ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH WILL CELEBRATE SESQUICENTENNIAL OF ITS FOUNDING SUNDAY, JULY 13, 1930
[Part 2 of 2 – The History]
Photo above is of the church as it appeared in 1856.
According to the date of organization, St. John’s congregation stands second to those of the valley and of conference. The Rev. Michael Enderline, pioneer missionary began his labors in this vicinity in the year 1773 and extended them from Upper Dauphin into Schuylkill, Northumberland and Snyder Counties. in 1789 this congregation was organized by Rev. Enderline.
For twenty years the young congregation worshiped in a log school house, which fact in early years, gave it the name of “the school house congregation.” At a congregational meeting January 19, 1797, a committee was chosen to have charge of the building of a church. This building was of logs, and was located on the present site. It had galleries on three sides and was termed a stately church in its day. It was dedicated October 24, 1802, while Rev. John Herbst was the pastor. Later this building was weather-boarded and in 1856 a steeple with belfry was added.
In the year 1876 the log church gave way to the present handsome church. The cornerstone was laid May 21, 1876 and its dedication took place November 11, 1877. The dimensions are 50 x 87 feet and a basement provides ample Sunday School facilities.
Its location in the center of the valley on an elevation overlooking it, won for all the name of “The Hill Church.” Strangers passing over the highways of the valley seeing this prominent church with handsome cross surmounted steeple, are often attracted to the spot. It is a lasting monument to the esteem which our forefathers held the Church of Christ in placing it as it were, above all the surroundings, ever pointing the souls of men away from the sorid cares of this life to God, who is the source of temporal and spiritual blessings. Inasmuch as it is the mother church of other congregations in the valley, the anniversary services are therefore not merely a congregational but rather a community affair.
The congregation has furnished the church with four ministers and has prospects for several more. They are, the Rev. J. N. Wetzler, Ph. D., of Elderton, Pennsylvania; Rev. Daniel I. Sultzbaugh, Valley View, Pennsylvania; Rev. Harry E. Herman of Reading, Pennsylvania; and Rev. R. D. Snyder of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, 10 July 1930, via Newspapers.com.
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