ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE
ASHLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Ashley, Pennsylvania
1866 – 1966
“Others have labored and we are
entered into their labors”
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Left to right: Seated – Homer E. Graham, Vice-President; Leroy Cooper, President; Harry J. Williams, Secretary-Treasurer.
Standing – George Ichter, Carl H. Kretchmer, George Smith, George H. Oliver.
Absent – William H. Johnson, David Evans.
Former Trustees
Harry Aten William Evans George Lutz
Arthur S. Bell L. H. Flory Gurnie B. Lyons
Charles Beltz Daniel Frederick Samuel Oliver
James Black Edward Gardner James W. Reynolds
Robert Blair Kenneth Gay David R. Roberts
Thomas P. Blodgett Homer E. Graham John Schwab
E. E. Breyer Harry Hannis R. S. Small
Robert Brown George Heycock Edward Space
Carlos P. Cole Edgar S. Hittinger Edgar Stark
Frank Croll David R. Hughes Emerson H. Wech
Charles I. Davis Harry W. Johnson Arthur X. Williams
C. S. Detro Joseph Johnson Foster B. Williams
Jacob Drumheller Robert H. Johnson Hugh W. Williams
David Dunlop Robert W. Johnson Arthur Williamson
Dr. H. Irvin Evans John A. Jones James Williamson
LADIES AID SOCIETY
Left to right: Mrs. Harry West, Secretary; Mrs. Oscar Flickinger, President; Mrs. Thomas Williams, Treasurer.
The exact date the Ladies Aid Society was organized cannot be determined but we assume it was shortly after the organization of our Church. Church records reveal that in May, 2880, the Ladies Aid Society and the Board of Trustees, at a joint meeting, decided to purchase a 900 pound church bell. In 1907, when the church was renovated, the society purchased the stained glass window depicting the “Resurrection”.
Their projects have included serving church suppers, conducting bazaars, bake sales, rummage sales, and the sale of household items. The proceeds from their varied activities have been given to the Trustees to use at their discretion.
Former presidents, Mrs. William Field, Mrs. William J. Gemmel, Mrs. Warren Oliver, and Mrs. James O’Connell, gave able leadership to the Society.
GERTRUDE POLK MISSIONARY AUXILIARY
Left to right: Seated – Mrs. Evan Thomas, Vice-President; Mrs. Thompson O'Connell, President, Miss Edith Hannis, Secretary.
Standing – Mrs. Robert Metz, Corresponding Secretary; Miss Mabel Hannis, Assistant Secretary.
Absent – Mrs. John Ichter, Treasurer.
The Gertrude Polk Missionary Society was organized in August, 1916, by Mrs. Gertrude Polk, wife of the Reverend Thomas McKeen Polk. Mrs. Polk was the first President and the Society was named in her honor. Miss Jennie Barklie was elected as Sectetary and Miss Emma B. Gemmel as Treasurer.
This group grew rapidly in membership and through the years has been an active missionary society contributing to both foreign and home missionary projects, as well as supporting other activities of the Church.
THE GRAHAM CHAPTER
Left to right: Seated – Mrs. William Earley, Vice President; Mrs. Marilyn Boylan, President; Mrs. Jerome Johnson, Past President.
Standing – Mrs. Albert West, Treasurer; Mrs. Donald Villano, Secretary; Mrs. Fred Hawke, Assistant Treasurer.
The Graham Chapter, first known as Westminster Guild, was organized on October 12, 1930, by Mrs. Robert Graham, wife of the Reverend Robert Graham. Miss Ruth Kemmerer was the first President. The purpose of the organization is to act as a Mission Study Group. Over the years they have served the Church through various projects. The members have been faithful and devoted to their objectives.
LIL-YVONNE SOCIETY
Left to right: Seated – Mrs. Doris Richards Hughes, Vice-President; Mrs. Ruth McGowan O’Connell, President, Miss Mildred Williams, Secretary.
Standing – Mrs. Lillian Kemmerer Heslop, Organizer and Advisor; Mrs. Louise McGowan Koons, Secretary.
In September, 1931, Miss Lillian Kemmerer organized the Junior Group of Westminster Guild. Miss Ruth Craig was elected its first President. In honor of its organizer the name was later changed to Lil-Yvonne Society. As a mission study group this society has continued to support missionary work and the work of the Church.
OUR MINISTRY OF MUSIC
ORGANIST AND CHORISTER
Thomas J. Tudgay
WESTMINSTER CHOIR
Left to right: First Row – Marlene Ondish, Mary Albrandt, Carol West, Florence Gulick, Michael Ondish.
Second Row – Gail Stark, Mrs. Edgar Stark, Mrs. Thomas Tudgay, Mrs. Michael Ondish.
Third Row – Mrs. Donald Villano, Janice Loucks, Mrs. Thompson O’Connell.
Fourth Row – Benjamin R. Bona, James O’Connell, Thomas J. Tudgay, Chorister.
Absent – Mrs. James Finnigan, Donna Powell, Nancy Powell, Mary Ellen Evans.
YOUTH CHOIR
Left to right: First Row – Linda Kretchmer, Nancy Oravic, Sandy Hess, Kim Evans.
Second Row – June Loucks, Dorcas Bray, Linda Baran, Laura Lee Bray.
Third Row – Robert Hess, Ted Stark, Thomas Tudgay, George Gorham, Thomas J. Tudgay, Director.
THE JUNIOR GROUP – VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL, 1965
MISS GERTRUDE C. SCHWAB
Miss Schwab, who retired in 1960 and entered a Presbyterian Home, has rendered outstanding service in her dedication to all phases of our Church work. In the Sunday School, she was for many years a teacher and superintendent of the Home Department; and in the Christina Endeavor Society, she was an active member and officer. Tot he Gertrude Polk Missionary Auxiliary, of which she is a charter member, she inspired a deep and abiding interest in missions and contributed to the society’s growth and development. In 1957, she was ordained as a member of the Board of Deacons, the first woman to be elected to any of the Boards of the Church. Active in Lackawanna Presbyterial, she served as its President and Treasurer, and for a number of years she was a member of the Board of Presbyterian Home of Central Pennsylvania. Miss Schwab, a guest of the Hazleton Presbyterian Home, is at present at the Sunnyside Nursing Home in Wilkes-Barre.
Behind the Scenes . . . Mrs. William L. Owens and Mr. George Lutz have worked together with the minister for many years in preparing the weekly Sunday Church bulletin. Their faithfulness and loyalty are gratefully appreciated.
CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE
General Chairman – Benjamin R. Bona
PROGRAM
Homer E. Graham, Chairman William G. Gibbons Mrs. Albert T. West
William R. Ichter Thomas P. Hughes Thomas J. Tudgay
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
Miss Emma G. Gemmel, Chairman Mrs. Robert C. Metz Miss Almeda Cole
Mrs. Ralph Walters Miss Mildred Williams Miss Margaret T. Reynolds
DINNER
Mrs. William R. Ichter, Chairman
Mrs. H. Irvin Evans Mrs. Edward Gardner Mrs. Donald Patterson
Mrs. Harry J. Williams Mrs. Hugh W. Williams Mrs. William Bray
RECEPTION AND INVITATIONS
Mrs. Thompson O’Connell, Chairman
Mrs. William L. Owens Mrs. Fred Hawke Mrs. Bessie Patterson
Mrs. Harry J. Williams Miss Mabel Hannis Miss Jayne Leslie
FINANCE
George Lutz, Chairman George Ichter
Leroy Cooper William H. Johnson
Harry J. Williams
PUBLICITY
Albert T. West, Chairman Miss Edith Hannis
Hugh W. Williams Mrs. Jerome Johnson
The
material contained in this booklet has been carefully compiled from all
available records. The History
Committee regrets any errors or omissions.
FIFTY YEAR MEMBERS
Mrs. Elva Hittinger Aten Mr. George Hannis Mrs. Margaret Bevan Myers
Miss Anna Balmer Mr. James B. Hawkins Mr. H. Frank Neeld
Miss Mabel Belles Miss Bessie Hittinger Mrs. Clara Johnson Neeld
Mrs. Ruth Tiffany Cole Mr. John L. Hittinger Mrs. Sarah Warke Noonan
Mrs. Emma Beltz Cooper Mrs. Fannie Culver Housley Mrs. Agnes Leslie O’Connell
Mr. Harold A. Croll Mrs. Anna Macknight Ichter Miss Bessie O’Connell
Mrs. Ruth Ichter Davies Mr. George Ichter Mr. James O’Connell
Mr. Leroy Diefenderfer Mr. William R. Ichter Mr. Hector O’Connell
Mr. Max Diefenderfer Mrs. Florence Nickel Ichter Mr. George Oliver
Mrs. Kate Potter Feldman Mr. Harry W. Johnson Mrs. Bessie Marshall Patterson
Miss Fannie Field * Mrs. Ruby Graham Johnson Miss Margaret Reynolds
Mrs. Roy Field Mr. Jerome Johnson Miss Gertrude C. Schwab
Mrs. Mabel Craig Filer Miss Ruth J. Keiser Mrs. Carrie Hittinger Swartwood
Mr. Oscar Flickinger Mrs. Eleanor Warner Knecht Mrs. Ruth Lee Tonkinson
Miss Emma B. Gemmel Mr. William Leslie Mrs. Jean Kelley Walters
Mr. William J. Gemmel Mrs. Evelyn Bell Lloyd Mrs. Minnie Leslie Weiss
Mrs. Sara Lewis Gemmel Mrs. Evelyn Bell Lloyd Mrs. Minnie Leslie Weiss
Mr. William Gorgas Miss Janet McCracken Mr. Harry J. Williams
Miss Florence Halliday Mr. James McKillen Mrs. Martha Nickel Williams
Miss Edith Hannis Mrs. Arline Smith McQuown Miss Elsie Wilson
Miss Mabel Hannis Mrs. Ethyl Brunner Metz
* Oldest living member
IN MEMORIAM
IN MEMORY OF DONORS
Mr. and Mrs. Austin Albert Mrs. Jessie Albert Fisher
Mr. Harry Aten Mrs. Harry Aten
Mrs. Elizabeth Balmer Miss Anna Balmer
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Barklie Mrs. Lucy Barklie Fielding
Mrs. Rudolph Small
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur S. Bell Mrs. Robert Swartwood
Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Bell Mr. and Mrs. Aneurin Lloyd
Mrs. Helen R. Bell Mr. Robert Bell
Mr. and Mrs. Roland Bell Mrs. Daniel Mutarelli
Mrs. Russell Shupp
Mr. and Mrs. George Belles Miss Mabel Belles
Mr. John R. Bevan Mrs. Jennie Bevan,
Daughter Rachel
Mr. and Mrs. David J. Evans, Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. David J. Evans, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Horvath
Miss Fannie Black Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. Black
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Black
Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. Black
Mr. and Mrs. John L. Black Mrs. Helen Black Bower
Mr. John L. Black, Jr.
The J. Lincoln Black Family Mrs. Jessie Albert Fisher
Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Bona Mr. Benjamin R. Bona
Mr. Joseph Bona
Miss Jane Tanavage
Mr. and Mrs. J. Andrew Boyd Mrs. Ben Boyd
Mr. Carl Boyd, Sr. Mrs. Carl Boyd, Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. William Bray Mr. and Mrs. William Bray
Mr. and Mrs. John Brunner Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Metz
Mrs. Harriet Hannis Burton Mrs. Vangie Hannis Trethaway
Mrs. Almeda Cole Miss Almeda Cole
Mr. Carlos P. Cole
Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. Cole Mr. Howard R. Cole
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cook Miss Mabel Belles
Mr. George Crimmins Mrs. George Crimmins
Mrs. Emma Croll Mr. Harold Croll
Mrs. Mary C. Croll
Mrs. Agnes Culver Mrs. Fannie Culver Housley
Mr. and Mrs. Melvin D. Custer Mr. and Mrs. George Custer
Mrs. Elizabeth C. Woodin
Mrs. Gertrude C. Throop
Mrs. Eleanor Smith Danaher Mrs. Nancy Smith Haydt
Mrs. Harold Davies Mrs. Harold Davies
Mrs. Laura Davis Mrs. Lois Poach
Mrs. Harriet Diefenderfer A Friend
Mr. and Mrs. John Diefenderfer Mr. and Mrs. Max Diefenderfer
Mrs. Roy Diefenderfer Mr. Roy Diefenderfer
Mr. and Mrs. David Dunlop Miss Jean Ichter
Mrs. John Dunlop
Mr. and Mrs. David Edwards Mr. Charles Edwards
Mr. and Mrs. George Eicke Mrs. Robert A. West
Mrs. Nancy Eroh Mrs. Sybil Ichter Pelton
Dr. Calvin Eroh
Miss May Eroh
Mr. David Evans Mrs. Joseph Baron
Dr. H. Irvin Evans Mrs. H. Irvin Evans
Mrs. Jennie Evans Miss Mary Ellen Evans
Mrs. Samuel Everett Miss Mabel Belles
Mr. A. Leroy Field Mrs. A. Leroy Field
Mr. and Mrs. L. H. Flory The Family
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gardner Mr. and Mrs. Edward Gardner
Mrs. Charles D. Geissler Miss Louise Enterline
Mrs. Harold Nuss
Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Gemmel The Family
Mr. Starr M. Gemmel Miss Emma B. Gemmel
Mrs. Nellie Glasser Miss Lillian Glasser
Mr. and Mrs. William Gorgas Miss Mildred Williams
Mr. an Mrs. Benjamin E. Gower Mrs. Mable Gower Evans
Mr. and Mrs. Homer E. Graham, Sr. Mr. an Mrs. Homer E. Graham, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. John B. Graham Mr. and Mrs. Harry W. Johnson
Reverend an Mrs. Robert Graham Mrs. Beverly Graham Myers
Mrs. Clara Hittinger Gross Mr. and Mrs. John Hittinger
Mr. and Mrs. David Halliday Miss Florence Halliday
Miss Elizabeth Halliday
Mr. Roy L. Halliday
Mrs. Violet Morgan Halter A Friend
Mr. and Mrs. Harry W. Hannis Miss Edith Hannis
Miss Mabel Hannis
Mr. and Mrs. George Harrison Mr. and Mrs. Anthony J. Kowalec
Mr. and Mrs. James Hawkins Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Hawkins
Mrs. Robert Heller Mrs. Newton Wagner
Mr. Thomas J. Heslop Mrs. Thomas J. Heslop
Mr. and Mrs. George Heycock Mrs. Ralph Walters
Mrs. Owen Rowlands
Mrs. Caroline Hittinger Mrs. Harry Aten
Mr. Edgar S. Hittinger Mr. and Mrs. John Hittinger
Mrs. Elizabeth Leslie Hoag Mr. and Mrs. Albert G. Weiss
Mr. and Mrs. David R. Hughes Miss Alice M. Hughes
Mrs. Howard K. Petry
Mr. and Mrs. John Hughes Mr. and Mrs. William Johnson
Mr. Donald Ichter Mr. George Ichter
Mr. John H. Ichter Mrs. John H. Ichter
Mr. and Mrs. John W. Ichter Mr. and Mrs. Lester Ichter
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ichter Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Ichter
Mr. and Mrs. William R. Ichter
Mrs. George Ichter Mr. George Ichter
Mrs. Lucille Bower
Mrs. F. H. Johnson Mrs. Mable Gower Evans
Mr. and Mrs. George W. Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Harry W. Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. James Johnson Mrs. Frank Neeld
Mrs. Elsie Davis
Mrs. Mary Rambo
Mr. and Mrs. John W. Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Johnson
Mr. Robert W. Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Malcom T. Johnson Mrs. Austin Flynn
Mrs. David Roche
Mr. and Mrs. William Johnson Mrs. Fannie Culver Housley
Mr. Arthur H. Jones Mr. and Mrs. Arthur H. Jones
Mrs. Sarah Jones Mrs. Fred Derolf
Mr. John Kapral Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Tus
Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Keller Mrs. Paul Koons
Mr. and Mrs. Abe Kemmerer Miss Ethel Kemmerer
Mr. William Kern Miss Anna Balmer
Mrs. Mary Wilson Klein Mr. Luther Klein
Mr. Harry Knecht Mrs. Harry Knecht
Mr. and Mrs. Albert West
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Knight Mr. and Mrs. Richard Knight
Mrs. John Padlon
Mrs. Agnes Leslie Knopfle Miss Jayne Leslie
Mrs. Garnetta Leslie Mr. William Leslie
Mrs. Matilda Leslie
Mrs. Katherine Leslie Mr. Thomas H. Leslie, Sr.
Mr. Thomas H. Leslie, Jr.
Mrs. Betty Leslie Bauman
Mr. Samuel Leslie Mrs. Samuel Leslie
Mr. and Mrs. T. Hugh Leslie Mr. and Mrs. Thompson O’Connell
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Lewis Mrs. William J. Gemmel
Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Lutz Mr. and Mrs. George Lutz
Mr. and Mrs. Gurnie B. Lyons Mr. Hector O’Connell
Mr. and Mrs. Robert McCracken Miss Jennie McCracken
Mr. Matthew McCracken
Mr. John J. McDermott, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. John H. McDermott, Jr.
Mrs. Sarah McGilpin Mr. and Mrs. Royden P. Swank
Mr. David McGowan Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Nagle
Mr. and Mrs. Thompson McGowan Mr. and Mrs. Melvin O’Connell
Mr. and Mrs. William McGowan Mr. and Mrs. Willard McGowan
Mr. Robert McKinney Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Hawkins
Mrs. D. V. McNaught Miss Jean Ichter
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Marshall Mrs. Bessie Marshall Patterson
Mr. and Mrs. James Metz Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Metz
Mr. William J. Morgan Mrs. William J. Morgan
Mr. Leslie Myers Mrs. Leslie Myers
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Moyle Mr. and Mrs. Allan P. Ramsay
Mr. and Mrs. David Oberrender Mr. Hector O’Connell
Mr. Daniel O’Connell Mrs. Daniel O’Connell
Mrs. Hector O’Connell Mr. Hector O’Connell
Miss Jane O’Connell Mr. Thompson O’Connell
Mrs. James O’Connell Mr. James O’Connell
Mr. and Mrs. Robert O’Connell Mrs. Simon Tanavage
Mr. and Mrs. Thompson O’Connell Miss Bessie O’Connell
Mr. William O’Connell Mr. and Mrs. William O’Connell
Mr. and Mrs. J. Warren Oliver Mr. and Mrs. George Oliver
Mrs. Viola Winans
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Owens Miss Janet Owens
Mr. and Mrs. James Potter Mrs. Kate Feldman
Mrs. Agnes Powell Mrs. Margaret Fey
Miss Maude Powell
Mr. and Mrs. William T. Roache Mrs. Barbara Sabol
Mr. and Mrs. James Reynolds Miss Margaret T. Reynolds
Mr. James W. Reynolds Mrs. James W. Reynolds
Mr. and Mrs. David A. Richards Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hughes
Mr. Owen Rowlands Mrs. Owen Rowlands
The John Calvin Ruhf Family Mr. Elmo Ruhf
Mrs. Valerie Ruhf Williams
Mrs. Bertha Nickel Rutan Mr. and Mrs. John H. Williams
Mr. and Mrs. John Schwab Miss Gertrude C. Schwab
Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Shank Mrs. William L. Laude
Mr. and Mrs. John Shidal Mrs. Robert Emmett
Mr. and Mrs. William Shrader Mrs. Herbert Shrader
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Smith Mrs. Nancy Smith Haydt
Mr. and Mrs. Edward F. Space Mr. Edward Space
Mrs. Mary E. Space
Mr. Charles N. Space
Mr. Norman Stark Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Stark, Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Swartwood Mr. and Mrs. Warren Swartwood
Miss Barbara Templeton Mr. and Mrs. Raymond T. Templeton
Mrs. Myra Templeton Mrs. Kent Piercy
Mr. and Mrs. Loren B. Tennant Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. Black
Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Tiffany Mrs. John Thomas
Mr. and Mrs. Edwin R. Tiffany Mrs. Muriel T. Shonk
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Thomas Mr. Ralph Thomas
Mr. Richard S. Thomas
Mr. Robert VanBrundt Mrs. Robert VanBrundt
Mr. Ralph Walters Mrs. Ralph Walters
Mr. Bruce Weir Mr. and Mrs. Richard Knight
Mr. and Mrs. Herman Weiss Mrs. Jean Weiss Gallagher
Mr. Morley J. West Mrs. Morley J. West
Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. West Mr. and Mrs. Albert T. West
Mr. Willard K. West
Mrs. Ida M. Whyte Mrs. Joseph Obritski
Mrs. William White
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Williams Miss Mildred Williams
Mr. Lester Williams
Mr. Ralph Williams
Mr. Chauncey Walizer Mrs. Fred Hawke
Mrs. David Wilson Miss Elsie Wilson
Mrs. Lucy Wilson Mrs. Margaret Evans Allen
Mrs. William Zierdt Mr. and Mrs. Homer E. Graham, Jr.
“Come to this house of God Sabbath after Sabbath realizing that Christ himself is building within your earthly body a glorious temple for His own indwelling.”
The Reverend William J. Day
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