A history of the St. Peter’s Evangelical and reformed Church, Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, for the 50th anniversary of the church building, as published in the West Schuylkill Press and Pine Grove Herald, Tremont, June 9, 1950,
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Historical Sketch
The following is a condensed history and summary of the outstanding accomplishments of St. Peter’s Reformed Church up to and including the date of the 50th anniversary, June 11-18, 1950. The sources of information are many and varies. Some has been gathered from the work of the late George Haas, History of Pine Grove. Much of it has been taken from the early records of the Union Church and the records of the St. Peter’s reformed Church from the year 1901.
A pioneer of the Reformed faith and education, Jacob Gunkle, settled in Pine Grove in 1765. In 1771 he set apart 17 acres, 147 perches of land upon which he erected, at his own expense, what was known as the “Log Cabin School House.” His building stood one-half block west of South Tulpehocken Street on what is presently known as Church Street. This building served two purposes. First, as a center of education and secondly, as a place of worship for the German Reformed settlers. This was the first Reformed Church and according to existing records, the first church in Pine Grove. In order that these German Reformed worshipers might have a regular “House of God” in 1782, Mr. Gunkle decided to erect , again at his own expense, a second building. This time a log church known as “Gunkle’s Church” was erected at the southern end of Pine Grove and stood at the north corner of what is now the old burial ground. It was built of hewn logs and was about 0 feet square. The inside was furnished with rough boards; it had a board floor and seats 12 feet long. The seats extended from both sides of the wall to a center aisle which was 6 feet wide. No records exist as to the members of the congregation but it is known that the first pastor was Rev. Gaensel. He was succeeded by Rev. Henry Deckert who served approximately 8 years; his successor was Rev. Benjamin Boyer.
The church prospered during the first 20 years of its history. The community was growing in population and the number of communicants increase. On December 14, 1802, Jacob Gunkle sold the tract of land to the parish for 20 shillings, a sum so small that it served only as evidence of consideration. William Shartle and Frederick Schnoke were the trustees at the time. The deed was drawn and witnessed by Daniel Ludwig, a Justice of the Peace. This land included the old burial ground and plots surrounding the present St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. During the year 1815, Lutherans from the Swatara Valley moved to Pine Grove and attended services as Gunkle’s Church. This later led to the organization of a Lutheran congregation. It was definitely stated in the last will and testament of Jacob Gunkle that the Reformed members should take the Lutheran worshipers in and charge them $2 for the privilege.
In March, 1815, members of both Reformed and Lutheran faiths formulated plans for the erection of a new Union Church. The officers of the Reformed faith at this time were: Rev. Reiley, pastor; Balthaser Hautz and John Heberling, elders; Michael Huber and Michael Heberling, deacons. The foundation of the new structure was laid during the early spring of 1816. The building committee for this new stone church was: Michael Heberling, John Barr, Michael Huber and Sebastian Spancake. The supervisory mechanics were Bernard Henry who had charge of the carpenters and Henry Weber who had charge of the stone cutters and masons. Most of the stone used for the structure came from the Stine and Schnoke farms. The stone was split and dressed on the church lot. Practically all the timber used was cut on the church lot, and sawed into boards and framing timber. The Heberling family gave the use of their saw mill for the sawing of the frame timber. The church had galleries on the east, north and west sides. When completed the cost of the edifice was $2,000 and through the generosity of the members of both faiths and other citizens of the borough, this debt was paid when the dedicatory services took place on October 19, 1817. The church was named St. Peter’s. The cornerstone laying was witnessed by many people who came from miles around; they brought baskets of lunch which was served on the read premises of the church. This was the first public function held in the Borough of Pine Grove. On completion of the new church, the old Gunkle’s Church was dismantled and the logs made into a raft and floated down the Swatara to Jonestown where they were used to erect a dwelling which is standing today [1950].
In 1870, St. Peter’s Church was remodeled at a cost of $100. Daniel Hollenbach was awarded the contract and the building committee comprised Daniel Shartel, Daniel Sheidy and Daniel Umberhauer who were also trustee for both Lutheran and Raeformed congregations.
Rev. Christian H. Mutschler, served from November 1870 to September 1874;.
Rev. Eli Heister, October 1874 to October 1877.
Rev. Graeff, November 1877 to October 1880.
Rev. B. S. Metzger, 1880 to 1884, under whose pastorate the basement of the church was repaired and painted… [He] also started the first Sunday School with sessions held only during the summer.
Rev. George A. Zellers served from December 1885 to October 1887. Under his pastorate the Sunday School was reorganized in 1886 and continued having services throughout the whole year.
Rev. C. B. Schneder served from July 1888 to May 1891.
On April 20, 1889, a meeting was held by members of St. Peter’s Reformed and Salem Hetzel’s Reformed for the purpose of building a parsonage for their pastor. A lot was purchased from E. L. Filbert. The consistory at that time was: John Groh and John Kerschner, deacons; Richard Leonhard and Peter Sattazahn, elders; reuben Achenbach, Jonathan Schnoke, trustees. The building committee consisting of members of both charges was William Schneck, Jonathan Schnoke, Reuben Achenbach, treasurer and Rev. C. B. Schneider, secretary. The parsonage was erected at a cost of $2200 and is the present home of Dr. S. Melnicove, 281 South Tulpehocken street. In May 1889, John Groh resigned and Charles Christ was elected to replace him.
In 1891, the board voted to grant the pastor two week’s vacation.
November 3, 1899, the consistory petitioned borough council to furnish a light on South Tulpehocken Street and raise to proper height the street crossing at thge church.
On January 26, 1891, a special meeting was called for the purpose of securing the services of a lecturer, Rev. C. B. Schneder secured Rev. A. R. Bartholomew, who gave a lecture “Home and Its Duties.” It was presented on March 4, 1891. The exact attendance is not known but the admission charges were 10 and 15 cents and the receipts were $33.
In May, 1891, Rev. David Scheirer was elected to preach and he resigned in April 1892.
Rev. C. E. Bartholomew served from May 1892 to May 1893, and was during his stay that Rev. Elmer S. Noll assisted during communion and confirmation services and then took over the charge in May 1893 to October 1902. Since the church was in such poor condition that services could not be held during the winter, a meeting of members of both faiths was held in 1898 to try to solve the problem. Nothing definite was accomplished and therefore Rev. Noll asked the Sunday School, a part of the church, to erect a new building. His request was granted and as a result a lot was purchased and the building of the present church was begun. On Whitsunday in 1900 the cornerstone was laid here begins the history and progress of St. Peter’s Evangelical Reformed Church. The cornerstone was donated by Dr. H. P. Hess and C. K. Miller. Dr. Hess laid the stone.
On October 17, 1900, a constitution was adopted and in May 1901, an election was held to sell the rights and title of St. Peter’s Reformed Congregation to St. Peter’s Lutheran congregation. There is no definite evidence on record that this legal transaction was ever accomplished. The present building was completed and put in use as a Sunday School and was first known as Trinity Reformed Chapel.
Some time in 1902, evening church services were started. Members of the consistory were: Charles Christ and Edward Kanter, deacons; Daniel Achenbach and Edward Keefer, elders; Isaac Achenbach and Joseph Keefer, trustees. The morning services were still held in old St. Peter’s Church but were discontinued during the pastorate of Rev. S. S. Kohler who served from April 1903, to March 1907.
The next pastor was Rev. H. A. Althouse who served from April 1907 to September 1911.
He was succeeded in October 1911 by Rev. J. M. Kressley. During his pastorate an application was made to the Schuylkill Classes to have Salem Hetzel’s removed from the charge. This action was the result of a disagreement among the three charges, including St. Paul’s Reformed Church, Ravine, which was admitted during Rev. Noll’s pastorate, as to which pastor was to serve. The request was granted and Hetzel’s was removed on May 17, 1914; this necessitated the sale of the parsonage which was the joint property of the churches. St. Peter’s Reformed then rented a home to serve as a parsonage from Charles Christ at $11 per month.
Rev. Kressley served until June 1914.
Rev. S. S. Kohler was recalled in September 1914 and served until February 1916, when he was forced to leave due to ill health.
Rev. Dennis Sipple served from March 1916 to February 1920, During his pastorate the church was painted and repaired and also painted on the interior. A new bell was dedicated, a new piano purchased and carpet placed in the church.
In February 1919, the church was furnished with new hymnals and book racks for the news. The consistory at that time was composed of: William Hummel, Arthur Achenbach, Newton Witmer, William Treida, Charles Spancake, Elmer Spancake, deacons; Isaac Achenbach, Joseph Keefer, elders. Rev. Dennis Sipple was suddenly stricken ill with pneumonia which to the grief of his congregation was the cause of his death. The charge was then supplied by Rev. Harry Jones from March 1920 to October 1920, when Rev. Charles Brown was elected and he served to September 1924.
in July 1921, a second-hand organ was installed for $716; it replaced the old hand-pumped organ. Deacons Edward Achenbach, Newton Witmer, John Schwalm and Arthur Achenbach solicited funds totaling $520 from members of the congregation and $50 was also contributed by the Ladies Aid Society to meet the cost of the organ.
The Ladies Aid Society had been formed in the earlier years of the church. In 1920, Mrs. Charles E. Spancake was elected president of this organization and still served in that capacity. Since that time they have presented gifts to the church, both in money and furnishings, totaling approximately $25,000. In May 1922, their first big project was building of a kitchen and a social room in the basement of the church.
On March 27, 1923, ideas were conceived for the building of a parsonage and a fund for this purpose was started with a $100 donation from Mrs. Harry Moyer‘s Sunday School class. The building committee appointed consisted of Newton Witmer, Robert Snyder, Edward Kantner, Joseph Keefer, Arthur A. Achenbach. The lot adjoining the church was purchased from Edward Schneck in June 1923. The debt for the project was entirely liquidated April 1927.
Pastor of St. Peter’s Church Since 1924
In September 1924, Rev. H. C. Correll was unanimously elected to the charge and continues to serve to the present time, a service record of 26 years. This has been the second longest pastorate in the history of the reformed Congregation. Under the present pastorate “Almighty God has blessed the congregation abundantly.”
In September 1926, the Young Mens’ Bible Class, of which C. W. Keiber was teacher, presented the church with new offering plates.
In the summer of 1927 the church was remodeled inside and painted outside and the re-opening service held on October 16, 1927. The Rev. Dr. C. E. Correll, father of the pastor, assisted at these services.
Deacon Newton Witmer solicited funds from all members of the congregation and collected $240 for the purpose of replacing the church bell. The new bell was purchased in September 1927.
In November 1927, a concrete floor was put in the kitchen and the kitchen itself made larger.
In 1930 a second-hand furnace was installed.
In June 1931, the Ladies Aid Society had the parsonage re-papered.
Communion services had always been held with the congregation going to the altar in separate groups. On Easter 1933 this custom was abolished and to the present day communion is taken in the pews in one body.
Throughout these years Sunday School worship was conducted in the church auditorium, the primary room and the basement of the church. Conditions became such that it was evident that in the near future provisions would have to be made to take care of the increased attendance. In June 1934, definite plans were drawn up for a new Sunday School Annex and the consistory served as the building committee. The consistory of that time was Edward Kantner, Elmer Schneck, Elmer Spancake and Charles Herring, elders; Rankiin Fisher, Harold Hummel, George R. Mease, Irvin Sattazahn, Calvin Schaeffer, Harry Owens, Harvey Beck, deacons. The annex was built at a cost of approximately $15,000. Provision was made for separate teaching facilities for each class through the installation of roller curtains; all departments, with the exception of the primary department were also able to worship in a single body. An entire new heating system for the annex, church auditorium and basement was installed. New chairs were purchased to relive the shortage of seating capacity. Rubber matting was placed on the floor of the Sunday School annex and over the entire floor of the primary department as well as the vestibule of the church….
The congregation was always informed of the dues paid into the church by a full-membership statement which was changed into quarterly statements for a period of about 2 years when in January 1939, individual statements were used; this methods continues today.
In June 1939, the entire church was painted on the outside and in August 1939, the debt created by building the Sunday School annex was completely liquidated. The Ladies Aid Society contributed heavily towards this goal by holding bake and soup sales and serving banquets for various organizations. This work is still continued on a somewhat different schedule. In May, 1940, new screens were placed on all church windows.
The consistory in January 1941 was as follows: Calvin Schaeffer, Harry Owens, Elmer Spancake, Elmer Schneck, elders; Irvin Sattazahn, Slater Schneck, Elmer Seiger, Arthur Hummel, Fred Kegerreis, and Francis Umbenhauer, deacons.
On April 22, 1941, dedicatory services were held for the new altar and altar cloths supplied by the congregation and also for the senior choir gowns donated by the Men’s Fellowship Club. The Men’s Fellowship Club also replaced 60 chairs in the social room at this time.
In March 1942, after the start of World War II, the Ladies Aid Society furnished the church with new American and Christian flags and also a service flag in recognition of those in the service. During this year the Young Ladies Bible Class, Mrs. Paul Bowen, teacher, donated new hymnals to the church. The basement of the church was officially designated as the air raid shelter for the community on August 11, 1942. During this year the Ladies aid Society also purchased confirmation gowns for the church.
A large number of boys and girls were called to serve in the armed forces at this time. each member of the consistory pledged to correspond with several of them. To further express the appreciation of the members of the congregation for their services, boxes containing candles, and various miscellaneous items were sent each person in the armed forces.
in the fall of 1944 various men of the church constructed a room beneath the Sunday School Annex by putting in a concrete floor and finishing the walls and ceiling; a lighting and ventilation system was also installed in the room. This project, financed by the Ladies Aid Society made it possible to serve 25 people at one time. The society also furnished the extra chairs which were needed.
In September 1945 the church was repainted on the inside and extensive repairs made in the kitchen; this work was also done by men from the church. In the same month dedicatory services were held for a new hymn board which was presented to the church by Sunday School class No. 6, Paul Clements, teacher; a bronze cross for the altar donated by Miss Augusta Filbert and an honor roll board presented by the Men’s Fellowship Club. In December 1945, a gift was mailed to each service man as a seasonal greeting from the congregation; all male members received billfolds and female members silk stockings.
In January 1946, the parsonage was re-papered. In May 1946, the Junior Choir, which was organized by Paul Clements, made its first appearance in the new gowns furnished for them by the men’s Club. On December 29, 1946, dedicatory services were held for the candelabra set donated by Mr. and Mrs. Paul Clements; two single candlesticks presented presented by Mr. and Mrs. and Mrs. Charles Spancake and two altar vases presented by Mrs. Lyman R. Zimmerman and family; all donations were made as memorials.
In the fall of 1947 the Men’s Club had shrubbery planted in front of the church.
On May 30, 1948, the Ladies Aid Society was able to realize the completion of one of their goals when they presented to the church the Moller pipe organ for dedication. Mrs. Charles E. Spancake made the presentation and it was accepted by Elmer Spancake. The cost of the organ, including the installation, was approximately $13,000 and it was met completely by the Aid Society. A week of special dedicatory services followed. A second grill was later installed on the left side of the church to correspond to the right side which was changed when the new organ was installed. The Men’s Club donated toward he cost of the second grill.
In the spring of 1948 the Ladies Bible Class, William Hartranft, teacher, had a partition wall built between the main Sunday School and the primary department. Closets were built within the wall which made more storage space available for the church and Sunday School.
On April 13, 1949, the painting of Christ in Gethsemane which was placed on the wall of the main pulpit was unveiled. The painting was presented to the church by the members of the Young Ladies Bible Class, Mrs. John A. Zimmerman, teacher.
In April 1950, a cabinet was placed in the vestibule of the church in which various relics belonging to the church were placed. Old Bibles, communion set, etc., which were at one time used by the church were placed in the cabinet for the enjoyment of any interested person.
On May 7, 1950, a Unitype Bulletin Board was presented to the church by Mrs. Helen Kanter and her daughter Sarah Kanter, as a memorial to the husband and father of the donors, Edward C. Kanter. Mr. Kanter was faithful member of the church and was on the consistory for 37 years. The presentation was made by Sarah and it was accepted by Elmer Spancake. At this same service two large bibles for the pulpit were presented to Mr. Spancake as a gift to the church from the Friendly Hands Sunday School Class, Mrs. Marian Hardy, teacher.
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From West Schuylkill Press and Pine Grove Herald, Tremont, June 9, 1950, via Newspaper.com.
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