Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-03-05
The Old Lutheran Church.

A large congregation were present
last Sunday night TO hear the last ser
mon preached in the Lutheran Chur:h
which will now be torn down. prepara'
tory TO building new church during
the summer. This church was one oil
the old landmarks OF the town aud oil
the Valley. Situated on a high emf
nence, its cupola could be seen for miles.
The bell, which FOR many years called
worshippers together, or in tones which
always seemed sad, ann Ounced the
death of some friend or citizen, will be
silent.
Progress has little regard for the
feelings. The thousand old associa-
tons which cling around this, the only
onte-bellttna church still standing in our
town, will not for a moment delay The
work or cause those no demand a
more comfortable temple for the wor
ship of God to halt IN their effort TO I'M
prove upon the work OF the fathers.
The early settlers of this Valley
brought their religion With them. For
the most part these settlers were Luth-
erens. The church where the old con-
gresation worshipped was situated
very near the spot where the Episcopal
Church now stands. After the close
of the Revolutionary war, the congrega-
ton proposed 10 build a new church,
There was a question about building
on the old lot aud the membership
were somewhat divided, when Mr.
Jacob Kuiesley proposed to give the lol
upon which the church was afterwards
erected.
On the oath OF Oct. 1903 the corner
stone was laid, and the walls were built
and the church put under roof. About
this time, the congregation lost con-
siderable money, and the completion OF
the church was postponed, From the
best evidence we can Gether, 1t was
completed about 1929 or 30, and was
then one of the best churches in this
portion of the Valley.
For many years, the services were
con Quoted exclusively in the German
language. When the church author
itises, approaching the change that was
taking place, ordered services to be
conducted in The English language also,
it produced very bitter feeling among
some of those who lad always used the
German language IN their Worship
Tlne, however, soon convinced all that
the order OF the authorities was right
and soon the German gave way 10 the
exclusive use Of the Euglish language.
For many years the preaching oil
Rev. SChmucker attracted large crowds
of people. For many miles around, this
church was the place Of wOrship, and
then people thought it no hardship to
20 eight or Ten miles 10 bear sermon
that was net expected 10 be less than
two hours 10 length. Clocks were not
fashionable in churches aud the minis
tiers began 10 be interesting about The
time that they now announce that ihey
must hasten to conclude. There was
a matter of fact way about preaching
and serving God, in those days, which
would horrify the dainIily dressed fash
iouable worshlppers of the present.
I here was no machine music, but the
strong voice of the leader was followed
by the entire congregation and The mel
Ody was not a, all interrupted by the
crying # score or more Of little ba-
bies. In fact, singing was then part
of the worship in which the whole con-
could engage.
1t is useless 10 mOrealz, upon times
that are past, for while we are writing
these lines we lean that the pulpit. tn e
altar around which our fathers stood
aud with a solemnity that inspired awe,
received the bless ed elements from old
fathers Schumacher, Cline and others,
that have long ago passed, away has
been torn down the floor has been re-
moved, and ever the bell. without so
much as one parting sound, has been
torn from its place and nov occupies
some obscure corner.
"Times change and we change with
Them" vas written centuries ago and
lis truth lie as s,rkiDgly illustrated to.
day as II was then.
The old church will soon PASS from
The memory of man, and tie pew,
which now exists only 10 The brain OF
the architect, will be the centre around
which Will cling the affections OF other
generations.