Mr. Davis was born in Paradise township, York county, Pa., a rural district in the southeastern part of this state, October 1, 1831. He was the son of John and Isabella Davis, the latter a daughter of the late Rev. Frederick William Vandersloot, and granddaughter of one of the earliest ministers of the Reformed Church in this country, of the same name—a sister, accordingly, of the Revs. Frederick William and F. Edward Vandersloot, and aunt of the late Rev. J.S. Vandersloot, son of the Rev. F. Edward, and a cousin of Mr. Davis. She was also a granddaughter, on her mother's side, of the Rev. Philip Reinhold Pauli, for many years pastor of the Reformed church in the city of Reading, Pa.—the father of the brethren Revs. William and Charles Augustus Paul—her uncles, who, for many successive years, exercised their ministry in the city of Reading and vicinity—the former as successor to his venerable father. Mr. Davis was accordingly a direct descendent of both the Pauli and the Vandersloot families, so long and so prominently represented in the ministry of the Reformed Church of this country.
Mr. Davis was baptized, in infancy, by his maternal uncle, the Rev. F. Edward Vandersloot, and subsequently catechized and confirmed by the Rev. Daniel Ziegler. D.D., and received as a communicant member of the Straehers church, in York county, Pa. In early life already he felt himself powerfully drawn towards the work of the holy ministry, so largely represented by his ancestors, but was prevented from entering the sacred office for want of means to prosecute his studies necessary to qualify him for the work. He learned the trade of a saddler and spent a number of years in this occupation. In this way he sought to acquire the means necessary for the prosecution of his literary and theological studies. He commenced his preparatory course in the excellent High School or Academy kept for many years and successfully presided over by the late Prof. George W. Ruby, Ph.D. in York, Pa. Subsequently he entered Franklin and Marshall College, at Lancaster, Pa., where he graduated in 1861, after which he entered the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church, then located at Mercersburg. Pa., and completed his studies in the same in 1863. During his student life he was in the habit of working with the farmers in the vicinity of Lancaster, many of whom spoke of him with respect as an industrious and skilful laborer. His excellent character and conduct made a very favorable impression on the minds of these simple-hearted and unsophisticated tillers of the soil. They saw that a student, devoted to science and literature, possessed at the same time both the requisite will and capacity to engage in useful manual labor.
In the spring of 1863 Mr. Davis was licensed by the Zion's Classis, and during the same year ordained and installed as pastor of the Abbottstown or New Oxford charge in Adams county, Pa. This first charge he served faithfully and with success for a period of about nine years. After the death of his relative, the Rev. Charles Augustus Pauli, in the fall of 1871, Mr. Davis became his successor in the Sinking Spring charge, in Berks county, Pa., then composed of five congregations, namely Sinking Spring, Hain's, Yocum's, Kissinger's and St. John's at Hamburg. Several of these congregations he subsequently resigned and had the charge reconstructed. He served his people faithfully, and, as a consequence, was highly respected and loved by them. In several of the congregations he was particularly successful in gathering in members, and thus adding to the numerical strength of the charge. His preaching was of a high order—practical and popular. He preached the Gospel in its purity, excellence and saving power; and his efforts were crowned with signal success. He officiated in both the English and German languages—using them with equal facility, accuracy and effect. Taken altogether, Mr. Davis was one of our best and most successful pastors, sincerely devoted to the spiritual welfare of his numerous parishioners, and well deserving of their grateful remembrance.
Mr. Davis was married to Miss Ellen E. Myers, of York, Pa., October 22, 1863. They had ten children, seven of whom—five sons and two daughters—survived their sainted father. Three of the children preceded him to the eternal world.
Mr. Davis was a heavy-built man, of robust constitution and general good health. He was, however, predisposed to apoplexy. As far back as the 12th of March, 1881, he had an attack of this kind, from which, however, he soon recovered sufficiently to enable him to attend to the duties of his calling. On the 21st of February, 1883, he had a second attack, from which he never fully recovered. Still, although partially disabled, he continued to attend to his pastoral duties, but not without considerable effort and inconvenience. At length he was so much debilitated that he could scarcely conduct the services of the sanctuary. A few weeks prior to his decease he told his congregations that he needed at least three months' rest, and, as advised by his physicians, entire freedom from clerical duties. By that time he hoped to be able to see whether he could further serve his congregations or not. He was advised to take a voyage to Europe, and on the day preceding his death he completed his arrangements for the proposed trip. Shortly before midnight on the 10th of June he had a third attack of the fatal disease. He lay in an unconscious state until the next morning, Monday, June 11, 1883, when, between 5 and 6 o'clock, in the bosom of his family, at Reading, Pa., Brother Davis gently fell asleep in Jesus, aged 51 years, 8 months and 10 days. His funeral took place on Thursday following, at 1 p.m. The services were held in St. Paul's Reformed church, at Reading, of which the family were members. A large number of the members of the several churches which Brother Davis served were present to testify their love and attachment to their esteemed pastor. Some forty or fifty ministers of different denominations were also present at these solemnities, many of whom took part in the same. The services at the house were conducted by the Rev. Dr. McCauley. The assembled multitude then went to St. Paul's church. Rev. Dr. J.O. Miller, of York, Pa, read the Scripture lesson and offered a prayer in English. He was succeeded by the Rev. Dr. Kremer in a German prayer. Rev. Dr. A.S. Leinbach preached a German discourse from Rev. 2:10: "Be thou faithful unto death," etc. Rev. Dr. B. Bausman preached an English sermon from 2 Tim. 4:5-8. The Rev. L.K. Evans conducted the services at the grave. The brethren Revs. Henry Mosser, D.B. Albright, Thos. C. Leinbach, A.J. Bachman, John H. Leinbach and L.D. Steckel acted as pall-bearers.
Beautiful and affecting was the presence of so large a number of members of the pastoral charge of Brother Davis to testify their extreme sorrow, and bear testimony to the zeal and fidelity of their beloved pastor. Beautiful and appropriate, also, was it that so large a number of his clerical brethren should be present and participate in the solemnities attending the final disposal of his mortal remains. It was, at the same time, hard to see the stricken wife and mother with her seven sorrowing children sitting beside the open coffin of a beloved husband and a kind father, of whom they had been suddenly and unexpectedly deprived. Here was room for the consoling promises of Him who is the "Father of the fatherless" and a "Judge of the widow." Well is it for us all to remember under such circumstances what is written: "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit—"that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them."
After the death of Rev. C.A. Pauli, Rev. Dr. B. Bausman, of Reading, rendered assistance by supplying the congregations which had been served by Rev. Pauli.
Rev. Wm. F.P. Davis, who was a relative of Pauli, preached in some of the churches vacant, and it soon became apparent that he was the selection of the Sinking Spring and Hain's congregations. Later an election was held in the five congregations composing the charge, namely Hain's, Sinking Spring, Yocum's, Kissinger's and St. John's at Hamburg. He was duly elected, and on March 17, 1872, he preached his introductory sermon at Hain's Church. Several of these congregations he subsequently resigned and had the charge reconstructed, so that latterly it consisted of four congregations.
Rev. Davis soon exerted considerable influence in the congregation. The church after the remodeling in 1844 needed very little attention or repairs, but the time was now at hand when it became necessary to repair. In the meantime agitation arose against building a new church. A meeting was called and a vote taken. A majority voted to repair the church only. The ordinary seating capacity of the church as then arranged was 428. By crowding the aisles 50 or more could be accommodated with seats. The agitation after the first meeting took a different aspect changing from a new church to more room by building and addition. This soon gained ground, and the consistory refrained from making the repairs contemplated at the time the vote was taken. In the meantime architect Edward K. Mull was consulted and he drew plans to build an annex on the south side, by which the seating capacity would be more than doubled.
In the fall of 1877 a vote was taken which favored the enlargement of the church edifice. Subscription lists were circulated and a building committee selected, consisting of Reuben Ruth, Peter L. Hain, Samuel Staudt, Moses Gockley, Tysher Stitzel, Edward K. Bohn and Adam G. Lerch. Reuben Ruth declined to serve, and John H. Hain was chosen in his stead. The committee began to make arrangements at once, to begin operations the next spring. In so doing they were opposed by those who contended that it was not necessary to build an addition. The consistory which was inducted into office after January 1, 1878, felt averse to proceed with building operations on account of the tense opposition. The matter of proceeding to build according to the plans of Mr. Mull was then on Saturday afternoon, March 16, 1878, put to a final vote and carried by a majority of 40 votes.
On Tuesday morning, April 19, the first ground was broken for the foundation of the new addition. On this occasion between thirty and forty people participated. From that time on the work progressed with good will and perfect harmony.
After the delivery of the historical address the corner-stone was laid May 26, 1878 with the usual ceremonies of the pastor, Rev. W.F.P. Davis, who was assisted by Rev. Dr. Theodore Appel, Prof. Wm. Reily, Rev. A.S. Leinbach and Rev. D.E. Schoedler. The following articles were placed in the corner-stone: A Bible, hymn book of the Reformed Church, Heidelberg Catechism, German and English Reformed Church, almanacs, copies of "Reading Eagle," "Daily Eagle," and "Gazette and Democrat." The following coins, all of the current year: Gold dollar, silver trade dollar, silver dollar (new issue), silver half dollar, silver quarter dollar, ten-cent piece, five-cent nickel coin, three-cent nickel piece, one-cent piece, a bottle of wine and a piece of bread emblematic of the body and blood of Christ, and a copy of Rev. Wm. F.P. Davis' historical address. Prof. Wm. Reily, of the Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa., read the morning Scriptural lesson; Rev. Dr. Theodore Appel, of Lancaster, preached the morning sermon in German from 1 Cor. 3, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." Rev. Reily had selected the same text. John W. Ernst had charge of the singing. Dr. Schoedler preached in the afternoon from Matth. 5:13. He preached from the pulpit that was "Used in the old church. This pulpit was erected in the grove near by.
Services were held in the grove during the building of the church. The dimensions of the new church were 50 x 82-1/2 feet. The work was continued until finally completed at a cost of more than $11,000. Just before the completion an equinoctial storm set in, which delayed the final completion, and the dedication was postponed until Saturday and Sunday, November 16 and 17, 1878.
During Saturday Rev. W.F.P. Davis was assisted by Prof. Nathan C. Schaeffer, Revs. D.B. Albright, J.W. Steinmetz and T.C. Leinbach. The exercises were opened at 11 o'clock by Rev. Davis. Rev. Albright preached from Haggai 2:10 and Prof. Schaeffer taking for his text St. Luke 18:13.
On Sunday the following clergymen took part: Dr. E.V. Gerhart, Dr. Joseph S. Dubbs, Prof. Nathan C. Schaeffer and Rev. D.B. Albright. Dr. Gerhart preached the dedicatory sermon in the morning at 9 o'clock from the text, St. John 14:23. Rev. Davis conducted the dedicatory services, in which he was assisted by the other clergymen present, followed by Dr. Dubbs.
The services on Sunday afternoon consisted of a sermon by Dr. Dubbs from Psalm 48:12-14. Dr. Gerhart followed in an address, which was prompted by Dr. Dubbs' remarks.
Mr. Nathan Rohrbach, a well-known choir leader of Reading, with a choir of about a dozen, assisted by the Hain's choir, gave a number of fine selections of music. Mr. Christian Herline, of Reading, rendered a number of voluntaries on the organ.
Subscriptions and contributions were solicited, which for the two days amounted to $175.
Source: History of St. John's (Hain's) Reformed Church in Lower Heidelberg Township Berks County, Penna. by Rev. W.J. Kershner and Adam G. Lerch. Reading, PA: I.M. Beaver, Publisher, 1916, pp. 283-287.
Submitted by: Nancy.
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