CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS
A HISTORY OF THE
LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONS IN
PERRY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
by
REV. D. H. FOCHT, A.M.
CHAPTER IV
SECTION III
MOUNT PISGAH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
IN CARROLL TOWNSHIP
This church is located in Carroll Township, on the southeast bank of Sherman's Creek, not far from Billow's Mill, on the site of what used to be known as "Sutch's School-house." This school-house was erected some time between 1775 and 1780. It was one among the earliest improved places in this region, and this was one of the first, if not the first, school-house in Pisgah Valley. A large graveyard is connected with it, and here the earliest settlers were buried.*
*Reiber's (German, Rauber's)
church or school-house, about two miles west of Sutch's and in Spring Township,
was built about the beginning of the present century. Here Rev. Messrs.
Herbst, Sanno, Osterloh and Heim preached occasionally, and by some
denominations it is still used as a preaching-place.
A number of Lutheran families settled here
along Sherman's Creek at the beginning of the present century. Some of
these afterwards attended preaching at Mount Zion Church in Fishing Creek
Valley, some at Carlisle, crossing the North Mountain at Sterrett's Gap, and
some perhaps also at St. Peter's Church in Sprint Township. They had
preaching also occasionally at Reiber's school-house till about 1830.
Those of the members who could not understand the German language were members
at Carlisle; but as it was from ten to fifteen miles to Carlisle, the pastor at
that place came occasionally across the mountain and preached for the scattered
members on this side. This gave rise to the Pisgah Lutheran
congregation. The best information with regard to the origin and early
progress of this congregation, within our reach, is given in a communication,
dated October, 1860, to us by the
Rev. John Ulrich
of Carlisle, the first pastor of the
congregation. Rev. Ulrich says: "All the information I can give
you will be from memory. The early history of Mount Pisgah Church is about
this: There lived in Pisgah Valley several families of the Lutheran
Church. They were entirely ignorant of the German language, and could
therefore not profit by the preaching of Father Heim. These families
attended preaching at Carlisle, and were there regular members of the Lutheran
Church. They had from ten to twelve miles to Carlisle; they were,
however, very punctual in their Sabbath attendance. To these
families, and for the benefit of their neighbors, Rev. Messrs. Keller and Heyer
preached whilst they had the pastoral charge of the church at Carlisle. It
may be that Rev. C. F. Schaeffer, D.D. (now Professor at Gettysburg), preached
also occasionally for them; but very seldom, if any. The others named, I
know, did frequently preach for them, as I was told by different persons.
After I had taken charge o the congregation at Carlisle, I visited these
families as my predecessors had done, and preached for them on week-days during
the first three years of my ministry here. When the children of these
families had grown up, they found it very inconvenient to attend preaching at
Carlisle, and hence they requested my Church-Council to allow me to organize
them into a congregation and to preach regularly for them. This request
was granted. The most prominent and active members of our Church, in
Pisgah Valley, were Richard Adams, Joseph Egolf, and John Henderson. Mr.
Adams was a true Israelite--one of the excellent of the earth. He was
loved and respected by all who knew him. No man in that section of country
had more influence as a Christian than he. In those days all looked up to
him for counsel in spiritual matters. Others were indeed active; but they
had not the influence he had, as he was the oldest of the English-speaking
members of our Church in the whole Valley.
"In the year 1838, I commenced to preach for this people regularly every
four weeks. My appointments were always on Friday evening and Saturday
morning, except twice each year, when I preached on Sabbath and administered the
Lord's Supper. Thus, I preached twice every time I visited them---once in
the school-house near where the church now stands, and the other time in the
Protestant Methodist Church further down the Valley. These Christian
brethren very generously offered me the use of their church. It was here,
also, we usually celebrated the Lord's Supper, before we had a church of our
own.
"In December, 1839, I organized the congregation. A Church-Council
was elected and installed, consisting of the following four members:
Richard Adams, John Henderson; Elders
Joseph Egolf, John Losh; Deacons
"For three years I continued my four-week appointments at the above-named
places. During that time this little congregation enjoyed several special
seasons of grace, which resulted in the hopeful conversion of a goodly number of
persons, both old and young. When I organized the congregation there were
only about ten or twelve members, who united with us. There were,
annually, considerable accessions by confirmation and certificate from other
denominations.
"In the year 1842, the present Mount Pisgah Church was built. I am
not certain when the corner-stone was laid; but if any was laid, it must have
been in the spring of 1842. On Sunday, the 26th of September, 1842, the
church was consecrated. Rev. B. Kurtz, D.D., and Rev. B. Keller assisted
on the occasion--it was at the time the West Pennsylvania Synod was in session
at New Bloomfield. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Keller, and
the consecration services were performed by Rev. Dr. Kurtz. Mr. Adams was
on the building-committee; but who the other members of the committee were, I do
not recollect. perhaps there was but one. I know Mr. Adams had the
entire care of the erecting of the church, the raising of the money, &c., in
his hands. He spared neither time nor money to have the church erected and
completed. It is a Lutheran church, though other denominations have the
privilege to preach in it occasionally when not occupied by the Lutheran
congregation.
"At the time when the church was consecrated the membership of the
congregation numbered about eighty persons. A few weeks after the
dedication of the church, I resigned, and preached my last sermon on the 12th of
November, 1842. During my ministry among this people there was union and
harmony. My labors have perhaps nowhere been more signally blessed than
among the people of this congregation." So far Rev. Ulrich's
statement respecting the early history of the church.
During the summer of 1839, Rev. Ulrich instructed a class of catechumens, and on
the 8th of December, 1839, the following eight persons were confirmed:
George Souder; John Souder; Henry Souder; Jacob Brown; Daniel Losh; David Adams;
Catharine Souder; Elizabeth Adams.
On the same day, being the first time Rev. Ulrich had communion here, the
following members communed with the above eight persons:
Richard
Adams
John Losh
Jane
Adams
John Henderson
Elizabeth
Adams
David Fair
Joseph
Adams
Elizabeth Fair
Elizabeth
Adams
William Melister
Frances
Adams
Bradley Henry
John
Adams
Mary Stouffer
Mary E.
Adams
Elizabeth Stouffer
Joseph Egolf
Mary Shearer
Susan Egolf
Rebecca Lenhart
Christian
Ziegler
Barbara Mickey
Mary
Ziegler
Sarah Heckendorn
Thus at the first communion there were thirty-two members. On the 5th of
December, 1840, John Finicle and Sarah Finicle, and perhaps some others, were
received as members by application.
During the early part of '41, the congregation was blessed with a precious
season of refreshing from on high. A number were hopefully converted to
God. These were for some time carefully instructed, and on the 27th of
March, 1841, the following six persons were confirmed:
Peter Slusher; John Jones; Joseph Murphy; John McClintock; Martha Jones; Sarah
McClintock.
and on the 20th of November, the same year, Margaret Shearer was
confirmed. The congregation increased in number.
The want of a suitable house of worship was deeply felt by all, and measures
were taken to erect one. Among other places offered, it was thought best
to locate the church near "Sutch's School-house", where there was an
old and large graveyard, and where Rev. Ulrich had hitherto been
preaching. The land belonged to Abraham Jacobs. From the deed of
conveyance we transcribe the following extracts:
"This Indenture was made on the 12th day of February, 1842, between
Abraham Jacobs of the Township of Carroll, County of Perry and State of
Pennsylvania, and Catharine his wife, on the one part, and Richard Adams, John
Henderson, and Joseph Egolf, of the Township, &c,... aforesaid, Trustees of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and their successors in office, of the other
part, Witnesseth that the aforesaid Abraham Jacobs and Catharine his wife,...
for the purpose of erecting a church at the place called Sutch's
School-house,... for the consideration of one dollar,... have granted,
bargained, and sold... unto the said Trustees...a certain lot or piece of land,
... containing one acre and thirty two perches... The graveyard is reserved to
be used as heretofore as a graveyard free to all those who may choose to inter
the dead in said graveyard. And further, said church may be used as a
place of public worship by any denomination of Christians at any and all times
when not occupied by said Evangelical Lutheran congregation, so that those who
meet in said church do conduct themselves in a decent and Christian-like
manner," &c. See Deed-Book, Letter I., pg. 591
During the winter and spring of '42 the Lord poured out his spirit copiously on
the congregation, and many souls were awakened and professed conversion.
The Rev. Ulrich diligently instructed for some time these subjects of this
gracious work, and on the 1st of May, 1842, the following fifteen persons were
confirmed:
Jacob
Adams
Philip Shearer
Samuel
Adams
Benjamin Jones
William
Adams
Robert Jones
Levi
Adams
Elizabeth Shearer
David
Adams
Rebecca Jones
Michael G. Earhart
Frances Hackendorn
George W. Briner
Margaret Moore
John Shearer
and the following four persons were received as members by application, viz.,
John Souder, James McCrosky, Isabella McCrosky, and Leah Heckendorn.
The new church-edifice was erected this summer. No corner-stone ws
laid. The building is frame, about thirty-five by forty feet in
size. In the Lutheran Observer of October 21, 1842, Rev. Dr. Kurtz gives
the following notices of the dedication: "A new church was dedicated
to the service of God, in Perry County, Pa., on the 24th of September (1842),
and received the name of Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mount Pisgah. The
dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. B. Keller of Gettysburg (and Rev. Dr. B.
Kurtz performed the services of consecration). The church is frame, and
though not grand is nevertheless quite a neat house of worship. If we
recollect right, this congregation was only organized at the close of the year
'39. It is in charge of Rev. Ulrich of Carlisle."
The congregation had now a house of worship, and under the efficient pastoral
labors of Rev. Ulrich was in a prosperous condition; but to the sincere and
great regret of all, he resigned at Carlisle, and here preached his farewell
sermon on the 12th of November, 1842. Soon after the resignation of Rev.
Ulrich, the
Rev. Jacob Kempfer
Carlisle took charge of the congregation, and
served it about one year in connection with some congregations in Cumberland
County. On the 7th of May, 1843, Jacob Cornman and Elizabeth Cornman were
confirmed, and the names of the following persons appear for the first time in
the list of members, viz., Abram Trostle, Priscilla Trostle, Lewis Mickey,
Elizabeth Souder, Mary Heckendorn, John Foulk and Mary Foulk. On the 8th
of October, 1843, Joseph Heckendorn and Mary Swarner were received as members by
application.
Rev. Kempfer resigned some time in the fall of '43 and near the close of '43 or
the beginning of '44, the
Rev. Levi T. Williams
took charge of the congregation and served it
in connection with Petersburg, where he resided. The first communion he
held here was on the 26th of May, 1844, when the following persons were
confirmed:
William Heckendorn; Sarah Earhart; Susan Earhart.
On the 22d of December, 1844, having been carefully instructed, the following
persons were confirmed:
Hamilton Mahaffey; Joseph Jones; Martha Mahaffey; Mary Rice,
and the names of George Shearer and Hetta Shearer appear now for the first time
in the list of members.
During the early part of '45, a class of catechumens were instructed by the
pastor in the doctrines of our holy religion, and on the 17th of May, 1845, the
following were confirmed:
Philip Cornman; Jacob Shatto; Mary Shatto; Catharine Adams; Susan Adams; Mary A.
McCord; Martha J. McClintock; Mary A. Heckendorn.
Having served the congregation nearly two years as pastor, Rev. Williams
resigned in September, 1845, and was succeeded on the 1st of October following,
by the
Rev. Lloyd Knight
who served the congregation in connection
with New Bloomfield where he resided. At the first communion he held here,
in the fall of '45, Rev. Knight found the congregation to consist of 55
communicants.
In March, 1857 (sic), it pleased the Lord to visit this congregation in an
unusual effusion of the Holy Spirit. Of this revival we have the following
account from the pen of Rev. Knight in the Lutheran Observer of April 30,
1857 (sic):
"A protracted meeting was held the first week in March last, in one of our
churches, built on Mount Pisgah, in Perry County, about twelve miles from
Carlisle. And the Lord be praised, there was more than one Moses, who took
a view of Canaan from that consecrated Mount. There was something peculiar
about this work of grace. It is sometimes said by the enemies of vital
religion, that young persons and women are easily frightened by the presentation
of the terrors of the law, and may be brought into any measures; but it was not
so at this place. True, there were some young females and one young man,
who professed to have experienced a change of heart; but it was among the aged
that the Holy Spirit seemed especially to be at work. Almost every aged
person in that vicinity now believes and feels himself to be a child of
God. You may now see some eight or ten persons assembled with others, for
singing and prayer, whose united ages would amount to more than hundred years,
who never before called on the name of the Lord with those views and feelings
that are peculiar to the Christian. Is not the very thought as well as the
sight of such converts a great source of joy to the angels in heaven, and
delightful and encouraging to all good men on earth! There are some things
connected with this meeting that will never be erased from my mind. Whilst
preaching on Thursday from the words, 'Quench no the Spirit,' a respectable aged
gentleman arose about the middle of the church and came forward to the front pew
without the least solicitation, literally bathed in tears. This, together
with the many other indications of God's awful presence, almost disqualified us
for the agency which we bore. We had no disorder, confusion or
shouting. The meeting was characterized with deep feeling and great
solemnity. We do not confine ourselves to one way of working, but make use
of any way, by which more good than evil will be accomplished. As one
result of this meeting, twelve persons were added to our congregation; another
is, that there is now a better state of things in the church---there is more
interest taken in preaching, prayer-meetings, &c. But the final result
will be known only in eternity. For this let us all prepare. And in
view of what the Lord has done for us all, may we say, 'Not unto us, but unto
thy name, O Lord, be all the praise forever.' "
After the subjects of this revival had received instruction for some time, on
the 11th of April, 1847, John A. Heckendorn and Charity Richter were received as
members my application, and the following were confirmed and baptized:
William Stambaugh; Christian Docterman; Martha J. Adams; Agnes Cornman; Eve
Cornman; Mary Cornman; Elizabeth Jacobs; Elizabeth J. Cornman (baptized); Mary
Wolf (baptized).
Having preached for the congregation three years and a half, Rev. Knight
resigned in June, 1849,and was succeeded on the 1st of July, the same year, by
the
Rev. Jacob Martin,
who served the congregation in connection with New Bloomfield, the place of his residence. When the Petersburg charge was regularly constituted in February, 1850, this congregation became an integral part of that charge. Rev. Martin continued however to preach here to the end of the pastoral year, which was on the 1st of July, 1850, when he resigned. We cannot find that any were added to this congregation during the year Rev. Martin was pastor of it. The Petersburg charge, as now constituted, was then vacant about four months. In November, 1850, it was supplied by the
Rev. John P. Hiester,
who resided at Petersburg, and preached at
Mount Pisgah once every three weeks. Some time after he had commenced
preaching here, he met and instructed a class of catechumens, and on the 23d of
May, 1852, the following were confirmed:
Alexander Murphy; Mary Adams; Nancy Mickey; Susan Mickey; Elizabeth Lenhart.
Rev. Hiester served the congregation as pastor about three years, and resigned
in November, 1853. The charge was then vacant about six months.
A call was then extended to the
Rev. George A. Nixdorff,
who commenced his pastoral labors here in
June, 1854. On the 23d of May, 1857, the following were confirmed:
Daniel Jacobs; Elizabeth Jacobs; Susan Wolf; Julia Wolf; Margaret Adams;
Catharine Losh.
Rev. Nixdorff served the charge about four years, and resigned it in May,
1858. On the 22d of August, the same year, the present pastor, the
Rev. William H. Diven,
entered on his labors as pastor of the
charge. On the 30th of October, 1859, John A. Adams was confirmed and on
the 11th of November, 1860, James McCord and Sarah McCord were received by
application and Susan A. Bender was confirmed.
On the 17th of March, 1861, after having received instruction for some time, the
following were confirmed:
David Sweger; William Souder; Henry Souder, Jr.; Frances McCord; Mary Hartman;
Sarah A. Adams; Eleanor Adams (baptized).
On the 18th of October, 1861, Miss Nancy Yoh was admitted to membership by the
rite of confirmation.
May the Lord revive this congregation! The following is a list of the
membership of the congregation at this time (June 1st, 1862)
Abram
Jacobs
Susan A. Bender
Catharine
Jacobs
Jacob Shatto
Elizabeth
Jacobs
John A. Adams
Joseph Heckendorn
Jane Adams
Adam Heckendorn
Mary Adams
Anna M. Heckendorn
Sarah A. Adams
Susan Heckendorn
Eleanor Adams
Henry Souder
Mary Foulk
John Souder
David Fair
Regina Souder
Frances Fair
Elizabeth Souder
David Sweger
John Finicle
Margaret Sweger
Susan Finicle
Jacob Ensminger
George Smeigh
Susan Ensminger
Catharine Smeigh
Susan Wolf
William Souder
Julian A. Wolf
Henry Souder
Susan Wolf
James
McCord
Sarah Sluthower
Sarah
McCord
Elizabeth Shearer
Frances
McCord
Mary Hartman
Joseph
Bender
Rebecca Lenhart
Elizabeth
Bender
Nancy Yoh.
"Revive, O God, desponding
saints,
Who languish, droop, and sigh:
Refresh the soul that tires and faints,
Fill mourning hearts with joy.
"Make known thy power, victorious King,
Subdue each stubborn will;
Then sov'reign grace we'll join to sing
On Zion's sacred hill."
