Part II - Bethany Church - The First Fifty Years
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.
The charge having been divided, the local congregation and Emanuel's elected Rev. I. P. Zimmerman as pastor April 1st, 1883, at a salary of $600. During his pastorate he also supplied the St. James congregation. He came from the Seminary at Selinsgrove and lived in Montoursville. The Installation Services were conducted by Rev. Peter Born, D.D., on the 15th of July. Being a resident pastor and a faithful servant, under his leadership, the congregation grew and prospered in every way, and many were added to the church.
In 1883 the Presbyterians, who up to this time had shared with the Lutherans in the right and privilege of the Lutheran Church for the purpose of worship, built their own church edifice on its present location and withdrew to enjoy the blessings of their new church home, thus severing their relations with the Lutherans.
The Parsonage property on Washington Street was purchased by the congregation from Everhart Plankenhorn, December 1st, 1883, for $1,200. Beginning with Brother Zimmerman's work in this field we have church records down to the present time, complete. They reveal the evidence of earnest labor and fruitful effort. He resigned the pastorate July 31st, to take effect September 1st, 1887, leaving the congregation with a membership of nearly two hundred.
His successor was Rev. J. R. Sample who took charge of the work September 1st, 1887. At a congregational meeting held April 22nd, 1888, it was decided to make some necessary improvements to the church. The building was roofed, the walls and ceiling frescoed, the pews and windows painted, the floor carpeted, and the old lights were replaced with Baily Reflectors. The carpet was a gift from the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society. The repairs cost about $800, all of which was provided before the church was reopened July 15th, 1888. At this service the pastor was assisted by Rev. S. G.
Shannon.
Through the influence of Brother Sample, the St. James congregation joined the Susquehanna Synod October 7th, 1888, which he continued to supply with services and pastoral care.
Beginning with the year 1892 the name of the Sunday School was changed from the "Montoursville Union Sunday School" to the "Evangelical Lutheran Sunday School," This does not imply that before this time it was not Lutheran in teaching and spirit but from that time on it has been true to name. The school has always been progressive and modern in its ways and methods. It has been its custom for years to give one offering a month to Missions and on various occasions has rendered substantial financial support to the congregation. Indeed, it has been an unusual asset to the church along all lines of activity.
In 1911, having outgrown its present room, it financed the building of additional rooms for Primary, Junior and Intermediate departments. The growth in numbers during the last several years has been sufficient to warrant the consideration of providing more spacious quarters. The school has occupied an advanced position in the county for the past seven years, is well organized, graded, and is one of the best in the Synod.
During Brother Sample's Ministry the congregation at Montoursville had an unprecedented growth in numbers. It was a period of great ingathering. Each year the records show a notable increase in membership. At the close of this ministry, the congregation numbered over three hundred members. The charge stood fourth in the Synod, second in the Conference, and is cited as one of the charges which paid more than its apportionment. Rev. J. R. Sample closed his work here August 27th, 1893.
He was succeeded by Rev. T. J. Yost who became pastor of the charge January 1st, 1894. The parsonage property was rented and the Casselberry house on Main Street was secured for the pastor's residence. During his ministry here the pastor also supplied the St. James congregation. While no summary of the work accomplished is recorded, yet apparently there was growth and development. Following a ministry of 1 1/2 year's duration, Rev. Yost resigned May 1st, 1895.
On September 16th, 1895, Rev. W. L. Rutherford was elected pastor of the Montoursville charge, which included Emanuel's and the local congregations, St. James being supplied from this point. During the first year of his pastorate, the Brothers I. F. Stettler, B. A. Weaver and Peter Harris, in conjunction with the Trustees, were directed to make repairs to the Parsonage property. The dwelling was moved back from Washington Street and the front addition built, which necessitated some interior alterations. The house was roofed, and the barn rebuilt, all at a cost of $1,435.
The present Pipe Organ was installed in September 1897. The cost of organ and installation totaled $700. The church building was wired and equipped with electric lights in the early part of the following year. Along with this additional equipment was the gift of $75 for Hymn Books. One of the new features of this pastorate was a parish paper edited by the pastor.
On the record left by the pastor is found these words: "Owing to peculiar internal and external condition of affairs, the work was extremely difficult, but by the help of God, harmony is restored, and the work made to prosper." His five years of faithful service came to a close by his resignation December 1st, 1900.
At a Congregational Meeting held December 16th, 1900, a resolution was passed to the effect: that, since the best interests of this congregation required the holding of services both morning and evening of the Lord's Day, Emanuel's Congregation be asked to arrange for a time other than these for its services. It appears at this juncture that Emanuel's became a part of the Immanuel Charge, which was formed a short time after this and included St. James, Trinity, and Emanuel's. The local congregation from this time on enjoyed the full-time and services of her own pastors.
A motion was passed at a Congregational Meeting held after the morning service, January 13th, 1901, requesting all those, who felt so disposed, to co-operate with a movement to form a Young People's Society for Christian Education. Doubtless this was the beginning of that Society, which for many years was a very active organization and proved of invaluable benefit and service to the young people of the congregation.
Then follows the longest pastorate of the congregation. On March 1st, 1901, Rev. W. C. Dunlap became the pastor of this congregation and was installed the 23rd of June. The Envelograph System of finance was adopted during the early part of this year.
A special Congregational Meeting was held February 9th, 1902, and it was decided to make extensive repairs and improvements to the church building. The following members were appointed as a Building Committee to execute the work: B. A. Weaver, S. S. Jarrett, Dr. George C. Saeger, W. J. Artley, S. F. Rentz and C. C. Mayr.
The use of the P.O.S. of A. Hall was secured for the holding of services and the work began at once. It included the changing and enlarging the main entrance; installing a steam heating system; elevating and recarpeting the floor, changing the ceiling, decorating the interior, and placing new pews in the main audience room; the refurnishing and adding a new Starck Piano to the equipment of the Sunday School; painting and roofing the building with slate; and laying of cement pavement in front of the church. The improvements were made at a cost of $5,100, all of which was provided before the re-opening.
Dedicatorial Services were held during the week of October 5th to the 12th, 1902, in which the following visiting ministers took part: Rev. G. W. Enders, D.D., Rev. J. M. Anspach, D.D., Rev. J. H. Barb, D.D., Rev. F. U. Gift, Rev. J. W. Lake, D.D., Rev. 1. H. Wagner, Rev. W. F. Steck, Rev. J. G. Griffith, D.D., Rev. L. L. Lohr, Rev. R. G. Bannen, and Rev. A. E. Cooper.
The church began to occupy a commanding position in the community, and there followed years of ingathering and blessing during which the congregation grew numerically and spiritually.
On December 24th, 1906, the name of the church was changed to "Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church of Montoursville." J. R. Hutson, Secretary, and Dr. George C. Saeger, Robert E. Deitrick, C. W. Hiller, Trustees, were the incorporators.
At the April 9th, 1911, meeting of the congregation, authorization was granted to build additional facilities to the rear of the church. The Sunday School had outgrown its present quarters and needed additional space. At the same time the congregation decided to construct a basement under the entire building. Under the leadership of B. A. Weaver, W. H. Trump, Joseph H. Strieby, W. H. Gross, and H. W. App, as a Building Committee, the work was undertaken at once. Before its completion, Rev. W. C. Dunlap was called to St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Pittsburgh, Pa., and closed his labors here July 1st, 1911. He left the congregation with the membership greatly increased, four hundred thirty-three having been added during his ten years of service, and with peace and harmony prevailing among the members.
Rev. E. M. Gearhart was elected pastor of the congregation, October 1st, 1911. He found the work of the annex and basement well under way and was completed during the latter part of the same year. The work consisted of building an addition, forty-seven feet wide and thirty and one-half feet long, to the Sunday School room for the use of the Primary, Junior and Intermediate Departments, with sliding doors between the main room and the departments.
A church parlor was fully furnished; the basement was made to include the entire space within the walls of the completed building, with a fully equipped kitchen and dining room. The cost of the improvements was approximately $5,500. The new structure was dedicated by the pastor, and the school occupied the annex for the first, January 8, 1912. The congregation now had a church edifice commensurate with its needs, and the work continued to prosper.
Special attention was given to the young, to the appointments of the church. The pastor was in charge of the local Boy Scout Troop. He also organized a girls’ choir. These activities presented him with an opportunity to work with young people of that age.
Each year numbers were added to the membership. Especially was this true following a series of meetings held in this town by Evangelist E. J. Dunlap during March of 1915.
The Brotherhood was organized in the early part of November 1913. The Clover Circle Sunday School Class served a banquet in the basement of the church. Mr. Benjamin Apple of Sunbury was present and aided in the organization. Members have been added from time to time and its purpose has always been to mobilize the manpower of the congregation. It has greatly assisted each year in Every Member Canvass. In February 1917, it added to the equipment of the Sunday School an excellent set of Maps of Bible lands.
During the month of July 1914, the cellar of the parsonage was enlarged, and a slate roof put on the building. A piano was placed in the main auditorium of the church during the early part of 1915. The congregation was the happy recipient of one hundred and twenty-five Books of Worship, a gift from a friend.
Inasmuch as the Susquehanna Synod was organized at Montoursville, Bethany extended an invitation for the meeting of the Synod.
Rev. Gearhart concluded his labors here April 1st, 1916, leaving the congregation free of debt and in a good, prosperous condition.
During the interim of pastorates, the congregation voted to make improvements to church and parsonage. This action was taken July 2nd, 1916, and the work was delegated to a committee consisting of H. W. App, W. H. Trump, J. R. Hutson, J. W. Strieby, and R. H. Rothfuss.
On August 7th, 1916, in response to a request of the Susquehanna Synod, the following committee was appointed to compile a history of the local congregation to be published as a part of the "History of the Susquehanna Synod": J R. Hutson, Mrs. J. R. Hutson, Mrs. Clara Griffith, C. C. Mayr, and Prof. G. E. Styer.
Rev. O. E. Sunday, began his work with Bethany Congregation, September 1st, 1916. He was installed by Rev. M. H. Fischer, Ph.D., and Rev. F. P. Manhart, D.D., December 17th.
The repair work in the main auditorium was not fully completed, consequently the Sunday School room was used for services during the month of September and part of October. The church was reopened October 15th, 1916, at which time the pastor was assisted by Rev. F. P. Manhart, D.D. The work was done at an expenditure of $2,100, all of which had been pledged before its completion.
That the Committee had been faithful is evidenced by the following results: The Parsonage was painted on the exterior and painted and papered in the interior, hardwood floors laid on the second story and a large bookcase placed in the pastor's study.
The exterior of the church was painted, the entrance refinished, in the auditorium the walls and ceilings were beautified, and the floor recarpeted, and additional furnishings made for the Sunday School room. During the early spring of 1917, the basement was renovated at a cost of $300. Altar Cloths, Lecturn and Pulpit Antependia, Cloth Coverings for Pulpit Chairs, Curtains for Choir Rail and Bookmarks have been the gifts, at different times, of the "Clover Circle," "Catherine Von Bora" and "Junior Brotherhood" Sunday School Classes. The congregation now possesses a church and parsonage modernly furnished and equipped, attractive and complete in every way.
May 8-11, 1917, the congregation acted as host to the Susquehanna Synod during its Fiftieth Anniversary Convention. Dinner and supper, each day, were gratuitously served in the basement of the church by the ladies. Brief services were held by the Synodical Body at the old "White Church " property Thursday afternoon in memory of fifty years ago.
The church began the year 1918 with the Bipocket System of Finance which it has used since then with exceptional results. Each year the apportionment in benevolence has been exceeded and all bills in the current expenses paid when due. The pastor's salary has been substantially increased three times in that many years.
When our country entered the World War, many of our number answered the call for service. A farewell service was held September 16th, 1917, for all those who should go to defend a cause which we had come to believe was just and right. During the period of the conflict, fifty-five members of our community entered the active service, forty of which were members of the church. They came from us with the assurance that the church would follow them with its prayers and interest in their welfare. Effort was made through the Brotherhood and by individual correspondence to keep in touch with them as far as possible.
A Service Flag was dedicated January 20th, 1918, and a beautiful United States silk flag, presented by the Sunday School, was given permanent place in the main auditorium, January 26th, 1919. The congregation made liberal contributions, each time, to the several appeals for financial support, during the conflict. Upon the return of the boys, a Welcome Home Service was held at which time the Service Flag was demobilized, and several of the service men expressed their appreciation of what the congregation had done for them. A banquet in honor of all of those who served their country in the military was served by the Young People's Department of the Sunday School.
An Interchangeable Steel Bulletin was placed on the front of the church in February of 1920, and the Common Service Hymn Books of the United Lutheran Church was used for the first time on March 21st of the same year.
On December 4th, 1919, Brothers H. W. App and J. R. Hutson were appointed as a committee to act in conjunction with the pastor in compiling a Souvenir Booklet, as a feature of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the laying of the Corner Stone of the present church, to be held in May 1920.
Under the auspices of the Women's Missionary Society, a Young Women's Missionary Society was organized Sunday, March 4th, 1920. This was the youngest organization of the church and surely it had a noble beginning.
In order to supply the need of continuous Christian instruction, during that period of the year when no catechetical classes are conducted, the juniors of the congregation were called together every Sunday afternoon for the Bible Hour. At this meeting the children were taught an intelligent use of the Bible, portions of Scripture were memorized, and a general foundation was laid for future religious nurture and growth. While it was a new approach, it quickly proved its merit.
The congregation was honored by having three sons in the Ministry of the church: Rev. W. H. Harding, of Camden, N.J.; Rev. J. I. Stonecypher, of Montgomery, Pa., R. D., and Rev. George W. Nicely, of Hanover, Pa. Any congregation would be proud of these men and the noble work they were doing.
During the first three and a half years of Rev. Sunday's pastorate, nearly two hundred adult members were added to the membership of the congregation. Growth had come to the church in every way. The people were interested and active, thoughtful of their pastor, and devoted to the Cause of Righteousness.
At this time, May, 1920, the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Corner Stone Laying for the present church building, Bethany Evangelical congregation had a communicant membership of four hundred forty-nine members, and a confirmed membership of five hundred one members; a Sunday School of five hundred twenty-seven scholars with six departments and eighteen organized classes; a Woman's Missionary Society of fifty-five active and twenty honorary and twelve life members; a Brotherhood of seventy-five members; a Young Women's Missionary Society of seven charter members, a Mission Band and Bible Hour attended by the children of the congregation.
The church and parsonage properties estimated at $25,500 were entirely free of debt and the congregation was on a substantial financial basis. It had been the custom for years to far exceed the apportionment in benevolence, and to meet all current expenses with a creditable balance from month to month. All this was due to the fact that the people have a mind to work and a heart to give. Thus, the first fifty years of the Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church was completed.