St. Paul's Evangelical and Reformed Church
Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

HISTORICAL SKETCH

The St. Paul's Congregation came into being through the solicitations of Ruben Kretchman and David Hay, inviting Rev. A. B. Koplin, who was then pastor of the Paradise Charge, to conduct services in the D. Hay School House. The services were soon moved to the new Union Mennonite Church in St. Paul's, located where Roy Sipple's store now stands. Here, on October 26 and 27, 1860, the Congregation was organized. Ruben Kretchman and Benjamin Wilhelm were elected, ordained and installed Elders; David Hay, Peter Wilhelm and Simon Phillippi, as Deacons. And on Sunday, October the 28th, all the 29 members were present for the first Communion Service.

In three years time the membership had grown to 59, and the congregation began talking of building a new Church. Work on the foundation was started in the spring of 1868, and the Cornerstone was laid in June of that year. The contract for building was given to Ambrose Breig of Salisbury. No expense was spared to secure the very best materials available. Therefore, when it was completed, it was said to be the best in Somerset County. The building was dedicated in October, 1869. The speaker for the occasion was Rev. John W. Nevin, D. D., who was then President of Franklin and Marshall College. It was said that he made a profound impression upon the people of this community.

When the building was near completion, someone pointed out to the Wilhelm's that a pipe organ would be a desirable addition to the equipment. The organ was purchased at a cost of $900.00. It was the first pipe organ in the County.

Between the date of dedication and 1906 there are no records available to show what was done to the building or equipment. However, there are those who remember that the walls and ceiling were white until during the pastorate of Rev. J. M. Evans, when they were frecosed. It was perhaps at the time that the organ and the choir were brought down from the gallery, and occupied the corner that is still occupied by the choir. During the pastorate of Rev. E. S. Hassler some changes were made to the Chancel and Choir Loft. Then, when Rev. S. C. Stover was pastor, the old High Pulpit was removed, and the Altar , Pulpit, Lectern and Chairs, as are there today, took place.

The record of other improvements and repairs is as follows:

• 1906 - Painting of interior, etc. $978.40.
• 1917 - Painting of interior, $355.26, water system, $212.35, carpet $86.10, building flue $111.06, furnace $175.00 and miscellaneous repairs $315.68. Total $1,254.45.
• 1919 - Organization of the Congregation was celebrated.
• 1925 - Basement excavation, outside furnace room and new chancel rail with enlarged Choir Loft, $5,885.07.
• 1934 - Interior decoration, $870.00.
• 1939 - Repairs to the Church Steeple $280.37.
• 1945 - Redecorating Interior, $1,500.00
• 1946 - Art Glass Memorial Windows $4,270,00, Brass Cross, Vases and Offering Plates were donated by Norman, Raymond, William Jr. and Mary Ann Gnagey.
• 1947 - To repoint brick and paint the entire exterior of the Church $3,365.00, repair the pinnacle of the Steeple $238.50, and install a new Window in the Tower $36.80.
• 1950 - For plastering recess and painting of Picture $685.00, new Wurlitzer Electronic Organ $2,377.18.
• 1951 - New Curtains to divide the class rooms $136.35. These were purchased and made by the Friendship Class.
• 1953 - This Class also Purchased Pulpit and Lectern Lamps $35.00, Well Drilling and pump by the Sunday School $479.99.

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The improvements that have been made in 1954 and 1955, which are being consecrated unto the Lord at this time, are as follows:

• Outside Bulletin Board and Lamp Posts at the end of the walk. These were purchased by the Sunday School at a cost of $371.70.
• The brick was laid by John Hershberger of Grantsville, Maryland, who donated his labor.
• All other Labor was donated by the men of the Church.
• Landscaping Shrubbery was purchased by the Guild at a cost of $52.00.
• Other Shrubbery was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Norman Holzhauer.
• A set of seven point Wrought Iron Candelabras were donated by Mr. and Mrs. Robert McKerehan, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Maust and Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Klink.
• The material for the Junior Choir Gowns was purchased by the Sunday School at $75.96. The gowns were made by the Mothers of the Junior Choir Members.
• An Altar Table for a Worship Center in the Sunday School $50.00.
• An Electric Water Heater installed in the Sexton's House, with a pipe run to the Church Kitchen, at a cost of $204.72.
• The inside front wall of the Church furred and plastered, the ceiling covered with Acoustical Tile, all the inside walls painted and redecorated, at a cost of $2,865.00.
• The entire Building rewired, and a new Lighting System installed in the Church Naive.
  Cost of Wiring, $293.74. Cost of Lamps $420.00.

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REDEDICATION

ST. PAUL'S (WILHELM)

EVANGELICAL AND REFORMED CHURCH

MEYERSDALE, PENNSYLVANIA, R. D. 1

SUNDAY MARCH 27, 1955

7:30

Clarence E. Whetstone, Pastor

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COMMITTEE

PROGRAM COMMITTEE

 

COMMITTEE ON IMPROVEMENTS AND REPAIRS

 

PASTORS OF ST. PAUL'S

The Congregation has been served by the following pastors:

 

Rev. A. B. Koplin...........................................................1860 - 1863

Rev. W. A. Gring *...........................................................1863 - 1865

Rev. A. B. Koplin..........................................................1867 - 1873

Rev. C. U. Heilman *........................................................1874 - 1884

Rev. J. M. Evans *............................................................1884 - 1893

Rev. E. S. Hassler *..........................................................1893 - 1903

Rev. S. C. Stover *............................................................1903 - 1910

Rev. E. S. Hassler *..........................................................1912 - 1914

Rev. L. N. Wilson *..........................................................1915 - 1920

Rev. S. L. Loback...........................................................1927 - 1928

Rev. Karl H. Beck .........................................................1927 - 1928

Rev. M. A. Kieffer..........................................................1930 - 1932

Rev. C. L. Bash...............................................................1932 - 1938

Rev. A. J. Forry..............................................................1939 - 1943

Rev. George K. Ely.........................................................1945 - 1950

Rev. Clarence E. Whetstone.........................................1951 --------

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John B. Engle, son of Jeremiah Engle and grandson of Mortimer Engle, the first of his family to cross the Alleghenies was born April 16, 1839. His correct name was John J., but in order not to be confused with the "miller" John J. Engle, he made the change as noted. He was confirmed at St. Paul’s in the first class of Catechumens with the Wilhelms on October 27, 1860. He was married December 30, 1860 to Elizabeth Tressler, who was confirmed into the fellowship of St. Paul’s May 5, 1861. To this union nine children were born, all of whom are living of whom six are members of this congregation. They are: Susan, Jeremiah, Albert, Wilson, John, Theodore, Harvey, Elmer and Clara.

Mr. Engle served his country in the Civil War, being a member of Company H, First (Provost) Battalion, Pennsylvania Infantry. For a number of years, he was a member of the G. A. R.

Mr. Engle died October 24, 1912 and on the 27^th was interred in the Family Lot at St. Paul, Rev. E. S. Hassler officiating. Mrs Engle died November 13, 1906 at the age of 67 years, four months and 19 days.

Adam Handwerk was born April 1, 1819 and died September 19, 1887. He was one of the Original five members that organized the congregation in 1860. Mr. Handwerk was probably a member at Elk Lick prior to his connection at St. Paul’s.

David Hay, one of the charter members of St. Paul’s congregation, was born in Brothersvalley, September 3, 1814, and died at his home in Elk Lick Township, April 14, 1878. He was a son of Peter S. and Elizabeth Hay. Prior to his locating in Elk Lick Township, he operated a grist mill in Brothersvalley, and also taught School.

Mr. Hay was twice married. His first wife was Miss Polly Cook, who died in 1850. Two years later he married Mrs. Mary A. Boose. By his first marriage, he had two children: Wm. H. and Calvin T. Hay; by his second, one son, Norman D. Hay.

Mr. Hay was a friend of Education and served his community as School Director. He was a member of the State Assembly, being elected on the Whig Ticket in 1857. In politics he was a Democrat, and took an active part in advancing the interest of his party.

While Mr. Hay was active in various lines of activity, he was closely identified with the work of the Reformed Church all his life. He was the first Deacon of St. Paul’s, and for a number of years served as Elder. When the brick Church was built, he not only contributed $2,000 towards its erection, but he was Chairman of the Building Committee. Before his death, he requested that his heirs set apart $1,000 for a Poor Fund, which was done. He enjoyed the confidence of the Wilhelms, acting as their Business Advisor and assisting them in financial undertakings.

Mrs. Mary A. Hay, was born in 1825, and was a daughter of John Rauch, of Brother’s Valley Township. Her great-grandfather, Jacob George Rauch, came from Hagerstown, Maryland, and settled in Brother’s Valley in 1871. He was one of the early Justices of the Peace. Her grandfather, John Rauch, was a Veteran of the War of 1812. Her father, also John Rauch, was a farmer in Brother’s Valley and served one term as County Commissioner.

In 1846, Mrs. Hay united in marriage with John Boose, who died the following year. To them was born one son, John R. Boose, who resides in Somerset. In 1852 she was married to David Hay, to whom was born one son, Norman D. Hay.

Mrs. Hay was a tireless worker and was a woman of versatile mind. The fine brick House which adorns the Hay Farm was built from plans furnished by Mrs. Hay; and the garden beds as laid out by her have been preserved in the same artistic manner in which she planned them.

Mrs. Hay was reared a Lutheran, in which Church she held her membership until 1897, when she transferred it to St. Paul’s, with the work of which Church she had been closely identified for half a century. She died August 1, 1903, and was laid to rest in St. Paul’s Cemetery.

Adam Ringer was advanced in years when he united with the church. He was a member of the first Catechetical Class that was confirmed in 1860. Mr. Ringer was born March 10, 1793 and died April 24, 1866.

John Andrew Zimmerman and his wife, whose maiden name was Annie Elizabeth Breisman, were two of the five Charter Members of St. Paul’s and Mr. Zimmerman was one of the early Deacons.

Just why Mrs. Zimmerman’s name appears on the record as Mrs. Lucy Zimmerman, we are not able to say. Where her name appears on page 38 of this history, we have followed the record, but her son tells us that her name was Annie Elizabeth, and we now take occasion to say that two names refer to the same person.

John Andrew Zimmerman was born in Laurenburg, Germany, December 18, 1814. His parents were Christopher and Christena Zimmerman. John Andrew was baptized eight days after his birth. He was a Tailor by trade. Until 1854, he resided in Germany, in which year he came as an immigrant to this Country, locating in Elk Lick Township. Mrs. Zimmerman was born May 2, 1822.

Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman were married on February 2, 1845, and they were parents of three children: Annie Mary, Henry and John Frederick.

Mr. Zimmerman died August 16, 1884 of Dropsy, Rev. C. U. Heilman officiated at his funeral. Mrs. Zimmerman died November 17, 1901 of Pneumonia, Rev. E. S. Hassler officiated at her funeral.

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Prepared and contributed by Buddy Duckworth

Allegany County MDGenWeb Copyright