Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-11-15
ST. JOHNS LUTHERAN CHURCH.

ST. JOHNS LUTHERAN CHURCH.
SKETCH OF THE CHURCH, IT'S RISE, PRO-
GREss, PASTORS, IMPROVEMENTS, &C.
Seeing that the Improvements to st.
Johns Lutheran Church are nearing
we have prepared q
sketch of the church up to this time, as
such an occasion makes it of more than
usual interest to the members of the con-
gregation. and valuable for preservation
for future reference. When the church
is ready again to be occupied, we shall
give fuller description Of the improve
ments. If time and opportunities afford
THE HERALD will furnish those Of its
readers who take an interest in local his
tory matters, further contributions dur
ing the coming winter months.
From centennial discourse delivered
in the church June 18th, 1876, by Rev.
NJ. L. Cutler, then pastor, these points
are taken -
This is one of the oldest congregations
in the Valley of Virginia, and was found
ed by German emigrants, who came
from Pennsylvania and Maryland, the
nucleus being formed here in 1775 or
1776. A church record book, the joint
property of the Lutheran and Reformed
congregations (which worshipped in the
same house until 1882, is still in exis-
tence, bearing the date 1779. The first
record made therein is the baptism of
Magdalena Frantz. February 25th, 1873.
Not until 1890 was there residing pas
tor, but the gospel was preached faith
fully to the congregation. and the sacra-
ments administered by ministers of the
Lutheran Church, who visited them as
often as possible, in connection with
numerous other congregations, scattered
over four or five counties. Until a
church building was obtained, these SER
vices were held in the private houses of
members.
In 1889, a church record, for the ex-
elusive use of the Lutheran congrega-
ton, was obtained, which still remains
in the archives of the church. The first
record is that of the baptism of John
Krug, December LIST, 1882. The first reg
ular pastor, of whom remains any GER
tain knowledge, was Rev. Christian
STREET., man of fine education, and earn
estly devoted to the work. July 10th,
1885, he took charge of Lutheran con-
gregation in Winchester, Virginia. The
field of his operations embraced circnit
of about fifty miles, including the pres
ent counties of Berkeley, Jefferson and
Frederick, and he acted as sort of bish-
op, or overseer of the Lutheran interest
in that section. He thus ministered
until 1890.
Rev. Christian STREET. was born in New
Jersey, and graduated at the University
of Pennsylvania in 1771. when he stud
led theology under the instruction of
Rev. DIR. Muhlenberg, the patriarch of
Lutheranism. During the Revolutionary
war, he was appointed Chaplain of the
Third Virginia Regiment, and for time
was pastor of a congregation at Charles
ton, South Carolina, and during the
sacking of that city by the British, in
1880, was taken prisoner. While at Win
chester. Virginia, he was associated with
DR.. Hill, of the Presbyterian Church, in
charge of the Female Seminary. He was
a fine musician, and constructed an
organ for the use of his family. He died
March 10th, 1912, and was buried at
Succeeding Rev. STREET., and the first
pastor who resided here, was Rev. John
David Young, who took charge of the
December 18th, 1890, and
served it until 1900 and again, after an
absence of two years, in Tanneytown,
Carroll county, Maryland served it from
November Sd, 1909, up to the time of his
death, which occurred February 10th,
1904, at the age of "a years. He was the
author of the first known constitution,
or form of government, for the congrega-
ton, which was signed by 103 members.
S0n 70 1870 hn oh
of Rev. John David Young, the congre-
cation was supplied by Rev. Frederick
William Jazinsky, for about one year. In
his younger years, he had been an officer
in the army of Frederick the Great. He
afterward became pastor of the Luther
an Church in Frederick. Maryland. Rev.
John P. Ravenack became the second
pastor. He began his ministry
about 1908, and resigning his charge in
1874, engaged in mercantile pursuits in
the town. Rev. John Kachler, very
young man, became pastor December LIST,
1917, and continued until 1919. Rev. G.
P. Krauth, then young man, latter
ward known as Rev. DR.. Krauth), took
charge in the autumn of 1919. This wa
his first charge, and he was eminently
successful. He resigned in 1927, and be-
came pastor of st. Matthews, of Philadel-
phia. In 1884, he was elected President
of the Pennsylvania College in 1850,
Professor of Biblical and Oriental Liter
AZURE. in the Theological Seminary at
Gettysburg, in which position he labored
until his death in 1867. His successor
was Rev. Jabob Medtart, who became
pastor in 1927. In 1885, he accepted a
call to st. Matthews, Philadelphia. Rev.
1ct
until 1887 Rev. Charles Martin, March
Goth, 1887, to 1S42 Rev. Samuel SPEECH
err, February 18th, 1912, who resigned
the same year, on account of i'll health !;
Rev. Joseph A. Seiss, May Goth, 1913. re-
sighed in 1916; Rev. John Winter. No.
vember 23d, 1916, to f847 Rev. G. P.
Krauth, jr.. November Sth, 1847, to April
1st, 1913, when he became pastor of the
Lutheran Church at Winchester Rev.
B. NJ. Schmucker, May 21st, 1S4S, to
1859; Rev. Reuben A. Fink, April 1st,
1859; Rev. William Kopp, November
25th, 1856, to September 18th, 1857 Rev.
Edwin Dorsey, April list, 1858: Rev.
Charles Martin, October 21st, 1860, to the
spring of 1861, when his labors here
were terminated by the beginning of the
civil war Rev. j. S. Heilig, August 9th,
1866, to the summer of 1868; Rev. NJ L..
Cutler, December 1st, 1869, to July Oath,
1881; Rev. r. c. Holland, November
23d, 1881, present pastor.
The first church edifice was the COM
mon property of the Lutheran and Re-
formed congregations. 1t was built of
logs and located on the corner of John
and Church streets. Jacob Shartel was
constructing it for tavern, and when it
was just under roof, it was purchased by
the two congregations, March Goth, 1856,
and finished as a house for the worship