The History of Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church
Introduction
The first two parts of this History were taken from the Fiftieth Anniversary Booklet published November 16, 1920, the results of the efforts of Dr. O. E. Sunday, H. W. App and J. R. Hutson.
Part three has been prepared to bring the History up to date for the
125th Anniversary Celebration beginning May 22, 1955; again the work of Dr. O. E. Sunday, to whom the Anniversary Committee is deeply indebted for his untiring efforts and extensive research in making this information an accurate and interesting account of the past years of Bethany Lutheran Church.
The fourth part of the History of Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church was prepared by Joseph and Virginia White. Mr. White was the editor of the 1980 volume and Chairman of the 150th Anniversary Committee. Through the untiring efforts of he and his wife, and those who served with them, that volume was made ready for publishing.
Part 1: The White Church
The beginning of the Lutheran congregation in Montoursville is like the early part of many other congregations, in that it is buried in oblivion. No one knows the exact organization date of the congregation. Recent Historical sketches of the congregation say it was organized "about 1830." We presume that the authors of those sketches had authority for assigning the date of organization to this year, and, indeed, there is much circumstantial evidence to confirm that statement.
Available records reveal that the church building in which the Lutherans shared, was built in 1838. It is not at all unlikely that there was some form of congregational life long before that period. Especially is this true since all denominations had the free use of the school house, for the purpose of worship, and which was abandoned only when it became too small for proper accommodations. Besides, this was a period of development and expansion in the community. Industries had sprung up and the canal was built; all of which gave new life to the town. The added means of employment attracted laborers, and the village rapidly grew in numbers.
Another evidence is worthy of note. It was during this period that ex-Governor J. Andrew Shulze, at one time a Lutheran minister, and the son of a Lutheran minister, became a resident in the immediate community. He was retired from office in 1829. In 1831 he bought a large tract of land, just east of the village, on the western part of which he built a large dwelling. It is not probable that a man of such strong Lutheran heritage and proclivities would have lived long in the community, without a religious organization of his own faith. There is much evidence to confirm the statement that the congregation was organized about 1830.
Until the first church was built, the congregation worshipped in the octagonal school house. The reasons for building a church and the conditions under which it was built are best stated in several sentences found on the headings of the two documents which bear the names of those who contributed toward its erection. "The people of Montoursville and its vicinity are with respect to a house of public worship in a very destitute condition. A number of us have had it in contemplation for several years to build a house for that purpose. The school house is too small. Two spots of ground will be offered whereon to erect the house, both near Montoursville, and both sufficient to afford every convenience, and left to the choice of those who aid in the building. For the sake of order, the house will be built under the direction of the Lutheran and Presbyterian congregations, and when not occupied by them will be cheerfully offered for the use of our brethren of other Christian denominations."
The headings of the two subscription lists are almost identical, with this exception: In the one (quoted above) and in which mention is made of the fact that two spots of ground would be offered, the names of J. Andrew Shulze and Nathaniel Burrows appear, each subscribing $100, "and a lot two hundred feet square if the subscribers choose to build the house on it;" while on the other, instead of a reference being made to the "two spots of ground" offered, stands this statement: "The building will be erected near the school house, which later was so determined by a meeting of the members." It is evident that one of these papers was prepared after one of the two locations offered, respectively, by J. Andrew Shulze and Nathaniel Burrows had been chosen. The site on which the church would be built, was chosen at a meeting of the members.
While there is on record a statement to the effect that a person other than the ones mentioned above gave the land on which the church was erected, the statement cannot be reconciled with substantial facts. It does not seem plausible that both these offers should be rejected when it is definitely stated that both are convenient and suitable. Besides, the plot of ground on which the church was built formed a part of the tract of land bought by Shulze in 1831, and which remained in his possession until it was sold in 1844. How then could any man, aside from the owner, give this land? After a thorough investigation, we find that not only well authenticated tradition and history, but public records as well, agree in conferring on ex-Governor J. Andrew Shulze the honor of being the donor of the land on which the "White Church" was built.
This piece of land is located on the north side of Broad Street, five hundred feet east of Arch Street, and adjoined the old cemetery plot on the eastern side. It has a frontage of one hundred and twenty feet, and the church was built on the eastern half.
In the agreement made on the 30th of August 1838, between the Master Builders of the Lutheran and Presbyterian congregations, to wit: J. Ort, J. Andrew Shulze, Frederick Coder and Nathaniel Burrows; and John S. Konkle, House Builder, the latter agrees to have the building ready to be plastered in the course of about seven weeks. The Master Builders agree to find all material and to pay the said John S. Konkle the sum of Two Hundred Dollars for the labor expended in building. According to this agreement, the church was built in the latter part of the year 1838.
Formerly Bethany Lutheran Church of Montoursville, the structure standing at 717 Broad Street housed both Lutherans and Presbyterians until the “new" church at 369 Broad Street was constructed in 1870. It was always known as "The White Church." The structure is now a private two-family dwelling.
It was a frame structure, rectangular in shape, approximately thirty-six feet wide and forty-five feet in length and of medium height. The gable roof extended over the front part several feet and rested on four tall, massive columns, eighteen or twenty inches in diameter, which reached to the ground.
This formed a neat little portico and gave the building a touch of the southern colonial style of architecture. From the portico there was a double entrance, each door facing an aisle which extended to the back part of the interior. The middle block of seats was divided by a low partition, which ran parallel with the aisles. On each side of this partition, about halfway back from the front part, was a boxed pew, almost square, which was entered from the aisle through a swinging door. One of these was known as the Family Pew of ex-Governor Shulze. The pulpit was located in the front part of the room, midway between the doors, and was elevated five or six feet from the floor. Entrance to it was gained by means of two ascending stairways, one from each side. Beneath it was a small closet where books were kept, and to the front of it was a small enclosure in which stood a plain table, used as an altar. A high ceiling arched in circular form from both sides of the building eliminated the need of the customary sounding board.
The officers occupied the seats to the left of the pulpit. The men and boys sat on the western side of the middle partition, while the women and girls worshipped on the eastern side of it. It had an estimated seating capacity of two hundred. The singing was done without an instrument. The only light was the light of day, which entered the building through six large, heavily shuttered windows, three on each side of the building.
Amidst this environment, the Lutherans and Presbyterians worshipped in the early days of Montoursville. While the building was plain, it was well proportioned and accurately built. Situated in a small grove of trees and painted white, from which it gained its name, "The White Church," it was very stately and imposing. It was no doubt unusual in its day, and the worshipper might well feel proud of his church.
The old "White Church" was the center of community life, and many interesting scenes and memories might be related. Among them, mention might be made of the singing schools held within its doors, of the jolly country festivals held under the trees on the lawn, of sad burials, as soldier after soldier was brought home during the Civil War and laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery, and then saddest of all, perhaps, of the first Memorial Day ever held in Montoursville.
It was on a Sunday, some days after the close of the war while the misery and sorrow was still fresh in the minds of the people. Many loved ones had been given to the nation, that it might still be the union, and a great crowd assembled to give honor to their memories. The address was delivered in the church, which was much too small to hold the people who crowded around the windows and on the porch to hear. This service, doubtless, was more solemn and impressive than any time since that day. Such were some of the scenes and events, aside from the regular and stately worship, which transpired on this spot made sacred by hallowed associations and joyous fellowships in the days of long ago.
This church was used as a place of worship until the present church, erected in 1870, was ready for occupancy. For a period after this it was not used regularly. Conventions, social gatherings and the like were held here occasionally. On March 31, 1875, it was sold by Peter Miller, J. A. Shaffer, and James Stonecypher, Trustees of the Lutheran Church, and Nathaniel Burrows and T. C. Bennett, Trustees of the Presbyterian Church, for $450, to John A. Bennett, J. C. Bryan and Harrison Moyer. At this time the interior was altered, and it lost much of its churchly appearance. The Grangers then used it as a meeting place. It was also devoted to school purposes, and it was in this building that the first High School of Montoursville was organized, about 1880, by Prof. John Mason Duncan. Later on, it was sold by the above-named owners and converted into a dwelling. It is now used for that purpose, and while the building is well preserved in every way, the much-admired white columns have been removed and it bears little resemblance to the original church structure.
Bethany Lutheran Church erected 1870
Very meager information can be obtained as to who were the first ministers of this little flock. It is authentically stated that Rev. George Schultze, who was then pastor in Williamsport and lived at Balls Mills, preached the sermon in German at the dedication of the White Church. It is not likely, however, that he ministered here with any degree of regularity. It is the prevailing opinion of those who should know that this congregation was organized and served for many years by the ministers of the Muncy Creek Charge. This seems most plausible in every way, and there are many indications that lead to this conclusion. Rev. J. M. Steck, a very accurate historian, in his "Lutherans of Lycoming County" makes definite mention of Montoursville as one of the congregations formed on the territory, originally, occupied and cultivated by the pastors of Emanuel's congregation of the Muncy Creek Charge. To confirm this statement, we have been able to find records of a marriage in 1842 and of baptisms in 1843 performed by Rev. J. T. Williams who was pastor of Emanuel's congregation at that time. To make it more conclusive, Rev. George Parson served that congregation the same time he was pastor here. So, this conclusion seems well founded, and if correct, the first ministers were as follows: Rev. William Garmen 1830-1832, Rev. C. P. Miller 1832-1834, Rev. C. F. Staver 1836-1839, Rev. J. T. Williams 1839-1843, Rev. George Parson 1844-1852.
The earliest records in the possession of the congregation relative to service being held with any degree of regularity are those of Rev. George Parson in the year 1849. He was pastor of the Muncy Creek Charge at that time and Montoursville was included in his field of labor. He confirmed a class of ten catechumens on April 28th of that year. On the following day he held a communion service at which fifty-seven members were present. The record continues to bear the names of the members attending the two communion services held each year, closing with the one held October 10, 1852. There is mention of but one confirmation class, and during these years the membership varies but little. His labors doubtless ceased with the close of the year 1852.
Upon the resignation of Rev. George Parson, Synod directed that this congregation, by whom the pastor of the Muncy Creek Charge was ministering, should now be supplied by the pastor of the Lutheran Church of Williamsport.
As the work of the Muncy Creek Charge developed, it became necessary to look for ways to relieve the situation, and therefore it was necessary to form new pastorates on the territory. During the ministry of Father Parson at Muncy Creek, the two congregations in White Deer Valley and St. John's of Black Hole Valley were united with Williamsport in forming a pastorate. The three congregations first named were afterwards organized into what was called the Clinton Charge and was first served by Rev. Philip Sheeder from 1853 to 1856. It is not certain that this congregation was a part of the Clinton Charge, but our records show that Rev. Philip Sheeder was elected as its pastor the first Sunday in May 1853. How long he ministered here we do not know, nor do we have a knowledge of the work done. The records yield no further information than the fact that he was elected on the above date. He was elected pastor of Trinity Church, Huntersville, about the same time, and left records of service on that field until November 1856. We may be justified in concluding that he served Montoursville during the same period. The lack of any records of work done during this time, and the fact that Rev. Joseph Welker of St. Mark's, Williamsport, conducted a communion service Jan. 14th, 1855, at which only twenty-nine members are recorded, are the only inferences to the contrary.
Following the pastorate of Rev. Philip Sheeder, which we are inclined to believe was short, it would seem the congregation here was supplied by the pastors of Williamsport. How much regular attention these men were able to give to the work here is not known. Apparently there followed a period of approximately ten years during which, owing to the lack of regular pastoral care, the work became somewhat disorganized. However, under the direction of Rev. A. R. Horne, then pastor of St. Mark's, Rev. J. L. Smithdeal was elected pastor of this congregation the fifth Sunday of April 1866. He entered upon his duties the second Sunday in May, and served until February l, 1868.
During the period that this congregation was without a regular pastor we find evidence of a good Sunday School being held regularly at the White Church. It was a union school and doubtless attended and supported by members of all denominations
Bethany Church was without a pastor for a number of years. Rev. J. L. Smithdeal found the members of this congregation scattered, while some had joined other churches in the community. He reorganized the work with an attached membership of about twenty-seven. Records fail us in attempting to learn what the numerical growth of the congregation was during his short pastorate. He served Trinity at Huntersville along with the local field and was the first resident pastor. Having come from the South, he possessed the natural gift of oratory. He was a devoted pastor but unfortunate in having come to the North so soon after the Rebellion.
During this pastorate a very important event transpired. An event which brought the congregation at Montoursville into prominence in association with the history of the Synod to which it belongs. Birthplaces are always sacred. It was in the "Old White Church" of Montoursville that the Susquehanna Synod was formed. The Susquehanna Conference, then a part of East
Certain events had transpired which brought a desirable site within the purchasing ability of the congregation. The building on the front part of the property known as the "Montoursville Tavern Stand" was destroyed by fire, and the owner conveyed the same to Daniel Strebeigh by purchase August 5th, 1868. This property, with a one-hundred-foot frontage and a two-hundred-foot depth, was bought by J. A. Shaffer, William Lewars and Daniel Bruner, Trustees of the Lutheran Church, on the 5th day of February 1870, for the sum of $1,500. Pennsylvania Synod, met here for the fall convention of 1867 and on November 5th organized themselves into the Susquehanna Synod. At this convention there were eighteen clerical and fifteen lay delegates present. This was a rather large number of visitors for such a small congregation to entertain but their action reveals the early presence of that grace of hospitality which has always characterized the congregation. In the summer of 1867 Rev. J. G. Griffith received a call from the Susquehanna Conference of the East Pennsylvania Synod to do Missionary Work in Williamsport and vicinity. He became pastor of the congregation at Montoursville March 1st, 1868, serving Messiah's in South Williamsport at the same time. These two congregations constituted his first charge.
For some time, the members of the Lutheran Congregation had considered the matter of erecting a more modern church edifice nearer the central part of the town if a suitable location could be secured. The congregation was incorporated August 31st, 1869, under the name of the "Evangelical Lutheran Church of Montoursville" by William Lewars, Michael Horlacher, James Strong, David Bubb, James S. Lewars, Leonard Buck, John Bruner, and J. G. Griffith.
On December 22nd, 1869, an agreement was entered into between the trustees of the Lutheran and the trustees of the Presbyterian Churches to sell the White Church property and to build the present Lutheran Church, having the present location under consideration. It was agreed that two members of the Presbyterian congregation and three members of the Lutheran congregation should constitute the building committee.
Certain events had transpired which brought a desirable site within the purchasing ability of the congregation. The building on the front part of the property known as the "Montoursville Tavern Stand" was destroyed by fire, and the owner conveyed the same to Daniel Strebeigh by purchase August 5th, 1868. This property, with a one-hundred-foot frontage and a two-hundred-foot depth, was bought by J. A. Shaffer, William Lewars and Daniel Bruner, Trustees of the Lutheran Church, on the 5th day of February 1870, for the sum of $1,500.
Feeling that the investment was too large for the congregation, they later sold the eastern part to J. B. Rogers for a consideration of $650. Still, there were those in both congregations who felt that the immediate erection of a commodious church was far beyond their present means, but much credit was due to Rev. J. G. Griffith for the execution of the project.
Under the direction of the building committee, which consisted of the pastor, William Lewars and James Strong, of the Lutheran congregation and two members of the Presbyterian congregation, the work was begun in the early spring of 1870. On May 15th, 1870, the corner stone was laid by the Masonic Order. The sermon preached by Rev. J. R. Dimm, D.D., who was assisted by Rev. P. B. Marr of the Presbyterian congregation.
The plan submitted by the architect, designing a two-story brick building eighty feet long and forty-three feet wide, was adopted. Rapid progress was made on the structure and in December of the same year the Lecture Room was dedicated. The completion of the Main Auditorium was left for his successor. After five years of faithful service to the congregation and a fine church edifice as a monument to his labors, Rev. J. G. Griffith, D.D., resigned March 1st, 1873.
With less than a month intervening, Rev. I. P. Neff, M.D., was elected his successor to the South Williamsport and Montoursville churches, March 14th, 1873. The first year his residence was in South Williamsport, and he preached once at the South Williamsport church and once at the Montoursville church every Sunday, alternating the morning and evening service between the two congregations.
The plan submitted by the architect, designing a two-story brick building eighty feet long and forty-three feet wide, was adopted. Rapid progress was made on the structure and in December of the same year the Lecture Room was dedicated. The completion of the Main Auditorium was left for his successor. After five years of faithful service to the congregation and a fine church edifice as a monument to his labors, Rev. J. G. Griffith, D.D., resigned March 1st, 1873.
With less than a month intervening, Rev. I. P. Neff, M.D., was elected his successor to the South Williamsport and Montoursville churches, March 14th, 1873. The first year his residence was in South Williamsport, and he preached once at the South Williamsport church and once at the Montoursville church every Sunday, alternating the morning and evening service between the two congregations.
The next spring he moved to Montoursville but the order for the services remained the same. During the winter of each year special revival services were conducted by the pastor and many were added to the membership.
In 1878 he began preaching for the Lutherans at Fairview School House, and later organized them into the congregation of Emanuel's Church, which became a part of this pastorate. Up to this time only the Lecture Room of the church was in use, but in 1878 the Main Auditorium was completed. During these years a band of faithful women were busy securing means for its furnishings. The completed structure was formally dedicated to the worship of the Triune God on the 28th of April 1878, at an estimated cost of $13,000. The pastor was assisted in these services by Rev. W. W. Criley of Lewisburg, Pa.
The completion of the church buildings at this place and South Williamsport, the organization of the work at Emanuel's and the addition of St. John's little band during Brother Neff's ministry, prepared the way for a division of the pastorate. This move was under consideration before Rev. 1. P. Neff resigned March 14th, 1880.
March the 15th, 1880, Rev. A. N. Warner accepted a call to the Montoursville Charge; then consisting of Montoursville, South Williamsport, Fairview School House and St. John's Mission in Williamsport, at a salary of $500. He preached at this place every Sabbath and at the other congregations every two weeks.
It was during his pastorate that the Women's Home and Foreign Missionary Society was formed. The organization was affected sometime in May 1881. The society has had a continuous growth and has been one of the most potent factors in the life of the congregation, responding nobly to every call for help in the general work at home and abroad and rendering valuable assistance to the work in the local church. The activity of this organization is not limited to the regular meetings held once a month, but a class meets monthly for the study of a standard textbook on missions. Besides these two meetings for adults, the children of the congregation are given missionary instruction in a Mission Band.
In the early part of June 1882, the congregations of Williamsport requested Synod to divide the charge, owing to the need of a pastor to give full time to the work in the city. This request was granted and in consequence of which Rev. A. N. Warner resigned from the local congregation, June 15th, 1882.