. D. K. Richardson, who officiated for about
eighteen months, when he was followed, June 11, 1872, by Rev. S. S.
Wylie.
The first house of worship was a log building thirty-five feet
square, erected about the time of the organization of the congregation.
This house proving insufficient for the increasing congregation, a
second one, 48x58, was built in 1765. This was succeeded in 1781 by a
stone structure, 58x68, two stories high. In 1847 a new brick structure
was erected, which afterward was greatly remodeled and improved.
The following officers and soldiers of the Revolutionary war were
members of this congregation, or attendants of this church: Colonels -
Benjamin Blythe, Isaac Miller, Robert Peebles, William Scott, Abraham
Smith; major - James Herron; Captains - William Rippey, Matthew
Henderson, Matthew Scott, David McKnight, John McKee, William Strain,
Joseph Brady, Robert Quigley, Charles Leeper, Charles Maclay, Samuel
Blythe, Samuel Walker, James Scott, Samuel McCune, Samuel Kearsley;
lieutenant - Samuel Montgomery; soldiers - John Heap, Esq., Samuel Cox,
Esq., Francis Campble, John Reynolds, Esq., Thomas McClelland, Joseph
McKinney, James McKee, Robert Donavin, William Turner, Thomas McCombs,
William Sterritt, John Woods, Esq., Wm. Anderson, John Maclay, James
Dunlop, Esq., James Lowry, Esq., William Barr, Archibald Cambridge,
John Herron, David Herron, David Duncan, John McKnight, James McCune,
David Mahan, John Thompson, Jacob Porter, Isaac Jenkins, Samuel Dixon,
John Grier.
Meeting-House Spring. - What has been said in a previous part of this
chapter concerning this congregation need not be repeated. Dr. Nevin,
in his "Churches of the Valley," says: "About the year 1736 the
Presbyterians erected a log church on Conodoguinet Creek, about two
miles north of Carlisle, or West Pennsborough, as it was then called,
at a place known ever since as the 'Meeting-House Spring.' No vestige
of this building now remains, nor are there any of the oldest surviving
residents of the neighborhood who are able to give anything like a
satisfactory account of it. The members of the large congregation
which worshiped within its walls have long ago dis-
211 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
appeared, and with them the memory of the venerable edifice, and the
interesting incidents, which were doubtless associated with its
history, have well-nigh perished."
Carlisle. - The borough of Carlisle was founded in 1751. Shortly
after this event a Presbyterian congregation was organized in it, and a
house of worship erected. Relative to this edifice the following
letter from John Armstrong to Richard Peters will be of historic
interest:
CARLISLE, 30 June, 1757.
To-morrow we begin to haul stones for the building of a meeting-house
on the north side of the Square; there was no other convenient place.
I have avoided the place you once pitched for a church. The stones are
raised out of Col. Stanwix's entrenchment. We will want help in this
political, as well as religious, work.
As a means of raising funds with which "to enable them to build a
decent house for the worship of God," the managers of the enterprise,
about the year 1760, obtained from Gov. Hamilton a license to
inaugurate a lottery scheme, which subserved its purpose, however
objectionable.
In 1759 Rev. George Duffield was called to take pastoral charge of
the congregations at Carlisle and Big Spring, giving two-thirds of his
time to the former. At the same time there seems to have been,
probably as the result of a general division in the church throughout
the synod, a rival Presbyterian Church in Carlisle. Says Rev. I. D.
Rupp, in his History of Cumberland County: "A short time afterward
(1761) the congregation in the country, then under the care of the Rev.
Mr. Steel, constructed a two-story house of worship in town; and, some
time before the Revolution, erected the present First Presbyterian
Church, on the northwest corner of the Centre Square. Mr. Duffield's
congregation erected a gallery in Mr. Steel's church, and the two
parties worshiped separately." These two congregations, known as the
"Old Lights" and "New Lights," were finally united, and in 1785 called
Rev. Robert Davidson to be pastor. This relation continued till the
time of his death, in 1812. He was assisted a portion of the time by
Rev. Henry R. Wilson, professor in Dickinson College.
In 1816 Rev. George Duffield, a grandson of the first pastor, was
called to Carlisle. His labors for many years were signally blessed.
In 1832, however, his work on "Regeneration" created much dissension,
and resulted in a trial by the presbytery of his orthodoxy. The
decision was briefly: "Resolved, That presbytery at present do not
censure him any further than warn him to guard against such
speculations as may impugn the doctrines of our church, and that he
study to maintain 'the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.'" Dr.
Duffield's relation with the church was severed, at his own request, in
March, 1835.
Contemporaneous with Dr. Duffield's difficulties with the presbytery
were serious troubles in the congregation. A petition, signed by
Andrew Blair and seventy-seven others, sought a separation from the old
organization and the formation of a new one. The request was granted,
and the Second Presbyterian Church of Carlisle was organized in the
town hall January 12, 1833, with the following officers taken from the
old church: Elders - Andrew Blair, John McClure and Robert Clark;
deacons - Peter B. Smith, Robert Irvine, John Proctor and Robert
Giffin. Its pastors in succession have been Rev. Daniel McKinley,
1833-38; Dr. Alexander T. McGill, 1839-49; Dr. T. V. Moore, 1842-45;
Rev. James Lillie, 1846-48; Rev. Mervin E. Johnston, 1849-54; Rev. W.
W. Eels, 1854-62; Rev. John C. Bliss, 1862-67; and Rev. George
Norcross, since 1869.
The pastors of the First Church after Dr. Duffield have been: Rev.
William T. Sprole, Rev. Ellis J. Newlin, Rev. Conway Phelps Wing and
Rev. J. S. Vance, the present incumbent.
212 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
In Dickinson Township. - In 1810 application was made to presbytery
by James Moore and Joseph Galbraith for preaching in Dickinson Township
for a congregation known as Walnut Bottom. It was granted, and Rev.
Henry R. Wilson, of Dickinson College, aided them. In 1823 a
congregation was regularly organized by Rev. Messrs. Williams, Duffield
and McClelland, with about twenty members. The early pastors in
succession were Rev. McKnight Williamson, Charles P. Cummins and Oliver
O. McLean. The building, brick structure, 45x56 feet, was erected in
1829 on ground given by William L. Weakley, Esq.
In Newville. - First United Presbyterian Church of Newville (formerly
associate) was organized as early as 1760. Its pastors: John Rogers,
1772 - 81; John Jamieson, 1784-92; John Craig, 1793-94; James McConnel,
1798-1809; Alexander Sharp, D.D., 1824-57; Isaiah Faries, 1858-59; W.
L. Wallace, 1861.
In Carlisle. - About 1796, a lot of ground in Carlisle was
transferred by Thomas and John Penn, in consideration of 6l., "to Wm.
Blair, Wm. Moore, John Smith and John McCoy, as trustees of the
Associate Presbyterian Congregation, adhering to the subordination of
the Associate Presbytery of Pennsylvania, of which the Rev. John
Marshall and James Clarkson are members." Two years later an
organization was established, and in 1802 a building was erected upon
the lot. Rev. Francis Pringle was called to be the pastor. Gradually
its members, never numerous, were absorbed by other churches, and the
house became the property of the Bethel Church.
In Mechanicsburg. - The rapid growth of Mechanicsburg in consequence
of the construction of the Cumberland Valley Railroad, rendered the
erection of a house of worship at that place a necessity. This was
consummated in 1858, and in October, 1860, a congregation was
organized, deriving much of its strength from the Silvers' Spring
congregation. Under the efficient administration of Rev. Samuel W.
Reigart, who has been its pastor since 1868, this congregation has
developed great power in the community and in the denomination to which
it belongs.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Mention was made in the first part of this sketch of the efforts of
Rev. William Thompson, acting under the direction of an English
missionary society, to preach the gospel and establish a congregation
as early as 1753.
In Carlisle. - The church of Carlisle worshiped in a stone building
till about 1825, when a new structure was raised on the site of the
present one. This structure underwent several remodelings until the
present neat and commodious one has been reached. Its vestry has
always embraced men of prominence and worth in the community, embracing
such individuals as Robert Callender, Francis West, George Croghan,
Samuel Postlethwaite, David Watts, Stephen Foulke, Frederick Watts,
John Baker, etc.
The rectors in regular succession have been the following named
scholarly gentlemen: Rev. Dr. John Campbell, 1793-1819; Rev. J. V. E.
Thorn, 1819-21; Rev. George Woodruff, 1821-22; Rev. Joshua Spencer,
professor in Dickinson College, 1823-29; Rev. George E. Hare, D. D.,
1830-34; Rev. John Goodman, 1835-38; Rev. Patrick H. Greenleaf, 1838-
40; Rev. Wm. H. Norris, 1840-50; Rev. Jacob B. Morss, 1851-60; Rev.
Francis J. Clerc, 1860-66. Since 1866 Rev. Wm. Leverett has held the
position.
METHODIST CHURCH.
In Shippensburg. - The Hon. John McCurdy, is his historical sketch of
Shippensburg, says: "In the year 1787 Methodism was introduced into
this
213 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
Portrait of Thomas W. Ahl
214 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
Blank Page
215 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
part of the Cumberland Valley by Rev. John Hagerty and Nelson Reed. Up
to that time there was no organization of that denomination of people
here, and the congregation then formed was, it is said, the only one in
the valley. The first church was built about the year 1790, on the
northwestern end of the lot upon which the old brick church now stands.
It was built of logs, one-story in height, and was probably large
enough to seat 200 persons. During its early years the congregation
was small, but at the commencement of the present century it began to
increase, and many of its members were amongst the most prominent men
of the place. Among them were Rev. John Davis, John Scott, Esq.,
William Sturgis, William Brookins, Esq., William Devor, Esq., John
Duncan, Robert Porter, Esq., William McKnight, Benjamin Hunt, Thomas
and Caleb Atherton, with many others of equal standing and
respectability." "Their first camp-meeting was held in either 1810 or
1811, on the farm about a mile northwest of Shippensburg;" the second,
in 1813; a Sunday-school was organized in 1815, but, proving lifeless,
was suspended till 1834, when it took on vigorous life. In 1825 a new
brick church was erected, and, after being used for half a century, was
sold to the Colored Methodists, and a new one built, in 1875, on King
Street.
In Carlisle. - The Methodist Church in Carlisle became a separate
charge about 1823. A house of worship, the "old stone church," had
been built, as early as 1802, on the corner of Pitt Street and Church
alley. In 1815, a second, a commodious brick structure, was erected on
Church Alley. In course of time, a still larger and better one was
erected on the corner of Pitt and High streets, the site of the present
house.
After Dickinson College passed from the hands of the Presbyterians
into the hands of the Methodists, an unusual impetus was given to the
church in and around Carlisle. Dr. John Price Durbin, president of
Dickinson College from 1833 to 1845, was a popular pulpit orator, and
drew large audiences at his monthly supplies of the Carlisle pulpit.
He was ably supported by such ministers as the Revs. Henry Kepler,
1835; Geo. D. Cookman, 1836-37; T. C. Thornton, 1838-39; Henry Slicer,
1840-41; Henry Tarring, 1842-43; John Davis, 1844, and others.
In Newville. - The first Methodist Church in Newville was constructed
of brick in 1826, and the present one in 1846. The first was erected
largely through the agency of Nathan Reed and Robert McLaughlin.
In Mechanicsburg. - Though preaching was conducted at Mechanicsburg
as early as 1819 by Revs. James Riley and John Tanneyhill, the church
was not organized till 1827, when Rev. Oliver Ege, the only member in
that locality, formed a temporary class. Two years later, however, a
permanent class was formed at the house of George Webbert, still an
honored citizen of the town. This class, Henry Shrom, leader, had, at
first, but eighteen or twenty members, but the number increased to 200.
The pastors in charge at the time of its organization were Revs. Thomas
Megee and Thos. H. W. Monroe.
Preaching in the primitive times was conducted in private houses,
then in the old Union Church on Main Street, next in the first edifice
erected in 1830 and 1831 on the southeast corner of Arch and Locust
Streets. The building is still standing and used for dwelling
purposes. In 1853 a lot was procured and a new house erected on the
corner of Main and Market Streets; this house was greatly improved by
repairs in 1858 and 1885. Near the church is a commodious parsonage,
the gift of Daniel Coffman, an honored member. The present membership
of the church is 175; of the Sunday-school, under the supervision of
Oliver Mordorf, 180.
The following pastors have served the congregation, viz.: Revs.
James
216 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
Reiley, John Bowen, Thomas Megee, John Donohue, Elisha Butler, William
O. Lumsden, Thomas Myers, Andrew I. Megee, Samuel Kepler, John Rhoads,
James Watts, J. R. Wheeler, James Sanks, William McMullin, T. H. W.
Monroe, William Guin, Cambridge Graham, S. B. Dunlap, Thomas McCartney,
J. Wesley Black, Job A. Price, J. C. Clark, John Stine, Thomas
Dougherty, J. H. McGarrah, J. M. Lantz, William Rink, P. F. Eyer, A. S.
Bowman, John A. Woodcock, B. H. Mosser and B. F. Stevens, who is the
present incumbent.
Other congregations exist in the county, viz.: Mount Holly, New
Cumberland, West Fairview, Rehoboth, etc., which are of more recent
origin, and whose history properly belongs to the townships in which
they are located. These congregations are the aggressive ones of the
county.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
St. Patrick's Church, Carlisle, was for a time a supply station of
the Jesuits of Conowago, to whom it belonged. In 1807 the present
brick structure was built, and somewhat enlarged in 1823. Its title
became diocesan under the administration of Rt. Rev. Bishop Connell,
and Rev. Diven became its first priest. In 1858 the house was
destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt in a short time through the agency
of Rev. Maher, of Harrisburg. Subsequent to his departure it was a
dependency, for a time, on Chambersburg and Harrisburg; but in 1877 its
separate existence was restored, and Rev. Louis J. McKenna became its
pastor. At present it is under the care of Rev. Father McKenny.
GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH.
The Reformed Church, as it is now called in this country, had an
early hold upon the people of Cumberland Valley, its accessions coming
mainly from the large influx of German immigrants. For a time,
meeting-houses were used conjointly with the Lutherans, who shared with
them in religious watch-care over the rapidly increasing German
settlements. Without attempting to arrange these congregations
chronologically, we refer briefly to a few of the leading ones.
Some time prior to 1797 a congregation was formed in the lower part
of the county, near Shiremanstown, known then as "Frieden's Kirche,"
"Salem, or Peace Church," but latterly as "The Old Stone Church,"
through the labors of Rev. Anthony Hautz. The first structure was
wooden, and was used conjointly for church and school purposes.
The subscription paper for this house, now used for school purposes
exclusively, was dated April 4, 1797, and contained the following names
and amounts, "Fredrich Lang, 2l. 5s.; Jonas Rupp, 2l. 5s.; Johannes
Schopp, 3l.; Johannes Schnevely, 15s.; George Wuermle, 15s.; George
Wild, 7s. 6d.; Conrad Weber, 7s. 6d.; Martin Thomas, 3s.; Johannes
Schwartz, 11s. 4d.; Philip Heck, 7s. 6d.; Adam Viehman, 7s. 6d.; Jacob
Colp, 1l. 10s.; John Merkle, 3l.; Casper Swartz, 7s. 6d.; Christian
Swartz, 7s. 6d.; Abraham Wolf, 7s. 6d.; Frederich Schweitzer, 7s. 6d.;
Martin Hausser, 5l.; Johannes Eberly, 4l. 17s. 6d.; Elizabeth Lang
(Wittfrau), 15s."
On the 26th of May, 1797, the congregation obtained deeds for the
land connected with the schoolhouse from Henry Schnevely and Nicholas
Kreutzer. In 1798 the stone church was erected, under the
superintendence of the following building committee: Fred Lang, Jonas
Rupp, Leonard Swartz and Rev. Anthony Hautz, the architects being
Martin Rupp and Thomas Anderson.
May 18, 1806, a half interest in this church and school property was
sold to a neighboring Lutheran congregation, known as Poplar Church,
for 405l. 17s.
217 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
3d. The early pastors of this congregation were ____s. Anthony Hautz,
J. G. Bucher, Thomas Apple, A. R. Kreamer, ____ __tchey and John Ault.
On the 23d of June, 1866, this congregation held its last communion,
most of its members uniting soon afterward with St. Paul's Reformed
Church, of Mechanicsburg.
In Shippensburg. - A Reformed congregation was organized at
Shippensburg about 1780. Somewhat later in the last century a lot for
burial purposes was secured by the Reformed and Lutheran congregations
on the southeast corner of Queen and Orange Streets. On this lot a log
church edifice was erected, which was used till 1812. About the same
time a brick edifice was built on the site of the present Reformed
Church, and was used by the two congregations for a number of years.
In 1823 Rev. John Habblestine becoming one of its pastors, preached
doctrines not accordant with those of his people. The church doors
were closed against him, when he withdrew, with certain followers, and
organized the Church of God. Subsequently these two churches
separated, each building an edifice of its own.
In Carlisle. - The Reformed Church in Carlisle was built in 1807. As
a means of giving vitality to the cause in this portion of the State, a
movement was inaugurated in 1817 to establish a theological seminary, a
plan for the execution of which was not, however, developed till 1820.
Some $30,000 were subscribed, conditionally, but never realized.
Through the influence of the Carlisle Church and Dickinson College the
institution was located in Carlisle, and maintained a doubtful
existence for four years, the subscriptions not proving sound. In 1829
the seminary was removed to York, and in 1835 to Mercersburg.
LUTHERAN CHURCH.
Referring to the remarks made concerning the Reformed Church, it may
be stated that the growth of this denomination has occurred largely
during the present century.
In East Pennsborough. - David F. Eyster, in his account of East
Pennsborough Township, for Wing's History, says: "The first church
built in this end of the county is one mile north of Camp Hill and is
called 'Hickory Wood Church.' It was built probably as early as 1765,
by the Lutherans, of logs, and in two departments, the lower story
being used for school purposes and the residence of the teacher, while
the second story was kept exclusively for divine services. The old
church has been removed and another one built, known as the 'Poplar
Church.'"
The pastors of this congregation were Revs. Frederick Sann_, Benjamin
Keller, Augustus Lochman, Edmund Keller, Augustus Babb, N. J. Stroh, A.
Hight, C. F. Stover, J. R. Groff and H. N. Fegley. A new brick
building, costing with bell included $9,104.91, was dedicated July 2,
1866.
In Newville. - The first Lutheran Church in Newville was built of
brick in 1832; the second of brick in 1862. Names of pastors: Revs.
D. P. Rosenmuller, 1832-40; John Heck, 1841-45; E. Breidenbaugh, four
years; Sidney L. Harkey, two years; Joshua Evans, 1852-60; H. Baker,
1861-67; Harry McKnight, 1867-71; H. Fleck, 1871-72; J. A. Clutz, 1872-
73; H. J. Watkins, 1874-.
In Shippensburg. - The church in Shippensburg is contemporaneous with
that of the Reformed, dating back to the close of the last century.
(See above.)
In Centerville. - The church in Centerville was built, in 1852, under
the pastorate of Rev. Charles Klink. Its pastors: D. P. Rosenmuller,
John Rosenberg, Christian Kunkle, Charles Klink, S. S. Link, J. Wefley,
A. Babb, S. L. Guss, S. W. Owen, G. M. Garhart, G. D. Keedy, J.
Deitrich, D. Swope.
218 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
In Carlisle. - The church in Carlisle was early blessed with the
labors of strong men, among whom may be mentioned Jacob Goehring,
George Butler, F. D. Schaeffer, A. H. Meyer, John Herbst. Commencing
with 1816, the regular pastors were: Revs. Benjamin Keller, 1816-28;
C. F. Hoyer, C. F. Schaeffer, John Ulrich, J. N. Hoffman, Jacob Fry, S.
P. Sprecher, Joel Swartz, D. D., C. S. Albert, - Freas, and H. B. Wile,
the present incumbent.
On the 11th of March, 1851, the house of worship was consumed by
fire. Though it was not insured, a large structure was immediately
erected. This has been enlarged several times since, to meet the
demands of the increasing congregation.
A number of other congregations exist in the county whose histories
are referred to in their respective towns and townships.
CHURCH OF GOD.
This organization began about 1830, under the leadership of Rev. John
Winebrenner, of Harrisburg. The first effort to establish a
congregation in Cumberland County was made at Shippensburg, Rev. John
Habblestine taking advantage of some dissension in the Reformed and
Lutheran Churches to form a new organization, to be known as the "Union
Christian Church." A constitution was adopted October 24, 1828, with
John Heck, Jacob Dewalt and John Blymire as elders; David Wagner,
Michael Ziegler, Henry Keefer and John Taughinbaugh as deacons, and
Jacob Knisley and John Carey as trustees. They were subsequently under
charge of Revs. Rebo, Dietrich Graves and James Mackey. About 1834 or
1835 the name was changed to the "Church of God."
The first house of worship was built in 1828; the next, a two-story
brick, was erected in 1870, at a cost of $17,000. Congregations were
organized in all parts of the county, and suitable houses of worship,
called "Bethels," supplied as follows: Milltown, 1833, by Elder
Winebrenner; Walnut Grove Schoolhouse, 1835, by Elder J. Keller;
Shiremanstown, 1838, by Rev. Keller; Newburg, 1834, by Elder James
Mackey; Newville, 1837, by Elder David Kyle; Green Spring, 1852, by
Elder Kyle; Plainfield, 1854, by Elder Peter Klippinger; Carlisle,
1864, a congregation of eighteen members.
GERMAN BAPTISTS.
This denomination, which occupies such a conspicuous position in
country places, had, for a time, no other place of worship than private
houses, barns and schoolhouses. Its congregations were served by an
unpaid ministry. We subjoin a sketch from notes prepared in 1878 by
Elder Moses Miller: Adam and Martin Brandt's, in Monroe Township;
Daniel Basehoar's, in East Pennsborough Township, and John Cochlin's,
in Allen Township, were the first meeting places, and the first
communion meeting was held at Adam Brandt's nearly eighty years ago.
Adam Brandt was the first minister chosen, though he did not serve, and
about 1820 John Zeigler and Michael Mishler were chosen, the former of
whom removed to Ohio some years afterward. In 1823 Daniel Bollinger,
from Juniata County, became the first ordained elder in Cumberland
County, and gave the church a regular organization. He served some
twenty-five years, and died in 1855 at Lebanon, Ohio, whither he had
removed in 1848. Adam Steinberger was chosen about 1829, and Rudolph
Mohler in 1832. Rev. Christopher Johnson came to Dickinson Township
from Maryland in 1828. Daniel Hollinger and Samuel Etter were chosen
about 1835, and David Horst in 1841.
About 1836 the church divided into two sections, known as "Upper Cum-
219 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
berland" and "Lower Cumberland," respectively, Baltimore Turnpike and
the Long's Gap road being the dividing line. The ministers of the
"Lower" Church have been Moses Miller, chosen in 1849, Adam Beelman, in
1851; David Niesley and A. L. Bowman, in 1863; Jacob Harnish, in 1865;
Cyrus Brindle, in 1868; B. H. Nickey, in 1871. Rev. J. B. Garver came
from Huntingdon County in 1874 to within the limits of this
congregation.
The first minister and the first ordained elder of the "Upper" Church
was Christopher Johnson, and David Ecker, from Adams County, was (1836)
the second elder. John Eby was chosen in 1841; Joseph Sollenberger, in
1843; Allen Mohler, in 1846; Daniel Hollinger removed to the "Upper"
Church from the "Lower" one in 1848; Daniel Keller, chosen in 1851;
George Hollinger, about 1858; Daniel Demuth, in 1860; Daniel Hollinger,
in 1868; Caspar Hosfelt, in 1873.
Until 1855 the Lower Congregation had no house of worship of its own,
but had an allotment in union houses built in Mechanicsburg in 1825, at
Shepherdstown and at Cochlin's, in some of which meetings are still
held. In 1855 Baker's Meeting-House was built on the Lisburn road, in
Monroe Township; Miller's a mile from Sterrett's Gap, in 1858, and
Mohler's, in 1861, six miles southwest from Harrisburg, on the State
road. In 1863 a good brick building was erected near Huntsville, and a
few years later a union church was built in Frankford township, one-
third of which the German Baptists own, and in 1875 a house of worship
was put up by them exclusively at Boiling Springs. Four miles north of
Shippensburg is the Fogelsanger Meeting-House.
UNITED BRETHREN.
This aggressive denomination owes its organized form largely to the
efforts of William Otterbein, "a pious and zealous preacher from
Germany," and began about the opening of the present century. Its
numbers have increased rapidly, and congregations may be found in all
portions of the county. The following have been some of the members
who have served as its preachers: Revs. H. A. Schlichter, W. O.
Quigley, A. H. Rice, W. H. Wagner, J. C. Wiedler, J. German, J. P.
Anthony, J. R. Atchinson, B. G. Huber, D. R. Burkholder.
In Mechanicsburg - The church in Mechanicsburg began, in 1846, in the
labors of Rev. Jacob S. Kessler, who served three years. His
successors in work were the following reverend gentlemen: Alexander
Owen, J. C. Smith, Samuel Enterline, W. B. Wagner, William Owen, John
Dickson, Daniel Eberly, W. B. Rabor, J. Philip Bishop, S. A. Mowers, C.
T. Stearnthen, H. A. Schlichter, J. T. Shaffer, J. B. Funk and J. R.
Hutchinson, the present incumbent.
From 1846 to 1857 the congregation occupied the old Union Church. In
the latter year a house was built by the congregation, and it answered
all necessary purposes till 1874, when the present brick structure was
erected at a cost of $6,000. The membership of the congregation is
220, and the pastor's salary $550.
In Shippensburg. - The congregation in Shippensburg began in 1866.
In June, 1869, a good house of worship was dedicated. The congregation
has been growing rapidly in numbers and influence.
THE MENNONITES.
This religious body began to appear in Cumberland County at the
opening of the present century (Cir. 1803). The first effort to
establish a congregation was made at Slate Hill, a mile south of
Shiremanstown, under the labors of
220 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
George Rupp, Sr., and Henry Martin. In 1818 was erected a large brick
building, which was reconstructed and improved in 1876. The
congregation increased quite rapidly, enjoying the labors of Jacob
Mumma and Henry Rupp.
About the same time preaching began about two miles east of Carlisle,
resulting in the forming of a congregation which, in 1832, erected a
building since known as the "Stone Church." Some of the preachers were
John Erb and Christian Herr, and latterly Henry Weaver and Jacob Herr.
Under the direction of such ministers as Messrs Rupp, Mumma, Martin,
Abram Burgert, Martin Whistler, and others whose names are not
recalled, preaching has been supplied, in German or English, at a
number of places in the county: Martin's Schoolhouse (1828), Union
Church near Michael Cochlin's (1848), Union House, at Jacob Herr's,
near Boiling Springs, Diller's Mill, Union Church in Mechanicsburg.
The Reformed Mennonites, who claim to hold, in greater reverence, the
doctrines and usages of the primitive church than those from whom they
separated, have a number of congregations: One at Winding Hill, two
miles and a half from Mechanicsburg; One near Middlesex, and one at
Plainfield. Some of the early settlers, about 1825 or 1830, were
Samuel Bear, Dietrich Steiner, Peter Miller, Christian Genrich, Samuel
Newcomer and others. Most of their preachings have been conducted by
men living without the limits of the Cumberland, George Keiser being a
resident minister.
EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION.
This society owes its commencement to Jacob Albright, who began to
form societies about 1800. The first church organized in Cumberland
County was in 1833, in the house of David Kutz, a mile or two east of
Carlisle. Among the first members were John Kratzer, Christian Ruhl
and David Kutz. Revs. J. Barber and J. Baumgartner were the first
ministers. Letort Spring Church, where the first organization was
made, is a building of no ordinary pretentious, and is attended by an
influential congregation. There are several hundred communicants in
the county, and there are church buildings at following named points:
Carlisle, Cleversburg, Hickorytown, Leesburg, Letort Spring, McClure's
Gap, Middlesex, Mifflin, Mount Holly, Mount Rock, New Kingston and
Wagner's. The Carlisle congregation had its inception in a class of
some dozen persons, which was formed in 1866, and for a time they held
meetings at the house of Rev. J. Boas; in 1867 the meetings were held
in Rheem's Hall. May 15, 1870, St. Paul's Evangelical Church, a
substantial brick building on Louther Street, was dedicated. This
congregation has been served by Revs. J. G. M. Swengel, J. H. Leas, H.
B. Hartzler, J. M. Ettinger, J. M. Pines, H. A. Stoke, A. H. Irvine.
The church is thriving and prosperous.