A news article from 1974 celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Christ Church of Fountain, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The newspaper photo above is of the church as it appeared in 1874. The text of the article by Tom Sage as it appeared in the Pottsville Republican and Herald, 28 September 1974 follows:
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HEGINS AREA CHURCH 100 YEARS OLD
The Christ Church of Fountain at the entrance to the Hegins Valley will celebrate a double observance September 29 to October 6, the 100th anniversary of the church and the 100th birthday of the oldest living member, Ida M. [Eckler] Bressler.
Special services will be observed throughout the week, including a special tribute to Mrs. Bressler, who will be 100 on October 5. For the observance, a booklet on the history of the church has been compiled, a small, historical treasurer that, in addition to giving the reader information on the church founding, also provides a refreshing look at the county’s history and tradition.
The history of the church is thoroughly covered in the book by Paul L. Stutzman Sr., a member of the church council. A warm and colorful tribute to Mrs. Bressler was written by James P. Bressler.
Christ Church today stands at the village of Fountain, a typical Pennsylvania country church built in the style that only yesteryear’s indefatigable tradesmen could create; a functional structure with needlepoint steeple and white board sides which never seems to detract, but only add to the beauty of its surroundings.
It was contracted at a bid opening meeting on February 21, 1874 when the low bidder, George Minnich, said he could build the church for $325. Earlier, wage prices and the cost of materials had been established and Stutzman gives us an example.
For hauling with four horse team $3 per day, two horse team $2 per day, one horse team $1.30 per day, for laborer $1 per day. This was for a ten hour day.
Materials – “one-inch boards, $20 per thousand feet, guidelined boards, $20 per thousand, frame wood over 20 feet long $22, less than 20 feet long, $19.
When the church has been approved and accepted by the building committee, it was found that Minnich’s actual labor costs were $600. He was reimbursed for the total amount on four installments. The exact cost for doing the interior of the church is not known, but on November 21, 1875, 23 members of the community donated $1,170 for that purpose. At this time there were no church dues as today. All monies were pledged by members when work was to be done on the church.
Prior to 1811, the village of Fountain was in Pine Grove Township, then a portion of Berks County. In 1811, when Schuylkill County was formed by taking land from Berks and Northampton Counties, the village of Fountain became a portion of Lower Mahantongo Township.
In 1817, a large log cabin church was built in Hegins named “Friedens Church” which served both the reformed and Evangelical Lutheran congregations, and which served some of the citizens of Fountain for many years.
Religion and schooling, as tradition has it, were always associated. In 1840 Frederick Dinger donated a piece of ground across the road from the present Christ Church to build a school and for the betterment of the community. This was a one-room log cabin which served as a school and church from 1840 to 1874. It was the first school house in the district, known as School House No. 1.
Around the same time William A. Stutzman, who was considered a “fore steller” or leader, in Fountain, constructed a large brick home at the intersection of the Pottsville and Tremont Roads, now owned by Herman C. Otto. This building served as a hotel and post office from 1848-1874 and the laity of the Reformed and Lutheran Church was served here. They called themselves “Christis Congregation.”
In 1852 when Hegins Township was formed a desire to have their own church was considered. But poverty being the rule of the day would not permit. This happened on other occasions.
But in 1873 the dye [sic] was cast, a decision had to be made. Friedens Church at Hegins was to be torn down and a new one erected in 1874. This left Fountain without a church.
At a special meeting in the Fountain Hotel, with citizens of the community attending, it was decided Fountain would build its own church and Friedens Church was notified of the decision. The church beginning actually came at a meeting held August 2, 1873 at the No. 1 School House, Lower Mahantongo School District. William A. Stutzman was elected president and Augustus Dinger secretary. It was agreed the church would be built in the vicinity of the school house to serve both denominations as a Reformed and Lutheran Church. Stutzman was named to receive subscriptions to build the church.
The cornerstone was laid May 24, 1874, and construction moved at a rapid pace. George Minnich at the age of 49, it was said, was such an expert carpenter that he kept all angles and figures in his head and very seldom had to crawl a ladder to see what he was doing. The church was built like all homes and barns at the time – “pegged.” In the construction, not one peg or hole would not fit. The building was built strictly to articles of agreement in the contract, the steeple steeple being 13 feet four and one-half inches above the belfry.
The bell for Christ Church was forged at the Buckeye Bell Foundry in 1874-1875 by the Vanduzen and Teft Company of Cincinnati, Ohio and placed in the belfry the same year.
The church building was dedicated November 22, 1874; the pastors at the time were Rev. Daniel Sanner, Lutheran; and Rev. Henry S. Bassler, Reformed, the membership about 50.
Although Sunday School was held quite regularly, church services were not, at least not until 1877. Pastors had such poor means of transportation and so much territory to cover that sometimes monthly services were the usual thing. These services were well attended and quite lengthy, with sermons lasting one or two hours. All services at the time were conducted in “High German.”
Records show that collections at the time were given to the minister for preaching and traveling expenses. They were usually from 19 cents to 48 cents on regular Sundays, while on communion, Christmas or Harvest Home Sundays they could range as high as $3.80.
During the summer of 1875 it is assumed the Sunday School moved into the newly constructed Christ Church. In 1881 a new organ was bought for the church and on August 1, 1896 the church was incorporated.
The current pastor of the church is Rev. Herbert H. Dewees. Council members include Ronald Deitz; Clair Artz; Paul Stutzman; Wayne Shadle; Palmer Otto; Monroe Shadle; Melvin Artz; Paul Allvord; Forrest Otto; Chester Otto; Henry Warmkessle; Trent Otto; and James Shadle.
The Christ Church “Fountainaires” Gospel singing group has gained local and regional notoriety in recent years. Members of the Fountainaires are Elmer Carl; Chester Otto; Henry Warmkessel; Trent Otto; and Wayne Shadle. Mrs. Betty Otto is organist.
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From the Pottsville Republican and Herald, 28 September 1974, via Newspapers.com.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.