Rev. James R. Reily served as minister of David’s Church, Killinger, Dauphin County, from 1812-1819.
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The charge was served by supply pastors from about 1800 to 1812, when Rev. James Reilly came as the second regular pastor.
Rev. Mr. Reily was born at Myerstown in 1788. He remained with Rev. William Hendel for three years, probably learning from him of the great need of the people of the Lykens Valley.
in the days before the Seminary, men prepared for the ministry by working under the guidance of an active pastor. Our first seminary was founded at Carlisle in 1825.
About 1825, he crossed the Atlantic to solicit funds and books for the Theological Library of the new Reformed Seminary.
“He traveled through Germany and Switzerland and succeeded in securing a large number of books, many of which are still in the library of the Seminary, and between six and seven thousand dollars in money. Part of this he spent fr books and about five thousand dollars he turned over to the Seminary. In this way he has become the father of our fine library at Lancaster.”
He died in peace in York, Pennsylvania, March 18, 1844, at the age of 56. He is buried in the graveyard on Beaver Street, where a neat and modest stone marks his grave.
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From commemorative history, One Hundred Eightieth Anniversary David’s Evangelical and Reformed Church, 1770-1950.
Grave marker photo is from Findagrave.
At the time of this posting, no image has been located of him.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.