NOTE: The following history of the Hereford-Huff's Union Church was prepared for their 100th Anniversary Celebration in 1915. It was published in a booklet form with a textured paper cover. The entire souvenir has been included, but no attempt has been made to use the same fonts or layout.
The Church is located in the western part of Hereford, near the angle formed by the township line, where it deflects from a southwestern direction to almost due south. The first settlements of the township were made about twenty years before the erection of Berks, which occurred March 11th, 1752. The township was established less than a year later, February 1st, 1753.
This place is about fifty miles northwest of Philadelphia, about twenty-five miles east of Reading and about fifteen miles southwest of Allentown.
The history of the Hereford-Huff Church divides itself into three Epochs:
The School House period from about 1775 to 1815.
The First Church period from 1815 to 1881.
The Second Church period from 1881 to 1915.
THOUGH we rightly celebrate at this time the Centennial of the erection of our first Church, for many reasons we may feel quite sure that our congregational life began at least some forty years prior to 1815.
We have no direct Church records of our own of this early period to prove this, but contemporaneous history, environments and circumstantial evidence are all overwhelmingly strong to lead us to this conclusion.
Let us consider some of these reasons:
Thus we found that Rev. Jacob Friederich Schertlein in 1763 and Rev. Philip Jacob Michael in 1786, and Rev. Daniel Lehman, Rev. Doering, Rev. Wortman and Rev. Dechant served these people during the school house period.
A BETTER DAY dawned when the congregations grew strong enough to erect their first Church in 1815. In a sense this was really their second house of worship, for they had also preaching services in their school house. During this period records were kept, which are still well preserved.
An account of the corner-stone laying of the first Church and the Articles of Agreement then drawn up are still available. This document ends with the words: "Done in Hereford Township the 30th of May, 1814." Signed only by Rev. Jacob William Dechant, although the paper speaks as though the pastors and the Building Committee had all signed it.
We learned, however, from other reliable sources that the following were the Building Committee: David Rauch, then living on the Rauch farm, north of the Church; Conrad Fegely, living on the present Jacob B. Moyer farm, west of the Church; Jacob Gehris, living on the present Jacob Hartlein farm, south of the Church; Jacob Frey, living on the Frey farm, lately occupied by Irwin Rohrbach, south of the Church.
The Trustees of the congregations then were: Conrad Fegely and Jacob Gehris, to whom the deed was made on December 30th, 1818, more than four years after the corner-stone was laid.
Frederick Huff (Jr.) and Barbara (Fink), his wife, for five shillings sold 1 acre and 104 perches, which was a part of a large tract of 339 acres and 133 perches, which Jacob Bower, Esq., High Sheriff, conveyed, August 10th, 1789, to Henry Hoffman, who with his wife Elizabeth by assignment conveyed the same to Frederick Huff on February 2nd, 1790. This must have been the John Frederick Huff, Sr., for the Indenture goes on to state that he in turn sold, on January 27th, 1812, of this large tract 7 acres and 36 perches, together with other lands, to his son, Frederick Huff, partie to our deed. Although "5 shillings" are mentioned to make the deed legal, it was really a donation.
Mr. William A. Huff, of Greensburg, Pa., a brother's grandson of the donor of the Church lands, traced up the genealogical tables of the Huffs and he finds that the Huffs came from Germany and that they belonged to the knighthood and nobility of that country. "It is noted in the Vianna Tables of Genealogy, as the generation which was famous among the Bavarian knighthood and nobility." This benefaction, the Huff gift to Hereford people, baptized the Hereford congregations, as it were, with a new name, the name of Huff. Hence we have the two names of which we may be equally and justly proud. The one name is in English the other German—-a justification for being bilingual.
This benefaction and the presence and activity of this family gave name to the Huff village, to the Huff Church and to the community. Let us follow this generous example for the good of humanity.
The Church of 1814 and 1815 was of stone, square in appearance, with square windows of small panes, high, with three galleries, and other characteristics of the old-time church. It had a "wine-glass pulpit" with a sounding board over it.
This Church, having been repaired several times, remained in use until 1881.
In 1865 the pipe organ was introduced.
ABOUT the time of our great National Centennial, 1876, the matter of erecting a larger house of God was upon the hearts of our people, for the old church was too small for the needs of the growing congregations, especially for funeral and festival occasions. The iron ore industry in eastern Pennsylvania being at its height about this time (Hereford township has rich ore deposits even now), there was a new influx of population and a period of prosperity, when the renewed agitation for a larger church met with a general and a happy response. It is said that in the Bittenbender mine the ore raised from January to August, 1880, was 3,892 tons.
The old church was taken down in 1881, and with the stones of the same the foundation of the new was built on the same location. The basement only was thus walled up; but the new church is so much larger than the old that the stones of the entire edifice were required and many more loads had to be added. The superstructure was built of bricks. Pity that the famous Siesholtzville granite, so near, had not already been discovered! or, may we say, uncovered ?
As it is, the Church is a large, fine brick edifice, 90 by 60 feet, whose proportions and attractive finish are surpassed by few Churches in the county outside of Reading.
The names of the Building Committee are found in large letters in the upper vestibule: John Rush, John Geisinger, Charles N. Gery, Samuel Bittenbender, the second last of whom is still living, a nonogenarian, and well preserved.
The large marble corner-stone was laid June 5, 1881, the old corner-stone of May 30, 1814, being placed underneath.
On Nov. 27, 1881, the basement was dedicated. Rev. N. S. Strassberger preached one of the sermons. The collection for the new Church on this day was about $90. Thus, before the winter had fully set in, the congregations had again a comfortable place of worship.
The new Church was completed in 1883, and on Whitsuntide, May 13, 14, it was dedicated. The Rev. L. Groh, of Boyertown, who was then president of Conference and is still living at Omaha, Neb., preached on Whitsunday morning; Rev. Dr. H. A. Keyser in the afternoon; Rev. Augustus L. Dechant on Whitmonday morning and Rev. G. F. Spieker, then of Kutztown (later as Dr. Spieker he served as professor in the Seminary in Philadelphia), preached on Whitmonday afternoon. The weather was favorable, and the gathering of people, it is said, was very large.
The Church has a fine steeple, surmounted by a bell of 2,200 pounds weight. The entire cost of the building is estimated as $20,000. Rev. Eli Keller, D. D., Reformed pastor then, and still living retired in Allentown, made a note to the effect that about $3,000 of gratuitous labor was bestowed.
The basement is divided off into several apartments-—a large Sunday school room, one for the Primary Department, each having an organ, and one for the meetings of the executive officers and for the instruction of catechumens. This room has separate heating facility, so that the large steam plant need not be started for a small gathering in cold seasons.
The main auditorium is on the second floor, high in ceiling, with wide galleries on three sides and seating capacity for from 1000 to 1200 persons. The walls and ceiling are beautifully frescoed and embellished by life-size paintings of Moses, St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke and St. John.
In the pulpit recess is a portrait of Christ holding the open Book, showing the words: "Wer mich bekennet vor den Mensehen, den will ich bekennen vor meinem himmlischen Vater." Matt. 10:32.
In the lower vestibule the entering worshippers are greeted with these words spread out over a large rainbow curve:
"DER HERR 1ST IN SEINEM HEILIGEN TEMPLE. ES SEI VOR IHM STILLE ALLE WELT'."
Hab. 2:20.
The pipe organ and choir loft are opposite the pulpit at the east end. The pulpit furniture is fine and churchly. A heavy marble baptismal font was a joint donation of William H. Sallada and D. H. Schweyer. The chandelier was a gift of Charles N. Gery, William B. Mull and Dr. J. A. Roth. The large steam heating plant was installed later.
All in all, it is a beautiful country church, surrounded by magnificent shade trees that sheltered two churches and several generations of worshippers as they lingered under them exchanging kindly greetings and sympathies before and after services.
Beautiful for situation is Mt. Zion. Well may we sing with the Psalmist 122 : 1—"I was glad when they said unto me. Let us go into the house of the Lord: our feet shall stand within thy gates, 0 Jerusalem."
It is said that when the first Church was built the congregations were weak, as it is natural to suppose; so that it took our forefathers a long time to pay off the indebtedness. From records on hand it would appear that in a much shorter time the present and far more expensive Church was paid. But to God, who is the Giver of every good and perfect gift, be all the praise and glory! Whilst others have lost their churches by fire, flood and storm, He has mercifully protected us and ours from harm. The new Church marked a new epoch of growth and prosperity.
Let our centennial rejoicing and festivity be marked also with a deep sense of gratitude for God's goodness. We shall be blessed and happy in our Church life as we accept Christ to be our real Head in the Church, as we render faithful obedience to His will and as we let His all-pervading love be shed abroad in our hearts.
It might be interesting to go into statistics and tabulate the number of baptisms, confirmations, marriages, burials, etc., or to note the improvements that have been made, such as the additional ground purchased in 1891 for the enlargement of the graveyard around the Church, the renovation of the Church, the organ, the cement pavement, the opening of the two new cemeteries, etc., but time and space forbid to go into a lengthy description of this modern period of our history. Nor do we deem it necessary, for the occurrences of this epoch are yet fresh in the memory of this generation.
Let it be remembered that ours was a union Church from the beginning, and, as Rev. Eli Keller, D, D., remarked in his notes: ''It was a union Church not only in name, but union in the true sense of the word." May peace, harmony and good will-"in honor preferring one another"-continue to abide with us for many hundreds of years to come. Let us not only look backward today and glory in the achievements of the past, but let us also look forward and according to our strength, numbers and opportunities let us be zealous for the honor of our God and the salvation of precious souls.
Though 100 years old, we are not yet of age. We are not outgrown, nor are we our own masters, for One is our Master, even Christ, whom we serve. As we grew extensively in the past century, so we should grow intensively during the centuries that lie before us.
One hundred years ago our honored FREDERICK HUFF made a noble beginning with his land-endowment to the congregations. That put us on a good foundation for future prosperity.
Some other well established congregations have not only Churches to shelter the worshippers, and grave-yards to inter their loved ones, and sheds to shelter their teams, but they have houses for their sextons and homes for their organists and kindergarten teachers, and parish houses for social purposes for young and old, and parsonages as homes for their pastors, so that shepherds can live in the midst of their beloved flocks.
What blessings for a solid, intensive growth any or all such Id be to our dear HEREFORD-HUFF'S Church!
Who in the next 100 years will make one or the other of such endowments?
Our older neighboring Lehigh Church, where we knew some of our young people during our SCHOOL HOUSE period were confirmed (1763), raised 21 young men for the Gospel ministry in it 100 years. How many have we raised during our century of grace? How many are we going to present to the Lord, as devout Hannah did her Samuel in Old Testament times, within the 100 years?
It is certain that we cannot take our earthly possessions along to the other world.
Why not, like Frederick Huff, by deed, or like the Sheiry members, by will and agreement, make provision before we pass beyond, so that the Church of God on earth may continue to grow by so doing prepare for ourselves "eternal habitations?"
Let us earnestly pray: "Thy Kingdom come." But let us also do what we can to help the Kingdom of God to come to those who are unchurched, to our children and children's children for rations during the on-rolling centuries.
Who were the pastors that served these united congregations? Early Church records give us but one name, that of Rev. Jacob Wilhelm Dechant, a Reformed pastor, who helped to lay the first corner-stone on May 30, 1814. It is believed, however, that he not a regularly called pastor, but was present only as an assistant for that special occasion. Moreover, old baptismal certificates prove that he baptized children within the bounds of the congregation at that early period. On the other hand, it is maintained that the Rev. Carl G. Herman was the first regularly called pastor and was an organizer of the Reformed congregation. And again, old baptismal certificates prove that he also served on the field about as early as the laying of the first corner-stone.
The local records are silent as to who the Lutheran pastor was at the first corner-stone laying on May 30, 1814. But the Rev. J. W. Early, of Reading, a noted Church historian, states: "The facts known from other sources would indicate it was Rev. Dr. Jacob Miller, then residing at New Hanover, Montgomery county."
Or, he suggests it might possibly have been Rev. Henry A. Geisenheiner. then located at the southeastern end of Lehigh county, or Rev. Mr. Doering, or Rev. Mr. Wartman, the latter of whom served some eight or ten congregations in Lehigh and Berks. The latter suggestions find credibility in the known facts that both Revs. Doering and Wartman baptized among our families at that early period.
Although the Huff Reformed congregation does not have a parsonage right at the church, it is, nevertheless, part owner of a beautiful cement parsonage located at Old Zionsville, Pa. This parsonage was built by Rev. Blatt in 1912 upon request by the joint consistory of Huff's, St. Peter's and Zionsville.
The first pastor of the Reformed congregation of Huff's Union Church was born in Germantown, Pa., October 24, 1792.
He was the son of Rev. Lebrecht Frederick Herman and Maria, his wife, whose maiden name was Feit. On the 2nd day of November, in the same year, his parents dedicated him to the service of God in the ordinance of holy baptism. In the year 1807, when only fifteen years of age, he was received into full communion with the Church. He was confirmed by his father, in the Swamp Church, New Hanover township, Montgomery county, Pa.
He pursued his Classical and Theological studies under the care and tuition of his learned and accomplished father. After passing successfully through the prescribed course of study preparatory to the holy ministry, he presented himself at the meeting of Synod convened at Harrisburg, Pa., in May, 1810, for license and ordination. He was ordained in the Swamp Church. His first call was from the Kutztown and DeLong congregations in Berks county, Pa. He labored in this field with energy and success; and very soon other congregations in the surrounding country were united with his original charge. Thus his sphere of usefulness was greatly enlarged. The charge became so extensive that ere long it embraced eight, and finally ten, congregations. It is claimed that he helped to organize our Huff congregation. He was the pastor of a large field for a period of fifty-one years.
During his long ministry he served the following congregations: Kutztown, Bower's, Huff's, Oley, Windsor, Gernant's, St. Peter's, Dunkel's, Weiss', Zion, Fogelsville, Mertztown and Lehigh. Five of these he organized. In 1835 his son, the Rev. Sassaman Herman, became his assistant.
Rev. C. G. Herman died August 4, 1863, aged 70 years, 9 months and 11 days. Upon his retirement in 1861 his extensive field was divided into two charges and occupied by his sons, Revs. J. Sassaman Herman and Alfred J. Herman.
On the 14th day of January, 1815, Father Herman was united in marriage with Esther, daughter of Jacob and Maria Sassaman. They had six children -three sons and three daughters. His companion preceded him to the unseen world, having died in 1851.
THE REV. J. SASSAMAN HERMAN, son of the Rev. Charles G. Herman and his wife Maria, nee Sassaman, was born April 10, 1818, in Maxatawny township, Berks county, Pa. He studied at the Kutztown Academy and at the Trappe, Pa. He studied theology with Rev. J. Guldin, D. D., and his father. He was licensed and ordained in 1835, September 8, in Siegfried's (Maxatawny) Church, by the Revs. F. E. Vandersloot, A. L. Herman and Thomas H. Leinbach. Together with his father he served sixteen congregations for eight years. In 1844 he became sole pastor of Weisenherg, Grimsville, Dunkel's, Windsor, St. Peter's, Fleetwood, Huff's and New Jerusalem Churches.
During his earlier years he manifested special interest in both civic and religious affairs. He was instrumental in organizing a number of Sunday schools throughout his charge. It was he who conceived the idea of starting a school for higher education at Kutztown, and it was mainly through his efforts that Fairview Seminary, which opened its doors November 15, 1860, was established, which in 1866 was converted into a State Normal School. He was also founder and editor of "Der Hirt," a religious-secular weekly newspaper, which at one time had a circulation of 3,200.
On February 16, 1847, he was married to Emeline Lobach, who with two daughters survived him. He died at Kutztown, Pa., January 7, 1889, aged 70 years, 8 months and 27 days, and was buried on Hope Cemetery, Kutztown, Pa.
REV. ALFRED J. HERMAN, son of Rev. Charles G. and Hester (Sassaman) Herman, was born on the Herman farm in Maxatawny township, Berks county, Pa., on November 6th, 1831.
Rev. Herman was reared under religious influences, and on the farm, where he performed the daily chores of farm life, and thus built up a hardy constitution, which had since enabled him to perform almost superhuman labors for the cause of Christianity. In his younger days he attended the common schools of the neighborhood, after which he took a two years' special course in the University of New York; and although he did not receive a degree from that institution, the honory degree A. M. was conferred upon him later by Franklin and Mar-hall College. He next prosecuted his Theological studies under the supervision of his uncle, the late Rev. Dr. Guldin, of New York City, and also studied under his father. During the last year of his stay in New York City he preached regular weekly Wednesday evening sermons in the Howsen Street Reformed Church, of which his uncle had charge. He was ordained to preach by the Classis of the Reformed Church in 1851, and immediately became his father's assistant, continuing in that capacity for a period of five years. He was then installed as pastor of the New Jerusalem Church, near Wessnersville, and had also charge of a number of other Churches in the vicinity.
He was pastor of the Huff's Church from 1858 to 1872. His charge for a time embraced eight congregations, two of which, St. Paul's at Seiberlingsville and St. Peter's at Topton, he organized. With his death about four years ago a succession of generations of teachers or pastors in the Reformed Church in Europe and America for a period of over three hundred years came to a close.
Rev. Alfred J. Herman, of Frederick, Md., a grandson, was ordained to the ministry in 1907, several years before the death of his grandfather. Thus, that while a generation is missing, chronologically the succession still continues.
Rev. Alfred J. Herman died November 9th, 1911, in his old Herman home in Maxatawny township, Berks county.
Rev. Alfred J. Herman was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Isabella Grim, a woman of many virtues, who was the daughter of Lena and Anna (Kline) Grim, and was born in Lehigh county. This happy union has been blessed with three children: Ambrose, who married Alice Breinig, is a practicing physician, of Lansdale, Pa.; Annie is the wife of Dr. Richard Beck, a resident of Newburg, Pa., and George is living at Kutztown.
REV. DR. ELI KELLER was born December 20. 1825, in. Plainfield township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania.
He entered the holy ministry in the year 1856. His first charge was in Bucyrus, Ohio, which he served five years. His second charge was Bellevue, Ohio, where he labored 11 years. His third charge was Canal Winchester, Ohio, serving it two years.
In the year 1874 he moved to Zionsville, Pa., and became the pastor of the Zionsville, St. Peter's, Huff's and Niantic churches. This charge he served till 1901, a period of 27 years, when it became too laborious, as it meant much travel and work, and therefore he resigned.
The same year he moved to Allentown, where he assisted the pastors in different ways and still wrote much for the Church papers, being assistant editor of the German "Kirchenzeitung," printed in Cleveland, Ohio, but owing to loss of strength and his advanced age-having almost rounded out 90 years, and 60 years in the ministry-he now quietly retires from all public work.
REV. 0. R. FRANTZ, a son of Amandes Frantz and his wife Carolina, was horn at Rock Dale, Lehigh county, Pa., on the third day of April, A. D. 1868. Baptized by Rev. Samuel A. Leinbach on June 12, 1868.
On April 14, 1885, he, was confirmed in the old historic Egypt church in Lehigh county by Rev. Samuel A. Leinbach, now of Reading, Pa. He WAS brought up on the farm and later worked in the limestone quarry. cement works, followed the carpenter trade and assisted in the undertaking business; still later he prepared for teaching and taught public school for six terms. Prepared to enter College at Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. He entered Ursinus College in 1891, graduating with the degree of A. B. in 1895. Graduated from Ursinus School of Theology in 1899 Immediately after graduating from the Seminary he took charge of St Paul's Church, Summit Hill, Pa., being ordained and installed August 20, 1899.
In April, 1901, he accepted a call from the Zionsville charge, in Goshenhoppen Classis, Eastern Synod, serving this charge until May, 1907, when he resigned on account of failing health. He relinquished the ministry for about three years and in August, 1910, he became the pastor of the Minersville charge, consisting of Emanuel, Minersville, Pa., and Friedens, Llewellyn, Pa. In August, 1914. Friedens Church was detached and Emaunel Church enrolled by the Home Mission Board and Rev. Frantz commissioned as its first Home Missionary pastor for the purpose of doing missionary work among the foreign element, and he still continues as pastor and Home Missionary of Emanuel Church.
REV. JAMES N. BLATT, son of William B. Blatt and Carolina, nee Naftzinger, was born in Centre township, Berks county, Pa., on the 6th day of September, 1871. He attended the home school until he became old enough to teach in the county, having made a certificate before he was old enough to teach. He taught school at home for four successive terms, at the same time taking advantage of the spring terms of the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown. He stopped teaching just for one year to graduate from said Normal School, graduating in the spring of 1895. During the summer of 1895 he took a course at the Ursinus College.
After teaching another two years for his master diploma, he entered Franklin and Marshall College at Lancaster in the fall of 1897, graduating with honors in the spring of 1901. He entered the Eastern Theological Seminary of the same place in the fall of 1901, graduating in the spring of 1904.
On the 1st of August, 1904, he became the pastor of the Mahanoy charge, East Susquehanna Classis, locating at Mahanoy, Pa., at what is now Red Cross Postoffice. After laboring in the Mahanoy field for about three and one-third years he resigned to accept a call from the Zionsville charge, Goshenhoppen Classis.
On Nov. 5, 1907, he left Mahanoy to enter into his labors in the Zionsville charge, where he has now been for almost eight years. While here he has taken special work at the University of Pennsylvania for two years. He also built a new church and parsonage at Old Zionsville.
After graduating from the Seminary he was married to Lizzie Ann Luckenbill, daughter of Rev. B. F. Luckenbill, of Souderton, Pa. This union is blessed with three daughters, Marguerite, Marv and Mabel.
WE MAY take it for granted that the Rev. Jacob Miller, D.D., of Falkner Swamp or New Hanover, Montgomery county. helped to lay our corner-stone in 1814; that the Revs. Doering and Wartman may have supplied us with the means of grace for three or four years.
IT IS definitely stated that Rev. Conrad "Mueller" (another way of spelling the name) was our second pastor. We tried to get a photograph of this man from E. Clarence Miller, a grand nephew, living in Philadelphia, but failed.
He was a son of John Jacob and Hannah Miller, born in Upper Hanover township, Montgomery county, Pa., March 14, l798. He studied under his brother. Dr. Jacob Miller, who was the pastor of the Swamp charge at that time. He was first licensed as a catechist (an assistant or student pastor) in 1.818. At Lancaster, in 1820, he was ordained as a Deacon. He served Arnityville. Hill Church, New Hanover, Boyertown, Sassaman's, Moselem, Huff's and Limerick at various times. In 1825 he lived in Oley. possibly at Friedensburg, till 1829 when lie moved to New Hanover. He preached his first and last sermon in the Hill church. which he had served over 34 years. He died October 9 1852, of typhoid fever. He was secretary of Synod from 1832 to l835 and its president from 1841 to 1844.
REV. ISAAC ROELLER most likely was our third pastor. His photograph, when he was a young man, was secured, and his picture will be interesting to those who have known him. He was a son of Rev. John Geo. Roeller, and was horn April 25, 1807, in Montgomery county, Pa. His father was pastor of the Goshenhoppen charge at that time. He studied theology under Dr. Miller at New Hanover. He was licensed at Lancaster in 1829 with five others. They were ordained at the same place in l830. Immediately upon his licensure Rev. Isaac Roeller took charge of the, Longswamp and "5 other congregations," among which must have been HUFF'S.
He reports it first to Synod as "Erfurt," when he was still living at "Old Goshenhoppen." He moved to Kutztown in 1833 and accepted additional congregations, his pariah consisting of the following: Moselem, Mertxtown, Coxtown (Fleetwood), Longswamp, Maxatawny (St. John's, Kutztown), Albany, ERFURT (Huff's) and Fogelsville-eight congregations. This was his first and only field, and he served Huff's for 33 years. He retired in 1861. He trained one foster son, Rev. E. L. Miller, now of Boston, for the ministry. He died November 10, 1897, at Kutztown, in the 91st year of his age.
It is altogether likely that this man served Huff's as a student under Dr. Jacob Miller at least one year before he was licensed, as early as 1828. For it is remembered that he had a good voice and was able in music. It is related that on a certain funeral occasion, when there was no musical director present, Dr. Miller is quoted as having said: "We can start the services; I have my student, Mr. Roeller, with me, who is a master in music." It is said he conducted the singing with credit.
REV. BENJAMIN ELIAS KRAMLICH became our next pastor from 1861 to 1863. He was the son of Christian Kramlich and his wife Catharine, nee Kocher, and was born in Weissenberg township, Lehigh county, Pa., Oct. 7, 1831. In boyhood he attended the common school at Fogelsville; later three years in the Rev. Van Deveer Academy at Easton. In 1851 he entered the Preparatory Department of Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, and graduated there in 1856. He then spent two years at the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg and was licensed by the West Pennsylvania Synod in the fall of 1858. He was admitted into the Ministerium of Pennsylvania and ordained by it at Lebanon in 1859. He first took charge of Trexlertown, Maxatawny (Siegfried's), Moselem, Fleetwood, Rockland (Mertz's, Dryville), HEREFORD (HUFF'S) and Mertztown. At the time of his death (January 1, 1900) he was still serving five of the original congregations, having given up Moselem and HUFF'S years before and added St. Peter's, Topton, which he had organized.
A memorial tablet is found in the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, which he had helped to establish, and was a member of its Board from its beginning and its president for twenty-three years. He also served as President of Congress from 1885 to 1888.
REV. ALFRED DELONG CROLL became our next pastor from 1864 to 1868. His picture is herewith also given, kindly furnished by his family. His parents were John and Catharine Croll. He was the oldest of eight children, and was born in Albany township, Berks county, Pa., June 25, 1838.
He received his early training in the common schools of his neighborhood. From 1855 to 1860, five terms, he taught school in North Whitehall, Lehigh county. A part of 1857 he spent at the Reading Academy and the summers of the next two years at Freeland Seminary, Montgomery county. He spent 1860 to 1862 at the Theological Seminary of Gettysburg. He was licensed by The West Pennsylvania Synod at Shippensburg, September, 1862. With fourteen others he was ordained by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania in St. John's Church, Reading, June 2, 1863. At first he served only DeLong's (Bower's), Lobachsville and the Hill Church. Next year, 1864, he had added Longswamp, HEREFORD (HUFF'S), St. Peter's, and later Mohrsville. The Church records were neatly kept during his time of service here.
Many of his catechumens still remember his zeal and earnestness in his instruction.
He was married to Alice, the daughter of Dr. Lesher Trexler, out of the Longswamp congregation. He died June 19, 1876, a few days less than 38 years of age. The Croll Family Reunion Association have a creditable biography of this lamented member of their family.
REV. SIMON R. BOYER became the next pastor. He was a native of Union county, Pa., which then included the present Union and Snyder, as our Hereford once included all of Washington and part of District. He had been a tanner. He was a student at the Gettysburg Theological Seminary at the same time with Revs. L. G. Eggers, J. M. Anspach, D. P. Rosenmiller and others.
Immediately after being licensed he took charge of congregations in the bounds of the West Pennsylvania Synod until 1846. Then he became pastor of McEwensville, Turbotville, etc, from 1846 to 1859. In June, 1854, at Reading, he united with the Ministerium of Pennsylvania. He removed to Lancaster county in 1859, to take charge of what had been Rev. S. Trumbauer's charge, consisting of Leacock (Mechanicsburg), Voganville, Bergstrass, Reamstown, Muddy Creek and Centre Churches.
In 1860 Leacock, with Strausburg and Rothsville, called Rev. J. W. Early, and the pastor's residence was transferred to Hinkeltown, where Rev. Boyer resided until he left the field. He was president of the Lancaster Conference in 1865. In 1868 he removed to Berks county and served the "Lyon's" charge, now our parish, consisting of Huff's, Longswamp, Bower's, Hill, Lobachsville, New Jerusalem and St. Peter's, from about May, 1869, to 1872. In 1874 he took charge of Millersville, Strausburg and Rohrerstown until the close of 1879.
He married Rachel Baum, a sister of Mrs. Dr. John Kohler. He died March 19, 1881, at Philadelphia, leaving his wife, three sons and a married daughter, Mrs. Louisa West. While the family was residing at Lyons, Miss Louisa was teaching the Neff School, near the trolley line leading to Kutztown. Her son is a rising young attorney in Philadelphia, Edward B. West, from whom we were seeking information and a photograph.
REV. DAVID KIDLING HUMBERT became the next pastor, and, to the credit of the congregations and himself, like Rev. Isaac Roeller, served a long pastorate of 30 years.
Rev. Humbert was a son of Jacob H. and his wife Elizabeth, nee Kidling (also spelled Kittling). He was born in Grennwich township, Berks county, March 11, 1834. His ancestors came from Switzerland and located in Berks. His father, who lived to the advanced age of 82 years, was chorister at Grimsville Church for many years. From the tender age of 8 to 22 the son was hired out among the farmers.
He clerked for a year in Daniel Fetherolf's store in Albany township, and worked as a currier in a tannery at New Ringgold, Pa., for 18 months, after which he traveled for some months to recover his health.
He taught school at Klineville and Fetherolfsville in the upper part of Berks and continued his studies for three years in Freeland Seminary.
November 19, 1862, he was mustered in Co. I. 167th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry, drafted, Col. Charles A. Knoderer, and under Capt. J. M. Shollenberger. He was first sergeant of the Company. The Regiment was mustered out August 12, 1863; he re-enlisted and was in service until the close of the war, when the Regiment was mustered out at the Rappahannock river.
After the war he attended the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in June, 1867. He was ordained by the Ministerium at Philadelphia, June 17, 1867. He first served the Robeson (Plow) charge, four congregations, 700 souls, for five years, and in 1872 removed to Bowers to serve this large parish of seven congregations-among them our HUFF'S CHURCH.
About 1880, when the project of building our new Church materialized, he gave up Hill and Lobachsville. Under his administration two new brick Churches were erected in the parish-here and the Trinity Lutheran Church at Bowers. He was a sincere pastor, kind, practical, a true and faithful friend.
Soon after entering the ministry Rev. Humbert was married to Maria DeLong, daughter of Francis and Esther (Schaeffer) De-Long, and they had three children: Essie Catharine, wife of Dr. E. D. Schaeffer, of Reading; Mary Elizabeth, for some years teacher at Royersford, Pa., wife of Alfred S. Ayres, of Bowers; and Anna Susanna, wife of Rev. R. B. Lynch, President of the Reading Conference, residing in Kutztown.
The traveling and exposure in serving such a large parish undermined his strength, so that owing to ill health he retired in 1902.
After patient suffering from neuralgia and the feebleness of age, he passed from this life Sunday, September 21, 1913, at 2 p. m., as the Church bell of Trinity, Bowers, was calling his former members to service, aged 79 years, 6 months and 10 days. His remains were laid to rest at Bowers on Friday, September 26, 1913, the Rev. M. L. Zweizig, of Reading, preaching the sermon from Psalm 55:22, the pastors of the Conference and former members of almost all his congregations being in attendance in large numbers.
It might be stated in a few words that REV. HENRY WILLIAM WARMKESSEL, for a time was the assistant of Rev. D. K. Humbert when his health and strength began to fail. Records show that he did pastoral work among us whilst Rev. Humbert was still pastor. We are glad that he has consented to preach one of the sermons at these Centennial festivities.
REV. JOHN WILLIAM EARLY may be regarded as one of our pastors. Though not regularly called by the congregations, because, on account of his age, he was not a candidate, nevertheless he was officially authorized to supply the field during an interim of about two years or more between pastorates. He confirmed classes and did practically the work of a pastor, and, hence, deserves recognition here.
He is still living and engaged in painstaking historical research. We shall rejoice if he Can be with us at these centennial services.
He is a son of William and Leah (Dutweiler) Early, near Palmyra, in Londonderry township, Lebanon county, Pa., born September 3, 1835. He spent his boyhood days on the farm, and attended the public schools of Palmyra until seventeen years of age. He entered the Preparatory Department of Pennsylvania College in 1852 and graduated in 1857. He entered the Gettysburg Theological Seminary in 1856 and was ordained on June 7, 1860, in St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia, with Rev. J. J. Kuendig, D. D., and three others.
After supplying St. Michael's, Germantown, for Dr. C. W. Schaeffer, who was ill, about eight weeks, he took charge of Leacock, Lancaster county, 1860-66; Elizabethtown, 1866-68; Selins Grove, Snyder county. 1868-70; Stone Valley parish, Dauphin and Northumberland counties, 1870-75; Danville, Pa. (German), 1875-83; Treverton, 1883-87; Millersville, Lancaster county, 1887-89; Jersey Shore, Lycoming county, 1889-93.
In 1893 he removed to Reading, Pa., where he still resides, active, though not serving any parish. November 1901 to 1902 he supplied Womelsdorf parish, and from 1902 to 1904 to the end of October this parish, together with HUFF'S CHURCH. He confirmed here a large class of 43 in 1903.
On January 8, 1861, he married Jane M., eldest daughter of Rev. L. G. Eggers, Stouchsburg, Berks county, Pa.
He was secretary of the Lancaster Conference, 1861-68; of the Fifth (now Danville) Conference, 1869-74; its president, 1874-77 and 1880-83; English Secretary of the Ministerium, 1886-88; member of the Board of Trustees of Muhlenberg College, 1877-86; Director of the Theological Seminary, 1886-89; delegate to General Council, 1886 and 1888.
He has been a regular contributor to The Lutheran since its establishment, and to numerous other periodicals. He published a map and chart of the Fifth (now Danville) Conference. Though advanced in years, he is still a regular attendant at Conference and Synod.
REV. WILLIAM FRANKLIN BOND is one of the present pastors. He is the son of the late Edwin Bond and wife Catharine Ann, nee Stump, still surviving, though feeble with age. He was born in Greenwich township, this county, Oct. 31, 1861. After the usual attendance in the public schools, he further prepared in the Keystone State Normal School during the spring and fall sessions, 1880-84. Taught school four terms, one in Albany, two in Greenwich and one in Maxatawny.
He entered Muhlenberg College in 1884, and graduated in 1888. The same year he entered the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and completed his studies there in 1891. On May 26, 1891, with nineteen others, he was ordained in Emanuel's Church, Pottstown, Pa. He served in mission congregations in Philadelphia and during his senior vacation under the Home Mission Board in Toledo, Ohio; also one year as a student assistant every two weeks under the late Rev. B. D. Zweizig, an experienced pastor. Immediately after his ordination be took charge of St. Paul's, Tower City, and St. Peter's at Orwin (Johnstown), both being in Schuylkill county, where he used both the English and German languages. He served there for nearly fourteen years.
October 1, 1891, he married Miss Amy H. Brehm, daughter of Philip W. and Barbara (Hamaker) Brehm, Chambersburg, Pa. She died July 30, 1901, and is buried in Zion's Lutheran and Reformed cemetery at Tower City. Two sons and two daughters survive.
October 20, 1904, he married Mrs. Katie Eva Snyder, nee Krebs, of Tower City. Two daughters bless their union.
During the summer of 1904, at the request of the officers of Synod and Conference, he supplied the pulpits of this parish. The call sent him, after due deliberation, was accepted and he began his pastoral work with November, 1904. Whether it will be a successful pastorate it is for others in the future to say. With this Centennial eleven happy, busy years are coming to a close.
May the good Lord bring all things to pass to His glory and our welfare!
| Reformed | Lutheran | |
| Elders | ||
| Wellington Rauch | John Moyer | |
| Mennoah Lesser | Martin Kemp | |
| Trustees | ||
| Aaron Bennefield | Jefferson Minner | |
| Deacons | ||
| William Fisher | Howard Reinert | |
| Henry Schmoyer | Owen J. Hinterleiter | |
| John L. Moll | Calvin Moyer | |
| Abraham R. Benefield | Alfred Stauffer | |
| Union Treasurer: Alvin M. Fisher | ||
| Secretary: Oscar Benfield | ||
| Organist: Robert W. Fritch | ||
| Sexton: Edwin R. Moyer | ||
| Pastors | ||
| Rev. James N. Blatt | Rev. Wm. F. Bond |
Rev. William F. Bond, Lutheran Minister
Rev. James N. Blatt, Reformed Minister
Mr. Owen Hinterleiter, President of Joint Consistory
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